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Epikos Church Sermons

Epikos Church Sermons

282 episodes — Page 2 of 6

Ep 235Ask, Seek, Knock

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering focuses on Jesus's teaching about prayer in the "ask, seek, and knock" passage, emphasizing that God invites believers to come to Him continually with their requests without fear of being annoying. Pastor Mark explains that during difficult seasons when God seems unresponsive to our prayers, we must remember to rest in God's goodness rather than judging Him by our limited understanding of what constitutes good outcomes. He teaches that we are God's children and should approach Him with childlike trust, understanding that if we knew everything God knows, we would only ask for what He has already provided. The message concludes by connecting this prayer relationship with the Golden Rule, showing that right relationship with God naturally leads to right relationships with others.

Jun 8, 202536 min

Ep 234Don't Judge

In this week’s message, Pastor Mark Deering focuses on Jesus's teaching "Judge not, that you be not judged" explaining that while we shouldn't judge others, we should maintain a discerning spirit. Pastor Mark defines judgment as forming fixed opinions about others, assuming their motives, and viewing them through a lens of self-righteousness. Jesus calls believers to help one another grow spiritually by addressing faults with humility and relationship rather than harsh judgment, recognizing that we all have "logs in our own eyes" while trying to remove "specks" from others'. Pastor Mark emphasizes five principles for discerning wisely: being slow to speak without experience, learning others' stories before sharing your own, recognizing that what bothers you about others might reveal your own issues, not giving wisdom to closed ears, and generously offering wisdom to those who are open to receive it.

Jun 1, 202540 min

Ep 233Anxiety

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison preaches on Jesus's command, "Do not be anxious about your life" clarifying that Jesus is specifically addressing anxiety that stems from chasing after material possessions rather than all forms of anxiety. He explained that when we serve "mammon" (money and possessions) instead of God, we inevitably experience more worry and anxiety because accumulating stuff brings added responsibilities and concerns. Jesus calls believers to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," trusting that God will provide for daily needs through miracles, honest work, and the generosity of fellow believers within the church community.

May 25, 202537 min

Ep 232True Treasure

In this week's message, Pastor Mark Deering explores Jesus's teaching about treasures in heaven versus treasures on earth, explaining that where we place our treasures reveals where our hearts truly are. He unpacks Jesus's metaphor about the "bad eye" as referring to stinginess and lack of generosity, contrasting it with having a "good eye" that generously shares what God has provided. Pastor Mark emphasizes that Christians cannot serve both God and money simultaneously, and must choose which master they will prioritize in their lives. The sermon concludes with practical financial wisdom about prioritizing generosity to God first, then saving, and living off the remainder, rather than prioritizing personal desires and giving God only what's left over.

May 18, 202533 min

Ep 231When You Fast

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski explores the spiritual practice of voluntarily abstaining from food as a means of deepening one's relationship with God. Drawing from biblical context, he explains that fasting is not about performance or manipulating God, but rather about creating intentional moments of presence and communion with the divine. He highlights three key reasons for fasting: cultivating God's presence, remembrance of spiritual truths, and personal spiritual formation. Pastor Jacob encourages us to approach fasting as an invitation to a deeper spiritual life, while emphasizing the importance of individual health considerations and practicing fasting humbly and privately. He suggests starting small, such as skipping a single meal, and viewing fasting as a way to intensify spiritual dependence, enhance prayer, and recognize that spiritual needs are more fundamental than physical desires.

May 11, 202536 min

Ep 230When You Pray

This week's message by Pastor Jacob Michalski focuses on prayer through three key questions: should I pray, why am I praying, and how should I pray. Pastor Jacob emphasizes that Jesus expects followers to pray genuinely seeking God's presence rather than human approval, breaking down the Lord's Prayer line by line to show how it connects to other teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. From personal experience, he shares how implementing "fixed hour prayer" three times daily transformed his prayer life by interrupting his day, addressing different needs, and establishing consistency. He closes by inviting the congregation to make the Lord's Prayer a foundational part of their daily lives, suggesting noon as a unified time for the entire church to pray together.

May 4, 202541 min

Ep 229When You Give

In this week's message, Pastor Mark explains Jesus's teachings about generosity and reward, particularly how Christians should practice righteousness not for public recognition but for God's approval. The message traces generosity throughout scripture, from God's creation to Old Testament tithing practices to Jesus's teachings, emphasizing that generosity should flow from the heart in all areas of life. Using personal stories about extraordinary acts of giving, Pastor Mark challenges the congregation to reframe their understanding of reward beyond financial security and to honestly evaluate whether they're giving according to their true ability, inviting them to upcoming financial stewardship sessions to explore these concepts further.

Apr 27, 202540 min

Ep 228Rise: Step into Hope

This Easter Sunday message focuses on the concept of being "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Pastor Mark explains that this resurrection power gives believers three key benefits: a radical new identity as children of God that transcends worldly identities; a restored purpose to share Jesus; and a resilient transformation that allows Christians to move forward despite failures and trials. Mark contrasts this with the human desire for a "reset button" in life, emphasizing that resurrection power is superior because it enables forward progress rather than just starting over. The message concludes with an invitation for non-believers to accept Jesus and celebrates those choosing to be baptized as a public declaration of their faith.

Apr 20, 202526 min

Ep 227Love Your Enemy

In this week's message, Pastor Mark encourages us to explore who our enemies might be—spiritual, relational/social, or political—and challenges listeners to identify those they might consider enemies in their lives. A story shared by a member of Epikos demonstrates the transformative power of following Jesus's command to love enemies. Pastor Mark provides practical guidance on loving enemies: first, write down their names and pray for their blessing (not just their repentance); second, avoid gossip and slander about them; and third, remember that God may be working in their lives in ways we don't understand. He connects this challenging command to Jesus's perfect example of love on the cross, where Christ loved and died for us while we were still his enemies, showing that the gospel is never too small to enable forgiveness and reconciliation.

Apr 13, 202540 min

Ep 226Upsidedown Retaliation

In this week's message, Pastor Tommy addresses how Christians should respond when wronged by others. He explains that while Old Testament "eye for an eye" laws were meant to limit retaliation, Jesus takes this further by redefining retaliation completely. Instead of responding to wrongs with equal harm, Jesus calls his followers to practice "upside down retaliation" - responding to wrongs by giving what others don't deserve: respect, generosity, and humanity. Through four examples (turning the other cheek, giving your cloak, going the extra mile, and giving to those who ask), Pastor Tommy illustrates how Christians should prioritize peace and reconciliation over vengeance. He concludes by connecting this teaching to Jesus's own example, who didn't retaliate against humanity's sin but instead sacrificed himself to restore our relationship with God, demonstrating the ultimate form of upside-down retaliation.

Apr 6, 202534 min

Ep 225Trustworthy

In this week's message, Pastor Tommy speaks on Jesus's teachings about oaths. He explains that in Jesus's time, people were exploiting loopholes by swearing oaths on things "God-adjacent" rather than directly on God's name to avoid keeping their promises. Jesus responds by instructing his followers to "let your yes be yes and your no be no," advocating for radical trustworthiness instead of oath-taking. Pastor Tommy emphasizes that being trustworthy isn't just about personal reputation but also represents God to others, as believers are meant to reflect God's faithful character. He concludes by noting that when we break trust, we should admit our wrongs, and that Jesus will address how to respond when others wrong us in the following sermon.

Mar 30, 202536 min

Ep 224Divorce

In this week’s message, Pastor Mark explores the biblical perspective on marriage and divorce, emphasizing that while God's design for marriage was originally perfect, human brokenness has distorted it. It traces how divorce was addressed in the Old Testament and how interpretations of these laws evolved, sometimes to justify unjust divorces. Jesus confronted this distortion in his teachings, calling out those who manipulated scripture for personal gain. The message highlights that while divorce is not God’s desire, it is a provision due to human brokenness and should not be seen as an unforgivable sin. It also emphasizes Jesus’ unwavering commitment to His people, using marriage as a reflection of His relationship with the church, and encourages believers to uphold the sanctity of marriage while extending grace and support to those who have experienced divorce.

Mar 23, 202540 min

Ep 223Kingdom Sexual Ethic

In this week's message, Pastor Mark focuses on Jesus's teachings about adultery, lust, and sexuality in Matthew 5. Pastor Mark uses the metaphor of a basket filled with items we need to keep, throw away, or add to represent our understanding of these topics. He establishes that God created a "kingdom sexual ethic" where sex is designed for marriage as a reflection of our relationship with God, emphasizing dignity, respect, and seeing others as image-bearers rather than objects of gratification. Jesus expands on "do not commit adultery" by addressing the heart, teaching that lustful intent is equivalent to adultery. Pastor Mark critiques the harmful aspects of purity culture while emphasizing two key responses to Jesus's teaching: surrendering our desires to God and being willing to sacrifice anything (metaphorically "cutting off a hand") that leads to sin. He concludes by connecting this to the church's mission of trusting Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing as Jesus did, encouraging listeners to seek support if needed.

Mar 16, 202540 min

Ep 222Anger

In this week's message, Pastor Jacob continues the "Upside Down Kingdom" series, focusing on Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5 about anger. He explains that Jesus expands the commandment "do not murder" beyond physical violence to include anger, insults, and name-calling, treating these as seriously as murder itself. Jesus teaches that the commandment is more than a rule to follow; it's a guiding principle for loving others. While anger itself isn't inherently wrong (Jesus himself expressed anger at injustice), how we express and direct our anger matters greatly. Jesus calls his followers to pursue reconciliation when relationships are damaged, which involves reopening communication, engaging in forgiveness, and rebuilding trust. By managing our anger properly and valuing relationships enough to work toward reconciliation, Christians can be "salt and light" in the world.

Mar 9, 202537 min

Ep 221True Righteousness

Pastor Tommy explores Matthew 5:17-20 in this week's message, explaining Jesus's statement that he came to fulfill, not abolish, the law and prophets. He emphasizes that "the law and prophets" refers to God's rescue plan for humanity through Israel, which Jesus claims to be fulfilling. Pastor Tommy explains that when Jesus says our "righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees," he's not promoting works-based salvation but highlighting that true righteousness comes through relationship with him, not merely following rules. The Pharisees mistakenly prioritized rule-following over participating in God's mission.

Mar 2, 202538 min

Ep 220Salt & Light

In this sermon, Pastor Mark Deering continues the "Upside Down Kingdom" series, exploring Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. He examines Matthew 5:13–16, where Jesus tells his followers they are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." Pastor Mark explains three key insights: to be effective salt, believers must be authentic and avoid hypocrisy; to be light in the world, we must work together in community rather than attempting to go it alone; and finally, we must stop hiding our light under a basket, embracing vulnerability in all areas of life. Throughout the message, Pastor Mark emphasizes that the Sermon on the Mount is fundamentally about relationships—with God and with others—and he challenges us to examine where we might be failing to fully embrace our role as salt and light.

Feb 23, 202530 min

Ep 219The Good Life

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski focuses on The Beatitudes and what it means to "live the good life." He explains that the word "blessed" in the Beatitudes equates to "happy" or having "the good life," and then contrasts Jesus's unexpected view of who has the good life with common perspectives. While people typically think of the good life in terms of comfort, security, and material success, Jesus declares that the good life belongs to those who are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaking, and even persecuted. Pastor Jacob emphasizes that this seemingly paradoxical teaching reflects Jesus's eternal perspective rather than a temporal one, and points out that the Beatitudes aren't a checklist but rather an assessment tool to see if one's heart aligns with God's perspective on the world. He concludes by encouraging his congregation to reflect on these teachings and compare their own definition of the good life with Jesus's vision.

Feb 17, 202541 min

Ep 218The Sermon on the Mount

Feb 9, 202529 min

Ep 217Moving Forward Faithfully

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark discusses Epikos Church's new mission and vision through the lens of the Great Commission from Matthew 28. He defines discipleship as a process of trusting in Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did, emphasizing that the church's role is to equip and encourage people in this journey. Our new mission statement reflects these values, and our vision is to "reach every neighborhood to see the gospel redeem and renew lives," highlighting our commitment to community, diversity, and spiritual growth. Pastor Mark uses our demographic map as evidence of their ability to unite people across different backgrounds, underlining the transformative power of the gospel in bringing people together under Jesus.

Feb 2, 202537 min

Ep 216Looking Back in Gratitude

This week at Epikos Church, we celebrate 20 years of being a church! During this week’s message, Pastor Mark Deering walks through the past 20 years of the church, sharing stories of connection, growth, and life change from various people who call Epikos home.

Jan 26, 202539 min

Ep 215Identity in Jesus

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison discusses a story from Luke 2 about 12-year-old Jesus being accidentally left behind in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph after Passover. After searching for three days, they find Jesus in the temple discussing scripture with religious teachers who were amazed by His understanding. When questioned by His worried parents, Jesus responded that "I must be in my father's house," demonstrating that even as a pre-teen, He knew His true identity was rooted in God the Father. Pastor Tommy uses this story to explore how Christians should similarly find their identity in God rather than in worldly things, explaining that humans were originally created to be "God's skyscrapers"—designed to display His glory to the world. The sermon concludes with three practical ways to develop this identity: spending time with God in prayer, being obedient to God's commands, and studying scripture.

Jan 19, 202538 min

Ep 214The Flight to Egypt

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering examines the story of Jesus's family fleeing to Egypt, contrasting King Herod's notorious pursuit of power and subsequent atrocities with Joseph's humble obedience to God's guidance. Pastor Mark weaves together historical context about Herod's rule, the significance of Nazareth as an obscure town, and the biblical prophecies fulfilled through these events. Throughout the message, he draws parallels between the ancient narrative and modern life, emphasizing how God often works through moments of obscurity and challenging circumstances, which he terms "Nazareth moments." The sermon concludes with a call for listeners to embrace these difficult periods in their lives with faith, understanding that salvation comes through Jesus regardless of their circumstances.

Jan 12, 202536 min

Ep 213The "Wise Men"

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski focuses on the story of the Magi from Matthew Chapter 2, following the events of Jesus's birth. Pastor Jacob explores who the Magi were (explaining they were likely astronomers or advisers rather than kings), their encounter with King Herod, and the significance of their gifts to Jesus (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). He emphasizes two main points: that Jesus's birth fulfills God's promise through prophecy, and that Jesus's birth calls people to make a choice about whether to follow him.

Jan 5, 202536 min

Ep 212The Hope Foretold

In this special Christmas Eve service, Pastor Mark Deering challenges common misconceptions about Jesus's birth, explaining that rather than being turned away from an inn, Jesus was likely born in a family home in Bethlehem that was overcrowded due to Caesar's census. Pastor Mark emphasizes how Mary and Joseph were surrounded by family, with Jesus being placed in a manger in the home's animal area due to a lack of space in the guest room. He concludes by connecting the humble circumstances of Christ's birth to God's tendency to work in unexpected ways.

Dec 24, 202422 min

Ep 211Zechariah's Prophecy

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering recaps the three main parts of Luke 1: Zechariah's initial disbelief when told by an angel that his elderly wife Elizabeth would bear a son, Mary's faithful response to her own angelic visitation, and finally the birth of John the Baptist where Zechariah regains his speech and offers a prophecy of praise. Pastor Mark emphasizes how Zechariah's story shows a progression from doubt to complete surrender and praise, highlighting how he accepted that his son John would prepare the way for Jesus rather than follow in his priestly legacy.

Dec 22, 202433 min

Ep 210Zechariah

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison discusses the biblical story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly, childless priest and his wife who are promised a son by the angel Gabriel. The narrative highlights themes of faith, divine promise, and joy during the Advent season. Initially, Zechariah doubts the angel's proclamation and is struck mute, but when his son John is born, he demonstrates trust in God by naming the child as instructed rather than following traditional naming customs. The sermon emphasizes that joy is found in trusting God's promises and encourages listeners to rediscover the wonder of the Christmas story, whether experiencing it for the first time or as a long-time believer.

Dec 15, 202434 min

Ep 209Mary's Song

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering explores the biblical narrative of Mary's song from Luke Chapter 1, focusing on the themes of God's faithfulness and humility. Using Mary's response to the angel Gabriel and her subsequent visit to Elizabeth, Pastor Mark highlights how a young teenage girl demonstrated profound spiritual insight by magnifying God despite her extraordinary circumstances. Pastor Mark emphasizes that God's faithfulness is not a chapter in our personal stories, but rather the foundational narrative to which our lives contribute. He encourages listeners to saturate themselves in biblical stories, recognize God's faithfulness in both prosperous and challenging times, and approach life with humility and a deep understanding of God's ongoing work.

Dec 8, 202431 min

Ep 208The Citizen Mandate: The Praying Life

In this week's sermon, Pastor Anthony Caples discusses the importance of prayer as a fundamental aspect of Christian life, focusing on Paul's teachings in 1 Timothy. He encourages us to view prayer as communication with God, emphasizing that it should be our first option, not a last resort. Pastor Anthony explores different types of prayer, including supplication, intercession, and thanksgiving, highlighting that prayer is about building a relationship with God through honest, detailed conversations and praying for others, including political leaders, with the ultimate goal of living peacefully and demonstrating God's love.

Dec 1, 202428 min

Ep 207Peter & Rome

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering explores the concept of being a "citizen of the kingdom of God". Drawing from scripture, he emphasizes that Christians should live differently by submitting to human institutions, honoring everyone, loving fellow believers, and fearing God. The key message is about living in the present world while keeping one's heart anchored to a greater, future hope. By imitating Jesus and responding to challenges with grace, respect, and love, we can demonstrate our faith authentically and silently prove critics wrong through our distinctive way of living.

Nov 24, 202437 min

Ep 206Paul & Rome

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski explores the complex relationship between Christian citizenship in heaven and earthly citizenship, particularly examining how believers should relate to governing authorities. Pastor Jacob discusses Paul's teaching that Christians should submit to governing authorities, pay taxes, and show respect and honor to leaders because all authority comes from God. He acknowledges the tension this creates, especially in politically divided times, and shares a personal story about how meeting a state senator who knew his late father helped him see politicians as human beings rather than just political figures. He leaves us with a challenge to humanize political leaders by learning about them and praying for them, regardless of political affiliation.

Nov 17, 202440 min

Ep 205Jesus and Rome

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses how Jesus' interactions with Pontius Pilate in the Gospels reveal important truths about the nature of Jesus' kingdom. While Pilate saw Jesus' kingship as a political threat, Jesus made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world, but rather was based on people knowing and following the truth that He embodied. Pastor Mark emphasizes that the cross is central to understanding Jesus' kingdom, as it shows both how we become citizens (through Jesus' atoning sacrifice) and the way we are called to live as citizens (by imitating Jesus' self-sacrificial example).

Nov 10, 202441 min

Ep 204Jesus, the Jews and Rome

This week's sermon by Pastor Mark Deering discusses a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus when he is confronted by the Pharisees and Herodians who try to trap him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus masterfully navigates the political tension, telling them to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Pastor Mark explains that this reveals an important principle about the cost of citizenship—whether in an earthly kingdom or the Kingdom of God. Just as the Israelites had to pay taxes to an oppressive Roman government, those who would be citizens of God's Kingdom must be willing to sacrifice and give everything to Him. The sermon challenges us as listeners to examine where we struggle to fully trust and obey God, just as the Israelites did when paying taxes.

Nov 3, 202437 min

Ep 203Rebuilding Walls & Restoring Hearts

In this week's sermon, Pastor Frank Gil discusses how the books of Ezra and Nehemiah depict the rebuilding of the temple, the people, and the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. However, Pastor Frank notes that despite these physical restorations, something is still missing—true repentance and a relationship with God. He explains that the key ingredient is Jesus, who can transform people's hearts and restore them in a way that the law and religious rituals cannot.

Oct 27, 202438 min

Ep 202Esther's Faithful Task

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering's message centers around the biblical story of Esther and the theme of faithful action in the face of fear. Using a social psychology experiment about smoke-filled rooms, he explores how people often remain inactive due to social pressure and fear. Pastor Mark then analyzes Esther chapter 4, focusing on the interaction between Mordecai and Esther, highlighting how Mordecai's famous "for such a time as this" statement was about personal sacrifice rather than personal gain.

Oct 20, 202436 min

Ep 201Jeremiah's Faithful Presence

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering introduces the concept of having a "faithful presence" in whatever situation God has placed us, even if it's not where we want to be. He encourages us to be fully engaged with our current circumstances and the people around us—to be accessible, available, and vulnerable. He relates this to Jesus's incarnation and God's faithful presence in believers' lives. The sermon concludes with the importance of being present and seeking the welfare ("shalom") of one's community.

Oct 13, 202437 min

Ep 200Daniel's Faithful Obedience

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering emphasizes two key aspects of Daniel's character: his resolution to remain faithful to his beliefs and his ability to remain relevant in Babylonian society. Mark encourages us to pursue a "relevant faith" that engages with the changing world while maintaining an unchanging faith, always striving to give glory to God rather than ourselves. We as believers are called to excel in our spheres of influence while remaining resolute in our faith, ultimately pointing others to Jesus.

Oct 6, 202439 min

Ep 199From Prostitute to Princess

In this week's sermon, Pastor Frank Gil discusses the biblical story of Rahab, a prostitute who helped Israelite spies and later became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Pastor Frank uses Rahab's story to illustrate how God can transform lives and change labels, emphasizing that a person's past or current circumstances don't define their future. He challenges us to look beyond labels and preconceived notions, especially in today's polarized political climate, and to see the humanity and potential in everyone. Pastor Frank encourages his listeners to actively engage in community service and to prioritize their citizenship in God's Kingdom over earthly divisions. He concludes by urging us to show grace and compassion to others, just as God has shown them grace.

Sep 29, 202439 min

Ep 198Tower of Babel

In this sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses the story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11. He uses the narrative to illustrate the contrast between building one's own kingdom and participating in God's kingdom. Pastor Mark explains that the Tower of Babel serves as a blueprint for human pride and self-glorification, which ultimately leads to confusion and division. He contrasts this with the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where God unifies people through the Holy Spirit. He then emphasizes the importance of community, humility, and imitating Jesus rather than seeking personal glory. He encourages us to examine their motivations and to build our lives in a way that points others to God, rather than to ourselves.

Sep 22, 202438 min

Ep 197Choose Your Kingdom

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski uses the biblical narrative in Genesis 4 to illustrate the human tendency towards anger, revenge, and sin, contrasting it with God's call for forgiveness and mercy. He relates the story of Cain's murder of Abel and the subsequent legacy of violence through Cain's descendant Lamech to modern-day struggles with anger and retaliation. Pastor Jacob then shifts to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness, emphasizing the need to forgive "77 times" as a reversal of Lamech's vow of vengeance.

Sep 15, 202435 min

Ep 196Citizens of the Kingdom

This sermon introduces a new series called "Citizens" which explores the concept of the Kingdom of God and what it means to be a citizen of that kingdom. Pastor Mark Deering explains that the Kingdom of God is not a physical place, but rather God's rule and reign through His people. He traces this theme from Genesis through to Revelation, emphasizing Jesus' role in establishing the kingdom. Pastor Mark encourages us to understand our identity as citizens of God's Kingdom, imitating Christ in all areas of life. He cautions against isolating from the world or conflating earthly politics with God's Kingdom, instead urging believers to live faithfully as representatives of God's Kingdom here on earth.

Sep 9, 202440 min

Ep 195Psalm 121

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison explains that Psalm 121 is meant to bring comfort, joy, and encouragement to its listeners. He breaks down the psalm verse by verse, emphasizing its duet-like structure and the central message that God is always present as a keeper and protector. Pastor Tommy encourages us to internalize its message, whether we are going through difficult times or celebrating joyful moments.

Sep 1, 202430 min

Ep 194Lament

This week's sermon by Pastor Mark Deering focuses on the concept of lament in the Bible, particularly examining Lamentations 3:22–24. Pastor Mark explains that lament is a way to express grief, confusion, and protest to God, and is an important part of spiritual formation. He emphasizes that true lament always ends with hope, distinguishing it from mere complaining. He uses the example of Jeremiah lamenting over Jerusalem's destruction to illustrate how one can declare God's faithfulness even in dire circumstances. Pastor Mark encourages us to practice lament as a spiritual discipline, especially in preparation for the upcoming political season, and suggests ways to incorporate lament into personal spiritual practices.

Aug 25, 202438 min

Ep 193Best Story Ever

This week's sermon focuses on Ephesians 2:1–10, discussing the transformation of believers from spiritual death to life in Christ. Pastor Frank Gil emphasizes that before accepting Christ, all people are "dead in trespasses and sins," following worldly desires and deserving God's wrath. However, he highlights the pivotal phrase "but God," which marks the intervention of God's mercy and love. Pastor Frank explains that through God's grace, believers are saved and made alive in Christ, not by their own doing but as a gift from God. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to live out their faith actively, using their God-given gifts to serve others and reflect Christ's love in all areas of life.

Aug 18, 202438 min

Ep 192Stillness In An Age Of Noise

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Machelski explores Psalm 46, focusing on the verse "Be still and know that I am God." He emphasizes understanding this verse within the context of the entire psalm, which portrays God as a refuge amidst worldly chaos. Pastor Jacob argues that truly knowing God involves developing a deep trust in Him, not just intellectual acknowledgment. He addresses the challenge of being "still" in today's hectic world, suggesting that it requires letting go of control and trusting in God's protection. The sermon concludes with practical spiritual practices to cultivate stillness and combat anxiety, including fixed-hour prayer, Sabbath observance, and breath prayers.

Aug 11, 202438 min

Ep 191The Discipline of Rest

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses the importance of Psalm 131, one of the "Psalms of Ascent" that the Israelites would sing as they traveled to Jerusalem. He explains that the psalm is about humility, resting in God, and finding hope in the Lord, despite the noise and chaos of life. Pastor Mark encourages us to follow the example of King David and Jesus by laying down our pride, calming our souls, and trusting fully in God. He suggests practical steps to reduce the "noise" in our lives and cultivate a disciplined state of rest with the Heavenly Father.

Aug 4, 202438 min

Ep 190Galatians 2:20

Jul 28, 202435 min

Ep 189Words Of Wisdom

Jul 21, 202432 min

Ep 188Mighty To Save

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering provides historical context for Zephaniah's prophecies, explaining the prophet's role during the reign of King Josiah in Judah. He emphasizes that Zephaniah's message includes both warnings of God's judgment (the "day of the Lord") and promises of salvation for a faithful remnant. The sermon culminates in an exploration of Zephaniah 3:17, highlighting God's presence, His power to save, His joy over His people, and His love.

Jul 14, 202432 min

Ep 187Contentment

Jul 7, 202435 min

Ep 1863 John

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison explains how 3 John connects to John's other writings and emphasizes its key messages. He highlighted the importance of hospitality, generosity, and supporting those who spread the gospel. The sermon stresses the need to imitate good, even when facing opposition, and to remember we're not alone in our faith journey.

Jun 30, 202432 min