Grace CMA Church Messages Podcast

Failure is something we all face—but what if it’s not the end of the story? Looking at Peter’s life, this message explores how our desire to prove ourselves or protect our image can lead us off track. But through Jesus’ response, we’re reminded that failure can become a turning point. When met with the grace of God, it can lead us into deeper trust and a renewed invitation to follow Him.Want to take a next step? 👋 New to Grace? Learn more at gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? Submit a request at gracecma.org/prayer 💙 Support what God is doing at Grace: gracecma.org/give

Doubt is something we don’t always talk about, but it’s part of the journey. In this message, we look at Thomas’ story in John 20 and what it shows us about being honest in our questions, recognizing that God is still pursuing us, and choosing to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. Doubt isn’t the end of faith—it can lead to something deeper.

In Matthew 27, Pilate presents the crowd with a choice: Jesus the Messiah or Jesus Barabbas. One is innocent. One is guilty. Yet the crowd chooses Barabbas. This moment reveals more than a historical injustice—it exposes the human tendency to prefer a version of salvation that fits our expectations. While the crowd hoped for a deliverer who would fight for their freedom, Jesus came to bring a deeper freedom through the cross. In this message, we look at the contrast between these two figures and the powerful gospel truth behind the story. The innocent Son of God willingly took the place of the guilty so that we could become children of God.

Alliance World Tour is a global glimpse of what God is doing through our Alliance family around the world. In this unique service, Pastor Tim shares stories of gospel movement, church planting, and faithfulness in the midst of chaos — reminding us that we are part of God’s ongoing mission. Rooted in Romans 10, this message invites us to consider our role in praying, giving, and going.👋 New to Grace? | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱 Find out more www.gracecma.org

In this message, Tim walks through Haggai 1–2 and calls us to remember well — remembering God’s faithfulness, our purpose, and our unique assignment as a church. We are invited not to settle into distraction or survival, but to step forward in obedience, courage, and hope. Our assignment for this season: Extending the transformative love of Jesus to our neighbors and the nations. He has done it before. He will do it again.

What is the posture of your heart? In this message from Philippians 2:5–11, Zach Meerkreebs explores humility through the life of Jesus — who did not cling to His position, but emptied Himself. From pride in prayer to the cross and the throne, this teaching invites us to consider what we’re holding onto and where self may still be enthroned. Humility is not weakness. It is consecrated confidence — and the way down is the way up.Want to take a next step? 👋 New to Grace? Learn more at gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? Submit a request at gracecma.org/prayer 💙 Support what God is doing at Grace: gracecma.org/give

Following Jesus is more than believing — it’s an invitation to join Him. In this episode, we unpack Jesus’ call to His first disciples and what it means to follow Him today. As we grow in knowing Jesus and being known by Him, our purpose shifts beyond personal fulfillment and into participation in His mission. Through prayer and attentiveness to the Spirit, we learn to recognize where God is already at work and respond by joining Him in everyday life.Want to take a next step? 👋 New to Grace? Learn more at gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? Submit a request at gracecma.org/prayer 💙 Support what God is doing at Grace: gracecma.org/give

What happens when we remember how the story ends?In this message from the PR4Y series, we reflect on Jesus as the Coming King and the promise that God is restoring all things. Rather than living in fear or uncertainty, Scripture invites us to live awake, hopeful, and ready—knowing that Jesus is returning and God’s kingdom will fully come.This message encourages a life of confident prayer, purposeful living, and alignment with God’s mission as we wait with expectation for what God has promised.Want to take a next step? 👋 New to Grace? Learn more at gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? Submit a request at gracecma.org/prayer 💙 Support what God is doing at Grace: gracecma.org/give

What does it mean to pray to a God who heals?In this message from PR4Y Week 3, we see how Jesus introduces a Kingdom that brings healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through Matthew 8:1–4, we’re invited to come to Jesus with worship, faith, humility, and surrender, trusting His character even when outcomes are uncertain.Jesus doesn’t just talk about healing—He demonstrates compassion, power, and purpose as signs of God’s Kingdom breaking into real life. Whether you’re seeking healing yourself or longing to see God at work in others, this message invites you to trust the Healer who is present and willing.📖 Key Passage: Matthew 8:1–4🙏 Series: PR4Y – Prayer that begins & ends with JesusWant to take a next step? 👋 New to Grace? Learn more at gracecma.org/new 🙏 Need prayer? Submit a request at gracecma.org/prayer 💙 Support what God is doing at Grace: gracecma.org/give

In this message from our PR4Y series, Pastor Tim talks about transformation—not as self-improvement or behavior management, but as the faithful work of God in our lives.Using 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, we’re reminded that prayer is relational and deeply connected to how we live. God’s desire for us goes beyond forgiveness to sanctification—an inner work that brings freedom, healing, and purpose. Holiness isn’t something we achieve; it’s something we receive as we surrender and trust the One who calls us.This conversation invites us to stop striving, open our lives fully to God, and rest in the truth that He is faithful to complete the work He begins.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Prayer isn’t meant to be transactional, distant, or reserved for a select few — it’s relational.In this opening message of the PR4Y series, Jesus Is Salvation, we look at how prayer begins and ends with Jesus. From humanity’s original walk with God to the restored access we now have through Christ, prayer is rooted in relationship. Because of Jesus’ finished work, we are invited into continual access to God’s presence.This message also explores the prayer of salvation — confessing Jesus as Lord, receiving His grace, and stepping into a redeemed life. Salvation secures our future and transforms our present, reshaping how we live and how we pray.Whether prayer feels natural or challenging for you, this message offers a clear and hopeful foundation for a life of prayer centered on Jesus.

In this message from Mark 10:46–52, Pastor Joe explores one of Jesus’ most direct and challenging questions: “What do you want me to do for you?”Through the story of Bartimaeus, we see how perception shapes response, why Jesus invites us to clearly name what we’re asking for, and how answered prayers can bring both blessing and pressure. The message reminds us that receiving what we want is never the finish line — following Jesus is.This teaching invites us to reflect on our prayers, our expectations, and whether the things we’re asking God for are drawing us closer to Him.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Christmas Eve is more than a tradition—it’s an invitation.In this Christmas Eve message, we explore the familiar story of the shepherds and their unexpected encounter with the angels. What begins with fear turns into eager pursuit, joy, and worship as they discover that a Savior has been born—not just for the world, but for them.This message reminds us that Jesus came in humility, as the Lamb of God, connecting the manger to the cross. And it invites each of us to consider what it might look like to personally trust Jesus, not just celebrate Christmas.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

The Christmas story reveals a God who works in unexpected ways — and whose invitation has always been for all people.In this message from Matthew 2, we see that God’s promise to bless all nations is fulfilled in Jesus. God is constantly drawing people to Himself through curiosity, longing, and life circumstances, inviting them to discover truth and hope. No matter someone’s background or starting point, anyone can become a worshipper when they encounter Christ.This message invites us to reflect on how God is at work, respond in worship, and consider how we might join Him in what He is already doing.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this message from our Unexpected Christmas series, we explore how Jesus’ birth reframes our understanding of power, humility, and love. Through Mary’s song, the contrast with Caesar’s empire, and Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2, Pastor Tim shows how Jesus’ humble arrival invites us into a new way of life.We learn that humility makes us vulnerable, helps us see others, and leads us to love like Jesus — emptying ourselves for the sake of others. This is the unexpected way of the Kingdom.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this first week of Unexpected Christmas, Pastor Tim walks through the genealogy in Matthew 1 and reminds us that Jesus’ story is rooted in real history, real families, and real people with complicated pasts.From Abraham to David to Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary, the lineage of Jesus shows us that God doesn’t hide the messy parts—He redeems them. And the same God who worked through generations of silence, detours, and unexpected turns is still working with intention in our lives today.If you’re navigating your own family story, waiting on God, or needing hope that your past doesn’t disqualify you, this message offers encouragement and perspective for the season.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In the final week of Life on the Vine, we listen in on Jesus’ prayer in John 17, a prayer He offers for His disciples and for all who would one day follow Him. Through this prayer, we see God’s desire for us: protection, sanctification, purpose, deep love, and unity through the Spirit.This message reminds us that abiding is a lifelong surrender. As we stay close to Jesus, we learn to trust His plan, live from our identity as loved children of God, and reflect His love in the way we pursue unity with others.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In Week 4 of Life on the Vine, Pastor Tim teaches on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Many of us believe truths about God but haven’t always experienced them. Jesus promises that the Spirit is not just with us, but in us - our Counselor who comforts, strengthens, guides, and helps us understand God’s heart.Tim walks through Jesus’ words in John 14–16, showing how the Spirit helps us, empowers us, exposes what’s false, and shapes us to look more like Jesus. The Spirit brings God’s manifest presence into our everyday lives and invites us into a life of expectation without agenda.Explore how the Spirit wants to give you more of God’s life, more of His presence, and more of His transforming work.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Pastor Tom Sefik continues our Life on the Vine series by looking at Jesus’ call to “abide in my friendship.” In a culture wrestling with disconnection and loneliness, this passage shows that we were created for deep friendship — with God and with others.Through John 15:9–16, Pastor Tom unpacks how Jesus invites us into the deepest, most life-giving friendship possible, one grounded in sacrificial love, open access to His heart, and the confidence of being chosen by Him. This kind of relationship doesn’t just comfort us — it transforms us and shapes the fruit we bear.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

True thriving doesn’t come from striving harder but from staying connected to Jesus, the True Vine.When we remain in Him, the Father, the Gardener, works to prune and shape our lives for lasting fruit. Through seasons of growth and hardship, God is forming something beautiful that brings Him glory.Listen in and reflect on what it means to truly abide, trust the Gardener’s work, and live a fruitful life on the vine.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Life on the Vine | Walking with Jesus Our HopeIn his first message as Lead Pastor of Grace Church, Pastor Tim shares how John 14 became a lifeline during a difficult season in his own life. As Jesus comforts His troubled disciples, we’re reminded that hope isn’t found in circumstances, it’s found in a Person. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He’s still writing your story. He hasn’t left you as an orphan. And He invites you to trust the Spirit who lives in you, not just a God who’s “with” you, but the One who is fully in control.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Are you living like the old life still defines you? In this week’s message, Pastor Neil walks us through Colossians 3 and the transformation available to those who belong to Christ. It’s not about trying harder, it’s about surrendering to the new reality Jesus has already given you.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this message from Pastor Jordy, we explore the deep longing for fulfillment and how only Jesus can meet it. Through the lens of Jacob’s encounter at the well and Jesus’ promise of living water, we’re reminded that God has always been the source of zoe—a full and meaningful life.If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, this message will help you recognize the “broken cisterns” we often turn to and invite you back to the true Source.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

What are you wrestling with? And what lies might be shaping your life more than you realize?This week, Pastor Joe walks us through the story of Jacob, his past, his limp, and the moment everything changed. We explore how our wounds often lead to lies… and how God meets us in the wrestle to rename, restore, and repurpose us.Whether you’re carrying shame, struggling to be honest, or simply tired of pretending, this message is a reminder: God isn’t asking you to hide your limp, He’s asking to use it.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this message, Pastor Josiah Stumbo invites us into a deeper understanding of what it means to pray in the Spirit. Drawing from Isaiah, the words of Jesus, and Paul’s letters, we see how prayer becomes a living connection with God, not just discipline, but relationship.When we recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, prayer moves from routine to reality. We are reminded that we are God’s children, grounded in His love, and never alone, even when words fail.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Paul shows us that moral effort and religious rules can’t make us right with God, only grace through Jesus can. But grace isn’t a license to sin. Every choice has consequences: sin brings death and bondage, while Christ brings freedom, holiness, and eternal life.In this message, Pastor Kareem reminds us that the domain we serve will be the domain that dominates. Will we choose sin, or will we choose life in Christ?👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

We don’t usually like empty—but God does His best work with it.In this week’s message, Pastor Joe unpacks the story of a widow in 2 Kings 4 who had nothing left—except a small jar of oil. As long as she brought empty jars, God kept filling them. The oil never ran out until the jars did.From creation to the cross, Scripture shows us a pattern: God fills what is empty. The question is—are we willing to bring Him our empty places?Listen in and discover how to live with open hands and open hearts, ready for the new thing God wants to do in you.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this kickoff to the New Thing series, Pastor Josiah Stumbo challenges us to embrace God’s design for multiplication. From the Garden of Eden to the teachings of Jesus, God invites us to cultivate—planting seeds of love, discipleship, and mission that grow and bear fruit. This message calls us back to the simplicity of kingdom living: small steps of obedience, Spirit-led rhythm, and intentional relationships that help others grow.Whether you feel stuck, searching, or just ready for something fresh—this message invites you to step into the new thing God is already doing.📖 Scripture Focus: Genesis 1:28, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 43:19👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

You don’t have to bow to a statue to worship a counterfeit god. In this final installment of our Enter series, Pastor Kareem Smith walks through Joshua 24 and calls us to examine what—or who—has our hearts.As Joshua reminds Israel of God’s provision and power, he presents them with a choice: keep wavering, or declare your allegiance to the Lord. Kareem unpacks how this same decision faces us today. Whether it’s image, money, politics, or control—anything can become a god we serve. But Jesus invites us into something better.👣 This message will challenge you to: • Reflect on where your devotion truly lies • Practice reverence for God not just on Sundays, but every day • Step into surrender grounded in God’s goodness👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

“How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land the Lord has given you?”– Joshua 18:3This week’s message, Stuck at the Entrance, is a heartfelt challenge and invitation to anyone who’s found themselves stalled in their spiritual growth. Pastor Josiah Stumbo unpacks the story of the seven tribes of Israel who hesitated to claim what God had already given—and how we often do the same in our walk with Christ.Using timeless insights from A.B. Simpson and Scripture, Josiah outlines the essential steps for anyone who desires more than just being “in.” This message is for the believer who wants to grow deeper, experience more of Jesus, and break through the spiritual inertia that can quietly take hold.🔑 Key themes include:Why staying close to Jesus is the key to real changeWhat surrender really looks like in everyday lifeHow to walk by the Spirit instead of striving in your own strengthGod’s role in completing the work He started in you💬 Whether you're feeling spiritually stuck or simply hungry for more of God, this message offers hope, encouragement, and a path forward.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

What do you do when you hit a wall after a spiritual high? In Dealing with Defeat, Pastor Scott walks us through Joshua 7–8, where Israel’s surprising loss reveals deeper issues—and God’s incredible grace. Learn how to respond when your confidence is shaken, how to identify what might be holding you back, and how God offers a fresh start when we turn back to Him.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

Walls don’t fall because of perfect strategy—they fall when God’s people walk in faith. In part 4 of our Enter series, Pastor Joe Le-Mon walks us through Joshua 6, where Israel’s victory over Jericho began with quiet obedience and ended in a shout of worship. If you’re waiting on breakthrough, this message is for you.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

How do you keep your faith strong when the future feels uncertain? You remember the past.In this message from our Enter series, we look at Joshua 4, where God called the Israelites to stop and mark the moment He led them across the Jordan River. These stones weren’t just physical markers—they were faith builders. They told a story. And they challenged every generation to come to ask, “What has God done here?”When we remember God’s past provision, we gain strength to trust Him with tomorrow.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In Perspective and Provision, Pastor Tim Meier explores the story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13–14, showing how our ability to see clearly, through God’s eyes, can change everything. While most of the spies returned with fear and doubt, Caleb and Joshua saw the same circumstances with a different spirit. Their perspective was shaped not by fear but by trust in God’s character and presence.Tim challenges us to consider: What if the Promised Land isn’t primarily about geography or blessings, but about knowing and walking with God Himself? When we fix our eyes on God instead of the giants in front of us, we find the courage to follow, even when it costs us something. And as we ask the Spirit to give us that same “different spirit,” we can learn to view life’s challenges through the lens of faith, knowing that God is always better, and always worth it.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” Kareem Smith invites us into the story of Joshua 3, where God calls His people to step into uncharted territory, literally. As Israel stands on the edge of the Jordan River, God’s instruction is clear: when the priests carrying the Ark step into the water, He will make a way. This message is a timely reminder that God often calls us to step first before the path becomes clear. Obedience and faith go hand in hand, even when the next step feels risky or unclear.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In seasons of transition, uncertainty, and decision, where does real courage come from? Pastor Josiah explores the story of Joshua and how encouragement, through community, mentors, and God Himself, becomes the spark for strength. Whether you’re facing personal unknowns or navigating change with others, this message will inspire you to lean into God’s presence and find courage for the road ahead.👋 New to Grace | gracecma.org/new 🙏 Prayer Requests | gracecma.org/prayer 👏 Give | gracecma.org/give 📱Website: www.gracecma.org

In this message, Pastor Joel Bubna unpacks Hebrews 12:1–3 and challenges us to run the race of faith with endurance. Through powerful insights and personal reflection, Joel explores how we grow our faith by remembering the faithful who’ve gone before us, releasing what weighs us down, and fixing our eyes on Jesus. Whether you’re facing personal uncertainty or church-wide transition, this message will encourage you to keep running with purpose.

In his final message as Lead Pastor of Grace Church, Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer reflects on the foundation of our faith and offers a heartfelt challenge to continue standing firm in Christ. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, he reminds us that everything we do in Jesus’ name matters—and that our labor is never in vain. Through personal stories and a deep focus on God’s promises, this message encourages us to live with confidence, faithfulness, and eternal purpose. Tune in and be inspired to keep trusting and serving the One who gave His life for you.

This week’s message, The Promise Driven Life, invites us to discover the power of God’s promises in 2 Peter 1. Pastor Tom Sefik challenges us to live not from our own strength, but from God’s divine power accessed through knowing Him. Learn how His promises enable us to resist sin, grow in godliness, and experience the full life God intends.

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to lose heart—but Scripture reminds us that our trials are temporary, and our future is secure. In this message, Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer shares from 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, helping us anchor our faith in the eternal glory that far outweighs present troubles. You’ll walk away with a renewed perspective and practical steps to keep your joy and hope rooted in Jesus.

Pentecost wasn’t just the birth of the church, it was the moment God made His home in His people. In this message, Pastor Jonathan explores “The Promise of the Father” in Acts 1–2, showing how the Holy Spirit’s presence transforms everyday lives with power, peace, and purpose.Learn how this ancient promise is alive in you today and what it looks like to live filled with the Spirit.