QuadCity Podcast

Hey friends, and welcome to another episode of the Becoming Better podcast. I am your host, Brendan Krismer, and we’re so glad you’re here. In today’s episode Josh Ken and I sit down and discuss the financial hoarding warnings in the New Testament and how to know if we have saved too much some practical of how we will track our excel goals and how to stay on mission as a growing church. As always, if you have any questions or comments from Sunday’s message, be sure to join us at QuadCity.church/podcast, where you can submit your questions to be answered right here on the show. We hope you enjoy this episode.

When we invest in the kingdom of God, it has eternal ramifications. We are thankful for those who invested before us, and others will be thankful for our generosity. And we give to God because he first gave to us…and overflow in thanksgiving!

Well hey, and, welcome to another episode of Becoming Better podcast. I am your host Brendan Krismer. I’m so glad you’re here. On today’s episode Jason, Josh, and I sit down and discuss other scriptures that talk about generosity and where the idea of a tith comes from, and we take a deep dive into our own financial accountability process here at QuadCity. As always, if you do have any questions or comments from Sunday’s message, I do hope that you join us at QuadCity.Church/podcast where you can submit your questions to be talked about right here on the show. Last but not least if you are not yet registered for advanced commitment, which happens this Thursday, September 14, at 6 o’clock at the Findlay Toyota Center. Please go ahead and register right now again, we talk a little bit in this episode about the purpose of the event and who should be there as spoilers; you should be there. I genuinely believe this is gonna be a really incredible, memorable, and encouraging night for all those who call QuadCity to be there, Church and would hate for you to miss out so I hope to see you there for more details or to register just go to QuadCity.Church/advance and click on advance commit night September 14, doors open at 5:45. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Like a tip that is mandatory, or a tax that is required, or a gift that is obligatory, compelled giving doesn’t honor the recipient, which is why God loves a cheerful giver. Cheerful giving moves God to act. He promises that he will supply and increase our righteousness. He will enrich us, not so that we will have more…but so that we can be even more generous!

Well, hey, and welcome to another episode of Becoming Better. I’m your host, Brendan Krismer, and we’re so glad you’re here on this episode. Jason, Josh, and I sit down, and we discuss the common misconception that the people that have the most are the most generous what it means to Chase after the goal of sacrificial giving, and how debt plays into your ability to get there. as always, if you ever have any questions or comments from Sunday’s message, do me a favor and join us at QuadCity.church/podcast, where you can submit your question to be answered right here on the show or without further ado. I hope you enjoy this episode

Generosity in the church is a shared sacrifice. While not all people can or should give the same amount, we should all give with the same sacrifice. We are called to give according to our means. And our giving will be accepted, according to what we have…in other words…God doesn’t just look at what is given he also looks at what is left. Question: Has your giving grown with your means?

Well, Hey friend, welcome to the Becoming Better Podcast. I am your host, Brendan Krismer, and I am so glad you are here. On today’s episode, Jason, Josh, and I sit down, and we discuss optimism versus pessimism, the idolatry of money, and how to move from obligatory giving to eager generosity.As always, if you have any questions from Sunday’s message, we encourage you to join us at QuadCity.Church/podcast where you could submit your questions to be answered right here on the show. If you have a question, be sure to submit it either Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning before about 9 AM so we can get to it before we start recording. The last thing before we dive into today’s episode. Be sure on Friday to scan the QR code in your Excel booklet or just go to the resource page on the Excel website Excel.QuadCity.Church to see our Friday Devo will be dropping every week of this series. This week Josh will be sharing about a five or six-minute Devo about this week's study, and you’re not going to want to miss it. Thanks again for joining us today. Without further we hope you enjoy this episode

Generosity isn’t something we have to do; it is something we get to do. Our generosity is an outward reflection of our devotion to God. It reveals the sincerity of our love for God and others. And our sacrificial giving is a reflection of the sacrificial love of Jesus, who went from rich to poor for us!

Well, friends Brendan here, and welcome to the first episode of becoming better. Becoming Better is a weekly podcast that takes the message from Sunday and digs deeper in an effort to help each of us become better disciples of Jesus. This is an avenue for further dialog contexts and even a place for your specific questions to be answered from Sunday's message. The reality is that we all want to become better followers of Jesus, and this podcast exists to help us do just that. On today's episode, Jason, Josh, and Brendan sit down and discuss this new season that QuadCity Christian Church is entering. We discuss the new Excel initiative and why we are so excited about what God has in store for us. And we answered many frequently asked questions from our vision night and Excel series. As always, if you have a question from Sunday's message of your own, we hope that you join us at https://quadcity.church/podcast. We hope you enjoy this episode.

When it comes to surrendering ourselves to Jesus…often the last part of our lives that we surrender is our money. Jesus expects that as Lord of our lives, he is Lord of all. Yet, for many, we live as practical atheists. Where we say we believe in a Gracious God who will supply all our needs, but we live as if God doesn’t exist. As if the only way to have all our needs met is to disobey what the God we believe in commands us to do. And for those who have grown in their discipleship and do give…they believe that giving at all is giving enough. Whether it is an amount or a percentage, there is a line to reach, and once it is crossed…we can check the box forever. But Paul has to teach us that just as we are called to grow in our faith, and grow in our speech and grow in our knowledge, and grow in our earnestness, and grow in our love…we are to keep growing in our generosity. “Gave themselves first to God then by the will of God to us.”

Even after Jesus had a full day of ministry, the first thing he would do is retreat to a place by himself to commune with the Father. Why did He do this? What benefit would it be for us to do the same? Silence, solitude, praying, and listening to God were intensional essential times for Jesus and His ministry. Therefore we should consider what that should look like for us in our modern time where constant noise competes for our attention.

Special guest Jay Greer from Mustard Seed Network (a church planting ministry in Japan) brings us a message about the importance of spending intentional time praying in humble reverence to our Creator. It's a spiritual discipline that we often feel we are great at, but when we take a closer look at what the Bible says about prayer in our lives, it might be a blind spot we neglect.

We live in a culture that values productivity, so many of us are constantly on the move. From our 9-5 to our side hustle, sports tournaments, and hobbies, we have become accustomed to this relentless pursuit of "Busy." But what if there was a practice from the Way of Jesus that directly contradicted the anxious and marginless lives most of us live? As we dive into the spiritual practice of the Sabbath, we see that scripture teaches us that Sabbath is more than just a day off... It is the biblical rhythm that God wrote into the DNA of humanity from the very beginning of time.

Being fully transparent with people is one of the hardest things to do. However, we see in James chapter 5 the importance of being a part of a community that has confession. When we live out this spiritual discipline of community with confession we find healing and freedom. Community with confession can produce change and help us become better disciples of Jesus.

Memorizing scripture is not only biblical; it's awesome, and everyone should do (it including you). Be more awesome.

If you’ve been around church for much time at all, you probably recognize that as Christians, we should be reading our Bibles. But the unfortunate truth is that most Christians aren’t spending time in the Word of God nearly as much as they should be, which may be caused by not understanding how valuable scripture truly is. When we are healthy in our spiritual discipline of Bible intake, we will better know our Lord and become better disciples of Jesus.

Have you ever connected eternal life with service to others? Jesus does. Jesus' words define what love is...His actions demonstrate what love is: Service to others is how we express our love for God. Please join us as we learn to carry out the answer to the question, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

This year during our variety pack, we have some of our pastors sitting down and reviewing some of the Spiritual habits we need to work on as Christians. We are excited for the next seven weeks as we uncover this with you all. I hope you join us this summer in what we call Variety Pack.

Paul ends the book of Romans with a few parting instructions. He speaks of unity among the believers, being steadfast in obedience and he sends along a few words of greetings from those who are with him. And he ends his letter where he begins, restating his goal: that all gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith.

No one does ministry alone. In every successful ministry endeavor there are always people behind the scenes that make sure the mission is accomplished. It was true for Paul and it is true for us. In this section of the letter, Paul sends greetings to some of the most important men and women who have played a pivotal part in his ministry.

As we near the end of this letter. Paul shares with the church his future travel plans. Through this text we get a reminder that these are real people who lived in a real place in real time. We begin to see how this letter fits inside the timeline and life of Pauls other ministries and letters. We also get a picture of what role the local church plays in the advancement of the Gospel.

How do we respond to those who are spiritually less mature than we are? Just like Jesus did for us. We bear with their failings as Christ does with ours. We endeavor to build them up, as Christ does us. We accept them just as Christ accepted us.

"It is for freedom that Christ sets you free” Gal. 5:1. We are no longer bound to the law. Does that mean we can do anything we want…short of sin? Not exactly. Being a part of the family of God, being a part of the body of Christ, means that we don't have the freedom to do things that hurt other people's faith, even if we are free in Christ to do it. Part of dying to ourselves…and putting others first…is giving up our rights for the sake of others and putting their needs first.

Not everything is black and white when it comes to living out our faith. Paul makes it clear there are disputable matters. So how do you know what you can do and can’t? What should you do and shouldn’t? The answer is you do what honors your master. And what honors the master for one servant may not honor the master for another.

We have never been closer to the coming of Jesus than we are right now. How would you live if you knew he was coming soon? How would you treat people? How important would obeying Jesus be? Is there anything you are doing that you would stop? Anything you aren’t doing that you would start? Our salvation is nearer now than it has ever been. It’s time to live like it.

Should we submit to God or Government? And the answer is yes. In a country that is divided most deeply by political ideology, the idea of submitting to government is an inflammatory one. Paul invites us to see the government not as an enemy of God but as a weapon of God. And to live in rebellion against the governing authorities is almost always to live in rebellion against God.

What does loving people look like? In this section, Paul rattles off many practical implications of loving people. From honoring others to showing hospitality to feeding your enemies. In a world where everyone is looking out for themselves, one of the greatest acts of gospel proclamation is loving others more than ourselves.

What do we do now that we have come to faith in Christ? Starting in Romans 12, Paul begins to give us application for the gospel in our lives. It starts with worship…not simply singing…but offering our whole body to him and joining in our body to his body…the church.

Easter 2023

All Israel will be saved? Romans 11:25-36Can God be trusted to keep his promises? What about his promises to his people, the Israelites? As we exit Romans 11, Paul finally answers these questions. And his answer is summered up in two words, disobedience, and mercy.

When it comes to the family of God, there is only one family tree. And in this family tree, Some branches that once were a part, have been cut off. Other branches were not original, but have been grafted in. And Paul has some good news and bad news, those who have been cut off, can be grafted in again. And the bad news: those who have been grafted in can be cut off again.

As a God follower, there will likely be times when you feel all alone, when it seems you are the only one still trying to be faithful. The reality, however, is that there has always been and always will be a remnant chosen by grace. We can rest assured that as followers of Jesus, we are never alone.

No one comes to faith in Jesus without hearing the gospel of Jesus. No one can believe the good news that they haven’t heard. And we have been tasked with making sure those around us hear it. But we can’t make people respond in faith. As Paul teaches in this text, there will be some who hear it and reject it. But our job is still the same: Preach the word!

Who gets an invitation into the kingdom of God? ANYone and EVERYone! The gospel isn’t just good news for the few, it is an invitation for all to call on the name of the Lord. The question this text has for us is have you responded to the good news of Jesus?

Some teach that it doesn’t matter what you believe or what faith you practice as long as you are sincere. But Paul teaches otherwise. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me. There is no way of salvation outside of Jesus, no matter how zealous of God you are.

Are people chosen for salvation or destruction? If so, is it fair for God to hold people accountable for a choice they couldn’t make? This is one of the most difficult questions Romans 9 makes us ask.

How much do you care for those who are outside of Christ? In this text we see Paul willing to give up his own salvation for those he loves who are outside of Jesus. And we are reminded, again, that it takes more than having Abrahams's DNA to be his child; you must have his faith.

Who can be against the people of God? Lots of people. We do have an enemy who is againstus every day. And we are at war with sin and flesh every day. The question really isn’t who canbe against us…the question is, who can defeat the people of God? And the answer to that is noone or nothing! We are more than conquerors through Jesus!

Suffering in this life is inevitable. Does that mean God is powerless, absent, or angry? Not atall. God is sovereign, and no matter what suffering we endure or why we endure it, God isgreat enough to use it for good. Although this isn’t a promise for everyone. It is a promise made for those who love him.

Everyone wants to live forever like Jesus, but not everyone wants to suffer like Jesus. But what will you do when you learn that you can’t have one without the other? Suffering isn’t optional for anyone, not even the children of God. But, for the children of God, it is temporary. And no matter how bad the suffering gets, it does not compare to the glory to come.

Does the Spirit of God live in you? If you are a child of God, he does! The Spirit of God is whatmakes you a child of God! But there is a war within each of God's children. A warbetween the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. The flesh urges us to obey it,and the Spirit invites us to obey him. And which of those you are fighting for will determinewhether you live or die.

No one gets excited about being let off the hook, if they never felt like they were on the hook tobegin with. Romans 8 is the the pinnacle of the book of Romans. And it begins with thedeclaration that we have been let off the hook for all our sins in Christ Jesus. It is a reality worthcelebrating