Nucleus (https://www.nucleus.church) https://feeds.nucleus.church/467d5a4e680844f2949ddf838254fb2f yes 89d0a825c1dd45eb988a67520dd9bd15 © 2026 Gulf Coast Community Church The Gulf Coast Community Church Podcast shares gospel-centered teaching to help you see Jesus clearly, follow Him faithfully, and join God’s mission of renewal in St. Petersburg and beyond. Listen in as we live out the way of Jesus together. More at www.gulfcoast.community en Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:48:40 -0400 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:17:56 -0400 https://cdn1.nucleus-cdn.church/church_54377f80af1e4b929e192c3f564e82d9/file_6b8b7e82ff5d4fb4bae5a51430ede27c/2026-02-12T20:48:34.017Z/Untitled__1600_x_900_px_.png episodic Teaching Team of Gulf Coast Community Church The Gulf Coast Community Church Podcast shares gospel-centered teaching to help you see Jesus clearly, follow Him faithfully, and join God’s mission of renewal in St. Petersburg and beyond. Listen in as we live out the way of Jesus together. More at www.gulfcoast.community The Gulf Coast Community Church Podcast shares gospel-centered teaching to help you see Jesus clearly, follow Him faithfully, and join God’s mission of renewal in St. Petersburg and beyond. Listen in as we live out the way of Jesus together. More at www.gulfcoast.community church, jesus, christianity, gospel false false Ryan Carver ryanrcarver@gmail.com Entrusted with the Word of His Grace | Acts 20 (Cultivating Generosity Part 18) full podcastepisode_2077c56667854ef68a4abb86dcd32ab3 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 The Word: What does it mean to be entrusted to "the word of His grace"?The Way: Why did Jesus say it is more blessed to give than to receive?The Witness: How can a captive Paul reveal the freedom of the Gospel?
The broken Christ still exposes our idols, calls us to take up our cross, and invites us into the surprising joy of a Jubilee life.
Join us this morning at 10:00 AM as we conclude our Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community series and consider what it means to follow Jesus on the road to the cross.
]]> The Word: What does it mean to be entrusted to "the word of His grace"?The Way: Why did Jesus say it is more blessed to give than to receive?The Witness: How can a captive Paul reveal the freedom of the Gospel?
The broken Christ still exposes our idols, calls us to take up our cross, and invites us into the surprising joy of a Jubilee life.
Join us this morning at 10:00 AM as we conclude our Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community series and consider what it means to follow Jesus on the road to the cross.
]]> The Word: What does it mean to be entrusted to "the word of His grace"?The Way: Why did Jesus say it is more blessed to give than to receive?The Witness: How can a captive Paul reveal the freedom of the Gospel?
The broken Christ still exposes our idols, calls us to take up our cross, and invites us into the surprising joy of a Jubilee life.
Join us this morning at 10:00 AM as we conclude our Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community series and consider what it means to follow Jesus on the road to the cross.
]]> false The Gospel Creates a New World that Threatens the Old full podcastepisode_ef49e057734f4c2b80c765ff56be7eae Sun, 5 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400
It wasn't because the early Christians were looking for trouble. It was because they proclaimed a new King, formed a new kind of community, and lived by a radically different economy. When people began believing that Jesus – not Caesar, not wealth, not status – was Lord, the old world pushed back. This Sunday we'll continue our Cultivating Generosity series in Acts 17–19 as we explore how the Gospel creates a new world that threatens the old. Together we'll ask:
What stories about the world are we believing?Has Jesus really become King over every area of our lives?What would it look like for our church to embody such generosity that our city noticed?Join us this morning at 10:00 as we continue discovering what it means to become a Jubilee community.
]]>
It wasn't because the early Christians were looking for trouble. It was because they proclaimed a new King, formed a new kind of community, and lived by a radically different economy. When people began believing that Jesus – not Caesar, not wealth, not status – was Lord, the old world pushed back. This Sunday we'll continue our Cultivating Generosity series in Acts 17–19 as we explore how the Gospel creates a new world that threatens the old. Together we'll ask:
What stories about the world are we believing?Has Jesus really become King over every area of our lives?What would it look like for our church to embody such generosity that our city noticed?Join us this morning at 10:00 as we continue discovering what it means to become a Jubilee community.
]]>
It wasn't because the early Christians were looking for trouble. It was because they proclaimed a new King, formed a new kind of community, and lived by a radically different economy. When people began believing that Jesus – not Caesar, not wealth, not status – was Lord, the old world pushed back. This Sunday we'll continue our Cultivating Generosity series in Acts 17–19 as we explore how the Gospel creates a new world that threatens the old. Together we'll ask:
What stories about the world are we believing?Has Jesus really become King over every area of our lives?What would it look like for our church to embody such generosity that our city noticed?Join us this morning at 10:00 as we continue discovering what it means to become a Jubilee community.
]]> false Can You Hear the Cry for Help? (Cultivating Generosity Part 16) full podcastepisode_405e8ee18672450d85a1e94a3831e928 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400
A wealthy businesswoman? A trafficked slave girl? A Roman jailer?King Jesus' Jubilee comes to every corner of society—but it doesn't come without cost. As people are set free, others willingly bear suffering so that life might reach them.We live in a world filled with cries for help. Do we have ears to hear them, hearts disturbed enough to care, and faith to follow where the Spirit leads?Join us in worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and discover how Christ still forms His people to bring His Jubilee to a hurting world.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
A wealthy businesswoman? A trafficked slave girl? A Roman jailer?King Jesus' Jubilee comes to every corner of society—but it doesn't come without cost. As people are set free, others willingly bear suffering so that life might reach them.We live in a world filled with cries for help. Do we have ears to hear them, hearts disturbed enough to care, and faith to follow where the Spirit leads?Join us in worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and discover how Christ still forms His people to bring His Jubilee to a hurting world.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
A wealthy businesswoman? A trafficked slave girl? A Roman jailer?King Jesus' Jubilee comes to every corner of society—but it doesn't come without cost. As people are set free, others willingly bear suffering so that life might reach them.We live in a world filled with cries for help. Do we have ears to hear them, hearts disturbed enough to care, and faith to follow where the Spirit leads?Join us in worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and discover how Christ still forms His people to bring His Jubilee to a hurting world.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false The Grumble Crawl How One Bad Day Can Make You Forget a Hundred Mercies full podcastepisode_5d3ba842a89a416eb73a210a1c8b1f61 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400
📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL gulfcoast.community 🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here gulfcoast.community/resources 🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple ▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world. Subscribe and share this message of hope. Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Why Does the Gospel Make People Angry? full podcastepisode_36c4678448ed4ae88442ffb5f430e631 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In Acts 13–14, Paul and Barnabas proclaim Jesus as King, and the result is escalating resistance. They are mocked, expelled, pursued, and even stoned. Yet every attempt to stop the Gospel only carries it farther. The old kingdom resists, but it is no longer the true government of the world.Join us Sunday as we consider why, where Christ is proclaimed, Jubilee is decreed... and where Jubilee is decreed, opposition arises.
]]>
In Acts 13–14, Paul and Barnabas proclaim Jesus as King, and the result is escalating resistance. They are mocked, expelled, pursued, and even stoned. Yet every attempt to stop the Gospel only carries it farther. The old kingdom resists, but it is no longer the true government of the world.Join us Sunday as we consider why, where Christ is proclaimed, Jubilee is decreed... and where Jubilee is decreed, opposition arises.
]]>
In Acts 13–14, Paul and Barnabas proclaim Jesus as King, and the result is escalating resistance. They are mocked, expelled, pursued, and even stoned. Yet every attempt to stop the Gospel only carries it farther. The old kingdom resists, but it is no longer the true government of the world.Join us Sunday as we consider why, where Christ is proclaimed, Jubilee is decreed... and where Jubilee is decreed, opposition arises.
]]> false Jubilee Distorted (Cultivating Generosity Part 14) full podcastepisode_d56e3d926ce0409a9bcc8129a72e60ed Sun, 7 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400 Distorted Jubilee | Galatians 5:1
What does it mean to truly live in the freedom Christ purchased for us?
In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares:

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Y
et many Christians find themselves pulled back into old forms of bondage. Some return to legalism and performance, trying to earn what Jesus has already secured. Others drift back into the patterns of the flesh, finding comfort in old habits, sins, and ways of thinking. Still others allow fear, social pressure, and division to distort the unity Christ created.
In this message, Samuel explores how the churches of Galatia faced these same temptations and how Paul's words still challenge us today.

📖 In this sermon:
• The danger of spiritual recidivism and returning to old bondage • Peter's compromise and the threat of social pressure • Why legalism can never save or justify us • The difference between freedom and self indulgence • Walking by the Spirit instead of the flesh • Christ's work of redemption and true Jubilee freedom • How a Jubilee community reflects the freedom of Jesus
Whether you struggle with performance, people pleasing, legalism, addiction, fear, or old patterns of sin, this message points us back to the freedom found in Christ alone.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL

🌐 Visit us online: https://gulfcoast.community

🎧 More sermons, devotionals, discussion guides, and resources: https://gulfcoast.community/resources

]]> Distorted Jubilee | Galatians 5:1
What does it mean to truly live in the freedom Christ purchased for us?
In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares:

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Y
et many Christians find themselves pulled back into old forms of bondage. Some return to legalism and performance, trying to earn what Jesus has already secured. Others drift back into the patterns of the flesh, finding comfort in old habits, sins, and ways of thinking. Still others allow fear, social pressure, and division to distort the unity Christ created.
In this message, Samuel explores how the churches of Galatia faced these same temptations and how Paul's words still challenge us today.

📖 In this sermon:
• The danger of spiritual recidivism and returning to old bondage • Peter's compromise and the threat of social pressure • Why legalism can never save or justify us • The difference between freedom and self indulgence • Walking by the Spirit instead of the flesh • Christ's work of redemption and true Jubilee freedom • How a Jubilee community reflects the freedom of Jesus
Whether you struggle with performance, people pleasing, legalism, addiction, fear, or old patterns of sin, this message points us back to the freedom found in Christ alone.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL

🌐 Visit us online: https://gulfcoast.community

🎧 More sermons, devotionals, discussion guides, and resources: https://gulfcoast.community/resources

]]> Distorted Jubilee | Galatians 5:1
What does it mean to truly live in the freedom Christ purchased for us?
In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares:

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Y
et many Christians find themselves pulled back into old forms of bondage. Some return to legalism and performance, trying to earn what Jesus has already secured. Others drift back into the patterns of the flesh, finding comfort in old habits, sins, and ways of thinking. Still others allow fear, social pressure, and division to distort the unity Christ created.
In this message, Samuel explores how the churches of Galatia faced these same temptations and how Paul's words still challenge us today.

📖 In this sermon:
• The danger of spiritual recidivism and returning to old bondage • Peter's compromise and the threat of social pressure • Why legalism can never save or justify us • The difference between freedom and self indulgence • Walking by the Spirit instead of the flesh • Christ's work of redemption and true Jubilee freedom • How a Jubilee community reflects the freedom of Jesus
Whether you struggle with performance, people pleasing, legalism, addiction, fear, or old patterns of sin, this message points us back to the freedom found in Christ alone.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church 555 76th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL

🌐 Visit us online: https://gulfcoast.community

🎧 More sermons, devotionals, discussion guides, and resources: https://gulfcoast.community/resources

]]> false The Conflict of Kingdoms (Cultivating Generosity Part 13) full podcastepisode_4a1e96d0b99a41ebb5ec8fbbc43c9c57 Sun, 31 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400
The other runs on generosity, shared lives, and the Jubilee reign of Jesus.In Acts 11–12, Luke places these two kingdoms side by side. One is represented by Herod's throne. The other by a weak but praying church, a generous community, and a prisoner who walks free.Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore what happens when the kingdom of Jesus collides with the kingdoms of this world.
]]>
The other runs on generosity, shared lives, and the Jubilee reign of Jesus.In Acts 11–12, Luke places these two kingdoms side by side. One is represented by Herod's throne. The other by a weak but praying church, a generous community, and a prisoner who walks free.Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore what happens when the kingdom of Jesus collides with the kingdoms of this world.
]]>
The other runs on generosity, shared lives, and the Jubilee reign of Jesus.In Acts 11–12, Luke places these two kingdoms side by side. One is represented by Herod's throne. The other by a weak but praying church, a generous community, and a prisoner who walks free.Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore what happens when the kingdom of Jesus collides with the kingdoms of this world.
]]> false A Rushing Mighty Wind full podcastepisode_423eac4960ca49008c47abf58b56f121 Sun, 24 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, the prophet is brought into a valley filled with dry bones. Not merely dead bones, but long dead. Scattered. Bleached. Hopeless.

And then God asks: “Can these bones live?”

This vision is far bigger than many of us realize. And it’s not about individual resurrection. It is about God breathing life back into a dead and scattered people.

This Sunday we will explore how Ezekiel’s vision finds its fulfillment in Pentecost – In the rushing mighty wind of Acts 2 – and what that means for the church today.

Pentecost is not the end of the story.
It is the beginning of new creation.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Wind of God that still breathes life into God's people today.
]]>
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, the prophet is brought into a valley filled with dry bones. Not merely dead bones, but long dead. Scattered. Bleached. Hopeless.

And then God asks: “Can these bones live?”

This vision is far bigger than many of us realize. And it’s not about individual resurrection. It is about God breathing life back into a dead and scattered people.

This Sunday we will explore how Ezekiel’s vision finds its fulfillment in Pentecost – In the rushing mighty wind of Acts 2 – and what that means for the church today.

Pentecost is not the end of the story.
It is the beginning of new creation.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Wind of God that still breathes life into God's people today.
]]>
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, the prophet is brought into a valley filled with dry bones. Not merely dead bones, but long dead. Scattered. Bleached. Hopeless.

And then God asks: “Can these bones live?”

This vision is far bigger than many of us realize. And it’s not about individual resurrection. It is about God breathing life back into a dead and scattered people.

This Sunday we will explore how Ezekiel’s vision finds its fulfillment in Pentecost – In the rushing mighty wind of Acts 2 – and what that means for the church today.

Pentecost is not the end of the story.
It is the beginning of new creation.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Wind of God that still breathes life into God's people today.
]]> false A Beautiful Gazelle, A Militant Ram, and a Holy Wind (Cultivating Generosity Part 12) full podcastepisode_d4851a39b9c643b483ba3ed1db934096 Sun, 17 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400
It begins with a woman quietly caring for widows in Joppa.
It moves to a Roman military officer stationed in Caesarea, the very symbol of enemy occupation.

And then the Holy Spirit falls in a way that changes the boundaries of God’s people forever.

Along the way we will wrestle with questions like:

Who truly belongs among God’s holy people?
Can God love our enemies?
How does Jesus' kingdom advance?
Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore Acts 9:32–11:18 together and see Christ’s mission to restore the kingdom to the ends of the earth enter its ultimate phase!
]]>
It begins with a woman quietly caring for widows in Joppa.
It moves to a Roman military officer stationed in Caesarea, the very symbol of enemy occupation.

And then the Holy Spirit falls in a way that changes the boundaries of God’s people forever.

Along the way we will wrestle with questions like:

Who truly belongs among God’s holy people?
Can God love our enemies?
How does Jesus' kingdom advance?
Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore Acts 9:32–11:18 together and see Christ’s mission to restore the kingdom to the ends of the earth enter its ultimate phase!
]]>
It begins with a woman quietly caring for widows in Joppa.
It moves to a Roman military officer stationed in Caesarea, the very symbol of enemy occupation.

And then the Holy Spirit falls in a way that changes the boundaries of God’s people forever.

Along the way we will wrestle with questions like:

Who truly belongs among God’s holy people?
Can God love our enemies?
How does Jesus' kingdom advance?
Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore Acts 9:32–11:18 together and see Christ’s mission to restore the kingdom to the ends of the earth enter its ultimate phase!
]]> false Jesus Takes Captivity Captive (Cultivating Generosity Part 11) full podcastepisode_da3edfe9bffe4f949edc121750178a55 Sun, 10 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 And yet the gospel spreads even further.

In Acts 8–9, we will watch Jesus reclaim captives in unexpected places:

Samaria, the long-lost northern kingdom,
a wounded and excluded Ethiopian eunuch,
and finally Saul himself—the captor who becomes captive to Christ.
Along the way, we will see a kingdom that moves not by coercion, but by the Spirit… a Savior who joins people in their suffering… and a baptismal family large enough to unite former enemies, outcasts, slaves, and persecutors into one people.

Join us this Sunday as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore how Jesus “takes captivity captive” in order to set people free.
]]> And yet the gospel spreads even further.

In Acts 8–9, we will watch Jesus reclaim captives in unexpected places:

Samaria, the long-lost northern kingdom,
a wounded and excluded Ethiopian eunuch,
and finally Saul himself—the captor who becomes captive to Christ.
Along the way, we will see a kingdom that moves not by coercion, but by the Spirit… a Savior who joins people in their suffering… and a baptismal family large enough to unite former enemies, outcasts, slaves, and persecutors into one people.

Join us this Sunday as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore how Jesus “takes captivity captive” in order to set people free.
]]> And yet the gospel spreads even further.

In Acts 8–9, we will watch Jesus reclaim captives in unexpected places:

Samaria, the long-lost northern kingdom,
a wounded and excluded Ethiopian eunuch,
and finally Saul himself—the captor who becomes captive to Christ.
Along the way, we will see a kingdom that moves not by coercion, but by the Spirit… a Savior who joins people in their suffering… and a baptismal family large enough to unite former enemies, outcasts, slaves, and persecutors into one people.

Join us this Sunday as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and explore how Jesus “takes captivity captive” in order to set people free.
]]> false Resisting Jubilee (Cultivating Generosity Part 10) full podcastepisode_2aa48bd781fb46a79b96160148ececbb Sun, 3 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400
There is a lie we easily believe:
that we are better than others,
deserve more than others,
or have greater rights than others.

That lie can fill our hearts—and lead to death.
In Acts 5 – 7, we see a lie that distorts, an envy that destroys, a truth that must be held onto, and a price some are called to pay.

Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue our pursuit of becoming a Jubilee community.
]]>
There is a lie we easily believe:
that we are better than others,
deserve more than others,
or have greater rights than others.

That lie can fill our hearts—and lead to death.
In Acts 5 – 7, we see a lie that distorts, an envy that destroys, a truth that must be held onto, and a price some are called to pay.

Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue our pursuit of becoming a Jubilee community.
]]>
There is a lie we easily believe:
that we are better than others,
deserve more than others,
or have greater rights than others.

That lie can fill our hearts—and lead to death.
In Acts 5 – 7, we see a lie that distorts, an envy that destroys, a truth that must be held onto, and a price some are called to pay.

Join us this Sunday in worship as we continue our pursuit of becoming a Jubilee community.
]]> false What Do You Have to Give? (Acts 3-4) (Cultivating Generosity Part 9) full podcastepisode_be5ec07ce34d4db3837658cc9deb7b4e Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In Acts 3, a man who has never walked suddenly stands, leaps, and praises God. But the story doesn’t stop there.

The same power that reshapes the man’s feet, reshapes an entire community—how they live, how they give, and how they see one another.

But not everyone welcomes it.

Join us as we explore Acts 3–4 and see what it looks like when Jubilee breaks in, is proclaimed, resisted… and finally embodied.


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Acts 3, a man who has never walked suddenly stands, leaps, and praises God. But the story doesn’t stop there.

The same power that reshapes the man’s feet, reshapes an entire community—how they live, how they give, and how they see one another.

But not everyone welcomes it.

Join us as we explore Acts 3–4 and see what it looks like when Jubilee breaks in, is proclaimed, resisted… and finally embodied.


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Acts 3, a man who has never walked suddenly stands, leaps, and praises God. But the story doesn’t stop there.

The same power that reshapes the man’s feet, reshapes an entire community—how they live, how they give, and how they see one another.

But not everyone welcomes it.

Join us as we explore Acts 3–4 and see what it looks like when Jubilee breaks in, is proclaimed, resisted… and finally embodied.


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false The Restoration of Everything (Acts 2) (Cultivating Generosity Part 8) full podcastepisode_2b7cadbc69984d91b5d3604d0a2e5cb7 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400
But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question?

In this message, we explore why Pentecost didn’t just create a moment… it created a Jubilee community where no one was in need, generosity was normal, and people lived like family.

This sermon walks through Acts 2:42–47 and shows how the early church understood something we often miss:

The mission of Jesus is the restoration of everything
The restoration of Israel
The restoration of the temple
The restoration of Eden

And that mission didn’t end with them. It continues through us.

This isn’t just about what to do on Monday morning.
It’s about what the gospel calls you to do with the rest of your life.

If you’re in St. Petersburg, Florida and looking for a church that’s trying to actually live this out, we’d love to meet you.

Join us Sundays at 10am or throughout the week as we gather in smaller communities across St. Pete.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question?

In this message, we explore why Pentecost didn’t just create a moment… it created a Jubilee community where no one was in need, generosity was normal, and people lived like family.

This sermon walks through Acts 2:42–47 and shows how the early church understood something we often miss:

The mission of Jesus is the restoration of everything
The restoration of Israel
The restoration of the temple
The restoration of Eden

And that mission didn’t end with them. It continues through us.

This isn’t just about what to do on Monday morning.
It’s about what the gospel calls you to do with the rest of your life.

If you’re in St. Petersburg, Florida and looking for a church that’s trying to actually live this out, we’d love to meet you.

Join us Sundays at 10am or throughout the week as we gather in smaller communities across St. Pete.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question?

In this message, we explore why Pentecost didn’t just create a moment… it created a Jubilee community where no one was in need, generosity was normal, and people lived like family.

This sermon walks through Acts 2:42–47 and shows how the early church understood something we often miss:

The mission of Jesus is the restoration of everything
The restoration of Israel
The restoration of the temple
The restoration of Eden

And that mission didn’t end with them. It continues through us.

This isn’t just about what to do on Monday morning.
It’s about what the gospel calls you to do with the rest of your life.

If you’re in St. Petersburg, Florida and looking for a church that’s trying to actually live this out, we’d love to meet you.

Join us Sundays at 10am or throughout the week as we gather in smaller communities across St. Pete.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Expanding Jubilee Communities to the Ends of the Earth (Cultivating Generosity Series: Part 7) full podcastepisode_d3444736e37d454882a34b012283b1d1 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400
A mission that would expand the Jubilee mandate to the ends of the earth.
A mission that would set people free.
A mission that would change how people live.
A mission that includes us.
He didn’t just leave. He left us with purpose.

Through Luke’s pen (Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11), we’ll take a fresh look at the Ascension and the instructions Jesus gave in those final moments. We’ll explore how Jesus calls us to be an imperfect but real expression of Christ’s rule in peace and justice in the world.


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
A mission that would expand the Jubilee mandate to the ends of the earth.
A mission that would set people free.
A mission that would change how people live.
A mission that includes us.
He didn’t just leave. He left us with purpose.

Through Luke’s pen (Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11), we’ll take a fresh look at the Ascension and the instructions Jesus gave in those final moments. We’ll explore how Jesus calls us to be an imperfect but real expression of Christ’s rule in peace and justice in the world.


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
A mission that would expand the Jubilee mandate to the ends of the earth.
A mission that would set people free.
A mission that would change how people live.
A mission that includes us.
He didn’t just leave. He left us with purpose.

Through Luke’s pen (Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11), we’ll take a fresh look at the Ascension and the instructions Jesus gave in those final moments. We’ll explore how Jesus calls us to be an imperfect but real expression of Christ’s rule in peace and justice in the world.


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Easter 2026: What Does it Take to See the Resurrected Christ? (Cultivating Generosity Part 6) full podcastepisode_17b468200dfa4af5a49efadeba69b07c Sun, 5 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400 They heard the message and didn’t believe.
They walked with Jesus and didn’t recognize Him.
How is that possible?

In Gospel of Luke 24, the first witnesses to the resurrection struggle to see what is right in front of them.

This Easter, we’ll explore why—and what it takes for our eyes to be opened.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the risen Christ—and discover what it takes to truly see Him from Luke 24:1-32.


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> They heard the message and didn’t believe.
They walked with Jesus and didn’t recognize Him.
How is that possible?

In Gospel of Luke 24, the first witnesses to the resurrection struggle to see what is right in front of them.

This Easter, we’ll explore why—and what it takes for our eyes to be opened.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the risen Christ—and discover what it takes to truly see Him from Luke 24:1-32.


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> They heard the message and didn’t believe.
They walked with Jesus and didn’t recognize Him.
How is that possible?

In Gospel of Luke 24, the first witnesses to the resurrection struggle to see what is right in front of them.

This Easter, we’ll explore why—and what it takes for our eyes to be opened.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the risen Christ—and discover what it takes to truly see Him from Luke 24:1-32.


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community


🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources


🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Luke 18:35 – 19:44 - Becoming a Jubilee Community (Cultivating Generosity Part 5) full podcastepisode_b655cfae8dcc4f549cda6b630ef84589 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In Luke 19, a man climbs a tree just to catch a glimpse. Moments later, he’s giving away his wealth, restoring what was broken, and living a completely new kind of life.

He didn’t just see Jesus—he saw Him rightly. The way we see Jesus shapes the way we live.

Is it possible to see Jesus and still miss what brings peace? Is it ever hidden from our eyes?

Join us as we celebrate Palm Sunday and explore that well-known ride of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as the stories leading up to it (Luke 18:35–19:44). There we learn how seeing Jesus clearly leads to a life of Jubilee—where generosity, restoration, and peace begin to flow. Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 18:35 – 19:44


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 19, a man climbs a tree just to catch a glimpse. Moments later, he’s giving away his wealth, restoring what was broken, and living a completely new kind of life.

He didn’t just see Jesus—he saw Him rightly. The way we see Jesus shapes the way we live.

Is it possible to see Jesus and still miss what brings peace? Is it ever hidden from our eyes?

Join us as we celebrate Palm Sunday and explore that well-known ride of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as the stories leading up to it (Luke 18:35–19:44). There we learn how seeing Jesus clearly leads to a life of Jubilee—where generosity, restoration, and peace begin to flow. Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 18:35 – 19:44


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 19, a man climbs a tree just to catch a glimpse. Moments later, he’s giving away his wealth, restoring what was broken, and living a completely new kind of life.

He didn’t just see Jesus—he saw Him rightly. The way we see Jesus shapes the way we live.

Is it possible to see Jesus and still miss what brings peace? Is it ever hidden from our eyes?

Join us as we celebrate Palm Sunday and explore that well-known ride of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as the stories leading up to it (Luke 18:35–19:44). There we learn how seeing Jesus clearly leads to a life of Jubilee—where generosity, restoration, and peace begin to flow. Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 18:35 – 19:44


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Luke 18 - Becoming a Jubilee Community (Cultivating Generosity Part 4) full podcastepisode_6c176b95445447cf971345fb0ad4296d Sun, 22 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In Luke 18, three groups come to Jesus. Only one receives an unqualified “yes” — the one group the disciples were trying to keep out!

Jesus shows us that entering the kingdom isn’t about climbing higher; it’s about receiving. But not just receiving a personal gift from God; receiving those the world overlooks as gifts.

That’s what is necessary to enter into a Jubilee community. A community where debts are released, people are restored, and the least are welcomed to the table.

We’ll explore what it means to enter the kingdom of God. Not just someday in heaven, but right now. Join us as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and discover the life that is truly life.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 18, three groups come to Jesus. Only one receives an unqualified “yes” — the one group the disciples were trying to keep out!

Jesus shows us that entering the kingdom isn’t about climbing higher; it’s about receiving. But not just receiving a personal gift from God; receiving those the world overlooks as gifts.

That’s what is necessary to enter into a Jubilee community. A community where debts are released, people are restored, and the least are welcomed to the table.

We’ll explore what it means to enter the kingdom of God. Not just someday in heaven, but right now. Join us as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and discover the life that is truly life.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 18, three groups come to Jesus. Only one receives an unqualified “yes” — the one group the disciples were trying to keep out!

Jesus shows us that entering the kingdom isn’t about climbing higher; it’s about receiving. But not just receiving a personal gift from God; receiving those the world overlooks as gifts.

That’s what is necessary to enter into a Jubilee community. A community where debts are released, people are restored, and the least are welcomed to the table.

We’ll explore what it means to enter the kingdom of God. Not just someday in heaven, but right now. Join us as we continue Cultivating Generosity: Becoming a Jubilee Community and discover the life that is truly life.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Luke 16 - Becoming a Jubilee Community (Cultivating Generosity Part 3) full podcastepisode_21012d90c9fa40ddb98c2a75e0f53d5b Sun, 15 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400
In this message from Luke 16, we explore two of Jesus’ most challenging parables and the radical invitation behind them. Through the story of the crafty manager and the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus exposes the difference between living in the old economy of scarcity and the new reality of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom Jesus proclaims is a Jubilee Kingdom. A kingdom where generosity replaces hoarding, open hands replace closed gates, and eternal investments matter more than temporary security.

The question is not simply whether we give.
The deeper question is which kingdom we actually believe in.

This sermon examines:

• The crafty wisdom of generosity
• The inevitable exposure of wealth
• The tragic misery of closed gates

Jesus teaches that our relationship to money is never neutral. What we love, trust, and cling to ultimately reveals who or what we serve. The invitation of the Kingdom is to live with radical generosity because the King has already arrived and His Kingdom is present now.

Will we cling to the old economy of scarcity, or will we live boldly in the abundance of the Jubilee Kingdom?

Join us as we explore how followers of Jesus are called to become a community of radical generosity, open hands, and visible allegiance to the Kingdom of God.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Zach McNabb
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In this message from Luke 16, we explore two of Jesus’ most challenging parables and the radical invitation behind them. Through the story of the crafty manager and the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus exposes the difference between living in the old economy of scarcity and the new reality of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom Jesus proclaims is a Jubilee Kingdom. A kingdom where generosity replaces hoarding, open hands replace closed gates, and eternal investments matter more than temporary security.

The question is not simply whether we give.
The deeper question is which kingdom we actually believe in.

This sermon examines:

• The crafty wisdom of generosity
• The inevitable exposure of wealth
• The tragic misery of closed gates

Jesus teaches that our relationship to money is never neutral. What we love, trust, and cling to ultimately reveals who or what we serve. The invitation of the Kingdom is to live with radical generosity because the King has already arrived and His Kingdom is present now.

Will we cling to the old economy of scarcity, or will we live boldly in the abundance of the Jubilee Kingdom?

Join us as we explore how followers of Jesus are called to become a community of radical generosity, open hands, and visible allegiance to the Kingdom of God.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Zach McNabb
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In this message from Luke 16, we explore two of Jesus’ most challenging parables and the radical invitation behind them. Through the story of the crafty manager and the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus exposes the difference between living in the old economy of scarcity and the new reality of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom Jesus proclaims is a Jubilee Kingdom. A kingdom where generosity replaces hoarding, open hands replace closed gates, and eternal investments matter more than temporary security.

The question is not simply whether we give.
The deeper question is which kingdom we actually believe in.

This sermon examines:

• The crafty wisdom of generosity
• The inevitable exposure of wealth
• The tragic misery of closed gates

Jesus teaches that our relationship to money is never neutral. What we love, trust, and cling to ultimately reveals who or what we serve. The invitation of the Kingdom is to live with radical generosity because the King has already arrived and His Kingdom is present now.

Will we cling to the old economy of scarcity, or will we live boldly in the abundance of the Jubilee Kingdom?

Join us as we explore how followers of Jesus are called to become a community of radical generosity, open hands, and visible allegiance to the Kingdom of God.

Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Zach McNabb
Scripture: Luke 16


If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false What is Quietly Forming You? (Cultivating Generosity Part 2) full podcastepisode_51c179332e704340a251df0342510851 Sun, 8 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400
Jesus once warned His disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees.” (Luke 12:1)

Yeast is small and hidden, but it spreads until it changes everything.

In Luke 11–12, Jesus shows how fear, greed, and self-protection can quietly shape a community. But He is forming something very different: a Jubilee people who trust the Father, care for the vulnerable, and live with open hands.

This Sunday we’ll explore Jesus’ warning and His vision for a Spirit-formed community.

If something is always forming us, the real question is: what is quietly forming us right now?


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Jesus once warned His disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees.” (Luke 12:1)

Yeast is small and hidden, but it spreads until it changes everything.

In Luke 11–12, Jesus shows how fear, greed, and self-protection can quietly shape a community. But He is forming something very different: a Jubilee people who trust the Father, care for the vulnerable, and live with open hands.

This Sunday we’ll explore Jesus’ warning and His vision for a Spirit-formed community.

If something is always forming us, the real question is: what is quietly forming us right now?


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Jesus once warned His disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees.” (Luke 12:1)

Yeast is small and hidden, but it spreads until it changes everything.

In Luke 11–12, Jesus shows how fear, greed, and self-protection can quietly shape a community. But He is forming something very different: a Jubilee people who trust the Father, care for the vulnerable, and live with open hands.

This Sunday we’ll explore Jesus’ warning and His vision for a Spirit-formed community.

If something is always forming us, the real question is: what is quietly forming us right now?


Series: Cultivating Gratitude: Becoming a Jubilee Community
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false How Do We Become a Jubilee Community? (Cultivating Generosity Part 1) full podcastepisode_0d072522f2e34e3697aaa07d87dab624 Sun, 1 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400
In Luke 9, Jesus sends His disciples out with no provisions and teaches them a powerful lesson: if you don’t believe the Father will feed you, you’ll never feed others freely.

Then He says something even more challenging: “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

What does that mean for ordinary disciples like us — people who want to be wise, responsible, and faithful?

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity and discover how freedom from fear opens the door to real, cross-shaped generosity.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 9, Jesus sends His disciples out with no provisions and teaches them a powerful lesson: if you don’t believe the Father will feed you, you’ll never feed others freely.

Then He says something even more challenging: “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

What does that mean for ordinary disciples like us — people who want to be wise, responsible, and faithful?

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity and discover how freedom from fear opens the door to real, cross-shaped generosity.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In Luke 9, Jesus sends His disciples out with no provisions and teaches them a powerful lesson: if you don’t believe the Father will feed you, you’ll never feed others freely.

Then He says something even more challenging: “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

What does that mean for ordinary disciples like us — people who want to be wise, responsible, and faithful?

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Generosity and discover how freedom from fear opens the door to real, cross-shaped generosity.



📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Will We Rise or Will We Fall? full podcastepisode_245a0d16c14747ba9f3f2787853e115e Sun, 22 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400
Our text this Sunday (Luke 4-6 but esp. 4:14-30) is about one community that fell when they encountered Jesus. In fact, they wanted to kill Him. To be sure, His message that day was astonishingly good — and deeply disruptive. They responded poorly.

This text is about an event 2,000 years and some 6,500 miles away. Despite the time and distance between it and us, it carries penetrating questions for us. It still begs the question of whether we will fall or rise.
]]>
Our text this Sunday (Luke 4-6 but esp. 4:14-30) is about one community that fell when they encountered Jesus. In fact, they wanted to kill Him. To be sure, His message that day was astonishingly good — and deeply disruptive. They responded poorly.

This text is about an event 2,000 years and some 6,500 miles away. Despite the time and distance between it and us, it carries penetrating questions for us. It still begs the question of whether we will fall or rise.
]]>
Our text this Sunday (Luke 4-6 but esp. 4:14-30) is about one community that fell when they encountered Jesus. In fact, they wanted to kill Him. To be sure, His message that day was astonishingly good — and deeply disruptive. They responded poorly.

This text is about an event 2,000 years and some 6,500 miles away. Despite the time and distance between it and us, it carries penetrating questions for us. It still begs the question of whether we will fall or rise.
]]> false The Game of Cosmic Hide and Seek full podcastepisode_f2ae5ee29e434bb88737f419e07f5198 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400 "It was meant to be."
"Don't tempt fate."

Even in a secular age, we speak as if there's more going on than we can see.
- We long for life to make sense.
- We feel the weight of right and wrong.
- We cry out when the world is broken.
- We hunger for something beyond ourselves.
- We worry that our lives are not entirely our own.
- And we ache to know what we do actually matters.

Why?

In this message we explore six deep instincts that surface - across cultures, across religions, and even among those who claim not to believe at all.

Are these longings just evolutionary leftovers? Cultural habits? Psychological coping mechanisms? Or are they clues?

In this message we continue "Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in a Disenchanted World" - and consider how the gospel speaks to the questions we can't seem to stop asking.
]]> "It was meant to be."
"Don't tempt fate."

Even in a secular age, we speak as if there's more going on than we can see.
- We long for life to make sense.
- We feel the weight of right and wrong.
- We cry out when the world is broken.
- We hunger for something beyond ourselves.
- We worry that our lives are not entirely our own.
- And we ache to know what we do actually matters.

Why?

In this message we explore six deep instincts that surface - across cultures, across religions, and even among those who claim not to believe at all.

Are these longings just evolutionary leftovers? Cultural habits? Psychological coping mechanisms? Or are they clues?

In this message we continue "Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in a Disenchanted World" - and consider how the gospel speaks to the questions we can't seem to stop asking.
]]> "It was meant to be."
"Don't tempt fate."

Even in a secular age, we speak as if there's more going on than we can see.
- We long for life to make sense.
- We feel the weight of right and wrong.
- We cry out when the world is broken.
- We hunger for something beyond ourselves.
- We worry that our lives are not entirely our own.
- And we ache to know what we do actually matters.

Why?

In this message we explore six deep instincts that surface - across cultures, across religions, and even among those who claim not to believe at all.

Are these longings just evolutionary leftovers? Cultural habits? Psychological coping mechanisms? Or are they clues?

In this message we continue "Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth in a Disenchanted World" - and consider how the gospel speaks to the questions we can't seem to stop asking.
]]> false Is Christianity True? full podcastepisode_b161e2c567d34c339ba0eace69c6f640 Sun, 8 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400 We live in a world that increasingly doubts whether any truth can really be known.
Truth feels fragile.
Claims to truth feel suspect.
And certainty is often confused with arrogance.

So how can Christians make truth claims in such a world?
And how can we do so in a way that is actually heard by our neighbors?

In our series Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World, we’ll wrestle with the question: Is Christianity True? We will explore the truth Jesus reveals: how it is meant to be known, and how it is meant to be made known.

What did Jesus mean when He said that He was the way, the truth, and the life? Does it speak of abstract philosophy or concrete life?

Join us as we consider what it might mean for truth to be revealed, not merely asserted.
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> We live in a world that increasingly doubts whether any truth can really be known.
Truth feels fragile.
Claims to truth feel suspect.
And certainty is often confused with arrogance.

So how can Christians make truth claims in such a world?
And how can we do so in a way that is actually heard by our neighbors?

In our series Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World, we’ll wrestle with the question: Is Christianity True? We will explore the truth Jesus reveals: how it is meant to be known, and how it is meant to be made known.

What did Jesus mean when He said that He was the way, the truth, and the life? Does it speak of abstract philosophy or concrete life?

Join us as we consider what it might mean for truth to be revealed, not merely asserted.
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> We live in a world that increasingly doubts whether any truth can really be known.
Truth feels fragile.
Claims to truth feel suspect.
And certainty is often confused with arrogance.

So how can Christians make truth claims in such a world?
And how can we do so in a way that is actually heard by our neighbors?

In our series Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World, we’ll wrestle with the question: Is Christianity True? We will explore the truth Jesus reveals: how it is meant to be known, and how it is meant to be made known.

What did Jesus mean when He said that He was the way, the truth, and the life? Does it speak of abstract philosophy or concrete life?

Join us as we consider what it might mean for truth to be revealed, not merely asserted.
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Is Christianity Beautiful? Psalm 19:1-14 full podcastepisode_5f9bb55173674729bdf83806cd6add6d Sun, 1 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400 A sunrise doesn’t argue. It invites. A storm doesn’t persuade. It overwhelms. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens speak without words, quietly declaring the glory of God to the whole world.

And yet, while many of us still sense beauty in creation, far fewer are convinced that Christianity or the church shares that same beauty.

In this sermon, we explore what Scripture means when it speaks of God as glorious, radiant, and even sweet like honey. We reflect on the beauty of God’s character, the surprising beauty revealed in Jesus Christ, and the fragile, imperfect beauty of a church shaped by redemption rather than perfection.

If your faith has felt more dry than delightful, or if you have sensed God’s beauty but struggled to put words to it, this message invites you to see again. To listen. And to discover what might be called sublime grace.



Title: Is Christianity Beautiful?
Main Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> A sunrise doesn’t argue. It invites. A storm doesn’t persuade. It overwhelms. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens speak without words, quietly declaring the glory of God to the whole world.

And yet, while many of us still sense beauty in creation, far fewer are convinced that Christianity or the church shares that same beauty.

In this sermon, we explore what Scripture means when it speaks of God as glorious, radiant, and even sweet like honey. We reflect on the beauty of God’s character, the surprising beauty revealed in Jesus Christ, and the fragile, imperfect beauty of a church shaped by redemption rather than perfection.

If your faith has felt more dry than delightful, or if you have sensed God’s beauty but struggled to put words to it, this message invites you to see again. To listen. And to discover what might be called sublime grace.



Title: Is Christianity Beautiful?
Main Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> A sunrise doesn’t argue. It invites. A storm doesn’t persuade. It overwhelms. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens speak without words, quietly declaring the glory of God to the whole world.

And yet, while many of us still sense beauty in creation, far fewer are convinced that Christianity or the church shares that same beauty.

In this sermon, we explore what Scripture means when it speaks of God as glorious, radiant, and even sweet like honey. We reflect on the beauty of God’s character, the surprising beauty revealed in Jesus Christ, and the fragile, imperfect beauty of a church shaped by redemption rather than perfection.

If your faith has felt more dry than delightful, or if you have sensed God’s beauty but struggled to put words to it, this message invites you to see again. To listen. And to discover what might be called sublime grace.



Title: Is Christianity Beautiful?
Main Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14
Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Is Christianity Good? full podcastepisode_ad525ce339004fec98a958e9dc3c878e Sun, 25 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400
This Sunday, we’ll look honestly at that charge—but we’ll also ask the deeper questions it raises:

Where does our sense of good and evil come from?
Why does the moral vision of Jesus still resonate—even in a post-Christian world?
And how can we be faithful witnesses of Jesus in a world that often assumes Christianity, or even religion itself, is evil?
To explore these questions, we’ll consider why the goodness of Jesus is so difficult to deny, how it has shaped our world more than we often realize, and the call of Scripture to make that goodness visible through our lives (1 Peter 2:9–12).

Join us as we revisit a timeless question with fresh eyes: Is Christianity good?
]]>
This Sunday, we’ll look honestly at that charge—but we’ll also ask the deeper questions it raises:

Where does our sense of good and evil come from?
Why does the moral vision of Jesus still resonate—even in a post-Christian world?
And how can we be faithful witnesses of Jesus in a world that often assumes Christianity, or even religion itself, is evil?
To explore these questions, we’ll consider why the goodness of Jesus is so difficult to deny, how it has shaped our world more than we often realize, and the call of Scripture to make that goodness visible through our lives (1 Peter 2:9–12).

Join us as we revisit a timeless question with fresh eyes: Is Christianity good?
]]>
This Sunday, we’ll look honestly at that charge—but we’ll also ask the deeper questions it raises:

Where does our sense of good and evil come from?
Why does the moral vision of Jesus still resonate—even in a post-Christian world?
And how can we be faithful witnesses of Jesus in a world that often assumes Christianity, or even religion itself, is evil?
To explore these questions, we’ll consider why the goodness of Jesus is so difficult to deny, how it has shaped our world more than we often realize, and the call of Scripture to make that goodness visible through our lives (1 Peter 2:9–12).

Join us as we revisit a timeless question with fresh eyes: Is Christianity good?
]]> false When Meaning Takes Flesh full podcastepisode_b556f89a4bd84392a33f91f9cc0f139b Sun, 18 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400 What if meaning is not something you create but something you receive

In a world chasing fulfillment through achievement relationships and control
John’s Gospel announces something radical

Life has come near

Jesus is not an idea
Not a principle
Not a system

The Word became flesh

This message explores how Jesus fulfills our deepest longings
How meaning takes on a face
And how life with God becomes visible in a community shaped by grace and truth

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Sermon: When Meaning Takes Flesh (John 1:1-14, 20-21)
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> What if meaning is not something you create but something you receive

In a world chasing fulfillment through achievement relationships and control
John’s Gospel announces something radical

Life has come near

Jesus is not an idea
Not a principle
Not a system

The Word became flesh

This message explores how Jesus fulfills our deepest longings
How meaning takes on a face
And how life with God becomes visible in a community shaped by grace and truth

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Sermon: When Meaning Takes Flesh (John 1:1-14, 20-21)
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> What if meaning is not something you create but something you receive

In a world chasing fulfillment through achievement relationships and control
John’s Gospel announces something radical

Life has come near

Jesus is not an idea
Not a principle
Not a system

The Word became flesh

This message explores how Jesus fulfills our deepest longings
How meaning takes on a face
And how life with God becomes visible in a community shaped by grace and truth

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World
Sermon: When Meaning Takes Flesh (John 1:1-14, 20-21)
Speaker: Ryan Carver

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Great News in an Age of Doubt and Meaninglessness full podcastepisode_3bff175f4b3a4c99a77f71811ad2c4cd Sun, 11 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400
We’ll reflect on 2 Corinthians 4:3–7 and explore what it means to reveal Christ through both our words and our lives in a disenchanted age. Scripture reminds us that God alone gives light—but He chooses to carry that light in ordinary “jars of clay” like us.

Together we’ll consider:

-why many of our neighbors are searching for meaning
-how Christian witness can either veil or reveal the gospel
-how gentleness, hope, and faithful presence shape a credible witness today

If you’ve ever wondered how to live and speak about Jesus in a culture marked by unbelief, this will serve you well.

Join us as explore how God still shines His light through imperfect people.

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
We’ll reflect on 2 Corinthians 4:3–7 and explore what it means to reveal Christ through both our words and our lives in a disenchanted age. Scripture reminds us that God alone gives light—but He chooses to carry that light in ordinary “jars of clay” like us.

Together we’ll consider:

-why many of our neighbors are searching for meaning
-how Christian witness can either veil or reveal the gospel
-how gentleness, hope, and faithful presence shape a credible witness today

If you’ve ever wondered how to live and speak about Jesus in a culture marked by unbelief, this will serve you well.

Join us as explore how God still shines His light through imperfect people.

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
We’ll reflect on 2 Corinthians 4:3–7 and explore what it means to reveal Christ through both our words and our lives in a disenchanted age. Scripture reminds us that God alone gives light—but He chooses to carry that light in ordinary “jars of clay” like us.

Together we’ll consider:

-why many of our neighbors are searching for meaning
-how Christian witness can either veil or reveal the gospel
-how gentleness, hope, and faithful presence shape a credible witness today

If you’ve ever wondered how to live and speak about Jesus in a culture marked by unbelief, this will serve you well.

Join us as explore how God still shines His light through imperfect people.

Series: Revealing Christ: Beauty, Goodness, and Truth for a Disenchanted World


📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false Locating Ourselves in Christ’s Mission full podcastepisode_e5c4f9dfd6eb44a6a3eb4b1c54fa1e9c Sun, 4 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400
We’ll begin with a foundational question: What exactly is Christ’s mission—and where do we fit within it?

In the Book of Acts, Christ’s mission is the restoration of God’s kingdom. The disciples seem concerned to know when, but Jesus redirects their attention to how. In fact, Christ empowers His church to be active agents in the restoration of His kingdom.

Acts traces that mission from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, and in doing so, it helps us locate ourselves in God’s unfolding story. We are not waiting for the mission to begin. We are living at the ends of the earth—called to faithful witness amid hardship, uncertainty, and hope.

This message explains why the entire series is vital. The rest of the series will explore to a world that has become resistant to Christianity.
]]>
We’ll begin with a foundational question: What exactly is Christ’s mission—and where do we fit within it?

In the Book of Acts, Christ’s mission is the restoration of God’s kingdom. The disciples seem concerned to know when, but Jesus redirects their attention to how. In fact, Christ empowers His church to be active agents in the restoration of His kingdom.

Acts traces that mission from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, and in doing so, it helps us locate ourselves in God’s unfolding story. We are not waiting for the mission to begin. We are living at the ends of the earth—called to faithful witness amid hardship, uncertainty, and hope.

This message explains why the entire series is vital. The rest of the series will explore to a world that has become resistant to Christianity.
]]>
We’ll begin with a foundational question: What exactly is Christ’s mission—and where do we fit within it?

In the Book of Acts, Christ’s mission is the restoration of God’s kingdom. The disciples seem concerned to know when, but Jesus redirects their attention to how. In fact, Christ empowers His church to be active agents in the restoration of His kingdom.

Acts traces that mission from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, and in doing so, it helps us locate ourselves in God’s unfolding story. We are not waiting for the mission to begin. We are living at the ends of the earth—called to faithful witness amid hardship, uncertainty, and hope.

This message explains why the entire series is vital. The rest of the series will explore to a world that has become resistant to Christianity.
]]> false A Discerning Life full podcastepisode_814adc64d52c46bcb813b7e8179a8223 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400
In this sermon, we explore Paul’s call in Ephesians 5 to live wisely, redeem the time, and understand the will of the Lord. As Christians grow in maturity, the life of faith often becomes harder, not easier. Discernment becomes essential for navigating suffering, cultural pressure, personal failure, and the tension between what feels right and what is truly righteous.

This message examines how God’s vision for our lives is not the elimination of difficulty, but the redemption of it. We are invited into a lifelong process of spiritual formation where character matters more than comfort, faithfulness matters more than success, and love and holiness walk together.

Through Scripture, pastoral reflection, and practical wisdom, this sermon addresses:
• Why spiritual growth requires intentionality
• How to discern God’s redemptive purpose rather than just circumstantial relief
• The difference between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom
• Why Christians are called to redeem the time in an evil age
• How forgiveness, holiness, and love reveal God’s wisdom through the church

This message is grounded in Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and the broader story of God’s transforming work in His people through Jesus Christ.

Whether you are entering a new season, facing unresolved pain, wrestling with failure, or seeking clarity for the future, this sermon invites you to slow down, think deeply, and live intentionally within God’s redemptive purposes.

If this message encourages you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who is seeking wisdom and clarity in their walk with Christ.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In this sermon, we explore Paul’s call in Ephesians 5 to live wisely, redeem the time, and understand the will of the Lord. As Christians grow in maturity, the life of faith often becomes harder, not easier. Discernment becomes essential for navigating suffering, cultural pressure, personal failure, and the tension between what feels right and what is truly righteous.

This message examines how God’s vision for our lives is not the elimination of difficulty, but the redemption of it. We are invited into a lifelong process of spiritual formation where character matters more than comfort, faithfulness matters more than success, and love and holiness walk together.

Through Scripture, pastoral reflection, and practical wisdom, this sermon addresses:
• Why spiritual growth requires intentionality
• How to discern God’s redemptive purpose rather than just circumstantial relief
• The difference between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom
• Why Christians are called to redeem the time in an evil age
• How forgiveness, holiness, and love reveal God’s wisdom through the church

This message is grounded in Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and the broader story of God’s transforming work in His people through Jesus Christ.

Whether you are entering a new season, facing unresolved pain, wrestling with failure, or seeking clarity for the future, this sermon invites you to slow down, think deeply, and live intentionally within God’s redemptive purposes.

If this message encourages you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who is seeking wisdom and clarity in their walk with Christ.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
In this sermon, we explore Paul’s call in Ephesians 5 to live wisely, redeem the time, and understand the will of the Lord. As Christians grow in maturity, the life of faith often becomes harder, not easier. Discernment becomes essential for navigating suffering, cultural pressure, personal failure, and the tension between what feels right and what is truly righteous.

This message examines how God’s vision for our lives is not the elimination of difficulty, but the redemption of it. We are invited into a lifelong process of spiritual formation where character matters more than comfort, faithfulness matters more than success, and love and holiness walk together.

Through Scripture, pastoral reflection, and practical wisdom, this sermon addresses:
• Why spiritual growth requires intentionality
• How to discern God’s redemptive purpose rather than just circumstantial relief
• The difference between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom
• Why Christians are called to redeem the time in an evil age
• How forgiveness, holiness, and love reveal God’s wisdom through the church

This message is grounded in Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and the broader story of God’s transforming work in His people through Jesus Christ.

Whether you are entering a new season, facing unresolved pain, wrestling with failure, or seeking clarity for the future, this sermon invites you to slow down, think deeply, and live intentionally within God’s redemptive purposes.

If this message encourages you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who is seeking wisdom and clarity in their walk with Christ.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Love Goes Small (Advent 2025, Part 5) full podcastepisode_f47fe99811524f259b0ae6fb926fd125 Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400
When God came to confront the power of Caesar, He did not arrive with armies or fanfare. He came as a baby—born in obscurity, laid in a feeding trough, announced to shepherds.

In a world that equates size with significance and power with worth, Luke 2:1–20 shows us something radically different: love moves downward before it changes anything.

In Love Goes Small, we’ll explore how
• Jesus became small for the sake of love
• Jesus remained small rather than chasing popularity or power
• And how God still works through what the world overlooks

If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of faithfulness matter—or felt discouraged because your life seems insignificant...this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
When God came to confront the power of Caesar, He did not arrive with armies or fanfare. He came as a baby—born in obscurity, laid in a feeding trough, announced to shepherds.

In a world that equates size with significance and power with worth, Luke 2:1–20 shows us something radically different: love moves downward before it changes anything.

In Love Goes Small, we’ll explore how
• Jesus became small for the sake of love
• Jesus remained small rather than chasing popularity or power
• And how God still works through what the world overlooks

If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of faithfulness matter—or felt discouraged because your life seems insignificant...this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
When God came to confront the power of Caesar, He did not arrive with armies or fanfare. He came as a baby—born in obscurity, laid in a feeding trough, announced to shepherds.

In a world that equates size with significance and power with worth, Luke 2:1–20 shows us something radically different: love moves downward before it changes anything.

In Love Goes Small, we’ll explore how
• Jesus became small for the sake of love
• Jesus remained small rather than chasing popularity or power
• And how God still works through what the world overlooks

If you’ve ever wondered whether small acts of faithfulness matter—or felt discouraged because your life seems insignificant...this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false The Father's Joy (Advent 2025, Part 4) full podcastepisode_285c0d8050a942e6914d7f33449d1d97 Sun, 14 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400 It teaches us how to wait.

This Sunday we will open Romans 15:7–13 and reflect on The Father’s Joy as Paul points us to a joy that rises from God’s faithfulness and fills His people with hope.

Paul reminds us that God keeps His promises, welcomes us in Christ, and forms a people whose life together becomes a witness to the world. Even as we wait, God is at work shaping us through hope, peace, and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are carrying questions, weariness, or longing this Advent season, this message is for you.
]]> It teaches us how to wait.

This Sunday we will open Romans 15:7–13 and reflect on The Father’s Joy as Paul points us to a joy that rises from God’s faithfulness and fills His people with hope.

Paul reminds us that God keeps His promises, welcomes us in Christ, and forms a people whose life together becomes a witness to the world. Even as we wait, God is at work shaping us through hope, peace, and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are carrying questions, weariness, or longing this Advent season, this message is for you.
]]> It teaches us how to wait.

This Sunday we will open Romans 15:7–13 and reflect on The Father’s Joy as Paul points us to a joy that rises from God’s faithfulness and fills His people with hope.

Paul reminds us that God keeps His promises, welcomes us in Christ, and forms a people whose life together becomes a witness to the world. Even as we wait, God is at work shaping us through hope, peace, and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are carrying questions, weariness, or longing this Advent season, this message is for you.
]]> false Where the Morning Star Rises (Advent 2025, Part 3) full podcastepisode_fb96660087684c1d8f3a9d6e384a030c Sun, 7 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400
Peter writes that we want to be “found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (3:14 NLT).

Will you be found this way?

In this week’s Advent message, we’ll explore how our lives can grow in the qualities that lead to that kind of peace and purity. Peter shows us that these things don’t appear suddenly in a crisis—they are cultivated over time.

This Sunday we’ll hear from Peter that peaceful lives arise when we live in hope of the coming Day of Righteousness.


If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
Peter writes that we want to be “found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (3:14 NLT).

Will you be found this way?

In this week’s Advent message, we’ll explore how our lives can grow in the qualities that lead to that kind of peace and purity. Peter shows us that these things don’t appear suddenly in a crisis—they are cultivated over time.

This Sunday we’ll hear from Peter that peaceful lives arise when we live in hope of the coming Day of Righteousness.


If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
Peter writes that we want to be “found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (3:14 NLT).

Will you be found this way?

In this week’s Advent message, we’ll explore how our lives can grow in the qualities that lead to that kind of peace and purity. Peter shows us that these things don’t appear suddenly in a crisis—they are cultivated over time.

This Sunday we’ll hear from Peter that peaceful lives arise when we live in hope of the coming Day of Righteousness.


If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false Living in Hope of the Returning King (Advent 2025, Part 1) full podcastepisode_6e15522196754fa5a26b8f70e0e017cb Sun, 30 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400
This week begins the Advent season. Advent means waiting. People in history had to await Jesus’ first coming. We now await His return. We will explore Jesus’ parable in Luke 19, a story about a nobleman-soon-to-be-king, fearful servants, bold servants, and the question that still confronts us today:

Will we risk living fully for the King we cannot yet see?

Join us in worship as we discover how a Christian hope transforms not only our lives, but the world!



If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
This week begins the Advent season. Advent means waiting. People in history had to await Jesus’ first coming. We now await His return. We will explore Jesus’ parable in Luke 19, a story about a nobleman-soon-to-be-king, fearful servants, bold servants, and the question that still confronts us today:

Will we risk living fully for the King we cannot yet see?

Join us in worship as we discover how a Christian hope transforms not only our lives, but the world!



If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
This week begins the Advent season. Advent means waiting. People in history had to await Jesus’ first coming. We now await His return. We will explore Jesus’ parable in Luke 19, a story about a nobleman-soon-to-be-king, fearful servants, bold servants, and the question that still confronts us today:

Will we risk living fully for the King we cannot yet see?

Join us in worship as we discover how a Christian hope transforms not only our lives, but the world!



If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false An Unshakeable Kingdom (Cultivating Gratitude Part 4) full podcastepisode_6b06c80033934e7595cc9446f55f5c0f Sun, 23 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400
In this message from our series Cultivating Gratitude, we look at what it means to trust God when everything else feels unstable. Through Scripture and a personal story of job loss and financial pressure, we learn that the kingdom of God is the only foundation that will still be standing when everything else falls.

If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🙏 If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs stability and hope today.
]]>
In this message from our series Cultivating Gratitude, we look at what it means to trust God when everything else feels unstable. Through Scripture and a personal story of job loss and financial pressure, we learn that the kingdom of God is the only foundation that will still be standing when everything else falls.

If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🙏 If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs stability and hope today.
]]>
In this message from our series Cultivating Gratitude, we look at what it means to trust God when everything else feels unstable. Through Scripture and a personal story of job loss and financial pressure, we learn that the kingdom of God is the only foundation that will still be standing when everything else falls.

If you are looking for a church in Saint Petersburg that is rooted in Scripture, focused on Jesus, serious about the kingdom of God, and committed to authentic community, we would love to welcome you. Gulf Coast Community Church is a gospel formed, gospel shaped church pursuing formation, culture, mercy, outreach, and unity throughout St Pete.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after hurt, or looking for a church that feels real and grounded, this message is for you.

📍 Gulf Coast Community Church
555 76th Avenue North Saint Petersburg FL
gulfcoast.community

🎧 Watch and listen to more sermons here
gulfcoast.community/resources

🙏 If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs stability and hope today.
]]> false The Church as a Community of Lepers Made Whole (Cultivating Gratitude Part 3) full podcastepisode_e9db729e2c61437aa7f0030f12732c54 Sun, 16 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400 The joy of healing was, in large part, the joy of restoration to the community.

So it is with us. We are a community of lepers made whole, grateful not just for our physical and spiritual health, but for Christ’s ability to bring us together. We must see each other as gifts!
]]> The joy of healing was, in large part, the joy of restoration to the community.

So it is with us. We are a community of lepers made whole, grateful not just for our physical and spiritual health, but for Christ’s ability to bring us together. We must see each other as gifts!
]]> The joy of healing was, in large part, the joy of restoration to the community.

So it is with us. We are a community of lepers made whole, grateful not just for our physical and spiritual health, but for Christ’s ability to bring us together. We must see each other as gifts!
]]> false Gratitude Rooted in a Happy Future (Cultivating Gratitude Part 2) full podcastepisode_2daf52b02c044374a0ee150e5834efa9 Sun, 9 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400
In this message from Gulf Coast Community Church, we explore how biblical gratitude is not anchored in comfort, but in God’s coming kingdom.

Even in injustice, grief, or uncertainty, we give thanks not because life is easy but because Christ is risen.

Drawing from Psalms 2 and 145, 1 Corinthians 15, and Colossians 1, this sermon reminds us:

“Gratitude is not denial, it’s a declaration that Christ reigns.”

Join us as we learn how to cultivate gratitude rooted in a happy future.

🕊️ Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📖 Texts: Psalm 2, Psalm 145, 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 1
📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]>
In this message from Gulf Coast Community Church, we explore how biblical gratitude is not anchored in comfort, but in God’s coming kingdom.

Even in injustice, grief, or uncertainty, we give thanks not because life is easy but because Christ is risen.

Drawing from Psalms 2 and 145, 1 Corinthians 15, and Colossians 1, this sermon reminds us:

“Gratitude is not denial, it’s a declaration that Christ reigns.”

Join us as we learn how to cultivate gratitude rooted in a happy future.

🕊️ Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📖 Texts: Psalm 2, Psalm 145, 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 1
📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]>
In this message from Gulf Coast Community Church, we explore how biblical gratitude is not anchored in comfort, but in God’s coming kingdom.

Even in injustice, grief, or uncertainty, we give thanks not because life is easy but because Christ is risen.

Drawing from Psalms 2 and 145, 1 Corinthians 15, and Colossians 1, this sermon reminds us:

“Gratitude is not denial, it’s a declaration that Christ reigns.”

Join us as we learn how to cultivate gratitude rooted in a happy future.

🕊️ Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📖 Texts: Psalm 2, Psalm 145, 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 1
📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]> false Receiving Life as Gift, Not as Entitlement (Cultivating Gratitude - Part 1) full podcastepisode_56573d6241a14b1c891b0d39566e3e54 Sun, 2 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400 📖 Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📚 Key Scriptures: Romans 1:18–23, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Romans 8:32

Gratitude isn’t just good manners — it’s a way of seeing the world.

This Sunday we begin our new series Cultivating Gratitude, exploring what it means to receive life as gift, not entitlement.

From behind barbed wire in an internment camp to the martyr’s stake at Smyrna, we’ll see how the grace of God can form hearts that give thanks in all things.

Join us in worship as we learn to see — and live — through the lens of faith that sees and receives everything as gift.


📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]> 📖 Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📚 Key Scriptures: Romans 1:18–23, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Romans 8:32

Gratitude isn’t just good manners — it’s a way of seeing the world.

This Sunday we begin our new series Cultivating Gratitude, exploring what it means to receive life as gift, not entitlement.

From behind barbed wire in an internment camp to the martyr’s stake at Smyrna, we’ll see how the grace of God can form hearts that give thanks in all things.

Join us in worship as we learn to see — and live — through the lens of faith that sees and receives everything as gift.


📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]> 📖 Series: Cultivating Gratitude
📚 Key Scriptures: Romans 1:18–23, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Romans 8:32

Gratitude isn’t just good manners — it’s a way of seeing the world.

This Sunday we begin our new series Cultivating Gratitude, exploring what it means to receive life as gift, not entitlement.

From behind barbed wire in an internment camp to the martyr’s stake at Smyrna, we’ll see how the grace of God can form hearts that give thanks in all things.

Join us in worship as we learn to see — and live — through the lens of faith that sees and receives everything as gift.


📍 Visit us in St. Pete: Gulf Coast Community Church
🌐 www.gulfcoast.community

📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly messages
🎧 Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
]]> false How Can They Believe Without Experiencing New Creation? full podcastepisode_c290642fb558496fb771de7629d535f4 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400
Description:
What if freedom was declared over your life—but you didn’t yet know how to live free?

This Sunday we'll explore the transforming power of new creation in Christ.

Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” But how do we live as new people in a world still shaped by the old?

In this sermon you’ll discover:
+What it means to perceive God’s new creation breaking into your life
+How to pursue reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ
+A simple rhythm—BLESS—to live as agents of renewal in your neighborhood

Freedom was declared in a moment. Learning to live it takes a lifetime.
Let's look at how the gospel doesn’t just inform our lives—it transforms our way of being human.

📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2
📍 From Gulf Coast Community Church | St. Petersburg, FL

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe Without Experiencing New Creation?
📍 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16 - 6:2
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Description:
What if freedom was declared over your life—but you didn’t yet know how to live free?

This Sunday we'll explore the transforming power of new creation in Christ.

Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” But how do we live as new people in a world still shaped by the old?

In this sermon you’ll discover:
+What it means to perceive God’s new creation breaking into your life
+How to pursue reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ
+A simple rhythm—BLESS—to live as agents of renewal in your neighborhood

Freedom was declared in a moment. Learning to live it takes a lifetime.
Let's look at how the gospel doesn’t just inform our lives—it transforms our way of being human.

📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2
📍 From Gulf Coast Community Church | St. Petersburg, FL

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe Without Experiencing New Creation?
📍 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16 - 6:2
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Description:
What if freedom was declared over your life—but you didn’t yet know how to live free?

This Sunday we'll explore the transforming power of new creation in Christ.

Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” But how do we live as new people in a world still shaped by the old?

In this sermon you’ll discover:
+What it means to perceive God’s new creation breaking into your life
+How to pursue reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ
+A simple rhythm—BLESS—to live as agents of renewal in your neighborhood

Freedom was declared in a moment. Learning to live it takes a lifetime.
Let's look at how the gospel doesn’t just inform our lives—it transforms our way of being human.

📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2
📍 From Gulf Coast Community Church | St. Petersburg, FL

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe Without Experiencing New Creation?
📍 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16 - 6:2
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false How Can They Believe Unless They See Love? full podcastepisode_e63a8b200a964fdea97052637d36a7eb Sun, 19 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400
This week’s sermon, “How Can They Believe Unless They See Love?” challenges us to live in a way that makes the gospel visible.

💬 “Love is the credential that makes our proclamation of the gospel of Christ credible.”

When the church truly loves like Jesus, people start to see what words alone cannot show. Love that serves. Love that sacrifices. Love that unites.

Join us as we explore three powerful truths:
1️⃣ Love visualizes the gospel
2️⃣ Love displays the ways of the cross
3️⃣ Love provokes and invites

What if our love was so real that it made people stop and see Jesus in us?

📍 Text: John 13:34–35
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Zach McNabb

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
This week’s sermon, “How Can They Believe Unless They See Love?” challenges us to live in a way that makes the gospel visible.

💬 “Love is the credential that makes our proclamation of the gospel of Christ credible.”

When the church truly loves like Jesus, people start to see what words alone cannot show. Love that serves. Love that sacrifices. Love that unites.

Join us as we explore three powerful truths:
1️⃣ Love visualizes the gospel
2️⃣ Love displays the ways of the cross
3️⃣ Love provokes and invites

What if our love was so real that it made people stop and see Jesus in us?

📍 Text: John 13:34–35
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Zach McNabb

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
This week’s sermon, “How Can They Believe Unless They See Love?” challenges us to live in a way that makes the gospel visible.

💬 “Love is the credential that makes our proclamation of the gospel of Christ credible.”

When the church truly loves like Jesus, people start to see what words alone cannot show. Love that serves. Love that sacrifices. Love that unites.

Join us as we explore three powerful truths:
1️⃣ Love visualizes the gospel
2️⃣ Love displays the ways of the cross
3️⃣ Love provokes and invites

What if our love was so real that it made people stop and see Jesus in us?

📍 Text: John 13:34–35
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Zach McNabb

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Blueprint for a Happy Healthy Church full podcastepisode_45d5dd3283284926b6ff506ca0990f8f Sun, 12 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400
💬 “A happy, healthy church is one where no one thinks too highly of themselves — but everyone thinks highly of Christ.”

Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or member longing for a deeper sense of spiritual family, this message will help you rediscover what it means to shepherd, serve, and stand firm together in grace
]]>
💬 “A happy, healthy church is one where no one thinks too highly of themselves — but everyone thinks highly of Christ.”

Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or member longing for a deeper sense of spiritual family, this message will help you rediscover what it means to shepherd, serve, and stand firm together in grace
]]>
💬 “A happy, healthy church is one where no one thinks too highly of themselves — but everyone thinks highly of Christ.”

Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or member longing for a deeper sense of spiritual family, this message will help you rediscover what it means to shepherd, serve, and stand firm together in grace
]]> false How Can They Believe? Part 2 full podcastepisode_92fd51f9e8ba4011811245eeffdc4bdd Sun, 5 Oct 2025 06:30:00 -0400
Paul’s question in Romans 10:14-15 presses us to ask another: what kind of gospel are people hearing from us?

Many today have heard a version of the gospel that’s thin—private, abstract, or reduced to a ticket to heaven. But the Gospel Paul preached was far richer: the announcement that in Jesus Christ, God’s rule has broken back into the world. It’s the good news of a crucified, resurrected, and reigning King who is restoring all things.

This Sunday we’ll explore that “really good gospel”—the one that produces not consumers but disciples, not mere belief but the obedience of faith.

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe?
📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Paul’s question in Romans 10:14-15 presses us to ask another: what kind of gospel are people hearing from us?

Many today have heard a version of the gospel that’s thin—private, abstract, or reduced to a ticket to heaven. But the Gospel Paul preached was far richer: the announcement that in Jesus Christ, God’s rule has broken back into the world. It’s the good news of a crucified, resurrected, and reigning King who is restoring all things.

This Sunday we’ll explore that “really good gospel”—the one that produces not consumers but disciples, not mere belief but the obedience of faith.

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe?
📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Paul’s question in Romans 10:14-15 presses us to ask another: what kind of gospel are people hearing from us?

Many today have heard a version of the gospel that’s thin—private, abstract, or reduced to a ticket to heaven. But the Gospel Paul preached was far richer: the announcement that in Jesus Christ, God’s rule has broken back into the world. It’s the good news of a crucified, resurrected, and reigning King who is restoring all things.

This Sunday we’ll explore that “really good gospel”—the one that produces not consumers but disciples, not mere belief but the obedience of faith.

🎙️ Sermon Title: How Can They Believe?
📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false How Can They Believe? Part 1 full podcastepisode_7982dd8039ec4c60b9ef49574344cf92 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400 📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar


✨ “The church must show the gospel. We cannot remain a silent picture.”

In a culture shaped by noise, outrage, and spectacle, how can we faithfully proclaim the gospel? Romans 10 confronts us with a haunting question: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”

This message explores the power of gospel words — not as a substitute for actions, but as their essential companion.

“Evangelism is always show and tell. It's never just tell.”

This isn’t a call to preaching on corners — it’s a call to live and gossip the gospel with courage, humility, and clarity.

Join us in the first of our series on what it means to share the Gospel.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> 📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar


✨ “The church must show the gospel. We cannot remain a silent picture.”

In a culture shaped by noise, outrage, and spectacle, how can we faithfully proclaim the gospel? Romans 10 confronts us with a haunting question: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”

This message explores the power of gospel words — not as a substitute for actions, but as their essential companion.

“Evangelism is always show and tell. It's never just tell.”

This isn’t a call to preaching on corners — it’s a call to live and gossip the gospel with courage, humility, and clarity.

Join us in the first of our series on what it means to share the Gospel.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> 📍 Text: Romans 10:14–15
🗂️ Series: How Can They Believe?
Speaker: Jerry Cisar


✨ “The church must show the gospel. We cannot remain a silent picture.”

In a culture shaped by noise, outrage, and spectacle, how can we faithfully proclaim the gospel? Romans 10 confronts us with a haunting question: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”

This message explores the power of gospel words — not as a substitute for actions, but as their essential companion.

“Evangelism is always show and tell. It's never just tell.”

This isn’t a call to preaching on corners — it’s a call to live and gossip the gospel with courage, humility, and clarity.

Join us in the first of our series on what it means to share the Gospel.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Playing the Long Game (Part 13: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_63e0fab642a0400499bf1dce103e319c Sun, 21 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400
We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

“Love of enemies is not a weakness of personal character but a heroic power of the soul and the initiation of the divine model.” - Franz Jagerstatter

We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@gulfcoastcommunitychurch2443

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

“Love of enemies is not a weakness of personal character but a heroic power of the soul and the initiation of the divine model.” - Franz Jagerstatter

We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@gulfcoastcommunitychurch2443

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

“Love of enemies is not a weakness of personal character but a heroic power of the soul and the initiation of the divine model.” - Franz Jagerstatter

We know that the Gospel compels us to seed and promote peace, but how does that model work?

Join us as we explore patience, kindness, mercy, and how the slow work of peace inevitably claims victory where conventional power never can.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@gulfcoastcommunitychurch2443

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false Conquering in the Sight of the Lamb (Part 12: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_3eb5303eb1b345799122dd76005ab4c5 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:30:00 -0400
Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that nothing—not trouble, hardship, or even the grind of daily life—can separate us from God’s love. And Revelation paints a powerful picture of God’s people conquering in a way that looks nothing like the world expects.

We’ll continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with Conquering in the Sight of the Lamb. Romans 8:31–39; Revelation 1:4–6; Revelation 12:10-12.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that nothing—not trouble, hardship, or even the grind of daily life—can separate us from God’s love. And Revelation paints a powerful picture of God’s people conquering in a way that looks nothing like the world expects.

We’ll continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with Conquering in the Sight of the Lamb. Romans 8:31–39; Revelation 1:4–6; Revelation 12:10-12.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that nothing—not trouble, hardship, or even the grind of daily life—can separate us from God’s love. And Revelation paints a powerful picture of God’s people conquering in a way that looks nothing like the world expects.

We’ll continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with Conquering in the Sight of the Lamb. Romans 8:31–39; Revelation 1:4–6; Revelation 12:10-12.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false The Politics of the Prince of Peace (Part 11, Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_2d7c1a9670f24ce388036ceaddd2889a Sun, 7 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400
But what happens when Jesus refuses to play by those rules?
In John 6, the crowds wanted to draft Jesus into their movement, to make Him king by force. He walked away. He would not be their partisan champion. Instead, He revealed a politic of His own—a kingdom not built on violence or power plays, but on peace, truth, and self-giving love.

We continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with The Politics of the Prince of Peace. Hear why Jesus doesn’t fit our categories and how His politic of peace is the only one that lasts forever.

GCCC Live Stream - Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division (Pt. 11):
The Politics of the Prince of Peace
Text: Isaiah 9:6-7, 52:7; 53:5; John 6:1-4, 14-15, 49-56, 66
Pastor: Jerry Cisar

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
But what happens when Jesus refuses to play by those rules?
In John 6, the crowds wanted to draft Jesus into their movement, to make Him king by force. He walked away. He would not be their partisan champion. Instead, He revealed a politic of His own—a kingdom not built on violence or power plays, but on peace, truth, and self-giving love.

We continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with The Politics of the Prince of Peace. Hear why Jesus doesn’t fit our categories and how His politic of peace is the only one that lasts forever.

GCCC Live Stream - Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division (Pt. 11):
The Politics of the Prince of Peace
Text: Isaiah 9:6-7, 52:7; 53:5; John 6:1-4, 14-15, 49-56, 66
Pastor: Jerry Cisar

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
But what happens when Jesus refuses to play by those rules?
In John 6, the crowds wanted to draft Jesus into their movement, to make Him king by force. He walked away. He would not be their partisan champion. Instead, He revealed a politic of His own—a kingdom not built on violence or power plays, but on peace, truth, and self-giving love.

We continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with The Politics of the Prince of Peace. Hear why Jesus doesn’t fit our categories and how His politic of peace is the only one that lasts forever.

GCCC Live Stream - Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division (Pt. 11):
The Politics of the Prince of Peace
Text: Isaiah 9:6-7, 52:7; 53:5; John 6:1-4, 14-15, 49-56, 66
Pastor: Jerry Cisar

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false The Fearlessness Required for a Community of Shalom (Part 10, Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_3fd2df971b824f899ceb2d4987cabc06 Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Fear surrounds us. Fear of loss. Fear of strangers. Fear of the future. Left unchecked, it enslaves us—shaping our choices, our relationships, even our faith. But Jesus offers something radically different: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This Sunday we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message titled “The Fearlessness Required for a Community of Shalom.” We’ll see how the Gospel frees us from the fear of death, the fear of lack, and the fear of strangers—so that we can walk together in fearless love.

Join us as we explore how perfect love casts out fear, and how the church can become a community of shalom in an anxious world.
]]> Fear surrounds us. Fear of loss. Fear of strangers. Fear of the future. Left unchecked, it enslaves us—shaping our choices, our relationships, even our faith. But Jesus offers something radically different: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This Sunday we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message titled “The Fearlessness Required for a Community of Shalom.” We’ll see how the Gospel frees us from the fear of death, the fear of lack, and the fear of strangers—so that we can walk together in fearless love.

Join us as we explore how perfect love casts out fear, and how the church can become a community of shalom in an anxious world.
]]> Fear surrounds us. Fear of loss. Fear of strangers. Fear of the future. Left unchecked, it enslaves us—shaping our choices, our relationships, even our faith. But Jesus offers something radically different: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This Sunday we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message titled “The Fearlessness Required for a Community of Shalom.” We’ll see how the Gospel frees us from the fear of death, the fear of lack, and the fear of strangers—so that we can walk together in fearless love.

Join us as we explore how perfect love casts out fear, and how the church can become a community of shalom in an anxious world.
]]> false The Church as a Community of Shalom (Part 9: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_8620462324c14386bc02f153f86adb5a Sun, 24 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 What do we do now?”—an ever present question for believers!
When the disciples first realized Jesus was the Messiah… when they saw Him crucified… when He ascended into heaven—they were left wondering, “Now what?”

We find ourselves asking that same question today. With the world fractured, the church often distracted, and our witness sometimes dim, what are we supposed to do now?

Jesus gives us a clear and costly answer: we are called to live as a community of shalom—a people who show the world a different way to live where His kingdom and righteousness are sought above all things… and often at a great cost.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message on The Church as a Community of Shalom.


For more sermons and videos, please go to
🌐 http://gulfcoast.community/resources

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch




(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> What do we do now?”—an ever present question for believers!
When the disciples first realized Jesus was the Messiah… when they saw Him crucified… when He ascended into heaven—they were left wondering, “Now what?”

We find ourselves asking that same question today. With the world fractured, the church often distracted, and our witness sometimes dim, what are we supposed to do now?

Jesus gives us a clear and costly answer: we are called to live as a community of shalom—a people who show the world a different way to live where His kingdom and righteousness are sought above all things… and often at a great cost.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message on The Church as a Community of Shalom.


For more sermons and videos, please go to
🌐 http://gulfcoast.community/resources

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch




(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> What do we do now?”—an ever present question for believers!
When the disciples first realized Jesus was the Messiah… when they saw Him crucified… when He ascended into heaven—they were left wondering, “Now what?”

We find ourselves asking that same question today. With the world fractured, the church often distracted, and our witness sometimes dim, what are we supposed to do now?

Jesus gives us a clear and costly answer: we are called to live as a community of shalom—a people who show the world a different way to live where His kingdom and righteousness are sought above all things… and often at a great cost.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division with a message on The Church as a Community of Shalom.


For more sermons and videos, please go to
🌐 http://gulfcoast.community/resources

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch




(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> false Minding Your P's: Prayer and Peace (Part 8: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_edee633105574faea8a35da95c55896f Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 📖 Text: Philippians 4:1–9
🕊️ Message: The God of Peace Will Be With You

In a world where peace feels rare and conflict is constant, how do we experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding? This message unpacks Paul’s call to “stand firm in the Lord,” to align our minds and hearts with Christ, and to practice the presence of God in everyday life.

Discover how prayer, thanksgiving, and transformed thinking open the way to peace that guards both heart and mind. Learn why rejoicing, gentleness, and a renewed thought life are essential for peacemakers today.

“The God of peace will be with you.” That promise is for you.
]]> 📖 Text: Philippians 4:1–9
🕊️ Message: The God of Peace Will Be With You

In a world where peace feels rare and conflict is constant, how do we experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding? This message unpacks Paul’s call to “stand firm in the Lord,” to align our minds and hearts with Christ, and to practice the presence of God in everyday life.

Discover how prayer, thanksgiving, and transformed thinking open the way to peace that guards both heart and mind. Learn why rejoicing, gentleness, and a renewed thought life are essential for peacemakers today.

“The God of peace will be with you.” That promise is for you.
]]> 📖 Text: Philippians 4:1–9
🕊️ Message: The God of Peace Will Be With You

In a world where peace feels rare and conflict is constant, how do we experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding? This message unpacks Paul’s call to “stand firm in the Lord,” to align our minds and hearts with Christ, and to practice the presence of God in everyday life.

Discover how prayer, thanksgiving, and transformed thinking open the way to peace that guards both heart and mind. Learn why rejoicing, gentleness, and a renewed thought life are essential for peacemakers today.

“The God of peace will be with you.” That promise is for you.
]]> false How Do We Pursue Unity of the Spirit? (Part 7: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_e3c9710f70c7414ea57b0d691949e54d Sun, 10 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 They sit.
They grow.
They harden.

And sometimes the person you most need to talk to is the one you least want to face.

But Jesus didn’t leave us without a way forward. In fact, He gave us a path so bold—and so uncomfortable—that most of us quietly ignore it.

What if that’s why our relationships stay fractured?
What if that’s why our witness to the world feels powerless?

This Sunday, we’ll uncover the surprising steps Jesus and Paul say can turn hurt into healing and division into unity.

It’s not easy.
It’s not quick.

But it’s the only way to cultivate real peace.

Join us as we seek to live out Matthew 18:15–20 in the way Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1–16. Together, we’ll discover the path to cultivating peace in the church.
]]> They sit.
They grow.
They harden.

And sometimes the person you most need to talk to is the one you least want to face.

But Jesus didn’t leave us without a way forward. In fact, He gave us a path so bold—and so uncomfortable—that most of us quietly ignore it.

What if that’s why our relationships stay fractured?
What if that’s why our witness to the world feels powerless?

This Sunday, we’ll uncover the surprising steps Jesus and Paul say can turn hurt into healing and division into unity.

It’s not easy.
It’s not quick.

But it’s the only way to cultivate real peace.

Join us as we seek to live out Matthew 18:15–20 in the way Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1–16. Together, we’ll discover the path to cultivating peace in the church.
]]> They sit.
They grow.
They harden.

And sometimes the person you most need to talk to is the one you least want to face.

But Jesus didn’t leave us without a way forward. In fact, He gave us a path so bold—and so uncomfortable—that most of us quietly ignore it.

What if that’s why our relationships stay fractured?
What if that’s why our witness to the world feels powerless?

This Sunday, we’ll uncover the surprising steps Jesus and Paul say can turn hurt into healing and division into unity.

It’s not easy.
It’s not quick.

But it’s the only way to cultivate real peace.

Join us as we seek to live out Matthew 18:15–20 in the way Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1–16. Together, we’ll discover the path to cultivating peace in the church.
]]> false What If Peace Isn't the Safe Option? (Part 6: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_97c6c9b7585248ea953bf4870e4ba1ad Sun, 3 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

What kind of peace is that?

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to follow Jesus not into safety, but into sacrifice. We’ll venture into the trenches of World War I, hear Bonhoeffer’s warning about “cheap grace,” and most importantly, listen to Jesus as He calls us to a peace that is more costly—and more beautiful—than anything this world offers.

If you’ve been holding back, clinging to comfort or avoiding risk, this message might be exactly what you need.

Peace isn’t safe. But it is worth it.
]]> “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

What kind of peace is that?

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to follow Jesus not into safety, but into sacrifice. We’ll venture into the trenches of World War I, hear Bonhoeffer’s warning about “cheap grace,” and most importantly, listen to Jesus as He calls us to a peace that is more costly—and more beautiful—than anything this world offers.

If you’ve been holding back, clinging to comfort or avoiding risk, this message might be exactly what you need.

Peace isn’t safe. But it is worth it.
]]> “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

What kind of peace is that?

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to follow Jesus not into safety, but into sacrifice. We’ll venture into the trenches of World War I, hear Bonhoeffer’s warning about “cheap grace,” and most importantly, listen to Jesus as He calls us to a peace that is more costly—and more beautiful—than anything this world offers.

If you’ve been holding back, clinging to comfort or avoiding risk, this message might be exactly what you need.

Peace isn’t safe. But it is worth it.
]]> false Let the Peace of Christ Rule Among You (Part 5: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_5e30140b773a4f00a0a634cd15130877 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400
But in Colossians 3, Paul speaks of peace in a surprising way: not just as something we experience, but something that rules. Something that governs the community of God’s people. Something we are called to put on, like clothing.

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts—and how that peace shapes who we are, how we relate to one another, and what message we live and speak into the world.

In an age of outrage and division, this passage offers not a retreat into comfort but a radical calling into Christ-shaped unity, humility, and love.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division and ask together: what does it mean to be people where peace lives and leads?
]]>
But in Colossians 3, Paul speaks of peace in a surprising way: not just as something we experience, but something that rules. Something that governs the community of God’s people. Something we are called to put on, like clothing.

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts—and how that peace shapes who we are, how we relate to one another, and what message we live and speak into the world.

In an age of outrage and division, this passage offers not a retreat into comfort but a radical calling into Christ-shaped unity, humility, and love.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division and ask together: what does it mean to be people where peace lives and leads?
]]>
But in Colossians 3, Paul speaks of peace in a surprising way: not just as something we experience, but something that rules. Something that governs the community of God’s people. Something we are called to put on, like clothing.

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts—and how that peace shapes who we are, how we relate to one another, and what message we live and speak into the world.

In an age of outrage and division, this passage offers not a retreat into comfort but a radical calling into Christ-shaped unity, humility, and love.

Join us as we continue our series Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division and ask together: what does it mean to be people where peace lives and leads?
]]> false "The Power of Peace" (Part 4: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_fa454a34c4194cc48aa77183ee7f583e Sun, 20 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400 🎙️ The Power of Peace
Part of the series: Cultivating Peace – A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division

How strong is peace, really? In a culture saturated with division, rage, and endless debate, this message explores the surprising strength of gentleness, the urgency of reconciliation, and the radical power of the gospel to transform even the most hostile hearts. From Saul’s conversion to everyday online arguments, we’re invited to consider: What if peace wasn’t weakness, but God’s most powerful weapon?

💬 “The gospel of peace reconciles hostiles.”
💬 “Why not just be wronged?”
💬 “Gentleness and humility are a witness to the path of the gospel of peace.”

📖 Featuring Acts 9, Ephesians 2, and 1 Timothy 1, this message calls the church to move beyond uniformity into true gospel unity and to reflect the peace of Christ in every relationship.

🎧 Listen in and discover how Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers...and how your life can become a living picture of God’s coming reconciliation.


Acts 8:3, 9:1-2, 13-17; Ephesians 4:1-3
Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Samuel McNair


For more sermons and videos, please go to 🌐 gulfcoast.community/resources
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> 🎙️ The Power of Peace
Part of the series: Cultivating Peace – A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division

How strong is peace, really? In a culture saturated with division, rage, and endless debate, this message explores the surprising strength of gentleness, the urgency of reconciliation, and the radical power of the gospel to transform even the most hostile hearts. From Saul’s conversion to everyday online arguments, we’re invited to consider: What if peace wasn’t weakness, but God’s most powerful weapon?

💬 “The gospel of peace reconciles hostiles.”
💬 “Why not just be wronged?”
💬 “Gentleness and humility are a witness to the path of the gospel of peace.”

📖 Featuring Acts 9, Ephesians 2, and 1 Timothy 1, this message calls the church to move beyond uniformity into true gospel unity and to reflect the peace of Christ in every relationship.

🎧 Listen in and discover how Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers...and how your life can become a living picture of God’s coming reconciliation.


Acts 8:3, 9:1-2, 13-17; Ephesians 4:1-3
Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Samuel McNair


For more sermons and videos, please go to 🌐 gulfcoast.community/resources
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> 🎙️ The Power of Peace
Part of the series: Cultivating Peace – A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division

How strong is peace, really? In a culture saturated with division, rage, and endless debate, this message explores the surprising strength of gentleness, the urgency of reconciliation, and the radical power of the gospel to transform even the most hostile hearts. From Saul’s conversion to everyday online arguments, we’re invited to consider: What if peace wasn’t weakness, but God’s most powerful weapon?

💬 “The gospel of peace reconciles hostiles.”
💬 “Why not just be wronged?”
💬 “Gentleness and humility are a witness to the path of the gospel of peace.”

📖 Featuring Acts 9, Ephesians 2, and 1 Timothy 1, this message calls the church to move beyond uniformity into true gospel unity and to reflect the peace of Christ in every relationship.

🎧 Listen in and discover how Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers...and how your life can become a living picture of God’s coming reconciliation.


Acts 8:3, 9:1-2, 13-17; Ephesians 4:1-3
Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Samuel McNair


For more sermons and videos, please go to 🌐 gulfcoast.community/resources
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


(If this message stirred something in you and you are longing to grow in the ways of peace, justice, and gospel-shaped community, we invite you to join us at Gulf Coast Community Church. If you are searching for a church near me, a non denominational church in St. Pete, or a non denominational church in St. Petersburg, we welcome you. Our desire is to be a local expression of Christ’s kingdom in St. Petersburg, rooted in Scripture, shaped by grace, and committed to reconciliation.)
]]> false Gentleness in an Age of Rage (Part 3: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_e8a1324d10514423bd1b658fe0c46325 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?

We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.

This Sunday we continue our Cultivating Peace series by exploring one of the most overlooked but powerful fruits of the Spirit: gentleness.
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?
We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.
]]>
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?

We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.

This Sunday we continue our Cultivating Peace series by exploring one of the most overlooked but powerful fruits of the Spirit: gentleness.
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?
We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.
]]>
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?

We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.

This Sunday we continue our Cultivating Peace series by exploring one of the most overlooked but powerful fruits of the Spirit: gentleness.
In a world where loud voices dominate and defensiveness is second nature, Jesus invites us to “Come and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart.” What if gentleness isn’t weakness but the very strength that makes peace possible? What if it’s the truest expression of grace?
We’ll reflect on what gentleness looks like in Christ, how it’s formed in us by the Spirit, and why it’s essential for leadership, relationships, and our witness in a divided world.
]]> false "Bind Your Feet" (Part 2: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_1dda74f3688a4b268bb0c2f391bb0080 Sun, 6 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400
We continue our journey into Cultivating Peace with a bold question: Can the church truly be a witness of reconciliation in a world built on division?

Isaiah warns of rejecting the “gently flowing waters” of peace, while Paul urges us to bind peace to our feet like sandals, ready to walk into hard places.

We’ll explore real detours from the path of peace, honest differences between believers, and the deep preparation it takes to become people who instinctively love even our enemies. Along the way, we’ll consider Cornelius and Peter, Paul and Barnabas—and even a martyr who turned back to rescue his enemy.

Join us as we ask: What shapes your reflexes when peace is on the line? And how do we learn to walk the way of Jesus... no matter the cost?

Isaiah 8:6-8; 52:7; Luke 1:76, 79; Acts 10:36; Ephesians 6:14-15
Series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Follow us for more sermons:

🌐 gulfcoast.community

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
We continue our journey into Cultivating Peace with a bold question: Can the church truly be a witness of reconciliation in a world built on division?

Isaiah warns of rejecting the “gently flowing waters” of peace, while Paul urges us to bind peace to our feet like sandals, ready to walk into hard places.

We’ll explore real detours from the path of peace, honest differences between believers, and the deep preparation it takes to become people who instinctively love even our enemies. Along the way, we’ll consider Cornelius and Peter, Paul and Barnabas—and even a martyr who turned back to rescue his enemy.

Join us as we ask: What shapes your reflexes when peace is on the line? And how do we learn to walk the way of Jesus... no matter the cost?

Isaiah 8:6-8; 52:7; Luke 1:76, 79; Acts 10:36; Ephesians 6:14-15
Series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Follow us for more sermons:

🌐 gulfcoast.community

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
We continue our journey into Cultivating Peace with a bold question: Can the church truly be a witness of reconciliation in a world built on division?

Isaiah warns of rejecting the “gently flowing waters” of peace, while Paul urges us to bind peace to our feet like sandals, ready to walk into hard places.

We’ll explore real detours from the path of peace, honest differences between believers, and the deep preparation it takes to become people who instinctively love even our enemies. Along the way, we’ll consider Cornelius and Peter, Paul and Barnabas—and even a martyr who turned back to rescue his enemy.

Join us as we ask: What shapes your reflexes when peace is on the line? And how do we learn to walk the way of Jesus... no matter the cost?

Isaiah 8:6-8; 52:7; Luke 1:76, 79; Acts 10:36; Ephesians 6:14-15
Series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division
Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Follow us for more sermons:

🌐 gulfcoast.community

📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division. (audio only) (Part 1: Cultivating Peace) full podcastepisode_a247c1b886b6447b91ef56f9ca5a13d7 Sun, 29 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400
We live in a world fraying at the edges — arguments at the dinner table, division in the headlines, quiet tension behind closed doors.
And yet, somehow, we’re called to be people of peace.

But what kind of peace?
The kind that avoids conflict?
Or the kind that can heal it?

“Let go, and know that I am God… I loom among nations, I loom upon earth.” (Psalm 46:10–11, Altar)

We’re beginning a new series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division. We’ll explore what real peace looks like — not just personally, but relationally, socially, and spiritually. Not just a quiet heart, but a reconciled people.

(Sorry, due to lightning, we had technical difficulties with our wifi and livestream video for this sermon). The audio was captured here.)



🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple or all other popular podcast players. 

Psalm 46:10–11

Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.

Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


Uz5rChoYbpoiXg37U1Lc
]]>
We live in a world fraying at the edges — arguments at the dinner table, division in the headlines, quiet tension behind closed doors.
And yet, somehow, we’re called to be people of peace.

But what kind of peace?
The kind that avoids conflict?
Or the kind that can heal it?

“Let go, and know that I am God… I loom among nations, I loom upon earth.” (Psalm 46:10–11, Altar)

We’re beginning a new series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division. We’ll explore what real peace looks like — not just personally, but relationally, socially, and spiritually. Not just a quiet heart, but a reconciled people.

(Sorry, due to lightning, we had technical difficulties with our wifi and livestream video for this sermon). The audio was captured here.)



🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple or all other popular podcast players. 

Psalm 46:10–11

Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.

Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


Uz5rChoYbpoiXg37U1Lc
]]>
We live in a world fraying at the edges — arguments at the dinner table, division in the headlines, quiet tension behind closed doors.
And yet, somehow, we’re called to be people of peace.

But what kind of peace?
The kind that avoids conflict?
Or the kind that can heal it?

“Let go, and know that I am God… I loom among nations, I loom upon earth.” (Psalm 46:10–11, Altar)

We’re beginning a new series: Cultivating Peace: A Witness of Reconciliation in a World of Division. We’ll explore what real peace looks like — not just personally, but relationally, socially, and spiritually. Not just a quiet heart, but a reconciled people.

(Sorry, due to lightning, we had technical difficulties with our wifi and livestream video for this sermon). The audio was captured here.)



🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple or all other popular podcast players. 

Psalm 46:10–11

Preacher: Jerry Cisar

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.

Follow us for more sermons: 🌐 gulfcoast.community 📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch


Uz5rChoYbpoiXg37U1Lc
]]> false IF We Love One Another full podcastepisode_adad542d737e42619391900e8e75789f Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:30:00 -0400 IF We Love One Another
Preacher: Aron Osborne

What if one tiny word shaped the entire witness of the Church?

Jesus said:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples—if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

That "IF" is doing a lot of work.
It means our witness isn’t automatic.
It means the world will know we follow Jesus—not by our doctrine, our worship, or our branding—but if we love one another.

In this message, we explore:

💥 Why Jesus made love the non-negotiable evidence of discipleship
💥 What keeps us from loving like He loved
💥 How love transforms ordinary churches into communities that reflect Christ to the world

You might think this is Christianity 101—but sometimes the most basic truths are the ones we most need to return to.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> IF We Love One Another
Preacher: Aron Osborne

What if one tiny word shaped the entire witness of the Church?

Jesus said:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples—if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

That "IF" is doing a lot of work.
It means our witness isn’t automatic.
It means the world will know we follow Jesus—not by our doctrine, our worship, or our branding—but if we love one another.

In this message, we explore:

💥 Why Jesus made love the non-negotiable evidence of discipleship
💥 What keeps us from loving like He loved
💥 How love transforms ordinary churches into communities that reflect Christ to the world

You might think this is Christianity 101—but sometimes the most basic truths are the ones we most need to return to.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> IF We Love One Another
Preacher: Aron Osborne

What if one tiny word shaped the entire witness of the Church?

Jesus said:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples—if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

That "IF" is doing a lot of work.
It means our witness isn’t automatic.
It means the world will know we follow Jesus—not by our doctrine, our worship, or our branding—but if we love one another.

In this message, we explore:

💥 Why Jesus made love the non-negotiable evidence of discipleship
💥 What keeps us from loving like He loved
💥 How love transforms ordinary churches into communities that reflect Christ to the world

You might think this is Christianity 101—but sometimes the most basic truths are the ones we most need to return to.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple
▶️ Watch on YouTube and be challenged to love in a way that makes Jesus visible to the world.


For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false No Greater Love full podcastepisode_b9c27bc6c9094d83873a784951b189a5 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400
Maybe you carry a quiet sense that something’s missing… that all your effort still leaves you exhausted, restless, or stuck in survival mode.

Jesus offers something better.

He says, “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.” These ancient words speak directly to our lives today: life apart from Jesus will always leave us dry and disconnected. But when we remain in Him, we discover a renewal that runs deep—one that transforms not only us but also the world around us.

We’ll explore what it means to abide in Jesus, trust God’s pruning hand, and bear fruit that truly lasts. If you're longing to thrive again, come hear how God's love, a love like no other, meets us in the wilderness and draws us back into the life he calls us to live.

John 15:1-17
No Greater Love
Preacher: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Maybe you carry a quiet sense that something’s missing… that all your effort still leaves you exhausted, restless, or stuck in survival mode.

Jesus offers something better.

He says, “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.” These ancient words speak directly to our lives today: life apart from Jesus will always leave us dry and disconnected. But when we remain in Him, we discover a renewal that runs deep—one that transforms not only us but also the world around us.

We’ll explore what it means to abide in Jesus, trust God’s pruning hand, and bear fruit that truly lasts. If you're longing to thrive again, come hear how God's love, a love like no other, meets us in the wilderness and draws us back into the life he calls us to live.

John 15:1-17
No Greater Love
Preacher: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]>
Maybe you carry a quiet sense that something’s missing… that all your effort still leaves you exhausted, restless, or stuck in survival mode.

Jesus offers something better.

He says, “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.” These ancient words speak directly to our lives today: life apart from Jesus will always leave us dry and disconnected. But when we remain in Him, we discover a renewal that runs deep—one that transforms not only us but also the world around us.

We’ll explore what it means to abide in Jesus, trust God’s pruning hand, and bear fruit that truly lasts. If you're longing to thrive again, come hear how God's love, a love like no other, meets us in the wilderness and draws us back into the life he calls us to live.

John 15:1-17
No Greater Love
Preacher: Ryan Carver

For more sermons and videos, please go to gulfcoast.community/resources

Subscribe and share this message of hope.
Follow us for more sermons:
🌐 gulfcoast.community
📍Instagram & Facebook: @gulfcoastchurch
]]> false The Liberating Power of the Spirit full podcastepisode_e432ee81c20d46c590988c8b763954ad Sun, 8 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400
In today’s world, “freedom” can mean many different things—from doing whatever we want, to rejecting authority, to casting off moral boundaries. Are these what the Bible means? No.

In Isaiah 61 we discover kind of freedom that comes with the Holy Spirit. And it’s not just words, it’s action too. It’s freedom for the poor, the brokenhearted, those who mourn, and those in every kind of bondage. It’s freedom from something and it’s freedom for something.
]]>
In today’s world, “freedom” can mean many different things—from doing whatever we want, to rejecting authority, to casting off moral boundaries. Are these what the Bible means? No.

In Isaiah 61 we discover kind of freedom that comes with the Holy Spirit. And it’s not just words, it’s action too. It’s freedom for the poor, the brokenhearted, those who mourn, and those in every kind of bondage. It’s freedom from something and it’s freedom for something.
]]>
In today’s world, “freedom” can mean many different things—from doing whatever we want, to rejecting authority, to casting off moral boundaries. Are these what the Bible means? No.

In Isaiah 61 we discover kind of freedom that comes with the Holy Spirit. And it’s not just words, it’s action too. It’s freedom for the poor, the brokenhearted, those who mourn, and those in every kind of bondage. It’s freedom from something and it’s freedom for something.
]]> false A World Transformed! (Isaiah 55:1-13) full podcastepisode_417ec81f052c4dc4ab8e3e6c22bcfe69 Sun, 1 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400
It’s more than poetry. It’s a vision of restoration—of a world healed and renewed. But it all begins with a question: Why do we spend our lives chasing what doesn’t satisfy?

This week, we’ll explore how Isaiah invites us into a better way—a way that doesn’t require money or status, but does require surrender. God calls us to forsake our ways, exchange our thoughts for His, and feast on what truly gives life.

This isn’t just about personal change. It’s about a kind of transformation that spills out into the world—where joy and peace lead the way, and even creation itself begins to respond. When God’s people live by God’s wisdom, signs of Eden reappear.

Join us as we continue our series Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything and discover how lives shaped by God’s values become living proof of His everlasting promise.
]]>
It’s more than poetry. It’s a vision of restoration—of a world healed and renewed. But it all begins with a question: Why do we spend our lives chasing what doesn’t satisfy?

This week, we’ll explore how Isaiah invites us into a better way—a way that doesn’t require money or status, but does require surrender. God calls us to forsake our ways, exchange our thoughts for His, and feast on what truly gives life.

This isn’t just about personal change. It’s about a kind of transformation that spills out into the world—where joy and peace lead the way, and even creation itself begins to respond. When God’s people live by God’s wisdom, signs of Eden reappear.

Join us as we continue our series Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything and discover how lives shaped by God’s values become living proof of His everlasting promise.
]]>
It’s more than poetry. It’s a vision of restoration—of a world healed and renewed. But it all begins with a question: Why do we spend our lives chasing what doesn’t satisfy?

This week, we’ll explore how Isaiah invites us into a better way—a way that doesn’t require money or status, but does require surrender. God calls us to forsake our ways, exchange our thoughts for His, and feast on what truly gives life.

This isn’t just about personal change. It’s about a kind of transformation that spills out into the world—where joy and peace lead the way, and even creation itself begins to respond. When God’s people live by God’s wisdom, signs of Eden reappear.

Join us as we continue our series Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything and discover how lives shaped by God’s values become living proof of His everlasting promise.
]]> false God's Satisfying Solution to Humanity's Rebellion full podcastepisode_dd1ab094480f4381a1ca0c903b63f7a2 Sun, 25 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400
In this message, we explore how God’s solution to humanity’s deepest problem is shocking, atoning, transforming, and expanding. This is not the salvation we expect—but it is the salvation that truly satisfies. Through the wisdom of the cross, we see justice and mercy meet in a way that changes everything.

🎧 Listen in to discover how the servant’s wounds become our healing, and how his way becomes our way.

For more resources and sermons go to gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
In this message, we explore how God’s solution to humanity’s deepest problem is shocking, atoning, transforming, and expanding. This is not the salvation we expect—but it is the salvation that truly satisfies. Through the wisdom of the cross, we see justice and mercy meet in a way that changes everything.

🎧 Listen in to discover how the servant’s wounds become our healing, and how his way becomes our way.

For more resources and sermons go to gulfcoast.community/resources
]]>
In this message, we explore how God’s solution to humanity’s deepest problem is shocking, atoning, transforming, and expanding. This is not the salvation we expect—but it is the salvation that truly satisfies. Through the wisdom of the cross, we see justice and mercy meet in a way that changes everything.

🎧 Listen in to discover how the servant’s wounds become our healing, and how his way becomes our way.

For more resources and sermons go to gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false The Servant & The Conqueror full podcastepisode_2e5a527617ae4856afcd385fa89d6018 Sun, 18 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400
Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.
]]>
Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.
]]>
Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.
]]> false The Way of the Wilderness full podcastepisode_088613c6c3884070a627d72a4ecc49a8 Sun, 11 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Series: Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything

“The Way of the Wilderness” (Isaiah 40:1–11)
When life feels like a wilderness—dry, disorienting, and filled with hardship—where is God? In this message, we explore Isaiah 40’s powerful promise to a people in exile: “Comfort, comfort my people.”

Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.

]]> Series: Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything

“The Way of the Wilderness” (Isaiah 40:1–11)
When life feels like a wilderness—dry, disorienting, and filled with hardship—where is God? In this message, we explore Isaiah 40’s powerful promise to a people in exile: “Comfort, comfort my people.”

Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.

]]> Series: Isaiah: A New Understanding of Everything

“The Way of the Wilderness” (Isaiah 40:1–11)
When life feels like a wilderness—dry, disorienting, and filled with hardship—where is God? In this message, we explore Isaiah 40’s powerful promise to a people in exile: “Comfort, comfort my people.”

Through vivid imagery and prophetic hope, Isaiah reveals a God who doesn’t just rule with power—He reigns with gentleness. He comes not to crush, but to gather. Not to destroy, but to restore.

We’ll see how this passage connects to John the Baptist, the ministry of Jesus, and our own journey from brokenness to restoration.
This is a message for anyone who’s tired, waiting, or wondering if God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. He’s preparing the way—even in the wilderness.

]]> false Eden in Unlikely Places full podcastepisode_efdb1aaa38b749bca2c385191e5275d0 Sun, 4 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 This Sunday, we’ll explore Isaiah 35—a vision of deserts blooming, sorrow fleeing, and a weary people walking a holy path home. It’s a chapter full of hope for those who feel stuck in a spiritual wilderness.

Isaiah doesn’t point us backward to a mythical golden age. He calls us to look forward—to a transformed world and a healing God who meets us in the most unlikely places. Through feeble hands, fearful hearts, and barren land, God reveals His glory and leads us home.

In Jesus, the way through the wilderness is not just survivable—it’s redemptive. He doesn't bypass the dry places. He brings Eden there.

Come be reminded that God’s greatest work often happens where we least expect it. And as we gather, remember we come to Mt. Zion (Heb. 12:22) and we “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10)
]]> This Sunday, we’ll explore Isaiah 35—a vision of deserts blooming, sorrow fleeing, and a weary people walking a holy path home. It’s a chapter full of hope for those who feel stuck in a spiritual wilderness.

Isaiah doesn’t point us backward to a mythical golden age. He calls us to look forward—to a transformed world and a healing God who meets us in the most unlikely places. Through feeble hands, fearful hearts, and barren land, God reveals His glory and leads us home.

In Jesus, the way through the wilderness is not just survivable—it’s redemptive. He doesn't bypass the dry places. He brings Eden there.

Come be reminded that God’s greatest work often happens where we least expect it. And as we gather, remember we come to Mt. Zion (Heb. 12:22) and we “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10)
]]> This Sunday, we’ll explore Isaiah 35—a vision of deserts blooming, sorrow fleeing, and a weary people walking a holy path home. It’s a chapter full of hope for those who feel stuck in a spiritual wilderness.

Isaiah doesn’t point us backward to a mythical golden age. He calls us to look forward—to a transformed world and a healing God who meets us in the most unlikely places. Through feeble hands, fearful hearts, and barren land, God reveals His glory and leads us home.

In Jesus, the way through the wilderness is not just survivable—it’s redemptive. He doesn't bypass the dry places. He brings Eden there.

Come be reminded that God’s greatest work often happens where we least expect it. And as we gather, remember we come to Mt. Zion (Heb. 12:22) and we “will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.” (Isaiah 35:10)
]]> false Can You See the Lord?! full podcastepisode_82c5ef25060e44faa4e8642a86618942 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400
Isaiah 6 invites us into a vision of God that flips our assumptions upside down. It shows us a King whose glory looks nothing like the power and pride we expect—and a mission that feels, at first, like a guaranteed failure.

What if real wisdom looks like foolishness? What if real victory looks like a cross? What if it takes a miracle to see the Lord’s glory? A miracle to hear the depth of God’s holiness? A miracle to understand how God works in the world and to participate in it?

Join us as we step into Isaiah’s vision—and discover that when you truly see the Lord, nothing will ever look the same again.

]]>
Isaiah 6 invites us into a vision of God that flips our assumptions upside down. It shows us a King whose glory looks nothing like the power and pride we expect—and a mission that feels, at first, like a guaranteed failure.

What if real wisdom looks like foolishness? What if real victory looks like a cross? What if it takes a miracle to see the Lord’s glory? A miracle to hear the depth of God’s holiness? A miracle to understand how God works in the world and to participate in it?

Join us as we step into Isaiah’s vision—and discover that when you truly see the Lord, nothing will ever look the same again.

]]>
Isaiah 6 invites us into a vision of God that flips our assumptions upside down. It shows us a King whose glory looks nothing like the power and pride we expect—and a mission that feels, at first, like a guaranteed failure.

What if real wisdom looks like foolishness? What if real victory looks like a cross? What if it takes a miracle to see the Lord’s glory? A miracle to hear the depth of God’s holiness? A miracle to understand how God works in the world and to participate in it?

Join us as we step into Isaiah’s vision—and discover that when you truly see the Lord, nothing will ever look the same again.

]]> false When Folly Rose Victorious - Easter Sunday full podcastepisode_b245f220554c45758c711e9143da7c12 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400
To the first disciples, it did. Jesus preached radical mercy and refused to fight back. Then He died. No armies. No rescue. Just silence.

And yet… on the third day, folly rose victorious.

This Sunday, we’ll conclude The King and His Kingdom series with the Resurrection account from Matthew 28. We’ll see what the Resurrection accomplishes: God the Father raised Jesus to declare, once and for all, that the seemingly foolish way of the cross is the way of the kingdom.

The Resurrection is about both Jesus and His Lordship and every one of His followers. It justifies, empowers, and sends us—worshipping and doubting, faithful and failing, variegated believers who are learning to walk the same path.

If Jesus is Lord—and He is—then what? We go and in our going we follow. And we trust that one day, God will raise what looked like folly into eternal glory.
]]>
To the first disciples, it did. Jesus preached radical mercy and refused to fight back. Then He died. No armies. No rescue. Just silence.

And yet… on the third day, folly rose victorious.

This Sunday, we’ll conclude The King and His Kingdom series with the Resurrection account from Matthew 28. We’ll see what the Resurrection accomplishes: God the Father raised Jesus to declare, once and for all, that the seemingly foolish way of the cross is the way of the kingdom.

The Resurrection is about both Jesus and His Lordship and every one of His followers. It justifies, empowers, and sends us—worshipping and doubting, faithful and failing, variegated believers who are learning to walk the same path.

If Jesus is Lord—and He is—then what? We go and in our going we follow. And we trust that one day, God will raise what looked like folly into eternal glory.
]]>
To the first disciples, it did. Jesus preached radical mercy and refused to fight back. Then He died. No armies. No rescue. Just silence.

And yet… on the third day, folly rose victorious.

This Sunday, we’ll conclude The King and His Kingdom series with the Resurrection account from Matthew 28. We’ll see what the Resurrection accomplishes: God the Father raised Jesus to declare, once and for all, that the seemingly foolish way of the cross is the way of the kingdom.

The Resurrection is about both Jesus and His Lordship and every one of His followers. It justifies, empowers, and sends us—worshipping and doubting, faithful and failing, variegated believers who are learning to walk the same path.

If Jesus is Lord—and He is—then what? We go and in our going we follow. And we trust that one day, God will raise what looked like folly into eternal glory.
]]> false Seeing the Kingdom Clearly (Matt. 16:28 - 17:27) full podcastepisode_ece18ab34cef4e0086903ff2d90a987c Sun, 6 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Scripture: Matthew 16:28–17:27
Series: The King and His Kingdom
Preacher: Zach McNabb

👀 What does Led Zeppelin have to do with Jesus' transfiguration? More than you think.

In this message, we explore how easy it is to miss something world-changing—even when it’s right in front of you. From British teens clueless about rock legends to disciples on a mountaintop with God, this sermon walks us through the astonishing moment when Jesus' glory is revealed—and what it means for us today.

Three Kingdom-anchored truths emerge from Matthew 17:

✨ Right Vision in the New Reality – The Kingdom of Jesus flips everything right-side up. It’s not about dominance and power, but humility, peace, and self-giving love.

🤝 Right Reliance in the New Reality – We’re not called to live this way by our own strength. Faith in Jesus, even mustard seed-sized, equips us through his presence and power.

🏛️ Right Respect in the New Reality – Earthly powers? With all due respect (i.e., not much). We belong to a better Kingdom with a better King.

🙌 Jesus doesn’t stay distant in glory—he comes near, touches his disciples, and says, “Do not be afraid.” And he’s still doing that today.

🎧 Tap in to reimagine your world through Kingdom eyes—and to be reminded that Jesus is not just a better way; he is the only way.
]]> Scripture: Matthew 16:28–17:27
Series: The King and His Kingdom
Preacher: Zach McNabb

👀 What does Led Zeppelin have to do with Jesus' transfiguration? More than you think.

In this message, we explore how easy it is to miss something world-changing—even when it’s right in front of you. From British teens clueless about rock legends to disciples on a mountaintop with God, this sermon walks us through the astonishing moment when Jesus' glory is revealed—and what it means for us today.

Three Kingdom-anchored truths emerge from Matthew 17:

✨ Right Vision in the New Reality – The Kingdom of Jesus flips everything right-side up. It’s not about dominance and power, but humility, peace, and self-giving love.

🤝 Right Reliance in the New Reality – We’re not called to live this way by our own strength. Faith in Jesus, even mustard seed-sized, equips us through his presence and power.

🏛️ Right Respect in the New Reality – Earthly powers? With all due respect (i.e., not much). We belong to a better Kingdom with a better King.

🙌 Jesus doesn’t stay distant in glory—he comes near, touches his disciples, and says, “Do not be afraid.” And he’s still doing that today.

🎧 Tap in to reimagine your world through Kingdom eyes—and to be reminded that Jesus is not just a better way; he is the only way.
]]> Scripture: Matthew 16:28–17:27
Series: The King and His Kingdom
Preacher: Zach McNabb

👀 What does Led Zeppelin have to do with Jesus' transfiguration? More than you think.

In this message, we explore how easy it is to miss something world-changing—even when it’s right in front of you. From British teens clueless about rock legends to disciples on a mountaintop with God, this sermon walks us through the astonishing moment when Jesus' glory is revealed—and what it means for us today.

Three Kingdom-anchored truths emerge from Matthew 17:

✨ Right Vision in the New Reality – The Kingdom of Jesus flips everything right-side up. It’s not about dominance and power, but humility, peace, and self-giving love.

🤝 Right Reliance in the New Reality – We’re not called to live this way by our own strength. Faith in Jesus, even mustard seed-sized, equips us through his presence and power.

🏛️ Right Respect in the New Reality – Earthly powers? With all due respect (i.e., not much). We belong to a better Kingdom with a better King.

🙌 Jesus doesn’t stay distant in glory—he comes near, touches his disciples, and says, “Do not be afraid.” And he’s still doing that today.

🎧 Tap in to reimagine your world through Kingdom eyes—and to be reminded that Jesus is not just a better way; he is the only way.
]]> false Follow the Breadcrumbs (Matt. 14-16) 3/30/25, Jerry Cisar full podcastepisode_e6d9b9110a744e85aaa1dfa75f3ebd50 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400 The King and His Kingdom, Part 11

In the tale, Hansel and Gretel, two children are abandoned in a dark forest. To find their way back, Hansel drops a trail of bread crumbs behind them. But the crumbs are eaten by birds, and they lose their way.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus leaves a trail of bread crumbs, and while the birds of the air may snatch them up so that the message is missed, they are all still there for those who pursue Jesus as king in the text. In a broad collection of events in the life of Jesus, the theme of bread is woven throughout (chapters 14-16). Jesus walks on water, feeds multitudes, rebukes religious leaders, heals enemy children. speaks of crosses instead of thrones. But the various links of this chain create one message about who Jesus is and how His kingdom operates.

We’ll zoom out to look at a powerful section in Matthew (14:22–16:27) where bread is broken, faith is tested, and true worship is redefined. We’ll ask questions that move us beyond belief into transformation—because Jesus doesn’t just want our agreement… He wants our lives. For more sermons and resources:

gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> The King and His Kingdom, Part 11

In the tale, Hansel and Gretel, two children are abandoned in a dark forest. To find their way back, Hansel drops a trail of bread crumbs behind them. But the crumbs are eaten by birds, and they lose their way.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus leaves a trail of bread crumbs, and while the birds of the air may snatch them up so that the message is missed, they are all still there for those who pursue Jesus as king in the text. In a broad collection of events in the life of Jesus, the theme of bread is woven throughout (chapters 14-16). Jesus walks on water, feeds multitudes, rebukes religious leaders, heals enemy children. speaks of crosses instead of thrones. But the various links of this chain create one message about who Jesus is and how His kingdom operates.

We’ll zoom out to look at a powerful section in Matthew (14:22–16:27) where bread is broken, faith is tested, and true worship is redefined. We’ll ask questions that move us beyond belief into transformation—because Jesus doesn’t just want our agreement… He wants our lives. For more sermons and resources:

gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> The King and His Kingdom, Part 11

In the tale, Hansel and Gretel, two children are abandoned in a dark forest. To find their way back, Hansel drops a trail of bread crumbs behind them. But the crumbs are eaten by birds, and they lose their way.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus leaves a trail of bread crumbs, and while the birds of the air may snatch them up so that the message is missed, they are all still there for those who pursue Jesus as king in the text. In a broad collection of events in the life of Jesus, the theme of bread is woven throughout (chapters 14-16). Jesus walks on water, feeds multitudes, rebukes religious leaders, heals enemy children. speaks of crosses instead of thrones. But the various links of this chain create one message about who Jesus is and how His kingdom operates.

We’ll zoom out to look at a powerful section in Matthew (14:22–16:27) where bread is broken, faith is tested, and true worship is redefined. We’ll ask questions that move us beyond belief into transformation—because Jesus doesn’t just want our agreement… He wants our lives. For more sermons and resources:

gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false A Severed Head and Abundant Bread - Matthew 14 full podcastepisode_8940a427797b4e5db2dbe010f41e59ea Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Join us as we explore Matthew 14, where Jesus powerfully contrasts a world driven by fear with His Kingdom of abundant provision.

Discover how you can break free from anxiety and step into a life of generosity and trust. Click play to learn more about living faithfully in God's abundant Kingdom!"


The sermon, "A Severed Head and Abundant Bread," explores two contrasting kingdoms presented in Matthew 14. First is the anxious kingdom represented by Herod—a kingdom driven by fear, scarcity, and control, where anxiety dominates decision-making and self-preservation leads to destructive outcomes. Herod’s fear and anxiety culminated tragically in the beheading of John the Baptist. In stark contrast, Jesus reveals the abundant Kingdom of God, characterized by trust, compassion, and generosity. Rather than being ruled by fear, Jesus demonstrates a Kingdom defined by abundant provision, feeding over five thousand people with minimal resources. This miracle serves not just as an act of compassion but as a lesson on living abundantly in trust and generosity. The sermon encourages believers to move from the anxiety-driven scarcity mindset toward a Kingdom perspective, trusting God's provision and stepping courageously into the world's brokenness. Followers of Christ are called to generously offer what they have, confident in God's abundant multiplication. Ultimately, the message invites listeners to reject fear and embrace a lifestyle of radical generosity and compassion, reflective of the abundant Kingdom of God.

For more sermons and resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> Join us as we explore Matthew 14, where Jesus powerfully contrasts a world driven by fear with His Kingdom of abundant provision.

Discover how you can break free from anxiety and step into a life of generosity and trust. Click play to learn more about living faithfully in God's abundant Kingdom!"


The sermon, "A Severed Head and Abundant Bread," explores two contrasting kingdoms presented in Matthew 14. First is the anxious kingdom represented by Herod—a kingdom driven by fear, scarcity, and control, where anxiety dominates decision-making and self-preservation leads to destructive outcomes. Herod’s fear and anxiety culminated tragically in the beheading of John the Baptist. In stark contrast, Jesus reveals the abundant Kingdom of God, characterized by trust, compassion, and generosity. Rather than being ruled by fear, Jesus demonstrates a Kingdom defined by abundant provision, feeding over five thousand people with minimal resources. This miracle serves not just as an act of compassion but as a lesson on living abundantly in trust and generosity. The sermon encourages believers to move from the anxiety-driven scarcity mindset toward a Kingdom perspective, trusting God's provision and stepping courageously into the world's brokenness. Followers of Christ are called to generously offer what they have, confident in God's abundant multiplication. Ultimately, the message invites listeners to reject fear and embrace a lifestyle of radical generosity and compassion, reflective of the abundant Kingdom of God.

For more sermons and resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> Join us as we explore Matthew 14, where Jesus powerfully contrasts a world driven by fear with His Kingdom of abundant provision.

Discover how you can break free from anxiety and step into a life of generosity and trust. Click play to learn more about living faithfully in God's abundant Kingdom!"


The sermon, "A Severed Head and Abundant Bread," explores two contrasting kingdoms presented in Matthew 14. First is the anxious kingdom represented by Herod—a kingdom driven by fear, scarcity, and control, where anxiety dominates decision-making and self-preservation leads to destructive outcomes. Herod’s fear and anxiety culminated tragically in the beheading of John the Baptist. In stark contrast, Jesus reveals the abundant Kingdom of God, characterized by trust, compassion, and generosity. Rather than being ruled by fear, Jesus demonstrates a Kingdom defined by abundant provision, feeding over five thousand people with minimal resources. This miracle serves not just as an act of compassion but as a lesson on living abundantly in trust and generosity. The sermon encourages believers to move from the anxiety-driven scarcity mindset toward a Kingdom perspective, trusting God's provision and stepping courageously into the world's brokenness. Followers of Christ are called to generously offer what they have, confident in God's abundant multiplication. Ultimately, the message invites listeners to reject fear and embrace a lifestyle of radical generosity and compassion, reflective of the abundant Kingdom of God.

For more sermons and resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false Good Wheat, Bad Wheat; Good Fish, Bad Fish - Matthew 13:24-52 full podcastepisode_5feea07e34c0407ebffe69e289e518fe Sun, 16 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400 The King and His Kingdom, Part 9

What do a secret hiding place, a tiny mustard seed, and a hidden pearl of great price have in common? Each reveals a startling reality about God’s Kingdom.

We’ll look at Matthew 13:24–52 and the true story of Corrie ten Boom, a watchmaker who risked her own safety to hide others from Nazi persecution. Through it all, we’ll see that sometimes the most unassuming acts of faithfulness transform hearts and challenge oppressive powers. In these parables, Jesus teaches us three core lessons about God’s Kingdom: the ways of its faithful citizens, the worth of giving everything for it, and the waiting required as we trust God’s ultimate harvest.

Join us to see how small, hidden acts of love can bring hope, how prioritizing Kingdom values can transform our daily choices, and why patient endurance pays eternal dividends. Do you ever wonder whether your life, your kindness, or your faith really matter? Come discover how God’s kingdom grows in hidden and surprising ways through us. 




Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> The King and His Kingdom, Part 9

What do a secret hiding place, a tiny mustard seed, and a hidden pearl of great price have in common? Each reveals a startling reality about God’s Kingdom.

We’ll look at Matthew 13:24–52 and the true story of Corrie ten Boom, a watchmaker who risked her own safety to hide others from Nazi persecution. Through it all, we’ll see that sometimes the most unassuming acts of faithfulness transform hearts and challenge oppressive powers. In these parables, Jesus teaches us three core lessons about God’s Kingdom: the ways of its faithful citizens, the worth of giving everything for it, and the waiting required as we trust God’s ultimate harvest.

Join us to see how small, hidden acts of love can bring hope, how prioritizing Kingdom values can transform our daily choices, and why patient endurance pays eternal dividends. Do you ever wonder whether your life, your kindness, or your faith really matter? Come discover how God’s kingdom grows in hidden and surprising ways through us. 




Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> The King and His Kingdom, Part 9

What do a secret hiding place, a tiny mustard seed, and a hidden pearl of great price have in common? Each reveals a startling reality about God’s Kingdom.

We’ll look at Matthew 13:24–52 and the true story of Corrie ten Boom, a watchmaker who risked her own safety to hide others from Nazi persecution. Through it all, we’ll see that sometimes the most unassuming acts of faithfulness transform hearts and challenge oppressive powers. In these parables, Jesus teaches us three core lessons about God’s Kingdom: the ways of its faithful citizens, the worth of giving everything for it, and the waiting required as we trust God’s ultimate harvest.

Join us to see how small, hidden acts of love can bring hope, how prioritizing Kingdom values can transform our daily choices, and why patient endurance pays eternal dividends. Do you ever wonder whether your life, your kindness, or your faith really matter? Come discover how God’s kingdom grows in hidden and surprising ways through us. 




Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources
]]> false The Parable of the Silly Sermon - Matthew 12:46-50, 13:1-23 full podcastepisode_56f47abccc4e48d0a154587a7073d82c Sun, 9 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400
Here are some things we will discuss:

Foolish Messengers: Jesus’ followers often appear as “foolish” as His message.
Enduring Faith: His teachings constantly stretch our trust.
Foolishness Leads to Abundance: Even when Jesus’ message feels unrealistic, perseverance brings a miraculous harvest.
Do you want to bear fruit for Christ’s kingdom? Do you want to be one of those with a ridiculously abundant harvest? If that’s you, join us to hear why God’s ‘foolish’ approach might be the key to transforming your life—and the world—more than you can imagine.
]]>
Here are some things we will discuss:

Foolish Messengers: Jesus’ followers often appear as “foolish” as His message.
Enduring Faith: His teachings constantly stretch our trust.
Foolishness Leads to Abundance: Even when Jesus’ message feels unrealistic, perseverance brings a miraculous harvest.
Do you want to bear fruit for Christ’s kingdom? Do you want to be one of those with a ridiculously abundant harvest? If that’s you, join us to hear why God’s ‘foolish’ approach might be the key to transforming your life—and the world—more than you can imagine.
]]>
Here are some things we will discuss:

Foolish Messengers: Jesus’ followers often appear as “foolish” as His message.
Enduring Faith: His teachings constantly stretch our trust.
Foolishness Leads to Abundance: Even when Jesus’ message feels unrealistic, perseverance brings a miraculous harvest.
Do you want to bear fruit for Christ’s kingdom? Do you want to be one of those with a ridiculously abundant harvest? If that’s you, join us to hear why God’s ‘foolish’ approach might be the key to transforming your life—and the world—more than you can imagine.
]]> false The King's Restoration Mission - Matthew 10-12 full podcastepisode_9e8490a053e3417caae1ba9193ba69fd Sun, 2 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400
There’s a catch: this mission can wear you out. Stepping into brokenness — whether in our communities, workplaces, or families — can be exhausting.

This week we will see that not only is Jesus driving the mission and harvest, He is also the “Lord of the Sabbath,” giving perpetual rest to those who labor. Far from calling us to strive on our own strength, Jesus beckons us to come to Him for renewal.

This Sunday, we’ll discover what it means to live as part of His kingdom—rested yet relentless, vulnerable yet empowered. Don’t miss this chance to explore how God restores the lowly, equips us as compassionate agents of grace, and refreshes us even in the midst of the hardest work. I'm looking forward to worshipping together.
]]>
There’s a catch: this mission can wear you out. Stepping into brokenness — whether in our communities, workplaces, or families — can be exhausting.

This week we will see that not only is Jesus driving the mission and harvest, He is also the “Lord of the Sabbath,” giving perpetual rest to those who labor. Far from calling us to strive on our own strength, Jesus beckons us to come to Him for renewal.

This Sunday, we’ll discover what it means to live as part of His kingdom—rested yet relentless, vulnerable yet empowered. Don’t miss this chance to explore how God restores the lowly, equips us as compassionate agents of grace, and refreshes us even in the midst of the hardest work. I'm looking forward to worshipping together.
]]>
There’s a catch: this mission can wear you out. Stepping into brokenness — whether in our communities, workplaces, or families — can be exhausting.

This week we will see that not only is Jesus driving the mission and harvest, He is also the “Lord of the Sabbath,” giving perpetual rest to those who labor. Far from calling us to strive on our own strength, Jesus beckons us to come to Him for renewal.

This Sunday, we’ll discover what it means to live as part of His kingdom—rested yet relentless, vulnerable yet empowered. Don’t miss this chance to explore how God restores the lowly, equips us as compassionate agents of grace, and refreshes us even in the midst of the hardest work. I'm looking forward to worshipping together.
]]> false Messiah's Mission, Methods, and Message - Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11; 5 - 7 full podcastepisode_566c353aa41f437e8fd8c6712afd582d Sun, 23 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400 Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the King Himself. What does His baptism reveal about His mission? How do His wilderness temptations expose the methods He refused to use? And how does His message shape how His mission continues today?
Along the way, we’ll wrestle with some tough questions:

What happens when we align with evil to accomplish good?
Should the church do whatever it takes to draw people in? If not, why?
Does the end justify the means in gospel ministry?
Each of us must decide: Will we walk the way of the cross, or will we seek shortcuts through power?
]]> Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the King Himself. What does His baptism reveal about His mission? How do His wilderness temptations expose the methods He refused to use? And how does His message shape how His mission continues today?
Along the way, we’ll wrestle with some tough questions:

What happens when we align with evil to accomplish good?
Should the church do whatever it takes to draw people in? If not, why?
Does the end justify the means in gospel ministry?
Each of us must decide: Will we walk the way of the cross, or will we seek shortcuts through power?
]]> Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the King Himself. What does His baptism reveal about His mission? How do His wilderness temptations expose the methods He refused to use? And how does His message shape how His mission continues today?
Along the way, we’ll wrestle with some tough questions:

What happens when we align with evil to accomplish good?
Should the church do whatever it takes to draw people in? If not, why?
Does the end justify the means in gospel ministry?
Each of us must decide: Will we walk the way of the cross, or will we seek shortcuts through power?
]]> false (Pt 2) The Generous Economy of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:25-7:6 full podcastepisode_bc53cc926cf645a3a231e301ad81ae85 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 7:1-6 that two things often stand in our way: fear and judgment. Fear makes us hold on too tightly, and judgment makes us decide who’s “worthy” before we give. But what if Jesus is calling us to something better?

Join us this Sunday as we unpack:
🔹 Why worry keeps us from trusting God’s provision
🔹 How judgment blinds us to the needs around us
🔹 What it really means to seek first the Kingdom

If we want to live on earth as it is in heaven, we have to remove what’s blocking us. See you Sunday as we dig deeper into the Generous Economy of the Kingdom!
]]>
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 7:1-6 that two things often stand in our way: fear and judgment. Fear makes us hold on too tightly, and judgment makes us decide who’s “worthy” before we give. But what if Jesus is calling us to something better?

Join us this Sunday as we unpack:
🔹 Why worry keeps us from trusting God’s provision
🔹 How judgment blinds us to the needs around us
🔹 What it really means to seek first the Kingdom

If we want to live on earth as it is in heaven, we have to remove what’s blocking us. See you Sunday as we dig deeper into the Generous Economy of the Kingdom!
]]>
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 7:1-6 that two things often stand in our way: fear and judgment. Fear makes us hold on too tightly, and judgment makes us decide who’s “worthy” before we give. But what if Jesus is calling us to something better?

Join us this Sunday as we unpack:
🔹 Why worry keeps us from trusting God’s provision
🔹 How judgment blinds us to the needs around us
🔹 What it really means to seek first the Kingdom

If we want to live on earth as it is in heaven, we have to remove what’s blocking us. See you Sunday as we dig deeper into the Generous Economy of the Kingdom!
]]> false The Generous Economy of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:19-24 full podcastepisode_2b551c82c645483da1db8d97887c30ed Sun, 9 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400
🔹 Are we storing up treasure in heaven or clinging to earthly wealth?
🔹 Do we see money through the lens of generosity or greed?
🔹 Are we serving God with our money or serving the money god?

If Jesus is really King right here, right now, then how we use our resources matters. The early church in Acts 2 & 4 lived this out, and we’re called to do the same.

Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus’ Kingdom economy challenges our culture’s mindset on wealth, security, and generosity.
]]>
🔹 Are we storing up treasure in heaven or clinging to earthly wealth?
🔹 Do we see money through the lens of generosity or greed?
🔹 Are we serving God with our money or serving the money god?

If Jesus is really King right here, right now, then how we use our resources matters. The early church in Acts 2 & 4 lived this out, and we’re called to do the same.

Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus’ Kingdom economy challenges our culture’s mindset on wealth, security, and generosity.
]]>
🔹 Are we storing up treasure in heaven or clinging to earthly wealth?
🔹 Do we see money through the lens of generosity or greed?
🔹 Are we serving God with our money or serving the money god?

If Jesus is really King right here, right now, then how we use our resources matters. The early church in Acts 2 & 4 lived this out, and we’re called to do the same.

Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus’ Kingdom economy challenges our culture’s mindset on wealth, security, and generosity.
]]> false What is Your Why? Matthew 5:13-20 full podcastepisode_398e301376c64b74902edf21404aa354 Sun, 2 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400
Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount call us to be salt and light—not just a nice metaphor, but a revolutionary way of living. The world thrives on power and control, but the Kingdom of God advances through radical generosity, peacemaking, and selfless love.

This Sunday, we’ll explore why we exist as followers of Jesus and how our good deeds are meant to be a bold resistance against injustice and greed. When we live as salt and light, we reveal the power of the Gospel—not through greed or violence, but, for example, through generosity and love.

Join us as we dive into Matthew 5:13-20 and discover how being part of God’s kingdom is not just about where we go when we die but about bringing the ways of the heavenly kingdom here to earth.
]]>
Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount call us to be salt and light—not just a nice metaphor, but a revolutionary way of living. The world thrives on power and control, but the Kingdom of God advances through radical generosity, peacemaking, and selfless love.

This Sunday, we’ll explore why we exist as followers of Jesus and how our good deeds are meant to be a bold resistance against injustice and greed. When we live as salt and light, we reveal the power of the Gospel—not through greed or violence, but, for example, through generosity and love.

Join us as we dive into Matthew 5:13-20 and discover how being part of God’s kingdom is not just about where we go when we die but about bringing the ways of the heavenly kingdom here to earth.
]]>
Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount call us to be salt and light—not just a nice metaphor, but a revolutionary way of living. The world thrives on power and control, but the Kingdom of God advances through radical generosity, peacemaking, and selfless love.

This Sunday, we’ll explore why we exist as followers of Jesus and how our good deeds are meant to be a bold resistance against injustice and greed. When we live as salt and light, we reveal the power of the Gospel—not through greed or violence, but, for example, through generosity and love.

Join us as we dive into Matthew 5:13-20 and discover how being part of God’s kingdom is not just about where we go when we die but about bringing the ways of the heavenly kingdom here to earth.
]]> false The King and His Kingdom of Peace - Matthew 5 full podcastepisode_e603d233c24c4b18ade2accee76e5789 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400
This Sunday, we’ll dive into these challenging but vital questions as we explore The King and His Kingdom of Peace. Our focus will be on Matthew 5 and other key Scriptures that highlight Jesus’ call for us to be peacemakers, as He was.

From fractured relationships to global conflicts, the world’s need for peace is undeniable. Together, we’ll consider:
The Gospel of peace that Jesus proclaimed
The practice of peace that He calls us too
The cost of being peacemakers in a peace-shattered world

]]>
This Sunday, we’ll dive into these challenging but vital questions as we explore The King and His Kingdom of Peace. Our focus will be on Matthew 5 and other key Scriptures that highlight Jesus’ call for us to be peacemakers, as He was.

From fractured relationships to global conflicts, the world’s need for peace is undeniable. Together, we’ll consider:
The Gospel of peace that Jesus proclaimed
The practice of peace that He calls us too
The cost of being peacemakers in a peace-shattered world

]]>
This Sunday, we’ll dive into these challenging but vital questions as we explore The King and His Kingdom of Peace. Our focus will be on Matthew 5 and other key Scriptures that highlight Jesus’ call for us to be peacemakers, as He was.

From fractured relationships to global conflicts, the world’s need for peace is undeniable. Together, we’ll consider:
The Gospel of peace that Jesus proclaimed
The practice of peace that He calls us too
The cost of being peacemakers in a peace-shattered world

]]> false What if Jesus really is King, then what? (Matthew 3:1-3) full podcastepisode_40e7b56238e34d5799934a67711ffae7 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400
This Sunday, in the first message of our new series, “The King and His Kingdom: If Jesus really is king, then what?” we’ll dig deep into what Jesus meant when He talked about the “kingdom of heaven.” He wasn’t talking about a future destination after death but a life-changing reality breaking into our world. From the Sermon on the Mount to the life that He lived, Jesus paints a picture of a kingdom that challenges everything we know.

This isn’t a path of ease or shortcuts, but one that requires faith, obedience, and sacrifice. It’s a radical call to action, a moonshot vision for what life can look like when we truly live under God’s reign.
]]>
This Sunday, in the first message of our new series, “The King and His Kingdom: If Jesus really is king, then what?” we’ll dig deep into what Jesus meant when He talked about the “kingdom of heaven.” He wasn’t talking about a future destination after death but a life-changing reality breaking into our world. From the Sermon on the Mount to the life that He lived, Jesus paints a picture of a kingdom that challenges everything we know.

This isn’t a path of ease or shortcuts, but one that requires faith, obedience, and sacrifice. It’s a radical call to action, a moonshot vision for what life can look like when we truly live under God’s reign.
]]>
This Sunday, in the first message of our new series, “The King and His Kingdom: If Jesus really is king, then what?” we’ll dig deep into what Jesus meant when He talked about the “kingdom of heaven.” He wasn’t talking about a future destination after death but a life-changing reality breaking into our world. From the Sermon on the Mount to the life that He lived, Jesus paints a picture of a kingdom that challenges everything we know.

This isn’t a path of ease or shortcuts, but one that requires faith, obedience, and sacrifice. It’s a radical call to action, a moonshot vision for what life can look like when we truly live under God’s reign.
]]> false A Royal Priesthood, A Holy People: Priests in a World Gone Bad - Psalm 37 full podcastepisode_4db1638f1dd148b4b53d06cb64de95d3 Sun, 12 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Making Disciples In Vietnam full podcastepisode_4180909e633a48cd99b8a2bb50ff2c90 Sun, 5 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Reslient Joy full podcastepisode_25b828b4f0124752bb19b71bb76fa2eb Sun, 22 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400
Just as Mary, Elizabeth, and others rejoiced in the fulfillment of long-awaited promises, we, too, can find joy as participants in God's redemptive work, even in life's struggles (Luke 1:39-55)
]]>
Just as Mary, Elizabeth, and others rejoiced in the fulfillment of long-awaited promises, we, too, can find joy as participants in God's redemptive work, even in life's struggles (Luke 1:39-55)
]]>
Just as Mary, Elizabeth, and others rejoiced in the fulfillment of long-awaited promises, we, too, can find joy as participants in God's redemptive work, even in life's struggles (Luke 1:39-55)
]]> false Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All full podcastepisode_c8bfe61c18ff4c6ab86a1b2c4db67ed3 Sun, 15 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400
Paul prays for love to abound with knowledge and insight, urging us to be like-minded, humble, and united in spirit. He points to Christ’s ultimate humility and self-sacrifice, illustrating that love is not merely an emotion—it’s an action rooted in humility. As we embrace this love, joy flourishes, becoming the natural fruit of our faith and unity.

In a world where conflict and division often prevail, Paul’s plea to Euodia and Syntyche resonates deeply: “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” How might we, too, extend grace and love to one another, ensuring Christ’s love shines through us?

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore how love results in a joyous atmosphere in our life together. May it prepare us to reflect Christ’s gentleness and humility in all we do.
]]>
Paul prays for love to abound with knowledge and insight, urging us to be like-minded, humble, and united in spirit. He points to Christ’s ultimate humility and self-sacrifice, illustrating that love is not merely an emotion—it’s an action rooted in humility. As we embrace this love, joy flourishes, becoming the natural fruit of our faith and unity.

In a world where conflict and division often prevail, Paul’s plea to Euodia and Syntyche resonates deeply: “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” How might we, too, extend grace and love to one another, ensuring Christ’s love shines through us?

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore how love results in a joyous atmosphere in our life together. May it prepare us to reflect Christ’s gentleness and humility in all we do.
]]>
Paul prays for love to abound with knowledge and insight, urging us to be like-minded, humble, and united in spirit. He points to Christ’s ultimate humility and self-sacrifice, illustrating that love is not merely an emotion—it’s an action rooted in humility. As we embrace this love, joy flourishes, becoming the natural fruit of our faith and unity.

In a world where conflict and division often prevail, Paul’s plea to Euodia and Syntyche resonates deeply: “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” How might we, too, extend grace and love to one another, ensuring Christ’s love shines through us?

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore how love results in a joyous atmosphere in our life together. May it prepare us to reflect Christ’s gentleness and humility in all we do.
]]> false The Path of Peace - Luke 1:67-79 full podcastepisode_d424002081bb43b99e0e831da270b570 Sun, 8 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400
Not understanding the metaphorical nature of such prophecies, many Christians have arbitrarily assigned this prophesy’s fulfillment to some future age. Sadly that may mean we don’t understand the glory to which it calls the church today.

Advent is a time of recognizing the possibilities of peace in the world because Jesus has come. While it also looks forward to a greater peace when He comes again, we must not think the promises held forth by Isaiah’s vision are comically absurd today. They call us to a new way of living.
]]>
Not understanding the metaphorical nature of such prophecies, many Christians have arbitrarily assigned this prophesy’s fulfillment to some future age. Sadly that may mean we don’t understand the glory to which it calls the church today.

Advent is a time of recognizing the possibilities of peace in the world because Jesus has come. While it also looks forward to a greater peace when He comes again, we must not think the promises held forth by Isaiah’s vision are comically absurd today. They call us to a new way of living.
]]>
Not understanding the metaphorical nature of such prophecies, many Christians have arbitrarily assigned this prophesy’s fulfillment to some future age. Sadly that may mean we don’t understand the glory to which it calls the church today.

Advent is a time of recognizing the possibilities of peace in the world because Jesus has come. While it also looks forward to a greater peace when He comes again, we must not think the promises held forth by Isaiah’s vision are comically absurd today. They call us to a new way of living.
]]> false God's Good Promise (Hope) - Jeremiah 33:14-16 full podcastepisode_fec7b3aed7af422e9a6b5db98bf2e274 Sun, 1 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400
Hope anticipates what is to come and is embodied and fulfilled in that which comes. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent which focuses us on hope. What is the hope that we as believers have? Is there a distinct hope that we are to have?

How does the first coming of Jesus effect our lives? How should it lead us to live lives of hope? What might that look like? Are we just a bunch of optimists?
]]>
Hope anticipates what is to come and is embodied and fulfilled in that which comes. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent which focuses us on hope. What is the hope that we as believers have? Is there a distinct hope that we are to have?

How does the first coming of Jesus effect our lives? How should it lead us to live lives of hope? What might that look like? Are we just a bunch of optimists?
]]>
Hope anticipates what is to come and is embodied and fulfilled in that which comes. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent which focuses us on hope. What is the hope that we as believers have? Is there a distinct hope that we are to have?

How does the first coming of Jesus effect our lives? How should it lead us to live lives of hope? What might that look like? Are we just a bunch of optimists?
]]> false Be Strong and Courageous - Joshua 1:1-9 full podcastepisode_111e4458402e4a2ebead65a2ba2a17b6 Sun, 24 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400
The prisoners frequently put on theatrical productions –usually bordering on the absurd. But none of their productions were as bizarre as the drama that unfolded at the end: the German garrison was pretending to guard a prison no longer under its control. In truth, the inmates had rebelled and taken over but were acting as if they were still prisoners to protect their jailers against both the SS and the advancing American troops. The guards had become prisoners, and the prisoners their guards.[1]

In the great drama of the Gospel, history has been determined by a crucified God. An entirely new way of thinking has come upon the world. Believers, if they are in tune with the Spirit, willingly walk in ways that seem foolish. They rule in Christ but serve everyone. They are conquerors, but gladly live as the conquered. How can they do this? Because they know the future.

Join us for worship in our final message in the series: Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we learn what it means to walk in the way of the Lord, in the way of the Cross, and in the Way of the Spirit.
]]>
The prisoners frequently put on theatrical productions –usually bordering on the absurd. But none of their productions were as bizarre as the drama that unfolded at the end: the German garrison was pretending to guard a prison no longer under its control. In truth, the inmates had rebelled and taken over but were acting as if they were still prisoners to protect their jailers against both the SS and the advancing American troops. The guards had become prisoners, and the prisoners their guards.[1]

In the great drama of the Gospel, history has been determined by a crucified God. An entirely new way of thinking has come upon the world. Believers, if they are in tune with the Spirit, willingly walk in ways that seem foolish. They rule in Christ but serve everyone. They are conquerors, but gladly live as the conquered. How can they do this? Because they know the future.

Join us for worship in our final message in the series: Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we learn what it means to walk in the way of the Lord, in the way of the Cross, and in the Way of the Spirit.
]]>
The prisoners frequently put on theatrical productions –usually bordering on the absurd. But none of their productions were as bizarre as the drama that unfolded at the end: the German garrison was pretending to guard a prison no longer under its control. In truth, the inmates had rebelled and taken over but were acting as if they were still prisoners to protect their jailers against both the SS and the advancing American troops. The guards had become prisoners, and the prisoners their guards.[1]

In the great drama of the Gospel, history has been determined by a crucified God. An entirely new way of thinking has come upon the world. Believers, if they are in tune with the Spirit, willingly walk in ways that seem foolish. They rule in Christ but serve everyone. They are conquerors, but gladly live as the conquered. How can they do this? Because they know the future.

Join us for worship in our final message in the series: Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we learn what it means to walk in the way of the Lord, in the way of the Cross, and in the Way of the Spirit.
]]> false The Glorious Hope of Heavenly Life - Colossians 1:15, 24-29 full podcastepisode_47940aa5651f439aaef3c13acfa83564 Sun, 17 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400
The Christian is not under the Mosaic Law. Does that mean their lives should be indistinguishable from the world’s? May it never be! The follower of Jesus is called to live under the Law of Christ. What would be the defining characteristics of such a life?

Living under the Law of Christ is to live a Cross-shaped life in a Cross-shaped community. To live under the Law of Christ is to live as the Crucified One lived. And that is what it means to live on earth as it is in heaven.
]]>
The Christian is not under the Mosaic Law. Does that mean their lives should be indistinguishable from the world’s? May it never be! The follower of Jesus is called to live under the Law of Christ. What would be the defining characteristics of such a life?

Living under the Law of Christ is to live a Cross-shaped life in a Cross-shaped community. To live under the Law of Christ is to live as the Crucified One lived. And that is what it means to live on earth as it is in heaven.
]]>
The Christian is not under the Mosaic Law. Does that mean their lives should be indistinguishable from the world’s? May it never be! The follower of Jesus is called to live under the Law of Christ. What would be the defining characteristics of such a life?

Living under the Law of Christ is to live a Cross-shaped life in a Cross-shaped community. To live under the Law of Christ is to live as the Crucified One lived. And that is what it means to live on earth as it is in heaven.
]]> false On Earth as It is in Heaven - Exodus 24:9-12 full podcastepisode_de3e54128fae4a8f8c403b30da0c1345 Sun, 10 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400
Their accomplishment would not have been possible if they hadn’t imagined it, if they hadn’t believed in it, and if they hadn’t continually renewed their commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. This is a good reminder for the church.

What God has set out to do in the world will require a similar commitment to the vision of the kingdom of God (life on earth as it is in heaven). We have to imagine it, believe in it, and continually renew our commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. And that vision that we are to imagine is found in the story of Scripture.
]]>
Their accomplishment would not have been possible if they hadn’t imagined it, if they hadn’t believed in it, and if they hadn’t continually renewed their commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. This is a good reminder for the church.

What God has set out to do in the world will require a similar commitment to the vision of the kingdom of God (life on earth as it is in heaven). We have to imagine it, believe in it, and continually renew our commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. And that vision that we are to imagine is found in the story of Scripture.
]]>
Their accomplishment would not have been possible if they hadn’t imagined it, if they hadn’t believed in it, and if they hadn’t continually renewed their commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. This is a good reminder for the church.

What God has set out to do in the world will require a similar commitment to the vision of the kingdom of God (life on earth as it is in heaven). We have to imagine it, believe in it, and continually renew our commitment to the vision. After each failure. After each setback. And that vision that we are to imagine is found in the story of Scripture.
]]> false What is the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit? - 2 Cor. 13:11-14 full podcastepisode_7cc60d869910426cbdd76c9c0969b9ee Sun, 3 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400
This term “peculiar people” is often joked about and certainly far too often applies in the way the jokes imply. But what does it mean to be a peculiar people and what makes us such people? I offer that it is the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14).

This week we will explore what it means to be a Spirit-formed community from 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 where Paul speaks of “the fellowship (koinonia) of the Spirit.” What is the koinonia of the Spirit? Why is it so transformative?

]]>
This term “peculiar people” is often joked about and certainly far too often applies in the way the jokes imply. But what does it mean to be a peculiar people and what makes us such people? I offer that it is the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14).

This week we will explore what it means to be a Spirit-formed community from 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 where Paul speaks of “the fellowship (koinonia) of the Spirit.” What is the koinonia of the Spirit? Why is it so transformative?

]]>
This term “peculiar people” is often joked about and certainly far too often applies in the way the jokes imply. But what does it mean to be a peculiar people and what makes us such people? I offer that it is the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14).

This week we will explore what it means to be a Spirit-formed community from 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 where Paul speaks of “the fellowship (koinonia) of the Spirit.” What is the koinonia of the Spirit? Why is it so transformative?

]]> false Finishing the Mission Against All Odds full podcastepisode_24029667f289433b80c793d577e80de9 Sun, 20 Oct 2024 06:45:00 -0400
For the believer, this can pile onto plenty of other things that feel like defeat. Is there any let up? Is there any victory?

The last ACT in the book called Acts, which is a quarter of the book, makes our last few weeks (and even long term weariness) seem like a picnic. Paul has so many reasons he could be discouraged and yet he clings to the promise that He will arrive at the destination the Lord Jesus has for him.

Join us in worship as we take a break from our series and allow the message of Acts 27-28 speak to our own circumstances and give us hope in the midst of what might otherwise be discouraging circumstances.
]]>
For the believer, this can pile onto plenty of other things that feel like defeat. Is there any let up? Is there any victory?

The last ACT in the book called Acts, which is a quarter of the book, makes our last few weeks (and even long term weariness) seem like a picnic. Paul has so many reasons he could be discouraged and yet he clings to the promise that He will arrive at the destination the Lord Jesus has for him.

Join us in worship as we take a break from our series and allow the message of Acts 27-28 speak to our own circumstances and give us hope in the midst of what might otherwise be discouraging circumstances.
]]>
For the believer, this can pile onto plenty of other things that feel like defeat. Is there any let up? Is there any victory?

The last ACT in the book called Acts, which is a quarter of the book, makes our last few weeks (and even long term weariness) seem like a picnic. Paul has so many reasons he could be discouraged and yet he clings to the promise that He will arrive at the destination the Lord Jesus has for him.

Join us in worship as we take a break from our series and allow the message of Acts 27-28 speak to our own circumstances and give us hope in the midst of what might otherwise be discouraging circumstances.
]]> false Family Matters full podcastepisode_23f80575b05c4fa38c8b5e790c204c81 Sun, 6 Oct 2024 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false A Spirit-Enabled Community full podcastepisode_6d5ec59df7c448379987dc09234f8466 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0400
It “didn’t begin because one genius took up painting impressionistically and, like the Pied Piper, attracted a trail of followers. Instead, Pissarro and Degas enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts at the same time; then, Pissarro met Monet and, later, Cézanne at the Académie Suisse; Manet met Degas at the Louvre; Monet befriended Renoir at Charles Gleyre’s studio; and Renoir, in turn, met Pissarro and Cézanne; and soon enough everyone was hanging out at the Café Guerbois, trading ideas and egging each other on, and sharing and competing and dreaming, all together, until something radical and entirely new emerged.” (Malcolm Gladwell, The Bomber Mafia)

That may help us grasp how it is that the church is to bring the kingdom of God to manifest itself in communities all across the globe. When we gather, we each bring something to contribute, and in that sharing of our bits and pieces of the whole, encouraging one another, “something radical and entirely new” emerges. That “new” thing is the work of the Spirit, the Kingdom of God.

Join us as we continue our series Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we examine the role of the Spirit’s empowering with various gifts in the life of the church.
]]>
It “didn’t begin because one genius took up painting impressionistically and, like the Pied Piper, attracted a trail of followers. Instead, Pissarro and Degas enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts at the same time; then, Pissarro met Monet and, later, Cézanne at the Académie Suisse; Manet met Degas at the Louvre; Monet befriended Renoir at Charles Gleyre’s studio; and Renoir, in turn, met Pissarro and Cézanne; and soon enough everyone was hanging out at the Café Guerbois, trading ideas and egging each other on, and sharing and competing and dreaming, all together, until something radical and entirely new emerged.” (Malcolm Gladwell, The Bomber Mafia)

That may help us grasp how it is that the church is to bring the kingdom of God to manifest itself in communities all across the globe. When we gather, we each bring something to contribute, and in that sharing of our bits and pieces of the whole, encouraging one another, “something radical and entirely new” emerges. That “new” thing is the work of the Spirit, the Kingdom of God.

Join us as we continue our series Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we examine the role of the Spirit’s empowering with various gifts in the life of the church.
]]>
It “didn’t begin because one genius took up painting impressionistically and, like the Pied Piper, attracted a trail of followers. Instead, Pissarro and Degas enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts at the same time; then, Pissarro met Monet and, later, Cézanne at the Académie Suisse; Manet met Degas at the Louvre; Monet befriended Renoir at Charles Gleyre’s studio; and Renoir, in turn, met Pissarro and Cézanne; and soon enough everyone was hanging out at the Café Guerbois, trading ideas and egging each other on, and sharing and competing and dreaming, all together, until something radical and entirely new emerged.” (Malcolm Gladwell, The Bomber Mafia)

That may help us grasp how it is that the church is to bring the kingdom of God to manifest itself in communities all across the globe. When we gather, we each bring something to contribute, and in that sharing of our bits and pieces of the whole, encouraging one another, “something radical and entirely new” emerges. That “new” thing is the work of the Spirit, the Kingdom of God.

Join us as we continue our series Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community as we examine the role of the Spirit’s empowering with various gifts in the life of the church.
]]> false 8th Day Living full podcastepisode_164789037a27466189b7a2c38cc103fb Sun, 22 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0400
In an aerobics class, it may serve me to be in a class for I might feel more motivated with the group. With baseball, or football, I simply cannot play it without the rest of the team. The church is like the latter and therefore discipleship (training for godliness or Christlikeness) must primarily be a group activity. “Practice the way you play.”

The early church sometimes spoke of gathering on the 8th day of the week. Of course, the last time I checked, there were only 7. But that is the point. What did that term signify for them? How does it inform the purpose of our gathering? How does our gathering inform the rest of our lives?

Join us as we explore some of the symbolic and visual aspects woven into the church’s worship and how they impact the rest of our lives.
]]>
In an aerobics class, it may serve me to be in a class for I might feel more motivated with the group. With baseball, or football, I simply cannot play it without the rest of the team. The church is like the latter and therefore discipleship (training for godliness or Christlikeness) must primarily be a group activity. “Practice the way you play.”

The early church sometimes spoke of gathering on the 8th day of the week. Of course, the last time I checked, there were only 7. But that is the point. What did that term signify for them? How does it inform the purpose of our gathering? How does our gathering inform the rest of our lives?

Join us as we explore some of the symbolic and visual aspects woven into the church’s worship and how they impact the rest of our lives.
]]>
In an aerobics class, it may serve me to be in a class for I might feel more motivated with the group. With baseball, or football, I simply cannot play it without the rest of the team. The church is like the latter and therefore discipleship (training for godliness or Christlikeness) must primarily be a group activity. “Practice the way you play.”

The early church sometimes spoke of gathering on the 8th day of the week. Of course, the last time I checked, there were only 7. But that is the point. What did that term signify for them? How does it inform the purpose of our gathering? How does our gathering inform the rest of our lives?

Join us as we explore some of the symbolic and visual aspects woven into the church’s worship and how they impact the rest of our lives.
]]> false Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community – 3 full podcastepisode_553f8d34ffb2433b91e6940d62da3070 Sun, 15 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0400 Since the beginning, the Church has held the spoken, sung, and heard Word as an essential part of its liturgy (public worship). A lot has changed since then, but maybe nothing more significant than the invention of the Gutenberg press.
The transformation from a speaking and listening culture to a writing and reading culture has dramatically changed things. As Marshall McLuhan quipped, “The medium is the message.” If the medium is the voice, but it changes to a page, it affects the message.

Join us in worship as we explore the significance and necessity of speaking and hearing God’s word in community.
]]> Since the beginning, the Church has held the spoken, sung, and heard Word as an essential part of its liturgy (public worship). A lot has changed since then, but maybe nothing more significant than the invention of the Gutenberg press.
The transformation from a speaking and listening culture to a writing and reading culture has dramatically changed things. As Marshall McLuhan quipped, “The medium is the message.” If the medium is the voice, but it changes to a page, it affects the message.

Join us in worship as we explore the significance and necessity of speaking and hearing God’s word in community.
]]> Since the beginning, the Church has held the spoken, sung, and heard Word as an essential part of its liturgy (public worship). A lot has changed since then, but maybe nothing more significant than the invention of the Gutenberg press.
The transformation from a speaking and listening culture to a writing and reading culture has dramatically changed things. As Marshall McLuhan quipped, “The medium is the message.” If the medium is the voice, but it changes to a page, it affects the message.

Join us in worship as we explore the significance and necessity of speaking and hearing God’s word in community.
]]> false Becoming a Spirit-Formed Community – 2 full podcastepisode_0aa0eb267242423cb8cc362a7aa71d24 Sun, 8 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Worship of the Triune God is the primary difference between the church and any other organization (though there are surely many secondary and tertiary differences). Without this worship, the church would not be the church. To be the church is to be a worshipping community; who we are is defined by worship.

God forms His people into His image in worship by His Spirit through the means he has given us. There are 3 things we must consider in examining and exploring our worship: tradition, liturgy, and charismata.

Join us as we explore how our worship is central to our becoming a Spirit-formed community.
]]>
Worship of the Triune God is the primary difference between the church and any other organization (though there are surely many secondary and tertiary differences). Without this worship, the church would not be the church. To be the church is to be a worshipping community; who we are is defined by worship.

God forms His people into His image in worship by His Spirit through the means he has given us. There are 3 things we must consider in examining and exploring our worship: tradition, liturgy, and charismata.

Join us as we explore how our worship is central to our becoming a Spirit-formed community.
]]>
Worship of the Triune God is the primary difference between the church and any other organization (though there are surely many secondary and tertiary differences). Without this worship, the church would not be the church. To be the church is to be a worshipping community; who we are is defined by worship.

God forms His people into His image in worship by His Spirit through the means he has given us. There are 3 things we must consider in examining and exploring our worship: tradition, liturgy, and charismata.

Join us as we explore how our worship is central to our becoming a Spirit-formed community.
]]> false Spirit-Formed and Truly Loved full podcastepisode_8e36208f965145859e313cb53b61732e Sun, 1 Sep 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Love vs. individualism and selfishness.
]]>
Themes: Love vs. individualism and selfishness.
]]>
Themes: Love vs. individualism and selfishness.
]]> false Putting the Royal in the Priesthood full podcastepisode_6dfccec37f534ccb98d1f0e33f4d88ee Sun, 25 Aug 2024 06:45:00 -0400 Rocky

Is the church of the Lord Jesus “just another bum from the neighborhood”? If we listen to the world we might think so. If we listen to believers at times we might think so. But it’s a lie; a lie which can only be overcome by an amazing truth about the church.

Paul’s letter to Ephesians is a masterpiece concerning whom we, the church, are. I use church without the capital “C” because Paul wasn’t speaking about the church as some kind of universal, invisible community, he is speaking about the church that gathers. The one that has to bear with one another, forgive one another, and work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And what Paul says about the church would be outrageous if it weren’t true. In Ephesians he paints with royal brushstrokes. With seemingly every stroke of his brush, he points out our royal connections and calling.

Join us in worship as we continue to explore what it means to be a royal priesthood and holy people in the message titled Putting the Royal in the Priesthood.
]]> Rocky

Is the church of the Lord Jesus “just another bum from the neighborhood”? If we listen to the world we might think so. If we listen to believers at times we might think so. But it’s a lie; a lie which can only be overcome by an amazing truth about the church.

Paul’s letter to Ephesians is a masterpiece concerning whom we, the church, are. I use church without the capital “C” because Paul wasn’t speaking about the church as some kind of universal, invisible community, he is speaking about the church that gathers. The one that has to bear with one another, forgive one another, and work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And what Paul says about the church would be outrageous if it weren’t true. In Ephesians he paints with royal brushstrokes. With seemingly every stroke of his brush, he points out our royal connections and calling.

Join us in worship as we continue to explore what it means to be a royal priesthood and holy people in the message titled Putting the Royal in the Priesthood.
]]> Rocky

Is the church of the Lord Jesus “just another bum from the neighborhood”? If we listen to the world we might think so. If we listen to believers at times we might think so. But it’s a lie; a lie which can only be overcome by an amazing truth about the church.

Paul’s letter to Ephesians is a masterpiece concerning whom we, the church, are. I use church without the capital “C” because Paul wasn’t speaking about the church as some kind of universal, invisible community, he is speaking about the church that gathers. The one that has to bear with one another, forgive one another, and work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And what Paul says about the church would be outrageous if it weren’t true. In Ephesians he paints with royal brushstrokes. With seemingly every stroke of his brush, he points out our royal connections and calling.

Join us in worship as we continue to explore what it means to be a royal priesthood and holy people in the message titled Putting the Royal in the Priesthood.
]]> false Becoming a Merciful Church: Understanding What God Requires full podcastepisode_732ff4d97152424081d322e08cf22ba6 Sun, 18 Aug 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Since justice and mercy are at the heart of what God requires of us as human beings (Mic. 6:8), having a more Biblically informed understanding of these is vital. Most of us are very familiar with the notion of justice as what is due to someone, but less familiar with justice as what is due from someone.

This Sunday we will continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church as we explore what is at the very heart of God’s call to us as human beings, especially as the new humanity being formed in Christ.
]]>
Since justice and mercy are at the heart of what God requires of us as human beings (Mic. 6:8), having a more Biblically informed understanding of these is vital. Most of us are very familiar with the notion of justice as what is due to someone, but less familiar with justice as what is due from someone.

This Sunday we will continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church as we explore what is at the very heart of God’s call to us as human beings, especially as the new humanity being formed in Christ.
]]>
Since justice and mercy are at the heart of what God requires of us as human beings (Mic. 6:8), having a more Biblically informed understanding of these is vital. Most of us are very familiar with the notion of justice as what is due to someone, but less familiar with justice as what is due from someone.

This Sunday we will continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church as we explore what is at the very heart of God’s call to us as human beings, especially as the new humanity being formed in Christ.
]]> false Becoming a Merciful Church: Radical Generosity (2) full podcastepisode_e182c194a4ca4f0d99cdd9d7adc75522 Sun, 11 Aug 2024 06:45:00 -0400
That there are disputes over inheritances is no surprise. Jesus’ response to this man, however, likely surprises most of us. After his terse response that amounts to “What business of mine is this?” He immediately begins talking about greed—evidently both on the part of the brother who stole the inheritance and on the part of the brother who wants things set right.

In truth, Jesus is talking about a much greater possession or inheritance which people are squandering in their pursuit of what they feel is right. He shows us all the way to this greater inheritance. And it is not just “going to heaven” when you die.

Join us in worship as we continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church: Radical Generosity, exploring Luke 12:13-34.
]]>
That there are disputes over inheritances is no surprise. Jesus’ response to this man, however, likely surprises most of us. After his terse response that amounts to “What business of mine is this?” He immediately begins talking about greed—evidently both on the part of the brother who stole the inheritance and on the part of the brother who wants things set right.

In truth, Jesus is talking about a much greater possession or inheritance which people are squandering in their pursuit of what they feel is right. He shows us all the way to this greater inheritance. And it is not just “going to heaven” when you die.

Join us in worship as we continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church: Radical Generosity, exploring Luke 12:13-34.
]]>
That there are disputes over inheritances is no surprise. Jesus’ response to this man, however, likely surprises most of us. After his terse response that amounts to “What business of mine is this?” He immediately begins talking about greed—evidently both on the part of the brother who stole the inheritance and on the part of the brother who wants things set right.

In truth, Jesus is talking about a much greater possession or inheritance which people are squandering in their pursuit of what they feel is right. He shows us all the way to this greater inheritance. And it is not just “going to heaven” when you die.

Join us in worship as we continue our series Becoming a Merciful Church: Radical Generosity, exploring Luke 12:13-34.
]]> false Becoming a Merciful Church: Radical Generosity full podcastepisode_e8e95c2f01d64bb2bdba321a6c45d79d Sun, 4 Aug 2024 06:45:00 -0400
But what is it, exactly, that they did? What did Jesus do? What did the early church do? We often focus 95% of our energy on what they taught (I made that statistic up!) The early chapters of Acts demonstrate the importance of what they did. And our text this Sunday, Acts 6:1-7, shows the impact of living out the radical generosity of Christ’s kingdom.

Join us in worship as we begin the 3rd component of our larger series A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People, Becoming a Merciful Church.
]]>
But what is it, exactly, that they did? What did Jesus do? What did the early church do? We often focus 95% of our energy on what they taught (I made that statistic up!) The early chapters of Acts demonstrate the importance of what they did. And our text this Sunday, Acts 6:1-7, shows the impact of living out the radical generosity of Christ’s kingdom.

Join us in worship as we begin the 3rd component of our larger series A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People, Becoming a Merciful Church.
]]>
But what is it, exactly, that they did? What did Jesus do? What did the early church do? We often focus 95% of our energy on what they taught (I made that statistic up!) The early chapters of Acts demonstrate the importance of what they did. And our text this Sunday, Acts 6:1-7, shows the impact of living out the radical generosity of Christ’s kingdom.

Join us in worship as we begin the 3rd component of our larger series A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People, Becoming a Merciful Church.
]]> false Becoming Who God Made You To Be full podcastepisode_315f6fd5f8b14d169c7b5ed5d1c3fcae Sun, 28 Jul 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Spiritual formation, Holy Spirit, Community, Abiding with Jesus. Transformation. Following Jesus.

Summary: We learn from Jesus in the sermon on the mount how we are to live and we see this played out through the rest of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus reveals and leads us in the way of life, forming a new humanity and we must follow His ways to experience the good life he promises. There is a way to live your life that is countercultural but it leads to life and transformation.

What is the bedrock your building your life on?
]]>
Themes: Spiritual formation, Holy Spirit, Community, Abiding with Jesus. Transformation. Following Jesus.

Summary: We learn from Jesus in the sermon on the mount how we are to live and we see this played out through the rest of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus reveals and leads us in the way of life, forming a new humanity and we must follow His ways to experience the good life he promises. There is a way to live your life that is countercultural but it leads to life and transformation.

What is the bedrock your building your life on?
]]>
Themes: Spiritual formation, Holy Spirit, Community, Abiding with Jesus. Transformation. Following Jesus.

Summary: We learn from Jesus in the sermon on the mount how we are to live and we see this played out through the rest of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus reveals and leads us in the way of life, forming a new humanity and we must follow His ways to experience the good life he promises. There is a way to live your life that is countercultural but it leads to life and transformation.

What is the bedrock your building your life on?
]]> false Weapons of Resistance full podcastepisode_8b72013957c0411d9e7c06b2ce023689 Sun, 21 Jul 2024 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Becoming People of God’s Mission: Finding Our Common Ground full podcastepisode_df4ed1896e464aadb8a8db8805a9e378 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 06:45:00 -0400
There are no secrets for making everyone receptive to the Gospel. But there are ways we can learn to listen to people and discern where they are already seeking answers for something the Gospel addresses. While there is no magic button for “winning souls” it is a great way to learn how to love our neighbors while representing King Jesus!

Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship, exploring “Five Magnetic Points of Intersection” that everyone’s story has with the true story of the whole world.
]]>
There are no secrets for making everyone receptive to the Gospel. But there are ways we can learn to listen to people and discern where they are already seeking answers for something the Gospel addresses. While there is no magic button for “winning souls” it is a great way to learn how to love our neighbors while representing King Jesus!

Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship, exploring “Five Magnetic Points of Intersection” that everyone’s story has with the true story of the whole world.
]]>
There are no secrets for making everyone receptive to the Gospel. But there are ways we can learn to listen to people and discern where they are already seeking answers for something the Gospel addresses. While there is no magic button for “winning souls” it is a great way to learn how to love our neighbors while representing King Jesus!

Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship, exploring “Five Magnetic Points of Intersection” that everyone’s story has with the true story of the whole world.
]]> false The King’s Missional Tactics full podcastepisode_f5afcc9fca714a158054e29d6a71a121 Sun, 7 Jul 2024 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Becoming People of God’s Mission – In Whom Do You Trust? full podcastepisode_d7b3c7f566db4417a78d3985f44d5234 Sun, 30 Jun 2024 06:45:00 -0400
As Christians in America in 2024, how we live during this election year might say more about our faith than anything else. That might sound too strong (and maybe it is). However, if followers of Jesus cannot show a compelling alternative to the rancor and venom permeating America’s social conversation why should anyone listen to us?

The mission of God doesn’t stop for election years and we don’t get time-off to follow another king. As a community of disciples, we must demonstrate that we have a higher allegiance—an allegiance to a king who achieved His rule through suffering and laying down his life. What does allegiance to this king look like?

Join us as we explore the hope that we have and how that is relevant to being people of God’s mission.
]]>
As Christians in America in 2024, how we live during this election year might say more about our faith than anything else. That might sound too strong (and maybe it is). However, if followers of Jesus cannot show a compelling alternative to the rancor and venom permeating America’s social conversation why should anyone listen to us?

The mission of God doesn’t stop for election years and we don’t get time-off to follow another king. As a community of disciples, we must demonstrate that we have a higher allegiance—an allegiance to a king who achieved His rule through suffering and laying down his life. What does allegiance to this king look like?

Join us as we explore the hope that we have and how that is relevant to being people of God’s mission.
]]>
As Christians in America in 2024, how we live during this election year might say more about our faith than anything else. That might sound too strong (and maybe it is). However, if followers of Jesus cannot show a compelling alternative to the rancor and venom permeating America’s social conversation why should anyone listen to us?

The mission of God doesn’t stop for election years and we don’t get time-off to follow another king. As a community of disciples, we must demonstrate that we have a higher allegiance—an allegiance to a king who achieved His rule through suffering and laying down his life. What does allegiance to this king look like?

Join us as we explore the hope that we have and how that is relevant to being people of God’s mission.
]]> false Becoming People of God’s Mission – Becoming a Prophetic People full podcastepisode_3040ec15a1184e5ca81da385afe4fc7e Sun, 23 Jun 2024 06:45:00 -0400
The hardest idols to root out of our lives are those we have reimagined as Christian. Just as the Israelites in the wilderness made a golden calf and named it Yahweh, declaring it had brought them out of Egypt, so believers through the ages have renamed various idols as God or Christian. We must see these for what they are.

The seductive nature of these idols combined with their ability to masquerade as Christian virtue require supernatural discernment. Join us as we explore the idols of our own making as well as the connection between idolatry and mission.
]]>
The hardest idols to root out of our lives are those we have reimagined as Christian. Just as the Israelites in the wilderness made a golden calf and named it Yahweh, declaring it had brought them out of Egypt, so believers through the ages have renamed various idols as God or Christian. We must see these for what they are.

The seductive nature of these idols combined with their ability to masquerade as Christian virtue require supernatural discernment. Join us as we explore the idols of our own making as well as the connection between idolatry and mission.
]]>
The hardest idols to root out of our lives are those we have reimagined as Christian. Just as the Israelites in the wilderness made a golden calf and named it Yahweh, declaring it had brought them out of Egypt, so believers through the ages have renamed various idols as God or Christian. We must see these for what they are.

The seductive nature of these idols combined with their ability to masquerade as Christian virtue require supernatural discernment. Join us as we explore the idols of our own making as well as the connection between idolatry and mission.
]]> false Redemption to Redemptive Living - Becoming People of God’s Mission full podcastepisode_9fd5ed3a797a4de1910eae06cae2ac91 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Not hypocrisy in the traditional sense of the word— “professing to be one thing and living as another” —but a deeper hypocrisy. It might be described as “freely receiving an outrageous mercy and not proactively extending it to others.”

So far (and I am almost finished), the word “hypocrisy” has not made it into my sermon. It probably won’t. However, we will be speaking about how God’s redemptive acts toward us must inform our lives. Redemption must lead to redemptive living. We will see how this is a pattern both in the Exodus and in the Cross of the Lord Jesus.

Join us in worship as we continue discovering how we start becoming people of God’s mission.
]]>
Not hypocrisy in the traditional sense of the word— “professing to be one thing and living as another” —but a deeper hypocrisy. It might be described as “freely receiving an outrageous mercy and not proactively extending it to others.”

So far (and I am almost finished), the word “hypocrisy” has not made it into my sermon. It probably won’t. However, we will be speaking about how God’s redemptive acts toward us must inform our lives. Redemption must lead to redemptive living. We will see how this is a pattern both in the Exodus and in the Cross of the Lord Jesus.

Join us in worship as we continue discovering how we start becoming people of God’s mission.
]]>
Not hypocrisy in the traditional sense of the word— “professing to be one thing and living as another” —but a deeper hypocrisy. It might be described as “freely receiving an outrageous mercy and not proactively extending it to others.”

So far (and I am almost finished), the word “hypocrisy” has not made it into my sermon. It probably won’t. However, we will be speaking about how God’s redemptive acts toward us must inform our lives. Redemption must lead to redemptive living. We will see how this is a pattern both in the Exodus and in the Cross of the Lord Jesus.

Join us in worship as we continue discovering how we start becoming people of God’s mission.
]]> false Mission in the Minutiae - Becoming a People of God’s Mission: full podcastepisode_d9f660efc5df4188b88b448cda05fa74 Sun, 9 Jun 2024 06:45:00 -0400 Headings:
1. Context Matters
2. Relationships Matter
3. Everything Matters
]]> Headings:
1. Context Matters
2. Relationships Matter
3. Everything Matters
]]> Headings:
1. Context Matters
2. Relationships Matter
3. Everything Matters
]]> false Gospel Mercy - Becoming a People of God's Mission full podcastepisode_86822a3833824ba9af6e24c53bde88e9 Sun, 2 Jun 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Gospel Mercy as an essential of Being a People of God’s Mission
]]>
Themes: Gospel Mercy as an essential of Being a People of God’s Mission
]]>
Themes: Gospel Mercy as an essential of Being a People of God’s Mission
]]> false Becoming People of God’s Mission: A Royal Priesthood full podcastepisode_21e1e763431140a2bf48e4c124f3de96 Sun, 26 May 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Since the Reformation conversation about that has largely focused on the priesthood of all believers, but while that is a thing, it isn’t really what that phrase in Scripture (Exodus 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9) is about. That phrase envisions a whole community of priests.

Why does God want a priesthood and what does that have to do with His mission? And why does He want a community to do it instead of a bunch of individuals? What does a community require that a collection of individuals doesn’t?

Join us this Sunday in worship as we seek answers to these questions in our continuing series: Becoming People of God’s Mission.
]]>
Since the Reformation conversation about that has largely focused on the priesthood of all believers, but while that is a thing, it isn’t really what that phrase in Scripture (Exodus 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9) is about. That phrase envisions a whole community of priests.

Why does God want a priesthood and what does that have to do with His mission? And why does He want a community to do it instead of a bunch of individuals? What does a community require that a collection of individuals doesn’t?

Join us this Sunday in worship as we seek answers to these questions in our continuing series: Becoming People of God’s Mission.
]]>
Since the Reformation conversation about that has largely focused on the priesthood of all believers, but while that is a thing, it isn’t really what that phrase in Scripture (Exodus 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9) is about. That phrase envisions a whole community of priests.

Why does God want a priesthood and what does that have to do with His mission? And why does He want a community to do it instead of a bunch of individuals? What does a community require that a collection of individuals doesn’t?

Join us this Sunday in worship as we seek answers to these questions in our continuing series: Becoming People of God’s Mission.
]]> false Becoming People of God’s Mission: The Spirit’s Necessity full podcastepisode_24596ec7e8384ce1a6d7e89b41b477f6 Sun, 19 May 2024 06:45:00 -0400
To grasp the significance of Pentecost we will explore the events of Acts 2 this Sunday setting out to answer 3 things. First, what was Pentecost before it was Pentecost? (I.e. what was Jewish Pentecost in the 1st century, before it became known as the Christian event on the church calendar?) Second, how does Pentecost help us understand Paul? And finally, how did Pentecost change everything?

Join us in worship as we celebrate this momentous day in the history of God’s people.
]]>
To grasp the significance of Pentecost we will explore the events of Acts 2 this Sunday setting out to answer 3 things. First, what was Pentecost before it was Pentecost? (I.e. what was Jewish Pentecost in the 1st century, before it became known as the Christian event on the church calendar?) Second, how does Pentecost help us understand Paul? And finally, how did Pentecost change everything?

Join us in worship as we celebrate this momentous day in the history of God’s people.
]]>
To grasp the significance of Pentecost we will explore the events of Acts 2 this Sunday setting out to answer 3 things. First, what was Pentecost before it was Pentecost? (I.e. what was Jewish Pentecost in the 1st century, before it became known as the Christian event on the church calendar?) Second, how does Pentecost help us understand Paul? And finally, how did Pentecost change everything?

Join us in worship as we celebrate this momentous day in the history of God’s people.
]]> false God’s Original and Restorative Mission of Life full podcastepisode_40d53b0ebb954f91bd1079bee7a34d7b Sun, 12 May 2024 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Becoming People of God's Mission What is God's Mission? full podcastepisode_11e2362e58f34657be0cddd93588591f Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:45:00 -0400
The right question for the church to ask itself is, “What is God’s mission?” Once we find out what that is, we certainly ought to do everything we can by His grace to join right in. In fact, Genesis 1–2  tell us that we were made to be God’s representatives in His mission in the world.

What is God’s original mission? What is God’s redemptive and restorative mission? How do the two relate? What is our role in them?

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series “Becoming People of God’s Mission” and explore the answers to those questions right from the start.
]]>
The right question for the church to ask itself is, “What is God’s mission?” Once we find out what that is, we certainly ought to do everything we can by His grace to join right in. In fact, Genesis 1–2  tell us that we were made to be God’s representatives in His mission in the world.

What is God’s original mission? What is God’s redemptive and restorative mission? How do the two relate? What is our role in them?

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series “Becoming People of God’s Mission” and explore the answers to those questions right from the start.
]]>
The right question for the church to ask itself is, “What is God’s mission?” Once we find out what that is, we certainly ought to do everything we can by His grace to join right in. In fact, Genesis 1–2  tell us that we were made to be God’s representatives in His mission in the world.

What is God’s original mission? What is God’s redemptive and restorative mission? How do the two relate? What is our role in them?

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series “Becoming People of God’s Mission” and explore the answers to those questions right from the start.
]]> false Lord, teach us to pray! full podcastepisode_8558e88ae82947f9831f45e28c69bcd0 Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:45:00 -0400
We’ve spent 4 weeks focused on Becoming a Praying Church as an essential part of what it means to fulfill our calling as a royal priesthood and holy people. This Sunday we will explore what has been given to us as an essential tool for formation into a church becoming a praying church.

Join us this Sunday as we explore 3 key ways the Lord’s Prayer shapes us into a people that are becoming a praying church that knows what it ought to be praying for.
]]>
We’ve spent 4 weeks focused on Becoming a Praying Church as an essential part of what it means to fulfill our calling as a royal priesthood and holy people. This Sunday we will explore what has been given to us as an essential tool for formation into a church becoming a praying church.

Join us this Sunday as we explore 3 key ways the Lord’s Prayer shapes us into a people that are becoming a praying church that knows what it ought to be praying for.
]]>
We’ve spent 4 weeks focused on Becoming a Praying Church as an essential part of what it means to fulfill our calling as a royal priesthood and holy people. This Sunday we will explore what has been given to us as an essential tool for formation into a church becoming a praying church.

Join us this Sunday as we explore 3 key ways the Lord’s Prayer shapes us into a people that are becoming a praying church that knows what it ought to be praying for.
]]> false A Promise For Your Purpose full podcastepisode_8b97020b863d4e73abab350664ef60be Sun, 14 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400
The blessing of God as He involves us in His mission as we bless others we too are blessed.

What does this look like over history and for us now?

Texts: Gal 3:8-9. Gen 1:22, Gen 12:1-3, Ex 19:5-6, Acts 1:8
]]>
The blessing of God as He involves us in His mission as we bless others we too are blessed.

What does this look like over history and for us now?

Texts: Gal 3:8-9. Gen 1:22, Gen 12:1-3, Ex 19:5-6, Acts 1:8
]]>
The blessing of God as He involves us in His mission as we bless others we too are blessed.

What does this look like over history and for us now?

Texts: Gal 3:8-9. Gen 1:22, Gen 12:1-3, Ex 19:5-6, Acts 1:8
]]> false Becoming a Praying Church: Becoming an Interceding Church full podcastepisode_4b8e56d2d43546ffb71ea487dda0eadd Sun, 7 Apr 2024 06:45:00 -0400
This week, in our series Becoming a Praying Church, we are exploring intercession. We will look at what it is and why it is needed, we will see how Israel failed in her calling but also see excellent examples in our rich heritage of intercessors in both the Old and New Testaments. Finally, we will consider the church’s calling to intercede on behalf of the world.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore what it means to be an interceding people, making all kinds of requests to God on behalf of all people (1 Tim. 2:1-6a).
]]>
This week, in our series Becoming a Praying Church, we are exploring intercession. We will look at what it is and why it is needed, we will see how Israel failed in her calling but also see excellent examples in our rich heritage of intercessors in both the Old and New Testaments. Finally, we will consider the church’s calling to intercede on behalf of the world.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore what it means to be an interceding people, making all kinds of requests to God on behalf of all people (1 Tim. 2:1-6a).
]]>
This week, in our series Becoming a Praying Church, we are exploring intercession. We will look at what it is and why it is needed, we will see how Israel failed in her calling but also see excellent examples in our rich heritage of intercessors in both the Old and New Testaments. Finally, we will consider the church’s calling to intercede on behalf of the world.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore what it means to be an interceding people, making all kinds of requests to God on behalf of all people (1 Tim. 2:1-6a).
]]> false Easter 2024: The Day the New Creation Began full podcastepisode_5f85cb12ae46463aa08ddf03aff583df Sun, 31 Mar 2024 06:45:00 -0400
What was the significance of the Resurrection? Why can the first “Easter” rightly be called, “The Day the New Creation Began”? What does that mean for our worship? What does that mean for our lives? Why should it change everything?

Join us this Easter in worship of the risen Lord as we explore John’s account of the Resurrection and how it answers those questions.
]]>
What was the significance of the Resurrection? Why can the first “Easter” rightly be called, “The Day the New Creation Began”? What does that mean for our worship? What does that mean for our lives? Why should it change everything?

Join us this Easter in worship of the risen Lord as we explore John’s account of the Resurrection and how it answers those questions.
]]>
What was the significance of the Resurrection? Why can the first “Easter” rightly be called, “The Day the New Creation Began”? What does that mean for our worship? What does that mean for our lives? Why should it change everything?

Join us this Easter in worship of the risen Lord as we explore John’s account of the Resurrection and how it answers those questions.
]]> false The Insurrectionists Lair or the House of Prayer full podcastepisode_b96e5425959e40e4a7e3c08772dd30f2 Sun, 24 Mar 2024 06:45:00 -0400
We in the modern world have demystified the world so we no longer have any idols, right? Wrong! Idols are any human construct (“made by human hands”) that we trust in rather than God. By that definition, they are as numerous today as at any time.

Join us as we examine our worship of Jesus our King to see if our outpost of the kingdom constitutes a house of prayer or an insurrectionists’ lair.
]]>
We in the modern world have demystified the world so we no longer have any idols, right? Wrong! Idols are any human construct (“made by human hands”) that we trust in rather than God. By that definition, they are as numerous today as at any time.

Join us as we examine our worship of Jesus our King to see if our outpost of the kingdom constitutes a house of prayer or an insurrectionists’ lair.
]]>
We in the modern world have demystified the world so we no longer have any idols, right? Wrong! Idols are any human construct (“made by human hands”) that we trust in rather than God. By that definition, they are as numerous today as at any time.

Join us as we examine our worship of Jesus our King to see if our outpost of the kingdom constitutes a house of prayer or an insurrectionists’ lair.
]]> false Following Faith: Value & Vision full podcastepisode_82551e8bea08400b9be9acfeaa2622b8 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 06:45:00 -0400
Themes:

The endurance of faith comes from having the proper vision of glory. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. The people of Heb. 11 had the vision of the new Kingdom which was their hope, which empowered their faithful endurance.

Selling all to buy the field joyfully because of the treasure.
]]>
Themes:

The endurance of faith comes from having the proper vision of glory. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. The people of Heb. 11 had the vision of the new Kingdom which was their hope, which empowered their faithful endurance.

Selling all to buy the field joyfully because of the treasure.
]]>
Themes:

The endurance of faith comes from having the proper vision of glory. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. The people of Heb. 11 had the vision of the new Kingdom which was their hope, which empowered their faithful endurance.

Selling all to buy the field joyfully because of the treasure.
]]> false Becoming a Praying Church (2) full podcastepisode_f2025839ddac4cd49a442ed6b6ae71df Sun, 10 Mar 2024 06:45:00 -0400
“While conflicts raged between good and evil, prayers went up from devout bands of first century Christians all over the Roman empire. Massive engines of persecution and scorn were ranged against them. They had neither weapons nor votes. They had little money and no prestige. Why didn’t they have mental breakdowns? Why didn’t they cut and run? They prayed.
“It was in order to hear those prayers that there was silence in heaven [Rev. 8:1-3]. He mixed the prayers of the Christians with incense (which cleansed them from impurities) and combined them with fire (God’s Spirit) from the altar. Then he put it all in the censor and threw it over heaven’s ramparts. The censor, plummeting through the air, landed on earth. On impact there were ‘peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lighting, and an earthquake’ (Rev. 8:5). The prayers which had ascended, unremarked by the journalists of the day, returned with immense force—in George’s Herbert’s phrase, as ‘reversed thunder.’ Prayer reenters history with incalculable effects. Our earth is shaken daily by it.”

Oh that we would see clearly the power unleashed through prayer in the world. May we become a praying church crying out, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Join us as we continue our series: A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People: Becoming a Praying Church.
]]>
“While conflicts raged between good and evil, prayers went up from devout bands of first century Christians all over the Roman empire. Massive engines of persecution and scorn were ranged against them. They had neither weapons nor votes. They had little money and no prestige. Why didn’t they have mental breakdowns? Why didn’t they cut and run? They prayed.
“It was in order to hear those prayers that there was silence in heaven [Rev. 8:1-3]. He mixed the prayers of the Christians with incense (which cleansed them from impurities) and combined them with fire (God’s Spirit) from the altar. Then he put it all in the censor and threw it over heaven’s ramparts. The censor, plummeting through the air, landed on earth. On impact there were ‘peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lighting, and an earthquake’ (Rev. 8:5). The prayers which had ascended, unremarked by the journalists of the day, returned with immense force—in George’s Herbert’s phrase, as ‘reversed thunder.’ Prayer reenters history with incalculable effects. Our earth is shaken daily by it.”

Oh that we would see clearly the power unleashed through prayer in the world. May we become a praying church crying out, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Join us as we continue our series: A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People: Becoming a Praying Church.
]]>
“While conflicts raged between good and evil, prayers went up from devout bands of first century Christians all over the Roman empire. Massive engines of persecution and scorn were ranged against them. They had neither weapons nor votes. They had little money and no prestige. Why didn’t they have mental breakdowns? Why didn’t they cut and run? They prayed.
“It was in order to hear those prayers that there was silence in heaven [Rev. 8:1-3]. He mixed the prayers of the Christians with incense (which cleansed them from impurities) and combined them with fire (God’s Spirit) from the altar. Then he put it all in the censor and threw it over heaven’s ramparts. The censor, plummeting through the air, landed on earth. On impact there were ‘peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lighting, and an earthquake’ (Rev. 8:5). The prayers which had ascended, unremarked by the journalists of the day, returned with immense force—in George’s Herbert’s phrase, as ‘reversed thunder.’ Prayer reenters history with incalculable effects. Our earth is shaken daily by it.”

Oh that we would see clearly the power unleashed through prayer in the world. May we become a praying church crying out, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Join us as we continue our series: A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People: Becoming a Praying Church.
]]> false Becoming a Praying Church full podcastepisode_feab85a7393d43e5ab8370f4706150af Sun, 3 Mar 2024 05:45:00 -0400
We begin a new series this week. It grows out of the previous one. In fact, it will be a large series that will encompass a number of smaller series. The large series is “A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People.” The first miniseries within it is: “Becoming a Praying Church.”

Just wait until you see how greater Gospel clarity transforms the meaning and motivation of prayer. We will begin this series on Becoming a Praying Church in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).

Join us in worship as we see the vital connection between the Gospel, our mission, and prayer.
]]>
We begin a new series this week. It grows out of the previous one. In fact, it will be a large series that will encompass a number of smaller series. The large series is “A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People.” The first miniseries within it is: “Becoming a Praying Church.”

Just wait until you see how greater Gospel clarity transforms the meaning and motivation of prayer. We will begin this series on Becoming a Praying Church in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).

Join us in worship as we see the vital connection between the Gospel, our mission, and prayer.
]]>
We begin a new series this week. It grows out of the previous one. In fact, it will be a large series that will encompass a number of smaller series. The large series is “A Royal Priesthood – A Holy People.” The first miniseries within it is: “Becoming a Praying Church.”

Just wait until you see how greater Gospel clarity transforms the meaning and motivation of prayer. We will begin this series on Becoming a Praying Church in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).

Join us in worship as we see the vital connection between the Gospel, our mission, and prayer.
]]> false Following Faith full podcastepisode_9596c522ad634abf91808e06a42a7a1f Sun, 25 Feb 2024 05:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Paul’s Clearest Gospel Summary full podcastepisode_d964afe8f26b4f4d888d584a34bd3ac4 Sun, 18 Feb 2024 05:45:00 -0400
What if I were to suggest to you, however, that this may be the best thing that has happened to the church. I know, many might screw up their faces looking at me in response, but there is actually a wonderful benefit to all of the above for the church. [If you have a hard time conceiving of that being the case, I need only remind you that the church often flourishes in times of persecution. If that can be true of persecution, certainly it can be true of a mere loss of cultural power.]

You might wonder what any of this has to do with Gospel clarity. As we finish our series: Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it?, we are going to look at what might be Paul’s clearest Gospel summary (Rom. 1:1-7). Understanding the Gospel with clarity may help us understand why the church may well be in a great place for Gospel advance.
]]>
What if I were to suggest to you, however, that this may be the best thing that has happened to the church. I know, many might screw up their faces looking at me in response, but there is actually a wonderful benefit to all of the above for the church. [If you have a hard time conceiving of that being the case, I need only remind you that the church often flourishes in times of persecution. If that can be true of persecution, certainly it can be true of a mere loss of cultural power.]

You might wonder what any of this has to do with Gospel clarity. As we finish our series: Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it?, we are going to look at what might be Paul’s clearest Gospel summary (Rom. 1:1-7). Understanding the Gospel with clarity may help us understand why the church may well be in a great place for Gospel advance.
]]>
What if I were to suggest to you, however, that this may be the best thing that has happened to the church. I know, many might screw up their faces looking at me in response, but there is actually a wonderful benefit to all of the above for the church. [If you have a hard time conceiving of that being the case, I need only remind you that the church often flourishes in times of persecution. If that can be true of persecution, certainly it can be true of a mere loss of cultural power.]

You might wonder what any of this has to do with Gospel clarity. As we finish our series: Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it?, we are going to look at what might be Paul’s clearest Gospel summary (Rom. 1:1-7). Understanding the Gospel with clarity may help us understand why the church may well be in a great place for Gospel advance.
]]> false The Gospel is a Story of Glory full podcastepisode_f8206005434940b18f905e7b0326f280 Sun, 11 Feb 2024 05:45:00 -0400
In our rebellion against God, we’ve substituted our own glory, a weak substitute that is actually killing us slowly (like carbon monoxide seeping into a home). But we know we must keep moving toward glory. We need to be redirected to true glory. That is what the Gospel is all about, for the human problem is that because of sin, we lack the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

This week in our series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it? we will learn why the Gospel is all about glory. In fact, why Paul even calls it “the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” Indeed it’s not just about the glory of Christ (kept only for Him), but about how Christ’s glory increases as He shares it with us.

Join us in worshiping our risen and reigning King.
]]>
In our rebellion against God, we’ve substituted our own glory, a weak substitute that is actually killing us slowly (like carbon monoxide seeping into a home). But we know we must keep moving toward glory. We need to be redirected to true glory. That is what the Gospel is all about, for the human problem is that because of sin, we lack the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

This week in our series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it? we will learn why the Gospel is all about glory. In fact, why Paul even calls it “the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” Indeed it’s not just about the glory of Christ (kept only for Him), but about how Christ’s glory increases as He shares it with us.

Join us in worshiping our risen and reigning King.
]]>
In our rebellion against God, we’ve substituted our own glory, a weak substitute that is actually killing us slowly (like carbon monoxide seeping into a home). But we know we must keep moving toward glory. We need to be redirected to true glory. That is what the Gospel is all about, for the human problem is that because of sin, we lack the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

This week in our series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we need it? we will learn why the Gospel is all about glory. In fact, why Paul even calls it “the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” Indeed it’s not just about the glory of Christ (kept only for Him), but about how Christ’s glory increases as He shares it with us.

Join us in worshiping our risen and reigning King.
]]> false Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why Do We Need It? (2) full podcastepisode_b9265525849544d38b62df27b4682c9e Sun, 4 Feb 2024 05:45:00 -0400
Deep down, I believe Guinness is right and the Gospel calls us to that very purpose and equips us so we are able to fulfill it. (All good Evangelicals will say, “Amen!” here. But if pressed to explain how, we may well be stuck.)

Last week we began a series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we Need It? If we have a truncated Gospel we will likely not understand how it calls us to “the purpose for which we are here on earth” or equips us to fulfill it. Sadly, for many Christians, the Gospel is about the next life and has little or nothing to do with this life. If that is true of our Gospel, then it is, at best, a truncated Gospel, or Gospel-lite with half the spiritual calories.

We began this series in Isaiah 52:7 exploring what the Gospel is and why that matters. We will pick up this week in what may be Paul’s earliest letter, 1 Thessalonians, and explore the Gospel that calls us “to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). Does your Gospel call you to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory? If not, it should. If so, how so?

Join us in worship as we explore Gospel Clarity.
]]>
Deep down, I believe Guinness is right and the Gospel calls us to that very purpose and equips us so we are able to fulfill it. (All good Evangelicals will say, “Amen!” here. But if pressed to explain how, we may well be stuck.)

Last week we began a series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we Need It? If we have a truncated Gospel we will likely not understand how it calls us to “the purpose for which we are here on earth” or equips us to fulfill it. Sadly, for many Christians, the Gospel is about the next life and has little or nothing to do with this life. If that is true of our Gospel, then it is, at best, a truncated Gospel, or Gospel-lite with half the spiritual calories.

We began this series in Isaiah 52:7 exploring what the Gospel is and why that matters. We will pick up this week in what may be Paul’s earliest letter, 1 Thessalonians, and explore the Gospel that calls us “to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). Does your Gospel call you to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory? If not, it should. If so, how so?

Join us in worship as we explore Gospel Clarity.
]]>
Deep down, I believe Guinness is right and the Gospel calls us to that very purpose and equips us so we are able to fulfill it. (All good Evangelicals will say, “Amen!” here. But if pressed to explain how, we may well be stuck.)

Last week we began a series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why do we Need It? If we have a truncated Gospel we will likely not understand how it calls us to “the purpose for which we are here on earth” or equips us to fulfill it. Sadly, for many Christians, the Gospel is about the next life and has little or nothing to do with this life. If that is true of our Gospel, then it is, at best, a truncated Gospel, or Gospel-lite with half the spiritual calories.

We began this series in Isaiah 52:7 exploring what the Gospel is and why that matters. We will pick up this week in what may be Paul’s earliest letter, 1 Thessalonians, and explore the Gospel that calls us “to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). Does your Gospel call you to walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory? If not, it should. If so, how so?

Join us in worship as we explore Gospel Clarity.
]]> false Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel? Why Do We Need It? full podcastepisode_b6479b0c61f34ec89c126b2df4f75549 Sun, 28 Jan 2024 05:45:00 -0400
Have you ever read the sermons in the book of Acts and noticed how different the emphasis of those sermons seems compared to what might be emphasized in a Gospel sermon today? I have. Early in my preaching ministry it bothered me. It bothered me enough to really think about it.

We’ve all heard that “gospel” means good news, but is it any good news? Is allgood news the Gospel? Certainly not. For that matter, does gospel actually mean good news? I.e. Is etymology (the study of how a word was formed) meaning?

This Sunday we begin a new series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel and Why Do We Need It? We will begin this study looking at Isaiah 52:7, one of the most gospel saturated verses in the Bible.
]]>
Have you ever read the sermons in the book of Acts and noticed how different the emphasis of those sermons seems compared to what might be emphasized in a Gospel sermon today? I have. Early in my preaching ministry it bothered me. It bothered me enough to really think about it.

We’ve all heard that “gospel” means good news, but is it any good news? Is allgood news the Gospel? Certainly not. For that matter, does gospel actually mean good news? I.e. Is etymology (the study of how a word was formed) meaning?

This Sunday we begin a new series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel and Why Do We Need It? We will begin this study looking at Isaiah 52:7, one of the most gospel saturated verses in the Bible.
]]>
Have you ever read the sermons in the book of Acts and noticed how different the emphasis of those sermons seems compared to what might be emphasized in a Gospel sermon today? I have. Early in my preaching ministry it bothered me. It bothered me enough to really think about it.

We’ve all heard that “gospel” means good news, but is it any good news? Is allgood news the Gospel? Certainly not. For that matter, does gospel actually mean good news? I.e. Is etymology (the study of how a word was formed) meaning?

This Sunday we begin a new series, Gospel Clarity: What is the Gospel and Why Do We Need It? We will begin this study looking at Isaiah 52:7, one of the most gospel saturated verses in the Bible.
]]> false On Earth as it is in Heaven full podcastepisode_003984345a0d4718ac905337102b4255 Sun, 21 Jan 2024 05:45:00 -0400
Revelation 21-22 is not only about the future, it has a lot to do with the present, a present which is anchored in a sure future. The visions of John call us out of the earthly city, Babylon, the capitol city of the Beast, and call us to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the Lamb.

As believers we are called to live as citizens of the New Jerusalem now. We may live here, but we are to live here as if we are from there.

Join us in worship as we finish our series in Revelation, seeking to understand the what and when of the New Jerusalem, and how John’s vision calls us to live today.
]]>
Revelation 21-22 is not only about the future, it has a lot to do with the present, a present which is anchored in a sure future. The visions of John call us out of the earthly city, Babylon, the capitol city of the Beast, and call us to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the Lamb.

As believers we are called to live as citizens of the New Jerusalem now. We may live here, but we are to live here as if we are from there.

Join us in worship as we finish our series in Revelation, seeking to understand the what and when of the New Jerusalem, and how John’s vision calls us to live today.
]]>
Revelation 21-22 is not only about the future, it has a lot to do with the present, a present which is anchored in a sure future. The visions of John call us out of the earthly city, Babylon, the capitol city of the Beast, and call us to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the Lamb.

As believers we are called to live as citizens of the New Jerusalem now. We may live here, but we are to live here as if we are from there.

Join us in worship as we finish our series in Revelation, seeking to understand the what and when of the New Jerusalem, and how John’s vision calls us to live today.
]]> false The Why, Where, and What of the Millennium full podcastepisode_1ee3f99a2efa42008290ef4b231f7d0a Sun, 14 Jan 2024 05:45:00 -0400
That said, we will have arrived at Revelation 20 tomorrow morning, and it will be necessary to explain the chapter. For that matter to explain what those terms in the first line of the email even mean. We will do this by exploring the text itself and the rest of the NT.

We have 2 more messages, including this one, in our series in Revelation. And they surprisingly have more to do with “today” than you might suspect for texts about the millennium and the new heaven and the new earth.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration in Revelation.
]]>
That said, we will have arrived at Revelation 20 tomorrow morning, and it will be necessary to explain the chapter. For that matter to explain what those terms in the first line of the email even mean. We will do this by exploring the text itself and the rest of the NT.

We have 2 more messages, including this one, in our series in Revelation. And they surprisingly have more to do with “today” than you might suspect for texts about the millennium and the new heaven and the new earth.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration in Revelation.
]]>
That said, we will have arrived at Revelation 20 tomorrow morning, and it will be necessary to explain the chapter. For that matter to explain what those terms in the first line of the email even mean. We will do this by exploring the text itself and the rest of the NT.

We have 2 more messages, including this one, in our series in Revelation. And they surprisingly have more to do with “today” than you might suspect for texts about the millennium and the new heaven and the new earth.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration in Revelation.
]]> false How To Wait full podcastepisode_bfa0328c3abb43a985cbe9df3afd681b Sun, 7 Jan 2024 05:45:00 -0400
In looking for more complete understanding of these troubling events, we can seem to get fixated on the signs of His return and also on when His return will occur.

Yet if we look at the teaching of Jesus in his end times teaching in Matthew 24 and 25, we see that Jesus focused His disciples on HOW to wait for his return rather than answering their question of when he will return.

There is much to be gained here. Join us in worship as we explore what He told his disciples about how to wait in the parable of the bags of gold.
]]>
In looking for more complete understanding of these troubling events, we can seem to get fixated on the signs of His return and also on when His return will occur.

Yet if we look at the teaching of Jesus in his end times teaching in Matthew 24 and 25, we see that Jesus focused His disciples on HOW to wait for his return rather than answering their question of when he will return.

There is much to be gained here. Join us in worship as we explore what He told his disciples about how to wait in the parable of the bags of gold.
]]>
In looking for more complete understanding of these troubling events, we can seem to get fixated on the signs of His return and also on when His return will occur.

Yet if we look at the teaching of Jesus in his end times teaching in Matthew 24 and 25, we see that Jesus focused His disciples on HOW to wait for his return rather than answering their question of when he will return.

There is much to be gained here. Join us in worship as we explore what He told his disciples about how to wait in the parable of the bags of gold.
]]> false Pursuing Patience full podcastepisode_db069332177f406ba5c4ea5ad23cc9b6 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit, is something that is formed in us by God as He molds and shapes us to become more like Jesus. When we express patience, rooted in the love of God, we show off God for the world to see.

Join us in worship as we look at Romans 8:18-39.
]]>
Patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit, is something that is formed in us by God as He molds and shapes us to become more like Jesus. When we express patience, rooted in the love of God, we show off God for the world to see.

Join us in worship as we look at Romans 8:18-39.
]]>
Patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit, is something that is formed in us by God as He molds and shapes us to become more like Jesus. When we express patience, rooted in the love of God, we show off God for the world to see.

Join us in worship as we look at Romans 8:18-39.
]]> false Has Jesus Disturbed Your World? full podcastepisode_6239e52a0b7d4db6a3fca8c9e3dcfe3f Sun, 24 Dec 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Whether you were ignorant of the events, a relative of Joseph and Mary’s, or Joseph or Mary, your life was upended. It is true that Jesus is the hope of the world, but that hope came more like a pregnancy than a beautiful baby set in a basket on one’s doorstep. Like pregnancy, it was fraught with difficulty and would bring pain before it brought great joy! (For those new parents, I realize that all is not paradise once the baby is born!)

When God reveals Himself, it disrupts our lives and the coming of Jesus is God revealing Himself more clearly than at any other time. The coming of Jesus disturbs everyone in the birth narrative of Matthew.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the coming of Christ.
]]>
Whether you were ignorant of the events, a relative of Joseph and Mary’s, or Joseph or Mary, your life was upended. It is true that Jesus is the hope of the world, but that hope came more like a pregnancy than a beautiful baby set in a basket on one’s doorstep. Like pregnancy, it was fraught with difficulty and would bring pain before it brought great joy! (For those new parents, I realize that all is not paradise once the baby is born!)

When God reveals Himself, it disrupts our lives and the coming of Jesus is God revealing Himself more clearly than at any other time. The coming of Jesus disturbs everyone in the birth narrative of Matthew.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the coming of Christ.
]]>
Whether you were ignorant of the events, a relative of Joseph and Mary’s, or Joseph or Mary, your life was upended. It is true that Jesus is the hope of the world, but that hope came more like a pregnancy than a beautiful baby set in a basket on one’s doorstep. Like pregnancy, it was fraught with difficulty and would bring pain before it brought great joy! (For those new parents, I realize that all is not paradise once the baby is born!)

When God reveals Himself, it disrupts our lives and the coming of Jesus is God revealing Himself more clearly than at any other time. The coming of Jesus disturbs everyone in the birth narrative of Matthew.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the coming of Christ.
]]> false Come Out of Her My People! full podcastepisode_6461506ccb2340cb9908c1580287030b Sun, 17 Dec 2023 05:45:00 -0400
We often think that these cities live in chronological sequence: the earthly city and then the heavenly city. So that the call to come out of the earthly city is a call to isolate and wait. But Scripture doesn’t present it that way. Rather the citizens of each city bump shoulders on the streets of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Laodicea, as well as Tampa Bay and London. How we live reveals whether we live in the New Jerusalem or Babylon.

Revelation 17-19 are not a message about how things will be one day when the stars (or current events) align, but are a call to those in the church today; a call to come out of one city and live in another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series in Revelation.
]]>
We often think that these cities live in chronological sequence: the earthly city and then the heavenly city. So that the call to come out of the earthly city is a call to isolate and wait. But Scripture doesn’t present it that way. Rather the citizens of each city bump shoulders on the streets of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Laodicea, as well as Tampa Bay and London. How we live reveals whether we live in the New Jerusalem or Babylon.

Revelation 17-19 are not a message about how things will be one day when the stars (or current events) align, but are a call to those in the church today; a call to come out of one city and live in another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series in Revelation.
]]>
We often think that these cities live in chronological sequence: the earthly city and then the heavenly city. So that the call to come out of the earthly city is a call to isolate and wait. But Scripture doesn’t present it that way. Rather the citizens of each city bump shoulders on the streets of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Laodicea, as well as Tampa Bay and London. How we live reveals whether we live in the New Jerusalem or Babylon.

Revelation 17-19 are not a message about how things will be one day when the stars (or current events) align, but are a call to those in the church today; a call to come out of one city and live in another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series in Revelation.
]]> false Seven Bowls, Armageddon, and the Euphrates full podcastepisode_0dcb771af9b74606bda88b58f7e16438 Sun, 10 Dec 2023 05:45:00 -0400
The world and the rulers of this age rage against God and His righteous ways. The consequences are devastating. That little fish was not made to live in a fishbowl, but it was made to live in water. We are all made to live, to flourish within certain confines. And a key confine relates to worship. There is only one God who made all things so to worship and follow any other leads to destruction.

This week we look at the final series of 7 “disasters” (the seven bowls of wrath) which come upon those who refuse to repent of their idolatry. Honestly this section raises a lot of questions for most which we will explore.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 15-16.
]]>
The world and the rulers of this age rage against God and His righteous ways. The consequences are devastating. That little fish was not made to live in a fishbowl, but it was made to live in water. We are all made to live, to flourish within certain confines. And a key confine relates to worship. There is only one God who made all things so to worship and follow any other leads to destruction.

This week we look at the final series of 7 “disasters” (the seven bowls of wrath) which come upon those who refuse to repent of their idolatry. Honestly this section raises a lot of questions for most which we will explore.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 15-16.
]]>
The world and the rulers of this age rage against God and His righteous ways. The consequences are devastating. That little fish was not made to live in a fishbowl, but it was made to live in water. We are all made to live, to flourish within certain confines. And a key confine relates to worship. There is only one God who made all things so to worship and follow any other leads to destruction.

This week we look at the final series of 7 “disasters” (the seven bowls of wrath) which come upon those who refuse to repent of their idolatry. Honestly this section raises a lot of questions for most which we will explore.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 15-16.
]]> false Kingdom Transfer-Mation full podcastepisode_3be442e0f7a4412ea90464f1c2704056 Sun, 3 Dec 2023 05:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false The Call for Patient Endurance full podcastepisode_08fc794a491046728bbf4837cf3f4ede Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Is this a declaration that the Lamb slain is now slaying a bunch of others in order to harvest the earth? Has he finally become the Lion we really wanted after all and given up on this silly lamb-like behavior? How are we to read this harvest of the earth and all this blood?

This Sunday we will slow down a little in our series, our text overlapping with last week’s text, and explore other themes that have to do with how the Lamb intends to harvest the earth and our own role in it. We will learn,

“Revelation’s visions of judgment do not ultimately conflict with the central and centering vision of God and the Lamb in chapters 4 and 5.” (Michael J. Gorman. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation. 185)

Join us in worship as we explore afresh Revelation 13:9—14:20.
]]>
Is this a declaration that the Lamb slain is now slaying a bunch of others in order to harvest the earth? Has he finally become the Lion we really wanted after all and given up on this silly lamb-like behavior? How are we to read this harvest of the earth and all this blood?

This Sunday we will slow down a little in our series, our text overlapping with last week’s text, and explore other themes that have to do with how the Lamb intends to harvest the earth and our own role in it. We will learn,

“Revelation’s visions of judgment do not ultimately conflict with the central and centering vision of God and the Lamb in chapters 4 and 5.” (Michael J. Gorman. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation. 185)

Join us in worship as we explore afresh Revelation 13:9—14:20.
]]>
Is this a declaration that the Lamb slain is now slaying a bunch of others in order to harvest the earth? Has he finally become the Lion we really wanted after all and given up on this silly lamb-like behavior? How are we to read this harvest of the earth and all this blood?

This Sunday we will slow down a little in our series, our text overlapping with last week’s text, and explore other themes that have to do with how the Lamb intends to harvest the earth and our own role in it. We will learn,

“Revelation’s visions of judgment do not ultimately conflict with the central and centering vision of God and the Lamb in chapters 4 and 5.” (Michael J. Gorman. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation. 185)

Join us in worship as we explore afresh Revelation 13:9—14:20.
]]> false The Ways of the Beasts or the Lamb? full podcastepisode_f83b402d931a4d5a99a8c9826d021fc5 Sun, 19 Nov 2023 05:45:00 -0400
In our study of Revelation, this Sunday we arrive at the account of the Beasts out of the Sea and the Land. Who are these beasts? What is this meaning of 666? How do we the church do battle in the ways of the Lamb rather than succumbing to the ways of the Beasts?

The beasts of imperial worship in John’s day have morphed into new disguises today, but that is exactly what Babylon has done throughout history. It is important that we, the church, don’t get distracted by trying to figure out who the beast is, or when he will arrive, all the while he is present among us and we may well be bowing in worship without even thinking about it.

Join us in worship as we explore the two beasts of Revelation and our call to patient endurance and faithfulness.
]]>
In our study of Revelation, this Sunday we arrive at the account of the Beasts out of the Sea and the Land. Who are these beasts? What is this meaning of 666? How do we the church do battle in the ways of the Lamb rather than succumbing to the ways of the Beasts?

The beasts of imperial worship in John’s day have morphed into new disguises today, but that is exactly what Babylon has done throughout history. It is important that we, the church, don’t get distracted by trying to figure out who the beast is, or when he will arrive, all the while he is present among us and we may well be bowing in worship without even thinking about it.

Join us in worship as we explore the two beasts of Revelation and our call to patient endurance and faithfulness.
]]>
In our study of Revelation, this Sunday we arrive at the account of the Beasts out of the Sea and the Land. Who are these beasts? What is this meaning of 666? How do we the church do battle in the ways of the Lamb rather than succumbing to the ways of the Beasts?

The beasts of imperial worship in John’s day have morphed into new disguises today, but that is exactly what Babylon has done throughout history. It is important that we, the church, don’t get distracted by trying to figure out who the beast is, or when he will arrive, all the while he is present among us and we may well be bowing in worship without even thinking about it.

Join us in worship as we explore the two beasts of Revelation and our call to patient endurance and faithfulness.
]]> false The Heavenly Throne and God’s Kingdom Come full podcastepisode_e48fb851bd4647a7bd9d23bceace1469 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Revelation takes off the sheet from the masterpiece of history, and shows us what is really going on. That Jesus Christ as the center of history and the transformer of history. The Lamb slain and risen, murdered yet alive, reveals not only the truth about God but constitutes the truth about all of humanity and creation. Jesus is not one of many ways to God; He is the center of history and the sum of its meaning.

In a world which is in idolatrous pursuit of freedom, personal kingdoms, and (most importantly) self-realization, Revelation calls us to come out from among them. We must witness in word and by our lives that Jesus is the only true King of the world, the promised good king for all.

Join us in worship as we continue our study of Revelation in chapters 11-12.
]]>
Revelation takes off the sheet from the masterpiece of history, and shows us what is really going on. That Jesus Christ as the center of history and the transformer of history. The Lamb slain and risen, murdered yet alive, reveals not only the truth about God but constitutes the truth about all of humanity and creation. Jesus is not one of many ways to God; He is the center of history and the sum of its meaning.

In a world which is in idolatrous pursuit of freedom, personal kingdoms, and (most importantly) self-realization, Revelation calls us to come out from among them. We must witness in word and by our lives that Jesus is the only true King of the world, the promised good king for all.

Join us in worship as we continue our study of Revelation in chapters 11-12.
]]>
Revelation takes off the sheet from the masterpiece of history, and shows us what is really going on. That Jesus Christ as the center of history and the transformer of history. The Lamb slain and risen, murdered yet alive, reveals not only the truth about God but constitutes the truth about all of humanity and creation. Jesus is not one of many ways to God; He is the center of history and the sum of its meaning.

In a world which is in idolatrous pursuit of freedom, personal kingdoms, and (most importantly) self-realization, Revelation calls us to come out from among them. We must witness in word and by our lives that Jesus is the only true King of the world, the promised good king for all.

Join us in worship as we continue our study of Revelation in chapters 11-12.
]]> false The Silence, Sound, and Sweet-n-sour Scroll full podcastepisode_00eeb307ecc945fab87f77d055360301 Sun, 5 Nov 2023 05:45:00 -0400
A more helpful approach might be to ask, as we would about any other book of the Bible, what its purpose is. Why it was written to the churches of Asia minor? What would it have meant to them? I find that when I approach the book with this in mind, I find a lot less to argue about and a lot more to agree on. It doesn’t solve everything but it’s a step.

This Sunday we begin with a half hour of silence (no we aren’t leaving out the singing… I’m talking about the half hour of silence in the text), work through one of the noisiest sections in the Bible with trumpets blaring, and will think about one seriously massive angel and his tiny little book-snack.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 8—10 paying attention to the silence, the sound, and the sweet-n-sour scroll.
]]>
A more helpful approach might be to ask, as we would about any other book of the Bible, what its purpose is. Why it was written to the churches of Asia minor? What would it have meant to them? I find that when I approach the book with this in mind, I find a lot less to argue about and a lot more to agree on. It doesn’t solve everything but it’s a step.

This Sunday we begin with a half hour of silence (no we aren’t leaving out the singing… I’m talking about the half hour of silence in the text), work through one of the noisiest sections in the Bible with trumpets blaring, and will think about one seriously massive angel and his tiny little book-snack.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 8—10 paying attention to the silence, the sound, and the sweet-n-sour scroll.
]]>
A more helpful approach might be to ask, as we would about any other book of the Bible, what its purpose is. Why it was written to the churches of Asia minor? What would it have meant to them? I find that when I approach the book with this in mind, I find a lot less to argue about and a lot more to agree on. It doesn’t solve everything but it’s a step.

This Sunday we begin with a half hour of silence (no we aren’t leaving out the singing… I’m talking about the half hour of silence in the text), work through one of the noisiest sections in the Bible with trumpets blaring, and will think about one seriously massive angel and his tiny little book-snack.

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 8—10 paying attention to the silence, the sound, and the sweet-n-sour scroll.
]]> false Exodus, The Sequel (Part 2) full podcastepisode_741eff8783a5487fbcd1b180df9d6f28 Sun, 29 Oct 2023 06:45:00 -0400
What are these “seals” and how are God’s people “sealed”? Who are these four horsemen? What’s the meaning of the 144,000? Who is this great multitude? We will explore the answers to these questions and God’s promise to His suffering people.

Why do God’s people need to be sealed? Why do they need a promise? Because of what it looks like to follow the Lamb. Because as Dana Harris writes:

“The power and strength (political, military, or other) of a lion is not what is needed to defeat evil kings or kingdoms. Instead, it is the surprising vulnerability and weakness of a Lamb, who was slaughtered and resurrected, that vanquishes evil and ushers in the new creation.”

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 6—7 in our series Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]>
What are these “seals” and how are God’s people “sealed”? Who are these four horsemen? What’s the meaning of the 144,000? Who is this great multitude? We will explore the answers to these questions and God’s promise to His suffering people.

Why do God’s people need to be sealed? Why do they need a promise? Because of what it looks like to follow the Lamb. Because as Dana Harris writes:

“The power and strength (political, military, or other) of a lion is not what is needed to defeat evil kings or kingdoms. Instead, it is the surprising vulnerability and weakness of a Lamb, who was slaughtered and resurrected, that vanquishes evil and ushers in the new creation.”

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 6—7 in our series Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]>
What are these “seals” and how are God’s people “sealed”? Who are these four horsemen? What’s the meaning of the 144,000? Who is this great multitude? We will explore the answers to these questions and God’s promise to His suffering people.

Why do God’s people need to be sealed? Why do they need a promise? Because of what it looks like to follow the Lamb. Because as Dana Harris writes:

“The power and strength (political, military, or other) of a lion is not what is needed to defeat evil kings or kingdoms. Instead, it is the surprising vulnerability and weakness of a Lamb, who was slaughtered and resurrected, that vanquishes evil and ushers in the new creation.”

Join us in worship as we explore Revelation 6—7 in our series Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]> false Exodus, The Sequel full podcastepisode_477a853360ba4bdbbf33279b08526cde Sun, 22 Oct 2023 06:45:00 -0400
They would need the book of Revelation, which takes the cover off what we see to show us what is really going on in the world. In it we discover, as it were, that the emperor has no clothes! We learn to worship day and night in a chaotic world. We learn that the ways of the Lamb who was slain, though they require patient endurance, will win in the end.

Revelation comes at the end of a collection (the 65 others books of Scripture) that is about a cosmic war. The rulers of the world rage against God and His messiah and God laughs (Psa. 2). The rulers of this world conquer while God’s ruler is slain. Yet, in the end, the last laugh is God’s.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration of Revelation focusing on chapters 4-5.
]]>
They would need the book of Revelation, which takes the cover off what we see to show us what is really going on in the world. In it we discover, as it were, that the emperor has no clothes! We learn to worship day and night in a chaotic world. We learn that the ways of the Lamb who was slain, though they require patient endurance, will win in the end.

Revelation comes at the end of a collection (the 65 others books of Scripture) that is about a cosmic war. The rulers of the world rage against God and His messiah and God laughs (Psa. 2). The rulers of this world conquer while God’s ruler is slain. Yet, in the end, the last laugh is God’s.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration of Revelation focusing on chapters 4-5.
]]>
They would need the book of Revelation, which takes the cover off what we see to show us what is really going on in the world. In it we discover, as it were, that the emperor has no clothes! We learn to worship day and night in a chaotic world. We learn that the ways of the Lamb who was slain, though they require patient endurance, will win in the end.

Revelation comes at the end of a collection (the 65 others books of Scripture) that is about a cosmic war. The rulers of the world rage against God and His messiah and God laughs (Psa. 2). The rulers of this world conquer while God’s ruler is slain. Yet, in the end, the last laugh is God’s.

Join us in worship as we continue our exploration of Revelation focusing on chapters 4-5.
]]> false The Strange Monsters of Revelation full podcastepisode_f79c16e33be642a2a319b7530b6c7265 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 06:45:00 -0400
I don’t say that because the attack in the Gaza Strip is somehow predicted in Revelation, but because it isn’t. In fact, while all the frenzy is being stirred up about these events and how they (supposedly) relate to Bible prophecy, the church needs a good dose of sobriety. There is never a better time to focus on what Revelation is really about.

Let me be clear: there is no timeline in Scripture to tell us when Jesus is coming back. Unless you think telling us repeatedly “it will be a long time in coming” is a timeline. So if the book of Revelation isn’t a timeline of end time events, then what is it? Now that is an important question.

Join us in worship as we begin again our series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]>
I don’t say that because the attack in the Gaza Strip is somehow predicted in Revelation, but because it isn’t. In fact, while all the frenzy is being stirred up about these events and how they (supposedly) relate to Bible prophecy, the church needs a good dose of sobriety. There is never a better time to focus on what Revelation is really about.

Let me be clear: there is no timeline in Scripture to tell us when Jesus is coming back. Unless you think telling us repeatedly “it will be a long time in coming” is a timeline. So if the book of Revelation isn’t a timeline of end time events, then what is it? Now that is an important question.

Join us in worship as we begin again our series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]>
I don’t say that because the attack in the Gaza Strip is somehow predicted in Revelation, but because it isn’t. In fact, while all the frenzy is being stirred up about these events and how they (supposedly) relate to Bible prophecy, the church needs a good dose of sobriety. There is never a better time to focus on what Revelation is really about.

Let me be clear: there is no timeline in Scripture to tell us when Jesus is coming back. Unless you think telling us repeatedly “it will be a long time in coming” is a timeline. So if the book of Revelation isn’t a timeline of end time events, then what is it? Now that is an important question.

Join us in worship as we begin again our series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Worship and Witness in a Winner-takes-all World.
]]> false Proclaiming the King full podcastepisode_9d69a06a850d4fb8ad232ed26a13d3c6 Sun, 8 Oct 2023 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Praying with Kingdom Imagination full podcastepisode_9728ca76a5f041d0a54e7e3e67539f1f Sun, 1 Oct 2023 06:45:00 -0400
In fact, prayer is essential for a genuine kingdom imagination, and it is essential to experiencing the culture of the Gospel of peace. There’s no wonder that Paul’s message to the Ephesians has prayer woven throughout. It ends encouraging us to pray for one another and that the secret will be fearlessly be made known. That will require fearless words and fearless lives.

Join us for worship as we hear from Ephesians 6:18-20 and about an essential for Gospel culture—prayer. We will also hear from the book of nature, from ants in fact (thanks to An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Reality Around Us, by Ed Yong), about how essential prayer is for Gospel community.
]]>
In fact, prayer is essential for a genuine kingdom imagination, and it is essential to experiencing the culture of the Gospel of peace. There’s no wonder that Paul’s message to the Ephesians has prayer woven throughout. It ends encouraging us to pray for one another and that the secret will be fearlessly be made known. That will require fearless words and fearless lives.

Join us for worship as we hear from Ephesians 6:18-20 and about an essential for Gospel culture—prayer. We will also hear from the book of nature, from ants in fact (thanks to An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Reality Around Us, by Ed Yong), about how essential prayer is for Gospel community.
]]>
In fact, prayer is essential for a genuine kingdom imagination, and it is essential to experiencing the culture of the Gospel of peace. There’s no wonder that Paul’s message to the Ephesians has prayer woven throughout. It ends encouraging us to pray for one another and that the secret will be fearlessly be made known. That will require fearless words and fearless lives.

Join us for worship as we hear from Ephesians 6:18-20 and about an essential for Gospel culture—prayer. We will also hear from the book of nature, from ants in fact (thanks to An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Reality Around Us, by Ed Yong), about how essential prayer is for Gospel community.
]]> false Preparing Yourselves for the Evil Day full podcastepisode_e5d93c8645094795aef8ab8b4fa59944 Sun, 24 Sep 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Paul has been building a theme that climaxes here in this final chapter. As the adopted children of God we are no longer children of rage but children of light. How proper then for us to wear the armor that God’s divine warrior-king, Jesus the Promised King, would wear. It will be necessary in order that we might wage a war that matches our message of peace—as if it were a war on war itself.

How any one of us ever fit into God’s armor? That’s where the secret lies. You can’t fit into God’s armor and were never meant to. Paul had something else in mind.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we freshly explore Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, learning how to imagine the kingdom of our King, Jesus!
]]>
Paul has been building a theme that climaxes here in this final chapter. As the adopted children of God we are no longer children of rage but children of light. How proper then for us to wear the armor that God’s divine warrior-king, Jesus the Promised King, would wear. It will be necessary in order that we might wage a war that matches our message of peace—as if it were a war on war itself.

How any one of us ever fit into God’s armor? That’s where the secret lies. You can’t fit into God’s armor and were never meant to. Paul had something else in mind.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we freshly explore Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, learning how to imagine the kingdom of our King, Jesus!
]]>
Paul has been building a theme that climaxes here in this final chapter. As the adopted children of God we are no longer children of rage but children of light. How proper then for us to wear the armor that God’s divine warrior-king, Jesus the Promised King, would wear. It will be necessary in order that we might wage a war that matches our message of peace—as if it were a war on war itself.

How any one of us ever fit into God’s armor? That’s where the secret lies. You can’t fit into God’s armor and were never meant to. Paul had something else in mind.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we freshly explore Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, learning how to imagine the kingdom of our King, Jesus!
]]> false God’s Subversive Ways of Power full podcastepisode_9807fef56a304ec58629860a2775d203 Sun, 17 Sep 2023 06:45:00 -0400
The church hasn’t needed much help to accomplish the same thing, especially when it comes to verses like those in our text this Sunday: Ephesians 5:20—6:9. Wives submit. Children obey. Slaves obey. Or at least that’s what our minds are often drawn to.

Debates over these words from Paul are usually framed around modern questions and rarely helpful for the change of heart which Paul desires in the church. Was Paul a misogynist? Did he endorse slavery? Was Paul teaching mutual submission between husbands and wives, parents and children, slaves and masters? If so, how realistic is that?

Join us in worship as we seek to get to the heart of Paul’s instructions and hopefully, growing out of this, we will find answers to such questions. More importantly, we will hopefully be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
]]>
The church hasn’t needed much help to accomplish the same thing, especially when it comes to verses like those in our text this Sunday: Ephesians 5:20—6:9. Wives submit. Children obey. Slaves obey. Or at least that’s what our minds are often drawn to.

Debates over these words from Paul are usually framed around modern questions and rarely helpful for the change of heart which Paul desires in the church. Was Paul a misogynist? Did he endorse slavery? Was Paul teaching mutual submission between husbands and wives, parents and children, slaves and masters? If so, how realistic is that?

Join us in worship as we seek to get to the heart of Paul’s instructions and hopefully, growing out of this, we will find answers to such questions. More importantly, we will hopefully be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
]]>
The church hasn’t needed much help to accomplish the same thing, especially when it comes to verses like those in our text this Sunday: Ephesians 5:20—6:9. Wives submit. Children obey. Slaves obey. Or at least that’s what our minds are often drawn to.

Debates over these words from Paul are usually framed around modern questions and rarely helpful for the change of heart which Paul desires in the church. Was Paul a misogynist? Did he endorse slavery? Was Paul teaching mutual submission between husbands and wives, parents and children, slaves and masters? If so, how realistic is that?

Join us in worship as we seek to get to the heart of Paul’s instructions and hopefully, growing out of this, we will find answers to such questions. More importantly, we will hopefully be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
]]> false Living as Children of Light full podcastepisode_511281eb0c9142a9a6d1d629f6c4146f Sun, 10 Sep 2023 06:45:00 -0400
The church isn’t threatened by sin in the world. It is only threatened by sin in the church. Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:3-20, reminds us of the importance for us, the church, to live as children of light. It is only as children of light that we can shine light that will expose deeds of darkness such that people might turn to the light and be saved.

Join us in worship as we continue in our series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
The church isn’t threatened by sin in the world. It is only threatened by sin in the church. Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:3-20, reminds us of the importance for us, the church, to live as children of light. It is only as children of light that we can shine light that will expose deeds of darkness such that people might turn to the light and be saved.

Join us in worship as we continue in our series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
The church isn’t threatened by sin in the world. It is only threatened by sin in the church. Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:3-20, reminds us of the importance for us, the church, to live as children of light. It is only as children of light that we can shine light that will expose deeds of darkness such that people might turn to the light and be saved.

Join us in worship as we continue in our series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]> false Restored Imitators of God full podcastepisode_24b8b2d72cc14105b7cd3fc7f0b22880 Sun, 3 Sep 2023 06:45:00 -0400
What does it mean to be human? What is that “something” toward which we are oriented? What are we to be moving toward? Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:1-2, is all about that something toward which we are to be oriented. It is all about how the grand drama of the Gospel restores humanity to what we were made to be.

The fact is, as believers in Jesus, we have been cast as characters in the grand drama of the Gospel and we need to learn our  role and live it. Join us this Sunday as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.”
]]>
What does it mean to be human? What is that “something” toward which we are oriented? What are we to be moving toward? Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:1-2, is all about that something toward which we are to be oriented. It is all about how the grand drama of the Gospel restores humanity to what we were made to be.

The fact is, as believers in Jesus, we have been cast as characters in the grand drama of the Gospel and we need to learn our  role and live it. Join us this Sunday as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.”
]]>
What does it mean to be human? What is that “something” toward which we are oriented? What are we to be moving toward? Our text this Sunday, Ephesians 5:1-2, is all about that something toward which we are to be oriented. It is all about how the grand drama of the Gospel restores humanity to what we were made to be.

The fact is, as believers in Jesus, we have been cast as characters in the grand drama of the Gospel and we need to learn our  role and live it. Join us this Sunday as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.”
]]> false Becoming Like Jesus in a Broken World full podcastepisode_132651c7d0734dea89ce0ce6e2699ab5 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Why Do I Keep Doing the Things I Do? full podcastepisode_9e6c727a778648f38f274084e7acb43d Sun, 20 Aug 2023 06:45:00 -0400
In Ephesians 1:3—4:16 Paul painted a glorious vision of a whole new world. One in which walls of hostility that incite rage between humans have been broken down. One in which the people of God, Jew and Gentile, have made the love of Christ their own and walk in all the fullness of God. One in which the church has been given by God as a gift to the world. But there’s a catch.

I know. There’s always a catch. The catch is our destructive desires. We keep harming one another instead of loving one another. Paul knows that its because, “The heart wants what it wants.” He speaks of a new way… a new humanity rooted in Jesus that we must become.

Join us in worship as we explore Ephesians 4:17-32 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom, answering the question, “Why do I keep doing the things that I do?”
]]>
In Ephesians 1:3—4:16 Paul painted a glorious vision of a whole new world. One in which walls of hostility that incite rage between humans have been broken down. One in which the people of God, Jew and Gentile, have made the love of Christ their own and walk in all the fullness of God. One in which the church has been given by God as a gift to the world. But there’s a catch.

I know. There’s always a catch. The catch is our destructive desires. We keep harming one another instead of loving one another. Paul knows that its because, “The heart wants what it wants.” He speaks of a new way… a new humanity rooted in Jesus that we must become.

Join us in worship as we explore Ephesians 4:17-32 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom, answering the question, “Why do I keep doing the things that I do?”
]]>
In Ephesians 1:3—4:16 Paul painted a glorious vision of a whole new world. One in which walls of hostility that incite rage between humans have been broken down. One in which the people of God, Jew and Gentile, have made the love of Christ their own and walk in all the fullness of God. One in which the church has been given by God as a gift to the world. But there’s a catch.

I know. There’s always a catch. The catch is our destructive desires. We keep harming one another instead of loving one another. Paul knows that its because, “The heart wants what it wants.” He speaks of a new way… a new humanity rooted in Jesus that we must become.

Join us in worship as we explore Ephesians 4:17-32 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom, answering the question, “Why do I keep doing the things that I do?”
]]> false Captives Led Captive full podcastepisode_ba6396c9a03d48939d4a03e07540c511 Sun, 13 Aug 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Yes. At least I am pretty sure I need to learn how to walk physically like most, but I know that we all need to learn how to walk in a way that corresponds to our calling. God has called us to something in Christ, and we don’t walk in it naturally. We must change how we walk.

Join us in worship, as we turn our attention to Ephesians 4:1-16, we find Paul getting to the heart of how the first 3 chapters call us to a whole new way of life. Indeed, they bind us to this new way of living.
]]>
Yes. At least I am pretty sure I need to learn how to walk physically like most, but I know that we all need to learn how to walk in a way that corresponds to our calling. God has called us to something in Christ, and we don’t walk in it naturally. We must change how we walk.

Join us in worship, as we turn our attention to Ephesians 4:1-16, we find Paul getting to the heart of how the first 3 chapters call us to a whole new way of life. Indeed, they bind us to this new way of living.
]]>
Yes. At least I am pretty sure I need to learn how to walk physically like most, but I know that we all need to learn how to walk in a way that corresponds to our calling. God has called us to something in Christ, and we don’t walk in it naturally. We must change how we walk.

Join us in worship, as we turn our attention to Ephesians 4:1-16, we find Paul getting to the heart of how the first 3 chapters call us to a whole new way of life. Indeed, they bind us to this new way of living.
]]> false Prayer for Power to Perform the Promise full podcastepisode_d22765da29f34de2a7a5fa7de620b074 Sun, 6 Aug 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Is that enough? Is it just enough for Paul to tell us (and for us to read it) that all of this is true? Can we now just go out and live it? My experience tells me, “No!” My experience as a Christian, a parent, and a pastor tells me that it doesn’t work that way. This explains why the grand claims contained in Ephesians are accompanied by a ton of prayer.

How do we change? What is needed? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 answer these questions. Join us in worship as we continue our series Imagining the Kingdom and our walk through Ephesians.
]]>
Is that enough? Is it just enough for Paul to tell us (and for us to read it) that all of this is true? Can we now just go out and live it? My experience tells me, “No!” My experience as a Christian, a parent, and a pastor tells me that it doesn’t work that way. This explains why the grand claims contained in Ephesians are accompanied by a ton of prayer.

How do we change? What is needed? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 answer these questions. Join us in worship as we continue our series Imagining the Kingdom and our walk through Ephesians.
]]>
Is that enough? Is it just enough for Paul to tell us (and for us to read it) that all of this is true? Can we now just go out and live it? My experience tells me, “No!” My experience as a Christian, a parent, and a pastor tells me that it doesn’t work that way. This explains why the grand claims contained in Ephesians are accompanied by a ton of prayer.

How do we change? What is needed? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 answer these questions. Join us in worship as we continue our series Imagining the Kingdom and our walk through Ephesians.
]]> false Cosmic War – Cosmic Reconciliation full podcastepisode_682fad4ee0c24e19b867a29c02d37465 Sun, 30 Jul 2023 06:45:00 -0400
We do have an enemy, but we must rightly identify the enemy and understand how he works. Until then, we are apt to fall right into the traps the enemy sets. Hostility will only increase. And we are prone to such traps because we were born with a nature of impulsive anger.

The Gospel is the story about how God bears all the hostility which humanity could give him (Jews and Gentiles alike band together to crucify Jesus) and forgives us. He doesn’t retaliate. It is more than that, but not less. As Paul puts it to the Corinthians, God is not holding their sins against them (2 Cor. 5:19). Ephesians 2 is about what God has done to reconcile the world to Himself, and humans, whether Jew or Gentile, to one another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.” As we worship together, may our imaginations be reshaped to see the world as God is remaking it!
]]>
We do have an enemy, but we must rightly identify the enemy and understand how he works. Until then, we are apt to fall right into the traps the enemy sets. Hostility will only increase. And we are prone to such traps because we were born with a nature of impulsive anger.

The Gospel is the story about how God bears all the hostility which humanity could give him (Jews and Gentiles alike band together to crucify Jesus) and forgives us. He doesn’t retaliate. It is more than that, but not less. As Paul puts it to the Corinthians, God is not holding their sins against them (2 Cor. 5:19). Ephesians 2 is about what God has done to reconcile the world to Himself, and humans, whether Jew or Gentile, to one another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.” As we worship together, may our imaginations be reshaped to see the world as God is remaking it!
]]>
We do have an enemy, but we must rightly identify the enemy and understand how he works. Until then, we are apt to fall right into the traps the enemy sets. Hostility will only increase. And we are prone to such traps because we were born with a nature of impulsive anger.

The Gospel is the story about how God bears all the hostility which humanity could give him (Jews and Gentiles alike band together to crucify Jesus) and forgives us. He doesn’t retaliate. It is more than that, but not less. As Paul puts it to the Corinthians, God is not holding their sins against them (2 Cor. 5:19). Ephesians 2 is about what God has done to reconcile the world to Himself, and humans, whether Jew or Gentile, to one another.

Join us in worship as we continue our series, “Imagining the Kingdom.” As we worship together, may our imaginations be reshaped to see the world as God is remaking it!
]]> false Ready or Not Here I Come: The Mystery of Grace and Deeds full podcastepisode_86c60634a7194ffd96d37346a634ae64 Sun, 23 Jul 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Last week I was prepared to give a short message around 1 of 4 parables Jesus gave concerning his return in Matthew’s Gospel. As it turned out, time did not allow for me to give that message. This week, since I have my normal amount of time, I’ve expanded that to cover all 4 parables.

People have all sorts of ideas about when Jesus is going to return and what it will be like after that. In these 4 parables, Jesus addresses none of that. Rather, everything they say about Christ’s return makes a claim on how we live today.

Join us in worship as we explore Matthew 24:42—25:46 in the message: Ready or Not, Here I Come.
]]>
Last week I was prepared to give a short message around 1 of 4 parables Jesus gave concerning his return in Matthew’s Gospel. As it turned out, time did not allow for me to give that message. This week, since I have my normal amount of time, I’ve expanded that to cover all 4 parables.

People have all sorts of ideas about when Jesus is going to return and what it will be like after that. In these 4 parables, Jesus addresses none of that. Rather, everything they say about Christ’s return makes a claim on how we live today.

Join us in worship as we explore Matthew 24:42—25:46 in the message: Ready or Not, Here I Come.
]]>
Last week I was prepared to give a short message around 1 of 4 parables Jesus gave concerning his return in Matthew’s Gospel. As it turned out, time did not allow for me to give that message. This week, since I have my normal amount of time, I’ve expanded that to cover all 4 parables.

People have all sorts of ideas about when Jesus is going to return and what it will be like after that. In these 4 parables, Jesus addresses none of that. Rather, everything they say about Christ’s return makes a claim on how we live today.

Join us in worship as we explore Matthew 24:42—25:46 in the message: Ready or Not, Here I Come.
]]> false Missional Update from Vietnam full podcastepisode_12bdf80ad56641c0aba62c5f2b854eba Sun, 16 Jul 2023 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Surfing Your Inner Net full podcastepisode_40b1a66aa8eb4c1ab49ec01c76f5ea03 Sun, 9 Jul 2023 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Transforming Our View of Reality full podcastepisode_c962179997d44cf5b858dbbd05f038ca Sun, 2 Jul 2023 06:45:00 -0400
In the second half of Ephesians 1, Paul isn’t satisfied that we simply know the glorious truth of our adoption, He wants it to transform our lives into those of true sons who carry on the Father’s business. In order for that to happen, we have to see in a whole new light.

It’s like we’ve been living in houses with an entire side, that which faces God and spiritual realities, having no windows. Maybe a small hole to peak out is all. We have to have large windows installed on that side. Once we can see the realities of our adoption, we can reimagine how the world works. That will enable us to live the new lives God intends for us.

Join us in worship as we continue exploring our adoption as God’s sons and daughters from Ephesians in our series Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
In the second half of Ephesians 1, Paul isn’t satisfied that we simply know the glorious truth of our adoption, He wants it to transform our lives into those of true sons who carry on the Father’s business. In order for that to happen, we have to see in a whole new light.

It’s like we’ve been living in houses with an entire side, that which faces God and spiritual realities, having no windows. Maybe a small hole to peak out is all. We have to have large windows installed on that side. Once we can see the realities of our adoption, we can reimagine how the world works. That will enable us to live the new lives God intends for us.

Join us in worship as we continue exploring our adoption as God’s sons and daughters from Ephesians in our series Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
In the second half of Ephesians 1, Paul isn’t satisfied that we simply know the glorious truth of our adoption, He wants it to transform our lives into those of true sons who carry on the Father’s business. In order for that to happen, we have to see in a whole new light.

It’s like we’ve been living in houses with an entire side, that which faces God and spiritual realities, having no windows. Maybe a small hole to peak out is all. We have to have large windows installed on that side. Once we can see the realities of our adoption, we can reimagine how the world works. That will enable us to live the new lives God intends for us.

Join us in worship as we continue exploring our adoption as God’s sons and daughters from Ephesians in our series Imagining the Kingdom.
]]> false Adopted & Appointed Heirs of God full podcastepisode_a0b5139962214f4e9d6142c3a18f0ed7 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:45:00 -0400
What does it mean to be in Christ? Whenever I see new books on the topic of our union with Christ (our being “in Christ”), I buy them and set out to read them. The authors identify something I also recognize: this is a very important theme for Paul; it appears to be central in His thinking.

However, I find myself somewhat disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, they are usually well written and discuss so many relevant aspects of the topic. They always point out why it is so important but often come up short when explaining what it means. I’ve begun to discover why.

This Sunday as we continue our exploration of the theme of adoption in Ephesians, we are going to take a bit of a deep dive into the inner workings of our union with Christ. It calls us to develop a sanctified imagination of the Kingdom in order to live as God’s children.
]]>
What does it mean to be in Christ? Whenever I see new books on the topic of our union with Christ (our being “in Christ”), I buy them and set out to read them. The authors identify something I also recognize: this is a very important theme for Paul; it appears to be central in His thinking.

However, I find myself somewhat disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, they are usually well written and discuss so many relevant aspects of the topic. They always point out why it is so important but often come up short when explaining what it means. I’ve begun to discover why.

This Sunday as we continue our exploration of the theme of adoption in Ephesians, we are going to take a bit of a deep dive into the inner workings of our union with Christ. It calls us to develop a sanctified imagination of the Kingdom in order to live as God’s children.
]]>
What does it mean to be in Christ? Whenever I see new books on the topic of our union with Christ (our being “in Christ”), I buy them and set out to read them. The authors identify something I also recognize: this is a very important theme for Paul; it appears to be central in His thinking.

However, I find myself somewhat disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, they are usually well written and discuss so many relevant aspects of the topic. They always point out why it is so important but often come up short when explaining what it means. I’ve begun to discover why.

This Sunday as we continue our exploration of the theme of adoption in Ephesians, we are going to take a bit of a deep dive into the inner workings of our union with Christ. It calls us to develop a sanctified imagination of the Kingdom in order to live as God’s children.
]]> false Adopted by the Father into the Family full podcastepisode_6f9209319fd14334848587569dbe8a74 Sun, 18 Jun 2023 06:45:00 -0400
While some might think I planned to start this theme of adoption on Father’s Day, but I’m not that smart. However, as I was preparing this week, the thought crossed my mind that this would make a good Father’s Day message (and then I realized…). J. Todd Billings, on the subject of adoption, writes,

“The gospel does not so much offer a low-cost ‘eternal life insurance’ as it gives the tremendous privilege of learning to be children of the King, living into our new identity in a kingdom that is coming forth to us from the future.”

After exploring the marathon of faith in Hebrews 11-13, we now turn to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he calls us to imagine a whole new way of relating to God and one another.
]]>
While some might think I planned to start this theme of adoption on Father’s Day, but I’m not that smart. However, as I was preparing this week, the thought crossed my mind that this would make a good Father’s Day message (and then I realized…). J. Todd Billings, on the subject of adoption, writes,

“The gospel does not so much offer a low-cost ‘eternal life insurance’ as it gives the tremendous privilege of learning to be children of the King, living into our new identity in a kingdom that is coming forth to us from the future.”

After exploring the marathon of faith in Hebrews 11-13, we now turn to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he calls us to imagine a whole new way of relating to God and one another.
]]>
While some might think I planned to start this theme of adoption on Father’s Day, but I’m not that smart. However, as I was preparing this week, the thought crossed my mind that this would make a good Father’s Day message (and then I realized…). J. Todd Billings, on the subject of adoption, writes,

“The gospel does not so much offer a low-cost ‘eternal life insurance’ as it gives the tremendous privilege of learning to be children of the King, living into our new identity in a kingdom that is coming forth to us from the future.”

After exploring the marathon of faith in Hebrews 11-13, we now turn to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he calls us to imagine a whole new way of relating to God and one another.
]]> false The Call of the King full podcastepisode_f24b6f14ffff47de85c0e0e4fc20919e Sun, 11 Jun 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Gospel, King Jesus
]]>
Themes: Gospel, King Jesus
]]>
Themes: Gospel, King Jesus
]]> false Living in the Shadow of Mt. Zion full podcastepisode_f322a6e586b8484ca9f588d687e765cb Sun, 4 Jun 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Living in the shadow of a mountain impacts how one thinks about life. As we saw last week, the preacher of Hebrews tells us that we are living before Mt. Zion (Sion) and not Mt. Sinai (Sina). This week we will explore the details of Mt. Zion and what it means to live in its shadow. This will require an exercise of our imaginations when we gather from the harvest fields and when we are scattered back into them.

Join us in worship as we explore what it means to live in the shadow of Mt. Zion from Hebrews 12:22—13:6. May the Lord teach us to imagine life as it really was intended to be in order that we might walk in it. This is the only way we will nurture a Gospel culture.

Photo of Wasatch range by Nic Y-C on Unsplash
]]>
Living in the shadow of a mountain impacts how one thinks about life. As we saw last week, the preacher of Hebrews tells us that we are living before Mt. Zion (Sion) and not Mt. Sinai (Sina). This week we will explore the details of Mt. Zion and what it means to live in its shadow. This will require an exercise of our imaginations when we gather from the harvest fields and when we are scattered back into them.

Join us in worship as we explore what it means to live in the shadow of Mt. Zion from Hebrews 12:22—13:6. May the Lord teach us to imagine life as it really was intended to be in order that we might walk in it. This is the only way we will nurture a Gospel culture.

Photo of Wasatch range by Nic Y-C on Unsplash
]]>
Living in the shadow of a mountain impacts how one thinks about life. As we saw last week, the preacher of Hebrews tells us that we are living before Mt. Zion (Sion) and not Mt. Sinai (Sina). This week we will explore the details of Mt. Zion and what it means to live in its shadow. This will require an exercise of our imaginations when we gather from the harvest fields and when we are scattered back into them.

Join us in worship as we explore what it means to live in the shadow of Mt. Zion from Hebrews 12:22—13:6. May the Lord teach us to imagine life as it really was intended to be in order that we might walk in it. This is the only way we will nurture a Gospel culture.

Photo of Wasatch range by Nic Y-C on Unsplash
]]> false You Have Come to a Mountain full podcastepisode_bc48e6e8db1042e582aa4b2f799d0e85 Sun, 28 May 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Did you know that Pentecost is relevant to your life as a believer in Jesus? It’s the origin story of the kingdom of which you are a citizen. The preacher of Hebrews says that you (plural), the church, have come to Mt. Zion. When did you get there? You arrived on Pentecost. And here we stand.

Join us in worship as we explore Hebrews 12:18-29 in our series, Imagining the Kingdom. Pentecost (Acts 2) provides the background for understanding the two mountains of Hebrews 12. Maybe you’ve never imagined you were standing at the foot of a mountain, and therefore haven’t considered which one. We will discover why this is important for who we are and how we live.
]]>
Did you know that Pentecost is relevant to your life as a believer in Jesus? It’s the origin story of the kingdom of which you are a citizen. The preacher of Hebrews says that you (plural), the church, have come to Mt. Zion. When did you get there? You arrived on Pentecost. And here we stand.

Join us in worship as we explore Hebrews 12:18-29 in our series, Imagining the Kingdom. Pentecost (Acts 2) provides the background for understanding the two mountains of Hebrews 12. Maybe you’ve never imagined you were standing at the foot of a mountain, and therefore haven’t considered which one. We will discover why this is important for who we are and how we live.
]]>
Did you know that Pentecost is relevant to your life as a believer in Jesus? It’s the origin story of the kingdom of which you are a citizen. The preacher of Hebrews says that you (plural), the church, have come to Mt. Zion. When did you get there? You arrived on Pentecost. And here we stand.

Join us in worship as we explore Hebrews 12:18-29 in our series, Imagining the Kingdom. Pentecost (Acts 2) provides the background for understanding the two mountains of Hebrews 12. Maybe you’ve never imagined you were standing at the foot of a mountain, and therefore haven’t considered which one. We will discover why this is important for who we are and how we live.
]]> false What story are you living in? full podcastepisode_f87b9f05788c499eb10a26382b4be2ca Sun, 21 May 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Jesus and the disciples arrive in Capernaum (where Jesus lived) and those who collect the temple tax ask Peter if Jesus pays the temple tax. Peter, keeping with his “I’ve got this under control personality,” answers without thinking, “Yes!”

When Peter gets back to the house, Jesus immediately asks Peter, “What do you think, Simon?” Peter’s thinking, his imagination, was exactly the problem. We know Jesus told Peter to go fishing to pay the tax both for Peter and himself, but first He needed to do something more important.

If this story was supposed to teach us, “Jesus paid his taxes,” or some variation thereof, all Jesus needed to do was tell Peter where to get the monies. Story over. Instead, He knows He needs to adjust why Peter imagines Jesus will pay this tax.

In Peter’s imagination, Jesus wasn’t much different than anyone else. Jesus begins with a question about who pays taxes: servants or sons? The answer is obvious to Peter as well as any of us: servants. The sons of kings do not pay taxes. Therefore, the Son of God does not pay a temple tax (the temple is God’s palace or throne). Jesus then instructs Peter that he will pay his tax in order not to offend them, but not because he owed it. Jesus corrected Peter’s imagination. The same action with the wrong imagination was an entirely different thing.

What I hope is becoming obvious in our series, in our discussion of Hebrews 11-12, is that the life of faith is not only about what we do but also about what story we think we are a part of.
Join us in worship as we continue our series, Imagining the Kingdom, beginning in Hebrews 12:1-17.
]]>
Jesus and the disciples arrive in Capernaum (where Jesus lived) and those who collect the temple tax ask Peter if Jesus pays the temple tax. Peter, keeping with his “I’ve got this under control personality,” answers without thinking, “Yes!”

When Peter gets back to the house, Jesus immediately asks Peter, “What do you think, Simon?” Peter’s thinking, his imagination, was exactly the problem. We know Jesus told Peter to go fishing to pay the tax both for Peter and himself, but first He needed to do something more important.

If this story was supposed to teach us, “Jesus paid his taxes,” or some variation thereof, all Jesus needed to do was tell Peter where to get the monies. Story over. Instead, He knows He needs to adjust why Peter imagines Jesus will pay this tax.

In Peter’s imagination, Jesus wasn’t much different than anyone else. Jesus begins with a question about who pays taxes: servants or sons? The answer is obvious to Peter as well as any of us: servants. The sons of kings do not pay taxes. Therefore, the Son of God does not pay a temple tax (the temple is God’s palace or throne). Jesus then instructs Peter that he will pay his tax in order not to offend them, but not because he owed it. Jesus corrected Peter’s imagination. The same action with the wrong imagination was an entirely different thing.

What I hope is becoming obvious in our series, in our discussion of Hebrews 11-12, is that the life of faith is not only about what we do but also about what story we think we are a part of.
Join us in worship as we continue our series, Imagining the Kingdom, beginning in Hebrews 12:1-17.
]]>
Jesus and the disciples arrive in Capernaum (where Jesus lived) and those who collect the temple tax ask Peter if Jesus pays the temple tax. Peter, keeping with his “I’ve got this under control personality,” answers without thinking, “Yes!”

When Peter gets back to the house, Jesus immediately asks Peter, “What do you think, Simon?” Peter’s thinking, his imagination, was exactly the problem. We know Jesus told Peter to go fishing to pay the tax both for Peter and himself, but first He needed to do something more important.

If this story was supposed to teach us, “Jesus paid his taxes,” or some variation thereof, all Jesus needed to do was tell Peter where to get the monies. Story over. Instead, He knows He needs to adjust why Peter imagines Jesus will pay this tax.

In Peter’s imagination, Jesus wasn’t much different than anyone else. Jesus begins with a question about who pays taxes: servants or sons? The answer is obvious to Peter as well as any of us: servants. The sons of kings do not pay taxes. Therefore, the Son of God does not pay a temple tax (the temple is God’s palace or throne). Jesus then instructs Peter that he will pay his tax in order not to offend them, but not because he owed it. Jesus corrected Peter’s imagination. The same action with the wrong imagination was an entirely different thing.

What I hope is becoming obvious in our series, in our discussion of Hebrews 11-12, is that the life of faith is not only about what we do but also about what story we think we are a part of.
Join us in worship as we continue our series, Imagining the Kingdom, beginning in Hebrews 12:1-17.
]]> false The Necessity of Imagination for Patience full podcastepisode_2f98ced69f1545348688fee769e9d8da Sun, 14 May 2023 06:45:00 -0400
However, it may well be that the essence of our existence is to square-off with difficulties—either in persons or circumstances. And what we imagine to be happening in those relationships and circumstances may well have everything to do with how we live.

Join us as we continue our exploration of Hebrews 11 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom. Enlist yourself in the effort to harness the power of a sanctified imagination through faith.
]]>
However, it may well be that the essence of our existence is to square-off with difficulties—either in persons or circumstances. And what we imagine to be happening in those relationships and circumstances may well have everything to do with how we live.

Join us as we continue our exploration of Hebrews 11 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom. Enlist yourself in the effort to harness the power of a sanctified imagination through faith.
]]>
However, it may well be that the essence of our existence is to square-off with difficulties—either in persons or circumstances. And what we imagine to be happening in those relationships and circumstances may well have everything to do with how we live.

Join us as we continue our exploration of Hebrews 11 in our series: Imagining the Kingdom. Enlist yourself in the effort to harness the power of a sanctified imagination through faith.
]]> false Harnessing the Power of Sanctified Imagination full podcastepisode_7d230e3468f947d9a1573708dd21dd94 Sun, 7 May 2023 06:45:00 -0400
“Even though a metaverse is a place that exists only on a computer, it’s just as real as any other place you’ve been to before. You could say that the metaverse is like a vacation from reality: you can create an avatar for yourself and pretend to be someone else for a while, or you can use your imagination and explore new places that aren’t real at all—but still feel real!”

Of course, I would argue that it is not just as real, but that, for them, is beside the point. I have some friends who, a few months ago, were trying to explain the metaverse to me. When they got to the part about people holding real estate and renting it out to other people who want to use it, I knew right then I wasn’t getting on that train. However, it does reveal the power which can be harnessed by the human imagination.

Believers have a sure hope. The Bible commits a significant amount of space to stirring our imaginations about that hope. The OT Prophets speak of God’s coming kingdom. The book of Revelation uses vivid imaginative pictures to help us understand how things really are.

God wants His people to harness the power of sanctified imagination. Join us as we begin a new series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
“Even though a metaverse is a place that exists only on a computer, it’s just as real as any other place you’ve been to before. You could say that the metaverse is like a vacation from reality: you can create an avatar for yourself and pretend to be someone else for a while, or you can use your imagination and explore new places that aren’t real at all—but still feel real!”

Of course, I would argue that it is not just as real, but that, for them, is beside the point. I have some friends who, a few months ago, were trying to explain the metaverse to me. When they got to the part about people holding real estate and renting it out to other people who want to use it, I knew right then I wasn’t getting on that train. However, it does reveal the power which can be harnessed by the human imagination.

Believers have a sure hope. The Bible commits a significant amount of space to stirring our imaginations about that hope. The OT Prophets speak of God’s coming kingdom. The book of Revelation uses vivid imaginative pictures to help us understand how things really are.

God wants His people to harness the power of sanctified imagination. Join us as we begin a new series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]>
“Even though a metaverse is a place that exists only on a computer, it’s just as real as any other place you’ve been to before. You could say that the metaverse is like a vacation from reality: you can create an avatar for yourself and pretend to be someone else for a while, or you can use your imagination and explore new places that aren’t real at all—but still feel real!”

Of course, I would argue that it is not just as real, but that, for them, is beside the point. I have some friends who, a few months ago, were trying to explain the metaverse to me. When they got to the part about people holding real estate and renting it out to other people who want to use it, I knew right then I wasn’t getting on that train. However, it does reveal the power which can be harnessed by the human imagination.

Believers have a sure hope. The Bible commits a significant amount of space to stirring our imaginations about that hope. The OT Prophets speak of God’s coming kingdom. The book of Revelation uses vivid imaginative pictures to help us understand how things really are.

God wants His people to harness the power of sanctified imagination. Join us as we begin a new series, Imagining the Kingdom.
]]> false 30th Anniversary Exhortation full podcastepisode_e2d8a536cbfb4512acdc55c95d508609 Sun, 30 Apr 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Faith and Patience to Inherit the Promise
]]>
Themes: Faith and Patience to Inherit the Promise
]]>
Themes: Faith and Patience to Inherit the Promise
]]> false Hidden and Revealed full podcastepisode_c6fe6478043341b9b0d0921b3a5a02ab Sun, 23 Apr 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Themes: Centrality of Jesus, Gospel Culture, Gospel Formation
]]>
Themes: Centrality of Jesus, Gospel Culture, Gospel Formation
]]>
Themes: Centrality of Jesus, Gospel Culture, Gospel Formation
]]> false The Formation of Our Needs full podcastepisode_249e090956eb40f68fab8881a4c7c0bd Sun, 16 Apr 2023 06:45:00 -0400
Imagine a similar room that granted what you needed. It would certainly be safer, but how surprised would we be? We don’t often think in terms of what we need. In fact, we usually think that we need whatever it is that we want. At least that is how children think, and growing up is supposed to change that. What do we truly need? It may be more than you think. It may be less than you think. But knowing what it is should certainly impact how we live.

Just as the three requests of the Lord’s Prayer help form of our desires (the message from a few weeks ago), the last three requests form in us an understanding of our needs—our true needs. Give us today what is necessary, forgive us even as we forgive others, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Join us in worship as explore the essential formative prayer for the Christian life, the Lord’s Prayer.
]]>
Imagine a similar room that granted what you needed. It would certainly be safer, but how surprised would we be? We don’t often think in terms of what we need. In fact, we usually think that we need whatever it is that we want. At least that is how children think, and growing up is supposed to change that. What do we truly need? It may be more than you think. It may be less than you think. But knowing what it is should certainly impact how we live.

Just as the three requests of the Lord’s Prayer help form of our desires (the message from a few weeks ago), the last three requests form in us an understanding of our needs—our true needs. Give us today what is necessary, forgive us even as we forgive others, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Join us in worship as explore the essential formative prayer for the Christian life, the Lord’s Prayer.
]]>
Imagine a similar room that granted what you needed. It would certainly be safer, but how surprised would we be? We don’t often think in terms of what we need. In fact, we usually think that we need whatever it is that we want. At least that is how children think, and growing up is supposed to change that. What do we truly need? It may be more than you think. It may be less than you think. But knowing what it is should certainly impact how we live.

Just as the three requests of the Lord’s Prayer help form of our desires (the message from a few weeks ago), the last three requests form in us an understanding of our needs—our true needs. Give us today what is necessary, forgive us even as we forgive others, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Join us in worship as explore the essential formative prayer for the Christian life, the Lord’s Prayer.
]]> false The Resurrection and Real Hope full podcastepisode_7e3581305ae14b8586f3119517598796 Sun, 9 Apr 2023 06:45:00 -0400
The New Testament presents the Resurrection of Jesus as the basis of our hope—the basis of all hope! Arguably, the Resurrection is the only basis for true hope available to humanity, yet how many of us could explain what our hope is and why it makes a difference both in this life and the life to come?

Does the Resurrection merely provide hope for an unending life, as if time was our only problem? What if that life was as broken as this? How does the Resurrection change that? How does this hope shape our lives in such a way that Christ’s resurrection makes a difference in the world today?

Every Sunday is Resurrection Day (which is why we meet on Sunday), but this week we gather to remember specifically the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Join us as we worship our Risen King and explore this under the title, The Resurrection and Real Hope.
]]>
The New Testament presents the Resurrection of Jesus as the basis of our hope—the basis of all hope! Arguably, the Resurrection is the only basis for true hope available to humanity, yet how many of us could explain what our hope is and why it makes a difference both in this life and the life to come?

Does the Resurrection merely provide hope for an unending life, as if time was our only problem? What if that life was as broken as this? How does the Resurrection change that? How does this hope shape our lives in such a way that Christ’s resurrection makes a difference in the world today?

Every Sunday is Resurrection Day (which is why we meet on Sunday), but this week we gather to remember specifically the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Join us as we worship our Risen King and explore this under the title, The Resurrection and Real Hope.
]]>
The New Testament presents the Resurrection of Jesus as the basis of our hope—the basis of all hope! Arguably, the Resurrection is the only basis for true hope available to humanity, yet how many of us could explain what our hope is and why it makes a difference both in this life and the life to come?

Does the Resurrection merely provide hope for an unending life, as if time was our only problem? What if that life was as broken as this? How does the Resurrection change that? How does this hope shape our lives in such a way that Christ’s resurrection makes a difference in the world today?

Every Sunday is Resurrection Day (which is why we meet on Sunday), but this week we gather to remember specifically the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Join us as we worship our Risen King and explore this under the title, The Resurrection and Real Hope.
]]> false Reimagining Conquest full podcastepisode_8852aa53f632457890af9c8a871822ea Sun, 2 Apr 2023 06:45:00 -0400
When he returned to the U.S. he began writing her and discussing ways to get together again. At one point she writes, “So it was at this point that I realized the futility of my argument, the futility of every argument, present or future, Robert and I might have. The problem we face is that under his un-Russian curly hair presides an American brain, which is fundamentally different from my Russian brain…. The fact that we can speak each other’s language is… irrelevant to our mutual understanding….”

Jesus came to earth from heaven. His vision of life, under His Jewish hair, inside His heaven-infected brain, is so fundamentally different than our brains that “the fact that we can speak each other’s language is irrelevant to our mutual understanding.”

Join us in worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, and we will explore a story in which Jesus acted out an “absurd” little play, as it were, in order to change our imaginations so that we could understand what He is talking about.
]]>
When he returned to the U.S. he began writing her and discussing ways to get together again. At one point she writes, “So it was at this point that I realized the futility of my argument, the futility of every argument, present or future, Robert and I might have. The problem we face is that under his un-Russian curly hair presides an American brain, which is fundamentally different from my Russian brain…. The fact that we can speak each other’s language is… irrelevant to our mutual understanding….”

Jesus came to earth from heaven. His vision of life, under His Jewish hair, inside His heaven-infected brain, is so fundamentally different than our brains that “the fact that we can speak each other’s language is irrelevant to our mutual understanding.”

Join us in worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, and we will explore a story in which Jesus acted out an “absurd” little play, as it were, in order to change our imaginations so that we could understand what He is talking about.
]]>
When he returned to the U.S. he began writing her and discussing ways to get together again. At one point she writes, “So it was at this point that I realized the futility of my argument, the futility of every argument, present or future, Robert and I might have. The problem we face is that under his un-Russian curly hair presides an American brain, which is fundamentally different from my Russian brain…. The fact that we can speak each other’s language is… irrelevant to our mutual understanding….”

Jesus came to earth from heaven. His vision of life, under His Jewish hair, inside His heaven-infected brain, is so fundamentally different than our brains that “the fact that we can speak each other’s language is irrelevant to our mutual understanding.”

Join us in worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, and we will explore a story in which Jesus acted out an “absurd” little play, as it were, in order to change our imaginations so that we could understand what He is talking about.
]]> false The Formation of Our Desires full podcastepisode_5d466873964c40ca8e5a2080a131a810 Sun, 26 Mar 2023 06:45:00 -0400
When we are born into Christ’s kingdom, we are much like that child whose desires need to be reshaped. We know what we ought to want, but we don’t always want it (at least, deep down), so we find ourselves doing not what we want to do, but what we really want to do. Is this what Paul is describing in Romans 7:15?

Jesus has a solution for us and it is found in answer to the disciple’s request that He teach them how to pray. This Sunday we are going to continue our brief series, Your Kingdom Come, as we explore the urgency of this prayer, the requests we are called to make, and why we must allow this prayer to shape our very desires—why this is a key to successful discipleship!

Join us in worship as we take a fresh look at the Lord’s prayer and its use for the making of disciples.
]]>
When we are born into Christ’s kingdom, we are much like that child whose desires need to be reshaped. We know what we ought to want, but we don’t always want it (at least, deep down), so we find ourselves doing not what we want to do, but what we really want to do. Is this what Paul is describing in Romans 7:15?

Jesus has a solution for us and it is found in answer to the disciple’s request that He teach them how to pray. This Sunday we are going to continue our brief series, Your Kingdom Come, as we explore the urgency of this prayer, the requests we are called to make, and why we must allow this prayer to shape our very desires—why this is a key to successful discipleship!

Join us in worship as we take a fresh look at the Lord’s prayer and its use for the making of disciples.
]]>
When we are born into Christ’s kingdom, we are much like that child whose desires need to be reshaped. We know what we ought to want, but we don’t always want it (at least, deep down), so we find ourselves doing not what we want to do, but what we really want to do. Is this what Paul is describing in Romans 7:15?

Jesus has a solution for us and it is found in answer to the disciple’s request that He teach them how to pray. This Sunday we are going to continue our brief series, Your Kingdom Come, as we explore the urgency of this prayer, the requests we are called to make, and why we must allow this prayer to shape our very desires—why this is a key to successful discipleship!

Join us in worship as we take a fresh look at the Lord’s prayer and its use for the making of disciples.
]]> false Kingdom Lost, Kingdom Longing, Kingdom Coming full podcastepisode_ac6ecc66edd747f582b4f8f8dd597d69 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 06:45:00 -0400
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer for what we desire in two senses. First, the coming of God’s kingdom is the longing of the human heart (whether we realize it or not). So it is a prayer for the very thing we desire. But in truth, while we long for what only God’s kingdom can bring, we often long to receive it by our own power, or through other means than God. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12; 16:25)

Secondly, it is a prayer for shaping our desires. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Of course, if you remain in Him and His words remain in you, your desires will be formed into longing for the kingdom of God to come.

Join us as we take a step back, before our missional priorities, and explore the answers to questions such as: What is the Kingdom of God? Why do we long for it? Why do we pray about it? What difference will it make?
]]>
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer for what we desire in two senses. First, the coming of God’s kingdom is the longing of the human heart (whether we realize it or not). So it is a prayer for the very thing we desire. But in truth, while we long for what only God’s kingdom can bring, we often long to receive it by our own power, or through other means than God. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12; 16:25)

Secondly, it is a prayer for shaping our desires. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Of course, if you remain in Him and His words remain in you, your desires will be formed into longing for the kingdom of God to come.

Join us as we take a step back, before our missional priorities, and explore the answers to questions such as: What is the Kingdom of God? Why do we long for it? Why do we pray about it? What difference will it make?
]]>
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer for what we desire in two senses. First, the coming of God’s kingdom is the longing of the human heart (whether we realize it or not). So it is a prayer for the very thing we desire. But in truth, while we long for what only God’s kingdom can bring, we often long to receive it by our own power, or through other means than God. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12; 16:25)

Secondly, it is a prayer for shaping our desires. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Of course, if you remain in Him and His words remain in you, your desires will be formed into longing for the kingdom of God to come.

Join us as we take a step back, before our missional priorities, and explore the answers to questions such as: What is the Kingdom of God? Why do we long for it? Why do we pray about it? What difference will it make?
]]> false The Gospel Changes Everything full podcastepisode_a8f91b3676ad4febb1cdb634e0c42193 Sun, 12 Mar 2023 06:45:00 -0400 ]]> ]]> ]]> false Speculating on the Kingdom full podcastepisode_be26f2abc79b45b1a23f73327504551b Sun, 5 Mar 2023 05:45:00 -0400
What is the Gospel? Why is it called the Gospel of the kingdom? And what does this have to do with making a disciple? For that matter, what is a disciple?

This Sunday we will explore these things in a parable I would title, “The Parable of Speculating on the Kingdom”. The essence of our discipleship is in whether and how we speculate on the kingdom of God. This, then, must define our methods of making disciples since this is ultimately what defines a disciple.

If you are a believer in St. Petersburg, FL and not established in a church community, join us in worship at 10:00 a.m. as we gather to celebrate our coming King, to embrace our new family, and to consider the culture of this new kingdom of which we are a part.
]]>
What is the Gospel? Why is it called the Gospel of the kingdom? And what does this have to do with making a disciple? For that matter, what is a disciple?

This Sunday we will explore these things in a parable I would title, “The Parable of Speculating on the Kingdom”. The essence of our discipleship is in whether and how we speculate on the kingdom of God. This, then, must define our methods of making disciples since this is ultimately what defines a disciple.

If you are a believer in St. Petersburg, FL and not established in a church community, join us in worship at 10:00 a.m. as we gather to celebrate our coming King, to embrace our new family, and to consider the culture of this new kingdom of which we are a part.
]]>
What is the Gospel? Why is it called the Gospel of the kingdom? And what does this have to do with making a disciple? For that matter, what is a disciple?

This Sunday we will explore these things in a parable I would title, “The Parable of Speculating on the Kingdom”. The essence of our discipleship is in whether and how we speculate on the kingdom of God. This, then, must define our methods of making disciples since this is ultimately what defines a disciple.

If you are a believer in St. Petersburg, FL and not established in a church community, join us in worship at 10:00 a.m. as we gather to celebrate our coming King, to embrace our new family, and to consider the culture of this new kingdom of which we are a part.
]]> false The Commission of the Resurrected King full podcastepisode_1ba007098c644bdba5e437141d1c390e Sun, 26 Feb 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Themes: Christ’s authority; the nations; His commands; His presence.
]]>
Themes: Christ’s authority; the nations; His commands; His presence.
]]>
Themes: Christ’s authority; the nations; His commands; His presence.
]]> false How Do We Accomplish the Mission? full podcastepisode_57216643b0f6474e8f8e31965676d990 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 05:45:00 -0400
For the believer, much like nature’s music, we are called to march to the beat of a different drummer, a slow beat, a patient rhythm. In order to hear it, to perceive it, we must pray. As we pray, and purposefully march in rhythm with this patience, God works. Learning this rhythm is key to understanding how we are going to fulfill our missional priorities as a church.

How will we accomplish these grand goals of Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity? Simply put, it requires prayer, purpose, and patience. Prayerful pursuit of these priorities, purposeful living toward them, and much, much patience.

Join us in worship as we begin to answer the “how” question of our missional priorities.
]]>
For the believer, much like nature’s music, we are called to march to the beat of a different drummer, a slow beat, a patient rhythm. In order to hear it, to perceive it, we must pray. As we pray, and purposefully march in rhythm with this patience, God works. Learning this rhythm is key to understanding how we are going to fulfill our missional priorities as a church.

How will we accomplish these grand goals of Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity? Simply put, it requires prayer, purpose, and patience. Prayerful pursuit of these priorities, purposeful living toward them, and much, much patience.

Join us in worship as we begin to answer the “how” question of our missional priorities.
]]>
For the believer, much like nature’s music, we are called to march to the beat of a different drummer, a slow beat, a patient rhythm. In order to hear it, to perceive it, we must pray. As we pray, and purposefully march in rhythm with this patience, God works. Learning this rhythm is key to understanding how we are going to fulfill our missional priorities as a church.

How will we accomplish these grand goals of Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity? Simply put, it requires prayer, purpose, and patience. Prayerful pursuit of these priorities, purposeful living toward them, and much, much patience.

Join us in worship as we begin to answer the “how” question of our missional priorities.
]]> false Gospel Unity full podcastepisode_60a981a33d5f4e859b592b657098b321 Sun, 12 Feb 2023 05:45:00 -0400
“It looks like a divided household,” I said as I got in step behind her, to which she responded, “I don’t have a dog in this fight.” I wish that were the sentiment that most Christians had over things that are of little or no consequence in the kingdom of God. Sadly, far too often we not only have a dog in the fight, we have a few dogs in the fight.

Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matt. 12:25). On the other hand, He said our complete unity would enable the world to know that Christ was sent by the Father and that the Father loved his people. Could we be so worried that the people inside the church know that the Father loves them, that we’ve neglected the unity that would allow the outside world to know?

Join us in worship as we explore our fifth missional priority: Gospel Unity. (And be ready to call out the first four.)
]]>
“It looks like a divided household,” I said as I got in step behind her, to which she responded, “I don’t have a dog in this fight.” I wish that were the sentiment that most Christians had over things that are of little or no consequence in the kingdom of God. Sadly, far too often we not only have a dog in the fight, we have a few dogs in the fight.

Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matt. 12:25). On the other hand, He said our complete unity would enable the world to know that Christ was sent by the Father and that the Father loved his people. Could we be so worried that the people inside the church know that the Father loves them, that we’ve neglected the unity that would allow the outside world to know?

Join us in worship as we explore our fifth missional priority: Gospel Unity. (And be ready to call out the first four.)
]]>
“It looks like a divided household,” I said as I got in step behind her, to which she responded, “I don’t have a dog in this fight.” I wish that were the sentiment that most Christians had over things that are of little or no consequence in the kingdom of God. Sadly, far too often we not only have a dog in the fight, we have a few dogs in the fight.

Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matt. 12:25). On the other hand, He said our complete unity would enable the world to know that Christ was sent by the Father and that the Father loved his people. Could we be so worried that the people inside the church know that the Father loves them, that we’ve neglected the unity that would allow the outside world to know?

Join us in worship as we explore our fifth missional priority: Gospel Unity. (And be ready to call out the first four.)
]]> false Gospel Outreach full podcastepisode_f0fb82a262e3400bb6ac878645249295 Sun, 5 Feb 2023 05:45:00 -0400
If our trajectory is off, we can keep going and arrive in the wrong place. To correct course, we need to go back to the starting point: What is the mission? Whose mission is it anyway? How did we get involved? What is our role? Once we get the trajectory right, then we truly do need a long game mentality… a long obedience in the right direction.

This Sunday we are exploring Gospel Outreach as a missional priority. What is Gospel Outreach and why is it essential? How do we set about doing it? Lest this be just another message guilting us into trying a little harder, burdening us with tactics that won’t accomplish God’s purposes, this Sunday we will start at the beginning and explore our mission afresh.

Join us in worship as we contemplate the nature of our missional God and His invitation to join Him in His mission.
]]>
If our trajectory is off, we can keep going and arrive in the wrong place. To correct course, we need to go back to the starting point: What is the mission? Whose mission is it anyway? How did we get involved? What is our role? Once we get the trajectory right, then we truly do need a long game mentality… a long obedience in the right direction.

This Sunday we are exploring Gospel Outreach as a missional priority. What is Gospel Outreach and why is it essential? How do we set about doing it? Lest this be just another message guilting us into trying a little harder, burdening us with tactics that won’t accomplish God’s purposes, this Sunday we will start at the beginning and explore our mission afresh.

Join us in worship as we contemplate the nature of our missional God and His invitation to join Him in His mission.
]]>
If our trajectory is off, we can keep going and arrive in the wrong place. To correct course, we need to go back to the starting point: What is the mission? Whose mission is it anyway? How did we get involved? What is our role? Once we get the trajectory right, then we truly do need a long game mentality… a long obedience in the right direction.

This Sunday we are exploring Gospel Outreach as a missional priority. What is Gospel Outreach and why is it essential? How do we set about doing it? Lest this be just another message guilting us into trying a little harder, burdening us with tactics that won’t accomplish God’s purposes, this Sunday we will start at the beginning and explore our mission afresh.

Join us in worship as we contemplate the nature of our missional God and His invitation to join Him in His mission.
]]> false Forgiven Much, Loves Much full podcastepisode_88259c5858c64994ae9073f03a02c722 Sun, 29 Jan 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Themes: Forgiveness, debts canceled, mercy
]]>
Themes: Forgiveness, debts canceled, mercy
]]>
Themes: Forgiveness, debts canceled, mercy
]]> false Gospel Mercy full podcastepisode_7902b61ad9a94e749b3626d003d587bf Sun, 22 Jan 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Gospel mercy, having a heart and actions that help the poor in their distress, is a non-negotiable in the mission of a true church. James called it true religion. Paul explains to the Galatian churches what he and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem agreed on: although circumcision, dietary restrictions, and special days were not an essential part of a church’s community life, we must “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:10).

Gospel mercy is placed as a priority by King Jesus himself both in the arrangement of the Gospels and in the teaching they contain. The early church testifies to its priority in their life. God himself places the poor in high priority and comes alongside those who do the same to help them.

Join us in worshipping our God and King as we explore the 3rd in our series on our missional priorities: Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity. It’s placement in the center, at the heart of our priorities, was not intentional (by us), but it sure could have been!
]]>
Gospel mercy, having a heart and actions that help the poor in their distress, is a non-negotiable in the mission of a true church. James called it true religion. Paul explains to the Galatian churches what he and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem agreed on: although circumcision, dietary restrictions, and special days were not an essential part of a church’s community life, we must “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:10).

Gospel mercy is placed as a priority by King Jesus himself both in the arrangement of the Gospels and in the teaching they contain. The early church testifies to its priority in their life. God himself places the poor in high priority and comes alongside those who do the same to help them.

Join us in worshipping our God and King as we explore the 3rd in our series on our missional priorities: Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity. It’s placement in the center, at the heart of our priorities, was not intentional (by us), but it sure could have been!
]]>
Gospel mercy, having a heart and actions that help the poor in their distress, is a non-negotiable in the mission of a true church. James called it true religion. Paul explains to the Galatian churches what he and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem agreed on: although circumcision, dietary restrictions, and special days were not an essential part of a church’s community life, we must “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:10).

Gospel mercy is placed as a priority by King Jesus himself both in the arrangement of the Gospels and in the teaching they contain. The early church testifies to its priority in their life. God himself places the poor in high priority and comes alongside those who do the same to help them.

Join us in worshipping our God and King as we explore the 3rd in our series on our missional priorities: Gospel culture, Gospel formation, Gospel mercy, Gospel outreach, and Gospel unity. It’s placement in the center, at the heart of our priorities, was not intentional (by us), but it sure could have been!
]]> false Gospel Formation full podcastepisode_94d57762c10d4437b0752ee7f6b5e546 Sun, 15 Jan 2023 05:45:00 -0400
How we do what we do is formative—it forms us into who we are becoming. Some things form us into conformity with Christ, other things form us further into the conformity with the world. Biblical disciple-making is not successful until new behavior, obedience to the commands of Jesus, has been learned (Matt. 28:18-20). Such behavior is not incorporated until we’ve changed at the level of our desires.

But how do you change what you want? What practices did the early church apply which brought about the transformation behind their unlikely growth, even transformation of the world? An exploration of that history might be surprising, but what it points to are practices of Gospel formation (often called spiritual formation).

This Sunday in worship, as part of our series on Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, exploring our missional priorities, we are going to talk about Gospel formation and why it is vital to accomplishing the mission of the Gospel.

[1] Carlson and Lueken, Renovation of the Church, forward by Dallas Willard, 2011..
]]>
How we do what we do is formative—it forms us into who we are becoming. Some things form us into conformity with Christ, other things form us further into the conformity with the world. Biblical disciple-making is not successful until new behavior, obedience to the commands of Jesus, has been learned (Matt. 28:18-20). Such behavior is not incorporated until we’ve changed at the level of our desires.

But how do you change what you want? What practices did the early church apply which brought about the transformation behind their unlikely growth, even transformation of the world? An exploration of that history might be surprising, but what it points to are practices of Gospel formation (often called spiritual formation).

This Sunday in worship, as part of our series on Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, exploring our missional priorities, we are going to talk about Gospel formation and why it is vital to accomplishing the mission of the Gospel.

[1] Carlson and Lueken, Renovation of the Church, forward by Dallas Willard, 2011..
]]>
How we do what we do is formative—it forms us into who we are becoming. Some things form us into conformity with Christ, other things form us further into the conformity with the world. Biblical disciple-making is not successful until new behavior, obedience to the commands of Jesus, has been learned (Matt. 28:18-20). Such behavior is not incorporated until we’ve changed at the level of our desires.

But how do you change what you want? What practices did the early church apply which brought about the transformation behind their unlikely growth, even transformation of the world? An exploration of that history might be surprising, but what it points to are practices of Gospel formation (often called spiritual formation).

This Sunday in worship, as part of our series on Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, exploring our missional priorities, we are going to talk about Gospel formation and why it is vital to accomplishing the mission of the Gospel.

[1] Carlson and Lueken, Renovation of the Church, forward by Dallas Willard, 2011..
]]> false Gospel Culture full podcastepisode_3b983ff6b6ca4467a9e51374bb8fb982 Sun, 8 Jan 2023 05:45:00 -0400
In a day when culture wars have replaced the cold war, when animosity between activists on either side are rampant and raging, what is it that we, the church, a church, are called to strive for? What kind of culture can we strive to exhibit that, when eternity comes, will remain?

While there are many things which are passing away that are ordained by God (such as marriage and government), there are eternal things which shall remain. The temporal things are worthy of our time and care as believers, but the eternal things are central to the mission of the church. What are these which we must pursue as the mission of the church?

This Sunday we will begin a series Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, beginning with a look at Gospel culture and why it is essential to our purpose.
]]>
In a day when culture wars have replaced the cold war, when animosity between activists on either side are rampant and raging, what is it that we, the church, a church, are called to strive for? What kind of culture can we strive to exhibit that, when eternity comes, will remain?

While there are many things which are passing away that are ordained by God (such as marriage and government), there are eternal things which shall remain. The temporal things are worthy of our time and care as believers, but the eternal things are central to the mission of the church. What are these which we must pursue as the mission of the church?

This Sunday we will begin a series Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, beginning with a look at Gospel culture and why it is essential to our purpose.
]]>
In a day when culture wars have replaced the cold war, when animosity between activists on either side are rampant and raging, what is it that we, the church, a church, are called to strive for? What kind of culture can we strive to exhibit that, when eternity comes, will remain?

While there are many things which are passing away that are ordained by God (such as marriage and government), there are eternal things which shall remain. The temporal things are worthy of our time and care as believers, but the eternal things are central to the mission of the church. What are these which we must pursue as the mission of the church?

This Sunday we will begin a series Gospel Witness: the Reason for Our Existence, beginning with a look at Gospel culture and why it is essential to our purpose.
]]> false The Resurrection, New Creation, and You! full podcastepisode_d3b8ca83b8034942a1cd2c5becc91aef Sun, 1 Jan 2023 05:45:00 -0400
Any Easter account could do, but I suggest Mark’s account of the Resurrection. Why? Because of everything “missing.” Last week someone commented to me on Christmas that you’d never want to use Mark for your Christmas message. True enough. It’s almost (though not quite) as true that you wouldn’t use Mark’s account of the Resurrection on Easter. Why? Because it is so scant.

Mark’s Gospel calls disciples to the only source of faith in the Resurrection. And such faith is necessary for us to live into the new creation. This is essential for our mission to be accomplished.

Join us in worship as we begin the year celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and discuss its implications for our lives.
]]>
Any Easter account could do, but I suggest Mark’s account of the Resurrection. Why? Because of everything “missing.” Last week someone commented to me on Christmas that you’d never want to use Mark for your Christmas message. True enough. It’s almost (though not quite) as true that you wouldn’t use Mark’s account of the Resurrection on Easter. Why? Because it is so scant.

Mark’s Gospel calls disciples to the only source of faith in the Resurrection. And such faith is necessary for us to live into the new creation. This is essential for our mission to be accomplished.

Join us in worship as we begin the year celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and discuss its implications for our lives.
]]>
Any Easter account could do, but I suggest Mark’s account of the Resurrection. Why? Because of everything “missing.” Last week someone commented to me on Christmas that you’d never want to use Mark for your Christmas message. True enough. It’s almost (though not quite) as true that you wouldn’t use Mark’s account of the Resurrection on Easter. Why? Because it is so scant.

Mark’s Gospel calls disciples to the only source of faith in the Resurrection. And such faith is necessary for us to live into the new creation. This is essential for our mission to be accomplished.

Join us in worship as we begin the year celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and discuss its implications for our lives.
]]> false