Bridgewater Montrose's Podcast

Jesus sacrificed His life for the very people who spat in his face - even those who were his closest friends who vowed to stick with Him even unto death. Kings normally ask others to sacrifice their lives for them, but Jesus sacrificed His life for others. Passage: John 10:1-18 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Only Jesus uses His power and position to perfectly serve others. As the King of kings, He did tasks reserved for the lowest servant, because His mission was to serve, not to be served. Passage: John 13 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

We are used to kings who use their power to their advantage, see their position as a way to get what is best for them, and whose power is limited. But Jesus is not like other kings. Jesus uses His power and position to serve and sacrifice, and even death cannot stop His reign. Jesus is more than just a savior, He is a king like no other. No other ruler has ever proven themselves to be sovereign over death. Plenty have tried, but no one is like King Jesus. His power over death is your hope, because His victory over death means death doesn't have to be the end of your story—if you will submit to Him as king. Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:21-26 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Jesus changes lives. Hopefully, you've experienced that firsthand, and if you have, it's time for you to go and tell! When we receive good news, we want to shout it from the mountaintops, but when it comes to the Good News of Jesus, it seems harder, doesn't it? What would happen if we all adopted the mindset of the man Jesus healed in Mark 5 and shared this good news with our friends and family? What's stopping you from sharing the Good News? You have a story to tell—go and share it! Passage: Mark 5:1-20; John 9:24-25 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Throughout the Gospel of John, we see the phrase "come and see" used to invite people into a relationship with Jesus. More often than not, those who spoke these words had little knowledge of Jesus, but they knew He was worth following. You don't need all the answers to know that Jesus is good. You may feel like you don't know enough about Jesus, the Bible, or Christianity as a whole, but you can still share what you do know and invite others to experience Him too.. Passage: John 1:35-46 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

We all love sharing good news, and it's easy when it comes to your favorite sports team winning, getting a promotion at work, or acing that last test. So what makes it so difficult to share the good news about Jesus Christ with those around you and how can we do it better? In this series, we'll look at three different methods for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to help you invite your friends and family to trust in Him as leader and forgiver. You may have heard the old saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words,” but is there more to it than that? Are our actions alone enough to convince somebody of the hope that we have in trusting Jesus as leader and forgiver? Your good deeds may open a door for someone to hear the good news, but they'll need to hear the news in order to walk through that door. Passage: 1 Peter 3:10-17 Speaker: Kevin Ozolins

If God can't stop evil and suffering, then He isn't all- powerful. If God doesn't want to stop evil, then He isn't all-good. Since evil exists, a good, all-powerful God cannot exist... but what if there's something missing in that calculation? Join us as we honestly explore the oldest of all doubts and the unexpected answer the Bible gives to the seemingly unsolvable problem of suffering. Passage: Romans 8 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

How can Christianity be true when some Christians are hateful and hypocritical? It's actually worse than that. All Christians are hypocrites because hypocrisy is inconsistency and no one is perfectly, morally consistent. We as Christians need to follow Christ better, but does the truth of Christianity rest on who we are, or on who Christ is? 1 Peter 2 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

A belief that has never been questioned is a belief that has never been tested. God isn't afraid of our doubts, and neither should we be. Your doubts don't make you a bad Christian; they make you human. Let's explore the questions we've been afraid to ask and discover how doubt can actually strengthen our faith. Does science disprove the Bible, or does it complement it? Does being a Christian require intellectual surrender, or does it provide a stronger intellectual foundation? Passage: Romans 1 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

We all love a good redemption story—seeing someone whois broken find hope and restoration. The story of Ruth is a perfect example of this. She lost everything, but God was working behind the scenes, and through Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, He gave her a future beyond what she could have imagined. This mirrors what Jesus does for us—He pays the price to redeem us and brings us into God's greater story. So the question is: Are you trusting with your story? And are you living as though you're already redeemed—using what you have to help restore others? Because redemption always leads to something greater. Passage: Ruth 4 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

In Ruth 3, we see Ruth take a bold step to define her relationship with Boaz and move their story forward. Similarly, we all reach a point in our relationship with Jesus where we must define where we stand and take the next step of faith. Whether it's trusting God's timing, taking a courageous action, or stepping into a relationship with Him for the first time, the call is clear: God invites us to define our relationship with Him and move forward in faith. Passage: Ruth 3 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

“It just so happened” that Ruth worked in the field that belonged to Boaz. “It just so happened” that Boaz noticed Ruth. “It just so happened” that Boaz was a close relative of Naomi, a family redeemer-type relative. God works through natural circumstances to bring about His will. Ruth's role was to work hard, wait on God, and serve Naomi. Ruth 2 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

We often define our lives by the big moments. But most of our lives consist of ordinary chapters. They may not feel significant but ultimately end up changing everything. In our new series, The Book of Ruth, we'll discover the hidden beauty of how God is involved in the day-to-day joys and hardships of our lives. The story of Ruth opens with heartbreak and the pain of loss, just as there's heartbreak and pain in our lives and in the lives of so many people that know and love. What do you do when times get tough? Will you obey and trust God as the leader of your life or choose to do what is right in your own eyes? One decision can change the trajectory of your life. Passage: Ruth 1 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

2024: From 115 people trusting Jesus to the launch of our Conklin and Vestal campuses out to be a brand new multisite church, it's been a year of growth and transformation. But as we look ahead, we're focusing on one powerful word: Invest. Inspired by Paul's mission in Acts 20:24, we challenge each everyone following Jesus to consider their life as an eternal investment. We'll also share specific goals for 2025, from seeing more people come to faith to expanding our ministry and outreach. Join us as we talk about how we can make this year count by investing in lives, growing in generosity, and expecting big things from God. You won't want to miss the exciting opportunities ahead at Bridgewater! Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

If you're not dead, you're not done—God has more for you. You can overcome challenges, pursue your goals, and live a remarkable life that honors God. You've just got to keep moving forward, one step at a time. When you feel tired or discouraged, you need to remember Who you're running for and take the next step. You don't have to finish the race all at once; you only need to take the next step. Our ultimate example and source of motivation to keep going is Jesus, who fixed His eyes on us. Now, we fix our eyes on Him. Passage: Hebrews 12:1-3; John 19:28-30 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

The Bible makes it clear that Satan is a spiritual enemy intent on destroying us. His methods often involve disguising harmful temptations as things that feel appealing or right. Relying solely on willpower to resist temptation can only take you so far. However, God offers a more effective approach: pre-deciding. Instead of struggling to resist temptation when it arises, you can take steps today to eliminate its power over you. Learn how God equips us to say no to sin in advance, trusting that His way is not only right but also the most fulfilling path for our lives. Passage: Genesis 39:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15-16 Speaker: Josh Jones

Consistency is the key to lasting change and spiritual growth. While many struggle with inconsistency in various aspects of life, the writers of Scripture highlight examples like Daniel, whose unwavering devotion to God demonstrated the power of steady habits. By starting with a compelling “why,” planning for imperfection, embracing the process, and leaning on God and a supportive community, we can develop the consistency needed to honor God and experience transformation in our lives. Passage: Romans 7:15; Daniel 6:1-4, 10, 23 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

What happens between our good intentions and our choices at the moment? If only we could make decisions ahead of time rather than when we're stressed, overwhelmed, or swayed by fear or emotion. This teaching series teaches us how to do just that and live the life God wants for us. The quality of our lives depends on the quality of our decisions, which can be weakened by decision fatigue and emotional impulses. So we're going to explore the concept of “pre-deciding,” a proactive approach rooted in Jesus' teaching to prioritize God above all else. By establishing intentional practices and strategies, we can remain devoted to Him, reduce distractions, and align our lives with our faith and values. Matthew 6:33 Speaker: Josh Jones

Over the past weeks, we've explored stories about God's power and asked if He still works in the same way today. The Christmas story, especially the miraculous conception of Jesus, shows that God is still in the business of doing the impossible and keeping His promises. Just as God chose Mary, an ordinary young woman, to bring His Son into the world, He continues to pay attention to those others overlook and offers grace, mercy, and help when we believe, even in situations that seem impossible. Luke 1 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

In this message, we explore how David, despite being wronged by King Saul, chooses integrity over vengeance when given the chance to kill Saul in a vulnerable moment. Instead of seizing power by taking matters into his own hands, David trusts God's plan and refrains from harming Saul, even though it seems like a perfect opportunity. The message emphasizes that in life's random or challenging moments, choosing integrity and trusting God's plan shapes the story of our lives in ways that honor Him and lead to growth. Passage: 1 Samuel 24 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik  

In Exodus 14, the Israelites find themselves trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's advancing army, leading to fear and panic. Moses reassures them that God will fight for and deliver them, instructing them to "be still" and trust in God's plan. Despite their doubts, God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape, and then destroys Pharaoh's army, demonstrating His power and faithfulness to deliver His people in times of chaos. Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

The Bible portrays God in remarkable and awe-inspiring ways. Its pages are filled with powerful stories that can inspire us, but they can also leave us questioning whether God still moves in the same mighty ways today. This series is meant to explore who God is and what we can expect from Him, reminding us that He is the SAME GOD—unchanging and just as powerful as ever Despite how people and circumstances change over time, God remains the same, always faithful to His promises. By examining the stories of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, we are reminded that God is a promise-maker and promise-keeper, and we are encouraged to trust Him and obey, knowing that He provides and fulfills His word. Passage: Genesis 12, 18 & 22 Speaker: Dallas Seamans

This year at Bridgewater Church, we've witnessed God's incredible work, both in individual lives and our collective church community, as we pursued our mission to make more and better disciples of Jesus. From chasing our goals for faith commitments, baptisms, and attendance to launching new campuses and seeing remarkable generosity, we have much to celebrate. And we've got a story to tell! Passage: Psalm 145 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

“The power of a boring story.” Passage: Luke 15 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

“Growing up in church while living for yourself.” Passage: Matthew 5:6; Ecclesiastes 12; 1 Timothy 4:12 Speaker: Kut Goglin  

“Perseverance—God does His best work over time as you stick with it.” Passage: 2 Timothy 4: 1-8 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

“Experiencing God's best.” Passage: Acts 19-20; 1 Corinthians 16 Speaker: Aaron Patton

Every single person has a story—a path that they traveled to arrive where they currently are! The same is true of every follower of Jesus. Some stories are filled with twists and turns, some are more straightforward. Each story is powerful and teaches us something about God. The question is—What is your story? Psalm 130 “You can find complete forgiveness in God.” Speaker: Tim Sullivan

If you grew up in an age before the internet, you remember a time when maps were a thing. The map would chart out the way to get where you were going. Someone did the work to figure out how to get from A to B. But here's the thing—the map was only as helpful and reliable as the maker of the map. The same is true in life. We ask all sorts of people for advice, but the answers you get are only as trustworthy as the people you choose to trust. 1 Kings 12 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

We are pretty good at getting ourselves into trouble. And once we are in trouble, it's a little hard to change the situation. But what if we could learn to look down the path first?  Wouldn't that be a helpful tool?  Proverbs 27:12 Speaker: Josh Edwards

Life is filled with all sorts of twists, turns, and construction zones—similar to the open road! When you get in your car, you know exactly how to navigate from point A to point B, but how do you do that in life? How do you avoid crashing? How do you make sure you end up where you want to end up without doing major damage to yourself and others? If we stop and Ask For Directions, maybe we can get there quicker and safer! Have you ever noticed something going on in someone else's life and thought to yourself, “That's not going to end well!”? Just about all of us have the ability to see that in other people, but amazingly we often times can't seem to see when we are personally heading toward a crash! What if there were a way to get some directions that would help us avoid crashing all together? Matthew 7:24-29 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Everyone knows what a car does. But what does a church do? Like cars, Christians are made to move—to follow and become more like Jesus and help others follow Him too. In Acts 8 we find that the people God calls us to go to may not be the ones we expect.  Acts 8  Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

If you don't expect people to give their lives to Jesus, why talk to them about Jesus? If you don't expect God to move, why pray? Peter and John lived in expectation and courage. God is changing lives! Put your foot on the accelerator that motivated the first church – live in expectation and courage. Acts 3-4 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Even the most perfectly balanced engine won't do anything without fuel.  What is the fuel of a revival?  It is the obedience of a Christian in several key areas.  Acts 2 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

The movement of the pistons is what gives an engine its power.  The movement and secret to the power and exponential growth of the church is something the apostle Peter called “the gospel.”  What is the gospel?  It means “good news” but it starts with really bad news: the murder of the Lord Jesus.  But God raised Jesus from the dead and if you repent you can be forgiven through Him.  Acts 2 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

A church or a Christian can look impressive, but without the Holy Spirit they will never do anything except sit and rust.  The sparkplug creates the fire that starts the engine.  What is the “spark” that all of us need in our church and life? Acts 2 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

When most people think about change, they think about surface issues. Most New Year's resolutions are about fitness or finance. I want to lose weight, eat better, exercise, and save money – exterior things. If life were a car, we'd spend all our time on the paint job. We can even parent this way – focusing only on the outward behavior of our kids. But God wants change to go deeper. Let's go “under the hood” and examine the first Christians to learn how God can really change us, not just on the outside but on the inside as well. When a car sits, the tires warp and go flat. The battery dies, the breaks rust, the fuel pump breaks down and animals move in. Cars are made to move. As we go “under the hood” in Acts to look at the early church we find the same thing. Christians aren't just saved to believe something; we are created to do something. Move! What is God calling you to do? Acts 1 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

In the book of 3rd John, John calls out a man named Diotrephes, the leader of a house Church, for acting like a jerk. Diotrephes is a consumer, and life has become all about him. How do we stop being consumers and start being contributors when it comes to our walk with Jesus? 3 John 1-15 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Thoreau said: “Rather than love, money or fame – give me truth.” It sounds quite noble. Many today feel the opposite: “I'd rather be accused of being too loving than being too truthful.” But what if both are wrong? That's what 2 John is about – not balancing truth and love but putting them together. 2 John 1-11 Speaker: Joel Garrison

Remember the days of recording over cassettes or burning CDs? Having a mixtape was the perfect way to have all of your favorite songs in the same place. For the next three Sundays, we're splicing together three short, all-time great letters in the New Testament that are just as relevant & needed today as when they were first cut. Jude, the brother of Jesus, points out in his book that we become like whoever we listen to the most. Listening to the bad advice that is everywhere today leads to bad beliefs. And our bad beliefs always result in bad behavior. In fact, while many deny it, your behavior is the best indicator of what you really believe. Jude 1:3-25 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

There are two things you are never supposed to talk about in “polite” company: politics and religion. Many believe there should be a wall between them. "Jesus, stay out of my politics!" It's better that way... or is it? What if we opened the door and asked God into our politics? Romans 13:1-7 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Food is a significant part of our lives! It is such a regular part of our daily lives that it is very easy to give lots of thought or very little thought to our food habits. Regardless of which camp you might be in—food is important, but your heart is more important! Matthew 15:8-11 Speaker: David Wyman

For many, money is the most private and personal area of our life. We are willing to proclaim who we voted for, what we ate last night and our favorite entertainment. But my money is my business—stay out! But is it just my business? Are you willing to let Jesus into this bolted-shut room of your life? Proverbs 6:6-11 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Anyone who is a Christian has invited God to rule their life. But let's be honest, there are certain areas in our lives that we'd rather not let God see, let alone change. In our day of modern entertainment where we have handheld computers and entertainment devices with us 24/7, entertainment has become one of those areas that we would rather God stay out. So what do we do? Keep going like we are free to do whatever we want? Or is there a better way? 1 Corinthians 10:23-31 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

We have already seen how God, the shepherd, is out front leading and how He comes alongside to provide and protect. Now we get a shepherd who is following. To be in His flock is to hear footsteps behind you, but not the footsteps of disappointment, anger, or judgment. These are the footsteps of goodness and love. This sermon reveals God's heart for His people, and His desire to give us abundant life. Psalm 23:6 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

We could not possibly account or prepare for every danger we will face in our lives. Life is mysteriously unpredictable. Yet this psalm teaches us that God, our shepherd, has already gone before us and both accounted and prepared for each danger. He leads us on in safety, providing for us and protecting us even when we're not aware that He's doing so. This sermon confronts us with our great need for God's provision and protection. Psalm 23:5 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Life has a way of leaving us feeling defeated, hopeless, and unsure of where to turn. While sometimes other people are the cause, other times it is because of our own choices. And how does God respond to us when we're down? This sermon highlights how God rescues, restores, and leads us in the right direction. Psalm 23:3-4 Speaker: Josh Jones

No portion of Scripture, Old or New Testament, is so universally celebrated by those who are followers of Jesus and those who aren't than Psalm 23. Many people who are unfamiliar with the Bible are familiar with Psalm 23. While there may be some who understand and appreciate its meaning and significance, there are likely far more who find some level of comfort in it, but fall short of understanding what it's saying and experiencing what it offers. In this 4-week series, we'll unpack some of the beauty and meaning of this beloved psalm and see how God cares for His people through deserts and gardens—and everywhere in between. Metaphors can be powerful figures of speech, helping us to understand what would otherwise be unclear to us. In the opening lines of Psalm 23, the author refers to God as a shepherd and himself as a sheep. He goes on to say that because that is true, he has need of nothing. How can he say that, and how can I experience that? This sermon answers those questions. Psalm 23:1-2 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Motherhood is challenging. When life and motherhood aren't what you had wanted, planned, or anticipated, it's easy to wonder where God is in all of it. From the anticipation of it through all the seasons of it, it tests every woman every step of the way. Sometimes the challenges are the result of our own choices, while at other times they result from the choices of others. There are moments so difficult we may wonder if God knows about our situation and, if He does, if He cares at all. In this sermon, we're going to get a look into the lives of two women in the Bible whose experience of motherhood was far from ideal, and we'll see where God is in their stories and what He has planned for them.  Genesis 16:1-16 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

The capacity for addiction can be found inside all of us. In fact, the addict experience could actually be called the human experience. Why do we do the things that we don't want to and why do we want the things that we do? These questions and more, when brought into the light and laid at the feet of God, can help us find freedom from the addictions that rule over so many of us! John 8:31-36 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

There are two paths to take in this life. You can't have both. There's the Easy Button and there's the Greatness Button. Guess which one Jesus pushed? This gets at a fundamental difference in our desires and God's desires for us. My goal for my life is happiness and comfort. God's goal for my life is greatness—to become god-like (more like Jesus). Matthew 16:21-27 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik