Calvary Chapel Red Wing Audio Podcast

The Christian life is a spiritual battle. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul exhorts the church in Ephesus to withstand the attacks of the enemy and the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Believers are to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10) and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) to stand against Satan's schemes. Our battle is spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). This armor allows believers to stand firm in the faith (Ephesians 6:13).Christians must equip themselves with the whole armor of God. This armor includes such elements as truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.

Tune in to our chapter-by-chapter study through Ephesians with Pastor Patrick Farrell from Calvary Chapel Wichita. In this chapter, Paul the apostle continues with practical instruction for the church. Believers are called to walk in love, be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit, living in submission to Christ and to one another. It is a wonderful privilege to be counted among the family of God, and that privilege carries responsibility, responsibility Paul continues to unfold here. The chapter concludes with concise and timeless wisdom for married couples.

Listen in as Pastor Seann Dikkers digs into Ephesians chapter 4 for us and examines Paul's instructions for the Church. The Apostle Paul spent the first three chapters spelling out in glorious detail all that God did for us, freely by His grace. Now he brings a call to live rightly, and for unity among God's people. Paul writes: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Join us as Pastor Mike Fernandez unpacks Ephesians chapter 3 where Paul writes about the mystery of the work of the gospel in bringing Jew and Gentile together into one new body.

John will dig into Ephesians chapter 2 where we see Paul's message to the early church of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Tune in as Pastor Seth Wetter from Calvary Chapel Fargo unpacks Ephesians chapter 1 for us with a message titled, “Sprit Filled Church”.

Tune in as Pastor Adam Tyler opens the Word and unpacks Matthew chapter 11 for us. Jesus gives true rest:1) V1-15...when expectations are shaken2) V16-24...not to those who reject him3) V25-30...to those who come to Him and follow Him

Deuteronomy 6 is a pivotal chapter emphasizing Israel's exclusive devotion to one God, summarized by the Shema (vv. 4-5): "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one," commanding love for God with all your heart, soul, and might, and giving instructions for how to internalize and teach these words to future generations. As we dig deeper into verses 4-7, we find four foundational principles for parents to apply in their homes: Know the Lord, Love the Lord, Know God's Word, Teach God's Word.

Is Israel still central to Biblical prophecy, or do God's promises no longer apply to the Jews? How should the church respond to Israel, and how should America treat the Jewish nation? Learn more as Pastor Wes Denham looks into the Scriptures to explain what the Bible tells us.

Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 includes language similar to other Old Testament passages, such as when he acknowledges God as "the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments". Why is this important to us today? Because Daniel knew that effective prayer comes out of knowing and praying God's word despite our circumstances.

Life's transitions can feel overwhelming, but they're opportunities to witness God's faithfulness in new ways. Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud and fire, He continues to guide His people today through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and godly leadership. The tabernacle served as God's dwelling place among His people, providing a center for relationship, worship, and community. While we may not have visible signs like the Israelites, we can discern God's leading through spiritual sensitivity, wise counsel, circumstances, and His peace. Whether facing leadership changes, career shifts, or other major transitions, the key is staying connected to God through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers rather than trying to navigate alone.

Listen in as Mike and Kristen Montgomery make a Special Announcement

Life brings unexpected challenges that can shake our faith and leave us uncertain. The apostle Paul identifies God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, revealing that He is the source from which all true comfort flows. God comforts us through His presence via the Holy Spirit, through His Word which serves as spiritual nourishment, through His people in the church family, and through worship and prayer. The comfort we receive isn't meant to end with us - God comforts us so we can comfort others facing similar struggles. This creates a beautiful cycle where God's comfort multiplies through His people, reminding us that our trials aren't wasted when they become the means to encourage someone else.

In Matthew chapter 8, Jesus demonstrates His divine power through three miraculous healings that reveal His heart for outcasts and unlikely people. He touches an untouchable leper, showing His willingness to heal those society rejects. A Roman centurion displays remarkable faith that amazes Jesus, proving that salvation isn't based on heritage but on faith. Peter's mother-in-law is healed and immediately begins serving, illustrating how genuine transformation leads to service. These miracles prove that Jesus has both the power and willingness to transform lives, specializing in reaching those who feel unworthy or forgotten.

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a powerful parable about two builders that reveals the difference between wise and foolish living. The wise person both hears Jesus' words and obeys them, building their life on the solid rock of Christ. The foolish person hears the same message but chooses not to obey, building on the unstable sand of human effort and religious activity. Both houses may look similar outwardly, but when the storms of life and ultimate judgment come, only the house built on the rock will stand. True wisdom means seeing life from God's perspective and acting accordingly through faith and obedience to His Word.

Jesus presents us with critical choices that impact our eternal destinies in Matthew 7:13-23. He commands us to enter by the narrow gate, which leads to life, rather than the wide gate that leads to destruction. The narrow path is difficult and unpopular, while the broad way is attractive and well-traveled. Jesus warns about false prophets who disguise themselves as followers but lead people astray. We can identify them by their fruits - both their doctrine and their practice. Most sobering is that not everyone who claims Jesus as Lord will enter heaven; true faith must be accompanied by obedience and a transformed life.

In this presentation, Charlie opens up with a brief look at Jude 1:3 (“contend earnestly for the faith”) and then offers concise 2–5 minute answers to a variety of objections that atheists bring up about God and the Bible: • “The Bible condones slavery!”• “The God of the Old Testament commanded genocide, the wiping out of the Canaanite people in the Book of Joshua.”• “Surely God doesn't exist. If He did, He'd appear to us in a public setting and prove it to the world.”• “The universe is so vast! It's foolish to think a god built a universe billions of light years across just to have a personal relationship with you.”• “The Bible was written by men! It's not trustworthy.”•  “After the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian in AD 312, the Roman Empire took control of the Bible and tampered with its contents to better control the people.”• “The New Testament authors stole the whole idea for Jesus's virgin birth and resurrection from ancient religions that were around prior to Christianity.”• “Keep the Bible out of people's bedrooms. What two consenting adults do is their business. They have the right to do whatever they'd like to do.”• “Why do Christians persist in judging, when Jesus said not to judge?”• “The Bible is oppressive and harmful to women!”• “Religions, Christianity included, are responsible for most of the world's wars, suffering, and atrocities!”• “Evolution is a proven fact.” 

Jesus's teaching in Matthew 7:1-14 challenges us to examine our hearts regarding judgment and discernment. He warns against harsh, hypocritical judgment while encouraging proper self-examination before helping others. Jesus uses the vivid imagery of logs and specks to illustrate our tendency to criticize in others what we struggle with ourselves. He balances this with the call to be discerning, teaching us to pray persistently to our loving heavenly Father. The passage culminates in the Golden Rule and the stark choice between the narrow gate leading to life and the wide gate leading to destruction.

In this service, Pastor Jack Hibbs shares about Charlie Kirk and challenges the believer to live sold out for Jesus, following Charlie's example. Closing thoughts by Pastor Mike Montgomery of Calvary Chapel Red Wing.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-34 about the critical choice between earthly and heavenly treasures. Earthly possessions are temporary and vulnerable, while heavenly treasures remain secure eternally. Our hearts naturally follow what we value most, revealing our true priorities. Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye to illustrate spiritual vision and warns that we cannot serve both God and money. He encourages us to trust our Heavenly Father's provision rather than worrying, pointing to nature as evidence of God's care. The solution is simple yet profound: seek first God's kingdom, and everything else will fall into place.

Listen in as Jesus gives the disciples a model for prayer, not something to just blindly recite over over, but an amazing way to talk to the Father!Prayer is an intimate conversation with our heavenly Father, not a formal recitation. Jesus provided a revolutionary model for prayer that begins by acknowledging God's holiness and kingdom before addressing our personal needs. This pattern moves us from heaven to earth, teaching us to depend on God for daily provision, seek and extend forgiveness, and request protection from temptation. The Lord's Prayer isn't meant to be repeated verbatim but serves as a template that transforms our approach from self-centered requests to God-centered worship, ultimately bringing us into deeper relationship with our Father.

Listen in as Guest Speaker, Edward Amaya shares encouragement about what Gos is doing around the world through Far Reaching Ministries!Faithfulness to God isn't about location but obedience to His calling in every season of life. Far Reaching Ministries exemplifies this through their work in dangerous regions worldwide, including training chaplains who serve in war zones with nothing but Bibles. The parable of the nobleman in Luke 19 reminds us that Jesus expects faithful stewardship of what we've been given, regardless of world circumstances. Whether serving overseas or in our local communities, we're called to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers, making an eternal impact during our brief time on earth.

Jesus addresses hypocrisy in the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on our motives behind giving, prayer, and fasting. He warns against performing religious acts to gain human approval rather than pleasing God. True spirituality happens in secret, where only God sees our hearts. We must examine whether we would still practice our faith if no one ever knew about it. Living for an audience of One means being authentic in our devotion, removing our masks, and responding to God's love with genuine spiritual practices.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us to move beyond external compliance with God's law to internal transformation. He contrasts the Pharisees' focus on outward appearances with true righteousness that begins in the heart. Jesus reinterprets commands against murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and treatment of enemies by addressing their root causes in our hearts. The perfection Jesus calls us to comes through His righteousness given to us when we trust Him as Savior, followed by the ongoing process of sanctification. God is perfecting believers so our first responses align with His heart: reconciliation, purity, truth, mercy, and love.

Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light in a world that's decaying and dark. As salt, Christians are called to be a purifying, preserving, and flavorful influence that prevents cultural decay. As light, believers are meant to shine visibly, helping others navigate to safety. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law perfectly, and through His grace, we can attain a righteousness that exceeds even the most religious efforts. The challenge for believers is to live authentically different lives that create spiritual thirst in others and point them toward Christ, influencing the world without being corrupted by it.

In Nehemiah 8, we see how the Israelites gathered eagerly to hear and understand God's Word after returning from exile. Their experience teaches us that truly understanding Scripture leads to reverence, conviction, joy, and spiritual hunger. When we comprehend God's Word, it transforms us—moving us from sorrow over sin to the strength found in God's joy. To grow in understanding, we need regular reading, proper explanation, a willing heart, and practical application. Making Scripture a priority isn't just about knowledge; it's about allowing God's truth to change how we live.

The Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount reveal a radically different approach to happiness than what our world typically offers. These teachings describe supernatural character traits of Kingdom citizens, beginning with recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy and progressing through mourning over sin, meekness, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy, pursuing purity of heart, and becoming peacemakers. Rather than being a path to salvation, the Beatitudes describe how those who belong to God's Kingdom naturally live. This countercultural lifestyle inevitably leads to persecution, which Jesus says should be met with rejoicing because of the heavenly reward and connection to faithful believers throughout history.

In this study, we will see Jesus call some of His disciples. We'll see what that meant and we'll also discover why Jesus set up His headquarters around the Sea of Galilee.

When heaven opens, hell responds—this spiritual principle explains why Satan attacks after our spiritual victories. Jesus faced three wilderness temptations targeting God's provision, protection, and promises, each questioning whether God could be trusted. Jesus countered each attack with Scripture from Deuteronomy, demonstrating how we should fight spiritual battles. To stand firm against temptation, we must know Scripture intimately, understand our identity in Christ, stay vigilant after spiritual highs, and remember we're fighting from Christ's victory, not for it. The wilderness is real, but God's refreshment follows our obedience.

John the Baptist, described by Jesus as the greatest man born of woman, was a wilderness prophet who prepared the way for the Messiah. Though he could have followed his father's path as a temple priest, John chose the wilderness, delivering a powerful message of repentance that would later be echoed by Jesus himself. His baptism symbolized a complete turning from sin toward God, and despite his significant ministry, John always pointed to Jesus rather than himself. His confrontational approach with religious leaders reminds us that genuine heart change matters more than religious heritage or appearances.

In a world under the influence of evil, Christians must navigate with the Holy Spirit as their guide. Joseph's story teaches us to remain submitted and sensitive to God's leading, responding with immediate obedience when He directs our paths. God often leads us to unexpected places—our own 'Nazareth moments'—where He accomplishes great things from unlikely locations. While He rarely reveals the entire journey ahead, providing just enough light for the next step, our trust in His guidance doesn't require full visibility, just full obedience. By listening intentionally and responding promptly, we participate in God's greater purposes.

Listen in as Ken Mikel from Olive Tree Ministries shares about current events and prophecy.

In this study, we will see Joseph, the husband of Mary, wrestle through the news that his soon to be wife is pregnant and what happens in the aftermath.

In this study, our first in The Gospel of Matthew, we will look at the genealogy of Jesus and what it actually means for us!