Podcast by Pastor Jack Sytsema
God gave authority to Jesus, and Jesus gives authority to us. What does that really mean? And how does Satan fit in? In this excellent message, Pastor Jack shows exactly what all of that means. This foundational message is both very clear and very motivational!
Powerful boldness is gentle at its core. So, what does that mean? Pastor Jack will be taking a close look at what boldness is, how gentleness fits in, and why we need an encounter by the Holy Spirit to make any of it effective.
The gift of tongues is one of the most misunderstood, misused, ignored, avoided and controversial topics in the Bible. But what does the Bible actually say about it? This week, Pastor Jack gives a balanced teaching sure to bring biblical perspective and understanding.
What does it mean to be encountered by the Holy Spirit? Join us for part two of this series. This week Pastor Jack reflects on God's instruction to Joshua and the Israelites to Get Ready.
What does it mean to be encountered by the Holy Spirit? This week Pastor Jack begins taking a look at what the Bible says and what you can expect (spoiler: it's a whole lot more than just book learning!)
Jack is back! In this Easter Sunday message, Jack shares his very personal story of his near-death experience and subsequent hospital stay, and how that ties into the beautiful and victorious Resurrection Sunday!
**We apologize for poor audio quality. We were experiencing technical issues.** Laurie Dittmar shares a beautiful historic perspective on Joan of Arc, and how her courage and bravery is available for us today!
Would you trade the indwelling of Holy Spirit for a weekly half hour sit-down with Jesus? That's the question we ponder this week as Pastor Jack also outlines his excitement and expectation for the year ahead!
2022 has been a tough year for many of us. And some may be burned out or discouraged. We all feel that way at times. And for those who feel that way, (and even for those who don't), Pastor Jack has two words: get ready! Here's a message for you filled with hope, purpose, and a look at where we are heading!
Is doubt ever a good thing? And can doubt ever be linked to peace? Yes, and yes! Pastor Jack explains, all while showing how God can meet our core need for affection.
There's a difference between having a promise of everything you need and actually having access to it. So how does God meet our need for access? That's what this message is all about. Plus, a big dose of access to joy in the process!
Did you ever feel as though God just isn't paying any attention? Especially when he sees your struggles but nothing seems to be changing? That's what this message of encouragement is all about!
Every one of us has a desire to be seen and heard by God and by others. We want to be known and understood. It's a hardwired need. And that's what Pastor Jack is exploring in this inspirational message.
What do you want for Christmas? Good question. But here's an even better one. What does God want to give you for Christmas? And one step further – what does God want from us? As we continue looking at how God meets our core longings, today we look at a great gift exchange: our burdens for His assurance of safety!
What are we really looking for? And what do we really need? These are not selfish or overly introspective questions. In fact, the more we understand what we need and how God and His community meet those needs, the less likely we are to look in inappropriate places to meet those needs. After all, they are called needs for a reason.
Rest. We all need it. But getting it is another story. What keeps us from entering into true rest? And why do we keep doing what we don't want to do? Those two questions are actually related. Pastor Jack explains and offers some answers to both!
And yes, we do mean sex. In this message, Pastor Jack offers a positive and biblically sound understanding of both the beauty of and spiritual principles of sex, and why it's important for us to know.
As Pastor Jack continues looking at our deep need for connection, today is all about friendships, and why God created us to need them.
As Pastor Jack continues exploring God's redemptive plan for spirituality and sexuality, he looks at the very core of that plan: covenant. This week we look specifically God's covenant with us, and how it is foundational to all that we are.
Part 1: What Do You Want? by Pastor Jack Sytsema
What do Payless Shoes and how you treat yourself have in common? That's the fun surprise of this message that blends the importance of true Christ-like community with the beautiful freedom of coming out of hiding.
When the Lord appeared to a lowly servant girl on the run, she truly understood that the God of the universe saw her and had His hand on her future. Can we ever really be assured of that for our own lives? Pastor Jack has answers that will bring both challenge and comfort!
Is there such a thing as a good catastrophe? Why, yes. Yes there is. And God can use whatever you have in your hand, even if that thing is shame. Sound impossible? Pastor Jack explains it all!
Ever really doubted God or His promises? Honestly, we all have at some point. But, have you ever stopped to consider what God's response to our doubt really is? If you ever struggle with your faith or wondered how to respond to anyone who does, this encouraging message is one you need to hear!
Moving through life can be tough. And it can often feel as though parts of ourselves get left behind in the process. David characterized it as “a broken dish thrown into the trash.” So, what do we do? In this message, Pastor Jack and Becky team up to bring encouragement and hope to the process of reclaiming what has been lost along the way, and moving forward in broken wholeness.
Did you know that a crisis of faith is sometimes tied to past generations? Along with a lot of other problematic issues that can overwhelm our lives today? Pastor Jack explores these issues and lays out a path to move forward!
Did you know that a crisis of faith is sometimes tied to past generations? Along with a lot of other problematic issues that can overwhelm our lives today? Pastor Jack explores these issues and lays out a path to move forward!
Here's an interesting thought. Jesus only mentions “church” twice. The first time was in the context of conflict, saying the church would prevail, and the second was that He would build the church. Building the church is not our calling. So, what is our part? Over and over Jesus calls His followers simply to make disciples. And to be brothers and sisters. And that is what this series is all about.
While our enemy is defeated, he has not yet surrendered. He is still going about stealing, killing, and destroying. Some choose to ignore the warfare, thinking God's got it all worked out with or without our involvement. Others live in a constant battle going from war to war rather than from glory to glory. So, where do we land on all of this? Pastor Jack explains!
Truly, deeply loved by God. That can be a tough concept for many, especially for those dealing with guilt or shame. So how can we really break though into understand the depth of God's love and compassion for us? That's where understanding adoption comes in! This is an important message for those needing to understand God's love, and those wanting to explain it to others.
Many sociologists agree that Americans are becoming more and more lonely. Our desire for independence and individualism comes with a cost: an epidemic of loneliness in our culture. And with fewer people attending church than before COVID, what are we to do? This week Pastor Jack looks what real community looks like, and how the church may need to look different in the future.
If you ever wanted to pray like David prayed -- real, raw, vulnerable, full of doubt, yet full of faith -- this message will help get you there! You will not see prayer and relationship with God in quite the same way at the end of this one! Prepare to be encouraged and emboldened. And if you have a panic attack in the middle, be comforted. So did David!
Justice. It means different things to different people, and has been politicized this way and that. But what does the Bible say about justice? And what if we are not meant the Good Samaritan? Wait! What? Pastor Jack has a lot to explain in this one!
Wait for it... Yeah, right! That's not always so easy to do! And most of us can use a bit more practice (good thing we have so many opportunities!) But can the very act of patience be a blessing in and of itself? Can patience bring a unique kind of fulfillment? Well, the waiting is over. Time for Pastor Jack to explain!
Here's a powerful key to living a re-storied life: gentleness! Huh? What has gentleness ever produced? Well, Jesus used it to describe His own heart. And besides being one of the fruit of the Spirit, Proverbs says gentleness is powerful enough to turn away anger! Hmmm. Let's get curious...
A re-storied life is what happens after the Holy Spirit enters and redeems your past, gives you victory for today, and hope for tomorrow. As a result, your life tells a different story and you live a different story. So, how does that happen? In this series, Pastor Jack will explore ways God intersects your story, and how we live differently as a result. First up, kindness! Contrary to its rather bland reputation, kindness is one of the most powerful weapons we have. In this moving message, Pastor Jack explains why.
What is evangelism and how do we do it? Jared takes the scary out of this topic by breaking it down with enthusiasm and joy.
In this very unique Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jack looks at everything that was going on as Jesus enters Jerusalem, including one very important and often overlooked detail: the Pharisees wanted Lazarus dead! What? Why? And why should that motivate us in a whole new way as followers of Jesus? Find out and be encouraged!
What do limping and leaping have in common? And what does that have to do with being God's "chosen people?" Pastor Jack answer these and other questions as we keep looking at divine reversals and enter into the Passover season.
So we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. But what does that promise have to do with spiritual gifts? As it turns out, quite a bit. Pastor Jack takes a look at how they are linked and why it's important. Along the way he gives a deeper understanding of miracles – and why, if you're a follower of Jesus, you've already seen and experienced them
Should we be praying for divine healing? If God doesn't heal, is it a lack of faith? What are we to believe? Too often our view of divine healing is more informed by our personal experience than by what the Bible actually says -- and that's what Pastor Jack takes a look at this week.
This message is literally filled with faith! In addition to balanced, unique teaching and fresh biblical understanding on the gift of faith, be prepared for an invitation into deeper, more fulfilling expectation into divine, informed trust in a God who has a hope and a future for you!
What do Esther, the Feast of Purim, and the spiritual gifts of knowledge and wisdom have in common? They are all features of this week's message of encouragement and faith! Get ready to move forward into something new and exciting!
In this faith-filled message, Pastor Jack introduces the biblical Feast of Purim by telling the story of Esther in a fresh and engaging way. This message will stir both the desire for and expectation in prayer that dares to believes God for His divine reversal in situations that seem hopeless. He then blends that with prayer for Ukraine, under attack from Russia at the time of this message.
What exactly is discernment? Who has access to it? What is the purpose of it? What should (and shouldn't) we do with it? And do you have any fun stories about it? These are just a few of the questions Pastor Jack answers in this message in our ongoing study of spiritual gifts.
So, prophecy. What is it? How does it work? What place should it have in church? Are we biblically allowed to ban it or ignore it? What if a prophecy is just plain wrong? Pastor Jack has lined up a message that will answer these and many other questions on this often-misunderstood gift of the Spirit.
James says we need to be quick to listen and slow to speak. But why? Especially when we have so many important things that need to be said (and posted). Today's message is all about how listening well is essential to loving well.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle that churches face today has nothing to do with COVID or how we gather or the format of our church services. The biggest obstacle is our lack of understanding of how much we need Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Jack looks at how this understanding is a huge part of you really doing you!
God gives all Christ-followers spiritual gifts. And with those gifts comes spiritual power. What does that mean? How do we get this power? Where does it come from? What responsibilities come along with it? Pastor Jack breaks it all down.
Imagine staring at a raging river that's a mile wide, up to 12 feet deep, and rushing currents as fast as 40 miles per hours. Now imagine that river is what stands between you and your future. And not just your future, but the futures of all your family and friends everyone you know and love. Crossing is impossible, yet necessary. What do you do? That's what this message is all about!
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