Lakewood Vineyard (OH)

Episode Summary  In this message from Acts 17, we're reminded that people have always searched for something to fill the space only God can fill. Through Paul's words in Athens, this sermon points us away from idols and toward the God who is not unknown—God has made Himself known in Jesus.Key Takeaways  - Idols aren't just statues; they can be anything we treat as ultimate or believe will finally make us whole.  - The true God is not needy or controlled by human effort—He is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else.  - God is not far away; He wants to be sought, found, and known.  - We do not have to guess what God is like, because God has revealed Himself in Jesus.  - Repentance means turning around—from false sources of life and back toward the God who truly saves.Key Moments  - [01:18] Introduction to Paul and how meeting Jesus completely changed his life  - [05:29] Paul arrives in Athens and is grieved by a city full of idols  - [08:34] The altar “to an unknown god” becomes the starting point for Paul's message  - [15:42] Paul contrasts false gods that demand things with the true God who gives generously  - [21:49] The call to turn from sin and respond to the God who has made Himself known in JesusScripture References  - Acts 17  - Acts 17:16  - Acts 17:22-23  - Acts 17:24  - Acts 17:25  - Acts 17:27  - Acts 17:30Reflection Question  What might be taking God's place in your heart right now, and what would it look like to turn back toward Jesus today?Connect With Us  If this message encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and pass it along to someone who needs the reminder that God is not far away and has made Himself known in Jesus.

Episode Summary  In this message from Acts 16, we're reminded that following God's lead doesn't always look like open doors and easy outcomes. Sometimes obedience includes closed doors, redirection, suffering, and unexpected opportunities—and on the other side of our yes, God may be reaching people we never could have imagined.Key Takeaways  - God's “no” or “not yet” is not failure; it may be his guidance.  - Discernment is meant to happen in community, not just in isolation.  - Obedience does not guarantee comfort, but God still works powerfully through it.  - When you say yes to Jesus, the outcome is not all on your shoulders.  - On the other side of your yes may be a person, family, or place God wants to transform.Key Moments  - [00:32] Paul's journey begins with Timothy and the first closed door as the Spirit redirects the mission  - [01:44] Lydia hears the gospel, and the Lord opens her heart in Philippi  - [02:34] Paul frees a slave girl, leading to backlash, beating, and imprisonment  - [03:14] Paul and Silas pray and sing in prison before the earthquake changes everything  - [03:41] The jailer asks how to be saved, and his household responds in faith  - [20:59] A key insight on communal discernment: “we concluded” God was leading them  - [30:19] The sermon turns to suffering, worship, and trusting God in painful obedience  - [40:57] Final invitation: what is God asking you to say yes to?Scripture References  - Acts 16  - Acts 16:1-34  - Acts 16:1-5  - Acts 16:6-10  - Acts 16:6  - Acts 16:7-9  - Acts 16:8-9  - Acts 16:9-10  - Acts 16:10  - Acts 16:11-12  - Acts 16:13-15  - Acts 16:16-18  - Acts 16:18  - Acts 16:19-24  - Acts 16:25-26  - Acts 16:27-28  - Acts 16:30-31  - Acts 16:31-34  - Matthew 11:28-30Reflection Question  Where might God be asking for your yes today, even if the path feels unclear, costly, or different from what you expected?Connect With Us  If this episode encouraged you, subscribe and share it with a friend who may need courage for their next yes. We'd love for you to stay connected with Lakewood Vineyard and join us for a future message.

Episode Summary  In this message from Acts 15, Matt explores the difference between grace and the exhausting pressure to prove ourselves before God. Through the early church's debate over law, belonging, and salvation, the sermon reminds us that Jesus has already done what we could never do—and that freedom changes how we see ourselves and others.Key Takeaways  - Salvation is received by grace through faith, not by keeping a religious scorecard. - Jesus removes the pressure to prove you belong to God because the verdict is already settled in him.  - Legalism doesn't just burden us—it can also make it harder for others to come to Jesus.  - Real freedom is not doing whatever we want, but leaving behind what destroys us and walking into the life Jesus gives.  - When we know we are accepted by God, we become freer to love others without comparison or judgment.Key Moments  - [02:44] Acts 15 frames the central question: what makes someone right with God?  - [09:20] The conflict in Antioch begins as some insist Gentiles must follow Jewish law to be saved.  - [22:59] Peter rejects placing a yoke on others that even God's people could not bear.  - [25:14] Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11 contrasts burdensome religion with his easy yoke.  - [29:29] The heart of the message: the verdict is already in—acceptance comes through Jesus.  Scripture References  - Acts 15  - Acts 15:1-11  - Acts 15:10-11  - Acts 15:19-31  - Ephesians 2:8-9  - Matthew 23:4  - Matthew 11:28-30  Reflection Question  What scorecard are you using to measure whether you're okay with God, and how is Jesus inviting you to lay it down?Connect With Us  If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and pass it along to someone who needs the reminder that in Jesus, there is nothing left to prove.

Episode Summary  In this message from Acts 13, we see how the church at Antioch listened together, fasted, and responded when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to be sent out. This sermon invites us to consider how God speaks, how community helps confirm calling, and how making room for God can shape our next faithful step.Key Takeaways  - Fasting helps create intentional space to pay attention to God and listen for his voice.  - Calling is often discerned in community, not just in isolation.  - God may confirm calling through desire, gifting, and the encouragement of others.  - Faithful obedience can be costly, but God uses it for mission and encouragement.  - God has purpose for every believer, even when the next step feels unclear.Key Moments  - [03:58] Acts 13:1–3 introduces the church at Antioch and the sending of Barnabas and Saul  - [10:48] Fasting is highlighted as a regular part of the church's worship, prayer, and discernment  - [17:11] The church confirms a calling God had already placed on Paul and Barnabas  - [21:55] A practical turn: what this story means for personal calling and the role of community  - [28:52] Invitation to trust Jesus and respond to God's call through prayerScripture References  - Acts 13  - Acts 13:1-3  - Acts 13:2  - Acts 13:3  - Acts 1:8  - Acts 2  - Acts 9  - Acts 13-14  - Matthew 14:28-31Reflection Question  Where might God be inviting you to make more room for his voice and take one faithful next step in response?Connect With Us  If this message encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and pass it along to someone who may need clarity or encouragement in their calling. We'd also love for you to stay connected with your church community and keep leaning into prayer, discernment, and mission together.

From our Acts series

Acts 10

What if the most world-changing moments in your faith don't feel extraordinary at all?This week, Pastor Matt welcomes Casey Tobik — Prayer Pastor at King's Church and Midwest Regional Director for 24/7 Prayer — to unpack one of Scripture's most overlooked hinge-moments: Ananias in Acts 9. Not Saul. Not the Damascus road. The ordinary, hesitant, honest disciple God called to place his hands on the very man who'd been hunting Christians.Casey walks through what it actually looks like to hear God's voice, wrestle with fear and doubt, and still say "yes, Lord" — using Ananias's honesty as a model for real, unedited prayer. From Edward Kimball's shoe-store conversation that eventually led to Billy Graham, to Pastor Matt's own vacation encounter with a young couple he felt nudged to pray for, this episode makes the case that God's math isn't about grand gestures. It's about small, faithful obedience whose ripple effects we may never live to see.If you've ever doubted whether that quiet nudge was really God — or wondered if your ordinary "yes" could matter — this one's for you.

A woman moves to Philadelphia because her brother calls and says "God is here." College students sell their stuff to help a stranger. Three thousand strangers become one family overnight. This is the early church in Acts 2 — and it wasn't built by strategy or social engineering. It was built one heart at a time. This week we explore what it looks like when a community is actually devoted.

This Mother's Day, Matt and Erin Shetler teach on a side of God's character the church has often been less comfortable with — the mother heart of God.Scripture doesn't just compare God to a father. Over and over, God reveals himself through maternal imagery: a nursing mother who cannot forget her child, a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, a love that screams "stop" and holds us close in the same breath.Walking through Genesis 1, Isaiah 49, and Matthew 23, Matt and Erin ask what changes when we let ourselves be held by the God who said, "I will not forget you."

We live in a world obsessed with winning arguments and protecting our peace. But Jesus calls us to something harder and better: making peace. In this week's message, we dig into what shalom actually means, why peacekeeping and peacemaking aren't the same thing, and what it looks like to go first — even when it costs you.

Your phone. Your inbox. Your to-do list. Your worries. Everything is competing for your attention — and most of the time, it's winning.In this message, Matt explores what Jesus meant when he said "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." An undivided heart isn't just a spiritual ideal — it's the thing that changes how you see everything. But in a world built to distract you, how do you actually get there?

Most of us know what it feels like to be empty inside — and to reach for something that doesn't actually help. In this message from the Blessed series, we dig into Matthew 5:6, where Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. But what does that kind of hunger even look like, and what does it mean to be filled? Through honest personal story and two remarkable Old Testament prophecies, we explore the difference between looking good on the outside and being transformed from the inside out — and why the emptiness you feel might be exactly where God wants to meet you.

We spend most of our lives managing how people see us — projecting confidence, competence, the good life. Then Jesus opens his most famous sermon and says the people who've stopped doing all of that are the blessed ones. What if the entrance to everything God offers isn't achievement — it's admitting you have nothing to bring? Week 1 of the Blessed series from Lakewood Vineyard Church.

The disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus. They watched him die. When the women came back saying he'd risen, they couldn't go there. Not again. The risk of hoping one more time—and being wrong again—felt too high.If you've been there, this Easter message is for you. Pastor Matt explores what it looks like to open the door to hope when everything in you says it's too dangerous. We'll dig into the real reasons the disciples doubted, why Peter chose to wonder, and what it means that Jesus meets us in our fear, our shame, and our hesitation.

Have you ever felt like you're holding everything together — and terrified of what happens if you stop? In this episode, Matt Shetler walks through Psalm 23 and discovers it's not the comfort psalm we think it is. It's a trust psalm. One that meets us in the valley, calls us by name, and reminds us that we were never meant to be our own shepherd.

Why does God seem so comfortable with people praising him? And why do so many of us struggle to do it? In this episode, Pastor Matt digs into Psalm 33 and explores what worship actually is — and why our desire to hold onto control might be what's getting in the way. Spoiler: we don't worship God because he needs it. We worship him because when we see who he really is, it's the only response that makes sense.

When life feels unstable, Psalm 46 reminds us of a powerful truth:Refuge isn't found in a life that never shakes— it's found in a God who never leaves.In this message, we explore how God meets us in the middle of chaos and how we can take simple, faithful steps forward—even when nothing feels certain.Note: A brief audio interruption occurred during the original recording. The missing section has been restored for this podcast version.

In this message from Psalm 136, we explore the unchanging faithfulness of God. Throughout Israel's story—creation, deliverance from Egypt, and provision in the wilderness—the repeated refrain reminds us that “His faithful love endures forever.” This episode reflects on how God remains Creator, Deliverer, and Sustainer, even when life feels uncertain or difficult. Wherever you find yourself today—seeking God's goodness, needing freedom, or learning to trust Him in the wilderness—this conversation invites you to remember and respond to God's enduring love.

In this special anniversary service, Pastor Matt reflects on Joshua 3–4 and the “stones of remembrance.” As we celebrate six years as a church and the close of 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we share stories of healing, answered prayer, and God's faithfulness among us — and pray over the Gearharts as they prepare to plant a new church in Tremont.When we remember what God has done, it gives us courage for what's ahead.

What kind of impact will your life leave behind?In this message from our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God's life is meant to flow through us—not stop with us. Drawing from Matthew 28:16–20 and 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT), we look at Jesus' Great Commission and discover that He gave it to ordinary, imperfect people—some who were still doubting.The call to “make disciples” isn't about having all the answers or being spiritually impressive. It's about passing on what we've received. Just like a river brings life wherever it flows, God invites us to invest in others in simple, relational ways that multiply over time.If you've ever felt unqualified to share your faith, this message is for you. Jesus' promise still stands: “I am with you always.”Let's become a river—together.

What if real impact doesn't come from big, impressive moments—but from ordinary faithfulness? In The Power of Small, part of our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God's life flows through everyday practices like prayer, listening, shared meals, and simple acts of service—and how showing up right where you are can bring real, lasting change.

What if following God isn't about striving harder, but about learning to pay closer attention?In Part 4 of our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God invites us to live in step with Him—not by forcing outcomes, but by noticing where He is already at work and joining Him there. Drawing from Ezekiel's vision of a life-giving river and the example of Jesus, this message unpacks how God still guides His people today through relationship.We look at how Jesus modeled dependence on the Father, why God often speaks more quietly than we expect, and the everyday ways the Holy Spirit leads—through Scripture, gentle promptings, trusted community, and attentiveness to God's presence.This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen, and rediscover the freedom of doing what we see the Father doing.

Join us as we explore the  call to spiritual depth, drawing  metaphors from the simple, yet profound lessons of learning to swim and navigating deep waters. Discover how deep waters are not just a cause for caution but also a space for safety and greater capacity in the journey of faith.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:13 - Becoming a River Church00:00:41 - The Importance of Deep Water For Swimming00:06:34 - Ezekiel: A River of Life00:09:38 - Ezekiel and Second Peter: Growth Is Possible00:13:19 - His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need for a godly00:19:07 - Slow Growth in the Kingdom00:24:03 - Ezekiel 3: Stay in the River00:29:29 - 2 Peter: Invest in Me00:34:23 - Brotherly Love: When Things Get Hard, We Invest in It00:38:30 - Peter: Growth is Beautiful00:41:42 - ConclusionAs you listen, consider where you are in your own spiritual journey—are you treading water at the surface or are you ready to dive into deeper waters?

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Join us as Pastor Matt talks about a season of prayer and fasting

Join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our Advent Series

Join us as Pastor Wendy continues our Advent series "All Things New"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our Advent series, "All Things New"

Please join us as Pastor Wendy kicks off our Advent series

Please join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our series, Open Hands

Join us as Pastor Matt leads a panel with Catherine Golladay and Tom Wadsworth

Join us as Pastor Matt begins our new series, 'Open Hands'

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, 'Rooted'

Join us as Pastor Wendy continues our current series, "Rooted"

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Rooted"

Join us as we hear a guest preacher, Pastor Christan Root of Grove City Vineyard, continue our series "Hunger & Thirst".

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Please join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Wendy wraps up our series, "Jesus is Greater".

Pastor Matt continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"