Midtown Church Podcast

Follow Midtown Church Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A weekly podcast hosted by lead pastors, Cassie and Alex. Midtown Church exists to reveal the kingdom of Jesus, together, in Kansas City. This podcast explores ways in which we can become more like Jesus, reveal the places he is already working, and ultim

Midtown Church


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 191 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Midtown Church Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Midtown Church Podcast

    Jesus Appears to John – John 21:20–25

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 27:53


    When we fixate on the outcomes or gifts of others, we lose sight of the unique calling God has placed on our lives. Comparison turns neighbors into competitors and blinds us to the needs and opportunities right in front of us. The story of Peter and John in John 21 offers a powerful corrective: Jesus calls each of us uniquely, and our focus must remain on Him, not on the outcomes or callings of those around us.

    Jesus Appears to Peter – John 21:15–19

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 30:26


    Confession is not about shame, but about stepping into the light of God's love. When we honestly acknowledge our brokenness, we are met not with condemnation, but with an invitation to follow Jesus and participate in his work. This honest reckoning with our flaws is the starting point for true transformation.

    Jesus Cooks Breakfast – John 21:1–14

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 34:42


    Too often, we expect to see Jesus only in church or during spiritual moments, but He is deeply interested in meeting us in our daily work, our failures, and our routines. Sometimes, our own shame or distractions keep us from seeing Him, but Jesus is always present, inviting us to notice Him and respond.

    John's Purpose – John 20:30–31

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 39:08


    The rise in spiritual curiosity in our culture reveals a deep hunger for meaning, but a do-it-yourself approach to spirituality often leaves us without a trustworthy guide. The story of Jesus offers not only a compelling interpretation of reality but also a path to the good life, one that is big enough to hold all the strangeness and mystery of our world, yet personal enough to give meaning and purpose to each of us.

    Jesus Appears to His Disciples – John 20:19–23

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 43:59


    True discipleship is not measured by how much Christian information we can recite or by simply holding the label “Christian.” It is a whole-life apprenticeship to Jesus, where we learn to live as he would live in our circumstances. This requires moving beyond consumption and self-improvement to a deep, ongoing commitment to follow Jesus in every aspect of life.

    Resurrection – John 20:1–18

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 41:32


    Easter is a time when we find ourselves, much like the diverse crowd at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, waiting to peer into the empty tomb and discern its meaning for our lives. For some, Easter is the cornerstone of faith, while for others, it may seem like a relic of the past. Yet, the resurrection story is not a mere fairy tale; it is a narrative filled with real people, real emotions, and real encounters with the risen Christ.

    Wrath – Matthew 5:21-26

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 38:50


    Anger is a prevalent issue in today's society, often manifesting in road rage and global unrest. As followers of Jesus, we must resist the sin of anger and strive to live as He would, recognizing that anger can be both a healthy emotion and a hellish habit. Jesus equates anger with murder in Matthew 5:21-26, emphasizing the seriousness of harboring anger towards others. However, distinguishing between healthy anger and a hellish habit is crucial. Healthy anger aligns with God's anger, which is slow, rooted in love, and directed towards injustice and oppression.

    Greed – 1 Timothy 6:6-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 47:20


    Greed, often misunderstood as a vice exclusive to the wealthy, is an insatiable desire for more that can affect anyone, regardless of their financial status. It is a pervasive force in our culture, celebrated and encouraged, yet it leads us away from the contentment and sufficiency found in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns against the dangers of greed, urging believers to pursue godliness with contentment, which he describes as "great gain." This contentment is not about accumulating wealth but about recognizing that life with God makes us rich in ways that transcend material possessions.

    Envy – 1 Samuel 19:9-18

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 36:24


    Envy is a subtle but powerful force that fuels comparison, competition, and resentment. It shows up in everyday moments—scrolling through social media, hearing someone else's good news, or watching a neighbor succeed. Left unchecked, it can damage relationships, divide communities, and blind us to the goodness in our own lives. But Scripture offers a different way. As 1 Corinthians 13 says, love does not envy. Love makes space for celebration, connection, and peace. In love, there is freedom from comparison and joy in being exactly who God created us to be.

    Pride – Matthew 6:1-6 & 16-18

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 36:38


    Pride is a subtle vice that shifts our focus from God to ourselves. It is not about thinking too much of oneself but rather thinking of oneself too much. In a culture that often glorifies self-promotion and attention-seeking, pride can easily become a barrier between us and God. This self-focused pride can lead us to place ourselves at the center of our universe, imagining that we are the source of our own lives. However, true fulfillment comes from making God the center of our lives and seeking His will above our own.

    Lust – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 51:18


    Lust, when left unchecked, deforms our view of others, our sexual appetites, our sense of commitment, and our sense of self. It reduces others to objects and distorts our understanding of relationships. However, God's call to holiness is not about achieving perfect purity but about setting our lives apart for Him. Holiness is about reordering our lives and loves towards God and His kingdom.

    Gluttony – Matthew 4:1-4

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 42:02


    Gluttony is not merely about food but about seeking to fill a spiritual void with temporary pleasures. This misplaced dependency challenges us to examine what truly satisfies our souls. The practice of fasting helps combat gluttony by exposing our attachments, increasing our hunger for God, and creating space for Him in our lives. During Lent, we are invited to embrace fasting—not as deprivation, but as a pathway to spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God.

    Sloth – Mark 14:32-42

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 35:52


    Sloth, often misunderstood as mere laziness, is a deeper spiritual indifference that can lead us away from God. It is described as a "noonday demon," a temptation that strikes in the midst of our daily routines, causing procrastination and avoidance of what is good. Recognizing and naming this shadow is the first step in overcoming it, as it allows us to confront the underlying thoughts that lead us astray. By acknowledging acedia, we can begin to address the spiritual lethargy that hinders our relationship with God.

    Embodied – Genesis 1:26–31

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 44:34


    The rise of artificial intelligence and digital advancements often tempt us to reduce our humanity to mere data processing, but this is a narrow view. Our faith insists on the value of the human body, emphasizing that being human is more than just thinking or problem-solving; it is about being embodied. From Genesis, we learn that being made in the image of God means we are inherently valuable, entrusted with a royal task, and capable of embodying love. Our bodies are not just vessels; they are integral to our identity and our ability to express divine love.

    Embodying Jubilee – Luke 4:16-30

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 33:40


    As followers of Christ, we are called to embody justice, mercy, and humility, proclaiming the good news through our actions. This requires us to be agents of Jubilee, bringing hope and transformation to the marginalized and outcasts in our communities. By living out these values, we reflect the heart of Jesus and participate in His mission to bring healing and liberation to a broken world. Our actions should be a testament to the justice and mercy of God, challenging us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who are often overlooked.

    Doubt in a Digital Age – Matthew 11:1-6

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 42:25


    In the digital age, the constant influx of information can easily distract us from our spiritual journey. The overwhelming noise can erode our faith by diverting our attention from meaningful questions and reflections. To navigate this, it's essential to take intentional breaks from digital devices and create space for contemplation and spiritual growth. By doing so, we can engage with our doubts and questions more meaningfully, allowing us to focus on our relationship with God and our spiritual development.

    Integrity – Matthew 5:27-30

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 33:13


    In this digital age, pornography has become alarmingly accessible, affecting individuals' perceptions of intimacy and relationships. This calls for a societal shift in understanding and addressing these issues, recognizing the profound impact it has on our youth and communities. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount urges us to look beyond commandments and examine the deeper issues of the heart. This message is not about condemning sexual desire, but about valuing the sacredness of sexual relationships.

    Holy Attention – Luke 10:38-42

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 41:40


    Our daily lives are filled with distractions, especially from digital devices that always seek our focus. Research indicates our attention spans are getting shorter, hindering meaningful connections with God and others. To cultivate holy attention, we must intentionally resist digital distractions. This involves practical steps like turn off notifications, use focus features, set app limits, and create time without devices. Practicing silence and solitude helps us be present with God, allowing us to slow down, reflect on our thoughts and feelings, and deepen our awareness of His presence.

    Simplicity – Luke 12:13-34

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 36:10


    In today's digital age, technology offers both opportunities and challenges for managing finances. While there are numerous tools available to help us budget and save, the same technology can also lead to increased debt and lifestyle inflation. Social media and targeted ads often tempt us to spend beyond our means, creating financial pressures that can distract us from our spiritual goals. As faithful disciples, it is crucial to critically assess how technology influences our financial decisions and spiritual lives.

    Formation in a Digital Age – Romans 12:1-2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 38:05


    The challenge we face is not just about managing our screen time but understanding how these digital interactions are molding us. Technology is not neutral; it has the power to transform us physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally. We are living in a "digital Babylon," a world with foreign customs and gods, where remaining faithful to our beliefs requires intentionality and discernment.

    Love – Luke 2:8–21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 37:26


    Our understanding of love, and consequently God's love, is deeply influenced by our early attachments and family dynamics. These experiences shape our expectations of God, often unconsciously. However, God's love is not defined by our experiences but by His actions, as demonstrated through Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, showing us that God's love is attentive, joyous, self-giving, and glorious.

    Joy – Luke 2:1-12

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 31:34


    Advent, marking the beginning of the church year, is a time of anticipation and preparation for the arrival of something greater. It is a period of deliberate tension, where we create space in our hearts for hope, peace, joy, and love. Waiting is often uncomfortable and can feel unproductive, yet it is in this waiting that we are shaped and formed. Our expectations influence how we wait, and how we wait can transform us.

    Peace – Luke 1:39-56

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 30:16


    Finding God's peace amid the world's noise, wars, and unrest can be challenging. Mary, mother of Jesus, exemplifies peace in Luke 1 by highlighting God's past faithfulness and future promises. She finds peace through trust in God, despite Israel's unfaithfulness. By reflecting on our spiritual heritage and the testimonies of those before us, we can also find peace.

    Hope in Emmanuel – Luke 1:26-38

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 24:14


    The holidays, often portrayed as the happiest time of the year, can paradoxically be a period of deep loneliness for many. The pressure to appear joyful and successful can lead to a façade that hides the true state of our hearts. However, the gospel offers a transformative invitation to move beyond mere expectation management to a season of anticipation and hope in Christ.

    Elders – 1 Peter 5:1-11

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 24:14


    True leadership, as exemplified by Jesus, is not about seeking power or personal gain but about serving others with integrity and compassion. This approach challenges the world's view of leadership, which often equates authority with dominance and self-interest. Instead, leaders are called to shepherd their communities with a servant's heart, prioritizing the well-being of others over their own ambitions.

    Insulted – 1 Peter 4:12-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 26:32


    In a world that often mocks or misunderstands our faith, we are invited to be unoffendable, to embrace suffering, and to find joy in our trials. This requires a deep reliance on Christ, a willingness to deny ourselves, and a commitment to follow Him. By doing so, we become a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative love of Jesus.

    Witness – 1 Peter 4:1-11

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 30:42


    Peter's call to witness is not a solitary endeavor but rather a meaningful journey undertaken through community. It involves deeply knowing and genuinely showing Jesus through our personal experiences of suffering, actively denying ourselves, and committing to loving sacrifice. These actions are not merely tasks but are, in fact, acts of worship and witness that beautifully point others to the hope and glory that can be found in a relationship with Christ.

    Suffering – 1 Peter 3:8-22

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 44:22


    Suffering is a complex issue that challenges our understanding of God's will. Rather than seeing God as the cause of all events, it is important to recognize the interplay of human freedom, spiritual forces, and chaos. This perspective invites us to trust in God's redemptive work amidst suffering.

    Subversion – 1 Peter 2:18-3:7

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 36:36


    Peter's instructions in his letters are not about maintaining the status quo but about subverting it from within. This concept of subversive stability involves embracing our roles and working for change through suffering love and patient endurance. This approach calls us to remain rooted in our relationships, communities, and workplaces, seeking change from within rather than fleeing when challenges arise.

    Authority – 1 Peter 2:11-17

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 43:07


    As Christians, we often forget to fully embrace our true identity as sojourners and exiles in this world. This identity calls us to live differently, abstaining from the passions of the flesh and maintaining honorable conduct among those who do not share our faith. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection, demonstrating a living hope that defies the pessimism and defeatism prevalent in the world today.

    Chosen – 1 Peter 2:4-10

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 26:34


    Often our identity as chosen by God is defined by societal standards or personal accomplishments, rather by God's love and unique purpose for us. The message of being chosen by God, as articulated by the Apostle Peter, is not just a spiritual concept but a call to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting the kingdom of God in our daily lives.

    Formation – 1 Peter 1:12-2:3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 33:54


    While humanity is created in God's image, there is also a need to acknowledge the depravity within us. This acknowledgment is crucial for spiritual growth and transformation, a process known as formation. This process involves actively pursuing our salvation, having an eternal perspective, embracing holiness, seeing God as a loving Father, and participating in community.

    Salvation – 1 Peter 1:1-12

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 44:26


    Often, Salvation is articulated this way: I have a sin problem, and I am on the road to damnation, but Jesus died for my sins, so now I have a chance to go to heaven. Peter's letter offers a rich tapestry of themes, including holiness, hope, and suffering, which together paint a picture of salvation that is far more than just personal deliverance from sin. It is an invitation into a life of holy community, hopeful presence, joyful suffering, and good news for the world.

    In Kansas City – Matthew 21:12-17

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 34:13


    The decline in volunteerism reflects a broader societal trend that has infiltrated the church. Many avoid serving due to beliefs in personal responsibility, passivity, and the overwhelming pace of life. However, Jesus' teachings make it clear that serving those on the margins is a gospel mandate. We are called not just to serve but to integrate those we serve into our daily lives.

    Together – Matthew 10:2-4

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 38:18


    While the idea of togetherness might seem straightforward, it is often fraught with challenges, especially given the scandals and moral failures that have plagued many religious institutions, including those in our own city. Yet Jesus regularly attended the synagogue, taught, healed, and debated there, despite its imperfections. Our commitment to the church is not about its perfection but about our collective journey towards Christ.

    Revealing the Kingdom of Jesus – Mark 1:14-15

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 40:01


    The world is undeniably broken, filled with suffering, injustice, and despair. Many of us have grown disillusioned, giving up on the dream of making a significant impact. However, Jesus invites us into a radical movement that promises to heal the world through suffering love, not through power or force, and live out the reality of the kingdom now while we await its full realization.

    Union – 1 Corinthians 7:1-8

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 40:35


    In American culture, there is an overwhelming sense that fulfillment in life is tied to sexual pleasure. Shaped in this environment, the sexual ethics of Jesus don't sound liberating; they sound limiting. But the Christian story insists that marriage is the safest and best place for sexuality to flourish as bonding, mutual submission, and witness.

    Singleness and Dating – 1 Corinthians 7:6-9; 25-31

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 36:40


    It is no secret that our culture is relationship-obsessed. Whether it be Hallmark, Zola, Hinge, Love Island, or The Bachelorette, they all sell the same dream that Disney princesses believe—your fulfillment is tied to finding true love. This is problematic primarily because it's not how Jesus lived or how the New Testament writers articulated marriage and singleness. Single people are welcomed as full participants in God's kingdom.

    Jesus and Sexual Minorities – Various Scriptures

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 46:07


    The most polarizing question of our generation is: What does Christianity have to say to those who experience same-sex attraction? We must carefully discern God's heart on this subject and work to align our life with Jesus'. The place we begin is with the biblical text.

    A Better Vision – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 41:57


    We are living through a widespread redefinition of sexuality and sexual norms in the West. There is a cacophony of competing visions vying for our attention and adoption. None is more influential and corrosive than pornography, which offers us the lie of commodified and anonymous pleasure. Against these stories is the Christian vision of sexuality that insists bodies matter, holy union is coming, and there can be a better witness to the world.

    A Community of Sexual Brokeness – John 7:53-8:11

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 37:38


    We all hold default assumptions about sex; assumptions formed by our environments, relationships, and experiences. Assumptions that have left us all sexually broken, fractured, and misshapen. The invitation of the Gospel is to bring our brokenness to the healer, to become a community of compassion and challenge.

    Politics for the City – Mark 12:13-17

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 41:53


    Americans have become less involved with religious institutions, but this has not made them less religious. Instead, Americans have channeled religious fervor and instinct into politics, resulting in new partisan religions. Against these new religions stand Jesus charting a path forward for his followers in the tension between submission and subversion.

    Hope for the City – Romans 12

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 38:04


    In election seasons, it is easy to find ourselves marked by animosity, disagreement, and hopelessness. The discourse around our nation is steeped in insult and outrage. But the way of Jesus is to be marked by love, service, hospitality, and peace, qualities that offer a hopeful alternative to our city.

    Prayer for the City – Matthew 6:5-14

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 31:56


    When it comes to prayer, we all struggle. We feel guilt for not praying more. We feel uncomfortable about praying in front of others. Despite our struggles, Jesus invites us to pray. He invites us to understand prayer not as an obligation but as participation in his coming Kingdom. Jesus teaches his disciples a prayer that has come to be known as the ‘Lord's Prayer'.

    Beauty for the City – Mark 14:1-11

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 37:38


    We buy shoes, makeup, clothes, weight loss strategies, house, and photo editing apps, but we find that we aren't any closer to answering one of the essential questions of life—what is beauty? To a world that is asking the question of what is beautiful, we as Christians get to say beauty is not only essential to the Christian faith but also has a name—Jesus.

    Hospitality for the City – Luke 14:1-14

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 22:43


    From Jesus' healing ministry to the work of modern missionary doctors, a consistent feature of the church's work in the world has been to care for the sick and needy through hospitality, which is both a practice and a posture centered on loving the stranger.

    Justice for the City – Jeremiah 9:23-24

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 33:14


    A common problem with a topic like justice is that it evokes many definitions, ideas, and experiences. The desire to "do justice" resonates within all of us, yet frequently, we merely contribute to the echo chamber with our posts. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to do better. It can be difficult to do justice if we are unclear of how God defines it. But we will find that the Bible gives us everything we need: motivation, joy, and mercy to participate in a Just life for Kansas City.

    Friendship for the City – John 15:12-17

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 29:31


    We are all looking for connection, relationships, and friendship, yet, somehow, we can't find it. Jesus's example is a life of friendship; Jesus ate, drank, talked, celebrated, walked, and just dwelt with his friends. Jesus chose to do it with others, from the mundane to the extraordinary. In his example, we commit to presence, serving, and vulnerability.

    Families for the City – Ephesians 1:3-5

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 34:34


    The United States is predominantly identified as an individualistic culture, in contrast to the collectivist cultures seen in many other parts of the world. Elements of individualism have been a part of American society since its early colonial days. But as apprentices of Jesus, we should prioritize togetherness– for ultimately, the people of God are family.

    Community for the City – Philippians 2:1-11

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 33:14


    There is no such thing as a perfect church or ideal community because there is no such thing as a perfect people. And yet Christ still invites us to participate in it. The good news is that on the other side of this idealistic or dream community is true unity around the person of Jesus and radical servanthood.

    Churches for the City – Acts 2:41-47

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 33:14


    Despite its failures, the Church is still Jesus's chosen plan for healing the world. The Church is called to serve as the best example of what God can do with the human community, specifically through unity and presence.

    Claim Midtown Church Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel