Parker Ford Church's Podcast

Jesus teaches that fasting should be done in secret, not for show, as a way to humbly seek God and grow in dependence on Him. Historically, fasting was tied to repentance, seeking God's help, and spiritual renewal—not performance or ritual. True fasting draws us closer to God through discipline, dependence, and devotion, clearing distractions so we can realign our hearts with His presence and purposes. 

Recently PFC welcomed Dave Wiedis to share some insights from his new book The Spiritually Healthy Leader. In his teaching Dave Wiedis talked about the idea of "ruling passions". Every person has a ruling passion. This is part of God's good design. But our ruling passions can become idols when they are not focused on Christ. Using this framework, we will explore the power of the Lord's Prayer to recenter us on Jesus and his glory. 

Jesus is taking us on a journey to understand and practice what it looks like to live in His upside-down Kingdom. This week we will be looking at both generosity and prayer. How was the culture of the time engaging these and how should we be doing so now?

Perhaps this is a silly question … but do you know some people that don't like you? That have even hurt you, taken advantage of you, or humiliated you? We all have “enemies”. And this Sunday, Jesus is going to show us a better way to respond to these people. Instead of responding in kind to evil and escalating the situation, we respond - not passively or as doormats but as people who are ingenious in offering creative goodness and sacrificial love in action. We'll end our time by praying for our enemies. 

We're so excited to have David Wiedis with us at PFC today. Dave will be sharing insights from his brand new book, "The Spiritually Healthy Leader." Dave is the Founder and Executive Director of Serving Leaders Ministries, with decades of ministry experience and leadership. 

This week, we'll be exploring a third case study of inward-based righteousness: the power of our words.  We'll look at the historical significance of oaths and how Jesus takes the law one step deeper. 

The resurrection of Jesus gives us the hope and promise that the new creation is coming! Things won't always be this way. Jesus physically died and physically came back to life and what God did 2,000 years ago, He will do for the whole world! Easter is a true taste of what's to come! 

The "Triumphal Entry" was the public declaration that Jesus viewed himself as the Messiah, and the promised King of kings. He rode into Jerusalem accepting the title of "Son of David" and the shouts of praise, "Hosanna!" He then entered the temple and called it "My house." Jesus was forcing the people to either crown him or crucify him (and he knew which the religious leaders would choose). With Jesus, there is nothing in between. We must know him as King or do our best to get rid of him.

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tackles two uncomfortable topics. He addresses lust and divorce. In every culture, in every place, throughout all human history men have dehumanized women through lust and misuse of power. The example and teachings of Jesus draw us back to the Garden of Eden, back to God's creative design - male and female God created us in his own likeness and image. When we learn to see and treat one another as God's image, children of the same Father, and kingdom siblings, we live out the ethical vision of Jesus' upside down kingdom.

This week we are continuing to look at Jesus' teaching in Mathew 5. As Pastor Dave shared last week, over the next few weeks we are going to be looking at examples of inward-based righteousness. The first example is anger. Anger is a valid emotion when something we care about isn't the way it should be.  But there are proper and improper ways to express anger. Learning to express anger appropriately is critical to becoming more like Jesus. 

Get ready! Jesus is raising the bar for those who follow Him. But the good news is that He has done all the heavy lifting! What the first half of the Bible points forward to and the momentum it created, Jesus comes and fulfills. But He is calling us into deeper ways of right living that is marked by inside-out obedience. This Sunday we'll dive into the very beginning of the main part of Jesus' sermon on the mount as He sets the stage for 6 case studies to follow. 

Did you know that God has flavors and colors that he wants to bring into this world through you? Join us this Sunday as we unpack what Jesus meant by these metaphors of salt and light as we continue learning about the ‘Upside Down Kingdom.' 

Jesus wraps up the 9 Beatitudes with two corresponding blessings given to those who are persecuted, insulted, and spoken of poorly because of righteousness. Throughout church history God has used persecution to strengthen the Church and spread the gospel around the world. The Lord is doing the same today. 

Biblical peace is not the absence of conflict, but it's also not the seeking of conflict. Peace in the Scriptures is about wholeness and harmony. The compound word used by Jesus in Matthew 5:9 is an active word. Peace is made. We are called to join in Jesus' work of making peace. There are many forms of counterfeit peace, Jesus has something better for us to participate in. 

In the middle of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, he tells us that if we ask, seek, and knock, we will receive, find, and experience open doors from heaven. How are our lives responding to that invitation? Let's explore what it looks like to pursue God and all that he wants to offer us.  

What protects a life from becoming a sham? What provides a life with clearer vision of God? Jesus provides instruction in the 6th beatitude that's on tap for us this Sunday. Jesus is forming people whose behavior matches their beliefs. People whose life's actions are synced with pure motivations … are in a good place!

Christians, to the extent that we live out the teachings and example of Jesus, are a sneak preview of eternity. And perhaps, as much as any other Christian trait, mercy is the ultimate sneak peek into the Kingdom of Heaven. One way to understand mercy is "extravagant kindness". There's no reason God has to be so extravagantly kind to us...but he is! And we get to live in the same way towards others. 

Have you ever been hangry? Have you ever been around someone else who is hangry? Hangry, if you're not familiar with it, is the state of being angry...because you're hungry. It's not just toddlers who get a little grumpy when they have an empty stomach. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says that those who are hangry for righteousness will be satisfied. This week we explore the hunger and thirst that points towards the righteousness and justice of the Kingdom of Jesus.

“Blessed are the meek.” This Sunday as we take a look at Jesus' next statement in Matthew 5:5, we're going to see just how fortunate are those who humbly live outside of centers of power and influence, who are even squashed under the thumb of the wicked, yet humbly wait on God and look to Him for ultimate deliverance and justice. Join us as we continue to learn about the ‘upside-down kingdom' that Jesus brings. 

This week, we are going to look at the second beatitude. Remember, at the start of this teaching, Jesus is talking specifically to his followers and trying to show them what it looks like to be in his Kingdom, which is often “upside down” from the world. Matthew 4:17 says, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus is now going into further explanation on what his Kingdom looks like. We are taking the time to slowly walk through these principles... it helps us understand not only our call as a follower of Christ, but also the flipside... the pitfalls that we can find ourselves in.  

Have you ever felt depleted in life? Have you ever been in a place where you felt like you had very little to offer in the way of resources, strength, influence, and abilities? Maybe that describes how you're entering this new year. If so, Jesus offers you tremendous encouragement at the very beginning of His ‘sermon on the mount.' This Sunday, we'll soak in this blessing of His presence for the powerless. 

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the standard by which humanity is to live. He is the Light of the World, by which we know the truth. To be a disciple of Jesus is to follow Him, be taught and apprenticed by Him, and to become like Him. This week we enter into Jesus' vision for life in His kingdom. It's an upside down kingdom, different from any other kingdom this world has to offer. Ready? Let's go! 

Jesus is the Light of the World. This is one of the seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John. In John 8, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." This statement pretty much sums up the gospel message. The world, and all of us who live in this broken world, are filled with darkness. But Jesus came and is the light by which we see and experience the truth. But Jesus also says to his followers, "You are the light of the world." Amazingly, God works through people - He shines His light through us! John the Baptist's story illustrates how much the light of God can shine through a person who points to Jesus.

Today we'll be continuing the Christmas story as told in Luke's Gospel. Mary visits her relative, Elizabeth and then gives a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving to God. Each step along the way, we see her obedience, faith, and humility. Our focus will be drawn to God in worship because of one person's humble adoration. The Mighty One truly does great things and He loves to do them through those who are humble.  

The light of the world arrives in an unlikely place, through an unlikely messenger, to an unlikely person, through an unlikely means, but is shone brightly through a faith that believes that with God - all things are possible! Today we'll listen in on a conversation with a young teenage girl and yes … an angel! We'll discover that God is at work installing a king and kingdom for all nations for all-time! This is truly good news of great joy to all people! We continue the Christmas story in this second week of Advent! 

As we kick off the Advent season with our Light in the Darkness series, we will be looking at Luke, chapter 1.  Join us to re-imagine hope as we celebrate how God was—and still is—moving towards His people.  

It's the season of giving. As Christ-followers, we get the awesome privilege to give all year long! Join us this Sunday as Pastor Gil Vining will share some unforgettable personal stories to illustrate Scripture's teaching in this area of giving. We'll reflect on various ways we all can give of our time, talents, and treasure to Christ and His work. 

Our ultimate goal is to glorify and please God. However, as we'll see in Romans 15, we are also called to please others in a way that demonstrates consideration, patience, love, harmony, acceptance, service, generosity, and support through prayer. We need each other. Join us this Sunday as we'll be reminded that this life is not just about pleasing ourselves. 

The most basic meaning of the biblical word for judge/judgment means to "separate" or "rule over." Jesus says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Mt 7:1). Paul writes, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant?" The idea here is that everyone who is a follower of Jesus is a servant of God. Jesus alone can sit in the judgment seat (separating out wheat and tares and ruling over). Our job is to "live and die for the Lord" (Rom. 14:8). Jesus - the one true Judge and King - will take care of the rest.

Don't even think about hitting that snooze button! The alarm is going to sound this Sunday at PFC and the text is going to challenge us to wake up and get dressed. The Apostle Paul will explain why there's such urgency and will also tell us how we are to dress and live in a spiritual sense. 

This week we are looking at something that can often make us squirm… authority. In Romans 13, which is right after Paul talks about love, he hits us hard on what it looks like to honor authority. How do love and authority coexist? 

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." From the Garden of Eden, down through the history of ancient Israel, into the age of the early church, and on through church history to us, this simple encouragement is given by the Spirit of God to every generation. How do we overcome evil with good? Jesus. He is embodied good. 

So often, we tend to think that “true worship” takes place in our hearts and minds. Yet, Romans 12 explicitly shows us that it is the sacrifice of our bodies that the Lord declares holy and pleasing worship.  Shannon Vining, our Worship and Creative Arts Director, guides us in taking a closer look at what it means to worship God with our bodies.

You may have heard us talk about it before...but the word "good" is one of the most theologically rich and spiritually significant words in the Bible. It features prominently in crucial passages like Genesis 1-3. It is also a key word in understanding Romans 12. The Apostle Paul says, "Hate what is evil, cling to what is good." This phrase catapults us back to the very beginning of the human story when Adam and Eve were tempted to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

In Christ we've been given unique gifts of God's grace. This Sunday we're going to look at Romans 12:3-8 and discover that we are to use these gifts in our community of faith. There are numerous ways here at PFC and elsewhere to use your God-given gifts. It's more fun to play on the field than to merely spectate from the stands! Let's go! 

Today we will unpack the phrase, “God's will”. What does it mean exactly? How can we know it, test it, and approve it? How do we describe it? As we look closely at Romans 12:1-2, we'll see that it's not a mysterious code to be cracked but it's the result of a life wholly consecrated to God and a mind renewed by God's Word and Spirit. 

As we jump back into Romans we'll be taking several weeks to walk through chapter 12. Romans 12 is truly one of the soaring heights of the New Testament. In it we find rich theology and very practical wisdom for how to walk out the Christian life. We'll start by meditating on the famous phrase, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." What does it look like to experience spiritual metamorphosis through thinking differently? Let's find out!

Happy Labor Day weekend! Today, we will be looking at the difference between having a busy life versus a full life. Jesus' life was full, but we would not consider him busy. What biblical principles are we using to live a full but simple life?

The glorious hope we have as followers of Jesus is that one day we will live in a never-ending union with God in the New Creation. In Jesus' final hours with the disciples (as told in John 14:1-14), He promises His frightened friends that they will dwell with Him forever in God's presence. How comforting this must have been to them in the midst of chaotic current events. When Jesus told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you”, He is referring to the cross that awaits Him. It's through the cross that Jesus will prepare a place for them ... and for us!

The glorious hope that we have as followers of Jesus is that God's space will again be united with our space in the New Creation. Join us as we challenge some of our mental maps of Heaven and what popular Christian culture has handed us and look with fresh eyes at what God says through Scripture. We'll journey through the Garden of Eden, the temple, and through the New Creation as heaven and earth are rejoined.

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics! 206 countries from all over the world are represented at this year's Olympic games in Paris. It's a moment every 4 years, when the world comes together. This is the world that God so loved that He gave one and only Son, Jesus. Today, we will be hearing from several folks who served on Mission Teams this past summer. Come ready to praise God as we hear stories of God at work in various ways and in different parts of our world. Pastor Marian Pawlas from Poland will also be with us.  

Join us as we reach the exciting conclusion of the story of Ruth! We'll see themes of redemption, loyalty, and the providential hand of God in generational blessing. For a sneak peak, read Ruth chapter 4!

Human flourishing always takes place within the context of a self-sacrificing and loving community. Ruth 3 exemplifies what happens when people love one another in this manner. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz each model the steadfast loving-kindness of the Lord. Their actions are not aimed at self focused advancement, each of them works for the good of the other. This results in the mutual blessing of each person and leads to the blessing of an entire nation.

This week we will be looking at Ruth 2. The women in this story lived with purpose. Do we? The Lord has called us to live with purpose in every area of our life. How do we take steps to become more like Jesus in the way that we live?

In the book of Ruth we encounter individuals who are married and individuals who are single. Singleness and marriage are both equally valid vocations for Christians. Whether we are married or single, if we are in Christ, we ultimately belong to Christ and are full fledged members of His family. As we walk through Ruth 1 we will examine the unique vocations of marriage and singleness and study how they both image God's glory. 

The book of Ruth summarizes the story of the entire Bible in four beautiful, literarily brilliant chapters. It is the story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation revealed in the lineage of one broken human family. Psalm 78 approaches this same story from another angle. In Psalm 78 Asaph encourages us to bless the next generation, freeing them from generational curses, through truth telling - proclaiming truth about God's glorious deeds and the truth of our disobedience. When we tell the truth about these two things, we free those who come after us from generational curses.Take a few minutes and craft a statement of blessing over your family. As you do so, imagine what you want the spiritual legacy of your family to be and pray it over your whole extended family. 

As we begin our study in the book of Ruth we will be taking a look at the first 5 verses in the book. Tragedy has struck a family. What is the response of the family and the response of God? When our plans get interrupted, or when tragedy hits, what should our response be? 

As we transition into the summer months at PFC we're taking a Sunday to look at where we've been, where we are, and where we're headed. Utilizing the imagery of a healthy and thriving ecosystem, Pastor DJay will be highlighting Romans 5:1-11 to help recap the first 11 chapters of Romans and set up the PFC summer teaching and ministry schedule.

As we wrap up Romans Chapter 11, let's respond in humble adoration, awe-filled wonder, gratefulness, and praise to our merciful and omniscient God! Let's pour out our praise and give Him glory! 

This week we are looking at the middle of Romans, chapter 11. Paul is using a tree  metaphor to describe the Gentiles being grafted into God's people. Paul also gives us a warning  about how believers should be conducting their lives. When Jesus is our Lord, the way we live should be different.