The New Life Community Church Podcast

God is inherently good in nature, desires our goodness, and has a divine plan designed to make us complete and whole through Jesus Christ. This plan reflects His unwavering love and commitment to our spiritual growth and fulfillment.

The fundamental reason we exist begins in our origin story. Understanding that I was intentionally made by God means I am not an accident at all; rather, I was created with a specific purpose in mind that transcends mere chance. This purpose is intricately connected to the image of God that I bear within me, highlighting both my value and my responsibility to reflect Christ to the world around me. Recorded: Sunday, April 27, 2025

This Easter message takes a closer look at Jesus' work on the cross and His resurrection as a powerful rescue mission. He didn't simply come to teach, love, or leave behind a compelling example to help good people become better individuals. Rather, He came to rescue us from the grips of death, the overwhelming darkness, and a captivity that only He possessed the power to break. In doing so, He offers hope and salvation to all who seek Him.   Recorded: Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

Jesus taught that our hearts resemble various types of soil, each determining how we receive and nurture His message. Some hearts, like hardened paths, reject truth, while others, akin to rocky soil, may initially accept but lack depth to endure hardships. Furthermore, thorns symbolize the worries and distractions of life that can choke spiritual growth. Yet, the good soil represents those who hear the word, understand it, and allow it to flourish, producing much fruit. As we study this parable, what is the condition of your heart?   Recorded: April 13, 2025

In the Book of Ezekiel, God offers a profound promise: He will replace our hardened hearts with soft hearts that are attuned to His voice. This spiritual heart surgery, however, begins with repentance. Repentance is not merely an act of feeling sorry for our wrongdoings; it is a deliberate turning away from our past and towards the grace of God. When we come before Him in humility, acknowledging our failures, we open ourselves to His healing touch.   Recorded: April 6, 2025

God warns us because He loves us deeply. When we can genuinely embrace the right disposition towards God's warnings found in Scripture and demonstrated throughout history, it will position our hearts to be soft and receptive to His guiding hand in our lives. However, we must remain vigilant, as sin is deceptive and the devil is a liar. Therefore, it is essential that we encourage one another to persevere through life's many challenges and support each other in our spiritual journeys. Recorded: Sunday, March 30, 2025

Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on why your relationship with God isn't as fulfilling or as vibrant as it could be? Perhaps it's because we find ourselves being double-minded, torn between our faith and the distractions of the world around us. God has a plan and purpose for our life, but it can only be accessed if we are willing to sell out wholeheartedly to Him. Recorded: Sunday, March 23, 2025

Have you ever felt like your Christian life is not measuring up to the vibrant faith and devotion of other Christians or the inspiring figures you read about in the Bible? It can often seem challenging to bridge the gap between our personal expectations and the reality we experience in our daily lives. This message strives to provide a paradigm shift concerning the presence of God moving it from an emotional experience to a Biblical reality.   Recorded: Sunday, March 16, 2025

Lent is a season that goes beyond mere rituals or spiritual activities; it is a time for genuine reflection and transformation of the heart.  It's not about giving up comforts or following traditions for the sake of it, but rather cultivating a deeper relationship with God and allowing Him to soften and shape our hearts.   Recorded: Sunday, March 9, 2025

Today many Christians struggle to build and maintain meaningful relationships that reflect the love of Jesus.  If we are to effectively function as the body of Christ, we must become intentional, vulnerable, and gracious in nurturing connections and embracing our shared mission.  The early church exampled for us how to find "Your People" and walk together, growing in faith and purpose.   Recorded: Sunday, March 2, 2025

Relationships can be complicated. Lying to others is a clear sign of deeper problems within us. When we understand that our words reflect our heart's state, we may need to seek healing from Jesus and forgiveness from others. Jesus is the Truth that can set us free from the bondage of people please, lies, and deceit.   Recorded: Sunday, February 23, 2025

Making the choice to embrace Christianity is often viewed as a powerful step towards a new life. However, this journey can be more complex than many anticipate. Many individuals find themselves wrestling with deep-seated habits and struggles that seem to persist despite their newfound faith. This inner conflict can lead to feelings of frustration and discouragement, leaving one to wonder how to navigate the challenges of daily life while remaining true to Jesus. Understanding the nature of temptation and the path to spiritual breakthrough is crucial for anyone looking to grow in their faith and break free from patterns of sin that hold them back.   Recorded: Sunday, February 16, 2025

In our relationships with others, we often find ourselves noticing various “red flags” that serve as warning signs. However, do we ever take the time to reflect deeply and consider if we identify similar warning signs in our relationship with God?  In this message we look at three chairs to help identify where we sit in relationship with God.   Recorded: Sunday, February 9, 2025

In life, we often encounter situations and relationships that can lead us astray. It's crucial to recognize the signs that indicate when something isn't right. These signs, often referred to as "red flags," serve as warnings guiding us to make wiser choices.  Thankfully, we have a God who loves us and will graciously raise "red flags" for our own protection. The problem is when we ignore them like Samson did with Delilah.   Recorded: Sunday, February 2, 2025

God loves you and has a plan for your life.  However, life is full of distractions, challenges, illusions, and decisions that can lead us away from His intended path. When we find ourselves veering off this path, it's essential that we refocus on Jesus, re-start our race, and continue toward the fulfilling future he has destined for us.   Recorded: Sunday, January 26, 2025

In the Bible, we read of King Asa's strong and unwavering commitment to removing idols and turning the hearts of the people back to worshiping the one true God. In this enlightening message, we learn valuable life lessons from Asa's notable successes as well as his significant failures, providing us with insights that are relevant to our own lives today.   Recorded: Sunday, January 19, 2025

The only person who can truly heal spiritual blindness is Jesus. Unfortunately, many individuals remain unaware of their own blindness, while those who do recognize the confusion, pain, and disillusionment in their lives often seek healing from other sources that ultimately fall short. Let us not shy away from earnestly crying out to Jesus for help. Just like Bartimaeus, let our faith serve as the powerful catalyst for our healing, guiding us to align ourselves with God's will.   Recorded: Sunday, January 12, 2025

Taking the land, as exemplified by Joshua in the Bible, is a call to action rooted in faith, courage, and commitment. To "take the land" today means to step into the call God has placed on your life, embracing the purpose that He has prepared for you.  The spiritual journey ahead will not be obstacle-free.  You will encounter giants and distractions, but God will empower you to rise above them if you persevere with courage and humility.

As we approach a New Year, we may find ourselves focused on regret, obsessing about the way things could have gone and the lives we could have lived.  Carrying regret can hinder our ability to effectively manager our current lives.  Instead of allowing regret to weight us down, what if it were able to be redeemed? Instead of suppressing the reality of our past, let's surrender to God and boldly pursue His call on our lives.   Recorded: Sunday, December 29, 2024

Why do we have no room for Jesus in our lives? Maybe we don't recognize who Jesus is and the significance of His presence. Maybe we crowd our lives with a multitude of other things, filling our time and minds with distractions that take priority over our spiritual journey.  Maybe we feel like we have made too many mistakes and done too many things wrong to deserve His love and grace.  No matter the reason, we need to make room for Jesus.   Recorded: Sunday, December 22, 2024

The essence of Christianity is not merely about receiving gifts—but about cultivating a profound, personal relationship with God, who truly embodies generosity and love. At Christmas, we often make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives, but we limit this to just the seasonal celebration. However, God desires not just a temporary or part-time relationship, but one that lasts throughout the entire year, nurturing our connection with Him in all seasons of life.

Even when there are numerous obstacles and challenges standing in the way of bringing others to Jesus, we must strive to live with an unwavering and unstoppable faith. It is essential to never give up on our mission. Never stop seeking opportunities to share His love and message. Instead, we should continually make room to reach those who need Him most.   Recorded: Sunday, December 8, 2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year...and the busiest! While most of us will successfully "make room" for Christmas this December, the bigger question is if we will "make room" for Jesus. As we navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, how can we tether our hearts to and celebrations to Jesus. In this message we are challenged to engage in a practice that has centered Christians at Christmastime for hundreds of years.

Remember, the invitation to the table in the Kingdom of God is open to all, but it's up to you to decide whether to embrace the love and grace offered. It's a personal choice that can lead to a meaningful relationship and ongoing communion with God.

Jesus, known for his love of dining with people, often turned these meals into opportunities for deeper connections and teaching moments. One such instance occurred during a dinner with Pharisee Simon, where we are reminded that there are only two types of people - forgiven and unforgiven.  If you have experienced forgiveness you will be filled with gratitude and love.  If you haven't, it's not too late to call on the name of the Lord.

Even Jesus' friends, who were deeply connected to Him, can sometimes miss what is most important in life. Martha was one of Jesus' closest friends, known for her hospitality, generosity, and her commitment to serving others. However, in the midst of her busy preparations, she became caught up in her own agenda and responsibilities, ultimately missing the best and most essential thing that was right in front of her. Let us be mindful and not to get distracted by our own ambitions and tasks, but instead focus on what truly matters.

Like Zacchaeus, we all can struggle with feeling small, insignificant, and overlooked in our daily lives. However, Jesus desires to set us free from these feelings of inadequacy. We must be open to embracing his invitation to dine and be willing to follow him into the abundant life He has lovingly planned for each of us.

When faced with less than ideal options, voting gives us the power to pick the best available. As Christians, how can we develop a set of principles that will guide our voting and political decisions when neither candidate fully embodies our values?  Jesus calls us the salt of the earth.  Perhaps we should consider the opportunity we have to preserve society, slow its decay, and lessen evil.

In the famous words of Jesus, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." This deeply thought-provoking statement raises the question of how we are to navigate the complex relationship between our faith and the realm of politics. As Christians, we find ourselves holding a dual citizenship of heaven and earth.  This unique position presents us with the challenge of maintaining proper allegiance to both our divine calling and the social order, requiring careful consideration and discernment in our daily lives and choices.

In a polarized world, it's important to resist being boxed in by stereotypes and assumptions. Jesus demonstrated a love that went beyond societal divisions, and He urged His followers to do the same. We are encouraged to live beyond labels and factions and embrace our identity as children of God.

While we will not agree on every single political talking point, we must not allow politics to create division among us as Christians. Jesus' prayer and His deep desire for His church is oneness and unity, encouraging us to come together despite our differences. Are you willing to follow Jesus even when doing so creates space between you and your party's platform and candidate?

How do I become the parent God wants me to be and the parent my kids need me to be?  Parenting is a journey filled with both joys and challenges. One of the significant challenges is guiding children in their faith and character development.  Explore five truths that are essential for Christian parenting.

Many people often wonder how they can truly know God's voice in their lives. Does He speak audibly to us in a way that we can hear with our ears? Does He communicate through other people in our lives, giving us guidance and insight? How can I be certain that it's God speaking to me and not just my own thoughts or feelings? We take the time to explore these profound questions and many more. In doing so, we discover that we serve a speaking God who loves us deeply and cares for each one of us.

The end days are a subject people often debate. Though various Scripture passages might suggest multiple meanings, we can find some basic instructions or guidelines to interpret the end days and prepare for them.

Evil often challenges and pushes against our preconceived ideas of God's character and behavior, prompting us to reconsider our beliefs and understanding. During these difficult moments, our faith becomes even stronger when we remain committed to God and trust in His plan, especially when faced with trials and tribulations.

The Apostles' Creed ends on a high note and brings humanity into it's confession.  There's much to unpack from the necessity of forgiveness, to the acknowledgement of sin, resurrection of the body, and life eternal.  

The church should not simply be defined by a physical place or a specific building, but rather by the wonderful community of people who come together to make it up and share in their common faith in Jesus. When people stop going to church and start being the church is when they can support and encourage one another as God intends.

We believe in a triune God, consisting of three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully and equally God, sharing the same divine essence while functioning in unique roles within the creation and redemption of the world.  Together, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit embody a relationship of perfect love and unity, inviting us to participate.

The ascension of Jesus to heaven is essential for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It gives hope that humans can also join him in heaven. The ascension confirms that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was enough for our sins. Having a human Jesus in heaven means that we can approach him confidently in prayer, knowing he sympathizes and intercedes for us.

Jesus died on Friday and rose from the dead on Sunday morning, personally, bodily, physically, actually, and literally. It was Jesus himself, not a substitute, and he rose in his crucified body. He rose as a physical being, not as a ghost or phantom. In this message we explore the resurrection of Jesus who was raised immortal, incorruptible, and will never die again. 

Jesus, in His great compassion for humanity, chose to experience the entirety of our suffering and grief during His time on Earth. His decision to carry the burden of our sins led Him to the ultimate sacrifice of His life on the cross. Jesus, our Lord, not only reigns supreme but also embodies the sacrificial love of the Suffering Servant who selflessly endured crucifixion for the redemption of all.

Do you bear the name of Christianity but not the essence of Christian living?  Fake Christians are individuals who claim to follow Jesus but do not align their actions with His teachings, choosing not to obey His commandments and words.  We need to understand that salvation and the lordship of Christ are intertwined and inseparable in our faith journey.