The Verdict with Pastor John Munro Podcast

On that first Christmas night, shepherds were watching their flocks when suddenly an angel appeared with a message from heaven. It wasn't a message of judgment or fear, but of great joy! Pastor John Munro unpacks the angel's announcement and reveals how heaven's joy comes to earth through Jesus.

The Son of God didn't arrive in a palace surrounded by royalty. Instead, He was laid in an animal's feeding trough, wrapped in strips of cloth, born in the humblest of circumstances. Pastor John Munro reveals why Jesus came in poverty so that we might become rich.

Most of us are familiar with the nativity story as presented in the Gospel of Luke. But do you ever think of Christmas from the perspective of eternity? Today John reflects on a different passage that deals with mind-blowing miracle of the Word becoming flesh.

Every detail of Christ's birth was planned.  The time, the place... all orchestrated by God's sovereign hand.  Pastor John Munro explores how the unlikely circumstances of the birth of Jesus come together in God's perfect plan. Experience afresh the wonder of Christmas!

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pastor John Munro concludes his study of Mary's song, sharing what it means to fear the Lord and experience His mercy from generation to generation.

When Mary learned that she would bear the Messiah, she responded with humility and obedience and later offered a song of joy and praise. Pastor John Munro explores the Magnificat and shows us what true worship looks like.

Why is the virgin birth such an essential part of the Christian faith?  Why does it cut to the heart of who Jesus is and His mission of salvation? Pastor John Munro takes a closer look at this familiar part of the Christmas story to help us better realize the significance of this miracle of God.

How can the eternal, infinite God enter our small world in a way we can understand? Pastor John Munro explores one of Christianity's most essential truths—the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Discover why this miracle matters in a new Christmas study from Pastor John Munro.

In a world where the months seem to fly by, does the message of Christmas ever seem repetitive or humdrum? Join John as he challenges us to reset and approach this Christmas with a fresh sense of wonder and awe.

"Sometimes a roadblock is not a dead end, but a fresh turn in the road.” Pastor John Munro continues exploring the remarkable story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, showing us how God works even through our doubts and disappointments.

Have you ever wondered if God hears your prayers? Pastor John Munro takes us to an extraordinary moment in Scripture when an angel appears to announce that a couple's long-held prayer is finally answered. Discover how God works in the lives of ordinary people, in extraordinary ways.

When we stumble in our spiritual walk … and lose our way, how do we make things right?  Or, when we feel separated from God… what should we do? In this episode, Pastor John Munro explains the very real process of spiritual restoration. Forgiveness is real, and we can all start fresh.

When a follower of Christ fails--perhaps publicly--it may impact your relationship and cause questions. How should we respond? Or if it's us, is our testimony ruined? Pastor John Munro helps us learn about true repentance, and the joy of spiritual restoration.

Some Christians are afraid to ask questions about their faith. Instead, they bury their doubts and avoid the subjects that trouble them. But untested and unexamined faith is often shallow. Pastor John Munro teaches us how to confront our doubts, and strengthen our faith.

We may immediately think of financial provisions when we think of leaving a legacy, but there much more to what we leave behind. Join John as he reflects on different and even more powerful legacies.

 Every day we rely on technology or medicine that we may not fully understand.  Yet questions can be answered and this doesn't result in a lack of trust. In a similar way, Pastor John Munro explains that just because we may have doubts or questions about God shouldn't keep us from pursuing or trusting Him.

Have you ever made a mistake that was so damaging, so disgraceful, that you felt you could never recover? Maybe you're still living under the shadow of failure. Pastor John Munro shows that no failure is final when we seek repentance and restoration through Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter was a strong leader, and a passionate follower of Christ, yet when the pressure was on and fear took hold, Peter faltered and denied even knowing Jesus! Pastor John Munro teaches about dealing with failure, and how to recover from our greatest mistakes.

Truth is more than a set of facts, or even a wise opinion. Truth is knowing and following the Word of God.  And the only way to live by truth and know God is by knowing the person of Jesus Christ.  Don't miss this episode as Pastor John Munro helps us seek the way of truth!

In our culture today, you can claim almost anything as your truth. Our world wants every belief to be inclusive and subjective.  But what about real truth, God's truth? But as we'll see on this episode of THE VERDICT, real truth is not found in ourselves. And there is only one way to God.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christian families also enjoy fun traditions like Santa. So how does that work? Join John for a special interview with Sarah French, author of the children's book, "A Beautiful Story: Jesus & St. Nick."

No matter how high we build our walls, or how deep we dig our shelters, trouble eventually comes to us all. So the question isn't whether or not you'll be faced with crises—the question is how do you survive them? Pastor John Munro discusses how to endure the storms of life.

There's an extraordinary moment in Scripture when Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, kneels down in humility to wash the dirty feet of His own disciples. Pastor John Munro explains what this incredible moment teaches us about love, power, and humility.

Popular culture tells us that the most important thing to focus on is ourselves. We're encouraged to improve our self-image, to promote ourselves, and to put our own interests first. But Pastor John Munro reveals that the most fulfilling way to live is by serving others.

When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, it wasn't just a fantastic miracle. It was the power of Almighty God defeating sin and darkness. The same power offered to you and me! Pastor John Munro teaches how the resurrection of Jesus can change every aspect of our lives.

For many people, death is more than just a simple fact of life.  It's the end--an inescapable curse, something to dread above all else, causing despair and defeat and fear.  But it doesn't have to be. Pastor John Munro helps us see why followers of Christ have hope even in death!

Most of us do more talking than listening! But in relationships, it's important than we listen with a desire to understand. Join John as he discusses how this same idea applies in our relationship with God--being still and listening to Him

Sheep may look cute from a distance, but when the Bible compares God's people to a herd of sheep, it's not a compliment! Pastor John Munro explores what this insightful analogy tells us about the nature of our relationship with Christ and how it should impact our daily life.

Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd. But let's be honest, most of us aren't too familiar with shepherds, and it's easy to miss the incredible truth that our Lord is teaching.  On this episode, Pastor John Munro takes a closer look at what it means for the Lord Jesus to be our Good Shepherd

When someone struggles with addiction, admitting there's a problem is only the first step.  They must also choose to seek help, and sometimes that isn't easy. Pastor John Munro explains how there's a similar lesson for us when it comes to our spiritual lives.

Most people would say it's best to live in the light, to pursue a godly life, and make good choices.  So why is it so hard to quit habits and lifestyles we know to be destructive and wrong? On this episode, Pastor John Munro discusses what it takes to reject the darkness and choose the light.

Followers of Christ are to repent of our sin. So how do we interact with those who are still searching and struggling with ongoing sin in their lives?  On this episode, Pastor John Munro unpacks a fascinating encounter with Jesus and a woman who is struggling with sin.

During October, John struggled with severe nerve pain on the right side of his face. While he has had mild forms of this pain for many years, this recent episode was a powerful reminder of our need to depend totally on the Lord.

In today's culture, speaking about sin is often more of a taboo than the sin itself. We've accepted the notion that a judgment of any kind is a transgression of its own. Pastor John Munro explores the example of Jesus to show us how He addressed sin in the lives of people He met.

We all love a happy ending. But sometimes, our lives look as though we're heading for nothing but pain and despair. Where is God's helping hand when life's a mess? Pastor John Munro explains why we can always trust in God's good plan as he concludes our study in the book of Ruth with a lesson about God's Hidden Hand.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “play the hand you're dealt'?  That usually describes situations that don't have a good start.  But on this episode of THE VERDICT Pastor John Munro helps us see how God's Hand is the only hand that truly matters, even when His purposes seem unclear.

When you hear that Jesus Christ died for your sins, so that you could be redeemed, do you understand what that means?  Or are you a little hazy about what redemption is all about?  Pastor John Munro continues a fascinating lesson on what it means to be Redeemed.

Life can get complicated. It can be painful, sad, and confusing. But there's a simple and powerful truth that we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can help us find peace and hope for all time. Pastor John Munro discusses what it really means to be Redeemed by God.

It can be easy to define ourselves based on our race or background. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is offered to everyone. How can that be reflected in our worship and relationships? Join John as he reflects on the implications for worship and ministry.

Whether you're single or married, God cares deeply about your relationships.  Followers of Christ can't settle for just going through the motions or following the culture. Our relationships must be built upon the truth and guidance of God's Word. Pastor John Munro shares some invaluable principles from the book of Ruth that will help us all.

Marriage is one of the most important and life-changing decisions two people can make. And yet, so many people today are jumping into this holy commitment with nothing more than a feeling. Pastor John Munro continues our study in the book of Ruth with a pivotal lesson about the timeless, biblical principles for a godly marriage.

We all love a good love story, whether it's a timeless novel like Pride and Prejudice, or a Disney classic like Beauty and the Beast. But as enchanting as these fictional tales may be, there's one love story that's as powerful as it is true—and that's the tale of Ruth and Boaz! Pastor John Munro explores the beautiful lessons to be found in this biblical love story.

Too many marriages today end in the bitter and painful process of divorce. And so many new relationships are struggling to find hope and clarity on how to build a love that lasts. But out of all the books and studies available on this topic, Pastor John Munro points us to the profound truths already provided in the Word of God.

Have you noticed recently that kindness seems to be in short supply? Many of today's political and social leaders have been sowing more hostility than generosity, and even the church can get caught up in all the tension. But on this episode of The Verdict Pastor John Munro encourages us to be givers of kindness by recognizing the grace we have received, from God.

It's fascinating how God selected the piece of real estate for Israel at the very center of the world. For centuries it has been at the heart of human history. So what does the Bible say about this elusive goal of "peace in the Middle East"?

When life gets messy, we can sometimes get fixated on our problems. But when we do that, we forget something vitally important—that our good God is still in control. Pastor John Munro has an encouraging lesson from the book of Ruth about discovering and focusing on The Kindness of God.

We all want to feel prepared and have a sense of security when things go wrong, and we know it's best to have emergency measures already in place before crisis strikes. But Pastor John Munro explains why the greatest security we can ever find is in trusting God and knowing that He is our refuge.

Many of the struggles that come our way can often seem too big for us to handle.  When those moments come, God wants us to find shelter and strength in Him. Not quite sure what that means? Pastor John Munro deals with how to trust God as our refuge in the storms of life.

Pastor John Munro continues an important lesson about trusting in God's good plan, even when life turns bitter. Sometimes our circumstances seem bleak, our hopes seem dashed, but even in these moments When God's Smile is Hidden, His plans and purposes are still in motion.

Have you ever felt cut off from the goodness of God? Perhaps you received some unexpected bad news, or maybe you've been stuck in a difficult situation for some time. When life gets hard, and God seems far away, what should you do? Pastor John Munro explores the answer in the book of Ruth.

No Christian minimizes the importance of prayer, yet this is an area where most of us struggle. While an incredible privilege, prayer is also a discipline, so listen as John offers insight and shares a simple guide for prayers.