Waterstone Community Church Podcast

Jesus’ resurrection and ascension are how God steps into our chaos and starts putting things back together—bringing order to the mess and beauty to our lives. Because he’s alive and reigning, we get to experience his presence with us, the power of the Holy Spirit in us, and a new purpose that calls us to live for something bigger than ourselves. Notes: John Craft, our Guest Speaker, is the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Church Network TRANSCRIPT

Jesus’ birth reveals the depth of God’s faithful promises and longsuffering love. Seen through the experiences of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, it becomes clear that God stepped into human history to bring redemption. And the story continues—God still meets us in the midst of life’s chaos, offering grace precisely when and where it’s needed most. References: Kaci Mexico, our Guest Speaker is on staff as Young Adults Pastor at Red Rocks Church

Cultural perceptions and misunderstandings can blur the true essence of Christ, creating a disconnect in how faith is lived and understood. Everyday situations—like the frustration of losing a TV remote—highlight the need for clarity and focus in our spiritual lives. The Nicene Creed calls believers to see Jesus not only as Savior, but as the sovereign King worthy of full allegiance. It invites a shift away from life's distractions toward a deeper, more committed relationship with Him. For those wrestling with faith or seeking renewal, this reflection offers a fresh perspective on who Jesus truly is. References: What's a Christian Anyway? by Glen Packiam TRANSCRIPT

In John 15, Jesus identifies himself as the True Vine, highlighting the invitation of remaining connected to him, as no branch can flourish on its own. He explains that while branches that bear no fruit are cut off, those that do bear fruit are pruned to increase their production, which shows that spiritual sustainability happens by connecting and depending on him. This relationship, cultivated through prayer and time in God's Word, invites us to experience deeper intimacy with God. References: Living Fearlessly by Jamie Winship “What do I need to know?” “What do I need to do?”

Hospitality goes beyond hosting meals—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels seen and valued, just as the Good Samaritan cared for a stranger in need. By stepping beyond our comfort zones to embrace outsiders, we build deeper connections that foster unity and compassion in a divided world. References: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara “Hospitality isn’t to change people but to offer them a space where change can take place.” Henry Nouwen

Today we honor and celebrate Larry’s final sermon at Waterstone Church. We focus on Jesus and the gift of salvation, and marvel at how grief and hope coexist, particularly in the story of Lazarus. This reminds us that, even in our darkest moments, Jesus, the God-Man, embodies compassion and promises resurrection. We are encouraged to embrace our faith, because true joy and renewal come from accepting Jesus into our lives. He is the one that guides us toward a deeper understanding of love, grace, and the assurance of eternal life. References: “It’s no wonder… that they have produced this uncommon effect that by long habit it is almost impossible for me to draw a breath in which you are not involved.” - John Newton “Heaven is a fairy story for those who are afraid of the dark.” - Stephen Hawking “There’s nothing to fear because you weren’t conscious before you were born, and you won’t be conscious after you die.” - Sam Harris “The tears of God are the meaning of history.” - Nicholas Wolterstorff “Jesus makes high claims without being pompous… He is tender without being cowardly, strong without being harsh.” - Jonathan Edwards “I like to think that something survives after you die… It’s strange to think that you accumulate all this experience and maybe even a little wisdom and it just goes away.” - Steve Jobs, Former CEO of Apple “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” John 3:16

True community reflects the heart of Jesus—it’s about showing up, being vulnerable, and carrying each other’s burdens. Life isn’t meant to be lived alone, and real connection happens when we move beyond surface-level interactions and embrace authentic relationships. Jesus calls us to a love that stands out—a love that forgives freely, sacrifices selflessly, and welcomes unconditionally. When we love as Jesus loves, it not only transforms our relationships but also reveals his presence to the world. References: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Study on Loneliness – Loneliness has severe health effects, equating social isolation to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and having a greater impact on health than obesity or physical inactivity. “You cannot follow Jesus alone. Not should not, but cannot.” - John Mark Comer “God’s family is meant to be the show-and-tell of what true belonging and love look like.” - Adele Calhoun TRANSCRIPT

Thinking about who you’re becoming can be a pretty eye-opening experience. We’re all influenced by the stuff we engage with daily—what we watch, the people we hang around, and even social media. If we’re not careful, these influences can steer us away from who we really want to be. By focusing on self-denial and putting others first, we can shift our mindset from just chasing personal happiness to finding deeper fulfillment in our relationships and faith. It’s about more than just knowing Bible verses; we need to live them out in our daily lives. This means surrounding ourselves with supportive friends, stepping out of our comfort zones, and being open to the changes God wants to make in us. Ultimately, it’s about making a conscious effort every day to reflect Christ’s love in our actions and choices, allowing that transformation to shape who we are becoming. So, let’s honestly ask ourselves—are we clinging to our comfort zones, or are we ready to take that leap of faith? References: “There are no accidental saints. You can’t just slip your hand up at the end of a sermon. It’s a high bar to entry. It will require you to reorder your entire life around following Jesus as your undisputed top priority: over your job, your money, your reputation—over everything. Yet all these things will find their rightful place once integrated into a life of apprenticeship." John Mark Comer Jesus Changes Everything Devotional TRANSCRIPT

God’s love is relentless and deeply personal, like a parent teaching a child to walk. Even when we fail or turn away, his compassion never wavers. Jesus embodies this love as the faithful Son, stepping into our brokenness to bring hope and redemption. In this season, reflect on the depth of God’s grace, embrace his forgiveness, and trust that his presence meets us in both our struggles and joys. As we live in the tension between present challenges and the promise of restoration, may we find renewed intimacy with him and the courage to walk in his love. References: “The disappointment and brokenness, suffering and pain that characterize life in this present world is held in dynamic tension with the promise of future glory that is yet to come next. In that advent tension, the church lives its life.” Fleming Rutledge TRANSCRIPT

Life’s challenges call for gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to faith, hope, and grace. In the face of chaos and opposition, it’s important to stay grounded, resist negativity, and trust that difficulties are temporary and restoration will come. Grace is always present, inclusive, and transformative, offering strength to move forward and unite with others. Living with purpose means embracing faith in every aspect of life, especially during tough times, and reflecting hope and grace to those around us.

In this episode Waterstone pastors, Larry Renoe and Paul Joslin, have their final conversation on the podcast and discuss the recent presidential election with hopes to provide a space to process this 2024 political season.

As the end of all things draws near, believers are called to live purposefully according to God’s will, emphasizing prayer, love, and service. Especially during divisive times like the election cycle, unity through prayer becomes essential to foster peace and order. With this sense of urgency, believers are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts to serve others, practice hospitality, and cultivate a loving community that both reflects Christ’s love and prepares for his return. References: Lectio 365 App

Waterstone’s Lead Pastor, Larry Renoe, interviews Dr. Scott Klingsmith, who is the Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies at Denver Seminary and also has over 35 years of missions experience overseas. Scott brings a global perspective to our podcast this episode and the focus of their conversation is on the history of Christians in politics. What has the political engagement of Christians throughout history looked like and how should Christians engage today? They also cover the much debated topic of whether or not America is a Christian nation. We hope this is a helpful discussion as we approach the presidential election in November 2020 and again in 2024.

We are encouraged to navigate political tensions with faith-driven values like unity, love, and peace. Unity among believers is essential, allowing love for others to guide political interactions without compromising commitment to Christ. Recognizing God’s sovereignty frees Christians from fear, inspiring them to pursue peace and engage in political discussions with humility, focusing on sharing the hope found in Jesus rather than on political ideologies. Ultimately, the stability of God’s kingdom remains secure, regardless of any political outcomes in the world. Principles: As a Christian you are free to vote your conscience and conviction. Accept that other Christians will do the same and vote differently than you. How you love is more important than whether or not you win. The pursuit of power does not release us from following the Sermon on the Mount. God is watching how we engage with the political process. Fear is not the primary lens through which we see the world. If your neighbor knows your party allegiance, but does not know your faith allegiance, you're doing it wrong. The fate of the kingdom of God does not depend upon the results of elections. References: "Devotion and passion once reserved for Jesus would be transferred to political parties and ideology. Instead of looking to God to be the solution to our problems, people would be looking to politics for those answers." - Lesslie Newbigin TRANSCRIPT

A rerun of episode 2, season 2 from 2020 where we hear from Waterstone's Lead Pastor, Larry Renoe, and Teaching Pastor, Paul Joslin. Their conversation doesn't tell you WHO to vote for but HOW, and recognizes the tension that we encounter when filling out our ballots. Our voting options at the polls often feel incongruent with our personal beliefs and don't quite reflect our convictions. We like to think of voting and politics as being a space of self-expression, however, our consciences don't always align with our parties and choices. This tension often causes us to feel that our integrity is threatened. So, what should we do? How do we vote? Join us for the conversation.

The controversial topic of 1 Peter 2:18-25 highlights the call for Christians to submit to authority, even when it's unfair, following Christ's example of enduring suffering. It encourages believers to trust God's justice during tough times, knowing that how they respond shows their faith. This kind of submission is active, not passive, and can lead to personal growth. Christ's response to injustice sets a powerful example for facing trials with patience and integrity. How believers handle hardship can serve as a witness to others, bringing glory to God and offering healing to a hurting world. TRANSCRIPT

The controversial topic of 1 Peter 2:18-25 highlights the call for Christians to submit to authority, even when it's unfair, following Christ's example of enduring suffering. It encourages believers to trust God's justice during tough times, knowing that how they respond shows their faith. This kind of submission is active, not passive, and can lead to personal growth. Christ's response to injustice sets a powerful example for facing trials with patience and integrity. How believers handle hardship can serve as a witness to others, bringing glory to God and offering healing to a hurting world. TRANSCRIPT

A look at 1 Peter 2:13-17 highlights how Christians are called to respect authority as part of their faith. It also emphasizes the need to live good, respectful lives and reminds us that real freedom comes from serving God, not just doing whatever we want.

We first aired this episode in October 2020 and it is surprisingly still very applicable to our current political environment. We live in a country where our Gospel-identity is challenged by our political system. With heightened cultural stress about an election we find ourselves being weighed down by fear or misplacing our hope in a political candidate. How do we navigate this tension and remain true to our identity in Christ? Paul Joslin, Teaching Pastor at Waterstone Church, and Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary, take on this important conversation.

Believers are like living stones, actively building a spiritual community that highlights the interconnectedness of faith. Each person plays a part in the overall structure of the church, showing unity through diversity. At the core of this is the importance of Jesus as the cornerstone, meaning that all aspects of life should align with His teachings. When we build our lives on Him, we can withstand external pressures and the chaos of society. As followers of Jesus, we should expect rejection since our values often clash with mainstream culture. Understanding this helps us prepare for the challenges we’ll face in our faith journey. Along with that, embracing our identity as exiles—foreigners in this world—helps us navigate a society that often feels unfamiliar. This perspective encourages us to live distinctly while still engaging with the world around us. Transformation through the Gospel is also key. Peter’s shift from a nationalist mindset to accepting Gentiles shows just how radical the Gospel is. It reshapes our understanding of community and belonging. Living well doesn’t have to involve grand gestures; rather, it’s about being faithful in everyday actions, fulfilling God’s purpose through simple acts of love and service. Ultimately, the foundation of our faith rests in building our lives on Jesus. This helps us find genuine fulfillment and challenges us to evaluate what we prioritize, ensuring it aligns with our faith. TRANSCRIPT

Being “born again” in Christ is a spiritual rebirth that reshapes a believer’s entire identity. It emphasizes the call to live holy and set-apart lives, not by personal effort alone but through the empowering grace of God. This transformation involves leaving behind old ways of thinking and acting, and embracing a new life that reflects the character and love of Christ. It’s a reminder that holiness is not about perfection, but about growing in grace and aligning one's life with God’s will, allowing His Spirit to work through us in everyday actions and decisions. References: In Case You Are Attacked By An Anaconda Peace Corps Manual The Precious Blood, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers Before thy cross I kneel and see the heinousness of my sin, my iniquity that caused thee to be ‘made a curse’, the evil that excites the severity of divine wrath.Show me the enormity of my guilt by the crown of thorns, the pierced hands and feet, the bruised body, the dying cries.Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God, its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought.Infinite must be the evil and guilt that demands such a price.Sin is my malady, my monster, my foe, my viper, born in my birth, alive in my life, strong in my character, dominating my faculties, following me as a shadow, intermingling with my every thought, my chain that holds me captive in the empire of my soul.Sinner that I am, why should the sun give me light, the air supply breath, the earth bear my tread, its fruits nourish me, its creatures subserve my ends?Yet thy compassions yearn over me, thy heart hastens to my rescue, thy love endured my curse, thy mercy bore my deserved stripes.Let me walk humbly in the lowest depths of humiliation, bathed in thy blood, tender of conscience, triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation. TRANSCRIPT