West Bradenton - A Neighborhood Church

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Weekly messages from Sam Rainer - lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church.

West Bradenton


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 259 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from West Bradenton - A Neighborhood Church

    Healed Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 22:27


    Kent Ramsey fills in for Sam today and discusses how broken homes can be places of healing.

    The Bible on Living Alone: Divorce and Singleness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 20:27


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches about what defines a healthy home. This sermon is about what the Bible reveals about living alone, especially those who are divorced or single, including widows and widowers. While we will get lonely, we're never alone. God is there. God loves you. God cares about all of who you are.

    Biblical Truth About Adopted Children, Blended Families, and Single Parents

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 22:21


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches about what defines a healthy home. This sermon covers the topics of adopted children, blended families, and single parents. What does the Bible say about these kinds of homes?

    What the Bible Says about Strong Women

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 22:31


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches about what defines a healthy home. This Mother's Day sermon reveals what the Bible says about strong and godly women. The fullest life is one most centered on Christ. A Christ-centered woman will pull people towards God's calling, and she is always available to do God's work.

    Tiny Teachers: The Blessing of Children

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 25:20


    Pastor Sam Rainer starts a new series on what defines a healthy home. This sermon is about how to create a God-centered home for your children. Parenting is hard work and heart work. It's never too late to start, even if your children are older. Jesus will honor your efforts if He's at the center of your home.

    Holy Matrimony: The Covenant of Marriage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 22:02


    Pastor Sam Rainer starts a new series on what defines a healthy home. This sermon addresses the marriage covenant and dives into the roles of a husband and wife. Marriage is not based on self-fulfillment but on self-denial. A healthy marriage requires sacrifice.

    The Miracle of the Resurrection

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 18:39


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches about the miracle of resurrection from Matthew 28:1-10. In this Easter sermon, he explores the greatest miracle of all: the resurrection of Jesus. From the fear of death to the surprise of an empty tomb, follow the story of two women who encounter the risen Christ and receive new hope. Discover how the resurrection turns failure into forgiveness and finality into forever. Jesus meets us where we are—and invites us into a life of purpose, joy, and eternal victory.

    The Necessity of Sacrifice

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 21:17


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches about sacrifice in this Palm Sunday sermon. From Abraham's test of faith to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we see how true victory comes through surrender. Jesus didn't go halfway—He went to the cross for us. His sacrifice brings peace, and His resurrection brings life. As we begin Holy Week, we're invited to lay down what we hold tightly and trust God's perfect provision.

    Complaining to God When Life Falls Apart

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 31:07


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches verse-by-verse through the book of Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. It's a unique book that provides us with a prophet's personal experience as he dialogues with God. Habakkuk complains to God as Judah falls apart and Jewish leaders fall into corruption. We see his inner struggles, fears, and doubts. Wrestle with God faithfully by talking to Him, not about Him. We may not always understand God, but we can always trust Him.

    Come To Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 26:18


    Tim Stephenson fills in for Sam this week.

    The Perfect Unity of the Trinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 19:41


    Pastor Sam Rainer concludes the series on worship with a sermon on the perfect unity of the Trinity. We believe there is only one God, and He has chosen to reveal Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, but the concept does. What does the Trinity reveal about what God values in our worship?

    How to Surrender Everything to God

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 25:47


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers the topic of surrender, focusing on Jonah 2. God shows His grace when we surrender to Him in prayer. Jonah surrendered to God in prayer in an unlikely place—the belly of a great fish.

    god surrender pastor sam rainer
    What Does Having Awe for God Really Mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 24:11


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers the topic of awe. Awe is reverence mixed with feelings of fear and wonder. The response of awe is often associated with a demonstration of God's power. Ultimately, awe is a disposition, not an emotion—what you do for God more than how you feel in the moment.

    Love Is NOT Love. God Is Love.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 24:23


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers the topic of love. We use this term for everything, yet the Bible tells us we can't know God unless we get it right. Cutting through the confusion is critical! Love is not love. God is love.

    How Celebration Draws Us Near to God

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 25:03


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers the topic of celebration and takes a deep dive into Psalm 150. Ultimately, you become what you celebrate.

    god psalm celebration draw pastor sam rainer
    How Creativity Draws Us Near to God

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 21:29


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers creativity, which is the act of generating, developing, and expressing original ideas in meaningful ways, including artistic expression, problem-solving, and innovation. Creativity reveals God exists, but creativity apart from God ultimately misguides you. The worst art is that which denies the Artist.

    god artist creativity draw pastor sam rainer
    How Generosity Draws Us Near to God

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 19:53


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series on worship and the actions that draw us closer to God. In this sermon, he covers generosity, which is an act of worship in which you give freely to God in response to His lavish grace. If God has given you something, He wants you to use it for His glory. Generous people are remembered and rewarded by God.

    The Attainable Solution for Anxiety: God's Joy and Good Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 25:05


    Pastor Sam Rainer begins the new year with a series on smartphones and how they contribute to people's rising anxiety, especially younger generations. More digital connections have only increased loneliness, but the Bible has a solution. God's joy and good friends will solve a lot of our problems.

    The Pull of Attention

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 24:54


    Kent fills in for Sam this week and teaches how to regain control over our digital distractions. He dives into understanding the battle for our attention in a world driven by smartphones and social media, and offers practical guidance on shifting focus back to God, family, and meaningful relationships. Through scriptural insights and personal anecdotes, Kent shows how managing device usage can lead to a more purposeful, less anxious life centered on faith and presence.

    The Rise of Anxiety in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 25:15


    Pastor Sam Rainer begins the new year with a series on smartphones and how they contribute to people's rising anxiety, especially younger generations. When do normal “concerns” become a problem of “anxiety”? The Bible has clear answers! While Satan wants to weigh you down with worry, Jesus has a plan to free you from your darkest days.

    The Enemy Within (Tim Stephenson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 28:54


    Tim Stephenson teaches on the life of Uzziah.

    Mary and Joseph Escape to Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 20:54


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon continues the Christmas series by examining Matthew 2:13-23. What is the significance of Mary and Jospeh's escape to Egypt? This story connects to prophecy in the Old Testament as well as the apocalyptic visions of Revelation.

    Who Were the Wise Men Visiting Jesus?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 17:20


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon is about the wise men who visit Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. Who were they? Why did they come? The wisdom of the wise men draws your worship to the glory of the nativity.

    The Miracle of the Virgin Birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 18:25


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon is about the miracle of the virgin birth, as described in Matthew 1. The virgin birth is essential to the miracle of grace, and the virgin birth is necessary for the gospel to be true. What you believe about the virgin birth is foundational to your faith in Jesus. He was born physically, so you don't die spiritually.

    Why the Genealogy of Jesus Matters Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 26:27


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers the genealogy of Christ and begins a Christmas series in the first two chapters. God's promise of grace becomes a reality in the person of Jesus Christ.

    The Great Commission

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 32:00


    Tim Stephenson fills in for Sam today and takes a more practical look at the Great Commission.

    What Every Church Must Do to Succeed in the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 19:51


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers the Great Commission and the church's God-given mission to share Jesus with the world. Every local church has a global mandate.

    How God Uses Broken People

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 20:51


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers the story of Peter's denial of Jesus in Matthew 26. Judas betrayed Jesus. Thomas doubted Jesus. Peter denied Jesus. All the disciples deserted Jesus. God can take your worst mistakes and make them miracles for His glory. We all sin, yet God still uses us to advance His purposes. How?

    Who Was the Real Judas Iscariot?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 25:59


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers the story of Judas in Matthew 26 and 27. Who is the real Judas Iscariot? Judas is notorious for one big reason: He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. As soon as he had the money in hand, he realized it was empty. Jesus chose Judas as a disciple, but Judas chose betrayal over salvation.

    The Dark Religion of Legalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 25:47


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 23:1-36. Jesus rebukes the religious leaders. The Pharisees and scribes had “crushed people with unbearable religious demands.” Christian hypocrisy occurs when you make yourself the priority over God. Christian legalism is excessive conformity to a moral code or Law with the intent of controlling others. All of us must guard our hearts against the dark religion of legalism.

    Why We Help the Least of These

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 22:59


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 25:31-46 and why the church should serve the “least of these.” An outward focus makes you stronger. An inward focus makes you weaker. Who should you serve? Whoever God puts in front of you!

    pastor sam rainer
    Hurricane Milton and Your Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 18:03


    After Hurricane Milton, Pastor Sam preaches about finding safety and security in Christ. The text is Psalm 46. Overcoming insecurity is only accomplished through being overcome by God's security. Only Jesus is strong enough and good enough to save you.

    Gotcha Questions for God

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 23:25


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 22:15-46. The Pharisees and Sadducees comprised the two major ruling classes in Jewish society during the time of Christ. Both opposed Jesus and attempted to trap Him with “gotcha questions.” How does Jesus respond with His own gotcha question?

    How NOT to Enter the Kingdom of God

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 22:57


    Jonathon Jankovich fills in for Sam this week as we continue our series in Matthew.

    When It's Appropriate to Turn Over Tables

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 16:38


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 21:12-27. The cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple complex are two interconnected stories with a significant meaning. Jesus condemns the religious system that is all flash and no substance.

    jesus christ tables pastor sam rainer
    Is God Unfair to People?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 19:43


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 20:1-34. Is God unfair to people? There are two major ways we complain about God being unfair. First, we see good things happen to undeserving people. Second, we see bad things happen to deserving people. The problem with these perspectives is we become the judge as to who is deserving or undeserving. What is the proper perspective? Matthew 20 reveals God's answer.

    god unfair pastor sam rainer
    Why It's Hard for Jesus to Save Rich People

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 22:33


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 19:16-30 and why it's hard for Jesus to save rich people. The text is about the rich, young ruler and why he struggled to come to faith in Christ. Who is rich? What makes a person rich? You can't buy your way into heaven. You can't work your way into heaven. Salvation never comes on human terms, but salvation is available to everyone on God's terms.

    The Difference Between Reconciliation and Forgiveness

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 30:01


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 18:12-35 and the difference between reconciliation and forgiveness. Forgiveness frees a person from guilt and its consequences. Jesus is how we are reconciled to God. Reconciliation involves the removal of an offense and the reunification of a relationship. Pastor Sam reveals the four steps to reconciliation and the questions you must ask before pursuing reconciliation.

    What Faith Moves: Mount Ararat

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 21:07


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches thematically on several mountains of the Bible. In this sermon, he covers Mount Ararat and explores the story of Noah's Ark from Genesis. This message reveals the devastating impact of sin and the profound grace of God's deliverance. Through Noah's unwavering faith and obedience, we see a foreshadowing of Christ, our ultimate means of salvation.

    #Blessed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 20:56


    What Faith Moves: Mount Nebo and Mount Tabor

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 24:47


    What Faith Moves: Mount Moriah

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 31:07


    What Faith Moves: Mount Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 26:05


    What Faith Moves: Mount Zion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 22:12


    In this series, Pastor Sam Rainer preaches thematically on several mountains of the Bible. This sermon is about Zion, an ancient term connected to the fortified hill of pre-Israelite Jerusalem. Mount Zion is a reminder God is with us now and through eternity. How do we reconcile what Scripture teaches about Zion with what is occurring in Israel today?

    What Faith Moves: Mount Sinai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 22:26


    In this series, Pastor Sam Rainer preaches thematically on several mountains of the Bible. This sermon is about the Mount of Olives and the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. Jesus warns of false teachers, and He foretells of persecution that will happen to His followers.

    What Faith Moves: Mt Carmel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 25:35


    Pastor Kent fills in for Sam this week as we continue our study of the mountains of the Bible.

    What Faith Moves: Mount Sinai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 21:33


    Why Jesus Says Your Faith Should Be Childlike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 16:57


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 18:1-10. Why does Jesus say your faith should be childlike? In this text, Jesus compares conversion to the acceptance of a child. And then, He uses strong language to warn anyone who would harm a child or tempt others to sin.

    jesus christ childlike pastor sam rainer
    The Significance of Jesus' Transfiguration

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 22:51


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers Matthew 17:1-27 and the transfiguration of Jesus. At the transfiguration, humanity sees God's glory. But it's just a tiny taste of the incredible glory of a reigning God who conquered death.

    Who is Jesus?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 25:36


    Pastor Kent fills in for Sam this week and unpacks chapter 16 as we continue our journey through Matthew.

    The Reason Jesus Offends Some People

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 20:00


    Pastor Sam Rainer preaches through every verse of Matthew's gospel. This sermon covers the challenging passage of Matthew 15:1-39. Jesus offends the Pharisees and then seems to make some controversial comments about Gentiles. But there is a reason. He tests His followers to see if they will persevere in their faith.

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