Woodstock City Church

Our trials, temptations, and tension shape us—and they have a way of revealing who or what we're truly depending on.

During trials, our tendency is to ask God to change what's going on around us. But God is more interested in transforming what's going on in us.

The easy path is tempting, but God often does his greatest work on the hard road—where faith, obedience, and courage grow.

A conversation about five principles we can learn from Israel's worship of a golden calf.

We can have so many things going on in our lives. Many parts can be good. How do we enjoy the good things without letting them becoming god things?

The problem isn't what we love, it's the order in which we love. Disordered love leads to disordered desires—and ultimately a disordered life.

It's almost Mother's Day.  And although we all get to witness motherhood, we have so much to still learn. I invited, who I believe is one of the greatest mothers on the planet—my wife, Julie, and our dear friend, Amanda Redinger, to tell us more about their motherhood experience. They tell us more about ways they've felt supported and encouraged, what they wish they could tell their younger selves, and what the most surprising part of motherhood has been.

It’s almost Mother’s Day. And although we all get to witness motherhood, we have so much to still learn. I invited, who I believe is one of the greatest mothers on the planet—my wife, Julie, and our dear friend, Amanda Redinger, to tell us more about their motherhood experience. They tell us more about ways they’ve felt supported and encouraged, what they wish they could tell their younger selves, and what the most surprising part of motherhood has been.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all worship something, but is what we worship worthy of it?

We all worship something, but is what we worship worthy of it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God doesn't size you up and write you off—and neither should you. In God's eyes, you're invited to move forward, not remain stuck in the past.

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What was impossible from the limited vantage point of the world was inevitable from the vantage point of Heaven. The resurrection is where divine power and love collide with human impossibility, and Jesus wins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is Good Friday—a day we focus on and honor Jesus's death on the cross. But why is it called good, exactly? Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? And what did his death accomplish? I invited our college pastor, Jake Williams, back for another special edition podcast to explore these questions and more.

Today is Good Friday—a day we focus on and honor Jesus’s death on the cross. But why is it called good, exactly? Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? And what did his death accomplish? I invited our college pastor, Jake Williams, back for another special edition podcast to explore these questions and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death had the last word because death was the consequence of sin—but not anymore. Jesus, God's final King, crushed both sin and death and invites us to reign in life through him.

Death had the last word because death was the consequence of sin—but not anymore. Jesus, God’s final King, crushed both sin and death and invites us to reign in life through him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As followers of Jesus, we have all wrestled with the same tension at some point: we all want to be saved, but we don't always want to submit. In this message, we talk about the difference between "Jesus the Savior" and "Jesus the King" and why it's the most important thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As followers of Jesus, we have all wrestled with the same tension at some point: we all want to be saved, but we don't always want to submit. In this message, we talk about the difference between "Jesus the Savior" and "Jesus the King" and why it's the most important thing.

You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Without clear vision, you'll drift into coasting, and coasting always takes you downhill.

You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Without clear vision, you’ll drift into coasting, and coasting always takes you downhill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won't know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It's better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.

Before inviting Peter to follow him, Jesus asked Peter to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” After a night of fishing with no success and despite his reservations, Peter agreed: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” At some point, every Jesus follower will face their own “because you say so” moment. Like Peter, we won’t know what hangs in the balance or our decision. It’s better to find out than miss out. Ready to engage in Deeper/Wider? We in invite you to make a commitment at DeeperWider.com/commit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know not to put our trust in riches, but in Him who richly provides. So what is your biggest obstacle?

We know not to put our trust in riches, but in Him who richly provides.So what is your biggest obstacle?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone has a generosity plan, but most people prioritize spending first and leave giving as an afterthought. Jesus flipped the script on that approach with “Seek ye first” living. Embracing this financial template is a tangible expression of submission to our King.

Everyone has a generosity plan, but most people prioritize spending first and leave giving as an afterthought. Jesus flipped the script on that approach with “Seek ye first” living. Embracing this financial template is a tangible expression of submission to our King.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Ash Wednesday about, exactly? Why does it matter? And is there a specific way to observe it? I invited our college pastor, Jake Williams, to join me for this special edition podcast where we answer all these questions and more.

What is Ash Wednesday about, exactly? Why does it matter? And is there a specific way to observe it?I invited our college pastor, Jake Williams, to join me for this special edition podcast where we answer all these questions and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus redefined generosity—not as spontaneous or sparing, but as intentional and prioritized. His approach ensures we don't put our trust in riches but in God who richly provides. Choosing to follow his definition of generosity results in greater impact, less worry, more joy, and more peace.

Jesus redefined generosity—not as spontaneous or sparing, but as intentional and prioritized. His approach ensures we don’t put our trust in riches but in God who richly provides. Choosing to follow his definition of generosity results in greater impact, less worry, more joy, and more peace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biblical generosity is informed and fueled by the acknowledgment that God owns it all. We are simply managers. When we adopt that posture, we view everything we “own” as a potential tool to further the agenda of our King. We will give first and adjust our lifestyle accordingly. Christians who adopt this perspective as the organizing principle for their personal finances find it easier to surrender the other components of their life as well. As Jesus made clear, the number one competitor for our devotion to God is our devotion to more. More money and more things.

Biblical generosity is informed and fueled by the acknowledgment that God owns it all. We are simply managers. When we adopt that posture, we view everything we “own” as a potential tool to further the agenda of our King. We will give first and adjust our lifestyle accordingly. Christians who adopt this perspective as the organizing principle for their personal finances find it easier to surrender the other components of their life as well. As Jesus made clear, the number one competitor for our devotion to God is our devotion to more. More money and more things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus’s kingdom is not advanced by force, but over time through transformed lives. We are invited to participate in its expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus's kingdom is not advanced by force, but over time through transformed lives. We are invited to participate in its expansion.

The fight of faith is about becoming more like Jesus, not about defeating enemies.

The fight of faith is about becoming more like Jesus, not about defeating enemies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To participate in the kingdom of God is to surrender our hearts to the rule and reign of God.

To participate in the kingdom of God is to surrender our hearts to the rule and reign of God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The term "Christ" was originally a royal title meaning "Anointed One" or “King,” not a name. And the message of the Gospel is not just about personal salvation, but about aligning with the reign of Jesus as King.

The term "Christ" was originally a royal title meaning "Anointed One" or “King,” not a name. And the message of the Gospel is not just about personal salvation, but about aligning with the reign of Jesus as King.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we re-center our faith around the arrival of a King rather than a ticket to heaven, we will discover why his arrival and his kingdom is good news for all people.

If we re-center our faith around the arrival of a King rather than a ticket to heaven, we will discover why his arrival and his kingdom is good news for all people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as the apostle Paul wrote to the Jesus followers in Ephesus, you were made for something more than yourself. You are God's workmanship, and you've got something to offer God's Kingdom.

Just as the apostle Paul wrote to the Jesus followers in Ephesus, you were made for something more than yourself. You are God’s workmanship, and you’ve got something to offer God’s Kingdom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a direct relationship between following in the way of Jesus and unleashing our potential for good.

There is a direct relationship between following in the way of Jesus and unleashing our potential for good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the very beginning, God has been illuminating the darkness. And with the birth of Jesus, God was proclaiming to the world, “Let there be light.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the very beginning, God has been illuminating the darkness. And with the birth of Jesus, God was proclaiming to the world, “Let there be light.”

The lineage of Jesus is full of people with stories that would make anyone blush, including the likes of King David and Lot's daughters. But in spite of jaw-dropping choices people made, God's purposes marched forward.

The lineage of Jesus is full of people with stories that would make anyone blush, including the likes of King David and Lot’s daughters. But in spite of jaw-dropping choices people made, God’s purposes marched forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.