Podcasts about Calvary

The Southern Baptist Convention, Pastors Conference 2026 sermon from Pastor Willy Rice. In this powerful message from the 2026 SBC Pastors Conference, “The Bleating of the Sheep and the Tearing of the Robe,” Willy Rice examines the tragic downfall of King Saul through 1 Samuel 15:22–27 and issues a compelling call for doctrinal faithfulness. Saul's failure was not outright apostasy, but a gradual compromise driven by pragmatism, public pressure, and a desire for success over obedience. Through the vivid imagery of the bleating sheep and Samuel's torn robe, listeners are challenged to consider whether religious activity, ministry accomplishments, and cultural approval have replaced wholehearted submission to God's Word.Drawing lessons from Saul, the life of Charles Spurgeon during the Downgrade Controversy, and the current challenges facing the church, this message urges believers to value obedience over observance, faithfulness over fervency, and God's kingdom over personal ambition. Ultimately, it is a call for humility, courage, and steadfast commitment to biblical truth so that future generations may be able to say of us: “We kept the faith.”Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

Johnny needs backup that there shouldn't be rule changes in sports or there should be. Andrew needs backup that there should be two categories of kids movies... Kids movies that are good for kids and kids movies that are made for adults that kids actually hate. Enjoy! Support the showRemember to sign up for the Patreon for Post-Show Banter! https://patreon.com/thecavalrypodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

The opening message of Spiritual Emphasis began with one question from Psalm 24: Who is this King of Glory? Ron Brown called students to prepare their hearts for God to do defining things in their lives. Through Psalm 24 and Isaiah 6, he reminded us that when we truly see the Lord, our eyes are opened to the truth. We recognize our need, we see our own condition, and we discover that Jesus is the King who meets us in brokenness, addiction, despair, and hopelessness. “When the King of Glory comes in, everything changes,” Ron said. He also reminded us, “Victory in Jesus is about being conformed to the image of His Son.” This message points to Jesus as both the victorious King and the suffering servant. He did battle for our souls at Calvary, bore our sin and pain on the cross, and initiated a relationship with us long before we ever knew Him. Victory begins when we step into that relationship and allow Him to become the center of our lives. Ron also challenged students to understand that new life must be practiced. We practiced sin for years, but now we learn how to practice being Christians. We learn to love, forgive, trust, obey, worship, and renew our minds through the Word of God. The application is simple: let the King of Glory come in. Lay down the burdens of sin, shame, brokenness, and addiction. Build a real relationship with Jesus. Let Him renew your mind, reshape your identity, and teach you how to walk in the new life He has already made possible.

n this Spiritual Emphasis message, Daniel Bentley preaches a powerful word, calling us to fix our eyes on Jesus in a world filled with distraction. In a culture trained to scroll, glance, and move on, Daniel reminds us that the invitation of Scripture is to slow down and truly behold the Lord. Drawing from the writings of John, Daniel walks through three powerful pictures of Jesus. First, we behold the Lamb of God, the sinless sacrifice whose blood was shed for us. Then we behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the conquering King whose victory was revealed through the cross. Finally, we behold the love of the Father, the otherworldly love that calls us sons and daughters of God. “What you continually behold, you eventually become like,” Daniel said. He also reminded us, “Don't scroll past the cross.” The cross is not just an event to be remembered. It is an invitation to be received. This message challenges us to recognize what has captured our attention. The enemy wants us to fix our eyes on our past, our shame, our failure, and ourselves. But freedom begins when we lift our eyes and behold Jesus as He truly is. He is the Lamb who was slain, the Lion who reigns, and the love of God revealed. When we look to Calvary, we are changed from the inside out. We are reminded that we are chosen, wanted, accepted, forgiven, and free in Jesus.

Welcome to the Calvary Church Podcast!  -- To support this ministry and help us continue to spread the Gospel around the world, click here: https://www.calvar

Paul expresses his love and appreciation for his fellow laborers in Christ. These men and women faithfully served the Christian community, generously giving their time, resources, and God-given talents to advance God's kingdom. The unity they shared is found in Christ and in His truths. 

Pastor Miles DeBenedictis Exodus 34:6–7 Miles DeBenedictispastormiles.com

We have reached the end of our Exodus series! Chapter 40 concludes with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle, marking the completion of the structure, but not the end of the journey. The Israelites are not yet in the Promised Land. So why is this 40-chapter story so central to the biblical narrative? Because Exodus is not just background history—it is a legally binding testimony that points directly to the coming of a greater Messiah.Key Points1. A Testimony to the FutureHebrews 3:5 states that Moses was faithful as a servant, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. The Greek word used here for servant (therapon) implies an intimate, trusted servant whose testimony carries legal weight. Moses is a credible witness establishing the criteria for the Messiah. Anyone claiming to be the Messiah must be greater than Moses.2. Jesus is the Greater IntercessorMoses: Interceded for the Israelites on a hill to win a physical battle against the Amalekites. His hands were held up by his friends (Exodus 17).Jesus: Interceded on the hill of Calvary to win the eternal war against sin and death. His hands were held up by nails—and by the joy set before Him.3. Jesus is the Greater Deliverer & SacrificeMoses: Delivered the Israelites physically from Egypt, but he could not lead them all the way into the Promised Land. The Old Covenant required sacrifices to be made over and over again, like weed killer that only offers temporary relief.Jesus: Shared in our humanity to break the power of death and deliver us spiritually (Hebrews 2:14). As our High Priest, He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and then He sat down—because the work was finished (Hebrews 10:11-12). Note: Joshua (Yeshua), whose name points to Jesus, was the one who ultimately led the people into the Promised Land.4. Jesus is the Greater TabernacleMoses: Built the physical tabernacle where God's presence dwelled, but the people were kept out by a thick curtain and the barrier of sin.Jesus: The Word became flesh and "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). When Jesus died on the cross, the physical curtain in the temple was torn in two. Now, through the blood of Jesus, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. Better yet, through the Holy Spirit, believers have become living tabernacles.5. The Warning: Guard Against a Hard HeartThe Israelites saw the Red Sea part and manna fall from the sky, yet their hearts grew hard and they built a golden calf. Signs and wonders cannot replace an intimate relationship with God. Hebrews warns us not to harden our hearts as they did, but to encourage one another daily. We guard against a hard heart through personal devotion and active participation in a faith community.ConclusionWhen Moses asked God, "Show me your glory," God tucked him in a rock and only allowed him to see His back. Moses did not get exactly what he asked for in that moment, nor did he get to enter the Promised Land in his lifetime. However, God does not forget our prayers. Centuries later, on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17), Moses finally stands in the Promised Land, face-to-face with Jesus, whose face shone like the sun. Moses finally saw the full glory of God. God is worth the wait.Calls to ActionExamine Your Heart: Are there areas where your heart has grown hard or calloused toward God?Speak it Out: If you are struggling with unbelief or a hard heart, confess it to someone in your faith community this week to break its power.Trust the Delay: If you have been waiting a long time for a prayer to be answered, look to Moses. Trust that God's timing is perfect and His glory is worth the wait. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

The Test, the Tension, and the Altar • Part of our weekly Sunday morning study through Exodus.

Guest Revivalist - Pastor Breonus M. Mitchell, Sr. Pastor of Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, TN

Pastor Shalondria TaylorFounder of Young Esther's Inc.

Rev Ronnie Brinson, Jr. Sr. Pastor, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Sparks, GA

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Today, we are goingto look at the second mark of a genuine believer: “We rejoice in ChristJesus.” NoticePaul did not say we rejoice in our accomplishments. He did not say we rejoicein our denomination. He did not say we rejoice in our church attendance. Rememberwhen Jesus sent out the seventy-two, two by two, and they came back reportingwhat they had experienced. They said they had seen this and that, and that eventhe demons were subject to them. Jesus said, "Do not rejoice in that,but rejoice in the fact that your name is written in heaven" (Luke10:20). Jesus teaches us that our joy should be found in our relationship toHim. That is what Paul reminds us of here. Theword rejoice literally carries the idea of boasting or glorying in. So what arewe proud of? Jesus! What do we celebrate? Jesus! Who do we talk about? Jesus! Religionboasts about what people do. Christianity boasts about what Christ has done. Rememberthe Pharisee in Luke 18. He prayed, "God, I thank You that I am notlike other men." Then he proceeded to list all of his accomplishments.The publican, however, bowed his face before God, beat his breast, and criedout, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said that manwent home justified rather than the Pharisee who had done so much. You see,true believers boast in Christ alone. Ilove the words of Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should boastexcept in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." So when someone praisesus, we reflect that praise back to God. We thank Him. When something goodhappens in our lives, we thank God. When we see spiritual fruit, we give gloryto God. Why? Because we know where it all came from. Remember, Jesus said inJohn 15:5, "Without Me, you can do nothing." Now,the third mark that distinguishes a genuine believer is probably the mostimportant of all. Paul says here that: “We have no confidence in the flesh.”This statement strikes at the heart of human pride. The flesh refers to ourfallen nature. Paul says that true believers place no confidence in themselves.None. Zero. Our culture today teaches just the opposite. Believe in yourself.Trust yourself. Follow your heart. Depend on your abilities.  Scriptureteaches something very different. Jeremiah 17:9 says: "The heart isdeceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" InRomans 7:18, Paul proclaimed: "For I know that in me (that is, in myflesh) dwells no good thing." The flesh cannot save us. The fleshcannot please God. The flesh cannot produce righteousness. The flesh cannotearn heaven. Only Jesus Christ can do that. John19:30 records the triumphant words from the cross of Calvary, where Jesusproclaimed: "It is finished." Not partly finished. Not almostfinished. But finished. Completely. Totally finished. His death on the crossand His shed blood accomplished propitiation and satisfied God completely forour sins. Everything necessary for salvation was accomplished in Jesus Christ. Thatis why true believers have no confidence in the flesh. Our confidence is not inourselves. Our confidence is in Jesus Christ and in Who He is. The Holy Spiritnow dwells in us, and whatever He leads us to do, we can accomplish because itis God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Solet me ask you a personal question today. Which of these three marks bestdescribes your life? Do you worship God from the heart? Do you rejoice in JesusChrist? Do you have any confidence in the flesh, or is your confidence inChrist alone? Or are you still trusting your own goodness, your churchmembership, your baptism, or your religious activities? My friend, the truebeliever worships God in the Spirit, rejoices in Christ Jesus, and placesabsolutely no confidence in the flesh. That is the difference between religionand a relationship with Christ. 

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  iTunes: Parson's Pad Podcast Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings / Wednesday Evenings: 415 Franklin Rd, Franklin TN 37069 Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Luke 3:15-20 New International Version 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke 3:16-22 New International Version 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke 3:4-14 New International Version 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a] 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have any questions or comments, send Pastor John a text.Pastor John Bornschein and Dr. Steve Ford read and examine Daniel 9:20-27, which outlines the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. This is part 2 in this study of the Seventy-Weeks Prophecy. Support the showProduced by Calvary Fellowship Fountain Valley church. Learn more at www.CalvaryFountain.com

Paul repeats the word beware three times here. It is as thoughhe is sounding a spiritual alarm. He is saying, “Watch out! Be careful! Payattention!” He uses such strong language because false teaching isdangerous.  Paulis warning the Philippians about a group of false teachers known as theJudaizers. These men seemed to follow the Apostle Paul everywhere he went,spreading their false doctrine. They said, “Jesus is good, but you must alsokeep the Law of Moses. You must be circumcised. You must become Jewish beforeyou can really be saved.” In other words, they were teaching Jesus plussomething. But the true gospel is never Jesus plus anything. The true gospel isJesus alone. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Thechurch council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 settled that question for the earlychurch. But some people refused to listen and continued teaching these things.So Paul describes them with three vivid pictures. First, he calls them “dogs”.When you hear that word, you might think of your beloved family pet. But thatis not the picture here. In Bible times, dogs were wild scavengers that roamedthe streets. They fed on garbage, carried disease, and could be dangerous. Theyoften traveled in packs. Ironically,the Jews often called the Gentiles dogs. But Paul turns that insult around andsays that these false teachers are the real dogs. They kept snapping at theheels of the Apostle Paul as he went about sharing the good news that Christalone saves. They followed him from city to city, barking their false doctrinesand causing confusion among new believers. My friend, false teaching isdangerous because it often sounds very close to the truth. A counterfeit maylook real, but it is still counterfeit. A glass of water may appear pure, butone ounce of poison destroys the whole thing. That is why we must know God'sWord. Second,Paul calls these false teachers “evil workers”. These men appeared to bevery religious. They were busy, sincere, and devoted. But Paul says their workswere actually evil. They were evil workers because they were trusting in humaneffort rather than God's grace alone. They were teaching people to depend onwhat they could do instead of what Christ had already done for them. Titus 3:5says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to Hismercy He saves us.” Good works do not produce salvation; good works are theresult of salvation. There is a big difference. The only thing that can save usis the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Third,Paul calls these Judaizers “the mutilation.” This is actually a play onwords. The Judaizers insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation.Paul is saying that when a God-given symbol is turned into a requirement forsalvation, it loses its spiritual meaning and becomes nothing more than aphysical act. The true circumcision is not outward; it is inward. Romans2:28-29 tells us that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, performed bythe Spirit of God. God has always been interested in the heart. Religionfocuses on outward appearance; God focuses on inward reality.Today,we need discernment. The only way we can have that discernment is by being inGod's Word and filling our hearts and minds with His truth. When we handle thetruth regularly, we immediately recognize false teaching when it appears. Let me encourage you to test everything by Scripture. Know your Bible.Stay close to Jesus. Guard your heart. Never allow anything to take the placeof the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Let'spray. Father, thank You for the simple and glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.Give us discernment in these days when so many voices compete for ourattention. Help us recognize false teaching and stand firmly on the truth ofYour Word. May our confidence rest in Jesusalone. We pray this in His precious name. Amen.

Pastor Al Dagel tells us of many names for Jesus, but John the Baptist gave Jesus a very appropriate title, one that would, indeed, play out on Calvary.

On this episode of the Ricecast, Dan Pigsley, Pastor Willy, and Special Guest Cheryl Rice talk about the new SBC President position and what is next for Calvary Church and the SBC. Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

What does it look like to pursue unity in a divided world?In this episode of the CGN Podcast, Daniel Williams and Brian Brodersen sit down with Evan Wickham—pastor of Park Hill Church in San Diego and worship leader—to discuss the beauty and challenge of cultivating unity within the body of Christ.Evan shares stories from eight years of church planting, navigating seasons of leadership transition, and preparing to become a grandfather. Together, they explore why clarity and love must go hand in hand, how worship can bring believers together across denominational lines, and why rediscovering the richness of the historic church can strengthen our witness today.From citywide prayer gatherings and songwriting sessions with Christians from different traditions to practical encouragement for pastors seeking deeper relationships within the broader church, this conversation is a timely reminder that Jesus' prayer for unity still matters.As we prepare for the CGN International Ministry Conference 2026, this episode invites us to consider what it means to be the church in the world—for such a time as this.Join us for the CGN International Ministry Conference, June 28–July 1, 2026, at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.For registration and conference details, visit:CGN International Ministry Conference

Wills in Conflict • Part of our midweek verse-by-verse study through Mark.

In this week's episode, Dr. David Rice takes us to Luke 15:11–32 and the parable of the prodigal son—a powerful picture of both rebellion and redemption.Through the story of the younger and older sons, we see two different ways hearts can drift from the Father—one through reckless living, the other through self-righteousness. Yet at the center of it all stands a compassionate Father who pursues, forgives, and restores with overwhelming grace.This message reminds us that no matter how far we've wandered or how long we've stood at a distance, the invitation is the same: to come home. And when we do, we find not rejection, but celebration—because what was lost is found.Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

Send us a comment or question!Calvary Chapel Franklin: http://calvarychapelfranklin.com/  Email: info@calvarychapelfranklin.com  Telegram: https://t.me/parsonspadpodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ccfranklintn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelFranklin/  Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://parsonspad.buzzsprout.com/  iTunes: Parson's Pad Podcast Calvary Chapel Franklin meets at: Sunday mornings / Wednesday Evenings: 415 Franklin Rd, Franklin TN 37069 Mail: PO Box 1993 Spring Hill TN 37174 If you need a Bible, please download the free Gideon's app for iPhone or Android: https://gideons.org/  Calvary Chapel Franklin is a 501c3 tax exempt religious organization. If you would like to donate to support this ministry, please click here: https://calvarychapelfranklin.churchcenter.com/giving 

Podcast: Light on Life Season Thirteen Episode Twenty-Three. Many believers know Jesus won the victory at Calvary, but still wonder why prayer, spiritual authority, and standing against darkness matter so much today. The Word of God shows that Satan is defeated, yet the Church must still enforce Christ's victory through faith, intercession, the shield of faith, and continual prayer for kings and those […] The post Why You Must Enforce the Great Overcoming Victory of Jesus appeared first on emeryhorvath.com. Related posts: Why The Gospel Actually Surges When You Push Back Darkness

Patrick tackles Catholic life and its intersections with contemporary culture, addressing questions about priestly vocations, interdenominational encounters, and prayers for the departed. He weaves in scriptural discussions on the Eucharist, advises Catholics on Protestant Bible study invitations, and unpacks the federal government’s move to reclassify Mormonism outside the Christian list for military personnel—a choice that sparks both theological friction and political response. Every segment pulses with direct advice, practical faith, and moments where swift insights meet unexpected candor. Jorge - A deacon said homosexuals are accepted for priesthood candidacy just to stay away from their temptations. (02:34) Sherry - How can I tell my Presbyterian neighbor that the True Body and Blood of Christ is only in the Catholic Church? (07:26) Conrad - My girlfriend and I go to a Catholic Church on weekdays, and then a 'bible' church on Sunday morning. I see it as a Bible study. (12:15) Connie - I'm a convert, and the only Catholic in my family. Can you talk about customs Catholics do for a recently deceased relative? (20:22) Ben - Referring back to Calvary church: my brother has been asked to be one of the leaders at a similar church, but I don't think that'd be good for him. (27:12) Dept. of War removes Mormonism, and about 180 other belief systems as recognized religions (34:04)

Johnny needs backup that movie theaters should tell you what time the actual movie starts. Andrew needs backup that couples shouldn't fight in public on vacation. Support the showRemember to sign up for the Patreon for Post-Show Banter! https://patreon.com/thecavalrypodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Welcome to the Calvary Church Podcast!  -- To support this ministry and help us continue to spread the Gospel around the world, click here: https://www.calvar

Today we are continuing in Philippians chapter 2, lookingspecifically at verses 26–27. We are talking about Epaphroditus, a wonderfulservant of God from Philippi who was in Rome ministering to the Apostle Paul.We are going to find in this passage that he became very sick and almost died. Whenwe think about Epaphroditus, we are reminded of the four illustrations Paulgives us in Philippians 2 about being a servant, being a surrendered person,and having a submissive mind—the mind of Christ. Iam amazed at the many times in the book of Acts that Jesus is called God'sServant, the Servant of God. As you look through Scripture and history, you seemen like Moses. When Moses died, God referred to him in Joshua 1 as “Moses Myservant.” Then, at the end of the book of Joshua, when Joshua died, Godreferred to him as His servant, Joshua. Oh, my friend, great men and women ofGod are people who make themselves servants of God and serve Him by servingothers. Itis also what the Apostle Paul did. That is what Timothy did. And now we see itin the life of Epaphroditus as we read verses 26 and 27: “Since he waslonging for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and notonly on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Thinkabout this for a moment. Epaphroditus was the one who was sick. In fact, henearly died. Yet he was not primarily concerned about himself. He was concernedthat the Philippians were worried about him. What an incredible spirit! Most ofus naturally focus on ourselves when we are hurting, suffering, or sick. We areoften not thinking about what others might be going through because of ourillness. But Epaphroditus was different. His concern remained fixed on others. Thisreminds us of Jesus in Gethsemane. Even while facing the cross, Jesus thoughtabout His disciples. Even while dying on Calvary, He thought about His mother. Asa matter of fact, the word translated “distressed” in verse 26 is verysignificant. Some translations render it “full of heaviness.” This isthe exact same Greek word used to describe Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane inMatthew 26:37: “…He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed His spiritwas exceedingly heavy.” The burden was so great that Jesus sweat greatdrops of blood..Oh,my friend, we see something of that same spirit in Epaphroditus. Even in hissickness, even when he was near death, his heart was burdened for the believersback in Philippi. He worried because they were worrying about him. But then weread these wonderful words: “God had mercy on him.” God had mercy onEpaphroditus. Whata reminder that we are in God's hands. Even in suffering and sickness, God issovereign over our health. Notice that the passage does not say Paul healedhim. Paul had been used by God to perform miracles. There were times when evenhandkerchiefs associated with Paul were used by God to bring healing. Yet thatis not what happened here. The Scripture simply says, “God had mercy onhim.” Godis sovereign over our health. God is sovereign over our circumstances. God issovereign over our future. Sometimes God heals. Sometimes He sustains us in themidst of our sickness. But God is always faithful. He will never allow us tosuffer beyond His purposes for our lives, and He will always provide the gracewe need for every trial. Today,perhaps you are carrying a burden. Maybe you are facing an illness. Maybe youhave come to a place of discouragement in your life. I want you to know thatjust as God had mercy on Epaphroditus, God has not forgotten you. He knows yourneed today. He knows your suffering. And even in the midst of your suffering,God can still use you to encourage others through your service. What awonderful blessing to know that God has a perfect plan, even in the midst ofsickness and hardship.

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get victory? You've prayed more. Tried harder. Made new commitments. Promised God you would do better. Yet somehow you find yourself right back in the same struggle.That's exactly where Romans 7 leaves us.Paul cries out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). Romans 7 is the cry of a defeated believer trying to overcome sin through self-effort.But thank God, Romans 8 follows Romans 7. The answer is not more willpower. The answer is not more rules. The answer is not more religious activity. The answer is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.The Holy Spirit does not work through our self-effort. He works through what Christ accomplished at Calvary. When our faith remains anchored in the finished work of Jesus, the Spirit supplies the victory we could never produce ourselves.Listen and discover why the answer has never been found in trying harder—it has always been found at the Cross.

We want faith to feel like a firework. Dramatic. Visible. Significant. But Jesus keeps pointing somewhere else… at the small thing. The ordinary act. The quiet obedience nobody applauds. Luke 16:10 offers a principle that reframes the whole Christian life: whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Small faithfulness isn't the waiting room until the real thing begins. It is the real thing. It's where character gets built. This week in Following Jesus in Real Life, we're inviting you to stop asking what the big thing is…and start asking what the next faithful thing is.

In the first of our Summer Sermon Series through Romans, the Reverend Jacob Smith articulates why, despite what you do or don't do, you are enough before God.

Pastor Miles DeBenedictis Exodus 3–4 Miles DeBenedictispastormiles.com

When we prize our own family or comfort above God’s holiness, we trade the heavyweight glory of walking with Him for the tragic weight of our own compromises. Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 2:22-36 Series: Know Kings: The Book Of Samuel Gene Pensiero Jr Find the rest of the series at https://calvaryhanford.com/knowkings […]

God's Answer To Man's Self-Confidence • Part of our weekly Sunday morning study through Exodus.

When we prize our own family or comfort above God’s holiness, we trade the heavyweight glory of walking with Him for the tragic weight of our own compromises. Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 2:22-36 Series: Know Kings: The Book Of Samuel Gene Pensiero Jr Find the rest of the series at https://calvaryhanford.com/knowkings […]

The Gospel of Grace is God-made. It's not a manmade religion. All religions were invented by people, and must be taught to you by people. But the Gospel is not according to man. The Gospel reveals the grace of God, and calls us into having a personal relationship with God. Paul shares his dramatic conversion,… The post The Gospel: Relationship Not Religion appeared first on Calvary Chapel At The Cross.

El Evangelio de la gracia es obra de Dios; no es una religión creada por el hombre. Todas las religiones fueron inventadas por personas y deben ser enseñadas por personas. Pero el Evangelio no es según el hombre. El Evangelio revela la gracia de Dios y nos llama a tener una relación personal con Él.… The post El Evangelio: Relación No Religión appeared first on Calvary Chapel At The Cross.

How God's people respond to prophecy—especially prophecy portending hardship—reveals where ultimate priorities lie. Some respond in fear to warnings of coming tribulation, while others respond with speculative diagnoses that match today's headlines with Bible prophecy. Daniel responded with faith in God's character and confidence in His promises; he prayed in the direction of both. "So I gave my face to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes," Daniel 9:3 (LSB). God gave Daniel prophetic visions of Israel's scary future not to satisfy his curiosity, but to realign His people to His priorities, and strengthen their faithfulness to Him. That's why Daniel's prayer in Chapter 9 shows the same pattern we find in the apostles praying Psalm 2, in John's vision of heaven, and in Christ's instruction to His disciples concerning prayer. When God promises His people something, we're meant to think and pray in the direction of those promises, letting His word direct our petitions, and then our lives. This Lord's Day, we'll begin our look at Daniel 9, starting with a prayer that precedes one of the Old Testament's clear prophecies of our Lord's first advent, Calvary, and the inauguration of His covenant of grace. Join us as we turn to Daniel 9:1-3 and consider "Back to the Future: When Prophecy Prompts Prayer." Prepare for Sunday: Read Daniel 9:1-19, meditating on verses 1-3. What historic setting is described in verses 1-3? What specifically was Daniel reading? What was Daniel's immediate response after understanding God's promise? What does Daniel's attention to Jeremiah's prophecy reveal about his view of Scri

Pastor Will continues through the Book of John with a message entitled "What Bound Jesus?" - John 18:1-14. Audio June 7th am - "What Bound Jesus?" - John 18:1-14.mp3File Size: 22399 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

Pastor Will continues through the Book of Nehemiah with a message entitled "How To Stay In The Battle - Part 2" - Nehemiah 4:11-23. Audio June 7th pm - "How To Stay In The Battle - Part 2" - Nehemiah 4:11-23.mp3File Size: 23165 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

Pastor shares today about the work of the Holy Spirit.

Join us for a special weekend episode from the Built Different podcast hosted by Dr. Zach Clinton. What defines a life well lived? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton welcomes Tim Tebow to discuss identity, intimacy with Christ, and living a life marked by lasting impact. While many know Tim first as a Heisman Trophy winner, national champion, and NFL quarterback, his greatest mission has always extended far beyond football. From serving the “Most Vulnerable People” through the Tim Tebow Foundation to stepping into fatherhood with his wife Demi-Leigh and their daughter Daphne, Tim shares how identity, calling, and purpose have taken on even greater meaning in this season of life. At the center of this conversation is Tim’s new book, If the Tree Could Speak, a creative retelling of the crucifixion inspired by Luke 19:40. Through the perspective of the cross itself, Tim invites listeners to slow down and truly see the love displayed at Calvary—not as distant history, but as a deeply personal rescue mission. Together, Tim and Zach explore: Living with urgency without anxiety Leading with conviction anchored in love Seeing and valuing the people the world often overlooks Finding identity rooted in Christ instead of achievement The transforming power of the cross If you’ve ever felt unseen, dismissed, or forgotten, this episode is a reminder that the greatest declaration of love in history was completed for you. About Built Different Built Different with Dr. Zach Clinton helps listeners grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually through conversations centered on faith, mental health, identity, and purpose. Be sure to follow Built Different for more encouraging conversations like this one. Episode Links Find Out More About Tim: https://timtebow.com/ Find Out More About the Tim Tebow Foundation: https://timtebowfoundation.org/ Purchase If the Tree Could Speak: https://timtebow.com/tree Purchase Look Again: https://shorturl.at/JFL2B Follow Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtebow/ Find Christian Counseling or Coaching: https://christiancareconnect.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don’t think for yourself. I realize that sounds very backwards. How could it be right not to think for yourself? I certainly don’t mean we should allow others to think for us. That’s not what I’m saying. That’s just as dangerous or more so than thinking for ourselves. But when you and I understand the importance our thoughts play in our lives, then we start to understand how critical it is for us to think correctly. Our thought life is the place where everything else begins. Our actions begin with thoughts; our words begin with thoughts; our attitudes are formed by thoughts; our emotions are controlled by our thoughts. As we are reminded in Proverbs 23:7, what we think is what we are. Therefore, we need to be very certain we are thinking right! In order to think correctly, we’ve got to formulate our thoughts based on truth, based on someone we can trust, based on principles which are right and good. Now, I’d like to think I can trust my own self to think correctly, but the more I get to know me and the more I understand my human nature, the more I realize I am not qualified to think for myself. The Bible says in my own natural flesh there dwells nothing good of itself. I know I’m inclined to sin, inclined to be selfish, inclined to take the easy way out, etc. And besides the problem of the sinfulness of my nature, there are the limitations of my understanding and wisdom, which can cause me to think incorrectly if I think for myself. Therefore, if I try to delude myself into believing I’m capable of thinking for myself, I’ll discover it leads me into some real difficulties. Instead of “Think for yourself,” our motto should be “Think biblically!” Then and only then can we be certain our thinking is right, because the Bible is God’s truth, and the only reliable source for us. People who claim to think for themselves rarely do just that. When you see someone rebelling against their parents, or against rules and regulations or authority of some kind, or going off into some deep end, they often use the excuse “I’m thinking for myself and nobody’s going to tell me how to think anymore.” But what’s really happening is they are allowing some other person or group to tell them how to think instead of the ones who have been influencing their thinking up to that point. Rarely are they truly thinking for themselves. Don’t be misled by the attractiveness of this commonly-held belief that we should think for ourselves. It certainly appeals to our proud human nature, but it leads us to place a confidence in our ability to think correctly. The sad news is most of us don’t always think correctly on our own. We are all influenced by the world around us, the attitudes of others, the majority viewpoint, and in addition, our thought life is polluted by our own sinful nature. Add all that up, and you realize not only is it dangerous to think for ourselves, it’s also fairly impossible, for our thinking is inevitably a result of other influences. For Christians, we need to be certain our thinking is shaped by the Word of God and that we are influenced by what God has to say. There was one particular occasion in Peter’s life when he was thinking for himself, and the Lord rather sharply rebuked him for it. The story is found in Matthew 16 where Jesus is explaining it is necessary for him to be killed. Peter didn’t like that idea, so we read that Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:22-23) In Peter’s mind, it would have been a total catastrophe if Jesus were killed. That wasn’t the plan at all, as Peter saw it. So, controlled by his human way of thinking, Peter began to rebuke Jesus; we’d say he gave him a “piece of his mind.” Unfortunately, by doing that, Peter demonstrated that his mind was under the wrong control and influence. In fact, Jesus said Peter had become an instrument of Satan by even suggesting Calvary was not necessary. Satan wants to control all our thinking, because he knows we are controlled by our thought life. Therefore, keeping us from thinking biblically is one of his primary objectives. Who is influencing your thinking today? Modern humanistic philosophies? People who are not godly? Ideas and attitudes that have been passed on to you by friends or family who don’t know the Lord? Even other Christians who are not thinking biblically? Check it out. Whatever controls or influences how you think is, in reality, controlling you to some degree. Romans 12 tells us we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we read we are to bring every thought into captivity, not let our thoughts run wild and free. Learning to think biblically should be the highest priority for every Christian. An obvious question is “What is biblical thinking?” Philippians 4:8 is a good place to start. It clearly defines what we should think about, and here’s the list: Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Now, I’d like to mention some areas of wrong thinking which don’t meet these criteria. Have you noticed how often we can start imagining what may or may not happen in the future? I can find myself playing out a whole scenario in my mind of the worst-case possibilities, and before I know it, I’m really worried and upset over what might happen to me. That is untruthful thinking; it is imagining the future and allowing those imaginations to cause me to be fearful. Many Christians have started to think very lightly of immorality because immoral lifestyles have become acceptable in our society. Someone was describing a movie to me and commented that a couple in the movie was having an affair, but this person noted it wasn’t the usual sordid kind of affair; it was a tender, more genteel kind. That’s an example of allowing the morals of our culture to invade our mind and cause us to think unbiblically. Any kind of affair should be viewed as impure and wrong by a person who is thinking biblically. Honesty is another area that has been under heavy attack in our society over the last few years. People tend to think of lying as relative; in other words, the situation determines whether it’s right or wrong to lie. And there’s the idea that little lies don’t really do any harm. I notice a great deal of our entertainment treats lying humorously. With all that around us, it’s easy for us to think about lying and honesty in unbiblical ways. How about it? Can you see some areas in your own life where your thinking has been influenced by the world around you, and you’ve lost your biblical mind? Part of the great gift of God to us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior is the presence of God’s Holy Spirit living within us, and therefore, Paul says, we have the mind of Christ. That means we’re able to think like Jesus thinks. In order to think biblically, we must first of all have this mind of Christ within us. You can’t think biblically without the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, we must learn to carefully control what we allow into our minds, for the input determines the output. The computer world has taught us if you put garbage in, you get garbage out! Only as we feed our minds with the right things can we expect to think biblically. We will think about what we read, what we hear, and what we see, so if we are hearing, reading and seeing things that are not in conformity to biblical principles, obviously we’re going to think wrongly. You can fail miserably if you allow all kinds of immorality and impurity to be poured into your mind through television, videos, books, movies, podcasts, etc. It takes careful screening of the input into our minds in order to think biblically. It also takes what I call the Replacement Theory. When we start to think wrongly, and we know we should change, we must be able to replace the wrong thought with the right one. It’s almost impossible to just stop thinking about something, but if you start thinking about something else, then you can be successful at replacing the wrong thought with the right thought. That takes a set of your will to say: “I will not think about this any longer; I will think instead of this.” Many times, I actually talk out loud to myself and say, “Come on, Mary, you know you shouldn’t think about that. Now, stop it and think about this instead.” I can tell you the Replacement Theory works! There’s so much more to say about right thinking. In fact, I’ve written a book entitled Think About What You Think About. You'll find more information about it on our website, or you can order it from Amazon. I believe it will help you to learn how to think biblically, and if I can help you do that, I’ve done you a very big favor. Remember, thinking for yourself can get you into lots of difficulty. But thinking biblically will enable you to make good choices, right decisions, live a godly life, and know the peace and contentment that comes from right thinking. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6). Biblically thinking guarantees us life and peace. I’d say the return on your investment is very profitable, and I encourage you to join me in a daily commitment to think biblically.

In this episode of From Kolob to Calvary, Tracy Tennant explores the loneliness many faithful believers feel when they are carrying biblical convictions in a culture—and sometimes even a church world—that no longer welcomes them. What do we do when fellowship has hurt us? How do we heal from church wounds without giving up on the body of Christ? And how do we find Spirit-led covenant community in a world full of simulated connection, shallow religion, and spiritual isolation? Drawing from the stories of Elijah, David, Jesus, Paul, and the early church, Tracy offers a compassionate and hope-filled reminder: wilderness seasons do not mean abandonment. God still preserves a faithful few, and He still knows how to gather His people. If you've been wounded, isolated, disappointed, or longing for real fellowship, this episode will encourage you to heal wisely, hope again, and remember that you were never meant to stand alone. Church wounds can make you feel exiled, but wounding is not the end of your story. God still heals, gathers, and strengthens His faithful ones in the wilderness. _____ This podcast is listener-supported. If you believe in equipping believers to discern truth, leave deception, and stand firm in Christ, you can help carry this mission forward here:

A genuine move of God will manifest itself in a desire to give and a desire for fellowship. Those who are led by their carnal nature will likewise reveal, through their choices and actions, what they value most. Therefore, accountability in ministry is essential. We are encouraged to stay the course, remaining generous with both our time and resources.

On this episode of the Ricecast, Dan Pigsley and Pastor Willy talk about Student Camp 2026, the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention, the SBC Presidency, and all things Calvary Church.Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us