Podcast appearances and mentions of King Jesus

The Books of Samuel constitute one of the most sweeping, psychologically acute, and theologically profound epics in the biblical canon. Originally a single, continuous scroll, this two-part narrative charts the watershed transition of Israel from a fractured tribal confederacy into an established kingdom, laying the covenantal groundwork for the messianic hope that spans all of redemptive history. The Prophet and the Transition of Power The narrative bears the name of Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל), whose name means "Heard of God" or "Name of God." Born in answer to Hannah's desperate prayer, Samuel bridges two distinct eras: he is the last of the Judges and the first of the great prophets to stand alongside the throne. Through his voice, the text frames the establishment of human monarchy not merely as a political evolution, but as a profound theological crisis. When the elders of Israel demand a king to be "like all the nations," Samuel warns them of the imperial tyranny that human rule inevitably brings. Yet, the LORD grants their request while subordinating the crown to the prophetic word, establishing that Israel's true Sovereign remains Yahweh alone. The Rise and Fall of Two Anointed Kings The drama unfolds along the stark contrast between two anointed leaders: Saul: The king chosen by outward stature and popular demand. Saul begins with military promise but descends into spiritual compromise, self-justification, and tragic paranoia, demonstrating the bankruptcy of a kingdom built on human autonomy. David: The youngest shepherd boy chosen for what lies within the heart. Anointed in obscurity, tested in the wilderness as a hunted exile, David ascends to unite the tribes and establish Jerusalem as the city of the Great King. Yet Samuel offers no sanitized hagiography. The text presents David in all his unvarnished complexity, capturing both the sublime heights of his devotion and the devastating catastrophe of his sin with Bathsheba, which fractures his family and his realm under divine judgment. The Song of Hannah and the Davidic Promise The theological engine of the entire narrative is announced at the very beginning in the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2). Hannah sings of a cosmic reversal: the LORD breaks the bows of the mighty, exalts the humble, and brings the proud down to Sheol. This theme of radical reversal culminates in the pivotal covenant of 2 Samuel 7. When David desires to build a house (a temple) for God, the LORD reverses the offer, promising instead to build David a "house" (an everlasting dynasty): "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever." Here, amidst the shadows of Israel's early monarchy, the horizon expands toward the eternal King. The ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic line points past Solomon and the ruins of earthly Jerusalem to the true Son of David, King Jesus, whose kingdom knows no end, and who reigns not by coercion, but through the triumph of self-giving grace.

Two enemies walk away friends — and the thing that brought them together is the murder of an innocent man. Dr. John Neufeld traces Jesus's strange appearance before Herod, a king eager for a miracle and met instead with total silence and mockery when Jesus refuses to perform. It's a sobering picture of how wicked men recognize and even respect wickedness in each other — and a reminder of exactly what Jesus came to rescue us from.The End of the Beginning: Everyone knows how this story ends — Jesus is crucified, buried, and rises again. But in this 15-part series through Luke 23-24, Dr. John Neufeld shows why these familiar chapters still reward careful study, tracing the trials before Pilate and Herod and the road to the cross. Along the way, he uncovers details unique to Luke's account that reveal what kind of King Jesus truly is.

The Books of Samuel constitute one of the most sweeping, psychologically acute, and theologically profound epics in the biblical canon. Originally a single, continuous scroll, this two-part narrative charts the watershed transition of Israel from a fractured tribal confederacy into an established kingdom, laying the covenantal groundwork for the messianic hope that spans all of redemptive history. The Prophet and the Transition of Power The narrative bears the name of Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל), whose name means "Heard of God" or "Name of God." Born in answer to Hannah's desperate prayer, Samuel bridges two distinct eras: he is the last of the Judges and the first of the great prophets to stand alongside the throne. Through his voice, the text frames the establishment of human monarchy not merely as a political evolution, but as a profound theological crisis. When the elders of Israel demand a king to be "like all the nations," Samuel warns them of the imperial tyranny that human rule inevitably brings. Yet, the LORD grants their request while subordinating the crown to the prophetic word, establishing that Israel's true Sovereign remains Yahweh alone. The Rise and Fall of Two Anointed Kings The drama unfolds along the stark contrast between two anointed leaders: Saul: The king chosen by outward stature and popular demand. Saul begins with military promise but descends into spiritual compromise, self-justification, and tragic paranoia, demonstrating the bankruptcy of a kingdom built on human autonomy. David: The youngest shepherd boy chosen for what lies within the heart. Anointed in obscurity, tested in the wilderness as a hunted exile, David ascends to unite the tribes and establish Jerusalem as the city of the Great King. Yet Samuel offers no sanitized hagiography. The text presents David in all his unvarnished complexity, capturing both the sublime heights of his devotion and the devastating catastrophe of his sin with Bathsheba, which fractures his family and his realm under divine judgment. The Song of Hannah and the Davidic Promise The theological engine of the entire narrative is announced at the very beginning in the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2). Hannah sings of a cosmic reversal: the LORD breaks the bows of the mighty, exalts the humble, and brings the proud down to Sheol. This theme of radical reversal culminates in the pivotal covenant of 2 Samuel 7. When David desires to build a house (a temple) for God, the LORD reverses the offer, promising instead to build David a "house" (an everlasting dynasty): "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever." Here, amidst the shadows of Israel's early monarchy, the horizon expands toward the eternal King. The ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic line points past Solomon and the ruins of earthly Jerusalem to the true Son of David, King Jesus, whose kingdom knows no end, and who reigns not by coercion, but through the triumph of self-giving grace.

Pilate examines Jesus and finds no crime — so why does the crowd push forward anyway? Dr. John Neufeld traces the false charges brought against Jesus, and how religious leaders played on Roman fears to secure a death sentence for a man they knew was innocent. Along the way, he asks a question every Christian eventually faces: what do we owe the nation we live in, when our true King rules a kingdom "not of this world"?The End of the Beginning: Everyone knows how this story ends — Jesus is crucified, buried, and rises again. But in this 15-part series through Luke 23-24, Dr. John Neufeld shows why these familiar chapters still reward careful study, tracing the trials before Pilate and Herod and the road to the cross. Along the way, he uncovers details unique to Luke's account that reveal what kind of King Jesus truly is.

Every generation has had its prophecy charts, timelines, signs, and predictions, but Jesus never told us to predict His coming—He told us to prepare for it. In our final message of the series, Pastor Joe explores what Scripture says about the triumphant return of King Jesus, the judgment that will come with Him, and the kingdom He will establish. The question we should ask isn't when He's coming, but how are we living while we wait.

Hope drives everything about how we live—but if our hope is misplaced, it will eventually fail us. The Christian hope is different: it is rooted in real, future events—the resurrection of the dead and the return of King Jesus to establish His kingdom. This isn't symbolic or uncertain; it's a guaranteed reality anchored in what Jesus has already accomplished. And when that hope becomes ultimate, it gives us strength, stability, and purpose both now and forever.

When a mighty man speaks, many listen. But when the King speaks, His subjects obey.In the opening episode of The King's Way, we begin our journey through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7. Before we examine what Jesus taught, we must first consider who is speaking. Matthew presents Jesus as the King of a kingdom, and as He ascends the mountain, sits down, and begins to teach, we are listening to nothing less than the authoritative words of the King.But what does the Sermon on the Mount mean for us today? Is it an impossible ideal, a future kingdom ethic, or a standard reserved for the spiritually elite? Or is it the King's own description of how His people are to live?Together, we'll see that the Sermon is a sermon from the King, for His kingdom, to be heard and heeded by His people today. It is not merely a collection of inspiring principles—it is a call to live under the rule of King Jesus.As we begin this study, our prayer is that the Sermon on the Mount would search our hearts, expose our need for Christ and His Spirit, and teach us to live as faithful citizens of His kingdom.The King has spoken. Now we must listen—and obey.

Luke spent two entire chapters on events every listener already knows the ending to — so why go over it again? Dr. John Neufeld opens a new series on the death and resurrection of Jesus by showing what makes Luke's account unique: details found nowhere else, like Jesus's appearance before Herod, his prayer for the soldiers crucifying him, and the astonishing faith of a dying criminal beside him. It's a reminder that the story we think we know still has depths worth returning to for a lifetime.The End of the Beginning: Everyone knows how this story ends — Jesus is crucified, buried, and rises again. But in this 15-part series through Luke 23-24, Dr. John Neufeld shows why these familiar chapters still reward careful study, tracing the trials before Pilate and Herod and the road to the cross. Along the way, he uncovers details unique to Luke's account that reveal what kind of King Jesus truly is.

Recorded on Sunday, August 30, 2026Support the show

Garrett Kell, Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27 Focus: We must remain faithful to King Jesus in a world that rejects Him because He is coming again. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor Date Recorded: August 30, 2026

Lust Dr. Eric J. Gilchrest | August 30, 2026 Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript Pastor Eric J GlchrestIt's good to be with you this morning. I come bringing an exciting sermon to you.I'm glad you're here today. If you are new to South Run Baptist Church, I first want to say welcome. We are so pleased that you have chosen to join us this morning. I believe you're here for a reason. I do believe that God has brought you to this place at this time because he has something for you. I believe this of all of us gathered together here. But you should know you've come on a unique Sunday because we've been working through, well, actually, I was thinking about this. We're kind of like a set of Russian nesting dolls this year. So the broad theme is transformation. We've been kind of working on that all year long. And then we've been on this two ways journey where there's these two ways that Jesus offers us abundant life, but he says it's the narrow way, right? And so it requires some adeptness at traversing that narrow way. And then he talks about the broad way, which leads to destruction. And on the broad way, it appears that this is in many ways the easy way. This is the path of least resistance. And so we've been, the nesting doll has been on that path of least resistance. And to do that, we've been talking about the seven deadly sins, right? And so here we are, we're at the 7th of seven. And so if you've come for the first time this morning, you've come on a Sunday in which we are talking about lust. Before we get there, this is a test for those of you who have been with us the whole journey to see if you can name the other six. And if you can't, well, then we're going to start it all over again and we'll do it together. So say them with me and I'll parrot them back to you. What would one of them be? Enri. Gluttony, wrath and sloth, greed, I think we said anger, and vanity, somebody said. I think we got them. Those are the six, leaving us today's message on lust. Part of what we've been trying to do with all of them is also tie together how our technologies the phones in our pockets, the computers that we all sit behind every day, they shape us and they form us and they misshape us and they malform us into beings we were never intended to be. And so my hope through this whole time together actually has been to demonstrate to you that the object in your pocket is not value neutral, that it is having an effect on you in one way or another. And I can really think of no better example than this morning's topic. And so we will talk about some sensitive issues. I've tried to do so in a fashion that is sensitive to all of the various ears this morning, but do know that this is what we're talking about. Let's begin with prayer. God our Father in heaven, you look down at your children and you want what is good for us. You want what is best. You want us to live lives filled with life and abundance and all that is good. And God, yet sometimes we choose the lesser way and we find ourselves going down paths we were never intended to go down, being shaped into people we were never intended to be. And this morning, Lord, speak to us. Speak to our hearts. Speak to our marriages and our families, that we might live lives according to your word, but according to the grain of the universe that you have created, the good universe, the one we intend to live in, the kingdom of God. I pray this in Christ's holy name, amen. You should have gotten a handout when you came in, at least the adults in the room. Yeah, I'll take it, just to wave it around. At some point in the sermon, we will get to this. And this may end up being the most practical sermon I could possibly give to you where there's an actual handout that you can take home with you to give you some resources for how to walk this way well. The Bible has a lot to say about sex. If you've ever read the Bible in full cover to cover, you might be surprised about what you find there. And now that I think about it, I should probably use this as a pitch when I try to get you to read the Bible more often because sex sells and it's filled with it. even has a whole book devoted to it. Did you know this? It's called the Song of Solomon. who himself had 1000 wives and concubines and apparently knew something about the matter. If you think it's a prudish book or that its authors would clutch their pearls at the smallest innuendo, well, you've simply not read close enough. But if you're new to the Bible reading thing and you thought this way, you would be forgiven. Because often this is how we Christians approach the topic, sheepishly in whispers And I confess it's how I often approach this topic, especially from the pulpit. I get nervous and frankly a little weird about it, which is why I'm writing this sermon out rather than trying to go off script. It'll keep me from blushing, hopefully. If the Bible is okay with this topic, then we probably should be too. So I'm going to speak frankly about the matter while recognizing that our congregation has members of all ages listening right now. Parents, you shouldn't feel on edge for what is about to happen, but know that it might spark some interesting conversations around the lunch table that I think you're ready for. And in fact, I encourage these conversations. It's a hope that I have for all of us to be a little more open and in dialogue with one another about this matter. But that said, if at any point you feel the need to take a bathroom break with your child, please go right ahead. I won't be offended. In the beginning, God created the Garden of Eden. And he said to that first couple, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. And I know of only one way to be fruitful and to multiply. There's also the matter of Genesis 2, 24, in which God tells the first couple while they're still enjoying the safety of the garden, that when the two are joined together, they become one flesh. Two bodies united into one body. Sounds like a description of the topic we're talking about today. which means to me that God creates it as part of the good creation. It is something that is beautiful, is certainly enjoyable, and I would even say it is spiritual. Two becoming one is a mystery. But don't take my word. It's what Paul says in Ephesians 5 when he compares marriage to our union with Christ. And he also raises the two becoming one mystery as a warning to the Corinthian people in 1 Corinthians 6, who are uniting themselves with temple prostitutes. And Jesus raises the two becoming one mystery as a way to affirm marriage and to limit divorce. Which is all to say, that Genesis and Jesus and Paul, they talk about two becoming one flesh as something to happen within the marriage covenant. The covenant binds two people together by law and by custom, and it requires that the two people remain together in sickness and in health and richer and poorer till death do us part. And why? because it is only this kind of union that makes it safe to practice the deep magic we call sex. There are two ways to preach a sermon about sin, one that I would call an Old Testament sermon and the other a New Testament sermon. The difference is subtle but important. The Old Testament sermon relies on the law. It tells you where the boundaries are. are external to you. For example, an Old Testament sermon tells you the rules to keep and then you simply keep them. Don't murder, don't steal, don't lie, don't break the Sabbath and so on. An Old Testament sermon on adultery would stick to the basics. Don't have sex outside of marriage and you're good to go. But A New Testament sermon, the kind that Jesus would give, drives us deeper to the heart of the matter. which is always a matter of the heart. Jesus is helping us fulfill the Old Testament promise that Jeremiah 31, 33 expresses when he says, I will put my law within them and I will write the law on their hearts and I will be their God and they will be my people. Jesus is trying to write the law on our hearts and to do that, You must look below the surface, which is what Jesus is doing in his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapter 5. Please turn there now and we'll read verses 27 to 30. You have heard it said, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away, for it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away, for it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Now some people want to read their Bible with a precise literalism that demands that every last passage be understood with no nuance. But let's all hope that Jesus is here using hyperbole. Pulling out your eye or cutting off your hand is a bold move. But I'll say in all of my years of church life, and I've had many, I've met a lot of people with a lust problem. but I've never met a single person wearing an eye patch. Here's what Jesus is saying in brief if you ask me. The root of the external act of adultery happens in your heart well before it happens when you walk into a bedroom. If you are to be a kingdom follower, living life abundant, then you will need to get radical in your attempts to root out the heart condition because the alternative is a road that leads to Gehenna, a place that elsewhere is said to be filled with weeping and gnashing of teeth. If you've ever known someone whose partner has cheated on them or who has been sexually assaulted or abused, or someone who has lost a spouse or a job or ministry because of this sin, then you know that the weeping And the anxious grinding of the teeth isn't just waiting on the other side. It starts in the here and the now. How many lives have been broken by this sin? How many marriages and families have been shattered by it? So let's talk about what's in the heart. When I was a kid, Before the internet existed in my house and well before the iPhone had the internet in everyone's pocket, I remember my mom telling me that I shouldn't look at dirty magazines. When my neighbor, Sam Weissman, came outside with his dad's Playboys, I ran inside because I did not want to disappoint my mom. And then later, about a year later, we were digging in a forested area at my friend's house. His name was Brian. And we dug up a stash of more magazines. And once again, I ran away back home because I did not want to disappoint my mom because I wanted to be a good boy. This was a different age and a time when temptation didn't follow you everywhere you went. The magazines stood waiting in a forest for years. But the screens that you take everywhere are constantly offering temptation. The internet made *********** readily available, cheap and easy to find. The smartphone, it made it available everywhere you went. The algorithm and social media learned who you are and began to feed you whatever it takes for you to spend more and more time on your device. If you're a boy or a young man, the girls too, the algorithm knows, and it knows that lust is a powerful drug, and so it is ready to feed you images again and again before you finally say yes. The magazines no longer stay put. They follow you home and everywhere else you go. Let's start with some statistics. Common Sense Media surveyed teens between 13 and 17 years old in 2023 and here's what they found. 73% have watched *********** online, 54% saw it by age 13, 15% by age 10 or younger. The average age of first exposure is 12 and 58% first encountered it accidentally. That's just the kids, the adults in the room. Barna and Pure Desire did a survey in 2024. Here's what they found. 54% of practicing Christians reported viewing **** compared to 68% of non-Christians. Among pastors, 67% report a personal history and then nearly one in five of those currently struggle. of practicing Christians view it weekly. 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women report viewing occasionally. And 62% of Christians agree a person can regularly view *********** and live a sexually healthy life only four points below the general public. Jesus says that lust is part of the broad Rd. that leads to Gehenna. But 62% of Christians seem to disagree. The statistics bear out something very important here. Lust and *********** is something that doesn't just go away when you get older. We must all learn to fight this battle, no matter the age. Running from the magazines weren't the end of my personal history. So for me, I know I need to stay vigilant about this. In my house, we talk about these things openly. We have rules and protocols that I want to share with you around our technology. If you were here for a Sunday morning Bible study, we've talked through some of these and you should have received a sheet of paper, adults, as you walked in that hopefully will guide you through some of what I'm going to say that we went a little deeper this morning in Sunday school. I think of lust a little bit like I think about the weeds in my yard. As long as there's a plan and a strategy that is actively keeping the weeds at bay, the yard is going to look great. But as soon as that stops, the yard goes untended. And then once you start looking for it, you start to see more and more weeds popping up here and there until eventually you look out and you realize there's weeds everywhere. And you wonder how'd that happen? If you're a child, it might happen like this. You're simply playing a video game and up pops an ad with a voluptuous woman in something that can't really be called clothing, encouraging you to visit her website. Or maybe you're simply on a website like me, Bible Gateway, preparing a sermon on lust when up pops an underwear ad. Yes, this did happen. Or you're on X or Instagram and they begin to put pictures and products on your screen that you're not really seeking out. But the more it shows up, the more you're interested and the more you click and then the rabbit hole goes deeper and deeper and deeper. And so what does one do in this situation? You should think of yourself and your marriage and your family in the middle of a castle, and your job is to protect it at all cost. You will want to put up high walls, thick walls, a big moat around all of it. And so I want to offer you some very practical advice in two parts. Part one is how to build the walls, and part 2 is what to do if your castle has been sieged. So the protection piece. The first thing I'd want to say here is that you cannot wait on the technology industry to keep you safe or to keep your kids safe. They will not build this wall for you. In fact, they are selling a drug and they are hoping that you get hooked and that your kids get hooked. You may have heard it before. There are only two industries that call their customers users, illegal drugs and big tech. Therefore, you must get radical and take matters into your own hands. Number 2, start with locking down your devices. There are computers and there are phones and there are iPads and whatever else you have in your house. Each will be a little different, but parents especially, both for yourself and for your kids, learn how to limit their screen time. Learn how to manage their content. Learn how to use what the tech companies actually do give you at their disposal to limit what is coming through those big walls that you're trying to create. Number 3, your computers are a little harder to lock down. And so in my house, we pay for something called covenant eyes. We pay $200 a year for this. It might sound like a lot of money. I think it sounds like a very little amount of money for the peace of mind that it gives me, knowing that I'm offering protection, another wall for my kids and my family to feel safe within. Whatever you choose, I would encourage you to once again get radical. Don't just find yourself floating down the broad Rd. just because everyone else seems to. Instead, you have to take matters into your own hands. Number 4, there is the matter of your internet or your routers. And you can try to create as high a wall and a moat as you can. And one tool in the toolbox is using your internet provider to block certain sites or to even automatically turn off at certain times of day. Let's say 1 A.m. There's no good reason for somebody to be on the internet at that point. Number 5, know that with all your best efforts, there will always be workarounds that you haven't thought of, which gets to the most important thing that I can give you. Have a good relationship. with loved ones, with your kids, especially spouses with each other. Have open, honest dialogue. Reduce the shame. It is the shame that drives you into the closet and into the darkness. And the only way out is to get rid of some of that shame and to be willing to talk about it. And so make this a regular conversation in your house. The more you do it, the less awkward it gets. Men talk to your sons. Women talk to your daughters. Have these conversations with your kids. And please, spouses have them with each other. The easiest rule, no devices in the bedrooms. If you're wondering, what's the one quick win that could come out of here as to how I manage my own household and what the kids can do and can't, This is probably the easiest thing that you could make happen right now. But what happens if the army has already sieged the castle and you're in the middle of a fight that you're losing and you are struggling and you can't seem to find your way out? Well, that's the backside of the sheet that I've given you. I've got 4 steps for you. Step one, step out of the darkness and into the light. It will have control over you until you tell someone who is safe and importantly, someone who will force you to do something about it. Men, I want to offer you this morning that I am safe and I will help you do something about it. I have heard stories from young boys to very old men and nothing will shock me, I assure you. Step 2, depending on your situation, and the level of your problem, you should probably find a group to meet with. There are lots of groups dedicated to helping people break their addictions, some in person and some online. Two groups I'm aware of and I know meet locally are called Pure Desire and Celebrate Recovery. I would start there if you're just simply looking. Number 3, develop a strategy and know where the weak points are in your defense. Share these with an accountability partner. For example, maybe you're on a work trip. We'll have your spouse keep you honest when you come home. Late nights or certain times of day. We'll just know when that is and don't be alone during that time. Maybe it's a certain device. Go ahead and ditch that. Is alcohol involved? It might be time to address that problem too. And know that stress will always cause you to do things you might not do when you're not in stress. So manage that. Fourth and finally, replace the bad habit with good habits. More exercise, a new hobby, intentional time with your family. We had this conversation, as I said, this morning with the Sunday morning Bible study. And it was brought in that we should certainly infuse all of these steps with a healthy spiritual life that loves God with all our hearts and souls and minds and strength and our neighbors as ourselves and our spouses as ourselves. But sometimes we maybe keep praying to God and we say, oh, help me with this and help me with this and it never seems to go anywhere. That's what this roadmap is for. It has helped you if you've been there again and again and again and again. One final word I would want to give is to the spouses in the room, because the part I haven't yet addressed is that lust and adultery is not a victimless crime. There is often a spouse or a family that feel the effects of this betrayal. If that is you, know that God sees you too. And you too need help and you need encouragement. And the steps for what you should do are not the same as the above. They are similar. It involves talking to someone. Maybe it's finding a group. Some of the groups offer spouses groups as well. And so if the person who has hurt you needs to build their defenses, I would encourage you to build some of your own as well. Build walls and boundaries that they should not break in order to keep yourself from being hurt again and again. And develop lines that cannot be crossed and communicate those clearly and what would happen if they do get crossed. And finally, do things that will fill your soul as well. In the beginning, God created all things good. And this includes sex. But it is a powerful force. And a desire for it sits deep within us. And we live in a dangerous world where the temptations are everywhere. So let me encourage you to protect it. Keep it safe. Build the walls of a covenant marriage around it. Put them up high. Build a moat around it so that you keep temptation at bay. Talk to your spouses. Talk to your kids. Have these conversations regularly. Help is available. Victory is available. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let us pray. Father in heaven, Jesus, King Jesus, who sits on the throne, who has power over all the universe, Holy Spirit who has been sent to us to live in us, to dwell in us, to cleanse us from the inside out, empower us this morning, convict us of where we need changes, Give us the path forward. Show us how we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds and to take on the mind of Christ and to live as you would have us live, O Lord. May we walk that narrow way, the hard way, but a way that leads to life abundant because Lord, we know that other way leads to the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. God, this morning, no doubt if the statistics bear out, some people hearing my voice right now, whether in person, online, or on a podcast into the future, they are wrestling. They are wrestling with something that has sat hidden for way too long. It is time to take the thing that existed in the darkness Bring it out into the light. Because God, you have a better way. You have a way that is filled with joy and freedom. So Lord, this warning, convict of sin, but also convince us that you are powerful enough to heal. We pray this in Christ's holy name. Amen.‍

“In your RELATIONSHIPS with one another, have the same MINDSET as KING Jesus” – Philippians 2:5 All of us take our relationship cues from SOMEBODY. Often, we just realize WHO it is. MUTUAL Submission Ephesians 5:21 (pg. 1,823) v.21: “SUBMIT to ONE ANOTHER out of reverence for Christ.” The message of mutual submission is, ‘I'm […]

No matter how humanity rebels, King Jesus will reign.

Jesus is the King, and He has called us to live as citizens of His kingdom. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a clear picture of what kingdom life looks like—how we think, how we love, how we respond to others, how we pray, what we value, and how we walk with God.In this new Walk Talk series, we'll journey through Matthew 5–7 and listen carefully to the words of our King. Together, we'll discover the values of His kingdom, the character of His people, and the radical difference between living according to the way of the world and living under the rule of King Jesus.This isn't simply a study of Jesus' teaching—it's an invitation to live His way. Join us every Monday beginning August 31 for The King's Way.

Coming into the king's presence can be a fearful activity. Through the life of King David, we can see how we can approach the throne of King Jesus without fear of judgment.  Watch the video version of this sermon.  Here are all of the Scriptures referenced in this message.  If you've missed any of the other Royal Psalms we've discussed in this series, you can check them all out here. ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

People say Psalm 1 belongs in Proverbs and Psalm 2 belongs with the prophets. They're the weirdest psalms in the whole book. So why does the New Testament quote Psalm 2 more than almost any other? This week we look at the rule of the king, and how a coronation song for Israel ends up being all about King Jesus. Series: Psalms Speaker: Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Downtown, visit hopecc.com/downtown.

Have we been getting the Holy Spirit wrong?For many Christians, the Holy Spirit can be one of the most difficult parts of our faith to understand. Is the Spirit simply working through the Word? Is He a feeling we experience? How do we know when the Spirit is working in our lives? And what does it actually mean to be led by the Spirit?In this episode of The 412 Christian Podcast, Eli, Keeton, and Garyson sit down with Wes McAdams, preacher, author of Empowered by the Spirit, and host of the Radically Christian podcast, for a deep and honest conversation about who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in the lives of Christians today.Together, they discuss:• Why we should think of the Holy Spirit as a person—not an impersonal force• Whether the Spirit works through the Word alone• How the Holy Spirit works through the church, community, worship, and Scripture• The difference between unity and uniformity• Why spiritual transformation isn't simply about "trying harder"• What the biblical signs and miracles point toward• How we can misuse the idea of being "led by the Spirit"• Why the Holy Spirit isn't simply synonymous with a feeling or emotion• How the Spirit empowers us to use our gifts to serve others• What it means for Christians to be the temple of God's Spirit• How hope in our future inheritance empowers us to live with humility, meekness, and loveUltimately, the Holy Spirit isn't given to us so that we can pursue our own purposes. He works in us so that we can become more like King Jesus and help others become more like Him.

On this episode of Faith and Family Fellowship, Pastor Chris Buscher speaks with Paul Osbourn, author of God's Big Plan: Earthly Kings to King Jesus.Through the fireside storytelling of Grandpa Joe and his three grandsons, the book introduces young readers to Saul, David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Each earthly king reveals something about leadership, trust, wisdom, worship, obedience, and failure, while pointing children toward the one true King who never fails.Paul discusses why biblical history matters for children, how the Old Testament connects to the gospel, and why he wanted young readers to see Scripture as one unfolding story of redemption rather than a collection of disconnected Bible stories.God's Big Plan: Earthly Kings to King Jesus is scheduled to release on Amazon August 13, 2026.Get the book today on Amazon - https://a.co/d/09EV9XwLConnect with the author - paulosbourn.com Connect with Pastor Chris Buscher - pastorchrisbuscher.com

Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is?Of course, you have. That's the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It's a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus.Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”You were made for something! You were made to do things for your Lord. The truly beautiful thing is, God created a custom plan just for you. If you aren't a famous athlete like Tim Tebow, you can still share your faith in wonderful ways. Ways that are life-changing for those you encounter.Think of that verse again. God made you for a purpose! Created to have the mind of Christ in making this world a better place and making disciples for Him. And God prepared it all long, long ago. You are His child.That's who you are.Let's pray.Lord, when we begin to understand even a little bit of your love for us, it transforms us and renews our minds and hearts. Thank you so much for that! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

You cannot FOLLOW Jesus by yourself. Because so much of what Jesus commanded REQUIRES somebody else. “In your RELATIONSHIPS with one another, have the same MINDSET as KING Jesus” – Philippians 2:5 Someone always has to GIVE life, in order for their to BE life in a relationship, right? What did Jesus do to give […]

The Church is the place where all God's children receive free grace and rest under the reign of King Jesus.

When the Curse Comes Close Marshall Segal Download Psalm 108,My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all mybeing!2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all theearth!6 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!7 God has promised in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth.8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.9 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”10 Whowill bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?11 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies.12 Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!13 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.A couple months back, our main drain backed up into our laundry room, which is actually strangely normal for our street. A lot of our neighbors deal with tree roots in their drain lines that have to be cleared out once a year. We've done that for years now. But this year was different. In the spring, we noticed the line backing up again, and so we had our guy come out, and he cleared the drain like he had many times before. But just three months later, the laundry room flooded again. Frustrating. So we bring out a different guy. This guy has a camera. And so when he's done, we can see that the drain is actually clear this time. Wonderful. A couple hours later, though, we run the washer and there's more water in the laundry room. We bring the camera guy back, and he confirms the main drain is clear. But we see that the floor drain in the laundry room is badly clogged, and so he clears that one. As he does that, we run the washer again, and realize that the sink drain is also clogged. So, if you're counting, we had not one, not two, but three clogged drains.As I studied Psalm 108 this week (and did a couple loads of laundry), all those clogs came to mind again, because they're a picture of verse 12:“Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!”The salvation of man is like a horrible triple clog, flooding the house over and over and over again. Every time you clear one clog, another one appears. If we trust in man to deliver us, heal us, satisfy us, we're just asking for more dirty water. But our hope is not in man (even men with special cameras). No, our hope is in God and his steadfast love, and that's what Psalm 108 is all about. It's a psalm of David, and David is feeling the pain of the curse again. The world isn't how it should be, and the curse is coming in close again. David's battling enemies at the gate again. He's pleading (again) with God for relief and deliverance, and as he pleads he takes five big steps in the psalm. And those five steps are my sermon this morning.1. We GroanWhen the curse comes close, step 1, we groan. We don't know what situation caused David to write this psalm, but we know he was struggling to see where God was and what he was doing. The psalm opens with loud praise and confidence — “I will sing and make melody with all my being!” — but it doesn't stay there. . . . By the time we get to verses 10–11, he says:“Who will bring me to the fortified city?Who will lead me to Edom?Have you not rejected us, O God?You do not go out, O God, with our armies.”God, we're going out against our enemies and it feels like you've rejected us. It feels like you've tossed us to the wolves and walked away. Where are you?Why aren't you helping us?And before we go any farther, we know this feeling, don't we — persistent conflict somewhere in our family, frustrating dynamics at work that linger over months and months, a friend who keeps disappointing us even after hard conversations, piles and piles of doctor visits (and the problem still won't go away)? God, where are you? God, you promised a peace that surpasses all understanding, but I'm not feeling peace right now. You promised healing, but I'm not experiencing healing. You promised victory over this sin, but I'm not winning yet. No, I'm feeling anxious, attacked, tired, and defeated. This is our home because of sin.We all taste the bitterness of the curse all the time, with all five senses (some of us maybe tasted it this morning, just to get to church). How much of life while we wait here on earth feels a little like we're somewhere between clogs two and three? God, why is there so much water! You know what I have to do today. You know that I'm trying to serve you and honor you and glorify you. Clear these pipes already! I thought you loved me. I thought you knew what I needed before I asked. Why am I still dealing with conflict and temptation, sickness and weakness? That's not the world you promised me when I chose to follow you.David's groaning here, and he's not wrong to groan. This world isn't what it should be — what it will be. And God wants us to feel that. That's the purpose of the curse. He wants us to feel how wicked and destructive sin is. . . . So where are you feeling the crippling consequences of sin? Where do you feel like God has rejected your prayers and pulled back his support? We should groan. David's feelings here are legitimate and important, and it's good for him (good for us) to express them to God, but those feelings also aren't a complete picture. David knows that, and that leads us to the second step.2. We PraiseWhen we experience the curse along our way to glory, we groan. And we're right to groan. But we don't only groan. No, we groan and, second, we praise. Even under the curse and all the consequences of the curse, we praise God. David could praise God even while he felt abandoned by God because he knows reality is so much more than what he feels — more than what he can see from his very limited human perspective. This is where the psalm begins, verses 1–4:“My heart is steadfast, O God!I will sing and make melody with all my being!Awake, O harp and lyre!I will awake the dawn!I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;I will sing praises to you among the nations.For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”It feels like God is not loving and not faithful right now, but David knows better than that. He knows that God's steadfast love has not come to an end and that his mercy is still new again this morning — even in disappointment and defeat. His God is not any less God in the valley. He says, “Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” I can only see so much down here on earth, God, and it looks pretty dark and bleak where I am, but your steadfast love stands high above all I can see. Your faithfulness reaches as far as I can imagine (and even farther than that). Reality is far bigger than my feelings, like galaxies bigger than my feelings (that's why he's reaching for “heavens” and “clouds” here).I experienced this on a flight with our family recently. It was overcast and rainy when we took off and started climbing, but pretty soon, what happened? We broke through the clouds, and (you've seen this) I saw the sun shining strong and bright, blue sky as far as I could see. It was a whole different world up there. . . . But it wasn't. It was the same world above the clouds as it was below the clouds. We just can't see above the clouds most of the time. If you go high enough, though, it'sall sun. And that's how it is with God's love for you. It may be pretty miserable here beneath the clouds right now, but just above all the clouds you can see, it's all sun. His steadfast love is great above the heavens, his faithfulness reaches to (and through) the clouds. Don't measure his love or faithfulness with your eyes and your trials. The truth is you can't see very much from where you're sitting. David praises what he knows about God even when he can't see his faithful, loving hand. In this case, in this moment of groaning, David reached for praise from another season of his life. He borrowed from two earlier psalms for this new trouble (whatever it was). Nothing in this psalm is new. Verses 1–5 are from Psalm 57, where David praises God after God delivered David from the cave with Saul (this is 1 Samuel 24). Remember that David was hiding in a cave, and Saul was hunting him to kill him. Saul actually went into the cave where David was (terrifying for David), but he didn't know David was in there. In the darkness, David sneaks up and cuts off a piece of Saul's robe and shows it to him later to prove his loyalty. God delivered David that day from great danger — steadfast love above the heavens, faithfulness to the clouds. And now with this new trouble, David reached back for the song he wrote outside that cave. And then the second half of Psalm 108, verses 6–13, are from Psalm 60, where David expresses some distress in battle, but this time, he leads God's people to victory over Edom, wiping out 12,000 soldiers in battle. With God's help, they did valiantly that day. And as David reaches back for old praise in these news trials, he teaches us to do that. Learn these psalms well enough, Cities Church, that you can grab them when the curse comes close to you. And when God answers your prayers, praise him. Write them down. Memorialize them in some way. Write a new song, like we talked about in Psalm 98. And then hold onto those answered prayers for days when the curse comes close again and God hasn't answered yet.3. We AskSo, we groan, feeling the awful weight of sin and all its consequences, and we praise, remembering that God's love and faithfulness are so much bigger than all we feel and fear. David teaches us, third, to ask. We ask God to end the curse and make good on his promises. Notice, David doesn't remember God's promise and stop asking. No, he hears the promise and it emboldens him to ask even harder. God, you promised to deliver us, and so deliver us! God means, for now, to make war on the curse through our asking. One day soon, he'll wipe out the curse — all of his enemies everywhere. But for now, he chooses to defeat the curse a prayer at a time. Here's how David asks in Psalm 108, verses 5–6:“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!Let your glory be over all the earth!That your beloved ones may be delivered,give salvation by your right hand and answer me!”Deliver us, God! Give salvation by your right hand and answer me! That's the first prayer. I have prayers like this in our life, prayers that just won't give. Why won't you answer me, God? . . .One great reason God makes us wait in prayer is because he wants us to keep praying. Why would God make me wait so long? Because he knows some of us would stop praying if we got what we wanted — and it's far more important that we stay on our knees in faith than that we have some temporary relief or comfort in this life. He loves you too much to let you feel like you don't need him. “Deliver me” isn't the only prayer, though, or the highest prayer. No, the highest prayer comes in the verse before, verse 5:“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”Praying saints like King David can keep praying the same prayers, sometimes for years, because they want something more than they want relief or healing or deliverance. They want God to be glorified! They want his truth and beauty and worth to be seen and enjoyed all over the earth. And they want him to do whatever he needs to do for that to happen. And, Scripture is clear, that might mean we suffer for a little while. It might mean we suffer for the rest of our lives. That's the apostle Paul's thorn, right? Lord, take it away, take it away, take it away — three times he asks — but not my will, but yours be done. And God doesn't take it away — not because he's rejected or abandoned Paul. His steadfast love stands above the heavens, and his faithfulness to the clouds. No, he leaves the thorn for now, because God is more concerned with his glory running out into the world through us, for the eternal good of others, than he is with providing some short-term comfort for us now. He's doing something wonderfully, eternally glorious in all our trials. We just can't see it yet. But we can ask. And God wants us to ask and keep asking, like David does here.4. We TrustWhen we feel the curse, we groan, we praise, we ask, and, fourth, we trust. We hold on hard to what God has promised to do for those who love him. Listen to David cling onto a promise, verses 7–8:God has promised in his holiness: [He doesn't lie!]“With exultation I will divide up Shechemand portion out the Valley of Succoth.Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;Ephraim is my helmet,Judah my scepter.Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah — these are all places within the promised land, the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all of Israel after them. Israel's living in the land by now, but it's still under constant attack. And so David is saying, “God, you said! Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah — those are yours, and you promised to give that land to us. So why does the land feel so fragile? Why do the enemies feel so powerful? Still, he holds onto the promise. You said, and I'm going to trust you.And God didn't promise only the 8,000 square miles of land on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. No, he promised to take every land for his glory. That's what the next verse is about, verse 9. God goes on, “Moab is my washbasin;upon Edom I cast my shoe;over Philistia I shout in triumph.”Now we're outside of Israel. These are Israel's surrounding enemies. And God says, “Oh they belong to me too.” And David believes him. Even when it feels like the Moabites and Philistines have the upper hand and are taking ground, David remembers what God said and he truststhe promise. He keeps looking to God for salvation. He looks to God for salvation, and (next verse) he refuses to look to man. Again, verse 12: “Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!”David knows this temptation all too well. He knows that when the curse is pressing in, and the opposition is intense, and it seems like God has rejected and abandoned him, there will be a terrible pressure to turn and trust in man — to trust in himself and his armies and other armies. If God won't help me, then I'll try something else. Have you felt that temptation? God's way isn't working, and so I'm trying my way.We don't talk this way, of course. We'd never say to each other, “Oh yeah, I'm actually trying out the salvation of man. I'm expecting someone else to save me now.” We don't talk like that, but oh we act like that sometimes. Don't we? We might say God is our Savior, but so much of what we say and do points to a different savior (often to ourselves). We skip time in the word because we're too busy right now. We slip in and out of church because we've got somewhere else to be. We work and work and work and rarely pray. We ask ChatGPT instead.David knew that the salvation of man saves nothing. It accomplishes nothing. It is vain. And he knew he (and we) needed to be reminded that man cannot save. Only God can save.5. We TreadWe do not trust in man — certainly not ourselves — no, we trust in God. And when we trust in him, we will do valiantly. We don't use that word often (at least I don't), but we should. When we feel the curse, we groan, we praise, we ask, we trust, and finally, we tread. Oh we will tread down all the forces of evil and consequences of evil. Verses 12–13:“Oh grant us help against the foe,for vain is the salvation of man!With God we shall do valiantly;it is he who will tread down our foes.”Vain is the salvation of man, but sure is the salvation of God. With God, we shall do valiantly. We shall prevail against all our enemies. For David, that meant Moab and Edom and Philistia. If God is with us, we have nothing to fear and we cannot lose. No matter how bleak it gets, we can take courage and know that we will outlast every enemy of God. Because God himself will tread down our foes. “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.” And when he treads, he treads with sovereign, unrivaled power. That's what he just said in verse 9:“Moab is my washbasin;upon Edom I cast my shoe;over Philistia I shout in triumph.”Those enemies that seem so massive and powerful to you right now? They're are a bucket for my feet. They're a plastic bin for my sandals. We don't talk about Moab or Edom or Philistia today. They don't seem so big anymore, do they? The Philistines vanished as a people 2,500 years ago. Think about that. Israel fought the Philistines for two or three hundred years. For all that time (the entire history of the United States), these were the terrible giants bearing down on them. Where is God? What if they wipe us out? And then they're completely gone, tossed out like water in a bucket. That's true of every great fear you have today — war, disease, oil prices, artificial intelligence.A.I. is my washbasin. . . . upon cancer I cast my shoe. . . . over Islam I shout in triumph.The giants we most fear are as nothing to him. They're water for him to wash his feet. And I don't know about you, but the giants I battle most aren't out there in the headlines — no, they're in here. Pride. Selfishness. Impatience. Wrath. Envy. Self-pity. And God promises, I'm taking that land too. Whatever temptation looms over you. He says, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words,Pride is my washbasin. . . . upon envy and bitterness I cast my shoe. . . . over lust I shout in triumph.The salvation of man is vain. You can't beat that sin alone. But with God, you can and shall do valiantly.The King, the Cave, and the ConquestDavid saw God tread down foes by the tens of thousands — Moab, Edom, Philistia, but he didn't see him tread all his foes. And that brings us to the Table.King David knew God would have his full and final victory, but he also knew that God's people needed another King. A King who would take on flesh, sympathizing with us in our groaning — “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Who would praise the steadfast love and faithfulness of his Father, even in his darkest hour. Who would ask that the bitter cup of the curse be removed from him. Who would trust the Father's word and will — “Not my will, but yours be done.” Who would be betrayed, condemned, crucified, and buried — and through it all, would do valiantly. On the cross, King Jesus tread down his enemies in awesome victory. That King, remember, was also rescued from a cave. And while he has defeated the Enemy already in his death and resurrection, he will return and wash his feet with all his enemies. He'll toss his glorified sandal on anyone who rejects him and stands against him. And on that day, he'll bring us home, where the curse will never come close again.

Matthew 25:31-46

Psalm 2 shows the rebellion of the nations against the Lord and against His Anointed. The rulers of the earth seek to cast off God's authority, but their rebellion is vain. God is not threatened by the rage of the nations or the plots of men.Pastor Ben Smith explains that Psalm 2 points us to King Jesus. The world hates His rule, but God has installed His King upon Zion. The nations belong to Him, the ends of the earth are His possession, and every enemy will be brought under His authority.This sermon calls listeners to honor the Lord, submit to the kingship of Jesus, worship with reverence, rejoice with trembling, and take refuge in the Son. The world may rage, but the King is enthroned.To learn more, visit BenSmithSr.org.

The launch of our new sermon series on the Gospel according to Mark!

In the sermon, Armed with the Mind of Christ 1 Peter 4:1–6), we examine the radical call for believers to align their daily walk with the victory of King Jesus. Anchored in the truth that Christ suffered to defeat sin, this message reveals four unyielding mandates for the Christian life: conforming your mindset to Christ's willingness to suffer, abandoning the self-destructive passions of the past, standing fast against cultural friction when the world is baffled by your transformation, and resting in the coming judgment of the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

The Sermon on the Mount calls us to move beyond passive faith, embrace life under the rule of King Jesus, and let His Kingdom transform the broken places around us.--Download the One Crossing app:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecrossing.net/app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecrossing.net/giving⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Helping people come to an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the vision of Crossing Church, based in Quincy, IL with multiple locations throughout Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.

God gives us grace to serve King Jesus, and His body, and its members from all the nations.

God gives us grace to serve King Jesus, and His body, and its members from all the nations.

We don't have direct evidence, of course. The Bible doesn't tell us this exactly…But tradition says that the Ten Commandments were carved from a solid slab of sapphire.It's a beautiful thought, isn't it? The rich blue of the sapphire gemstone reminds us of royalty, and the regal King Jesus. It fits!Proverbs 31:10 says, “She is far more precious than jewels.”When a woman admires a sapphire necklace, or turns her hand in order to catch the light on that beautiful blue sapphire ring, she is presenting a picture of what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. The ring of a ruler, one that loves all people and values them, the sapphire can be seen from a very long distance. There is no mistaking that this is a treasure that draws the best kind of admiration from everyone who comes in contact.If you want to stand out from the crowd in the best sense of the term, remind yourself that your King is the royal regent who has set you apart to be His ambassador here on Earth. See yourself the way He sees you: a precious and priceless gem.Let's pray.Lord, like the sapphire, we desire to stand out from the crowd for the right reasons: to point the way to King Jesus. Help us to shine for you! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

King Jesus RAW: Real Authentic Worship Pt. 5  Psalms 2:1-12   Conroe Bible Church Pastor Dave Schneider July 5, 2026

Family Pastor Dan Carson shares a sermon from James 5:7-12 about who we should be and what we should do while we wait for the return of King Jesus.   www.CalvaryFayetteville.com info@CalvaryFayetteville.com 479-442-4634

In this episode of the Iowa Church Leaders Podcast, Tom Steele sits down with Jerry Harris, Publisher of The Christian Standard and former Lead Pastor of The Crossing Church in Quincy, Illinois. With decades of ministry experience and a deep love for the Restoration Movement, Jerry offers thoughtful insight into the changing landscape of the church, reflects on the movement's rich heritage, and shares his hope for its future. Whether you're a pastor, elder, ministry leader, or simply passionate about the Church, this conversation will encourage you to lead with faithfulness, wisdom, and a renewed vision for making disciples of King Jesus. https://www.cemchurches.org/events

Sunday August 2, 2026:  What if the greatest work of the Holy Spirit isn't simply empowering us for ministry, but bringing every part of our lives under the joyful reign of King Jesus?In Week Two of The Lordship of the Spirit, Pastor Matt explores what it means to live beneath Heaven's government in the ordinary moments of life. Through the life of Jesus, this message reveals that true freedom is found not in self-rule, but in surrender to the loving lordship of Christ made real through Holy Spirit.This teaching will challenge the way you think about dependence, anxiety, the Kingdom of God, and what it truly means to live by the Spirit. More than behavior modification, the Holy Spirit is restoring us to the life we were always created for—a life governed by the goodness of the Father and marked by righteousness, peace, and joy. 

Jesus enters Jerusalem as Israel's King. But he does not fit any of our expectations for a mighty king. Instead, in the words of the prophet Zechariah, King Jesus is lowly. This is historically interesting, but what does it mean for us today?

Continue the series with “Rejected Cornerstone,” a powerful sermon from Psalm 118 that points directly to Jesus Christ. Pastor Ricky Smith explores how God's greatest work often comes through what the world rejects, revealing Christ as the Cornerstone of our salvation. This message reminds us that God's steadfast love sustains us in trouble, His salvation comes through the rejected Savior, and King Jesus alone deserves our praise and surrender.Find sermon resources and more at calvaryga.com

Matthew 25:1-13

Join us this week as we meditate on the word from Matthew 13, where the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in a field that a man joyfully sells everything to buy, or a merchant who sells all for one pearl of great value. This treasure is of immeasurable worth yet hidden when we seek lesser things, growing gradually alongside the world until the final separation of good from evil. Anyone can discover it, whether by stumbling like the day laborer or seeking like the merchant, and buying it means joyfully transferring allegiance from self and possessions to King Jesus. Jesus sold all for the joy of claiming us as His treasure. Those trained for the kingdom bring out and share its new and old riches. What will you release to possess this greater treasure? Watch on Youtube, Our Website - or listen on your favorite podcast app.

Evil still exists in the world, but Jesus conquers it in a way no human ruler ever has. Rather than defeating His enemies through force, He transforms them through agape, the self-sacrificing love that seeks another person's good at personal cost. This is the love displayed at the cross, where God stepped into human history and gave His life as a sacrifice for sin. The early church in Ephesus demonstrated this love in ways that turned the ancient world upside down, and the same victory is still unfolding today. Every act of foster care, forgiveness, prison ministry, or disaster relief is King Jesus continuing to conquer through His people. Agape is not a feeling. It is a decision, and it is the most powerful force in human history.Support the show

Highland Christian Church - Asheville, NCCommunicator - Jason GarrisLuke 6:12-19 - "When they came down from the mountain." After Jesus calls his disciples, they are not set up high and mighty, but they must get down into real life with hurting people. The “calling out” didn't set the disciples up as high and mighty – it led them to be close to the people. Even a list of names tells us what kind of King Jesus is. 

What does the Bible actually say about demons, spiritual warfare, and the authority of Jesus? In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus crosses through a storm and comes face-to-face with a man tormented by a legion of demons. What happens next proves that no darkness, bondage, or spiritual force is greater than King Jesus. But this story isn’t […]

What captures your heart will ultimately shape your life. In The King's Call on My Treasure (Luke 21:1–4), Jesus uses the widow's offering to reveal a powerful truth: God isn't impressed by the size of our gift but by the surrender of our hearts. Discover how biblical generosity grows from trust, reflects our deepest priorities, and invites us into the freedom of wholehearted devotion to King Jesus.

Mark 16

Are you working for God's love, or are you living from the love you have already received?In the first week of Crown or Towels, Pastor Dean uses the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel to explain the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. The old covenant says, “I work, then I receive.” The new covenant says, “I receive, then I work from what I've received.”Jesus did not simply call us to believe in Him. He called us to follow Him, imitate Him, submit to His authority, and become more like Him. We do not serve, forgive, give, worship, or obey to earn God's favor. We do those things because His love and grace have already been freely given to us.It is time to take the crown off our own heads, place it back on King Jesus, pick up the towel, and follow our Rabbi.

How should Christians live in a world that doesn't always reflect God's values?In this study of Romans 13, we examine what it means to be citizens of heaven while living under earthly governments. Paul teaches that Christians are called to respect governing authorities, fulfill the law through love, and ultimately give their highest allegiance to King Jesus. As we await Christ's return, we're challenged to live as people of light—overcoming evil with good and putting on Christ every day. In this lesson, you'll discover: What Romans 13 teaches about government and Christian citizenship  When Christians should submit to governing authorities  Why our ultimate loyalty belongs to God's kingdom  What it means to "owe no one anything except love"  How to live each day in anticipation of Christ's return Scripture: Romans 13If this lesson encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share to help others grow in God's Word.#Romans13 #CitizensOfHeaven #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #ChurchOfChrist #KingdomOfGod #Faith #JesusChrist #BiblicalTeaching #LivingSacrifice

Welcome to Day 2910 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2910 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 145:1-7 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2908 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2910 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Unsearchable Majesty – Passing the Torch of Praise Across Generations On our previous expedition, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Eight, we concluded our study of Psalm One Hundred Forty-Four with a breathtaking vision of kingdom flourishing. We listened as King David moved out of the smoky, chaotic fray of battle, praying for sturdy sons, elegant daughters, overflowing barns, and safe city streets, crowning his prayer with that unforgettable, majestic beatitude: “Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord!” Today, as we step onto a glorious new summit along our multi-month trek through the Book of Psalms, we advance directly into Psalm One Hundred Forty-Five, verses one through seven. This psalm marks a monumental milestone in our entire series. It is the very last psalm in the Psalter explicitly attributed to King David, and it functions as a grand, royal gateway into the final doxology of the Old Testament. In the preceding psalms—from Psalm One Hundred Forty through One Hundred Forty-Four—we heard David crying out in intense distress, begging for rescue from violent men, hidden nets, and deceptive tongues. But here, in Psalm One Hundred Forty-Five, the prayers for deliverance fall silent, and pure, uninhibited, kingdom praise takes center stage. David lays down his military sword, picks up his golden harp, and leads the entire cosmos in an eternal song of adoration. The first segment is: The Vow of the Viceroy: Exalting the Supreme King Let us open our hearts to the opening lines of this magnificent acrostic hymn, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the contiguous, deeply connected thoughts found in verse one and verse two. I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. David opens this royal anthem with a passionate, deeply personal commitment, shouting, “I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” To fully appreciate the profound, revolutionary nature of these opening words, we must view them through the fascinating lens of the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview. In the ancient Near East, earthly kings routinely claimed divine status for themselves. Pagan rulers built massive monuments, claiming to be absolute lords over their territory, demanding that their subjects bow before their supreme authority. But here stands King David—the undisputed, victorious monarch of Israel, the ruler of an expanding empire—and what does he do? He looks up into the heavens, and addresses Yahweh directly as “my God and King.” David recognizes a fundamental cosmic truth: his own royal authority is merely derivative. He is not the ultimate sovereign; he is merely the earthly viceroy, the covenant servant of the true King who sits enthroned above the celestial assembly of heaven. Notice, also, the dynamic rhythm of David's devotional life expressed in these two verses. He bridges the immediate present with the infinite future. He declares that he will praise God “every day”—establishing a discipline of consistent, daily worship along the dusty trails of life—while simultaneously declaring that this praise will endure “forever and ever.” David understands that praising the name of Yahweh—which represents His revealed character, His covenant reputation, and His supreme authority—is not a temporary earthly chore. It is the primary, joyful occupation of human beings and heavenly hosts alike, stretching past the boundaries of mortality directly into eternity. The second segment is: The Unsearchable Realm: Cosmic Greatness Beyond Measure The narrative of David's praise expands rapidly outward from his personal devotion to the infinite reality of God's nature, as recorded in verse three. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. David proclaims with unshakeable conviction, “Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” This singular verse serves as the foundational theological anchor for the entire psalm. When David exclaims that Yahweh is “great” and “most worthy of praise,” he is making a bold, cosmic comparison against all other powers in existence. In the ancient Israelite worldview, the cosmos was populated by various spiritual beings—angels, guardians, and fallen principalities. But Yahweh stands in a category completely by Himself. He is not merely the chief deity among many; He is the uncreated Creator, the absolute Master of the divine council, and the Lord of all earthly nations. Consider that remarkable phrase: “No one can measure his greatness.” In the original Hebrew, it literally reads, his greatness has no searching out. Every created entity in the universe—whether a human king, a mighty mountain, a blazing star, or a high-ranking angelic spirit—has boundaries, dimensions, and limitations. They can be measured, mapped, and comprehended. But the greatness of Yahweh is unfathomable, bottomless, and infinite! You can swim in the ocean of His glory for ten thousand years, and you will never hit bottom. Because His majesty is completely beyond human and angelic measurement, the praise offered to Him can never be exhausted. There will always be new depths of His character to discover, and new reasons to lift our voices in awe. The third segment is: The Legacy of Praise: Passing the Torch Across Generations Having established the unsearchable greatness of the King, David turns his attention to how this glorious reality is transmitted through human history, linking his contiguous thoughts together in verse four and verse five. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. David outlines the divine relay race of truth, praying, “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” Here, right at the center of Psalm One Hundred Forty-Five, we encounter the very heart and soul of our Wisdom-Trek mission: creating a living legacy! David realizes that the incredible truths of God's redemptive power must never be locked away in the past, nor can they be assumed to automatically transfer to the future. Faithfulness requires an intentional, intergenerational handoff. One generation must stand face-to-face with the next generation, actively recounting the “mighty acts” and “power” of Yahweh. In ancient Israel, this meant teaching children about the deliverance from Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea, the thunderous revelation at Mount Sinai, and the faithful provision in the wilderness. For us today, it means testifying to our children and grandchildren about the ultimate victory of King Jesus, and sharing the concrete ways God has proven faithful in our own family histories. Notice, however, that David does not view this intergenerational legacy as a cold, academic history lesson. Look at verse five! He combines public proclamation with deep, quiet, personal contemplation, declaring, “I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” The Hebrew phrasing here—hod ve-hadar—describes the radiant, terrifying beauty and regal dignity of a monarch sitting in His heavenly throne room. David takes time to slow down his racing mind, fixing his thoughts on the dazzling sple“dor of God's character. True legacy flows out of deep, private meditation. When we spend time contemplating the awe-inspiring miracles of God in the secret place, our public testimony to the next generation gains an irresistible, vibrant warmth. The forth segment is: The Cascading Fountain: Awe-Inspiring Deeds and Overflowing Goodness The narrative reaches a magnificent, joyful crescendo as David describes the infectious, widespread impact of God's mighty works, combining his final logical thoughts in verse six and verse seven. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. David envisions a...

Millions of people pray the Lord's Prayer every day without fully understanding the weight of the words: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that this prayer is a declaration of allegiance: “King Jesus, You rule supreme over my life.” The King and the Kingdom are inseparable. We cannot claim citizenship in God's Kingdom while refusing the reign of Christ over our hearts, priorities, decisions, and desires. To pray for God's Kingdom to come is to say, “King Jesus, take over.” Dr. Youssef warns that our prayers can easily become dominated by our own plans, needs, and agendas. God cares for His children and invites us to bring our needs to Him, but when those needs become the center of our lives, they can become idols. Soon, instead of praying for God's will to be done, we begin asking God to bless our own will. True surrender is not passive resignation—it is active faith in the goodness and sovereignty of God. As we lay every desire, ambition, and fear at Christ's feet, the Holy Spirit aligns our hearts with the Father's purposes and leads us in obedience. Only under the lordship of Jesus do we experience lasting peace, joy, and spiritual victory. Pray with me. Father God, forgive me for allowing my needs and wants to become the focus of my life. May Your priorities become my priority. Rule over my life so that I can sincerely pray, “Thy will be done.” I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Mark 15