Podcasts about kingdom of god

On December 9, 1987, a squirrel chewed through a power line in Connecticut, and the NASDAQ’s vast financial machinery blinked, sighed, and went dark. Some of the world's largest corporations stood limp and listless. Global economies watched, sweating bullets for nearly an hour and a half. All because of one tenacious, furry rodent. Scripture tells many stories of something or someone small making a big impact. But God can turn meagerness into something mighty. John recounts how Jesus fed a hungry crowd (five thousand men, probably fifteen thousand with women and children included) when “a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish” handed over his small lunch (John 6:9). In the Old Testament we remember that a young shepherd boy named David trusted God and slayed a giant (1 Samuel 17). And Christ repeatedly insisted that the kingdom of God is something like a mustard seed, “the smallest of all seeds” (Matthew 13:32). When we ponder the many complex global crises in addition to the bewildering concerns in our own neighborhoods and families, we’re tempted to believe that our seemingly small efforts lack power. But Scripture tells us to act in obedience and trust as God helps us—assured that with Him, small things can become mighty (John 6:10-12).

When I had to go for a new passport, it meant I had to dig out a document that I don't look at very often - my birth certificate. I had to prove to the State Department that I exist! Of course, I have to be careful with my birth certificate - one that's been around that long is about to disintegrate. It's interesting that when you have to produce the most authoritative proof of who you are, what do they ask for? Your birth certificate! And mine, like yours, clearly identifies who you are and exactly when and where you were born. I was a little nervous before I went for my passport because we had just moved and I couldn't find my birth certificate for a little while! That's very bad news! I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Birth Certificate for Heaven." One thing that birth certificate demonstrates for sure - your life. Your relationship with your parents has a definite beginning. You know, you celebrate that day every year. Birth, of course, is a clear, definite thing - into your family...into God's family too. Tragically, a lot of people can't remember a beginning to their personal relationship with God - often because there hasn't been one. And without a "birth certificate" on file in heaven, one that marks the beginning of your belonging to your Heavenly Father, you are in real danger. Eternal danger if that doesn't change. Our word for today from the Word of God talks about how a person gets born into God's family. John 1:12 says, "To all who received Him (that's Jesus), to those who believed in His name, (God) gave the right to become the children of God." Now, God likens our beginning with Him to birth into His family. That's why Jesus would say just two chapters later, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). There's a conscious, deliberate choice that begins your God-relationship. It's what our word for today calls "receiving" Jesus Christ, "believing" in Him. It's describing a moment when you consciously open up your heart for Jesus Christ to come in, when you tell Him you are putting your total trust in Him to remove that wall of sin between you and God and to give you a relationship with Him. The reason we don't have that love relationship is because we've taken a life that God was supposed to run and we've run it ourselves. That "sin" has cut us off from a God whose sinless and perfect. And no religious ceremony can remove that sin - not baptism, not church attendance, not confirmation, not church membership, not all the good things you do. In fact, the Bible explicitly says, "It is by grace you have been saved" - listen to this - "not by works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). It couldn't be any clearer. Our only hope is that Jesus paid for the sin that we could only pay for with an eternity in hell. So when you put your total trust in Him and welcome Him into your life, every sin is forgiven and God records your birth into His family. Actually, God doesn't have birth certificates - He has what the Bible calls the "book of life." And your name is entered in it the moment you come to Jesus. Revelation 20:15 says that on Judgment Day, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." My prayer is that if you have not begun your personal relationship with Jesus, that you'll do it today, so your name can be entered in God's Book of Life in indelible ink. He doesn't intend for anybody; He never wanted anybody to suffer that judgment. That's why He sent His Son to take the judgment for us on the cross. This is your day to reach out and take what He died to give you. Tell Him you want what He died on the cross for - to forgive your sin, to change your life, to take you to heaven with Him. If you don't know there's been a time when you gave yourself to Him, there probably hasn't been. Let me encourage you as an action step to go to our website ANewStory.com. And there you're going to find the information that will help you know for sure that you belong to Him. You need to know that you've been born spiritually. And you can today. God is waiting right now for you to reach out to Jesus, so He can enter your name in His Book of Life.

Why do we have to go through so much suffering? Pastor JD will be teaching the “why” behind these prophecy updates. You'll learn the most powerful effect that Bible prophecies have: the blessed hope – our only hope. Going through hardships helps us fall out of love with this world and enter the Kingdom of God. God is preparing a place for you, and He's coming soon – that's our hope!

Do you feel pressure to be a “good” person for God? Do you ever feel like you're failing at it? Well, you're in the right place! We think this episode will take a huge weight off your shoulders today – because it's not your job to be “good.” God will live out His goodness through you! Learn more about this topic in today's episode and begin to fully experience the goodness of God flowing through your life.Send us a text! We would love to hear from you! Uncover your God-given gifts, declare His truth over your life, defeat imposter syndrome, and grow the Kingdom of God as you walk confidently in your calling.These workbooks include daily Scripture, guided reflection prompts, & journaling space to help you hear from God and apply His Word in every area of your life.Grab your Workbooks HERE.Or you can DM us "Workbook" on Instagram!  To check out the Wellness Store, go to @Jordan_Vesper and DM the word "Wellness". I'd love to share more about the store with you. Support the showOur new Instagram name is @WithinHerSoulMinistries if you want to connect with us! Check out all our Spiritual Growth Resources at withinhersoul.org Resources for New Christians: - Study Bible to help you understand the Word - Find a Church near you

Letting the Bible Shape our Parenting  In this episode I share two big truths about kids from the Bible that shapes the way we relate to our kids and parent our kids.  Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.   Mark 10:13-16 13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.   Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net   Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener's Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Connect with John: Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram Email - john@johnwhittaker.net If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, X, via email.  

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today! What if the spiritual battles you face aren't meant to be fought with your own strength? What if the obstacles in your life—whether they be fears, anxieties, or spiritual attacks—are actually terrified of the One who stands beside you? In this empowering devotional on Psalm 48, we explore the awe-inspiring imagery of Mount Zion—the city where God makes Himself known as a stronghold. We move beyond the text to uncover the fascinating historical context of the Roman "Helmet of Salvation," discovering how a soldier’s crest was more than decoration; it was a declaration of ownership and intimidating power. We learn that when we stand firm in our identity, the enemy doesn't just see us; he sees the entire Kingdom of God backing us. Join host Jaime Hampton on the Praying Christian Women podcast for a session of deep encouragement and spiritual strengthening. If you’ve felt defeated by the start of the year or overwhelmed by invisible battles, this episode offers a fresh perspective on your victory in Christ. Come ready to "put on" your salvation, stand firm in the City of God, and watch the enemy flee. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We continue to discover the MORE AND MORE lifestyle of the kingdom of God. Because we have Christ living in us, we can no longer live a normal life. Let's keep on the journey.

Shattered lives and costly obedience grow our ultimate hope in the power of grace. That's the key lesson from the pages of the gospel of Luke this week. As we continue unpacking the Gospel of Luke, let's now turn our attention and focus on Jesus, as herald and incarnation of Heavenly Sacrifice and Compassion. Jesus' story begins with unimaginable humility: leaving heavenly glory for earthly struggle. More than anyone, He embodies sacrifice, compassion, and perseverance—not born merely to live, but to die for others' benefit.Luke's narrative is not just history—it's an invitation. We, too, are “on stage,” living between difficult circumstances and challenging relationships. Stephanie reminds us that faith means pressing on, pressing in to Christ, and pressing up — seeking God's will, letting go of self-sufficiency, and finding our identity as beloved, grace-soaked children. The ultimate lesson is that our brokenness and struggles, when surrendered to Christ, become pathways for God's love and glory.Don't forget to check out the accompanying workbook to enhance your experience of the Gospel of Luke! Go to https://www.gospelspice.com/luke Key Takeaways:Patience and obedience often coexist with disappointment and struggle.Faith isn't about having it all together, but about surrender and trust when life shatters our expectations.God uses ordinary, broken people to fulfill extraordinary purposes.Our deepest security is in relationship with God, not circumstances.Success means being in God's will—today.We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Bonjour! Gospel Spice exists to inspire our generation to delight in God. We do this through the podcast, online Bible studies, leadership trainings, and more. We want to serve Christ-followers who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel. We want to love God, because He first loved us. We want to experience the fullness of life with Him—and not be content with stale, boring, leftover faith. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love the Lord our God, so we take Him seriously. He adds that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Now, there are many ways to do that, but I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – it is modern day slavery, and it revolts the heart of God. And so, they are our particular neighbors here at Gospel Spice. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.  Now we would love to invite you to join the team in one of three ways:1, pray Gospel Spice forward – pray for our guests, our listeners and participants, and for us too!2, play Gospel Spice forward by telling your friends about us, and by please leaving positive reviews and comments on your podcast listening app;and 3rd, PAY GospelSpice forward. Less than 1% of our listeners are supporting us financially. We need your help! Please pay Gospel Spice forward today. It can be a one-time donation, or a monthly one, for the amount of your choice. Your donation is fully tax-deductible in the US. Plus, once we cover our costs, a significant portion of your donation will be given back to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking, and that we vet thoroughly. So, you can know that every dime you give is used for the Kingdom of God. Every little bit helps. So, be part of the spice of the gospel by becoming a financial partner today!Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Gospel  Mark 6:34-44 When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days' wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?  Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men. Reflection This is the only miracle found in all four of the Gospels, and I think it's because it is such a beautiful image of what the kingdom of God is really like. God comes into our life in the form of a spirit. Jesus is the model. And when we are filled with this Holy Spirit, we are able to do things beyond our imagining. And the most important thing I think it's saying about the Kingdom of God is it's about abundance, not just a little nourishment, but more nourishment than anyone could imagine. It's the Holy Spirit that is described as that thing that is the blessing that we receive. And having received it our work, our being with one another, becomes abundantly nurturing and life giving. What a great gift God has given us. The model is Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the power. Closing Prayer Father, we look at situations in our life and we see them as almost impossible to handle. And yet you're telling us if we allow the Blessed Spirit to enter into our life, we are able to do so much more than we could ever imagine, because it's not just us doing it. It's your love, your healing, your wisdom flowing through us, enabling us to establish the Kingdom of God. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this one Hannah talks about The Kingdom Of God, and how it's here, but also not.

After Adam sinned, work became a burden. But in the Kingdom of God, work will be a complete joy!

To have hope and joy you have to have a vision for the future that you can pursue in the present. As Christians we have an incorruptible hope because we know that the Kingdom of God is breaking into the present. We can have hope during pain and suffering because our hope is a commission to bring the glory of the next world into the brokenness of this one.

In this episode, we are reminded that the power struggles we see in the world are not the way of the Kingdom of God!

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age. https://shellyandjunevolk.com/Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new year doesn't automatically mean a new heart.In this message, we confront the subtle, often unnoticed compromises that slowly drift us away from God. Drawing from the life of King Solomon, we see how wisdom alone isn't enough when obedience is partial and the heart becomes divided.Small compromises don't feel dangerous at first—but what you tolerate today can dominate you tomorrow.This sermon will challenge you to:Stop confusing good intentions with obedienceRecognize the danger of divided devotionTear down the “high places” God never approvedChoose surrender over convenienceGod isn't asking for part of your heart—He's asking for the throne. Authentic Church 2416 N Center St Hickory, NC 28601 (Beside Planet Fitness) GIVING To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://authenticchurch.com/give GET CONNECTED Ready to check out Authentic Church in person? We can't wait to meet you in person. Simply fill out the form below and we'll make sure to give you the VIP treatment upon your first visit. https://authenticchurch.com/plan-a-visit ABOUT AUTHENTIC CHURCH Authentic Church exists so that people will have an authentic encounter with God, be set free, and grow in Christ. Our mission is to help each person at Authentic believe in Jesus, belong to family, inspire true worship, walk in God's Spirit, and build the kingdom of God.

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.  And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Reflection This entire week is focused on the coming of Jesus, the major transformation that's happening. John the Baptist is setting himself out of the picture, and into the picture comes this incredible figure of Jesus. And it's interesting that he goes to a Gentile town, not to Jerusalem. And there he starts his ministry, which is so impossible to believe that everyone he encountered, he would heal them. And it was just this beautiful image of a great light comes into the world so bright that it destroys pain and suffering and darkness and evil. It was almost too much for people to grasp, and that's exactly what happened. The beginning of his ministry was difficult because people had no idea what the kingdom of God was really about. Closing Prayer When Jesus came to initiate the kingdom of God, he changed everything. And the most important thing for us, and we pray for it always, is that we'll grasp fully what this new light and life really means. It's not just that we become the receiver of healing, but we also become the partner with God in the work of healing. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we'll be studying Mark 1:1-8 under the theme “Good News in the Wilderness.” Mark's Gospel opens with urgent good news: in the wilderness, God sends a messenger to prepare the way for the true King. We'll learn that meeting our humble, powerful Savior typically occurs in the wilderness of life.Series Summary: Fast-paced, urgent, and relentlessly focused on Jesus, the Gospel of Mark shows us not just what Jesus said, but what he did. Written for a Roman world hungry for power, Mark introduces a surprising King - one who comes to serve, to suffer, and to give his life for many. Over the coming weeks, we'll walk this road with Jesus, from the wilderness to the cross, discovering how the Servant-King's actions reveal the true good news - and what it means to follow him as disciples who take up our own cross and trust him with our lives.Add St. Marcus as your church on the Church Center App!Fill out our online connection cardHow can we pray for you? If you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

Homily of Fr. Mike O'Connor from Mass January 5, 2026 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Readings 1 John 3:22–4:6 Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 If you would like to donate to OLG and her livestream ministry, please go to https://olgchurch.net/give

Michael Blue serves as Director of Discipleship and former President of the Ron Blue Institute, and his life reflects a steady journey of learning to trust God with open hands. Raised in a home shaped by biblical financial stewardship, Michael developed strong habits around money early on. Yet it was in his thirties, amid professional success and financial security, that God exposed a deeper restlessness. What appeared stable on the surface revealed an inner hollowness, leading Michael and his family into a season of prayer, surrender, and renewed reflection on what faithful obedience truly means. In his current role, Michael focuses on forming biblical and practical financial wisdom in the next generation, particularly among high school and college students. He has also helped pioneer the 9:23 Fellowship, a discipleship journey that invites believers to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus in every area of life, including how they steward money, grow in community, and trust God's provision. Michael's calling is to help believers align their finances with wholehearted discipleship, viewing stewardship as worship and generosity as freedom rooted in trust. This episode creates space to rethink money, faith, and obedience in ways that feel both convicting and hopeful.   Major Topics Include: Learning to live openhandedly Thinking through savings as a giver Relying on God for provision Engaging younger generations through the Ron Blue Institute Helping the Church recognize and overcome greed and covetousness  Four H's of biblical stewardship for college students The difference between “bread” and “seed” Flourishing together in community Learning to be a good receiver Stretching your faith through steps of generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Giving ought to be joyful and saving ought to be purposeful, but if it's just rote obedience, you can lose the heart behind it.” “God delights in inviting us to participate in His story.” “Stewardship is managing our money for the glory of God.” “Our capacity to meet people in their time of need all comes down to our margin of time and money.” “Whenever we feel like God gives us more, more often than not, it's seed for sowing.” “The most generous people are the least fearful people I know. They're not wracked with anxiety about providing for them in the future.” “We were made to flourish together in community.” “We're all created to be both givers and receivers, so a healthy church is one where I can both give and receive.” “The thing that drives us to a life of continued generosity is hungering after who God is, what he's done in our lives, and how we can grow nearer to HIm.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Ron Blue Institute (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns International Justice Mission (IJM) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 2 Corinthians 8-9 | The Macedonian Church   Matthew 6:33 | Seek First the Kingdom   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   Luke 9:23 | Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

In this conversation, JT and Vitaly delve into the significant topic of usury, exploring its implications on both economics and spirituality. They discuss the biblical perspective on money, the love of money as a root of evil, and the importance of helping the poor as a direct service to Christ. The dialogue highlights the challenges of modern capitalism, the desensitization to suffering, and the higher standards set by Christ regarding generosity and lending. Through their discussion, they emphasize the need for a return to community support and the moral responsibilities of Christians in today's economic landscape. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the concept of usury within Christianity, discussing its implications, historical context, and the divine judgment associated with it. They explore how usury affects society, leading to debt slavery and economic inflation, while emphasizing the importance of generosity and faith. The discussion also touches on the parable of the rich young ruler, illustrating the challenges of wealth in spiritual life, and concludes with a call to seek the kingdom of God over material possessions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFJESUS SAID THERE WOULD BE HATERS Shirts: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/mens-shirts/WOMEN'S SHIRTS: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/womens-shirts/JT's Hats: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/hats/

THIS EPISODE   In this episode, we welcome in the new year by replaying a very important Livestream that Rob did in 2024, highlighting the Gospel and the Mission of the Church, specifically by looking at Jesus' Parable of the Sower, and understanding how the Parable provides insights into why the Church is in such peril today.    Connect with Determinetruth on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/determinetruth FOLLOW THE PODCAST Subscribe to be notified of our new episodes (each Monday).  Want to help us expand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Leave a review, “like” the podcast, or share it with others.   CONNECT WITH DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES The Determinetruth Podcast is a ministry of Determinetruth Ministries. We offer free resources to equip pastors, leaders, and the body of Christ in the US and worldwide for service in the kingdom of God. You can visit us online at https://www.determinetruth.com   SUPPORT DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES Determinetruth is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and relies completely on the financial support of our partners around the world.  Please consider partnering with us and making a tax-deductible donation https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3648601   Want a FREE CHAPTER from Rob's latest book? Sign up for email updates from Determinetruth.   https://mailchi.mp/5672d33f2b95/dt-podcast Music: “Love is Against the Grain” (Dime Store Prophets)   #BiblePodcast #TheologyPodcast #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudyPodcast #BiblicalTruth #FaithPodcast #politics #ChristianNationalism #suffering #thechurch #paul #timothy #ecclesiology #Fellowship #Mutual encouragement #Service #Corporateworship #Teaching #theWord #Communion #pastors #missions #women #complementarian #egalitarian #authority #colossians 

What does it really mean to seek first the Kingdom of God? In this episode of the Other Six podcast, we explore blessing, image-bearing, repentance, and why Kingdom life can only be lived in community under the reign of Jesus.

We're not just a church. We're a Family.Our Vision is clear, simple, and unique. Our vision is Jesus in you. Our vision is for the people of God to have a faith that holds them. The kind of faith that vanquishes doubt, verifies identity, and voraciously contends for inner peace. A faith that removes the past, clarifies the present, and breathes life into the future. Our vision is the Kingdom of God built within the people of this obscure, yet mighty generation. A kingdom so great that its purpose destroys the common lack of self worth. A kingdom that sharpens the eyes, tenses the muscles, and readies itself for the battle against darkness. A Kingdom that brings purpose and healing to those who have failed more than succeeded, who are sinners more than saints, and who have known more pain than pleasure. Our vision is to challenge the weak and unproductive church of our day. To step beyond those who are religiously immature and search out those who for their love for Christ cannot be offended. Our hope is to raise warriors instead of those who think God only exists to keep bad things from happening. To raise those who know that following Christ means suffering loss yet gaining all things. Our vision is clear, simple, and unique…. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

What did Jesus mean by the Kingdom of God? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What impresses you the most in the Lord's words? What strikes you in the gestures and the person of Christ? What are the reactions and feelings you notice in the crowd around you? Is there anything the Lord is inspiring you to do, so that his kingdom may grow within you and around you?

Strong and Steady, Pt. 1 | January 4, 2026Pastor Wes Morris Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.√  GROWTH HAPPENS BEFORE YOU CAN SEE IT.Matthew 6:6 (NIV) When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.Matthew 6:6-13 (MSG) Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.√  DEPTH DETERMINES STABILITY.Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.√  WHAT YOU'RE ROOTED IN DETERMINES WHAT YOU PRODUCE.Psalm 1:3 (ESV) He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.I Corinthians 15:58 (NIRV) My dear brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Don't let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.STRONG ROOTSI. CREATE SPACE FOR GOD EVERY DAY.Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.II. CHOOSE SPIRITUAL DEPTH OVER DISTRACTIONS.Psalm 119:37 (NLT) Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.Psalm 119:37 (TLB) Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you.III. STAY PLANTED IN GOD'S PRESENCE.Psalm 92:12-14 (TLB) But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care. Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green.

 In Luke 14:12–24, Jesus turns hospitality upside down. This sermon explores how Christian hospitality is not about entertaining friends or social exchange, but participating in God's radical welcome of those who cannot repay us. Part of the Making Room series, this message invites us to examine who truly feels at home in our lives and churches—and how everyday acts of welcome shape us into the likeness of Christ. 

Christ said that if a man put his hand to the plough, and looked back, he was not fit for the kingdom of God. These are strong words, but true ones. This message is on how we must continue to follow God's will, and no looking back.

Practice the Way of Jesus Jesus does not flatter us with comforting abstractions. He speaks with piercing clarity. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice…”—and there He draws the line that divides all humanity. Not between the moral and immoral, the religious and irreligious, the fortunate and the afflicted—but between the practiced and the merely informed. The striking truth of Jesus' words in Matthew 7 is that everything else is the same. The storm does not discriminate. Rain falls on obedience and disobedience alike. Winds beat against every house. The difference is not the weather of life but the weight-bearing obedience beneath it. One hears and does. The other hears and delays. And delay, in the kingdom of God, is already a decision. Throughout Scripture this pattern is relentless. God speaks; people respond—or refuse. Noah builds while the sky is blue and finds salvation when it turns black. Abraham keeps obeying long after obedience feels unreasonable and discovers that God keeps promises beyond biology. Moses lifts a staff, Israel walks, Naaman washes, blind eyes open, empty nets break with abundance. God's power is never detached from trust expressed through action. Equally clear is the sobering witness of those who heard and did nothing. They were invited. They were informed. They were near the truth. Yet they watched storms without experiencing salvation, commands without deliverance, Christ without transformation. It was not ignorance that robbed them—it was unpracticed truth. Jesus never asked for admirers. He commanded apprentices. “Teach them to obey,” He said—not merely to agree. Christianity left at the level of belief alone becomes weightless. It can grow numerically, organize efficiently, and yet remain untouched by the living power of God. But obedience—real, embodied obedience—becomes the narrow gate through which life flows. This is why practicing the way of Jesus feels so often unreasonable. Forgive when wounded. Give when anxious. Pray when exhausted. Speak when silence feels safer. These instructions offend our instincts because God has chosen the foolish-looking things to train our trust. We do not drift into this kind of life. We must aim. Jesus Himself told us it would be harder. Easier roads are always available—but ease is often destructive. What is easiest rarely fuels what is eternal. The narrow way is demanding, but it is alive. As Chesterton observed, Christianity is not tried and found wanting; it is found difficult and left untried. Yet hear the mercy in all this: Jesus never commands without empowering. He died not only to forgive sin, but to place His Spirit within us—to make obedience possible from the inside out. “It is God who works in you to will and to act…” Our responsibility is not self-powered righteousness, but surrendered cooperation. So where is the storm pressing hardest right now? Where do you long to see God's power break through? Do not ask first for relief—ask what obedience looks like there. Search the Scriptures. Seek counsel. Then act. Build there. Practice there. And you will find that the life you most truly crave is not found in hearing more—but in practicing what you already have heard.

Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age. https://shellyandjunevolk.com/Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Romans 8:1-11 ESV1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. • • •1. A mind set on the flesh. • • •Romans 8:5-8 ESV5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. • • •Galatians 5:19-21 ESV19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. • • •1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. • • •2. A mind set on the Spirit. • • •Romans 8:5-9 ESV5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. • • •Galatians 5:16-17 ESV16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. • • •Galatians 5:24-25 ESV24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. • • •Application:Since we are living by the Spirit, let us firmly set our mind on following the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

In Week 1 of our parables series, Jesus opens the Kingdom of God to us through the Parable of the Sower. Parables are not moral lessons about how to be better people. They are stories Jesus tells to reveal what He is like as King and what His Kingdom is like. Here, we see His extravagant generosity as He scatters His Word widely, offering His gifts even where they will be rejected.Jesus also diagnoses what threatens that Word in our lives. The evil one seeks to snatch it away, hardship can scorch it, and the cares and riches of this world can choke it out. Yet the good news is that we do not make ourselves “good soil.” The Holy Spirit cultivates hearts to receive Jesus' Word, and God brings the harvest. As people who are being shaped by the King's generosity, we are also sent to reflect that generosity by sharing His Word with others. Isaiah 55:6–11 1 Corinthians 3:5–9 Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23

The Kingdom of God Series: The Gospel of Luke Scripture: Luke 13:18-21 Date: January 4th, 2026 Preacher: Joshua KirstineThe post The Kingdom of God first appeared on Disciples Church.

The Kingdom of God is the realm in which He rules and reigns. It is permeated with His love, mercy, and goodness. It is charged and energized with the power of His Spirit. It has the capacity to bring true life and a total transformation in the core of who we are! Our born-again experience includes an instant transfer from the Kingdom of this World into the Kingdom of God. Once we enter the Kingdom, we have the resources to re-make ourselves and become like our Father in heaven. This work of transformation is a collaboration between us and the Holy Spirit. Join us as we look at how transformation works!

When you hear the word "seek," what comes to mind? Hide and seek? Explorers? Searching for something you lost? Well, Matthew 6:33 is one of the best-known scriptures in our Bible. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” What does this summation mid-way through the Sermon on the Mount actually mean and how can following its guidance impact our lives?WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Do you want everything God has provided through His Son, Jesus Christ? Then it's time to make the decision to live by faith! In this series, Dr. Jerry Savelle teaches how to receive faith, where to apply it, and how to use it in your everyday life. Gain a deeper revelation of God's glory and understand what He expects from you and me. We pray that you will make the decision to live by faith, seek first the kingdom of God—not things, but God Himself—and yield to His wonderful will, receiving the blessing of God with open arms.

When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, He was not just showing power over weather. He was confronting chaos itself.

When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, He was not just showing power over weather. He was confronting chaos itself.

Do you want everything God has provided through His Son, Jesus Christ? Then it's time to make the decision to live by faith! In this series, Dr. Jerry Savelle teaches how to receive faith, where to apply it, and how to use it in your everyday life. Gain a deeper revelation of God's glory and understand what He expects from you and me. We pray that you will make the decision to live by faith, seek first the kingdom of God—not things, but God Himself—and yield to His wonderful will, receiving the blessing of God with open arms.

In this sermon, pastor Dylan Dodson preaches from Romans 12 as we look at how to participate in the kingdom of God.

In this powerful message, we explore one of the most misunderstood stories in the Gospels: Mary and Martha. When Jesus visits their home in Bethany, Martha busies herself with elaborate preparations while Mary simply sits at His feet. Jesus' response to Martha's complaint reveals a stunning truth about what God truly desires from us.Are you serving Jesus but missing Jesus? Discover why God didn't create you primarily for usefulness, but for something far more beautiful: to know Him and be enjoyed by Him.In This Episode:The real reason Jesus corrected Martha's serviceWhy sitting at Jesus' feet isn't passive—it's powerfulWhat J.I. Packer teaches about knowing GodHow to prioritize intimacy with God in everyday lifeThe ONE thing Jesus says is needed for a fulfilling spiritual lifeKey Scripture: Luke 10:38-42Mentioned Resources:"Knowing God" by J.I. PackerMatthew 6:33 - "Seek first the kingdom of God"Connect with Grand Point Church:Website: www.grandpoint.churchInstagram: @grandpointchurchFacebook: /grandpointchurchYouTube: Grand Point ChurchNext Steps:

As we begin 2026 it seems the perfect time to give some serious thought to our priorities.Isn't it interesting that history is divided into BC and AD? I'm sure we all know that AD is an abbreviated form of the Latin “Anno Domini” which translates “year of the Lord”.So since this is the beginning of the “year of the Lord”, it seems appropriate to determine His priorities for those of us who are followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.Instead of making our own New Year's resolutions, let us just make His priority our resolution for 2026 AD.DNA QuestionsDNA Questions - Matthew 6:33DiscoverTo whom does Jesus give the command to “seek”?What is His reasoning for this instruction?How would you describe the “kingdom of God” and “his righteousness”?Why would He make this the “first” priority?NurtureOver the course of your life, what have been your priorities?How have they changed as you “walk” with the LORD?What would you desire to see changed in 2026?ActHow would seeking “the kingdom of God” reorder the priorities in your life?How would seeking “his righteousness” reorder the priorities in your life?What “good thing” would you ask of your heavenly Father this year?

This sermon introduces the new year series, "My Job Depends on Ag," using agriculture as a metaphor for spiritual growth. The pastor begins with a confession about struggling to trust God with finances (both for the church's summer camp and the Amigo Row building project) and how asking for help led to miraculous provision. He emphasizes that spiritual growth is not like technology—it doesn't happen instantly with the push of a button. Instead, it's like farming: slow, incremental, often invisible, and dependent on creating the right conditions.Scripture References1 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all... are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."Romans 8:28-30: God's purpose is for us to be "conformed to the image of his Son."Luke 8:4-15: The Parable of the Sower, illustrating four types of soil and the importance of perseverance for a harvest.1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."Key PointsDon't Settle for Less: The pastor's confession highlights the temptation to settle when tired of contending. Whether in finances, relationships, or faith, God often calls us to press on rather than accept the status quo. We need community to spur us on when our own faith is weak.Growth is Like Agriculture, Not an App: Spiritual transformation is not a "zap" or a flash. It is organic, often invisible to the naked eye, and happens over time. Jesus used agricultural metaphors (soil, seed, harvest) because they accurately reflect how the Kingdom of God works.Intentionality vs. Accident: No one accidentally gets a great marriage, a fit body, or a deep relationship with Jesus. While growth ultimately comes from God (like a tree growing), we must be intentional about creating the conditions for that growth (planting, watering, tending). We cannot drift into spiritual maturity.The Parable of the Soils: Jesus explains that the same seed (God's Word) produces different results based on the soil of our hearts.Path: The enemy snatches the word away.Rocky Ground: No root; faith withers in testing.Thorns: Choked by worries, riches, and pleasures; does not mature.Good Soil: Hears, retains, and perseveres to produce a crop.ConclusionGod has a plan for your growth in 2026. He desires your transformation even more than you do. While we must be intentional, we can rest in the promise that "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." We are invited to partner with Him, tending the soil of our hearts so that His Word can produce a harvest.Calls to ActionAssess Your Intentions: On a scale of 1-10, how intentional are you about your spiritual growth? Move from hoping for accidental growth to planning for intentional formation.Refuse to Settle: identify areas where you have stopped contending for God's best (marriage, health, faith) and ask Him for renewed faith to press on.Tend Your Soil: As we begin this series, prepare your heart to receive God's Word. Identify any "rocks" or "thorns" (worries, distractions) that might be choking your growth. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

John 13:12–17,When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.In the year 1521, an artist named Lucas Cranach published a pamphlet of several woodcut images he had made of the pope. The printing press had been around almost a hundred years, but only a small fraction of the population could read, and so pictures were an important way to get a message across. And in these woodcuts images, Cranach, who was a good friend of Martin Luther, had two panels side by side: on the right side was a depiction of Pope Leo, but on the first side was a depiction of Jesus. And one of his most famous woodcuts features the scene of Jesus in John 13. The text beneath the image is our passage today, John 13:14–17.In this image of Jesus, you can see he is basically doing what the passage says: his disciples, a ragtag looking bunch, are huddled together in line, and Jesus is stooped down on his knees, by a water basin, washing their feet. We're supposed to contrast that image with the image on the other side: it's the pope sitting on an elevated platform, and there's a room full of dignitaries, and they're all in line to kiss his feet. It's clear that the pope is doing the exact opposite of Christ, which is why the heading at the top, on the right side, says, “Antichrist.” Some of you may know, our Reformation forefathers thought the pope was the antichrist — and I just wanna say they were not crazy to think that because the pope literally did antichrist things … And nothing made that more obvious than how the pope treated people so differently from how Jesus did. See John 13 was (and is) a standard of authenticity for every true disciple of Jesus. We should read this passage and ask ourselves: Does anything in my life look anything close to what Jesus is doing here? If you could put a picture of yourself on that right side, what would it look like?I believe it's God's providence that John 13 is our text at the very beginning of 2026. And we're gonna look closely at this passage today, but here's my goal: I want this passage to shape a prayer for our church for this entire year. The prayer is this: that we would grow as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's the prayer — and there's a lot we could say about this — but I wanna start with the most basic this morning. Following the words of Jesus in this passage, I want to tell you three reasons we should serve one another like Jesus serves us. Here's the first. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …1. Because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord (vv. 12–13)Look at verse 12. This is after Jesus has washed his disciples' feet. John tells us that Jesus basically cleaned himself up, sat back at the table, and then he began to teach with his words. See, the whole thing has been teaching, but now it's formal. And the first thing Jesus says, the end of verse 12, is:“Do you understand what I have done to you?”He's implying here that they don't understand, which is what he already said in verse 7. In verse 7, Jesus told the disciples: Hey, you don't get what I'm doing now, but you will later. And now is that later: Jesus is about to explain the meaning of his washing their feet — and we're on the edge of our seats for this!What Jesus did was shocking enough, but now he's gonna tell us the deeper meaning. He starts in verse 13. Verse 13:“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.”Notice the first thing Jesus does here is affirm the disciples. He starts by telling the disciples something they get right. And what they get right is who Jesus is. He is their “Teacher and Lord.”The word “Lord” here could be just a respectful way of talking to somebody with authority, but we know it's more than that in the New Testament. This is a confession of the deity of Jesus. Jesus is God the Son. He is the Lord Jesus. And we would expect this word to be front and center in what Jesus is called.But look at that word “teacher” in verse 13 — it's another way to say rabbi. And “rabbi” or “teacher” — that was something these early Jewish disciples called Jesus, but we don't really use that language today, at least not in our circles. I grew up in the church, and I've been a Christian for about three decades, and I don't know that I've ever heard anyone refer to Jesus as their “Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ.” But why don't we say that? That's a fair question to ask, isn't it? Because Jesus says it is right to call him Teacher, but we don't. So why not?It's actually a simple answer. It's because we combine Jesus as Teacher with his identity as Lord. This comes through in our third baptism vow: We affirm that, “with God's help, we will obey the teachings of Jesus and follow him as Lord, Savior, and Treasure.” “Learn from me”So we may not use the word “Teacher” but it is absolutely implied! This is the way we relate to Jesus as his disciples — we obey his teachings, we follow him. I think it's okay that we don't commonly call Jesus our “Teacher” — but it's okay only as long as we know he is that to us. He's certainly more to us than Teacher, but never less — Jesus teaches us how to live in this world!I think of Jesus's famous invitation in Matthew Chapter 11 to come to him and find rest. Remember he says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me …” (Matthew 11:29). Learn from Jesus how to live!Or in the Book of Ephesians, Paul warns us not to live like the Gentiles — because their hearts are hardened and they're full of greed — and Paul says, “That is not the way you learned Christ!” (Ephesians 4:20). Hear that? We learn Christ. We learn from him! Jesus is our Teacher. It is right to call him that, but what matters most is that we know that's who he is. And when we know that, when that fact is established, then of course we're gonna do what he says. This is foundational: we should serve one another like Jesus serves us because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord, and he tells us to. And we could stop here, to be honest, because that's enough. But there's more. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …2. Because Jesus has given us an example (vv. 14–16)This is verses 14–16, and it's really the central part of the passage. So let's read it again, and notice this whole unit is an argument. Verse 14: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.The logic of what Jesus says is grounded in the disciples' relationship to him — the Teacher/disciple relationship is implied, but Jesus names two more relationships in verse 16: master/servant, and then sender/messenger. We see that in verse 16.Now, what's the same in all of these relationships is that there's a hierarchy, and in each one, Jesus is the superior and we are the inferior. This is vital to the argument. Jesus is saying plainly in verse 14: If I, your superior, have washed the feet on my inferiors, then my inferiors ought to wash one another's feet.And in case we get stuck on the feet-washing part, in verse 15 Jesus explains that what he did was an example bigger than feet. Jesus has given us a model for how we treat one another.He has given us a pattern for all of life — it's not about one specific act of washing feet, but this is about a way of being. This is how we live together as the body of Christ: we serve one another the way Christ served us — which included washing our feet.And so, get this: if our Teacher, our Master, if he went that low to serve us, what would we consider too low in serving one another? See what he did there? Jesus has opened up for us endless possibilities of good works. Because now, following his example, nothing can be too low. Nothing can be too inconvenient. The degree of our serving is not determined by our station, but by the needs of our brothers and sisters. That is not the way it is in the world! Seriously, don't try this at work! Stick to your job description.What About Spiritual Gifts?But the local church is different. And this is where, heads up, we need to be careful with the topic of spiritual gifts. Now we're gonna get there one day in First Corinthians, but let me just offer a word of caution here … There is a school of thought that says it's incumbent that every Christian find a church where they can use their spiritual gifts. But see, the problem with this thinking is that it can lead individual Christians to hop from church to church asking the questions, “Can I use my gift here? … Can I use my gift here? What about here? Here? Who wants this gift?” And look, it's not bad to want to use your gift, but, instead of looking for the church where you can use your gift, how about commit to a church and let the first thing you ask be: What are the needs? Where can I help? Show me the places where I can follow the example of my Teacher and wash some feet!Look, I'm not gonna mention names (because I don't wanna embarrass anybody), but I've seen that kind of needs-first serving in this church over and over again. And when the whole church serves one another this way — in the example Jesus has given us — it is one of the most beautiful, compelling realities on the planet. Because Jesus is the only reason it makes sense. He is our Teacher and Lord, and he gave us an example.Here's the third reason. We serve one another the way Jesus served us …3. Because there is a blessing that comes through doing (v. 17)This is verse 17, and it's a verse that I want everybody to see. There are few keywords in this verse that we're gonna focus on, but first, everybody find verse 17. Chapter 13, verse 17, Jesus says:“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”First word to see here is “blesséd.” This is a wonderful word. It's used 50 times in the whole New Testament, and 40 of those times are by Jesus himself. I think that counts as one of his favorite words! And the most famous place Jesus used this word was during his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus starts that sermon with what's called the Beatitudes. You've heard these before …“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” …Jesus goes on to mention nine different blesséds, and none of them are what you'd expect. They turn the way of the world upside down — which tells us that Jesus's idea of “blessedness” is probably different too. To be blessed, according to Jesus, does not mean to be comfortable or to have things easy — it does not mean more power, money, and fame (that's the world's idea). But to be blessed according to Jesus means to be truly happy in relation to God — it's about the ‘good life' under the kingdom of God, which is the only ‘good life' that is true and lasting. To be blessed according to Jesus is not cheap fun, but it's a deep joy in God, given by God.Don't we want that? I'll take some of that in the New Year! The Way to BlessingWell, good news! Jesus is gonna tell us how we can get it. Everybody track with me — Look back at verse 17: Jesus starts, “If you know these things” — what things? He's talking about what he has just said. He's talking about the explanation he just gave in verses 14–15 for what he was doing in washing their feet. Jesus is saying: If you know I've given you an example! Or: now that you know I've given you an example! — Hey, it's good to know things isn't it? I'm so thankful that we can read the Word of God and know things about God and about life. It is a gift to know, amen. And we wanna grow in our knowledge! (2 Peter 3:18).But in verse 17, where does Jesus saying the blessing is?Verse 17: “If you know these things — or, now that you know I've given you an example … Blessed are you if you [have a Bible study and talk more about it] …Blessed are you if you [listen to a sermon and take good notes] …All goods things. But what does Jesus say in verse 17?“If you now know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”Do them. Like in real life, actually do the thing. Do what Jesus did!But Your Neighbor DoesYou know, thanks be to God, the heart of the gospel is that we are saved by grace, not by works. Romans 4:4, Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.Amen! We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. It's like Martin Luther said:“God does not need your good works … but your neighbor does.” Your brother does. Your sister does.Listen: there is a blessing from Jesus that you can only have when you serve others the way he serves us. That's why we're joyful servants!And again, the blessing is not comfort. It's not ease. It's not convenience. It's not power, money, and fame. In fact, in the serving it's pretty much the opposite of all those things. There are at least moments of discomfort, difficulty, and inconvenience. You stoop low, at a cost, with no fanfare. But Jesus says, in doing that you will be blessed.And we all raised our hands and said we want that blessing. All that's left is the doing. How Does That Look?What does that look like for you? (Come back at 5 tonight to hear more about this), but I want to ask you now: in this New Year, in what ways are you gonna follow the example of Jesus, and do what he did? Where are the needs in our church, the needs around you, that God would call you to meet?Hey, let me just say: for those of us who are worried about our church growing this year, if we just do this, we're gonna be okay. The question is not: Am I going to be cared for with all these people here? The question is: How can I serve all these people the way Jesus served me?And when we're all asking that … it's beautiful.And look: it starts here. It starts with me; it starts with the pastors. All of us are in the same boat in that we all want to be more like Jesus. I'll tell you a story I thought of last week, and this is kinda crazy, because I haven't thought of this in 22 years, but it popped in my head a few days ago. When I was a freshman in college and trying to figure out God's calling on my life, I went to an FCA event to hear this guest preacher who was talking about calling. And I don't remember his message other than this one story he told, about a dream he had. This guy has preached to people all over the country, and seen a lot of fruit, and he had this dream where he was sitting on a white horse … He is sitting on this horse, looking out over all the people he had preached the gospel to. And then he sees Jesus walking up to him, through this crowd of people, and when Jesus finally gets to him, Jesus looks up and says, “Hey, would you get off my horse?”The guy said: Hey, whatever Jesus is calling you to in life, it's never to be on his horse.We've actually seen in John 13, Jesus calls us to serve like he serves. And I want you to know: your pastors are in this for that. That's my heart for you. And what I'm about to say — I don't mean this as anything different from the past, but I just wanna tell you: with God's help, I'm gonna serve you the best I can this year. With all the grace that God supplies.And that's our prayer together, for all of us. It's that God would grow us as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's what leads us to the Table.The TableI want us to sense in a new way the wonder that we are children of God. We are brothers and sisters of Jesus, and one another, and we live by him and for him. It's all grace! All gift! And at this Table we rest in that.We come here to thank Jesus for his cross and resurrection, and to receive afresh all that he is for us — Lord, Savior, Treasure, and Teacher.

Overcomer Covenant Church exists to advance the Kingdom of God, locally and globally, by preaching the Gospel, partnering with other ministries, and planting churches. To support Overcomer and help us continue to reach people all around the world, click here: https://overcomercc.org/give If you've just made a decision for Christ, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/saved If this is your first time joining us, click the link today - https://overcomercc.org/newhere —— Stay Connected! Website: https://overcomercc.org YouTube: https://youtube.com/@overcomercc Instagram: https://instagram.com/overcomercc Facebook: https://facebook.com/overcomercc

Homily – Repent… and Change the World (Embrace Boredom) Sunday before Theophany 2 Timothy 4:5–8; St. Mark 1:1–8 This is the Sunday before Theophany, when the Church sets before us St. John the Baptist and his ministry of repentance—how he prepared the world to receive the God-man, Jesus Christ. John was the son of the priest Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, the cousin of the Mother of God. When Mary visited Elizabeth during her pregnancy, John leapt in his mother's womb. But what we sometimes forget is what followed. While Zachariah was serving in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and foretold that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb, that he would turn many of Israel back to God, and that he would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah—preparing a people ready to receive Him. That preparation came at great cost. When the wise men later alerted Herod to the birth of the Messiah, Herod ordered the slaughter of all male children two years old and under. John would have been among them. Elizabeth fled with her son into the wilderness. When soldiers came seeking the child, Zachariah refused to reveal his whereabouts and was martyred between the temple and the altar. Elizabeth soon died, and John grew up in the wilderness, emerging years later to preach repentance and prepare the way of the Lord. John's ministry brings us toward the heart of Theophany. This feast reveals humanity's true relationship with creation. From the Fall onward, mankind failed to live according to his calling. Creation continued to respond as God ordained, but human sin distorted that relationship. Christ alone entered creation without sin, and so creation responded to Him with blessing, not resistance. As we sing at Theophany, "The Jordan was driven back." The corruption in the water fled from His presence, and the waters became holy. This is not only Christ's work—it is also our calling. United to Him, we are meant to bring healing and grace to the world. But first, we must listen to John. First, we must prepare. And preparation begins with repentance.  This is the calling of the Baptizer: "REPENT!" Why is repentance so necessary? Because even when we want to do good in the world, our inner lives are disordered. Without healing, our efforts—however sincere—can miss the mark or even cause harm. This is not because we are evil people, but because we are wounded people living in a wounded world; because we are corrupted people living in a corrupted world.  Without repentance, our action in the cosmos – here represented as the Jordan – is corrupting rather than salvific. A story may help. In nineteenth-century Vienna, infant mortality was tragically high. Doctors were educated and well-intentioned, yet many babies died under their care. Ignaz Semmelweis discovered why: doctors who washed their hands before delivering babies had dramatically better outcomes. Those who did not—even with the best intentions—were spreading disease. Many doctors resisted this discovery. They were offended by the suggestion that they were unclean. But the truth remained: no matter how good their intentions, if they did not wash their hands, they caused harm. It is the same with us. We have tremendous power to change the world—with our time, our money, and our love. But if we have not allowed God to heal us, we will unintentionally pass along the wounds we carry. The Church teaches that this wound affects and disorders every part of us.  This includes the three parts of our mind. First, it affects and disorders our desires. We were created to desire what is good, true, and beautiful, but over time those desires become confused. We begin to crave things that promise comfort or distraction, yet leave us restless and unsatisfied. Much of modern life is built around amplifying these cravings, which makes it difficult to recognize how shaped we have been until we step back. Second, it affects and disorders our thinking. We all rely on ideas and narratives to make sense of the world, but we absorb far more than we realize—from media, culture, and the people around us. Even when we know manipulation exists, we often assume it affects others more than ourselves. Learning to think clearly and truthfully takes time, patience, and humility. Third,  it affects and disorders the heart—the spiritual center of the person, which the Church calls the nous. It is meant to perceive God and discern what leads to life. But the heart, too, becomes clouded. Instead of clarity, we experience confusion; instead of peace, anxiety. This does not mean the heart is useless—it means it needs healing. This is why repentance is required. Repentance is the decision to stop pretending we are already whole and to place ourselves where healing is possible. So repentance cannot remain a vague desire. It must become practical—like doctors washing their hands. That means first stepping away from what continually stirs and infects our wounds. Cut back on social media. Reduce news consumption. Step away from political and religious commentators who thrive on outrage. If something is truly good, it can be added back later. Right now, many of us need distance so our discernment can recover.  We need some boredom so that we can recover our sanity. Second, we need to return to the basics. The prayers and services of the Church are reliable. They are not entertaining—but they are not meant to be. We are addicted to stimulation, and healing requires quiet faithfulness. After prayer comes Scripture—not commentary about Scripture, but Scripture itself. And then silence. Instead of constant noise, spend time working quietly, reading a good book (a book free of targeted advertising), or simply being still. Another part of repentance is restoring the rhythms of daily life within our homes: cooking together, cleaning together, eating together, talking, working, and resting together. These ordinary practices form character and community—precisely what the world works so hard to replace with habits that isolate, distracts, and exhaust us. Let me conclude simply. Without repentance, we carry our wounds into the world and pass them on. With repentance, Christ's healing flows through us into our families, our parish, and our communities. This is why the voice of St. John the Baptist still echoes today: "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." The Kingdom is within you. Repent. Wash your soul. And let God's healing mercy work through you. If you are new to the Church, remember this: repentance does not mean hating yourself or trying to fix everything at once. It means turning toward Christ and trusting Him enough to let Him heal you. The Church gives us safe and reliable ways to begin—prayer, worship, Scripture, and a quieter life. Stay close to these, and over time you will find that Christ not only changes you, but also begins to heal the world through you.  This is the sacramental reality of Theophany.

Bob covers John 3: 1-12, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again to see the kingdom of God.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The previous episode in this series, i.e. BMS ep. 396, Installment 9: Cleansing the Temple.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Nicodemus was confused the night when Jesus fi... More...

He's never far,you just think He is.Your dream isn't out of reach,you just think it is.That problem is not unsolvable,you just think so.So what must you do?You don't have to stop thinking.In the moment you hear Silence,you're not thinking.You're Causing.You're Seeing again,that the lessons are Blessings,that everything is Grace.All of It.Affirm: 'My whole life has changed'.Your whole life has changed.Watch.I Love you,Niknikki@curlynikki.comSupport the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________Today's Quotes:"Blessings look like lessons from far away."-Pharrell Williams"At a distance you can only see My Light, come closer and know that I Am you."-Rumi"That moment didn't cause you to feel GoOD, in that moment you became aware of the Cause and that felt good. "-Nik"When you can't hear God, read God."-@SardineBread via IG "...He speaks, and the sound of His voice, is so sweet, the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me,within my Heart is ringing.And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own.And the joy we share as we tarry there,none other has ever known." -Yogananda"If you have ever been distant from God, but somehow found yourself praying again, praising again, thinking about him again, it's because god was working behind the scenes to bring you back to Him. He isn't letting you go." -@RefreshedQuotes via IG"Just as thoughts about your home crowd into your mind as you draw nearer to your dwelling place, so also the closer you get to God, the greater grows the joy derived from the ever increasing variety of experiences of the Divine." - Sri Anandamayi Ma"It is high time that we realized that it is pointless to praise the light and preach it if nobody can see it. It is much more needful to preach the art of seeing." -Carl Jung"Maybe if we chased God as hard as we chase people, God would give us people we don't have to chase. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will be added!" -@RefreshedQuotes via IG