Podcasts about pastor cj

White Flag Series | Week 3: White Flag or White Lie? — Motion Church Podcast This week in the White Flag series, we pause for the hardest question of the entire series. Not what surrender costs. Not what surrender gives. But something far more uncomfortable: Have you actually done it? This message, delivered by Pastor CJ, lands right in the middle of the series with a challenge most of us aren't ready for. It's easy to love the idea of surrender. It's easy to raise your hands in worship, know the right songs, say the right things, and show up on Sunday. But as Pastor CJ puts it — our hands are raised in worship while our hearts are still on the weapons. There is a massive difference between inviting Jesus into your life and giving Jesus your life. The title says it all: White Flag or White Lie. Because if we're being honest, most of us don't surrender to God — we negotiate. We bargain. We manage our relationship with God in a way that quietly keeps control in our own hands. And some of us have gotten so good at looking surrendered that we've convinced ourselves we actually are. Grounded in Matthew 16:24-25 and Galatians 2:20, this message walks through what it truly means to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. It unpacks the dangerous illusion of control — the calendars we fill, the timelines we set, the futures we map out — all while holding a steering wheel that doesn't control the road. Life, eventually, exposes the illusion. But the most powerful moment comes from the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus himself showed us what real surrender looks like — honest enough to say "Father, take this cup from me" and surrendered enough to follow it with "nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done." Church, surrender begins when preference ends. This is a message for anyone who has been doing it their own way for too long. Anyone chasing success but feeling no peace. Anyone climbing ladders while their soul still feels empty. Because God doesn't bless the life we build for ourselves — he blesses the life we surrender to him. God is not looking for perfect people. He's looking for surrendered ones.

Friendship in Marriage | Song of Solomon 5:10–16Marriage is more than romance, responsibility, or commitment. At its best, marriage is friendship — the kind of friendship that helps each person become more like Jesus.In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole Witkoe bring together key themes from the friendship series and apply them to marriage. Looking at Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride describes her beloved as both “my lover” and “my friend,” this message explores how friendship strengthens marriage through companionship, investment, encouragement, and shared mission.Marriage was designed by God to bring out the best in one another. But because of sin, companionship can become competition. Instead of championing each other, couples can drift into comparison, control, criticism, and distance. This message invites husbands and wives to rediscover what it means to stand side by side, celebrate each other's strengths, walk through grief together, and build the Kingdom as a team.From Genesis 2 to Proverbs 18, from Jesus' circles of intimacy to the example of Priscilla and Aquila, this sermon shows that deep friendship in marriage does not happen by accident. It takes time, attention, reassurance, celebration, mission, and the willingness to keep choosing the person beside you.The goal is not simply to have a better date night. The goal is to build a marriage where your spouse is not just your partner, but your beloved friend.In this message: Why who you are with shapes where you are going  How marriage was designed for side-by-side companionship  Why sin turns companionship into competition  What it means to champion your spouse instead of compete with them  Why deep friendship requires intentional investment  How to celebrate the mountains and grieve in the gardens together  What Priscilla and Aquila teach us about marriage on mission  Why friendship with your spouse points to friendship with God Whether you are married, preparing for marriage, or hoping to grow in your understanding of godly relationships, this message is an invitation to see marriage as a place where love, friendship, discipleship, and mission come together.Scripture: Song of Solomon 5:10–16 Message Title: Friendship in Marriage Speakers: Pastor CJ Witkoe and Nicole Witkoe Core theme: Marriage is about championing the person beside you.

Understanding God's provision moves us from loving the gift for what it does to worshiping the Giver for who He is.

We pray that our faith will continue to grow even stronger during these uncertain times. Let us remember that we have a God who provides for us. 

How can the hope of resurrection strengthen our faith and obedience in our daily walk with Christ?

Pastor CJ does a message on Abraham's journey to obedience.

In this gospel, Jesus proclaims blindness is not sinful. All are created in the beloved image of God without limitations or ability and we need each other to be whole. Come hear the story of acceptance and be reminded of your place in God’s community.  Pastor CJ shared a sermon this week written by Rev. […]

The gospel is not made true by belief but is true regardless of belief.

Jesus alone has the power to save. He is the only one who deserves all glory and praise.

A generous community becomes a living invitation to experience the love of Christ.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Eddie, Pastor Henry, Pastor CJ, and Pastor Corey take a deeper look at 1 Corinthians 12 and The Gifts of the Spirit.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Eddie, Pastor Henry, Pastor CJ, and Pastor Corey take a deeper look at 1 Corinthians 12 and The Gifts of the Spirit.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Eddie, Pastor Henry, Pastor CJ, and Pastor Corey take a deeper look at 1 Corinthians 12 and The Gifts of the Spirit.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Eddie, Pastor Henry, Pastor CJ, and Pastor Corey take a deeper look at 1 Corinthians 12 and The Gifts of the Spirit.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Corey, Pastor Leslie, and Pastor CJ take a deeper look at John 3:5-8; Titus 3:4-7 and the Work of the Spirit in Salvation.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Corey, Pastor Leslie, and Pastor CJ take a deeper look at John 3:5-8; Titus 3:4-7 and the Work of the Spirit in Salvation.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Corey, Pastor Leslie, and Pastor CJ take a deeper look at John 3:5-8; Titus 3:4-7 and the Work of the Spirit in Salvation.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

As a follow up to Sunday services, Pastor Corey, Pastor Leslie, and Pastor CJ take a deeper look at John 3:5-8; Titus 3:4-7 and the Work of the Spirit in Salvation.Preachers Corner contains bonus episodes where our preachers take a deeper dive into the Scriptures taught in recent Sunday services.

Receive His peace for our fears, embrace His purpose for our journey, and walk in His power for the mission ahead.

Consecration and fasting means living in gratitude for His blessing.

If we want to know what God is like, let's look at Jesus—His love, compassion, and truth.

Faith comes from God's Word. The Bible is the living source that fuels our belief and trust in Him

In today's changing world, let us stay rooted in God's unchanging Word.

Our ultimate hope is not in our record but in our Redeemer.

Let us worship God and calm our souls from the cares of this world as we wait and put our hope in Him.

Samson was called, gifted, and chosen by God—yet his pride and compromise led to a total trainwreck. His story is a warning of what happens when we walk away from God, but also a powerful reminder that His compassion never quits.In this message, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Samson's rise and fall, the danger of compromise, and the hope of Jesus who meets us in our lowest moments.If you've ever felt like you've gone too far or failed too much, this message is for you.

Depression is real. It can feel like living under a constant wave of trouble, powerless and overwhelmed—even when the “wave” is only half a foot tall. Proverbs 15:15 says:“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”Are you struggling with depression, feeling powerless, or overwhelmed by life? In this sermon, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Proverbs 15:15 and John 1:16 to show how Jesus brings freedom, joy, and a continual feast of grace—even in seasons of sorrow.We'll cover:Why despondency leads to bondageHow sin and compromise fuel depressionThe difference between shame and convictionWhy “authentic misery” isn't the answerHow joy is found not in circumstances, but in ChristWhy the gospel is the true antidote to despair

Pastor CJ shares from Scripture truths about the Nation of Israel.

Are we living a life that reflects the forgiveness God has given?

We have been given a better way, a new covenant, and a perfect mediator in Jesus Christ.

Pastor CJ preaches a dynamic message about God's direction for your life.

May we know God and His will more as we seek Him during this time of prayer and fasting.

Speaker: CJ Johnson

How's the Word of God in us? How can we pass the Word to the next generation?

Speaker: CJ Johnson

Speaker: CJ Johnson

Pastor CJ shares a dynamic message from Joshua 24

Today, let us include our nation's leaders in our prayers.

God's eyes are upon those who hope in His goodness, assuring us that our hope is not in vain.

Speaker: CJ Johnson

The most meaningful act of generosity comes from an understanding that our Savior gave first.

Pastor CJ jumps in this Sunday morning to talk through three wrong ways we look at God, and three ways that Jesus shows us something different.

As we worship, may the Lord lead us to His truth and align us to His will.

Our hope is that we always go back to the cross and see Christ's sacrifice and love for us.

Pastor CJ walks us through the ways we're called to engage with God and our world as a daily Rhythm, just like breathing.

This is our hope today - that we see the goodness of God and choose to serve Him today until the rest of our lives.

As we seek God in worship, may our faith also be a testimony to our families.

Our true riches can and will only come from the Lord.

We lay Jesus as the foundation of our lives. May we all trust the work of the Lord in our lives, in our relationships, and in our ministry.