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“For everything there is a season …” You might recognize these words (“turn, turn, turn”) as lyrics to a song made popular in the '60s. But thousands of years before that, they were written as the opening of a poem in the book of Ecclesiastes about the cyclical nature of life. Just as we have no control over summer turning to fall, we can't alter the cycles of life. There is indeed a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to weep. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 3, Pastor J.D. gives us helpful principles for not only navigating life in a world we can't control, but enjoying it for what it is: a gift from God.
In the book of Colossians, Paul makes it clear that Jesus is not just a character in God's story; he's the author of the story. He's before all things. He's above all things. He's first in all things. In light of who Jesus is, Pastor J.D. asks one simple but revolutionary question: Is Jesus just important to you, or is he truly first in your life?
You’ll likely notice a common message in the ads and marketing that surround us: the accumulation of more things equals happiness. But with a “never enough” mindset, it’s impossible to be what God desires us to be: cheerful givers. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, Pastor J.D. helps us to see a kind of giving that is motivated not by guilt, but as a response to the grace that we have received. When we have this as our focus, we can move from asking, “What must I give?” to “What do I get to give?”
The book of Ecclesiastes is often regarded as one of the most confusing (and perhaps depressing) books in the entire Bible. But the truth is, it's one that raises—and provides real answers to—some of the core questions of life. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 1, Pastor J.D. addresses three common approaches that the world takes to finding meaning in life. These approaches, it's no surprise, come up short time and time again. And that's because the only satisfying answer for “life under the sun” is actually to embrace life above the sun—that is, life with God, the only one who truly imbues our lives with meaning.
We’re likely familiar with the call from Jesus to seek the kingdom of God above all other things, but our financial decisions are one indicator of what we are truly seeking. In this message from Haggai 1–2, Pastor J.D. encourages us to consider how our giving reflects the priority we have placed on God in our hearts and lives. Just as the Israelites fell to the temptation to place their own comforts and priorities ahead of their worship of God, we are still susceptible to this today. By reorienting our hearts, we can ensure that the stewardship of our finances is in alignment with God’s kingdom.
A legacy is inherently something that reaches far beyond us, making an impact long after we’re gone. So how do we approach the stewardship of our money in a way that leaves a lasting legacy? In this message from Luke 16, Pastor J.D. takes us through one of Jesus’ parables to show us how leveraging our resources for eternity truly is the wisest course of action. If we believe that everything ultimately belongs to God, this will radically change the way in which we handle our finances.
Upon reading example after disastrous example from Israel's history, it's tempting to just give up and throw in the towel. After all, if these previous generations weren't able to avoid stumbling and falling, what hope is there for us? In this week's message from the last six verses of Jude, Pastor J.D. shows us that the answer is found in one action: to keep ourselves in the love of God. But it doesn't end there. Because the Christian life is meant to be lived in community, we also have a responsibility to help others who are struggling—even at the expense of our own comfort.
In this message Pastor J.R. teaches that unforgiveness creates an internal debt that can keep us chained to the people and wounds of our past. Forgiveness does not minimize what happened or pretend the debt was never real, but instead releases our desire to personally collect what we feel is owed to us. He explains that we must count the cost, honestly acknowledge the hurt, and then close the account by trusting God with justice rather than demanding personal payment. Pastor J.R. emphasizes that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same, because forgiveness is freely given while trust is earned and access is determined by wisdom. Ultimately, because Jesus canceled our much greater debt through the cross, we can choose to forgive others and tear up the invoice instead of allowing their repayment to control our peace.
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In this final message from our series through 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. walks through Paul's final, rapid-fire exhortations. Often what we learn from others is more caught than taught, and the final chapter in this book exemplifies that truth. As Paul bounces from topic to topic—principles on giving, the need for courage, dealing with opposition, discerning God's will—we see a snapshot of a faithful Christian life. And in seeing it, we are encouraged to “go and do likewise.”
In this Easter message, Pastor J.D. explains that whether or not the resurrection is true, we should all want it to be true. In 1 Corinthians 15, we see that this incredible news is, in fact, true. Jesus has entered into our greatest fear—death—and has defeated and overturned it forever. And because he lives, everything has changed.
In the second part of our interview with the new pastor of the Trinity Church in Melbourne, Jörn Foth, he talks about his experience in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and the challenges of working in the favelas. He talks about how this experience changed his beliefs and why he doesn't see secularization as a threat. - Im zweiten Teil unseres Interviews mit dem neuen Pastor der Dreifaltigkeitsgemeinde in Melbourne, Jörn Foth, berichtet er von seiner Erfahrung in Sao Paolo, Brasilien, und welche Herausforderungen die Arbeit in den Favelas mit sich brachte. Er erzählt, wie diese Erfahrung seinen Glauben veränderte und warum er die Säkularisierung nicht als Bedrohung ansieht.
In this message, Pastor J.R. teaches that unforgiveness can feel like carrying a heavy chain, keeping us emotionally connected to people even when they are no longer part of our lives. He explains that bitterness works both ways, often allowing old wounds to leak into new relationships, friendships, and even the way we see God. Pastor J.R. reminds us that pain may be part of our story, but it does not have to become our identity, because in Christ we are a new creation and our offenders do not get to write our ending. He emphasizes that forgiven people forgive people, encouraging us to remember how much we have already been forgiven rather than allowing bitterness to control us. Finally, he challenges us to stop defending the prison of unforgiveness, recognize what or who may have come to mind, and begin surrendering the chain to Jesus, even if the first prayer is simply admitting that we are not ready yet.
In this message from 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor J.D. takes a look at how Paul responds to some of the Corinthians who are saying there's no resurrection of the dead. In his answer, Paul shows them that belief in our bodily resurrection is as core a Christian concept as you can get. It's not a secondary or peripheral belief; it's at the core of Christian hope.
Jörn Foth is the new pastor of the German Trinity Church in Melbourne. Before moving Down Under, he served in Sao Paolo, Atlanta and the Allgäu. In part one of our interview, he shares why he became a pastor and how he built a thriving German-speaking church community in Atlanta. - Der neue Pastor der Dreifaltigkeitsgemeinde in Melbourne heißt Jörn Foth. Er hat bereits Stationen in Sao Paolo, Atlanta und im Allgäu hinter sich. Im ersten Teil unseres Interviews berichtet er, warum er sich für den Pastorenberuf entschieden hat und wie er in Atlanta eine deutschsprachige Kirchengemeinde aufgebaut hat.
In this message from 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. walks through what some might call “the rowdy chapter” of Paul's letter, the one about spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy. As a church, we should be open to and desirous of these spectacular gifts, being careful to avoid fleshly limitation and pursuing them in the way the Bible instructs us to.
Celebration of Life service for Sis Cindy Nealy
If you've ever had the unfortunate experience of discovering termites in your home, you know the frustration of realizing that surfaces that you thought were solid are actually badly damaged. Sadly, a similar thing happens in many churches when false teachers creep in unnoticed, harming a church from the inside. In this week's message from the first four verses of Jude, Pastor J.D. shows us how we see the manifestation of this kind of corruption in the church today. It is only when we are clear on what the gospel truly is that we are able to guard against this danger and preserve the faith entrusted to us.
In this message Pastor J.R. teaches that faith is not about having enough confidence in ourselves, but about placing our trust in the greatness of God even when the "mountains" in our lives seem impossible to move. Using the story of Jesus healing the demon possessed boy in Matthew 17, he explains that the disciples failed because they relied on past experiences instead of maintaining present dependence on God. He emphasizes that God is not looking for mountain sized faith, but mustard seed faith that is rooted in His power, reminding us that the size of our God matters far more than the size of our faith. Pastor J.R. challenges the church to take the next step of obedience, whether that means serving, inviting others, reconciling relationships, or trusting God with difficult circumstances because faith prays and then acts. He closes by encouraging everyone that addictions, fear, the past, and even the greatest obstacles do not have the final word, because God is able to move mountains and accomplish what seems impossible.
https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGoalsPod?sub_confirmation=1Having Life to THE FULL in Christ00:00:00 Family Morning Routine and Health Supplements00:01:51 Pastor J's First Use of Dermatologist Shampoo00:07:44 Wimbledon Trip Experience and Ticket Strategies00:11:31 Tennis as a Strategic and Gentleman's Sport00:14:22 Faith Defense and Responding to Cultural Challenges00:15:48 Evangelism Techniques and Sharing Personal Testimony00:17:30 Biblical Reliability and Historical Evidence00:21:24 Creation, Evolution, and Belief in a Designer00:22:47 Impact of a Dad's Faith on Family SalvationYou are listening to David Pollack (College Football Hall-of-Famer & CFB Analyst) and Jonathan Howes (Lead Pastor of Graystone Church) have a weekly conversation about God, Family, and Sports.#familygoalspodcast #familygoals #ChristianityRespond in the comments, SUBSCRIBE and CLICK THE BELL for notificationsFOLLOW The Family Goals Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-goals-with-david-pollack-and-pastor-j/id1585214791X: https://x.com/familygoalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/familygoalspod/Toney Financial Services: https://www.toneyfinancialinc.com/Graystone Church: https://www.graystonechurch.com/FOLLOW See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPollackCFBhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-ball-get-ball-with-david-pollack/id1769665459Produced by: https://www.bigstoryco.com
https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGoalsPod?sub_confirmation=1Having Life to THE FULL in Christ00:00:00 Family Morning Routine and Health Supplements00:01:51 Pastor J's First Use of Dermatologist Shampoo00:07:44 Wimbledon Trip Experience and Ticket Strategies00:11:31 Tennis as a Strategic and Gentleman's Sport00:14:22 Faith Defense and Responding to Cultural Challenges00:15:48 Evangelism Techniques and Sharing Personal Testimony00:17:30 Biblical Reliability and Historical Evidence00:21:24 Creation, Evolution, and Belief in a Designer00:22:47 Impact of a Dad's Faith on Family SalvationYou are listening to David Pollack (College Football Hall-of-Famer & CFB Analyst) and Jonathan Howes (Lead Pastor of Graystone Church) have a weekly conversation about God, Family, and Sports.#familygoalspodcast #familygoals #ChristianityRespond in the comments, SUBSCRIBE and CLICK THE BELL for notificationsFOLLOW The Family Goals Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-goals-with-david-pollack-and-pastor-j/id1585214791X: https://x.com/familygoalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/familygoalspod/Toney Financial Services: https://www.toneyfinancialinc.com/Graystone Church: https://www.graystonechurch.com/FOLLOW See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPollackCFBhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-ball-get-ball-with-david-pollack/id1769665459Produced by: https://www.bigstoryco.com
In this message from 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. talks about a topic as popular as it is misunderstood—love. Our society seems smitten with notions of love, but at the same time, we don't seem to live in a fairy-tale land of love and grace. What does real love look like? And once we understand it, how can we, tangibly, become more loving? A dive into 1 Corinthians 13 shows us the most profound, powerful, and counter-cultural description of love ever written.
In this message from 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. takes a look at the topic of spiritual gifts. According to the Apostle Paul, God didn't establish his church as a collection of individuals, but as an interconnected body. I need you; you need me. Where do we see that interconnectedness most? In our spiritual gifts. None of us—and none of our brothers or sisters—can truly flourish until we know and exercise our gifts. In God's community, everybody has a special role to play. Every. Body. Including you.
Jim Daly and Pastor J.D. Greear explore how Christians can faithfully engage a polarized culture without losing sight of the gospel. Drawing from J.D.'s book Everyday Revolutionary, he challenges believers to avoid the twin errors of political disengagement and over-identifying Christian hope with political power. He explains the vital distinction between the mission of the church and the calling of individual Christians, urging the church to lead with grace and truth while remaining deeply rooted in community service.Everyday RevolutionaryBOOK: Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.SUPPORT REFOCUS! GIVE HERE!Send your feedback or questions to Jim in the Contact Form.
Message by Pastor J.J. Stanbridge Text: Nahum 3 The post Nahum – Week 3 appeared first on Flint Hill Baptist Church.
Pastor J. Bryant Lagoe Sunday School 7/26/26
Laziness is a sin that often hides in plain sight, disguised as rest or self-care. Proverbs 24:30-34 uses the image of a neglected vineyard to show what an undisciplined life looks like from the outside. The Bible identifies seven key characteristics of a lazy lifestyle, including trouble starting and finishing work, making excuses, and being wise in one's own eyes. The real cure for laziness is not simply working harder. It is a heart transformation that only comes through Jesus Christ. He was perfectly faithful in everything the Father gave Him to do, and through faith in Him, His faithfulness is credited to us. Because of the gospel, we have both the forgiveness for our failures and the power through the Holy Spirit to grow in faithfulness.https://www.ankenyfree.church
In this message from 1 Corinthians 11, Pastor J.D. picks up the most fundamental element of Christian worship—the bread and the cup of communion. When we share this meal together, we aren't merely remembering Jesus' last meal. We are entering into his presence. Come to this table. There is no place for religious pride here. No place for classism. No place for racial division. But there is a place for you.
In this message from our “Cutting Through the Noise” series, Pastor J.D. walks through one of the most confusing and misinterpreted passages in the entire New Testament. Along the way, we'll learn just how relevant first-century head coverings are for the hot button questions about gender (and gender identity) in the twenty-first. And we'll see that in Christ's service, every brother and sister finds unimaginable grace, inestimable value, and eternal purpose.
In this message Pastor J.R. teaches from Matthew 9 that no matter what burden people carry—whether shame, anxiety, brokenness, or failure—Jesus turns toward them with compassion and power. He contrasts Jairus' urgent plea for his daughter with the woman who had suffered for twelve years, emphasizing that Jesus stopped for her even in the middle of another crisis because every person matters to Him. Using the illustration of clean water being contaminated, he explains that sin affects every part of our lives, but unlike the Old Testament expectation of uncleanness spreading, Jesus' holiness and healing flow into those who come to Him in faith. Pastor J.R. reminds the church that our shame is not stronger than God's grace, our past is not stronger than His power, and that Jesus sees people as sons and daughters rather than defining them by their struggles.
In this message from our “Cutting Through the Noise” series, Pastor J.D. echoes the warnings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10, showing us the dangers of (and the deliverance from) idolatry. Much of what we seek in life—success, romance, family—is good. But when we make these good things into essential things, we find ourselves eaten up with anxiety, strife, suffering, and sin. Only one identity is strong enough to be our foundation—servant of God.
In this message from our “Cutting Through the Noise” series, Pastor J.D. picks up the analogy Paul uses in chapter 9—of an athlete in training—and asks us, “How can we run like disciplined athletes in pursuit of the race God has set before us?” Athletes are ruthless, eliminating everything that stands in the way of winning. And we should be the same. Whether we're looking at our personal preferences, our worship services, our political decisions, even our ethnic identity … we lay it all on the line for the sake of the gospel—that we might save some.
It's tempting to read verses like "Rejoice in the Lord always" and "Do not be anxious about anything" and dismiss them out of hand. They're nice sentiments, we might think, but ultimately, they're simply out of touch with reality. But as Pastor J.D. reminds us in this week's message from Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul wasn't exactly living in the lap of luxury as he wrote these words. On the contrary, they carry more weight precisely because he had endured so much suffering. We, too, can rejoice always—not because our circumstances are always good, but because our God is.
In this message Pastor J.R. teaches that true biblical strength is not about how much power a person has, but about who controls that power, explaining that meekness is strength surrendered to God's authority rather than weakness. He uses Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:5 and Christ's own example to show that real power is demonstrated through self-control, humility, and submission to the Father, even when there is the ability to retaliate. Pastor J.R. challenges men to become "dangerous but safe" by protecting others, mastering their own anger, appetites, and emotions, and leading their families with sacrificial love instead of domination. He emphasizes that feelings should never dictate decisions, warning that living by impulse leads to destruction while living by conviction produces lasting influence. The message concludes by encouraging believers to direct their strength toward what truly matters—their faith, family, and calling—because the strongest person is the one who has learned to place their power under God's control.
Pastor J. Bryant LagoeWednesday Evening 7/8/26
In this message from 1 Corinthians 7, Pastor J.D. addresses an issue that is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago—divorce. Broken marriages affect so many of us in the church, and we often fail to apply gospel hope to this painful experience. But the Apostle Paul offers real-world wisdom and gospel hope to those who are divorced, those who have considered divorce, those who have been hurt by divorce. Essentially, to all of us.
Pastor J. D. Greear shares practical insights and real-life stories to help believers reach our broken culture with the love of Christ. Hear his encouragement to meet people where they are, live as authentic examples of Jesus in everyday life, and make a lasting impact for the gospel. Receive a copy of Everyday Revolutionary and an audio download of "How to Represent Christ in Today's Culture" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Get More Episode Resources Share Your Story With Jim Daly If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.
In this message from 1 Corinthians 7, Pastor J.D. walks us through Paul's teaching on sex, singleness, and spiritual gifts. When it comes to marriage and singleness, it's easy for us to get disoriented. Outside the church, marriage seems less and less important. But inside the church, it can sometimes be elevated to the status of idol! So how do we understand God's design for both marriage and singleness? Simple: We follow the example of the Apostle Paul.
In this message Pastor J.R. teaches that real men do not run from their pain but bring it to God, explaining that mourning is not weakness but an act of honest strength that opens the door to God's comfort and healing. He contrasts the world's tendency to numb pain through distractions, work, anger, or other coping mechanisms with Jesus' call to honestly face brokenness, using both Scripture and the example of America's founders who sought God through prayer and repentance before facing their battles. Pastor J.R. outlines five characteristics of a real man: he faces his pain, names it honestly, takes ownership of it instead of blaming others, brings it to God in prayer and trusted relationships, and deals with it without delay. He emphasizes that godly sorrow leads to repentance, personal responsibility, and restoration, while avoiding pain only allows it to gain greater control over a person's life. The message concludes by reminding listeners that what is mourned before God can be healed by His grace, leading to true freedom to love, lead, and follow Jesus.
“Message by Pastor J.J. Stanbridge Text: Nahum 1:1-6 The post Nahum – Week 1 appeared first on Flint Hill Baptist Church.
As we continue through the book of 1 Corinthians in our series, “Cutting Through the Noise,” Pastor J.D. explores a topic that is as contentious to us today as it was to the people in Corinth—sex. Our society has a lot of competing ideas about what sex is for and what makes sex good. God has ideas, too. And since sex was his idea, it's well worth listening to the wisdom he has to share.
In this message from 1 Corinthians 5, Pastor J.D. teaches about the messy but necessary process of church discipline. We may find it harsh to hear what the Apostle Paul says about those who persist in sin. But if we truly care about our people, if we truly care about the vulnerable, if we truly care about our neighbors, if we truly care about Jesus' reputation … we will be faithful to confront our brothers and sisters in love.
One of the most important parts of applying for a job is presenting an impressive résumé. After all, your résumé is essentially an argument for why you are the best candidate for a particular job. In this week's message from Philippians 3, Pastor J.D. takes us through the Apostle Paul's résumé before he met Jesus. As impressive as it was, Paul counted it as rubbish compared to the joy of knowing Jesus. And in the end, as he reminds us, even our best earthly accomplishments don't contribute anything to our acceptance in the sight of God—and that's a good thing.
In this message, Pastor J.D. kicks off our series in the book of 1 Corinthians, showing how the gospel cuts through the noise and chaos of our lives. First up—the issue of divisions in the church. We may assume that church factions are a new phenomenon. But one glance at the church in Corinth reveals that dysfunction, division, and doctrinal chaos are as old as the church itself. And yet, in the midst of all this conflict, all this division, all this noise, the gospel provides a voice of clarity and a place of calm.
The final chapters of the book of Revelation present the end of the world as we know it—but there’s also a glorious beginning. In this message from Revelation 21–22, Pastor J.D. walks us through the vision of a new heaven and a new earth described by the Apostle John. The fact that God will once again dwell with his people should cause all of us to rejoice. But the fact that those who reject God will not experience this reunion with him should motivate us to share the gospel with urgency, inviting people to put their faith in the God who delights in making all things new.
What do you most look forward to? Maybe it’s a vacation that you’ve been anticipating for a long time, or a new job that you can’t wait to start. Maybe it’s catching up with an old friend that you haven’t seen in years. For those who follow Jesus, what we look forward to with great anticipation is what Revelation calls “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” In this message from Revelation 19–20, Pastor J.D. unpacks the implications of this great wedding feast as well as the 1,000-year earthly reign of Christ, encouraging us to live with the realization that life is short and eternity is forever.
Are you ready to change your narrative and live a different story? Pastor J.P. Pokluda shares from his book, "Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy." Originally aired June 3, 2026 Check out Susie's podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here
We’re all familiar with the experience of being tourists, but exiles? No way. And yet, we are told in multiple places in the Bible to think of ourselves as exiles here on earth, because this is not our true home. In this message from Revelation 14–18, Pastor J.D. shows us the value of living as exiles in a place that frequently seems alluring but will ultimately pass away. What we are meant to do is fix our eyes on the heavenly city, the one with true, lasting foundations. That, after all, is our eternal home.