Podcasts about pastor josiah

How do you respond when someone corrects you? Listen to this message from 2 Chronicles 25, where Pastor Josiah teaches us about King Amaziah and what his life reveals about listening to the correction of others.

Are you tired of running your spiritual race on empty? Grounded in 1 Corinthians 16:13, Pastor Josiah explores what it truly means to live with consistency, courage, and love—not through our own willpower, but through surrender to Jesus. Discover how God calls us to be "pacesetters" whose steady, Spirit-led lives naturally empower and encourage everyone around them to finish their race well. Tune in to learn how the Holy Spirit pours the strength and endurance we need directly into our hearts, transforming who we are from the inside out. Join us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:⁠https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online⁠  

How should Christians respond to racism, and what role does the Church play in bringing healing and redemption? In this episode, Pastor Josiah Elias tackles a conversation that is both timely and deeply important, exploring the realities of racism through the lens of the Gospel. Together, they discuss unity, reconciliation, justice, and the redemptive power of Jesus to heal division and restore what has been broken. Whether you're wrestling with these topics personally or seeking a biblical perspective, this episode will challenge, encourage, and point you back to the heart of Christ. Tune in! You may see the Church's role in redemption in a whole new way.

EL OLAM | The Everlasting GodWho is God when generations come and go? Who remains when kingdoms rise and fall? Who was there before the beginning and will still reign after the end?In this powerful message, we explore the name El Olam—The Everlasting God. First revealed through Abraham in Genesis 21, El Olam reveals a God who is eternal in His nature, unchanging in His character, and faithful through every generation.While everything around us is temporary, God stands outside of time. He never grows weary, never loses understanding, and never fails to fulfill His promises. He is the Ancient of Days, seated upon His eternal throne, ruling with wisdom, power, and glory that knows no end.Through the finished work of Jesus Christ, the Everlasting God has established an everlasting covenant with His people. The same God who sustained Abraham, strengthened the prophets, and raised Jesus from the dead is still working today—equipping His people for every good work and leading them as the Great Shepherd of the sheep.This message will encourage you to anchor your faith in the One whose kingdom is everlasting, whose promises are eternal, and whose presence remains constant through every season of life.Key Scriptures:• Genesis 21:33• Hebrews 13:20-21• Isaiah 40:28• Daniel 7:9-10• Psalm 145:13No matter what changes around you, El Olam remains the same—yesterday, today, and forever.Culture Like Christ. Vision: Jesus.

Can you be close to the Kingdom of God and still miss it?In this powerful message, Pastor Josiah Elias unpacks Mark 12 and the sobering reality that knowledge alone is not enough. The Sadducees knew religion but denied the power of God. The religious teacher understood the greatest commandment, yet Jesus told him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."Not far.Close enough to recognize truth.Close enough to understand Scripture.Close enough to admire Jesus.Yet still not fully surrendered.The Kingdom of God is not about having a form of godliness while denying its power. It is not about religious activity replacing genuine intimacy with Christ. The Scriptures and the power of God go hand in hand, and love remains the greatest commandment.This message is a call to move beyond information and into transformation, beyond religious performance and into relationship, beyond knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him.A good understanding cannot replace a living relationship with Christ.If you've ever wondered whether you are merely near the things of God or fully surrendered to the King, this message is for you.Key Scriptures:• Mark 12:18-34• 2 Timothy 3:5• Matthew 7:22-23• 2 Peter 1:3-4At Faith Chapel, our vision is simple: Jesus. Our prayer is that this message would draw you into a deeper relationship with Him and awaken a fresh hunger for His presence, His Word, and His power.Culture Like Christ.Vision: Jesus.

To the Ends of the Earth | Week 10 | Who Are You? | Pastor Josiah Thomas | Life Center Tacoma Acts 19:11-15 (CSB) Believe in the POWER of God Acts 19:11-12 (CSB) Know the PERSON of Jesus Acts 19:13-15 (CSB) Matthew 7:21-23 (CSB) Respond with ACTION Acts 19:16-20 (CSB) Luke 9:23-24 (CSB) Acts 19:20 (CSB) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)

In this powerful message, Pastor Josiah reminds us that just as hikers need to pause and look back to see how far they've come, we need moments to recognize God's hand in our journey. Drawing from Lamentations 3:22-23, we're reminded that God's faithful love never ends, His mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness. The testimonies shared—from miraculous healings and divine provision to seemingly small answered prayers about lost wallets and kazoos—illustrate a profound truth: God cares about every detail of our lives. Revelation 12:11 teaches us that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, meaning that when we share what God has done, it strengthens not just us but everyone who hears. Join us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

As we continue in our new series on the Foundations of the Church, Pastor Josiah built on what we looked at last week, as he examined the supernatural change that comes from the proclamation of God's word. No matter who you are or where you've come from, we all must be born again in order to be part of God's family and gain access into his Kingdom. In his exposition of John 3:1-21, Pastor Josiah showed us how Christ's church is made up of sinful people who have been born from above and are being made new by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Creatives Are Created by the Creator with Arkeli Johnson is an inspiring conversation about creativity, worship, and partnering with the Holy Spirit. Together, they explore the responsibility of creatives to steward their gifts with integrity, give God the glory, and resist the temptation to seek recognition for themselves. Whether you're a musician, artist, entrepreneur, or creator of any kind, this episode will encourage you to create from a place of surrender, purpose, and devotion to the One who created you.

"Seated & Sent" In part four of this series, Pastor Josiah addresses the spiritual authority believers have over their thought life through Christ. Believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places and therefore possess spiritual weapons to pull down strongholds, cast down arguments, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Through awareness, rebuking in Jesus' name, and replacing lies with God's truth, believers can walk in the victory Christ has already won. Join us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

This week, Pastor Josiah kicked off our new series “Foundations of the Church” with a sermon entitled, “A Firm Foundation,” centered on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. In his message, Pastor Josiah shares how a faithful church is built on the Word of God, guarded by his Word, and sent out with his Word to reach the nations with the hope of the Gospel. The only way for a church to persevere until Christ's return is to be built on the firm foundation of God's word.

Pastor Josiah points out that each of us will leave 2 legacies: the worldly, and the Heavenly. Which legacy will you be remembered for? Jesus commands his followers to obey his commandments and strive to fulfill the "Great Commission", with a sense of urgency. We are to be active participants in sharing the Gospel, reflective in our words AND actions.

"Once Saved, Always Saved?" is a thoughtful conversation with Pastor Josiah Elias and George Elias exploring one of Christianity's most debated questions: Can a believer lose their salvation, or is it secure forever? Together, they dive into what Scripture says about salvation, faith, free will, and walking away from God. Whether you've wrestled with this question yourself or want a deeper understanding of both perspectives, this episode offers a biblical and balanced discussion on a topic that has sparked debate for generations.

What do you do when you don't know what to do?Listen to Pastor Josiah as he teaches from 2 Chronicles 17–20, where King Jehoshaphat shows us how God's people respond in times of crisis: we pray, and we sing.

"Seated & Sent" In part three of this series, Pastor Josiah examines the often-overlooked story of Terah, Abraham's father, who stopped halfway on his journey to Canaan. This message explores how individual obedience and steps of faith create ripples into future generations. We are challenged as believers to not settle for "as good as it gets" or remain stuck in places of pain, loss, and betrayal. Instead, are called to continue forward in faith, trusting that Jesus is "the way" who brings healing and restorationJoin us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

Down to Ride with special guest Daniel Jordan is a conversation about loyalty, purpose, and staying grounded through life's challenges. Daniel Jordan shares insights from his journey, highlighting resilience, faith, and what it means to remain committed in every season.Tune in for an honest and encouraging discussion on staying steady and true to what matters most.

On this powerful Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Josiah Elias brings a life-changing message titled “The Great Exchange.” At the cross, Jesus took our sin, shame, pain, and bondage so we could receive His righteousness, freedom, healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost was never meant to be just a historical moment — it was the beginning of a supernatural outpouring that is still transforming lives today. This message will challenge you to fully surrender, receive what Christ paid for, and walk in the new life God has prepared for you. If you've been carrying burdens, battling spiritually, or hungry for a fresh encounter with God, this sermon is for you. The same Spirit that fell in the Upper Room is still moving today with power, fire, deliverance, and salvation. Don't just watch this message for yourself — share it with someone who needs hope, freedom, and a touch from God.

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When God feels painfully late to show up, what are you supposed to do? When you have prayed, trusted, and stayed faithful, and the relationship still fell apart, the door still closed, the diagnosis still came, the child still kept running. This sermon walks straight into that tension and refuses to look away.Pastor Josiah opens with a question most of us are quietly carrying. How do we trust Jesus when his timing breaks our expectations? He starts with a story you have probably felt a version of, the marathon of waiting in line at Disneyland, where everyone is asking the same question. Is it worth the wait? Then he names the harder version of that question we ask in real life. What if God could just give us a timeline? What if he would say, the grief lasts eight months, the anxiety lifts in a year, the prayer gets answered Tuesday at 4:15. But that is not how faith works. God rarely gives us a timeline. Instead, he gives us himself.From there, Pastor Josiah moves into John chapter 11, the story of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Jesus gets the message that his friend is sick, and what does he do? He waits two more days. The verse says it almost shockingly. Although Jesus loved them, he stayed where he was. Pastor Josiah unpacks three truths from this chapter that meet you exactly where you are when life feels stuck.Delay is not denial. The love of God is not always proven by the speed of his response. Sometimes it is revealed in what he is producing through the waiting. Some of God's deepest work happens in the waiting room, between the test and the results.Don't forget who he is. When Martha runs out to meet Jesus, she leads with disappointment. But Jesus responds not with a fix, he responds with his identity. I am the resurrection and the life. Faith is not built on outcomes. Faith is built on a person who is still faithful, still sovereign, still near, still good.Gratitude comes before the movement. At the tomb, with Lazarus still dead inside, Jesus thanks the Father before anything visible has changed. Anyone can worship after resurrection. Mature faith thanks God while the situation looks exactly the same.Pastor Josiah lands on the most beautiful picture of the gospel in the whole story. The only barrier between Lazarus and Jesus was a stone. The only barrier between you and God is sin, and Jesus is the one who rolls the stone away and calls dead things back to life. Then he turns to his people and says, unwrap him. The church is invited into the slow, sanctifying work of walking with people coming out of the grave with their grave clothes still on.If you have been spiritually exhausted, carrying disappointment so long that hope itself feels dangerous, this teaching from Pastor Josiah is for you.

"Seated & Sent" In part two of this series, Pastor Josiah emphasizes that Jesus's victory over sin, death, and the grave includes provision for physical and emotional healing. Through Christ's work on the cross, believers have inherited delegated authority to pray for the sick and see them recover. This is not reserved for special Christians or church leaders, but is available to all who believeJoin us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

What does it actually sound like to hear from God? In this episode, guest speaker Jon Hall joins Pastor Josiah Elias for a powerful conversation on discerning God's voice, growing in intimacy with Him, and learning to recognize when He's speaking. Whether you've struggled to hear God or want to grow deeper in your relationship with Him, this episode will encourage, challenge, and equip you. Tune in — you may hear God differently after this conversation.

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In his sermon, “The Mercy That Makes Us Useful” centered on Titus 3:1-8, Pastor Josiah shared how we as believers should live in light of God's incredible mercy. Since God has saved us by his mercy, believers must devote themselves to good works before all people so that God can use us to advance the gospel and bring him glory!

Why does God feel painfully late on the prayer you have been praying for years? The one for the marriage, the child, the healing, the door that still has not opened. If you have ever wondered whether God is even listening, this sermon was made for you.In this message, Pastor Josiah walks through John 11, the story of Lazarus, and asks a question almost no one wants to admit they are sitting in. How do we trust Jesus when his timing breaks our expectations? Most of us have a version of that question quietly running in the background of our lives. We have prayed. We have trusted. We have stayed faithful. And yet the relationship is still in pieces. The diagnosis still came back the way we feared. The child still has not come home. The anxiety is still here.Pastor Josiah pulls three honest, freeing truths out of this chapter. First, delay is not denial. Verse 6 says Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, so he stayed. Not so he rushed. So he stayed. That single word reframes everything. The love of God is not always measured by the speed of his response. Sometimes it is measured by what he is producing in the silence.Second, do not forget who he is. When Martha runs to Jesus, disappointed and grieving, he does not give her a five step plan. He gives her himself. I am the resurrection and the life. Faith is not built on outcomes. Faith is built on a Person. Some of us have become so consumed with what God has not done that we have forgotten who he still is.Third, gratitude comes before the movement. Before Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, he stops and thanks his Father. The stone is still in place. The body is still inside. And Jesus is already worshiping. Pastor Josiah points out that anyone can worship after the resurrection. Mature faith worships while the grave is still in front of you.The sermon lands somewhere most preaching does not dare go. Jesus, knowing exactly what he was about to do, still wept at the tomb. He is not emotionally disconnected from your pain. He is fully God and fully human, and he enters in. Faith is not pretending you are okay. Faith is bringing your real pain to a real Savior who already knows the end of the story.And the end of this story is the gospel itself. Lazarus, whose name actually means God is my helper, was dead, wrapped, sealed in a tomb, with every reason gone. And Jesus stood at the entrance and called him out. That is what Pastor Josiah reminds us he still does today. To every person sitting in their sin, their past, their addiction, their shame, Jesus is on the other side of the wall calling, come out. The barrier is already gone.

In this powerful Midweek Encounter message on Jehovah Ra'ah—“The Lord My Shepherd”—we uncover the heart of God as the Shepherd who faithfully leads, protects, restores, and calls His people by name. From Jacob blessing Joseph and declaring that God had shepherded him all his life, to Jesus revealing Himself in John 10 as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, this sermon paints a beautiful picture of Christ's personal care and guidance over every season of our lives. In a world full of noise, strangers, and confusion, the voice of the Shepherd still calls His flock to follow Him with trust and intimacy. Psalm 23 reminds us that under His leadership there is peace, provision, restoration, comfort, and fearless hope even in the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus looked upon the weary and scattered multitudes with compassion, recognizing sheep without a shepherd, and continues today to raise up pastors, leaders, and laborers to equip the Church and gather the harvest. This message will encourage you to draw near to the Shepherd who never abandons His sheep, whose goodness and mercy pursue you all the days of your life, and whose presence carries you safely home.

In this powerful podcast message on Jehovah Kanna—“The Lord Who is Jealous”—we uncover the fiery passion of God for the hearts of His people. Through Exodus 34, Scripture reveals that God's jealousy is not rooted in insecurity, but in covenant love; He refuses to share the worship, affection, and devotion that belong to Him alone. Just as Elijah confronted Israel on Mount Carmel asking, “How much longer will you waver between two opinions?”, this message challenges believers to examine the altars, idols, and divided loyalties that can slowly pull our hearts away from wholehearted surrender to God. From the consuming fire of Deuteronomy to Paul's burden in Romans and Corinthians, we see a God who longs to draw His people back into intimacy, stirring holy jealousy so hearts would return to Him in repentance and truth. Even in our wandering, Hosea reveals the tenderness of God, who lovingly calls His people back into the wilderness to speak to them again. This sermon is a passionate call to destroy compromise, rekindle zeal for the house of God, and respond to the One whose love burns fiercely for His people—a God who is not content with partial devotion, but desires all of us.

In this powerful and eye-opening message, “Guarding Against Deception,” Pastor Josiah Elias walks through the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 to expose how deception subtly pulls hearts away from pure devotion to God. From the very beginning, the serpent twisted God's truth, causing Eve to question what the Lord had spoken even though she was already created in His image and likeness. This sermon reveals the dangerous progression of deception: God speaks truth, the enemy questions it, conversation with the lie begins, desire is awakened, and sin follows. Pastor Josiah powerfully challenges believers not to allow culture, emotions, personal desires, or the voice of the enemy to disciple them more than the Word of God. Through the words of Jesus in John 8, we are reminded that Satan is the father of lies, but those who belong to God hear and obey His voice. Even after the fall, God named Eve “the mother of all living,” proving that failure does not have to define identity or destiny. This message is a sobering call for the Church to stay rooted in truth, guard the heart against compromise, and recognize that deception is not simply believing wrong information—it is trusting any voice more than God's.

In this convicting and powerful message entitled “Withering Religion,” Pastor Josiah Elias unpacks Jesus' encounter with the barren fig tree in Matthew 21, revealing a sobering warning against outward religion that looks alive but bears no real fruit. Just as the fig tree was full of leaves yet empty within, Jesus confronted a religious culture that honored God with words while their hearts remained distant from Him. Through the connection between the fig tree and the inner life, this sermon challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their devotion—because how deep is our relationship with Christ if we cannot truly recognize His voice, His presence, or His heart? Pastor Josiah calls the Church beyond appearances, reminding us that true discipleship is proven through love, integrity, faith, and intimacy with Jesus rather than empty performance. While dead religion withers, genuine faith moves mountains, releases the impossible through Christ, and produces lasting fruit in the lives of those planted deeply in God's presence. This message is a wake-up call for religion to die so people can truly encounter Christ, becoming like trees planted by living water whose leaves never wither and whose lives continually bear fruit for the glory of God.

Seated & Sent In part one of this sermon series, Pastor Josiah explores the transformative truth that believers are not victims of their circumstances but victors through Christ Jesus. This message emphasizes that Jesus became our "holy substitute" (propitiation), taking our place and securing complete victory over sin, death, and all opposing forces. Because believers are spiritually seated with Christ in heavenly places, they possess delegated authority to speak into situations that contradict God's Word. Join us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

What is the difference between passively waiting for Christ's return and actively waiting for his second coming? In his sermon centered on Titus 2:11-15, Pastor Josiah outlines the key elements in waiting well for Christ's return.

Even in the face of undeniable miracles, many who encountered Jesus still chose not to believe—revealing a sobering truth that encountering God's power does not automatically produce faith. This message unpacks the tension between revelation and resistance, showing how the condition of the heart determines whether truth is received or rejected. While God's desire is that none would perish, Scripture makes it clear that people can harden their hearts, just like Pharaoh, resisting the very grace meant to lead them to repentance. Yet the invitation remains urgent and open: today is the day of salvation. Jesus stands as the full expression of the Father, the light sent into darkness so that all who trust in Him would step into life. This sermon calls us to examine what we truly value—human approval or the praise of God—and challenges us to choose life by fully surrendering in faith and obedience. In the end, God has entrusted us with the power to choose, and knowing Him is eternal life—so the question remains: will you respond to His voice, or resist the truth that leads to freedom?

"Let the Dust Settle" In part four of this series, Pastor Josiah focuses on Isaiah 43:18-19, emphasizing that God is working beneath the surface of our circumstances even when we cannot see visible change. Just as plants develop roots underground before breaking through the soil, God is preparing breakthroughs in areas where believers have been praying and waiting. Join us for Thrive Church In person (more info here) or Online Sundays 2:30PM (MT) on Youtube Want to partner with Thrive Church:https://www.thrivecalgary.ca/give-online  

In this powerful Midweek Encounter, we dive into the story of Hagar in Genesis 16—a story of pain, impatience, and broken human decisions, yet met by the overwhelming mercy of God. When Sarai and Abram took matters into their own hands, striving to fulfill God's promise their own way, it led to division, rejection, and deep suffering for Hagar, who fled into the wilderness feeling unseen and abandoned. But it was there, in her lowest moment, that the angel of the Lord met her and revealed a profound truth: God hears and God sees. Hagar encounters the living God and calls Him “the God who sees me,” reminding us that even when we feel overlooked, mistreated, or forgotten, the Lord is fully aware of our pain and intimately involved in our story. Tying into Matthew 6 and 10, we're reminded that our Father knows our needs before we ask and values us far beyond what we can comprehend—even down to the smallest details of our lives. This message calls us to trust God's timing, surrender control, and rest in the assurance that we are never unseen, unheard, or unloved.

Step into a powerful message from Pastor Josiah Elias on Jehovah Tsidkenu—“The Lord Our Righteousness”—where the promise of Jeremiah 23 meets the fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This sermon unpacks how Jesus, the righteous Branch, became the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, inviting us not just to be forgiven, but transformed. Through the lens of John 15, Romans 6, and Galatians 2:20, you'll discover what it truly means to be crucified with Christ, made new, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in righteousness—not by striving, but by abiding. This message calls believers to leave behind the old life, resist sin's grip, and fully embrace their identity as sons and daughters clothed in Christ, carrying His righteousness into the world as ambassadors of reconciliation.

In this bold and eye-opening message, Pastor Josiah Elias unpacks the moment Jesus cleansed the temple in Matthew 21, revealing that sometimes divine cleansing doesn't look peaceful—it looks like disruption. What appeared to be chaos was actually Jesus restoring what was sacred, confronting a system that had turned God's house into a place of profit instead of prayer. Drawing from Jeremiah 7 and Isaiah 56, this sermon exposes the danger of mixing worship with selfish gain and challenges believers to examine their own hearts: have we made room for God, or have we replaced intimacy with performance? As Jesus overturns tables, He also heals the broken and welcomes the overlooked, showing that true revival makes space for purity, prayer, and presence. With powerful insight, Pastor Josiah reminds us that what Jesus says must matter—and often, it's the least expected voices, like children, who carry the clearest revelation of His kingdom.

Have you ever found yourself going back to the same habit, the same sin, the same pattern — even knowing it never really satisfies?You're not alone. And this week's message goes straight to the heart of why that happens.We're in a series called The Good Fight, and this week Pastor Josiah opens in Genesis 25 with one of the most honest, human stories in all of Scripture — the moment Esau trades his entire birthright for a bowl of stew. One impulsive decision. One moment of hunger. And a future forfeited for something that was gone before he even stood up from the table.It sounds almost too simple to be our story too. But it is.Because temptation doesn't usually come in the form of obvious rebellion. It comes in the form of exhaustion, urgency, and the quiet lie that this time it will actually satisfy. That's how sin works — it inflates a temporary craving until it feels ultimate, and shrinks something eternal until it feels optional.This message asks a hard and beautiful question: How do we stop trading what is eternal for what is immediate?Together, we walk through three honest truths from God's Word.You can't resist what you haven't recognized. Awareness is where the battle begins — not condemnation, but the kind of honest, Spirit-led examination that Psalm 139 invites us into. Search me, O God, and know my heart.Resistance requires endurance. Galatians 6:9 reminds us that Paul doesn't warn us about getting tired of doing evil. He warns us about getting tired of doing good. Because obedience is often exhausting, unrewarded in the moment, and invisible to everyone around you. But God's harvest is real — it just comes on His timeline, not ours.You were made to be a vessel, not a consumer. Esau's deepest failure wasn't impatience — it was identity confusion. He forgot what he was made to carry. And when you forget who God made you to be, you start living for what you can get instead of what you were called to pour out.This isn't a message about trying harder. It's a message about trusting deeper — trusting that what God has for you is genuinely better than what's right in front of you.If you've been wrestling with the same sin, the same pattern, the same discouragement — this one is for you.

Discover the powerful revelation of the Lord as Jehovah Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness in this convicting and hope-filled message. Through the prophetic words of Jeremiah, we see a world corrupted by false voices, compromised leaders, and hearts led astray—yet in the middle of darkness, God promises a coming King, the righteous Branch, who will reign in truth, justice, and holiness. This episode unpacks how that promise is fulfilled in Jesus—the true Vine—who not only calls us into righteousness but becomes our righteousness. From the fire of God's Word that shatters deception to the invitation to abide in Him and bear lasting fruit, this message will challenge you to discern truth, reject compromise, and remain deeply rooted in Christ. You are not made righteous by your striving, but by abiding in the One who is righteous—Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Can I Get a Witness? — Pastor Josiah Elias delivers a powerful reminder that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith and the source of life-changing transformation. He emphasizes that Christianity isn't merely information but testimony: the risen Christ brings freedom from depression, addiction, adultery, and despair, proving His reality through transformed lives. Pastor Josiah underscores that Jesus' death and resurrection were God's redemptive plan—confirmed by Scripture, miracles, and eyewitness testimony—and that the joy of the cross was ultimately for our salvation and restoration.Filled with the Holy Spirit, believers are called to be bold witnesses of Jesus “in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Using the recent miraculous recovery of his cousin Danny—brought back to life after being shocked seventy times—as a living sign of revival, Pastor Josiah challenges the church to live aligned with Christ as salt and light. May an encounter with the living Jesus reshape our lives so we can testify to His power, mercy, and resurrection.

This Sunday we began a new series through Paul's letter to Titus. As we examined the introduction of Paul's letter together, Pastor Josiah challenged us to anchor our faith in the unfailing promises of God.

On Palm Sunday we explored how Jesus wins by humility, not force.Pastor Josiah unpacked Matthew 21, Luke 19 and Zechariah 9:9: the King rode a donkey to confront sin and death, not Rome. His humility models a different kind of victory—God's conquering power comes through peace, not pride. Practical application: examine your conflicts (work, family, neighbors), your goals in them, and consider humility, reconciliation, and service instead of winning.Illustrations and encouragement: a personal reconciliation story, the LORD as Jehovah Shalom (our peace), Peter walking on the water when focused on Jesus, and Romans 16:20's promise that God will ultimately crush evil. Final call: lay down status and pride, follow Christ's humble example, and let your life praise Him.Scripture highlights: Matthew 21; Luke 19; Zechariah 9:9; John 12; Romans 16:20; James 4:6.Read more about the service here: https://www.faithchapelsd.com/post/red-letters-conquering-humility-3-29-26-pastor-josiah-elias

What are you worried about? What are you afraid of? In this week's sermon, Pastor Josiah shows us how Christ came in power and authority over our biggest fear and our greatest enemy through a message centered on Luke 8:22-56.

This episode explores the powerful name **Jehovah Sabaoth—“The Lord of Hosts,” the God of Heaven's armies—**revealing Him as both a tender listener and a mighty warrior. Through Hannah's anguish in 1 Samuel, we see that the Lord of Hosts is deeply personal, attentive to the cries of the broken, and faithful to remember and respond. Yet in David's bold declaration and Jehoshaphat's victory, we encounter the same God as the Commander of angel armies, fighting battles His people cannot win on their own. Jehovah Sabaoth is the One who invites us to surrender, worship, and trust, knowing the battle belongs to Him—His zeal secures victory, His presence brings peace, and His power establishes His purposes. If God is for us, no force can stand against us.

What distractions are choking out the spiritual growth in your life right now? Are you close to Christian things, or are you actually hearing and doing the Word of God?In this week's message, centered on Luke 8:1-21, Pastor Josiah shows us how Jesus makes it plain that hearing God's Word always demands a response. This message is a call to examine the soil of your heart. It is time to press past shallow religion, church familiarity, and outward association with Christian things, and determine whether the gospel has truly taken root in your life or not.

In Joshua 4, the Israelites built a memorial to remember what God had done for them—and that same call to remembrance echoed through this powerful service. Josh Munoz reminded us to thank God wholeheartedly, and Pastor Josiah Elias announced Greg Hendricks' transition from director to pastor, urging us to lead others to Jesus and to steward well what God has given. In John 12, Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume, filling the house with the fragrance of pure worship—a beautiful act showing that true breakthrough and obedience move the needle not just for us, but for others too. Through stories of faith, healing, and surrender—from the official's son to the woman who touched Jesus' garment—we were reminded that God delights in His people (Isaiah 62:4; Zephaniah 3:17) and that our obedience can bring freedom and faith to entire households. May we continue to be salt and light, moving the needle for the glory of Christ.

Have you ever felt unworthy of God's grace? Have you ever felt too ashamed to come to Christ with your sins? If so, then this message is for you! In his message, “A Savior For Sinners,” centered on Luke 5:1-32, Pastor Josiah shows us how Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost or have tried to hide from his presence for fear that they will be rejected or condemned. God's word tells us that Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance! Therefore, today is the day to come to Jesus in repentant faith, because he alone has the power to forgive your sins.

Pain, frustration, and discouragement are unavoidable realities of life and work. From tedious tasks and unmet expectations to seasons of deep grief, loss, and hardship—pain has a way of shaping how we see ourselves, our work, and even God. In this message, Josiah Kish invites us to wrestle honestly with pain through the lens of Scripture. Drawing from Lamentations 3, written by the prophet Jeremiah in the aftermath of profound loss, we are reminded that pain is not a sign of God's absence—but often the very place where God meets us most deeply. Jeremiah does not minimize suffering. He names it fully—describing it as wormwood and poison. Yet, remarkably, in the midst of devastation, he declares hope. Why? Because hope is not rooted in circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God—His steadfast love, His mercies that are new every morning, and His enduring faithfulness. This message explores three powerful truths: Pain is the grim reality of a broken world Hope in pain flows from trusting God's character Pain carries an invitation—to wait on God, to be formed, and to draw closer to Him Ultimately, this sermon points us to the Gospel, where we see pain fully embodied in Christ Himself. Jesus enters our suffering, bears it on the cross, and transforms it into a place of redemption and hope. The Gospel empowers us not to escape pain, but to meet God within it. Whether your pain comes from work stress, disappointment, unemployment, caregiving, study, or seasons of deep personal loss, this message offers an invitation: to see pain not as the end of hope, but as the doorway through which God does His deepest work in us.

How can we know with certainty that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and long-awaited Savior of mankind? Tune into this week's message on Luke 4:14-44, as Pastor Josiah lays out the supporting evidence that demands a verdict.