Beautiful Attitudes | Blessed Are the Merciful - Season 4, Episode 119
What keeps us from extending mercy to others, and how does understanding God's boundless compassion transform our capacity to show mercy? Pastor John examines Matthew 5:7 to argue that true mercy flows from recognizing God's daily mercies in our own lives. He traces God's merciful character throughout Scripture—from the tabernacle's mercy seat to Christ's ultimate sacrifice—demonstrating that believers who grasp the depth of God's forgiveness become conduits of that same mercy to those around them. This week, consider how meditating on God's mercy might reshape your interactions with neighbors, family, coworkers, and the lost world you encounter.
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Beautiful Attitudes | Making God Your Greatest Desire - Season 4, Episode 116
Does the word "righteousness" sound intimidating or even judgmental? We often associate it with a strict set of external rules—an impossible standard we can never meet. Examining Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:6, Pastor Daniel argues that Jesus radically redefines this concept. Righteousness is not the self-focused, outward performance of religious leaders, but a deep, internal craving for God Himself. The sermon illuminates how this hunger and thirst for a relationship with God is the true path to being "filled." Listeners are ultimately challenged to make God and His ways their single greatest desire, trusting that all right actions will naturally follow.
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Beautiful Attitudes | Strength Under God's Control - Season 4, Episode 113
In a world that values power and self-assertion, why does Jesus call his followers to be meek? Society often mistakes meekness for weakness, a quality to be avoided rather than cultivated. Pastor Andrew examines Matthew 5:5 to correct this misconception, arguing that biblical meekness is not an absence of strength, but rather “strength under God’s control.” Drawing from the lives of Moses and Jesus, he demonstrates that true meekness is a powerful, God-surrendered posture that produces rest, restores relationships, and steadies leadership. Listeners are challenged to respond spiritually rather than react emotionally, placing their power under God’s authority to find rest and inherit what He promises.
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What Will He Find You Doing - Season 4, Episode 111
The timing of Christ's return has sparked endless speculation, but what if our curiosity about the 'when' causes us to neglect the 'what' of our present lives? Examining Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24:36-51, Pastor Ben argues that Christ intentionally redirects his disciples' questions about eschatology toward the urgency of practical faithfulness. The sermon's thesis asserts that since no one knows the day or the hour, true readiness is not about cracking a timeline but about being a 'faithful and wise servant' who is consistently stewarding their God-given assignments. Listeners are ultimately challenged to assess their own lives and persevere in service so they may be found 'so doing' when the end comes.
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Beautiful Attitudes | The Sorrow That Leads to Joy - Season 4, Episode 110
Why does Jesus promise happiness to those who mourn? We instinctively avoid sorrow, often ignoring or excusing our sin rather than facing the grief it causes. Pastor Dorrell examines Matthew 5:4 to argue that the “mourning” Jesus blesses is not general sadness, but a specific and necessary grief over our personal sin. Building on the foundation of being “poor in spirit,” he demonstrates that this honest grief is the essential prerequisite for receiving the profound comfort of the Holy Spirit. This message challenges the listener to courageously confront their own sin, to grieve it honestly, and to thereby discover the unparalleled joy and comfort that God promises to the mournful.
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Beautiful Attitudes | A Continuing Realization of Insufficiency - Season 4, Episode 107
Why do the high standards of Christian character, like the Beatitudes, often feel so unattainable? Many believers strive to be meek, merciful, and pure in heart, only to find their own spiritual resources completely depleted. Examining the first Beatitude, Pastor Daniel argues that this feeling of inadequacy is not a failure, but the essential starting point for a vibrant faith. He illuminates what it means to be "poor in spirit"—a continuous realization of our own spiritual insufficiency and complete dependence on God. This posture of humility is presented not as a weakness, but as the foundational prerequisite for receiving God's strength and grace. Listeners are challenged to cultivate this spiritual poverty through a more sincere and fervent prayer life.
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Beautiful Attitudes | Living as a Citizen of Heaven - Season 4, Episode 104
We often equate being "blessed" with fleeting happiness or earthly prosperity, and view the Kingdom of Heaven as a distant, future hope. What if this understanding misses the point of Jesus's most famous sermon? In this introduction to the Beatitudes, Pastor Daniel examines Jesus's radical definition of blessedness. He argues that being "blessed" signifies possessing the deep, stable favor of God that comes with being a citizen of heaven—a citizenship that is a present reality, not merely a future promise. Jesus's message establishes that wherever His reign is present, the Kingdom is there. Listeners are challenged to live as practicing citizens of heaven now, embracing the responsibilities and characteristics that define this heavenly kingdom.
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Embracing Grace - Season 4, Episode 58
In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Dorrell explores the importance of recognizing and assigning true value to both God and the people around us. Drawing from Luke 7 and an insightful story about perspective, he emphasizes how often we overlook what truly matters. Pastor Dorrell challenges listeners to reevaluate how they treat others, understand the depth of God's grace, and reflect on their own hearts to foster genuine love and gratitude. This message encourages a transformative approach to seeing people through the lens of compassion and divine worth.
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A Three Day Story - Season 4, Episode 43
In this episode, Pastor Dorrell reflects on the profound significance of the three-day story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Each day—Friday’s sacrificial death, Saturday’s silence and divine conquest, and Sunday’s victorious resurrection—reveals God’s grand narrative of redemption, hope, and ultimate victory. Discover how this story mirrors our own journeys of struggle, waiting, and deliverance, and how it offers the promise of new life through Christ.
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A Willing Spirit - Season 4, Episode 3
In this episode, Pastor Dorrell reflects on Matthew 26, drawing lessons from Peter's struggle in Gethsemane, where he failed to stay awake and pray with Jesus. The episode underscores the universal human experience of battling between spirit and flesh, emphasizing the importance of prayer and discipline.
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Fear Not - Episode 146
In this episode of the podcast, journey through the powerful biblical narrative of Joseph's decision to embrace faith over fear. Pastor Daniel explores how Joseph faced his crisis upon learning of Mary's miraculous pregnancy, guided by the angel's message to "fear not." The sermon illustrates the courageous obedience Joseph demonstrated in accepting his role in God's miraculous plan. Drawing parallels to the Israelites' fears post-exodus, Pastor Daniel conveys the timeless message of trusting in God's promises and the miraculous outcomes of living a life anchored in faith, especially in the light of the Christmas story.
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Demming's Law - Episode 111
In this sermon, Pastor Dorrell examines Jesus’ final hours, drawing profound lessons from His time with the disciples in Gethsemane. In the case of the disciples, their spirits were very willing, but their flesh was inhibiting. In life, no matter how good our intentions, failing to submit ourselves to the discipline of a process will produce a product likely in conflict with the good intentions of our spirit.
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Missions Month 2024 | Make Your Bed - Episode 89
In this episode, guest speaker Kyle Ohsfeldt discusses the profound significance of the Great Commission, emphasizing the responsibility given to the disciples to spread the gospel to all nations. He challenges listeners to reflect on their personal commitment to evangelism, starting in their own communities, and to prioritize spiritual conversations and outreach in their daily lives.
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The Trials and Triumphs of Genuine Faith - Episode 78
Pastor Andrew’s sermon highlights the challenges and rewards of following God authentically, using Mary and Joseph as examples. They faced judgment and sacrificed their plans to obey God. The message emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will, embracing inconvenience, and the significance of 'Emmanuel'—God with us—in our faith journey.
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The Essential Difference - Episode 69
In this episode, Pastor Dorrell focuses on the parable of the ten virgins, highlighting the critical importance of preparation in all areas of life. He explains the contrast between those who are ready and those who are not, showing how moments of crisis reveal our true character and faith. Discover why being prepared is essential, how it impacts our ability to handle life's challenges, and the lasting consequences of neglecting preparation. Tune in to learn valuable lessons on making the most of every opportunity and living a life free from regret.
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The Choices We Make Will Make Us - Episode 6
When you don’t like the results in life you’re getting, change what you’re doing. Examine the fruit of your life. If you are not producing good fruit, change what you are doing.
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What Will You Find on Christmas? - Episode 139
Of all the things that can be found in the biggest holiday of the year, the most important thing is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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The Lord's Prayer | Amen: May It Be So - Episode 116
In this message, we delve into the ending of the Lord's Prayer. The final line of this prayer is a pledge of allegiance to a powerful and eternal king who is above all others. This ending describes a reliance on an able and worthy king whom we are preparing to meet in eternity.
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The Lord's Prayer | Lead Us and Deliver Us - Episode 113
In this message, we dive into the topic of temptation and the internal battle that takes place within us when we face it. We explore the importance of asking God to lead us away from temptation and deliver us from the tempter's voice. As Christians, we are called to be followers of Christ and choose which voice we will follow when faced with with our vices.
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The Lord's Prayer | The Beauty of Daily Forgiveness - Episode 111
In this episode, we explore the centrality of forgiveness and reconciliation to the gospel. We learn how forgiveness is both theological and pragmatic and how it is our greatest need and God's greatest gift. We also discover the importance of extending forgiveness to others and how it can bring about personal and relational restoration.
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