The Podcast
Each week our pastors study diligently to deliver practical, thought-provoking messages from the Word of God.
Featured Series:
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.
Why does every significant opportunity seem to come with fierce opposition? Pastor Dorrell confronts this universal tension through Paul's ministry in Ephesus, where a "great door and effectual" opened alongside "many adversaries." The sermon argues that in God's economy, meaningful work—whether in marriage, parenting, ministry, or character development—always demands sacrifice and perseverance. Paul's refusal to abandon his post despite hardship models a crucial principle: the best things in life are guarded by the greatest challenges, yet they yield eternal glory. Listeners are challenged to identify the "great doors" God has placed before them and commit to staying the course despite inevitable adversaries.
What happens to our spiritual health when we surrender our attention to the endless noise of modern technology? Pastor Dorrell argues that while our eternal spirit is secure in Christ, our soul—the seat of our mind, will, emotions, and inner identity—remains vulnerable to corruption and distraction in this world. Drawing from David's cry for restoration in Psalm 51, he contends that contemporary devices and social media platforms, though often benign in appearance, wage a subtle war against our souls through addiction, shallow thinking, and manufactured division. The sermon challenges listeners to recognize how technology companies deliberately engineer dependency and to reclaim their mental and spiritual freedom through intentional digital fasting and disciplined soul-keeping.
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.
Is Christian giving just a financial duty, or is it something more? We often struggle to connect our professed love for God with how we use our money. Examining Paul's instructions for the collection in Jerusalem from 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Pastor Dorrell argues that Christian giving transcends mere obligation. He presents generosity as a grace—a disposition of the heart, an act of worship, and a tangible expression of love modeled on Christ’s own self-giving. This act of being a help not only meets practical needs but also creates gratitude that glorifies God. Listeners are challenged to shift their perspective and see their resources as a primary opportunity to be a help in the world.
Do you ever feel disoriented and depleted by the constant noise, speed, and digital demands of modern life? We live in an age of unprecedented convenience, but this constant barrage of information may be doing profound damage to our inner lives. Examining the question posed in Mark 8, "What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?," Pastor Dorrell argues that modernity itself, while offering many external blessings, functions as a disease that impoverishes the soul. He contends that we risk gaining the world's comforts and technologies at the cost of our soul's depth, focus, and connection with God. This message challenges listeners to practice "soul keeping" by intentionally guarding their hearts from the endless noise and cultivating quiet for connection with the Lord.
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.
Why do Christians so often drift, derailed by life’s hardships and their own wavering emotions? Confronting this spiritual instability, Pastor Dorrell analyzes 1 Corinthians 15 to argue that the resurrection is more than a future hope—it is the present reality that empowers a durable faith. He illuminates how the certainty of our own resurrection provides an indestructible purpose and the motivation to live for an eternity that is more real than our present circumstances. This foundational doctrine is the believer's source of courage, conviction, and transformative power. This message challenges listeners to respond by becoming steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord.
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.
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.
How do we truly measure spiritual maturity? In a world focused on impressive talents and outward success, Christians can mistakenly elevate spiritual gifts, leading to pride, comparison, and division. Examining the iconic chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, Pastor Ben confronts this miscalculation. He argues that Paul presents "a more excellent way," demonstrating that without charity—a radical, selfless love in action—all other spiritual demonstrations are ultimately empty and amount to nothing. This love, perfectly embodied by Christ, is the supreme virtue and the true evidence of the Spirit's work. Listeners are challenged to stop being a mere reflection of a selfish world and instead become a clear window through which others can see the love of Christ.
Have you ever felt a heavy burden to act, yet God seems silent? We hate waiting; it makes us feel powerless and anxious, tempting us to force a solution on our own timetable. Examining Nehemiah's four-month wait before King Artaxerxes, Pastor Daniel argues that the initiative for opening doors belongs to God, not us. The sermon illuminates how true faith is demonstrated not by rushing ahead, but by patiently praying and actively preparing for the opportunity God will provide. While we wait, God is not inactive; He is working on our hearts and on the hearts of those in authority to bring about His perfect will. This message challenges listeners to trust God's sovereignty in the waiting, allowing Him to build the strength and courage needed for the work He has prepared.
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.
When we attend a church service, is our primary role to receive a blessing, or to be a blessing? We often focus on what we get out of worship, but what is our obligation to others in the room? Examining the disorder in the Corinthian church, Pastor Dorrell analyzes 1 Corinthians 14 to argue that the purpose of the gathered assembly is the mutual edification of believers and a clear witness to outsiders. He contends that intelligibility and love must govern our worship, moving the focus from individual experience to corporate well-being. The worship service is therefore a shared responsibility, not a performance for spectators. This message challenges each believer to consider their active role, consciously contributing to an environment where others are built up and can plainly see that God is truly present.
In a culture that promotes an isolated, self-focused life, how should a Christian practically respond to the immense grace of salvation? Is a private faith enough? Pastor Dorrell examines Romans 12:3-8, arguing that the first and most reasonable act of worship following salvation is active participation in a local church community. He posits that a truly transformed life moves beyond self-interest to embrace the 'other orientation' God requires, where gratitude is expressed by humbly using one's unique gifts for the mutual edification and unity of the body of Christ. Listeners are challenged to reject spiritual isolation and commit to serving others within their church, recognizing this as the primary expression of a life transformed by the gospel.
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.
In this message, Pastor Dorrell examines 1 Corinthians 12 to address the proper understanding and use of spiritual gifts within the church. Using the Apostle Paul's instruction to the divided Corinthian church, he explains that while believers possess a wide variety of gifts, they all originate from the same Spirit for a unified purpose. Pastor Dorrell uses the powerful analogy of the body to illustrate that every single member, regardless of how prominent or hidden their function may seem, is essential for the health and effectiveness of the whole. This sermon challenges the tendency to undervalue one's own contribution, reminding us that God has uniquely and supernaturally equipped every person to play an indispensable role in building up the local church.
As a church grows, it's tempting to believe that your individual contribution isn't necessary. Pastor Dorrell confronts this dangerous assumption by looking at the tribes of Reuben and Gad in Numbers 32, who initially wanted to sit out of the fight. This message explores how non-participation is not a neutral act, but one that can discourage the entire body and hinder the work God has for the church. Discover why God expects every member to be an active contributor and how your unique involvement is not only noticed but is crucial for the health, spirit, and success of the ministry.
In this message, Pastor Dorrell explores the dynamic nature of God's grace, drawing from 1 Corinthians 15 to illustrate that it is not a dead-end gift to be kept, but a powerful blessing meant to flow through us. He explains how we are called to be conduits, extending the same hope and goodness we have received to the people around us. This sermon unpacks the practical ways we can labor in God's grace—through meaningful connection, words of encouragement, and contagious joy—challenging us to rethink Christian growth as a transformative force that not only changes us but also enriches the lives of others.
In this message, Pastor Dorrell examines 1 Corinthians 11, where the Apostle Paul confronts a church facing destruction not from outside forces, but from internal decay. Using the Corinthians' divisive and self-centered behavior during the Lord's Supper as a case study, Pastor Dorrell highlights the spiritual dangers of indifference and treating church as a consumer experience. He challenges us to move beyond simply attending services and instead embrace our role as active members of the body of Christ, called to serve, encourage, and care for one another. This sermon is a call for honest self-examination and spiritual "recalibration," urging us to close the gap of indifference and truly live as a church family.
Drawing from the dedication of the Tabernacle in Numbers chapter 7, Pastor Dorrell examines the timeless principle that anything of value requires ongoing maintenance and investment. Just as the leaders of Israel brought offerings to provide for the place of worship, so too must the church be sustained by the continuous, shared participation of its people. Pastor Dorrell explains that this provision extends beyond finances to include our presence, our service, and a thoughtful, joyful attitude. This message explores how our collective investment in the spiritual life of the community creates an environment where God’s presence is pleased to dwell.
In a culture that increasingly seeks to blur and erase gender distinctions, Pastor Dorrell turns to 1 Corinthians 11 to explore the biblical foundations for masculinity and femininity. He examines Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church, not as an outdated cultural mandate for head coverings, but as a timeless principle for honoring God's created order. Contrasting the Bible's clarity with the modern agenda promoting gender confusion in media and education, this message is a call for Christians to thoughtfully embrace their God-given identities. It encourages men and women to reject cultural passivity and instead live out their distinct, complementary roles in a way that brings glory to God and provides a clear testimony to a watching world.
Do you ever feel like your spiritual life is sputtering, not operating at its full potential? Pastor Dorrell compares this to a car running poorly because of water in the gas tank. Drawing from the instructions for the Nazarite vow in Numbers chapter 6, he explains how dedicated seasons of seeking God can remove the things hindering our faith. By exploring the principles of surrendering pleasures, yielding control, and avoiding defilement, this message provides a practical framework for intentionally drawing closer to the Lord and positioning yourself to experience His guidance, clarity, and blessing in a new way.
In this message, Pastor John examines the pivotal moment in Luke chapter 5 when Jesus calls Simon Peter, a seasoned fisherman, to a new and greater purpose. Using the account of the miraculous catch of fish, this message explores what it means for us today to "leave our nets"—the familiar routines, securities, and even the hard work of our daily lives—to answer Christ's call. Pastor John draws parallels between the toil of fishing and the challenges of sharing the gospel, emphasizing that becoming "fishers of men" is the most important work we can do. This sermon encourages us to consider our own weaknesses and potential, just as Christ saw Peter's, and to purposefully step out in faith to make a difference for eternity.
In this message from 1 Corinthians 10, Pastor Ben addresses the human tendency to test the limits of Christian liberty. Using the historical example of the Israelites in the wilderness, he issues a compelling warning: our position in Christ does not make us immune to the destructive consequences of flirting with sin. Pastor Ben challenges us to change our fundamental question from, "What am I allowed to do?" to "Does this bring glory to God?" This sermon calls for a mature faith that stops fixating on the boundaries of sin and instead reorients itself to a passionate pursuit of God's presence in every area of life.
Pastor Daniel examines the counterintuitive principle of generosity found in Proverbs 11:24. While worldly logic suggests that holding on to what we have leads to security, the Bible presents a paradox: scattering leads to increase, and withholding leads to poverty. Using the analogy of a farmer sowing seed, this sermon illustrates how we create the environment we live in through our actions. Discover how a strategic, generous life—giving your time, resources, and heart—is the true path to being blessed and receiving the very things you desire most.
Guest speaker Mike Mutchler uses the story of King Joash and the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 13 to deliver a powerful challenge about the one thing every Christian and every church must possess to see God work miracles: passion. This message examines the danger of limiting God through half-hearted effort and calls believers to serve, worship, and share the gospel with a fervent excitement that cannot be contained. Drawing from decades of personal ministry experience, Pastor Mutchler encourages the church to keep fanning the flames of passion to ensure its impact is felt for generations to come.
In this message, guest speaker Mike Mutchler explores the profound connection between faith and generosity. Drawing from 2 Corinthians chapter 8, he examines the example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their deep poverty, begged for the opportunity to give to the work of the gospel. Mike Mutchler challenges us to see our giving not as an obligation, but as a grace from God and a vote for His plan to reach the world. He encourages us to embrace a "scary faith"—trusting God beyond our own perceived abilities and budgets—because what God can do through a willing heart far exceeds what we can do on our own. Discover how your willingness to give can have an eternal impact, allowing people from every nation to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
In this sermon, Pastor Dorrell explores the unique and challenging laws found in Numbers chapter 5, which address defilement, restitution, and jealousy within the camp of Israel. He explains how these case studies illustrate a powerful spiritual principle: sin acts like entropy, a force that naturally breaks down order and creates chaos. The message highlights that sin is not merely a personal failing but a destructive contaminant that threatens the health, order, and holiness of the entire community. Listeners are challenged to counteract this spiritual decay by recognizing sin's destructive power, dealing with it through confession and restitution, and actively cultivating right relationships to preserve the life-giving order God intends for His people.
Drawing from the vision of heaven in Revelation 7, guest speaker Michael Jones explains why every Christian must have a global vision. He reveals that the diverse multitude worshipping before the throne is the culmination of God's unchanging plan: to evangelize, baptize, and disciple people from every nation. This message challenges believers to see that their God is a global God and to actively find their part in His worldwide work through practical steps like intentional prayer, generous giving, and missional living.