Shows
Grace TransformationChristmas Eve 2025 | God Did Not Come to Be Impressive—He Came to Be ReachableA Christmas Eve sermon about a surprising truth: God did not come to be impressive. He came to be reachable. Reflecting on Genesis, Bethlehem, and the incarnation, this message explores God’s pursuit of humanity, shared human longing, and the love that draws us near—not by force, but by grace.Christmas Eve sermonChristmas sermon 2025God came closeIncarnation sermonLuke 2 Christmas sermonGod is reachableChristian Christmas messageCandlelight Christmas serviceJesus born in BethlehemGrace and truth sermonGod’s pursuit of humanityChrist...
2025-12-2614 minGrace TransformationSilence Is Not Absence | Finding Trust and Contentment in Ordinary Time (Advent Sermon)What do we do when God feels silent?On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the 400 years of silence between Malachi and the birth of Christ—and what that long quiet season teaches us about faith today. Scripture reminds us that silence is not absence. God is at work even when we cannot see it.This sermon explores Israel’s return from exile, the long wait before the Messiah, and the quiet faithfulness of ordinary life. Through Scripture, story, and the promise fulfilled in Bethlehem, we are invited to trust God’s hidden work, learn conten...
2025-12-2317 minGrace TransformationGod Stays With You Even When You Mess Up | The Long Road to Bethlehem (Week 3)What happens when the consequences we face are the result of our own choices? Does God still stay with us when we’ve made a mess of our lives?In this third sermon of The Long Road to Bethlehem Advent series, we journey to the Babylonian exile—a moment in Israel’s history marked by warning ignored, consequences endured, and hope tested. Unlike suffering that comes from circumstances beyond our control, exile confronts us with a harder question: Will God remain present when the mess is our own fault?Through Eden, Egypt, and Babylon, we discover a powerful truth reveal...
2025-12-1619 minGrace TransformationGod Sees, Hears, knows and Comes Down: The Exodus and Our DeliveranceHave you ever wondered whether God really sees what you’re going through? In this message, we look at the Exodus story and discover a God whose heart is moved by the cries of His people — a God who sees, hears, knows, and comes down to deliver. This sermon is part of our Advent series, “The Long Road to Bethlehem,” where we trace the major turning points of God’s saving story — from Creation and the Fall to the Exodus, the Exile, the long silence before Christ, and finally the manger where God comes down once more. Each week uncovers ano...
2025-12-1122 minGrace TransformationThe Long Road to Bethlehem: Creation, the Fall, and God’s First Promise of Hope (Advent 1)Advent doesn’t begin at the manger. It begins in a garden.In this first message of our Advent series, The Long Road to Bethlehem, Pastor John takes us back to Genesis to remember where our story truly starts: a world created in love, a relationship broken by mistrust, and a God who responds not with abandonment but with mercy, promise, and protection.We explore the goodness of creation — the beauty, the joy, the “very good” spoken over humanity — and then the heartbreak of the fall. In one moment of misplaced trust, Adam and Eve step away...
2025-12-0627 minGrace TransformationThe King Will Judge — Why That Brings Peace (Luke 23:27–43)What comes to mind when you hear the word judgment? Fear? Uncertainty? The sense that you’ll never measure up? On Christ the King Sunday, we turn to Luke 23:27–43 and watch Jesus reign from the cross—a King who judges with mercy, not terror.In this message, Pastor John reflects on three simple words from the title “The King Will Judge” and shows how each one leads to surprising freedom.The King — because judgment belongs to Jesus, not to us.Will — because nothing escapes His notice, and all things will be set right.Judge — because our sin...
2025-11-2516 minGrace TransformationLift Your Head: Finding Hope in a Fearful World (Luke 21:25–36)When the world feels uncertain and fear rises, Jesus speaks words we desperately need: “Lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” In this message from Luke 21:25–36, discover how Christ reframes fear into hope, teaches us to watch over our hearts, and invites us to live with release, anticipation, and identity as children of God. Whether you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or weighed down, this message offers clarity, comfort, and courage rooted in the gospel.Sermon 1 of 2 in the "Return of the King" seriesKeywords:Jesus return, Luke 21 sermon, end times hope, Christian hope in fear, lift your head sermon, overco...
2025-11-1720 minGrace TransformationWhat Lies Ahead: Wise People Prepare for What They Know is Coming | Parable of the Ten VirginsIn this message from Matthew 25:1–13, Pastor John Rallison reflects on Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins and what it means to live wisely—prepared for what we know is certain, even when we don’t know when it will happen.Using the vivid image of bridesmaids waiting with their torches for the bridegroom, Pastor John invites us to rest in Christ’s redemption, keep our faith personal and alive, and continue growing in grace.This sermon closes the Walking in Wisdom series with a call to quiet confidence: wise people prepare for what they know is coming—the return of Christ an...
2025-11-1025 minGrace TransformationBlessed Are Who?? | Walking in Wisdom (Week 3) | The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12)What does it really mean to be blessed?In this third message from our Walking in Wisdom series, Pastor John Rallison explores Jesus’ shocking words from Matthew 5: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are those who mourn… blessed are the meek.” These don’t sound like blessings at all — until we see them through the lens of the resurrection.Discover how the Beatitudes turn the world’s wisdom upside down and reveal what true blessing looks like in the kingdom of God.🕊️ Series: Walking in Wisdom📖 Text: Matthew 5:1–12🎙️ Message: Blessed Are Who??💒 Speaker: Pastor John Rallison, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregon“Blessed are...
2025-11-0416 minGrace TransformationBelieved and Received, Not Achieved — The Truth That Sets You Free (John 8:31-36 Reformation Sunday)What if real freedom isn’t doing whatever you want — but being free from guilt, fear, and striving?In this Reformation Sunday message, Pastor John Rallison explores the same discovery that changed Martin Luther’s life: righteousness is received, not earned.Through John 8, Romans 1 & 8, and 2 Corinthians 7, we see how Jesus frees us from guilt, self-justification, and fear of death — and for relationship, purpose, and peace.This sermon is part of the Walking in Wisdom series from Redeemer Lutheran Church & Preschool in Salem, Oregon.Listen in and rediscover the wisdom that sees what’s true — tha...
2025-10-2825 minGrace TransformationWhat Belongs to God | Walking in Wisdom (Matthew 22:15–22)In this message from Pastor John Rallison at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon, we begin the Walking in Wisdom series by exploring Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees and Herodians in Matthew 22:15–22. When Jesus says, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” He reveals more than a clever answer—He shows us how to live wisely in a confusing world.Discover what it means to see through life’s false choices, discern the heart behind people’s words, and live by faith as one who bears the image of God. True wisdom isn’t...
2025-10-2120 minGrace TransformationThe Cost of Joy | The Parable of the Wedding Feast | Stories That Confront – Week 4This final message in the Stories That Confront series explores one of Jesus’ most piercing parables — the Wedding Feast from Matthew 22:1–14.Jesus tells a story about a king who prepares a joyful banquet for his son, only to have the invited guests refuse to come. It’s a parable about grace offered and grace refused. Some miss the feast because they live as though the King isn’t really King. Others come but can’t bear to receive the gift the King freely provides.In this sermon, Pastor John explores how pride, distraction, and self-sufficiency keep us from...
2025-10-1623 minGrace TransformationSticks Against a Tank: The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants — Stewards, Not OwnersIn this sermon from Parables That Confront #3, Pastor John explores Jesus’ parable of the vineyard tenants (Matthew 21:33–46). What does it mean to live as a steward, not an owner? Why do so many of us drift into thinking we “own” our time, resources, or faith? And how does the work, wisdom, and mercy of Christ reclaim us from that delusion?We begin with a vivid story: six boys taking on a tank with sticks. That image points to the absurdity of defying God. Then we unpack:• Why religious leaders were so quick to trap Jesus (Matthew 21:23–27)• How the vineyard owner’s patien...
2025-10-0719 minGrace TransformationInvited by Grace | The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16)In this sermon, Pastor John explores Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16) and what it teaches us about grace, pride, and joy. The master pays each worker the same wage, no matter how long they labored. Why does this upset those who worked all day? Because comparison is the thief of joy.Discover how God’s strange economy of grace ends the math, unites His people, and frees us from the burden of keeping score. Whether you’ve been in the church your whole life or are just beginning to explore faith, this message reminds us that the...
2025-10-0718 minGrace TransformationForgiveness without Limit | 4 of 4 in the Essential Church seriesIn this sermon, Pastor John Rallison concludes the *Essential Church* series with a message on *Forgiveness Without Limits* from Matthew 18:21–35. Peter’s question, “How many times should I forgive?” sets the stage for Jesus’ unforgettable parable of the unforgiving servant.We explore the impossible debt forgiven by the king, the shocking refusal of mercy by the servant, and what this reveals about our own hearts. Along the way, Pastor John shares the “Rocks in the Backpack” story, a vivid reminder that unforgiveness only weighs down the one who carries it.This message also unpacks the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation...
2025-09-1629 minGrace TransformationDedicated to Oneness (Unity, Not Uniformity). 3 of 4 in the Essential Church series.How can the church stay united when pride, sin, and conflict threaten to divide us? In this third message of the Essential Church series, Pastor John Rallison explores Matthew 18:1–20 and shows how Jesus calls us to humility, vigilance against sin, care for those who wander, and reconciliation when relationships break down.Unity does not mean uniformity. It means all our God-given differences are woven together in love, bound by Christ Himself. Psalm 133 says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Oneness is not easy—but it is worth the effort, because Jesus is here.Listen in and d...
2025-09-0919 minGrace Transformation"Jesus Is the Christ" - Part 1 of 4 in the series "Essential Church"Jesus asks his disciples who the crowd thinks Jesus is. They spout off a variety of answers. Then Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do YOU say that I am?" Peter, ever the spokesman for the disciples, replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then tells his disciples that the confession that he is the Christ is the rock on which he will build his church.In this sermon, pastor John Rallison sets up the Essential Church series. Then he walks through answers to four basic questions that every church must get right:1. Who is...
2025-09-0918 minGrace TransformationJust Enough Light... to Hold On (Jesus and the Canaanite Woman)What does it mean to hold on to faith when God feels silent? In this message, Pastor John talks about the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21–28 — the woman who begged Jesus for mercy and said, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”Drawing from Martin Luther’s insight into this passage, we see three great battles of faith:Pushing past the feeling of not belonging.Trusting Jesus when our prayers seem unanswered.Living in humble dependence on Christ’s mercy.This sermon is part...
2025-08-1921 minGrace TransformationJust Enough Light... to Hope (Jesus feeds the 5,000)In this hope-filled message, Pastor John Rallison reflects on the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21) and what it means for our lives today. More than a story of loaves and fish, this sermon offers a glimpse into heaven’s abundance and reminds us that even a little light from Jesus is enough to keep us going.Explore how Christ meets us in our grief, multiplies what we offer, and invites us to be “just enough light” for others in a hurting world. You'll hear real-life stories of small acts of compassion that made a big difference, and discover how Holy...
2025-08-0419 minGrace TransformationJoy That Reorders Your Entire Life — Understanding the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:44–46What does it really cost to follow Jesus? And why would anyone give up everything to do it?In this inspiring sermon from Pastor John Rallison, we explore two of Jesus’ shortest and most powerful parables: the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44–46). These stories aren’t about guilt or obligation—they’re about joy. The kind of joy that reorders your entire life.One man stumbles across buried treasure in a field. Another finds the pearl he’s been searching for all his life. Both respond the same way: they joyfully give up ever...
2025-07-2917 minGrace Transformation"Judging is not our job." The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds.**Sermon on the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 | Let Them Both Grow**In this message from Matthew 13, Pastor John Rallison unpacks the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds—a powerful story Jesus told about God's patience, final judgment, and our call to love rather than judge. With humor, honesty, and practical insight, this sermon invites us to recognize that wheat and weeds grow together not just around us, but within us.What happens when we try to purify the field ourselves? What damage do we risk when we label others or ourselves? How can we learn...
2025-07-2216 minGrace Transformation“What Kind of Soil Are You Being Right Now?” — The Parable of the SowerSeries: Word Pictures from the King – Part 1Why did Jesus tell stories? And what can a reckless farmer teach us about grace, growth, and the Gospel?In this first message from our new sermon series Word Pictures from the King, Pastor John explores the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13:1–23 — a story where a farmer flings seed everywhere, even onto ground that seems hopeless.This parable isn’t just about four types of people. It’s about the condition of your heart right now. Are you open? Hardened? Distracted? Spiritually shallow? Through this powerful t...
2025-07-1525 minGrace TransformationThe Church: A Place of Shared Burdens and Personal CallingsWhat does it really mean to live as the body of Christ? In this message from Galatians 6:1–10, Pastor John Rallison explores how Christian community is shaped by grace, accountability, and Spirit-led love. We are called to bear one another’s burdens — offering gentle restoration when someone stumbles — while also embracing our personal callings and responsibilities within the body.This sermon brings to life Paul’s wisdom for a Spirit-filled church: one where we sow to the Spirit through service, Scripture, prayer, and shared life. Whether you're part of a church family or seeking one, this message will challenge and encourage...
2025-07-0820 minGrace TransformationWhen you don’t know what else to do, reach out to Jesus.When you don’t know what else to do, reach out to Jesus. In this moving sermon from Mark 5:21–43, we meet two very different people — a respected synagogue leader and a suffering, unnamed, untouchable woman — both desperate for healing. Their stories intersect in the crowd around Jesus, and what happens next is a powerful reminder that faith isn't about status or strength — it's about who you reach out to. Whether you're feeling strong or barely holding on, this message will speak to your soul and remind you that Jesus still sees, still stops, and still heals.
2025-07-0121 minGrace TransformationWhen Life Is Confusing or Hard, Perspective Is the Gift You NeedWhen life gets messy — when you're overwhelmed, unsure, or just worn out — what you need most isn’t a quick fix. It’s perspective. In this message from Luke 8:26–39, we explore how the resurrection of Jesus doesn’t just change our destination — it changes how we see everything along the way. When peace feels far, when purpose gets fuzzy, when people drain you or the Spirit feels silent, the resurrection speaks. Jesus is alive — and that changes everything.
2025-06-2316 minGrace TransformationMore Than a Whisper: The Real Work of the Holy SpiritOne tired morning and a simple prayer — that’s how this message begins. But what starts as a quiet moment of weakness becomes a doorway into something much bigger: the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.In this sermon about "The Gift of the Holy Spirit", number seven in the “Eight Gifts of the Resurrection” series, Pastor John Rallison explores how the Spirit shows up not just in fire and wind, but in the middle of our fatigue, confusion, and ordinary lives. Drawing from John 14, Romans 8:26, and Acts 2, this message reveals the many ways the Spirit works: comforting, convicti...
2025-06-1118 minGrace TransformationHow Jesus Can Turn a Painful Division into a Holy MomentWhat if your next conflict with a fellow Christian wasn’t a problem to solve — but a holy moment to notice? In this message, we explore Jesus’ bold prayer “that they may be one” and discover that every moment of tension is an invitation to see God at work. Through Scripture, storytelling, and real-life reflection, you’ll learn how to recognize division as sacred ground — and how the glory of God shows up when we choose presence, grace, and love over walking away.Keywords: unity in Christ, holy moment, Christian division, Jesus’ prayer for unity, John 17 sermon, resurrection gifts, overcoming disag...
2025-06-0325 minGrace TransformationWhen It’s Hard to Love, Here’s What Jesus KnewWhy does loving others — especially difficult people — feel so hard? In this message, Pastor John explores how the resurrection of Jesus changes the way we see people, respond to conflict, and live out love. Based on John 16:33, this sermon reveals how Jesus’ victory over the world rewires our hearts to love with courage, clarity, and grace. Whether you're navigating a strained relationship, struggling to forgive, or just tired of giving more than you receive, this message will help you see why love still makes sense — even when it’s hard.This is message 5, "The Power to Love Generously," in the eight...
2025-05-2719 minGrace TransformationGod’s Answer to Loneliness: A Church Where You Don’t Have to Pretend to BelongLoneliness is a quiet epidemic, leaving many of us feeling unseen and disconnected despite the crowds around us. In this fourth sermon of our Eight Gifts of the Resurrection series, "People to Live With," we dive into John 13:35, where Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The resurrection offers a powerful answer—not just peace or purpose, but people to share life with. Jesus creates a new kind of community, one marked by grace that welcomes you as you are, truth that guides without wounding, connection that g...
2025-05-2029 minGrace TransformationYou Don’t Have to Chase Peace — It’s Already HereIn the first message of our Eight Gifts of the Resurrection series, we explore the gift of Peace for Your Spirit.When Jesus appeared to His fearful, locked-away disciples on Easter evening, He didn’t scold them for their doubt or demand stronger faith. He simply spoke the words they most needed to hear: “Peace be with you.”True peace isn't something we can get by chasing it.It's not the reward for having enough faith. It's the result of Jesus' presence.Join us as we listen for that same voice speaking shalom into o...
2025-04-2925 minGrace TransformationResurrection: What If It’s True? What Then?What if the resurrection of Jesus actually happened? What if it’s not just a story, but a moment that changes everything — including your story? In this Easter message, Pastor John Rallison invites you to consider four simple but life-shaping questions: What brought you here? What are you looking for? What if it’s true? And what if it’s for you? Whether you’re a longtime believer, a curious skeptic, or somewhere in between, this message offers honest reflection, thoughtful hope, and a clear invitation to step into the story...
2025-04-2322 minGrace TransformationIs That Your Donkey? (Sermon Palm Sunday 2025)Palm Sunday begins with something small — a borrowed donkey.But that simple moment sets the stage for the entire story of Holy Week. In this sermon, Pastor John Rallison explores Jesus’ intentional entry into Jerusalem — not to meet expectations, but to redeem us. Jesus rides in for our sake, and then calls us to ride with him.This message invites listeners to reflect on the deeper freedom Jesus offers and the way our gifts — no matter how ordinary they seem — can carry forward the redemptive work of Christ.What has God given you to untie?
2025-04-1516 minGrace TransformationYou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.In this final message of the "The Lord Is My Shepherd" series, Chased by Grace, Welcomed Home, we explore the astonishing promise of Psalm 23:5–6 — that God prepares a feast for us not after the battle is over, but right in the presence of our enemies. With vivid imagery and deep gospel comfort, this sermon invites you to sit down at the Lord’s table — a place of protection, identity, and overflowing grace. You’ll discover that even when life feels like a battlefield, you are being pursued — not by shame or fear, but by the relentless love of a Shepherd who...
2025-04-0821 minGrace TransformationEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.Through the Valley: You Are Not Alone | Psalm 23:4Life inevitably brings us through valleys—times of loss, fear, grief, and uncertainty. In this sermon based on Psalm 23:4, we explore the powerful truth that even in our darkest valleys, we are never alone. Pastor shares honestly about the struggles we all face, offering comfort and hope from God's promise: "I will fear no evil, for you are with me."Join us as we reflect on the reassuring presence of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who has walked through the darkest valley Himself. Discover how His presence, protection, an...
2025-04-0118 minGrace TransformationHe leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.In this third message of our Lenten series on Psalm 23, we explore the profound statement, 'He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.' Discover how God gently guides us—not by force but through compassionate care—leading us into deeper trust and intimacy with Himself. Righteousness isn't merely about rules or moral perfection; it's about aligning our hearts with God’s heart. Join us as we reflect on what it truly means to follow these paths and why God lovingly leads us this way, transforming our lives through His grace and faithfulness.
2025-03-2529 minGrace TransformationHe makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.Ever feel like life’s chaos—work, family, endless notifications—has you running on empty? In this sermon, we unpack Psalm 23’s promise of rest and restoration — “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Through quirky studies on how words and even coffee temperature can shape our actions, we’ll see how daily habits can prime us to trust our Shepherd, God Himself. This isn’t about forcing submission — it’s about leaning into His tender care, finding peace that is stronger and longer than our circumstances. Dive into a message that’s...
2025-03-1821 minGrace TransformationThe Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (first in a series on Psalm 23)In this compelling sermon titled "The Shepherd We Follow," based on Psalm 23:1, we embark on a transformative journey through Lent, exploring what it means to trust God as our personal Shepherd. Drawing from the life of David—a young shepherd who became Israel’s king—we see how his experiences shaped a deep reliance on God’s provision, protection, and guidance. The message unpacks the intimate promise of “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” revealing a God who knows us by name, leads us through life’s valleys, and calls us to a contentment that defies our need for c...
2025-03-1121 minGrace TransformationJust Who Is Jesus? A Train Ride to EasterImagine being involved in a fascinating discussion on a train ride with a stranger only to learn that you had been talking to Henry Kissinger. This is a great illustration of life for the disciples.Who is Jesus—really? The disciples spent years walking and talking with Him, slowly piecing it together. Then came the Transfiguration, a breathtaking moment where Jesus shone with divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah. But even that wasn’t the ultimate reveal. The real moment of clarity came after the cross—when Jesus rose from the dead, proving once and for all that H...
2025-03-0419 minGrace TransformationGod's Crazy Love Breaks the Cycle of HateWhat does it mean to truly forgive as Christ forgave us? In this sermon, we explore Luke 6:27–38, where Jesus calls us to do something that seems utterly radical—love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. This is not just an idealistic suggestion; it is the very pattern of Christ’s love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, demonstrating the transformative power of grace. But how do we live this out in a world filled with hurt and betrayal? Through real-life examples and practical steps, we’ll...
2025-02-2519 minGrace TransformationThe Heart of Reconciliation (Series Wrap-up)In this final sermon on peacemaking, we delve into the heart of forgiveness and reconciliation, exploring why these acts are not just optional but essential for Christians. Using the parable of the ungrateful steward, we reflect on the vastness of God's forgiveness towards us and the call to extend that same grace to others. This sermon challenges us to consider whether we prioritize peace over pride, urging us to live out our faith by mirroring God's reconciling love in our relationships, thus healing not only personal bonds but also strengthening the witness of the church to the world.
2025-02-1928 minGrace TransformationGo and Be Reconciled (4th in the Resolving Conflict God's Way series)This is the fourth step in our series on biblical peacemaking, based on Ken Sande’sThe Peacemaker. So far, we’ve explored how toGlorify God in conflict,Get the Log Out of our own eye, andGently Restore others. Now, we come toGo and Be Reconciled—actively pursuing peace in our relationships.Reconciliation isn’t easy, but as followers of Jesus, it’s not optional. How do we take the first step when emotions are raw? What if the other person refuses to reconcile? Through Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, we’ll see how biblical reconciliati...
2025-02-1229 minGrace TransformationGently Restore - Week 3 of Resolving Conflict God's WayIn Week 3 of our sermon series Resolving Conflict God’s Way, we explore the transformative power of reconciliation. Drawing from Ken Sande's book The Peacemaker, we dive deep into the "Four G’s of Reconciliation," focusing on how we can humbly approach conflict with God-glorifying attitudes. In this message, we’ll examine the critical role of gently restoring relationships, following the example of Christ, who loved us even while we were still sinners. Through biblical insights from Leviticus, Galatians, Matthew, and Romans, we will learn practical steps for engaging in reconciliation with a spirit of gentleness, truth, and love. If you...
2025-02-0424 minGrace TransformationGet the Log Out - Resolving Conflict God's Way week 2
"Conflict is a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to steal your peace. In this sermon, we explore the second step of resolving conflict God’s way: *Getting the Log Out of Your Own Eye.* Discover how self-examination, confession, and humility can transform the way you handle disagreements. With insights from Matthew 7:3–5, James 4:1–2, and other Scriptures, this message will equip you to approach conflict with grace, honor God, and experience true peace of mind. Watch now and learn how to take responsibility for your part in conflict while trusting God to work in your heart and relationships."
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2025-01-2926 minGrace TransformationThe Nativity Compels Us to Love the "Other"
Podcast Description:
This episode leads into a new sermon series, Resolving Conflict God’s Way, while wrapping up the Christmas season with a compelling message on reconciliation. The nativity story challenges believers to confront excuses for avoiding difficult relationships, reminding them that Jesus came to dwell among a broken humanity. Drawing from John’s Gospel, Philippians, and personal reflection, the sermon explores how Christ’s love calls His followers to engage with others—even when it’s awkward, complicated, or uncomfortable. This message lays the groundwork for understanding how the Gospel transforms not only hearts but also relat...
2025-01-2219 minGrace TransformationJesus Shows Us What God Is Really Like
Podcast Description:
This episode delves into the profound truth of Christmas: Jesus not only embodies the reason for the season but also reveals the very heart of God. The message explores how Jesus demonstrates God’s deep compassion for human pain, His patient response to sin, and His longing for reconciliation. Drawing from Scripture, including the transformative story of Saul of Tarsus and the disciples’ time with Jesus, the sermon highlights the extraordinary love and grace of God made fully known through Christ. Listeners are invited to reflect on the wonder of Christmas as a celebration of G...
2025-01-2224 minGrace Transformation"How Can I Glorify God in this Conflict?" (Resolving Conflict God's Way - Week 1)
Discover how to navigate conflict in a way that honors God in this video based on the first step of Ken Sande’s *The Peacemaker.* Learn how asking, “How can I glorify God in this conflict?” can transform disagreements into opportunities to reflect God’s character, serve others, and grow in Christlikeness. Drawing from biblical wisdom and the example of Jesus, this message explores practical ways to respond with faith, humility, and love — even in the most challenging situations. Watch now to find peace and purpose in the midst of conflict.
This is week 1 of a five week series on Resolvi...
2025-01-2126 min
The Gibson Girl ReviewHigh Living Kills More than It CuresAt long last!! After a week of messy technical problems (and a lot of ugly-crying!), we are FINALLY able to bring you our latest episode... and we think it's worth the wait because this is THE book, folks! Without Mark Twain and Charles Warner's masterful 1873 satire, THE GILDED AGE, well, we simply wouldn't have a podcast! But does this collaborative classic live up to the expectations? Returning guest Gwendolyn Gage joins Amy in the studio to find out!
Plus it's our most dramatic and tragic history segment yet, as Amy tells Gwen the story...
2024-01-2640 min