Episodes

  • Called

    Called
    May 3 2026
    What does it mean to be called by God? Many Christians assume that God’s calling is limited to pastors, missionaries, or those in formal ministry. But Scripture shows that every believer has been called by God for His purpose. Paul explains that God does not call people because they are wise, powerful, noble, or impressive by worldly standards. Instead, God chooses ordinary people so that His power is displayed, and no one can boast. The gospel may seem foolish to the world, but to those who are called, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Our responsibility is not to rely on clever speech, personal ability, or persuasive arguments, but to faithfully proclaim Christ and trust the Holy Spirit to do the work only God can do. This sermon also explores the nature of God’s calling: We are called to share the Word of God We are called to sanctification and holiness We are called according to God’s purpose, not our own God’s calling is irrevocable God knows who we are, including our weaknesses, failures, and limitations, yet He still calls us. The call is not about our greatness, but about His power, His grace, and His purpose. There is no greater calling than being used by God to point others to Christ. Sermon Notes 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 25 Coming to know God is not through wisdom, but preaching the word 1 Corinthians 1:26 – 29 Consider your calling. We aren’t special, but God chose to share the word, but it is all God’s doing. There is no boasting 1 Corinthians 1:30 Boast in the Lord 1 Corinthians 2:1 - 5 Paul acknowledges it was not his skill, but the power of God 1 Thessalonians 4:7 God’s calling is for sanctification 2 Timothy 1:8 & 9 We have a holy calling according to His purpose Romans 11:29 His calling is irrevocable
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Loved

    Loved
    Apr 26 2026
    Where do we look for love? What happens when we look in the wrong places? In this message, Pastor Joe teaches from Scripture about the permanent, initiating, and unshakable love of God. The Bible tells us that God does not wait for us to love Him first. He loved us while we were still sinners, sent His Son as the payment for our sins, made us alive in Christ, and calls us His children. This sermon walks through several passages, including 1 John 4:10, Ephesians 2:4–9, 1 John 3:1–2, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, and Romans 8, showing that God’s love is not based on our worthiness, performance, ethnicity, or ability to change ourselves first. God’s love is not temporary. It is not reluctant. It is not fragile. He loved us first, demonstrated that love through Jesus Christ, gives us eternal comfort and good hope, and promises that nothing can separate His children from His love. If you have ever wondered whether God truly loves you, whether you have failed too many times, or whether you are still His child, this message is a reminder: God has not merely said He loves you—He has shown it. Sermon Notes 1 John 4:10 God loved us first even when we did not love Him Ephesians 2:4 – 9 God loved us greatly and seated us with Him in the heavenly places 1 John 3:1 & 2 Because of God’s great love we are called and are children of God 2 Thessalonians 2:16 God loved us and has given us eternal comfort and good hope John 3:16 God’s love does not distinguish our genetics Romans 3:5 God’s love does not depend on changing first
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Blessed

    Blessed
    Apr 19 2026
    What does it really mean to be blessed? In this message, we’re challenged to move beyond thinking of blessings as temporary or material and instead see the deeper, lasting spiritual blessings God has given us. Drawing from Ephesians 1, we discover that believers are not just lucky or fortunate—we are chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by God, with an eternal inheritance that cannot be taken away. This sermon then shifts to Matthew 5, where Jesus describes a different kind of blessing that one often feels counterintuitive. Blessed are those who mourn, the gentle, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and even those who are persecuted. These are not weaknesses, but marks of a life aligned with God and filled with His favor. The message challenges us to change our perspective: Stop focusing on what we don’t have Start recognizing the spiritual blessings we already possess Learn to rejoice in both good times and difficult circumstances Instead of asking “Why me?” in hardship, we are encouraged to ask, “Why not me?”, trusting that even in difficulty, God is still blessing us and shaping us for eternity. When we truly begin to count our blessings, we realize something powerful—we will never reach the end of the list. Sermon Notes Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be God who blessed us with every spiritual blessing Ephesians 1:4 - 14 Positional blessings – holy & blameless, redemption, made known the mystery of His will, an inheritance, and seal by the Holy Spirit as a pledge as God’s own possession Matthew 5:3 – 12 Character and Circumstance blessings – the kingdom of heaven, comfort, inheriting the earth, to be satisfied, receive mercy, seeing God, called sons of God, the kingdom of heaven and great reward
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Evil Advice

    Evil Advice
    Apr 12 2026
    Balaam could not curse the people of God, but he still found a way to profit. In this message, the story moves from Numbers 25 back to Numbers 31 to reveal the tragic truth: Israel’s fall into idolatry and sexual immorality did not happen by accident. It came through Balaam’s counsel and evil advice designed to bring God’s people into sin when open opposition had failed. What Balaam could not accomplish by cursing, he tried to accomplish by compromise. This sermon also draws a direct line from Balaam to Solomon and then to Jesus’ warning in Revelation 2:14. The message is clear: love God first, guard your heart, do not let relationships pull you away from the Lord, and do not follow teachers who make sin sound acceptable. God’s commands are not there to ruin life, but to protect it. Grace is real, but grace is never permission to compromise. The call is to trust God fully, love Him wholly, and remain faithful to Him. Sermon Notes Numbers 25:1 - 3 Israel begins to play the harlot with the women of Moab and make sacrifices to Moab’s gods Numbers 31:13 – 16 Balaam counsels to sin against God 1 Kings 11:1 – 13 Even wise men rebel against God for their love of foreign wives Revelations 2:14 Jesus against the teachings of Balaam
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • When the Facts Do not Matter

    When the Facts Do not Matter
    Apr 5 2026
    Sermon Notes Matthew 27:62 - 66 Because they were afraid that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body make the grave secure by posting guards Matthew 28:1 - 7 Jesus is resurrected the women discover the empty tomb are told that Jesus was not there and tell the disciple Matthew 28:8 - 10 Jesus meets with His disciples Matthew 28:11 - 15 Guards tell the officials about the resurrection, but they bribe them to say that the disciples stole the body 1 Corinthains 15:1 - 15 Witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • When a Donkey Sees More than You

    When a Donkey Sees More than You
    Mar 29 2026
    A man hired to discern and influence the future cannot even see what is directly in front of him. Instead, his donkey sees what he cannot, and in doing so, saves his life. As Balaam travels with the leaders of Moab, motivated by the promise of money and honor, God stands against him. An angel blocks the path, but Balaam is spiritually blind. Three times the donkey turns aside, protecting him, and three times Balaam responds with anger and violence. Finally, God opens Balaam’s eyes—and he sees just how close he was to destruction. This passage reveals powerful truths: Spiritual blindness can exist even in those who claim to speak for God God may use unexpected means to redirect us The love of money can cloud judgment and lead to compromise Saying “no” to sin once is not enough—we must remain faithful continually Balaam’s story is filled with irony, humor, and ultimately tragedy. It warns us that partial obedience is still disobedience, and that a heart drawn toward money, influence, or self-interest will always struggle to fully follow God. This message challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we truly seeking to honor God—or just trying to make our own path work? Do we recognize when God is trying to stop us? And are we willing to trust Him, even when it costs us? Message by Pastor Joe “When a Donkey Sees More than You” Sermon Notes Numbers 22:21 Balaam goes with the leaders of Moab Numbers 22:22 God is angry with Balaam and sends an angel in his way as an adversary Numbers 22:23 – 27 The donkey sees the angel repeatedly blocking the way. Balaam strikes the donkey repeatedly Numbers 22:28 – 30 The Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and it speaks and Balaam argues with the donkey Numbers 22:31 – 33 The angels says if not for the donkey the angel would have killed Balaam Numbers 22:34 & 35 Balaam acknowledges his sins and offers to return, the angel gives him permission to proceed but only speak what God says Numbers 22:36 – 41 Balak offers sacrifices to Baal and gives some to Balaam and then takes him to the high places of Baal
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • The Call of Money

    The Call of Money
    Mar 22 2026
    As Balak, king of Moab, becomes terrified of Israel, he sends messengers to hire Balaam to curse God’s people. Balaam at first refuses because God tells him not to go and not to curse Israel. But when a more distinguished delegation arrives with the promise of greater honor and greater payment, Balaam asks again and reveals the deeper problem: a heart tempted by profit more than obedience. This sermon explores how the call of money can influence people to do what they should never do, and how Balaam becomes a warning throughout Scripture. Connecting Jude 11, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Matthew 16:26, this message shows that the love of money is not harmless. Money can pull a person away from faith, truth, and obedience to God. The real issue is not earning a living but loving money so much that it competes with God for first place in the heart. This is a warning against compromise, greed, and trying to reopen doors God has already closed. It is also a call to value your soul more than wealth, power, prestige, or temporary gain. What will a person give in exchange for his soul? Balaam’s story reminds us that no amount of money is worth losing eternity. Sermon Notes Numbers 22:1 – 4 Balak, king of Moab became afraid of the sons of Israel Numbers 22:5 & 6 Balak sends messengers to Balaam to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:7 Elders of Moab and Midian go to Balaam with money to pay him to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:8 Balaam told them to spend the night so that he could find out what God wanted him to do Numbers 22:9 – 12 God and Balaam have a conversation about the men and God tells him not to go and not to curse the sons of Isarael Numbers 22:13 & 14 Ballam tells them he cannot go Numbers 22:15 – 17 Balak sends a bigger and more distinguished group and increases the price Numbers 22:19 & 20 Ballam asks God again about going Jude 11 The error of Balaam - money 1 Timothy 6:10 Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil Matthew 16:26 The value of the soul
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Lifted Up

    Lifted Up
    Mar 15 2026
    The life-and-death crisis Israel faced in the wilderness. After speaking against God and Moses, the people were bitten by fiery serpents and many died. When they finally confessed their sin, Moses interceded for them, and God gave an unexpected remedy. Sermon Notes Numbers 21:4 & 5 Because the people had to travel around Edom, they spoke against Moses Numbers 21:6 God sends fiery serpents to bit and kills the people Numbers 21:7 The people acknowledge their sin and ask Moses to intercede for them Numbers 21:8 God tells Moses to make a serpent and put it on a standard and if those who were bitten look, they will not die Numbers 21:9 Moses did so and if they looked, they did not die John 3:9 – 18 Jesus will be lifted up and all who believe will have eternal life
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins