Podcasts

May 30 Friday Forum message about Fanny Crosby Play Audio

May 16 Friday Forum Message (Luke 9:1-27) Play Audio

May 9 Friday Forum message (Luke 8:15-25, Mark 4:25-41, Matthew 14:22-33) Play Audio

Apr 25 Friday Forum message (Luke 7:36-8:!5) Play Audio
The parable of the soils teaches us that our receptivity to the Word of God hinges upon how we see ourselves and reality. God wants our lives to be fruitful, but unless take the Bible seriously and make effort to recover our relationship with God, then we will be like the path, rocky soil, or thorny soil. Having a heart like good soil takes an understanding of our sinfulness and God's mercy in response to our sin--just like the woman with the alabaster jar saw herself.

Apr 18 Friday Forum Message (Luke 7:11-35) Play Audio
While we may view John the Baptist's doubt negatively, Jesus never rebukes honest doubt. In contrast, the Pharisees' saw whatever they wanted to see. Jesus' challenge to the Pharisees, and each of us, is to consider our attitude toward truth because God is the God of reason.

Apr 11 Friday Forum Message (Luke 8:22-39) Play Audio
Behind Jesus healing of the demon possessed man, the Bible tells us that there are so many things in life that we cannot control--including things within our own hearts and minds. Jesus comes to restore every person into the original picture that God made us in. But only if we are willing to allow change into each of our lives.

Apr 4 Friday Forum Message (Luke 6:17-36) Play Audio
Naturally, people think that blessing is to have riches, comfort, and a good reputation: things which give us a sense of control over our lives. Though we never think of poverty, hunger, and weeping as blessings, but the Bible tells us that these things cause us to listen to God. Ultimately, we discover that true blessing is to know and remember God.

Mar 14 Friday Forum Message (Leviticus 16) Play Audio
As we near Good Friday, the cross of Jesus seems like a scheme designed by Judas, the Chief Priests, and even the devil. But this is Gods plan. When we see that Jesus is the Passover Lamb, we will finally understand that our rebellion and uncleanliness causes God to bear this sort of pain.

Mar 7 Friday Forum Message (Luke 7:1-16) Play Audio
The Centurion whose servant Jesus heals with just a word shows us what faith looks like. This man was a good person, well loved by the Jewish elders. But it is his humility--the fact that he does not deserve to have Jesus come under his roof--that gives us a picture of real faith.

Feb 22 Friday Forum Message (Luke 5:33-6:11) Play Audio
In the parable of the wineskins, Jesus criticizes the religious practices of the Pharisees. In these religious leaders, we see that even religion can become a source of pride that we hold onto. Jesus invites us to relate to God in openness and humility by giving up our pride and our own presumptions about God and Christian life.

Feb 8 Friday Forum Message (Luke 4:42-44, 5:12-31) Play Audio

Feb 1 Friday Forum Message (Luke 4:31-44) Play Audio

Jan 25 Friday Forum Message (Luke 4:14-30) Play Audio

Jan 20 ISM Winter Retreat Message 5 (Psalm 1) Play Audio
Psalm 1 teaches us that there are two paths in life: the wicked or the blessed life. But wickedness is not necessarily being evil--the Bible considers an ungodly life to be wicked. How can we be blessed then? Only be regularly meditating on the Bible, which is the Word of God.

Jan 20 ISM Winter Retreat Message 4 (Luke 15; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:2) Play Audio
Jesus tells the same story three times to teach us what God is really like. What was shocking to the Pharisees is that the heart of God is one that is always waiting for us, and suffering because of his love for us. Often, we fail to understand this because we have a tendency to make God into someone who is lesser than ourselves.