New Song Students OKC

Afleveringen

• 
  Senior Sendoff / MARANATHA '26 Open Mic (Testimonies) 30.07.2026 56min
• 
  MARANATHA '26 - The Life Of Wonder - Jackson Wilson 30.07.2026 50min

  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!”Isaiah 6:3"Earth's crammed with heaven,And every common bush afire with God;But only he who sees takes off his shoes—The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."Elizabeth Barrett Browining“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Matthew 5:8By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.Hebrews 11:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:3O Lord, how manifold are your works!    In wisdom have you made them all;    the earth is full of your creatures.Here is the sea, great and wide,    which teems with creatures innumerable,    living things both small and great.Psalm 104:24-25Colorado Picture*Fish Picture*GOD IS NOT HIDING HIMSELF FROM YOU.THE LIFE OF WONDERWonder: a feeling of awe or astonishment.2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”Isaiah 6:2-3Wonder is for the CHILDREN of God.At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:1-4God is better than you think.25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.John 21:25THE BARRIER TO WONDER24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”John 20:24-25The barrier to wonder is a heart that cannot see beyond physical sightWe are and remain such creeping Christians, because we look at ourselves and not at Christ; because we gaze at the marks of our own soiled feet, and the trail of our own defiled garments, instead of up at the snows of purity, whither the should of Christ is climbed.George Macdonald26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”John 20:26-27THE BRIDGE TO WONDERThe Bridge to Wonder is the eyes the heart being opened to see Jesus rightly.It is not His will that one of His little ones should perish and, therefore, He chases away unbelief, which is their deadliest foe. The Good Shepherd will leave the 99 to seek the one wanderer! If Thomas is the most unbelieving, Thomas shall have the most care! He is only one, but yet he is one, and the Lord Jesus will not lose one whom He has ordained to save!Charles Spurgeon27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”John 20:27THE RESPONSE TO WONDER28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28It had flashed upon the mind of Thomas that this august Person whom he had regarded as the Messiah was also God. He saw that the Man at whose feet he had sat was more than man and was assuredly God, and this amazed him so that he used broken speech. He does not say, “You are my Lord and my God,” as a man would say who is making a doctrinal statement, but he brings it out in fragments. He makes adoration of it.Charles Spurgeon27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Colossians 1:27
• 
  MARANATHA '26 - The Death Of Lack - Luke Morris 30.07.2026 48min

  26 The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Colossians 1:26-27  Teaching Text: 2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  O God, O God,The plan which You had from the beginning, regarding Your Kimyals,which already existed in Your Spirit.The month that You had set, the day that You had set, has come to pass today.O my Father, my Father,the promise that You gave Simeon that he would see Jesus Christand hold Him in his arms before he died.I also have been waiting under that same promise, O God.You looked at all the different languages and chose which ones will be put into Your Word.You thought that we should see Your Word in our language.Today, the day You had chosen for this to be fulfilled, has come to pass.O God, today You have placed Your Word into my hands, just like You promised.You have placed it here in our land.And for all this, O God, I give You praise.The truth is…Christ...IN.YOU.Not over there.Not one day.Not after you get your life together.Christ in you.The hope of glory.This is where striving begins to die.   Christianity doesn't begin with obtaining more of Christ.It begins by discovering that He has already given Himself to you completely. 2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  "The gospel is the declaration that Jesus Christ has come to do for us what we could never do for ourselves." — Tim Keller.  Revelation 3:20,”20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” To my hurt. (Sin & Pain)To my longing. (Searching for Purpose) Matthew 6:19-21,”19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  To my soul. (Desire for Perfect Love) 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ”Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”- He holds our soul perfectly and fulfills our desire for soul care truly.   Genesis 1:1-5,”1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”   Hebrews 4:12-16,”12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  2 Cor 3:17,” Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”   John 10:9-11,”9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  
• 
  MARANATHA '26 - The Death Of Fear - Molly Ratliff 27.07.2026 51min

  “1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim…3 And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3. See The Death of Fear“1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim…3 And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3.“11 the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 8:11Night 1: we want to “See the King”Night 2: we want to “Receive the King”Night 3: we want to “Live in the King/into the life of wonder”See the death of fear, when we see our glorious King“1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord…” Isaiah 6:11) Who is King Uzziah and why does it matter he is dead?“15 His fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped (by God) til he became strong.” 2 Chronicles 26:15.“16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction.” 2 Chronicles 26:16The backdrop of one of the most insightful accounts of the glory and majesty of God is the death of this failed King.2) Who is Isaiah?A prophet is a set aside person God uses to warn, encourage, reveal God’s will to others3) Who is the Lord?“1 I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple…3 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3A King’s robe symbolizes:- Authority (the person wearing, has the right to rule)- Identity (the person themselves, is the ruler)- Status (the longer the robe the greater the honor)-Office (when the King wears a robe, he represents the Kingdom itself)Fear is our natural response to a perceived threatFear can include anxiety, dread, or terror and is experienced in our thoughts, emotions, and actionsFear #1: The year Uzziah diedFear #2: The glorious King“4 The posts of the door were shaken by the voice of one who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I (Isaiah) said, ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:4-5Yir’ah: profound respectWhere fear of the world is a threat to us, the fear of the Lord is the attitude of someone who recognizes God’s holiness, power, and authority.Fear is the response of the heart to what it believes has the greatest power and worth“This vision of the throne of God did not immediately make Isaiah feel good. The more clearly he saw the LORD, the more clearly he saw how bad his state was.”- David Guzik“6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me having in his hand a live coal…7 He touched my mouth with it and said, ‘your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.’” Isaiah 6:6-7.The answer to fear is vision.We can see death to fear when we see the King!“17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.” Revelation 1:17-18
• 
  Impossible Christianity - Don't Lose The Plot - Luke Morris 16.07.2026 45min

  Colossians 2:6-8,”6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”False: “As a Christian, I need to make sure I uphold my faith by only doing the Jesus things.”The gospel is not an invitation to perform for Christ; it is an invitation to abide in Him."The church is always in danger of worshiping its own work instead of worshiping God."— Henri NouwenHosea 6:6 "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."John 15:15,”15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”John 15:16-17,”16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”"Christianity becomes impossible the moment we believe it's our job to keep ourselves close to Jesus."Many times we turn the things we do for God into the relationship we have with Him. "The greatest hindrance to true religion has always been that it was trusted in instead of God."— A. W. TozerJesus never said, "Produce fruit so you can stay connected."He said, "Stay connected, and fruit will come."Avoid Insecure Actions.Colossians 2:9-10,”9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”Nearness matters more than sacrifices."The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen... I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament." – Brother LawrenceColossians 2:16-20,”16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:”Fruit will come – but it will always be Him.Colossians 3:3,” For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
• 
  Impossible Christianity - Holiness Without Misery - Molly Ratliff 09.07.2026 45min

  “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3The lie- A Christian life of holiness is burdensome and boringThe truth- A Christian life of holiness is what we were made for and its good!True holiness is living our life as God, our creator, intended. Holiness is our set apart design. This design is what we were made for, and it is good!Holy: to be set apart, consecrated, dedicatedHoliness: the state of being set apart for God“2 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’s seat.3 But don’t do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matthew 23:2-4“28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest….30 My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28,30A Christian life of holiness simply means we have been set apart by God for his purposes“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” 1 Peter 2:9“27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28We were created for holiness because we have been set apart from all other creations.Holiness is not a burden of our Christianity. Holiness is the freedom to become what God created us to be.Holiness is the environment we were created to thrive in. It is the pathway to truly live.“ I have come that you have life and life abundantly” John 10:10.“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11“My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11“8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put man who he had formed.9 And…the Lord God made every tree grow that was pleasant…and good…” Genesis 2:8-9“God’s holiness is essential to his nature and fundamental to His being. His holiness is what makes him good, and loving, and kind, and faithful. Without holiness, God wouldn’t be beautiful, and so because of it, He is eternally attractive. Think about the opposite of it being present in Him and you may see my point. If He were sovereign, but wicked, with no inner righteousness to restrain His hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if the world was no more. If He had all power without love, our refusal to love Him back would result in cosmic abuse or maybe a million more floods with no rainbow to promise His relent. If He were an unholy God, what would salvation even mean? What is deliverance to a self-centered “savior”? Thankfully, our God is incomprehensibly holy and therefore completely beautiful in all of His ways and works. This is why we are invited to worship Him as such, and in so doing, we become just as beautiful as He is. Holiness is not an aspect of God; holy is who He is through and through” – Jackie Hill Perry“The veiling of his glory was the real marvel. The Divine restraint which prohibited the illumination of his sacred humanity.”- Joseph S. Excel“When God decides to make something, He does it not to fill a void but to give opportunity for all that He is to be known by another.” – Jackie Hill Perry“He who called you is holy, you also be holy…” 1 Peter 1:15We experience the Christian life of holiness as boring and burdensome, when we think we can be holy apart from God.“24 Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24“ We all, with an unveiled face (this is the gospel: the veil was torn at the cross), beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord (his image in us) are being transformed into the same image (holiness) from glory to glory just as by the Spirit of the Lord (not apart from God).”  2 Corinthians 3:18We were created for a life of holiness that is good, by beholding His holiness!“We have come to behold the beauty of his holiness, and by beholding it, we became as lovely as He is.” – Jackie Hill Perry
• 
  Impossible Christianity - God Won't Fix Me Until I "_________" - Jackson Wilson 02.07.2026 48min

  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.2 Corinthians 3:188 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.1 John 4:8Love is not something God does, it’s who He is.And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.2 Corinthians 3:18GOD WON’T, UNTIL I’VE…God cares about fixing you more than you do.HOW DOES JESUS TRANSFORM US?After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.John 5:1-9A multitude of needy people were there, yet none of them looked to Jesus. A blindness had come over these people at the pool; there they were, and there was Christ, who could heal them, but not a single one of them sought him. Their eyes were fixed on the water, expecting it to be troubled; they were so taken up with their own chosen way that the true way was neglected.Charles SpurgeonA LOOK6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time,John 5:6GOD ALWAYS MOVES FIRST17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,Genesis 15:17-187 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8A QUESTION6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”John 5:6A WORD8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.John 5:8-9Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2A STEP14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14We haven’t arrived until we look just like Him.And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6
• 
  Impossible Christianity - You Can't Fix Anyone - Molly Ratliff 25.06.2026 42min

  “27 John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him.’ … 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.’” John 3:27-28, 30.The lie: If you really love Jesus, you need to carry the weight of changing the whole world. The lie: It is your turn to save. 2. The truth: Jesus alone is the savior.“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. If we don’t understand the “new creation” we have been made to be in our salvation, we will deny the role we have been made for and step into the role of the savior. “4 Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘you will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:4-5. In their humanity, he gave them the assignment to image Him to the rest of creation. Salvation doesn’t do away with humanity. Salvation redeems humanity. Our role is not to become the savior to others. It is to reflect the image of the savior to others. “The new creation [2 Cor 5:17] doesn’t mean you are something other than human. It means you are a new type of human. God the Father sent his Son not to show us how to be another God but how to be human. God does not want little gods. God wants big humans. He is not after demigods. He is after disciples.”- Dr. Dharius Daniels. Savior Complex- a person compelled to “save” and fix others. 2. The truth: Jesus alone is the savior. “no one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. 3.Step into the “JTB” role- be a faithful witness.“6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness of the Light, that all through Him, might believe. 8 He (John) was not the Light but was sent to bear witness of the Light.” John 1:6-8. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. “26 Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified- behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” John 3:26.“27 John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’…30 He must increase, but I must decrease.’” John 3:27-28,30. We are not Christ, but we have been sent to be a witness of Christ. We aren’t called to save, but we can point people to the savior. The JTB calling or the role of the Christian is not to be Christ. It is to point to Christ. It is to image Christ. To be a witness of Christ. And when Christ comes, we get out of the way. We let Jesus be the savior. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. We aren’t Christ. We are Christians. 
• 
  Impossible Christianity - You Can't Know It All - Jackson Wilson 18.06.2026 47min

  38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:38-4220 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:206 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:65 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5The Good News is not trying to be good in order to prove the cross was enough. The Good News is an announcement that the cross WAS enough.38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:38-42The pressure to control — The distraction of “good things” — The one thing necessaryTHE PRESSURE TO CONTROLMary sees love for Jesus as control given. Martha sees love for Jesus as taking control.We live in a world that rewards the mastery of something, and neglects faithfulness to someone.4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:4-6THE DISTRACTION OF “GOOD THINGS”41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things…Luke 10:41“One of the easiest ways to miss Jesus is to become obsessed with everything you think Jesus needs from you.”41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:41-42THE ONE THING NECESSARY
• 
  Impossible Christianity - You Can't Do It - Jackson Wilson 11.06.2026 48min
• 
  It Is Well - Christ Carried It For Us - Luke Morris 04.06.2026 43min

  Isaiah 53:3-6,” He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”Escapism is the tendency to seek distraction or relief from unpleasant realities, stress, responsibilities, or emotional discomfort. We ask, ' How may I work to get some real easy living?” "Man was made for truth, but truth is costly and mysterious. Therefore, many choose pleasure—not because it satisfies, but because it distracts."Isaiah 53:4,"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows"JOHN 6:53-58,”53 So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, the one who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread that came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died; the one who eats this bread will live forever.”Charles Spurgeon, "Christ did not come merely that we might be better men, but that He might make us new men altogether."An invitation has been pronounced to enter into something new, different, better, the first and final plan.Faith in HIS suffering & gift.Hebrews 2:14-18,” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”“Our bodies will break, and our blood will be spilled, but in Christ we have one who spilled the perfect blood and broke the perfect body that though we may suffer here on earth, it pales in comparison to what we have now received through one man’s ultimate suffering.”ISAIAH 53 He carried our griefs He carried our sorrows He was wounded for us He was crushed for us He became all of our suffering, not for us to run & escape, but rather to stand with Him in freedom.1 PETER 3:18,”18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”In suffering, we bring His work—not our escapePsalm 62:8 - “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”In suffering, we look to Christ—not inward for answersHebrews 12:2 - “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”John Piper - “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”In suffering, we remain with Jesus—not away from HimJohn 15:4 - “Abide in Me, and I in you.”Acts 16:25 - “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God in prison.”In suffering, we trust Jesus—not the outcomePhilippians 1:21 - “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Romans 8:38–39 - “Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
• 
  It Is Well - Refining - Jackson Wilson 28.05.2026 48min

  10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.Isaiah 48:101. What do I feel in the middle of suffering? The Groan2. What do I see in the middle of suffering?Discerning3. What is happening in the middle of suffering?3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.Romans 5:32 Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.James 1:2-46 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6God is Refining10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.Isaiah 48:10Refining: to improve or purify something by removing unwanted elements or making small, precise adjustments.“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”MichelangeloGod’s love is a consuming fire3 Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God.Deuteronomy 9:3“Safe?... Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”C.S. Lewis (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)“The consuming fire of God is not the fire of a wild animal attacking us; it is the fire of a savior who loves us too much to leave us untouched.”God sees His children stuck, and will refine them until they’re free.In The Fire of God’s Refining Love:NOTHING OF VALUE IS LOSTKing Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits[a] and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.Daniel 3:1-226 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.Hebrews 12:26-29We lose what we’ve tried to cover ourselves with.We lose what we’ve been bound up in.23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”Daniel 3:23-25 Fear tells us that everything being broken off is a loss. The Gospel tells us that everything being broken off is gain.8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8NOTHING OF VALUE IS ADDEDThe Gospel doesn’t say, “Jesus makes life better.”The Gospel says, “Jesus is life.”THE VALUE OF JESUS IS REVEALED25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”Daniel 3:25His love does not change; it cannot be made to alter; the furnace cannot scorch us, not a single hair of our head can perish; we are as safe in the fire as we are out of it.Charles Spurgeon
• 
  It Is Well - Discerning Suffering - Jackson Wilson 21.05.2026 50min

  12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.1 Corinthians 13:1233 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.John 16:33When peace like a river, attendeth my wayWhen sorrows like sea billows rollWhatever my lot, thou hast taught me to sayIt is well, it is well, with my soulHoratio SpaffordThe same suffering that softens one heart can harden another—not because God changed, but because suffering reveals what we think about Him.Discerning SufferingDiscern: to detect with the eyes; a figure approaching through the fogSuffering has the ability to distort our vision.The problem isn’t suffering itself, or even the groan we feel in the suffering. The problem is most people look at the suffering but never learn to ask the right questions to discern what they are looking at.17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”John 11:17-2621 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.John 11:2123 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”John 11:23-26Do you believe this?”John 11:26“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty, He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, power, or both.”C.S. LewisGOD IS GOODOh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!Psalm 31:19Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.James 1:17ASSUMPTIONS WE MUST QUESTION:“If God is good, He will prioritize my comfort”Reality: Because God really is good, we can rest in the fact that no suffering has the ability to take away true comfort.Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.2 Corinthians 1:3-4“If God is good, then He owes me an explanation”Reality: Because God really is good, we can rest in the fact that no suffering has the ability to change who He is.Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.James 1:17“If God is good, then He shouldn’t allow suffering”Reality: Because God really is good, we can rest in the fact that no suffering is beyond is fatherly care.Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!Matthew 7:9-11QUESTIONS WE MUST ASK OURSELVES:What am I feeling?What story am I living?Is that story true?What is true?The cross helps us see in the darkAt the cross, ultimate suffering and ultimate goodness are not separate realities. Both can exist together.
• 
  It Is Well - The Groan - Casey Bush 14.05.2026 44min

  “The Groan”Why does suffering hurt so badly?”TEACHING TEXT - Romans 8:22-23 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.Job 1:1-3 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.Suffering is an ache from being banished.Genesis 2:25 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.Genesis 3:1-7 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.Groaning is a deep, wordless, inward expression of pain, distress, or intense longing for relief and redemption.Our spirit groans for home.Romans 8:22-23 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.John 11:17 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. John 11:19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.John 11:32 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept.Grief isn’t the absence of faith, its a symptom of suffering2. Jesus entered our groaningJohn 1:14 “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Luke: 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done.”Job 1:21 “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”Sometimes we have to pray through confusion. Psalm 13 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.Jesus entered our suffering himself, therefore we can stand firm in knowing that He isn’t distant from your pain, and we can trust Him. 3. Jesus is our hope in the groaning.Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”Hebrews 12:1 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…4.Eternity changes our groaning…Because eternity doesn’t end in suffering, it ends in restorationActs 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying…the groan inside of you isn’t just pain, its homesickness
• 
  Witness - The Witness Who Lingered - Ashley Bassoppo-Moyo 30.04.2026 47min

   John 20:14–18 (ESV)14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned and said to him in Aramaic,  “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.5 Lessons of a Present Witness - and What They Reveal About God 1) Keep Looking1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust;let me not be put to shame;let not my enemies exult over me.3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;teach me your paths.5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,for you are the God of my salvation;for you I wait all the day long.Psalm 25:1-5 (ESV)God reveals Himself to those who keep seeking Him.John 20:11 (ESV) 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.Psalm 27:13–14“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord… wait for the Lord…”2) Don’t Hold BackGod draws near to the humble and those who know they need HimJohn 20:13 (ESV)….Woman, why are you weeping?..Psalm 34:18“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted…”“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”Psalm 27:13–14 (ESV)Psalm 25:1 (ESV)To you, O Lord , I lift up my soul.T.Y.O.L.I.L.U.M.S.Psalm 25:13) Jesus is Nearer Than You ThinkGod meets us where our hearts remain open to HimJohn 20:14 (ESV)she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.Isaiah 65:24 (ESV) Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.4) Don’t Be Surprised When He Meets YouGod sees you and is drawing you outJohn 20:15“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”Psalm 40:2“He drew me up from the pit of destruction…”5) Lean in for His VoiceGod reveals Himself personally. He knows and calls you by name!John 20:16“Mary.”Isaiah 43:1“I have called you by name…”This is what happens when you encounter a God like this. This is what happens to those who linger in His presence.You discover a God who reveals Himself. A God who draws near to the humble. A God who meets open hearts. A God who sees you and draws you out. And a God who knows you and calls you by name.
• 
  Witness - The Witness Who Was Never The Same - Jackson Wilson 23.04.2026 48min

  35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.John 6:35-37"I'm not really a religious person," he said, "but there was just no other avenue for me to explain anything or to experience anything. So I asked for the chaplain on the Navy ship. I saw him and the cross on his chest, and I broke down in tears. I don't think humanity has evolved to the point of being able to comprehend what we're looking at right now, because it was otherworldly.”Reid Wiseman, Artemis II 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,Colossians 1:15-22No man ever saw Christ truly and was left unchanged.Charles Spurgeon“I looked back at the previous ten years of VeggieTales videos and realized that a lot of what we were teaching kids was:‘God made you special, and He loves you very much.’That’s true. But it’s not the whole story.We weren’t teaching kids that they were sinners, or that they needed a Savior.”Phil Vischer, Creator of VeggieTalesZACCHAEUS, THE WITNESS WHO WAS NEVER THE SAMEHe entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”Luke 19:1-7What is needed in order for a person to first SEE Jesus, rightly?Sin.JESUS, FRIEND OF SINNERS9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came…”Luke 19:9-10Jesus came to:“To show people what a good person looks like.”“To teach people how to get to heaven.”“To die on the cross for the sins of the world.”10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:9-10We know nothing aright in religion, if we think the sense of sin should keep us back from Christ. To feel our sins, and know our sickness is the beginning of real Christianity… Happy indeed are they who have found out their soul’s disease! Let them know that Christ is the very Physician they require, and let them apply to him without delay.”J.C. RyleThe Danger of Spiritual CIP (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain)Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP): a rare genetic disorder where a person cannot feel physical pain.JESUS, THE GREAT PHYSICIAN8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:8-1022 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”Luke 18:22What does ‘coming’ mean? It means that movement of the soul which takes place when a man, feeling his sins, and finding out that he cannot save himself, hears of Christ, applies to Christ, trusts in Christ, lays hold on Christ, and leans all his weight on Christ for salvation. When this happens, a man is said, in scriptural language, to ‘come’ to Christ.J.C. RyleJESUS, THE ONE WHO NEVER LEAVES“No, wait” — we say, cautiously approaching Jesus—“you don’t understand. I’ve really messed up, in all kinds of ways.”I know, he responds.“You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than what others see. But there’s perversity down inside me that is hidden from everyone.”I know it all.“Well—the thing is, it isn’t just my past. It’s my present too.”I understant.“But I don’t know if I can break free of this any time soon.”That’s the only kind of person I’m here to help.“The burden is heavy—and heavier all the time.”Then let me carry it.“It’s too much to bear.”Not for me.“You don’t get it. My offenses aren’t directed toward others. They’re against you.”Then I am the one most suited to forgive them.“But the more of the ugliness in me you discover, the sooner you’ll get fed up with me.”Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.Dane OrtlundNo man ever saw Christ truly and was left unchanged.Charles Spurgeon35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.John 6:35-37
• 
  Witness - The Unexpected Witness - Jackson Wilson 16.04.2026 50min

  Witness / Wk.0222 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.Numbers 22:22-31We were wired to belong.People are willing to go to great lengths to be known by others, but God has gone farther.24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24How far is God willing to go in order to be seen?Witness: a person who sees, hears, or experiences an event firsthand; particularly a crime or an accident.Balaam is the picture of your “spiritual” person today who will try it all but will not serve any specific god; they are their own god.So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River[a] in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me.Numbers 22:5-67 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” Numbers 22:7-8Balaam is a witness toThe God Who Speaks12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Numbers 22:12God speaks clearly:“This command… is not too hard for you… the word is very near you.”Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (paraphrase)“Write the vision; make it plain…”Habakkuk 2:2“I have spoken openly to the world… I have said nothing in secret.”John 18:20God speaks truthfully:“God is not man, that he should lie…”Numbers 23:19“It is impossible for God to lie…”Hebrews 6:18“The Father of lights… with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”James 1:17God speaks effectively:“My word… shall not return to me empty…”Isaiah 55:10-11 (paraphrase) the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”Psalm 19:8God speaks personally:“It is impossible for God to lie…”Hebrews 6:18“The Father of lights… with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”James 1:17The God Who Warns22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. Numbers 22:22-23The God Who Pursues28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”Numbers 22:28 The God Who Turns Curses Into Blessing28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—Galatians 3:13The God Who he Belongs to32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?Romans 8:32“You say, ‘I want to see more.’ What more do you want than the Son of God crushed under the wrath of God for sinners?”Paul Washer“The greatest display of God’s love is the cross of Christ. If that does not win your heart, nothing will.”John Piper
• 
  Witness - The Witness Who Didn’t Want the Job - Luke Morris 09.04.2026 51min

  TEACHING TEXT:  Exodus 3:1-12,” Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” See the Power of God.Exodus 3:2-6,”4 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”Charles Spurgeon - “Where God is present, the place becomes holy ground, though it be a desert and a bush.”Exodus 3:6,”6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”Matthew Henry - “God's covenant-relation to us as our God is the best support in the worst of times, and a great encouragement to our faith in particular promises. When we are conscious to ourselves of our own great unworthiness we may take comfort from God's relation to our fathers,”Charles Spurgeon - “A sense of the divine presence will make a man cover his face in humility. The nearer we come to God, the more conscious we are of our own unworthiness.”Recognize who God is. Exodus 3:11-15,”11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”A. W. Tozer - “God exists in Himself and by Himself, and all other beings exist only because He wills that they should.”God extends the call. Exodus 4:1-11 “Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” 6 Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous[e]—it had become as white as snow. 7 “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. 8 Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” 10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”Exodus 3:7-8,”7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—”Moses sees → resists → God still sends God answers every excuse except one: unwillingness Charles Spurgeon - “The Lord’s eye is never closed to the sorrow of His people.”Ask God to reveal His power to you.Ask God to reveal His identity to you.Ask God to send you. GOD ALONE SUSTAINS  ...
• 
  Hebrews - Living in the New Covenant - Molly Ratliff 29.03.2026 45min

  LIVING IN THE NEW COVENANT SLIDES“20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Sheperd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Hebrews 12:1“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross….” Hebrews 12:2“20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Sheperd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21We are to live in the new covenantCovenant: an agreement between God and people, where God makes promises and people respond in faith or obedience“A covenant is a sovereign announcement of God which He establishes a relationship of responsibility between Himself and mankind. Covenants are unconditional in the sense that God obligates Himself in grace, by His declaration ‘I will’”- NKJV Study Bible“5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:5-6Old covenant I will be your God, and you will be my people. The law is how the people would live in this covenant“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Exodus 19:4“The Lord reminded the people that up to then they had been the objects of His free grace. The law is not here proposed as a means of salvation but as a means by which Israel, already redeemed as a nation [from Egypt] might through obedience fulfill her proper destiny as a people of God’s possession, a holy nation, and a kingdom of priests.” – NKJV Study BibleOld covenant: God, through grace, bringing a people to himself and the people responding to this means of salvation through obedience to the law“None is righteous, no, not one” Romans 3:10“I did not come to abolish (do away with) the law but to fulfill it.” Matthew 5:17“Only a sinless savior could die for sinners. Only God could bear the weight of God’s wrath.”- R.C. SproulNew covenant: God, through grace, bringing a people to himself and a people responding to this means of salvation through faith.“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. 9 Not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9“be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Ex 19:6“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10KINGS and PRIESTSKings deal with the horizontal areas of life  how we relate to each other. • Kings have dominion/ authority• Kings govern/ rule• Kings have responsibilities for kingdoms welfare• Kings serve rather than exploitPriests deal with the vertical areas of life  how we relate to God• Priests live a holy (set apart) life• Priests know the word of God• Priests intercede and act as mediators“The chief privilege of a priest is access to God”- NKJV Study BibleSo, if we are called to live in this covenant by being kings and priests, then as kings       and priests      we have a picture of the cross       “May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead…through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete…to do His will…” Hebrews 13:20-21“And they put upon His head the accusation written against Him: This is Jeus the King of the Jews”. Matthew 27:37“If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Matthew 27:42“Remember me when you come into your kingdom” Luke 23:42“My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:34“Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they do” Luke 23:24“With his blood purchased us for God” and has “made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.” Rev 5:10LOOKING UNTO JESUS“The Greek word for looking of this verse in Hebrews 12, is only used once in the New Testament. It means to stare.”- Chuck Smith“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20Practically if we are to live into the new covenant, we need to ask 3 questions:1) Am I a King like Jesus?2) Am I a Priest like Jesus?3) Am I looking onto Jesus?
• 
  Hebrews - Faith Across The Ages - Molly Ratliff 19.03.2026 46min

  “1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen….39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provide something better for us…” Hebrews 11:1,39-40“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1Faith in Jesus is superiorvs. 4 By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice vs. 5 By faith Enoch walked with God vs. 7 By faith Noah built the ark vs. 8 By faith Abraham left his home for the land God promised vs. 11 By faith Sarah believed God for a baby vs. 24 By faith Moses refused the comfort of Egypt pursing God’s promised land vs. 31 By faith Rahab believed she would be sparedvs. 4 By faith Abel “obtained witness that he was righteous” vs. 5. By faith Enoch “had this testimony that he pleased God” vs. 7 By faith Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” vs. 8 By faith Abraham “received an inheritance” vs. 11 By faith Sarah “bore a child” vs. 29 By faith Moses “passed through the Red Sea on dry land” vs. 31 By faith Rahab “did not perish”“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell you of [all these others] who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…” Hebrews 11:32-33Hall of fame  -people are added to the hall of fame because of something exceptional they did-vs. 31 The faithful Rahab was also a prostitute -vs. 32 the faithful David- the man after God’s heart-also murdered a guy after he slept with that man’s wife and got her pregnant -vs. 8-12 the faithful Abraham and Sarah at one point doubted God’s follow through of the promise so they took matters into their own hands and Abraham made a baby with Sarah’s slaveHe moves the standard off the person who lives by faith and onto the person of their faith.“And all these (people of faith), having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.” Hebrews 11:39“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13Faith is believing and receiving what God has revealed“Faith is the willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to.”- David Guzik“God having provided something better for us…” Hebrews 11:40“They waited for His coming; we enjoy Him as having come”- Jamieson“Hebrews 11 proves that the saints of all ages [those of the Old testament, those who were wavering in their faith at the time of the writing, and those of us reading it now] are essentially one. There is a link which unites them; a thrill which passes from one hand to hand around the circle.”- Meyer“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[b] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3,5-9,13[charlotte Elliot pic](hymn all one slide-4 paragraphs)Just as I am, without one plea,  But that thy blood was shed for me,  And that thou bid’st (tells) me come to thee,  O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, though tossed about  with many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, those wilt (will) receive,  wilt (will) welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, Because they promise I believe,  O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above,  O Lamb of God, I come, I come“Faith is very difficult when we live as ‘practical atheists’. This describes someone who may have a theoretical belief in God, but the belief doesn’t matter in what they do from day to day.”- David GuzikHall of fame says you get there because you are exceptional Hall of faith says you get there because Jesus is exceptional