The Increase

Odcinki

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  The Mission That Still Matters 28.09.2026 37min

  Journalists and writers in the news media are trained to never “bury the lede." When a news story breaks, writers and reporters must keep the main thing, the main thing. As we think about churches in America today, the sad truth is that many churches have buried their primary mission under lesser things. What is the main mission, according to Jesus— for your church, my church, and every other church that claims the name of Christ? (Back To Church Sunday 2026) *A Vision-Casting Message for Wri...
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  Why Did You Doubt? 21.09.2026 39min

  Most of us would never choose a challenge, but when a challenge comes, we’re often the better for it. In Matthew 14, Jesus put His disciples into a very stressful and challenging situation, but for good reason. As we watch the disciples wrestle with fear, and Peter walking on the water with Jesus, what lessons can you learn for your spiritual development? For every believer who follows Jesus, what elements are included in Jesus’ school of discipleship? (Red Letter Questions, part 5. Conclusio...
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  What Do You Want Me To Do For You? 14.09.2026 43min

  When an encounter with Jesus is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke— you know it’s important. As we study the amazing story of blind Bartimaeus and how he is supernaturally healed by Jesus, what factors contributed to his transformation? How can those same factors positively impact your journey of faith? What red-letter question from this chapter is Jesus asking you? (Red Letter Questions, part 4)
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  Do You Love Me? 07.09.2026 40min

  Peter experienced one of the most dramatic downfalls in Scripture, when he denied Jesus three times. But in John 21, Jesus engaged Peter during a breakfast on the beach, and successfully re-reignited Peter’s love and restored him to ministry. What can you learn from this Scripture about loving and serving Jesus? What “red letter” question from this text comes to you today? (Red Letter Questions, part 3)
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  Will You Gain The World and Lose Your Soul? 31.08.2026 39min

  During Jesus’ earthly ministry, massive crowds followed Him because they were curious. Among those people, many were convinced that Jesus was a man sent from God. But in Mark chapter 8, Jesus tells His listeners that He is looking for the truly committed. What 'red letter question' did Jesus ask in this chapter that challenges our commitment? What does it really mean to follow Jesus? (Red Letter Questions, part 2)
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  Who Do You Say That I Am? 17.08.2026 42min

  Jesus asked more than 300 questions in the gospels. While all of them were relevant, some of them cut to the very core of the human condition and Jesus’ call to follow Him. In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples arguably the most important question in history. This question is the one upon which eternity opens or closes. What is that question, how do the disciples respond, and how should you respond when you hear it? (Red Letter Questions, part 1)
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  What Is Church Membership Really About? 03.08.2026 41min

  Many Christians today have decided that church membership is just a "man-made invention" meant to boost offering numbers or control groups of believers. Others say it's a cultural relic from the by-gone era of the 1950s and 60's. Are they right? Is church membership outdated or meaningless? What does the Bible say about church membership? Was there a church membership in the book of Acts? Should there be a church membership now?
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  In Remembrance of Me 20.07.2026 35min

  Whenever Christians come together to celebrate “The Lord’s Supper”— it is certainly not a boring ceremony or a lifeless ritual. It is a public declaration and open celebration of Jesus Christ and what He achieved for us. As we study the Scriptures and educate ourselves on the significance of this special supper, why is The Lord’s Supper so important to believers? Why should it continue to be an important part of your Christian life journey?
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  Bible Verses That Built America 13.07.2026 40min

  As we celebrate America 250, there are millions of Americans who don’t realize that just below the surface of everyday American life stands a Bible that this great Nation was built upon. What are some of the Bible verses that built America? What founding concepts come directly from Scripture? Why it is critical that today’s believers continue to honor, protect, and preserve the biblical foundations of this country? (America 250)
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  No Greater Shepherd 06.07.2026 34min

  Did you hear the true story of the 2-year-old Arizona boy who was rescued to safety earlier this year by a shepherd-dog? Make no mistake, those shepherding instincts didn’t come through evolution— they came from a Creator God who is Himself the Ultimate Shepherd. In Psalm 23, the Bible informs us and inspires us with the truth that the LORD is our shepherd. So what does the Shepherd provide, and how does Jesus ultimately fulfill this role for us? (VBS Celebration Sunday: Emerald C...
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  The Cost of Following Jesus 29.06.2026 40min

  When America’s “Founding Fathers” signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew there was going to be a great cost in breaking from Great Britain, but they didn’t shrink back from embracing that cost. In Luke 9, Jesus talks with three different men who didn’t understand the true cost of following Jesus. What are some of those costs, and how do they still exist today? How can fathers and grandfathers communicate those costs to their families? (Fathers Day 2026)
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  Resisting Assimilation 22.06.2026 39min

  Today’s Christians need a reminder that America’s culture is not morally neutral. It’s working against God and His truth. And nowhere is that influence more evident than with our children and young people. Today’s culture wants to strip away their biblical values, reprogram them with worldly beliefs, and then assimilate them into the secular machine. Looking back into history, Daniel and his three friends were put in a similar situation, but they were able to resist assimilation. What ...
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  A Marriage That Made History 08.06.2026 42min

  Many people know that Martin Luther impacted Christian doctrine when he broke from the Roman Catholic Church. But did you know that Martin Luther also impacted Christian marriage? Have you heard the story of how Luther helped 12 nuns escape the church, and how he married one of them? In Ruth chapter four, the Bible tells us about another monumental marriage, and that was the union of Ruth and Boaz. What happens in the climax to this story, and what lasting effects are still impact...
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  A Daring Act of Faith 01.06.2026 47min

  Did you hear about the man who walked across Niagara Falls back in 2012? It was a daring, dramatic, and dangerous walk that was watched live by more than 500 million people. In Ruth chapter three, the widow Ruth makes her own daring walk, when she goes to see Boaz in a secret midnight meeting. As we watch God’s hand moving in this story, what happens in the unfolding drama, and what insights can you uncover for your own walk of faith? (The Book of Ruth, part 4)
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  A Chance Encounter That Wasn't Chance 25.05.2026 44min

  American television changed forever when a Cuban man and a red-haired woman met and then merged their professional careers in 1940. Their sitcom, “I Love Lucy” is still considered one of the greatest of all time. In Ruth chapter 2, the widow Ruth meets a wealthy land-owner named Boaz. But because God is writing this story, their meeting isn’t chance at all. What encouraging insights can you uncover in this text about God’s active involvement in your life? What does God want you to know ...
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  Moms Who Change The World 18.05.2026 43min

  Did you know that nearly 70% of people who are succeeding with their personal goals, careers, and families— attribute that success to their upbringing in a positive family environment? That statistic certainly underlines the tremendous impact of dads and moms. One of the most godly moms in the Bible was a woman named Hannah—who would become the mom of the legendary prophet Samuel. What stands out about Hannah’s character and actions? What are four qualities of moms who change the ...
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  A Heartbreaking Homecoming 11.05.2026 42min

  How do you typically respond when life comes crashing down? Do you complain and sink into a season of despair, or do you turn to the LORD in confidence and trust? In Ruth chapter one, Naomi returns to her home country after a decade of heavy hardships. What happened to this family, and where was God in all of it? How does God want you to respond when the walls come falling in on you? (The Book of Ruth, part 2)
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  Broken Pieces Made Beautiful 04.05.2026 46min

  On Sunday morning, we launched into a brand-new study of the Book of Ruth called “Broken Pieces Made Beautiful.” Even though the story of Ruth is marked by famine, death, and heartbreak, God takes the broken pieces and writes a beautiful redemption story for His glory and His people’s good. What kind of encouragement can you discover in the book of Ruth, when your life comes crashing down? What can God do with the broken pieces of your story? (The Book of Ruth, part 1)
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  Perils of Pride 27.04.2026 40min

  On Sunday, April 19th, our church participated in an extra-special “Pulpit Swap Sunday”, where I exchanged pulpits for the day with Dr. Terry Felton from Mason Dixon Baptist Church in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. That morning, Pastor Felton spoke at Wrightsdale on the critical topic of pride, from 2 Kings chapter 14. Why is pride so devastating and debilitating in the life of a Christian— and how can you push back against it in your everyday life? (Pulpit Swap Sunday 2026)
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  More Than Forgiveness 20.04.2026 35min

  When Jesus redeems us, He gives us so much more than just the forgiveness of our sins. Of course, His death removes the negative penalties that we deserve—like God’s wrath and eternal punishment. But the Bible also teaches that through Christ, we now have many positive privileges and new honors granted to us. So in addition to forgiveness, what else has come to you today because of Jesus Christ? (A Message for Communion)