Episodes

  • Blessed
    Apr 19 2026
    What does it really mean to be blessed? In this message, we’re challenged to move beyond thinking of blessings as temporary or material and instead see the deeper, lasting spiritual blessings God has given us. Drawing from Ephesians 1, we discover that believers are not just lucky or fortunate—we are chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by God, with an eternal inheritance that cannot be taken away. This sermon then shifts to Matthew 5, where Jesus describes a different kind of blessing that one often feels counterintuitive. Blessed are those who mourn, the gentle, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and even those who are persecuted. These are not weaknesses, but marks of a life aligned with God and filled with His favor. The message challenges us to change our perspective: Stop focusing on what we don’t have Start recognizing the spiritual blessings we already possess Learn to rejoice in both good times and difficult circumstances Instead of asking “Why me?” in hardship, we are encouraged to ask, “Why not me?”, trusting that even in difficulty, God is still blessing us and shaping us for eternity. When we truly begin to count our blessings, we realize something powerful—we will never reach the end of the list. Sermon Notes Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be God who blessed us with every spiritual blessing Ephesians 1:4 - 14 Positional blessings – holy & blameless, redemption, made known the mystery of His will, an inheritance, and seal by the Holy Spirit as a pledge as God’s own possession Matthew 5:3 – 12 Character and Circumstance blessings – the kingdom of heaven, comfort, inheriting the earth, to be satisfied, receive mercy, seeing God, called sons of God, the kingdom of heaven and great reward
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    32 mins
  • Evil Advice
    Apr 12 2026
    Balaam could not curse the people of God, but he still found a way to profit. In this message, the story moves from Numbers 25 back to Numbers 31 to reveal the tragic truth: Israel’s fall into idolatry and sexual immorality did not happen by accident. It came through Balaam’s counsel and evil advice designed to bring God’s people into sin when open opposition had failed. What Balaam could not accomplish by cursing, he tried to accomplish by compromise. This sermon also draws a direct line from Balaam to Solomon and then to Jesus’ warning in Revelation 2:14. The message is clear: love God first, guard your heart, do not let relationships pull you away from the Lord, and do not follow teachers who make sin sound acceptable. God’s commands are not there to ruin life, but to protect it. Grace is real, but grace is never permission to compromise. The call is to trust God fully, love Him wholly, and remain faithful to Him. Sermon Notes Numbers 25:1 - 3 Israel begins to play the harlot with the women of Moab and make sacrifices to Moab’s gods Numbers 31:13 – 16 Balaam counsels to sin against God 1 Kings 11:1 – 13 Even wise men rebel against God for their love of foreign wives Revelations 2:14 Jesus against the teachings of Balaam
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    27 mins
  • When the Facts Do not Matter
    Apr 5 2026
    Sermon Notes Matthew 27:62 - 66 Because they were afraid that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body make the grave secure by posting guards Matthew 28:1 - 7 Jesus is resurrected the women discover the empty tomb are told that Jesus was not there and tell the disciple Matthew 28:8 - 10 Jesus meets with His disciples Matthew 28:11 - 15 Guards tell the officials about the resurrection, but they bribe them to say that the disciples stole the body 1 Corinthains 15:1 - 15 Witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus
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    33 mins
  • When a Donkey Sees More than You
    Mar 29 2026
    A man hired to discern and influence the future cannot even see what is directly in front of him. Instead, his donkey sees what he cannot, and in doing so, saves his life. As Balaam travels with the leaders of Moab, motivated by the promise of money and honor, God stands against him. An angel blocks the path, but Balaam is spiritually blind. Three times the donkey turns aside, protecting him, and three times Balaam responds with anger and violence. Finally, God opens Balaam’s eyes—and he sees just how close he was to destruction. This passage reveals powerful truths: Spiritual blindness can exist even in those who claim to speak for God God may use unexpected means to redirect us The love of money can cloud judgment and lead to compromise Saying “no” to sin once is not enough—we must remain faithful continually Balaam’s story is filled with irony, humor, and ultimately tragedy. It warns us that partial obedience is still disobedience, and that a heart drawn toward money, influence, or self-interest will always struggle to fully follow God. This message challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we truly seeking to honor God—or just trying to make our own path work? Do we recognize when God is trying to stop us? And are we willing to trust Him, even when it costs us? Message by Pastor Joe “When a Donkey Sees More than You” Sermon Notes Numbers 22:21 Balaam goes with the leaders of Moab Numbers 22:22 God is angry with Balaam and sends an angel in his way as an adversary Numbers 22:23 – 27 The donkey sees the angel repeatedly blocking the way. Balaam strikes the donkey repeatedly Numbers 22:28 – 30 The Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and it speaks and Balaam argues with the donkey Numbers 22:31 – 33 The angels says if not for the donkey the angel would have killed Balaam Numbers 22:34 & 35 Balaam acknowledges his sins and offers to return, the angel gives him permission to proceed but only speak what God says Numbers 22:36 – 41 Balak offers sacrifices to Baal and gives some to Balaam and then takes him to the high places of Baal
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    27 mins
  • The Call of Money
    Mar 22 2026
    As Balak, king of Moab, becomes terrified of Israel, he sends messengers to hire Balaam to curse God’s people. Balaam at first refuses because God tells him not to go and not to curse Israel. But when a more distinguished delegation arrives with the promise of greater honor and greater payment, Balaam asks again and reveals the deeper problem: a heart tempted by profit more than obedience. This sermon explores how the call of money can influence people to do what they should never do, and how Balaam becomes a warning throughout Scripture. Connecting Jude 11, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Matthew 16:26, this message shows that the love of money is not harmless. Money can pull a person away from faith, truth, and obedience to God. The real issue is not earning a living but loving money so much that it competes with God for first place in the heart. This is a warning against compromise, greed, and trying to reopen doors God has already closed. It is also a call to value your soul more than wealth, power, prestige, or temporary gain. What will a person give in exchange for his soul? Balaam’s story reminds us that no amount of money is worth losing eternity. Sermon Notes Numbers 22:1 – 4 Balak, king of Moab became afraid of the sons of Israel Numbers 22:5 & 6 Balak sends messengers to Balaam to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:7 Elders of Moab and Midian go to Balaam with money to pay him to curse the sons of Israel Numbers 22:8 Balaam told them to spend the night so that he could find out what God wanted him to do Numbers 22:9 – 12 God and Balaam have a conversation about the men and God tells him not to go and not to curse the sons of Isarael Numbers 22:13 & 14 Ballam tells them he cannot go Numbers 22:15 – 17 Balak sends a bigger and more distinguished group and increases the price Numbers 22:19 & 20 Ballam asks God again about going Jude 11 The error of Balaam - money 1 Timothy 6:10 Love of money is the root of all sorts of evil Matthew 16:26 The value of the soul
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    27 mins
  • Lifted Up
    Mar 15 2026
    The life-and-death crisis Israel faced in the wilderness. After speaking against God and Moses, the people were bitten by fiery serpents and many died. When they finally confessed their sin, Moses interceded for them, and God gave an unexpected remedy. Sermon Notes Numbers 21:4 & 5 Because the people had to travel around Edom, they spoke against Moses Numbers 21:6 God sends fiery serpents to bit and kills the people Numbers 21:7 The people acknowledge their sin and ask Moses to intercede for them Numbers 21:8 God tells Moses to make a serpent and put it on a standard and if those who were bitten look, they will not die Numbers 21:9 Moses did so and if they looked, they did not die John 3:9 – 18 Jesus will be lifted up and all who believe will have eternal life
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    24 mins
  • The Rock
    Mar 8 2026
    God’s people face another crisis: no water, renewed complaints, and rising pressure on Moses. After Miriam dies, the congregation contends with Moses and Aaron, blaming them and accusing them of bringing the people into a “wretched place.” Instead of solving anything, their complaining produces nothing. Moses and Aaron do what God’s people should have done from the beginning: they fall before the Lord and seek His instruction. Sermon Notes Numbers 20:1 Miriam dies and is buried Numbers 20:2 – 5 No water and the people complain Numbers 20:6 Moses seeks God’s instructions Numbers 20:7 – 10 Moses told to take Aaron’s rod and the people, then he is to speak to the rock Numbers 20:11 Moses strikes the rock twice Numbers 20:12 & 13 Moses told because he did not treat the Lord as holy, Moses will not be able to enter the promise land Exodus 17:5 & 6 Moses struck the rock once the first time 1 Corinthians 10:4 That rock was Jesus Matthew 16:13 – 18 Upon this rock 1 Peter 2:4 – 10 Jesus is the cornerstone and we are living stones being built together
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    30 mins
  • Rod Producing Fruit
    Mar 1 2026
    Miracles did not stop Israel’s unbelief or grumbling. To demonstrate His sovereignty, God gave His people a clear sign, confirming His chosen priesthood and silencing their rebellion. On our own, we are prone to spiritual rebellion as well. But God sent Jesus so the Law could be fulfilled, and through Him we can live in alignment with God. Sermon Notes Numbers 17:1 – 4 Collecting 12 rods with names inscribed on them and placed in the Tabernacle Numbers 17:5 One rod will sprout so that the grumbling stops Numbers 17:6 & 7 Moses does what God instructs Numbers 17:8 & 9 Aaron’s rod sprouts buds, blossoms and ripe almonds. Moses brings out all of the rods Numbers 17:10 & 11 Moses told to put Aaron’s rod in the Tabernacle as a sign and Moses does so
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    23 mins