Scripture: John 10:1–10

In a world full of voices competing for our attention—political, cultural, religious, and digital—how do we know which ones are actually worth trusting? In this message, Rev. David Wheeler explores Jesus’ words in John 10 and the powerful claim that not every voice leads to life. Some voices divide, diminish, and drain us. Others—even when they challenge us—lead to deeper compassion, connection, and wholeness.

This sermon invites us to rethink what “abundant life” really means—not something reserved for the future, but a way of living that begins now. As New Covenant Christian Church marks two years as an Open and Affirming congregation, we reflect on how choosing to trust voices that lead to life has shaped who we are—and who we are still becoming.

The question isn’t just, “Who are you listening to?” It’s: “What are those voices doing to your life?”

What do you do when trust is broken and hope feels like it belongs in the past tense?

In this message from Luke 24:13–35, Rev. David Wheeler explores the story of the road to Emmaus and how trust is not restored in a single moment—but rekindled along the way. Long before the disciples recognize Jesus, they are already walking in the way of honesty, community, and searching for meaning.

This sermon also includes a powerful personal reflection on stepping away from ministry due to disillusionment and unexpectedly finding a path back—reminding us that failure, doubt, or distance never disqualify us from the journey.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “We had hoped…” this message is for you.

Because the good news is this: you can lose your way… without losing your place in the way.

Scripture: Luke 24:13–35 Series: Learning to Trust Again (Part 2 of 4) Speaker: Rev. David Wheeler Church: New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Oklahoma City

In this first message of the Learning to Trust Again series, Rev. David Wheeler explores one of the most misunderstood parts of faith: doubt. Drawing from John 20:19–31 and the story of Thomas, this sermon reframes doubt not as failure, but as honesty—and even as the beginning of trust.

What if doubt isn’t the opposite of faith, but part of it? What if the questions we carry are not something to hide, but the very place where something deeper can begin?

This message invites us to stop pretending, to tell the truth about where we are, and to discover that we are met there—with grace, with compassion, and with the possibility of learning to trust again.

Scripture: John 20:19–31

Series: Learning to Trust Again (Part 1 of 4)