Circuit Riders Podcast

Zach Nash emphasizes the significance of our words, showing how the Bible consistently teaches that speaking in faith has a real impact. In Matthew 17:14-20, Jesus instructs us to speak to the mountains in our lives and believe they will move—not for personal gain, but for the good of others and ourselves. Zach highlights the power of Jesus’ name, noting that speaking it with faith is a powerful act. While faith doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes, it draws us closer to God, who will move on our behalf, often in ways we don’t expect. Our role is to speak to the mountain and trust in God’s power to move it. Zach concludes by leading the room in intercession, encouraging everyone to speak to the mountains in their lives with faith.

Nick Brennt breaks down the difference between being religious and having a relationship with Jesus. He emphasizes that true faith in Jesus is about heart posture and relationship, not religious duty or checked boxes. Teaching from the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18, he explains that Jesus asks us for our genuine surrender, not just behavioral modification. Nick identifies three key things we miss when we follow religion instead of Jesus and points out that our life’s goal shouldn’t be to “appease” God but to have communion with Him. He ends his message with a call to fully surrender to Jesus, inviting listeners to let go of control and embrace the journey with God.

Zach Nash speaks on the importance of prayer and how it establishes our connection with God. He points out how the disciples, despite witnessing Jesus perform incredible miracles, asked Him to teach them how to pray-recognizing that prayer is the key to intentional connection with God. He explains how prayer restores the unhindered access to God that was lost in the Garden, when we had complete freedom to communicate and connect with the Father. Jesus modeled this through His constant prayers and habit of withdrawing from people to spend time with God. Zach then reads the story of the Samaritan woman who finally found the right well in Jesus. He points out that we often turn to the wrong “wells” such as fame, money, or relationships although these ultimately leave us thirsty for more. Only by drinking from the well of God’s presence through prayer are our priorities reordered, and our deepest thirst truly quenched. Zach ends his message by praying for the listener to experience a fresh encounter with God that leads to deeper connection and discipline in prayer.

Frank Damazio joins us for a special Monday Night message titled “Something Hidden In the Clay”, based on Jeremiah 18. He explains the meaning behind Jeremiah’s revelation upon seeing a potter shaping clay. Frank highlights that, even when we feel like failures or see ourselves as flawed, we are still in the hands of a loving God who isn’t finished with us yet. Just as the Potter can reshape messed-up clay, God can transform our lives, seeing greatness where we see only brokenness. Historical figures like Peter, Paul, and John Newton demonstrate how God has used the seemingly broken and insignificant to achieve remarkable things. He concludes his message with an invitation for fresh surrender, encouraging everyone to allow God to mold them into something new and purposeful.

Nick Brennt preaches on authenticity and the importance of keeping our faith from becoming a “checklist.” He highlights how, in our pursuit of authenticity, we often turn inward, elevating our individuality, values, and beliefs to the level of modern-day idols. To be truly authentic Christians, we must have hearts burning with love for Jesus and consistently reflect that through our actions. Nick emphasizes that it’s not about following a list of rights and wrongs, but about being so in love with Jesus that we naturally want to look and act like Him—something that only comes through honesty and surrender. He concludes the message by listing three main markers of authenticity and challenges us to reflect on whether we are being genuine in these areas.

In this sermon based on Matthew 7:13-29, Derek Mack speaks on how to be an authentic Christian in a world of inauthenticity. He discusses the two paths in life: the wide, easy path and the narrow, difficult road, emphasizing that everyone must choose one. In choosing the narrow way, Christians must give up their right to be passive and choose a life of inward and outward expression. Derek explains the difference between just listening to God’s word and truly living it out. Authentic faith is not just about outward expressions but also about inward transformation. Because true faith is based on a relationship with God and knowing His voice, Derek concludes the message with three practical steps for moving from being mere listeners to active doers of the word.

Zach Nash concludes our series on The Beatitudes with a message on Matthew 5:10-16. He begins by reading John 18, emphasizing Jesus’ teaching that Christians live in an upside-down kingdom. Zach reiterates that the Beatitudes are about dethroning our ways of thinking and allowing God’s ways to reign and rule our hearts. He explores the promise of persecution, explaining that while various forms of persecution are promised to all believers, Jesus is with us through it all. He highlights that, as believers reflecting Jesus, we are the hope of the world, acting as salt and light. Zach concludes his message with a call to every believer to offer a fresh surrender to the will of God and to embrace the call to bring hope to the world through the Gospel.

Nick Brennt speaks on Matthew 5:7 and the Beatitude “Blessed are the merciful”. He reveals the transformative power of mercy in addressing personal and societal brokenness. He defines what brokenness is and explores the most common types of brokenness we see in our world today. He concludes that the only solution to the deep brokenness in our society is more mercy, contrary to popular belief. The first, and most influential example of this, is Jesus on the cross. He breaks down how Jesus’ example on the cross demonstrates a radical, mercy-driven approach to healing and Godly justice-as opposed to the worldly standard of revenge and self-made justice. He ends his message by praying for everyone to receive an outpouring of God’s mercy in specific areas of their lives.

Derek Mack teaches on meekness, the third beatitude, by redefining it through Jesus’ teachings instead of our cultural understanding. He presents meekness as a form of strength rooted in humility and submission to God. He challenges the cultural norms that idolize power, advocating instead for selflessness and servant hood . By embracing this kind of meekness, we we reflect Jesus more accurately. Derek ends his message by urging the listener to embody these countercultural principles in a world often driven by pride and self-interest.

Zach Nash teaches on the second Beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” highlighting the significance of mourning over sin. He emphasizes that true repentance involves a deep sorrow that leads to a genuine turning towards Jesus and a desire for restoration. Zach shares personal experiences of transformation through God’s forgiveness, illustrating repentance as a continual lifestyle rather than a one-time event. Ultimately, the message invites readers to embrace repentance as a pathway to a deeper relationship with God.