Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

In this sobering message from Revelation 2:8–11, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson examines Christ's letter to the church in Smyrna and challenges believers with a searching question: Are you willing to die for Christ? Through the example of the persecuted church, he reminds Christians that suffering for the gospel is not an exception but an expected part of following Jesus.

The sermon highlights five biblical exhortations for enduring trials faithfully: look to Christ, remember that God sees and knows your suffering, do not fear, remain faithful unto death, and listen to Christ's words. Drawing from Scripture and the testimony of faithful martyrs such as Polycarp, Pastor Johnson encourages believers to count the cost of discipleship, trust God's sovereign purposes in suffering, and live with the hope of the resurrection and the promise that those who overcome "will not be hurt by the second death."

This message is a powerful call to steadfast faith, reminding every Christian that true victory is found not in avoiding suffering, but in faithfully following Christ to the very end.

In this sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson examines Christ's message to the church in Ephesus from Revelation 2:1–7, revealing how a church can be doctrinally sound, morally faithful, and active in ministry while still losing what matters most—its first love for Christ. Through the example of Ephesus, he challenges believers to consider whether they have become consumed with Christian duties while neglecting the joy of simply knowing, loving, and enjoying God.

This message is a heartfelt call to return to the Lord through repentance, renewed fellowship, and delight in His presence. Rather than treating prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance as ends in themselves, believers are reminded that these are gracious means to deeper communion with Christ. The sermon concludes with the hope of restoration and the promise that those who persevere in loving Christ will one day eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

In this message from Revelation 2–3, Jeffrey Johnson provides an overview of Christ's letters to the seven churches, showing how they reveal the reality of the Great Tribulation throughout the entire church age rather than as a future event alone. Examining the strengths, failures, and spiritual battles of each church, he explains how Satan seeks to undermine Christ's people through persecution, false teaching, worldliness, spiritual apathy, and misplaced priorities.

Most importantly, this sermon points believers to Christ—the victorious King who walks among His churches and equips His people to persevere. Rather than escaping tribulation, Christians are called to endure it by listening to Christ's voice, repenting of sin, trusting His sovereign care, and overcoming through the blood of the Lamb. This encouraging message reminds us that God uses trials to purify His church and prepare His people for the day when tribulation will finally give way to eternal glory.

What happens when a man sees the risen Christ in His full glory? In this sermon on Revelation 1:12–20, Jeffrey Johnson walks through John's vision of the Son of Man — eyes like flames of fire, a voice like the roar of many waters, a face shining like the sun — and the moment John falls to the ground as though dead.

The message turns on one unforgettable picture: our sin is like gasoline-soaked clothing, and God is a consuming fire. If even the greatest figures of the Old Testament fell short — Aaron as priest, Moses as prophet, David as king — then who could possibly stand in the presence of a holy God? Drawing on Psalm 24's question, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?", the sermon shows how we were each made in God's image to represent Him as prophet, priest, and king, and how every sin defaces that calling.

Yet the vision does not end in terror. Christ lays His hand on John and says, "Fear not." The heart of this message is the threefold ground for that comfort: a past victory (Christ our forerunner, who has already gone behind the veil), a present communion (real spiritual access to God now, as He walks among His churches), and a future hope (the day we will reign with Him in glorified bodies). The perfect Prophet, Priest, and King climbed the holy hill alone — so that we could follow.

If you've ever wondered whether you could truly stand before a holy God, this message offers a clear, hope-filled answer rooted entirely in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In this introductory message to the book of Revelation, Jeffrey Johnson emphasizes that Revelation is first and foremost a revelation of Jesus Christ—not a book centered on speculation about end-times events, but a book that unveils Christ’s glory, reign, and ultimate victory. Addressing the struggles of the early church and the ongoing challenges faced by believers today, the sermon highlights how Revelation pulls back the curtain on spiritual reality, reminding Christians that despite persecution, weakness, and opposition, Jesus Christ is reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The sermon explores Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, focusing on His completed work through the cross, His present rule from heaven, and His promised return. Believers are encouraged to persevere through tribulation with faith and patient endurance, knowing that the church’s victory comes through the blood of the Lamb and faithful witness rather than worldly power. Revelation offers hope, comfort, and assurance that God’s kingdom is advancing according to His plan and will culminate in the triumphant return of Christ and the restoration of all things. 

This message serves as a powerful introduction to Revelation, calling Christians to fix their eyes on Jesus, remain steadfast in trials, and eagerly anticipate the day when He comes again in glory.

In this message, Jeffrey Johnson continues laying the groundwork for a study through the Book of Revelation by exploring several key principles for understanding the book. He explains that Revelation is not merely a timeline of future events, but a Christ-centered vision that reveals God’s redemptive plan, the ongoing spiritual battle between Christ’s kingdom and the powers of darkness, and the ultimate restoration of all things. 

The sermon highlights Revelation’s symbolic nature, its focus on the fulfillment of God’s purposes in history, and its recurring visions that retell the same redemptive story from different perspectives. Johnson emphasizes that believers currently live in the age of spiritual conflict, overcoming through prayer, faithful witness, and perseverance rather than worldly power. 

Most importantly, this message points listeners to Jesus Christ as the central figure of Revelation—the victorious King who reigns over history, preserves His church, and will one day bring heaven and earth together in perfect restoration. Rather than fueling speculation, Revelation is presented as a book that inspires worship, hope, and steadfast faith in the risen Lord. 

In this message from Ecclesiastes 9:1–10, Brian Borgman explores Solomon’s sobering reminder that life is brief, unpredictable, and ultimately ends in death—but that reality is not meant to produce despair. Instead, recognizing the certainty of death teaches us how to truly live. While all people share the same earthly fate, our lives remain firmly in the sovereign hand of God, who calls us to embrace His gifts with gratitude and faith. 

Drawing from Solomon’s wisdom, Borgman presents a practical and deeply biblical “prescription” for living well before life’s vapor passes: enjoy God’s good gifts, cultivate joy, cherish your spouse, and work diligently with all your might. Rather than viewing earthly blessings with suspicion, believers are encouraged to receive them as expressions of God’s kindness, enjoying them without turning them into idols. 

This sermon is a refreshing call to live with eternity in view while fully embracing the ordinary blessings God provides each day. With humor, pastoral wisdom, and gospel-centered encouragement, Borgman reminds listeners that true joy is found not in denying God’s gifts, but in receiving them with thanksgiving as those who are already accepted in Christ. 

In this introductory teaching to a forthcoming series on the book of Revelation, Jeffrey Johnson provides a framework for understanding one of the Bible’s most misunderstood books. Rather than approaching Revelation as a cryptic puzzle or a timeline of speculative future events, he encourages believers to read it according to its literary genre—an apocalyptic work filled with symbols that point to real spiritual realities. Johnson explains key principles for interpreting these symbols, emphasizing context, the broader message of Scripture, and the importance of understanding Revelation through the lens of the Old Testament. 

He also highlights Revelation’s central focus on Jesus Christ and God’s redemptive plan. The book is presented as the conclusion of the biblical story, revealing Christ’s victory over Satan, the ongoing conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, and the ultimate restoration of heaven and earth. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful through prayer, witness, and trust in the blood of Christ, knowing that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail. 

This message serves as a helpful foundation for anyone preparing to study Revelation, offering both practical guidance and encouragement to view the book not as a mystery to avoid, but as a powerful testimony to the triumph and glory of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, Jeffrey Johnson reflects on Philippians 3:9 and the deep human need to be covered before God—not by self-righteousness, excuses, denial, or religious performance, but by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Using the image of Adam and Eve’s fig leaves, he explains how people often try to hide their guilt and shame through blame-shifting, distraction, approval-seeking, or good works, yet none of these can truly cover sin before a holy God. 

Johnson points listeners to the only lasting refuge: being “found in Christ.” He emphasizes that salvation is not based on our own righteousness, but on Christ’s perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection. Through repentance and faith, sinners are united to Christ and clothed in His righteousness.

This message calls both unbelievers and Christians to stop trusting in “fig leaves” and rest fully in Jesus. It is a clear gospel invitation to confess sin, abandon self-confidence, and find true hope, security, and worship in Christ alone.

In this deeply practical and encouraging sermon from Philippians 1, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson addresses one of the greatest struggles Christians face: how to live with true joy in the middle of suffering, disappointment, and difficult circumstances. Preaching from the Apostle Paul’s imprisonment, he reminds believers that joy is not rooted in comfort, wealth, freedom, or favorable conditions, but in Christ Himself. Even while chained in prison, uncertain whether he would live or die, Paul speaks with confidence, hope, and rejoicing. Pastor Johnson uses this powerful example to show that Christians can experience genuine joy regardless of their situation.

Throughout the message, four major foundations for Christian joy are emphasized. First, believers can rejoice because they have hope. Paul understood that his imprisonment was not the end of the story, and Christians today can trust that God is sovereignly working through every hardship for their ultimate good and eternal glory. Second, joy is found in purpose. Rather than living for comfort or escape from suffering, believers are called to glorify Christ in every circumstance—whether in abundance or affliction, freedom or “prison.” Pastor Johnson repeatedly challenges listeners to see their current situation not as an accident, but as a place where they can faithfully honor God.

The sermon also centers heavily on the beauty of Christ as the believer’s greatest treasure. Expounding on Paul’s famous words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” Pastor Johnson explains that lasting joy is impossible unless Christ becomes the center of one’s life. If happiness is rooted in possessions, health, relationships, or worldly success, suffering will inevitably produce misery and discontentment. But when Christ is treasured above everything else, even loss and death cannot rob the believer of joy. The message closes with a call to live selflessly for the good of others, reminding Christians that one of the greatest sources of joy is serving God’s people and helping others grow in faith.

This sermon is a timely reminder that believers do not need perfect circumstances to experience peace and happiness. Through hope in God’s promises, purpose in suffering, delight in Christ, and service toward others, Christians can rejoice in every season—even in life’s prisons.