Grace Bible Church of Conway's Podcast

In this heartfelt message from Ruth 2, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson reminds us that even when we are burdened by guilt, shame, and fear, God's response is not rejection—but welcome. Like Ruth, who sought refuge under the wings of the Redeemer, we are called to run to God, not away from Him. Pastor Johnson shares eight powerful reasons why we should bring our sins directly to the Lord: He will not turn us away, He will protect us, provide for us, speak kindly to us, satisfy our souls, lavish His grace upon us, never reproach us, and fully redeem us.

Through personal stories and deep biblical reflection, Pastor Johnson paints a vivid picture of the overwhelming kindness and mercy of God. Whether you are struggling with ongoing sin or simply need encouragement to draw near to Christ, this sermon is a tender call to find rest, forgiveness, and satisfaction under the wings of our Redeemer.

Listen in and be encouraged to run—without delay—to the gracious arms of our Savior.

In this profound sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson explores the deep significance of Romans 4:25, reminding us that our hope and joy are firmly rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pastor Johnson challenges us to shift our eyes off ourselves and onto the empty tomb, recognizing that Christ’s resurrection is not just a miraculous event, but the ultimate proof of the gospel’s power. The mystery is not that Jesus, the innocent and righteous Son of God, rose from the dead—this is expected for one without sin—but that He died at all. How could one without sin face death, when Scripture clearly states that the wages of sin is death? The answer lies in the incredible truth of double imputation: our sins were legally and spiritually transferred to Christ, and His righteousness has been transferred to us.

Using vivid and relatable illustrations—a ruined golf scorecard exchanged for a perfect one, a debt-ridden bank account replaced with infinite riches, a guilty defendant receiving a spotless record—Pastor Johnson brings home the heart of the gospel message. He emphasizes that Christ's death is the undeniable proof that our sins were imputed to Him, while His resurrection is the glorious confirmation that His perfect righteousness is now imputed to us. Without the resurrection, we would have no assurance that our sins were truly paid for or that we could stand justified before a holy God.

Pastor Johnson carefully walks us through the gravity of our sinfulness, laying bare the complete and overwhelming record of our guilt before God. He invites us to imagine standing before the divine Judge, facing every commandment we have broken, every sinful thought and deed exposed. Yet, he points us to the incredible hope that because Jesus bore our sins and rose victorious from the grave, our shameful record has been fully wiped away. Through Christ, we are not merely forgiven but declared righteous, clean, and accepted.

The resurrection is the proof of the "great exchange": Christ took our place, bore our guilt, and suffered our punishment so that we could receive His life, His innocence, and His eternal inheritance. Pastor Johnson closes with a heartfelt invitation: no matter the weight of your past sins or the shame you carry, you can be completely forgiven today. You can walk in freedom, assured that your record of sin is nailed to the cross and buried forever. Through faith in Christ, you are made new, justified, and able to approach God not in fear, but in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Himself.

This sermon is a rich and stirring reminder of why the resurrection is central to our faith, a call to rejoice in the forgiveness and freedom we have in Christ, and an invitation to everyone to experience the full assurance of salvation.

Jeffrey Johnson begins his message by inviting the congregation to turn to Ruth 1:6–18 as he continues the series on the gospel according to Ruth. Before diving into the passage, he reflects on the church’s upcoming 25th anniversary, marveling at how quickly time has passed and how abundantly God has blessed the church. Drawing a connection to 2 Chronicles and the story of Jehoshaphat, he recalls how the Lord fought the battle for Israel, turning their fear into overwhelming blessing—a metaphor Johnson uses to describe God's provision for the church over the years: “Our cup is overflowing.”

He transitions from personal gratitude to the text, focusing specifically on verses 14–18. In this moving scene, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, clinging to her rather than returning to Moab like Orpah. Johnson uses this image as a powerful spiritual metaphor, asking: Are you kissing Christ, or clinging to Him? Like Ruth and Orpah, many people may weep, show emotion, and have affection for Christ, but only a few truly cling to Him with a total, lifelong commitment. He parallels this idea with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, desiring eternal life, yet went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up everything.

Johnson urges the congregation to examine whether they have fully surrendered to Christ or are still negotiating with God, offering only partial obedience. Ruth, by contrast, exemplifies full devotion—leaving behind her homeland, family, gods, and comforts to follow Naomi into an unknown land. Johnson emphasizes that to cling to Christ means to turn your back on everything else, to follow Him wherever He leads, to embrace all of Him, and to submit to Him completely as your God.

Throughout, he uses vivid personal and biblical illustrations: his father's unintentional idolatry of a relic collection, the story of Demas who abandoned Paul for love of the world, and young men he's counseled who walked away from obedience despite knowing the truth. He reminds the congregation that Christ doesn’t offer half-hearted discipleship—He demands everything, and in return offers everything.

The message crescendos with Ruth's declaration: “Where you die, I will die.” Johnson explains that true discipleship isn’t a temporary emotional decision—it’s a lifelong commitment. We must cling to Christ until death, not merely “kiss” Him in fleeting affection. He calls both the lost and the saved to examine their hearts: are they clinging to Christ with everything, or are they being pulled back to Moab?

Johnson ends with a pastoral plea for the kind of faith that, like Ruth’s, says to Jesus: “I’m not letting go.” He prays that God would grant this kind of whole-hearted repentance and enduring faith, giving Him all, and following Him in trust and joy until the end.

In this powerful opening message from the series on The Gospel According to Ruth, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson reframes the familiar story of Ruth not as a romantic tale, but as a profound picture of redemption. He highlights that Naomi—not Ruth or even Boaz—is at the center of this story, as it mirrors our own desperate need for salvation. Through Naomi's journey from fullness to emptiness, from pleasantness to bitterness, we see ourselves: utterly ruined, spiritually bankrupt, and in need of a Redeemer.

Pastor Johnson unpacks the devastating consequences of sin—not only in our own lives but in the lives of those around us. Drawing from Ruth chapter 1, he emphasizes that salvation is not about God seeing potential in us, but about His grace rescuing us when we had absolutely nothing to offer. This is the essence of the gospel: Christ, our kinsman Redeemer, steps into our hopelessness, not because of our merit, but because of His mercy.

This sermon lays a sobering yet necessary foundation for understanding grace and sets the stage for the hope-filled redemption story to come. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve made a mess of your life or wondered if you’re too far gone, this message is a must-listen.

In this powerful and deeply pastoral message, Jeffrey Johnson addresses the very real struggle of anxiety and how it often stems from our desire for control and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, Pastor Johnson unpacks the nature of anxiety—how it overloads our minds with unproductive worry, often paralyzing us instead of propelling us toward peace.

Using relatable analogies like speed wobbles while snowboarding or a plane in distress, he illustrates how anxiety often signals a loss of perceived control. But rather than trying harder to manage what is beyond our grasp, we are called to submit under God's mighty hand, casting all our cares upon Him, because He cares for us.

Johnson reminds us that life is more than our careers, children, health, or finances—our highest calling is to glorify God. And that purpose cannot be taken from us, regardless of our circumstances. Through practical steps and spiritual truths, this message offers both comfort and conviction, helping believers redirect their focus from tomorrow’s worries to today’s obedience, from fear to faith, and from self-reliance to full surrender.

If you’ve been battling anxiety or looking to help others through it, this sermon is filled with biblical hope and encouragement for the weary soul.

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson explores King Jehoshaphat's heartfelt and strategic prayer in 2 Chronicles 20 during a time of overwhelming fear and national crisis. With invading armies threatening Judah, Jehoshaphat turns to God—not with vague desperation, but with focused, reasoned prayer built on God's character, promises, and past faithfulness.

Pastor Johnson challenges believers to go beyond emotional outbursts in prayer and instead engage both heart and mind. Drawing on rich examples from Scripture and church history, he presents five key arguments we can use in prayer to prevail with God:

1. Appeal to who God is – our Father and sovereign Lord.
2. Remind God of His past works – His faithfulness in history.
3. Claim God’s promises – boldly and confidently.
4. Appeal to His glory – aligning our needs with His name and purposes.
5. Confess our helplessness – keeping our eyes fully on Him.

Listeners are encouraged not only to hear the message, but to actively pray during the sermon—applying the structure of Jehoshaphat’s prayer to their own deepest needs. With urgency and clarity, Pastor Johnson emphasizes that prayer with reasoned faith moves the heart of God. If you're seeking breakthrough, peace, or direction, this sermon will inspire and equip you to pray with clarity, power, and confidence.

This sermon by Jeffrey Johnson offers a deeply pastoral and theologically rich exploration of what it means to abide in Christ and how that abiding is essential to a powerful and effective prayer life. At the heart of the message is the truth drawn from John 15—that we cannot bear fruit, including the fruit of meaningful prayer, unless we are connected to the Vine. Johnson makes it clear that abiding in Christ is not about mere religious activity but about union with Christ, remaining in close fellowship with Him as the source of all spiritual life, power, and love. He emphasizes that prayer is not something we simply do with our words; it is something we do with our entire lives. Our actions, our affections, our thoughts—all are to be in alignment with Christ. In that alignment, our prayers are not only heard but are effective and powerful.

The metaphor of Christ as the Vine and we as the branches is used beautifully to explain how every aspect of our Christian life flows from our connection to Him. Johnson explains that Christ is not just the giver of life and power—He is life and power itself. To abide in Him is to be a conduit through which His grace, love, and strength flow. We cannot manufacture love for God or others on our own. Instead, we must receive it from Christ. Just as Jesus received love from the Father and shared it with us, so too we are to receive Christ’s love and let it flow through us to others. Only then can we obey His commands, love our enemies, or live lives that glorify God.

Johnson does not shy away from addressing the impact of sin on our prayer lives. He reminds us that cherishing sin severs the flow of grace and renders our prayers ineffective. God hears the prayers of the righteous, not because of their own merit, but because they are abiding in the righteousness of Christ. Yet, if we cling to sin while praying for God’s blessings, we are living in contradiction and should not expect results. The remedy is repentance and a return to abiding.

Practical guidance is given as well. Johnson outlines five ways we abide in Christ: by abiding in His Word, in His fruitfulness, in His love, in His commands, and in His joy. These are not legalistic duties but life-giving practices that keep us connected to the source. Abiding in His Word transforms our thinking; abiding in His love fuels our affections; abiding in His joy fills our hearts with strength. When we live this way, our prayers become more aligned with God’s will and more likely to be answered—not because we have earned His favor, but because our desires are shaped by His heart.

Perhaps most encouraging is Johnson’s reminder that God will not say no to Jesus—and if Christ is in us, then our prayers carry that same weight. As we live in Him and allow His life to flow through us, we will find our prayer lives growing more powerful, not because of eloquence or effort, but because of deep connection. Ultimately, this sermon is a passionate call to live as recipients of divine love, not striving in our strength, but continually drawing from Christ, who is our everything.

In this powerful sermon from James 5:16, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson challenges us to examine the depth and fervency of our prayer lives. Not all prayers are equal—some are full of faith, passion, and power, while others are empty, rote, and lifeless. True, prevailing prayer requires engagement of both the heart and mind, with a sincerity and forcefulness that moves the hand of God.

Pastor Johnson unpacks five key elements of fervent prayer: sincerity, earnestness, desperation, forcefulness, and determination. Using biblical examples such as Hannah, Elijah, and Jacob, he illustrates how heartfelt, passionate prayer is what God desires from His people. Just as a weak handshake lacks strength, weak, apathetic prayers fail to reach the heart of God. Instead, we must wrestle with Him in prayer, refusing to let go until He blesses us.

Are your prayers marked by true desperation and desire for God's will? Do they reflect a deep longing for His presence and power? This message is a call to become men and women of prayer—prayers that move mountains, transform lives, and bring revival. May we seek God with all our hearts, knowing that He hears and answers those who pray with fervency and faith.

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson explores the deep and sometimes mysterious passage in Matthew 21, where Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches on faith in prayer. Focusing on verse 22—"Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."—Pastor Johnson unpacks the essential role of faith in our prayer lives.

Faith, he explains, consists of knowledge, confidence, and reliance on God's Word. It is not based on emotions, circumstances, or mere positive thinking but is deeply rooted in the unchanging promises of Scripture. Using examples from Scripture, including George Mueller’s unwavering trust in God’s provision and Elijah’s persistent prayers for rain, Pastor Johnson emphasizes that true faith looks beyond what is seen and fully expects God to fulfill His Word.

The sermon provides practical guidance on how to pray in faith, outlining five key principles:

1. Pray Dependently – Recognizing our own weakness and fully relying on God.
2. Pray Assuredly – Standing firmly on the promises of God without doubt.
3. Pray Receptively – Accepting and believing that God will fulfill what He has already promised.
4. Pray Boldly – Asking for big things, knowing that God is able.
5. Pray Expectantly – Trusting that God will answer and looking for His response.

Ultimately, Pastor Johnson challenges us to pray with unwavering trust, not in ourselves, but in the One who never fails. If we desire a more effective and powerful prayer life, we must approach God with faith—believing His promises, seeking His will, and expecting Him to work.

In this powerful message from Ephesians 6:18, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson challenges believers to deepen their prayer lives, moving beyond routine prayers to truly praying in the Spirit. He emphasizes that prayer should not be a mere duty but a sweet and precious communion with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Sharing his recent struggles with illness, Pastor Johnson illustrates how difficult it can be to pray when we are weak, yet he urges us to fight for time with Christ, refusing to settle for a shallow prayer life. Instead, he calls us to seek a Spirit-led, fervent, and effectual prayer life that transforms our walk with God.

To pray in the Spirit, we must listen intently to three key voices: the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and an informed, sensitive conscience. The Spirit speaks through Scripture, aligning our prayers with God's will. He also convicts, empowers, and leads us as we pray, giving us the faith and passion to approach God boldly. Additionally, a Spirit-shaped conscience helps us discern how to pray and obey God’s leading in our daily lives. Pastor Johnson reminds us that prayer is not just about speaking to God—it is also about listening. When we are sensitive to the Spirit, our prayers become more than empty words; they become powerful, Spirit-filled petitions that align with God’s heart and bring us into true fellowship with Him.

As we seek to grow in prayer, may we daily ask, "Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me." Let us commit to praying in the Spirit, allowing Him to shape our prayers, our desires, and ultimately, our lives.