La Porte Church of Christ Podcast

In this Asking for a Friend lesson, we tackle one of Scripture’s most challenging questions: Did God harden Pharaoh’s heart—or did Pharaoh harden it himself?

Walking through the account in Exodus, we examine the biblical pattern of resistance, mercy, and judgment, discovering that God did not override Pharaoh’s will—but ultimately confirmed him in the path he repeatedly chose. Along the way, we explore God’s patience, human responsibility, and the sobering reality that hearts can harden gradually through delayed obedience.

This lesson calls each of us to honest self-examination, reminding us that today is the time to respond to God’s voice, before resistance becomes hardness.

Living in the Substance

In this message from Colossians 2:6–14, we move from seeing Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises to learning how to live daily in that truth. After tracing God’s plan from shadow to substance, this lesson challenges us to be rooted, built up, and established in Christ—guarding our hearts from empty deception and resting fully in the completeness we have in Him. A practical call to walk faithfully in Jesus, who is truly enough.

This lesson explores how obedience doesn’t always lead to easy roads, how midnight reveals the heart, and how God still uses suffering to bring salvation. If you’re walking through your own “midnight,” this lesson will encourage you to trust God, lift your praise, and believe that He is still working behind locked doors.

Sermon Series: Shadows to Substance

Part 18 of 18

In this concluding lesson of the Shadows to Substance series, we trace God’s unfolding plan from Old Testament shadows to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:22–24, we confront a timeless question: even after God has revealed His Son, what are we still seeking? This message challenges listeners to move beyond signs, wisdom, and personal expectations—and to rest fully in Christ crucified, the complete and sufficient answer to every spiritual need.

Sermon Series: Shadows to Substance

Part 17 of 18

Blood in Scripture is never symbolic alone—it is essential. This sermon examines how the blood of the Old Testament foreshadowed the power, purpose, and permanence of the blood of Jesus.

In this episode, we explore Jesus’ powerful words in John 4:19–26, where He reveals that the Father is actively seeking true worshipers. Worship is more than a place, a routine, or a religious act—it is a life surrendered to God in spirit and in truth. Drawing from Scripture and practical application, this lesson challenges us to examine our hearts, refocus our worship, and become the kind of worshipers God desires.

Discipleship was never meant to be safe, predictable, or boring. In this episode, we explore The Adventure of Discipleship through Mark 1:14–20, walking with Jesus as He calls ordinary people into an extraordinary life of faith. From leaving nets behind to embracing a transformed purpose, this lesson challenges us to move beyond comfort and truly follow Christ. Join us as we consider what it means to repent, believe, and step into the adventure Jesus still offers today.

Sermon Series: Shadows to Substance

Part 16 of 18

Water in the Bible is never just water. In this lesson, we follow the flow of Scripture to see how God used water as a shadow of cleansing, salvation, and new life—fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Series: Shadows to Substance

Part 15 of 18

Marriage is a picture God painted long before Christ came. In this lesson, we uncover how marriage points beyond itself to the sacrificial love, unity, and faithfulness Christ has with His church.

In this episode, we take a careful look at passages often used to describe Satan’s origin—particularly Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, and Luke 10:18. By examining context, language, and biblical imagery, we ask an important question: are these texts teaching truth about Satan, or have tradition and assumption shaped how they are commonly understood?