Looking to Jesus, with Brian G. Hedges

Brian Hedges explores the spiritual practices of solitude and silence as foundational practices for a flourishing Christian life, calling believers to withdraw from distraction and be alone with God for rest, self-knowledge, and deeper communion. Drawing on Psalm 62 and other Scriptures, he illustrates how silence before the Lord fosters dependence on God rather than the world’s definitions of success, while also showing how Jesus habitually withdrew into quiet places to pray. Pastor Brian then offers practical guidance for integrating daily and extended practices of retreat, silence, and solitude into one’s spiritual rhythm so that the heart can be quiet before God and prepared for life’s challenges. Sermon outline:

(6:22) 1. The Disciplines of Retreat

(16:15) 2. Why We need Them

(28:03) 3. How to Practice Them

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

Listen to “Seven Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” here.

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In this message, Brian Hedges takes us to Psalm 103 and explores the spiritual practice of soliloquy, or sanctified self-talk, teaching believers how to intentionally speak God’s truth to their own souls in daily life rather than defaulting to habitual, unexamined thoughts. Drawing on Scripture and examples from Christians throughout history, he shows how healthy soul-talk combats “gospel amnesia,” reshapes how we view ourselves, the world, and God, and strengthens our spiritual formation. Finally, Brian offers practical guidance for cultivating this discipline so that our inner monologue aligns with God’s truth and grace. His sermon is structured like this:

(8:46) 1. Definition

(15:21) 2. Illustrations

(20:04) 3. What Does This Look Like?

(34:07) 4. How Do You Develop These Skills?

Read a transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

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This sermon touches on the spiritual discipline of confession as an ongoing practice that helps believers live out repentance and draw near to God, rooted in the honest self-examination found in Psalm 38. Brian Hedges explains that confession involves confronting sin, acknowledging it before God (and sometimes others), and turning from it in genuine repentance rather than vague generalities. He also highlights how true confession leads to restoration, cleansing, and renewed fellowship with God through the gospel and Christ’s atoning work. Outline:

(7:10) 1. The Problem of Sin

(16:23) 2. The Practice of Confession

(19:38)      Five ingredients of confession

(33:59) 3. The Promise of Restoration

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

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In this sermon, Brian G. Hedges explores the spiritual discipline of contemplation, defined as the soul’s deep “gaze on the beauty and glory of God,” as illustrated in Psalms 27 and 63. He argues that contemplation reorients the believer’s heart toward communion with God beyond mere activity or duty. He explains why this practice is essential: for inner transformation into Christlikeness, for deep spiritual satisfaction, and as preparation for the vision of God for eternity. Finally, he offers practical guidance on how to cultivate contemplation through desire, intention, focused attention, adoration, perseverance, and dependence on the Spirit — inviting listeners to incorporate this practice into their daily walk with God. Outline:

(9:05) 1. What Is Contemplation?

(22:00) 2. Why Do We Need It?

(29:28) 3. How Do We Practice It? Six ways:

• (29:56) Desire
• (33:12) Intention
• (35:05) Focus
• (37:03) Adoration
• (38:12) Perseverance
• (42:13) Dependence

(43:47) Conclusion

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

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Psalm 86 calls believers to practice spiritual “recollection” — a disciplined, honest self-examination before God that gathers the fragments of our hearts and souls into wholeness. Brian Hedges shows how, through honesty about our needs and trust in God’s mercy, we can reorient from distraction, disorientation, and fragmentation toward clarity, unity, and intimacy with God. This message encourages regular reflection and soul-reconciling prayer so that our inner lives become grounded, integrated, and alive in God. Brian explores three main points:

(6:18) 1. The Need: To Know God and the Self

(12:45) 2. The Problem: Obstacles to this Knowing

(27:44) 3. The Solution: The Practice of Recollection

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

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In this episode, Brian Hedges invites listeners to choose between two paths of life: one flourishing and rooted by streams of water, the other fragile and blown away like chaff—drawing on the vivid imagery of Psalm 1. He then focuses on the spiritual practice of Christian meditation—delighting in God’s instruction and engaging deeply with Scripture day and night. His sermon challenges believers to move beyond mere activity and busyness toward a disciplined, joy-filled way of life grounded in the Word of God. He breaks down the psalm into these components:

(8:12) 1. The Path

(15:46) 2. The Picture

(24:54) 3. The Practice

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Download the sermon notes here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

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This message calls listeners to respond in faith to the incredible gift of God’s love and to live in humble service and generous devotion. Pastor Brian guides us through four ways of understanding the incarnation of Christ:

(4:14) 1. The Word Became Flesh

(10:35) 2. The Son Became a Servant

(16:31) 3. The Rich Became Poor

(20:36) 4. The Sinless Became the Sin Bearer

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

Redeemer.ch

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Season 9 — Dressing for Battle: Gospel Armor for the Fight of Faith

Episode 10 —  The Weapon of “All-Prayer”

In this episode, Brian Hedges explores how prayer functions as the ultimate weapon in spiritual battle, drawing deeply from Ephesians 6:10-20 in the concluding message of the series “Dressing for Battle.” Discover how prayer isn’t just an optional discipline but a vital response to spiritual warfare. Whether you’ve struggled in your prayer life or simply want fresh motivation to draw near to God, this message offers real-world hope and encouragement. Brian covers:

(5:39) 1. The Need for Prayer

(16:33) 2. The Scope of Prayer

(28:18) 3. The Way of Prayer

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

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Contact Pastor Brian with questions or comments.

Podcast Description: Season 9 — Dressing for Battle: Gospel Armor for the Fight of Faith

Episode 9 — Take the Sword of the Spirit

In “Take the Sword of the Spirit,” Brian Hedges examines the image of Scripture as both an offensive and defensive weapon in spiritual warfare, grounded in Ephesians 6:10–20. He teaches how the word of God is uniquely “the sword of the Spirit” — forged by the Holy Spirit and empowered to pierce, defend, and advance the Christian’s life. He then gives ten practical ways believers can “take up” this sword in daily living—reading, memorizing, applying, praying, and sharing God’s word in the moment. Outline:

(3:33) 1. The Word Is a Sword

(9:58) 2. The Word Is the Spirit’s Sword

(14:59) 3. How Do We Take This Sword?

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

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Season 9 — Dressing for Battle: Gospel Armor for the Fight of Faith

Episode 8 — "Take Up the Helmet of Salvation" In this sermon, Pastor Brian Hedges unpacks the metaphor of the helmet of salvation — what it is, why we need it, and how it shapes our mindset and hope as believers. He emphasizes salvation in its past, present, and future tenses, showing how the hope of future salvation guards our minds, sustains us in hardship, and orients our lives toward eternity.

(4:35) 1. What Is This Helmet?

(14:06) 2. Why Do We Need This Hope?

(28:29) 3. What Difference Does It Make?

Read the transcript of this sermon here.

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Contact Pastor Brian with questions or comments.