Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton

What really happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday — and what did Jesus say when it was all over?
In this episode, Adam Hamilton opens up the cutting room floor from his Easter sermon, sharing the details that didn't make it into the pulpit but are too important to miss. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, Adam walks through the remarkable events surrounding the first Easter with the curiosity and depth the story deserves.
The curtain that changed everythingWhen Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. But what did that actually mean? Adam unpacks two powerful interpretations — one pointing to God's grief, the other to a barrier between humanity and God being removed forever — and why it matters for how we understand the cross today.

The courage of Joseph of ArimatheaA wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council who had been a secret follower of Jesus, Joseph dared to ask Pontius Pilate for Jesus' body. Adam explores what all four gospels tell us about this remarkable man — and what his story says about faith, courage, and the cost of speaking up.
What happened on Holy SaturdayIt's the day nobody talks about. Jesus is in the tomb. The disciples are in hiding. But the religious leaders are doing everything they can to keep Jesus there — sealing the tomb, posting guards, trying to contain the uncontainable. Adam reflects on the powerful irony of that day and what it means for us when we feel like hope is sealed away.
The cover-up nobody could pull offWhen the resurrection happened, the guards fled. The religious leaders bribed them to spread a different story. Adam traces how Matthew, writing 50 years later, addresses the rumors that were still circulating — and why the evidence for the resurrection is more compelling than the alternatives.
Therefore, goAfter everything — the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection — Jesus appears to his disciples and speaks two words that changed the direction of history. Adam unpacks the Great Commission and what it means to live as people who are not just Easter people, but sent people.
This episode also weaves in a timely reflection on how the Easter story speaks to our complicated world — drawing a surprising line from the ancient Magi to the people of modern-day Iran — and what it means to apply Jesus' teachings when the news feels heavy and the answers aren't simple.
Whether you're a lifelong Christian, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you into the full Easter story and challenges you to consider what those two words mean for your life today.

What does it look like to age without fear? In this deeply personal conversation, Adam Hamilton sits down with Alan and Kay Kimes—married for 64 years and still radiating joy at 86 years old. They share the honest truth about navigating every decade from their 50s to their 80s, from empty nesting to discovering deeper faith, from launching second careers to serving others in meaningful ways.
If you've ever worried about getting older, losing your memory, or facing death, this conversation will shift your perspective. Alan and Kay reveal how they've transformed fear into purpose, worry into prayer, and aging into what they call "aging out well." Their secret? Taking life one day at a time, keeping romance alive, and never stopping their service to others.
Whether you're in your 30s wondering what's ahead, navigating midlife transitions, or already in your golden years, you'll find practical wisdom and infectious hope in this episode. Discover why the 60s might be the best decade for spiritual growth, how serving others becomes the antidote to fear, and what it means to wake up every morning thrilled to have another day.
This isn't just another conversation about aging—it's a masterclass in living fully, loving deeply, and facing the future without fear.

Should your faith shape your politics? In this candid episode, Adam Hamilton challenges the myth that religion and politics don't mix—and explains why staying silent on justice issues might actually contradict the teachings of Jesus.
Drawing from a controversial sermon on immigration enforcement and political division, Adam shares powerful stories of fear in immigrant communities, explores the concept of "just laws" versus "just enforcement," and offers a framework for how Christians can engage politically without losing their humanity or dividing their communities.
You'll discover why empathy is both the most important and most difficult practice in polarized times, how to protest in ways that reflect your values, and what it means to live out the prayer "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth" in concrete, everyday ways.
Whether you're deeply involved in politics or trying to stay above the fray, this episode offers a thoughtful path forward for people of faith navigating America's deepest divisions.

Ever wondered what goes into a message that reaches the largest audience of the year? Adam Hamilton pulls back the curtain on his 36th Christmas Eve at Church of the Resurrection, revealing nine drafts, 30+ hours of research, and a stunning historical discovery at 2:20 in the morning that changed everything.
The beloved Christmas carol "O Holy Night" wasn't just a pretty song. In 1855 Boston, it became an anthem of the abolitionist movement, inspiring Christians to give up everything and travel to Kansas to claim it as a free state. The line "chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother" moved people to action, and Adam discovered these faithful abolitionists passed directly across the land where his church now sits.
In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Adam walks through his creative process: why he rewrote the sermon after preaching it the first time, how he adapted it for 2,000 kids on Christmas morning, and what it takes to keep a 2,000-year-old story compelling after nearly four decades of Christmas Eves. From "Home Alone" clips to trail maps to his own family's Super 8 films from 1967, see how one pastor weaves history, personal story, and a simple call to "love one another" into a message that moved people to give $2.3 million to families in poverty.
Whether you're curious about the craft of communication, fascinated by hidden history, or simply wondering what happens behind the scenes of the biggest night in the church year, this episode offers rare insight into how faith and creativity collide.
In this episode:- Why Christmas Eve is the most challenging message of the year
- The abolitionist history hidden in "O Holy Night"
- How Adam discovered his church sits on an Underground Railroad route
- What it takes to preach the same story fresh for 36 years
- The moment at 2 AM when everything came together
The episode includes the full 7:00 PM Christmas Eve service, featuring Dr. Cameron Smith's stunning performance of "O Holy Night."

What if a simple Google ad could lead you to save a stranger's life? In this powerful episode, Adam Hamilton sits down with Jeff Reisinger, a Church of the Resurrection member who became a living liver donor, and Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the remarkable journey of organ donation—from that first unexpected popup ad to the moment two families were forever changed.
Jeff's story begins with an unusual series of "coincidences": a persistent advertisement, a Christmas Eve phone call, and a match with another Jeff whose son shares his own son's name. But as you'll hear, these weren't coincidences at all—they were part of something much bigger.
In this episode, you'll discover:- How living liver donation works and why your liver regenerates after donation
- The difference between kidney and liver donation, and what recovery looks like
- Why there are over 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the US
- How faith can lead to radical acts of selfless love
- Practical steps you can take to become a living donor
This isn't just a medical story. It's a profound exploration of what it means to love your neighbor in the most tangible way possible. Whether you're considering becoming a donor, curious about the medical process, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faith in action, this episode will move you.
Resources mentioned:- University of Kansas Health System Transplant Center: (913) 588-6183
- HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration): hrsa.gov
- Gift of Life donation awareness
This episode could save lives. If you know someone who might be interested in organ donation—or anyone who needs hope that extraordinary goodness still exists in this world—please share this with them.

In a world where news feels overwhelming and every headline seems designed to trigger an emotional response, how do we stay informed without losing our peace—or our ability to love people we disagree with?
Critical Thinking as Spiritual Practice Adam explains why Jesus's command to love God with our minds is more relevant than ever. When Jesus said we should love God with heart, soul, and mind, he used the Greek word "dianoia"—which can be translated as "critical thinking." This isn't just intellectual exercise; it's a spiritual discipline that helps us guard our hearts from hatred while engaging thoughtfully with the world around us. Whether it's evaluating news sources or listening to a friend share gossip, critical thinking asks us to slow down and seek the whole truth before responding.
The Manipulation Machine: Understanding Modern News News has fundamentally changed from Adam's childhood, when it aired at specific times and aimed for balance. Today's 24/7 news cycle combined with social media algorithms has created what Adam calls a "manipulation machine"—headlines designed as clickbait, stories that confirm our existing biases, and coverage that prioritizes emotional reaction over comprehensive understanding. Adam shares his own struggle with news addiction, describing the unhealthy pattern of "doom scrolling" before bed and checking multiple news apps throughout the day. The first step toward healthier news consumption is recognizing how we're being manipulated.
Multiple Sources, Multiple Perspectives Adam's practical approach includes subscribing to news sources across the political spectrum—New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. When a story triggers a strong emotional response, he intentionally seeks out how it's being covered from different angles. This isn't about moral relativism or saying all perspectives are equally valid; it's about gathering enough information to form thoughtful conclusions rather than reactive ones. Adam notes that often the most salacious headline is followed by a much more mundane story, and taking time to read beyond the headline changes everything.
From Information to Transformation: Guarding Your Heart Perhaps the most powerful insight Adam shares is about the danger of allowing news consumption to lead to hatred. He references Holocaust survivor Sonia Walorski, who said "I will not hate" even after losing her family to the Nazis. Adam emphasizes that Christians can take strong stands against injustice and wrong actions while still loving the people on the other side. This requires intentional work—trying to understand others' motivations, being curious about their perspectives, and remembering that we're called to "agape" love, which means wishing the best for others even when we disagree with them.
Pause and Think Before You Post Adam shares a vulnerable story about posting too quickly after a public figure's assassination, having to revisit his words after feedback from a respected church member. His key advice: slow down. Wait before posting on social media. Do more fact-checking. Try to understand the other perspective. This discipline of pausing creates space for wisdom instead of reaction, for love instead of hatred, for truth instead of propaganda. In a culture that rewards instant responses, choosing to slow down is a countercultural—and deeply Christian—practice.

Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most pressing questions facing modern spirituality: Do we really need church? With trademark honesty, Adam acknowledges the hurt and disillusionment many people feel about organized religion... and then makes a compelling, research-backed case for why faith community might be exactly what we're missing. Drawing from his own journey from teenage atheist to pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the country, Adam shares both hard data and heartfelt stories that reveal the transformative power of showing up, belonging, and being carried by others when life gets hard.
Insights from This Episode:
Church attendance could add 7 years to your life. Multiple Harvard studies show that people who attend religious services at least weekly live significantly longer... with mortality rates 25-35% lower over 10-15 years. Adam breaks down why this isn't just about faith, but about the social capital, support systems, and “stretcher bearers” we all desperately need.

Mental health and faith community are deeply connected. The American Psychiatric Association reports that 6 in 10 Americans say faith supports their mental wellness, and those actively involved in faith communities show 20-30% lower rates of depression and up to six times lower rates of suicide. In an age of increasing isolation, these numbers tell a story we can't afford to ignore.

Churches are volunteer engines that power communities. Here's a stat that might surprise you: 58% of people actively involved in church also volunteer in other community organizations. Adam explores why researchers are raising alarms about what happens to our communities if church attendance continues to decline... where will the volunteers come from?

You don't have to claim the worst examples of Christianity. When people say, "I'm a follower of Jesus, not a Christian," Adam pushes back with wisdom: If you let the Christians who get it wrong claim the title while you abandon it, then those are the only Christians people will know. Be the different kind of Christian the world needs to see.
If you've ever wondered whether church is worth it, or if you've been hurt by church and aren't sure you can go back, this episode offers a fresh perspective that doesn't require you to check your brain at the door. Adam invites both skeptics and longtime believers into an honest conversation about why gathering together still matters, backed by science and lived experience. Whether you're spiritual but not religious, nominally religious but not active, or somewhere in between, this episode might just change how you think about community, belonging, and what it means to truly thrive.

In this deeply personal episode, Adam Hamilton pulls back the curtain on his 43-year marriage to LaVon, sharing the honest, sometimes messy reality of how faith has held them together when everything else might have pulled them apart. After recently officiating his youngest daughter's wedding, Adam reflects on what it really means to build a lasting relationship - not through rose-colored romanticism, but through prayer, intentionality, and the kind of commitment that shows up even when feelings fade. This isn't your typical marriage advice. It's a real, vulnerable conversation about the moments when attraction wanes, when other people could easily turn your head, and when the gap between who you married and who you're married to now feels impossibly wide. If you've ever wondered whether faith makes any practical difference in relationships, Adam's story - complete with late-night flower runs and 15,695 nightly prayers - offers compelling evidence that it does.
5 KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:The Three-Step Rule That Saved Adam's MarriageAdam describes those dangerous moments early in marriage when casual workplace friendships could have become something more. His solution? Recognizing when he was "three steps away" from destroying everything he cared about, and choosing to step back instead of forward.
Why Doing Comes Before FeelingAfter hearing a prompting to buy LaVon flowers at 11 PM when he didn’t feel like it, Adam discovered a crucial truth: in dating, you do loving things because you feel love. In marriage, you often do loving things first, and the feelings follow.
The 70% Happiness FactorResearch shows that couples who pray together daily are 70% more likely to report being very happy in their marriages. Active religious participation reduces divorce rates by 30%. These aren't just numbers - they're Adam's lived experience.
What the First Wedding Teaches UsAdam unpacks the Genesis story of Adam and Eve, revealing two Hebrew words that define marriage: ezer (helper/rescuer) and kenegdo (companion). You're not promising to always feel madly in love - you're promising to show up and do life together.
The Hand Print on Your HeartDrawing from the musical Wicked, Adam shares how he sang "For Good" to LaVon, realizing that after 43 years, they've been changed by each other - reshaped, reformed, and ultimately made better through the commitment they made as teenagers.
This episode isn't just for people planning weddings or struggling in their marriages. It's for anyone wondering whether ancient faith has anything relevant to say about modern relationships. Adam's vulnerability about his own journey and daily disciplines offers a roadmap that's both practical and profound - showing us that love isn't just a feeling to chase, but a choice to make, again and again, for a lifetime.

On the 35th anniversary of founding the Church of the Resurrection, Adam Hamilton takes us on an extraordinary journey back to October 7, 1990—when he was a nervous 26-year-old pastor standing in a funeral home chapel, wondering if anyone would show up. In this deeply personal episode, Adam shares the complete audio of his very first sermon, a message that tackled life's most fundamental question: "Is this all?" Drawing from his grandmother's deathbed question and the Apostle Paul's words about knowing Christ, Adam explores why the resurrection isn't just about what happens after death, but about how we choose to live today. This isn't a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it's a powerful reminder that the questions keeping us up at night are the same ones humans have asked throughout history, and the answer changes everything about how we show up in the world.

5 Key Moments You Don't Want to Miss:
The Question Behind Every Struggle - Adam reveals how "Is this all?" shows up in different forms throughout our lives: in moments of despair ("Why should I go on?"), in grief ("Where are they now?"), in success that feels empty ("Where do I go from here?"), and in moral compromise ("Why not? Who's gonna know?"). These aren't different questions—they're all asking whether there's something more than what we can see and touch.
Why the Resurrection Is the Answer - For Christians, Adam explains, the decisive proof of "something more" isn't Jesus's birth or even his death—it's the resurrection. This event gives us hope in the face of death, allows us to worship in a funeral home without dread, and proves there's one who holds power even over our deepest fears. It's the foundation that lets us face tomorrow with confidence.
The Hero Who Packed His Life Into One Night - The sermon culminates with the moving story of Edward William Spencer, a college swimmer who saved 17 lives during a shipwreck in 1860—and was paralyzed for the rest of his life as a result. When asked if he'd do it again, his answer reveals what it means to live as a person of the resurrection: "I'm a follower of one who packed his whole life into nine hours on the cross."
What Makes a Great Church - Young Adam's vision wasn't about having a great preacher, a beautiful building, or perfect programs. It was about people deciding to live as people of the resurrection—laying their lives on the line for others with such authentic faith that others would be drawn to join them.
From 200 People to a Movement - What started with coffee mug deliveries and a simple invitation to "come dream with us" grew into the largest United Methodist Church in the country—not through strategy, but through ordinary people choosing to love selflessly and sacrificially.
Why This Episode Matters:Whether you're skeptical about faith, burned out on church, or simply wondering if there's more to life than what you're experiencing right now, this episode meets you exactly where you are. Adam's vulnerability about his own nervous beginnings and his willingness to revisit his younger self's convictions create space for honest exploration. The question "Is this all?" doesn't require a religious background to understand—it requires only the courage to ask it honestly and consider what you'll do with the answer. Listen to discover why this 35-year-old sermon still speaks to the deepest longing of the human heart.

When a South African preacher recently claimed Jesus would return on September 23rd or 24th, 2025, it made international headlines and filled social media feeds. This bold prediction sparked conversations worldwide about the Second Coming and the concept of "the rapture." In this week’s episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles these complex theological questions head-on, drawing from his own journey from teenage atheist to faith leader. With his characteristic blend of scholarly insight and pastoral warmth, Adam unpacks what Scripture actually says about Christ's return, why predictions consistently fail, and what it means to live with hope rather than fear about the future.
From Teenage Terror to Mature Faith. Adam shares his personal experience growing up in a Pentecostal church where end-times teaching was emphasized. He describes watching frightening movies like "A Thief in the Night" and reading charts predicting Christ's imminent return—experiences that led him to make major life decisions because he thought Christ would return at any moment.
The Historical Context Behind Rapture Theology. Most Christians throughout history—and most Christians worldwide today—don't subscribe to "rapture" theology. Adam explains how this relatively recent interpretation emerged in 1830 with Charles Darby and became popular in some evangelical circles, despite not being the mainstream Christian understanding of Scripture.

What Scripture Actually Teaches About Christ's Return. Rather than providing a detailed roadmap for end times, biblical passages about Christ's return focus on three key messages: this broken world won't continue forever, we have eternal hope, and we should live ready to meet Christ. Adam shows how even the apostles expected Jesus to return in their lifetime, yet Scripture's true power lies in its enduring hope.

Why Date-Setting Always Fails. Jesus himself said he didn't know the day or hour of his return, making any human prediction inherently flawed. Adam points out that throughout 2,000 years of church history, countless predictions have proven wrong—yet the core message of hope and readiness remains relevant for every generation.

Living Ready Without Living in Fear. The most practical takeaway involves embracing daily readiness through faith in Christ and loving service to others. Whether Jesus returns tomorrow or in a thousand years—or whether he comes for us individually at death—we can live with confidence rather than anxiety when we trust our lives to him.
This episode embodies what makes Making Sense of Faith essential listening for thinking people navigating spirituality in our complex world. Adam doesn't offer easy answers or ask you to check your brain at the door. Instead, he provides the theological depth and pastoral wisdom needed to wrestle with profound questions about faith, hope, and our eternal future. Whether you're skeptical, curious, or deeply committed in your faith journey, this conversation will leave you better equipped to make sense of one of Christianity's most debated topics.
HIGHLIGHTS: [0:34] Rapture Predictions in the Headlines[0:51] What is the Rapture? Setting the Stage[2:00] Literal Readings: Jesus’ Return and the Bible[2:38] Prophecy Charts, Books, and Movies[5:12] Mainline vs. Evangelical Views on the Rapture[6:15] What Did Jesus Actually Say About His Return?[7:11] Signs of the End Times: Wars, Disasters, and Prophets[8:38] The Meaning of “Parousia” and Early Christian Beliefs[10:08] The Second Coming: Literal or Metaphorical?11:15 - Hope, Judgment, and the Promise of Renewal12:09 - Paul’s Letters: Living in Expectation[13:22] What Happens to the Dead? Paul’s Comfort[14:21] Paradise, Resurrection, and the Afterlife[15:13] The Real Message: Be Ready and Live with Hope[16:26] The Modern Rapture Doctrine: Where Did It Come From?[19:00] The Ultimate Hope: Christ’s Return and Restoration[20:41] Final Thoughts: Don’t Worry, Be Ready