McGregor Podcast

What did Jesus mean when He told a crowd to eat His flesh, or told a crowd of would-be followers to hate their own father and mother?

Recorded at a Hot Topic night hosted by McGregor's Journey Together ministry, this teaching opens a short series on the hard sayings of Jesus. Pastor Russell Howard lays out three ground rules for reading them well, then works through the bread of life discourse in John 6, the call to discipleship in Luke 14, and Jesus' words about a sword and a divided household in Matthew 10.

The takeaway is straightforward. Jesus meant to be understood, and when a saying is hard, the difficulty usually sits with us rather than with Him. If you have ever read past a verse because it unsettled you, this teaching is worth your time.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

"I Am the Light of the World"

When Jesus stood in the temple and said, "I am the light of the world," He was not offering a nice idea. He was claiming to be God, reaching back to the name God gave Himself at the burning bush. Russell Howard walks through John 8 and 9, showing how Jesus made that claim in the brightest place in Jerusalem, why it enraged the religious leaders, and what His promise means for us: whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness. Along the way, Russell shows how walking in the light works in ordinary life, obeying what God has clearly said and trusting Him where He has not spoken, and how the healing of a man born blind puts the light of Christ on display. You walk away seeing why following Jesus, not just admiring Him, is the only way out of the dark.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

Matthew: The King Has Come

"Church Discipline"

Jesus knows the church will include people who don't yet belong to Him, and He gives His people a way to respond that seeks restoration first. In Matthew 18:15-20, Pastor Russell Howard walks through the process Jesus lays out for confronting a brother or sister caught in sin: a private conversation, then a small group of witnesses, then the whole church, and only then removal from the congregation as a last resort. Every step aims at winning back a brother, not winning an argument, while also protecting what the church says about Jesus to a watching world. Whether you've been hurt by conflict in a church or you're unsure what to do when someone you love won't turn from sin, this teaching gives you a clear, gracious path forward.

Sermon Notes

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

Fifteen babies born into one church family this year. A Wednesday night with tables overflowing. And a stack of deadlines that all land before the month is out.

Mark, Tamar, and Christian start with a correction, the preschool and children's choirs meet at 5:30 and not 5:00, then recap the Journey Together kickoff and a first-time guest who nearly stayed home. From there: DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids begin Tuesday, August 18 at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall, Beloved for young moms kicks off September 10 with a childcare deadline of August 27, and Parent and Child Dedication is Friday, September 11 with registration closing August 26.

They also preview the Know The Word Conference on September 18 and 19 with Dr. Greg Lanier, and introduce Tayler Newberg, Administrative Assistant to Human Resources. If you want one place to keep up with what God is doing in this church family, start here.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

What if the thing you keep reaching for was never meant to satisfy you?

In the opening study of "I AM: Seven Signs of the Savior," David Miller begins in Exodus 3, where God reveals His name as I AM, then moves to John 6, where Jesus takes that same name for Himself. Miller walks through three marks of the bread of life: it is provisional, it is plain, and it is prescient. Along the way he traces the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd's demand for a bigger sign, and Jesus' clear claim in John 6:35.

The one thing you carry out is this: God sustains us in the wilderness so that we will long for Him, the only bread that satisfies forever. This teaching is for anyone tired of trying to fill a hunger that food, success, or effort never touches.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

Do Christians have a guardian angel individually assigned to watch over them, or is that more folklore than Scripture?

Pastor Ryan Flint takes us Beyond the Notes from Sunday's study in Matthew 18, chasing a question the sermon intentionally set aside. He covers what Scripture confidently says about angels, who they are, what they do, and the guardrails for how believers should and should not think about them, working through Matthew 18:10, Hebrews 1:14, and Acts 12.

Scripture never guarantees each believer a personally assigned angel, but it says far more about God's care for His people than that single question. Whether you're curious about angels or just want a clearer view of how much your Father sees and protects you, this episode gives you a steady, biblical answer.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

Matthew: The King Has Come

"Every Sheep Matters"

When someone drifts away from church, it can be easy to assume they made their choice and move on. Matthew 18:10-14 shows a very different heart. Ryan Flint, McGregor's Worship Pastor, walks through the parable of the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one sheep that wandered, and shows that this story is not about a stranger far from God but about a believer who has begun to drift. Along the way he draws out three simple truths: God values every believer, God pursues every wandering believer, and God calls His people to share that same restoring heart. You will walk away reminded that Jesus pursued you when you were wandering, and challenged to notice the empty seat and reach out to the one who is missing.

Sermon Notes

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

In this episode of Around McGregor, Mark, Tamar, and Christian catch you up on life at McGregor this week. They cover the Renew construction progress, this Wednesday's Big Kickoff with fellowship supper and a full slate of new discipleship classes, and a preview of an upcoming workshop with Dr. Greg Lanier, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up," built to sharpen discernment about what is taught about Christ today.

They also flag a few deadlines worth knowing: the prospective member class, DivorceCare's fall semester, and Parent-Child Dedication registration.

Whether you are new to McGregor or have been here for years, this episode keeps you in step with what God is doing in our church family.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com There's a place for you here. Plan your first Sunday at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The disciples asked, and Jesus answered by pointing to a child.

In this Beyond the Notes, Pastor Russell Howard returns to Matthew 18, the fourth of the five major discourses in Matthew, and traces a single thread through the whole chapter: the little ones. He makes the case that these little ones are not mainly toddlers but the less mature believers among us, and that the discourse is really about how growing believers care for those coming behind them, through welcome, correction, and forgiveness.

The congregation is not an audience. If you have walked with God for a while, this teaching is a call to step into the lives of newer believers on purpose. It is for anyone who wants to see what humility, discipleship, and grace look like inside a real church family.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

Matthew - The King has Come

"The Children Of The Kingdom"

(Matthew 18:1-9)

In this episode of the McGregor Podcast, Russell Howard unpacks Matthew 18:1-9, exploring Jesus as the Chosen Servant who embodies gentle grace and brings global glory. Discover how Jesus navigated conflict, extended compassion to the hurting, and sought to fulfill the Father’s will above all. Russell Howard challenges listeners to reflect Christ’s patience, faithfulness, and gentleness in their own lives. Tune in for practical applications and encouragement to trust God’s sovereign and gracious purposes, even in the midst of life’s trials.

Sermon Notes

August 2, 2026

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