Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be "in the world but not of it"? In this powerful message, we explore how Christians are called to be like an oasis in the desert - present in the world but drawing from a divine source that refreshes everyone around us.

Key Themes Explored:

• The breathtaking glory of God revealed through creation - from the stars to the smallest seed - Understanding what the Bible really means by "the world" vs God's good creation - How believers become living demonstrations of God's kingdom power - The difference between being IN something versus being OF it - Why churches need Spirit-filled people, not just good administrators

Biblical Foundations:

This message draws from powerful scriptures including Job 26 (God's majesty in creation), Psalm 8 & 19 (the heavens declaring God's glory), Revelation 4-5 (the overwhelming worship in heaven), Luke 15:1 (Jesus with sinners), and Matthew 6:9-10 (the Lord's Prayer). Special focus on Ephesians 5:1 - imitating God as dear children.

The Oasis Metaphor:

Just as an oasis appears in the desert from underground springs originating in distant mountains, Christians are placed in the world but draw their life from heaven's source. We're meant to be refreshing pools of God's presence where thirsty souls can find living water.

Practical Applications:

1. Worship with Wonder - Allow yourself to be undone by God's majesty rather than going through religious motions 2. Embrace Your Purpose - You're strategically placed in this world to display God's glory 3. Live Differently - Let your life demonstrate kingdom values that contrast with worldly systems 4. Avoid Religious Professionalism - Stay soft and surrendered to the Spirit's work 5. Be the Refreshment - Become someone whose presence brings God's peace and hope to others

A Challenge to Consider:

Are you merely attending church or are you allowing God to transform you into an oasis? When people interact with you, do they walk away refreshed by encountering God's presence through your life? The world desperately needs believers who aren't just good people but Spirit-filled conduits of heaven's power.

Personal Testimony:

The speaker shares his own transformation story - from a "punk" to a pastor - demonstrating that God's power to change lives is real and observable. Family members who knew him before can testify to the dramatic work God has done.

Final Thought:

"When people stumble through the deserts of this world, may they stumble into you, and may you be an oasis of living water, where your life simply displays the glory of the God who's taken residence in you."

Don't let people hunger and eat sand when they've been around you. Let them taste the living water that flows from a life surrendered to Jesus.

In this powerful message from the Kingdom of God series, discover why God allows believers and non-believers to coexist in the world and what it means to be "wheat" in His kingdom.

Have you ever wondered why God allows both good and evil to exist side by side? Why does He permit those who love Him to live alongside those who reject Him? In Matthew 13, Jesus addresses this profound mystery through the parable of the wheat and the weeds.

Key Insights from This Episode:

• Understanding God's heart for those wavering in faith (Jude 22-25) - Why believers and non-believers grow together until harvest time - The difference between having knowledge and bearing spiritual fruit - How God plants His children as seeds of transformation in the world - The importance of allowing your "wheat" to shine among the "weeds"

Jesus reveals that while wheat and weeds may look identical in their early stages, true maturity reveals itself through fruitfulness. Just as wheat develops grain heads at harvest time, genuine followers of Christ are marked not by their knowledge or experience, but by the fruit they bear.

The Farmer's Wisdom: God, as the divine farmer, remains in complete control throughout the growing process. He deliberately allows wheat and weeds to grow together to:

• Provide time for transformation - Give multiple opportunities for salvation - Use His people as lights in dark places - Demonstrate His patience and mercy

Your Mission as "Wheat": You've been planted with purpose! God has placed specific gifts and talents within you, expecting you to mature and bear fruit that transforms your sphere of influence - whether in family, business, church, or community.

As 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 beautifully illustrates, our lives are meant to be a "Christ-like fragrance" - life-giving perfume to those being saved, even as we may seem offensive to those who resist God's truth.

Practical Application: - Don't be shaped by the world; shape it through Kingdom values - Stay rooted in God's Word to maintain your spiritual DNA - Remember that fruitfulness, not mere church attendance, marks true discipleship - Keep offering opportunities to those who initially reject the Gospel - Let God's presence sustain you as you navigate life among the "weeds"

Bible References: Matthew 13:24-43, Jude 22-25, 1 John 5:19, James 1:21, Romans 13:14, Ephesians 4:24, John 17:14-18, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Join us every week as we explore the transformative truths of God's Kingdom. New episodes available on all major podcast platforms.

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What if there was just one thing standing between you and the abundant life Jesus promises? In this powerful message, we explore the radical call of discipleship and why so many settle for "fire insurance faith" instead of a transformational relationship with Christ.

The Big Question: When someone asks if you're a disciple of Jesus, what's your honest answer? Many of us have unconsciously chosen to be churchgoers rather than disciples because we think it costs too much. But what if the real cost is in NOT following Jesus?

Key Insights from This Episode:

• From Saving Faith to Relational Faith: God isn't satisfied with just your tithe and Sunday attendance. He's after your heart - from the day you're saved until you see Him face to face.
• The Matthew Moment: When Jesus called Matthew the tax collector, he immediately left his wealth, status, and security to follow. That same-day transformation led him to write the Gospel that has changed countless lives for centuries.
• Defining Discipleship: Being a disciple means learning from Jesus how to lead your life as if He were living it - giving Him the steering wheel in your job, relationships, health, and daily decisions.

Five Consequences of Living in God's Kingdom:

1. When you humble yourself, God lifts you up
2. You find your true place of belonging as a child of God
3. Small distractions lose their power over you
4. You choose Jesus above something else every single day
5. You discover that the cost of non-discipleship far exceeds the cost of following Christ

The Hard Truth: Everyone is following somebody. If you haven't surrendered to Christ's greatness, other influences are shaping your life. The world teaches us hatred, resentment, and anger. Without discipleship, you risk never reaching your God-given potential, always wondering "Was I made for more?"

From J.B. Phillips' "Your God Is Too Small": Many Christians struggle because they have a "tiny Christ" who doesn't compare well in our modern world. But when closely examined, no other leader - not Buddha, Gandhi, or any modern influencer - compares to Jesus.

The Promise: Jesus says nothing you give up will compare to what you gain. Discipleship isn't miserable - everything He commands is for our good. It brings love, joy, hope, peace, confidence, meaning, and purpose. When you surrender as a disciple, your life finally makes sense.

Your Next Step: Are distractions keeping you from the effective life God wants you to live? Like Matthew, your "yes" to Jesus today could impact countless lives for generations. Don't wait for next week - the kingdom of God requires a choice, and that choice is available to you right now.

Scripture References: Matthew 9:9 (The calling of Matthew), John 10:10 (Life to the full vs. steal, kill, and destroy)

Reflection Question: What "good distractions" are you holding onto that God is asking you to hate in comparison to your love for Him? When both call, which voice will you answer?

What makes people miss out on God's greatest invitation? Why do we let trivial pursuits overshadow eternal purposes?

In this moving episode, Pastor Greg unpacks Jesus's parable of the Great Feast from Luke 14, revealing how social status, misplaced priorities, and temporary distractions can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom. Drawing from Revelation 3:20 and Luke 4:18—the founding scriptures of their church—he challenges us to examine what truly matters in our spiritual journey.

• The Pecking Order Game: How concern for social status and others' opinions can keep us from humbling ourselves before God
• Recognizing True Need: Understanding that our greatest need isn't physical comfort but a right relationship with Jesus
• The Cost of Trivial Pursuits: Why good things (buying land, getting married, business ventures) can become barriers to God's best
• The Urgency of the Gospel: Every person without Christ faces eternity—the clock is ticking

Through personal stories, including his own journey of church planting and the temptation to seek approval in ministry circles, Pastor Greg illustrates how easy it is to miss the feast while sitting at the table. He shares the sobering story of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew—a powerful reminder of how we can sacrifice eternal blessings for temporary satisfaction

Takeaways:

• "The church presents a banquet to people who need the banquet"
• "You can't force good news on people—they've got to want it"
• "God's kingdom is open to everyone, but those who refuse the invitation will be excluded"
• "Many are called, but few are chosen"

As the church prepares to move to a new location after three decades, Pastor Greg challenges the congregation—and all listeners—to move in their hearts as well. Will you leave behind the "lentil stew of now" for that which is eternal?

Scripture References: Revelation 3:20-21, Luke 4:18-19, Luke 14:8-24, Hebrews 11:13-16, Genesis 25:29-34

For Reflection: What "good things" in your life might be keeping you from God's best? Are you more concerned with your seat at the table than with who's hosting the feast?

What happens when the Word of God takes root in your heart? In this powerful message, discover how God's Word acts as a living seed that creates profound reality in our lives. Drawing from Jesus's parable of the sower, we explore five transformative characteristics of God's Word and three powerful acts available to every believer.

Key Scripture References: - John 3:3 - Being born of the Word - Romans 10:14-17 - Faith comes by hearing - 1 Peter 1:22-23 - Born again through the eternal Word - James 1:21 - The implanted Word saves souls - Romans 8:29 - Conformed to Christ's image - 1 John 2:12-14 - Victory over evil

Five Characteristics of God's Word: 1. Divides soul and spirit - Discerns what's from God vs. the flesh 2. Living and intentional - Grips hearts and causes spiritual transformation 3. Has substance - Seeds that birth God's will in your life 4. Creates reality - Makes people born again into God's kingdom 5. Brings power - The gospel of the kingdom transforms everything

Three Acts of Kingdom Power: 1. Forgiveness of sins - Complete forgiveness through Jesus's sacrifice, available to ALL sinners regardless of their past 2. Transformation of character - Being conformed to Christ's image through the Holy Spirit's work 3. Victory over evil - Becoming more than conquerors with God's Word living in our hearts

How to Work with God's Word: - Be patient - Let the seed germinate without forcing outcomes - Have utter confidence - Trust God's timing and process - Don't make it happen - Allow God to work; avoid the seduction of success

Practical Applications: ✓ Allow streams of living water to flow through regular Word intake ✓ Experience the power of God's Word personally - what has He spoken to YOU? ✓ Relax and trust God's process rather than forcing results ✓ Focus on having something to say rather than finding a place to speak ✓ Walk in humility as God expands His work through you

Powerful Reminders: - "Divine grace is God acting in our lives to accomplish what we cannot do on our own" - God is not opposed to effort (action) but to earning (attitude) - Jesus was the most relaxed yet most intentional person who ever lived - We need not just faith IN Jesus, but the faith OF Jesus

For Those Seeking Jesus: If you're ready to experience this transforming power, simply turn to Jesus now. Confess Him as Lord, acknowledge your need for Him, and invite Him into your life. The same power that forgave the worst sinners can transform you today.

Join us as we explore how God's Word creates new realities, transforms broken lives, and releases kingdom power in everyday situations. Whether you've been walking with Jesus for decades or are just beginning to explore faith, this message will encourage you to trust the seed of God's Word working in your life.

Have you ever wondered why some Christians walk in tremendous power while others struggle to access the promises of God? In this transformative message, we explore how the Word of God acts as a living seed that, when planted in good soil, produces an extraordinary harvest in our lives.

Key Scripture: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." - Hebrews 4:12

What You'll Discover:

• Why the Word of God first divides before it unites - separating what comes from our flesh versus what comes from the Spirit

- How God's Word is not just information but a living, intentional force that seeks out and heals broken hearts

- The difference between Christians who access Kingdom power and those who don't (hint: it's not about God withholding)

- Why Jesus taught primarily about the Kingdom of God and how parables unlock its mysteries

- How the Word becomes spiritual sustenance - more vital than physical food

Powerful Insights Include:

📖 The Kingdom of God was Jesus's primary message - He announced it, demonstrated it, preached it, and told us to enter it through being born again

💡 You can walk in as much power, revelation, and authority as you choose - God doesn't withhold from anyone

🌱 Every believer is both a receiver and a planter of God's seed (His Word)

⚔️ The Word acts like a heat-seeking missile, breaking through iron bars of resistance to reach hurting hearts

🍞 Just as Israel ate manna in the wilderness, we're called to feed on God's Word as our daily sustenance

From Psalm 107:20 - "He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death." This is God's heart for everyone who will receive His Word!

Practical Application:

The level of fruitfulness you experience is 100% determined by the state of your soil before your King. Are your ears open? Is your heart responsive? The same seed that produces a 30, 60, or 100-fold harvest is available to everyone - the difference lies in how we receive and nurture it.

Challenge: Don't just read the Bible - let the Bible read you. When you open God's Word, you're not just gathering information; you're inviting a living, powerful force to shape your reality, expose hidden motives, and transform you from the inside out.

Final Thought: "The biggest danger to the church is not Satan, it's lazy Christians" - those who don't take ownership of what the Bible reveals. But for those who are diligent, who allow the seed of God's Word to take root in good soil, every new season brings a multiplied harvest of what they've sown.

Ready to experience the transformative power of God's Word in your life? Start by asking: What kind of soil am I providing for the seed of His Word?

🙏 If this message blessed you, please share it with someone who needs to hear about the life-changing power of God's Word!

What if the most powerful force in God's kingdom looked like the smallest, most ordinary thing you could imagine? In this transformative message, discover why Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed and what that means for your life today.

Episode Highlights:

• The surprising nature of God's kingdom - it starts small but grows beyond imagination

- How God's word acts like a seed in the soil of your heart

- The difference between the church and the kingdom of God

- Why even the smallest acts of faith can lead to victories you never dreamed possible

Drawing from Mark 4:26-32, Luke 13:20-21, and Isaiah 55:8-11, this message reveals how God plants seeds of promise in our lives that contain incredible potential. Like a farmer who scatters seed and watches it grow mysteriously, we're called to receive God's word and trust in its inherent power to produce fruit.

Key Scripture: "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." - Isaiah 55:11

Learn why the kingdom of God extends far beyond Sunday gatherings into every sphere of life - business, science, arts, politics, and social care. Wherever believers go, the kingdom advances. The church is the manifestation of the kingdom, but God's work isn't limited to church buildings.

This powerful teaching explores how seeds work: they don't look like what they'll become, yet they contain all the DNA and potential for future fruitfulness. Similarly, when God speaks a word or promise into your life, it may seem small, but it carries the power to organize reality and produce an abundant harvest.

Featuring insights from C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" about how small decisions compound over time, this message encourages believers to hold onto the seeds God plants in their hearts. Whether you're waiting on God for direction, seeking His promises, or wondering about your purpose, this episode will strengthen your faith in the power of God's word.

Practical Application:

- Prepare your heart as "good soil" to receive God's word

- Trust that God's promises contain their own power to grow

- Recognize that the kingdom of God is at work in every area of your life

- Hold onto the seeds of faith God plants, even when they seem small

Prayer Focus: "Lord, help me receive Your word as precious seed. Prepare my heart as good soil, and give me patience to wait for the harvest You promise. I trust that Your word will accomplish everything You intend. Amen."

Connect with us: If this message blessed you, please like, comment, and subscribe. If you're ready to follow Jesus or need prayer support, reach out to us. We'd love to help you get connected with a local church family.

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Are you allowing God's Word to take root in your life, or is it being stolen away by distraction, hardness, or the cares of this world? In this powerful message, we explore Jesus' parable of the sower and discover how the condition of our hearts determines our spiritual fruitfulness.

This episode reveals four types of soil that represent different heart conditions: the footpath of distraction where the enemy snatches away God's Word before it can take root; the stony ground where lack of character and repentance prevents deep roots; the thorny ground where worries and worldly concerns choke out spiritual growth; and the fertile soil that produces an abundant harvest - 30, 60, even 100 times what was planted.

Key insights include:

• How our minds become breeding grounds for either God's truth or the enemy's lies
• Why screen time and busyness are modern enemies of spiritual growth
• The critical role of repentance in breaking hardness and pride
• How worries about money, politics, and daily life can choke out God's Word
• The power of small acts of obedience to produce massive spiritual harvests
• Why developing a "listening kind of life" is essential for spiritual maturity

You'll discover practical ways to cultivate good soil in your heart, including how to actively hold onto God's Word through meditation, why unity in relationships matters for spiritual growth, and how simple obedience to God's promptings can yield incredible results. The message includes a personal story about making tea for an annoying roommate that illustrates how one small act of service produced a year of peaceful Sunday nights.

This teaching is especially relevant if you're feeling distracted, struggling with worry, or wondering why God's Word doesn't seem to be producing fruit in your life. Learn how to move from a "with me" life where you try to control everything, to a "with God" life marked by friendship with Him and confidence in His leading.

Biblical references: Matthew 13:3-8, Luke 8:15-18, Matthew 6:24-33, John 17:3

Will you be fertile soil that produces an abundant harvest for God's kingdom?

Have you ever wondered why God's Word impacts people differently? Why do some hearts receive truth eagerly while others remain unchanged? In this powerful message, we explore Jesus' most foundational parable - the Parable of the Sower - and discover how the condition of our hearts determines our spiritual growth.

Through Matthew 13, we learn that Jesus taught this parable as the key to understanding all other parables about God's Kingdom. The seed represents God's Word, but the soil - our hearts - determines whether that seed will take root and bear fruit. Just as a farmer scatters seed hoping for a harvest, God desires His Word to transform our lives, but He never forces His way into our hearts.

We examine four types of soil: the hardened footpath where birds snatch away the seed, the rocky ground producing shallow roots that wither under pressure, the thorny soil where worldly concerns choke out growth, and the fertile soil yielding abundant fruit - 30, 60, even 100-fold returns.

This isn't just about initial salvation - it's about spiritual maturity. Statistics show that while 250-300 people may respond to altar calls annually, only 20% continue in their faith journey. Why? Because genuine transformation requires more than emotional responses; it demands devoted hearts with good soil ready to receive God's Word.

The message explores three stages of Christian growth from 1 John 2: children who know their Father and experience forgiveness, young men who overcome evil through God's Word living in them, and fathers who deeply know Christ from the beginning. Each stage reflects increasing depth as the Word takes root.

Key takeaways:

• God's Kingdom operates on love, not coercion - He woos rather than forces
• The effectiveness of God's Word depends on our heart's receptiveness
• Spiritual fruitfulness comes from being rooted and built up in Christ
• We must examine what kind of soil we're cultivating in our hearts
• Every encounter with God's Word requires a decision about what we'll do with it

Whether you're exploring faith or seeking deeper spiritual growth, this message challenges you to prepare your heart as fertile soil, ready to receive the transformative power of God's Word. Because when the divine Logos enters receptive hearts, extraordinary transformation follows.

Join us as we discover how to cultivate hearts that truly hear, understand, and bear lasting spiritual fruit.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus taught in parables? Or why some people seem to receive God's word while others don't? In this powerful message, we explore how Jesus teaches us to transform our lives and swim counter-culturally against the world's current.

Starting with a compelling look at how culture shapes our beliefs "without thinking," we discover that Jesus came to pop our cultural balloons and introduce us to the upside-down nature of God's Kingdom. From the blessed poor to the generous heart of Christianity, Jesus redefines everything we thought we knew about justice, blessing, and belonging.

The heart of this message centers on two crucial questions: "How big is your bucket?" and "How precious are people to Jesus?" Through the parable of the two sons, we learn that God fills whatever capacity we bring to Him - but we alone hold the key to our hearts. Whether it's a South African lawyer driving 300km weekly for 8 years to preach in Dubai, or the gentle whisper of God after earthquake, wind, and fire, this episode reveals how Jesus never coerces but always invites.

Key takeaways:

• Jesus teaches to transform, not just inform
• The Kingdom of God is available to everyone, regardless of their brokenness
• Christianity is fundamentally about giving - we give our hearts to God, He gives us His Son
• Your spiritual capacity determines how much you can receive from God
• You are as far along in your relationship with Jesus as you've chosen to be

Whether you're questioning cultural norms, seeking to understand parables, or wondering why your spiritual life feels stagnant, this message offers profound insights into how Jesus gently but persistently calls us to a counter-cultural life in His Kingdom.

Scripture references: Matthew 5:42, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 13:10-17, Luke 11:15, 1 Kings 19