REFUGE KENOSHA

When we consider how we are to be used by God, often we approach the question with a very mathematical mindset. Today, as we look at the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven, we will see that when Christ rules in the lives of His people, results always follow. In a world that expands through conquering, the kingdom of God will expand through humble, compassionate love.

Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds explains why evil, hypocrisy, and confusion can exist right alongside real gospel fruit. Instead of overreacting with scorched-earth “purity” campaigns, we’re called to wise patience, sober discernment, and confidence that Jesus will make all things right at the harvest. If Jesus sees the injustice and still says, “let both grow together,” what does faithful obedience look like for you right now?

Christmas exposes our “bigger and better” obsession—bigger boxes, louder hype, more followers—and then flips it upside down with the shocking humility of Jesus. From the manger to the cross to the quiet victory of the resurrection, Jesus came not to be served but to serve, paying the ransom we couldn’t and offering the only gift that actually lasts: peace with God.

In a world where high-profile believers and everyday friends alike seem to “fall off the wagon,” this podcast digs into Jesus’ first parable in Matthew 13—the Sower and the soils—to make sense of why the same gospel produces wildly different outcomes. We’ll see that you can’t control how people receive the message, but you can control the quantity and quality of what you sow.

As we head back into the Gospel of Matthew, we prepare to dive into the Parables of chapter 13. We will see why Jesus teaches in parables, and be challenged to let Him define our view of what His Kingdom is all about.

People change. But...does God change? If He does, then good news is only good news as long as He does not change who He is. However, as we will see, Psalm 23:6 reminds us that His mercy and goodness will follow His own spiritual kids as long as we live (and even after that).

We step inside the stunning promise of Psalm 23:5, where God doesn’t just rescue us—He prepares a feast for us right in the middle of our battles. We’ll explore what it means to live under a blessing that is both fixed in heaven and formed in our daily choices.

Life isn’t lived on the mountaintop—it’s forged in the valley. As we look at Psalm 23:4, we uncover how God can use our darkest seasons not to destroy us, but to lead us toward higher ground with Him. What if the valley you’re walking through right now isn’t a setback, but the very path your Shepherd is using to take you deeper?

When your soul feels worn thin and every “quick fix” leaves you emptier than before, Psalm 23:3 offers a deeper promise: restoration that only the Good Shepherd can bring. In this message, we explore what it truly means for God to “restore my soul” and to lead us in paths of righteousness—not for our glory, but for His name’s sake. What if the renewal you’re craving isn’t found in escape, but in surrender to the Shepherd who delights to restore the weary?

Sheep are by nature very timid creatures. In order to be able to lie down anywhere, several conditions must be met. Like sheep, we all have needs in order to experience spiritual rest. How can the Good Shepherd help us to find rest amidst the difficulties of this life? We look at Psalm 23:2.