The 1855 Podcast

Why weren’t Jesus’ disciples fasting? In Matthew 9:14–17, Jesus answers with a wedding, a garment, and wineskins, revealing how his coming changes life with God. Discover how knowing Jesus shapes our joy and longing, and how ordinary steps of faithfulness help us grow as we follow him.

A reputation can be hard to escape. In Matthew 9:9–13, Jesus calls a man whose occupation made him despised, then shares a meal that draws criticism from the religious leaders. This message explores why that encounter was so surprising and what it reveals about the mercy of Jesus toward people like us.

When life hurts, we often know exactly what we want God to change. But what happens when Jesus responds in a way we didn’t expect?

In Matthew 9:1–8, a man’s obvious need leads to a surprising declaration and a serious accusation. This week in our Series, Miracles & Mission, we explore an encounter that challenges our expectations and asks how we will respond to Jesus.

What happens when Jesus' authority confronts our deepest fears and our desire to stay in control? In Matthew 8:28–34, Jesus delivers two demon-possessed men with a single word, yet the surrounding community begs Him to leave. As we continue exploring His authority over sickness, nature, and evil, this message calls us to let His authority quiet our fears, let His word strengthen our confidence, and consider how we respond to Him. Will we trust the One who has power to deliver, or turn away the Savior we need?

What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him? In Matthew 8:23–27, a terrifying storm becomes the setting for a remarkable revelation of Jesus’ divine authority. As His disciples move from fear to amazement, we discover why He is worthy of our trust and worship.

Student Pastor Joseph Blount continues our study of Matthew with Matthew 8:18–22, where Jesus confronts two would-be followers with the cost and urgency of discipleship. These encounters challenge us to consider how comfort, security, and competing commitments shape our response to his call. What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience disrupts our plans?

Pastor John Oliver explores Matthew 8:14–17 alongside Mark’s account of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. These encounters reveal the Lord who draws near, the Servant who takes our burdens, and the Savior who secures our future.

Together, we consider how Jesus’ miracles fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy, how his mercy shapes our ordinary service, and why we can trust him when healing does not come. His authority and compassion give us hope in present suffering as we await the fullness of redemption.

What do you do when you know Jesus can change your circumstances, but you do not know whether he will change them in the way you hope? In Matthew 8:1–13, two unlikely men approach Jesus with impossible needs. Their stories challenge what we believe about faith, healing, and the authority of Christ.

In the final message of our Sermon on the Mount series, Jesus confronts us with the eternal significance of how we respond to His words. It is possible to admire His wisdom, profess His name, and hear His teaching without truly following Him. From Matthew 7:13–29, we are called to examine the foundation of our faith and rest our hope in Christ alone. Genuine faith does not merely admire Jesus, it trusts Him and increasingly lives under His gracious authority.

“Judge not” may be one of Jesus’ most quoted and most misunderstood commands. In this message, we discover how greater righteousness transforms our relationships. Jesus calls us to look inward with humility, look upward to our heavenly Father in prayer, and look outward with active love. Along the way, we consider the difference between condemnation and discernment, the confidence we can have in our Father’s goodness, and how grace received from God becomes love extended to others.