The 1855 Podcast

Worry often begins with two words: “What if?” In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus speaks to the fears that consume our attention and carry us into a future we cannot control.

In this message, we see that worry forgets the Giver, overlooks God’s care, and reaches into tomorrow. Jesus invites us to remember our heavenly Father, recognize his faithful provision, seek his kingdom, and trust him with the day ahead.

Jesus brings greater righteousness into one of life’s most personal areas: our possessions. He challenges us to consider where we store our treasure, how money shapes our vision, and who truly holds our allegiance. Money can be a useful servant, but it is a terrible master. In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor John Oliver calls us to examine what has captured our hearts and to find lasting security in Christ.

Can we pray for the wrong reasons? In Matthew 6:5–18, Jesus confronts prayer and fasting that become religious performances and invites us into sincere dependence on our heavenly Father. In this message, we discover how greater righteousness reshapes our prayers, aligns our desires with God’s kingdom, and brings our appetites under His rule. Prayer is not about impressing others or manipulating God; it is honest communion with the Father, who sees us, knows our needs, and welcomes us through Christ.

What if one of the greatest threats to your spiritual life isn't something you're doing wrong, but something you're doing for the wrong reason?

As we continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shifts the focus from outward obedience to the hidden motives of the heart. In Matthew 6:1–4, He challenges us to consider not just what we do for God, but why we do it. It's a searching passage that exposes our desire for recognition while pointing us toward the joy of living for the Father's approval.

This week, we continue through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:33–48, where Jesus shows us what greater righteousness looks like in everyday life. He calls us to become people whose words are trustworthy, whose response to mistreatment is shaped by trust in God rather than revenge, and whose love extends even to those who oppose us.

Jesus is not satisfied with outward obedience. He is transforming us from the inside out so that our character increasingly reflects our heavenly Father.

This week, we hear from our Student Pastor, Joseph Blount, as we continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5:21–32, Jesus moves beyond outward behavior and reveals what God desires within the heart. He addresses anger, broken relationships, lust, and marriage to show that genuine righteousness is not about appearing better than others or doing just enough to follow the rules. It is about allowing Christ to transform us from within.

As you listen, consider what God may be calling you to confess, surrender, or make right. May this message encourage you to pursue reconciliation, guard your heart, and depend fully on the righteousness of Jesus.

Who has the authority to tell us what God’s Word really means? In Matthew 5:17–20, Jesus answers that question before continuing His Sermon on the Mount. This message explores Christ’s relationship to the Scriptures, His fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, and why every believer must joyfully submit to the One who fulfills God’s Word perfectly.

n this message from Matthew 5:13-16, we continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount by exploring what it looks like to live as faithful citizens of God’s kingdom. Jesus teaches that His people are to be distinct from the world, visible in the world, and ultimately live in such a way that others glorify the Father.

As we consider one of the most familiar passages in Scripture, we’ll be challenged to ask whether our lives truly reflect the character of King Jesus and display the reality of His kingdom to a watching world.

In this message from Matthew 5:1-12, we begin our study through the Sermon on the Mount by exploring the Beatitudes and discovering what life looks like for citizens of Christ’s kingdom. Jesus teaches us that true flourishing is found not in self-sufficiency, power, or comfort, but in dependence upon God’s grace, reflection of God’s character, and hope in God’s reward.

Join us as we learn what it means to live the good life according to King Jesus.

 In Matthew 4:18–22, we find a familiar story that reveals something profound about the heart of Christ and the nature of His kingdom. The men Jesus calls are not who we might expect, and their response challenges many of our assumptions about discipleship, obedience, and surrender.

In this message, we conclude our Kingdom Come series by examining the call of Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Along the way, we are reminded that the kingdom of heaven often advances in ways the world would never anticipate and that the call of Christ still demands a response today.