THE CHAPEL at Pasadena Podcast

In this message from Matthew 7, Pastor Steven explores what sets Jesus apart as a teacher—not just His wisdom, but His authority. Unlike the scribes, Jesus speaks not as an interpreter of truth, but as the King who declares it. His words carry the weight of divine authority, calling for more than admiration—they demand a response.

Through the familiar image of building a house on rock or sand, this sermon shows that the foundation of a faithful life is not merely hearing Jesus’ words, but trusting His promises and obeying His commands. In the end, this passage reveals both our resistance to Christ’s authority and our deep need for a new heart—one that can truly stand firm under the reign of the King. 

What does the coronation of Jesus look like? In Matthew 3–4 we see a royal moment unlike any earthly ceremony. Instead of crowns, robes, and thrones, Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, anointed by the Spirit, affirmed by the voice of the Father, and then led into the wilderness to face temptation. This strange “coronation” reveals the kind of king Jesus truly is.

Drawing on the story of David’s anointing and Israel’s history, this message explores how Jesus is publicly set apart as the Messiah and tested in the wilderness before beginning his mission. The King who will rule over all first descends into humility, suffering, and obedience. His power is inseparable from his love, and his reign is not distant but personal—offering hope and assurance to his people in every circumstance of life.

What kind of king is Jesus? In this opening message for the season of Lent, we begin in an unexpected place: the genealogy in the first chapter of Matthew. At first glance it appears to be only a long list of names, but within it lies the story of God’s promises unfolding across generations. From Abraham to David to the exile and beyond, every era of Israel’s history points forward to the arrival of the true King.

Yet this genealogy also reveals the surprising character of Christ’s kingdom. Foreigners, outsiders, and the vulnerable are woven into the royal line, showing that the King who comes is not distant from his people but draws the lowly into his family. As we begin our journey through Lent, we are invited to see Jesus not only as Savior, but as the King who fulfills every promise and calls us into his kingdom.

In his final sermon on this series in Judges, Pastor Steven explores the story of Gideon, the unlikely deliverer God raises up at Israel’s lowest point. From tearing down idols to defeating a vast enemy army with only 300 men, Gideon’s life shows that salvation belongs to the Lord alone—not to human strength or strategy. Yet even in his greatest victory, Gideon reveals the limits of human leaders and the growing need for a true King who can save God’s people completely and forever.

In this sermon, Pastor Steven contrasts the faithful leadership of Deborah and Barak with the violent ambition of Abimelech to show what kind of ruler God’s people truly need. Through stories of courage, prophecy, betrayal, and destruction, Judges reveals the difference between deliverers raised up by God and leaders who seize power for themselves. As Israel’s condition continues to unravel, this message presses us to ask what makes a true king—and points us forward to the only ruler who can defeat our enemies and reign in righteousness.

In this sermon, Pastor Steven contrasts the deliverance of Ehud with the tragic rise of Jephthah to show how Israel’s spiritual condition continues to decline. What begins with clever victory and national peace ends with reckless vows, civil war, and the slaughter of brothers by brothers. Through these dark stories, Judges reveals the danger of distorted worship, broken unity, and trusting human words over God’s promises—and presses us to see how desperately God’s people need a faithful and righteous King.

In this sermon, Pastor Dave begins a new focus on being a “community on mission” by turning to Jesus’ words in John 15. He unpacks what it means for Christ to be the True Vine and for believers to abide in Him, showing why this calling is both essential and difficult. Through images of pruning, fruit, and friendship with Jesus, this message reveals how lasting joy and faithful mission flow not from doing more for God, but from staying deeply connected to Him together.

In this episode, we trace the story of Samson alongside Israel’s first judge, Othniel, to see how far God’s people—and their leaders—have fallen. From miraculous birth to tragic end, Samson’s life is marked by strength without holiness, victory without faithfulness, and passion without obedience. By comparing these two judges, we uncover the pattern of Israel’s sin, the danger of compromise, and the faint but real thread of faith God refuses to extinguish. Ultimately, Samson’s story points beyond human weakness to our need for a true King—one who can save us not only from our enemies, but from ourselves.

In this sermon, Pastor Steven explores the spiritual collapse of Israel in Judges 2 and Judges 17–18, showing how life without a king leads not only to moral chaos but to corrupted worship. Through the stories of a new generation that forgets the Lord, Micah’s silver idol, and the tribe of Dan’s violent migration, this message reveals how false religion grows from within God’s people when His authority is absent—and why Judges presses us to long for a true King who can rule our hearts and purify our worship.

In this sermon, Pastor Steven introduces the book of Judges by tracing its opening and closing stories, revealing a nation unraveling in the absence of godly leadership. From incomplete obedience after Joshua’s death to the shocking moral collapse at Gibeah, this message shows how life without a king leads God’s people from compromise into chaos—and why Judges ultimately presses us to long for a true and righteous King to reign over His people.