The VineyardNY Podcast

Emotionally Healthy Relationships 

Be Before You Do

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor 

October 4, 2026

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She has a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

We think our value comes from our performance.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

Luke 10:40

Only one thing is needed.

Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken aware from her.

Luke 10:41-42
 

Being with Jesus cultivates love that has impact.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

John 12:7
 

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20:18

Action Step: I will practice two minutes of silence with Jesus every day this week.

Emotionally Healthy Relationships  

Make Love the Measure of Maturity

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor

September 27, 2026
 

Love of God AND Love of others cannot be separated.

Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12

(Series Memory Verse)

It’s so much easier to love God than love others.

Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Luke 11:39
 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeliness

James 3:9
 

Real impact is rooted in love for one another.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:16-17

Start with slowing down and being present.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life … We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:1, 3
 

Action Step: I will join The Vineyard Church for the Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course.

Alternative

Growing Strong in Christ

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor

September 20, 2026

We have a false image of strength that we’ve inherited:

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2

A.) From the world.

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

1 Corinthians 3:3
 

B.) From our families.

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1

Ultimate strength is shown in vulnerability and love.

… And yet I will show you the most excellent way … If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:1-2

Vulnerability and love require a different kind of discipleship.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Philippians 2:5-6
 

Action Step: I will join The Vineyard Church for the Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course.

Alternative

Experiencing Peace in Our Relationships

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor

September 13, 2026

Relationships give us more anxiety than any other source.

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:4-5

Symptoms of Anxiety in our Relationships.

1.) Distancing and cut-off.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Genesis 3:7

“He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Genesis 3:10

2.) Blaming.

The man said, “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3:12
 

Experiencing Peace in the Midst of Relationship Anxiety.

1.) Figure out why you feel the way you do.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you …

Matthew 5:23

2.) Move towards each other.

… leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:24

Action Step: I will join The Vineyard Church for the Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course.

Alternative

Becoming a Rebel

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor

September 6, 2026

We need to live out our unique, God-given purpose …

… And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes “ Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1a-3
 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

(Series Memory Verse)
 

1. … Despite pressure from family.

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7:3-5
 

2. … Despite pressure from friends.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

John 12:4-5

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

Matthew 16:22

3. … Despite pressure from the crowd.

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Matthew 4:8-9
 

Action Step: I will spend 30 minutes this week journaling how God has spoken to me and formed me about my purpose.

Backyard BBQ

Practice of Serving

Bob Kay, Care Pastor

August 23, 2026

A call to living a radical life.

1.) Jesus says Go make disciples of all nations.

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.

Matthew 20:28

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” … Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:14-15, 17

2.) Make disciples of all nations.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

3.) Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Luke 11:28

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by deeds.

James 2:18

Action Step: I would like to volunteer in ________________ ministry.

Alternative

Welcome to the New Family of Jesus

Chris Honess, Lead Pastor

August 30, 2026

God welcomes us into an alternative family.

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatians 3:26-27

The enemy’s goal is to convince you that you aren’t a part of God’s family:

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God …”

Matthew 4:3

A.) Based on our performance.

… “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Matthew 4:3

B.) Based on God’s perceived absence.

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down …”

Matthew 4:6

C.) Based on our desire for God’s kingdom without the king.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:8-9

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Series Memory Verse

Christian discipleship is fully owning our new family.

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:7

Backyard BBQ

Practice of Serving

Bob Kay, Care Pastor

August 23, 2026

A call to living a radical life.

1.) Jesus says Go make disciples of all nations.

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.

Matthew 20:28

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” … Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:14-15, 17

2.) Make disciples of all nations.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

3.) Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Luke 11:28

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by deeds.

James 2:18

Action Step: I would like to volunteer in ________________ ministry.

Backyard BBQ

Practice of Worship

Ely Tania Tavarez, Youth Pastor

August 16, 2026

1.) When we choose to obey God.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2:3-6

2.) When we walk in spirit and truth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

John 4:23
 

3.) When we are a reflection of God on earth.

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 5:19

4.) Because God is good.

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Backyard BBQ

You Smokin’ or Grillin’?

Ben Taylor, Executive Pastor

August 9, 2026

God Gave us Sabbath.

Genesis 2:2

Exodus 16

Exodus 20:8-11

Leviticus 25

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Isaiah 58:13-14

Mark 2:23-28

Luke 13:10-17

Colossians 2:16-17

Hebrews 4:8-11

1.) Prep.

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the

seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it

you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or

daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your

animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.

Exodus 20:9-10

He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded:

‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy

sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake

and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left

and keep it until morning.’”

Exodus 16:23

2.) Smoke.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had

been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his

work.

Genesis 2:2

3.) Stall.

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for

man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is

Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat

or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New

Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a

shadow of the things that were to come; the reality,

however, is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17

4.) Rest.

Then should not this woman, a daughter of

Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen

long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what

bound her?”

Luke 13:16

Action Step: I will try out an 8, 12 or 24-hour sabbath this week.

Recommended reading: 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth