WCC SermonCast

In this message, we examine the reign of King Josiah and the powerful moment when the long-lost Book of the Law was rediscovered in the temple. Like trying to build a Lego set without the instruction manual, Josiah had been pursuing God with the knowledge he had—but when the true standard was finally found, he didn’t ignore it or make excuses. Instead, he humbled himself and led the nation of Judah back to God’s instructions.

Through Josiah’s response, we see the importance of Scripture as God’s standard for our lives. Throughout church history—from the Reformation’s emphasis on Sola Scriptura to the Restoration Movement’s call to return to the authority of the Bible—believers have repeatedly been challenged to come back to God’s Word as the ultimate guide for faith and life.

This sermon calls Christians to resist the temptation to give themselves “slack” by redefining God’s standards and instead hold tightly to the truth God has given. Salvation is freely given through Christ, but those who truly desire to be close to God will pursue Him through His Word.

As Josiah discovered, when we return to the standard of Scripture, it doesn’t push us away from God—it draws us closer to Him.

Why do some people remain faithful in the background while others lose their way once the spotlight shifts?

In this message from the Crown and Consequence series, we explore the story of King Joash and the priest Jehoiada in 2 Chronicles 24. Joash began his reign doing what was right, guided by the wisdom and faithfulness of Jehoiada. But after his mentor’s death, Joash lost sight of what mattered and allowed selfish influence to shape his decisions—with tragic consequences.

Through the illustration of three stone cutters working on the same project with very different perspectives, this sermon challenges us to consider how we view our own lives. Are we just “cutting stones,” or do we see the greater work God is building through us?

Jehoiada never sought power or recognition, yet his quiet faithfulness shaped a king and preserved the line of David. His life reminds us that influence is not limited to those with titles, and purpose is not reserved for those in the spotlight.

Whether you live in a small town, hold a prominent role, or quietly serve behind the scenes, God invites each of us to see the bigger picture of His work in the world.

In this episode we explore:

• The rise and fall of King Joash
• The quiet influence of faithful leadership
• How losing sight of God’s bigger picture leads to destructive choices
• Finding purpose and joy by aligning our lives with the will of God

True honor doesn’t come from status or power—it comes from faithfully playing the role God has given you in the story He is building.

In this message, we continue our Crown and Consequence series by examining one of the most infamous kings in Israel’s history—Ahab. Known for doing “more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any before him,” Ahab’s reign is marked by idolatry, compromise, and tragic influence. Yet woven throughout his story is something unexpected: relentless mercy.

From drought to Mount Carmel, from miraculous military victories to prophetic warnings, God gives Ahab chance after chance to repent. Time and again, Ahab resists. But even in his rebellion, we see a God who continues to pursue, warn, and invite.

This sermon explores what Ahab’s life teaches us about the patience of God, the danger of compromise, the influence of relationships, and the truth that we cannot hide or escape from God’s Word—either in judgment or in grace.

Most importantly, it points us to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ—the only one who lived the perfect life we could never live. When we stand before God, the scorecard we receive will not reflect what we deserve, but what Christ has accomplished on our behalf.

If you have breath in your lungs, you have another chance.

Listen and be reminded: our God is a God of second, third, fourth… and even fifth chances.

This week we were joined by guest speaker Austin Ettleman, who came to share about the ministry of Nebowa Christian Camp and to preach on this summer’s camp theme, Ascend, from Psalm 24.

Drawing from David’s powerful question, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?”, Austin challenged us to consider what it truly means to approach God. Psalm 24 reminds us that the earth belongs to the Lord, that He is holy, and that those who seek Him must come with clean hands and pure hearts. Ascending isn’t about earning our way up—it’s about humbly pursuing the presence of God with integrity and surrender.

Austin also shared how Nebowa Christian Camp creates space for students and families to step away from distractions, seek the Lord intentionally, and grow in their faith. As we look toward the summer, this message calls us upward—to live lives that reflect God’s holiness and to actively seek Him above all else.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to draw near to God and live with eternity in view, this message will encourage and challenge you to ascend.

In the opening message of our Crown and Consequence series, we begin by examining the reign of King Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11–12. Given a kingdom by God and promised an enduring dynasty if he would simply trust and obey, Jeroboam instead allowed fear to drive his decisions. Worried about losing the approval of the people, he set up golden calves for Israel to worship—repeating the very sin that once led the nation astray in the wilderness.

This message explores a sobering truth: when pleasing people becomes the goal, people quietly become the god. From ancient Israel to modern social media pressures, we wrestle with the temptation to seek approval from others rather than faithfulness to God. Jeroboam’s story reminds us that fear often leads to compromise, compromise leads to idolatry, and idolatry always carries consequences—not just for us, but for those we influence.

As we trace the divided kingdom and the lasting impact of Jeroboam’s choices, we’re reminded that every earthly king ultimately points us to the One true King—Jesus Christ—who reigns not by fear or manipulation, but by faithfulness and truth.

Will we seek the approval of people, or will we trust the promises of God?

We wrap up our Shepherds, Servants, and Saints series by asking a simple but essential question: Why does the structure of the church matter? In Acts 1, Jesus makes it clear—His work didn’t end with His ascension. It continues through His church.

In this episode, we explore what it means to be Christ’s witnesses—beginning in Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth. From elders and deacons to membership and belonging, every role in the church serves a greater mission. Our purpose tells us who we are; our mission tells us what we’re doing about it.

Just like a review reflects real experience, being a witness flows from what we have truly experienced in Christ. We don’t exaggerate, and we don’t stay silent. We testify to the grace we’ve received.

At Whiting Christian Church, our mission is simple: Building Christlike Communities One Neighbor at a Time. This message calls us to live that out—not just on Sundays, but every day—until Christ returns.

Join us as we consider what it means to continue the work Jesus began.

What does it really mean to belong to a church—not just attend one?

In this episode, we explore Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15–17 and how they shape the way believers care for one another within the body of Christ. Using playful illustrations from mystery games and the modern college sports transfer portal, we unpack why clarity about “who’s on the team” matters for accountability, restoration, and genuine community.

We talk about:

• Why church isn’t a roster—it’s a family
• How loving correction is meant to win, not shame
• What church membership communicates about commitment and responsibility
• How Romans 12:4–5 and Ephesians 1:4–8 remind us that we belong to one another through Christ

The episode closes with a communion meditation on spiritual siblinghood, shared redemption, and the grace that binds the church together as one body.

If you’ve ever wrestled with what it means to commit to a local church—or why it matters—this conversation invites you to move from “consumer” to family member.

This message explores how the church is designed to carry weight together. Using the picture of a bridge under pressure and the story of the early church in Acts 6, we look at how God’s solution to growth isn’t more burden on a few, but shared responsibility among many. The sermon introduces the heart behind deacons as servants who step in, take ownership, and help the whole body thrive. It’s a call to move from “I’ll handle it” to “we’ll carry it,” so the church can grow beyond the limits it sets for itself.

This message explores what it really means to lead and to follow in the life of the church through the lens of biblical eldership. We reflect on the heart behind spiritual leadership, the weight and responsibility it carries, and the humility it calls for from both elders and the congregation. It’s a reminder that eldership is not about authority for its own sake, but about care, prayer, guidance, and walking closely with the people God has entrusted to the church. Ultimately, this episode points us toward becoming a body where people are known, valued, and spiritually shepherded, not just counted or observed from a distance.

This sermon is a call to realign. It’s about asking a hard but necessary question: who is actually leading the church?

Rather than following emotion, preference, or personal agendas, this sermon centers on Jesus as the true head of the church—and what it looks like when His authority is taken seriously. Drawing from Ephesians 1, the focus is on how Christ’s power, promises, and leadership are not abstract ideas, but are meant to shape the identity, unity, and mission of the church.

Ultimately, this message challenges us to examine our commitment: not just to attending church, but to being part of Christ’s body—moving in step with His will, for His purposes, and for the good of His people.