FCC Etown Podcast

Jesus often challenged the established norms and expectations of his time, as exemplified by his healing of a blind man on the Sabbath. He broke numerous religious rules that had become more important than people, much like a lifeguard suspends pool rules in an emergency to save a life. Jesus prioritized human well-being and salvation over rigid adherence to man-made regulations, exposing the inap...

Jesus asserts his power over death and his superiority over history, and ultimately declares his divine identity by saying, "Before Abraham was born, I am." This statement, echoing God's revelation to Moses, leaves no room for neutrality. It is important to move beyond merely admiring Jesus to confronting the essential question: Who is Jesus to you? Discover why his claims demand a personal respon...

Jesus said, "I am coming soon." This declaration, echoed three times, calls believers to live with urgency while they wait. Stuart explores the signs Jesus gave in Matthew 24, from false teachers and wars to natural disasters and the global advance of the gospel. Jesus offers an incredible deal: grace over proving yourself, love over shame, and forgiveness over guilt. Learn why Jesus delays his re...

In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus critiques being lukewarm and challenges self-proclaimed richness, sight, and clothing, revealing their true spiritual state of the Laodician church as poor, blind, and naked due to their pride and self-reliance. How does pride hinder our usefulness in God's kingdom, and what does it mean to truly walk in dependence, live distinctly, and embrace humility?

Jesus commends the Ephesians for their hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to truth and doctrine. However, he also confronts them for forsaking their "first love." This powerful correction reveals a critical challenge: the church's tendency to prioritize being "right" and taking a stand over the essential, permeating characteristic of love. Discover Jesus' three-step call to remembe...

The book of Revelation unveils Jesus not as a timid teacher, but as the true King in all his splendor. This powerful imagery reminds us that Jesus is the perfect priest, holy and pure, whose eyes blaze with justice, and whose feet are like bronze, signifying enduring strength against all evil. He stands as judge, ensuring that all injustice will eventually come to light.

Revelation should not be seen as a cryptic timeline, but as a powerful source of encouragement and inspiration for faithful living, from the beginning of our faith journey to its end. Moreover, Revelation speaks to the spiritual warfare around us and the sovereignty of God, offering peace and purpose even in uncertain times. Learn why God's "slowness" is actually his immense patience, and how this...

We are often satisfied with what we have until we see someone else with something we don't have. This internal "money monster" of discontentment is a major source of financial struggles and foolishness. Paul, writing from prison, reveals the secret to true contentment. We can learn how to be content by trusting Jesus, being thankful for what we already have, and cultivating a heart of generosity.

Joseph's foresight in preparing for years of famine by saving during times of abundance offers a timeless blueprint for financial stability and generosity. Discover why saving money is not just a practical choice but an essential decision that protects your loved ones and blesses those around you. Learn actionable steps to cultivate financial peace and understand how these principles connect to a...

One of the key principles that shapes our approach to money, stewardship, and generosity as we walk with Christ is the question of whose money it truly is. Similar to those moments when we were kids, and our parents would give us money to use or give us allowances to manage, the money was never really ours; we were managers. What we have, even what we earn, we earn with the talents and skills give...

Following the heart and actions of the Magi, we can choose to be intentional givers during this season. Amidst the hustle and bustle, it is sometimes valuable to take a journey from the east and hear our own heart and actions tuned into Christmas.

Day of Thanks is an exciting day at FCC. We set aside an entire morning of worship to celebrate all the wonderful things God has accomplished through FCC over the past year.

There is an illusion that somehow circumstances will produce permanent gratitude if I just have enough good things happen to me. That's fool's gold. The truth is, the root of joy is gratefulness. Joy doesn't make us grateful. Instead, gratitude makes us joyful.  

During this series, we have declared: Consistency, Responsibility, Wisdom, Forgiving Spirit, Joy & Generosity. Any of these is a challenge by itself, but all six is a tall order. That’s why Stuart explained that we have to… Set your mind because anything worthwhile is uphill.  Surround yourself with a NO-QUIT TEAM. Run for something bigger than you.

Your generosity is a matter of trust that spills all the way into eternity. When we are generous with what God is doing, we trust that He will do more with it than we thought possible. However, the second half of that trust is that we also trust that he will meet our needs, take care of what worries us, and even provide us with contentment that we haven’t been able to find on our own.

Psalm 9:9 says, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Or there’s Psalm 91:2 that says, “I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Joy is findable and attainable and consistent when we remember God is for us and our constant refuge. He did everything he did and left everything he had so he could have you. There’s joy r...

Sometimes people know how to push our buttons, and we don’t want to forgive them. And we know they have evil intent. And what they’ve done was intentional. And the pain is unthinkable. And you can’t help but feel the bitterness it initially caused. But you’ve been watering that bitterness daily. And when you allow that anger to fester, it grows and it takes root. And it becomes toxic to other rela...

Perhaps life isn’t unfolding as you had thought it would. Maybe it’s falling apart. And you need wisdom more than you can imagine. And I promise you that God wants to give you wisdom. However, another part of it is that you are hanging around fools. And you keep asking for God’s help. And maybe God is saying. No. It’s up to you to surround yourself with the right people, walking with the wise to b...

Who are you blaming? You don't have the power to change that person, but you do have the power to take responsibility for your life. And it's gonna be hard, and it may take time, but I promise God will meet you there. Who are you blaming? Where do you need to take responsibility instead of casting blame? Taking responsibility is not fun. It can hurt. But it's the only way you can move forward from...

What's one thing you can do to be more spiritually consistent? Read your Bible every day? Pray every day? This seems very simple and very small, but small things done consistently trump big things done occasionally. You can want your life to change, and hope that it changes, or you can get intentional. 

Receive it with your ears, read it with your eyes, research it with your hands and mouth, review and remember with your mind, but don't miss the step to respond to it with your actions.

What are you going to do with this book? Is it just collecting dust in your life? Are you really using it? It’s not unreliable history, bad science, or implausible claims. The evidence is too strong.