Pastor Mark Reynolds' Podcast

Why do good people so often look the other way? In this episode, Pastor Mark explores the deeper message of the Good Samaritan—not just about helping others, but about feeling with them. In a culture that trains us to avoid pain and disconnect from suffering, Jesus calls his followers to practice active empathy. You’ll learn how apathy takes root, how empathy opens our hearts, and how compassion s...

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager – What Was Jesus Thinking? At first glance, Luke 16:1–13 is one of Jesus’ most confusing parables. A dishonest manager gets fired, cuts deals behind his boss’s back, and is praised for it. Then Jesus says, “Be like that guy.” What does this mean? In this sermon, Pastor Mark explores how Jesus isn’t celebrating dishonesty but calling his followers to be wise, strat...

What do you feel when you hear the word evangelism ? For many of us, it brings up awkward memories—bullhorn preachers, high-pressure pitches, or messages more rooted in fear than love. But in Luke 15, Jesus shows us a different way. Through the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, he reminds us that sharing our faith isn’t about coercion or performance—it’s about love, presence, and celebrati...

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this episode, Pastor Mark launches a new series called What Christians Do by addressing the trap of Christian nominalism, a faith that costs nothing and changes nothing. Drawing from Luke 14 and the teachings of John Wesley and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this message challenges believers to count the cost of discipleship and to embrace a faith that doesn’t ju...

In this Trinity Sunday and Father’s Day message, Pastor Mark explores how truth isn’t just something we learn—it’s someone we follow. Rooted in John 16:12–15, this sermon invites us to embrace humility, community, and truth as essential parts of the Christian journey. You’ll hear a powerful story about healing through slow truth-telling, unpack the mystery of the Trinity, and learn why intellectua...

In a world filled with anxiety, fear, and nonstop bad news, many of us are tempted to cope through “doom spending”—buying things we don’t need just to feel something solid in an uncertain world. But on Pentecost, God gave us something far more powerful than retail therapy: the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this message, Pastor Mark Reynolds explores how the Spirit meets us in our fear, leads us with...

 In this Ascension Sunday message, From Ascension to Activation , Pastor Mark explores how Jesus’ departure wasn’t the end—it was a launch. Using the metaphor of a SpaceX rocket, we reflect on how Christ’s ascension prepares us for Spirit-filled mission on Earth. Jesus opens our mind to understand scripture and promises power in the Holy Spirit so that we can continue the work of Jesus in our ever...

What happens when we die? And what does heaven really look like? In this powerful Memorial Day weekend message, we explore the astonishing story of Casey Cleveland—a worship leader who suffered a massive stroke and experienced a profound peace on the brink of death. His near-death testimony offers a glimpse of something greater… but Scripture tells us there’s even more. Drawing from Revelation 21,...

Do you want deeper, more meaningful friendships? What if the key isn’t about finding the right people—but being the right kind of friend? In this powerful message, Pastor Mark explores God's original call to Abraham in Genesis 12:2–3: “I will bless you… and you will be a blessing.” From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to use ordinary people to share extraordinary love—and the best friendsh...

Conflict is inevitable — but division doesn’t have to be. In this timely and practical message from the Friend-ology series, Pastor Mark Reynolds explores how we can face disagreements with courage, grace, and Christlike love. Whether the conflict is political, personal, or just plain awkward, this sermon will help you discover how to stay connected even when you don’t see eye to eye. Rooted in Co...

Loneliness is dangerous. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared that isolation poses risks as serious as smoking or obesity. But long before the studies and statistics, the Bible told us the same thing: “It is not good for humans to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). In this powerful sermon, Pastor Mark continues our Friend-ology series with a deeper look at how radical independence and unchecked isola...

What do you do when life falls apart? When grief, sin, fear, and death seem to have the final word? In this unforgettable Easter message, Pastor Mark Reynolds explores the powerful hope of the resurrection and what it means for real people facing real pain. From the brokenness of Good Friday to the victory of Easter morning, this sermon proclaims the core truth of Christian faith: the worst thing...

As we enter Holy Week, we're reminded of the profound lessons Jesus imparted in His final days. The central themes of love, forgiveness, and justice intertwine, forming the core of our Christian faith. Pastor Beth Burton reminds us that we're called to love deeply, forgive generously, and seek justice relentlessly - not as mere actions, but as a way of life. These principles, embodied by Christ on...

👉 Have you ever wrestled with the question: “Who is Jesus, really?” In this week’s message, we dive into one of the most important questions Jesus ever asked: “Who do you say that I am?” — a question that still echoes through every heart and life today. Join us as we explore the deep meaning behind three of Jesus’ “I Am” sayings found in the Gospel of John: 🔆 I am the Light of the World 🌿 I am...

In this week’s message, we explore how Jesus used parables—simple, surprising, and often unsettling stories—to open our eyes to a radically different way of living under God’s reign by focusing on The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. These timeless stories reveal the extravagant mercy of God—and challenge us to extend that same mercy to others, even those we might find difficult to love. 💥 Di...

Ever wondered how the teachings of Jesus could radically transform your life? Join us for an engaging exploration of one of Jesus’ most famous messages—the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This powerful sermon challenges conventional views on happiness, success, relationships, and authentic faith. In this message, you'll discover: Why Jesus calls those who are humble, merciful, and peacemakers t...

Around 2.4 billion people today call themselves followers of Jesus, yet many barely know what he actually taught. Too often, we reduce Christianity to simply believing in Jesus' death and resurrection to secure our place in heaven. But Jesus' teachings offer much more—a revolutionary vision of life meant to transform us here and now. In this message we focus on Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of Go...

Temptation is a battle we all face. Have you ever found yourself making the same mistake over and over, despite your best efforts? Do you struggle with guilt and shame after falling short? You’re not alone. Even Jesus was tempted, yet He showed us the path to victory. In this powerful message, we dive into Luke 4:1-13 to uncover practical and spiritual tools for overcoming temptation. Through fait...

How can Christians be a force for love, unity, and peace in a polarized world? In this powerful message, we explore the wisdom of Ephesians 4 and uncover how God calls us to move beyond division and embody justice, mercy, and humility in our daily lives. Drawing from history, scripture, and real-life experiences, this sermon will challenge and encourage you to reflect on how we treat those we disa...

What if true strength wasn’t about winning, proving yourself, or always being right? In this powerful message, Pastor Mark explores how true power is found in humility. In This Sermon, You’ll Discover: • How humility frees us from the exhausting pressure to compete, be right, or outdo others. • Practical reflection questions to assess our own struggles with pride—do we offer unsolicited advice, sh...

In this powerful message, we dive into Micah 6:8, where God lays out clear expectations for His people: ✅ Do justice – Treat all people with fairness and dignity. ✅ Love mercy – Show compassion and practice kindness. ✅ Walk humbly with God – Live a life of obedience and faith. Through biblical wisdom and real-life stories, we’ll discover how kindness has the power to transform hearts, mend divi...

Be Just. Be Kind. Be Humble. In a world that often feels divided, we invite you to engage in a new sermon series centered on Micah 6:8, which reveals what God requires of us and how we can actively serve His kingdom of love and justice here on earth. This series will challenge you to discover our common ground as Christians, to extend love to all, and to engage with those who see the world differe...

Life is full of suffering—sometimes in ways that shake us to our core. When we witness the horrors of war, senseless violence, devastating natural disasters, or personal tragedies, we can’t help but ask: Where is God in all of this? Why does an all-loving, all-powerful God allow innocent people—including children—to endure such unimaginable pain? In this message, we confront one of the hardest que...

Have you ever wrestled with the heartache of unanswered prayers? In this message, we dive deep into the difficult realities of prayer, doubt, and faith, exploring what it means to trust God when the answers we long for don't come. Through personal stories, Scripture, and reflection, we’ll examine: -Why some prayers seem to go unanswered. -Misunderstandings about the nature of prayer and God’s will...

Have you ever wondered about the fate of those who don’t profess faith in Jesus? Can a loving and merciful God condemn billions of people to eternal torment? How do we reconcile these questions with the heart of the gospel? In this message, we dive into one of the most challenging questions for Christians in our ongoing series, "Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith." Together, we explore the differ...