Bethany Church - La Crosse, WI

Fresh off the miraculous victory at Jericho, Israel faces an unexpected and devastating defeat at the Battle of Ai in Joshua 7. What causes everything to unravel when triumph seemed guaranteed? In this powerful sermon on Joshua 7 and 8, Tylor Fischer unpacks the destructive reality of hidden sin, the subtle progression of temptation, and why secret compromises never stay buried.  Discover the ripp...

When Joshua stood outside the fortified walls of Jericho and faced a warrior with a drawn sword, he asked the ultimate question: “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”*The answer he received changed everything: “Neither.” In this message from the Strong & Relentless series on the Book of Joshua, Pastor Steve Musto dives into the Battle of Jericho, the challenging Old Testament concept of "...

Just as the Israelites stood on the plains of Jericho ready for battle, God issued an unexpected command that brought their military campaign to a complete halt. In this message from our series on the Book of Joshua, Pastor Steve Musto explores Joshua chapter 5, where God instructs Joshua to draw knives not to strike an enemy, but to renew a covenant. Before facing Jericho's fortress, Israel...

When unexpected trials or life-changing diagnoses hit, will your faith hold steady?  In this sermon on Joshua 3:1–5:1, Pastor Chase explores the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and reveals why God commanded the Israelites to set up "stones of remembrance" (Ebenezers) on their way to the Promised Land. Discover how remembering God's past power and care builds a rooted, unshak...

What happens when a situation that looks like pure danger turns into an extraordinary story of redemption? In this message on Joshua 2, we explore the story of the two spies sent into Jericho and Rahab—a Canaanite woman whose bold confession of faith saved her family and placed her directly in the lineage of Jesus. Join us as we uncover how God’s grace is bigger than your past, your background, or...

Welcome to the companion podcast for our series on the Book of Joshua! Join Tami DeLeeuw, Pastor Chase Vitort, and Pastor Steve Musto as they dig deeper into Sunday's message and set the stage for an in-depth journey through one of the most powerful—and challenging—books of the Old Testament.  In this episode, the team lays the groundwork for the series and wrestles with foundational question...

What is the difference between owning something and actually possessing it? In this message on Joshua 1, Pastor Steve Musto explores what it truly means to step into God's promises—and the surprising responsibility that comes with receiving an inheritance. When God fulfills a promise in your life, is it an invitation to kick back and retire, or a call to step to the front lines for others? Di...

How can we break free from the patterns, mistakes, and fears of the past to step boldly into what God has planned for our future? In this opening message of the Joshua series, Pastor Steve Musto explores Joshua 1 to address a vital question: Will we repeat the cycles of fear from those who came before us, or will we choose a path of radical, unshakable trust in God? Key Topics Covered: A New Gener...

We’ve all heard Jesus’ famous words: "Do not judge." But does grace mean allowing destructive behavior to run unchecked in our lives? In this conclusion to the Proverbs series, Pastor Steve Musto dives into Proverbs 4 to reveal a critical biblical distinction many miss. While Scripture clearly contrasts the wise and the foolish, Solomon frequently warns us about a distinct third category...

Relationships don't survive on luck—they thrive on wisdom. Exploring Proverbs 12, Steve and Cathy Musto break down biblical "house rules" for building strong marriages, families, and community connections. Learn how choosing godly counsel, practice-based love, and intentional speech can anchor your home in every season. Key Topics Covered: • Biblical wisdom for marriage and family (...

Can a good thing actually pull you away from what matters most? In this message on Proverbs 25:16–17, we explore how even the best parts of life—hobbies, relationships, and busy schedules—can become subtle distractions when they take the place of Jesus. Using an unexpected illustration about making clear ice, Tylor Fisher breaks down how setting a single direction in life keeps our faith clear and...

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Ever feel like your anger gets the best of you—whether through explosive outbursts, sarcastic jabs, or silent withdrawal? In this sermon on Proverbs 25:28, Chase Vitort unpacks the biblical root of anger and reveals why self-control isn't just about managing symptoms, but surrendering our deepest desires to God. Discover how to identify your anger triggers, recognize what your emotions are pr...

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon , we dive into Proverbs 25:28 —exploring what it means to guard our hearts when anger threatens to break down our walls. In this episode, we unpack: Hot vs. Cold Anger: Why quiet bitterness and passive-aggressive resentment can be just as destructive as explosive outbursts. The Illusion of Righteous Indignation: How easily we mistake wounded pride, convenience,...

Culture tells us sex should be spontaneous, boundary-less, and consequence-free—but what does God's Word actually say? Continuing our series through the Book of Proverbs, Pastor Steve Musto unpacks Proverbs Chapter 7 to examine the contrast between Biblical wisdom and worldly distraction. Discover why God created boundaries for intimacy—not to withhold joy, but to protect us—and how the grace...

Note: This episode includes discussion on adult themes and sexuality. Listener discretion is advised when tuning in with younger ears. This week, we unpack the sensitive, essential themes found in Proverbs 7. Moving past taboos and rigid culture conversations, the team explores how Scripture addresses human sexuality, the contrasting voices of wisdom and folly, and the real-world impact of "p...

True strength isn't about raw power, status, or size—often, God uses the small, ordinary, and overlooked things of the world to accomplish His greatest work. In this message from the Under Construction series, Pastor Steve Musto explores Proverbs 30:24-28, where Agur highlights four tiny creatures that exhibit incredible wisdom. Paired with a reflection on 1 Corinthians 1:24-29, this sermon r...

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Sermon! In this week's episode, we explore one of the most unique passages in scripture: Proverbs 30:24–28, where we find four tiny creatures that God highlights as examples of profound wisdom. Beyond these four creatures, the conversation turns to the power of daily habits, navigating the weight of difficult family seasons, and how multigenerational l...

Our words carry immense power—they can build up or tear down, bring life or inflict lasting pain. But when our speech turns sharp, critical, or destructive, is it really just a "mouth problem," or is it pointing to something deeper happening under the hood? In this message from the Under Construction sermon series, Pastor Steve Musto explores what the Book of Proverbs teaches about wise...

Words have the power to breathe life or inflict lasting wounds. In this episode of "Beyond the Sermon", hosts Tami DeLeeuw, Cathy Musto, and Steve Musto dive into Proverbs 10:11 to examine the deep impact our words have on our relationships, our mindsets, and our spiritual walk. In this episode, the team explores: The Weight of Words: Why do certain comments—both positive and negative—st...

What does God think about your Monday-to-Friday job? Whether you are an accountant, mechanic, teacher, stay-at-home parent, or executive, your daily labor carries far more spiritual purpose than simply earning a paycheck or building a resume. In this message from the Under Construction sermon series, Chase  dives into Proverbs 13:4 to examine our "theology of work" and how our view of la...

Whether you view your job as a pathway to security, a source of personal identity, or a way to build a legacy, human motivations are rarely entirely pure. The team wrestles with the complex relationship between faith and the workplace, exploring how to navigate the common pitfalls of ego, performance-driven mindsets, and the ever-present trap of perfectionism. In this insightful and bittersweet ep...

Are we choosing convenience over compassion? In this message from the Under Construction series, we dive into Proverbs 3:27-30 to confront a challenging truth: when it is in our power to do good, waiting isn’t neutral—it’s a choice. We often scan Scripture looking for loopholes, trying to define exactly who "deserves" our time, money, or grace, but God's Word completely flips our se...

Dive deeper into the tension of living out true biblical compassion and generosity in this episode of Beyond the Sermon. Following up on last week’s look at the prayer of Agur in Proverbs 30 regarding financial extremes and contentment, this discussion tackles the challenging commands found in Proverbs 3:27-30 . Hosts Cathy Musto, Steve Musto, and Tylor Fisher wrestle with why true compassion feel...

Money is one of the most complex and culturally charged topics we face, and the church world is no exception. Does God command His followers to live in poverty, or is wealth the ultimate sign of His blessing? Or is it something else entirely? In this message, Pastor Steve unpacks the mixed signals our culture sends about finances by diving into a unique prayer found in Proverbs 30. This sermon cha...