Ecclesia: Church at the Chip Podcast (New)

As Jesus begins his fateful trek toward Jerusalem, we see that there are a number of folks who are interested in following Jesus. But none of them are willing to pay the price. What is the cost of following Jesus? Let’s find out. October 12th, 2025

Did Jesus ever get frustrated? It sure seems like it in today’s text. What was it that frustrated him? It was the failure of his disciples to understand and apply his teaching and his example to their own lives. Let’s explore both the frustration of Jesus and the failure of his followers, and how we can avoid their mistakes.

Soon after Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ of God,” Jesus took him and two others up on a mountain. Once there, they had a profound experience of the majesty and glory of Jesus. It bore striking similarities to Moses’ mountaintop experience on Mt. Sinai. What was the meaning of this divine encounter, and how does it relate to our lives? We’ll talk about that today.

The entire first section of Luke’s Gospel has led to the point where Jesus asks his disciples this climactic question: “Who do you say that I am?” How would you answer? Who do you think Jesus was? And what difference does it make? We’ll talk about that today.

Has Jesus ever told you to do something which seemed physically impossible? Jesus did that to his disciples when, while facing a hungry crowd he said, “You give them something to eat.” How in heaven’s name could they do that? Let’s find out.

Does it ever seem like God has given you an impossible mission? The disciples must have felt that way when Jesus sent them to preach and heal just like they’d seen him do. But Jesus equipped them for the task, just as he does us, and they went and did what Jesus wanted them to do. Will we do the same?

Does it ever seem like God’s timetable and yours are radically different? You ask for wisdom, for healing or for guidance, but it doesn't seem to come in time -- if at all! In today's study we will meet a man who could certainly identify with our frustration. What would he say to us about these things? We’ll talk about that today.

Last week we saw that Jesus calmed the storm with a word of rebuke. This was the first of four consecutive displays of Jesus’ power in our text: He is the master over creation, over demonic evil, over sickness, and death itself. Today we will examine the second of these, Jesus’ power over demonic evil. What are we to make of this dramatic display? We’ll talk about that today.

What happens when four starving lepers discover a treasure trove of food, clothing and gold in an enemy’s campsite? And what does this have to do with us? We’ll talk about that today....

At first the disciples were afraid of the storm. But when Jesus rebuked it with merely a word, they were even more afraid. “Who then is this,” they asked, “that he commands even winds and waves, and they obey him?” Indeed. Who is Jesus? The disciples weren’t sure. Even Jesus’ mother was unsure. What about you? What do you think?

As Jesus “spreads the word" about his kingdom, his message is met with varied responses. Some (the villagers in Nazareth) reject his teaching outright. Others (Simon the Pharisee) are interested but unconvinced. But there are many (a tax collector, a centurion, a “woman of the city” and the Twelve) whose lives are forever changed. To illustrate this, Jesus tells a story to challenge his heare...

Jesus was invited to the home of a respected religious leader when a “woman of the city” walked in. Overcome with emotion, she let down her hair and washed his feet with her tears. What happened next, and what does this story teach us about following Jesus? We’ll talk about that today. Sunday, July 27th

It is our pleasure to welcome Sandy Mason as our guest teacher today. Sandy was the founding pastor of nearby Desert View Bible Church, and currently serves on the leadership team of The Bonhoeffer Project. Sunday, July 20th

Where is your hope placed? My hope, of course, is that we will find our hope in the Lord Jesus and His promises. We’ll talk about that today.

“Are you the one?” This was the question John the Baptist asked about Jesus. It was a good question -- in fact, it might be the most important question in all of life. Today we’ll explore John’s question, Jesus’ answer, and why it is so important for us today.

As Jesus continued his public ministry, he had an amazing encounter with a grieving mother. Afterward, people said, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” What caused such a strong reaction, and why does Luke include this story? We’ll talk about that today.

Jesus has just concluded his compelling kingdom manifesto. How will we respond to Jesus’ challenging message? Luke describes various responses in the events which occur following Jesus’ famous sermon. They involve a Gentile soldier, a grieving mother, a confused cousin, a religious leader, and a disreputable woman. Today we consider the first of these: a Gentile soldier and his astonishing faith.

Ever the Master Teacher, Jesus closed his Kingdom Sermon with a flourish of four unforgettable images: The blind leading the blind; the log in the eye; the tree and its fruit; and the house and its foundation. Why did he choose these word pictures, and how can they guide us as we seek to leave a lasting legacy with our lives? We’ll talk about that today.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Kingdom of Jesus. He spoke of it in his sermon, he included it in his prayer, he told stories about it in his parables, and he offered it from his cross. Why is forgiveness so vital -- and so difficult? We’ll talk about that today. May 6th, 2025

The Kingdom of Jesus: A Study in Luke’s Gospel (#24) Luke 6:27-38 How are we to live in the kingdom of Jesus? Jesus tells us in the sermon we are studying this month. He has already astounded us by turning the values of the world upside down. He continues to challenge us by teaching that his kingdom is characterized by a love so lavish that it extends even -- and especially -- to our enemies.

Jesus begins his sermon on the nature of his kingdom ministry with some counterintuitive blessings and curses. What’s this all about, and how does this apply to us today? We’ll talk about that as we continue our study of Luke’s gospel during this Easter season. May 11, 2025

Jesus begins his sermon on the nature of his kingdom ministry with some counterintuitive blessings and curses. What’s this all about, and how does this apply to us today? We’ll talk about that as we continue our study of Luke’s gospel during this Easter season.

The Kingdom of Jesus was inaugurated when Jesus broke out of the grave on Easter morning. As we resume our study of Luke during Eastertide, let's take a look at the team Jesus called and the teaching Jesus gave about how he expected them to behave as his kingdom representatives. Who did he call, what did he say, and what does this have to do with us? We’ll talk about that in the next few weeks...

Ephesians 1:13-23 Did you know that Jesus offers us an incredible inheritance? It’s true, and it’s ours because of his resurrection from the dead. On this Easter Sunday, let’s explore this inheritance, and how we can be sure to receive it.

The Kingdom of Jesus: A Study in Luke’s Gospel (#20) Luke 6:1-11 Controversy continues to percolate as religious leaders become increasingly suspicious of Jesus’ kingdom ministry. Last week Jesus confounded them by feasting with sinners, to which he replied, in effect, “A new day is dawning.” This week he stokes the fires again by plucking grain and healing hands on the Sabbath. Who does Jesus thi...