Belay Church Podcast

In this message, Pastor Paul Durbin explores Philippians 3 to show how unshakable joy flows from what we choose to prioritize. Just as Paul counts everything as loss compared to knowing Christ, we’re invited to value what really matters—truth over lies, Jesus over everything, faith over works, the future over our past, and eternity over the temporary. This joy-centered value system isn't hypotheti...

Joy isn’t just something we receive—it’s something we choose. In Philippians 2, Paul shows us a surprising and powerful truth: unshakable joy grows in the lives of people who walk the same humble road Jesus did. In this message, Pastor Paul unpacks five unexpected roads that joy takes: the Others Road, the Humble Road, the Grateful Road, the Proven Road, and the Hospitable Road. These are not the...

When life gets messy or uncertain, real joy can start to feel out of reach. But according to Scripture, joy was never meant to be dependent on circumstances in the first place. In this message, Pastor Paul Durbin kicks off our Unshakable Joy series by exploring the first chapter of Philippians—a letter written from prison—and showing how joy is a learned, practiced way of life rooted in something...

Spiritual warfare often feels dramatic in movies, but in real life it’s usually subtle—and deeply personal. In this final message of the series, Christian Braly teaches us how to stand our ground when the enemy speaks. Through Scripture, mental health insight, and real-life stories, we’re reminded that the battle is real, but so is the victory we have in Christ. The enemy’s greatest weapons are de...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we ask: “How do I break my agreement with deception?” Through Joshua’s misstep with the Gibeonites, David’s repentance, and Paul’s encouragement to walk in truth, we explore four practical steps: 1) Invite God to reveal deception, 2) Own your misalignment, 3) Replace lies with truth, and 4) Keep walking in the truth daily. God has so much to give us—but we need to s...

In this message by Christian Braly, we dive into the often overlooked battleground of our own hearts in spiritual warfare. Rather than spotlighting the demonic, Christian explores how deception and self-deception take root when we stop caring about truth. Using 1 Kings 22 and other key scripture, he unpacks the dangerous patterns of gaslighting, the comfort of false narratives, and the spiritual c...

In this message by Andrew Sisk, we explore God’s heart for His daughters. We reflect on the creation of Eve, why God called her a “helper,” and how that title is powerful, not subservient. The sermon compares God’s empowering love with the enemy’s deceptive lies. Through the story of the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8), we see God restore dignity, peace, and identity. This message also chal...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we learn Rule #2 of spiritual warfare: There Are Symptoms of Deception. Paul walks through five specific warning signs that we might be drifting away from truth—including resisting correction, justifying sin, preferring confirmation over conviction, craving flattery, and avoiding truth-speaking community. God’s Word provides not just the diagnosis, but also the trea...

In this message by Christian Braly, we dive into the messy, real-world nature of spiritual warfare. He shows us that the fight isn’t just against demonic forces “out there,” but also against deception and broken thinking within ourselves. Our culture, our wounds, and even our relationships can open the door to deception when we're not grounded in truth. Through scripture and personal stories, Chri...

In this message by Dick Brogden, we explore the profound truth that the resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to remember—it's the cornerstone of our faith and mission. Dick walks us through three powerful declarations: Christ has risen (the proof of His deity), we shall rise (our personal hope), and the nations shall rise (our global responsibility). With striking illustrations and heartfelt...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we're invited to walk through Passion Week by asking five honest, soul-searching questions from Matthew 27. This chapter gives us a front-row seat to Jesus’ final hours before the resurrection. Paul uses the stories of Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, and others to help us reflect on forgiveness, identity, responsibility, salvation, and new life. Each question is designed t...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we take a deep dive into the powerful events of Matthew 26. But rather than just observing the actions of Judas, Peter, or the unnamed woman with perfume, Paul asks one piercing question: “What stories will be told in memory of you?” Through three contrasting stories—Missing It (Judas), Living in Fear (Peter), and Absolute Surrender (the woman)—we're invited to ask...

In this message by Zack Brogden, we walk through Matthew 25 and explore what it looks like to “live ready” for Christ’s return. Through the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats, Zack reminds us that living ready means depending on the Holy Spirit, being faithful with what God has entrusted to us, and living outward—serving and loving others. This message challenges...

In this message, Pastor Paul unpacks Jesus’ teaching about the end times from Matthew 24. While we often focus on signs and dates, Jesus redirects our attention to faithfulness, recognizing deception, and staying mission-focused. He warns that many will be misled, and culture will push against godly living—but His followers must stand firm, preach the gospel, and live prepared. Instead of obsessin...

In this message, Patty Durbin explores Matthew 23, where Jesus delivers one of His final public teachings—a fiery and passionate rebuke of religious hypocrisy. Like a protective mama bear, Jesus calls out the Pharisees for placing heavy burdens on people while refusing to lift a finger to help. He warns against valuing appearances over true heart transformation. With seven powerful "woes," Jesus s...

In this message, Pastor Paul unpacks Matthew 22, where the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Jesus himself all seek clarity on big theological questions. The Sadducees denied the resurrection, believing all God's rewards were in this life, while the Pharisees rigidly clung to rule-keeping. Jesus, however, makes things crystal clear: there is life after death, life is about loving God and people, and He is...

In this message, Paul Durbin unpacks Jesus’s parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22) and its powerful implications for our faith. Jesus describes a king inviting people to a great feast, but many ignore or reject the invitation. In response, the king opens the invitation to everyone—symbolizing God’s grace extended to all people. Paul emphasizes three vital steps in responding to God’s invitat...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we explore the idea of spiritual authority. Many of us unknowingly give authority to the enemy by listening to his lies instead of walking in the authority God has given us. Matthew 21 shows us that true authority comes from aligning with God in three ways: (1) aligning with His Word—knowing it and living it out, (2) aligning with His heart—trusting His goodness and...

In this message by Zack Brogden, we explore Jesus' triumphant entry, His cleansing of the temple, and His warning to remain fruitful. Jesus arrives not as a conquering king on a horse but humbly on a donkey—yet He comes with authority. When He sees the temple filled with greed instead of prayer, He overturns tables because God's house was meant to be a place for all nations. Jesus then curses a fi...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we explore expectations—our assumptions about life, fairness, success, and God. Matthew 20 highlights various perspectives: workers expecting fair pay, disciples expecting earthly power, and blind men expecting mercy. Jesus reveals that human expectations often fall short of God's kingdom realities. Paul walks us through three unhealthy expectations (Life will be fa...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we explore Jesus’s conversation in Matthew 19 with a rich young man asking, “What must I do to get eternal life?” The young man’s story reveals two things that don’t work for achieving eternal life: our own goodness and accomplishments. Jesus redirects him—and us—toward two essential truths: eternal life is only possible through God’s provision in Jesus, and it requ...

In this message, Paul Durbin explores Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 19 about the beauty of covenant relationships, particularly marriage. Jesus emphasizes that marriage is a union God glues and yokes together, modeled after His relationship with His people through the New Covenant. While humanity often defaults to substitutes like casual, contract-based, or “committed” relationships, these fall shor...

In this message by Christian Braly, we explore Jesus’s teachings from Matthew 18 on how forgiveness and reconciliation are at the heart of God's kingdom. As image bearers of God, we are called to reflect His love and character by addressing offenses directly, forgiving as God forgives, and pursuing restoration in relationships. Christian reminds us of the radical nature of forgiveness—modeled by J...

In this message by Kevan Ho, we explore two deeply intertwined themes from Matthew 18: our **hunger for greatness** and the **Father’s heart** for His children. Jesus redefines greatness as humility, surrender, and God-dependence, contrasting our culture’s self-centered, achievement-driven view. He calls for childlike faith—marked by vulnerability, receptivity to His love, and gratitude. But this...

In this message by Paul Durbin, we explore how to overcome fear and step boldly into God’s calling. Focusing on Matthew 17, Paul outlined four practical steps to conquer fear: 1) See Who Jesus Really Is—God incarnate who understands our struggles; 2) Understand What the Word Really Says—don’t rely on second-hand interpretations; explore God’s truth yourself; 3) Observe Where Jesus Really Goes—He w...