Convergence Church Podcast

Have you ever felt like a spectator in your own church, wondering if your presence actually makes a difference in the kingdom of God? In this message on Ephesians 4:7–16, Sam Storms unpacks the divine blueprint for a healthy church, showing that the "work of ministry" is not a job for a few professional clergy members, but a calling for every single believer. He explains that there is no...

Have you ever felt like your prayer life was more of a duty than a delight—or simply found yourself too distracted to stay consistent? In this message on Colossians 4:2–4, Michael Rowntree unpacks Paul’s instructions for a resilient prayer life, showing that a lack of vigilance and gratitude often leaves our spiritual lives vulnerable to the "tests" of life. Yet, he reminds us that power...

Have you ever witnessed the wonder of God’s work in your life, only to let the moment slip away in the busyness of the season? In this message on Luke 2:18–19, Michael Rowntree unpacks Mary’s response to the miraculous birth of Christ, showing that while many are merely "amazed" by God for a moment, few take the time to build a history with Him. Yet, he reminds us that true spiritual dep...

Have you ever struggled to feel "worthy" of God's love, or found it nearly impossible to maintain peace with difficult people? In this message on Ephesians 4:1–6, Sam Storms unpacks Paul’s plea to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling," showing that this command is not about working hard to earn God's favor, but rather about reflecting the immense honor of the high of...

Why is it that "under the sun," the race is not always to the swift, the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise? In this message on Ecclesiastes 9:11–18 , Michael Rowntree explores the uncomfortable reality that life does not always reward merit. "Time and chance" disrupt our expectations of fairness, and wisdom often goes unnoticed. Michael unpacks the parable of the poor...

Have you ever chased after success, pleasure, or hard work—only to feel empty in the end? In this powerful message on Ecclesiastes 8:16–9:10, Michael Rowntree tackles one of life's most uncomfortable truths: the uncertainty of God’s plan and the certainty of death. Solomon wrestled with the limits of human knowledge, admitting that no one "can find out the work that is done under the sun....

Have you ever wished you could experience God’s love in a deeper, more tangible way? In this message on Ephesians 3:14–21, Sam Storms explores Paul’s breathtaking prayer that believers would be strengthened with power, rooted in love, and filled with all the fullness of God. Discover how the Holy Spirit expands your inner life, how Christ dwells more richly in your heart, and how God’s love surpas...

Why does God let injustice go on so long? In this message on Ecclesiastes 8:1–15, Michael Rowntree explores the tension between wisdom and mystery—how we trust God when life doesn’t make sense. Solomon reminds us that even when evil seems to prosper, God’s justice is certain, His timing is perfect, and joy is still possible for those who fear Him and walk in humble faith.

Why do we swing between striving for control and running from failure? In Overcoming Shame: The Perfectionist, the Prodigal, and the Receptive Child, Michael Rowntree explores Ecclesiastes 7:15–29 to reveal how both self-righteousness and self-indulgence are forms of pride. True freedom, Solomon teaches, comes not from mastering life but from fearing God—trusting Him when logic fails, humbling our...

How can we find joy when life feels heavy? In Joy in the House of Mourning , Michael Rowntree unpacks Ecclesiastes 7:1–14, where Solomon turns conventional wisdom upside down—showing that sorrow, loss, and hardship can shape us more deeply than pleasure ever could. Discover how godly grief produces wisdom, humility, and lasting joy that only comes from trusting God in the middle of pain.

Is Jesus really enough? In this message, The Unsearchable, Unfathomable, Unparalleled, Incomparable Excellencies of Christ , Sam Storms dives into Ephesians 3:1–13 to reveal the boundless riches of Jesus—riches that no mind can fully grasp or heart can ever exhaust. Discover why every longing of the human soul finds its answer in Him alone, the Lion and the Lamb, whose beauty, power, and mercy sur...

Why do some people have everything--and still feel empty? In this message on Ecclesiastes 6:1-12, Michael Rowntree exposes the tragedy of blessing without joy. Solomon shows that apart from God, even wealth, wisdom, and long life leave the soul unsatisfied. Discover how true contentment comes not from having more but from knowing the Giver-and how humility and gratitude break the curse of restless...

Can the gospel truly unite people divided by race, religion, and culture? In The Church: The One New Man in Jesus Christ , Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 2:11–22, showing how Christ broke down the walls between Jew and Gentile to form one new humanity—the Church. Discover how the cross not only reconciles us to God but also to one another, creating a diverse yet unified temple where God’s Spirit dwe...

Why do wealth and power so often lead to emptiness instead of peace? In this message on Ecclesiastes 5:8–20, Michael Rowntree examines Solomon’s wisdom on money, work, and worship. Discover why greed leads to restlessness, why joy is found not in grasping but in receiving, and how true contentment comes when we see every good thing as a gift from God’s hand.

Is it really God’s will to heal everyone? In this message on Matthew 8:16–17, Michael Rowntree explores Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Discover how Christ’s compassion, authority, and atoning work reveal God’s heart toward the sick and suffering—and how faith, mystery, and mercy all fit within God’s...

How should we approach God when we gather to worship? In this message on Ecclesiastes 5:1–7, Michael Rowntree unpacks Solomon’s wisdom about reverence, words, and vows. Learn why worship is more than outward actions—it’s about drawing near with a humble heart, listening before speaking, and living in awe of the God who is in heaven while we are on earth.

What does it really mean to go from death to life? In this message on Ephesians 2:1–10, Sam Storms unpacks one of the clearest pictures of the gospel in the Bible. Discover how God rescues us by His grace, raises us with Christ, and empowers us to walk in the good works He prepared for us—so we can live with purpose and joy as trophies of His mercy.

Why do we work so hard—and for what? In The Wise Way to Work , Michael Rowntree unpacks Ecclesiastes 4:4–16, exploring how envy, laziness, and isolation distort our view of work. Discover God’s design for a balanced, relational approach to labor—one that values contentment, partnership, and purpose over the empty chase for wealth or status.

Why does injustice seem to win and evil so often go unpunished? In this message on Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:3, Michael Rowntree explores Solomon’s raw wrestling with oppression, suffering, and the apparent absence of justice “under the sun.” Discover how God’s ultimate judgment and eternal perspective bring hope, even when life feels unfair and overwhelming.

Do you feel like you're missing what God is doing in your life? Join us as Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 1:3-14, showing how Paul's words reveal seven blessings in Christ and a powerful prayer for spiritual vision. Discover how to see God's work more clearly and experience the strength that comes from knowing His ultimate plan to unite all things under Jesus.

Do you ever feel frustrated that life seems out of your control? In this message on Ecclesiastes 3:1–13, Michael Rowntree unpacks Solomon’s famous poem on times and seasons, reminding us that while we cannot master time, God makes everything beautiful in His time. Our frustrations are meant to drive us to trust His eternal plan, fear Him rightly, and receive each moment—even the hard ones—as a gif...

Have you ever chased after success, pleasure, or hard work—only to feel empty in the end? In this message on Ecclesiastes 1:13–2:26, Michael Rowntree unpacks Solomon’s search for meaning in wisdom, wealth, and toil, showing that life “under the sun” is vanity without God. Yet, he reminds us that true joy is found in receiving life, work, and every good gift as blessings from the hand of God. ✔ The...

Is history just chaos—or is God weaving it all together? In today's message, Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 1:3–14, showing us seven blessings God gives in Christ and the stunning hope behind Paul’s word anakephalaiōsastai—God’s plan to unite all things under Jesus. If you’ve ever felt unwanted, insecure, or overwhelmed by the brokenness of the world, this passage offers a breathtaking reminder:...

Are you chasing after meaning, only to feel like you’re stuck on a treadmill? In this message from Ecclesiastes 1:1–12, Michael Rowntree walks us through Solomon’s sobering reflection on the futility of life "under the sun." With poetic honesty and raw wisdom, we’re confronted with the hard truth: if life is only about what we can see and do here and now, it will ultimately feel meaningl...

What does Acts 28 teach us about the unstoppable power of the gospel? ​ Join Michael Rowntree as he unpacks Paul's bold proclamation of the kingdom of God, the fulfillment of Israel's hope in Jesus, and how Christ's global mission advances "without hindrance," even in the face of opposition. ​