Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church Podcast

What are you actually building your life on — and will it hold? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 2:8-13. Writing from a Roman prison, Paul gives Timothy three anchors that hold no matter what life brings: the foundation of Jesus Christ — raised from the dead, descended from David — the freedom of a word no chain can stop, and the faithfulness of a God wh...

. .. ,| .',.-,-,-:.8, ?W

What if the pattern you're most afraid of repeating is the one you have the most power to stop? In this episode, JT Coleman teaches from Romans 12:1-2. Drawing from Ezekiel 18, John 9, and personal stories of watching cycles break in real families, JT makes the case that sinful patterns — the ones we inherit and the ones we've started — don't have to continue. What breaks t...

What do you do when you've been doing the right things and still can't see the fruit? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Paul - writing from a Roman prison while awaiting execution - encourages his young protege Timothy with three vivid pictures: a good soldier who trusts his commanding officer, an athlete who keeps his eyes on the finish line, and a farmer who plant...

What do you do when you're standing at a milestone - grateful for how far God has brought you, but unsure where he's calling you next? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from Joshua 4, the story of Israel's 12 memorial stones after crossing the Jordan. Joined by Kelly Lester for the church's 238th Homecoming, this message is a celebration of God's faithfulness across generations - and a c...

What keeps you going when following Jesus actually costs you something? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 1:11-18. Paul is in a Roman prison awaiting execution and yet writes with total calm. His secret is not willpower but knowing exactly who he has trusted with his life. Pastor Todd unpacks three qualities Paul modeled for Timothy and what it looks like to live that way...

What do you do when you've accepted forgiveness but still can't seem to put the weight down? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 1:9-10. Paul, writing to Timothy from a Roman prison, lays out three gifts God gives every believer: salvation, a holy calling, and grace. Todd works through each one with honesty - including a word for anyone who's been living like a Christian on...

What do you do when the fire that used to be there just… isn't anymore? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 1:6-8. Writing from a Roman prison and awaiting execution, Paul urged Timothy not to let his gifts smolder — to fan the flame, trade fear for God's power, and keep his eyes on Jesus no matter what was coming. It's a word for anyone stepping into something n...

What will actually remain when you're gone? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 1:3-5. Paul is writing from a dungeon, facing execution, and instead of bitterness he's full of gratitude and prayer — pointing Timothy back to the faith that first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. This message asks what's worth being remembered for, and it turns o...

Have you ever felt like you've lost your sense of purpose — like your heart just isn't in it anymore? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from 2 Timothy 1:1-2, opening a new series called Inspired drawn from Paul's last letter. Writing from a Roman prison while awaiting execution, Paul still had clarity about three things: his calling, his comfort in the promise of eternal life...

Do you feel like God couldn't possibly use someone like you — or that you've drifted too far to find your way back? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from Ephesians 2:1-10. He walks through the stunning before-and-after of the gospel: we were spiritually dead, following the ways of the world, objects of wrath. But because of God's great love, he made us alive in Christ. And n...

What do you do when you know something's not right in your heart — but you're not sure you want God to actually look? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from Psalm 139:23-24. Drawing on David's courageous prayer — "search me, God, and know my heart" — and a personal health scare that brought new meaning to it, Pastor Todd walks through what hardens the heart and what...

Have you ever felt like you were doing everything right — and still coming up empty? In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from Ecclesiastes 3:1–13. Solomon had more wealth, wisdom, and influence than anyone — and still couldn't find what he was looking for. Pastor Todd unpacks what Solomon eventually discovered: that joy, generosity, and true satisfaction are gifts from God, and they&#3...

Four words from an angel. The most important news in human history. And two women who didn't know what to do with it. In this episode, Pastor Todd Lester teaches from Matthew 28:1–10 on Easter Sunday 2026. Two women came to the tomb that morning expecting to find a body. Instead they found an empty grave and a message that has been echoing ever since. Pastor Todd walks through what that first...

What does the cross really mean—and what does it mean for your life today? In this message from 1 Peter 2, we explore the deeper meaning behind the cross and what it reveals about following Jesus. The cross isn’t just a symbol—it represents suffering, surrender, and salvation. If you’ve ever struggled in your faith, felt like you’ve fallen short, or wondered if you can really keep going, this mess...

What does it really mean to follow Jesus—not just at the beginning, but for a lifetime? In this message from Luke 9:21–26, we’re challenged to take an honest look at our faith. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him fully. This message speaks to the struggle many of us feel and reminds us what it looks like to stay faithful and go the distance. The message begins...

In this message from Matthew 6:13 , Pastor Todd continues the series Prayer Is the Fix for 2026 by focusing on the words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus reminds us that prayer is essential as we seek God’s guidance, protection, and strength in the face of temptation and spiritual battles. Through Scripture and personal testimony, this me...

In this message from Matthew 6:9–13 , Pastor Todd concludes the series Prayer Is the Fix for 2026 by focusing on the closing words of the Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.” These words remind us that prayer is not just about asking God for help—it is about recognizing God’s authority, trusting His power, and giving Him the glory in every circumstance....

What happens when God’s people pray with desperation, trust, and surrender? In this message, J.T. Coleman teaches from 1 Samuel 1–2 on Hannah’s prayer and how God works through honest, surrendered prayer — not only in individual lives, but across generations. Hannah brought her deepest pain to God, trusted Him without immediate affirmation, and placed her greatest desire into His hands. God used h...

Forgiveness stands as one of life's greatest challenges, yet it's essential for our spiritual well-being. When Jesus taught us to pray 'forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,' He revealed a profound truth about the connection between receiving and giving forgiveness. We all sin and fall short of God's glory, creating a debt that only Jesus could pay through...

In Part 4 of our series Prayer Is the Fix for 2026 , Pastor Todd unpacks the line from the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). This message explores what it means to live with daily dependence on God—not only for physical provision, but for spiritual strength, peace, and direction. We’re reminded that prayer invites humility, honesty, and a hunger for God to meet us i...

What happens when we truly pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” ? In this message, we continue our Prayer Is the Fix for 2026 series by examining Matthew 6:10 and learning how prayer shapes our priorities, transforms our hearts, and calls us to live out God’s kingdom today. This sermon encourages believers to surrender fully to Christ, seek God’s will above their own, and respond in faithf...

Prayer isn’t about saying the right words — it’s about knowing who we’re talking to. In this message from January 11, 2026, we continue the Prayer Is the Fix for 2026 series by examining the first words of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus invites us to pray personally, calling God Our Father — a reminder that we are loved, adopted, and welcomed home. This episode encourages listeners to trust God’s presen...

As we enter a new year, Pastor Todd begins a new series focused on prayer. In Luke 11, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer becomes a foundation for intentional living — reminding us that real change begins with discipline, desire, and dependence on God. This episode invites you to start 2026 grounded in prayer and open to God’s transforming power.

What does real faith look like in everyday life? This message explores how faith is rooted in God’s grace, not our effort, and how genuine faith transforms us from the inside out. Through Scripture, we’re reminded that faith leads us to forgiveness, surrender, and a life that points others to Jesus.