Grace Podcasts

(Joshua 3:14-4:7 & Romans 8:16-17) The specter of war can have a special pull, with war movies and the fight of good versus evil. But what does God say about it? Hear the story of Joshua making memorials as he crosses into the Promised Land and what it can teach us about the memorials we make today (21st century church 3/6).

(Acts 2:1-4, 16-24 & Mark 16:14-15) Sometimes rules don't get us where we need to go. The church struggled with this and found a breath of fresh air in the coming of the Holy Spirit (21st Century Church 2/6).

(1 Samuel 1:9-20, 25-28 & Psalm 1:1-3) One mom struggled to have a child and only after a vow to God did things change. Consider vows and what they might mean for us in the 21st century (21st Century Church, 1/6).

(John 15:9-17 & Acts 10:44-48) What does friendship really mean? Jesus calls his disciples friends and it probably means more than you think! Explore friendship in its many forms as we learn together what kind of relationship Jesus wants with all of us.

(John 15:1-11 & Romans 12:1-2) It can be pretty easy to get dirty, like filthy in the mud dirty, but how do we get clean? And more importantly, how do we get clean with God? Jesus talks about vines and branches to give us an idea of what it really takes to get clean (Back on Track 3/3).

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & 1 John 3:16-19) Some people can have incredible talents, but they don't really accomplish what you would hope they would. The Apostle Paul points out the real goal of all gifts from God (Back on Track 2/3).

(Matthew 4:1-11 & 1 John 3:1-3) We can face many temptations in life, especially when things are going wrong. Jesus faced temptation, too, and he can help point the way toward better pursuits (Back on Track 1/3).

(Luke 24:1-12 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-6a) People have always had to deal with death, but Jesus points to something very different from all other philosophies. Find something more than just meaning here!

(Luke 19:1-10 & Leviticus 6:4-7) When Jesus comes to Jericho in his final week on earth, he meets a man who is known as an outsider, an outcast and an outlaw based on his occupation alone. The story reminds us of how we can write people off as dead to us, maybe a little too quickly (Luke 5/6).

(Luke 17:11-19 & 2 Kings 5:9-14) We all want to be healed, but a greater lesson is learned in WHO gets healed. Here, Jesus encounters ten lepers and one comes back to say thank you (Luke 4/6).

(Luke 15:11-25 & Luke 16:22-25 & Luke 18:10-14) It can be easy to rag on the bad guy in a situation, but Jesus tells several parables "from the underside" that remind us who it is that gets canceled in God's kingdom (Luke 3/6).

(Luke 7:36-50 & Romans 4:13-16) The Reverend Michael Smith joins Grace United Methodist Church as the guest preacher, sharing with us what happens when Jesus sees a woman who is a sinner, and we are seen by Jesus (Luke 2/6).

(Luke 1:39-56 & Psalm 82:3) When a bully treats us poorly, we might like to get back at them, but the stories of some pregnant women point to a very different way of thinking about the world around us. See what the outsiders have to say about how to love like God loves us (Luke 1/6).

(Genesis 37:12-36 & Mark 9:2-4) Sometimes people deceive us and it can destroy the dreams of a family. Joseph in Genesis experienced this, but that's not really the focus of the biblical narrative. See how God intends to transform people in a most unexpected way (Lessons on Family 3/3).

(Genesis 25:21-34 & 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) Siblings that don't get along can seem pretty typical in some families, but is there something unique about how God calls us to treat our brothers and sisters? (Lessons on Family 2/3)

(Genesis 22:1-14 & Romans 6:17-18) Raising a family can be so difficult, but imagine God tells you to give up even your family. An impossible request like that can actually teach us one of the most important things we can learn when it comes to lessons on family (Lessons on Family 1/3).

(Matthew 7:12-23 & Jonah 3:1-3a) Sometimes it can be tough to do the right thing, but even when we do, it still may not be enough. Jesus says the way to life is a narrow path and offers some important insight about how to really put on the performance of a lifetime, not for ourselves, but for God (performance of a lifetime 3/3).

(Matthew 6:1-15 & 1 Samuel 3:8-11) Coming home can be hard to do, but Jesus offers some words of wisdom that make coming home as natural as can be (Praying Like a Performance 2/3).

(Matthew 5:1-16 & Genesis 1:2-4) Giving the performance of a lifetime can be challenging when you feel sick. Even then, though, there are ways to be prepared. You can find the blessing of a lifetime when you choose to be a disciple, no matter the circumstance (performance of a lifetime 1/4).

(Luke 1:26-38 & 46-48) Two women are told they will give birth to a special child and rejoicing pours out of them in song. That same kind of singing can help us today, too, and might be a very part of the plan God has for our lives (Heaven and Earth 4/4).

(John 1:6-8 & 19-28 & Psalm 26:1-3) We can be in the dark and feel like everything is fine, but John the Baptist points to a different way of being - transparency (Heaven and Earth 3/4).

(Mark 1:1-8 & Malachi 3:1) When we prepare for Advent, we are doing more than just getting ready for a figurative arrival of Jesus as a baby. John the Baptist reminds us it involves repentance, which seems fine! But wrapped in his call is the biggest surprise of all (Heaven and Earth 2/4).

(Mark 13:24-37 & Isaiah 64:6, 8) The church year begins with Advent and we start it with a vision of the apocalypse! It seems a strange place to begin, but maybe it makes more sense that meets the eye, especially for those who are not expecting Christmas to be very merry this year (Heaven and Earth 1/4).

(John 11:38-53 & 1 Kings 17:21-22) Death can make us feel uneasy, and when its a loved one, it can wreck our world. Though grieving is natural, Jesus reveals a very different path, one that may seem completely impossible (Miracles of Jesus 4/4).