Island Christian Podcast

We all know how selective hearing works: it’s that special skill where we “conveniently” tune out what we don’t want to hear. You’ve seen it in kids, dads, and even dogs! But what happens when we use selective hearing with God? Spoiler alert: it’s not great. In fact, the church in Thyatira made this mistake, and Jesus had some pretty serious words for them. Join...

Today, we're exploring Revelation 2:12-17, the letter to the church in Pergamum. This passage gives us insight into how the church should respond as the world drifts from God's ways. Most of us don't like to stick out. But what happens when blending in is spiritually harmful? What do we do when mainstream culture pulls us away from Jesus? As we study this letter, we'll confront one of the biggest...

My Friends! Pain and suffering are harsh realities we all face. For many, these struggles can seem like barriers to trusting in a good and loving God. The question arises: how could a loving God allow so much hardship and heartbreak in the world, day after day, for centuries? This is not just a question for the unbelieving world, but also for believers wrestling with the trials of life. Yet, there...

Have you looked around the world lately and thought, “Things are getting weird?” The world seems to be going a little crazy. In the Bible, the book of the Revelation talks about the end of days. It is typically associated with doomsday or the end of the world, leaving us feeling confused. This book also talks about how to be ready for tough times! Early in the book, the Apostle John wr...

Have you ever heard the tale of Baarack, the Merino ram? No, I'm not talking about the biblical Barak who partnered with Deborah to lead Israel into battle. This particular Baarack is famous for a different kind of struggle. You see, Baarack was a sheep, who had somehow gotten lost in the wilderness for a long time—years, in fact! During that time, without anyone to care for him, Baraak's wo...

Have you ever been in a situation where there is some sort of a VIP attendance, but some people are wasting their time? Usually when that happens, the staff or handlers of the VIP will whisk the “wrong” people away so the right people can see the VIP. We are going to see a situation in the Bible where the exact opposite happened, and it really shocked everyone! On week 2 of our Wooden...

You may have heard this story yourself once or twice. One of the kids is walking through the kitchen, and a comment is made. Yes, that comment. After that…let’s just say Mom had one less wooden spoon to stir the sauce with! So, whether you dodged it, faced it, or still flinch at the sight of it — you’re officially a Wooden Spoon Survivor! Many of us are now on the other si...

We all know that some words simply carry a heavy weight— words that stir up feelings of pain, bias, injustice, and fear. So when we encounter these words in Scripture, it’s easy to feel confused or even triggered, unsure of how to understand or apply them. But what if instead of shying away, we leaned into these words and discovered something powerful?

We’re exploring the deeper meaning of what it truly means to walk in the faith. Our spiritual journey is far more than just a reflection of our belief in Jesus; it’s a vital pathway that unlocks our full potential and enables us to have a profound impact for God’s Kingdom. As we continue our series, “From Death to Life,” we delve into Ephesians 5, where Paul unveils t...

In this powerful episode of the Island Christian Church Podcast, Pastor Christopher Coats reflects on the deeper meaning behind Johnny Cash's iconic song "Walk The Line." He explores how we often approach faith like following a set of rules, yet the true call of Jesus goes far beyond mere adherence to regulations. Pastor Chris takes us through a transformative journey in Ephesians, emphasizing the...

One of the most popular summer pastimes is a trip to the ice cream parlor. But it seems like that's going out of fashion now because everyone is so health conscious! These days, there's a kale smoothie waiting to ambush you around every corner. You can't even enjoy a bag of chips without someone reminding you of the calorie count. Yoga mats have become as common as doormats, and people spend more...

This week, we will return to the book of Ephesians and look at one of the most powerful statements in the whole Bible: God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I have a pretty big imagination, so it’s quite a challenge to know that God can do infinitely more than anything I could ever come up with! What are you asking God to do in your life? Where are you asking Him to show u...

This week, we are thrilled to bring you a powerful sermon by Pastor Danny Rivera, a close friend of Pastor Chris and a dedicated leader from Huntington Assembly of God. Pastor Danny delivers an inspiring message titled "Everyday Missionaries", urging each of us to embrace our roles as ambassadors of Christ in our daily lives. He emphasizes that regardless of our past or present circumstances, the...

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the Christian journey is a radical process. So much more than simply trying harder, making educated decisions, or learning to be a good religious person. It includes recognizing the most devastating news to reach all humanity, while also embracing the best gift in all of history. It’s marked by Divine interventions every step of the way, from conversio...

It was on June 12, 1987, that President Ronald Reagan said those famous words, “Mr Gorbechev, tear down this wall!” At that time, Berlin was a divided city, with the Berlin Wall separating Communist East Berlin from Democratic West Berlin. The Wall was not just a physical barrier, but also a symbol of the Cold War division between communist Eastern Europe and democr...

Do you ever wonder how those hookups on tall buildings that look like fire hydrants work? They're called standpipes, and they're crucial for fire safety. If they're not connected properly, disaster can strike. Just like a building needs a reliable water supply for its standpipes to function, we need to be deeply connected to Christ for our spiritual life to thrive. Join us to explore Ephesians 1:1...

We are kicking off the summer in the best way possible – with a new sermon series in the book of Ephesians, titled “From Death To Life”. Written to Christians navigating a culture known for its wealth, diversity, and rampant idol worship, Paul's letter showcases the life-giving power of the Gospel. This power not only affects us for eternity but also empowers us to live purposefu...

We are tackling a big, important topic for this week's service. What would you say if I told you there is one element of Christianity that, if you were to prove it false, would render the entire faith to be useless? It may sound dramatic, but Christianity is all about one thing. If that one thing is false, the rest really doesn't matter! Come listen to the final message of our Spring series, Like...

When you visit a doctor's office, you're often asked, "So, what brings you here?" The reasons can range from a simple sore throat to more serious concerns. The same applies to coming to church to worship - not everyone comes for the same reasons. Some motives are more pure than others and simply being present isn’t always what matters most. In this message we're going to dive into an unforge...

Have you ever thought about who God’s VIPs might be? We might assume it’s people with a lot of talent or a big following, but Jesus said something completely different. Here we will study Mark 10 and learn why Jesus thinks children should get front-row seats and why a rich man might need more than a budgeting app to enter heaven. In short, God’s kingdom flips our values upside do...

In this episode, we will explore an incredible moment in Mark 8 when the Disciples realized that Jesus was indeed "the" Christ. After that realization, Jesus taught them what it truly means to be the Christ. His response to their declaration surprised the Disciples, and it just might surprise you, too! As we continue our sermon series, "Like No Other," in the Gospel of Mark, we will see how this r...

Take a moment and think about a time when you were really in a hurry. When you had one of those days when your issue, need, or concern was so essential that you had to jump to the front of the line to ensure it happened. How do we feel if it doesn't work out in those moments? With this message, we will learn about a man named Jairus. He came to see Jesus with an incredibly pressing need, perhaps t...

Everyone is drawn to a captivating story. From the classics of Homer and Aesop to the modern tales of Disney and Twain, storytelling has shaped our perceptions of life and the world around us. Yet, amidst these great narrators that can capture attention, only one Storyteller has the power to change lives and affect them for eternity. We’re going to dive into one of the timeless stories told...

Have you ever encountered someone who defied all labels? Or maybe that person is you! We're diving into Mark 3 and exploring why so many people struggled to understand Jesus, from Pharisees to His own family. Despite their differing perspectives, one truth remains: Jesus transcends human expectations and ideologies. Discover why "Jesus + nothing = everything" and unlock new perspectives on faith a...

Have you ever thought about the way people reacted to Jesus’ ministry? When Jesus taught, healed people, and performed miracles, the crowds and leaders saw things they had never seen before! As you might expect, they had some questions. Today, we are going to study Mark 2:13 to 3:6. We will see four unusual moments in which people had questions. When we see how Jesus answers these questions,...