Open Door Church Official Podcast

In this powerful Advent message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores how God brought peace to shepherds in a field before bringing it to a palace. Discover why peace isn't the absence of chaos, but the presence of Jesus Christ—and why it requires pursuit, not passivity. The shepherds watching over sacrificial lambs were the first to hear the greatest announcement in history. Their story reveals profoun...

Have you ever prayed for something so long that you stopped expecting the answer? In this powerful Advent message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth—a faithful couple who waited 40 years for a child while continuing to serve God in the temple. Through their story found in Luke 1, discover a profound truth: God's silence isn't His absence. Sometimes heaven's delays...

In this Thanksgiving message, John Lassiter from Open Door Church's teaching team teaches about the spiritual discipline of remembering God's faithfulness. Drawing from Deuteronomy 8, John challenges us to slow down in our busy season and resist the cultural trap of comparison and entitlement. Through vulnerable personal stories—from his journey as a school principal to watching his daughters get...

Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or like you're constantly losing battles in your life? In this episode, Pastor Stephen Mizell discusses spiritual warfare and how to stand victorious in Christ. In the final sermon of our "Stronger" series through Ephesians, we uncover the truth about who your real enemy is—and it's not the people around you. Discover how the enemy uses deception, division, and distr...

Stronger in Relationships | Building on a Firm Foundation Series When Christ is at the center, relationships become stronger. When He's not, they become weaker. Pastor Stephen Mizell teaches from Ephesians 5-6 about how our faith should transform our closest relationships—in marriage, family, and work. Your relationships are the mirror that shows you how you're doing on the inside. If your faith d...

Are you living like the person God has called you to be? Pastor Stephen Mizell delivers a challenge about the gap between what we believe and how we live. Using Ephesians 4-5, he reminds us that real strength isn't proven by what you say you believe—it's proven by how you choose to live. In This Episode: Why we can't keep wearing the "dirty diaper" of our old life The three guardrails for Christia...

Are you growing spiritually or just getting older? In this episode of the Open Door Church podcast, Pastor Stephen Mizell tackles a crucial question every believer must answer: What's the difference between natural growth and intentional maturity? Drawing from Ephesians 4, Pastor Stephen reveals why salvation is just the starting line, not the finish line. He challenges us to move from being spiri...

Description: In this message from our Stronger series, Pastor Stephen Mizell reminds us that God's plan for your life is bigger than your life. Drawing from Ephesians 3, he unpacks the mystery of God's purpose—revealed through Christ and displayed through the church. Discover how to find meaning in trials, live rooted in love, and walk confidently in the purpose God has designed for you. Scripture...

In a world increasingly divided by algorithms, politics, and social media echo chambers, the gospel offers something radically different: true unity through Christ. Pastor Stephen Mizell shows how Jesus tears down walls and creates one new family from strangers and outsiders. Key Points: Algorithms divide us, but the cross unites us Remember you were once an outsider—stay humble Christ's death rec...

In week three of our Stronger series, Pastor Stephen Mizell teaches from Ephesians 2 on the power of God's grace. Grace doesn't just make you better—it makes you alive. Discover what it means to move from death to life, to receive mercy you can't earn, and to live from grace instead of performance. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–10 Key Quote: "Grace doesn't grade on a curve—it's graded on a cross." If t...

In this week's sermon, Pastor Stephen Mizell continues our "Stronger" series from the book of Ephesians, diving deep into what it means to have spiritual vision. Drawing from Ephesians 1:15-23, Pastor Stephen reveals why we live in a culture flooded with information but starving for wisdom—and how God wants to open our eyes to see what really matters. This isn't about physical sight; it's about sp...

In a world that defines us by our politics, performance, and popularity, Pastor Stephen Mizell delivers a powerful reminder of where our true identity is found. This week, we begin a 9-week journey through the book of Ephesians, starting with the foundational truth that will anchor everything else: who we are in Christ. Pastor Stephen addresses the identity crisis plaguing both culture and the chu...

Pastor Stephen Mizell | September 14, 2025 In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and morally upside-down, how do we stand strong? In this timely episode, Pastor Stephen Mizell takes us through 2 Timothy 3:1-17, showing us how to live faithfully when everything around us feels unstable. Paul's 2,000-year-old letter to Timothy reads like today's headlines, describing the very conditions we're w...

Faith That Speaks Up: The Courage to Change Generations What happens when five sisters decide to challenge an entire system? In this episode, we dive into the remarkable story of Zelophehad's daughters from Numbers 27—five women who faced an impossible situation in ancient Israel's male-dominated culture and chose to speak up rather than stay silent. Their father had died, leaving them with no inh...

Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Moses did too. In this powerful message from our One Hit Wonders series, we explore how Moses's father-in-law Jethro spoke life-changing wisdom into one of history's greatest leaders - and what that means for us today. Join us as we discover three transformational truths from Exodus 18 that will revolutionize how you handle...

Ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Feeling isolated or wondering who you can really trust? In this episode from our "One Hit Wonders" series, we dive into the remarkable story of Ittai the Gittite - an unlikely hero who demonstrated extraordinary loyalty to King David when everyone else abandoned him. When David faced his darkest hour as his own son Absalom staged a coup, this foreign war...

Have you ever felt overlooked or unimportant in God's kingdom? This week we dive into the story of Huldah, a prophet so obscure that even seasoned Bible readers might miss her significance. Living in the second district of Jerusalem as the wife of a temple wardrobe keeper, Huldah seemed like an unlikely candidate for divine consultation. Yet when King Josiah needed to hear from God, it was this fa...

In this week's episode from our "One Hit Wonders" series, we dive deep into the story of Gehazi, Elisha's servant who made a fateful decision that cost him everything. This powerful message explores how even those in close proximity to God's miraculous power can be drawn away by the allure of money and influence. In This Episode: Why money remains one of the most challenging topics in church How G...

What happens when someone with every right to stay silent decides to speak up instead? In this episode, we dive deep into the story of Naaman's servant girl - a young prisoner of war whose simple act of faith changed everything. This unnamed girl had lost everything. Taken captive, forced to serve in enemy territory, with no platform or position of influence. Yet in one pivotal moment, she chose t...

In this week's sermon we dive deep into the story of Simon of Cyrene - a man who gets just one verse in Scripture but whose brief encounter with Jesus changed everything. Pastor Stephen Mizell explores how sometimes we're chosen to carry something sacred when we least expect it, and how these divine interruptions can transform our lives and draw us closer to Christ. The difference between carrying...

What if the thing that makes you feel most "different" is exactly what God wants to use to bring freedom to others? In this episode of the Open Door Sermon Podcast, Pastor Steven Mizell continues our "One Hit Wonders" series by diving into the fascinating story of Ehud - a left-handed man who became one of Israel's most unlikely heroes. In ancient times, being left-handed wasn't just unusual - it...

Welcome to the opening message of our new "One Hit Wonders" series, where we dive deep into the untold stories of obscure biblical figures who appear briefly but carry life-changing lessons. In this challenging message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores the tragic yet inspiring story of Jephthah's daughter from Judges 11 - a nameless young woman whose father's rash vow changed everything. This isn't...

Join us for a sermon on the Holy Spirit, shared on Pentecost Sunday. Explore the events of Acts 2 and understand the Holy Spirit's role as our companion, teacher, and source of peace. Learn how the Holy Spirit guides us in truth and reassures us of God's promises. Whether you're deepening your faith or curious about the Holy Spirit, this sermon offers practical insights and encouragement. Stephen...

Join us as we explore the profound wisdom of Psalm 127 and discover how to parent with purpose. In this sermon, we delve into the metaphor of children as arrows in the hands of a warrior, offering practical insights for raising children in today's world. Learn about the importance of understanding your child's unique design, setting the right targets, and applying the correct amount of tension in...

As we continue our "Let's Talk About It" series, we turn our hearts and mind to Prayer. Discover how prayer serves as a vital communication tool with God, offering healing, strength, and transformation. Learn practical insights on how to pray boldly, personally, and together with others, as we explore biblical teachings and personal experiences. Embrace the challenge to deepen your prayer life and...