Springville Church of the Nazarene's Podcast

This weeks lesson is the first in a series: The Miracles of Jesus. Scripture records 34 miracles Jesus performed. However, it also says that there were so many others that room wouldn't permit their recording. Turning water into wine is the first recorded miracle of Jesus and marked the beginning of His ministry. "A miracle happens when God, who is continuously active in the world, break...

"Lord, If You had been here, my brother would not have died." John 11:21. Why had Jesus waited? In this the final lesson in the I AM series, Pastor Mark vividly draws a word picture of Jesus the I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Have you ever questioned, "Lord, where are you? Why weren't you here when I needed you most?' Listen and hear how all our Lord did and does is P...

The eleven remaining apostles are troubled and confused as Jesus tells them he is leaving.....This was not ending the way they had envisioned. (John 14:1-11). Where was he going? How could they know the way? We might miss a few things in theology and still get to heaven, but we can't miss this one! Jesus is THE WAY. In this same reference, Jesus also says He is the Truth...Not "a truth&q...

The last night of Jesus' life He spoke these words, "I am the good shepherd="the vine - the true one - I AM I AM"(John 15:1-8). As we continue in the I AM series, it would do us well to listen carefully to the words Jesus, himself, wanted us to remember. He is the true vine and we are the branches. There are only two kinds of branches: Branches that bear no fruit (John 15:2a, 6...

Jesus said in John 10:11-12, "I am the good shepherd" or literally "the shepherd--the good one--I am I am". This week's lesson reveals to us how very good He is. A shepherd who KNOWS his sheep and the sheep KNOW their shepherd. That kind of knowing is an intimate, firsthand knowledge; a consummated relationship. Do we really KNOW this Good Shepherd? Do we know His voice? A...

Our study through Jesus' 7 "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John continues in John 1:1-10 with the most "politically incorrect" statement Jesus probably ever spoke: "I Am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved." Our world today rails against this incredible truth. Don't miss Pastor Mark's teaching in this lesson about the "gate" (...

Truth ,by it's very nature, is offensive because it excludes everything that does not agree with it. Today's lesson, the second in the I AM series is very evident of this. Jesus by defining who He is, Who sent Him and what He came to do goes against the grain of the legalistic and traditional teachings of the leaders of that day. So what did Jesus mean by the metaphor "I AM the Ligh...

Get your knife and fork ready because this first lesson in Pastor Mark's new series that teaches who Jesus said, "I AM" is full of meat! Found in John 6: 25-59, each verse contains truths that you will want to spend time chewing. This week's lesson Jesus tells us, "I AM the Bread that gives life to the world; I AM the Bread that came down from Heaven; "Eat this bread...

In this final lesson in the series Stories That Changed the World, Pastor Mark brings clear insight to the meaning and lessons to be learned from the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). There are many similarities in the two, but it is the differences that define the outcome when the storms in this life come.....and they will come! We are the builder and throu...

Are you ready to meet Jesus when He returns? Is there anything that needs to be settled between you and Jesus? Continuing in the series: Stories That Changed the World, Pastor Mark reflects on these questions. The Parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13 explains how five of the virgins came prepared while anticipating the "Groom"; Sadly, the other five did not. We as Christia...

Until He returns Jesus has entrusted us with His Kingdom business. Continuing in the series: Stories That Changed the World, this week's lesson (Matt. 25: 14-30) helps us find our place and responsibility in carrying out that business. Every believer has been given at least one "talent" to be used for furthering the Gospel. How are you using your "talent"? There will come...

Continuing in the series Stories That Changed the World, Pastor Mark delves into what is possibly the hardest teaching Jesus ever spoke. Today's lesson entitled: The Parables of Costly Discipleship(Luke 14:25-33) warns us that we are to seriously consider the cost of following Jesus. In accepting all He did for us on the cross, we must not ignore the truth that everything we are and have now...

As Pastor Mark continues in the series: Stories That Changed the World, this week's lesson is on the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant found in Matthew 18:21-35. This scripture shows the important correlation between our forgiving others and God forgiving us. Pastor Mark gives five practical ways we can live out these Biblical truths. Easy? No, but this teaching will show you the power in for...

Stories That Changed the World ....We continue with Jesus' Parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37) As Pastor Mark works through this lesson he presents three questions: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?", "And who is my neighbor?" and finally, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor?" As we listen and follow in scripture we will discover t...

As we continue with the Stories That Changed the World series we come to probably one of the most familiar parables...The Parable of the Prodigal (Luke 15). Listen as Pastor Mark describes the Setting in the first part of this lesson and then goes on to tell the story of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and the Lost Son. All three stories picture God's desire for that which is lost to be found! As y...

Continuing in the series Stories That Changed the World, this week Pastor Mark teaches on the Parable of the Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44-46. This scripture references two separate parables that are saying the same thing. What is this "Treasure"? What is the precious "Pearl"? Listen and discover for yourself the priceless gift we have been given in Jesus.

Beginning the new year with a series of lessons on the Parables of Jesus, Pastor Mark gives an enlightening message on the Parable of the Sower.(Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). He explains what the sower, seed and soil represent and encourages us all to examine the "soil" of our hearts to assure that the "seed" of the Word of God can produce the abundant life Jesus came to give us.

The last in our Advent Series looks at the coming of our Savior from Heaven's divine viewpoint. What does that mean? The most outstanding characteristic of Jesus is that He is God. His "incarnation" .....taking on human flesh is what He was willing to do to identify and empathize with us. Have you ever thought about what Christmas looks like from God's perspective?

What was it about these shepherds that God chose them to be the first to hear the news of the Savior's birth? Where were they? What were they doing? What was their response? In this lesson, Shepherds: A Portrait of Joy, Pastor Mark helps us understand their "great joy" and gives us keys to living with this joy every day. He shows that true joy is in the relentless pursuit of the One...

Angels, Angels everywhere....Literally thousands of references in literature, art, movies and social media, but what does the Bible say about Angels? What was their part in the birth of our Savior? What was their most outstanding quality? I Peter 1:21 and Ephesians 3:910 tell of the angels watching in "wonder" the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. What is it about the Good News th...

Why Joseph? What does the Bible tell us about him? Why was he chosen to be the earthly step-father to our Savior Jesus Christ? Listen as Pastor Mark leads us to some potent answers to these questions. Why Joseph? Could it be his obedience?

So, why Mary? Why did God choose Mary to be the earthly mother of His Son, Jesus? Honestly, there are a LOT of non-biblical ideas about who Mary was. On the one hand, she is under-appreciated - some churches never mention her. Yet, she was "highly favored" among all women and deserves special recognition. On the other hand, she is over-appreciated - some churches exalt her to a position...

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind." (Psalm 107:8,15,21,31) This is the time of the year when we stop to give thanks, but shouldn't out life be a daily expression of thanksgiving? This lesson gives five habits of a truly grateful person.

In Pastor Mark Leeper's absence, Pastor Michael Johnson from Lemoore, Calif. filled in with heart wrenching and eye-opening information about the Persecuted Church worldwide. November 13th is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted churches and Pastor Johnson's lesson was extremely timely. Let us never forget to keep these brothers and sisters in our prayers.

In the seventh and final letter to the churches Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea, sadly with no words of commendation. The Laodicean church in their pride and total self-reliance had become lukewarm and He reacted strongly with these words, " I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-I am about to spit you...