The 1855 Podcast

Who has the authority to tell us what God’s Word really means? In Matthew 5:17–20, Jesus answers that question before continuing His Sermon on the Mount. This message explores Christ’s relationship to the Scriptures, His fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, and why every believer must joyfully submit to the One who fulfills God’s Word perfectly.

n this message from Matthew 5:13-16, we continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount by exploring what it looks like to live as faithful citizens of God’s kingdom. Jesus teaches that His people are to be distinct from the world, visible in the world, and ultimately live in such a way that others glorify the Father. As we consider one of the most familiar passages in Scripture, we’ll be chall...

In this message from Matthew 5:1-12, we begin our study through the Sermon on the Mount by exploring the Beatitudes and discovering what life looks like for citizens of Christ’s kingdom. Jesus teaches us that true flourishing is found not in self-sufficiency, power, or comfort, but in dependence upon God’s grace, reflection of God’s character, and hope in God’s reward. Join us as we learn what it...

 In Matthew 4:18–22, we find a familiar story that reveals something profound about the heart of Christ and the nature of His kingdom. The men Jesus calls are not who we might expect, and their response challenges many of our assumptions about discipleship, obedience, and surrender. In this message, we conclude our Kingdom Come series by examining the call of Jesus and what it means to follow Him....

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture, but its comfort is rooted in something far deeper than familiarity. In this message, we explore David’s confession, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and discover how every promise in the psalm flows from belonging to the Shepherd Himself.

In this message from Matthew 4:12–17, Pastor John Oliver continues our series through the Gospel of Matthew, exploring the opening moments of Jesus’ ministry and what they reveal about His purpose, His message, and the response He calls for from every person. Whether you are following along in our study of Matthew or listening for the first time, this passage reminds us that the arrival of Jesus c...

As we continue our Kingdom Come journey through Matthew, Student Pastor Joseph Blount walks through Matthew 4:1–11, focusing on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Following His baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness where He faces Satan’s attacks and succeeds where Adam and Israel failed. This message reminds us that Jesus is not a distant Savior who cannot understand our struggles. He knows...

Why would a sinless Savior begin His ministry with a baptism of repentance? In this week’s message from Matthew 3:13–17, we walk through one of the most surprising moments in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan. Why would the spotless Son of God stand among repentant sinners? What does His baptism reveal about the Father, Son, and Spirit? And what does it mean for us...

In this message from our Kingdom Come series through the Gospel of Matthew, Pastor John walks through John’s call to repentance, the danger of religious presumption, and the reality that true repentance always produces fruit. As John prepares the way for Christ, we are confronted with the question: are we merely around the things of God, or have we truly surrendered to the King?

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you expected? In Matthew 2:13–23, we see a family forced to flee, suffering that cannot be ignored, and a King raised in a place no one would have chosen. And yet, through every moment, God is at work.

In this message from Week 3 of Kingdom Come, Pastor John Oliver walks through the Magi's visit and Herod's reaction to show how the King's birth exposes every heart. From those who traveled hundreds of miles to worship, to those who would not walk six, to a ruler who refused to surrender his throne, this passage confronts us with one central question: How will you respond to the King whose Kingdom...

Matthew 1:18–25 confronts us with the reality of the virgin conception. This is not a seasonal detail, but a foundational doctrine that reveals who Jesus truly is. In this passage, we see that Christ is both fully God and fully man, able to represent us and able to save us. This message walks through why the virgin conception matters, what is at stake if it is denied, and how it points us to the g...

Our new series, Kingdom Come, begins in Matthew 1:1–17 with the genealogy of Jesus. While it may seem like an unusual place to start, this passage lays a foundation for everything Matthew will show us about Christ and His Kingdom. Every name tells a story, and together they reveal a God who is faithful, purposeful, and at work through even the most unexpected people and moments. In this message, w...

A family is grieving. A man has died. And Jesus steps into that moment and makes a claim that changes everything. In this Easter message from John 11, we examine the power and meaning of Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This passage reminds us that Jesus did not come simply to comfort our grief, but to confront the cause of it. If the resurrection is true, then life is found in...

Today's Devotional was written and recorded by Children's Minister Joedee Robinson AGONY yet DISCIPLER - In the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46 SURRENDER yet CONTROL - Betrayed and Arrested Matthew 26:47-56. Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-12 BLAMELESS yet CONDEMNED - The Unfair Trial Matthew 26:39-27:26, Mark 14:55-15:15, Luke 22:54-23:25, John 18:17-19...

Today's Devotional was written and recorded by Pastor John Oliver. Read Luke 22:14–20; John 13:1–17, 34–35 REFLECT TOGETHER FOR ADULTS 1. How does understanding the Passover background deepen your view of what Jesus meant when He said, “This is my body…this is my blood”? 2. What does Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, especially Judas and Peter, reveal about the nature of His love? 3. In what ways...

Today's Devotional was written and recorded by Student Pastor Joseph Blount. Read Matthew 26: 14-16, 21-25 & 26:47-56 REFLECT TOGETHER FOR ADULTS 1. What stands out to you about Jesus’ response to betrayal, especially knowing it was coming and who it would come from? 2. Why is it dangerous to assume we are “better than Judas”? What does this passage reveal about our own hearts? 3. How does see...

Today's Devotional was written and recorded by Children's Minister Joedee Robinson Read Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48 REFLECT TOGETHER FOR ADULTS 1. In what ways do people today sometimes turn worship into something that benefits themselves instead of honoring God? 2. If believers are “walking temples” because the Holy Spirit lives in us, how should that shape the way we live dail...

Today's Devotional was written and recorded by Pastor John Oliver. Read Mark 11:12-25 REFLECT TOGETHER FOR ADULTS 1. What stands out to you most about the connection between the fig tree and the temple? Why do you think Jesus paired these two actions together? 2. How can activity (serving, attending, giving) become a substitute for genuine devotion? 3. When you examine your own life, where do you...

This Palm Sunday message from Mark 11:1–11, taught by Student Pastor Joseph Blount, focuses on the heart of worship. As Jesus enters Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds, we’re challenged to consider whether our worship is rooted in truth or driven by expectation. What kind of King are we responding to?

As we close our series through Philippians, we come to Paul’s final words and a clear vision for what it means to be a church worthy of the gospel. In Philippians 4:14–23, we are called to step into the mission of God as partners, live open-handed with our resources while trusting in His provision, and walk together in grace for the glory of God. This message serves as both a conclusion and a comm...

In a world that constantly tells us contentment is just one more achievement away, the Apostle Paul offers a very different perspective. Writing from prison, Paul explains that true contentment is not found in controlling circumstances or finally reaching the next milestone. It is learned through a life anchored in Christ. In this message from Philippians 4:9–13, we explore how living worthy of th...

Anxiety has a way of creeping into every corner of life. Health concerns, family struggles, uncertain seasons, and the weight of the world around us can leave the heart restless. In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul shows us a better way. A life worthy of the gospel is marked by reasonableness toward others, prayer instead of anxiety, and a mind anchored in what is true.

In this message from Philippians 3:15–4:4, we reach the climax of Paul’s call to be a church worthy of the gospel. He urges believers to think like those who are still pressing on toward Christ, to follow examples whose lives reflect heavenly citizenship, and to pursue reconciliation when relationships strain.

This passage confronts where we locate our confidence and clarifies what justification by faith really means. Are we trusting our spiritual performance, or are we resting in the righteousness of Christ? And once our confidence is settled in Him, what does it look like to press forward in pursuit of knowing Him more? If you’ve ever quietly evaluated your standing before God based on how you think y...