The Alley Church Podcast

John talked about the names of God and that He alone is to be worshipped. We are worshipping all the time, like a garden hose…it is what we aim it at, what we think will save us is what we worship. Our master is what we worship. We are building on this thought: Jesus is Lord, and Lord is not his first name, but his title. MASTER. Which we have recently defined and discussed. Now we are back to the...

Samantha Testimony The Manchineel Tree looks like a tropical apple or guava tree, and its fruit looks enticing. This tree, by appearance, is beautiful. They are found in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, mostly in coastal regions. This tree, by appearance, is quite nice. But never stand under one or even touch it. Its sap is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin upon contact....

Let’s read it! Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV): (12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (13) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7: 6-11 - Keep asking, seeking and knocking Good morning, church. Today we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount—a teaching from Jesus that turns worldly thinking upside down and invites us into the kingdom of God. Growing up, I thought these were one-off lessons that I was to obey or try to obey. As we have been journeying through learning this Sermon Jesus preached, actual...

Two weeks ago, we talked about "do not worry," and how we stress over things that probably won't even happen. 85% of the things we worry about will NEVER HAPPEN. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know He's in charge of His Kingdom, but, let's face it, we like to control our own Kingdom. Consider this: if we profess to be followers of Jesus and pray, genuinely implore, beg f...

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became lik...

H oly Week, also known as Passion Week, spans from Palm Sunday to Easter. For 1700 years, Christians worldwide have used this time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. We remember his entry into Jerusalem, his crucifixion, and his resurrection, understanding God's plan to restore humanity and the price Jesus paid. Bible project on facebook, You version chosen  EASTER! TELL, I...

We are discussing undivided devotion and genuine trust in the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:24–25 is situated in the heart of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount , a foundational teaching that outlines the values of the Kingdom of God.  Matt 6: 19-25 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasure...

We live in a world that constantly tells us to chase after more—more money, more success, more data, more things, more time. But Jesus challenges us with a simple question: Where is your treasure? In Matthew 6:19-24, He calls us to examine where our hearts are truly invested. 6:1-18 done in private 6:19-34 things done publicly ( 19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths an...

Matthew 6: 16-18- The Practice of Fasting  A common theme for these last three instructions of Jesus including today: Christians give, we pray, and we fast and we don’t make a big deal about it. We certainly don’t do it to get the respect of others, or to impress people or that it’s our religious duty. We are told to do it in secret, privately, in front of God our Father who knows and sees everyth...

Last week we brought up “Lent” which means to lengthen as in Spring and the days are getting longer. However, it comes at the time we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Lent is 40 days. From Ash Wednesday to Maundy (mandate) Thursday the 17th of April. The 40 days commemorate the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness, He ate nothing during those 40 days while He...

Talk about lent: Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert while enduring temptation. Lent is to prepare us for Easter, the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It starts this Ash Wednesday the 5th and ends the Thursday the 17th before Easter which is April 20th. It is a time to be thinking about what Christ’s death and resurrection mean to you and to pray...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax co...

Matthew 5: 38-42 - Do not Retaliate   “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you,...

Let your words be true Matthew 5: 33-37 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you...

Matt 5:27-30 - Purity Starts in the Heart Matt 5:27-30 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into...

We are studying the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes solidify our identity and paint a vision of those who are in the Kingdom of God. Now we are being instructed on how the Kingdom of Heaven is different from the Kingdom of Religion.  Last week, we defined some important words to set the stage for the rest of our series on the Sermon on the Mount. One of those words was Righteousness.(podcast)...

Jesus, the fulfillment of the law Advent, NY tools  - 2025 = seeking him and knowing him in a deeper way Which we are always all about and invite each of you into this! Trust & Obey Sermon on the Mount revisited - where we are now in the new year. And we read that we are salt and light. We are like a preservative for this decaying world. And we make it taste better.  Review Advent The OT point...

A New Year, A New Opportunity - Hello 2025 Philippians 3:12-14  We are having our worlds collide this morning by combining our Shandel Group  Coaching with the Alley Church.  This is a motivational message for setting goals in the new year in the most important area in your life. Your relationship with Jesus. SMART goals for Jesus people!  specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound...

What is love  How could we preach this sermon without using John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Advent culminates, we light the Christ candle on Tuesday and what He did for us we celebrate today with the ultimate expression of love: God sending His Son, Jesus, to rescue and redeem humanity fro...

Week 3 of Advent: Joy  God Has Come to Earth Luke 2:8-14, Matthew 2: 1-18 Advent means “coming” from the latin word adventus and that is what we are celebrating.  First, that Jesus came as the Messiah, the Christ, to die for our sins, And He is coming again in all His fullness, power and glory.

Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of...

Take a moment and close your eyes. I want you to think about Christmas. What comes to mind? What images of Christmas do you see? How many of you had images of family gathered around a Christmas tree? How many thought of presents, maybe the best gift you ever received? Maybe you have sad thoughts about Christmas? Because of good and or bad memories of Christmases past.  Or being disappointed where...

Thanksgiving! And what we mean is Give Thanks! Phil 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (gratitude), present your requests to God. (Promise) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Begin here:  I’m naturally someone who is a glass half empty kind of guy. I...