The First Stream Podcast

What kind of people would pull up all that they know and go to a country that some of them had never seen before? What kind of people would risk everything for a reward they had no guarantee of? A people of faith, who choose the hard road of obedience and exchange their comfort for the promise. 

Join us as we journey through the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah in our new series "Build."    Today we begin by looking at the context and themes of Ezra, how through unlikely people, God still fulfills his promises. 

This week's message takes us into the heart of Jesus' farewell discourse in John 14, where we encounter a profound truth: sometimes God's greatest gifts come through departure, not presence. We explore the disciples' fear of abandonment as Jesus announces His leaving, a fear that resonates deeply with our own experiences of feeling directionless or forgotten by God.

This week's exploration of 1 Peter 2 confronts us with one of life's most fundamental questions: Who are we? Drawing from the apostle Peter's letter to persecuted churches scattered across Asia, we discover that our identity isn't found in our achievements, social status, or personal struggles, but entirely in Christ.

How does understanding that Revelation was written to encourage persecuted believers rather than terrify them change the way you read apocalyptic passages in Scripture? Find out in today's episode. 

This powerful reflection challenges us to move beyond treating Easter as a single-day celebration and instead embrace it as a transformative season that reshapes our entire lives.

This powerful exploration of Matthew's resurrection account reminds us that we are all searching for something to fill the void within our hearts. Through the angel's four profound statements to the women at the empty tomb, we discover timeless answers to our deepest questions.

This sermon explores the contrast between what the crowds expected from Jesus on Palm Sunday and what He actually came to accomplish. Through examining the two signs the people gave—throwing down their cloaks (echoing Jehu's anointing) and waving palm branches (recalling Judas Maccabeus's victory)—we saw how easily we can create a messiah in our own image rather than following the true Messiah.

This exploration of Matthew 19 confronts us with one of the most challenging questions in the Christian life: what are we holding onto that keeps us from fully embracing God's kingdom? Through the familiar story of the rich young ruler, we discover that eternal life isn't just another item to add to our spiritual checklist—it's a complete transformation of everything we value.

In Matthew 12, we encounter a profound challenge to our understanding of religious observance and genuine faith. The passage reveals Jesus healing a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, sparking controversy with the Pharisees who valued strict adherence to religious law above compassion. What makes this story so compelling is the realization that the Pharisees were not heartless legalists—the...

This powerful exploration of Matthew 9:35-38 invites us to reconsider how we see the world around us. The passage reveals Jesus moving through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing, but what truly stands out is the deep compassion that moved Him. This wasn't a passing sympathy or fleeting concern. The original language suggests a gut-wrenching, stomach-turning response to the suffer...

This exploration of Jesus' final temptation in the wilderness confronts us with one of humanity's most seductive tests: the temptation of power. Building on Jesus' 40-day fast and His responses to earlier temptations about provision and protection, we encounter the devil's ultimate offer—all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. What makes this passage from Matthew 4 so profound is no...

This week's exploration of Matthew's account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness reveals something profound about the battles we face in our own spiritual lives. We discover that the enemy's oldest trick isn't questioning our identity directly, but rather questioning God's love and provision for us.

This exploration of Matthew 17 and the Transfiguration invites us behind the divine curtain to witness who Jesus truly is. The message challenges us to examine our own spiritual lives: How long has it been since we've been so touched by God's presence that it had a noticeable effect on us? Like Peter, we often get caught up in doing rather than abiding, working in God's presence rather than simply...

This message draws us into the heart of what truly matters in our faith journey by exploring 1 Corinthians 2. Using the relatable metaphor of moving from one home to another, we're challenged to examine what we're taking with us as we transition through different seasons of life and faith. Just as moving forces us to sort through our possessions and decide what's worth keeping, we must ask ourselv...

Psalm 15 poses a profound question that reshapes how we think about our relationship with God: what kind of person dwells in His presence? This isn't about meeting requirements or proving our worthiness—it's about recognizing the transformation that happens when God's presence dwells within us.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y...

This exploration of Isaiah 42 takes us deep into the heart of God's promise to His people in exile, revealing truths that resonate powerfully with our own lives today.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips    

A sermon from Ephesians 3 and being God's new creation family.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips  

A sermon from the first Sunday after the Epiphany.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips  

A sermon for Epiphany 2026.      Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips

"The light shone in the darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it."   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips    

A message from the Rev. Ken Aycock     Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips  

What can we learn from Joseph and his "yes" to God? Listen to find out.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips  

The song the shepherds heard, that still rings out today.      Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips  

The Second Sunday of Advent, and our second in our series "Peace on Earth" from Isaiah 11.   Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/2kaaancn X : https://x.com/CAChurchMobile  YouTube https://tinyurl.com/y5s8k6j7   Outro music: “Coffee and Conversation” by Audio Insider Outro by Caleb Phillips