The Madison Church Podcast

What does it truly mean to live a Spirit-guided life beyond Sunday mornings and worship experiences? Through the lens of a profound contrast in the early church, we discover that authenticity matters more than appearance when building genuine spiritual community. The story of Acts 4-5 presents us with two portraits: a radically generous community characterized by trust, and a couple whose deceptio...

What does courage look like when following Jesus means facing resistance? Pastor Stephen Feith takes us through Acts 3-4, where we discover that spiritual boldness isn't reserved for the naturally confident or specially trained—it's available to every believer who depends on the Holy Spirit. The journey begins with Peter and John noticing a disabled man whom everyone else had learned to...

The space between Jesus' ascension and Pentecost represents one of the most unique transitional periods in church history. What do you do when your leader has physically departed, but the promised Holy Spirit hasn't yet arrived? This message explores this fascinating moment captured in Acts 1:12-26, revealing how the early disciples navigated uncertainty while preparing for God's ne...

Have you ever found yourself caught in life's waiting room? That space between where you were and where you're headed, but with no clear roadmap for how to get there? In this powerful message on waiting, Pastor Stephen Feith gets refreshingly honest about his own struggles with patience and the tendency to either rush ahead or delay too long. Drawing from Acts 1, we witness the disciples...

Between resurrection and Pentecost lies a crucial season that transformed ordinary followers into world-changers. This waiting period wasn't wasted—it was precisely where God prepared His people for an unprecedented mission. The disciples found themselves in limbo. Their Rabbi had conquered death, yet confusion lingered. What comes next? When would Israel be restored? Rather than offering cle...

Jesus is alive, and that changes everything. The resurrection stands as the ultimate pivot point of history—not just as a miracle to analyze but as a living reality that transforms how we understand ourselves and our world. What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead? It means that death isn't the final word. It means that suffering doesn't have the last say. Most radically, it means...

Hope doesn't come after pain—it rises within our pain. As we continue our journey through Luke's gospel in week two of our "Hope Rising" series, we encounter Jesus preparing his followers for difficult times ahead. While they admired the magnificent temple in Jerusalem—its stunning white limestone and gold accents symbolizing permanence and divine presence—Jesus delivers a shoc...

What makes the Prince of Peace flip tables and chase people out of the temple? In this powerful exploration of Jesus' temple cleansing, we discover a Savior passionate about protecting sacred space and genuine relationship with God. The temple courts had become a marketplace where vendors exploited worshippers - particularly Gentile seekers who could only access the outer court. Money changer...

Lead Pastor Stephen Feith concludes the powerful 12-week "A Life That Matters" series with a profound exploration of surrender as the gateway to significance. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem in Luke 18-19, we witness both the anticipation of Palm Sunday and the heartbreak of misunderstanding that follows. Through encounters with a blind beggar who sees with spiritual clarity and a wealthy...

What defines your worth? Is it achievements, wealth, status, influence, or how you compare to others? In this piercing exploration of Luke 18, we confront the universal human tendency to measure ourselves against others and trust in worldly securities rather than God's grace. Through three powerful encounters, Jesus systematically dismantles conventional wisdom about success and righteousness...

Pastor Stephen Feith takes us on a profound journey through three powerful narratives from Luke's gospel that reveal what authentic faith looks like in daily life. Beginning with the story of ten lepers healed by Jesus, we discover that while all ten received physical transformation, only one—a Samaritan—returned to express gratitude. This singular act transformed his experience from mere phy...

As life often overwhelms us with responsibilities, we must ask ourselves: what are we clinging to? This episode explores our tendency to overcommit and carry too many burdens and challenges us to reflect on what truly matters, especially as we enter the season of Lent. Our pastor shares a personal story that resonates with many, highlighting the struggle between fulfilling our obligations and maki...

Prepare to embark on a transformative journey in our latest episode, where we unravel the profound teachings found in Luke 16. Starting with a pressing question—what would you do if you had only 24 hours left to live?—the discussion leads us to a greater understanding of how time constraints can reveal our true priorities. This episode offers rich insights into the relationship between wealth and...

What happens when you check your bank account and wonder where all the money went? Join me, Stephen Feith, on a journey through life's losses as we explore not just financial dilemmas but the deeper losses we all face. From lost pets to missing people, I reflect on how these universal experiences mirror God's longing for those who are far from him. Together, we traverse the Gospel of Luk...

What if the kingdom of God isn't just a distant hope, but a vibrant reality unfolding right now? Inspired by theologian N.T. Wright, we explore this transformative concept, challenging the notion of an untouchable heaven by highlighting how Jesus's work reveals an overlap between heaven and earth. Through the lens of the Gospel of Luke, we grapple with the cost of discipleship and the un...

Imagine a world where baking sourdough becomes a profound metaphor for spiritual introspection. That's exactly what we explore as we reminisce about our sourdough-filled adventures, from crafting loaves of bread to unexpected creations like chocolate cake. These culinary experiments become a lens through which we examine deeper truths, inspired by Jesus’ caution against the "yeast of the...

Ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Dive deep into the essence of authentic discipleship in this transformative episode. We promise you'll explore the profound journey of aligning your internal values with your external actions, illuminated by the teachings of Jesus in Luke 11. Join us as we tackle the struggles of divided loyalties, spiritual blindness, and the...

What does it truly mean to live a life that matters? Uncover transformative insights from Luke's gospel as we navigate the profound journey of discipleship. We're not just talking about gaining knowledge or adhering to rituals; we're exploring a life reshaped by love, prayer, and relationships. This episode promises to challenge your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, a...

Ever wondered why so many of us abandon our New Year's resolutions before January even ends? Join me, Stephen Feith, as I uncover the hidden motivations behind our commitments and reveal how understanding your "why" might just be the key to lasting change. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical insights, I explore the significance of setting compelling reasons for our action...

What if the path of faith meant embracing the unknown, where logic and divine promises seem to clash? Join us on this spiritual journey as we explore the lives of biblical figures like Samuel, Moses, Gideon, and Abraham, who exemplify the art of listening, trusting, and obeying God's call. We promise you'll discover how to tap into the profound strength and courage necessary to navigate...

What if embracing doubt could actually deepen your faith journey? Today, we unravel the powerful story of Gideon from Judges chapters 6 and 7, where faith isn't the absence of doubt but the bravery to move forward amidst it. Through Gideon's experience, we uncover insights on how God sees our potential even in our weakest moments and how we can learn to trust and take action despite over...

What happens when the ordinariness of life suddenly becomes an extraordinary calling? Discover how Moses, a humble shepherd, found his divine mission amidst the mundane and how his journey can illuminate your path. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of God's presence, even when we doubt our abilities or feel overwhelmed by life's chaos. Through Moses's encounter with the...

Ever felt spiritually disconnected, like a phone stranded in a dead zone? Join us as we unravel the metaphor of spiritual connectivity, inspired by a recent leadership retreat in Wisconsin Dells. This episode uncovers how we can feel spiritually adrift despite having all the right tools, just like a smartphone that's useless without a network. We reflect on strategies to reposition ourselves...

What happens when life's challenges seem overwhelming, and self-care feels inadequate? Join Sarah Hanson as she recounts a particularly tough week marked by the loss of a cherished family cat, and the emotional task of breaking the news to her daughter Maggie, serving as a missionary far from home. With her husband's medical issues requiring a grueling visit to the Mayo Clinic, she finds...

Have you ever pondered Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" This compelling episode wraps up our "Finding Your Place and Purpose" series by challenging you to explore the depths of your faith through the lens of Jesus's profound teachings and miracles in the Gospel of Luke. By embracing the transformative power of true discipleship, we promise to guide you in a jou...