The Surge Podcast

What is the endgame, the ultimate reward, for following Jesus? It’s not just to be a better person, although we will be better people. It’s not just going to heaven, although we will. It’s not to be pain or problem free. It’s “fear not.” The endgame is to make us fearless. The lack of fear results from our utter confidence that God is always with us regardless of the circumstances, even painful on...

If I were to follow Jesus, would I be expected to just drop everything in my life? Following Jesus begins with listening and asking questions, not leaving your world, your family, and your job. Jesus teaches truth, we listen, ask questions, and learn. It’s not blind faith. It’s based on information Jesus imparts. But don’t be surprised Jesus might lead you to do something that makes no sense, mayb...

If I were interested in a job following Jesus, what would my resume have to look like? Jesus invites people who are a mess into a relationship, and you don’t even have to believe anything or do anything. There’s no admission fee. He picked people others thought should not have been allowed into the club. Change happens through the “following” Jesus.

Are there truths of the Christian faith worth dying on the hill for? Well, truth is truth, and all truth is God’s truth. That said, not all truth is of equal importance. “A prophet is without honor in his hometown” is true, but it may not be as important as “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” What are the truths worth dividing over and what are th...

Surprise!! It’s about the resurrection.

As a Christian, can you tell me why you do what you do? God has saved us, but left us here on earth. Seems logical to think there must be a reason He hasn’t just taken us home. In fact, what’s delaying God from just ending this mess down here and getting the fun stuff of eternity with Him started? Don’t we know it’s because there are yet people to be saved? Shouldn’t that be about what we’re about...

How do we distinguish issues that are not worth disagreeing over from those that are? Yes, we don’t just “get along” to “get along” on every issue. Some are matters of opinion where we have the freedom to do what God tells us individually, but some are more indisputable issues, where God has clearly spoken. On the latter, we need to take a stand. Even on those, there’s a right, loving way to begin...

How do we handle disagreements in church? Don’t be sitting around judging each other on disputable issues, where everyone has the freedom to do what God tells them to do. Be sensitive to newer, less mature Christians—do what helps them grow. Judging doesn’t help that growth, by the way. be willing to pass on your own freedom in Christ out of deference to others in the body.

What would really happen if we took Jesus seriously? Connecting the story of dramatic change in Ephesus to the call Paul makes in this passage for Christians to wake up. I never saw before that the dramatic change in Ephesus began when Christians saw the consequences of treating Jesus as something less that He really was. He’s not a genie or a consultant; He’s God and He wants to be Lord.

What are Christians to be known for? We should be known for our love—owe no one anything, except to love each other.

There are two trains heading towards each other. One train is traveling at 200 mph and the other at 171 mph. How long before we figure out the proper use of power and influence in light of God's love for us?

What does it look like for me to be in the right place at the right time and step fully into what God wants me to do in that moment?

What does it look like for me to be in the right place at the right time and step fully into what God wants me to do in that moment?

So I have a sweater and houseshoes, I like kids... how do bring I bring calling into the world?

How do guardrails limit heartache for me and those around me? Proverbs 4 has Solomon telling us to guard ours heart because everything we do flows from it. So, we need some guardrails for our hearts. You ever say something and wonder, “Where’d that come from?” Answer: your heart. So, how to tell the heart’s got a problem? You’ll find guilt, anger, greed, jealousy. When you hit these guardrails, wh...

How do guardrails limit our mistakes with money? If you can’t serve both God and money, how to do tell if money is your master? This is about setting up guardrails with regard to over-consumption or greed and handling money wisely.

How do guardrails keep my significant other significant? It’s about keeping your significant other your significant other

How do guardrails keep friends and associates from driving us into a ditch? This is about the need for guardrails with regard to friends and associates. Modern science and the bible show us that we become like those we hang around with. So, choose wisely.

How do guardrails give us practical protection in our personal lives? The main text is Ephesians 5:15-18, and this first message is just establishing the wisdom of having guardrails in our lives to protect us from going into a ditch, i.e., damaging our lives and our futures. Identify where you’re at risk and set some boundaries. Society won’t do this for you, but it will laugh at you and ridicule...

Christmas Eve With The Surge!

The Surge Christmas

Does anyone else have a hard time thinking about anything else but their problems? Two helps with anxiety. (1) Think about the right thing. Problems require some thought, some attention, but fixation? Probably not. Obsessing? Nope. Scripture tells us to be careful what we ponder. Not talking here about positive thinking, but Godward thinking. Intentionally direct your mind to God. Meditate on His...

Has anyone out there found a good counselor to help you with your anxieties and fears? God commands us (not a suggestion) to stop worrying. Great. How do we do that? God's recommendation: pray. But prayer isn't to just be a rehearsal of your worries. It's unburdening yourself, getting rid of the burden, putting them on God. He can handle it. Stop trusting in you; instead trust in God. Plead specif...

Money is tight right now, so how can I not be terrified about finances when I get older? This message is all about financial anxieties, given that 80% of Americans have financial fears ranging from somewhat to extreme. Even the rich have these fears. We can handle money better, but those concepts don't cure this because it's our hearts that need curing. Our fears reveal our idols, what we really w...

How do I break this fear that something bad is always lurking just around the corner? The focus is on fear of the future, what's going to happen. The belief that Murphy's Law is true if it can go wrong, it will. The answer to our key question is found in three questions. 1) Who am I listening to? It'd ought to be Jesus; 2) Who am I trusting? It ought to be Jesus. Our fears show us we're not. 3) Wh...