Islands Christian Church Podcast

In this message, Pastor Stephen unpacks the deep meaning of communion as more than a simple ritual—it’s a banquet that points both backward and forward in our faith. Looking back, we remember Christ’s sacrifice, His body broken and His blood poured out for our freedom. Looking forward, we anticipate the great banquet to come when Jesus returns to celebrate with His people. Along the way, we discov...

What does it mean to be redeemed—but not fully realize it yet? In this message from Islands Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, we explore the powerful truth found in Ephesians 1:3–10. You already have redemption through Jesus Christ. You are holy and blameless in God’s eyes, even if you don’t feel like it. This sermon unpacks the tension of living in the "already and not yet" of the...

Already and Not Yet, Part 2: A Better World is Coming Pastor Stephen Saxton | Romans 8:18–30 | Islands Christian Church Description: Why does the world feel so broken? Why do we instinctively know that things aren’t the way they’re supposed to be? In this episode, Pastor Stephen Saxton unpacks Romans 8:18–30 and the tension we all live in, the already and not yet of the gospel. Though we experienc...

What do you do when life knocks you off rhythm? In this message from Psalm 103, we’re reminded that worship isn’t just an emotion—it’s a declaration. David speaks truth to his soul, choosing to remember God's mercy, justice, and unfailing love. This episode invites you to renew your mind, rest in God’s character, and let His grace move you again—no matter what season you're in. Topics incl...

What does it really mean to love God with all your heart—and how does that love shape the way you treat others? In this message, Pastor Stephen unpacks Jesus’s command in Matthew 22 and reminds us that true love begins with devotion to God. Only when our love for Him is first can we truly love our neighbors in a meaningful, selfless way. From personal stories to powerful theology, this sermon expl...

This message from Pastor Stephen launches a powerful two-week sermon series on The Greatest Command from Matthew 22:37–40. Discover how Jesus' call to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind can bring unity to the fragmented areas of life. If you’ve ever struggled to balance faith, family, work, and personal identity, this teaching offers biblical truth and practical steps to live with gr...

This week, guest speaker Ernie Banks walks us through Romans 12 and what it really means to live in light of God’s mercy. When we truly understand what God has done for us, it changes everything—our mindset, our worship, our relationships, and our purpose. Ernie challenges us to stop conforming to the patterns around us and start living with a renewed mind. From sincere love to using our unique gi...

As we begin our new series Mercy + Light , guest speaker Ernie Banks walks us through the big-picture message of Romans 1–11 to help us understand the weight and beauty of God’s mercy. Before we dive into Romans 12 next week, this message sets the stage by reminding us that in Christ, there is no condemnation, only freedom, forgiveness, and the power of the Spirit.

What does real love look like? In this week’s message from our “Summer of Love” series, we look at the radical call of 1 John 3:16—to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. This isn’t just about feelings or words, but sacrificial, Christ-like love in action. Pastor Stephen challenges us to move beyond comfort and convenience, and into a life of love that reflects Jesus’ own. If you’ve ev...

What does real love look like—and how does it show up in our everyday lives? In this week’s message, Pastor Stephen continues our Summer of Love series with a powerful question: How can I know if I really know Jesus? Looking at 1 John, we’re reminded that love isn’t just a feeling or a phrase—it’s the evidence of a life changed by Christ. If we claim to walk in the light but hold onto hate, we’re...

What is love, really? And who gets to define it? In this episode, Pastor Stephen begins our new series, Summer of Love , with a powerful message from 1 John 1. We take a deep look at the source of love and life, and we’re reminded that Jesus is not just a part of the story—He is the story. If you’ve ever wondered whether being a good person is enough, or if you’ve tried to find meaning without Jes...

This week, we were honored to welcome our friend Derek Koone to teach from Mark 11, where Jesus curses a fig tree and turns over tables in the temple. These moments might seem confusing at first—but Derek helps us see the deeper truth: Jesus wasn’t just making a statement about trees or temples. He was calling His people to something greater. God has always desired that His people be a light to th...

In the final message of our "If God Is For Us" series, Pastor Stephen dives deep into Romans 8:31–39, revealing how the gospel is the solution to both our internal struggles and external hardships. From the shame we carry to the suffering we face, God’s love through Christ secures our identity and assures our victory. No accusation—whether from others or ourselves—can stand against us, a...

Have you ever wondered if God is really for you, especially when life feels like it’s falling apart? In this message kicking off our new series, If God Is For Us , we dive into Romans 8:31–39 and explore one of the most powerful truths in Scripture: no matter what comes against you, if God is for you, that changes everything. Pastor Stephen reminds us that our feelings aren't always reliable,...

For this week's podcast, we welcome Grant Roszkowiak as our guest speaker. Grant delves into the powerful theme of "Come and See," exploring the personal experience of faith and the importance of inviting others to encounter Jesus. Drawing from John 1, he illustrates how Philip's invitation to Nathaniel, "Come and see," serves as a simple yet profound way to share the t...

This Easter, Pastor Stephen Saxton shares a powerful message about the heart of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus. It’s not just a metaphor—it’s a historical, world-changing event. In this message, you’ll hear why the resurrection matters, even if you’ve struggled with doubt. You’ll also discover the life-changing gifts Jesus brings through His victory over death: a personal connectio...

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we’ve been walking through what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Over the past two weeks in our series 'The Cross', we’ve explored propitiation , how Jesus satisfied God’s righteous anger, and redemption , how He set us free from the power of sin and death. This week, Pastor Stephen unpacks the final piece: justification . What does it mean to be made right wit...

In part two of our series The Cross , we wrestle with a powerful question: Why did Jesus have to die? It’s a deeply personal question—and one that gets to the heart of the gospel. We look at what Jesus’ death actually means for you , and how understanding core biblical truths, even the big doctrinal ones, can give your faith a firm foundation. Let’s lean in together and think deeply about what the...

As we lead up to Easter, we’re kicking off a new series called The Cross . Before we celebrate the resurrection, we’ve got to stop and wrestle with a deeper question— Why did Jesus have to die? In this message, Pastor Stephen walks us through Romans 3 and introduces three powerful words that help us understand the cross: redemption, justification, and propitiation (yes, we’re saying it together)....

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provi...

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provi...

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provi...

Whatever we do, we typically want to be better at it. Whether we are playing an instrument, practicing martial arts or just loving our children, most people want to grow in the endeavor. Our faith is no different. We start out on the journey of following Jesus, and we hope we grow stronger and more faithful as we follow Jesus more closely. But, here’s the thing, it doesn’t just happen automaticall...

In this episode, we explore what it means to have a growing faith and a deep trust in God. Looking at the story of the centurion in Matthew 8, we see an example of extraordinary faith—one that amazed even Jesus. True faith is not just believing in God’s existence but trusting that He is actively involved in every detail of our lives. How can we cultivate that kind of faith? How do we trust God eve...

This week on The Islands Christian Church Podcast , we’re continuing our series, The Thankful Church , with a powerful message from special guest Jeremy Crosby. Jeremy, who serves as the operations pastor at Gateway Church, brings a heartfelt and challenging word about what it means to be a church that serves. Drawing from Jesus' example, Jeremy unpacks how true gratitude is expressed not just...