Madison Church

How can our perspectives change and expand through personal relationships, and how does this relate to our relationship with Jesus? Join us as we share our heartfelt journey of growth and understanding. We explore how embracing these new experiences can lead us to a deeper relationship with Jesus and a more expansive view of the world around us, as we step into the kingdom of God.We also dive into the three realms of the kingdom of God - personal, relational, and social - and how Jesus started his ministry with a powerful social, communal, and even political message. Discover the importance of racial reconciliation as part of our Christian responsibility. Let's talk politics - often a touchy subject, but one that Jesus didn't shy away from. We explore how Jesus engaged with political authority and the importance of viewing politics from a Kingdom perspective. We discuss how love always wins, regardless of election results, and the role the church can play in bringing people of all political beliefs

Are you feeling exhausted by the upcoming election and the relentless attack ads? It's time to take a step back and explore the intersection of faith and politics in this week's eye-opening episode. We dive into the importance of putting our faith first when it comes to our political party affiliations, discussing how no political party perfectly aligns with the values of Jesus, yet both parties can represent some of his values. We continue by examining Paul's journey to becoming a slave to all people, in order to bring many to Christ. Discover how Paul strategically chose his battles to live amongst the Jews and the Gentiles, and learn how choosing unity and love over fear and division is key to navigating our current political climate. As Christians, we need to be reminded that we should have more in common with fellow believers who hold opposing political views than with those who share our politics but not our faith.Lastly, as the election approaches, we explore how to approach difficult co

Can we all agree that faith and politics are a touchy yet undeniably important topic? Join us as we dive in head-first, exploring Jesus' teachings on politics and their modern-day relevance. We'll navigate the excitement and apprehension surrounding the upcoming midterm elections while examining how Jesus' teachings transcend the political climate of any era.We're challenging ourselves - and you - to be better followers of Jesus by filtering our politics through our faith, not the other way around. Let's explore together the idea of disagreeing politically but loving unconditionally, as we delve into John 17. Are we prepared to follow Jesus, even when it creates space between us and our political party of choice?Lastly, let's consider Jesus' prayer for unity among his followers and its significance in our world today. Divisions within the church can lead people away from God, so let's discuss what it means to prioritize the kingdom of God and work together, despite our

When Stephen embarked on the journey of establishing Madison Church, the vision was to create micro locations fostering healthy, quality communities rather than attracting huge crowds. Join us in this episode as we share the incredible story of Madison Church's growth, the many lives transformed through baptism, and the power of Jesus to bring healing, purpose, and life.We also discuss the impact of friendship and perseverance in faith, as shown through Jason's journey from moral failure to working at Madison Church, where he helped reshape our leadership team. Dive into the potent message of the Hebrews letter, which encourages us to support each other despite our friends' mistakes and persevere through life's challenges. Together, let's explore how to live like never before.Lastly, we delve into the true essence of biblical holiness by examining Jesus' teachings on money, marriage, and hospitality. Discover the importance of honoring God in our relationships, being content with

How often do you find yourself consumed by the daily distractions of life, struggling to reconnect with the divine? This episode reveals the power of music in worship, as a tool to help us refocus our attention on our spiritual connection with God. Join us as we share our journey in founding Madison Church and the vital role music plays in creating an impactful, meaningful worship experience.Discover the significance of persevering faith as we delve into the lives of individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 and the lessons we can learn from their faith in action. Learn how the two covenants play a role in our spiritual lives and the importance of community in helping us persevere through trials and challenges. As we explore the concept of holiness, find out how God's holiness once kept him distant from his people and how, through Jesus, we can now approach him without fear.Finally, let's challenge ourselves to reorient our lives towards the present and future workings of God, not just the past. We invite

Imagine completing an Iron Man triathlon and the sheer perseverance it demands, both physically and emotionally. Now, picture your spiritual journey as an Iron Man race, with similar endurance and commitment necessary to cross the finish line victoriously. That's the heart of our conversation in this episode, as we explore Hebrews 12 and its teachings on faith and perseverance.Join us as we discuss Jesus as the ultimate example of faith, enduring the cross and disregarding the shame, teaching us the value of perseverance in our spiritual race. We dive into the powerful analogy of running the race with weights, which represent the extra baggage that slows us down in our spiritual journeys, and the faith Jesus demonstrated through his sacrifice on the cross. Furthermore, we unpack the significance of discipline and learning from God, who acts as our personal trainer, pushing us to reach our goals and dreams.Finally, we emphasize the importance of community support in persevering in our faith. By surroundin

Did you know that heroes don't always wear capes? Sometimes, they're the people we least expect, like our parents, mentors, or even ourselves. Join me as I share the incredible story of my grandpa, who transformed from a mean alcoholic to a wonderful grandfather and became one of my personal heroes. His journey taught me that it's not about how you start, but how you finish that truly matters.Faith can be a controversial topic, but what if it's not just a blind leap but a confident belief in God based on what he has already done? In this episode, we dig deep into Hebrews 11 to dissect misconceptions around faith and the stories of biblical heroes like Abraham and Moses. Together, we'll explore the importance of persevering in faith despite overwhelming challenges and how God works in, through, and around us, even when we can't see it.But faith isn't just an abstract concept; it involves movement and action. Whether it's moving cities or making an offering, taking a step

Are you wavering in your commitment to your Christian community? This powerful discussion dives into the crucial role that fellow believers play in our spiritual growth and well-being. We unpack the idea that neglecting our relationships with other Christians can lead to a wavering faith in Jesus, as well as the dangers of turning our faith into a hyper-individualistic, do-it-yourself practice.We also tackle the consequences of deliberate sin, examining the Greek word 'Hakusos' which refers to willful sinning. Discover how this can lead to the breakdown of relationships and our inability to live according to God's standards. The importance of discipline in our faith journey cannot be understated, as it affects our relationship with God and those around us.Lastly, we explore the importance of remembering our faith during persecution, discussing the various ways modern-day persecution can manifest. From internet memes with Bible verses taken out of context to ridicule and mocking from non-believe

Stephen's journey into the world of ministry started with great excitement, only to be confronted by a toxic and abusive church environment that left him feeling broken and questioning his future as a pastor. In this episode, he bares all and shares his personal story - from being yelled at and bullied, to witnessing inappropriate behavior and questionable financial practices. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Stephen found valuable lessons about perseverance and finding hope in the darkest of times.Together, we explore the concept of boldly approaching God through Jesus and unravel the Old Testament symbolism of the High Priest. As we discuss how Jesus is the one true High Priest, come to understand that this isn't a new religion, but rather the fulfillment of what was always meant to be. Embrace a life free from guilt, where we can genuinely share our inner selves with God.Finally, let's talk about living a purposeful spiritual journey, embracing both challenge and support. Discover how to put your th

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Looking at several key encounters between Jesus and his followers on the shores of Sea of Galilee, we learn what Jesus was about.As followers of Jesus, we need to resist the human tendency to focus on our own performance and goodness. Instead, we  build our lives on the foundation of God’s grace.Support the show

Looking at several key encounters between Jesus and his followers on the shores of Sea of Galilee, we learn what Jesus was about.Wholeheartedly following Jesus means having the courage to step out of our comfort zones to join him where he is and in what he is doing.Support the show

Looking at several key encounters between Jesus and his followers on the shores of Sea of Galilee, we learn what Jesus was about.The Jesus who calls us to follow him with our whole lives is also the Jesus who can help us face any and every storm that comes our way.Support the show

Looking at several key encounters between Jesus and his followers on the shores of Sea of Galilee, we learn what Jesus was about.Jesus’ call to “follow me” is an invitation to a relationship that changes our whole lives.Support the show

Why does our church hold such strong beliefs in the power of healing prayer, and how can we experience the supernatural presence of God in our everyday life? In the final episode of our Naturally Supernatural series, we uncover the biblical roots of healing prayer and how it has played a significant role in Christianity throughout history.We share the stories of Jesus and his disciples, exploring the power of healing as a way to proclaim the good news of God's Kingdom. By diving into the early church's use of healing as a central part of their ministry, we inspire you to open yourself up to the supernatural ways God wants to work in and through all of us. Moreover, we discuss the exciting promise of new heaven and new earth, where there will be no sickness, death, or suffering.But how do we pray for healing, and what if God doesn't heal as we expect? We provide practical guidance on how to approach healing prayer and share a personal story on trusting God's presence and power even when thi

Have you ever felt stuck in your faith journey, longing for a breakthrough but unsure of how to find it? That's precisely where our friend Jeremy found himself during a service trip to Jamaica. Join us as we recount the incredible story of how God used prophetic communication to bring about his breakthrough, and how it changed our lives as well!In this powerful episode, we dive into the often misunderstood world of prophetic speech, exploring its loving foundation and importance in our spiritual lives. Through examples from both the Old and New Testament, we reveal how God has used prophetic words to communicate his will, and we discuss how to grow in love and humility as we practice this gift. As we share our personal experiences and practical advice on practicing prophetic communication, our hope is that you will be inspired to listen more closely for the Holy Spirit's prompting in your own life. So whether you're seeking a breakthrough, a refreshing word of encouragement, or simply a deeper

Let's explore how to recognize and hear God's voice amid life's distractions. We kick off with a funny story about a suspicious text message and the importance of context when receiving messages from unknown sources. Could this be a message from God or just our own thoughts? Breaking down the barriers of our plausibility structures, we discuss how God has communicated with people in various ways throughout history, and how he continues to do so even after the Bible was written. Discover practical ways to start listening intently to God's voice and learn why we shouldn't always be asking for more. Are you ready to expand your understanding of God?Lastly, we reflect on how Jesus watched shepherds guide their flocks, mirroring our relationship with God. In the midst of the noise and chaos, he wants us to recognize his voice. Join us in praying for our vision and hearts to be expanded, releasing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Don't miss this insightful episode as we

Why are we naturally drawn to the supernatural, and how does it connect to our faith? In this engaging episode, we explore our curiosity for things that are out of the ordinary and investigate the intertwining of the natural and supernatural realms in our everyday lives. Join us as we dive deep into the importance of expanding our understanding of God and embracing the supernatural gifts he has given us, inspired by 1 Corinthians 12.We also examine the skepticism that often accompanies supernatural experiences and the hierarchy within the Church. As we unlock our relationship with God and break down the boundaries we set for ourselves, we encourage you to think bigger about what he can do in and around our community. Discover how our views of God have been shaped and misshaped by our church background and life experiences, and how opening up to the idea of God expanding our view of him can lead to truly knowing him.If you're ready to engage with the supernatural in your daily life, then this episode is f

Ever grappled with the violence in the Old Testament and wondered how it can be understood in today's context? Brace yourself for a riveting discussion that aims to demystify this complex issue. We embark on this mission to decode the stories of graphic violence - cannibalism, incest, and human sacrifice - a challenging prospect, especially when teaching the younger generation and addressing critics like atheist writer Richard Dawkins.Richard Dawkins' perspective sets the tone for much of our discourse. He views God as the villain in these violent narratives, but we go beyond the surface, analyzing the context and steering the conversation towards a more wholistic understanding of God's character. We open up about our struggles with the 'no apology' and 'Bible is wrong' approaches to Old Testament violence and propose an alternative - understanding the violence as a specific period in Hebrew history. The conversation deepens as we contemplate God's patience in dealing w