Ephrata Foursquare Church: Recent Episodes
Ephrata Foursquare Church
The weekly podcast of Ephrata Foursquare Church in Ephrata, Washington lead by Pastor Blake Barnes. Join us as we discuss the Word of God and the transforming power of Jesus.
In the story of Samson, we can see identify two signs of spiritual entropy. Pastor Blake talks about avoiding impulsive desires.
Pastor Blake talks about a sad story from Judges 11 and how to avoid becoming completely enmeshed in secular culture.
Gideon was hiding in a winepress when he was visited by the angel of the Lord. God didn't see a wimp; He saw a warrior. Pastor Blake talks about relying on God's strength to accomplish His purposes.
How to we stop the cycle of spiritual entropy? Pastor Blake begins a new series in the book of Judges.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans about how church culture should look. Honoring one another is an important part of church relationships.
Pastor Blake shares 3 reasons why our community would benefit from a church name change and 3 reasons why Desert Church is appropriate for this next season.
Pastor Christina Barnes shares from Luke 4 about Jesus being tested in the wilderness. Testing isn’t something to be feared or avoided, but God tests people He desires to bless.
Luke 24 describes an encounter that Jesus had with two of his followers after his resurrection. Pastor Blake talks about what Jesus was doing on the road to Emmaus.
Jesus compared himself to the bronze serpent that Moses lifted in the desert in Numbers 21. Pastor Blake talks about how God brings salvation and healing.
God was teaching Israel that he is a good provider in Exodus 16. Pastor Blake talks about how God wants us to trust in his provision when we are in the desert places of life.
God does great things in the desert. In Exodus 19, God invited Israel to experience his presence in the Desert of Sinai. Today, God invites us to come closer when we find ourselves in spiritual desert places.
How do we in the Church become effective communicators of the gospel of Jesus and present it in a way that is inspiring and compelling to others in light of our cultural context? Pastor Blake talks about presenting the gospel on a clean plate.
In Colossians 3, Paul gives the church instruction for how to behave on earth while being heavenly minded. Pastor Blake talks about what it means to be citizens of heaven.
What kind of faith impresses Jesus? Pastor Blake talks about how Jesus responded to different levels of faith.
Jesus not only fulfilled the scriptures; He was in love with God’s Word. Pastor Blake talks about the transforming power of the Bible.
The cross way the way of Jesus. Pastor Christina Barnes talks about following Jesus to the cross so that we can share in his resurrection.
Is there a way of Jesus that helps to make your body an ally to your spirit in the battle against your flesh? Pastor Blake talks about the practice of fasting.
What practice did Jesus use to combat hurry and chaos? Pastor Blake talks about how silence and solitude was one of the ways of Jesus.
In the story with Mary and Martha, Jesus makes it clear that it is better to be with him than to do things for him. Pastor Blake talks about how being in the presence of God is the ultimate prize.
Christmas Eve 2021, Pastor Blake talks about what heaven saw the night that Jesus was born.
The Magi followed a sign in the sky and found a person. Pastor Blake talks about how Jesus is the answer to all of our questions.
Pastor Blake talks about the Christmas story from Mary’s perspective and how she chose to rely on what God had promised.
Jesus told a sobering story about a servant who had a debt of 10,000 bags of gold. Pastor Blake shares from Matthew 18 about forgiveness.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story about what it means to be a neighbor. Pastor Blake talks about how the Holy Spirit can help you to love unconditionally.
Pastor Blake shares from Matthew 25 about the ten virgins and how Jesus was communicating that everyone should be prepared for his second coming.
The parable of the talents is not a story of comparison but a story of faithfulness and stewardship. Pastor Blake talks about how the kingdom rewards obedience and stewardship.
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and yeast. Pastor Blake talks about the significance of small beginnings.
Glenn Dart shares about the feast of tabernacles and growing closer to God in preparation for Jesus’ return.
Jesus told a story about seed that was planted in different soils. The soils represent the conditions of hearts and Pastor Blake talked about how each soil needs to be worked.
Jesus told a story about a man with two sons in the presence of Pharisees and sinners. Pastor Blake talks about what the culture of heaven does when the lost are found.
The altar of incense provided a covering for the priest to minister near the ark of the covenant. The cross was the ultimate act of intercession that provided the covering humanity needed to be with God. Pastor Blake talks about moving away from religion and towards knowing God.
The Golden Lampstand represents the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Blake discusses three encounters that every believer has with the Holy Spirit.
The Table of Showbread was an Old Testament foreshadow of the New Testament act of Communion. Pastor Blake talks about the importance of Communion and how it applies to our worship.
The second element in the tabernacle was the bronze basin and represents the ministry of the Word of God. Pastor Blake shares how the Bible acts like a mirror that we peer into.
Worship always involves sacrifice and the Altar of Sacrifice was the first element of the tabernacle. Pastor Blake shares how Jesus modeled the Altar of Sacrifice and how we are to be living sacrifices to the Lord.
You become a priest when you are born again. What does it mean to be a priest? What do priests do? Pastor Blake introduces our new sermon series Worthy: How to Worship a King.
Pastor Blake shares from Psalm 139 about how God intimately knows you and how we can deal with fear and anxiety.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and we can experience many blessings when we read the Bible.
The blessings of Psalm 91 are experienced when we abide in God’s presence. But what does it mean to abide? Pastor Blake talks about how to remain in God by using Jesus’ teaching in John 15.
God has invited people to come closer to His presence since the beginning of time. Pastor Blake shares from Psalm 63 about desiring the presence of God.
God has perfect timing and invites us to live within his plans. Pastor Blake shares about waiting patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 32 is a song of confession and forgiveness. Pastor Blake shares about the importance of confession.
God desires for his people to be rested and renewed by His presence in every season. Pastor Blake shares from Psalm 23.
Pastor Blake begins a summer series in the book of Psalms. Psalms 1 is an introduction to the Psalms and begin with blessing.
Pastor Blake shares from Romans 12 and talks about becoming a Church that honors people.
One of the last prayers Jesus prayed before going to the cross was for the unity of the Church. Pastor Blake shares from John 17 about the power of Church unity.
Today is the only day that is guaranteed to us. The most important day of your life is today.
God is doing a new thing today. We must learn to identify seasons and what God is doing presently.
Peter Loeffelbein shares from Daniel 3 about how God is always good no matter the circumstance.
Pastor Blake shares from Daniel 9 and Matthew 24 about how we ought to live while waiting for Jesus to return.
Daniel 7 serves as a centerpiece for Old Testament theology concerning the Messiah. Pastor Blake discusses 4 truths that we can learn from this chapter.
Jesus invites us into an experience with him. Pastor Blake shares from Mark 2 about the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof and experienced Jesus.
Daniel in the lion’s den is one of the most famous narratives of scripture. Pastor Blake discusses characteristics and qualities of Daniel found in chapter 6.
A floating hand appeared before Belshazzar and all of his party guests to reveal a difficult truth written on the wall. Pastor Blake shares from Daniel 5 about how God has numbered all of our days.
Daniel 4 is a striking narrative about how God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar and teaches us the importance of walking in humility.
God speaks to us in many different ways. Ashley Hamlett shares from 1 Kings 19 about listening to the voice of God.
The narrative of the fiery furnace is a lesson about true worship. Pastor Blake shares from Daniel 3 about how tell who and what you worship.
Pastor Blake shares from Daniel 2 about how God’s people should respond to crisis and testing.
How do we remain faithful to God in a godless world? The book of Daniel was written for exiles waiting to be united with their homeland. Pastor Blake shares from Daniel 1 about how to live as exiles in Babylon.
If we are honest, most of our prayers are safe, generic, or predictable. But following Jesus was never meant to be safe. Pastor Blake shares a dangerous prayer from Psalm 139.
Jesus told his disciples to pray with persistence. Pastor Blake shares from Luke 11 about persistent prayer changes things.
In week 1 of our “Pray First” series, Pastor Blake shares from Matthew 6 about how Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Pastor Blake shares from Luke 2 and Lamentations 3 about the hope that Jesus brings to our lives.