Multiply Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Multiply Church
As a now regular contributor to this podcast and the congregation of Multiply, Nate Hughes shares a message on the importance of spiritual practices in preparing us for when we need to improvise in our faith. Sharing bits and pieces of his own story, Nate encourages and inspires us to choose faith even in our darkest times.
Our fellow Multiplier David Durham drops an incredibly packed message full of inspiration, truth, and practical perspectives on how we can both trust the Lord and allow ourselves to be fully led by Holy Spirit in every aspect of life.
In sharing about his recent trip to South Africa, Pastor Casey flips the script in this Fathers Day message and focuses on what it looks like to be a good son of God.
Every group of organized individuals has a question they need answered, which is "Where are we going?" The answer should probably be a version of the same destination for every congregation following Christ This is also the same destination to which Jesus led his disciples. How we get there and who comes along may look a little different and Pastor Stephen provides an answer to this question, especially in light of our recent Spring Retreat!
Do you ever feel inadequate in this work of making disciples? Can you not see yourself living out the stories you hear others tell? Pastor Stephen examines two passages from the gospel of Matthew to help us better understand what our role is in this disciple making effort and what is only left up to another.
Pastor Casey looks at some of the key passages in Scripture regarding faith in this encouraging and challenging messaging on what it looks like to be a part of a discipleship movement. Here's the spoiler...everyone wins!
As we come to our final Action on the initial go-round of the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway, we turn outward to how we as transformed and equipped disciples of Jesus now live life on mission to make an impact in the lives of others. Pastor Stephen looks at a familiar Psalm and two passages from the gospel of Matthew that he finds compelling to the cause.
As we come to the home stretch of the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway, Pastor Casey makes the case for why and how the resurrection is vital to our transformation and maturation. There is also a bonus teaching and testimony from another Multiplier at the end of the message!
You are being formed daily. We all are. The question is whether or not we are being intentional to choose what is forming us or leaving it to chance. Daily practices are a vital aspect to being made into the likeness of Christ. Pastor Stephen looks a 15 passages of Scripture to see how Jesus himself was formed and how we can emulate our Lord and Savior to do the same.
As only he can, Pastor Casey takes a macro view of what's really possible through the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway as we begin to look at Action 9. With passages from both Ephesians and Exodus - among others - Pastor Casey lays out the potential of what God can do for, in, and through us all. Is this an extended message or a condensed series? You decide! Either way, it's gold!
We spend a lot of time trying to make things right. The bad news is that there is nothing we can do to make things rights. There is, however, some good news as well that far outweighs the bad. In this message, Pastor Stephen presents a helpful perspective on how forgiveness plays a role in seeking reconciliation, rather than wasting time seeking rightness.
Is it really sufficient to simply declare a belief in Jesus...or is something more required? Depending the defined result you are after and personal rearing, different people will have different answers. However, when it comes to pursuing the good life through obedience to Jesus, there is a kind of secondary belief that might be helpful in leading us to practice the ways of Jesus.
Are you called to ministry? There are certain ways you may answer or think about this question depending on your particular context. However, as you hear Pastor Stephen walk through the ways in which we get to participate in the mission and carry the message of God, you may think of this question differently.
Pastor Casey walks us through the ways in which Action 7 of the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway is the beginning of a turn from an inward focus to an outward expression. The implications of the good news that the Kingdom of God is near are very evident in this challenging and encouraging message based on Romans 12:9-19.
Why is saying sorry so hard for so many of us? Maybe it is as simple as a new perspective and change of mind that can lead us to seeking reconciliation in our relationships. Pastor Stephen looks at a well known instruction from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as the basis for Action 7 of the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway. How might putting this principle into practice lead to your freedom?
What is God's desire for God's people? The answer we find in Scripture is simple to state but difficult to live. In this 100th episode of the Multiply Church Sermons Podcast, Pastor Stephen takes a journey through passages in Leviticus and Paul's letter to the church in Rome to discover the answer.
On a subject we could spend eternity considering and researching yet never fully grasp, Pastor Casey presents a perspective that helps frame how it is we accept the righteousness of Christ as our own in this inspiring message.
Are you perfect? Have you tried to be? It's pretty difficult and some may say impossible. Looking at two different teachings from Jesus, Pastor Stephen shows us how to be perfect as we accept his righteousness as our own!
Pastor Stephen continues to look at the motivation for and benefits of making confession a regular practice as a Jesus follower while also laying out a simple step by step method for confession. It is also important we remain as concerned with those who have yet to know the hope of Christ as those of us who do!
If the discipline of confession is such a transformational practice, what is it that might keep us from engaging in it? Pastor Stephen looks at three forces that oppose our confession and how we we can be encouraged to overcome them.
Why is the disciple of confession not better modeled and honored by particular segments of the church? Pastor Casey kicks off our look at Action 5 of the Discipleship Pathway with a biblical view of both the call to and the cleansing effect of this ancient discipline while including some personal experiences as well.
Action 5: We confessed to God, to ourselves, and to another our shortcomings as revealed by this assessment.
What do you do with the records and receipts of your actions that you want to stay hidden in a box in the back of a dark closet? In this episode, Pastor Stephen looks at a passage from Revelation to help us understand the sufficient grace we find in Christ.
Why make an honest and courageous assessment of ourselves? What might motivate us to do so and what could it lead to? Pastor Stephen takes a look at two passages from the Gospels to help us understand the role of Trust, Truth, and Grace in this crucial action on the discipleship pathway.
As a wise, faithful, and very loved leader of Multiply Church, Hugh Hopper shares the importance of examining ourselves honestly in order to truly experience freedom as part of the abundant life made possible by Christ. To know Hugh is to love Hugh and you will be blessed by this challenging, but encouraging, message in which he shares his own experience of this critical disciple.
See more at https://multiplychurch.com
Pastor Casey dives super deep into the new way of living Jesus leads us into when we decide to accept his invitation. Seriously, this gets pretty heavy so slow it down in order to take it in when you are physically and mentally able to give this message the weight it deserves. Special thanks to our friend Dylan for speaking into this message as well!
Continuing on to Action 3, Pastor Stephen looks at three specific invitations of Jesus that stand as we choose whether or not to return the invitation!
Nate Hughes walks the congregation through a familiar narrative for many of us to point out some of the ways that Jesus has the power to heal and restore all that is broken!
What does it mean that Jesus heals and restores all things? Pastor Stephen takes a look at three primary words in the second action of the Multiply Church Discipleship Pathway: Believe, Heal, and Restore.
As we allow our newly debuted discipleship pathway to set the theme for The Gathering each week, Pastor Casey shares a helpful perspective on admitting our separation from God and the need for a new way of living in this message.
Do you ever feel disconnected or unable to comprehend how you fit into the bigger picture? In this personal and heartfelt message, Sherrie Steckel shares a unique illustration she uses to better see herself in Christ and challenges us to remain in him.
Do you feel like you have missed the mark? Like you aren't doing enough? Even like a failure? Looking at the story of Peter, we can see that there is no such thing in the eyes of Jesus. Be encouraged by this message of second chances (and third and fourth and...)!
Pastor Casey examines an encounter between a revered public figure and Jesus to better understand just how un-understandable the transformation of Jesus is for those who experience it. Ready to have your mind blown? Casey goes deep in some word study this week to show us that's exactly what it takes!
There is a necessary ingredient - a specific event - that is required for discipleship to Christ. Mac Wilson of Delight Ministries (https://www.delightministries.com) and For the Girl (https://www.forthegirl.com) shares a couple examples of this necessary event, along with part of her story. Her passion, humor, and ability to teach inclusively all shine through as she walks us down this path together!
Alan Platt shares some of his story along with some incredible ways he has witnessed the church living on mission throughout the world. Through a clip from Jesus' prayer in John 17, Alan's eyes were opened to a whole new understanding of our opportunity to effect change in the here and now.
If it Jesus (the Founder) of whom we are to make disciples (followers), it is probably fruitful to look at how the Founder made followers as we make followers of the Founder. Stephen leads a guided conversation around three principles we cans see in Jesus' approach to making disciples.
In an online only gathering of the congregation, Stephen begins a two-part series on a coupe mindsets that are vital for maintaining an apostolic state of mind. Hear how the results of deepening our faith and raising our emotional health can be a motivation for becoming, being, and making disciples.
The struggle is real for Jesus' disciples in this classic narrative, which is probably familiar to many of us. The truth is that the struggle is real for you too! Casey provides a unique perspective on where we might find Jesus in our own struggle here and now.
Nate Hughes delivers an incredibly helpful message on how we can be formed spiritually and breakthrough barriers using one spiritual practice in particular. This practice may be new to you, but it might also be what you need to find healing and wholeness in life!
This is part II to Casey’s recent message on disciple-making. You can hear a great recap on the Multiply Church Resource podcast from last week at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/multiply-church-resource/id1454299389?i=1000524793804
Casey asked us some great questions like, "Does the church have a mission or does the mission have a church?" This message attempts to build on his foundation and help us gain a different perspective on the relationship between the world and the church in light of these questions. I hope you find it thought provoking and helpful as you consider the posture of your own heart in light of disciple-making and embodiment!
And, if you feel like a misfit when it comes to church these days, we would love to hear from you! Just head over to https://multiplychurch.com to learn more and get in touch. Enjoy this message on the gap between belief and behavior!
Pastor James Scott, Casey, and Stephen sit around a table at The Exchange Church to discuss why a small shift in the scorecard for the church in America can lead to big successes in the Kingdom of God.
While not the message in its entirety, there are some extremely fun and incredibly insightful moments from our sister Jess Hopper in this message she shared with the Multiply fam!
You can only name it as a calling if you hear it. The role of listening is vital in discerning our Kingdom Cause and the means may be different for each of us. Pastor Stephen discusses how we hear the voice of God and distinguish our thoughts in light of the many voices trying to lead us.
So as we continue to discern our Kingdom Cause together, we have to explore the role of Healing on the journey! Pastor Stephen explores a specific definition of healing and asks some difficult (but necessary) questions in this message.
Emotions play a huge role in discerning our Kingdom Cause, but we need a healthy perspective and to get a handle on our emotions first. Pastor Stephen looks at how we are emotional creatures made in the image of an emotional God in this short message and ends with two questions we all need to answer.
While you won't get to hear the eye-opening concept of the Missionary Journey in this week's podcast, Pastor Stephen does make an offer that might even be more impactful than just listening in to the teaching from The Gathering.
We've plugged it in. We've set a course. Now it's time to take it for a spin. A Kingdom Cause is only as effective as our willingness to engage the injustice it addresses. Pastor Casey encourages and challenges us to get a move on this Easter!
Moving on from Personality to People! Discovering the opportunities we have to live life on mission often just requires a mindset shift (say that slowly). Hear what that is in this message from Pastor Stephen.
In this final part of a three week series, Matt and Meagan follow up with more Enneagram basics. These aspects of the personality typing system are vital to understanding it as a whole. As you continue to do the work, you will be better equipped to love God and love people more fully!
Meagan and Matt Church continue to lead the congregation through the process of discovering our personality using the Enneagram. Looking at several biblical characters and narratives, the Church's provide an additional framework for understanding the typology.
Check out the Multiply Church Resource Podcast episode referenced in the intro at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embodiment-ft-matt-meagan-church-plan-for-gram-other/id1454299389?i=1000512461091
Whether you've never heard of the Enneagram or have been on the trend train for years, Matt and Meagan Church provide an amazing overview of the personality typing method for understanding ourselves better so that we can have a deeper appreciation for one another.
This is not about right and wrong or getting others on your side! Pastor Stephen looks at the ways in which each of the 5 vocations (APEST) needs the other 4 in life. How have you failed to appreciate the ways through which God speaks in others in the past? Let's work together moving forward!
In this week's message, Dr. Cassandra Jones encourages us to remember who we are and how that identity determines ways in which our lives reflect the goodness of God in the world around us! Dr. Jones serves on the Multiply Church Executive Team and is a professor at Gordon Conwell Seminary here in Charlotte.
Pastor Stephen walks through how the Multiply congregation is using APEST to help discern purpose and calling for all those wanting to live life on mission!
This week's message features a conversation between Pastor James Scott of The Exchange Church and Pastor Casey. They focus on the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:20-24 and the new life to which we are called. Both pastors are candid about being one white pastor and one black pastor who are both on a journey to better reflect Jesus and his Kingdom. The audio quality is less than stellar, but if you can deal with it, you are sure to be challenged and encouraged!
The first P in this process of discerning our Kingdom Cause is Purpose. Using the five-fold ministry given by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4, Pastor Stephen explains how our identity and our purpose are not the same thing. He also encourages us to just put up with each other along the way! Grab a notebook and enjoy!
We all have three callings. The first two are more communal and we are tempted to jump over them to get to the third. How we discern our "Kingdom Cause," however, is dependent on how we live into the first two callings. Here how we plan to discover more of our purpose and meaning over the next couple months in this setup message from Pastor Stephen.
In this week's message, guest preacher Pastor Paula Forte walks us through Jesus' healing of the Samaritan in Luke 17. Pastor Paula guides us in learning to first see the humanity of others who may think, speak, and look differently in order to love and serve all faithfully.
Doing good is always a good thing, right? In this message, Pastor Stephen sits in the narrative of Jesus sending the 72 to deliver one part warning, one part setting culture setting for our congregation, and one part re-examination of some of our deep-seated and widely-accepted understandings of what it means to be the church. Are you content to just follow or will you Go Ahead in 2021?
Multiply Church has a beautiful dilemma: we have a room full of leaders! As we jump into 2021, Pastor Casey challenges us with two questions. The first we can find an answer to in Luke 10, but we will never know the answer to the second until we choose to put radical acts of faith on display. Buckle up and prepare to get pumped up as Pastor Casey challenges you to take Jesus as his word.
What will make the difference for you in 2021? Pastor Stephen compares the ministry of Jesus with the lives of missionary families to discover three key correlations that can inform how we all live life on mission. One simple question can make the difference between 2021 being a year of breakthrough for you and your family. Discover the question and why it matters in this last message of 2020.
What are you waiting for? In this season of Advent as well as a tumultuous 2020, will the thing you are waiting for measure up? Jesus was the long awaited answer to words from Isaiah almost 3,000 years ago. How we wait is almost as important as what we are waiting for.
Jesus gives a new and very clear definition of family. We continue to use the language of family in the church, but it requires more of a shift in mindset than we might realize. Pastor Stephen walks through that shift in how we think of the church as family and some behavioral patterns to accompany it as well.
Just like a body, there are certain things that hold it all together. So what holds a community like Multiply Church together? From a painful experience this past week, Pastor Casey shares a message the potential for this community to step into new levels of connectivity and fellowship based on the word from Paul in Ephesians chapter 4.
Far too often the church has valued professing belief over practicing the ways of Jesus. Looking at a lesser known section of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, Pastor Stephen explores how the church universal can be a bolder embodiment of Jesus by carrying not just his life in our bodies, but his death as well.
As we begin this journey of embodiment, we have to get the foundation right. If we want to tune in to the Voice of God, it starts with knowing what he already is speaking over our lives. Pastor Casey talks through 3 things we hear Him speak over Jesus and what he is speaking over you right now.
What does it mean to embody Jesus? Being in tune with the voice of God, emptying yourself, and becoming a humble servant. Pastor Sanchez shares a timely and prophetic message from Proverbs 4:4-6, 20-22; Philippians 2:1-11.
What are we doing here? Is that a question you ever find popping up in your mind? Building from a foundational premise regarding our identity, Pastor Stephen shares his two greatest hopes for the people of God we call the church and points to how we can know exactly what we are doing here.
In light of the current election season and in order to guide and guard this community as well as we know how, Pastor Casey took on the topic of politics and this election cycle through the lens of Romans 12:3. This is less about the "what" and much more about the "how".
We often think that storms are enemies of our rest, but we see in Mark 4:35-41 that it wasn't the storm that woke Jesus, it was fear! Don't allow your fear to be greater than your faith.
When it comes to rest, the Enemy of your soul would like nothing better than to keep you distracted. Tomorrow holds with it both worries and excitement, and we can easily find ourselves captured by it. So how do we find rest in today?
What kind of home have you built for Jesus to dwell in? Is it a resting place or are you distracted and busy? Pastor Sanchez challenges us to resist busyness and to choose presence with Jesus. We have to be willing to tell culture and society no, by responding to Jesus when He calls.
Following up on the message from Pastor Casey on Jesus being our ultimate promised land and place of rest, Pastor Stephen focuses on one specific enemy of rest. Listen in to see if this common enemy is keeping you from finding rest for your soul and what you can do about it.
This week we finish the season of Desert Development knowing its never fully over but hoping to take some of these tools with us. Pastor Casey closes out the season by speaking on the Promised Land of Canaan and what it has to do with the promise of rest in Jesus.
Pastor Sanchez challenges us this week to wrestle through embracing God's glory! Exodus 34:29-34.
Why is God so concerned with the way we treat each other? Aside from reflecting His nature and character, perhaps there’s another reason the Lord provides a new code for living in community. Pastor Stephen looks at a specific instruction in Exodus 34 that points to the heart of God for His people and for all people.
Pastor Sanchez challenges us to go deeper into Exodus 20-33. Will you serve idols and gods or will you serve the true and living God!?
Pastor Casey continues the Desert Development season talk through how the Israelite's encounter at Mount Sinai will inform how they are to interact with the world around them. "The Distance is the Difference" when it comes to our closeness to God and our closeness to the people around us!
As the Israelites approached Mount Sinai in their wondering through the wilderness, they faced yet another decision that would determine their development. We face the same decision—sometimes daily—and our answer will determine our level of deliverance.
Chapter 18 in Exodus is full of great content. So instead of one message, you get three! Pastor Casey tackles new seasons, new reasons and what happens when God calls you to level up your dependence on him through trusting people.
Pastor Sanchez shares insights from Exodus 16-17, and the relationship with God and the Israelites. These chapters reveal that the desert is also about working out trust issues we may have with God. Will future generations remember us by our trust in God or lack of trust in God? What will you be remembered for?
Three days after walking through the Red Sea, the Israelites faced another issue regarding water. Of course God provides for them in their time of need. Then God issues a statement. Pastor Stephen explores this announcement to discover what can we learn and how can we be developed during our time in the wilderness.
The historical narrative of the exodus story is one of the greatest revealers of God‘s character and our need for dependence on Him. This week’s message gives the Multiply Community a five-part framework of this narrative for as well as ways to find hope in the desert.
God is speaking in the midst of our present reality in the world. God has given the entire world and the Church an opportunity to reset. Pastor Sanchez shares the life of Moses and how we can learn from him, but the choice is yours!
This week we end the rally point with Pastor Casey talking through what it looks like to be City Minded. The apostle Paul had a phenomenological moment that changed things forever and defined The Mission for his life. As individuals and as a community of believers, this was a week to reflect on where we have been and decide how we want to move forward on mission together.
In this week’s message, Pastor Stephen talks through the second leg of our 2020 vision: Multicultural Community. Basing the work on Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17, Stephen provides a three-part framework for developing a multicultural community and gives examples of how we are making progress as a local church.
Pastor Sanchez reminds us of the cost of discipleship. It is evident that there is a lack of holistic discipleship in our country. As disciples of Jesus, we must have a kingdom mindset, celebrate gifts within the body of Christ, and become advocates and servants for the work of the Lord.
While having a lot of fun with metaphors, Pastor Stephen sets up a four week rally point on our journey together. This is an opportunity to revisit the 2020 Vision; which centers on Holistic Discipleship, Multicultural Community, and City-Mindedness. Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going?
This week was full of laughter due to Zoom issues this morning. Nevertheless, we had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Cassandra Jones. She serves on our Executive Team and preached a powerful sermon from Matthew 5:43-48 (Message Translation). It's time for us to GROW UP!
Will you choose an eye for an eye, resentment, or faithfulness to God? In Matthew 5:38-42 we see Jesus level up the law, but Pastor Sanchez preaches about justice and resentment. Our freedom is found when we release it God, and respond with faithfulness and obedience to the kingdom of God.
In this next passage of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus highlights a vital value of the Kingdom of God and levels up its implication on our relationships. This particular value spans all our environments and is one way we can reconcile the disconnect we sometimes feel between faith and work.
In Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus teaches his disciples about divorce and the law that was given by Moses. Jesus is tested by the Pharisees in Matthew 19:3-12 and points them back to Genesis 1-2. Pastor Sanchez teaches a new perspective on the law, and the implications Jesus made about human dignity.
When it comes to the taboo topic of lust, the church tends to offer two different extremes along the same spectrum. Both options tend to lead to relational damage and baggage. What if we scrap the spectrum and take a different approach to understanding Jesus’ words about lust and its effects?
In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus is revealed as the new Moses who establishes a new law. Pastor Sanchez gives a powerful message about reconciling anger, in light of the resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus did not come to do away with the law and prophets but to fulfill them as the purest intent and greatest expression of their meaning. In doing so, Jesus does not abolish the law but instead abolishes legalism.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus is revealing not only his kingdom to His disciples, but kingdom influence in the world. Pastor Sanchez reminds us of our kingdom influence as salt and light to the world.
This week Pastor Casey shares briefly about the conclusion to the beatitudes and how the cost of the clash will be our persecution.
Pastor's Sanchez, Casey, and Stephen cast vision for 2020. Leaders Brice and Casey share their experience from the Mosaix conference and how they have hope in Multiply Church.
Maybe we should rethink how we approach Christmas this year and going forward. Pastor Stephen closes out the year with a new perspective on Christmas and the kingdom.
Finding purpose in salvation and redemption are essential to understanding the kingdom of God. Pastor Sanchez reminds us of Zechariah's praise and prophecy in Luke 1:67-79.
This week Pastor Casey looked at the Kingdom through the eyes of the prophet Isaiah. Almost 3000 years later and the implications are still the same. Don’t wait!
Pastors Casey, Sanchez, and Stephen recap the year and our current sermon series, Clash of Kingdoms. This weeks' sermon was unconventional but necessary as we seek to move forward in the direction God is leading our community.
Pastor Sanchez teaches on the kingdom of God and the system of racism. Matthew 22:34-40, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:9-11, Ephesians 2.
Pastor Casey teaches on Luke 4:14-19 and Mark 10:17-22 to see how Jesus approaches the topic of Poverty.
https://www.povertyusa.org/facts