Wonder Church: Recent Episodes

Wonder Church

We are a life-giving church in Eastside Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest. Our vision is to plant churches in cultural epicenters around the world. We are all about empowering people to be everything they were made to be.

During Missions Month, Pastor CJ shares a message from Acts 17 titled “The Heart of a Man on Mission.”

When Paul arrived in Athens, he was deeply troubled by the idolatry and spiritual lostness he saw throughout the city. But Paul did more than notice the problem—because he cared, he acted. He entered the synagogue, went into the marketplace, and shared the gospel with the people around him.

A life on mission begins when what breaks God’s heart begins to break ours. God is calling us to open our eyes to the people around us, resist complacency, and courageously share the hope of Jesus.

You won’t be on mission if you don’t care. Because Paul cared, he went.

📖 Scripture: Acts 17:16–18
🎙️ Speaker: Pastor CJ
⛪ Wonder Church | Redmond, Washington

Missions Month at Wonder - Madison and Lauren share their story of following God's assignments for their lives.

God’s Faithfulness to Israel and to Us | Romans 11:17–18

What if the way we understand Israel changes the way we trust God?

In this message, we look at Romans 11 and the faithfulness of God across thousands of years of history. The Church has not replaced Israel — we have been grafted into the family of God through Jesus. We are not Israel’s replacement. We are Israel’s family.

From God’s covenant with Abraham to Paul’s teaching in Romans 11, this sermon explores why God’s promises to Israel still matter, what it means for Gentile believers to be adopted into the family, and how the miracle of Israel’s survival and restoration points us back to the unchanging faithfulness of God.

If God has kept His word to Israel through exile, suffering, scattering, and restoration, then you can trust Him with what you are carrying today.

Bottom Line: We are not Israel’s replacement. We are Israel’s family.

Scripture: Romans 11:17–18, Genesis 12, Genesis 15, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 37, Ephesians 2, Galatians 3

We continue our study of Romans, coming now to chapter 2:1-16. We discover destination of all humanity to stand before the Judge, Jesus Christ, where all our sin, even our secret lives, will be fully exposed. However, this same Judge is also the Savior who can save us from this judgement.

We continue our study of Romans

Romans 1:1–17 | I am not Ashamed of the Gospel

Before Paul tells the Romans what he has accomplished, he tells them who he belongs to.

In the opening verses of Romans, Paul introduces himself not as an apostle, church planter, theologian, or leader—but as a slave of Christ Jesus. In a city obsessed with status, power, prestige, and achievement, Paul anchors his identity in something deeper: belonging to Jesus.

This message launches our study through the book of Romans by exploring the gospel that transformed Paul's life and continues to change lives today. Romans is more than a theological masterpiece. It is a letter centered on the good news that God saves sinners through faith in Jesus Christ.

As Paul writes to a diverse church wrestling with cultural and ethnic tensions, he reminds them—and us—that our identity is not built on our accomplishments, backgrounds, or social standing. We are called because we belong.

The same gospel that raised Jesus from the dead is still the power of God at work today, saving everyone who believes.

In this message:

Why Paul introduces himself as a slave before an apostle
The cultural pressures facing the church in Rome
Why belonging comes before becoming
What the gospel actually is according to Romans 1
How calling flows from identity
Why Paul was "not ashamed" of the gospel
What makes the gospel powerful in every culture and generation
How God calls ordinary believers to live with purpose and mission

The world celebrates power, wisdom, and success. The gospel reveals something greater: the power of God changing lives through faith in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Romans 1:1–17
Series: Romans
Message Title: Called to Belong
Core Theme: You are called because you belong.

Friendship in Marriage | Song of Solomon 5:10–16

Marriage is more than romance, responsibility, or commitment. At its best, marriage is friendship — the kind of friendship that helps each person become more like Jesus.

In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole Witkoe bring together key themes from the friendship series and apply them to marriage. Looking at Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride describes her beloved as both “my lover” and “my friend,” this message explores how friendship strengthens marriage through companionship, investment, encouragement, and shared mission.

Marriage was designed by God to bring out the best in one another. But because of sin, companionship can become competition. Instead of championing each other, couples can drift into comparison, control, criticism, and distance. This message invites husbands and wives to rediscover what it means to stand side by side, celebrate each other’s strengths, walk through grief together, and build the Kingdom as a team.

From Genesis 2 to Proverbs 18, from Jesus’ circles of intimacy to the example of Priscilla and Aquila, this sermon shows that deep friendship in marriage does not happen by accident. It takes time, attention, reassurance, celebration, mission, and the willingness to keep choosing the person beside you.

The goal is not simply to have a better date night. The goal is to build a marriage where your spouse is not just your partner, but your beloved friend.

In this message:

Why who you are with shapes where you are going
How marriage was designed for side-by-side companionship
Why sin turns companionship into competition
What it means to champion your spouse instead of compete with them
Why deep friendship requires intentional investment
How to celebrate the mountains and grieve in the gardens together
What Priscilla and Aquila teach us about marriage on mission
Why friendship with your spouse points to friendship with God

Whether you are married, preparing for marriage, or hoping to grow in your understanding of godly relationships, this message is an invitation to see marriage as a place where love, friendship, discipleship, and mission come together.

Scripture: Song of Solomon 5:10–16
Message Title: Friendship in Marriage
Speakers: Pastor CJ Witkoe and Nicole Witkoe
Core theme: Marriage is about championing the person beside you.

Spirit-filled Friendship | Acts 2:1–6

Pentecost was not only the beginning of Spirit-filled power. It was also the beginning of Spirit-filled friendship.

In this message, we look at Acts 2 and the powerful connection between the presence of God, the gathering of God’s people, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was poured out while the believers were gathered together in one place, reminding us that there is unique power, authority, and presence when God’s people gather in His name.

But Spirit-filled community is not the same as perfect community. The early church was filled with awe, generosity, prayer, fellowship, and miracles—but it also faced hypocrisy, division, tension, doctrinal disagreement, and relational conflict. The goal is not to return to an idealized innocence. The goal is to grow into Spirit-filled maturity.

This message challenges the fantasy that real Christian community means no disappointment, no conflict, and no difficult people. Instead, Spirit-filled friendship gives us the grace to forgive, the courage to tell the truth, the humility to repent, and the power to keep loving.

The death of idealized friendship is often the birth of Spirit-filled friendship.

In this message:

Why Pentecost reveals the power of gathering
How the Holy Spirit works through community
Why spiritual gifts are not for us, but through us for others
What Acts 2 teaches about healthy Christian fellowship
Why idealized community can destroy real community
How the Holy Spirit matures us through imperfect people
What it means to surrender fantasy and receive real friendship by grace

If you have been hurt by church, disappointed in community, or tempted to isolate, this message is an invitation to be filled again with the Spirit and step into mature, grace-filled relationships.

Scripture: Acts 2:1–6
Message Title: Spirit-filled Friendship
Core theme: The death of idealized friendship is often the birth of Spirit-filled friendship

Closer than a Brother | Proverbs 18:24

We live in a world with more connections than ever, yet many people feel more alone than ever. We have more followers, more options, more conversations, and more access—but fewer deep friendships that can actually carry weight.

In this message, “Closer than a Brother,” we look at Proverbs 18:24 and the difference between having many companions and having a true friend. Scripture warns that a person with many companions may still come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

This message confronts the spiritual pull of “more”—more attention, more praise, more affection, more intimacy, more options—and shows how the endless pursuit of more can leave us increasingly lonely. Jesus shows us a better way. He loved the multitudes, sent the 72, chose the 12, brought the 3 close, and shared deep friendship with the beloved disciple.

The invitation is not to love fewer people less, but to love the right people more deeply.

In this message:

Why hard times reveal true friends
How social media and modern dating can create shallow connection
Why deep friendship requires time, intention, and shared experience
What Jesus teaches us through His circles of intimacy
Why not everyone should have the same level of access to your life
How to exchange the love of many for the love of a few
What it means to invite Jesus into the center of your closest circle

You do not need more friends as much as you need to love the people around you more faithfully. And above every earthly friendship, Jesus offers Himself as the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24
Message Title: Closer than a Brother
Core theme: Exchange the love of many for the love of a few

Sanctity of Life | Romans 5:6–8

In this message, we look at the sanctity of human life through the authority of Scripture and the heart of the gospel.

On Mother’s Day, Wonder Church partnered with Love Life to pray, fast, give, and take practical steps toward creating a culture of love and life. This message addresses the difficult questions surrounding abortion, the value of the unborn, the responsibility of the Church, and the hope of the gospel for every person.

Scripture teaches that God sees life in the womb as known, formed, valued, and purposed. From Jeremiah 1 to Psalm 139 to Luke 1, we see that unborn life is not hidden from God, forgotten by God, or less valuable to God. But this message does not stop at conviction. It also calls the Church to compassion, action, and care for mothers, fathers, children, orphans, and families in crisis.

The heart of the message is Romans 5:6–8: while we were utterly helpless, Christ came for us. Just as the unborn are helpless, we were helpless in our sin. And just as life requires sacrifice, Jesus gave His life so that we could live.

This is not only a message about life in the womb. It is a message about the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the call of the Church to love both mother and child with truth, compassion, and courage.

In this message:

Why Christians build their worldview from Scripture, not culture
What the Bible teaches about life in the womb
How to think biblically about difficult and painful situations
Why caring for orphans, widows, and vulnerable families is part of the sanctity of life
How the gospel reveals God’s heart for the helpless
Practical ways to respond through prayer, fasting, giving, and action

Scripture: Romans 5:6–8
Message Title: Sanctity of Life
Partner: Love Life
Theme: Life, compassion, Scripture, and the gospel

In this message, Jeff Vantrease teaches on communion and the truth that Jesus is our daily bread. Through the picture of bread from heaven, we are reminded that God provides daily grace, daily strength, and daily life through Christ.

People are the Prize | 1 John 3:10

We live in a world where meaningful relationships are constantly being traded for convenience, distraction, speed, safety, and self-protection. Real connection is hard. Vulnerability is costly. And little by little, many of us have learned to avoid people instead of love them.

In this message, “People are the Prize,” we look at 1 John 3:10 and the bold truth that one of the clearest markers of following Jesus is not just personal morality or private spirituality, but love for people. According to Scripture, loving others is not optional for the Christian life. It is central to it.

This sermon confronts the ways isolation, hurry, competition, insecurity, and even technology can distort the way we see others. It also reminds us that the problem goes deeper than culture alone. Our sinful nature, the fallen world, and spiritual opposition all work against healthy, God-centered relationships. But Jesus calls us into something radically different.

The shift is this: people are not obstacles, interruptions, or tools. People are the prize.

Drawing from 1 John, John 13, Romans 12, and the writings of C.S. Lewis, this message invites us to see people the way God sees them and to reorient our lives around success not as achievement, but as learning to love well. And the solution is not simply trying harder. The solution is first receiving the love of God for yourself.

Because in the kingdom of God, loved people love people.

In this message:

Why loving people is a defining mark of a true disciple
How isolation and avoidance distort discipleship
Why following Jesus cannot be done apart from community
The spiritual battle behind division, toxicity, and relational breakdown
What it means to see others as eternally significant
Why the answer to loving people is receiving the love of God first

If you have felt disconnected, guarded, disappointed in relationships, or tempted to withdraw from people, this message is a call back to the heart of discipleship: to receive God’s love and reflect it toward others.

Scripture: 1 John 3:10
Message Title: People are the Prize
Core theme: Loved people love people

In this message, Pastor Tim Olson teaches on Jesus as the Bread of Life and the truth that only Christ can truly satisfy the human soul. While the world offers temporary fulfillment, Jesus alone gives lasting life, hope, and satisfaction.

In this Easter message, Pastor CJ Witkoe teaches from John 20:11–16 and the powerful moment when Jesus calls Mary by name at the empty tomb. Mary had seen the signs of the resurrection, but what changed everything was not just evidence or miracles. It was a personal encounter with the risen Jesus.

Your King Comes to You | Palm Sunday Sermon“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey…” — Matthew 21:5

Palm Sunday isn’t just a moment in history—it’s a deeply personal invitation.

In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and asks a powerful question:

Did Jesus choose the cross… or was He forced into it?

The answer changes everything.

Through the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 and the events of Matthew 21, we see that Jesus didn’t just accidentally fulfill prophecy—He intentionally chose to fulfill it. From riding on a donkey to remaining silent before His accusers, Jesus actively stepped into God’s plan.

And that reveals something profound:

What He couldn’t control reveals His identity (He is God).
What He chose reveals His character (He is love).

The bottom line of this message is simple—but life-changing:

Your choices reveal your character.

And Jesus’ choice?
He chose to come for you.

In this sermon, you’ll discover:

👑 Why Palm Sunday prophecy is both miraculous and intentional
📖 How Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies—and why it matters
🔥 The difference between divine identity and chosen obedience
💧 How God pursues us before we ever pursue Him
❤️ Why your relationship with Jesus starts with His choice—not yours

While we often think of faith as us searching for God, Scripture flips the story:

Jesus came to you first.

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

Before you ever reached for Him,
before you ever believed,
before you ever cleaned up your life—

Your King was already on His way to you.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 21:1–5, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 24:44, Romans 5:8
🎙️ Message Title: Your King Comes to You
📅 Occasion: Palm Sunday

Hope In God | Psalm 42:11“Why are you cast down, O my soul… Hope in God; for I shall again praise him.” — Psalm 42:11

What do you do when you’re still struggling… even after everything you’ve learned?

Psalm 42 ends with a powerful, repeated declaration that cuts through despair, doubt, and exhaustion:

Hope in God.

In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks one of the most important spiritual practices in the Christian life—leading your soul when it feels like it’s falling apart.

Because the truth is:

It’s not over… because God’s not done.

This verse isn’t a quick fix or a denial of pain. The psalmist is still downcast. Still in turmoil. Still struggling. But instead of giving up, he speaks truth to his soul again—and again—and again.

Why? Because repetition forms habits, habits shape lives, and lives determine destinies.

In this sermon, you’ll learn:

🧠 What it means to practice true “soul leadership” (without denying your pain)
🔁 Why spiritual repetition is essential for growth and maturity
🔥 How to keep going when you’re tired of “learning lessons”
🙏 What it actually means to “hope in God”
💡 Why hope isn’t wishful thinking—but confident trust in God’s unfinished work

When your soul loses hope, there’s no strategy, discipline, or effort that can fix it.

Only hope in God can restore the soul.

No matter what your story has been up to this point—
no matter how far you’ve fallen, how long you’ve struggled, or how tired you feel—

God has the final word.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42:11, Galatians 6:9, John 1:16
🎙️ Series: Psalm 42
🧭 Message Title: Hope In God

When God Feels Far Away | Psalm 42:9–10“I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have you forgotten me?’” — Psalm 42:9

Have you ever asked the question most believers are afraid to say out loud?

“God… where are you?”

Psalm 42 takes us into one of the darkest moments of the psalmist’s spiritual journey. What begins as a thirst for God becomes a painful question: Has God forgotten me? Surrounded by enemies and mocked with the haunting challenge — “Where is your God?” — the psalmist wrestles honestly with doubt, suffering, and the silence of heaven.

In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores what Scripture teaches about those seasons when God feels distant and why that feeling doesn’t mean He’s absent.

The powerful truth at the center of this passage is:

When God feels far away, He is really on His way.

In this sermon, you’ll discover:

💧 Why spiritual thirst is essential for discipleship
⚔️ The three enemies every believer faces — within, around, and below
✝️ How Jesus experienced abandonment so we could be adopted
🧠 Why the enemy attacks your soul through doubt and accusation
🔥 How to see spiritual battles from God’s perspective
🕊️ Why wrestling with God is part of real faith

When the psalmist asks, “Where is your God?”, Scripture gives us three answers:

• He was on the cross — securing our salvation.
• He is with us in the battle — empowering us to endure.
• He is coming soon — bringing justice, healing, and restoration.

If you’re in a season where God feels distant, this message will remind you that your struggle is not the end of the story. God has not forgotten you — and the darkness will not have the final word.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42:9–10, Matthew 27:46, Romans 7–8, John 16:33
🎙️ Series: Psalm 42
🧭 Message Title: When God Feels Far Away

The Way Through the Deep Dark | Psalm 42:6–8“My soul is cast down within me… Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls.” — Psalm 42:6–7

There are moments in life when everything stops.

Loss.
Heartbreak.
Death.
Divorce.
The collapse of something you thought would last forever.

Psalm 42 speaks directly into those seasons—the deep dark places of the soul where pain isn’t surface-level but goes all the way down. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores how the psalmist navigates overwhelming grief and spiritual darkness and discovers a powerful truth:

Our deep souls need a deep God.

Through vivid imagery of raging waterfalls, crashing waves, and the depths of the ocean, Psalm 42 reveals that the storms we face are not outside of God’s control—they are His waves and His breakers, and they are held under His authority.

In this message, you’ll discover:

🌊 Why the deepest pain can shape the deepest faith
🧭 How remembering God’s past faithfulness anchors us in present darkness
🙏 Why speaking to your soul isn’t enough—we must also cry out to God
🔥 How suffering often becomes God’s tool for transformation
✝️ Why Jesus is ultimately the way through the deepest dark

From the story of Jonah to the sorrow of Christ in Gethsemane, Scripture shows us that darkness is never the final chapter. The night may feel overwhelming, but the promise remains:

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

If you are walking through a season where the waves feel too big and the darkness too deep, this message will remind you that you are not alone—and that the God who commands the storm is with you in the boat.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42:6–8
🎙️ Series: Psalm 42
🧭 Message Title: The Way Through the Deep Dark

Soul Leadership | Psalm 42“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God…”

In this powerful and deeply practical message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores one of the most overlooked spiritual disciplines in Scripture: leading your own soul.

Psalm 42 isn’t just poetry—it’s a masterclass in soul leadership. The psalmist doesn’t ignore his despair. He doesn’t suppress his emotions. He doesn’t pretend everything is fine. Instead, he speaks directly to his soul and calls it back to hope.

And so must we.

In this message, you’ll discover:

🧠 The difference between self-talk and soul-talk
💔 Why your soul may still be operating from childhood wounds
🧩 The difference between integration and disintegration
🔥 Why self-care is not the same as soul care
🙏 What it actually means to “hope in God”
🎵 How praise prevents grief from becoming despair

The Hebrew word for soul — nephesh — refers to your inner being: the seat of your emotions, identity, and longings. It’s the glue that holds your mind, heart, and body together. And yet, many of us neglect it, misfeed it, or allow it to run chaotic and unled.

Psalm 42 makes a shocking assumption:
You can know your soul—and you can lead your soul.

When the psalmist says, “Hope in God,” he isn’t denying pain. He’s confronting it. He’s reminding himself that while he may have reasons to be downcast, he has greater reason to rise.

You may have reasons to be cast down.
But you have more reason to be raised up.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, confused, resentful, or spiritually dry, this message will help you realign your inner life with God and rediscover the strength that comes from praise—even in grief.

Because grief is healthy when praise is a part of it.
Because hope is choosing to wait with expectation.
Because your soul was made for communion with God.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42; Romans 5:3–5
🎙️ Message Title: Soul Leadership
🧭 Theme: Inner life, hope, praise, spiritual maturity

Grief Is a Gift | Psalm 42:3–4“My tears have been my food day and night…” — Psalm 42:3

Grief isn’t weakness.
It isn’t failure.
And it isn’t something to rush past.

In this powerful message from Psalm 42:3–4, Ben (Youth & Young Adults Director at Wonder Church) unpacks a surprising truth: grief is a gift that draws us closer to the heart of God.

The psalmist describes tears as daily food and remembers seasons of joy that now feel distant. He feels mocked. Forgotten. Overwhelmed. And yet—this lament becomes worship. This sorrow becomes intimacy.

In this sermon, you’ll discover:

💧 Why tears can be a form of spiritual nourishment
💔 How grief exposes what we truly love
🙏 Why God doesn’t waste our sorrow
🔥 How pain can deepen—not diminish—your faith
❤️ What it means to encounter God in seasons of loss

Psalm 42 reminds us that lament was written for corporate worship. That means grief was never meant to isolate you—it was meant to bring you into deeper communion with God and His people.

The bottom line:
Grief is a gift—not because it feels good, but because it pulls us toward the heart of God.

If you’re walking through loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or spiritual dryness, this message will help you see your sorrow through a different lens—and discover the nearness of God in the middle of it.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42:3–4
🎙️ Speaker: Ben – Youth & Young Adults Director
🧭 Series: Psalm 42

Blessed Thirst | Psalm 42:1–2 | Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?“As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”

Psalm 42 opens with one of the most honest and vulnerable cries in Scripture—a soul desperate for God in a dry and weary land. In this first message of our Psalm 42 series, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores what it means to have a blessed thirst—a longing for the living God that refuses to settle for spiritual stagnation.

Psalm 42 is a lament—written for public worship by the Sons of Korah. That means this wasn’t private journaling. It was sung. Repeated. Prayed together. Because while circumstances change, human emotions don’t.

In a world full of distractions, idols, and “stagnant water,” this message asks a piercing question:

Are you thirsty for God—or just a version of Him that fits your comfort zone?

In this sermon, you’ll discover:

💧 Why biblical thirst imagery matters in a desert context
🌊 Why our souls can’t survive on stagnant spirituality
🔥 The difference between cultural Christianity and the living God
🏜️ How apathy slowly replaces pursuit
🙏 Why discipleship requires intentional drinking
💍 What spiritual drift has in common with marriage drift

From Mount Baker stories to the Golden Calf, from dehydration statistics to Jesus’ invitation in John 7:37, this message calls us back to a raw, relentless hunger for God.

Not a God we redefine.
Not a God we domesticate.
Not a God we schedule.

But the living God.

“Give me God—or I will die.”

If your soul feels dry… distant… or spiritually numb, this message is an invitation to pursue again. To linger. To press in. To drink deeply.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 42:1–2, John 7:37, Exodus 32
🎙️ Series: Psalm 42
🧭 Theme: Spiritual thirst, lament, worship, encounter with God

Bring Others With You | CLIMB Series — Finale

“You won’t find Jesus inside the tent of your comfort zone.”

In the final message of the CLIMB series, Pastor CJ Witkoe calls the church beyond personal growth and spiritual endurance into something even bigger: mission. The climb was never meant to be solo. The summit was never meant to be private. If Jesus has changed your life, the invitation is clear—bring others with you.

Drawing from Hebrews 13:10–14, this message reveals a powerful truth:
Jesus suffered outside the camp—outside the systems of comfort, control, religion, and predictability—to make us holy by His blood. And if we want to truly follow Him, we must be willing to step outside the camp too.

In this message, you’ll discover:
⛰️ Why ministry and comfort zones don’t coexist
🔥 What it really means to “go to Jesus outside the camp”
👣 Why obedience is our responsibility—and results belong to God
🧭 How fear of rejection keeps us from miracles God has already prepared
🕊️ Why discipleship always requires movement, risk, and surrender

From mountaineering stories to real-life gospel moments, this sermon challenges us to stop walking past miracles—and stop walking past people Jesus deeply loves. Whether in friendships, marriage, parenting, church life, or everyday conversations, everything becomes an instrument of Kingdom advancement when we leave the tent of comfort behind.

This isn’t about hype or pressure.
It’s about obedience.
It’s about presence.
It’s about saying, “Jesus—you’ll find me outside the camp.”

📖 Scripture: Hebrews 13:10–14; Matthew 28:19–20
🎙️ Series: CLIMB
🧗 Message Title: Bring Others With You

If you’ve been climbing faithfully but quietly, this message will stir your heart toward mission—and remind you that the climb was never just about you.

Mark the Summit | CLIMB Series — Week 4

“Not that I have already obtained all this… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
— Philippians 3:12–14

What if the reason you feel empty isn’t because you failed…
but because you reached the wrong summit?

In Week 4 of the CLIMB series, Pastor CJ Witkoe challenges us to confront one of the deepest human struggles: giving everything we have to reach a goal, only to arrive and realize we still haven’t arrived. Careers, success, influence, financial stability—even spiritual accomplishments—can feel like summits until we stand there and sense something is still missing.

The problem isn’t effort.
The problem is direction.

In this message, you’ll discover:
⛰️ Why human achievement can never fully satisfy an eternal soul
🎯 What Paul meant when he said he had not yet “attained” what Christ wanted for him
❤️ The difference between sinless performance and complete formation
📍 How Jesus redefines the summit from success to calling
🔥 Why striving gives way to purpose when Jesus marks the summit

Paul reminds us that knowing Christ and living His purposes are not assumed — they are pursued. Jesus didn’t just forgive us; He possessed us so that we could become everything we were created to be. When He marks the summit, the climb is no longer about proving ourselves — it becomes about responding to His call.

Sometimes, reaching the true summit means going down first — letting go of past accomplishments, redefining success, and starting over with Jesus leading the way.

📖 Scripture: Philippians 3:12–14; Galatians 6:9
🎙️ Series: CLIMB
🧗 Message Title: Mark the Summit (Week 4)

If you’re tired of chasing goals that don’t fulfill, this message will help you stop striving, rediscover your calling, and let Jesus define what you’re really climbing toward.

In Step | CLIMB Series — Week 3

“We don’t rest from work — we rest in His.”

In Week 3 of the CLIMB series, Pastor CJ Witkoe addresses one of the most overlooked reasons people burn out in faith and ministry: we try to rest without plugging into God’s love.

You can unplug.
You can take a day off.
You can sleep, vacation, sabbath, and slow down…
and still feel completely drained.

Why? Because unplugging doesn’t recharge — only connection does.

Drawing from 1 John 4:18–19, this message reveals how fear-driven performance quietly fuels exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout — even in spiritual disciplines meant to bring rest. Perfect love doesn’t just comfort us; it casts out fear and replaces performance-driven anxiety with identity-driven obedience.

In this message, you’ll discover:
⛰️ Why weariness doesn’t mean failure — it means you’re climbing
🔌 The difference between unplugging and actually recharging
😰 How fear and performance anxiety drain us even when we’re “resting”
❤️ Why resting in God’s finished work changes how we climb
👣 How staying “in step” with Jesus makes the climb sustainable for you — and easier for those behind you

The mountain has already been summited by Jesus.
We don’t climb to earn love — we climb because we are loved.

📖 Scripture: 1 John 4:18–19; Galatians 6:9; Philippians 3:9
🎙️ Series: CLIMB
🧗 Message Title: In Step (Week 3)

If you’re tired, anxious, or trying to prove yourself — this message will help you learn how to rest in His love and keep climbing with renewed strength.

Link Up | CLIMB Series — Week 2

“Let us not become weary in doing good… if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
“Let us not neglect our meeting together… but encourage one another.” — Hebrews 10:24–25

Climbing alone might feel simpler, cleaner, and safer — but it’s also how people fall.
In Week 2 of the CLIMB series, Pastor CJ Witkoe reminds us that God never intended us to climb our ministry mountain by ourselves. The climb may be slower. It may be messier. But you will never go as far alone as you could with others.

Using powerful imagery from mountaineering, this message reveals why linking up isn’t optional — it’s essential. Ropes and harnesses don’t eliminate danger, but they keep one misstep from becoming fatal. In the same way, Christian community doesn’t remove hardship, but it keeps us from isolation, burnout, and spiritual collapse.

In this message, you’ll discover:
🧗 Why isolation is one of the enemy’s most effective strategies
🤝 How encouragement requires intentionality, not convenience
🔥 Why obedience — not success — is the true metric of faith
🏠 Why gathering with the church is irreplaceable (and livestreams are supplements, not sustenance)
🌾 How the “harvest” we’re waiting for may be standing right next to us

Hebrews tells us to think carefully about how to motivate one another — to spur each other on toward love and good works — especially now. Time is short. Jesus is coming back. And every gathering is an opportunity for a miracle.

📖 Scripture: Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:24–25
🎙️ Series: CLIMB
🧗 Message Title: Link Up (Week 2)

If you’ve ever thought, “No one understands,” this message will remind you that nothing wars against isolation like worshipping alongside people who have experienced the same grace you have.

Choose to Climb | CLIMB Series — Week 1

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Have you ever hit a point where things got hard and you wondered, “Did I miss something?”
In this opening message of the CLIMB series, Pastor CJ Witkoe reminds us that difficulty doesn’t mean failure — it often means progress.

Using the picture of mountain climbing, this message reframes weariness not as a warning sign, but as evidence that you’re on the ascent. The steep part of the climb doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re getting closer.

In this message, you’ll discover:
⛰️ Why doing good will make you tired — and why that’s normal
💪 The difference between getting weary and giving up
🎒 How unexamined habits and systems can sabotage the climb
🤝 Why community, spiritual disciplines, and margin aren’t optional — they’re essential gear
🔥 How choosing the right preparation keeps you climbing when things get hard

The truth is, most people don’t quit because they don’t love Jesus.
They quit because they’re climbing with the wrong gear.

This message is an invitation — not to avoid the climb, but to choose it, prepare for it, and keep going together.

📖 Scripture: Galatians 6:9
🎙️ Series: CLIMB
🧗 Message Title: Choose to Climb (Week 1)

Whether you’re tired, discouraged, or just starting your faith journey, this message will help you see that becoming weary doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re climbing.

Christmas Eve 2025 | Prince of Peace — Are We Ok With God?

Have you ever quietly wondered,
“God… are we ok?”

Life has been hard. You’ve messed up. You feel distant. And beneath the noise of Christmas and the pressure to feel joyful, that question lingers — Are we still ok?

In this Christmas Eve message, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks Isaiah 9:6 and the powerful truth that Jesus didn’t come to make us “ok with ourselves.” He came as the Prince of Peace — to make us ok with God.

Our culture offers a fragile substitute: “I’m ok with me.”
But peace based on self-approval collapses when circumstances change, comparisons creep in, or guilt resurfaces. Real peace doesn’t come from inside us — it comes from being made right with God.

In this message, you’ll discover:
🎄 Why being “ok with yourself” isn’t the same as being at peace
🕊️ How Jesus offers peace that outlasts your emotions and failures
❤️ The difference between justification (being made right with God) and sanctification (being transformed by God)
🩸 Why peace is only possible because Jesus took the consequences of our sin
✨ How the Prince of Peace offers not comfort without change — but peace with transformation

This Christmas Eve, Jesus isn’t offering permission to stay the same.
He’s offering something better: a settled conscience, a secure relationship with God, and a new beginning.

📖 Scripture: Isaiah 9:6; 1 John 3:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18
🎄 Service: Christmas Eve 2025
👑 Message Title: Prince of Peace

Be Still and Embrace a Kingdom Mindset | Word for the Year

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

In a world that celebrates hurry, noise, and constant motion, God invites us to slow down. In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole calls the church to pause, reflect, and look ahead by embracing a Kingdom mindset rooted in stillness, trust, and perspective.

Often it’s not that God isn’t speaking — it’s that we’re moving too fast to listen. When we slow down, we gain clarity. When we become still, we remember who is actually in control. And when we see life from God’s point of view, our priorities begin to align with His Kingdom.

In this message, you’ll be invited to:
⏸️ Be still — creating space to hear God clearly
👑 Embrace a Kingdom mindset — seeing people, the Church, and priorities through God’s eyes
🕊️ Reflect on the past year — identifying the moments God used to shape and mature you
🌱 Look ahead with faith — discerning what God may want to do in and through you next

This message introduces a rhythm for the year ahead — one that is unhurried yet unstoppable, grounded in trust that God is at work even when we slow down.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 46:10
🎯 Theme: Word for the Year
💡 Message Title: Be Still and Embrace a Kingdom Mindset

The Story: Joy | Christmas Is for Everyone

When the angel appeared to the shepherds, the announcement wasn’t just good news — it was great joy. And that joy wasn’t reserved for kings, scholars, or the spiritually impressive. It was first given to shepherds — the overlooked, the unclean, the exhausted, the lowly.

In this Christmas message from Josee Schilling, we’re reminded that joy is for everyone. No matter your past, your pain, your position, or your present circumstances, the joy of Christmas meets you right where you are.

This message reveals that joy is an act of defiance — evidence that we belong to a different Kingdom. In a world ruled by fear, despair, and striving, Christian joy boldly declares that Jesus is King and that hope has broken in.

But ultimately, joy isn’t determined by what’s happening around you —
it’s determined by who is with you.

The angel’s message to the shepherds was the Gospel itself: Jesus has come to make us right with God. And that reality changes everything.

In this message, you’ll discover:
✨ Why joy is for everyone
✨ Why joy is resistance
✨ Joy isn't determine by what's around you, but who is with you.

📖 Scripture: Luke 2:8–20
🎄 Series: The Story (Christmas at Wonder Church)
💡 Message Topic: Joy

If you’ve been discouraged, weary, or wondering if joy is still possible for you — this message is for you.

Hope For Those Who Sit in Darkness | Christmas at Wonder Church

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” — Matthew 4:16

Christmas is supposed to be magical — full of concerts, lights, traditions, and moments we try so hard to savor. But what happens when the Christmas story collides with our story? What if this season isn’t festive, but heavy? What if joy feels far away, and hope feels impossible?

In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores Matthew 4:12–16 and the prophecy Isaiah spoke centuries earlier: the light of Christ breaks in for those who sit in darkness. Not just for the religious. Not just for the hopeful. But for the hopeless. The disappointed. The exhausted. The ones who have heard “no” so many times they stopped praying, stopped dreaming, stopped expecting anything to change.

In this Christmas message, you’ll discover:

🕯️ 1. People who sit in darkness have often lost hope.
When life says “NOPE” — jobs, relationships, health, dreams, even God — hopelessness begins to feel normal.

🌑 2. People who sit in darkness adjust their eyes.
Sometimes we stop trying to get out. We settle. We succeed outwardly but feel empty inwardly. We lower our expectations because disappointment hurts too much.

✨ 3. But into that darkness… a GREAT Light shines.
The hope of the Gospel is not faint — it is great. Jesus breaks in exactly where hope has died. As Tozer said: “It is in the dark that God does His best work in us.”

🌅 4. Those who see the light must decide.
When the light appears, we either remain seated… or we run toward it.

This is a message for anyone who has felt stuck, discouraged, numb, disappointed, or spiritually tired — and for anyone who needs to believe again that Jesus still shines in dark places… even here, even now.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 4:12–16; Isaiah 9; John 8:12
🎄 Series: Christmas at Wonder
✨ Message Title: For Those Who Sit in Darkness

More Than a Meal – Pt. 4 | Look Ahead

“You are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26

Communion doesn’t just point inward, backward, or around us—it points forward.
In this final message of our More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a preview, a foretaste, and a dress rehearsal for the greatest celebration in eternity: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Jesus said, “I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
That means there is a future meal coming… and communion is the appetizer.

In this message you’ll discover:
🍞 Communion awakens hunger — a holy longing for the day Jesus returns.
🌿 Communion sets the tone — what we taste now will be fully realized in glory.
🕊 Communion secures your seat at the table — participation identifies us as His people.
📣 Communion gives us a mission — we proclaim His death until He comes again.

Communion is not the last supper—it’s the preview of the next supper.

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:29; Revelation 19:6–9
🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion
🕊️ Message 4: Look Ahead

More Than a Meal – Pt. 3 | Look Around

“This is my body… this is my blood.” — Jesus (Matthew 26:26–28)

Communion isn’t just something we think about — it’s something we participate in.
In Part 3 of our More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe invites us to stop overthinking, slow down, and look around at what Jesus is actually doing in communion.

When Jesus said, “This is my body… this is my blood,” He took the familiar symbolism of the Passover meal and radically redefined it. No longer shaped by the lamb of Egypt, the bread and cup now point to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In this message you’ll discover:
🍞 The new meaning of the bread — the sacrifice of Jesus that delivers us from sin.
🍷 The significance of the cup — the covenant confirmed by His blood, securing forgiveness for the many.
🙌 The real mystery of communion — not mystical transformation, but Jesus’ presence alive in His people.
🧡 Why participation matters more than perfect understanding — “take and eat,” not “take and understand.”
🌿 How looking around helps us stop overthinking and start experiencing God.

Communion is more than a symbol to study — it’s a grace to receive, a presence to encounter, and a reminder that the wonder of God is found not in merely understanding Him, but in participating with Him.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 26:26–28; Exodus 6:6–7; Exodus 24:8; Leviticus 17:11
🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion
🕊️ Message 3: Look Around

More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion | Part 2 - Look Back

“Do this in remembrance of me.”
With those words, Jesus invites us to look back — not with guilt or nostalgia, but with gratitude and awe.

In this second message of the More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks the sacred meaning of remembrance in communion. We don’t just recall an event in history — we relive the reality of the cross, the love that was poured out, and the covenant that still holds us today.

When we look back to the body broken and the blood shed, we’re reminded that grace isn’t a concept — it’s a person. Communion reorients our hearts to what Jesus has done, anchors our faith in His sacrifice, and renews our relationship with Him and with one another.

In this message, you’ll discover:
🍞 What “remembrance” truly means in biblical context
❤️ How to move from routine to reverence when taking communion
🩸 Why the cross is not just something to recall — but something to live from
🙏 How looking back gives us strength to move forward

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Luke 22:14–20
🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion
🕊️ Message 2: Look Back

🍞 More Than a Meal: Look In — Examining the Heart Before Communion

Communion isn’t just a ritual — it’s a moment of reflection. In Part 1 of More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion, Pastor CJ Witkoe teaches from 1 Corinthians 11 that the Lord’s Supper is where routine ends and reverence begins. Before we take the bread and cup, Scripture calls us to “examine ourselves” — to look inward and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that separates us from God or from one another.

🙏 Key Idea: Communion is not a snack. It’s sacred.
💡 When we honor the body of Christ — both His sacrifice and His church — we experience the wholeness His body was broken to give us.

📖 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 | Psalm 139:23–24

🕊️ In this message, you’ll learn:

What it means to “discern the body of Christ”
How self-examination leads to restoration
Why reverence is the foundation of true communion
How to honor Christ and others before you come to the table

🔥 Trainwreck: David & Absalom — You Can’t Fix It Until You Face It

When David refused to confront the sin in his own family, it led to heartbreak, rebellion, and the loss of his son Absalom. Sometimes the mess we bury is the one that breaks us. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe shares how avoidance can destroy what anger only started—and how God, unlike David, did something about our sin by sending Jesus to take our place.

🧠 Key Idea: Things don’t get better by burying them. You can’t fix it until you face it.
💔 David ignored it. Absalom rebelled. God redeemed it.
📖 2 Samuel 13–18 | John 3:16 | Ezekiel 18:32

🙌 Discover how to confront sin, pursue reconciliation, and experience the Father’s heart that says, “If only I had died instead of you.”

🎧 Topics:

Family brokenness & forgiveness
Confronting sin biblically
The cost of silence and avoidance
God’s redeeming love through Jesus

The Israelites had seen God do miracle after miracle — deliverance from Egypt, manna from heaven, water from rocks — and yet, they grumbled. Their constant complaining revealed a heart that had lost its fear of the Lord. As a result, fiery serpents struck the camp, and only those who looked up to the bronze serpent were healed.

In this message, guest speakers Troy and Barbara share how that same spirit of grumbling and self-reliance can creep into our lives today — even in ministry. Jesus warned in Matthew that many will say, “Lord, Lord, did we not do miracles in your name?” yet He will reply, “I never knew you.”

The warning is clear: we can produce ministry activity without spiritual intimacy. Like branches disconnected from the vine, we can look fruitful on the outside but be spiritually dying on the inside.

This message calls us back to the fear of the Lord — a holy awe that keeps us connected to the source of all life and power. We don’t bear fruit by striving harder, but by staying rooted in Jesus, the true Vine.

📖 Scriptures: Numbers 21:4–9, John 15:1–5, Matthew 7:21–23
🎙 Series: Trainwreck
💡 Message Title: coming back to the vine

If you’ve ever felt burned out, spiritually dry, or disconnected from God, this message is an invitation to return — not to religion, but to relationship.

🎙️ Trainwreck: Solomon | When Love Becomes an Idol

Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived — blessed by God with unmatched wisdom, power, and wealth. He built the Temple, led Israel into its most prosperous era, and became a legend of divine favor. Yet, behind the gold and glory, something tragic was happening inside his heart.

In Trainwreck: Solomon, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores how the man known for his wisdom became undone by divided love. Despite his divine gift, Solomon “clung in love” to foreign wives who eventually turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1–3).

This message digs deep into the tension between righteous wisdom and reckless love — how Solomon’s success led him to compromise, and how our own hearts can subtly shift from devotion to distraction. We discover that Solomon didn’t stop loving God… he just stopped loving Him fully.

The heartbreaking truth: the same word used to describe Solomon’s love for God is used to describe his love for foreign women. His heart was divided — and that division cost him his kingdom.

💡 Big Idea: The wisest man in history became a trainwreck, not because he stopped believing in God, but because he started loving other things just as much.

📖 Scriptures: 1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 11:1–3, 2 Samuel 12:25, Hebrews 11:24–26
🎙 Series: Trainwreck
💔 Message Title: Solomon

If you’ve ever found your heart pulled between God and something (or someone) else, this message will help you recognize the idols that divide your devotion — and rediscover what it means to give God 100%.

Trainwreck: Moses | Righteous Anger and the Cost of Losing Control

What makes you angry? Injustice? Hypocrisy? Disrespect?
Anger is emotional energy — and sometimes, it’s even righteous. But as we see in the life of Moses, even righteous anger can lead to disastrous results when it’s not surrendered to God.

In this message, Trainwreck: Moses, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks one of the most powerful and painful moments in Scripture — when Moses, in a fit of anger, struck the rock instead of speaking to it… and lost his chance to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1–12).

Through this story, we see that righteous anger does not equal righteous action. Moses’ pattern of anger — from killing the Egyptian to smashing the tablets to striking the rock — reminds us that even the strongest leaders can misrepresent God when they let emotions take control.

But there’s hope. Hebrews 3–4 reveals that while Moses missed out on rest, we don’t have to. In Jesus, we find a better way — exchanging rage for rest, frustration for faith, and striving for surrender.

📖 Scriptures: Numbers 20:1–12, Exodus 2:11–12, Exodus 32, Hebrews 3–4
🎙 Series: Trainwreck
💡 Message Title: Moses — The Cost of Losing Control

If you’ve ever felt justified in your anger but regretted what came next, this message will help you find healing, peace, and strength in God’s rest.

In 1 Samuel 16–31, Saul refuses to release what God has already removed, spiraling into jealousy, demonic torment, murderous rage, and desperate witchcraft.

In this powerful message, Pastor CJ Witkoe from Wonder Church unpacks Saul’s tragic downfall and shows how clinging to control only leads to destruction, while surrender brings freedom.

📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16–31
⚡ Why insecurity keeps us holding on to what God has taken away
⚡ How worship drives back darkness (David and the lyre)
⚡ Why letting go opens the door to God’s new season

If you’ve ever struggled to release a relationship, a dream, or a past season,
this message will help you trust God’s sovereignty and move forward in faith.

👉 Subscribe for weekly Bible-based teaching.
👍 Like & Share to spread the message of Jesus’ grace and freedom.

Marriage was designed by God to be more than just commitment—it was meant to be a source of joy, passion, and blessing. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks Proverbs 5 and shows how God’s wisdom warns us against the destruction of sexual sin while inviting us into the delight of a life-giving marriage.

You’ll discover:

Why sexual sin is deceptive and destructive.
How delighting in your spouse protects and strengthens your relationship.
Practical boundaries that guard your marriage and soul.
God’s vision for passion, intimacy, and joy within marriage.

Whether you’re single, newly married, or decades into your relationship, this message will inspire you to see marriage not just as survival, but as delight. And ultimately, it points us to the greatest marriage of all—the love of Christ for His people.

📖 Scripture: Proverbs 5:1–19
🎙 Speaker: Pastor CJ Witkoe
📅 Part of our Proverbs: God’s Wisdom for Everyday Living series

👉 Don’t miss our Love & Marriage Weekend happening September 26–27!

Saul looked like the perfect king—tall, handsome, and chosen by God.
But behind the image was a man hiding in the baggage, ruled by insecurity,
and torn between pleasing people and obeying God.

In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe from Wonder Church explores 1 Samuel 9–15
to reveal how Saul’s false self led to his downfall—and how we can throw off
our own false selves to live in the freedom and love of Jesus.

📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 9–15
⚡ Learn how insecurity creates a “false self.”
⚡ Discover why obedience is better than sacrifice.
⚡ Find freedom in knowing your true identity in Christ.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to perform, to impress, or to hide who you really are,
this message will help you step into the life God actually calls you to.

👉 Subscribe for weekly Bible-based teaching.
👍 Like & Share to spread the message of God’s grace.

Money is one of the most common stressors in life—but it doesn’t have to be. In this message, An Introduction to Financial Joy, Pastor Ken Witkoe unpacks timeless wisdom from the book of Proverbs to show how God’s Word leads us to freedom, peace, and joy in our finances.

Whether you’re struggling with financial anxiety, learning to budget, or simply want to align your money with God’s purposes, this message will encourage and equip you to take practical steps toward honoring God and experiencing true financial joy.

📖 Scriptures covered: Proverbs and other biblical principles on finances.
🎙️ Speaker: Pastor Ken Witkoe
📍 Recorded at Wonder Church

🔔 Subscribe to Wonder Church on YouTube and follow our podcast for more messages of hope, truth, and transformation.

👉 Connect with us:
Website: www.wonderchurch.com
Instagram: wonderchurch
Podcast: wonder church

WonderChurch #FinancialJoy #BookofProverbs #KenWitkoe

Samson was called, gifted, and chosen by God—yet his pride and compromise led to a total trainwreck. His story is a warning of what happens when we walk away from God, but also a powerful reminder that His compassion never quits.

In this message, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Samson’s rise and fall, the danger of compromise, and the hope of Jesus who meets us in our lowest moments.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve gone too far or failed too much, this message is for you.

📖 Key Scriptures: Judges 13–16, Romans 8:1

👉 Subscribe for more Bible-based teaching and encouragement.
👍 Like & Share to spread the message of God’s love.

Bottom Line: Samson’s life shows the consequences of compromise—and the relentless compassion of God.

Samson #SamsonAndDelilah #BibleTeaching #SermonOnCompromise #GodsCompassion #ChristianEncouragement #WonderChurch #Preaching #Sermon2025 #BibleStudy #ChristianHope #FaithAfterFailure #JesusRestores #GospelMessage #OnlineChurch #ChurchOnline #ChristianPodcast #BibleSermon #HopeInJesus #GraceAndTruth

Depression is real. It can feel like living under a constant wave of trouble, powerless and overwhelmed—even when the “wave” is only half a foot tall. Proverbs 15:15 says:

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”

Are you struggling with depression, feeling powerless, or overwhelmed by life? In this sermon, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Proverbs 15:15 and John 1:16 to show how Jesus brings freedom, joy, and a continual feast of grace—even in seasons of sorrow.

We’ll cover:

Why despondency leads to bondage

How sin and compromise fuel depression

The difference between shame and conviction

Why “authentic misery” isn’t the answer

How joy is found not in circumstances, but in Christ

Why the gospel is the true antidote to despair

📖 Key Scriptures:

Proverbs 15:15 (NLT)

John 1:16 (ESV)

🙏 Response: True freedom from depression begins with faith in Jesus. No amount of pills or counseling can fix a broken belief system that perpetuates sorrow and slavery. But in Christ, joy can be your daily feast.

🔔 Subscribe to Wonder Church for more sermons, worship, and encouragement.
🎙️ Also available on the Wonder Church Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.).
📍 Learn more about Wonder Church: www.wonderchurch.com

The Supernatural Advantage | God Squad Series

Relationships are tough—and they’re not getting easier. Many of us feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, and even alone in the struggles we face. But what if God isn’t just watching our relationships from a distance—what if He’s in them?

In this message, The Supernatural Advantage, Pastor CJ Witkoe shares how God equips us with spiritual gifts to strengthen and heal our relationships. From wisdom and faith to healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and more—these gifts are not reserved for a few, but given “to each of us… so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT).

Discover how the Holy Spirit provides a supernatural advantage in everyday life and how you can begin to walk in these gifts to build healthier, stronger, and God-centered connections.

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
🎙 Series: God Squad
💡 Message Title: The Supernatural Advantage

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have what it takes in your relationships, this message will remind you that you are not alone—God has given you His Spirit, His gifts, and His power to thrive.

Do Not Let Your Heart Envy | Message by Josee

In this message from Proverbs 23:17–18, Josee shares about the danger of envy and comparison—how wanting what others have steals joy, distorts perspective, and hurts our souls. But there’s hope: Jesus offers freedom from envy and a secure future filled with peace and purpose.

Whether you struggle with comparison in relationships, finances, success, or daily life, this message points you back to the true solution—finding your identity and contentment in Christ.

📖 Scripture: Proverbs 23:17–18
🎙️ Speaker: Josee
📌 Title: Do Not Let Your Heart Envy

This is a special message from some of the elders at Wonder - Jeff and Hiedi Vantrees. God wants to bring a division between us and the enemy. You do not have to put up with sin, disfunction, harassment, and shame. In this message, we will learn how to put the name of Jesus into action and drawn a line that the enemy cannot cross.

Sermon Title: Generational Wealth
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1–7, Proverbs 13:22, Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)

What are you leaving behind? In this powerful message, we explore Generational Wealth—not just in finances, but in wisdom, faith, and legacy. God doesn’t think in moments; He thinks in generations. Many live like the story ends with them, but Scripture calls us to think beyond ourselves—to be conduits of blessing, not cul-de-sacs.

Drawing from the wisdom of Proverbs, this sermon challenges us to build a legacy that reaches beyond our lifetime. Learn how to pass on spiritual health, discipline, and purpose to the generations after you. Discover how the “fear of the Lord” is the foundation of a life that not only thrives today—but leaves an inheritance tomorrow.

God’s blessings don’t have to end with you. Whether you’ve inherited curses or blessings, you can choose today to start a new legacy through Christ.

🎧 Listen in and be inspired to live with eternity in mind.
💬 Subscribe, like, and share to be a blessing to others!

Sermon Title: God Goals
Scripture: Proverbs 1:1–7, Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)

Do you have dreams, goals, and plans—but wonder if they align with God's will?

In this episode, we break down the wisdom of Proverbs to discover what real success looks like in the eyes of God. This sermon tackles questions like:

Does God actually want me to succeed?
How do I make plans that honor Him?
What should I do when my plans fail?

Key takeaway: True success begins with reverence for God, continues with wise discipline, and ends with trusting Him with the outcome.

🎧 Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, parent, or leader—this message will encourage you to align your goals with God’s purpose for your life.

👉 Subscribe, share, and follow for more biblical wisdom on navigating real life.

ChristianPodcast #FaithGoals #BiblicalWisdom #GodsWill #ProverbsSermon

Do you want to live a successful life? The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is to provide wisdom to live a disciplined and successful life. The starting point for this wisdom and success is "the Fear of the Lord". But what is that? In this message, we study this essential attitude and discover that the Fear of God is something that grounds us, can be learned, and can be chosen.

At face value, kindness and goodness are fairly easy to understand: Do good. But, when we slow down to think about it, we realize that it's riddled with problems: how do we deal with conflict? Is the gospel just about being nice to people? The truth is, many of us have replaced kindness with "niceness", a sort of non-confrontational philanthropy. But, God teaches us through his own expression of kindness, how we are to be kind to others.

In this message, we study the fruit of the Spirit: Peace.

It seems that the older we get, the less joy we have. We experience more pain and pressure. Our emotions become more complex. This is natural. However, in the Kingdom of God, it's different - the more mature we become in Christ, the more joy we will have. This is because Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. To allow the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in our life, we need to obey our way to joy.

Success for the believer is the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit. Love is the first and foundation fruit, from which all the rest grow. However, this is also the most difficult. Thank God, it's HIS FRUIT, not ours. We are NOT the source, just the stream.

You are made to live a fruitful life. But, our ability to bear the fruit of the Spirit is determined the environment we create. If we live to satisfy our sinful desires, we will not bear the fruit of the spirit. But, if we live in the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit.

The Easter narrative in Luke includes a curious story: two discouraged men walking along a road that encounter Jesus. Have you ever walked a long road of discouragement and doubt? We discover in this story that when we finally see Jesus as he truly is, we realize he was walking with us on that road the entire time.

Did you know that there are two events in the Bible that include the famous "waving of palm branches"? It wasn't just on Palm Sunday, it is also found in Revelation 7, at the end of the tribulation period. Palm branches represent victory, but the first time in the Bible they are waved, people did not have the right understanding of Christ's victory. They were gravely disappointed when Jesus victory meant going to the cross. We can relate. If we ever thought that following Jesus would "make my life easier" and found that to not be the case. What victory did Jesus win for us? We will discover in this message that Christ's victory makes us right with God. And, if we are right with God, we are victorious in all things.

This message examines what the Bible says happens when we die.

The Bible doesn't just give us insight into human history, it gives us prophecy about the future. Throughout this series, we have examined biblical prophecy and now turn our attention to the present moment that we are in. In light of history and the future, we know where we are in history... and what is most important about this present moment.

The mark of the beast, mentioned throughout Revelation, but most famously in 13:16-18, has generated terror and conspiracy for two thousand years. Due to the highly controversial nature of this passage, we believe it is wise to humbly interpret it according to a literal method. What you might not know is that there is a counterpart to the mark of the beast: the mark of God. If you believe in Jesus, you are "marked" by Him. In this message, we will not only study the mark of the beast, but the mark of the believer: He has written HIS NAME on us.

How do you feel about unsolved mysteries? Some of us are interested in the unknown, but for a lot of us, unsolved mysteries can make us feel uncomfortable. When it comes to God, there is much that is mysterious. No part of theology is filled with more mystery than Eschatology (the study of the end times). In this message, we will discover that our response to the mystery of God is determined by what we believe about God's character. If we believe He is good, we are not afraid of what we don't understand.

Have you ever been thirsty? Did you know that just like your body needs water to survive, so our soul needs God? There is no practice in Christianity that reminds of this truth like fasting. It's time to get a drink that our soul has been waiting for.

In this message we wrap up our study of Psalm 51. Some of us may have a perspective of God that he does good to us, but it comes with a catch. He will bless us, but we owe him. This is the way the world works. But, what we discover in the final verses of Psalm 51 is that there is no catch to God's goodness. David knew this, and it gave him confidence to ask God to save him from the greatest failures of his life. When we know God's great love for us, we love him back with the same purity that he loves us - no ulterior motives.

We tend to think that Christianity is about getting our lives in order by adopting certain spiritual practices. However, in the Psalm 51:16-17 we discover the shocking truth about what God really wants from us - not our pious religiosity, but our broken hearts. This is good news for all of us that are at the end of our rope and find our hearts to be broken and rid of pride.

We continue our study of Psalm 51

If you have ever wondered what God thinks of you, if you have ever wondered if there was more to the life you are living... listen to this message.

What would David say that he sinned against God and God alone when he sinned against many people? In this passage we tackle this confusing verse and discover that the truth of it points us to humanity's greatest need, and how it can be met.

Sometimes, scriptures brings us to a place of reckoning - we are far worse than we ever imagined. This is what David describes in Psalm 51:3, "I recognize my sin..." This recognition of sin is essential for redemption. In this study, we will see David's decline as described in 2 Samuel 11:1-12:7. We will discover that sin is easy to spot until it's your own. And, when our forgiven hearts are haunted by our past mistakes, we can write our own Psalm 51, and ask God for more mercy and find more grace.

In this message, we study Psalm 51:1-2. We will discover that conviction of sin confirms our identity of children of God.

In this advent series, we study the subject of Joy.

In the second week of Advent, we study the subject of peace.

On the first week of Advent, we study the subject of Hope.

Christian living is courageous living. In this message, we take a look at 1 Corinthians 16:9, open doors of opportunity. God gives us opportunities to do great things for the Kingdom. However, opportunity comes with opposition and the truth is, open doors are only effective if we have the courage to walk through them.

What we believe about the future impacts what we do today. If we believe that what we are building with our lives will ultimately be destroyed, we will not be motivated. We will instead resort to a survival type of living where happiness is our only medication for a hopeless reality. But, the gospel comes in to bring hope that transcends death! When a person believes in the Gospel, they are not only promised life after death, their life on earth is given purpose.

The mission of the Church is not to make converts; it's to make disciples. Discipleship is less about information and more about information. The process of change requires the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Paul concludes is teaching on the gifts of the spirit and provides practical application for the church of Corinth to step into the gifts and engage in greater levels of discipleship. We can do the same today.

God wants us to know Him. But, interacting with the supernatural can be scary and mysterious. How can we encounter the mystery of God in our church service, while also recognizing that people may not be ready for it? This is what 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 is all about.

Are you looking for the place you belong? We believe that you belong in "the body of Christ", His Church. But, what does that mean? and, how can we be a part? This is what 1 Corinthians 12 is all about.

Politics today is one of the most controversial, divisive and confusing topics. But, If Jesus is Lord of our life, this must include our politics. In this message, we will try to answer this difficult question, "How can we honor Jesus in politics?"

In this message we study the famous text from Paul concerning the Last Supper. We find that participating in the practice of communion does not mean that we are participating with the Spirit of the Supper. To do this, we must understand God's heart: It's not the vessel that matters, but what you fill it with.

The issue of head coverings is still relevant today - more conservative circles hold to certain protocols, others have none at all. But, beneath the issue is a timeless principle that supersedes all our traditions and protocols. Listen to find out.

What does it really mean to be united in Christ? This question is even more important in a world in which community is difficult to find and keep. But, the answer to this question invites us to participate in the depth of relationship with others that we were originally made for.

It sounds too easy, but the truth is, a word of encouragement can lift up a heavy heart. If you are discouraged, this message is for you. If you want to become an encourager, this message is for you.

In this section of 1 Corinthians, Paul uses Israel's history to warn us about temptation to sin. He also encourages us with the reality of God's presence and provision with us whenever we face trials and temptations of different kinds.

Paul uses his own life as an example for us. Discipleship is not just about learning to follow Jesus, its about actually doing the things He wants us to do. This is what it means to run with purpose in every step, instead of just going through the motions.

Have you ever come to a morally gray area? How do you resolve questions about what is ok or not, when the answer isn't clear? In this chapter, Paul addresses a gray area for the church of ancient Corinth. We will discover that it is better to surrender your freedom for the sake of others than to exercise it at their expense.

Jesus changes how we do relationships. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses two questions that he had previously received from the Corinthians. His answers give us direction on how to move forward in our relationships. We discover that we because we are so loved in our relationship with God, we can love others well too.

We are living in a sexual revolution. Our culture is sex-saturated. Yet, the God's plan for sex is very different than we might expect. In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, we discover that our bodies are sacred and we ought not to settle for casual sex. Instead, we should honor God with our bodies and only engage in sex in the context of marriage.

Paul addresses the issues of church members sewing each other. He tells us that the church should be able to settle disputes within the community instead of seeking justice from a corrupt judicial system. He then echos the teachings of Jesus, "Why not just accept the injustice...?" This hard teaching reveals a core truth in Christianity - if our lives are built on something we don't deserve, we can give others what they don't deserve... forgiveness.

In this tough chapter of 1 Corinthians, we discover the secret of healthy communities: boundaries. Paul gives us two reasons why boundaries and discipline are essential: for the sake of the individual and the community.

Guest speaker Pastor Elaine Jones brings a message about parenting in the modern age.

We study 1 Corinthians 4. In this chapter, Paul describes the role of the Christian leader as a servant. These attributes describe can be applied to all Christians everywhere and drastically changes our approach to our leaders and each other.

We continue our study of 1 Corinthians, now entering chapter 3. Here, Paul shows us the key to ending childlike bickering - security in all that God has done.

This is an expository study of 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. In these scriptures, Paul tells us that the wisdom of God can only be revealed by His Spirit. All who have His Spirit, can understand His wisdom. They have the mind of Christ.

In this message, we kick off our study of 1 Corinthians. In this first section, Paul addresses one of the problems in the church of Corinth - division. The source of the division seems to come from people comparing different Christian communicators based on their eloquence and wisdom. Paul shows the Corinthians that this is a ridiculous thing to do, since none of us came to Christ because of mere human wisdom. Instead, salvation is achieved through the cross of Christ. All the wisdom in the world could not save us. We need more than mere words, we need the power of God to save us.

Every good father wants the best for their children. Father God wants this for all of us. But, in order for us to be everything he made us to be, we have to be brave and courageous in the face of opposition. How can we keep going, no matter what comes our way? By finding our security in the Father's love.

There are two reasons that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church on the day of Pentecost: to build up the church and witnessing to the world. Peter is an example of someone who was changed by the Holy Spirit. He went from not witnessing to a little girl out of fear, to boldly preaching to thousands of people on the streets of Jerusalem. Just like Peter, the Holy Spirit gives us power on purpose - to reach the world.

Have you ever met someone who says they are filled with the Spirit of Jesus and yet acts like a demon? How is it possible for someone to opporate in the gifts of the Spirit but not have any of the fruit of the Spirit? In this message, we will discover that both gifts and fruit are works of the Spirit, but one is far more important than the other. God values character over charisma.

We may have heard of the Holy Spirit or even been in a service or a church where we "felt" the power of the Spirit. Or, maybe we have never heard of the Holy Spirit and know nothing about it. You may be surprised to learn that the Holy Spirit is involved in your life even before you may chose to follow Jesus. So often we reduce the Holy Spirit only to His power. But today, we will learn that He is much more than a power; He is a Person.

The day of Pentecost was the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church in the book of Acts. We. believe that the baptism of the Spirit is still available to believers today and it is a gift we do not have to be afraid to open.

In this special mother's day message, Pastor CJ and Nicole discuss one of the most powerful characteristics of God: His ability to see us, not just as we are, but as we could be. This same trait dwells in all believers and is essential as we lead and disciple our church, families, kids, and world.

Money can make or break your calling. Often times, money can become the greatest burden we carry as we try to run the race God marked out for us. This happens when money is our master. Many is a bad master, but it's also a great servant. But, in order for money to serve the purposes of God in our lives, we must order it.

This message is from Jeff and Heidi Vantreese, elders at Wonder. They share about walking with Jesus through life's many seasons and how to persevere and learn as you walk.

We all have purpose given to us by God. We have dreams and passions. Many of us get excited about the plan God has for our lives, but once we go home, to real life, the plan fades away. In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole discuss 3 essential disciplines to live out your God given plan: time with God, going to church, and not giving up.

We all have assignments from God for our life. But, sometimes we can feel stuck. We are making no apparent progress in life. What do we do when we feel this way? How can we get unstuck? Together, let's find out.

We all have assignments from God for our life. We all have important Kingdom purpose. We all have dreams from God. But, how often do we start on those purposes and then our lives get so full that we get stuck and can't progress. In Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to throw off all the burdens that slow us down and the sin that trips us up and run the race that God has set for us. In this series, we will seek to do just that. The first step in decluttering our lives and pursuing God's purposes, is to have courage and assess how unmanageable our lives have become. We can't purge, until we open the door.

On Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, why did He come and what did he accomplish on Easter? In this message, Pastor CJ studies the famous verse, John 3:16, and helps us see the essence of the Gospel, and the hope of Christianity.

In this message, we conclude our study of Psalm 23. We find that having journeyed with "My Shepherd" through the ups and downs of life, the writer, and the believer, are speak with confidence about loving care of God. We are able to live a life of "dwelling in the house of the Lord" now and forever.

We see our Shepherd become also our Host. As a Host, He provides all that we would ever need or want, including the protection and covering of being in His care. The blessings that He pours out on us are not small, conditional, or limited by any means. Instead, they are absolute, infinite, and complete.

Pastor Darius Giles share about the God's ability to take the brokenness in our lives and redeem it. The Bible is filled with countless examples and statements regarding this. Not only is God able to redeem, but brokenness is a requirement for redemption to occur. Broken people are the only people that God uses.

Psalm 23:4 is perhaps the most recognizable passage in the entire Bible. We love this passage because we can relate to the times of walking through "the darkest valley". But, there is a message of hope in this passage. That hope is found in the shepherd that doesn't just lead us "to" the valley; He leads us "through" the valley.

Pastor Jay Smith brings a study of Psalm 34. In this beloved Psalm, King David writes from a context that is filled with anguish. The psalm is filled with pain, hope, and most of all, honesty. For those of us studying it, we can relate with many of the things that David writes. We also can put our trust in the same one that David trusted: God.

Psalm 23:3 tells us two things that "my shepherd" does. In this breakdown verse 3, we will discover the beauty of this passage and how it so clearly points us to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

We are studying Psalm 23:2. This verse follows the preceding verse (1) which is the thesis statement for the whole chapter: The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need. Verses 2-4 are premises or reasons why the thesis is true. You could say that verses 2-4 tells us, "what my Shepherd does..." And we learn that he does two things: he leads us to rest and to peaceful streams. The sheep are completely dependent on the Shepherd to provide both of these things. Thus, we learn that rest and provision are the result of God's goodness and grace in our lives, not by works or ambition.

Psalm 23 is among the most beloved scriptures in the Bible. It has comforted readers for thousands of years. But, when we slow down and study this passage word for word, we discover that there is even more that we may have missed, include a clear gospel invitation. Join us as we study the first verse in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need."

If the value of something is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it, how valuable are you to God? How valuable is He to you? In todays message, we discuss these two questions.

What is the Kingdom of God? In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus says a curious statement that transforms our understanding of the Kingdom of God: The Kingdom is wherever the King reigns. In other words, Jesus is saying, the Kingdom is here, because I am here! Now, the Spirit of Jesus dwells in the believers, so if the believer is in step with God, where they step, there is a window into the Kingdom of God. But, it's all too easy to get out of step with God. In this message, Pastor CJ points out 3 reasons we get out of step with God and encourages us to say yes to Him and open heaven wherever we are.

There has been a growing movement of Christians and churches that emphasize the ministry of intercession. Wonder Church is among them. Part of the reason for this is because we believe that the source of all the increasing conflict and tension in our world and lives is not political or social, but spiritual. And, in order to win the war in the spiritual, we must intercede. But what is intercession? How do I practice it? And what does Jesus have to do with it? In this message, Pastor CJ answers all of these questions and invites us to join him in becoming a church of intercessors.

Almost everyone on the planet does the same thing at the beginning of a new year: they set new year's resolutions. This is not necessarily bad, but scripture prohibits the pursuit of human ambition in place of the pursuit of God's will. But, how do we set goals that are aligned with God's will? These 3 practices will empower you to do that.

The Virgin Birth is among the most unbelievable event in the Bible. It is also a core tenant of the faith. But why? And, equality interest, how? In this message, Dr. Don Ross presents the biblical answer and what it means for us today.

This is an expository study of Luke 2:1-7, the birth of Jesus Christ according to Luke. Here, Luke begins by explaining what is happening in the political world and how God used the evil actions of the Roman emperor to bring Mary and Joseph exactly where he wanted them to be and in the exact circumstances he wanted them to be in when Jesus would be born. We see how God moved the entire Roman empire, just to move Mary and Joseph. In the same way, God moves all of us. But, how often do we miss what he is doing? This Christmas, instead of being discouraged by the circumstances that we may be in, lets look to God and see what he wants to reveal to us. Indeed, he has moved all of us to this exact moment, to show us who he is.

In John 12:31, Jesus said, "The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out." This means that salvation includes deliverance from bondage to sin, the world, and the demonic kingdom (having Satan as your father). Thank you Jesus!
In this message, we look at how deliverance from the demonic is achieved in Jesus Christ, as well as what daily deliverance looks like. We end the message in with 4 elementary steps to deliverance from demonic oppression: Repent, Receive, Rebuke, and Replace.

In this message, Rick and Druci Allen (Elders) share about the lies we believe about ourselves. The first lie ever spoken was in the garden of Eden, about the character and nature of God. The first to believe the lie were Adam and Eve. The human race follows their parents in the destruction of these first lies that they believed. But, the Gospel of Jesus Christ sets humanity free and restores our original purpose and authority.

If God is all powerful, how can He be good, since there is so much evil in the world? The first lie ever uttered attacked the character and nature of God. We read about it in Genesis 3. Satan tried to convince Eve that God was holding out on her, He did not have her best interests in mind: God's not good. Since then, this lie has been uttered to ever person who has ever lived. In this message, we address this lie and the associated theological issue of "the problem of pain." We will discover that circumstances do not determine God's goodness. Instead, God's goodness is revealed on the cross.

The scriptures say about itself that it is a "lamp to our feet and a light to our path." It provides wisdom, security, and direction in a dark and confusing world. Yet, Satan used this book that provides direction to tempt Jesus to sin. The Bible has been under attack since the beginning and the words intended to lead people to righteousness have been used to lead people astray. With that in mind, we approach 3 common lies about the Bible. We will discover that the Jesus and the Bible are very similar in how close they bring the divine to the human level.

Paul describes what it feels like to struggle with sin in Romans 7. All of humanity struggles with doing things we do not want to do. So, how do we stop? Paul tells us that the answer is in Jesus Christ. How does Jesus Christ set us free from the core beliefs that drive addictive behavior?
In this message, we complete our discussion on the lies that bind. We cover the remaining two lies that bind and discover how the Gospel sets us free.

Many of us have tried ending bad habits unsuccessfully. In this message, we seek to accomplish 3 things: 1. Understand how habits are formed. 2. Rebuke the lies that bind. 3. Replace the lies with truth that sets us free. To give this topic enough time to go deep, we are splitting the message into two parts. In the first part, we cover the first two lies that bind. In the second part, we cover the final two.
We pray that the Spirit of Truth would set you free as you listen to this message.

Anxiety is a growing issue in our world today. On top of the obvious present issues that anxiety causes, Jesus warns us about the "worries of this life" strangling the productivity of the Word of God in people's lives. In this message, we discuss three lies that cause anxiety and the truth that brings peace.

Usually when we think of spiritual warfare, we think of evil creatures, dark places, and the ethereal. However, spiritual warfare is a part of everyday activities and struggles: feeling rushed, unable to be present, withdrawn from God and others. This is everyday spiritual warfare. There is a story in the Gospels about a woman named Martha who struggled with this battle. In this message, Pastor Tim studies this story and shares some timeless truths and applications for us to pursue Jesus in our everyday battles.

Discipleship happens in the context of relationship. God's vision for humanity is perfect relationship with Him and others. However, many relationships are shattered or shallow because of the lies we believe about each other. In this message, we identify 3 types of lies that divide and the truth that unites.

How do you know if what you are believing is true? And, what do you do if you discover that you have been believing a lie? Jesus shows us that false beliefs are not something to mull over. Instead, we should Rebuke and Replace them with truth.

The thing about lies is that we don't know they are lies. But for many of us, a lie is the center of our deepest beliefs: BE-LIE-VE. This is critical because our beliefs drive our behavior. Jesus offers us a solution: truth. He tells us that if we abide in His word, we are truly is disciples. In this we find that the key to identifying a lie is by abiding in the truth.

As we wrap up our study of the book of Daniel, we hear an amazing call to hope: "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever" (Daniel 12:3). Despite the many trials that were prophesied about the future of the world, the believer is encouraged to be "wise" and "lead many to righteousness". We discover that within the context of difficulties at the end of time, followers of Jesus are commissioned to bring hope into the world.

In this message we study Daniel 11. This chapter is filled with details about future events that were later fulfilled, some of them 500 years after the prophecy was written. The supernatural nature of the text has caused rationalist scholars to propose an alternate dating of the book. However, there is no evidence to substantiate this claim. The only alternative is that this book is supernatural.
Pastor CJ presents 3 ramifications for this supernatural prophecy that was relevant for Daniel, and still relevant for us today.

In this message, Pastor Brandon encourages the church to construct a personal mission statement.

Pastor David Kilmer teaches on the subject of "eschatology" - the study of the end times. We learn what Jesus meant when he talked about the Kingdom of God and that the Church has been given a mission to expand the Kingdom of God everywhere.

Spiritual warfare can be a tough subject to talk about. We often error in one of two extremes: paranoia or denial. However, the Bible teaches us about the spiritual realm and how we are to engage in it. Daniel 10 is a window into spiritual warfare. In this message, we study Daniel 10 and then look at other scriptures that teach about spiritual warfare. We learn that even though the enemy has been given a level of authority to work against God's purposes, Jesus grants His followers authority and power over the enemy.

Guest speaker Josh Hebert shares from John 4 about the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman. From this story, we discover God's intentionality in meeting people where they are and that there is hope for everyone, no matter what.

Have you ever asked God, "How much longer..?" Many of us are waiting for God to answer our prayers, move on our behalf, or bring about change in our lives, our families, and our world. Daniel asked God the same question and God's response blew his mind. In this message, we will study the highly debated 70 sets of 7 and discover that God wants to lift up our perspective and give us a Kingdom Mindset.

In this message, Madison and Lauren discuss biblical prophecy. They also show us what it means to live as a believer in light of the day of pentecost and how to practice this spiritual gift.

In this message we study Daniel 7. We learn that the 4 kingdoms represented in this chapter have a dual prophetic fulfillment and that the same demonic influence present in these ancient kingdoms can be felt today. We also learn that the Church thrives under persecution because of her incredible hope in the "son of man" and his "everlasting kingdom."

Pastor Steve Bolan reflects on the times that Jesus has called him to "step out of the boat" and encourages us to say "yes" to God's leading.

Our understanding of the Father heart of God changes everything about us. So, what is the Father's heart like?

A Christian usually will lose their faith, not because of argument, but because of atmosphere. How does a Christian resist the pull of a non-Christian culture? Daniel 6 answers this question.

We study the parallel king in Daniel 5. We see that he is contrasted to his predecessor and is called out by God for increasing sin in his life. We tend to respond in one of two was when our sin is brought to the surface: We either repent or we continue in our way. But, in this message, we will be encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and give us the opportunity to repent and take on His life-giving way.

Pastor CJ studies the rise, fall, and transformation of the King of Babylon. He focuses in on a statement after the King has been humbled. Concerning God, "no one can say to him, "what have you done?"' In this short statement lies the secret to one's faith growing through suffering.

Pastor Tim Olson brings a message studying the power of the Lord's prayer and invites us to commune with Jesus.

Guest Speaker Pastor Elaine Jones shares from story of the miracle at the wedding in Cana. She focuses in on the relationship between Jesus and His mother and discovers hope for all of us who find ourselves in difficult situations.

We study Daniel chapter 3 and take a closer look at the king. We discover his motivation for building an "image" and threatening the fiery furnace, and that we are often motivated by the same thing: control. Yet, like the three jews in this story, we can find freedom in trusting our God.

In this message, we study Daniel 2. A surprising string of events has brought a defeated, exile to the foot of the throne of the most powerful person in the ancient world. It is in the scene that God's power is revealed in Daniel and brings this world power to his knees testifying that Daniel's God is the Lord of all. Much can be learned from this story. To that end, we invite you to listen to this study.

In this message, we study Daniel chapter 1. Daniel is among the exiles of Judah into the land of Babylon. In captivity, he is faced with a tension, to honor his conviction to not defile himself, or to compromise and follow the rule of his new government. Many followers of Jesus can find themselves in similar situations. What do we do? We will discover that even when it feels like all is lost, God is still in control. Therefore, we can have courage to follow God, even if it means standing out.

Our heart at Wonder Church is to empower people to be everything they were made to be. This statement points to our passion for disciples making and wholistic and healthy spirituality. At the foundation of all of our beliefs and practice stand the Bible. Yet, few people read the Bible and even fewer know how to read the Bible. Therefore, in this series, we won't just read the entire book of Daniel together, we will also train you how to study it yourself. This message opens us up to the book of Daniel and introduces us to a key method of biblical interpretation: Inductive Bible Study.

Easter is a pretty weird holiday. You have eggs, bunnies, and Jesus raising from the dead. Though there were no bunnies or eggs on the first Easter, 2000 years ago, it was still a pretty weird day. The Gospel of Luke tells us that some of those who first heard that Jesus rose from the dead thought it was an "idol tale. And they did not believe it." But, in this message, we will go and inspect the tomb for ourselves and explore whether or not Jesus actually rose from the dead and what it means if He didn't, and if He did.

Do you ever go on vacation and feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? Like, no matter what you do, you just can seem to rest well? In this message, we study the ancient practice of "sabbath" and discover God's design for resting the right way.

ACCESS "Sabbath Guide" handout here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ygpJvjX1KrV1MCeHUuiJy41AeKxdGTVV/view?usp=share_link

How can we live in this crazy world and still be people that are fully present with God and others? To find the answer, we look at the life of Daniel. Daniel lived in ancient Babylon and was fully integrated into the city, yet he maintained his faith. As a result, his life became a testimony to the entire ancient world, and even today, we are still inspired by his life. What we find in Daniel's life is that we need to build our schedules, rhythms, and cycles on essential spiritual disciplines. We need a rule of life.

ACCESS "Crafting a Rule of Life" handout here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aLE4DMLIETPzUuWbZXabkE7MVMGCYES9?usp=sharing

Do you struggle with doubt? Good news, your not alone. In this message, Dr. Alan Ehler address doubt in the life of a Jesus follower. We look at the life of Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, who is known for his doubt. We will discover that doubt is common to everyone but it does not have to be the end of the story.

We believe that God offers His people a kind of peace that the world cannot give. However, even if someone gives their life to Jesus and becomes a Christian, they may not experience this peace in their life. Why? This is because we must also "live according to the Spirit". In this message, Madison and Lauren explain Romans 8:5 and give practical examples of how we can have spirit-led slowness that yields a life of peace.

Do you ever feel hurried? like you can't slow down? Every time you sit in silence you are bombarded with anxious thoughts? We live in a world that is fast paced and can easily suffocate the soul and leave us spiritually shallow, if not empty. God instucts us in his word to "come away from her" (Babylon, the great city that represents spiritual depravity). But, to do so means joining Jesus in the wilderness where we will be tempted. In this message, we study the 3 temptations of Jesus and are invited to take the first step in living an unhurried life.

Our heart at Wonder Church is to empower people to be everything Jesus made them to be. We envision people being filled with God's Spirit, moving with authority, confidence, compassion, and power, and saying "yes" to Jesus in their every day lives. God gave the Church the task to bringing the Gospel into the world - to make disciples. This is our goal, our task, our assignment. However, it's not just our work, it is also God's work.

"For everything, there is a season." Life facilitates different seasons. Instead of getting upset when it's not the season we prefer, we should embrace our season. We can do this by discerning it, stewarding it, and differentiating it. Our encouragement from God, which allows us to embrace the season we are in, is that, even though season change, our God does not. When He is the object of our faith, we can embrace the season we are in.

Today, we study Ephesians 2:10 and a parable found in Matthew 25. We embrace the calling of God to become everything you were made to be, nothing less and nothing more.

Pastor Josh Hebert brings a message about an encounter he had with God that changed his life. Through one simple declaration, his entire world came into order. That declaration is found in Romans 10:9, "Jesus is Lord."

In this message, we celebrate two years of ministry as a church. We have seen God do incredible things in us and through us. However, just like the Israelites, it's easy to forget what God has done and loose faith in Him. This is why it is important to slow down, build alters, tell stories, and write down the things that God does. Doing so builds our spiritual vitality while serving as a testimony to the world.

At Wonder Church, we believe in the sanctity of life. But, why? What does the Bible say about abortion, when life begins, and the value of human life? In this message, we study the Bible and uncover a systematic theology of life - God sees human life as intrinsically valuable.

When we first started Wonder Church, we received many calls asking the question, "what does the Bible say about homosexuality?" Since then, we have continued to hear this question and others related to it. This message is a biblical response to the question of homosexuality along with some associated questions. We will see God's design for sex and his response to our sexual brokenness.

Additional resources pertaining to this message:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/changing-mind/

https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Homosexuality-Marriage-and-Sexual-Identity

Interpreting the Bible is a difficult task. However, it is the work of all who seek to know God. However, beneath the doctrines that come from biblical interpretation, this is a question: What is the Bible? In this message, we will seek to answer this question along with others so that we can confidently move forward in task of biblical interpretation.

In this special online only message, the eldership team of Wonder Church reflects on what God has done in Wonder in 2022. We also turn our attention to His voice to seek guidance for the new year.

Did you know that there is a Grinch in the Bible? His name was Herod. And, on the first Christmas morning, He tried to steal baby Jesus! The enemy has always been trying to steal Jesus from the world. In this episode, Pastor CJ brings a Christmas morning message that encourages us to identify how the enemy has tried to steal Jesus from us and how we can safe-guard what God is doing in our lives.

Do you ever find that you feel rushed? In this message, we study the meaning of the promise from the angels that appeared to the shephared's on the night of Jesus birth. We will discover that the peace that Jesus brings, comes to us and flows through us into the world around us.

Have you ever been disappointed by God? Surprisingly, the story of the birth of Jesus is filled with disruption and disappointment. The only ones who felt the magic of the nativity scene were those who were not a part of it. Perhaps the one who was most disappointed of all was Joseph. In this message we will discover hope in the message that an angel gave Joseph in the midst of his disappointment - maybe this disappointment is actually God's divine appointment.

As we conclude the Idol Factory Series, we turn to a story in Daniel 3. We discover that idolatry effects everyone. We all have a god that we worship. Therefore, the question we must ask is this - is our god enough to save us? Through our study in Daniel 3, we will discover that there is no other god who can rescue like Jesus.

In this message, we do a case study of idol forging in the story of Israel's idolatry found in Exodus 32. We will discover the context in which idols are made, and the solution that all of humanity is looking for.

In this special message, Pastor Madison and Lauren talk about how to face adversity and come out on the other side as pure gold.

What do you love? God wants us to love his creation and made us to love each other, but we get into trouble when that love becomes disproportionate. In this message, we tackle the subject of idolatry. We will find that idolatry is pervasive in the human heart and the only antidote is the love we were made for.

How do we know when to hold on to a relationship, or when to let go? In this final message in this series, we will study 1 Corinthians 5 and discover that we are responsible for the level of toxicity that we allow in our relationships.

Life sometimes feels like a balancing act. When it comes to our relationships, we can sometimes swing between codependency and isolation. It may come as a surprise, but the Bible gives us instruction on how to strike a perfect balance in our relationships, avoiding codependency and isolation. In this message, we will discover what that balance is.

Do you ever find some people difficult to love? What if there was one thing that we knew about everyone that could change how we relate with them? In this message, we will unpack a single biblical truth that, once we accept it, changes everything: People are intrinsically valuable.

"Blessed are the peacemakers" is one of the most misunderstood passages in the gospels. What did Jesus mean by this statement? Does it mean that we are to be pacifists or pretenders? On the contrary, in this message, we will discover the powerful truth of this passage: we must embrace conflict as the pathway to peace.

Wonder Church welcomes Dr. Don Ross, Network leader for the Northwest Ministry Network. In this message, Dr. Ross takes us through an expository study of the famous story of the Prodigal Son. As we dive in, we will discover that prodigal may not just be the son that leaves home, but the one who stays.

We all experience areas of unhealth and even toxicity in our relationships. This is because no one is perfect. So when you put to imperfect people together, you have an imperfect relationship. What does the Bible say about this issue? In this message, Pastor CJ will unpack a biblical framework for how we view relationships: The purpose of relationships isn't to make you happy; it's to make you holy. Once we get this right, we can pursue health and holiness together.

In todays message, we learn from the story of Job. Life is full of disappointments and struggles. It is easy to let those things cloud our vision till it's all we can see. But, the truth about God's sovereignty is that we can have hope no matter what the obstacle is that we face.

As we conclude our study in the book of Ephesians, we look at the armor that a new believer is invited to carry. We take a historical look at each piece of armor to discover the unique traits they offer the one who has become alive in Christ - a new human.

In this message, we look at Ephesians 4:17-5:20. Here, Paul unloads the effect that the Gospel has on our identity and behavior. The truth of the Gospel is the foundation for the life of a Christian.

In this message, Pastor CJ leads an overview of Ephesians and points out the sobering truth about this church found at the end of the Bible in Revelation 2. The church in Ephesus is a prime example of one of the most dangerous tendencies of the human heart - to wander from the first love of God. We will see how important this issues is to God, and how to become a church that really loves Jesus.

On Sunday, August 28, Wonder Church began a 30 day challenge to delight in God every day. In this podcast, Pastor CJ shares some more details on this challenge and why it matters.

In today's message we hear Pastor Garrick as he unpacks Ephesians 4:1-16. We will discover that value of the gathering of Christians into local groups commonly known as: church. It is inside of this community that every part finds its place and together grow into everything Jesus planned for us to be.

In this message, Pastor Nicole teaches from Ephesians 3:14-21. We will discover the secret of security - deep roots.

Today we look at Ephesians 3:1-13. In these verses, Paul says that he is the least deserving of all people to have the privilege of telling the world about the Good News of Jesus Christ. We will glean from Paul's attitude about ministry and be challenged to embrace our calling as a high privilege from God.

Have you been hurt by the church? Christian community can easily fall into a place of broken relationships or shallow relationships in our lives. In this message, we study Ephesians 2:11-22, and ask the question, "Is Christian Community Worth Fighting For?"

In this message, we study Ephesians 2:1-10. What is the Gospel? Is it a type of music? A type of church? A title of literature? As we study Ephesians, we come to Paul's summery of the gospel. We will discover the 3 essential elements of the good news of Jesus Christ.

In this message, we study Ephesians 1:15-23. One of the most inspiring things to witness is an elderly couple with years of relationship under their belt, still deepening in their knowledge and relationship with each other. In verses 1:15-23, Paul prays that God would empower his readers to deepen in their relationship with God. The result is an increased level of confidence in life and an ability to see all obstacles and oppositions in perspective - Jesus is not just our authority, He is the authority over the entire cosmos.

In this series, we are studying Ephesians. In this message, we look at Ephesians 1:3-14. For many of us, being controlled or controlling others is the greatest evil on the planet. Instead, we want to be in control of ourselves. If we all were our own authority, we would have peace. But, in this message, we discover the truth about such a perspective. As we continue to study Ephesians, we learn that harmony is achieved, not when we are relieved of authority, but when we all submit to the same authority.

We believe that Jesus has a purpose for your life. However, it is all too easy to get out of step with that purpose. In this message, we begin a summer long series studying the book of Ephesians. We will see how God moved powerfully in the ancient city of Ephesus. Yet, the sobering truth is, no matter how powerful the encounter was, we all have to fight to live out our God given purpose.

AW Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." This is especially true concerning the father-child relationship between humanity and God. "our lives are shaped by our understanding of the Father heart of God. In this special message, we hear from 4 fathers about what scripture and being a father reveals about the Father heart of God.

Have you ever asked God to heal you or someone else, and He didn't do it? In this message, we study scriptures all through the NT to understand a biblical doctrine for healing. We will discover that divine healing is to be a normal part of church ministry, and that God's grace is evident when He heals, and when He doesn't.

We all have questions about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In this message, we will look at all the scriptures in the New Testament with the words "filled with the Holy Spirit". With these verses as our base, we will attempt to answer some commonly asked questions concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Our hope is that you will gain the understanding you have needed and from this place of understanding, believe in God and receive His Gift poured out on the Church on the day of Pentecost.

What makes a person "spiritual"? Perhaps it's how often they mediate, or pray, or do "spiritual" things. Well, in this message we discover that the true measure of spirituality for the Jesus follower isn't spiritual gifts, but spiritual fruit: The Gospel + Love = Spirituality.

Psalm 1 is a promise: if you live righteously, your life will be fruitful, not futile. However, have you ever tried doing that, and not seen the fruit you were expecting? In this message, we finish our expository study of Psalm 1 and discover 3 reasons we don't see fruit.

In this special message, Worship Pastor Madison, will share a profound experience he had in an old chapel in England. Together, we will look at what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit."

In this message, we do a word study on the first word in the first chapter of Psalms - "Blessed". It is so easy for us to forget how blessed we are. But, what's even more consequential is when we forget how God loves to bless. In this message, we will learn how "blessing" comes from God to all creation, and the door of unique blessing is open to all who would receive it.

As we wrap up the Easter series, we notice something... Something strange happens when you put your faith in Jesus. You expect that you will experience new power in your life - and some do. But most the time, you wake up the next day and life seems exactly the same as before you put your faith in Jesus. Why? How can we experience the power of Jesus in our life? In this message we will uncover the goal of discipleship - surrender: In order to experience the power of the resurrection, you must die.

Easter is usually celebrated as the day all doubts were disbanded and Jesus is seen as the Savior of the world. But, on the first Easter, Jesus' resurrection was met with doubt and confusion by everyone who heard it. From this, we see that the resurrection deserves investigation and the incredible patience of God in loving us despite our doubts.

As we continue to study Isaiah 53, we read that Jesus lack beauty of any kind and was rejected and despised by men. In this study, we see that God's metrics are different than man's - God doesn't look on the outward appearance, but the heart. And, we see the humility of Jesus in the fact that he was the most beautiful, powerful, and royal of all, yet surrendered himself to the lowest esteem - all for the love of His father and the of you and I.

In this Easter series, we begin by studying the opening words of Isaiah 53, "who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" We learn about the imagery associated with "the arm of the Lord" and the profound truth that the ultimate expression of God's power is the suffering servant: Jesus Christ.

"Ministry flows from being". This statement sums up the believers approach to ministry. As we are transformed more into the image of Jesus, ministry flows out of who we are. This means, that we can take a restful approach to ministry. Jesus embodied restful ministry. In this message we will study the story of Philip and the Ethiopian and discover the power of slow and steady ministry.

Some of us may feel that we are too far gone. We may know someone that seems hopelessly lost. Is God able to reach and save truly.... anyone? As we continue the "Salt" series, we look at scripture and find that not only is no one too far gone, but everyone was too far gone. Every person who comes to Jesus is a miracle: a work of God. Therefore, Christians are to hope for EVERYONE beyond all hope, because that is OUR story.

In this message, we launch into a new series studying Jesus' words in Matthew 5:13, "you are the salt of the earth." We will discover that ministry flows from being and therefore, any impurity in the life of the believer reduces their potency. Therefore, we must give God access to examine our lives and transform us on the deepest levels.

(*we apologize for poor audio quality in this message)
In this final message of the "Just Jesus" series, we unpack our unique assignment for Wonder Church for 2022. The issue of abortion for the Christian boils down to one question: When does life begin? In this message, we consult scripture to answer this question and discover that God see the fetus as a fully human person with a planned future, all parts present and growing together, and just as valuable as any adult. Therefore, the Church has a responsibility to engage in this issue and minister to those effected - especially the orphans and widows.

Evangelism may be the most scary thing for the disciple of Jesus. Through the years, evangelism strategies have changed. As a result, many do not know how to share the Gospel with others. In this message, we look at Paul's conclusion in 1 Corinthians - reliance on the Spirit's power. We will discover that ministry to the world flows from ministry to the Lord - evangelism as a result of spiritual transformation.

At Wonder Church, we believe that the metric for success for a disciple of Jesus is obedience. Therefore, we must ask a very important question: what is Jesus asking me to do? In this message, we unpack the first assignment given to every Jesus follower and present two challenges to accomplish that first assignment. May God speak to you through this content and continue to empower you to be everything you were made to be.

There are many motivations behind what we do in life. One of the greatest temptations is to let the fear of man, or what others think of us, be our motivation behind our actions. In this message, we discuss an essential truth for following Jesus - obedience is the metric for success. It's not a popularity contest. Instead of living for the "likes" of others, Jesus followers live for just one "like" - the approval of God.

Happy Birthday Wonder Church! In this special message, Pastor CJ and Nicole reflect on Wonder Church's 1st year of ministry and celebrate all that God has done. A stand out moment from this last year was when a first time guest told us, "You guys really love Jesus." Our hope and prayer is that this statement about our church will always be true. This is our vision for 2022 - Just Jesus.

Today we hear a special message from Pastor Madison, the worship pastor at Wonder. He wraps up the Colossians series revealing the hidden story behind the books of Colossians and Philemon and introduces a new character in the story - a slave named Onesimus. We will discover that an authentic encounter with Jesus truly changes everything about us and our world. Though we continue to live in the world, Jesus changes the norm.

As we continue our study of Colossians, we take a closer look at the author of the letter, Paul. Paul's life was radically changed by Jesus, and that change included a new assignment. Jesus changes everything, even our life's mission and daily assignments. Wonder Church's unique vision is that every one of it's members would be walking our their assignment daily, and as a result, we would see God move in and through our lives.

We continue our study of Colossians in Chapter 3:18-4:1. In this body of scripture, we see that Jesus is enough to change, not only our inner life and outer actions, but those in our social circle, even our family. Often we read scripture thinking that it will provide good principles for us to live our life or lead our family. But, here we will find that the principles, though good, are not enough to bring about change in our family. We need more than a principle; we need the Person, who has the power to change our families.

In this last Sunday of 2021, some of the leadership of Wonder Church reflect on what God has done in them and in Wonder this last year. Then, we discuss the value "God Speaks" and learn the importance of taking time to listen.

Christmas is all about Jesus. When Jesus came, he brought light (hope) to the world. We no longer live in the shadow of death - there is hope that people could live the life they were meant to live, now, and in eternity: A light has dawned! However, the light is not DONE. Jesus' incarnation was the beginning, the dawn, of the light. But, now, we live in a place of tension, where darkness and light are at war with each other, in our lives and our world. In this time of tension, we can experience pain become weary. However, the amazing thing about light is it can never be overcome by darkness. Not all the darkness in the universe could extinguish the light of a single flame.

In Colossians 3:1-4 Paul encourages his readers to think about the things of heaven. This can be extremely difficult, especially if our thoughts are caught in a downward spiral. However, the key to overcoming the spiral is accepting the reality of what Jesus has accomplished for us: Seeing reality with the backdrop of eternity. This magnificent hope is our light at the end of the tunnel. The hope of his return overcomes the dark spiral of the mind and enables us to lift our thoughts toward heaven.

In this message, we wrap up the first half of the book of Colossians. In this final message, we look at the specific heretical teaching plaguing the church in ancient Colossae. What we will find is manipulation, bullying, and condemnation - all in lofty spiritual terms. Unfortunately, these evil tactics still exist in the church today and as a result, many people are wounded and confused about who God is and who they are to Him. In this message, we will discover that church isn't a secret club for the spiritually elite, its a safe place where sinners meet the savior.

In this message, Paster Josee Schilling studies Colossians 2:6-10. Life is full of opinions, perspectives, and compelling arguments. It is easy to fall for these ideas. But, there is no argument or idea that died for our sin and rose again to save us - only Jesus did that.

Today, we are studying Colossians 2:1-5. Here, Paul encourages the church to be kit together in love to understand the mystery of Christ. This is necessary for the church to see the difference between a well-crafted arguments and biblical truth. In addition, we learn that 3 keys to testing well-crafted arguments can keep us from falling into deception.

In this message, we study Colossians 1:24-29. Paul says that he experiences difficulty and pain in the calling that God gave him. Indeed, Jesus has a calling on all his people, and sometimes that includes difficulty. However, the good news is, though it is difficult, we are not dependent on our own power, but God's, to accomplish it.

Jesus has granted us access to the Presence of God. However, often we done FEEL God with us. This sense, when prolonged, can effect our assurance that God is with us, despite how we feel. In this message, we study Colossians 1:21-23 and find that Jesus is sufficient to bring us into God's Presence.

What has the current global crises taught you? Some have come to the conclusion that God either does not exist or does not care. In this message, we study Colossians 1:15-20 and find a very different perspective on the problems we face: Jesus made it all and paid it all. God does exist and he does care - look no further than the cross.

Have you ever felt "under it?" In this message, we are start a new series in Colossians study Colossians 1:1-14. In these powerful verses, we face the truth of what Jesus has accomplished for us: he has transferred us from the Domain of Darkness in the Kingdom of the Beloved Son. In this new Kingdom, Jesus followers enjoy freedom from the heavy Dominion of Darkness that plagues the world.

"No one ever changed the world on 40 hours a week." This quote from Elon Musk sums up the tension inside of someone seeking the rest that Jesus offers: If you want to be great, rest is not an option. In this message, we study Acts 8:26-40 and discover that when we let God into our margin, he is able to do incredible things.

How long do you drive your car after the gas light turns on before getting more gas? Many of us live our life with the metaphorical "gas light" on. We neglect to admit our limits. In this message, we study Genesis 2:1-3 and discover that God has woven the gift of limits into creation to teach our hearts to trust.

Nothing kills contentment like comparison. This week, we are studying an interaction between Jesus and Peter found in John 21:20-22. In this story we see Jesus response to the human tendency to compare. Jesus tells Peter, and us today, when we compare ourselves to others, "What is it to you? You follow me!" At first, that can be hard to hear. We must become content with God's will for our life. But, once we stop comparing and become content with simple obedience, the yoke of trying to be like others falls off of us, and we find the rest for our soul that Jesus promised us in Matthew 11:28-30.

In this series, we are studying Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus promised that if we follow Him, we will find rest for our souls. But, why does that rest seem to evade us? One of the reasons is because we believe that Jesus is "gentle and lowly" but we fail to take on the "easy and light" yoke. The promise of rest is only received when we receive his way of life.

What is the worst job you have ever had? Often, many jobs are difficult, but what makes it toxic is the health of the leadership. In this message, we begin a new series studying Jesus' promise in Matthew 11:28-29. Jesus promised that if we come to Him, we would find rest for our souls. Yet, rarely do we find the rest that Jesus promised. Why is that? In this message, we discover that one of the reasons rest evades us is because we take on the "yoke" of following Jesus, without understanding Jesus "gentle and lowly" heart. But, when we understand the heart of our leader, it makes the yoke light.

In this message, Pastor CJ wraps up the study in the book of 1 John, focusing on the last warning in the book: Keep yourselves from idols. We will discover that idolatry is at the heart of everything that keeps us from God and that the key to overcoming it, is contentment in who God is.

Where do you get your sense of security from? Is if from your performance? Your uniqueness? Your relationships? We know that in life there are very few assurances. But, what assurance does Jesus offer us? In this message, we study 1 John 5:18-19 and discover that the God-begotten are also the God-protected.

Rick and Druci Allen study 1 John 5:14-17. They share their personal experience withe promises of prayer in 1 John. God wants us to pray, listens to our prayers, and answers our prayers according to His will. However, we are often puzzled when God does not answer our prayers. What do we do when we are left disappointed? Here we discover that prayer is ultimately about relationship with God and even disappointment is intended to draw us closer to Him.

Today’s sermon was all about drawing from God’s Love. We study 1 John 4:7-21 and find that we are futile in our efforts without Him, & in order to reach out our arms in love to others, we must draw from the Source of Love.

In this special message, guest Pastor Robroy Ranger shares one of the most important lessons he learned from doing ministry in Redmond, WA for the last 20 years. In studying a story in 2 Kings 13 of a king in the midst of war, we see how God wants us to "use all our arrows" and hold nothing back from him: Find all your arrows, and fire them.

1 John 5:1-5 makes a big promise: those who believe will overcome. In this message, Marguerite Cole studies this passage and shows us how the power of belief can change everything about us and enables us to win.

Today, we study 1 John 4:1-7. Here we see that there is a legitimate danger for those who believe the Gospel to be mislead by faulty teaching. We can easily fall for faulty teaching, especially when we fear that the truth will lead to rejection, pain, or the need for us to change. However, we will also learn that though the truth hurts; it also sets us free. For anyone who dares to step into the light, despite fear of rejection, what they will find is that, in Christianity, repentance always leads to acceptance.

In this message, Pastor Madison studies 1 John 3:11-24. There is a tension in scripture: are we saved by faith or by works? We will discover that obedience is the evidence of faith. And, according to 1 John 3:11-24, obedience is measured in our love for others.

In this special Father's Day message, we study 1 John 2:1 - "See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we would be called His children, and so we are." We often associate our experience with our biological father with our Father God. However, if this verse, we see that even though what we think of God changes everything about us, it doesn't change how he thinks about us.

What is your favorite food? Even though we may crave something, it doesn't make it good for us. In the same way, there are cravings that, if indulged, could wreck our faith. In this message, we 1 John 2:15-17 and find that loving the world and it's cravings is dangerous and the key to overcoming is repenting and replacing.

In this message, we study a poetic interlude found in 1 John 2:12-14. We see that John is encouraging his readers and reminding them of who they are. In this, we reminds us that we "have won our battle with the evil one." Spiritual warfare is real, but the goodness is, Jesus has already won the battle and given us victory.

In 1 John 2:3-11, we are given a very high standard, to "live our lives as Jesus did." This can be very intimidating. Often, we can respond to a high calling like this by working harder and doing more, but this often backfires on us, resulting in burn out, failure, and guilt. The secret to living the way that Jesus did is to live in close fellowship with the Father. Jesus modeled communion with the Father and then encouraged his followers to do the same in one of the major themes of the Gospel of John and the letter of 1 John. To live like Jesus did, we must first abide in Him. If we learn to rest and abide, we can thrive.

Have you ever done something so bad that you thought it would change your life forever? Have you ever wondered if what you have done would change your relationship with God, even after you believe in Jesus? In this message, we continue our study of 1 John by looking at verses 1:5-2:2. We will discover that while there is no place for sin in our life, God knows that we still sin, and when we do, the same advocate that saved us from our sin, is still advocating for us: repentance is always met with acceptance.

Do you ever lose your joy? Today, there are many things that can steal our joy. Most the time, we respond by going searching for joy. But, this can be a trap. In this message, we unpack 1 John 1:1-4 and discover that Joy is not a good god, but Jesus is. When we chase Him, we find joy, and so much more.

Do you feel tired? Jesus promised that those who follow Him would experience rest for their souls. But, why do we often miss that rest? In this message, we will unpack the meaning of the Sabbath command and how it teaches us about the nature of God as our leader, who is gracious and gives us rest.

Do you know that you are blessed? Living with a sense of gratitude is healthy. However, even blessed people can experience pain. In this message, we look at the life of King David as he wrote Psalm 27. We will discover that when we experience pain, God extends us on invitation to come and share it with him.

What did Jesus mean when He prayed that His Church would be one, as He and the Father are one? In this message, we study Ephesians 4:11-16 and come to a better understanding of what it means to be a church that is united and growing in maturity.

Have you ever been in the presence of God? We believe that the work of Jesus Christ granted us access to the manifest presence of God. It isn't just emotion; it isn't just understanding; it's interactive relationship. The presence of God is where we were always meant to be. But, often times, we draw back from it. Why is that? In this message, we study the Hebrews 10:19-22 and learn that we are safe in His presence and we can boldly enter in.

Do you have a friend that would visit you in prison? We often think that church community is found in services for church parties. But, according to Matthew 25, true community isn't found at parties, but in prisons. In this. message, we discover more about the "home" that Jesus died for us to have - True community in his Family.

Do you feel safe with God? Often times, we can feel unsafe in our relationships, even with God. When this happens, we do not make our home in Him. In this message, we discover how Jesus' victory on Easter opened the door to home for humanity: Peace with God.

This Sunday, we celebrate "Palm Sunday", the day Jesus entered Jerusalem for passover. Jesus had just performed the greatest of all His miracles: he rose Lazarus, a man who had been dead for 4 days, from the dead. In His triumphant entry to Jerusalem, Jesus did something shocking, he rode on a donkey. In this message, we will unpack the significance of Jesus actions and what it can teach us about servant leadership and our humble Savior.

In this message, we study the anointing of Jesus at Bethany, a small village outside Jerusalem. Here we find an extravagant response to the extravagant work of Jesus. We learn that the Gospel evokes a powerful response from people. A life impacted by Jesus becomes the fragrance of heaven in the world.

Have you ever felt hopeless or too far gone? In this message, we look at the final sign in the Gospel of John: The raising of Lazarus. We will discover that, for Jesus, there is nothing and no one too far gone.

Do you ever feel like the task in front of you is just too great for you to handle? In this message, we discover that God will intentionally lead us to things we are unable to accomplish. This are among the most important tests we will ever take: the deficiency test.

Consumerism in the modern day church is not a new thing; it has been happening ever since the ministry of Jesus began. In this message, we will unpack Jesus' curious statements to a group of hungry people, where instead of offering them bread to eat, he offers them his own flesh and blood. The gift of the Gospel isn't just gifts from God; It's God Himself.

In this message, we look at the story of a curious conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan Woman and a surprising rebuke Jesus gives His disciples. We will discover that Jesus is so passionate about completing the work that His Father gave Him that He considers it more nutrition than food. The same passion that Jesus has for people is the same passion His disciples are supposed to have.

Sometimes we can delude the truth with confusion. But, the truth is what beckons response. In this message, we learn from the story of Jesus and Nicodemus to discover that the Simple Gospel evoke life change.

Do you wonder if God cares about the little things in your life? Do you ever wonder if there is a limit to his engagement, affection, or love in your life? In this message, we discover the abundance of the God's love as we study the story of the Wedding at Cana in John 2.

We believe that Jesus enables us to have relationship with God. Relationship is built on trust. But, there is no trust without truth. In this message, we begin a new series in the Gospel of John. We unpack the purpose of this mysterious 4th gospel and discover that if Jesus is who He says He is, then we can trust Him when we fall.

In this episode, we discuss the value: God Speaks. If we are serious about wanting to be everything we were made to be, we must be sensitive to God's voice. We also share how the story of Wonder Church is a direct result of God speaking.

In this episode, we discuss the Wonder Church value: Kingdom Mindset. We see things from God's perspective. Everything is ultimately about God, not us, and we live for the advancement of His Kingdom.

In this episode, we discuss the wonder church value, "Heart for His House." Jesus loves His church, and so do we!

We live in a very fast paced society. In our effort for progress, we can exhaust ourselves. At the heart of the Gospel is a promise from Jesus, "I will give you rest." In this episode, we discuss this promise and how to attain the rest that Jesus offers.

In this Episode, the Witkoe's discuss the high of success and lows of failure and the powerful lesson that they learned: success is not a number; it's obedience.

In this episode, we discuss the statement, "be everything you were made to be." The journey to understanding who we are and what we were made to do begins by saying yes to Jesus. Then, saying yes to each step he leads us to take.

Welcome to the Wonder Church Podcast!