The Echo Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Echo Church
The Echo Church podcasts exist to equip disciples to make disciples. It's the official podcast of Echo Church in Orange County, California.
In this sermon, Pastor Jason invites us to reflect on what it truly means to be the church—a flock led by the Good Shepherd. Rooted in John 10, this message unpacks the rich imagery of Jesus as both the Door and the Shepherd: the only way into the Kingdom and the one who protects, guides, and knows us by name.
Pastor Jason reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about performance or religion—it’s about relationship. He challenges us to ask hard questions: Do we recognize the Shepherd’s voice? Are we following Him together as one flock? And are we willing to walk in the direction He’s breathing life into, even when it doesn’t match our own plans?
Whether you’ve wandered or stood faithfully in the fold, this sermon will realign your heart with the Shepherd who doesn’t just save, but walks with you daily.
04:14 The Importance of Community and Service 07:27 Metaphors of the Church: Flock and Shepherd 12:43 Understanding Our Role as Sheep 20:00 Jesus: The Door and Good Shepherd 28:44 Jesus as the Door and Good Shepherd 31:03 The Role of the Good Shepherd 35:44 Jesus Conquers Death for His Sheep 39:33 Expectations of the Sheep 51:44 Following the Shepherd Together
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of unity and love within the church, particularly in the face of diversity and differing opinions. Drawing from Romans 14 and 15, he discusses how to navigate conflicts and maintain a spirit of acceptance and understanding among believers.
The message encourages listeners to prioritize the Word of God over cultural influences and to engage in ministry together, preparing for both challenges and opportunities in the church community. In this conversation, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of loving confrontation among Christians, highlighting that our first instinct should be to love and welcome others before pointing out their flaws.
The discussion moves into the necessity of calibrating our conscience to align with God's standards, encouraging believers to engage in meaningful conversations about differences while maintaining love and acceptance.
Pastor Jason stresses that the ultimate goal is to build each other up in faith, following Christ's example of love and service, and challenges listeners to love others in ways that resonate with their unique needs.
00:00 Opening Prayer and Heart for the Church 01:12 The Importance of Expositional Teaching 03:37 Preparing for Summer Ministry 05:35 Unity in Diversity: The Church's Challenge 09:53 The Influence of Culture on Christian Behavior 12:11 Adjusting Expectations in the Church 14:31 Love and Diversity of Opinion 17:51 The Greatest Commandments as Our Filter 19:12 Context of Romans: Addressing Conflict 27:28 Accepting One Another in Christ 29:24 Loving Confrontation: The Christian Approach 34:29 Calibrating Conscience: Understanding Right and Wrong 43:12 The Aim of Love: Building Each Other Up 47:01 Following Christ's Example: The Ultimate Model of Love
This week at Echo Church, Pastor Jason takes us into Hebrews 10 to answer a profound question: Why do we gather?
In a powerful and heartfelt message, he unpacks the deep spiritual significance of the church community—not as a duty, but as an invitation into something sacred.
He reminds us that gathering weekly isn't about obligation; it's about opportunity—an open door into the Holy of Holies made possible through Jesus, our Great High Priest.
Pastor Jason challenges us to see church as the place where we live out the confession of our faith, where confidence is nurtured, and action is inspired. It’s more than a meeting—it's a glimpse of heaven.
Church is the closest thing we have to holy fellowship with the angels and saints this side of eternity—a sacred rehearsal for the everlasting worship and unbreakable community we’ll one day experience forever.
In this sermon, Pastor Jason walks us through the foundational marks of the early church, highlighting how believers responded after Christ's resurrection. Beginning with a celebration of worship, Pastor Jason reflects on the importance of the resurrection and how it ignited the formation of the early church.
Pastor Jason explores how the church was never meant to be just an institution but a dynamic, Spirit-empowered movement. Through the empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit, the early believers lived lives radically devoted to God's purposes.
This sermon focuses on five key devotions that shaped the life and impact of the early church:
- Devotion to the Word of God – A commitment to truth that grounded their faith.
- Devotion to Community and Fellowship – Living in authentic, sacrificial relationships.
- Devotion to Worship – Honoring God with hearts full of praise and reverence.
- Devotion to Witness and Evangelism – Boldly proclaiming the gospel and expanding the Kingdom.
With a heartfelt conclusion and call to action, Pastor Jason challenges us to rekindle these devotions in our lives today, reminding us that the same Spirit who empowered the early church is still at work in us now.
00:00 Introduction and Celebration of Worship 02:34 The Importance of the Resurrection and Early Church Formation 06:23 Understanding the Church as a Movement 10:42 Empowerment of the Disciples and the Role of the Holy Spirit 14:29 Devotion of the Early Church 20:23 Devotion to the Word of God 24:30 Devotion to Community and Fellowship 28:20 Devotion to Worship 32:26 Devotion to Witness and Evangelism 36:17 Conclusion and Call to Action
In this sermon, Pastor Jason Polk leads us through the heart of the Easter story—where Jesus conquers death, leaves the grave empty, and invites us into resurrection life.
Pastor Jason declares that if Jesus got out of the grave, there’s hope for all of us. He shares the significance of the resurrection—not just as a historical event, but a present reality that changes everything. The resurrection invites us to confront the empty tomb and ask ourselves: Why are we still searching for life in dead places?
We hear the voices of angels echoing from Luke 24: “He is not here—He has risen.” And from there, Pastor Jason takes us into the weight of that truth: If it’s real, it’s everything. He unpacks common doubts about the resurrection, highlights the bravery of the early disciples who were willing to die for what they saw, and challenges us to consider what we’re doing with the hope we’ve been given.
This message is more than a celebration—it’s a commissioning. Because Jesus lives, we are:
- Saved from our sins.
- Empowered by His Spirit.
- Victorious over death.
It’s an invitation to run—not to the grave, but to the Savior. To make a new commitment, to stop hiding in shame, and to step into resurrection power.
This Easter, Pastor Jason reminds us that the grave has no grip, death has no sting, and hope has a name: Jesus.
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Community and Worship 03:14 The Heart of the Church: A Place for Everyone 05:28 The Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Faith 11:00 Exploring Theories of the Resurrection 16:29 The Evidence of the Resurrection 20:24 The Question of the Angels: Seeking Life in Dead Places 25:55 Resurrection Power and Hope 30:45 The Disciples' Encounter with the Risen Christ 33:40 Understanding the Scriptures and Fulfillment of Prophecy 36:54 The Living Hope for Followers of Jesus 44:01 Responding to the Resurrection: Commitments and Worship
In this sermon, Pastor Jason Polk takes us to the heart of the Palm Sunday narrative—where Jesus is declared King by the crowd, rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and immediately sets to work flipping tables and expectations.
Pastor Jason emphasizes that restoration begins with coronation—acknowledging Jesus as the King of our hearts and lives. Through rich narrative and humor, he paints the scene of a city swelling with hope, a people longing for deliverance, and a Savior who defies every worldly notion of power. He explores the significance of Jesus' obedience to prophecy, His heart that weeps for those who are close yet still far, and His bold act of cleansing the temple—a call to make space for God to truly dwell within us.
This message is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not just a gentle King riding in humility—He is a King who remodels, restores, and reigns. And when we throw down our cloaks and declare Him as King, we invite real transformation into every part of our lives.
Show Chapters: 00:29 — Why Palm Sunday Still Matters 06:44 — Setting the Scene: Jerusalem’s Crowds & Expectations 12:16 — Prophecy Fulfilled: Why Jesus Rode a Donkey 18:55 — Language Barriers: Misunderstanding the King 24:02 — Jesus Weeps: The Heart of God for His People 30:18 — Turning Tables: The Temple, Remodeling, and Our Hearts 40:01 — House of Prayer or Den of Robbers? 47:55 — Bridge Builders, Not Wall Builders 52:17 — Responding to the King: Reflection and Coronation
In this final sermon of the Above and Beyond on Prayer series, Pastor Jason Polk dives deep into 1 Kings 18-19 and the art of listening for God’s voice—the still small whisper that often goes unnoticed. He explains that while we might expect dramatic signs, God often speaks in a gentle, subtle way. Many times, we miss His voice because we aren’t prepared to hear it, or we’re distracted by the noise of everyday life.
Pastor Jason highlights several reasons why we might not think God is speaking. He notes that we often fail to expect God to communicate, having been conditioned by past experiences or traditions that don’t emphasize an active, listening relationship with Him. Additionally, our own busy lives and constant distractions drown out that quiet whisper, leaving us wondering whether what we hear is truly from God or just our own thoughts and emotions.
To help us discern God’s voice, Pastor Jason offers practical tips: first, test what you hear against Scripture—if it doesn’t align with biblical truth (or the “Jesus test”), it’s not from Him. Second, seek confirmation from your community of faith, as shared wisdom can validate what you perceive. Lastly, take time to reflect in silence, turning down the volume of the world to fully embrace that quiet, transformative moment when God speaks.
Show Chapters: 00:31 Listening to God: Understanding His Voice 06:32 How God Speaks: Biblical Examples 09:28 Elijah's Encounter with God 11:42 Understanding How God Speaks 16:09 Barriers to Hearing God's Voice 23:53 Testing the Voice of God 33:02 Learning to Listen to God 42:15 Closing Reflections and Prayer
In this sermon, Ray Machen-Gray challenges the church to reframe the way they think about fasting, not as a gloomy act of self-neglect but as an exciting opportunity to feast on Spiritual food at God’s table.
We explore the history of fasting in the bible and the early church, why we should fast, and how we can joyfully participate in this practice together to redeem its identity and experience the physical and spiritual benefits of trusting our heavenly Father to satisfy and sustain us.
But ultimately, through this sermon, we learn that fasting is a gateway to consistent, powerful, and authentic prayer, that our hunger pangs can actually lead us into a more active and honest relationship with God. Through Jesus teachings on fasting in Matthew 6 and 9, and Paul’s teachings in Colossians 2 and 3, we continue to see that this spiritual practice should not be a “discipline to perfect” or a religious rule to obey, but rather a “dependance to surrender to” and a pathway to proximity with God. Will we accept the invitation?
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of prayer, confession, and genuine repentance when responding to sin.
By looking at how Saul and David each handled their failures, Pastor Jason draws out some important truths about repentance. First, we need to acknowledge our sin instead of justifying it. Second, we must take responsibility for our actions, not pass the blame. Finally, true repentance involves coming to God with a sincere heart, seeking a restored relationship with Him, rather than relying on sacrifices or good deeds.
Pastor Jason reminds us that real repentance is about honesty, accountability, and a desire for genuine reconciliation with God. This is the only path out of our sin and shame and into God's mercy and joy.
00:00 Understanding Our Identity in Christ 02:28 Exploring Prayer and Dependence on God 12:18 Contrasting Responses to Sin 22:12 The Role of Confession and Repentance 27:17 The Importance of Daily Confession 29:39 Contrasting Attitudes: Saul vs. David 34:14 Acknowledging Sin vs. Justifying It 39:29 Taking Responsibility vs. Passing Blame 45:29 Sacrifices vs. True Brokenness 52:12 The Joy of Restoration and Forgiveness
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the vital role of persistent prayer in the life of a believer. He acknowledges the common struggles many face in maintaining a consistent prayer life, such as the challenges of self-discipline and doubt.
Despite these obstacles, Pastor Jason highlights the example set by Jesus, who, even in His ministry, relied deeply on prayer. He encourages the congregation to approach God with a spirit of desperation, boldness, and unwavering persistence.
Through this approach, Pastor Jason reminds listeners that prayer is not just a routine but a powerful and essential connection to God that strengthens faith and deepens trust in His will.
Chapters
00:00 The Role of Prayer in Ministry 11:01 The Power of Prayer as Ministry 12:38 Hurdles to Prayer: Self-Discipline and Doubt 14:27 Understanding Unanswered Prayer 16:27 The Parable of Persistence in Prayer 23:47 Desperation, Boldness, and Persistence in Prayer 31:02 Trusting God in Unanswered Prayer 35:36 The Presence of God vs. Answered Prayer
In this sermon, the Mikhail discusses the significance of persistent prayer and how it shapes our relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of communication in prayer, finding joy in trials, and asking for wisdom. Mikhail shares personal experiences and insights on how trials contribute to spiritual growth and the necessity of faith in overcoming doubt. He concludes by encouraging listeners to bring their struggles to God and to engage in a deeper, more meaningful prayer life.
Takeaways
Persistent prayer is essential for a strong relationship with God. Communication with God should be constant, not occasional. Finding joy in trials is a key aspect of faith. Asking for wisdom in prayer allows for deeper understanding. Trials are opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity. Doubt can hinder our relationship with God and our prayers. Listening to God is as important as speaking in prayer. Prayer should be a posture of surrender and openness. We must bring all our struggles to Jesus, no matter how small. Faith and perseverance in prayer lead to spiritual completeness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Persistent Prayer 06:01 The Importance of Communication in Prayer 11:33 Finding Joy in Trials 17:00 Asking for Wisdom in Prayer 23:06 The Role of Trials in Spiritual Growth 27:23 The Power of Faith and Doubt 31:06 The Essence of Prayer and Listening to God 35:41 Conclusion and Call to Action
In this sermon, Pastor Jason talks about the incredible power of prayer. He highlights Jesus many promises about prayer throughout Scripture, promises that guarantee that prayer will bear results—those who seek will find, and those who knock will get an answer. But Pastor Jason also reminds us that there are important conditions to prayer. Rather than praying timidly, we need to approach God with boldness and child-like faith, believing that our prayers have power and that God will move.
00:00 Prayer: A Relationship, Not a Ritual 21:57 The Transformative Power of Prayer 30:09 Parenting and Spiritual Growth 36:47 Faith and Trust in God
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of praying faithfully—not simply to receive earthly rewards, but to experience the greatest reward of all: an intimate, daily relationship with our Creator.
Using Matthew 6, Pastor Jason highlights key truths about prayer from Jesus' teachings. Jesus models the importance of identifying the object of our prayer, committing to God's purposes, asking for help, and most importantly, seeking the presence of God. While the structure of the Sermon on the Mount provides valuable guidance, Pastor Jason stresses that "prayer is not a discipline to perfect but a dependence to surrender to.”
Ultimately, this sermon encourages listeners to faithfully build a relationship with God through prayer and recognize that God is our ultimate reward.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Worship and Surrender 02:54 Understanding Prayer as a Relationship 05:44 The Role of Faith in Prayer 09:09 The Lord's Prayer: Structure and Purpose 11:42 The Importance of Motive in Prayer 14:58 The Concept of Reward in Prayer 17:51 Pursuing God as Our Reward 21:05 How to Pray: Practical Steps 23:53 Seeking God's Presence in Prayer
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of worship, community, and prayer in the life of a believer. The sermon revolves around understanding prayer not just as a discipline but as a lifestyle that connects us to God. The speaker highlights the power of earnest prayer, the significance of obedience, and the role of the church in spiritual warfare. The conversation concludes with a call to expect God's intervention and to respond to His faithfulness in our lives.
00:00 The Power of Worship and Community 04:01 Understanding the Purpose of Prayer 08:02 The Importance of Access to God 11:21 Recognizing Spiritual Warfare 15:06 The Nature of Earnest Prayer 18:51 The Church's Response to Persecution 27:37 The Church's Grief and Urgent Prayer 29:47 Peter's Unshakeable Faith in Crisis 33:06 Obedience Before Freedom 36:55 Identifying Our Own Captivities 39:18 The Power of Prayer and Community 44:09 Expecting God's Faithfulness 47:48 The Mission Continues Despite Persecution 49:58 Responding to God's Work in Our Lives
February 2nd, 2025
In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of emotional worship, the power of prayer, and the transformative nature of a relationship with God. The sermon revolves around reflecting on past experiences, setting spiritual goals, and understanding prayer not as a discipline to perfect but as a dependence to surrender to. Pastor Jason highlights the significance of being filled with the fullness of God and the ultimate goal of glorifying Him through our lives and prayers.
00:00 The Power of Prayer in Our Lives 05:42 The Journey of Prayer: A Cultural Shift 08:44 Understanding Prayer: Relationship Over Ritual 11:16 Paul's Prayer: A Model for Transformation 14:45 The Depths of Our Being: Identity and Change 18:19 Experiencing the Love of Christ 24:43 Filled with the Fullness of God 32:37 The Purpose of Prayer: Glorifying God
In this conversation, the Pastor Jason emphasizes the unwavering faithfulness of God and the importance of our response to His plans. Through the story of Moses and the Israelites, the speaker illustrates how God has a plan for each individual, even in moments of chaos and uncertainty. The message encourages listeners to trust in God's control, to respond actively to His call, and to recognize that faith is not just a feeling but an action. The conversation culminates in the reminder that God's ultimate plan is fulfilled through Jesus, and our response is to trust and follow Him.
Chapters
00:00 Faithfulness of God
02:23 Building a Foundation of Faith
03:39 God's Plan and Our Response
13:35 Understanding God's Plan
27:11 Moses' Leadership and Our Response
40:23 The Ultimate Plan: Jesus
This conversation explores the themes of faith and decision-making through the lens of biblical narratives, particularly focusing on the story of Abraham. It emphasizes the importance of making faith-based decisions rather than reacting to circumstances, highlighting the struggles and lessons learned from Abraham's life.
The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own decision-making processes and the role of faith in navigating life's challenges. In this conversation, the speaker explores the complexities of making decisions in faith, using the biblical figure Abraham as a case study.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of pursuing God, acknowledging the struggle in decision-making, and trusting in God's provision and grace despite our mistakes. The speaker encourages listeners to surrender their plans to God and to seek His guidance in every decision they make, highlighting that God values our pursuit of Him over the outcomes of our decisions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Faith and Decision Making 12:03 The Story of Abraham: A Hero of Faith 28:30 Navigating Life's Decisions with Faith 35:22 Navigating Difficult Decisions in Faith 36:30 The Struggle of Decision-Making 40:39 The Importance of Pursuit 44:05 Compromise vs. God's Best 46:09 God's Grace in Our Mistakes 52:46 Trusting God's Provision 54:58 Surrendering Our Plans to God
In this conversation, Pastor Jason Polk reflects on the importance of worship, community, and a strong foundation of faith as he prepares for the upcoming year. He emphasizes the need for prayer and biblical teaching, drawing inspiration from the story of Noah to illustrate the significance of faith grounded in God's Word. Jason outlines his vision for 2025, focusing on growth, prayer, and outreach, while encouraging the audience to build a robust foundation of faith.
Jason delves into the faith of Noah, presenting it as a timeless model for believers today. He highlights how faith equips individuals to face adversity, providing a steadfast foundation and clear evidence of trust in God. He also speaks to the rewards that come from living a life of faith. Jason encourages listeners to build altars of praise in their lives, recognizing God's faithfulness and the ripple effect it has on those around them.
This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to deepen their faith, engage with their communities, and lean into the promises of God, drawing strength from biblical examples and practical application.
Chapters
00:00 Setting the Stage for Worship and Faith 03:25 Plans for 2025: A Year of Growth and Prayer 06:25 Community, Worship, and Biblical Teaching 09:42 The Foundation of Faith: Learning from Noah 12:29 Noah's Story: A Recap of Faithfulness 15:44 Building a Foundation of Faith 18:16 The Importance of God's Word in Faith 29:54 Faith in the Face of Adversity 35:55 The Foundation of Faith 43:11 The Evidence of Faith 50:04 The Reward of Faith 56:02 Building Altars of Praise 58:09 Echo Church Podcast Outro.mp3
How to win life in 2025 (& beyond) - Takeaways from the life of Joseph - Genesis 37-50 - Brian Bell
Different Series - Tom & Jess Franicevich Testimony - Brokenness to Restoration - Relationships/Marriage - Matthew 5-7 - Jason Polk
Different Series - Apathy to Discipline - Ephesians 1:17-19 & 3:18-19; Romans 12:9; Psalm 131 - Ray Machen-Gray
Different Series - My Pursuits vs His Callings - Luke 9:51-62 - Jason Polk - Tayden Beltran Testimony
Different Series - Bitterness to Forgiveness - Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21; Colossians 3:13 - Mikhail Alfon
Living in Reverse Series - Living to the Fullest - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 - Mikhail Alfon
Living in Reverse Series - Accept Death - Enjoy Life - Ecclesiastes 9:1-18 - Jason Polk
Living In Reverse Series - Living for Something Better - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 - Jason Polk
Living in Reverse Series - What is Filling Your Life - Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 - Brian Bell
Living in Reverse Series - Your worst day = Your greatest reward - Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 - Jason Polk
Living in Reverse Series - The Good Life = The Giant Snuggie - Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 - Jason Polk
Living in Reverse Series - Restoring what was lost in Eden - Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 - Jason Polk
Rebuilding with Generosity - Building a Culture of Generosity - Nehemiah 5 - Jason Polk
We're talking about Moses in the sixth instalment of our Legendary series. Moses was the leader of the Israelites and the lawgiver to whom the authorship, or acquisition from heaven, was given. He is regarded as the most significant prophet in Judaism and one of the most important prophets in Christianity.
God has a plan. We have a response. We'll spend most of the episode discussing our reaction to God's plan. What does that imply? How should we react when we perceive God's plan? Even if we disagree with or don't understand the plan, how do we respond?
But, he does not provide you with a strategy that guarantees that everything will go as planned. We are required to respond. We have a responsibility that we must fulfil. We must take the necessary steps.
00:00 Introduction
1:26 Today's hero: Moses (Exodus 14)
2:43 God has a plan: Jason's story of how he met his wife
6:38 Contextualizing the book of Exodus
8:44 Reading Exodus Chapter 14
10:43 Today's Prayer
11:45 First point from the story: God has a plan
17:05 A story of God's plan and the importance of knowing that before the crisis
23:35 Moses' responses to God's plan
24:44 Fear not
26:07 Stand firm
29:13 Salvation is on its way
33:16 Go for it
39:23 What does Moses story teach us
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
In the fifth instalment of our Legendary series, we'll discuss Abraham, his faith, and his faults. Abraham is held in high regard as the prophet to whom God decided to reveal himself and with whom God established a covenant. Abraham is lauded for his constant confidence in God, which is related to the notion of covenant of grace partakers being those who display faith in Christ's salvation power.
He is regarded as the founder of three main world faiths, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. He was well-known for his journey of trust in God, not just his faith in God. When put to the test, he was prepared to obey God even if it meant giving up his own kid.
Abraham did not always act in God's best interests. We're going to look at two stories today, and in both instances, you may sympathise with what Abraham did, even if it was incorrect, a mistake, or a lack of trust.
00:00 Introduction
1:20 The heroes of the Old Testament were flawed and insecure, just like us
5:18 Today's Hero: Abraham, his faith, and his mistakes
7:59 Today's Prayer
9:08 First story: God calls Abraham to leave
15:31 Discussing Abraham's wrong choice of lying
17:31 Second story: Abraham and the servant
21:42 Reflecting on trusting God even when we don't understand our roles
24:01 What can we take from Abraham's stories for our lives
24:21 First lesson: it's OK to not have all the answers
29:02 Second lesson: Seek God's best
31:52 Third lesson: God is bigger, no matter how far from him we get
33:25 Final story: Abraham's sacrifice (Genesis 22)
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
The first and most important commandment is to love God with all of one's heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is to love your neighbour as much as you love yourself. This foundational principle underpins all we think, believe, and do in respect to God.
Today we look at the possibilities that arise when we allow love to be our standard. When we examine our spiritual progress, most of the time we want to gauge how far we've come based only on spiritual practises such as reading the Bible, praying, or attending church.
We're reading Matthew Chapter 22 and exploring the context in which we assess our spiritual progress, as well as if we need to include, add to, or maybe use the measure of love. How is our love for God? How has our love for our neighbor?
00:00 Introduction
0:27 What are your goals for next year and how did you evaluate last year?
2:11 Measuring our spiritual growth by love
3:48 Reading Matther Chapter 22
7:43 What's the difference between the definition of love in our culture and in the Bible?
9:48 Today's Prayer
10:46 Discussing the context and meaning of Matthew 22
16:05 Reading Deuteronomy Chapter 6 // Answering "What is the greatest commandement'?
19:22 Who are the neighbours that we should love? // Reading Leviticus 19
22:39 Is the modern American Church seeing Jesus only as a potentiator?
25:59 Is our love in disorder?
28:22 A message to let love become a measure in 2022
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
How do we look forward to hope in the upcoming year? 2022 is a transitional year. Understanding how to effectively manage and work through the personal changes that are bound to happen is key to having a successful 2022.
There are 3 things found in the book of Joshua that we can use to our advantage to help aid us in the upcoming transition:
• God is already working ahead of us. Be assured that God is already getting ready to help us through times of change.
• Waiting is not a passive activity. We have personal work to do, and there's no need to shy away from this.
• Remeber what God has done for me. It is important to have spiritual markers in our life so we can remember what God has done for us.
Transition does not require you to reject or deny the significance of your previous life; it just requires that you let it go. The key components of transition management support the inner psychological process that people go through during times of change.
00:00 Introduction
3:09 How to look for hope in the upcoming transition year of 2022
3:52 Reading Joshua Chapter 3
5:48 First comment on the passage: God works ahead of us
7:36 Second comment: waiting is not a passive activity
9:01 Third comment: Remember what God has done for us
12:38 Discussing the meaning of names in the Bible
20:31 The importance of being reminded of God's gift to us during Christmas
22:16 Reading and discussing passages from Hebreus
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
Welcome back to our second episode in our Advent Series called "An Echo Christmas: The Story That Changed the World." With this, we want to unpack the story of Christmas, much like we would open up a book and read through it in chronological order. Last week we saw the angel come to Mary and we saw this internal journey that Mary took as her character developed and how she changed over the course of her story.
This week we take a look at another very critical character, Joseph, right after the angel came to Mary. In this story, the angel came to Joseph during a profound crisis and gave him something that he needed. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and encouraged him to trust Mary. The angel also advised Joseph that the child's name should be Jesus. Having a vision from God in a dream was a sign of God's favour. Therefore, Joseph paid heed and did what the angel had instructed.
00:00 Introduction
3:35 This week's story: Joseph
4:30 Discussing the place of Faith in every great story
7:51 Reading Matthew's account of the Christmas through the lens of Joseph
14:40 Three reasons why the coming of Emmanuel is important
17:06 First reason: God with us means God in us
23:16 Second reason: God with us means God for us
33:43 Third reason: God with us means God is coming back for us
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
Welcome to the first episode of our Advent Series called "An Echo Christmas: The Story That Changed the World." With this, we want to unpack the story of Christmas, like we would open up a book and read through it in chronological order.
A lot happens after the birth of Christ, so we're going to start with the events that happened before Jesus' birth in the first week. And then at the Christmas service, we're going to do the birth of Jesus. Then, we're going to visit the happenings after the birth of Jesus.
This week, we talk about Mary's journey prior to Christmas and how her internal character evolved as her story developed. We also talk about how we can relate to Mary's story today and how we can apply what Mary learned to our own lives so that we can further develop our own character and find personal growth.
00:00 Introduction
0:27 This week's story: Mary's journey prior to Christmas
4:12 Discussing aspects of a good story: character development and overcoming conflicts
8:00 Mary's character arc: 3 developments
9:03 First step: Crisis (Luke Chapter 1)
13:17 Second step: Trust and obedience
21:44 Third step: Praise
27:34 How our journey with God resemble Mary's
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc
In the fourth and final instalment of our Legendary series, we visit the book of Joshua and study the story of the city of Jericho. The story demonstrates that God was on their side. Following Moses' death, God appointed Joshua, son of Nun, as the leader of the Israelites. Under the Lord's direction, they set out to conquer Canaan.
Joshua felt unqualified to take over for Moses, but God vowed to be with him every step of the journey, just as he did for Moses. This same God is still with us now, guarding and guiding us.
Joshua's deep confidence in God drove him to follow, regardless of how absurd God's demand was. Joshua also drew inspiration from the past, recalling God's amazing feats via Moses.
In this episode we discuss God's promise, Instructions and presence in Jericho. And Israel's participation and God's faithfulness.
00:00 Introduction
1:12 Reading Jericho's story
4:20 Discussing Jericho's passage and its context
9:58 First observation from the passage: God's promise
11:51 Second observation: God's instructions
12:21 Third observation: God's presence
13:38 Fourth observation: Israel's participation and work
14:40 Fifth observation: Israel's waiting and faith
15:52 Sixth observation: God's faithfulness completed
17:44 What can we learn from Jericho's story today?
Connect with Echo Church:
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This is the third instalment of our four-part Legendary series. We're studying Old Testament figures to see how they point to Christ and what we can learn from them. Noah, the Old Testament hero we're discussing today, built an ark and guided his family to safety.
Noah was given the task of building an ark, and in accordance with God's orders, he placed into the ark male and female specimens of all the world's animal species, so that the stocks could be replenished. As a result, the entire surviving human race is said to be born from Noah's three sons.
In this episode, we discuss Noah's faith in God and how it led him to act and walk with God. When God warned Noah about a flood he had not yet seen, Noah had unshakeable faith and godly terror and built an ark.
00:00 Introduction
1:11 Jason's cruise story
4:40 A brief synopsis and context of Noah's story
11:06 Reading Genesis chapter 11 verse 7
12:52 First observation from Noah's life: faith has a foundation
20:22 Second observation: faith has an evidence
27:20 Third observation: faith has a reward
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In the previous episode, we began talking about a series called Legendary. It's a four-part series about the faith of Old Testament characters, discovering who they are, what they did, and what heroic sacrifices they made. These are regular people with ordinary gifts and characteristics who God chooses to use. This is uplifting because we are regular people who have the potential to be used by God.
In this episode, we will look at the book of Esther. Esther's journey is unlike any other, and the monumental things she accomplishes impact the course of the Jewish people. And it's incredibly exciting and fascinating to see.
Esther ascends to the throne of Persia and prevents a massacre against her people. The story is fundamental to the Jewish celebration of Purim, and it is recited aloud twice: once in the evening and again the next morning. The only books in the Hebrew Bible that do not mention God are Esther and Song of Songs.
We'll look at why God's name isn't mentioned in the Bible and why God occasionally picks "nobodies" as heroes.
00:00 Introduction
2:36 The context behind the Book of Esther
7:15 Introducing the first three chapters of the Book of Esther
15:46 Reading chapter four of the Book of Esther
19:11 How the Jewish people were saved
26:23 First observation on the passage: God is always using the "nobodies"
35:02 Second observation: God is always sovereign
38:06 Third observation: God is always faithful
40:10 How the story of Esther foreshadows the story of Jesus
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When most people read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, they see it as a collection of stories about heroes and villains. While that's true, and there are heroes who do incredible things from which we can learn, we quickly forget that whatever we see in them that is amazing, good, or worthy of imitation is just a reflection of the picture that we see in Christ. In fact, everything in the Old Testament, every character, every hero, everything, we perceive is a reflection of Christ's person.
Courage will be the subject of part one of this four-part series. And we'll begin with Daniel Chapter 6. This story will be used to discuss the importance of cultivating a courageous mindset. A hero's courage is very valuable. However, Courage is not something you can summon at the drop of a hat. Courage develops throughout time as a result of a series of tiny, persistent choices. It's a pattern that you program into your heart. There was something going on long before in these hero's lives to give them the strength and courage that they needed to stand up to adversity and make the right decision.
00:00 Introduction
2:44 Excerpt from The Jesus Story Book Bible: A book of Heros
5:06 Daniel Chapter 6: Developing the habit of courage
9:48 Daniel 1:6
11:54 Daniel 4:6
15:18 Daniel 10:6
16:35 What's your instinct when you're faced with trouble?
25:36 Trust Equals Obedience
33:55 Practice being courageous
41:48 Closing prayer
Connect with Echo Church:
Website: https://www.echochurchoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echochurchoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echochurchoc