CWC Newark Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Community Wesleyan Church Newark
Welcome to Community Wesleyan Church's podcast network! We are a Wesleyan Church in Newark, Ohio. In this podcast, you will find content from our Sunday morning services, Table Talk podcasts, as well as Pastor Nathan's MissionLife podcast!
From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. So, what is your mouth revealing about your heart? When we place God at the center of our hearts, our overflow will reflect the kindness, compassion, forgiveness and love that defines who He is.
Are you running toward God or keeping your distance in your relationship with him? The Holy Spirit is our guide and desires to be in communion with us, but we have to lean into him if we're going to walk close to God.
Words matter. They create bridges or deepen chasms. Our words change others' lives, for better or worse. What are you doing to build bridges and paint a better picture for the lives of those around you?
God gives good gifts. What do you do with the gifts that God gives you? When we squander the gifts of God, we keep for ourselves what is rightfully to be given to others. Receive from God with open hands and give to others in the same way.
What does it take to make you angry and what happens when you get there? The Bible acknowledges that God can become angry, but it says that he is slow to get there. Jesus exhibited anger over injustice. Let's learn what it means to be angry and not to sin.
If we are to imitate Christ, we need to assess what we are speaking to one another. Speaking words of truth and life should be our ongoing desire and goal. That leaves no room for gossip, slander, or misrepresentation. Let's love each other with our words and actions.
If Acts teaches us anything, it's that we can do anything that God calls us to do. It doesn't mean that the journey will be easy, or even achievable on our own. But he is with us, and he is all we need.
We choose the chains we wear. Many wear the chains of sin. Few wear the chains of sacrifice to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our chains may be personal, but they can deliver or enslave others to the chains that they wear.
Experiencing God is more than knowing about him, and it's more than feeling close to him. It's choosing to engage your head and your heart together to embrace the mystery of God with all that you are, and to be embraced by his love in return.
- How do you most naturally connect with God - head or heart, and why?
- How does your head knowledge inform your relationship with God?
- What disciplines are you engaging that exercise your whole being in regard to your relationship with God?
What would you sacrifice to make an impact in someone's life for Christ? Would you suspend your opinions to hear their point of view? Would you look past their sin to see their soul? Jesus extended grace without compromising his character, and we are called to do the same.
- What are you doing to keep the peace?
- Who are the wool suits or the Hawaiian shirts in your life? Do you need to reach out past your comfort zone?
- What tradition are you hung up on?
- Are you a disciple maker?
Life is full of hard situations. The way we relate to others happens long before the first words are spoken. Let's consider how we carry God's heart into our conversations, and how he can shape lives through our obedience.
We live in a broken world, and it's nearly impossible to minister to brokenness without experiencing it yourself. If you endure hardship, discouragement, and adversity, you're on the right track. Pain isn't proof that you should quit - it's proof that you haven't.
- How would you describe pure and holy worship?
- to which lie do you need to bring truth?
- How do you feel about bringing the Gospel to a dumpster fire?
What good is the Gospel if it stays locked in an ivory tower? What good is a Christian who consumes and produces only what the world dictates? True Kingdom work lies between these two, on the slippery slopes of modern culture.
- What part of your life feels like the biggest rapid right now?
- Are you more likely to spend too much time on the slopes or in the silo?
- Pick one person in your life and discuss how you might "contextualize" the gospel for them.
- Which of these three cautions/ideas are most important to you right now?
There's something that God wants to say to the world, and he wants to say it through you. If you don't feel qualified, you're not. But he is, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words, and help you find your voice.
Is there something or someone that you're willing to die for? What if that someone was Jesus? We are asked to take up our cross and daily follow him. Are you prepared to count the cost of following him, even unto death?
Sometimes we experience seasons of waiting and preparation, when we feel hidden from our calling instead of being in the middle of it. What will you do when God hides you?
The early Church in Acts found itself quickly growing in numbers and complexity. What key decisions did they make that can we apply to our own local churches, in an ever-changing culture?
We serve a holy God, and God takes sin seriously. Yet, he is also worthy to be worshiped and proclaimed for his goodness, and we should be unashamed to carry his name into the temple courts of our lives.
There is a tension between inviting people to meet Jesus while excluding the sin they bring with them. As the Church, we are called to present the Gospel, to embrace people and yet expose their sin to the light of Truth.
The early Chuch in Acts began with an experience at Pentecost, and the disciples moved from imitating patterns of Jesus to experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit. This movement radically transformed the spread of the gospel, and we too have been sent to share this Good News.
The whole world is looking for new life, but they're looking in the wrong places. New life can only be found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is available to us today.
This Special Edition of Table Talk was taken from an incredible lecture by Dr. Justin Mooney regarding evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was a live lecture that took place on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Before Jesus entered Jerusalem during Passover, he shared a meal with friends and disciples. Crowds gathered - some moved to worship him, with others determined to kill him. Jesus welcomes us all to his table, inviting everyone to be transformed in the presence of a holy God.
Truth is revealing. It can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Yet, truth shows us who we really are, and a life lived in truth is a life of Kingdom impact. Let's consider prioritizing truth in the words that we speak to others, and the words that we receive back from them.
We read about miracles in the Bible, but wonder if they still happen today. If you're patient and seeking, you may be amazed what you find.
When we talk to God, what are we seeking? Do we simply tell God what we want so he can give it to us? There's much more, but we have to sit, listen, and rest in his presence.
Have you ever wondered if God likes you? The bible says that God is love and that he loves us, but that's just who he is, right? If you could know how God sees you, it just might change the way you see you.
We don't have prove our worth for God to care about the desires of our heart. God knows and loves our hearts fully, no matter what we're producing. Yet, he invites us into a relationship that aligns our heart and hand with him.
Jesus doesn't ask us how much we have, he asks us how much we're willing to give. Even our small offering can be multiplied when it's given in faith.
Saul was directly opposed to followers of "The Way". It took a personal encounter with Jesus to literally open his eyes to the truth. One encounter changed the narrative of the New Testament, and history.
Jonah dealt with feelings of self-righteousness. He didn't want to listen to God and thought that he was better than the Ninevites that God was calling him to visit. In reality, Jonah needed the very same grace that he was sent to proclaim.
Jesus and the disciples encounter a storm, but Jesus' focus is on the destination and not the distraction.
We've all struggled with sin, but God tells us that there's a better way. He's called us out of that sin, and he will use our story of redemption to further his kingdom.
Culture tells us that if we have enough strength and determination, we can do anything. The Apostle Paul proclaims, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". So, how do you handle your problems? Do you tackle them on your own, or do you surrender and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you and enter your story?
Samson's greatest strength became his greatest weakness. He took his power for granted and disobeyed clear commands that God had given him. Once his physical strength was taken from him, his real test of spiritual strength began.
Mary and Joseph found themselves in the middle of the greatest story ever told. Yet, the promises made at the beginning of their journey didn't make the road an easy one. Keeping a focus on purpose will help us to travel well and endure patiently.
We've heard the story of Jesus coming as a baby, and we know there were Shepherds and Wise Men who came to worship him. Let's lean in and find ourselves looking at Jesus from their perspective.
We may be facing impossible odds, incredible hardship, impenetrable walls. But we don't stand alone - we carry the power of God into battle with us. Have you given God control of your struggle? When we surrender, he can bring walls down and lead us to his promised freedom.
When we face insurmountable obstacles in our lives, our first response may be fear, which holds us captive. But when we glorify God and allow him to display his power, then we will see the seas part before us, revealing our freedom.
Have you ever felt like an outsider? Ever wonder what the crowd is saying behind your back? Zacchaeus was definitely an outsider, yet Jesus sought him out in a crowd of people to offer him salvation. And he offers the same to you.
Nobody likes a bully, and Goliath might be the original. David readiness to face Goliath came from his willingness. As we face our own giants, let's consider that the battlefield lies within.
What does discipleship look like in our community? It looks like kindness, compassion, empathy and love. It looks like hope and peace in every circumstance. It looks like placing others before yourself. It looks like Jesus living through you. That is discipleship.
What does it mean to extend hospitality to another? How can we create safe spaces for others to truly be themselves and feel accepted? Let's first follow the example of Jesus as both a disciple of his Father, and also a mentor to his earthly disciples. True transformation begins with hospitality.
We haven't held anything back in this extravaganza of amazingness. 100 episodes deserves something special, and that's what you're going to get. Buckle up.
Our calling to both be a disciple of Jesus and to make other disciples was not presented as a request - it is a command. Following Christ requires an ongoing "yes" to him. Following Christ isn't just for you, it's for everyone you meet who sees and hears Jesus through your words and actions. What is your response when Jesus says, "Come follow me"?
It all starts here. We are called to be disciples and make disciples. Jesus modeled this while on the earth, and it was one of the last things he said to his followers before he left. So, what is discipleship? Let's take a closer look.
How do we find unity in a culture that celebrates individualism? We must look to Christ and find our identity in him, allowing him to draw us together as one body. We celebrate our unique gifts as we work together to further God's kingdom.
So, maybe you want to get involved in the local church, but you don't know how. God is laying something on your heart, but it takes more than just you to make it happen. Participation, partnership, delegation. When the body of Christ works together, there's no limit to what God can accomplish.
It's confusing. It's so long - where do I begin? Which translation is the best? If you've ever had these thoughts about the Bible, you're not alone. It can feel overwhelming, but God has a very real message for you in the Bible, which is the story of his love for humanity. Take its words and digest them.
Prayer can feel intimidating. How do I talk to God? Why would he ever want to listen to me? The truth is, God longs to hear from us and to speak to our hearts. It's not about what we say, it's about the relationship.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Yet, we can distort faith and make it something less than what God intended. When we examine our faith, we find that there's more to believing than just going through the motions.
In social circles, religious and not, outrage always has the loudest voice in the room. Yet, gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit. How did Jesus respond to a traitor, a denying coward, and a betraying backstabber? Gentleness.
At a time when we are inundated with daily uncertainty, it's no surprise that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. Whether you have personally experienced the grip of a mental stronghold in your life, or know someone who has, it can be consuming. Yet, there is incredible hope and resilience in Jesus Christ.
What do you put your faith in? Where does your faith lie? The question of faith is not whether it exists but where it has been placed. Faith can be self-focused or Spirit-inspired. Let's choose to be led by the Spirit and allow our faith to be less and less about us.
Culture teaches us to expect and demand instant gratification, to receive the desires of our heart the moment that the seed of desire takes shape. God teaches us that patience develops our character and that the best lessons can be learned through waiting.
Have you ever felt like you were the only one struggling with a problem? This week CWC heard from a missionary family, a young adult, and a group of teens about their struggles and how God is working in their lives. Do you hear yourself in their stories?
Is your joy and peace only external, or does it bubble up from deep within you? True joy and peace comes from a source beyond ourselves, found in a meaningful relationship with God. Let's stop acting and start abiding.
Love - it's the greatest force ever experienced. It gives us superhuman strength and looks past the shortcomings in others. Paul tells us that love never fails. Is there someone in your life that needs the love that only you can give?
When we are harmed, that's painful. When you add in the intention to harm, that's personal. What this world intended for harm, God has redeemed not only for our good, but for the good of those that hear our story.
Sometimes, like Joseph in Genesis, we find ourselves in a pit. We may have made the pit or just been thrown in. To get out, we need to display attributes that come from walking with God and rely on more than ourselves. We need hope, and hope is Jesus.
Do you have a dream that seems so crazy and personal, you're afraid to even speak about it? What if that dream was given to you by God and you are here to fulfill a specific purpose? Joseph's story in Genesis is all about dreams and how God brought those dreams into reality.
If Jesus is our Good Shepherd, then what kind of sheep are you? Are you happy in his care, or are you looking for greener pastures? Do you ever find yourself flat on your back, burdened with the cares of this life? Pastor Jade leads us through Psalm 23 and teaches us how to trust our Shepherd and stay in our pasture.
No matter what set of circumstances you are in, God wants you to wrestle with him and ask the hard questions. When we wrestle with God, we learn what it means to have a loving friend who will tell you the truth. We learn that we can be honest with God and he'll be honest with us. Are you a God Wrestler?
Family history - we all have it, both good and bad. How do we take only the good stuff and leave the rest behind? How do we make sure that we don't repeat the sins that our parents and grandparents made? Let's explore what it means to become the filter that removes our familial impurities.
What if Jesus is who he says he is? What if he really did rise from the dead? What could a risen Jesus mean for my life? Join us as we explore the possibility of a risen Savior and the hope of an eternity with him.
What does a win look like to you? Maybe it's nicer material possessions, greater wealth, or getting to play the role of the hero. Jesus' triumphal entry was unlike any other. He is the Son of God, yet he humbled himself to become the servant of all. Let's redefine our wins through the lens of humility and sacrifice.
How can God's perfect will be fulfilled in an imperfect world? How can his Kingdom come through us who are sinners in need of forgiveness? His grace is sufficient to overcome our failures, and his will reaches far beyond our good and bad decisions. God invites us to be a part of his redemptive plan for this world.
Have you ever felt exhausted? If we're not careful, exhaustion can lead to compromise. We can trade momentary relief for a lifetime of regret. Esau compromised his birthright for a bowl of soup. If you're exhausted and offered a bowl of soup, take a moment to remember the birthright that God has given you. Don't take the soup!
When God calls you, it doesn't mean that the journey will be easy. It doesn't mean that there won't be moments when you question your ability to continue pursuing the call. Yet, no matter what the journey brings, we have been given the promise that The Lord Will Provide.
Are you listening? God is whispering to your heart. He's planted something deep inside you that he wants you to discover. Something you can't do without his help. You may not know how to accomplish God's call, but you know that He will be with you. It all begins by saying yes.
God has a unique plan for all of our lives. And yet, for many of us, that calling may remain unrealized. The calling requires sacrifice and surrender. The calling goes against our culture and our comfort. Abraham answered the call that God placed in his heart, and from one man God created a great nation. When God calls, what is your answer?
What is the inclination of your heart? Does it motivate you to selfish ambition or are you surrendered to God's leading? We're looking at the account of the flood found in Genesis. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord because his heart was pure. As God looks upon your heart, what will he find?
Am I valuable? Do I matter? Genesis chapters 1 and 2 tell us that we were lovingly made in the image of God, and that he saw his creation and said it was good. Sin entered the world and corrupted that good, but we must hold on to hope because there is cleansing and redemption in the blood of Jesus.
What was it like "in the beginning"? Why did God create? How do we even approach the book of Genesis in the Bible? When we discover that God created not out of need but out of love, it changes everything about our purpose and identity.
Who needs counseling? The answer is, everyone. Processing life takes other people, and we need perspective and support from a community. Dr. Amynda Rhodes shares a healthy approach to counseling and how we can be a counselor for others.
Life is hard. Sometimes we make choices that keep us in bondage for years, even decades. But there is hope, and restoration is possible. Rich and Amy Reilly share their story of addiction, recovery, and redemption.
Hurting people are everywhere. Sometimes they are us. Micah and Maggie Metz share their story of leaning on God in the midst of incredible challenges. Let's consider how we can linger in the presence of grief.
Do you have secrets? Do your secrets bring you shame? Jesus wants us to be released from the bondage of past sin. Join Pastor Jade and Pastor Nathan as they discuss sin, shame, and the transforming power of Jesus' love and forgiveness.
Who is your neighbor? It may be the person next door, or the person standing next to you. It may be your closest friend or a total stranger. Jesus calls us to anticipate the needs of others and respond in compassion. How can you be a neighbor today?
Table Talk is going to take a break for the rest of December, but we'll see you back in January with more insight and hope for your week!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Marcee and Lyndsey discuss "Hope Through Lamenting". Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Life can be hard. Jesus gives us permission to lament through the difficulty and cry out to him. In your season of darkness, take hope! Jesus is coming. He hears our cries and draws us close to him.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Shawn and Nathan discuss "Communication" as we wrap up the series entitled "Us". Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Shawn and Nathan discuss "Margin" from our series entitled "Us". Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Shawn and Nathan discuss "I/Thou", from our series entitled "Us". Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Nathan and Jade discuss the book of Ruth and how it challenges us to step out in faith and trust God for our needs. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Nathan and Jade discuss "Church" from our series entitled "Us". Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "And Peter" from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Shawn and Nathan discuss "Will You Take This Cup?" from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Shawn and Nathan discuss "Save Us", from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss On Your Feet!, from our sermon series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Help My Unbelief from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Have you ever felt belief that Jesus could do something about your situation but struggled to believe that he would? This creeping feeling of doubt is exactly what the father of a demon-possessed boy felt in Mark 9. In this paradigm-shifting sermon, Pastor Nathan explores doubt's role in faith.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh, Lyndsey, and Pastor Shawn discuss Everybody Believes In Jesus from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "Out Of A Person's Heart" from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Pastor Shawn and Pastor Jade discuss "Keep Rowing" from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "And He Went To His Hometown" from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "My Name Is Legion" from our series over the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Lyndsey discuss "Let Them Hear" from our series over the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss And They Came To Him from our series over the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
What does it mean to be with someone? In Mark 3, Pastor Nathan shows us that Jesus called his disciples "that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach". Jesus is still calling us to be with Him and to be sent by Him. This is discipleship. Who are you discipling?
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Stretch Out Your Hand from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
In this sermon from Mark 2, Pastor Nathan Metz identifies four characteristics of the life of Christ. If Christ is alive in us, our lives should look like His life in Scripture. How did Jesus interact with sin and sinners? What did he expect?
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh, Shawn, and Elizabeth discuss A Solitary Place from our series through the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Jesus ministry was really kicking off. People began coming to Him from all over. But why did he insist on moving on to new places? As Pastor Nathan guides us through Mark 1:21-45, we see that Jesus was intent on doing His Father's work while being hidden away. What does that mean for us?
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Time Has Come, from our sermon series over the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Driven or Called, the first sermon in our book study over the Gospel of Mark. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh sits down with Pastor Shawn and his wife, Elizabeth, to discuss our special service We Worship Because. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Ending from our series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Job from our series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
What does the perfect job look like? Is it a job that allows us to pay all the bills? Have all the toys? Retire comfortably? Just pay the bills? Join us in the discussion!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Parent from our sermon series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
What does it mean to be the perfect parent? It's not just a matter of keeping your kids safe, making sure they have mounds of presents for Christmas, putting them in lots of sports or getting them into the right school. Join the discussion on what it looks like to parent wholeheartedly.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Church from our series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Lyndsey is joined by special guest, Tiffany Janofski. Tiffany is a missionary to Albania and came to speak to us this week about God's calling on her life, as well as how God is still calling and shaping her. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
For more info about what Tiffany is doing in Albania or how you can support her directly, check out these links:
VT Albania -- http://www.vtalbania.org
Tiffany Janofski WGM Profile --https://www.wgm.org/missionary/tjan
This week, Pastor Nathan and Pastor Jade had the privilege of interviewing Tiffany Janofski, a missionary based in Albania. In this interview, Tiffany shared about her calling to the missions field, about what God currently has her doing in Albania, and many other things that God is teaching her. And from this wealth of experience, we also get the opportunity to learn from Tiffany!
To support Tiffany's ministry, use this link: https://www.wgm.org/missionary/tjan
To learn more about VTAlbania, use this link: http://www.vtalbania.org
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Spouse, the third entry in our series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss The Perfect Christian, the second sermon in our series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Christian perfection refers to our “want”, not our “act”. Jesus consistently spoke to the heart, desire, motivation and intention. In this sermon called “The Perfect Christian”, Pastor Nathan opens Numbers 13 and 14 for a case study on wholeheartedness. His name “Caleb” means “all” “heart”.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Be Perfect, the first sermon in our new series, This Is Perfect. Pull up a chair and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, Josh and Nathan discuss the second part of Psalm 23, the last sermon in our series over the Psalms. Pull up a chair and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "The Lord Is My Shepherd", the latest in our series over the Psalms. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
“I am not a sheep.” These words typically mean: I don’t follow blindly, I think for myself. In this sermon from the first five words of Psalm 23, Pastor Nathan addresses the implications of this attitude and the impact it has on us personally and collectively. If we want to have a Good Shepherd, we have to agree to a few things first. Most importantly, we have to be sheep.
Welcome to Table Talk! This week, Josh and Nathan discuss Easter (Maybe), our Easter Sunday 2021 sermon. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Easter is hard to believe. In fact, some of the disciples didn’t. Even after they saw Jesus with their own eyes, Matthew 28 tells us “some doubted”. In this Easter sermon, Pastor Nathan highlights the mystery of the resurrection as a necessity for the Christian life. We need something within us that is more than just us. Do more than “dig deep”. Be resurrected!
Welcome to Table Talk! This week, Josh and Lyndsey discuss the feelings and emotions of Holy Week as a continuation of our series through the Psalms. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Psalm 121, the latest in our series over the Psalms. Pull up a chair and let's talk!
I lift my eyes to the mountains and the mountains are silent. No help at all. What mountains might you be gazing up toward for assistance? In this sermon from Psalm 121, Pastor Nathan works through the text verse by verse paving pathway of help. Do you need help? Where does it come from?
Welcome to Small Talk! These conversations aren't meant to be very long. The intent is to ask questions that you are asking, or even should be asking! So if you have 10 minutes, let's talk a bit!
Welcome to Table Talk! This week, Josh and Nathan discuss Psalm 51, the latest in our series over the Psalms. Pull up a chair, and let's dive in!
David did a bad thing. Sin on top of sin, cover ups, lies and more sin. And then he just carried around the guilt. Do you carry guilt? It’s a terrible burden! Psalm 51 teaches us of the relationship between guilt and faith. In this message from the Psalms series, Pastor Nathan attempts to lighten the load of guilt and shame with a surprising, powerful solution.
Looking for more? We have a podcast, as well as more content on the way!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan talk about Psalm 39, the most recent in our series over the Psalms. Pull up a chair!
Welcome to Table Talk, bonus edition! In this episode, Jade Metz and Lyndsey Harshbarger discuss Jade's sermon, The Mission of Jesus, from our series, Now Go. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Psalm 46, the latest in our series about the Psalms. Let's dive in!
We’ve all had trouble in our lives at some time or another. Psalm 46 gives us some language and ideas when trouble comes our way. Do you know how to be fearless? Glad? Still? The Psalmist reveals some pathways toward these responses to trouble. In this sermon, Pastor Nathan unpacks the verses of Psalm 46 on our journey toward a beautiful time of testimony.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss the sermon about Psalm 84, our third in a series discussing the Psalms. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we discuss Psalm 139, the second sermon of our series in the Psalms. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "What Does Faith Feel Like?", the first sermon in our series on the Psalms. Let's dive in!
Are you the type to who loves a nice poem?
A song or a rhyme or lyrics if you know ‘em?
Do you hum or recite some line from your heart?
It’s to you that we’re preaching, and this is the start.
In this first of the series, Pastor Nathan will speak
Of Psalm 73 and some hope for the week
For when faith brings feelings, there’s nothing to hide
The Psalms give permission to take them in stride
Welcome to Table Talk! On this week's episode, we discuss "Wherever The River Flows", the 4th sermon in our series, "Now Go". Let's dive in!
Faith begins small, in a trickle. One step at a time and the trickle grows to the ankles, the knees and then the waist. Ezekiel 47 describes this growing flow of faith as a river. As it grows, it becomes too large to cross and brings unexpected life. In this sermon from Pastor Nathan we come face to face with the Person of the Spirit of God as a powerful river. Are you walking in the river?
Welcome to Table Talk! On this week's episode, Josh and Nathan discuss "Please Seat Yourself", the third sermon in our "Now Go" series. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! On this week's episode, we take a deeper look at the sermon Fuel On The Fire from our series, Now Go. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we discuss the sermon My Name Is Legion, from our new series Now Go. Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this last episode of 2020, we discuss the sermon Before You Start Over, which is the last sermon in our Nativity series! Let's dive in!
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into the sermon of the liturgy as presented in Nine Lessons in Carols.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we are taking a deeper dive into "And He Will Be Called", from our series, Nativity.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into When God Favors You from our Christmas series, Nativity.
Welcome to Table Talk! Today's episode is a deep dive into the first sermon in our Nativity series, How To Believe An Angel.
There’s lots of ways to be safe. Physical protection, medical excellence, vocational promotion. In the end, all these securities fall short of a higher security: eternity. That’s the big question, isn’t it? What happens when we die. Can you know with absolute certainty? Pastor Nathan gives a resounding “yes” in the Biblically routed exploration of Stephen and the Rich Young Ruler.
Welcome to Table Talk! This week, we are joined by Pastor Craig Burdick as we discuss the limit of being Too Insecure.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, we discuss the sermon Too Cynical, from our sermon series Limitless.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this week's episode, we discuss Too Excitable from our series, Limitless.
Welcome to Table Talk! In this episode, we discuss Too Good, from our series, Limitless.
Welcome to Table Talk! Our weekly opportunity to dive deeper into the weekly sermons at Community Church. In this episode, we share what our goal for this podcast is. Let's dive deeply!
How good am I? It's a question we think about a lot, whether consciously or subconsciously and it influences the way we think about our Heavenly Father. What does it mean to be too good?
David’s father Jesse thought he wasn’t even worth bringing in the house because David was just too young! So he left him out in the field and brought his other seven sons before Samuel. Do you feel like David sometimes? Just too young to be considered? In this Limitless series sermon, Pastor Nathan Metz identifies the key factors that made the unlikely David the anointed future king. By David’s example, you’re never too young.
Abram and Sarai were old. Too old. Well, they thought they were too old. This first "Limitless" series sermon looks at the limit of being "Too Old". As Pastor Nathan delves into Genesis 15, we'll discover that being too old isn't about age, it about promises. God made a promise to Abram and kept it, even though Abram thought it was too late. With God, it's never too late.
As we explore our vision statement of being "Alive together in the warmth of Jesus Christ", we begin a sermon series about the book of Philippians.
Our Vision Statement is “Alive together in the warmth of Jesus Christ.” Our culture values independence and looking after yourself and your immediate family. God calls us to focus not just on our individual families, but He calls us to love and care for others. He calls us the body of Christ and desires for us to be one as He is one. He calls us to a unity of divine measure which can only be explained through His love.
It's tough to find a conclusion without a destination. Unfortunately, much of our movement in life is without a final "amen", the last goal toward which we are aiming. In this episode, we're talking about movement without a destination and the power of a great amen to guide us. This is the ending.
After returning from my trip to the States, I took some time to reflect on how it all made me feel. In conversations with my wife, I realized that there are some powerful ideas we've been battling with over the past few years. We were blindsided by a duty to measure things that shouldn't be measured. And yet, the measurement is a common part of the missionary life. Together, let's stand before the nativity and measure correctly.
This is the third and final installment of a series on boldness and fear. The first two episodes looked at the concept from cause (episode 43) to response (episode 44). In this concluding episode, I've taken all the material from the podcasts, refined it and slimmed it down and preached it. This message titled "Pleading with Paul", was shared at Community Church in Newark, Ohio.
Fear isn't the end. It's actually a great place to start! In this episode, we are taking everything we learned from the previous (part one) and adding a bicycle face, Agabus and some old-timey music. It's a recipe for boldness in the neighborhood!
Do you like scary movies? I remember watching them when I was younger but sometime since then I've lost all interest. What is fear, though? What causes it? Is all fear the same? A lot of our missional ideas hit a brick wall called fear. In this episode, we are going to explore the causes and types of fear with the goal of punching the thing in the teeth. It's part one of a two-part episode on boldness.
Do you have someone(s) in your neighborhood that drain you? You hate to say it, but, they are kind of a parasite. They just take. Missional living doesn't ignore or reject these kinds of people even though it can be hard to know what to do. Why are they that way? What is a healthy response? In this episode, we're looking to Coastal Redwood trees, Carole King's living room and Dennis the Menace to try and find some answers.
Why do we think we have to be able to defend the Christian faith before we can be missional in our communities? Neighboring doesn't require scholarly prowess...it just requires an ear and a little time. Rather than arming yourself with all the theological arguments to go nose to nose with someone, why not begin with questions? In this episode, we're giving up on the battle of wits and moving into a posture of curiosity.
Mind your own business. Don't tell me how to parent. What's true for you isn't necessarily true for me. Plus a hundred more statements that all sound the same. It's a separation of our agreed adherence to ultimate or absolute truth. One of the results of increasing individualization is increasing subjectivity of truth in unified agreement, adherence and practice. In order to protect our "liberty", we create distance from each other so that "my truth" is untouchable. How are we supposed to interact, understand and influence neighbors and community members who see the world and truth so subjectively? Are we supposed to see it subjectively too?
Few people know the empathy of Jesus like Simon Peter. At a time in our country when coldness, harshness and aggression dominate the public forum, the empathy of Christ speaks of forgiveness, softness and second chances. From the mouth of Simon comes poignant and timely story, one we should all take to heart. Empathy in our communities is the key to something fresh and meaningful. Often times, empathy is the beginning of the Gospel in the lives of those who so desperately need it.
This message from July 26th, 2019 was preached at Fairmount Family in Indiana.
Recently, I was reading about swarms (seriously) and I started thinking about how they are different from crowds. People in groups behave in interesting ways. Then I started thinking about my favorite group...the Church. Is the Church a crowd? Is the Church a swarm? Jesus called us a flock. Is a flock the same thing as a swarm? In this episode, I'm delving into the fascinating world of swarms and holding the ideas up against the Church to see what we can learn.
We're taking a break! MissionLife Podcast is napping until September while Nathan works on a few other things. Come see him at Fairmount Family Camp in Fairmount, IN between July 21st and 28th. This episode is the sermon version of #36 Imagine. Enjoy! We'll see you in a few months!
"I think people just need to see faith lived." This statement from guest Lenny Luchetti became the central focus of our conversation. In this episode, Luchetti and I are discussing the sermon of our lives as an important expression of the missional life. What does your life preach to those around you? Luchetti's newest book "Preaching with Empathy" will be the guide for today's conversation. And, as always, links and additional content are available on our website: missionlifepodcast.com
Recently, Nathan preached a sermon out of Luke 8 from the perspective of Legion. Jesus' missionary journey across the Sea of Galilee for this one man resulted not only in healing but a missionary call. As a result of the incredible deliverance of Legion, he was sent as a missionary to the Greeks of the Decapolis. Listen as Legion tells his story.
A note about the recording: The sermon was preached at Kampala International Church in Bugalobi, Uganda. The sanctuary is an indoor/outdoor structure that is open to the children's area and the capital city of Kampala.
I've done a lot of things over the years that you might call "missional". You probably have done those kinds of things too. Soup kitchens. Neighborhood cleanups. Volunteering. Short-term trips overseas. While those things (and others) all feel pretty missional...they aren't. At least, they might not be. Missions isn't what we do, it's who we are. In this episode, I'm interviewing Aron Kirk, lead pastor of one of the most missional churches I know of. They are missional not by what they do but by who they are. Aron and his leadership team have fostered a culture of acceptance and change that is transforming the landscape in his community.
Willy Wonka is bonkers. Who comes up with this stuff? I like to think I'm creative but the idea of a chocolate river and trees made out of candy is just crazy! It seems like nonsense until it occurs to me that I get it. I know what a river is. I know what chocolate is. Chocolate river! And then I wonder if I can imagine up things like chocolate rivers...what can imagine about you? What kind of crazy beautiful things can I dream up and how will my imagination impact the way I treat you?
How do you want to worship? In this episode, we are looking for new ideas. When someone comes into our lives, they bring with them their own preferences and desires. As a result, they will want to live out Christianity a little bit differently than you. And so, we're talking about vacancy. The process of stepping back and giving someone else a little space to express and worship. And it happens when we ask, "how do you want to worship?"
What makes a good first impression? How long does a first impression matter? The answer might surprise you! In this episode, we are looking at the power of the first impression and some ideas about how we might improve ours and ignore theirs. That's right! Ignore it! The first impressions we receive might actually work to...well, just listen.
What do I do when missional living threatens to take me deep into someone's problems? If I say "yes" to this...where does it end? Missional living can be a rabbit hole into their tangeled knots and messy issues that never ends! The question is: how deep should we go? When do we say "no"? The answer might surprise you.
Have you ever pulled up to the drive-through window to get your food and discovered that someone had paid your bill? Or maybe you're the one who paid someone else's. It happened to me once. Free coffee for my wife and I. Such a nice gesture from a complete stranger. In this episode, I wonder whether a random act of kindness is an act of missional living.
Merry Christmas! I've been thinking a lot lately about those childhood memories and how powerful they are. This time of year, our childhood memories really kick into full gear, shaping what we like to do and what we try to give to our children. We're here in Uganda, raising kids in Africa...no snow...different childhood memories all together. I wonder what these memories will say to them as adults. I wonder what we might be able to do to help shape the memories and images of our children ... and theirs.
Ain't nobody perfect! In the last episode, we heard a call to dignify and lift up those around us. What do we do if we just don't feel it? What if we are low and beaten down and discouraged? What if we're lonely? In this episode, we're tackling a tough question: In what way does my personal health influence my missional goals? The good news is this: you don't need to be perfect to be missional!
How do people change? Or, how do we change people? There's that famous line: be the change you want to see in the world. Well, yea. But is that all Christians are called to do? Set an example? Jesus certainly did more than "be the change" and his commission is far higher than just "be the disciples". Somehow, we are supposed to "make" disciples.
In this episode, we're looking at change and influence from a new angle: dignity and worthiness. If you are frustrated with the slow change of those around you...if you are scratching your head on how to bring about change in your community...take a few minutes and listen to this episode: dignify.
There is a topic I’ve been avoiding ever since this podcast was started. It’s a scary idea that I’ve been too afraid to approach. There are no specific moments or events that have caused me to suddenly embrace this idea. It’s the whole of everything. The violent summation of recent events in our country has slammed the missional conversation against the wall. I’m not snapping back like a scared dog trapped in a corner. I’m speaking from measured, thoughtful script. Most of you probably know that the majority of what I say on this podcast is prewritten. I think it through and I edit it and then I read it into a microphone. I’m doing the same here on the topic of politics.
Friends aren't accidents. In this episode, we're talking about the plan. How are you going to meet your neighbor? What is your goal? In many cases, it requires creativity to even get past "hi". In many cases, we need a bit of courage just to get started. We'll talk about creativity and courage with several examples along the way. Nathan is joined by Jade in a episode about availability, intrusion, Uber and cookies. In other words: planning.
In this second part of our conversation with Serge, we hear how God has impacted and called him. Discipleship is something that radically changed his life. As a result, he is radically passionate about discipleship. Are you discipling someone? Are you looking for advice on discipleship? Take a few minutes and listen to Serge!
Please Note! This episode does include reference to some strong elements of war and violence. Depending on the age of your children, some parts of this episode may not be appropriate.
The DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) is three times the size of Texas with huge resources, massive national parks and a war that's over 20 years old. In the eastern regions, just near the Uganda border, is the city of Beni. In this episode, we're hearing from Serge Kiripi, a young man with a big story and a passion for discipleship. This episode will be released in two parts.
Does it feel like you're always running late? Need more hours in a day? You probably need some margin. However, perhaps margin isn't what you think. It begins with busy and moves to margin and then it gets heavy. It's about priority and desire and keeping center things in the center. In this episode, I'm looking at busyness, margin and priority as major ideas in missional living. If you aren't too busy, give it a listen!
I won't pretend. When something happens in my life, it is a part of missionlife. The same is true for you. In this episode, sadness is a part of my missionlife and so we are talking about grief. It might feel dark or depressing but it's actually an essential part of ministry. Jesus frequently comforted people in their grief. In this short episode, we're looking at grief as a part of missional living. Since it is a real sadness I'm going through right now, there will also be a break following this episode. The next episode will be available on the 11th of September. Until then, give them Jesus.
I have a secret. Sometimes, when nobody is watching, I love people. In this episode, we're talking about the unseen mission. How often do you minister and show love to the people around you with no recognition? I'm going to read an email from the challenge in the Fear episode and remember the life of Paul Hull. In doing so, we will see how powerful the unseen mission really is!
What started as a normal conversation ended with free counseling. Maybe I needed the help. In this episode, we discover something quite dramatic through the story of Jenny Manson. The challenges, victories and particular experiences of intercultural missionary work is nothing short of a mess. Its highs are crazy and its lows are bizarre. Yet, through Jenny's story, we may just find some answers.
Let's go rafting! On this episode, I'm afraid down the, I mean, I'm rafting down the Nile River and thinking about how fear is such a big part of missional living. What is fear? How can we find ways to face our fears, defeat them and stay in the raft as God calls us and puts us to work? If you have a fear that needs to be beaten, take a few minutes and listen. There's even an awesome challenge at the end to help get you started!
*To participate in the fear challenge, email your victory story to nathanjmetz@gmail.com
I am Nathan and Floyd and Dan. You are we. I am us. On this episode of the Missionlife Podcast, I'm thinking about the power of impact and the value of our investment on those around us. I am not just myself. I am the result of lots of people. You are the result of a bunch of people, too. And so I wonder what role investment has on missional living? How can we use our day to day interactions to shape the lives of those around us?
The last year or two has caused me to think deeply about disagreements. How do we disagree? Why does disagreement often make us feel so threatened? Is there value in disagreement? Could disagreement even be useful to us? In this episode, I'm diving headfirst into the deep end of disagreement and its impact on missional living. Don't think you should listen? I respectfully disagree.
Over these first episodes of the podcast, we've looked at missional living from several angles including heathly relationship development, contextualization, testimony and calling. In this episode, we'll get to the heart of it all: love. In a sermon I preached a few years ago, I spoke on love as the foundation for everything and the definition of God. God is love.
*As a note, as I preached this sermon, I was setting a "banquet" table. Items from the setting of that table are used throughout the sermon as illustrations and you can hear clanging and shuffling in the audio. In case you're curious what the noise is...now you know.
What should the call cost? In this emotional and powerful episode, we delve into the lives of those who have paid deeply in their "yes" to the call of God. Although my job as their professor is to teach them, the lessons they have for me are far heavier than anything I've said to them. They are African pastors and they are on the cutting edge of Christianity in the modern world. Anything worth something must cost something.
When are we ready for God's call? After school? When finances look better? I think there is a way to talk about "ready" that makes us "never ready". And so, most of us are "never ready". In this episode, I think through places I've been and things I've seen that have impacted my perspective on readiness in the response to the call of God. In the end, we hope to see a new kind of "ready".
There are three ways I deal with the call of God. I think about it, feel it and pray on it. In this episode, I'm allowing myself to be vulnerable. In a transparent openness, I'm hoping that there might be something in my story that is helpful to your story. In my thinking and feeling and praying there have been some ugly responses to God's call along with some noble and righteous movements. Maybe you're like me. Take ten minutes and see what you think (and feel and pray).
God's call to service reaches every corner of the planet. On this episode, we hear from Tim and Helen on their move from New Zealand to Uganda (with stops along the way). How did God speak to them? What challenges have come? What rewards? With deep transparency and clarity, Tim and Helen reveal a longing for God's heart and a desire to see His people thrive. Tim is the Country Director for Tutapona. You can read more about them here: http://www.tutapona.com/ . Helen is a humanitarian photographer and storyteller. You can read more about her here: https://www.helenmanson.com/ .
Now that I'm across the ocean and basking in the equator sun of Uganda, I figure it's a good time to talk about calling. Not phone calling. God's calling. We Christians love to talk about God's calling on our lives. It's about our mission and purpose in life. It's about our value and function within God's bigger work among mankind. This episode is an introduction to a whole series on calling that I think you are really going to enjoy. It's a short one but it sets the table for some heavy content over the next few episodes. Take ten minutes to consider God's call on your life!
What do Grandma Duvall, a country schoolhouse and an Arkansas mountain have to do with MissionLife? In the 1940's, something happened in my family line that speaks powerfully to the value of missional living. In this episode, we hear the story of George Nofsinger, my great-grandfather, a missionary to Arkansas.
Have you ever been to another country? What were the people like? How are they different than you? The way we describe and understand "here" is important! In this last episode on contextualization, we're looking at "here". The phrase we've used to summarize contextualization has been: truth expressed here. If you haven't heard the previous episodes called "truth" and "express", you should check those out, too.
In part 2 of our series on contextualization (we're calling it "Truth Expressed Here") we turn out attention to expression. When we have truth in hand, what do we do with it? Why is expression such a big deal? Also, what does Aretha Franklin have to do with any of this? Merry Christmas!
This episode is the first of a three-part series on contextualization. Episode 8 was a bit of an introduction to the topic. In this episode, we will look at truth as something bigger than just "here's what I think". What's the difference between absolute truth and subjective truth? What is contextualization? How are those ideas related and why do they matter. All this and more in this 9th episode of the MissionLife Podcast.
A couple weeks ago, I preached a sermon at my home church in Marion, Indiana. So this isn't really an episode, it's bonus content. This sermon is about the way God has designed our communities to work. Missional living is a phenomenal way to improve neighborhoods and quality of life. Our work isn't random, though. God has a design for how the whole thing is supposed to work. In this sermon, I'll lay out that design and give some practical steps to help us get there.
There's a great deal of art in missional living. Different people, different approach. Are you a scripted Christian or do you have a bit of art in your life? In this episode, I'm thinking about a metal statue, three different pulpits and a billion different neighbors.
In this episode of the MissionLife podcast, we are picking up where we left off in the story of Tony Vasquez. In part one, Tony introduced us to his life with a vulnerability and openness that allowed each of us to participate, to benefit. One of our goals in listening to that story was to conduct a kind of research, a hunt. We were searching for heroes. Key people and moments that marked a change in the story. Tony pointed us to those heroes as he spoke and so in this episode, we continue our research. One by one, we’ll find these people and interview them with the hope of learning what works. If we want to see more redemption stories like this (and, I believe we do) then we need to pay attention to and learn from the heroes.
In this episode of the MissionLife podcast, we change gears from looking at tools and ideas to stories and proof. From “how do I do this” to “what could happen when people do this”. Every great story has a hero whose name represents hope, change and the power to overcome. In this story, you’ll hear of the life of Anthony Vasquez. I warn you, it’s dark, it’s heavy and although I’ve edited carefully, it’s probably not suitable for young children. As I sat across the table listening to this story, Tony wept and squeezed his eyes shut for minutes at a time as he spoke. There are heroes, though. Listen for them in the story because this episode will have two parts.
In this episode, I'm joined by two special guests! David Drury is the author of SoulShift and Chief of Staff for the Wesleyan Church. Jade Metz is my wife, an extraordinary mother and a powerful voice of love and action. Together, we delve into the complex world of motivations and intentions. Buckle up, folks. This one might sting.
There is something about being in a crowd. Being together. The value of standing next to someone else, even a stranger, in a crowd of strangers, all watching the same thing and doing the same thing, it’s magnetic. We’re just wired that way. We are designed to desire togetherness and comradery. A philosopher once wrote, “All real living is meeting” suggesting that to be human is to be in community. And he was right. The Bible says that we were created in the image of God. And God is three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are created in the image of community. All real living is meeting.
Strangely, even though there are enormous volumes of research to support the value of empathy and personal connection, it can’t be counted or tracked or recorded. So what do we do? We find other things to count and track and record. Of course, I’m talking about the counseling world but do we see this in the church? Do we see a priority of countable, trackable, recorded movements and actions as greater and more celebrated than merely a personal connection. In missional living, there are few greater accomplishments than connection. Empathy is the road we must travel.
Was it ever our goal to become so focused on life’s events that we lose the people within them? When everything is on time, on time, on time, we’ve lost our minds and the gravitational pull of our hearts shifts from human to habit and schedule and misplaced efficiency.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately the word “linger”. A couple months ago, I mentioned the idea in a sermon. It’s become a sort of family motto that we write on chalkboards and things around the house. As our van pulls up to a house, my wife turns around and tells the kids to remember to linger. The word means: present longer than expected. It’s the opposite of loneliness and I think it’s one of the most countercultural concepts I’ve ever heard of.
Take 3-minutes to listen to this preview of the MissionLife Podcast! It’s a hometown first, start next door, kind of life. You can be a missionary right now. Together, let’s take some time to look through the individual little pieces of a missionary life. Sometimes, we might look at neighboring, relationship development or things that hit close to home. Other times, especially when I’m overseas, we might look at stories from international missions, cultural comparisons or even a Bible study through the lens of someone who might think differently than you. It doesn’t matter where you live, what you know or how you make a living. This Christian life, it’s a mission life.