The Paradox Church: Recent Episodes
The Paradox Church
The Paradox Church is located in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Our work is to Preach the Gospel, Plant Churches, and Push Back Darkness.
In week two of our Multiplying Church series, Pastor Jim Essian teaches from Exodus 14 on what it means to preach the gospel — to ourselves, to one another, and to the world.
The Israelites were already free when God pinned them between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea. They were redeemed, but they hadn't learned how to live free yet. Most Christians know the same thing to be true of themselves: we know our sins are forgiven, but our past, our performance, and our fear are what's actually playing in high definition.
Every other religion sends back military advice — you're going to have to fight for your life. The gospel sends a messenger with news: the war is already won. The Lord will fight for you, and you only have to be still.
Scripture: Exodus 14
Preached by Jim Essian at The Paradox Church in Fort Worth, TX
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We saturate Fort Worth with the glory and grace of Jesus, even unto the nations — by praying heaven down, preaching the gospel, planting churches, and pushing back darkness.
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Pray Heaven Down | The Multiplying Church, Week 1
A year and a half ago, our prayer gatherings were 28 people in a room on a Tuesday at noon. We moved them to the Annex Chapel last July, and they've grown to 60+ people packed in, singing and praying. In this message from Luke 11, we look at why — and at what Jesus actually taught his disciples about prayer.
This is week one of The Multiplying Church, our four-week vision series on how we Pray Heaven Down, Preach the Gospel, Plant Churches, and Push Back Darkness — the four things we exist to do as we saturate greater Fort Worth with the glory and grace of Jesus.
In this message (Luke 11:1-13):
• Why "should" pray produces shallow prayers, and "must" pray produces kingdom prayers
• What Jesus means by "hallowed be your name" and "your kingdom come"
• Why persistence in prayer (Luke 11:5-8) is about identity, not will power
• The difference between coming to God as a beggar and coming as a son or daughter (Heb. 4:16)
• Why the enemy doesn't need a crisis to stop your prayer life — just your calendar
False gods make martyrs out of their enemies. Jesus makes missionaries out of his.
On Nation Sunday, Pastor Jim Essian walks through Acts 1:1-11 and the identity Jesus gives his church before the world: witnesses. Not activists. Not consumers. Witnesses — people who have seen a thing and testify to it.
Jesus gives us proof that this is true, power from the Holy Spirit to carry it, and then names two problems that keep the church standing still: a kingdom that's too small, and a spiritual consumerism that's too high. Both of them make us the center of God's activity instead of sending us out. There are still 2 billion people in the world who have never heard the story of Jesus. Where you are is on purpose. Where you go is intentional.
When Jesus meets the woman at the well in John 4, he doesn’t lecture her — he asks for a drink.
Pastor Stan Rhoden walks through this encounter to show what it looks like when Jesus moves toward people in their sin instead of away from them, and what happens next: a changed life can’t stay quiet. If Jesus has given you living water, who’s the one person in your life who needs to hear “come and see”?
Closing out a series in 1 Timothy, Pastor Jim Essian takes the to two verses he calls "utterly unpreachable" — 1 Timothy 6:15-16 — and unpacks who God actually is: the blessed God, the only sovereign, the King of kings, immortal, dwelling in unapproachable light. But the good news is the God we can't approach has already approached us. A message about fighting the good fight, finishing the good confession, and being rich in good works — not to earn God, but because he's already given himself to us.
Money and controversy both promise satisfaction they can't deliver. In this message from 1 Timothy 6, Pastor James unpacks two disordered desires that quietly lead people away from following Jesus — the craving for controversy that fuels false teaching, and the love of money that Scripture calls the root of all kinds of evil. Because neither one delivers what it promises.
Trust in pastors is at an all-time low. Gallup says no profession has lost more ground on honesty and ethics over the last two decades. So what do we do when Paul says honor your elders — double honor — and we've watched pastor after pastor implode?
This sermon seeks to find out what is actually going on beneath the surface: Our distrust of pastors might not be about pastors at all. It might be a distrust of God because he's not changing our circumstances the way we want.
He can be trusted. He bled for this church. And he's not about to let any pastor ruin it for him.
1 Timothy 5:17–6:2 | The Paradox Church
Ministry is harder than it looks. Marriages fall apart. Leaders walk away. Good people quit. So how do you make it to the end?
In this message from 1 Timothy 4, Pastor Jim walks through five things the Apostle Paul gives to a young pastor named Timothy to help him finish well — and they apply to every Christian, not just pastors.
The big idea: train hard for godliness. Not to earn God’s love. From it.
In this message:
•Why godliness requires intentional training (not just good intentions)
•How to live intergenerationally and why it matters
•What it means to immerse yourself in Scripture for the long game
•How to discover and operate in your spiritual gifts
•Why your perseverance isn’t just about you
If you’ve ever felt like quitting — your faith, your marriage, your ministry — this one’s for you.
How do you spot false teaching when it doesn't look false? When it sounds holy, feels loving, and maybe even sounds better than real Christianity?
In this sermon, Pastor Jim walks us through 1 Timothy 3:14–4:5 and gives us the tools to answer that question. The church has been entrusted with something sacred — the gospel of Jesus Christ — and Paul calls her the pillar and buttress of truth. That means what we believe and how we live it out both matter. A healthy church needs both hands.
From theological triage to the sons of Sceva, from seared consciences to the prosperity gospel, Pastor Jim traces the anatomy of false teaching and lands on one defining mark: false teaching always leaves Jesus behind. It doesn't deny Jesus outright — it just slowly moves past him. And the most dangerous version doesn't feel dangerous at all. It feels like peace.
The antidote isn't more theological expertise. It's staying centered on Jesus. Staying close to him. Staying here with him.
If you've ever wondered how to discern what's true from what just sounds true, this one is for you.
We live in a world obsessed with influence. We follow the most confident, the most impressive, the most followed — but audience doesn't equal authority, and charisma doesn't equal character.
In this sermon, Pastor Stan walks us through 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and unpacks what God actually looks for in the leaders of his church. Spoiler: it's not charisma, platform, or the ability to draw a crowd. It's character in the hidden places. It's the inner life. It's the fear of the Lord.
Whether you're in church leadership, aspiring to it, or simply following Jesus in the everyday, what Paul lays out here isn't just a job description for elders and deacons. It's a portrait of what Christ-likeness looks like for every believer.
📖 1 Timothy 3:1-13
📍 Paradox Church — Fort Worth, TX
Join us as we continue our series in the book of 1 Timothy, this week Pastor Nathan dives into God's word through 1 Timothy chapter 2.
In the second week of our series through 1 Timothy, Pastor Jim reminded us of the dangers of false teachers. Through 1 Timothy 1, we are reminded that healthy doctrine produces healthy disciples, and that what we believe ultimately shapes what we become.
In the first week of our series through 1 Timothy, Pastor Jim invited us to consider what makes a healthy church. Through 1 Timothy 1, we were reminded that healthy doctrine produces healthy disciples, and that what we believe ultimately shapes what we become.
In the final week of A World Made New, Pastor Jim shifts our focus from imagining heaven to preparing for it. Through Jesus’ teaching on the ten virgins, we are reminded that readiness is not about proximity to faith, but intimacy with Christ. As we await His return, we are invited to live with oil in our lamps, formed by the Spirit and ready for the coming King.
In week six of A World Made New, Pastor Jim invites us to reimagine our joys and pleasures. In a world shaped by distraction and endless craving, we’ve lost our capacity for true delight. But in Christ, our desires are being restored, drawing us into a deeper satisfaction rooted in God’s presence and the promise of a coming feast.
In week five of A World Made New, Pastor Jim invites us to reimagine our work. In Christ, what has been marked by striving, exhaustion, and self-definition will be restored. No longer driven by the need to prove our worth, our work will flow from it, becoming worship once again.
In week four of A World Made New, Pastor Jim invites us to imagine reconciled relationships. In Christ, what is fractured and strained will be made whole. We will be brought into perfect unity with God and one another, free from fear, insecurity, and division.
In week three of A World Made New, Pastor Jim leads us through 1 Corinthians 15 and the promise of a resurrected body. In Christ, our broken and weary bodies will be made new, raised in power, and freed from weakness and shame.
In week two of A World Made New, Pastor Jim leads us into the renewal of all creation. Romans 8 shows that creation itself is groaning, longing, and waiting to be made new. The brokenness we feel is not the end of the story, but the beginning of renewal.
In the first week of A World Made New, Pastor Jim invited us to reimagine our hope, not as escaping this world, but as God renewing it. Through Revelation 21, we saw that heaven is not where we go, but what comes down, where all things are made new and God dwells with His people.
In the final week of our series through the book of Job, Pastor James reflects on Job 42, highlighting Job’s steadfastness in suffering and the compassion and mercy of God. Even in seasons of hardship, God meets His people with mercy, vindicating those who remain faithful and drawing them deeper into relationship with Him.
In week seven of our series through the book of Job, Pastor Jim reminds us that God does not waste our suffering. Even in pain, He refines our faith and uses it to draw us closer to Himself, our true and lasting treasure.
In week six of our series through the book of Job, Pastor Jim explores chapter 28 and the limits of human answers to suffering. As Job’s friends cling to simplistic systems, we’re reminded that wisdom cannot be mined, bought, or mastered. Instead, true understanding begins with awe-filled trust in God. In a world searching for explanations, we are invited to anchor our hope in this truth: our Redeemer lives.
This week, Pastor Nathan Johnson led us into the Great Commission, reminding us that we are called not to be impressive or successful, but faithful—secure in God’s sovereignty and confident in His promised presence.
In week five of our series on the book of Job, Pastor Jim examines the tension we feel when bad things happen to good people, challenging the formulas we often use to make sense of suffering. Through Job’s honest wrestling, we are reminded that God cannot be reduced to simple explanations and that real faith brings even our hardest questions before Him.
In the fourth week of our sermon series on the book of Job, Pastor Jim leads us into the sacred work of lament. Through Job’s unfiltered grief, we see that faith does not require us to suppress our sorrow but invites us to bring it honestly before God.
A discussion on key themes found throughout the book of Job through the first few weeks of the series.
In the second week of our sermon series on the book of Job, Pastor Jim walked us through the moment Job loses everything he once held as evidence of God’s goodness. Instead of turning away, Job falls into honest, desperate worship.
Spiritual transformation is rooted in our union with Christ rather than religious effort or self-improvement strategies. True growth occurs when we remain deeply connected to Jesus, allowing the gospel to naturally transform us from within. This process is nurtured through faith, love for others, and hope in God's promises. While practices and knowledge have their place, authentic spiritual development stems from our relationship with Christ rather than external religious activities.
If you find yourself in the wilderness, there is a place to go – The Secret Place of Thunder.
There is a battle for belief raging in us every time we suffer. Do we really believe that our future glory is far greater than our present sufferings?
We all experience times when God seems distant and unconcerned with our pain and suffering. But the writer of Psalm 42 gives us a road map for navigating these dark nights of our souls.
Being Holy isn't about not sinning, it's about becoming more like Jesus. So what's the difference?
This episode contains concluding thoughts on how spiritual gifts interact throughout the church body. It also provides several next steps for discovering, growing in, and using your gifts for the glory of God and the good of his people.
The Church is called to be set apart, not just for God, but for the world around us as well.
This episode discusses several spiritual gifts which display the practical love and servant heart of God’s Spirit at work in his people. Spiritual gifts in this episode: administration, giving, mercy, serving.
God created sex and our bodies to be holy and good, but we all experience sexual brokenness. How should we live in light of this?
This episode discusses several spiritual gifts which display the supernatural power of God’s Spirit at work in his people. Spiritual gifts in this episode: prophecy, discernment, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
This episode discusses several spiritual gifts which display the nature and purposes of God’s Spirit at work in his people. Spiritual gifts in this episode: teaching, exhortation, shepherding, apostleship, evangelism, and leadership.
This episode explores three biblical passages on spiritual gifts, providing the context, general ideas, and unique focus of each. The goal is to anchor our understanding of the gifts in Scripture, and to see the unity of Scripture among the diversity of contexts in which spiritual gifts are discussed.
This episode provides an introduction and overview of the topic, including the definition and purpose of spiritual gifts, and how we are to use and mature in our gifts. We also caution against two extremes when considering the gifts and how they function within the church body.
Prophecy doesn't have to be scary or weird. It's a powerful way that God still uses to speak to his people today.
Is God's will hidden from us? If not, why does it seem so hard to discern sometimes? We continue our series with a practical message on how to know God's will for our lives.
Does God still speak to us today? Join us as we kick off a new series talking about hearing the voice of God.
We wrap up our series in Luke talking about the significance of the Ascension of Jesus.
Is it possible to be passionate about our faith while we still struggle with doubt? If so, how?
What is The Lord's Supper really about? How should it impact the way we live today? We continue in the book of Luke talking about the significance of The Passover meal in Luke 23.
We continue in the book of Luke with the story of Zacchaeus and the Parable of the Ten Minas.
The Christian life isn't becoming a better version of yourself, it's following in the path of Jesus towards desperate dependence on God.
How do you view God? Join us as we discuss how our theology and what we believe about God affect how we live.
We continue in the book of Luke talking about having a Gospel culture of forgiveness and reconciliation.
We discuss the challenging passages found in Luke chapter 16, covering topics like money and divorce.
In this episode Pastor James Lepine teaches on the importance of proper rhythms of rest and worship. Joel Suarez concludes the series with an encouragement to go and practice the spiritual disciplines throughout the rhythms of our daily life.
Pastor Jim teaches about the heart of God on display in the parables of the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son.
In this episode, Pastor Matt Shelton teaches about honoring Jesus in every aspect of life.
What does your faith cost you? Listen in as Pastor James Lepine talks about the cost of following Jesus.
In this episode Pastor Matt Shelton teaches about the process of admitting our brokenness, and the hope that it brings.
Pastor Jim teaches on The Parables of the Wedding Feast & Great Banquet given by Jesus.
In this episode, Heather Thompson teaches us to serve others with our capacity, time, energy, and talents, for the glory of God and the good of his people.
We discuss Jesus's response to Herod seeking to kill him and the declaration of his authority.
In this episode Pastor Jim Essian teaches on the importance of withdrawing from noise and distractions for the sake of being alone with God.
In this episode Pastor James Lepine teaches about generosity as a lifestyle of responding to God’s grace toward his people.
In this episode, Pastor Jim Essian teaches about fasting, specifically what it is, and also when and how we should do it.
Pastor Jim teaches on the important topic of justice and judgment, and how this intersects with the love of God.
In this episode Pastor Jim Essian teaches about the Bible, and provides practical guidance on how we should read it.
The Spiritual Disciplines Course is an introduction to several practices that help Christians grow as disciples of Jesus. In this first episode Pastor Jim Essian explains how to pray the Bible and experience a deeper relationship with God.
For the final week of EHD, guest speaker and author of The Common Rule, Justin Whitmel Earley, shares his story and what he's learned about the power of habit.
We continue the discussion on emotional health talking about the importance of taking control of our lives and habits in a digital age.
We continue in our Emotionally Healthy Disciples series talking about how to experience freedom from our pain.
Pastor Jim talks about the pain of past sin, regrets, and how to move forward in light of God's grace.
Discipleship Director, Nathan Johnson kicks off our series talking about communing with God through the Bible.
Pastor Jim continues in the book of Luke talking about the importance of Fearing God above all else.
Pastor Jim teaches on the Holy Spirit for week one of the new series, Faithful Witnesses.
Pastor Jim teaches on the important topic of what it means to have a friendship with God.
Pastor Jim teaches on the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, and what it means for us today.
Pastor Jim talks about the search for purpose and meaning in life and what Jesus has to say about it.
Pastor Jim speaks on the importance of God's Glory being revealed through Jesus and its implications for us today.
Pastor Jim Essian preaches about Cultural Value #4: "We Fight for Kingdom Moments." See the attached .pdf for our Spiritual Gifts Index.
Pastor James preaches from Ephesians 2 as we talk about Ethnic Conciliation and Racial Reconciliation.
We join with other Acts 29 churches to talk about planting churches. Pastor Jim teaches out of the book of Acts.
Dustin Agular continues our in the book of Luke, teaching on how to live a fruitful life.
Have you ever truly thought about the implications of Jesus' resurrection? Hear this special Easter message on the hope that we have in Jesus because of His resurrection.
What is your reaction when someone hurts you? What is our response to those who disagree with us? Join us as we continue our series in the Gospel of Luke.
Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 5:1-11. Have you truly been undone by the presence of Jesus?
Continuing our series in Luke, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 3:23-4:13 on the temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness.
In week nine of our series in the book of Luke, Pastor Keynenn Parker of Pillar Church preaches out of Luke 3:21-22.
In week eight of our series in the book of Luke, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 3:1-20.
In week seven of our series in the book of Luke, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 2:39-52.
Dustin leads us in a powerful message from Luke 2, continuing our investigative study of the Gospel of Luke.
In week five of our series in the book of Luke, Matt Shelton, Pastor or Music, and Arts, teaches out of Luke 2:1-21.
In week four of our series in the book of Luke, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 1:39-80.
In week three of our series in the book of Luke, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 1:26-38.
In the final week of our series on Desire, Pastor Jim teaches out of Psalm 73 on desiring God.
In week four of our series on Desire, Pastor Jim teaches out of James 4:1-17 on desires and relationships.
In week three of our series on Desire, Pastor Jim teaches out of 1 Timothy 6:6-21 on desiring riches.
In week two of our series on Desire, Pastor Jim teaches out of Luke 16:1-15 on desiring revival.
In week one of our brand new series on Desires, Pastor Jim teaches out of Matthew 13:44-46 on desiring God's Kingdom.
Pastor Doug Logan closes out our series teaching through the book of John chapter 18, verses 33-37.
"There’s a role and purpose for government and there’s a role and purpose for the church, and they are distinct…And the church must be, as MLK taught us, “The conscience of the state" — and we do that from a place of gospel power...We walk into the public square and the political sphere to influence and speak with moral credibility and gospel clarity, not to assimilate and lose our souls. What does it profit you, if you gain the whole political world, but lose your soul?"
"We're gonna see in our text today that Jesus is over government, over politics, Lord over all of it…and what that means and how we should respond."
Our guest preacher, Jonathan Leeman, walks us through Psalm 2. Jonathan is the Editorial Director for 9Marks, a ministry that exists to equip church leaders with a biblical vision and practical resources for building healthy churches.
"One day we won’t have any more elections — no more red states, blue states, donkeys, elephants — cable news will go to hell where it belongs, in everlasting torment! insert winky face
We won’t need any more elections, we won’t need to hear any debates, we won’t need to wonder if we can trust them, no more picking the lesser of two evils, because our King conquers evil! The politics of the world will become the politics of the Kingdom of God.”
"Does Jesus ghost us when we sin? How do you imagine He looks at you when you sin? How have you responded to people lately in their sin? We're in our second to last week in our study through the book of Galatians, and the Apostle Paul gets super practical...especially in our age of cancel culture. See how the gentleness of Jesus changes you."
Only Jesus can reconcile us to one another, only Jesus can redeem us from ourselves, only Jesus can restore this mess we’re in...the answer to all the relational and racial and cultural and political messes we’re in is Jesus.
'For freedom Christ has set you free...' The human heart doesn’t default to a dependence on grace and faith, but a dependence on self and works...So we have to stand firm…we have to fight for freedom…we have to stay needy. We need all of Jesus, not just part of Him.
Pastor Jim is back this week to continue our series on Galatians. In these verses Paul uses a story about two women and two sons of Abraham to teach us about two approaches to Christianity. One through legalism, self-reliance, and self-justification. And one through grace and the promises of God.
A conversation on ethnic conciliation and racial justice between young and diverse leaders in Fort Worth.
This event was live-streamed in June of 2020 but we wanted to make it available via podcast.
Are you tired of the constant performance of trying to show others that you’re good enough? Join Dustin Aguilar as he discusses moral relativism... and how to pray like a tax collector!
This episode was produced by our college ministry and we decided it was too good not to share on our main feed!
There is a culture around these topics (eating disorders) that permeates the church and hinders our ability to see food and our bodies in the way that God intended.
"Comparing yourself to others makes you self-righteous; comparing yourself to God makes you self-aware."
In this section of Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia, he suggests that our sin isn't our biggest problem.
This episode was produced by our college ministry and we decided it was too good not to share on our main feed! Listen to Coleman and Caleb discuss ethnic conciliation and a little bit of Coleman's story.
Pastor Jim reminded us of the objective truths Paul teaches to the Galatians in chapters 1-2 and showed us how Paul, with righteous anger and godly jealousy, moves into the subjective, experiential aspects of the Christian life in chapter 3.
The Gospel of Free Grace changes how we interact with groups and categories of people around us...it calls us to fight for freedom, and it calls us to offer free grace to all people...even those who disagree with us or who are different.
James hosts Jessica Dinsmoor, our Prdx Village Ministry Leader.
Prdx Village exists to unite our community to care for families whose children have experienced trauma. We desire our families to know they have a place at the table and to delight in the gathering around them.
Jim continues our series in Galatians chapter 1 verses 11-24 and walks us through the gospel, and that we never need to add to it.
Get to know Pastor Matt Shelton, hear his heart for the church and music, and learn more about his sabbatical.
James Lepine, our Executive Director, walks us through the beginning of the book of Galatians which warns us against false teachers and false gospels.
Deacon of Orphan Care, Bethany Edwards, joins Heather Thompson on the podcast to discuss how we care for orphans during a pandemic (even if you aren't fostering or adopting!).
Our last sermon of the series wraps up by answering the question, What sustains you in suffering?
Jamey Ice, a small business owner and partner at Paradox, discuss ways we can support local businesses and how small business owners can operate right now.
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Jim taught through John 20 and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Deacons of City Renewal, Ty and Sarah Bowden, discuss ways we can serve our city right now and in the future.
Palm Sunday marks the last week of Jesus' life and in this sermon we look at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and study all characters in this part of the story.
Faith Brown, Director of Operations, and Haylee Bowden, Preschool Director, explain ways that the church can love and serve singles during this pandemic.
James Lepine and Jim Essian's first live podcast episode. They provide updates in response to COVID-19.
Heather Thompson, Family Ministries Director, talks with Jim Essian about Family Discipleship.
Hosted by James Lepine, this episode discusses the changes in place in response to COVID-19.
James Lepine, our Executive Director, and Jim Essian, our Lead Pastor, host a monthly podcast covering some culture and happenings at TPC.
Family Ministries Director, Heather Thompson, is joined by Jalea Seals and Heather Essian, Leaders of the Women's Ministry at Paradox, and they discuss the why behind the ministry.
James Lepine, our Executive Director, and Jim Essian, our Lead Pastor, host a monthly podcast covering some culture and happenings at TPC.
James Lepine, our Executive Director, and Jim Essian, our Lead Pastor, host a monthly podcast covering some culture and happenings at TPC.