Parker Ford Church's Podcast

Costly Faith: Faith When I'm Alone (1)For many people, being alone (or the ongoing experience of loneliness) is a thing to be dreaded and feared. This weekend, as we continue our "Costly Faith" series we begin a two part teaching titled "Faith When I'm Alone." Today we engage the story of the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19 when he felt like he was utterly alone.  Perhaps you have experienced that intensity of loneliness before? The Scriptures have much to say about faith and loneliness. Join Pastor DJay today for this timely discussion.

Reflections on Spiritual Formation: Foundational Concepts Over the years the topic of spiritual formation has developed a unique vocabulary and set of terms. If last week's midweek video was a prologue to our spiritual formation series, this week's video is the series' introduction. Today we talk about some of the key terms and basic ideas found in this topic, as well as, a few key biblical texts regarding spiritual formation.  Spiritual formation is about moving out of the shallows and into the depths of life with God.  We'd love to have you join us for this important conversation!

Costly Faith: Faith When It's Dark (2)This week we continue our series "Costly Faith" and wrap up our two part teaching titled "Faith When It's Dark." The Gospel of Matthew tells us that while Christ was being crucified the whole land went completely dark for three hours. What was it like for Jesus to have faith (pistis) during this whole experience? Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith". What can we learn from Jesus' faith and allegiance to the Father through his remarkable example? Join Pastor DJay for today's interactive worship service. 

Reflections on Spiritual Formation: "I Don't Have This Figure Out Yet"This week we begin a new midweek series on the topic of spiritual formation.  But before we begin, DJay wants to make one thing clear - he doesn't have it all figured out.  Throughout this series we will be exploring some of the key concepts and ideas regarding the topic of spiritual formation (i.e. Spiritual Disciplines, personal rhythms, etc.).  But instead of pretending like he is the Yoda of spiritual formation, DJay would rather just admit that he's broken and every bit as much in need of ongoing formation as anyone else. So, rather than offering a series taught from a lofty ivory tower, join us for a series about spiritual formation from a fellow muddy pilgrim. 

Costly Faith: Faith When It's Dark (1)This week we continue our series "Costly Faith" and begin a two week teaching titled "Faith When It's Dark." Many people experience a "dark night of the soul" or a period of time when God seems absent or distant. Over the next two weeks we'll explore faith and allegiance to Jesus when we are walking through a period of darkness.  Today we look at the darkness experienced by the people of Israel while in slavery in Egypt.  Join Pastor DJay for this interactive worship service.

Looking Back, Looking Forward - Happy New Year!Wow. What...a....year.  2020 has been uniquely difficult, challenging, stretching, and scary.  And here we stand on the precipice of another year with the unknown looming before us.  Today's midweek teaching is an encouragement to work through the trauma of the past, to reflect carefully on the coming days, and ultimately, to offer an invitation to be present with God today.  Join Pastor DJay for a brief New Year's encouragement.

"What is Faith?" Hebrews 11Join us today as we begin a brand new series titled "Costly Faith." Faith is the English translation of the Greek word pistis. Pistis is an incredibly versatile and nuanced word - and one of the favorite words of the Scripture writers to describe life in Christ. In today's message we wrestle with the meaning of faith, and having established a working definition, survey faith through the lense of Hebrews 11. We'd love to have you join us!

A Light Shines - Merry Christmas! Today's midweek teaching is a special Christmas message from the writings of the Apostle John.  John wrote beautifully (and quite frequently) about Jesus' role as the Light of the world. Join Pastor DJay as today as we survey the writings of John and explore the imagery of Jesus as the one true light shining in the darkness.

"Waiting With Open Hands" Merry Christmas (week)! Today we wrap up our Advent series which has revolved around the idea of waiting on God. As we wait, our anticipation grows. What started out as a simple dream can explode into extravagant expectations. But what happens when those expectations are shattered? What happens when Jesus is nothing like we thought he would be? Special guest, Galen Hackman joins us once again to encourage us to be people who wait on God with open hands.

A Path Forward: Reflections on the Sermon on the MountWe did it! Together, we made it through the Sermon on the Mount.  It only took us about 20 weeks.  I hope you've enjoyed the journey and perhaps gained a new appreciation for Jesus' brilliance as the Greatest Teacher.  Today, Pastor DJay shares some of his personal reflections from the series "A Path Forward." Join us as we recap some of the big ideas from the Sermon on the Mount. 

"When Waiting Hurts" Luke 1:26-38 & Matthew 1:18-25Today we continue our Advent series "We Wait for You."  Sometimes waiting for God to fulfill His promises is uncomfortable, but sometimes it moves past discomfort and becomes a painful waiting period. There are many examples of this in the Scriptures. This morning's teaching explores this tension within several of the famous Christmas passages in Luke 1 and Matthew 1. Join Pastor DJay for our interactive Sunday morning worship service.

A Path Forward: Power and AuthorityThe last two verses of Matthew 7 reveal quite a bit about Jesus and the effect He had on those who heard him.  Matthew 7:28-29 says, "When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teachings, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."  In His departing remarks to His disciples, Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."  Join Pastor DJay today as we reflect on the awesome power and authority of King Jesus. 

"Waiting During Discomfort"As we continue our Advent series "We Wait for You" we are joined by a special guest, Galen Hackman who brings us this morning's teaching about how waiting on God builds the spiritual fruit of patience in our lives. We hope that you will join us for this timely encouragement.

A Path Forward: Obedience Over SacrificeThe closing of the Sermon on the Mount is all about obedience.  It isn't enough to simply hear the words of Jesus.  We are called to a life of obedience and fruit bearing.  As the Prophet Samuel said to King Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice." It is only then that our proverbial "foundation" will be built upon the rock.  Join Pastor DJay today as he continue our series through the Sermon on the Mount.

"Waiting in the Silence" - Isaiah 59 & Galatians 4Happy Thanksgiving weekend! We hope you had a wonderful weekend enjoying the company of friends and family and resting in the provision and love of God. This week we begin our new Advent series titled "We Wait for You." During the four weeks of Advent we'll be surveying different aspects of waiting on God and waiting for the fulfilment of His promises. In today's service we join the Hebrew Prophets by asking the question, "How long?" It is difficult to wait when it seems like there is no response except for silence. The Scriptures offer us testimony after testimony of waiting on God. Join us as we discuss waiting on God with both patience (endurance) and faithfulness (perseverance). 

A Path Forward: Good Fruit, Bad FruitHave you ever accidentally taken a bite out of a rotten piece of fruit or moldy sandwich bread? It's revolting. Have you ever taken a bite out of a perfectly ripe and fresh pineapple? It's beyond delicious. Several New Testament writers and teachers, including Jesus and the Apostle Paul, utilize the imagery of good and bad fruit to describe the type of life Jesus would have us live, and, conversely, the type of life Jesus desires us to avoid.  As we abide in Christ we are meant to produce fruit in keeping with His Kingdom. Join us today as we explore Jesus' teaching about good and bad fruit in the Sermon on the Mount. 

"Steadfast Love" - Proverbs 16:6The steadfast (or unfailing) love of God is His defining characteristic. As we wrap up our series in Proverbs our journey culminates with the amazing statement from Proverbs 16:6 that "Unfailing love and faithfulness atone for sins." In Christ, we have received the unfailing love of God through His Son Jesus.  It is Jesus - the embodiment of the unfailing love of God - who has made atonement for us through the Cross (1 John 2:2).  Join us this week as we meditate, reflect, and respond to the unfailing, steadfast love of God. 

A Path Forward: As You WishThe "Golden Rule" is one of the New Testament's more famous passages. Even young children who do not grow up in church or around the Scriptures have likely heard some version of Jesus' teaching that we should "do unto others as we would have them do unto us." But what is Jesus actually saying in this statement? What kind of life is He actually calling us to lead?  Join us today as we explore this teaching and see why the "Golden Rule" finds its ultimate fulfilment in the self-sacrificial love of Christ. 

"Tend the Earth - Proverbs 12:10-11"The first job given to Adam was to subdue the earth and have dominion over it.  Dominion does not mean domination, or dictatorial power. Rather, Biblical dominion, means working for the betterment and flourishing of creation. From Genesis to Revelation followers of God are exhorted to participate with God in co-caretaking the earth.  We hope that today's pre-recorded service encourages you to experience the God of creation in new and life-giving ways. 

A Path Forward: Ask, Seek, KnockIn the Sermon on the Mount Jesus invites us into a deeply relational and intimate journey with God. "Ask," He says, "and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you." This is more than an invitation to bring your Christmas wish lists to God. This is an invitation to know and fellowship with God as an intimate friend. Join us today as we continue our ongoing mid-week series through Jesus' Kingdom teaching.