Willow Creek Community Church Weekend Podcast

Continuing our series in the book of Luke, we look at Luke 8, where Jesus is sleeping in a boat, then calms the storm on the lake, displaying His supernatural power. Who commands even the waves and the water? Learn more about the power of Jesus.

Read All About It: Seek and You Will Find: The Wisdom of Jesus | March 27 | Shawn Williams The gospel of Luke tells us a lot about the wisdom of Jesus, who sometimes uses parables, or stories, to illustrate a point. This week, Pastor Shawn takes us through Luke 11, in which Jesus famously advises, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find." But what did He mean? Let's find out!

As we explore and learn about the humanity of Jesus through the book of Luke, we look at Luke 4 and how the devil tempted Jesus. When temptation is keeping us from focusing on God, what can we learn from Jesus’ response?

What is Baptism? Baptism is a public declaration of your new life as a Christ-follower. But how do you know if you're ready for baptism? What happens through baptism, and why is it an important part of your faith journey? Learn about Jesus' baptism and why He did it.

What is Communion?If you've ever heard the word 'communion' and wondered what it was, why Christians practice it, or how to take communion yourself, this teaching will help. Willow Creek pastors take us through the importance of the practice of communion, what each element means, and how to enter into communion on a personal level. Communion is an important tenant for Christians to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. If you're ready to try communion, grab some crackers or bread and juice and practice along with us.

Abraham was a man who completely surrendered to God even when it wasn’t clear—and even when it didn’t make sense. The story of Abraham tells us what full surrender and trust could look like in our lives and in the way we steward the resources God has given us. Join Pastor Dave Dummitt as we conclude More than Money with a challenge to be generous in all aspects of our lives.

What comes first in your life? This week we're exploring the Principle of First: first things first. But, what should come first? Learn from Robert Morris on how to prioritize and make sure we're living fully for God.

Did you know that God gave us a blueprint for money management? How can we use that to get ourselves out of debt so that we can save and live generously? This week in our More Than Money series, Pastor Dave Dummitt explores what the Bible says about money, which Scriptures talk about money, and how to apply that in very practical ways to our own lives.

Jesus said that we cannot have two masters.  The way we use our money points to what we value most. What does it look like for the way we use money to be an act of worship?

How do you hold your wallet? Defensively? Protectively? Like a security blanket? This week we will take a look at the different postures people take towards money and what Jesus has to say about the role of money in our lives.

Our world has experienced crisis after crisis, and at times, the needs around us can be overwhelming. What if we became obsessed with seeing those needs change, one act of kindness, love, and generosity at a time? Kids would have homes, marriages would be restored, families would have food, loneliness and depression would lower, debt would be erased, justice would be found, and lives would be transformed in the name and power of Jesus.

It’s easy to love people who encourage, are friendly, and agree with us, but God longs for us to love all people across all boundaries, pursuing the type of community where no need is left unmet. Let’s seek to be an Acts 2 church, committed to loving how He first loved us.

At times, we can be selective about when and how we love God, but He desires for us to love Him wholeheartedly all of the time. We can display our love for Him in every area of our lives, from how we pray and worship to how we interact with strangers and live generously.

The Bible begins with light, and Jesus ultimately becomes the supreme Light of the world. Wherever there’s darkness, there’s an absence of God. But when we receive Jesus, we embrace Him as our light and are able to share His love, presence, and grace with others—He can shine through us!

On January 1, 2022 you woke up in the same life you had on December 31. Only something feels different. This year can be different. But it won’t come because of wishful thinking, it will come with a new view of right priorities, and taking next steps one step at a time. This week we take a look at the story of a man named Nehemiah who had a vision for what God wanted, and started getting to work. God has good things for us, but it won’t come without us changing perspectives, adjusting direction, and courageously stepping forward

Gabriel encounters the shepherds and says, “Fear not. I bring you good news.” He announces that the fear breaker, Jesus, is here.  Good news that will cause great joy; good news that causes doesn’t mean life gets easier. Why did they say it’s good news?  Christmas means that all fear is conquered because Christ has come.

After 400 years of silence, God speaks through the angel Gabriel twice in six weeks. This time Gabriel encounters Mary, and her reaction to the angel’s news was very different from Zechariah and Elizabeth’s. A poor teen girl shows us that however small you may feel. God can use your life. If you are willing to live in faith.

Gabriel encounters Zechariah informing him that his prayers have been heard and his wife Elizabeth would give birth to a boy named John who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Through this encounter, we learn that what God does in you and through you while you wait is just as important as what you are waiting for.

For some at-risk youth in our communities, prison becomes a probability. Jon Kelly, lead pastor of Chicago West Bible Church, teaches out of Mark 5 and shares some of his own incredible story of imprisonment and redemption.

Greed holds onto resources believing that through wealth and resources we will have everything we need to stand up against life’s storms and struggles. But when we live with our fists clenched, holding tightly to the constant need for more wealth, more for ourselves, we cannot have open hands to receive what God has to offer us which is far better and more secure.