Sunday Morning Podcast | The Moody Church

Be encouraged you have reasons to rejoice. Believers are commanded to rejoice always. Joy is deeper than happiness and is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in remembering what we have in Christ. In Him we have acceptance, adoption, forgiveness, hope, grace, salvation, love, and the sealing of the Spirit. Remembering these truths fuels rejoicing and brings encouragement.Be encouraged you have access to God. Prayer is ongoing communication with God and an awareness of His presence and dependence on Him. We are told to pray without ceasing, trusting that God always hears and answers, even when the answer is “no.” Through the Holy Spirit we are taught, strengthened, and guided. Prayer is like spiritual breathing, sustaining our relationship with God.Be encouraged in everything. God calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. Even in trials and hardships, we can trust His sovereignty and power. Every situation is used for our sanctification, shaping us to serve and share. Nothing is too great for God; wh

Jesus and the Agony of an Unanswered PrayerMark 14:32–42Pastor Erwin Lutzer Four Questions That Beg for an Answer1. What was the Cup?2. Who Gave Him the Cup?3. What was Jesus’ Request?4. What was Jesus’ Response? Five Lessons for our own prayer life1. Today’s prayerless Christians are tomorrow’s backsliders2. Unanswered Prayers are not unheard prayers3. Our “cup” must be accepted from the hands of God4. Our Redemption was founded on an unanswered prayer5. Jesus was abandoned so we will always be welcomed

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]How well are you sleeping these days? Pain is God’s wake-up call to the soul (Psalm 32:1-4)Sin damages us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. David describes how unconfessed sin drained his strength and joy. Pain, though often normalized in our culture, is God’s loving pressure to alert us that we’ve strayed from His truth and need to return to Him. Confession is the doorway to forgiveness (Psalm 32:5)Confession means fully acknowledging our sin without excuses or blame-shifting. David resolved to stop hiding and honestly admit his wrongs to God. This wholehearted honesty opens the door to God’s mercy and releases us from guilt’s grip. Forgiveness lifts the burden of guilt and brings the joy of salvation (Psalm 32:6-7)When we confess, God removes the threat of judgment and becomes our refuge. His forgiveness doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but it turns groaning into praise and shelters us in times of trouble. Salvation is the heart of our worship a

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Sanctification: For YouSanctification—becoming more like Christ—is God’s will for every believer. It's not about earning salvation but about growing in holiness because we've been saved. This growth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, includes developing self-control, especially in the area of sexual purity. Paul calls believers to abstain from all sexual immorality and to live in holiness and honor. Temptation often looks good, but trusting God's voice over our desires is key. Self-control reflects faith and prepares us for eternity. Though we stumble, sanctification is a lifelong process that doesn't undo our justification. Believers fall into three groups: the complacent, the discouraged, and the gospel-centered. Each is reminded that God is patient, just, and faithful to complete the work He began.  Sanctification: For OthersSanctification is not just personal—it’s missional. Paul lists six areas where our growth in holiness impacts others:Holy Sexuality – Purity honor

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]The early church was growing rapidly, marked by unity, generosity, and powerful witness. But as momentum built, a new threat emerged, not from external persecution, but from within the community itself. Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit revealed a spiritual attack designed to corrupt the church from the inside. This passage confronts us with sobering questions about holiness, sin, and the seriousness with which God protects His people. What is going on here?The early church is under spiritual attack from within.As the church grew rapidly in unity and generosity, Satan shifted his tactics from external persecution to internal sabotage. While believers were sacrificially caring for one another, Ananias and Sapphira conspired to lie about their offering. Motivated by pride and a desire for recognition, they pretended to give the full amount from a land sale while secretly keeping part back. Their deceit wasn’t just a personal sin, it was a direct lie to the Holy Spirit and a

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]The Book of Acts reveals how the life of Jesus is unstoppable, advancing through His people despite every form of opposition. Acts 5:17–42 answers the question of how Jesus works through us to change the world, showing a divine partnership between God’s power and our participation. This passage presents four key ingredients that demonstrate how we join Jesus on His mission. 1. Unexpected PowerThrough weakness, God reveals His strengthIn Acts 5, the apostles are imprisoned by jealous religious leaders for boldly preaching about Jesus. But during the night, an angel miraculously releases them and instructs them to return to the temple and keep proclaiming the message. Despite their weakness and powerlessness, God demonstrates His strength by freeing them and continuing His work through them. The apostles’ imprisonment becomes the stage for God’s unexpected and undeniable power. - Through weakness, God reveals His strength 2. Undaunted WitnessThrough obedience, God displ

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Boldness For JesusActs 4:1–31Pastor Philip Miller In our secular, pluralistic culture, there is constant pressure to keep our faith private and stay silent about Jesus. But this goes against His commission to make disciples of all nations, we are called to boldly share the Good News. True boldness for Jesus must be gracious, loving, and rooted in a desire to speak the truth with humility and courage. Saving NameJesus is the only Name that saves.Peter and John boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the only Name that saves. Even when arrested and brought before the same powerful leaders who condemned Jesus, they declared that the crippled man was healed by Jesus Christ of Nazareth, crucified and risen. Peter explained that Jesus is the Cornerstone, rejected by people but essential for salvation, because there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. They found courage knowing that Jesus alone perfectly bridges the infinite gap between sinful humanity and a hol

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Signs Of The TimesActs 3:1–26Pastor Philip Miller At the end of Acts 2, the early church is growing rapidly through the Apostles’ preaching and miraculous signs. Acts 3 zooms in on one specific miracle, a lame man healed at the temple gate, which serves as a powerful sign meant to point beyond itself. Like a road sign to a scenic view, this healing directs our attention to deeper spiritual truths about Jesus and His Kingdom. Our SituationOur need is deeper than we know.A man, lame from birth, begged daily at the temple gate, showing how our visible struggles often point to deeper spiritual needs. Like him, we seek temporary fixes—money, relationships, success—thinking they’ll make us whole, but our true problem lies deeper. Jesus knows our real need and offers not just relief, but restoration and life. His miracles are signs pointing beyond physical healing to the complete renewal He promises in God’s Kingdom. Our SaviorOur Jesus is greater than we realize.The healed

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?Mark 15:33-39Rev. Stephen E. Farish Mark 15:33-39 reports the supreme moment of all redemptive history, when Jesus Christ the Son of God on the cross bore the sins of sinners and thereby satisfied the righteous wrath of God the Father against those sins. However, we naturally ask what in the world was happening in the spiritual realms when Jesus uttered the last words we would expect to hear from the mouth of the Son of God: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The answer to this question is that God in that moment, out of his immense and steadfast love, was delivering his people from his eternal judgment through the sin-bearing and wrath-bearing sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God on the cross. And the equally glorious reality is that God, through the cross, was not only delivering sinners from his wrath, but he was delivering us to nothing less than to himself! A. Three words of caution concerning our understanding of Je

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Together On The JourneyActs 2:42-47Pastor Philip Miller In the early centuries of the Roman Empire, Christians faced intense persecution for refusing to worship the emperor or other gods, leading to widespread suspicion and marginalization. Yet, Christianity grew rapidly because it offered a radically different kind of community—one centered on a personal relationship with God and open to all people, regardless of background. This new identity in Christ created a multi-racial, forgiving, caring, life-affirming, and covenant-keeping society that stood in stark contrast to Roman norms and attracted many. The earliest Christian community, as seen in Acts 2, embodied this transformative way of life, one that continues to shape lives and communities today through worship, community, service, and mission. The Journey of a LifetimeKnow God through WorshipGod created people to know Him personally and be in relationship with Him. Through worship, individuals respond to God's g

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14–41 takes place on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit is poured out and thousands witness supernatural signs. As a result of this message, 3,000 people respond and are baptized, marking the birth of the Church and the beginning of a new era in God’s redemptive plan.  Explanation: The Last Days are herePeter explains that the events at Pentecost fulfill Joel’s prophecy about the “last days,” a time marked by the outpouring of the Spirit, divine revelations, and signs in the heavens. This period stretches from Jesus’ ascension to His return, and it is a time for people to call on the name of the Lord and be saved. The Spirit is now available to all—young and old, men and women, servants and free—signifying the inclusive nature of God’s new covenant. Exposition: The Messiah has comePeter proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth was attested by God through miracles and wonders, yet was crucified according to God’s sovereign plan. He was raised f

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]At Pentecost, God fulfilled His promise by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in and empower His people. Through wind and fire, the Spirit’s arrival signaled the beginning of a New Covenant, a New Creation, a New Temple, and a New Mission. This moment marks the launch of the Church, now filled with God's presence to carry the Gospel to all nations.  1. New CovenantGod is closer than the air we breathe.At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with wind and fire, echoing Mt. Sinai when God gave the Law with fire and trembling. Pentecost commemorated the giving of the Old Covenant. Now, God chooses this very day to establish the New Covenant by sending the Spirit. No longer is God's law written on stone tablets. It is now written on our hearts. The Spirit indwells believers, sealing and guiding them from within. Jesus has not left us as orphans. He has come to us through the Spirit. God is closer than the air we breathe.  2. New CreationGod is recreating us from the inside out.T

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Losing Well - Winning The World1 Peter 3:8-16Dr. John Dickson Today, we had the privilege of welcoming special guest, Dr. John Dickson, who led us through 1 Peter 3:8-16. Christians face growing skepticism in today’s culture, but instead of reacting with fear, compromise, or silence, we are called to respond with confident humility. True strength comes from honoring Christ and engaging others with gentleness, respect, and grace.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Waiting On GodActs 1:12–26Pastor Philip Miller Waiting can be one of the most difficult challenges in life, especially when it feels uncertain or open-ended. Yet, Scripture shows us that God often uses seasons of waiting to prepare His people for greater purposes. In Acts 1:12–26, the disciples model what it looks like to wait well. Their example reveals that waiting on God is not passive but active, intentional, and formative.Five Proactive Responses for Seasons of Waiting: 1. Obey What God’s RevealedThe disciples returned to Jerusalem and waited, just as Jesus instructed. Even though they didn’t know how long the wait would be, they followed His clear command. In our own seasons of waiting, obedience to what God has already revealed is the first step in active trust. 2. Gather with God’s PeopleRather than isolating, the disciples waited together in unity—with the women, Mary, and Jesus’ brothers. They chose community because they needed one another. Seasons of waiti

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]The Pivot Acts 1:1–11 Pastor Philip MillerFrom Then to NowThe mission continues.Luke opens Acts as a sequel to his Gospel, showing that Jesus’ work didn’t end with His ascension—it continues through His Spirit-empowered Church. The transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the activity of His followers marks a shift from “then” to “now.” What Jesus began in His person, He now carries on through His people. The risen and ascended Christ remains active, advancing His mission in the world through the Church.From One to ManyThe mission multiplies.Though Jesus physically leaves, He prepares His disciples for the mission ahead by promising the Holy Spirit. Once dependent on one man, the mission will now be carried out by many Spirit-filled believers. Jesus’ departure multiplies His impact—no longer confined to one location, the Gospel will spread through countless voices across the world. Ordinary, flawed individuals will become bold witnesses by the Spirit’s power.From Us

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]1. Game-Changing ResurrectionJesus appears to His disciples, bodily raised and glorified. He invites them to see, touch, and watch Him eat—proving He is no ghost. His resurrection marks the beginning of God’s new creation. - Jesus is the first fruits of the new creation. 2. Game-Changing HermeneuticJesus shows that all Scripture points to Him—His suffering, resurrection, and the mission to proclaim forgiveness to all nations. - The Bible is all about Christ’s Gospel mission. 3. Game-Changing EmpowermentJesus promises the Holy Spirit to empower His followers for mission. As He ascends, the disciples worship with joy, awaiting the Spirit’s arrival. - The Spirit indwells this new community for mission. Takeaway: Jesus changes everything.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Around the holidays, our family does a large jigsaw puzzle together—a chaotic mess that slowly turns into a beautiful picture. In Luke 24:13–35, two disciples are walking the road to Emmaus, trying to make sense of the recent events in Jerusalem: Jesus’ death and the strange news of His missing body. These followers are heartbroken and confused, struggling with six “scattered pieces” of their experience:The Scattered PiecesMighty Prophet Condemned and Crucified Hoped for Redeemer Hopeless Reality Women’s Testimony Incomplete Evidence The Big PictureThe necessity of every disparate piece. The Bible is a mosaic revealing Jesus. The CenterpieceJesus is the centerpiece who brings it all together.  Takeaway: Could it be that Jesus is the centerpiece you’re looking for?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Sunday, April 5, AD 33, marked the most pivotal day in history: the resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke has taken the church through Jesus' life, teachings, miracles, and crucifixion. Now, in Luke 23:50–24:12, the focus shifts to the resurrection — an event that initially startled and confused everyone, yet eventually transformed the early disciples from skeptics into bold proclaimers. The central question posed: how do people come to believe the unbelievable?  1. Examine the EvidenceThere’s reason to believe Search Online: Resurrection + Gary Habermas, Lee Strobel, N. T. Wright, Sean McDowell, William Lane CraigThe women and Peter demonstrate the first step — examining the evidence. They find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Peter inspects the grave clothes and leaves marveling. These are not gullible people; they’re skeptical but thoughtful, seeking truth. Modern historical consensus affirms several facts: Jesus lived, was crucified, buried in Joseph

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] The Weight Of The Cross Luke 23:26–49 Pastor Philip MillerIn a world driven by entertainment and ease, we tend to avoid heavy, sobering realities. Good Friday confronts us with the horror and agony of Jesus’ crucifixion—an event many would rather skip in favor of Easter’s joy. Yet, the cross holds profound goodness, glory, and triumph. Luke 23 draws us into this weighty moment, calling us not to look away but to see the suffering of Jesus as our salvation. His cross is not only His burden—it’s ours too, because His sacrifice was made for us.Cosmic Treason:Death is hanging over all As Jesus stumbles under the weight of the cross, Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry it, unknowingly participating in God's greater redemption. Jesus warns the mourning women of Jerusalem not to weep for Him, but for themselves, as judgment is coming due to Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. This rejection is not just national—it is humanity’s rejection of its Creator. The crucifixion is

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Power in the Dark In our darkest hours—when we feel alone, frightened, and powerless—Jesus shows us another way.   Join us in Luke 22:47–71 as we witness Jesus in His darkest hour. Though betrayed, denied, and condemned, He remains calm, courageous, and utterly in control.   The BetrayalJudas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Yet Jesus, fully aware, steps forward, protects His disciples, heals His enemy, and confronts the powers of darkness.   The DenialPeter denies Jesus three times. But Jesus, knowing all of Peter’s failures, still loves, prays for, and later restores him. The Omniscient One is denied, but never vindictive.   The CouncilIn a sham trial, Jesus refuses to play their game. Instead, He boldly proclaims Himself the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of God. Condemned, but never vanquished.   Takeaway:It might look like the powers of darkness are winning.But it is King Jesus who wields Power in the Dark.   [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]