Living Spring Podcast

This week we turn to Paul's letter to the Philippians, written to a Roman colony consumed with honor, shame, and status, where public recognition was treated as a currency as valuable as gold. We explore how Paul reorients these values around Christ, who though he was in the form of God emptied himself, took the form of a slave, and humbled himself to the point of death on a cross, the most shameful fate the Roman world could imagine. We are called to set aside our own pride and craving for recognition and to have the same mind as Christ, looking not to our own interests but to the interests of others, serving as our Lord served.

This week we welcome back Pastor Reed, former pastor at Living Spring Church. He leads us into the Gospel of Mark and the stilling of the storm in Mark 4, where the disciples, like so many others around Jesus, grasp only half of who He is. As Jesus silences the wind and the sea with two words, we see Him doing what the Old Testament says only God can do, calming the chaos and conquering the forces that terrify us. When the storms of our own lives rise up and we cry out in fear, we remember that the God who called us into the boat is right there with us, and He will not let us sink.

This week we continue in John as the raising of Lazarus forces a decision, with many putting their faith in Jesus while the Sanhedrin plots His death and Caiaphas unknowingly prophesies that one man would die for the people. At a dinner in Bethany, Mary pours out a pint of pure nard worth a year's wages on Jesus' feet, an act of worship Judas calls waste, and we see that his math is right but his Messiah is wrong. When Jesus becomes the denominator of our lives, everything we cling to for position, comfort, or control loses its inflated value, because nothing we give compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Him.

This week we continue in John 11, sitting with the hard truth that Jesus does not operate on our timeframe and can be deeply moved by our pain without moving the way we want. We watch Mary and Martha grieve a brother Jesus loved yet allowed to die, and we hear Him declare that He is the resurrection and the life, the great I Am who calls us to present faith over perfect faith. We close at the tomb, where rolling away the stone means exposing what “stinketh” in our lives so the Lord can heal it, and where the community unwraps the grave clothes so we are no longer identified by who we used to be.

This week we continue in John 10, where we hear Jesus described as the true shepherd whose voice His sheep know and follow, set apart from the thieves and robbers who come only to steal and destroy. We talk about the many competing voices in our lives, from social media to our own self doubt, and the importance of recognizing which voice we are actually listening to. Communion becomes our moment to quiet the noise, tune our ears back to Jesus, and receive the grace and truth He offers.

This week we continue our series through the Gospel of John, landing at the end of chapter eight where Jesus makes the stunning declaration, "Before Abraham was, I Am." We explore how a debate with the religious leaders escalates from intellect to emotion to hostility, and how Jesus responds not with retaliation but from the unshakable identity of One who is fully human and fully God. The call this week is to root our identity not in profession, background, or status, but in the eternal I Am who was, who is, and who always will be.

The early church was growing at a very rapid rate. For the first few chapters everything was going great. Then some problems arose. How it was handled gives us great insight on how we move forward when there are problems.

This week we explore John 8, where Jesus tells his followers that holding to his teaching is the condition that unlocks the famous promise, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The sermon challenges the popular misreading of that verse, making clear that the freedom Jesus offers is not about gathering more information, but about abiding in his words as the one true source of truth. Pastor John calls the church to examine what language they are filling their minds with, and to make room for the voice of Jesus by removing whatever is crowding him out.

How do you grow a church? Great preaching is a must. Great worship band? A necessity. And, of course, persecution. Wait, what?

This week we continue in our series in the book of John, using Jesus' declaration "I am the light of the world" in John 8 as the anchor for the message. He frames darkness not as moral evil but as disorientation, the state of being without guidance, drawing from a vivid childhood story and the historical imagery of the 75-foot lamp stands lit during the Feast of Tabernacles. We explore the growing conflict with the Pharisees and connects the "I Am" language directly back to the Father-Son thread woven throughout the entire book of John.

This week Pastor John walks through the story of the woman caught in adultery, using it as a lens to examine how we all approach Scripture and how we treat people we want to see fall. He introduces the idea of the "gotcha" mindset, our tendency to cheer when someone we oppose gets exposed, and connects it to how social media algorithms reinforce that impulse. Jesus disrupts that crowd mentality entirely, meeting the woman not with condemnation but with grace and a call to a different life. Pastor John closes with a challenge for us all, who is your "gotcha," and are you willing to place that person in God's hands instead of your own?

Today we talk about how to read the Bible well, using the hard questions around John 8 as a launching point before diving into the story of the adulterous woman next week. Pastor John walks through Scripture's different genres, the importance of reading each through the right lens, and addresses head-on the things that can shake a reader's confidence, including textual variants, apparent contradictions, and the science-and-Genesis tension. The takeaway is threefold: read your Bible, question it freely, and live it out, because the best proof of Scripture's authority is a life transformed by it.

Today Pastor John preaches an Easter sermon from John 20, walking through five people in the resurrection account to build a single central talking point: no matter where you are in your faith journey, there is always a "next faithful step" available to you. Each character responds differently, Joseph and Nicodemus risk their reputations, Mary stays at the tomb in grief, Peter and John run to see for themselves, and Thomas refuses to believe until Jesus personally invites him to touch his wounds, and every one of those responses counts as a faithful step forward. The sermon's challenge to the congregation is direct: you don't need all the answers or to have it all figured out, you just need to take the one step in front of you, whether that's returning to church, reading the book of John, telling someone about your faith, or praying to receive Christ for the very first time.

Even our deepest internal struggles can become sacred ground for transformation, as God's sustaining grace meets us in our hardest moments. Hardship, viewed through faith, shifts from obstacle to opportunity, deepening our dependence on God and producing gratitude and spiritual growth through perseverance.

This week we talk about how deep spiritual truth is often found in quiet reflection rather than constant noise. It calls us to be intentional about creating space in our lives to truly encounter God. Instead of going through the motions, we’re challenged to pursue a genuine, present relationship with Him. Real transformation happens when we deliberately make room to receive what God wants to do in us.

This week we talk about how deep spiritual truth is often found in quiet reflection rather than constant noise. It calls us to be intentional about creating space in our lives to truly encounter God. Instead of going through the motions, we’re challenged to pursue a genuine, present relationship with Him. Real transformation happens when we deliberately make room to receive what God wants to do in us.

This week highlights how spiritual growth often happens in the gaps between what we know and what we don’t yet understand. Rather than failures, these moments of uncertainty are sacred spaces where God shapes deeper faith. When we accept that we don’t have all the answers, we open ourselves to greater encounters with His truth. Faith matures as we learn to trust God even in mystery.

This week we explore the spiritual significance of silence in our faith journey. Often, God’s work happens not through loud revelations but in the quiet spaces where we learn to listen with our hearts. These moments challenge us to trust His presence even when clarity seems absent. True faith grows in patient waiting and faithful presence with God.

This message from John 4–5 contrasts two responses to Jesus: the Samaritans who believed His words and the Galileans who demanded signs. A royal official demonstrates true faith by trusting Jesus’ promise that his son would live, believing before seeing the miracle. At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus challenges a man stuck in paralysis to rise, exposing how easily we become comfortable in our excuses. The message calls us to stop waiting for proof and instead trust and obey the word of Christ.

Today we talk about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, highlighting how He intentionally pursues the marginalized and meets them in their hidden shame. At the well, Jesus moves the conversation from physical water to “living water,” exposing the broken systems she relied on while offering true freedom instead of condemnation. By revealing Himself as Messiah to her, He transforms her from isolated outcast to bold witness. The story reminds us that when we bring our honest mess to Jesus, He replaces our empty wells with lasting life.

Today we talk about how the powerful humility of John the Baptist as Jesus’ ministry grows. Instead of comparing or competing, John declares, “He must become greater; I must become less,” embracing the freedom of focusing only on what God assigned to him. The message exposes comparison as a thief of joy and calls us to faithful obedience in our own God-given roles. True spiritual maturity asks not how we measure up to others, but whether we are faithful with what God has entrusted to us.

This week we explore Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, revealing that being “born again” is not about religious effort or future hope in heaven, but a present, radical spiritual transformation. Nicodemus wrestles between the familiar world of religious systems and the unseen kingdom Jesus describes, struggling to understand how true change can happen. Jesus explains that new life comes through the Spirit, who moves beyond our control or full understanding, calling us to walk by faith rather than sight. The journey from confusion to faith, from darkness to light, is the work of the Holy Spirit making us new creations here and now.

While Jesus is often seen as gentle and gracious, the Gospel of John reveals His fierce commitment to truth. He drove out the merchants from the temple with a whip, displaying holy zeal for His Father's house rather than tolerating corruption that exploited worshipers. Today, we are that temple. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus will not tolerate habits, systems, or patterns in our lives that block intimate relationship with God. His discipline, though painful in the moment (like removing harmful apps, addressing debt, or changing what we consume), is an expression of deep love that produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness and helps us run our race with endurance.

The miracle at Cana is not really about wine, but about failed systems and second chances. When Mary says, “Do whatever he tells you,” she models a life of surrender that allows Jesus to transform what has run dry. The empty stone jars represent our self-made efforts, but Jesus fills them from within, changing hearts—not just circumstances. The promise of “the best wine last” reminds us that it’s never too late for Jesus to redeem what we thought was lost.

This week we highlight that faith doesn’t require full understanding, just obedience. John the Baptist modeled this by preparing the way for Jesus without knowing the whole story, challenging our tendency to wait for certainty before acting. Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” shows that encountering him begins with a simple step, not perfect knowledge. Our journey of faith grows as we seek Jesus himself and allow belonging to lead us into deeper belief.

John begins his gospel with an incredibly deep and amazing insight. Jesus was God in the flesh. This week we talk about that theological concept and how it impacts are daily life.

This Epiphany message invites us into the story of the Magi, unexpected outsiders whom God draws to Jesus by meeting them where they are. Showing that His grace reaches far beyond our comfort zones. The contrast between the Magi’s open-hearted worship and King Herod’s fearful need for control challenges us to examine our own response to Christ’s lordship. Their transformed journey home reminds us that no one truly encounters Jesus and remains the same.

Most of the Christian life isn’t lived in dramatic spiritual highs but in ordinary faithfulness, as seen in Simeon and Anna, who simply showed up, listened, and remained devoted. Even Jesus spent years in quiet growth and obedience before any public ministry, reminding us that God values availability over achievement. As we enter 2026, the call is to take the next small step of obedience whether forgiving, showing up, or deepening our relationship with Him.

This week, we continue exploring the Christmas story through the shepherds of Luke 2, revealing how God chose society’s outcasts. Not the powerful or religious to be the first witnesses of Jesus’ birth. Their story exposes God’s upside down value system, showing that the gospel is for all people, regardless of status, success, or worthiness. When we feel unqualified or ordinary, we are often exactly the people God uses to share the good news.

As we continue our Christmas for the Rest of Us series, we reflect on the miraculous yet humble beginnings of Jesus’ life and the pivotal role of ordinary people like Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph. This week, we focus on Joseph’s role as Jesus’ earthly father and how God often chooses the most unlikely individuals to fulfill His divine plan. The story reminds us that our significance does not depend on status, education, or wealth, but on our willingness to be used for God’s purposes.

This week we learn, like Mary, we are chosen by God not because of our worthiness but purely by grace. The same favor Mary receive, described in Scripture as “freely given”, reminds us that our struggles and doubts never disqualify us from God’s purposes. Her response, “I am the Lord’s servant,” becomes our model of trusting surrender even when the path ahead is unclear.

Luke opens up after 400 years of silence by God. Who would you think God would use to speak again? A prophet? An angel? While those are important characters, God actually uses a common man and his wife to begin the Gospel narrative.

This week, we talk about the difference between feeling grateful and actually expressing gratitude. Using the story of the ten lepers, it reminds us that thankfulness isn’t complete until it’s voiced, and that only one returned to acknowledge Jesus. Gratitude strengthens our relationships and opens our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s work. The challenge is simple: be the one who turns back and gives thanks.

This week, we look at how tithing, which means giving the first tenth of what we earn, helps us loosen our grip on money and tighten our trust in God. It’s not about complicated rules or get-rich promises, but about learning to put God first in a simple, practical way. When we give our first fruits instead of our leftovers, we find more peace, freedom, and contentment than we expected. In the end, it’s a joyful reminder that everything we have is God’s anyway, we’re just called to stewardship of what was His to begin with.

This week we reflect on twenty years of Living Spring with Pastor John Rittenhouse and how God's faithfulness through the seasons of our lives never cease. We are taken through a parable from Mark 4, where Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a farmer scattering seed, a simple act of faith followed by a mysterious process of growth that happens beyond our control or understanding. We scatter seeds through our prayers, our decisions, our acts of obedience, and then we wait.

This week we reflect on twenty years of Living Spring with Pastor John Rittenhouse and how God's faithfulness through the seasons of our lives never cease. We are taken through a parable from Mark 4, where Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a farmer scattering seed, a simple act of faith followed by a mysterious process of growth that happens beyond our control or understanding. We scatter seeds through our prayers, our decisions, our acts of obedience, and then we wait.

Following Jesus often means facing opposition, because persecution isn’t an accident of faith but a mark of true discipleship. The final Beatitude reminds us that being “persecuted for righteousness” comes from living so differently that the world can’t ignore it. As we pursue Christ, culture may pursue us with resistance—but that tension is where the kingdom of heaven breaks in. Our call isn’t to hide our faith, but to live it boldly and authentically, trusting that godly living will inevitably provoke both challenge and transformation.

True peacemaking in God’s kingdom goes far beyond avoiding conflict—it means actively joining God’s work of restoring shalom, where justice, wholeness, and joy unite all creation. From Matthew 5:9, we learn that peacemakers reflect God’s character as His children, courageously confronting brokenness rather than masking it. This calling invites us to see others through God’s eyes, step into hurting places, and speak truth that leads to healing. Like the Liberian women who prayed through civil war, we’re called to embody Christ’s reconciling peace with courage, persistence, and faith.

As we continue through the Beatitudes, we explore what Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." This challenges us to rethink purity—not as moral perfection, but as openness and trust. Drawing from the story of Adam and Eve, we see how sin leads us to hide, yet God still seeks relationship, not flawless performance. We're invited to come to God honestly, releasing our shame and idols. In the end, seeing God is less about external perfection and more about the direction and sincerity of our hearts.

This week we are taught to rethink forgiveness in light of God’s limitless grace. The parable of the unforgiving servant reminds us that we’ve been forgiven an unpayable debt—and are called to extend that same mercy to others. Holding onto bitterness only traps us, but choosing to bless and forgive brings true freedom in Christ. In a culture of outrage, mercy is a powerful, countercultural act of faith.

This message challenges us to truly hunger and thirst for righteousness, aligning our desires with God’s will. Drawing from the Beatitudes and the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, we’re reminded that only Christ offers the living water that satisfies our deepest needs. Instead of settling for temporary satisfactions, we’re urged to pursue the lasting fulfillment found in Him.

Jesus tells us, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). In this context, meekness does not mean weakness or passivity, but strength under control—humility, gentleness, and a willingness to trust God rather than force our own way. True meekness is power surrendered to God’s purposes, and it brings the blessing of His peace and the promise of His kingdom.

This reflection on the Beatitudes highlights Jesus' teaching that those who mourn will be comforted, challenging the cultural tendency to avoid pain. It emphasizes that God's role is not to make life comfortable but to offer comfort amid suffering, as seen in Jesus' own anguish in Gethsemane. By embracing our grief, we allow the Holy Spirit to heal and empower us to comfort others. Ultimately, it portrays suffering as a pathway to ministry, revealing strength through vulnerability in God's upside-down kingdom.

This week we focus on Jesus' words 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' This isn't about material poverty, but a spiritual posture of complete dependence on God. We're invited to consider how our cultural values often clash with Kingdom values, and how true transformation comes through humility and brokenness before God.

This week we focus on Jesus' words 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' This isn't about material poverty, but a spiritual posture of complete dependence on God. We're invited to consider how our cultural values often clash with Kingdom values, and how true transformation comes through humility and brokenness before God.

Jesus is referred to as the Lion and the Lamb. Too often we want the Lion and He gives us the Lamb and vice versa. In this series we go over the beatitudes that often call us to be just as counter culture as He is.

Jesus calls us to the radical command to “love your enemies,” reflecting God’s impartial love for all. This means praying for those we oppose, moving from criticism to grace, like the father in the Prodigal Son story. Loving our enemies transforms us—changing hearts, not just behavior—as God’s love flows through us.

In the Gospel of Luke, a lot of people see Jesus do amazing things and yet don’t perceive who he is or what he is up to. In this sermon, we take a close look at a blind man who sees Jesus for who he really is.

This week we welcome Mike Chong Perkinson who shares deeply personal experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts, emphasizing that we can love God and still struggle. This authenticity breaks down the façade of perfection often present in church culture. The key lesson is that hell has no power over blood-bought believers except what we allow. We're encouraged to let God 'drive' in our lives, even when His path seems confusing or slow.

This week as we hear from Pastor Kari Morris-Guzman, we are called to live fully as God’s beloved—chosen, blessed, broken, and given. Drawing from Jesus’ baptism and His breaking of bread, it reveals a pattern for embracing our true identity: receiving God’s love, facing our brokenness, and giving ourselves to others. Living from this truth frees us from feeling “stuck” and transforms how we see ourselves and engage with the world.