REFUGE KENOSHA

As we begin Matthew chapter 19, some religious leaders ask Jesus a question about divorce.  Their questioning reveals their inner rebellion. We will look at how a hardened heart will express itself in the lives both of believers and unbelievers alike.

We are closing out Matthew chapter 18 today, and the topic at hand is Forgiveness. The question is: where does the power to forgive others come from?

We continue through Matthew 18 and arrive at the most famous passage in the entire chapter, verses 15-20. What is to be our heart and our steps as we confront other believers who persist in sin?

As we continue through Matthew 18:11-14, we look at the famous parable of the lost sheep. How are we as believers to deal with brothers and sisters who are wandering in their faith?

As we continue through Jesus’s Community Discourse in Matthew 18 we are looking at one little verse, Matthew 18:10. Here, Jesus shows us that looking down on fellow believers in any way falls out of line with His will and purpose.

Continuing through Matthew 18, we look at verses 8-9 where Jesus encourages followers to figuratively cut off their hand, foot, or eye. Why on earth does He say this, and what is the serious reason for it?

We continue through Matthew 18, and as we look at verses 5-7, we will see how highly God values the well-being of His kids, and how it absolutely grieves His heart when believers cause one another to stumble.

We begin exploring Jesus’s Community Discourse out of Matthew 18. We’re looking at the first four verses which will challenge us to be childlike in our humble dependence on Christ.

Contentment. A word that brings an assortment of feelings, as it is something that everyone desires, but seemingly few experience. Today, Refuge Elder Mark Lehmann looks at 1 Timothy 6, and challenges us to find our contentment not as the world offers it, but as Christ has offered to us.

We all attach to different things in moments of discomfort, struggle, or hurt. Today, as Jono Navarro takes us through a passage in Luke 18, we are confronted with the question, “What is your life attached to apart from Christ and is it qualified to do the job?” Is what you are attaching to bringing you closer to God, or is it operating as a substitute for Him?

Forgiveness is tricky. One of the streams that we see in the Bible is the ability to separate out wrongs against God and wrongs against us personally. It is then that we are able to see clearly, and let go of the things that we often hold onto. What wrong done against you are you still carrying, and how has it shaped your life? Can you release the debt, absorb the cost, and make room for Christ

While the world often treats forgiveness as a therapeutic tool for personal peace, biblical forgiveness demands a standard that is set apart and holy. To truly reconcile with those who have hurt us, we must first look at how God Himself forgives us.

In a culture that constantly praises us for pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, it is dangerously easy to bring that same self-reliant mindset into our walk with Jesus. By contrasting the powerless, self-sufficient disciples with a desperate, kneeling father in Matthew 17, we discover that true, mountain-moving faith requires us to drop our "do-it-yourself" attitudes and become completely empty of ourselves.

When our hearts become too focused on the here and now, we often forget who we are, who God is, and what this life is really about. We are in constant need of spiritual “receipts,” or reminders of what’s been purchased for us. Today as we look at what’s called “The Transfiguration” in Matthew 17, we’ll see that not only is Jesus exactly who He said He was, but will see a “receipt” for future glory that everyone who trusts in Christ will experience one day.

Our culture consistently whispers that true happiness is found in acquiring "just a little bit more" of wealth, status, and comfort; yet, Jesus modeled and taught a completely upside-down ethic. True life is not gained by successfully satisfying our selfish concerns, but by willingly denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and losing our lives for His sake. Are you trading the eternal value of your soul for the temporary vapor of earthly gain, or have you discovered the profound freedom of surrendering everything to follow Jesus Christ?

We all have opinions on things that don’t matter, but the only question of eternal significance is the one Jesus posed to His disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" Today we look at the questions of “Who is the Messiah,” and “What does it mean that Peter is the Rock?” In terms of Jesus, are you merely holding a scholarly opinion about a historical figure, or have you fully surrendered to the resurrected King who empowers you to share the promise of everlasting life?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is far more than a historical fact fading into the background of a fast-paced world; it is transformative knowledge that proves both His power over death and our need for rescuing. By conquering the grave, Christ ensures that those who believe in Him are justified—declared free from guilt—and promised a future resurrection that answers our innate hunger to live forever. Instead of relying on your own strength or religious disciplines, have you placed your full trust in the resurrected Savior whose perfect credit proved greater than your ultimate debt?

Today we are looking at Jesus’ warning against the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, showing how the secret teachings of self-righteousness and self-advancement can silently infect our faith. To guard against building earthly kingdoms for our own comfort, we must actively practice remembrance by focusing our minds entirely on the person and work of Christ. Are you more driven by your focus on Christ, or driven by your focus on what you can get out of religious tradition?

As we look in Matthew 15 we’ll see how a Canaanite mother’s plea for her demon-possessed daughter models a bold, beggarly, and resilient faith that pushes past divine silence and societal obstacles. True spiritual greatness isn't found in dressing up our external lives, but in maintaining a humble fixation on Christ when we have nothing else to offer. Are you mistakenly treating Jesus as a mere life-coach to help you get what you want, or is your focus entirely fixed on Him as your all-sufficient source?

Are you secretly using outward religious performance to hide a struggling heart, or blaming your external circumstances for the sin that actually originates from within? In this message from Matthew 15, Jesus cuts through the illusion of external righteousness, teaching that true defilement—and our deepest rebellion—comes exclusively from the unaddressed condition of our own hearts rather than our outside experiences. Listen in to discover how to abandon the exhaustion of religious posturing and experience true spiritual transformation by bringing your unfiltered inner life to the only Savior who can heal it.

Have you ever considered that the spiritual leadership you follow might be using religious traditions to mask a heart in full-blown rebellion against God? In this study of Matthew 15, Jesus exposes the toxic ambition of self-centered religious leaders, warning that these "blind guides" will inevitably poison others and lead their followers into a pit. Jesus urgently commands believers to leave these false teachers behind so you can cultivate a deeper, life-giving dependency on the simplicity of the Gospel.

Could your most cherished religious traditions actually be a form of rebellion that masks a heart far from God? In this study of Matthew 15, Jesus exposes how elevating human rules over Scripture leads to spiritual hypocrisy and a failure to love others as God commanded. Listen in to discover how to distinguish between hollow rituals and a heart-centered faith that truly honors the Word of God.

We are in Part Two of the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14. In observing Peter’s experience with Jesus, we will see that there is power in the commands of Jesus. Not only that, but faith in God itself is something that desires to step out and take risks.

How do you view Jesus in seasons of difficulty or when you are experiencing a struggle with living according to God’s ways? Do you see a Savior who has paid the price in full, or do you see a phantom of your own making—one who demands more, or is full of disappointment? In part one of the story of Jesus walking on water, we’ll see that we have the tendency to make a phantom of Christ, when he is most really Christ.

We are in Part Two of the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. We continue looking at what the right priorities are for our lives by looking at the life of Jesus. Again, to Christ, intimacy or closeness with the Father was of highest priority, and then compassion and love for others, and then discipleship.

Today is part one of a message on the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus withdraws to be alone with the Father—yet when the crowds chase Him down, He meets interruption with compassion, healing the sick and multiplying five loaves and two fish until everyone is satisfied.

In Matthew 14:1–12, Herod shows what happens when truth brushes your conscience but never becomes your King—interest without obedience turns into fear, compromise, and eventually violence. John the Baptist stands as the opposite: steady, costly faithfulness to the God of truth, even when it leads to chains, isolation, and a brutal end. Are you living the truth you admire—or silencing it to protect the life you refuse to surrender?

As we close out Matthew chapter 13, we are going to see one big idea: your ruler determines your steps—your destination, your responsibility with God’s “treasure,” and even how people respond to you when you won’t bow to their kingdom. What (or who) is ruling your heart right now—and where is it actually taking you?

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a buried treasure and a priceless pearl—so valuable that the one who finds it gladly gives up everything to possess it. When God truly rules a life, priorities don’t just shift; they’re transformed by joy-filled surrender. 

When we consider how we are to be used by God, often we approach the question with a very mathematical mindset. Today, as we look at the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven, we will see that when Christ rules in the lives of His people, results always follow. In a world that expands through conquering, the kingdom of God will expand through humble, compassionate love.

Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds explains why evil, hypocrisy, and confusion can exist right alongside real gospel fruit. Instead of overreacting with scorched-earth “purity” campaigns, we’re called to wise patience, sober discernment, and confidence that Jesus will make all things right at the harvest. If Jesus sees the injustice and still says, “let both grow together,” what does faithful obedience look like for you right now?

Christmas exposes our “bigger and better” obsession—bigger boxes, louder hype, more followers—and then flips it upside down with the shocking humility of Jesus. From the manger to the cross to the quiet victory of the resurrection, Jesus came not to be served but to serve, paying the ransom we couldn’t and offering the only gift that actually lasts: peace with God.

In a world where high-profile believers and everyday friends alike seem to “fall off the wagon,” this podcast digs into Jesus’ first parable in Matthew 13—the Sower and the soils—to make sense of why the same gospel produces wildly different outcomes. We’ll see that you can’t control how people receive the message, but you can control the quantity and quality of what you sow.

As we head back into the Gospel of Matthew, we prepare to dive into the Parables of chapter 13. We will see why Jesus teaches in parables, and be challenged to let Him define our view of what His Kingdom is all about.

People change. But...does God change? If He does, then good news is only good news as long as He does not change who He is. However, as we will see, Psalm 23:6 reminds us that His mercy and goodness will follow His own spiritual kids as long as we live (and even after that).

We step inside the stunning promise of Psalm 23:5, where God doesn’t just rescue us—He prepares a feast for us right in the middle of our battles. We’ll explore what it means to live under a blessing that is both fixed in heaven and formed in our daily choices.

Life isn’t lived on the mountaintop—it’s forged in the valley. As we look at Psalm 23:4, we uncover how God can use our darkest seasons not to destroy us, but to lead us toward higher ground with Him. What if the valley you’re walking through right now isn’t a setback, but the very path your Shepherd is using to take you deeper?

When your soul feels worn thin and every “quick fix” leaves you emptier than before, Psalm 23:3 offers a deeper promise: restoration that only the Good Shepherd can bring. In this message, we explore what it truly means for God to “restore my soul” and to lead us in paths of righteousness—not for our glory, but for His name’s sake. What if the renewal you’re craving isn’t found in escape, but in surrender to the Shepherd who delights to restore the weary?

Sheep are by nature very timid creatures. In order to be able to lie down anywhere, several conditions must be met. Like sheep, we all have needs in order to experience spiritual rest. How can the Good Shepherd help us to find rest amidst the difficulties of this life? We look at Psalm 23:2.

When faced with trouble, where do we look for our help? What source do we put our trust in? Has God truly given us what we need for all these moments? Join us as we look at Psalm 23:1.

How are we to face our troubles and struggles in this life? Elder Mark Lehmann takes us through Psalm 27.

Pastor Tom takes a look at Proverbs 3:5-6.

What if belonging to Jesus redefined what it means to belong to family? In Matthew 12:46–50, He declares that those who do the will of His Father are His true brothers and sisters, inviting us into a family shaped by faith rather than blood. This podcast explores the call of discipleship, the cost of misplaced priorities, and the hope of life together in God’s household.

In Matthew 12:43–45, Jesus warns against the danger of outward reform without true inward renewal. It’s possible to sweep our lives clean and even decorate them with religion, yet remain empty of Christ’s transforming power.  Are you pursuing outward reformation, or resurrection life in Christ?

Proverbs 18:21 says that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” The words that we speak are not accidental—they come from a storehouse of what resides inside of our hearts. Today, as we look at Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus teaches us that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. What does your speech today reflect about the status of your heart?

In a world that thrives on gray areas, Jesus draws a clear line: there is no neutral ground. In Matthew 12:22-32, we encounter a moment that forces every person to answer life’s most important question: What will you do with Jesus? This message explores why indifference is enemy territory, why every heart must respond to Christ, and why the stakes are eternal. Are you gathering with Him—or scattering against Him?

Jesus is described in Matthew 12:15–21 as God’s chosen Servant—marked by service, justice, gentleness, and mercy. Unlike the leaders of His day, He did not clamor for attention or dominate with power, but quietly brought healing, rightness, and hope to the broken. In a world obsessed with influence, numbers, and noise, this passage calls us to see true greatness in humble servanthood.

Religious devotion can look convincing while still missing the heart of God. In Matthew 12:9–14, Jesus exposes a godless religion that values rules over mercy, accusation over truth, and self-protection over love for God and others. Can it ever be the case that some of your devotional practices are actually keeping you from trusting in Christ today?

When religious rules become the focus, we risk missing the very heart of God. In Matthew 12:1–8, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and reveals that He—not our man-made regulations—is Lord of the Sabbath. Could it be that your version of obedience is actually keeping you from resting in Christ?

Today, we are looking at the heavy Doctrine of Election. Jesus makes some staggering claims in Matthew 11:27. He claims that He’s been entrusted by God the Father with all things. He claims that nobody knows Him except for the Father. And then He claims that nobody knows the Father except Him and anyone to whom Jesus desires to reveal Him. What does that mean?