REFUGE KENOSHA

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?

In a culture marked by restlessness, Jesus offers the truest and highest form of spiritual rest. He gives the famous invitation in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He gives this invitation first to those who don’t follow Him, but continues to extend this offer to those who call Him Lord every day. The question for you, then, is, “How are you responding to this invitation today”?

Indifference may seem harmless, but Jesus warns it is a deadly response to all that He has revealed—one that invites judgment even more severe than some forms of godless behaviors. In Matthew 11:20-24, we see that seeing the works of Christ and shrugging them off is among the gravest of offenses. The question for you today is: How might spiritual indifference be lurking beneath the surface of your life right now?

Have you ever doubted God? Or have you ever been overly critical of a person or idea, but only because it convicted you? In Matthew 11:1–19, we see how hearts respond to Jesus through doubt and criticism. When the way of Christ challenges you, do you question your heart honestly or do you criticize and narrate to protect your comfort?

What if the life you’ve always wanted is actually found in surrender, not survival? In Matthew 10:32–11:1, Jesus calls us to a bold, public allegiance to Him—one that acknowledges Christ over comfort, treasures Him above every relationship, and takes up a cross rather than chasing convenience. In a culture obsessed with self-preservation, how do we live the kind of life that speaks, sacrifices, and serves like Jesus? This message confronts the cost of discipleship and invites you into the reward of true life—life found only in following Jesus.

What we fear reveals what we worship. In a world quick to cancel, slander, and shame, Jesus reminds us that the disciple is not above the teacher—and the cross-shaped life is often misunderstood and maligned. But reputation, security, and worth on this earth are fleeting compared to what is eternal. Matthew 10:24-31 calls us to fearless faith in the face of opposition, grounding our identity not in what others say, but ultimately in what God sees.

Jesus sends His followers out as sheep among wolves—vulnerable, yet Spirit-empowered; exposed, yet divinely protected. In Matthew 10:16–23, we’re called to live with sharp discernment and quiet purity, resisting the goddess of comfort and embracing our place in a world that may oppose us. When opposition comes, will your faith endure with both wisdom and innocence?

How is Jesus’s instruction to His disciples on this short-term mission trip to Jerusalem relevant for us today? As we continue looking through Jesus’s sermon on mission (Matthew 10), we will be challenged to look to God for guidance. What would change in your life if your decisions were shaped by dependence on God?

When Jesus sent out the twelve, He gave them a focused mission and a clear message: proclaim that “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” This message isn’t just ancient history—it’s a call to recognize the rule and reign of Christ right now and live accordingly. Do you truly see the people around you with spiritual clarity, and does your inner life know the King’s message, or are you carrying a message your heart doesn’t yet believe?

Jesus calls ordinary people to extraordinary mission—not because of their qualifications, but because of His transforming grace and power. Jesus met His disciples in their ordinary lives and sent them out together with authority, reminding us that greatness in God’s Kingdom begins with becoming less. In a culture obsessed with platform, are we willing to be the “and” in someone else’s story for the sake of God’s glory?

Compassion for the lost and godless anger cannot co-exist in the Christian heart. As Nathan McCray closes our mini series on Jonah, we will see how Jonah, “The Angry Prophet,” teaches us that our anger at others will always block some of the Lord’s greatest spiritual blessings over our lives.

When we think of God’s warnings of judgment, we tend to see it in negative terms. However, what if those warnings were actually forms of God’s grace? As Nathan McCray takes us through Jonah chapter 3, we will see how God is constantly in the business of rescuing lost people.

What is to be our motive as Christians for reaching lost people? Today, as we look at Matthew 9:35-38, we are going to see the compassion of Jesus, as well as what His solution is to the problem of those who are far from God.

What causes you to lose a clear vision of God and His work in your life? Stresses, crises, even pursuing good things in a particular way can begin to blur how we see God, ourselves, and the world. As we look at the last set of miracles in Matthew 9:27-34, we will see that the closer we are to Christ, the clearer our vision will become.