The Olive Branch Markham • Audio Podcast

As we finish our journey through the Psalms, let's remember why God gave us this prayer book. While most of Scripture speaks to us, the Psalms give us words to answer the God who speaks first. Prayer isn't just a goal — it's the way we grow closer to God. As Psalm 25:14 says, “The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him.” As we move into a new season, we're not leaving the Psalms behind; we carry them with us, holding onto this prayer book and the One who is always faithful.

Psalm 103David gives us so much to unpack in this awe-inspiring psalm — blessings abundant enough to satisfy our souls in this life. How can we overlook them? A man after God's own heart, David sings through poetry about a heart made for worship. In Psalm 103, we see God's rich, steadfast love: His grace, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness that call — no, beckon — us as believers in Jesus to remember who our Lord is for us.

Psalm 95 calls us into worship with open arms: “Come, let us sing for joy... let us shout aloud.” But it doesn't stop at celebration — it moves us to our knees: “Come, let us bow down... let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” True worship holds both postures: joyful praise and humble surrender. This week, we ask whether our worship is just words, or whether it shapes how we live. Let's worship with all that we are.

Psalm 121Much of life is spent looking downward — at our problems, our phones, or our own feet. Psalm 121 begins with a different posture: “I lift up my eyes.” When the psalmist looks upward, he discovers more than a view; he finds a promise — the Maker of heaven and earth is personally attentive to him. Again and again, the psalm offers the same assurance: the Lord keeps you, your Helper in trouble and your Keeper in every season. This week, we'll learn to lift our eyes to the God who is always watching over us.

Psalm 73When life feels unfair and God's people are struggling, our faith in His goodness can be tested. Asaph, a worship leader in ancient Israel, wrestled with this very doubt — and Psalm 73 tells his story. This week, we'll walk through his journey from envy and confusion to renewed trust, and see how his struggle speaks to our own.

Psalm 88Have you ever cried out to God and heard nothing — prayed through the pain, waited for an answer, and wondered if He was even listening? Psalm 88 is one of the darkest passages in Scripture, as the psalmist pours out his heart, convinced God has abandoned him. Yet this isn't a psalm of despair; it's a psalm of wisdom. What does God teach us when heaven seems silent, and what does real faith look like when our circumstances don't change?

Psalm 128 is a Song of Ascents, sung by pilgrims climbing toward Jerusalem with hearts set on worship. This week, we follow that same ascent into a portrait of true blessing. What does life look like for those who fear the Lord? Not drudgery, but flourishing — a full table, a secure home, generations blessed. This is the life God invites us into. Come climb the hill with us.

Psalm 51 is David's psalm of repentance and restoration, written in the wake of his affair with Bathsheba and the cover-up that followed. How do we come before God when we've failed badly? This week, we'll look honestly at sin and grace, and discover what David's confession teaches us about God's holiness and mercy.

Our special guest, Russell Porter, will be sharing with us Psalm 2. It pulls back the curtain on the ultimate contest for power — the nations and their rulers rage, only to discover that God's King is already enthroned and His purposes cannot be shaken. Join guest speaker Russell Porter as he explores what this ancient royal psalm reveals about God's sovereignty, His anointed King, and where true security is found in an unsteady world.

Psalm 1 opens the entire book of Psalms by pointing us to God and His Word — in Hebrew, Torah. It calls us to delight in and meditate on Scripture, a habit that leads to a flourishing, fruitful life as we walk in God's will. Jesus echoes this in the Sermon on the Mount, calling us to build our lives on His teaching like a wise builder on the rock instead of the sand.

Acts 17:16-34What if the people in your life who want nothing to do with God are actually closer to Him than they think? Paul walked into Athens—a city of a thousand gods—and spotted something no one else had noticed: everyone there was already searching for the one true God without knowing it. That changes how we see the people around us. We close our series with the most hopeful message in Acts. Don't miss it.

Acts 16What if your worst night became your family's greatest turning point? In Acts 16, a Roman jailer hits rock bottom, and in one midnight moment, everything changes.This Father's Day, discover how one desperate question led to a whole household being saved, and why it's never too late to become the father your family needs.

Acts 10In Acts 10, a Roman soldier and a Jewish apostle both receive a vision they didn't ask for, and nothing will ever be the same. The story of Cornelius shatters every assumption about who belongs at God's table, as the Spirit falls on the unlikeliest of guests.

Acts 25:23-26:29Paul has been a prisoner for two years. His audience this Sunday is a king. Standing in chains before King Agrippa — outmatched in every visible way — Paul is finally given the floor, and he doesn't waste a second of it. What unfolds is one of the most compelling personal testimonies in all of Scripture: a former persecutor, face to face with royalty, making the case that Jesus is alive and that it changes everything. This is a sermon two years in the making.

Acts 5:17-42The early church didn't slow down when things got hard. They doubled down. In Acts 5:17–42, the apostles are arrested, miraculously freed, arrested again, beaten, and told in no uncertain terms to stop talking about Jesus. They don't. What does it look like to make up your mind about what you believe and refuse to back down no matter the cost? This Sunday, find out.

God Acts 8:26-31This Sunday, Pastor Fred steps into the sandals of Philip — one of the early church's first deacons — and tells the story from the inside. First-person. No notes on literary genre. Just a man, a desert road, and a divine appointment that neither he nor the Ethiopian official ever saw coming. Come ready to be drawn in.

God Acts 4:23-36When pressure rises, what does the Church do? In Acts 4:23–36, the early believers face real persecution, but instead of retreating, they pray boldly, are filled afresh with the Holy Spirit, and stand together with radical unity. Fear doesn't divide them; it drives them deeper into God and closer to one another. This week, we'll see what happens when God's people trust Him in the face of opposition, how His power shows up, and how a community transformed by the Spirit begins to live with open hands, holding nothing back. 

God is our possible and involved in the details of our everyday lives. He meets us in restorative and beautiful ways in the book of Ruth. This is for everyone today as God challenges us, moves us and shares His redemption story for, in and through relationship.

Acts 2:1-14The waiting is over. The Spirit falls, the Church is born, and 3,000 people believe in a single day. But here's the detail we often miss: those 3,000 came from across the Roman Empire, and when they go home, they take the gospel with them. The mission doesn't just begin at Pentecost. It explodes.

Acts 1:1-14Before Jesus ascends to heaven, He makes an extraordinary promise: power is coming. He entrusts the mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth to the twelve disciples, several key women, and 120 ordinary, largely unknown followers. Then He's gone. And they wait. What happens next will change everything.

Matthew 13Jesus didn’t announce the Kingdom with fanfare, he described it in stories. We open our series “To the end of the Earth not in Acts, but directly from Jesus in the gospel of Matthew, because before we can understand the mission, we must first understand the Kingdom that drives it.

The world’s promises disappoint. People’s promises fail. But the Bible makes a great claim, every single promise God has ever made finds its absolute Yes in Jesus Christ. We will unpack four promises every believer can cling on to that will never be broken.

John 20:1-31A sealed tomb. A missing body. A skeptic who refused to believe without proof.On Easter Sunday, Jesus showed up: scarred hands outstretched, inviting Thomas to see for himself. John recorded every moment so that you might believe: Jesus is not a memory. He is alive!

John 1:29-34From the first Passover to the temple sacrifices, God’s people lived by the blood of a lamb. Then John the Baptist points to Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God.”On Good Friday, we see what that means — the innocent in the place of the guilty, the judgment we deserved falling on Him. Join us as we reflect on the sacrifice that changes everything.

John 12:12-15“Hosanna in the Highest!” The crowd cries out as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Hope is rising. Expectations are high. But what kind of King is He?This Palm Sunday, we encounter Jesus as the King of Kings — not ruling by power, but through humility and surrender. Join us as we ask the question: is He truly our King?

John 15:1-8Jesus said, ‘I AM the Good Shepherd’We live in a culture of effort and exhaustion. Try harder. Do more. Be better.But on the night before the cross, Jesus offers a different invitation: “Abide in me.” He is the True Vine. Real change — love, joy, peace — flows from connection to Him.What does it mean to truly abide? And how does staying connected to Jesus transform us from the inside out? Join us as we lean into His life-giving presence.

John 8:12Jesus said, ‘I AM the Good Shepherd’In Psalm 23 King David wrote “the Lord is my Shepherd.” Now, in John 10, Jesus identifies himself as this “Good Shepherd” and speaks of his coming sacrifice on the cross to protect and save his “sheep” and his defeat of death by his resurrection.

John 8:12Jesus said, ‘I AM the Light of the World’Jesus declares, “I AM the light” — not just a light by which we see, but a light that gives life to all that we are. How does this brilliant truth impact our lives today; for now and for all eternity?

John 6:1-69Jesus said, ‘I AM the Bread of Life’In this life, we all hunger for something more.In John 6, Jesus makes a bold and startling claim: “I AM the Bread of Life.” He doesn’t just offer nourishment — He offers Himself. “Whoever feeds on me,” He says, “will live forever.” What does it mean to receive Him as our sustenance? What kind of hunger is He speaking to?

1 Corinthians 7In a culture that often treats marriage as the goal of adulthood, the Bible offers a broader and more hopeful vision. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul teaches that singleness is not a problem to fix but a meaningful way to live faithfully before God.This message explores how both marriage and singleness are shaped by the truth that this life is not the end of the story. When eternity is kept in view, neither status becomes ultimate and neither is wasted. Singleness becomes an opportunity for focused devotion to the Lord and deep connection within the family of God. Whether single or married, the gospel reminds us that true wholeness is found in Christ, who is preparing what is still to come.

Marriage isn’t just a social contract or a personal preference—it’s something Jesus speaks about with weight, intention, and permanence. In Matthew 19:1–12, Jesus points us back to God’s original design, reminding us that marriage is meant to be a lifelong covenant, not something disposable when things get hard. But He also names the real struggle beneath broken relationships: the hardness of the human heart.In this message, we’ll wrestle honestly with why hearts grow hard, how that affects our view of commitment, and what Jesus offers as the way forward. This isn’t just about staying married—it’s about having hearts softened and restored by God, so His original purpose for marriage can be lived out with faith, grace, and endurance.

We will be taking a look at Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5 where we see that Christ’s sacrificial love forms the foundation of Christian marriage – a radical concept in the first century – and in the 21st century. 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul pauses twice to pray—not for changed circumstances, but for deeper understanding and inner strength. These prayers reveal what Paul longs for believers to know, experience, and become. This message explores how prayer shapes the church from the inside out, anchoring us in God’s power, love, and purpose.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that prayer is not something we generate on our own—it begins with the Holy Spirit living within us. The Spirit draws us toward God, crying out, “Abba, Father,” and even prays on our behalf when words fail us. In this message, we’ll discover how the Spirit shapes, strengthens, and sustains our prayers, inviting us into a deeper, more confident life of prayer.Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26-27

Jesus tells a story about a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach his followers not to lose heart when answers seem delayed. This message explores the space between our cries to God and the answers we long for—the waiting, the wondering, and the faith required to keep praying. What does trust look like when the response feels slow in coming and heaven seems silent?Scripture: Luke 18:1–8

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reshapes how his followers think about prayer—not as performance, but as relationship. He invites us to pray to our Father, who sees, knows, and listens. This message explores the posture of the heart Jesus calls for in prayer: sincerity over show, trust over many words, forgiveness over resentment, and quiet attentiveness in God’s presence. Prayer, Jesus teaches, is learned by drawing near to the Father.

Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pray and he gave them the beautiful words of the “Lord’s prayer” —the most famous and frequently used prayer in all of history. It provides the core understanding of how to pray. Join us in the practise of prayer as we begin 2026; praying for God’s mission to advance in our individual lives, our families, schools, workplace, our church and the world.

Jesus describes a Kingdom worth everything. We’re surrounded by opportunities promising success, fulfillment, and “the life you’ve always wanted.” But Jesus teaches that the opportunity of a lifetime isn’t about money, status, or achievement—it’s about investing in what lasts beyond this life. His Kingdom is the treasure in the field, the pearl of great value, the seed that multiplies endlessly. The real question is: whose counsel are you following? This message calls us to stop chasing short-lived gains and respond to the invitation of Jesus—the only investment that brings eternal return. God is calling your name. Don’t settle for anything less.This is the last message with Pastor Ken Davis as our Lead Pastor at The Olive Branch. We will miss him!

In a world full of noise, God still speaks—clearly and personally. In a noisy world filled with competing voices—algorithms, opinions, and endless online noise—hearing clearly can feel impossible. But Christmas reminds us that God has spoken, and continues to speak, through the Word made flesh: Jesus. While every other voice is trying to get your attention, shape your thinking, or sell you something, God is calling you by name out of love, not manipulation. In a season where it’s easy to get lost in the noise, this message points us back to the one Voice that brings clarity, truth, and life.

On the Sunday before Christmas, anticipation fills the air as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Scripture tells us that Christ came “in the fullness of time”—after centuries of waiting, prophetic promises, and longing hearts. The birth of Jesus was not only the most significant moment in history, but a turning point that infused the world with hope and a new way of living. And it didn’t stop there. That first Advent also points us toward Christ’s return, when He will make all things new. As we wait, God has already given us incredible gifts through His Son. Galatians 4:1–7 helps us understand what those gifts are—so this week, let’s open them together.

We may feel swallowed up in the chaos of crowds—especially at Christmas—but God never sees a mass of faces. He sees you. Scripture shows a God who knows every person individually, right down to the details of their story, their DNA, and their purpose. The same God who orchestrated the intricate lines leading to Jesus is still personally involved in every part of your life today. In a world of eight billion, you are not anonymous. God knows your name, your circumstances, your strengths, and your struggles—and He is closer than you think.

The most surprising thing about joy is where you find it. Happiness comes in chunks; it’s a solid. But joy? Joy is liquid…always flowing underneath the surface. Uncertainty and difficulty sabotages happiness — but it cannot touch joy. Joy is God’s equal-opportunity gift to everyone. And that’s what Mary had. Despite the discomfort, difficulty and danger she found herself in, she had joy; the steady flow of God’s power and calm in her life. And then, her extraordinary circumstances that made it possible for her to bring the source of joy to everyone — even until today.[Previously recorded for our December 10, 2023 service.]

Acts 16 gives us two powerful “unexpected to glory” moments: Paul and Silas were beaten and unjustly imprisoned—yet in the darkest place, God brought a miraculous escape that turned suffering into praise. And the jailor, expecting his life to end, instead encountered the hope of Jesus. In one night, both the prisoners and the guard were led from crisis to salvation, from fear to joy, from unexpected circumstances to God’s glory. That same grace reached not only the jailor but his entire household, who heard the gospel and were baptized together. This week, we celebrate the God who still turns the unexpected into glory—for you, for your family, and for every household that opens its door to Him. Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Only God can give life. Every person—no matter how they began—is His creation, His design, His idea. There are no mistakes when it comes to human life. That’s why we celebrate every birth and every new beginning in faith. Baptism is the Entrance of a lifetime—and the exit of a lifetime too. It’s stepping off the ramp of regret and onto the road of redemption. It’s the public declaration: “I belong to God.” This is the Good News On Ramp—where heaven rejoices, lives change, and angels throw a party. Scripture: John 3:1-17

Most of us will have plenty of jobs in our lifetime—but only one calling. Jobs change, careers shift, and sometimes we’re pushed onto new roads we never planned to take. But our calling? That’s what God builds into us from the start. It’s not about money or titles—it’s about purpose. When we confuse a job with a calling, the exit ramp just feels like an ending. But when we know the difference, every change becomes an on-ramp to what God’s doing next. So—what road is your calling leading you down? Scripture: 2 Kings 2:5-15; Matthew 28:18-20

Saul was convinced Jesus was a fraud—until Jesus showed up. What began as a life entrenched in disbelief became the start of a life filled with purpose and power. When Saul met the risen Christ, the persecutor became a preacher, and doubt gave way to faith. That same invitation still stands today: to believe, to be changed, and to step into the life Jesus offers. Scripture: Acts 9

Solomon had it all—wisdom, wealth, and a deep connection with God. But his downfall came through the relational on-ramps he chose. The companions he invited onto his journey pulled him off course. Ironically, he warned others about that very danger in Proverbs! Some companions are naïve, some reckless, and some destructive—but all influence where we end up. And once you’ve hitched yourself to the wrong vehicle, letting go isn’t easy. The question is—who’s traveling with you, and where are they taking you? Scripture: Matthew 5, 22:35-40

We resist endings, but in God’s Kingdom, every ending opens a new beginning. The Cross looked like the ultimate exit—but it became the entrance to life itself. Wherever you find yourself today—at a closed door, a loss, a transition—remember: God’s exits are never dead ends. The way out is always the way in. Scripture: John 16:5-7, 12:24-26

Life is a series of entrances and exits. Even gravestones mark the dates of our arrival and departure—and all that lies between is a dash. That dash is ours to define: the meaning, impact, and influence of our life. Exits aren’t just endings—they often lead to new beginnings. Careers, relationships, and seasons of life rarely last forever, but each exit can be an intentional on-ramp to what’s next. Exits aren’t just endings—they’re opportunities to merge onto a new road. Where might your next exit take you? Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Matthew 7:13-14

This Sunday’s message, The God Who Makes Us Laugh, takes us to Psalm 126—a song of joy, gratitude, and hope. As Israel once celebrated God’s deliverance from exile, we too are invited to remember how He has been faithful in our own lives. Thanksgiving isn’t just about looking back—it’s a way to look forward with confidence, trusting that the same God who brought joy in the past will bring renewal again. Scripture: Psalm 126