Create Church Podcast

This week, we kicked off our series The Benefit of Doubt by looking at the story of Thomas in John 20. We were reminded that doubt doesn’t have to be a dead end—it can be a doorway to deeper faith. We saw that doubt is part of being human, that faith can bend without breaking, and that our questions don’t disqualify us from following Jesus. Instead of pushing people away, Jesus meets us right in the middle of our doubts with compassion and truth. The invitation is simple: don’t hide your questions—bring them to Jesus. Because when you do, what feels like uncertainty can become the beginning of a stronger, more honest faith. 

This week, we asked: what happens after Easter? In Matthew 28, the risen Jesus invites His followers into something more: “Meet me in Galilee.”We saw that Galilee is where faith becomes personal—where you encounter Jesus, experience His restoration, and step into purpose. The disciples didn’t have perfect faith; they had both worship and doubt, and Jesus met them there.The invitation is simple: don’t stop at Easter. Take a step. Find your Galilee—because Jesus is still meeting people and changing lives.

This week, we celebrated Easter and the truth that Jesus didn’t stay in the grave—He rose. In Mark 16, the women came expecting death, but found the stone already rolled away and heard the words that changed everything: “He has risen.” We saw that the resurrection isn’t just information—it’s a holy disruption. If Jesus really rose, then nothing stays the same—your past isn’t final, and your story isn’t over.The invitation is simple: what will you do with the risen Jesus? You can doubt it, delay it, or let it change everything. So don’t let this be just another Easter—because if this is real, it changes everything.

This week, guest speaker Pastor Christian Castro shared a message on Palm Sunday and how easy it is to be around Jesus—and still miss Him. In Mark 11, the crowd celebrated Him, knew the Scriptures, and showed passion, yet didn’t truly understand who He was.We saw that the Bible isn’t just leading us to information, but to a person—Jesus. Not a version we create, but the real King who often challenges our expectations.The invitation is simple: slow down and actually know Him. Because faith isn’t just about knowing about Jesus—it’s about having a real relationship with Him. If that’s where you are, this message is for you.

This week we explored how to read the Bible and why it’s meant to shape our lives, not just inform them. Looking at Jesus’ teaching in Mark 4, we saw how the Kingdom of God works like a mustard seed—small, simple, and often unnoticed at first, yet growing into something far greater over time.The Bible isn’t just a rulebook to follow, but an invitation into relationship with God. As we read Scripture personally, carefully, and prayerfully, we begin to see God more clearly and allow His Word to shape how we live. Growth doesn’t usually happen in big moments—it happens through small, consistent steps. And over time, those small seeds lead to real transformation.If you’ve been unsure where to start, felt stuck, or struggled to stay consistent—this message is for you.

This week we explored why reading the Bible matters and how it helps us grow as followers of Jesus. Looking at Jesus’ invitation to Peter and Andrew in Mark 1 — “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people” — we were reminded that the Bible is more than information; it’s an invitation into apprenticeship with Jesus. As we read Scripture, we begin to see God’s character more clearly, hear His voice more rightly, and learn how to live His way faithfully. Following Jesus isn’t about having everything figured out — it’s about staying close to Him and letting His words shape our thinking, decisions, and lives. The more we engage with God’s Word, the more we grow in confidence, clarity, and purpose.

This week guest speaker Rick Atchley walked us through a foundational truth of the Christian faith — that the Bible is more than just an ancient book; it is the Word of God. Written over centuries by many authors, yet telling one unified story, Scripture reveals God’s character, His plan for humanity, and ultimately points us to Jesus.If you’ve ever wondered whether the Bible can really be trusted, why it has endured through centuries of scrutiny and opposition, or how an ancient book can still speak so powerfully today, this message invites you to take a fresh look at the living Word of God.

This week guest speaker Jodi Hickerson walked us through one of those unforgettable “that just happened” moments in Scripture — when Jesus stooped down to meet the woman caught in adultery. Instead of standing over her in condemnation, He knelt beside her in grace. Her accusers saw her shame, but Jesus saw her worth. If you’re feeling stuck in guilt, weighed down by shame, or wondering if God could really meet you where you are, then this message is for you. 

This week, we looked at the marriage of Priscilla and Aquila — an ordinary couple united by an extraordinary mission. Everywhere Scripture mentions them, they’re together, serving Jesus side by side. Their story reminds us that a marriage isn’t sustained by feelings alone, but by shared purpose rooted in Christ. In a world where relationships can drift into routine or isolation, we were challenged with this truth: a marriage that lasts is a marriage on mission. When couples pursue Jesus together — grounded in community, conviction, and clarity — their love grows deeper and more resilient. And with God at the center, their marriage becomes more than a partnership; it becomes a powerful witness.

Dating can feel confusing — especially when you’re trying to follow Jesus in the middle of it. In this message, we walk through the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24 to explore what it looks like to trust God with your love story. Discover why starting with God’s standards matters, how prayer brings clarity before pursuit, and why character patterns reveal more than potential ever could. Whether you’re single, dating, or reflecting on relationships from the past, this conversation is an invitation to seek God first, move with wisdom, and trust that the Author of your faith is faithful to guide your future. 

Waiting on God can be one of the hardest parts of faith — especially when expectations go unmet. In this message, we walk through the story of Abram and Sarai to explore what happens when God’s promises feel delayed and hope starts to wear thin. Learn how impatience can lead us to take control, why disappointment often tests our trust in God, and how faith is formed not in the fulfillment of the promise, but in the waiting. Whether you’re navigating unanswered prayers, relational tension, or seasons of uncertainty, this message is an invitation to trust God’s timing, release control, and believe that He is still working — even when nothing seems to be changing.

Some relationship patterns don’t show up loudly — they show up slowly. In this message, we walk through the story of Ahab and Jezebel to uncover two dangerous dynamics that quietly destroy relationships: a passive spirit and a controlling spirit. Learn how ignoring red flags leads to repeated patterns, why control and passivity are symptoms of misplaced worship, and how putting God back at the center brings healing and transformation. Whether you’re dating, married, rebuilding, or simply wanting to grow, this message is an invitation to recognize what’s been shaping your relationships and choose surrender over self-rule. 

Have you ever felt stuck in a spiritual loop—showing up, doing the right things, but wondering if anything is actually changing? In this message, we explore how to break out of spiritual Groundhog Day by understanding God’s design for growth and harvest. Jesus teaches that transformation doesn’t happen through religious autopilot, but through faithful planting, persistent prayer, and a willingness to send what God has grown beyond ourselves. Discover how God is often working beneath the surface long before we see visible results, why waiting doesn’t mean wasting, and how your obedience today can lead to life change tomorrow. If you’re hungry for real growth, tired of feeling stuck, or longing to see God move in and through your life again, this message is an invitation to step out of the cycle and live for the harvest God is bringing.

In How Do I Stay Spiritually Awake?, we talk about staying spiritually alert in seasons of busyness and distraction. Part of our 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting series, this message invites you to renew your focus, deepen your prayer life, and remain open to what God is doing.

What’s keeping you from breakthrough? In this message, we explore the moment when human effort reaches its limit—and faith is invited to step in. Through the story of a desperate father in Mark 9, we learn that when a breakthrough is bigger than us, it requires something greater than us. Discover how prayer connects us to God’s power and fasting disconnects us from the world’s power, and why these two spiritual practices unlock the kind of breakthrough effort alone can’t produce. If you’ve been stuck, discouraged, or trying to manage something that keeps getting louder, this message is an invitation to stop coping and start believing that Jesus can do it again.

Does prayer actually make a difference—or is it just something Christians are supposed to do? In this message, we explore why prayer mattered so deeply to Jesus and how it’s meant to shape our everyday lives too. Discover three simple but powerful ways to grow in your prayer life: making space for God, starting small and staying consistent, and showing up honestly. If you’ve ever felt bored, discouraged, or unsure about prayer, this message is an invitation—not to pray perfectly, but to pray genuinely and experience a deeper connection with God.

Gold was a gift fit for a King—and the Magi knew exactly what they were doing. In this Christmas message, we explore how Jesus redefined what it means to rule, lead, and love. From the manger to the cross, discover how God flipped every expectation and why Jesus is a King like no other.

The gift of myrrh wasn’t just unusual—it was prophetic. In Week 2 of The Gift, we uncover how myrrh points to Jesus as the Suffering Servant, the Lamb of God who came not just to be born, but to die for our sins. Through Isaiah 53 and the story of the cross, we see how humanity drifts like sheep, chasing what looks good, and how Jesus stepped in where we kept slipping. If you’ve ever felt broken, burdened, or overwhelmed by your own failures, this message reveals a Savior who understands suffering and willingly carried what we could not—so we could find forgiveness, freedom, and new life.

Long before Jesus preached a sermon or went to the cross, God was already telling His story through the gifts brought by the wise men. In this message, we unpack the meaning of frankincense and what it reveals about Jesus as our great High Priest. Discover why a holy God and a sinful people required a mediator, how Jesus offered Himself once for all, and why He doesn’t just forgive our sins—He understands our struggles. If you’ve ever felt distant from God, overwhelmed by life, or unsure if He truly understands what you’re facing, this message is an invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace, where mercy and help are waiting.

What if the life you want is found on the other side of giving? In this message, we explore how God designed generosity to shape our hearts, bless others, and move His mission forward. Through stories and Scripture, we see that money spoils when hoarded, blesses when shared, and transforms when aimed with purpose. Discover why open-handed living leads to joy, freedom, and the kind of life God created you for. 

Gratitude isn’t a personality type or a seasonal vibe—it’s a spiritual discipline. In this stand-alone message, Pastor Yesenia Rodriguez unpacks why God commands gratitude and how practicing it can transform the way we walk through stress, disappointment, and everyday life. Through Psalm 103 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, she shares three practical ways to build gratitude into your daily rhythm: remembering God’s goodness, choosing intention over emotion, and expressing gratitude out loud. Whether this year felt heavy or hopeful, this message will help you anchor your heart in what’s true: God is good, and gratitude is how we respond.

Social justice starts with you” sounds right—but it’s almost true. In this message from our Almost True series, we discover that real justice begins with God and flows through His people. When we set things right and live right, the world starts to look a little more like the Kingdom of God.

“Put yourself first.” It sounds healthy—even wise—in a culture obsessed with self-care, boundaries, and “doing what’s best for me.” But what if that mantra is an almost truth that’s slowly shrinking your life? In this message from our Almost True series, Pastor Jake unpacks what Scripture actually says about self, love, and priorities. Looking at Philippians 2, Mark 12, Matthew 16, and Galatians 2:20, he shows how when self-care becomes the goal, love grows cold, why we don’t need more lessons in self-care but limits, and why you can’t follow Jesus and still be first. If you’re tired of “me-first” faith and hungry for a better way, this message will help you move from self-focus to Jesus-first, others-loving living.

“Live your truth.” It sounds empowering—but what if it’s actually holding you back?In this message from our Almost True series, Pastor Jake unpacks one of culture’s most popular sayings and reveals why it’s an almost truth that eventually breaks down. Discover three powerful truths about truth: that believing something doesn’t make it real, that truth isn’t just an idea—it’s a person—and that if Jesus’ truth clashes with yours, yours has to change. Learn how living His truth doesn’t limit you—it sets you free.

“Nobody expects you to be perfect.” It sounds comforting—but it’s an almost truth that eventually collapses under the weight of real life. In this message from our Almost True series, Pastor Jake exposes the lie of perfectionism and shows us the deeper truth Jesus offers: perfection isn’t a prize we achieve, but a promise we receive. Through Matthew 11:28–30, discover how to stop performing, start confessing, and stay receiving the grace that actually transforms us. If you’re tired, burdened, or stuck trying to hold everything together, this message is an invitation to rest in the One whose grace is more than enough.

What if greatness isn’t about how much you achieve—but how much you serve?In this message from our Supplying Good series, Pastor Jake redefines success through Jesus’ words: “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.” Discover how true greatness begins when we move the towel from our shirt to our shoulder—shifting from consumers to contributors, and from “Here I am” to “There you are.”

Why should we give our time, talent, and treasure to help others? In this message, Pastor Jake unpacks three powerful motivations—Glory, Gift, and Grace—that move us from hesitation to action. Discover how living generously reflects God’s image, recognizes everything we have as a gift, and responds to the grace we’ve received.

Asking for a Friend | How to trade trouble for hope?What do you do when life feels heavy? In this message from our Asking for a Friend series, we discover how to trade our troubles for hope—seeing purpose in pain, finding strength in God, and remembering that He’s not finished with our story.

Asking for a Friend | How do I risk opening up if I’ve been hurt before?Why risk opening up if you’ve been hurt before? In this message from our Asking for a Friend series, we explore how the practice of hospitality can heal our hearts, create real belonging, and show others the love of Jesus in simple but powerful ways.

Asking for a Friend | Does God Care About My Job?This week in our series Asking for a Friend, we tackled the question: Does God care about my job? Most of us spend 90,000 hours of our lives working—but is it just a paycheck, or something more? In this message, discover how God designed work to be worship, contribution, and opportunity—and how your vocation can become part of His bigger story.

Asking for a Friend | Could God actually use someone like me?In this Asking for a Friend series message, we ask: “Could God actually use someone like me?” The answer is yes. Discover how God’s promise to make all things new, His plan through the Church, and His power in you means that you are the move of God—right where you are.

Week 3: Jesus Over Everything – Living It OutWhat does it really look like to live with Jesus over everything? In this message, we explore how faith can reshape your mindset, heal your relationships, and give you a community where you truly belong. It’s not about striving for perfection—it’s about discovering the freedom and peace that come from letting Jesus into every part of your life.

In week two of Colossians, we explore what it means to move from the old life to the new life we have in Jesus. Discover how His grace reshapes our identity and gives us the power to live with purpose, freedom, and hope every day.

This first message in our Colossians series unpacks why Jesus truly is over everything—and how that brings hope, direction, and meaning to our everyday lives. Whether you’re exploring faith or looking for a fresh reminder of who Jesus is, this message is for you.