Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

Ephesians 1:12-2:7

Do What It Says!

Mirrors are honest! Under well-lit conditions, mirrors reveal the truthful condition of the observer. The Bible is the Word of God. Like a mirror, it reveals the truth about our world, our character, and our God. But then we must act accordingly; doing must follow reading and hearing. James mentions five areas in our lives—five categories—the Word of God should govern. I. Submission (vv. 22-24) II. Study (v. 25) III. Speech (v. 26) IV. Service (v. 27a) V. Separation (v. 27b) Talk with ...

Ephesians 1:1-14

The Power of the Word

The Word of God is “full of living power,” wrote the author of Hebrews (4:12, TLB). It has the power to change a life completely and for eternity. James has been telling us that God gives good gifts and the first is the gift of salvation! But that is just the beginning. After birth comes growth, and the theme of this book is spiritual maturity. The primary agent for spiritual maturity is God’s Word. But unless we listen to it and allow it to work in us, it will never have its intended impact.

Think like Jesus

The Temptations We Face

It’s one thing to be tested on the outside (trials); it’s another thing to be tested on the inside (temptation). God may allow temptations in order to strengthen our faith. But Satan desires to tempt us to weaken our faith. In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Screwtape Letters, a senior demon wrote to a trainee, saying, “All the habits of the [Christian], both mental and bodily, are still in our favor.” Today, we consider how temptation works and find workable solutions to overcome it. I. The...

Galatians 6

The Trials of the Rich and Poor

An old English children’s game followed the poem “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief.” In the game, kids would try to determine what they would become later in life. Whether we become rich or poor, one thing is common to all—hardship. Trials are the great equalizer, bringing all of God’s children to depend on Him. James, with barefaced practicality, looked at the advantages of suffering for both the poor man and the rich man. I. Our World Is Divided (vv. ...

Galatians 5

Adulting When Times Are Hard

Growing up has its advantages. Adults face life’s struggles differently than children do. Both children and adults feel strong emotions about the trials they face, but they display their emotions differently. A mature Christian can even dare to experience joy during such times. Whatever you may be facing in life, there are four realities about hardship you should know. I. Trials Are Normal (v. 2) II. Trials Can Be Joyful (v. 2) III. Trials Could Be Transformational (vv. 3-4) IV. Trials S...

Galatians 4

James, the Adult in the Room

You’ve probably been in a situation where there was confusion, even pandemonium, and most people were acting like immature children. What was needed was just one person to act like an adult and bring decorum and civility back. In such situations, one might say, “Where is the adult in the room?” It refers to someone who will behave responsibly in a mature manner. The book of James is about spiritual maturity. It is a call to grow up and not just grow old. James was the adult in the room. I. ...

Galatians 3

Turn Your Ls into Ws

Rest

From the Ground

Into the Ground

People either misunderstand the cross or they don't know its purpose and significance. Some think it's a tragic mistake or just a trivial symbol. When it came to the Messiah, the Jews anticipated a conqueror—instead, they got a sin bearer. Through the cross, Jesus glorified the Father and paid the price for our sins. Instead of shying away from it, we choose to celebrate the cross.

Good, Better, Best

Today we are entering into Passion Week—commemorating Jesus’ final days leading up to the cross, His burial, and His resurrection. We are all familiar with these events. As Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem, the crowd placed palm branches on the ground. In a few days, Jesus would be crucified, and they would place His body in the ground. But three days later, He would rise from the ground. Let’s note three comparisons of things that may be good versus something that’s best.

Galatians 1

In the Room—We Find Purpose

I. The Identity of Your Purpose II. The Impairment to Your Purpose III. The Importance of Your Purpose Talk with God: Evaluate your daily habits and ask the Lord how you can take practical steps “not [to] be conformed to this world” (v. 2). Talk with others: How can you use your gifts to serve your family, friends, or community? Talk with kids: In what ways was Jesus’ trial unfair?

2 Kings 23:15-25:30

In the Room—We Give

In order to discover what Jesus intended for the church He came to establish (remember He said, “I will build My church”), we need to examine carefully the prototype—the first church in the book of Acts. In combing through this text the last few weeks, we have been able to get a sense of the style, structure, and service of the early church. Today we notice their generous hearts toward one another and in the cause of Christ. Because they were openhearted, they were also openhanded.

2 Kings 21:1-23:13

In the Room—We Wonder

When God works in a person’s life, there is profound change. When God’s people see that change, it produces a sense of awe and wonder. It also provides encouragement that God will do it again and again. When we gather together and hear one another’s stories and witness one another’s victories, we are inspired. Today we consider the power of God working not just through a sermon or through a worship service, but through the individual lives of all God’s people.

2 Kings 19:29-20:21

2 Kings 18:1-19:28

In the Room—We Connect

There is an epidemic of loneliness in our society as people long for a place to feel safe and belong. The truth is, we were not built for isolation—and that's why God created the church and community. In this message, Nate Heitzig shares what happens when you get in the room with God's people.

Why Study Church History?

Love Bomb

2 Kings 17:1-18:4

In the Room—We Learn

There are several activities that take place when we gather together in the room. Conversations take place, prayers are uttered, songs are vocalized, hugs are exchanged, children are attended to, cars are parked, coffee is brewed, and volunteers joyfully serve. But one activity is at the epicenter of it all—the teaching of (and listening to) God’s Word. We make this the bulk of our weekly gatherings. Why is that so? Moreover, why can’t we just stay home and watch it all online?

2 Kings 15-16

I Love Weekends!

Today we begin a new series we are calling In the Room. We will consider why it is so vital to gather as God’s people, and the benefits we receive when we do. We each have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but personal does not mean private. Our lives are meant to be lived in community with others. Today we will take on the role of a reporter, examining a weekend event in the life of the early church to understand the significance of this experience.

2 Kings 13-14

Let’s Change 2024!

As we ring in the New Year, we also want to ring in a fresh start. We want to be different, better. But lasting change doesn’t happen through New Year’s resolutions. Instead of trying to fix our bad habits, our flesh, we must begin submitting to the Spirit—only then will everything else fall into place. In this message, Nate Heitzig reflects on some truths we’ve learned in our Kingdom City series, sharing how we can change 2024 by becoming resilient disciples of Jesus.

2 Kings 11-12

When His Kingdom Finally Comes

Today we bring the series Kingdom City to an end. We have explored what it means to live as kingdom people, to be representatives of the King until He returns. We have examined the lives of people who influenced others with their kingdom-minded lifestyles. But today we consider the culmination of kingdom living, which is the future kingdom itself. There are four distinct experiences that sum up the announcement and inauguration of the coming future kingdom.

2 Kings 9:30-10:36

Doing Kingdom Business…or NOT!

Last year, we studied the biblical prophecies on the end times and considered the promises of Jesus’ return and establishment of His kingdom. But until that awesome event occurs, how ought we to invest our time and resources? Did you know that our future position in the kingdom of heaven is largely determined by our faithfulness on earth? This section shows us four different responses to kingdom responsibility—four ways people live their lives in the light of Jesus’ coming kingdom.

2 Kings 8:7-9:26

How Can I Help?

Pastor Taylor Bronisz and Calvary Youth started the new year with a youth takeover service. Several musically talented teens joined with Calvary Worship, then Taylor gave an inspiring message about how we can all do our part to help the next generation meet Jesus. From the Guest Speaker series at Calvary Church.

Kingdom Compassion

A dominating hallmark of the Christian faith is compassion. That’s because it is a prominent feature of the personality of Jesus Himself. In this passage, we observe that Jesus cared about His closest associates as well as the throngs of people who came to hear Him teach. Today in Kingdom City, we consider four levels of the King’s compassion and how to reflect it.

The Kingdom Dilemma: God and Government

Christians often have questions about their role and responsibility to secular governments. These questions are even more pronounced when there is a government or political administration that appears to be at odds with their Christian convictions. As redeemed people whose “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), how should we discharge our responsibility to the state? Can we honor both God and Caesar? How do kingdom city residents properly balance these two realms?

Kingdom Living Over the Long Haul

As Christians get older, they sometimes tend toward compromise. The influence of their culture wears on them and they begin to shift in order to satisfy society. They are victims of the long haul! Their spiritual pace slows; their spiritual appetite weakens; their spiritual vigor abates. Today we examine a man who was faithful over his entire lifetime. His spiritual pace was steady; his spiritual appetite was strong; his spiritual vigor deepened. Daniel displayed four characteristics.

A Kingdom-Minded Woman

In our last message, we discovered how Daniel became a kingdom influence in Egypt. Today we will see how a woman named Esther influenced the kingdom of Persia—specifically how she rescued the Jewish people from a murderously antisemitic plot. Her courage has become an iconic reminder that one person can bravely change the future for an entire nation. Esther’s story reminded me of the woman in Proverbs 31:25: Strength and honor are her clothing….

Weekend of Generosity

A Kingdom Citizen Who Changed the World

After laying the groundwork for our calling to be kingdom influencers in our secular culture, we now consider the first of three examples of people who did just that. Joseph was one of the sons of Jacob. He came from a rural ranching family with humble beginnings, but he ascended to become the second most powerful man in the vast kingdom of Egypt. What caused this to happen?

2 Kings 7:1-8:6

Is God Real?

Lee Strobel is the bestselling author of over twenty books, including Is God Real? As a former atheist, Lee is acutely aware of the arguments and internal struggle faced by those who don’t yet know the Lord. His compelling research and deft presentation of the facts surrounding the existence of Jesus have brought many to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Deconstruction: What Should I Do?