King of Kings Lutheran Church Podcast
309 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsSermons and other content from Pastor Eric Johnson of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Lake Orion, MI.
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Episodes
Palm Sunday: Kingdoms Colliding
April 19, 2019 00:07 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBThe reign of Jesus and the kingdom of striving collide at the cross. The promise of Easter is that you can't stop Jesus, you can only hope to contain him.
40 Days of Prayer: The Hammer or the Nail
March 31, 2019 16:42 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBIn our prayer life, we have a choice. Our prayer can shape our lives, like a hammer, or be shaped by what life throws at us, like a nail. Which will you choose?
40 Days of Prayer: Praying Outside Your Comfort Zone
March 27, 2019 01:51 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBWe all have a comfort zone, but when it comes to prayer, Jesus calls us out out of that comfort zone to engage with him more deeply.
40 Days of Prayer: Who Do You Think You Are Praying To?
March 19, 2019 13:53 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBWhat we believe about God changes everything, including how we pray. When we trust that God will gives us wisdom, peace, and power, prayer becomes not just something we should do, but something we get to do.
40 Days of Prayer: A Beginners Guide to Prayer
March 13, 2019 01:21 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBWe are wired to pray, but sometimes we don't know how or have misconceptions about what prayer actually is. We can trust that, that when we approach God will simplicity and sincerity, God hears our prayers and responds.
Ash Wednesday: Working the Steps
March 08, 2019 00:10 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBOn Ash Wednesday, we remember that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." We remember our humanity and our brokenness as well as remembering that we are marked with the cross of Christ. 12 Step programs are so effective at engaging our humanity and brokenness in a way that leads to hope. In fact, there is value for all Christians to "work the steps."
The Mountaintop and the Mess
March 08, 2019 00:01 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBToo often, we gravitate to either the mountaintop experiences of following Jesus or the messy experiences of following Jesus. The reality is that we need both if we are to truly become Christ's disciples.
The Empowered Life: An Obedience Produced
February 20, 2019 19:48 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBToo often in the Christian life, we think obedience is about sin management and behavior modification. True obedience is following Jesus wherever He goes, even into the places of brokenness and hurting. When our lives become centered on Jesus' mission and not our own, Jesus produces in us the right way to obey.
The Empowered Life: A Power Invested
February 12, 2019 04:11 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBWe all know the joy of being chosen and the sting of being rejected. While the world bases these decisions on performance, Jesus chooses us to invest His power into...and He NEVER gives up on His investment.
The Empowered Life: The Authority of God's Promise
February 12, 2019 04:06 - 27 minutes - 19 MBAs disciples of Jesus, we are called into broken situations even when we don't think we can do anything about that. The authority we carry as disciples of Jesus is not found first in the manifestation of God's power, but in message of God's promise.
Epiphany: Follow The Signs
January 29, 2019 17:34 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBI hear the question often, “What is God’s will for my life?” Sometimes it feels difficult to know what God’s will is for us, but God’s Will isn’t hard to find. We just need to follow the signs.
Christmas Presence: The Gift of Jesus
December 31, 2018 16:41 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBThe story of Christ's birth is familiar, but if we aren't careful, we can miss the unexpected. Jesus doesn't show up when and where we expect Him. He shows up when and where we need Him.
Christmas Presence: The Gift of Joy
December 31, 2018 16:27 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBWe want to believe we are strong, that we have it together, that we can figure it out. However, it is not until we realize just how dependent we are on God and how desperate we are for God to act that we are open to the joy of the Lord. That joy comes when Jesus defines our direction as part of God's plan to save the world from itself.
Christmas Presence: The Gift of Power
December 31, 2018 16:06 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBNo one likes a hypocrite, but when we take an honest look in the mirror, a hypocrite is what we see. In baptism, however, we receive the gift of God's power to not only confront us but change us.
Christmas Presence: The Gift of Challenge
December 09, 2018 21:21 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBChallenge does not seem like a gift, but the path to change is paved with challenge. We are promised that Jesus meets us on that path, leads us, and brings others along side to travel that road together.
Christmas Presence: The Gift of Hope
December 09, 2018 21:07 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBWhen our lives are characterized by comfort, safety, and security. We really don’t need hope – because things are fine. But there will eventually come a point when life strips that away. The Good News for us is that hope is one of the gifts of God’s Christmas Presence.
Money Talks: The Safest Risk You Can Take
November 13, 2018 20:29 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBIn the eyes of the world, following Jesus seems risky, especially His call to radical generosity. But our fear reveals our lack of understanding of just who Jesus is. If you really knew, you would realize that betting on Jesus is the safest risk you can take.
Money Talks: Your Money or Your Life
November 05, 2018 20:44 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBWe often live as though our money is our life. Money drive many of the decisions we make. But if our life revolves around the pursuit, accumulation, maintenance, and reliance on wealth, that is a road to holy discontentment because there will never be enough. In God's version of the Good Life, it really is your money or your life.
How God Works: Anointed For Activity
October 31, 2018 01:12 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBSo often, our activity for the sake of others is based on our preferred availability: what we are willing to do with our time, energy, and finances. But, in God's version of the Good Life, our activity is not based on our availability but on our anointing. That is actually Good News.
How God Works: Feeling All The Feels
October 31, 2018 01:03 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBThere is a strong gravitational pull away from feeling the negative emotions of that come from pain and trauma. But until we work through these, they will play out in potentially destructive ways. The Good News for us is that Jesus sets us free to "feel all the feels."
How God Works: Faith Of A Favorite
October 31, 2018 00:56 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBEveryone loves an underdog story. But true underdogs know something the rest of us don't. They have a faith, and that faith truly makes them a favorite.
How God Works: Beneath The Surface
October 02, 2018 20:20 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBIt is easier for us to judge people or situations by what we see on the surface. But God doesn't judge the way humans do. God looks at the heart of the matter and sees what is really going on beneath the surface.Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
How God Works: Not Taking Sides. Taking Over.
September 28, 2018 02:44 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBOn this episode, we continue our series called "How God Works." We all want to believe God is on our side, but Jesus didn't come to take sides. He came to take over. Scripture passage: 1 Samuel 8:4-20.
How God Works: Can You Hear Me Now?
September 27, 2018 00:34 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBOn this episode, we begin a new sermon series called "How God Works." While God does sometimes work in mysterious ways, Scripture also reveal ways we can know God works. One of those ways is that God calls us. Scripture passage: 1 Samuel 8:3-10.
Launch Sunday
September 12, 2018 19:44 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBOn today's episode, Pastor Eric shares the various discipleship and community opportunities at King of Kings for the 2018-2019 program year!
Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
September 05, 2018 00:14 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBIt is one of the most challenging questions of the Christian faith. Check out this episode for Pastor Eric's sermon on Psalm 73:1-5, 13-20 as he tackles this question and looks for where God is at in the midst of trauma and tragedy.
What To Do When You Are In Over Your Head - Episode 32
August 28, 2018 22:32 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBNo one likes to feel inadequate, but the sooner we admit we are in over our heads, the sooner we realize that Jesus as been there with us all along.
Put On Your "Jesus Suit" - Episode 31
August 15, 2018 20:10 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBJesus is the process of transforming us into the people He has created us to be. He "clothes" us in His love, mercy and grace. If you are searching for God's version of the Good Life, put on your Jesus suit.
The Power of Discovering Your Spiritual Personality Style - Episode 30
August 09, 2018 17:52 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBGod has wired you a specific way as a gift you and the world. This gift is meant to bring God glory and to do you and the world some good. When you discover this gift, your spiritual personality style, it sets you free to live as you were intended in God's version of the Good Life. Eric and Vito talk about spiritual personality styles and how to discover them.
You Are Gifted And You Are Needed - Episode 29
August 07, 2018 18:51 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBEach of us has a gift. Each of us is needed. We have an amazing life in which we can participate in what Jesus wants to do: bring healing in a divided and anxious world. Check out Eric's latest message at King of Kings!
How To Thrive In The Workplace - Episode 28
August 02, 2018 18:20 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBWork consumes a good portion of our lives, so in order to live a thriving life in a striving world, we must discover how to thrive in the workplace. On this super practical episode, Eric and Vito discuss what thriving in the workplace looks like, the barriers, and how we can make the shift from striving to thriving at work.
Becoming Spiritually Strong - Episode 27
August 02, 2018 17:58 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBOn today's episode, Eric shares a talk on becoming spiritually strong. Too often, we think strength comes from in, but true strength is a gift from God from the outside in that allows us to live by faith from the inside out.
Finding Community In A Disconnected World - Episode 26
July 28, 2018 15:45 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBSocial media gives us the illusion that we are connected, but, in a life of thriving, we need true relationships. On this episode, Eric and Vito discuss the value and the difficulty of finding true friends and share some practical encouragement to help you thrive in finding community!
Where The World Builds Walls, Jesus Builds A Family - Episode 25
July 25, 2018 02:21 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBOn today's episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from this last Sunday at King of Kings. In a divided world, there is a tendency for us to want to build walls between ourselves and those we don't like, don't agree with, and don't want to deal with. But where we build walls, Jesus builds a family.
How To Thrive When You Don't Feel Accepted - Episode 24
July 19, 2018 18:39 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBOn today's episode of ThriveCast, Eric and Vito discuss what it is like to not feel accepted by others and how to thrive in the midst of rejection.
You Are Enough Because You've Been Chosen - Episode 23
July 18, 2018 23:03 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBOn today's episode, Eric shares his message from this last Sunday at King of Kings about how, in a life of thriving, we grow to understand that we have been chosen by God, in spite of our anxiety, doubt, failures, and self-centeredness. We aren’t chosen because we are enough, we are enough because we’ve been chosen.
A Bible Crash Course - Episode 22
July 13, 2018 00:23 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBOn this episode, Eric and Vito discuss why people struggle with the Bible, what the Bible really is, and how to engage with it in ways that will help you strive.
Why Jesus Is The Best Meal You'll Ever Have - Episode 21
July 05, 2018 19:56 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBOn this episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares about how necessary it is for a life of thriving to consume Jesus. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. We consume His values and His is priorities. This allows us to move beyond a hyper focus on being good and following rules and instead receiving and passing on the grace, love and compassion of Jesus.
Doubt: How to Deal With Yours And Others - Episode 20
June 28, 2018 20:29 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBOn this episode, Eric and Vito discuss the role of doubt in a life of faith and the ways we can deal with doubt in our own life and the doubt we see in others.
Dealing With Doubt Like Jesus - Episode 19
June 27, 2018 03:10 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBOn today’s episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from Sunday, June 17at King of Kings. In this message, he talks about the role doubt in the life faith and how Jesus dealt with it in those he encountered. If doubt is something you struggle with in your faith journey, you will find this episode tremendously helpful.
5 Keys to Thriving In A Politicized Age - BONUS EPISODE!
June 21, 2018 19:37 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBOn this special BONUS episode of ThriveCast, Eric and Vito talk about our current political climate and the keys to communicating with others on divisive issues without losing your mind.
Breaking the Cycle of Striving - Episode 18
June 14, 2018 18:04 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBIn this episode, Eric and Vito discuss practically how we break free from the need to strive, find margin, and rediscover life as it was intended. So much truth and help packed into this episode!
What Jesus Actually Gives - Episode 17
June 12, 2018 18:32 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBOn today’s episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from Sunday at King of Kings. There is confusion in the system between what we need and what we think we need. We want Jesus to give us what we crave, but Jesus gives only what will truly satisfy. Take a listen.
What Does A Life Of Thriving Look Like? - Episode 16
June 07, 2018 21:28 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBOn this episode of ThriveCast, Eric and Vito talk about how a life of thriving begins when we take the blessings we receive and use them to bless others.
Blessed to be a Blessing - Episode 15
June 05, 2018 17:44 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBOn today's episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from Sunday where he talks about how Jesus performs more than just miracles for us. These blessings are intended to be shared with others because we have been blessed to be a blessing.
The Mindset You Need To Shift From Striving To Thriving - Episode 14
May 31, 2018 16:33 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBOn this episode of ThriveCast, Eric and Vito dive into the mindset needed to shift your life from striving to thriving. They discuss how most Christians are wrong about what it means to be "born again" and that a better understanding of what Jesus meant is the key to charting your course from striving to thriving.
The End In Mind - Episode 13
May 29, 2018 21:55 - 24 minutes - 16.5 MBOn today’s episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from Sunday called The End In Mind. Too often, we view ourselves right here in this moment as a finished product. We see our shortcomings and feel like we should be doing better that we are. But Jesus has a different view of that. When He talks about us being born again, He doesn't mean instant transformation. He means something very different.
How Do You Hear The Voice Of God? - Episode 12
May 24, 2018 16:17 - 29 minutes - 20 MBOn this episode, Eric is joined by new cohost, Vito Curcuru. The guys talk about what it means to hear from God and how you and I can learn to listen to God's leading in the everyday of life.
More Than A Feeling - Episode 11
May 22, 2018 20:01 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBGod does not leave you alone but gives you the Holy Spirit to better understand your life. It is more than a gut feeling - it is the very power of God working in and through you.
The Promise of Perspective - Episode 10
May 15, 2018 18:04 - 17 minutes - 12 MBOn today’s episode of ThriveCast, Eric shares his message from Sunday called The Promise of Perspective. We will take a deep dive into the distinction between the urgent and the important and how in God’s version of the Good Life, we are set free from the tyranny of the urgent to purse the important relationships, tasks, and goals God has called us to.