Prairie Bible Church Messages
329 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsPrairie Bible Church is a non-denominational, Christian church located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our mission is; "Help people grow their faith through a simple, authentic representation of Jesus' love". We hope you will enjoy hearing these inspirational, faith based messages to enrich your life and help grow your faithwww.prairiebible.org
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Episodes
Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways at unexpected times to unexpecting people.
April 15, 2024 01:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBGod could do things in ways that we would expect, but He often doesn’t do that. Why? Because if God did things in expected ways, that would be a story about us. But God does things in unexpected ways so that we know it is a story about God. Part of God’s unexpected plan is to pursue the most unlikely people, and Jesus illustrates this in His pursuit of the Samaritan woman. Take-Home Message: Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways at unexpected times to unexpecting people. The Woman...
Jesus loves you so much that He left Heaven to save you
April 07, 2024 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBIf Jesus had left the comfort of Heaven and lived a life of royalty on earth to save us, that alone would be the world’s greatest act of humility. But Jesus went far beyond that. He left Heaven and took the form of a servant, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is unfathomable humility and love. In the face of such greatness, what can we do but fall on our faces and worship? For Jesus is superior to all. Take-Home Message: Jesus loves you so much that He left Heaven t...
Did the resurrection really happen?
April 01, 2024 11:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB“It is not enough for the skeptic, then, to simply dismiss the Christian teaching about the resurrection of Jesus by saying, “It just couldn’t have happened.” He or she must face and answer all these historical questions: Why did Christianity emerge so rapidly, with such power? No other band of messianic followers in that era concluded their leader was raised from the dead—why did this group do so? No group of Jews ever worshipped a human being as God. What led them to do it?... How do you a...
Palm Sunday
March 25, 2024 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBDon’t jump from Palm Sunday to Easter. You need to spend time this week thinking about the week that Christ went through for our salvation. Message: Luke 19:41-44 When He drew near to the city, He wept over it saying: “Would that even you would know this day the things that made for peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the day will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and tear you down to the gr...
He Must Increase, I Must Decrease
March 17, 2024 19:00 - 23 minutes - 15.8 MB“Many, through wishing to be great, have failed to be good.” (Spurgeon) John the Baptist was a great man, Jesus Himself said so (Mt. 11:11). But John the Baptist was great because he served God and others rather than being consumed with himself. He did not seek the place of honor or the highest position, he humbled himself and pointed others to Christ. John 3:30 sums up the entire attitude and greatness of John- “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Take-Home Message: If you want to be...
Deconstructing our God Box
March 10, 2024 23:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBJohn 3:16 may be the most quoted and/or the most memorized verse in the Bible. But in some ways, the verses immediately following it may bring more clarity about God and the ways of God, than any others! John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that who so ever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:17-18 But God did not send His son into the world to condemn it, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever...
You Must Be Born Again
March 03, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis People feel empty, and because of that, they are searching. Nicodemus represents the quintessential searcher: he had a lot to lose, but he couldn’t stay away from Jesus. His journey is a story of leaving this world behind and taking hold of that which is truly life. Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, and he finds the Light of the Wor...
Simple. Authentic. Jesus.
February 26, 2024 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBWas Jesus a people pleaser? Did he seek to draw crowds? In today’s scripture, what does it mean that “Jesus did not entrust himself to the crowds?” John 2:23-25 Now, when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all the people, and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man. Ask yourself the question: Is my...
Are you using God for greed?
February 18, 2024 19:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBThe biblical word for hypocrisy, hupokrisis, literally refers to “someone acting under a mask." Jesus cannot stand hypocrisy, especially the hypocrisy of using God for greed. Jesus’ blood boiled when He saw the misuse of His Father’s house, but Jesus knew the right time and way to be angry. Anger was a small feature of Jesus’ ministry, not the whole ministry. Anger is like fire. While it can do good, it can also do great harm. “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”...
The Gospel demands that my life be one of repentance and of faith.
February 15, 2024 20:00 - 30 minutes - 20.6 MBWhat is the Gospel? The Gospel is not just something that happens to me, but something that God does in me. What is repentance? The ongoing act of turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. What is faith? The ongoing act of believing in God with my life. Scripture: Mark 1:14-15 Simple. Authentic. Jesus.
The Wedding Miracle
February 12, 2024 20:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBDo you have hope that the best is yet to come? The first miracle that Jesus did was turning water into wine at a wedding. Why did he chose this situation for his first miracle? Listen to today’s message to gain insights to the many lessons that were taught by Jesus’ first miracle. Scripture: John 2: 1-11 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org
Come Follow Me
February 07, 2024 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBJohn, 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” Jesus, being God, already knew why these men were following Him. So why ask? Because He wanted them to know why they were following Him! Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org
There is only one Person worth following
January 29, 2024 12:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBMany people want you to follow them, but there is only one Person worth following. John the Baptist could have held on to his followers, but instead he pointed them to Jesus. It brought him joy when people pursued Christ, even when it meant them leaving John himself. May we be able to say what John the Baptist said about Jesus – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30) Take-Home Message: There is only one Person worth following. I am not worthy. (19-28) - Biblical Rewar...
The Word Became Flesh
January 22, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBWhy did God/Jesus need to become one of us? Because there was no other way, if God was to be true to His nature. To be both full of justice and full of grace, Jesus was the only way! John 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and we beheld His glory. The glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness to Him and said; This is who I have said; He who comes after me, ranks before me, because He was before me. For from His fullness, we have all received grace...
There is only one True Light
January 14, 2024 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBWe can exhaust ourselves trying to make sense of things without God, but without God, we cannot see reality. Without God, we cannot understand ourselves, others, or our purpose in life. God has given us a way to see reality: the true light, the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). As C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see ...
In the Beginning
January 07, 2024 20:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBIn the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was LIFE. And the LIFE was the LIGHT of men. The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 Simple. Authentic. Jesus prairiebible.org
Present Yourself to God
January 01, 2024 17:00 - 31 minutes - 21.3 MBIf you are a disciple (follower, student) of Jesus, you should long to put into practice His way of life. You want to love like He did, serve like He did, and show kindness and mercy as He did. The problem is… this is a hard thing to do! Thankfully, God’s Word has revealed to us the way to live this out: by presenting yourself to God every day. Big Idea: As a disciple of Jesus, I must daily present myself to God. To present myself to God, every day I must… Flee my sin Remember my Savi...
Worshippers Wait Well
December 25, 2023 21:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBThere are few things that all people can agree on. One of them appears to be that we all hate to wait. But waiting is a mark of the Christian life. We don’t have a choice about whether we will wait or not, but whether we will wait well or poorly. What do Simeon and Anna teach us about waiting well? Take-Home Message: Worshippers wait well. Waiting well: Simeon’s Wait and Worship (25-32). Lessons about Waiting: Waiting is not weakness. Waiting is not laziness. Waiting well requires ...
The Message of Christmas
December 17, 2023 22:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBWhat does it mean to be “saved FROM our sins”? Not only did Jesus come to save us from our sin, but He also came to deliver us from the POWER of sin! In other words, the gift of Jesus is not just forgiveness from sin, but victory over sin! Romans 6:14-:“For sin has no dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.” Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org
God turns orphans into heirs
December 10, 2023 20:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBGod sent His Son… At the perfect time (4a). For the perfect reason (4b-5a). Good things that don’t save us Baptism Communion Church attendance Being a “good person” We are saved… By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. With the perfect results (5b-7). The perfect results Family— adoption as sons Freedom— no longer a slave, but a son Future— an heir through God The Reason for God’s Son Galatians 4:4-7 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairie...
The Story Behind the Story
December 04, 2023 16:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBIn the moment God began the Christmas story, He also revealed the answer to the question; “Who Needs Christmas?” - WE ALL DO! Jesus is our only hope. - - Jesus… is… the… PLAN! Scripture: Genesis 12: 1-3 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org
Thankfulness in all Circumstances
November 27, 2023 16:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBWhat does the Bible say about thankfulness? Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 Even when we don’t understand, we can rejoice, because God’ is in control. And therefore, be thankful, no matter what our circumstance. God is not asking us to be thankful “for” every circumstance, but to be thankful “in” every circumstance. There’s a difference! Simple. Authentic. Jesus.
Jesus, Israel, and the Fig Tree
November 20, 2023 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBJesus, Israel, and the Fig Tree How should we respond to the events in Israel? Jesus rebuked those who knew how to interpret the weather and not the signs of the times. While no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return, He expected his followers to interpret current events through the lens of Scripture. When a tree begins to grow leaves, we know that summer is near. In the same way, Jesus’ prophecy points us toward the “leaves” that will precede His return. Christ’s command continues t...
How are you investing your gifts and graces for God’s Kingdom?
November 06, 2023 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBYou may not feel as though your specific set of gifts and graces are fit for ministry, but they are! Give them to Jesus and ask how HE would want to use them! Parable of the Ten Mina’s Scripture: Luke 19:12-26 He said, therefore, “A nobleman went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them; ‘Engage in business until I come’. But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying; ‘...
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
October 30, 2023 00:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBWe can only receive God’s salvation in humility. There is no other way. Humbling ourselves before God can feel like spiritual open-heart surgery, but the result is righteousness and peace! Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13). The Pharisee justifies himself and remains in his sin. The tax collector humbles himself and receives God’s mercy. Which are you? Take Home Message: Before we can be saved, we must firs...
Persistent Prayer
October 23, 2023 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBThe true value of persistent prayer is not in its many words, but being in relationship with God! It’s about NOT giving up when we don’t get the answer that we’re looking for, or in the time that we expect. Yet we stay in relationship with God anyway, because we trust Him! Luke 18:2-8 In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God or respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying; ‘Give me justice against my adversaries.’ For awhile he re...
The Parable of the Unworthy Servant
October 16, 2023 01:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBAs followers of Christ, the core of our religion is “forgiveness”. Forgiveness must never be viewed as something deserved. It’s a choice. And choosing forgiveness is the beginning of being set free! Luke 17:7-10 “Will any of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he comes in from the field, ’Come at once and recline at the table’? Will you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and only after will yo...
The Rich Man and Lazarus, Prairie Bible Message, October 8, 2023
October 09, 2023 20:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBWe can forget the truth in a few seconds and believe lies for many years. This is because our hearts are deceitful (Jer 17:9). One of the tricks of the enemy is to try and convince us that we can disregard God’s Word and still embrace God’s Son. This leads to a misunderstanding of who Jesus really is, because it is the Scriptures that bear witness about Him (Jn 5:39). Rejecting God’s Word will lead us to reject Jesus. Jesus himself said, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; f...
The Dishonest Manager
October 02, 2023 15:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBLuke 16:1-9 There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. So, he called and said to him; ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be a manager.’ And the manager said to himself; ‘What shall do since the Master is taking the management away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig. And I’m too ashamed to beg. I have decided what will do; When I am removed from manage...
The Father longs for you to come home.
September 24, 2023 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBThe gospel is as much about the Father as it is the Son. Jesus did not come to earth to convince a begrudging Father to accept us; He partnered with a loving Father to save us (John 3:16). The Father planned our salvation, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies it. The resounding message of the gospel is this: “Come home.” What is our heart toward the lost when they come home through Christ? To resent it when the lost are found is to have a heart like Satan. To rejoice when t...
Will you answer God's call?
September 18, 2023 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBHave you ever asked a question like this: “Of all the people of the world, why/how would God care about me?” Jesus is pursuing a relationship with you! The question is; Do you want a relationship with Him?! Luke 15:3-10 So He told them this parable: “What man among you, having 100 sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. An...
Jesus wants followers, not fans
September 11, 2023 19:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBJesus felt compassion for the crowds even as he challenged them. He did not water down the truth to gain fans; he told them that whoever would follow him must take up his or her cross daily (Luke 9:23). As Paul wrote, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). But even though the world rejects followers of Jesus, God welcomes them into his family. And what can the world offer that compares to being a child of God? Take Home Message: Jesus want...
What is keeping you from the Kingdom?
September 04, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBGod has invited us into the greatest Kingdom of all, yet so few take up the invitation. Why do so many reject the Kingdom? “It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S. Le...
Choose Humility
August 28, 2023 20:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBHow Authentically Humble ae You? One of the greatest examples of servant leadership was performed by Jesus at His Last Supper., when He washed the feet of His disciples. Luke 14:7-11 Now He told a parable to those who were invited, when He notice how they chose places of honor, saying to them; “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both, will come to yo...
What should we do when life stinks?
August 20, 2023 18:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBHow should we respond when we face difficult times? Luke 13:6-9 A man had a fig tree planted in a vineyard, and one day he came seeking fruit, but found none. So, he says to the vine-dresser; “For three years I’ve come seeking fruit from this tree and I’ve found none. Cut it down. Why should it keep using up ground?” But the vinedresser responds and says: “Sir, leave it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put on some manure. Then, if it bears fruit next year, it’s all wel...
What is the value of waiting?
August 13, 2023 22:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBTheme: The Parable of the Faithful Doorkeeper, Scripture: Luke 12:35-40 Much of Luke Chapter twelve revolves around the issue of “stewardship”: o Stewardship of the Gospel o Stewardship of Possessions o Stewardship of Time Today’s parable deals in part, with the stewardship issue of “waiting” (time). Luke 12:35-40 o Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master t...
Do you trust that God will provide?
August 08, 2023 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBThe danger of having abundant possessions is that we can begin to trust them rather than God. We can let our possessions get in the way of our purpose and think that material security equals spiritual security. But the Bible teaches the wealthy how to be truly rich toward God– “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in ...
Are You Persisting in Prayer?
July 31, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBThe enemy wants us to believe that God doesn’t care about our burdens, but that is not what the Bible says. God tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus went to His Father repeatedly in prayer. He rose early to pray and spent full nights in prayer, and His Father supplied Him with everything He needed. The question is not “Does God care?” It is “Do we persist in prayer?” Jesus did, and He teaches us to do the same. Take Home Message: Persist i...
Following Jesus is more than Bible knowledge
July 24, 2023 01:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBThe danger of being a Bible expert is thinking that you have it all figured out. Bible knowledge is good, but it does not guarantee that you are following Jesus. Following Jesus is doing what the Bible says. Often in Jesus’ teaching, biblical obedience comes from people that his hearers least expected. Last week it was the woman who was a sinner (Lk. 7:36-50), and here it is a Samaritan. As Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the...
To know our forgiveness is to love our Forgiver
July 18, 2023 02:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBWhat does God value? It may not be what you think. The world is impressed with outward appearances, but God looks at the heart. God desires people who truly grasp the depth of their sin and their need to be forgiven. As Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Lk. 5:31-32) Take Home Message: To know our forgiveness is to love our Forgiver. Our Forgiver values… Courageous pursui...
Stability flows from submission to the Word
July 11, 2023 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBJesus’ life was a rollercoaster, yet He was the most stable person to ever live. How did He do it? By submitting His life to the Father through obedience to God’s Word. In the same way, our stability flows from submission to Jesus, which is submission to God’s Word. Floods are inevitable, but those who obey God’s Word will weather the flood. In contrast, those who refuse to obey will not be able to withstand the flood. If you want stability in your life, resolve to do this: submit to Jesus t...
To Know Jesus is to Follow Jesus
June 25, 2023 20:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBThe Bible makes clear that those who know Jesus will follow Jesus. The two are inextricably linked, yet we have a tendency to try and separate them. While works are not the cause of our salvation, they are evidence that we’ve received it. You can’t work your way into the Kingdom of Heaven, but after you enter through Jesus, work with all your might! As Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Take Home Messag...
Be a star in your role
June 19, 2023 17:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBWhen you stand before God, you won’t give an account for what you did not have. You won’t give an account for someone else’s family, someone else’s job, someone else’s finances, someone else’s singleness or marriage. You will give an account for how you managed your family, job, finances, and relationships. But many of us spend our lives more worried about what we don’t have than what we do have. Rather than making comparisons, God calls us to make the most of what He has given us. So,...
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
June 12, 2023 12:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBWhat is the difference between religion and having a relationship with Jesus Christ? Listen to this message to better understand the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how it relates directly to your life. Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org
The Parable of the Wise and Faithful Servant, Prairie Bible Message, June 4, 2023
June 04, 2023 21:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBAs Christians, with a biblical worldview, it’s important to remember that our “purpose” never changes! Our roles and responsibilities may change, but our purpose NEVER changes! And what is our purpose? (Matthew 22:37-39) Love God and Love others as we would want to be loved. Matthew 24:45-48 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant that the Master has set over the house? Blessed is the servant that the Master finds doing what He is supposed to do when He returns. Truly that servan...
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
May 24, 2023 02:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBThe Parable of the Wedding Feast Matthew 22:1-14 Much about the Kingdom of Heaven is not what we expect. We see this in who responds to heaven’s invitation, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tragically, many reject the invitation. But the least expected respond with joy and attend. This may seem upside down to us, but not to God. As Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to littl...
The Parable of the Tenants
May 15, 2023 13:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBThe irony of the Good News: Jesus’ death was actually the linchpin of His strategy to save the world! Check-mate… Game over… Jesus wins! And so do we, if only we will trust Him as Lord! Scripture: Matthew 21:33-45 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org
The Parable of the Two Sons
May 08, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBWhat lie is the Devil trying to sell you? That you are so bad that God doesn’t want anything to do with you? Or, that you are so good, that you have nothing to repent of? BOTH are lies! Repent, and turn to Jesus! The Parable of the Two Sons Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org
The Laborer’s and the Vineyard
May 01, 2023 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBThe Laborer’s and the Vineyard The whole idea of “fairness” is subjective, meaning, it’s often in the eye of the bolder. So, what do you think is “fair” from God’s perspective? Join us for the message this Sunday to learn about this important parable from Christ. Matthew 20:1-16 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org