Wawasee Bible Podcast
745 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsWawasee Bible is a growing church located in north-central Indiana between the communities of Milford and Syracuse. We are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us! Learn more and connect with us at https://youareloved.church.
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Episodes
Paul Before the Sanhedrin - Acts
April 14, 2024 12:00 - 29 MBIn Acts 22:24-23:11, Paul confronts the Sanhedrin, triggering a conflict with accusations and disputes. Despite facing intense opposition and turmoil, he skillfully navigates the situation, using his knowledge and rhetorical abilities to provoke a conflict and divide his opponents while conquering the Sanhedrin's accusations against him. In all of the chaos, Paul finds peace and encouragement in a vision from Jesus, strengthening his resolve and reminding him of God's plan.
Right Choices, Tough Results - Acts
April 07, 2024 12:00 - 41.1 MBOn his way to Jerusalem at the close of his third church planning (missionary) journey, the Apostle Paul is warned multiple times about what awaited him once he got there. The warnings were dire, and those accompanying Paul pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul's heart and mind were set, though, convinced that that's what God had for him. After making it to Jerusalem with a large financial gift from the Gentile churches, Paul was maligned and beaten by those who took issue with Gen...
Jesus Gets Doubt - He Gets Us
March 31, 2024 12:00 - 33.6 MBAfter John tells us about Mary finding the empty tomb and Peter and John's foot race to it in chapter 20, he records three encounters Jesus had with people who had some doubt and confusion after his resurrection: Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and Thomas. Sometimes we might assume doubt is the opposite of faith, but it's not—disobedience is. The key is what you do with your doubt. The good news is that God welcomes our doubts as we bring them to him. Jesus’s resurrection is often met with dou...
Jesus Gets Dissatisfaction - He Gets Us
March 24, 2024 12:00 - 32.7 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. Everyone has experienced dissatisfaction in life. It's because this life is not all there is, and it's because our lives are broken with sin. Jesus gets our dissatisfaction. He understands our wanting and longing for something more. In fact, he's the one who put those longings and desires in each of our hearts to begin with when he created us. And he knows what will truly fill...
Jesus Gets Grief - He Gets Us
March 17, 2024 12:00 - 43 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. One of the human experiences Jesus knows well is grief. Grief is intense emotional suffering caused by a loss. It's the painful emotion of sorrow caused not only by a loss but even an impending loss of anyone or anything that has deep meaning to you. We often associate it with death, but grief also strikes with the loss of a friendship, a job, health, and more. We all grieve ...
Jesus Gets Guilt - He Gets Us
March 10, 2024 12:00 - 43.5 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. This week Pastor Dave opens up John 8:1-11 to see how Jesus understands guilt. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that Jesus—who knew no sin—became sin for our sake so that we could be forgiven and made righteous. There's a difference between true guilt and unnecessary self-condemnation. Jesus' approach to guilt, being both gracious and truthful, is seen in his interaction with the a...
Jesus Gets Anxiety - He Gets Us
March 03, 2024 12:00 - 41.8 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. In his humanity Jesus experienced and understands fear and anxiety, and he models a way through it to trust and rest in God's love, grace, and control. Often anxiety boils down to just that, not having control. Thankfully God deeply loves us, is near, and is always in full control. When anxiety and fear set in, we should first pause and recognize it. Name it. Then reflect on ...
Jesus Gets Exhaustion - He Gets Us
February 25, 2024 12:00 - 33.1 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. In his humanity Jesus experienced long days, weariness, even sleepless nights when he dreaded what was coming the next day. Jesus understands exhaustion, and he also understands and offers the way through it. Jesus calls us to simply come to him, to take on his yoke and learn from him. He offers the best pace and best fit for us as we follow him. His way is kind, and the load ...
Jesus Gets Insecurity - He Gets Us
February 18, 2024 12:00 - 36.7 MBJesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. Not only did he create us, he lived as a one of us. And he gets us. In Luke 15 Jesus tells 3 parables that all go together. They show clearly that all of us are known by Jesus, greatly valued by Jesus, and joyfully welcomed by Jesus when we turn to him. Even though we might feel and/or be overlooked, lost, hiding, afraid—we're known by God, he pursues us, and we can run to him...
Ephesians – Who You Are & Whose You Are - Acts
February 11, 2024 12:00 - 33 MBIn Acts 20 Paul is wrapping up his 3rd church planting (missionary) journey, leaving the city of Ephesus for the last time. Six years later he writes a letter to the church in Ephesus (as well as the surrounding region). His letter can be neatly divided into two halves. The first half is Paul reminding them of who they are in Christ, and their new identity. The second half is all about how they should then live because of who they are and Whose they are. Our default is to work hard to get it ...
Romans – What to Believe & How to Behave - Acts
February 04, 2024 12:00 - 36.5 MBToward the end of his third church-planting (missionary) journey, Paul spends a few months in Corinth (Acts 20:2-3), likely the winter months (1 Corinthians 16:6). While he's there, he writes to the believers he longs to visit—those in Rome. Paul would not make to Rome on his own terms, but as a prisoner (Acts 28:16). It's possible that he was unsure if he'd ever make it, and that's why he writes ahead of time to at least give them in written form all he hoped to teach. In Romans we likely ha...
Last Words, Legacy, & Love - Acts
January 28, 2024 12:00 - 32.1 MBIn Acts 20 Paul is wrapping up his 3rd church planting (missionary) journey. We see him visit Corinth, Macedonia, Troas, Ephesus and other places for the very last time. He'll leave this region—and the people he dearly loves there—for the last time, never to return, and he knows it. So what does he do? Like Paul, each of us will leave some things in our wake. Some good, some bad. But what will we leave that actually lasts? As C.T. Studd is famous for writing, "Only one life, 'twill soon be pa...
Good News, Real Change - Acts
January 21, 2024 12:00 - 38.1 MBThe city of Ephesus was the third largest in the Roman Empire. It was a major commercial port on the Aegean Sea and home to many artisans, beautiful architecture, as well as the capital and religious center of Asia Minor. At the center of life in Ephesus was the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It brought in much wealth, tourism, and renown for Ephesus. After three years of ministry there, Paul was about to move on when a chaotic event happened. The Gospel was...
Faith, Not Formula - Acts
January 14, 2024 12:00 - 38.9 MBOn his 3rd church-planting (missionary) journey, the Apostle Paul spent about 3 years in the city of Ephesus. For about two years he taught daily in the Hall of Tyrannus, teaching about Jesus and reasoning with people. Paul's influence was so great that at one point people were taking his sweat rags and work aprons (from tent-making/leather-working) and taking them in faith to those who were sick and/or tormented with evil spirits, and people were healed. But all of this wasn't due to power i...
Never Stop Growing - Acts
January 07, 2024 12:00 - 36.4 MBIn between Paul's second and third church planting journeys, we're introduced to a man named Apollos. Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, and he grew to have a great impact on the church in Achaia (Corinth) and become an important partner in the Gospel with Paul over time. Apollos never stopped seeking to grow to know Jesus, and while he was a skilled and eloquent speaker, he was humble enough to receive instruction from others. Apollos used his gifts to build up the church in Corinth and shar...
Light of the World - Bright Light
December 31, 2023 12:00 - 49.8 MBDave Bruemmer wraps up our Advent series, "Bright Light", looking at Jesus coming as the light of the world!
It's All About Jesus! - Bright Light
December 24, 2023 12:00 - 37.8 MBThe consistent theme of Scripture is that God loves to be with us. He was with Adam and Eve in the Garden, and when they sinned God intervened with a plan to restore everything to his original plan, so that he could be with us forever. The story of the Bible is tracing the promise God made in Genesis 3:15 to make this happen, and eventually we learn that it will all happen through Jesus! Because God loves to be with us, Jesus—the true Light—came to reveal and explain God to us, and to make it...
Full of Grace & Truth - Bright Light
December 17, 2023 12:00 - 40.6 MBChristmas is often full of family gatherings or other gatherings around food. They can be full of joy, but can also be full of angst, anger, and frustration. When Jesus comes at Christmas, his light shines full of grace and truth toward those who come to him, and enables us to do the same, even in the hardest of relationships. Jesus's very nature, God's default, is to be slow to anger, full of mercy, grace, and truth. The Son of God became one us, perfect in grace and truth, grace and truth f...
An Offer You Can Refuse - Bright Light
December 10, 2023 12:00 - 29.4 MBThe craziest trade in the history of the world is recorded in the Bible. It's an offer of God's grace that's made to everyone. God's grace is given in two ways. First, God's generic grace (common grace, general grace) is given to and received by everyone everywhere. But his specific grace, which offers salvation and righteousness through Jesus, while offered to everyone, is only received by some. It's offered as a trade, where Jesus would take all of our sin and failure and gift us his perfec...
The Light Has Come - Bright Light
December 03, 2023 12:00 - 36.3 MBThis year for Christmas we're looking at the first 18 verses of John's Gospel as he describes the incarnation of Jesus by saying "the true light…was coming into the world." In John 1:1-5 we see that Jesus is eternal and fully God in every way. In fact he was there at the beginning and Jesus is the Creator through home everything was made. He is the source of light and light, and believing Christ is the only hope for true life. God's plan from the very beginning was to send Jesus—the Light—to ...
Thankful - Acts
November 26, 2023 12:00 - 41.1 MBAs Paul leaves Corinth we get a glimpse into his attitude toward God and life. It was an attitude of thankfulness. Thankfulness to Jesus for keeping his promise to keep him safe (surely among many other things). It's also demonstrated in how often Paul exhorts us to be thankful people, as thankfulness is a God-honoring attitude. Understanding the active and passive sides of God's will helps us even be thankful in the hardest circumstances (like Job). Paul's life demonstrates how hard life in ...
2 Corinthians – Life is Hard & God is Good - Acts
November 19, 2023 12:00 - 40.8 MBAbout a year after this first letter, Paul writes again to the church in Corinth. Paul had already written three letters to the Corinthians (two are now lost). In 1 Corinthians (the second of these letters), he used strong words to correct and teach. Most of the church had responded in the right spirit; there were, however, those who were denying Paul’s authority and questioning his motives. So Paul writes again to defend his ministry, and a recurring focus of his is both a recounting of the ...
1 Corinthians – Gospel Sanity - Acts
November 12, 2023 12:00 - 46.2 MBIn Acts 18, Paul spends 18 months getting the church started in Corinth. Corinth was a decadent, wealthy, and licentious place. A few years after leaving Corinth, Paul writes a series of letters to the church there. In one of those letters, 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to address some divisions in the church and answer questions the had about how to live as Christians in their culture gone mad. Paul addresses numerous issues in the church and culture of that day that could just as well have bee...
3 Ways to Be Encouraged - Acts
November 05, 2023 12:00 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBAs Paul gets to Corinth, he's spent a lot time in multiple conflicts and on the run due to his commitment to the Gospel. It's likely he was in need of some encouragement, and God provides it in multiple ways. In Corinth he finds Aquila and Priscilla, works along side them (vocationally and in ministry), and stays with them. Later Silas and Timothy arrive as well. When faced with conflict again from the Jews, God encourages him with people coming to faith in Christ (including multiple Synagogu...
Paul in Athens - Acts
October 29, 2023 12:00 - 32.2 MBAfter having to leave Philippi, and then flee both Thessalonica and Berea, Paul makes his way to Athens. When he sees the lostness of Athens Paul is saddened. So he enters into the culture, engages with the people of the city, and shares the message of Jesus Christ and the resurrection. During his time in Athens Paul demonstrates what a good Gospel Conversation might look like, and how to pursue one. He starts with friendship, asks good questions, and keeps it simple! When you share God's sto...
2 Thessalonians – Keep Going! - Acts
October 22, 2023 12:00 - 36.5 MBThe church in Thessalonica was facing lots of struggles and persecution because of their faith. Paul lived it first hand in Acts 17:1-9. After escaping Thessalonica and then Berea, Paul took off for Athens and then Corinth. During his time in Corinth he sent two letters back to the church in Thessalonica over approximately 6 months. In both he expresses his concern for them, and encourages them to keep going in their faith, even though life had gotten so hard for them. In 2 Thessalonians Paul...
1 Thessalonians – Pursue Holiness - Acts
October 15, 2023 12:00 - 46.9 MBActs | Part 36: 1 Thessalonians: Pursue Holiness
Worth Considering - Acts
October 08, 2023 12:00Sunday, October 8, 2023 Acts | Part 35: Worth Considering
Philippians – Joy in All Circumstances - Acts
October 01, 2023 12:00 - 39.2 MBSunday, October 1, 2023 Acts | Part 34: Philippians – Joy in All Circumstances
The Gospel to Philippi (Part 2) - Acts
September 24, 2023 12:00In the days and weeks after Lydia came to faith in Philippi, the Gospel continued to take root there in dramatic ways. The influence of darkness was (and is) real. Paul casts a demon out of a young slave girl who had been following them around for days. After being beaten with rods, Paul and Silas are then thrown into prison for disrupting the status quo. However, rather than complain about their suffering they sing and pray in the midst of it, astonishing the other prisoners. God provides a ...
The Gospel to Philippi (Part 1) - Acts
September 17, 2023 12:00 - 43.8 MBGod's providence was at work in leading Paul and his crew to Philippi. By providence, we mean that God is continually involved with all created things at every moment. "Circumstances in our lives are not determined by mere chance (randomness) or impersonal fate (determinism) but by God who is the personal yet powerful Creator and Lord." (–Wayne Grudem) This plays out in numerous ways as the Gospel arrives in Philippi. This week we see Lydia come to faith in Christ, and the church in Philippi ...
Setback or Set-Up? - Acts
September 10, 2023 12:00 - 34.5 MBWe're back in the book of Acts after taking the summer off. After a review of where we've been, we pick things up at the end of Acts 15 (Acts 15:36-16:10). Paul and Barnabas make plans to go back and visit the churches they planted years prior on their first trip, but before they head out some conflict arises. Barnabas wants to bring Mark along again, but Paul isn't interested as Mark had deserted them on their first journey. As a result Barnabas and Paul part ways. Barnabas heads to Cyprus w...
Remembering the Future - It's In Our DNA
September 03, 2023 12:00 - 33.5 MBWe wrap up our vision series this week by looking at God's call to "remember". Every time God’s Word tells us to “remember” it is with the present and future in view. By God's design there is never any going back in time, but only moving forward. We're only commanded to remember the past in so much as it reminds us of who Jesus is and what he is able to do in the present and future! When I remember God's faithfulness in the past (through good and bad), I'm encouraged to trust his faithfulness...
Enduring Reach: Where God Is Taking Us - It's In Our DNA
August 27, 2023 12:00 - 39.9 MBGod loves to paint pictures of where he wants to take his people, then guides our steps as we plan and follow the lead of the Spirit. This week Pastor Josh paints a picture of where we believe God is taking us as a local church over the next 7 years. By 2030 the people of Wawasee Bible will engage in 10,000 Gospel Conversations and establish an Enduring Local Presence in at least two surrounding communities by meeting practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in the Greater Wawasee ...
Our Vision Frame - It's In Our DNA
August 20, 2023 12:00 - 40.1 MBThis week we look at our unique identity as a local church. We like to use the metaphor of a picture frame when we talk about it. The sides of that frame include our mission, our core values, our strategy/pathway, and the outcomes we want to see growing in every believer in our church. Those four things are who we are as a local church, and they "frame up" where God is taking us. (To read more about this paradigm, read "Church Unique" by Will Mancini. Pastor Josh borrows much from that book i...
Loved. - It's In Our DNA
August 13, 2023 12:00 - 31.4 MBBecause we are loved, we're sent to love. As we start a new series and begin to roll out our vision for the year 2030, it's important to remember that all of this is motivated by God's goodness and his love for us. We live in a world that's broken, hurting, searching, and longing to be loved like we are loved. God, in his sovereignty, has sent each of us and all of us to a specific place and a specific people. We want those around us and among us to know that they're loved by Jesus, and they'...
It's All About Jesus, My Salvation - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
August 06, 2023 12:00 - 32.5 MBTom Speicher preaches from Psalm 103. Psalm 103 is a call to worship with three parts: 1) An internal call to worship. 2) An external call to worship. 3) A universal call to worship.
It's All About Jesus, My Joy - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
July 30, 2023 12:00In Psalm 100 we see that we're not to be a half full or half empty person, but totally full! It's a Psalm of joy in Christ, tell us what to do and why to do it. Will you choose joy?
It's All About Jesus, My Shepherd (Part 2) - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
July 23, 2023 12:00 - 45.8 MBSunday, July 23, 2023 Jesus: My God in the Psalms | Part 5: It's All About Jesus, My Shepherd (Psalm 23:4-6) Psalm 23 is among the most known and loved of all Bible passages. Pastor Dave preaches through the second half of Psalm 23 this week, verses 4 though 6. Valleys & Shadows? Keep walking, for you are never alone. Jesus saves you now, Jesus saves you forever.
It's All About Jesus, My Refuge - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
July 16, 2023 12:00 - 32 MBPsalm 62 is a song written by David. David had numerous times where he found himself in danger, even surrounded by enemies who sought to destroy him. We're not sure which event he's writing about here, but we do see his unwavering trust in God alone to protect and save him. David waits in silence (quietly, still) for God to speak and act, repeatedly emphasizing that God alone is able to save. He alone is who we should wait on, trust, and seek. God ALONE is our refuge and fortress. On this sid...
It's All About Jesus, My King - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
July 09, 2023 12:00Psalm 24 is a song of praise and celebration that acknowledges God's kingship and authority over all creation. "The earth is the Lord's"…"the earth and all who dwell therein." Everything belongs to God, he created it all—including us! We should be his also. "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?" David asks. The answer is those who are righteous, and that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The end of the Psalm asks who the King of glory is—and the New Testament answers that it's Jesus...
It's All About Jesus, My Hope - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
July 02, 2023 12:00 - 42.3 MBPsalm 146 reminds us of the unwavering faithfulness and goodness of God and all it motivates us to do. First it motivates us to praise him. We need to remind each other to praise God, and even to remind our own souls to praise him. There's days we may not feel like it, and we encourage one another with our praises. Second we're motivated to wholeheartedly trust Jesus, rather than in human beings, institutions, worldly circumstances, our own abilities. Jesus alone can save! Last we're motivate...
It's All About Jesus, My Shepherd (Part 1) - Jesus: My God in the Psalms
June 25, 2023 12:00 - 48.7 MBPsalm 23 is among the most known and loved of all Bible passages. This message will cover the first 3 verses. Psalm 23 begins with "The Lord is My Shepherd...." and reveals the deep personal connection between us and the Lord. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the performer of his promises and the life-giver and will never fail us. We want to return his love and faithfulness by listening to his voice, following him, obeying him, and trusting him. He will always provide. He restores ...
Galatians: The Sweetness of Freedom - Acts
June 18, 2023 12:00 - 40 MBAfter returning from his first journey with Barnabas, Paul learned of legalism creeping into the newly formed churches in Galatia. He was angry at whoever brought it upon those churches, but also frustrated with how quickly the people there had turned away from the Gospel of grace. We learn all of this from the letter Paul wrote to those churches, the New Testament book of Galatians (which he likely wrote sometime in between chapters 14 and 15 of Acts). This week we dip out of Acts to give an...
The Gospel Alone - Acts
June 11, 2023 12:00Acts 15 marks a pivotal moment where it is affirmed that Gentiles do not need to become Jewish or adhere to the rituals of the Law in order to be a Christian. Acts 15 teaches us that there is a danger of adding to the gospel to preserve our cultural identity. The Gospel is for all! In fact, the Gospel should be contextualized to the cultures it is brought to. Never adding to or taking away from the truth of the Gospel which would result in a false gospel. As we follow Jesus' mission, we mus...
Sent to be Faithful - Acts
June 04, 2023 12:00Acts 14 records the heart of Paul and Barnabas's first journey to spread the Gospel. After being run out of Antioch, they head to Iconium where once again there is fruitfulness as they share the Gospel along with opposition to it. When a plan to mistreat and stone them surfaces, they move on to Lystra. In Lystra a crippled man is healed at Paul's word. After witnessing the miracle, the crowds believe Barnabas and Paul to be Zeus and Hermes. When Paul and Barnabas insist they are not gods but ...
Sent to Everyone - Acts
May 28, 2023 12:00Acts 13:13-51 records the one of the longest sermons of Paul in Acts. We can assume it forms the basis for every sermon Paul preaches in Acts as he enters different synagogues in each city he visits to share the Gospel. Paul takes the opportunity given him to share God's story, and how the Old Testament all points us to Jesus! The question of everyone's lifetime is what they'll do with Jesus. Pastor Josh briefly covers just 8 claims Jesus made of himself that require everyone to decide if he'...
Sent by the Spirit - Acts
May 14, 2023 12:00In Acts 13:1-12, the Holy Spirit directed the church in Antioch to commission Barnabas and Saul (Paul) and send them out. Barnabas, Paul, and Mark set said for Cyprus where they spread the Gospel across the island. In Paphos they encountered a magician named Bar-Jesus who opposed them. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked the magician, causing him temporary blindness. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, witnessed this and believed in the teachings of the Lord. This week we looked at how ...
Pride, Humility, & Joy - Acts
May 07, 2023 12:00Everything recorded is Scripture is there for our benefit, and each narrative is there to serve as an example to us, whether good or bad. Acts 12:20-25 tells of the downfall of King Herod Agrippa I. Herod serves as an example to all of us of the negative aspects of pride. Pride is especially self-worship, specifically ascribing a mis-calculated worth to ourselves (whether too high, or too low). Pastor Josh borrows from Gavin Ortlund's excellent book, Humility, offering 10 ways to kill our pri...
Have Faith, He Can Do It - Acts
April 30, 2023 12:00In Acts 12:1-19 Peter finds himself in an impossible situation. King Herod had imprisoned Peter after murdering his friend James, and now Peter was heavily guarded why awaiting his own execution. However, the church prays for Peter's release, and God sends an angel to free him. Peter was sleeping so soundly, trusting God, that the angel had to physically wake him up be fore leading him out past a number of guards and into the city. We too can have faith and trust Jesus's heart toward us in th...