Pastor Luke Simmons continues our series on Genesis with an impactful message contrasting the lives and characters of Judah and Joseph. This sermon explores the significance of character, the temptations of sexual sin, and the unchanging presence of God in our darkest seasons. Major Points Covered: 0:00 - Introduction and Sermon Overview: Pastor Luke introduces the themes and chapters of Genesis being covered. 7:17 - Character Case Study: Judah (Genesis 38): Discusses Judah's decisions, heart co...
Jul 01, 2024•40 min•Ep. 686
In this riveting sermon, Pastor Seth Troutt delves into the story of Joseph from Genesis 37, examining the themes of disappointment and jealousy. Discover how these emotions can lead to destructive behavior and how understanding and managing them faithfully can transform our lives. Join us as we unpack the biblical narrative and find lessons that are relevant to our everyday struggles. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Pastor Seth introduces the sermon and shares a personal story about coaching ...
Jun 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 685
Pastor Luke Simmons works through Genesis 35. What Jacob experiences highlights seven aspects of the typical Christian life. 00:00 - Introduction 08:11 - Initiating Grace from God (v. 1) 13:27 - Turning From Other gods (v. 2-4) 19:58 - Seeing God Do What You Can’t (v. 5) 24:17 - Receiving a New Identity (v. 9-10) 28:49 - Embracing Bold Promises (v. 11-12) 31:32 - Responding in Worship (v. 13-15) 33:19 - Walking the Road of Happiness & Heartache (v. 16-29) **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR...
Jun 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 684
We unpack Genesis 34 to help us soberly see the cost of grasping for the promises of God, rather than receiving what he freely offers. When we remember the invitation of God, the promises of God, and the Son of God, we assume the posture needed to receive the promises of God. **MORE IN THIS SERIES*** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPYr0nMpCrXGtMFrhrBCFQaaSsdNssgJo **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook...
Jun 09, 2024•42 min•Ep. 683
The story of Jacob wrestling with God shows us clearly both the fear and the faith of Jacob. His inconsistency and slowness to change ought to be encouraging to us because he is still loved and blessed by God. 00:00 - Introduction 03:46 - Jacob panics (31:17-32:21) 08:55 - Jacob prevails (32:22-32) 21:15 - Jacob propitiated (33:1-11) 29:05 - Jacob pretends and doesn’t praise (33:12-20) **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https:...
Jun 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 682
In Genesis 28-30, we will see Jacob experience God and His grace. As Jacob experienced God’s grace we see pillows turn to pillars, God’s promise prevails, and the presence of God in person. 00:00 - Introduction 03:17 - 3 things we’ll see as Jacob experiences God's grace 03:55 - Pillows turn to Pillars (Genesis 28:10-22) 14:39 - God’s Promise Prevails (Genesis 29-30) 29:39 - The Presence of God in Person (Genesis 28-30, John 1:51) **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www....
May 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 681
It was great to have Josh Watt back at Ironwood on Sunday! Josh helped us see how the story of Jacob and Esau teaches us what it looks like to live by faith. 00:00 - Introduction 02:16 - How do we live by faith? 04:33 - BIRTHRIGHT | Jacob + Esau 15:22 - BLESSING | Rebekah + Jacob 27:40 - INSCRUTABLE GOD | Isaac + Rebekah + Jacob + Esau **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM http...
May 20, 2024•36 min•Ep. 680
The lenses of gratitude, grief, and growth are helpful tools for us to use when evaluating the generational patterns in our families. In Genesis 24 through 26, we see the story of how, both for good and for bad, Isaac is like his father Abraham. 00:00 - Introduction 03:40 - Big picture plot 04:36 - Three major takeaways 05:52 - Imitate your parents: gratitude 09:50 - Don’t imitate your parents: grief & fear 16:18 - Improve on your parents: growth **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube ...
May 12, 2024•26 min•Ep. 679
The story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah shows us how we cannot allow good things to become ultimate things. Yet, the story points past itself to the true and greater Isaac - Jesus, the fully innocent son who's wiling to be sacrificed in submission to The Father. **MORE IN THIS SERIES*** https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPYr0nMpCrXGtMFrhrBCFQaaSsdNssgJo **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ir...
May 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 678
Seth helps us look at an uncomfortable series of stories in Genesis 18 and 19. Ultimately, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us three things: 1) Hospitality and generosity are important. 2) sin is contagious, and 3) mercy is how you get out. 00:00 - Introduction 04:19 - The Plot 20:22 - Hospitality and generosity are not minor in God’s economy. 24:23 - Sin is contagious; it is easier to take a person out of sodom than to take sodom out of the person. 31:56 - Mercy is how you get out. **HOW...
Apr 29, 2024•39 min•Ep. 677
The story of Hagar and Ishmael forces us to consider weighty and unspeakably difficulty realities; but these realities are not that far from each one of us. God sees, cares for, and blesses those who have been overlooked, disregarded, and presumed on by other people. 00:00 - Introduction 00:39 - Where we are going in the next few weeks 04:48 - Themes in today’s story 27:43 - Key Takeaways **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK htt...
Apr 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 676
Father Abraham had many sons… so let’s just praise the Lord! We’re grateful we got to have guest preacher Adam Bailie with us this past Sunday unpacking Genesis 15. 00:00 - Introduction of Adam Bailie 10:28 - The Big Idea 11:16 - Every Christian possesses God’s promises as privilege (1-5). 20:17 - Every Christian possesses God’s redemption as reality (6) 25:13 - Every Christian possesses God’s covenant as confidence (7-21) 32:32 - Learning to Live - 3 points **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ...
Apr 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 675
The story of Abraham’s journey in the wilderness shows us how we all leave a mixed legacy, confronts our instincts to run to Egypt for safety, and reveals how the altar that lord provides better than the ones we build for ourselves. 00:09 - Where we're going / Where we've been 01:18 - Today’s story is a wilderness story 04:47 - The Plot 24:56 - What do we learn? **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironw...
Apr 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 674
Peter’s transformation shows us that the resurrection of Jesus is both true and useful. We can have courage and conviction because the good news is not merely a fairy tale.” 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Peter’s transformation shows us that the resurrection of Jesus is both true and useful. 08:05 - How and why Peter changed 11:06 - When you truly believe Jesus rose from the dead **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.fa...
Apr 01, 2024•17 min•Ep. 673
You don’t have to go to GCU to find your purpose, you can just go to Genesis 12:1-3. Seth shows us the three steps we must take if, like Abram, we want to live lives that are a blessing. 00:00 - Introduction 04:17 - What makes for a good life? 07:35 - Life is not primarily a journey towards pleasure, power, or possessions, but is actually a search for purpose. 08:51 - What makes a good life? Be a blessing. 24:08 - How to be a blessing **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https:/...
Mar 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 672
The tower of Babel helps us make sense of the love/hate relationship we have with technology; Seth helps us see how we image God in the development of technologies, but how we often use that tech in ways that are destructive and rebellious. 00:00 - Introduction 01:03 - Summary of Genesis so far 02:29 - Reminder: The rebellion stories are both a record and a warning 07:18 - New Technology 10:49 - Old Temptations 16:01 - New Temptations 24:34 - Same God **HOW TO FIND US*** FACEBOOK https://www.fac...
Mar 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 671
The story of Noah’s Ark is both a record and a warning. Seth helps us make sense of how we can be delivered from the waters of judgment. 00:00 - Introduction 04:29 - The Big Idea - Believe God or die 05:26 - The flow of Genesis 6-9 11:45 - Sin 19:38 - Consequence 25:14 - Covenant **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwood.church/ WEBSITE https://ww...
Mar 10, 2024•37 min•Ep. 670
Student Pastor Josh Yasuda takes us through Genesis 4, the first account of life outside the Garden on Eden. It is an account full of suffering and sin, yet God is not absent or far off, and in it we see that there is only one hope for sinners and sufferers in a fallen world. **MORE IN THIS SERIES*** https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLPYr0nMpCrXGtMFrhrBCFQaaSsdNssgJo **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/ @Ironwood.Church FACEBOOK https://www.faceboo...
Mar 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 669
Seth unpacks how Genesis 3 helps us face the origins of evil and pain in the world. 00:00 - Introduction 07:11 - Human responsibility & divine sovereignty work together 13:02 - Sin is sneaky and stupid & makes you sneaky and stupid 22:56 - Sin makes good things tremendously difficult 28:07 - We are terrible at solving our sin problem & we know it **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodc...
Feb 25, 2024•36 min•Ep. 668
Pastor Luke Simmons shares what one of the earliest chapters of the Bible has to say about sexuality and marital intimacy. 00:00 - Introduction 02:56 - Initial Considerations 09:38 - God’s Boundaries 13:26 - Key Ingredients for Intimacy 15:37 - 1. Shared mission 19:55 - 2. Mutual respect 24:58 - 3. Gratitude to God 28:34 - 4. Leaving previous loyalties 32:25 - 5. Healing shame OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED: Sermons Countercultural Convictions: Sex — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgAh6rkhkIM Why th...
Feb 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 667
Gender can be a confusing topic, but the Scriptures bring clarity that is good news to us. Seth unpacks how maleness and femaleness work together to reflect the nature of God." 00:00 - Introduction 10:26 - There are two genders 12:42 - Don’t overemphasize their difference 30:17 - Don’t overemphasize their sameness **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/...
Feb 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 666
Rest is one of the good gifts that God gives to us; but we have to open and make use of the gift. Seth helps us see how living with margin is both a blessing to ourselves and to the people we are called to love. 00:00 - Financial Update 03:49 - Introduction 06:46 - Rest is a gift, not a god or reward 21:46 - Creating margin requires faith and work 28:34 - Rest is a faithful witness to the Kingdom of God **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurch...
Feb 04, 2024•38 min•Ep. 665
Pastor Luke Simmons demonstrates that work is part of God’s design for us and offers four dangers to avoid. ARTICLES MENTIONED: 8 Motivations for Work: https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/articles/8-motivations-for-work 25 Ways to Imitate God in Work: https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/articles/25-ways-to-imitate-god-in-work 00:00 - Introduction 04:59 - Genesis 1:28 06:39 - Genesis 2:15 09:06 - 3 Lessons from Gen 1-2 15:26 - Danger #1: Work as Optional 16:18 - Danger #2: Work as Bummer 18:42 - Danger #3:...
Jan 29, 2024•30 min•Ep. 664
Seth unpacks and applies the doctrine of the image of God and warns us about what happens when we try and minimize human exceptionalism 00:00 - Introduction 04:09 - Humans are creative, glorious, and honorable works of art. 14:01 - Secularism can’t explain human exceptionalism, so it will try and destroy it and our society along with it. 21:56 - This church is full of murderers. **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.f...
Jan 22, 2024•38 min•Ep. 663
Pastor Luke Simmons — with help from the Bible Project — helps us see what Genesis 1 is about and how it relates to our approach to and questions about science. 00:00 - Introduction 04:43 - What is Genesis 1 saying? 13:51 - What Does Gen 1 Say About God? 24:37 - What about Christianity & Science 25:41 - Faith provides good reason for science 30:38 - Science still requires faith 34:22 - Science can’t answer “why” **HOW TO FIND US*** FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRA...
Jan 15, 2024•37 min•Ep. 662
Pastor Luke Simmons begins our new series, Confronting Christianity, by considering three simple truths from Genesis 1:1 00:00 - Introduction 01:36 - Series Intro 05:13 - Most Offensive Belief 05:52 - Three Profoundly Simple Truths 14:22 - The Gospel **HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/redemption.gateway WEBSITE https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/...
Jan 08, 2024•21 min•Ep. 661
Pastors Luke Simmons, Matthew Braselton, and Seth Troutt take on questions from the congregation. 00:00:00 - 9:00am Service / Intro 00:03:11 - As we become Ironwood Church, what energizes you, and what concerns you? 00:07:55 - Can you attend church regularly virtually rather than in person? 00:09:51 - Not everyone agrees, but Jesus was political. How will Ironwood Church encourage us to apply God’s Word to this year’s election? 00:16:05 - What is a book of the Bible you’ve never taught, that you...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 660
Pastor Luke Simmons helps us see three surprising combinations that emerge in the Christmas story — plus one more in our response. 00:00 - Introduction 04:21 - Royalty & Humility 10:13 - Glory & Obscurity 17:08 - Lord & Savior 23:44 - Repentance & Faith ***HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/RedemptionChurchGateway/?sub_confirmation=1 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/redemptiongateway INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/redemption.gateway W...
Dec 27, 2023•27 min•Ep. 659
Seth unpacks Ironwood’s strategy for thriving in exile. 00:00 - Introduction 03:46 - We enjoy Jesus together 12:07 - We fight for kids and families 15:59 - We bring light to darkness 21:18 - We give “it” away 24:33 - We serve like crazy ***HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/RedemptionChurchGateway/?sub_confirmation=1 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/redemptiongateway INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/redemption.gateway WEBSITE http://gateway.redemptiona...
Dec 18, 2023•37 min•Ep. 658
Pastor Luke Simmons kicks off a short series, We Are Ironwood, looking at the traits that define us as we head into a new future. 00:00 - Introduction 06:05 - Information 12:15 - Challenge 15:48 - Invitation 23:59 - One wing? 29:07 - Danger: Cynicism 30:54 - Danger: Compromise 34:14 - Join Us ***HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/RedemptionChurchGateway/?sub_confirmation=1 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/redemptiongateway INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram....
Dec 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 657
