NMC Audio Podcast

Testify

Am I a Hypocrite?

April 3, 2022 / Matthew 15:7-9, Matthew 3:8 “Put your money where your mouth is.” “Talk is cheap.” “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” “Actions speak louder than words.” These popular sayings and many others ask the same question: “Are you who you say you are?” So…are you? Jesus, in everything, including the discipleship of His disciples, was consistent, honest, real, and authentic. In our calling to go and make disciples, what would it look like to follow Jesus’ example of consi...

The Table

You Can't Give What You Don't Have

As followers of Jesus, our mission is crystal clear. It’s about being a disciple and joining Him in making disciples. We are not only invited to join, but commanded to be a part of the mission. It’s not about self-effort. It’s not about trying harder. It’s not about inventing incredible strategies. It’s about walking in step and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often the missing link in fulfilling our mission. You can’t give what you don’t have.

The Discipleship of Jesus 101

There are hundreds of different definitions on what is a disciple of Jesus. There are hundreds of strategies on how to make disciples. Have we overcomplicated the calling to make fully committed disciples? What can we learn from Jesus and how He discipled His disciples?

Recap Video

Here's a quick recap of Fanning the Flame 2022.

A Conversation with Peter

After Jesus finishes teaching on how to handle conflict, Peter asks Jesus how many times he is required to forgive someone that sins against him. Jesus’ response is profound, not just for Peter, but for each of us today. Jesus, on multiple occasions, speaks to the importance of doing the hard and deep works of forgivingness. We would be wise to listen.

Wednesday

Dan has authored more than a dozen books on marriage & family, and his advice is broadcast to over 350 radio stations across the United States.He holds a master’s degree in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University. But his best experience has probably come from his own life and being married to his wife, Jane, for more than 30 years and being dad to his four children and now grandpa.

Tuesday

Geoff lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Arianna and their three daughters. He is the Lead Pastor at Daybreak Church as well as the Founder & CEO of Never The Same, a national youth ministry organization whose vision is to see new generations transformed in Christ.

Monday

Rodney is the founding pastor of OneLife Church in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in communications and a master’s degree in church planting from Liberty Theological Seminary. Rodney has a passion for church plants & church planters and desires to see a discipleship movement that is so great that only God could get the credit for it.

Sunday

Charlie is an Associate Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and Director of Youth Ministry Events. He also serves as faculty advisor for the annual IWU Youth Conference as well as coordinator for “Frequency,” a conference designed to invest in people committed to youth ministry and “RAM Camp,” a conference designed to help high school students discover their call.

A Conversation with the Samaritan Woman

In her conversation with Jesus, the Samaritan woman is brought face-to-face with God and with herself. Jesus had a way of exposing the longing in a person’s soul. He reveals to the Samaritan woman her lostness and His ability to find her. What would it look like if we came face-to-face with God and ourselves today? What kind of worship would flow from that revelation?

A Conversation with Pilate

February 27, 2022 / John 18:37-38 In his conversation with Jesus, Pilate asks a deeply profound question, “What is truth?” It is up for interpretation whether Pilate asks this with a cynical, sarcastic tone or a wistful, wearied one, but either way, the question remains the same. What is truth?

Freedom in True Discipleship

February 20, 2022 / John 8:31-47 If you grew up in the church, you have become very familiar with the verse, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” It has become an anchor for many who believe in Jesus. Jesus enters a conversation with those who believe, and He invites them in to more. We understand the key to freedom when we step into true apprenticeship with Jesus.

Learning From the Master

There’s so much to learn from the conversations of Jesus. As apprentices, His conversations give us clear guidance on how to interact with people. His conversations teach us that there’s so much that precedes speaking. Learning from the Master positions us to be used by Him for His purposes and to fulfill His calling on our lives.

When and how did Jesus express His emotions?

The Gospel accounts are full of emotionally-charged moments and interactions. There are moments of deep sadness and moments of pure joy. There are moments of righteous anger and moments of heartfelt compassion. Jesus not only teaches us the right way to think and act, but also the right way to feel.

What did Jesus talk about?

We tend to talk about the things that we are passionate about. What do you find yourself talking about most frequently? Your family? Food? Sports? A TV show that you are watching? As we read through the accounts of the Gospels, it begins to become apparent that Jesus talked a lot about things He was passionate about. He spoke frequently of the kingdom of God, challenging dead religion, the seriousness of sin, belief, forgiveness, and other themes. If Jesus spoke the most about such things, maybe...

Where did Jesus spend His time?

Show me where you spend your time and money, and I will show you what’s most important to you. Where you leverage your resources announces your priorities. So, just where did Jesus spend time? What was truly important to Him? How did He use time to accomplish His mission? Where am I spending my time? What adjustments need to be made?

What did Jesus come to do?

Jesus had resolve. He held unflinchingly tight to the plans and purposes of the Father. He was intentional and mission-focused. What about you? What are you here to do in this life? What mission did Jesus model for us? And what would happen if we, too, became like Jesus—intentional and mission-focused?

The Way of Jesus

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) If we want to become like Jesus, we need to spend time with Jesus. We need to study His life, His rhythms, His passions, His words, and His ways. We do this because Jesus is the Way, and His way is not our natural way. Let’s be transformed into the way of Jesus.

Three Words To Live By

January 2, 2022 / Ephesians 5:15-16 Everyday each of us is given an amazing gift, the gift of “time”. But how do we spend our time? How should we spend our time? We will look into three words that will help you make the most of the time you’ve been given.

Seasons

I'm Not Done Yet

While all of our attention is focused on Jesus’ birth (His first coming that is often referred to as the Advent season), Jesus pressed His disciples to focus on His second coming. Throughout the Gospels, we continually hear the words of Jesus – “BE READY!” Jesus uses a variety of stories and illustrations to motivate His disciples to be prepared for His second advent – His second coming. The words to His disciples need to ring true to us. Be ready!

In Him

In times of turbulence, it’s easy to ask, “Is anyone in charge?” In this time of global disruption, people are wondering if this is the end of the world. Is it all coming to an end? What’s going on? When everything seems to be coming apart at the seams, it’s important to know the one that holds all things together. The entrance of Jesus fulfilled prophecies from yesterday. It also provides us everything we need to live for today.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Past

Augustine once said, “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” The Scriptures are not isolated, disconnected thoughts or stories. Everything in human history has been pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Everything has been fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Do you have eyes to see?

The Secret

Everybody wants to know the secret. What’s the secret to wealth, fitness, financial success, or a happy family? So what’s the secret to contentment, a joy-filled life, and soul satisfaction? The apostle Paul declares that he has found the secret (Phil. 4:12). So, just what is that secret? Will it really work?

"More Than Enough" People

Paul again begins the third chapter of Philippians by calling the churches to rejoice, to express the deep, soul-satisfied joy that they possess. Again, we ask the question, “What might hinder the experience and the expression of joy in my life?” Paul clearly lays out two different ways of living—one that leads to the fullest experience and expression of joy and the other that leads to destruction. Which way are you living?

How to Get Joy From Where You're At

It’s a dead end street! The paths that we think lead us to joy often leave us disappointed and unfulfilled. While those paths can provide moments of pleasure, they only give us temporary happiness. They can take our mind off of our troubles, yet fail to deliver true, deep joy. Amidst brutal circumstances, the apostle Paul outlines a clear path towards deep, abiding joy. Walking that path is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. In spite of that, God’s path leads us to a deep, abiding peace. It...

What Has Happened?

Philippians is a power-packed letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Philippi. It offers us the opportunity to see that there is joy in the journey. Paul’s life and letter preach this message loudly, "Rejoice! Life is full of mountain highs and valley lows," and we can often ask the question: "What just happened?" We may be unsure of how to respond to our circumstances. We may be unsure of how to feel, emotionally, about our circumstances. Through it all, Paul makes the case that ...

The Bride of Christ

October 31,2021 / Heb 10:23-25, Rev 19:6-9, 1 Pet 2:1-11, Mat 5:14-16 Weddings are beautiful moments of celebration. The union of a man and woman becoming one is an incredible symbol of hope for the Church. We eagerly await the wedding of the Lamb that is depicted in the second coming of Christ, the union of Christ and His bride. Christ loves His bride. Do we? What if we loved Christ's bride in the same way He does? The results could be special.