Ada Presbyterian Church Pulpit Podcast

Prudence - Lost Art of Virtue Series

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:33 -0500

Prudence might sound like the name of a quiet girl drinking tea in a parlor in Victorian England, but prudence is just an older word for something we all desperately need: wisdom. We need wisdom to see the best course of action to take in life. Wisdom doesn't just drop from the sky, but it's something we work towards over the course of a lifetime. Join us today as we continue our series on virtue.

Intro - Lost Art of Virtue Series

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:00:09 -0500

Join us for a series on the virtues of the Christian life during the season of Lent. Our passage today is 2 Peter 1:3-11, where Peter tells us to "make every effort to supplement our faith with virtue" (ESV) Virtue may not be a word you hear every day, but one way to think of virtue is that virtues are good moral habits that directs us to a life that is well-pleasing to God, to others, and to ourselves. Join us each of the Sundays of Lent as we explore the classic virtues: prudence, fortitude, temperance, justice, faith, hope, and love.

Acts 18 - The Christians at Antioch

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:55:00 -0500

Churches occasionally get some bad press, but the early church received good press in the city of Antioch, the place where they were first given the name "Christians." Join us today as we look at the reasons why this church got noticed for all the right reasons.

Acts 17 - Peter and Cornelius

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:33:36 -0500

It's easy to make the mistake of thinking that only "rough" people need a savior, only people like Saul when he goes on the attack in Acts 9. But turning into chapter 10, we learn that Cornelius, an all around "good guy," also needs a savior. Join us today as we look at how God graciously hears Cornelius' prayer and sends a savior to him by way of Peter's preaching the gospel. Along the way, Peter too undergoes a conversion to a new point of view, understanding now that the gospel isn't limited to one people group, but includes people from all nations.

Acts 16 - Road to Damascus

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:27:50 -0500

The Road to Damascus is one of those foundational stories in the Bible, showing us God's grace and his power to change people. It also points us to the fact that there is nobody so far gone as to be out of reach of God's mercy and forgiveness. Join us as for today's message as we walk with Paul on the Road to Damascus.

Acts 15 - Bought and Sold

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:33:33 -0500

Acts Chapter 8 introduces us to one of the more interesting characters in the New Testament - Simon the Magician. Legends and myths have grown around the man, and in today's message we'll see how his wrong-headed desire to purchase the Holy Spirit still pops up today. We'll also examine one of the more over-looked aspects of this passage--the Holy Spirit's delay in coming to Samaria.

Acts 14 - From Sorrow to Joy

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:09:50 -0500

We return to our series on Acts today after the Advent and Christmas break, and we find ourselves in a transitional chapter (8) in the book. A great persecution breaks out against the church, scattering them to the surrounding regions. It's a great shock to the early believers, but at the same time, they are scattered to the very places Jesus said they would be his witnesses: to Judea and Samaria (1:8). Join us this week as we see the resilience of the early church in a trying time.

Acts 13 - Stephen's Last Stand

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:57:21 -0500

Stephen is the first Christian martyr, and he's killed for what he says in his wide-ranging speech in Acts 7. His speech tells the story of God's saving work throughout different chapters of human history: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. The story culminates in the coming of Jesus Christ. Join us for today's message to see how this story informs on our experiences as Christians living in this present age.

Acts 12 - The Daily Distribution

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:09:09 -0500

The early church practiced radical generosity-- people gave not just out of their weekly income, but they even sold hard assets like homes and land in order to support the needy. But with all this giving comes new problems: how is the money to be managed? Who should be on the receiving end of all this giving? What kind of people ought to be put in charge of it? How do we handle complaints about giving when they arise? All of these questions and more are before us in today's message.

Acts 11 - Of God Or Men?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:51:09 -0500

It's not always easy to either become a Christian or to remain a Christian. That's true today, and it was especially true in the days of Acts, when the faith was brand new--you'd want to know if it has credibility; you'd want assurances it has staying power; you'd want to know God was really behind it. In Acts 5, we are reminded that this new Christian movement isn't just the product of man's imagination; it is truly the work of God. Join us for today's message.

Acts 10 - Signs and Wonders

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:16:27 -0500

The Book of Acts is notable for many things, not the least of which is its account of the miraculous. Many signs and wonders are done at the hands of the apostles. In today's message we'll answer some questions that we have about the miraculous--can miracles really take place? Why do they take place? And should we expect them today, and if so, how--through a faith healer or some other means? Join us for today's message.

Acts 9 - Take Your Faith Seriously

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:03:57 -0500

In Acts chapter 5, the church experiences a wake up call. "Great fear" takes hold of everyone. Why? Because a married couple is struck dead for deceiving the church, the apostles, and God himself. Join us today for a wake up call: God wants us to take our integrity seriously, God himself seriously, and the church seriously.

Acts 8 - The Apostles' Pray

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:41:58 -0500

When life throws us hard times, it's normal to pray. In our sermon today, we learn how to enhance our praying in such times, as we take a look at the apostles' prayer upon their release from a brief imprisonment. They not only ask God for help, but they reflect on his character and use scripture to guide them. Join us today as we learn how to go deeper in prayer.

Acts 7 - Facing Opposition

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:44:46 -0500

The early chapters of Acts show the church advancing with very little in the way of opposition--until now. In chapter 4, the apostles are arrested by the same crowd that had Jesus arrested and crucified. How will they respond to this new challenge? How do we respond in hard times? Join us for today's message.

Acts 6 - The Brand Name God

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 11:09:08 -0500

There are some instances where generics are a good alternative to the brand name, but that doesn't work when it comes to questions of religious faith. As Christians we don't believe in a generic "god;" we believe that our God reveals himself in the name of Jesus. Join us today for our on-going series from Acts where we see Peter arguing this very point to his countrymen in Acts 3.

Acts 5 - Best Practices

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:22:12 -0500

One of the lessons we have to learn in life is that we can't control how others think of us; we can only control ourselves. In our passage today, we see the things under our control, the basic set of practices that Christians do in good times and bad.

Acts 4 - The First Christian Sermon

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:35:39 -0500

Reliable information is hard to come by these days, and that is also true in the realm of religion. If we were trying to find the best information that got me closest to the truth about the person of Jesus, we would be hard pressed to find a source better than the Apostle Peter, and the sermon he preaches on Pentecost. Join us today as we give Peter a fair hearing, listening in on the first Christian sermon ever preached.

Acts 3 - What Does This Mean?

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:17:03 -0500

On Pentecost, the crowd poses a good question: "What does this mean?" What does it mean that the Apostles are speaking in tongues? Is their experience a model for the church today, or is something else going on? What are some signs in our own lives that we are filled with the Spirit? Join us as we delve into this important passage from Acts 2:1-13.

Acts 2 - Active Waiting

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 12:35:27 -0500

We find ourselves waiting more often than not, and in today's passage, the apostles are waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. But they're not idle or bored--they're active in their waiting. Join us today as we see the early church doing so much more than just passing the time.

Acts 1 - Next Steps

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:41:15 -0500

The opening of the Book of Acts shows us the church in a time of transition. Jesus had just been raised from the dead, and with that milestone behind him, the disciples are wondering, "what's next" for them and for their nation. As we might expect, Jesus gives them an expanded vision of "what's next" for them, and for all of us who name him as Lord. Join us as we begin a new series on Acts in today's message.

Titus 6 - Grace Be With You All

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 10:57:04 -0500

As we wrap up our study of Titus, we read a few instructions in the final verses that draw us back into some of the larger themes of the letter. God will grow the church, and along the way he calls us to a ministry of good deeds, namely the ancient practice of hospitality.

Titus 5 - The Christian Vibe

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:47:28 -0500

The early Christians had a unique opportunity, one we might envy today: they were able to make a first impression on the world. But what was that impression to look like? Join us for today's message as we discover the Christian vibe that characterized the early church and that we can live into today.

Titus 4 - The Grace Shaped Gospel

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:52:01 -0500

Grace is a word that has changed the world, and grace is a concept that comes straight from the heart of Christianity. Grace has appeared on the scene, especially in the coming of Jesus Christ, and nothing can ever be the same. Join us this week as we talk about grace and its importance in the Christian life and larger world.

Titus 3 - Gospel Shaped Life

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:51:56 -0500

When the church was first getting off the ground in the 1st century, it had a unique opportunity to give a first impression. Paul instructs Titus to take advantage of that--to instruct the church on how to live in such a way that the gospel is praised for its positive impact on people's lives. Join us today to see how God wants us to live so our character speaks well of the gospel.

Titus 2 - Gospel Shaped Leaders

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:42:28 -0500

Healthy leadership is critical to healthy churches. Unfortunately, there are many war stories today about Christians who have been hurt by leaders who weren't well-suited to their role. Join us today as we look at the features of good, elder-based leadership in the church.

Titus 1 - Life in a Harsh Environment

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:21:17 -0500

In the introduction to Titus, Paul describes the factors that make it more likely a church will spring to life and grow, even in a tough place like Crete. Join us today for our first sermon on this lesser known Pastoral Epistle.

Anxiety 6 - Worried Sick - Luke 21

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:49:53 -0500

Worry often feels out of our control; it just comes over us. And that is true--sometimes. Other times, we dig ourselves into a place of worry because we're focused on the wrong things: the "anxieties of life," Jesus calls them. Join us today for our concluding sermon in our anxiety series.

Anxiety 5 - The Anxious Loner - Proverbs 12:25

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 11:07:43 -0500

The Bible recognizes that anxiety feels like a weight, a burden that presses in upon us. But God gives us a very human tool to help lighten that load--namely, good friendships. Join us today as we explore the power of friendship to either fuel anxiety or calm it.

Anxiety 4 - A Bouncer for Your Worries

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:42:27 -0500

You know you're a VIP when you have your own security detail, and so it's interesting that God himself promises to guard our hearts and our minds with his peace when we come to him in prayer and gratitude. Join us as we examine the second half of Philippians 4 in our sermon series on anxiety.

Anxiety 3 - Talk Back to Your Worries

Wed, 28 May 2025 10:52:18 -0500

Philippians 4 is one of the most well known and well loved treatments on worry in the Bible. Today we are doing a deep dive into the first few phrases of this passage. Join us as we discuss what it means to reframe our thinking around joy, and how gentleness is the definitive mark of the non anxious person.

Anxiety 2 - Worry Won't Work - Matthew 6

Tue, 20 May 2025 14:15:22 -0500

We know worry won't fix things, but we're junkies - it's hard to stop. Sometimes our thoughts take on a life of their own. When Jesus tells us "do not worry" he is inviting us to put our concerns in the hands of another, the God who provides for the needs of his whole creation. Join us for today's message as we continue in our series on anxiety.

Anxiety 1 - The Sky Is Falling - Psalm 46

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:53:27 -0500

Join us as we start a short 5-week sermon series examining what the Bible has to say about anxiety. This morning's message focuses on getting through "the big picture" anxiety that we can't help but feel as we live in a chaotic world.

Sunday - The King Rises From the Dead - Mark 16

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:11:57 -0500

We're so used to the Easter story ending on a happy note, that it's hard for us to make sense of the ending of Mark's gospel--he ends by telling us the women who discovered the empty tomb were afraid. Why end on a note of fear? What is Mark trying to communicate? Join us for today's Easter Sunday message.

Friday - The King Dies for His People - Mark 15

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:18:14 -0500

On Good Friday, we sometimes ask: why did Jesus have to die? The short answer is that he died for our sins. Author and priest Fleming Rutledge poses a follow-up question: why did Jesus have to die by crucifixion? Jesus didn't just die any old death; he died one of the cruelest ways possible. Join us today as we explore this question in our Lenten series on Holy Week.

Thursday - The King Hosts a Meal - Mark 14

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 11:57:07 -0500

One of the practices held in common by all Christians is communion. Call it the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, or Holy Communion - we all believe something deeply significant happened when Jesus broke bread with his disciples on Thursday of Holy Week. Join us for today's message to witness history being made and to learn about the significances of this meal.

Wednesday - The King Is Not Impressed - Mark 12

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:52:22 -0500

In the middle of Holy Week, Jesus holds up two models of discipleship: one is rooted in showmanship and status updates. Jesus is not impressed with this group. The other is embodied in the widow, who brought her two small coins. She comes and lays down her life; she is the model disciple. Join us for our Lenten series as we explore this important contrast.

Tuesday - The King Meets a Rebellion

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:10:59 -0500

As Jesus enters the dog days of Holy Week, he is met with resistance. In response, he tells the parable of the vineyard to show how shocking and offensive it is to resist the son of God. We often speak of the benefits of receiving Jesus, and to be sure, there are many. But we also need to realize that when we reject him, we are not taking a neutral stance, we are opposing the thrust of God's activity in the world.

Monday - The King Cleans House

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:55:05 -0500

The stage is set for Holy Week. Jesus entered Jerusalem as its king. He is about to overthrow the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. But on the way, he stops to curse a fig tree. Some complain that Jesus was being petty. Like so many things in the Bible, there's more going on beneath the surface. Join us this week for our Lenten Series on the days of Holy Week.

Sunday--The King Comes Home - Mark 11:1-11

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:20:01 -0500

Our Lenten Series kicks off today with a deep dive into the days of Holy Week. As we get close to Easter, we start to see articles and news pieces exploring the identity of Jesus -- who is this guy who changed the world? Today, as the crowds line the road to Jerusalem, and see Jesus ride in on a donkey, we learn he is the King Coming Home.

Deut 30 - A God Within Reach

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:25:13 -0500

When you're on the run, you can sometimes feel like you've run right off the edge of the earth. Nobody sees you; nobody knows you, or cares. But when we run from God, we find that he is never so far away that we can't come back. In fact he invites and empowers us to come back to him. Join us today as we wrap up our series on Deuteronomy.

Deut 28 - Blessings and Curses

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:56:30 -0500

Some people describe themselves as cursed. They have wandered very far from God, and they feel as if they're in spiritual exile with no way back. It is true that when we follow God's law we are more likely to find blessing than not. But it'a also true that God has provided a way out of our sin-cursed lives through the gracious work of Jesus.

Deut 24 - See The Poor

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:28 -0500

The 8th commandment tells us not to steal. Many of us think we're pretty good at keeping that one, but when we look at Moses' expanded version of this command, we find that it also touches on issues of economic justice. Do we promote the welfare of the poor? Do we see them as people? Do we care about those trafficked? Once again, Deuteronomy strengthens the law and surprises us with its modern relevance.

Deut 22 - 7th Commandment Extended Edition

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:51:42 -0500

Is the Bible for women, or against women? The modern narrative tends towards the latter answer, namely that the Bible is oppressive. At first glance it might appear that today's passage confirms those suspicions, but when we dig a little deeper, we find that the Bible is again ahead of its time in its support of women. It does more to protect them than our current cultural "rules" surrounding sex and commitment. Join us for our continued exploration of God's laws in Deuteronomy.

Deut 21 - Do Right By

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:18:33 -0500

When we "do right by" someone, we treat them fairly, as they ought to be treated. Today we see how the seemingly disconnected commands in Deuteronomy 21 are actually linked together by the idea of doing right by someone. Do right by your neighbor; do right by yourself; and do right by the creation.

Deut 20 - Rules of Engagement

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:16:45 -0500

It seems surprising that the Bible has an entire chapter devoted to the practice of war. But war is a human reality, and the Bible deals with the world, not as we wish it to be, but as it actually exists. Join us today as we see God's law mitigating the worst excesses and human cruelties of war.

Deut 19 Law and Order

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:50:42 -0500

In the face of crime, it's easy to go all "law and order." And the Bible does tell us, as we learned last week, that the guilty are to be brought to justice. But today we learn that the accused and the guilty are also given a fair shake in the Bible. They deserve a fair hearing of the facts and a punishment that fits the crime. Join us for our ongoing study of God's law in Deuteronomy.

Deut 19 Motives for Murder

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:05:06 -0500

God's law often gets a bad rap--many view it as negative and oppressive. But as we get into the latter part of Deuteronomy, we get a chance to take a closer look at the law, and we find that God's law is concerned with just treatment for both victims and the accused. Join us this week as we learn why motive and intent matter when it comes to breaking the law.

Christ Our Priest Deut 18 Advent Series 2

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:14:36 -0500

In our mini-Advent series, we look at Christ, anointed to be a prophet, a priest, and a king. Join us this week for our second sermon in this series, Christ Our Priest. (Note: due to audio problems, the third and final sermon in this series did not get recorded.)

Christ Our Prophet - Deut 18 Advent Series

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:49:44 -0500

During Advent, we remember that Jesus Christ came to the earth. But what did he come to do? The Bible points to three major roles that Jesus takes on in his life: he came to be a prophet, a priest, and a king. Join us for this special Advent series as we examine each of these aspects of Jesus' work.

Happiness and Giving - Deut 14

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 12:08:34 -0500

God instructs Israel to give, and there are multiple avenues to giving described in Deuteronomy. Join us as we see the connection between happiness and giving in all the ways God calls us to give.

Baptism Service - Hiding in Plain Sight - Col 2

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 14:12:50 -0500

This Sunday we put our study of Deuteronomy on hold to focus on baptism. God gave us the privilege of baptizing one adult and one child this weekend. Our text is from Colossians 2.

Deut 12 - Worship God's Way

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:53:34 -0500

Israel's laws governing worship are surprisingly relevant to modern times. As we continue our overview of Deuteronomy, we will see the many ways that worship in the old covenant era informs our worship in the new.

Deut 10 - What God Asks of Us

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:13:38 -0500

It's nice when people are clear in their expectations for us. In the passage today, God is clear in telling Israel what he asks of them. It turns out that he asks a lot, but he also provides a lot in the end. Join us to learn more.

Deut 9 - Quickly Falling Away

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:09:51 -0500

It's easy to get worked up by the evil and folly we see "out there" in the world. But what about "in here," in our own hearts and actions? Think of the passage today as the Old Testament equivalent to Jesus telling us to take the log out of our eyes before taking the spec out of someone else's.

Deut 8 - Testing in Good Times and Bad

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:32:16 -0500

God often tests his people, but who is the test for? Does God need to figure out something about us, or do we? We often expect testing to come in times of trial, but what if there's a unique test that comes in times of abundance? Join us for more.

Deut 7:1-11 - Holy to the Lord

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:16:32 -0500

When we read the Old Testament, we read of war and conquest. We read of God's people moving into the Promised Land and removing other people from that land. It's natural to wonder about this and to question what God is doing here. Today's message attempts to tackle this question as we seek to understand God on his own terms.

Duet 6:1-9 - Hear O Israel The Lord is One

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:20:48 -0500

The most famous prayer for Christians is the Lord's Prayer. It is something every Christian knows and prays; it binds believers together across the world. In the Old Testament, God's people had a similar prayer--known as the Shema. Faithful Jews everywhere still prayer this prayer: "Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Jesus himself reaffirmed this valuable prayer in Mark 12. Join us today as we explore its ongoing relevance.

Deuteronomy 4:1-14 - A Wise and Understanding People

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:57:48 -0500

As the world grows increasingly secular, one of the roles for the church is to retain the memory of God, even as others forget God and our connection to him. We keep the teaching about God alive among us by living it out. In doing so, we bring light into increasingly dark places. We learn how that was true for God's people in the Old Testament and for God's people living today.

Deuteronomy 2:1-7 - You Lacked for Nothing

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:52:10 -0500

When we reflect on our lives, sometimes it's easy to focus on times of failure. But one of the things we learn about God in today's message is that he continues to bless us even after failure. That's what makes Christianity so refreshing - grace is at the heart of how God relates to us.

Duet 1:19-36 - Take Hold of God's Gifts

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 14:24:36 -0500

God gives us certain gifts that come from his grace. But it remains for us to take hold of those gifts and to make them our own. Clearly we want to receive and make use of God's gifts, but fear can get in the way of faith, as it did for Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 2.

Deut 1:1-8 - At a Crossroads

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:42:17 -0500

We all find ourselves facing critical times in life--crossroads--when we have to decide whether or not to follow the Lord. In the Bible, God speaks to his people at such a time in the Book of Deuteronomy. Join us in a series that gives an overview of this important book.