Relevant Church Podcast

This series unpacks how God often leads us into a wilderness season after deliverance from bondage, emphasizing that freedom is just the starting point. In the wilderness, God reshapes our identity, breaks old mindsets tied to our past, and refines us for the purpose ahead. Though we may leave physical bondage, spiritual and emotional baggage often remains, and it’s in this refining season that God prepares us for the Promised Land by transforming our thinking and reshaping our hearts. The wilderness is not a punishment, but a necessary preparation for the destiny God has planned.

This sermon, Lessons from the Wilderness: Bitter Water, Empty Stomachs, and a Faithful God, highlights that while God leads us out of Egypt, He often guides us through the wilderness to shape our hearts. The wilderness journey is not just about leaving behind the past but about discovering who we truly are and who God truly is. At the Waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22–27), bitter water mirrored the bitterness in the hearts of the people—testing didn’t change them; it revealed them. In the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1–36), their complaining exposed a deeper issue: trust in God’s provision. The grumbling showed that the Red Sea was behind them, but fear still lived inside them. Even after God’s miracles, they chose doubt over dependence. Yet at Rephidim (Exodus 17:1–7), when the people cried out in thirst and anger, God’s faithfulness shone through. He provided water from the rock, not as a reward for their faithfulness but as a revelation of His own unchanging nature. The wilderness isn’t just about survival; it’s about transformation. Through every test, God’s provision revealed His faithfulness, patience, and presence—even when His people were faithless. This wilderness journey shapes us, teaching us that God is faithful because of who He is, not because of who we are.

This sermon, Lessons from the Wilderness: When God Brings You Out, explores how God’s deliverance doesn’t immediately place us in the Promised Land but often leads us into a season of wilderness for transformation. Freedom is just the beginning—God brings us out of bondage before bringing us into purpose. Though we may be free physically, the mindset of Egypt (bondage, fear, comfort with the familiar) can still linger and must be dealt with. The wilderness is God’s refining ground, where old patterns are broken, minds are renewed, and identity is reshaped for the journey ahead.

The message challenges the popular idea of manifestation by emphasizing that we are called to surrender our future to God, not attempt to control it ourselves. Manifesting often places us in God’s seat, feeding the illusion of control and desiring blessings without true relationship with the Giver. Scripture reminds us that God alone establishes our steps and invites us to seek His will through prayer, not demand outcomes through self-will. Ultimately, pursuing our own vision apart from God’s plan can lead us outside His will, missing the greater purpose He has prepared.

In this Hot Topics message, we dive into the conversation around alcohol, weed, and vaping through the lens of scripture and spiritual discipline. Often, people turn to substances to cope with pain, emptiness, or the desire to belong, but these choices can lead to deeper bondage and brokenness. God’s Word calls us to a life of stewardship, not self-indulgence, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. True fulfillment and peace don’t come from temporary highs but from being filled with the Spirit and walking in freedom through Christ.

This Mother’s Day, we’re reminding women to stop comparing their calling to others. You were intentionally and beautifully created by God for a unique purpose. Comparison distracts and discourages you from walking confidently in what you were made to do. True success is being faithful where God has placed you—loving your family, honoring Him, and using your voice, gifts, and story to bless others.

In this Hot Topics message, we explore the often misunderstood subject of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three in one. Through scripture and simple illustrations, we learn how the Holy Spirit is both present and personal, not just a concept but God dwelling with us. He is our Helper who convicts, teaches, and empowers us to live boldly for Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fully walk in the purpose God has for our lives.

This Hot Topics series tackles real, often controversial issues that many people wrestle with but few churches address directly. From church hurt and money to topics like the Holy Spirit, immigration, addiction, and sexual integrity, Pastor Carl Nichols brings biblical clarity to conversations that are often clouded by culture. Each week confronts a different subject head-on, offering truth, grace, and space for honest reflection. The goal is not just to inform, but to help us grow in maturity, humility, and alignment with God’s heart.

This Easter message, What If It’s True?, invites us to wrestle with the most important question in human history: Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Based on compelling biblical and historical evidence, this message explores the reality of the resurrection and its life-altering implications. If it isn’t true, our faith falls apart—but if it is, then everything changes. From the empty tomb to the boldness of the apostles, the facts point to a Savior who conquered death and still lives today. Engage this powerful story for yourself, and you’ll discover that the resurrection isn’t just history—it’s hope. And it has the power to transform your life, your future, and your faith.

What Jesus chose to do leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection are almost as compelling as Easter itself—acts of greatness that defy accepted norms, yet serve as models that anyone can achieve. Today's message, drawn from the powerful image of Jesus at the Passover table with a towel in hand, challenges us to redefine greatness through the lens of servanthood. Rooted in the example found in John 13 and Mark 10, it reminds us that in the kingdom of God, true greatness is not measured by status but by service.