The Worlds Okayest Pastor

Jason Cline

Faith. Life. Real Talk. I’m a pastor with a deep passion for teaching God’s Word and helping people discover a meaningful relationship with Christ. But I’m also human—living in the same world you do, facing the same ups and downs. This space is where faith meets everyday life. I don’t want to ignore the struggles we all face—whether spiritual, emotional, or practical. My hope is to walk alongside you, offering truth, grace, and guidance for both this life and the one to come. Let’s grow together.

  1. 4D AGO

    From Saul’s Spiral to David’s Strength: Choosing God When Life Falls Apart

    Send us a text Smoke rises from Ziklag, families are gone, and a weary band turns on their leader. That’s the moment David does something that feels small but changes everything: he strengthens himself in the Lord before he takes a single step. Our conversation follows the long arc of hope—from Hannah’s raw prayer to Samuel’s calling, from Israel’s demand for a king to Saul’s unraveling, and finally to David’s surprising response under crushing pressure. We draw out the contrast that Scripture wants us to see. Saul grasps; David asks. Saul moves first and prays later; David inquires of God and only then acts. At Ziklag, that posture leads to a rescue marked by mercy along the way—feeding a dying Egyptian who becomes the key to the enemy’s location. The victory that follows is full, but the test continues after the battle: will power turn inward? David answers by sharing the spoils with those who stayed behind and blessing the surrounding communities, insisting that what the Lord gives is meant to be stewarded, not hoarded. Along the way, we wrestle with why we ache for good endings, why life often refuses to give them on demand, and how hope can be more than a mood when the camp is still burning. We talk about seeking God first as a practiced reflex, not a last resort; how generosity is the natural language of people who trust God with outcomes; and why Jesus is the steady center when everything else cycles between gain and loss. If you’re caught between panic and paralysis, this story offers a path: pause, strengthen yourself in the Lord, ask, and then move with courage and mercy. If this episode helps you reframe a hard season, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with one practice you’ll try this week.

    41 min

  2. SEP 28

    Better a Live Dog Than a Dead Lion

    Send us a text Solomon's unflinching examination of mortality in Ecclesiastes continues to challenge and comfort us today. "The same destiny overtakes all," he writes, observing that death comes equally to the righteous and wicked. Yet instead of despair, this ancient king offers surprising wisdom: "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love all the days of this meaningless life." What makes this wisdom so profound is how it confronts our modern struggles with comparison and discontentment. We constantly measure ourselves against others, chasing more possessions, status, and experiences, yet never finding the joy Solomon describes. True contentment comes not from accumulating more but from embracing what God has already provided. For Christians, this wisdom takes on even deeper significance. Unlike Solomon, who had no concept of resurrection, we understand that death isn't the final word. The stark difference between a believer's funeral and a non-believer's illustrates this hope perfectly. While both experience grief, those who trust in Jesus celebrate the certainty of reunion. As Jason noted, "I don't want my kids to repeat my mistakes" – wisdom means learning from others rather than insisting on experiencing folly firsthand. Throughout these chapters, Solomon contrasts wisdom with foolishness, noting how "fools multiply words" while the wise speak with grace and purpose. Even a little foolishness can undermine a lifetime of wisdom, which is why seeking God's guidance matters so profoundly. Whether you're young or experiencing the midpoint of life, Solomon's message remains urgent: follow Jesus while you can. The reality that "everyone comes to the same end" should motivate us to make choices today that align with eternal values. You don't need more experiences or possessions – you need Jesus. When facing your mortality, will you have built your own kingdom of meaningless pursuits, or will you have sought God's kingdom first? The living still have this choice, and Solomon's ancient wisdom points us toward the one decision that transforms both our present joy and eternal destiny.

    33 min

  3. SEP 21

    When Kings Rule but God Reigns

    Send us a text Have you ever wondered how to balance respecting authority while standing firmly for truth in a world that seems increasingly hostile to faith? Solomon's wisdom from Ecclesiastes offers profound guidance for this exact dilemma. Solomon begins by telling us to "obey the king" – not just because he's king, but because we've taken an oath before God. This echoes Paul's later teaching in Romans that "authorities are established by God." But what happens when earthly kingdoms clash with God's kingdom? The answer lies in understanding that while we respect earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus alone. This sermon explores the delicate balance Christians must maintain as people of justice living in an unjust world. We're called to be different – to stand for truth without becoming tyrannical, to speak against corruption without resorting to the world's tactics. The powerful story of Helmuth James, a Christian lawyer who opposed Hitler from within the Nazi system, illustrates how believers can confront evil without becoming what they oppose. As our society grows more polarized, the church's witness becomes increasingly crucial. We're called to be peacemakers, justice-seekers, and truth-tellers – all while demonstrating the grace and love of Christ. This isn't about grand gestures but daily faithfulness: speaking truth in love, standing with the oppressed, and pointing others to Jesus through how we live. The darkness around us may seem overwhelming, but remember that in a world growing increasingly dark, we are the light that matters. How will you shine today? Join us as we explore what it means to be God's people in challenging times, standing firmly on truth while extending grace to a hurting world.

    37 min

  4. SEP 8

    Beyond the Chase: What Truly Matters When Life Ends

    Send us a text Solomon's shift from personal reflection to wisdom sharing in Ecclesiastes chapter 7 brings us face-to-face with mortality and meaning. What begins as almost funeral-like observations quickly transforms into profound insights about living well in light of life's inevitable end. I recently wrote my own eulogy – a strange exercise that forced me to confront uncomfortable questions. What legacy am I building? Would people speak of me as I hope they would? Most importantly, have I focused on what truly matters? Because as Solomon reminds us, "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth." This counter-cultural wisdom strikes at the heart of our pleasure-seeking society. Solomon insists that mourning is better than feasting, that sadness benefits the heart, and that wisdom is found in confronting life's difficulties rather than escaping them. These insights parallel Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes, where blessings are pronounced on those who mourn and hunger for righteousness. Solomon also addresses our tendency to live mentally trapped between nostalgia for the past and anxiety about the future, missing the only moment we can actually influence – the present. This obsession manifests in our cultural resistance to change (like the recent Cracker Barrel logo outrage) while preventing us from investing deeply in relationships right before us. Perhaps most powerfully, Solomon acknowledges life's apparent unfairness. The wicked sometimes prosper while the righteous suffer. Yet even without the revelation of Jesus that we now possess, he concludes that pursuing God is what ultimately matters. For us today, this means recognizing our value in God's eyes beyond our brokenness – that we are loved, chosen, redeemed, and purposeful in His divine plan. Whether you're wrestling with mortality, questioning your purpose, or feeling distant from God, remember this truth: You are deeply loved. So much that even if you were the only person who needed saving, Jesus would have died for you alone. This is the message that gives meaning to everything "under the sun."

    37 min

  5. SEP 1

    Wealth is on Loan, Not Owned: Ecclesiastes' Urgent Message for Today

    Send us a text Solomon, perhaps history's wealthiest man with an estimated $2 trillion in today's currency, offers us profound insight into the meaninglessness of pursuing wealth as an end in itself. His words in Ecclesiastes cut straight to our hearts: "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income." Wrestling with our purpose and meaning often leads us to uncomfortable places. The pastor opens by sharing his own struggle with contentment despite having enough. This universal human condition—wanting more than we have—directly connects to Solomon's ancient wisdom. Like John D. Rockefeller who, when asked how much money was enough, replied "just a little bit more," we find ourselves trapped in cycles of accumulation that never satisfy. Modern psychology confirms what Scripture declared thousands of years ago: wealth only significantly increases happiness when it lifts people from poverty to middle class. Beyond that threshold, additional money brings diminishing returns to our wellbeing. This scientific observation validates Solomon's perspective that pursuing wealth for its own sake is "chasing after wind." What makes this message particularly powerful is that it doesn't condemn having possessions. Instead, it reframes our relationship with them. "Everything you have belongs to God," the pastor reminds us, challenging the notion of ownership itself. When we recognize ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we're freed to both enjoy what we have and use it for God's purposes. The story of missionary Jim Elliott, who gave his life sharing the gospel in Ecuador, captures this principle perfectly: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." This profound statement reminds us that our ultimate pursuit should be the eternal, not the temporary. Ready to reexamine your relationship with wealth and possessions? This episode offers both challenge and freedom—challenging our cultural obsession with accumulation while freeing us to enjoy what we have as gifts from God. Subscribe now to continue exploring how ancient wisdom speaks directly to our modern condition, offering perspective that transforms how we live today.

    37 min

  6. AUG 25

    Walking Dead or Fully Alive: Choose Your Legacy

    Send us a text What happens when the world's wisest, wealthiest man concludes that everything is meaningless? In this profound exploration of Ecclesiastes chapter 4, we journey through Solomon's devastating despair to discover the surprising solution he stumbles upon. Solomon—gifted with extraordinary intelligence by God—reached the pinnacle of success yet found himself utterly alone amidst his achievements. His words echo with disappointment and desperation as he declares "meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless." But within this bleak assessment lies a powerful revelation about human connection and spiritual purpose. The sermon unpacks Solomon's startling observation that "the dead who had already died are happier than the living who are still alive," revealing the existence of "walking dead"—those physically alive but spiritually asleep, going through life's motions without making ripples in the waters around them. Yet amidst this darkness, Solomon discovers a profound truth: "Two are better than one... and a cord of three strands is not easily broken." This timeless wisdom applies directly to our modern struggles. When we lose sight of Christ's promised return, we risk falling into the same despair that plagued Solomon. Our Christian community serves as both support system and motivation—helping us up when we fall and inspiring us to live authentically for Christ every day, not just Sunday mornings. The sermon culminates with a challenging question: What legacy are you writing on the pages of your life? Will future generations read stories of devoted service to Jesus, or of someone who merely chased worldly gain? Unlike Solomon in his darkest moments, we don't have to face life alone—we have both the Holy Spirit within us and a community of believers around us. What will your final words be? Share this message with someone who needs to hear that their life has profound meaning when connected to Christ and His people.

    41 min

  7. AUG 18

    Grasping at Smoke: Why Only God Gives Meaning to Our Seasons

    Send us a text What happens when the wisest, wealthiest man who ever lived concludes that all earthly pursuits are meaningless? In this profound exploration of Ecclesiastes 3, we journey through Solomon's poetic reflection on life's unavoidable seasons and discover the timeless truth that gives purpose to our existence. Solomon captures life's rhythm through contrasting pairs - birth and death, weeping and laughing, war and peace - using a literary device called merism to illustrate that no one escapes these cycles. After chasing wealth, knowledge, pleasure, and power, he describes these pursuits as "hevel" - like grasping at smoke, appearing substantial but proving empty without God. When facing life's painful seasons, platitudes like "everything happens for a reason" often fall flat. Solomon offers something deeper: the recognition that God "has set eternity in the human heart." This innate longing for meaning explains why we all search for purpose beyond our temporal existence. The discussion takes a powerful turn when we view Solomon's wisdom through the lens of Christ. While Solomon didn't have the New Testament revelation, he understood that only God gives meaning to our seasons. For Christians today, Jesus provides the ultimate answer to suffering - not by eliminating it, but by entering into it. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." When people question how God could allow suffering, the answer isn't a theological argument but a person - Jesus Christ. God's response to human brokenness was to send His Son "at just the right time" (Galatians 4:4-7). Through Christ, we gain not only eternal salvation but purpose within life's challenging seasons. Are you wrestling with finding meaning amidst life's unpredictable seasons? Join us as we discover how Solomon's ancient wisdom points to the eternal purpose that can transform even our most difficult moments.

    34 min

  8. AUG 11

    What Truly Matters When Everything is Meaningless

    Send us a text Ever feel like you're running on a hamster wheel, chasing things that never quite satisfy? You're not alone. King Solomon, arguably history's wisest and wealthiest person (with an estimated $2.2 trillion in today's currency), tried it all – pleasure, wisdom, achievements – only to declare everything "meaningless." His ancient words in Ecclesiastes cut straight through our modern obsession with experiences, knowledge, and success. This fascinating exploration of Ecclesiastes reveals Solomon's three-part journey through life's empty pursuits. First, he indulged every pleasure imaginable – from wine to women to wonderful possessions – only to discover that temporary thrills leave permanent emptiness. "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired," he wrote, yet still found himself grasping at wind. We hear this echoed in a relatable story about cultural expectations pushing us toward experiences that promise satisfaction but deliver disappointment. Solomon then turned to wisdom, amassing knowledge beyond anyone in his time. Yet he recognized a brutal truth: the brilliant philosopher and the complete fool share the same fate. Death equalizes everyone, rendering human wisdom ultimately limited. This powerful insight challenges our information-saturated world where we often mistake knowledge for purpose. Finally, Solomon examined meaningful work and achievement. Despite creating magnificent buildings, gardens, and a lasting legacy, he worried about what would happen to it all after his death. "I must leave them to the one who comes after me," he lamented. This speaks directly to our contemporary obsession with career success and legacy-building. The solution? Reorienting our lives toward eternal values rather than temporary pleasures. When we work "as for the Lord" rather than just for human approval, even ordinary activities take on extraordinary significance. As Solomon concludes, fearing God and following his commands isn't just religious duty—it's the pathway to a meaningful life. What void are you trying to fill with temporary things? Listen now to discover what truly satisfies, and why "if you miss God, you're going to miss everything."

    36 min
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About

Faith. Life. Real Talk. I’m a pastor with a deep passion for teaching God’s Word and helping people discover a meaningful relationship with Christ. But I’m also human—living in the same world you do, facing the same ups and downs. This space is where faith meets everyday life. I don’t want to ignore the struggles we all face—whether spiritual, emotional, or practical. My hope is to walk alongside you, offering truth, grace, and guidance for both this life and the one to come. Let’s grow together.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Cline
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Worlds Okayest Pastor
  • Show Website
    The Worlds Okayest Pastor