Resounding Shophar Blast Podcast

John Johansson

Reminding Christians of Jesus’ soon return and the need to be ready for Him. www.resoundingshophar.com

  1. 12/27/2025

    Look To Jesus

    Message Title: Look To Jesus Main Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4 Pre-Recorded Live: December 29, 2024 – Deming, New Mexico Relevant for: Entering 2025 and entering 2026 Description: As we step from one year into the next, many believers make resolutions-hoping for change, growth, or a fresh start. But in “Look To Jesus,” based on Hebrews 12:1-4, we are reminded that real transformation doesn’t come from willpower or wishful thinking. It comes from fixing our eyes on Jesus-the Author and Finisher of our faith. This message challenges us to shift our focus away from self-help, cultural “flavors” of Christianity, and the distractions that weigh us down. Instead, Scripture calls us to run our race with endurance by looking to Christ’s example: His humility, His obedience, His suffering, and His victory. What was true entering 2025 is still completely relevant as we move into 2026-perhaps even more so. From this message, you will learn: • Why most resolutions fail-and how looking to Jesus brings true life change • How to lay aside every weight and sin that hinders spiritual growth • What it means to follow Jesus with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) • How Jesus’ endurance in suffering strengthens us against discouragement • Why unity among believers matters deeply to Christ (John 17:20-23) • How modern Christianity has become “contaminated” by cultural influences • The dangers of embracing comfortable, altered versions of Christianity • Why believers are strangers, pilgrims, and ambassadors-not citizens of this world (1 Peter 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:20) • Why keeping our eyes on Jesus protects us from deception in the last days • How to live ready, watchful, and prepared for Christ’s return This message is a call to reject the false, divisive, and worldly flavors of Christianity that distract from Jesus Himself. As we enter a new year-and as the world grows darker and more divided-our hope is not in trends, leaders, politics, or personal goals. Our hope is in Christ alone. If you are seeking direction, strength, clarity, unity, or spiritual renewal, the answer is simple and powerful: Look to Jesus. Not to personalities. Not to culture. Not to the world. Only Him.

    48 min
  2. 12/20/2025

    Unwrapping The Gift

    Message Title: Unwrapping The Gift Main Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Pre-Recorded Live: December 22, 2024 – Deming, New Mexico Description: In this powerful Christmas message, “Unwrapping The Gift,” we explore the true meaning of Christmas as recorded in Luke 2:1-20-the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate gift to humanity. Yet countless people celebrate Christmas every year without ever “unwrapping” the gift God has given them. Many love the idea of baby Jesus in a manger-safe, gentle, non-threatening. But Scripture shows that the real gift isn’t simply the birth of Christ… it is the life He lived, the sacrifice He made, and the salvation He offers. This message challenges us to look beyond the swaddling cloths and recognize Jesus not only as the Child in the manger, but as the Savior who lived, died, and rose again for our sins. In this message we explore: • Why many people enjoy the season but ignore the Savior • How Christmas has become focused on gifts, festivities, and traditions instead of Christ • Why keeping “baby Jesus in the manger” allows people to avoid accountability and repentance • Why Herod feared the man Jesus-not the baby-and how that reflects the human heart today • What it truly means to “unwrap” God’s gift: salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection • Why the arrival of Christ is only the beginning of the gift God offered to the world • How the shepherds responded immediately-worshipping and spreading the good news • Why remaining neutral about Jesus is impossible once the gift is opened • The biblical truth that salvation cannot be earned-it must be received (Ephesians 2:8-9) • The eternal difference between celebrating Christmas and embracing Christ This message invites you to ask: Have you unwrapped the gift God sent you? Or have you admired the wrapping while ignoring what’s inside? The gift of salvation has been offered to every person, but like any gift, it must be accepted. Jesus came not to stay in a manger, but to go to the cross, rise from the dead, and offer eternal life to all who believe.

    25 min
  3. 12/13/2025

    Gifts For Jesus

    Message Title: Gifts For Jesus Main Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 Pre-Recorded Live: December 15, 2024 – Deming, New Mexico Description: In this powerful Christmas-season message, “Gifts For Jesus,” we look beyond the traditions, decorations, and gift-giving to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas: God giving His only Son to us. Drawing from Matthew 2:1-12, this teaching examines the gifts of the wise men-gold, frankincense, and myrrh-and the worship, gratitude, and devotion they expressed toward the newborn King. While we celebrate with family, exchange presents, and enjoy the festivities, God calls each of us to consider a much deeper question: What gifts are we bringing to Jesus? Are our lives filled with gratitude? Worship? Sacrifice? Obedience? A willingness to share the good news like the shepherds did? In this message we explore: • Why a thankful heart makes it easier to give Jesus meaningful gifts • Why worship is not just a song, but a lifestyle • How telling others about Jesus is itself a gift we give back to Him • Why genuine gifts cost something-not financially, but personally and spiritually • What it means to offer our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) • Why following Jesus requires daily self-denial, surrender, and counting the cost (Luke 9:23-26; Luke 14:25-33) • How becoming more like Christ-speech, actions, attitudes-is the truest expression of a Christian life • Why Christmas should not be a once-a-year celebration, but a daily lifestyle of worship and devotion This teaching invites every believer to step into the Christmas story personally-to worship Jesus wholeheartedly, to share the good news with others, and to offer Him gifts that truly reflect His worth in our lives. If you haven’t been giving Jesus the gifts He deserves-your obedience, your worship, your surrender, your life-today is the day to begin. Let this message help you honor the King with gifts that are worthy of Him.

    27 min
  4. 11/26/2025

    Heart Check 101

    In this challenging and timely Resounding Shophar message, “Heart Check 101,” we examine what it truly means to follow Jesus in the “perilous times” described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Scripture reveals that the last days will be marked by self-centeredness, deception, pride, and a form of godliness that denies the power of God. These warnings aren’t meant to frighten believers-but to urge us to examine the condition of our hearts before God. This message walks through a biblical heart examination, using both Old and New Testament passages to show: • The evidence that we are living in the last days • How our words, reactions, and behaviors reveal the true condition of the heart • Why storing up heavenly treasures changes how we respond to trials • How to develop a Christ-centered response to suffering, persecution, and uncertainty • The importance of knowing the Lord Himself-not just knowing about Him • What Scripture says about trusting God in difficult seasons • The difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) • How false teachings, cultural Christianity, and unbiblical versions of the gospel lead people astray • How to guard your heart with peace, purity, discernment, and biblical truth (Philippians 4:4-8) • Why regular spiritual self-examination is commanded for every believer (2 Corinthians 13:5) • How to be spiritually prepared for Christ’s soon return The message emphasizes that what surfaces from our lives-our words, actions, attitudes, priorities, and responses to trials-reveals what’s really happening inside our hearts. If the past few years have exposed fear, anger, compromise, or division, God invites us to return to Him with sincerity and repentance. “Heart Check 101” is a call for believers to: ✔ Ask God to search their hearts and expose what is not pleasing to Him ✔ Turn away from sin and worldly influences ✔ Reject false teachings and return to pure biblical truth ✔ Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit through daily obedience ✔ Live with expectation, holiness, and readiness for Jesus’ return Now is the time to prepare our hearts, strengthen our faith, and align our lives fully with the Jesus of the Bible-not the cultural or comfortable versions of Him. The darker the world becomes, the more essential it is to walk closely with Christ.

    1h 1m

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Reminding Christians of Jesus’ soon return and the need to be ready for Him. www.resoundingshophar.com