Beyond the Message

Veritas Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4.7 (10)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join us each week for a casual conversation as we dive deeper into Sunday’s message. We explore key points, clarify questions, and discuss insights that didn’t make it to the stage. This podcast is designed to help you reflect, learn, and apply the truth shared during the sermon.

  1. 1D AGO

    1 John 2:3-6

    In this episode, Danny, Jake, and Sam dig deeper into 1 John 2:3-6 and how we can know we’re truly in Christ without slipping into pride, fear, or complacency. It is essential to know that there is a tension between confidence and humility in the Christian life. John calls believers toward assurance, not shallow comfort or spiritual guesswork. We explore how Christ’s finished work and the Spirit’s ongoing work together produce a faith that is both secure and deeply joyful—and why obedience doesn’t earn salvation, but powerfully confirms it. Highlights from the message: Main Points: 1) Genuine believers are both dependent on Christ and obedient to Christ. 2) Assurance comes from believing in the justifying work of God and experiencing the sanctifying work of God. Assurance, not insurance: John wants believers to know they belong to Christ, not merely rely on a past decision. Don’t remove the supernatural from conversion: Salvation is more than forgiveness—it includes real, internal transformation by the Spirit. Propitiation is Christ alone: Jesus fully satisfied God’s wrath; our obedience adds nothing to that finished work. Justification and sanctification belong together: A past, completed work and a present, ongoing work are both part of God’s saving plan. Obedience doesn’t save—but it reveals: A growing love for God expressed in obedience fuels confidence that God has truly changed us. Security vs. assurance: Believers can be eternally secure and yet lack the joy and comfort that come from living in close fellowship with God. Practical application: Examine fruit, not perfection: Look for growing love for God, not sinless performance. Rest in Christ’s work: Let confidence flow first from what Jesus has done, not what you’ve done. Pursue obedience as response, not leverage: Obedience grows from a changed heart, not fear of losing salvation. Confess sin quickly: Sin doesn’t cancel security, but it does erode joy and intimacy with God. Cultivate assurance intentionally: Assurance grows as we depend on Christ’s grace and walk in step with the Spirit. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: 1 John - The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible 1-3 John - Knowing The Bible 12 Week Study 1,2, & 3 John For You - God’s Word For You Don’t Follow You Heart 1-3 John ESV Scripture Journal Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    40 min

  2. JAN 19

    1 John 1:5-2:2

    In this episode, Jake, Matthew, and Sam dig deeper into 1 John 1:5–2:1 and the uncomfortable-but-loving reality John addresses: there can be real Christians and self-deceived professing Christians sitting in the same room. John writes to strengthen true believers with confidence—and to unsettle false confidence where a “faith” exists without repentance. We talk through what it means that God is light, why walking in the light is a pursuit of holiness (not pretending to be sinless), and how the gospel gives believers both a battle plan against sin and a safety net when they fail—because we have an Advocate: Jesus Christ the righteous. Highlights from the message: Big Idea: Genuine believers both seek to avoid sin and confess sin in the pursuit of fellowship. God is light—morally perfect, with no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). John addresses an internal church issue: people who claim fellowship with God while walking in darkness (1 John 1:6). Two ditches to avoid: Embracing sin while claiming Christ (false confidence). Denying sin entirely (self-deception) (1 John 1:8–10). A key mark of a genuine believer: pursuing holiness + practicing confession (1 John 1:7, 9). The gospel doesn’t give permission to sin—it gives power to fight sin and grace to confess sin. The aim isn’t behavior modification—it’s fellowship with God, which produces real joy. When we fail, we aren’t left to despair: we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Practical application: Conduct a “sin response” audit: When you sin, do you hide, minimize, justify—or confess and fight? Confess to God specifically (not vague): name it, agree with God about it, turn from it. Bring sin into the light with trusted believers (James 5:16): not to be forgiven, but to be helped and healed. Make a real plan to fight sin: cut off access, set boundaries, replace patterns, seek accountability—don’t be passive. Pursue God, not just “sin management”: aim for closeness with God—because fellowship is the engine of holiness and joy. Preach the gospel to yourself: when you fall, run to Christ—not away from Him. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: 1 John - The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible 1-3 John - Knowing The Bible 12 Week Study 1,2, & 3 John For You - God’s Word For You Don’t Follow You Hear 1-3 John ESV Scripture Journal Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    44 min

  3. JAN 12

    1 John 1:1-4

    This week on Beyond the Message, Jake, Ian, and Sam recap the kickoff to our 1 John series with verses 1-4 in chapter 1. John’s opening aim is surprisingly clear: joy. Writing as an aging apostle and “father” to the churches, John addresses real threats inside the church—false teaching, growing worldliness, and a drift in devotion. But he’s not swinging for behavior modification. He’s aiming for something deeper: fellowship with the Father and the Son, and the kind of shared life in Christ that makes joy full. John validates the real, embodied Jesus (“heard…seen…looked upon…touched”) and then calls the church into true koinonia—partnership, shared devotion, shared truth—not merely religious socializing. The warning is sober: lowering the bar of doctrine and discipleship doesn’t create a healthier church; it creates weaker fellowship and diminished joy. The invitation is better: real Christian fellowship is the pathway to real, lasting joy. Highlights from the message: 1 John is written with a fatherly, pastoral tone - John’s boldness flows from deep love—“my little children”—and his concern for the church’s future. Bad doctrine is the “scenic route” to bad living - John addresses false teaching not as an abstract debate, but because wrong beliefs eventually shape real behavior. John opens by punching holes in false teaching about Jesus - He insists Jesus is both eternal (“from the beginning…with the Father”) and incarnate (“heard…seen…touched”). Worldliness is a live threat to the church- Sin is normalized; holiness feels strange. This drift doesn’t just break rules—it kills joy. John states his motive plainly: complete joy (1 John 1:4) - The letter isn’t “shape up” moralism; it’s an invitation into deeper joy through deeper fellowship. Fellowship is not primarily social - Koinonia is shared partnership in truth and devotion, not merely being friendly, attending events, or hanging out. Joy is communal and contagious - John says “our joy,” not just “your joy”—a devoted church strengthens one another’s joy; lukewarmness weakens it. Lowering the bar of fellowship weakens the church and confuses the world - At best it dilutes the sweetness of true fellowship; at worst it deceives people about being right with God. A devoted church is not anti-evangelistic—it’s evangelistic - Like Acts 2, deep devotion + deep fellowship becomes a platform for gospel credibility and real spiritual fruit. Practical application: Audit your “fellowship” expectations Do you think fellowship = social time, good vibes, and niceness? Or fellowship = shared truth + shared devotion + shared life in Christ? Move your relationships toward koinonia Ask in CG / friendships: “What’s the target we’re aiming at together?” Then take one step: pray together, confess sin, open Scripture, pursue obedience together. Treat “lukewarmness” as a joy issue, not just a discipline issue When you feel dull toward God, don’t only ask “What should I stop doing?” Ask: “What am I seeking joy from that isn’t Jesus?” Let doctrine do its intended work Don’t treat theology as trivia; John ties doctrine to discipleship. Read 1 John slowly, asking: What is true about Jesus? What does that require of my life? Choose one “worldliness” pressure point and name it What makes sin feel normal for you right now (media, habits, spending, bitterness, secret sin)? Name it, confess it, and bring another believer into the fight. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: 1 John - The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible 1-3 John - Knowing The Bible 12 Week Study 1,2, & 3 John For You - God’s Word For You Don’t Follow You Heart 1-3 John ESV Scripture Journal Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    23 min

  4. JAN 5

    Rhythms: Prayer

    In the second week of our annual Rhythms series, we focus on prayer—not just as something Christians should do, but as a repeated practice that forms us into people who actually trust God. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray by re-centering on God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will. In this week’s message we walked through the ACTS framework—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication—showing how prayer becomes both a family practice (kids included!) and a window into what we truly rely on when life gets hard. We examined why prayer often feels difficult, how a “small view of God” shrinks our prayer lives, and why the gospel gives us confidence to draw near: Jesus is our High Priest, and God invites His people to approach the throne of grace for mercy and help. Message Highlights: Main Point: Our prayer life reveals who, or what we actually trust. Rhythms are repeated practices meant to become “normal” over time - we aren’t aiming for Sunday-only religion, but a lifestyle of communion with God through the week. Prayer feels hard for many Christians—so the question becomes “why?” - Some don’t pray at all; many feel they “should pray more.” The disciples’ question—“Lord, teach us to pray”—gives us a pathway forward. Jesus teaches prayer as God-centered before it becomes need-centered - “Hallowed be Your name… Your kingdom come…” reorders our hearts before we ask for anything. ACTS provides a helpful structure without becoming a law - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication offer training wheels for a healthier prayer life. Adoration re-centers our hearts on who God is - God is worthy of worship regardless of circumstances; prayer begins by turning attention from self to God.(Psalm 33:6-11, Psalm 145:1-7, Isaiah 6:1-5, Psalm 103:1-5, Romans 11:33-36) Confession flows naturally from adoration - Seeing God’s holiness exposes our lack—and confession isn’t to earn belonging, but because we belong to Christ.(1 John 1:5-10, Psalm 51:1-12, Psalm 32:3-5, Daniel 9:4-9, Ezra 9:6-7) Thanksgiving fights entitlement and anxiety - Everything we have—physically and spiritually—is a gift. Gratitude reminds us we are stewards, not owners.(Exodus 4:11-12, Ephesians 1:3-6, Colossians 1:15-23, 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, Psalm 107:1-2, Psalm 136:1-3, Colossians 3:15-17) Supplication is welcomed, but best flowing from a rightly ordered prayer - We ask boldly because Jesus sympathizes with our weakness and invites us to the throne of grace.(Psalm 86:1-7, Matthew 7:7-11, Ephesians 3:14-19, Philippians 4:4-7) Your prayer life reveals what you actually trust - Where we run when stressed—calendar, substances, control, comfort—exposes functional trust more than stated beliefs. Practical application: Use ACTS as a weekly “reset” (especially when prayer feels scattered) - Even 5–10 minutes can be structured: Invite kids into prayer as participants, not spectators - Let them pray simply, out loud. This disciples them by practice, not theory. Watch what you run to first when stress hits - Use that moment as a diagnostic: What am I trusting right now? Then redirect: talk to God. Strengthen your view of God to strengthen your prayer life - Two fuel sources emphasized in the sermon: Pray like Hebrews 4 is true - Approach God with confidence—not because you’re strong, but because Jesus is your High Priest and grace is available in the time of need. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: Praying the Bible A Praying Life A Simple Way to Pray Prayer Praying like Monks, Living Like Fools Inductive Bible Study How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth Reading the Bible Better Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    34 min

  5. 12/28/2025

    Rhythms: Bible

    As we kick off our annual Rhythms series, we dug into why Bible reading isn’t just a churchy habit—it’s one of the primary ways God forms a church full of people who abide closely with Jesus. In John 6, the crowd wants Jesus for what He can give—but Jesus presses them to see who He is: the Bread of Life, the only source of true and lasting life.  In the message, we learned about the “hard saying” that caused many to walk away, and why Peter’s response is the turning point: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” We explored what it looks like to crave Scripture not out of guilt, but because we’re convinced Jesus is life—and His Word gives and sustains that life.  Message Highlights:  Main Point: Jesus is life and his words sustain life.  A church people love is built on people who abide in Jesus - Programs, preaching, and ministries matter, but the “secret sauce” is a church full of people who love and stay close to Christ.  The real issue isn’t knowing we should read the Bible, but wanting to - The question isn’t “Should Christians read Scripture?”—it’s “How do we get to the place where we crave it?”  John 6 exposes why many follow Jesus: not for Jesus, but for benefits - After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd pursues Jesus mainly for bread, not because they want Him.  The “hard saying” is ultimately about Jesus’ identity and authority - Jesus claims to be the Bread of Life with ultimate authority—offensive then and offensive now.  Jesus doesn’t soften offensive truth—He holds the line - He doesn’t apologize, backpedal, or rebrand the truth. He presses deeper.  The Spirit gives life through the words of Jesus - Jesus’ words are “spirit and life”—they give life (salvation) and sustain life (ongoing nourishment).  Two responses to Jesus: walk away or worship - Many leave; Peter stays because there’s nowhere else to go—Jesus has the words of eternal life.    Practical application:  Diagnose what you’re really after when you come to Jesus - Are you following Jesus for what He can give (comfort, ease, solutions), or for who He is (Life Himself)?  Expect the Bible to confront you before it comforts you - If you only read Scripture when it feels agreeable, you’ll treat Jesus like a consultant instead of a King.  Pursue a “Peter” posture: “Where else would I go?” - When life is tired, anxious, lonely, or even going well—train your reflex toward the Word because it’s life.  Build cravings, not just goals - If you struggle to want the Word, consider practices that reshape desire:  Let communion reinforce the point: Jesus is the Bread of Life - Communion is a repeated reminder that our life is sustained not by what we can produce, but by Christ’s body and blood given for us.    Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:  Praying the Bible A Praying Life A Simple Way to Pray Prayer Praying like Monks, Living Like Fools Inductive Bible Study How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth Reading the Bible Better   Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    31 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    Advent: Love

    This week on Beyond the Message, Michael Rhodes and Jake Each recap yesterday’s Advent message from John 3:16, which shows us God's love is evident, extravagant, extensive, exclusive, effective, and endearing. We unpack the sermon's main points and go beyond yesterday with additional insight into the text. In the final week of our Advent series, we slowed down to reflect on what Christmas reveals about the love of God. John 3:16 is familiar—but far deeper than a “comfort verse.” In Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, we learn that God’s love is not vague sentiment or generic approval. It is seen, costly, wide-reaching, and saving—and it demands a response. In this verse we see six biblical descriptions of God’s love—evident, extravagant, extensive, exclusive, effective, and endearing—and explore how the Spirit’s work of new birth leads to real belief, real transformation, and real worship. We also see two distortions of God’s love in this verse: legalism (“God only loves good people”) and universalism (“God loves everyone no matter what”), and how the gospel corrects both. Message Highlights: Main Point: God's love is evident, extravagant, extensive, exclusive, effective, and endearing. God’s love is evident.God doesn’t merely claim love—He shows it by sending Jesus. The love of God is tangible and historical, revealed in the person of Christ. God’s love is extravagant.The gift reveals the depth: God gave His only Son, and He gave Him for undeserving sinners who were perishing. God’s love is extensive.God’s love reaches the “world”—across borders, backgrounds, and categories—offering salvation to whoever believes. God’s love is exclusive.The verse doesn’t teach universal salvation. There is a real dividing line: belief leads to life; unbelief leads to perishing. God’s love is effective.God’s love doesn’t merely invite or inspire—it accomplishes salvation. Christ’s work is sufficient, finished, and securing. God’s love is endearing.God’s love produces fruit. The Spirit gives new life, which leads to belief, which shows itself in coming to the light—living differently because we’ve been loved. Practical application: Don’t measure God’s love by your circumstances—measure it by Christ.When life feels chaotic or your sin feels loud, return to the “evidence”: the manger, the cross, the empty tomb. Ask which distortion you drift toward: legalism or universalism. Legalism says: God loves good people—so I must earn it. Universalism says: God loves everyone no matter what—so belief and repentance don’t matter. The gospel says: God truly loves sinners, and His saving love is received through Spirit-wrought faith. Let familiarity stop being a shield.If “God loves you” has become a shrug, ask God to soften your heart again. This is not junk-drawer comfort; it’s the center of reality. Look for the fruit of new birth—not just the language of belief.In this passage, belief shows up as coming to the light and doing what is true. Ask: Am I living in the light—or hiding in the dark? Come to communion as a renewed hearing of God’s love.The bread and cup are not just remembrance—they are God’s repeated declaration: “I love you,” grounded in Christ’s body given and blood shed. Biggest Story Advent The Christmas Promise Advent Family Devotional Good News of Great Joy Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    19 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    Advent: Generosity

    This week on Beyond the Message, Ian Crosby and Michael Rhodes recap yesterday’s message from Romans 8:32, which demonstrates that God always provides for his plan—God has already given us His greatest gift, his own Son. We unpack the sermon's main points and go beyond yesterday with additional insight into the text. When life feels marked by waiting, disappointment, or unmet desires, it’s easy to wonder if God is withholding good from us. But the truth is that God’s generosity is sacrificial, gracious, loving, and purposeful, and the cross permanently reshapes the way we interpret what God gives—and what He withholds. The season of Advent reassures us that God is not stingy but faithfully provides everything we need to accomplish His redemptive purposes in our lives. Message Highlights: Main Point: Jesus is the ultimate proof that God always provides for his plan. God’s generosity is sacrificial - God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us—showing that true generosity costs something. God’s generosity is gracious - Salvation is not earned but freely given; the greatest gift we receive comes by grace alone. God’s generosity is loving - The Father gave His beloved and only Son so we could be reconciled to Him. God’s generosity is purposeful - God promises to give “all things” necessary to carry out His redemptive plan—not everything we want, but everything we need. Jesus is the ultimate proof of God’s provision - If God has already given His Son, we can trust Him with everything else. Practical application: Identify where you’re tempted to believe God is withholding - Ask honestly: Where have I assumed God is stingy rather than purposeful? Replace “If I just had…” with “I already have Jesus” - Let gratitude for the gospel reshape expectations and contentment. Trust God’s plan in unmet desires - Recognize that what God withholds may be as loving as what He gives. Practice contentment during a season of excess - Let Advent form you into someone who rests in God’s generosity rather than chasing more. Anchor faith in what God has already given - When doubts arise, look again to the cross as proof that God always provides what is needed. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: Biggest Story Advent The Christmas Promise Advent Family Devotional Good News of Great Joy Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    15 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    Advent: Humility

    This week on Beyond the Message, Sam Anderson and Ian Crosby recap yesterday’s message from Philippians 2:3-11, exploring how the humility of Christ leads to the worship of Christ. We unpack the sermon's main points and go beyond yesterday with additional insight into the text. The humility of God is revealed in the birth of Jesus. The eternal Son willingly laid aside privilege, took on flesh, and became obedient even unto death for our salvation. This message helped us see that humility not merely as a personal virtue to admire, but as the very pathway through which God’s glory is revealed and our lives are transformed. We explore how Christ’s humility calls us to a posture of worship, obedience, and self-giving love in everyday life. Message Highlights: Main Point: The humility of Christ leads to the worship of Christ. Jesus’ birth reveals the humility of God — the all-powerful King willingly became a servant. Christ’s humility did not end at the manger but led Him to obedient suffering and the cross. True humility is self-giving obedience to God for the good of others. The road of humility ends not in loss, but in exaltation and God’s glory. Practical application: Slow down this Advent season to marvel at Christ’s humility before trying to imitate it. Ask where obedience feels costly — humility always leads to action, not just attitude. Reorient daily life toward God’s glory rather than self-advancement or comfort. Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore: Biggest Story Advent The Christmas Promise Advent Family Devotional Good News of Great Joy Do you have a question you want us to address? Submit it now!

    21 min
See All (74)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Join us each week for a casual conversation as we dive deeper into Sunday’s message. We explore key points, clarify questions, and discuss insights that didn’t make it to the stage. This podcast is designed to help you reflect, learn, and apply the truth shared during the sermon.

Information

  • Creator
    Veritas Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 340785
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Message

You Might Also Like