Bakersfield First Assembly Podcast

Bakersfield First Assembly
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Welcome to the official podcast of Bakersfield First Assembly, where our mission is simple—to make more and better disciples. Each week, join Pastor Jason Kennedy and the BFA teaching team as they bring biblically grounded, Spirit-led messages that inspire transformation and deepen your walk with Christ. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or looking to grow stronger in your journey, this podcast is for you. Stay connected with us online at bakersfieldfirst.com or download the Bakersfield First Assembly App to access sermons, events, and more. Join us—and discover what it means to live with purpose, grow in faith, and lead with love.

  1. 3d ago

    I Am Victorious

    We find ourselves standing at a powerful crossroads in 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat faces three armies closing in on Judah. What makes this story remarkable is not the size of the enemy, but the response of God's people. Instead of frantically preparing weapons and strategies, they fasted and prayed. This counterintuitive approach reveals a profound spiritual truth: fasting deepens our dependency on God. Just as elite athletes fuel their bodies with specific nutrients for physical battles, we are called to fuel our spirits through fasting and prayer for spiritual warfare. The beauty of this passage is that Jehoshaphat didn't wait until after the victory to worship—he sent singers to the front lines, unarmed, proclaiming God's faithfulness before seeing any results. This is faith in action. We learn that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and the victory has already been won through Christ. The question becomes: Are we fighting from a place of defeat or maintaining our position of victory? When we praise God in the midst of our battles, we align ourselves with His power and watch Him work supernaturally on our behalf. Chapters Chapter 1: The Foundation of Victory 0:00 - 8:14 We are reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and we must recognize that we fight from a place of victory, not defeat. Chapter 2: Deepening Dependency Through Fasting 8:14 - 17:41 When facing overwhelming battles, we must deepen our dependency on God through fasting and seeking Him first, rather than relying on our own strength. Chapter 3: Praying with Faith and Waiting for God's Will 17:41 - 25:23 We must pray prayers of faith that recognize God's power and past faithfulness, then patiently wait on Him to reveal His will and strategy. Chapter 4: Praising Our Way to Victory 25:23 - 32:00 True faith leads to worship before, during, and after the battle, and our praise proclaims victory even before we see the results. Chapter 5: Receiving Abundant Blessing 32:00 - 37:21 God not only delivers us from our enemies but blesses us abundantly beyond what we ask or imagine, and our response should be continual worship.

  2. Jul 12

    Convoy of Hope

    At the heart of this message lies a profound truth about radical generosity and the miraculous multiplication that happens when we place what we have into God's hands. Through the familiar story of the feeding of the 5,000 in John chapter 6, we're reminded that our willingness to share—no matter how small our resources may seem—becomes the catalyst for God's supernatural provision. The mathematical impossibility of five loaves and two fish feeding 20,000 people with twelve baskets of leftovers demonstrates a powerful principle: when God is in the equation, all bets are off. We're challenged to move from tight-fisted living to open-handed generosity, recognizing that miracles begin with somebody—perhaps us—who simply shares what they have. The message drives home that God's prompting plus our obedience equals the miraculous, and when we do what we can, God does what we cannot. Through real-life testimonies of divine appointments and supernatural provision, we see how caring for what God cares about—the poor, the suffering, the marginalized—positions us under His favor and blessing. This isn't just about charitable giving; it's about giving others a seat at our table rather than merely offering crumbs, and discovering that our one day of sacrifice can transform someone else's every day. Chapters Chapter 1: Convoy of Hope's Global Impact 0:00 - 6:00 We learn about Convoy of Hope's worldwide ministry feeding 677,000 children daily, empowering women, training farmers, and responding to disasters like the Venezuela earthquake. Chapter 2: The Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fish 6:00 - 19:15 We explore the biblical account of Jesus feeding 5,000 men plus women and children, discovering that when God is in the equation, five plus two equals far more than seven. Chapter 3: Stories of Obedience and Miraculous Provision 19:15 - 33:00 We hear powerful testimonies of people who obeyed God's promptings to give, resulting in miraculous answers to prayer and divine provision for specific needs. Chapter 4: From Tight-Fisted to Open-Handed Living 33:00 - 42:27 We're challenged to move from tight-fisted to open-handed living through One Day to Feed the World, sharing what we have to meet the needs of 2.4 billion people living on less than $2.50 a day.

  3. Jul 5

    I Am A Citizen

    As we celebrate our nation's independence, we're challenged to examine a profound tension: how do we love our country while keeping Christ as our ultimate King? This message draws us into the heart of Christian citizenship, reminding us that while we are grateful Americans, we are citizens of heaven first. The apostle Paul's words in Philippians remind us that our true citizenship transcends any earthly nation. We're called to love America deeply—celebrating its freedoms, honoring its heroes, and serving our neighbors—but never to confuse patriotism with worship. The freedom we enjoy as Americans is indeed a remarkable gift, but it pales in comparison to the eternal freedom Christ offers. Without Him, even the greatest political liberty leaves us spiritually enslaved. This message invites us to be the best citizens we can be, not because we place our hope in government, but because Christ is our highest authority. When we get this right, we become agents of true transformation in our communities, bringing the flourishing that only the gospel can produce. Chapters Chapter 1: Introduction: Accelerate Month and Patriotic Reflections 0:00 - 5:14 The sermon begins with announcements about Accelerate month, encouraging big giving, inviting others to church, and praying big prayers, followed by reflections on American patriotism and freedom. Chapter 2: Love Your Country, But Only Worship Christ 5:14 - 13:40 We learn the crucial distinction between loving America and worshiping Christ, understanding that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, not any earthly nation. Chapter 3: Freedom as a Gift, Christ as the Greater Gift 13:40 - 22:21 While American freedom is precious, it is ultimately a byproduct of the greater gift of spiritual freedom found only in Christ. Chapter 4: Being the Best Citizens Because Christ is Our Highest King 22:21 - 31:38 Christians should be the best citizens of their nation, honoring authorities and living righteously, while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God alone. Chapter 5: The Church's Greatest Contribution is Spiritual 31:38 - 43:23 America's greatest hope is not found in politics but in transformed hearts through the gospel, as the church's mission transcends any earthly nation.

  4. Jun 28

    I Am Forgiven

    This powerful message takes us deep into the transformative reality of what it means to be forgiven through Christ. We discover that forgiveness is not merely God overlooking our mistakes or erasing our past, but a complete legal and relational transformation. Through the concept of justification, we learn that God has canceled the entire record of charges against us, nailing every sin, every failure, every moment of shame to the cross with Jesus. This isn't about God lowering His standards, but about Christ fulfilling them on our behalf. The message challenges us to stop living as defendants in a courtroom when we've already been declared righteous. We're reminded that every attempt to earn forgiveness actually denies the sufficiency of what Jesus accomplished. The exploration of reconciliation reveals something even more beautiful: God didn't just want to keep us out of hell, He wanted His children back home. The gospel bridges the distance that sin created, restoring not just our legal standing but our intimate relationship with the Father. Like the prodigal son who expected employment but received an embrace, we're invited to stop performing for God's affection and start resting in His love. Finally, we're confronted with the reality that forgiven people must become forgiving people. The grace we've received must flow through us to others, not because it's easy or deserved, but because that's the very nature of the gospel that transformed us. Chapters Chapter 1: Understanding Our Identity in Christ 0:00 - 3:59 We explore how our identity determines how we live, and discover that many believers don't truly know who they are in Christ, often allowing failures and shame to define them instead of God's truth. Chapter 2: Justified: The Legal Declaration of Righteousness 3:59 - 10:00 We learn that through Christ we have been justified, meaning God has legally declared us righteous by canceling the record of our sins and nailing them to the cross. Chapter 3: Reconciled: Restored to Relationship with the Father 10:00 - 15:00 We discover that forgiveness goes beyond removing guilt to restoring our relationship with God, bringing us from being enemies of God to beloved children welcomed into His presence. Chapter 4: Empowered to Forgive: Extending the Grace We've Received 15:00 - 25:35 We learn that because we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others, extending the same grace we received from God regardless of how deeply we've been hurt. Chapter 5: Receiving Forgiveness Today 25:35 - 32:26 We are invited to respond to the gospel and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ, surrendering our lives to Him and experiencing the transformation that comes from being made new.

  5. Jun 21

    I Am an HEIR

    We find ourselves exploring a profound truth about our identity as believers through the lens of 1 Peter. The apostle writes to scattered, suffering Christians who felt abandoned and rejected by society, yet he addresses them with remarkable words: they are elect exiles, chosen by God despite their circumstances. This paradox reveals something extraordinary about our spiritual inheritance. We learn that as followers of Christ, we possess three transformative realities. First, we have a living hope anchored not in our circumstances but in the resurrection of Jesus. Unlike happiness that depends on happenings, this hope remains unshakeable because it rests on an empty tomb and a living Savior. Second, we hold an inheritance described with three powerful words: imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Everything in this world decays, but what God has reserved for us never spoils, never loses its beauty, and remains perfectly pure. Third, we are guarded by God's power through faith. Like a military garrison protecting a city, countless hosts surround us to ensure we reach our eternal destination. The message challenges us to shift our perspective from feeling like outcasts to recognizing ourselves as royal heirs. When suffering makes us doubt God's goodness, we must remember that our identity is not determined by temporary struggles but by eternal promises. We are not abandoned; we are chosen, protected, and destined for glory that will never fade. Chapters Chapter 1: Introduction: The Triple Option and Life's Choices 0:00 - 7:06 An introduction using the football triple option as a metaphor, leading into Peter's letter to struggling churches who felt unseen and abandoned. Chapter 2: A Living Hope Through the Resurrection 7:06 - 19:11 We explore what it means to have a living hope rooted in Christ's resurrection, which is not dependent on circumstances but on eternal promises. Chapter 3: An Imperishable Inheritance Reserved for Us 19:11 - 37:47 We examine our inheritance as heirs of God, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven and guarded by God's power. Chapter 4: Guarded by Faith Through Trials 37:47 - 47:00 We discover how God's power guards us through faith during trials, and how the resurrection secures our past, present, and future.

  6. Jun 14

    I Am A New Creation

    This powerful message takes us deep into the heart of what it means to be transformed by Christ through the waters of baptism. At its core, we encounter the profound truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 - that in Christ, we are new creations, with the old passing away and the new coming forth. The teaching beautifully unpacks baptism not as a mere ritual, but as a spiritual declaration of our identity, a public proclamation that we belong to Jesus. Through Romans 6, we discover that baptism represents a burial of our old sinful nature and a resurrection into new life with Christ. The message challenges us to remember our baptism day as a transformational moment, a spiritual ID card that declares we have been washed, sanctified, and justified. What makes this particularly compelling is the recognition that baptism serves multiple purposes: obedience to Christ's command, a public witness to our faith, and a proclamation of spiritual authority that gives the enemy a black eye. We're reminded that transformation isn't about waiting until we're good enough - if we wait for that, we'll never come. Instead, baptism is about declaring that Jesus has made us good enough through His blood. The testimonies woven throughout remind us that real people in our midst are experiencing radical life change, moving from bondage to freedom, from shame to celebration. Chapters Chapter 1: Understanding New Creation Identity 0:00 - 6:37 We explore what it means to be a new creation in Christ through baptism, examining 2 Corinthians 5:17 and understanding our transformed identity. Chapter 2: The Biblical Foundation and Meaning of Baptism 6:37 - 15:00 We dive deep into Romans 6 and other scriptures to understand baptism as a symbolic burial of our old self and resurrection into new life with Christ. Chapter 3: Four Reasons Why We Get Baptized 15:00 - 24:00 We examine the four primary reasons for baptism: obedience to Christ's command, public witness, spiritual authority, and evangelistic opportunity. Chapter 4: Walking Daily in Your New Identity 24:00 - 30:00 We are challenged to remember our baptism daily, not letting our faith grow stale but continually living as those who have been washed, sanctified, and justified. Chapter 5: Celebration of New Creations 30:00 - 35:11 We witness the baptism of several individuals and are invited to celebrate transformation, with an open invitation for anyone ready to go public with their faith.

  7. Jun 7

    Who I Am Not

    In this powerful exploration of identity, we journey through John chapter 3 to discover what truly defines us in a world that constantly tells us we can reinvent ourselves. The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals a profound truth: no matter how impressive our resume, how respected our position, or how religious our practices, outward success cannot satisfy inward emptiness. Nicodemus had everything—he was educated, influential, morally upright, part of the religious elite—yet he came to Jesus at night, searching for something more. This teaches us that we can know theology without knowing peace, understand scripture without experiencing freedom, and hold titles without transformation. Jesus introduces a radical concept that our identity requires not improvement but complete rebirth through the Spirit. The cross becomes the central place where our true worth is revealed, showing us simultaneously that we are more sinful than we realize yet more loved than we can imagine. Unlike the world's system that demands we achieve and earn our identity, the gospel invites us to receive it freely. We discover that when transformation comes from the Spirit rather than external changes, we no longer live for the acceptance of others but from being accepted by Him. This message challenges us to stop building our identity on temporary things like careers, appearance, success, or even failure, and instead anchor ourselves in the unchanging love of Christ who makes us completely new. Chapters Chapter 1: How Identity is Shaped 0:00 - 11:26 Our identity is shaped by nature, nurture, and culture, but these temporary foundations leave us searching for something more permanent and meaningful. Chapter 2: Your Position is Not Your Identity 11:26 - 21:25 The story of Nicodemus reveals that outward success, religious achievement, and social status cannot satisfy our inner emptiness or give us true identity. Chapter 3: The Necessity of New Birth 21:25 - 32:00 Jesus teaches that true transformation requires being born again through the Spirit—not behavior modification, but complete spiritual regeneration from the inside out. Chapter 4: Identity at the Foot of the Cross 32:00 - 42:14 The cross reveals both our sinfulness and God's love, providing the only path to true identity through forgiveness, adoption, and transformation in Christ. Chapter 5: Living in Your New Identity 42:14 - 49:02 We must stop building our identity on temporary things and instead receive our identity as a gift from God, living as loved children rather than condemned prisoners.

  8. May 31

    The Gospel of Mark Volume 2 - Part 13

    This powerful message takes us deep into Mark chapter 7, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders about a critical question: Are we living with outward appearance or inner transformation? The passage challenges us to examine whether our faith is rooted in checking boxes and maintaining appearances, or flowing from a genuine, deepening relationship with God. Through the lens of Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees over handwashing rituals and traditions, we discover that God desires authenticity over performance. The religious leaders had mastered what Jesus called 'a beautiful way of doing an ugly thing'—they looked righteous on the outside while their hearts remained far from God. They even found loopholes in God's commands, declaring their resources 'Corban' to avoid caring for their aging parents. This message confronts us with uncomfortable truths: We can lead worship, pray beautiful prayers, and quote Scripture while harboring bitterness, unforgiveness, and pride in our hearts. The transformation we need isn't about external rules or traditions—it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to perform heart surgery from the inside out. Jesus makes it clear that sin originates in the human heart, not from external factors. Only through surrendering to Jesus can we experience the radical inner change that produces authentic faith. This is our invitation to move beyond religious performance into genuine transformation. Chapters Chapter 1: The Danger of Religious Performance 0:00 - 9:30 A personal story illustrates how we can maintain outward religious appearances while harboring bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts. Chapter 2: Jesus Confronts Religious Hypocrisy 9:30 - 20:00 Jesus challenges the Pharisees who prioritized human traditions and outward purity over genuine heart transformation and obedience to God's commands. Chapter 3: The Heart of the Matter 20:00 - 30:00 True defilement comes from within the human heart, not from external sources, and only Jesus can bring about genuine internal transformation. Chapter 4: Authenticity Over Appearances 30:00 - 40:00 God desires authentic relationship over religious performance, and we must guard against looking faithful while remaining unchanged internally. Chapter 5: Grace, Not Legalism, Transforms 40:00 - 49:05 The law was meant to point us to Jesus, and only His grace and mercy can bring about lasting transformation in our lives.

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About

Welcome to the official podcast of Bakersfield First Assembly, where our mission is simple—to make more and better disciples. Each week, join Pastor Jason Kennedy and the BFA teaching team as they bring biblically grounded, Spirit-led messages that inspire transformation and deepen your walk with Christ. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or looking to grow stronger in your journey, this podcast is for you. Stay connected with us online at bakersfieldfirst.com or download the Bakersfield First Assembly App to access sermons, events, and more. Join us—and discover what it means to live with purpose, grow in faith, and lead with love.

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