Following Jesus with Bethel

Edson Bethel Pentecostal Church
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Welcome to "Following Jesus with Bethel", a Christian podcast devoted to helping you walk faithfully with Christ in your everyday life. Each episode invites you to slow down, open your heart, and explore what it truly means to follow Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, and real-life conversations. Whether you’re new to faith or have walked with God for years, this is a space to grow deeper in love, purpose, and obedience to the One who calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.

  1. 2d ago

    Cultivating a Heart for Harvest

    Drawing on the imagery of Thanksgiving and the harvest season, this sermon explores the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13 as a lens for examining the condition of our hearts toward God's Word. Pastor Heather emphasizes that every believer is called to plant seeds of faith in the lives of those around them, not just those in formal ministry roles. The central theological insight is that the same seed of God's Word falls on every heart, but it is the condition of the soil -- representing our hearts -- that determines what kind of spiritual harvest is produced. The sermon calls believers to honest self-examination, urging them to soften their hearts, root their faith deeply, guard against distraction and worry, and remain open to the transforming growth that only God can bring. Ultimately, spiritual growth is not the result of human effort alone but of surrendering to God, who is the one who brings the increase.

  2. Oct 4

    The Pharisee and The Tax Collector

    Pastor Daniel continues a teaching series on The Parables of Jesus, focusing on the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18:9–14. The message centers on the contrast Jesus draws between two men who go to the temple to pray: The Pharisee stands confidently, thanking God that he is not like other sinners. He lists his religious achievements—fasting, tithing, moral behavior—believing these make him righteous. The Tax Collector, standing at a distance, won’t even lift his eyes. He beats his chest and prays simply, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Pastor Daniel emphasizes the core lesson: True righteousness comes from humility and dependence on God, not from self‑exaltation or religious performance. Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, goes home justified—showing that God honors honest repentance over prideful religiosity.

  3. Sep 27

    The Mustard Seed and The Persistent Widow

    Pastor Heather's sermon focuses on the theme of the value of small things and how God utilizes them to accomplish His greater purposes. Drawing from two specific parables, she offers insights into faith, persistence, and trust in God’s timing. The Parable of the Mustard Seed: Pastor Heather explains that this parable is primarily about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. She highlights how something as tiny and seemingly insignificant as a mustard seed possesses the inherent potential to grow into something mighty and life-sustaining. Her key takeaway is that believers should not despise small beginnings; rather, they should be faithful with the gifts, talents, and dreams God has placed in their hands. She illustrates this by contrasting her personal struggle with gardening to her mother’s successful care of a plant, emphasizing that with intentional, loving care—like pruning, watering, and protection—even the smallest things can thrive. The Parable of the Persistent Widow: In this portion, Pastor Heather discusses the importance of persistent prayer. She clarifies that Jesus is not portraying God as an unjust judge, but rather using an argument from the lesser to the greater: if an unjust, uncaring judge eventually grants justice to a widow because of her persistence, how much more will a loving and good God respond to the prayers of His children. She encourages the congregation to pray without ceasing and not to give up, noting that consistent prayer is an act of faith. She likens this to the way water gradually carves deep canyons through solid rock—the progress is invisible at any single moment, but through consistent, drop-by-drop persistence, it shapes the landscape. Key Takeaways: Trust in Timing: Both parables illustrate that waiting is often a necessary part of God’s process. Just as a seed needs time to sprout and a widow needed time to receive justice, our own journeys require patience. God’s Power: She reminds the audience of Ephesians 3:20, encouraging them to trust that God is able to do infinitely more than what we can ask or think. Actionable Faith: The sermon serves as a call to hold onto the seeds of dreams God has planted in our hearts, even in seasons that feel dark or buried like soil, trusting that He is active, present, and faithful to help us grow.

  4. Sep 20

    Found and Celebrated

    In a special anniversary celebration service, Pastor Heather reflects on the goodness of God over the past year while preaching through the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin from Luke 15. The sermon emphasizes that every person holds immeasurable worth in God's eyes, that He actively pursues the lost, and that when God works, His people are called to celebrate together. Using a personal testimony from a church member named Danielle Mathieson, the sermon illustrates how God works through community, small acts of kindness, and faithful people to bring healing, belonging, and renewed faith to broken and searching families. The sermon calls the congregation to remember what God has done, to share those stories boldly, and to recognize that even the smallest gestures of love and welcome can change the course of someone's life.

  5. Sep 13

    The Good Samaritan

    Drawing from the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, this sermon explores the question posed by an expert in religious law who sought to justify himself before Jesus: "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responds not with a simple definition but with a story that redefines the concept of neighbor entirely. The sermon emphasizes that loving God and loving others are inseparable, and that genuine love crosses cultural, social, and personal boundaries without limit. Just as Jesus was consistently moved by compassion into action, believers are called to do the same. The parable challenges listeners not merely to identify who qualifies as a neighbor, but to become the kind of person who acts as a neighbor to anyone in need, even when it is costly or uncomfortable.

  6. Sep 6

    A Life Built To Last

    This sermon opens a new series on the parables of Jesus by examining the parable of the wise and foolish builders found in Matthew 7:24-27. Pastor Heather introduces the nature and purpose of parables, explaining their Greek origins and their function as a teaching tool that places a familiar idea alongside an unfamiliar one to illuminate deeper truth. Jesus used parables so that those with open hearts would receive understanding, while those who had hardened themselves would not. The central message of this parable is that hearing the words of Jesus is not enough; genuine wisdom is demonstrated through obedience. Three core truths emerge: obedience is wise and foundational, storms are inevitable in every life, and disobedience leads to collapse. The sermon calls believers to move beyond intellectual familiarity with scripture and into active, heart-level surrender and obedience to Christ.

  7. Aug 30

    The Heart Behind the Habit

    Drawing from Matthew 6, this sermon concludes a series on the Sermon on the Mount by shifting focus from right actions to right hearts. Pastor Daniel emphasizes that Jesus assumed His followers would give, pray, and fast, and that the critical question is not whether these disciplines are practiced, but why. Jesus warns against performing acts of righteousness for public recognition, calling instead for secret generosity, private and authentic prayer, and discreet fasting. The sermon also walks through the Lord's Prayer as a model for approaching God, covering honor, submission to God's will, petition for daily needs, repentance, and dependence in temptation. Throughout, Pastor Daniel draws a parallel between spiritual disciplines and physical training, arguing that growth requires doing uncomfortable things consistently, not just understanding them intellectually. The sermon closes with a call to intentional community connection during fellowship time.

  8. Aug 23

    God's Gotcha

    Drawing from the prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, this sermon explores the truth that God's sovereign plan for His people is never derailed by their failures, disobedience, or circumstances. Pastor John traces the history of Israel through the divided kingdom, the Babylonian captivity, and the eventual restoration under Cyrus of Persia, demonstrating that God announced the details of these events centuries before they occurred. The central message is that God's foreknowledge of our failures does not disqualify us from His purposes. Just as God declared to Israel "I know the plans I have for you" even in the context of discipline and captivity, He speaks the same assurance to individuals today. God is never surprised by our stumbling, and His plan for us remains intact even when we find ourselves in spiritually desolate seasons of our own making.

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About

Welcome to "Following Jesus with Bethel", a Christian podcast devoted to helping you walk faithfully with Christ in your everyday life. Each episode invites you to slow down, open your heart, and explore what it truly means to follow Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, and real-life conversations. Whether you’re new to faith or have walked with God for years, this is a space to grow deeper in love, purpose, and obedience to the One who calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.

Information

  • Creator
    Edson Bethel Pentecostal Church
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bethel Pentecostal Church
  • Show Website
    Following Jesus with Bethel