Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

If you think the Sexual Revolution began in 1960s America, think again. It’s been going on since ancient times. Today we look at three texts which outline God’s standard for human sexuality and how a competing system, the worship of Asherah, blurred the lines of gender and sex. The worship of this ancient demon tampered with three distinct areas.I. Identity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25)II. Clarity (Deuteronomy 22:5)III. Intimacy (Leviticus 18:19-23)Talk with God: Ask the Lord for clarity as you root your identity in Him and walk in the path He’s prepared for you (see Ephesians 2:10).Talk with others: Talk about what it looks like to honor your God-given sex in today’s world with your Connect Group or believing friends.Talk with kids: How does God see people differently than we see them?

We did it! Together, we raised more than $215,000 to show the love of Jesus to our city: providing 10,000 meals, free haircuts, dental and medical services, family portraits, and shoes for kids. That’s what it means to look like Jesus, to see needs around us and meet them with love. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Pickup Party this weekend, we’re preparing our hearts as we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to learn how to do the things Jesus would do and act the way Jesus would act. Because in order to look like Jesus, we have to love like Jesus—with patience, kindness, and compassion for a world that desperately needs Him.I. Do the Things Jesus Would Do  A. Be Patient in Gratitude for His Patience with You  B. Be Kind, Remembering His Kindness Toward YouII. Act the Way Jesus Would Act  A. Don’t Be Rude: Treat People the Way Jesus Treats You  B. Don’t Be a Cynic: See People How Jesus Sees Them (Sheep Without a Shepherd)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this week.Talk with others: Ask a mentor or a believing friend if they’ve noticed an area of your life where you aren’t reflecting Jesus.Talk with kids: What was Saul’s excuse for disobeying the Lord?

Without a doubt, the biggest threat to ancient Israel’s worship of Yahweh was the rival demon-god Baal, regarded as the chief of all Canaanite deities. The allure of Baal worship was the promise of profit and prosperity. I’ve chosen four words that tell the story of the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and frame our role in modern culture.I. Courage (vv. 16-17)II. Contest (vv. 20-40)III. Confrontation (v. 21)IV. Cause (v. 36)Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 6:24 and ask the Lord to reveal the areas of your life in which you’re trying to “serve two masters.”Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what they’re walking through this week.Talk with kids: Why was it wrong for Saul to make the burnt offering?

Today we celebrate how God has used our generosity to take back what the Enemy has stolen. Broken lives that were once shattered have been restored. Hope reigns where despair once did. The generous gifts of your time, treasure, and talent have made the difference. Let’s learn a few key lessons from how Joshua celebrated the ground taken in crossing the Jordan River.I. God’s Commands Aren’t Always Practical (vv. 1-3)II. Our Obedience Is Always Vital (vv. 4-5, 8)III. Remembering the Past Is Inspirational (vv. 6-7)IV. God’s Power Is Irresistible (v. 24)Talk with God: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 and thank the Lord for His faithfulness to “multiply the seed” of your obedience and generosity (v. 10).Talk with others: Ask a friend how you can pray for them this week and encourage them to look back at a time when God’s hand in their life was evident.Talk with kids: Why did the Israelites want a king?

Jesus canceled our debt at the cross and freed us from rule-keeping and spiritual add-ons. We've been handed a bill stamped "Paid in Full"—we don't have to work for our salvation. We simply need to accept the receipt and live in the true freedom only Jesus provides. In this message from Colossians 2, we'll learn from the apostle how to anchor ourselves in Christ.

One of the most emotional debates raging in our day centers on the subject of abortion. Some see it as simply the choice of a woman over what happens to her body; some see it as far more sinister. Today, we look at the ancient practice of child sacrifice to see if there is any parallel to the modern practice. This conversation is vital because it involves the doctrines of both God and man.I. The Ancient Practice (Leviticus 20:1-5)II. The Modern Parallel (Psalm 106)III. The Divine Prescription (John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)Talk with God: Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-24, thanking the Lord that His mercies “are new every morning,” and ask Him to renew your hope in Him this week.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group in refusing to conform to the world and focus on “being transformed” through the Word.Talk with kids: What does it mean to repent?

Paul showed Jesus as the Maker and Maintainer of all things, the Head of the church who reconciles us by His cross and continues His work in us until completion. Like a building, your life needs both a cornerstone and a blueprint—Christ is both. He will align every room of your life to His design. This teaching from Colossians 1 will help you build on what lasts. 

John Calvin noted, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idolatry was a constant issue in the Old Testament, and Paul saw that Athens was filled with idols. But have you ever considered how false worship systems of the past have made their way into the present, but under other names? Today we’ll see how, over time, societies move away from God, His authority, and His truth.I. Corruption in the Nation (vv. 1-6)II. Confusion in the Home (vv. 2-5)III. Chaos in the Heart (v. 6)Talk with God: Take time to prayerfully assess your priorities this week and ask the Lord to reveal anything—or anyone—that’s pulling your focus away from Him.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group or believing friends and family members to keep Jesus at the center of their lives.Talk with kids: Why is it right and good for God to punish sin?

In Colossians 1, Paul reminded the church that Jesus holds all things together—He’s the center of creation and the anchor of our faith. When Christ is at the center, everything else in life will fall into place. As believers, we find true direction only when our focus is on Christ, who reconciles us to God and gives purpose to all we do.

Jesus turned the world’s idea of blessing upside down when He shared the Beatitudes. When life feels like it’s spiraling—when we’re poor in spirit, grieving, or desperate for righteousness—He reminds us that we're positioned closest to God’s grace in these very moments. True blessing isn’t found in comfort or control but in surrender, dependence, and the promise that God will meet us at our lowest.I. Stick to the PlanII. Peel Away the ExtraIII. Interpret Your Struggle AccuratelyIV. Retool for the Current/Coming SeasonV. Attack the Problem from All AnglesVI. Look for Beauty

Are you ready for revival—and what comes next? When Jesus came to the country of the Gadarenes, He encountered a man who was tormented by a legion of demons and had been given up as lost by his community. With just a word, Jesus delivered him and restored him to peace, dignity, and purpose. This passage reminds us that when Jesus comes to town, no life is too broken, no situation too dark, and no one too far gone for His transforming power.

The Bible often speaks about courage, reminding us again and again to be strong and not give in to fear. True courage is not the absence of fear—it's facing it and choosing to do what is right, no matter the cost. In this message from Pastor Robert Furrow, we examine five biblical examples that show us what real courage looks like.

In John 12:20–26, Jesus explains that revival begins not with hype, but with surrender. Like a seed that must fall into the ground and die before it can multiply, we must lay down our own desires so God can bring forth lasting fruit in our lives and new life that spreads beyond us. Revival begins not with what we keep, but with what we’re willing to give up to follow Christ.

We have spent seventeen weeks covering the book of Nehemiah and have considered the many life-application lessons that these chapters provide. But today, for our eighteenth and final study, we’ll zoom out to get the bigger picture. There are five “mega-themes” from this book that we can benefit from. These great themes provide both encouragement and warning to us today.I. Great Cities Can FallII. Ordinary People Can HelpIII. Real Prayer Can WorkIV. Spiritual Revival Can HappenV. Good Movements Can FalterTalk with God: Meditate on Isaiah 6:8 this week and ask the Lord to give you His heart for your city and the people He’s placed in your life.Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to pray for and support you as you seek revival in your walk with the Lord.Talk with kids: How did God rescue His people through Samson?

When a crack appears in the foundation, you can’t just paint over it, you have to repair it, or the whole structure is at risk. In Ezra 9–10, God’s people realized they had compromised their foundation by drifting into sin. Through confession, repentance, and renewal, they were reminded that lasting strength comes only from building on God’s truth. No matter how far we’ve wandered, God is always ready to restore us when we return to Him.

No Christian ever plans on backsliding, that is, moving away from Christ. Yet it happens. The prophet Jeremiah even admitted, “Our backslidings are many” (Jeremiah 14:7). Sometimes, a city can be in shambles because the lives of its people are in shambles. Nehemiah left Jerusalem for a short time and returned to find the people had gone back to practicing their old ways. Let’s consider four mistakes they made and how to prevent them from happening to us.I. Misplace Your Bible (vv. 1-3)II. Misalign Your Companions (vv. 4-9)III. Misarrange Your Priorities (vv. 10-22)IV. Mismanage Your Family (vv. 23-24)Talk with God: Prayerfully consider the people you turn to for encouragement and advice. Are you surrounding yourself with strong, healthy believers who will sharpen you (see Proverbs 27:17) and urge you to grow in your faith?Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to hold you accountable to pray and spend time in the Word daily as you recommit to a habit or create a new one.Talk with kids: How did Gideon test God’s words?

Ezra’s story reminds us that one life surrendered to God can influence an entire nation. After years in Babylon, Ezra returned to Jerusalem—not with an army but armed with the Word of God. Ezra led his people faithfully, trusting God to protect them on the dangerous journey. When you set your heart on His Word and rely on His hand for guidance and protection, He can use you to bring revival, no matter how dark or evil the culture seems.