Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

Everyone worships something. Whether it’s success, relationships, comfort, control, or even our own opinions, there’s always something fighting for first place in our hearts. That’s what the Bible calls idolatry—not just statues and shrines but anything we fear, love, or trust in more than God. Today's message looks at how idols promise fulfillment but leave us empty and how only Jesus can truly satisfy our hearts.

Some sins are obvious, marked by shame and confession. But what about the ones we don’t think twice about—habits so ingrained in our lives that they no longer feel like sins at all? That's the premise of this new sermon series. The first message hones in on gluttony, where it’s not about the number on a scale but the posture of our hearts toward food. Could it be that our overindulgence, excessive cravings, and disregard for self-control are keeping us from the purpose God has for us? Pastor Mike helps us explore what Scripture says about gluttony, why it matters, and how Jesus meets us at the table—not with condemnation but with grace that leads to change.

They may not make headlines, but gluttony, idolatry, slander, and laziness quietly shape our lives more than we’d like to admit. Pastor Mike and Amber preview the new sermon series, "Not So Scarlet Letters," and explore why these “less scandalous” sins can be just as damaging to our souls—especially when they become habits we justify, ignore, or even celebrate. Through humor, vulnerability, and biblical truth, we’ll be challenged to examine our hearts, confront what’s quietly taking God’s place, and take small but powerful steps toward freedom.Pastor Mike mentions how you can get a Leathersoft NIV Value Thinline Bible this month as thanks for your gift in support of Time of Grace. This slim, easy-to-read Bible is a great way to engage with God’s Word every single day. We’ll also send you a Time of Grace bookmark with some Bible study tips from Pastor Mike. Already have your own favorite Bible? Consider getting one to give as a gift to a friend or relative who doesn’t have one. These Bibles are only available while supplies last. You can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org.

The Bible is challenging to read. There are weird words and weird names in it. There’s an Old Testament and a New Testament. There are prophecies and prophets. And if you’re new to the Bible, if you’ve never deeply studied it, it can leave you confused. That's why in this message, Pastor Mike helps us learn how to approach the Bible. Spoiler: It's okay if we don't understand it right away. The important thing is to admit this.Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.

We all want to grow in faith, but sometimes pride gets in the way. When you don’t understand something about God, the Bible, or faith, it’s easier to fake it than admit it. But real growth happens when you're honest about what you don’t know. In this message, you'll see why God doesn’t want you to pretend—you grow stronger when you admit your questions and seek understanding. Because honest Christians don’t just show up to church—they ask, they learn, and they get it.Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.

Most of us don’t like confrontation. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and there’s no guarantee it will go well. But when a fellow Christian is caught in sin, looking the other way isn’t love—it’s avoidance. In this message, you'll see how Jesus calls you to speak the truth in love, not to tear people down but to help them turn back to him. Because honest Christians don’t just confess their own sins—they love others enough to speak up.

You likely think of yourself as honest. So why is there that one struggle you keep to yourself? Here's the problem with that: Unconfessed sin doesn’t go away—it grows. In this message, you'll see why God calls you to confess—not just to him but to others—so you can find the freedom, healing, and grace he wants for you. Because almost honest isn’t honest enough.

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson explore the vital roles of honesty, vulnerability, and courage in the Christian journey, as they preview Pastor Mike's upcoming sermon series, "Almost Honest Isn't Honest Enough." They candidly discuss why confessing sins, engaging in thoughtful confrontation, and asking sincere questions are essential steps for spiritual growth and community health. Together, they emphasize creating safe spaces where believers can share struggles openly, fostering healing and deeper faith without judgment. This conversation invites listeners to embrace authenticity and practical faith building with grace and wisdom.Pastor Mike mentions this month's $125,000 Challenge Grant! Thanks to some generous friends of the ministry, that means your gift will go TWICE as far in helping us speak openly and biblically—and with grace and truth—about real life topics that many people avoid. And when you give, we want to send you Pastor Mike's new book: How to Talk Taboo: A Christian Guide to Honest Confession and Brave Confrontation. This book will show you how to face your fears, get to the other side of awkward, and bravely step into the freedom honesty brings. You’ll learn that honesty leads to grace. It’s the secret sauce for true Christian community. And it’s how you experience the fullness of God’s love. Learn more at timeofgrace.org.

What if you feel too broken with too much baggage? Can you still be saved? Pastor Mike walks us through the account of one of Jesus' closest female friends and shows us that no matter our stories, our struggles, or our secrets, it doesn’t matter how broken we might be—because the broken belong with Jesus.  

Anger can do real damage to our relationships and our lives. So, Pastor Mike says, we need to ask ourselves: how are we going to deal with our anger? Or more important, what is God going to do with us before we blow up his blessings with our anger issues? Pastor Mike looks at the story of two brothers and how Jesus dealt with their anger—and how he can help us with ours too.

We all know a highly organized person who loves checking boxes, planning everything, and getting things done, and we are blessed to have them in our lives. Maybe we ARE that person. But what happens when these strengths of organization and productivity are turned up too high? Diving into the account of two sisters in the Bible, Pastor Mike gives us three takeaways to help stressed overachievers learn how to rest in Jesus.

We often have to be among the best to be chosen. But what if we're not the best? Or even close to it? Good thing for us that Jesus isn't like that. He didn't choose the best and the brightest. Instead, he picked people just like us: sinful, complicated people who sometimes aren't even considered good. Or, in the case of the apostle Peter, Jesus picked proud people who talked too much. WHY would Jesus do that? Through the story of Peter, Pastor Mike gives a message of hope to those who can relate to the prideful Peter. 

The impact of generosity can transform your life and those around you. Pastor Mike concludes the series on money, teaching about the power of giving—whether through financial support, your time, or acts of kindness. By being generous, you become a reflection of God's own generosity to you. 

We're facing a "generosity crisis." There's a staggering decline in charitable giving despite an increase in wealth. Why are people consumed by getting instead of giving? Pastor Mike looks at the famous verse from 1 Timothy 6 that talks about the love of money being the root of all kinds of evil, warning us of what happens if greed gets to our hearts.  About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

The Bible talks about money. A lot. So should we. Pastor Mike delves into the vital yet often overlooked conversation about money, exploring its dual nature as both a blessing and a potential challenge to your faith. Understanding the key principle of stewardship—everything you own is ultimately God's on loan—can transform your relationship with money. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

Money. It's a topic many would rather avoid. But Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson tackle it head on, addressing the fears and challenges many face in managing finances. They emphasize the spiritual nature of money struggles, encouraging listeners to view money as a tool entrusted by God rather than personal property. They also highlight practical steps like budgeting, generosity, and honest communication, especially in marriage, while also cautioning against greed and materialism. You can be reminded of God’s faithfulness and the peace that comes from trusting him, even amid financial uncertainty. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

What kind of life do you expect God to give his most faithful followers? In Pastor Mike's last message from the book of Daniel, he explores your expectations of God through the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Drawing from Daniel's story, he helps you understand the importance of having unwavering faith—because you can expect both blessings and hardship when obeying God. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

What happens when you have to choose between pleasing others and staying true to your biblical faith? In Pastor Mike's second message from the book of Daniel, he uses the story of the three men in the fiery furnace to encourage you as you face your own tough decisions: What happens when you disappoint people by choosing to prioritize your faith? Learn how putting God first can reshape your life. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

The societal pressures to conform to the way the world does things can be overwhelming. But Jesus calls us to be in the world, not of it. In this first message from Pastor Mike's new series from the book of Daniel, he encourages you to stand firm in your faith against the pressures to go along with cultural beliefs and behaviors that are not biblical. Using the story of Daniel and his friends, he teaches how to resolve living out your faith. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson preview the next sermon series that looks at the book of Daniel. They explore how Daniel faced immense challenges—from assimilation pressures to standing firm against idolatry. They highlight Daniel’s unwavering faith, humility, and courage as powerful examples for Christians today living in a world that often feels chaotic and hostile to truth. The discussion also connects Daniel’s story to practical issues like setting spiritual boundaries, engaging with non-Christians, and balancing grace with conviction, encouraging listeners to embody faithfulness and love amid cultural upheaval.Pastor Mike also mentions the new book that accompanies this sermon series: "God Understands: Encouragement From the Book of Daniel" by Pastor Jeremy Mattek. This 22-day study reveals how God sovereignly and compassionately cares for you, even when you can’t see his hand at work. Starting Sunday, June 1, you can request your copy with your gift to the ministry at timeofgrace.org. About "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny": Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask a pastor but felt silly or embarrassed to ask them? Questions about taboo topics like sex, politics, porn, IVF, and mental illness? Well, there's a podcast for that! Hear how Pastor Mike Novotny from Time of Grace answers some real questions from people just like you, giving thoughtful, biblical answers that point people back to Jesus.Find even more questions at timeofgrace.org/tabooquestions.You can also order Pastor Mike's book "Taboo: Topics Christians Should Be Talking About but Don't" at taboobook.org.