Bridgewater Montrose’s Podcast

The Final Countdown: How to Live ”Ready”

Since Jesus made it abundantly clear that we are living in the end times - we should know how to live in a way that makes every day count! So how do we live “ready”? Jesus sent letters to churches in Asia Minor to make sure that they were ready for His return and making the most of every opportunity. Will you listen what Jesus says to His church?

Mark 13:32-37; Revelation 1:1,4-8, 3:14-22

Speaker: Joel Kessler

The Final Countdown: What in the World is Happening?

War. Poverty. Unrest. What in the world is going on, and how should we live today? The current conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked several questions regarding the End Times and whether this is the end. If we are living in the End Times, how would we know & how should we prepare?

The current Israel crisis sparks many questions for followers of Jesus. We wonder if this is the end of the world. If so, how did this begin, and what is our response? Today, we will look at Genesis 16-21 and go back to the beginning of where the conflict started.

Genesis 16:1-3; 9-12, 17:17-19, 21:8-10

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Unlikely Christmas: Unlikely Plan

The events surrounding the Christmas story are incredibly unlikely. So much so that it’s almost ironic that we celebrate it so greatly.

God becoming a baby.

The King of Heaven placed in a feeding trough.

The king of Israel becoming so scared by a tiny baby that he kills off all of the baby boys in Bethlehem.

Why such an incredibly unlikely plan? To produce an incredible outcome. The only question is—will you receive the gift of Jesus?

Luke 1:35

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Unlikely Christmas: Unlikely Messengers

So much of the Christmas story seems unlikely, including God’s choice of messengers to tell people about it. Angels were an obvious choice, but shepherds and foreign wisemen? But the most unlikely of all was God’s messenger to earth–Jesus. That God would humble Himself into such a small and weak container, a baby boy, is the most unlikely plan of all.

Luke 2:8-20

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Unlikely Christmas: Unlikely Timing

When something is promised, it’s easy to get excited and start watching for the fulfillment of the promise. It’s easy, that is, until time drags on and on, seemingly without any movement or change. Eventually, it’s easy to start thinking “It’s not going to happen”, or “We must have gotten it wrong”, or “They must have changed their mind.” Before you know it the lack of movement convinces us that the possibility of anything happening is highly unlikely. So what do we do when God’s timing seems suspect and leads us to believe that His promises are highly unlikely?

Luke 2:21-40

Speaker: Josh Jones

Unlikely Christmas: An Unlikely Birth

A birth predicted 1000 years before it happened. A star guiding magi to the birthplace of a special child. A heavenly message proclaimed by angels to simple shepherds. A virgin giving birth…to a child…who was God. What do all these things have in common? They seem unlikely. But could it be that God uses the most unlikely circumstances to bring about the most wonderful outcomes? We think so. And we invite you to join us as we celebrate an “Unlikely” Christmas.

We cannot control how likely or unlikely our life events will be.  We can only control our response to them.  Mary’s circumstances were beyond unlikely; they were miraculously impossible.  But Mary had an unlikely response to her confusing and frightening circumstances – she completely trusted God.  She wanted what God wanted, even when she didn’t understand.  In the most unlikely birth in human history, Mary had a very unlikely response to God – she trusted Him.  Will you?

Luke 1:26-38

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

This is What We Do: We Live for the Line

Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth. It’s not just because wealth might be lost; it’s because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions. The more you have, the more you’ll leave behind. So the wise will store up treasures in heaven, living not for what is temporary (the dot), but for what is eternal (the line).

Matthew 6:19-21

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

This is What We Do: We Ask the Better Question

When confronted with a need, it is typical to assess your resources and determine what you can afford to give to meet the need. Is this the right approach? Or is there a better question to ask? Jesus challenges us to ask “What do I have?” rather than “What can I afford?” Then He uses what we give in a powerful way.

Matthew 14:13-21

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Starting Point: Invitation

Many people are looking for more purpose in their lives and circumstances. As we wrap up our Starting Point series, we will see that our uniqueness finds its fullest and best expression when connected to God's divine purpose in the world. As followers of Jesus, we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves--and it's called the Church.

Acts 9

Speaker: Bob Kadlecik 

Starting Point: Faith

Faith has a starting point, and as we discussed in week one, our faith is tied to the resurrection. The Christian faith is founded on a person and an event that is supported by historical evidence, and the evidence demands a response.

Acts 17

Speaker: Joel Kessler