Maryland Community Church: Sermon Audio

People often believe lies about their identity and worth, leading them to pursue approval and success in things that ultimately leave them empty. Using the story of the prophet Elijah MCC's guest speaker, Chad Lunsford, emphasizes that true identity, purpose, and worth are not found in worldly achievements or the validation of others, but in listening for God's gentle whisper, which reminds us of who we are, what our purpose is, and how deeply we are loved.

Fear can be overcome by engaging in prayer, fasting, movement, and worship . Pastor Scot Longyear reminds us that dedicating "12 minutes a day in the secret place" with God can help reduce fear, drawing on the biblical account of King Jehoshaphat who, when faced with a vast army, chose to seek the Lord.

God's grace, received and experienced personally, empowers us to extend grace to others, even beyond our perceived ability. Understanding and engaging with Jesus' ultimate act of grace—His becoming poor to make us rich—is the foundational key to unlocking a generous spirit.

What if 12 minutes a day could change everything? In this opening message of our new series, we dive into the quiet but powerful practice of meeting with God in the secret place. Through honest stories and Scripture, we take a hard look at shame—the way it weighs us down, the lies it tells, and the surprising place where its power breaks. Whether you’re carrying something heavy or just feeling distant from God, this message is an invitation to come home.

Senior Pastor, Scot Longyear, explores the often-misunderstood concept of “the call” from God, showing that it isn’t limited to full-time ministry but is something all followers of Jesus have.

12 Points Campus Pastor, Dan Gisel, encourages believers facing crisis—whether through illness, addiction, loss, or hardship—to trust in God’s providence, engage in earnest prayer, and remember that perfection is not required to witness a miracle. Drawing from Acts 12, it highlights how God's sovereignty, the power of prayer, and the willingness to participate—even with doubt—can bring about miraculous breakthroughs.

HWY 46 Campus Pastor, Jim Pendleton, reflects on what Acts chapter 11 can teach us about the early church, and how it still applies today. Caring is just the beginning; God expects us to also take action.

God reaches out to those who are often overlooked: the forgotten, the grieving, and the different. God demonstrates His boundless love and power, affirming that no one is beyond His care or inclusion.

Saul encounters Jesus on his way to Damascus, and his life changes completely. What can we learn from this amazing face-to-face interaction with a risen Savior? MCC Elder, Mike Goetschel, shares some great insights from Acts 9.

The story of Saul’s transformation in Acts 9 reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus—transformation begins when Jesus chases, continues when we encounter Him, and multiplies when disciples disciple others.

MCC Elder, Bill Koehler, joins the podcast again to look at the final section of Acts chapter 8 where Philip encounters another traveler reading his Bible. We learn a little about how and why we should listen to God in our daily lives.

Pastor Scot highlights the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts chapter 8 to illustrate two types of people: the "Sent" and the "Searching." God uses both in his beautiful plan to build His church.

Last Sunday was Easter and that means new commitments to Christ and lots of baptisms. But what should a brand new Christian do next? Pastor Scot joins the pod to share some tips to help you grow and connect to the Lord in your first weeks as a believer.

After Stephen's death the church is scattered. Was this God's plan all along? Student Pastor, Vince Chan, joins the pod to dig into Acts chapter 8.

Dan Gisel, our 12 PTS Campus Pastor shared three points from the book of Acts on how to thrive in hardship.

What is the scariest storm you have been in? God doesn't guarantee we won't have storms in our lives, and the account of Stephen in the book of Acts is an example of this. Spoiler alert: Stephen dies. So what do we do with that? Does God care when we face opposition? Pastor Telle and guest-of-the-pod, Sam Roten (ie. MCC's IT & Systems Director) discuss this powerful story of martyrdom.

Pastor Scot uses Acts 7 to answer the question "What am I supposed to do when life is hard?"