Podcast
Cathedral
Hosted by Cathedral · EN
Welcome to the podcast of Cathedral, a church for the people of Los Angeles and Nashville. Our lead Pastors are Jake and Nicole Sweetman and we pray these episodes leave you encouraged, strengthened, and confident in God’s love and good plan for your life. To connect with us or find out more about Cathedral, visit www.cathedral-church.com/
38episodes
Episodes
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Loveless in Babylon (Revelation 17 + 18) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
3d ago00:32:01Tap to summarize🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →Holy Work (HSC) | Pastor Sam Picken
1w ago00:34:27Tap to summarizeIn this message, discover how God calls every believer into “holy work” empowered by His Spirit—not just inside the church, but in creativity, business, parenting, and everyday vocation.Drawing from Colossians, Ephesians, and the sweep of the biblical story, this sermon explores:The sacred nature of workWork in Eden before the fall – Genesis 1:26–28; 2:15Co-laboring with God in His mission – 1 Corinthians 3:5–9Making disciples as the core “work” of every believer – Matthew 28:18–20; John 15:1–8Living in the fifth act of God’s storyCreation, Fall, Israel, Jesus, Church, New Creation – Genesis 1–3; Exodus 19–20; Jeremiah 31:31–34; John 1:14; Acts 1:8; Revelation 21–22Our place in God’s unfolding drama – Acts 13:36; Ephesians 2:10In Christ: the engine of holy workFully mature “in Christ” – Colossians 1:28–29; 2:5–7, 9–10Firm faith in Christ vs. hollow tradition – Colossians 2:8–17Abiding in Christ for lasting fruit – John 15:4–5A New Testament view of SabbathSabbath as a shadow; Christ as the substance – Colossians 2:16–17Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath – Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:27–28Rest not as a rigid day but a Person we live in – Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4:1–11Power for the assignmentStrenuously contending with His energy – Colossians 1:28–29 (NKJV/NIV)Dunamis and energeia: resurrection power at work in us – Ephesians 1:18–20; 3:16–21You will receive power and be My witnesses – Acts 1:8Calling creatives and business leadersCommissioning creatives to disciple through art, music, and media – Exodus 31:1–5; Psalm 33:3Commissioning marketplace leaders as kingdom builders – Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 11:25; Luke 16:10–12Learn why vision is the antidote to sin (Proverbs 29:18), why mature Christians go to church full to leave empty in service (2 Timothy 4:6–8), and how to live a life of costly, joy-filled obedience that ends each day exhausted but deeply at rest in Christ. 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →Spirit Filled, Spirit Led (HSC) | Pastor Fillmore Bouldes
1w ago00:42:57Tap to summarize🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →Heaven Sent (HSC) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
1w ago00:41:23Tap to summarizeIn this message, Pastor Jake unpacks Acts 19:1–10 to show how the early church multiplied through ordinary disciples clothed with extraordinary power. Beginning with Paul’s encounter with the “about twelve” in Ephesus, we see the clear biblical distinction between repentance, water baptism, and Spirit-empowerment for mission (Acts 18:24–28; Acts 19:1–7; Luke 3:16).Drawing on Luke–Acts, Pastor Jake explains how Scripture contrasts John’s baptism of repentance with Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:15–17; Acts 1:4–8; Acts 2:1–4, 38–39). He highlights how Luke consistently describes the Spirit’s work as being “filled,” “receiving,” “poured out,” and “coming upon” (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 8:14–17; 10:44–48; 19:6), emphasizing that this is an ongoing, available gift—not a one-time religious formality.This sermon calls listeners to:• Move from being mere beneficiaries of the gospel to empowered agents of the gospel (Acts 8:4; 11:19–21; Romans 10:14–15).• Pray prophetic promises into fulfillment, like Daniel did with Jeremiah’s word (Daniel 9:1–3; Jeremiah 29:10–14; 1 Timothy 1:18–19).• Renounce divided allegiances and rival spiritual powers—crystals, tarot, horoscopes, new age practices, and manipulative anger—as modern forms of sorcery (Acts 19:18–20; Ephesians 4:26–27; 1 Corinthians 10:20–21; Galatians 5:19–21).• Seek fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit amid opposition, as in Acts 4:23–31, recognizing that God empowers soldiers, not spectators (Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Timothy 2:3–4).Through the story of Ephesus becoming a missional hub—so that “all who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10; cf. Colossians 1:6–8; Revelation 2–3)—Pastor Jake casts vision for churches today as apostolic centers in cities and regions, multiplying campuses and works by the Spirit’s power, not human ambition (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 13:1–3).If you hunger for more than comfortable Christianity and long to see bold proclamation, spiritual gifts, repentance, and city-shaping impact, this message will call you to the altar of availability, to be clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →Equipping Everyone To Equip Everyone | Pastor Sam Picken
1w ago00:43:56Tap to summarizeIn this message, Pastor Sam Picken from C3 Assembly in Toronto unpacks a robust, biblical vision of discipleship and equipping in the local church, drawing primarily from Ephesians 4 and the “net‑mending” call on every believer.Built around Ephesians 4:11–16, this sermon explores how Christ gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Pastor Sam clarifies that:Christians are born again in a moment (John 3:3–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17), fully righteous in Christ (Romans 3:21–26),But disciples are made over time, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity (Hebrews 5:12–14; 1 Corinthians 3:1–3).Using the language of Ephesians 4:14, he contrasts mature disciples with “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves” of culture, ideology, and deceitful schemes (John 10:10; Colossians 2:8). The message calls believers to resist a me‑centered, consumer Christianity (Luke 9:23–25; Mark 8:34–36) and embrace a life of surrender, holiness, and mission.Pastor Sam lays out a holistic view of discipleship that includes:Personal devotion and prayer (Matthew 6:5–13; Acts 2:42)Weekend services and corporate worship (Hebrews 10:24–25; Psalm 122:1)Godly friendships and groups (Proverbs 13:20; Acts 2:46–47)Serving on teams and submitting to leadership (Mark 10:43–45; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 4:10)Drawing on the Greek word for “equip” (katartismos) in Ephesians 4:12, he illustrates discipleship as mending, repairing, and strengthening nets—restoring people to purpose (Matthew 4:18–22), arranging their lives according to God’s design (Romans 12:1–2), and helping them become “useful to the Master” (2 Timothy 2:20–21).Throughout the sermon you’ll hear:A prophetic encouragement for a young couple to step into calling and strict training (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)A challenge to shift priorities—finances, time, and relationships—toward the kingdom (Matthew 6:19–24, 33; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8)A call for every believer to move from only receiving to also pouring out (John 7:37–38; Acts 20:35)Anchored in John 6:35, Jesus as the “bread of life,” Pastor Sam describes discipleship as one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread. Every conversation, text, coffee, and small group becomes an act of sharing that bread and mending the net so others can step into fullness of life in Christ (John 10:10; Colossians 1:28–29).The message closes with Romans 15:13, praying that the God of hope would fill believers “with all joy and peace as you trust in him,” so they overflow with confident hope through the Holy Spirit—and join God’s work of equipping everyone to equip everyone. 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →Follow the Smoke (Revelation 15:1-8) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
2w ago00:38:02Tap to summarizeIn this sermon, Pastor Jake unpacks Revelation 15 and invites us to “follow the smoke” of God’s presence through the wilderness of this age. Drawing rich parallels between Revelation and the Exodus story, he shows how the same fire that judges evil (Revelation 15:1, 7–8; Exodus 9–12) becomes protection and sanctuary for those who stand in the “burned over place” of the cross (Isaiah 53:4–6; Galatians 2:20).Key themes include:New Exodus & the WildernessSee how Revelation presents the church as God’s people on a wilderness journey (Revelation 12:6, 14; 15:2–4), echoing Israel’s path from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 14–17; Deuteronomy 8:2–3). We are learning to guard our allegiance to the Lamb (Revelation 14:1–5) and resist the dragon, the beasts, and Babylon (Revelation 12–13; 17–18).Plagues, Justice, and the Prayers of the SaintsExplore how the seven bowls of wrath (Revelation 15:1, 7; 16:1–21) mirror the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7–12) and are connected to the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8; 8:3–5). God’s judgment is His measured, righteous response to evil (Romans 2:5; 2 Peter 3:9–10) and His answer to our longing for justice (Luke 18:1–8).Sea of Glass & Song of Moses and the LambJohn’s vision of the sea of glass glowing with fire (Revelation 15:2) recalls Israel standing safe on the far side of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–31). At the very center of judgment imagery is worship: the people of God singing the song of Moses and the Lamb (Revelation 15:3–4; Exodus 15:1–18; Psalm 98:1–3). Worship and presence are inseparable (Revelation 4–5; John 4:23–24).Smoke, Glory, and the Way InThe temple filled with smoke (Revelation 15:5–8) points back to God’s glory filling the tabernacle and making it unenterable (Exodus 40:34–35) and the temple scenes of Isaiah and Ezekiel (Isaiah 6:1–7; Ezekiel 10:3–4). Pastor Jake shows how this is not exclusion but invitation: the Lamb is both sacrifice and high priest (Hebrews 4:14–16; 9:11–14; 10:19–22), the only way into God’s presence (John 14:6).From there, the message presses home three Spirit-formed works in our wilderness journey:Provision – Learning dependence as God provides in supernatural ways (Exodus 16–17; Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:19). True maturity is not independence from God but joyful reliance on Him (John 15:5).Protection – Living boldly in a world where the dragon wages war on the church (Revelation 12:17; 13:7), yet knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:31–39; John 10:27–30; Psalm 91:1–4).Preparation – Allowing the wilderness to expose and sanctify our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2; 1 Peter 1:6–7; James 1:2–4). Through community, correction, and surrender, we are being formed into a people ready for honorable use (2 Timothy 2:20–21) and for the age to come (Revelation 21:1–5).If you’re walking through fire, wrestling with dependence, or facing spiritual opposition, this message calls you to stand in the finished work of Jesus, follow the smoke of His presence, and trust His provision, protection, and preparation in the wilderness. 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →The Coming Crisis (Revelation 14:6–13) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
3w ago00:33:56Tap to summarizeIn this sermon, Pastor Jake unpacks Revelation 14:6–13 as a discipleship manual for life in a culture drunk on self-worship. Revelation, from the Greek apokalypsis—“unveiling” (Revelation 1:1)—is shown not merely as an end-times roadmap, but as God’s revelation of heavenly reality breaking into everyday life.Walking through Revelation 13–14, this message contrasts the deceptive “unholy trinity” of dragon, sea beast, and land beast (Revelation 12–13) with the “eternal gospel” proclaimed by an angel in mid-heaven (Revelation 14:6–7; Matthew 24:14). You’ll see how modern idols of autonomy, comfort, and success mirror the seductions of Babylon—a symbol for every culture that builds its own kingdom in defiance of God (Revelation 14:8; 17–18; Genesis 11:1–9; Jeremiah 51:6–8).Key themes include:The Eternal Gospel & Coming JudgmentThe angel’s global call: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7; Acts 17:30–31; Hebrews 9:27).Judgment spoken as certain and imminent, underscoring God’s mercy in warning (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16–18).Babylon’s Wine & the Dragon’s Wrath“The maddening wine of her adulteries” (Revelation 14:8; 17:2) as a picture of seductive passion (thumos) that is actually wrath in disguise (Revelation 12:12).How cultural norms around money, sex, power, and achievement quietly reshape our worship (Romans 1:21–25; 1 John 2:15–17).Allegiance, Worship, and Everyday LifeBabylon as a worship category, not an income bracket (Matthew 6:19–24; Luke 4:5–8).Redeemed success: the same “pearls and gold” that corrupt Babylon adorn the New Jerusalem when used for God’s glory (Revelation 18; 21:18–21).Bold Witness in “Midair”The angel’s visible, audible witness (Revelation 14:6) as a picture of the church as “a city on a hill” (Matthew 5:14–16; Philippians 2:14–16).Practical boldness: sharing your story, praying for others, and living publicly for Christ (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:29–31).Patient Endurance & Spirit-Empowered Faithfulness“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God” (Revelation 14:12; Revelation 1:9; 13:10).The blessing over those who “die in the Lord” and finish their race well (Revelation 14:13; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Matthew 24:13).How simple, ongoing obedience opens our ears to the Spirit’s voice (John 14:15–17; Galatians 5:16–25).The message closes with a clear invitation to transfer your allegiance from the doomed city of Babylon to the eternal kingdom of the Lamb (Revelation 17–19; 21–22), trusting the One who loved you and gave Himself for you (Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20). 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →From Pilgrims to Pioneers | Elijah Lamb
Jun 100:38:01Tap to summarizeIn this sermon, we explore why the Trinity isn’t a theological side note but the very center of Christian faith, shaping how we understand God, creation, the cross, and life in the Spirit.Beginning with God’s self-revelation as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14) and the doctrine of divine aseity, we look at what it means that God is utterly self-sufficient—and why our cultural obsession with radical independence is a distortion of our created design (Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 100:3).From there, we unpack the profound claim that “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). If love necessarily involves a lover and a beloved, then only a triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—can be love in Himself from all eternity (John 17:24). We consider creation as both creatio ex nihilo and creatio ex amore—God making all things out of nothing and out of His overflowing love (Psalm 33:6; Psalm 136; Colossians 1:15–17; John 1:1–3).We then trace how the same self-giving love revealed in creation is unveiled at the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion is not God acting “out of character,” but the clearest revelation of who God has always been (John 8:28; Romans 5:6–8; Revelation 13:8). The Father, Son, and Spirit act inseparably in salvation just as in creation: the Father sends, the Son is sent, and the Spirit conceives, empowers, and applies Christ’s finished work (Luke 1:35; John 1:29–34; Hebrews 9:14).Next, we look at Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit as God’s way of bringing us into His own triune life of love (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; Romans 5:5). By the Spirit, the Father and Son “make their home” with us (John 14:16–23), so that we now remain in Him and He in us (1 John 3:24; John 15:1–11). God’s love doesn’t sit still; it “compels” us outward in mission (2 Corinthians 5:14–15; Matthew 28:18–20).Finally, we connect this to the movement from pilgrims to pioneers:Like the crowds in Acts 2, we ascend as pilgrims to encounter God in worship and community (Psalm 24:3–6; Hebrews 10:24–25).Filled with the Spirit, we are sent out as pioneers of the gospel to the nations, carrying the same self-giving love we see in Father, Son, and Spirit (Acts 2:5–11; Acts 8:4; Romans 10:13–15).The message concludes with a clear invitation to repentance, faith, and full surrender to Jesus (Mark 1:14–15; Romans 10:9–10; Ephesians 2:8–9), and a prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit to live in and live out the eternal love of God (Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:22–25; Jude 20–21). 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →The High Ground of Heaven (Revelation 14:1-5) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
May 2500:34:52Tap to summarizeIn this sermon from Revelation 14:1–5, we explore what it means for the church to hold the “high ground of heaven” with the Lamb atop Mount Zion. Against the backdrop of the dragon and his beasts in Revelation 12–13, this message unpacks how followers of Jesus live victoriously in a very real spiritual war.Key themes and scriptures:The Lamb on Mount Zion: Revelation 14:1; Psalm 2; Isaiah 2:1–4; Micah 4:1–3Jesus as the slain yet standing Lamb: Revelation 5:5–6, 9–10; John 1:29The 144,000 as the whole people of God: Revelation 7:1–9; Galatians 3:28–29; Ephesians 2:11–22Marks of allegiance: Revelation 13:16–17; 14:1; Ezekiel 9:4; Deuteronomy 6:4–9Spiritual warfare and standing firm: Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5; 1 Peter 5:8–10Worship as warfare: Revelation 14:2–3; 5:9–14; Acts 16:25–34; Psalm 22:3; Psalm 149:5–9Singing a “new song” of victory: Psalm 96:1–3; Psalm 98:1–3; Revelation 14:3; Romans 8:28–39Discipleship: following the Lamb wherever He goes: Revelation 14:4; Luke 9:23–24; John 10:27; John 12:24–26Holiness and purity in a compromised world: Revelation 14:4–5; 1 Peter 1:14–16; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20Firstfruits and costly allegiance: Revelation 14:4; James 1:18; Romans 12:1–2; Malachi 3:10Truth over deception: Revelation 12:9–11; 14:5; John 8:31–32; John 14:6This message calls believers to:Lift their eyes from the chaos of the beast (Revelation 13) to the Lamb on the mountain (Revelation 14:1).Wage war through loud, confident worship (Revelation 14:2–3; Hebrews 10:24–25).Embrace discipleship, holiness, and uncompromised truth as visible allegiance to Jesus (Revelation 14:4–5; Titus 2:11–14).If you’ve felt pressure to compromise, blend in, or live in the “murky middle” between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, this message invites you to ascend the mountain, plant your flag with the Lamb, and live as a worshiping disciple who holds the true high ground in Christ. 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →The Second Beast (Revelation 13:11-18) | Pastor Jake Sweetman
May 1800:38:19Tap to summarizeIn this sermon from Revelation 13:11–18, we explore the “second beast” and how Satan uses ideology, propaganda, and cultural pressure to lure people into idolatry. Building on the earlier vision of the first beast (Revelation 13:1–10), this message shows how the dragon (Revelation 12:9) forms an “unholy trinity” of dragon, sea beast, and land beast—a dark parody of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; John 14:16–17). We consider how the second beast looks “like a lamb” but speaks “like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11), echoing Jesus’ warning about “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15) and Satan’s pattern of masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13–15). The message unpacks how false gospels and cultural ideologies—ancient and modern—promise liberation and flourishing while leading to bondage and destruction (Jeremiah 2:11–13; Romans 1:18–25). Key themes include: The land beast as a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit, inspiring allegiance to idols instead of to Christ (John 16:13–14; Revelation 13:12–14; Revelation 16:13). How ideology sustains oppressive powers—from Rome’s imperial cult (Revelation 2:12–17; Revelation 2:18–29) to modern systems that redefine personhood, identity, and freedom (Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 5:20). The “mark of the beast” on hand and forehead (Revelation 13:16–17) as a symbol of identity and allegiance, contrasted with the seal of God on His people (Revelation 7:3–4; Revelation 14:1; Deuteronomy 6:6–8). The universal vulnerability of “great and small, rich and poor, free and slave” (Revelation 13:16; Romans 3:9–23) and the equal need for salvation in Christ alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Wisdom and discernment in “Babylon” (Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:9; Proverbs 1:7; James 1:5) and the call to resist syncretism—mixing the gospel with the world’s ideologies (Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18). The sermon closes by contrasting the beast’s number, 666—symbolic of broken, finite humanity (Revelation 13:18)—with Jesus, whose name in Greek totals 888, a picture of new creation and resurrection life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:1–5). Through Revelation 13, we are called to: Patient endurance under pressure (Revelation 13:10; Revelation 14:12; Hebrews 10:36) Spirit-led wisdom in a world of deception (Ephesians 5:15–17; 1 John 4:1–6) Undivided allegiance to the Lamb who was slain and now reigns (Revelation 5:6–14; Revelation 12:11). 🌐 Follow Us:- Website: cathedral-church.com- Instagram: instagram.com/cathedral.church- New to faith? Sign up for our 5 week daily devotional!
Transcribe →