Podcast Summary: "Circles in the Sand"

Podcast: Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Host/Speaker: Jordan McCaslin, Executive Pastor
Date: July 26, 2025

Overview

In this heartfelt weekend message, executive pastor Jordan McCaslin delves into what it really means to find rest and peace in Jesus amidst a fast-paced, anxious world. Framing the sermon around Matthew 11:28–30 (“Come to me… and I will give you rest”), Jordan explores the "circle in the sand" as a metaphor for making clear, meaningful decisions regarding our faith and daily rhythms. Drawing from personal vulnerability, historical anecdotes, and relevant statistics, he challenges listeners to accept Jesus’ invitation: to come to Him, walk with Him, and learn from Him for true transformation—not just temporary relief.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jordan’s Journey and Context for the Message

• Jordan’s Authenticity: Opens with humor about being “so deep in daddom” he makes bad jokes, and confesses he’s preaching from a place of personal weakness ([00:00]).
  • “If you preach from your weaknesses, you will never run out of material.” (Jordan, [00:06])
• Recent Series: Recaps the end of the "Young Bucks" series and playfully introduces a “one-week-only miniseries: Middle-Aged Bucks.”

2. Anchoring Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30

• The Verses:
  • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden… I will give you rest.”
• Why We Love This Verse:
  • It resonates because everyone is weary, seeking peace and rest.

3. The “Circle in the Sand” Metaphor

• Ancient Roman Story:
  • Cites the account of Roman envoy Gaius Popilius Lafinus drawing a circle around King Antiochus, forcing a decision—war or peace ([00:12]).
  • Relates to “choice architecture”: “A clear, present invitation reduces ambiguity and demands engagement.” (Jordan, [00:16])

4. The Crisis of Modern Anxiety and Hurry

• Relevant Stats:
  • Anxiety and hurry are widespread: 43% of Americans more anxious than last year, 67% anxious about current events, 75% of parents often too busy to enjoy life ([00:21]).
• Relatable Illustration:
  • Imagines 10,000 Red Rocks attendees in a room, most would stand up if asked about anxiety over work, family, health, money, or current events.
• Impact:
  • “If we could see an actual picture… you’re going to look at a room full of people that are feeling weary and burdened, that desperately need rest for their soul.” ([00:26])

5. “More” vs. “Enough” – Red Rocks’ Vision

• Word of the Year: "More"
  • Clarifies: “More” in the vision for the church is not about striving or piling on obligations, but about more of Him—more presence, peace, and life from Jesus ([00:34]).
  • “If we don’t understand that on a deep level, we hear a verse about what God wants for our lives…and we mistakenly believe that it’s going to mean we need to do more.” ([00:36])
  • “In Jesus name there is more for you. God wants more for you—not just more grinding…” ([00:39])

6. Three Invitations from Jesus

i. Come to Me

• Personal Invitation: Jesus calls everyone—not to a system, but into personal relationship ([00:46]).
• Historical Context: The crowd listening to Jesus was both physically and spiritually burdened.
• Transformative Offer:
  • “That’s not just a nice verse… that’s water in the desert. What Jesus is saying there, that’s the sound of chains coming off of people.” ([00:50])
• For Modern Listeners: Jesus offers rest, not just coping mechanisms.

ii. Walk with Me

• Yoke Explanation: Historically, the yoke was a heavy, burdensome symbol of the law ([00:52]).
• Jesus' Twist:
  • “When Jesus says… ‘Take my yoke,’ it’s easy and it’s light, He’s making a very deliberate statement.”
  • Jesus offers to shoulder the burden, walk alongside, and set the pace ([00:54]).
  • “Life and success with Jesus is measured by who you’re yoked to.”

iii. Learn from Me

• Relational Discipleship: Not just head knowledge but adoption of Jesus’ rhythms.
• Formation over Information:
  • “Don’t just come to Me for relief. Stay with Me for formation.” ([00:58])
  • “Peace is not found in doing more or running harder. It’s found in living close to Jesus, even in the hidden, ordinary moments.” ([01:01])

7. Historical Example: Thomas à Kempis

• Imitation of Christ:
  • Lived hidden, simple, wrote about the daily disciplines of peace.
  • “Everybody desires peace, but few desire the things that make for peace.” ([01:03])
• Application: True peace is not something to chase, but a byproduct of proximity to Jesus—not efficiency or achievement.

8. The Choice and Response

• Imagery for Listeners:
  • Visualizes standing inside a circle in the sand—must make a decision before stepping out ([01:08]).
    • “You can keep running… Or you can choose to live close to Him and see what happens.”
• Altar Call: Invites both first-time and seasoned believers to respond and choose rest in Jesus.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• [00:06] “If you preach from your weaknesses, you will never run out of material.” – Jordan McCaslin
• [00:16] “A clear, present invitation reduces ambiguity and demands engagement.”
• [00:26] “You’re going to look at a room full of people that are feeling weary and burdened, that desperately need rest for their soul.”
• [00:36] “If we don’t understand that on a deep level… we mistakenly believe that it’s going to mean we need to do more.”
• [00:50] “That’s not just a nice verse… that’s water in the desert. What Jesus is saying there, that’s the sound of chains coming off of people.”
• [01:03] (quoting Thomas à Kempis): “Everybody desires peace, but few desire the things that make for peace.”
• [01:10] “Peace is not a reward for efficiency, it’s a byproduct of proximity.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–00:10: Jordan introduces himself, reflects on his unlikely path to ministry, and sets a tone of honesty and humor.
• 00:12–00:20: The ancient Roman metaphor: the “circle in the sand” as a decision-making boundary.
• 00:21–00:31: Review of cultural statistics on anxiety, hurry, and busyness.
• 00:34–00:44: Discussion of Red Rocks’ 2025 vision—“More”—and the risk of misunderstanding it.
• 00:46–01:00: Breakdown of Jesus’ three invitations: Come to Me, Walk with Me, Learn from Me; contextualized for both ancient listeners and modern experience.
• 01:01–01:05: Reflection on Thomas à Kempis and the “Imitation of Christ.”
• 01:08–end: Poignant guided visualization—“circle in the sand”—and call to respond to Jesus’ invitation.

Conclusion

In "Circles in the Sand," Jordan McCaslin offers an honest, passionate reminder that rest and peace are found not in our effort or busyness, but through a surrendered, relational walk with Jesus. He urges the church to step out of the anxiety-inducing cycles of hustle and accept Jesus’ gentle, present invitation: to come, to walk, and to learn in order to experience deep, lasting transformation.

Final Call to Action:
Examine your pace. Stop striving for what only God’s presence can provide. Stand in the “circle” and choose—rest in Jesus is available here and now.