Podcast
Wonder Church
Hosted by Wonder Church · EN
We are a life-giving church in Eastside Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest. Our vision is to plant churches in cultural epicenters around the world. We are all about empowering people to be everything they were made to be.
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Romans 2:1-16 | The Judge and Savior
1w ago00:41:33Tap to summarizeWe continue our study of Romans, coming now to chapter 2:1-16. We discover destination of all humanity to stand before the Judge, Jesus Christ, where all our sin, even our secret lives, will be fully exposed. However, this same Judge is also the Savior who can save us from this judgement.
Transcribe →Romans 1:18-23 | Turn the Light On
2w ago00:43:29Tap to summarizeWe continue our study of Romans
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Romans 1:1-17 | I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel
3w ago00:42:26Tap to summarizeRomans 1:1–17 | I am not Ashamed of the GospelBefore Paul tells the Romans what he has accomplished, he tells them who he belongs to.In the opening verses of Romans, Paul introduces himself not as an apostle, church planter, theologian, or leader—but as a slave of Christ Jesus. In a city obsessed with status, power, prestige, and achievement, Paul anchors his identity in something deeper: belonging to Jesus.This message launches our study through the book of Romans by exploring the gospel that transformed Paul's life and continues to change lives today. Romans is more than a theological masterpiece. It is a letter centered on the good news that God saves sinners through faith in Jesus Christ.As Paul writes to a diverse church wrestling with cultural and ethnic tensions, he reminds them—and us—that our identity is not built on our accomplishments, backgrounds, or social standing. We are called because we belong.The same gospel that raised Jesus from the dead is still the power of God at work today, saving everyone who believes.In this message: Why Paul introduces himself as a slave before an apostle The cultural pressures facing the church in Rome Why belonging comes before becoming What the gospel actually is according to Romans 1 How calling flows from identity Why Paul was "not ashamed" of the gospel What makes the gospel powerful in every culture and generation How God calls ordinary believers to live with purpose and mission The world celebrates power, wisdom, and success. The gospel reveals something greater: the power of God changing lives through faith in Jesus Christ.Scripture: Romans 1:1–17 Series: Romans Message Title: Called to Belong Core Theme: You are called because you belong.
Transcribe →Friendship in Marriage
4w ago00:47:09Tap to summarizeFriendship in Marriage | Song of Solomon 5:10–16Marriage is more than romance, responsibility, or commitment. At its best, marriage is friendship — the kind of friendship that helps each person become more like Jesus.In this message, Pastor CJ and Nicole Witkoe bring together key themes from the friendship series and apply them to marriage. Looking at Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride describes her beloved as both “my lover” and “my friend,” this message explores how friendship strengthens marriage through companionship, investment, encouragement, and shared mission.Marriage was designed by God to bring out the best in one another. But because of sin, companionship can become competition. Instead of championing each other, couples can drift into comparison, control, criticism, and distance. This message invites husbands and wives to rediscover what it means to stand side by side, celebrate each other’s strengths, walk through grief together, and build the Kingdom as a team.From Genesis 2 to Proverbs 18, from Jesus’ circles of intimacy to the example of Priscilla and Aquila, this sermon shows that deep friendship in marriage does not happen by accident. It takes time, attention, reassurance, celebration, mission, and the willingness to keep choosing the person beside you.The goal is not simply to have a better date night. The goal is to build a marriage where your spouse is not just your partner, but your beloved friend.In this message: Why who you are with shapes where you are going How marriage was designed for side-by-side companionship Why sin turns companionship into competition What it means to champion your spouse instead of compete with them Why deep friendship requires intentional investment How to celebrate the mountains and grieve in the gardens together What Priscilla and Aquila teach us about marriage on mission Why friendship with your spouse points to friendship with God Whether you are married, preparing for marriage, or hoping to grow in your understanding of godly relationships, this message is an invitation to see marriage as a place where love, friendship, discipleship, and mission come together.Scripture: Song of Solomon 5:10–16 Message Title: Friendship in Marriage Speakers: Pastor CJ Witkoe and Nicole Witkoe Core theme: Marriage is about championing the person beside you.
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Spirit-filled Friendship
May 2600:38:40Tap to summarizeSpirit-filled Friendship | Acts 2:1–6Pentecost was not only the beginning of Spirit-filled power. It was also the beginning of Spirit-filled friendship.In this message, we look at Acts 2 and the powerful connection between the presence of God, the gathering of God’s people, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was poured out while the believers were gathered together in one place, reminding us that there is unique power, authority, and presence when God’s people gather in His name.But Spirit-filled community is not the same as perfect community. The early church was filled with awe, generosity, prayer, fellowship, and miracles—but it also faced hypocrisy, division, tension, doctrinal disagreement, and relational conflict. The goal is not to return to an idealized innocence. The goal is to grow into Spirit-filled maturity.This message challenges the fantasy that real Christian community means no disappointment, no conflict, and no difficult people. Instead, Spirit-filled friendship gives us the grace to forgive, the courage to tell the truth, the humility to repent, and the power to keep loving.The death of idealized friendship is often the birth of Spirit-filled friendship.In this message: Why Pentecost reveals the power of gathering How the Holy Spirit works through community Why spiritual gifts are not for us, but through us for others What Acts 2 teaches about healthy Christian fellowship Why idealized community can destroy real community How the Holy Spirit matures us through imperfect people What it means to surrender fantasy and receive real friendship by grace If you have been hurt by church, disappointed in community, or tempted to isolate, this message is an invitation to be filled again with the Spirit and step into mature, grace-filled relationships.Scripture: Acts 2:1–6 Message Title: Spirit-filled Friendship Core theme: The death of idealized friendship is often the birth of Spirit-filled friendship
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Closer Than a Brother
May 1800:42:37Tap to summarizeCloser than a Brother | Proverbs 18:24We live in a world with more connections than ever, yet many people feel more alone than ever. We have more followers, more options, more conversations, and more access—but fewer deep friendships that can actually carry weight.In this message, “Closer than a Brother,” we look at Proverbs 18:24 and the difference between having many companions and having a true friend. Scripture warns that a person with many companions may still come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.This message confronts the spiritual pull of “more”—more attention, more praise, more affection, more intimacy, more options—and shows how the endless pursuit of more can leave us increasingly lonely. Jesus shows us a better way. He loved the multitudes, sent the 72, chose the 12, brought the 3 close, and shared deep friendship with the beloved disciple.The invitation is not to love fewer people less, but to love the right people more deeply.In this message: Why hard times reveal true friends How social media and modern dating can create shallow connection Why deep friendship requires time, intention, and shared experience What Jesus teaches us through His circles of intimacy Why not everyone should have the same level of access to your life How to exchange the love of many for the love of a few What it means to invite Jesus into the center of your closest circle You do not need more friends as much as you need to love the people around you more faithfully. And above every earthly friendship, Jesus offers Himself as the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.Scripture: Proverbs 18:24 Message Title: Closer than a Brother Core theme: Exchange the love of many for the love of a few
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The Sanctity of Life
May 1100:35:44Tap to summarizeSanctity of Life | Romans 5:6–8In this message, we look at the sanctity of human life through the authority of Scripture and the heart of the gospel.On Mother’s Day, Wonder Church partnered with Love Life to pray, fast, give, and take practical steps toward creating a culture of love and life. This message addresses the difficult questions surrounding abortion, the value of the unborn, the responsibility of the Church, and the hope of the gospel for every person.Scripture teaches that God sees life in the womb as known, formed, valued, and purposed. From Jeremiah 1 to Psalm 139 to Luke 1, we see that unborn life is not hidden from God, forgotten by God, or less valuable to God. But this message does not stop at conviction. It also calls the Church to compassion, action, and care for mothers, fathers, children, orphans, and families in crisis.The heart of the message is Romans 5:6–8: while we were utterly helpless, Christ came for us. Just as the unborn are helpless, we were helpless in our sin. And just as life requires sacrifice, Jesus gave His life so that we could live.This is not only a message about life in the womb. It is a message about the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the call of the Church to love both mother and child with truth, compassion, and courage.In this message: Why Christians build their worldview from Scripture, not culture What the Bible teaches about life in the womb How to think biblically about difficult and painful situations Why caring for orphans, widows, and vulnerable families is part of the sanctity of life How the gospel reveals God’s heart for the helpless Practical ways to respond through prayer, fasting, giving, and action Scripture: Romans 5:6–8 Message Title: Sanctity of Life Partner: Love Life Theme: Life, compassion, Scripture, and the gospel
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Bread From Heaven
May 500:58:14Tap to summarizeIn this message, Jeff Vantrease teaches on communion and the truth that Jesus is our daily bread. Through the picture of bread from heaven, we are reminded that God provides daily grace, daily strength, and daily life through Christ.
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People are the Prize
Apr 2000:52:47Tap to summarizePeople are the Prize | 1 John 3:10We live in a world where meaningful relationships are constantly being traded for convenience, distraction, speed, safety, and self-protection. Real connection is hard. Vulnerability is costly. And little by little, many of us have learned to avoid people instead of love them.In this message, “People are the Prize,” we look at 1 John 3:10 and the bold truth that one of the clearest markers of following Jesus is not just personal morality or private spirituality, but love for people. According to Scripture, loving others is not optional for the Christian life. It is central to it.This sermon confronts the ways isolation, hurry, competition, insecurity, and even technology can distort the way we see others. It also reminds us that the problem goes deeper than culture alone. Our sinful nature, the fallen world, and spiritual opposition all work against healthy, God-centered relationships. But Jesus calls us into something radically different.The shift is this: people are not obstacles, interruptions, or tools. People are the prize.Drawing from 1 John, John 13, Romans 12, and the writings of C.S. Lewis, this message invites us to see people the way God sees them and to reorient our lives around success not as achievement, but as learning to love well. And the solution is not simply trying harder. The solution is first receiving the love of God for yourself.Because in the kingdom of God, loved people love people.In this message: Why loving people is a defining mark of a true disciple How isolation and avoidance distort discipleship Why following Jesus cannot be done apart from community The spiritual battle behind division, toxicity, and relational breakdown What it means to see others as eternally significant Why the answer to loving people is receiving the love of God first If you have felt disconnected, guarded, disappointed in relationships, or tempted to withdraw from people, this message is a call back to the heart of discipleship: to receive God’s love and reflect it toward others.Scripture: 1 John 3:10 Message Title: People are the Prize Core theme: Loved people love people
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Jesus, the Bread of Life | Pastor Tim Olson
Apr 1300:39:52Tap to summarizeIn this message, Pastor Tim Olson teaches on Jesus as the Bread of Life and the truth that only Christ can truly satisfy the human soul. While the world offers temporary fulfillment, Jesus alone gives lasting life, hope, and satisfaction.
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