Ep 35 | Unraveling the Second Coming: Discovering Hope and Judgment
In this episode of A Closer Look Podcast, hosts Jason Smith and David Wojnicki explore Christ’s second coming through the lens of Luke’s Gospel. They connect Palm Sunday to His return, emphasizing the urgency of spiritual readiness and the reality of judgment. Through parables and Jesus’ teachings on possessions, worry, and accountability, they highlight the coming separation between believers and non-believers. The episode wraps with reflections on Easter and Good Friday, urging listeners to examine their faith and live in light of Christ’s promised return.
14 Huhti 16min
Ep 34 | Worry and Worship: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Pastor David and Pastor Paul witnessed the powerful ministry of Ukrainian churches serving refugees. Amid hardship, they share encouraging stories of deepening faith and express gratitude for the prayers and support from their church family. The conversation then moves to Luke 12 and the challenge of overcoming worry. Pastor David explains how anxiety can become a form of misplaced trust when it dominates our thoughts—and how believers are called to renew their minds with truth and trust in God's faithful provision. They urge listeners to adopt an eternal perspective, focus on spiritual priorities, and replace worry with faith rooted in Christ’s care—both in this life and the life to come.
1 Huhti 20min
Ep 33 | Germany Missions, The Unforgivable Sin, and the Reality of Hell
Pastors Jason and David share how, through the sovereign hand of God, the Scopych family moved from pastoring in Ukraine to planting Ukrainian churches in Germany. They also dive into deep theological discussions on the unpardonable sin, the reality of hell, and how Scripture shapes our understanding. Plus, get a preview of upcoming sermons in the Gospel of Luke, exploring what it means to follow Jesus, prioritize possessions, and trust in God’s provision.
11 Maalis 18min
Ep 32 | Living as People of the Light
What does it mean to live as children of the light? In this episode of Closer Look, Pastors David and Jason unpack Sunday’s sermon from Luke 11, exploring Jesus’s interaction with the Pharisees and lawyers. They discuss how his words challenge us to examine our hearts, address common questions about scripture, and highlight the importance of understanding biblical context. Listen in for a practical and insightful conversation on grace, righteousness, and walking in the light of Christ.
4 Maalis 18min
Ep 30 | Understanding God's Blueprint: The Church's Role in His Plan
11 Helmi 17min
Sin, Debt, and Forgiveness
Welcome to another engaging episode of the A Closer Look podcast where hosts David Wojnicki and Jason Smith dive into the latest sermon and broader topics of faith. This week, they reflect on some unforeseen changes in their church's schedule due to illness, highlighting the resilience and kindness within their community. The episode further delves into the final part of a sermon series on the Lord's Prayer, focusing particularly on the concept of sin. David explains that sin encompasses any word, thought, or deed against God, emphasizing how this definition includes not only actions but intentions and thoughts as well. The discussion takes a deeper look into the implications of sin as a debt, and how forgiveness of sin is a crucial part of prayer and faith. How forgiving others is a reflection of the forgiveness from God is dissected, noting that forgiven people tend to forgive others. This episode also touches upon the routine act of giving thanks and trusting God for daily provisions, even in times of apparent abundance. Additionally, David discusses the importance of the ongoing confession of sins and how it helps maintain a clean conscience and a healthy relationship with God. The podcast concludes with reflections on the recent church member meeting and anticipates upcoming messages that continue to build on these themes.
5 Helmi 21min
Luke 11 | Jesus Teaches us to Pray
Welcome back to A Closer Look! After a brief hiatus, Pastors Dave and Jason are thrilled to reconnect and dive deeper into reflections from the recent sermon series on Luke 11. This episode focuses on Jesus’ teachings on prayer, particularly the Lord's Prayer, unpacking its profound impact on both personal faith and communal worship. Over the past three weeks, the series has shed light on the essence of prayer, emphasizing that it’s not about rigid formulas or "perfect" words but about embracing the relational intimacy of addressing God as our Father. The discussion also explores the differences between the versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke, highlighting the unique insights each provides into engaging with God authentically. Join us as we debunk common myths about prayer, uncover the richness of Christ’s teachings, and reflect on how the Lord's Prayer shapes our understanding of God’s kingdom, provision, forgiveness, and guidance. Tune in and be encouraged to deepen your own prayer life as we take A Closer Look!
20 Tammi 17min
