Above and Beyond | Persistent Prayer | Mikhail Alfon
Release Date: 03/02/2025
Encounters | What Now? Don't Just Sit There! Acts 16 6-10 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
This sermon challenges us to move beyond comfort and passivity in our faith by sharing the life changing message of Jesus with others. Using a striking story of a man who drifted away in a lawn chair attached to weather balloons, Pastor Jason illustrates how easy it is to stay seated while the world passes by. Just as Peter and John told the healed man at the temple gate, “What now?” we too are called to rise, go, and reach those who may never hear the good news unless we speak. God is on the move, will we move with Him?
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Encounters | When Jesus Sees You John 9 1-7 | Pastor Rick Young
The Echo Church Podcast
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind—and Pastor Rick shows how that same encounter plays out in our own lives. Through personal stories of loss, obedience, and family, he reminds us that Jesus sees us, changes us, and gives us a story worth sharing with courage!
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Encounters | Identity Crisis Luke 5: 27-32 | Mikhail Alfon
The Echo Church Podcast
Who Are You, Really? — With Mikhail Alfon | Echo Church In this powerful and deeply personal message, Mikhail Alfon returns to the Echo Church stage to unpack the question: "Who am I?" Sharing from his own season of radical change—selling his business, becoming a father of two, and stepping into a new career—Mikhail explores how transformation often shakes our identity to the core. Through the lens of Levi the tax collector and his encounter with Jesus in Luke 5, Mikhail challenges listeners to rethink how we define ourselves. Are we still clinging to who we used to be? Or are we...
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Encounters | Sitting at the Feet of Jesus- Luke 10 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this sermon, Pastor Jason Polk continues the Encounters series by looking at Luke 10:38–42, the story of Mary and Martha. In the midst of our culture’s constant busyness and distraction, even good things can pull us away from the “one necessary thing.” Using the story of Mary and Martha, Pastor Jason contrasts the diligent, distracted mindset of our culture vs. the attentive, disciple mindset of Mary. Jason stressed that serving is good and biblical, but it must flow from time spent with Jesus. Without that order—being with Him first—service can become self-focused, joyless, and...
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Encounters | A Ghost Story on the Sea of Galilee: Matthew 14:22-33 | Ray Machen-Gray
The Echo Church Podcast
In this message, Ray Machen-Gray invites the Echo Church family to pause, be fully present, and remember the staggering truth that the God who created the universe loves each of us personally and desires relationship with us. Drawing from 1 John 4 and the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14, Ray explores what it means to live in that love and to obey Jesus, even when His instructions seem counterintuitive or hard. Ray emphasizes that the point of the story isn’t Peter’s failure, but his willingness to get out of the boat at all—and Jesus’ loving, immediate response when he...
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Encounters | A Boat Full of Freaking Fish: Luke 5: 1-11 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this powerful message, Pastor Jason Polk takes us to Luke 5 and the life-changing moment when Simon Peter encounters Jesus by the Sea of Galilee. As Peter washes his nets after an unfruitful night of fishing, Jesus steps into his boat and into his life—issuing a call that will alter Peter’s future forever. Pastor Jason unpacks the simple yet transformative response: “If you say so.” He challenges listeners to recognize when Jesus is pursuing them—often in the middle of routine, distraction, or doubt. This sermon is a heartfelt invitation to pause, listen, and respond to Jesus’...
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Encounters | Touching Jesus: Mark 5:25-34 | Pastor Ken Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this heartfelt sermon, Pastor Ken Polk, father of Pastor Jason Polk, shares a moving message at Echo Church centered on the healing of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5. Ken reflects on the themes of faith, persistence, and the courage to reach out to Jesus even in the midst of a crowd. Drawing on personal anecdotes, biblical teaching, and reflections on the nature of crowds and faith, he emphasizes how Jesus responds not just to casual contact but to sincere, faith-filled hearts. Ken encourages listeners to consider their own condition—whether physical, spiritual, or...
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Encounters | So Close Yet so Far Away! Matthew 19:16-22 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this message, Pastor Jason continues the Encounters series by teaching on Jesus’ conversation with the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19. Through this story, we’re reminded that it’s possible to do all the “right” things, ask all the “right” questions, and still miss what truly matters if we’re unwilling to fully surrender to Jesus. Pastor Jason challenges us to examine our own hearts: What are we holding onto that’s keeping us from fully following Christ? This message invites us to reflect on the barriers — whether possessions, pride, intellect, or comfort — that prevent...
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Encounters | Crowd in the Way or the Friend Finding a Way? : Mark 2:1-12 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this message, Pastor Jason continues the Encounters series by teaching from Mark 2 about the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus. Pastor Jason challenges us to consider: What if the thing you think you need most isn’t actually your greatest need? Jesus surprises the crowd by forgiving the man’s sins before healing his body — reminding us that restoration of our relationship with God is our deepest, most urgent need. This message also calls the church to reflect on how we’re living out our faith. Are we creating space for others to encounter...
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Encounters | The Paul Encounter: Acts 9:1-19 | Pastor Jason Polk
The Echo Church Podcast
In this message, Pastor Jason kicks off our new series, Encounters, by looking at the radical transformation of Saul in Acts 9. He reminds us that Jesus is still in the business of interrupting lives, changing hearts, and sending people out with purpose. Through the story of Saul’s encounter with Jesus, we’re challenged to reflect on our own moments of transformation and consider how God might want to use us to bring others into proximity with Him. If you’ve been feeling stuck or distant, this message will encourage you to seek a fresh encounter with Jesus — one that doesn’t just...
info_outlineIn this sermon, the Mikhail discusses the significance of persistent prayer and how it shapes our relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of communication in prayer, finding joy in trials, and asking for wisdom. Mikhail shares personal experiences and insights on how trials contribute to spiritual growth and the necessity of faith in overcoming doubt. He concludes by encouraging listeners to bring their struggles to God and to engage in a deeper, more meaningful prayer life.
Takeaways
Persistent prayer is essential for a strong relationship with God.
Communication with God should be constant, not occasional.
Finding joy in trials is a key aspect of faith.
Asking for wisdom in prayer allows for deeper understanding.
Trials are opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity.
Doubt can hinder our relationship with God and our prayers.
Listening to God is as important as speaking in prayer.
Prayer should be a posture of surrender and openness.
We must bring all our struggles to Jesus, no matter how small.
Faith and perseverance in prayer lead to spiritual completeness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Persistent Prayer
06:01 The Importance of Communication in Prayer
11:33 Finding Joy in Trials
17:00 Asking for Wisdom in Prayer
23:06 The Role of Trials in Spiritual Growth
27:23 The Power of Faith and Doubt
31:06 The Essence of Prayer and Listening to God
35:41 Conclusion and Call to Action