Broadway Church of Christ Sermon Series

The weekly Sunday morning sermon series from the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. http://bwaychurch.org

John: After the Storm 07/12/2026

John: After the Storm Karl Ihfe explores the remarkable transformation of the apostle John — from a brash, ambitious, hot-tempered "son of thunder" to the beloved apostle of love. Through his relationship with Jesus, John's fiery personality wasn't erased but redirected, surrendered, and refined for the kingdom. Karl challenges us to ask not what our personality is like, but what part of ourselves still needs to be surrendered to Christ. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/42050175

Peter: Low and Slow 07/06/2026

Peter: Low and Slow In this sermon, Karl Ihfe walks through the life of the apostle Peter, showing how Jesus saw in Simon something Simon couldn't yet see in himself — a rock. Through Peter's failures, restorations, and ultimate transformation, Karl reminds us that Jesus doesn't call us because we're already who we should be, but because he intends to make us who he created us to be. It's all grace — only grace, ever grace. https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41976025

Judas: Close Enough for Discomfort 06/28/2026

Judas: Close Enough for Discomfort In this opening sermon of the "Behind the Ministry" series, Karl Ihfe examines the life of Judas Iscariot as a sobering warning that it's possible to be physically close to Jesus — attending church, knowing Scripture, even serving in ministry — while remaining spiritually unchanged. Judas walked with Jesus for three years, yet never truly surrendered his heart, ultimately letting greed and disillusionment lead him to betrayal and tragedy. Karl challenges every believer to move beyond mere proximity to Jesus and ask the harder question: not just "do I believe?" but "have I truly surrendered?" /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41855320

Gospel Fueled Humulity 06/22/2026

Gospel Fueled Humulity In this sermon, Jordan Tatum reflects on how pride — what C.S. Lewis called a "spiritual cancer" — can quietly pull us away from God, convincing us we're good enough on our own. Drawing from Romans 5:8, Jordan unpacks three humbling truths: we have sinned against God, we can't fix what we've broken, and it takes an act of God to overcome sin. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus, the Lamb of God, did what we never could — and that truth calls us to follow our Good Shepherd in humility. https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41724380

The Way of the Lamb 06/14/2026

The Way of the Lamb In a culture obsessed with attention, recognition, and being "lions," Dr. Jordan Tatum calls Broadway Church to embrace a radically different way — the way of the Lamb. Drawing from Psalm 23, Proverbs, and Philippians 2, he diagnoses pride as the great spiritual cancer of our age and points to the humility of Jesus Christ as the model for God's people. We are not called to personal glory, but to follow our Shepherd in humble obedience. https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41642045

Vision Sunday 06/07/2026

Vision Sunday After 16 months of prayerful listening, Broadway Church's Vision Team — represented by Jennifer Smith, Jeff Johnston, and Karl Ihfe — unveiled a vision rooted in a simple but powerful truth: people experienced the love of God before they ever knew God. Drawing from congregational stories, community conversations, and discernment of Broadway's unique gifts, the team discovered — not invented — a vision to make God's restoring love visible in our community, our city, and the world. Grounded in Jesus' own command to love one another (John 13:34), this foundation will guide Broadway's leadership in making future decisions with clarity, unity, and confidence. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41565290

FAITH IRL: Living With Purpose 06/01/2026

FAITH IRL: Living With Purpose In this sermon from 1 Thessalonians 5, Karl Ihfe challenges believers to stop drifting through their faith and start living with intentional purpose. Drawing on Paul's closing commands to the Thessalonian church, Karl unpacks what purposeful faith looks like in everyday life — investing in people, staying connected to God, and making room for the Holy Spirit. Just as no one stumbles into a great marriage or deep friendship, no one drifts into spiritual maturity — it has to be cultivated on purpose. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41493695

Faith IRL: Resilient Hope 05/26/2026

Faith IRL: Resilient Hope In this sermon from 1 Thessalonians 4, Karl Ihfe walks through Paul's pastoral words to a grieving church, reminding believers that Christian hope doesn't ask us to deny grief — it anchors our grief in the resurrection of Jesus. The difference between Christian grief and hopeless despair isn't the absence of tears, but the presence of hope. Because Jesus rose, death is not the end of the story, and one day we will be with the Lord forever. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41425675

FAITH IRL: The Right Investment 05/18/2026

FAITH IRL: The Right Investment In this sermon from the series Faith in Real Life, Karl Ihfe draws from 1 Thessalonians 2 to show that real faith isn't just something we believe — it's something we live out in genuine, personal relationship with others. Just as Paul didn't simply preach to the Thessalonians but shared his very life with them, Karl challenges the congregation to move beyond surface-level connection and intentionally invest in the people God has placed around them. Faith, he reminds us, is formed best not in rows, but in circles — in the kind of community where people are truly known, loved, and encouraged to grow. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41333295

FAITH IRL: Models of Faith 05/11/2026

FAITH IRL: Models of Faith In this sermon, Karl Ihfe opens a four-week series called Faith in Real Life by examining 1 Thessalonians 1, where Paul celebrates the young church at Thessalonica for developing a faith worth imitating. Karl challenges the congregation to move beyond merely knowing the gospel to being transformed by it — turning away from the idols competing for their hearts and toward the living God. A faith worth imitating, he reminds us, is one that works, labors in love, and endures with hope, ringing out into the world around us. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41248115

Family Tradition 05/04/2026

Family Tradition Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, Karl Ihfe reminds us that every family passes something down — the question is what. Real, lasting faith is built not through perfect plans or polished religion, but through genuine love for God, everyday moments, intentional habits, and a shared community of believers. As Karl puts it, it takes more than a village — it takes a church — to pass down a faith worth inheriting. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41144045

STAYING GROUNDED: Flight Delay 04/27/2026

STAYING GROUNDED: Flight Delay In this sermon on John 11, Karl Ihfe explores the story of Lazarus to remind us that God's timing, though often confusing, never fails us. Through Martha's honest cry — "Lord, if you had been here" — and Jesus' deliberate delay, Karl shows us that delays are not signs of God's disinterest, but invitations to deeper trust. What feels like a setback may actually be the stage God is setting for his greatest glory. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/41033710

The First Forty Days (of Freshman Year) 04/20/2026

The First Forty Days (of Freshman Year) On Senior Sunday at Broadway Church of Christ, Bryan Brunson addresses graduating seniors Spencer and Evelyn through the lens of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Drawing parallels between Jesus' graduation into public ministry and the students' transition to adulthood, Brunson explores three key temptations that both Jesus and modern graduates face. The first temptation involves taking shortcuts to satisfaction - turning stones to bread - which he relates to seeking quick dopamine hits through shallow pursuits rather than addressing deeper spiritual hunger. The second temptation is the "identity stunt" of jumping from the temple to prove oneself, which parallels the pressure graduates feel to perform or compromise their values to gain attention and belonging in new environments. The final temptation involves bowing to worldly kingdoms for easy success, which Brunson warns against as he encourages the graduates not to put their faith "on the shelf" for four years in pursuit of worldly achievement. Throughout his message, Brunson weaves in personal anecdotes from coaching T-ball and his own college experience, creating a relatable and conversational tone. He specifically addresses Spencer's proximity to home (going to San Angelo) and Evelyn's distance (Harding University in Arkansas, 9 hours and 44 minutes away), warning against letting either distance or proximity make their faith lazy. The sermon concludes with the reminder that just as angels attended Jesus after his victory over temptation, the church community serves as support for those facing life's challenges. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40941735

STAYING GROUNDED: Turbulence Ahead 04/13/2026

STAYING GROUNDED: Turbulence Ahead In this sermon from 1 Kings 19, Karl uses the analogy of airplane turbulence to explore Elijah's emotional and spiritual crisis following his great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Despite witnessing God's incredible power, Elijah finds himself running from Jezebel's threats, exhausted and praying to die under a broom bush. Karl emphasizes that Elijah wasn't faithless but simply burned out, and God's response wasn't to lecture him but to provide rest, food, and care through an angel who told him to "get up and eat." The sermon's central moment comes when God appears to Elijah not in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. Karl explains that whispers don't compete for attention but invite closeness - you have to be still and lean in to hear them. He challenges the congregation about how much time they spend on their phones (noting his own eight hours that week) versus how much time they spend in quiet with God. The modern world fills our lives with noise, notifications, and even algorithms designed to make us angry, but God often speaks most clearly when we quit striving and get still. Karl concludes that God's slowdowns in our lives aren't punishment but preparation - He restores before He recommissions us, just as He did with Elijah before sending him back to complete his work. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40832490

RESCUE: The Ultimate Rescue 04/06/2026

RESCUE: The Ultimate Rescue Karl Ihfe begins his Easter sermon by comparing the resurrection to great rescue stories where hope triumphs over despair and life conquers death. He notes that the women who went to Jesus' tomb in Luke 24 expected to find it full, not empty, and even the disciples initially didn't believe their report that Jesus had risen. The shocking discovery of the empty tomb and the angels' question, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" changed everything in human history. Karl emphasizes that Easter declares death no longer has the final word, referencing Romans 6:4-5 to show that Christ's victory over death becomes our victory through faith. He shares Jesus' promise from John 11:25-26 that believers will live even though they die, noting how their recently departed friend Rebecca Talley staked her life on this promise and is now more alive than ever. However, the resurrection isn't just about future hope—citing Colossians 3:1, Karl explains that we have already been raised with Christ and are invited to live differently now. The sermon concludes with communion, which he frames as a victory meal celebrating Jesus' triumph over death, inviting the congregation to step out of whatever "graves" of fear, shame, or anxiety may still be holding them captive. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40749935

RESCUE: Jesus Bore Our Shame 03/30/2026

RESCUE: Jesus Bore Our Shame Jordan Tatum begins this Palm Sunday message by reflecting on the honor given to Jesus as He entered Jerusalem, explaining how honor and shame functioned as social currencies in the ancient world. He then delves into the deeper problem of sin, describing it not merely as bad choices but as a supernatural force that deceives, enslaves, and ultimately fills us with shame. Tatum shares how shame acts as our "personal attendant," convincing us we are failures and that God couldn't possibly love us if He truly knew us. The sermon's turning point comes through Tatum's encounter with a man struggling with same-sex attraction, drug use, and deep shame who had abandoned his faith. When Tatum asked him, "What does the cross tell you?" the man could only respond, "Is he really that good?" This moment revealed how the cross doesn't just deal with our sin but also defeats our shame. Citing passages like Hebrews 12:2 and Colossians 2:13-15, Tatum explains that Jesus "scorned the shame" of the cross and made a "public spectacle" of the powers and authorities. The cross becomes the place where Jesus took our shame so we could receive His honor, demonstrating that God is indeed "really that good." https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40665890

RESCUE: Learning to Live Free 03/16/2026

RESCUE: Learning to Live Free Karl Ihfe opens his sermon with the movie "The Shawshank Redemption," focusing on the pivotal moment when Andy tells Red to choose between "get busy living or get busy dying." This sets up the central theme that while getting free from bondage is one challenge, learning how to live in that freedom is often much harder. Ihfe connects this to Israel's experience in Exodus and Numbers, where God rescued them from Egyptian slavery but then had to teach them how to live as free people during their wilderness journey. Throughout the sermon, Ihfe demonstrates how fear consistently tempted the Israelites to romanticize their past bondage and retreat from the uncertain freedom God was leading them toward. When faced with challenges like lack of food in the wilderness or intimidating giants in the Promised Land, they repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt's familiar slavery rather than trust God's provision and promises. Ihfe emphasizes that this same pattern affects us today - we often retreat to familiar but unhealthy patterns when God calls us to new freedom. He concludes by challenging listeners to identify both an "Egypt habit" they need to confront and a "promised land" step of trust they need to take, reminding them that wilderness seasons aren't evidence of God's abandonment but of His transformative work in our lives. https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40492675

RESCUE: We Need a Bigger Boat 03/09/2026

RESCUE: We Need a Bigger Boat Karl Ihfe opens his sermon with references to the movie Jaws and the dramatic Thai cave rescue to illustrate his central theme: God's rescue operation requires "a bigger boat" because it encompasses far more than individual salvation. Using Exodus 3 as his foundation, Ihfe demonstrates how God heard the collective cries of the Israelites in Egypt and came down to rescue them as a people, not just select individuals. He emphasizes the communal language throughout Scripture, noting how God says "my people" and uses plural pronouns when describing His rescue mission. Ihfe argues that Western Christianity has become too individualistic, focusing primarily on personal salvation and private relationships with God, while missing the broader communal aspect of God's rescue plan. He points to Jesus' teaching of the Lord's Prayer with "our Father" and "give us our daily bread" as evidence of this communal focus. The sermon connects the Exodus story to Christ's mission, explaining how Jesus came not just for individuals but for the whole world, as stated in John 3:16. Ihfe concludes by challenging the congregation to ask not only "God, rescue me" but "God, rescue us" - addressing collective bondage in their church, community, and culture, including issues of poverty, injustice, racism, and division. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40366515

Rescue: Promises & Previews 03/02/2026

Rescue: Promises & Previews In this Lenten sermon from the "Rescue" series, Karl Ihfe uses the analogy of movie trailers to explain how the Old Testament points to Jesus' ultimate rescue mission. Beginning with Abraham's call in Genesis 12, where God promises to bless all nations through him, Karl traces the thread of rescue throughout Scripture. He shows how Abraham had to trust a promise he couldn't see, and how generations later, when Israel was enslaved in Egypt, God's rescue came through the blood of a spotless lamb during Passover - a preview of the greater sacrifice to come. Karl then connects this to Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, explaining how early Christians like Philip helped others understand that this servant was Jesus himself. The cross wasn't a tragic accident but the centerpiece of God's rescue plan, orchestrated over thousands of years. He emphasizes that different scenes, centuries, and authors all point to one story, one rescue, one Savior. Karl challenges the congregation to read Scripture as God's "divine trailer," asking where they see whispers of rescue pointing to Jesus. He concludes by connecting this to the church's mission work, encouraging sacrificial giving toward a $133,000 goal to support missionaries sharing this rescue story with unreached peoples around the world. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40280225

Rescue: And So It Begins... 02/23/2026

Rescue: And So It Begins... In this sermon, Karl Ihfe uses personal stories of helplessness—his son Gabriel's premature birth and his father's heart transplant—to illustrate humanity's need for rescue. He traces God's rescue plan back to Genesis 3, arguing that salvation didn't begin at the cross but immediately after the fall. Drawing on theological insights about Adam and Eve being like children who were "sinned against before they ever sinned," Karl explains how the serpent acted as a groomer, exploiting their innocence. When sin entered the world, the first consequence wasn't punishment but shame, causing Adam and Eve to hide—just as we do today. The pivotal moment comes when God asks "Where are you?"—not as a police officer but as a loving father seeking his children. Even before any apology, God speaks the Proto Evangelium in Genesis 3:15, promising that the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head. This demonstrates that grace began in the garden, with God moving toward humanity rather than away from them. Karl connects this to Romans 5:8, showing how "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The sermon concludes with a personal application, challenging listeners to identify where they're hiding today and to step out into God's pursuing grace. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40200975

The Expectation Gap: Home and Shalom 02/16/2026

The Expectation Gap: Home and Shalom In this concluding message of the Expectation Gap series, Karl Ihfe tackles the challenging topic of sin and punishment by examining Luke 15 and the famous parable of the prodigal son. He poses a crucial question: when we sin, who punishes us - God or sin? Through the story of the father and his two lost sons, Karl illustrates that the father's loving posture never changes toward either son, whether the one lost in rebellion or the one lost in self-righteousness. Both sons misjudged their father because sin distorts our vision of who God really is, making us see Him as a judge or accuser rather than a loving parent. Karl explains that sin functions not merely as individual moral mistakes, but as a condition we live under - a state of enslavement that punishes us from the inside out. When we lie, lust, or harbor bitterness, sin itself becomes the punishment, robbing us of freedom, joy, and authentic relationships. God doesn't stand ready to "zap" us when we mess up; instead, like a loving parent warning a child not to touch a hot stove, He calls out warnings because He knows how devastating sin can be. The good news is that God is the restorer while sin is the destroyer, God is the liberator while sin is the slave master, and God's invitation to come home remains constant regardless of how lost we've become. https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40126850

The Expectation Gap: Would You Rather? 02/08/2026

The Expectation Gap: Would You Rather? Karl Ihfe concludes the "Expectation Gap" series by addressing our tendency to focus on self-improvement rather than allowing God to transform us through His love. Using the fruit of the Spirit passage from Galatians 5, he explains that qualities like patience don't come from willpower but from the Spirit working in us. Instead of asking "How can I be more patient?" we should ask "What belief is shaping my impatience?" This shifts our focus from behavior modification to heart transformation through encountering God. Ihfe distinguishes between viewing the gospel as primarily redemptive versus preventative. While both aspects are important, he argues that the redemptive nature should be primary - God's love always comes first, and we respond to it. Drawing from 1 John 4, he emphasizes that perfect love casts out fear, allowing us to live differently when we truly know we are loved by God. The challenge isn't avoiding getting lost in our faith journey, but recognizing when we're lost and allowing Jesus to find us again. He concludes with a weekly challenge to practice "MOAs" (moments of awareness) - pausing at meals to recognize God's love and asking "What's mine to carry?" when anxiety rises. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/40037070

The Expectation Gap: Are We There Yet? 02/02/2026

The Expectation Gap: Are We There Yet? Karl Ihfe continues the "Expectation Gap" series by tackling the third gap: we believe God wants us to grow, but we're often disappointed by our progress. Speaking honestly about his own 37-year journey with Christ, Karl admits he thought he'd be "a little further along" by now - more patient, less selfish, quicker to forgive. He suggests that part of our struggle comes from misusing Scripture by always asking "What should I do?" instead of first asking "What does this teach me about God?" Using the familiar story from Matthew 14 of Jesus walking on water, Karl offers a fresh perspective. While we typically focus on Peter's boldness in stepping out of the boat, Karl points out a crucial detail: 92% of the disciples stayed in the boat, yet 100% of them worshiped when Jesus calmed the storm. The point of the story isn't Peter's faith or courage, but Jesus's sovereignty over wind and waves. Karl argues that we've turned Scripture into a highlight reel, stacking up impossible expectations - be bold like Peter, contemplative like Mary, courageous like Daniel, wise like Deborah. This creates exhausting pressure rather than genuine transformation. Instead, Jesus doesn't ask us to become someone else; He redeems our personalities and helps us become the best version of who we were created to be. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39966000

The Expectation Gap: BeliefSight 01/25/2026

The Expectation Gap: BeliefSight Karl Ihfe continues the "Expectation Gap" series by examining the second gap: believing God is with us while struggling to see His presence. Using the story from Matthew 12 where Jesus heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath, Ihfe illustrates how different "gospels" shape our perspective. He shares Stephen Covey's subway story about a widowed father and his disruptive children, demonstrating how our paradigms can shift when we understand someone's full story—reminding us that "everybody has a story" and "we never know someone's whole story." Ihfe identifies the "gospel of anxiety" as the primary deceiver in this gap, explaining that chronic anxiety acts like an unreliable narrator, convincing us we need things for our well-being that we actually don't. He outlines five common false needs: control, perfection, certainty, over-functioning, and approval. These false needs, while not inherently evil, become corrupted when we try to function in God's role instead of our own. The problem isn't God's absence but our anxiety preventing us from noticing His presence. Ihfe offers two practical steps: filling in the blank "Jesus died so I don't have to ___" and remembering "God is already in the room." https://bwaychurch.org /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39868670

The Expectation Gap: BeliefFeelings 01/19/2026

The Expectation Gap: BeliefFeelings Karl Ihfe continues the "Expectation Gap" series by exploring why we believe God is loving but don't always feel loved. Drawing from Steve Cuss's insights, Karl explains that every "gospel" has three elements: a path, a promise, and a payment. While worldly gospels make us pay for empty promises, Jesus's gospel reverses this - God pays the price and we receive the benefit. Karl identifies how our "inner critic" preaches false gospels, telling us we're frauds, disappointments, or incapable. This voice condemns our identity rather than convicting our behavior like the Holy Spirit does. Using 1 John 3 and Romans 8, he emphasizes that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Karl shares personal stories, including his experience with an elder's harsh criticism and his obsession with painting a perfect red wall, to illustrate how we often condemn ourselves before others can. He concludes by challenging listeners to let God have both the first and last word in their lives, silencing the inner critic with the truth of God's unconditional love. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39786065

The Expectation Gap: Mind the Gap 01/12/2026

The Expectation Gap: Mind the Gap Karl Ihfe begins a new series called "The Expectation Gap: Where Faith and Life Meet," inspired by Steve Cuss's book. He addresses the reality that followers of Jesus often experience a gap between core beliefs—like "God loves me" and "God is with me"—and their actual lived experience. Drawing from Mark 9, where a desperate father brings his tormented son to Jesus and declares "I believe, help me overcome my unbelief," Karl demonstrates that even Jesus' disciples experienced this tension between faith and doubt, as seen in Matthew 28 where some worshiped the risen Christ while others doubted. Karl distinguishes between "precious beliefs" (head beliefs we hold) and "core beliefs" (body beliefs that hold us), explaining how misalignment between these creates spiritual gaps. He shares personally about his own core belief that "if it's to be, it's up to me," which conflicts with his precious belief in Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit as our guide (John 16). The series aims to help people mind these gaps—becoming aware of them rather than stumbling over them—and learn to experience God's love, presence, and spiritual progress more fully. Karl concludes with practical steps: treating ourselves with the same kindness we show others and replacing negative self-talk with truth about our identity as God's beloved disciples. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39699220

Staying Grounded: Gate Change 01/05/2026

Staying Grounded: Gate Change In his sermon concluding the "Staying Grounded" series, Karl Ihfe addressed the challenge of unexpected life redirections, which he called "gate changes," drawing from the familiar frustration of airport gate changes. Using Acts 16 as his foundation, Ihfe examined Paul's second missionary journey, where despite doing fruitful gospel work, Paul encountered closed doors when "the Holy Spirit" and "the spirit of Jesus" prevented him from preaching in Asia and Bithynia respectively. Ihfe emphasized that these weren't rejections but redirections, noting that "sometimes God's no isn't a rejection, it's a redirection." Paul's willingness to listen during this delay led to his vision of the Macedonian man pleading "Come over to Macedonia and help us" (Acts 16:9). This divine rerouting resulted in Paul meeting Lydia, "a dealer in purple cloth" and "worshiper of God," whose conversion Marked the first recorded European believer. Ihfe concluded that our gate changes often serve purposes beyond ourselves—our delays might be someone else's breakthrough, and our inconveniences might be another person's rescue. He challenged the congregation to remain flexible and attentive to God's leading, especially when plans don't unfold as expected. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39618745

Staying Grounded: Divine Delays 12/29/2025

Staying Grounded: Divine Delays In this sermon launching the "Staying Grounded" series, Karl Ihfe addresses the frustration we all feel when life doesn't go according to our timeline. Drawing from personal experiences with flight delays, he transitions to the deeper question of life delays - those seasons when relationships, jobs, or circumstances don't unfold as expected. Karl asks a pivotal question: "What if God isn't being late? He's just being patient. And we're struggling with impatience." The heart of the message centers on Moses' story from Exodus 3, particularly the 40 years Moses spent in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt. Karl points out that Moses went "from prince to pasture, from influence to anonymity" during this extended delay. Yet it was precisely in this ordinary moment - tending sheep in the desert - that God appeared in the burning bush and revealed Moses' calling to deliver Israel. Karl emphasizes that God waited for Moses' attention before speaking, suggesting that many of us might be missing God's voice because we're too busy rushing through our delays. The sermon concludes with an encouragement to embrace the pause, pay attention to our "burning bush" moments, and trust that God uses delays not to punish us but to prepare us for what He has planned next. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39553805

Holy Night: Great Joy 12/22/2025

Holy Night: Great Joy Karl Ihfe continues Broadway's Advent series "Holy Night" by examining joy through the lens of Luke 2 and the shepherds' encounter with the newborn Jesus. Using a clip from The Chosen to illustrate the scene, Karl distinguishes between surface-level happiness and the deeper contentedness that characterizes true joy. He points out that the first Advent joy came amid difficult circumstances - Mary and Joseph alone in a barn, shepherds who were social outcasts - yet joy was found in trusting God's faithfulness. Karl shares personal stories that illustrate joy in unexpected places, including his mother's battle with cancer where she held onto the truth "I don't know what the day holds, but I know who holds the day," and his son Gabe's 11-day stay in the NICU where they experienced profound joy even in a place no parent wants to be. He connects these experiences to Jesus' teaching in John 15 about remaining in God's love so that "my joy may be in you and your joy would be complete." Karl emphasizes that when certainty isn't possible, faithfulness is still on the table, and that joy comes from staying connected to God's love even through trials. He concludes by challenging the congregation to choose joy this holiday season - to be God's joyful people who engage the world with hope rather than despair, contentment rather than complaint, trusting that God is doing something bigger and inviting us to be part of it. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39495705

Holy Night: For All People 12/15/2025

Holy Night: For All People Jeremy Smith delivers an Advent sermon focusing on how we prepare for Christ's second coming by understanding his first arrival. Smith explains that the Biblical concept of peace (shalom) differs significantly from our modern understanding—it's not merely inner tranquility or absence of conflict, but rather wholeness, completeness, and right relationships as God intended. Using Exodus 22:3-4 and Isaiah 9:6-7, Smith illustrates how shalom means making things whole and right. When angels announced "peace on earth" to the shepherds in Luke 2, they were proclaiming that God's wholeness had entered our broken world. The shepherds' response—abandoning everything to see Jesus, then spreading the news with joy—demonstrated shalom in action. Smith concludes that Jesus himself is our peace, our shalom, who brings wholeness wherever he goes and will return to complete what he started. /episode/index/show/bwaycofc/id/39412560

Broadway Church of Christ Sermon Series

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