The Town Church / Fort Collins

In this episode, we explore some different nuances of the one verse in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount popularly known as The Golden Rule.Given that many different religions and worldviews have a similar teaching, how is this command from Jesus distinctly Christian? How can it abused? How might this teaching apply in broken relationships? BONUS: this episode holds the record to date for Highest Elevation Recording of The AfterWord!

Unlike our  normal practice, we focus on only one verse today in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - the so-called "Golden Rule."This concept is widely used in many different world religions and worldviews - so what's distinctly Christian about Jesus' teaching here? What heart attitude underneath it all is Jesus getting at?

Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock from our good Father. In this episode we explore some questions like  - What about when he doesn't answer in the way we wanted?  What should be our expectations in praying boldly to our good God? How has this passage been abused?We also learn how many hotdogs Betty ate last night. Hint: it's more than 7.

After feeling the weight of Jesus' hard hitting sermon so far, he now provides some gentle encouragement by inviting us to ask, seek, and knock in prayer to our good Father. But our asking, seeking, and knocking isn't primarily about the things we might commonly think it is.

Our Gospel Stories podcast explores the unique and miraculous ways God has chosen to save individuals in our church body.In this episode, we get to hear Andy's story.

In this episode, we get a peek into the judgmental thoughts of some of our church members! How does Jesus instruct us in the topic of judging others? How does the gospel apply to our lives as we consider our own sin and the just judgment of God? 

Jesus now turns to a larger theme of how his followers are to relate together. He starts this text with Judge not, that you be not judged.But do we really know what Jesus is saying? What's the underlying heart issue at play? And where does the clear biblical teaching that we are to lovingly warn each other of sin come in?

In this episode, we hear from Kirsten about her experience with anxiety, how this passage pushes on each of us, and how to care for those who wrestle deeply with anxiety.

In this text, Jesus says three times, "Therefore, do not be anxious..." Why? And what are some ways forward for those of us who do struggle with anxiety?

Our Gospel Stories podcast explores the unique and miraculous ways God has chosen to save individuals in our church body.In this episode, we get to hear Jen's story - and the way God chose to use a church program as well as difficulty to save and grow her.

We explore further these questions: What does it mean to behold God's glory? What's the difference between valuing something and treasuring something? What of this world tends to master us personally? What does repentance look like for us personally?And - we learn Betty makes her own milk. (!?!)

How is the Christian called to relate to the world? Jesus continues to focus on our hearts, but now moves from righteous acts done in secret to our relationship to everything in this life. Jesus gives us a wake-up call we desperately need!

In this text Jesus assumes believers are fasting. We discuss more what fasting is, what it isn't, our own experience with it, and a few common questions concerning fasting.

"When you fast..." Jesus assumes we are fasting. But what is it? Why do we do it? What heart motivation do we have in it?In this third of a series of three righteous rhythms Jesus points out we are called to as believers, Jesus again digs beneath the surface of the act itself and focuses on our heart. And as we explore that, we also take a step back and consider the Christian practice of fasting.

Our Gospel Stories podcast explores the unique and miraculous ways God has chosen to save individuals in our church body.In this first episode, we get to hear Justin's story - and the way God chose to use one particular family to draw Justin to himself.

Our conversation focuses on how we currently approach prayer, where we are tempted to seek recognition from others in it, the mystery of prayer, and the underlying approach to prayer here that Jesus teaches.Plus, Vince shares what animal he would be and why. Hint: it scurries.

From examining our approach in giving, Jesus now turns to our approach in praying. Whether praying is currently challenging or coming naturally for us, Jesus words here beckon us to a deeper relationship with the Creator of all things!

In this unique episode, many of our staff join us to reflect on the last year and share their hopes for the coming year. 

Once a year we devote a Sunday gathering to work through the big picture pieces of  where we want to go as a church (vision), how we'll participate in getting there (mission), and, new this year, our approach to maturing as Christians (spiritual formation).This year we also included a few hopes we have for what God may accomplish this next year.Because our time together included congregational input that was not on a microphone, this audio recording has been edited for clarity.

We explore some of the twists and turns in our hearts on the subject of giving based on Matthew 6:1-4. Do we still give if our heart motivation isn't right? How does good stewardship and responsibility fit in? What about sheer obedience?