Topeka Bible Church EXTRA

The Bible talks a lot about walking in the right path, but how do we find it? And once we're on it, how can we stay on it? This week, Pastor Spencer continues our Summer in the Psalms with a look at Psalm 25. In it, King David is walking through danger, fear, guilt, and loneliness. But instead of asking for these things to be taken away, David confesses his sin and prays for God to teach him the right way to walk. Over and over, this Psalm shows us that God alone can set us on the proper path...

Have you ever been so excited to enter the presence of the Lord that you pounded on the door of the church for them to open up? This week, Pastor Connor continues our Summer in the Psalms with a look at Psalm 24, where King David does exactly that. He’s eager to worship the Lord, who created the earth and all it contains. But there’s a problem: only people with clean hands and pure hearts are allowed into God’s presence. The only way sinful people can stand before a holy God is by receiving the perfect righteousness of Jes...

King David was a shepherd king: A strong leader who was responsible for his people's well-being. But in one of his most famous songs, David described himself as the sheep in need of a shepherd's care! This week, Pastor Jim continues our Summer in the Psalms with a look at Psalm 23. This is a Psalm we often learn as children, and it remains with us throughout our lives. We can return to it over and over through life's trials, and it is often used to comfort those who are near the end of their lives. Psalm 23 helps us to...

Have you ever felt abandoned by God, right in the middle of your fiercest battle? King David certainly did. This week, Pastor Connor continues our Summer in the Psalms with Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross. In this song, David cries out for deliverance from his enemies. He asks why God has forsaken him, but he also remembers how God has cared for him and his ancestors. In the final part of the Psalm, David sees and celebrates God’s salvation. He had never actually been abandoned; God was there all along. We can trust God to save us...

Sometimes, our prayers can be too timid or self-focused. As we continue our Summer in the Psalms, Pastor Connor guides us through Psalm 20, which models a way to avoid both of those pitfalls. In this psalm, the congregation intercedes for the king, asking God to help and sustain him for the sake of God’s name. Then, the king responds with confidence that God will fully deliver him from the enemy. We discuss what it means to pray for others in need, pray for more than the basics, pray for a heart aligned with God’s, and pray with conf...

Psalm 18 reveals God as a faithful and delivering God. Through David's vivid account of God's rescue, we see how God responds to our cries for help. As we recognize God's faithfulness throughout our lives—and ultimately in Christ's salvation—we're moved to respond with heartfelt praise: "I love you, Lord, my strength."

This week, our hosts dive deeper into the Psalms, specifically Psalm 18, some of the talking points were, where else in the Bible there are similarities to Psalm 18, defining righteousness, and how does one quiet their mind during their prayer time. Oh and tune into the begi...

Dr. Malcolm Yarnell III, noted author and speaker on the Trinity unpacks the Triune God by exploring who He is and what He does. Through Matthew 28:19-20 and Galatians 4:4-6, discover how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in creation, redemption, and salvation. Learn why the Trinity is foundational to Christian faith and how understanding it deepens your relationship with God.

This week, our hosts would have had their final discussion on the trinity, but instead you will get a special episode where you get to listen/watch your questions being answered in our Q...

Many of us might have misconceptions about the Holy Spirit. We may think of Him as an impersonal force, like something out of Star Wars. Or we might assume He is a mere projection of the Father’s work in the world. But Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is a person, like God the Father or Jesus Christ the Son. He can be grieved and lied to, and He cares deeply about us. This week, Pastor Connor continues our series on the Trinity with a message on the Holy Spirit and His roles in the world. He is...

Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” This is one of the most important questions any of us will ever answer. This week, Pastor Connor continues our series on the Trinity with a look at who the Son is. As almighty God, He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, but is also a distinct person with His own roles. He is Eternal God, the Incarnate Word, our High Priest, the Head of the Church, the Final Judge, and the Returning King. Because He’s fully God and fully human, He is uniquely positioned to be our...

The Trinity is a great mystery, but a basic understanding of this doctrine gives us a clearer picture of what it means to belong to Christ. This week, Pastor Connor kicks off our new series on the Trinity with a look at God the Father. We look at five different roles that the Father has: Architect, Sender, Covenant Keeper, Judge, and King. In all of these roles, God the Father shows us that He wants the very best for all of creation, including us. He is deeply involved in our lives, and we can trust Him completely, just as...

When we come to Christ, we become eternally rich, regardless of our earthly circumstances. Then, God‘s grace prompts us to build His kingdom by generously sharing our time, talent, and treasure. This week, Pastor Connor concludes our Keeping Score series with a look at what it means to follow Christ’s example of generosity. From 2 Corinthians, we examine what giving is — and isn’t — intended to look like. It must start with our hearts being moved in an overflow of gratitude to our Savior. We should establish principles, not scorekeeping, as we order our lives around generosity and give beyon...

What does it look like to live a life that pleases God? For many of us, it may involve trying our hardest every day, only to fail in our best intentions. This week, Pastor Jim concludes our Keeping Score series by urging us to stop keeping count of our righteousness. He walks through Paul’s letter to the Galatians to remind us that we were made right with God by faith, not hard work; that we are sons, not slaves; and that Christ set us free so we could leave behind the yoke of slavery. To live a happier, si...

When we belong to the kingdom of God, forgiveness becomes part of who we are. This week, Pastor Connor continues our sermon series, Keeping Score, with a dive into Jesus’s parable about the unforgiving servant. This servant was forgiven an unimaginably huge debt, but then turned around and failed to forgive his fellow servant. When we don’t forgive others, we miss God’s enormous grace in forgiving us. We close with a list of eight practical principles from Paul’s letter to the Romans.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the series, keeping score, s...

Forgiveness is at the very heart of the good news of Jesus Christ. So when we don’t see forgiveness the way God does, that can be a real problem! This week, Pastor Connor kicks off our new series, Keeping Score, with a look at what the Bible tells us about forgiveness. The sacrifice of Jesus makes it possible for us to be forgiven, no matter how much we have rebelled against God. It delights Him when we accept His gift of forgiveness. He forgives us completely and permanently, and being forgiven changes us.

This week, our ho...

When a nation leaves God’s good way, the consequences are terrible. This week, Pastor Connor concludes our series in Judges with a look at three stories of heartbreaking wickedness. When people do whatever is right in their own eyes, the vulnerable are oppressed, especially women and children. Justice is all but ignored. Sexual depravity and predatory behavior become normal. Social bonds dissolve, reducing us all to mere objects or victims. Religion lacks all repentance. By breaking the mold of God’s design for human flourishing, we ultimately break our own society and souls. Redemption and restoration can only come...

Sometimes, the very lowest point of our life is a wake-up call. This week, Pastor Connor continues our series in Judges with the conclusion of Samson’s life. Samson was given great strength, but often treated this gift like it didn’t matter, or used it just for his own benefit. He also disobeyed God in significant ways. Finally, Samson lost his girl, his hair, his strength, his sight, and his freedom all in a single day. He was brought lower than he’d ever been, but God was still at work in unseen ways. From Samson’s life, we can l...

God sometimes uses the unlikeliest people and situations to accomplish His purposes. This week, Pastor Jim continues our journey through Judges with a look at the rise of Samson, a judge chosen by God before birth. He was set apart and given great strength. But from the very beginning of his story, Samson proved himself to be unspiritual, disrespectful, and impetuous. He chased pretty foreign women instead of deliverance for his people. And God used Samson’s character flaws to spark a one-man war that would devastate the Philistine people. Pastor Jim leaves us with encouragement to obey God wi...

It’s important to have knowledge about God and also have a love-centered relationship with Him. This week, we continue our series in Judges with a look at someone who obeyed God’s commands but had a tragic misunderstanding of God’s character. Jephthah was a mighty warrior and accomplished amazing things, but his bad theology had terrible consequences for him and his family. It is possible to be deeply and sincerely devoted to God, but also be completely wrong about what He wants from us. Our emotions can mislead us if we don’t subject them to the truth Go...

When evil seems to win, and God feels silent, where is justice? In Judges 9, Abimelech murders his 69 brothers, gets crowned king, and rules for three years while his one surviving brother waits in exile. But God was working the entire time—through unexpected people, mysterious methods, and even the mess itself. This dark story reveals crucial truths about God's sovereignty and justice: He sees every evil, He will make all things right, but He does it in His timing and His way. When you're waiting for justice, remember—God is still in control.

This week, our hosts cont...

Scripture gives us many examples of trusting God in times of struggle. But what does it mean to continue trusting Him in times of victory? This week, Pastor Connor continues our series in Judges with the end of Gideon’s story. The Lord used Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, but then Gideon wanted more. He pursued personal vengeance, lived a questionable moral life, and even led the nation astray with a homemade religious relic. In the end, he failed the test of victory. To avoid repeating Gideon’s mistakes, we need to have devotion beyond emotion, give God...

When God gives us clear instructions, how should we respond? This week, we continue our series on Judges with a look at how God called Gideon. God provided him with everything he needed in order to obey, but Gideon kept asking for evidence his eyes could see. Pastor Connor encourages us to respond differently. We shouldn’t wait to obey until we feel “ready,” we must tear down any false idols in our lives, and we ought to desire discernment, not delay. 

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Judges, some of the talking...

When God calls upon us, our response matters. Delay always costs us something. This week, Pastor Connor continues our series in Judges with a look at Barak. Barak was called to fight the enemies of Israel. When he hesitated, God worked through someone else, and Barak missed out on part of his calling. Delayed faith can have eternal consequences if we don’t trust Jesus. It can also have serious personal consequences if we don’t follow the good plan God has for us.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Judges, some of t...

Is "good enough" really good enough? Discover why Israel's 80-year deliverance under Ehud couldn't break the cycle, the danger of valuing results over faithfulness, and how to avoid settling for temporary relief. You'll learn three critical lessons about God's mercy versus approval and what true transformation requires.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Judges, some of the talking points were, things that were left out of the message due to time, Eglons weight and palace, Ehud and Shamgar, and how to not feel discouraged when working on areas of our lives that...

Falling into sin often doesn’t look like one single event. Instead, it’s likely to be a cycle of failure, suffering, regret, and efforts to do better, followed by more failure. This week, as we continue our series on Judges, Pastor Connor discusses the way the Israelites fell into that cycle, as well as what it takes to break out of it. In times of victory, we need to recognize God publicly, remember we are stewards, not owners, and become experts in gratitude. In times of struggle, we need to examine our lives carefully, look for the lesson, and...

At long last, the Israelites have made it to the promised land of Canaan! But they still have a lot of work to do. And sadly, they will fail in accomplishing that work. This week, Pastor Connor launches our series in Judges with a look at how the Israelites set themselves up for failure. They stopped short of obedience, coexisted with the enemies of God, and allowed idol worship to remain in the land. We can fall into the very same pitfalls. To follow God well, we need to tear down strongholds we've normalized, focus on true repentance instead...

God has called each one of us to do battle in a vast war that our eyes can't see. This week, Pastor Connor concludes our series in Ephesians with a look at our struggle against the evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Christ equips us to resist the devil and his kingdom of darkness by putting on the full armor of God: The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes ready for the gospel of peace, shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. To prepare for combat, we need to wake...

How should a follower of Jesus exercise authority and also submit to it? And why does it matter? Pastor Connor tackles these questions as we continue our series in Ephesians with a look at Paul’s instructions to children, fathers, slaves, and masters. Our relationship with our early father is one of the first places we learn what it means to respect and obey authority. It prepares us to love and follow our perfect Father in Heaven. That’s why it’s so important for parents, and especially fathers, to lead their families kindly and firmly, always aiming for their...

Our culture’s ideas about marriage are often broken or corrupted, with stereotypes of bitter wives and cruel or unfaithful husbands. So how should a Christian marriage be different? This week, Pastor Connor continues our series in Ephesians with a look at chapter 5. God intends for marriage to reflect the mysterious relationship between Christ and the church, so He calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially, like Christ loved the church and even laid down His life for us. Similarly, wives are to submit to their husbands’ leadership in the family, just as Christ submitted to His Father and the...

When we belong to Jesus, God calls us to take off our old way of life like we would remove a filthy old set of clothes. But it doesn’t stop there. We are also called to put on a new way of living, one that replaces darkness with light. This week, Pastor Connor continues our series in Ephesians with a look at taking off our former manner of life and putting on a life that pleases God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to reject sinful desires and embrace legging practices. When we follow Hi...

What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of our calling? This week, Pastor Connor looks at that question as we continue our series in Ephesians. Paul emphasizes the need to preserve the unity that we have in Christ, to use our gifts for building up the church, and to press on in maturity toward the fullness of Christ. We are no longer children, following our own whims and desires. Instead, each of us is a necessary part of Christ’s body, fitted and knit together by His love.

This week, our hosts continue their di...

When you pray for others, how should you do it? This week, Pastor Jim continues our sermon series in Ephesians with a look at one of Paul's prayers that we can use as an example. When we pray, we join in God's building project (people) right now. We should ask for God to give those people strength to endure trials, faith to believe in Christ's life within them, a grasp of Calvary love, knowledge of God's mysterious love toward us, and completeness, being filled with the fullness of God. These prayers may seem really big, but we serve a...

Our best-laid plans have a way of going sideways, leaving us disappointed and defeated. God’s plan, on the other hand, can never be defeated. Even better, He invites us to be part of it! This week, Pastor Connor continues our sermon series in Ephesians with a look at God’s undefeated plan that calls us not to worry, but to worship. In light of God’s plan, we ought to be bold, humble, and fearless, remembering that we shine brightest under persecution.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Ephesians, some of the ta...

When division threatens to tear the church apart, what holds us together? This message from Ephesians 2:11-22 explores how Jesus creates unity among believers, why we all desperately need grace, and practical steps you can take to build peace in a church community today.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Ephesians, some of the talking points were, how to interact, discuss, and show love to other Christ followers when our beliefs might not always align. Oh and tune into the beginning to hear our hosts play some Kansas trivia, join in and...

Are you alive? Pastor Connor continues our series in Ephesians with a look at chapter 2, where Paul writes that we all start out dead in our sins. Before Christ, we are stuck in slavery to Satan, the world, and our own desires, spiritually dead and headed for wrath. That’s the bad news. The good news is that God’s merciful love made a way for us to be raised from spiritual death and transferred to His kingdom of light and life! Pastor Connor talks about how this is a result of God’s work, not our own. Once we’re...

Jesus arose from the dead and has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. But what does that mean for the church today? This week, Pastor Connor continues our sermon series in Ephesians with a look at this question. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we don't fear physical death. We also have no need to pursue worldly power. God's power shines the brightest in our weakness, and He uses the small things of this world to accomplish great things for His kingdom. We can invite Christ to display His great strength in our weakness. We can...

How should we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ? In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jim continues our series in Ephesians with a look at how the Apostle Paul prayed. We can take lessons from Paul by praying constantly, thankfully, and telling people we’re praying for them. We should also pray that God will help them to know Him deeply and be able to see their burstingly full bank account in the heavenlies.

This week, our hosts continue their discussion on the book of Ephesians, the big talking point is prayer, they go over how...

What does it mean to be “in Christ”? This week, Pastor Connor begins our new sermon series in Ephesians with a look at that question. Among other things, being in Christ means that we have access to many spiritual blessings. God the Father planned our journey with Christ before the beginning of the world, Jesus laid down His life to redeem us, and the Holy Spirit seals us as a down payment on the glory that we will inherit in eternity. 

This week, our hosts have their first discussion on the book of Ephesians, the big talking point...

For followers of Jesus, this world is not our home. We’re looking for a city not built with human hands, where Jesus has already prepared a place for us. In this week’s installment of our Onward series, Pastor Connor talks about our true heavenly home and what it looks like to live with our eyes set on things above instead of on earth. Because Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, we go into his presence when we die, and we can also confidently hope in our own resurrection from the dead. 

This week, our h...

Every successful space mission requires planning, people, and lots of preparation… but it won’t even get off the ground unless it has exactly the right kind of fuel. This week, Pastor Jason continues our Onward sermon series with a look at the importance of abiding in Christ. A close relationship to Jesus is the fuel we need accomplish the mission God has for us. We learn about bad fuel, which distracts us from our mission, and how to remove it from our lives. We also learn about good fuel: interacting with God each day through prayer and studying his...

God’s kingdom isn’t grown by a small handful of elite Christians. Instead, it’s a team effort, empowered by the Holy Spirit’s gifts to each member of the church. This week, Pastor Connor continues our Onward sermon series with a look at the Apollo 11 moon landing. It couldn’t have happened without hard work from hundreds of thousands of people. Likewise, the Body of Christ has many members, and all of our gifts are needed in the work God wants to accomplish here on earth. Whether your gift is up front or behind the scenes, God gave it to...