Madison Church

What if your personality is secretly sabotaging your generosity? This eye-opening exploration of the "shadow sides" of our giving profiles reveals why some of us hesitate when opportunities to give arise—and it's not always about money.Through a fascinating examination of the DISC personality assessment and six distinct generosity profiles, we discover that our weaknesses are actually intertwined with our strengths. The pioneering spirit that makes some of us visionary can also make us stubborn. The analytical mind that helps others make wise financial decisions can also make them overly cautious with giving.Whether you identify as a Cause Mover struggling with control, a Budget Keeper battling risk aversion, a Faith Stretcher overwhelmed by busyness, a Disciplined Doer fighting isolation, a Community Grower dealing with frustration, or a Legacy Builder wrestling with worry—this message offers specific biblical guidance for your unique challenge.At its heart, this message confronts the scarcity

What does it mean to be faithful when your plans fall apart? Eleven years ago, Madison Church launched with meticulously researched strategies, countless prayers, and 200 empty chairs. Only 20 people showed up that first Sunday—half of them family members visiting from out of town. The humiliation was crushing, but looking back now reveals how God was writing a better story than anyone could have imagined.This anniversary reflection draws powerful parallels to Paul's experience in Athens, where he confronted a city so filled with idols that historians noted it was "easier to find a god than a person." While we don't have marble statues to Zeus or Athena in Madison, our modern idols are perhaps more dangerous because they're less visible. We worship comfort through convenience, achievement through success, busyness through hustle culture, and find our identity in politics and consumerism.The most concerning pattern emerges when we don't reject God for these idols but recruit God t

What remains when we remove Christ from Christianity? A powerful exploration of how modern Christianity often betrays its namesake by replacing love with judgment, inclusion with exclusion, and grace with condemnation.Through vulnerable personal stories and penetrating cultural analysis, we confront the uncomfortable reality that Gandhi articulated: "I like your Christ, but not your Christianity." From turning away from homeless people while claiming religious devotion, to Christians leading opposition against refugees and immigrants despite clear biblical mandates to welcome strangers, we see a faith that has lost its center.The heart of this spiritual crisis lies in our desperate search for validation and worth. We collect "medals" of achievement, relationship status, and financial success, wearing them proudly until they're inevitably stripped away. But Jesus offers a different medal—the unchangeable identity of being God's beloved child—that never leaves our neck regardless o

Do you ever feel like you're on a spiritual treadmill with God? Running faster, praying more, serving more—yet somehow not moving forward in your relationship with him? You're not alone.Pastor Stephen Feith tackles this universal struggle head-on, revealing how our performance-driven culture shapes our approach to faith. When we treat God like a boss to impress or a coach deciding if we'll make the team, we transform what should be a loving relationship into an exhausting quest for approval we can never quite catch.Through the powerful story of Jesus calling Matthew—a despised tax collector—and then dining with "sinners," we discover how Jesus redefined holiness. While the Pharisees built walls to keep "unclean" people out, Jesus built tables and invited everyone in. His revolutionary message, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," challenges everything about performance-based religion.This message speaks directly to anyone caught in the cycle of religious striving. Whet

What if the beautiful flowers we showcase on social media were just the perfect frame hiding a garden overrun with weeds? That carefully curated image represents how many of us approach not just our online presence, but our spiritual lives as well.In this deeply introspective exploration, we examine the concept of spiritual authenticity through the lens of Jesus's teachings in Matthew 6. Like those famous London townhouses with perfect facades hiding completely empty interiors, we're often tempted to craft a religious persona that looks impressive from the outside while remaining hollow within.Jesus presents us with a profound choice: we can perform our good deeds, prayers, and generosity to receive immediate acclaim from others, or we can practice these disciplines privately and receive a lasting reward from God. "Your method points to your motivation," and that motivation determines which reward you'll ultimately receive.The contrast is stark between serving others for social media

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the "right" spiritual things but still missing something? This profound question opens our exploration of how we can unintentionally trade relationship with God for routines centered around God.The Pharisees were devoted, serious about Scripture, and committed to living how they thought God wanted. Yet when confronted with God in the flesh, they completely missed him. This series holds up a mirror asking not "What's wrong with them?" but "Where is the Pharisee in me?"In Mark 7, Jesus confronts religious leaders who were upset that his disciples weren't following traditional hand-washing rituals. What began as good intentions had evolved into burdensome systems where human traditions carried nearly the same weight as Scripture itself. Rather than defending his disciples, Jesus addresses the heart issue: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."While we might not hide behind the same

When confronted with a woman caught in adultery, Jesus faced a carefully crafted trap. The Pharisees, delighting in their judgment, expected him to either condemn her according to Mosaic law or reveal himself as a false teacher by showing mercy. Instead, Jesus turned their trap against them with eight powerful words: "Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone."This sermon examines how easily we slip into the role of the Pharisee, justifying our judgment of others while overlooking our own failings. Four warning signs reveal when we've crossed into unfair judgment: being more upset with others' sins than embarrassed by our own, cutting off those who disagree with us, bonding with others by critiquing common enemies, and manipulating moral frameworks to justify predetermined outcomes.The physical sensations of judgment work both ways - when judged, we feel tightness and isolation; when judging, we experience anger and negativity that oozes from within us. This reveals the heart

The gap between knowing and living, between religious performance and authentic faith—this is where many of us find ourselves today. In this challenging and heartfelt message, Stephen Feith opens a new six-week series with a question that hits close to home: "Have you ever done the right thing for the wrong reasons?"Drawing from Matthew 23, Stephen examines why the Pharisees—people who believed in Scripture, the Messiah, and resurrection—completely missed Jesus when he stood right in front of them. Their failure wasn't a lack of knowledge or even wrong practices; it was that they had substituted the appearance of righteousness for actual transformation.The parallels to our modern spiritual experience are striking. We live in an age saturated with biblical knowledge and spiritual content. We know how to look and sound spiritual. Yet as Stephen powerfully puts it, "We are educated beyond our obedience." We know far more about God than we're willing to live out.Jesus uses startling

Have you ever been terrified by end-times prophecies based on Revelation? You're not alone. Randy Knie vividly recalls sitting on his parents' bed at 13, trembling as he read a newsletter predicting imminent apocalypse—supposedly decoded straight from Revelation's pages. This traumatic experience mirrors countless others who've either become obsessed with this mysterious biblical book or avoid it entirely.But what if Revelation isn't primarily about predicting when the world ends? What if it's actually a revolutionary message about where we place our allegiance in a world of competing powers?In this illuminating exploration, Randy unpacks Revelation as "apocalyptic" literature—not meaning catastrophic destruction, but rather an "unveiling" of what's really happening behind world events. Written to persecuted Christians under Roman oppression, Revelation uses coded imagery that would be recognized by believers but missed by authorities.The heart of Revelat

When discrimination emerged in the early church, it sparked a revolutionary leadership model that still challenges us today. This message examines a pivotal moment in Acts 6 where Greek-speaking Jewish Christians complained their widows were being overlooked in food distribution by the Hebrew-speaking majority.Rather than dismissing these concerns or implementing top-down solutions, the apostles responded with remarkable wisdom. They recognized that the most effective response would come through empowering members of the marginalized community themselves. The seven leaders they commissioned—all bearing Greek names—demonstrate how the early church prioritized cultural competency and representation.This passage invites us to reconsider what it means to be "Pentecost people." While many contrast Pentecost with Babel, viewing one as unifying and the other as dividing, closer examination reveals both affirm diversity. At Babel, humanity's uniformity was scattered into beautiful multiplicity. At Pent

What happens when human systems fail us? Where do we turn when justice becomes injustice? Stephen's powerful story provides an answer that still resonates today.Standing before a hostile council with false witnesses arrayed against him, Stephen doesn't cower in fear but shines with supernatural radiance – "his face became as bright as an angel's." This first Christian martyr demonstrates what hope looks like when it's anchored not in human systems but in Christ himself.The irony is striking: Stephen faces accusations from the "synagogue of freed slaves" – people who had experienced persecution becoming persecutors themselves. His defense doesn't focus on self-preservation but on Israel's long history of rejecting God's chosen leaders. "You have betrayed and murdered the Righteous One," he boldly proclaims, seeing beyond his immediate circumstances to the eternal reality.When the council drags him out for execution, Stephen's final words mir

What happens when following Jesus puts you at odds with everyone around you? When doing the right thing costs you something meaningful—comfort, relationships, or future plans? This transformative episode explores the courage of the early church in Acts 5, where ordinary believers faced extraordinary opposition yet remained steadfast in their mission.The apostles, once hiding in fear after Jesus' crucifixion, now boldly performed miracles in the same temple courts where their teacher had been condemned. As their influence grew, so did the resistance from religious authorities. Arrested, miraculously freed, and then arrested again, Peter stands before the high council with a declaration that would redefine authority itself: "We must obey God rather than any human authority."Most striking is how these followers responded to suffering. After being flogged—a punishment designed to humiliate as much as hurt—they left "rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name.&qu

What does it truly mean to live a Spirit-guided life beyond Sunday mornings and worship experiences? Through the lens of a profound contrast in the early church, we discover that authenticity matters more than appearance when building genuine spiritual community.The story of Acts 4-5 presents us with two portraits: a radically generous community characterized by trust, and a couple whose deception undermines that very foundation. While the early believers reimagined ownership—holding possessions loosely and giving from Spirit-led conviction rather than obligation—Ananias and Sapphira sought the reputation of generosity without its substance.This exploration reveals a powerful truth: the early church wasn't just inspired; they were empowered to live differently in everyday choices. Their approach shifted the question from "how much should I give?" to "what do I have that I don't need to keep?" The result was revolutionary—a community where needs were eliminated through preemptive

What does courage look like when following Jesus means facing resistance? Pastor Stephen Feith takes us through Acts 3-4, where we discover that spiritual boldness isn't reserved for the naturally confident or specially trained—it's available to every believer who depends on the Holy Spirit.The journey begins with Peter and John noticing a disabled man whom everyone else had learned to ignore. This simple act of seeing someone reveals how spiritual courage often starts: not with grand proclamations, but with compassionate presence in ordinary moments. When healing occurs and crowds gather, Peter redirects attention away from himself and toward Jesus—demonstrating that true boldness points beyond ourselves to Christ.Opposition arrives quickly as religious authorities arrest Peter and John for speaking about resurrection. Standing before the same council that condemned Jesus, these "uneducated, ordinary men" speak with astonishing clarity. The authorities recognize they "had been with J

The space between Jesus' ascension and Pentecost represents one of the most unique transitional periods in church history. What do you do when your leader has physically departed, but the promised Holy Spirit hasn't yet arrived? This message explores this fascinating moment captured in Acts 1:12-26, revealing how the early disciples navigated uncertainty while preparing for God's next move.After Jesus departed, about 120 believers—including the eleven disciples, the faithful women who supported Jesus' ministry, Mary his mother, and even his formerly skeptical brothers—gathered in constant prayer. From this community emerged Peter, the disciple who had previously denied Christ but was now stepping into leadership. His approach to replacing Judas provides a masterclass in decision-making during waiting seasons.Peter blended scriptural reasoning (drawing from Psalms), practical wisdom (establishing qualifications for apostleship), communal discernment, and ultimately a willingness to move for

Have you ever found yourself caught in life's waiting room? That space between where you were and where you're headed, but with no clear roadmap for how to get there?In this powerful message on waiting, Pastor Stephen Feith gets refreshingly honest about his own struggles with patience and the tendency to either rush ahead or delay too long. Drawing from Acts 1, we witness the disciples' confusion after Jesus ascends to heaven—standing, staring at the sky, uncertain what to do next. It's a scene that perfectly captures our own spiritual limbo when we're waiting for God's direction.The angels' gentle redirection to the disciples echoes into our lives today: "Why do you stand here staring into heaven?" Sometimes our spiritual waiting isn't about God making us wait, but about us avoiding what we already know we should do. We disguise fear as wisdom, hesitation as discernment, and delay as dependence on God.Through biblical examples of Abraham, Moses, and Paul, Pa

Between resurrection and Pentecost lies a crucial season that transformed ordinary followers into world-changers. This waiting period wasn't wasted—it was precisely where God prepared His people for an unprecedented mission.The disciples found themselves in limbo. Their Rabbi had conquered death, yet confusion lingered. What comes next? When would Israel be restored? Rather than offering clear timelines, Jesus redirected their focus: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Before they could go change the world, they needed to wait.This pattern reveals a profound truth for our spiritual journeys today. When we find ourselves in waiting seasons—seeking healing, clarity, or breakthrough—we're not being punished. These periods confirm what's true and prepare us for what's coming. The disciples craved certainty just as we do, but Jesus knew they needed something more fundamental: supernatural power from above.What made the early church extraordinary wasn't s

Jesus is alive, and that changes everything. The resurrection stands as the ultimate pivot point of history—not just as a miracle to analyze but as a living reality that transforms how we understand ourselves and our world.What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead? It means that death isn't the final word. It means that suffering doesn't have the last say. Most radically, it means that new life can emerge from our darkest moments. The women who discovered the empty tomb weren't looking for hope—they were carrying spices to anoint a dead body. Yet they encountered a question that still challenges us: "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?"Too often we search for hope in places where it cannot be found. We assume God has stopped working in our circumstances when He's simply moved ahead of us. Faith rarely begins with certainty. It starts in confusion, with half-formed hope and unanswered questions. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus who didn&

The rhythm of Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday's triumphant yet misunderstood entry—a king riding on a donkey while crowds wave palm branches, hoping for political liberation but receiving something far more profound. This sermon explores the rich symbolism of Holy Week and how it creates essential spiritual rhythms that help us focus on timeless truths throughout our year.As we journey through Luke 19, we discover the crowd's expectations didn't align with Jesus' mission. While they waved palm branches—symbols of military victory since the Maccabean Revolt—Jesus wept over Jerusalem, knowing they missed "the way to peace" standing right before them. His path forward would confound everyone: overturning temple tables, claiming divine authority, and ultimately gathering his disciples for one final Passover meal.The Lord's Supper, instituted during this last meal, transforms the ancient Passover symbols into something revolutionary. The unleavened bread—originally representing

Hope doesn't come after pain—it rises within our pain. As we continue our journey through Luke's gospel in week two of our "Hope Rising" series, we encounter Jesus preparing his followers for difficult times ahead. While they admired the magnificent temple in Jerusalem—its stunning white limestone and gold accents symbolizing permanence and divine presence—Jesus delivers a shocking prophecy: "Not one stone will be left on top of another."Unlike leaders who offer shallow platitudes, Jesus doesn't sugarcoat reality. He warns of persecution, betrayal, global conflict, natural disasters, and cosmic upheaval. Yet within this sobering forecast, he plants seeds of profound hope: "This will be your opportunity to tell them about me." The very moments of greatest challenge become platforms for powerful testimony.Most striking is Jesus's paradoxical promise: "Not a hair on your head will perish." Given that many disciples would face martyrdom, this wasn't