Awaken Church
Religion & Spirituality
About
At Awaken Church we call people to live fully engaged lives with Jesus, each other, and our world. Catch up on our Sunday Messages as we study the Bible and learn how the Good News of Jesus changes lives. We meet Sunday's in Round Rock, Texas.
Episodes
- Weakness is an Advantage
The Awaken Church episode 'Weakness is an Advantage' uses the story of Hagar to explore God's grace. It explains that grace meets people in their current struggles, operates through their weaknesses, and ultimately changes their situation,…
- What Are You Waiting For?
The episode explores how initial encounters with Jesus can transform daily life, using the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4. It emphasizes that true worship is a daily posture leading to sharing one's testimony, regardless of eloquen…
- You've been sold the wrong Jesus
This episode of Awaken Church is titled 'You've Been Sold the Wrong Jesus'. The description does not provide further details on the specific content discussed.
- We Need to Talk
This episode discusses how the true identity of Jesus is often obscured in modern culture, leading to a performance-based faith. It contrasts this with Jesus' emphasis on authentic transformation and the concept of grace, which inspires a…
- More Than You've Been Told
This episode contrasts cultural or past-hurt versions of Jesus with the Jesus found in scripture, using the example of Simon the Pharisee and an unnamed woman in Luke 7:36-50. It highlights that grace precedes transformation and responds t…
- When Trying Harder Isn't Working
This episode discusses the Christian belief that the resurrection of Jesus offers grace and an unshakable kingdom, contrasting it with striving for acceptance through performance. It suggests that challenges can reveal one's true spiritual…
- When You Want to Quit
Life's challenges, like marital struggles or faith crises, can make us want to quit. This episode frames the Christian life as a race requiring endurance, suggesting difficulties are signs of progress. It encourages focusing on Jesus, who…
- Your Hope Has a Date on It
This episode discusses how temporary circumstances can mislead hope, contrasting it with Abraham's faith in God's promises. It emphasizes that God's unchanging character ensures His promises are unbreakable, with Jesus acting as an eternal…
- Greater Than Your Shame
This episode discusses how Jesus's sacrifice offers an invitation to approach God with confidence, finding mercy and help rather than hiding in shame. It explores spiritual maturity and partnering with God, recognizing that Jesus works thr…
- You Can Stop Now
This episode discusses finding true soul rest by trusting in Jesus' finished work, as revealed in Hebrews 4, rather than striving for approval through performance. It encourages listeners to approach God's throne of grace with confidence t…
- The Jesus You've Been Missing
This episode challenges the viewer to reconsider their perception of Jesus, moving beyond a limited or convenient view. It highlights Jesus' true identity as presented in Hebrews—Creator, Revealer, Sustainer, and Redeemer—offering a more p…
- The Way Down
This episode discusses the transfiguration of Jesus, explaining that spiritual mountaintop experiences are temporary gifts meant to equip believers for serving others in challenging 'valley' situations. The Christian life is presented as a…
- Can These Bones Live?
The Awaken Church episode 'Can These Bones Live?' discusses Ezekiel's vision of dry bones, illustrating how God can bring purpose to difficult valleys. It emphasizes that spiritual life comes from God's Spirit, not human effort, drawing pa…
- Fear is a Liar
This episode uses the story of David and Goliath to explore how challenging times test our trust. It suggests that David’s public victory stemmed from private faith and obedience, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of def…
- Beyond the Fire
The episode discusses Elijah's experience on Mount Carmel, highlighting that while God demonstrates power, true faith is cultivated through consistent, daily obedience rather than solely relying on intense spiritual experiences. It emphasi…
- Faithfulness Over Feelings
This episode discusses how God shakes up lives to align with His eternal plans, emphasizing His authority and identity bestowed through Jesus. It highlights God's restorative power, enabling individuals to engage in mission within their da…
- Turning Drift into Direction
This episode discusses spiritual drift, using the prophet Haggai's message to the Israelites as an example. It highlights the danger of outward spiritual activity masking inner compromise and emphasizes the importance of integrity and surr…
- Show Up to See God Show Off
This Awaken Church episode discusses how the Israelites' discouragement in rebuilding the temple mirrors today's spiritual comparison trap. It emphasizes that God values faithfulness over flashiness, encouraging listeners to persevere thro…
- Consider Your Ways
This episode discusses how misplaced priorities hinder change, using the Book of Haggai to illustrate God's call to examine our ways and put Him first. By prioritizing God, individuals can experience His presence and rebuild what is truly…
- This Wasn't the Plan
This episode discusses how life deviates from plans, leading to anxiety. It references Matthew 6:31-34, encouraging trust in God's guidance over seeking control, finding peace in God's presence, and optimizing responsibilities through pray…
- When God Shows Up
This episode discusses the Christmas story, focusing on God's surprising announcement of Jesus' birth to shepherds. It highlights God's disregard for societal status and the shepherds' transformation into missionaries after encountering Je…
- The Savior We Didn't See Coming
The Christmas story centers on the arrival of Jesus, a promised Savior whose birth as a helpless baby fulfilled prophecies. Isaiah
- Where Legacy Begins
This episode explores the concept of legacy, highlighting how a generous gift from 75 years ago continues to make a difference. It encourages listeners to consider the seeds of generosity they can plant today, which will become someone els…
- Beyond Our Walls
This Awaken Church message, 'Beyond Our Walls,' uses the Crystal Cathedral to illustrate how churches should serve others. True spiritual maturity, as seen in Isaiah 58, is measured by service to the needy, not just attendance. God promise…
- Convenience Kills Calling
This episode questions whether avoiding inconveniences hinders God's purpose for us. It suggests that slowing down, like in the 'slow lane' of following Jesus, is crucial for developing kingdom character, as our presence can be vital for o…
- Live Beyond Yourself
This episode explores how stepping out of comfort zones and offering what we have to God can lead to miracles, as illustrated by the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. It emphasizes trusting God with limited resources rather than focusing o…
- Have Your Prayers Gone Soft?
This episode discusses how disappointment in prayer can lead to smaller, safer prayers. It encourages listeners to pray with boldness and expectancy, referencing the early church's prayers for courage and empowerment, and emphasizing that…
- What If the Struggle Isn’t Punishment, but Preparation?
This Awaken Church episode explores the idea that life's struggles, rather than being punishment, may be a form of divine preparation. It suggests that weakness and unanswered prayers can be the source of true strength.
- If God Already Knows, Why Pray?
This episode addresses the question of why prayer is important if God already knows everything. It uses the example of Moses interceding for Israel to illustrate that prayer is not about changing God's plan, but about participating in His…
- Why God Feels Silent
This episode of Awaken Church discusses why prayer can feel silent, identifying distractions, doubts, and shame as key barriers. It highlights that Jesus offers constant access to God, and overcoming these barriers involves making space, a…
- Kill the Act
This episode discusses the nature of prayer, suggesting that God values authentic, even imperfect, prayers over polished ones. It encourages listeners to focus on genuine connection with God rather than performance.
- God Loves You - So What?
This episode discusses God's steadfast and unfailing love ('hesed'), emphasizing its unconditional nature. It uses Jacob's story and Jesus' sacrifice as examples and encourages listeners to experience and reflect this love.
- Is God Too Harsh?
This episode discusses the perfect balance of mercy and justice in God's character, highlighting how His mercy is shown through Jesus' sacrifice and His justice confronts sin. The cross is presented as the convergence point where justice i…
- Culture Rages; God Waits
This episode discusses God's patience, described as 'slow to anger' in Exodus 34. It emphasizes that God's patience is purposeful, offering time for repentance, and calls listeners to extend similar patience to others through specific prac…
- Shrinking.
This episode discusses the idea of a limited view of Jesus, using Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness as a parallel. It prompts listeners to consider if their perceived emptiness is an invitation to recognize God's true glory and its tr…
- The God You Can't Ignore
This sermon explores the common human tendency to appreciate God's creation more than the Creator, often altering God to fit personal preferences. It highlights the importance of seeing God accurately, as revealed in Exodus 34:6-8, and the…
- Fight to Stay Close
This episode of Awaken Church, titled 'Fight to Stay Close,' explores how internal drift, rather than external enemies, can pose the greatest threat to spiritual victory.
- Mind Games
This episode discusses how the mind is a battleground for spiritual warfare, leading to issues like fear and negative thoughts. It explains that consistent thinking shapes our identity and offers strategies like scripture, prayer, and comm…
- Stop Fighting Battles You Can’t Win Alone
This episode discusses 2 Chronicles 20, using King Jehoshaphat as an example of how to handle overwhelming challenges. It emphasizes recognizing that the battle belongs to God, surrendering struggles, and responding with worship and faith…
- Train Like Jesus
This episode of Awaken Church, 'Train Like Jesus,' focuses on countering Satan's strategy of temptation by learning to fight back and live in the victory Jesus has already won.
- Session 3 with Dr. Chris Thurman: Handling Relational Wounds Well
This episode of Awaken Church features Dr. Chris Thurman discussing how to manage anger and resolve conflict according to biblical teachings in Ephesians and Matthew. It emphasizes speaking truth in love to foster spiritual maturity.
- Session 2 with Dr. Chris Thurman: Unmet Needs & Destructive Coping
This episode discusses how unmet emotional needs in a fallen world can lead to painful feelings and destructive coping behaviors.
- Session 1 with Dr. Chris Thurman: Emotional Needs and Traps
This episode features Dr. Chris Thurman discussing the 11 emotional needs of every human being and their crucial role in fostering healthy intimacy.
- The War You Can't See
Awaken Church discusses the unseen spiritual war, emphasizing the importance of faith and the armor of God to combat internal battles and overcome this enemy.
- How to Heal from Your Hurts
This episode explores healing from emotional wounds, using Joseph's story to illustrate how God uses pain for good. It emphasizes identifying hurts, seeking support, and releasing pain to God for transformation and purpose.
- The Turning Point
The podcast discusses Joseph's life as depicted in Genesis, highlighting his journey through betrayal and hardship to a divine "turning point." It emphasizes God's use of Joseph's experiences to illustrate themes of divine timing, provisio…
- Where is God When Life Isn't Fair?
This episode discusses God's unfailing presence during difficult times, using Joseph's story to show that even amid betrayal and hardship, God's love endures. It emphasizes that waiting periods are opportunities for development and prepara…
- Faithful Before the Fight
This episode discusses Joseph's story, highlighting how God's presence is defined by His promises, not comfort. It details Joseph's preparation for temptation and his effective response when confronted, offering a model for spiritual battl…
- Dealing with disappointment
Awaken Church discusses how disappointment can feel final but may signify the start of God's plan. This episode explores viewing disappointment as a path to fulfilling divine purpose.
- Don't Bury Your Dream
The first message in the 'Plot Twist' series from Awaken Church, titled 'Don't Bury Your Dream,' explains that God-given dreams develop over time. The episode suggests that life's delays and detours can be interpreted as God's guidance.