Gulf Coast Community Church Podcast

Follow the Breadcrumbs (Matt. 14-16) 3/30/25, Jerry Cisar

The King and His Kingdom, Part 11
In the tale, Hansel and Gretel, two children are abandoned in a dark forest. To find their way back, Hansel drops a trail of bread crumbs behind them. But the crumbs are eaten by birds, and they lose their way.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus leaves a trail of bread crumbs, and while the birds of the air may snatch them up so that the message is missed, they are all still there for those who pursue Jesus as king in the text. In a broad collection of events in the life of Jesus, the theme of bread is woven throughout (chapters 14-16). Jesus walks on water, feeds multitudes, rebukes religious leaders, heals enemy children. speaks of crosses instead of thrones. But the various links of this chain create one message about who Jesus is and how His kingdom operates.
We’ll zoom out to look at a powerful section in Matthew (14:22–16:27) where bread is broken, faith is tested, and true worship is redefined. We’ll ask questions that move us beyond belief into transformation—because Jesus doesn’t just want our agreement… He wants our lives. For more sermons and resources:
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A Severed Head and Abundant Bread (Matthew 14:1-21) 3/23/25, Ryan Carver

"Do you feel overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, constantly worrying that you don't have enough? You're not alone. Join us as we explore Matthew 14, where Jesus powerfully contrasts a world driven by fear with His Kingdom of abundant provision.
Discover how you can break free from anxiety and step into a life of generosity and trust. Click play to learn more about living faithfully in God's abundant Kingdom!"
 
The sermon, "A Severed Head and Abundant Bread," explores two contrasting kingdoms presented in Matthew 14. First is the anxious kingdom represented by Herod—a kingdom driven by fear, scarcity, and control, where anxiety dominates decision-making and self-preservation leads to destructive outcomes. Herod’s fear and anxiety culminated tragically in the beheading of John the Baptist. In stark contrast, Jesus reveals the abundant Kingdom of God, characterized by trust, compassion, and generosity. Rather than being ruled by fear, Jesus demonstrates a Kingdom defined by abundant provision, feeding over five thousand people with minimal resources. This miracle serves not just as an act of compassion but as a lesson on living abundantly in trust and generosity. The sermon encourages believers to move from the anxiety-driven scarcity mindset toward a Kingdom perspective, trusting God's provision and stepping courageously into the world's brokenness. Followers of Christ are called to generously offer what they have, confident in God's abundant multiplication. Ultimately, the message invites listeners to reject fear and embrace a lifestyle of radical generosity and compassion, reflective of the abundant Kingdom of God.
For more sermons and resources: gulfcoast.community/resources

Good Wheat, Bad Wheat; Good Fish, Bad Fish - (Matthew 13:24-52) 3/16/25, Jerry Cisar

The King and His Kingdom, Part 9
What do a secret hiding place, a tiny mustard seed, and a hidden pearl of great price have in common? Each reveals a startling reality about God’s Kingdom.
We’ll look at Matthew 13:24–52 and the true story of Corrie ten Boom, a watchmaker who risked her own safety to hide others from Nazi persecution. Through it all, we’ll see that sometimes the most unassuming acts of faithfulness transform hearts and challenge oppressive powers. In these parables, Jesus teaches us three core lessons about God’s Kingdom: the ways of its faithful citizens, the worth of giving everything for it, and the waiting required as we trust God’s ultimate harvest.
Join us to see how small, hidden acts of love can bring hope, how prioritizing Kingdom values can transform our daily choices, and why patient endurance pays eternal dividends. Do you ever wonder whether your life, your kindness, or your faith really matter? Come discover how God’s kingdom grows in hidden and surprising ways through us. 
 
Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources

The Parable of the Silly Sermon - Matthew 12:46-50, 13:1-23

Ever hear Jesus’ teaching and think, “That won’t work in the real world” or “Yeah, but we’ve got to be realistic”? You’re not alone.
We’re looking at a well-known parable (Matthew 13:1-23) where the farmer seems foolish, and the viability of the seed (i.e. is this seed any good? Will it bear fruit?) is in doubt, and suitability of the soil is suspect.
Here are some things we will discuss:
Foolish Messengers: Jesus’ followers often appear as “foolish” as His message.
Enduring Faith: His teachings constantly stretch our trust.
Foolishness Leads to Abundance: Even when Jesus’ message feels unrealistic, perseverance brings a miraculous harvest.
Do you want to bear fruit for Christ’s kingdom? Do you want to be one of those with a ridiculously abundant harvest? If that’s you, join us to hear why God’s ‘foolish’ approach might be the key to transforming your life—and the world—more than you can imagine.
 
Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources

The King's Restoration Mission - Matthew 10-12

When Jesus sends out His followers in Matthew 10–12, they don’t go as powerful conquerors but as humble servants — “lambs among wolves.”
Yet this mission to restore and heal the broken world is anything but timid. It’s fueled by the conviction that if Jesus truly is Lord over all, that He aims to restore all things.
There’s a catch: this mission can wear you out. Stepping into brokenness — whether in our communities, workplaces, or families — can be exhausting. This week we will see that not only is Jesus driving the mission and harvest, He is also the “Lord of the Sabbath,” giving perpetual rest to those who labor.
Far from calling us to strive on our own strength, Jesus beckons us to come to Him for renewal.
We’ll discover what it means to live as part of His kingdom—rested yet relentless, vulnerable yet empowered. Don’t miss this chance to explore how God restores the lowly, equips us as compassionate agents of grace, and refreshes us even in the midst of the hardest work.
For More Sermons and Resources: gulfcoast.community/resources

Messiah's Mission, Methods, and Message (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11; 5 - 7)

Series: The King and His Kingdom: If Jesus Really is King...Then What?
GCCC Sermon 2/23/25 - Jerry Cisar
www.gulfcoast.community
 
We’ve been exploring the question, "What if Jesus really is King… then what?" And the punchline is: He is! But what was it about Jesus that made Him God’s choice? Why did He fully please the Father? Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the King Himself. What does His baptism reveal about His mission? How do His wilderness temptations expose the methods He refused to use? And how does His message shape how His mission continues today? Along the way, we’ll wrestle with some tough questions: What happens when we align with evil to accomplish good? Should the church do whatever it takes to draw people in? If not, why? Does the end justify the means in gospel ministry? Each of us must decide: Will we walk the way of the cross, or will we seek shortcuts through power?

(Pt 2) The Generous Economy of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:25-7:6

But have you ever stopped to ask: What’s stopping us from living generously?
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 7:1-6 that two things often stand in our way: fear and judgment. Fear makes us hold on too tightly, and judgment makes us decide who’s “worthy” before we give. But what if Jesus is calling us to something better?
Join us this Sunday as we unpack: Why worry keeps us from trusting God’s provision How judgment blinds us to the needs around us What it really means to seek first the Kingdom
If we want to live on earth as it is in heaven, we have to remove what’s blocking us. 
 
For more: gulfcoast.community

The Generous Economy of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:19-24

The King and His Kingdom: The Generous Economy of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:19-24
We’re diving into one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings—how we handle money, possessions, and wealth. In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus isn’t just giving financial advice—He’s calling us to live into His Kingdom now by shifting where we store, how we see, and who we serve.
🔹 Are we storing up treasure in heaven or clinging to earthly wealth?
🔹 Do we see money through the lens of generosity or greed?
🔹 Are we serving God with our money or serving the money god?
If Jesus is really King right here, right now, then how we use our resources matters. The early church in Acts 2 & 4 lived this out, and we’re called to do the same.
Join us as we explore how Jesus’ Kingdom economy challenges our culture’s mindset on wealth, security, and generosity.
 
For more about Gulf Coast Community Church: gulfcoast.community