Best Ax Church Podcasts (2026)

In John Chapter 1, John speaks in this one thing after the next kind of cadence, “He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.” Dr. Chris Croghan helps us break out of the methodical nature of the words to reveal what the Word is really saying: that we believe we’re in charge of our our own existen…

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Jesus Didn’t Come to Prevent Suffering | Matthew 2:13-23 with Sarah Stenson 32:26

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3d ago32:26

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There are texts like this one where we can’t make sense of the suffering. Herod authorizes the killing of thousands of children to protect his political power, and we’re left putting God on trial: why would He allow this? But that’s why this Jeremiah text is so important: in the midst of the inevitable suffering in this life, the suffering is for G…

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The Great Birth Announcement

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You know the Christmas story—but you may not know it like this. In this episode, we look at the announcement of Jesus’ birth and ask an important question: why shepherds? What did their role mean in that culture and moment in history? Discover how God...By Brian Bond

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Wild, Crazy, Illogical, Out of This World | Matthew 1:18-25 with Sarah Stenson & Lars Olson 25:33

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Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson teach us in today’s episode that the temptation with this text is to tone down just how crazy this story is into something tame, understandable, and familiar. But, as you’ll hear, this story is truly out of this world. Joseph thought his righteousness came from the law and his gentle demeanor toward Mary. Instead of sto…

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Needs Improvement 38:28

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Would God say that areas in your life need improvement?By Ax Church

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Signs

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Throughout Scripture, God uses signs and promises to communicate with His people. Just like the Christmas story, the Lord used a sign in the Old Testament to foretell the birth of His Son—our Savior. Sometimes we may wonder, Is it okay to ask God for...By Brian Bond

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A Reed Shaken by the Wind | Matthew 11:2-11 with Lars Olson 26:42

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Even John the Baptist, the prophet who points his long, bony finger to Jesus, is left to question, "Are you the one who is to come?” Lars Olson teaches us that John, just like all of us, expects Jesus to make the world a better place according to our expectations. But that’s what Advent is all about: the dawn of a new creation. A new kingdom found …

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Contagious Faith : Contagious Church 45:47

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We aren't waiting for god to move... He already has. Now, it is our turn to share our contagious faith as a church.By Ax Church

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Jesus Wants All Of You

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By Austin Cooper

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The Ax is at the Root | Matthew 3:1-12 with Dr. Chris Croghan 37:23

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Dr. Chris Croghan joins Scripture First to break down the many preaching moments found in this lectionary text about John the Baptist including: Why the wilderness is significant, The definition of repentance, The definition of the kingdom of heaven, Why Jesus calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers, And why you don’t need to fear when …

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Contagious Faith :: Five Styles of Contagious Faith 50:29

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We aren't the same when it comes to sharing our faith and thats ok. Which of the five styles comes most naturally to you?By Ax Church

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Good Enough?

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There is a harsh reality we all sometimes realize at some point... We, inherently, are not good enough. And on our journey through life we will fall short in being obedient to God. But that doesn't mean we stop and live there. We must pick...By Brian Bond

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You Can’t Keep Yourself Awake | Matthew 24: 36-44 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan 21:32

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Many think Advent is a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus, but, as this text illuminates, there’s no time to prepare. Jesus has broken in and the clock has struck midnight. Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson teach us that this text is about the end times. When Jesus breaks in, he doesn’t come with a to-do list. He comes with a to-done list. It…

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Contagious Faith 48:12

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We aren't meant to stay home and stay safe. Our faith is meant to be contagious.By Ax Church

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When You Think You've Won

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By Brian Bond

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The King Dies | Luke 23:33-43 with Sarah Stenson 27:06

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It’s Christ the King Sunday and you’re about to hear how Jesus is dying the death of a criminal. On Christ the King Sunday we are declaring that Jesus has authority and power over all, yet we are talking about his crucifixion, not his resurrection. If Christ is a king, where is his kingdom? You’ll hear that in the words Jesus speaks on the cross: “…

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The Beauty of a Broken Heart 39:06

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Having a broken heart is a truly beautiful thing.By Ax Church

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Life is Like a Rodeo

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Life is like a rodeo! Sometimes that can mean the season of life is a fun adventure, and other times can be full of anxiety and the unknowns. So how do we handle the anxiety life throws our way? We have to look at it through the lens of knowing God...By Brian Bond

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Idols | Luke 21:5-19 with Lars Olson 26:25

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Right after Jesus directs their attention to the woman giving her last two coins to the temple, they remark how beautiful the temple itself is. Jesus proceeds to tell them not only will every stone of the temple be thrown down, He will take our idols away from us. Of course, we try to cling to these idols until the final moment, but Jesus has come …

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Say Uncle 34:05

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Surrendering to God means trusting in his will.By Ax Church

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Elisha's Last Miracle and Then...

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One thing is certain, God is in the miracle working business, and Elisha experiences that first-hand! This is the last sermon in our series, Elisha! If you haven't listened to the previous sermons in this series, we recommend going back to listen...By Brian Bond

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This Old World Will Suck You Dry | Luke 20:27-38 with Dr. Chris Croghan 21:42

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The Sadducees try to pose an impossible question in the law to Jesus: if seven brothers marry the same woman, whose wife is she in heaven? Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how Jesus schools them in their understanding of the law and the resurrection: in eternal life, there is no law. Plus, he teaches us the Lutheran understanding of vocation being what…

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Creed : Forgiveness. Resurrection. Everlasting Life. 47:52

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You weren't meant to die. But we now live in bodies that will someday cease to exist. Your spirt will live forever. The question is... where?By Ax Church

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The Seen vs The Unseen

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By Brian Bond

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The Poor Get a Sermon | Luke 6:20-31 with Sarah Stenson 29:27

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For this All Saints Sunday, Sarah Stenson teaches us what it means when Jesus describes those who are blessed. To be blessed means God has expended his benefits to you. And what are God’s benefits? Mercy and unfairness. In this old world, you’d expect the poor to get food, shelter, and money, yet when the Holy Spirit gives us faith in the promise o…

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Creed : The Church and Saints 50:46

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Jesus followers are saints and we join together as the church. We are one big family with one central mission.By Ax Church

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The Floating Ax Head Miracle

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Good news! Got is in the restoration and miracle business! Now you're probably waiting to hear the bad news. Good thing there isn't any! Plain and simple, God can and wants to restore what is lost. Even better news! It's never too late...By Brian Bond

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I Thought I Was Already Free… | John 8:31-36 with Lars Olson & Dr. Chris Croghan 22:29

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Reformation Sunday. Jesus says the truth will set you free, but most people will hear this and try to turn it into a to-do list to earn their freedom. Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan flipped this text by saying the truth is the truth. You don’t have your truth and I have my truth. Those are opinions, and opinions are not certainty. Everyone who co…

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Creed : Holy Spirit 55:24

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Father, Son, and Holy what? So many people don't understand who the Holy Spirit is, but it makes all the difference in our lifeBy Ax Church

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End Of Your Rope

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The last place any of us want to be is at the end of our rope. Whether that's with our marriage, work, finances, you name it. The most uncomfortable and most "unknown" place to be is at the end of your rope. But guess what! God LIVES at...By Brian Bond

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God, Your Avenger | Luke 18:1-8 with Sarah Stenson 29:02

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Jesus tells his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. We ask Sarah Stenson: Is it possible to pray without ceasing? Can you decide not to lose heart? What is the point of prayer? Jesus delivers one of the greatest promises in this passage. He says, “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to hi…

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Creed : Resurrected. Ascended. Coming Again. 48:44

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Is the resurrection of Jesus just a legend? If it's true... could Jesus be coming back soon?By Ax Church

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You Can’t, You Won’t, You Don’t | Luke 17:11-19 with Dr. Chris Croghan 26:21

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Ten lepers approach Jesus, calling out to him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Dr. Chris Croghan explains how one of them, a Samaritan, is a Lutheran: He hears a word from Jesus and believes it. He practices true worship, “Lord have mercy on me, and thank you.” And he doesn’t go back to the law for his righteousness after receiving mercy. CARE O…

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Creed : His Son, Our Lord 48:00

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Was Jesus a super smart rabbi? A self deceived madman? A self serving conman? Or... was he The Christ?By Ax Church

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I Am Doing What Was Given to Me | Luke 17:5-10 with Lars Olson 21:05

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The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Lars Olson teaches us how many Christians today view faith the same way the apostles did: as a power that you can increase. But Jesus’ response, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,” reveals that it’s not about how much faith you have, it’s about whether you have faith or not. It’s black…

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Creed : Father Almighty 41:09

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In our world of shifting perspectives, what if there was truth handed down over 1700 years ago that could sit like an unshakeable foundation under our faith?By Ax Church

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Stuck in Death? | Luke 16:19-31 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan 24:54

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Covered with sores, a poor man named Lazarus lay at the gate of a rich man who dressed in fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. The roles are reversed in death with Lazarus on one side of the chasm with Abraham and the rich man calling out for mercy on the other side. Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how this is election. God …

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RUN : A Sin Like Poison 42:05

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There is a new epidemic in America. A sexual addiction that has the potential to do substantial damage.By Ax Church

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Dishonest Wealth | Luke 16:1-13 with Sarah Stenson 30:31

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The Parable of the Dishonest Manager. You will hear Kiri and my confusion: a rich man is considering firing his manager only for the manager to go to those he was working with to slash the amount owed to the rich man. He’s commended for this? He’s a bad manager, but is it a good thing to cut people’s debts in half? Sarah Stenson teaches us how we’r…

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How to Live in an Evil World 45:33

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It feels like there is more evil and violence around us than ever before. How are we supposed to handle this? Is God still in control?By Ax Church

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Why Do You Grumble? | Luke 14:25-33 with Lars Olson 18:49

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The sinners flock to listen to Jesus. Why do the Pharisees grumble about this? Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us that what they hold important is the law, and it isn’t working the way they want it to work. You grumble because you’re not getting your way. Then Jesus tells a parable about the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep and the woma…

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RUN : Be Intolerant of This Sin 49:21

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We can't pretend like this sin doesn't exist inside the church. Be intolerant and RUN.By Ax Church

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Hate My Family? | Luke 14:25-33 with Lars Olson 22:58

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Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” Kiri and I discuss with Lars Olson, if hating your own life is something you can even do, and, if not, how can anyone be Jesus’ disciple. Lars teaches us how Jesus’ word claims you. You do…

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The Bait of Satan 46:31

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The devil wants to set a trap for your life. Something that will keep your from ever getting where you are supposed to go.By Ax Church

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The Law Creates Conundrums | Luke 14:1, 7-14 with Lars Olson & Dr. Chris Croghan 24:19

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Jesus is at the Pharisees house where he tells them a parable about the seats of honor at a wedding banquet. Lars Olson and Dr. Chris Croghan teaches us how nearly everyone will hear Jesus’ words as the law in order to avoid being implicated as a sinner. This is not a prescription on etiquette. It’s a depiction of what’s going on in your heart. CAR…

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RUN : Do Not Fight This Sin 45:50

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You need to change your strategy when dealing with this sin. Don't fight... RUN!By Ax Church

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The Sickness and the Sinner | Luke 13:10-17 with Sarah Stenson 26:31

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Jesus heals a woman on the sabbath who had been suffering for 18 years. The leader of the synagogue ignores her praising God and rebukes Jesus for breaking the law by healing on the sabbath. Sarah Stenson teaches us how Jesus holds up the mirror to reveal what is in your heart. It comes down to whether or not you believe God judges you based on how…

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RUN : A Sin Against Your Own Body 39:45

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There is a sin so different from others that we are given special warning from God's work.By Ax Church

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Division | Luke 12:49-56 with Dr. Chris Croghan 21:29

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The scribes and Pharisees think they’re going to make the world a better place through the law. Jesus tells them, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” What is the division Jesus is bringing? That is the question we ask Dr. Chris Croghan in this week’s conversation. CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTI…