The 1855 Podcast

What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him? In Matthew 8:23–27, a terrifying storm becomes the setting for a remarkable revelation of Jesus’ divine authority. As His disciples move from fear to amazement, we discover why He is worthy of our trust and worship.

Student Pastor Joseph Blount continues our study of Matthew with Matthew 8:18–22, where Jesus confronts two would-be followers with the cost and urgency of discipleship. These encounters challenge us to consider how comfort, security, and competing commitments shape our response to his call. What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience disrupts our plans?

Pastor John Oliver explores Matthew 8:14–17 alongside Mark’s account of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. These encounters reveal the Lord who draws near, the Servant who takes our burdens, and the Savior who secures our future.
Together, we consider how Jesus’ miracles fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy, how his mercy shapes our ordinary service, and why we can trust him when healing does not come. His authority and compassion give us hope in present suffering as we await the fullness of redemption.

What do you do when you know Jesus can change your circumstances, but you do not know whether he will change them in the way you hope? In Matthew 8:1–13, two unlikely men approach Jesus with impossible needs. Their stories challenge what we believe about faith, healing, and the authority of Christ.

In the final message of our Sermon on the Mount series, Jesus confronts us with the eternal significance of how we respond to His words. It is possible to admire His wisdom, profess His name, and hear His teaching without truly following Him. From Matthew 7:13–29, we are called to examine the foundation of our faith and rest our hope in Christ alone. Genuine faith does not merely admire Jesus, it trusts Him and increasingly lives under His gracious authority.

“Judge not” may be one of Jesus’ most quoted and most misunderstood commands. In this message, we discover how greater righteousness transforms our relationships. Jesus calls us to look inward with humility, look upward to our heavenly Father in prayer, and look outward with active love. Along the way, we consider the difference between condemnation and discernment, the confidence we can have in our Father’s goodness, and how grace received from God becomes love extended to others.

Worry often begins with two words: “What if?” In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus speaks to the fears that consume our attention and carry us into a future we cannot control.
In this message, we see that worry forgets the Giver, overlooks God’s care, and reaches into tomorrow. Jesus invites us to remember our heavenly Father, recognize his faithful provision, seek his kingdom, and trust him with the day ahead.

Jesus brings greater righteousness into one of life’s most personal areas: our possessions. He challenges us to consider where we store our treasure, how money shapes our vision, and who truly holds our allegiance. Money can be a useful servant, but it is a terrible master. In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor John Oliver calls us to examine what has captured our hearts and to find lasting security in Christ.

Can we pray for the wrong reasons? In Matthew 6:5–18, Jesus confronts prayer and fasting that become religious performances and invites us into sincere dependence on our heavenly Father. In this message, we discover how greater righteousness reshapes our prayers, aligns our desires with God’s kingdom, and brings our appetites under His rule. Prayer is not about impressing others or manipulating God; it is honest communion with the Father, who sees us, knows our needs, and welcomes us through Christ.

What if one of the greatest threats to your spiritual life isn't something you're doing wrong, but something you're doing for the wrong reason?
As we continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shifts the focus from outward obedience to the hidden motives of the heart. In Matthew 6:1–4, He challenges us to consider not just what we do for God, but why we do it. It's a searching passage that exposes our desire for recognition while pointing us toward the joy of living for the Father's approval.