Wonder Church

Hope For Those Who Sit in Darkness | Christmas at Wonder Church “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” — Matthew 4:16 Christmas is supposed to be magical — full of concerts, lights, traditions, and moments we try so hard to savor. But what happens when the Christmas story collides with our story? What if this season isn’t festive, but heavy? What if joy feels far away, and hope feels impossible? In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores Matthew 4:12–16 and the prophecy Isaiah spoke centuries earlier: the light of Christ breaks in for those who sit in darkness. Not just for the religious. Not just for the hopeful. But for the hopeless. The disappointed. The exhausted. The ones who have heard “no” so many times they stopped praying, stopped dreaming, stopped expecting anything to change. In this Christmas message, you’ll discover: 🕯️ 1. People who sit in darkness have often lost hope. When life says “NOPE” — jobs, relationships, health, dreams, even God — hopelessness begins to feel normal. 🌑 2. People who sit in darkness adjust their eyes. Sometimes we stop trying to get out. We settle. We succeed outwardly but feel empty inwardly. We lower our expectations because disappointment hurts too much. ✨ 3. But into that darkness… a GREAT Light shines. The hope of the Gospel is not faint — it is great. Jesus breaks in exactly where hope has died. As Tozer said: “It is in the dark that God does His best work in us.” 🌅 4. Those who see the light must decide. When the light appears, we either remain seated… or we run toward it. This is a message for anyone who has felt stuck, discouraged, numb, disappointed, or spiritually tired — and for anyone who needs to believe again that Jesus still shines in dark places… even here, even now. 📖 Scripture: Matthew 4:12–16; Isaiah 9; John 8:12 🎄 Series: Christmas at Wonder ✨ Message Title: For Those Who Sit in Darkness

More Than a Meal – Pt. 4 | Look Ahead “You are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26 Communion doesn’t just point inward, backward, or around us—it points forward. In this final message of our More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a preview, a foretaste, and a dress rehearsal for the greatest celebration in eternity: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Jesus said, “I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” That means there is a future meal coming… and communion is the appetizer. In this message you’ll discover: 🍞 Communion awakens hunger — a holy longing for the day Jesus returns. 🌿 Communion sets the tone — what we taste now will be fully realized in glory. 🕊 Communion secures your seat at the table — participation identifies us as His people. 📣 Communion gives us a mission — we proclaim His death until He comes again. Communion is not the last supper—it’s the preview of the next supper. 📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:29; Revelation 19:6–9 🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion 🕊️ Message 4: Look Ahead

More Than a Meal – Pt. 3 | Look Around “This is my body… this is my blood.” — Jesus (Matthew 26:26–28) Communion isn’t just something we think about — it’s something we participate in. In Part 3 of our More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe invites us to stop overthinking, slow down, and look around at what Jesus is actually doing in communion. When Jesus said, “This is my body… this is my blood,” He took the familiar symbolism of the Passover meal and radically redefined it. No longer shaped by the lamb of Egypt, the bread and cup now point to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In this message you’ll discover: 🍞 The new meaning of the bread — the sacrifice of Jesus that delivers us from sin. 🍷 The significance of the cup — the covenant confirmed by His blood, securing forgiveness for the many. 🙌 The real mystery of communion — not mystical transformation, but Jesus’ presence alive in His people. 🧡 Why participation matters more than perfect understanding — “take and eat,” not “take and understand.” 🌿 How looking around helps us stop overthinking and start experiencing God. Communion is more than a symbol to study — it’s a grace to receive, a presence to encounter, and a reminder that the wonder of God is found not in merely understanding Him, but in participating with Him . 📖 Scripture: Matthew 26:26–28; Exodus 6:6–7; Exodus 24:8; Leviticus 17:11 🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion 🕊️ Message 3: Look Around

More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion | Part 2 - Look Back “Do this in remembrance of me.” With those words, Jesus invites us to look back — not with guilt or nostalgia, but with gratitude and awe. In this second message of the More Than a Meal series, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks the sacred meaning of remembrance in communion. We don’t just recall an event in history — we relive the reality of the cross, the love that was poured out, and the covenant that still holds us today. When we look back to the body broken and the blood shed, we’re reminded that grace isn’t a concept — it’s a person. Communion reorients our hearts to what Jesus has done, anchors our faith in His sacrifice, and renews our relationship with Him and with one another. In this message, you’ll discover: 🍞 What “remembrance” truly means in biblical context ❤️ How to move from routine to reverence when taking communion 🩸 Why the cross is not just something to recall — but something to live from 🙏 How looking back gives us strength to move forward 📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Luke 22:14–20 🎙️ Series: More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion 🕊️ Message 2: Look Back

🍞 More Than a Meal: Look In — Examining the Heart Before Communion Communion isn’t just a ritual — it’s a moment of reflection. In Part 1 of More Than a Meal: The Theology of Communion , Pastor CJ Witkoe teaches from 1 Corinthians 11 that the Lord’s Supper is where routine ends and reverence begins . Before we take the bread and cup, Scripture calls us to “examine ourselves” — to look inward and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that separates us from God or from one another. 🙏 Key Idea: Communion is not a snack. It’s sacred. 💡 When we honor the body of Christ — both His sacrifice and His church — we experience the wholeness His body was broken to give us. 📖 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 | Psalm 139:23–24 🕊️ In this message, you’ll learn: What it means to “discern the body of Christ” How self-examination leads to restoration Why reverence is the foundation of true communion How to honor Christ and others before you come to the table

🔥 Trainwreck: David & Absalom — You Can’t Fix It Until You Face It When David refused to confront the sin in his own family, it led to heartbreak, rebellion, and the loss of his son Absalom. Sometimes the mess we bury is the one that breaks us. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe shares how avoidance can destroy what anger only started—and how God, unlike David, did something about our sin by sending Jesus to take our place. 🧠 Key Idea: Things don’t get better by burying them. You can’t fix it until you face it. 💔 David ignored it. Absalom rebelled. God redeemed it. 📖 2 Samuel 13–18 | John 3:16 | Ezekiel 18:32 🙌 Discover how to confront sin, pursue reconciliation, and experience the Father’s heart that says, “If only I had died instead of you.” 🎧 Topics: Family brokenness & forgiveness Confronting sin biblically The cost of silence and avoidance God’s redeeming love through Jesus

The Israelites had seen God do miracle after miracle — deliverance from Egypt, manna from heaven, water from rocks — and yet, they grumbled. Their constant complaining revealed a heart that had lost its fear of the Lord. As a result, fiery serpents struck the camp, and only those who looked up to the bronze serpent were healed. In this message, guest speakers Troy and Barbara share how that same spirit of grumbling and self-reliance can creep into our lives today — even in ministry. Jesus warned in Matthew that many will say, “Lord, Lord, did we not do miracles in your name?” yet He will reply, “I never knew you.” The warning is clear: we can produce ministry activity without spiritual intimacy. Like branches disconnected from the vine, we can look fruitful on the outside but be spiritually dying on the inside. This message calls us back to the fear of the Lord — a holy awe that keeps us connected to the source of all life and power. We don’t bear fruit by striving harder, but by staying rooted in Jesus, the true Vine. 📖 Scriptures: Numbers 21:4–9, John 15:1–5, Matthew 7:21–23 🎙 Series: Trainwreck 💡 Message Title: coming back to the vine If you’ve ever felt burned out, spiritually dry, or disconnected from God, this message is an invitation to return — not to religion, but to relationship.

🎙️ Trainwreck: Solomon | When Love Becomes an Idol Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived — blessed by God with unmatched wisdom, power, and wealth. He built the Temple, led Israel into its most prosperous era, and became a legend of divine favor. Yet, behind the gold and glory, something tragic was happening inside his heart. In Trainwreck: Solomon, Pastor CJ Witkoe explores how the man known for his wisdom became undone by divided love. Despite his divine gift, Solomon “clung in love” to foreign wives who eventually turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1–3). This message digs deep into the tension between righteous wisdom and reckless love — how Solomon’s success led him to compromise, and how our own hearts can subtly shift from devotion to distraction. We discover that Solomon didn’t stop loving God… he just stopped loving Him fully. The heartbreaking truth: the same word used to describe Solomon’s love for God is used to describe his love for foreign women. His heart was divided — and that division cost him his kingdom. 💡 Big Idea: The wisest man in history became a trainwreck, not because he stopped believing in God, but because he started loving other things just as much. 📖 Scriptures: 1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 11:1–3, 2 Samuel 12:25, Hebrews 11:24–26 🎙 Series: Trainwreck 💔 Message Title: Solomon If you’ve ever found your heart pulled between God and something (or someone) else, this message will help you recognize the idols that divide your devotion — and rediscover what it means to give God 100%.

Trainwreck: Moses | Righteous Anger and the Cost of Losing Control What makes you angry? Injustice? Hypocrisy? Disrespect? Anger is emotional energy — and sometimes, it’s even righteous. But as we see in the life of Moses, even righteous anger can lead to disastrous results when it’s not surrendered to God. In this message, Trainwreck: Moses , Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks one of the most powerful and painful moments in Scripture — when Moses, in a fit of anger, struck the rock instead of speaking to it… and lost his chance to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1–12). Through this story, we see that righteous anger does not equal righteous action . Moses’ pattern of anger — from killing the Egyptian to smashing the tablets to striking the rock — reminds us that even the strongest leaders can misrepresent God when they let emotions take control. But there’s hope. Hebrews 3–4 reveals that while Moses missed out on rest, we don’t have to. In Jesus, we find a better way — exchanging rage for rest, frustration for faith, and striving for surrender. 📖 Scriptures: Numbers 20:1–12, Exodus 2:11–12, Exodus 32, Hebrews 3–4 🎙 Series: Trainwreck 💡 Message Title: Moses — The Cost of Losing Control If you’ve ever felt justified in your anger but regretted what came next, this message will help you find healing, peace, and strength in God’s rest.

In 1 Samuel 16–31 , Saul refuses to release what God has already removed, spiraling into jealousy, demonic torment, murderous rage, and desperate witchcraft. In this powerful message, Pastor CJ Witkoe from Wonder Church unpacks Saul’s tragic downfall and shows how clinging to control only leads to destruction , while surrender brings freedom. 📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16–31 ⚡ Why insecurity keeps us holding on to what God has taken away ⚡ How worship drives back darkness (David and the lyre) ⚡ Why letting go opens the door to God’s new season If you’ve ever struggled to release a relationship, a dream, or a past season, this message will help you trust God’s sovereignty and move forward in faith . 👉 Subscribe for weekly Bible-based teaching. 👍 Like & Share to spread the message of Jesus’ grace and freedom.

Marriage was designed by God to be more than just commitment—it was meant to be a source of joy, passion, and blessing. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe unpacks Proverbs 5 and shows how God’s wisdom warns us against the destruction of sexual sin while inviting us into the delight of a life-giving marriage. You’ll discover: Why sexual sin is deceptive and destructive. How delighting in your spouse protects and strengthens your relationship. Practical boundaries that guard your marriage and soul. God’s vision for passion, intimacy, and joy within marriage. Whether you’re single, newly married, or decades into your relationship, this message will inspire you to see marriage not just as survival, but as delight. And ultimately, it points us to the greatest marriage of all—the love of Christ for His people. 📖 Scripture: Proverbs 5:1–19 🎙 Speaker: Pastor CJ Witkoe 📅 Part of our Proverbs: God’s Wisdom for Everyday Living series 👉 Don’t miss our Love & Marriage Weekend happening September 26–27!

Saul looked like the perfect king—tall, handsome, and chosen by God. But behind the image was a man hiding in the baggage, ruled by insecurity, and torn between pleasing people and obeying God. In this message, Pastor CJ Witkoe from Wonder Church explores 1 Samuel 9–15 to reveal how Saul’s false self led to his downfall—and how we can throw off our own false selves to live in the freedom and love of Jesus. 📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 9–15 ⚡ Learn how insecurity creates a “false self.” ⚡ Discover why obedience is better than sacrifice. ⚡ Find freedom in knowing your true identity in Christ. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to perform, to impress, or to hide who you really are, this message will help you step into the life God actually calls you to. 👉 Subscribe for weekly Bible-based teaching. 👍 Like & Share to spread the message of God’s grace.

Money is one of the most common stressors in life—but it doesn’t have to be. In this message, An Introduction to Financial Joy , Pastor Ken Witkoe unpacks timeless wisdom from the book of Proverbs to show how God’s Word leads us to freedom, peace, and joy in our finances. Whether you’re struggling with financial anxiety, learning to budget, or simply want to align your money with God’s purposes, this message will encourage and equip you to take practical steps toward honoring God and experiencing true financial joy. 📖 Scriptures covered: Proverbs and other biblical principles on finances. 🎙️ Speaker: Pastor Ken Witkoe 📍 Recorded at Wonder Church 🔔 Subscribe to Wonder Church on YouTube and follow our podcast for more messages of hope, truth, and transformation. 👉 Connect with us: Website: www.wonderchurch.com Instagram: wonderchurch Podcast: wonder church #WonderChurch #FinancialJoy #BookofProverbs #KenWitkoe

Samson was called, gifted, and chosen by God—yet his pride and compromise led to a total trainwreck. His story is a warning of what happens when we walk away from God, but also a powerful reminder that His compassion never quits. In this message, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Samson’s rise and fall, the danger of compromise, and the hope of Jesus who meets us in our lowest moments. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve gone too far or failed too much, this message is for you. 📖 Key Scriptures: Judges 13–16, Romans 8:1 👉 Subscribe for more Bible-based teaching and encouragement. 👍 Like & Share to spread the message of God’s love. Bottom Line: Samson’s life shows the consequences of compromise—and the relentless compassion of God. #Samson #SamsonAndDelilah #BibleTeaching #SermonOnCompromise #GodsCompassion #ChristianEncouragement #WonderChurch #Preaching #Sermon2025 #BibleStudy #ChristianHope #FaithAfterFailure #JesusRestores #GospelMessage #OnlineChurch #ChurchOnline #ChristianPodcast #BibleSermon #HopeInJesus #GraceAndTruth

Depression is real. It can feel like living under a constant wave of trouble, powerless and overwhelmed—even when the “wave” is only half a foot tall. Proverbs 15:15 says: “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Are you struggling with depression, feeling powerless, or overwhelmed by life? In this sermon, Pastor CJ from Wonder Church unpacks Proverbs 15:15 and John 1:16 to show how Jesus brings freedom, joy, and a continual feast of grace—even in seasons of sorrow. We’ll cover: Why despondency leads to bondage How sin and compromise fuel depression The difference between shame and conviction Why “authentic misery” isn’t the answer How joy is found not in circumstances, but in Christ Why the gospel is the true antidote to despair 📖 Key Scriptures: Proverbs 15:15 (NLT) John 1:16 (ESV) 🙏 Response: True freedom from depression begins with faith in Jesus. No amount of pills or counseling can fix a broken belief system that perpetuates sorrow and slavery. But in Christ, joy can be your daily feast. 🔔 Subscribe to Wonder Church for more sermons, worship, and encouragement. 🎙️ Also available on the Wonder Church Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.). 📍 Learn more about Wonder Church: www.wonderchurch.com

The Supernatural Advantage | God Squad Series Relationships are tough—and they’re not getting easier. Many of us feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, and even alone in the struggles we face. But what if God isn’t just watching our relationships from a distance—what if He’s in them? In this message, The Supernatural Advantage , Pastor CJ Witkoe shares how God equips us with spiritual gifts to strengthen and heal our relationships. From wisdom and faith to healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and more—these gifts are not reserved for a few, but given “to each of us… so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). Discover how the Holy Spirit provides a supernatural advantage in everyday life and how you can begin to walk in these gifts to build healthier, stronger, and God-centered connections. 📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 🎙 Series: God Squad 💡 Message Title: The Supernatural Advantage If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have what it takes in your relationships, this message will remind you that you are not alone—God has given you His Spirit, His gifts, and His power to thrive.

Do Not Let Your Heart Envy | Message by Josee In this message from Proverbs 23:17–18, Josee shares about the danger of envy and comparison—how wanting what others have steals joy, distorts perspective, and hurts our souls. But there’s hope: Jesus offers freedom from envy and a secure future filled with peace and purpose. Whether you struggle with comparison in relationships, finances, success, or daily life, this message points you back to the true solution—finding your identity and contentment in Christ. 📖 Scripture: Proverbs 23:17–18 🎙️ Speaker: Josee 📌 Title: Do Not Let Your Heart Envy

This is a special message from some of the elders at Wonder - Jeff and Hiedi Vantrees. God wants to bring a division between us and the enemy. You do not have to put up with sin, disfunction, harassment, and shame. In this message, we will learn how to put the name of Jesus into action and drawn a line that the enemy cannot cross.

Sermon Title: Generational Wealth Scripture: Proverbs 1:1–7, Proverbs 13:22, Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) What are you leaving behind? In this powerful message, we explore Generational Wealth —not just in finances, but in wisdom, faith, and legacy. God doesn’t think in moments; He thinks in generations . Many live like the story ends with them, but Scripture calls us to think beyond ourselves—to be conduits of blessing, not cul-de-sacs. Drawing from the wisdom of Proverbs, this sermon challenges us to build a legacy that reaches beyond our lifetime. Learn how to pass on spiritual health, discipline, and purpose to the generations after you. Discover how the “fear of the Lord” is the foundation of a life that not only thrives today—but leaves an inheritance tomorrow. God’s blessings don’t have to end with you. Whether you’ve inherited curses or blessings, you can choose today to start a new legacy through Christ. 🎧 Listen in and be inspired to live with eternity in mind. 💬 Subscribe, like, and share to be a blessing to others!

Sermon Title: God Goals Scripture: Proverbs 1:1–7, Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) Do you have dreams, goals, and plans—but wonder if they align with God's will? In this episode, we break down the wisdom of Proverbs to discover what real success looks like in the eyes of God. This sermon tackles questions like: Does God actually want me to succeed? How do I make plans that honor Him? What should I do when my plans fail? Key takeaway: True success begins with reverence for God, continues with wise discipline, and ends with trusting Him with the outcome. 🎧 Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, parent, or leader—this message will encourage you to align your goals with God’s purpose for your life. 👉 Subscribe, share, and follow for more biblical wisdom on navigating real life. #ChristianPodcast #FaithGoals #BiblicalWisdom #GodsWill #ProverbsSermon

Do you want to live a successful life? The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is to provide wisdom to live a disciplined and successful life. The starting point for this wisdom and success is "the Fear of the Lord". But what is that? In this message, we study this essential attitude and discover that the Fear of God is something that grounds us, can be learned, and can be chosen.

At face value, kindness and goodness are fairly easy to understand: Do good. But, when we slow down to think about it, we realize that it's riddled with problems: how do we deal with conflict? Is the gospel just about being nice to people? The truth is, many of us have replaced kindness with "niceness", a sort of non-confrontational philanthropy. But, God teaches us through his own expression of kindness, how we are to be kind to others.

In this message, we study the fruit of the Spirit: Peace.

It seems that the older we get, the less joy we have. We experience more pain and pressure. Our emotions become more complex. This is natural. However, in the Kingdom of God, it's different - the more mature we become in Christ, the more joy we will have. This is because Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. To allow the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in our life, we need to obey our way to joy.

Success for the believer is the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit. Love is the first and foundation fruit, from which all the rest grow. However, this is also the most difficult. Thank God, it's HIS FRUIT, not ours. We are NOT the source, just the stream.