Sermons on the Side

What do you hold onto when the weight feels unbearable? 
In this episode, Richard takes us back to the early days of his recovery journey - when everything felt raw, heavy, and uncertain. During that time, he was encouraged to come up with a mantra… but something about that language never quite fit. 
Instead, through a perfectly timed Sunday morning and a single, powerful verse, he discovered something deeper. 
A watchword.
An old English term, a watchword isn’t just a phrase you repeat - it’s a truth you anchor yourself to. Historically used as a password, rallying cry, or guiding principle, a watchword was something spoken with conviction… something that carried weight, identity, and direction. Not just words - but the word you return to when everything else feels shaky. 
This episode is about finding that kind of truth.
The kind that cuts through shame.
The kind that steadies you.
The kind that reminds you who you are - and whose you are.
So we’ll ask the question:
What is your watchword?
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As Holy Week comes to a close, we arrive at Good Friday. 
There’s no new concept here. No fresh perspective to uncover. Just the reality at the center of our faith - 
A perfect Savior stepped into an imperfect world.
The only sinless One took on the sin of all.
Jesus willingly became the sacrifice.
In this episode, we don’t rush past the cross. We sit in it. We reflect on the weight, the cost, and the depth of love displayed through His suffering.
This is the day where everything changes.
Where grace is written in blood.
Where mercy is extended to all.
And as we transition into the quiet of Silent Saturday, our prayer is that we would allow the sorrow, the sacrifice, and the solitude to center our hearts and focus our minds.
Because while today is Friday…
Sunday is coming!
There may be pain in the night - 
but joy comes in the morning.
Thank you for walking through Holy Week with us! We pray a special blessing over you, your family, and your local church this weekend. 
Song Credit:
This episode includes a brief acoustic portion of “Jesus Messiah”  written by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves. Used here for devotional and illustrative purposes.
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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
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Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

As Holy Week continues, we arrive at Maundy Thursday - the night of the Last Supper. 
The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “mandate.” And in this sacred moment around the table, Jesus gives exactly that - new commands for His followers. From loving one another, to remembering Him through the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup. 
What begins as a meal becomes something so much more. 
In this episode, we slow down and sit at the table with Jesus and His disciples - taking in the weight of His words, the depth of His love, and the reality of what was about to unfold. This is the moment where the tone of Holy Week begins to shift…where celebration gives way to sacrifice.
Because the bread would soon be His body - broken.
And the cup would soon be His blood - poured out. 
We reflect on the significance of communion, the beauty of Jesus’ command to love, and the sobering truth that the cross was no longer distant - it was imminent. 
As we continue this journey, may we not rush past this table - but truly sit, remember, and receive.
Let’s keep walking.
Song Credit:
This episode includes a brief acoustic portion of “Love Ran Red”  written and performed by Chris Tomlin. Used here for devotional and illustrative purposes.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
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Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

As Holy Week continues, we step into one of the heaviest and most sobering moments in the story - Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. 
For thirty pieces of silver, Judas trades relationship for control. Disappointed that Jesus didn’t meet his expectations of what the Messiah should be, he turns away - choosing his own path over trust. 
It’s easy to judge. Easy to distance ourselves from the story. But if we’re honest…there’s a little bit of Judas in all of us. 
Moments where God doesn’t move how we want.
Moments where we grow frustrated, disconnected, or discontent.
Moments where we start reaching for control - one small compromise at a time…our own “pieces of silver.” 
In this episode, we take a hard but honest look inward. Not to sit in shame - but to recognize the subtle ways our hearts can drift. 
And yet - even here - grace is still present. Because even after the betrayal is set in motion, Jesus still invites Judas to the table.
The same invitation stands for us today. No matter how far we’ve wandered, we are not beyond the reach of the Father's love for the prodigal. 
As we continue this Holy Week journey, may this moment lead us not to despair - but to surrender. 
Keep walking towards the cross.
Song Credit:
This episode includes a brief acoustic portion of the hymn “I Surrender All.”  Used here for devotional and illustrative purposes.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
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Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

As Holy Week continues, we step into one of the most intimate and powerful acts of worship found in the Gospels - Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. 
With a jar of perfume worth nearly a year’s wages, Mary pours out everything she has in a moment of deep gratitude, humility, and love. It’s extravagant. It’s costly. And to some, it doesn’t make sense. 
But when we remember what Jesus had just done - raising her brother Lazarus from the dead - we begin to understand. When we truly see Jesus for who He is and reflect on what He has done for us, worship becomes less about obligation and more about overflow. 
In this episode, we reflect on what it looks like to respond to Jesus with that same kind of unfiltered, unconditional praise! A posture that may not always be understood by others - but is always seen and received by Him. 
As we continue walking through Holy Week, our prayer is that this moment would challenge and invite you to pour out your own offering of gratitude - whatever that may look like.
Let’s keep journeying together!
Song Credit:
This episode includes a brief acoustic portion of “Gratitude”  written and performed by Brandon Lake. Used here for devotional and illustrative purposes.
Send us Fan Mail
Sermons on the Side Bible Readings
Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page
Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast
Check out our website HERE
Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!
Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside
Thank you for being part of the journey with us!