The Journey Church Houston Podcast

What does faithful reform look like?
During the 16th and 17th centuries, some Anabaptists sought to recover biblical convictions about baptism and the church, while others embraced radical, even violent movements. Meanwhile, Roman Catholic reformers pursued meaningful changes within the church, even as the Council of Trent formally rejected key Protestant convictions about the gospel.
In this episode of A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, Pastor Steven Hiller explores these complex chapters of church history, examining the Swiss Brethren, the Münster Rebellion, Menno Simons, the rise of the Jesuits, and the Council of Trent.
Church history rarely fits neatly into categories of heroes and villains. Reform can correct genuine problems, but good intentions alone don't guarantee faithful outcomes. The church must continually pursue reform, with Scripture, not tradition, cultural pressure, or reaction against the past, as its ultimate authority.
What can these historical debates teach us about the church today? How do we distinguish faithful reform from radical overreaction? And where might the church in our own cultural moment need to be reformed according to God's Word?
Whether you're exploring Christianity, reconsidering traditions you've inherited, or seeking a deeper understanding of the faith, this episode invites you to think more carefully about what Christians believe, why they believe it, and how they should live in light of God's Word.
Join us Sundays at The Journey Church Houston!
We gather every Sunday for Discipleship Classes at 9:30 AM, including our ongoing church history class, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM.
📍 The Journey Church Houston1703 Heights Blvd.Houston, TX 77008
🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe to receive future episodes, leave a rating and review to help others discover the show, and share this episode with a friend who wants to explore church history and the Christian faith.
We invite you to join us as we discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story.

What do you do when God's instructions don't seem to make any sense?
The battle of Jericho is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, but what does it actually teach us about God, faith, and obedience?
In Joshua 6, Israel faces a seemingly impossible obstacle and an unexpected battle plan. As we look more closely at this ancient story, we'll consider what it reveals about God's judgment, his mercy, and the kind of trust he calls his people to have.
The story of Jericho also points us toward a greater victory: Jesus Christ's triumph over Satan, sin, and death. We don't obey God to earn his favor. Because Jesus has secured our salvation, we can trust him enough to follow his Word, even when it challenges our instincts or contradicts the wisdom of the world.
If this episode encourages you or challenges you to think more deeply about the Bible, please rate and review the podcast, subscribe for future episodes, and share this message with a friend.
Join us on Sundays at 10:30 AM1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
We'd love to worship with you and explore the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story together.
Audio note: Due to an audio recording issue, the first minute or so of the sermon following the Scripture reading is missing. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

What sparked the Protestant Reformation, and how did its central convictions reshape the church?
In this episode, Pastor Steven explores the German and Swiss Reformations, examining the lives, theology, and enduring influence of Martin Luther and John Calvin. Discover how Luther’s challenge to the abuse of indulgences, his rediscovery of justification by grace through faith, and his courageous stand at the Diet of Worms helped ignite a movement that would transform Christianity across Europe.
We’ll also explore John Calvin’s contribution to the Reformation, the development of the Reformed tradition in Switzerland, and the movement’s wider influence on French Huguenots, Scottish Presbyterians, and the English Reformation.
At the center of the discussion are the Five Solas of the Reformation:
Sola Scriptura — Scripture Alone
Sola Fide — Faith Alone
Sola Gratia — Grace Alone
Solus Christus — Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria — To the Glory of God Alone
Together, these convictions address enduring questions: How is a person saved? Where does religious authority lie? What is the church? And what does faithful Christian living look like?
Through historical context, theological reflection, and a reading of Luther’s speech at the Diet of Worms, we’ll consider why the Reformers called the church back to Scripture and how their emphasis on the sufficiency of Christ brings assurance and freedom to the Christian life.
Whether you come from a Protestant or Roman Catholic background, or you’re simply curious about the history and ideas that shaped Christianity, this episode offers an opportunity to understand the Reformation beyond the labels and rediscover the convictions at its heart.
Continue the Journey
If this episode helped you think more deeply about Christian history and theology, please rate and review the podcast, subscribe for future episodes, and share it with someone who would appreciate the conversation.
Join Us in Houston
We’d love to welcome you to The Journey Church Houston!
Discipleship Classes: Sundays at 9:30 AM, including our Church History class
Worship: Sundays at 10:30 AM
Location: 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
Our mission is to invite people on a journey to discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story.
#ProtestantReformation #ChurchHistory #MartinLuther #JohnCalvin #FiveSolas #ChristianTheology #ChristianHistory #ReformedTheology #BibleStudy #TheJourneyChurchHouston

Whose side are you on?
In Joshua 5, Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land, preparing for the battle of Jericho. Before they advance, God reminds them who they are, how He redeemed them, and whom they must serve. Then Joshua encounters the commander of the LORD's army and discovers a truth that challenges us today: the question isn't simply whether God is on our side, but whether we're willing to submit to Him as Lord.
In this message from our series through the book of Joshua, we explore three truths that shape the life of God's people:
Identity: In Christ, we belong to God.
Redemption: Through Christ, God has rescued us from sin and death.
Lordship: Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior, is also our King.
It's easy to ask God to bless our plans without asking whether our plans reflect His purposes. But the Christian life isn't about recruiting God to our side. It's about trusting the God who has redeemed us and following Him wherever He leads.
The Lord has redeemed us through the cross of Christ. He has formed us into His people. That gives us confidence to follow Him as Lord of our lives, wherever He leads us.
Join us at The Journey Church Houston!
📍 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008🕥 Sundays at 10:30 AM
Whether you're exploring Christianity, returning to church, or looking for a community to grow in your faith, we'd love to meet you.
🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Rate and review the show to help others discover thoughtful, biblical teaching. Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and share this message with a friend who might benefit from it.
At The Journey Church, we're inviting people on a Journey to discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian Story.

What happens when a church becomes intellectually sophisticated but spiritually compromised?
 
And what happens when Christians begin to question whether the traditions they've inherited faithfully reflect the truth of Scripture?
In Session 5 of A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, Pastor Steven Hiller explores the late medieval and Renaissance church (A.D. 1200–1500), a period marked by remarkable intellectual achievement, serious institutional corruption, and courageous calls for reform.
From the theological contributions of Anselm and Thomas Aquinas to the reforming efforts of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, we’ll explore how Christians wrestled with the relationship between faith and reason, how traditions accumulated over time, and why returning to the original sources matters.
What can this complicated chapter of church history teach us about the importance of truth, goodness, and beauty, and why does a healthy church need both intellectual depth and genuine godliness?
Enjoying the podcast? Please rate and review the show, subscribe for future episodes, and share this episode with someone who would enjoy learning more about church history and the Christian faith.
Join us Sundays at The Journey Church Houston!
9:30 AM: Discipleship Classes, including A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church
10:30 AM: Worship
Location: 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
Whether you're a longtime Christian, exploring the Christian faith, or simply curious about the story that shaped so much of our world, we'd love for you to join us!
#ChurchHistory #ChristianHistory #MedievalChurch #Renaissance #ProtestantReformation #ThomasAquinas #JohnWycliffe #JanHus #ChristianTheology #TheJourneyChurchHouston

Why are we so quick to forget what God has done?
In Joshua 4, God commands Israel to take twelve stones from the Jordan River and set up a memorial. These stones would remind Israel of God’s faithfulness, help parents teach the next generation, and make God’s mighty works known to the nations.
We’re not so different from Israel. Even when we’ve seen God work in powerful ways, it’s easy to forget His faithfulness when new challenges arise. We need intentional reminders of what God has done, not simply to look back at the past, but to strengthen our faith in the present and give the next generation a story to tell.
In this message from our Be Strong and Courageous series through the book of Joshua, we explore how remembering God’s faithfulness fuels worship, shapes generational discipleship, and helps us make Him known. We’ll also consider how the Lord’s Supper calls the church to remember and proclaim the greatest demonstration of God’s faithfulness: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What has God done in your life that you need to remember? And how can you help others discover His faithfulness, too?
If this episode encourages you, please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use the reminder. Your support helps more people discover thoughtful biblical teaching and explore the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian story.
Join us in person at The Journey Church Houston in the Houston Heights!
📍 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008🕥 Sundays at 10:30 AM
Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years, have questions about Christianity, or are simply curious, you’re welcome here.

Was the medieval period really a “Dark Age” for Christianity?
In this episode of A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, we explore the early and middle medieval church from A.D. 600–1200—a period often remembered for castles, knights, crusades, and church corruption, but which was also a time of remarkable Christian growth, influence, theological development, missions, and reform.
We’ll look at the rise of the papacy and the influence of Charlemagne, the complicated relationship between church and state, the problems of simony and the Investiture Controversy, the role of monastic communities in preserving Scripture and pursuing reform, the growing divisions between Eastern and Western Christianity, and the Great Schism of 1054.
We’ll also examine the Crusades and hear part of Pope Urban II’s famous appeal for the First Crusade. Rather than reducing the Crusades to a simple story of heroes and villains, we’ll consider the genuine religious convictions and political concerns that motivated many participants alongside the violence, atrocities, and problematic claims about spiritual authority that accompanied them.
The medieval church was neither as glorious nor as dark as the stereotypes suggest. It was a complicated period in which Christianity became deeply influential while also experiencing serious corruption and division.
And that raises an important question for Christians today: What should we do when we look honestly at the history of the church?
We can celebrate what is good, recognize what needs reform, and remember that Christian influence must always be accompanied by faithfulness.
If you found this episode helpful, please rate and review the podcast, subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and share it with someone who enjoys history or is curious about Christianity. We’d love for you to join us as we explore the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian Story.
And if you're in Houston, we'd love to have you join us in person on Sundays at 9:30 AM for Discipleship Classes—including classes like our church history series—followed by Worship at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.

What does it look like to have confidence when you don't know exactly what lies ahead?
In Joshua 3, Israel stands at the Jordan River on the threshold of the Promised Land. They are about to embark on a journey filled with trials and dangers, but God calls them to move forward with eager expectation—not because they know everything that will happen, but because they know that God is faithful to His promises.
In this sermon, Pastor Steven Hiller explores how we can have confidence on the Christian journey by eagerly expecting the fulfillment of God's plan, grounded in His faithfulness and confirmed by His works in the past.
Our confidence is not blind faith or wishful thinking. God has given us His promises, demonstrated His faithfulness throughout the Christian Story, and ultimately proven His ability to fulfill His plan through Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and promised return.
We may not know every detail of the journey ahead. We may face suffering, uncertainty, loss, and trials. But we know the destination: the promised Kingdom of God, where Christ will return, death and suffering will be no more, and God will dwell with His people forever.
We can step forward in faith because God has proven Himself faithful.
If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please rate and review the podcast, subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and share it with someone who could use a reminder of God's faithfulness.
Join us Sundays at 10:30 AM at 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008.
#Joshua3 #BookOfJoshua #ChristianSermon #GodIsFaithful #ChristianHope #TrustGod #ChristianJourney #JesusChrist #BiblicalFaith #TheJourneyChurchHouston

What happens to Christianity when the age of persecution comes to an end?
In Session 3 of A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, we enter one of the most formative periods in Christian history: A.D. 300–600. Christianity moves from persecuted minority to influential institution, and with that transition come both new opportunities and new challenges.
In this episode, we explore Constantine and the Edict of Milan, the rise of monasticism, the ecumenical councils, and the theological controversies that led to the Nicene Creed and Definition of Chalcedon. We’ll meet some of the most influential theologians in church history, including Athanasius, the Cappadocian Fathers, Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine.
At the heart of this era is a question that still matters today: How do we faithfully receive, understand, and protect the faith that has been handed down to us?
We’ll also consider Augustine’s City of God, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the surprising ways Christianity continued to spread through missionaries like Patrick of Ireland.
Whether you’re a lifelong Christian, a student of church history, or simply curious about how the Christian faith has endured through centuries of change, this conversation will help you understand the people, controversies, and convictions that shaped Christianity as we know it today.
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Join us in Houston:📖 Discipleship Classes — Sundays at 9:30 AM⛪ Worship — Sundays at 10:30 AM📍 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
Our 9:30 AM Discipleship Classes include A Cloud of Witnesses: The History of the Church, exploring the people, events, ideas, and theological debates that have shaped the Christian church across history.
#ChurchHistory #ChristianHistory #EarlyChurch #ChurchFathers #EcumenicalCouncils #NiceneCreed #Athanasius #Augustine #Christianity #TheJourneyChurchHouston

What does it take for an outsider to become part of God’s story?
In Joshua 2, we meet Rahab, a Canaanite woman living in Jericho whose reputation and circumstances put her firmly on the outside. Yet when she hears what the LORD has done and what He has promised, she responds with faith and allegiance.
Rahab had heard what everyone else had heard. But unlike the king of Jericho and the generation of Israelites before her, she believed, and her faith moved her to act.
Her story reveals the surprising breadth of God’s mercy: no one who turns to Him in faith and allegiance is beyond His saving grace.
And Rahab’s story doesn’t end with being rescued from Jericho. She is welcomed into God’s people and ultimately becomes part of the family line of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 1, Rahab stands alongside Tamar, Ruth, and David in the genealogy leading to Christ, a beautiful picture of God’s grace reaching outsiders and bringing them into His redemptive story.
If you’ve ever wondered whether someone like you could really belong with God, Joshua 2 offers a powerful answer: God’s mercy is wider than your past, your reputation, your failures, or your sense of being an outsider.
Never stop marveling at God’s mercy. Receive His mercy, and let that mercy transform you into someone who lives by faith.
If this episode encourages or challenges you, rate and review the podcast, subscribe for future episodes, and share this message with someone who needs to hear it.
#Joshua2 #Rahab #TheFaithfulOutsider #GodsMercy #ChristianFaith #BiblicalFaith #BookOfJoshua #JesusChrist #Gospel #TheJourneyChurchHouston