The Journey Church Houston Podcast

How to Read the Bible - Session 2, Theological Method in Bible Reading - The Interpretive Journey

How do we move from simply reading the Bible to rightly understanding and applying it? Many well-intentioned people misinterpret Scripture because they don’t follow a proper theological method—a structured approach to studying and applying God’s Word.
In this session, Pastor Steven Hiller introduces us to the Interpretive Journey, a process that helps us move from understanding the message of the author to the original audience to the timeless truths relevant to us where we find ourselves in the Story.
Lesson Handout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KShSsgQYcFtQYkme7FcKnPgOcM-HoLD5Q1MADhUGQQo/edit?usp=sharing 
🔔 If this lesson encourages you on your spiritual journey, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread the hope of the Gospel.
For more information about The Journey and to explore additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Genesis 4 - A Tale of Two Seeds

In a world obsessed with success, meaning, and legacy, how can we live a life of true and lasting significance? 
Genesis 4 tells the story of two brothers—Cain and Abel—and reveals two paths: one marked by faith, worship, and dependence on God, the other by self-reliance, pride, and rebellion.
In this sermon, Pastor Mace Perez explores the heart of true worship, the consequences of unchecked sin, and the hope we have in the ultimate Seed of the Woman—Jesus Christ. 
The choice is before us: will we live to make our name great, or will we live to glorify His name?
🔔 If this message encourages you on your spiritual journey, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread the hope of the Gospel. For more information about The Journey and to explore additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

How to Read the Bible - Session 1, Getting Started - Just Read It

📖 Welcome to "How to Read the Bible"!
In this introductory session, Pastor Steven Hiller kicks off our Discipleship Class designed to help you read and understand the Bible.
🌟 What to Expect: Learn simple, intuitive tools to read Scripture well. Explore the Bible as the unified story of God’s truth, goodness, and beauty. Discover how surveying and close reading can transform your understanding of God's Word.
📚 Class Highlights:What is the Bible? Learn its structure, genres, and purpose. Practical tips for developing a habit of reading Scripture regularly. Recommended resources: The Bible Project, Teach Me the Bible Podcast, and more! Recommended Bible translations
💡 Takeaways: Whether you're new to Scripture or seeking to grow in your understanding, this class will equip you with the tools to navigate the Bible confidently and see how its stories connect to God’s greater plan.
🙏 Let’s embark on this incredible journey together! Subscribe for more lessons and share this with someone who might benefit.
For more resources or to connect with us, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Genesis 3 - The Fall

Why is the world full of hardship, pain, and death? Genesis 3 provides the answer. This chapter introduces the conflict at the heart of the Christian Story: the entrance of sin into the world and its devastating consequences.
Yet, even in humanity's darkest moment, God’s grace and the promise of redemption shine through.
In this sermon, Pastor Mace Perez unpacks:
📖 How the serpent’s deception led humanity to doubt the goodness and trustworthiness of God.
📖 The tragic consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience—guilt, shame, fear, and broken relationships.
📖 God's confrontation, humanity’s blame-shifting, and the curses upon creation.
📖 The protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15): God’s promise of a Savior to crush the serpent.
📖 How glimpses of hope point to Jesus—the Seed of the Woman—who died to defeat sin and death.
This message is not just a look back at what went wrong in Genesis 3 but a reminder of the hope we have through Christ. Jesus provides atonement for our sin and restores the way to eternal life for those who believe in Him.
If this message encourages you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread the hope of the Gospel. For more information about The Journey and to explore additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Genesis 2:4–25 - "The Garden Kingdom"

Who Are We? What Is Our Purpose?
These are profound questions that every person asks at some point in their life.
In this sermon from Genesis 2:4–25, Pastor Steven Hiller unpacks the beauty and depth of God’s design for humanity. Discover how we are called to rule with God in His Garden Kingdom, how gender and marriage reflect His intentional design, and how access to the Tree of Life points us to the eternal life we were meant to enjoy.
If this message encourages you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread the hope of the Gospel. For more information about The Journey and to explore additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.
#Genesis2 #Creation #GardenOfEden #TreeOfLife #GodsDesign #Marriage #EternalLife #GardenKingdom

Genesis 1:1–2:3 - Creation

What does Genesis reveal about the origins of everything and what it means for us today?
In this sermon, Pastor Mace Perez explores the profound truths of the Genesis creation account found in Genesis 1:1–2:3, the foundation of the Christian Story, and its significance for both its original audience and us today.
✨ Key Themes Covered:
Big Idea: The God of Israel is the one, true, sovereign Creator who made all things to establish His kingdom on earth, co-ruled by humanity, His image-bearers.
Days of Creation: Forming the formless and filling the void with light, life, and purpose.
Theological Principles: There is one Creator God, sovereign over all—worthy of our worship. God determines what is good—revealed through His Word. God’s Word gives life—find life in the Gospel. Humanity was created to image God—reflect His character and pursue what is true, good, and beautiful.
📖 Learn how Genesis answers life’s most fundamental questions, grounding us in God’s purpose and equipping us to live lives that glorify Him.
If this message helps you along your spiritual journey, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread this Good News.
To learn more about The Journey and access additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

In the Beginning: Overview of Genesis

Who are we? Why are we here? How do we make sense of the goodness, beauty, and joy in the world, alongside its evil, pain, and sadness?
Where can we find a story that explains our experiences & satisfies our deepest longings?
We believe the answer is found in the Christian Story—the true, good, and beautiful story of the whole world. Join us as Pastor Mace Perez gives an overview of the beginning of the story, found in the book of Genesis.
Key points include:
📖 The Background: Written by Moses for the Israelites, Genesis answers life’s biggest questions during their journey to the Promised Land.
📖 The Structure: From creation (Genesis 1–2) to conflict (Genesis 3) to God’s unfolding plan of redemption (Genesis 4–50).
📖 The Message: God desires a kingdom on earth ruled by His image-bearers. Despite humanity’s sin, His promise is unshakable, culminating in Jesus Christ, the Son who defeated the serpent and offers eternal life.
Join us as we uncover the foundation of the Christian Story and discover how it transforms everything. Whether you’re exploring faith or strengthening your walk with God, Genesis invites you to find your place in His story.
If this message inspires you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread this Good News. To learn more about The Journey and access additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Resolved: Enjoy Jesus More in 2025

As we enter a new year, many of us reflect on the past and look forward with resolutions to improve. New Year’s resolutions can suffer from a bad reputation, and perhaps deservedly so based on the low success rate. However, resolutions do have a plan in the Christian tradition, such as the famous resolutions made by the young Jonathan Edwards. Listen as Pastor Mace Perez explains how the most important New Year’s resolution we can make in 2025 is to Enjoy Jesus More. Pastor Mace then provides relevant, practical advice on how to fulfill this resolution by engaging in “habits of grace,” centered around God’s Word, prayer, and the local church community.
In this sermon, we take inspiration from the early church in Acts chapter 2, as well as the wisdom found in the book Habits of Grace by David Mathis.
Imagine what could happen in our lives, our churches, and our communities if we all resolve together to enjoy Jesus more in 2025!
If this message inspires you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread this Good News. To learn more about The Journey and access additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Christ the Savior is Born - Christmas Eve 2024

In this Christmas Eve sermon, Pastor Mace Perez reflects on the profound meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ. 
We long for true and lasting peace, what the Bible calls shalom because this world is at war. Unfortunately, many of our strategies and attempted solutions ultimately fail.
But the Good News of Christmas is that the rightful King has come! Jesus Christ, our Savior, entered our world to bring true and lasting peace (shalom), restore what is broken, and make all things new!
If this message inspires you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread this Good News. To learn more about The Journey and access additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.

Isaiah 11:1-9 - The King's Righteous Kingdom

In this sermon, "The King's Righteous Kingdom," based on Isaiah 11:1–9 from our Advent series, Advent: The Promised One, Pastor Steven Hiller explores the promise of a righteous King from the line of Jesse and empowered by the Spirit who will usher in a kingdom of justice, peace, and restoration.
If this message inspires you, please rate, review, share, and subscribe to help spread this Good News. To learn more about The Journey and access additional resources, visit www.thejourneyhouston.org.