Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Ephesians 3:14, For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [f]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Mark 6:30-32, Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES This message centers on the resurrection of Jesus as both a past event and a present reality. It explains the phrase “Jesus is risen” as emphasizing that Christ is alive now, not merely that He rose in the past. Drawing primarily from Romans 6:4 and related passages, the sermon teaches that believers identify with Christ in His death, which brings liberation from sin, and that this liberation leads to elevation through “newness of life.” The message highlights two main principles: identification leads to liberation, and liberation leads to elevation. Through Christ’s resurrection, believers have access to resurrection power every day for healing, strength, encouragement, renewal, and victorious living. The sermon closes by urging listeners to embrace their new identity in Christ, walk in resurrection power, and live uplifted lives that also help lift others. Romans 6:1, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

“Blessing in the Secret Place, Bounty in God’s Plan” Psalm 91:1, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Leviticus 25:18, If you want to live securely in the land, follow my decrees and obey my regulations. 19 Then the land will yield large crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it. 20 But you might ask, ‘What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year?’ 21 Be assured that I will send my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a crop large enough for three years. 22 When you plant your fields in the eighth year, you will still be eating from the large crop of the sixth year. In fact, you will still be eating from that large crop when the new crop is harvested in the ninth year. Pastor Bryan Hudson’s, D.Min. sermon centers on the theme that living close to God and trusting His plan leads to provision, protection, and completion of what He has started. Drawing from Psalm 91:1–2 and Leviticus 25:22, he connects the church’s anniversary theme, “Faith Alive,” to the truth that faith is alive because Jesus is alive, and because God is not finished with His people yet. A major emphasis of the message is that believers must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Dr. Hudson illustrates this with testimonies about churches paying off mortgages and leaders who acted in faith before they saw the final outcome. His point is that because Jesus finished His work, believers can trust God to help them finish theirs. What looks unfinished in the natural is already complete in God’s purpose. From Psalm 91, he identifies two mandates and two affirmations: believers are called to dwell in the secret place of God’s presence and abide under His shadow, meaning they must live near God and trust His protection. They must also confess that the Lord is their refuge and fortress and declare their trust in Him. In a shaky world, God remains the believer’s secure foundation. From Leviticus 25, Dr. Hudson explains the principle of preserved provision. God commanded Israel to let the land rest in the seventh year, but He also promised such an abundant harvest in the sixth year that it would sustain them until new crops came in. This becomes a lesson in obedience, trust, rest, and preparation: God provides in advance for seasons when visible increase is not happening. The preacher applies this practically to financial stewardship, saving, tithing, and breaking cycles of lack through obedience to God’s order. He then applies the message directly to Hope of Glory Church, saying that their eighth year is a transition year. As they approach paying off their mortgage, they are nearing a new season of freedom, provision, and possibility. Being debt free is not just about relief from bills, but about having more seed to sow and entering greater fruitfulness. He reinforces this with Amos 9:13, describing a season of such abundance that one harvest overlaps with the next. The sermon closes with three main principles: God honors His own order, God provides for obedience, and God’s provision can be stored. Dr. Hudson urges the congregation to activate faith by believing, speaking, and acting. He ends with corporate affirmations declaring that their faith is active, they will obey God without hesitation, dwell in His presence, trust His covering, sow in this season, retire the mortgage, and enter a new season of abundance. In one sentence: this sermon teaches that faithful obedience in God’s presence positions believers to receive His preserved provision, finish what He started, and step into a new season of abundance.

Pastor Hudson reviews the earlier themes of the series: the peril of the past, seen in Lot’s wife looking back; the peril of the present, seen in Israel facing the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army; and the promise of the future, which requires faith to see beyond present obstacles. He stresses that before people can move forward outwardly, they must first move forward inwardly—in heart and mind. Using Luke 9:62, Pastor Hudson explains that Jesus’ words about putting one’s hand to the plow and not looking back speak to focus, commitment, and Kingdom readiness. To be “fit for the kingdom” means being suitable, ready, and well-positioned for God’s service. Looking back, carrying too many distractions, or losing focus makes a person ineffective in their calling. He then connects this to the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5. The man had been disabled for 38 years and was trapped in a system of false hope, waiting for healing in the water but never experiencing change. Pastor Hudson says the man’s real problem was not just his condition, but the system he was stuck in. Bethesda represents the kinds of systems people rely on that actually keep them stuck—socially, emotionally, spiritually, financially, or relationally. A key insight of the message is this: you are not the stuck thing; the system is stuck. People are not defined by their trauma, environment, or condition. God did not create anyone to live in bondage. Pastor Hudson uses the illustration of boots stuck in mud: the person is not stuck—the boots are. The answer is to step out of them. In the same way, believers must step out of mindsets, habits, environments, and patterns that keep them bound. He emphasizes that the miracle for the man at Bethesda was not in the water, but in leaving the water when Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Becoming unstuck is not always dramatic; often it happens through simple but important steps like changing your environment, setting boundaries, changing your mindset, ending destructive relationships, refusing gossip, or breaking unhealthy cycles. The message closes with the acrostic FORWARD:Faithful, Obedient, Resilient, Wise, Aligned, Redemptive, Destined.These qualities describe the kind of life that moves with God. Pastor Hudson’s final encouragement is that believers should remain focused, avoid rigged systems and false hope, and keep moving forward because forward is the only direction God is moving.

Detailed Summary: “The Peril & Promise of Systems” (Generated by OpenAI) By Bryan Hudson, D.Min. ~ New Covenant Church, March 8, 2026 Central Message:While the world is governed by many systems, believers are called to navigate and/or challenge those systems while anchoring themselves in the system of the Kingdom of God. From that foundation, we can discern the peril of destructive systems and the promise of systems aligned with God’s justice, compassion, and truth, enabling them to move forward with wisdom and purpose. 1. Living Between the Peril of the Past and the Promise of the Future The message begins by framing the spiritual posture necessary for moving forward with God. Three dangers are identified: 1. The Peril of the PastPeople become trapped by regret, memory, and nostalgia. While remembering can be healthy, living in the past prevents forward movement. 2. The Peril of the PresentCircumstances, fear, and pressure can dictate how people think and act if they allow the present moment to define their reality. 3. The Promise of the FutureBelievers are called to live in the expectation of what God is doing ahead. God’s direction is always forward, and faith requires aligning with that forward movement. The Exodus story illustrates this principle. When Israel faced the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army approaching behind them, God told Moses to “tell the people to go forward.” Even when the path was not visible, the first step forward was a change in mindset. Forward movement begins not with physical action but with transformed thinking. 2. Three Levels of Forward Action Three scriptures illustrate how God’s purposes operate across three dimensions: Heavenly Perspective Psalm 103:19, The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. The Church’s Role 1 Corinthians 3:9, For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. Society and Justice Jeremiah 22:3, Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” Together these passages show that believers must be “heavenly minded and earthly good.” Our faith must translate into real-world service. 3. The Purpose of the Church The sermon challenges a shallow form of Christianity focused only on religious activity. The church exists not merely to “have church” but to serve people and influence society. True Christianity involves action: Not only loving in word, but loving in deed Not only praying, but acting Not only preaching, but serving Believers are meant to become living expressions of Christ—“epistles read by all people.” 4. Jesus’ Model of Compassion Matthew 25 is presented as a defining picture of what authentic Christianity looks like. Jesus identifies Himself with: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the homeless, the sick the imprisoned Serving people in need is therefore equivalent to serving Christ Himself. The sermon critiques versions of Christianity that ignore or reject vulnerable people while claiming religious authority. Authentic faith must mirror the compassion of Jesus. 5. Understanding Systems The central theme of the message is the nature of systems. A system is defined as: “An organized structure of interacting parts that produces outcomes—good or bad.” Systems shape human experience in every area of life. Examples include: government systems, legal systems, healthcare systems, travel systems, cultural systems, religious systems, family systems Even God’s kingdom operates as a system—one that is perfectly just and life-giving. 6. Navigating Systems Successfully navigating systems requires several qualities: Knowledge, Patience, Perseverance, Adaptability, Courage to challenge unjust systems Every person lives within systems they did not create. These systems influence opportunities, expectations, and outcomes. Unders

Summary of Message by Pastor Bryan Hudson, DMin FORWARD: The Only Direction God Is Moving (Generated by OpenAI) This message presents “Forward” as a foundational theme: God’s direction is always forward, and those who walk with Him must align themselves with that movement. The focus is on developing the right perspective, mindset, and faith to move into a new season with clarity and spiritual strength. Hebrews 12:1–2, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Perception by Ryan Holiday: Perception is how we see and understand what occurs around us—and what we decide those events will mean. Our perceptions can be a source of strength or of great weakness. Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves. Or whether we will tell one at all. Welcome to the power of perception. Forward Is a Mindset Forward is more than physical movement. It is a way of thinking and living. Without a forward mindset, life becomes confined to two realities: The past (what has already happened) The present (what is currently happening) But God is always revealing something beyond what we currently see. A forward mindset embraces growth, development, and destiny rather than remaining trapped in memory or circumstance. Perception Shapes Experience A central principle of the message is that perception influences reality. Events are real, but how we interpret them determines how they shape us. Believers must guard against allowing: Other people’s narratives Cultural narratives Emotional reactions to define their reality. This is not about positive thinking alone; it is about aligning perception with God’s Word, promises, and character. Faith itself is a God-centered perspective. What you perceive may not automatically change circumstances—but it will change you, and that transformation positions you for forward movement. Hebrews 12:1–2 — The Roadmap for Forward Movement The message uses Hebrews 12:1–2 as a spiritual roadmap for going forward: Lay aside every weight — not everything that slows you down is sinful, but unnecessary burdens must be released. Lay aside sin — entanglements that ensnare must be removed. Run with endurance — forward progress requires persistence, not speed. Run your race — avoid distraction, comparison, and outside noise. Look unto Jesus — He is both the author (starter) and finisher (developer) of faith. Forward living requires discipline and focus. Just as travel requires a map, purposeful spiritual movement requires direction and clarity. The Greatest Obstacles: The Past and the Present The message identifies two major threats to forward progress, along with a third contrasting promise: The Peril of the Past The Peril of the Present The Promise of the Future The Peril of the Past The past becomes dangerous when it pulls us backward emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The peril of the past includes: Successes that create complacency Failures that create shame Mistakes that create regret People who try to hold us in old versions of ourselves A key distinction is made: Remembering means learning lessons. Looking back means longing to return. Looking back prevents growth because it distracts from what God is doing now. The warning of Lot’s wife illustrates that backward movement can lead to destruction. She was instructed to flee judgment, but instead turned back toward what she was leaving. The lesson: when God says move forward, hesitation and reversal are dangerous. The message also emphasizes the importance of accurate remembrance. Ign

MESSAGE SUMMARY Learning to Trust God with the Desires of My Heart By Patricia Hudson, M.S. 1) Opening prayer and purpose of the message Patricia opens by thanking God for the day and asking Him to help her speak words that are “seeds”—words that will touch hearts and produce fruit in the lives of both in-person listeners and livestream viewers. Her prayer emphasizes that God’s work is corporate and individual: He is speaking to the whole church, but also to each person’s specific life, struggles, and calling. She thanks Dr. Bryan Hudson for the opportunity to minister, connecting her message to the church’s yearlong focus: “Delight in the Lord, desires of the heart fulfilled.” She references an earlier teaching (Dec. 28) titled “Joy is Delight, Bent for God,” which becomes the foundation for how she develops Psalm 37:4. 2) Starting with the Day 4 devotional: Delight means “bent” With Pastor Hudson’s permission, Patricia begins by reading the Day 4 devotional, “Delight in the Lord.” The devotional’s key idea is that: God reshapes desires before He fulfills them. “Delight” biblically means to take pleasure in, to incline toward, or to bend. What we delight in is revealed by what pulls us, shapes us, motivates us, and “bends” us—either positively or negatively. This introduces a crucial lens for the entire sermon: delight is not a feeling only—it is a direction. Delight means your inner life is being shaped, inclined, and formed. She stresses that because “to delight is to be bent,” we must pay attention to our desires and discern whether they come from God or from something else. As we delight in the Lord—His character, presence, and promises—God forms us into a “shape” that pleases Him. 3) Relational, not transactional: God gives transformed desires Patricia repeats a major refrain: life with God is relational, not transactional. In other words, Psalm 37:4 is not a “deal” where people delight so God gives a wishlist. Instead: Delighting in God reshapes the heart. What God fulfills is not merely personal ambition, but desires that have been transformed by relationship with Him. She quotes Pastor Hudson’s idea that what comes from being “bent” through relationship with God is being granted, bestowed, and entrusted with genuine heart desires. She also highlights another phrase: Jesus refines, aligns, and “calibrates” the heart, so what we increasingly desire reflects God’s will. 4) The “bend” metaphor: transformation can be uncomfortable Patricia explains why “bend” matters to her: bending changes shape, and bending is not always comfortable. Depending on age, bending can be easier or harder, but the point is spiritual: Being bent toward God may not feel easy, and the shape we start with may not be the shape we end with, because God is bending us for His purposes. This becomes a pastoral encouragement: discomfort does not mean God is absent—it can mean God is shaping you. 5) The guiding questions: where do desires come from? Patricia invites the Holy Spirit to guide listeners through several reflective questions: What (or who) is the source of my desire? Are there desires of the soul (mind, will, emotions) and desires of the flesh? (Yes—but they are different.) Is “desire” the same as “desires of the heart”? Do desires of the heart come from God? Are heart desires only meant to bless me—or also to bless others? Her direction is clear: this teaching is not merely about getting what we want, but about understanding purpose. 6) Word study: “desires of the heart” as petition flowing from delight Patricia introduces a word study to emphasize that Psalm 37:4 is specific. She explains that the Hebrew term she’s focusing on carries the sense of: a heartfelt plea, a request, a petition toward God. She says this word appears only twice in the Old Testament (Psalm 20:5 and Psalm 37:4), which for her underscores that the phrase is purposeful and weighty. Her takeaway: true desires of the heart become petitions God is wi

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES DOWNLOAD MESSAGE SUMMARY Sermon Summary: “The God of Your Days”Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. Psalm 37 is a psalm of wisdom, not lament. It instructs believers how to live faithfully when injustice and wickedness appear to prosper. God’s command to “do not fret” calls for courageous engagement without anxiety, fear, or spiritual distortion. “The LORD knows the days of the upright” affirms God’s intimate involvement in every season of life—past, present, and future. God is the God of all our days, including times of joy, hardship, abundance, and loss. God’s faithfulness extends across generations. Long before we were born, God was already at work, planting seeds through the faith, obedience, and integrity of those who came before us. Our true inheritance is not merely material but includes faith, character, courage, and purpose—things that outlast wealth and recognition. Remembering and preserving inheritance is essential. Forgetting history weakens identity, while intentional storytelling strengthens future generations. Above all, God Himself is our greatest inheritance. Unlike material possessions, what God gives cannot be lost, diminished, or destroyed. Because our hope is in Him—not in systems or people—we will not be ashamed in evil times. God preserves His people through both trust and action. Faith works through obedience, wisdom, and responsibility. Even in seasons of famine—spiritual or natural—those who remain grounded in God’s Word will be satisfied. Final Affirmation:God is the God of our days.He knows the days of the upright.Our inheritance in Him is forever.We will not be ashamed in evil times.In days of famine, we will be satisfied.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Sermon Summary: “Delight: Learning to Trust God More” Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. www.BryanHudson.com / www.NewCovenant.org This sermon introduces the spiritual theme of delight as both the 2026 vision emphasis and the foundation for a 21-day devotional journey through Psalm 37. Pastor Hudson teaches that delighting in the Lord is not passive emotion but an intentional, practiced orientation of life that results in deeper trust in God and fulfilled desires aligned with His will. Foundational Scriptures Psalm 37:3–5, Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” These texts frame the message by connecting trust, delight, wisdom, and stewardship of life. Numbering Our Days: Wisdom Through Awareness Psalm 90:12 teaches that life has limits, and those limits are a gift. Recognizing limitation brings clarity and focus, helping believers invest energy in what truly matters. Key insights: Limitation is not negative: It helps eliminate distractions and refocus purpose. Time is a stewardship: Time is non-renewable; once spent, it cannot be reclaimed. Wisdom values quality over quantity: As maturity grows, the goal shifts from “trying everything” to living intentionally. Awareness matters: Living “awake” to God’s activity helps believers avoid taking people, opportunities, or blessings for granted. What Delight Really Means Delight is a simple word with profound spiritual significance. Delight reflects three things: Desire – what you want Disposition – your attitude and emotional posture Direction – where your life is headed Biblically, delight means to bend, incline, or shape. What a person delights in is what they are ultimately bent toward. Over time, delight forms character, priorities, and spiritual posture. If someone dislikes what they see in their desires or direction, God’s grace allows for intentional change. The Power of Choice and Obedience God leads, but believers still choose. Personal power lies in decision-making aligned with God’s will. Psalm 37 outlines repeated actions: Trust (in the Lord), Do (good), Dwell (in the land), Feed (on His faithfulness), Delight (yourself in the Lord), Commit (Your way to the Lord), Trust (in Him) These are not one-time acts but repeated behaviors that train the heart. [WATCH VIDEO] Parable of Spiritual Formation: Learning Changes the Brain Using a scientific illustration of learning (neural pathways and muscle memory), Pastor Hudson explains that: Repetition creates pathways. Practice strengthens habits. What becomes “second nature” is the result of sustained discipline. Spiritually, obedience works the same way. Prayer, worship, generosity, faithfulness, and trust are learned behaviors that shape a believer’s inner life over time. Christian growth is not transactional (“pray once and move on”) but relational and transformational. Delight Can Shape Us for Good—or Harm Just as hearts can be shaped toward God, they can also be trained toward foolishness. Proverbs 1:22, “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Culture often reinforces habits that produce spiritual immaturity. The key question becomes: “How am I bent?” What a person practices repeatedly eventually defines their nature. Do Not Glory in Gifts—Glory in Knowing God Jeremiah 9:23–24 warns against placing confidence in wisdom, strength, or wealth. Important truths: Blessings can become burdens if they replace trust in God. Success without spiritual grounding leads to misplaced confidence. True delight is found in understanding and knowing the Lord. Trusting God more requires trusting things less. God Delights in His Peo