THE CHAPEL at Pasadena Podcast

In this sermon, Pastor Steven contrasts the fear-driven leadership of Saul with the courageous faith of Jonathan during Israel’s conflict with the Philistines. As Saul struggles to trust God when circumstances turn against him, Jonathan moves forward in confidence, believing that “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” Through their stories, we see the difference between relying on human plans and resting in God’s promises. Ultimately, this message points us to Jesus Chri...

In his final sermon on this series in Judges, Pastor Steven explores the story of Gideon, the unlikely deliverer God raises up at Israel’s lowest point. From tearing down idols to defeating a vast enemy army with only 300 men, Gideon’s life shows that salvation belongs to the Lord alone—not to human strength or strategy. Yet even in his greatest victory, Gideon reveals the limits of human leaders and the growing need for a true King who can save God’s people completely and forever.

In this sermon, Pastor Steven contrasts the deliverance of Ehud with the tragic rise of Jephthah to show how Israel’s spiritual condition continues to decline. What begins with clever victory and national peace ends with reckless vows, civil war, and the slaughter of brothers by brothers. Through these dark stories, Judges reveals the danger of distorted worship, broken unity, and trusting human words over God’s promises—and presses us to see how desperately God’s people need a faithful and r...

In this episode, we trace the story of Samson alongside Israel’s first judge, Othniel, to see how far God’s people—and their leaders—have fallen. From miraculous birth to tragic end, Samson’s life is marked by strength without holiness, victory without faithfulness, and passion without obedience. By comparing these two judges, we uncover the pattern of Israel’s sin, the danger of compromise, and the faint but real thread of faith God refuses to extinguish. Ultimately, Samson’s story points be...

In this sermon, Pastor Steven introduces the book of Judges by tracing its opening and closing stories, revealing a nation unraveling in the absence of godly leadership. From incomplete obedience after Joshua’s death to the shocking moral collapse at Gibeah, this message shows how life without a king leads God’s people from compromise into chaos—and why Judges ultimately presses us to long for a true and righteous King to reign over His people.