Built for Durango
Bob Bonnar & DJ Jergensen
Built for Durango is the podcast of Durango Vineyard Church, created for people who believe faith should shape a city—not stay contained within church walls. Rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, this podcast calls believers to live as true disciples: men and women who follow Jesus closely and make a tangible impact where they live.Each episode challenges listeners to engage their faith in real, practical ways—serving neighbors, developing leaders, building community, and advancing the Kingdom of God in everyday life. Through biblical teaching, local stories, and direct conversations, Built for Durango focuses on what it m...
Episodes
Episode 30 — Stop Making, Be Made: Finding Life in Durango
What happens when the good things in our lives become the things we expect to give us life?In this companion episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor Tommy Perry continue the conversation from Acts 17 and Tommy’s sermon on idolatry. Their discussion moves beyond the obvious idols of money and possessions into more uncomfortable territory: work, marriage, family, relationships, routines and even the pursuit of a particular lifestyle. None of those things are inherently bad. The problem begins when we ask them to become something they were never designed to be — our source of identity, security and life. Bob and Tommy return to Paul’s encounter with the truth-seekers of Athens, a city filled with people searching for the next idea that might finally provide the answers they wanted. Paul’s message was radically different: stop trying to manufacture meaning for yourself and discover the God who already made you. In Him, our relentless striving for relevance, identity and satisfaction can finally give way to something more enduring. That makes ancient Athens surprisingly relevant to modern Durango. People come here seeking something too — adventure, natural beauty, fresh air, relationships, freedom and a different kind of life. But even living in one of the most beautiful places imaginable can't satisfy every need. When the adventure becomes routine and the realities of life intrude, we're confronted with the same question the Athenians faced: Where are we actually looking for life? The invitation remains the same: Stop making, and be made. Stop asking your work, relationships, routines, recreation — or even Durango itself — to give you what only God can provide. Let Jesus make you new, and then enjoy those good things as gifts rather than asking them to become gods.
October 7 Sermon — Stop Making, Be Made
We are needy people. We want to be seen, loved, valued and fulfilled — and because those needs are real, we have a habit of looking for something or someone to satisfy them.In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, Pastor Tommy Perry continues through Acts 17 as Paul arrives in Athens and finds a city filled with idols. The Athenians are intelligent, curious and relentlessly searching for truth, yet Paul sees people trying to manufacture sources of life for themselves. Tommy argues that our modern idols may look different, but the underlying problem hasn't changed: idolatry begins whenever we ask anyone or anything other than God to become our source of life. The next hobby, money, career, achievement, relationships, religion and even our carefully constructed image can all become idols. Each may give us something good for a while, but none can satisfy us fully or forever. And Scripture offers an even more sobering warning: we become what we worship. What we depend upon for life eventually begins shaping the people we become. Paul offers the Athenians something radically different: the God who doesn't need anything from us because He is the source of everything we need. In Him we live, move and breathe. Rather than endlessly creating new things to satisfy ourselves, we're invited to surrender to the God who can make us new. Tommy distills that invitation into a simple challenge: Stop making, and be made. Christianity isn't ultimately about rearranging our priorities so God occupies the top position or working harder to improve ourselves. It's about allowing Jesus to transform who we are. Stop manufacturing idols to give you life. Come to the One who offers life fully and forever — and let Him make you new.
Believe: Waking Up to What God Is Doing
What if God is already at work all around us — and we're simply not awake enough to see it?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, Pastor DJ continues through Acts 16 and the remarkable story of Paul and Silas in Philippi. After freeing an enslaved woman from a spirit that had been exploited for profit, they're beaten and thrown into prison. Yet instead of allowing their circumstances to determine their faith, they spend the night praying and singing. Then the earth shakes, the prison doors open and their chains fall away. But the greatest miracle may not be the earthquake. When the jailer assumes everything is lost, Paul stops him from taking his own life. The jailer looks more closely at what's happening, asks what he must do to be saved, hears about Jesus and chooses to believe. Within hours, belief moves from something he's invited to do into something that begins defining who he is — and his despair is replaced by joy. DJ uses the story to ask whether we're truly awake to what God is doing. Our circumstances, desire for control, pursuit of money and even our assumptions about how life is supposed to work can keep us from recognizing God's activity. Like someone sleeping through the sunrise, we can miss something extraordinary simply because we aren't paying attention.Faith invites us to turn on the lights. It means choosing to believe even before we can see everything clearly, living that faith openly enough for others to see, and trusting God to do what we cannot: illuminate the darkness and awaken people to His presence. We can't flip that switch for someone else. But we can live as people of light and ask God to help all of us see what He's already doing.
September 23 Sermon — When God Closes the Door
What do we do when we're pursuing something good, something that seems completely consistent with God's will — and the door still closes?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, Pastor Brian continues through Acts 16 as Paul and his companions set out to do exactly what Jesus had called them to do: preach the gospel and build the church. Yet twice, Scripture says the Holy Spirit prevents them from going where they intended to go. Only after those closed doors does Paul receive a vision calling them toward Macedonia instead. Brian explores the uncomfortable reality that following Jesus will sometimes challenge our logic and rationale. What looks like failure from our limited perspective may actually be God's redirection. Drawing from his family's years-long struggle with infertility and Isaiah's reminder that God's ways are higher than ours, Brian suggests that God isn't irrational when His plans don't make sense to us. He simply sees from a perspective we don't possess. So how should we respond when the door won't open? Brian offers four questions for discerning God's direction: Is it the right thing? Is it the right time? Is it with the right people? Is it being pursued in the right way? Sometimes God's "no" may actually be protection, preparation or simply "not yet." And Acts 16 provides a remarkable example of what might be waiting on the other side of that redirection. Paul eventually reaches Philippi, where he meets Lydia, whose heart is opened to the gospel and whose home becomes part of the foundation of the church there. The roadblock wasn't necessarily the end of the mission. It may have been the way God led Paul toward the mission He had prepared.
Episode 29 — Nothing to Prove: When the Work Really Begins
What changes when we realize we have nothing to prove to God — and stop trying so hard to prove ourselves to everyone else?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ continue the conversation from DJ’s sermon on “wide doors and narrow hallways,” but Bob draws an unexpected connection between the message of Acts and Durango Vineyard’s long journey into its new church building. DJ acknowledges that while he never felt he had to prove the project to God, he often felt enormous pressure to prove himself as a leader — to demonstrate to the church that the vision was sound, the risk was worthwhile and the project would succeed. That experience brings Paul’s teaching into the present. Our standing with God isn’t determined by our accomplishments, religious performance or ability to get everything right. And when we stop using those things to establish our identity, we become free to use them for something better: loving and serving other people.That includes the new building itself. Bob and DJ reflect on the danger of allowing a tremendous accomplishment to become an idol, identity or finish line. The building matters because of what can happen through it — welcoming people, serving Durango, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus. After years of dreaming, planning, sacrifice and construction, Durango Vineyard finally has a home of its own. But this isn't the finish line. Now the work really begins — and the work is remarkably simple: love God, love our neighbors, and use whatever He has given us to love others well.
Wide Doors, Narrow Hallways
What does Christian freedom actually look like? Is it the freedom to do whatever we want — or the freedom to willingly give something up for the sake of someone else?Continuing through Acts 15, DJ explores the surprising instructions the early church gave Gentile believers. The door to salvation was thrown wide open: nothing they could do would earn them a place with God because Jesus had already done everything necessary to bring them close. But once they walked through that wide door, they discovered a narrower hallway — learning to live alongside people whose backgrounds, convictions and struggles were very different from their own. Drawing from Paul’s teaching in Romans and 1 Corinthians, DJ challenges a common understanding of spiritual maturity. Strength isn't demonstrated by exercising every freedom we possess. Sometimes real strength is demonstrated by what we're willing to carry — or willingly surrender — so that someone else can thrive. Christian freedom ultimately becomes an opportunity to love.That vision has profound implications for life together: alcohol, politics, personal convictions, theological certainty and countless other issues can either divide a community or become opportunities to practice sacrificial love. Durango Vineyard wants the front door to remain wide enough for anyone to encounter Jesus, while creating the “narrow hallways” of relationships, small groups and community where we learn to surrender our rights, wrestle honestly with our differences and help one another become more like Christ.Nothing is required to get in. But once we're in, we're invited to spend our freedom on somebody else.
Episode 28 — Grace First: Making Room for the Journey
How do we hold strong convictions without turning them into barriers that keep other people from Jesus?In this companion episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ dig deeper into the “sacred cows” we accumulate through faith, experience, culture and simply getting older. Some of those convictions may be valuable and hard-won. The problem begins when we expect someone at a completely different place in their journey to live by standards we ourselves took years to develop.Returning to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, Bob and DJ explore the remarkable balance modeled by the early church. Peter warns against placing burdens on new believers that even longtime followers have failed to carry. James makes it clear that God's invitation is open to everyone exactly where they are. Yet the council doesn't abandon truth or suggest that following Jesus never asks anything of us.Instead, the conversation returns to one of the essential tensions of the Christian life: grace and truth. Grace says there is no barrier Christ hasn't already crossed to bring us to God. Truth says that once we encounter that grace, Jesus loves us enough to invite us toward something more.The challenge for mature Christians is knowing the difference between God's invitation and our own sacred cows — and having enough humility to remember that all of us are still in process.
September 9 Sermon — Sacred Cows: Are We Making Jesus Harder to Find?
What if some of the things we value most — even good things — are making it harder for someone else to find Jesus?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, DJ continues through Acts 15 and one of the defining debates of the early church. As Gentiles begin following Jesus, some Jewish believers insist they must first adopt the customs and requirements that had shaped generations of faithful Jews. Their intentions may have been sincere, but Peter recognizes the problem: they are placing a burden on others that they themselves have never been able to carry.DJ calls these deeply held preferences and expectations our “sacred cows.” They may come from our upbringing, politics, morality, church traditions or simply the lessons that have served us well. The danger comes when we confuse those things with the gospel and unintentionally communicate that someone must first become like us before they can come to Jesus.Acts 15 offers a radically different starting point: grace. There is no cultural, political, moral or personal prerequisite that someone must satisfy before approaching Christ. Transformation matters, but it comes after encountering the love and grace of Jesus — not as the admission price for receiving it.DJ challenges us to examine both sides of that truth: What barriers do we believe stand between us and Jesus that He has already removed? And what barriers might we be placing in front of others? The invitation of the gospel is beautifully simple: we don't clean ourselves up to get to Jesus. We come to Jesus, and He begins transforming us.
September 2 Sermon — Approval or Influence: Who Are You Living to Please?
What if the success God gives us was never meant to tell us who we are — but to give us something we can use to serve others?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, DJ marks the church’s first service in its new building by continuing straight through Acts 14, where Paul and Barnabas experience the dizzying extremes of ministry. After God heals a man who had never walked, a crowd wants to worship them as gods. Moments later, that same crowd turns against Paul, stones him and leaves him for dead.That dramatic reversal exposes something all of us wrestle with: people pleasing. DJ explores the important difference between seeking approval and exercising influence. Approval is something we try to receive from others to establish our worth. Influence is something we give away for the benefit of others because our identity is already secure in God.Drawing from the long and difficult journey that brought Durango Vineyard into its new home, DJ shares how God used the process to reshape his own heart. The building may be worth celebrating, but it cannot become the church’s identity or measure of success. Instead, it is another tool God has entrusted to ordinary people to serve Durango and advance His Kingdom.The challenge applies far beyond a church building: Can we serve, create, lead and love without needing applause in return? Can we remain faithful when the crowd celebrates us — and when the same crowd turns against us? When our approval comes from God, our influence can be freely spent on others.
Episode 27 — The Cost of Confrontation
What happens when you confront something for the right reasons — and it still costs you?In this companion episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ dig deeper into DJ’s sermon on Acts 13 and the biblical purpose of confrontation. Using the analogy of a coach correcting a player in the middle of a game, they explore a different way to think about confrontation: not as attacking someone, winning an argument or proving ourselves right, but as helping people — and ourselves — realign with something better.That raises a harder question: what happens when speaking truth comes with a price? From Paul confronting Elymas to Dietrich Bonhoeffer standing against the Nazi regime, Scripture and Christian history make it clear that doing the right thing doesn't guarantee approval, popularity or even success. Sometimes following Jesus means accepting rejection precisely because our allegiance is to His Kingdom rather than ourselves.Bob and DJ wrestle with how to confront redemptively, how to discern whether the battle we're fighting is actually God's battle, and why anyone called to confrontation needs to remain especially close to Jesus. Because life with Christ may be better — but better doesn't always mean easier.
August 26 Sermon - When Should Christians Confront?
Following Jesus means loving people — but does loving people sometimes require us to confront what is wrong?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, DJ continues through Acts 13 as Paul and Barnabas begin carrying the gospel beyond the familiar world of the early church. Almost immediately, they encounter opposition. Paul responds boldly, confronting both a spiritual advisor attempting to turn a Roman official away from the faith and religious leaders whose jealousy puts them in opposition to what God is doing.But DJ challenges us to look beyond Paul's boldness to a much harder question: How can we know when confrontation is actually from God — and when we're simply fighting our own battles?In a culture that can swing between avoiding confrontation altogether and celebrating people who loudly attack anyone who disagrees with them, Acts offers another way. Christians aren't called to confront in order to win, gain power, protect themselves from suffering or prove they're right. We're called to stand against the things Jesus would stand against — for the sake of truth, freedom and life.Drawing from Paul, Jesus and the costly example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, DJ invites us to examine what we tolerate, where we remain silent and what God may be asking us to confront. Because sometimes following Jesus means stepping directly into opposition — but our purpose must always be the same as His.
Episode 26 — When Prayer Becomes Prophecy
What happens when prayer moves beyond asking God to act and becomes a declaration of hope rooted in what we believe God desires?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Brian continue their conversation about Acts 12, Peter’s miraculous escape from prison and the church that prayed for him — even while struggling to believe their prayers would actually be answered.Brian digs deeper into an idea from his sermon: the relationship between prayer and prophecy. Drawing connections between Peter’s rescue, Ezekiel speaking life over the valley of dry bones and the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament, Bob and Brian wrestle with what it means to become so aligned with God’s heart that we can speak hope into situations that appear hopeless.The conversation also explores an important distinction: prophetic prayer isn’t about “manifesting” the outcome we want or claiming certainty about what God will do. It is about knowing God’s character, recognizing what He desires for His creation, and boldly joining Him in hoping for healing, justice, mercy and restoration.And perhaps that is precisely where prophecy matters most. As Brian puts it, hope is born in suffering. When circumstances look like a valley full of dry bones, followers of Jesus are invited to pray, to hope — and sometimes to speak life into what looks dead.
August 19 Sermon — When We’re Powerless, We Pray
What do we do when we reach the end of what we can control, fix or change ourselves?In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, Pastor Brian Firle continues through Acts 12 and the dramatic story of Peter’s imprisonment. James has already been killed, Peter appears headed toward the same fate, and the early church has no political influence, no physical power and no obvious way to rescue him. So they gather together and pray.Then the impossible happens.An angel enters Peter’s cell, his chains fall away, the prison doors open and Peter walks free — while the very people praying for his rescue struggle to believe it when he shows up at their door.Brian uses this remarkable story to explore prayer when we are powerless, including the tension between asking God to act and boldly speaking what we believe reflects God’s heart. Drawing from his own experience surrounding heart surgery and Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, Brian challenges us to see prayer as more than a last resort. Prayer is an act of faith, a way of aligning ourselves with God, and spiritual warfare against the brokenness of the world.Sometimes we pray with confidence. Sometimes we pray while struggling to believe anything will change. Acts 12 reminds us that God can work through both — and that trouble should call the church to prayer.
August 12 Sermon — Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing
It’s possible to do all the right things and still lose sight of the reason we’re doing them.In this sermon from Durango Vineyard Church, Pastor DJ continues through Acts with the story of the church at Antioch and Barnabas, the encourager sent from Jerusalem to see what God was doing in this unexpected new community of believers. What Barnabas finds is the unmistakable grace of God at work — and his response is simple: encourage them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.DJ explores what it means to keep the “main thing” at the center of our faith. It isn’t about accomplishments, appearances, religious résumés or even doing more good things. It’s about abiding in Jesus and making sure our public faith is backed by a private life genuinely devoted to Him.Using the image of tuning a bow so an arrow flies straight and delivers its full force, DJ challenges us to “paper tune” our own lives. Are our priorities, relationships and actions actually aligned with the faith we profess? And when they aren’t, are we willing to make the adjustments necessary to get back on course?The invitation is not to become busier Christians. It is to examine what actually occupies first place in our lives, rediscover our first love and keep the main thing the main thing.
Episode 25 — Come to the Table
What if you’re the one who doesn’t feel like you belong?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Brian continue the conversation from Acts 10 and Peter’s encounter with Cornelius. But this time, they turn the question around. Instead of only asking how Christians can overcome their blind spots and welcome others, they consider what the message means for people who feel like outsiders themselves — especially those who have felt judged, rejected or simply out of place in church.Brian acknowledges that churches, like the people who make them up, can fail to reflect the radical welcome of Jesus. But those failures don’t change the central truth of the gospel: God does not play favorites, and no one is disqualified from His love.Bob and Brian also explore why faith was never intended to be lived alone. Sometimes the best way to discover the grace, mercy and character of Jesus is through people who already know Him. For anyone standing outside wondering whether there’s a place at the table, their invitation is simple: take the risk, come in and meet the God who already considers you worthy of His love.
August 5 Sermon — No Favorites: The Gospel That Welcomes Everyone
Does God play favorites?Continuing through Acts 10, Pastor Brian Firle explores one of the most transformative moments in the early church as Peter comes face-to-face with his own assumptions about who belongs in God's family. Through his encounter with Cornelius, Peter discovers that the gospel is far bigger than cultural traditions, personal preferences, or religious boundaries. God's invitation extends to every person who responds to Him in faith.Brian also offers a deeply personal reflection on his recent heart surgery, drawing a powerful parallel between physical healing and the spiritual work God accomplishes in us over time. Rather than waiting until we're "good enough," God meets us in the middle of our imperfections, healing our fears, prejudices, and brokenness as we faithfully follow Jesus. This message is a reminder that no one is beyond God's grace—and no one is excluded from His kingdom.
Episode 24 — Grace Over Judgment: What Really Changes a Heart?
How do we hold onto truth without becoming judgmental?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor Brian Firle unpack the deeper implications of Acts 10 and Peter's vision, exploring how easily faith can drift from a relationship with Christ into a culture of preferences, rules, and assumptions. Drawing connections between Peter's struggle to let go of old religious categories and today's political and church divisions, they discuss why genuine transformation begins in the heart—not in controlling the people or culture around us.The conversation wrestles with difficult but timely questions: How do we balance conviction with grace? Why do churches sometimes become known more for judgment than compassion? And what can we learn from Cornelius, a Roman centurion whose sincere devotion to God flourished in the middle of an unlikely environment?Ultimately, Bob and Brian point back to Jesus as the center of the Christian life. Following Christ isn't about checking religious boxes or winning cultural battles—it's about allowing His grace to transform us so completely that it naturally changes the way we love, serve, and walk alongside others.
July 29 Sermon — Following Jesus Without Fear
What does it look like to faithfully follow Jesus in a divided world?In the first part of this message from Acts 10, Pastor Brian Firle explores the remarkable parallel stories of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Peter, a Jewish apostle, as God begins preparing both men for a life-changing encounter. Through visions, prayer, and unexpected invitations, Acts reveals that God's kingdom often advances by challenging the assumptions, prejudices, and fears we carry with us.Brian examines what it meant for Cornelius to live as a devoted follower of God while serving within the Roman military and what Peter's strange vision of clean and unclean animals reveals about the barriers we often create between ourselves and others. Rather than calling His followers to seek power or control over culture, Jesus invites them to embody His character wherever they are planted.This message offers a timely challenge to keep our primary focus on becoming people who increasingly reflect Christ's love, humility, and grace. As Brian reminds us, lasting transformation doesn't begin by changing everyone around us—it begins by allowing the Holy Spirit to change us.
Episode 23 — Faith Was Never Meant to Be Lived Alone
How does spiritual growth actually happen?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor DJ dive deeper into a sermon from Acts 9 by exploring one of the most overlooked aspects of Christian maturity: the power of mentorship. Looking at Peter's transformation from an impulsive disciple to a courageous leader, they discuss how faith is often caught before it's taught. Peter learned by walking with Jesus—and that same pattern of watching, practicing, and eventually leading is still God's design for growing disciples today.The conversation explores the importance of having both mentors who challenge and encourage us and younger believers we're intentionally investing in. Bob and DJ also wrestle with the balance between learning directly from Christ through Scripture and learning from faithful men and women who model what it looks like to follow Him in everyday life.Whether you're searching for someone to guide your faith or wondering who God may be calling you to invest in, this episode offers a practical and encouraging reminder that Christianity has always been a shared journey. We were never meant to walk it alone.
July 22 Sermon — Freely Received, Freely Given
Every one of us is becoming like someone. The question isn't whether we're being shaped—it's who or what we're choosing to imitate.In this message from Acts 9, Pastor DJ explores two remarkable miracles performed through Peter and uncovers a deeper thread running through the story: Peter isn't simply acting with bold faith—he's living out what he first witnessed in Jesus. From healing a paralyzed man to raising Tabitha from the dead, Peter demonstrates that the Christian life is built on receiving God's grace, watching faithful examples, and then passing those same gifts on to others.Along the way, DJ highlights the quiet but profound legacy of Tabitha, whose ministry wasn't defined by public recognition but by faithful acts of service that literally clothed the vulnerable. Her story reminds us that the Kingdom of God is often advanced not through extraordinary moments, but through ordinary people who faithfully use the gifts they've been given to love others.This sermon is both an invitation and a challenge: remember the people who shaped your faith, recognize the legacy God has entrusted to you, and ask how you can freely give what you have so generously received.
Episode 22 — When the Plan Falls Apart: Finding God in the Waiting
What do you do when you step out in faith—and everything seems to go wrong?In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ reflect on Saul's difficult first steps as a follower of Jesus. Rejected by former allies, mistrusted by fellow believers, and forced into retreat after repeated setbacks, Saul's story reminds us that courage doesn't guarantee immediate success.Bob and DJ explore the tension between our expectations and God's timing, discussing why disappointment often follows bold obedience and how patience, endurance, and daily faithfulness shape a life that lasts. From personal stories of frustration and seasons of uncertainty to the simple wisdom of "right foot, left foot," this conversation offers encouragement for anyone wondering whether to keep going after life hasn't unfolded the way they hoped.If you've ever felt stuck between God's promises and your present reality, this episode is a reminder that faith isn't about having all the answers—it's about taking the next faithful step.
July 15 Sermon — Built to Build: The Kind of Church That Changes the World
The book of Acts makes it clear that a vibrant church is never defined by its building—it's defined by its people.In this message, DJ follows Saul's dramatic conversion into the next chapter of his story, where bold faith meets fierce opposition. Rejected by both the religious leaders and the early Christians, Saul discovers that God's work is often forged through risk, perseverance, and the encouragement of others. Along the way, Barnabas becomes a powerful example of what it means to advocate for someone others have written off.DJ explores five characteristics of a thriving church: conviction worth living for, courage in the face of opposition, authentic community, intentional encouragement, and a willingness to take risks for the Kingdom. As Durango Vineyard prepares to move into its new building, this sermon serves as a timely reminder that the church is never brick and mortar—it's a family of people committed to building one another up and carrying the hope of Jesus into the world.
Episode 21 – How Do You Respond When Life Is Disrupted?
How do you respond when life doesn't go according to plan?In this week's conversation, Bob and DJ continue unpacking Saul's dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, but the focus shifts from the disruption itself to our response when God interrupts our plans. Is our instinct to resist, defend, or explain away what's happening — or are we willing to pause long enough to ask what God might be teaching us?Drawing from both Scripture and personal experience, Bob and DJ discuss why seasons of disruption often become the moments of greatest spiritual growth. They explore the value of slowing down, staying present instead of rushing toward quick fixes, and learning to trust that God is at work even when life feels uncertain or uncomfortable.The conversation concludes with a practical challenge: don't spend your life waiting for dramatic miracles while missing God's invitation in today's circumstances. Faithfulness often begins with simply asking, "Lord, what are You trying to show me?"—and then taking the next obedient step.
July 8 Sermon — When God Disrupts Your Plans
What if the moments that shake your life the most are actually God's invitation to something greater?In this message from Acts 9, Pastor DJ explores one of the Bible's most dramatic stories of transformation—the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. What begins as a confrontation becomes a calling, revealing that God often uses disruption not to destroy our story, but to redirect it toward His purpose.DJ shares a personal story about a season of painful correction early in ministry before walking through Saul's encounter with Jesus. Along the way, he shows how God uses disruption to reveal what we cannot see, redirect us when we're on the wrong path, uncover the unique ways He has prepared us to serve, and ultimately align our lives with His mission.Whether you're facing unexpected loss, difficult circumstances, or a season that feels uncertain, this sermon offers a hopeful reminder: God wastes nothing. Even the disruptions we fear may become the very moments that awaken us to His calling and transform our lives for His glory.
Episode 20 — Confidence Without the Costume
How do you tell the difference between healthy confidence and destructive pride? In this companion conversation, Bob and DJ unpack the story of Simon the Magician from Acts 8 and wrestle with one of the most personal questions of the Christian life: What happens when our identity becomes tied to our accomplishments, influence, or reputation?Bob shares candidly about his own lifelong struggle with pride, confidence, and the desire to make an impact, while DJ explains how Simon's attempt to purchase God's gift reveals a deeper misunderstanding of grace. Together they explore the tension between using God-given gifts with confidence and relying on those gifts to establish personal worth.The conversation ultimately points listeners toward the freedom found in vulnerability. Rather than hiding behind the "costumes" we wear to impress others, Bob and DJ discuss how honest confession, authentic relationships, and the unconditional love of Christ transform both our hearts and our witness. It's a practical and deeply personal conversation about what it means to let your life preach the gospel—not through perfection, but through humility.
June 25 Sermon - From Transaction to Transformation
In this message from Acts 8, Pastor DJ explores the story of Simon the Magician—a man who misunderstood the gospel because he viewed God's gifts through a transactional lens. Accustomed to earning influence, status, and admiration, Simon assumed the power of the Holy Spirit could be acquired the same way. Peter's response reveals a radically different vision of life with God: His greatest gifts cannot be bought, earned, or leveraged for personal significance—they are freely given.DJ challenges listeners to examine the subtle ways performance, achievement, and the need for approval shape their own relationship with God. Drawing from Simon's story, the Samaritan woman at the well, and his own personal experiences, he contrasts a life driven by proving our worth with the freedom found in God's unconditional gift of grace.This sermon is an invitation to repent—not merely of wrongdoing, but of the exhausting belief that we must earn God's love or establish our identity through success. Instead, God offers a life of transformation rooted in His freely given gift, empowering us to love others from a place of belonging rather than performance.
Episode 19 — Who Is Your Samaria? A Conversation on Humility, Mission, and Seeing People Differently
In this companion conversation to Tommy’s sermon on Acts 8, Bob and Tommy unpack the challenge of identifying our modern-day “Samaria”—the people, places, and situations we may instinctively avoid, dismiss, or view as different from ourselves. Reflecting on Philip’s ministry among the Samaritans and Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, they explore how pride, cultural assumptions, and personal comfort can become barriers to the gospel.The discussion centers on the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who continually invites believers to move beyond tribalism and into God’s larger kingdom mission. Bob and Tommy consider how humility opens the door for genuine relationships, why people are often more spiritually hungry than Christians assume, and what it means to lift our eyes to the harvest fields around us.This episode offers practical reflection on living out the message of Acts 8 in Durango today, encouraging listeners to recognize where God may be calling them beyond familiar boundaries and into deeper participation in His work of restoration and reconciliation.
June 17 Sermon — Who is Your Samaria?
In this message from Acts 8, Tommy explores one of the most significant turning points in the early church as the gospel moves beyond Jerusalem and into Samaria — a place many faithful Jews would have preferred to avoid. Through the story of Philip’s ministry and Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, Tommy challenges listeners to confront the barriers of pride, prejudice, and spiritual superiority that can keep them from sharing the love of Christ.At the heart of the message is a simple but searching question: Who — or what — is your Samaria? Who are the people you avoid, overlook, or assume are beyond God's reach? Tommy shows how the Holy Spirit works through humble, kingdom-centered hearts to bring life where division once existed. The gospel spreads not through human achievement, but through transformed people willing to cross boundaries, see others as loved by God, and participate in the Spirit’s work.This sermon is a call to lift our eyes, recognize the harvest around us, and embrace the truth that Jesus offers living water to everyone — regardless of background, status, or past mistakes. As God transformed the hearts of the early believers, He continues to invite His people today into the same mission of humility, reconciliation, and kingdom expansion.
Episode 18 — Stubbornness, Surrender, and the Heart God Wants
In Episode 17 of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ dig deeper into Stephen’s bold confrontation with the religious leaders in Acts 7 and the challenging theme of spiritual stubbornness. Reflecting on DJ’s recent sermon, the conversation explores the difference between grit and being “stiff-necked,” why surrender is often harder than determination, and how Stephen’s message was ultimately an invitation rather than a condemnation.Drawing from a mission trip to Mexico, personal experiences with bold prayer, and the example of Jesus Himself, Bob and DJ wrestle with a central question: Are we working hard for God, or are we learning to surrender our hearts to Him? Along the way, they discuss religious hypocrisy, authentic faith, the danger of checking spiritual boxes, and the freedom that comes from trusting God's leading rather than our own plans.This honest conversation challenges listeners to examine where they may be resisting God’s voice and to consider whether true strength is found not in stubbornness, but in surrender.
June 3 Sermon — Stiff-Necked or Soft-Hearted? Learning to Follow God's Lead
In this message from Acts 7, Pastor DJ explores Stephen’s final sermon before his martyrdom and the challenging accusation that sparked outrage among the religious leaders: “You stiff-necked people.”Drawing from his recent mission trip to Mexico, DJ reflects on the subtle ways pride, self-reliance, and fear can cause us to resist God’s leading, even when we believe we are serving Him. Tracing the theme of stubbornness from Exodus through the prophets and into Stephen’s confrontation with the Sanhedrin, he shows how Scripture repeatedly reveals humanity’s tendency to push back against God’s guidance.But the message doesn’t end with condemnation. DJ points listeners to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11 to take on His yoke — a way of life marked not by striving, resistance, and exhaustion, but by trust, humility, and rest.This sermon is a call to examine where we may be resisting God’s voice and to discover the freedom that comes from becoming pliable in the hands of a loving Father.
Episode 17 - From Eden to the Medal Tree: What Does It Mean to Offer Your Life to God? Introduction
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Tommy reflect on Tommy’s recent sermon from Acts 7 and the sweeping biblical story behind Stephen’s defense before the religious leaders.The conversation explores how the themes of Eden, the temple, sacrifice, and God’s presence all point to Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. Tommy explains why blood in the Bible symbolizes life rather than death, how Christ’s sacrifice changes our relationship with God, and what it means to be covered by the life of Jesus.Bob and Tommy also bring the discussion home to Durango, using the iconic Metal Tree above Horse Gulch as a powerful illustration of offering our accomplishments, identities, and sources of life back to God. From trail-running medals to relationships, careers, and recreation, they ask a practical question every believer faces: What are you holding onto that God is inviting you to place on the altar?This conversation connects profound theology with everyday life, showing how the ancient practice of offering has become an invitation to trust, surrender, and enjoy life with God rather than apart from Him.
May 27 Sermon - What God Really Wants: The Heart Behind the Temple
Pastor Tommy continues the journey through Acts with a deep dive into Stephen’s powerful defense in Acts 7, unpacking the real purpose of the temple, sacrifice, and God’s presence. What begins as a response to accusations against Stephen becomes a sweeping tour through the entire biblical story—from Eden to Moses, from the tabernacle to Jesus. Tommy argues that God was never primarily concerned with buildings, appearances, or religious performance. The real focus has always been the human heart.Along the way, Tommy explores the meaning of sacrifice, the symbolism of offerings, and the consistent invitation woven throughout Scripture: God desires to dwell with His people. The temple ultimately points beyond itself—not to a structure, but to transformed people carrying God’s presence into the world.This sermon challenges listeners to rethink worship, surrender, and what it truly means to offer our lives back to God.
May 20 Sermon - From Temple to Transformation: Becoming the Place God Dwells
In this wide-ranging and deeply theological message, Tommy walks through Acts 6 by pulling a single thread—the temple—and tracing it across the entire story of Scripture. What starts as a question about Stephen and early church conflict becomes something much bigger: a reframing of how we understand God’s presence. From Eden to the tabernacle, from Solomon’s temple to Jesus himself, Tommy shows that the consistent message has always been the same—God is moving toward us, inviting us to move toward Him.But the message doesn’t stop at theology. It lands squarely on identity. The temple is no longer a place; it’s a people. This sermon challenges listeners to rethink where God lives, how His presence moves, and what it means to carry that presence into the world around them.
Episode 16 — Do for One: Finding Your Role Between Comfort and Calling
Bob and DJ wrestle with a tension most people feel but rarely say out loud: how do you live a good, comfortable life in a place like Durango while knowing there’s real suffering in the world? Reflecting on the powerful message from India, this conversation doesn’t land in guilt — it lands in clarity. The takeaway is simple but demanding: you don’t have to fix everything, but you are responsible for something. Whether it’s across the globe or right in front of you, the call is to step out of comfort and say yes when it counts.This episode moves the conversation from inspiration to action. It’s about gratitude without complacency, conviction without shame, and recognizing that real impact starts one person, one decision, one step at a time.
May 6 Sermon - Faith, Hope, and Love That Changes Lives
This isn’t a typical sermon—it’s a firsthand look at what happens when faith moves beyond words and into action. Our special guests draw from years of ministry in India to bring a message about the reality of experiencing human brokenness face-to-face and witnessing the power of Jesus to restore, heal, and redeem. Through raw and unforgettable stories—rescued children, impossible situations, and lives rebuilt—the focus stays simple and direct: faith, hope, and love aren’t abstract ideas; they’re the driving force behind real transformation. And the call isn’t to fix everything—it’s to do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.At its core, this message challenges the idea that impact requires scale or perfection. Instead, it presses into a harder truth: saying “yes” to God, right where you are, is enough to change someone’s world—and maybe your own.
Episode 15 — Life or Death: The Real Stakes Behind Acts 5
Bob and Brian don’t sidestep it — this is one of the hardest passages in the New Testament. In this episode, they dig into the story of Ananias and Sapphira and wrestle honestly with the tension it creates: a generous, Spirit-filled church colliding with deception, greed, and sudden death. Rather than offering easy answers, the conversation leans into the deeper question: what is actually happening here — and what does it mean for us today? They explore the contrast between life in the Spirit and the pull of self-interest, the weight of integrity inside a community, and why this moment matters so much for the credibility of the early church.This isn’t just a theological debate. It’s a sobering look at choice — between life and death, generosity and greed, surrender and control — and a reminder that the stakes of following Jesus are real. For a church trying to live out its mission in Durango, the question becomes unavoidable: what kind of people are we actually becoming?
April 29 Sermon - Acts of the Apostles
In this sermon, Brian steps into one of the most difficult and unsettling passages in Acts—Ananias and Sapphira—and refuses to water it down. Instead, he tackles it head-on, asking what this story reveals about the kind of church Jesus is actually building.Set against the backdrop of a radically unified and generous early church, this moment exposes a sharp contrast: a community shaped by the Spirit versus a heart still holding back. Brian walks through how Acts isn’t just history—it’s a picture of Jesus actively leading His church. And that means the stakes are real. The witness of the church—how we live, give, forgive, and love—is meant to point the world to God. When that witness is compromised by greed, ego, or half-hearted surrender, something essential is lost.This message doesn’t sit comfortably, and it’s not meant to. It’s a call to examine what we’re holding onto, to rethink ownership, and to step into a life of true stewardship. Because if the church is going to reflect the heart of God, it has to be marked by unity, integrity, and a generosity that actually costs something.
Episode 14 — Unity Is a Fight: Finding Common Ground in a Divided World
In this episode, Bob and DJ take the message of Acts straight into one of the most divided environments imaginable — a political conference — and wrestle with a hard, practical question: what does unity actually look like in the real world?Starting from Acts 4, they unpack how the early church built something powerful — not by avoiding differences, but by anchoring themselves in a shared mission and living it out through radical generosity and commitment to one another. The conversation gets honest fast. Unity sounds good in theory, but in practice it requires sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to listen when it’s easier to fight. Bob pushes the tension of applying this in modern culture, while DJ makes the case that unity doesn’t start by winning arguments — it starts by finding common ground and choosing to value people over being right.They also confront a truth most people would rather avoid: unity isn’t natural. It’s a discipline. And if you want it — in your marriage, your church, or your community — you’re going to have to fight for it.
April 22 Sermon - Acts of the Apostles
This week’s sermon cuts through complexity and lands on something both simple and demanding: real faith is lived out in how we treat each other.Drawing from Acts 4, DJ paints a picture of the early church—not as a rulebook to follow, but as a compelling vision of what’s possible when people actually believe the message of Jesus. They were unified. They were generous. And because of that, their witness carried real weight.At the center of the message is a personal story that makes the point clear: it’s people—not programs, not arguments—that lead others to God. A single act of generosity, a welcoming home, a shared life can ripple out for decades. From there, the challenge sharpens. Unity isn’t optional—it’s foundational. When the church fractures through gossip, conflict, or self-interest, its credibility collapses. And generosity isn’t a burden—it’s evidence that we actually trust God with what we have.This sermon doesn’t ask you to do more religious activity. It asks something harder: What would it look like to become the kind of person—and part of the kind of community—that makes the message of Jesus believable?
Episode 13 — Boldness Isn’t Solo: Why Real Faith Requires Real Community
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ take a hard look at what boldness actually means — and why most of us misunderstand it.Starting with Acts 4, they compare the raw, life-on-the-line courage of the early church with the far more subtle resistance Christians face today in places like Durango. The question on the table is direct: What does it look like to live boldly when the threat isn’t persecution—but discomfort, rejection, or cultural pushback?The conversation quickly moves past surface-level answers. Bob and DJ argue that real boldness is not an individual trait — it’s something formed in community. The early church didn’t stand alone; they stood together, rooted in shared mission, prayer, and deep relationships. That kind of foundation, they suggest, is largely missing in a culture shaped by independence and self-reliance.From there, the episode gets more pointed. They wrestle with the growing sense among some Christians that they are under threat — and challenge whether the answer is to fight for power or to follow the example of Jesus, who led with compassion, presence, and sacrificial love.The takeaway is practical and uncomfortable: boldness isn’t about winning arguments or protecting influence. It’s about showing up — often quietly, often locally — and doing the kind of work that actually reflects the heart of Christ. Whether that means engaging your neighbor, opening your home, or stepping into hard situations, the call is the same.Not louder. Not stronger. Just more real.
April 15, 2026 Sermon — Boldness in the Face of Resistance
In this April 15 message, DJ turns to Acts 4 and asks a blunt, practical question: How do you stand in the face of rejection? Not in theory, but when resistance is real, when people push back, and when your sense of worth is tempted to rise and fall based on whether others accept you.Set against the backdrop of the church’s new property and growing vision to serve Durango for generations, DJ uses the story of Peter and John — fresh out of jail and fresh off a direct threat from the religious authorities — to show what bold, grounded faith actually looks like. Their response is striking: they do not panic, retaliate, or retreat. They return to their people, they pray, and they ask God not for safety, but for boldness.The sermon pushes back against the idea that our identity has to be controlled by the approval of the people around us. Instead, DJ argues that believers can become the kind of people who stand firm in truth and love, even in the face of rejection—but only if they cultivate the right environment. He highlights three essentials: strong spiritual family, real prayer, and shared experiences where God shows up.This is a sermon about more than courage. It is about how courage is formed. It is about building the kind of church where people are known, supported, honest, and united in purpose. And it is a call to become a praying people—people who do not just admire boldness in Scripture, but practice the kind of life together that makes boldness possible.
Episode 12 — Let Go and Let God: Finding Power in the Name of Jesus
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ dive into Acts chapter 4 and a question that hits close to home: what does it actually mean to live — and speak — in the name of Jesus?Fresh off the church’s first outdoor service at the new location, Bob comes in fired up, reflecting on a season of clarity, joy, and personal transformation. But that momentum leads to a deeper conversation. What’s behind that feeling? And how do you hold onto it without drifting into pride or self-reliance?DJ grounds the discussion in the context of Acts, explaining that “in the name of Jesus” isn’t just a phrase — it’s about living under the authority and in the substance of who Jesus is. Together, they wrestle with the tension between faith and control, highlighting how real transformation doesn’t come from striving harder, but from surrendering more.This episode gets practical. It’s about inputs over outcomes, daily habits over big moments, and learning to trust God with the parts of life you can’t control. Whether you’re riding a high or walking through something difficult, the invitation is the same: build faith, let go of control, and allow God to shape the outcome.
Episode 11 - Invitation, Not Imposition: Living the Story of Acts
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ unpack one of the central tensions in following Jesus: is faith something we impose — or something we invite people into?Building off DJ’s recent sermon in Acts, the conversation centers on Peter’s message after the healing of the beggar and what it reveals about God’s heart. Bob frames the sermon as both a challenge to the church and an open invitation to the community, while DJ digs deeper into the theological meaning — highlighting that the kingdom of God is not about control, performance, or religious pressure, but about joining what God is already doing.From there, the discussion turns personal. Both Bob and DJ speak candidly about ego, surrender, gratitude, and the ongoing work of repentance. They don’t sanitize it — this is about real-life struggle and the daily decision to release control and trust God. The result, they argue, is not restriction but freedom — a life that naturally draws others in.A key thread throughout the episode is how Christianity is often misunderstood as a system of rules, when in reality it is an invitation into a different kind of life — one marked by restoration, humility, and joy. The challenge for believers is to live in such a way that others can see that difference clearly, not through argument, but through experience.This episode pushes beyond theory. It asks: Are we living something people would actually want? And if not, what needs to change?
March 25, 2026 Sermon — Restoring All Things
In this sermon from Acts 3, Pastor DJ follows the healing at the Beautiful Gate into the public response that came next. A miracle had just taken place: a man crippled from birth was healed in the name of Jesus, and the crowd came running. What Peter does with that attention is the heart of this message. He refuses to make the moment about personal power, spiritual status, or religious formula, and instead points straight to Jesus and the bigger story of what God is doing in the world.DJ shows that this second sermon in Acts is about far more than one healing. The healing is a sign, a preview, a living demonstration of God’s larger intention: the restoration of all things. Peter tells the people of Israel that the God they thought they understood is moving decisively through Jesus, and that they are now being called to respond. This is not just a private invitation to personal faith. It is a corporate call to repentance, responsibility, and participation in the renewed people of God.The message lands in three clear movements. First, it is not about us —God’s work does not depend on our ego, talent, or performance, but on faith in Jesus. Second, God is restoring all things — not just rescuing souls in abstraction, but healing what is broken in people, communities, and the world. Third, there is an invitation to join — to step into God’s family, take responsibility, and become part of His restorative work rather than standing at a distance.This sermon is both confronting and hopeful. It calls listeners away from self-focus, anxiety, and religious striving, and into the larger story of God’s renewal. The question underneath it all is simple and direct: Do you want in?
Episode 10 — Small Acts, Real Faith: Living the Way of Jesus
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor Brian bring the story of Acts 3 — the healing of the beggar at the temple gate — down to street level.They begin with a relatable, human moment — parenting through a sick child — before stepping into one of the most powerful scenes in the early church. Peter and John don’t just perform a miracle; they stop, they see, and they respond. That moment becomes the framework for a bigger question: what does it actually look like to live like that today?This conversation doesn’t stay theoretical. It presses into practical, sometimes uncomfortable territory — making eye contact, engaging people others avoid, offering dignity in small ways, and becoming the kind of people who reflect Jesus in everyday interactions. The hosts are clear: most of us won’t stand at a temple gate and heal someone instantly, but we are called to carry the same presence, compassion, and awareness into our own community.They also tackle the internal barriers — social anxiety, busyness, hesitation — and point to the real source of transformation: time with Jesus. Not performance. Not personality. Formation. Over time, prayer becomes less of an event and more of a constant awareness, shaping how we see and respond to people.At its core, this episode is about stepping into the story. Acts 3 isn’t just history — it’s an invitation. Start small. Be faithful. Show up. And watch what God does with it.
March 18, 2026 Sermon — Follow Jesus
In this sermon from Acts 3, Pastor Brian Firle follows the story of Peter and John meeting a man who had been crippled from birth and laid daily at the temple gate called Beautiful. What unfolds is more than a miracle story. It is a picture of how the risen Jesus continues His work through ordinary people filled with the Holy Spirit.Brian connects this moment to Pentecost and the larger movement in Acts: God’s presence is no longer distant or confined to a temple. By the Spirit, God now dwells in His people, and He chooses to work in the world through them. That means Acts 3 is not just about Peter and John back then. It is about the Church now—people learning to carry the authority, compassion, and mission of Jesus into real human need.The sermon centers on two figures in the story. First, the beggar, who becomes a picture of human desperation, limitation, and the places in life where we feel stuck beyond our own power to change. Second, Peter and John, who represent what happens when believers begin to see the world differently—when they stop walking past pain, pay attention, and respond in the name of Jesus. Brian stresses that this is not the work of spiritual celebrities. Peter and John were ordinary men, and the same invitation stands for ordinary people today.At its heart, this message is about death-to-life transformation. Jesus does not only care about spiritual abstractions; He cares about the broken places in our bodies, relationships, fears, burdens, and hopelessness. The call is to believe that God sees us, God cares, and God still brings healing and restoration. And for those who follow Jesus, the challenge is clear: wake up each day asking to see people the way Jesus sees them and to live ready for God to work through you.
Episode 9 - From Cynicism to Community
In this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor DJ reflect on Acts, the heart of the early church, and what it means for Durango Vineyard as the congregation prepares to hold its first services in the new building on Easter Sunday.The conversation starts with a hard truth: for a lot of people, “church” has become a loaded word—tied to disappointment, narrowness, or cynicism. Bob speaks candidly about his own journey through that disillusionment and why what he found in Durango felt different. Acts paints a picture of a church centered on life on mission, life change, and life together, and DJ argues that without humility, sacrifice, and real love for people, the message of Jesus can sound like criticism instead of good news.From there, the episode turns personal and practical. Bob describes how contentment has replaced the resentment and cynicism he once carried—not because life got easier, but because his faith became active and communal. The discussion lands on a key question: How do we steward God’s goodness to our community? DJ’s answer is direct: contribute what you have. Use your gifts. Serve your neighbors. Show up faithfully. Build unity. The church becomes what it is supposed to be when ordinary people stop spectating and start bringing their part.This is an episode about more than church attendance. It is about belonging, meaning, service, and becoming the kind of people who make the love of God tangible in a city.
March 11, 2026 Sermon — Life Together
In this sermon from Acts 2, Pastor DJ paints a vivid picture of what the early church actually felt like when the Spirit of God broke in—not just as a theological idea, but as a living culture. This is not a checklist message. It is a vision of the kingdom of God: heaven’s culture arriving on earth through ordinary people whose lives were changed by Jesus and knit together by the Holy Spirit.DJ frames the heart of the church with three simple but demanding realities: life on mission, life change, and life together. Then he walks through the atmosphere that flowed from Pentecost—people devoted to the apostles’ teaching, centered on Jesus, committed to prayer and worship, and radically generous with one another. The result was not a polished institution, but a people marked by awe, joy, courage, and shared sacrifice.The sermon presses on a practical question: what actually holds a community together? DJ argues that the early church was unified not by preference, personality, or comfort, but by the teachings and life of Jesus. From there he explores prayer as the strength of the church, worship as its grounding, and fellowship as a lived expression of love—not forced, but willing, costly, and joyful.He closes by showing why the early church changed the world: when plague and fear drove everyone else away, Christians ran toward the suffering. They cared for the sick, gave what they had, and embodied the sacrificial love of Christ. The invitation is clear: this is what the church was built to be, and this is still the culture God is calling His people to live today.
Episode 8 — Free Your Hands: God’s Will and Learning to Trust
In Episode 8 of Built for Durango, Bob Bonnar is joined by Pastor Brian Firle to keep unpacking Acts 2—moving from the spectacle of Pentecost to the deeper framework underneath it: who Jesus is, what the Holy Spirit does, and how God’s “deliberate plan” intersects with real human choice.Building off Brian’s sermon, the conversation digs into one of the hardest tensions in Christian theology: predestination and free will. Bob admits what most people feel — there’s a strong urge to pick one side and dismiss the other. Brian argues Acts 2 refuses that shortcut. Peter preaches both at once: Jesus was crucified by human wickedness and free choice, and yet God’s redemptive plan was not derailed — death couldn’t hold Him.From there, the episode gets practical and surprisingly relatable: parenting, control, and why God doesn’t puppeteer people. Brian frames God as a loving Father who invites, guides, and empowers—without coercion. Bob ties it to a golf breakthrough: the harder you overgrip and try to control the swing, the worse the outcome. Real power comes when you loosen your grip—when you “free your hands” and trust the motion.They close by returning to Peter’s transformation: not willpower, not perfection, but reconciliation with Jesus, the Spirit’s empowerment, and staying in the game. The call is simple: stop living in sin-management mode, keep following, and learn to trust God’s love enough to actually live free.
March 4, 2026 Sermon - Whose Story Am I Living
In this message from Pastor Brian Firle, we stay in Acts 2—but instead of focusing on the fireworks of Pentecost, Brian zeroes in on what happens next: Peter’s Spirit-empowered sermon, and the moment thousands of people are “cut to the heart.”Brian explains Acts as the story of what God is doing through ordinary people once the Holy Spirit is poured out. He walks through Peter’s argument step-by-step: Jesus’ life and miracles, the cross, the resurrection, and the stunning claim that what looks like chaos is actually God’s long-range plan unfolding in real time.Then the sermon turns from information to transformation. Brian explains that one of the Holy Spirit’s key roles is illumination—opening our minds to understand Scripture, helping us see what God is doing, and revealing where we fit in that bigger story. He also tackles a classic biblical tension head-on: God’s deliberate plan and human responsibility—predestination and free will held together without apology.The message lands with the same question the crowd asked Peter: “What shall we do?”