Church On The Path

Can you follow Jesus even when you still have questions, doubts, and uncertainty?

In this episode of The Church on the Path Podcast, Pastor Brent explores Jesus’ deeply personal question to His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” But Peter’s confession doesn’t mean he suddenly understands everything. In fact, he will continue to question, misunderstand, fail, and grow. His story reminds us that Christian faith is not certainty about everything—faith is knowing whom we trust when we don’t understand.

Drawing from Matthew 16:13–20, along with Peter’s powerful question in John’s Gospel—“Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life”—this message explores the difference between simply believing things about Jesus and actually building our lives around Him.

Faith is more than an answer. Faith is a confession.

It’s saying:

“Jesus, I don’t understand everything, but I trust You.”

“I can’t see the whole journey, but I will follow You.”

“I still have questions, but I know where I will take them.”

This message also explores what Jesus means when He says, “I will build my church.” The Church isn’t built on perfect people who have everything figured out. It is a family being transformed by grace—people with different gifts, experiences, questions, and even failures who are united by one confession: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

So when the road becomes difficult, when our questions outnumber our answers, when we fail and need grace, or when we simply cannot see what comes next:

To whom shall we go?

We go to Jesus.

Not because we understand everything.
Not because we never doubt.
Not because we have earned our place.

We go because He has the words of eternal life.

The Church on the Path
Worship + Service = Discipleship
Love First…Love Always

 

Scripture: Matthew 16:13–20

Keywords: Matthew 16:13–20, who do you say that I am, To Whom Shall We Go, Peter’s confession, Jesus the Messiah, Christian faith and doubt, questions about faith, trusting Jesus, Christian discipleship, Jesus builds His Church, faith and uncertainty, Christian podcast, sermon podcast, Wesleyan theology, United Methodist Church, The Church on the Path.

 

What can a desperate mother teach us about faith, wisdom, and the heart of God?

In this week’s episode of The Church on the Path, Pastor Brent explores one of the most surprising and challenging encounters in the Gospels: Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman. At first glance, this passage raises difficult questions. But as the story unfolds, it reveals a profound truth about persistent faith, humble listening, and the limitless mercy of God.

The Canaanite woman refuses to give up, even when faced with silence, misunderstanding, and rejection. Her courageous faith reminds us that wisdom often comes from unexpected voices, and that God’s grace is always greater than the boundaries we create. Jesus praises her faith and, in doing so, challenges His disciples—and us—to see people through the eyes of compassion rather than exclusion.

This message explores what it means to listen before we judge, to approach others with humility instead of certainty, and to trust that God’s mercy is always making room for more people at the table. Whether you’ve wrestled with unanswered prayers, questioned where you belong, or wondered how Christians can faithfully navigate a divided world, this sermon offers hope rooted in the character of Jesus Christ.

You’ll discover why great faith isn’t having all the answers—it’s refusing to let go of the mercy of God.

Join us as we learn three timeless lessons for every disciple:

• Listen deeply.
• Act humbly.
• Trust God’s mercy to widen the circle.

Because wisdom doesn’t always come from where we expect it—and there is always more than enough grace at Christ’s table.

Scripture: Matthew 15:21–28

Keywords: Matthew 15, Canaanite woman, persistent faith, wisdom for the journey, Jesus and the Canaanite woman, unanswered prayer, Christian discipleship, God’s mercy, grace, inclusion, listening with compassion, humility, Christian podcast, Wesleyan theology, United Methodist Church, The Church on the Path.

The Church on the Path Worship + Service = Discipleship Love First…Love Always

Where is God when life feels overwhelming?

In this week's episode of The Church on the Path, Pastor Brent explores one of the most comforting stories in the Gospels—Jesus walking on the water to meet His frightened disciples in the middle of a storm. As Peter steps out of the boat in faith, we are reminded that following Jesus does not mean we will avoid life's storms. It means we will never face them alone.

Whether you're carrying the weight of a difficult diagnosis, a struggling relationship, financial uncertainty, grief, anxiety, or simply the challenges of everyday life, this message offers a powerful reminder that fear is not the absence of faith. Faith is taking the next step toward Jesus, even when the wind is still blowing.

Recorded on Back to Church Sunday, this message also celebrates the blessing of backpacks for students, teachers, and school staff, along with the graduation of Disciple Bible Study participants. Together, these moments remind us that discipleship is not about staying where it is safe—it's about trusting Christ enough to follow Him wherever He leads.

If you've ever wondered whether God has forgotten you in the middle of your storm, listen again to the words of Jesus:

"Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid."

Because the storm is only terrifying when we believe we are facing it alone. The good news of the Gospel is this: Jesus is already in the storm with us. His grace is greater than our fear, His hand is stronger than our grip, and even our simplest prayer—"Lord, save me"—is enough for Him to reach out and hold us fast.

Scripture: Matthew 14:22–33

Keywords: Matthew 14, Jesus walks on water, Peter walks on water, faith in difficult times, Christian encouragement, overcoming fear, trusting God, storms of life, Back to Church Sunday, blessing of the backpacks, discipleship, Bible study, United Methodist Church, Charleston SC, The Church on the Path.

The Church on the Path
Worship + Service = Discipleship
Love First...Love Always

What are you truly hungry for?

In this week's episode of The Church on the Path, Pastor Brent explores one of Jesus' most beloved miracles—the feeding of the five thousand—and uncovers the deeper hunger it reveals in every human heart. While the crowd came looking for bread, Jesus offered something far greater: Himself, the Bread of Life.

As Jesus grieves the death of John the Baptist, He is interrupted by a crowd in need. Instead of turning them away, He responds with compassion, healing their brokenness and feeding their hunger. Through this powerful Gospel story, we discover that Jesus doesn't simply see the crowds—He sees people. He sees our grief, our fears, our loneliness, our questions, and the deepest longings of our hearts before we ever speak them aloud.

This message challenges us to move beyond a mindset of scarcity and into the abundance of God's Kingdom. Like the disciples, we often believe what we have is too little to make a difference. But Jesus doesn't ask us to bring what we don't have. He simply says, "Bring it to me." When we place our gifts, our time, our compassion, and even our limitations into His hands, He transforms them into more than enough.

Whether you're searching for hope, purpose, healing, forgiveness, or a place to belong, this message reminds us that the deepest hunger of the human soul is ultimately satisfied in Christ alone. And having been fed by His grace, we are sent into the world to carry that Bread of Life to others.

Join us as we discover why there is always room at Christ's table, why God's grace is always abundant, and why the Bread that Jesus offers is the only bread that truly lasts.

Scripture: Matthew 14:13–21

Keywords: Bread of Life, Feeding the Five Thousand, Matthew 14, Christian podcast, Jesus feeds the hungry, compassion of Jesus, Holy Communion, abundance of God, faith, discipleship, United Methodist, sermon, Charleston church, The Church on the Path.

The Church on the Path
Worship + Service = Discipleship
Love First...Love Always

In this episode of The Church on The Path Podcast, Rev. Brent Dehlbom explores the power of our words through Ephesians 4:25–32 and Luke 7:36–50. At Simon the Pharisee’s table, one woman is reduced to a label—but Jesus truly sees her. Simon speaks judgment; Jesus speaks forgiveness, dignity, peace, and new life.

Speaking life does not mean ignoring sin, avoiding difficult conversations, or offering empty compliments. It means telling the truth in love—using our words to restore rather than destroy and leaving the door open for healing, grace, and redemption.

In a culture filled with anger, mockery, shame, and division, followers of Jesus are called to sound like Jesus. Who needs you to speak life this week? Someone may need to hear:

“You are still loved.”

“You are not alone.”

“Your failure is not final.”

“God is not finished with you yet.”

Before you post, text, repeat, or respond, ask: Does this sound like Jesus? Will these words give grace to those who hear?

The world has enough voices speaking fear, shame, division, and despair. Speak courage. Speak grace. Speak unity. Speak hope. Speak Jesus. Church—speak life.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25–32; Luke 7:36–50
Sermon: “Speak Life”
Preacher: Rev. Brent Dehlbom
Church: St. Andrews Parish United Methodist Church—The Church on The Path, Charleston, South Carolina

Why doesn't God simply remove all the evil from the world?

It's one of the oldest questions of faith—and one Jesus answers in a surprising way. In the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, Jesus invites us to trust God's wisdom instead of rushing to judgment. While we often want quick answers, immediate justice, and clear lines between good and evil, Jesus reminds us that grace is still at work in ways we cannot always see.

In this week's message from The Church on the Path, Pastor Brent explores why Jesus so often responded to broken people with compassion rather than condemnation. Through the stories of Peter, Paul, Zacchaeus, and Jacob, we discover that God never reduces people to the worst moment of their lives. Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future. And only God knows the full story.

This message is an invitation to stop acting like expert weed inspectors and start living as faithful followers of Jesus—people who plant seeds of kindness, mercy, truth, and hope while trusting God to bring the harvest in His perfect time.

Because the world doesn't need more people pointing fingers.

It needs more people pointing to Jesus.

Scripture: Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

The Church on the Path
Worship + Service = Discipleship
Love First...Love Always

What does it look like when God pursues someone over the course of a lifetime?

In this special episode of The Church on the Path, we step away from a traditional sermon to hear the powerful testimony of Ron Underwood.

From a heartfelt decision to follow Jesus as an eight-year-old boy, to years spent running from God, to a devastating cancer diagnosis and an extraordinary healing, Ron shares how God's grace never stopped pursuing him. But this story is about much more than physical healing. It is about wrestling with unanswered prayers, experiencing deep loss, rediscovering faith, and learning that God's promises remain true through every season of life.

Ron reminds us that faith is not believing everything will happen the way we hope. Faith is trusting that Jesus Christ is with us through every joy, every sorrow, every victory, and every valley.

Whether you are celebrating God's goodness, walking through suffering, or searching for hope, this testimony will encourage you to trust the One who never lets go.

Thank you for joining us on The Church on the Path. If this episode encouraged you, we invite you to share it with a friend who may need to hear that God is still at work and His grace is still changing lives.

Grace and peace be with you, and remember:

Love First... Love Always.
— Rev. Brent L. Dehlbom

Acts 1:6-8 | Matthew 28:18-20

The mission statement of The UMC is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Is it missing a word?

Rev. John Sterling Poole, Director of Charleston Wesley Foundation, discusses the Great Commission from Matthew and identifies one of the main operative verbs: “go.” What does it look like to go out into the world and make disciples?

Drawing from the beginning of Acts, where Christ commands us to go to the ends of the earth, the Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Poole challenges us to be a moving people who go to the ends of the earth, whether that’s workplaces, warehouses, parks, playgrounds, classrooms, or campuses.

Come and see!

The Church on the Path, where belonging comes before belief and behavior, and where all are welcome as we walk the path together.