Naples Community Church's Podcast

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet after the resurrection, Jesus went looking for him. He made breakfast on the shore, sat with Peter, and asked a simple question three times: "Do you love me?" In this message from John 21, Pastor Kirt Anderson unpacks what that moment reveals about how God responds to our worst failures, and what it means that Jesus used different words for love each time he asked.Pastor Kirt also reflects on Jesus' words about aging and death, and what it looks like to face the end of life with genuine faith. Drawing from decades of ministry and sitting with people in their final days, he shares why the resurrection is not just a doctrine but a living hope.

What does a good church leader actually do? In this message, Pastor Dan Edmondson preaches from Hebrews 13:17-21 and gives an honest, personal look at the work of pastoral care, including late-night hospital runs, hospice visits, and the weight of standing before a congregation and saying "thus saith the Lord." He also shares a very real kidney stone story that you will not forget. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or have been attending church for years, this message will challenge and encourage you.Pastor Dan walks through two qualities of healthy leaders and four practical ways church members can strengthen their community, all drawn directly from the text. If you have ever wondered whether church leadership is worth trusting, or what it even means to be a good member of a church, this is a message worth watching from start to finish. Naples Community Church meets at 849 7th Ave S in Naples, FL. We would love to have you join us in person or online.

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Kirt Anderson preaches from Luke 24 and asks one of the most important questions anyone can wrestle with: did Jesus actually rise from the dead, and does it matter? He walks through the morning of the resurrection, noting that even the disciples who were there struggled to comprehend what had happened. Peter ran to the tomb and left wondering. The women were the first to see it and declare it. And even in the upper room, the risen Jesus had to show his hands and his side before the disciples could believe. The resurrection was not wishful thinking. It was a reality so strange and unexpected that the people closest to it could barely take it in.Pastor Kirt also takes on one of the most common modern positions: that we can admire Jesus as a great moral teacher while setting aside his claims to be the Son of God. Drawing on C.S. Lewis, he makes the case that this option was never really on the table. Jesus did not leave room for it. The resurrection is the verification of everything Jesu

On Palm Sunday, the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem expecting a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's independence. Jesus had something entirely different in mind, and it cost him everything. Pastor Kirt Anderson unpacks why the King who shattered every expectation ultimately fulfilled the deepest longing of every human heart.

In Luke 19, a despised tax collector named Zacchaeus climbs a tree — not to ask Jesus for anything, but simply to catch a glimpse of Him. Pastor Kirt Anderson uses this familiar story to draw a sharp contrast between those who approach faith as a tool to get what they already want and those who seek Jesus Himself. The result of genuinely encountering Christ, as Zacchaeus discovered, is not just a changed behavior — it's a changed identity.

In a world where digital filters and "blended reality" make it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek explores the unchanging truths of the Christian faith. Drawing from the opening chapter of Ephesians, this message highlights that our sense of self is not found in our DNA or our worldly accomplishments, but in our God-given origin and destiny. By understanding that we are chosen, redeemed, and secured by Christ, we can move from the anxiety of the unknown into the peace of God’s perfect plan.

Through the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, this message reminds us that loving our neighbor is more than a concept—it’s a calling. Jesus challenges the temptation to justify ourselves while ignoring the suffering around us. Instead of indifference, we are called to compassion for “the least of these.” God often places hurting people directly in our path, inviting us to respond with mercy. May we be the people who go and do the same.

In a world where tragedy, sickness, and injustice often make us ask “why,” Jesus reminds us in Luke 13 that suffering is not a simple cause-and-effect result of personal sin, but a reality of living in a fallen world. Rather than searching for explanations, Christ calls us to repentance—not as a way to avoid hardship, but to be spiritually ready and rooted in Him when hardship comes. True repentance is a turning and a transformation, letting go of the idols and self-reliance that shape us so we can become who God created us to be. Through stories of redemption and real-life testimony, we see that this turning can be a process, but it leads to joy, purpose, and a life lived for God’s glory. When we live in that relationship with Christ, we gain the hope that no matter what happens in this life, our eternal future is secure.

Continuing through the Gospel of Luke, this message explores the remarkable faith of the Roman centurion who trusted that Jesus could heal with “just a word.” In a world divided by power, politics, and social barriers, his humility and compassion reveal a faith that Jesus declares greater than any in Israel. The sermon reminds us that true prayer is not about eloquence or length, but simple, sincere trust in God’s authority and care. Through the power of God’s Word—from creation to Christ to the prayers of His people—we are invited to speak life, healing, and hope for others. Keep praying, keep trusting, and never doubt that God works through even the simplest prayer.

This message explores Jesus’ authority to heal, forgive, and redefine what it truly means to be holy, drawing from moments in Luke where He heals a leper, forgives and restores a paralyzed man, and challenges rigid Sabbath laws. Through these encounters, we see Jesus confronting a culture of religious policing embodied by the Pharisees, showing that love, mercy, and human need always outweigh legalism and fear of impurity. Jesus willingly takes on our brokenness, touching what others avoid, and demonstrates that God’s intent has always been restoration, not condemnation. The sermon culminates in a deeply personal testimony of grace, forgiveness, and healing, reminding us that none of us earn God’s love—we stand before Him by invitation alone. In Christ, the law is fulfilled through love, and we are welcomed, forgiven, and made whole.

This week’s message reflects on Jesus’ return from temptation, His rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, and His continued ministry of healing and authority in Galilee. Though fully divine, Jesus was not immune to human pain—rejection, suffering, and loneliness—and yet He pressed forward in faithful obedience to His calling. Drawing from Hebrews and lived experience, the sermon reminds us that suffering often deepens our reliance on God and clarifies our true purpose. In a world that may feel disenchanted or overwhelming, we are reminded that God’s Spirit dwells within us, calling each of us to live into the purpose He has given. As Jesus lived humbly, freely, and faithfully into His mission, we too are invited to let God work through us, discovering true freedom and identity in Christ.

Jesus understands temptation because He faced it fully—forty days in the wilderness—yet never gave in, showing us both compassion for our weakness and a model of faithfulness. In Luke 4, each temptation is met not with arguments or excuses, but with God’s Word: “the Scriptures say,” reminding us that we resist by anchoring our hearts in Scripture and living under the lordship of Christ rather than the “prince of this world.” We’re called to exercise our own will—refusing to simply drift with the dominant culture—and to pursue our vocation with integrity, working as if it depends on us while praying as if it depends on God. Even as we pray boldly for healing and protection, we do not test or leverage God; we submit to His wisdom and timing, trusting that He acts in ways we sometimes can’t predict. Because Christ passed this test and ultimately gave His life for us, we are forgiven, made new, and called to live faithfully—marked by integrity, truth, and wholehearted surrender to Him.

This message centers on God’s grace as the sole source of salvation, reminding us that we are saved not by works, sacraments, or effort, but by grace alone. Reflecting on John the Baptist, the sermon explores how his radical, confrontational ministry prepared hearts for Christ by exposing our deep need for a Savior. In Jesus’ baptism, God publicly affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, marking the beginning of Christ’s ministry and revealing baptism as both a sign of belonging and God’s sealing grace. Baptism is described not as a human achievement, but as God’s invisible mark of love and protection, grounding our identity in Christ through every trial. Ultimately, we are saved by grace, not by choice or merit, and it is God’s persistent love—not fear or anger—that draws us into faith and new life.

This message reflects on the story of twelve-year-old Jesus being “lost” and then found in the temple, drawing a parallel to the familiar fear of losing a child. Rather than being truly lost, Jesus is revealed as exactly where he belongs—immersed in his Father’s purposes, growing in wisdom through faithful curiosity and obedience. The sermon explores how Mary and Joseph’s experience reminds us that nurturing faith in our children shapes who they become when they begin to find themselves. Jesus’ words, “Did you not know I would be in my Father’s house?” affirm both his upbringing and his growing awareness of his calling. Ultimately, the message invites all of us—parents, grandparents, and individuals alike—to remember that our purpose is found in seeking God, glorifying Him, and living faithfully into His calling for our lives.

This week’s message reflects on Luke 2 and the quiet yet world-changing moment when Mary and Joseph faithfully obey the law by presenting Jesus at the temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize Him as God’s promised salvation. In a time dominated by Roman power, political turmoil, and suffering, these two elders demonstrate a wisdom that looks beyond headlines to see God at work in humble, easily overlooked places. Simeon’s joy at finally seeing the Messiah and Anna’s lifelong faithfulness remind us that hope is sustained by waiting, worship, and trust in God’s promises. The sermon challenges us to ask what might be happening under the radar of our own lives—where God may be revealing eternal truth through small, quiet acts of faith. Ultimately, Jesus is revealed not only as Israel’s glory, but as light and salvation for all people, ushering in a new world through His suffering, rejection, and redeeming love.

In this message from Judges 6 & 7, we meet Gideon—hiding, discouraged, and convinced God has abandoned him—yet addressed by God as a “mighty warrior.” The sermon explores the tension between how we see our circumstances and how God sees our potential, especially when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move forward. Drawing parallels to our own struggles, we’re reminded that God often works not with what is visible, but with what does not yet exist. Just as God called Gideon out of fear and into faith, He invites us to walk with Jesus into a new season of trust and obedience. The message challenges us to believe that God is with us—and that He is not finished writing our story.

This Christmas message reflects on the astonishing truth that Jesus is the great “I AM”—the eternal God who took on human flesh so that all creation might be restored. Drawing from the stories of the wise men and the shepherds, the sermon shows how God revealed Himself both to the highest minds and the lowest of society, not because of status, but because of open hearts ready to receive Him. The star led the magi only so far; it was Scripture that brought them fully to Christ, reminding us that passion, intellect, and nature alone are not enough without God’s revealed truth. Both the wise men and the shepherds were changed by their encounter with Jesus, giving Him their worship and returning home transformed. The good news of Christmas is that none of us is too high or too low to need a Savior, and when we fully give ourselves to Christ, He fills us with His life and joy.

This week’s message focused on the often-overlooked faith and courage of Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, and the profound impact of his obedience. Drawing from Matthew’s Gospel, we reflected on Joseph’s willingness to bear reproach, set aside his legal rights, and stand with Mary in response to God’s call. His example reveals a deeper righteousness—one rooted not just in being “right,” but in love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Through Joseph’s life, we see a model that ultimately points to Christ, who bore our reproach and took our place on the cross. The message invites us to consider how we, too, are called to live with integrity, compassion, and sacrificial love.

This week’s message reflected on Mary’s surprising encounter with the angel Gabriel and the miraculous conception that would change her life—and the world—forever. Pastor emphasized that just as Christ was miraculously formed within Mary, the Spirit implants Christ within every believer, giving new life and new creation to our hearts. We were reminded that God often works in unexpected places and through unexpected people, inviting us to say with Mary, “May it be unto me according to Your word.” The sermon also challenged us to become a community of grace, embracing and supporting those who carry heavy burdens or face difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the message called us to embody Christ’s peace, hope, and transforming love in a broken world.