Knowing God With Heart and Mind

Freedom in Christ: Living Beyond the Law (Galatians 5)

Pastor Dan discusses Paul’s message about freedom in Galatians 5. He frames Christian freedom as freedom from the old law and freedom to live by the Spirit, not the flesh, producing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.

Pastor Dan connects this spiritual liberty to civic freedom, urges small covenant groups for accountability and sanctification, and invites the Christians to join outreach and discipleship with ordinary efforts empowered by God’s grace.

Hero Makers: The Power of the Pivot

This message marks the ninth anniversary of Pastor Dan's leadership at Shiloh Church, reflecting on the providential timing of assigned theme for the day. Drawing on the biblical metaphor of new wine and old wineskins, Pastor Dan argues that the congregation must remain flexible and adaptable to survive. He highlights the shifting demographics of the local community, specifically noting the need to engage Millennials and Generation Z through authentic, ancient traditions rather than rigid modern systems. By detailing recent physical and administrative upgrades, he illustrates how the church has prepared its infrastructure for a new era. Ultimately, the message calls on the congregation to become "hero makers" who empower the next generation of spiritual leaders. Pastor Dan emphasizes that while honoring elders is vital, the church’s survival depends on its willingness to pivot and embrace change.

Faith Handed Down: A Pastor's Kid on Fathers and Mentors

Bethany, a pastor's kid for 30 years, reflects on Father’s Day and 2 Timothy 2:1–2, showing how faith is passed on through relationships rather than programs.

She shares personal lessons learned in the parsonage—empathy, discernment, humor, boundaries, and resilience—and urges believers to invest in others so faith continues from one generation to the next.

Growing Bigger by Getting Smaller

This message encourages a return to intimate discipleship by contrasting the modern obsession with megachurch success against the Wesleyan model of small groups. Pastor Dan uses the biblical account of the Road to Emmaus to illustrate how Jesus prioritized personal, transformative encounters over large crowds. By emphasizing the historical Methodist structure of societies, classes, and bands, the text argues that true spiritual growth occurs in small, honest gatherings of three to five people. These "bands" serve as a spiritual chrysalis where participants practice radical vulnerability and mutual accountability to foster authentic faith. Ultimately, the message calls for a broader kingdom impact achieved through deep, localized investment rather than pursuing numerical bigness for its own sake.

Hero Makers: The Metemorphosis

In this episode, Pastor Dan explores the idea of being "hero makers": people who, shaped by Christ's victory, are called to make disciples rather than seek personal glory. Using Matthew 28, Acts 1, and Romans 12, the message urges listeners to undergo a slow, daily transformation—renewing their minds, embracing sacrificial living, and multiplying Christ's work by investing in others.

Hero Makers: Where Do Pastors Come From?

Pastor Dan reflects on Romans 12:1-2 and launches the "Hero Makers" series, encouraging listeners to notice and nurture God’s work in others. He shares his personal journey of calling from childhood curiosity to vocational ministry, illustrating how God often uses ordinary moments and people to shape leaders.

The episode invites listeners to listen for God’s voice, discern callings, and become hero makers who recognize, encourage, and support spiritual growth in their communities.

Pentecost Unleashed: Fire, Wind, and the Gift of Comprehension

In this message, Pastor Dan explores Acts 2:1–24, explaining Pentecost’s Jewish roots, its reversal of the Tower of Babel, and how the Holy Spirit enabled people to hear the gospel in their hearts and minds. The message emphasizes that spiritual gifts exist to proclaim Jesus, encourages openness to the Spirit, and invites listeners to receive and share God’s love.

The Familiar Stranger: Living in the Overflow

Pastor Dan draws living water from Ephesians 5 and Acts 2 and explores the Holy Spirit as a constant, life-changing presence rather than a temporary high. He contrasts being "under the influence" of alcohol with being filled from beneath by the Spirit, calling listeners to steady rhythms of worship, gratitude, and community.

Drawing on the Walk to Emmaus movement and the early church's devotion, the message urges believers to move from occasional mountaintop experiences to ongoing sanctification, to live visibly changed lives, and to respond to conviction with surrender rather than shame.

The Familiar Stranger: Hearing the Voice

This episode of the Familiar Stranger series explores the Holy Spirit as a close companion whose voice often comes as a gentle whisper—easy to miss in the noise of daily life. Using Elijah’s encounter in 1 Kings 19 and the image of divine ‘frequency’ and dialect, the message shows how scripture, community, and solitude help us recognize God’s tone.

Practical guidance is given for cultivating listening: consistent Bible reading, quiet time, and small spiritual practices (even ten minutes) to turn down distraction and tune in to the Spirit dwelling within.

The Familiar Stranger: The Empowered Life ~ Fruit vs. Gifts

Pastor Dan continues the Familiar Stranger series as we explore how the Holy Spirit transforms believers from the inside out by producing fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) and distributing spiritual gifts according to God’s will, drawing on Galatians 5 and 1 Corinthians 12.

Using vivid metaphors (a high-performance car, bread and cup at communion), the message encourages humble readiness for God’s timing, warns against showy displays, and invites listeners to join God where He is already at work.