The Word from Mountain View

Pastor Mike explores the difficult question of why God heals some and not others, opening with a personal story of two children affected by cancer. Drawing on biblical examples and Jesus’ words in John 14:12, he outlines three reasons Jesus did not always perform miracles—refusing to prove Himself, not interfering with God’s ultimate plan, and absence of faith.

The sermon encourages listeners to bring whatever faith they have, trust God’s character and eternal purpose, and find hope beyond physical healing in the salvation of the soul.

 

WHEN PIGS FLY

MIRACLES OF HEALING

John 14:12

 

Main Idea: We serve a God who does miracles - even healing - but He doesn't always do it the way we expect.

Introduction

Our God heals, but He doesn’t heal everyone all the time.

• 2 Timothy 4:20 - Trophimus
• 1 Timothy 5:23 – Timothy
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul

THREE REASONS JESUS DIDN’T DO MIRACLES

1. Jesus refused to perform miracles to prove (Mark 8:11-12)
2. Jesus never performed a miracle that interfered with God’s ultimate plan. (Matthew 26:53-54)
3. Jesus didn’t do miracles where there was no faith. (Matthew 13:58)

THE ROLE OF FAITH

• Our faith moves the heart of God!
• Mark 5:34 - “Daughter, your faith has healed you. …”
• Luke 17:19 - “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
• Mark 10:52 - “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”
• Our faith amazes Wow Faith!
• Matthew 8:5-10 or Matthew 13:53-58
• Our faith isn’t based on what God does, but our faith is based on who God is.
  • Jesus’ highest purpose is to save our souls, not just heal our bodies.
    • Luke 5:20 – “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Conclusion & Application

• Pray with all the faith you have, imperfect as it may be.
• Trust God’s goodness and character above all outcomes.
• Remember: Healing is not the ultimate purpose—salvation and the glory of God are!

 

 

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

It is my privilege to invite you to today's sermon podcast. May today's sermon come alive to you and aid you in your understanding of God's plan for your life. Well, do you believe in miracles? You know, you think about that statement, when pigs fly, does anyone's family members ever said that? Or have you ever heard that? Or is this so old that it's new again? I mean, interesting statement. It's meant to be a sarcastic remark, right? Like when you say when pigs fly, it's like, that'll never happen, you know? Will dad ever spend any money? Well, when pigs fly, that'll happen. Or like in my family, dad's going to let us get another cat. When pigs fly, that ain't happening. You know, when we think about just that phrasing of that, it just brings to light, not only is it funny, and of course, this isn't my original thing here, thanks to Life Church out of Oklahoma. I was looking through things to, do you have something? You believe in miracles. so there will not be any cats. Okay. We're not preaching about that today. We are preaching about deliverance today. So maybe my family needs to be delivered from something.

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WHEN PIGS FLY: Miracles of Deliverance

Ephesians 6:12-13

Main Idea: We serve a miracle-working God who still intervenes today.

Four Types of Miracles

• Miracles of healing.
• Miracles of protection.
• Miracles of provision.
• Miracles of deliverance.

Miracles of Deliverance

• God’s power over demonic forces and spiritual darkness.
  • Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 17:15–18

Understanding Demonic Influence

• Origin: Demons are fallen angels (Isaiah 14, Revelation 12).
• Common Mistakes:

• We over-emphasize demonic influence.
• We under-emphasize demonic influence.

What do demons do?

• Demons tempt you to sin. - 2 Timothy 2:26
• Demons distract you from God’s will. - 1 Timothy 4:1
• Demons inflict suffering. - Matthew 17:15, 17-18

Our Response

• You have miraculous authority over darkness in the name of Jesus. Matt. 10:1
  • We fight not with our power, but with Christ’s authority.
  • Don’t assume every problem is a result of demonic influence.
  • Don’t assume any problem isn’t a result of demonic influence.
• Employ Practical + Spiritual Action:
  • Do what is natural + Pray for the supernatural.
• Examples:
  • Seek medical help and pray for healing.
  • Get counseling and pray for emotional deliverance.
  • Parent wisely and pray for spiritual protection over children.
  • Use discernment and follow spiritual promptings.

Final Encouragement - John 1:5

• You have authority over darkness in the name of Jesus.
• Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6).
• Fight from victory, not for victory.

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

It is my privilege to invite you to today's sermon podcast. I have made the Apostle Paul's prayer request my own. When he states in Ephesians 6:19, pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, the words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. May today's sermon come alive to you and aid you in your understanding of God's plan for your life.

This morning we finish the "Being Radical Like Jesus" series, focusing on radical sharing. Using John 1:35–49, we explore how sharing begins with an invitation, is deeply personal, and always points others to Jesus. Hear examples of Andrew and Philip inviting loved ones to meet the Messiah, and learn practical steps to invite, pray, and share your story.

Be encouraged to invite someone to come and see, share your testimony simply, and point them to the life-changing gospel of Jesus. Practical applications include daily prayer for specific people, inviting them to church or a meal, and being ready to give a brief, honest account of what Christ has done in your life.

You can find today's sermon and outline at www.mvcnaz.org. It is my prayer that you will seek a church home that recognizes the authority of the Bible.

Radical Sharing
John 1:35–51

1. Radical Sharing Begins with an Invitation

• Sharing starts with a simple invitation.
• Andrew invites his brother, Simon.
• Philip invites Nathanael.
• Jesus invites us to “Come and see.”

2. Radical Sharing Is Personal

• We share best with those we know and love.
• Andrew brings Simon to Jesus—family first.
• Philip shares with Nathanael—friendship matters.
• Share your story:

John 9:35 – “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

3. Radical Sharing Points to Jesus

• The goal isn’t church attendance—it’s meeting Jesus.
• “We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41)
• Our role: point people to the One who transforms.

Application

• Identify someone in your life who needs Jesus.
• Pray for them daily.
• Invite them to church, a small group, or coffee.
• Share your story—how Jesus changed your life.

“I was ________________________________,

  but now I’m __________________________.”

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Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

Join Pam and Tim from Wholehearted Ministry as they invite listeners into God’s plan of reconciliation—being ambassadors of Christ, rebuilding families, and sharing the gospel through authentic relationships, Scripture, and prayer.

This episode offers practical steps to ‘scatter seed’ in everyday life, a call to wholehearted commitment to God’s kingdom, and an invitation to respond and find your next step.

With Pam and Tim Gerdes

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This sermon explores how Jesus and his friends modeled radical care through sacrifice, courage, and agape love. Using the story of the paralytic lowered through the roof, the message shows how faith leads to forgiveness and healing, and challenges listeners to sacrificially serve, take risks for others, and share Christ’s love in practical ways.

 

Radical Caring
Luke 5:17–25

Main Idea: To live radically like Jesus we must sacrificially, courageously, and compassionately care for others so that hearts are opened to the Gospel.

Introduction: “Jesus with skin on”

1. Radical Caring Takes Sacrifice (v. 19)

• Friends sacrificed time and comfort to bring the man to Jesus.
• Jesus gave His time and attention to care for him.
• True care costs us something.

Radical Caring Is Risky (v. 20)

• Friends risked safety and reputation.
• Jesus risked criticism by forgiving and healing.
• Caring means stepping out of comfort zones.

Radical Caring Flows from Love (v. 24)

• Love drove the friends’ persistence.
• Jesus met both physical and spiritual needs.
• Genuine care starts with a heart transformed by God’s love.

Conclusion & Application

• Look for ways to serve at home, work, or school.
• Ask: What can I sacrifice or risk this week to show Christ’s love?
• Do chores at home without seeking recognition.

Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

Pastor Mike explores what it means to be radical like Jesus by prioritizing personal, persistent prayer. Using Luke 5:15–16 and the Lord’s Prayer as a model, he outlines a simple P-R-A-Y approach and a practical ‘cause circle’ to guide daily intercession.

The episode challenges listeners to pray for the lost, name three people to pray for, and spend ten minutes a day in focused prayer, while offering an invitation to trust Jesus and join the church family.

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Radical Prayer

Luke 5:15–16

Main Idea: Becoming radical like Jesus begins with radical prayer—prayer that is prioritized, persistent, and personal.

 

Introduction: What’s the most radical thing you’ve ever done?

 1. Why Radical Prayer? (Galatians 2:20)

• Jesus modeled radical living through radical praying.
• Prayer is essential for sharing the Gospel and living like Jesus.
• Christ lives in believers—empowering them to live radically.

 2. What Does Radical Prayer Look Like? (Luke 5:15–16)

• Priority: Jesus prayed even when crowds demanded His attention.
• Persistence: He prayed often.
• Personal: He withdrew to pray alone.

 

3. How to Pray Like Jesus (Luke 11:2-4)

• P – Praise - Worship God as Father and Holy (v. 2)
• R – Request - Ask for His Kingdom and daily needs (vs.2-3)
• A – Admit - Confess sins and forgive others (v. 4)
• Y - Yield - Submit to God’s guidance and resist temptation (v. 4)

Concluding Challenge

• Pray for 10 minutes daily this week.
• Use the P.R.A.Y. model, if you do not have a current method of prayer.
• Identify 1–3 people in your life who don’t know Jesus and pray for their salvation.
• Use the “Cause Circle” to help you pray, care, and share.

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Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

In this sermon the pastor explores how generosity transforms our lives, using stories from a Burger King moment to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Grounded in Scripture (Philippians 4; Proverbs; Genesis 22), he explains four ways giving changes us: it frees us from scarcity, connects us to God’s kingdom purpose, reshapes our perspective, and invests in the next generation.

The message invites listeners to trust God’s provision, live generously with time, talent, and treasure, and join the mission to bless others in practical, eternal ways.
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The Good Life

Stop Living in the “Not Enough”

Proverbs 11:24

Introduction: God doesn’t need your fries!

• Philippians 4:15-19

 Why Generosity? 

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” - Proverbs 11:24 MSG

1. Generosity sets me free. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

• Free from the love of money and fear of the lack of money.
• You don’t pray your way out of greed – you give your way out.
• An example from Abraham’s life. (Genesis 22:2)

2. Generosity connects me to a Kingdom purpose.

• Our money goes where we may never go physically. (Philippians 4:14-17)
• When you connect your money to mission, it connects to eternity and brings true fulfillment. (2 Corinthians 9:12)
• Giving is ministry—it meets needs and changes lives.

3. Generosity changes how I see my life.

• Think like farmers (Galatians 6:7–9)
• Don’t give to get—give to give again.
• Blessing is in the giving, not in the receiving.

4. Generosity connects my heart to the next generation.

• God rewards generosity toward those who can’t repay. (Matthew 10:42)
• God is your provider - Jehovah-Jireh.
• God is your rewarder.

Conclusion: Live a generous life that reflects God's abundance and purpose.

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Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

Join today’s sermon as we explore Jesus’ warning about mammon — the spirit of selfishness that competes with God — and learn how the good life is found in generosity, stewardship, and trust in God rather than in accumulating wealth.

This short teaching offers practical steps (budgeting, contentment, debt reduction, and tithing) and an invitation to test God by giving, so your life becomes a river of blessing rather than a reservoir of possessions.

Introduction: Words have meaning.

What is Mammon?

• Is it money? - 1 Timothy 6:10
• Mammon is a false god that promises you can trust money to give you what only God can.

Breaking Free from Mammon

• Change your life's focus from consuming to giving. - Acts 20:35
• Generosity destroys the power of mammon in your life.
• Practical Steps to Generosity

1. Understand that we are managers, not owners. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
2. Live on a budget. (Luke 14:28-30).
3. Learn to be content. (Luke 12:15).
4. Pay off all debt. (Proverbs 22:7).

The Ultimate Test: A Challenge

• The baseline for generosity in Scripture is a tithe (10%) (Malachi 3:8-10).
• You cannot outgive God.
• The purpose of His blessing is not so you can keep more, but so you can give more. Be a river, not a reservoir.

Conclusion: Who are you trusting: God or mammon?

• Ask God what He wants you to do so you can trust Him more.

 

Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter

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With Pastor Mike Curry.

Join today’s sermon podcast exploring what the “good life” really is: a generous, faith-filled life rooted in the gift God placed within you. Drawing from 2 Timothy 1:1–7, the speaker invites listeners to recognize the breath of life, stir up their spiritual gifts, and surrender both their strengths and weaknesses to God.

The message emphasizes humility, stewardship, and the freedom that comes from offering your life back to God—so He can use you to bless others and fulfill His purposes. A clear call to salvation and wholehearted dedication closes the episode, encouraging listeners to give their lives and gifts to Christ.

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The Good Life: Direct Deposits

2 Timothy 1:1-7 NKJV

Main Idea: We are blessed to be channels for God's love and life to flow through us to others.

Introduction

• Our default nature is stinginess, not generosity.
• God has put a gift within us.

Our Foundation: Dirt - Genesis 2:7

• "God formed man out of dirt."
• God can use anyone or anything for His glory and purpose.

Our Gift: Stir It Up! - 2 Timothy 1:6-7

• Our most valuable asset is "borrowed breath" from God.
• "Stirring it up" means using the gift God has given us.

The Three Entities After Your Gift

1. God wants your gift.
2. The enemy wants your gift.
3. Other people want your gift.

• Freedom comes from putting both your gift and your dirt into God's

Conclusion: Whose Hands is the Gift In?

• • An object's value is determined by the hands it's in.

• The "good life" is giving both your gift and your dirt back to God to be used for His glory.

With Pastor Mike Curry.

Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

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Join a stirring sermon that urges believers to run like athletes for Christ—forget the past, pursue God’s high calling, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through personal stories and Scripture (Philippians 3, David, Moses, and Paul), you’ll be encouraged to memorize God’s Word, serve boldly, and share the gospel with zeal.

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The High Calling of God

Text: Philippians 3:1-14

Thesis: As the Apostle Paul saw it, “The Christian is the Athlete of

Christ!” (How do you see yourself?)

1. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” (vs. 13a) J It appears at first that Paul can’t count!

• The Greek word for “forgetting” literally means “to neglect or avoid”

1. The fact is there are things in your past that can rob you of Joy and prohibit Spiritual Growth.
   1. Past Sins
   2. Putting confidence in the flesh! (see vs. 2-6)
   3. The Apostle Paul speaks strongly (harshly) about those who try to please God by doing His well in the flesh. “Watch out for those dogs.” (vs2)
   4. The Apostle Paul esteems Jesus highly, “Who put no confidence in the flesh” (vs3c)
   5. In Phil 4:13, Paul makes it clear, “I can do all things…”
2. “Straining towards what is ahead.”
3. “Straining”-means to extend or stretch forward.
   • Paul envisions us as being “Spiritual Athletes of

Christ!”

ILL. God is calling us to be intentional and have intensity in our relationship with God. 

1^st- Run to God!

• “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
• MEMORIZE THE WORD

2^nd Run to God through Jesus Christ!

1. Jesus made it clear, to his disciple, that he was the only way to God. (John 14:6)

3^rd   Run to God, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit!

1. “In the last days they will have a form of Godliness but denying his power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:5)

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Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live

Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter

Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect

 

With Pastor Chuck Ryan.