Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT. I remember being at my grandparents and having to use a sickle to chop down small shrubs to make a way through the forest to get to where we wanted to go. It was tough and tiring. Some of us act that way in trying to get to God. In today’s episode, our Lead Pastor Steve Darr is in the recording studio with me to chat about how the Way has been made. Welcome Steve.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why do we try to find our own way to God?
• What is it about the Cross of Christ that has us thinking that there has to be another way?
• How do we eliminate the anxiety, fear, and guilt in our lives to accept that Christ made a way?
• What power is found in the cross of Christ? And why is it important to recognize what Jesus did?

Through the Cross, the way has been made for us to be free from sin and death. Through the Cross, the way has been made for us to be reconciled to God and live righteous lives. Through the Cross, the way is made for us to know we are loved as true children of God.

We hope that you’ve received something from this episode to know that a way has been made for you by a loving God. If this is your first time with us, we ask you to hit the subscribe button below to be notified when a new episode launches. Until then, recognize that a way has been made for you to receive Jesus faith first.

Hey there! I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host of the Faith First Podcast and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. What do you know about the Cross of Christ? Do you know it was necessary? How about, do you know that it is the Cross that has made the way to a relationship with God? Maybe you do or don’t know the reason for the Cross, so today’s episode will help with understanding that the way has been made through the Cross. Let’s listen in on the message given by our Lead Pastor, Steve Darr.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why do we try to get to God our own way
• What is it that truly brings God to us
• How anxiety and depression affect our relationship with God
• How the cross of Christ has the power to bring us into a relationship with God

The cross of Christ provides a new life in Jesus, and we are a new creation in the risen Lord Jesus. Many say that they are fine the way they are and do not need to change. God created them the way they are, no matter how far they have fallen from the precepts of Scripture. Only the Cross opens direct access to God to receive His grace.

If this is your first time engaging with the Faith First Podcast, we again welcome you and encourage you to hit the subscribe button below to be alerted to when a new episode will launch. Until then, focus on the cross that makes the way faith first.

Hello, I’m Jonathan Gouthier a pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT, and you are listening to the Faith First Podcast. Have you heard the term “ALL IN”? It means going all in on following Jesus. In today’s episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor, Steve Darr, and discuss Wholeheartedly following Jesus, it’s kind of the same thing as all in— everything you are and everything you will become. Join me in welcoming Pastor Steve and hitting him right off the start with the question: How would you define following Jesus wholeheartedly?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Most of us aren’t too constant with following Jesus, why is that?
• Why should we follow Jesus wholeheartedly?
• Following Jesus wholeheartedly takes commitment. What does the Bible state about being dual-hearted or divided?
• What does it mean being involved in our wholehearted walk with Jesus?

How far are you willing to go for God? If we commit to following God in Christ we are saying we are willing to give it all up and go all in— body, mind, spirit to live a life honoring to God.

If this is your first time listening to the Faith First Podcast, we say welcome! And, please take the time to hit the subscribe button below to be alerted when a new episode launches. Until next time, decide to wholeheartedly follow Jesus faith first.