In this powerful sermon on John 17:6–19, we step into one of the most intimate moments in Scripture—Jesus praying for His disciples just before the cross. This message explores what it truly means to be chosen by God, to live differently in a world that doesn’t understand you, and to embrace the mission Jesus has given you. Through vivid illustrations and biblical truth, this sermon unpacks three life-changing realities: you are chosen, not accidental; you are different, not distant; and you are sent, not stuck. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your purpose, overwhelmed by change, or unsure where God is leading you next, this message will anchor your heart and give you clarity for the road ahead.

Take a moment to watch this full message and let God speak to you through His Word. If this sermon blessed you, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear how God is working in your life.

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

In the quiet moments of life, when everything else fades, what if the deepest joy isn't in escaping hardship—but in truly knowing God? Jesus prays in John 17:1-5, revealing that eternal life isn't a distant destination... it's an intimate relationship with the Father and the Son, starting right now.

In this powerful message titled "What Is Eternal Life," Pastor Bogdan Kipko unpacks Jesus' high priestly prayer, showing how the Savior, facing His darkest hour, lifts His eyes to heaven and asks the Father to glorify Him so He might glorify the Father. Through personal stories—from a long-married couple content in silent companionship to everyday battles with pain and discomfort—the sermon contrasts our culture's obsession with avoiding suffering against Jesus' embrace of the cross for God's greater glory.

Key insights emerge: eternal life is redefined not as endless existence or a far-off heaven, but as deeply knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent; it's relational intimacy over mere information, commitment amid messiness rather than independence without cost, and finding purpose in trials where God's glory shines brightest.

The message gently exposes how we often pray for relief instead of revelation, inviting us to trust that the very challenges we beg to remove may be where God meets us most profoundly. If your heart longs for more than temporary fixes or shallow comforts, take time to watch this full sermon. Let Jesus' words reshape how you see suffering, purpose, and what true life really means. Reflect on where God might be inviting you to know Him deeper today. If this blesses you, share it with someone walking through their own "hour" of trial—they might need this encouragement. Subscribe for more Spirit-led teaching from Forward Church, give it a like if it stirred your soul, and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments below. We'd love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you.

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

In a world full of crushing pressure and inevitable hardship, Jesus promises unshakable peace that doesn't depend on circumstances. Dive into this powerful sermon on John 16:25–33, where Pastor Bogdan Kipko unpacks Jesus' farewell words to His disciples: "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." This message reminds us that true peace comes from Christ's decisive victory at the cross—not from perfect conditions. Key Takeaways: The Father's Personal Love: The Father Himself loves you because you love Jesus and believe He came from God (John 16:27). Prayer isn't approaching a distant judge, but a loving Father who knows and cares for you deeply. Faith Tested in Tribulation: Confidence feels strong in good times, but real faith is proven in crisis. The disciples' bold belief was soon tested by scattering and fear—yet Jesus prepared them for it.

Tribulation Is Guaranteed: Life in a fallen world brings pressure, suffering, persecution, and affliction (like grapes crushed in a winepress). Jesus doesn't sugarcoat it: "You will have tribulation." Peace Rooted in Christ's Victory: Jesus has already overcome (conquered) the world through His death, resurrection, and triumph over sin, death, and the hostile system opposed to God. This finished victory is why believers can "take heart" and find peace right in the middle of trials. Even when others abandon you, you're never alone; the Father is with you, just as He was with Jesus. Whether you're facing uncertainty, loss, opposition, or daily pressures, anchor your heart in the Savior who has already won. Hallelujah - death has lost its grip! Big Idea: In a world full of crushing pressure, believers can live with unshakable peace in Christ.

What trial are you facing today? How has remembering Christ's victory brought you peace? Share in the comments below, we'd love to hear and pray with you! 👇 If this encouraged you, like 👍, subscribe for more biblical teaching, and turn on notifications so you never miss a message. Check out more sermons from Pastor Bogdan Kipko at Forward Church.

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

Have you ever felt like you're stuck in the painful middle of a story, wondering when the breakthrough will come? What if the deepest sorrow you're walking through right now is actually the labor pain leading to unbreakable joy? In this powerful message from John 16:16–24, Pastor Bogdan Kipko unpacks Jesus' words to His confused disciples just hours before the cross. Jesus promised that though they would weep and mourn—while the world rejoiced—their sorrow would not last; it would be transformed into lasting joy. Using the vivid picture of a mother's labor pains that give way to the overwhelming joy of new life, Jesus shows that pain in God's kingdom is never pointless—it's the pathway to promise. The cross, the darkest moment in history, became the doorway to eternal salvation and resurrection hope. Because Jesus rose, our grief has an expiration date, but the joy He gives can never be taken away. Pastor Bogdan shares transparently from his own life—leaving corporate America to start a business filled with rejection and grind, yet driven by a greater purpose—and from family losses, including his father's passing and his nephew Ben's homegoing, to show how the gospel turns real sorrow into real, eternal joy. Through the resurrection, we gain direct access to the Father in prayer, asking in Jesus' name so our joy may be complete. If you're carrying heavy sorrow today, or if you're longing for joy that circumstances can't steal, this message is for you—I want you to hear straight from Jesus that your pain is temporary, but the promise is eternal.
Watch or listen all the way through—Jesus has something specific He wants to speak to your heart. Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments below, give this a like if it encouraged you, subscribe so you never miss a message, and share it with someone who needs hope right now. New sermons every week — hit the bell!

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

One More Thought is a supplemental teaching podcast from Pastor Bogdan Kipko of Forward Church in Irvine, created to share the biblical insights, theological depth, and pastoral reflections that don’t always fit into a Sunday sermon.

In this inaugural episode, Pastor Bogdan unpacks Psalm 90, written by Moses, and centers on the timeless prayer: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Drawing from Moses’ four distinct seasons of life, this episode challenges listeners to take inventory not just of their schedules or possessions, but of how they are truly living.

This conversation explores what it means for God to be our true dwelling place, rather than our circumstances, success, or security. It offers a sober yet hope-filled perspective on time, mortality, wisdom, and spiritual priorities—especially as a new year begins.

One More Thought exists because sermon preparation often produces far more insight than can be shared in a single message. These episodes are designed to deepen understanding, encourage reflection, and help listeners live out Scripture throughout the week—whether driving, working out, or going about daily life.

As 2026 begins, this episode invites listeners to trust not in a new year, but in the One who makes all things new.

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

Have you ever wondered what makes wise people truly wise? In Matthew 2, we discover it's not just about seeking truth—it's about surrendering to it. Pastor Bogdan unveils how the Magi's journey to Jesus reveals a profound truth for our spiritual lives today. Through their extravagant gifts and humble worship, these ancient kingmakers show us that authentic wisdom culminates in surrender, not just curiosity. Whether you're exploring faith or deepening your commitment, this message illuminates how true transformation happens when we stop managing God and start meeting Him. Listen now to discover how surrendering to Jesus leads to the exceeding joy that the Magi found—and how you can find it too.

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

Have you ever felt overlooked, like a nobody from nowhere? In Luke's account, God chooses Mary—an unknown girl from Nazareth (the ancient equivalent of Sheboygan)—for history's greatest miracle. Pastor Bogdan reveals how God's favor isn't earned through strength but received through surrender. Through Mary's honest question, "How can this be?" we discover that Christianity begins not with human capability but with acknowledging our need for divine intervention. Whether you're feeling weary or wondering how circumstances could change, this message offers hope: God specializes in bringing life where there seems to be none. Don't miss this fresh look at how Christmas changes everything!

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a baby threatens a king? In Matthew 2, Pastor Bogdan reveals how Herod's murderous response to Jesus' birth mirrors our own resistance to surrendering control. Through vivid historical details and modern parallels, this message exposes how we all harbor an inner Herod—that part of us clutching the throne of our hearts. But there's hope: just as God preserved Jesus despite Herod's schemes, He faithfully carries His promises through our darkest moments. Ready to discover what it means to trade your crown for Christ's kingdom? Listen now for a fresh perspective on this familiar Christmas story that could transform your holiday season. Watch or listen to experience how God's pattern of triumph over evil applies to your life today!

Let's get ready to find hope in Jesus, by listening to this message.

YOUR NEXT STEP: If you don't have a home church, then your next step of faith is to click this link and fill out the digital connect card. We would love to connect with you: https://bit.ly/4g9b4Gm

If this message encouraged you and inspired you to boldly follow Jesus, we ask that you share it with a friend by sending them this message! We help YOU find hope in Jesus. We can't wait to see you in person at Forward Church in Irvine, every Sunday at 11 am!

CONNECT WITH FORWARD: For more information, please visit: www.forwardchurchirvine.com and follow us on Instagram: @forwardirvine.