Calvary Cork Podcast

What does an ancient story about a fiery furnace have to do with Christmas?In Daniel 3, three faithful young men refuse to bow to a false god and are thrown into a blazing furnace. But they are not alone. A mysterious fourth man appears in the fire with them, and everything changes.In this Advent sermon from Daniel 3:8–28, we explore how this dramatic moment points us to the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not just about where Jesus was born. It is about God choosing to be with His people, even in their fiery trials.This message is especially shaped for a mixed congregation, including children and those new to the Christian faith, and shows how God’s presence, not escape from suffering, is our deepest need. From the furnace in Babylon to the manger in Bethlehem, the Bible tells one unified story of a God who draws near.Key themes include:Faithfulness under pressureGod’s presence in sufferingThe fourth man in the fireChristmas as “God with us”Why Jesus came and what our deepest need truly isWhether you are facing hardship, exploring Christianity, or reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, this message points us to the hope found in Emmanuel, God with us.

In this episode, we sit down with Tobi Bashiru to hear his story, his work as a health and safety professional, and the ways the Lord has shaped him through faithful service at Calvary Cork. Tobi reflects on lessons learned through behind-the-scenes ministry, discipleship, and how God met him with grace during a season of deep loss and trial.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua stands on the edge of Jericho carrying the weight of leadership, fear, and uncertainty. It is here, in this in between moment, that he meets a mysterious figure with a drawn sword: the Commander of the Lord’s army.In this Advent sermon, Pastor Mike explores how Christ, the true Commander, meets His people in their own liminal spaces. As Joshua discovers, the Lord does not come to take sides but to take charge. He confronts our assumptions, claims our allegiance, and comforts our hearts with His holy presence.We reflect on what this means for followers of Jesus today: how God meets us in seasons of transition, how He refuses to be co-opted into our agendas, and how His presence turns ordinary ground into holy ground. The same One who stood before Joshua with a sword is the One who stepped into the world at Bethlehem, fully God and fully man, to shine light into our darkness.If you are walking through uncertainty, change, or fear, this passage offers deep hope. Christ meets us at the threshold, leads us forward, and reminds us that we never stand on the edge alone.Scripture: Joshua 5:13-15Series: Light in the Darkness – Advent 2025Church: Calvary Cork • https://calvarycork.org

In this follow up conversation to our Advent message on Genesis 32, Mike Neglia is joined by Nick Cady, pastor of White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado, to explore Jacob’s long night of wrestling with God and the meaning of walking with a limp.Together they talk through why God sometimes meets us in seasons of fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion; what a theophany or Christophany actually is; how divine wrestling frees us from self reliance; and why weakness often becomes the place where God’s grace does its deepest work. They also consider how Jacob’s story prepares us for Advent and points to Jesus, who enters our darkness and brings light, hope, and transformation.If you’ve ever felt like you’re struggling spiritually or being pushed beyond your strength, this conversation offers encouragement and insight.God often meets His people most profoundly in the struggle.Watch Nick's sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHcQi3Ilgms

Why would God choose to meet someone in the dark with a fight?In this Advent message from Genesis 32:22-32, Mike Neglia explores Jacob’s long night of wrestling with God – a turning point not only for Jacob’s life, but for anyone who has ever struggled with fear, uncertainty, or exhaustion.Jacob is alone at the Jabbok, out of schemes and out of strength. But in the darkness he discovers a God who comes close, who confronts, who wounds in order to heal, and who gives a new name and a new identity.This message traces the pattern of God’s grace: how He wrestles us out of our self reliance, how He reshapes us through weakness, and how He still meets His people in the places we least expect Him.As Advent begins, Jacob’s story points us forward to Jesus – the God who enters our darkness, who wrestles in Gethsemane, who is pinned to the cross, and who rises to give us His strength and His peace.If you are in a season of struggle, or searching spiritually, this message offers hope:God is often closest when we feel weakest.