Forward Church

In this message, “Behold the Man,” Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks through John 18:38–19:6 (ESV) and explores one of the most sobering realities in Scripture: you can stand face-to-face with truth and still walk away unchanged. Pilate recognized Jesus’ innocence, publicly declared Him guiltless, and examined Him personally—yet he still resisted surrender. Why? Because knowing the truth and obeying the truth are not the same thing.

Through...

In this Mother’s Day message, Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks through 2 Timothy 1:3–7 and explores how godly generations are formed through intentional discipleship, faithful presence, and courageous faith. Looking at the example of Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, this sermon shows that the faith that lasts is not built accidentally, but cultivated over years of prayer, consistency, authenticity, and spiritual investment...

In this message from John 18:28–38 (ESV), Pastor Bogdan Kipko explores what happens when truth stands right in front of us—and we still miss it. Pilate comes face-to-face with Jesus, hears the truth clearly, recognizes His innocence, and yet still rejects Him. This sermon reveals a sobering reality: you don’t reject Jesus all at once—you pawn Him off, play Him down, or postpone Him. Through powerful illustrations and real-life appl...

What happens when your faith fails under pressure? And what does Jesus do when you fall apart?

In this powerful message from John 18:12–27 titled “The Two Fires,” Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks verse-by-verse through Peter’s denial of Jesus and reveals a sobering truth: we don’t deny Jesus all at once—we drift from Him step by step. From following at a distance, to warming by the wrong fire, to ultimately denying Christ under pressure, t...

What does John 18:1–11 reveal about Jesus when everything looks out of control? In this powerful sermon, we see that Jesus is not a victim—but fully sovereign over His suffering. In How To Survive Suffering, Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks verse-by-verse through John 18:1–11 and uncovers a stunning truth: even in the moment of His arrest, Jesus is completely in control. From the garden of Gethsemane to the betrayal of Judas, this message...

What does Jesus actually want for His church? In John 17:20–26, we hear Jesus pray—and what He asks for might challenge everything we expect about faith, unity, and purpose.

In this message, The Church Jesus Dreamed Of, Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks through Jesus’ final prayer and reveals a powerful truth: true unity doesn’t come from shared preferences, but from a shared relationship with God. This sermon explores how we’ve been shaped...

In this powerful Easter message titled “From Doubt To Devotion,” Pastor Bogdan Kipko walks us through John 20:24-29, focusing on the familiar yet often misunderstood story of Thomas. While many label him “Doubting Thomas,” the sermon reveals a more nuanced picture: a courageous and honest disciple whose journey began not with doubt, but with distance from the gathered disciples. Pastor Bogdan traces Thomas’s path through four movem...

In this powerful Good Friday message, Pastor Bogdan Kipko unpacks Romans 3:9–26, where the Apostle Paul delivers a devastating courtroom indictment against the entire human race. Both Jews and Gentiles stand equally “under sin,” with no one righteous, no one seeking God, and every mouth silenced by the law. Paul exposes sin not merely as bad actions, but as a deep, enslaving condition of rebellion against God — corruption that pois...

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 ch...

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 ...

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 v...

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 mou...

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’ fo...

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 y...

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 ca...

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 Hero...

Have you ever wondered how God works through life's unexpected turns? Pastor Bogdan unveils the profound story of Joseph, Christmas's unsung hero—a young carpenter whose dreams were shattered when he discovered Mary's pregnancy. Through Joseph's quiet strength and unwavering obedience, we witness how God transforms crisis into divine purpose. This powerful message reveals that true faithfulness isn't about ...

Have you ever felt lost, searching for direction in a world full of competing paths? Pastor Bogdan illuminates Jesus's profound declaration "I am the way, the truth, and the life" as more than mere guidance—it's an invitation to relationship. Through vivid illustrations of hospitality and navigation, he reveals how Jesus doesn't just show us the way; He is the way. Drawing from John 14, Pastor Bogdan unpack...

What does it mean to be truly transformed by God's love? In Pastor Bogdan's powerful message from John 13, he unveils how Jesus's radical grace operates contrary to worldly expectations. Drawing from Peter's story of denial and restoration, he illustrates how Christ's love precedes our performance rather than depending on it. Through vivid examples—from the prodigal son's celebration to his personal ex...