Steve, Rich, and Sarah are back this week to tackle a deeply personal and often controversial topic: IVF. What is IVF? IVF, short for in vitro fertilization, is a process of fertilization where eggs and sperm are combined in a lab to create an embryo, which is then placed in the uterus in hopes of beginning a pregnancy. Technology and science has become so advanced that people can now “artificially” make babies. On the surface, IVF can seem like a beautiful gift—especially for those walking through the pain and heartbreak of infertility. That struggle is very real, and for anyone who has gone through this process, or was born through it, know this: your life is deeply valuable because you are made in the image of God. But IVF also raises serious ethical and spiritual questions. Steve and Rich explore some of these, especially the concern that many embryos are often created, but not all are used—leaving some to be frozen indefinitely or even destroyed. IVF itself isn’t inherently wrong, but what happens to the unused embryos is a heavy decision and important issue. How should Christians think about IVF? How do we navigate these topics and modern technology in a way that’s consistent with God’s Word? Join us for this important conversation as we wrestle with the complexity of IVF with both compassion and conviction.

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Steve's January 2025 sermon on IVF

Additional resources on IVF:

The Case for Life by Scott Klusendorf

How IVF Is Changing Our View of Human Beings

The Tragic Consequences of the IVF Industry

Moral Factors to Take into Account if You're Considering IVF

The Black Box of IVF

Interested in studying Greek with Rich? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com.

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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY! Resurrection Sunday is the most important day of the year! In fact, when you really think about it, every day since the original resurrection has been a kind of resurrection day—because those who follow Jesus live in the light of that defining moment.

Today’s final Passion Week Devotional on the Resident Strangers podcast centers on John 20:1–9 (NASB). Verse 8 stands out as a powerful culmination of everything Jesus had been teaching before the crucifixion. In this moment, we see the fulfillment of promises spoken across centuries—promises that affirm Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be. His victory over death offers us unshakable hope and the assurance that He truly saves.

Rich also draws from 1 Corinthians 15 and the book of 1 John to explore the lasting significance of the resurrection in the life of every Christ follower today.

This Easter at Desert Springs, come celebrate the victorious hope of Jesus! We’d love to see you at one of our services happening today.

Easter Weekend

April 20th | 6:00 AM (Sunrise Service in the Pavilion), 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM + 11:00 AM

14440 W. Indian School Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85395

Visit dscchurch.com for more information

If today’s devotional encourages you, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with others.

Today’s episode of the Resident Strangers podcast reflects on Silent Saturday—the day between Good Friday and Easter. It’s a day that often goes unnoticed, but it’s one filled with deep significance.

Have you ever paused to consider what that day must have felt like for Jesus’ followers? We have the privilege of knowing how the story ends—but they didn’t. They were left in the silence, wrestling with grief, doubt, and uncertainty.

Scripture paints a picture of Jesus’ followers gathered together, processing their despair and clinging to fragile hope. Would the resurrection really come? Was everything Jesus said true?

Silent Saturday reminds us of the power of community—especially in seasons of waiting, sorrow, or confusion. Many of us have walked through our own “silent Saturdays”—a devastating diagnosis, a loss, financial hardship, or heartbreak. And in those moments, community in Christ becomes a lifeline.

But the beauty of Silent Saturday is that it points us forward. God is always faithful to His promises. The silence wasn’t the end. Resurrection was coming.

We hope you’ll join us tomorrow for Devotional 9 as we continue our journey through Passion Week.

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This Easter at Desert Springs, come celebrate the victorious hope of Jesus! We’d love to see you at one (or more!) of our special services happening throughout the weekend.

Easter Weekend

• April 19th | 3:30 PM + 5:00 PM

• April 20th | 6:00 AM (Sunrise Service in the Pavilion), 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM + 11:00 AM

Visit dscchurch.com for more information