Messages

A message from the series “You Matter.” In Nehemiah 5, we discover four clues that may reveal when we struggle to believe God cares for us: when we live to advantage ourselves, when we lack a spirit of generosity, when we see ourselves as leaders with servants rather than servant-leaders, and when we question God’s care in ways that remove the fear of God from our lives. When our circumstances are broken, our focus can easily turn inward, but those who trust that their lives are in God’s hands are freed to care for others, live generously, and lead through serving. Ultimately, we only question God’s care when we lose sight of the cross of Jesus. Remembering what Christ has already done for us gives us confidence in God’s love and compels us to live with generosity, humility, and a heart for others.

A message from the series “You Matter.” In this message, we learn from Nehemiah 2–4 and 6 that fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives requires both the right people beside us and the courage to stand against spiritual opposition. Nehemiah could not rebuild Jerusalem’s walls alone—the repeated phrase “next to him” reminds us that our faith and purpose are meant to be lived out in community. While our family is our first spiritual community and our workplace can be a mission field, not everyone around us will care about what God is doing in our lives. At the same time, we must recognize and overcome the spiritual enemies that seek to derail our purpose, including compromise, criticism and cynicism, attacks on our motives, doubt, distraction, and lies.

A message from the series “You Matter.” In the opening message of our You Matter: God’s Plan Includes Your Purpose series, we look at Nehemiah 1–2 and discover that God often reveals our purpose through the things that burden our hearts. Like Nehemiah, we are called to discern our God-given passion through pain, prayer, and paying attention to where God has placed us, then move from prayer to intentional planning and faithful action. As we trust God with the opportunities He provides, prepare for obstacles, and surround ourselves with the right people, we remember that we aren’t just saved by the King—we’ve been invited to serve the King as part of His restoration process in the world.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” In this message, guest pastor Christian Gracia teaches on John 10:11-21, in which we saw Jesus reveal Himself as the Good Shepherd—not just a good shepherd, but the perfect, noble, and genuine Shepherd who lovingly cares for His people. Just as sheep are defenseless, prone to wander, and unable to save themselves, we desperately need a Shepherd who will lead us. Jesus demonstrated what makes Him the Good Shepherd in five ways: He sacrifices by willingly laying down His life to pay the price for our sin, secures us by going before us and leading us through every valley, loves us personally by knowing each of His sheep by name, gathers people from every nation into one unified flock through the gospel, and rules with complete authority, freely laying down His life and taking it up again in His resurrection. The message concluded with a challenge that remains as relevant today as it was then: people will always be divided over Jesus, but the true question is whether we recognize His voice and belong to the Good Shepherd.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” This week, guest pastor Ben Clarke helped us explore the powerful truth of Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Walking through the entire chapter of Romans 8, we were reminded that God has demonstrated His love by removing our condemnation through Christ, giving us new life through His Spirit, adopting us as His children, and promising us an eternal hope that far outweighs our present struggles. Even in seasons of suffering, God is faithfully working all things together for our good—not necessarily our comfort, but our transformation into the likeness of Jesus. Because God is for us, we can live with confidence, freedom, and unwavering trust, knowing that nothing can ultimately stand against His purposes for our lives.

A message from the series “Young Bucks Sunday.” As part of Young Bucks Sunday, we heard from one of our emerging leaders, Pastor Marquel Jacoway. In his message, he reminded us that no matter what obstacles you’re facing, God is not finished with your story. In this message from Philippians 1:6, Marquel Jacoway reminded us that God always completes what He starts. Even when life feels paused, painful, or uncertain, God is still at work—shaping us to become more like Jesus through the process of sanctification and bringing good out of difficult circumstances. Health challenges, loss, divorce, career changes, and other setbacks may seem like the end, but from God’s eternal perspective, they are often part of His ongoing work in our lives. Whatever you’re walking through today, be encouraged: your obstacle is not your ending—God is still writing your story.

A message from the series “Young Bucks Sunday.” As part of Young Bucks Sunday, we heard from one of our emerging leaders, Jack Noernberg. In the opening of Jonah, we see that God’s call often confronts the things we treasure most. Although Israel was experiencing peace, prosperity, and success, their hearts had drifted far from God, reminding us that His blessings are meant to fuel His mission, not replace it. Jonah’s attempt to run from God’s calling also reveals that our disobedience can never disrupt God’s plans—He continues pursuing His purposes and His people despite our flaws. Ultimately, the story of Jonah points to a God who relentlessly pursues those who are far from Him, offering hope to anyone who recognizes their need for His grace and is willing to turn back to Him.

A message from the series “Young Bucks Sunday.” As part of Young Bucks Sunday, we heard from one of our emerging leaders, Noah Adams. In this message from Mark 8:34–38, we were challenged to embrace the countercultural way of Jesus by choosing the cross before the crown. Rather than pursuing comfort, success, or self-fulfillment, Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. True discipleship means surrendering our own desires, trusting God’s purposes even through suffering, and valuing Christ above everything this world has to offer. Because Jesus first took the road to the cross for us, we can confidently follow His example, knowing that lasting life, joy, and purpose are found not in living for ourselves, but in giving our lives fully to His kingdom.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” In this message, Pastor Garrett Lahey walks us through a study of Luke 13:6–9. He explores the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, revealing God’s heart for people through His incredible patience. While God desires lives that bear the fruit of devotion, Jesus, our compassionate Vinedresser, continually intercedes and works to cultivate hearts, giving people more time to respond to His grace. Because Christ was patient with us, we are called to patiently share Jesus with others, faithfully sowing seeds of the gospel and trusting God with the harvest. We learn that, regardless of someone’s past, hostility, or resistance, we never know what God may do in the time He has graciously given—making every opportunity to share Christ one worth pursuing.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In the final message of our How to Start Over series, we see that when God moves from being our priority to the perimeter of our lives, we naturally drift from His purpose and toward sin. Ezra reminds us that the path back begins with both lament and repentance, while the gospel assures us that Jesus has done what we could never do ourselves. No matter the wreckage sin leaves behind, Christ offers forgiveness, restoration, and the hope of belonging in God’s family.