Messages

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” This Volunteer Appreciation Weekend, we’re reminded that serving others is a big part of living the good life. Psalm 84 shows us that serving God gives us strength for the journey, purpose through the valleys, and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. When we show up to serve, God can use even our hardest seasons and deepest tears to plant seeds of the gospel in someone else’s heart. Volunteering isn’t just about filling a spot or getting a job done; it’s about being part of what God is doing in the world. As we stay close to Jesus and serve alongside His people, we discover that the good life is found in a life poured out for Him and others.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” During Global Impact Weekend, Pastor Christian and Danielle sat down with Pastor Cyrus Mad-Bondo from World Help to explore how we can each make a difference around the world through three simple actions: Pray, Give, and Go. We can pray for Christians facing persecution, for children in developing countries, and for nations to come to know Jesus. We can give through opportunities like child sponsorships, helping provide education, meet basic needs, and share the hope of the Gospel. And some of us are called to go, answering the Great Commission by serving alongside international churches and ministries. Whether it’s a short-term mission trip or a longer commitment, we all have a part to play in being the hands and feet of Jesus and making an eternal impact around the world.

A message from the series “The Tension.” In the final message of our series, “The Tension: God and Money,” we explore Malachi 4 and the promise that God’s righteousness brings both judgment and healing. While the world may measure success by what we have, God calls us to honor Him above all, trusting that obedience is better than stuff and that His commands are not burdensome, even when they’re difficult. The promised “sun of righteousness” points us to Jesus, whose healing and hope are greater than anything this world can offer. And when we choose to live generously, we do more than demonstrate our own faith—we show the next generation that Jesus is worth it!

A message from the series “The Tension.” In message five of our series “The Tension: God and Money,” we explored how our generosity testifies to the world about the work God is doing in our hearts. In Malachi 3, God calls His people to allow Him to refine their hearts, exposing motives that keep them from living generously, including greed, entitlement, selfishness, pride, and misplaced trust in money. These warnings are not meant to condemn us, but to prepare us for true worship and to make us witnesses of what life with the King looks like. As followers of Jesus, we are blessed to bless others, and when we give in a way that honors God, we help mobilize His mission around the world. Our generosity is more than a financial transaction; it is an act of worship and a testimony to God’s goodness, revealing a heart that trusts Him and desires to see His Kingdom bring Him glory.

A message from the series “The Tension.” In “The Warfare of Giving,” we explore the tension between God and money and the spiritual battles that can keep us from trusting God with our generosity. Through Malachi 3, we’re challenged to examine what our hearts tell us about money, whether we trust God’s principles of rest and provision, and whether we are faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. We learn that as belief shapes behavior and behavior reinforces belief, practicing generosity can deepen our trust in God and bring greater peace to every area of life.

A message from the series “The Tension.” In Week 3 of our “The Tension” series, we explore the connection between generosity and worship through Malachi 3:6–10. God desires a relationship with His people marked by love, honor, and trust, yet the people of Judah had drifted from Him—and their approach to giving revealed that drift. Looking at the examples of Abraham and Jacob, we see that giving was never simply about a percentage; it was an expression of worship and a tangible response to who God is. This message challenges us to consider whether our generosity reflects a willing heart that trusts God and invites us to see giving not merely as an obligation, but as an opportunity to worship Him.

A message from the series “The Tension.” In week two of “The Tension” series, we explore the tension between scarcity and provision and ask the challenging question: When what I have doesn’t feel like enough, will I trust God to provide? A scarcity mindset tells us we’ll never have enough, while a provision mindset trusts that God will faithfully provide what we need. Generosity isn’t ultimately about how much money we give—it’s about how much we trust God. When we choose to give from faith rather than fear, putting God first instead of giving only what’s left over, we make room to experience His provision and see Him multiply what we place in His hands.

A message from the series “The Tension.” In the first message of “The Tension,” we look at Malachi 1–2 and discover how easily we can misunderstand God’s heart when it comes to generosity. Many of us want a God who rules the world, but we struggle with a God who wants to rule our hearts. Yet God desires to be great first and foremost in the hearts of His people—and the condition of our hearts is revealed in the spirit with which we give. In this message, we also explore the responsibility of spiritual leaders to faithfully teach God’s people what it means to worship Him, including through our giving. Ultimately, generosity isn’t just about what we put in an offering; it’s about whether God truly has first place in our hearts.

A message from the series “You Matter.” As Journey celebrated 15 years, we were reminded that God’s work in us is meant to become a lifetime of worship through service. In Nehemiah 10–13, we see how easily our worship can wane when we lose sight of our purpose, and we’re challenged to remain faithful to what God has called us to build, protect, and steward. As we look toward the next 15 years, we commit ourselves to making room for those far from God, growing our impact locally and globally, and continuing to be a church that lives on mission. Ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to build a great church—it’s to remain faithful to the One we worship.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” In this message on 1 Samuel 7, we’re reminded that God was never meant to be a good-luck charm we reach for when life gets difficult. Through the story of Samuel and Israel in 1 Samuel 7:3, we discover that God doesn’t just desire more from us—He has more for us. He desires a real, heart-level relationship with us, not simply our attention when we need something. And when we choose to turn our hearts toward Him, we discover that He is not distant or uninvolved—He is our helper, ready to lead, strengthen, and work in our lives. God isn’t looking for a place on the sidelines; He wants to be at the center of our lives.