Messages

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.

A message from the series “You Matter.” In Nehemiah 9, we find the longest recorded prayer in the Bible—a powerful example of what it looks like to pursue purpose through prayer. Righteous prayer begins with worship, recognizing and celebrating who God is, and it remembers all that He has done, including the ways we have experienced His power, provision, and protection. As we remember God’s faithfulness, we are reminded that His grace gives us what we don’t deserve and His mercy withholds what we do deserve—even when we have been unfaithful to Him. Righteous prayer also leads us to repentance, bringing our sin honestly before God, and ultimately reveals a heart surrendered to His plan for the world and our purpose within it. When we pray with worship, remembrance, repentance, and surrender, we position our hearts to recognize that our purpose isn’t ultimately about us—it’s about joining God in what He is doing in the world.

A message from the series “You Matter.” In Nehemiah 8, we discover that joy isn’t simply a feeling—it can become a habit as we build our lives around God and His people. The people of Israel gathered together for worship, hungry to hear and understand God’s Word, and their hearts were stirred with awe as they encountered Him. They also experienced the power of community and discipleship, where others helped them recognize sin, overcome it, and grow in their faith. Finally, the celebration of the Feast of Booths reminded them that spiritual formation wasn’t meant to stay at church—it was carried into their homes as families practiced their faith together. When we cultivate the habits of corporate worship, spiritual community, and faith at home, we create space for God to renew our hearts and fill our lives with lasting joy.

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.