Messages

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Pastor Christian announces the upcoming summer teaching series, “Unlikely Converts,” focusing on Acts chapters 9 through 12. He reflects on the previous series, “Growing Pains,” and the brokenness within the church. Pastor Christian emphasizes the importance of trusting and obeying God, using the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch as an example. He encourages listeners to hear God’s voice by engaging in scripture, prayer, spiritual community, and trusting their gut (only in when in that order). Pastor Christian also emphasizes the importance of sharing faith with others and offering help and support. He discusses the relationship between individuals and the gospel and encourages the audience to reflect on their own spiritual journey and those around them being drawn to Jesus.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Pastor Marcellus Casey, one of our teaching pastors, Joined us and shared Biblical examples to caution against seeking power through unauthorized means and emphasizes the importance of humility and surrender. Using examples from the Israelites in the desert, King Saul, John the Baptist, and Simon the Sorcerer, Marcellus warns against desiring power for personal gain and exploitation. He encourages listeners to trust in God’s provision and act on His timeline, rather than relying on personal performance or abilities. Marcellus also emphasizes the significance of having a pure heart and a legitimate relationship with God to access His power.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Pastor Christian reflects on the church’s journey through Acts 5-8 and draws parallels between the early Christian church and the story of Noah in Genesis. He emphasizes that Christians should not resist God’s plan and instead embrace the opportunities for growth that come from hardships. He also discusses the importance of acknowledging death and aging, and the role they play in Christian growth. Pastor Christian encourages the audience to take Jesus beyond the church walls and share their faith experiences, emphasizing the importance of personal cleansing and faithfulness in spreading the gospel.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Pastor Christian Gracia reflects on the growth of the church and how it relates to the Church of Acts. He shares the story of Stephen in Acts 7, who delivered a sermon in the face of opposition. Christian encourages the church to build bridges with those who hold different viewpoints, using the example of Joseph and Moses, who faced opposition but were used by God for His purposes. He emphasizes that God’s presence and activity are not limited to a specific time or place and that we are the temple collectively and individually. Christian also discusses how the persecution of Stephen led to the spread of Christianity to new regions and encourages the congregation to learn from Stephen’s message, emphasizing the importance of building bridges, persevering through hardships, and relying on God’s grace.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” In the “Painful Progress” Pastor Christian shares personal experiences and biblical stories to emphasize the importance of addressing problems within the church and staying engaged in spiritual growth. He encourages the congregation to remember that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life and can lead to growth if we don’t quit. Pastor Christian references the early Christian Church in Acts, sharing stories of how problems were addressed and solved, leading to the growth and organization of the movement. He also emphasizes the importance of prayer, service, and understanding one’s role in the church. The sermon focuses on a problem that arose in a local church and how it was solved, teaching valuable lessons about handling spiritual tension during growth.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Marcellus Casey, one of our teaching pastors and Kansas City Chief’s Chaplin continues in our Growing Pains Series. He shares personal stories and biblical references to encourage the audience to remain open to God’s work during periods of waiting, anger, and persecution. He discusses the importance of understanding historical contexts and the power of God’s grace and compassion. Marcellus uses examples from the Bible to illustrate the consequences of waiting and acting in one’s own way. He also shares his own experiences of football and financial struggles to emphasize the rewards of perseverance and faithfulness. Throughout the message, Marcellus encourages the audience to share their faith, trust in God’s power, and find joy in the challenges they face for His name.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Using examples from the Bible, such as Daniel and the apostles, Pastor Christian emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God. The speaker also touches on the spiritual implications of Jesus being the Messiah for various groups in ancient Israel and the reliability of the Christian faith’s scripture, particularly in the areas of science and history. He encourages humility, faith, and a focus on the transformative nature of the Christian life, which can be offensive to some. Pastor Christian invites the audience to reflect on their faith and develop a growing faith through the midst of growing pains.

A message from the series “Growing Pains.” Pastor Christian explores the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts chapter 5 as an example of the challenges and negative aspects of spiritual growth. He introduces a new sermon series called “Growing Pains,” which will delve into the importance of having a deep spiritual commitment and being aware of the spiritual battles taking place in one’s life. Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early Christian church, are presented as individuals motivated by their reputation and self-interest, who lied about the sale of their property and donated only a portion of the proceeds to the apostles. Their deceit led to their sudden deaths, serving as a reminder of the seriousness of living in accordance with God’s will and the consequences of disobedience. Pastor Christian also discusses the historical context of God’s kingdom movements on Earth, connecting the Old and New Covenants and emphasizing the importance of recognizing God’s attempts to get our attention when we stray from His will. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own spiritual lives, emphasizing the importance of repentance and the potential consequences of unrepentant sin.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” During our Easter service, Pastor Christian discusses the significance of Easter and the importance of understanding the Easter message every day of one’s life. The early Christian church and the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection are also explored. The concepts of special and general Revelation and God’s forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice are discussed. Pastor Christian reflects on the value of specific moments during the Easter story, such as Jesus’ cry of despair on the cross and His resurrection. The congregation is encouraged to let go of their burdens and trust Jesus, with baptism being introduced as a metaphorical way to start anew. The resurrection is emphasized as a source of hope and proof of life after death.

A message from the series “The Power and the Pressure of a Jesus Movement.” In the “The Barnabas Effect” Pastor Christian explores the significance of the Hebrew words “hallelujah” and “Hosanna” during Palm Sunday celebrations and encourages spiritual patience and trust in God’s way and timing. He also shares anecdotes about the unity and generosity of the early Christian church in Acts 4, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and evangelism from a Hebrew perspective. Pastor Christian encourages listeners to reflect on their belongings and their role in sharing the gospel, emphasizing the importance of baptism as a public declaration of faith. He also encourages putting others first, inspired by the character of Barnabas, and living a life focused on the Kingdom of God.