Messages

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In this message, we studied how Zechariah 9 promised that Israel’s King would come—but not in the way anyone expected. This message explored how Jesus fulfilled that prophecy, bringing victory not through military power, but by defeating sin and death through His faithfulness. Because of what Christ has done, God’s people are rescued not only from something, but for something: to love God, lead their families toward Him, and serve others. Jesus is different than expected—and far better than we could imagine.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In this message, we dig into Zechariah 4, where God reminds His people that His purposes are accomplished not through human strength or ability, but through the power of His Spirit. The vision of the lampstand points to God’s desire for His people to reflect His light in the world, while the rebuilding of the temple demonstrates His faithfulness to complete the work He begins. Ultimately, this passage points to Jesus—the true Light of the world and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. We’re reminded that followers of Christ are called to trust God’s power, embrace continual growth, and faithfully shine His light wherever He has placed them.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In this message, we explore Zechariah 3 and the powerful truth that God offers a do-over through His grace. Like Joshua the high priest standing before God in filthy garments, we all stand guilty because of our sin and fall short of God’s standard. No amount of effort, good intentions, or self-improvement can clean us up enough to earn God’s acceptance. Yet the beauty of the gospel is that God does for us what we could never do for ourselves—He removes our guilt, covers our shame, and gives us a fresh start. Through His grace, God invites us to stop striving to make ourselves worthy and instead receive the forgiveness, cleansing, and new life that only He can provide.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In this message, we look at how God meets us in the middle of what feels ruined, delayed, or impossible to rebuild. Through the words of the prophet Zechariah, we’re reminded that God’s call is always an invitation to return to Him—and with that return comes restoration, mercy, and hope. Even when opposition and resistance rise up against us, God sees, God moves, and God fights for His people. No matter how broken things may seem, God is still in the business of rebuilding lives, restoring hearts, and accomplishing His purposes.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In this week’s message, we look at the prophetic messages of Haggai and Zechariah and how God calls His people to realign their priorities when life becomes crowded and spiritually distracted. The message also emphasizes the importance of receiving and responding to the Word of God and remembering that God has not forgotten His promises. Ultimately, this message points to the unshakable promise of God fulfilled through Jesus—that we now work from His presence, not for it.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” In this weekend’s special Mother’s Day message, we were all challenged us to consider what it looks like to lead others spiritually through surrender, presence, and service. Looking at the example of Mary, we were reminded that spiritual leadership begins with surrendering the people we love to God and trusting Jesus with their lives and futures. We also saw that one of the most powerful ways to lead spiritually is simply to show up consistently—Mary’s leadership could be summed up with the phrase, “she was there.” Finally, we were encouraged to serve others spiritually by learning to see and calm the heart: asking thoughtful questions, praying with people, and continually pointing them back to Jesus.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In Ezra 5–6, we see that when spiritual opposition rises, God often provides spiritual support through the right people. Zerubbabel and Jeshua’s circumstances hadn’t changed, but everything shifted when faithful friends stepped in—people grounded in God’s Word, living under His authority, and actively encouraging His mission. This passage also reminds us of the Bible’s central theme: God’s deep desire to be with His people, our sin that separated us, and His gracious plan to restore that relationship through His unfolding Kingdom—already present, but not yet complete. As we continue the work God has given us, we’re invited to recognize our spiritual weakness and depend more fully on the Holy Spirit by surrendering our time, motives, and pursuit of holiness. Ultimately, the rebuilt temple points forward to Jesus—the true and resurrected Temple—through whom God’s presence now dwells within His people, offering the final and perfect substitute for our sin.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In Ezra 4:1–5, we see that God’s opportunities almost always come with opposition, often in the form of fear, frustration, and discouragement. Rather than compromising or blending in, we’re called to live with bold conviction, trusting that God’s work is accomplished by His Spirit, not our strength. Opposition may come through distractions, bribes, or roadblocks, but what the enemy intends for harm, God uses for good. Even when progress feels paused, it’s still purposeful—an invitation to be still in God’s presence, trust His provision, and rely on His power, knowing that whatever He’s called us to do, He will equip us to carry through.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” Focusing on Ezra 3, the message “Don’t Stay Stuck” reminds us that starting over isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we think and how we act. As God’s people returned and rebuilt, they embraced healthy spiritual perspectives, remembering that God makes all things new, invites reflection and repentance, covers sin, and calls us toward a promised future. As they worked to rebuild the temple, they also reestablished daily practices that foster real relationship with God—through cleansing, time in His Word, prayer, dependence, and gratitude—because His desire has always been to dwell among His people, not just receive religious activity. Even when starting over comes with pain from what’s been lost, we’re invited to move forward by anchoring our lives in rhythms that keep us close to Him.

A message from the series “How to Start Over.” In the first message of our “How to Start Over” series, we begin with Ezra 1–2, which reminds us that the faithfulness of God makes a fresh beginning possible, even for broken people in broken situations. Through promised hope and fulfilled prophecy, we see that God was already working toward Israel’s restoration, showing that even discipline carries a redemptive purpose. The diverse list of people involved in Israel’s return to their land—leaders like Zerubbabel, priests, Levites, and servants—reveals that starting over isn’t just personal, but communal, as everyone has a role in God’s rebuilding work. Ultimately, this passage points forward to Jesus, who makes the truest “starting over” possible; when sin is the root problem, He is the complete answer, inviting us to acknowledge what’s broken, return to Him in worship, and step back into His Kingdom purpose.