Messages

A message from the series “Key Questions.” Pastor Christian introduces a five-week series entitled “Key Questions” aimed at equipping believers to articulate their faith, covering topics such as God’s existence, purpose, and the relevance of absolutes in morality amid modern relativism. Drawing on philosophical and scientific perspectives, he discusses the cosmological argument and the implications of the universe’s beginning, culminating in a call for individuals to explore their spiritual questions through community and prayer. Ultimately, Pastor Christian encourages attendees to connect their life experiences with their faith in Jesus, underscoring the significance of understanding one’s divine purpose and the evidence of a higher power evident in everyday life.

A message from the series “Upside Down.” Pastor Christians continues to walk through the book of Acts. The message begins by exploring the profound impact the gospel had on the Jewish people. Paul presents the core of the gospel: Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was rejected by men but is chosen and precious to God, and serves as the cornerstone of salvation (1 Peter 2:4-8). The gospel reveals that we are sinful but loved, unrighteous but brought close to God, and accepted by faith in Christ, not by our own works. Paul emphasizes that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Leader and King, inviting both Jews and Gentiles to place their trust in Him.

The second part of the sermon shifts to Paul’s ministry in Athens, where he is provoked in his spirit by the idols around him. Paul engages in conversations with the Greek philosophers, meeting them where they are in their pursuit of wisdom. His message challenges their worldview and introduces them to the true God revealed through Jesus Christ. Paul’s example encourages believers to feel provoked by the spiritual needs around them, engage in thoughtful conversations about faith, and be rooted in their beliefs in a way that leads them to make a firm decision to follow Christ.

The sermon concludes by urging believers to reflect on the gospel’s message of grace and to prepare for the upcoming sermon series on foundational aspects of faith, such as belief in God, creation, scripture, Jesus, and the resurrection.

A message from the series “Upside Down.” Pastor Christian highlights transformative personal growth within the Philippian church, illustrated through the conversions of key figures like Lydia, a demon-possessed girl, and the jailer. Through the stories of Paul and Silas, who exhibited genuine faith during imprisonment, Pastor Christian emphasizes the significance of discipleship, prayer, and community outreach in fostering deep relationships with Jesus and responding to spiritual calls. The message encourages congregation members to take active steps in their faith journey, participate in church programs like Growth Track, groups, and embrace opportunities for service, while underscoring the collective impact of individual transformations on the wider community.

A message from the series “Upside Down.” In the sermon “Handling Hard Things,” Pastor Christian addresses various themes centered around conflict resolution, spiritual growth , and church unity, drawing insights from Acts chapter 15. Throughout the sermon, he highlights the necessity of maturely navigating conflicts, especially within the church, as early Christians grappled with significant questions about salvation and doctrine. Emphasizing the importance of consensus on core beliefs while encouraging “gracious curiosity” on secondary matters, he promotes respectful dialogue over divisive debates. Pastor Christian reflects on the messy nature of ministry, underscoring God’s continued work amid human imperfections. He concludes with a focus on individual and communal spiritual journeys, urging listeners to prioritize relationships and embrace the ongoing growth of their faith.

A message from the series “Upside Down.” Pastor Christian discusses the church’s various care groups on Monday Nights designed to support congregants facing personal challenges. The sermon highlights the challenges Christians face in expressing their faith amidst societal opposition, reflecting on the internal struggles of fear and insecurity. Pastor Christian emphasizes the significance of General Revelation and Common Grace, illustrating how God’s blessings touch everyone and that true faith involves personal transformation through Jesus. He stresses the importance of church involvement and encouraging faith conversations at home, particularly among parents and grandparents, to nurture the spiritual growth of younger generations. The speaker introduces a new family discipleship approach that includes practical resources for fostering dialogue about faith, along with a catechism project aimed at deepening understanding of core faith principles. Additionally, they urge parents to share their faith experiences openly with their children and encourage attendees to reflect on their familial faith journeys as the new year of ministry approaches. Closing with a prayer of gratitude and a call for support during the week of prayer, the speaker expresses hope for future connections within the church community and a safe winter season for all.

A message from the series “The Story of Hope.” Pastor Christian reflects on Jesus’ role as salvation for the broken, urging individuals to acknowledge their need for God during a season often marked by loneliness and grief. He discuss the importance of rituals in spiritual growth, advocate for regular church attendance, and highlight the value of prayer and commitment to one’s faith. Stories, such as the, moment of a widow finding joy amidst loneliness, are shared to emphasize the message of hope and companionship that Jesus offers. Ultimately, the service encourages everyone to embrace faith, actively seek a deeper relationship with God, and consider the transformative power of recognizing their need for a Savior during the Christmas season.

A message from the series “Standalone Messages.” Pastor Garrett Lahey shares a message on drifting away spiritually and returning back to shore. He asks the audience to think of 2024 and reflect on if they have drifted from God and have not realized it. He shares a personal story about drifting form shore on a lake and how hard he worked to return to family and friends at the shore. He shares that all it takes to to begin your way back to God is to start with prayer. Pastor Garrett shares tips as we enter into 2025 on how to get back to God and reinvigorating your spiritual life.

A message from the series “The Story of Hope.” Pastor Christian emphasizes the significance of Advent in the current series “The Story of Hope,” exploring themes of peace, hope, love, and joy through a relationship with Jesus, while also reflecting on the darker aspects of the Christmas narrative, such as the slaughter of infants depicted in Matthew Chapter 2. This sets the stage for a broader discussion on Israel’s past suffering during Babylonian exile and God’s promise of restoration, articulated through the prophecies of Jeremiah that point to a New Covenant established by Jesus. The message highlights the importance of living authentically as followers of Christ and accepting His grace for transformation. Ultimately, the sermon transitions into a reflection on the Last Supper, celebrating Christ’s perfect sacrifice that brings forgiveness and hope, while concluding with an invitation to upcoming Christmas services and a prayer for blessings.

A message from the series “The Story of Hope.” Pastor Christian continues to walk through the book of Matthew, leading to the birth of Jesus. In this week’s sermon, he compares the Old Testament story of Mosses being a rescued baby who would rescue a Nation to Jesus, a rescued baby who would rescue the world. Pastor Christian reminds us of how much God loves us and demonstrates that through the rescuing of both babies. God continues to reach out to broken and rebellious people. This is His heart, that God would save a baby in order to save the world and He would allow His Son to go to the cross because of how much He loves the world.

A message from the series “The Story of Hope.” Pastor Christian continues in our series on “The Story of Hope.” He reminds us of God’s peace even in troubled times and challenge us to be better than King Herod, who only looked to the Bible in times of trouble. Pastor Christian shares that Jesus is ruler but also a shepherd to his people. He concludes the message by asking three challenging questions: 1. Jesus is King but is he your king?; 2. Jesus is Priest but is he your priest?; 3. Jesus died in place of sinners, did he die in your place?