Posts with the category “life-groups”

The sermon focuses on the story of Jochebed, Moses' mother, from Exodus 1-2, highlighting the power of maternal influence and faith. Through Jochebed's courage to hide Moses and trust God's plan, we see how one mother's faithfulness helped shape one of the most important figures in biblical history. The message emphasizes how mothers can have world-changing impact through their faith and dedicatio...  Read More

Pastor Neil delivers a powerful message about moving to the next level in our spiritual journey, using Jeremiah 12:5 as the key text. He challenges believers to stop being content with the status quo and embrace God's call to 'run with horses' - representing a higher level of faith, responsibility, and spiritual maturity. The sermon emphasizes that promotion doesn't always look like promotion, and...  Read More

In this sermon, part of a series on the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Bill focuses on Jesus's teachings about treasure and worry from Matthew 6. The message emphasizes three key aspects of treasure: where we store it, how we view it, and whether we serve it. Jesus teaches that we should store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, and that we cannot serve both God and money. The sermon also ad...  Read More

This Easter sermon emphasizes moving beyond religious tradition to experiencing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Bill stresses that Easter represents more than just cultural celebrations - it commemorates Jesus' death and resurrection as historical events that enable people today to know God personally, receive healing, and find purpose. He uses both scriptural evidence and contem...  Read More

This week Pastor Lisa discusses Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, focusing on his choice to ride a donkey rather than a war horse - symbolizing his humility and peaceful intentions. The sermon emphasizes how God often chooses humble, ordinary vessels (like the donkey) to carry out His purposes, drawing parallels to how Christians today are called to carry Christ's presence int...  Read More

"How to Change Your World" This week's sermon focuses on Jesus's teaching from the Sermon on the Mount where He calls His followers to be 'salt and light' in the world. Pastor Bill emphasizes that Christians are called to be in the world but not of it - maintaining their distinct identity while positively influencing those around them. Through various examples including Dwight L. Moody, Billy Grah...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Dr. Shuler explains how these teachings provide insights into living a blessed and abundant life, describing them as 'beautiful attitudes' or 'be happy attitudes.' He emphasizes that true happiness comes from God and is deeper than temporary pleasures, contrasting with declining happiness rates in modern soc...  Read More

The sermon focuses on Daniel chapter 3, specifically the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing the fiery furnace. Pastor Julie draws parallels between their experience as exiles in Babylon and modern Christians navigating challenging circumstances while maintaining their our. She emphasizes how these men refused to compromise their beliefs even when faced with death, choosing to trust Go...  Read More

This week's sermon discusses the biblical story of Jesus calling Peter and other fishermen to be his disciples, found in Luke 5:1-11. Pastor Bill uses this narrative to encourage believers not to give up on their spiritual aspirations and dreams, even when they feel they've exhausted all possibilities. He emphasizes how Jesus met the fishermen in their everyday work environment and transformed the...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on the story of Elisha and the widow's oil from 2 Kings 4. Through this narrative, Pastor Bill emphasizes how God uses what we already have to create miracles in our lives, rather than requiring something new. The message highlights the importance of not limiting God's blessings and being obedient to His calling, while also addressing how God can use our past experiences...  Read More

This week's sermon discusses the concept of 'ministering in the opposite spirit' - responding to negative situations with positive, counterintuitive responses that reflect God's character. Using the example of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and their acquisition of the Pacific Empress Hotel through generosity, Dave Buehring illustrates how operating in the opposite spirit can transform situations and...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on spiritual motivation and rewards in our Christian faith. Pastor Bill discusses both horizontal (earthly) and vertical (divine) motivators, emphasizing that true spiritual passion comes from a genuine relationship with God rather than external performance. He explores various enemies of spiritual passion, such as complacency and erosion of spiritual disciplines, while ...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on the importance of encouragement in today's world and our dual role as both recipients and givers of encouragement. Pastor Bill emphasizes that while we all face moments of discouragement and self-doubt, our hope should be placed in God rather than worldly things. He uses various biblical examples and historical references to illustrate how encouragement can transform ...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on discovering and living out God's calling in our lives. Before we're called to do something, we're first called to someone - God. Using the story from 2 Kings 6:1-7 about a lost axe head that miraculously floated, Pastor Bill draws parallels between losing one's 'cutting edge' in faith and the importance of reclaiming our effectiveness for God's kingdom. The message en...  Read More

Pastor Bill began this week emphasizing the power of faith and community in times of tragedy and loss. He briefly recounted the story of a family in our church who experienced the loss of their unborn child and how their faith and the support of their community helped them through this difficult time. This week's sermon highlighted the importance of serving others and using our unique gifts and ex...  Read More

This week Pastor Bill emphasized the importance of community and relationships within the church, highlighting that we are 'better together.' He draws on biblical examples of meaningful relationships, such as Ruth and Naomi, Jonathan and David, and Paul and Barnabas, to illustrate how God uses connections to fulfill His purposes. The message encourages believers to be intentional about forming dee...  Read More

The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a year filled with faith in 2025, aiming to become more like Jesus by the year's end. It challenges believers to be steadfast in their faith, immersed in the Word of God, and effective ambassadors for Christ. The message highlights the need for intentional discipleship, urging believers to go beyond admiration of God's work to active participation. Ke...  Read More

This week Pastor Lisa emphasizes the importance of spiritual and emotional maturity as we enter a new year. Her sermon encourages believers to be intentional in their daily devotion to God, recognizing that spiritual growth requires discipline and consistency. Maturity does not come with age but through intentional actions and a genuine faith. Let us prayerfully consider how we might integrate our...  Read More

In this first sermon of 2025, Pastor Bill emphasizes the importance of starting a new year with faith, viewing each year as a building block in God's larger narrative. He encourages believers to place their faith in God rather than in worldly things, using biblical examples like Abraham, Noah, and Esther to illustrate faith in action. The sermon highlights that faith is not just belief but involve...  Read More

This week's sermon reflects on the journey of faith and the importance of staying focused on God's will. Special guest Mark Six shares his personal experiences from mission trips and church planting, emphasizing the significance of being in the will of God. The message highlights the necessity of faith in overcoming life's challenges and fulfilling our divine purpose. We consider Jesus' commitment...  Read More

This week Pastor Bill emphasizes the epic nature of the Christmas story, highlighting the fulfillment of 332 messianic prophecies about Jesus Christ. The sermon explores the struggle between good and evil, the silence of God between the Old and New Testaments, and the personal nature of God's plan for salvation through Jesus. The message encourages believers to see their lives as part of God's lar...  Read More

This week our sermon reflects on the Christmas story, focusing on the key figures of Joseph and Mary. It highlights the importance of their roles in the birth of Jesus and how their obedience and faithfulness to God's plan were crucial. The narrative emphasizes that God uses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary purposes, and it challenges us to be open to God's calling in our lives, just a...  Read More

This week Pastor Bill's sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities, or 'Kairos moments,' in our lives. Drawing from biblical stories, particularly the story of David and Goliath, the message highlights how God presents us with moments that require wisdom and courage to act upon. These moments are contrasted with 'Kronos time,' which is the regular passage of time. Th...  Read More

This week's sermon focused on the theme of gratitude, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of thankfulness. Pastor Julie shared personal experiences and biblical stories, such as the ten lepers and King David, to illustrate the significance of gratitude. The message encourages us to close the 'gratitude gap' by practicing gratitude in practical ways, such as remembering God's past...  Read More

This week's sermon emphasizes the importance of gratitude, especially as we approach Thanksgiving. Pastor Bill highlights how being thankful to God can transform our lives, making us healthier, happier, and more connected to others. The sermon draws on biblical examples, such as David and the ten lepers, to illustrate how gratitude can change our perspective and bring us closer to God. It challeng...  Read More

Pastor Bill's sermon addressed the role of the church in times of national division and conflict, emphasizing the importance of unity, trust in God's plan, and the church's responsibility to be peacemakers. We reflect on historical conflicts, both national and personal, and Pastor Bill draws parallels to current societal divisions. The message encourages believers to rise above conflict, embody hu...  Read More

Pastor Bill's sermon emphasized the power of unity and prayer in the body of Christ, drawing from Acts 1:14 where the early church gathered in one accord, awaiting the Holy Spirit. The story highlights the importance of coming together as believers, not just in physical presence but in heart and purpose, to align with God's will and see His power manifest in our lives and communities. The message ...  Read More

Pastor Bill's sermon delves into the life and heart of King David, emphasizing his unique relationship with God as depicted in the Psalms. It highlights David's ability to praise God in both high and low moments, showcasing his awe and reverence for God's sovereignty. Pastor Bill also explored the concept of God's sovereignty, emphasizing that God is in control of all things, from the grandest eve...  Read More

This week Pastor Bill emphasized the importance of wisdom and discernment in our lives, drawing from the story of David's anointing as king. It highlights how God has a unique plan for each of us, and we should rise to fulfill our divine assignments with faith and obedience. The sermon also discusses the dual nature of wisdom as both the ability to discern between good and evil and the knowledge o...  Read More

Sharing your faith with friends can feel daunting, but it is a vital part of being a Christian. It allows you to spread the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, impacting both your life and the lives of those around you. When you share your faith, you not only strengthen your relationship with God but also help others discover the joy and peace that come from knowing Him.Telling friends about your ...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on the importance of being rooted and established in love, particularly the love of God, which is foundational for our lives. Pastor Bill shares personal stories to illustrate the impact of a parent's love and how it reflects the heavenly Father's love. He emphasizes that understanding and experiencing God's love can bring healing and wholeness, transforming how we live ...  Read More

This week's sermon challenges us to reconsider how we approach God, urging us to seek Him for who He is rather than for what He can provide. Pastor Lisa emphasized the importance of understanding God's attributes and seeking a personal relationship with Him. By wonders of creation like the hummingbird, we can see God's intricate design and creativity, which should inspire us to pursue Him wholehea...  Read More

This week's sermon reflects on the blessings and generosity experienced by our church community, emphasizing the importance of giving and investing in God's kingdom. Pastor Bill shares personal stories of generosity, illustrating the principle that 'you can't outgive God.' The message encourages believers to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, highlighting the spiritual maturity tha...  Read More

This week's sermon emphasizes the constancy of change in our world and contrasts it with the unchanging nature of God. Through various historical and biblical examples, Pastor Bill illustrates how God's character, promises, and power remain steadfast despite the ever-changing circumstances around us. The message encourages believers to trust in God's immutability and to seek a deeper relationship ...  Read More

This week's sermon reflects on the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and service in the Christian life. Pastor Bill shares personal anecdotes from his time at Oral Roberts University and emphasizes the impact of small acts of service on the larger mission of God's kingdom. The message encourages believers to throw themselves into the work of the Lord, using their unique gifts, time, and resou...  Read More

Learn why church matters, how to fit it into a busy schedule, and overcome challenges to regular attendance. Discover the benefits of church.  Read More

This week's sermon focused on the theme of readiness and being prepared for God's calling in our lives. Pastor Jeff used various biblical stories, including those of Abraham, Moses, David, and the parable of the ten virgins, to illustrate how God calls us repeatedly despite our distractions, misunderstandings, and failures. The message emphasized the importance of being spiritually alert and ready...  Read More

This week's sermon focuses on the theme of 'Finding Your Identity.' It emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity not only on a personal level but also as a nation. Pastor Bill explores how our identity shapes our behavior, worldview, actions, and reactions and challenges us to consider whether our identity is something we choose, are born with, or whether it is tied to something grea...  Read More

Would you be open to leading a Life Group? Serving as a group leader is a great way to build relationships and invest in the lives of others. And the best part is that groups can gather around just about anything! If you are considering leading a Life Group please fill out this form and we will get you connected with our Life Group Directors to get approved to lead a group this fall....  Read More

Pastor Bill's sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and protecting the spiritual 'garden' of our lives, especially during different seasons. It highlights the need for genuine faith and righteousness, avoiding mere appearances of godliness. The message draws from various biblical examples, including Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the story of Achan, to illustrate the consequenc...  Read More