Teachings
Enduring Temptation
Temptation is one of the most universal struggles for Jesus followers, and James 1:12–18 shows how endurance, honesty, and a greater love for God help us face it with courage. This message draws from the myth of the sirens in The Odyssey to illustrate two ways people resist destructive desires—by limiting their ability to give in, like Odysseus tied to the mast, or by cultivating a stronger, more beautiful desire, like Jason listening to Orpheus’ music. James teaches that God promises the crown of life to those who persevere, and that temptation doesn’t come from God but from our own desires. Confession, humility, community, and spiritual honesty interrupt the cycle before it matures into sin and death.
The passage also turns our attention to the goodness of God, the Father of heavenly lights, who gives every good and perfect gift and births new life within us. When we cultivate habits that help us savor God—Scripture, prayer, silence, worship, gratitude—our desire for Him grows stronger than the lesser desires that tempt us. Like catching the aroma of a delicious meal from the kitchen, the presence of God in our lives is a foretaste of the greater joy to come. This sermon invites listeners to endure temptation with honesty and hope, and to pursue the better desire that leads to life. Next week: dealing with anger.
Wisdom About Wealth
Have you ever daydreamed about what your life would be like if you had more money? I'm sure we all have. Lack of finances seem to make things really hard sometimes. At the same time, chasing after money and possessions can be a trap as well. This week in our series "Practical Living for Jesus Followers," James warns us about the deception of riches. Always wanting more is like the air we breath. It is not necessarily healthy. It can actually threaten our faith. But James shows us how our faith in Jesus helps us to avoid being deceived by the lure of always wanting more. It is amazing that a "primitive" book like the Bible, that is more than 2000 years old, has such helpful wisdom for us in 2026. Let's get wise about wealth together this Sunday.
God’s Help in Hardship
This Sunday we begin an all-new series called Practical Living for Jesus Followers. We will be going verse by verse through the letter from James. The first area of practical living he speaks to is "How do we handle hardships in life?" It's not like we don't have enough. He tells us some amazing things about God. God wants to help us, and he will always help us. God wants to give us what we need, in particular, a new perspective and a new insight. If you're struggling with something in your life this week, you will want to learn this. James is even so bold to suggest that we can experience joy no matter what.
From Shame to True Worship
Have you ever daydreamed about what your life would be like if you had more money? I'm sure we all have. Lack of finances seem to make things really hard sometimes. At the same time, chasing after money and possessions can be a trap as well. This week in our series "Practical Living for Jesus Followers," James warns us about the deception of riches. Always wanting more is like the air we breath. It is not necessarily healthy. It can actually threaten our faith. But James shows us how our faith in Jesus helps us to avoid being deceived by the lure of always wanting more. It is amazing that a "primitive" book like the Bible, that is more than 2000 years old, has such helpful wisdom for us in 2026. Let's get wise about wealth together this Sunday.
The Devil and Our Shame
We're approaching the end of our series, "Rising from Shame." We will be looking at the story of Mary Magdalene who was set free from seven demons by the Lord Jesus. Shame is clearly one of the weapons that Satan would use to hinder us and keep us down. Sometimes we think the negative voices putting us down in our heads are our own negative selves. Sometimes they may be even more insidious. When we come to recognize the message of Jesus, we are better equipped to recognize the voice of Jesus over against other voices that trouble us. Jesus always brought God's freedom to those who came to him for help oppressed by unclean spirits. He overcame Satan when he rose from the dead. He wants us to experience freedom with him.
Harmonizing for God’s Glory
Today’s sermon from Romans 15:1–13 used the metaphor of a choir to show how God calls His people into deep unity. Though individually gifted, Christians often clash when preferences, personalities, and cultural backgrounds get in the way. Paul reminds us that glorifying God requires laying down our preferences and moving toward one another in love, even when it is inconvenient. Christ Himself did not please Himself but bore reproach for us, welcoming sinners and drawing near to those who were far from God. His welcome becomes the model for how we welcome one another. Through the Spirit, God empowers us to overcome distance, pursue deeper relationships, and reflect the diverse unity of His people. The call is simple but challenging: serve like Jesus, welcome like Jesus, and glorify God together with one voice.
Facing Your Limitations
This Sunday we look at one of the most vulnerable moments in Elijah’s life—right after his greatest victory. Exhausted, afraid, and convinced he’s a failure, Elijah runs into the wilderness believing he’s alone and beyond help. His story exposes how shame twists our limitations into accusations and how isolation, resentment, and self‑pity can pull even the strongest believers into dark places. But it also reminds us that being human means having limits, and those limits are not signs of God’s absence. At Horeb, God meets Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper—showing that we need an unlimited God far more than we need unlimited strength. We’ll explore how God restores us through His presence, His people, and His purposes, and how Romans 11 echoes the same truth: God never abandons His own. If you’ve ever felt worn out, “not enough,” or unsure of your place, this message will help you see how dependence on God loosens shame’s grip and leads us toward hope and renewal.
Spiritual Procrastination
As we think about "Rising from Shame" this week, we will look at the life of King Saul. He was anointed with high hopes as a King to rescue God's people. He was a valiant fighter, leading his nation to freedom from those who wanted to harm them. Yet his reign ends in shame. Why did he fall apart? The answer is not a single defining event as it was a series of escalating events that led him to his fall. When we fall short of what God expects of us (and all of us will), but we refuse to own it and admit it, we will journey from guilt to shame. When we are guilty of wrong, we can do something good about that. If we ignore it, it will take on a life of its own that drags us into self-defeating shame. Saul's life demonstrates this. How do we arrest our guilt and shame? How do we climb out of it and learn to move in a new direction? Let's find out together.
A Divided Heart
As we continue our series, "Rising from Shame," we will examine the life of Samson in the book of Judges. Here was a man that had so much going for him. But he was defeated by a divided heart. Whether or not we admit to battling a divided heart ourselves, we each know someone who has lost that battle. Shame always haunts those with a divided heart. It tells us we're helpless losers who will never change or get better. When someone is in that condition, they really need serious help. Where will help come from? What does help look like? when shame attacks our divided heart. Hebrews 11:24 gives us a clue. If you can read Judges 13-16 before Sunday, it would help. If you come looking for hope, God will show us where to find it.
When You’ve Been Abused
In this message, we explore the painful reality of shame—especially the kind that comes from abuse—through the story of Hagar in Genesis 16, a woman used, mistreated, and caught in the fallout of Abraham and Sarah’s lack of trust in God, highlighting how abuse dehumanizes and leaves deep internal questions about worth, love, and God’s presence; drawing on insights about shame as the belief that “I am unworthy,” the message shows how people often cope by hiding, numbing pain, or seeking love in harmful ways, yet reminds us we were created for love and never stop needing it; in Hagar’s lowest moment—alone and fleeing in the wilderness—God meets her, calls her by name, listens to her story, and promises a future, revealing Himself as the God who both sees and hears, prompting Hagar to declare, “You are the God who sees me,” a powerful reminder that God’s attention is compassionate, not condemning; the sermon emphasizes that while escaping abuse is right and seeking help is essential, healing comes from knowing that God is present in our pain, cares about both our circumstances and our hearts, and can bring redemption even from the darkest experiences, shaping beauty, character, and purpose out of suffering; ultimately, it points to Jesus, who endured betrayal, injustice, and deep shame on the cross, so that those who have been hurt are not alone or forgotten but can find lasting freedom, love, and restoration in Him, with the assurance that their story is not defined by shame but by a God who sees, hears, and redeems.
When You Got Sucked into Evil
How does shame get such a tight grip on our lives? This week we look at the story of Lot to see how shame begins, how it grows, and how God rescues us from it. Lot slowly drifted away from spiritual community—moving toward Sodom, into Sodom, and eventually becoming trapped in sin, compromise, and deep shame. He lost his moral footing and couldn’t free himself from the mess he was in. But God didn’t abandon him. Because of mercy and intercession, God pulled Lot out—and even through Lot’s broken family line came redemption. One of his descendants was Ruth the Moabitess, part of the family line of Jesus. That same hope is offered to us. Jesus takes our sin and shame, calls us righteous, and invites us into the light where honesty, support, and spiritual community help us heal. Shame loses its power when we stop hiding and let God and His people walk with us. Freedom is possible. God wants to help you rise from shame.
The Necessity of the Resurrection
This episode examines Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 and why the physical resurrection of Jesus is non‑negotiable for Christian belief. We look at how Greek philosophy influenced Corinth, how Scripture describes our future resurrected bodies, and why Paul insists that if Christ has not been raised, faith itself is empty. The episode reviews biblical evidence such as the empty tomb, women as eyewitnesses, the disciples’ boldness, and the appearance to more than 500 people. It also explores non‑Christian historical sources that affirm Jesus lived, was crucified, and was believed to have risen. Together, the biblical and historical record point to one conclusion: the resurrection is both credible and life‑changing.
Dead to Sin, Alive to God!
What does the resurrection actually change about everyday life?
In this sermon, we reflect on Romans 6 and the Christian confession that believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Death, once the ultimate power over humanity, is revealed in Scripture as a force tied to sin, separation, and fear. But in Jesus—the one who is Life itself—death meets its end.
Tracing the biblical story from Genesis through the Old Testament sacrificial system and into the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this message shows how Christ does not merely cleanse the effects of death, but destroys its power entirely. In his death, life spills out; in his resurrection, a new creation begins. Because of our union with Christ, the sermon proclaims that eternal life is not only a future hope but a present reality. Freed from the fear of death and the bondage of sin, believers are called to “walk in newness of life” and to practice resurrection—living lives marked by love, forgiveness, courage, and joy.
This is a proclamation of hope: death no longer has the final word. Christ is risen, and in him, everything is being made new.
What Is Jesus Doing Now?
We're coming up on the 2000th anniversary of Jesus resurrection. That's a long time. Have you ever wondered about what he has been up to for the past 2000 years. Revelation 5 gives us a glimpse. Jesus is on his throne. He is a lion. He is a lamb. There is a scroll to unseal and unroll. And there is lots of singing, lots of praising! This passage gives us some moving images of what the risen Jesus is up to right now and how it all involves us. We can be involved and we are involved in several ways.
God’s Redemptive Love - From Creation to the Cross
This Good Friday, we’ll gather in a spirit of reflection and hope as we journey through the story of God’s redemptive love—from creation to the Cross. Through Scripture readings and songs, we’ll remember the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the faithfulness of a God who has been pursuing restoration since the very beginning. Join us as we pause, listen, and open our hearts to the love that transforms us still today.
Now You See It
Have you ever noticed at election time how there are so many hopes expressed and promises made? It was actually the same at the time of Jesus. We will finish our series entitled "Tested" today as we look at Jesus' triumphal entry. The people had such high hopes for Jesus. Finally the "Son of David" is going to enter the holy city and bring the longed for redemption of Israel. Everyone watching would have understood this. But there were also things they did not understand. There are deeper, unseen things about Jesus that do not meet the eye. Jesus hints at this as he teaches in the temple. The invitation for us is to deepen our relationship with Jesus as our understanding of him grows as well. The New Testament prods us to approach knowing God as knowing Jesus. Jesus is a person of such depth that we will spend a lifetime and into eternity getting to know him. Jesus does not overpromise and under deliver.
Beast or Beauty?
In this week’s sermon, we follow Jesus into the temple courts of Mark 12:38–44, where He exposes a surprising contrast—a “beauty and the beast” moment hidden in plain sight. While the religious elite look impressive, polished, and powerful, Jesus uncovers the beastliness within their inflated spiritual reputation. And while a poor widow slips in unnoticed, offering two insignificant copper coins, Jesus reveals the breathtaking beauty of her wholehearted devotion.
This sermon invites you to rethink what it means to be spiritually rich or poor. Are you a beastly somebody—admired, accomplished, respected on the outside while quietly drifting from the heart of God? Or are you a beautiful nobody—overlooked by the world yet fully seen, valued, and honored by Christ?
Together we explore:
Jesus’ sharp warning about religious influence misused for personal gain
The danger of appearing spiritually strong but being morally bankrupt
The widow’s radical generosity—why her tiny gift meant more than all the wealthy offerings combined
How God measures beauty, worth, and devotion so differently than we do
Why the kingdom of God lifts the lowly and humbles the proud
Filled with vivid storytelling, honest self-examination, and hope for anyone who has felt unseen or insignificant, this sermon reminds us that God treasures integrity, humility, generosity, and faithfulness—not status, appearance, or applause.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your small acts of faith matter, or worried that you don’t measure up to the “spiritual somebodies” around you, this message will assure you:
God sees you. God values you. And in His kingdom, the beautiful nobodies come first.
Not Enough
What does God really want from us—and why do our best efforts still fall short?
In this episode, we explore Jesus’ conversation with a curious scribe in Mark 12:28–34, where the greatest commandment is distilled into something simple, yet impossibly demanding: Love God with all you are, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Through practical reflections and honest questions, we look at what it means to love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and why even our most devoted attempts can leave us feeling empty. The problem isn’t that the commands are unclear. It’s that they’re not enough to bring us into the Kingdom on their own.
This episode dives into:
Why clarity matters when understanding God’s Word
How to love God with your emotions, identity, thoughts, and actions
Why loving your neighbor is inseparable from loving God
What Jesus reveals about the limits of religious effort
Why receiving God’s love must come before giving love away
The difference between loving because you want to be loved and loving because you already are loved
With vivid illustrations, real-life application, and a heartfelt call to receive the love of Christ, this message offers hope to anyone who feels like they’re trying hard but still coming up short.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing enough?”—this episode will help you see the better question:
“Have I let Jesus love me first?”
Rules Without Relationship
Some people think that Christianity is all about the rules. God just tells us what to do, and it is too hard. Who would want to worship a God like that? Where do they get that idea from? As we continue our series called "Tested" we find that perspective was also quite common to some of the sects of Judaism in Jesus' day. But Jesus sets them straight. Faith in God is not about keeping all the rules and then you die. It is about a relationship with God that starts right now and lasts forever. When we die, God receives us into an even more glorious future life than we experience now. God has loving future intentions towards us that are beyond our imagination. If we miss the relationship with God part, and his loving good intentions, our view of God will shrivel into the concept that God is just an unhappy rule maker. Even from the beginning of the Bible, God has shown himself to be a God who gives those who trust him the more amazing lives than they could ever imagine.
Jesus in the Political
We continue our series about Jesus in Jerusalem called "Tested." Have you ever felt uncomfortable because of a difficult political conversation you became involved in? Welcome to the life of Jesus. In this Sunday's scene in Mark 12, Jesus gets dragged into a hot political debate of his day. It is an attempt to trip him up and get him to say something he might regret. Some things haven't changed all that much in 2000 years. But Jesus surprises everyone when he doesn't get tricked. God's kingdom is much greater than the Roman empire and it's authority over Israel. Their view of the political landscape was too small and too narrow. Even the pagan rule of Caesar didn't threaten the Lord Jesus. As we consider how Jesus answered his opponents, perhaps we can gain a different perspective on our modern-day political landscape. Come and see