You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse, UConn. Here's this week's message. At the beginning of the 90s, I was excited to start university. I had just moved from a small town to the capital city in El Salvador, convinced that I was finally stepping into adulthood, free to choose where to go, what to study, who I want to become, and most importantly, what time to eat my snacks. But that excitement did not stay steady for long, and suddenly all these questions came to my mind.
What if I can't adapt to the city? What if I chose the wrong program? What if I'm not as ready as I thought? Big cities are dangerous. What if something goes wrong? And here's the thing. You don't have to be a university student to know that feeling. Anyone who has ever moved to a new city or a new house, started a new job, or arrived in a new country knows exactly what I'm talking about. That's why today's matters.
Welcome to Mountain View Church. My name is Herbert. I'm the children's pastor. Today we are celebrating our graduation Sunday. So if you are one of the grad 2026, congratulations. And before we start with our content, we would like to connect with you. Visit mountainview.church slash connect and drop us a message and we will contact you. Graduation is exciting, but let's be on it.
It can also feel a little scary. New places, new expectations, new decisions. It is like standing at the edge of the road you've never walked before and thinking, what if I'm not ready? What if I can't handle what is coming? That's why today I bring you a survival kit. Right in the middle of those questions, God speaks a promise that meets us exactly where we are. He says, don't be afraid. I am with you. I will strengthen you.
I will help you. It is God's word saying, you are not doing this alone. Today, we celebrate a wonderful achievement, graduation. You have reached a significant milestone, a testament to your hard work and dedication. As you step out into the world, we pray that you carry the light of Jesus with you. Let your actions and words reflect his love and grace in every situation you encounter.
You have persevered through challenges, late nights, and demanding studies. You have shown resilience and commitment to reach this day. No matter where life takes you, whether near or far, through triumphs or trials, always remember this fundamental truth. You are a love child of God. You are intricately and wonderfully created in His image. This identity is your constant anchor and a great strength. So, walk forward with courage and conviction. Walk forward in the confidence that the Lord gives you, knowing He goes before you and walks beside you.
May your future be bright, filled with purpose, and always guided by the love and light of our Lord. My name is Cormac. Our scripture reading is from Isaiah 41, verse 10. You're welcome to follow along with the physical Bible. Search the table of contents to locate the corresponding page number for Isaiah. Alternatively, you can download the Bible app or visit Bible.com. So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I'll make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.
Isaiah 41.10 offers a promise we can depend on, but sometimes we need something we can hold, something that reminds us of God's promise in the moments we forget. Just like people keep first aid kits, travel kits, emergency kits, or snacks kits for the moments they need help. Inside of this bag are simple everyday items, but each one of them carries a big truth about God. This is the Survival Kit. small enough to hold in your hands, strong enough to carry into your future. Now, you can easily make your own. Everything is in the survival kit. It's simple. You need a heart, you need a cross, you need a coin, small light, also a marker, and a rock. But before I start explaining what each item means, let me clarify that. The items do not do anything by themselves.
They just help us remember what is true. And let me start with the heart. This heart reminds us of the greatest truth you will ever carry. Jesus loves you. Not after we change. Not after we got better. While we were still sinners. God act first. Just as Romans chapter 5 verse 8 says.
He loved you so much that he, Jesus, gave his life so we could be forgiven and become friends to God. And when life gets confusing or lonely, start here. And remember that you are deeply loved. And then, the cross. When you are not sure what to do next, take the cross. This small cross represents the daily choice Jesus invites you to make and to follow his way, even when it costs something, like when it is hard, when it is unpopular, or when others go a different direction. In Mark 8, verse 34, Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples, and he says, Whoever wants to be my disciple must say no to themselves.
They must pick up their cross and follow me. So the cross reminds you that following Jesus is always the right path. Like when your friends decide to do something you know is not right. You feel stuck between going with them or walking away. And choosing Jesus' way means you take the harder path and do what is right, even if you are the only one. This is a permanent marker.
And this marker reminds us that God's love for you is permanent. Nothing you face, nothing you feel, nothing you fail at can raise his love. When you mess up, and you will remember this truth, God does not walk away. Just as Romans 8, verse 38 teaches us, even death or life can separate us from God's love. And for example, when you mess up, maybe you snap at somebody.
or make a bad choice, and you feel like God must be disappointed in you. But when you stop and pray, you remember his love has not changed. You can feel it. He does not leave. He helps you start again. And that's why God's love for you and me is permanent. The rock. In Matthew 7, verses 24 to 27, Jesus tells a story about two builders to show us why listening to him and doing what he says makes our lives strong and talks about a rock.
Because he knows life gets messy and unpredictable. And you need a foundation that won't crack when things get tough. Like new school, a new job, new friends, new pressures. This rock is a good reminder that when your life is built on Jesus, you won't fall apart. He is your solid ground when everything else feels uncertain. This coin may be small.
but it points to something big. You have the sense to remember that your value is rooted in God's love, not in anything you earn. And this love came first. Just as 1 John 4, verse 19 reminds us, he loved because he loved us first. And that's why you are valuable to him. In John 8, verse 12, Jesus spoke to the people again, and he says, I am the light of the world.
Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life. Jesus is the light of the world. And he promises to guide you when you feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step. His light will always show you the way forward. And as you slow down and talk to Jesus, his light helps you figure out the next step. And back to Isaiah.
We find five promises in this verse that I want you to read with me. Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10. It says, So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right. Isaiah 41 verse 10 is the anchor that holds all this truth together.
God's presence, His strength, His help, His protection. And these five promises are exactly what each item in the survival kit represents. Number one, that God's presence removes fear. He says, do not be afraid, for I am with you. And courage does not rise from our own strength, but from God drawing near. His presence drives out fear.
Number two, God's identity gives stability. Do not be terrified, for I am your God. We do not face life as orphans. God claims his people personally. I am your God, giving security, belonging, and covenant assurance. And number three, God strengthens the weak. I will make you strong. When human strength runs out, God supplies supernatural endurance. His power meet us at the point of our limits.
And then God actively helps his people and help you. God's help is not abstract. He intervenes, guides, supports, and provides in tangible ways, both seen and unseen. And lastly, God holds us steady. I will hold you safe in my hands. And his hands symbolize power and protection. God does not just give strength. He keeps us from failing. And as you step into what is next.
Remember that your future does not depend on your own ability to figure everything out. It depends on God, on changing character. Isaiah 41.10 is His promise to be with you, to strengthen you, to help you, and to hold you. This survival kit simply reminds us of that. So go forward with confidence. The God who leads you will never let you go. Let's pray. Dear Father, thank you for going with us into every new beginning.
Thank you that your presence takes away fear. Your strength carries us, your help surrounds us, and your hands hold us steady. As we step into what comes next, remind us of this truth again and again, and point our hearts back to you, the God who loves us, leads us, and never let us go. And Lord, for anyone watching this video who does not yet know you, but wants the kind of strength, help, and hope we talk about today, would you draw them close? If that is you, pray with me. Jesus, I need you. I want to know you. Be my Savior. Be my God. And walk with me into what is next. In your name, amen.
Thank you so much for joining us today. And remember, you don't have to figure this out alone. If you have questions or want to have a conversation, I would like to invite you to connect with us at mountainview.church slash connect or through social media at Mountain View Wireless. If you have kids, we offer a kids program called Basecamp during our four services. Yes, four services. And for an online option, you can visit mountainview.church slash basecamp to download the video lessons and activities.
If you are a student, we do have a program for you to grow, have fun, and build real friendships. This program runs every Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit mountainview.church slash youth for more information. If today's message encourages you, please subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss what is coming next. Just bear with us a few moments to know what is new.
Is God stirring something in you? Ministry mentorship and apprenticeship are back this fall, and the door is wide open. Every fall, we ask the same question. Who's next? Who's the next person God is shaping for deeper discipleship and leadership? These two programs exist to help you find out. First, ministry mentorship, a 10-month journey for any young adults ages 18 to 35 who want to grow as a follower of Jesus, serve in the church, and be mentored personally.
It runs from September through June and is now an open call. No personal invitation needed. If you're in that age range and this stirs something inside of you, it's worth a conversation. Second, apprenticeship. A one to four year journey for anyone sensing a call to vocational or lay leadership in the church of any age. Whoever's ready to do the real work of preparation. Through our partnership with Fellowship Pacific and Northwest College and Seminary, apprentices receive hands-on ministry formation right here at Mountain View alongside accredited academic training. Both programs start this September. If something here has landed for you.
please don't wait. Reach out by emailing me directly at jeremy at mountainview.church. And let's talk before the summer gets too busy. And now for a bit of a spoiler, we actually already have a few candidates for apprenticeship this year, and I'd like you to hear from them right now. Hey everyone, I'm Kaylee. I've been attending Mountain View for almost three years now, and I currently serve as a senior youth ministry leader. Over the last few years, God has completely changed my life, and through that, he's continued to grow my heart for ministry, leadership, and his word.
The more I've stepped into serving and discipling students, the more I felt him calling me to go deeper, not just in my knowledge, but in my relationship with him and in how I serve others. That's really why I decided to step into this apprenticeship program. I want to be equipped by God for whatever he's calling me into, and I want to steward that calling well. I really believe this is a season where God is refining me, teaching me to trust him more deeply, and calling me into deeper obedience, even without having everything figured out. I don't know exactly what the future looks like, but I know I want to keep following wherever he leads, and right now, this opportunity feels like the next step he's placed in front of me.
At the end of the day, I'm not doing this because I feel perfectly qualified. I'm doing it because God calls ordinary people, and I just want to continue saying yes to him. Good morning, Mountain View Church, and thank the Lord for this day and for this opportunity for mentorship, apprenticeship, and education. Hi, I'm Chad. I've been attending here at Mountain View Church for just over a year now. I came to Mountain View Church for the first time in the late winter, early spring of 2025. I had a lot of questions that I didn't have a lot of answers for, but this is where I did connect with Jesus, reconnected with Jesus, and on April 20th last year, I was baptized.
and embarked on a new path. And so far, so good. What a glorious journey. Confusing at times, terrifying at times, but always rewarding in some way or other. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. So what a great opportunity. Mentorship, apprenticeship, and education all in one package. I'm excited for the challenges and opportunities the Lord has in store for me moving forward. Thank you and God bless.
Hello everyone, my name is Tyrell and I have been coming to Mountain View since April of 2025. First became interested in Bible College and the apprenticeship program after having a deep conversation with Jeremy about finding my calling and serving where the Lord is leading me. I'm really looking forward to not only understanding of knowledge of God and His Word, but also gaining clarity and direction for where He may or may not be calling me in the future. Next week, we are launching our new series, Nodal, Bible and Marriage, a series to explore God's design for marriage. Whether you are married, preparing for marriage, or simply wanting to understand God's heart for relationships, this series will help you build a marriage that reflects Him. Hope to see you there.
If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse UConn.