922 Ministries - The CORE & St. Peter Lutheran

Partnership is hard — whether it's an 1800s organist and the kid pumping his bellows, or two people trying to actually do life together in a small group. In week one of our series Casual to Committed Christian, we take an honest look at "casual Christianity" — showing up, sitting beside people, but never really connecting — and why God calls us to something more.We don't sugarcoat it: getting close to people means friction, and church history is full of examples of that friction turning into hurt. But conflict is inevitable; bitterness is optional. When you stay in community instead of isolating, joy multiplies, grace gets exchanged, and you get to anchor each other to the hope we have in Jesus — all the way to the very end of life.If you've ever wondered whether real church community is worth the risk, this message is for you.

Ever wish someone actually knew you — not the edited, everything's-fine version, but the real one? In week one of our series Casual to Committed Christian, we take an honest look at why God never designed you to do life alone, and why real community feels scarier than it sounds — and is worth it anyway.We don't sugarcoat it: opening up to people is hard. There's a chasm between where you are and actual connection, and it's filled with real fear — of being misunderstood, mishandled, or finally being seen for who you really are. So this week we talk honestly about that fear, and about the good news underneath it: Jesus already knows every part of you, including the parts you hide. And he didn't run from it. He ran toward it, all the way to the cross, so you could belong, not just show up.If you've ever felt alone in a room full of people, this message is for you.

Wrapping up our five-week series through Ephesians, Sex, Love, Work and War, we land where Paul does: at the armor of God. Life is full of real battles — sobriety, marriage, friendship, even prayer itself — and the devil's whole strategy is convincing you there's nothing to fight for.Along the way: a silverback gorilla, a pane of glass, and what they teach us about the strength of Jesus versus the strength of the devil; why the most important part of the Christian life isn't getting something you don't have, but remembering what you already do; and three simple, ordinary keys to standing firm — promises, prayers, and people.Whether you've followed along since week one or you're just joining us, this message is for anyone who's tired of fighting alone. You're not meant to.

Every day, people skip safety measures they know they need — a forgotten helmet, an ignored seatbelt, a life vest left on the dock. Usually it's fine. But what happens when the risk is eternal? In our final week of Sex, Love, Work and War, we close out Ephesians 6 and the full armor of God — and why none of it is optional.Along the way: what the ancient city of Ephesus can teach us about spiritual warfare most of us don't realize we're in, why the devil's entire strategy comes down to a single lie, and the surprising truth about whose grip actually wins this battle — yours, or Christ's.Whether you've walked with Jesus for years or you're just starting to ask questions, this message is for anyone who's ever felt like the fight was too much to handle alone. It was never meant to be fought alone.

How much of your life is actually lived in just two places — home and work? In Week 4 of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 6 to see what happens when Jesus gets brought into the two spaces where you'll spend almost all of your days: the people you live with, and the people you work for.Along the way: what it means to obey with honor (not just obey), why "don't exasperate your kids" might be the most practical parenting verse in the Bible, what a mouse-jiggler scandal at a major bank has to do with a first-century word about slaves, and why heaven still includes rewards even though it's entered by grace alone.Whether your home and your job feel like a mess right now or you've mostly got it figured out, this message is for anyone who's wondered how to keep it all together. The answer isn't more effort — it's Jesus at the center.

Ever notice how easy it is to obey someone... until you find out you don't have to anymore? In Week 4 of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 6 to talk about authority — the kind we live under as kids, as employees, and honestly, as grown adults who still answer to someone.Along the way: what "submit" actually means (hint: it's not MMA fighting), why obedience has a season but honor doesn't, the guy at a lumberyard who never once tried to game the time clock, and why "stop the wave" might be the best one-sentence parenting advice you'll hear all year.Whether you're wrestling with a boss, a teenager, or aging parents who still think they're in charge, this message is for you — because under every human authority in your life, there's one Lord, and he used his authority to serve, not to be served.

A tornado once knocked out every stoplight at a busy intersection, and in seconds it was total chaos — not because any driver was better than another, but because nobody had a system for who goes first. In the final week of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 5 to talk about marriage — submission, sacrificial love, and the "if" that quietly wrecks more relationships than anything else.Along the way: why biblical submission isn't degrading (hint: Jesus did it too), what it means for a husband to be the "head" of his home, and why the two little letters I-F might be the most dangerous word in any marriage.Whether you're happily married, barely hanging on, single and content, or still looking for the one, this message is for anyone who's ever wondered if there's a better way to love someone for the long haul. There is — and it starts with grace, not conditions.

Most of life runs on a deal: you give me this, I'll give you that. Marriage is the one relationship that was never supposed to work that way — and yet it's so easy to slide into keeping score anyway. In Week 3 of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 5 to ask what it actually looks like to love and respect someone with no conditions attached.Along the way: why couples who deeply love each other can still feel completely unloved, why every guy secretly wants to be a hero, and why the real question isn't "would you die for your spouse?" but "what does love look like on an ordinary Tuesday?"This isn't a message about trying harder to have the perfect marriage. It's about a God who didn't wait for us to go first — and what changes in a marriage when that's the model.

Wisconsin has a reputation — Barrel Man, the Brewers, a bar on every corner. But how healthy is your actual relationship with alcohol? In Week 2 of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 5 to ask a pointed question: what would Jesus think about the way you drink?Along the way: why alcohol can increase your joy and decrease your pain — and why that's exactly what makes it so tempting, what the Bible actually says (and doesn't say) about drinking, and a personal story about getting caught by a father who chose grace over judgment.This isn't a message about giving up something good. It's about the difference between drinking and drunkenness, and the better joy and peace that come from being filled with something else entirely.

Ever arrive somewhere and realize you don't remember the drive at all? That's unsettling on the highway — and it's devastating spiritually. In Week 2 of Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 5 to talk about drift: how a spiritual fall rarely happens in one giant leap, but one small, careless step at a time.Along the way: what it actually means to walk in wisdom, why every ordinary moment — a bedtime question, a cup of coffee with a struggling friend, an argument with a spouse — is an opportunity worth seizing, and the good news for anyone who feels like they've already drifted too far.This message isn't about trying harder to stay on track. It's about a Spirit who fills us by grace, and a God who meets us exactly where the drift has taken us.

Sex will either bless you or mess with you — there's no neutral setting. In Week 1 of our new series, Sex, Love, Work and War, we open Ephesians 5 to ask what the Bible actually says about sex, and it starts somewhere surprising: not with a rule, but with who you already are in Christ.Along the way: why "just get consent" isn't producing the thriving lives it promises, what an ancient city obsessed with a fertility goddess can teach us about today's culture, and why Christians are called to bring their sexuality into the light instead of hiding it in the dark.Whether you grew up in church or have never opened a Bible, this message is for anyone who's wondered whether Christianity has anything real to say about this part of life. It does — and it starts with grace, not shame.Not local? You can still be part of this church family:  https://922ministries.com/church-from-homeStudy Guide: https://922ministries.churchcenter.com/episodes/720257Join our online community: https://www.my922.community/News & Notes: https://922ministries.com/newsTo give an offering: https://922ministries.com/giveThe Basics eBook: https://922ministries.com/basicsWebsite: https://922ministries.comText Messages: https://922ministries.com/text-messagesPlease note, any ads displayed during this video are not placed by 922 Ministries and are not necessarily authorized or endorsed by 922 Ministries.

Have you ever noticed you can tell almost everything about a person just by the way they walk? In this message from Ephesians 5, we find a spiritual law just as reliable: your inner identity determines your outer walk. Paul isn't asking you to try harder — he's reminding you who you already are as a dearly loved, forgiven child of God, and inviting you to walk like it.Along the way: what it really means to be described as "darkness" apart from Christ, why Jesus didn't just send light but became the light, and a challenge for anyone who wants their inside and outside to finally match.Whether you've followed Jesus for decades or you're just checking this out, this message meets you where you are — grace first, then a way to walk.

Lying. Losing your temper. Taking things that aren't yours. Talking trash. Holding a grudge. None of these would make your "top 10 worst sins" list — so why does the Apostle Paul stop to call them out? Pastor Michael unpacks the three hidden wounds that even "small," everyday sins cause — and the three cures God has already provided in Christ. This isn't a guilt trip. It's a look at why sin is heavier than we think, and why grace is bigger than we imagined.

We all know the basics: tell the truth, don't hold a grudge, be a good person. But when Paul gets practical about the "new self" we have in Christ, he doesn't point to the mission field — he points to the dinner table. Your spouse. Your kids. Your coworkers. The people who see the worst version of you are the people who know you best. In this message, we walk through four ordinary battlegrounds — truth, anger, work, and words — and find the same truth behind every one of them: you've received grace from God, and now you get to give it away.

There's an old you, and there's a new you — but let's be honest, the new you can act a lot like the old you. In this message from 922 Ministries' CORE campus, we look at Ephesians 4 and the apostle Paul's encouragement to Christians who keep slipping back into old patterns. The old habits linger. But that doesn't change what's already true: in Christ, you're a new creation.

You can tell a lot about a person just by watching them — sawdust on their clothes, grease on their hands, how they react when a flight sits on the tarmac for an hour. But God isn't just interested in what shows up on the outside.In this message from 922 Ministries' St. Peter campus, we look at Ephesians 4 and discover that God never came to improve the old you. He came to make you completely new — starting with the heart, not the behavior.

Faith was never meant to stay the same. A faith that is not growing is a faith that is vulnerable, and Ephesians 4 gives us a clear picture of how God designed our faith to mature. Immature faith gets tossed around by false teaching and deception, much like a toddler knocked flat by a small wave. God's design for growth is not a solo effort. He placed us in a body of believers, gave each person unique gifts, and provided pastors and teachers to equip us for the work. The goal is Christlikeness, and the path runs straight through community. Truth and love together are the two pillars of a maturing church. Stay connected to Christ, stay connected to His people, and trust that from Him, the whole body grows.

You were not made to drift through life as if everything revolves around you, but you were also not made to fade into the background. Christianity holds both truths in tension: you carry infinite value in God's sight, and yet you are called to deny yourself and live for something greater. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges believers to live worthy of the calling they have received, a calling that carries the weight of a royal summons from God Himself. That calling is lived out through humility, gentleness, patience, and a genuine commitment to the unity of the body of Christ. Every believer has been individually gifted by God, not to elevate themselves, but because someone else needs what they carry. The ministry does not belong only to pastors and teachers. It belongs to every person in the body. When you hold back your gift, there is a gap in the body of Christ where you were meant to be. You were called to something bigger than yourself, and that calling is worth everything it requires.

In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul is so overwhelmed by the goodness of God that he falls to his knees in prayer. Rather than asking for easier circumstances, he prays for something far more foundational: strength in the inner being through the Holy Spirit. He longs for Christ to fully dwell in every corner of the heart, not as a Sunday visitor but as a permanent resident. Paul then reaches for words to describe the love of Christ and finds that no words are enough. The love of God is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything we can measure or fully comprehend. Growing in faith does not mean reaching the end of what God is. It means discovering how much more of Him there is still to know. The challenge is not to do more, but to see more clearly.

Most of us spend enormous energy managing how things look on the outside while neglecting what is happening on the inside. In Ephesians 3, Paul drops to his knees and prays not for better circumstances but for something far more transformative: that Christ would dwell in the hearts of believers. The Greek word for dwell means to settle in and make a home, not simply to visit. Jesus is not interested in seeing only the clean, presentable rooms of your life. He wants access to the locked door, the hidden place where shame, bitterness, or unresolved pain has been kept out of sight. He knocks not to condemn but to redeem. When Christ truly makes His home in your heart, there is no vacancy left for guilt, anxiety, or bitterness. The peace you have been searching for is not waiting on the other side of fixed circumstances. It is waiting on the other side of a surrendered heart.

Secrets are almost impossible to keep. But God kept one — the biggest one in history — hidden in his heart before the world began, and revealed it at exactly the right time.In this message from our summer series through Ephesians, we uncover “the secret of all secrets”: that Jews and Gentiles, insiders and outsiders, every background and every nation, are equal heirs of Christ's grace. And we discover why knowing this secret doesn't just save us — it sustains us when suffering comes, by recentering our identity and redefining our purpose.Whatever you're carrying right now — a diagnosis, a hard season, a label you didn't choose — this message is a reminder that it doesn't get the final word on who you are.

Every superhero has an origin story. So does the apostle Paul — except his begins with him trying to destroy the church.In this message from our summer series through Ephesians, we meet Saul: a brilliant, zealous, deeply religious man who hunted down Christians — and was the least likely person on earth to ever follow Jesus. Then everything changed on a desert road outside Damascus.His story raises a question worth sitting with: is there someone in your life who feels too far gone for God to reach? Someone you've stopped praying for — not because you gave up on God, but because you quietly gave up on them?

He was eight when his parents separated. Eleven when the divorce was finalized. Twelve when his mother died in a car crash. By his teens, there were costume parties, tabloid scandals, alcohol, drugs, and worse.You probably know the story. That's Prince Harry — the self-described "spare" to the royal heir.Every family has one. The one whose life choices get discussed at dinners they're not invited to. The one who can't seem to keep up with the "good" ones.And here's the question this message asks: Is Jesus actually good news for people like that?Not just in theory. Not just for the people who've mostly had it together. But for the black sheep — the ones carrying real shame, real consequences, real doubt about whether they even belong anywhere near a church?In this message from Ephesians 2, Pastor makes the case that Jesus came for exactly those people. And he uses a 400-year-old painting, a stone inscription that threatened death, and a simple image — a popped balloon — to show why.

Why are humans so naturally divided — even as babies?Researchers at Yale discovered that infants as young as 3 months old already show a preference for people who are like them. Ten-month-olds will side with a mean puppet over a nice one — just because it likes the same snack they do.We like to think division is a modern problem. It isn't. It's an ancient one.In this message from Ephesians 2, Pastor looks at the deepest wall of division in human history — not race, not politics, not income — but the one between sinful people and a holy God. And he shows how the one thing that can actually bring people together isn't a social movement or a political platform. It's a person: Jesus Christ.If that wall comes down, every other wall can too.Whether you're someone who grew up in church, walked away from it, or have never really given faith a serious look — this one is worth your time.

What does it actually mean that grace is amazing? Most people have heard the word their whole lives — but according to Ephesians 2, you can't feel the weight of it until you're honest about what it's covering.In week 3 of our summer series through Ephesians, Pastor Mike unpacks one of the most important passages in the Bible — Ephesians 2:1-10 — starting with what Paul says we actually deserve, and ending with what God gives anyway. Along the way, he traces the story of John Newton, the slave trader turned pastor who wrote "Amazing Grace" because he knew exactly how wide the gap was between who he was and what he received.Whether you grew up in church or you're not sure what you believe, this message asks a simple question: when someone asks if you're going to heaven, what does your answer start with?

What if the thing standing between you and real peace isn't effort — it's understanding how lost you actually are?In week 3 of our summer series through Ephesians, we look at one of the most honest — and most hopeful — passages in the Bible. The Apostle Paul doesn't ease into it. He says: spiritually, you were dead. Not struggling. Not almost there. Dead. Influenced by a culture you've stopped noticing. Pulled in directions you didn't choose.And then comes the turn that changes everything: But God.Not "but try harder." Not "but be better." But God — who is rich in mercy, and who loves you with a love that started before the world was made — stepped in.We also look at what it means to be God's handiwork — a word that carries the weight of a poem, something crafted on purpose, placed exactly where you are for a reason. That's not just a nice thought. It means there are doors only you can open, people only you can reach, and a life only you can live.Whether you've been in church your whole life or you're not even sure you believe — this one's worth your time.

If you tracked every prayer you've said in the last year — what would show up most? Health, money, relationships, safety? There's nothing wrong with praying for those things. But what if that's only the beginning?In week 2 of our Ephesians summer series, we look at one of the most unusual things about the Apostle Paul: what he didn't pray for. Paul was sitting in a prison cell for five years — accused of a crime he didn't commit — writing to people he loved in a city full of hostility. And instead of praying for his freedom, his safety, or their safety… he prayed something far more interesting.In this message:*Why most people's prayers are stuck at Level 1 (and what the four levels actually are) *What Paul prayed that matters so much more than health, money, or safety *The homework that will change the way you pray — starting this week *The story of Joni Eareckson Tada, who spent 50 years in a wheelchair and discovered the prayer that changed everything

In week 2 of our Ephesians summer series, we look at one of the most personal prayers in the Bible. The Apostle Paul isn't giving a to-do list. He's praying over people he loves — and he's asking God to open their eyes.Not to give them more information. To help them see what they already have.In this message, we dig into three things Paul prays you'd know:Hope — Not wishful thinking. A certainty that doesn't go up or down based on your circumstances. Inheritance — You are God's treasured possession. Not because of what you've done, but because of whose you are. Power — The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is already at work in you.Whether you're facing a hard diagnosis, a breaking relationship, an addiction, or just the quiet anxiety of 2 a.m. — this message is for you.

Gratitude lists are everywhere — but does yours actually work? Research says daily gratitude can boost happiness, improve sleep, and decrease depression. Oprah tried it for a decade. Scientists have studied it. And yet most of us can't make the habit stick.That's because we're building our lists on the wrong things.In this message from Ephesians 1, we look at how the apostle Paul — writing from prison, unjustly arrested for years — manages to overflow with joy and thanksgiving. His secret? He wasn't focused on what he could see. He was focused on what he had in Christ.In this message, you'll discover:* Why gratitude is harder than it sounds (and why that's not your fault)* What the Bible's doctrine of predestination actually means — and why it's one of the most comforting truths you'll ever hear* How forgiveness, redemption, and the Holy Spirit change the way you face every single day* A 7-day challenge to build the ultimate gratitude list — one that never runs outWhether you're on top of the world or barely holding it together, Paul's letter to the Ephesians gives you a gratitude list that no circumstance can take away.

Most of us measure our relationship with God by how hard we grip faith. Whether we're doing enough. Whether we've cleaned up enough.But that's not Christianity.Dig into one of the most misunderstood — and most comforting — truths in the entire Bible: before you chose God, God chose you.Written from prison, the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians doesn't start with a to-do list. It starts with identity. Who you already are in Christ. What you already have. What can never be taken away.In this message you'll explore:* What predestination actually means (and why it's for your comfort, not your confusion)* The difference between forgiveness and being welcomed into a family* Why God's grace isn't a wet wipe — it's Niagara Falls* How the Holy Spirit is a deposit securing an inheritance that will never fade, rot, or disappear* If you've ever wondered whether God's love has conditions, or whether your past disqualifies you, this is the message for you.

Steve Jobs promised the iPhone would change everything. He was right — including the way we think about dating, marriage, and having kids. But some things haven't changed.In week 3 of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor Mike explores what God's Word says about marriage and family in a digital age — cutting through the cultural noise of Pinterest boards, dating apps, and the pressure to have it all figured out first.You'll walk away with three things Jesus wants you to know about marriage: it's optional, it doesn't require much, and it's one of the best pictures of the gospel you'll ever experience. Plus — why the Bible's view of children might be the most countercultural thing you hear all week.Whether you're single, dating, married, or somewhere in between, this one's for you.

Noah and Zoe have been "just talking" for a while. They like the connection — but they're not ready for the commitment. And honestly? A lot of us approach marriage and family the same way.In week 3 of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor Steve looks at what Jesus actually said about marriage and family — and why the cost of commitment is exactly what makes it worth everything.We'll look at what Jesus said in Matthew 19, what Paul reveals in Ephesians 5, and what Psalm 127 says about children — and why all of it points to the greatest love story ever told.Whether you're single, dating, married, or somewhere in between, this message is for you.

Do you have a 2am friend? You know the one — the person whose name you'd dial at 2 in the morning when you're stranded on the side of the road, and you already know they'll show up. If you can't think of a name, this message is for you.Here's a startling truth: Americans have never been more connected — and friendship bankruptcy has never been worse. Nearly 1 in 4 young adults between 20 and 24 have zero close friends. Among Gen Z, it's 27%. We're lonely, and most of us won't even admit it.In week two of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor Timothy digs into one of the most breathtaking friendships in all of Scripture — Jonathan and David — to pull out timeless, practical wisdom on how to forge forever friendships.You'll discover:* Why God designed you with a human-shaped void that only relationships can fill* Why you literally become like the five people closest to you* What Jonathan's radical act of "binding his soul" to David teaches us about open-hearted devotion* A simple IVT framework: Intention, Vulnerability, and Time* What a covenant friendship actually looks like — and why it costs something* And ultimately — the friend who tied himself to you first, at the crossYou are the friend of Jesus. Start there — and you'll find everything you need to go love others the way he loved you.

We've never been more connected — and yet loneliness is at an all-time high. What's going on? And what does it have to do with growing up in your faith?In week two of Adulting with Jesus week 2, we dig into one of the most underrated parts of spiritual maturity: friendship. The people around you aren't neutral — they're either sharpening you toward Christ or slowly pulling you away. Scripture has a lot to say about that, and so does Jesus himself.In this message, we'll explore:* Why real friendship is harder (and rarer) than ever* What God's Word says about the kind of friends who shape a good future* The humbling question: are you that kind of friend?* And the best news of all — you have a friend in Jesus who stuck closer than any brother ever couldPulled from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and John 15, this message is for anyone who's ever felt lonely in a crowded room — and for anyone who wants to be the kind of person who changes that for someone else.

Adulting is hard. Higher pressure, a more public stage, a brain that's still developing, and a gap between your income and the life you thought you'd be living by now. In week 1 of Adulting with Jesus, Pastor walks through why this season is uniquely difficult — and why Jesus' question to His disciples cuts right to the center of it: "Who do you say that I am?"You don't drift into a mature faith. You grow into it. There's a difference between admiring Jesus and worshiping Him — between borrowing your faith and owning it.

Imagine waking up your first Sunday at college, two hours from home, and realizing that for the first time in your life the choice to come to church is entirely your own. Welcome to adulting.In Week 1 of Adulting with Jesus, you're invited into a direct conversation with teens and twenty-somethings about owning your faith in a generation drifting from the church. Walk through 1 Timothy 4 and discover why great disciples are disciplined — and why the immense patience of Jesus makes that discipline worth it.

How should followers of Jesus think — and live — when it comes to LGBTQ questions? In this final message of our five-week series, Pastor Mike opens the Bible to walk through five of the most common questions people are still asking after weeks one through four.In this message we tackle:1. Why do so many Christians treat LGBTQ people worse than others?2. Who am I to judge?3. How can LGBTQ people lead fulfilling lives?4. Can LGBTQ people go to heaven?5. If I'm LGBTQ, what should I do?Along the way, we look at what Jesus actually taught about judgment in Matthew 7, what Paul lists alongside sexual sin in Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6, and what John says about repentance, belief, and life as a real Christian in 1 John 1 and 3. We also push back on a uniquely modern American idea — that romance and family are the only real sources of love — and recover the Bible's rich vision of friendship, singleness, and Christian community.Whether you're walking this road yourself, loving someone who is, or just trying to think clearly as a Christian in a divided culture, our prayer is that this message helps you hold onto the truth of God's Word and the grace of Jesus at the same time.New here? This is week 5 of 5. Catch the full series on our channel — the earlier weeks lay the foundation for everything we cover today.

Some Christians have dramatic conversion stories. Others can only shrug and say, "I don't know — I guess I was just raised that way." Is the second kind of story really less of a miracle?In this message from our "Bad Parents of the Bible" series, Pastor Steve introduces us to Eunice — Timothy's mom — and what she teaches us about generational faithfulness. She wasn't a super mom. She married outside her faith, compromised in ways she likely regretted, and still God used her to raise a pastor and missionary who would help shape the early church.If you're a parent carrying guilt over your past — words your kids overheard, choices that shaped your family, seasons you weren't faithful — this message is for you. Christ has redeemed the things that you regret. Faith does not pass through perfect parents. It passes through forgiven parents. That's the only kind of parent God has ever had to work with.

In this week of our series God, LGBTQ, and You, Pastor Mike tackles five of the most common "but what about…?" questions that come up when Christians wrestle with the Bible's teaching on sexuality.If you've ever sat through a message, read a Scripture, or finished a conversation about faith and sexuality and thought, "Okay… but what about this?" — this sermon is for you.Questions answered in this message:1. Does God make people LGBTQ?2. Is it wrong to be LGBTQ?3. Why is same-sex marriage wrong?4. Can LGBTQ people change?5. What's the good news for LGBTQ people?Whether you live with same-sex attraction, love someone who does, or are simply trying to think clearly about what Scripture says, you'll find a careful look at the Bible held together with deep compassion — and the central good news that "Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)

What we place next to God, our kids learn to place above Him.In the fourth week of our Bad Parents series, we walk through the full arc of Gideon's life — from a frightened farmer threshing wheat in a winepress, to the unlikely judge who routed the Midianites with 300 men, torches, and clay pots, to the cautionary turn at the end of his story. Along the way we see how faith grows step by step… and how compromise sneaks in the same way.A few things worth sitting with:* Faith is just believing what God says about you is true.* Even shaky faith can take a step.* Compromise isn't always wrong — but what we set beside God can quietly become a snare for the next generation.* Jesus didn't almost rise. He rose completely.

What does the Bible actually say about gender, sexuality, and same-sex marriage? In week three of our five-week series "God. LGBTQ. You.", Pastor Mike opens Scripture from Genesis to Romans to answer one of the most personal and consequential questions of our day: Is God affirming?This isn't a theological position to debate or a lifestyle to label — it's about people. Your friend. Your son. Your sister. The person sitting next to you in the pew. Maybe you. With roughly 1 in 4 Americans under 30 identifying as LGBTQ, this conversation matters in every home, every relationship, and every church.In this message, Pastor Mike walks carefully through every key biblical passage on the subject — including the original Hebrew and Greek — and addresses the hard questions head-on:* Genesis 1 & 2 — God's original design for gender and marriage* Genesis 19 — The story of Sodom and what it does (and doesn't) say* Leviticus 18:22 — How to read Old Testament law as a New Testament believer (yes, including the bacon)* 1 Corinthians 6 & 1 Timothy 1 — What the apostle Paul wrote, and what the Greek word "arsenokoitai" actually means* Romans 1 — A faithful reading of Paul's most direct passageHe also wades into the questions you may already be asking. Why would Jesus say this? What about Christian hypocrisy that picks and chooses convenient sins? Why doesn't God change my desires when I ask Him to? And the question that holds it all together — can we be saved?Whether this message is brand new to you, brings comfort, or challenges what you've always believed, lean in. Take notes. Keep listening. There are two more weeks in this series, and every part of the plot matters.If this is your first time joining us, please go back and watch Parts 1 and 2 first. The whole series fits together as one cohesive biblical and pastoral conversation.

Come unpack one of the most sobering parenting stories in Scripture: Eli the high priest and his sons Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2). Eli was a respected leader for 40 years — judge, priest, the man people from across Israel came to see. But while he led a nation, he failed to lead his own household. His sons stole from God's offerings, slept with the women serving at the Tent of Meeting, and treated holy things with contempt — and Eli's response wasn't enough.This message wrestles with the tension every parent, grandparent, mentor, and leader feels:* When is discipline too harsh? When is it too soft?* Why does the authority that works at work fall flat at home?* What happens when familiarity with holy things turns into contempt?* Is it easier to keep the peace than to fight for the heart?Eli finally spoke up — but the rebuke didn't match the sin, and his family paid the price. The good news? We have a Father who does not ignore what He loves. God steps in. God speaks the hard truth. And where Eli wouldn't say "my sons must die," our God said, "My Son will die for them."Don't ignore what you love. Have the courage to have the conversation.

In a culture where the temperature on faith and sexuality is often "turned up to 1000 degrees," Pastor Mike continues the five-week series, "God, LGBTQ, and You," by focusing on the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.Building on last week’s message about loving God most, this sermon explores what it means to truly love our neighbors in the midst of a polarizing cultural divide. Drawing from Matthew 22, Pastor Mike challenges the "conditional view of love" that often plagues both religious and secular communities. The big idea is simple but transformative: followers of Christ are called to love all our neighbors a lot—not just some of them, and not just a little.Through the examples of the woman at the well, the self-righteous Pharisees, and the tax collector Zacchaeus, we see a Jesus who was "so approachable and loving" that it confused the people around Him. He didn't lead with a ledger of mistakes; He led with countercultural love. Most importantly, the sermon highlights the heart of the Gospel: God demonstrated His love for us by dying for us "while we were still sinners"—not after we had everything figured out.

Have you ever noticed that certain traits—both good and bad—seem to run in your family?. In week two of our "Bad Parents of the Bible" series, Pastor Monday explores the messy history of the patriarch Jacob and the generational dysfunction that nearly destroyed his family.We often inherit more than just physical features or personality quirks; we inherit "generational trends" that shape our family culture. For Jacob, this meant repeating the same mistake his father made: favoritism. By gifting his son Joseph an ornate, "managerial" robe, Jacob sparked a level of hatred among his other sons so deep they couldn't even offer Joseph a simple word of Shalom (peace).In this message, we explore:* The Power of Familiarity: How dysfunction becomes "normal" in a family until it is compared to God’s Word.* Hearing God through the Noise: How generational sin can actually prevent us from hearing God’s voice and receiving His messengers.* The "Monday" Options: A look at how patterns can feel like they only leave us two options (like "preachers or prisoners"), and how to find a third way through Christ.* Breaking the Cycle: Why "managing" dysfunction or overcorrecting with the next generation isn't enough.The Good News: Jesus didn't come just to help us manage our mess. He entered our "locked rooms" of guilt and shame to offer true peace. As Pastor Monday shares, "Jesus doesn't just interrupt the pattern, he crucifies it," giving us the power of forgiveness to restore even the most broken relationships.

This series aims to move beyond social media snippets and explore Christianity and sexuality with biblical depth, empathy, and "dripping compassion".The Question Before the Questions Before diving into the complex "what abouts" regarding pronouns, policies, or specific Bible passages, this sermon poses one fundamental question: "Do you love God the most?". Drawing from Matthew 22, Pastor Mike highlights Jesus’ teaching that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This means placing God’s Word above personal desires, cultural trends, and even church traditions.The sermon outlines two primary reasons why we must prioritize God’s perspective in the conversation on sexuality:1. God always speaks the truth: Unlike human experiences or cultural shifts that can be mistaken, God's Word is always right, true, and faithful.2. God always acts in love: God is the definition of love, demonstrated most clearly through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who took on the "muck and mire" of our sin so we could be washed pure.Pastor Mike shares the stories of individuals like Beckett Cook, St. Augustine, and Rachel (a lesbian student at Yale), all of whom discovered that finding God was "bigger and better" than their sexual passions. Their lives testify that when we are persuaded by God's character of truth and moved by His gospel of love, we are finally ready to navigate the nitty-gritty questions of identity and orientation.What to Expect in This Series: This sermon is a commitment to a holistic, five-week journey. In the coming weeks, the church will tackle:* Imitating the God of love in our hospitality and mercy.* Imitating the God of truth regarding specific passages in Genesis, Leviticus, and the New Testament.* Practical questions regarding same-sex attraction, gender identity, and how the church should respond to the LGBTQ community today.Join us as we commit to being here for the "whole thing," starting not with ourselves, but with God.

Are you parenting out of trust or control?,. In the kickoff of our new sermon series, "Bad Parents of the Bible," we take an honest look at the messy family dynamics of Isaac and Rebekah,,.Parenting is often an exhausting journey of investing and "pouring in," waiting for our children to finally "turn a corner" in their maturity,. But what happens when the pressure to succeed—or even a divine promise—leads us to favoritism and manipulation?,,,. Through the story of Esau and Jacob, we explore how favoritism often stems from what a child "gives back" to us emotionally or physically, and how trying to control the outcome can lead to short-term wins but devastating long-term consequences,,.We also address the unique fears of parenting in 2026. From the constant "scrolling" of social media to the alarming emergence of AI technologies like "Mythos" that can find vulnerabilities in global systems, the world feels increasingly unpredictable,,. When fear rises, we often tighten our grip, but the line between guiding and controlling is remarkably thin.Key Takeaway: Your child's future is not resting on your control, but on God's grace. While we are called to have the courage to have hard conversations and to stay invested, we can find peace knowing that God loves our children even more than we do,,.In this message, you’ll discover:* Why we naturally gravitate toward favoritism in our relationships,.* The difference between guiding our children and trying to control them.* How to navigate parenting in a high-tech world filled with deep fakes and cyber threats,.* The freedom found in realizing that God’s love for us is based on His grace, not our parenting performance.

Why do millions of people—from the devoutly committed to the deeply skeptical—show up for Easter Sunday? In this message, we explore how Easter is much like Super Bowl Sunday: a massive cultural moment where people gather for vastly different reasons.Whether you are here out of curiosity, kindness to a loved one, or a deep commitment to your faith, there is a seat for you at this table. This sermon dives into the historical reality and life-changing power of the resurrection, proving that no matter who you are or what your story is, Easter is for you.In this message, we explore three unique paths to the empty tomb:* For the Curious: Are you searching for something solid in a world that feels uncertain? We look at the "lack of love" problem we all face and how Jesus came not with a list of commandments, but with a sacrifice of unconditional love to fix what we couldn't fix ourselves.* For the Unsure: Do you feel like the resurrection sounds like "nonsense"? We "pull a Peter" and investigate the evidence. From debunking the "wrong tomb" and "swoon" theories to examining why the apostles were willing to die for this message, we see that belief in Jesus doesn't require you to turn off your brain.* For the Experienced: If you’ve celebrated 50 Easters, what is left to learn? We look at how even Jesus’ closest friends forgot the promise of Easter. We rediscover how the resurrection provides daily freedom from guilt, hope in the face of grief, and the power to face life’s hardest challenges."He is risen indeed!" Death is not the period at the end of our story; because of Jesus, it is only a comma.

Explore why the resurrection of Jesus is not just a philosophy or a collection of religious beliefs, but a life-altering historic event that changes everything for everyone. Whether you are stepping into a church for the first time, wrestling with deep-seated doubts, or have celebrated Easter for decades, this message is for you.In this sermon, we look at the Easter story through three lenses:* For the Curious: Discover why Easter is rooted in history. We dive into the research of Luke, a doctor and historian, who documented the empty tomb not as a myth, but as a factual account of sin being forgiven and death being defeated.* For the Unsure: Do you feel like the resurrection sounds like "nonsense"? You’re in good company. We follow the journey of Peter—a man who went from denying Jesus to running toward the empty tomb. We explore the evidence that moved the early disciples from being unsure to being unshakable.* For the Experienced: If this is your 50th Easter, what is left to hear? Pastor Jared discusses the vital difference between knowing the story and remembering what it means for your daily life. Learn how the resurrection provides an anchor against anxiety and a certain hope for your future.The Power of Redemption: Through a moving story about "buying back" lost treasures at a thrift store, we see the heart of Jesus as our Redeemer. He didn’t stay distant; He came into our mess and our death to pay the price and bring us home

In this Good Friday message, we journey through the final 20 hours of Jesus’ life—from the agony of Gethsemane to the finality of the tomb. While we often focus on what Jesus did, this sermon explores the profound significance of what Jesus refused to do.Jesus was not a victim. He was a King setting aside His authority and refusing to use His power so that the mission of our salvation could be completed.In this message, we explore:* The Refusal to Run: In the Garden of Gethsemane, despite being "overwhelmed to the point of death," Jesus refused to walk away from the cup of God’s wrath.* The Refusal to be Rescued: Jesus could have called upon 12 legions of angels—over 72,000—to wipe out His enemies in a moment, but He chose to stay for our sake.* The Refusal to be Silent: When the High Priest asked if He was the Messiah, Jesus boldly declared "I AM," accepting a guilty verdict of blasphemy so that a guilty verdict would never be pronounced over you.* The Great Exchange: Like Barabbas, we are the ones who deserve the chains, yet Jesus refused to set Himself free so that we could walk free.* The Refusal to Save Himself: Even as He was mocked on the cross, Jesus refused to come down. He knew that if He saved Himself, He could not save us."It is finished.". When Jesus spoke those final words, He wasn't giving up; He was declaring that the debt of our sin was paid in full. Your debt, your shame, and your past have been absorbed by the one who loved you too much to let you go.

In this unique Good Friday service, we gather to contemplate the "Seven Words" spoken by Jesus from the cross. Each word serves a divine purpose: to lift the specific burdens that weigh down our souls—burdens of guilt, despair, loneliness, abandonment, emptiness, striving, and even death.In this message, we explore the Seven Words of Jesus:* Word 1: The Burden of Guilt – "Father, forgive them..." (Luke 23:34). Forgiveness is a treasure we must not take for granted; at the cross, we see what it cost God to free us from our shame.* Word 2: The Burden of Despair – "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Jesus offers restoration for broken relationships and hope for even the most "irreparable" damage.* Word 3: The Burden of Loneliness – "Woman, here is your son..." (John 19:26-27). At the cross, Jesus redefines family, ensuring that no one who gathers before Him ever has to be alone.* Word 4: The Burden of Abandonment – "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Jesus stepped into the breach and took our judgment so that God could promise us: "Never will I leave you".* Word 5: The Burden of Emptiness – "I thirst" (John 19:28). Jesus experienced the ultimate spiritual thirst so that He could become the "living water" that fills our restless hearts.* Word 6: The Burden of Striving – "It is finished" (John 19:30). Our greatest debt has been paid in full. We can stop trying to earn our way to God, because Jesus has already "got you covered".* Word 7: The Burden of Death – "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, death is no longer a finality but a "safe passage" home to the Father.