Mountain City Church

What does it actually cost to follow Jesus? In this message from Luke 14:26–33, Wesley walks through Jesus' own words to the crowds who followed Him — words that demand a radical reordering of priorities. Drawing from personal stories about basketball, marriage, and an unfinished home renovation project, Wesley breaks down three characteristics of a devoted follower of Jesus: they love Jesus above everything else, they count the cost before they commit, and they surrender everything — not just the easy parts — to Him. The message closes with Peter's invitation in Acts 2, calling listeners to respond not out of guilt, but out of a genuine, cut-to-the-heart recognition of who Jesus is. Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're hearing this for the first time, this is an invitation to ask: is my faith right now driven by convenience, or by conviction?

A missionary serving in Benin, West Africa shares an on-fire update on what God is doing on the mission field — from 16 to 23 church plants in a matter of months, whole families coming to Christ, baptisms in a backyard swimming pool, and believers paying a real cost to follow Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 136, he unpacks five reasons we give God thanks: He is good, He is Lord, He is our Creator, He is our Redeemer, and His mercy endures forever — illustrated through the parable of the prodigal son (better named "the parable of the good father"). A challenging, personal call to wake up from comfort, make disciples, and remember that the same Great Commission given overseas has been given to us right here at home.

Fear is a quiet architect. It builds walls in our relationships, talks us out of our callings, and keeps us comfortable when God is calling us to be courageous. But Scripture points us to a different kind of fear, a holy reverence for God that doesn't shrink us, it sets us free. In this message, we explore how the fear of the Lord replaces the fear of man, opening the door to deeper intimacy, real boldness, and the abundant life we were made for. Whether you're feeling stuck, playing it safe, or simply hungry for more, come as you are. There's room for you here, and a God who meets you right where you are.

Jesus didn't just claim authority — he gave it away. In this final message of our authority series, we open Mark 3:13–15 and discover the four biblical conditions through which Christ's authority flows into everyday life: abiding with Jesus, obeying his commands, speaking his message, and acting in his name. If you've ever felt powerless as a Christian — at work, at home, or in your own struggles with sin — this message is for you. Authority isn't reserved for pastors or apostles. It's been granted to you.

Jesus didn't just claim authority — he gave it away. In this final message of our authority series, we open Mark 3:13–15 and discover the four biblical conditions through which Christ's authority flows into everyday life: abiding with Jesus, obeying his commands, speaking his message, and acting in his name. If you've ever felt powerless as a Christian — at work, at home, or in your own struggles with sin — this message is for you. Authority isn't reserved for pastors or apostles. It's been granted to you.

What do you do when the worst thing that ever happened to you turns out to be part of God's greatest plan? In this message from Genesis 44–45, Pastor Ron walks us through one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture — the moment Joseph reveals himself to the brothers who sold him into slavery. Through Joseph's story, we discover what it looks like to trust God with your pain, live by your word, own the weight of unconfessed sin, and extend grace to people who don't deserve it. If you've ever wondered whether God can redeem the broken chapters of your story, this message is for you.

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of your Christian walk — checking boxes, following rules — only to feel more exhausted than fulfilled? In this message from Mark 2:23-28, we discover why Jesus confronted the Pharisees over a grain field — and what it reveals about how easily our faith can drift from relationship to religion. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us that God's commands were never meant to weigh us down. They were designed to give us rest, restore our joy, and refocus our eyes on the people around us. If your faith has started to feel like a burden, this message is for you.CHAPTER REFERENCES:Mark 2:23-281 John 3:16-18James 2:15-17Genesis 2:1-3Exodus 20:8-111 Samuel 21

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of your Christian walk — checking boxes, following rules — only to feel more exhausted than fulfilled? In this message from Mark 2:23-28, we discover why Jesus confronted the Pharisees over a grain field — and what it reveals about how easily our faith can drift from relationship to religion. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us that God's commands were never meant to weigh us down. They were designed to give us rest, restore our joy, and refocus our eyes on the people around us. If your faith has started to feel like a burden, this message is for you.CHAPTER REFERENCES:Mark 2:23-281 John 3:16-18James 2:15-17Genesis 2:1-3Exodus 20:8-111 Samuel 21

AJ Hurley, National Outreach Director for the White Rose Resistance, delivers a bold and urgent call to the church to stop outsourcing the fight for life and start living like the truth actually costs something. Drawing from John 12, his years as a respiratory therapist at UCLA Medical Center, and frontline pro-life activism, AJ challenges believers to confront the silence and apathy that has allowed abortion to persist in America for over 50 years. This is not a political message. It is a gospel one.