Neighborhood Church Podcast

Why do we sing? It's a stranger question than it sounds — and it's worth asking. In this first message of Playlist Theology, Forrest traces worship music all the way back to its roots: an ancient hymn fragment discovered in an Egyptian trash dump, written on the back of a corn contract, sung by Christians who were being arrested for their faith. At the center of that tiny, 35-word song is a claim that was countercultural then and still is now — that God is the only giver of all good gifts. What you believe about God shapes who you become. And sometimes, the songs we sing are the best way to remind our hearts of what's true before we fully feel it. In This Teaching Why music has always been central to Christian worship — from the Psalms to the earliest church The story behind the oldest Christian hymn ever discovered, and what it meant to sing it under persecution Why your mental picture of God is the most important thing about you How Jesus describes God as a generous Father — and why that picture changes everything Why we sing: not just to express what we feel, but to form what we believe Scriptures Referenced Philippians 2:6–11 Colossians 1:15–20 James 1:17 Matthew 5:45 Matthew 7:9–11 Matthew 19:17

The Church has a reputation problem ... and it's not entirely undeserved. But what if the Church isn't broken, just sleeping? In this final message of the Sleeping Giant series, Forrest explores what it looks like when ordinary people wake up to the way of Jesus and commit to loving their neighbors on purpose, every day. From a surprising chapter of Church history to the walls of ancient Jerusalem, this is about what gets unleashed when a sleeping giant finally stirs. In this teaching: The Church is often defined more by what it's against than what it's for — and that has to change Paul's letter to the Romans describes love as a debt you never fully pay off — every person you meet, you owe them something Church history shows that when followers of Jesus took "love your neighbor" seriously, it literally created the hospital system Nehemiah's story is a blueprint for staying focused when opposition shows up after momentum builds Waking up isn't about getting louder or taking control — it's about reflecting Jesus clearly enough that people experience him through you Scriptures referenced: Romans 13:7-14 Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemiah 2:4-5, 17-18 Nehemiah 6:2-3

What does it look like when a church stays true to its mission for 78 years? Forrest traces Neighborhood Church's story — from a handwritten note about "Children and Community Friends" to a new campus and ending generational poverty in our community. None of it is random. It's what happens when a community chooses consistent, intentional generosity over time. You'll also hear from Jordan Brokaw (Kingsburg Campus Pastor) and Stephanie Benthin (Director of Neighborhood Degree) Along the way, Forrest makes a simple but clarifying distinction: we're married to our mission, but we date our model. And he unpacks what happens when a community decides to stop protecting what's comfortable and start pursuing what's impactful. And it's an invitation to ask yourself — is there a next step for me? In this teaching: Why "good" isn't the goal — impact is The difference between alleviating poverty and ending it Why prevention is always more powerful than intervention, even when it's invisible What Jesus meant when he said your treasure and your heart are connected How planned generosity makes spontaneous generosity possible Scripture referenced: Luke 12:34 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

We're living through a hinge point in history — and the data shows most of us aren't handling it well. When everything is shifting, the instinct is to find what works and hold on tight. But Paul's letter to the Romans carries an honest warning: a strong commitment to a very specific way of life will eventually lead to turmoil and cut you off from God himself. In This Teaching Why clinging to a specific way of life leads to personal turmoil — and cuts you off from God How the Hebrews in the wilderness and Israel's religious leaders both made the same costly mistake What Rick Rubin's advice to songwriters reveals about following the Spirit in a changing world Three practical ways to train yourself to discern what is higher: the Gospels, old books, and serving the poor Why the resurrection changes everything about how loosely you can hold your life Scriptures Referenced Romans 8:5-8, 11 Matthew 5:17 John 11:47-48, 53 Acts 16:22-23, 25 Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Nobody argues with the weather. You grab a jacket or you get wet — either way, you adjust. But when something that actually matters falls apart, adjusting isn't so simple. In this episode, Forrest opens the Accept It series by walking through one of the most emotionally honest stories in the Gospels — the death of Lazarus — and what it reveals about where God is when life doesn't go the way you planned. In This Teaching: Why Option B isn't the exception to life — it's the norm The moment two grieving sisters confront Jesus with the question most of us are afraid to ask What it means that Jesus wept at a tomb he was about to open The kind of hope that doesn't always look like getting what you lost back Scripture Referenced: John 16:33 John 11:3–43 Psalm 34:18

Two billion people gathered this Easter weekend to celebrate the name of Jesus. But how does a carpenter from a tiny corner of the Roman Empire become the most remembered person in human history — two thousand years later? In this message, Forrest Jenan makes the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus. You'll hear about the women who showed up at the tomb expecting to prepare a body — and found it empty. The disciples hiding behind locked doors, convinced the whole thing was over. And how those same frightened people, just forty days later, poured into the streets of Jerusalem declaring that Jesus was alive. Scriptures Referenced John 20:2 Luke 24:11–12 Luke 24:38 Luke 24:44–48 John 20:19

What does it look like to stay on mission when the road gets hard? In this message, Brian Ross traces the journey of the Apostle Paul — from zealous persecutor to faithful witness — and asks what made him effective. Using Paul's account in Acts 22 and the sweeping arc of his ministry through Acts 27-28, Brian shows that mission begins when you live into the reality of Jesus as Lord, pursue what is good, and channel that goodness to the people around you. Paul's road to Rome ran through shipwrecks, assassination plots, and prison cells. He kept going anyway. His story is an invitation to do the same. In this message: What drove Paul before his encounter with Jesus How the Damascus road experience reoriented everything What mission looks like in ordinary, everyday life Why opposition is a normal part of a life on mission Scriptures Referenced: Acts 22:1-21 | Acts 27-28 | Galatians 1:10-14 | Matthew 20:25-28 | Matthew 10:34-36 | 2 Timothy 3:12Special Guest: Brian Ross.

In 2026, every philosophy, lifestyle, and spiritual path is a finger tap away. So how do you know which one actually leads somewhere good? This week, Brian Ross steps into Acts 17 — where Paul walked into one of history's most pluralistic cities and raised a deeper question about truth, character, and what ultimately defines a life well lived. Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or you're not sure what you believe, this conversation is for you. In This Episode: Why Christian faith is just one option among many in 2026 — and why that's actually an important starting point The dangerous gap between "Christianity" and Jesus himself — and why history makes that distinction impossible to ignore What false spirituality looks like in everyday life Why divine judgment might be the best news you've heard all week What Einstein, Gandhi, and Richard Dawkins all had to say about Jesus What it means to engage with God as a person, not a set of doctrines Scripture Referenced: Acts 17:16-34 Matthew 5:44 Acts 20:35 Luke 14:13-14 Luke 23:33-34 Acts 17:27-28 Quotes Featured: Benito Mussolini (1932) Richard Furman (1755-1825) Adolf Hitler (1928) Anne Rice Miroslav Volf Albert Einstein (1929) Mahatma Gandhi (1941) Richard Dawkins (2004) YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/uX10YOGVVo0Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Everywhere you turn, someone is telling you what it takes to belong. Have the right views. Follow the right rules. Fit the right mold. In Acts 15, the early church faced a question that still matters today: Who gets welcomed in? YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/2THo13eHNmM

What if the most influential movement in history began with a handful of ordinary, uncertain people? The Book of Acts tells the story of how a small group, convinced something extraordinary had happened, carried a message that reshaped cultures and lives. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/N7U9MBwm9uE

Many people long for connection, purpose, and a place to belong. What if the next step isn’t finding the right place, but helping create it for someone else? In It’s Our Turn, Forrest Jenan explores how simple acts of service open the doors for hope, community, and faith to grow in real, everyday life together for everyone.

Life can feel steady one moment and unravel the next. Plans shift, news arrives, pressure builds, and suddenly you’re navigating waters you never expected to face. In Surviving Mayhem, Darrin Cantrell recounts the powerful moment between Jesus and Peter, and uncovers a steady presence in the middle of life’s storms.

We don’t rise to the occasion; we default to our training. When life gets heavy, we rely on what has been shaped inside us. In Part 2 of Beyond the Playbook, discover how simple, daily rhythms create the right conditions for a life of purpose, allowing deep transformation to take root so you can play the game with confidence. YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49560801

Life often feels like being thrown onto a field without knowing the plays. We try to play the game and follow the rules, yet we still feel overwhelmed when the ball snaps. In Part 1 of Beyond the Playbook, discover how to move beyond religious performance and internalize a rhythm of grace that makes love your second nature.

What am I doing with my life? This questions usually shows up around big moments—birthdays, transitions, burnout—or late at night when everything finally quiets down. Deep down, there’s a desire to believe our lives are pointed toward something meaningful—something worth the energy we’re giving to it. In Part 4 of Being Human, Forrest Jenan leans into a simple but challenging idea: our lives are already being given away, one day and one decision at a time. The real question isn’t if we’ll give them away, but what we’re giving them to. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/pgEUX7gNmn4 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49557621

Most of us feel the pressure to explain who we are—what defines us, what makes us matter, and how we should be seen. In a world where everything feels fluid and constantly changing, that pressure can be exhausting. When identity becomes something you have to build, edit, and defend, it never really feels finished. In Part 3 of Being Human, Forrest Jenan explores a deeper question beneath all the noise: Who gets to define you? Through an ancient story and an honest look at our cultural moment, we’ll consider what it means to be known before we perform, valued before we prove, and grounded in something more stable than shifting labels. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/GfrAzAC19HI YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49555150

Most of us answer the question “Who are you?” with job titles, family roles, or interests. But somewhere along the way, those answers stop feeling solid. Careers shift, families are complicated, and interests change. Underneath the small talk is a deeper tension: If all these labels disappeared, would I still know who I am—and would it matter? In Part 2 of Being Human, Brian Ross explores the grounding idea your worth isn’t something you earn or defend, but something you carry into every room you enter. And if that’s true, it reshapes how you see yourself, how you let others treat you, and how you show up for people who are different from you. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/fBR_IX4Cw_ISpecial Guest: Brian Ross.

For many, living in a human body feels less like a gift and more like a daily battle. Whether it is chronic pain, anxiety, or body image struggles, it is easy to feel betrayed by your own skin. This reality can leave you wondering if your physical self—limitations and all—actually matters, or if it is just an obstacle to endure. In Part 1 of our series Being Human, Forrest Jenan explores the idea that your body is not a mistake to escape. Forrest uncovers an Jesus-centered perspective that validates your physical experience and offers a way for making peace with your humanity. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/8D5s_jQdhI8 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49548181

Most of us walk into a new year with pressure to do more, achieve more, or finally “be better.” What if the biggest thing holding you back this year … is you — getting out of your own way and letting go of the constant need to prove, defend, and outperform? You can’t step into the new year if you’re still carrying the old you. In this message for the new year, Jordan Brokaw explores how forgetting yourself might be the most life-giving thing you do in 2026. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/x1i6cq0V_IE YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49546292

What do you do when you can’t see what’s next—and the waiting starts to wear you down? Most of us carry a quiet how question into Christmas: How will this work out? How do I get through this? How long can I keep waiting? We don’t always say it out loud, and we’re not always sure who to ask. Yet that feeling of being disoriented, stuck, or unsure is more common than we admit. This Christmas Eve, we explored what it means to find direction when clarity is missing. Not by pretending life is tidy or offering quick fixes, but by telling a story of presence, trust, and hope that holds even when the path forward isn’t obvious.

It is possible to survive the hardest days of our lives yet still feel lost when the crisis is over. When we are stuck in the past or weighed down by how we’ve been hurt, we might be physically present, but we aren't truly free. In Part 3 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan looks at how Jesus’ way of love—often dismissed as soft or impractical—is actually the most powerful, pragmatic strategy for navigating a chaotic world and healing deep fractures. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/8RRp4X2Rl2s YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49540289

A life that feels meaningful, connected, and whole is something we all want—especially at Christmas. But somewhere along the way, relationships can fray, distance grows, and we’re left wondering how to fix what’s broken without making it worse. In Part 2 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan invites us to see reconciliation as a way of life—one that restores what’s been separated, heals division, and helps us move through the world with the same grace we celebrate in the Christmas story. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/qBNNEWs6r4k YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49535552

Life rarely falls apart all at once; usually, we just drift until we wonder, "How did I get here?" Willpower alone often fails to get us back on track, but Christmas offers a different hope: help comes to find us. In Part 1 of The Way Home, Forrest Jenan explores the "quiet drift" of life and the Christmas promise of a God who comes to the rescue. If you feel lost or stuck, this message offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to navigate your way back alone. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/-4nmRduRNZM YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49533403

There are moments when we wonder why we keep tripping over the same patterns—repeating choices that hurt our relationships, our future, and even how we see ourselves. There’s a built-in drift toward self-destruction and shame that shapes more of our decisions than we realize But there’s real hope. Jesus doesn’t enter our lives to point out what’s wrong—He comes to lift the weight we’ve been carrying: regret, secrets, and the parts of ourselves we avoid. In Part 4 of Hardwired, Forrest Jenan invites us to see Jesus as the One who carries what we cannot, leading us into healing, freedom, and a new way to live. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/guOFHg8qUeU YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49529882

We all feel the pull toward what’s easier—avoiding the hard conversation, putting off the change we know we need, staying comfortable. Jesus understood this wiring long before science named it. In Part 3 of Hardwired, Forrest Jenan looks at the two paths we all choose between every day: the one that feels easy in the moment and the one that leads to the kind of life we deeply want. Why do we fight against the very choices that bring growth, peace, and real transformation? How does Jesus offer the strength we need to take the harder, better path?

You probably know someone who needs to change but won’t—someone stuck, hurting, or repeating choices that damage their life and the lives around them. But we rarely stop to ask a harder question: what if we’re doing the same thing? In Part 2 of Hardwired, Brian Ross invites us to consider a different path—one where openness becomes the doorway to healing. Drawing from Psalm 95 and the story of a God whose nature is deeply and relentlessly good, Brian gives an honest look at how we get stuck, how we stay stuck, and what becomes possible when we finally loosen our grip and allow God’s goodness to reshape us from the inside out. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/3vG2PAAattg YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49523239Special Guest: Brian Ross.

Many of us move through life with a quiet ache for connection. Even with full calendars and constant activity, we still long to feel known and to belong — because we were made for it. The need for relationship is built into who we are. In Part 1 of our Hardwired series, we’ll look at the moment Jesus meets a woman who felt on the outside of everything and makes space for her with dignity and compassion. Her story shows that belonging isn’t accidental or earned — it’s created when we make room for one another. When we do, connection begins to heal what loneliness has worn down.

Most of us have tried reading the Bible and walked away thinking, “I don’t get it.” That’s because we all read the Bible through a particular lens — and sometimes those lenses make it harder to see what’s really there. In this message, we discover a better way to read the Bible — one that brings clarity instead of confusion. When you see it through the lens of Jesus, the story comes alive, and you might just see yourself differently too. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/IlMJa3DcXzk YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49516406

We all have something we’re trying to stop—an unhealthy pattern, a habit gone too far, or a thought that won’t let go. Most of the time, we tell ourselves, “Don’t.” But no matter how strong our willpower is, the “don’t” cycle rarely works for long. It keeps us stuck, exhausted, and ashamed when we can’t hold it together. In Part 2 of How to Stop What’s Stopping You, Forrest talks about what to do when willpower runs out. There’s a better way to move forward: surrender. When you reach the end of “don’t,” and finally whisper “help,” that’s where freedom begins. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/Zoy6YCBDR_Y YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49511849

Denial has a way of keeping us stuck. It can damage relationships, weigh on our conscience, and quietly rob us of peace. What if the first step toward healing isn’t fixing everything, but simply being honest about what’s broken? In Part 1 of our new series How to Stop What’s Stopping You, Darrin Cantrell explores what happens when we stop pretending everything’s okay and finally step into the light God offers—a light that doesn’t shame or expose us but helps us breathe again. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/5e4rseRiUEo YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49507909

Most of us know what it feels like to run on empty—busy, distracted, and worn out. We keep trying to catch our breath, but nothing seems to refill us for long. In the final installment of our Thirty Words series, Forrest Jenan talks about staying connected to the source of life itself. Jesus invites us to make our home in Him—not to try harder, but to live with a steady awareness that He’s with us, giving us what we need to truly breathe again.

Most of us know what it feels like to get burned by religion — the pressure to perform, the guilt that never quite lifts, the endless cycle of trying harder to be “good enough.” Maybe you’ve felt the weight of it, or maybe you’ve just watched how it can twist something beautiful into something heavy. What if the spiritual life you’ve been searching for isn’t about trying to reach God at all, but realizing He’s already come close? In Part 5 of Thirty Words, Forrest Jenan explores one of Jesus’ most surprising missions: to bring an end to the exhausting systems people built to find God. In a story that starts at a wedding with empty jars and ends with joy, we’ll see what happens when grace replaces guilt, and how Jesus reveals a way of life that actually feels like rest. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/RI_1izj_oX4 YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49503130

We all feel the pull to have it our way—with our families, our schedules, our futures. But if we’re honest, even our best attempts at self-rule often leave us tired, anxious, or frustrated. Deep down, most of us long for a bigger story, a wiser way to live, and a community that helps us flourish rather than compete. In Part 4 of our Thirty Words series, we’re exploring Jesus’ most frequent topic—the Kingdom of God—and what it means for everyday people right now. The “kingdom” Jesus talked about isn’t castles and crowns but a living reality you can step into today—a new way of life where God’s wisdom, love, and justice take root in real time and begin reshaping your world from the inside out. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/s32DIWPTu4A YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49498189

Everywhere we look—headlines, workplaces, even our own relationships—we see patterns of harm that keep cycling. We call it brokenness, dysfunction, injustice, self-sabotage… but whatever the name, it leaves people trapped and hurting. Deep down, most of us sense there’s more to life than this and wonder if there’s any real way out of the damage we’ve caused or inherited. In Part 3 of our series Thirty Words, Jordan Brokaw explores how Jesus stepped into the heart of that problem to rescue and restore, and how His rescue opens a path to freedom and new life for anyone who wants it. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/fgCqQLYLHuw YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49494795

Deep down, every person wonders if love can actually be trusted. We all long for a kind of love that isn’t just talk but shows up, steps in, and proves itself when it costs something. That ache for real, reliable love is at the heart of human experience. In Part 2 of our Thirty Words series, we’re looking at how Jesus embodies that kind of love. Forrest Jenan explores the claim that God came to show us what love looks like in action. Whether you’re skeptical or curious, this is an invitation to discover a kind of love that can shape not only what you believe but how you live. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/f55HRgA0g_A YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49490834

Every generation longs for good news—something strong enough to break through fear, grief, and confusion. The Christian story begins with just that: God stepped into our world in Jesus to show us what He is really like. In Part 1 of our series Thirty Words, Forrest Jenan explore the simple announcement at the heart of faith and discover how thirty words can carry hope powerful enough to change everything. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/QhbgR9e-ZjA

There are few questions that unsettle us more than the one that surfaces in the quiet of the night: What happens when it’s over? Whether it’s sparked by a childhood prayer, a funeral, or visiting a hospital room, the thought of death leaves us wondering what comes next and if anything lies beyond the silence. This week in Staring at the Ceiling, we’ll listen closely to how Jesus spoke about life beyond this one. His words don’t remove every mystery, but they offer a vision of presence, renewal, and love that can steady us in the face of the unknown and give us courage to live with hope now. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/1ASwoK6P_Lk YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49484691

At some point, most of us find ourselves staring at the ceiling, wondering if our lives really matter. We get caught in endless routines, distracted by busyness or numbing out with screens, but deep down we long to know that our days add up to something bigger than ourselves. That quiet question … Why am I here? …isn’t just about existence, it’s about significance. This week in Staring at the Ceiling, we’ll look at a moment from Jesus’ life where he uncovered what gets in the way of living with purpose. What if the meaning you’re searching for isn’t found in what you gain, but in the way your life flows outward into the lives of others? Ordinary choices like our words, our time, even the small ways we show up can leave a lasting mark and build a legacy that matters. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/T1CeW_iGcAs YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49482340

You try to live a good life. You want to make choices you can feel proud of. But the more voices you hear, the harder it gets to know what “doing the right thing” actually means. That tension of wanting to live well but feeling overwhelmed by competing voices can leave you lying awake at night asking, Am I doing the right thing? In Part 2 of our series Staring at the Ceiling, Jordan Brokaw talks about the simple but profound answer Jesus gave to one of life’s most complicated questions. It’s not a checklist, and it’s not a loophole. It’s a way of living that can guide every decision, even in life’s grey areas. You don’t have to have the whole map. You just need a compass. And if what Jesus said is true, that compass always points in one direction: love. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49477734

Regret has a way of keeping us up at night—eyes locked on the ceiling, replaying the past like it might finally give us a different ending. But it never does. Instead, the weight just sits there, asking quietly but relentlessly: How did I get here? In the story of Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, we see that regret doesn’t have to be the end of the story. There’s a place where the past can remind you, but it doesn’t have to define you—and that place is closer than you think. In Part 1 of Staring at the Ceiling, Forrest Jenan helps us look at what to do with the kind of regret that lingers. Not by pretending it doesn’t hurt, but by taking it somewhere safe—somewhere it can be met with grace, healing, and even a new assignment for your life.

Sometimes the danger isn’t in doing the wrong thing. It’s doing nothing at all. Or worse, filling our lives with busyness that distracts us from what actually matters. Sloth isn’t just laziness; it’s the quiet decision to check out when something meaningful demands our attention. It can look like avoidance, apathy, distraction, or even hiding behind productivity. Either way, it slowly robs us of purpose, connection, and growth. But what if there’s a more intentional, more awake way of being human? In this message, Brian Ross unpacks the deeper meaning of sloth and explores how Jesus invites us to trade passivity for purpose. Whether you’re wired to chill or driven to hustle, you’ll walk away challenged and encouraged to re-engage with the life you were made for. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/ODwdRRvmhbgSpecial Guest: Brian Ross.

You don’t need to turn green and smash things to know what it feels like to lose control. Maybe your outbursts aren’t epic, but they’ve left dents in your relationships and in your peace. Or maybe your wrath stays quiet, simmering just below the surface. Either way, the result is the same: emotional shrapnel and a nagging sense that your anger is shaping your life more than you’d like to admit. What if there’s a way to break the cycle? In a world addicted to outrage, there’s a way to feel anger without becoming it. In Part 6 of our series, Seven Deadly Sins, Forrest Jenan explores how Jesus actually tackles this head-on, not with guilt or shame, but with clarity and an invitation to wholeness. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/VEWTRviGjoY

You’ve probably never plotted to steal a first-class seat from a stranger. But have you ever felt that twinge when someone else got what you wanted—a job, a relationship, an opportunity—and you wondered why it wasn’t you? Envy rarely shows up with fangs and a villain’s laugh. It hides behind our comparisons, our scrolling, and our silent resentment. And unlike other destructive habits, envy never gives us even a moment of satisfaction. In Part 5 of Seven Deadly Sins, Darrin Cantrell gets personal with the green monster we often don’t even realize we’re feeding. Using one of the oldest stories in Scripture, we’ll uncover what envy does to our connection with others—and how it quietly distances us from God. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/-c8UFnY9KHQ We are FOR Visalia. To find out more about Neighborhood Church, out the links below. http://ncvisalia.com http://facebook.com/ncvisalia http://twitter.com/ncvisalia

When you think of gluttony, you might imagine massive meals or exaggerated appetites. The hunger we carry often goes far beyond food. Many of us live with a quiet, persistent ache we try to soothe in all kinds of ways: another snack, another drink, another purchase, another scroll. Underneath it all, we’re searching for comfort, peace of mind, or even just a moment of relief. This week, we’re looking at the deeper meaning behind Gluttony, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In this message, Jordan Brokaw explores what our patterns of consumption reveal about our desires and how our bodies and souls are more connected than we realize. What might it look like to live with intention, gratitude, and presence? Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/XN-kH5SQMDo YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49460578

Sex is everywhere. It’s on our screens, in our headlines, and in the stories people tell. But with all the noise, it's easy to feel lost about what love, desire, and connection are really supposed to look like. The messages are loud, but they rarely lead to peace. This week in our Seven Deadly Sins series, we’re talking about lust. Not to point fingers, but to help us pause and think honestly about how our desires are forming us. Jordan Brokaw offers a fresh vision of sexuality rooted in love, dignity, and the kind of intimacy Jesus invites us into. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/CbV9Hep8bqk YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49458561

Greed doesn’t always look like luxury cars and swimming pools full of gold coins. It’s actually more subtle. It can hide behind packed schedules, careful planning, or a desire to be “smart” with our resources. But underneath it all, there’s a question gnawing at us: Will I have enough? In Part 2 of Seven Deadly Sins, Stephanie Benthin unpacks how greed quietly steals our peace and convinces us to hold on tighter, even when Jesus is inviting us to let go. This isn’t just about money. The invitation to follow Jesus might mean carrying less... so you can receive more from God who provides rest, peace, and purpose. Watch Sunday’s message below, then continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/nxDEEJV6sPM YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49455339

You’ve been told to be confident, assertive, and in control—maybe even that it’s the only way to get ahead. But what if the very thing driving your success is quietly sabotaging your relationships, your peace, and your ability to be fully known? Pride is easy to spot in others but nearly invisible in ourselves, and while it promises strength, it often leaves us isolated, guarded, and exhausted from holding it all together. In Part 1 of our series Seven Deadly Sins, we’re looking at the one force that often lives at the root of everything that goes wrong: Pride. Jesus offers a better way—one that begins not with proving yourself, but with letting go. YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49453817

You’ve probably been told at some point that life is one big competition. The better you look, the faster you climb, the more you achieve, the more valuable you are. But what if chasing the win is actually costing you more than you realize? In a world that tells us to succeed at all costs, many of us are quietly wondering: Was the win even worth it? In Part 4 of The Unwanted Awards, Jordan Brokaw unpacks the lie behind the relentless pursuit of winning—and offers a better way YOUVERSION NOTES: http://bible.com/events/49450621

You say yes because it feels easier than conflict. You take the extra shift, carry the emotional load, agree to things you never wanted to do—all because saying no feels selfish or scary. But over time, that habit starts to chip away at your peace. You’re burned out, stretched thin, and wondering if anyone even notices how much you’re carrying. In Part 3 of The Unwanted Awards, we’re handing out The Never Said No Award. We’ll explore why boundaries matter, how fear keeps us stuck, and what it means to say no with grace and conviction. This isn’t about becoming hard or selfish. It’s about reclaiming your yes by learning the power of a well-placed no.

You’ve tried to get everything just right. Perfect plans. Perfect words. Perfect image. But no matter how hard you work, it still doesn’t feel like enough. Perfectionism promises love and safety, but delivers pressure and exhaustion. If you’ve ever felt like you have to earn your worth, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep living this way. In Part 2 of The Unwanted Awards, we’re naming the weight we’ve all carried: The Most Perfect Award. Jesus doesn’t ask you to be flawless—He invites you to rest in grace. If you’re tired of striving and ready to be seen, loved, and free, this message for you. YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/YnubSRO1T3M YOUVERSION NOTES: https://bible.com/events/49442328