Sermons

Pastor Dell continued our series on the Apostles' Creed by walking through the second line of the creed, "I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary." The identity of Jesus Christ is the most important question any person can face. He is not simply a good moral teacher or a wise prophet. He is the one and only Son of God, fully human and fully divine, who entered human history to save a world that could not save itself. John 3:16 is not just a familiar verse about love. It is a declaration of who Jesus is and what our response to Him must be. True belief is not intellectual agreement. It is a complete transfer of trust from yourself to Christ, surrendering every part of life under His lordship. Just as Mary said yes to God without having all the answers, we are called to the same surrendered faith. Jesus is Lord, and that truth demands a response.

This morning Pastor Dell started our new series, "I Believe" by looking at the first line of the Apostles' Creed, 'I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,'. This line is far more than a religious formality. It is a personal declaration that shapes how we see God, ourselves, and everything around us. God is not a distant force or vague spiritual concept. He is a Father who adopts us through Christ, a Creator who made us with purpose, and an Almighty Ruler whose authority extends over every part of life. Because He is Father, we are not spiritual orphans. Because He is Creator, our lives are not accidental. Because He is Almighty, we can trust Him even when we cannot see what He is doing. The real question is not simply whether we believe God exists, but whether the way we actually live reflects that belief.

Pastor Dell concluded our series, "A Church Worth Becoming" as he walked through 1 Corinthians 16:19-24, speaking on grace. Grace is not just how we enter a relationship with God. It is the foundation of how we live together as the church. The church in Corinth struggled with division, sexual sin, worship disorder, and doubt about the resurrection, yet Paul never stopped reminding them of who they were in Christ. A holy church is not a perfect church. It is a church being continually transformed by grace. The grace we receive from God must be reflected outward to the people around us. Grace calls for a response, and that response is wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ. After sixteen chapters of correction, Paul's final word to the Corinthians is grace, and that is no accident.

Pastor Dell continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming" as he picked up where we left off in 1 Corinthians 16. Paul's final commands to the Corinthian church provide a blueprint for building spiritually mature faith communities. Churches must stay vigilant against false teaching and spiritual drift, stand firm on gospel truth rather than cultural preferences, demonstrate courage in obedience and confronting sin, and wrap all actions in genuine love. Additionally, recognizing and honoring faithful servants encourages continued devotion to ministry. These five principles help churches develop deep spiritual roots that can withstand any storm, creating communities that reflect Christ's character and endure through challenges.

Our Elder, Adam West, continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming" as he started to walk us through 1 Corinthians 16. Paul's final chapter in First Corinthians provides timeless wisdom about Christian stewardship and church unity. He establishes principles for biblical giving, emphasizing that we should give on the first day of the week from our firstfruits, not our leftovers. Common obstacles to generous giving include comparing ourselves to others, worrying about how money will be used, and getting overwhelmed by calculations. Paul also demonstrates the importance of planning with flexibility, saying if the Lord permits about his travel plans. Church unity matters because we're all on the same team working toward eternal goals, and we must support one another regardless of age or experience while keeping our focus on matters of eternal weight rather than temporary preferences.

Pastor Santiago shared his final message as a pastor at LGCC, walking through Acts 13:1-4 as we remember Pentecost Sunday. The church at Antioch demonstrates what happens when believers unite around God's mission. This diverse group of leaders - including Jewish, African, Greek, and upper-class members - came together despite their differences to advance the gospel. Through worship, fasting, and prayer, they heard the Holy Spirit's call to send out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries. The church isn't meant to be a place where we simply gather and stay comfortable, but a launching pad for God's mission. We gather to grow, but scatter to serve, living as salt and light in the world.

Pastor George Moore from Legacy Reentry Foundation joined us this Sunday as he shared from 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 as part of our series, A Church Worth Becoming. The resurrection of Jesus Christ should make believers relentless in their faith and service to others. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 15:58 provide the blueprint: be steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in the Lord's work. This doesn't mean being perfect, but refusing to give up when facing opposition or challenges. The resurrection power isn't just for our own benefit - it's meant to reach those who are lost and broken. Too many believers treat faith like punching a time clock, showing up on Sunday but lacking the fire that should characterize resurrection-powered living. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain because Christ is alive and working through us.

Pastor Dell walked through 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 as he looked at how the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity and not just a holiday to be celebrated once a year. Without it, our faith would be completely worthless and we would still be trapped in our sins. Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 shows that if Christ didn't rise from the dead, Christianity crumbles entirely. However, because Jesus did conquer death as the first fruits, our future is completely secure. This truth should transform how we live daily, giving us courage to face challenges, proper priorities for our time, and freedom from the fear of death.

Pastor Santiago continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming" sharing a message from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, not just another doctrine but the foundation upon which everything else rests. Paul addressed the Corinthian church, which was being influenced by Greek philosophy that undermined belief in bodily resurrection. He emphasized that the resurrection must be proclaimed as good news, is anchored in scriptural prophecy and eyewitness testimony, and has the power to transform lives completely. Without the resurrection, our faith becomes meaningless, our preaching useless, and we remain trapped in sin. The resurrection proves that Christ conquered death and paid our debt in full, calling us to live as evangelists who share this victory with others.

Pastor Dell finished up 1 Corinthians 14 this week. God desires order in worship because He is a God of peace, not confusion. The Corinthian church was passionate but chaotic, teaching us that even good gifts can become harmful without proper structure. Every expression in worship should build up the body of Christ rather than serve as mere self-expression. True spirituality isn't measured by intensity but by alignment with God's truth and obedience to His Word. Biblical submission involves mutual surrender within the body of Christ, with all believers submitting to God's Word as ultimate authority. Parents must actively counter secular influences by prioritizing intentional discipleship at home and ensuring faith takes precedence over worldly values.

Pastor Dell continued his sermon, "The Key To Body Building" from last week where he was walking us through 1 Corinthians 14:1-25. Worship is designed to strengthen the entire church community, not just provide a personal experience with God. Paul teaches that our communication in worship should bring understanding and unity, using gifts like teaching and words of knowledge to build up others. When we worship with intentionality and engage wholeheartedly, it creates an atmosphere where God's presence becomes evident even to outsiders. True worship is both vertical toward God and missional as a witness to others. We should consider how our worship affects those around us, engaging with humility while inviting others into God's presence.

Pastor Dell got us back into our series, "A Church Worth Becoming" this morning, sharing from 1 Corinthians 14. We are all spiritual bodybuilders, called to strengthen the body of Christ through proper use of our gifts. True worship extends beyond singing to encompass how we use our time, talents, and treasures for others' benefit. Rather than approaching church with a consumer mentality asking what we can receive, we should focus on what we can contribute. Spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues are meant for corporate strengthening, not personal promotion. When we shift from self-focus to building up others, we participate in God's work of strengthening His church and often find ourselves blessed in the process.

Pastor Dell shared a special message this Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection. Easter reveals the greatest paradox in history: God's ultimate victory came through apparent defeat at the cross. When Jesus told His disciples about His coming suffering and death, Peter resisted with good intentions but wrong understanding. God's kingdom operates on upside-down principles where the first are last, the weak become strong, and victory comes through surrender. The resurrection proves that what appears to be loss can become triumph when viewed through God's eternal plan. This Easter challenges us to examine whether we're following the authentic Jesus of Scripture or a version we've created to match our preferences. The choice is ours: respond with worry and resistance like Peter, or with worship and surrender like the women at the tomb.

Pastor Dell shared from Luke 19:28–44 this Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reveals a profound tension between the Savior we want and the Savior we need. The crowds enthusiastically praised Jesus, shouting Hosanna and laying down their cloaks, but they wanted a political deliverer who would overthrow Rome and restore their national power. Instead, Jesus came riding on a donkey as a symbol of peace, offering spiritual salvation rather than political revolution. When He didn't meet their expectations, the same crowd that praised Him would soon cry for His crucifixion. This teaches us that accepting Jesus as Savior is easier than accepting Him as Lord, requiring us to surrender our expectations and follow Him on His terms rather than our own.

Pastor Dell continued through 1 Corinthians 13 as he shared about the 15 facets of 'Agape' love found in verses 4-7. Agape love is more than emotion - it's the essence of who God is. The early Christians discovered this revolutionary, unconditional love through Jesus Christ that reaches the undeserving and sacrifices for others. First Corinthians 13 reveals that even the most impressive spiritual gifts are worthless without love. The passage outlines 15 characteristics of true love, including patience, kindness, forgiveness, and endurance. This kind of love is impossible in human strength and only comes through the Holy Spirit working in us. While spiritual gifts will cease, love is eternal because God is love.

Pastor Dell led us through a familiar passage as we continued our series on 1st Corinthians. Paul's message in First Corinthians 13 reveals a startling truth: without agape love, even our greatest spiritual gifts and sacrifices are worthless. Agape is God's sacrificial, unconditional love - different from romantic, family, or friendship love. This divine love is perfectly demonstrated in John 3:16 and Jesus' ministry to outcasts and sinners. The danger lies in serving without this love, making our efforts like noisy gongs rather than beautiful music. To truly love others with agape love, we must first know and experience God's love personally, not just know about Him intellectually.

Pastor Dell walked through 1 Corinthians 12 as he continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". Every believer has been given a spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church. Using the metaphor of the human body, Paul teaches that each member is essential and interconnected. No gift is superior to another, whether visible or behind-the-scenes. The key is discovering your unique gift and using it faithfully to strengthen the body of Christ. When believers operate in their gifts with love, the church becomes unified and powerful in reaching the world.

Pastor Santiago shared from 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 as he continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming". The Lord's Supper is a profound act of worship that reveals the heart of Christian community. Paul's correction to the Corinthian church addresses how divisions and selfishness were corrupting their communion practices. Wealthy members were excluding the poor, turning what should have been a unifying meal into a source of shame. The gospel breaks down barriers, making all believers equal at the foot of the cross. True communion requires self-examination - not to determine worthiness, but to approach God's table with humility rather than arrogance. When we remember Christ's selfless sacrifice, it should transform how we treat others and demonstrate the unity of His body.

Pastor Dell continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming" by looking at 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. Paul addresses the Corinthian church about proper worship practices, emphasizing that true worship should reflect God's divine order and authority structure. He establishes that Christ is the head of man, man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ, creating a pattern of functional roles without implying differences in worth or value. While specific cultural practices like head coverings may not directly apply today, the underlying principles remain relevant. Paul teaches that in marriage, husbands and wives are equal in essence but have distinct, complementary functions. Our worship should demonstrate humility under Christ's authority and honor God's design for relationships, creating beauty rather than chaos in the church community.

Pastor Rob explores Christian freedom through Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Many Christians struggle with moral decisions in everyday life, wishing for simple rules about what's allowed. Paul's teaching on eating meat sacrificed to idols reveals a better approach than asking "What am I allowed to do?" Christian freedom is real - we don't need to turn every decision into a moral crisis. However, freedom has limits guided by love and God's glory. The mature question isn't about permission but about what builds up others and honors God. When we shift from demanding our rights to asking what glorifies God, our decisions become thoughtful and missional, reflecting Christ's character to the world.

Pastor Dell looked at 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 as he continued our series, “A Church Worth Becoming”. In our spiritual journey between salvation and heaven, we face a wilderness experience similar to Israel's time in the desert. Despite witnessing incredible miracles, most Israelites fell into rebellion and never reached the Promised Land due to unbelief. Their pattern of sin, disobedience, and unbelief serves as a warning for us today. We cannot coast on past spiritual experiences while ignoring present calls to obedience. God provides escape routes from temptation, but we must flee from idolatry and maintain exclusive devotion to Christ. Staying spiritually alert requires humility, dependence on God's faithfulness, and honest self-examination of our vulnerabilities.

Pastor Dell continued our series on 1st Corinthians, "A Church Worth Becoming" as looked at 1 Corinthians 9:1-27. Paul demonstrates a radical approach to Christian living by voluntarily surrendering his legitimate rights as an apostle for the sake of advancing the gospel. Though entitled to financial support and other benefits, he chose to work with his own hands to avoid creating barriers to faith. His example challenges believers to examine what rights, preferences, or entitlements they might need to lay down for others' spiritual benefit. Paul's willingness to become all things to all people shows how love removes obstacles to faith through cultural adaptation without doctrinal compromise. Like an athlete training for competition, Christians must exercise spiritual discipline and self-denial to remain effective for God's mission.

Pastor Dell got back into our series "A Church Worth Becoming" by looking at 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Christian freedom comes with great responsibility to consider how our choices affect others in the body of Christ. While believers have liberty in many areas, true spiritual maturity is demonstrated not by exercising all our rights, but by choosing love over personal preferences. Knowledge alone can make us prideful, but love builds up the community. The strongest believers are those who willingly lay down their freedoms when it serves others better. Just as Jesus sacrificed His rights for our sake, we are called to examine our lives through the lens of love, asking whether our choices point others toward Christ or create stumbling blocks for those still growing in faith.

Pastor Dell concluded our 3-week Vision series, looking at the topics of giving, praying, and fasting found in Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus assumes that giving, prayer, and fasting are natural parts of following Christ, not optional activities. These three disciplines position us to receive God's rewards and develop a deeper relationship with Him. Giving involves our time, talent, and treasure - flowing from a surrendered heart rather than obligation. Prayer is a secret communion with God that transforms our public spiritual life. Fasting means going without food for spiritual purposes, using hunger pangs as reminders to seek God more than physical satisfaction. These practices aren't about earning God's favor but positioning ourselves for transformation that overflows to impact our communities for Christ.

Pastor Dell continued through John 4 as he continued our Vision Sunday series. Jesus transforms how we see people by moving us from knowing about Him to truly knowing Him personally. The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman demonstrates this radical shift in perspective. When the disciples found Jesus speaking with someone they considered an outcast, they were shocked, but Jesus was teaching them to see beyond cultural divisions to the person created in God's image. The woman's life was so transformed that she ran to tell her entire village, and they came streaming out to meet Jesus. This transformation happens through obedience to God's promptings, even in small matters, because spiritual growth requires action, not just knowledge.

Pastor Dell kicked off the new year looking at how we need to continue to be in a transforming relationship with Christ as we seek to impact and guide others. Many people know facts about Jesus but lack genuine intimacy with Him. The story of the woman at the well in John 4 reveals how Jesus offers living water that becomes a fresh bubbling spring within us. This spiritual intimacy goes beyond religious knowledge to experiencing God's transforming presence. Jesus promises that those who worship in spirit and truth will find the abundant life He offers. The key is moving past our focus on physical circumstances to embrace the spiritual reality of a relationship with Christ.

Pastor Rob shared a message from Hebrews as we closed out 2025 with our PJ's and Pancakes Service. As we approach a new year, many of us feel the weight of stress, disappointments, and distractions that have accumulated over time. The book of Hebrews offers powerful guidance for finding a genuine reset that starts with God rather than our own efforts. Like the faithful heroes in Hebrews 11, we don't need to be perfect to follow God - we just need to be willing to trust Him. The key is laying aside the spiritual weight that slows us down and fixing our eyes on Jesus as we run the race of faith with endurance. This isn't about trying harder through willpower, but about trusting Jesus more deeply as He transforms us into new creations.

Pastor Dell shared a message from Luke 2 this Christmas Eve. Christmas carols often paint a sanitized picture of Jesus' birth, but the real story reveals costly obedience and faith amid hardship. Mary and Joseph faced social shame, dangerous travel, and life-threatening circumstances as they welcomed the Savior into a hostile world. God's peace doesn't mean the absence of struggle, but His presence with us through difficulties. Jesus entered the world through humility and vulnerability, showing that God works powerfully through weakness. This Christmas, we can find hope in knowing that Emmanuel - God with us - enters our messy circumstances just as He did theirs.

Pastor Dell concluded our Advent series by taking a look at Mary and how she responded to God’s call in Luke 1:39-56. Mary’s response to God's call teaches us how to react when divine answers arrive in our lives. At just 15 or 16 years old, Mary demonstrated that God can use anyone at any age to accomplish His purposes. When the Holy Spirit moves, He responds to faith and obedience - the two rails by which He operates. Mary's song of worship, the Magnificat, shows us that our first response should be praise rather than fear of circumstances. Her obedience didn't begin or end with Jesus' birth; she was already walking faithfully before the angel's visit and continued serving God throughout her life. The arrival of Jesus brought forgiveness for sinners, acceptance for the overlooked, and grace for those who need it most.

Pastor Dell walked through Matthew 1:18-25 as he looked at how God interrupts our plans and calls us to remain obedient to Him. Life rarely follows our carefully planned timeline, but what if these disruptions are actually divine appointments? Joseph's story reveals how God works through unexpected circumstances to accomplish His greater purpose. When an angel told Joseph not to fear taking Mary as his wife, Joseph faced a choice between his reputation and God's calling. His immediate obedience demonstrates that following God's direction, even when it costs us something, positions us to be part of His redemptive story. God often uses our greatest challenges to reveal His character through us, showing others the power of Christ at work in impossible circumstances.

Pastor Santiago looked at Mark 1:1-8 as he continued our Advent series. God's preparation for Christ's coming began in the Garden of Eden, not in Bethlehem. Through centuries of prophecy and promises, God orchestrated the perfect plan for salvation. John the Baptist served as the messenger who prepared hearts through his call to repentance, declaring that Jesus was more powerful than anyone could imagine. The familiar phrase 'peace on earth' is actually conditional - it comes to those with whom God is pleased. This peace isn't based on our perfection but on our relationship with Jesus Christ through repentance and faith.

Pastor Dell started our Advent series by looking at the genealogy of Jesus. The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 reveals that God works through ordinary, flawed people to accomplish His redemptive plan. From Abraham to David to Mary, the family tree includes farmers, immigrants, kings, adulterers, and foreigners - all real people with real struggles. Even a curse on Jeconiah's lineage couldn't stop God's perfect plan, as Jesus became the legal son of Joseph while being the biological son of Mary. This Advent season reminds us that our broken stories don't disqualify us from God's grace. Instead, brokenness becomes the soil where God grows redemption, encouraging us to wait with genuine expectation rather than going through religious motions.

Pastor Dell finished 1 Corinthians 7 as he continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming". Life brings different seasons - both joyful and challenging - but God has a purpose for where you are right now. Every believer has a unique calling, whether in parenthood, the workplace, or serving others. The key is embracing your own calling rather than comparing it to others or constantly seeking change. Paul emphasizes remaining faithful in the situation where God has placed you, understanding that faithfulness shines brightest during difficult times. Whether married or single, each state offers unique opportunities to serve God, but our relationship with Him must always come first.

Guest speaker, Adam West, looked at God's vision for marriage found in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, as we continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". Paul addresses the Corinthians' confusion about marriage, intimacy, and relationships in a sexually immoral culture. Physical intimacy within marriage is God's gift, not something shameful, and requires mutual care between spouses. Both marriage and singleness are valuable gifts from God, with neither being superior. Jesus taught that marriage should be permanent, reflecting Christ's relationship with the church. In mixed marriages where one spouse is an unbeliever, the Christian should remain committed and be a light to their family. Sin pollutes God's good gifts, and isolation from other believers makes us vulnerable to temptation.

Pastor Rob took a look at a well-known passage, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, as he continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming". True freedom in Christ isn't about doing whatever we want, but about being free to glorify God with our lives. The apostle Paul corrected the Corinthians who had twisted grace into a license for sin, reminding them that their bodies belong to Christ. As believers, we are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased at the ultimate price of Jesus' life. This reality should transform how we live, moving us from asking how far we can go without crossing the line to asking whether our actions bring glory to God. Sexual purity matters because our bodies are joined to Christ, and we cannot separate our spiritual and physical lives. When we live as people who truly belong to God, we reveal His presence to a watching world.

Pastor Dell shared a message from 1 Corinthians 6 on how a mature church handles conflict. Paul addressed the Corinthian church's habit of taking disputes to secular courts instead of resolving conflicts biblically. He outlined Jesus' process from Matthew 18: go directly to the person, bring witnesses if needed, involve the church, and separate if necessary. A mature church handles conflict differently than the world, thinks with an eternal perspective, and lives out the gospel. Because believers are washed, sanctified, and justified through Christ, we should prioritize restoration over revenge and show love that proves our faith to the watching world.

Pastor Dell took a look at 1 Corinthians 5 as he continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". Churches must have the courage to address sin within their congregations, just as Jewish families removed all leaven before Passover. When we tolerate unrepentant sin, we compromise our witness and wonder why our churches lack power. Biblical love includes confrontation when necessary - grace without truth is merely sentimental. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 5 show that church discipline is restorative, not punitive, aimed at redemption and protecting the congregation's holiness. True spiritual maturity holds both love and discipline simultaneously, following the biblical pattern of private confrontation before involving the broader church community.

Pastor Dell continued our series on 1st Corinthians this morning, looking at 1 Corinthians 4. True spiritual maturity isn't measured by status or success, but by faithful stewardship of what God has entrusted to us. Paul reminds us that as believers, we're managers of God's gifts, not owners, and our primary requirement is faithfulness rather than fame. Living for God's approval instead of people's applause requires humility and recognizing that God's kingdom operates on different principles than the world. The goal isn't just personal growth, but spiritual multiplication - becoming the kind of person others can imitate to grow closer to Jesus. This means being willing to receive correction, walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, and faithfully stewarding whatever God has given us in our specific circumstances.

Pastor Santiago looked at 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 as he continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". The church worth becoming is one that prioritizes service over status, builds exclusively on Christ, and focuses on Him rather than ourselves. Paul addressed the Corinthian church's immaturity, evidenced by their divisions and celebrity-pastor mentality. True spiritual maturity recognizes church leaders as servants, not celebrities. Paul warns that our work for the church must be built on the foundation of Christ alone and will eventually be tested by fire. A mature church redirects all glory to Jesus, stands unified against Satan's attempts to divide, and impacts communities by building bridges to people who need Christ.

Pastor Dell continued our series through 1st Corinthians this morning, looking at 1st Corinthians 1:18-2:16. The message of the cross seems foolish to the world but contains God's power and wisdom. In God's upside-down kingdom, the weak become strong, and the last become first. God deliberately chooses ordinary, imperfect people to display His power so that all glory goes to Him. The Holy Spirit empowers believers, just as Paul relied on spiritual power rather than eloquent words. By embracing our weaknesses, focusing on Christ crucified, and relying on the Spirit's guidance, we can experience God's transformative power in our lives.

God forms something beautiful from broken people through obedience and holiness, despite the church's inherent messiness. The church is designed as a diverse mosaic where different individuals come together to display God's glory. Biblical holiness means being set apart for God's purposes while engaging with the world but remaining distinct from it. Our identity is defined by God's calling, not our achievements, and His grace sustains us through our weaknesses. Unity in Christ, despite our differences, serves as a powerful witness to the world. The power of sharing the gospel lies in the message itself, not in our eloquence.

In times of tragedy and violence, Christians are called to respond from a perspective of Christ's ultimate victory, not from fear or anger. We must exercise Spirit-led discernment, knowing when to speak boldly, when to endure quietly, and when to take action. By remaining steadfast and immovable in our faith, we can navigate difficult circumstances with wisdom and peace. Our responses to adversity reveal what's truly in our hearts, and as believers, we're called to focus on eternal truths rather than temporary troubles, demonstrating to the world that our hope is anchored in Jesus' triumph over sin and death.

As believers, we are entrusted with the gospel and called to lay aside all sin that hinders our relationship with God. We must cultivate a hunger for God's Word, craving it like newborn infants desire milk, which leads to spiritual growth. Built upon Christ the cornerstone, we form a spiritual house as living stones aligned with Him. Our identity in Christ—as a chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, and God's own possession—exists for one purpose: to proclaim His excellencies to those still in darkness. We are living testimonies, called not to form a 'holy huddle' but to rescue others by sharing the good news.

Pastor Rob continued our Entrusted series by looking at how we are entrusted with the next generation. God has entrusted us with the responsibility of passing down faith to the next generation, much like a critical baton handoff in a relay race. This begins with our own commitment to listening to God's Word, as we cannot give what we don't possess. We must intentionally speak truth about God's character and works while ensuring our actions align with our words. The ultimate goal isn't raising merely successful or moral children, but disciples who place their confidence in God, remember His faithfulness, and follow His commands. Whether as parents, mentors, or church members, we all play vital roles in this spiritual relay race.

Pastor Dell started our new series, Entrusted, this week. God has entrusted us with everything we have - our treasure, talents, and time - making us stewards rather than owners. The parable of the talents teaches that we're expected to use what we've been given wisely. Our treasure should be given generously, not just when convenient or comfortable. Our talents are gifts meant to serve others and multiply kingdom impact. Time, our most valuable resource, should be spent intentionally on eternal priorities rather than wasted on distractions. As faithful stewards, we're called to reflect God's generosity in how we manage all three resources.

Pastor Dell concluded our series, "The Prayers Of The Psalms" by walking us through the Psalms of Ascent. The spiritual journey of a believer resembles a pilgrimage, beginning in life's valleys where God meets us in our distress. The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) illustrate this journey, starting with hardship, progressing through walking with God, and culminating in joyful worship. Our pilgrimage begins with honesty about our struggles, continues through daily dependence on God rather than self-reliance, and finds fulfillment in experiencing God's presence. While heaven is our ultimate destination, we're invited to experience the joy of God's presence now, living as citizens of heaven while journeying toward our eternal home.

Guest speaker Jason West joined us for worship this morning, sharing on Psalm 51. Psalm 51 reveals David's profound repentance after his sins with Bathsheba. Rather than focusing on religious rituals, David understood that God desires a broken and contrite heart. Despite committing adultery, deception, and murder, David ran toward God instead of away from Him, acknowledging his complete dependence on divine mercy. This psalm teaches us that God responds to genuine brokenness with cleansing, joy, forgiveness, and renewal. When we truly experience God's forgiveness, we naturally want to share it with others, not from obligation but from gratitude.

Pastor Rob continued our series by looking at the Royal Psalms as he walked us through Psalm 22. Psalm 22 begins with a cry of abandonment and ends with a declaration of praise, showing us that bringing our raw emotions to God is an act of faith, not faithlessness. The psalm prophetically describes Christ's crucifixion with remarkable detail centuries before crucifixion was invented. When Jesus quoted its opening line on the cross, He wasn't expressing doubt but identifying with human suffering while fulfilling Scripture. The dramatic shift from despair to hope midway through the psalm mirrors our own spiritual journeys, reminding us that even in our deepest suffering, God is present and working toward redemption. By memorizing Scripture, we store up God's promises as anchors for times of trouble.

Pastor Dell continued our series through the Psalms by looking at Psalm 34 as he shared a message on the Psalms of Thanksgiving. Finding joy through gratitude transforms our perspective and deepens our relationship with God, as Psalm 34 powerfully illustrates. David wrote this psalm after a humbling experience where God delivered him from danger, teaching that true thanksgiving flows from a heart that has encountered God's goodness. Biblical gratitude isn't circumstantial but covenantal—anchored in who God is, not just what He does. As we cultivate habits of daily praise, experience God's goodness firsthand, and share our testimonies with others, we develop a heart of thanksgiving that sustains us even through suffering. God draws especially close to the brokenhearted, delivering the righteous from all afflictions.

Pastor Dell continued our series through the Psalms by looking at the Imprecatory Psalms. Imprecatory psalms are biblical prayers that cry out to God for justice against evil and wickedness. Psalm 137, written during the Babylonian exile, exemplifies this type of prayer with its raw expression of grief and desire for divine intervention. While these psalms contain harsh language about enemies, they're not about personal revenge but rather faith in God's ultimate justice. For Christians today, imprecatory psalms help us recognize evil, express faith in God's justice, and provide a framework for honest prayer. They remind us to bring our raw emotions to God while trusting His perfect timing and remembering that our true battle is spiritual.