Stanwood Foursquare Church Messages

In this message from Matthew 5:17–20, we take a closer look at what Jesus really meant when He talked about the law—and why His words still challenge us today.Jesus is often misunderstood. Some assume Christianity means there are no rules, just grace and freedom to live however we want. Others believe following Him is all about strict obedience, trying to earn God’s acceptance through rule-keeping. But Jesus points to something deeper.He says, “I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” This reminds us that God’s Word still carries enduring authority—it hasn’t been set aside, but brought to completion in Christ.At the same time, Jesus warns about the danger of minimizing God’s commands. Obedience isn’t what earns our salvation, but it is evidence of a transformed heart.Then comes a shocking statement: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees…” Jesus raises the standard beyond outward rule-following to something internal—a life shaped by love for God. We don’t obey to be loved; we obey because we are loved.Ultimately, this passage points us to fulfillment in Christ—where grace and truth meet, and where true righteousness is found.Join us as we unpack:• The tension between grace and rules• The lasting authority of God’s Word• Why obedience still matters• The deeper righteousness Jesus calls us to• What it means that everything is fulfilled in Him

Happy Easter!!Why do we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection? What does that mean for us?In Matthew 27–28, we see the ultimate picture of freedom: Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through the cross, He defeated sin, shame, and death. Through the empty tomb, He offers us new life. But stepping into that freedom requires just one thing —surrender.In this message, we unpack a powerful truth:• Control is the counterfeit for freedom—but it actually enslaves us.• You can either have control or freedom… but not both.• Jesus came to give you true freedom—so we surrender our control to Him.If you’ve been holding on tightly, trying to manage everything on your own, this message is an invitation to release it. Real freedom isn’t found in striving—it’s found in trusting the One who already finished the work.Let go. Surrender. Step into freedom.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” — Matthew 5:11-12This final beatitude flips our understanding of blessing upside down. What if opposition isn’t a sign you’re failing… but proof you truly belong to Jesus?In this message, we explore how persecution for Christ is not loss—it’s identity. When following Jesus costs you something, it reveals who you really belong to. Righteousness isn’t about perfection; it’s about loyalty to Jesus above everything else.The gospel anchors us so deeply in God’s love that we can endure misunderstanding, rejection, and even false accusations without losing our footing. Why? Because in Christ, you are already fully accepted.In this message, we cover:Why persecution can be evidence of kingdom identityWhat true righteousness really meansHow pressure reveals your deepest identityWhy following Jesus will cost you—and why it’s worth itNo matter what others say about you, your identity is secure in Christ. You can stand firm, endure rejection, and even rejoice—because you belong to Him.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9In this message, we unpack what Jesus really meant by peacemaking—and how it’s radically different from simply keeping the peace.Peacemaking is not the absence of conflict. It’s not pretending everything is fine or avoiding hard conversations. It’s also not passive or about appeasing others just to keep things calm. True peacemaking requires courage, honesty, and action.Jesus calls us to something deeper:• Peacemaking is not passive—it’s active.• Peacemaking is not appeasement—it stands in truth, not just comfort.• Peacemaking is not avoidance—it leans into tension for the sake of healing.A peacemaker is someone who actively works to reconcile people—to God and to each other. That means stepping into brokenness, not away from it, and allowing God to use us as instruments of restoration.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8In this message, we dive into one of Jesus’ most challenging and transformative teachings: purity of heart. While outward actions and religious routines can look impressive, Jesus consistently points us deeper—to the hidden places within us where our true motivations live.God isn’t just concerned with what we do; He cares about why we do it.This message explores how our intentions, desires, and inner thoughts shape our relationship with God far more than outward rituals ever could. What does it really mean to have a pure heart? How do we guard it in a world full of distractions and mixed motives? And how does inner transformation lead to truly seeing God at work in our lives?

Mercy doesn’t come naturally to us. In a world that often responds with judgment, retaliation, or indifference, In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:7), Jesus spoke a radically different way of living into a merciless culture. Biblical mercy is more than feeling sorry for someone—it’s compassion that moves toward people in their suffering or failure and acts to relieve it.In this message we look at:• Why mercy doesn’t come naturally to the human heart• How Jesus introduced mercy into a harsh and unforgiving culture• What biblical mercy actually means• How Jesus reveals what God’s mercy truly looks like• Why mercy must first be received before it can be given• How mercy received becomes mercy released to othersBefore we can extend mercy to others, we must first experience the mercy of God ourselves. When we receive it, it transforms us—and begins to flow through us.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus makes a powerful promise: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” — Gospel of Matthew 5:6In this message, we explore what it truly means to hunger and thirst for righteousness — and how our spiritual appetite reveals the condition of our hearts.- Your appetite reveals your heart.- An appetite for righteousness is not about rule-keeping — it’s about relationship. - The appetite you feed grows.Righteousness isn’t about religious performance. It’s about pursuing right relationship — with God and with others. Whatever you consistently feed in your life will grow. The question is: What do you have an appetite for?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes a surprising declaration: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” — Gospel of Matthew 5:5In a world that celebrates power, dominance, and self-promotion, this teaching turns our assumptions upside down. What does it really mean to be meek? And how could the meek possibly inherit the earth?In this message, we explore five powerful truths:1️⃣ Meekness is not weakness Biblical meekness is not passivity, timidity, or lack of courage. It is not being easily pushed around.2️⃣ Meekness is strength under control The word Jesus uses paints the picture of power that has been harnessed — like a strong horse that has been trained. True meekness is disciplined strength.3️⃣ The hidden problem is control At the root of our struggle for control is often insecurity — fear of losing status, safety, or significance. Meekness confronts what’s happening beneath the surface of our hearts.4️⃣ The gospel forms meek people When we trust the finished work of Christ, we no longer have to grasp for control. The good news frees us from insecurity and reshapes us into people who reflect the character of Jesus Himself.5️⃣ Meekness looks like losing now — but in God’s kingdom, the meek win Following Jesus may look like loss in the short term. Yielding, forgiving, serving, and trusting can feel like surrender. But in God’s upside-down kingdom, the last are first, and those who trust Him ultimately inherit what truly matters.

In this message from Matthew 5, we explore one of the most surprising and powerful statements Jesus makes in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”What does it really mean to mourn — and how can mourning possibly be called blessed?In this teaching, we unpack five key truths:• You must mourn before you can be comforted. • Christianity is the only worldview where mourning ultimately leads to joy. • Mourning isn’t limited to sorrow over personal sin — it includes grief over a broken world. • God’s comfort is not sentimental sympathy; it is deep, transformational restoration. • Christian mourning is never despairing — it is always infused with hope.Jesus does not dismiss grief, ignore pain, or rush us past sorrow. Instead, He meets us in it — and promises a comfort that changes us from the inside out. This message invites you to see how godly mourning opens the door to true joy, lasting hope, and the restoring comfort of God.

In Matthew 5, Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with a truth that turns the world upside down: the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the poor in spirit.This message explores what it really means to be poor in spirit—not just imperfect, but completely unable to save or fix ourselves. Jesus isn’t calling the self-sufficient or the spiritually accomplished. He’s inviting those who know they don’t qualify.We’ll reflect on how the Kingdom of God is not achieved through effort, discipline, or moral success—but given freely by grace. The Kingdom comes to those who stop striving to earn it and instead receive it with empty hands.And here’s the beautiful paradox: those who are poor in spirit rich in relationship with God and others.

The Sermon on the Mount is not a checklist for earning God’s favor—it’s a response to the grace we’ve already been given. In this message, we explore how Jesus’ most famous sermon reveals not just what He teaches, but who He is.From the mountainside, Jesus speaks with unmistakable authority. His posture signals the weight and seriousness of what’s coming, and His audience helps clarify the purpose of these words—not to impress the crowds, but to form true disciples. Every teaching flows from the Teacher Himself, revealing a kingdom shaped by grace, obedience, and transformed hearts.

We welcome Jay Bean, director of Foursquare Disaster Relief! Jay brings a great word out of Matthew 5:21–26, where we explore how Jesus takes the commandment “do not murder” deeper than outward actions and into the condition of our hearts.The law says: don’t take life—but Jesus calls us to bring life.We bring life through:• The thoughts we think• The words we speak• The actions we take• Choosing forgiveness and reconciliation with othersAnger isn’t ignored or excused—it’s brought honestly before Jesus, where transformation begins.This teaching challenges us to move beyond surface-level obedience and into a life marked by grace, humility, and restoration.

In Matthew 6:1–4, Jesus confronts the danger of performance faith — doing spiritual things to be seen, admired, and applauded by others. The Pharisees pursued public honor and social reputation, but Jesus warns that human applause is the only reward they receive.This message explores how God looks beyond our actions to the motives behind them. Jesus calls us into a deeper, quieter faithfulness: a life where generosity, obedience, and devotion are not for display, but done in secret before the Father.“Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”The truth is, we all wrestle with mixed motives. But Jesus invites us to:• Examine our hearts honestly• Cultivate a secret life of faithfulness• Rest in the approval of our Father, who sees what is done in secretThe Father sees. The Father knows. And His approval is enough.

What does it mean to be the “salt of the earth”? In this message, we explore Jesus’ powerful words and what they reveal about our purpose, influence, and calling in the world today.Salt preserves, enhances, and transforms—and as followers of Christ, we’re invited to do the same in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This sermon challenges and encourages us to live with intentionality, to stand out in a culture that often blends in, and to reflect God’s love in tangible ways.Whether you’re seeking deeper faith or practical ways to live it out, this message will inspire you to embrace your role as a difference-maker right where you are.

Join us for a powerful and hope-filled message from our special guest speaker, Joe Witwer, as he unpacks the life-changing truth of forgiveness.In this sermon, Joe challenges us to embrace a lifestyle of radical forgiveness—letting go of offense, releasing bitterness, and choosing grace again and again. Through biblical truth and practical insight, he explores what it really means to forgive the way we’ve been forgiven.🕊️ In this message, you’ll discover how to:• Release the weight of past hurts• Break free from cycles of offense• Walk in lasting peace and freedom• Reflect the heart of God in your relationshipsWhether you're wrestling with unforgiveness or simply want to grow deeper in your faith, this message will encourage and challenge you.

In this week’s message from the Gospel of Matthew, we look at Jesus’ first call to His disciples and discover that His invitation hasn’t changed. As Jesus calls fishermen from their nets, we see the urgency of His voice and the immediate obedience it requires.This sermon explores:- How Jesus’ first calling is still the same calling today- The urgency of the invitation—“immediately they left”- The powerful shift from handling stinky fish to helping broken peopleAs Jesus proclaims the good news of the Kingdom, heals the sick, and draws crowds from every region, we’re reminded that following Him means leaving what’s familiar and stepping into a greater purpose.📖 Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:18–25 🙏 Be encouraged and challenged as you consider how Jesus may be calling you to follow Him today.

In Matthew chapter 4, we see Jesus tempted in the wilderness—facing hunger, isolation, and powerful deception. In this message, we explore how Jesus’ victory over temptation reveals God’s path to freedom, self-control, and spiritual renewal.In this message, we'll discover how Jesus faced the temptation to: - Bring comfort without trust - Jump to the temple spiritually without humility - Achieve the Kingdom without the cross and obtain power without worship.Jesus models how we can overcome temptation and bring about victory and vindication through the power of what he came to ultimately do on the cross.

After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast for forty days—and in that place of hunger, temptation, and solitude, powerful spiritual truths were revealed.In this message from the Gospel of Matthew, we explore the purpose of fasting, the role of spiritual discipline, and what it means to depend fully on God rather than on physical provision alone. Jesus’ fast shows us that fasting is not about performance, but about preparation, obedience, and intimacy with the Father.Whether you are new to fasting or seeking a deeper understanding of its biblical foundation, this message will encourage you to pursue God with humility, clarity, and spiritual hunger.

Shame and guilt weigh heavily on the human heart—but Jesus offers freedom, restoration, and grace. In this message from the Book of Matthew, we explore how Christ confronts shame, redeems failure, and invites us into a new way of living marked by forgiveness and wholeness.Through Jesus’ words and encounters in Matthew’s Gospel, we’ll see the difference between guilt that leads us to repentance and shame that keeps us bound—and how the Kingdom of God brings healing to both. Whether you’re wrestling with past mistakes, hidden regret, or the feeling of never being “enough,” this message points to hope found in Christ alone.