Wrightsville Assembly of God - Sermons

What if the reason you are not moving forward is not because God is silent, but because He is waiting for you to obey what He already said? The story of Achan is a powerful reminder that hidden sin does not stay hidden, and that confession is not the end of your story. It is the beginning of your freedom. Saw it. Wanted it. Took it. Hid it. Sound familiar? There is so much more on the other side of obedience.

Nothing you face arrives without first passing through God's hands, and He knows exactly what you can handle at each level. The armor of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to every believer who earnestly seeks them. Growth is not just for your benefit. It creates an overflow that touches everyone around you. God's plan for your life is not stagnation. It is movement, from strength to strength and from glory to glory. Are you pressing forward, or have you settled into a comfortable level? It is time to go to the next level!

King Hezekiah was one of the most faithful leaders in all of Scripture, a man who trusted God through revival, resistance, and life-threatening illness. But after God miraculously healed him and destroyed his enemies, Hezekiah faced a different kind of test: prosperity. When a delegation from Babylon arrived, he had the perfect opportunity to point them to God. Instead, he boasted in his own wealth and accomplishments, stealing the glory that belonged to God alone. His son Manasseh, who had twelve years to learn from his father's faith, grew up to become one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history. The lesson is sobering: revival is just one generation away from rebellion. Cathedral thinking means building a legacy of faith that outlasts you, and it starts with telling your story of what God has done, not what you have achieved.

Even the most faithful people face seasons where everything seems to fall apart at once. King Hezekiah experienced this firsthand, facing an enemy army at the gates of Jerusalem while also receiving a terminal diagnosis. In his desperation, he turned his face to the wall and prayed with honesty, recalling his faithfulness before God and weeping bitterly. Before the prophet Isaiah had even left the building, God responded with healing and fifteen additional years of life. The greatest lesson from Hezekiah's story is not that faith guarantees an easy life, but that God hears our prayers and sees our tears. Hard seasons come to pass, not to stay, and turning our full attention to God in prayer is where we find the strength to endure them.

Doing the right things does not guarantee an easy life, and King Hezekiah's story proves it. Even in the middle of a national revival, the Assyrian army came knocking. Hezekiah's response gives us a practical blueprint for navigating seasons of resistance. First, expect opposition and stop trying to negotiate with the enemy. Second, remember you are not meant to fight alone. Bring trusted, faith-filled people into your battle and pray together. Third, dig the tunnel before the siege arrives by building consistent habits of prayer, worship, and obedience long before the crisis comes. The Holy Spirit is the hidden reservoir the enemy can never cut off.

In the short term, we regret our actions. Over the long term, we regret what we never did. Hezekiah did not wait. The moment he became king, he made a decision that changed everything. Are you one decision away from the breakthrough you have been waiting for? Four warning signs that you may be drifting from God, and what to do about it.

Every time you look in a mirror, you ask the wrong question. Instead of asking how you look, what if you asked who you are reflecting? You were not an accident. You were made in the image of God, on purpose and for a purpose. And the world around you is watching to see what God looks like through your life. What are they seeing?

Is it possible to be spiritually mature while still being emotionally immature? Scripture says no. Your emotional health and your spiritual growth are more connected than you might think. What are you feeding your mind and heart before you ever open your Bible each morning? That question might change everything.

Most of us have heard the advice to never burn our bridges, but the Bible makes clear that some bridges absolutely need to go. Romans 12:18 calls us to pursue peace with others as much as it depends on us, and God modeled that by reconciling us to Himself through Christ rather than walking away. At the same time, there are bridges in our own lives that must be destroyed: unforgiveness, self-condemnation, pride, and besetting sins. Each of these gives the enemy a foothold and keeps us walking back into bondage. Burning these bridges is not an act of destruction. It is an act of freedom. The goal is simple: don't burn the bridges God wants to use to bring someone to grace, but burn every bridge that leads you away from where He has already set you free.

In 2 Samuel 23, three unnamed warriors demonstrate what it truly means to be a mighty person of God. These men came to King David broken, in debt, and discontented, yet their loyalty and courage left a permanent mark on Scripture. Four qualities define their greatness: drawing near to the King, listening for His desires, risking themselves for what matters most, and giving God the glory. Real strength is not found in having life figured out. It is found in running to the King no matter where you are starting from.

Every Christian has a calling, not just those in full-time ministry. God calls people in all walks of life to pray, give, and go for His glory. Prayer is not a formality but a powerful act of spiritual warfare, and giving is how we send the gospel to places we may never personally reach. Going all in does not require perfection. It requires willingness. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and He is still calling today.

Sometimes our greatest calling isn't about what we're called to do, but what we're called to leave behind. Are you holding onto bitterness, fear, or isolation that's keeping you from God's best? What legacy are you passing to the next generation - faith and excitement, or disappointment and offense? Your calling isn't finished, but it might require releasing what's holding you back.

Before God calls you to go, He calls you to stay. Joshua's secret to leading Israel wasn't his military skills or leadership training - it was that he lingered longer in God's presence while everyone else rushed back to their responsibilities. Are you more focused on doing things for Jesus or being with Jesus? Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply stay rooted and abide.

Are you hearing God's voice clearly, or have small compromises dulled your spiritual ears? Samuel learned to say Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening while others in the same environment gradually tuned God out. What's the difference between growing up in God's presence versus just being around religious activity? The answer might surprise you and could transform how you approach your relationship with God.

What if your daily work could be worship? God isn't just calling you to salvation - He's calling you to a purpose that transforms ordinary tasks into kingdom impact. You weren't placed where you are by accident. Are you ready to discover the calling that's been waiting for you all along?

What if your faithfulness in one moment could change the course of history? Jochebed, Moses' mother, shows us that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways. When Pharaoh ordered Hebrew baby boys killed, she chose faith over fear. Her strategic trust in God's timing reminds us that every moment we're given is an opportunity to shape someone's tomorrow. Are you stewarding your moments well?

In the last week of our GROW series, Pastor Aaron shares that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey that requires intentional daily commitment, not just occasional church attendance or Bible reading. The Apostle Peter's instruction to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ applies to all believers, regardless of how long they've been following Christ. True spiritual maturity involves four essential elements: understanding the Gospel as both an indictment of our need for salvation and an invitation to receive God's gift of grace; experiencing daily renewal through Christ's Spirit living within us; obeying God's commands from love and gratitude rather than fear; and serving others as an expression of worship. This growth isn't about earning salvation through works, but responding to God's grace with a heart transformed by His love.

In part 3 of our Grow series, Pastor Aaron is teaching on Obey. Christian growth follows a clear pattern that can be remembered through the word GROW: Gospel, Renewal, and Obedience. Just as Jesus grew in wisdom and remained obedient to his parents even when they didn't understand God's plan, believers are called to grow through obedience motivated by love. This obedience is demonstrated through loving God first, understanding our identity as His wonderfully made creation, and then loving others through the 58 different commands to care for one another. Practical steps include participating in Christian community, generous giving, and daily spiritual disciplines that flow from gratitude rather than obligation.

This week’s message focuses on what it means to truly grow in your faith after accepting Jesus. You can't try surrender. You either surrender completely or you don't. It's like saying you tried parachuting but never jumped out of the plane. Ready to discover the two essential practices that fuel real spiritual growth and daily renewal? Your faith journey is about to get a powerful upgrade.

Pastor Aaron McNatt begins a new series called 'Grow' by focusing on the Gospel as the foundation of Christian faith. The gospel isn't just something we celebrate on Easter Sunday - it's the foundation that everything else in our Christian faith builds upon. Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or you're just beginning to explore faith, understanding the gospel clearly is essential for spiritual growth.

Palm Sunday message from Evangelist Greg Hubbard

The story of Palm Sunday includes an often-overlooked hero: the unnamed man who owned the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem. When the disciples said "The Lord needs it," this man immediately surrendered his animals without question. His example teaches us three powerful truths: everyone has something God can use, Jesus is asking for our "donkey" (our gifts, resources, and talents), and everything we have actually belongs to God anyway. We're not owners but stewards. The key is developing an "at once" obedience reflex when we sense God's prompting, rather than hesitating or making excuses. This unnamed man's generous surrender reminds us that God can use anyone willing to say, "The Lord needs it, and He can have it."

Guest speaker, Archbishop Ken McNatt share that the story of the Shunammite woman in Second Kings 4 reveals how spiritual discernment and strategic positioning can unlock God's miraculous provision. While an entire town overlooked the prophet Elisha, this woman recognized his anointing and made the quality decision to build him an upper room. Her investment became a seed for future harvest - when her son died, he was raised from the dead in that very room. Later, during a seven-year famine, God supernaturally restored not only her property but provided payment for crops harvested while she was away. Her story demonstrates that when we maintain spiritual sensitivity, make deposits of faith and resources, and position ourselves for God's movement, we create space for miracles that can impact generations.

God desires to do immeasurably more in our lives, but we must first make room for Him by decreasing ourselves. Like John the Baptist declared, 'He must become greater, I must become less.' This requires guarding three gates of our hearts: our words, our eyes, and our feet. Through intentional practices like fasting and prayer, we create spiritual capacity for God's greater works. The challenge isn't whether God has more for us, but whether we're willing to make space for His increase in our daily lives.

Genesis chapter one reveals God's seven-day pattern of transformation that He continues to use in our spiritual lives today. Each day represents a phase: revelation brings light to darkness, atmosphere creates the right environment for growth, structure establishes healthy boundaries, seasons teach us that every day won't feel the same, addition shows when God brings new opportunities, opposition paired with authority demonstrates how challenges become growth opportunities, and rest establishes the rhythm of renewal. God is always working through these phases in different areas of our lives. The key is recognizing which phase we're experiencing and responding appropriately, while building Sabbath rest into our weekly rhythm.

Pastor Rick Steimling shares that life often brings seasons of testing and waiting that can feel overwhelming. Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern of 40-day or 40-year periods of difficulty followed by breakthrough moments. David faced Goliath after 40 days of intimidation, Israel entered the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, and Jesus overcame temptation after 40 days of testing. The enemy loves to attack our identity and steal our passion for worship during these difficult seasons. However, God uses these times to mature us spiritually and prepare us for greater purposes. Your breakthrough may not come from where you expect, but it is coming.

Life follows divine patterns established during creation. Just as God created seasons on day four to govern time, He places us in spiritual seasons that we must discern rather than resist. Like the Israelites entering the Promised Land, we must trust God's timing instead of trying to control outcomes. On day five, God began adding life to creation, and when He adds to our lives today, we become responsible stewards. We're called to multiply what He gives us, not just maintain it. Additionally, we should actively add qualities to our faith including goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. God's eyes are continually upon our lives, working for our good in every season.

The creation account in Genesis provides a blueprint for how God continues to work in our lives today. On Day Two, God created atmosphere by separating waters, teaching us that the right spiritual atmosphere is essential for growth. Just as physical atmosphere protects and sustains life, we must create faith-filled environments through separation from negative influences. On Day Three, God established structure by forming land and vegetation, showing us that spiritual maturity requires disciplined systems and boundaries. Many believers struggle because they want supernatural experiences without the practical structure that sustains growth. God's creative process in our lives may feel slow or disruptive, but He's preparing us for something greater than we can currently handle.

Join us as we kick off our new series with our word for the year: Created.
God reveals Himself as a creator from the very first verse of Scripture, and His method of creation teaches us how He continues to work today. Through examining Genesis 1, we discover that God creates through His spoken Word - words create worlds. This same unchanging God who spoke light into darkness and order into chaos is still speaking into our lives through Scripture, creation, conscience, community, and circumstances. Even when our lives feel formless, empty, or dark, the Spirit of God hovers over our situations, seeing potential where we see chaos. Just as God followed a deliberate seven-day process in creation, He works through process in our lives, speaking light into our darkness and transforming us into His image through His powerful Word.