Lilac City Church Sermons

God has been giving from the beginning. Discover how God's generosity invites us into generous stewardship — and multiplies praise in the process.

God made the first move toward you. Now it's your turn. Discover what it means to become a devoted sibling — moved by love to move first. 1 John 4:7–21.

What if the most important connection in your life isn't to a what, but to a who? Discover what it means to abide in Jesus and become an abiding worshiper.

Who is shaping you? Paul shows us three realities of spiritual formation — be formed by Christ-followers, reject earthly formation, and stand firm together.

Human love is fickle. God's love isn't. Discover how Jesus' resurrection guarantees a love with no competition, no condemnation, and no separation. Easter at Lilac City Church.

When pain is so heavy that words break, the Spirit carries your groans to the Father. Romans 8 proves suffering isn't the end of your story.

They dug up a dead Pope and put him on trial. It was absurd. You can't prosecute a corpse. Paul says you've died to the law—the trial is over. Romans 7:1-6 at Lilac City Church.

Bob Dylan said you gotta serve somebody. John Lennon said serve yourself. Paul said there's a Master so good that serving Him is freedom. Romans 6:15-23 at Lilac City Church.

What does it mean to be dead to sin and alive to God? Discover your new identity in Christ and freedom from sin's reign.

"There's nothing like a job with good benefits. Vacation days, retirement matching, health insurance. The thing is, you can only get them through working. Imagine if someone else did the work and you got the benefits! That's the good life. But that doesn't happen in the real world, does it?Actually, it does. In the gospel.In Romans 5:1-11, Paul shows us a benefits package that's not based on your work, but on the work of someone else. And the benefits are supreme—guaranteed to last into eternity. You could never lose them.Believing has benefits that last. They last as long as Jesus is alive. And since Jesus is alive forever, these benefits never run out.Point 1: Peace with God (v. 1) — We have been justified by faith; therefore, we have peace with God. Not 'we will have' or 'we might have'—we have it. Present tense. This isn't about peaceful feelings. Peace means we're no longer enemies. Before Christ, we were at war. God's justice and wrath were real, aimed at us. But at the cross, Jesus absorbed every bit of the wrath we deserved. The war is over. The treaty is signed in Christ's blood. This peace doesn't depend on your performance—it depends on Christ's finished work. This is eternal security: you can't lose your salvation because you can't lose your peace with God.Point 2: Hope from God (vv. 2-5) — Through faith, we've gained access to grace—and now we stand in it. Grace isn't a tightrope you're walking; it's the ground you're standing on. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God—not wishful thinking, but certain hope. We even boast in sufferings because suffering builds our hope muscle. Like lifting weights: suffering strengthens hope. This hope doesn't disappoint because it's rooted in God's glory, secured by the Spirit, and proven through trials.Point 3: Loved by God (vv. 5b-8) — God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Not a trickle—lavish, abundant, overflowing. While we were still weak, ungodly, sinners, Christ died for us. You didn't bring godliness to the table—you brought ungodliness. And God saved you anyway. Romans 8:38-39: nothing can separate you from the love of God. Not death, life, angels, demons, past, future, failure, or sin. This love is inseparable. This is eternal security.Point 4: Reconciled to God (vv. 9-11) — While we were enemies, we were reconciled by Christ's death. Peace was the treaty. Reconciliation is the relationship. You're not just forgiven—you're family. And you're saved by Christ's resurrection life every single day. Like coffee and creamer mixed together—you can't separate them. That's reconciliation. Once united to Christ, nothing can pull you apart.The gospel really is this good. Believing has benefits that last. And they last because Jesus is alive forever."

In this message, Pastor Brolin unpacks two transformative truths: Faith in Jesus makes you righteous, and faith in Jesus excludes boasting in our efforts. Discover what it means to stop performing and start resting in the finished work of Christ. Whether you've been in church your whole life or you're exploring faith for the first time, this is the message you need to hear."

In this message from 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Pastor Brolin unpacks the Apostle Paul's call to his young protégé Timothy: pursue spiritual fitness through training, not trying. Trying is hoping for change without the commitment. Training is pursuing transformation through total dedication. Discover four essential aspects of spiritual training: Train on truth (not lies), train for what lasts (godliness over temporary pursuits), train with what you've been given (use your unique gifts), and train consistently (persevere for yourself and others). Whether you're exhausted from trying or ready to stop performing and start growing, this message will show you how to pursue godliness rooted in the grace of Jesus—not to earn God's approval, but because you already have it in Christ."

"Who are you? Not your job title, relationship status, or political affiliation—who are you really?Most of us build our identity on unstable foundations: careers, relationships, achievements. But what happens when those things change? When you lose your job, your relationship ends, or your circumstances shift? Suddenly the foundation cracks, and you're left asking, 'Who am I now?'In this message from 1 Peter 2:4-10, Pastor Brolin addresses our culture's identity crisis with the Apostle Peter's answer: your identity is found in being built on the living Stone—Jesus Christ.As Lilac City Church celebrates one year since launching, this sermon unpacks the three core values that define who we are:Rooted in Jesus (vv. 4-8) — Jesus is the living, chosen, precious cornerstone. Every other foundation will crumble. Only Jesus conquered death and holds firm.Cultivated in Community (v. 5) — We're not solo Christians. We're living stones being built together into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering our lives to God.Reaching the World (vv. 9-10) — We exist to declare the praises of God who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. We've received mercy—now we share it with a world that desperately needs it.One foundation. One family. One mission. This is Lilac City Church."

We all long for 'heaven on earth'—that perfect moment by the fireplace, that peaceful Christmas morning, that fleeting taste of comfort and control. But those moments never last. They slip through our fingers, leaving us aching for something more.What if heaven on earth isn't something we're supposed to create—but something God came to restore?In this Christmas message, Pastor Brolin traces the story of reconciliation from Genesis to the manger, showing how Jesus' birth reconciles heaven and earth.Heaven on Earth Lost - The Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8-10, 22-24) — God walked with Adam and Eve in perfect communion. But sin shattered the relationship. They were exiled east of Eden, and cherubim with flaming swords blocked the way back. Heaven and earth: separated.Heaven on Earth Limited - The Tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9; 40:34-35) — God's presence returned, but it was confined behind a veil. One priest. One day a year. Limited access. For 1,500 years, the sacrifices kept burning, the blood kept flowing, and nothing changed. Still separated.Heaven on Earth Restored - Jesus Dwells With Us (John 1:14; Matthew 1:22-23) — Then everything changed. The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. Angels broke through to sing heaven's song on earth's soil. Immanuel—God with us. Not confined. Not limited. When Jesus died, the veil tore. The cherubim no longer block the way. The separation is over.There is no length God won't go to bring you back. Heaven came to us in Jesus. The way is open. Draw near with confidence."

Everything feels broken. Maybe it's the relationship that shattered, the diagnosis that changed everything, the moment you realized someone you loved couldn't remember your name. Christmas shows us everything in high definition—the beauty and the brokenness. The shining lights and the depths of loss.But why does everything feel so broken? And is there any hope?In this opening message of the Christmas Reimagined series, Pastor Brolin traces God's answer from Genesis to the manger, showing how Jesus' birth begins to unravel the curse.Point 1: The Curse - What Went Wrong (Genesis 3:14-19) — Sin shattered everything. The curse rippled out in every direction: death, pain in childbirth, toil, conflict. Humanity under a sentence we can't escape. But embedded in the judgment, God whispered a promise: "He will crush your head" (Genesis 3:15). The first gospel. A serpent-crusher is coming.Point 2: The Promise - The Serpent-Crusher Is Coming (Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18, 2 Samuel 7) — For over a thousand years, God kept adding details. Through Moses: He'll be a prophet who speaks God's word perfectly. Through David: He'll be a king whose throne lasts forever. The promise was clear. But the wait was long. Six hundred years. The throne empty. The curse still grinding.Point 3: The Fulfillment - The Wait Is Over (Luke 1:26-36) — Then an angel appeared to Mary in Nazareth. 'You will conceive and give birth to a son... He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign forever.' The serpent-crusher. The prophet greater than Moses. The forever king. God Himself entering the story to do what we could never do.The curse begins to unravel. Not all at once—but the rescue operation has started. Christmas isn't sentimental fluff. It's God jumping into the wreckage to undo what sin broke."

We love to talk about loyal people. Loyal friends. Loyal employees. Loyal sports fans. But here's the uncomfortable truth: every one of us has a breaking point. Every commitment has been strained. We are fundamentally unreliable creatures trying to live in a world that demands faithfulness.So what happens when we fail? What if we've blown it so badly that God gives up on us?In Romans 3:1-8, Paul tackles the question every Jewish believer was thinking after his brutal honesty in chapter 2: 'If we're all equally condemned under sin, what was the point of being God's chosen people? What good did our privileges do if we end up in the same boat as everyone else?'It's the same question we ask: 'What's the point of church membership, baptism, or Christian heritage if it doesn't give us an edge with God?'Point 1: God's Faithfulness Exposes Our Privilege (vv. 1-2) — 'Much in every way!' Paul affirms real Jewish advantages—they were entrusted with the very words of God. Like a financial planner entrusted with life savings, they were called to steward God's Word. But they hoarded instead of stewarded, turned gift into superiority. Sound familiar? 87% of American homes have a Bible. Only 11% have read all of it.Point 2: God's Faithfulness Exposes Our Failure (vv. 3-4) — 'What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all!' Our unfaithfulness doesn't diminish God—it magnifies Him. Our lies highlight His truth. Our failures showcase His faithfulness. God's character doesn't depend on ours. That's not a threat—it's a promise.Point 3: God's Faithfulness Exposes Our Excuses (vv. 5-8) — When fully exposed, we don't surrender—we rationalize. 'If my sin makes You look good, why judge me?' 'I'm actually helping!' 'Let's sin boldly for more grace!' Paul's response? 'Their condemnation is just!' Excuse-making reveals heart rebellion and is the opposite of faith.When our faithfulness wanes, God's faithfulness remains. That's not just a nice saying—it's the bedrock of everything we hope for."

November 2022. George Santos wins his congressional race with an impressive resume: Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, college degree, successful entrepreneur. But when reporters start asking questions, the credentials fall apart. No Goldman Sachs. No Citigroup. No degree. By December 2023, Santos is expelled from Congress. His resume didn't result in what he claimed it would.A lot of us have resumes for God. We've mentally written them out: 'I grew up in a Christian home.' 'I was baptized.' 'I go to church every Sunday.' 'I know the Bible.' 'I serve on the worship team.' And deep down, we're banking on those things. Surely this resume is good enough for God.In Romans 2:17-29, the Apostle Paul shows us something uncomfortable: Our religious resumes don't result in righteousness.Point 1: Religious Resumes Look Impressive on Paper (vv. 17-20) — The Jewish religious leaders had five gold-star credentials: chosen people status, God's actual law, exclusive relationship with the living God, proven spiritual discernment, and ministry effectiveness. Their resume would get them hired anywhere. Paul isn't being sarcastic—these were real privileges. Sound familiar? We write the same resumes today.Point 2: Religious Resumes Get Exposed in the Interview (vv. 21-24) — The resume gets you the interview, but the interview reveals who you really are. Paul asks five devastating questions tied to the Ten Commandments: Do you teach yourself? Do you steal from God? Are you faithful to Him? Do you rob Him of worship? Do you honor God by keeping His law? Every credential crumbles. The result? 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'Point 3: Religious Resumes Don't Pass God's Background Check (vv. 25-29) — Their ultimate credential—circumcision, the permanent physical mark of covenant membership—becomes worthless through disobedience. God's background check examines the heart, not the credentials. True faith is heart transformation by the Spirit, not external religion.Your Christian upbringing, Bible knowledge, and ministry experience don't make you right with God. Your religious resume has just been rejected. And that should terrify you—because until you feel your spiritual bankruptcy, you're not ready for the gospel.