Thrive in the Decline with Pastor Josh Cougle

Scars from the curse still mark our work and relationships—but Jesus redeems them. Discover how your daily grind (whether at a desk, on a dock, or at home) can become worship for the true Master. Real hope and purpose for ordinary workers in a fallen world.

Work Under the Curse. Before sin, work was joyful partnership with God. One act of disobedience cursed the ground, turning labor into thorns, sweat, and struggle. Yet work remains good and purposeful. Discover why it fights back—and how Christ will one day lift the curse.

In week 1, we explore how work was God’s good gift in Paradise—before sin ever cursed it. From Genesis 2, we see God forming us, placing us with purpose, and calling us to cultivate and protect His creation as an act of worship. Your daily labor matters: it’s meaningful participation in God’s glory, redeemable in Christ, freeing us from burnout and misplaced identity.

Last week, an empty tomb shattered death itself. But what now? This week, discover how the risen Jesus trades our replayed worries for unstoppable joy. From anxious thoughts to a heart overflowing with Hallelujah—because He lives, we don’t just survive Monday… we sing.

On the first Easter, Jesus' closest followers weren't celebrating—they were gripped by fear, guilt, and shattered hope. But when the risen Christ appeared, everything changed. Discover how the empty tomb can replace your anxiety with resurrection peace this Easter.

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Josh explores how unmet expectations fuel anxiety. Discover why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a war horse—and how surrendering our wants to Him brings true soul-rest and freedom from worry.

Ever feel like the world is spiraling into chaos? Your phone, news feeds, and social media are feeding you endless outrage, villains, and doom—because that's what keeps you scrolling. Algorithms amplify anger and division, burying the calm, happy reality most people actually live.This eye-opening talk draws straight from Jesus in Matthew 6: stop obsessing over worries about tomorrow, needs, or threats—your heavenly Father already knows and provides. Break the anxiety loop: quit doom-scrolling, pray about everything with thanksgiving, and train your mind on what's true, honorable, pure, and lovely. God's peace isn't wishful thinking—it's promised when you trust His sovereignty instead of the feed.If constant negativity has you stressed, distracted, or doubting good wins, you'll want to hear this. It could change how you start your day.

In a stunning vision, John sees God on His throne, holding a sealed scroll containing His plan to fix our broken world. No one is worthy to open it—John weeps. Then the slain yet victorious Lamb, Jesus, takes the scroll. Heaven erupts in worship: “Worthy is the Lamb!” He begins unfolding judgment and redemption, hearing the cries of the faithful. Your prayers matter—He’s coming to make all things right.

Dive into Stephen’s story—the ordinary deacon whose faithful witness became the first Christian martyrdom in Acts 6–7. Explore how persecution hits everyday believers who simply live out their faith, not just distant missionaries.See Stephen’s bold Gospel defense, his radiant vision of God, and his forgiving prayer amid stoning—echoing Jesus. His death sparked transformation, scattered the church, and fueled Gospel growth worldwide.From ancient to modern realities, where millions face hostility yet the Church thrives, this message asks: Is your faith worth everything? Tune in for biblical truth, hope, and a call to stand firm.

Explore the timeless story of Daniel in the lions' den—a tale of jealousy, persecution, and unwavering faithfulness. See how habitual prayer and refusal to compromise lead to divine deliverance, with modern echoes in today's cultural pressures. Trust that God shuts mouths and turns trials into testimony.

This sermon explores Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to a massive Babylonian idol, facing death in a blazing furnace. They declare faith in God’s power—even if He doesn’t save them. Unharmed and joined by a fourth figure in the fire, their stand glorifies God. Encouragement to stand firm against cultural pressure, trusting God’s presence in every trial.

Discover how Daniel's quiet resolve in a hostile empire mirrors battles parents face today raising kids in a culture that wants to redefine everything. What happens when faithfulness meets pressure? God provides a way out... and sometimes extraordinary favor follows.If you've ever felt the pull to blend in or watched faith erode under subtle influences, this look at Daniel's stand will challenge and encourage you.

This sermon examines global Christian persecution, citing killings in Nigeria and Syria, imprisonment in North Korea, mob violence in India, and attacks in the DRC and elsewhere. It discusses rising cultural and legal pressures on Christians in America, then examines 2 Timothy 3:12 and Matthew 5:10-12 to show that godly living brings persecution, yet promises eternal blessing, faith purification, and Gospel growth through trials.

In this final message from the book of Jude, believers are urged to contend for the unchanging faith amid false teachers who twist grace into license for sin. Instead of crusades or purges, Jude calls us to build ourselves up, pray in the Spirit, show mercy to doubters, rescue the endangered with caution, and trust God’s keeping power to present us blameless.

Remember the iconic Holy Grail scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where the villain chooses poorly and perishes. In a similar way, the Book of Jude warns against false teachers who promise spiritual flash but deliver emptiness. Contend for the humble, true gospel, test influences by Scripture, and bear real fruit. Choose wisely.

What if the greatest threat to your faith is sneaking in quietly? Dive into one of the Bible’s shortest, most urgent letters: a call to defend the unchanging truth against twisted grace and subtle corruption. Yet rest secure—held tightly by a loving Father and Christ. Contend for the faith that lasts.

We all come to the Bible bringing our politics, our opinions, our biases... we all see the Bible through our lens, which is why we disagree with so many other Christians about what the Bible is actually saying.God wants to challenge our lens, removing it and replacing it with the mind of Christ, and we'll talk about how that happens. We'll do this in the context of discovering the call God gives believers to the local church, and as we ordain deacons.

What if the greatest danger in the Christian life isn’t how you start—but how you finish?Drawing from 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, this message explores Paul’s call to live with purpose, discipline, and integrity in a race that truly matters. Everyone is running toward something, but only an eternal prize lasts. The message confronts hypocrisy, spiritual drift, and half-hearted faith, reminding listeners that private compromise eventually becomes public consequence.This sermon challenges believers to take their faith seriously, practice spiritual discipline, and believe deeply that what God promises is better than anything the world offers. Grace is real, forgiveness is available, but coasting is not an option. How we live—and how we finish—matters more than we realize.

This Sunday's message uses the thrill of NASCAR—when the white flag waves signaling one final lap—as a striking picture of where many stand in life's journey of faith. It draws from a biblical letter written by someone facing imminent execution, yet declaring with confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Death isn't defeat; it's the finish line he's raced toward all along.

This week, we see how Ebeneezer Scrooge didn't just remain the same person who made different choices, but he obviously became a new person because he had experienced something that changed everything! The Bible says that we we're in Christ, the same thing happens to us... the old us is gone, and a new us begins!

Facing your grave changes everything. Week 3 explores humanity’s built-in knowledge of God, guilt, and coming judgment—then the glorious “But God” that raises the dead to new life through repentance and faith in Jesus. A true Christmas redemption story.

Luke 16’s rich man is the Scrooge who never repented. Ignoring the poor at his gate, he awakens in eternal torment, forever separated by a fixed chasm. Through Dickens’ classic and Jesus’ parable, we face the unavoidable truth—sin brings present and eternal consequences, justice will be served—but the cross offers mercy to all who turn to Christ before it is too late.

Ever feel like modern Christmas skips the part where we actually need saving? Week 1 of our Christmas series uses Dickens’ classic (and a chilling scene from A Christmas Carol) to let the “Ghost of Christmas Past” do its biblical work: forcing us to look at the moments we chose money, fear, lust, or pride over God. Romans 3 doesn’t soften the blow—no one is righteous, not one. But the same Spirit who awakens us to our sin refuses to leave us there. Raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful—this is the Christmas message our hearts actually need.

Tired of complaining and still feeling empty? This timely message unpacks the one place in Scripture that flat-out says, “This is God’s will for you”: Be thankful in all circumstances. With funny, real-life stories and zero guilt trips, discover why grateful people are the most grounded, joyful people you know—and how thankfulness rewires your perspective, softens your heart, and reminds you that God is always good. Perfect for any week you need a reset.

Discover God’s sovereignty over family through Psalm 127. Children are precious gifts and rewards from Him, not burdens. In a culture seeking to steal their innocence, parents and the church must stand firm in the gap—affirming God-given identity, shielding hearts with Scripture, and embracing gratitude through faithful service.

What if the worst day of your life isn’t the ending? Journey through Job’s unimaginable loss and discover breathtaking hope that still speaks today. Oh, and the truth about Job’s children will forever change how you face grief. If you feel broken or forgotten, this story proves God sees you and is writing an ending you won’t believe.

Discover the breathtaking majesty of God in Job’s final chapters. Confronted by the Creator’s whirlwind voice and probing questions about the universe’s foundations, seas, stars, and creatures, Job’s demands dissolve into awe. From cosmic wonders to everyday miracles, encounter a God far greater than imagination—transforming questions into worship and trust.

Job is surrounded by friends who accuse him of deserving his pain... he pushes back, as over and over, they tell him what God thinks of him. Job teaches us that there's no substitute for the word of God in our lives.

Studies show people who really believe in God, like enough to go to church regularly, and who have a robust belief in the afterlife, do a lot better on a number of mental health issues... why? Job shows us what kept him going through through the worst situations imaginable.

In Job 3, we see Job unmask his pain, cursing the day of his birth after losing everything. His raw lament—honest grief expressed to God—teaches us that faith isn't hiding sorrow but bringing it to Him. Through Job’s story, we learn God knows our pain, inviting us to lament like Jesus did, trusting in His love. Whether facing loss, anger, or despair, your story isn’t over. Lamenting fosters intimacy with God, transforming suffering into a bridge to deeper faith, hope, and communal support, pointing us to Jesus’ redemptive suffering.

Discover the courage of faith in our sermon on membership and trials. Explore Job's unwavering trust in God amidst loss, inspired by stories like the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. Learn how suffering refines faith, drawing from Job’s resilience and modern examples of perseverance. Join our church family today!

Week 1 of "From Riches to Rags: The Story of Job" examines why good people suffer, drawing from Job’s trials. Through Job 1:1-12 and Psalm 23:4, discover how to trust God in pain, finding hope and faithfulness amid life’s challenges, as Job’s story points to Jesus’ redemptive suffering.

I want to urge you to read the Bible, God’s inspired Word, accessible in countless forms yet often neglected. It’s our guide for meaning, salvation, and hope. Find a translation that speaks to you and dive in—its transformative power awaits! Listen to the podcast for inspiring insights.

There’s a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus… let's look at breaking cycles of guilt and shame that make us inconsistent and ineffective in our time with God's word and see if we can find a way that works for us!

The Bible is in every language, is available everywhere, is transformative, powerful, and God will use it to empower you, it's changed the world and has proven itself true over and over, and making it part of your daily life will practically enhance every area of your life... but not if you don't read it.I just want to make a case for daily study... that if you remain in Christ, through prayer and God's word, that he'll give you life and cause you to produce meaningful fruit!

We’re super blessed because we can own and read a Bible in our own language.  It would be foolish to have access to such an important book, a book with divine origins, and ignore it, or leave it on your bookshelf, or only rely on someone else to tell you what is in it, when you can read it for yourself.

The Bible says that the word of God is alive and powerful. That it's sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. That the Word of God exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.The problem is, we have access to the infallible Word of God in a book that stays gathering dust on many of our book shelves!Join us in this series as we discover the Bible and how God wants to transform and empower us as we open and study it regularly.

Pastor Josh uses Let’s Make a Deal to illustrate life’s choices, urging the church to prioritize a relationship with God over fleeting temptations. Drawing from Scripture, he highlights Esau trading his birthright for stew and David’s sin with Bathsheba, showing how we often choose temporary satisfaction over God’s promises. Through Isaiah 44, he humorously critiques idol worship, emphasizing God’s unmatched power as Creator. Josh calls the congregation to remove idols and make Jesus first, becoming a beacon for their community. This sermon is a compelling call to trust God’s plan, avoid fleeting traps, and embrace a faith that truly satisfies.

"Live your truth" and "follow your heart" are some of the worst advice many of us will ever be given... but the problem is, this is the advice we often hear from influencers and those we turn to for advice. Jesus offer something better.There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.Proverbs 14:12

God brings order to chaos, Jesus brought order to chaos in his ministry, Jesus promises to bring order and peace into your life... so why do so many Christians complain that their lives are chaotic?

Regular fasting "creates" humility, and reminds me regularly, that when I cannot, God CAN.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs on spiritual disciplines... giving, prayer, and fasting. So many of us see the chaos the world offers and want better for ourselves and our families... God offers an ordered life built on disciplines that remind us that we are to be governed by the spiritual, not the temporary.

This sermon explores how fasting transcends mere dieting by refocusing life on God’s purpose. Using examples like food and social media, it highlights how good things can dominate us. Fasting teaches us to say “no” to sin and excessive desires, replacing them with spiritual practices like giving and time with God. By prioritizing God’s Word, fasting reveals what controls us, ensuring He alone rules our lives for His glory.

Let's explore what the Bible teaches on fasting! Let’s learn together how fasting can help us cherish God’s blessings, realign our hearts with His will, and live with purpose. God has instructed us on a number of spiritual disciplines to deepen our faith and appreciate life’s gifts... and fasting shouldn't be off the table!

God is love... but if love is love, like people are fond of saying, then can God be anything we want? The truth is, the Bible tells us exactly what love is and describes exactly who God is... in this series, we're talking 1 Corinthians 13.

As Christians who vote... how can we have a relationship with those we disagree politically with?

Christians are told to be good citizens... but also, that they'll never fit into any political system...

God alone is in charge of all things... he doesn't ask permission... and he decides who rises and falls. Oh... and nothing that ever happens is meaningless.

We talk about politics everywhere... except for church. In fact, we're told that to keep the peace at church, we should never talk about politics... here's 3 Reasons we should talk about politics in Church.

Over the past few years, you may have heard of scandals within the SBC... this recording is just a relatively quick explanation of the most pressing scandal and how the denomination actually works which can make solving issues related to this scandal "complicated... but also helps you see how the denomination made sure that everything was brought to light and is being addressed. Knowledge is power... and that's the aim of this recording.