Worship with us 9 + 11am 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010 https://flourishinggrace.org/plan-you... In this reflective sermon from Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer walks through Ecclesiastes 3:1–15 and invites the church into a rare and needed pause at the turn of the year. As one season closes and another begins, this message speaks to the universal experience of looking back on what has been and looking forward to what is unknown. Grounded in the famous words that there is a time for everything under heaven, this teaching offers a thoughtful and pastoral framework for engaging the joys, sorrows, and hopes of the year behind us and the year ahead. Pastor Benjer explores the often misunderstood phrase that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Rather than suggesting that every event is pleasant or easy, this sermon explains how the biblical meaning of beautiful also carries the sense of fitting or purposeful within God’s larger story. For those who feel skeptical or wounded by painful experiences, this message creates space for honesty while affirming God’s sovereignty, goodness, and mercy. It acknowledges that some moments feel deeply unbeautiful while still trusting that God is at work beyond what we can see. The sermon moves through three intentional movements that shape how believers are invited to process the year. First, it calls listeners to look back in praise, not by pretending circumstances were easy, but by making God’s goodness and character known regardless of how the year felt. Drawing from the Psalms, Pastor Benjer reminds the church that praise is not denial but remembrance, and that worship helps reorient hearts toward who God is and how He works. Even when personal strength is lacking, the gathered church carries one another through shared praise. Second, the message invites the congregation to look back in mourning. In a culture that avoids grief and distraction, this sermon affirms that Scripture commands God’s people to mourn, weep, and bring sorrow honestly before Him. Referencing Ecclesiastes, the Psalms, and Jesus’ words in Matthew, Pastor Benjer emphasizes that mourning is not weakness but faith. Vulnerability with God deepens intimacy with God, and lament becomes a pathway to comfort rather than something to avoid. This portion of the sermon speaks directly to those carrying loss, disappointment, and unresolved pain from the year. Finally, the message turns toward looking forward in hope. Acknowledging the fear and uncertainty that come with an unknown future, Pastor Benjer anchors hope not in circumstances improving but in the unchanging nature of God. Ecclesiastes reminds us that whatever God does endures forever, and that truth both humbles and stabilizes us. While humans long to control outcomes, this sermon gently redirects that desire toward trust, prayer, and persistence. God is already in the future, and because He is already there, believers are invited to pray boldly, hope deeply, and refuse to give up. This sermon culminates in a moment of quiet reflection and prayer, offering space for worshipers to name gratitude, grief, and longing before God. It is a message for anyone standing between seasons, carrying both thankfulness and ache, and wondering what comes next. With pastoral warmth and theological depth, this teaching reminds us that our hope is anchored not in what we can predict, but in the God who holds time itself.

Worship with us 9 + 11am 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010 https://flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit Celebrate Christmas with a powerful and hope filled message centered on John 1:14 and the heart of the gospel. In this Christmas sermon from Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer walks through one of the most profound truths in Scripture: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. This message invites you to slow down in the middle of the holiday rush and reflect on what it truly means that God came near, not from a distance, but by stepping fully into our humanity. Using a personal story about a father rushing to the scene of his child’s car accident, this sermon paints a vivid picture of the incarnation. Just as a loving parent grabs the keys and runs toward their child in crisis, Jesus came running toward us. He did not stay far off or offer advice from a distance. He entered our brokenness, our fear, our grief, and our pain. This Christmas message reminds us that the incarnation is not abstract theology but deeply personal good news. Pastor Benjer unpacks why John calls Jesus the Word, connecting the opening of John’s Gospel to Genesis and showing that Jesus is not merely a teacher or moral example but the eternal Creator God through whom all things were made. Life itself is found in Him, and the light He brings cannot be overcome by darkness. Whether this past year felt full of joy or heavy with sorrow, this sermon speaks to the universal longing for life, meaning, and hope. The message also explores what it means that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not do a flyover of humanity. He pitched His tent among us. He experienced hunger, weakness, temptation, rejection, sorrow, and grief. Drawing from Hebrews and Isaiah, this sermon highlights Jesus as a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses and is acquainted with grief, offering comfort to those carrying pain this Christmas season. Finally, the sermon centers on Jesus being full of grace and truth. Grace that is undeserved and freely given, and truth that names our brokenness honestly while still offering rescue. This is not a harsh God lacking compassion, nor a permissive God without direction, but a Savior who holds both perfectly. The invitation of Christmas is simple and beautiful: receive and trust. To all who receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. Whether you are a lifelong follower of Jesus, someone who feels weary and in need of rest, or someone exploring faith for the first time, this Christmas message invites you to see the beauty of a God who came near. God is here. He grabbed the keys. He came to rescue.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit The Good News Is Beautiful | Advent Sermon from Isaiah 52:7–10 Three days before Christmas Eve, this message reminds us that this is not a throwaway Sunday. It’s an invitation to slow down, to pause, and to truly see why the good news of Jesus isn’t just true—it’s beautiful. Many of us have been taught to defend Christianity primarily on whether it’s factually accurate. That matters deeply. But for many people, especially those who’ve been hurt by religion, the bigger question is this: Even if it’s true… is it good? Is it compelling? Is it beautiful? In this Advent message, we return to Isaiah 52:7–10, a passage that declares how beautiful the good news is—the announcement that God reigns. Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah envisioned a herald running over the mountains announcing peace, salvation, and the reign of God. This is not sentimental religion. This is a proclamation that changes everything. In this sermon, we explore what the “gospel” really is—not a self-improvement plan, not a checklist, not a set of religious instructions—but an announcement: King Jesus reigns. We walk through three reasons why this good news is truly beautiful: Jesus conquers through surrender Unlike every other king in history, Jesus wins by losing. He conquers not by crushing His enemies, but by becoming the Lamb who was slain. Power made perfect in weakness. Sin and death are dethroned The gospel doesn’t promise perfection in this life—but it does promise a new King. Even in the rubble, the waste places, and the broken parts of our stories, God brings life. You don’t have to hide your struggles. You are no longer owned by sin or death. The King has rescued you The gospel is not a plan for you to execute—it’s a rescue accomplished by God Himself. Salvation is not something you achieve; it’s something you receive. God rolls up His sleeves and does for us what we could never do for ourselves. This message is especially for: – Those who are tired of striving – Those who feel burdened by religious performance – Those who have been hurt by Christianity but still wonder if Jesus might be different – Those longing for peace in the middle of anxiety, grief, addiction, or uncertainty Jesus’ invitation is simple and radical: yield. Step off the throne of your life and trust the gentle, good King who surrendered Himself for you. As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded that when everything feels like it’s falling apart, Jesus is still on His throne—and He is not distant, harsh, or indifferent. He is gentle and lowly in heart, and He offers rest for weary souls. If you’re skeptical, searching, exhausted, or curious—this message is for you. Scripture: Isaiah 52:7–10 Series: Advent Theme: The Beauty of the Gospel If this message resonates with you, consider watching all the way through, sharing it with someone who needs hope this season, or joining us for Christmas Eve as we celebrate the coming of the King. The good news is beautiful. And King Jesus has come for you.

Thank you for joining us this Sunday! For more information please visit www.flourishinggrace.org. In this Week 3 Advent message on Joy, we turn to Isaiah 55:1–11 and hear one of the most generous invitations in all of Scripture: “Come, everyone who thirsts.” This sermon explores what it means to receive joy not as something we manufacture or consume, but as something that flows from communion with God. Set during Advent, this message reminds us that most of our prayers are actually Advent prayers. We pray for hope, peace, joy, and love in moments of suffering, anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion. But instead of sending us quick fixes or temporary solutions, God gives us Himself. He does not merely provide joy—He is joy. He does not simply send peace—He is peace. Using Isaiah’s imagery of water, milk, and wine, this sermon invites us to examine what we are truly thirsty for. Are we longing for refreshment? Nourishment? Delight? And where are we trying to satisfy that thirst? Isaiah challenges a self-sufficient, busy, consuming people—much like us—to slow down, admit our need, and stop spending our lives chasing what never satisfies. This message also confronts the cost of constant consumption. When we live from our own provision rather than God’s, we may look successful on the outside but feel empty on the inside. As the sermon unpacks Isaiah 5 and Isaiah 55, we are reminded of a sobering truth: the more we consume, the less we commune. And yet, God’s invitation remains wide open. Rather than a checklist or spiritual self-improvement plan, this sermon emphasizes God’s initiative. He draws near first. He provides first. He invites us to live from His abundance, not our striving. From that place, Isaiah offers four simple but deeply challenging practices for seeking the Lord: calling upon Him, confessing and returning, humbly trusting His perspective, and allowing His Word to nourish us. The promise at the end of Isaiah 55 is breathtaking. When we live in communion with God, joy and peace are no longer things we chase—they are realities we are led into. Creation itself responds. Landscapes change. Lives are transformed. If you are tired of living from your own strength, if your joy feels depleted, if you are thirsty but unsure what for, this message is for you. You are invited—not to do more—but to come, receive, and live. Scripture Focus: Isaiah 55:1–11 Theme: Advent – Joy Church: Flourishing Grace Church Speaker: Brett If this message encouraged you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, or sharing it with someone who needs to hear this invitation today. If you’d like prayer or want to learn more about our church, visit us online or join us in person.

In this Advent sermon from Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer opens Isaiah 9:1-7 and invites us to see the Christmas story as the ultimate great reversal. Just like our favorite Pixar stories that move from ordinary life to crisis and then to a surprising, beautiful resolution, the Bible tells the true story of people walking in deep darkness who suddenly see a great light. Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied to a people under judgment, weighed down by their own sin, injustice, and idolatry. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali felt the brunt of God’s discipline first, but in the kindness of God they were also the first to see the grace and mercy of Jesus when He began His ministry in Galilee. Where there was gloom, anguish, and spiritual night, God promised joy, freedom, and a decisive victory over every oppressor. As we walk through Advent, Pastor Benjer explains that this season is not just sentimental buildup to Christmas. It is a season of honest waiting, longing, and hope, where we learn to pause, rejoice, ask, and yield before God. Isaiah 9 shows us that the light of Christ is not something we produce by trying harder or fixing ourselves. When you stand in deep darkness, you cannot make your own light. Instead, God Himself breaks in. The Messiah shines into the very places we cannot manage, clean up, or control. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light because the light came to them. At the center of this message is the truth that we are not the heroes of our own story. We try to carry the weight of our pain, our sin, our responsibilities, and our fears on our own shoulders. We put our hope in careers, relationships, possessions, or our own strength, only to end up exhausted and disappointed. Isaiah reminds us that the government is on Jesus’ shoulders, not ours. He is given four titles that reach beneath our surface desires into our deepest longings. As Wonderful Counselor, He brings divine wisdom and miraculous guidance right into the mess of real life. As Mighty God, He is not just a helpful friend but the victorious warrior who fights the battles we cannot win. As Everlasting Father, He is nothing like the broken or absent fathers many of us have known. His love is constant, protective, and never ending. As Prince of Peace, He does more than calm our circumstances. He gives us peace with God through His life, death, and resurrection. Pastor Benjer shows how the increase of Christ’s government and peace will never end. Jesus keeps taking ground in human hearts, homes, churches, and communities. The more we hand over the hidden corners of our lives to His rule and reign, the more we experience true peace, even when circumstances are still hard. The most hopeful line in the passage is that the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this. It does not depend on our effort, our goodness, or our consistency. God is passionately committed to rescuing, restoring, and redeeming His people. He is zealous for His glory and for your good, and that is why the light of Christ is a gift, not a reward you earn. If you are watching this and feel stuck in darkness, shame, or quiet despair, this message is for you. Your darkness does not disqualify you from the light. It is exactly why the light came. To us a child is born. To us a son is given. Today can be the day you stop trying to be the hero and instead receive Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. If you are in or near Bountiful, Utah, we would love to welcome you in person at Flourishing Grace Church. If you are watching from elsewhere, we are grateful to walk with you online as you follow Jesus. Subscribe for more Christ centered teaching, share this message with someone who needs hope, and let us know in the comments how we can be praying for you this Advent season.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan... In this week’s message from Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer leads us into the first Sunday of Advent by opening Isaiah 11:1 to 10, a breathtaking promise spoken into a devastated world. As the gathering stands for the reading of Scripture, we hear Isaiah’s vision of a shoot springing up from the stump of Jesse, a fragile sign of life rising where everything looked cut down and hopeless. That image becomes the heartbeat of the sermon as Pastor Benjer helps us name the places where we have felt the bottom fall out of our own lives. He shares stories of personal heartbreak, disappointment, and loss, reminding us that devastation is something every person encounters, whether in sudden tragedy, crumbling expectations, or the quiet ache of a season that was supposed to be different than it is. From there the message draws us into the world of Isaiah’s prophecy. Israel has turned from God, injustice has taken root, and the nation that once flourished now resembles a forest leveled to stumps. Yet God speaks hope into this barren landscape. He promises that out of the very place that feels dead a new king will rise, a descendant of David who will rule with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and a perfect delight in the fear of the Lord. Pastor Benjer shows how this passage points to Jesus, the true and better King who judges with righteousness, defends the vulnerable, and brings peace strong enough to reconcile even the fiercest enemies. Isaiah’s imagery of wolves lying with lambs and children playing where serpents once threatened becomes a picture of the world made right, restored by the One who conquers sin, death, and the powers of darkness. This message brings the hope of Advent into real life. Instead of ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine during the holiday season, we are invited to pause and honestly name the devastation we have experienced this year. Pastor Benjer encourages the church to consider where hope has collapsed and where lesser kings have promised life but only left disappointment behind. Into those places, Jesus offers himself as the true King, the root and shoot of Jesse, fully God and fully man, the One who does not only send a solution but becomes the solution. Through his life, death, and resurrection he calls us into rest, reconciliation, and a peace the world cannot offer. As we enter the Advent season together, this message invites us to slow down, breathe, pray, and prepare our hearts for the King who comes near. Whether you are walking through loss, confusion, exhaustion, or simply longing for renewal, Isaiah’s promise offers steady hope. Jesus is the King who brings life out of devastation and light into every shadowed place. Stay until the end of the gathering, where Pastor Benjer invites anyone who needs prayer, hope, or a fresh start to come forward and receive prayer from the Flourishing Grace team. Today can be the day you return to Jesus or say yes to him for the first time. Wherever you are coming from and whatever you carry, you are welcome. May this message draw you into the hope, rest, and good news of the King who has come and will come again.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan... Luke 16:1–13 is one of the most unexpected and challenging parables Jesus ever taught, and this week at Flourishing Grace Church Pastor Benjer walked us through the Parable of the Dishonest Manager. At first glance, the story can feel confusing. A dishonest manager misuses his master’s resources, rewrites debts he has no right to change, and then receives praise for what he has done. The key, however, is that Jesus is not affirming the manager’s ethics. He is drawing attention to the technique, the shrewdness, and the intentional use of resources for a future purpose. From that surprising parable Jesus teaches something deeply practical and deeply convicting about our relationship with money and our calling as disciples. Throughout the sermon Pastor Benjer highlights how often money quietly becomes the controlling influence in our lives. Many of us live with the phrase “one day” attached to our purpose. One day when I finish college. One day when I finally earn enough. One day when I buy the house. One day when life settles down. Yet every time we reach one day another one appears on the horizon, usually tied to financial pressure, financial goals, or financial anxiety. Jesus exposes the truth that money is meant to be a tool used for kingdom purposes, but for many of us it has slowly become a god that shapes our priorities, our decisions, our fears, and our hopes. This message explores the idea that what we have is not truly ours in the first place. The manager in the parable used money that belonged to someone else in order to secure relationships and his future. In the same way Jesus calls his followers to use what belongs to God for the sake of people and for the sake of eternity. When Jesus says that no servant can serve two masters and that we cannot serve both God and money, he is naming the spiritual conflict that exists in every human heart. Money can be a useful and powerful tool, but it is a terrible master and an even worse god. Pastor Benjer challenges us to recognize that everything we possess is something God has entrusted to us. Our income, our resources, our opportunities, our time, and even the circumstances that opened doors for us are gifts of grace. When we view our possessions as things that belong to us, we cling tightly to them and they quickly gain control over our lives. When we view them as things entrusted to us by God, we are free to use them for generosity, for service, and for eternal impact. The sermon also discusses the practical reality that giving is one of the fastest ways to dethrone money in our hearts. Not because God needs our money, and not because giving earns us spiritual points, but because giving forces us to release our grip. Scripture teaches that generosity is meant to be joyful and sacrificial. The goal is not tipping or occasional acts of kindness. The goal is a life that recognizes the temporary nature of money and uses it for something far greater than personal comfort or personal security. For those who feel the weight of financial stress, debt, or discouragement, Pastor Benjer acknowledges that this message may feel heavy. If that is your situation, Flourishing Grace offers a simple next step. You can text FGC money to 97000 to connect with someone who will meet with you, listen to your story without judgment, pray with you, and help you take practical steps toward financial freedom. There are also resources available through Financial Peace University to help you learn how to handle money in a way that honors God and offers peace instead of fear.

The Prodigal Son | Benjer McVeigh | November 16, 2025 by Flourishing Grace Church

The Cost of Discipleship | Benjer McVeigh | November 9, 2025 by Flourishing Grace Church

The Wedding Feast by Flourishing Grace Church

In this week’s message at Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer unpacks one of the most sobering and hope-filled teachings of Jesus found in Luke 13:22–30. As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem—fully aware that the cross awaits—He encounters a question that echoes through time: “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” What follows is a deeply personal and challenging conversation about salvation, grace, and what it truly means to know Jesus. Pastor Benjer explores Jesus’ response about striving to enter through the narrow door and helps us understand what that means for followers of Christ today. The sermon addresses a tension that exists both inside and outside the church: how can salvation be found in only one way without making God seem narrow-minded or unloving? Using historical and cultural background from first-century Judea and Rome, Pastor Benjer reveals that the narrow door is not about exclusion, but about clarity—Jesus Himself is the narrow door because He is the only one who can deal with our sin problem and offer eternal life. Throughout the message, listeners are invited to examine what they are trusting in. Many people, both in Jesus’ day and our own, appeal to their spiritual “resume”—their family background, good works, or religious involvement—as evidence that they deserve God’s favor. But Jesus’ parable makes it clear that being in proximity to Him is not the same as having intimacy with Him. Pastor Benjer emphasizes that knowing about Jesus or being around His people is not the same as belonging to Him through faith. Just as those outside the door pleaded their case based on their lineage or their service, many today believe that moral behavior, volunteerism, or religious attendance will be enough. But as the sermon reminds us, salvation is not earned; it is received through surrender. We cannot present God our accomplishments or heritage and expect entry into His kingdom. Only through the person and work of Jesus—who lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved—can anyone be saved. Using both Scripture and contemporary examples, Pastor Benjer dismantles the modern belief system often described as “moralistic therapeutic deism”—the idea that God simply wants us to be nice, happy, and well-adjusted, and that good people go to heaven. Instead, he points us back to the truth of the gospel: that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but through faith in Christ, we are justified by grace as a gift. Jesus’ death was not symbolic—it was substitutionary. He absorbed the wrath of God against sin, satisfying justice and extending mercy. Quoting from Romans 3 and Isaiah 53, Pastor Benjer reminds us that the cross was God’s plan to make a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. The narrowness of this way is not cruelty; it is compassion. God has provided one clear way to life so that no one would have to wonder where salvation is found. The sermon moves from theological depth to heartfelt application, urging the congregation to drop their resumes before God and instead pursue intimacy with Jesus. The narrow door is not a one-time entry point but a lifelong pursuit of relationship. Followers of Jesus must daily rely on His grace—not just at the moment of salvation, but every day afterward. Pastor Benjer challenges the church not to be filled with people who attend services, know the songs, and volunteer out of duty, but with people who know and love Jesus deeply. Proximity does not equal transformation. Only intimacy with Christ brings life.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In this sermon from Luke 13:1–9, Pastor Benjer McVeigh of Flourishing Grace Church explores one of Jesus’ most challenging and life-giving teachings—the call to repentance. Many of us hear the word “repent” and instinctively recoil, weighed down by years of misunderstanding and guilt. Yet as this passage reveals, repentance is not about condemnation but restoration. It is a divine invitation into grace. Jesus confronts the human assumption that tragedy and hardship are always signs of personal failure, reframing repentance not as punishment but as the merciful opportunity to turn from death toward life. Through the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus paints a vivid picture of God’s patience and kindness. The gardener’s plea for one more year and his decision to nurture the fruitless tree reflect the heart of a Father who gives every chance for renewal. God does not fold His arms in disappointment and wait for us to get it right; He kneels beside us, digging around the hard soil of our hearts, giving us everything we need to flourish again. Repentance is not an act of despair—it is the evidence of God’s compassion. As Romans 2:4 declares, it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. Pastor Benjer reminds us that repentance is not a one-time decision but a posture of daily humility. It is the ongoing recognition that God is God and we are not, that His ways are better than ours, and that our flourishing depends on continually turning our hearts back to Him. When we try to control our lives, to “grab the shovel” and fix ourselves, we miss the beauty of surrender. True repentance means handing over the keys, trusting that God can rebuild what we cannot. The sermon also addresses the fears and misconceptions surrounding repentance. Many believers equate it with shame or divine anger, but Scripture shows that confession leads not to rejection but to restoration. When we come before God with honesty about our failures, He meets us with mercy, not wrath. As 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The act of turning back is never met with scorn—it is met with celebration, just as the father in the parable of the prodigal son ran to embrace his returning child. Repentance, then, is the shortest distance between where we are and where God longs for us to be. Whether we are seeking freedom from sin, reconciliation in our marriages, or restoration in our hearts, repentance is the starting point. It is the about-face that redirects us from rebellion toward redemption. Like C.S. Lewis wrote, true progress begins the moment we turn back to the right road. Throughout history, every genuine revival has begun with repentance—not in packed stadiums but in quiet hearts humbled before God. Renewal in our communities and churches starts when believers admit their need for grace and bow before the Lord in prayer. This is where the Spirit moves most powerfully, transforming individuals and igniting movements of faith. As Pastor Benjer concludes, repentance is not a story of human failure but of divine faithfulness. It is an open door to forgiveness, healing, and the abundant life found only in Jesus Christ. To repent is to stop running, to stop pretending, and to return home—to the God who digs around the roots of our lives and whispers, “Let’s begin again.” If you’ve wondered what repentance really means or feared it as a word of judgment, this sermon will help you see it as the gift it truly is—a daily invitation into grace, freedom, and flourishing in Christ. Watch, reflect, and rediscover the beauty of turning back to the One who never stops pursuing you.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In this powerful conclusion to The Way of Discipleship series, Pastor Brett Turner unpacks the biblical call to consecration—being set apart not just for good works, but for a sacred and holy purpose. Preaching from 2 Corinthians 6:1–2 and 1 Chronicles 13–15, he challenges us to examine whether we have received the grace of God in vain and invites us to live lives marked by holiness, obedience, and transformation. This message draws a clear picture of what a flourishing life in Jesus looks like, not as a set of steps to complete but as a continuous journey of growth rooted in God’s grace. Throughout the sermon, Brett addresses the common assumptions that often hinder our spiritual growth. Many believers assume that simply doing good things or living morally upright lives equates to holiness. But Scripture reveals that consecration is more than being “set apart”—it is being set apart for a sacred and holy purpose. He reminds us that God’s call to holiness, as seen in 1 Peter 1:16, is not about perfection but direction, a daily response to God’s invitation to live differently. Drawing from the story of David’s attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel, Brett explores how even good intentions can lead to failure when they are not aligned with God’s Word. David initially moved the Ark in a way that imitated the culture around him rather than obeying the specific commands God had given. The result was tragedy, but also a moment of grace when David realized the importance of doing things God’s way instead of his own. Brett emphasizes that receiving God’s grace in vain means wanting His love, mercy, and blessing to flow to us without allowing His glory and holiness to flow through us. A consecrated life, by contrast, lets the grace of God transform every part of our being. He warns of the danger of treating God casually—approaching worship without awe, rolling into church late, or engaging with Scripture as routine rather than revelation. Such attitudes reveal how easily we can become spiritually apathetic, allowing cultural influences and distractions to dull our reverence for God. Brett challenges listeners to come before God expecting to meet with Him, to encounter the living Lord who desires a relationship that transforms us from the inside out. Another key theme of the message is the tension between comfort and holiness. Brett reminds us that while God is indeed the God of all comfort, His comfort meets us in our afflictions, not in their absence. Using 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 and Psalm 34:18, he explains that God’s presence in hardship is what brings true peace and spiritual growth. The Christian life is not about escaping difficulty but about finding God faithful in the middle of it. Through personal reflection on his wife’s recent cancer diagnosis, Brett shares how his own prayers have shifted from asking God to remove the hardship to asking how God might reveal His presence and purpose through it. This vulnerable moment illustrates what it means to be consecrated—to trust that God’s way, even when painful, is always better and leads to deeper flourishing. The sermon culminates with a powerful look at Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17, where Jesus declares that He consecrates Himself so that His followers may be sanctified in truth. Brett explains that Jesus set Himself apart for a sacred and holy purpose so that we could be made holy through Him. When He went to the cross, there was nothing casual or comfortable about His obedience—it was total surrender. His consecration secured our salvation and opened the way for God’s glory to dwell in us. Brett urges listeners to consider whether their lives reflect that glory or whether they have settled for a form of faith that merely “seems good.”

Compelled | Josh Brown | October 5, 2025 by Flourishing Grace Church

Committed | Benjer McVeigh | September 28, 2025 by Flourishing Grace Church

What does it really mean to flourish, and how do curious skeptics become devoted followers of Jesus? In this message from Acts 17:16–34, Pastor Benjer explores Paul’s famous address in Athens at the Areopagus and shows how God awakens spiritual curiosity, why some mock before they believe, and how everyday Christians can step into gospel conversations with confidence and love. If you’ve ever wondered how to talk about Jesus in a culture crowded with competing definitions of “the good life,” this teaching is for you. Paul arrives in Athens “provoked” by a city full of idols, yet he responds not with outrage but with compassion and reason. He finds common ground, exposes the emptiness of man-made gods, and proclaims the Creator who “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” He names the altar “To the Unknown God,” declares the risen Christ as Lord and Judge, and invites repentance. The result is mixed, just like today: some mock, some want to hear more, and some believe. Acts 17:16–34 becomes a masterclass in evangelism, apologetics, and pastoral heart, all centered on the resurrection of Jesus. This message also frames a bigger journey many of us are on. We borrow our vision of flourishing from social media, success metrics, and other people’s expectations, then wonder why we are anxious, exhausted, and empty. Scripture paints a different picture. Jeremiah 17 describes the flourishing person as a tree planted by streams of water, unafraid of heat and drought, still bearing fruit. Jesus clarifies the source in John 15: abide in Him, the true vine, and you will bear much fruit; apart from Him you can do nothing. Real flourishing is not self-optimization. It is a Spirit-powered, Jesus-rooted life that blesses others. You will hear a practical pathway for growth that moves from curious to connected to committed to compelled to consecrated. Curiosity is often awakened by God long before a person ever sits in a church. That is why ordinary believers matter so much. You are already placed in neighborhoods, classrooms, teams, and workplaces where spiritual conversations can naturally begin. You won’t know who is curious about Jesus until you talk about Jesus. Our lives should commend the gospel, but the gospel itself must be spoken. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. If you are exploring Christianity, this message invites you to ask honest questions and follow the evidence. The God who made you is “not far from each one of us.” If you are a follower of Jesus, you will be challenged to pray by name for one person in your everyday life and to look for the openings God provides. Evangelism is not a performance; it is participation with a God who is already pursuing people in love. Key themes include Acts 17:16–34, Paul in Athens, the Areopagus, the “unknown god,” idols and worldview, resurrection apologetics, repentance and faith, discipleship, abiding in Christ, Jeremiah 17, John 15, spiritual curiosity, gospel conversations, and a biblical vision of flourishing. Whether you are new to church or a long-time Christian, this sermon will help you discern the voices shaping your life, root your joy and purpose in Jesus, and step into your calling as an everyday ambassador of Christ. If this message helps you, consider sharing it with a friend who is curious about Jesus. Subscribe for more Bible teaching on the way of discipleship, spiritual formation, and how to flourish in Christ in every season.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In this message, Pastor Benjer McVeigh draws an unforgettable connection between the 19th century physician Ignaz Semmelweis and the life-giving simplicity of the gospel. Semmelweis discovered that something as simple as washing hands drastically reduced mortality rates among mothers giving birth. Yet his peers rejected him, unwilling to admit the problem lay with their own practices. The truth was simple and effective, but it required humility to accept. In the same way, the good news of Jesus Christ is not complicated. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5 that in Christ we are made new creations. Jesus took upon Himself our sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. This is not something we achieve through our own effort, wisdom, or strategies. It is not about our credentials, rituals, or personal performance. Just as the doctors of Semmelweis’s day could not save their patients by their own flawed methods, we cannot save ourselves through our own strength. The problem is within us, and the solution is found outside of us—through Jesus. Benjer reminds us that while our culture often insists that life can be fixed through self-help, techniques, or relentless striving, the gospel declares something radically different. All this is from God. It is His initiative, His grace, His gift. Jesus died so that you might live, not because of anything you have done, but because of what He has already accomplished. Paul himself knew this truth deeply. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Paul encountered the risen Christ and was transformed from an enemy of the gospel to its greatest messenger. His story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, the new has come.” That promise is for all, no matter your past, no matter your brokenness. This sermon challenges us not only to recognize our need but also to embrace our new identity in Christ. Through Him, you are reconciled to God, restored to relationship with your Creator, and given a purpose as His ambassador. The moment you receive Jesus, you are not only forgiven but also entrusted with sharing the message of reconciliation with others. The invitation is simple: do not receive the grace of God in vain. To hear the truth and reject it is to miss the gift that brings true life. To accept it is to step into forgiveness, freedom, and purpose. Today can be the day when you cross from death to life, not because of your own worthiness but because of the righteousness of Jesus given to you. God’s grace is not flashy, nor is it complicated. It is a gift freely offered, but it requires humility to admit that the problem is in us and the solution is only in Christ. Just as Semmelweis’s discovery saved lives when doctors finally accepted it, the gospel saves when we receive Jesus by faith. Will you admit your need, lay down your efforts, and receive the life Jesus freely gives?

In this message from our Luke series, student and family minister Josh Brown preaches Luke 12:35–59 and calls us to live ready for the return of Jesus. Jesus’ words, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,” frame the entire passage and define Christian readiness as both posture and perseverance. With vivid images of tucked robes and tended lamps, Josh shows how a ready heart trusts Christ’s promise to return, and how daily dependence—through prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship—keeps faith burning bright. Readiness is not vague anticipation; it is attentive, active obedience now. Luke 12 moves from heart to hands. Jesus’ parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants makes clear that none of us owns what we manage; we steward what the Master has entrusted to us. The blessed servant is the one the Master finds doing His will when He comes. That steady, ordinary faithfulness—discipling children, serving the church, giving generously, praying for friends, opening the Bible when no one sees—matters eternally. Jesus also issues a sober warning: the servant who assumes “my master is delayed,” mistreats others, wastes resources, and lives for self will face judgment when the Master returns at an unexpected hour. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” is not a slogan but a summons to accountable stewardship. Josh also wrestles with one of Jesus’ most bracing claims: He did not come to bring peace but division. Allegiance to the crucified and risen Lord will at times divide households and friendships because the peace of God comes only in Him, and following Him means dying to self and living by the Spirit. Yet the same Jesus promises true peace in Himself: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Real faithfulness is not gritting our teeth; it flows from union with Christ, who was perfectly faithful, “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). We are not earning God’s approval by our obedience; we obey because, in Christ, we already share His righteousness and are sealed by the Spirit. The passage closes with urgency. Jesus rebukes crowds who can read the weather but not “interpret the present time.” He urges reconciliation on the way to the judge, a picture of the Gospel’s now-or-never gravity. Apart from Christ, we carry a debt of sin we cannot pay. “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Scripture presses the claim of the present: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). Readiness is real only if it moves us to respond to Jesus now—repenting of sin, entrusting ourselves to His finished work, and stepping into faithful stewardship in whatever He has put in our hands. If you are drifting, distracted, or weary, let this sermon reawaken you to the joy and seriousness of living ready. If you are walking faithfully but feeling the cost, find courage in the One who overcame the world and serves His people at the table when He returns. And if you have never surrendered to Christ, hear His invitation today. The King is returning at an hour we do not expect. Will He find you ready? Open Luke 12:35–59 with us and learn how ready hearts trust His return, ready lives stay faithful, and ready souls respond now. Search terms: Luke 12:35–59 sermon, keep your lamps burning, stay dressed for action, faithful and wise servant, Jesus second coming, Christian readiness, stewardship and accountability, division not peace, interpret the times, urgency of repentance, Gospel of grace, John 16:33, 1 Peter 1:13, Ephesians 6, Philippians 2:8, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:15.

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In Luke 12:22–34, Jesus speaks directly to one of the most pressing struggles of our time: anxiety. His words are not distant, theoretical, or dismissive. They are intimate, practical, and filled with the promise of God’s care. Pastor Brent Van Sickle, from King’s Cross Church, reminds us that our Savior does not ignore the burdens we carry. He understands the weight of our worry and calls us to lift our eyes beyond ourselves and place our trust in the Father who delights to give us His kingdom. Jesus points to ravens and lilies—ordinary parts of creation—to show how much more valuable His people are in the Father’s sight. If God feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He provide for His children? Anxiety, He explains, is unproductive, wasted energy, and misplaced effort because it flows from the world’s mindset of scarcity and self-dependence. Instead, He calls us to seek His kingdom first, knowing that all these things will be added to us. This passage is not a command to “stop worrying” and then be left alone to wrestle in silence. Instead, it is an invitation to see the character of a God who is not distant but near, who names His people “little flock” and promises His good pleasure is to give us the kingdom. It is a reminder that trust is formed not in striving for control, but in surrendering to the shepherd who leads His sheep to green pastures. Pastor Brent shares how anxiety is not only a mental or emotional struggle but also one that impacts our entire being—our health, our relationships, our ability to live on mission. Yet Jesus offers a way forward: turning our eyes from fear to faith, from possessions to generosity, and from scarcity to abundance in Him. True freedom from worry comes not by clinging tighter to control but by releasing it to the One who holds our lives in His hands. This message also reminds us that generosity is a pathway away from anxiety. Jesus teaches that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. When we cling to our possessions, worry only multiplies. But when we hold our resources with open hands and invest in the kingdom of God, we experience the peace that comes from aligning our hearts with His purposes. At its core, Luke 12:22–34 reveals a God who is a Father, a Shepherd, and a King—who cares deeply, provides faithfully, and delights to give His children what they truly need. Whether you are weighed down by financial pressures, fearful about the future, or burdened by personal struggles, Jesus’ words offer hope: fear not, for your Father knows you, sees you, and will never leave you without His care. So, the invitation is clear: lay down your anxieties, seek first His kingdom, and trust the God who delights to give. The question remains: where is your treasure, and where is your heart? Will you trust Jesus with your life today?

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In Luke 12:13–21, Jesus delivers a powerful warning that speaks directly to the heart of our modern struggles. A man in the crowd asks Jesus to intervene in an inheritance dispute, but Jesus uses the moment to reveal a deeper truth: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” From there, He tells the parable of the rich fool—a man whose barns overflowed with grain, who felt secure enough to say to his soul, “Relax, eat, drink, be merry.” Yet God called him a fool, because his soul was required that very night. The man lived full of himself, full of his possessions, but had no room for God or for others. This sermon, preached by Pastor Dave Nelson, dives into the human tendency to equate life with what we can gain, hold, or achieve. Whether it’s money, success, pleasure, or recognition, we all have areas where we think, “If I only had this, then I’d finally be fulfilled.” But Jesus confronts that mindset head-on. True life—“zoe” in the Greek—does not come from possessions, prestige, or pleasure. It comes from God Himself, who is life and who offers His life freely to us in Christ. Through vivid stories, including modern examples of crowds trampling others for sales or surging dangerously at concerts, Pastor Dave reveals the universal human drive for more. He explains how our very biology, with dopamine spikes driving desire, feeds into this restless pursuit. Yet no matter how much we acquire, it never satisfies for long. The longing simply resets, demanding more. Jesus warns that this cycle is dangerous and destructive, because it robs us of the life God intended—a life rooted not in accumulation but in love, generosity, and relationship with Him. This message challenges us to examine what truly fills our hearts. Are we full of ourselves, thinking only of “I will” and “my possessions”? Or are we inviting God into our daily decisions, seeking His will instead of our own? The call of Jesus is not to avoid pleasure, rest, or enjoyment altogether, but to stop making them the foundation of our lives. Instead, He invites us into the abundant life only He provides—a life that overflows with love for God and others, a life that is truly full, rich, and eternal. At its core, this sermon is not simply a warning against greed. It is an invitation into freedom. Freedom from the rat race of needing more, freedom from the endless cycle of desire and disappointment, freedom to live in the richness of God’s love. Jesus offers Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. To have Him is to have life to the full—life that is deeply satisfying, meaningful, and eternal. As you listen, let this message move you to reflection. Where are you placing your hope for satisfaction? What do your time, energy, and resources say about what you believe will give you life? Jesus calls us to lay down idols of possessions and success, and instead to receive the life that comes only from Him. Will you keep pursuing fullness in things that cannot satisfy, or will you turn to the One who alone is life?