In this week’s message, Thankful Through the Pressure, we look at how Paul teaches us to stay grounded in gratitude even when life squeezes hard. Holidays often amplify stress—financial strain, family tension, emotional weight—but Philippians 3 reminds us that what we hold onto determines what holds us together. Learn how to release what can’t sustain you, let go of what’s behind you, and press toward what lasts. If you’re walking into this season feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you rediscover strength, perspective, and peace in Christ.
In this episode, we explore Philippians 2 and what it really means to find joy in the middle of life’s ups and downs. Joy isn’t the result of perfect circumstances — it’s the result of choosing gratitude, walking in humility, and shifting the focus off ourselves. We talk about how the “me-monster” mindset robs us of joy, why unity matters, and how serving others opens the door to a deeper, lasting joy that circumstances can’t shake. Through Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice, we learn how to shine with joy in a world that desperately needs it. If you’re feeling stretched, tired, or joy-empty, this message will remind you where true joy is found and how to live it out every day.
In our instant-gratification culture, we've lost the ability to find gratitude during difficult seasons. The Apostle Paul wrote Philippians from prison, yet chose gratitude over complaint, demonstrating that gratitude isn't what we feel when life is good—it's what we choose when life is hard. Research shows that people who regularly express gratitude are 25% happier and less stressed, with gratitude growing strongest during hardships. We can develop gratitude by remembering what God has already done, recognizing His current work in our lives, and trusting His eternal perspective. Like diamonds formed under pressure, our struggles might be the very pressure God uses to create something beautiful in our lives.
Jesus demonstrated true greatness through humble service, washing his disciples' feet even knowing some would betray and deny him. In a culture that prioritizes being seen and recognized, Christ's example shows us that kingdom greatness begins with picking up a towel, not seeking the spotlight. We are called to serve before being seen, using our God-given gifts not for ourselves but for others. Only 29% of practicing Christians actively serve in their local church, revealing a consumer mentality rather than committed discipleship. True spiritual maturity means moving from spectating to serving, creating a generational impact that extends far beyond our own lives.
Spiritual growth is an intentional journey that requires commitment to specific disciplines and practices. Based on Paul's letter to the Colossians, growing in faith involves three essential elements: faith in God's power to do the impossible, love as our response to Christ's sacrifice, and hope in our eternal future with God. Our beliefs directly shape our behavior, our trust affects our life's trajectory, and our confidence in God influences our outcomes. This growth happens through practical disciplines like Bible study, prayer, worship, fasting, giving, serving others, and regular church attendance. Mature believers have a responsibility to guide newer Christians in their spiritual journey, helping them develop from spiritual infancy to maturity.
Biblical generosity isn't about funding church programs but about spiritual growth and trusting God with your heart. Just as children delight their parents with simple gifts bought with their parents' money, God doesn't need our money but wants our hearts. When your relationship with Christ deepens, generosity flows naturally as a reflection of spiritual transformation. Your giving reveals your maturity in Christ, not your bank balance. Research shows only 5% of churchgoers tithe, yet those who do report greater peace, joy, and trust in God across all areas of life.
God declared it's not good for man to be alone even before sin entered the world, which means we need community even more in our broken state. The giant sequoia trees illustrate this perfectly - they grow over 300 feet tall and live thousands of years not because of deep roots, but because their shallow roots interlock with other trees for mutual support. Similarly, we cannot grow spiritually deep while living disconnected from other believers. The early church in Acts 2 shared everything together - meals, possessions, prayers, and daily life - resulting in natural church growth. Biblical community means being known, needed, strengthened, and supported by others who can provide accountability and encouragement through life's storms.
Spiritual growth requires both deep roots in Christ and active outreach to others. Like plants need strong roots to thrive, our faith needs to be firmly established in Jesus to bear fruit. This involves a two-directional approach: reaching up to God through worship, prayer, and Bible study, and reaching out to others by sharing our faith. Our personal testimony is a powerful tool that doesn't require theological expertise—just authenticity about what Jesus has done in our lives. When we understand God's heart for the lost as illustrated in Luke 15, we're motivated to fulfill the Great Commission by investing in relationships and helping others take steps toward Jesus.
In a world overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and constant bad news, how do we find peace that lasts? In this message from September 28, 2025, we explore how God’s Word cuts through the fog of worry and shows us that peace isn’t found in the absence of storms but in the presence of Jesus. Through scriptures like Philippians 4:6–7 and John 16:33, you’ll learn practical steps to name your anxiety, pray it to God, release it, and replace lies with His truth. Whether you’re battling sleepless nights, uncertainty about the future, or the weight of everyday struggles, this message will encourage you to trade panic for the unshakable peace of Christ.
In this sermon from the series What Matters, Pastor Josh Brewer unpacks the heart of discipleship—what it means to truly grow up in Christ. God hasn’t only saved us from something; He’s saved us for something greater. Discipleship is more than information—it’s transformation and multiplication as we become fully devoted followers of Jesus who love and live like Him. From the call to follow, to the process of daily growth, to the mission of making disciples, this message will challenge and inspire you to take your next step in your walk with Christ.
In times of national division, the question of who is truly our Lord becomes paramount. Declaring Jesus as Lord means acknowledging His authority above all else, including cultural trends and personal preferences. Our fears reveal what we truly value, our sacrifices demonstrate what we genuinely believe, and our obedience shows who we actually love. The early apostles modeled this radical commitment by continuing to preach despite persecution, choosing to obey God rather than human authorities. As followers of Christ today, we must examine whether Jesus is truly Lord of our lives or merely a label we claim, and be willing to stand for truth with both courage and grace in a divided world.
In a world where we often care deeply about trivial matters, we need to refocus on what truly matters eternally. After salvation, baptism stands as the first crucial step of obedience for believers. It serves as a public declaration of faith, symbolizes the death of our old self and birth of new life in Christ, and brings joy to our Heavenly Father. Baptism isn't just a religious ritual but a command from Jesus and an act of love toward Him. For those who have accepted Christ but haven't been baptized, the question remains: what are you waiting for?
Finding true rest through Sabbath means understanding its original purpose - to meet our needs, not burden us with rules. Jesus taught that Sabbath is primarily for rest, preparing us for our work, and restoring our souls. By intentionally recharging physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, we honor God's design for our lives. Many of us struggle with rest because we don't fully trust God with our burdens, but Jesus invites us to exchange our heavy loads for His lighter ones. The Sabbath isn't an obligation but a divine gift enabling us to live the full, purposeful life God intends.
In our technology-driven world, we're experiencing a compassion crisis as self-obsession diminishes our ability to truly care for others. Godly compassion has three key characteristics: it moves us to action, interrupts our routine, and costs us something. Jesus consistently demonstrated this compassion by taking immediate action when confronted with suffering. As we become less focused on ourselves and more attuned to others' needs, we can be channels through which people experience God's love. True compassion isn't just clicking 'like' on a post—it's loving people where they are so God can take them where they need to go.
Digital addiction has silently crept into our lives, with the average person swiping their phone 2,600 times daily and spending over 3.5 hours on screens. This addiction affects our mental health, relationships, and spiritual well-being. Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by renewing our minds rather than conforming to worldly patterns. Philippians 4:8 provides eight spiritual filters to evaluate what we consume: truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loveliness, admirability, excellence, and praiseworthiness. Breaking free requires intentional steps like reducing notifications, practicing a Tech Sabbath, prioritizing scripture before scrolling, and building holy habits to replace unhealthy ones.
We can track our pizza in real time, video chat across the globe, and scroll endlessly—yet still feel disconnected from God and people. In this message, Pastor Terrell Somerville challenges us to trade distraction for devotion, prioritize presence over productivity, and slow our pace to find the peace our souls crave.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the most significant miracle in history, confirming His identity as the Son of God and separating Him from all other religious leaders. This miracle conquers our greatest fear—death—and offers us freedom from its power. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus is available to believers today, capable of revitalizing dead areas in our lives, whether relationships, hope, faith, or purpose. This transformative truth demands a response; we must decide whether to believe, reject, or ignore it, recognizing that our decision determines our destiny.
Jesus's question at the Pool of Bethesda, 'Do you want to get well?' challenges us to consider what true healing requires. Wellness demands recognizing our powerlessness, identifying harmful patterns, abandoning false sources of hope, and sometimes changing relationships. The path forward involves responding in faith, replacing old habits with new ones, repeating truth instead of lies, and demonstrating genuine repentance. True healing isn't just physical—it's a complete transformation that may require leaving behind our old identity to embrace a new life in Christ. The miracle of wellness begins when we honestly answer whether we're ready for the cost and commitment of a completely new life.
When facing impossible situations like the Israelites at the Red Sea, we discover that impossibility is actually an opportunity for the miraculous. God sometimes intentionally leads us into challenging circumstances to reveal His character, teach us dependence, and display His glory. While our natural response might be fear and complaint, God calls us to active faith—not just standing still, but moving forward in obedience. The greatest challenge isn't just escaping our difficulties but leaving behind old mindsets and habits that keep us in bondage. Our impossible situations can become pathways for experiencing God's deliverance and power in unprecedented ways.
God doesn't just perform miracles—He creates people to be miracles. Like Gideon, who was called a mighty warrior while hiding in fear, we often wait for miracles instead of recognizing we are the miracle God wants to use. The journey to greatness begins in our minds, overcoming the negative self-talk that limits our potential. Greatness starts with believing what God says about us and taking small steps of obedience, even when nobody notices. By confronting our personal idols and choosing to serve others, we can fulfill the purpose for which we were fearfully and wonderfully made.