This sermon explores why the church often feels messy—not because God’s vision is unclear, but because it’s entrusted to mere humans—and invites us to move from criticizing the church to rebuilding it with honesty, courage, and biblical wisdom. Looking at Acts, 1 Peter, and the metaphors of the church as a flock, bride, body, army, temple, and city on a hill, we learn that God is forming something beautiful even through our failures. In a world shaped by critique culture, individualism, and consumer Christianity, the call is to step into the arena, take responsibility, and help build the church God wants—not just the one we prefer.

We all have opinions on what the local church should be. What's God's vision for it? The local church is a family that is devoted to very few, but essential things.

Becoming like Jesus requires a person to move from the crowd to discipleship. What keeps us from going there and what are we missing out on?

Discipleship is the invitation of a lifetime. The invitation is given to you and me. Will you follow Jesus?

In a world full of competing voices about who Jesus is, this message reminded us that the greatest threat to our faith isn’t the world’s lies but our own failure to truly know and trust Him. Jesus is not just a good teacher—He is fully God and fully man, our authoritative King and compassionate Friend, and the only sure foundation for life and truth.

In a world where outrage feels easier than love, this message from 1 John 2 and 3 challenges us to choose a different way. “Love or Hate” dives into why love is the true test of spiritual maturity—not just emotion, but a daily, costly decision to seek another’s good like Jesus did. What would it look like if the church became the most loving place on earth?

Genuine saints are not defined by sinlessness, but by how they see their sin and where they turn when they see it—always back to Jesus. Through the moral, theological, and social tests, faithful followers of Christ reveal their belief that what Jesus taught, how He loved, and the way He lived is the true, good, and beautiful life.

In this sermon, “Genuine Followers of Jesus,” the focus is on what it truly means to follow Christ, emphasizing that genuine saints are marked by authentic belief, experience, and identity in Him. Drawing from 1 John 1:1–4 and historical evidence of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the message challenges believers to live repentantly, grow as disciples, and share the Gospel faithfully.

In Matthew 18v21–35, Jesus teaches that forgiveness is first a matter of the heart, flowing out of the abundant mercy and grace God has already shown us in Christ. Because God forgives us completely—legally, lovingly, and compassionately—His people are called to release anger, resist bitterness, and extend forgiveness instead of vengeance. True forgiveness is the costly, daily choice to absorb wrongs in love so that others may be freed, relationships may be restored, and the Kingdom of God may come.

In Matthew 18v21–35, Jesus teaches that forgiveness is first a matter of the heart, flowing out of the abundant mercy and grace God has already shown us in Christ. Because God forgives us completely—legally, lovingly, and compassionately—His people are called to release anger, resist bitterness, and extend forgiveness instead of vengeance. True forgiveness is the costly, daily choice to absorb wrongs in love so that others may be freed, relationships may be restored, and the Kingdom of God may come.

In Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is a treasure worth everything — but it will cost us everything. The with-God life isn’t just about heaven someday, but living under God’s reign here and now with joy, peace, and purpose. Yet many miss its value because it often looks ordinary or costly, while culture offers visible but empty substitutes. True discipleship requires honesty, desperation, and a willingness to say no to lesser things for the greater treasure of knowing Christ. The question isn't whether there's a cost — it's whether we see the surpassing worth of life with Him.

In this week’s parable, Jesus unveils His plan to bring change to the world and people. He teaches that it’s like a seed and like leaven. Two easy-to-overlook everyday items that can bring about significant results. Is this how you believe change comes? Are you a part of the church God is building? Are you allowing the Word of God to work its way into you? 

Your life is shaped by what you say yes to and what you say no to. In the parable of Matthew 22v1-14, we see Jesus judge His people because they have chosen to say no to Him and say yes to lesser things. In doing so, they miss out on the invitation of a lifetime. Today, God invites us to come and enjoy life with Him now. Who would say no to that invitation? Join me in praying for our church that we would give a collective “yes” to life with God this Sunday. 

Matthew 25:14-30

In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 19-23), the gospel is a transformative seed sown by Jesus, its impact depending on the heart’s condition: hardened paths reject it, rocky ground hosts shallow faith that fades, thorny soil is choked by worldly cares, and good soil yields abundant fruit through God’s grace. Jesus, as both sower and seed, calls all to trust Him, reject distractions, and let the gospel take root for a fruitful life.

Jesus spends the beginning of Matthew 21 overturning money tables and disrupting the corrupt temple practices. Jesus spends the second half of Matthew 21 overthrowing theological understandings and disrupting corrupt religious practice. In the two vineyard parables, Jesus refines the faith back to its purest form by answering two questions: What is the will of God? Who are the people of God? The answers are stunning and simple. They also overturn our established answers. See both answers this Sunday.

The further we are removed from the invitation to follow Jesus, the more likely it is that we lose sight of the heart of what Jesus said and means. If we aren’t careful, we can lose the entire heart of the Christian faith. The bad news is that it appears we have. The good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way. During our series, “Sacred & Simple,” we will consider all of the parables of the Kingdom of God to recapture the beauty and simplicity of Jesus’ invitation to know God and His Way of Life. Are you tired of the mainstream version of Christianity? We think Jesus is, too. This week, we return to the original invitation that Jesus extends in Matthew 11v25-30. It’s a relatively simple invitation, but the most important one. 

Satan is depicted as a red-skinned nuisance who has a strange infatuation with carrying around a pitchfork. This image of evil is not found in Scripture. Paul paints a picture of the devil that is far more deceptive and somewhat impossible to see. Good news for us… God exposes him and his fraudulent lies. In the final week of our study of Ephesians 6v10-20, we will examine the meaning of the word 'schemes' and understand how the armor of God is positioned to dismantle those schemes. Christ is the victor, and He goes before us in every battle. Aka, we will win. 

Ephesians 6v10-20 You are in a battle, whether you realize it or not. Acknowledging that you are in a fight is step 1, and step 2 is learning to fight well. Paul helps us understand how to combat spiritual pressure effectively. We will see that in a sense, it’s easier than you think, but it’s counterintuitive to how we think. In this week’s sermon, we will explore two essential strategies for overcoming the evil one. When we fight well, we win. 

Ephesians 6v10-20 Difficult situations are part of life. We are aware of them when they arrive, but oftentimes, we remain unaware of the hidden battle that is taking place. This unseen struggle is where the battle is won or lost. In Ephesians 6v10-20, Paul brings this to the attention of the believers in Ephesus in the hope that they would stand and withstand. You can, too; you have to acknowledge the fight you are in.