This Sunday, we’ll be spending our time in the small but powerful book of Joel. Though we know very little about the prophet himself, his message could not be timelier. Joel speaks to Judah in the middle of a national catastrophe, a locust invasion so severe that it collapses the economy, disrupts worship, and brings everyday life to a standstill. Rather than rushing to solutions, Joel presses a deeper question: Why is this happening? His conviction is that God often speaks through disruption, using moments we cannot ignore to reveal what we have been trusting in and what has been quietly shaping our hearts. As we walk through chapters 1 and 2, we’ll see how crisis exposes spiritual complacency. Comfort, Joel shows us, can be spiritually numbing. When life is stable, prayer becomes polite, worship becomes routine, and dependence on God becomes theoretical. But when everything is shaken, illusions of control fall away, and honest self-examination becomes possible. God’s call through Joel is not merely to feel bad or perform religious acts, but to return to Him with all our hearts. “Rend your hearts, not your garments,” God says. This is an invitation to genuine repentance rooted in humility and trust in His gracious and merciful character. We’ll also see that Joel’s message doesn’t end with judgment, but with restoration and hope. God responds to repentance with mercy, promising not only physical renewal but spiritual renewal through the outpouring of His Spirit, a promise Peter declares fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2. Joel then lifts our eyes to the coming Day of the Lord, when God’s justice and mercy will be fully revealed, and He will be a refuge for His people. My prayer is that this Sunday helps us see disruption differently, examine where comfort may have replaced dependence, practice quick and honest repentance, and learn what it truly means to live each day empowered by the Spirit of God.

This Sunday, we’re kicking off an exciting new series on the Old Testament prophets. Many of us immediately think of prophets as those who predict the future, but in reality, God raised them up as truth-tellers. Their role was to speak into moments when His people were drifting spiritually, compromising morally, or trusting the wrong things. Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore individual prophets in the order they appeared, stepping into the ongoing conversation God has been having with His people for thousands of years. Each prophet challenges us with the same question: Will we listen, and will we respond? We’ll begin with Obadiah, the smallest book in the Old Testament, just one short chapter, but it has tremendous weight. Obadiah delivers God’s message to Edom, a nation descended from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, Edom not only failed to help but actively rejoiced in Israel’s suffering. God’s message through Obadiah exposes their pride, their betrayal, and the moral cost of standing aloof while others fall. I’m reminded of the haunting modern parallel in Johnny Cash’s song “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” which echoes the same warning: no one can escape God’s justice. But the prophecy is not only about judgment; it is also about justice and hope. God promises that, in the end, the kingdom will be His, and His people will be restored. This ancient message speaks powerfully into our culture today. How do we respond when others stumble - friends, neighbors, and especially people we disagree with? Do we rejoice in their misfortune, or do we act with compassion? Obadiah challenges us to place our trust not in our cleverness, alliances, or social standing, but in the sovereignty of God. In a world where social media encourages gloating and superiority, this is a timely reminder that true faith responds with mercy, not judgment, and seeks restoration rather than advantage. I hope you’ll read ahead as we dive into Obadiah’s piercing, yet hope-filled word and discover what it means to live faithfully in God’s sight.

This week in our Advent series, we are reflecting on the love of God revealed in the gift of His Son. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love is personal, sacrificial, and transformative. He gave what was most precious to Him so that one day we could be where He is. Therefore, the gift of Jesus is the most profound and useful gift we will ever receive. Jesus came to bridge the gap between God and humanity. He became flesh so that we could understand God’s heart. Romans 8:32 assures us that if God did not spare His Son, He will graciously provide for all our needs. God’s love is not only for us to receive but also for us to share, flowing through us to bless others and extend His kingdom. This Christmas, let's reflect on the love we have received and consider how we can share it with those around us. Where do you need to receive God’s love this season? Who needs to experience Christ’s love through you? Let’s conclude this Advent season with hearts ready to receive and hands prepared to share, living as a people transformed by the greatest love story ever told.

This Sunday, we continue our Advent series focusing on joy, and it’s fitting, since “joy" is one of the first words used to announce Jesus’ birth: “I bring you good news of great joy.” A multitude of angels praised God, reminding us that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances but on God’s presence, promises, and character. Even when life feels uncertain or difficult, joy is rooted in who God is and what He has done for us through Christ. True to form, God brings this message in a way that no one expects. The shepherds were ordinary, overlooked people, yet they were the first to hear the angels’ announcement, showing that God’s joy is for everyone. Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” This joy grows as we abide in His love, obey His commands, and trust His guidance. Even in hardships and heartache, Paul reminds us that God’s love poured into our hearts produces hope that does not disappoint. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, I want to encourage you to anchor your joy not in the lights, gifts, or celebrations, but in the unchanging love of God made visible in the baby Jesus. Obedience to His word and remaining in His love are not burdens; they are the paths to experiencing His joy fully. Henri Nouwen beautifully reminds us, “Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved.” This week, let that truth guide your hearts and your steps. Let God’s deep, steady, unshakeable joy fill you, and may you share it freely with those around you.

This Sunday, we continue our Advent series, and we’re looking at the beautiful promise of peace. To do that, we’ll travel back about 3,500 years to hear the prophet Isaiah’s words: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6–7). When Isaiah first spoke those words, peace was not the reality of his world. God’s people were anxious and under threat. Yet Isaiah pointed to a future peace that would not come through armies or politics, but through a child, the One who would be called the Prince of Peace. As we open Luke chapter 2, we’ll see that Jesus entered a world every bit as chaotic as our own. Rome ruled with power, fear was constant, and even the king sought to kill Jesus upon his birth. Yet into that darkness, God sent light. The angels’ announcement, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased,” reminds us that Jesus came not to end political wars, but to restore peace where it was most needed: between God and humanity. The peace of Christmas is not a sentimental wish; it’s a spiritual reality that begins when we are reconciled to God through faith in Christ.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season, a time of anticipation, reflection, and preparation as we remember Christ’s first coming and look forward to His return. Our sermon will focus on the theme of hope - not wishful thinking, but the confident expectation of God’s promises fulfilled. We’ll explore the story of Simeon, the righteous man in Luke 2 who waited patiently for the Messiah and finally saw God’s salvation with his own eyes. His example reminds us that hope is active, shaping how we live and respond to the world around us. We’ll also see how hope transforms our daily lives, whether in our marriages, work, parenting, and friendships. Just as Simeon’s hope brought clarity and joy in the ordinary moment of seeing a baby in the temple, the hope we have in Christ gives us strength, perspective, and courage in the challenges we face every day. We’ll look at biblical examples, like the woman at Bethany who poured costly perfume on Jesus, and modern examples of faith lived with hope, to see how this assurance in God changes everything. Finally, we’ll consider how this hope is more than a feeling. It is an anchor for our souls, firm and secure. Through Scripture, we’ll reflect on God’s promises, the gift of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, and the assurance that the best is yet to come. My prayer is that each of us will leave this Sunday renewed in hope, confident in Christ’s presence in our lives, and inspired to live in light of the great salvation God has promised.

This Sunday, we continue our two-part series on What It Means to Be a Christian. Last week, we looked at the first three core beliefs that define a biblical worldview: the existence of absolute moral truth, the accuracy of the Bible in all its teachings, and the reality of Satan. It was an eye-opening study, highlighting just how many people who identify as Christians do not hold these foundational truths. As we reflected together, I was reminded that our faith is not merely about words or traditions, it’s about grounding our lives in the truths of God’s Word. This week, we will examine the remaining three beliefs: that we cannot earn our way to heaven by being good, that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, and that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who still rules the universe today. These truths are not optional for those who follow Christ because they form the foundation of our salvation, our hope, and our daily walk with God. Through Scripture, example, and practical application, we’ll see why these beliefs matter and how they should shape the way we live, worship, and interact with the world around us. I want to invite you to come with an open heart, ready to hear God speak. Whether you are new to Illuminate or you’ve been part of our church family for years, these truths have the power to transform your life. Come ready to reflect, respond, and recommit to trusting in God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Word that guides us. I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue to build our faith on the rock-solid foundation of God’s truth!

Last week, we saw some eye-opening statistics showing that while many people call themselves Christian, very few actually hold to the core biblical beliefs that define a true Christian worldview. This Sunday, we’re going to dig into what’s at the heart of those beliefs—the very foundation of the Christian worldview: the Bible. If someone were to ask you, “Why do you base your whole life on the Bible?” or “Why do you trust it?” you might answer, “Because it’s God’s Word.” But what if they pressed further and asked, “How do you know that? What makes the Bible different from the Qur’an, the Hindu Vedas, or any other religious or philosophical writings in the world?” A Hindu would say the Vedas offer the correct picture of truth and reality, while a Muslim would disagree and point to the Qur’an as the accurate one. I think most believers would probably share their personal story or testimony as proof. But people of other faiths do the same with their own experiences. So just relying on your personal experience is not enough to prove your view of Scripture—especially in a culture that’s skeptical about what the Bible says. Do you really have solid reasons to believe God has spoken through the Bible and that what it says is actually true? Why should you trust the Bible above everything else? You should be able to answer that. You should be able to say, “Here’s why my life depends on this Book, and here’s why yours should, too.” We’ll help you with a number of specific reasons. We’ll talk about how we can keep building our lives on God’s truth instead of just going along with opinions or what’s popular in our culture and we’ll get practical about what it looks like to live out a true biblical worldview, “rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

I’ve been thinking a lot about a question we don’t ask nearly enough: What does it really mean to be a Christian? George Barna’s recent research reminded me that while many people call themselves Christian, very few actually hold to the core biblical beliefs that define a Christian worldview. This Sunday, we’ll start looking at three of those beliefs: that absolute moral truth exists, the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches, and Satan is a real being.  Where to begin? In a world where people often say, “That’s your truth, not mine,” we need to remember that God alone defines what is right and wrong, and His truth never changes based on our feelings or culture. We’ll also dig into why we can’t trust human reason or personal happiness alone to guide us. History and Scripture make this clear: even our best intentions can be flawed because of sin. We’ll touch on examples from philosophy and history, and more importantly, we’ll see what God’s Word says about how our hearts and minds need His guidance. The Bible provides a firm foundation, a moral compass we can trust, and a standard for life that remains constant, unaffected by the latest trends. We’ll also be examining our own lives. Are we building on God’s truth, or are we relying on our own opinions and cultural influences? We’ll talk about practical ways to live out a biblical worldview, recognizing that sin, Satan, and spiritual battle are real, and that God equips us to stand firm.

This Sunday, we conclude our study of 1 Peter, where he ends with the most fitting exhortation once again: be humble and entrust yourself to God’s care. Humility is the key to a healthy church because without it, unity suffers, and without unity, the world sees us as just another divided, ineffective group.  Pride separates, but humility recognizes our need for one another. As we discussed last Sunday, Jesus Himself set the ultimate example, humbling Himself even to death, and the more we imitate Him, the stronger our unity becomes. True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. It is prioritizing others, submitting, forgiving, and living selflessly. Peter moves from humility to trust, urging us to place our anxieties upon God because He is sovereign. This is a reminder that God is in control of all things, and we can pause in our stress, disappointment, or conflict and hand over our burdens. The call is to make your anxiety God’s problem. But trusting God also means recognizing the reality of opposition: the devil prowls like a roaring lion, claiming territory and seeking to devour. We are called to resist him, firm in our faith, using the armor God provides. Finally, Peter reminds us that suffering is temporary in light of eternity. After we endure trials, the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. We see this fulfilled in the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who, even while being stoned, prayed for his enemies and witnessed Christ ready to receive him. The message is clear: faithful endurance glorifies God, strengthens His church, and secures eternal reward. Let us humbly depend on Him, stand firm in faith, and encourage one another until He calls us home.

This Sunday, we are nearing the end of our series in 1 Peter, a letter that has guided us through the challenges of living faithfully in a world that often opposes God. We’ll reflect on the first half of chapter 5, where Peter encourages church leaders to shepherd with humility and integrity, and calls all believers to follow God’s appointed leadership with trust and joy. As we explore these truths, we’ll see how the roles of leader and follower work together to strengthen the church, and how God uses each of us in His plan. I’ll also be highlighting Hebrews 13:17, reminding us that our leaders watch over our souls and that our attitude toward them - whether joyful, respectful, and trusting or grumbling and resistant - directly impacts the health and joy of our church family. We’ll draw lessons from the story of Israel in the wilderness, their struggles with trust and submission, and how God’s people can learn to respond in humility, bring their concerns respectfully, and grow together in faith. As we prepare our hearts this week, I encourage you to reflect on your place in the church. Are you stepping into your role, whether as a leader, a follower, or a servant, with trust, humility, and joy? I look forward to gathering with you this Sunday to celebrate God’s faithfulness, learn from His Word, and encourage one another to live faithfully in our community and in the world.

This week, we are approaching the final section of Peter’s letter, where he addresses how Christians are to live in a hostile world. Peter’s focus is on enduring suffering for righteousness’ sake while keeping our hope fixed on the eternal glory God has prepared for us. He reminds us that everything we do - our words, actions, and service - should glorify God, pointing others to His greatness and character. Living for God naturally draws opposition, and Peter warns that trials and ridicule are part of the Christian journey, designed not to harm us but to refine and strengthen our faith, much like gold being purified in fire. Peter gives practical encouragement for facing these trials. Believers are to rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings, understanding that what appears as shame or loss in the world is actually a sign of belonging to Him. He reminds us of the example of the early apostles, who were whipped, insulted, and even died for preaching the gospel, yet rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s name. I think of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose courage, prayer, and vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand demonstrate how God’s Spirit, the Spirit of glory, gives strength, sustains His people, and confirms their ultimate vindication, even in the darkest moments. Finally, Peter clarifies that suffering for Christ is blessed, but suffering for sin or misdeeds carries no honor. He urges believers to embrace the name “Christian” with Godly pride, recognizing that it signifies being part of a diverse and unified body of Christ. He explains that God’s judgment begins with His people to purify and prepare them, and that enduring trials faithfully point to the greater accountability of the world. Our response, then, is to entrust ourselves to the faithful Creator, who is sovereign over all life and circumstances, and to continue doing good, confident that God is at work for His glory.

What would change if you knew you only had one week left to live? Would you spend more time with God? Mend broken relationships? Focus on what truly matters? Peter writes to wake us up, not to scare us. We are reminded that our lives are short, and history is moving toward God’s ultimate plan: the return of Jesus. This week, we’ll explore what it means to live with urgency, clear thinking, and a heart fully aligned with God. We’ll look at how self-control and sober-mindedness affect our prayers and our relationships. Anxiety, anger, and selfishness cloud our hearts and hinder our connection with God, but when we cultivate clarity, we can love one another earnestly, forgive past offenses, and serve others with joy. Peter shows us that love covers sins and that hospitality and service are powerful ways to strengthen the body of Christ. Finally, we’ll discover how to use the gifts God has given each of us. From teaching and serving to encouraging and leading, every gift is meant to bless others and glorify God. When we align our abilities with God’s purpose, His glory shines through everything we do. I’m looking forward to discussing how we can live intentionally, serve faithfully, and glorify God in every part of our lives!

This Sunday we will continue our journey through 1 Peter and look at what it means to suffer for doing what is right. Peter tells us that when we experience rejection, criticism, or even ridicule because of our faith, it is not a sign of weakness but rather evidence that we’ve made a clean break with sin. Christ Himself suffered in the body to accomplish God’s will, and we are called to arm ourselves with that same attitude. Suffering in the Christian life is not wasted; it shows our loyalty to Christ and our willingness to live for God’s will rather than for human approval. We’ll see how Peter points back to our old way of life and reminds us that enough time has been wasted there. When we say “no” to the patterns of the world and instead say “yes” to God, people will notice. Some may misunderstand us, label us, or even mock us, but Peter lifts our eyes to the greater reality: God is the ultimate judge, not people. Their disapproval may sting in the moment, but His approval is eternal. Death itself cannot cancel the hope we have in the gospel, for even those who have gone before us in Christ are alive with Him forever. This passage is both sobering and deeply encouraging. It reminds us that following Jesus will cost us something in this world, but it also assures us that our suffering has purpose and our hope is secure. As we gather this Sunday, we’ll be encouraged to live boldly, even when it’s costly, knowing that we are anchored in Christ. I hope you’ll join us, and I pray this message strengthens your resolve to live for the will of God with courage, joy, and hope!

This Sunday we will continue our journey through 1 Peter and look at what it means to suffer for doing what is right. Peter tells us that when we experience rejection, criticism, or even ridicule because of our faith, it is not a sign of weakness but rather evidence that we’ve made a clean break with sin. Christ Himself suffered in the body to accomplish God’s will, and we are called to arm ourselves with that same attitude. Suffering in the Christian life is not wasted; it shows our loyalty to Christ and our willingness to live for God’s will rather than for human approval. We’ll see how Peter points back to our old way of life and reminds us that enough time has been wasted there. When we say “no” to the patterns of the world and instead say “yes” to God, people will notice. Some may misunderstand us, label us, or even mock us, but Peter lifts our eyes to the greater reality: God is the ultimate judge, not people. Their disapproval may sting in the moment, but His approval is eternal. Death itself cannot cancel the hope we have in the gospel, for even those who have gone before us in Christ are alive with Him forever. This passage is both sobering and deeply encouraging. It reminds us that following Jesus will cost us something in this world, but it also assures us that our suffering has purpose and our hope is secure. As we gather this Sunday, we’ll be encouraged to live boldly, even when it’s costly, knowing that we are anchored in Christ. I hope you’ll join us, and I pray this message strengthens your resolve to live for the will of God with courage, joy, and hope! Until Sunday, be the light!

This Sunday, we’ll continue our series on how our faith shapes the relationships in our lives, turning our focus to a topic that touches many of our hearts: marriage. Specifically, we’ll explore what it looks like for a Christian woman to live faithfully when married to a husband who does not yet know Christ. Using 1 Peter 3 as our guide, we’ll discover practical wisdom for living out the gospel in ways that are deeply countercultural, both in the first-century Roman world and today. This is not a message about winning arguments or pressuring anyone into faith, but about letting our lives shine as a testimony to His grace.We’ll also talk about the difference between outward adornment and inner beauty. In a world that often measures worth by appearance, status, or social influence, Peter reminds us that the "imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" is what God treasures most. This is a wife’s uniqueness that truly influences hearts, strengthens marriages, and reflects Christ to those around her. Together, we’ll see how cultivating faith, trust, and humility has a profound, lasting impact on our families.Finally, we’ll explore the call for mutual honor and respect within marriage. Peter elevates the role of both husband and wife in spiritual partnership, reminding us that Christian marriage is rooted in God’s grace, not societal expectation or fear. Wives are empowered to live courageously in their faith, and husbands are called to treat their wives with understanding and honor, recognizing them as co-heirs of God’s eternal promises. My prayer is that this message will encourage all of us, whether married, or single, to trust God as we reflect His goodness in our lives. In doing so, we will experience the blessing that comes from living faithfully in all His ways.

This Sunday, I’ll be preaching from the second half of 1 Peter chapter 2, a passage that radically reshapes how Christians are called to live in the world, and especially in the face of unjust treatment. Peter writes to believers who were being slandered and mistreated simply for following Jesus, and rather than encouraging them to retaliate or withdraw, he calls them to live honorably so that their good conduct might lead others to glorify God. The challenge in this text is to live righteously, not just when life is fair, but especially when it’s not, because when we respond to hostility with Christlike character, we bear silent but powerful witness to the gospel.We’ll explore how our faith transforms two major areas of everyday life: our relationship with government and our relationship with employers. In each case, Peter urges us to respond with humility and respect, not because the person in authority is always right, but because honoring the structure of authority reflects our trust in God. This is especially powerful when authority is abused or when the system is unjust. Peter isn’t excusing mistreatment, but he is saying that when we endure it with patience and faith, like Jesus did, we participate in something deeply Christlike. Jesus didn’t retaliate when reviled; He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly, and we are called to follow in His steps.This message is essential in today’s cultural climate, where outrage and vengeance are normalized. But Scripture calls us to something higher. Whether you’re frustrated with the decisions of politicians, facing injustice at work, or struggling in silence, your response has eternal significance. You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can choose to honor Christ through them. And when you do, you reflect Jesus to a watching world, and you never suffer unseen. Your endurance matters to God, and sometimes, it becomes the very means by which someone finds Him.

This Sunday, we’re stepping into 1 Peter 2 and continuing our journey through this powerful letter. Peter begins by showing us how love for one another is not just a command, it’s the visible evidence of Christ at work in us. But he doesn't stop there. He warns us of five destructive behaviors: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These things sabotage our community and damage our witness. They are not simply bad habits; they’re soul-level toxins that erode trust and fracture unity in the body of Christ. If we’ve tasted the goodness of God, we should crave the things that nourish us spiritually - His Word, His Spirit, His people, and prayer.Peter then paints a beautiful picture of who we are becoming together. Individually, we’re like newborns growing in grace; collectively, we are being built into a spiritual house. Jesus, the cornerstone, is the foundation for it all. Even though the world may reject Him, and us by extension, God sees His Church as chosen and precious. Each of us plays a role in this sacred structure, and we’re all priests called to offer our lives in worship. There’s no hierarchy here, just one Savior, one Spirit, and one mission.In a time when the church is often criticized for its flaws, Peter reminds us that we’re not just a gathering, we’re being shaped into something eternal. This calling comes with a responsibility: to live honorably, love sincerely, and shine brightly in a dark world. I look forward to unpacking this with you and challenging us all to consider what kind of “spiritual house” we’re helping to build. Come prayed up and hungry for the Word.

This Sunday, we’re digging into a powerful and foundational question: Why should we trust the Bible? In a world full of skepticism and shifting opinions, many wonder if Scripture is just another ancient book or if it really is the living and enduring Word of God. In 1 Peter 1:22–25, we’ll explore how God’s Word not only brings new life, being “born again of imperishable seed,” but also transforms how we live and love. Peter shows us that our obedience to the gospel isn’t just personal; it spills out into sincere, sacrificial love for others. That’s the mark of a life changed by the gospel!We’ll also answer important questions about how the Bible came to be, why certain books were included or excluded, and how we know the New Testament carries the same authority as the Old. You’ll see that Scripture isn’t just trustworthy because of historical consistency or fulfilled prophecy (though there are plenty of examples of this!), but because it was written by authors “carried along by the Holy Spirit.” That means when you open the Bible, you're not reading man’s thoughts; you’re hearing the very voice of God, speaking eternal truth.As we reflect on these things, I want to encourage you to respond practically. Where is God calling you to love others deeply? How is His Word shaping your worldview, your priorities, and your everyday choices? Whether it’s serving, giving, encouraging others, or digging deeper into Scripture yourself, don’t let the living Word stay on a shelf. Let’s be a church that not only believes the Bible is true but lives like it.