Let’s be honest, when it comes to giving, most people wrestle with the same tension: “Why should I give part of my income to the church when I already feel stretched thin?” Between debt, bills, hobbies, and the pull to upgrade our lives, generosity can feel impossible or even optional. But Scripture paints a different picture. From the tithe of Abraham to the generosity of the early church, giving has never been about what God wants from you. It’s always been about what He wants for you. Giving isn’t loss, it’s sowing. And when we give, God multiplies, not just to meet needs, but to grow our hearts in trust, obedience, and freedom. The point isn't pressure. The point is partnership. Because when the people of God give faithfully, the Kingdom of God advances powerfully.

Brokenness isn’t the end of your story; it’s where God begins. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah finds himself in a famine, a widow faces starvation, and a boy dies unexpectedly. But in every moment of desperation, God moves. He provides when the jar is empty. He heals when hope seems gone. And He speaks, not through fire or thunder, but in a whisper. Over and over, we see the thread: when life falls apart, God steps in. Not to shame your weakness, but to rebuild you with greater glory. Like Kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold—God doesn’t hide your cracks. He fills them with grace. Because every miracle starts with a moment that feels like the end. But in Jesus’ name, brokenness becomes breakthrough.

You’re building your life on something. The question is, will it hold when the storm hits? Jesus said those who build on His words are like wise builders who dig deep and anchor their lives to the Rock. Everything else? Sand. This message is a call back to the foundation: Christ alone. We build our lives on His love, not our performance. On His Word, not our emotions. On His trustworthiness, not our understanding. It’s not hype or inspiration. Instead, it’s surrender. True discipleship is built on three pillars: love, foundation, and trust. And when those are in place, you will not be shaken.

Peace doesn’t come from the absence of storms; it comes from the presence of Jesus. In Mark 4, the disciples found themselves overwhelmed by chaos, drowning in fear, and questioning whether God even cared. But while the storm raged, Jesus was sleeping, not because He was distant, but because He was in control. And when they cried out, He spoke one word: “Peace.” The wind died down. The waves grew still. And the disciples saw something they had never seen before: power, authority, and presence all wrapped in a Person. That same voice still silences fear today. In every storm you face, He’s not absent. He’s right there in the boat with you. So call on His name. Pray through the fear. Worship in the wind. Because even the wind and the waves still know His name.

Every one of us is thirsty for something. We chase success, people, and possessions—hoping they’ll fill the ache in our soul. But no matter how much we drink, it’s never enough. That’s because our souls weren’t designed for substitutes. They were designed for Jesus. Psalm 63 says, “I thirst for You… my whole being longs for You.” And in John 4, Jesus tells us that only His living water can truly satisfy. Everything else—our achievements, relationships, even good things—are broken cisterns that can’t hold what we’re desperate for. So what do we do? We seek Him before anything else. We name the empty wells we’ve been running to. And we make space for His voice. Because the truth is simple: Jesus satisfies what success, stuff, and people never will.

The Kingdom of God doesn’t advance by consumers—it advances by co-laborers. You weren’t created just to show up—you were designed to make an impact. Every person has a unique role to play in the mission of God, and when we step into that role, the Church becomes more than a building—it becomes a movement. From serving on a team to leading a group to using your gifts to build up others, impact isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you’re becoming. As 1 Corinthians 3 reminds us, we plant, we water, but God makes it grow. So the question is: are you planting? Are you watering? Or are you just watching? The harvest is ready. The workers are few. And now is the time to say yes to the calling on your life.

Freedom isn’t just a personal breakthrough; it’s a shared journey. In Hebrews 10, we’re reminded that spiritual growth was never meant to happen in isolation. Freedom grows when we move forward together. That’s why groups matter. That’s why relationships matter. And that’s why so many people at CCC have found real healing, accountability, and breakthrough the moment they stopped walking alone. Whether it’s through Life Groups, mentoring relationships, or just showing up to the table, lives are being changed because people are choosing to belong. You weren’t meant to carry the weight of life by yourself. There is freedom on the other side of connection, and the next step is simple: join a group.

In a culture steeped in outrage, vengeance, and blame, the way of Jesus is radically different. Romans 12:21 calls us to overcome evil, not by returning it, but by confronting it with goodness. Jesus didn’t respond to betrayal with bitterness. He didn’t meet violence with retaliation. He loved His enemies, prayed for His persecutors, and forgave those who didn’t even ask. That’s not weakness. It’s power under control. So how do we live that way in a broken world? We grieve with hope instead of fear. We repent and realign when our hearts drift. And we choose to meet hatred with compassion, injustice with mercy, and sin with truth and grace. Because if we’re going to reflect Jesus, we have to see lives, not labels. And we have to stop mirroring the culture and start revealing the Kingdom.

Church isn’t just something we attend; it’s a movement we join. In this launch to our Forward series, we’re calling our church family to reimagine Sunday morning as more than a service. It’s the place where stories change, hearts open, and lives are transformed by the power of Jesus. From skeptics to stalled believers, from families to mature disciples, everyone belongs here. But the Word only transforms when it takes root. Jesus’ parable of the sower reminds us that not every heart receives the Word the same way. That’s why our mission matters: we exist to help people move forward in faith, freedom, purpose, and impact. So what’s your role in the movement? Invite someone. Join a new community. Share your story. Because the Church doesn’t grow by accident. It grows when people bring people to Jesus.

So many believers live stuck in a cycle of self-effort, shame, and uncertainty, trying hard to be “good Christians” while quietly asking, Am I doing this right? But willpower was never the path to transformation. That’s the good news of Romans 8. We’ve been set free, not to strive harder, but to walk in step with the Spirit. There’s no condemnation for those in Christ, because the Spirit leads us into life, peace, and purpose. Living by the flesh leads to exhaustion, confusion, and defeat. But living by the Spirit is rooted in God, fueled by faith, and aimed at His glory. You are not who you used to be. You’ve been made new, filled with the Spirit, and called to walk in that identity. The question isn’t Are you doing this right? It’s Are you letting Him lead?

You can’t win a spiritual battle with natural weapons. That’s why Paul doesn’t just tell us to stand; he tells us how. Last week, we suited up with truth, righteousness, and peace. This week, we finish the armor: the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and the power of prayer. Why? Because the enemy’s strategy is subtle: whispers of fear, lies, condemnation, distraction, and despair. But God has given you everything you need to stand strong, move forward, and fight the right fight. Faith extinguishes the lies. Salvation secures your mind. God’s Word cuts through confusion. And prayer keeps you rooted in His presence. Don’t retreat. Don’t collapse. Stand firm. You’ve been equipped.

Do you ever find yourself constantly agitated, on edge, or easily frustrated by the people and circumstances around you? It often feels like we're in a constant fight, but what if we've misidentified the real enemy? In this message, we dive into Ephesians 6 to uncover the true nature of our spiritual battle. Learn how to stop fighting against flesh and blood and start preparing for the real fight by putting on the armor of God, so you can stand firm and walk in peace, even in a chaotic world.

Life can often feel like walking a tightrope, especially when it comes to raising a family. How do we stay balanced when the unpredictable winds of adversity, trials, and temptation begin to blow? God provides the plan in His Word. Join us for this message with Joy Gruits, as we unpack the powerful and practical instructions for parents and children found in Ephesians 6. This sermon offers a guide to building a Christ-centered home where faith isn't just inherited, but has the deep spiritual roots necessary to thrive and bear fruit. Learn how to apply God's timeless wisdom to create a family that is balanced, blessed, and strong

Have you ever struggled with the Bible's teachings on marriage? The passage in Ephesians 5 is often seen as controversial, but what if we've been starting in the wrong place all along? Join us as we explore how this single verse transforms our understanding of relationships. Learn what it truly means to be a "servant leader" and how the model of Christ's sacrificial love for the church provides the ultimate blueprint for a healthy, loving, and fulfilled marriage. Whether you are single, have lost a spouse, or have been married for decades, this message reveals a profound mystery that can revolutionize how we practice a life of love in all our relationships.

You weren’t made to blend in. You were made to reflect the image of the One who called you. But let’s be honest, those who know better don’t always do better. That’s why Paul urges us to imitate God, not culture. To live as children of light in a world clouded by confusion, compromise, and counterfeit love. That means no more double lives, no more excuse-making, and no more flirting with darkness. This passage calls us to a higher standard, one marked by purity, truth, gratitude, and Spirit-filled living. It’s not about behavior management. It’s about becoming more like the Father who adopted you. So, stop settling for imitation light. You were made to shine with the real thing.

Transformation isn’t just about what God takes off of you. It’s about what He builds in you. In Ephesians 4, Paul makes it clear: you can’t walk in newness while clinging to what’s old. The habits, the mindsets, the speech, the bitterness…it all has to go. This isn’t behavior modification. It’s a spiritual renovation. You’ve been called to put off the old self and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. That means truth replaces distortion. Kindness replaces rage. Forgiveness replaces resentment. Holiness replaces compromise. If you’ve been made new in Christ, then your life should look new, too. Don’t settle for old patterns when the Spirit is offering you a whole new way to live.

Salvation is a gift. Maturity is a response. In Ephesians 4, Paul turns the corner from identity to responsibility, urging us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we’ve received. But this isn’t a call to strive. It’s a call to live surrendered. That means choosing humility in a culture of pride, choosing patience in a culture of hurry, and choosing unity when division is easier. It means refusing to say we love God while harboring contempt for His people. In a world of noise and fracture, the Church becomes a witness to the Kingdom when we walk in love, maturity, and alignment with Christ. You’ve been chosen, redeemed, raised, and filled. Now…walk like it.

The love of Christ isn’t soft and sentimental. It’s not therapeutic moralism wrapped in Christian language. Paul knew that. From a Roman prison cell, he didn’t pray for comfort; he prayed for transformation. In this passage, we’re not given a warm devotional. We’re handed a blueprint for transformation. And at the center is the love of Christ. But His love is not the kind the world defines. This love doesn’t merely soothe or affirm you; it reconstructs you. It lays a new foundation, reorders your affections, confronts your idols, and fortifies your inner life so that Christ can dwell fully in you. You were not made to survive on shallow encouragement. You were made to be filled with all the fullness of God. And it all begins with one step: surrender.

God didn’t just save you to forgive your past. He saved you to unleash your purpose. In Ephesians 3, Paul unpacks the mystery of the gospel: that every barrier separating people from God (and each other) has been torn down through Jesus. And now, the riches of Christ belong to all who believe. But this grace doesn’t just cleanse; it commissions. Paul knew that firsthand. Though he saw himself as the least, grace empowered him to preach, build, and reveal the eternal plan of God. The same is true for you. You weren’t saved to sit on the sidelines. You were chosen to carry the wisdom of God into the world, to live with holy confidence, and to make the gospel known.

You were once far off, excluded, cut off, and without hope. But now, through the blood of Jesus, you’ve been brought near. Ephesians 2 reveals that the dividing wall of hostility has been torn down, not just between people and God, but between people and each other. There are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom. In Christ, we are one family, one temple, one dwelling where God’s Spirit lives. So don’t live like a stranger in the house of God. You belong here, and you’re called to build what God is raising up.