In this powerful message from the "Gratitude" series, we explore the profound story of the ten lepers from Luke 17. Discover the difference between being merely cured and being made whole, and how true gratitude can transform your life. This sermon challenges us to move beyond a "Thanks... but" mentality and embrace a discipline of thankfulness, recognizing God's goodness even in difficult circumstances. Learn why the one outsider's gratitude led to a deeper healing and how you can cultivate a heart that always remembers the Giver over the gift.
This week, we conclude our "Staying Power" series by exploring the ultimate question of allegiance. When life's storms hit and your faith is tested, where do you turn? Drawing from John chapter 6, we delve into Peter's powerful declaration of unwavering commitment to Jesus, the source of eternal life. Discover how building on the right foundation, staying connected, and remaining in God's radical love are the keys to enduring any challenge. This message is a roadmap for living, reminding us that true staying power isn't about our strength, but about staying anchored in the One who holds us firm.
In this powerful message, we dive into what it truly means to have "Staying Power" when life inevitably pushes back. Discover how building your life on a solid foundation, rooted in the teachings of Jesus, allows you to endure any storm. We explore the profound truths of being a "doer" of the Word, the universal reality that storms come for everyone, and how your foundation ultimately determines your outcome. Learn why connection to Jesus, the true vine, is the source of all lasting fruit and how God's pruning, though sometimes painful, is always for your ultimate perfection and greater harvest.
In this powerful new series, "Staying Power," we explore how to endure life's inevitable challenges by building a strong foundation. Drawing inspiration from Jesus's parable of the wise and foolish builders, we learn that true resilience comes not from avoiding storms, but from what we hold onto when they hit. Discover the three crucial truths revealed in this timeless story: that true builders are doers, not just hearers; that storms come for everyone; and that ultimately, our foundation determines our outcome. Join us as we uncover how to develop the staying power to persevere through brutal days and stand firm, no matter what life throws our way.
The final sermon begins by reiterating the question, "What if we made it easy for people to meet Jesus?" and addresses the challenge of "busyness" in culture. It highlights Jesus's compassion in Matthew 14:13-14, where he ministered to crowds despite his own grief and need for solitude. A significant portion is dedicated to Jesus's welcoming of children (Matthew 19:14), contrasting their "unburdened, uncalculated, reckless faith" with adult complexities. The sermon poses the question, "What is the faith of the next generation worth?" and answers, "It's worth EVERYTHING." This leads into the story of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-22), who "came with everything and walked away with nothing" because he was unwilling to be "recklessly invested." The message calls for the church to be "recklessly invested" in young people, prioritizing their spiritual well-being over personal comfort and busyness. The call to action is to "Serve" in the church's student and kids' ministries, encouraging adults to be authentic mentors and make time to "invest in their lives and model a faith that's not just a belief, but a way of living." The overarching theme is that "dreaming reckless" involves "investing big," particularly in the next generation.
This speech outline for "Dreaming Reckless" challenges us to re-evaluate our dreams, moving beyond what we think is realistic to embrace the boundless vision God has for us. It explores how fear often leads us to shrink our aspirations, drawing parallels to biblical stories like the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus demonstrated "immeasurably more" than what was asked or imagined. The outline emphasizes surrendering our imagination to the Holy Spirit and having the courage to ask for the impossible, ultimately inviting a bigger God into our dreams rather than limiting Him by our own means. It also delves into the importance of authenticity in faith, using the confrontation between Paul and Peter in Galatians to highlight that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works or people-pleasing. The core message encourages us to focus on Jesus and make it easy for others to receive Christ, tearing down walls of performance and judgment with reckless, boundary-breaking grace.
Remember when your dreams were limitless? In this series, "Dreaming Reckless," we explore how adulthood often teaches us to shrink our dreams to fit reality. But what if God's dreams for us aren't meant to be safe? Drawing from Ephesians 3:20-21, we challenge the idea of "realistic" dreaming and invite you to surrender your imagination to the Holy Spirit, believing God can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." Discover how embracing audacious faith can lead to a spectacular move of God's Spirit in our lives and communities.
Discover "Risky Faith," a message exploring what it means to follow Jesus even when life doesn't go as planned. This sermon delves into a powerful moment from Jesus' life, teaching us a tough but crucial truth: faith is not a rewards-based system. Learn how to navigate disappointment and confusion with the understanding that Jesus is always working, even when we don't see the immediate results we desire. This message will encourage you to trust in Jesus' presence and his ultimate promise of resurrection, both in our personal struggles and on a global scale.
This sermon explores the "Great Commission" as a call to action for every follower of Jesus, not just pastors or missionaries. Drawing from Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Acts 1, it emphasizes that believers are empowered by Christ's authority to share the Gospel in their everyday lives, starting with their immediate communities and extending to the world. The message highlights the comfort of Jesus's constant presence and uses the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15 to illustrate God's relentless pursuit of those who are far from Him, underscoring that participating in this mission brings immense joy to God. It ultimately challenges listeners to overcome hesitation and take decisive action in living out their faith, as the "green light" to go has already been given.
In the fourth installment of our "Red Letters" series, we tackle the often-uncomfortable topic of money, exploring Jesus' radical teachings on generosity as presented in Luke 6. Discover how an open-handed approach to life, rooted in an understanding of God's abundant grace, challenges the world's scarcity mindset and sets your heart free. Learn how our giving, whether of finances, time, or forgiveness, is not a transaction to earn favor, but a reflection of our identity as children of a generous Father. This message will equip you to win the battle for your worship and align your treasure with your heart.
In week three of our Red Letters series, we tackle one of life's most challenging topics: forgiveness. Discover why unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and how Jesus's radical teachings in Matthew 18 and 6 offer a path to true freedom. This message reveals that forgiveness isn't about forgetting or condoning, but a powerful, liberating choice that transforms your heart and opens you to God's grace. Learn how secure identity in Christ empowers you to release bitterness and live unchained from the past.
Discover what happens when your identity is secure, and your mission becomes clear. This sermon challenges the world's definition of greatness, revealing that true power is found in serving others. Explore Jesus' radical redefinition of leadership, where humility and selfless acts transform mundane tasks into sacred appointments, making every act of service a direct encounter with the King.
In a world filled with constant noise and endless opinions, this series, "Red Letters," cuts through the distractions to focus on the unfiltered words of Jesus. This message explores how Jesus addresses the core human question of "Am I enough?" by dismantling the "Orphan Hustle"—the frantic attempt to prove one's worth. Through the parable of the prodigal son, we discover that God's scandalous love never diminishes and always moves in our direction, offering a new identity not as an orphan or a slave, but as a beloved child of God, secure and home, with everything He has as ours.
Explore the challenges of living in a fast-paced and noisy world, often leading to burnout and strained relationships. Drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus, we discover the transformative power of solitude and silence as antidotes to the constant distractions of modern life. Learn practical ways to incorporate digital detoxes and create quiet spaces to foster deeper connections with loved ones and God, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and fulfilling existence.
Feeling perpetually drained and dissatisfied? This message unpacks the "Curse of Meh," a widespread feeling of ennui fueled by constant advertising that creates a sense of lacking. Discover how God's gift of Sabbath, introduced at the very beginning of creation, is designed to combat this dissatisfaction by teaching us to truly enjoy life and glorify God through that enjoyment. Learn practical ways to implement Sabbath into your week and experience renewed joy, rest, and a deeper connection with your faith.
In a world that constantly demands more, we're all running on empty. This message explores the epidemic of burnout and offers God's antidote: the practice of Sabbath. Discover why true rest is an act of radical trust, challenging the belief that our worth is tied to our work. Learn practical steps for "Preparation Day" to unlock the gift of Sabbath, moving from anxious doing to restful trusting, and become a beacon of peace in an exhausted world.
Are you constantly running on empty? This message explores the epidemic of "Hurry Sickness" in our culture and uncovers God's radical antidote to burnout: the Sabbath. Discover how this ancient command, often misunderstood, is actually a liberating gift designed for our rest and restoration, not a restrictive burden. Learn how to reclaim space for your soul to breathe and live a life anchored in worship, intentional delight, meaningful connection, and profound gratitude, all rooted in the finished work of Jesus.
What rhythms are shaping your life? In this powerful message from the "Keep Church Weird" series, we explore the profoundly counter-cultural rhythm of corporate worship. Far from a passive experience, communal worship is a rebellious act that builds a weird confidence in Jesus, sustains a weird community rooted in God's people, and aims our lives at a weird and glorious future. Discover how this weekly gathering is not just a Sunday routine, but an essential training ground for the soul, recalibrating us away from the world's anxious and discontented rhythms and towards the steady beat of the Kingdom of God.
In week week of the "Keep Church Weird" series, Pastor Matt explores the unusual yet powerful practice of baptism. What might seem peculiar from the outside was a profound declaration for early followers of Jesus. This message unpacks baptism as an identity marker, a public statement of commitment to Jesus, and a dramatic re-enactment of the gospel—leaving an old life behind to embrace new life in Christ. Discover the significance of this "weird" act in understanding what it truly means to follow Jesus.
Dive into Week 2 of our "Keep Church Weird" series as we explore the profound and sometimes bizarre practice of baptism. This message unpacks why baptism was a radical act for early followers of Jesus—more than just a ceremony, it was a public declaration of a new identity, a commitment to a new community, and even a dangerous statement of allegiance to King Jesus over all other powers. Discover how this ancient ritual reenacts the gospel story of dying with Christ and being raised to new life, challenging us to consider our own declaration of faith.