Elev8.Church: Recent Episodes
Elev8.Church
What happens when God tells you to move—but He doesn’t tell you where you’re going, how it will work, when it will happen, or why He’s asking?
We often say we trust God, but many times, we want clarity before we’ll comply and assurance before we’ll obey. We want God to explain the plan, guarantee the outcome, and answer every question before we take the first step.
But faith does not require having all the answers. Faith is trusting the One who called you enough to obey Him—even when the evidence is missing and the path is unclear.
Through the stories of Moses, Gideon, and Abraham, Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges us to stop allowing our questions to become excuses for delayed obedience. You may not know where, how, when, or why—but when you know Who is leading you, you can trust Him enough to do it anyway.
What is Jesus worth to you?
A lot of people want the rewards of following Jesus without the responsibility of surrendering to Him. They want salvation without sacrifice, blessing without obedience, and a Savior who never asks them to change.
But Jesus never called us to simply like Him—He called us to follow Him.
In “Choose Your Treasure,” Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr challenges us to count the cost of discipleship and decide what we value most. Like Moses, we must choose between the temporary pleasures of this world and the eternal treasure of knowing Christ.
Following Jesus may cost you comfort, approval, relationships, opportunities, and even the life you had planned—but whatever He asks you to surrender could never compare to what you gain in Him.
Following Jesus is costly. Do it anyway—because Christ is worth the cost.
What if the biggest obstacle to following Jesus...isn't doubt?
What if it's comfort?
We all love the idea of following Jesus—until obedience becomes uncomfortable. Until forgiveness hurts. Until faith costs us something. Until quitting feels easier than continuing.
If you've ever wanted to give up...
If you've ever questioned your calling...
If you've ever wondered why following Jesus feels so hard...his message is for you.
Because the goal of discipleship isn't comfort.
It's Christ.
And sometimes the hardest step of obedience becomes the moment God does His greatest work in us.
When following Jesus is hard...will you do it anyway?
Can you still trust God when life doesn't go the way you planned?
Philippians 4:13 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."But what if Paul wasn't primarily talking about achieving more...what if he was talking about enduring more?
In this message, Pastor Randy Bryant reminds us that God's strength isn't just for accomplishing our goals—it's for remaining faithful through every season. Whether you're walking through loss, financial struggles, disappointment, sickness, or uncertainty, Christ is able to strengthen you to endure.
You'll also discover the incredible promise of Romans 8:28—that God is able to take all things, even the painful chapters of our lives, and work them together for His good purposes. Your story isn't wasted. Your past isn't beyond redemption. And your struggles may become the very testimony God uses to encourage someone else.
No matter what you're facing today, this message is a reminder that God hasn't abandoned you. He's strengthening you, shaping you, and working all things together for His glory and your good.
What does it really mean when Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance of Me"?
Communion is more than a tradition or a monthly routine—it's an invitation to pause, remember, and reflect on the incredible price Jesus paid to redeem us. In this powerful message, Pastor Randy Bryant walks through the Last Supper, the cross, and Christ's sacrifice, reminding us that forgiveness wasn't free—it was purchased by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus.
As you watch, you'll be challenged to examine your heart, consider the weight of God's grace, and remember not just thatJesus died for you, but what it cost Him to make a way for you to be reconciled with the Father.
Because when we truly remember the cost of the cross, worship, gratitude, and obedience can never be the same.
Have you ever noticed how kids ask for something? They don't ask once and quit. They ask...and keep on asking.
In Part 2 of our Pray Like a Child series, we look at Jesus' words in Matthew 7 and discover that prayer was never meant to be something we do once, but something we do often. It's a way of life. Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock with the persistence of a child and the confidence of a son or daughter of God.
But this message isn't just about prayer. It's about the Father. Because the power of prayer isn't found in the prayer itself—it's found in the God we're praying to. A good Father. A generous Father. A Father who gives good gifts to His children.
If you've ever struggled to trust God's goodness, wondered why He says "no," or felt discouraged in prayer, this message will remind you why you can keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking.
Our good God gives good gifts.
Prayer is easy to start…and even easier to stop.
We ask. We seek. We knock. But when nothing seems to change, we’re tempted to quit what Jesus told us to keep doing.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele kicks off Pray Like A Child by showing that Matthew 7:7–11 isn’t just about prayer. It’s about trust.
Because how we see the Father shapes how we pray.
If we believe God is distant, stingy, or holding out on us, we’ll take matters into our own hands. But if we believe what Jesus reveals—that the Father is good, loving, generous, and trustworthy—we’ll keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking.
In Genesis 3 the serpent said God can’t be trusted.
Jesus says He can.
Who will you believe?
What do you do when you’ve gotten yourself into something you can’t get yourself out of?
In the final message of our No More Whine series, we look at Jesus’ first miracle in John 2—turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. But this wasn’t just about saving a wedding reception. John calls it a sign. And signs are meant to point us somewhere.
Too often, we wait until we’re at the end of our rope before we look to the Source of our hope. We try to fix it, force it, figure it out, and fight our way through it. Then, when we’ve tried everything else, we finally turn to Jesus.
But Mary shows us a better way: seek out Jesus, speak with Jesus, and surrender to Jesus.
Because what we see in this miracle is simple but powerful: submission to Jesus brings supply from Jesus. And greater is always on the other side of surrender.
So if you’ve been waiting on a sign before you call on Jesus…here’s your sign.
When we come to Jesus with a problem, we often want His help—but only on our terms. In this message from the No More Whine series, Pastor Thomas-Steele explores Mary’s words in John 2:5: “Do whatever He tells you.”
Through the wedding at Cana, the healing of the man born blind, and the story of the rich young ruler, we see that one of the greatest hindrances to experiencing Jesus’ help is resisting Jesus’ response. His direction may feel confusing, costly, or uncomfortable—but surrender means trusting that whatever He says is right.
When we pray, we do not come to Jesus with suggestions. We come in surrender.
What do we do when we bring a problem to Jesus, but instead of immediate intervention, He invites us into a conversation?
In this message titled "We Need to Talk,", Pastor Thomas-Steele walks through John 2:1–4 and the conversation between Mary and Jesus at the wedding in Cana. While we often want quick deliverance, Jesus sometimes chooses to slow us down, draw us closer, and reveal what is happening beneath the surface. His delays are not indifference, and His questions are not rejection—they are invitations to deeper trust, surrender, and intimacy.
When we pray in the middle of our problems, we must remember: our deliverance comes at Jesus’ discretion, not our demand. Don’t let a rush for results cut off the conversation Jesus wants to have with you.
What do you do when life hits you with a problem?
In the opening message of our brand new series, No More Whine, Pastor Thomas-Steele looks at Jesus’ first miracle in John 2, when Mary sees a problem at a wedding in Cana and brings it straight to Jesus. Her response teaches us a powerful truth: what we seek for our help reveals the source of our hope.
Too often, when problems come, we panic, procrastinate, point fingers, pout, or put our hope in things that cannot truly help. But Mary shows us a better way: see the problem, seek Jesus.
This message reminds us that Jesus is not just a hope. He is our only hope. And when we see Him as Creator, Provider, Healer, and King, we will seek Him as the One who can carry our problems and give us peace in the middle of them.
In Armed for Battle pt. 2, Pastor Randy continues unpacking the armor of God from Ephesians 6, reminding us that every believer is living in the middle of a spiritual battle. The enemy works to stir up anger, discouragement, doubt, offense, and defeat—but God has not left us defenseless.
This message walks through the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and the power of prayer. Pastor Randy challenges us to ask honest questions: Are we choosing God’s ways over our own? Are we bringing peace into difficult situations? Are we using faith to extinguish the lies of the enemy? Are we protecting our minds and actually picking up the Word of God as our weapon?
What consumes your thoughts controls your life. So what is consuming your thoughts—God, or everything else?
Pastor Randy Bryant opens this message with a powerful reminder: life is a battlefield, and every believer is engaged in a spiritual fight whether they realize it or not. In “Armed for Battle – Part 1,” Pastor Randy shares personal stories, biblical truth, and hard-earned wisdom about spiritual warfare, the importance of prayer, and why we must be properly equipped to stand against the schemes of the enemy.
Drawing from Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God, this message challenges us to stop fighting spiritual battles with human strength and instead learn how to walk in the power, protection, and confidence found in Jesus. If you’ve ever felt weary, under attack, distant from God, or unsure how to stand firm in difficult seasons, this message is a reminder that you are not defenseless—and God has already provided what you need for the fight.
In “Open Heaven,” Than Graffam unpacks a powerful truth:
we are invited to live under an open heaven—where what exists in heaven is accessible here on earth.
This message will challenge and stretch your faith as it explores what becomes available when we live aware of God’s nearness:
• The presence of God — not distant, but tangible and personal
• The power of the Holy Spirit — actively working in and through your life
• The purposes of God — clarity for why you’re here
• The provision of God — everything you need, supplied
• The promises of God — trustworthy, unshakable, and true
This is an invitation into a life where you realize:
• Heaven isn’t closed.
• God isn’t far.
• You’re invited.
Prayer was never meant to build your kingdom.
It was meant to align you with His.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele unpacks the “glory words” of the Lord’s Prayer and reveals how they reset our hearts, refocus our prayers, and remind us:
God is the King.
God has the power.
God gets the glory.
If you’ve been praying—but still feel off track—this message is for you.
What if the reason you don’t see God moving… isn’t because He stopped showing up—but because you did?
In “Forever, Amen”, Pastor Thomas-Steele wraps up the "As It Is In Heaven" series with a powerful Resurrection Sunday message centered on Luke 24. Through the empty tomb, we’re reminded of a life-changing truth: where we look determines what we see.
Too often, we search for life in places that only lead to death—and wonder why we feel empty. But Jesus didn’t just promise resurrection… He called it—and completed it.
This message will challenge you to:
Show up consistently to God’s presence
Refocus where you're looking for life and hope
Remember what Jesus said—and live like it’s true
Because our hope isn’t dead… our Savior is alive.
You ever been in a moment where your confidence said, “I got this”… but reality hit and you realized, “I don’t got this”?
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele unpacks a hard truth: many of the situations we’re asking God to deliver us from… are the very ones we walked into by ignoring His direction. We want rescue without surrender. Freedom without obedience. Deliverance without discipleship.
Walking through Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:13, this sermon reveals that God’s deliverance and God’s direction always go together. If we want Him to save us, we have to be willing to follow Him.
This message will challenge you to confront what you’ve been holding onto, rethink how you approach prayer, and stop trying to fight spiritual battles with willpower alone.
If you feel stuck in cycles you can’t break… if you’ve been crying out for help but resisting change… this one’s for you.
Stop saying, “I got this.” Start surrendering to the One who does.
Who’s really leading your life?
In “The Key to Life,” we’re confronted with a simple but powerful truth: whatever we allow to lead us…becomes our lord.
In a world full of voices—culture, cravings, and influencers—Jesus calls us to more than just hearing His words…He calls us to follow Him.
Because the choice is clear:
👉 Follow your gut…and it leads to destruction
👉 Follow God…and He leads to life
So the question is…where do you want to end up?
What do you do when someone keeps hurting you… again and again?
How many times are you supposed to forgive before you finally say, “enough is enough”?
In this powerful message, Pastor Thomas-Steele tackles one of the hardest teachings of Jesus—forgiveness. Walking through Matthew 6 and Matthew 18, this sermon confronts the tension we all feel: we desperately want grace… but we struggle to give it.
Through relatable stories, honest questions, and the parable of the unmerciful servant, you’ll discover a challenging truth:
👉 The grace we desire is the grace we’re called to dispense.
But this message doesn’t ignore the real pain people carry. You’ll also learn:
What forgiveness is—and what it is not
Why forgiving doesn’t mean what happened didn’t matter
How unforgiveness keeps you stuck, while forgiveness sets you free
Why Jesus is the key to forgiving what feels impossible
If you’ve ever wrestled with letting go, holding on, or wondering where the line is… this message is for you.
Because at the end of the day, the question isn’t just “When is enough enough?”
It’s whether what Jesus did for you… is truly enough.
Have you ever felt frustrated with prayer because it didn’t “work”?
In “A Battle of Wills”, Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges one of the biggest misunderstandings we have about prayer. What if the reason we’re discouraged isn’t because prayer is ineffective… but because we’ve been using it for a purpose it was never intended for?
Continuing our series through the Lord’s Prayer, this message dives into Jesus’ words:
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Prayer isn’t about getting God to advance our will.
It’s about surrendering to His.
This message will gently reframe your perspective and remind you that our greatest struggle in prayer isn’t getting God to provide — it’s learning to surrender.
This isn’t just a teaching on prayer.
It’s an invitation to lay down your will and trust the King.
Have you ever rushed into prayer with a list of worries, needs, and questions — and forgotten one of the most important parts of prayer?
In this message, “Remember Who You’re Talking To,” Pastor Thomas-Steele walks through Jesus’ words in the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Your name,” and shows how beginning with praise changes everything.
You’ll be encouraged to slow down, shift your focus from your problems to God’s power, and rediscover the peace that comes from honoring Him first in prayer.
In this sermon, you’ll learn:
• What it truly means to “hallow” God’s name
• Why praise belongs at the start of every prayer
• How worship reshapes your perspective
• How remembering God’s faithfulness brings peace today
Whether prayer feels natural or difficult for you right now, this message will meet you where you are and help deepen your relationship with God.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele teaches that the way we view prayer determines the way we do prayer. Before Jesus ever tells us what to ask for, He reshapes our perspective with four powerful words:
“Our Father in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9)
With these four opening words, Jesus teaches us that prayer begins with remembering:
• Prayer is about “we,” not just “me.”
• God is paternal — close, caring, and personal.
• God is powerful — sovereign, reigning, and able.
When we start with the right view of God — intimate Father and reigning King — peace follows. This message will help you reset your outlook, deepen your prayer life, and experience what Jesus meant when He taught us how to pray.
Do you ever run on spiritual autopilot — saying prayers without really thinking about them?
In “Say Less”, Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges the way many of us approach prayer, exposing how repetition can quietly replace relationship. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, this message reveals why prayer isn’t about word count, formulas, or trying to get God to do what we want — it’s about trusting a loving Father who already knows what we need.
You’ll discover:
• Why thoughtless repetition misses the heart of prayer
• How prayer is meant to be relational, not transactional
• What it looks like to move from striving to trusting God
• Why sometimes the most powerful prayers are the simplest ones
If you’ve ever felt stuck in routine prayers or wondered why prayer feels dry, this message will reset your perspective and draw you back into genuine connection with God.
👉 Watch now and learn why following Jesus sometimes means praying more — by saying less.
In “Eyes on the Prize," Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges us with a question that hits close to home: Have you ever done the right thing… but for the wrong reason?
Using Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1, 5–6, this message exposes how easily our spiritual lives can drift into performance—praying, serving, worshiping, or giving with “eyes to the sides” instead of eyes on God. Jesus doesn’t warn us against doing righteous things publicly—He warns us against doing them to be seen.
This sermon is a powerful reminder that prayer is about seeking God, not attention, and that the greatest reward of prayer isn’t what we get from God—it’s God Himself. If you’ve ever felt your motives get mixed, this message will help you refocus your heart and pray with fresh sincerity and intimacy with your Heavenly Father.
Have you ever wanted to pray—but felt like you didn’t really know how… or wondered if it even made a difference?
In Part 1 of As It Is In Heaven, Pastor Thomas-Steele kicks off a new teaching series on prayer by addressing the very real struggle many of us face: prayer feels hard, awkward, or ineffective—especially when it seems to come so easily to others.
In this message, we discover:
Why prayer often feels like a struggle
The difference between reciting words and praying relationally
What Jesus reveals about God’s character as our Father
Why prayer isn’t about getting God to do our will—but aligning our hearts with His
How the Lord’s Prayer becomes a pattern for powerful, purposeful prayer
If you’ve ever asked, “Is my trying really worth the trouble?”—this message is for you.
This sermon begins a journey through the Lord’s Prayer that will reshape how you pray and help you experience deeper intimacy with God—here, as it is in heaven.
You’ve been intentional about your habits—but what about your friends?
In BFFs, Pastor Thomas-Steele reveals why who you walk with matters just as much as what you do. From Scripture to real life, this message challenges you to stop drifting into relationships by proximity and start choosing friendships with intentionality. Because your homies shape your habits—and your future.
CHRISTmess | When Our Mess Meets the Messiah
Christmas isn’t about pretending life is clean—it’s about celebrating that Jesus stepped straight into our mess.
In this powerful Christmas message, CHRISTmess, Pastor Thomas-Steele reminds us that humanity didn’t just make mistakes—we made a mess by giving sin our yes. And the miracle of Christmas is this: our Messiah made His move into the middle of it.
From the Garden of Eden to the manger, from personal failure to divine mercy, this sermon unpacks why we needed saving in the first place—and why Jesus came exactly when He did. If you’ve ever felt too broken, too messy, or too far gone for God, this message is for you.
✨ You don’t clean yourself up to come to Jesus.
✨ You bring your mess to your Messiah.
Whether you’re a lifelong believer or just curious about faith, this Christmas message points to real hope, real grace, and real life found only in Jesus.
Key Themes:
Why Christmas exists in the first place
The mess sin created—and why we can’t fix it ourselves
Jesus’ name, mission, and mercy
Grace for the guilty, hope for the broken
Why your mess doesn’t disqualify you—it’s the reason for Christmas
“Our Messiah made His move into the midst of our mess.”
Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year… so why does it so often turn into the most stressful? In this message, A Crash-Out Free Christmas, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr dives into the chaos, pressure, and expectations that can push us to the brink during the holidays.
From funny, painfully relatable Christmas moments to the very first “Christmas crash-out” in Scripture, this sermon walks through Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 and reveals a powerful shift that changes everything: moving our focus from “How?” to “Who.”
When life feels out of control, plans fall apart, and chaos creeps in, the answer isn’t figuring everything out—it’s trusting the God who already has it handled. This message will encourage you to release control, refocus your faith, and experience a Christmas marked by peace instead of panic.
👉 If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stretched thin this season, this message is for you.
📖 Scripture Focus: Luke 1:26–38
In this powerful and heartfelt message, Pastor Randy reminds us that the key to everything we need in life is found in one thing: staying connected to Jesus. Drawing from John 15:1–8, he unpacks Jesus’ own words about abiding in Him—the true vine—and how every part of our spiritual life flows from that connection.
Pastor Randy shows how staying connected shapes our decisions, heals our failures, produces real fruit, and strengthens our relationships. You’ll hear about the grace of Jesus who invites us—not to hide in shame—but to come boldly to His throne of grace when we struggle (Hebrews 4:15–16).
Pastor Randy also challenges us to examine our lives:
• Are we connected to Jesus?
• Is there fruit in our lives that glorifies the Father?
• Are we following His words or our own ways?
Whether you’re walking through a valley, needing direction, or longing for a deeper relationship with God, this message will encourage you to lean into Jesus—the One who supplies everything we need for life and godliness.
Be humble.
Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14) and the sobering warning of Matthew 7:21–23, Pastor Randy calls us to examine our own lives—not just our words, but the actual evidence of a relationship with Jesus. Are we pursuing Him? Reading His Word? Loving Him by keeping His commands? Or simply assuming we’re “good” because we say the right things?
He reminds us that pride comes naturally, but humility is a choice. And when we choose to lay down our lives, our credit, and even our compliments at the feet of Jesus, God lifts us up in ways we could never lift ourselves.
This sermon will challenge you, comfort you, and ultimately point you closer to the only One who can calm your storms, strengthen your spirit, and speak the greatest words we will ever hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
In this powerful conclusion to Eye Can See Clearly Now, Pastor Thomas-Steele takes us on a gripping, personal journey—from hilarious moments of everyday blindness to the gut-punch reality of missing the spiritual signs that matter most. Through Scripture, storytelling, and the unforgettable miracle in Mark 8, this message reveals a truth we all experience:
👉 We can be completely oblivious to what’s painfully obvious.
👉 Observation doesn’t guarantee comprehension.
👉 And seeing Jesus clearly changes everything.
With vivid imagery of Jesus’ return in Revelation 19, the sobering warning of the Ten Virgins, and the layered meaning behind the only two-stage miracle in the Gospels, we see how God gently moves us from not seeing, to seeing partially, to finally seeing Jesus perfectly—as Savior, Messiah, and King.
If you’ve ever felt spiritually stuck, confused, or blurry…
If you’ve ever wondered why your faith isn’t “clicking” yet…
If you long to see Jesus clearly, not just in His works but in Who He is…
This message will open your eyes.
Look closer. Look carefully. Look through the noise. Jesus is right in front of you.
And when He touches your life—you’ll be able to say with confidence:
“I can see clearly now.”
In I Saw the Sign, Pastor Thomas-Steele shows how the miracles of Jesus weren’t just moments of compassion—they were clear signs revealing Him as the Messiah. Just like the towns that saw the signs but refused to respond, we can miss what God is trying to show us. This message calls us to slow down, pay attention, and let the signs of Jesus lead us to faith, repentance, and surrender.
In “Somebody Say a Prayer for Me,” Pastor Thomas-Steele reminds us that when we truly see Jesus clearly, we’ll also see His mission clearly — a mission of mercy. Drawing from Mark 8:22, this message challenges followers of Jesus not to look past the downcast and outcast, but to bring those who are hurting, hopeless, and overlooked to the only One who can heal and save.
We weren’t saved to be selfish — we were saved to join Jesus in His mission.
Because when we see people through His eyes, we’ll carry those who can’t carry on, beg on behalf of the broken, and be the hope at the end of someone’s rope.
When was the last time you came to Jesus… and it wasn’t about you?
In “Generous with Jesus,” Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr takes us on a powerful journey — from meeting celebrities and asking for autographs to realizing how often we treat Jesus the same way. We ask. We demand. We make it about us.
But in Mark 8, a few ordinary people did something extraordinary — they brought a blind man to Jesus, not for themselves, but for someone else. That moment changed everything.
This message will open your eyes to what it means to stop being selfish with Jesus and start being generous with Jesus — through prayer, through compassion, and through invitation. Because some people will only see Jesus clearly when we bring them to Him.
What if the life you’re chasing… isn’t the life worth living?
In this unforgettable message, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr takes us on a journey—from childhood Christmas mornings and Nintendo dreams to the Apostle Paul’s final farewell in Acts 20. With vivid storytelling and powerful truth, he exposes the lie our culture sells—that happiness is found in getting more—and reveals the freedom that comes when we start giving more.
This isn’t a message about money. It’s about meaning.
It’s about the kind of life that outlives you.
It’s about discovering that a life worth living is gained through giving.
🎥 Watch now and be reminded: the best life isn’t the one you hold onto—it’s the one you give away.
Have you ever wondered why God would choose someone like you? In this powerful and personal message, Pastor Randy Bryant reminds us that being chosen by God isn’t about our perfection—it’s about His purpose. Drawing from John 15:16, Pastor Randy shares how God’s choice comes before our response: “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”
Through raw honesty and heartfelt reflection, Pastor Randy reveals how God continues to teach, shape, and use imperfect people for His glory. Whether it’s leading your family, fighting through battles of faith, or finding strength in the middle of dysfunction, this message reminds us that you were handpicked by God for the life and purpose He’s designed for you.
From brokenness to blessing, from battles to victory, this sermon will inspire you to stop doubting your worth and start walking in your calling. Because no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done—God has chosen you.
When life takes a turn you didn’t plan for, how do you respond? In this powerful and heartfelt message, Pastor Randy Bryant shares his personal story of unexpected illness, surgery, and God’s unmistakable presence in the middle of pain. Through humor, honesty, and vulnerability, he reminds us that sometimes our trials aren’t punishment—they’re platforms for God’s power to be revealed.
Drawing from John 9 and the story of the man born blind, Pastor Randy unpacks the truth that not every hardship is the result of sin; sometimes, it’s so that the “works of God might be revealed in us.” With every scar and every story, God is showing His grace, faithfulness, and purpose through our lives—both for us and for those watching us walk through the valley.
If you’ve ever asked “Why me?”, this message will help you see your pain through a new lens: not as something to escape, but as something God can use to reveal Himself through you.
When the assignment feels bigger than your ability, remember this: the size of the assignment is never greater than the One who assigned it.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr unpacks how God takes our simple acts of obedience and uses them to bring about significant impacts for His kingdom. From Moses standing before Pharaoh, to Ezekiel speaking to dry bones, to Peter reaching out to a beggar at the temple gate—Scripture shows us that our responsibility is obedience, while the results belong to God.
Whether you’re facing a mountain in your marriage, career, calling, or personal battles, this sermon reminds us that climbing starts with one small step of faith. Simple acts can ripple into eternal impacts when God’s power is behind them.
If you’ve ever felt unqualified, overwhelmed, or underprepared, this message will encourage you: God is with you, the process takes time, and your next step of obedience could change everything.
What do you do when life feels hopeless—like standing in a valley of dry bones? In this powerful message, Pastor Thomas-Steele unpacks Ezekiel 37 and shows us that even in the darkest valleys, God’s presence is greater than what appears before us.
Discover how:
God positions us with purpose—even when it isn’t pleasant.
The appearance of death and despair is never greater than God’s presence.
Jesus alone brings life, turning “nope” into hope.
This sermon will challenge you to see beyond what seems impossible, to trust God’s presence in the unknowns, and to step into your calling to speak life where there is death.
👉 Be encouraged: dry bones can live again.
In this powerful message, Pastor Thomas-Steele unpacks Ezekiel 37 and the vision of the valley of dry bones. God placed Ezekiel in the middle of the valley—not for comfort, but for purpose. In the same way, God often positions us in places that may not be pleasant, but are filled with purpose: to speak life where there is death, to bring hope where there is despair, and to point people to Jesus.
Through vivid teaching, real-life examples, and a challenge to choose purpose over comfort, Pastor Thomas-Steele reminds us that we are called to bring the breath to the bones—proclaiming the Gospel so that those who are spiritually dead may come alive in Christ.
If you’ve ever wondered why God has placed you where you are, this message will encourage you to see your position as an opportunity to live out His mission.
This past Sunday, Pastor Thomas-Steele shared a powerful vision in a message called “More Than A Building”. As Elevate Church begins the journey toward building a permanent home, the focus wasn’t on blueprints, budgets, or timelines—but on purpose.
Pastor Thomas-Steele reminded us that the most important question isn’t when we’ll build, but why. The vision is clear: this will not just be walls and a roof. It will be a house of God and a home for the community.
A place where people encounter Jesus, find forgiveness, freedom, and new life.
A space where kids, youth, and families discover hope, joy, and discipleship in Christ.
A hub for our town—where celebrations, community events, sports, and service can bless Windsor and beyond.
With faith, prayer, and unity, we believe God will provide, and in the next five years we will see this dream become reality. Because what we’re building is so much more than a building—it’s a movement of God to love Him and love others in tangible, lasting ways.
Come catch the vision. Be part of the story. Let’s build something eternal—More Than A Building
Life is full of battles—some we see coming, and others that blindside us. Fear often creeps in when we step into the fight unprepared. But in this powerful message, Pastor Thomas-Steele reminds us that preparation is found in practice—not just practicing skills, but practicing trust in God.
Drawing from the story of David facing Goliath, Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges us to see our problems not as obstacles but as preparation. The lions and bears we face today are training us to trust God for the giants we’ll face tomorrow.
Discover:
⚡ Why practice is what provides preparation for the confrontation
⚡ How spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, fasting, and Scripture memorization strengthen your soul
⚡ How to recognize the enemy’s schemes and fight back with faith
⚡ Why you never step into the battle alone—because God’s got your back!
No matter what you’re facing—addiction, financial struggle, a broken relationship, or spiritual opposition—this message will equip you with hope, courage, and confidence in the God who never leaves your side.
Are you living with the concept of God’s presence or the reality of it?
In this powerful sermon, Pastor John Ware unpacks what it means to truly practice the presence of God in everyday life—not just on Sundays. Drawing from Scripture and the wisdom of Brother Lawrence, he shows us how to bridge the gap between knowing God is with us and actually experiencing His presence daily.
Discover three practical tools to transform your walk with Jesus:
1️⃣ Practicing repentance to stay sensitive to God’s presence
2️⃣ Living by a triangle instead of a line—partnering with the Spirit in every task
3️⃣ Embracing simple prompts to remind you that God is near
Whether you’re at work, at home, or in the middle of life’s challenges, this message will help you carry the peace, strength, and awareness of God’s presence everywhere you go.
👉 Don’t just know about God’s presence—live in it.
We fight over phone chargers because without power, our devices are useless. But what about our lives? Too often, we try to follow Jesus, lead our families, fight temptation, or carry our burdens in our own strength—and end up burned out and broken down.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele reminds us that real purpose requires real power—and that power comes only from remaining in Jesus. Drawing from John 15:5, he shows how idols will leave us idle, but staying connected to Christ fills us with the strength, joy, and fruit that only He can produce.
📖 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Discover how to stay plugged into Jesus, the true source of life—not just on Sundays, but everywhere, all the time.
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Thomas-Steele explores how the pace of our lives directly affects our peace. Using a relatable family hiking trip as an insightful analogy, he highlights the pitfalls of rushing ahead or lagging behind God's perfect timing. "Walk This Way" teaches us that true peace comes from matching our life's rhythm with God's divine pace. Pastor Thomas-Steele emphasizes that through consistent, intentional prayer, and by following Jesus' example of regular retreat to quiet reflection, we can clearly discern and embrace God's timing. Discover the transformative power of walking faithfully and steadily with God, leaving behind the anxiety and restlessness of a hurried world. Tune in to learn how adopting God's pace brings clarity, purpose, and lasting peace to your life.
In the humorous yet impactful sermon, "You Don't Run in the Lazy River," Pastor Thomas-Steele illustrates how our life's pace directly affects our inner peace. Using vivid imagery from a water park lazy river and biblical examples from the lives of Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Saul, and David, he emphasizes that running ahead or falling behind God's intended pace creates unnecessary stress and conflict in our lives. True peace comes only when we align ourselves with God's timing and direction.
"Have you ever wondered if anyone truly understands your deepest pain? In this deeply moving sermon, Dick Holland explores the powerful truth of Jesus as the Man of Sorrows, intimately familiar with suffering, loneliness, and grief. Using heartfelt testimonies and powerful biblical insights from Isaiah 53 and the Gospels, this message reveals how Jesus' greatest pain paved the way for our greatest hope. Whether you're facing personal trials or simply seeking to deepen your love for Christ, this sermon will inspire and reassure you that Jesus is not just the victorious King—He is the faithful companion in your hardest moments."
In this powerful and deeply personal message, Pastor Ben Rothwell unpacks 2 Corinthians 12 to reveal how God uses the margins—our gaps, deficits, and weaknesses—to display His grace and strength. Drawing from Paul’s thorn in the flesh and his own story of brokenness, Pastor Ben encourages us to stop resenting the areas where we lack and start recognizing them as opportunities for God to reveal His glory. With humor, vulnerability, and conviction, he challenges us to embrace the space where our humanity ends and God's divinity begins.
👉 Whether you're walking through hardship, launching into the unknown, or just feel stuck—this message will help you reframe the pain and trust God's purpose in the margins of your life.
In this heartfelt and challenging message, Pastor Edward Arias urges listeners to take seriously the biblical command to guard their hearts. Drawing from Proverbs 4:23, he compares the spiritual condition of our hearts to a home left unsealed—vulnerable to irritants, distractions, and damage. Just like flies entering a home through cracks, the enemy uses distractions, temptations, and unchecked thoughts to influence and disrupt our lives.
Using the shepherd’s practice of anointing sheep with oil to protect them from flies, Pastor Edward illustrates the need for spiritual covering and daily renewal through the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that spiritual growth requires awareness, surrender, and intentionality. We are already sealed by the Spirit, but we must choose to stay rooted in Christ to experience lasting transformation.
This message is an invitation to stop patching over problems and start allowing the Good Shepherd to inspect and heal our hearts. When we guard what matters most, we not only protect our peace—we position ourselves for purpose.
Key Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 – "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Ever felt confident fixing a flat tire… but uncertain trusting God? In this honest, funny, and powerful message, Mike Apperson takes us from Oklahoma highways to Hebrews 11 as he unpacks the question "Why is it so easy to believe in myself but so hard to believe in God?" 🚙📖
With stories that will make you laugh and truths that will challenge your soul, Mike explores how asking why—and why not—can help us discover where our faith stands, what it’s built on, and how to strengthen it. 🔧🙌
📌 Faith isn’t about seeing. It’s about trusting the One who can do the impossible.
Why do we keep repeating the same mistakes? What if the problem isn’t just the problem—but a pattern?
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr exposes the hidden patterns behind our persistent struggles and shows how even the disciples, after witnessing miracles, still failed to recognize Who Jesus really was. From late-night snacking to soul-level stress, from bread in the wilderness to storms on the sea—this sermon uncovers how our surface-level problems are often symptoms of a deeper issue: not fully recognizing Jesus for who He is.
If you’re tired of cycling through the same battles, this message will help you break the pattern—and build your faith on the One who never changes.
"What Fatherhood Taught Us About God" | Father’s Day Q+A at Elevate Church
This Father’s Day, Pastors Thomas-Steele Carr and Randy Bryant sat down for a raw, real, and often hilarious Q+A on the joys and struggles of fatherhood—and how those experiences have taught them more about God’s heart than they ever expected.
From toddler tantrums to teenage trials, from rebellion to redemption, their stories reveal powerful spiritual truths about grace, discipline, and the love of our Heavenly Father. Whether you're raising littles or leading grown kids, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and inspire you.
📌 Don’t miss Part 2—coming next week!
This message challenges us to reflect on how easily we can become quiet about Jesus—not because He’s changed, but because we’ve grown too familiar. Pastor Thomas-Steele highlights a universal truth: things that once thrilled us can lose their impact over time, including our awe for Jesus.
Drawing from Mark 1:40–45, we witness a leper—cast out, broken, and desperate—who comes to Jesus unsure of His mercy, but confident in His power. Jesus not only heals the man but touches him, restoring his dignity and declaring, “I am willing.” The leper’s response? He couldn’t keep quiet, even when told to.
The sermon emphasizes that many of us once felt that same fire—gripped by grace, passionate in praise, and unashamed in sharing Jesus. But over time, life's pressures, distractions, and spiritual comfort can cause us to go quiet. The call is clear: reignite the wonder, remember what Jesus has done, and return to a faith that can't stay silent. Because when we truly reflect on His mercy, goodness, and provision—we can’t keep quiet.
What if everything you’re afraid to give up…is nothing compared to what you could gain?
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele shares a story from his college years that sets the stage for one of Jesus’ shortest—but most explosive—parables.
Through the lens of Matthew 13:44, we’re confronted with a kingdom worth everything…a treasure so valuable that losing anything else doesn’t feel like loss at all.
Is following Jesus really about giving things up—or is it about gaining something infinitely greater?
This sermon will flip your perspective on sacrifice, reframe your view of surrender, and remind you that it’s no sacrifice to give up what could never measure up.
It’s not misery for mercy. It’s trash for treasure. And it’s time we started living like we’ve found the greatest treasure of all.
She wasn’t supposed to be there.
A Gentile. A woman. An outsider.
And yet—she refused to be ignored.
In a moment when the Savior was silent, one desperate mother dared to cry out louder. What followed wasn’t just a miracle—it was a moment that stunned the disciples and excited the heart of Jesus.
This Mother’s Day, step into a story where bold faith breaks barriers, silence becomes a setup, and crumbs of grace become a feast of mercy. When God doesn’t answer right away… will your faith get louder?
"Unless God shows up… Unless He fixes this… Unless I see it with my own eyes… I won’t believe."
Sound familiar?
In this gripping sermon, Pastor Thomas-Steele pulls back the curtain on our hidden ultimatums with God—and shows how they echo the same words spoken by the devil, the Pharisees… and even one of Jesus’ own disciples. But what if the real miracle isn’t in getting the sign you asked for—but in believing without one?
What if real faith doesn’t need proof? What if the greatest blessing comes not from seeing—but from trusting anyway? This message will challenge your assumptions, comfort your doubts, and invite you into the kind of faith that Jesus calls blessed.
👀 What if your “unless” is the very thing standing between you and unshakable belief?
🎯 Ever asked yourself, “Now what?”
You hit the milestone, walked the aisle, made the decision to follow Jesus… but what comes next?
In this powerful and personal message, Pastor Thomas-Steele unpacks the fear and uncertainty that can follow even our biggest faith moments. Drawing from relatable stories and John 20 & Luke 24, he shows us how Jesus doesn’t leave us wondering. He appears, speaks, and supplies—giving us everything that’s needed for everywhere we’re headed as His disciples.
👣 Whether you’re new to faith or walking it out daily, this sermon reveals how Jesus offers:
• Peace for when we’re afraid
• Perspective through His Word
• Purpose that calls us forward
• Power through the Holy Spirit
💥 Don’t miss this timely reminder: You may feel unprepared, but Jesus will provide all you need for the journey ahead.
👉 Watch now and be equipped for what’s next!
💬 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Jesus (Matthew 11:28)
This Easter, Pastor Thomas-Steele invites us to rediscover the heart of the resurrection—not just in the empty tomb, but in the open arms of Jesus.
In a world where invitations often feel like obligations, Jesus offers something different: an invitation to REST. Not just physical rest, but soul-deep, eternity-shaping rest. This message explores the question the angel asked at the tomb—“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”—and shows how we’re still doing the same today, chasing life in all the wrong places.
🔑 In this message, you’ll discover:
• Why the resurrection of Jesus is an invitation to rest, not religion
• How our pursuit of “more” can cause us to miss the most important invitation
• That the rest of Easter… is actually rest forever
Whether you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, or simply searching for peace—there’s No Other Name that offers what Jesus does.
In “In a Relationship,” Pastor Randy draws a powerful parallel between his love for his wife and our relationship with God. Through heartfelt storytelling and Scripture, he shows that love—true love—is more than words; it’s demonstrated daily through intentional time, sacrificial service, and joyful obedience. Just as he desires to please his wife, Pastor Randy urges believers to live in a way that pleases God, not out of obligation, but out of love. Ultimately, we’re reminded that God has already shown His love by sending Jesus—and He desires a personal, deep, and active relationship with us in return.
In this heartfelt and eye-opening message, Pastor Randy challenges us with one powerful question: Are we truly thankful?More than just words before a request, genuine thankfulness is a vital element of our relationship with God. Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, Pastor Randy unpacks the power of gratitude in our prayer life and how it invites us deeper into God's presence.
You'll be encouraged, convicted, and inspired to evaluate the balance of your prayers—are they filled with praise, or just petitions? Discover how giving thanks in everything aligns your heart with God’s will and renews your strength in the midst of trials.
🙏 Don't miss this powerful reminder that gratitude isn’t optional—it's transformational.
📖 Key Scripture: Psalm 100:4, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Hebrews 13:15
In this message, we’re reminded that one of the greatest obstacles to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus isn’t always sin or the devil—it’s hurry. While life often feels full and busy, it’s the hurry in our hearts that quietly robs us of depth, connection, and spiritual maturity. Hurry disrupts our ability to hear from God, engage in meaningful prayer, and show love to the people around us—especially in Christian community.
The early church in Acts was marked by devotion to God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship. They were committed not just to learning together but living together. In contrast, our fast-paced culture often leads us to drift from community, replacing being “here” with doing “more.” But Jesus calls us to slow down and be present—to make being “here” for others a spiritual habit.
This sermon challenges us to re-evaluate our priorities, eliminate hurry, and embrace the habit of showing up for one another in love. Because we can’t help each other grow up if we refuse to show up.
In this week’s sermon at Elevate Church, Pastor Thomas-Steele shares a powerful message about how hurry is killing our capacity for community. Using real-life moments from parenting and biblical examples like Jairus, the bleeding woman, and the Good Samaritan, this message challenges us to slow down and make room for what matters most—people.
Through the example of Jesus—who was often busy, but never hurried—we’re reminded that love allows for interruptions. When we’re always in a rush, we risk missing the very moments God puts in our path to love and care for others.
📖 Scripture Focus: Mark 5:21-36, Luke 10:25-37
🎯 Key Takeaway: “Don’t be so busy doing the work of God that you forget to show the love of God.”
Whether it’s parenting, pastoring, or simply being present with someone in need, this message is a call to live like Jesus—with love, margin, and availability.
Is your prayer life more like a vending machine—where you expect quick answers—or a slot machine—where you randomly throw up prayers, hoping to hit the jackpot? In this message, we explore how hurry is the enemy of intimacyand how true prayer is about relationship, not just requests.
Jesus teaches us a rhythm of prayer in Luke 11 that moves beyond just asking for things to experiencing deep connection with God. When we focus on intimacy over efficiency, we grow as devoted disciples who ask, seek, and knock with persistence, trusting that God gives us not just what we want—but what we truly need.
🔹 Key Takeaways:
Hurry weakens our relationships, including our relationship with God.
Prayer is about intimacy, not just getting results.
Jesus provides a rhythm of prayer: Personal, Praise, Purpose, Provision, Pardon, and Protection.
Devoted disciples persist in prayer, knowing God gives good gifts, including His presence.
In this message, Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr unpacks a powerful truth: hurry is the enemy of hearing—especially when it comes to listening to Jesus. We live in a world that rushes everything—conversations, content, even our spiritual lives. But devotion to Jesus requires our attention on Jesus.
Through hilarious parenting stories and deep biblical insights from Luke 6 and the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4), we’ll see how different kinds of "hearers" respond to God's Word—and why only consistent, intentional listening leads to real transformation.
Are you rushing through your faith like a podcast on 2x speed? It’s time to slow down, listen, and live out what Jesus says.
What if the greatest threat to your discipleship isn’t the devil… but your schedule?
We blame the enemy for attacking our faith, but did he fill up our calendar? Did he make us say "yes" to everything at the expense of our time with Jesus? Or… are we unknowingly sabotaging ourselves? What if our hurry isn’t just a habit—it’s a spiritual hazard? What if the biggest obstacle in our walk with Jesus isn’t the enemy… but our own choices? In this message, we’re exposing the real cost of busyness and why a cluttered life leads to a divided heart. Because at the end of the day—you can’t be a devoted disciple with divided allegiances.
In this heartfelt sermon, "My Greatest Regret," Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr shares a powerful message about the importance of slowing down and focusing on what truly matters in life. He reveals that his greatest regrets are not the mistakes he's made, but the moments he's missed. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical wisdom, he challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and avoid the trap of hurry that makes us miss the holy moments around us.
Through the stories of Martha and Mary in Luke 10, he emphasizes the value of being present, choosing what is better, and turning aside from the rush of life to experience the presence of Jesus. Pastor Thomas-Steele encourages us to make room for meaningful moments with our families, our spouses, and God Himself—reminding us that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is simply be present.
Join us as we explore how to break free from the addiction to busyness and truly embrace the holy in our everyday lives. Don't miss this powerful reminder that at the end of our lives, our greatest regrets might not be the mistakes we've made, but the moments we've missed.
When people look at you, do they see Jesus? Or do they see someone just like them? In this powerful sermon, we dive into the story of Peter’s denial and the reality that the world will identify you—either as one of their own or as a follower of Christ.
Through personal stories, biblical truth, and a challenge to live boldly, this message will encourage you to examine your walk with Christ. Are you reflecting Jesus in your daily life, in your words, in your actions? Or are you blending into the world?
Join us as we explore what it means to be "Identified" in Christ, and why your witness matters more than you think. Don't just attend church—be transformed.
Are you still trying to manage your own life, only to find yourself exhausted, frustrated, and stuck? In this powerful sermon, Pastor Randy shares how surrendering to Jesus means placing your life under new management—allowing Him to lead, shape, and use you for His purposes. Drawing from personal experiences, Scripture, and a life transformed by faith, this message will challenge you to fully trust God, submit to His will, and walk in the freedom of His leadership. Don’t miss this inspiring word on the beauty of surrendering to Christ!
In this sermon, we explore the story of Martha and Mary, highlighting how busyness can lead to bitterness—toward others and even toward God. Martha was distracted by serving, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. Jesus gently corrected Martha, reminding her that only one thing is necessary—time with Him.
We often allow the many things in life to pull us away from the one thing that truly matters: our relationship with Jesus. Discipleship is a daily decision, and we must intentionally choose Jesus over distractions. Rather than seeing Jesus as a means to get to the good part, we must recognize that He is the good part. When we make Him our priority, we experience true peace, fulfillment, and purpose.
In our exploration of discipleship, we've uncovered a profound truth: the essence of following Jesus isn't just about doing things for Him, but being with Him. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 beautifully illustrates this. While Martha was distracted by her many tasks, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen. This isn't a condemnation of service, but a reminder that our primary calling is to be present with Christ. How often do we, like Martha, invite Jesus into our lives only to tune Him out with our busyness? We're challenged to consider: are we too distracted to truly follow Jesus? Our culture of constant connectivity and endless to-do lists can pull us away from deep communion with God. Yet, the 'archetypal image of discipleship' isn't frantic activity, but sitting at Jesus' feet. Let's reflect on how we can cultivate a spirit of attentiveness to Christ amidst life's demands, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.
In this powerful message, we're challenged to confront our resistance to rest and embrace it as a spiritual necessity. The central theme revolves around the idea that 'If you don't come apart for a while, you will come apart in a while.' We explore how our culture's obsession with busyness and productivity often stems from a desire for significance and control, ultimately revealing our lack of trust in God's goodness. The message draws from Exodus 20 and Psalm 37, reminding us that rest is not just a suggestion, but a divine command. We're encouraged to see rest as recognition of our limitations, trust in God's sovereignty, and rescue from our attempts to be our own saviors. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for 'wait patiently' in Psalm 37:7 is linked to labor pains, suggesting that sometimes resting in God can feel like writhing. This perspective challenges us to view difficult seasons as opportunities for growth and deeper trust in God's unseen work in our lives.
In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught in a cycle of hurry, constantly rushing from one task to the next. This message challenges us to examine the underlying issue of a 'hurried heart' and its impact on our spiritual lives. Drawing inspiration from Jesus' example in Mark 6:30-32, we're reminded of the importance of retreating to a 'quiet place' to rest and be alone with God. This practice isn't just about finding solitude, but about allowing our time with God to set the pace for our lives. By doing so, we can break free from the 'hurry sickness' that plagues our society and find true peace and purpose. The message encourages us to shift our focus from doing more to being more - more present, more intentional, and more aligned with God's will for our lives. As we learn to 'delight in the Lord' as Psalm 34 instructs, we discover that the greatest treasure isn't found at the end of our hurried pursuits, but in the presence of God himself.
In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of activity, believing that busyness equates to importance. However, this sermon challenges us to reconsider our priorities and the impact of our hectic lifestyles on our spiritual well-being. Drawing inspiration from Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11 to 'Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' we're encouraged to slow down and simplify our lives. The message emphasizes that following Jesus isn't about adding more tasks to our to-do list, but about centering our lives around Him. We're reminded that God values who we're becoming more than what we're accomplishing. This sermon urges us to reflect on how our busyness might be hindering our relationship with Jesus and challenges us to prioritize 'being' over 'doing' in our faith journey.
This Christmas Eve, discover the powerful truth of Matthew 2 as we celebrate the arrival of the Shepherd King—Jesus! In a world often consumed by "down here," are we missing what's happening "up there"? Dive into a message that challenges us to respond to the coming of the King with awe-filled worship instead of worry or resistance.
Don’t miss this vibrant, hope-filled message that will refocus your heart this Christmas. Click now and join us in declaring, "Hail the King!"
We often see practice as a problem—hard, repetitive, even pointless. But what if practice is the secret to preparation? Preparation for what, you ask? Join us as we uncover how the practices of Jesus transform your life, equip you for life’s toughest challenges, and prepare you for something far greater than you can imagine.
Striving to be like Jesus can leave us frustrated and worn out. What if the key isn't trying harder, but staying closer? Let's explore how staying rooted in Jesus changes everything.
“Is life feeling like a constant battle between your will and God’s? In this message, ‘It’s Not About Me,’ we dive deep into what it truly means to follow Jesus by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and embracing His purpose for our lives. Discover how surrendering your desires can lead to a life overflowing with His joy, peace, and blessings. Don’t miss this powerful reminder that it’s all about Him!”
Are you tired of going through the motions of faith without real change? Dive into this powerful message where we uncover how God’s holiness breaks bad cycles, brings conviction, and calls us to a life of holiness and purpose. Watch now to discover the key to living ‘Clean’ and breaking free from the sin holding you back!
Who you choose to be around has a profound impact on who you become.
Discover how community can lead to deeper discipleship and why following Jesus isn’t a solo journey. Join us as we unpack Proverbs 13:20 and the powerful truth that ‘the company you keep will either cultivate or corrupt.’ Let’s walk together in wisdom and grow into the likeness of Christ—because following Him is better together!
“Ever feel like you’re ready to follow Jesus, but there’s a ‘but first’ holding you back? In this message, we’re getting real about the excuses that keep us from going all-in for Jesus. Discover why ‘but first’ can be fatal to your faith, how convenience is overrated when it comes to commitment, and what it takes to follow Jesus with intentionality, purpose, and power. Let’s move from good intentions to God-led action—because following Jesus is more than a decision, it’s a daily dedication. Click play and let’s dive in!”
In this sermon, we dive into Jesus’ call to “be perfect” as our Heavenly Father is perfect—a journey not toward flawlessness, but toward spiritual maturity and wholeness. Discover how patience, intimacy, and imitation lead to a life transformed in Christ. Perfect isn’t about getting it all right instantly; it’s about the profound process of living with and becoming like Jesus. Don’t miss this powerful message on what Jesus means when He tells us to "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
In this inspiring message, we dive into Hebrews 12:1-2 and Luke 22, exploring how Jesus looked forward to the cross for the joy set before Him. Just like climbing a mountain, the journey may be tough, but the view from the top makes it all worth it. Join us as we learn how to endure hard things with hope, fix our eyes on Jesus, and find joy in the midst of trials. You don’t want to miss this powerful word on perseverance and faith!
“Have you ever looked at someone and thought, ‘That’s the life!’ What did they have? What were they doing? What was it that caused you to feel that way? In this sermon, we dig deep into the illusions of the ‘good life’ the world sells us—wealth, status, and comfort—and uncover what truly matters. You can have the "good life" and it mean nothing without eternal life. But what is eternal life?
Join us, as we look at a conversation Jesus had with a man who seemed to have it all, yet, was confronted with what he really longed for, and the way to get it.
We all follow something—whether we realize it or not. But are we being shaped by the world or trained by Jesus? In this eye-opening message, Pastor Thomas-Steele challenges us to rethink who we’re letting guide our lives and reveals how intimacy with Jesus leads to true transformation.
Have you ever felt invisible? Overlooked in the shadows of life, struggling beneath the weight of responsibilities, longing to be seen for who you truly are? In this deeply moving sermon, we unravel the story of Hagar—an outcast, abused and forgotten, yet found by the God who sees her in the wilderness.
This is not just a message. It’s an invitation. An invitation to step into the presence of a God who sees through the noise, the busyness, and the brokenness. A God who looks beyond your roles and what you do for others and sees you—your heart, your pain, your dreams.
With raw vulnerability and gripping storytelling, we confront the ache of being unseen and discover how God steps into our darkest moments, calling us by name and restoring our worth. If you’ve ever wondered if anyone notices, if your life matters—this sermon will remind you that you are not forgotten. You are fully seen by the One who loves you more than you can imagine.
“Life doesn’t always go as planned—and sometimes, following Jesus leads us straight into unexpected storms. What do you do when your faith collides with complications and unmet expectations? In this powerful message, we dive deep into the question that could change everything: When life gets hard, who else can you turn to? Don’t miss this eye-opening sermon that will challenge, inspire, and give you the strength to keep going when it feels like everything’s falling apart. Watch now and discover why Jesus is still the answer, no matter what you’re facing.”
“Picture this: a vast crowd following a man on a mission, unaware of the price they’ll have to pay to keep up. As Jesus walks toward His destiny, He turns to them—and to us—and asks a question that echoes through time: Are you willing to give it all? Today, we step into that moment, where following Christ means surrendering everything. The cost is high, but the reward is beyond imagination. Are you ready?”
“Imagine standing face to face with Jesus, and He asks you one simple yet profound question: ‘What do you want?’ It’s a question that cuts through the noise of our desires, ambitions, and fears, challenging us to examine what truly drives us. Today, we’re diving deep into this question, because how we answer it could change everything about how we follow Him.”
Ever wondered if Jesus not only loves you but actually likes you? Dive into this powerful message where we explore the truth that your failures don't disqualify you from following Him—they make you the perfect candidate.
When Jesus called Matthew with the simple words, "Follow me," it wasn’t just an invitation to leave behind a tax booth—it was a call to step into a life completely covered by grace, purpose, and ongoing discipleship. In the first century, there was a blessing that said, "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi," a wish that you would follow so closely behind your teacher that his very footsteps would shape your journey and be cover you in dust from his sandals. Today, we're going to explore how saying 'yes' to Jesus means more than just a moment of salvation—it’s an invitation to walk so closely with Him that our lives are covered in His dust, marked by every step of discipleship. Are you ready to take the next step?
Imagine having the Creator of the universe in your midst, only to dismiss Him as just another face in the crowd. In Mark 6:1-6, we see how the people of Nazareth missed out on the miracles of Jesus because they thought they knew Him too well. Sunday, we’re going to explore the possibility of how our assumed overfamiliarity with Jesus might actually undermine our faith in Jesus. Join us as Pastor Thomas-Steele explores this in the sermon, "Awe or Naw?"
Imagine standing on a mountaintop, the air thick with tension, as two belief systems collide in a dramatic showdown. On one side, the lone prophet Elijah, a man of unwavering faith and deep personal connection with God. On the other, 450 prophets of Baal, representing a world of false hopes and empty promises. Today, as we revisit this epic confrontation at Mt. Carmel, we’ll discover that true worship of God demands a personal relationship with God as well as steadfast obedience to Him. Are we ready to identify the idols in our lives and turn back to the One true God? The stakes are high, and the challenge is clear—it's time for our own showdown.
"The Last Forty": As the Israelites stood on the brink of the Jordan, poised to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering, they faced a pivotal moment. With the river's rushing waters before them and God's call echoing in their hearts, they had a choice: to step forward in faith or retreat into the familiar wilderness. When they crossed over and built an ark of remembrance, it wasn't just a physical monument but a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness and deliverance. Today, we are called to build our own arks of remembrance, capturing the moments when God has guided, provided, and rescued us. Let's journey together to discover how we can preserve these divine memories, turning our past struggles into present-day testimonies of His unwavering love.
"How can you turn your deepest wounds into powerful moments of worship? Join us as we explore Job's incredible response to unimaginable loss and discover how daily habits of prayer and praise can transform your pain into profound faith. Learn to see God's hand in your struggles and embrace the promise that His presence is constant, even in your darkest hours. Don't miss this inspiring message!"
"Imagine being thrown into a pit by your own brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned—seemingly abandoned by everyone and everything you hold dear. Yet, in the depths of his darkest days, Joseph find himself a living example of a profound truth: God often uses trials to shape us into the people we are destined to be. Today, we dive into Joseph's story and Psalm 105:19 to uncover how our most challenging moments are not just tests, but divine tools used by God to reveal the genuineness of our faith and refine our character for His greater purpose."
In Pastor Thomas-Steele's sermon, he explores the theme "From Wounds to Worship" using a passage from Luke, speaking on the inevitability of pain and suffering in life. He recounts the story of Jesus raising a widow's son in Nain, emphasizing Jesus' compassion and transformative power in times of deep sorrow. The sermon encourages listeners to trust in Jesus for comfort and healing, regardless of their struggles. It concludes with an invitation to embrace Jesus and surrender to his compassionate presence, finding hope and transformation from wounds to worship.
Pastor Thomas-Steele's sermon "Provisions" from the series "From Wounds to Worship" focuses on the grace of God during hardships, transitioning from pain to perseverance to hope. Using John 20:19-23, he shows how Jesus offers peace, purpose, and power to overcome challenges. Personal stories highlight God's provision in tough times, urging listeners to trust in God's peace, find purpose in suffering, and rely on the Holy Spirit. The sermon encourages seeking God's provision and His transformative power amidst struggles.
The sermon titled "Thorns" by Pastor Thomas-Steele was centered on understanding and dealing with suffering through a spiritual perspective. He reminded the congregation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, underlining that even though people endure pain and hardship, they do so with a purpose. He emphasized the notion of Jesus transforming wounds into worship, thus giving our suffering meaning and direction.The sermon unveiled the significance of prayer in our suffering, arguing that it should not be a last resort but our first response to suffering. Furthermore, it addressed the concept of God's silence amidst our suffering, suggesting that His silence is not a mark of indifference, but rather an indication that He has already communicated with us through the Bible. Hence, believers are encouraged to engage more with God's word.Pastor Thomas-Steele's sermon made it clear that while God does not promise to take away our suffering, He undoubtedly guides us through it, similar to how Jesus and Paul overcame their trials. Suffering, thus, creates endurance, character, and hope. The sermon concluded with a calling to those yet to embrace Jesus as their savior, emphasizing the assurance of salvation found in faith and trust in Him. It was an encouragement to surrender through prayer and rejoice in the renewed life offered by Christ.
In the sermon "Hands" by Pastor Thomas-Steele, Jesus shows his willingness to help with our woundedness through the story of healing a leper in Mark 1:40-42. Jesus's touch symbolizes his ability to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The sermon challenges listeners to have faith in Jesus's ability to heal and to surrender to his unexpected ways of offering help. Ultimately, Jesus is willing and able to bring healing and restoration to all who reach out to him with their woundedness.
Pastor Thomas Steele delivered a touching sermon on woundedness and finding healing in Jesus, as part of the "From Wounds to Worship" series. The sermon draws on the biblical story of Jairus, a struggling father desperate for the life of his dying daughter. Steele uses his own experience of loss, following his father's death, to add personal depth and relatability to the sermon. The key themes are voices of defeat, despair and doubt, which Jesus counters with trust, truth and triumph. The significance of dismissing others' opinions and our own harmful self-doubt is highlighted, with a focus on having faith and patience despite pain. Thomas-Steele solidifies his sermon by reassuring attendees that their difficulties are never a nuisance to Jesus and they can always approach Him with their struggles. He emphasizes that death is not the final chapter and that Jesus has the ultimate say. He urges his listeners to counteract the voices of defeat, despair and doubt with Jesus' voice. The sermon culminates with Jesus victorious over death by resurrecting the daughter of Jairus, symbolizing triumph over adversity. Thomas-Steele encourages his listeners to trust in Jesus during their toughest times, reinforcing that nothing can separate us from His love. The sermon essentially illuminates the battle against woundedness and the significance of trusting Jesus in trying times. It underscores the might of Jesus' voice in dealing with despair and doubt, encouraging listeners to concentrate on His voice even when faced with death.
In Pastor Thomas Steele's sermon "Wounds," part of the series "From Wounds to Worship," he underscores the universality of woundedness, whether physical, emotional, or mental. He implores his listeners to channel their suffering towards Jesus, emphasizing the healing potential of faithful submission. Through the biblical narrative of the woman suffering from bleeding in Mark 5:24-34, he points out her desperate but persistent faith in Jesus, culminating in her ultimate healing. Thomas-Steele insists on the need for relinquishing any fears or hindrances that curtail our pursuit of Jesus, urging us to aggressively seek Him with our brokenness. The crux of the sermon is the encouragement to submit our brokenness to Jesus and to wholeheartedly seek Him.
Pastor Thomas Steele's sermon, "Confessions", was a heartfelt discourse that highlighted Jesus as a savior and helper for those burdened with shame, sin, and pain. He noted the personal challenges he experienced after his father's death in 2017, especially realizing how his father had become an idol in his life, embodying security, stability, and provision. Thomas-Steele emphasized the need to solely depend on God, instead of other human beings, to prevent disappointment and pain. He also addressed the struggle of continually looking back after losing a loved one and the importance of looking to God amidst the pain. Thomas-Steele dismissed the misconception that good behavior exempts one from suffering, as this contradicts the bible teachings. He stressed that obedience to God can sometimes result in suffering and challenges. Trust in God was his concluding message, stressing God's patience, healing, and grace during hardships. This sermon serves as a reminder to surrender all burdens to God, reassuring the congregation of His everlasting love and mercy, while also praying for comfort, healing, and strength for all those who are hurting.
In his sermon "Do You Think the Bible's Boring? (Let's Talk the Cost of Repentance)," Mike Apperson sparks a conversation about the dismissal of the Bible as 'boring' and the gravitas of repentance. The sermon begins by challenging the notion that the Bible is uninteresting, asserting that if perceived as dull, it’s not being understood correctly. He pivots to discussing the cost of repentance, utilizing examples from King David's victories and follies as narrated in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21.The main narrative revolves around King David, his victories, and the consequential pride which led him to momentarily forget his source of power, God. He ordered a census - a flawed decision that went against God's commandments - that led to the death of 70,000 men. However, upon God's intervention, David repented and offered sacrifices, a site that later became the place where Solomon built the temple.By threading the pivotal themes of sin, repentance, and redemption, Mike underscores the importance of acknowledging one's sins, refraining from minimizing or rationalizing them, and committing to change. He stresses the necessity for remorse, which he proposes leads to healing, accomplished via Christ's atonement, and ultimately victory over human frailty.The sermon concludes with Mike exhorting the congregation to produce genuine godliness beyond the superficial performance, be conscientious of the Bible's relevance for the future, and emphasize maintaining a personal relationship with Christ. He encourages the audience to foster their faith by making Bible reading and comprehension a priority. Lastly, Mike warns believers not to wait until the price of sin becomes overwhelming before rejecting it, underscoring the healing available through repentance.
Pastor Kelby Lilly's sermon discusses the story of Jonah, focusing on themes of obedience, repentance, and spiritual gifts. He shares personal stories to illustrate the importance of following God's will and accepting forgiveness through Jesus. The sermon emphasizes the call to reflect on one's choices, utilize spiritual gifts for ministry, and invite Jesus into our lives for rest and love.
Pastor Thomas Steele's sermon magnifies the importance of placing absolute trust in God in all aspects of life, categorically cautioning against substituting this trust in God with any form of reliance on worldly riches, influential identities, or personal wisdom. He references stories from the books of Mark and John in the Bible, recounting Jesus calming a perilous storm and feeding thousands from scarce resources, respectively. These instances highlight the disciples' doubts and fears in the face of adversity, and how their trust in Jesus leads to miraculous resolutions. The sermon pushes for a deeper understanding and relationship with God, and not solely seeking blessings or miracles from Him. Incorporation of contemplative prayer, as suggested by Pastor Thomas-Steele, is proposed as a potential practice to establish this enriching bond with God where our mere presence in His grace, without any requests or prayers, strengthens our association with Him and consequently, our reliance on and trust in Him. Finally, Pastor Thomas-Steele thrusts upon the idea of redefining success not by worldly measures but through fulfilling God's purpose for us and becoming who He wants us to become. The sermon underscores that trusting in God's plan can spare us unnecessary suffering and obstacles in life. The sermon makes a profound point about the quintessential importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance over our limited understanding and the peace and success that is inherently linked to absolute trust in God.
This sermon titled "One Step at a Time" by Pastor Thomas Steele emphasizes the role of vision in our lives. It explores how having a vision and following God's guidance can help us end up where we want to be. The sermon discusses the importance of vision in various aspects of life and highlights the frustration that can come from seeking guidance from God's word because it doesn't often give guidance the way we want to receive it. It emphasizes that God's guidance often comes in the form of invitations rather than specific instructions and encourages obedience in order to receive future guidance.
In the sermon "Follow the Directions" by Pastor Thomas Steele, the central message resonates the profound significance of having a vision in life and walking in the direction instructed by God to accomplish true happiness. The basis of the sermon was Proverbs 29:18 which indicates in the absence of vision, man is likely to lead a life that is haphazard and unrestrained. Pastor Steele pointed out that God's vision, as revealed in His word, should be the primary compass guiding our lives. He underscored the importance of discerning where our visions come from, suggesting that a mere good vision may not suffice when one could strive for a God-given vision. Pastor Thomas Steele emphasized that God's vision is not about setting and striving towards worldly goals, rather it is about seeking His divine guidance and revelations. He challenged the mainstream belief identifying happiness with fulfilling desires and leading a wild life. Instead, he proposed that following God's law is the actual pathway to attaining happiness. It's suggested that the relentless chase of pleasure results in becoming slaves to sinful tendencies and heading towards destruction. The path to happiness lies not in succumbing to worldly cravings, but in seeking and adhering to God's direction. The audience was encouraged to seek this divine guidance through studying and reading God's word - the Bible. The discourse concluded by reminding the listeners that seeking God's guidance and abiding by it may not be easy or convenient, but it is a crucial measure for true happiness.
Who we choose to be around has a profound impact on who we become. Since that is the case, we need to make wise choices about who we are surrounding ourselves with, who our friends are, and who we're allowing to have influence in our lives. As followers of Jesus, if we want to be growing and maturing in our faith, we need to make sure we surround ourselves with those who will inspire spiritual maturity and growth in us! Proverbs 13:20 tells us, "Walk with the wise and become wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." Join us as we discuss the importance of having friends who will encourage us in our relationship with Jesus.
Join us as Pastor Thomas-Steele takes a look all the great things God has done in 2023, and invites us into a look into what is in store in 2024!
Pastor Thomas-Steele Carr's sermon explores the birth of Jesus, the story of Jonah, and the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. He highlights Mary's selection as the mother of the Messiah and Joseph's acceptance of God's plan. Drawing connections to Jonah's struggle and deliverance from the sea monster, Thomas-Steele emphasizes Jesus' three days in the heart of the earth after his death. The sermon focuses on the themes of salvation, redemption, and the mission of Jesus, inviting listeners to worship and accept Jesus as their Savior.
The sermon "Cleaning House" by Pastor Thomas-Steele delves into an exposé on Jesus’ multifaceted character, focusing on the significance of His cleansing of the temple as recorded in John 2:13-22. Pastor Thomas-Steele expounds on the intentionality behind Jesus' clearing of the temple, a reflection of both obedience to God and consideration for His people. He blasted the merchants and money changers, not so much for their unethical conduct, but for their desecration of the temple’s intended use: a place of worship and prayer. The sermon uses King Josiah's temple cleansing as an Old Testament parallel, thereby driving home the importance of a purified environment for genuine worship. Both Josiah and Jesus exemplify fierce opposition against hypocrisy and anything that deters from the true veneration of God. The sermon, while shining light on Christ’s zealous love for pure worship, implores the faithful to apply the same fervent respect for holiness in their own lives.
In his sermon "Come and Get Me," Pastor Thomas-Steele presents Jesus' dichotomous nature as both gentle and formidable, expanding the traditional portrayal of him only as beneficent and amiable. Through portraying Jesus as a formidable personality ready to fight for justice, he challenges his audience to see Jesus in a fresh light. Drawing parallels from the Book of Judges, the sermon references Gideon's transformation from a hidden figure into a leader chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory, signifying the potential within us all. Shifting to the New Testament, the sermon highlights Peter's affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah, Son of the living God, during a conversation at Caesarea Philippi, a region noted for pagan worship. This affirmation, in that notable spiritual darkness, is symbolically viewed as Jesus declaring war on dark forces and signaling his imminent victory. The story of the Transfiguration, wherein Jesus' divine glory is revealed, resonates with the idea of his supremacy over the spiritual realm.The sermon's conclusion underscores Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for the redemption and forgiveness of humanity as an ultimate sign of his love. Pastor Thomas-Steele invites the congregation to view Jesus as he is and respond with worship and obedience. He underscores that discipleship involves standing against evil and promoting the kingdom of God in the world. Thus, through this sermon, Pastor Thomas-Steele showcases a comprehensive depiction of Jesus- both gentle and fierce, eliciting a call for proactive engagement against evil from his audience.
Sometimes we suffer because we live in a fallen world. Sometimes we suffer because of decisions other people make. And sometimes our suffering is the result of our own sinning. Join us as we look at a defeat Israel suffered as a result of their sin, and what hope we have when we experience difficulty because of our own sin.
In this sermon rooted in Joshua 7:20-21, we uncover three profound truths about our journey of deliverance. Firstly, we understand that our deliverance from God comes with directions from God. Secondly, we learn that our deliverance involves pivotal decisions, and straying from God's path may lead to our own destruction, as Achan's choice to ignore God's directives painfully illustrates. Finally, we are encouraged to surrender our will to the Savior who brought down the walls of our own Jericho, recognizing that our ultimate victory and true freedom lie in submitting to His guidance and trusting His unwavering love and wisdom. In these profound lessons, we find not only a blueprint for deliverance but also an invitation to embrace the transformative power of God's direction in our lives.
Join us as we celebrate Christmas and wrap up our series "Outsider" by observing three things we receive because of Jesus at Christmas.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the bo
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Pastor Andy Stanley once said, "Direction, not intention, determines destination." This sounds so obvious, but so often we forget it or ignore it when it comes to our own lives and situations and circumstances we find ourselves in. See, our actions, not our intentions, determine our destination in life. Join us today for this incredibly important conversation as we continue our journey through the book of Micah and our series "Outsider."
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
How do you respond when your children ask you why you believe what you believe? How do you respond when they ask you what it means to follow Jesus? Do you know the answer to these questions yourself? Join us as we discuss how the answers to these questions can be found in one of a child's favorite things: Story Time.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
- The audio quality for this week's message isn't as good as usual. We apologize for that!
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us as we continue our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us Sunday as web gin our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Sometimes we need people on the outside to call out problems on the inside. And this is exactly what we’re going to witness as we begin our brand new series “Outsider” where we will take a journey through the Book of Micah and observe how this prophet was used by God to call out judgement against the sin of his people, as well as speak of hope for a future restoration. And what we’re going to witness, is that Micah’s words to the people then are just as relevant all people now. Join us Sunday as web gin our look at the book of Micah the Outsider.
Join us for Mother's Day this Sunday as we examine the patient faith of a woman in Scripture who was heartbroken over her inability to have children and her life and family not living up to how she expected. Yet, through her, God performed a miracle in which she didn't just give birth to a son, but impacted the course of an entire nation through the gentle forces of faith and motherhood.
So...Jesus rose from the dead. Now what? Have you ever left an Easter service at church and found yourself wondering that very thing? Like, it's great Jesus rose from the dead, but that does it mean for me, the Church, and the world? Is His resurrection only meaningful in light of eternity and salvation? Or does it have an impact on this very moment you're living now? Sure it does! And it's far more impactful than you've possibly ever realized. Join us Sunday as we talk about what Jesus' resurrection means for us now.
There could be no resurrection if there wasn't first a crucifixion. No doubt this is what we witness Jesus experience as His death on Good Friday led to death's defeat on Resurrection Sunday. And yet in this, we witness that, because of Jesus sin and sorrow do not have the final say, weeping is not the final word, and the pain of death gives way to the promise of deliverance. The crucifixion was horrible, and yet it was necessary for our holiness. And in this we are reminded that though there was mourning on Good Friday, Easter Sunday reminds us why there was also a reason for Joy In The Mourning.
For many of us, it could be said that we have an understanding of Jesus that, though it is accurate, may also be incomplete. In fact, we may even find ourselves puzzled by the various pieces of Who Jesus is. Messiah. Son of God. King of Kings. Prince of Peace. What does all this mean? How does it all fit together? Join us Sunday as we discuss this in light of Jesus' triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, and witness the power that comes from putting the pieces together.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people.
We could all use a little peace and quiet from time to time. But let’s be honest, with everything going on around us and difficulties we experience within us, quiet can seem out of our control. But is it? Is there a way to have quiet souls regardless of our circumstances? Wouldn’t it be awesome to know how to experience tranquility in the midst of calamity? Well you can! This is God’s gracious gift for His people…and Sunday we’re going to begin talking about how to experience it. So join us as we learn how to live 🤫…in a quiet place.
We all need help from time to time. But the difficulty in receiving the help we need is sometimes found in the fact we have to wait for it. This is true when it comes to receiving help from God as well. Join us Sunday as we discuss how so often the help we want requires that we wait.
Join us as we celebrate 10 years of God's faithfulness, and look forward to all God has in store for our future!
So often in life we find ourselves so consumed with the “next thing” that we miss out on the main thing. This is why the manner in which Jesus teaches us to live is helpful. His recommendation to all of us is pretty simple, SLOW DOWN!
We're all going to end up somewhere in the coming year, but very few end up somewhere on purpose. Join us Sunday as we discuss how to move into the coming year with the confidence that you are headed in God's direction for your life!
This time of year we're bombarded with the images of the perfect Christmas. Movies and TV show the perfect house with the perfect tree and decorations. But this is far from the normal experience. And it was far from Jospeh and Mary's experience. Join as we discover how Christmas ain't convenient, and the hope that gives us!
This time of year we're bombarded with the images of the perfect Christmas. Movies and TV show the perfect house with the perfect tree and decorations. But this is far from the normal experience. And it was far from Jospeh and Mary's experience. Join as we discover how Christmas ain't convenient, and the hope that gives us!
Salt is good. But being salty typically is not...or is it? We might be surprised to know that Jesus actually teaches His followers to be salty...but in a good way. Join us as we discuss what it means to be "Salty Christians."
Salt is good. But being salty typically is not...or is it? We might be surprised to know that Jesus actually teaches His followers to be salty...but in a good way. Join us as we discuss what it means to be "Salty Christians."
Salt is good. But being salty typically is not...or is it? We might be surprised to know that Jesus actually teaches His followers to be salty...but in a good way. Join us as we discuss what it means to be "Salty Christians."
Today we hear from Than Graffam, founder of Hope Project. He will share God's Word and inspire us with accounts of what God is doing around the world through Hope Project, which is a non-profit organization Elev8.Church is proud to partner with in spreading the Gospel and making a difference in the world.
Salt is good. But being salty typically is not...or is it? We might be surprised to know that Jesus actually teaches His followers to be salty...but in a good way. Join us as we discuss what it means to be "Salty Christians."
Salt is good. But being salty typically is not...or is it? We might be surprised to know that Jesus actually teaches His followers to be salty...but in a good way. Join us as we discuss what it means to be "Salty Christians."
Making changes in life is easy; keeping the changes we make is hard. But thankfully, God gives us some powerful and practical insight into how to keep the changes we make in our lives in Scripture. Join us as we discover how to "Keep the Change."
Making the change is easy, keeping the change is hard. Thankfully God gives us some practical things we can do to make sure we not only make the necessary changes in life, but that we keep them when we do.
There are things around us and things within us that can hinder our ability to see Jesus. How can we make sure we can steadily see Him clearly? Join us for part 3 of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" to find out!
Our lifeline doesn't always come on our timeline. But when we are with Jesus, things are never hopeless.
Sometimes the difficulties we face in life can make it difficult to see God working in our lives. Luckily we don't have to see Jesus in order for Him to see us.
Faith opens doors. Fear shuts them. Join us as we discover how to overcome fear by understanding faith.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
What if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief we've been through? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" What we learn from Jesus is...yes.
"Good grief." That's probably a phrase we've echoed a lot throughout this past year. With our news cycles and news feeds continuously hitting us with more tragedy to mourn, disappointments to share, outrage to feel, and worry to be burdened by, it's understandable we feel beaten up and worn down. But what if, instead of running into the new year trying to forget the last, we took a moment to ask ourselves a question? "Can any good come from this grief? Is there such a thing as 'good grief?'" Join us for a new series in which we answer this question and discover that grief can be good...when it's properly understood.
There's so many remarkable things about Christmas. The birth of Jesus. Time with loved ones. Houses decorated in lovely, warm Christmas lights. Christmas movies where everything is always perfect (and it always snows). But there's another remarkable thing about Christmas as well; the question from God to us that, how we answer, impacts every area of our lives. The question that Jesus' birth presents us. The question of Christmas.
There's so many remarkable things about Christmas. The birth of Jesus. Time with loved ones. Houses decorated in lovely, warm Christmas lights. Christmas movies where everything is always perfect (and it always snows). But there's another remarkable thing about Christmas as well; the question from God to us that, how we answer, impacts every area of our lives. The question that Jesus' birth presents us. The question of Christmas.
We all have battles to face. Thankfully, we never face them on our own. Join us in this series as we discuss Spiritual Warfare, and discover how we can experience the battles, without being rattled.
We all have battles to face. Thankfully, we never face them on our own. Join us in this series as we discuss Spiritual Warfare, and discover how we can experience the battles, without being rattled.
We all have battles to face. Thankfully, we never face them on our own. Join us in this series as we discuss Spiritual Warfare, and discover how we can experience the battles, without being rattled.
In our current teaching series, we are exploring the Gospels and discovering that Jesus was dangerous, so as His followers, we must be courageous.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? How do you picture Him? How would you describe Him? Kind. Gentle. Loving. Compassionate. Considerate. Dangerous? What if there was an aspect of Jesus' character that isn't portrayed as often in the pictures of Him playing with children or carrying sheep? What if gentle Jesus, meek and mild, was also passionate Jesus, fierce and wild? When we read the Gospels we get the full picture of Who Jesus was and continues to be. And the truth is, when we look honestly, we see instances where Jesus was dangerous. Join us in this series as we discover how Jesus was dangerous, and what this means for us as His followers.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? How do you picture Him? How would you describe Him? Kind. Gentle. Loving. Compassionate. Considerate. Dangerous? What if there was an aspect of Jesus' character that isn't portrayed as often in the pictures of Him playing with children or carrying sheep? What if gentle Jesus, meek and mild, was also passionate Jesus, fierce and wild? When we read the Gospels we get the full picture of Who Jesus was and continues to be. And the truth is, when we look honestly, we see instances where Jesus was dangerous. Join us in this series as we discover how Jesus was dangerous, and what this means for us as His followers.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? How do you picture Him? How would you describe Him? Kind. Gentle. Loving. Compassionate. Considerate. Dangerous? What if there was an aspect of Jesus' character that isn't portrayed as often in the pictures of Him playing with children or carrying sheep? What if gentle Jesus, meek and mild, was also passionate Jesus, fierce and wild? When we read the Gospels we get the full picture of Who Jesus was and continues to be. And the truth is, when we look honestly, we see instances where Jesus was dangerous. Join us in this series as we discover how Jesus was dangerous, and what this means for us as His followers.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? How do you picture Him? How would you describe Him? Kind. Gentle. Loving. Compassionate. Considerate. Dangerous? What if there was an aspect of Jesus' character that isn't portrayed as often in the pictures of Him playing with children or carrying sheep? What if gentle Jesus, meek and mild, was also passionate Jesus, fierce and wild? When we read the Gospels we get the full picture of Who Jesus was and continues to be. And the truth is, when we look honestly, we see instances where Jesus was dangerous. Join us in this series as we discover how Jesus was dangerous, and what this means for us as His followers.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? How do you picture Him? How would you describe Him? Kind. Gentle. Loving. Compassionate. Considerate. Dangerous? What if there was an aspect of Jesus' character that isn't portrayed as often in the pictures of Him playing with children or carrying sheep? What if gentle Jesus, meek and mild, was also passionate Jesus, fierce and wild? When we read the Gospels we get the full picture of Who Jesus was and continues to be. And the truth is, when we look honestly, we see instances where Jesus was dangerous. Join us in this series as we discover how Jesus was dangerous, and what this means for us as His followers.
We've all experienced those times where we've messed up, made a mistake, fallen short in some way, and feel as though, in a single moment, all the progress we'd made is lost. We've all experienced failure. But by God's grace in our lives, that failure doesn't have to be final.
We've all experienced the loneliness that can come from being in a place or around a group of people we don't quite fit in with. But sometimes the reason we don't fit in, could be because God is calling us to lead out.
There are times in our lives where our lonely place is actually a hiding place. In other words, we're in that place because we've chosen to be, because we've chosen to hide from something God has called us to help with. But God in His grace, will actually come to us in our hiding place, call us to be courageous, and then tells us one astounding truth that gives us all the courage we need to stop hiding and start helping.
The Apostle Peter tells us, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Well, being alone makes us even more vulnerable to his attacks and temptations. But this week, we're going to learn from a time where Jesus was tested and tempted by the devil, and we're going to see that Jesus shows us our foundation for fighting temptations, and that in this, we're never really alone in the fight.
Life is filled with many ups and downs; highs and lows. Perhaps no one in Scripture exemplifies this better than David. That's right, the giant-slaying shepherd boy. As we read the narrative of his life in Scripture, we see remarkable highs and regrettable lows, but perhaps none was as dramatic as the descent he experienced after he defeated Goliath. He went from celebrated to isolated, and because of King Saul's jealousy, David went from living in the palace with his wife, to living in a cave...alone. Yet, as we look closer, we see God using this time of isolation to produce a transformation in David. And just maybe, God can use our time in lonely places to do the same in us as well.
Have you ever felt alone? Disconnected? Surrounded by people, yet isolated somehow? Technology has made us more connected than ever, yet, studies increasingly show that we are lonelier than ever. And with the safety measures of social distancing and self-quarantining because of this pandemic, connecting with people isn't as easy as it used to be. So what do we do? Zoom meeting? Facetime? Or do we look to Scripture and see how God has always had a way of making lonely places serve greater purposes? Join us as we discuss the idea of learning to embrace the lonely places we may be experiencing, and the courage that comes from realizing we're never really alone.
Have you ever felt alone? Disconnected? Surrounded by people, yet isolated somehow? Technology has made us more connected than ever, yet, studies increasingly show that we are lonelier than ever. And with the safety measures of social distancing and self-quarantining because of this pandemic, connecting with people isn't as easy as it used to be. So what do we do? Zoom meeting? Facetime? Or do we look to Scripture and see how God has always had a way of making lonely places serve greater purposes? Join us as we discuss the idea of learning to embrace the lonely places we may be experiencing, and the courage that comes from realizing we're never really alone.
Do you know someone who never seems to be bothered by anything? Like, nothing phases them? No matter the circumstance, they're calm, cool, and collected? Well, that may not come natural to all of us, but this Sunday, we're going to look at a statement of Jesus that does make it possible for all of us. We're going to learn that no matter what may be going on around us, we can still have peace within us. So join us and find out how to obtain "The Peace You Need."
If you could ask God for one thing...what would it be? There's a fun question to think about. But how we answer that question also reveals a lot about what is really important to us in life. It reveals a lot about what we truly value. Because come on, if we could ask God for just one thing, we're going to want to make it count. Join us Sunday as we look to Scripture for some guidance on how to answer this question and see that there is one thing we can value above anything that creates the opportunity for us to have everything we really need.
We're wrapping up our series by discussing how we should respond when our taking desperate measures toward Jesus leads to us receiving heavenly treasure from Jesus, and how two simple words can have an incredible impact on our lives and our faith.
What if the answer to all the hurt and heartache we’re seeing in the news cycle and in our newsfeeds…What if the answer to all of the pain and cries for justice and equality…what if the answer for how we can put an end to the racism and racial divides that exist in our society…what if the answer is found in the question Jesus asks at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan? Today we're having a candid and honest conversation about the sin of racism and how Jesus teaches us to overcome it together.
How do you view God? Many of us may think we know how we'd answer that question, and a lot of our answers may be the true answer. But just because our answer is the true answer, doesn't necessarily mean it is the "true-for-you" answer. So, we may say we view Him as our Heavenly Father, but is that really the case? Join us this week as we discuss how we can be sure we view God properly, and what our response to receiving His mercy should be.
Often times when we cry out to Jesus for mercy, He will present us with two things we need to be prepared for as we receive it. Join us today as we learn what comes along with the mercy Jesus gives.
It's Mother's Day! And we're going to continue in our series Desperate Measures by observing the actions of Jesus' mother, Mary, when she found herself in a desperate situation, and learn how we can apply what she did to our desperate situations as well.
We're continuing our conversation on how taking desperate measures toward Jesus lead to heavenly treasures from Jesus. But, as we persist in prayer, we should not expect things to be easy. Join us as we discover how to persist in prayer when the problems come.
We're continuing our series Desperate Measures by observing the lengths a man named Bartimaeus went to to get Jesus' attention, and how we can learn from and apply what he did to the desperate situations we find ourselves in as well.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and there's no doubt we find ourselves in desperate times locally, nationally, and globally. So what are we to do? How are to respond in these desperate times?
Join us in our brand new series "Desperate Measures" as we discuss exactly that!