Eastpoint Church : Recent Episodes
Eastpoint Church
Welcome to the Eastpoint Church podcast. We exist to glorify God as a Gospel community that is growing in faith and reaching the world. Tune in every week to hear the Bible explained and applied. For more info, check us out at www.epeaston.com
Sermon Title: Yet To Be Told
Date: November 23, 2025
Passage: Psalm 78:4-7
Sermon Series: Vision Sunday
Speaker: Sam Cassese
What if the most important stories God wants to write through our church won’t be told in our lifetime?
This week we’ll look at a Psalm that pulls our eyes off the urgency of the present and onto the generations yet to be born. It raises a challenging question: are we building a faith, a culture, and a witness meant only for us...or for our children’s children?
Psalm 78 invites us into a vision of discipleship and ministry that outlives us— and calls us to consider what we’re planting today for the sake of tomorrow.
fortheshore.com
Sermon Title: Perfect Posture
Date: November 16, 2025
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Have you ever noticed how much posture matters? If we neglect it, we get sore, strained, and out of alignment.
The same is true in our faith. Churches can lose their balance. Hearts can drift out of alignment. As Paul closes his letter to the Thessalonians, he gives us a picture of the “perfect posture” for a church that’s ready for Jesus’ return.
How do we stay upright, healthy, and faithful to the end? Listen in!
Sermon Title: Sleepy Night Night
Date: November 9, 2025
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Speaker: Sam Cassese
We’ve all seen it — someone fighting sleep and losing. Eyes droop, head nods, the battle’s over. Staying awake can be hard, especially when you’re tired. But what about spiritually?
In a world that lulls us with comfort and distraction, Paul calls the church to wake up and live alert to what’s really coming. Are you awake... or just dreaming with your eyes open?
Sermon: Fine China - October 19, 2025
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Some things are meant to be handled with care. Fine china isn’t used every day — it’s set apart, treasured, and treated differently because of its value. In this week’s message, Paul calls the Thessalonians — and us — to live the same way.
In a culture that treats sex casually and reverence for God as optional, we’re reminded that our lives aren’t disposable or common. They’re meant to reflect something sacred — lives that are pure, intentional, and set apart to please God.
Sermon Title: Don't Be Shaken
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Date: October 12, 2025
Speaker: Michael Hearn
What happens to our faith when life gets hard, temptation sneaks in, and we’re not sure if we’re still standing firm? Paul knew that feeling well — so much so that he sent Timothy to check in on the believers in Thessalonica, desperate to know if their faith was holding strong. Join us and see why standing firm in the Lord isn’t just about surviving storms — it’s about thriving through them, together.
Sermon Title: Carry
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Date: 9/28/2025
Everyone carries themselves in a certain way. But what does it look like to carry yourself as someone who carries the gospel? This week we’ll look at Paul’s example—and discover how we can show up like Jesus in a world that’s hungry for truth. And along the way, we’ll see why the way we carry ourselves might speak louder than we realize.
Sermon: Still Standing
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Sermon Series: Faithful to the End
Date: September 21, 2025
Speaker: Sam Cassese
It’s a special weekend for Eastpoint as we launch a new campus in Centreville, and we’re starting with a look at the very first days of another young church—planted in the bustling city of Thessalonica.
Against pressure, opposition, and uncertainty, that church didn’t just survive, it thrived, and the ripple effects spread far and wide. What was their secret? In this sermon, we’ll uncover how God’s saving work in them became something the whole world could see. And we’ll discover how the same God who sparked a movement in Thessalonica is still at work here on the Eastern Shore, in your home, and in your story.
Sermon: Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Series: Multiiply
Passage: Acts 17:1-9
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Date: September 14, 2025
Some things are inseparable—salt and pepper, chips and salsa, peanut butter and jelly. In Acts 17, Paul and his church planting team bring the gospel to a new city, and as they do, there are two things that always go together when it’s time to plant a church and preach the gospel. What are they? Listen in as we see what they are and prepare to plant.
Title: The Followers Jesus is Looking For
Series: Disciple
Passage: Luke 19:1-10
Speaker: Ronnie Cannon
Date: August 31, 2025
Jesus is on a mission. He is looking for disciples-- people to follow Him, be transformed by Him, and partner with Him. But the question is, who can be a disciple of Jesus? Are there certain qualities, specific characteristics? Does He have a target demographic? This week, as we wrap up our Disciple series, we answer the question, Who is Jesus looking for?
Sermon: Partner
Sermon Series: Disciple
Passage: Mark 2:13-17
Speaker: Sam Cassese
What kind of person would Jesus invite into His circle? In Mark 2, we meet Levi, a
traitor, a crook and a man despised by his own people. However, no one is too far gone
for Jesus’ call, and no one too messy for His table. In this sermon we’ll see how Jesus comes
near to those who feel far, and how He invites you and me to join Him in that work.
Title: Transformed
Series: Disciple
Passage: Ephesians 4:17-24
Date: August 17, 2025
Speaker: Sam Cassese
It’s easy to settle for a spiritual facelift — a better attitude, some good influences, a little more spirituality. We can clean up a few habits, surround ourselves with good people and add some faith into the weekly routine. But what if the cracks run deeper? What if the change you really need isn’t skin deep, but soul deep? Ephesians 4 shows us that Jesus’ goal isn’t to simply improve you, but to transform you? The question is... how far are we willing to let Him go?
Join us as we explore this together and discover what true transformation looks like.
Title: The Pursuit
Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way
Passage: Psalm 119:57-64
Speaker: Daniel Fuoco
Date: August 3, 2025
We’re all chasing something—success, security, belonging. But not every pursuit satisfies. In Psalm 119:57–64, we discover that when God becomes our everything, everything changes—from our desires to our direction, and even our community.
Title: Show Me, Shape Me, Shield Me
Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way
Passage: Psalm 119:33-40
Speaker: Sam Cassese
In this sermon, we’ll explore what it truly means to depend on God. Are you self-reliant,
trusting your own strength and wisdom? Or are you God-reliant, recognizing your need
for His guidance and transformation? Join us as we unpack David’s heartfelt prayer to
God: “Show me the way, shape my heart, and shield me from harm.” Discover how the
blessed life comes not from our own efforts, but from walking faithfully on God’s path.
Title: Off Roading
Sermon Series: CXIX
Passage: Psalm 119:25-32
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Off-roading can be thrilling—quads in the dunes, tires on the sand, carving your own path. But when it comes to the life of faith, going off-road is dangerous. Still, if we're honest, even the most devoted hearts wander. Ever found yourself asking, “What am I doing here again?” knowing better, but doing otherwise? What do you do when you’ve veered off course? Come see what God offers to those who stray... and want to come home.
Title: The Longing for Belonging
Sermon Series: CXIX
Passage: Psalm 119:17-24
Speaker: Sam Cassese
What would you give up just to fit in? We all want to belong. From middle school to middle management, we long for a place where we’re seen, known, and accepted. But what happens when belonging seems to require compromise? What if fitting in means giving up something sacred? In this sermon, Psalm 119 offers hope for weary sojourners—those who feel out of place in a world that doesn’t share their values. Come and see where we can find a deeper kind of belonging—one that can’t be taken away.
Title: The Gracious Guardrail
Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way
Passage: Psalm 119:9-16
Speaker: Sam Cassese
What keeps you from veering off course? How do we stay steady when the road is slick with temptation, distraction, and spiritual drift? The psalmist asks a hauntingly honest question: How can a young man keep his way pure? It’s not just for the young—it’s for all of us trying to walk with God without slipping. In this sermon, we explore the tension between wholehearted devotion and wandering hearts—and the surprising provision God gives to keep us on the path.
Title: A Walk on the Way
Sermon Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way
Passage: Psalm 119:1-8
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Life can feel like a series of never-ending roundabouts. So many voices, so many choices — and all of them claiming to be the right way. But what if there really is a path that cuts through the noise, one that’s blessed, whole, and true? Psalm 119 opens with that very promise: there is a way, clearly marked and accessible to us, that leads us not just to truth but to Him. In this sermon we begin a journey on that path — a Walk on the Way.
Title: Watch Your Step
Passage: Ephesians 5:15-21
Speaker: Daniel Fuoco
Watch your step! Life moves fast, and it’s easy to drift without realizing it. Ephesians 5:15–21 calls us to slow down, tune in, and walk with intention. When we’re led by the Spirit, our steps have purpose, our hearts stay full, and our lives start to look a lot more like Jesus.
Sermon: Crowd Control
Passage: Luke 14:25-32
Speaker: Sam Cassese
In this sermon, we step back in time and into a crowd. Thousands were gathered around Jesus, all hungry for a miracle and eager to be near Him. But, instead of comforting words, He spoke something unexpected—something that made many in the crowd turn away. What challenged their hearts so deeply? And what does it mean for us who are seeking to follow Him today? Check out Crowd Control and discover why following Jesus isn’t always what the crowd expects.
Title: Decision Day
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Series: Runaway - The Gospel According to Philemon
Passage: Philemon 1:17-25
What if someone else could rewrite your resume? Not your job history—but the story of your life. This week, we reach the epic conclusion of Philemon, where two very different stories collide at the front door, and everything hinges on how one man chooses to respond. It’s a moment packed with tension, grace, and a surprising twist that just might reshape how you see God—and yourself.
Title: Mind Blown
Sermon Series: Runaway - The Gospel According to Philemon
Passage: Philemon 1:8-16
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Mind. Blown. This week we hit a moment in the story that is so unexpected, so grace-filled, it’ll make you sit back and say, “No way.” Paul sends a runaway slave back home… with a letter that changes everything. What should’ve ended in chains—or worse—becomes a display of gospel transformation, heart obedience, and God’s unstoppable sovereignty. If you've ever wondered what good could possibly come from your mess and mistakes, don’t miss this.
Title: First Things First
Sermon Series: Runaway - The Gospel According to Philemon
Passage: Philemon 1:1-8
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Picture this: A story that can change lives. One meant to be told over and over again—but more than that, a story that, once internalized, can change the trajectory of your entire future.
For followers of Jesus, that’s exactly what the Gospel is. It’s a real-life story that’s more than just something to know; it’s something that shapes how we live—how we treat others, how we invest our time and money, and how we respond when we’re wronged. Jesus’ followers are living proof that this story still changes lives. We see a powerful example of this in the book of Philemon—a story centered around a runaway named
Onesimus. His situation is real, complicated, and full of tension. It had the potential to erupt in drama, pain, and even death. But instead, it becomes a testament to what happens when the Gospel shapes our everyday decisions.
The story of Philemon isn’t just a one-off event; it reflects the Gospel itself. In one way or another, each of us has been a runaway—distancing ourselves from God or wandering down paths that took us far from Him. But the beautiful truth of the Gospel is this: God never stops pursuing us. And when we surrender to that pursuit, our story becomes one worth living and worth telling.
Title: The Rock of Refuge
Sermon Series: Stand Alone Sermon
Passage: Exodus 6: 1-13
Speaker: Jake Gamble
Feeling like the world is spiraling out of control? Exodus 6 reminds us that God isn’t fighting for power—He is power. Evil doesn’t stand a chance against Him. He’s not panicked, pressured, or outmatched. He is undefeated, unshaken, and forever in control. If you belong to Him, you’re already on the winning side. Join us this Sunday as we dive into The Rock of Refuge and discover the strength and peace that comes from trusting a God who never loses.
Title: Lost, But Not Left
Speaker: Ronnie Cannon
Passage: Romans 3:9-20
Let's be honest - nobody likes being told they are lost and need rescuing. But what if that's exactly what we need to hear? This week, we're diving into Romans 3:9-20, where Paul paints a pretty honest (and pretty rough) picture of our condition without Jesus. It's not just that we mess up sometimes- we are utterly lost on our own. But there is good news. God didn't leave us that way. Join us Sunday, ready to wrestle with the truth and see the hope that changes everything.
Title: Come Alive
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Series: Easter/In Our Place
Passage: Colossians 2:13-14 Do you long to come alive? Does your soul thirst for a life that is filled with meaning; we're not talking a pain free life - that doesn’t exist - or a life of hype moment after hype moment - that’s exhausting. But inside we long for a life of consistent joy and contentment, a level of purpose that makes sense of the highs and the lows, gives meaning to the momentous and the mundane. Do you long to wake up from the dream and truly live a life that can be called life? There’s only one place where this is found.
As we celebrate the fact that Jesus was made alive, we’re going to see where it is and how we can get there.
Title: My Old Man
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Series: In Our Place
Passage: Romans 6:1-11
I know it’s a bit unorthodox, but this week I’m going to introduce Eastpoint Church to my old man! He’s for sure an unusual guest, but he’s really going to help us understand this weeks’ passage in Romans 6. As a matter of fact, I would have a really hard time walking our church through this passage at all without telling you more about him and my somewhat complicated past with him. Learning about him is going to help you grasp this week’s passage in a whole new way and hopefully lead you to experience the level of insight, freedom and victory God wants you to have in your life.
In the mean time, please be praying for me and my relationship with My Old Man.
Title: Mission Impossible
Speaker: Daniel Fuoco
Series: In Our Place
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
What does it mean to be truly reconciled to God? In a world filled with broken relationships and misunderstandings, the Apostle Paul reminds us of a powerful truth: God has taken the first step in mending the divide between humanity and Himself. The offended seeks to forgive and reconcile with His offender! It seems like a Mission Impossible, yet Christ’s sacrifice makes this extraordinary reconciliation possible.
Join us as we explore how this incredible act of forgiveness invites us into a new reality of restoration, not just between us and God but also between us and each other.
Title: Blessed
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Series: In Our Place
Passage: Romans 5:6-11
In this series, we’re diving into one of the most impactful stories ever told—one that has shaped cultures, values, and lives for centuries. We want to invite you to ask yourself some questions like: Do you really understand what the Gospel is? What’s the big deal about Jesus’ death? What’s behind the idea that one person’s life and death can change everything for the rest of us? And what does it really mean when people say Jesus died “in our place”?
As Easter approaches, let’s take this opportunity to explore the deeper meaning behind these questions together. Whether you’ve heard these concepts a hundred times or this is your very first time, we invite you to see things from a new perspective. Get ready for an honest conversation about how this story might connect with your life—and why it still matters today!
Title: Too Busy Not To Pray
Speaker: Ty Grossman
Passage: Matthew 6:4-15
Many of us struggle with our prayer life, feeling that we should be doing better but unsure where to start. If this is you, you’re not alone. This week, we’ll look at a powerful moment when Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. Out of everything they saw Him do, the one thing they asked Him to teach them was prayer. As a church, let’s be a community marked by prayer—connecting with our Heavenly Father, not just asking, but spending time in true communion with Him knowing that we’re Too Busy Not to Pray.
prayer #Pray #thelordsprayer
Title: A Sickness
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Series: Relentless Grace: The Book of Jonah
Passage: Jonah 4
What’s the worst sickness you’ve ever had? Fever, chills, body aches? There’s one far worse—one that infects every heart and soul. Jonah had it. We have it. It’s not just painful; it’s dangerous. It warps our vision, twists our hearts, and poisons our joy. And if left untreated, it will consume us. This Sunday, we’ll expose the sickness and discover the only cure strong enough to heal it. Pastor Sam refers to an article at the end of his sermon. You'll find that article here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/forgive-offender-repent/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJKUlpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYmflI4nGSTKcIcGLxtHKpvpE4hJRA4ApH6wNt0oqpE-1Cvzw90K0UTPBg_aem_hyOq6qG4TpbY8fGVJRb3Zg
Title: You're Not Ready
Series: Relentless Grace - The Book of Jonah.
Passage: Jonah 3:1-10
This week in Jonah, we come to the climax of the book and it does not disappoint. Jonah gets a second chance and in a stunning, inexplicable turn of events, his message reaches all the way to the King of Nineveh. As we watch his response, we’ll see something in his story that all of can use in our own story. We’ll see it this Sunday, but just a heads up – You’re Not Ready.
secondchances #Transformation #growinfaith #repentance #surrender #transformyourheart
Title: Don't Call It A Comeback
Series: Relentless Grace
Passage: Jonah 2:1-10
Man overboard! Jonah is going down and sinking fast. But things are about to turn around for him. Don’t Call it a Comeback! In the next chapter of our story, we learn some powerful lessons about the storms we face and the God who directs them. We all know too well about the pain of the storm. But join us this Sunday and see how in addition to the pain, there’s also always a purpose.
Title: Man Overboard
Series: Relentless Grace
Passage: Jonah 1:1-17
How far is too far from the grace of God to be forgiven? Is there a line in the sand that, once crossed, you can never come back from? Have you ever felt too far from God’s reach? Too far from grace? There is good news for those who have thought, “I’m too far gone to be helped.” God desires to move in grace toward those who are far from Him.
The message of grace doesn’t end there. There is yet another warning to heed: To the follower of God, examine your heart. Are there things in your life that keep you from embodying God’s grace to those who have wronged you? Can those who have experienced the scandalous forgiveness of God ever be vindicated in withholding it?
The book of Jonah lays bare the truth: God desires to move in grace toward those who wound as well as those who have been wounded. Find out more about the radical forgiveness of God as we journey through the book of Jonah in our series, Relentless Grace.
Title: Cold and Dark
Speaker: Aaron Hixson
Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
In the dead of winter, it can feel like the cold and dark will never end. As we bundle up to avoid the weather, rush into our homes from the dark driveway, or hunker down against the never-ending viruses, our relationships can pay the price of our isolation. But the Scriptures are not silent on the dangers of relational isolation - in this message we’ll explore what wise King Solomon has to say about the importance of relationship in Ecclesiastes, and discover how Eastpoint has environments designed to push back against the darkness of isolation.
I. Lonely is miserable (Ecc. 4:7-8)
II. Lonely is hard (Ecc. 4:9)
III. Lonely is dangerous (Ecc. 4:10-12)
Main Idea: We are Better Together
Title: Why Multiply and How We Can
Series: Multiply
Speaker: Mark McGeever
Passages: Genesis 1:27-28, Ephesians 3:21, John 15:8, Mark 1:14-17, Luke 6:12-13, Mark 9:2, Mark 14:33
When Christ-centered disciples and churches multiply, God’s glory shines brighter and spreads further!
multiply #churchmultiplication #livingonmission #mission #missions #churchplanting #churchplant #easton #eastonmd #easternshore #Times12
Series: Multiply
Passage: Luke 10:1-12
What’s your favorite time of day? Sunrise? Quittin’ time? Dinner? What if I told you that 10:02 might just become your new favorite time? Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few—so He gave us a mission and a prayer. What does the Eastern Shore need more than anything? Come find out as we uncover Jesus’ strategy for a Kingdom movement that starts with you.
multiply #churchmultiplication #livingonmission #mission #missions #churchplanting #churchplant #easton #eastonmd #easternshore
Title: Decision Making Authority
Sermon Series: Multiply
Scripture: Acts 13:1-3
This week we get to see one of the major pivot points in the book of Acts and in the history of the Church. The mission is outgrowing the disciples and the players on the stage are changing. But in this new era, we learn who is really in charge, both in our lives and in the Church.
Join us for a special Sunday as we open up the Scripture together and publicly ordain a new pastor!
How would you respond to a miracle? What would you do? Who would you tell? Would it change your life? In this message, we encounter a miracle and find a variety of responses. As we watch these scenes unfold and witness the responses, one thing will become clear – multiplication is necessary! Join us for Miracle on 34th Lystra Drive.
Title: Messier Mangers
Series: Multiply
Passage: Acts 6:1-7
Most people love the idea of growth, especially in a church! Who doesn’t want more people hearing the gospel, more families, more baptisms, and more people following Jesus? After all, Jesus commissioned us to make more disciples! However, what we don’t realize, sometimes, is just what that growth will cost us…
This week, we continue our Multiply series and see how the cost of multiplication and Messier Mangers is not only worth it, but how God uses it to grow His church in unexpected ways.
Title: The Why in Multiply
Series: Multiply
Passage: Matthew 28:16-20
Imagine being a part of something that goes beyond your own personal journey and story. Imagine getting swept up into a movement, a collective rescue mission made up of rag-tag people whose unified purpose is creating a lasting impact that ripples through entire communities, breaking through barriers of gender, age, and race. Imagine becoming a part of something that existed before you and will exist long after your life ends.
God is inviting you to be a part of His disciple-making, church-multiplying rescue mission across the globe, and His plan to reach the world isn’t simply adding to the cause but MULTIPLYING through exponential influence.
Title: Worship the King
Speaker: Ronnie Cannon
Passage: Matthew 2:1-12
Excitement, joy, gratefulness, indifference, disappointment. We witnessed many responses on Christmas Day as children everywhere opened their gifts. The truth is that every gift elicits some type of response. The question we ask this week is what is our response to the greatest Gift ever given?
Title: Same Stuff
Speaker: Greg St Cyr
Passage: Hebrews 2:9-10, 14-17
The Christmas season is upon us and in the words of legendary Andy Williams:
"It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
Christmas is wonderful because Jesus came down to earth. Jesus became like us in our humanity. And like us, He had the same family dynamics, the same problems, the same stuff, even the same start (born from His mother’s womb) we have. That’s why Jesus can relate to us, and we can draw near to Him.
When you come, you’ll see that the church is adorned with decorations, hand-made ornaments, and family photos on trees so that you and those you invite will experience the wonder of Christ’s birth. But have you ever stopped to contemplate “Why? Why did Jesus become like us?”
Join us this Sunday in week 4 of our Advent series, Restored & Redeemed.
Title: A Tale of Two Hopes
Series: Restored & Redeemed
Passage: Isaiah 25:1-9
This week, we celebrate the Advent theme of Hope!
But... is hope real? Like for real, for real? Does it actually make a difference? Or is it just a nice sentiment we offer around the holidays to numb the pain and ease our loss? How can we know for sure that there is a better future that is worth longing for? What if this is as good as it gets?
In all honesty... it depends. Join us this week for A Tale of Two Hopes as we see whether or not hope is alive.
Title: Home, Sweet Home
Series: Restored & Redeemed
Passage: Isaiah 40:1-11
Home, Sweet Home! Sound familiar? As Christmas quickly approaches, many of us plan to return to our native homes to be with family. If you're from a good home, the idea of returning can be immensely comforting. That's not the case for everyone.
In Isaiah 40, we see a group of people who are also returning home after being exiled for 70 years. Many of them headed for a home they've only heard of but have never seen. As exiles, their current "home" is not so sweet, but God delivers the most comforting message for them and humanity.
Title: Great Implications
Series: Restored & Redeemed
Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6
No matter how hard we try as human beings, we cannot fix our own brokenness or clean up the messes in our lives. Even the best of us have failings, and let’s be honest… deep down inside we know we’re not the “best.” And yet, in the midst of our greatest failures, as we come face to face with the worst of ourselves, the utterly good news of the Gospel is this: Jesus is perfect. He died for you and for me. His death has repaid every debt that we never could. He loves us. Through Jesus the Christ, we are Restored and Redeemed.
We know that God is a God of vision.
All throughout the Bible, we see that He plans and He creates. Before the foundation of the world, He architected our salvation. Over six days, He spoke things into existence, painting His glory across the canvas of the universe. He is moving all of history according to His perfect will, toward His vision of the future.
And He is inviting us to be a part of it.
Title: A Little Longer
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 5:6-14
Peter closes his letter to the exiled Christians the same way he opened it. He encourages them to hope in the goodness of God and to not lose sight of God’s promise. Soon, he’ll bring us all home and our faith will be sight.
Title: Home Alone
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-5
When you were a kid, how did it feel to be left Home Alone? Did you enjoy staying behind at the house, feeling an exciting sense of independence and maturity? Or was it scary to have to fend for yourself and be on your own? Do you still find the idea of sleeping in an empty house unsettling as an adult?! Being home alone can certainly leave us feeling anxious and uncomfortable.
Jesus is building a family, a household of faith. We know He will come back for us…but until then, are we home alone? Are we left to fend for ourselves and figure it out until He returns? Peter shows us that Jesus has left more than just some money on the counter and a key under the mat for his people. We discover His plan to care and provide for His family this week in our latest installment of Home Field.
Title: Up, In And Out
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 4:8-19
It’s election week in the USA. Emotions will certainly be running high, and tempers may flare. Things may get a little crazy. However, we find a timely message from 1 Peter 4. We need not get involved in the social media beefs, participate in the water cooler feuds, or engage in the lawn sign wars. Instead, as we head to the ballot box, we must remember that we, as exiles, have been called to a very unique, counter-cultural stance. We’ll break down that stance this week as we gather to pray, serve, and worship as a gospel community.
Title: It's Working
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 3:18-4:6
Every day, Christian students face the risk of ridicule. Christians in the workplace face the threat of getting singled out for their faith. Christian missionaries face the danger of death. At times it may feel like with all the suffering we are failing. But take heart Christian, this week Peter tells us that suffering does not mean failing.
Title: Exiles Beware
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-17
Exiles Beware - it’s cray-cray out here. Suffering, violence, and hostility are normal experiences for those who have been set apart from this world and who now follow Jesus. So, how will you respond to the hostility aimed at you and the evil around you? What should our response be when we're made fun of for our faith, discriminated against for our values, and opposed because of our convictions?
Peter gives us three practical responses this week that will encourage our hearts and sustain our faith as live for Jesus without the benefit of home-field advantage.
Title: Marriage Restored
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 3:1-7
You've all heard the song. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...a lot of pain, confusion, and disappointment.
Marriage in our world is failing. More and more people in our culture are leaving the idea of marriage behind altogether, as a relic of a bygone era. Others are flooding to it, eager to redefine and recreate it according to their own agenda. Is this as good as it gets with marriage?
As Jesus calls us out and sets us apart from the Home Team, He takes us by the hand. He walks us away from the crowd and the culture of the Home Team into a long-forgotten, yet beautiful part of town. He stops before a huge curtained wall. He smiles at us and says, “Check this out,” before pulling back the curtain to reveal a breathtaking mural, a work of art we’ve never imagined possible; a portrait so stunning and glorious that it causes us to bow down and praise the artist. “Who designed this!” we ask. “Well, I did,” He smiles. "And now it’s yours. Follow me."
This week we see that Jesus is redeeming and restoring marriage, offering hope, and leading His people to rediscover the beauty of His original design. And when we as exiles see it, we will respond, “And it was very good."
Title: Stand Out, Heads Up
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 2:11-25
Have you ever felt like you were an outsider? That you just didn’t fit in, and everyone knew it? How’d it go?
Peter talks to a bunch of exiles of his own - the church. Those who have been called out of the world and now live for Jesus. Though they may live here, it’s obvious that they’re not from here. So Peter tells them, if you Stand Out, Heads Up! There’s something you might want to do.
Title: Under Construction
Series: Homefield: Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 2:1-10
Grab your hard hats and steel-toe shoes, because this week we are venturing into a construction zone. Please, don’t mind the traffic and tune out the noises, because what is coming soon will be well worth it. For this is the future site of... well, we’ll just show you this weekend. Don’t miss it. This week, we’re Under Construction.
Title: The Cocoa Cruiser
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Does life ever feel like a roller coaster? While the details may differ, we all experience the ups and downs, the tears and trials, the troubles and challenges. There’s no denying it: Life can be hard... especially for exiles.
This week Peter encourages us to hang on. He doesn’t offer tired cliches or trite sayings. He knows we cannot subsist on cute expressions and hallmark cards. And so instead, he gives us some valuable, much-needed perspective. He calls you and me to set our gaze on the future, for what is coming tomorrow, will help us endure what we face today.
Title: We're Gonna Make It
Series: Homefield - Peter's Letter to Exiles
Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-12
Have you ever been to a game where your team was the home team? It’s electric! As you sing, cheer, and clap with thousands of people wearing the same color as you, you can feel – “I belong here! These are my people.” Now, if you’ve ever been to an away game, you know…it’s a bit of a different story. You stand out. You’re often alone in your cheering, drawing the hostile glares of those around you. Sometimes it can even be outright dangerous. It makes a big difference to have the Home Field.
What do you do when you are living for Jesus and you don’t have the Home Field advantage? How do you handle being surrounded by those with values and convictions opposite to yours? How do we handle it when our convictions and values find us not in the popular majority but in the unpopular minority?
To answer this question, we turn to Peter’s first letter to followers of Jesus living out an unpopular fight amid the Roman Empire. Don’t miss it as we start this new series: Home Field.
Title: Gotcha
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: James 1:12-18
Life can be hard at times. And walking with Jesus is no stroll in the park either. We experience trials, our endurance is tested and many times we want to quit. As we go through these things we can start to wonder: where is God? Is he sitting back, waiting for us to stumble? Is He looking forward to seeing us fail so he can jump out with a Gotcha!
This week, as we look at the prism of his glory, we see that God is not a “gotcha” God. It’s quite the opposite...
Title: Knowing God
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: Acts 17:24-31
What is God like? How would you answer that? There are so many words and phrases floating out there. Culture is filled with people offering commentary and creating caricatures about the nature of God. But what do you believe?
As we read the Bible, we realize many views and assumptions about God are one-dimensional. They are flat and overly simplistic compared to the stunning, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, life-changing portrait painted on those pages.
Join us Sunday as we continue to pursue a 3D view of God and take a deep dive into another of His attributes: His knowability.
Title: A Beautiful Eulogy
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: Genesis 50:1-26
Why do bad things happen to good people? Where is God in the midst of suffering? What’s his response to evil? This week find some essential answers in a truly unexpected place: a funeral. We journey back through time and attend the funerals of some of the most important figures in biblical history, two of the patriarchs. As we listen to their Beautiful Eulogy, we’ll see a side of God that gives us comfort, confidence, and perspective, in both life and death.
Title: God is Always Near
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: Psalm 139:7-12
Do you have plenty of people in your life but still feel so alone? There are many reasons for life to feel lonely, but God promises to always be with us. How can we sense God's presence during these lonely times?
Title: Undeserving
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: Romans 5:1-8
What is God like? Is He gracious? You have probably heard a lot of people ask questions like, “If God is so loving, then why is there so much evil in the world?" As we continue in our series "3D - The Attributes of God," this week, we will pursue a deeper understanding of what God is like. Join us Sunday as we learn about God’s grace to the Undeserving in Romans 5:1-8.
Title: Motivated
Series: 3D - The Attributes of God
Passage: Isaiah 6:1-8
What is God like? How would you answer that? There are so many words and phrases floating out there. Culture is filled with people offering commentary and creating caricatures about the nature of God. But what do you believe?
As we read the Bible, we realize that so many of our views and assumptions about God are one-dimensional. They are flat and overly simplistic compared to the stunning, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and life-changing portraits painted on those pages. So join us for the next few weeks as we pursue a 3D view of God and see how what you find will change your life.
Title: Tale of Two Dinner Parties
Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God
Passage: Proverbs 9:1-18
The table has been set, the food has been cooked, the drinks have been poured. This week, Lady Wisdom is having a dinner party and she’s got an invitation with your name on it. But Folly is having a dinner party, as well and she’ll do whatever she can to make sure you're in attendance. You can only attend one. Your decision carries with it drastic consequences. Which one will you choose?
You’re invited! This week we receive a special invitation in the mail – there’s a party going down. The invites are sent and the activities are planned. Grab your party hats, your plus ones and your notebooks, because this is a party like you’ve never been to. Join us this Sunday where we’ll check out the party together. What we see there is sure to change your lives…because there Ain’t No Party Like a Wisdom Party!
Title: The Cost of Ignoring Wisdom
Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God
Passage: Proverbs 7:1-27
This week we have one of our favorite guest speakers returning to Eastpoint Church. With her gift for communication and her undeniable street smarts, she invites us to come, learn, and live. Her storytelling is second to none and her message this week is an important one: The Cost of Ignoring Wisdom.
Title: Heavenly Deposits
Speaker: Ty Grossman
Passage: Matthew 6:19-24
Have you ever thought about where you store up your treasure? I’m sure you do, we all do, bank accounts, investments, homes, cars, time, and energy are all places where we invest. This week, we will hear from Jesus a different way to think about our investments and where we store our treasure. He is calling us to make heavenly deposits that neither the elements of earth nor humans can tamper with.
Title: Price Tags
Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise and the Ways of God
Passage: Proverbs 6:20-35
How do you calculate the price of your actions? Are you able to determine the true cost of your decisions? Wouldn’t it be a lot easier if there were Price Tags? Well, there aren’t. So we’re back on God’s couch this week, nestling up with another cuppa and seeking wisdom. As He imparts to us insight and understanding, he’s going to shine a light and lead us to see the true cost of our actions. And watch out – because there’s one price tag, in particular, we don’t want even to go near, because if you touch it, you buy it. Buyer beware - there is one price tag you cannot afford to pay... none of us can.
Title: Wreck and Ruin
Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God
Passage: Proverbs 6:1-19
Most of the time we don’t see calamity coming. Often it’s in a moment, out of nowhere, that trouble comes to us suddenly, catching us unawares. How much of a difference would it make if we weren’t surprised! How much pain and disaster could be averted, if only we could see it coming and had time to plan accordingly…
This week in our new summer series, the Lord invites us over for some words of wisdom. As you listen to the words of the wise and the ways of God, He offers to open your eyes and make you aware of three things that could Wreck and Ruin your life.
Title: Gotta Do It
Speaker: Sam Cassese
Passage: Psalm 113
You gotta do it! We’ve all heard those words before. Someone has had an experience and they are eager to see you have it too. This week, the Psalmist enthusiastically tells us there is something that demands our attention and compels our participation. You gotta do it this summer. You gotta do it early and often. Do it in the morning and do it in the evening. Do it at work and do it on the weekends. Do it with your kids and do it with your neighbors. Whenever and wherever it is – it doesn’t matter. You just gotta do it!
Let’s gather together this weekend as a church family to see what it is. And as a matter of fact, we’ll even do it together.
Title: Lessons in Love
Speaker: Daniel Fuoco
Passage: 1 John 3:11-24
If I were to ask you, "What is love?" the definitions would be endless, and different from person to person. We also use the word "love" in varying degrees. "I love tacos." "I love that song!" "I love my daughter." All things are not equal in the love department. The Bible talks a lot about love... but what kind of love? In what context? What does the Bible mean when it says that we are to love? This Sunday the apostle John will take us to school as we get some Lessons in Love.
Title: Two Types of People
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 3:13-4:6
“The end is near!” In the final episode of our series, Malachi ends his oracle by fast-forwarding to the end of the world. What will it look like? Where will we be? As he gives us some eternal perspective, we will realize that there are Two Types of People in this world...
Title: Let It Go
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 3:6-12
You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their financial statements. Where they like to shop. What they prefer to eat. Where they like to travel. This week, Malachi has gotten ahold of the financial statements of God's people and they reveal something troubling. God's people are holding tight to something God has called them to hand over.
Title: The Response Plan
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 2:17-3:6
When it comes to any worthwhile endeavor, a response plan is vital! If things start to go sideways, what will we do? If the unexpected happens, how will we fix it? Having a plan can be the difference between success and failure, between tragedy and triumph, or even between life and death.
We live in a world that is broken and riddled with evil. So what’s the plan? What’s the Creator of this world going to do about it? This week, we turn to the book of Malachi, looking for hope, and ask, “God, what is your Response Plan?”
Title: Momma Always Says
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 2:10-16
Many of us have the memorable sayings of our mothers etched into our minds. We’re forever grateful for the wisdom they instilled in us and the lasting impact of their guidance. This week we honor our mothers and the mothers among us by listening to Malachi as he gives the people a message their mother would want them to hear...
Title: A Priestly Pathology
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 2:1-9
A spiritual sickness has infected God’s people. The symptoms are severe and the spread has reached epidemic proportions in ancient Israel. The Lord has traced the source of their disease and He is extremely upset, for the very people He’s entrusted with the spiritual wellbeing of His people... are the ones who have infected them. This week the Lord gives a strong warning to leadership of His people as He prepares the antidote for A Priestly Pathology.
Title: Honor
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malahi 1:6-14
This week, Malachi continues to show God’s people the signs and symptoms of their half-hearted devotion. In this second conversation, God “defines the relationship,” reminding them exactly Who it is they’re in a relationship with. And as He does, we will see that this special relationship calls for one important ingredient... Honor.
Title: The Motions of Faith
Series: Whole Heart
Passage: Malachi 1:1-5
Our hearts are pulled in countless directions. Like a weird episode of The Bachelor, many things seek to woo and win our hearts, competing for our time, mind share, and affection. The result: we’re divided. Our souls are worn thin as we’re stretched in a dozen different directions. We give distracted efforts to competing endeavors with half-hearted devotion. We wake up weary, wondering if what we’re doing is working. There must be more… In this series, God arrests our attention and confronts our idols, calling us back to the only place our souls truly come alive. Together, we’ll learn how the life we long for is found when we give God our Whole Heart.
Title: It's All About Jesus
Speaker: Todd Miles
Passage: Luke 24:13-53
Jesus understood and taught that all of the Scriptures are ultimately about Him. That not only makes Him the key to understanding the Bible; it reveals Him to be the Lord, the solution to humanity’s most pressing problem, and the fulfillment of every one of our deepest legitimate desires.
Title: The Presence of Jesus
Series: Life After Death
Passage: John 20:19-29
It's Sunday night. Just three days prior Jesus was brutally murdered and His body placed in a tomb. Now rumor has it He has risen. But without seeing it, His disciples won't believe it. We find them locked in a room, separated from the outside world. They are filled with fear, burdened with grief, and emptied of hope. If the rumor is true, if He really has risen, they are free from their despair. But is it true...?
Title: The Worst Kept Secret
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 16:1-20
He is risen! He is risen indeed. Death is defeated and hope is alive. Join us as we celebrate the empty tomb, unpack its implications for our lives and learn Jesus’ plan for continuing to advance the life-changing, history-shaping, soul-saving mission of His gospel.
Title: Order in the Court
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 15:1-15
Court is the place where justice is served... usually. What does it mean when the guilty walk free? How are we to feel when the innocent are condemned to death? What do we do when good men are given for guilty ones? Despite our sense of injustice, we’re invited to come and see how the greatest injustice in history has become the greatest blessing ever.
Title: The J-Word
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 14:53-72
Words are important, so we must choose them wisely. There are certain words we just don’t say. Some are rude and offensive. Other words make us bad company and are better left unsaid. And then there is a word in a category of its own... It can invoke hostility. People get mad, things get awkward and in some case the situation can grow dangerous. This week, we will hear “The J-word,” and learn that though things get hostile, God is always faithful.
Title: Under Pressure
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 14:43-52
Whether we like it or not, pressure (and our response to it) tends to reveal who we truly are. As we explore a moment of explosive tension in the final hours of Jesus' life, we see a number of responses from key people that reveal a character that is - well, less than stellar. But when we see how Jesus handles the intensity of the moment with characteristic grace, we're left with the strength to confront our hidden flaws with the confidence that we've been forgiven. Join us on Sunday as we go Under Pressure.
Title: Weak & Wandering
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 14:26-42
If you had to pick two words to describe your faith, what would you choose? What adjectives do you think best capture the level of your spiritual strength? Now what if Jesus were asked the same question, about you?
This week Jesus gives the disciples an honest glimpse of what’s inside of them. While the results may not be flattering, we’ll see why his assessment is dripping with unconditional love, unimaginable grace, and heartfelt hope. So calling all the Weak and Wandering - come and be encouraged as we hear from Jesus.
Title: The Last Supper
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 14:12-25
This week we come to one of the most famous moments in history: The Last Supper. As we go back in time and see Jesus eating with his disciples, we’ll find that there is something at the table that we all need. It’s not just history – the thing we’re longing for in the present and hoping for in the future is there – right there! Come, sit and join us as we dive into this passage, take communion together, and find what God is offering us at the table.
Title: Fork in the Road
Series: Life After Death
Passage: Mark 14:1-11
What is the most important place in the world? There’s a place where lives are changed, futures are shaped and destinies are formed. This place is so important that the quality of our entire lives depends on how we approach it. This week we draw near to the place and see a variety of approaches: scheming, devotion, greed, offense, indignation, and even betrayal. Come and see the most important place in the world and consider how your approach might lead you to joy, peace, and eternal life.
Title: The Last Lecture
Speaker: Michael Hearn
Passage: 2 Timothy 1&2
Discover the poignant "Last Lecture" of Paul from his dim, underground cell. With love and urgency, he pours out encouragement and exhortation to Timothy, echoing through centuries. Paul's raw honesty about his imminent execution and loneliness grips the soul. Yet, he implores Timothy to fan the flames of faith and embrace suffering as a soldier, athlete, and farmer in God's kingdom. This final charge resounds today, urging us to endure, compete by God's standards, and diligently cultivate hearts. Join the transformative journey of Paul's Last Lecture and embrace timeless wisdom for life's journey.
Title: If You Build It...
Series: All Hands On Deck
Passage: Exodus 35:4-29
What does it look like when God’s people catch a vision for something that matters? This week, we see Moses initiate one of the most important building projects ever. As the we see the people rally, we’re led to consider what we’re giving the energy of our life toward, and to ask ourselves – will it matter in 100 years.
Title: The Church Has Got Talent
Series: All Hands On Deck
Passage: Romans 12:3-8
Imagine a TV show in which gifted church members could compete. Each week they face off, pitting their talents and abilities against one another as judg... er, elders look on to determine definitively: Who is the best? We’d call it, The Church Has Got Talent.
Would it be entertaining? Would people tune in? Better question: Would it be good for us? This week we explore how God wants His gifted people to use His gracious gifts with a heart and mind that differs greatly from the culture of our world.
Title: Uplights
Series: All Hands On Deck
Passage: 1 Peter 4:10-11
What does your life have in common with night running? What could we learn, as a community of faith, from running in the dark? We find out this week as we turn to 1 Peter, an important letter written to followers of Jesus living in an environment that was hostile to their faith. Though they were surrounded by darkness, they had each been given something to help them dispel it. Join us this week for Uplights.
Title: Growing To Maturity As Christ's Body
Series: All Hands On Deck
Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16
Only time will tell where God is leading us, or what the future holds. Whatever it is... where ever it is... it will take ALL of us. This week, we are joined by Mark McGeever from Times12 to share about Growing To Maturity as Christ's Body.
Title: Body Language
Series: All Hands On Deck
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Eastpoint Church – we are on a mission.
God has called us to make a tangible difference in the lives of people all over the Eastern Shore. God is pursuing your families and friends, your children and their classmates, your coworkers and neighbors... and He wants to use you. We could sit back and hope someone else answers the call. Or we can, by faith, dare to believe He can use even people like us. If we’re going to be transformed into the change agents God is calling us to be, then we need to understand our roles; we need to understand 1 Corinthians 12; we need to understand the church’s Body Language.
Title: Remember When
Speaker: Ronnie Cannon
Passage: Joshua 4
On the last day of 2023, how does God want you to respond to the amazing things He has done this year? In one word: remember.
Title: The Venue
Series: HOPE: A Weary World Rejoices
Passage: Luke 2:8-14
It’s Christmas! Stockings are hung, lights are twinkling, trees are decorated and presents are wrapped. Every year, we see our whole community full of holiday cheer as they work to transform our normal spaces into a magical venue that is worthy of Christmas. As we go back to the very first Christmas, we take notice of The Venue and consider how it couldn’t have been a better place to announce the Hope of the world.
Title: Broken
Series: HOPE: A Weary World Rejoices
Passage: 42:1-9
The world is Broken… so where is God? Things have fallen far from the beauty of His creation. Peace and justice are scarce while darkness and sin prevail. But hope is not lost. This week we see how the God who created the world plans on fixing it.
Title: Fill in the Blank
Series: Hope: A Weary World Rejoices
Passage: Isaiah 11:1-10
How would you fill in the blank: When I get ___________, everything will be better. If I only could have ______________, I’d be okay. Those of us who long for better days are all putting our hope in something. Things will turn around - I know it! It just depends on ___________. This holiday season. what is the object of your hope?
This week, the prophet Isaiah comes forward with another message of hope, not just for Israel but for the whole world. To a hurt people and weary world, he says “take heart,” for a King is coming, and his name is ___________.
Title: Wishful Thinking
Series: Hope: A Weary World Rejoices
Passage: Isaiah 9:1-7
Sometimes the darkness is so thick that it feels like Wishful Thinking to imagine it could ever change. Promises of better days ring hollow and well-wishes feel hopelessly empty. Because of that, we think to ourselves, ‘wouldn’t it be nice!’ or ‘if only!’ and walk away. An end to the bleakness is just too good to be true…
This month we’re offered something better than wishful thinking or trite holiday cliches. To those who desperately need it, comes a message of HOPE. There is light for the darkness, freedom from our cycles and peace from the storms. This holiday season, come and see why the weary world rejoices.
Title: Lead the Way
Series: Shepherd: The Flock of God
Passage: Psalm 23
Have you ever been lost? Not knowing where to go or who to ask for help? Whether you were stuck in the middle of the woods without a compass or a season of life that left you asking the question, where do I go from here? We've all been there.
And no matter how great our navigation skills are, we need someone we can trust and depend on daily for direction. But who?
Over the last couple of weeks, we have learned how important it is for sheep to have a shepherd. And as we wrap up our Shepherd: The Flock of God series, we are going to walk with a Shepherd who goes above and beyond for His sheep. Let's follow as He Leads The Way.
Title: Shepherd Pain
Series: Shepherd: The Flock of God
Passage: Ezekiel 34:1-16
Imagine a group of shepherds, laughing and dining together. From afar, it looks like a merry feast! They are dressed in their holiday best and the aroma of sizzling meat fills the room. They welcome you in and ask if you’re hungry. When you ask what’s on the menu for the evening. They reply... sheep. The shepherds are eating... sheep.
We’re going to tune into a time in Israel’s history where this very thing happened. As we see God’s response, we will be comforted to know that He has plan for dealing with our Shepherd Pain.
Title: Between You & Me and Them
Series: Shepherd: The Flock of God
Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-5
Have you ever overheard a conversation you wish you hadn’t? Some matters are just better left “between you and me.” This week we find a super important conversation taking place between church elders... and they’re doing it in front of the entire congregation! However, we won’t excuse ourselves or leave them to it, because the more people who overhear this conversation the better.
We’re celebrating a major “milestone of maturity” this week at Eastpoint Church. You do not want to miss this important series. Grab your Bibles and join us as we follow God toward greater levels of health and into a God-glorifying future.
Come learn more as we begin our series, Shepherd the Flock of God.
Title: Jerusalem Has Fallen
Series: Return of the King
Passage: Mark 13
What would it be like if the heart of our nation, the capital, the seat of power and authority that represents our freedom was overtaken and destroyed by a foreign power? Well, this is exactly what happened in Jerusalem. Forty years before it happened, Jesus prophesied, telling his disciples what was to come. As we listen to Jesus address their future, we will receive comfort and wisdom for facing ours.
Title: When Fear Shakes Your Faith Passage: 1 Samuel 21:1-15 Symptoms of fear may include a racing heart, sweating palms, a spinning head, or a sinking stomach. That's how it affects your body, but what does it do to your faith? With new reasons to be afraid waiting around every turn, how does your faith respond? This week, as we look at 1 Samuel 21, we're going to see what happens when Fear Shakes Your Faith.
Title: Objects in Mirror Series: Return of the King Passage: Mark 12:35-44 We all know how the phrase goes: Objects in mirror are ... closer than they appear. Whether you’re backing out of the driveway, surfing the internet, talking to a neighbor or going to church – things aren't always what they seem. This week as Jesus teaches in the temple, he warns us of fake spirituality and points us to genuine devotion. And wouldn't you know it, in both scenarios – things are not as they appear.
Title: The Heart of GodSeries: Return of the KingPassage: Mark 12:28-34If someone asked you, “What matters most to God?” what would you say? We know there are a lot of teachings and so many stories – the Bible is a big book! But at the end of the day, if we could boil it all down, what does God want from me? What is most important to Him? What’s the heart of God? This week we learn the heart of God from the Son of God so that we can live as children of God.
Title: The AfterlifeSeries: Return of the KingPassage: Mark 12:18-27There are little questions and there are big questions. Little questions are obvious: What shirt should I wear? Chicken or beef? Cash or credit? But then there are big questions – like really big. These are questions about our existence, the universe and ultimate reality. Where did we come from? What’s the meaning of life? Is there life beyond our world? What happens to us when we die?This weekend Jesus tackles one of life’s biggest questions and thought-provoking topics: Is there an afterlife? As we listen to His teaching onThe Afterlife, we’ll consider how our approach to this life might be affectedby our take on the life to come.
Title: Canceling JesusSeries: Return of the KingPassage: Mark 12:13-17What would Jesus need to say to get canceled? This week, Jesus is drawn into some hot-button political issues. As we follow His story, we’ll see him weigh in on an important matter. And as He does, we’ll learn His answer. But we’ll also learn how we can respond to the tired and divisive issues of our world with a refreshing and wise approach. Grab your Bibles and join us for Canceling Jesus.
Title: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Series: Return of the King Passage: Mark 11:27 - 12:12 Everyone is building a life. We want to build good ones, stable ones, that will stand for something and withstand the storms of life. This weekend we’ll see a group of people who were building, like you and me. They were powerful, popular and seemingly successful. However, a good look in the mirror will reveal that they’ve missed the most important part of the project…
Title: Dead or AliveSeries: Return of the KingPassage: Mark 11:12-26Jesus has just arrived in the capital and he wastes no time. With a memorable scene under a fig tree and an unforgettable exchange in the temple courts, Jesus shows us what God thinks of empty religion and dead faith.
Title: The Savior King Series: Return of the King Passage: Mark 11:1-11 Two thousand years ago, people were asking the same question that many are asking today: Who is Jesus? More to the point, Is He relevant? This week Jesus arrives in the heart of the nation, the capital city, and with very few words and some startling statements, He declares powerfully that He’s the King we need.
Title: How To Live A Faithful Like Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs: 3:1-12 We all have a limited number of years on this earth. Don't you want them to mean something? Don't you want them to be fulfilling? We could look to the world and see that fulfillment comes from looking within. Or from buying this product. Or from being true to yourself. Or instead, we could return to Proverbs 3 and see that a faithful life is a fulfilling life.
Title: The TalkSeries: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of GodPassage: Proverbs 5What’s the Bible’s perspective on sex? Is God anti-sexuality? Does He leave us alone to figure out how this works? For those of us who are seeking to follow the grain of God’s design…where does this fit?This week we tune-in to a father having The Talk with his son. His instruction will teach us, who desire to walk on God’s path of life and light, how to avoid slipping up in our sexuality. With all the love and sincerity of a good father, he solemnly warns us of pain and happily directs us to pleasure.
Title: Do Not Enter Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs: 4:14-27 Want to be wise? Then get in the car, because we are continuing our journey through the Proverbs, where Wisdom is leading us through the paths of life. She’s teaching us, students of Wisdom, how to navigate and find our way to the blessed path. This week our travels being us across a very important road sign. As we approach the sign, Wisdom slows down, points out the window and has a lot to say. Pay attention, for those who ignore this sign will lose more than just their way – they will lose their life.
Title: When I Was Your Age Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs 4:1-13 If you were stranded on a deserted Island and could only bring one.... you've done this thought experiment before, right? Well, what if the question was more like this: what is the ONE THING you think someone needs to live life well? Is it grit? Curiosity? Determination? Something else? In this message we explore Proverbs 4:1-13 and get to overhear a Father/Son chat about what matters most for a life well lived.
Title: This Will Change Your Life Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs 3:13-35 To purchase a thirty second ad during the Super Bowl this year, advertisers paid on average seven million dollars. You read that right. It’s safe to say – they probably know what they’re doing… Advertisers understand that they’re not selling products – they’re offering lifestyles. If you drive their car, drink their beverages or wear their clothes, your life will be as fun and satisfying as the models in the commercials. Their pitch to you is nothing less than this: "This will change your life.” This week the Proverbs show us that there is something that really will change your life and it’s not false advertising.
Title: God's Path For Your LifeSeries; Proverbs: Words of the Wise & The Ways of GodPassage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Title: Wisdom From God & The Way Of The WorldSeries: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & The Ways of GodPassage: Proverbs 2:1-22She is crying out in the streets. She is raising her voice in the market place. She is speaking at the city gates. Everywhere you turn, there she is, Wisdom, calling out to you. The only problem is… so is the world. The world is there too, calling out with lies disguised as truth and temptation covered up by smooth words. Everyday you’re faced with the decision: Which voice will you listen to? Will you pursue wisdom from God or the way of the world?
Title: An Offer You Can't Refuse Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs 1:20-33 Life is hard. Situations can be sticky. Relationships are often confusing. And the happenings around us leave us scratching our heads, wondering what to do. There’s no denying – the complexity of this world requires a level of insight that allows us to identify and skillfully choose the ways that work well. We need wisdom! But where do you find it? And why doesn’t everyone have it? This week we invite a special friend to break it down for us and to make us An Offer You Can’t Refuse.
This weekend we welcomed back our good friend Andy Ziesemer with an update from the field! He was joined with other members of A Jesus Mission including Jeremy Camp, James Mead and Pierce Westfall.
Title: Warning for the Wise Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs 1:8-19 Could anyone use some wisdom? In the Proverbs, we’ve been invited to pull up a chair and get some. (Wisdom, that is!) As we incline our ear toward wisdom, we receive a lesson this week in the form of a warning. If we wish to walk in wise ways and desire to learn the ways that work well in life, then we must watch out for something that will wreck us. So the Lord invites us over and offers us a Warning For The Wise.
Title: The Was That Work Series: Proverbs: Words of the Wise & the Ways of God Passage: Proverbs 1:1-7 There is right and wrong... and then there is everything else. We need the ability to navigate the complex situations of life in this world. We need insight and understanding of The Ways that Work. We need wisdom. Join us this week as we begin our new series called, Proverbs: Words of the Wise and the Ways of God.
Title: The Eyes of Faith Series: Unveiled Passage: Mark 10:46-52 As we wrap up our Unveiled series with the final episode, there is one more person who wants to see Jesus. However, there is one issue: He’s blind. His eyes don’t work. However, his story provides a powerful lesson for all of us who wish to see Jesus. Through his encounter with Jesus, God teaches us that all who wish to see Him must approach Jesus with The Eyes of Faith.
Title: Walk Out Music
Series: Unveiled
Passage: Mark 10:32-45
This week Jesus is taking a walk that we’ll not soon forget. As we join Him on His walk to Jerusalem, we’ll learn that this may actually be the most important walk in human history.Join us as we open our Bibles and learn how this particular walk is filled with importance for Jesus, as well as significant implications for us.
Title: If I Was A Rich ManSeries: UnveiledPassage: Mark 10:17-31Jesus is heading out of town with His disciples. As He’s ready to depart, a man stops Him and kneels before Him. We learn that this man is very wealthy. However, on his mind today is not his great wealth, but his great question, the one he can’t shake. So he asks it to Jesus. By the end of this episode, Jesus’ response disappoints the man, shocks his disciples and calls every last one of us to a major crossroads in our life.
Title: The God Who Answers Series: Stand Alone Passage: 1 Kings 18:17-40 Let's set the scene. Elijah, a lone prophet of God. An evil king. 450 prophets of Baal. All of Israel in attendance. It was time to settle the matter: Whose god should the people follow? Whose god should the people worship? Whose god was the real God? A decision must be made.
Title: Marriage & Divorce Series: Unveiled Passage: Mark 10:1-12 Jesus has called us to follow Him, wherever He may go. He’s teaching His disciples to live in the Kingdom and His ways are counter-cultural. This week the Pharisees come and invite Jesus to weigh in on one of the hottest debates of their day: for what reason can someone divorce their spouse. Jesus engages their debate in a way that only He can and leaves us walking away with a greater commitment to following Him, even in our marriages.
Title: Mother's Day with JesusSeries: UnveiledPassage: Mark 10:13-16Jesus is busy. Countless people are crowding around Him. He’s teaching and ministering around the clock. It’s non-stop! However, there are some parents who have come forward and would like Jesus to bless their children. Is He too busy to be distracted by kids? Is His work too important to stop for children? This Mother's Day we’re going to learn a lot as we see the disciples’ and Jesus’ reaction toward these children.
Title: Pride SaysSeries: UnveiledPassage: Mark 9:38-50Last week, the disciples wanted to know who the greatest in the kingdom was and Jesus flipped the pecking order upside down. To be the greatest, you need to take the place of a servant. You would think this would settle the issue of pride in the disciples, but as we are going to see this week, it does not. The conversation continues and Jesus makes His disciples aware of the different areas that pride has crept in. Pride Says a lot of things and if we aren’t careful, we can start to believe in what it has to say.
Title: The G.O.A.T.Series: UnveiledPassage: Mark 9:33-37This week the disciples are asking a question that many of us have asked: Who is the greatest of all time? However, they weren’t debating basketball legends or hockey superstars. They were talking about… themselves. Yikes. This week Jesus doesn’t discourage their debate – he settles it and tells us exactly who God considers to be the greatest in His Kingdom. Grab your Bibles, bring your notebooks and join us as we turn to God’s word and consider the identity of the GOAT.
Title: Failing Forward Series: Unveiled Passage: Mark 9:14-29 We all fail. Some of us fail quietly. Some of us fail spectacularly. Fortunately, none of us have our failures immortalized forever and ever in the Bible for people to read about for the rest of human history. This week we see the disciples fail, but by God’s grace all is not lost. Jesus steps into the scene and uses this experience to teach a powerful lesson that they, and we, will need as we seek to reach our world for Jesus.
Title: Now You See Me Series: Unveiled Passage: Mark 9:1-13 What are the "You should have seen it" moments in your life? A catch to win the game? Bringing home your first child? A prank on a college roommate? This week, a few of Jesus' disciples are going to have another "You should have seen it" moment of their own. And as they do, we'll get a glimpse behind the veil of who Jesus really is.
Title: Which Way? Series: Easter Passage: Mark 8:27-38 Are you good with directions? However you answer that, we’ve all at some point in our life had our sense of direction put to the test. We’ve all had to do a double take on our GPS. We’ve all received instructions that leave us scratching our heads and asking, “Which way? ” This week, Jesus’ directions are sure to leave his audience in a state of confusion. As people are trying to find their way through life, searching for directions and asking “Which Way?”, He gathers them together and tells them that the directions are found…in Easter. Join us as we celebrate the Resurrection and listen to Jesus unpack the meaning of Easter.
Title: One or Two?Series: UnveiledPassage: Mark 8:14-26How’s your eye sight? Do you have 20/20 vision or are you as blind as a bat? Have you yet to break out the reading glasses or are you still holding out? Eventually we all need to face the music, and so we schedule an appointment with the eye doctor. We sit in the chair and have our vision checked as the optometrist ask us that famous question: “One or two?”This week the disciples sit down, not with the eye doctor, but with Jesus. And as he checks their eyes the diagnosis is bleak. But hopefully they, and we, will leave this encounter seeing better than they did at the beginning.
Title: Class is in SessionSeries: UnveiledPassage: Mark 8:1-13Grab your pens and notebooks because we are going back to school. Jesus continues to bring his disciples through this immersive internship and this weekend will be memorable as His classroom is a bit… unorthodox. By the time the lesson is done, however, the disciples will have a notebook full of life-changing truths – as will we. Get ready – for Class is in Session.
Title: Can You Hear Me Now Series: Unveiled Passage: March 7:31-37 How loud does God have to speak for the world to hear Him? This week Jesus meets a man who can’t hear anything. As He pulls him away from the crowd, Jesus is not only going to change the life of this broken human; he’s going to demonstrate to the world what it is He has come to do for all of humanity. So listen up! For as the Son works in power, we’re going to hear the Father speaking loud and clear.
Title: Far From Home
Series: Unveiled
Passage: Mark 7:24-30
We’re back in the Gospel of Mark and Jesus is going abroad. As he travels Far From Home, we’re going to learn what Jesus thinks about those who are far from God.
This week, we're welcoming back our friend Andy Ziesemer! Andy serves as the President of the missions organization A Jesus Mission, traveling to support missionaries and teams around the world.
Title: Dependable
Series: Grow
Passage: John 15:1-11
Have you ever depended on someone who didn't come through for you? The world teaches us that depending on others is dangerous and that the only person worth depending on is ourselves. But what does the Bible say about dependency? This week, as we wrap up our Grow series, we take a look at John 15 where Jesus shares some of His last words with His disciples. Along with some great gardening tips, we get a better understanding about dependency. Contrary to what the world says, there is one who is Dependable.
Title: The Collection For The Saints
Series: Grow
Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
There’s a famine in the land! A severe food shortage has hit Jerusalem and the followers of Jesus are in serious need. This week we learn that they received relief from an unlikely source. As we learn the story, we receive not only hope for our needs, but also a timeless example for followers of Jesus everywhere. This week we find another “mark of maturity" as we tune into The Collection for the Saints.
Title: All Hands On Deck
Series: Grow
Passage: 1 Peter 4:10-11
All Hands on Deck! This is what the captain of a ship would cry when everyone, and both of their hands, was needed up top. The moment required that everyone take their skills and expertise and get busy for the good of the ship. No one could afford to stay sleeping below. If they were going to make it, they needed everyone. This week in 1 Peter, the Lord is addressing a group of beleaguered believers. As they are figuring out how to stay standing and keep growing in the midst of harsh opposition, the Lord gives them a clue as He shouts, All Hands on Deck!
Title: Man On A Mission
Series: Grow
Passage: Matthew 28:16-20
What were Jesus’ last words before leaving earth? As the gospel of Matthew comes to a close, He leaves His disciples with some final instructions. As we mull over those final words ringing in our ears, they will shape our understanding of the Church and show us that to be a mature follower of Jesus is to carry on His mission.
Title: Don't Drop The Baton
Series: Grow
Passage: Deuteronomy 6:1-12
Israel is on the doorstep of the Promised Land. As they prepare to enter it, God’s instructions to them reveal to us another important mark of maturity. This week we see that God calls the community of faith to...
Title: Don't Hate, Cultivate
Series: Grow
Passage: Acts 2:42-47
Followers of Jesus GROW! This week we look for the second “mark of maturity” and we find it at Ground Zero of the Church. As we go back and follow the lives of Jesus’ first followers, we find that this growing movement of people was marked by a very particular mentality – and the world took notice. Join us this week as we ask the Lord to help us understand this trait and to empower us to cultivate it on our own lives. Don’t miss it as we continue with Don’t Hate, Cultivate
Title: Good News of Great Joy
Series: Hope of the World
Passage: Isaiah 61:1-3
Good news can change your entire life. All it takes is a few words to let you know that things will never be the same. This Christmas Eve, our messenger makes one final appearance to share with us a few words that will change your world... from the Creator of the world. He comes to us as a man on a mission, carrying Good News of Great Joy.
Title: Take A Walk
Series: Grow
Passage: Psalm 1
God is at work to make us GROW! He is actively at work in us to move us toward maturity. This week you’ll need your sneakers, because God is inviting you… on a walk! Our Creator will take us on a stroll, and along the way He will point out some sights as He reveals to us the first picture of a mature and godly follower of Jesus.
Title: God's Plan
Series: Grow
Passage: Colossians 1:21-22, 28-29
Happy New Year!
As most people are thinking about the resolutions and intentions they want to fulfill this year, we’re going to begin the new year by asking an even bigger question: What is God’s plan for my life? Join us as we look at God’s Plan and determine how we’ll respond to this plan in 2023 as a community of faith.
Title: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Series: Hope of the World
Passage: Isaiah 43:1-7
If actions are louder than words, than what is the most powerful way to say, “I love you”?
This week, God arrives with a declaration of love for His people as His people look forward to the ultimate demonstration of His affection: The advent of Love Himself. Join us on Sunday for He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.
Title: When Peace is in Pieces
Series: Hope of the World
Passage: Isaiah 25:6-9 & 26:1-4
Invasion. War. Factions. Displaced refugees. Not much has changed since 586 B.C. Globally, our peace is in pieces. Relationally, our society is not much better as gossip, division and hostility rule the day. Most of us can’t even spell the word “peace” behind our keyboards, even with 140 characters.
This week, Isaiah, God’s messenger comes to God’s people to tell them of a day when peace will rule the land and our hearts.
Title: Promise of Hope
Series: Hope of the World
Passage: Isaiah 35:1-10
The weather cools and the windows frost. The lights are going up and the eggnog is going down. Everyone is saying, “Tis the season!” as we all look forward to Christmas Day. But there was a time that an entire nation, the people of Israel, looked forward with even greater anticipation and hope. They longed for the day where they would be able to say “Tis the season” of God’s salvation.
Join us this week as we turn to Isaiah to feel their longing and hear their hope for the day their dark cloud of tragedy would be replaced with something infinity better.
Title: The Reconciler
Series: Reconciled
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
In order for us to be reconciled to each other, we need to understand how God has reconciled us to Him. This week, as we wrap up our Reconciled series, we take a look at Paul's word to the Corinthians on how to be imitators of the Reconciler.
Matthew 7:1-6
One of the most famous and often quoted verses in the Bible is "Do not judge." Whether they've heard it from the Bible or from 2Pac, most people know that being judgmental does not fit into Jesus' prescribed way of life. As we dive into this passage, how do we reconcile Jesus' call to not judge with the call He gave us last week to lovingly call people back from their wandering?
Title: The Rescue Mission
Series: Reconciled
Passage: Matthew 18:15-20
Sometimes relationships can become strained. We fail, we fall and we hurt each other in the process. For relationships to happen, we must embrace forgiveness as a way of life. However, before we can get to that step we first have a job to do. This week Jesus shows us how we handle sin and hurt in God’s family.
Title: Inside Out
Series: Greater
Passage: Luke 7:1-23
What a ride it's been. We've seen Jesus calm the storm more than once, feed thousands of people, command demons and heal the sick. As the fame of Jesus spreads, we are greeted by some old acquaintances that would love nothing more than to see Jesus fail.
This week, we see Jesus get called out by Israel's insiders who didn't know they would be turned Inside Out.
Title: Déjà Vu
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 6:45-56
Ever find yourself in a situation where you thought, “I swear, I’ve been here before.” Ever say something and felt, “I swear, I’ve said this before?” You’re not alone.
This week we’re going to experience some Déjà Vu as we get in a boat with the disciples – again. Here on this boat, God invites all of us who are fearful, anxious, stressed and worn by life itself to come and learn how to weather the storm.
Title: Guess Who's Back
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 6:30-44
Guess Who’s Back! The mission is complete and the disciples are back! Their mission successful, it’s now time for a little rest and relaxation. Some “me time,” if you will. This week we’re heading to a secret spot, a little escape by the lake to recharge. And while we're there, we're sure to make some memories that we'll never forget.
Here we go.
Title: Flashback to the Future
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 6:14-29
The disciples have been sent out on their first mission and they won’t be back until next week. While they’re gone, we reunite with an old friend, John the Baptist, with a little Flashback to the Future. As we follow his story we will learn what yesterday’s situation might mean for tomorrow’s mission.
Title: Hometown Hero
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 6:1-13
For weeks we’ve seen Jesus drawing massive crowds, healing the sick, and confronting the Kingdom of Darkness. But now Jesus is coming home, to his old stomping grounds, back to where it all began.
How will the town welcome their Hometown Hero? And how does his reception reflect on the kind of reception His followers might receive as they perpetuate His mission all over the world?
Title: The Key
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 5:21-43
Jesus is out here! We’ve seen him heal diseases with a touch, hush storms, and command demons. He is greater than anything we’ve ever seen. There are a million ways you and I can respond to Him. So what do we do? How do we relate to Jesus?
This week we see two people come to Jesus in desperate situations: A man with a dying daughter and a woman with an incurable disease. As they come to Jesus, He will teach them, and us, The Key to relating to Him.
Title: Turf War
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 5:1-20
“This town isn’t big enough for the two of us.” This is how every turf war begins.... probably. A turf war is when two rivaling forces compete for the same territory, the same neighborhood. They both want to assert their dominance and exercise their influence over the same area, and so a conflict ensues. And it’s often not pretty.
Having survived the storm on the sea, Jesus arrives on the other side with his disciples, in a new town, ready to launch an all out Turf War. There will be casualties... just not the one you might expect.
Title: The Storm
Series: Greater
Passage: Mark 4:35-41
Most people prefer to be shown rather than told. Those who quickly forget words and direct statements can easily recall scenes from a movie, illustrations from a book or a picture they took on their phone. Pictures are sticky. When we are shown, we usually remember.
This week we begin a new series, and the biblical author known as Mark is going to answer one of the most important questions we can ask in our lifetimes. To do so he is going to bring us on a journey, roping us into his narrative and giving us awe-inspiring stories that illustrate an answer we’ll never forget. Here he does more than tell us – he wants to show us. This week, the answer to our question is found in The Storm.
Title: How To Pray
Speaker: Ronnie Cannon
Passage: Matthew 6:5-15
You know the people in your life you can just talk to for hours on end? Who's the friend, parent, or co-worker you enjoy spending time with? When you have rich relationship with someone, the conversation seems to flow naturally.
What about your conversations with God? Does prayer come naturally to you? This week, Jesus is going to teach us how to pray. We'll see that it all starts with relationship with your Father.
Title: Rest Assured
Series: The Movement
Passage: Mark 1:21-34
What are some things you can count on? What would you consider to be a "guarantee"... a promise you can take to the bank every time?
This week Jesus reveals one such guarantee. With a few simple pictures He teaches us about this Kingdom movement. There are powerful principles at play that will not only change the world, but transforms our lives, marriages, families and friendships.
By the time He’s done, you’ll get it – you can Rest Assured.
Title: Mixed Reviews
Series: The Movement
Passage: Mark 4:1-20
Why is it that some people can watch a movie, binge a show or read a book and LOVE it —while others walk away from the same one saying, “Meh”? Our reactions really are as diverse and unique as we are. It’s always been this way. Jesus arrived on the scene to start a movement... teaching the crowds and turning the world upside down. And yet, even this King was met with Mixed Reviews.
This week Jesus turns to the critics and addresses their mixed reviews. As he does, you're invited to consider your own reaction to this life-changing message from this life-changing Savior.
Title: The In Crowd
Series: The Movement
Passage: Mark 3:20-35
Who doesn’t want to be a part of the “in-crowd.” Most of us want to be in, to feel accepted and belong. And yet few things are more elusive than the in-crowd. Who’s in and who’s out? How do we become a part? What do we have to do to be IN?
Jesus is building a movement and this week he’s going to take away the guesswork; He is going to tell us exactly who the in-crowd is... and the answer is not what you would expect.
Title: The Crowd
Series: The Movement
Passage: Mark 3:7-19
A moment can change everything. But moments come and go. Time passes and moments fade... growing smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. Moments are powerful. Moments change our lives. But moments are just moments.
When Jesus came to earth, He set out to build something bigger than a moment. He was creating something that would extend across the globe and reach the ends of the earth, for thousands of years. Jesus wasn’t creating the moment, He was creating a movement.
Do you tend to be lavish in your praise of others, dolling it out only in the rarest of circumstances? Or are you full of praise, encouragement and affirmation, giving it out to the point of almost seen insincere? Either way it may be time for a Praise Check. We dive into Psalm 100 as weconsider, what kind of praise does God deserve?
Do you tend to be lavish in your praise of others, dolling it out only in the rarest of circumstances? Or are you full of praise, encouragement andaffirmation, giving it out to the point of almostseen insincere? Either way it may be time for a Praise Check. We dive into Psalm 100 as weconsider, what kind of praise does God deserve?
Title: Pretty Big Secrets
Series: Songs of Summer
Passage: Psalm 32
We all have secrets. Hiding them gives us a sense that we are safe to what others might think about us. Yet, does hiding secrets help us feel any better? If you lack happiness and struggle with inner health, hear how Psalm 32 addresses our hidden secrets with healing forgiveness.
Title: Praise You Like I Should
Series: Songs of Summer
Passage: Psalm 146
Sometimes it is easy to give thanks and praise God. For the most part, we all live fairly good lives – we are healthy, employed, have our basic needs met, all good things which make it easy to praise God. But what happens when life takes the hard turn, when our health fails, our finances dry up, our lives become up-ended and we are filled with anxiety, stress, pain, and uncertainty?
For many of us, praising God in those times can be difficult. This week we look at a Psalm that reminds us why we can praise God in the good times and the bad.
Title: Look Up
Series: Songs of Summer
Passage: Psalm 113
Perspective is EVERYTHING. The quality of our vantage point determines how much we pay for tickets to the game. It determines the price of the ocean front property. Your point of view determines how you side in a debate or how you react to news. It can also determine how we respond to and face the difficulties of life. This week as we turn to Psalm 113, God is calling us to “Look Up.” And as we do, we’re going to receive some much needed... perspective.
Title: Sounds Like Team Spirit
Series: Songs of Summer
Passage: Psalm 133
Songs are powerful. They have the power to bring people together, but drive people apart. When we don’t have our priorities in check, we can let the small things divide us or we can choose (on purpose) to be a team. This week, as we start our new series in the Psalms, Songs of Summer, we are going to listen to a song that shares the importance of unity and why we should fight for it.
Title: Spot The Difference
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 2:18-3:6
As a kid I used to do these picture puzzles in my Highlights magazines called Spot the Difference. These puzzles were a good gauge of my ability to perceive the details. Are you attentive to the details? Is it fairly difficult for you to identify differences?
This week, Jesus is making some noise. He’s making some statements. And by the time he’s done, regardless of how attentive you are to the details, no matter how difficult it is for you to detect the differences, we will all see just how glaring the differences are between Him and the prevailing religious leaders of his day. This week we are going to Spot the Difference.
Title; Cafeteria Throwback
Series; The Arrival
Passage: Mark 2:13-17
Ask any high schooler and they will tell you what the scariest place on the planet is... the cafeteria. This week Jesus confronts the tendencies that prevail in high school cafeterias and continue to weave their way into our lives long after we leave those hallowed halls.
We’ll see you this week for our Cafeteria Throwback.
Title: Raise The Roof
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 2:1-12
If Jesus showed up and said, “Name it and I’ll fix it,” what would you ask from Him? This week we meet a man who could answer that question in a nanosecond. As he comes face to face with the King of God’s Kingdom, he’s going to walk away with even more than he expected.
Title: The Prayer. The Plan. The People.
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 1:35-45
If you want to find out who a person really is, find out what they prioritize. And as we follow Jesus around for another day, as we see what He prioritizes, the answer to the question we have been asking, who is this Jesus, becomes a little bit clearer. And as disciples of Jesus we must ask this question of ourselves, what do we prioritize?
Title: The Guest Speaker
Series; The Arrival
Passage: Mark 1:21-34
There are times in our lives when we’re reminded of the brokenness of our world. This past week has been one of those. The presence of darkness and evil taunt us. The dread of death and disease frighten us. We are like captives as we are confronted by painful reminders of our own mortality and of the world’s brokenness. This week we meet a Guest Speaker whose claims to have authority over both darkness and disease will be put to the test.
Title: What Time Is It?
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 1:14-20
What time is it? Everyone who has ever been in a team huddle or in a pre-game locker room knows that you don’t need a watch to answer that question. The correct answer is always, “Game time!” This is when the team realizes that the time has come. The moment they’ve been waiting for is finally here. The wait is over and now it’s time…
This week Jesus tells us what time it is and he’s not wearing a watch. By the time he’s done, there will be no confusion or debate as we consider our moment in redemptive history in time and ask the question, “What time is it?”
Title: A Day To Remember
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 1:9-13
Most days are unmemorable, coming and going with nothing noteworthy taking place. And then there are days that you will never forget. There are moments of such significance that you will always remember where you were and how you heard the news. This week we will experience anything but “just another day.” The implications and consequences of this event will change the lives of everyone in attendance and completely alter the course of human history. This Sunday, we continue our series and brace ourselves for A Day to Remember.
Title: The Red Carpet
Series: The Arrival
Passage: Mark 1:1-8
Every great story has a beginning. Jesus Christ came, fulfilling the plan of God told long ago and catalyzing a movement that would spread across the globe, transforming the world. Do you ever wonder what it was like at Ground Zero, the place where it all began? Let's go back to the beginning and see how things happened on day one.
In this series we're traveling back to The Arrival.
Title: A Jesus Mission
Speaker: Andy Ziesemer
"Humanitarian aid meets a need for a moment... it's temporal. Christian Missionaries provide aid through the lens of eternity. The supplies we're able to bring creates an opportunity to share the reason we're bringing them."
Today, we get to hear from missionary Andy Ziesemer about his missionary sending organization, A Jesus Mission.
Title: This Changes Everything
Speaker: Daniel Fuoco
Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Last week, we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus. His sacrifice made a way for us to have new life: eternal life. But how does the promise of eternal life change the way we live our regular, ordinary, everyday lives? The good and the bad of the messy middle? This week, we're gonna see how Peter encourages exiled believers of the hope they have on earth and in heaven. This hope changes everything.
Title: The Craziest Thing You've Ever Heard
Series: Gone
Passage: Luke 24:1-12; 36-49
During his lifetime, Jesus told his disciples that he would be betrayed, put to death and on the third day rise; a sequence of events that would change the course of history. But they didn’t get it… until Easter Sunday. On that day everything was made clear, as they looked for a body in a tomb, only to realize... He was gone.
Title: Time To Say Goodbye
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 4:10-21
What a trip! We’ve journeyed through the book of Philippians, verse by verse over the last few months. We’ve been challenged. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. And as a result, we’re different. Don’t miss our series finale this Sunday because it’s Time to Say Goodbye.
Title: One Hit Wonder
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 4:1-9
We know the marvel that is the One Hit Wonder. What started so well, with so much potential... flops.The ceiling was high and the future was bright – but nothing more materialized beyond the initial exciting moment. When that happens, we're left wondering, “What went wrong? Why couldn’t they go the distance?” This week, Paul gives the Church some vital instructions that, if heeded, will help us avoid that same fate.
Title: Press On
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 3:12-21
We know we’re not perfect. Every day, in different ways, our brokenness confronts us and reminds us of the many ways we fall short. Sometimes we despair at the sight of our own sin. We may bow our head in shame or throw our hands up in frustration. Other times we isolate from others or pretend like it’s all okay.This week in Philippians we’re presented with another option. As a matter of fact, it’s the only good option. We must Press On.
Title: Jesus+
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 3:1-11
We’re living in a world of “plus”. We have Disney+, Apple TV+, ESPN+, CNN+, and Paramount+. That little plus sign taunts us! We’re in, but not all the way. We have some of it, but there still more to be gained, a further step to be had. You need the “plus.”
Sometimes we approach our faith in the same way: We’re close to God family, but there’s still a little more to do to get all the way in. While the plus makes for great streaming services, it makes for a dangerous approach to following Jesus. This week we are warned to look out for the Jesus+ crowd.
Title: The Power of a Picture
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 2:19-30
It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. There’s no denying the effectiveness of a visual aid to make an idea memorable or the ability of an illustration to make a powerful point. This week we are introduced to two important people whose very lives are like living illustrations, demonstrating some key gospel principles and attesting to The Power of a Picture.
Title: What's It There For?
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 2:12-18
What’s your ultimate plan for your life? What is your highest priority, the goal toward which you are running with all earnestness? In this week’s passage we find one of the most important words in the English language and consider what it means for our life pursuits as we ask... “What’s it there for?”
The Key Ingredient
Unfinished
Philippians 2:1-11
Some people enjoy baking. Others enjoy eating baked goods. (Who are we to judge?) Either way, they both have the ability to tell when a "key ingredient" is missing.
Title: Have You Heard?
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:27-30
Your phone buzzes. You have a new text: “Have you heard?!” You want to know: What’s happening? What’s going on? What are people talking about?This week in our letter to the Philippians, Paul tells us what he hopes people will be talking about when they say... “Have you heard about those followers of Jesus?!”
Aaron Hixon
Single Sermon
2 Corinthians 3:5-18
THIS WEEK - We're welcoming our friend and guest speaker, Aaron Hixson from Bay Area Community Church!
Title: The Big Day
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:18-26
Paul, the author of our letter, is fastly approaching the biggest day of his life... His fate will soon be determined. This week he gives us an honest peek into his feelings, hopes and desires as he prepares for his big day. As we listen in and observe his approach to death, we are challenged to consider our very approach to life.
Title: Stop The Spread
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:12-18
The powers that be have tried to put the kibosh on Paul’s mission. There’s no more traveling; no more public gatherings or speaking engagements. The plans have been disrupted. What’s next? As we explore the outcomes of this frustrating situation, we’ll realize that you and I have been invited to participate in something that comes with a powerful promise.
Title: A Three-Part Prayer
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:9-11
We know we should pray...but how do we pray? What do we pray for? This week the love and affection that Paul has for those sitting at the table with him, his gospel-community, overflows into a powerful prayer. The result is a powerful pattern we can use to pray for ourselves and others. This week we take a look at a Three-Part prayer.
Title: Table Manners
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:3-8
What is it like around the dinner table at your place? How do you expect people to act? What’s appropriate? What’s inappropriate? We all have an idea of what the time and behavior around our tables should be like. This week we are introduced to a special table and as we take a seat we are going to learn what life is like around this table. This week we learn Table Manners.
Title: Buckle Up
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Philippians 1:1-2
We are going on a trip! This Sunday we begin an important journey through a book of the Bible: Philippians. And as in every journey, there is one thing we know for sure: We will be different by the time we make it to the end. This trip is going to change us. So get ready and Buckle Up... you don’t want to miss this.
Title: The Unstoppable Gospel
Series: Unfinished
Passage: Acts 16:16-34
Everyone has bad days. Paul and Silas enter new territory to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it isn't long before they are arrested, beaten and placed in prison for demonstrating God's power. The question is, can the advancement of the Gospel truly be stopped? This week, we look at Acts 16 and find out what happens when opposition tries to stop the Gospel and to those who place their trust in It.
Title: Beautiful Feet
Series: God With Us
Passage: Isaiah 51:1-8
The year was 586 B.C. God’s people have been marched across the continent in chains, being exiled into captivity. After years they wonder in despair, Where is God? Has He forgotten us? Is He even there? This week the dungeon door opens and a messenger arrives, bringing a message few would have expected: God Himself is coming. And redemption is with Him.
Title: The Shepherd King
Series: God With Us
Passage: Isaiah 40:9-11
Jerusalem is in shambles. The people are exiled, taken into captivity, and the temple has been destroyed. A prophet is sent to the mountain tops to proclaim a message that will change the outlook of their situation and alter the course of history forever: the arrival of the Shepherd King.
Title: The Sign of the Son
Series: God With Us
Passage: Isaiah 7:1-16
Jerusalem is surrounded! Two enemy kings have teamed up to wipe out King Ahaz and his people. The prophet Isaiah shows up with a word of encouragement and a call to not fear. God is about to make clear what He is going to do by providing a sign… the Sign of the Son.
Title: Life's Transitions
Guest Speaker: Allen Smith
Passage: Psalm 23
In life we all eventually go through major transitions. Whether it be moving away to school, having a baby, getting a new job, loosing a family member or friend, or simply getting older, we all experience a major transition at some point, and with each change we have to say “goodbye" to what is over before we can say “hello" to what is new.
David takes on a journey in Psalm 23 that also had many transitions. He went from “green pastures” to “dark valleys” then finally ends up “dwelling in the house of the Lord”. Come this Sunday to learn how the Lord helped David through his transitions and find hope for ours as well.
Title: Processing The Pain
Series: Cast Down
Passage: Psalm 43
The Sons of Korah have captured their grief, sadness, and longing in this powerful song. As we come to the final verse, we hear the Psalmist Processing the Pain. As he does, we find a timeless and powerful truth that will transform us, not only in the current season of pain but in every season that we will ever face again.
Title: Tides of Grief
Series: Cast Down
Passage: Psalm 42:6-11
Everyone loves the beach. We watch the waves come in and out; the tides rising and falling. It’s scenic. It’s also a picture of what our grief is like. Good days are followed by rough days and highs alternate with lows. This week we continue in Psalm 42 and see the psalmist experiencing the Tides of Grief.
Title: Gospel Fueled Prayer
Series: Single Sermon
Passage: Colossians 4:2-6
We are missionaries! We want to see the gospel spread and people come to know Jesus all over the shore. This week we learn that for that to happen, we need to depend on something vital: Gospel-Fueled Prayer
Title: Family Photos
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: Ephesians 2:11-19
How often do you look back at old family photos? How often do you scroll through old videos? There’s something special about remembering where we’ve come from. This week we end our series by looking at our church’s Family Photos.
Title: D.T.R.
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
There often comes a point in many key relationships where we need to have a D.T.R: A talk to “Define the Relationship." This week our picture of the Church will lead us to have a little DTR of our own as we contemplate: What is the relationship between a pastor and his people?
Title: It's A Wonderful Church
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: Matthew 5:13-16
If the Church disappeared, who would notice? What difference should the Church make in its local community and the world around it? This week we continue our 1000 series and get two pictures in one as we turn to one of Jesus’ most famous metaphors for the Church: Salt and Light.
Title: New Construction
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-8
There is some exciting new construction happening in Talbot County and the surrounding areas. This is no ordinary building project – God Himself is building something. What He is working on is going to change your life, massively impact the Shore, and ultimately change the world. Don’t miss this week as we visit the building site of powerful New Construction.
Title: The Body
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The Church is filled with people of different experiences, gifts, passions, personalities and temperaments. This week’s picture of the Church shows us these people can do more than simply coexist – they can come together and accomplish something even greater than the sum of their parts. Don’t miss this week’s picture as we dive into 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, The Body.
Title: The Sequel
Series: Cultivating From 1 John
Passage: 1 John 2:28-3:9
Jesus is coming back. How should those who have been made children of God prepare for this? This week we dive into a critical section of 1 John and see how we should live in light of His imminent return.
Title: The Field
Series: 1000 | Pictures of the Church
Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what does the Bible mean when it compares the Church to a field? Don’t miss this week’s message as The Field provides the cure for our human tendency to divide over opinions, preferences, positions, and even personalities.
Title: The Bride
Series: 1000 - Pictures of the Church
Text: Ephesians 5:25-27
It’s been said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” As Eastpoint Church launches, we’re going to look at some pictures in the Bible that teach us how God views the church and what He is calling us to be. Don’t miss this momentous day as we kick off with picture number one: The Bride.
Jesus and The Children
Series: Family Gathering
Passage: Matthew 19:13-15
As Jesus arrives in town, the crowds are growing and the demands are high. With so much to do, surely praying for little kids is at the bottom of the list… However, Jesus’ response shows us that in God’s kingdom, children are valuable, loved, and have more to teach us than we realize. We’ll look at this story with our children in our first ever Family Gathering.
Turn on the Lights
Series: Cultivating From 1 John
Passage: 1 John 1:5-10
We are in God’s family, partaking in this life together with God “at the table.” This week John addresses one thing that can destroy this community. Tune in to answer the question, “How do we handle our sin?"
Want to share how this message impacted you? Email us at podcast@epeaston.com
Set The Record Straight
Series - Cultivating From 1 John
Passage - 1 John 1:1-4
We begin a new journey this week into the letter of 1st John. As John writes to a group of Jesus’ followers, he wants to make sure, first and foremost, that they know the nature of The One they are following.