Aspire Church Podcast: Recent Episodes

Gary Lee Webber

Located at the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, Aspire Church is engaged with God in His mission to make all things new. Aspire Church is not what you might expect. While the Corinthian columns and stained glass windows may lead you to believe you know what this place is all about, don't make your decision until you meet the people. At Aspire we believe it is the people, not the building, that is the church. We believe it is our privilege to represent Jesus in San Marco by creating ministry environments where people can GATHER to worship God, GROW in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and GO in the power of His Spirit to serve the world.

A young ruler came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. By every visible measure, he was successful. He was moral, influential, financially secure, and still young enough to believe his best years were ahead of him. But Jesus saw the one thing standing between the man and the life he desired. When Jesus invited him to release his possessions and follow, the man walked away sorrowful. The Rich Young Ruler wanted eternal life as an addition to the life he had already built. Jesus invited him to surrender that life and receive something better. Join us for part one of Rich! as we consider the question: What do you possess that you cannot imagine placing in Jesus’ hands?

Some songs can only be sung by people who remember what it felt like to weep. Psalm 126 looks back on a season when God restored His people’s fortunes and filled their mouths with laughter. But it also looks forward with longing, asking God to do it again. This is the song of people who have tasted restoration but still carry tears. Join us for the final track of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. 5, where we will learn that biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It is faith that keeps us sowing, praying, and trusting, because the God who restored His people in the past can be trusted with what remains undone.

The road ahead can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. Psalm 121 was a song for pilgrims making their way toward Jerusalem, lifting their eyes to the hills and asking where their help would come from. The answer was not found in the hills themselves, but in the Maker of heaven and earth. Join us for Track 3 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. 5, where we will learn that God does not promise a trouble-free journey, but He does promise to keep His people every step of the way.

Every heart is thirsty for something. We chase satisfaction through success, comfort, approval, pleasure, and control, only to find that none of them can satisfy the soul’s deepest thirst. Psalm 63 was written in the wilderness, yet David’s greatest longing was not for water, safety, or escape. His soul thirsted for God. Join us for Track 2 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. 5, where we will discover that the life we seek is not found in getting more from God, but in wanting more of God.

There are seasons when prayer feels less like a song and more like a cry for help. “How long, O Lord?” is the sound of a weary soul that still believes God is there, even when He feels absent. Psalm 13 teaches us that biblical faith does not deny sorrow, suppress lament, or rush too quickly to easy answers. Instead, it brings the ache directly to God. Join us for Track 1 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. 5, where we will learn that lament is not the opposite of faith; it is often the language faith uses in the dark.

When Peter was invited to share a meal with a Roman officer named Cornelius, he faced a cultural barrier he had never crossed before. Through that experience, God showed him that the gospel was not limited to one group of people—the invitation to the table was for everyone. The early church realized that God’s family was much bigger than they imagined. This week, we wrap up the series by exploring how the table becomes a place of mission, where God welcomes people from every background into His family.

At a dinner hosted by a Pharisee, Jesus noticed that everyone was competing for the best seats at the table. In response, He taught that God’s kingdom operates differently — those who elevate themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be lifted up. At Jesus’ table, status and pride are replaced by humility and service. This week, we learn how the table becomes a place where our hearts are shaped to resemble Christ.

The earliest followers of Jesus dedicated themselves not only to teaching and prayer but also to sharing meals together. Day after day, they gathered in homes, breaking bread and celebrating God’s goodness with glad and generous hearts. Their relationships were deep, authentic, and life-giving. This week, we rediscover how shared meals helped shape the first Christian community and how they can strengthen our relationships today.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is often seen at a table—eating with tax collectors, sinners, and people others avoided. When Levi hosted a dinner for Jesus, it became a powerful picture of grace: the kingdom of God welcoming those who knew they needed mercy. Jesus used meals to bring people together, break down barriers, and invite people into a new life. This week, we see how following Jesus means extending the same kind of welcome to others.

In the tabernacle, God told Israel to build a special table and place bread on it as a sign of His presence among them. Centuries later, Jesus fed thousands and called Himself the Bread of Life — the One who truly satisfies the hunger of the human soul. God’s invitation has always been the same: come to the table and experience His presence. This week, we learn how every meal can become a reminder that God wants to be with His people.

On the night God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, He didn’t tell His people to pack their bags first — He told them to prepare a meal. The Passover table became the place where God’s people remembered His saving work and passed the story of redemption on to the next generation. In the same way, followers of Jesus gather around the table to remember that we too have been rescued — freed not from Egypt, but from sin. This week, we begin by rediscovering how the table helps us remember God’s grace and share His story with others.

Life doesn’t unfold the way we expect. At some point, the life we envisioned gives way to the life we're actually living. In that moment, many people assume something has gone wrong —but what if that moment is actually an invitation? In the final message of Home Work, we explore the story of Peter in John 21 and discover that spiritual growth happens in stages. The first half of life focuses on building, achieving, and defining who we are. The second half involves surrendering, trusting, and becoming who God designed us to be. God uses every stage of life — and every relationship in our lives — to shape us into people capable of love. The question isn’t just how you will live … but who you will become.

Everyone gets hurt — but not everyone heals. Bitterness imprisons families for generations, while forgiveness opens the door to freedom, peace, and restoration. In this powerful message from Matthew 18, we discover that forgiveness is not ignoring what happened or pretending it didn’t hurt — it is releasing a debt because Christ has released ours. Forgiven people become forgiving people.

Our daily habits shape who we become — not only as individuals, but as families. The traditions and routines of a family can shape our children and future generations for years to come. The routines we practice — whether it’s watching college football every Saturday or sharing meals around the dinner table — often become the patterns our children naturally adopt. That’s why God gave Israel such intentional instruction in Deuteronomy 6 — to ensure that daily family rhythms would continually reinforce faith and identity. Join us for Part Five of Home Work, as we explore how the sacred rhythms we build into our homes today can shape a lasting legacy of faith.

Since the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, it may seem that our society has become increasingly sexually promiscuous. However, we’ve probably just become more open about the promiscuity that has always existed. The early church faced a culture with destructive beliefs and practices related to human sexuality. One thing that set early Christians apart was their understanding of the beauty and sacredness of human sexuality as God designed it. Join us for Part Four of Home Work, as we discuss God’s design for human sexuality and how it points to the essence of our most basic desires.

The most intimate of all human relationships is the bond between a husband and wife. That makes marriage the most fulfilling, and potentially the most damaging, of all relationships. When God created man in His image, He said it was not good for him to be alone. So God instituted the marriage relationship. From Adam and Eve to the couple who just said, “I do,” marriage continues to be a source of fulfillment and pain for many people. Join us for Part Three of Home Work, as we explore what the Bible says about marriage, divorce, and singleness.

Families share more than DNA; they share traditions, habits, and patterns — some good, some not. The way we view and live our lives is often shaped by our families. What if we were intentional in building rhythms of blessing, planting seeds of faith, and learning to lean into God with our trust in Him? Join us for Part Two of Home Work as we seek to be a people after God’s heart.

Families share more than DNA; they also share traditions, habits, and patterns—some good, some not. The way we think about sex, money, marriage, work, and many other things has been shaped by our families of origin. Patterns of abuse, addiction, and personal bias can often be traced through our family tree. Join us for Part One of Home Work, where we will see God’s warning to families about the destructive patterns of sin and their effect on future generations.

Easter is more than just a tradition or a sentimental story — it is based on the bold claim that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. If that claim is false, Christianity collapses; but if it is true, it changes everything. In So What?, we’ll explore how the resurrection is not just proof that Jesus lives, but also power for how you live — transforming your identity, freeing you from striving to earn God’s approval, restoring what is broken, and inviting you into a life filled with purpose and the transforming presence of God. Join us this Easter and discover what it could mean for you to truly live in the power of the resurrection.

What if the moment that looked like defeat was actually the greatest victory in history? In the final Servant Song, Isaiah describes a figure so disfigured that He is barely recognizable — yet through His wounds, many are healed. Rejected, crushed, and cut off, the Servant bears not His own sin but ours. And then — shockingly — He lives, reigns, and justifies many. In this climactic message of The Servant Songs, we see that Jesus's suffering was not a tragedy but a substitution. The cross was not a loss — it was our salvation.

What does the Servant of the Lord do when obedience brings opposition and faithfulness brings suffering? In the third Servant Song, Isaiah presents a Messiah who listens humbly, suffers willingly, and remains unshaken in the face of injustice. “I have set my face like flint,” the Servant declares. In this message, we see how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s vision — refusing to turn back from the cross and trusting His Father for vindication. When trials tempt us to retreat, the flint-faced Savior invites us to fix our eyes on Him and follow in His steps.

What do you do when you believe God’s promises but still feel forgotten? In the second Servant Song, Isaiah reveals a salvation so vast it reaches the ends of the earth. Yet in the middle of that promise, God’s people cry out, “The Lord has forgotten me.” Rather than rebuking their doubt, God responds with tenderness — likening His love to that of a nursing mother and then going even further: “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” In song two of The Servant Songs, we see how Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s vision — not only as the Servant who brings salvation to the nations, but as the Savior who bears our names in wounded hands. When faith feels thin and pain feels personal, the gospel reminds us: we are not forgotten — we are held.

What kind of king brings justice without force, power without coercion, and victory through suffering? In the first of Isaiah’s Servant Songs, God introduces a ruler unlike any the world has known -- a servant who restores what is broken not by crushing the weak but by bearing their burdens. In this message, we see how Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s vision as the Servant King who brings healing, hope, and justice to a wounded world and invites His followers to walk the same path.

Paul’s doxology reminds us that God does more than we ask, think, or imagine ... not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

As the Digital Fast nears its end, the question is no longer what we will give up but what we will carry forward. In this message from 1 Peter 5, we are reminded that the Christian life is lived amid a spiritual battle -- and distraction is one of the enemy’s most effective tools. Rather than drifting back into old habits, followers of Jesus are invited to establish a Digital Rule of Life: a set of intentional rhythms and boundaries that help us remain sober-minded, spiritually alert, and open to the abundant life Jesus offers.

In a culture driven by constant connection and endless updates, missing out feels like failure. But what if it’s actually freedom? In this message from Romans 12:2, we discover how constant digital noise shapes our minds -- and how intentional absence can restore clarity, peace, and joy. As part of a 28-day digital fast, this sermon invites us to experience what happens when we stop conforming to the patterns of a distracted world and allow God to renew our minds. Sometimes the life we want most isn’t found by adding more -- but by letting go.

From the very beginning, God created humanity with limits -- not as a punishment, but as a gift. In this message from The Digital Dilemma series, we explore how the first temptation in the garden was an invitation to live without limits -- to be “like God.” Today, our devices whisper the same lie, promising unlimited knowledge, constant presence, and instant power. The result is a generation exhausted from trying to live beyond what we were made to bear. This sermon reveals why embracing God-given limits leads to rediscovering what it means to live fully human, fully present, and fully alive in Christ.

In the first week of The Digital Dilemma, we reveal the hidden spiritual battle behind our screens. Drawing from Jesus’ warning in John 10:10, we see how the digital world quietly steals our attention, destroys our peace, and robs us of joy -- often without us realizing it. But Jesus offers something completely different: a full, awake, abundant life. This message encourages you to take a 28-day digital fast to reclaim your focus, regain your peace, and refocus your life on God's presence.

In the final message of The Jesus Road, we examine Jesus’ claim to be ‘the Life.’ Eternal life is not just the reward of heaven but also the present reality of knowing God through Jesus Christ. This life starts now, develops as our desires are reshaped to love what Jesus loves, and lasts forever through the hope of resurrection. At the heart of this Life is a great exchange—dying to our old selves so that the risen Christ can live in us.

In a world overflowing with data yet starving for meaning, Jesus makes a powerful claim—not that He teaches the truth, but that He is the Truth. In part two of The Jesus Road, we explore the difference between facts and truth, between information and revelation, and between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him personally. Through Jesus’ conversation with Pilate, we see that truth is relational, not just rational; transformational, not just informational.

At the start of His ministry, Jesus didn’t deliver a lecture, creed, or doctrinal checklist. He extended an invitation: “Come and see. Follow Me.” In this opening message of The Jesus Road, we explore what Jesus meant when He said He was “the Way.” Before we understand everything about Jesus, we are called to walk with Him—to shape our lives around His way of living. This sermon encourages both seekers and believers to follow Jesus with their hands, habits, and daily actions, trusting that obedience comes before understanding and that walking in the Way leads us into the Truth and Life Jesus promises.

Who—or what—are you becoming? The Apostle John reminds us that we are children of God, being shaped into His likeness by what we focus our hearts and minds on. Just as a mirror reflects whatever stands before it, our lives mirror whatever captures our attention. This message encourages us to pause at the end of one year and the start of another, asking “Am I reflecting Christ or something else?” As we fix our gaze on Jesus, we discover not only who He is but also who we are becoming in Him.

In a world weary of corrupt leaders and broken systems, Isaiah promised a righteous King—a ruler whose love would make all things right. From the stump of Israel’s failure, God would raise a new branch to bring justice for the poor, peace to creation, and reconciliation for all people. This final message of Unto Us: The Gospel According to Isaiah reminds us that the love of Christmas is not sentimental but strong—the healing reign of a King whose love restores all things.

In a world where fear often drowns out gladness, Isaiah promised a sign: “Immanuel — God with us.” Joseph faced scandal, Mary faced uncertainty, yet both discovered that joy is not found in circumstances but in God’s presence. Part three of For Unto Us reminds us that the joy of Christmas is the assurance that God has not abandoned us — He has come near, and He is still with us.

In a world torn by conflict, Isaiah shares a stunning vision of swords turned into plowshares and nations streaming to the mountain of God. That vision became reality in Bethlehem when the Prince of Peace arrived to dwell among us. Peace is not the absence of conflict, nor the naïve optimism of pacifism. True peace is the presence of Christ — God’s peace made real. Join us for part 2 of For Unto Us, where we are reminded that Jesus is God’s declaration of peace on earth, and of His call to us to live as peacemakers in a world in desperate need of peace.

Long before Bethlehem, Isaiah saw Christmas coming. In a world of gloom and darkness, he promised a great light. That hope didn’t arrive through armies or politics but through a child—a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Part one of Unto Us: The Gospel According to Isaiah reminds us that Jesus is our only hope —the light in our darkness, the child in the manger, and the King whose reign will never end.

In a world that often silences truth and mocks faith, Isaiah shows us what it means to follow God into the darkness. Built through years of listening and obedience, the prophet learns to trust the Lord when the journey becomes painful. His words point ahead to Jesus, the ultimate Servant who set His face like flint and carried the light of God’s love through the shadow of the cross. Join us for the final message in the Here I Am series, where we discover that when the world rejects the truth, God’s Word still shines in the darkness—and so must we.

In a world ruled by fear and fueled by endless headlines, God’s people are called to live differently. When the kings of the earth trembled, Isaiah heard a counter-cultural command: “Do not fear what they fear. The Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy.” In this message, Pastor Gary Webber shows how faith in the face of fear becomes a declaration of hope in a despairing world—and how trusting the holiness of God can steady us amid cultural panic and personal anxiety.

When Isaiah entered the temple, it was just another day of worship—until he saw the Lord. In that moment, God's holiness revealed his sin, cleansed his lips, and forever changed his life. In this message, Pastor Gary Webber shows how God uses worship to reveal His glory, redeem our guilt, and empower us for His mission. God still calls imperfect people to proclaim His perfect message. When grace transforms our worship, our only response is, “Here I am — send me.”

Isaiah’s ministry began in a nation that looked devout but was spiritually diseased. The people performed acts of worship while ignoring justice, truth, and compassion. In this opening message from the Here I Am series, Pastor Gary Webber reminds us that before God can use us to change the world around us, He must first cleanse the world within us. Only when the “enemy within” is exposed and forgiven can we say, “Here I am, send me.”

In Luke 14:12-24, Jesus tells a story about a banquet where the invitations go to the most unlikely guests. God’s Kingdom is like that table - overflowing with grace and open to all. A Bridge to the Table calls us to extend that same invitation: to make room for one more, welcome the outsider, and reflect heaven’s hospitality here on earth. Love fills the table when we pray boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully - so that God’s house may be full.

What kind of legacy will we leave behind? In Luke 18:15–17, Jesus turns the world’s values upside down by welcoming children and declaring that the Kingdom belongs to them. A Bridge to the Future reminds us that the church is always one generation away from becoming a museum. Our calling is to see the next generation, invest in them today, and learn from their childlike faith. Legacy is not just what we leave behind—it’s who we raise up to follow Jesus. Love builds a bridge to the future when we pray for, serve with, and entrust leadership to those who will carry the gospel beyond us.

God’s heart has always been for the nations. From Abraham’s promise to Isaiah’s vision of a house of prayer for all peoples to John’s glimpse of a multitude before the throne, Scripture reveals a global mission. But like Israel, the church today can lose the plot when we forget who the Gospel is for. Join us for part 2 of Bridges, where we see that love crosses borders—racial, cultural, and personal. Jesus calls us to become a bridge to the nations—starting right here in our city.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us that real love is more than sentiment—it crosses the street. In this opening message of our Bridges series, we’ll explore what it means to love our city by seeing the needs around us, showing mercy to those the world overlooks, and sharing ourselves in ways that build lasting bridges. Aspire Church is called to be more than a place of worship; we are a church that is for Christ, for the city, for good. We are called to bring God’s love across every street and into every neighborhood.

Before we begin our new Bridges series, we pause with a prayer that never fails: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). In a world tired of empty words and unanswered longings, Jesus gives us a model prayer that is always heard and always answered — not because it bends God to our will, but because it bends us to His. This message sets the stage for Bridges by reminding us that the first and greatest bridge God builds is between heaven and earth, and that our mission is to live as people who bring His Kingdom to bear in every sphere of life.

In the final message of our Grasping for God series, we reach the last chapter of Jacob’s story — not his deathbed confession of failure, but his clearest act of faith. With failing eyesight, Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph and, in a surprising move, crosses his hands to give the greater blessing to the younger son. What looked like a mistake was actually a vision: for the first time, Jacob truly saw the world through the lens of grace. This moment shows that grace is more than something we need and more than something we experience — it is the power of God that reshapes how we live, how we see others, and how we trust Him for the future.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Mark Wilbanks back to the pulpit at Aspire Church San Marco. Dr. Wilbanks faithfully served as our pastor from 1985 to 2002. During his 17 years of leadership, Aspire experienced a season of remarkable growth, good health, and significant expansion of our facilities and property. His tenure left a lasting spiritual and structural legacy that continues to benefit our congregation today. Now retired, Dr. Wilbanks brings 47 years of pastoral ministry experience, having served churches in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and two seminary degrees, including a Doctor of Ministry. Mark is also the author of Along the Journey, a collection of essays, stories, and devotionals drawn from his life in ministry. He and his wife, Kimberly Perrin Wilbanks, have been married for 45 years. They now live in Birmingham, Alabama, and are the proud parents of Andrew (married to Lindsay, with three children) and Jordan (married to Beverly, with one son).

After a lifetime of grasping — for birthrights, blessings, and love — Jacob is finally left alone. On the eve of facing his greatest fear, he encounters his greatest opponent: God Himself. In this climactic moment, Jacob realizes that the fight was never with Esau, but with the God he’s resisted his whole life. In Part 5 of Grasping for God, we’ll see how real encounters with God are always personal, often painful, and ultimately transformative — and how sometimes, the only way to win is to surrender.

We were made for love—but we often grasp for it in all the wrong ways. Jacob thought Rachel’s beauty would heal his loneliness. Leah thought bearing children would earn her husband’s affection. Both were left unsatisfied. In Part 4 of Grasping for God, we’ll see that the love we truly long for can’t be found in romance, success, or family approval—it can only be found in the God who sees, hears, and loves us in Christ, the true Bridegroom who will never leave or forsake us.

Jacob is on the run—alone, afraid, and far from everything familiar. But in a forgotten place, with only a stone for a pillow, he has an encounter that changes everything. In Part three of Grasping for God, we see that God doesn’t wait for us to climb up to Him—He brings heaven down to us. Jacob’s dream of a stairway reveals a deeper truth: heaven is not accessed by striving, but opened by grace. What seemed like a dead end becomes a doorway. And in Jesus, the true ladder, the gate of heaven is still open.

We all long to be blessed — to be seen, named, and affirmed. But like Jacob, we often grasp for that blessing in all the wrong ways — by pretending, performing, and hiding who we truly are. In Part 2 of Grasping for God, we will examine Genesis 27 to understand the power of blessing, the problem of seeking it apart from God, and the promise of a blessing freely given through Jesus — the true Firstborn who was rejected so we could be accepted.

Legacy matters—but it’s not enough. Every generation must decide: Will we repeat the sins of our past, rely on the religion we inherited, or find a living faith of our own? In the opening message of our new series Grasping for God, we focus on the often-overlooked story of Isaac to examine how faith is handed down, reclaimed, and renewed—through trust in the God who offers living water.

Mike Domke is the Team Leader for Church Planting with the IMB for Kyiv, Ukraine. Mile and his family have served with the IMB since 2008. Before that, he served on the staff at San Jose Baptist Church from 1992 to 2008. Mike married JuliAn Swartz in 1988. They have three children: Michael, a Senior at William Carey University; Andrea, a freshman starting at William Carey University in the fall; and Joseph, who is in 11th grade at International Christian School in Budapest.

Today, we are pleased to welcome Cecil Seagle as our guest preacher. Cecil was married to Peggie Hames Seagle for 63 years. Together, they served Jesus’ Church as pastor and wife for over 20 years. Cecil led the Florida Baptist Convention’s mission division for 25 years. He also served as the Executive Director for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana for six years before retiring to Florida eight years ago. Since then, Cecil has continued to serve churches as an Interim Pastor and guest preacher. He is, of course, best known for being Mark Seagle’s dad!

Psalm 110 is the most quoted passage in the entire New Testament, yet many people are unfamiliar with it. Listen to track 5 of Summer Psalms Mixtape, Vol. 4, as we explore how Psalm 110 points us to Jesus—the exalted King, compassionate priest, and beautifully transforming Savior. In just seven verses, David reveals a vision of the Messiah that shapes all Christian theology. Come discover why this short psalm is so important and how the Savior it describes can change your life. 

We learn and grow through the struggles and trials we endure. Consider a child learning to walk or ride a bike. The bumps and bruises of learning are a necessary part of the process. What is true for learning to walk is also true for learning to follow Jesus. What if every pain you've ever faced was simply evidence of something new God was trying to create in you? Join us for Track 4 of The Summer Psalms Mixtape, where we will explore Psalm 69 to see how Jesus' suffering is a model for our own.  

Jesus screamed out the opening words of Psalm 22 from the cross. Written by King David, it describes a time when he was publicly humiliated and executed. It also explains how his humiliation led to the redemption of all nations. But there's one problem: this never actually happened to King David. Jewish readers couldn't understand what this Psalm was about until the death of Jesus on the cross. Listen in on track 3 of the Summer Psalms Mixtape as we explore the mystery of Psalm 22. 

Often, we make decisions and flesh out circumstances in emotionally charged environments. How do we trust in God and lean into His wisdom? How do we avoid turning toward misguided passions? What if, amid life’s chaos, we develop a strategic path in truth, wisdom and integrity. In this MixTape from Psalm 40, we will lean into David’s trust in God and apply legacy laden steps from His encounter with Saul found in 1 Samuel 24.

The Psalms are the hymns of ancient Israel. Jesus and His disciples sang them in worship as they traveled the dusty roads of ancient Palestine. Their words were even on Jesus' lips as He hung on the cross. The lyrics that brought so much hope and joy to Jesus continue to inspire His followers today. Join us each Sunday as we listen to a mixtape of Gospel Psalms that previewed Jesus’ life, mission, death, and resurrection hundreds of years before His birth.

Jesus didn’t invite us to convert to Christianity. He didn’t even call us to be Christians. In Antioch, we were first called Christians because the lives of those that have gone before us so mirrored the life of Jesus that they were known as Little Christs’. Jesus is calling us to apprentice under him into an entirely new way of life. To Be Transformed. To Know Him. To Become Like Him. To Live as He lived. Then, we become the people that we long to be and live the lives that we are destined to live.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels who appeared to His stunned disciples told them that He would “come back in the same way” they had seen Him leave. The church has often discussed the return of Jesus as something to be feared, but what if His return was finally the answer to our prayer for His “kingdom to come” and His “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven”? Join us for the conclusion of Ascended, where we will consider the nature of Jesus’ return, its timing, and the consequences for the church and the world.

When a Roman general defeated a city, he was honored with a victory parade into the Roman capital. His parade showcased his army, adoring citizens, and trophies from the conquered region, including those he had defeated in chains for all of Rome to see. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He also led a victory parade, not as a triumphant general, but as the Lamb who had been slain. Join us for part 3 of Ascended, where we will explore the heavenly perspective on Jesus’ ascension.

Following the shocking and joyous triumph of the resurrection, Jesus made several appearances to His disciples. Forty days later, He ascended to heaven, leaving His followers standing around, looking into the sky and wondering what it all meant. Why would Jesus leave? Wasn’t the resurrection the perfect opportunity to establish the kingdom of Israel and reign as the rightful and eternal king? Join us for part two of Ascended, where we will answer the question, “Why did Jesus leave?”

Every year, we celebrate Jesus's resurrection and His triumph over sin, death, and the grave. But the story doesn’t end there. While the disciples expected their resurrected King to reign on an earthly throne, Jesus had a divine mission that exceeded their expectations. Join us for a transformative sermon series on Jesus's ascension to learn how He bridged the gap between heaven and earth.

Join us in a world shrouded in mystery and ancient secrets for a riveting bonus episode of Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth. As we peel back the layers of time, we uncover the shocking truth: the body was missing, and the tomb was empty. What does this mean for the controversy surrounding Jesus’ death? Who were the key players in this pivotal moment? Delve into the evidence, the theories, and the implications that have captivated minds for centuries. Prepare for an episode that challenges everything you thought you knew about Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth!

In a gripping conclusion, we uncover the truth behind the question: Who killed Jesus of Nazareth? Was it the Roman governor or the chief priest? Should we blame Judas or some darker, more sinister force? Join us as we piece together the final moments and reveal the shocking truth about the crucifixion of Jesus.

Dr. James Peoples is the Director of Send Network Florida, a partnership between the North American Mission Board and the Florida Baptist Convention aimed at helping churches to plant churches—everywhere for everyone. Before this role, he served as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist in Keystone Heights, FL, for 23 years and held two terms as President of the Florida Baptist State Convention. James is married to Jeannie, and they have two children: Emily, who is recently married to Hunt Reagor, and Dana.

Join us for Episode 3 of, Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth, as we dive deep into one of history's most infamous betrayals: the case of Judas Iscariot. Who was the man behind the act that changed the course of human history? We will review the scriptures and seek to unravel the motives that drove Judas to betray his closest friend. Explore the complex web of politics, religion, and personal conflict that led to this ultimate act of treachery. Did greed, desperation, or a deeper prophecy compel him? Was he a villain or a tragic figure manipulated by fate?

Although the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, has been condemned by the church as responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion, there were forces beyond Pilate’s control that contributed to the murder of Jesus of Nazareth. Join us for episode two of Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth, where we will explore the religious cabal that manipulated Pilate and their reasons for wanting Jesus dead.

Step into a world filled with mystery and intrigue as we unravel the events that led to the crucifixion of one of history's most significant figures. Who truly orchestrated the death of Jesus of Nazareth? Was it the political maneuverings of the Roman Empire, the fervor of religious leaders, or something deeper? Join us each week as we delve into ancient texts, explore historical contexts, and reexamine the facts we believe we know so well. This isn’t just a story of betrayal; it’s a quest for truth. Join us each week to discover the truth about "Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth?"

Many people talk about someone who changed their lives in a big way. This could be a teacher, parent, coworker, or friend who helped you become more than you thought you could be. How can we be that person for others? Join us for part four of Leading from the Gap, where we will learn how to support and motivate others to fulfill their God-given purpose for the future.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Times of crisis test the character and faith of those called to lead. However, a crisis is more than a test for those already in positions of authority; it calls those with faith to stand in the gap and rise to the challenge by putting that faith into action. Join us for part three of Leading from the Gap, as we explore how Esther was a leader for such a time as this.

Have you ever been there? Standing in a gap created by a lack of leadership? The person in charge is unavailable or unwilling to lead, and suddenly, all eyes are on you. The world needs people who understand how to lead even when they’re not in charge. Fortunately, the Bible offers a great example in King David. Long before he became king, he was just a shepherd boy who demonstrated how to lead when you’re not in charge. Join us for part two of Leading from the Gap, where we will discover that leading when you’re not in charge requires humility, faith, and meekness.

A quick survey of world history confirms that leadership is forged in the crucible of adversity. Apart from the challenges of the Civil War and World War II, we may have never fully known the inspiring leadership of men like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Scripture chronicles the stories of men and women who answered God’s calls to lead through challenges of biblical proportions. Join us as we survey the lives of Moses, David, Esther, and Barnabas to learn how God bridges the gaps between heaven and earth through humble servant leaders.

Our life in Christ offers the possibility of unimaginably more. More than we can ask. More than we can imagine. More of Him and More of His way. The promise of Jesus is that He has come that we might have life… abounding life… life to the full. So much life that our cup overflows. We are offered this life in Him and shared life together. As we draw closer, Christ guides us in His way. Let’s venture with Paul and a few Macedonian friends and learn of the wonder of the way of Jesus.

You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their hands. Did these hands work on a keyboard or turn wrenches? Do they belong to someone young or old? The story of our hands reflects the story of our lives. Join us for the final message in Closer as we explore what the hands of Jesus reveal to us and how we can make our hands more like His.

God’s word warns that our hearts are deceptive above all things. But according to popular culture, our emotions should not only be believed, but they should also be our most trusted guide in life. Western society has largely abandoned absolute truth for the subjective, individual feelings of the moment. If we are called to love God with all our hearts, we must first understand what is wrong with our hearts and how we are powerless to change them on our own. Join us for part three of Closer, where we will discover that loving God with all our hearts first requires a total renovation of the heart.

According to economists, 2023 was the most expensive Christmas ever, with Americans spending an average of $1,652 per person. But what if economists are wrong? What if 2023 wasn’t the most expensive Christmas ever? Join us on Christmas Eve to learn how the most expensive gift you can give is not something you can buy in a store.

Sixty percent of churchgoers say their main reason for attending church is to feel closer to God. A recent survey found that most people who stopped attending church did so because they did not believe going helped them reach that goal. But this is like avoiding a pharmacy because going does not improve your health. If attending church cannot cultivate a close relationship with God, what will? Join us for a sermon series exploring how to draw closer to God in 2025.

Simeon and Anna were old – really old! From all outward appearances, they were completely out of time. They had waited and anticipated God’s provision, but as the end drew near, there seemed to be no way God could keep His promise. But that did not prevent Simeon and Anna from hoping and faithfully waiting for God. Join us for week five of The Heart of Worship as we explore how a heart of worship is a heart that patiently waits on the Lord.

The wise men are famous for their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but these may not have been the most precious gifts they gave the Christ Child. Join us for part four of The Heart of Worship, where we will see how generosity is the overflow of genuine worship.

Have you ever been told something that filled you with so much joy that you thought you might burst? Maybe it was when the doctors said there was no evidence of disease, or when you heard you got into your dream school, or when you received a promotion. Perhaps it was at the announcement that a baby was on the way. When the shepherds first heard the angels, they were filled with fear. But that fear was soon eclipsed by a contagious joy that spread from those few shepherds to the ends of the earth. Join us for part three of The Heart of Worship, where we will see how authentic worship produces a contagious joy that can change the world.

The quiet hero of the Christmas story is a modest carpenter named Joseph. Unlike Mary, the angels, and Zachariah, there's no record of Joseph offering a song of praise during that first Christmas; yet, without his faithful obedience, there would have been nothing worth singing about. Whereas the wise men brought gifts, Joseph had no riches to present to Jesus, but his obedience carried more value than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Join us for the second week of The Heart of Worship, where we’ll discover that our obedience represents the greatest form of our worship.

Church attendance dramatically increases in December. People love the familiarity of the Christmas story, the carols, and the beautiful nativities. However, Christmas is more than just a story about the birth of a baby; it is a story about worship. From Mary's gratitude to Joseph's obedience and from the shepherds' joy to the wise men's generosity, the Christmas story teaches us the art and heart of worship. Join us for week one of The Heart of Worship, where we will discover that true worship is born from a thankful heart.

When Jesus prayed, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven,” He wasn’t merely teaching us how to pray. He was giving us a mission and vision for how to live. The church has stood in the gap between heaven and earth for over two thousand years. While the gap seems to grow wider, we live with the hope that one day, Jesus’ prayer will finally be answered. Join us for week six of Bridge the Gap, where we will see a picture of a world without gaps.

According to most surveys, the church in America is experiencing a rapid decline in attendance and membership. A record number of church closures have caused some to question the church's long-term viability. When Jesus inaugurated the church, He said the “gates of hell would not prevail against it,” but what about the effects of apathy and distraction? Join us for part 5 of Bridge the Gap, where we will see how a bridge to the future requires the church to be built on the solid foundation of Jesus and His compelling vision for the future.

Jesus’ final charge to His disciples was to go to all nations, telling them the good news and inviting them to be a part of the Kingdom. As the nations come to Jacksonville, Aspire has an unprecedented opportunity to respond to Jesus’ call. Join us for part four of Bridge the Gap, where we will discover that building a bridge to the nations requires faith, action, and perseverance.

Nehemiah lived comfortably in a king's palace when he received word that his hometown was in ruins. It would have been easy for him to ignore the problem or make excuses about why it wasn’t his responsibility. Nehemiah did neither. Instead, he stood in the gap on behalf of the city of Jerusalem, rebuilding its walls and allowing God to use him to bless the city. Join us for part 3 of Bridge the Gap, where we will see how building a bridge to the city requires passion, courage, and a God-sized vision.

We’ve all been there—those situations where we’ve fallen just a little short. We may be short on time, out of money, or lack the know-how to get it done. During times like these, we pray for someone willing to step in and make up the difference, someone who would bridge the gap. The Bible is the story of how God has entered the gap of our world to make a way for us to be with Him for eternity. Join us for part two of Bridge the Gap, where we will see how God is searching for people willing to follow Him into the gap between heaven and earth.

There is a gap between how things should be and how things are. We can see gaps in everything from local politics to global economics. When we hear of a hungry child or a homeless veteran, we know a gap exists. When a marriage ends or a respected leader has a moral failure, we see the consequences of the gap. How did it get this way? Join us for part one of Bridge the Gap, where we will explore the origin of the gap and the only hope for overcoming it.

We’ve all felt the emotional pull of a heartfelt plea for generosity. A natural disaster strikes, and relief organizations run pictures of the devastation to inspire people to give money. An orphanage shows photos of a small child. A missionary tells a heart-wrenching story that inspires us to open our wallets. But what if there was another reason to be generous? What if we believed that generosity wasn’t just about addressing someone else’s needs but addressing one of the deepest needs in our souls? What if there was a selfish reason to be generous? Join us Sunday as Pastor Gary explores how generosity helps the soul of the giver.

We are delighted to welcome Rev. Patrick Coats as our guest speaker today. Patrick is a regional catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC). In this role, Patrick engages, encourages, and supports the Kingdom work of Florida Baptist Churches in the East Region and across the State of Florida. Patrick’s previous roles include serving as the Black Multicultural Church Catalyst for FBC, a Church Planting Missionary with the North American Mission Board, the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Covenant Baptist Church in Homestead, Florida, as well as being an Assistant Pastor at Grace of God Baptist Church in Miami, and as a Minister of Music at New Life Baptist Church in Coral City. Patrick is originally from Miami. He and his wife, Archalena are the parents of adult children and now reside in Jacksonville.

Americans have always prided themselves on their commitment to self-determination. We don’t have a king; we, the people, elect our presidents! So, it may surprise many Americans to learn that more than 30% of the men who have been president did not receive a majority of the vote. Maybe we have less control than we think. Join us for part 4 of The US of America, where we will learn the difference between control and responsibility.

Jesus once met with a high-level government official. In that exchange, we get an insight into His understanding of the differences between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God. Join us for part 3 of The US of America, where we will discover the differences between the Kingdom of the Sword and the Kingdom of our Lord.

Presidential candidates make a lot of promises. One may tell you he will solve the immigration issue, while the other claims to know how to resolve a centuries-long regional conflict. Most people realize that neither will be able to deliver on their promises. We instinctively know that our leaders are mortal, but that doesn’t keep us from trying to make them gods. Join us for Part 2, The US of America, where we explore the human desire for a once and future King who will bring about lasting peace for all the earth.

While it is probably an exaggeration to say that America has never been more divided than it is today, we are as politically and ideologically as polarized as we’ve been in generations. What responsibility does that church have to advocate for peace and unity in a fractured society? What role should the church play in the current political debates? Join us for The US of America as we explore how the Gospel compels believers to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation amid a troubled world.

We all agree with Dorothy when she says, “There is no place like home.” But finding our true home can be difficult. Every earthly dwelling we’ve ever called home is ultimately only temporary. Still, our hearts long for a place called home- a place we’ve never been but were always meant to be. Join us for part 5 of The Summer Psalms Mix Tape, Vol. III, where we will learn that our true home is not a place but a person.

Serious hikers appreciate the challenge of the journey. They understand that arriving at the destination is made all the sweeter because of the difficulties of the hike. The finish line of a marathon is only special to those who run the race. Join us for part 4 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. III, where we will see how the beauty of our Savior eclipses the trials of this life.

There is a thin line between the beautiful and the ugly. In the shadows of the world’s most beautiful places lies the ugliness of poverty and disease. We long for what is beautiful but are constantly confronted with the ugliness of war, famine, betrayal, and brokenness. How do we reconcile the world's ugliness with a divine longing for beauty? Join us for Part 3 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Volume III, where we will learn how God trades His beauty for the ashes of our sins.

To learn more or to register for any of these events go to app.AspireJax.org or contact Cindy Graves in the church office at info@aspirejax.org or (904) 396-6633.

The Psalms are the hymns of ancient Israel. Jesus and His disciples would have sung them in worship and as they traveled the dusty roads of ancient Palestine. Their words were even on Jesus' lips as He hung on the cross. The lyrics that brought so much hope and joy to Jesus continue to inspire His followers today. Join us each Sunday in August as we listen to a mixtape of Psalms describing God's beauty and majesty.

Aspire Church is delighted to welcome the Underwoods home! The Underwoods serve the IMB in Europe, where they share the hope of the Gospel with people from all over the world. Today, we are pleased to hear from Chris as he shares the Missionary Psalm (Psalm 67) to kick off our annual Summer Psalms Mixtape series.

Uncertainty is one of the only certainties in life. Whether it is health and money or the economy and politics, you can be sure that something unexpected is always just around the corner. So, how should God’s people respond to uncertainty? How can we have faith in the face of the unknown? Join us for the final message in The Pursuit of God, where we will see how Abraham’s faith gave Him confidence in God in the face of uncertain times.

Most people have had the unfortunate experience of feeling “used.” Someone wanted something from you but had little or no regard for you after they got what they wanted. You were merely a means to an end. It’s a terrible feeling, yet that is how many of us treat God. We seek Him in our need, but after receiving the gift, we forget the Giver. Join us for part 6 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that we will never be satisfied with the promises of God until we are satisfied with the God of the promise.

There is an art to listening, and people who do it well offer a precious gift to those blessed to engage in a conversation with them. Most people talk to be heard, but some seek to listen and understand first. Prayer, in its most basic form, is a conversation with God. But perhaps you’ve wondered if your prayers are one-sided conversations. Join us for part 5 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn about the God who hears and responds to our cries for help.

Have you ever reached your limit? Maybe it was an issue of physical stamina or mental ability. Perhaps it was a financial limit or a matter of not having enough time. Every human has their limit, and we are frequently tempted to project those limitations on God. Join us for part 4 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that God’s power is perfected in human weakness.

In a busy world with so many voices clamoring for attention, it would be easy to feel lost in the crowd. Does anyone see me? Does anyone hear me? Does anyone care? And if there is a God, does He see me or care about my life? Join us for part 3 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn how God sees us even when we can’t see Him.

Studies have shown that more than half of those who use GPS ignore the directions they get from it. It is probably no surprise that men ignore the directions far more than women! Ignoring directions may not be a big deal when navigating to a new restaurant or assembling furniture from Ikea. But it can have serious consequences when the directions come from God. Join us for part two of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that you cannot ignore God’s direction and walk in His ways.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The same can be said about our pursuit of God. A single act of faith is the key to finding God, His purpose, and His ways. Join us for a series from Genesis 11-25 about Abraham and Isaac and how their pursuit of God reminds us that those who seek God will find Him when they seek Him with all their hearts.

Unlike any other organization or institution, the church does not exist primarily for the benefit of its members. The Church is not about us; it’s about Him. And because God has called us to make Him known to the ends of the earth, the church must also be about “them” – those who have yet to be reached with the message of the Gospel. Join us for the final message in This is Us, where we will learn that the church exists primarily for the benefit of its non-members.

Celebrity culture is a billion-dollar industry. Social media influencers and celebrities rely on public exposure (good and bad) to maintain their power. Jesus was a celebrity in first-century Palestine. Religious and political leaders knew His name, and thousands flocked to hear Him teach. But Jesus never relied on His celebrity. In fact, He was willing to give it away to those who followed Him. Join us for Part 9 of This Is Us to see how Jesus calls everyone in His Church to be a kingdom of priests.

Henry Ford is often credited with the creation of the modern assembly line. This simple concept revolutionized industry around the world. Assembly lines are great for products but terrible for people. Whether it is the automated voice system answering your calls or the self-check line at your favorite big box store, we have all experienced the frustrations of being placed on the automated assembly line. Join us for part 8 of This is Us, where we will learn that disciples can’t be made on the assembly lines of programs but must be handcrafted.

Life is full of transitions. Sometimes we choose the transition and sometimes it is forced upon us. Whatever leads us to it, change is an opportunity to grow and serve God as we commit to following Him. Join us for part 7 of This Is Us, where we will learn that God is calling us to bloom wherever He plants us.

They exist everywhere. Little contradictions that are sometimes humorous and sometimes downright disturbing. From driving on a parkway and parking in a driveway to the endorsement of slavery by a nation whose founding document states that all men are created equal. But what happens when the message of the Gospel is contradicted by the church that is proclaiming it? Join us for part 6 of This Is Us, where we will learn that the Gospel is validated by the unity of the Church.

Twenty years ago, no one had a smartphone, and few had social media accounts. Twenty years before that, no one had heard of e-mail or the Internet. One hundred years before that, people relied on a horse and buggy for transportation. Technology and culture continue to change at an accelerated rate. With all that has changed, how has the church endured? Join us for part 5 of This is Us, where we will explore the one enduring truth that holds us together.

Companies and organizations measure their success and report it to their stakeholders. How much did we make (or lose)? What was our quarterly growth (or decline)? Did we come in on time and under budget (or is someone getting fired)? The institutional church also has a set of metrics it uses to measure its success. How many people were in worship this week? How much money was collected in the offering last month? How many people did we baptize the previous year? But is that the best way to determine the success of a Jesus Centered Community? Join us for part four of This Is Us, where we will learn that we measure success by our sending capacity rather than our seating capacity.

Jesus commissioned His church to “Make disciples of all nations.” But there is a difference between making disciples and faking them. Join us for part 3 of This Is Us to learn how Jesus responded to fake disciples and what it takes to truly make a disciple of Jesus.

When Jesus gathered His disciples in the Upper Room, they were confronted with the price He would pay for their redemption. After the Resurrection, Jesus again met His Disciples in the Upper Room, and it was there that the church was born. Join us for part two of This is Us, where we will discover that Jesus-centered communities are built by people who live in the Upper Room.

From the fall in Genesis to the final scene of Revelation, the Bible tells the story of how God is building a new kind of community—a people He set apart for His glory. But from its very beginning, controversy has surrounded the Church. People throughout history—insiders and outsiders alike—have struggled to understand the Church and its mission. Join us every Sunday for This Is Us, a sermon series exploring a new kind of family and its mission to heal a broken world.

We are constantly inundated with information. To manage this persistent flow, many people ask two simple questions: Is it true, and is it useful? Join us on Easter Sunday as we consider the claim that God raised Jesus from the dead by answering those two questions. Is it true? And is it useful?

Long before His arrest, Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to follow Him, they would have to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. It is doubtful the disciples fully understood what Jesus meant. Even two thousand years after His crucifixion, understanding what it means to bear Jesus’ cross can be difficult. Join us for a series exploring the Cross Walk that leads to the Kingdom.

Long before His arrest, Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to follow Him, they would have to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. It is doubtful the disciples fully understood what Jesus meant. Even two thousand years after His crucifixion, understanding what it means to bear Jesus’ cross can be difficult. Join us for a series exploring the Cross Walk that leads to the Kingdom.

We are excited to welcome home Mark and Kim Wilbanks. Mark pastored Southside Baptist Church from 1985 to 2002. During the Dr. Wilbanks’s 17 years of leadership, Aspire experienced significant growth, a prolonged season of health and vitality, and a massive expansion and renovation of our facilities and property. After leaving Aspire, Mark pastored in Tallahassee and Atlanta before retiring to Birmingham, Alabama. He has just released his first book, Along the Journey, a collection of essays, stories, and devotionals.

Silence can be deafening, especially when you’re used to living amidst the clamor and commotion of our noisy world. But what happens when God is silent? Join us for the final message in The Care and Feeding of the Human Soul as we discuss the dark night of the soul to see how it can draw us closer to God.

Today, we welcome our guest preacher, Dr. Mark Searby. Mark is a native of Illinois, where he completed his college and seminary education at Lincoln Christian University and his Doctor of Ministry degree at the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. After serving over 20 years in pastoral ministry, he taught at Lincoln Christian Seminary for ten years. He also served as a Vice President for Lincoln Christian University for four years. He served ten years as the director of Doctor of Ministry Studies at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He currently resides with his wife, Linda, in central Florida.

For advertisers to sell their products, they must generate a sense of need. They often do this by exploiting feelings of dissatisfaction in their potential customers. Advertisers recognize what many of us do not, that the human soul needs satisfaction. Join us for part 6 of The Care and Feeding of The Human Soul, where we will discuss the dangers of a dissatisfied soul.

From medicine to technology, plastic surgery to space exploration, humans have been on a constant quest for meaning and eternal life. From the moment we were exiled from the Garden and lost access to the Tree of Life, all striving has been an effort to regain eternity. Why? Because our souls need a future. Join us for part 5 of The Care and Feeding of the Human Soul as we talk about the eternal nature of every human soul.

Sinkholes cost Floridians an average of $300,000,000 every year. This threat goes largely unseen until it is too late. Likewise, our souls might be in danger of suddenly collapsing if they are not centered on the proper foundation. Join us for part 4 of The Care and Feeding of the Human Soul, where we will learn to recognize the dangers of a soul not centered on Jesus Christ.

“Who is responsible for that?” This is the question asked about everything from cleaning the kitchen to paying the national debt. In a world where it seems like we are encouraged to take responsibility for less and less, it is no wonder that so many have failed to take responsibility for the care and feeding of their soul. Join us as we learn three things only you can do for your soul.

You’ve heard it, probably said it, and have certainly been it at some point. What do we mean when we say someone is a “lost soul”? Join us for part two of The Care and Feeding of the Human Soul, where we’ll talk about the condition of our souls and the only remedy for their healing.

A recent study found that the average American spent $722 on health and beauty products and services in 2023, with Gen Zers spending more than double that at $1,754. While our society pursues eternal youth and beauty, another part of our human being goes largely ignored – our souls. The evidence of this oversight is obvious when you consider the growing mental health crisis we are facing in America. Join us for a six-week series exploring what the Bible says about caring for the most important and only eternal part of you – your soul.

If I could see the world like you, I would think and act differently. Our perspective on life and truth is limited, but what if we could access God’s perspective? What if we had directions on how to live life according to the author of life Himself? Join us for the final sermon of 2023 and the kickoff to 85 hours in the Word.

The greatest expression of love the world has ever known arrived with little recognition and no fanfare. Jesus was born in a barn and laid in a manger. He never wrote a book, held political office, or traveled more than 200 miles from where He was born. He never did any of the things that we associate with greatness, yet because of His death and resurrection, people around the world have come to believe that Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God’s love. Join us for the final message in our Advent series, Joy to the World, where we will explore the wonders of His love.

Ask any gardener and they can tell you about the curse of weeds and thorns that infest the ground. It will require work if you want to grow flowers, vegetables, or a beautiful yard. The things we don’t want will grow without effort, while the things we want require constant attention. This is the nature of sin in our lives and the world. Join us for part 4 of Joy to the World, where we will learn how Jesus came to change the landscape of our world and your life.

If Luke were writing his Gospel today, his version of the Christmas story might very well be a Broadway musical! In chapter one, Luke shares the songs of Zechariah and Mary, and in chapter two, all heaven breaks into song as the angels announce the birth of Jesus. But this Broadway production wasn’t performed for the elite, but for those the world often overlooks. Join us for part three of Joy to the World, where we meet the unlikely recipients of the best news ever.

We sing it every year, “Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come!” But what does that mean? With war, injustice, and division all around, how can Christians believe that a baby born two thousand years ago has brought joy to the world? Join us for part two of Joy to the World, where we will discover God’s conspiracy to overturn the corruption of this world and establish his Kingdom of Joy.

“Joy to the World” is one of the world’s most recognizable songs. The lyrics, written in 1719 by Sir Isaac Watts, are based on Psalm 98 and describe the arrival of King Jesus and His impact on the world. Join us for an Advent series exploring the joy that Jesus brings to every heart that prepares Him room.

Aspire Church San Marco will celebrate 85 years of ministry in 2024. With a tremendous legacy behind us, a compelling mission ahead of us, and a faithful Savior leading us, how should Aspire Church San Marco members faithfully run the race set before us? Join us as we begin a year-long journey Back to the Future.

The Bible tells us to rejoice always, but is that realistic? Given the real problems we face personally and globally, how can God expect His people always to be filled with joy? Join us for the final message in our Philippians series, where we will learn the three essential elements of relentless joy and why we need it now more than ever.

We see it in almost every institution. Our government is paralyzed by it. Schools, corporations, and media are defined by it. Our courts are overrun because of it. The fracturing and division of our society can make it seem as if everything is coming apart at the seams. Then what is the Church’s answer? Unfortunately, too often the same division we see in the world has also infected the Church. Join us for part 10 of our Philippians series, where we will learn that the unity of the Church is essential to the mission of the Church.

Looking at old pictures can be embarrassing. Things we thought stylish eventually become dated. Time eventually sees the passing of every fad. What’s true about fashion and hairstyles is also true about more essential things such as beliefs and ways of living. Join us for part 9 of Philippians: Relentless Joy, where we will discover how the mind of Christ changes how we understand our past, future, and other people.

Perhaps you grew up singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know,” but do you believe that? Would you care so much about what others think of you if you did? Would you work so hard to impress your boss, your girlfriend, or your parents? What drives you to achieve and accomplish things? What is behind your insatiable appetite to consume? Join us for part 8 of Philippians: Relentless Joy, where we will explore the two ways to live.

Throughout the fall, you see it – faces painted, flags waving, fight songs sung with pride. Football fans loudly cheer on their favorite teams. We’ve come to accept this harmless form of tribalism as a part of our culture. Fans pulling for opposite teams on Saturday are the best of friends on Sunday. But what happens when our faith becomes tribal? Join us for a message from Philippians 3, where we will see the dangers of tribalism and how Jesus overcomes our tribal religions.

Your favorite barista took another job. The person who cut your hair for years retired. The manager who hired you and became a friend and mentor resigned suddenly. Personnel changes are disruptive. Sometimes, they result in minor inconveniences, and sometimes, they lead to a tidal wave of change. Join us for part 6 of Philippians: Relentless Joy, where we will see how God uses personnel changes to accomplish His work in our lives.

JimBo Stewart is a follower of Jesus, Audrea’s husband, and father of three Stewart Littles. Professionally, JimBo serves as the Associate Director of Replant at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and as the Replanting and Revitalization Strategist for First Coast Churches in Jacksonville, FL. He is also the co-founder of replantbootcamp.com. He holds a D.Min. in Church Revitalization and an M.Div. in Urban Missions, both earned at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. JimBo also loves exploring new places and playing disc golf with his kids. We are grateful for Jimbo’s contribution to the Kingdom and are excited to welcome him today as our guest teacher at Aspire Church San Marco.

Aspire Church is pleased to welcome home one of our own! Pastor Blake Bennett and his wife, Cierra, were high school sweethearts who grew up in Jacksonville and now live in San Marco with their two children, Eloise and Ezra. Blake joined the staff of Aspire Church in 2015 as a church planter sent by Aspire to start TheCity.Church at San Marco. Since 2015, TheCity.Church has expanded to include three additional congregations: TheCity.Church at Bartram Park, TheCity.Church at Riverside, and TheCity.Church at the Highlands. Blake’s leadership and passion for the local church are a blessing to our city. We are delighted to welcome Pastor Blake as our guest teacher this morning.

One of the most famous mug shots in American history is that of Dr. Martin Luther King after his arrest in Birmingham, Alabama. But what should have symbolized the humiliation and destruction of Dr. King’s legacy became a sign of his cause. Join us for a message from Philippians 1:27-30 where we learn that sometimes the very thing that appears to be for our destruction is really for our salvation.

One of the most repeated arguments against the existence of God in general and the truth of Christianity in particular has come to be known as “the problem of pain.” The argument goes something like this: “How could an all-powerful, all-loving God allow the kind of pain and suffering we experience in this world?” Even if you believe in God and call yourself a Christian, you’ve probably wrestled with this question. Join us for part two of our series through the book of Philippians where we learn how Paul addressed the problem of pain.

One of the most repeated arguments against the existence of God in general and the truth of Christianity in particular has come to be known as “the problem of pain.” The argument goes something like this: “How could an all-powerful, all-loving God allow the kind of pain and suffering we experience in this world?” Even if you believe in God and call yourself a Christian, you’ve probably wrestled with this question. Join us for part two of our series through the book of Philippians where we learn how Paul addressed the problem of pain.

We all have unfinished projects. From that home improvement project you started last year to the novel you began in school. Every unfinished task is ultimately a race against the clock. Will you run out of time before your projects are finished? But what if time was not a factor? What if you had eternity to finish everything you’ve started? Join us for part one of a new sermon series from the book of Philippians, where we will learn that the eternal God always finishes what He begins.

We’ve all made exchanges. Whether it was a product purchased, a career change, or even a change of mind, most people have made the conscious decision to make an exchange. But what happens when someone wants to exchange their entire life for another? Is such an exchange even possible? Join us for the conclusion of Summer Palms Mixtape vol. 2 as we explore Psalm 30 and the joy that comes when we exchange our life of sorrow for an eternity of joy.

Many people assume that joy doesn’t come from serving but from being served. But the reality is that humans were designed to serve something. Whether it is power or wealth, pleasure, or fame, we all live our lives in service to someone or something. Join us for part three of the Summer Psalms Mixtape, where we will learn from Psalm 96 that joy comes from serving the One we were created to serve.

The call to “be joyful” or “rejoice” is repeated more than 300 times in the Bible, making it one of the most repeated commands in all Scripture. But how are we supposed to be “joyful in all circumstances” when so many of them are bad? Does God cause or allow challenging circumstances to come into our lives, and if so, why? Join us for part 3 of the Summer Psalms Mixtape, where we will learn that joy doesn’t come from changed circumstances but through a changed perspective.

The Psalms are the hymns of ancient Israel. Jesus and His disciples would have sung them in worship and as they traveled the dusty roads of ancient Palestine. Their words were even on the lips of Jesus as He hung on the cross. The lyrics that brought so much hope and joy to Jesus continue to inspire His followers today. Join us each Sunday in August as we listen to a mixtape of Psalms that call us to aspire for joy.

Some Christians have been accused of being so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. Others seem to deny the reality of heaven and live as if this world is all there is. The Gospel is a guardrail preventing us from making either mistake. Join us for the final sermon in the Essentials series, where we will learn how our beliefs about the future shape our lives today.

The Church is always a work in progress. From the missteps and mistakes of Jesus’ disciples to the latest church scandal, humans have continuously brought our brokenness into the church. Yet, despite our failures, Jesus said He would build His church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Join us for part 8 of Essentials to learn how the church is God’s plan and the front line of Heaven’s invasion of Earth.

We use the word “saved” to refer to everything from someone recovered in a heroic rescue operation to the money we save through a discount code. But when the Bible talks about being “saved,” what exactly does that mean? What are we saved from? Who saves us, and how do they do it? Join us for part 7 of Essentials, where we will learn that salvation is not about what we do but what Jesus has done.

What defines your value? Do you find value in your roles and responsibilities in your family or job? The human condition is tied to the value God has placed on us and the value we see in Jesus’ death on a cross. This death communicates to us the reality that we are infinitely valuable and devastatingly broken. The value you place on Jesus’ death affects the value you place on yourself and others around you. This is why it is fundamental to Christian belief.

According to numerous studies, the single greatest predictor of spiritual transformation is the time a person spends reading their Bible. Still, a recent Lifeway Research study revealed that only 32% of Christians read their Bible daily. Join us for part 5 of Essentials, where we learn the secret to reading the Bible for spiritual transformation.

We instinctively know that there is more to living than drawing in oxygen. What, exactly, is it that animates humans? What motivates us to search for truth and higher meaning? Join us for part four of Essentials as we explore what we believe about God, the Holy Spirit.

Imagine that you have an ant problem in your yard (perhaps you don’t have to imagine this!) You go to the store and buy a product that is designed to fool the ants into thinking that it is delicious ant food when it is, in fact, poison. Now imagine an ant lover (do those exist?) who wants to save the ants from certain death. No matter what this ant lover does, he cannot communicate with the ants, so they continue to carry the poison back to their ant hill. What would the ant lover need to do to save the ants? He would need to become one of them to keep them from certain death. That is what God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ. Join us for part three of Essentials, where we will see how God took on flesh to come and save us.

A Pew Research study from 2008 revealed that nine out of ten Americans believe in God, but only a small majority believe in God as described in the Bible. How do we know there is a God, and even more importantly, how can we possibly know what He is like? Join us as we begin exploring the essential beliefs of Christianity by asking the question, God Who?

Complexity demands simplicity. When Google launched the world’s most complex web browser, they did so with a simple search bar on a blank screen. When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, a device more powerful than a supercomputer in the year 2000, it only had one button. And when the God of the Universe wanted to reveal Himself to His creation, He did so by taking on flesh and assuming the form of a simple servant. So often, we complicate the message of Jesus with important but non-essential ideas. Rather than focusing on the good news of Jesus, we haggle over minute issues of theology and doctrine, leaving a lost world even more confused or, even worse, uninterested. Join us each Sunday in June and July for Essentials, a sermon series focused on what is essential, what isn’t, and why the difference matters.

Aspire Church welcomes our friends and special guests, Justin and Kendal Adamson. The Adamsons are NAMB church planters sent out by Aspire Church San Marco to start a new church in Queens, New York. The Adamsons have a heart for sharing the Gospel and are following His call to reach the nations by planting the New Song of Hope Church in one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the United States.

Aspire Church welcomes our friends and special guests, Justin and Kendal Adamson. The Adamsons are NAMB church planters sent out by Aspire Church San Marco to start a new church in Queens, New York. The Adamsons have a heart for sharing the Gospel and are following His call to reach the nations by planting the New Song of Hope Church in one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the United States.

Multiple ancient texts tell us that forty days after Jesus was raised from the dead, He ascended into heaven. But what exactly does that mean? If Jesus was victorious over sin, death, and the grave, why wouldn’t He have stayed with His followers in Jerusalem? Indeed, it would have been easier to convince a skeptical work of the truth of the resurrection if Jesus’ physical body was still walking around on earth. Join us as we explore Jesus’ ascension and what it teaches us about heaven, earth, being human, and God’s ultimate plan.

Aspire welcomes our special guest, Bob Bumgarner. Bob currently serves as the Lead Missional Strategist of First Coast Churches (formerly known as Jacksonville Baptist Association). He has served as a Replant Pastor, Executive Pastor, and the Church Development Division Director of the Florida Baptist Convention. His passion is coaching churches to discover and do what God has called them to do where they are. Bob lives in the greater Jacksonville area with his wife, Tina. They enjoy living close to their adult children and their six awesome grandchildren!

The word “aspire” means to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal. Some people aspire to achieve power; some strive for wealth or fame. The apostle Paul’s greatest aspiration was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. What is your greatest aspiration? Join us for a message exploring our church’s aspirations.

Luke wasn’t one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. Nor was he among the larger multitude who witnessed Jesus’ life and ministry. He wasn’t even Jewish. Luke was a gentile and therefore considered an outsider. Yet this outsider came to believe in Jesus and contributed more pages to the New Testament than anyone else. Luke’s two volumes, the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, comprise 26% of the New Testament. While Luke’s writings have impacted millions, they were initially written as letters to one man. Join us for the conclusion of our journey through the Gospel of Luke as we consider how reaching the world begins when we reach the one.

Civil rights leader and Baptist preacher Benjamin Mays said, “The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities.” Jesus warned His disciples against complacency, saying, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Join us for the conclusion of Risen! where we will see how the resurrection calls us out of our complacency.

Our greatest disappointments in life happen when our greatest hopes are unfulfilled. The closer we come to accomplishing our goals, the harder it is when we fail. It’s tough to endure a losing season, but losing the championship in overtime is devastating. Two thousand years ago, Jesus’ earliest followers had suffered the devastating disappointment of His arrest and crucifixion. This loss was so great that they nearly missed the miracle that was just about to happen. Join us as we celebrate the God who turns our greatest disappointments into our greatest victories.

The foundation for the Christian faith is not a philosophy or set of theological principles. The core of our faith doesn’t reside in a moral code or a series of ancient teachings. Even though Christians have shared convictions, theology, ethics, and a clear set of teachings, none of these define the essence of our faith. The truth and reliability of Christianity hinge on a single, verifiable historical event: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, Christians would have nothing to offer and would be victims of the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on humanity. Join us for a three-part series exploring the Resurrection of Jesus and how that single event can lift us from doubt, despair, and complacency.

The first “Choose Your Own Adventure” book was published in 1979. These books allowed readers to make important decisions for the story’s main character, and based on those decisions, there could be any number of outcomes to the story. As Luke tells the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, he introduces several key figures and the choices they faced on that fateful day. Join us for part 4 of The Joy Set Before Him as we explore the decisions we must face when considering the cross of Jesus Christ.

We’ve all had to deal with them: those people who enjoy being critical about everything and everyone. People who are never satisfied and are constantly adversarial. You probably already have someone in mind. And while I may not know who that person is, I’m confident I know who it’s not. YOU. Hardly anyone believes himself to be too critical or adversarial. Throughout His ministry, and especially on His journey to the cross, Jesus faced adversaries and critics. Join us for part 3 of The Joy Set Before Him as we explore how even God’s adversaries can benefit from what Jesus did on the cross.

Perhaps the most surprising and puzzling of the seven deadly sins is the sin of acedia or slothfulness. We rarely hear the first word and often associate the second with slow-moving mammals living in South America’s rainforests. But as Jesus neared the cross and intensified His warnings to the disciples, this deadly sin is one to which He repeatedly referred. Join us for part two of The Joy Set Before Him as we discuss the reasons, results, and remedies for spiritual laziness.

In the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus endured terrible suffering. He was abandoned by His friends, betrayed by one of His closest associates, falsely accused, and wrongfully convicted. After this, He was stripped, beaten, mocked, nailed to a Roman cross, and left to die. Even after almost 2,000 years, these well-documented historical events are still shocking. But what is perhaps more surprising still is how one first-century witness described the manner in which Jesus faced such horrific circumstances. “For the joy set before Him,” the writer of Hebrews said, Jesus “endured the cross, scorning its shame.” What joy could come out of the cross? Join us for five-part series exploring Luke 22-23, recounting Jesus’ journey to the cross.

People love a good conspiracy theory. Rumors of war and destruction have been passed around as long as there have been those willing to listen. People in first-century Jerusalem were certainly no exception. With political tensions rising and Roman soldiers standing guard, there was no shortage of prophets and prognosticators predicting open conflict between the Jews and the Romans. Jesus’ disciples had heard all the predictions before, but they weren’t prepared for what Jesus had to say on the subject. Join us for the conclusion of Tipping Point, where we hear Jesus describe the end of religion as we know it.

Studies show that money is behind ninety percent of the crimes committed in the United States. Perhaps that is why the first law of detective work is to “follow the money.” For good or for evil, money is one of the strongest motivators known to man. Jesus certainly believed this to be the case. Perhaps that is why He talked more about money than about heaven and hell combined. Join us for part six of Tipping Point, where Jesus points to the dangers of greed and the power of generosity.

When life approaches a tipping point, the decision-making process can feel overwhelming. Simple choices become more complex as every decision we make has the potential to instigate significant change. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the religious leaders were at a tipping point. How they responded to Jesus could incite the people to riot or lead to war with the mighty Roman Empire. Join us for part five of Tipping Point, where Pastor Gary explores three questions every follower of Jesus should ask when approaching a tipping point.

William Ernest Henley’s classic poem, Invictus, ends with the declaration, “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” Frank Sinatra captures the same conviction in his popular song, “I Did It My Way.” Both texts celebrate human independence and self-determination. But the famous poet is dead, and the crooner is no more. Are we ultimately in control of our own lives and destinies, or are our attempts at self-determination evidence of rebellion against our true Master and Commander? Join us for part 4 of Tipping Point, where we will explore Jesus’ parable about the rebellious tenants.

Americans are fascinated with royalty, which is ironic since our nation was founded on the idea that “all men are created equal” and that government should be “of the people, by the people, for the people.” But a glance at the tabloids in any check-out line in America reveals our interest in the royal family we once overthrew. Our fables, literature, and movies point to a deep human desire to find and follow a king. Join us for part 3 of Tipping Point, where we explore Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to discover how the once and future King has made Himself known to us.

As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem, He told an unusual story about a man who journeyed to receive for himself a kingdom. While he was away, he left his servants in charge of his affairs. But the man’s servants didn’t want their master as king, so some of the servants were not good stewards of their master’s resources. Join us for part two of Tipping Point, where we will see how our use of time and treasure reflects the king we’ve chosen to serve.

There is a point at which a series of small incidents suddenly breaks through to accomplish a major change. This “Tipping Point,” as it is called, may seem to happen suddenly but always comes about because of a number of seemingly insignificant incremental events. Think of a house of cards; there is always one final card that instigates the Tipping Point, but the weight of all the cards ultimately brings down the house. As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem, His ministry reached a Tipping Point. The political and religious establishments could no longer ignore Jesus and His radical claims about the Kingdom of God, and soon, His disciples would no longer be able to ignore the reality of what He came to do. Join us for a sermon series exploring Luke 19 and 20 as we consider how the life of Jesus still leads each of us to a Tipping Point.

Society tends to associate happiness with getting something. But several studies show that people who invest their time in serving the needs of others tend to be more satisfied, less depressed, and experience greater joy. The Bible made the connection between joy and serving long before the first clinical study. Join us for a message from Psalm 100, where we will learn how to find joy in service.

Joy is a difficult word to define. Most people associate it with happiness, but the Bible clearly teaches that joy is not an emotion. Joy does not depend on our circumstances but is rather a choice. In fact, the most repeated command in the Bible is to “rejoice!” But how can we obey that command in a world filled with so much pain and brokenness? Join us on New Year’s Day as Pastor Gary explores the biblical definition of joy.

People love adoption stories. The bonds of new relationships can be strengthened by the bitterness and pain of what has been broken before. There is also something about the choice inherent in the adoption process that speaks to a deep human need. We want to believe that we have been chosen and that our existence isn’t an accident or mistake. Join us for the concluding message of The Family Christmas Tree where we will discover how the birth of Jesus resulted in our adoption into God’s family.

Four out of every ten children born in America are born to single mothers. Most of these children will grow up with a lack of positive male influences in their lives. Mary was single when she got word that she would give birth to Jesus. And like many children, Jesus would have been the child of a single mother, except for the obedience of a humble carpenter named Joseph. Join us for part four of The Family Christmas Tree where we will explore the life of Joseph, the father-who-stepped-in.

The New Testament writers tell us that Jesus had brothers and sisters. And, like many siblings, Jesus’ relationship with His brothers was a lifelong challenge. Join us for part three of The Family Christmas Tree, where we will explore Jesus’ relationship with His brothers and how His unwavering love for them changed their lives and eternities.

Cousins are often our first and most enduring friends. The family ties may not be as strong as those of siblings, but a bond between cousins can hold an extended family together. Before the shepherds and angels, before the inn and wise men, Jesus’ story begins with a story about His cousins. Join us for part two of The Family Christmas Tree where we will learn that families should be patient in doubt, hopeful in adversity, and constant in prayer.

The family Christmas tree is a staple in most homes. And just like the families who set them up, Christmas trees come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. Some are fancy and color-coordinated, while others are filled with a hodgepodge of homemade ornaments. Jesus, though He was God, was nonetheless born into a family. And like any other family, Jesus’ family faced many of the same problems all families face. Join us each Sunday this Advent as we consider The Family Christmas Tree of Jesus.

As we wrap up our Experiencing God sermon series, we turn our attention to how we, as a church, are responding to God’s invitation to join Him and His work.

There is a difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone personally. You can read a person’s biography to learn facts about that individual, but that isn’t the same as having a relationship with them. This also applies to knowing God. Reading the Bible and participating in religious activities may help you learn more about God, but that is not the same as knowing God. Join us for part seven of Experiencing God where we will learn that we only come to know God by experience as we obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through us.

Any time God calls you to join Him and His work, you can be sure that you will face a crisis of belief. That crisis will always require faith and action as you make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. From the earliest stories in the Bible to its final pages, we see examples of people standing at the crossroads of doubt and faith. Some heard God’s invitation and adjusted their lives to follow Him, while others listened to the invitation and refused to make the necessary changes. Join us for part 6 of Experiencing God, where we will compare two men who both heard God’s invitation but made very different choices.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “time to fish or cut bait”? It describes that moment when a decision must be made. You will either put your line in the water to fish or sit in the boat and cut bait for those who do. Whenever God invites us to join Him and His work, we face a “fish or cut bait” moment. What we do in response to God’s invitation will reveal what we truly believe about God. Join us for part five of Experiencing God, where we will see how God’s invitation to Queen Esther led her to a crisis of belief that required faith and action.

Have you ever read the Bible and asked yourself why God spoke in such obvious ways then, but not today? Could it be that God is still speaking in obvious ways, but that we simply aren’t listening? Join us for part four of Experiencing God where we will learn that God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.

Have you ever experienced holy discontent? A strong feeling that something was not what it should or could be? Throughout history, God has used such feelings to invite people to become involved with Him and His work. Join us for part three of Experiencing God, where we will see how a holy discontent moved a man named Nehemiah to leave a very comfortable and secure life to join God in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Some people do not believe in God at all, or they do not believe Him to be a personal God who intervenes in our day-to-day existence. Other people believe in God but think they must work to find and understand Him. But the Bible tells a very different story. Throughout the Bible, we learn that God is the one pursuing us. Join us for part two of Experiencing God, where we will learn that God pursues a love relationship with us that is real and personal.

Some people do not believe in God at all, or they do not believe Him to be a personal God who intervenes in our day-to-day existence. Other people believe in God but think they must work to find and understand Him. But the Bible tells a very different story. Throughout the Bible, we learn that God is the one pursuing us. Join us for part two of Experiencing God, where we will learn that God pursues a love relationship with us that is real and personal.

God is always working. Before we can even begin to understand God’s will and the part He is calling us to play in it, we must first know that He has already started the work. Join us for part one of Experiencing God, where we will be challenged to ask the questions, where is God already at work, and how can I join Him there?

Some people spend their entire lives trying to understand God’s will for their lives. But what if that is the wrong pursuit? What if knowing and doing the will of God is about something far more significant than just you and your life? Join us for the introduction of Experiencing God, where we will overview the seven realities of experiencing God through the life of Moses.

Some people spend their entire lives trying to understand God’s will for their lives. But what if that is the wrong pursuit? What if knowing and doing the will of God is about something far more significant than just you and your life? Join us for the introduction of Experiencing God, where we will overview the seven realities of experiencing God through the life of Moses.

“What is God’s will for my life?” This question has occurred to most people at some point in their lives. But what if that is the wrong question? What if, while pursuing God’s will for “my life,” we have missed the more significant thing God is doing? Join us for a message from John 15, where we will learn the difference between straws and garden hoses and how ghostwriters might be the key to understanding God’s will.

The ability to see with the eye does not necessarily equate to spiritual insight. In fact, physical sight may be the thing that often keeps us from seeing God, His purposes, and His ways. Join us for the final message in Kingdom People, where we will meet a blind man who could see what Jesus’ disciples could not.

The innocence of a newborn is both beautiful and dangerous. Beautiful because it offers us a fading glimpse of purity. Dangerous because a baby is helpless and entirely dependent. Jesus once told His disciples that unless they entered the Kingdom like an infant, they would never get in. This raised more than a few questions among His followers. Join us for part two of Kingdom People, where we will learn the difference between the young and the restless.

Have you ever had an unanswered prayer? Is there something for which you have finally stopped praying? Have you ever felt unworthy to approach God in prayer? Join us for part one of Kingdom People, where we will meet two unlikely prayer warriors who teach us the power of persistent, humble prayer.

There are hundreds of examples of failed doomsday predictions. From apocalyptic Christian novels to forecasts of environmental Armageddon, religious and irreligious people alike have spent centuries speculating how the world will end. And while the Bible has a lot to say about this, the interpretations of those passages are among the most controversial. Join us for part three of Kingdom Values, where we will learn the importance of Kingdom vigilance.

Today we will learn more about how God is working in the midst of the war in Ukraine and how we, as His church, can join Him in that work.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that we should “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Of course, this idea was not original to Ralph. The Bible is filled with admonitions to be grateful. Why is gratitude an essential virtue for citizens of God's Kingdom? Join us for part 2 of Kingdom Virtues, where we will see how gratitude regulates expectations, fosters humility, and fuels worship.

Humility may be the most elusive of all virtues. Just ask the man who wrote the book entitled, Humility and How I Achieved It! C.S. Lewis said humility is not thinking less of yourself but is thinking of yourself less. That is what Jesus did when He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant. Join us for the first of a three-part series exploring Kingdom Virtues, where we will discover the power of humility.

One of Jesus’ most troubling parables involves a rich man and Lazarus and the great reversal that happens after they die. What does this story tell us about heaven and hell? What does it have to say about life before death and the impact our investments now (or lack thereof) will have on us then? Join us for part three of Kingdom Economics as we explore the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

What does it mean to be faithful? Most of us define it based on what we expect from others – our spouse, co-works, boss, and friends. But when Jesus talked about faithfulness, it was a call to personal responsibility. According to Jesus, faithfulness in all things is defined by faith in the small stuff. Join us for part 2 of Kingdom Economics, where we will learn about the power of fidelity.

What does it mean to be faithful? Most of us define it based on what we expect from others – our spouse, co-works, boss, and friends. But when Jesus talked about faithfulness, it was a call to personal responsibility. According to Jesus, faithfulness in all things is defined by faith in the small stuff. Join us for part 2 of Kingdom Economics, where we will learn about the power of fidelity.

There is something elusive about the place we call “home.” Some have even said that you can never really go there -- that the ideal home is beyond human reach. If that is so, it only reminds us that God has designed us for a different home. Join us for the final message in Prodigals as we explore what it will be like to finally go home.

Debts are never truly forgiven, they are always paid. A person with a debt is expected to repay that debt to the lender. If that lender “forgives” the debt, the debtor is only free because the lender has paid a price. Forgiveness always comes with a price tag. Join us for part two of Prodigals where we will explore the cost of forgiveness.

Debts are never truly forgiven, they are always paid. A person with a debt is expected to repay that debt to the lender. If that lender “forgives” the debt, the debtor is only free because the lender has paid a price. Forgiveness always comes with a price tag. Join us for part two of Prodigals where we will explore the cost of forgiveness.

Jesus was an incredible storyteller. Perhaps His most famous story is that of a son who, after squandering his father’s fortune, returned home hoping to end his days as a servant in his father’s house. The story doesn’t end the way the young man planned. The father’s response is so shocking that this story continues to be told two thousand years later. Join us for a three-part series exploring the story of the prodigal son, his prodigal father, and our Prodigal God.

Have you ever tried to use reverse psychology on someone? Has anyone ever tried to use it on you? Changing someone’s mind can be the hardest thing to change. When Jesus described what it means to be His disciple, He was contradicting thousands of years of religious teachings. Still today, many who claim to follow Jesus haven’t fully embraced what it means to be His disciple. Join us for the final message of The Great Reversal where we will learn the difference between accompanying Jesus and following Him.

Discrimination has been a part of our world since the fall. Whether based on class, ethnicity, economics, gender, or race there have always been those who have discriminated against the “others.” Surely one of the great hopes of God’s Kingdom must be that it will be a place free of discrimination. Join us for part 5 of The Great Reversal to hear how Jesus described the reverse discrimination of His Father’s Kingdom.

Have you ever had a ticket for an event, but been unable to get to that event on time? It is possible to have access to something without taking the opportunity your access affords. Join us for part 4 of The Great Reversal where we explore how Jesus reverses the order for those awaiting access to His Kingdom.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the need? Have you ever felt hopeless because the obstacles just seemed too big to overcome? Have you ever thought, “What difference can one person make?” Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He not only reversed the curse of sin and brokenness, He invited His followers to do the same. But exactly how are we supposed to do that? Join us for part 3 of The Great Reversal where we will learn three important questions we must answer if we are going to reverse the curse.

If you’ve ever missed an exit ramp on an interstate, then you know the frustration of driving in the wrong direction just to get to an exit that will allow you to turn around. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is calling us to reverse course. Join us for part two of The Great Reversal where we will explore the need, motivation, and results of living life in reverse.

Everyone loves a good rag-to-riches story. The poor high school athlete who gets a big scholarship and goes pro, the kid from a small town who makes it big in Hollywood, or the single mom who successfully launches a multi-million-dollar business from her kitchen table. These stories inspire us to believe that our lives can change for the better. Jesus’ entire ministry was based on great reversals. Everywhere He went, He reversed people’s lives --restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk, and the dead to rise. But Jesus’ greatest reversal changed the world. Join us as we explore Luke 12-14 to learn how Jesus turns everything around.

May 8, 1945 is known as Victory in Europe or V-E Day. That is the date that the allied forces defeated the Nazi war machine bringing an end to WWII in Europe. For 77 years, Europe remained free from military conflict, but that call came to a sudden end in 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These tragic events serve to remind us that permanent peace remains elusive. No political, military, or diplomatic efforts have been able to produce permanent peace. But long before V-E Day, there was another day of victory. A day known to many as the first Easter. It was on this V-E (Victory on Easter) Day that Jesus ultimately and finally ended our war with sin and ransomed us from hell. Join us on April 17 as we celebrate the ultimate V-E Day!

In his book, The Art of War, the great Chinese general Sun Tzu admonished his readers to “know thy enemy.” What is true in human warfare is also true in spiritual warfare. Join us for part 6 of Revolution where we take a deeper look at the enemy, how he was defeated, and the aftermath of his defeat.

“The end of days” sounds like the name of a dystopian Hollywood blockbuster, but it is a term frequently used in the Bible to describe the culmination of God’s redemptive work on earth. Join us for part five of Revolution as we consider Jesus’ teaching on what will happen, when it will happen, and what we need to do to be ready.

A counterinsurgency is an effort to overthrow a power that has taken control of a region or territory. In a world filled with war and violence, we have seen numerous insurgencies and counterinsurgencies throughout history. None compare, however, to the counterinsurgency Jesus launched 2,000 years ago. Join us for part four of Revolution where we will learn how Jesus shut down religion and launched a Revolution!

Few people like to be presented with an ultimatum. In a culture that resists the idea of absolute truth, the idea that something is either "true or false" is increasingly unpopular. But even a brief survey of the Bible reminds us that God often presents us with ultimatums. Join us for part 3 of Revolution where we will explore the battle lines between good and evil and the choice we all must make.

The cosmic battle to save human souls and restore God’s creation took a significant turn at the manger in Bethlehem. It was there that God secretly invaded the enemy’s territory and began the revolution. Jesus assembled a team of followers who began claiming territory for the Kingdom and casting out the enemy. Join us for part 2 of Revolution where we explore the incursion of earth by the forces of heaven and what that means for those of us who still find ourselves behind enemy lines.

The crucifixion of Jesus is the pivotal event in history. But what exactly happened on the cross that day? Why does the death of one man, nearly two thousand years ago, still elicit complete devotion from some and derision from others? How did an instrument of torture and death become the single most popular icon in architecture, jewelry, and art? Join us for a series exploring the crucifixion of Jesus and the revolution it began.

The words of the Lord’s Prayer are perhaps the most recited in all of human history. But what exactly is the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus offered these words as a template for prayer and a pattern for understanding our relationship with God. Join us for the final message in Fully Devoted as we learn to pray like Jesus.

No one likes rejection. In fact, the fear of rejection is enough to keep many of us immobilized. Jesus was acquainted with rejection and tried to prepare His followers for it. Join us for part 7 of Fully Devoted, where we learn that rejection is inevitable, but never fatal.

“Failure is not an option!” That may be true in certain circumstances, but it is NEVER true when it comes to our spiritual growth. Failure is a certainty and perfection is the enemy of progress. The Bible doesn’t hide the failures of the “heroes of the faith.” Men and women who tried to follow God but frequently found themselves straying. Jesus’ own disciples failed over and over again, but 11 of the 12 just kept stumbling toward Jesus anyway. Join us for part 6 of Fully Devoted as we discuss three common failures of disciples and how to fail forward.

Jesus’ call to follow Him means we cannot stay where we are. The disciples experienced this firsthand as they left behind their jobs, families, and community to go with Jesus. But even as they sacrificed much to follow Jesus, they were still enticed to hold onto the past. They frequently failed to fully embrace Jesus’ presence among them, and they were afraid to follow Him into an uncertain future. Join us for part 5 of Fully Devoted as we learn about letting go.

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, but it is also the breeding ground of faith. We are never more aware of our dependency on God than when we’ve come to the end of our own ability and resources. As western society has become wealthier and more dependent on technology, we seem to be less aware of our need for God. Join us for part 4 of Fully Devoted as we explore how Jesus reminds us that we never know He is all we need until He is all we have.

Wake to an alarm (if the kids haven’t already gotten you out of bed). Get yourself and everyone else ready and out the door. Get to work to discover your email inbox is full. Before lunch you have 9 texts and 4 voice mails. Get as much done as you can, but finally leave at the end of the day because Junior has baseball practice, and you haven’t even thought about dinner. Get home, help with homework, and veg out watching Netflix before going to bed and doing it all over again. What can we learn from the sacred rhythms of Jesus that might help free us from the craziness? Join us for part three of Fully Devoted to learn more.

Just because someone gives you a free piano does not mean that you will ever learn to play it. The free piano is a gift; the cost of becoming a pianist is hours and hours of practice. Salvation is the free gift of God, but like learning to play the piano, discipleship takes time and effort. Many Christians have failed to experience the full and abundant life of Jesus because, while they have received the gift of salvation, they have failed to pay the price of following Him. Join us for week two of Fully Devoted where we will explore the cost of following Jesus.

Following Jesus is not a once-a-week proposition, but a daily pursuit. When Jesus invites us to “follow Him,” He is not inviting us on a walk, but into the sacred rhythms and patterns of discipleship. Join us for a series from Luke 8-11 where we will learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

God entered the world in the distressing disguise of a baby born to a refugee couple with no place to lay their heads. Most people in Jesus’ day missed Him. They couldn’t see Him for His distressing disguise. They expected a king with all the wealth and power of David, or a prophet who would come with the grandeur of Moses, or a priest who would practice all the religious eccentricities of Aaron. What they got instead was God on a cross, a most distressing disguise. Join us for week 4 of Christmas in Exile where we discover that Jesus still comes today in the most distressing disguises.

Forced to flee from Bethlehem in order to save Jesus’ life, Joseph and Mary once again pack their meager belongings to head into the unknown. Meanwhile, every mother left behind would weep for their murdered children and wonder how the angels’ promise of peace on earth could possibly be true. Join us for week three of Christmas in Exile where we explore how grief and loss are often magnified at Christmas time and how Jesus meets us in the sorrow.

The Christmas story begins with the forced migration of a poor Jewish carpenter and his pregnant wife. These innocent victims of a corrupt political system were forced to deliver their baby in a stable where the Savior entered the world as a displaced person. Join us for week two of Christmas in Exile as we see how God uses the weak, poor, and even the corrupt of this world to accomplish His purpose of bringing peace on earth.

From a group of nomadic refugees fleeing persecution in Egypt, to a young refugee couple forced to deliver their baby in a stable, the Bible tells the story of God working through aliens and strangers to bring about His kingdom. The subversive message of Christmas is that God Himself endured a self-imposed exile from heaven to deliver us from our exile in sin. Join us online or in person this advent season as we reexamine the Christmas story.

You can’t see the wind or control where it blows, but the evidence of the wind is undeniable. Join us Sunday as we learn to discern where God is working and the evidence of His movement among us.

The disciples were not men of influence, power, wealth, or education. Still, eleven of the twelve went on to change the world. How was this possible? Their enemies recognized the answer . . . they had been with Jesus, and He had changed them. Join us for the final installment of What’s in a Name? where we learn the only name that will ever matter and why that name is everything we need.

Abram and Sarai set out for an unknown destination and after a lifetime of wondering, found themselves and God’s purpose for their lives. The process of discovering our identity in Christ is a life-long pursuit that requires faith in God through all the challenges of life. Join us for week 6 of What’s in a Name as we discuss God's purpose for our lives.

Jacob spent most of his life fighting to get what he felt was rightfully his. Then, one night, he met a foe he couldn’t defeat. Jacob’s wrestling match with God left him with a limp and a new name. Developing a durable faith requires us to engage in the tough battles. Through the intimacy and struggles that come with wrestling God in the discipleship process, we will also leave with a limp and a better understanding of our true identity in Jesus.

Daniel and his three friends were removed from their homes and made to live as exiles in a foreign land. Their names were changed but their commitment to God remained steadfast, and as a result they changed the nation that set out to change them. Join us for week 4 of What’s in a Name as we discuss our commitment to be a church that is for Christ, for the city, for good.

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter based on his declaration about Jesus’ true identity. In doing so, Jesus not only revealed Peter’s true identity, but the identity of every person who would become a part of the Jesus movement. The Church is not a building, but a body; not a meeting, but a movement, not an organization, but an organism. Join us for week 3 of What’s in a Name as we consider what it means to be the church.

Regardless of the name we use, God’s people are to be known by one defining characteristic: Love. That love is not defined by Hollywood or Nashville, it is defined by Jesus on the cross. Join us for week 2 of What’s in a Name as consider what it means that God’s banner over us is love.

The name you were given at birth may or may not be an accurate description of who you are. Your identity as a human depends on more than what is written on your birth certificate. Your character, experiences, hopes, and hurts, like fingerprints, are unique to you. And beyond the uniqueness of your story, is a unique design and purpose crafted by God. What is true of individuals is true of churches. God does not recognize a church based on the name printed on its sign or letterhead, but by the way the individuals in that church work together to reflect His Son, Jesus to the world. Join us for What’s in a Name each Sunday, in person or anytime online, as we explore examples of individuals who experienced a change of identity based on their encounter with God.

If you could go back in time and talk to yourself five, ten, twenty years ago, how much money would you have said you needed to be content? There is a chance you’ve already achieved and surpassed that dollar amount today. Yet, we never seem to arrive at that ideal financial destination. As our income increases, so does our appetite. Join us for the final message in Money Talks to learn how to control your appetite and make your money tell a better story.

We measure financial success by how much of our wealth we are able to stockpile. But the “extra” money and resources we possess can become the very thing that takes possession of us. After you’re dead, other people will take possession of everything you’ve “saved” for one of two reasons. Join us for part 2 of Money Talks to discover those reasons and what your money is saying about your faith.

Status symbols can be everything from cars to watches to the clothes we wear. The way you spend your money says a lot about you. In fact, it says far more than you think it does. Join us for part one of Money Talks where we explore what it means to be rich and how the amount of money you possess has very little to do with your true wealth.

An idol is made when we worship one of God’s good gifts rather than the One who gave us the gift. Our culture has made an idol of romance and marriage. This has not only damaged the institution of marriage, but our understanding of God’s plan and purpose for marriage. Join us for the final message in Ever After where we learn that marriage is a broken and temporary signpost pointing us to something far more permanent and perfect.

In the 1980’s comedy, The War of the Roses, Barbara and Oliver Rose go from marital bliss to all out war. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual story in America today. The average length of a marriage in the United States is currently 8.2 years. How does a couple go from the marriage altar to divorce court in less than 10 years? While there are many answers to this question, one sure way is by fighting the wrong enemy. Join us for part 4 of Ever After where we expose the myth that our spouse is the enemy and reveal the identity of the real villain behind every relational conflict.

“You complete me.” These three words are not only the most famous line from the hit movie, Jerry Maguire, they capture the expectations of many who long for a romantic relationship that will make them feel whole. But can two halves really make a person whole? Join us for part two of Ever After where we discuss God’s surprising intention behind marriage and the true source of wholeness.

The happy couple returns from their honeymoon and begins to unpack their bags. As soon as the bags are emptied, the happy couple begins to discover that this wasn’t what they’d expected. Those bags were full of expectations they’d each collected over a lifetime; expectations their spouse may be unwilling or unable to meet. Join us for part one of Ever After… where we explore the myth of great expectations and learn what Jesus taught us to do with them.

It has been over 2,000 years since the earthly ministry of Jesus, and yet, He is still the single most well-known individual in human history. The enormous ripple effects of His life, death, and resurrection have washed over successive generations and have expanded across the planet. Join us for the final message in Ripple Effects where we explore how Jesus’ followers can continue to make waves for generations to come.

Initiation rites are a part of many organizations and institutions. For example, a wedding is a kind of initiation rite into marriage. People joining sororities or fraternities often participate in a selection and initiation process known as “rush.” Every president of the United States has stood with his hand on a Bible and sworn an oath of office that signifies his initiation into the presidency. Join us for part three of Ripple Effects to learn how baptism is a sign of our adoption and a beautiful initiation into the family of God.

Belief is important, but belief alone is not evidence that someone is actively walking with Jesus. The ritual of baptism is, therefore, more than a sign of believing, it is also a tangible sign of a person’s willingness to follow Jesus in acts of obedience. Join us for part two of Ripple Effects where we explore the differences between a religious ritual and a life changing encounter with God.

A watermark is a faint design embedded in some papers and is used for branding, as a mark of authenticity and a sign of quality. Look closely at the currency in your wallet and you will find a watermark that ensures that what you hold is real and will be backed by the government. Throughout the ministry of Jesus and the history of the church, Baptism has been the watermark of a true disciple. Join us for week one of Ripple Effects where we learn how Jesus lead the way into the waters of baptism.

When we accept God’s love for us, we are still faced with the question: Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen? One answer might be that He is not able to stop them. But the very idea that God is not able is incompatible with the very existence of God. There is a difference between being able to do something and a willingness to do it. Most people are far more capable than they are willing. This must also be true of God. Join us for the final message in Questioning Jesus, where we see the evidence of His ability, the effect of His humility, and the consequences of His call.

Critics of religion often say that if there is a god, he cannot be both all-powerful and all loving. An all-loving God would not allow the terrible suffering we see in the world, and an all-powerful God would surely be able to stop it. Therefore, God is either not all-powerful, not all-loving, or simply doesn’t exist at all. Join us for part two of Questioning Jesus as we hear His own disciples ask, “Jesus, don’t you care?”

Discouragement and disappointment often lead to serious questions about the character and nature of God. Even Jesus’ greatest advocate faced a moment of significant doubt as he was confronted with his own death. Join us for part one of Questioning Jesus as we hear John the Baptist ask Jesus, “Are You the One or should we be looking for another?”

A collaboration between the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board, Send Relief is here to help you make a difference in your community and the world around you — because compassion ministry opens doors to the gospel.

Sharing the love of Jesus is central to everything we do at Send Relief. Whether it’s responding to natural disasters, caring for refugees and displaced families, fighting human trafficking at home and abroad, supporting adoption and foster care efforts and strengthening communities facing economic and physical crises, our goal is the same.

With your help, we have raised millions of dollars to serve vulnerable people across the globe. By equipping you and your church at ministry centers and working with international partners, you help bring the hope of the gospel to dozens of countries, and, because of your generosity, hundreds of community development projects are completed every year.

But the need is still great! Pray, give, and serve alongside us to reach the nations with the hope of the gospel!

Bryant Wright served in Southern Baptist life as both a pastor and SBC president before joining Send Relief in 2020. He retired as the founding Senior Pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, on December 15, 2019, where he had pastored for 38 years.

He is a straightforward communicator who uniquely connects God’s unchanging truth with a diverse culture through compelling and creative teaching. He and his wife, Anne, live in Marietta and have three grown sons, three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

The Great Commission was given to Jesus' followers to share God's love to the entire world. That would be a BIG dream or goal. It can seem even more daunting because the Great Commission is actually a command to achieve. How is that possible? Where do I begin? Join us in a one-off message on how Paul modeled for us a way to make disciples of all nations in Romans 10.

How would you finish this statement, “A woman’s place is ______________”? Depending on when this is asked, who answers, and the culture in which the conversation takes place, there is no limit to the number of possible responses. But the very idea that there is a “place” for women is something Jesus challenged in one of His most revealing comments about women and their role in His movement. Join us for the final message in Glass Ceilings, where we see what happened when a woman entered the circle of Jesus’ male disciples.

Ancient historical documents contain little information about or by women. Because of this, it can be difficult to develop an accurate picture of women throughout much of human history. One startling exception is the Bible which contains numerous pictures of women in the ancient world. Luke, a first-century physician and historian, was especially committed to recording the names and stories of women in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Join us for part four of Glass Ceilings where we consider the group of women who ministered with and to Jesus.

Cultures throughout history have always had specific social hierarchies. Still today, there are groups and classes of people who benefit from simply being born into a certain family or because of the language they speak or the color of their skin or because of their gender. But Jesus consistently leveled the playing field by recognizing the faith and value of all people. Join us for part three of Glass Ceilings where we will see Jesus’ response to the interruption of a desperate woman.

Since the time of Adam and Eve, there have been obvious double standards for men and women in almost every area of life. Luke frequently pairs stories of men and women together to highlight Jesus’ love and mission to redeem all of God’s creation. Join us for part two of Glass Ceilings where we see how the response of a Roman Centurion and a prostitute demonstrate Jesus’ radical grace and His universal offer of salvation for everyone regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.

There is a special connection between mothers and sons. As Jesus encountered a grieving mother in the town of Nain, He performed one of His most miraculous signs by raising the widow’s dead son. This not only brought the son back to life, it rescued this poor woman from a life of certain destitution. It’s not hard to imagine Jesus envisioning His own mother on the day of His crucifixion as He responds compassionately to this hopless widow. Join us for the first sermon in the Glass Ceilings series as we consider Jesus’ compassion for the least of these and how His actions should set a pattern for our lives today.

It has been said that everything we really need to know in life was taught in kindergarten. The basic fundamentals of being human are so simple a child can understand them, yet so profound that we spend our entire lives trying to live them out. Jesus’ directions for how to be human are shockingly simple, abundantly clear, incredibly memorable and profoundly practical. But even after more than 2000 years, Jesus’ directions are still rarely applied. G.K. Chesterson put it best, “The Christian faith has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” Join us for the final part of How to Be Human where we will explore Jesus’ four fundamental rules for being human.

Part of what makes “human-ing” so hard is that we have to do it with other humans. The world teaches that the best way to deal with other people is to respect their humanity by not doing to them what we wouldn’t want them to do to us. In fact, this is the basic principle of the modern justice system and our basic concept of human rights. But a world built solely on what we “don’t” do is not a very compassionate world. Jesus’ most radical instruction for being human is perhaps His simplest, most known, and yet most difficult command. Join us for part three of How to Be Human where we learn the secret of dealing with other humans.

Blessed has become synonymous with material wealth and personal wellbeing. Even the sincerest believer will describe financial security, health, and a good reputation as “a blessing.” But Jesus’ definition of blessings and curses are very different from what people describe as blessings today. Join us for part two of How to be Human as we explore Jesus’ counterintuitive instructions for living our blest life now and later.

Medical science has concluded that a lack of sufficient rest can be responsible for everything from heart disease to certain types of cancer. The Bible was way ahead of medical science. Embedded in the earliest pages of the Old Testament, the Creator invites His creation to take a day off every week. By the time Jesus came on the scene, religion had weaponized this gift and made it a burden. Join us for part one of How to be Human as we consider Jesus’ instructions on how to live in rhythm with God and His creation.

There is a shadow of doubt over almost every aspect of our lives. From economic uncertainty and political instability to questions about environmental sustainability and global health, we are regularly confronted with conflicting theories about what to believe and how we should respond. At the end of the day, every choice we make requires a measure of faith. The question is not whether or not we have faith, but in what or whom we will place our faith. Join us on Easter Sunday morning as we see how an empty tomb transforms our doubts into hope and gives us a faith that goes beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Even as Jesus was dying on the cross, He proved to be a friend to sinners. Jesus was crucified between two other men who had also been condemned to die. Both of these men were guilty. Both had been convicted. Both men would be dead within a few hours and both men were in close proximity to Jesus. But only one would accept Jesus’ offer of friendship. Join us for part five of Jesus Friend of Sinners as we consider Jesus' universal offer of friendship and what it means for us to accept that offer.

As Jesus assembled His disciples, He was not looking for the religious credentials you might have expected. Instead, He called fishermen, tax collectors, political malcontents, and otherwise completely unremarkable people. Join us for part four of Jesus, Friend of Sinners as we explore how God chooses and uses a motley crew to reach a diverse world.

If Jesus was a friend of sinners, then it stands to reason that people who follow Jesus should be friends of sinners, too. But how, exactly do we do that? Join us for part three of Jesus, Friend of Sinners as we see how four of Jesus’ earliest followers modeled the kind of friendship that can changes sinner into saints.

Social distancing and mask mandates have made us all more aware of the potential for contamination. In Bible times, people who were infected with various diseases were required to yell, “Unclean!” as they made their way in public. Masks, social distancing, and yelling “unclean” are all motivated by the same idea -- unhealthy people contaminate healthy people. It doesn’t work the other way around. A sick person doesn’t get well because they are touched by a healthy person ... unless that person is Jesus. Join us for part two of Jesus, Friend of Sinners as we learn how Jesus reverses the polarity of sin, sickness, and death.

Even the most basic reading of the Gospels tells us that Jesus was loved by sinners and repeatedly challenged and questioned by the religious people of His day. In fact, Jesus’ harshest words were not directed towards people far from God, but rather to those who claimed to be the closest. Then why does it seem like the church caters to the religious and resists the “sinners” of our day? Why do sinners often resist the church and Jesus’ followers if Jesus was such a friend to sinners? Join us for part one of Jesus, Friend of Sinners, where we will take a before and after look at a sinner who resisted and then ran toward Jesus.

After preaching His first public sermon and performing a couple of miracles, word about Jesus spread throughout Galilee. He was just beginning to draw larger crowds when, after a time of solitude, Jesus suddenly announced that He was leaving for other towns. Join us for part six of Inception where we see the circumstances that led Jesus to leave His hometown in pursuit of God’s ultimate mission to save the world.

When Nazareth’s favorite son showed up to preach His first public sermon, He received a lot of support from the crowd. But Jesus quickly moved from hero to zero when His friends and neighbors threatened to kill Him for something He said. What turned Jesus’ hometown crowd against Him? Join us for part five of Inception to learn how embracing God’s mission challenges our preconceived notions and reveals hidden biases.

Nothing makes us aware of the power of temptation more than a determination to avoid temptation. Start a diet and suddenly everything not on your diet becomes a temptation. Make the decision to stop a habit or abstain from something and suddenly the thing that you are trying to avoid has a power that it didn’t seem to have before. Join us for part four of Inception where we learn from Jesus that every temptation is an invitation for transformation.

Genealogies are found throughout the Bible. Luke, being a good historian, included Jesus’ genealogy as part of his Gospel account. While these long lists of difficult to pronounce names are often overlooked in our Bible reading and study, it is important to understand why the Gospel writers and the early Christians thought they were so important. Join us for part three of Inception where we look at Jesus’ family tree to understand where Jesus comes from, who He is, and where He is going.

How should followers of Jesus respond to the chaos and discord of the world around us? The launching of Jesus’ ministry offers us an unexpected answer. Join us for part two of Inception where we explore the message of Jesus’ cousin John and how that message and Jesus’ response helps us begin the process of changing the world around us.

The dictionary defines INCEPTIONS as “the beginning or starting point of an institution or activity.” Luke begins his Gospel with a description of Jesus’ birth and then, in chapters three and four, moves onto describe the inception – or starting point for His ministry. Join us for a six-week series exploring the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, how it foreshadowed the rest of His life and ministry, and what it tells His followers today.

The year 2020 has come to a close and 2021 is finally here. This Sunday we will look toward the future of Southside in our annual State of the Church message. Our theme is Above & Beyond, inspired by Ephesians 3:20-21. Highlight it in your bible. Memorize it. And come prepared to experience God above and beyond what you think, ask, or imagine in 2021. We want this to stay in your hearts and minds this year.

We are all ready to turn the page on 2020, hoping and praying that 2021 will be a better year! But with so many things out of our control, is there anything we can do to ensure that 2021 is a better year? Join us online for the last sermon in The Fullness of Time series where Pastor Gary Webber will share three examples that twelve-year-old Jesus set for us that are sure to make this a year that makes us more like Him!

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Often when we hear the story of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus in the Temple we wonder about their parenting. However, hidden in this passage is evidence that not only was Mary a good mom, but she was the right choice to raise the Son of God. As parents, grandparents, and mentors we need to be aware that our actions and examples now set the tone for the faith our children, grandchildren, and mentees will have in adulthood.

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

“But in the fullness of time, God sent forth His son…” Paul’s description of Jesus’ birth would seem to put to rest any speculation that God’s timing was off when He sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. But two-thousand years later, some people feel as if God has been late or completely absent when they’ve needed Him. How does Jesus’ birth over two millennia ago have any impact on us today? Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior who was and is and is to come.

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

Simeon and Anna were old – really old! From all outward appearances, they were completely out of time. They had waited and anticipated God’s provision, but as the end was drawing near, there appeared to be no way God could keep His promise. That did not, however, keep Simeon and Anna from hoping and faithfully waiting for God. Join us for week three of The Fullness of Time as we explore how God's timing helps us understand that all of our longings are ultimately fulfilled in Him.

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

While Zechariah and Elizabeth appeared to be a couple running out of time, Mary and Joseph appeared to have time on their side. Only recently engaged, this couple had their entire lives in front of them. There would be a wedding and eventually a family. But God had other plans. Long before the wedding night, Mary was told that she was going to be a mother, and that her child would be the Son of God. Join us for part two of The Fullness of Time where we will learn how to respond when God interrupts our plans.

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

Luke does not begin the Christmas story with the birth of Jesus. He doesn’t even begin with an introduction to Mary and Joseph. Instead, Luke begins by telling the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an older couple who appeared to be out of time. When God tells Zechariah that he is finally going to be a father, Zechariah questions God’s timing and finds himself speechless for the next nine months. Join us for part one of The Fullness of Time as we consider how God’s timing increases our faith and draws our attention to Him and His perfectly timed plans.

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The Music of Christmas is a collection of 25 daily devotions designed to help readers cut through the noise of a busy, distracting, and often loud holiday season. It is our prayer that God will use these familiar passages as a reminder of His incredible love. We also pray that your love for Christ and His mission will be rekindled this Advent season.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

The Music of Christmas: A devotional commentary for Advent & Christmas

The table has become the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving celebration, and for good reason. Not only does the table (and the food on it) represent God’s provision, but scientists have discovered that the human mind attaches significant memories to the sense of smell and taste. As you eat, you are literally rehearsing memories associated with those tastes and smells. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past is an antidote to fear of the future and helps build our faith. Join us for the final message in the Psalms of Thanksgiving series where we will consider Psalm 34 as we taste and see that the Lord is good.

Living in a social media society causes us to live our lives in constant comparison to others. Always watching what other people have and are doing will cause us not to value what we have. This lack of appreciation and thankfulness can often lead to anxiety, restlessness, and even depression. Keeping our focus on the life and path God has set out for us, “staying in our lane,” can help develop an attitude of gratitude, which will allow joy and thanksgiving to permeate all aspects of our hearts and lives.

The Bible says that Christians are to be thankful in all circumstances. That sounds good until we consider some of the most difficult circumstances of life. How can we practice gratitude in the midst of sickness, injustice, pandemics, and social unrest? Join us for part one of Psalms of Thanksgiving where we will explore how gratitude counteracts doubt and despair and makes us more resilient.

The Declaration of Independence lists the “pursuit of happiness” as one of our “unalienable rights.” Unfortunately, this has been misunderstood by some as a guarantee of happiness rather than the right to pursue it. Because happiness is a feeling based on circumstances, it can be an elusive and subjective goal. Many people spend their lives pursuing happiness according to the world’s direction only to find themselves frustrated and disappointed. Join us for the final message in Jesus 2020, as we learn Jesus’ secret for pursuing and finding true happiness.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…” The Declaration of Independence is based on the understanding that our rights and freedoms come from God. That idea was revolutionary, but it wasn’t original to Thomas Jefferson, it came from Jesus. Long before the establishment of the modern democracy, Jesus’ followers were champions of a freedom that no government can give or take away. Join us online or on campus for part three of Jesus 2020, as we learn about our freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.

Many campaigns in America have degenerated into contests to see which candidate can make more people afraid of his or her opponent. They do all they can to portray “the other guy” as evil, unfit, and bent on destroying life as we know it. Jesus warned His followers not to be deceived by “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Join us for part two of Jesus 2020 as we uncover the real enemy of American, why politicians are powerless to save us, and the identity of the only leader who can.

Jesus assembled a politically diverse group of followers to serve as His first disciples. Not only did He call Matthew -- a Roman tax collector and sympathizer -- but He also called Simon the Zealot -- a hard core Jewish nationalist and revolutionary. These two men had about as much in common as Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump! How was it possible that two people with starkly different ideas both followed Jesus and even gave their lives for His cause? Join us for part one of Jesus 2020 where we will learn the secret to remaining united despite our political differences.

“Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world!” Did you ever sing that song in church? If you did, and if the church you grew up in was like most churches in America, you probably didn’t see as diverse a group of people in your church as was described in that song. It has been said that the most segregated hour in America is on Sunday morning. But how can that be? If God’s love crosses racial, ethnic, and cultural barriers, why is His church still so divided by race? Join us for the final message in Tightrope where we will explore the importance of diversity and unity, and learn how the church must begin to pursue greater diversity if we are going to fulfill Jesus’ mission.

When Jesus set about to accomplish His Father’s mission, He could have done it in any number of ways, but He chose to do His work through ordinary people. Men and women who were flawed and weak and often ignorant. He sent His disciples out two by two, and later told them to “go into all the world.” This small band of brothers grew and grew and within one generation, the mighty Roman Empire was being impacted by Jesus’ followers. God has and will accomplish global transformation through the faithfulness of groups of people who are fully devoted to Him. Join us for part four of Tightrope where we will explore Southside’s commitment to kingdom expansion through small groups multiplication.

Does God want us to retreat from the world and spend all of our time seeking Him in prayer and solitude, or has He called us to go into the world as ambassadors of His coming kingdom? The answer is, “Yes!” For many believers, and most churches, the choice between practicing a prayerful, contemplative faith is always held in contrast and opposition to practicing an active faith. But Jesus not only called us to both, He spent His earthly ministry modeling the importance of each. At Southside, we believe the character of our prayers determines the character of our ministry. Join us for part three of Tightrope as we continue to explore our core values and how they shape who we are and who we hope to become.

Before leaving His disciples, Jesus gave them one commandment to obey and a great mission to accomplish. His Great Commandment was to love God and love others. His Great Commission was to go into all the world to make disciples. These verses are among His most often repeated words. At Southside, we believe a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will build a great church. If we are going to follow Jesus, we must do both. Join us for part two of Tightrope where we will consider the important tension that exists between these two directives and the dangers of doing one without the other.

Maybe you grew up in an environment where the answers to all of your hard questions began with the words, “The Bible says . . ." Those answers probably satisfied many of your questions, but perhaps there were other times when you still wondered. It is no surprise that a core value for this and many other churches is a commitment to the reliability and authority of the Bible. Unfortunately that value, apart from an understanding of the Gospel, can lead to legalism and a distortion of Jesus’ teachings. Join us for part one of Tightrope where we explore the healthy tension between being biblically grounded and Gospel-centered.

While not many people have experienced being exiled from their country and carried into captivity, most of us have had to leave places we didn’t want to leave to go to places we didn’t want to go. Circumstances may have forced you to change jobs, relocate, change schools, and leave people you love to be with people you don’t even like! How should we respond to being exiled? Is it possible that God uses times of exile to draw us closer to Himself? Join us for part 7 of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City as Pastor Gary looks at Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles and explores what it means to live in exile with God.

God told Jeremiah to record His words on a scroll and deliver them to the king, but the king cut up and burned the scroll and then went after Jeremiah and his scribe for treason. While we may not take scissors to the pages of the Bible today, we often cut out the parts we don’t like by ignoring them. We may not engage in book burnings, but our refusal to acknowledge God’s Word is no less dangerous. Join us for part 6 of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City as Pastor Gary Webber explores what Jeremiah has to teach us about the nature of God’s Word.

Jeremiah was part of a religious revival in the nation of Judah. People were feeling good about their country and their public displays of religious commitment. While Jeremiah was growing increasingly suspicious of this movement, another preacher was embracing the moment and riding the tide of popular public opinion. Join us for part five of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City where we will discover that a prophet who is truly for the city doesn’t simply smooth things over, but rather, seeks to make things right.

Jeremiah loved illustrations. As he passed by the potter’s house, he recognized that God, like the potter, had shaped and could reshape His creation into something new. Join us for part four of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City where we will celebrate the new creation God is making in men and women who have made a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism.

We don’t like the word “sin.” We prefer the word “mistake.” But a mistake, by definition, is not intentional, whereas a sin implies a more sinister intention. Sin isn’t just about behavior, it is primarily about the condition of our heart. Join us for part three of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City, where we will explore the true nature of sin and the only cure for an incurably deceitful heart.

History is full of examples of decay and reform; revolution and counter-revolution. From politics and the economy to morality and religion, humans are in a continual battle for the right to define what is right. Is there an objective standard beyond human control or definition? If so, who gets to determine what it is? Join us for part two of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City, where we explore how Jeremiah confronted the counterfeit religious reforms of his day and what the church might learn from them today.

Before Jeremiah was born, God chose him for a purpose. This isn’t only true for Jeremiah, but for every person who has ever lived. To be created in God’s image is to be created for a purpose. Paul said, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10). Join us for part one of Jeremiah: A Prophet for the City as we explore God’s call to join Him in His great redemptive work.

The Christian faith is based entirely on a single event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But what if no one had ever known about that event? What if the circumstances of Jesus’ burial had been different? What if His body hadn’t been laid in a tomb, but rather tossed in the city dump like so many other executed criminals? If there had been no tomb, no one could have known that a tomb was empty. Join us for the final message in the “Little Things” series as Pastor Gary explores why two men’s little act of courage may be the reason we know about Jesus’ resurrection today.

Before Jesus performed one of His most well-known miracles -- the feeding of 5,000 -- He required a small act of faith -- a little thing -- from the crowd. Jesus may be calling us to “sit down” in our marriage, parenting, job, congregation, etc., before He does a mighty act.

As Jesus watched people bring forward their offerings in the temple, He pointed out a shocking contrast. While many people made a show of their extravagant gifts and offerings, it was a quiet and unassuming poor widow who made the biggest offering of all. Join us for part four of The Little Things where we discover the truth about the little money we have.

Listen along as we're led in music by Eddie Lockamy, Katelyn McClain, Justin Johns, Sara Hetzel, and Gwen Hernandez.

The life and rule of King David are recorded in the Old Testament. He is seen as a hero of great faith who overcame many obstacles during his reign. However, David’s face is clearly seen in a scene before his coronation. As he fought Goliath, God used his weakness so others will see and trust in His strength. Join us for the third message in The Little Things to understand how a foolish boy was able to shame a great army with a few little stones.

When we look back on the life of Moses, we think of some of the most amazing events recorded in the Bible. We see him bravely leading the Israelites out of captivity, parting the Red Sea, walking down the mountain with the ten commandments. God used Moses to accomplish some BIG things, but it all started with Moses obeying one little command to lay down his walking stick. No big deal, right? Join us for the second message in The Little Things to learn how God makes much of the little things we surrender to Him.

Leaven is used throughout the Bible as an example of a little thing that makes a big change. Jesus warned His followers against the “leaven of the pharisees,” but also compared the Kingdom of God to leaven worked into dough. From both a positive and a negative perspective, Jesus wants us to know that little things matter. Join us for the first message in “The Little Things” as we learn the secret of leaven and how small ways of being or thinking spread to create a lasting effect.

In the final message in the Pause series, Pastor Gary Webber explores the meaning of the 30 minutes of silence John witnessed in Revelation and how that short pause reminds us that God is patiently waiting for us.

The strength of our faith is not determined by how we respond to the victories and successes in life. Faith can only be made stronger through trials and hardships. To have an enduring, resilient faith means having a faith that is tested. What is true for individuals is also true for any church. An enduring church is a church that has been tested. Join us for a message exploring how God is using COVID-19 to stretch and strengthen the faith of His church.

Have you ever heard someone say, “God said to me...” and wondered how they could be so confident that it was God speaking to them? Have you ever wondered what God’s voice sounds like? Would you know it if you heard it? Throughout the Scriptures, we frequently read about people hearing God’s voice. While it is different every time, there are certain patterns we can see. Join us for a message from 1 Samuel and tips for recognizing God’s voice.

To “sit at the feet” of a rabbi was to assume a posture of submission to that particular rabbi’s teachings. While Jesus had many disciples, it is interesting that we don’t read about them sitting at His feet. There is one notable exception, however. There is one of Jesus' disciples who is found repeatedly at the feet of Jesus. No, it’s not Peter, James, or John. In fact, it isn’t any of the twelve apostles or the countless other men who followed Jesus. It is, instead, Mary.

Join us on Mother’s Day for a message examining when and why Mary so frequently paused at Jesus’ feet and how we can learn from her example.

Many in our society still stigmatize depression and mental illness, but some of the greatest heroes of the Bible struggled with bouts of severe depression. Join us online for part 6 of Pause where we consider the story of Elijah to learn how we might avoid or overcome depression and how, if we are willing to recognize Him, God offers to meet us in the midst of our anxiety to comfort and transform us for His purpose.

Aristotle said, “Nature abhors a vacuum,” meaning that every space in nature needs to be filled with something. This isn’t only true about black holes; it is true of the human soul. Jesus identified this truth by telling a strange story of an exorcism gone bad. But upon closer examination, we discover that Jesus’ warning is about much more than exorcism. He is warning us about the empty spaces in our lives and the consequences of ignoring those vacancies. Join us for part five of Pause as we consider the vacuum that has been created as a result of COVID-19 and how we can avoid the dangerous consequences of the void.

Most people don’t like silence. Even those who claim to crave it, grow weary of it if it lasts too long. In a world filled with noise, silence can be deafening, even disturbing. We especially don’t like it when God is silent. We may even assume that God’s silence means that He is absent. But there is evidence throughout the scriptures that God often chooses to work through the silent seasons of our lives. Join us online for part 4 of Pause where we examine the story of Jonah in the belly of a fish to see how God may be using times of silence and isolation to rescue us.

Letting go is hard. When Mary first realized that Jesus was alive, she wanted to grab hold of Him and never let Him go. Jesus, however, told Mary that she couldn't hold on. She had to let go. Jesus wasn’t going to stay, and things could never go back to the way they were before. We often try to cling to the past when God is inviting us into His presence. A presence that will lead us to a future that we can only experience if we are willing to let go of the past and embrace His plans. Join us online for a special Easter Sunday message about how the unexpected pauses in our lives might be God’s invitation to let go.

We do everything we can to avoid painful realities. There are two techniques that have proven especially effective, however. These are hyperactivity and sedation. On one hand, we keep ourselves so busy that we stay ahead of the painful realities of our lives, and on the other, we sedate ourselves so we can sleep through the pain. We rush around all day until we finally crash, only to awaken to start the cycle all over again. Meanwhile, our souls are shriveling away. Join us for part 2 of Pause, where we learn the difference between pausing and sleeping and how God is inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Best thoughts and ideas about jump starting or boosting your prayer life during the “pause”...

The Papa Prayer: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

Prayer: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

Celebration of Disipline: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

The Practice of the Presence of God: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

Garden City: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...

The Prayer Journey series: https://ssbc.org/sermon-series/the-pr...

One series: https://ssbc.org/sermon-series/one/

The world has come to a standstill. Schools are shut down, businesses have closed, travel has slowed to a crawl, the economy is tanking, and even churches have been forced to close their doors. The novel coronavirus (or Covid-19) was designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization, forcing everyone to take extraordinary precautions in order to slow the spread of this deadly disease. Many people are justifiably concerned about the health implications of this pandemic as well as the shut-down’s effect on the global economy and our way of life. The requirement for “social distancing” is also creating increased isolation and is adding to an overall sense of fear and anxiety.

Apart from the very real health concerns surrounding this coronavirus, the unexpected Pause in our daily routines may also be revealing our society’s addiction to busyness and a frantic pace of life. Is it possible that we’ve become so accustomed to the noise and busyness of our world, that we’ve grown deaf to God’s still small voice? Could a silver lining of this unexpected Pause be the opportunity to draw closer to God and experience deeper community?

Join us online each Sunday throughout the coronavirus shut down for a special series exploring how God speaks to us in the interruptions of life, and how we can use this Pause to draw closer to Him.

Join us as Pastors Gary Webber, Todd Kornahrens, and Darren Sides respond to your comments and questions about the Losing My Religion sermon series.

In this, the final installment of Losing My Religion, we also consider how religion led to Jesus’ crucifixion and how His death on the cross marks the day religion died. Pastor Gary will discuss the surprising similarities between religion and secular humanism and how both fall short of their promises to bring us peace.

We all carry many identities: mother, son, doctor, student, American, Refugee, white, black, conservative, progressive, Southern Baptist, Atheist. The list can go on and on. In a culture that is increasingly divided by our identities, we must recognize the need to rest our identity in Christ. Only when our identity is in Christ can we transcend our tribal identities and truly love our neighbors. Join us for part 7 of Losing My Religion where we will look at the problem and solution to one of our cultural issues preventing true community today.

The people of God are routinely warned against profanity. From Proverbs in the Old Testament, to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, and throughout the New Testament, believers are constantly warned about the dangers of an untamed tongue. So what could possibly have driven a man who wrote the majority of the books in our New Testament to cuss? Join us for part 6 of Losing My Religion where we look at one of the most provocative words recorded in Scripture and learn what could possibly have driven the Apostle Paul to the point of losing his religion!

On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as the cathedral at Notre Dame burned. Estimates for rebuilding the cathedral are now approaching 2 billion dollars. The secular French government has committed to its reconstruction, “no matter the cost.” For many, Notre Dame and buildings like it stand as a representation of their religious traditions. For others, it is more about national pride and the cathedral’s history, art and architecture. The destruction of such buildings is a tragedy affecting people from all walks of life. By the time of Jesus, the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and rebuilt. Its destruction was a painful scar in Jewish history. So it's no wonder that people were upset when Jesus seemed to suggest they should tear it down and that He would rebuild it in 3 days. Join us for part 5 of Losing My Religionwhere we will look at the difference between the church that Jesus built, and the religious structures built by man.

The word “religion” stirs all kinds of emotions in us. They may be positive emotions associated with faith, traditions, and our connection with God. Or, they could be negative memories of manipulation, hypocrisy, or abuse. You might expect the Bible to offer a purely positive definition of “religion,” but in reality, the Bible offers more warnings about the dangers of religion than a positive defense of it. Join us for part three of Losing My Religion where we explore the difference between good and bad religion.

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. It is considered by many to be the foundation of two major world religions. It has been used by all kinds of people to justify all kinds of good and bad things done in the name of religion. But what if the Bible is not primarily a religious text, but a record of the failure of religion? What if the Bible is not the treasure, but merely the map pointing us to it? Join us for part 2 of Losing My Religion as we consider how Jesus read the Bible and came to a very irreligious conclusion.

Recent surveys have revealed that a growing number of people no longer identify with any religion. They do not claim to be protestant or catholic, they are not affiliated with Islam or Hinduism, they simply claim no religious affiliation. They have come to be known as “nons.” If this group were its own religion, it would be the fastest growing in America. Jesus was a friend to the irreligious. He attracted the sinners and the tax collectors while the religious people of Jesus’ day were often at odds with His teachings and methods. Perhaps this is because Jesus did not come to make people religious, but to invite them into a relationship. The great irony Christianity is that it was founded by a man who came to end religion, not start a new one. Join us for a series exploring the irreligious teachings of Jesus and what they mean for us today.

A crowd of gentiles wanted to approach Jesus but were not sure if they could since they were not Jewish. Cultural and social barriers still get in the way of the message of the Gospel today. Join us for part four of Go Fish! and see how Andrew responded to the crowds’ request to see Jesus.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

When we think about becoming fishers of people, we can become overwhelmed by the need. There are literally billions of people on the planet and the task of sharing the good news with all of them seems impossible. Jesus’ first disciples faced a similarly overwhelming situation when Jesus told them to feed a crowd of more than 5,000 people. Philip became overwhelmed, but Andrew focused on one small child and through that child, Jesus provided for everyone. Join us for part three of Go Fish! where we learn the importance of doing for one what you wish you could do for all.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Talking to other people about faith is a scary thought. The fear of rejection and damaged relationships often keeps us silent on issues of faith and our deepest held beliefs about God. Join us for part two of “Go Fish!” where we see how two of Jesus’ lesser known disciples boldly shared their new found faith in Jesus and those acts of courage changed the course of eternity.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Jesus’ call to discipleship includes the promise of a career change. His first disciples all left their jobs when they answered Jesus’ call. Some left their tax booths, others left their fishing nets, but everyone who followed Jesus gave up one job for something new. What kind of career offer did Jesus make these guys? Did He call them to become great theologians, or teachers, or Military leaders? No. Instead, Jesus simply said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus’ invitation remains the same today. Jesus’ followers fish. That’s what they do! Join us for a series exploring the life of Andrew and how his habit of bringing people to Jesus still sets an example for us today.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

The incarnation didn’t just happen once upon a time a long time ago. When Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He promised them that the Holy Spirit would come and take up residence in their hearts, empowering them to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. This means that the incarnation continues in the lives of men and women fully submitted to God. We (the church) are now the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Join us for the final message in the Saving Christmas series as we explore what it means to live like every day is Christmas.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Blue Christmas isn’t just a song, it’s a reality for many people for whom the holidays stir up all kinds of sadness and depression. Two-thousand years ago, at the birth of Jesus, the angels declared “Peace on earth, good will to men on whom God’s favor rests.” So why are we more anxious and depressed than ever? And why does this seem especially true at this time of year? Join us for part four of Saving Christmas as we consider how Christmas is saving us from despair and hopelessness.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

For many people there is at least one person they’d like to avoid at this year’s Christmas get-together. The reasons range from simple annoyances to serious offenses. At the announcement of Jesus’ birth, the angels’ proclaimed, “Peace on earth, good will toward people on whom God’s favor rests.” If Christmas is the celebration of God making peace with us, shouldn’t we be able to make peace with one another? Join us for part three of Saving Christmas, where we will discover the missing ingredient to the peace we seek with all of the “Grinches” in our world.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better

SPOILER ALERT – Parents: This sermon will contain spoilers!!

“He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows if you’re awake; He knows if you’ve been bad or good; So be good for goodness sake!” The traditions and stories that center around Santa Claus have become deeply embedded in our celebration of Christmas, but do they align with the message of the Gospel? What, if any, impact are these stories having on the next generation? Join us for the second message in Saving Christmas as Pastor Gary compares the theology of Santa Claus to the story of Jesus.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Christmas is expensive! Analysts expect us to spend $920 per person on gifts in 2019. If they’re right, it will mean that holiday spending has increased every year since 2008 and will top $1 trillion for the first time ever! But an expensive Christmas is not the same as a meaningful Christmas. In fact, you may be spending a lot of money and only cheapening the true meaning of the season. Maybe we spend so much because we are trying to compensate for something that would cost us much more. It is easy to shop online and have Christmas arrive on your doorstep with free delivery. But Jesus’ delivery was anything but free to Mary and Joseph. These young political refugees had little in the way of worldly wealth, but their sacrifice is what made that first Christmas possible. Join us for the first message in our new series, Saving Christmas, as we count the cost of making room for Jesus at Christmas time.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

Remember Black Friday before the internet? Waiting in lines to get those special after Thanksgiving deals? Even if you aren’t old enough to remember or aren’t a shopper, the concept of waiting in line is universal. It seems like we spend most of our lives waiting on something. We wait to get out of school, then we wait to find a Mr./Mrs. “Right”; we wait to start a family, then we wait for the kids to get a little older; we wait to retire and we wait to die… Life is one interminable waiting room! The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is called Advent. It is a season in which we remember a time when the world was waiting for the arrival of its Savior. A time to anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus and to prepare our hearts and homes to be His dwelling place. Join us as we explore God’s purpose behind waiting and how we can make the most out of it this Advent.

Before email and text messages, most written correspondence was done through letters. Unlike modern forms of communication, letters didn’t come with a thread of what had already been said by the other person. Reading another person’s letter only gives us a portion of the full story. Third John, the shortest book in the Bible, is more like a postcard written by John to a man named Gaius. While we can’t know everything that was going on in Gaius’s church, this little letter offers the modern church several important lessons.

Southside is not a building, not an institution. We are a community of believers, moving toward a life fully devoted to Jesus. Our deacons are those who look to serve our community.

We have a number of new deacons and we'd like to introduce them to you so you can get to know them a little better.

In the state of New Mexico, there is a small town by the name of Truth or Consequences. The name change happened in 1950 to coincide with a game show hosted by Ralph Edwards. The residents of this town are the first to admit that after the name change, weird things began to happen daily. To this day the town is known as a "Weird Town with Weird Happenings."

There was not a Truth or Consequences town or game show when Paul was writing his love letters to the Church. But there certainly were some weird things happening within the towns and churches. In his second letter, John is warning the believers that deceivers had gone out into the world and how they should watch themselves because of the falsehoods being spread about Jesus and His teachings. John is encouraging those believers to continue walking in Truth and Love or there will be serious consequences ahead.

John's warning is just as important for us to hear today. Join us as we see how Truth and Love should characterize our everyday walk with the Lord lest we face the consequences that may lie ahead.

We love surprise endings. From the revelation of Darth Vader’s true identity to the shocking ending of The Sixth Sense, Hollywood has made a fortune blowing the minds of moviegoers. While the end of John’s first letter isn’t the script for any major Hollywood motion picture, it can have the same effect on its reader. Join us for the conclusion of 1 John where we learn the secret to understanding God, our true identity, and living life in Christ.

Some people say we are living in the “age of skepticism.” From social media spin doctors to outright fake news, there are certainly many reasons to be skeptical. How do you distinguish those who use religion and faith to manipulate and mislead from those who are proclaiming the truth? This is not a new problem for the Church. From the very beginning of the Christian faith, there have been those who have distorted and perverted the teachings of Jesus. Jesus Himself warned His followers about “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” The Apostle John wants a new generation of Jesus’ followers to know the difference.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” We gaze into mirrors to see the reflection of the only face we cannot see directly – our own! Some are fascinated with their own reflection (Narcissus), some play the comparison game (Snow White’s evil queen), and some avoid self-reflection all together. As followers of Jesus we are called to be transformed into the image of Christ, but how, exactly, does that happen and what does it look like? Join us for week three of Love Letters where we discover the importance of reflecting on the person we want to become a reflection of.

John is calling the Church to walk and live in the light and love of Jesus Christ, so they can witness to the world and help bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. John calls his community not to sin but lets them know if they do, there is grace. However, the goal is not to sin. John lets us know that the only way to live in the light of Christ is by being in Christ. If we are in Christ, we will be obedient, will not hate our neighbor, and will not love the world. This is a mirror for the church to hold to our faith to see if we are in Christ, not a litmus test for the world.

How do we know what we know? This may seem like a simple question, but it is one with which philosophers and theologians have wrestled for centuries. It is even more complicated when we talk about things like faith and spirituality. John wanted to assure his readers that what they believed about Jesus was true. As one of the last living witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, he was uniquely qualified to offer that assurance. Join us for part 1 of Love Letters as we take a look at chapter 1 of First John to meet the messenger, hear the message, and learn why it matters.

Jesus said to “pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers to the field” – the “field” was the mass of humanity – the city – that was coming toward Him. Later, Jesus wept as He overlooked the city of Jerusalem, before issuing His final directive to His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Join us as Pastor Gary shares three major changes we must make if we are going to be a church that is For the City.

The thought of impacting the city can seem overwhelming. Rather than allowing the size of the task to paralyze us, we must recognize that the city begins when we cross the threshold of our house. We change the city by doing for one what we wish we could do for all. The person you stand behind in the line at the coffee shop or the cashier who serves you at the grocery store may be a person in whom God is doing a deep and important work. Following Jesus means joining Him in the work He is already doing. In part seven of For the City, we will see how Jesus applied this principle and how His simple encounter with one person changed an entire community.

Being in the city comes with unique opportunities and challenges. Jesus called His followers to be salt and light. How are believers called to influence the city by standing out in it? Join us for part six of For the City where we will explore a famous Bible story about three young men made the risky decision to stand up against the culture of their city.

It is often said that Christians are to “be in the world, but not of it,” but what, exactly does that mean? How immersed in culture should Jesus’ followers be? How effective would we be if we completely isolated and insulted ourselves from the culture around us? Would we stand out as salt and light if we completely embraced culture? Join us for part five of For the City where we explore God’s directions to the Babylonian exiles and consider what we might learn about relating to our own city.

When the Apostle Paul went to Athens, he was entering one of the largest most influential cities of his time. As he looked around that impressive city, his heart was broken by the lostness of the people. But believing God had called him there to share the gospel, Paul engaged the philosophers and city leaders, challenging their world view and inviting them to rethink their concept of God. As our own city grows and changes, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to approach Jacksonville the way Paul approached Athens. We can choose to ignore what’s happening in our city. We can become isolated and resist the changes, or we can embrace these changes as being from God. How can we expect non-believers to change their hearts and minds if we are unable to change our hearts and minds to embrace them?

Have you ever felt a holy discontent? That sense that things could and should be different? This divine displeasure will either move us to action or cause us to grow callous and blind to the needs around us. When Nehemiah was confronted with the living conditions of the people living in Jerusalem, he was moved to act and rushed toward the city. Join us for part three of For the City where we will learn how moving toward the needs of our community will bring us nearer to the heart of God.

When God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, he responded by running in the opposite direction. God’s call always leads to a crisis of belief that requires faith and obedience. We cannot stay where we are and go with God. Join us for part two of For the City where we explore the challenge of answering God’s call and our temptation to run in the opposite direction to a place of comfort and security.

God called a man named Abram to leave his childhood home and go to a place he did not know. A place God would only reveal after Abram stepped out in faith and obedience. Abram’s epic search for God’s chosen city would become the catalyst for the nation of Israel and ultimately, the redemption of all humanity. Join us for part one of For the City, where we explore the great cities of the Bible and how they are pointing us to God’s ultimate plan for His Church.

In an obscure passage listing the people who helped King David unify the nation of Israel, the writer of Chronicles mentions the men of Issachar as those who understood their times and knew what to do. As culture is constantly shifting and changing, the people of God have continued to need people like the men of Issachar. People who can understand the times and know what to do. Join us for a special 80th anniversary message in which we will explore what is going on around us and how God is calling us to respond.

A recurring theme throughout the book of Psalms is a declaration of God’s reign over all the nations of the earth. In fact, this idea runs throughout the course of the entire Bible, beginning with God’s command to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, to Jesus call for His followers to make disciples of all nations, to the culmination of human history when the book of Revelations declares that “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdoms of our Lord.” Join us for the conclusion of our Summer Psalms Mixtape series as we welcome home Chris and Kristie Underwood and celebrate all the ways Southside is participating in the expansion of God’s Kingdom throughout the earth.

Have you ever received news so good you felt like you would explode? If your life had been a musical, you would have burst into song! If so, you have also likely had the opposite experience. Times when the burdens of life seemed so heavy that you were desperate for someone else to help carry the load. Times when the song in the musical of your life would have been in a minor key. Many of the Psalms are testimonies of joy and sadness, hope and despair. Authentic worshippers do not try to hide their thoughts and feelings from God, but neither do they accept their feelings as ultimate truth. Instead, they lay them all before God and invite Him to speak truth and healing into their hearts. Join us for the third installment of our Summer Psalms Mixtape series and discover the powerful worship of personal story.

Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” describes the tortured mind of someone who has committed a horrible crime. His secret is eating him alive and driving him insane. Secret sin has that effect on the human heart. Because we are created in the image of God, our hearts are not designed to hold onto sin. When we try to keep sin a secret, we suffer physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Join us for the second message in the Summer Psalms Mixtape where we discover the healing power of confession and the grace of the Savior who redeems us from our tell-tale hearts.

The Bible begins with a description of God’s creation and man’s call to steward and care for it. So what does that mean for Christians today? What is the biblical view of creation and the environment? Throughout history people have, on the one hand, confused creation with the Creator, and on the other, ignored God’s call to care for the world He has given us. Join us for the first message in the Summer Psalms Mixtape where we will learn how creation is declaring the glory of the Creator and how we can best fulfill our purpose when we join the song of all creation.

Road trips are always more fun when you travel with people you love. For three years, Jesus and His followers traveled together throughout the Judean countryside. Along the way, the disciples learned a lot about each other and God’s Kingdom. Throughout the New Testament, believers worked together to serve the church and accomplish God’s will. It is in community that God reveals His plans and purpose. In part four of Walk This Way, we look at the importance of community in understanding who we are and what we are called to do.

It’s one thing to know God’s will and another to do it! One of Jesus earliest disciples said, “I know the good I ought to do, but don’t do it. And the evil I shouldn’t do? Well, I just keep on doing it!” Can you relate? In part three of Walk This Way, we will explore the challenge and rewards of obedience, and how we can walk in it.

The ancient Hebrews taught that you should learn from your rabbi by “covering yourself in his dust.” This phrase might not mean as much in our world of concrete and asphalt, but to the ancient Jewish mind, it was a clear call to stick closely to the teachings of the rabbi you chose to follow. Join us for part two of Walk This Way where we will explore how to understand the Bible the way Jesus did.

What if finding God’s purpose was as simple as taking a step? Most of us complicate our search for God’s purpose by attempting to answer all of life’s most difficult questions before taking that first step. But as the saying goes, “it’s hard to steer a parked car!” Join us for the first part of Walk This Way, where Pastor Gary Webber explores Jesus’ teaching about our ultimate purpose.

The New Testament frequently compares the church to a family. In fact, our families have been ultimately been designed by God to prepare us to be a part of His family! Join us for the conclusion of Homefield Advantage as we welcome home Pastor Gary Webber who will be sharing his heart for the future of our Southside Family.

Darren serves as our Associate Pastor of Discipleship, giving leadership in the areas of Adult Small Groups and our Ministry to Students (6-12 grade) and their families.

Paul and his wife Rachel are originally from Texas, but they and their four children have called Jacksonville “home” since December of 2007, when they answered the call to come to Faithbridge Church where Paul serves as the Senior Pastor.

Paul has a passion for guiding the local church to boldly lead people to transformed lives through faith in Jesus Christ.

Rachel White is the Founder and Executive Director of Her Song Jacksonville. She is a licensed professional counselor and an ambassador and advocate for human trafficking survivors. Rachel has a long history of dedication to the well-being of women through ministry, spiritual care, and discipleship which she says marries beautifully with counseling. She naturally offers compassionate care to others and is the lead counselor for the women who come to Her Song, while also providing visionary leadership for the organization.

Dr. Jerry Haag serves as president and CEO of FBCH and One More Child – a leading child welfare agency that provides Christ-centered services to meet the needs of hungry children, trafficked children, foster children, single moms and struggling families. Under Dr. Haag’s leadership, FBCH and One More Child have increased from serving 3,351 children and individuals in 2007 to impacting 249,044 in 2018. During his tenure as president, he has guided the expansion of ministry sites from nine locations in Florida to more than 50 locations around the globe.

To read more about Dr. Haag and the ministry of One More Child, visit FBCHomes.org

Major League baseball teams play 162 games during the regular season. Eighty-one games are played “away” and another 81 are played at home. Since 2004 the average MLB baseball team has won 54% percent of their home games. This “Home Field Advantage” comes, in part, because the host team has a better knowledge of the field and a friendly crowd cheering them on. But imagine if a baseball team only won games on the road and lost all of their home games. It wouldn’t take long for the crowd to thin out and the players to begin dreading coming home. This describes how many people feel as they drive home from work. They are winners in the workplace but feel like they are always losing at home. This may be, in part, because while we focus on leadership in the marketplace, we seldom apply those same principles of leadership at home. Join us as Pastor Gary Webber kicks off a six-week series where we examine the biblical playbook for winning where it counts.

Our greatest disappointments in life happen when our greatest hopes are unfulfilled. The closer we come to accomplishing our goals the harder it is when we fail. It’s tough to endure a losing season, but it is devastating to lose the championship in overtime. Two thousand years ago, Jesus’ earliest followers had suffered the devastating disappointment of His arrest and crucifixion. This loss was so great that they nearly missed the miracle that was just about to happen. Join us as we celebrate the God who turns our greatest disappointments into our greatest victories.

If you’ve ever had dinner at a nice restaurant and left the table, you probably returned to find your napkin neatly folded and reset in place. Proper dinner etiquette teaches that what we do with our napkin when we leave a table is an important indication as to whether or not we plan to return. When Jesus ate His Last Supper with the Disciples, He left a very important clue about what was about to happen and His intention to return to the table. Join us for the final message in the With This Cup Series where we look beyond religion to see God’s bigger plan.

When we take the Lord’s Supper, we do it with a variety of other people who share our faith and our common need for grace. But as we look around, we may not find much else in common with our fellow worshippers. While the meaning of the Lord’s Supper can be extremely personal and should inspire us to look deep within, it also reminds us that Jesus’ love for the world should also draw us together. As the bread is broken from one loaf and the wine is shared from a common cup, we who were once disconnected from God and each other are united by love of Jesus. We will share The Lord’s Supper around the table as we hear stories about how Jesus is drawing us together.

As you prepare to share communion around the table:

1. Describe the spiritual atmosphere of your home growing up.

2. Who played the biggest role in your faith journey growing up?

3. How are the people around you (both at this table and figuratively) challenging and encouraging your walk with Jesus?

4. What can (should) you be doing to encourage the faith of those God has placed in your life?

5. As you are serving the Lord’s supper, ask a volunteer (or two) to briefly share how they came to faith in Christ.

6. How should sharing this meal affect our relationship with each other? With future generations?

Jesus’ death on the cross is a demonstration of God’s love, but it wouldn’t have been necessary were not for the sin and brokenness in our hearts. Just as the Lord’s Supper is an invitation to look and remember God’s love, it is also a mirror that allows to evaluate the condition of our souls and recognize our need for a Savior. We will begin our worship service with a time of silent reflection as we prepare our hearts to share the Lord’s Supper.

Why do we like the foods we like? What makes us crave one thing while being repulsed by something else? Our cravings and aversions are not only a reflection of our cultural preferences, they speak to a deeper divine design. Every religion uses food as a part of their religious rituals. But for Christians, the Lord’s Supper is not necessarily an appetizing concept. In fact, when Jesus first introduced it, many people found it so disgusting that they walked away from Him. Join us for part one of With This Cup where we will see how The Lord’s Supper invites us to look back and remember the price God paid for our redemption.

When we think about boundaries it is easy to think only about those boundaries God has set for us, but it is also important to consider how God Himself has chosen to work and relate to us within certain boundaries. Why would an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God restrict Himself to the boundaries of time, space, temptation, and suffering? Join us for the conclusion of the Boundaries series to learn the answer and to discover the secret to living the unlimited life.

There has never been a society more averse to suffering than ours. We have perfected the art of reducing, eliminating, medicating – and if all else fails – hiding pain and suffering. But pain and suffering are an inescapable part of the human condition. The question is, to what end? Do the boundaries created by our frail bodies and the pain and suffering we endure in this life tell us anything about God? Join us for the next installment of Boundaries as we discuss the prison of pain and how to find God in that place.

Since the sexual revolution of the 1960’s and 70’s, it might appear as if our society has become more and more sexually promiscuous. In reality, however, we’ve probably just become more open about the promiscuity that has always existed. The early church faced a culture that had very destructive beliefs and practices related to human sexuality. One of the things that set early Christians apart was their understanding of the beauty and sacredness of human sexuality as designed by God. Join us for part seven of Boundaries as we discuss God’s design for human sexuality and how it points to very essence of our most basic desires.

You may not consider temptation to be a boundary God uses to direct your path, but throughout history, great people of faith have struggled with all kinds of temptations. Some successfully resisted, and others gave in, but all came to understand that the temptations they faced were boundaries marking out God’s place of protection and provision. Even Jesus faced intense temptation as He began His public ministry. In part six of Boundaries we will consider the temptations Jesus faced and how those same temptations are boundaries for His followers today.

Money is perhaps the most recognizable of all boundaries. Most of us have been in a situation where we have felt the constraints of not having enough money to do what we wanted or even needed to do. The Bible has a lot to say about money and how we use it – not because God needs our money – but because money and how we think about it is so deeply connected to our spiritual well-being. Join us for part five of Boundaries where we explore what the Bible teaches about financial boundaries and how God can use them to guide and provide.

Have you ever wished for more time? Maybe it was so you could meet a deadline, or for a vacation to last a little longer. We have all felt like we are running out of time. In fact, the Bible tell us that our days are numbered! Time is an immovable boundary that forces us to make choices with what we will do with the limited time we have. “In the fullness of time,” the Bible says, Jesus entered into time and experienced the confines of time and space. And yet, Jesus was never in a hurry. In fact, we can see several occasions when He appeared to be late to important events! Jesus’ daily pace shows us a rhythm of life that is at peace in spite of the demands and pressures of time. Join us for part four of Boundaries where we will learn Jesus’ secret to “making time”.

The relationships we value create boundaries in our lives. A commitment to our spouse, our responsibilities to our children or parents, and the needs of friends all create certain limitations in our lives. These relational boundaries can be very difficult to identify and are frequently crossed. This creates relational conflict that impacts our lives in significant ways. Join us for part three of boundaries where we will look at four stories from the Bible the illustrate appropriate relational boundaries and the consequences of ignoring them.

God’s perfect creation was a wide-open space with only one boundary marker. But because man chose to cross the only line God said not to cross, the human race has been imprisoned by the consequences of sin ever since. What began as one simple law forbidding Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of a particular tree became a law so burdensome that there was no hope of fulfilling it. Join us for part two of Boundaries where we will explore the purposes of God’s law and how we can fulfill that law by answering one simple question.

You’ve probably heard the statement, “Great fences make great neighbors.” Regardless of how you feel about that phrase, you have likely experienced the benefit of healthy boundaries in certain relationships and the pain that comes with the lack of them in others. Healthy boundaries are important in other areas of life as well. From how we handle money and use our time, to how we deal with suffering and respond to disappointments, boundaries are a reality for all of us. Join us for a new sermon series exploring what the Bible teaches about boundaries: what they are, how we should face them, what they teach us about God, and how we find the pleasant places He has for us inside of them.

Before anyone else knew God’s plan, there was a young girl in an obscure village who would not only be the first to know, she would be the first to welcome Him into world.

When angels appeared to shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem, they declared, “Peace on earth, good will to men.” But centuries before, God had offered a clue about the mission of the coming Messiah when Isaiah said He would be called the “Prince of Peace.” How is it possible that a baby born in a barn to a poor refugee couple could bring about the peace that had so long eluded the wisest and most powerful kings? And if that is what He came to bring, why does it elude us still today? Join us for part four of Alias as we explore God’s conspiracy to finally bring peace on earth and good will to all.”

The Bible tells us that in “the fullness of time God sent forth His Son,” but even before the birth of Jesus, the great Advent Conspiracy had long been underway. One of the aliases the Prophet Isaiah gave Jesus was the “Everlasting Father.” Jewish and Christian scholars have debated this name for centuries. Isaiah was literally calling Jesus the “Father of Eternity.” Join us for part three of Alias where we will learn how Jesus came to give us the gift of eternity.

Seven hundred years before Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to reveal four important clues about the coming Messiah. One of those clues was that He would be called “Mighty God.” This Hebrew phrase literally means “Hero-God.” God came to us in human flesh, the ultimate superhero in disguise. He would not only rescue us from sin and death, He would defeat those enemies once and for all. Join us for part two of Alias where we will learn that Jesus was more than a human savior; He was and is our Hero God.

God’s conspiracy to rescue us from sin and death began long before the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. In fact, 700 years before the angel appeared to the shepherds, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to give us four important clues about the coming Messiah. One of the aliases Isaiah used to describe Jesus was “Wonderful Counselor.” When we think about a counselor, we may think about a mental health professional, a religious adviser, a lawyer, or someone who gives advice in a specific field. But Jesus has come to offer us more than good advice; He is our Wonderful Counselor. Join us for part one of Alias as we learn how Jesus is God’s word of hope to a hopeless world.

Thousands of evangelistic conversations have started with the question, “If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain you would go to heaven?” While this question has been effective for many, for others it has made the Gospel sound less like good news and more like a life insurance plan. Jesus said He came to give life and give it abundantly. While we all need life insurance, we want abundant life. Join us for the final message in 30 Words where we explore the difference between a Gospel that only promises heaven when we die versus a Gospel that promises that we can share in God’s life here, now, and forever.

We apologize for the audio issues. Faulty recordings and dead batteries. Check out our Facebook live event for the missing piece in the middle.

At its best, religion is our attempt to get to God. At its worst, it is an effort to hide from God while attempting to manipulate and control others. Jesus did not come to give us a new religious system. He came to end religion by offering us a relationship with God that is not dependent on temples, priests, or sacrifices, but on God’s abundant grace and our faith in Him. Join us for part six of 30 Words, where Pastor Gary explores this most radical and unexpected gift of the Gospel.

For some the Gospel message is primarily about going to heaven when we die. While that is good news, it is not the best news. Jesus came to do much more than take us to heaven when we die, He came to set up God’s kingdom here and now. Join us for part 5 of 30 Words where we will learn about God’s Kingdom and how it gives us hope now and forever.

We don’t like the word “sin.” It sounds way too judgmental. It makes us think of legalistic people, hypocrisy, and everything we don’t like about religion and church. While most people don’t claim to be perfect, few are willing to embrace the title of “sinner.” We may be willing to admit a “mistake,” but we are reluctant to say that we have “sinned.” The problem with the word “mistake,” is that it is insufficient to describe our problem. You make a mistake on a math test. Mistakes are easy to fix, but what do we do about the problem of sin? Join us for part 4 of 30 Words where we will learn the good news that Jesus came to save us from sin.

God is love. There are very few people who would disagree with that statement, and even fewer who wouldn’t at least say they hope that is the case. But how do we know for sure? In part three of 30 Words, we will consider what it means that God is love and how Jesus came to prove it to us once and for all.

You cannot understand the Gospel as “good news” until you understand who Jesus is. And once you truly understand who Jesus is, there is no way you will ever understand the Gospel as anything other than good news! Jesus is not just a great teacher who established a world religion. He is God with skin on – God with us – God for us, not against us. Join us for part two of 30 Words where Pastor Gary will share three reasons why the Gospel must begin with Jesus.

The Gospel is so simple a child can understand it, yet so immense that people have dedicated their lives in pursuit of it. This simple message radically changed the world until the world gradually changed the message. Throughout the years, the Gospel has been faithfully shared, preserved, complicated, weaponized and even ignored. You may call yourself a Christian and still be asking, “What is the Gospel, and how do I explain it to other people?” Join us for a new sermon series in which we will learn, live and share the Gospel message in 30 Words.

Money ... what people think about it, and how they use it offers a window into the human soul. Money is the source of much of our anxiety and almost all of our greed. No wonder the Bible calls love of it a root of all evil. It is also why Jesus talked so much about money — not to try to get it from us, but to try to keep it from getting us! Join us for the final part of Selfless where we will take a look at what Jesus had to say about selfless generosity as an antidote for greed and anxiety.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). That’s high praise coming from Jesus. After all, “those born of women” pretty much includes everyone ever born! But why would Jesus give so high compliment to such a – let’s face it – bizarre character? The dude dressed in camel skin and ate locusts! And that was weird even in Bible times. Surely such high praise from the Son of God would warrant a little boasting, right? Wrong. In fact, it was John’s incredible humility that positioned him to be the perfect warm-up act for Jesus’ arrival. Join us for part three of Selfless, where we will learn the formula for humility from John the Baptist.

Jesus modeled the kind of selfless service He called His disciples to practice. In fact, it was the selfless service of the early Christians that attracted the attention of the entire Roman world and led to the rapid growth of the first-century church. Join us for part two of Selfless where we will learn the secret to selfless service and why it is still essential for following Jesus.

There has never been a time when people have been more confronted with “self” than we are today. From the rise in popularity of everything from self-help books to the “selfie sticks,” we are clearly a culture of people consumed with self. We are acutely aware of our own image and how that image is being projected to a world we have been convinced is always watching. This unending barrage of self has inflated our egos while simultaneously creating a deep sense of personal insecurity. In many ways, we are like a nation of people walking around gazing into hand-held mirrors, so consumed with our own image that we fail to see the people all around us. One of the most defining and yet misunderstood characteristics of Jesus, is that of humility. C.S. Lewis famously described humility not as thinking less of yourself, but of thinking of yourself less. Join us for a four-week series on humility and how this virtue can free us from the tyranny of self-absorption and make us look more like the Savior.

When asked if the end of World War II was near, Winston Churchill famously replied, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” As we conclude our look at the life of the Apostle Paul and our Journey through the book of Acts, join Pastor Gary Webber as we consider how the unfinished story of Acts 28 invites us to continue Christ’s mission to the ends of the earth.

Just when you think it can’t get any worse… it usually does! The question is, how do you prepare for the unthinkable? The time to make preparations for a storm is when the weather is still calm. The time to prepare a ship for an emergency at sea is while it is still tied to the pier. Join us for a look at Acts 27 where Paul faces the perfect storm and shows how faith in Jesus can prepare us for the unexpected.

Have you ever felt like you were on trial? Maybe you actually were in a court of law or maybe it was just an intense conversation with a person asking really hard questions. The Apostle Paul was frequently brought before officials and interrogated about his faith in Jesus and his activities sharing that faith throughout the Roman empire. On each occasion, Paul took the opportunity to share the good news about Jesus Christ. In a threatening environment, when some would shrink away, Paul stepped up and made a passionate and reasonable defense of the faith. Join us for part 12 of Journey to the Ends of the Earth where we will examine Acts 26 and learn a simple, but effective plan for sharing our faith.

Depending on how you count it, the Apostle Paul was arrested, tried and imprisoned anywhere between 3 to 5 times. Paul’s determination in the face of opposition is remarkable. Where did Paul gain the strength to endure so much persecution and suffering and what does his example teach us today? Join us for part eleven of Journey to the Ends of the Earth, as we consider what it means to be captive to the call of Christ.

Oftentimes, we ask the Lord for guidance when we have already made our own itinerary. We pack what we believe is important, set our own expectations, and establish our personal measures for success. In part ten of Journey to the Center of the Earth we look at what things we must set aside to truly embrace God’s direction as we cling to the essentials.

In part nine of our series, Journey to the Ends of the Earth, we look at the way in which we should challenge cultural idols while still maintaining an individual faith built on the truth of Jesus.

As a good Jew, Paul woke up every morning and prayed a traditional Hebrew prayer that went something like this, "God, I thank You that You have not made me a Gentile, a slave, or a woman..." Ironically, the first three converts in the city of Philippi were, a wealthy woman, a poor slave girl, and a Gentile prison guard. Join us for Part Six of Journey to the Ends of the Earth, where Pastor Gary explores how the Gospel blows down social barriers and welcomes those some may be tempted to overlook.

Paul was not only a prolific church planter and evangelist, he invested deeply in the lives of younger men whom he would put in charge as pastors of the churches he was planting. The church in America is facing a crisis of leadership. Only three out of ten pastors will “finish well,” meaning that seven will wither burn out or fail out of ministry prior to retirement age. Clearly, we need individuals like Paul who will invest in young leaders and equip them for the long haul of ministry. In Part Seven of Journey to the Ends of the Earth, we will learn how Paul invested in the lives of young leaders and hear about an exciting new ministry initiative called the Center for Pastoral Resilience.

The road of life is full of unexpected twists and turns. How we respond to those unforeseen detours says a lot about our faith. The Apostle Paul’s journey was certainly full of a lot of unanticipated diversions. Beginning with the Road to Damascus, Paul was constantly changing course, but rather than growing discouraged, Paul’s faith seemed to deepen with each change. What did Paul know that we need to understand as we face the unimaginable bends in the road ahead? Join us for part six of Journey to the Ends of the Earth, as Pastor Gary tries to answer the question, “What do you do when the circumstances of life take an unexpected turn?”

Do you ever feel like someone keeps moving the goal post? You thought you understood what you had to do, how far you had to go, how much you had to pay, only to discover that more was required? Many of the early Gentiles Christians must have felt this way. Paul had told them that Jesus had accomplished everything required for their salvation. But other religious leaders came along and told them that they also had to follow a long list of Jewish customs and laws. From the very beginning, the church was faced with the cancer of legalism. Join us for a message by Pastor Gary looking at the events of Acts 15 and how those events signal the end of legalism and religion as we know it.

Throughout time and in every culture, there is evidence that humans have always sought out heroes. From the mythical gods of the Greeks and the Romans to the sports and entertainment stars of modern America, people are constantly seeking and making heroes to worship. In part four of Journey to the Ends of the Earth we see this principle at work as a crowd of gentiles try to make Paul and Barnabas their gods. In this message Pastor Gary explores why we have this universal longing and how it points us to Jesus.

The church in Antioch was the first church to give Paul a significant leadership position, it was also the church that sent Paul on his first missionary journey, a journey that would lead to churches springing up throughout the entire Roman Empire. This was a church that truly changed the world! Join us for week three of Journey to the Ends of the Earth as Pastor Gary explores six characteristics of a church that changes the world.

Other than Jesus Himself, there has been no more influential person in the development of the Christian faith than the Apostle Paul. He authored a majority of the books that make up the New Testament, carried the Gospel throughout Asia and into Europe, defined and defended a new understanding of God’s covenant, and built the framework for Christian theology. But a closer look at Paul also reveals him as the most unlikely champion of Christianity. His encounter with the resurrected Jesus transformed him from one of the church’s most zealous persecutors to its greatest defender. What can we learn from this man of faith and how can his example help us on our journey to discipleship? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Gary Webber kicks off a summer-long sermon series exploring the life and times of the Apostle Paul.

The #metoo movement has impacted every arena of our society from entertainment to government and everything in between. The church has not escaped scrutiny as some have used religion as a weapon to control and manipulate women for their own selfish motives. But Jesus and the early church were radical in their understanding of the value and equality of women in first century Rome. Join us as Pastor Gary Webber explores what the Bible says about women and their unique and vital role in the Church.

Every transition in life requires a certain amount of change: when we finish school and start our career or move from single life to marriage or from a childless existence to parenthood. Nothing will ever be the same again. There is no turning back. And yet, old habits die hard. But if we are going to thrive through all the changes of life, we must embrace the sacrifice each new reality requires, be sensitive to God’s activity, and be totally dependent on Him. In the final message of the Breakout series, Pastor Gary Webber explores Acts 12 to discover the three requirements of a breakout faith.

It has been said that 11 o’clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. But if the message of the Gospel is love and reconciliation, why do our churches not reflect greater diversity? In Part four of Breakout, Pastor Gary Lee Webber looks at three specific forms of discrimination and how the Gospel can break us out of each of them.

When was the last time you found yourself disgusted? Maybe it was something you saw on television, or something you found rotting in the fridge, or the smell coming from your son’s gym bag. Disgust is a natural reaction designed to keep us from things which might be potentially dangerous to our well-being, but the disgust response can also be triggered by things we find morally repulsive. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He often offended the religious crowd by engaging those people they found disgusting. In part 5 of Breakout, Pastor Gary Webber explores Acts 10 as we learn how God is calling His Church to breakout of moral superiority in order to follow Jesus.

Westerners are addicted to “quick and convenient.” We don't like to wait and we don't want to expend any extraneous effort or money unless it will make our life more comfortable, and yes, convenient! The Bible is a record of people whose lives were interrupted by God. While the stories are all different, one thing they have in common is how inconvenient it was for these men and women to do what God asked them to do. In fact, everyone who answers God’s call must first be willing to breakout of their comfortable and convenient lives. In part two of Breakout, Pastor Gary Webber will explore the story of one man who went way out of his way to follow God.

We live in a consumer driven society. What once defined our understanding of economics and commerce, now describes how many people understand the church. For some, church is a place we go to get our spiritual needs met. We come hoping to have our tank filled so we can make it through another week. If a church fails to meet our needs, we may begin “shopping” for one that will. Join us for part one of Breakout as Pastor Gary Webber describes how the life of one of Jesus’ earliest followers challenges us to Breakout of a consumer brand of Christianity by following Jesus.

There are places we want to go and places we must go. We want to go on vacation; we must go to the dentist. We want to go to the movies or a sporting event; we must go to school or work. Whether it is a “want to” or a “must” go place, technology allows us to type in the destination and our phones will tell us how to get there. That’s exactly how many of us approach prayer. We enter a question or location and expect God to show us the answer or chart a course to a destination of our choosing. But that is not the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Join us for the final message in the three-part series, “Prayer Journey,” where we will discover that total surrender is essential to an intimate relationship with God.

Mobile devices can warn drivers about everything from road debris to major highway construction. When activated and acted on, drivers can potentially save time by following the directions offered by their “smart” device. Then there are those people who assume their device is smarter than it actually is, and end up in a ditch off the side of a road. Unlike modern technology, however, God offers directions that, while they may not always make sense at the time, are sure to get us safely to our destination. Although we have all deviated from His directions, God is patient and allows for course corrections. Join us for part two of “Prayer Journey,” where we will discover the importance of repentance and the role it plays on our journey to greater intimacy with God.

When you put an address into your favorite mapping software, you should get a clear picture of your desired destination, but if you want to go there, you’ll need to provide your current location. Fortunately (or maybe not), our “smart” devices frequently know where we are even when we do not! It’s difficult to chart a course if you do not know where you are beginning the journey. A journey to intimacy with God begins with an awareness of our current spiritual location. Often, we approach prayer as an opportunity to tell God where we want to go, without the slightest idea of where we are. Join us for part one of the three-part series, “Prayer Journey,” in which we will learn the importance of deep, reflective prayer and how only God can show us our current location.

The opening section of the book of Acts ends with a disturbing picture of a discipleship. Stephen was one of the first leaders in the early church. He had all the characteristics and practiced all the habits of a fully devoted follower of Jesus and yet, he found himself the target of violent opposition from religious people. Join us for the final message in The Disciple’s Journey where we learn that true followers of Jesus must die to self to live for Him.

We are in a spiritual battle. Our enemy wants us to give up on our journey to a closer relationship with Jesus. As we continue to follow Jesus, He provides power for us through the Spirit, through our fellow travelers, and through our practice of the historic spiritual disciplines. As Richard Foster writes, these spiritual disciplines “allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us.”

In an increasingly materialistic culture which offers multiple superficial solutions to our longing for a genuine relationship with God, the words of one of Christ’s first disciples calls us to a Deeper Journey with Christ. The apostle Peter called the early Christians to that journey which included sacrifice and discipline. We are called to that same obedience to Jesus and as we grow in our relationship with Him, we will have a greater impact upon the world around us as we grow in our love for Jesus and for others.

After we have surrendered to Jesus Christ and have begun our journey of faithfulness, there will be times of doubt and even failures – just review the apostle Peter’s own story. However, as Robert Mulholland notes, we are following the One whose grace can redeem our detours and can free us from the crippling bondages of our prior journey. God provides grace for the journey and He will restore us and remake us!

Jesus called the disciples to follow Him and then commissioned them to go and make other disciples. From Jesus’ first invitation to “come, follow me,” throughout the centuries and across the planet, there has been a continual succession of faithful disciples echoing Jesus’ invitation. Disciples make disciples. Join us for part five of The Disciple’s Journey where we discover how the first Church grew as the Disciples proclaimed the good news of Jesus throughout the city of Jerusalem.

Generosity was a defining characteristic of first century disciples. In his history of the early church, Luke describes how Christians shared their possessions so that there was no need among them. That kind of generosity attracted the attention and favor of the entire city. What would happen if believers today displayed that kind of generosity? Join us for part four of The Disciple’s Journey where we learn that generosity is an essential habit of discipleship.

The success and growth of the first church was not generated through extravagant programs held in state-of-the-art facilities. Their accomplishments were not the result of powerful, influential leaders. In fact, the early church had almost nothing we consider essential for the church today. All they had is all that Jesus promised them: power from the Holy Spirit. The disciples were dependent on God, and that dependence drove them to their knees in prayer. Join us for part three of The Disciple’s Journey where we discuss the importance of prayer in the life of a fully devoted follower of Jesus.

When the church was born, the first disciples didn't have copies of the Bible (the New Testament didn't even exist yet!) They didn't have buildings or programs, in fact, they had almost nothing that we would consider indispensable today. So how did they go from being a handful of rag tag fisherman to leaders of a global movement? The answer is through the Power of the Holy Spirit and a deep commitment to their community of believers. Join us for part two of The Disciple’s Journey and learn how disciples then and now still grow in community.

As Jesus was preparing to ascend to heaven, He instructed His disciples to wait on the Holy Spirit. At first, they took that direction literally as they passively stood around looking into the sky. But after reaching the upper room, they became impatient and began planning. Many of us vacillate between passivity and impatience when we are called to wait on the Lord. Join us for part on of the series The Disciple’s Journey where we will consider the first habit of a growing disciple.

Jesus’ invitation to discipleship is a call to follow Him. While believing in Jesus is important, following Him is always the standard for a true disciple. In fact, the Bible does not leave room for believing in Jesus apart from obediently following Him. That sounds simple, but it is not easy. Join us for the first message in our year long Journey to Discipleship. In this message, Pastor Gary Webber will share four responses to this simple invitation and cast vision for how we can all dedicate this year to a closer walk with Jesus on the Journey to Discipleship.

Every year we set aside December 25 to remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God, Savior of the world. Even people who do not regularly attend church or read their Bibles find the familiarity of the Christmas story a source of joy each December. But what if the Christmas story was only the beginning of the story? What if Jesus’ arrival was only the first of many? Join us on Christmas Eve at 11 am or 6 pm as Pastor Gary Webber tells the Tale of Three Christmases and how they changed the world.

Christmas is the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus. But there is no evidence the early church ever celebrated Jesus’ birth. Instead, the early disciples lived in eager anticipation of His second coming. Every time the early church got together, it was with the expectation that today could be the day when Jesus returned. Advent is a season of reflecting on our need for a Savior and how God met that need through the gift of His Son, Jesus. And just as people longed and waited for the arrival of the promised Messiah, so the Church today waits with eager expectancy the day of our Savior’s return. Join us for part four of Arrival as we consider Jesus’ promise to return and what that means for us today.

When we think about the arrival of Jesus our thoughts turn to the past (Bethlehem) or the future (His return). There is, however, a present reality to consider. After Jesus was arrested and crucified, He was placed in a borrowed tomb. His followers and His detractors thought it was over. Clearly this was not the world’s long-awaited Messiah. But three days later, Jesus rose from the grave and appeared to more than 500 people. Since that arrival on the first Easter morning, millions of Christians have claimed and continue to claim that their lives have been impacted by the arrival of the resurrected Savior. Not only did He come and will He come, but He comes to us in our present reality. Join us for part three of Arrival as we explore the present reality of the Christmas story.

If you have lived your entire life expecting God to send a conquering king to overthrow the most powerful empire known to man, you would probably not look for a baby born to an unwed, homeless, teenage refugee. But that is exactly how God chose to make His entrance into our world. The arrival of the Messiah was not what anyone expected and so most people missed it. Join us for part two of Arrival where we will look at Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem and consider how our expectations can sometimes cause us to miss the very thing for which we are longing.

A longing is a yearning or a desire for something one does not have. Everyone has longings. We long for companionship. We long for a way of life. We long for health, more money, a second chance. And then there are the longings we cannot define. Longings that nothing in this world can ever seem to finally nor fully satisfy. The Old Testament is filled with the longings of a people who had been separated from their God. What if that is the ultimate source of all longing? In part one of Arrival, Pastor Gary Webber explores the universal longing of the human soul and shows how God has satisfied that longing.

At Southside, we believe our sending capacity is more important than our seating capacity. This means, among other things, that we do not measure our success by how many people sit in our worship services, but by how many people leave our worship services to live out the Gospel through word and deed. Jesus told His disciples to “Go and make disciples.” A fundamental part of our worship service is the ability to engage, equip, and empower people to fulfill the great commission. Join us for the sixth and final part of the BECAUSE series as Pastor Gary focuses on why we believe everyone needs to hear about Jesus.

Communion. The Lord’s Supper. The Eucharist. Mass. While it goes by many names, every Christian tradition includes a symbolic meal involving bread and wine or their equivalent substitutes. Where did this ancient tradition come from? What does it mean? Why do Christians around the world still do it? Join us for part 5 of BECAUSE as we consider why we eat the bread and drink the wine in worship.

There are only a few places where people sing together and everyone is expected to participate. The Birthday Song at a birthday party, Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch, and in church. Some people love to sing, others dread it, so why do we always do it in church? Are we singing for our own benefit and enjoyment or is there something more going on when we lift our voices in worship? Join us for part 4 of BECAUSE as we answer the questions why we hang out and sing in church.

An often-repeated criticism of the church is that, "They are always asking for money!" While there are examples of financial abuse by churches, there is also an important spiritual connection between our money and our spiritual health. In fact, Jesus talked about money more than He talked about heaven and hell combined! Join us for week 3 of BECAUSE where we explore the basic concepts of stewardship and generosity and learn why your money is like a thermometer revealing the condition of your heart.

The Bible is the best-selling book of all times. It is read, respected, revered, and reviled by people from every nation. Each Sunday, the stories, teachings, and history as recorded in this collection of ancient writings shapes not only the preaching, but the entire worship services of millions of churches. From the lyrics we sing to the creeds we believe; the Bible is the central source of authority for the church’s faith and practice. In week two of BECAUSE, Pastor Gary looks at the Bible and explains why we use it and how we often abuse it.

More than a religious ritual, baptism is a beautiful symbol of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is also a sign of what a believer is becoming as he or she follows Jesus from death to life. Finally, baptism is a seal of belonging. Like a wedding ring, baptism is a visible reminder that this person belongs to Christ and is a part of His Church. In part one of BECAUSE, Pastor Gary explains why we baptize people and what it means.

When Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, He was extending an invitation to live out the reality of the Gospel. We are never more like God than when we love our enemies, after all, it was when we were God’s enemies that He loved us and sent Jesus to die in our place. Join us for the final message of Love Well, as we consider the cost, the power and the standard for loving your enemy well.

When Jesus gave the command to “Love God and love your neighbor,” some in the crowd questioned how Jesus intended us to define “neighbor.” Was it based on geography, ethnicity, religious similarities, or was Jesus talking about something else? In part six of LOVE WELL, Gary explores the familiar parable Jesus told to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor,” and how Jesus’ answer actually cuts to the essence of God’s love for us.

Most people know John 3:16, but not as many people are familiar with 1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” This verse isn’t simply referring to our biological siblings. It is a call for every Christian to love his or her fellow believer enough to die for them. This is a call to Love Your Church Well. In an age when consumerism has found its way into the local churches, it is more important than ever to remember that the Bible calls believers to a selfless, sacrificial love for Jesus’ Church. In part five of Love Well, we consider the importance of the local church and how God pours His love out through His church when the people in it love each other well.

"Family" is the laboratory where a child first learns what it means to be loved and how to love in return. Unfortunately, as a result of sin and brokenness, what we learn from our families is sometimes not the love described in the Bible, but a broken facsimile. To love our family well means breaking broken patterns of generational sin. That can only be done when we are willing to love with the kind of love Jesus showed us on the cross. Join us for part three of LOVE WELL, as Pastor Gary explores an Old Testament example of how love can break the cycle of generational sin and set us free to love well.

Take a listen to this flashback message! Our “As Good As It Gets” message will be posted soon!

The most intimate of all human relationships is the bond between a husband and wife. That makes marriage the most fulfilling, and potentially, damaging of all relationships. When God created man in His image, He said it was not good for him to be alone. So, God instituted the marriage relationship. But from Adam and Eve, throughout the ages, to the couple that just said "I do", marriage continues to be the source of a lot of human pain. Join us for part two of Love Well, as we explore what the Bible says about marriage, divorce, and being single.

When we talk about love, we could mean a variety of things. For example, we say we love our family, and then declare that we love Italian food! Clearly, we do not mean the same thing. The Bible uses a variety of words to describe the various kinds of love we experience. John gave us the most basic definition when he said, "God is love". Paul gave a longer definition that we often hear at weddings. Join us for part one of LOVE WELL, as we try to understand the kind of love the Bible calls us to have and how to direct that love to God.

When asked to summarize the law, Jesus responded with two simple commands: Love God and love people. Simple ... but not easy. Jesus’ command to love is not a flippant invitation to warm fuzzy emotions, but a difficult, sometimes dangerous proposition. How we love God has a direct impact on our capacity to love others. How we love others, is the most accurate reflection of how we truly love God. From the love of a husband and wife to the love we are commanded to have for our enemies, every relationship has the potential to expand and strengthen our love for God. Join us for a series that explores what the Bible teaches us about how to love well.

We all want justice, but not everyone agrees on an objective standard for justice. In a world that increasingly accepts the idea of moral relativism, it can be hard to distinguish between right and wrong. Who ultimately decides? Who has the right to judge? The author of the book of judges describes a period in the history of srael that sounds very much like our culture today. He sums it up with the statement, "In those days, there was no king ... everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes." Join us for the final message in a series from the book of Judges, in which Pastor Gary Webber asks the question, who has the right to judge?

In the beginning, God created man in His own image, and man has tried to return the favor ever since. So much of what we pass off as religion is really an effort to craft a god to fit our preferences. If we are not careful, we can pick and choose what we believe about God and His ways, leaving out those character traits and commands we find uncomfortable and inconvenient. This is nothing new. People have been tempted to create designer gods from the very first pages of the Bible. Join us for part nine of Anarchy, where Pastor Gary Webber looks at Judges 17-18 to uncover some of the very real dangers of designer gods.

Throughout the ancient book of Judges, there is an ongoing battle between what is right “in the eyes of the Lord,” and what people thought was “right in their own eyes.” That battle has persisted throughout history and continues to rage on some 3,300 years after the events recorded in Judges. The effects of this conflict are clearly summarized in the life of Samson. Join us for part 8 of “Anarchy,” as we consider the results of living a life that is right in your own eyes.

When God delivered the solution for the problem of sin, it came in the form of a baby born to a refugee couple in a barn in a town called Bethlehem. But Jesus was not the first baby born to fulfill a promise of God. Throughout the Old Testament, God conditioned His people to expect Him to fulfill His promise through the birth of a child. Today, according to some calculations, nearly 1 out of every 4 pregnancies are ended by abortion. Join us for part seven of Anarchy, where we will consider what the Bible teaches us about the value of life and the promise of every child.

Like fish are unaware of the water in which they swim, humans can be unaware of the culture in which we live. Our culture and customs have tremendous power over us and the decisions we make. What we eat, how we dress, how we view the opposite sex, how we handle money, and raise our children, are all influenced by the culture in which we live. Some instinctive cultural decisions are good, some are benign, but what about those that are contrary to God’s Word? Am I even aware of them? Join us for part six of Anarchy as we look at a little-known character and the tragic decision he made because he was more influenced by his culture than by the God who was pursuing him.

Success is dangerous; it not only tests our faith, it exposes any pride and reveals the truest nature of our character. People throughout history, from politicians to clergy have accomplished amazing victories only to fail at the height of their success. One of the most famous characters in the book of Judges is a man named Gideon. His rise from being an obscure, fearful figure to one of the most successful leaders in Israel’s history is a Sunday school favorite. But we seldom look at the rest of Gideon’s story. In part five of Anarchy, Pastor Gary Lee Webber explores the part of Gideon’s story that is often overlooked, where we see the dangers of success and the secret to overcoming those dangers.

When everyone does what is right in HIS own eyes, people always get hurt, and those people are most often women and children. The mistreatment and oppression of women is well documented throughout history in every culture. A reality that, unfortunately, is still true today. Some people are surprised to learn that, not only does the Bible not promote such behavior, but it strongly opposes it. In fact, many sociologists have noted that the condition for women and children almost always improves when Christianity is introduced to a culture. In part three of Anarchy, Pastor Gary Webber shares the story of two extraordinary women from the book of Judges and how this story might shape our understanding of how the Bible portrays the relationship between men and women.

Throughout the Bible God employs unlikely heroes, using unconventional resources, to accomplish unimaginable results. The Book of Judges has many examples of how God delights in using the weak things of this world to overpower the strong, so that He alone might get the credit for the unexpected victories of His people. In this, the second message in this series based on the book of Judges, we will consider three men God used to rescue Israel from their self-imposed slavery and consider what we should do the next time we face the discouraging, hopeless situations of life.

Moral decline is a process. Much like erosion, our ability to maintain our integrity requires constant effort. Because spiritual decline is inevitable, spiritual renewal is critical. Between Joshua and David, Israel experienced significant moral decline. The book of Judges sums up this period with the statement, "In those days, there was no king ... everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes."

Join us this Sunday for the conclusion of the Gospel of John. For the past three years, we have walked with the Disciple Jesus Loved as he followed Jesus from the Sea of Galilee to the grave and beyond. In this final message, Pastor Gary Webber explains why the world cannot contain the books that could be written about all the things Jesus has done and continues to do.

Great novels sometimes include an epilogue. This is an additional chapter that comes after the climax and resolution of the story. It isn't usually essential to the plot, but it may provide readers additional information and a greater sense of closure. John included an epilogue to his Gospel, but unlike modern epilogues, John’s closing lines contain a significant message from the resurrected Jesus. Join us for the final message in ALIVE! and learn what Jesus says to drifting disciples about how important it is to get back to shore!

It is said that seeing is believing. It certainly was for the Apostle Thomas. His response to the news that Jesus was alive earned him the title Doubting Thomas. But that title is unfair. After all, if it had been you, wouldn’t you have been tempted to respond the same way? Well, maybe not. According to Jesus, those of us who believe today are exercising a faith that Thomas and the other disciples couldn’t. Join us for a message about the true meaning of faith and how it has the power to change us.

Jesus once told His disciples that He would eventually leave them. While this idea upset His followers, Jesus assured them that it was for their own good because it would usher the arrival of the Holy Spirit. It would be the Holy Spirit that would empower Jesus’ followers to change the world.

Letting go is hard. When Mary first realized that Jesus was alive, she wanted to grab hold of Him and never let Him go. Jesus, however, told Mary that she couldn't hold on. She had to let go. Jesus wasn’t going to stay and things could never go back to the way they were before. We often try to cling to the past when God is inviting us into His presence. A presence that will lead us to a future that we can only experience if we are willing to let go of the past and embrace His plans.

The resurrection of Jesus has been the most debated event in all human history. That debate is nothing new. It started on that very first Easter as Mary, John and Peter arrived to find the tomb empty and each had a very different reaction. Join us as we see how our responses to the empty tomb are reflected in those first reactions.

The Christian faith is based entirely on a single event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But what if no one had ever known about that event? What if the circumstances of Jesus’ burial had been different and His body hadn’t been laid in a tomb, but rather tossed in the city dump like so many other executed criminals? If there had been no tomb, no one could have known that a tomb was empty. The events surrounding Jesus’burial reveals the faith of two individuals who had been secretly following Jesus. Through their willingness to step out of the shadows, we see the power of a public faith. Join us for the final message in the CROSSROADS series as we look at the events of Jesus burial from John 19.

John was the only one of Jesus’ disciples to accompany Him all the way to the cross. As such, John offers a unique and powerful account of the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. It is important to John that his readers believe that Jesus lived and died, because what John reports next depends on the acceptance of these two facts. Join us for part 6 of Cross Roads, as Pastor Gary Webber teaches that doubt is a necessary crossroad between unbelief and a pursuit of truth.

Many people carry shame from past mistakes. Shame follows us wherever we go and often determines the choices we make at important crossroads of life. What appeared to be the end of the road for the thief crucified with Jesus was, in fact, his most important crossroad. Would he allow shame to define his final moments or would he embrace the life Jesus was offering? Join us as we look at a moment that was intended to bring shame, but resulted in one of the most epic displays of grace in history.

When we say someone is out of control, we normally mean that they have lost some sense of decorum, reason, or ability to manage themselves and others. When we say someone has control issues, we usually mean that a person is crossing some imaginary line of what is appropriate in managing a situation, group or individual. So what does it mean to be perfectly in control? And are we ever really in control of anything, or is control an illusion? Jesus’ encounter with Pilate is a fascinating study in the contrast between control and surrender and how you cannot have one without the other. Join us for part four of our series as we consider the decision Pilate made at the CROSSROADS.

Fear is a primal emotion. Our deepest convictions are often revealed when we come face to face with our greatest fears. The Apostle Peter is famous for his bravado and self-confidence, but when he faced the cross roads of fear and faith, Peter’s choice revealed the true condition of his heart. Join us for part three of Cross Roads as we explore how we can choose fear over faith.

He was just doing his job when one of those religious zealots pulled out a sword and cut off his ear. Maybe, like Malchus, you’ve had a hurtful encounter with one of Jesus’followers. Perhaps you still have wounds that serve as reminders of why you keep your distance from Jesus and His followers. While Malchus’ story begins with a wound inflicted by one of Jesus’ followers, it ends with a miraculous healing by Jesus. The Bible doesn't tell us what direction Malchus took at this cross road, but it does offer hope for all those who would bear the scars of religious wounds.

Judas Iscariot is one of the most notorious names in history. It is synonymous with treachery and betrayal, but it wasn’t always. There was a time when Judas was among the most trusted of all of Jesus’ disciples. What happened to him? Can that happen to Jesus’ followers today? Join us for part one of CROSSROADS as we take a closer look at Judas and discover the cross road every disciple must face.

What if you were reading a newly discovered letter from a respected, loved, and long departed person and discovered that they had mentioned you in their letter? That is precisely what we discover when we read Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17. There is an old gospel song that says, “While He was on the cross, you were on His mind.” John 17 is proof that this is true. What did Jesus pray for you? Why should it matter? Join us for the final message in “One,” to discover the prayer Jesus prayed for you.

A person’s dying request is a window into their heart. It reveals what they think is most important. Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed a prayer that contained His dying wish for His church. While He could have asked for the Church’s military or political success, their financial well-being, wisdom or success, He instead asked for their unity. Join us for Part Three of “One” and learn how prayer affects our relationships and how our relationships can affect our prayers.

Prayer is an opportunity to align our hearts with the heart of God. Unfortunately, too often it is our attempt to convince God to align Himself with us. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When He was in the garden shortly before His crucifixion He prayed, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” Join us for Part Two of “One” and discover the one purpose of prayer and how that purpose will change your approach to talking to God.

What Jesus prayed is important, but don't overlook the fact that Jesus prayed. He prayed a lot. If Jesus, who had never sinned and lived in perfect communion with the Father thought that it was important to pray, how much more should the rest of us? In Part one of “One” we will explore Jesus’ habit of prayer to learn ways we can better connect to God through a meaningful and consistent prayer life.

Despite the fact that each year a growing majority of Americans wish they could skip Christmas, our collective celebration of the holiday continues to grow more and more extravagant. The commercials begin sooner, the decorations are brighter, the trees are bigger, and the gifts become more expensive. What does it all mean? Do our modern celebrations maintain any resemblance to the occasion they supposedly celebrate? In part six of “Let Earth Receive Her King,” we explore the story of King Herod, an insecure, impostor king, who attempted to fake his was into the very first Christmas celebration.

Despite the promises of peace made by kings and politicians throughout the ages, the kingdoms of this world are constantly at war. When Isaiah announced the promise of a coming Savior, he called Him the “Prince of Peace.” Seven hundred years later, when the angels announced the birth of Jesus, they declared, “peace on earth, good will toward men.” The Son of God was called the Prince of Peace and then the Son of God told His followers that if they wanted to be called “children of God,” they would be peacemakers. In part 4 of Let Earth Receive Her King, we will discuss the difference between the peace of the kingdoms of this world and the peace of Christ.

Chess is often an analogy used for life. It can be especially useful when discussing politics. There are kings and pawns and pieced in between. The weaker pieces are seen as extendible and the stronger pieces are always sacrificed for the good of the king. However, throughout the pages of the Bible, we find God’s story turns the chess board upside down. Pawns overthrowing kings and kings being played like pawns in the grand design of God’s plan. In part three of “Let Earth Receive Her King,” Pastor Gary Webber explores God’s unlikely strategy to use the kings of this world for His ultimate victory.

In part two of “Let Earth Receive Her King,” Pastor Gary Webber explores two ancient stories in which God’s people abandoned Him in favor of earthly kings. What is most surprising about these stories isn’t the rebellion of God’s people and their request for lesser kings, but God’s willingness to grant their request. Is it possible that Christians today might fall into that same pattern? Join us as we consider what we want when we demand an earthly king.

Deep within the genetic memory of humanity is a longing for a perfect king. A king who will restore order and justice. A king who will provide for and protect his people. A king whose reign will never end. Our problem seems to be that we cannot find such a king. When earthly kings have failed and we’ve exhausted political solutions, we are still left with the unfulfilled hope of a once and future king. Join us for part one of “Let Earth Receive Her King” as we explore Psalm 2 to discover the King we are longing to know.

In one of the most provocative parables ever told, Jesus introduced two men who took very different approaches to life. One spent his life while the other invested himself. Join us for the final message in the Invested series to discover the outcome of these two different approaches to living.

In one of His most bizarre parables, Jesus praises the techniques of a crooked money manager. If that isn't odd enough, He then tells us we should learn something important about investing from this guy. Join us for part five of Invested where we will share an important lesson learned from white collar criminals.

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells three parables. The first is like a canvas, the second is like a palate of paint and sets of brushes, but the third is the subject of the painting. Join us for part four of Invested, where we will see the heart of God as captured in His most precious treasure.

We are all born into a particular set of circumstances with certain advantages and disadvantages. Like the baggage claim at the airport, each of the bags coming out belong to someone and you do not get to pick the bags you want, but must take the bags assigned to you. Jesus told a story about three servants who were each handed a portion of their master’s baggage. The bags all contained differing amounts of gold. The servants didn’t get to choose what was in their bags, but they were responsible for what happened to it. Join us for part three of Invested, when we will discuss what we do with what we have.

The most valuable commodity is also one of the most wasted. It doesn't matter how much money you have, who you know, or how hard you work, everyone is given the same 24 hours in a day. That's exactly 10,080 minutes each week that we will either spend on pointless pursuits or invest in things that cannot be bound by the confines of time. Join us for part two of Invested as we look at a story Jesus told about the difference between investing and spending time.

In the most famous sermon ever preached, Jesus gave his listeners some investment advice from the birds. His advice wasn’t just about money, however, it included the secret to real and lasting security – a kind of security you’ll never find in a safety deposit box or an IRA. Join us for part one of Invested and learn the secret of investing wisely.

There are seasons of life when certain paths converge. While we are in high school or college, we may travel down the same path with a variety of people for a few years, but after graduation, our paths diverge and we go our separate ways. It’s not so much that we ever chose to leave our own path or to stop traveling together, as it is that our paths only happened to converge for a while before separating and continuing on their own ways. When Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him, He was inviting them to do more than engage with Him as long as their paths happened to converge. He was inviting them (and us) to leave their own paths and follow Him, even past the point where the paths might otherwise have diverged. Join us for the final part of In His Steps to hear the story of a disciple who confused a convergence with Jesus for a decision to follow Jesus, and learn how many of us make that same mistake.

Some of the most popular events in the Summer Olympics are the relay races. In these races, the “hand off” is crucial. A dropped baton means all hope of a medal is lost. For more than 2,000 years, the church has successfully passed the baton from one generation of Jesus Followers to the next. Following in the steps of Jesus can be difficult without the benefit of someone a little farther down the path. The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” That is quite an invitation. Join us for part four of In His Steps as we discuss the importance of learning from mature disciples and becoming the kind of disciples that future generations can follow.

What started in the Upper Room with a small handful of Jesus followers quickly turned into a movement with thousands of people. The eleven remaining Apostles found themselves in a leadership crisis as they were confronted with the demands of thousands of new believers. How they responded set an example that the church still follows today. Join us for part 3 of In His Steps as we discuss how a church full of Jesus followers leads the next generation of Disciples.

Everyone knows what you’re supposed to do when the shoe fits, but finding one that does can be a real problem. We are all looking for a perfect fit. The right spouse, the right profession, the right neighborhood. The desire to “fit” in points us to a deeper reality. We were designed by God for a purpose. Join us for part 2 of In His Steps, as we learn the secret to finding God’s purpose for your life.

When Jesus began His public ministry, He never once invited people to become “Christians.” In fact, Jesus never used that term to describe anyone. Instead, He issued a simple invitation to “Come, follow me.” With those three words, a global revolution was launched. One generation after another has heard and responded to the call of Jesus, not to simply believe a set of theological doctrines, or practice a particular program of religious rituals, but to walk in the footprints of Jesus. In the opening message of In His Steps, Pastor Gary Webber explores the early church and what set Jesus’ earliest disciples apart.

As Americans we treasure our freedom of speech. But what does that freedom mean for those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ? Jesus said that “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.” That must mean that a heart fully surrendered to Christ will result in a tongue that has been pierced for His purposes. Join us for the final installment of the Tongue Tied series as we consider what it means to fully and finally surrender our tongues to God.

Words are powerful. They have been used to influence the course of future events and to shape the perception of history. While human words may alter our perception of reality, only God’s word has the power to create it. In the third message of the Tongue Tied series, Pastor Gary Webber explores the beginning of the Genesis story to discover the danger of deceitful words and the power of knowing the source of Truth.

The specific words we say are not the only challenge we face in taming our tongues. Many times, when we choose to speak, our attitude and our intended audience can have as great an impact as the specific words we use. In this message, Pastor Gary Webber explores what the Bible teaches us about the timing of our words, the tone of our words and the target of our words.

In part one of Tongue Tied, we consider the power of the human tongue and the challenges of taming it. In this sermon, Pastor Gary Webber introduces the 4:29 challenge as a way to be more intentional with the most dangerous part of the human anatomy.

Since the beginning of time the human race has been trying to find its way to God. Religion, nature, personal introspection and disciplines -- all of these and many more have proven helpful, but have ultimately fallen short. Jesus didn't recommend any of those things for those seeking God. Instead He made an incredibly radical claim about Himself when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Many consider this to be one of the most difficult and challenging claims Jesus ever made. Join Pastor Gary as we consider this claim and what it means for our search for God.

While Judas Iscariot is infamous for his betrayal of Jesus, he was not the only disciple that abandoned Jesus. In fact, disciples throughout history have abandoned God by worshiping idols of all kinds. Join us for the final message in the five-part series, Poured Out, as we consider how Peter and Judas both chose to worship something other than Jesus and how we often make the same choice today.

Many people have learned by experience that it is more blessed to give than to receive. But what happens when the shoe is on the other foot and the giver is the one who stands in need? For some people, it is far more difficult to receive help than it is to give it. However, the basic teachings of Jesus demonstrate that without a willingness to receive, we have nothing to give and are hopelessly lost. In part four of Poured Out, we discover Peter’s response to Jesus’ attempt to serve him and discover that worship begins with humility.

Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is to love God with everything we have and all that we are. That is what it means to worship. Our mission is to worship, but our worship also has a mission. As we abandon ourselves to the purposes of God, a watching world is impacted. Join us for part three of Poured Out, as we consider what Jesus meant when He said that unless a seed dies, it remains only a seed and how the mission of our worship is fulfilled through our selfless surrender to Him.

The “herd mentality” is that phenomenon where people get swept up in the emotion of a crowd. We have all seen and maybe even experiences this. Perhaps it happened for you at a college football game or at a political rally. The herd mentality can have devastating effects like those seen in a riot or it can produce something beautiful, as it often does after a natural disaster when people rally together to help their neighbors. But what, if any, effect does the herd mentality have on our religious believes and experiences? In this second message of the five-part series, Poured Out, we will consider a passage in John 12 where a crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem proclaimed “Hosanna,” only to scream “crucify Him,” a few days later.

It all boils down to love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor in need. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help. This is the conspiracy three churches began a few years ago, and has since grown to an international movement where thousands of churches have raised millions of dollars to love others in life-changing ways. It’s not that there’s something wrong with the shopping mall—it’s that the better story is about loving all.

We know what you’re thinking. “Wait, didn’t they just say I should spend less, and yet here they are telling me to give more? What gives?” The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus. So what does this look like for you? Tickets to a ball game or the theater? A movie night? The main point is simple: When it comes to spending time with those you love, it’s all about quality, not quantity.

Quick question for you: What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? Next question: What about the fourth gift? Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don’t because it wasn’t something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending Less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year. America spends around $600 billion dollars during the Christmas season, and much of that it joyless and goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.

It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart.

We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart. On Sunday, April 15th we will begin a 6-week series from the book of Jonah. We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart. On Sunday, April 15th we will begin a 6-week series from the book of Jonah. We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart. On Sunday, April 15th we will begin a 6-week series from the book of Jonah. We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart. On Sunday, April 15th we will begin a 6-week series from the book of Jonah. We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.

What is it about this little four-chapter book that captures our imagination? A man being swallowed by a fish? Sounds bizarre, perhaps even unbelievable, yet Jesus seems to suggest there is something about this story that bears great significance. So much more than a cute children’s Bible story, Jonah reveals that the darkness in the world is often as close as our own heart. On Sunday, April 15th we will begin a 6-week series from the book of Jonah. We will discover the choice Jonah faced between pursuing his own selfish pleasure and God’s will is the same choice we each face. It is the same choice Jesus faced as he considered the cross. As we explore the depths of Jonah’s pain and struggles, we discover our own painful struggle with pride and selfishness. We will also see how God meets us in those dark places and uses even our failures to accomplish his greater purposes.