The Porch: Recent Episodes
The Porch
Welcome to the sermon podcast of The Porch, a young adult ministry of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas. The Porch is a gathering of 3,000+ young adults who meet every Tuesday night at 7 PM CST. Each week we address challenges that face twenty and thirty-somethings and what The Bible has to say about them. For more information, visit www.theporch.live or download The Porch app: https://apple.co/2MlYc1P.
For women, this is a reminder that, in Christ, we have freedom from the lies of a real enemy. For men, this is a glimpse inside the female mind and a reminder of how we are designed to co-labor for the glory of God. Listen as author, podcast host, and founder of IF:gathering and Gather25, Jennie Allen, walks us through the biblical account of Mary to remind us of what we know to be true about godly womanhood.
What separates boys from men? This week, Kylen Perry identifies different men in Scripture to highlight some of the most common battles men face and how we can learn from their responses.
What does being a woman in the modern day look like? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Genesis 2-3 to show the purpose of our womanhood laid out in Scripture.
You've probably heard the language around modern manhood: the manosphere, the patriarchy, the rise of toxic masculinity, and so on. In a world where men are constantly told who they should be, we need to know what God has to say about man's purpose. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Genesis 2 to highlight Scripture's roadmap for manhood.
We're all blindsided at some point; it's not if, it's when. So when our hopes are dashed, and our spirits sink, what do we do? This week, Director of Discipleship Tyler Moffett walks us through Psalm 73 to show us how we can process disappointment with an eternal perspective.
The question we face in this life isn't if we will find ourselves in periods of waiting; It's how we will respond when they come. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Lamentations 3 to show us that waiting isn’t wasted time, but an invitation to deepen our trust in God and remember that He is the One most worthy of our wanting.
Are you looking for temporary things to provide eternal satisfaction? This week, previous director of The Porch and current teaching pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, David Marvin, walks us through 1 Peter 2 to remind us that God isn't asking us to find ourselves; He's inviting us to receive the identity and purpose He freely offers.
Are you worried about wasting your 20s & 30s? It's easy to assume you have all the time in the world, but Scripture is clear we don't know how many days we get — so what are yours going to be marked by? This week, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda kicks off our Porch 20 celebration by walking us through five things he'd tell himself if he could go back.
How is your faith doing? Do you ever feel like echoing the cry of the father in Mark 9 and saying to Jesus, "I believe, but help my unbelief!" This week, guest speaker and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22, Joby Martin, walks us through this passage to remind us of the boldness that comes with faith in the Lord.
Is it possible to follow Jesus and not actually believe in Him? This week, Kylen Perry challenges us to consider whether our belief in Jesus is real dependence or just familiar agreement.
Have we made suffering so much of our identity that we have neglected our belief? The belief that God can and does do the impossible. Using Mark 9, Tyler Moffett shows us that suffering and belief aren't mutually exclusive. There is a cost to be healed: we must stop merely consuming spiritual content and start contending — bringing our deepest brokenness to God with honest, imperfect faith, and trusting that He is more than enough to meet it.
It's easy to grow up around Christianity and begin to believe a lot about Jesus without truly believing in Him. This week, Kylen Perry points to Mark 6 to remind us how Jesus' own hometown was plagued by unbelief because they had reduced the life of Jesus into something mundanely familiar.
The Lord is moving in mighty ways in our generation — and He's doing it worldwide. This week, Kylen Perry and Sarah Jackson, the CEO of the Church Revitalisation Trust in the UK, sit down to discuss how they're seeing young adults seeking the Lord with everything they have.
Do you feel stuck in your own unforgiveness? While we exist in the reality of a broken world and real hurts have been done to us, Tyler Moffett walks us through Genesis 45 & 50 to remind us of the forgiveness that was first extended to us.
Are you stuck in a constant loop of never feeling like you're enough? That's the story of Jacob, who spent his life lying, stealing, and cheating to get what he wanted. However, this week Kylen Perry walks us through Genesis 28 to show us that we can't earn what God came to freely give.
We're constantly overwhelmed with messaging that tells us what we lack and what we need more of—and yet, no matter how much we achieve, we're always left feeling empty-handed. This week, guest speaker Drew Worsham walks us through Philippians 4 to remind us that contentment is not found in better circumstances; it's found in a deeper closeness to Christ.
Do you ever feel like you're being tested? In Genesis 22, we see God test Abraham by asking him for the ultimate sacrifice. As Kylen Perry walks us through this challenging chapter, we begin to see the full picture of the purpose of such a test and how it aligns with God's unfailing character.
How much do you actually trust God? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through the story of Abraham in Genesis 15 to show how the Lord has demonstrated for us over and over again that He is faithful and worthy of our trust and honesty.
Do you often find yourself in a state of constantly striving for success yet chasing a moving target? This week, guest speaker and Passion Atlanta City Pastor Brad Jones teaches through John 13 as he shows us how Jesus gave us the blueprint for success, and it all begins with embracing God’s work in your life and through your life.
It's easy to read a passage like the Tower of Babel and assume that God is against our ambition. However, as Tyler Moffett walks us through Genesis 11, we begin to see that He never took issue with our ambition, rather our desire to place personal success over godly pursuits.
Does it ever feel like God is punishing you? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through the familiar story of Noah's Ark and the flood in Genesis 6-7 to highlight not the punitive actions of God, but His heart to redeem His creation. We have the same invitation to redemption today.
It's easy to play the comparison game and wonder why God gives to others what you wanted for yourself, but have you ever considered what fairness actually looks like in your life? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 to remind us that God doesn't give us what we deserve — and that's actually the best-case scenario.
If you listen to God and it doesn't compel you to act on His Word, you didn't really hear what He was saying. So how do we become good listeners? This week, rapper, author, pastor, and our guest speaker Trip Lee walks us through James 1:19-25 to show us what Scripture has to say about the matter.
How do things go so wrong so quickly? We saw the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 with Adam and Eve, and we see our own failures play out daily. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through the original sin and shows us how we often repeat similar patterns and how God always remains faithful in the midst of our brokenness.
What do you want more of this year? Whether we acknowledge it or not, our issue doesn't usually start with a lack of wanting; it's what we use to satisfy that desire. This week, Kylen Perry leads us through Genesis 2 to show what God had in mind as He carefully crafted and commissioned humanity.
From the first verse of the Bible, we see that God is the Creator, but He is not a distant, bored deity. As we look at the weaving structure and intentionality with which He creates, His deep care is on full display. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Genesis 1 to highlight these truths of God's character and how they impact us today.
Anger as an emotion is not the issue; how we process that emotion is where the issue lies. So how do we do that? This week, Kylen Perry finishes out the "20/20" series by walking us through Psalm 37 to show how the solution to anger isn't "be happy," it's to engage in gratitude.
Are you so plagued by insecurity that it feels hard to see straight sometimes? While the problem of self-hate has grown rampant, Kylen Perry leads us through Psalm 139 to remind us that by seeing God rightly, we will have a clearer picture of who we really are.
Many of us guard our hearts from potential disappointment by lowering our expectations and living with little to no hope. But what if we got our hopes up? This week, guest speaker and Teaching Pastor at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Grant Partrick, walks us through Romans 15 to remind us of the abundant hope God offers.
Behavioral addiction doesn't just suddenly show up in our lives; it gradually creeps in without even registering on our radar. This week, Kylen Perry leads us through Psalm 141's wisdom of pursuing self-control over indulgence even when it feels so out of our reach.
Emotions like fear and anxiety aren't inherently bad — they're warning lights that point to something else. But when those little alarms start going off in your head all the time, that's when they move from being a tool to an issue. This week, Tyler Moffett teaches from Psalm 46 to remind us that God is our refuge and strength so we don't always have to be on the defense.
We often find ourselves grappling with emotions and situations that leave us feeling out of depth. Some of us lead with our heads, while others are controlled by our hearts — but all of us need to find a healthier, gospel-centered way of navigating through our depression.
Many have sought the world's promises and turned up empty-handed, and while outright opposition to Christianity has slowly transitioned into curiosity, we as the Church don't have the luxury of sitting back. As Tyler Moffet walks us through 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8, we're reminded that we can't settle for fitting into a secular world — we're called to become consecrated followers of Jesus no matter the cost.
In a world where it's easy to find someone with a comfortable opinion rather than facing hard truths, it's more important than ever to identify and flee from any voice that contradicts Scripture. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through 2 Timothy 3:1-9 to remind us not only to skillfully avoid the dangers of false teachers, but also to closely follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
You can’t control when a crisis comes, but you can control your composure when it does. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through 2 Timothy 2:14-26 to show us how God instructs us to live honorably in a dishonoring day.
A lot of predictions about the end times have been swirling around, and while no man knows the time or day of Jesus' return, Scripture instructs us to live as if the end is near — because it is. This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks us through 1 Peter 4:1-11 to show us how to live with urgency as believers.
When Christians begin to look and respond like everyone else, it's worth asking, "Where have the strong people gone?" This week, Tyler Moffett leads us through 2 Timothy 2:1-13 to show us what Paul describes as the way to godly strength.
We have to stop trying to create God in our own image — and we have to believe Him when He tells us who He is. This week, guest speaker and Lead Pastor of The Village Church, Matt Chandler, breaks down Exodus 13:14-15 to remind us that we have a holy God who is so much better than anything we could come up with.
How much does chemistry matter? Whether sparks are flying or feelings are falling flat in your relationship, the Bible actually has a lot to say about the types of love, and the answer might surprise you. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Scripture to show us God's design for the way we feel and express love.
What do you do when it's time to call it quits? This week, Kylen Perry gives us a biblical framework for breaking up with grace. While the Bible doesn’t give us a detailed blueprint on how to break up with our significant other, it goes into great detail on how to treat one another in all circumstances.
It's time to rethink how we view boundaries; it's not about how far we can go, it's about viewing God as too good to get near the line. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through 1 Thessalonians 4 to remind us of God's heart to protect us through emotional, physical, and spiritual boundaries.
Dating is a process you move through, not a status you sit in — so how do you move toward the next step with wisdom? This week, Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, D.C., walks us through Genesis 24 to show us how seriously God takes marriage and whom to pursue for a lifelong commitment.
Do you find yourself burned by toxic relationships, unending lust, accidental situationships, and disapproval from those who are supposed to be in your corner? This week, Tyler Moffett points to the story of Peter in Luke 22, and we see that the Lord is not scared of our broken past, but instead He is calling us into a future of freedom.
So many of us have found dating to be less blissful than we hoped and more painful than we expected. And there’s a good reason for that: dynamics have changed, advice from so-called "experts" varies, and the world is more confusing than ever. This week, we want to make dating a little easier with some biblical truths that should change the way we navigate romantic relationships.
While we all want to skip the stress and hack our way to happily ever after, you've probably been left wondering, "Is dating supposed to be this hard?" This week, Kylen Perry leads us through Scriptures that show us how to build relationships that last based on the picture given to us by the One who loved us first.
Are you sick of people telling you singleness is a gift? While the Bible supports the idea that singleness is not a season of life to endure, but a season of life to embrace, we know that doesn't mean it's without its challenges. This week, Kylen Perry walks through different reasons why healthy relationships can feel so far out of reach sometimes.
We all want to find love, but a lot of us don't know where to look. This week, as we kick off our "We Need to Talk" series, Kylen Perry leads us through Genesis 2 to remind us we don't need to be married to experience connection, fulfillment, and intimacy — it's all available to us in Christ right now.
Jesus is the One who gives the world around us meaning and significance — so what we believe to be true about Him matters. This week, guest speaker and executive director of discipleship, Dave Bruskas, leads us through Colossians 1 to remind us that Jesus is not just a representation of God, but God Himself, and that should change everything for us.
We can't settle for a cheap version of Christianity that in no way compares with the price Christ was willing to pay for us. This week, Kylen Perry leads us through Exodus 33 to show us that if Jesus made a way for us to be with God, we have to prioritize seeking His presence.
Almost all frustration stems from unfulfilled expectations, but how do we react when faced with disappointment? This week, Tyler Moffett reminds us through 1 Kings 19 that zeal for the Lord does not imply a shallow pursuit when everything is going smoothly, but rather an energetic and unwavering commitment to God, even in times of trial.
Do you need to escape the comfort culture? In the Christian life, there are times when we voluntarily take on considerable costs for a considerable purpose.This week, Kylen Perry leads us through 2 Timothy 2 to remind us that a consecrated life is one that is uncommonly devoted.
Is your repentance genuine? This week, Kylen Perry walks through 2 Corinthians 7 and challenges us to think through the difference between godly grief and worldly grief. There is no real repentance without a dramatic removal of our sin and that all starts with a brokenness over it.
A conversation usually marked by division and shame is brought to the stage as we welcomed author and modern theologian, Brenna Blain, along with Kylen Perry and Timothy "TA" Ateek, to discuss what it looks like to have a Biblical perspective on our sexuality.
What do you want more than the Lord? This week, Kylen Perry leads us through Isaiah 55 to remind us that pursuing anything less than the Lord will always leave us wanting more.
As a quiet revival ripples across this generation, we have to ask — are we seeing the same change happen in our own spiritual lives? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Hosea 10:12 to show us that before we ask for widespread revival we have to experience an inner renewal.
Is it hard for you to believe God loves you? Are you living like He loves you? This week, Kylen Perry walks through Ephesians 3 to show us Paul's passionate plea for us to not just know God loves us, but for us to experience it.
You can't be the happiest version of yourself without God — so what is separating us from the happiness He provides? This week, Kylen Perry point to Psalm 32 to show us that through confession, honest sinners can have the happiest lives.
You are not disqualified from joy because of your suffering. This week, Tyler Moffett, our new Director of Discipleship, reminds us through James 1 that God can use the most broken circumstances to bring about even greater joy.
Where do you turn to in a time of need? This week, guest speaker Trip Lee walks us through John 6:1-15 to remind us the size of our problems doesn’t change the source of our help.
In our world, joy seems to be a lost art — so where do we find it? This week, Kylen Perry leads us through the book of Philippians, where God gives us a roadmap to a life of excitement, joy, wonder, and delight.
God wants more for your life than occasional optimism. He wants you to have and experience true joy, because He that's who He innately is. This week, we kick off our aptly named "Joy" series as Kylen Perry points to a variety of Scriptures that all lead to one conclusion — the Joy you’ve been looking for came looking for you.
Has your jealousy turned everyone around you into the competition? This week, our lead pastor and elder, Timothy "TA" Ateek, leads us through 1 Samuel 18 to show us how different people dealt with the future king David's success, and what it means for us to celebrate the success of those in our lives who seem to turn everything they touch to gold.
How do we pick up and put back the pieces when we're suffering — and how do we reconcile that God allowed it to happen? This week, as we close out our "Deconstructed" series, Kylen Perry walks us through John 16 to remind us that God has made us a way through our suffering now and will one day remove it forever.
Two things can be true: Life can be hard and God can be good. This week, this idea is unpacked as Kylen Perry points to Matthew 11 to show us how God meets us in moments of disappointment and reminds us of His truth when we come to a crisis in our faith.
Rather than conforming our lives to the truth, we often try to conform the truth to fit our lives. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through John 18 as we see Jesus answer the question "What is truth?" — a question many of us might be asking ourselves.
Has your church experience felt like a bait and switch? As Kylen Perry picks back up in Matthew 23, we can be encouraged that no matter how big an issue we have with religious hypocrisy, Jesus has a bigger one — and that He has come to heal the hurt in His church.
What do you think of when you hear "spiritual warfare?" While it might seem like science fiction, the reality is that it's all around us — and we have to be prepared as believers. This week, guest speaker and Lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, leads us through Ephesians 6 as he reminds us that in the face of danger, we have to take up the Armor of God.
Sometimes what makes us doubt God's goodness is the lack of goodness we've seen in His people. So how do we overcome our hurt when it was caused by friendly fire? This week, Kylen Perry takes us through Matthew 23 to show how Jesus dealt with religious figures who leveraged their authority against the people Christ came to save.
What happens when you have doubts? This week, as we kick off our "Deconstructed" series, Kylen Perry walks us through Luke 24 to remind us that God doesn't want to build in us an unbreakable belief as much as He wants to build an unbreakable bond — and that through every doubt, we have an opportunity to love God more.
The Porch Returns this week to talk about what it means to depend on the Lord while navigating the new. Our Director, Kylen Perry, points to Numbers 13-14 to remind us of key truths from Scripture that should mark our decision-making and actions as believers.
Have you lost your wonder for the Christmas season? For our "Christmas At The Porch" message, Kylen Perry reminded us of Philippians 2:6-11, where we're told we can have peace, joy, and hope in every season because Jesus reigns over all.
Too often, we view salvation as essential and discipleship as optional — but in Scripture, we see that it's impossible to find Jesus and not follow Him. This week, Kylen Perry takes us to Matthew 28 to remind us of our God-given purpose and role in the Great Commission.
Have we grown disenchanted in our discipleship to Jesus? This week, Kylen Perry takes us to Revelation 2 to remind us that if we've lost our love for Jesus it may be time to be reacquainted with our Savior.
Believers are told we have the unmatched gift of Christ in us — so why do we act so underwhelmed by the God of the universe making His home in our hearts? This week, guest speaker Drew Worsham takes us through Colossians 1:24-29 to remind us of the mystery and majesty of our relationship with the Lord of our lives.
When we lack control in a situation it's easy to feel fearful, stressed, and overwhelmed. This week, our Lead Pastor and Elder Timothy "TA" Ateek points to Mark 4:35-41 to remind us that when we cast our cares upon the Prince of Peace, we can choose faith over fear.
It may feel impossible to believe that after all the times we’ve hidden from, avoided, and ran from God, He would still be faithful to pursue us— but that's exactly what Scripture says to be true. This week, our guest speaker, Brenna Blain, describes how the Lord used the book of Hosea in her own story and reminds us that God is faithful even when we are not.
So many of us want a life of deep meaning and to be connected to something that truly matters — and the Bible tells us that God wants those things for us too. This week, Kylen Perry takes us to Matthew 14:22-33 to show us that we find this not just by knowing of Jesus, but by becoming more like Him.
Being a disciple of Jesus means we must seek His people — but who are His people? This week, Kylen Perry points to Luke 8:26-39 to show us that Jesus has always sought to give dignity to the defiled and extend salvation to those we may deem too far gone.
What did Jesus say is the greatest commandment? To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. But how do we actually do that? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Matthew 22:34-40 and gives us practical ways to live out what is most important.
Jesus has extended us the ultimate invitation — one where we can lay down our burdens and enjoy true rest in relationship with Him. This week, our Lead Pastor Timothy "TA" Ateek points to Matthew 11:28-30 to remind us that we shouldn't settle for anything less than full satisfaction through our Savior.
How do we respond when Jesus says, "Follow Me"? What does it even mean to follow him? This week, Kylen Perry dives into Luke 5:1-11 to show us the response we ought to have when we encounter Jesus. Following Jesus has a cost but nothing is worth keeping if it keeps us from Jesus.
How should we think about ourselves as children of God? True significance isn’t found in who you are; it’s found in who God is. This week, Kylen Perry refers to the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3 to remind us that we won't feel worthy until God enters our story.
Do we look for the path of least resistance when God is calling us to follow the path that leads to Him? This week, our guest speaker Nate Hilgenkamp, young adults and teaching pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, takes us to 2 Samuel 15 & 18 to remind us that God doesn’t promise easy, instead He’s given us a Kingdom purpose in enemy territory.
You've heard that comparison is the thief of joy, but what else is it stealing from us? If we look to our left, right, or even down at our phones, it's not hard to find someone to compare ourselves against — but Kylen Perry reminds us through John 21 that while comparison turns friends into rivals, Christ's compassion frees us from the fear of deficiency.
This week, we welcomed John Cox, Watermark's executive pastor, and Caitlin Van Wagoner, our senior communications director, on stage with Kylen Perry to share Biblical truths and practical wisdom they've learned over the course of their careers.
Following Jesus isn't a solo sport, and we're called to pass the baton of faith on to those around us. But how do we do this well? This week, Josiah Jones walks through Hebrews 12 to show us lessons he's learned from Scripture and a life of ministry on how to live out the mission we've been called to.
We often want to find our purpose in our work, but God has already filled our jobs with purpose. This week, Kylen Perry refers to Ephesians 6 to show us that we've been instructed in how to work well in a world that wants us to work with an agenda.
The Bible uses a lot of “family” language, but what does it mean that we’re a part of God’s family? This week, Oren Martin, Watermark’s Senior Director of Equipping, points to Mark 3:20-35 to show us how Jesus is making a new family of God on earth gathered around Himself — and he’s doing it with outsiders.
How we relate to Jesus says a lot about how we'll relate to our spouse. This week, Kylen Perry and his wife, Brooke, walk us through the misconceptions of marriage and what scripture says marriage is - and isn't - truly about.
We spend a lot of time seeing if other people measure up to our ideal dating checklist — but have we stopped to evaluate ourselves first? This week, Kylen Perry points to 1 Timothy 4:12 and other passages to remind us that a meaningful connection to God is the source of a meaningful connection to others.
Why do we have friends — and more importantly how do we become good ones? As we kick off "The Relationship Series," Kylen Perry points to 1 Samuel 18 to show us the theology of friendship and how we can deepen the relationships that God gave us for our enjoyment.
What if you believe in God, but just don’t feel Him right now? This week, guest speaker Tyler Moffett, points us to Isaiah 49 as we consider what it means to navigate trials and suffering while trusting in God’s promises — and it all starts with a moment of surrender.
The world has repackaged the shackles of pornography as the symbol of sexual freedom — so how do we move forward? This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek points to Colossians 3:5 to remind us that we're called to put all sexual immorality - whether it's videos, books, thoughts - to death and live in the freedom that Christ offers.
If we're made new when we accept Christ, why do we try to keep the old? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Colossians 3:1-17 to remind us that we're called to set our sin aside and set our minds on Christ instead.
Are you trying to add to Jesus? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Colossians 2:16-23 to show us that we don't have to chase spiritual feelings, seek moral activities, or give an impressive appearance — our love of Christ is what makes us more like Him.
Do you put more weight on your faith in God or your fear of failure? This week, guest speaker Nate Hilgenkamp takes us through Number 13-14 to remind us that when we expand our view of God, we'll realize that He's never been (and will never be) the God of "good enough."
Who - or what - is lord of your life? If you claim Jesus Christ, then there has to be a total life transformation that follows. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Colossians 2 to give us a few lessons for the living we see Paul outline for the church of Colossae.
Who is Jesus really? Is he a miracle worker? Religious figure? The guy my parents believe in? Or is He something more altogether? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Colossians 1:15-20 to provide clarity on who Jesus actually is.Speaker: Kylen Perry
While we were once slaves to our sin, Jesus came to make a way for us to live as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father — so why do we still act like orphans? This week, guest speaker Drew Worsham walks us through the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 to remind us that we're not defined by our rebellion, but by our reconciliation to the Father.
What are you known for? This week we kicked off our new series "Above All," and Kylen Perry takes us through Colossians 1 to show us what it means to have a genuine faith that leaves a lasting impression.
We’re called to be holy and set apart from the world in all areas of life. This week, guest speaker and Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church Jonathan “J.P.” Pokluda reminded us through 1 Thessalonians 4 that when we act on sexual desires outside of God’s design we end up in places we never meant to go. This isn’t about purity culture; it’s about living a life that is holy and set apart in every area. This week, guest speaker and Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church Jonathan “J.P.” Pokluda reminded us through 1 Thessalonians 4 that when we act on sexual desires outside of God’s design we end up in places we never meant to go.
Do you want Jesus to be Lord over all your life, or just part of it? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through John 9 to show us that Jesus will meet us where we are, but He isn't just concerned with healing the areas of our lives we decide need fixing, He wants to make everything new.
What are you putting your confidence in? Whether it’s your literal resume or your spiritual one, when we treat Jesus like a sidenote in the story we come up empty-handed. This week, Josiah Jones takes us through Philippians 3 to remind us we don’t need to perform for Christ, we just need to pursue Him.
All of life is a drawing close or a drifting away from God — but what makes the difference? This week, Kylen Perry points to 1 John 1 and makes the case that confessing our sin and accepting the gift of forgiveness is the key to closeness to Christ.
Are you addicted to being busy? Finding satisfaction in an ever-growing to-do list? While it's easy to slip into achiever mode, this week Kylen Perry takes us through Luke 10 to show us that when we live distracted we risk missing out on the one thing we really need — to focus fully on Jesus.
Surrender by nature is uncomfortable, yet it's what God instructs us to do daily. When a rich young ruler in Mark 10 is told this it leads to disappointment, but this week Kylen Perry reminds us that the cost of following Jesus is nothing compared to what we get in return.
It's easy to get distracted in a world that demands our attention. This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Psalm 27, where we see David recognize that in order to pursue what matters, we have to give our attention to the One who deserves our focus — and it all starts with one question.
Do you try to "fix" your feelings? Guest speaker and author of "Untangle Your Emotions" Jennie Allen walks us through John 11 to remind us that Jesus felt things deeply, and when we learn how to acknowledge our feelings in a biblical way we can find freedom from the confusion. This message was recorded on November 28, 2023.
We're constantly being told we need to find ourselves, but what if we just need to rest in the identity God's already given us? This week, guest speaker Nate Hilgenkamp walks us through 1 Peter 1 to remind us that names are given, not earned — and God has called us chosen.
Where are you looking to find fulfillment? Answers probably range from jobs and status to relationships and looks, but in this message, Kylen Perry teaches from Psalm 27 to show us that true contentment is found when we rest in dependence on our Father.
Do you trust God to be the Lord of your life — or is that a title you want to keep for yourself? Last night, Kylen Perry walked us through Matthew 6 to remind us that God doesn’t want us to strive to achieve self-sufficiency, but rest in the confidence that comes with self-surrender.
Why do we celebrate Christmas? This week, Timothy “TA” Ateek reminds us of the truth behind John 3:16, the most famous verse in the Bible, to show us that the good news of the season is rooted in the reality of the Gospel.
Do you feel like your expectations of God doesn't match your experience of Him? This week, Kylen Perry walks us through Philippians 4:6-7 and the relationship between intimacy with God and prayer. Our prayer life will lead us to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding if we submit and confess our anxious thoughts to Him.
Do you ever wish you could hit the reset button on past mistakes? This week, Timothy “TA” Ateek walks us through Peter’s redemption story in John 21 to remind us that the past doesn’t have the right to remind us of our failures, only of our restoration in Jesus Christ.
How would your life change if you knew you had everything you needed with Jesus? This week, guest speaker Louie Giglio, Pastor of Passion City Church and Founder of Passion Conferences, walks us through the life of Paul in Acts and his writings in Romans and 2 Corinthians to remind us that we have the authority under Christ to conquer sin and live convinced that we can accomplish the works God has appointed us to do.
In His last hours, Jesus didn’t flex His power or showcase His status — instead, He lowered Himself down to serve those who knew Him the be the Messiah. This week, Josiah Jones walked us through John 13:1-15 to show us that true greatness is found when we serve others and love those around us even when it means humbling ourselves.
Is there sin or sickness in your life that needs healing? It's not hard to see this world is broken and in need of healing, but how do we move from hurting to healed? This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks us through John 5:1-15 and shows us we need more than healing for our brokenness — we need the right view of the Healer.
What does it mean to have a saving faith? For Nicodemus, it meant following all the rules and checking the boxes, but this week Timothy “TA” Ateek walks us through John 3:1-15 to show us how Jesus is the Truth Teller when it comes to our salvation — it’s not something we earn, but a free gift we’re miraculously given!
You’ve probably heard “The church isn’t a place, it’s a people,” but do we actually live our lives like the Holy Spirit lives within us? This week, Timothy “TA” Ateek walks us through John 2:13-22 and shows us how God cares deeply for His temple, and sometimes that means clearing out distractions and sacrificing convenience so we can prioritize the Presence of God.
Suffering is (unfortunately) inevitable, but it’s not the end — instead of temporary happiness, God offers us eternal joy when we look to Him during trials. This week, guest speaker Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church, walks us through the Book of Job to remind us that even though we live in a broken world, God draws close to the brokenhearted.
Believing in Jesus is the beginning of your faith journey, not the end. Now it's time to follow Him, but how do we do that in a culture that pushes being in control of your own life? This week, Josiah Jones walks us through John 1:35-51 to show us how we can be better disciples of the one true leader of our lives.
In the beginning was the Word, then the Word became flesh and we were given the ultimate gift. This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks us through John 1:1-14 to show us how to respond to the gift of Jesus, the Son of God who came to reveal His Glory.
If we want a revival to happen in our generation, we have to have a hunger for holiness — but what does that look like? Guest speaker Luke LeFevre walks us through Matthew 24:37-44 to remind us that God's patience with us is not His passivity toward our sin, and if we want to experience true intimacy with Him we have to repent and start pursuing holiness.
In a society where we're told to "live our truth," Scripture makes it clear that the only way to find our identity is to recognize who we are in Christ. This week, guest speaker Kylen Perry, Metro Venue Pastor in Houston, TX, walks us through Genesis 32:24-30 to show us how God will lead us out of hiding to get us to embrace our design.
How will your future self look back on your young adult years? This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks us through the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 11-12 and gives us biblical guidelines for living in a way that honors God and keeps us from wasting our 20s and 30s.
When you have an eternal perspective, the way you live your life should change. This week, Josiah Jones takes us through Ecclesiastes 7 and highlights Biblical truths that will help us live in the present, with the end in mind.
As Christians, the Bible tells us trials are inevitable — but what if you're putting yourself through additional, avoidable pain? This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek takes us through Ecclesiastes 10 and lays out what the Bible says about seeking wisdom to keep us off a path that leads to hurt.
Money is on our minds, but it shouldn't rule our hearts. This week, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks us through Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:6 to show us that money can bring joy and contentment or stress and anxiety; it all depends on whether you view money as a gift or a god.
How can you love someone you don’t know? To love God, we must know who He is—the one God who is three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This week, guest speaker Oren Martin walks us through Ephesians 1:3-14 to give us a biblical perspective of the Triune God who is worthy of our praise.
Do you ever feel like your worship has become stale? Unfulfilling? Or maybe you feel that worship simply isn’t for you. As we continue in our series, Dust to Dust, TA walks us through Ecclesiastes 5 to show us five keys to true worship that is life giving and satisfying in your walk with the Lord.
God’s design for the Christian life is to be lived in and amongst community. His people are there to lift us up in times of trouble, rejoice in times of celebration, and pray in times of desperation. Simply said: life is better together!
Timothy “TA” Ateek walks us through Ecclesiastes 4 to see that a life in community brings flourishing and more of Jesus.
What your life isn’t as beautiful as you want it to be? How would your outlook on life change? As we continue our series over the book of Ecclesiastes, we see not only that there is a time for everything but that God makes everything beautiful in His time.
There is nothing is us that can give us meaning. Have you ever thought about that? As we kick off our new series ‘Dust to Dust’ through the book of Ecclesiastes, Tommy Nelson, Senior Pastor and Elder at Denton Bible Church, walks us through chapters 1 and 2 to see and consider the futility of life without God.
Have you ever considered what it means to surrender? Or are you unsure of how to surrender? Jennie Allen, founder of IF:Gathering and member at Watermark Community Church, shows us in Matthew 6:27 and Galatians 2:20 what it means to fully surrender to God’s perfect and freeing plan for our daily lives.
Are you feeling stuck? Needing someone to help pick you up when you’re down? John Elmore, a Teaching Pastor at Watermark Community Church, reminds us that Jesus is the better way, the best truth, and the eternal life.
As we conclude the Prayer series, our friend and Watermark member, Jennie Allen, is back with TA to give us a glimpse into the apostles’ prayer life through the book of Acts and how we can mimic their prayers today.
Feeling stuck, discouraged, or stale in your prayer life? As we continue in our prayer series, TA walks us through a variety of ways to pray so that we may experience greater intimacy with God through our prayer life.
As we continue our Prayer series, we are stepping into Jesus’ the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. From Jesus’ own teaching we will see that we have instruction how to pray and what prayer does for our relationship with the Lord.
Prayer changes everything. What if you began to believe that God actually wants to hear from you? In this message, we sit down with our friend Jennie Allen and have a conversation on prayer. We learn and are reminded of the intimacy we get to experience with God when we bring everything to Him through prayer.
In 2021, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people between 20 and 34. If you feel like life is painful, uncomfortable, and unbearable, then this message is for you. You are loved. There is hope. Please don't end your life. You can text or call anything to "988" to speak with someone immediately.
In this message, we close out the Psalm 23 series by talking about the favor of God. Why is this important? Because many of us are exhausted from chasing favor. We look at Psalm 23:6 to learn that favor is actually chasing us.
When you think about following Jesus, which word feels more familiar to you? Victory or failure? If it's failure, then the good news is that Psalm 23 gives us three keys to walking in Christ’s victory. Victory means change is possible. You can take ground against sin. You can grow in Christlikeness. Why? Because Jesus has already won.
How do we navigate the times when the realities of our life seem so different than our dreams? In this message, we look at Psalm 23:4 to see three things we may need to change in order for us to spiritually make it through hard times.
In this message, we look at Psalm 23:2-3 and find that our good Shepherd is the only one who can truly satisfy the longings of our souls, heal what is broken, and lead us on a path that leads to joy and flourishing.
What does David mean when he refers to God as Shepherd? He is inviting us to see God as a leader, owner, provider, protector, and rescuer. The good news is that God’s identity as Shepherd brings peace to our reality and clarity to our activity. Put simply: who he is, changes how we live.
The Bible is black and white on some topics, but there are many things that are not directly addressed, so they have gray areas. In this message, we look at 1 Corinthians and list four questions to answer when you're facing gray area topics.
In this message, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda walks us through Proverbs 4:20-27 and poses five questions to help us learn how to better protect our hearts.
We have a tendency to either want to be God or replace God. We want to be in control of our own lives and call all the shots. In this message, TA walks us through Isaiah 2 and reminds us that all along there has only been one God. What are you consciously or subconsciously exalting? What gets your greatest allegiance, adoration, affection, and obsession?
What if the very thing holding you back and killing you from the inside out isn’t because of anything you’ve actually done? In this message, we talk about the one thing that can change every relationship you have.
Every single one of us has a crucial role to play in reaching those who do not know Jesus. But maybe you're not sure how to start and need some direction. In this message, Timothy "TA" Ateek walks through 2 Corinthians 5:16 and clarifies five things …mentality, message, mission, motivation, and method when it comes to caring about those who don’t know Jesus.
Are you ever hit with a wave of loneliness? Are you ever at a social event surrounded by many so-called friends and feel like no one there truly knows you? Maybe the reason for this is that you are not doing community the way God intended. You were created to be fully known and fully loved. It's time to start being real.
Everyone's got something they hate but keep going back to...porn, body image issues, control, alcohol, drugs, pride, anger, social media, etc. If you knew Jesus was coming back this year, would you want to finally get free from your sin?
If you knew Jesus was coming back soon, what would change? In this message, we look at Revelation 1 to gain the right perspective that will cultivate the right response to Jesus whether he comes back tomorrow or a year from now.
In this message, David Marvin walks us through 1 Timothy 3 to unpack 6 qualities to look for in a husband. Men, these are the qualities you should aim to have. Ladies, use these 6 areas to examine a man before committing to marrying him.
Oftentimes, guys start the search for a wife with "how do they make me feel", instead of "will they be good at the assignment?" In this message, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda walks us through Proverbs 31 and points out 6 qualities to look for in a wife.
80-90% of young adults hope to get married. No one dreams of a mediocre marriage. No one envisions being married and longing for the days of being single again. In this message, we ask six questions worth answering to save your marriage before it even begins.
If you're in a "complicated" relationship or have always felt like your dating life is too complicated, this message is for you. God didn't intend for our relationships to be complicated. So, let's uncomplicate things. In this message, we reveal 10 keys to uncomplicated dating to have a healthy, God-honoring, and life-giving relationship.
There is an invisible world that is impacting the visible world you see. War is happening all around you right now - war for your heart, soul, purity, marriage, job, etc. So, how do you win the war against you?
Do you ever face conflicted realities such as what you feel vs what you SHOULD feel? In this message, we walk through Ephesians 5 with special guest Mickey Friedrich and learn three truths about conflicting realities and who we actually are.
The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to teach us how to live a renewed life in Christ. In this message, we continue in Ephesians 4 to learn how to walk in our new identity in Christ, transform our minds, and create new practices.
In this message, we take a look at Ephesians 4 and learn three keys to walking through life as a believer.
In this message, guest speaker Louie Giglio from Passion City Church shares about how to take your walk with God to the next level.
Life can be good, but life can also be really hard. So how do you live life and not just survive, but also thrive? In this message, we learn how to have a faith that maintains through mountain tops and valleys.
We were created for so much more than this. In this message, we hear from special guest David Platt on the importance of reaching the unreached.
Just as the invention of the iPhone drastically changed the world, this message from Ephesians 2 has the power to change everything about us. In this message, we learn who we were, what Christ has done, and who we are now. So, what changes everything?
In this message, we walk through the first chapter of Ephesians to understand who we are, what we need the most, when we will change, where we will spend eternity, and why it all matters.
Before we fully dive into the book of Ephesians, we must first provide some context and background on the city of Ephesus and the beginning of the church of Ephesus.
In our flesh, our tendency is to be great in the eyes of people. But what a miss it would be to be great in the eyes of the world but not in the eyes of Jesus. In this message, we look at the life of John the Baptist to learn what true greatness looks like.
In this message, we answer a question that is a debated topic in culture today - is the Bible sexist?
Have you ever wondered if a Christian can lose their salvation? Maybe you follow God, but still hook up. Maybe you "left the faith" and wonder if you can still get to heaven. In this message, we define what a Christian is and answer if a Christian can somehow lose their salvation.
In this message, we answer one of the most frequently asked questions, can I be LGBTQIA+ and follow Jesus? We look at what the Bible says about LGBTQIA+ relationships and discuss how to love LGBTQIA+ people as Jesus does.
STATISTICS: https://www.theporch.live/blog/can-i-be-lgbtqia-and-follow-jesus-statistics
Have you ever wished you could shake a magic ball to know exactly what God has for your future? Have you ever been confused about what God's will is for your life or wondered if you could mess up that plan by making the wrong decision?
If you've ever felt stressed out, overwhelmed, or out of control, this is for you. In this message, we look at four key truths about dealing with stress from the scriptures. We learn that stress isn’t inevitable it is optional.
We all have insecurities, but many of us don’t realize how much they impact our lives. In this message, we look at 1 Samuel 17 and talk about what it means to not suppress our insecurities, but rather address them.
Remember all the things you learned in school that you never used again? In this message, we discuss one subject that was never taught but is a crucial skill to succeeding in life - conflict resolution. Learn about 2 essential things you need to know to resolve conflict in a healthy way.
Last week, we talked through reasons WHY you should forgive that person who wronged you. In this message, we talk through three practical steps to forgiving someone. Find freedom from past hurts, bitterness, anger, and resentment.
Is there anyone's name that brings anger or bitterness to mind? What about someone you avoid in public because of something that happened or someone you are waiting on to apologize? In this message, we read Matthew 18 and talk through 3 reasons you should forgive that someone.
One of the biggest lies the world tells us is that sexual freedom and exploration come at no cost. It’s no question that sexual sin is one of the greatest grips on young adults’ lives today. In this message, we look at 2 Samuel 11 and discuss five ways to battle sexual sin.
In this message, we look at John 21 and see the POV of a man who was covered in shame and encountered Jesus.
In this message, we cover John 3 and see the POV of a man named Nicodemus who encountered Jesus. His encounter with Jesus answers the most important question that anyone could ask -- who will go to heaven and how do they get there?
Where do you search for fulfillment? Do you look for validation from other people, seek temporary pleasures, or strive for success through what you achieve? In this message, we see the point of view of a thirsty woman who was chasing all the wrong things in life, but encountered Jesus and discovered how to have a life of full satisfaction.
Many of us have a clear view of Jesus and still don't truly see Him. In this message, we look at the POV of a man in Mark 10 who was blind, yet saw Jesus clearly.
In this message, we look at a moment when Zacchaeus, the wealthiest man in the New Testament, encounters Jesus.
Do you ever wonder what it was like to be up close and personal with Jesus? In this message, we read Mark 5 and hear about Jesus removing demons and restoring daughters, all from the point of view of three disciples: Peter, James, and John.
Your ability to be a solid friend, be a great coworker or boss, build a thriving marriage that is going to last the test of time, and become a good parent all rely on good character. So how do we become a man or woman of good character when the culture around us opposes us and is constantly changing?
We live in a world that encourages self-love, building success, and having it all. But, what if we told you that it's not all about you? In this message, we walk through Daniel 4 to learn the symptoms, side effects, and solutions for a sin that is at the root of all other sins.
The only way to know if your faith is real is by seeing how you respond when you are tested with trials of life. In this message, we read Daniel 3 and learn what it means to have faith on fire. When things heat up and you face fires, will you have blazing faith despite the circumstances and outcomes?
Have you ever doubted that God is fully in control? In this message, we look at Daniel 2 to see how Daniel interprets a dream for a powerful king that ends up predicting history and showing us that God's kingdom is the only kingdom that will last.
When you're faced with a moral dilemma, do you stand strong in your beliefs or compromise under pressure? In this message, we learn from Daniel 1 what it looks like to stand firm for your faith.
When we have incorrect views of God, they cause us to run from Him. In this message, we unpack Luke 15 and learn who God really is.
We all know gossip is bad from an early age, so why do we still do it? In this message, we look at what the Bible says about gossip and talk through the reasons we gossip, the results of gossip, and the removal of gossip.
You're not alone in feeling alone. A 2019 study found that three in five Americans reported being chronically lonely. In this message, we're joined by Jennie Allen to discuss how to find your people and create deeper, long-lasting friendships.
Some of the biggest frustrations, hurts, scars, and shame we carry are from dating the wrong way. In this message, we walk through the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16 to learn how to say RIP to toxic dating.
Many of us have been chasing after the American dream: a lot of money, a great job, a big house, a nice car, and a picture-perfect family. In this message, we look at Luke 12 to learn how to say RIP to the American dream and hello to something so much bigger and better - living for eternity.
Victim mentality may look like constantly blaming others, believing everyone is out to get you, or thinking that bad things always happen to you. In this message, we walk through John 5 and learn three ways to change “victim mentality” to "victor mentality" through a relationship with the King of victory.
It's time for your chains of achievement, money, broken relationships, comparison, and addictions to be dead and gone. In this message, we learn that Jesus didn't wait for us to clean up our lives to die for us. So, what needs to be dead and gone in your life this year?
The scandalous stories of sinners in this series have all pointed to Jesus. But, what if we told you the story of Jesus himself is scandalous? In this message, we take a look at Matthew 1 to see how nothing will stop God from playing out the story He has written, even an unplanned pregnancy.
You would think King David, the man most closely associated with Jesus, was a picture-perfect hero. But, did you know he was involved in a scandal of adultery that destroyed his whole family? In this message, we look at 2 Samuel and see how everyone, even King David, is broken, sinful, and unworthy.
A lot of us are labeled. Labeled by our past, things we have done, or who we currently are. But, did you know God runs after people with labels? In this message, David Marvin shares the story from Joshua 2 of a prostitute named Rahab. What are you currently labeled as? Find out how God can rewrite yours.
God uses sinful people to accomplish His perfect plan. In this message, JD Rodgers shares one of the most scandalous stories in the Bible from Genesis 38 about Jesus' great great grandparents, Judah and Tamar. Do you like reality TV? Buckle up.
It can be really hard to talk about the topic of mental health, especially in the church, but we believe it’s both helpful and necessary. In this message, David Marvin, Jennie Allen, and Jonathan Pokluda discuss how to battle anxiety and loneliness, and how to deal with social media in a healthy, biblical way.
Anxiety, fear, and depression are real. There is an enemy trying to influence your thoughts and feelings, but God is much more powerful than the darkness. In this message, guest speaker Louie Giglio shares how to keep the enemy from pulling up a seat at your table.
Depression and suicide are at record highs. Many of us feel stuck in a bubble of darkness, isolation, sadness, and hopelessness. What does the Bible say about this? In this message, we discuss what's true about depression, what the causes are, and how we fight it.
We're busy with our jobs, we're not getting enough sleep, and the pace of life feels faster than ever. Why are we so stressed out and what will help us experience God's peace instead? In this message, we cover the sources, side effects, and solutions to stress.
Statistics show that anxiety levels in young adults are at an all-time high. Why are we so anxious and what can we do about it? In this message, we explore what the Bible defines as anxiety and discuss 5 things Jesus taught on the subject.
Are you dateable, available… and still single? Are you worried about being single forever? In this message, we unpack 3 truths from God’s word about singleness.
The Bible doesn't talk about dating, but it does talk about love, relationships and marriage. So how do you honor the other person when dating? In this message, we give you a "how to" by walking through the nine stages from the ask out to the altar.
So what makes a woman dateable? Looks? Personality? Lifestyle? In this message, we discuss three crucial questions that can help determine if she is dateable before you date her.
What causes a person’s life mission to change from living for themselves to living for something bigger? In this message, we learn from Matthew 9 what it means to be “united in mission” with God.
What does it mean to be “united in surrender”? In this message, we talk about how we can all be united through surrendering ourselves to God. Maybe the greatest thing you could hear is that you’re not actually following God, and maybe understanding that will help you start following God. We are united when we surrender our sin and our lives to him.
What does it mean to be “united in love”? In this message, we talk about how we can all be united through the love of Christ, even though our lives, our circumstances, and our sin all looks different. But Jesus and his love for us can overcome all differences. The truth is, we’re in a difficult place. But the Bible isn’t about making bad people good, but about making dead people alive.
We sit down with David Marvin, Jennie Allen, and Jonathan Pokluda to ask them all kinds of questions, ranging from what book they would recommend for us to read, all the way to what advice they would give our generation.
What does it mean to be “united in worship”? In this message, we talk about how we can worship God being aligned with his story, and by understanding what it means to be a human as an image bearer of God. If you’re a human, you have a story. It’s impossible to be a human without a story. We’re all captured by a story, and we can be united in worshipping God when we are captured by his story.
What does it mean to be “united together”? In this message, we talk about how as humans, we were created for connection, and we’re designed to live in community. But at times, we wait on everyone around us to initiate, when we can initiate too. Jesus is a master initiator, and we can look to him to be our example.
What does it mean to be “united in truth”? In this message, we talk about how the Bible isn’t a self-help book, and the Bible isn’t about us. The Bible is about Jesus, and he is the main character from beginning to end. We can be united in truth when we realize that the Bible isn’t about us individually, but it’s about Jesus who unites us all in his love.
When it comes to dating, who is going to make you look more like the image of God? What does “made in the image of God” really mean? In this message, we study Genesis 1 to learn what to look for when heading toward marriage.
What makes a man dateable by God’s standards? We tend to let feelings and culture cloud our decisions when it comes to who we date. So in this message, we’re asking three questions that help us decide if he’s truly dateable or not.
Dating is a path that leads to a promise that leads to a lifelong pursuit. But just because you’re available doesn’t mean that you’re datable. In this message, we go through a checklist of priorities that will tell you if you are in fact, dateable.
Not everyone who claims to be a Christian will be in heaven, because it’s not just about your words. How can we be assured that we know Jesus and he knows us? In this message, we look at Matthew 7 to see what Jesus meant when he said, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”
When Jesus says, “Ask and you will receive,” is it really that simple? Does it mean we can manifest whatever we want if we believe it enough? In this message, we learn what Jesus actually means by this statement and the significance it has for us.
Have you ever wondered what we need to do to get to heaven? Are you just going through the motions of religion and faking it? In this message, we look at John 3 to learn what Jesus meant when he said “you must be born again” to enter the kingdom of heaven.
I'm sure when you think of your enemies, your first response isn't to love them. Culture may tell you differently, but that's exactly what we are to do as Christians. In this message, we learn what Jesus means when he says, "love your enemies."
Spiritual warfare is something very real, yet no one really talks about it. Sure we know Jesus wins the war in the end, but what does that mean for the everyday battles we face? In this message, we learn from Ephesians 6:10-18 how we can fight our battles.
Many of us buy the lie that we’re a good person, but there’s no universally accepted standard of what is good. Can we ever be “good” enough? In this message, we look at Mark 10:17-27 to learn three reasons why good people don’t go to heaven (but forgiven people do).
Believe it or not, the Bible isn’t prude. But the liberation of sexuality in our culture has led to bondage instead of freedom. In this message, we learn the problems porn creates and the principles God gives us for sex.
Sin may be fun for a moment, but it always has consequences. Why doesn’t sin stay fun forever? Why is every high followed by a low? In this message, we learn the reality and effects of sin so we can learn to get rid of it before it gets rid of us.
Saving sex for marriage may seem old fashioned. Society tells you to try before you buy, but sex is dangerous outside of the purpose it was designed for. In this message, we look at 1 Corinthians 6:13-7:4 to learn why sex is amazing but destructive.
When you hear modest is hottest what comes to mind? Here’s our hot take: modest isn’t hottest, but it’s better. In this message, we’re diving into God’s word to learn 3 reasons why.
It’s possible to be considered good but not godly. Is Jesus the passion of your life or just a part of it? In this message, we look at the life of King David in 2 Samuel to learn the four keys of moving from good to godly.
We all hate waiting, whether it’s for marriage, a promotion, or healing from heartbreak. What are you waiting for that God seems to be slow on? In this message, we wrap up the series with James 5:7-12 to learn how we wait for resolution as Christians.
Money determines many things in this life, whether we have a little or a lot. God isn’t out to get your money, but he doesn’t want your money to get you. In this message, we study James 5:1-6 to see how the way we view, make, and use money reveals what we’re really living for.
Do you struggle with pride? Pride can be hard to see in the mirror, but it’s covering so many of us. In this message, we study James 4:10-17 to learn ways we struggle with pride and how to defeat it.
We often ignore warnings that we think will prevent us from getting what our hearts desire. It’s more natural for us to trust ourselves instead of trusting God, but that leads to painful consequences. In this message, we study James 4 to learn three warnings that will prevent us from ruining our lives.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But the truth is that the tongue is powerful, and words have the power to shape our lives. In this message, we study James 3:1-12 to learn three truths about the tongue.
Many claim to be Christians but they don’t live like it. A faith that saves is always matched with action, not just lip service. In this message, we study James 2:14-24 to answer the question “Is your faith real?”
Ever picked favorites? Often times in life, we let our assumptions and judgments of appearance, social status, profession, wealth, gender, race and culture affect the value of another person. We all do it, but how serious is it? What can we do to stop it? In this message, we dive into James 2:1-13 to see what the cause and cure to favoritism really is.
A genuine faith is never alone—it should always be matched with action that’s based on belief. People say what they think but do what they believe. Do you have a genuine faith or a fake faith? In this message, we study James 1:19-27 to help you answer that question.
Temptation convinces you that sin will be fun in the moment, but it never ends where it begins. What if there were a way we could fight it and say no to temptation? In this message, we study James 1:12-18 to learn where temptation comes from, where it leads to, and how to defeat it before it defeats us.
Have you ever asked, “Where are you, God?” in the midst of a difficult season? Trials can shake us up and lead to wondering about what God is doing, but there’s always more than meets the eye. In this message, we look at James 1:1-12 to learn the potential, prescription, and promise of trials.
What are you living for right now—God’s plan or your plan? Have you ever wondered if God could use you? In this message, we look at Acts 18 to see how God accomplishes his extraordinary plan through ordinary people.
Do you ever feel like there’s more to life? If you don’t know your true purpose, you will inevitably feel out of place in life. In this message, we look at Philippians 3 to learn what our purpose is and where life is truly found.
Most of us are searching for “the one,” hoping along the way we’ll find the person we’re supposed to marry. But if you don’t know what you’re looking for in a godly spouse, you won’t find it. In this message, we look at 1 Timothy to learn more about what qualities we should look for in someone.
Everyone has experienced an unexpected tragedy or painful season in life that leaves us wondering, “Will this storm ever cease?” Either we are walking through a storm, into a storm, or coming out of one, so we need to be prepared to endure it. In this message, we learn from Matthew 14 how we can weather the storms in our life.
Ever wonder what will happen to you when you die? Can we really know if we'll go to heaven? In this message, we learn the answer to this important question and see how we can experience God's abundant life today.
Many of us don't think we can be used by God because we don't believe we are forgiven of our past. What if God wants to take your mess and make it a message? In this message, we look to the book of Luke to answer the question, "Will I truly be forgiven?"
It’s easy to believe the lie that we’re alone, even when surrounded by people. We get caught up in busyness or run to quick fixes as a solution, yet we still feel lonely. In this message, we look to God’s Word to answer the question, “Will I be forever alone?”
One question we all have asked ourselves is, “Am I enough?” Is it even possible to live a life that’s not marked by insecurity? How can we actually live in a sense of security and peace? In this message, we learn three truths about who God says we are and how that determines our identity.
Trials are an inevitable part of life, but they’re also an opportunity for God to work. Every time we are faced with a trial or temptation, we have a choice to choose truth or lies to fight our battles with. In this message, we look at James 1 to learn the truth about our trials and temptations.
What you think about has the power to make or break your contentment. The problem is we allow our happiness to be determined by our happenings, which leaves us wanting more. In this message, we learn from Philippians 4 how to be okay when things are not okay.
The greatest battle in our world today exists in our minds. It’s easy to think we’re victims to how we feel, but we have a choice—a choice to fight for our minds by taking power over our thoughts. In this message, we learn from guest speaker Jennie Allen how God has given us the tools to go to war against our struggles.
When things don’t go the way we pictured, it’s easy to freak out. On Election Day, what are you turning to in the midst of chaotic times? In this message, we learn where true hope is found—not in an elected president, but in the God we’ve elected as King.
Division creates noise, but for what benefit? Racism is not a political problem—it's a spiritual issue that we must tackle with a spiritual solution. In this message, we study Ephesians 2 and learn how to experience peace and reconciliation in one of the most divided times our country has seen.
“My body, my choice,” right? One of the biggest controversies in our culture today is the debate of pro-life vs. pro-choice, so it’s important we know how to think through it with a biblical perspective. In this message, we test three common arguments for abortion against what God’s Word has to say about it.
Our culture has increasingly become more and more politicized. But as Christians, we should look at the issues around us through the filter of faith—not politics. In this message, we discuss the foundation that our nation was built on in order to learn how we can make America godly again.
The purpose of life often feels unclear, leaving many of us confused and wanting more. Do you even know what you’re living for? In this message, guest speaker Drew Worsham walks us through Acts 4 to find out what the secret to life really is.
Many of us don’t get to experience true love without experiencing hurt and heartbreak. Breaking up is hard, but a broken heart today is better than a broken marriage in the future. In this message, we learn when you should break up and how to heal when your breakup breaks you.
When you get married, you’re not just saying “yes” to a wedding, but you’re agreeing to a whole lot more. Marriages too often end up failing because many miss the point and purpose of marriage as God created it for. In this message, we learn 8 principles that can save your marriage before it even begins.
When finding your match, it’s crucial that you know how to date well—God's way. The end goal is not to play for fun, but to play for keeps. In this message, we look at what God’s word has to say about who, when, and how to date in order to build a solid foundation for marriage.
Many of us are searching for the right match, but our sights are often off target. Are you searching for all the wrong things in a relationship? In this message, we address our past "search history" in a way that will impact our future search for love.
When it comes to the decision of marriage, there’s a lot at stake. It’s easy to focus on who you want to marry, but it’s essential to first focus on who you are. In this message, we talk about love and decision making through a biblical perspective so we can learn how to build the right “profile” for our own life.
Sharing your faith can seem intimidating or awkward, but it’s a lot simpler than most of us may think. We tend to put pressure on ourselves without realizing that it’s only our job to share, and we leave the saving up to God. In this message, we learn three practical steps that can help us to become bolder when sharing our faith.
Talking about depression can often feel taboo, which causes many to struggle and suffer in silence. There’s no complete “cure” for it, but God has given us certain tools to help find healing. In this final therapy session, we learn a practical and biblical approach to depression by recognizing what it is, what causes it, and how to combat it.
Sin is poisonous and can cause shame that leads to anxiety. The longer we hide sin, the harder it becomes to heal from it and experience peace. In this message, we learn how important it is to reveal what’s hidden so we can experience healing in the light.
Your thoughts can take you to destinations of anxiety and in directions away from peace. It’s impossible to live a peaceful life with anxious thoughts, so how can we experience real peace? In this message, we learn how to replace the anxious thoughts that result in our anxious feelings with truth from God’s word.
Life is filled with chaos, yet God still wants us to live a life marked by calmness. We tend to look anywhere in the world around us to find relief, but our temporary solutions are just a bandaid. In this message, we learn from Philippians how to experience peace in the midst of anxiety by making our requests known to God.
There’s a direct relationship between the size of our worry and the size of our faith. Many of us say that God is good, so why do we struggle to think he cares for our basic needs? In this message, we have a second conversation about anxiety and look at Matthew 6 for one of the most important truths that can help us in the midst of our worries.
We all experience fear and anxiety, even though no one wants to. Anxiety makes us reach for anything that might give us relief, but God’s word has a lot of practical truths that can help us fight this battle instead. In this message, we cover the first step to finding freedom from your anxiety—recognize it.
You’ve probably heard that "comparison is the thief of joy.” As cliche as it sounds, it’s true. Jealousy robs us of life when we compare our lives to others, so we end up missing out. In this message, we look at Matthew 20 to learn where the deeper problem of jealousy comes from so we can put an end to it before it becomes deadly.
Culture introduced us to sex before we even knew how to handle it. Sexual sin and lust are the source of pain and regret for many of us, so it’s important to know the deadly dangers it can lead to. In this message, we talk about the cause of lust, what is costs us, and how we can cure it.
Greed works in secret and often disguises itself so we don’t even know it’s there. God gives us good gifts, but what we do with them says a lot about us. In this message, we unpack what Jesus has to say in Luke 12 about how to fight the deadly sin of greed.
Anger actually isn’t always a bad thing, but sinful anger can be as destructive as a fire. It doesn’t start from the outside but begins from inside of us, and we may not even realize it. In this message, we learn where anger comes from, what it leads to, and how to heal from it.
Self-indulgence is a silent killer that shows up subtly in our lives through laziness and gluttony. Whether we tend to avoid responsibilities, lack effort at work, or overindulge on the weekends, it will affect our career, relationships, and future. In this message, we talk about how to identify the ways we self-indulge and learn how we can change it.
Every sin is deadly, but pride is the one at the root of them all. It’s not always clear if someone struggles with pride, yet we all have it. If you don’t think this applies to you, it might be exactly what you need to hear. In this message, we look at Philippians 2 to see what pride is, what it leads to, and how we can cure it.
Did you know there was something called the “seven deadly sins”? Does that mean sins can actually kill you? In this message, we are uncovering what sin is, what it costs us, and why it doesn’t disqualify us, but rather makes us the perfect candidate for the love of God.
Many of us wear masks in order to cover up our pain, struggles, and mistakes. We hide who we are from people out of fear, and are only left with feelings of loneliness and shame. In this message, we talk about how we can take off the mask when we have authentic community with people who know us fully.
One question many people have is "How can a loving God send people to Hell?” If you’re going to reject Christianity because of this, at least learn the truth about what Hell is and who will be there. In this message, we explain how it's true that God is love and people still go to Hell.
It’s been said that science contradicts Christianity. Many think embracing science will unravel their faith, but we’re confidently making the claim that this isn’t true. In this message, we fact check this statement to show how science points us to God, not away from Him.
Many say that all religions lead to God and you’re narrow-minded if you think otherwise. If this is true, how can we claim that Christianity is the only true religion? In this message, we examine that Christianity is not just a way but THE way.
Some say the Bible is outdated and unreliable, yet we as Christians claim it’s the foundation we build our lives upon. So how can we know for sure that it's trustworthy? We’re putting it to the test. In this message, we present the facts that support the Bible being the true words of God.
It’s common to wonder, how can God be good when so many bad things happen in the world? Questions like this can chip away at us over time and lead to doubt, so it’s important to answer this for ourselves. In this message, we learn how Christianity explains how bad things happen and actually points to the fact that God is still good.
In this season of quarantine, being single and not able to mingle is a struggle for many. We all want to go back to normalcy, but we shouldn’t waste the time we have and miss what God is trying to teach us. In this message, we learn two ways that we can succeed in this unique season of singleness if we choose to use our circumstances for a greater purpose.
You simply can’t win the game if you don’t know the rules. In this message, we look at chapters 7 through 10 of Esther and see how to live a successful life full of purpose - even when things seem chaotic. Although you can’t always see it, God is moving the pieces of life together for good.
Many of us have embraced false ideas related to faith. Do you have a fairy-tale faith or true faith in Christ? In this message, we look at chapters 5 and 6 of Esther to learn about three ideas that we tend to falsely believe.
As our world faces the pandemic of COVID-19, it’s easy to feel anxious and fearful in the midst of uncertainty. The chaos has made it clear that many of us have imperfect peace instead of a peace that surpasses all understanding. In this message, we look at how the Bible says we should respond to anxiety and how we can find peace - even if it’s imperfect.
I bet you didn't realize that the book of Esther has something in common with the show "Making a Murderer." In this message, we introduce the villain of the story in chapters 3-4 and talk about our purpose. Are you missing it or are you embracing the significant purpose God has given you?
The story of Esther is often misunderstood, but it actually describes an imperfect woman that God used despite her brokenness. Think about all the messiness and drama of "The Bachelor" meshed with “The Princess Diaries,” and you get Esther. In this message, we look at the first two chapters to see how God is at work in the details and tragedies of life. Even when it looks like He is hidden, we can be assured that God is always there.
It’s easy to think that your 20s don’t really matter, but the truth is that what you do today will matter tomorrow. In this message, we learn how to own our faith now and impact the next decade of our lives. The decision is yours: Will you go through life just getting by or choose to go all in with Christ?
One of the most common problems is that many of us search for an escape from pain through different coping methods. We’ve chosen to numb what we feel, and have not learned the right way to deal with our pain. In this message, we learn three steps that can help us to stop numbing and start healing during this defining decade.
In this decade of decisions, one of the biggest choices we are faced with is who to marry. None of us want to ruin our love life, but things don’t always go as expected. Who doesn’t want that all-the-feels-Rom-Com kind of love that will last a lifetime?! In this message, we look to the Bible for advice and talk about 10 things to avoid when looking for a love that lasts.
Money impacts everyone, but many of us don’t have the right view on how to use it. We can either let money define us or decide to see it the way God does. In this message, we learn three must-do money moves that will impact our lives for years to come.
The truth is your friends are affecting your future whether you realize it or not. Do you have the right people in your life to point you in the right direction? In this message, we look at how to have real community with friends that are committed to Christ.
Each of us are headed down a path with the decisions we make today. The question we must ask ourselves is “Where is this path going to take me?” In this message, we look at Galatians 6 to learn how to “sow good seeds” so we can reap the benefits in the decade to come.
We all have labels that we think define us, but there is a way to get rid of these labels and redefine who we are. In this message, we look at Jesus’ family tree to see the people that He came from. As we go through Matthew 1, we learn that Jesus came from sinners and for sinners in order to bring salvation to broken people.
We all make mistakes, but they don’t have to define us. What matters most when we fail is how we respond. In this message, we look at 2 Samuel to see how God used David despite his failure and learn how we can respond in the midst of our mistakes.
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is ”What does it mean to trust God?”. Trusting God and having faith takes practice, which doesn’t always come naturally. As we look at the life of Abraham in Genesis 12 through 22, we see what it means to have true faith and how to trust God with everything, even what we want most.
We all have a bloodline that tells us about who we are and where we came from. In Genesis 1 through 3, we dive into the life of Adam at the start of creation. Throughout this message, we see how we were created, what made us the way we are, and where we can find restoration.
Marriage is a gift from God and it’s a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.
Falling in love can be easy, but staying in love takes intentionality. People talk about falling out of love like it’s something that happens at random, but realistically we play a bigger part than we think. In this message, we talk about what it takes to stay in love by looking at Song of Solomon chapters 6 through 8.
In any relationship, the “honeymoon phase” eventually comes to an end and conflict is inevitable. Having a successful marriage has a lot to do with the ability to work through conflict in a healthy way. In this message, we look at Song of Solomon chapters 5 and 6 to see an example of a relationship that is unbreakable.
Maybe you’ve heard that sex is for marriage, but is that outdated? In this message, we open the Bible to Song of Solomon chapters 3-5 to learn about God’s design for sex and how it’s still relevant today.
People call marriage “tying the knot.” The truth is tying the knot starts when you’re dating, long before the wedding day. In this message, we discuss Song of Solomon chapters 2 and 3 to see an example of how to date in a way that sets you up for a marriage that will last.
Things are getting heated, and we don’t mean #bachelorinparadise. In this message, we open up God’s Word to the first two chapters of Song of Solomon. We learn from a spicy biblical romance what we should do and what we should look out for when we’re all up in our feels.
When it comes to pursuing what we’re passionate about, we’re here for it. But what happens when all our dreams come true and we still want more? In this message, we talk about the dangers of living by the mantra “Follow Your Dreams” and see what it could look like to #livethedream by chasing what God says really satisfies.
The popular mantra “love is love” sounds loving, but is it biblical? After all, God IS love right?! In this message, we talk about how to love like God and about what is true and false about the saying “love is love.”
We can all rally around having a voice that matters. In some ways, the encouragement to “speak your truth” has it’s perks, but we often mistake what we feel, think and experience for what is true. In this message, we break down the difference and provide practical ways to #filter what God’s Word says we should always share and what’s worth keeping to ourselves.
We’ve all probably heard the popular mantra “good vibes only.” The idea of wanting to live a life that is primarily positive is not necessarily a bad thing, but tragically variations of this idea have entered into Christian teaching that are not biblical. In this message, we talk about three partial truths as it relates to “good vibes only” and what God’s Word has to say about them.
Oftentimes we can come up with our own idea of who Jesus is. But what if our perspective is skewed? In this message, we look at three stories of Jesus interacting with people when He walked the earth to see more of who He really is and how He views us.
What if future regrets in life could be avoided by improving your ability to recognize temptation? Temptation isn’t a sin, but your response to it might be. In this message, we look back in Matthew 4 to when Jesus walked the earth to learn practical ways to beat temptation.
In our broken world it’s inevitable that bad things will happen. From mass shootings to personal suffering, it's easy to wonder why God would allow bad things to occur and if he’s really good. Where will you turn when tragedy occurs? In this message, we look at Luke 13 to see what Jesus said about tragedy when he walked the earth, and how it relates to us today.
When it comes to your relationship with God, needy is a good thing. What if we don’t have to be hesitant to approach God, regardless of our past? In this message, we learn from Luke 18 about how our weakness becomes our advantage because of Jesus.
We often feel confident about trusting God with our salvation, but are not as willing to trust him with our daily lives. Do we actually believe God’s way is better than our way? In this message, we look at Mark 10 to see what it takes to go all-in with Jesus and live the better way.
Jesus performed many miracles while He walked the Earth, and He’s still working miracles every day. We all have things in our life that we need to heal from, the question is, do you want to get well? In this message, we look at John 5:1-18 to see how Jesus is the One who heals.
Before we approach God, we can feel like we need to clean ourselves up or do enough good works. We tend to put ourselves on the "sin scale" and hope the good outweighs the bad, but that’s not how salvation works. In this message, we look at Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus to see how Jesus is a friend of sinners.
Everyone fears something, but what do we do when that fear starts to direct our steps? In this message we see how God can take us from fearful to fearing less.
Despite the fact that our generation is more connected than any other before it, we’re the most lonely. Why is that and how do we stop feeling lonely? In this message, we talk about how to battle loneliness.
Although anger itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, there are good and bad ways to handle your anger. Anger doesn’t always look like outbursts of rage, it can often reveal itself through more subtle self-destructive behaviors. In this message, we discuss the source of anger, it’s side effects, and ways to overcome it.
Being grateful is a mood changer. It’s been proven that increasing your gratefulness increases your happiness, but often we don’t realize how having a lack of gratefulness affects our lives. In this message, we take a look at what the Bible has to say about being grateful and how we can make it our mood.
Shame is one of those emotions that affects all of us but it’s hard to identify. If we don't recognize shame and move past it, it will lead to other negative emotions and take us out. In this message, we discover the path off of the shame cycle.
Being anxious is a common human experience. Simply between trying to decide what to do with the rest of your life and just trying to balance what’s already on your plate, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In this message, we talk about how to handle the feeling of anxiety and what The Bible has to say about it.
People often spend their lives looking for happiness and joy. Are you looking for it in the right places? In this message, we uncover the source of joy and how to access it.
Feelings don't always tell you what’s true, but they do tell you what's true about you. Being emotionally intelligent will help you in all areas of life - relationships, work, friendships, etc. In this message, we discuss emotions, how to view them, and their purpose in our lives.
You reap what you sow, and the decisions you make today will shape your future. In this message, we look to the Proverbs for wisdom instead of learning things the hard way.
A lot of us have extra weight we’re carrying around, but it’s not necessarily physical, it’s spiritual. We carry around past hurts, regrets, and hidden sins that can cause anxiety and affect our lives. In this week’s message, we talk about how to lose that “soul weight” and live in freedom.
Love stories are all around us. From romantic comedies, to love songs, and our Instagram feeds, we are told what to look for when it comes to love - but is that realistic? In this message, we look to a true love story that took place in the era of Judges to learn what to look for when it comes to real love.
Often times in dating relationships it’s easy to follow our feelings and ignore red flags. In the book of Judges, the story of Sampson is an example of what happens when we do what FEELS right instead of what IS right. Spoiler alert: it never ends well. In this message, we talk about the warning signs for when you should exit a relationship.
When Jesus started the church, he had something specific in mind. But if we aren’t careful, we can drift toward something else entirely. In this message, we take on a few things that the church has to keep...at least if it still wants to be the church.
Being comfortable in your own skin is a nice concept, but most of us either don’t feel that way or are confident for the wrong reasons. Insecurity will rob us from all that God wants us to become and hinder us from living out our purpose. In this message, we see how Gideon fought insecurity and how we can have confidence that comes from God.
In some ways, not much has changed since the days of Judges. When evil is around you, are you ready to speak truth in love and stand up for what is right? In this message, we look to the historical story of Deborah to see what it looks like to be a strong woman and stand for truth in a chaotic culture.
Throughout history, governments were put into place to attempt to bring law and order to society. What happens when there is no objective truth and everyone does what seems right to them? In this message, we open up the book of Judges and see what happens when people become the King of their own hearts.
There are so many things fighting for our attention. As we're hustling through life, we can feel drained and in need of self-care, but how do we recharge in a way that actually works? In this message, we talk about the things that drain us and how to overcome them.
Your habits are shaping who you are. What habits are you forming and how do you make sure you’re becoming who you want to be? In this message, we talk about the ways we can care for ourselves through small decisions every day.
Our bodies were built for worship, not to be worshiped, so how do we navigate the complexities of stewarding our bodies well without getting caught up in the comparison game? Join us this week as we take a biblical look at Self Care for the body.
Do you see your faith as a finished product or a work in progress? In this message, we discuss what it looks like to have an active faith that will persevere through life’s ups and downs.
Our minds are powerful and we can hop on trains of thought that take us places - for good or for bad. You can’t live a positive life with negative thoughts, so what are you dwelling on? In the message, we talk about how to care for our minds.
Sometimes self-care involves detoxing your life – mind, body, and soul. Do you have hurts, habits, or hang-ups that you’ve been carrying into your future that should stay in your past? In this message, we talk about what it looks like to reveal what could be holding you back, release the burdens of your past, and recognize how to move forward and help others do the same.
The decisions we make today affect our future and can change the trajectory of our lives… no pressure. We’re all becoming our future selves. Are you becoming all that God desires for you to be? In this message, we look at 7 principles informed by The Bible that will help you be the best you.
It seems as though there are infinite ways to practice self care, but what is the ultimate way to treat yourself? In this message, we look at John 4 and start with self care 101.
Holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but also a time when many will end up taking a holiday from their faith. In this message, we talk through how to avoid the biggest pitfalls that young adults face over the holidays.
We all have something in common; the desire to be pursued. We love hearing stories of reckless, illogical, relentless love. What if the very thing you’ve always wanted you already have? In this message, we look to the book of Hosea to see a glimpse of God’s love for us, but specifically for you.
Anxiety is a common experience for all of us, but no one wants it. The good news is Jesus offers us a path towards experiencing freedom from anxiety. In this message, we look to Matthew 6:24-34 and the teachings of releasing our anxiety.
We all have an idea of what we think marriage will be like, but what if our expectations aren’t exactly realistic? In this message, we look at Ephesians 5 for an accurate depiction of what marriage is for and what it should be like.
Ladies, do you have a checklist of qualities that you’d like your future husband to have? Often times, even if you have a set standard in mind it’s tempting to follow your heart rather than wait for the right guy. In this message, we look at 1 Timothy 3 as a way to identify the biblical qualities that make a man husband material.
Guys, when you think of the perfect girl what is she like? Before you go out looking for her you may want make sure the traits and qualities you have in mind are biblical and not just personal preference. What if the girl you’re looking for is just a fantasy that will turn into a nightmare? In this message, we look to Proverbs 31 as a framework for what to look for in a wife.
We all desire real love, but in a world full of unrealistic expectations, social media highlight reels, online dating profiles, and “reality” TV shows, it can be hard to know what real love is. In this message, we look to God’s Word and biblical principles to discover what real love is and how you can find it.
This is one of those “lies” we all want to find out for ourselves is actually a lie. Music, movies, and the world tell us that with more money comes more opportunity, more freedom, and more fun, but is that true? In this message, we see what Jesus has to say about money and how to break free from those golden handcuffs.
Have you ever paid attention to what that song with the sickest beat is actually saying about women and sex? It's probably worse than you thought. But it’s just a song, what harm could it really do? In this message, we look at the effects of those songs on the world around us and how we can fight the lies and replace them with truth.
Sex, drugs, and rock n roll is supposed to be the epitome of fun, but is that really the case? Does living the rockstar lifestyle mean living your best life? Believe it or not, The Bible speaks specifically to this topic and we look to King Solomon, the wisest rockstar to ever live, for insight.
Many songs that are well-known and loved all have a similar message: you’re perfect just the way you are. It’s an encouraging message, but is it true? Are we really perfect? Were we born perfect? Is there anything we should change? In this message, we decipher the truths from the lies and look to God’s Word to see if the lyrics line up with Scripture.
Ever had a situation where you really needed God’s help, but it seemed like he no-showed you? In this message, learn what you need to know when you feel like you got ghosted...by God.
Young adulthood is hard. It’s a time where some of the most important decisions we will ever make take place. How we spend these years lays the foundation for the rest of our lives. How can we set ourselves up to experience God’s best for us? How are we supposed to prepare for what comes next when we don't know what's coming? In this message, we learn about 10 pieces of wisdom from Proverbs to train us up for what tomorrow may hold.
What is a woman’s role in the church? What about out of the church? Women, has the fear of coming across too strong caused you to hold back your God-given gifts? In this message, Jonathan Pokluda and guest speaker Jennie Allen talk about what it looks like to be a strong woman in the church and how to live out your purpose. Guys, this message isn’t just for the ladies! Listen in to learn more about how you can support and encourage the women around you for the benefit of the Kingdom.
Do you ever wonder what God’s plan is for your life? What’s next? What career path should you take? Who should you date and marry? Should you move cities? In this message, we look at both the revealed and secret will of God and how to navigate the grey areas.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how sure are you that you're going to heaven? Can anyone really ever be sure? Don’t all religions lead to God? In this message, we look at John 14 and what The Bible has to say about the path to heaven.
Has the Bible been changed over time? Is it historically accurate? Are we sure we can trust it? In this message we discuss the validity of The Bible and why it even matters.
With so many differing opinions out there, it's hard to know what the Bible actually says about homosexuality. Is it wrong? Isn’t love, love? Is the Church simply behind the times? Judge not, right? In this message, we unpack the truth of Scripture on the matter and how the Church should respond to it.
When it comes to sex, we have a lot of questions. Does the Bible say sex before marriage is wrong? How far is too far? What do I do if I’ve already gone too far? Let’s talk about sex, baby, and what the Bible has to say about it.
When unexpected events occur the first question is usually, "what are my options?" When it comes to an unplanned pregnancy, the answer can seem a bit more complicated. This week we learn from King David the hard truths of how to keep one mistake from leading to another. If you find yourself in an unexpected pregnancy, check out Watermark's unexpected pregnancy ministry for resources and assistance.
As followers of Christ, we are all prone to experience doubts. Does having doubts mean our faith is not real? What should we do with our doubts? Is it possible to conquer our doubts and grow our faith? In this message, we address those questions and look to the three stories of people doubting in the Bible for answers.
No book in history has ever been attacked, debated, or banned as much as the Bible…yet it’s still the bestselling book of all time. In this message we look at why the people of God are so devoted to Scripture, no matter how strong the opposition gets.
Conflict is inevitable and it's part of every healthy relationship. Unfortunately, conflict resolution is not something that is commonly taught and many people do not know how to do it well. For those who make up the people of God, resolving conflict is not an option but it is an opportunity to honor God, strengthen relationships, and grow. In this message, we discuss how The Remnant resolves conflict.
Certain qualities have always marked The Remnant. In this message, we explore the courageous willingness they have to speak when others won’t, fight for those who can’t fight for themselves, stand for truth no matter the cost, and to give their lives for the good of others, our world, and the cause of Christ.
The Remnant has access to communicate with the One true God as their Heavenly Father. As remarkable as that is, we do not pray as if that is reality. Why? What keeps us from praying more? What are we believing or not believing about our Heavenly Father, about ourselves, or about prayer? In this message, we discuss prayer and why it’s so crucial to daily our lives.
Would you consider yourself a generous person? The Remnant has always been generous with not just their resources but their lives. What is it about The Remnant that makes them so generous? In this message, we look at the meaning of true generosity and how we can respond to God’s generosity towards us.
Throughout history, The Remnant has always stood out by the way they love others. Not in a romantic "all the feels" kind of way but in an extraordinary “agapao” kind of way. What does that kind of love look like and how can we live it out? In this week's message, we uncover how The Remnant should love, and it may not be what you expect.
We live in a world where we’re told truth is subjective. It’s widely accepted that each person can define what is true for them and what is right and wrong based on their own standards. God's people have always held to the fact that there is absolute truth defined by God which is laid out in His Word. In this message, we look at John 8:31-45 to see the role truth plays in our lives.
What would it look like if you removed the Christian presence from history? What does it mean to be Salt & Light? Join us as we dig into Matthew 5:13-16 to discover the answers to those questions and uncover the purpose of the Remnant.
Do you ever feel unwanted, unworthy, or wonder if you’re enough? The world tells us to look to job titles, possessions and relationships for our value, but God tells us to look to Him. Check out this week's message as we unpack Ephesians 2:10 to discover that our ultimate value is determined by the Artist… and you are His Masterpiece.
In a world with so many evils, how are people supposed to know that God is good? That's where we come in. In this message, we hear from Gary Haugen about modern-day slavery and how we can seek justice until all are free. It’s very clear throughout the Bible that God is passionate about justice. The question is, are we passionate about what God is passionate about?
We all want to prepare for the future, but how far ahead are you thinking? In this message, we take a look at what Jesus has to say about Heaven and how we should prepare for eternity in paradise. Are you storing up your treasures here on earth, or are you investing in forever where the implications and rewards are eternal?
So, you believe the afterlife is real, but now what? This week, we take a look at what King Solomon had to say in Ecclesiastes about living a significant life here on earth. No Regrets. No turning back.
In life we often look forward to the next thing and dream of the day we achieve true happiness. We all have things we want, but what if everything we’ve ever longed for was actually a longing for Heaven and to be with God. In this message, we look at Revelation 21 and 22 to see what the apostle John revealed to us about Heaven. What will heaven be like? Better than you can even imagine.
Is Hell even real? Who goes there? How bad could it be? In this message, we look at Luke 16:19-31 and talk through this place called Hell, what it would be like to spend eternity apart from God, and how you don’t have to.”
When we run from God we become our own worst enemy. In the midst of our rebellion, we can lose sight of God’s goodness and start to think we know better. In chapter 4, the final chapter of Jonah, we see what happens when we follow our rebellious heart and how to course correct back to God’s best for our lives.
We’re not perfect. We’ve all messed up. We’ve all made bad choices. In Jonah chapter 3, we see that God is a God of second chances and your past is no problem for his grace, instead, it's a platform for His purpose.
Life is an adventure, but it definitely has its ups and downs. When you’re in those low moments it can feel like you are stuck in a pit or that life just hasn’t gone your way. In this message, we look at Jonah chapter 2 and learn from Jonah’s prayer to God when he was in a pit and a definite low point... like the bottom of the ocean low. The good news: there’s a way out, and the best is yet to come.
The way we run from God may not look as obvious as the way Jonah ran from God, but make no mistake, we are all Runaways. Whether you are chasing after things the world has to offer or it’s a slow drift one little decision at a time, you’re running. Are you exhausted yet? This week in Jonah 1, we see how far God is willing to go to bring us through our storms and back to Him, no matter what we’ve done.
Are you living for the weekend? Is a glass of wine or a cold beer your go-to after a rough day? It's time to consider the why behind the drink. This week's message navigates the vice of drunkenness and the freedom found in the virtue of soberness.
This just in… gossip destroys relationships. Ok, maybe you already knew that. The problem is, gossip is so common that you may not even notice that you, or people around you, are doing it. Why is it so damaging to yourself and others and what is the solution? We discuss the vice of gossip and the benefits of the virtue of restraint in this week’s message.
In today's society, we are told that lust and sex outside of God's design are harmless, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. In this message, we discuss the dire consequences that come with the vice of lust and bring to light the path to freedom gained by the virtue of self-control.
Are you struggling to let go of past hurts? If you think you aren’t, are you sure? Bitterness weighs us down and anger is unproductive. In this message, we discuss the dangers of the vice of anger and how to release it and discover the virtue of forgiveness. Forgiveness could be the bravest thing you do all year.
We often find ourselves storing up riches here on earth, but at what cost? Greed comes in many forms; many of which we don't expect. In this message, we discuss the vice of greed, how to identify it, overcome it, and change it to the virtue of generosity.
In our modern-day culture where our preferences are on demand (ie: Uber, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.), we can start to think we deserve certain privileges. Comparison and expectations can leave us feeling ripped off. Have we set our expectations socially instead of biblically? In this message, we discuss how to fight the vice of entitlement and live out the virtue of gratitude in our everyday lives.
Most of us dream of the day we can sit back, relax, and chill. In the pursuit of that dream, are we missing out on something far greater? In the midst of our business, are we actually being lazy? What if the life we’ve always dreamed of and Christ desires for us requires discipline? Listen and learn about the vice of laziness and virtue of discipline.
We don’t have to consciously try to be prideful, it just naturally occurs. The true test is overcoming this sin. In 1 Peter 5, God reveals to us that the source of anxiety is pride and humility is the solution.
In this message, we look at commandments 5-10 and see a common theme: it’s about out relationships to one another. God takes the way we treat each other seriously. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to God.
The fourth commandment calls us to remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy. But what does it look like to find rest in a world that pushes us to the edge? The answer lies in trusting God.
God’s commandments are meant to protect you from going down a path that leads to death and destruction. His Word and commandments are the most loving and life-giving wisdom we can receive.
A command is only as good as the context it comes from. When God gave the Ten Commandments, he did it with a good purpose in mind. Because nobody likes rules for no reason...not even God.
Summary: Every week at The Porch, we receive questions regarding anything and everything as it pertains to love and dating. Dating was not around when The Bible was written and therefore it’s hard to look to it for practical dating advice. However, there are biblical principles that can be applied to our love life. In this audio podcast, we talk through some of our top frequently asked questions and how it pertains to God’s Word.
We’ve been talking about First Comes Love, but what about dating? In a message unlike any other Porch message, we discuss what it looks like to date from the "ask out" to "the altar" in a way that honors God and is consistent with scripture. Listen and learn how to navigate the dating world.
Our world is full of examples of love. Every time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or go to the movies, “love” is on display. Sadly when we follow these examples we end up headed towards the same destination that many of the celebrity and entertainers end up, heartbreak. Listen and learn from God‘s word what it looks like to prepare well for the love life you’ve always wanted.
When it comes to sex, we need to get back to the basics and clear up some miscommunications. That all starts with understanding that sex is not the world’s idea, it’s God’s idea. Knowing that, we can trust the Designer and pursue purity with confidence.
We all have to wait on God sometimes, and if He takes too long it’s easy to wonder what He really wants. Does God want to give us what is good? Does God want to protect us from what is bad? Sometimes if you have to wait long enough, the answer doesn’t always seem so clear.
The person you marry isn’t going to be the most compatible for you, but you better be on the same page with your faith. In the book of Judges, Samson learns the hard way about pursuing women that aren’t part of God’s people. In his weakness and brokenness, God eventually turns Samson’s romantic tragedy into triumph.
Dating can be complicated and things aren’t always as they seem. Relationships can go well for a while, but how can you know if his love is real and if it will last? In 1 Corinthians 13, we see what it should look like when a man really loves a woman.
As it relates to dating, you can't trust your feelings. In this message, David gives us 5 things that should guide us through relationships over feelings, all of which are based on the principles and truths of God's word.
Before we get any relationship with a girl/guy right, we must have our relationship with God right. In 1 John 4, the foundation for that relationship is laid out in the simplest way: God loves you. And as much as we say that we know that, sometimes our actions betray what we really believe.
Adam Tarnow brings home #Launch17 with the 1 ingredient you need for the good life: Humility. Find out how it's the oil that keeps the good life running as he takes us through Philippians 2.
You won't find the good life unless you learn to love the Bible. Why? It's a love letter from a Father who loves you and wants to lead you to it. Dive in with Todd Wagner as he breaks down why the Bible is vital to our lives.
When the good life gets out of control, turn to God. David Marvin walks us through Mark 4 showing us how we can be confident in God's care, full of faith not fear, and focus on Christ in the midst of chaos.
What do you think the "good life" is? Jonathan Pokluda starts off #Launch17 with a look at how the Bible defines the good life--and just how good it is when we know who God is, who we are to Him, and all that we have in God.
As we wrap up The Unseen series we explore 7 lies from our enemy and the corresponding truths from our Savior.
We may not realize it, but we are in the middle of an unseen war. In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul lays out the types of armor that God has so graciously given us to defeat the enemy that so desperately seeks to destroy us.
The Bible tells us that there is an unseen spiritual realm impacting this world. Whether or not we realize it, all of us are being impacted by the forces of light and darkness within this unseen spiritual realm. Listen and learn what God’s Word has to say regarding the unseen realm, the reason for evil in our world, and the enemy within each of us.
The people we surround ourselves with have a tremendous impact on our lives - for better or for worse. Throughout the Bible, some of the wisest people to ever live talk about the friends we should keep, and the influence they have on us.
In our culture, we take a lot of things seriously: appearances, finances, careers, etc. But when it comes to our faith, it sometimes takes a backseat to everything else. In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus tells us that we should treasure a relationship with Him above everything else.
Our culture preaches that there is no wrong way to go about finding truth, life and ultimately, God. In John 14, Jesus preached an entirely different message that the only way to the Father, was through him.
We’ve all heard it; “don’t impose your faith on people”. In this message, we explore why that is such bad advice as we examine Acts 17, where the Apostle Paul speaks at the meeting of the Areopagus in Athens and we get a glimpse into how we should share our faith and why.
Being married is good, but not better than being single. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul teaches us to use the gift of singleness to spread the gospel, and show the world that Jesus is enough.
Pursuing wealth is more natural to us than we think. In 1 Timothy 6, the Apostle Paul cautions us to not fall in love with money, but calls us to fall in love with the One who gives abundantly.
In a world that says it's perfectly acceptable to get all you can, while you can - God's word tells us a different story. Throughout Proverbs, Psalms and Ecclesiastes, it's made clear that we have a very short time to find wisdom, love and life through a relationship with God.
As Christians, if you are unwilling to speak truth or hear truth from other believers, you are not walking in obedience. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul explains why judging someone is the most loving thing you can do.
Your body is not yours to give away. And it's for sure not yours to give away before marriage. God has a plan for it. In 1 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul explains to us that our bodies were not meant for sexual immorality but for honoring God, who bought your body for a price.
There is no universal consensus about what is 'good'. So, how good is good enough to get to Heaven? In Romans Chapter 3, Paul shows us that according to God's standard, there are no good people, and there is only one way to get to heaven.
All of us have followed our heart at some time or another. That's very normal nowadays, but scripture tells us something different. In Proverbs Chapter 4, we learn that guarding our heart is crucial to our walk with Christ.
As Todd brings 1 Peter to a close, he shares 7 things we need to know about an adversary who seeks to destroy us. This enemy is powerful but greater is He who is in us and gives us the ability to fight sin.
What are the essentials to growing in your faith? In the beginning of chapter 5, Peter gives us clear instructions on how spiritual growth is closely tied to trusting God and casting anxieties on Him - all while being plugged into a church.
What does it mean to live like time is running out? To the majority of the people, that might look something like a “bucket list”. In 1 Peter Chapter 4, Peter lays out the three things that Christians should do with their short time on this earth.
Followers of Christ have been invited into a relationship with a God who loves them, died for them, and calls them to follow Him into the abundant life. However, in order for this to happen we must learn to trust God and obey instructions. In this message we discover how we can grow in our obedience to Christ and experience true life.
We all drift away from God sometimes. It's just part of life. But how do we stop doing it? The author of Hebrews gives a surprising solution.
What do you hope in? 1 Peter 3:15-22 describes where we find hope in a world that can feel hopelessly broken, in what circumstances our hope is seen most clearly, and who we are to share our hope with.
God invented marriage to teach us something about Him and the unconditional love He has for us. The beginning of 1 Peter chapter 3 gives men and women a clear picture of what is truly important in choosing a spouse, the roles a husband and wife uniquely play, and what it means to pursue Christ together.
Life isn't fair. It's just a fact that everyone will eventually come to realize. Peter reminds us of this and a few more unfair facts of life as it pertains to Christians living under authority.
If you've given your life to Christ, this world is your temporary home. With that truth in mind, Peter gives us the do's and don'ts of living like foreigners in this world as we wage war against sinful desires.
It would be a huge letdown if we missed out on our purpose. Thankfully for us, Peter shares a few key components to discovering our true purpose in chapter 2. It requires us to mature in our faith, connect with other followers and ultimately proclaim the good news of Christ.
It's easy to go through this life having a faith that is different than what is revealed in God's Word. Peter describes the qualities of true faith and how we can ultimately strengthen it.
In the first few verses of 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter shares with fellow Christians facing persecution and hardship how they have nothing to fear because they've been chosen by God. This reassurance still rings true for us today as we face our own trials in a broken world.
We are tempted every single day. To sin or not to sin? To do what God says is best or go our own way? In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Apostle Paul tells us that although there is temptation all around us that there's always a way out if we choose Jesus.
Lt. Jim Downing, the second oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack at 103 years old, shares how getting acquainted with Jesus Christ early on in his life has proven to be the greatest relationship one could ever ask for.
Culture's dating model is flawed and broken. It's time to unlearn some things and return to God's original design for marriage. Through the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24, we learn that there are 3 things that we can do today to revolutionize the way we date.
In a world of extreme selfishness, we're called to be extraordinary servants. In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus uses the parable of a vineyard owner to show us that selfishness robs us of many things, and ultimately, true greatness.
Throughout the Bible, there are nearly 900 passages that relate to work/economics. Why? Because work is a form of worship, and our jobs are one of the most powerful tools we can use to promote the gospel. God designed us to work, and as Christians we must use it as an opportunity to represent who we serve.
Christianity is not an accessory to our lives, but a necessity. In Galatians 5, we see that dependence on God is our only hope in overcoming our sin nature that leads to self-destruction. Surrendering your life to God is truly revolutionary.
Many revolutions have start with the pursuit of freedom. We want to be free, but so often our pursuit of the freedom to sin traps us in a cycle and we become enslaved rather than free. How do we break free? Freedom comes from following the right leader. Who or what will you follow?
What makes you, you? Where do you find your identity? If it’s in your accomplishments, mistakes or earthly desires, you're looking in the wrong place. In Philippians chapter 3, The Apostle Paul shows us what it means to recognize our true identity.
Many people think that the moment you become a Christian, life is going to get easier. That's not always the case. The Apostle Paul outlines in Ephesians 4 how Christians become new creations day by day through God's truth.
Feelings and identities are important, and we've all got them both. The question is not whether feelings are powerful or whether identity is important. The question is, "Which one should come first?"
If you remember what you have in Christ, it changes everything. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that we are made anew when we surrender our lives to Jesus. Our views, status, and purpose all change for the better.
God, where are you going with this? It's a question we might ask during difficult circumstances. In Joshua 1-5, we see a nation under new leadership put their trust in God and overcome their own difficult circumstances to enter into the promise land.
Anyone who is close to you influences you, and anyone who influences you, at that moment at least, becomes your leader. We all choose leaders more often than we think, and a biblical way to choose is a must.
How did we get to this point as a nation? We overlooked God's clear instructions and misunderstood the consequences as it relates to one of the greatest desires of young adults, sex. We must return to God and know that He delights in forgiving us, no matter how far we've strayed personally and as a nation.
Jesus once healed a paralyzed man so the doubting audience around him could know that they could be forgiven, too. He does the same thing today - reaching skeptics by changing real lives with real love and healing...all so forgiveness would be available for anyone watching.
As a nation, how do we restore what has been removed? We return to the Christian moral foundation that led to America's success in the first place. In Romans 1, Paul tells us what ultimately happens when people run from that foundation.
David Marvin and Jonathan Pokluda sit down and take on some of the most commonly asked questions on dating. Questions ranging from online dating to cohabitation, to texting exes or when to break up, we can lean on the Bible to guide us to our ultimate #RelationshipGoals.
Have you ever had an “Oh, that’s what that’s for” moment? It’s that moment when you realize something’s purpose. We were created by God for a purpose. Your relationship status also serves a purpose, but it’s probably not what you think. In this message we look to 1 Corinthians 7 for some timeless wisdom from Paul regarding life, marriage, and singleness.
The Bible may not mention dating specifically, but it holds principles that we can filter our Christian relationships through. In this message, we explore 5 reasons for not moving forward in a relationship.
In the sex obsessed world we live in today, is purity even possible? If it’s possible, why should sexual purity even be a #RelationshipGoal? In 1 Corinthians 6:12-19, we are reminded that sex is powerful, it’s not just physical, and how we can live out sexual purity.
Do you know what you're looking for in dating? Paul's letter in 1 Timothy 4:12 gives us a great list to look for when trying to identify "the one".
You bring yourself into every relationship, but what baggage are you bringing with you? What past sins, hurts, or lies are you believing? If we don’t deal with our baggage, it creates a wake of destruction. Colossians 3 tells us there is a way to be set free. Will you take the first step?
Love. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot in today's culture, specifically dating, but how do we define it? To answer that question, we look to Ephesians 1:3-14 that describes how God perfectly loves us, and what it looks like to love others.
Have you ever considered that dating is a relatively new concept? Although dating is not in The Bible, the institution of marriage is - it’s God’s invention. Starting in Genesis 2, God begins to reveal to us His reasons for creating marriage and how it all centers around our relationship with Him.
Don't buy into the lie that you are outside the boundaries of God's acceptance. In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus seeks out a chief tax collector named Zacchaeus, whose dark past of sin made many wrongly believe he was not within the reach of Jesus' love.
Dealing with differences is a part of life. How we handle them will make all the difference. In John 4:4-24, Jesus offers a Samaritan woman, and us all, a way of thinking that we can apply to any kind of difference we face.
The world we live in is full of distractions. We are constantly being pulled in multiple directions and countless things are fighting for our attention. In Luke 10:38-42, we see the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha. The issue of being distracted from Jesus is not a new concept, but the question is how will we respond?
How do we find peace when chaos seems to be all around us? Scripture reminds us that Jesus came to not only save us from our sins but to overcome every bit of evil in this world. The sacrifice God made by sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins tells us that we can never be perfect on our own, but we must be born again. It is good to be passionately devoted to God, but passion alone will fade. Abiding deeply with Jesus and humbly obeying His Word will sustain in the middle of trials. When temptations come, will you be watchful, alert, and prayerful?
Jesus promised us that in this world we will have trouble. In other words we will face uncertainty, trials, and the various storms of life that come from living in a broken world. In this message we explore Jesus invitation to all of us to look at Him in the midst of the storm and in doing so find peace, strength, hope, and the ability to rise above the circumstances we are in.
Do you think you need to clean yourself up before you approach God? In Matthew 8, we see a story about a man with leprosy who knew his only hope was Jesus. He approached God in his unclean state with faith, and Jesus healed him. Like the leper, we all have an incurable disease - sin. It kills us from the inside out and isolates us from God and his people. Christ alone healed the leper, and Christ alone can heal us from our sin. Will you try to clean yourself before you come to Him, or will you accept His radical love?
Sometimes it may seem like there is a battle of good versus evil. We see in Mark 5 that evil is not a battle for Jesus, He is sovereign over it. The 2,000 demons that were in the Gerasene Demoniac were no match for Jesus and His power. When we are caught in sin, it can feel like we are absolutely trapped. However, no sin struggle of ours is impossible for Jesus to overcome. Jesus wants to set you free – will you take Him up on His offer?
What keeps you from going all in with God? As we dive into Luke 18, we see that self-relaiance, fear of losing what we have, and not realizing what we will gain are some of the most common reasons we foolishly choose temporary treasures on Earth over God’s glorious riches he promises us. Following Jesus will cost you something, but not following him will cost you everything. Are you ready to go all in?
Taking a look at Jonah, we see how not to react to God's grace and how we should react to grace as believers. Jonah tried to run from the presence of God even though he was given specific instructions from Him. How often do we decide that our way is better and fight against what God wants for us? Or decide, like the men on the boat with Jonah, that we can work our own way back to God? It only makes it harder for us. But when we trust in God, who gave His Son for us, we come to know His love. We then respond by sharing grace with everyone around us. How will you react?
We live in a time where Christians blend into culture rather than standing out. But what does real faith look like — the kind of faith that we act on, not just using it as a get out of jail free card? As we see from the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, real faith is counter cultural, it's uncompromising, and it converts critics. As Christians, we are meant to stand out and go against the grain of what society says to bring God glory. We want people to ask us why we are different, and who Jesus is. Are you ready to stand out and go all in with Christ?
Where do you place your faith? In yourself? Your career? Your looks? As we go through the story of David, Goliath, and the Israelites, we see the difference between placing our faith in ourselves versus having faith in God. While misplaced faith leads to false confidence and fear, faith in God always prevails.
Every relationship requires trust. God has called us into a relationship with Him and the trust we can have in Him really defines our existence. Through the story of Abraham, we see examples of how to trust God with our destination, trust Him with our situation, and trust Him without reservation. It all points back to Jesus Christ because that's where life finds meaning.
Some of us have known this story since our childhood, but it's much more than a bed time story. It's a story of a man who faithfully served the Lord and completely trusted Him even though he was alone in his trust. Taking a look at the evidence of Noah's story, the significance of it, and the application, it all points to Christ. God saved the world through one man in a flood, and God saved the world through one man who was fully human and fully God, Christ, by washing away our sins through his death and resurrection. Will you put your complete trust in the Lord?
Starting the new BC series, Adam and Eve show us how we encounter and consider temptation daily just like they did. God gave them one rule out of love and knowing what’s best, "Don't eat from that tree”. However, they didn’t listen and we don’t typically either. When we choose to follow temptation, we don't trust a Father who knows what's best for us and follow our own desires. These choices lead us to death. The cure for this sin is Jesus who paid the debt of our sins for us. Luckily as believers we belong to a God who runs to save us in the midst of our sin and doesn't run away. Will you choose to trust Him?
The love of God cuts through all accusations, condemnation and separation to give you good without reservation. What does that mean? It means there is no accusation brought against you that will prevail. It means there is no condemnation sentenced to you that you will pay. It means there is no separation of you from God's love. It means God gives good to you without reservation. Find out how from Romans 8:31-39.
Comparison. Whenever we play that game, we lose. Why? At the root, it just means we aren't trusting God, and Saul stands as a reminder of that. Taking a look at him and David in 1 Samuel, we see how badly comparison can hurt us, and also how to avoid it. If we keep our focus on God instead of ourselves, we can enjoy what the Lord has given us now, and not play the comparison game.
God works out the bad for our good -- we know this. It's a foundational truth. And it's clear in Romans 8:28-30. Paul shows us that God works everything for our good, and that good is God's end goal for us. What is that good? He's conforming us to look more like Christ every day. And the best is yet to come. He has called us, justified us, and glorified us. In the midst of trials, we can have joy because of God's work in our lives. Glory is coming and that gives us hope.
Continuing through Romans 8:18-27, Paul shows us that creation longs to be restored from the curse of being disconnected from God. Our source of greatest hurt is sin, our broken relationship with God, but our source of greatest hope is the resurrection, restoration from Christ. And the day will come when Christ returns and this earth will be made new, but until then our greatest source of help is the Holy Spirit, who is waiting with us, guiding us through life until that day comes. God never leaves us; He is always by our side.
It changes everything if you know who you are according to God. Continuing the Romans series, we take a look at Romans 8:14-17 which shows us how our behavior points to whom we belong, that we're God's children not His slaves, and the benefits of being sons and daughters of God. If you embrace being a child of the King of Kings, nothing marks you more than that, we are heirs with Christ, and we have access to God as His children. His love is so great for us, we can trust Him, knowing everything He asks of us is for our benefit.
Who is in the driver's seat of your life? You or God? Studying Romans 8:5-13, Paul explains that there's a fight for the driver's seat of our minds - our flesh, our sinful nature, is fighting against the Holy Spirit in us if we believe in Christ. And whoever wins that fight, determines our destination. Sin leads to death, but fixing our minds on the things of God leads us to life and peace. It's up to us to designate a driver. If we choose to walk with the Spirit, and fill our minds with the things of God, we start to do the things of God and not the desires of our flesh. Who will you choose to drive your life?
Each year we tell ourselves, "This is going to be my year!" And each year we find ourselves saying "Next year is really going to be my year!" What is it in us that knows what is good and still doesn't do it when we set goals for ourselves? As we kick off the Romans 8 series, Walk by the Spirit, we see Paul explain that even though we know what is good, we are sinful by nature. We must depend on Christ moment by moment to do anything good. We can't do it on our own; only through Christ are we covered in righteousness. Join us on this journey as we start Romans 8 where Paul clearly outlines the Christian faith and Christian life.
In a time where the future of politics seems uncertain and our nation focuses less and less on Christ, more than ever we need to stand for what we believe in Christ. How do we do that in terms of the upcoming election? We don't panic and we start with prayer, we purify ourselves, and we proclaim. Through the message, Todd Wagner takes us through the Bible verses that show us how to respond. Will you stand for Christ and lead in righteousness?
Jesus knows we're going to get confused--confused about our privileges, thinking they are our rights. That's entitlement. Jesus clearly lays out what that looks like in Matthew 20 in the Parable of the Workers. God reminds us of what we actually deserve, that He distributes everything, and how comparison fuels entitlement. Ultimately our God is more than fair, giving us a life that we do not deserve. Don't let entitlement limit your joy; find it through God's gifts to us.
There's one thing we've all received bad advice about -- relationships. From "appearance trumps all" to "let your heart lead you," we've all fallen into the lies the world tells us. But God shows us in the Bible what we really need to be looking for as we follow Christ and become more like Him. Listen along to the 7 pieces of bad relationship advice and God's good advice.
We live in a culture that breeds discontentment. We're constantly exposed to the things we don't have and the world tells us that success and contentment only come from money. But money has nothing to do with contentment. We'll never feel satisfied by more, more, more. Discontentment is dangerous - being rich is a moving target. 1 Timothy 6 tells us that godliness is contentment with great gain and that the cure for discontentment is Christ. Christ is the true treasure that changes our hearts and cures our discontentment, transforming us as we learn to be more like Him.
As a Christian, we are called to be the church. Scripture shows us that we are meant to be the body of Christ, surrounding ourselves with God's people, lifting each other up, and walking through life together. We are meant to submit to godly leadership, who will give an account for us when we've committed to their authority. And we have gifts that we can use to serve God for His glory. We do all of that as a part of a church together. So let's stop sitting on the sidelines and start adulting by joining a local church!
Let's face it — our generation is scared of commitment. We're always feeling #FOMO and we barely keep small promises in fear of better options coming along. But as Christians, we're called to keep our commitments because it’s important to God as we see in Numbers 30 and Matthew 5. Christians should be marked by commitment. Adulting is making and keeping promises. If you think about it, everything great comes from a commitment. Are you willing to commit?
We hear it all the time, “Follow your passions.” So many of us have taken this advice, moving from job to job. That’s what the world says, when really God has you in a job right where He wants you. Luke 5 shows us how Jesus used Peter’s job as a fisherman to bring Him glory. We have to change our perspective, invite God in at work (He wants to go with us), and pursue greater passions — God’s passions. Then we’ll really be on our way to adulting!
The world says it's freedom to do what you want or finding happiness. But really, the best way to adult is to train to be godly. If we grow up on truth, train to be more like Christ, and set an example, we're on the right path. Come adult with us!
What if anxiety is really just an issue with our perspective? If we let ourselves be ruled by our desires we will be anxious, but if we let God rule us we can truly exhale. Psalm 16 shows us that with God as our Lord we delight in His people, find joy in His presence, and pursue His eternal pleasures. When we refocus our perspective to see life in terms of eternity with God because Jesus died for our sins, suddenly anxiety starts to fade.
How do we know if God is going to show up when we need him? Can we trust He'll be there? Psalm 118 shows us that we can completely trust God will come through for us and we can rest securely in Him, knowing that Jesus came to die for our sins and rose again to save us. Through this song, we see that God never stops loving us, His protection never fails, and God's victory is certain. No matter what happens in this life, if we're in Christ then we have victory — God is always there for us.
We're human; we fail. It's inevitable. But it's how we respond to failure that truly makes a difference, especially when it comes to sexual sin. Sexual sin creates shame in our conscious that takes hold unlike any other. It's important to respond like David does in Psalm 51: He acknowledges his sin fully, asks God to restore the joy of salvation, and allows God to use his story to teach others and bring them back to God. God loves us no matter our past, present, or future - Christ died for us already knowing all of that! Don't be ashamed of your story; share it to teach others that they can have a story of God's love too.
Could God know everything about us and still love us? Psalm 139 shows us that God knows us before we're even born, He knows our thoughts before we have them, and because He knows us so completely, He loves us with a love more full than we understand. Instead of being met with rejection, God draws closer to us. God specializes in bringing life and healing to us no matter what we've done - invite Him in.
What would life look like if you saw God as your provider? Your protector? Your guide? Listen and learn the invitation to experience God's care in your life in all of these ways and more as we study King David's most famous work, Psalm 23.
Sometimes it feels like life is fighting us, like God is fighting us, but He's not. God is actually fighting for us! Psalm 46 shows us that the protection of God is ever present, His power prevails, and that His protection and power give His people peace. In times of trouble, we have to learn not to rely on our own control but to lean on God's control.
In Psalm 63 David describes his thirst and longing for God. It's not something we have to try for -- our desire for God is already in our hearts whether we know it or not. And while some seek to fulfill that desire through money and success, ultimately God is the only one who can satisfy. When we find Him and grace through Jesus, that satisfaction pours out of us through praise and telling others. We have to allow ourselves to desperately cling to God who sustains and satisfies us.
Jonathan Pokluda (JP) and David Marvin tackle some of our biggest dating questions in a dating Q&A. Listen to how they answer everything from "Who should pay? Really?" to "Is it okay to use apps like Tinder?" and "When do I say I love you?" Use #DatingFAQ to look back at some of the live tweets from the message!
How can we as young adults prepare for marriage? We focus on advancing God's kingdom, being secure in the Lord, and preparing to be like Christ in a marriage -- this is our opportunity to model Christ for the world. We can mirror God's image in a way only marriage can, multiply a Godly heritage, manage our world (not letting it manage us), and mutually complete each other if God allows us to become husbands and wives. In preparing for marriage by focusing on the Lord, we become equipped to recognize a Godly man or woman and to love as Christ loves us.