Awaken City Church: Recent Episodes
Awaken City Church - Utah
This is the weekly teaching ministry of Awaken City Church in Herriman, UT. We desire to engage our community with the love of Christ in order to see lives forever changed by the good news of Jesus.
Jesus told the crowd that stood around Him in v16 + 17 about new wine and fresh cloth - this reality of the newly revealed power of the Kingdom of Heaven. Then, through the rest of the passage, Jesus demonstrated this power by healing five individuals, doing some things for the first time in the Gospel of Matthew and one that had not happened yet in the entire Bible. The ultimate miracle is Jesus' healing of people's sin-sickness on the cross. Jesus wants to demonstrate new-wine and fresh-cloth power in our lives when we bring situations to Him that are too big for us to handle.
The Gospel is for anyone and everyone. No one is too far gone for the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to save. Matthew was the worst of the worst and considered the scum of the earth by his own people. Yet, Jesus found him and called him. Following Jesus cost Matthew a very lucrative job. He collected taxes and could charge extra to make money off of people. He left all that behind to follow Jesus. When we trust in Jesus, that may mean leaving behind things that were precious to us, but in light of Jesus they are worthy things to pay.
Again, Jesus displays power over creation - He just calmed a storm, and now He is found casting demons into a herd of pigs. Not only is He more powerful that all of creation, He is God over the supernatural. He is able to make us free when we believe in what He did on the cross for us.
Jackson Goranflo taught Sunday about the Son of God, what He has done, and how we should respond. The Son of God is Jesus, God in flesh who came to die in our place. We must respond in faith to Jesus' person and work and surrender our entire lives to Him.
Gabe, Awaken City Church's Youth director brings a message from James challenging us with the truth that if we love God, we will obey what He says. Our obedience is a marker that we love Him and have been transformed by the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Those who follow Jesus walk in the light as Jesus is in the light. They are continually reshaped by Jesus' character and work in their lives. Those who say they follow Jesus but live lives in a totally opposite direction fool themselves and actually walk in the darkness. To walk in the light is to follow Jesus and do what He says. We come to the light when we trust in what Jesus did for us as the satisfaction of the punishment for our sin.
Join us as one of our national partners shares their story of partnering with Awaken City and how that encourages and challenges us as individuals and as a church.
Those who would be disciples of Jesus must understand the cost to follow Jesus. Trusting Jesus for salvation is not simply a thought, feeling, or action, it is directing our entire lives toward the reality that Jesus is Lord over our lives. Because of that, we will have to pay the cost of comfort, family commitments, and safety. Those who want an easy, predictable, comfortable life should not follow Jesus, because following Jesus leads to storms. Also, Jesus will be with those who follow Him. He will not lead us somewhere He will leave us.
Pastor Derek continued sharing the vision of where God is taking us into the future. Specifically, he taught on how the Bible teaches us to view our money. Money doesn’t truly give us satisfaction or security that it promises us. Jesus is after our hearts, not our money and stuff. We find our treasure by looking at where we spend our time and money. That’s what we treasure and that’s what we truly trust. Giving happens through the local church not to the local church.
Following Jesus was never meant to stop with us. In this message, we explore the call to make disciples and the real cost that comes with it—our comfort, time, and lives. Yet when viewed through eternity, we discover that the cost of not making disciples is far greater. As we take initiative, invest in others, and love people deeply, God works through ordinary obedience to accomplish “above & beyond” anything we could ask or imagine.
Jesus closes out the Sermon on the Mount with the challenge that in everything, especially with money to surrender to Jesus' commands and obey them. Jesus alone satisfies, and when we build our lives on Him we realize that truth. The foundation on which we build our lives matters. When our lives are built on the foundation of His Word, it is solid, unshakable, no matter what comes against it.
As Jesus wraps up the Sermon on the Mount, He proposes that there are only two options to respond to His teachings. People must choose the Narrow gate or the Wide gate. The Narrow Gate is difficult and few will choose it, while the wide gate is easy and many people will travel that way. To travel the narrow gate is to trust that we need Jesus' righteousness and our righteousness is not enough. We trust Him and do what He says. On that road, there are obstacles. The False prophets desire to set us on the easy road through the wide gate that leads to destruction. There is also the risk of being a fake believer, such that people can do impressive religious things for Jesus yet not even know Him because they don't trust Him and do what He says.
All through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus established the standard for those in His Kingdom as higher than the culture around them. He revealed that the hearts of disciples must be right, not merely their external actions. With this section, Jesus confronts judgments people make toward one another. He does not prohibit disciples from judging others, only He directs them to look at their own hearts first. When they do confront people about wrongs done, they should assess if that person is ready to hear the truth. Jesus teaches the principle that Christians should judge only when they have done the necessary reflection on their own sin and before God.
Jesus addresses the question, 'who or what is worthy of our trust?' The Resurrection answers that Jesus is the only lasting treasure worthy of our trust. Everything else will fade away and come to ruin. Possessions, money, people will all fail us, but because Christ rose from the dead, He proved that He will not fail us when we base our lives on Him.
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus unpacks an important principle: disciple's in the King's Kingdom seek God's praise, not people's praise. He uses three examples to teach this principle: giving, praying, fasting. When disciples do these things, they do them because of their connection to God, not to perform on a stage. Jesus teaches that all righteousness is to be done this way, even those things he had addressed before. Disciples in Jesus' Kingdom thrive on the reward that comes from faithfulness to God.
Jesus continues His teachings about how disciples who live in His kingdom should live. He preaches on retaliation and loving one's enemies. Disciples in Jesus' Kingdom will go above and beyond what is required, being gracious when people insult them, and generous when fulfilling what is expected of them. Jesus also raises the bar with regard to how disciples treat their enemies. Because God forgave and loved His enemies, those far from God, those whom God has forgiven should forgive and love those who have repeatedly hurt them.
Disciples do not obey to live in the Kingdom, Living in the Kingdom changes the disciple's way of life. Disciples are those people who understand their need for Jesus' righteousness (moral perfection) and accept it through faith. Then, disciples change the way they live as those who follow Jesus. In the areas of Anger, Adultery, Divorce, and Oaths, we learn what the lives of those who live in Jesus' Kingdom should look like.
Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount teaching on how believers act in their world. The commands Jesus gives are not simply a list of to-dos but demonstrations of His work in our lives. When we encounter Jesus, He makes us salt and light to everyone watching. He drives home the point that we cannot make ourselves do these things. We are incapable of doing enough good things to be salt and light. This only comes from His work on the cross for us. We are righteous, and we look righteous on the outside, when His grace grips us, not from our effort.
"Blessed are those who..." is how Jesus begins the most influential sermon ever preached. This section of the sermon is called the 'Beatitudes,' and is a description of Jesus' kingdom. It is the opposite of the kingdom of this world. In Jesus' kingdom, the people who understand their position before God are those who are blessed. Those who choose God's ways and choose repentance are those who reap blessing, if not here in this life, they reap blessing in eternity for faith in Jesus.
Jesus invites us to fish for people, and we do that by doing what Jesus did. Jesus proclaimed hope to the broken places of the world. Everything is not alright, but hope for the world has dawned. That hope is found in the message of Repentance. Jesus went where the people are and he took them as He found them. He did not sit around and expect people to come to Him but the opposite: wherever people gathered, that's where He proclaimed Hope. These people were broken and sick. He healed their physical ailments but didn't stop there and announced the path of healing their deepest hurt, their sin-sickness. He took people with Him. He called 12 men into deeper relationship with Him and modeled for them how to make disciples. This is what Jesus invites us into.
Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11 gives us a peek at Satan's playbook. Satan allures us with the desires of the flesh (I want to FEEL that), the desires of the eyes (I want to HAVE that), and the pride of life (I want to be KNOWN for that). This is how Satan tempted Jesus, and this is how the enemy attacks us. We respond by running to the cross in faith, knowing we belong to Jesus.
Matthew 2:13-23 continues the story of the Wise Men from earlier the chapter. They find themselves in the middle of a political assassination plot as the king they visit allows fear and power to dictate his decisions. He decides to eliminate all of the two-year-old-boys in Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born. While that story transpires, God is writing a different story. In the night, an angel appears to Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. After some time, and after Herod dies, an angel appears to tell him to return to the region of Judea. However, in a dream, God warned him to not go back to Bethlehem or Jerusalem but to settle in Nazareth.
At every movement, God protected His promise to save humanity through Jesus. Despite many attempts to thwart Him, God was victorious in keeping young Jesus alive so that through his life, eventual death, and resurrection, anyone who trusts in Him would be saved. God was in the middle of the mess, because not only did He protect His promise - He worked in mighty ways like this before. At every movement in Matthew 2, God was careful to confirm that He would lead His people from slavery to freedom. God is also careful to guide our stories to shape us and make us more like Him.
Have you ever felt like your prayers hit against Heaven like a wall? This past Sunday, we looked at 9 reasons why we may be unavailable to hear from or speak to God. Often, we talk to God with our own selfish agenda, thinking we know better for our lives. Other times, we hold onto our sin. We can also ignore the needs of others and that diminishes our connection with God.
There is hope for us when we trust in God's ways over our own. We must come to the place of acceptance of this attitude, turn from it, and seek to live honestly with God. Then, we will hear God and have a deep relationship with Him.
In this message, we see through Lazarus, Paul’s thorn, and even Jesus in Gethsemane that God’s silence and delays are never indifference, but loving purposes meant to draw us closer and shape us more like Christ. This sermon invites us to trust a good Father who withholds lesser things to give us something greater—not just relief, but himself.
Why does God sometimes feel silent, or answer our prayers with “no”? In this message, we see through Lazarus, Paul’s thorn, and Jesus in Gethsemane that God’s delays and “no’s” are never indifference, but loving purposes aimed at something better. This sermon calls us to trust a good Father who may say “not yet” or “not that” because he is working for our greatest good, conforming us to Christ and giving us himself.
What do we do when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we hoped? This message reminds us that God is a good Father who only gives good gifts, and sometimes that means saying “no” or “not right now” out of love. We’re invited to trust his wisdom, resist the lie that he’s holding out on us, and believe that what he gives (or withholds) is always for our good.
Prayer isn’t about saying the right words, it’s about coming to a gracious Father through Jesus. This sermon explores what prayer really is, why God sometimes answers differently than we expect, and how God uses prayer to transform our hearts, not just our circumstances.
In the midst of confusion, fear, and uncertainty, God steps in. Matthew shows us that Jesus is not only the promised King, but Immanuel—God with us—who enters our broken reality to save, lead, and redeem.
Matthew begins with a genealogy to show that Jesus is the promised King, and that broken, unlikely people are welcomed into his family. Through Christ, we’re not just ruled by the King; we’re invited in.
In the final message of our Witness series, we turn to 1 John 1:1–4 to see what it truly means to share with others what we KNOW. John reminds us that our faith is rooted in real encounters with the living Jesus, what has been seen, heard, and experienced. This message challenges us to stop treating the gospel as theory and start living it as good news meant to be shared, inviting others into real fellowship, real joy, and real life in Christ.
In this message from our Witness series, we look at Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John 4 and discover that God meets us right where we are, whether we feel put-together like Nicodemus or broken like the Samaritan woman. No matter our past, Jesus offers living water that truly satisfies, and he invites us to share what we’ve seen and heard. This sermon reminds us that effective witness begins with understanding the good news we ourselves have received.
In this message, we launch our “Witness” series by looking at Acts 1:8 and John 9. Jesus doesn’t call us to be experts, he calls us to be witnesses who simply share what we’ve seen Him do. Through the story of the man born blind, we’re reminded that a genuine encounter with Jesus leads to a changed life and a desire to tell others. The Holy Spirit empowers us, our lives point to Jesus, and our words matter. As followers of Christ, if we’ve seen Him, we’re called to share Him. Who is your one more this week?
When the storm hit, the disciples panicked, as waves crashed, the wind howled, and their faith was shaken. But through their fear, one truth remained: Jesus was in the boat. In this message, we’re reminded that the presence of Christ doesn’t always prevent the storm, but it promises peace within it. Even when it feels like he’s asleep, he’s still sovereign. The One who commands the wind and waves still reigns over every storm we face today.
As Joshua’s life and leadership come to a close, he draws a line in the sand and calls Israel to make a decision: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” In this message, Pastor Derek unpacks Joshua 24 and challenges us to examine what (or who) truly sits on the throne of our hearts. From the faithfulness of God through generations to the idols that quietly capture our devotion, this final chapter in Joshua reminds us that every heart serves a master, and only one can truly satisfy.
In Joshua 22, God’s people see something concerning, and instead of assuming the worst or staying silent, they go directly to their brothers, listen to their heart, and end up preserving the unity. This message reminds us that when we see another believer drifting, the most loving thing we can do is speak up with truth, grace, and a desire for reconciliation.
Even in the dividing of the land, God’s faithfulness is seen in every detail. In Joshua 20, he provides cities of refuge, a place of safety for the guilty. In the same way, Jesus is our ultimate refuge, the only place we can run to and find mercy, forgiveness, and life.
In Joshua 10, Joshua faces an impossible battle and prays one of the boldest prayers in all of Scripture: “Sun, stand still.” God answers, and victory is given. This message unpacks what it means to pray big, persistent prayers in impossible situations. Whether you’re facing a financial crisis, a struggling marriage, an addiction, or a burden for someone far from God, this passage reminds us that God delights in our prayers, fights for his people, and provides everything needed to accomplish what he’s called us to, even if it takes a miracle.
After the miraculous victory at Jericho, Israel’s joy is quickly shattered by unexpected defeat at Ai. The reason? Hidden sin in the camp. In Joshua 7, we are reminded that sin is never small, never private, and never without consequence. What Achan tried to bury beneath his tent was ultimately exposed by God—and it brought trouble on the entire nation. In this message, we’ll see the seriousness of sin, the danger of concealing it, and the hope we find when we confess and trust the God who is enough.
Facing Jericho’s locked gates, Israel learns that God’s ways aren’t ours, and obedience is the path to victory. As the ark leads and the people walk by faith, the walls fall, Rahab is rescued, and we’re reminded that judgment is real but mercy is offered to all who trust him. Whatever you’re up against today, know that nothing is impossible with God.
Pastor Jordan Travis reminds us that just like the Israelites in Joshua 5, God’s people both trust & obey him.
In this sermon from Joshua 3, we explore what it looks like for us to step into all that God has for us, and it means living in total surrender, letting God lead while we follow, preparing our hearts & minds for God to move, and then stepping out in faith, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.
Joshua 2 shows us that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Through an unlikely act of faith and a scarlet cord, we see a picture of the greater salvation found in Christ.
God calls us to bold faith because He is faithful. Joshua 1 shows us how His promises and presence give us the courage to obey.
Pastor Derek wraps up our study through 1 Corinthians, teaching principles we can learn from Paul's explanation of his upcoming travels, desire to spend time with the Corinthians, and more.
Pastor Derek leads us through our next-to-last week in 1 Corinthians, looking at the biblical principles we can learn about giving from Paul's instructions to the church in Corinth.
Pastor Derek recaps what our kids learned during the week of Kids Camp which was themed around Psalm 34:3, “Magnify the Lord with me". See how we can praise the Lord and magnify Him at all times in our lives if we "taste and see" just how amazing He is!
Pastor Perry of FBC Powell, TN, graciously taught us from Matthew about who Jesus is, why it matters, and how we should respond!
Our Worship & Executive Pastor, Jonathan continues our study through 1 Corinthians by looking at the exciting news that Jesus has conquered both sin and death for us, and one day, He is coming back to make us and everything in all of creation new, do away with sin, and we get to live forever with Him!
Pastor Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians with a closer look at what our resurrected bodies will actually be like and the hope we have in this life, not being the end or where our confidence lies.
Pastor Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians by looking at Paul's encouragement of the hope we have in the resurrection, both Jesus' and our own, when Jesus returns!
Pastor Derek continues our journey through the book of 1 Corinthians as he teaches on Paul's encouragement to cling to the Gospel and trust in the resurrection.
Our Teaching Pastor Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians and teaches that it's good to test all spirits, knowing that just because someone claims to have a "word from God" doesn't mean that they do, but we must also be careful not to "quench the Spirit" or ignore something that IS from God.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor, Jonathan, continues our study through the book of 1 Corinthians, studying Paul's encouragement to the believers to seek the love that God gives through the Holy Spirit, more than seeking the Gifts of the Spirit.
In this message, we continue our study through 1 Corinthians by looking at how all believers are part of the Body of Christ, we need each other, and each gifting to each person has been given for the good of the whole body. You can't be encouraged and supported by other believers if you aren't connected to the Body!
In this message, we picked back up with our study through 1 Corinthians as our Teaching Pastor Derek taught about Spiritual Gifts and how the Gifts of the Spirit are meant to build up the church and be used for God's glory.
Our Teaching Pastor, Derek, finishes our Easter series of Words From the Cross by teaching the amazing importance of Jesus' declaration that "It is finished!" Derek says, "The cross was the payment for our sin debt, and the resurrection is the receipt to prove that the price has been paid and death has been defeated!"
We continue our study of the last moments of Jesus' life by studying the words He uttered from the cross as He was dying for the sins of the world. This week, Jonathan teaches through the phrase Jesus "cried out" of "My God, my God why have You forsaken me?!"
In this message, we continue to study Jesus' last words from the cross, this time focusing in on His conversation with the criminal on the cross next to Him. A man that had previously mocked Jesus, had never read the Bible, gone to church, been baptized, or done any of the other religious 'works' we often think are necessary to be right with God. However, Jesus told this man that he would be with him in paradise that day, not because of this man had done, but because of Jesus did for him.
Our Teaching Pastor Derek kicks off our Easter series called "Word from the Cross" where we'll be studying some of the statements Jesus made as He was dying on the cross for our sin.
Jonathan continues our series through 1 Corinthians by teaching Paul's instructions to the church in Corinth about how they should honor Christ through the observance of the Lord's Supper.
Derek continues our teaching through the book of 1 Corinthians by tackling a challenging passage where Paul deals with the topic of head coverings and the need for gender distinctions.
We continue our study through 1 Corinthians, looking at Paul's instructions to the Corinthians to live for God's glory and not their own.
Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians, teaching through Paul's warnings against idolatry.
Our study through 1 Corinthians continues with the teaching of being willing to do whatever it takes so that others might hear and believe the Gospel.
Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians, this time looking at Paul's argument for his rights as an Apostle but then giving up those rights for the good of the Gospel.
Derek continues our study through the book of 1 Corinthians, looking at chapter 8 as Paul encourages the believers in Corinth in the fact that the things going into our bodies don't determine our standing with God, however, we should be willing to give up our "rights" (freedom in Christ) for the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Derek continues our study in 1 Corinthians looking at Paul's encouragement to those who are single and his warning of worldly troubles for those who are married.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our study through 1 Corinthians, teaching on the concept found there to "Bloom Where You're Planted". Our circumstances in life shouldn't dictate how we honor Jesus with our lives. No matter what is going on, we should always seek to live for Jesus where we are in the best way we can.
Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians studying commands and insights given on marriage, separation, and divorce.
Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians looking at Paul's instructions for sexual relations within marriage and the cautions given to those who are single.
Happy New Year! To kick off the new year, Derek leads us through the biblical instruction for fasting as a way to seek the Lord's will, both for us as individuals and as a church as a whole.
Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our advent series looking at parts of our lives that tend to bring stress during the holidays and searching God's Word for wisdom on how to handle those areas in ways that honor God and can give us a better Christmas season. This time, looking at relationships in our lives.
Derek continues our series by looking at Biblical wisdom that can lead us to have a better Christmas, this time looking at how we use our time and the stress the holiday season can bring due to so many activities and events.
Derek continues our Advent series looking at some areas of life that we should evaluate to have a better Christmas and life beyond Christmas by looking at the role Money plays in our lives and the stress it can bring during the Christmas season.
Derek kicks off our Advent Series about how to have a better Christmas. This message focuses on the Bible's command to have grateful hearts which leads us ultimately to worshipping God.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our series through 1 Corinthians, looking at Paul's encouragement to honor and glorify God with how we live because He bought us with the price of Jesus's blood.
Derek continues our study through 1 Corinthians, teaching on Paul's encouragement to put the Kingdom of God above our own pride. We should rather be wronged by someone than to make a mockery of God's Church.
Addressing the sin of others in the church, can be difficult, yet God tells us how vital it is. This week Pastor Derek discusses how the motivation behind church discipline is love and the hope is always restoration.
This Sunday, Chase Roberts from Morgan Grace Church in Morgan, UT, shared with us about what it means to be a neighbor to others
Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our study through 1 Corinthians by looking at the issues Paul addresses within the church in Corinth for which he calls them out for letting the cares of the world creep into the church and cause distractions from accomplishing the purpose of the church.
Our friend Nick Erickson, one of the pastors of Redemption Church in Ogden, UT, came down to teach us from God's word and continued our series through 1 Corinthians. He taught us well to be sure that Christ is our foundation in faith and life or else our world will fall apart at some point.
We continue our study of the book of 1 Corinthians, looking at Paul's warning that a lack of spiritual growth is a serious thing within the church and something we need to take seriously.
Our study through 1 Corinthians continues as we look at the "Hidden Wisdom" that is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Derek continues our study in 1 Corinthians, looking at the teaching that God chose a seemingly "foolish" message of Christ dying to be what makes our salvation possible.
We continue our study through Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, studying Paul's warning against division and the importance of the Gospel above all else.
Derek kicks off a new series studying the book of 1 Corinthians, we're we get a glimpse of a wild church, that was living in a wild place, learning how to be the Church in the wild.
Teaching Pastor Derek continues the conversation about how to live for the Kingdom of God in the midst of a divisive political world by looking at the instructions we're giving in Romans 13.
We've taken a detour from our planned series to address the current state of our culture and country. Derek teaches through the Biblical standards we should hold to as followers of Jesus as we navigate the divisive world of politics.
Our Worship and Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our series looking at the "One Another" commands in Scripture by checking out what the Bible instructs us to do when it comes to fellowshipping with one another.
Derek continues our look at the "One Another" commands in Scripture by teaching us about showing grace to one another. We see that when we understand the Gospel and the grace that has been shown to us through Jesus, it causes us to be able to show grace to others because "Forgiven People Forgive People".
Derek continues our study through the "One Another" commands of Scripture by looking at the command to Welcome One Another as Christ has welcomed us.
Derek continues our study through the "One Another" commands found throughout the New Testament. In this message, he teaches us about the Biblical commands for how we are build one another up with our words and help point each other to Jesus.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our study through the "One Another" commands found throughout Scripture by looking at the command Jesus gave the disciples to "Love Another".
Derek kicks off our new series looking at the Biblical commands for how believers are to think and act towards one another, by looking at Philippians 2 and the command to have the mind of Christ, be humble, and consider others as more important than ourselves.
Our friend and one of Awaken City's founders Todd Richardson came by to teach us what Jesus said was the most important command and what true worshippers of God believe and do.
Derek teaches through some of the concepts our kids learned at our 2024 Kids Camp, namely how God's truth never changes and that there is one true gospel that teaches there is one way to heaven: Jesus.
Our friend, Pastor Jesse Haywood led us through James 1:1-18 and how keeping our eyes on Jesus makes it possible to have joy during the hard times in life.
Derek wraps up our series studying through the book of Jonah looking at God's relentless pursuit of a rebellious prophet and a rebellious people with this message focused on chapter 4 and God's question to Jonah of, "Do you do well to be angry?"
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our study through Jonah by teaching through Jonah chapter 3 and how God gives 2nd chances to Jonah, the Ninevites, and He still does today to us through Jesus.
Derek continues our study through the book of Jonah looking at God's grace towards us when all seems lost, even if we're in the situation we're in because of our own poor choices.
In this message, our Teaching Pastor Derek kicks off our new Sunday morning sermon series going through the book of Jonah together. It's an encouraging and challenging message of God's pursuit of rebellious people and His call for us to repent, obey, and love.
Derek finishes up our study of the Holy Spirit by discussing what spiritual gifts are, why they’re given, and how we can better know & use our giftings.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan leads us through Galatians 5:16-26 leads us through what is the fruit of the Spirit and how we can have it in our lives.
Derek continues our study of the Holy Spirit as he teaches us what it means in Ephesians 5:28 to "be filled with the Spirit".
This kicks off our series studying who the Holy Spirit is, the role He has in our lives, and the impact He makes in the world.
We wrap up our series through the book of 1 John with the message from our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan on knowing that you have eternal life and living with confidence in this life.
Our series in the book of 1 John nears the end with Pastor Derek teaching us about John's encouragement that we can trust in who Jesus is and what He's done for us because of the evidence and witness that God has given to us.
Our series working through the book of 1 John continues as Derek teaches us what the Lord tells us about having overcome the world through faith in Jesus!
Derek teaches us the great news of our hope in Jesus because of the power shown in the resurrection!
Our Worship and Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our study through the book of 1 John teaching about God's love for us and our responsibility to represent God and His love to the world by how we love one another.
Derek continues our series through the book of 1 John looking at John's warning to "test the spirits" and what that means for us today.
Derek continues our study through the book of 1 John by looking at what John tells us about the confidence we can have before God because of what Jesus has done.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our series through 1 John with the challenge John presents that there is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. Everyone must choose whether they will trust in Jesus and surrender to Him or be against Him.
Derek continues our series through the book of 1 John by teaching on John's warnings about "Anti-Christs".
Our Teaching Pastor Derek continues our series in 1 John and teaches us what it means to love God vs loving the world and how this is evidence of having been saved by Jesus.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Continues our series through 1 John and teaches us the importance of staying in a close relationship with Jesus so that we stay aware of the truth and away from the darkness of sin.
Derek continues walking us through 1 John, looking at what are the proofs that we know Jesus and have been saved.
We continue our series through 1 John as Derek teaches us what the Apostle John wrote to the church about walking in the light of God's wisdom and the confidence and hope we have in Jesus as our advocate and propitiation for our sins.
Derek kicks off a new series as we work our way through the book of 1 John as John the apostle writes to the church he pastored to address issues of false teachings and the truth of the Gospel.
We kicked off the New Year by learning the importance and some practical tips for how to study the Bible. Check it out!
Jesus said that He came to give His life as a ransom for many! That's exciting news! The fact that the God of all creation would be willing to go through suffering and death so that we might have life forever with Him is amazing! Check out this message by our Teaching Pastor Derek as He covers our last statement Jesus gave about why He came to earth.
Have you been looking for "it"? You know, that thing that will finally make you feel like your life is complete; whole? That thing which will finally bring you peace and lasting joy. If so, this message is for you! Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan teaches us here about Jesus' claim that He came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest. Check it out!
Our Teaching Pastor Derek continues our Advent series of the 5 reasons Jesus gave for why He came to earth. In this message, Derek unpacks Jesus' claim that He came, "to bear witness to the truth" when He was speaking with Pilate before His death.
Our advent series continues as we study all of the reasons Jesus said He came to the earth. In this message, Derek shows us how Jesus didn't come to get rid of "the law and the prophets" (or the Old Testament) but that He came to fulfill all of it and that the Old Testament points us to Jesus.
Derek finishes up our series looking at those core beliefs of the Christian faith, looking at the certainty of Jesus’ return, and our subsequent eternal destination.
Our series studying the foundational beliefs of Christianity continues as our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan walks through Jesus' Resurrection from the dead, why it matters, and what it changes for us.
As we continue our look at those beliefs within Christianity we must stand firm upon, Derek walks us through the teaching within the Bible about salvation being by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Our series continues on doctrines we must stand firm upon. In this message, Derek shows us the Biblical teaching of the Trinity (One God in three persons) and why it matters for us to understand and live according to God's example.
NAMB Missionary Bobby Wood shares with us from Luke about the cost Jesus says we must pay to follow Him.
Teaching Pastor, Derek continues our series on the "Hills We Die On", the beliefs we must not waver, but stand firm upon. In this message, Derek helps us understand more of who God is: His nature and His character.
This message kicks off a new series for us looking at the beliefs that are core to Christianity. This first message covers our belief that the Bible and only the Bible is the Word of God and it is worthy of our trust and obedience.
Teaching Pastor Derek teaches us what the Bible says about spiritual gifts, who has them, what they are, and why believers are given them.
Derek wraps up our series on the Desires of the World by looking at the dangers of the pride of life.
Jonathan continues our series looking at the temptations the enemy uses with all of us all of the time by tackling our struggles with the Desires of the Eyes and how we can put up "guardrails" to help protect ourselves.
Derek kicks off our series based on 1 John 2:15-17. The enemy always tempts us with 1 of 3 desires: I Want to FEEL That, I Want to HAVE That, or I Want to be KNOWN for That.
Derek completes our series through the book of Philippians as he teaches us about Paul's secret to being content in all circumstances. Hint: the answer is Jesus!
Derek continues our series through the book of Philippians with this part focused on choosing to trust God and let go of our anxiety.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our series through Philippians talking about Paul's guidance to strain ahead for the goal of running our race for God's glory.
Derek continues our trek through the book of Philippians as he teaches us what Paul wrote about not having confidence in our works and religious actions.
Derek continues our series through Philippians discussing our calling to be lights in the world as followers of Jesus.
Teaching Pastor Derek Duvall continues our series through Paul's letter to the Philippians by teaching through Philippians 2:1-11 and how followers of Jesus are to be a selfless people.
Teaching Pastor Derek Duvall continues our series going through Philippians verse by verse as he teaches us about Paul's joy in living for Christ and seeing death as a plus since he'd get to be with Jesus!
Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan Blair continues our series through the book of Philippians by teaching through Philippians 1:12-18. We see how Paul's focus on the Kingdom of God instead of his own kingdom changed his outlook on the circumstances God allowed him to endure.
Teaching Pastor Derek Duvall kicks off a new series in which we are walking through the book of Philippians verse by verse. In this first message, we see what "Partnering in the Gospel" means and how it can bring joy to us and those with whom we partner.
Our Teaching Pastor Derek walks through Psalm 25 which was the theme for our Kids Camp to talk about what God has to say to us.
Teaching Pastor Derek teaches through the model prayer Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 6:5-13.
Matt Richards fills in and teaches from 1 Peter and God's command for us to "Be holy as I am holy."
We continue our series considering phrases or thoughts often associated with Jesus or Bible but they aren't actually found in God's Word. This time we are looking at the idea that in order to be saved, we must "Ask Jesus Into Our Hearts" or other types of phrases that either over-simplify or over-complicate what the Bible teaches it takes for salvation to occur.
We continue our series considering phrases or thoughts often associated with Jesus or Bible but they aren't actually found in God's Word. This time we are looking at the idea that there are some people we, as believers in and followers of Jesus don't need to forgive because what they did was too great of a sin against us.
We continue our series covering common phrases in our culture that sound good, but Jesus and the Bible don't actually match up with them. Here we take a look at the phrase, "Follow Your Heart" and how Jesus and the Bible actually tell us NOT to follow our hearts.
Derek continues our look at common sayings that are attributed to Jesus/the Bible, but that aren't actually found in Scripture. Listen in as he discusses the idea that God WILL allow us to go through hardships that feel overwhelming and some possible reasons why.
Derek kicks off our new series as we walk through common phrases attributed to Jesus but that He never actually said. Instead, we will be looking at the statement He did say on the topic to understand how to better follow Him!
Guest preacher Michael Cooper teaches us about our purpose within the Kingdom of Heaven as he unpacks Jesus' parable of the mustard seed found in Matthew 13:31-32.
Matt Richards came in as a guest to teach us from Romans 8:26-39, focusing in on the assurances we have from God about Him being with us through all parts of life.
When we become disciples of Jesus, we surrender our plans for his plans. In this message Derek shares how each persons ‘calling’ looks different, but we are each called to Follow Him.
As we celebrate Easter, Derek looks at John 20 and describes how the resurrection of Jesus, was best day in the history of the world.
During our series the "Worst Day Ever”, Derek answers the question “How can a just God, declare guilty people, innocent” as he lays out the horrific events that happened to Jesus, as he was beaten, mocked, & crucified, as described in John 19.
Derek kicks off a two-week series looking at the terrible events that took place and led up to Jesus, the son of God, being crucified. Today explores the betrayal of two friends and how there endings could not have been more different.
Derek ends our series, Famous Last Words, by looking at Jesus’ prayer over his disciples, as he sends them out into the world, to share the gospel message.
This week Derek looks at the first have of John 17, where we see Jesus praying to the Father for himself & his disciples, in what is commonly referred to as the High Priestly Prayer.
This week Matt Richards leads us through the end of John 16, as Jesus prepares to be crucified and reminds them, that “in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
This week Derek unpacks John 16:4-16, and looks at Jesus' words to his disciples, when he told them, it is "to their advantage" that he go away, so that the Helper (Holy Spirit) would come. In this message he lays out 8 roles of the Holy Spirit in the believers life.
We continue our series by looking at Jesus' final words to His disciples as we work through His warning of hate and persecution that awaits those who choose to follow Him.
Jonathan continues our series of Jesus' famous last words teaching through John 15:1-8 and breaking down Jesus' well-known statement of being the "True Vine".
We continue our look at Jesus' final words to His disciples at the end of the Gospel of John by walking through John 14:7-31. Jesus gives some encouraging words to His disciples promising them help through hard times and peace that can't be taken away.
Derek continues our study through Jesus' final teachings to His disciples at the end of John by talking through the well known and controversial passage in which Jesus says that He is the ONLY way to the Father in John 13:36-14:6.
Derek kicks off our new series looking at the last few chapters of the Gospel of John. During this, we'll see the last instructions Jesus gave His disciples before the crucifixion. First up, we see Jesus' instructions to love each other in the same way that He loves us.
Derek talks through our core values as a "faith family". These are the things we want to be central to who we are as a local body of believers in Jesus as we seek to build God's Kingdom.
On Christmas Eve, Derek wrapped up our Advent series as we took a look at Christmas Through the Eyes of God.
Matt Richards continues our look from different perspectives and encounters of Jesus' birth as he teaches from Luke 2 with Simeon and Anna's interaction with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.
Derek continues our series on the birth of Jesus as we look at the events around Jesus' birth from the view of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared to announce the birth of the Messiah.
Jonathan continues our Advent series by looking at Christmas through the eyes of three kings with three different views of Jesus' birth.
Derek kicks off our Advent series entitled "Christmas Through the Eyes of" as we look at the arrival of Jesus from different points of view to understand what we can learn about God, our relationship with Him, and how we can honor Him with our lives this Christmas season.
Derek wraps up our series of Quick Question(s) with a question that most people struggle through at different times, "What happens when we die?"
Derek is back walking us through two great questions in our Quick Question series: 1) Why do Christians seem to follow some Old Testament laws and not others and 2) Why does God require a sacrifice?
Matt Richards (SEND Network Church Planting Resident) shares with us from John 15 and what it means to stay connected to the True Vine that is Jesus.
Jonathan talks through Biblical principles surrounding two questions submitted, 1) Should believers vote? and 2) What does the Bible say about abortion?
Jonathan continues our series called Quick Question as he tackles the questions of, "How do we live in a fallen world?", "What does the Bible say about alcohol consumption?", and "How should we approach entertainment like music, movies, etc.?". A lot of the answers here come down to how we use the freedom we have in Christ in order to fulfill the purpose we have in Christ.
The people at Awaken City Church submitted questions about God, the Bible, and life as a whole that they wanted to know the answers to. Our pastors are taking the next few weeks to attempt to answer those questions. In this video, Derek answers a couple of questions related to who God is: Is there a difference between the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament? How are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all God if there's only one God?
Matt Richards, who is doing his church planter residency at Awaken City, taught us from Hebrews 12:1-2 about running our race with endurance for the glory of God.
Derek wraps up our series through the book of Ephesians with Paul's instructions on spiritual warfare and wearing the armor of God.
Derek kicks off chapter 6 of Ephesians covering what Paul writes as instruction to kids, parents, bosses, and employees.
Derek continues our series in Ephesians, looking at God’s good design for marriage, and what it looks like to live that out, as husbands and wives.
Jonathan continues our series through Ephesians, discussing the command Paul gives the Ephesians to stop and think. He tells them to really examine their lives and how they can best use their lives to bring glory and honor to Jesus.
Derek continues our series through Ephesians addressing Paul's exhortation to "be imitators of God as beloved children".
Derek continues our series in Ephesians, covering God's instructions to us about living a new life and why.
Derek continues our series in Ephesians walking through the unity the whole church has in Christ.
Jonathan continues our series through the book of Ephesians, talking through the impact of truly knowing and understanding the love of Jesus, how that changes us, and how God can move in us and His church with this understanding.
Derek continues our walk through the book of Ephesians, relating how Paul encourages the believers in Ephesus of their place in the family of God and the importance of being involved with other believers.
Derek continues our series in Ephesians showing how Jesus has removed our hostility with God AND with other believers through the shedding of His blood.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor, Jonathan, continues our series walking through the book of Ephesians by pointing out who we are without Jesus and how God saves us by grace alone.
Derek continues our series walking through the book of Ephesians together by going over Ephesians 1:15-23 and discussing the spiritual blessings we have IN CHRIST.
Derek closes out our series on the Upside-Down Kingdom as he walks us through Jesus' teaching "To find your life, you must lose it".
Derek continues our series entitled Upside-Down Kingdom as he walks us through how Jesus taught to love and do good to all people, specifically those who hate you and do wrong to you.
Derek walks through what the Bible teaches us about how parents are to raise their children. First, we must love God wholly ourselves, then we can train our children to love God and His Word (the Bible) as well.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor Jonathan continues our series on the Upside-Down Kingdom walking through what the Bible teaches us about being truly rich.
Derek, our Teaching Pastor, kicks off our new series entitled Upside-Down Kingdom as he walks through Mark 10 and how Jesus taught us much different concepts from what the world teaches.
Our Teaching Pastor, Derek, walks through Daniel 6 as we close out our series, STAND, taking a look at Daniel being thrown into the den of lions.
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Jonathan, our Worship & Executive Pastor, walks through Daniel 5, reminding us that this world is temporary and God's Kingdom is eternal.
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Derek, our Teaching Pastor, walks through Daniel 4 as we continue our series "STAND" looking at the book of Daniel and the examples given to us for honoring God in a culture that does not.
Our Teaching Pastor, Derek, walks through Daniel chapter 3, discussing the challenges faced by the young Israelites who had to decide whether to bow down to the cultural norm or to stand firm in honoring God.
When we put our hope in the things of this world, and the circumstances around us seem out of our control, it leads to hostility & fear. In Daniel 2, we see how a trust in God, can allow for us to respond with a confidence & hope.
We live in a world that’s continually pushing against our core beliefs and forcing us to take a stand. Well, Daniel knew what that was like. He was constantly faced with the decision to either take a stand, or conform to those around him. Well we're all faced that same choice to make. The question we look at this week is are we willing to take a stand when it forces us to Stand Out.
Our Teaching Pastor, Derek shares with us why we can be confident the resurrection of Jesus was a historical event and why it matters for every single person.
ACC Teaching Pastor Derek walks through why the cross and Jesus' sacrifice upon it matters for our salvation.
Our Worship & Executive Pastor, Jonathan wraps up our series on "Respectable Sins" as we cover the sin of omission. Most of what we talked about in this series had to do with things God has called us to stay away from, however, we also should look at the things God has called us to (or to do) that we often ignore. In this message, we learn that all of these sins ultimately come down to "what do we love?" If we love God more than anything and love others as much as we love ourselves (like Jesus says), then most everything else falls into place in a way that honors and glorifies God.
Derek, our Teaching Pastor, continues our series on "Respectable Sins" as we break down our discontentment and ingratitude toward God and the gifts He has given to us.
Derek, our Teaching Pastor, continues our series on "Respectable Sins" as we tackle the sin of "worldliness". We discovered that worldliness really comes down to what we love. Do we love the temporary things of this world most, or do we love God and His eternal Kingdom most?
Derek, our Teaching Pastor, continues our series looking at "Respectable Sins" as we talk through the sin of passing undue judgment on others. Once again, it comes down to a matter of the heart where we're putting ourselves in the place of God by elevating our opinions to the level of His Word.
Derek Duvall (our Teaching Pastor) continues our series taking a look at what many would consider "minor" sins by discussing our speech. Once again, we see that it ultimately comes down to a heart issue where our mouths reveal what's deep inside.
Jonathan Blair (our Worship & Executive Pastor) continues our series on "Respectable Sins" by covering Pride. Listen and understand how pride affects us to our core, puts us at odds with God, and how Jesus is the answer to the "me-monster" inside us all.
Pastor Derek continues our series on "Respectable Sins" as we tackle the issues of having worry and anxiety in our lives.