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What happens when fear takes over?

Saul looked like everything Israel wanted in a king—strong, impressive, and capable. But beneath the surface was a heart increasingly controlled by insecurity and fear. When the pressure mounted and God asked him to wait, Saul chose control over trust.

In Week 2 of A Tale of Two Kings, we look at Saul’s rise to power and the moment that exposed what was happening inside his heart. His story confronts us with an important question: What are we trying to protect because we’re afraid to trust God with it?

Fear tells us that if we don’t take control, everything will fall apart. Faith reminds us that even when everything appears to be falling apart, God is still on His throne.

Big Idea: Fear will always tempt us to seize control when trust requires us to wait on God.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1–2; 10:20–24; 13:5–14

The contrast ultimately points us to Jesus—the King who never grasped for control, never acted out of fear, and trusted the Father completely, even when obedience led Him to the cross.

We don’t have to live controlled by fear. We have a King we can trust.

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What if the most terrifying thing God could say is, “Okay. Have it your way”?

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demands a king so they can be “like all the other nations.” Their request seems reasonable, but underneath it is a deeper problem: they are rejecting God as their King and looking somewhere else for the security, peace, and control that only He can provide.

In this first message of A Tale of Two Kings, we trace Israel’s story from Genesis through the Judges and discover a pattern that still exists in us today. When trusting God becomes difficult, we are tempted to replace Him with something visible. We take good things and turn them into god things. We begin measuring our lives by what everyone else has, and eventually we stop asking what God wants and start asking why He won’t give us what we want.

Sometimes God’s “no” is an act of love—and sometimes His judgment is allowing us to experience the consequences of the very thing we demanded.

As we begin the story of Saul and David, we’ll discover that neither earthly king is ultimately the hero. Their stories point us toward the true King we need: Jesus. Because the greatest battle isn’t over who sits on Israel’s throne. It’s over who sits on the throne of our hearts.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8
Series: A Tale of Two Kings

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What does faith look like when God doesn't change your circumstances?

In the final message of our Habakkuk series, we discover that biblical faith isn't pretending everything is okay—it's choosing to trust God even when life gives you every reason not to.

Habakkuk's journey mirrors so many of ours:

• Chapter 1: He brings his questions and frustrations to God.
• Chapter 2: He learns to wait and listen.
• Chapter 3: He remembers who God is and responds with worship.

As Habakkuk recalls God's faithfulness throughout history, his perspective changes. Babylon doesn't get smaller—God gets bigger. And when our view of God gets bigger, our circumstances get smaller. Not because they become insignificant, but because they're no longer ultimate.

In this message we'll explore:

• How remembering God's character fuels courageous faith.
• Why faith isn't the absence of fear.
• What it means to say "Though... yet I will rejoice."
• How God often changes us even when He doesn't change our circumstances.
• Finding strength in God's presence instead of perfect conditions.

Whether you're facing uncertainty, grief, anxiety, unanswered prayers, a difficult diagnosis, financial pressure, or a season of waiting, Habakkuk reminds us that our hope isn't built on explanations—it's built on the unchanging character of God.

"The righteous live by faith."

Scripture: Habakkuk 3

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Work Your Wait | Habakkuk 2:1–4

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of following God.

When life feels stalled, prayers seem unanswered, and God's timing doesn't make sense, it's tempting to take control ourselves. But what if waiting isn't wasted? What if it's where God does some of His deepest work in us?

In this message from Habakkuk 2:1–4, we discover three biblical truths for every waiting season:

• Position yourself to hear from God.
• Trust His timing over your own.
• Work your wait by living faithfully instead of trying to control the outcome.

Habakkuk never receives the explanation he hoped for. Instead, God gives him something greater—a promise. While Babylon represents pride, control, and self-reliance, God calls His people to a different way of living:

"The righteous will live by faith."

No matter what you're waiting on—a job, healing, direction, restoration, or an answered prayer—this message is an invitation to trust that the throne is occupied and God is still at work.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1–4, 5–20

If this message encouraged you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who may be in a season of waiting.

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What do you do when God doesn't make sense?

In Week 2 of our Habakkuk series, Nick walks through Habakkuk 1:5–2:1, where the prophet wrestles with one of the hardest questions in Scripture: How can a holy God use an even more wicked nation to accomplish His purposes?

Habakkuk cries out over the violence and injustice around him, only to discover that God's plan is far bigger—and far more surprising—than he expected. This message reminds us that God is always working, even when His work confuses us, and that faith is often formed while we wait for answers.

In this message:
• The world is more broken than we often realize.
• God is always working, even when His work confuses us.
• We all want justice... until justice points in our direction.
• Faith waits when understanding cannot.

Whether you're wrestling with unanswered prayers, confusion, or difficult circumstances, this message will encourage you to trust God's character even when you can't fully understand His plan.

Scripture:
Habakkuk 1:5–2:1

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Habakkuk 1 | Wrestle... Don't RunKey ScriptureHabakkuk 1:1–7

Big IdeaGod isn't afraid of your honest questions. Faith isn't pretending everything is okay—it's bringing your pain to God and choosing to stay close, even when His answers are difficult.

Main Points1. God welcomes honest wrestling.Habakkuk doesn't hide his frustration.

He brings his questions directly to God.

Real faith includes honest prayer.

Key Passage: Habakkuk 1:1–4

1. Running from pain always costs more than wrestling through it.We all have ways of escaping:

Success

Sports

Humor

Work

Entertainment

Relationships

Busyness—even church activity

God invites us to bring our wounds to Him instead of hiding them.

1. God often meets us before He explains Himself.Prayer isn't presenting a polished version of yourself.

God already knows your heart.

He wants your honesty more than your performance.

1. Staying close changes everything.Like grappling in jiu-jitsu, creating space leaves us vulnerable.

The safest place is staying close to God, especially when life is confusing.

Distance from God rarely produces healing.

1. God's answers aren't always what we expect.Habakkuk asks God to deal with injustice.

God responds by raising up Babylon.

Sometimes God's plan is harder than we imagined, but His purposes remain trustworthy.

Key Passage: Habakkuk 1:5–7

Memorable Quotes"Wrestle with God. Don't run from Him."

"Prayer isn't presenting a polished version of yourself; it's bringing the real condition of your heart into God's presence."

"When God tells you something you don't want to hear, will you create distance—or stay close?"

"God isn't asking for perfect faith. He's inviting honest trust."

Questions for ReflectionWhat difficult questions have you been afraid to ask God?

What do you typically run to instead of wrestling with God?

Where have you been creating distance between yourself and God?

Can you identify a season when God's answer didn't make sense until later?

What would it look like this week to stay close instead of running?

ChallengeBring your real thoughts, fears, and frustrations to God this week. Instead of escaping, choose to stay close. Trust that even when you don't understand His ways, His character remains faithful.

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Daniel 12 | Hope That Endures

How do you keep trusting God when life doesn't make sense?

The book of Daniel closes not with every question answered, but with a call to remain faithful. Daniel sees visions of suffering, spiritual warfare, resurrection, and the end of history—but God's final words to him are surprisingly simple: "Go your way."

In this final message of the Daniel series, we discover that biblical hope isn't about escaping hardship or predicting every detail of the future. It's about enduring with confidence because we know who holds the future.

In this message you'll discover:
• Why prophecy is meant to produce endurance, not endless speculation
• One of the clearest promises of resurrection in the Old Testament
• What Daniel teaches us about living with unanswered questions
• Why faith means trusting God even when we don't understand
• How every promise in Daniel ultimately points to Jesus, the Son of Man

No matter what kingdom rises or falls, no matter what suffering we face, our hope remains secure because Christ has defeated sin and death and will one day make all things new.

Scripture: Daniel 12

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In Daniel 6, we meet an elderly Daniel who has faithfully served God through changing kings, collapsing empires, and shifting cultures. His circumstances have changed, but his character has not. The message challenges believers to understand that bold faith is not about being loud or confrontational—it is about steadfast obedience to God regardless of the cost.

Daniel’s integrity was so evident that his enemies could find no fault in him except his unwavering devotion to the Lord. When a royal decree outlawed prayer to anyone but the king, Daniel continued praying just as he always had, demonstrating that public courage is built through years of private faithfulness. His example teaches that small acts of obedience over time produce unshakable conviction when trials come.

Thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to compromise, Daniel experienced God’s presence in the midst of suffering rather than exemption from it. His story reminds us that following God does not guarantee an easy life, but it does guarantee that He is with His people through every trial. Ultimately, the schemes of Daniel’s enemies were overturned, illustrating that vengeance and vindication belong to God alone.

The account also foreshadows Jesus Christ, who was falsely accused and condemned through manipulated legal proceedings. While Daniel was delivered from death, Jesus defeated death itself through His resurrection, transforming apparent defeat into eternal victory. The central call of the passage is clear: remain faithful no matter how cultures, governments, or circumstances change, trusting that God is sovereign and that bold faith refuses to compromise.

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Daniel 10 marks a major shift in the book of Daniel as God pulls back the curtain and gives us a glimpse into the unseen spiritual realities taking place around us.

After three weeks of mourning, fasting, and seeking understanding, Daniel encounters a heavenly messenger whose appearance leaves him overwhelmed and weak. What follows is one of the clearest pictures in Scripture of spiritual warfare, revealing that while God hears our prayers immediately, answers may unfold in ways we cannot see.

This chapter reminds us that faithfulness doesn't exempt us from waiting. Daniel's prayer was heard from the first day, yet spiritual opposition delayed the messenger's arrival for twenty-one days. Through this encounter, we learn that prayer is not merely a religious activity—it is a powerful weapon God uses in the midst of spiritual battles.

As Daniel struggles with fear, weakness, and uncertainty, God repeatedly strengthens him, encourages him, and reminds him that he is deeply loved and precious in His sight.

In this message, we explore:

• The significance of Daniel's final vision
• Why God's people often experience seasons of waiting
• The reality of spiritual warfare behind the scenes
• How prayer impacts battles we cannot see
• God's encouragement for weary and discouraged believers
• Finding strength in God's presence during difficult seasons

Key Scriptures:
Daniel 10:5-19

Key Truths:
• Faithfulness doesn't exempt us from waiting.
• Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons God gives His people.
• Just because you can't see God working doesn't mean He isn't.
• God strengthens those who seek Him.

Join us as we continue our journey through the book of Daniel and discover how God's sovereignty extends even into the unseen battles of life.

For more information about Vertical Church, visit:
www.livevertical.tv

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PRIDE TURNS MEN INTO MONSTERS
Daniel 4:19-37

In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar receives another troubling dream. He sees a massive tree that provides shelter, fruit, and blessing to the world. Yet a messenger from heaven announces that the tree will be cut down, leaving only a stump behind. Daniel courageously explains the dream: the tree is Nebuchadnezzar himself.

The issue is not power, success, or influence. The issue is pride.

Daniel warns the king to repent, turn from his sin, and care for the oppressed. God graciously gives Nebuchadnezzar a warning before judgment comes. But pride often refuses to listen.

Main Points:

1. Pride Ignores Warnings
   Daniel pleads with the king to repent before consequences arrive. One of God's greatest mercies is a warning. Before destruction comes conviction. Before collapse comes correction. Before judgment comes an invitation to repent.
2. Pride Turns Men Into Monsters
   Pride destroys empathy, compassion, relationships, and accountability. God does not turn Nebuchadnezzar into something he wasn't; He reveals what pride had already been doing to him. Outwardly he was a king, but inwardly pride had made him a beast.
3. Pride Takes Credit for What God Built
   After twelve months of grace, Nebuchadnezzar stands on his palace roof and declares, "Look what I built." Pride shifts our focus from God's provision to our accomplishments. Faith remembers that everything we have ultimately comes from God.
4. Humility Restores What Pride Destroys
   When Nebuchadnezzar finally lifts his eyes toward heaven, his sanity is restored. Before his kingdom is restored, his perspective is restored. Humility begins when we recognize who the true King is.

Key Truth:
Pride is fundamentally a vision problem. Pride causes us to look at ourselves. Humility causes us to look at God.

Application Questions:
• Are there warnings from God that I am ignoring?
• Where has pride crept into my relationships, leadership, or decisions?
• What am I taking credit for that God has built?
• What would it look like for me to lift my eyes toward heaven and surrender control?

Bottom Line:
Pride makes us forget who the real King is. Humility begins when we lift our eyes toward heaven and remember that Heaven still rules.

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Episode Outline1. The Pressure to Conform

• Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue
• The command to bow
• The pattern of culture:
  • Conformity becomes normal
  • Normal becomes celebrated
  • Dissent becomes condemned

• Faithfulness becomes visible

• Babylon's Strategy: Just Compromise a Little

• "You can worship your God, just worship ours too"

• Defining modern idols

• How compromise begins:

  • Stay quiet
  • Blend in
  • Protect your image
  • Keep the promotion
  • Affirm the lie

• The Power of an "Even If" Faith

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's response

• God is able...
• But even if He doesn't...
• The difference between:
  • Transactional faith
  • Biblical faith

• Trusting God beyond favorable outcomes

• Obedience Turns Up the Heat

• The furnace heated seven times hotter

• Examples of modern-day furnaces:
  • Standing alone at work
  • Refusing gossip
  • Sexual integrity
  • Faithfulness in suffering
  • Trusting God through unanswered prayer

• Will the fire drive you away or refine you?

• The Fourth Man in the Fire

• Nebuchadnezzar sees four men

• Angel or pre-incarnate Christ?
• The central truth:
  • God did not abandon them
  • God was with them

• Jesus and Gethsemane:

  • "Father, if possible..."
  • "Nevertheless, Your will be done"

• The Fire Burned What Bound Them

• They entered bound

• They walked free
• The fire touched:
  • Their ropes
• The fire did not touch:
  • Their bodies
  • Their clothes
  • Their witness

• God uses trials to transform us, not define us

• Public Allegiance to the True King

• Babylon demanded public worship

• Baptism is our public declaration
• Faith eventually becomes visible
• A challenge to believers who have never been baptized
• Declaring before the world:
  • "I belong to Jesus"
  • "I will bow to only one King"

Key TakeawayThe greatest miracle in Daniel 3 wasn't surviving the fire—it was a faith that had already decided, before the fire ever came:

"Even if God doesn't deliver me the way I want, I will not bow."

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CONVICTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE — WEEK 2Daniel 2 | Power But Not PeaceMain ThemeHuman kingdoms rise and fall, but the Kingdom of God stands forever.

Key ScriptureDaniel 2

Daniel 2:1–3

Daniel 2:10–12

Daniel 2:16–19

Daniel 2:20–21

Daniel 2:32–35

1. POWER BUT NO PEACENebuchadnezzar had power, influence, wealth, and control — yet he still could not sleep.

Babylon looked stable externally, but internally the king was unraveling.

Key Thought:We often believe:

• “If I can just get there…”
• “If I can just achieve this…”
• “If I can finally obtain that…”

…then we’ll finally have peace.

But human hearts were never designed to find peace apart from God.

Application:* Success without God still leaves people restless. * Information cannot heal the soul. * Control cannot secure tomorrow.

1. HUMAN WISDOM ALWAYS HAS LIMITSThe wise men of Babylon could not reveal the king’s dream.

“No one on earth can do what the king asks…”

Babylon represents humanity trying to interpret reality apart from God.

Modern Babylon:* Influencers * Celebrities * Experts * Podcasts * Cultural voices

Human wisdom eventually collapses under life’s ultimate questions:

• Why are we here?
• What gives life meaning?
• What happens after death?

Key Truth:No amount of information can save the human soul.

1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BABYLON AND DANIELDaniel responds differently than the wise men.

Instead of panicking:

• Daniel prays
• Daniel gathers community
• Daniel seeks mercy from God

Key Statement:The difference between Babylon and Daniel is not intelligence — it’s dependence.

Babylon turns inward.
Daniel turns upward.

1. GOD IS THE REVEALER OF TRUTHSome things require revelation, not just intelligence.

Daniel did not discover truth.
God revealed truth.

Key Thought:You can:

• read every leadership book,
• study every relationship strategy,
• gain endless knowledge,

…and still lack wisdom without God.

Daniel’s Response:Worship.

“Wisdom and power are His…”

1. EARTHLY KINGDOMS BECOME DUSTThe statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represents successive earthly empires:

2. Gold → Babylon

3. Silver → Medo-Persia
4. Bronze → Greece
5. Iron → Rome
6. Iron & Clay → Divided kingdoms

Key Truth:Every earthly kingdom eventually cracks and collapses.

Application:Daniel confronts the temptation to treat political or cultural systems like eternal kingdoms.

They are not eternal.

1. THE STONE BECOMES THE MOUNTAINA stone “not cut by human hands” destroys the statue.

This points forward to Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

The stone imagery grows throughout Scripture:

• The rejected cornerstone
• The eternal Kingdom
• Christ reigning forever

Key Gospel Connection:Jesus arrived during the Roman Empire proclaiming:
“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Rome fell.
Babylon fell.
Persia fell.
Greece fell.

But the Kingdom of Jesus is still advancing.

Final ApplicationWe stop building our lives on statues already turning to dust.

We stop placing ultimate hope in:

• politics,
• money,
• success,
• influence,
• cultural power.

Instead:* Live faithfully in Babylon * Stand with conviction without compromise * Seek the peace of the city * Remember this world is not our home

Final Question:What kingdom are you building your life on?

One is becoming dust.
The other will stand forever.

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CONVICTION WITHOUT COMPROMISEDaniel 1Series ThemeLiving as exiles in a culture that does not reinforce the ways of God.

Historical ContextDavid reigns — 1000 BC

Solomon builds the Temple — 960 BC

Kingdom divides — 930 BC

Assyria destroys Israel — 722 BC

Babylon attacks Judah — 605 BC

Daniel is taken into exile

Jerusalem destroyed — 586 BC

Persia defeats Babylon — 539 BC

Daniel is written during exile — a season where God’s people lost:

Their city

Their temple

Their stability

Their cultural influence

Main IdeaThe Book of Daniel is not about fear or doom.

It is about faithfulness in the middle of chaos.

Kingdoms rise and fall.
Cultures shift.
Empires come and go.
But God remains sovereign and faithful.

Daniel 1:1-5 — Babylon’s StrategyBabylon didn’t simply conquer people physically.
It sought to reshape them spiritually and culturally.

The empire targeted:

The best and brightest

Young leaders

Future influencers

The goal:
Convert them into Babylonians.

Babylon understood:
“If you capture the minds of the next generation, you shape the future.”

Exile Is SpiritualBabylon is not merely a geographic location.

Babylon represents:

Human pride

Self-worship

Rebellion against God

Cultural systems opposed to God’s Kingdom

Daniel was physically in Babylon,
but Babylon was trying to get inside Daniel.

Daniel 1:6-8 — The Battle for IdentityBabylon attempted to:

Rename Daniel

Reeducate Daniel

Reshape Daniel

Reward conformity

Compromise rarely begins with persecution.
It usually begins subtly:

Comfort

Convenience

Acceptance

Opportunity

Pressure to stay quiet

Daniel resolved not to defile himself.

Conviction starts before compromise ever arrives.

The Danger of Slow CompromiseNobody abandons convictions overnight.

Compromise happens:

One rationalization at a time

One unchecked desire at a time

One silent moment at a time

“What you normalize, you eventually stop grieving.”
“What you celebrate, you eventually become like.”

Formation is always happening.

Food From the King’s TableThe food represented more than a meal.

In ancient culture, eating from someone’s table symbolized:

Loyalty

Intimacy

Fellowship

Babylon wanted Daniel’s worship, not just his service.

Daniel’s ExampleDaniel shows us how to:

Engage culture without surrendering to it

Influence culture without being shaped by it

Serve faithfully without bowing spiritually

He had:

Conviction without isolation

Courage without arrogance

Influence without compromise

“Babylon can have our service, but it can’t have our worship.”

God Honors FaithfulnessDaniel 1:17-20

God gave Daniel and his friends:

Wisdom

Understanding

Favor

Influence

Faithful people elevate the environments they are placed in.

Even people far from God benefit from the presence of people who walk with God.

Jeremiah 29 — The Calling of ExilesGod instructed His people:

Build houses

Plant gardens

Raise families

Seek the peace of the city

Followers of God are called to:

Serve the city

Love the city

Pray for the city

But not worship the city.

ApplicationThe Church must resist two extremes:

Isolation from culture

Assimilation into culture

Instead:
Faithful presence.

We live here,
but we belong to another Kingdom.

Our hope is not in earthly systems.
Our citizenship is in Heaven.

Key Quotes“Babylon is always trying to get you to assimilate.”

“If Babylon can shape your identity, Babylon can shape your worship.”

“What shapes your worship shapes your life.”

“Conviction starts before compromise arrives.”

“Babylon can have our service, but it can’t have our worship.”

“We seek the good of the city, but our hope is not in the city.”

Scripture ReferencesDaniel 1

1 Peter 2:11-12

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

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PHILIPPIANS 4:4–9
“What Has Your Attention Is Shaping Your Life”

Big Idea:
Your life moves in the direction of your focus. Whatever consistently has your attention will eventually shape your affections, your thoughts, your behavior, and your life.

1. WHAT YOU FOCUS ON GROWS
   Philippians 4:4–6

• Paul connects joy, anxiety, and prayer to attention
• Anxiety is misdirected attention
• Prayer is redirected attention
• We train our minds toward peace or toward fear
• Prayer is not just informing God, it is forming us

Key Thought:
What we repeatedly focus on becomes stronger in our lives.

1. WHAT YOU DWELL ON, YOU BECOME
   Philippians 4:8

• Our thoughts are not random, they are stories
• The stories we replay eventually shape us
• Not every thought deserves access to your mind
• Paul gives believers a filter for what deserves our attention
• The Gospel anchors us in what is true

Truths We Must Dwell On:
• God is with you
• Your identity is secure in Christ
• Your future is held by God
• Your past is covered by grace
• Life is not random

Key Thought:
Your mind is not a trash can, it is a temple.

1. WHAT YOU PRACTICE, YOU EXPERIENCE
   Philippians 4:9

• Formation is not accidental, it is intentional
• Peace is not found through information alone but through practice
• Repetition shapes spiritual formation
• The condition of our soul eventually spills into every relationship around us

Key Thought:
You don’t think your way into peace, you practice your way into it.

Application:
Audit your attention this week.
• What is forming you?
• What are you consuming?
• What stories are you replaying?
• What has your focus?

Replace unhealthy formation with intentional practices:
• Scripture before your phone
• Prayer instead of spiraling
• Worship instead of worry
• Truth instead of imagined stories

Closing Truth:
Formation is not accidental.
Your life moves in the direction of your focus.

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Title: No Confidence in the Flesh1. The Subtle Nature of Pride Pride is sneaky—you don’t always see it * It hides in: + Strength + Weakness + Spirituality * At its core: Where is your confidence coming from?*

Big Idea:
Spiritual maturity begins where confidence in self dies and confidence in Christ takes its place.

2. The Danger of Adding to the Gospel (Philippians 3:2–3)* Paul uses strong language intentionally * Adding anything to the gospel = abandoning the gospel * Christianity is not behavior management

Marks of true believers:

• Worship by the Spirit
• Boast in Christ
• Put no confidence in the flesh

3. What “No Confidence in the Flesh” Means Not trusting: + Achievements + Effort + Morality + Background * Pride says: Look what I’ve done * Humility says: Look what Christ has done*

4. Paul’s Resume (Philippians 3:4–6)Paul had every reason to boast:

• Heritage: Israel, Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews
• Religion: Pharisee
• Zeal: persecutor of the church
• Morality: faultless under the law

Before Christ: Identity built on achievement
After Christ: Identity rooted in grace

5. The Great Exchange (Philippians 3:7–9)* Paul rewrites his entire ledger * Gains → Loss * Performance → Garbage (“skubalon”)

Key Truth:
When you gain Christ, you don’t feel like you lost everything—you feel like you finally found what matters.

6. Pressing Forward (Philippians 3:13–14)* Forgetting what is behind * Straining toward what is ahead * Refusing to be defined by: + Past success + Past failure

7. Two Forms of PridePride = being “puffed up”

1. Inflated Ego
   • Superiority
   • Self-importance
   • Performance identity
2. Deflated Ego
   • Shame
   • Victim mentality
   • Self-obsession

Both are forms of pride

8. Three Voices Pride says: Prove yourself * Shame says: Punish yourself * Jesus says: Forget yourself*

9. The Freedom to Forget Yourself (1 Corinthians 4:3–4)* Not living for others’ approval * Not crushed by opinions * Not trapped in self-justification

The Gospel Reality:

• The verdict is already in
• Not guilty in Christ
• The courtroom is empty
• The case is closed

10. The Invitation* Recognize you’ve been living on trial * Admit misplaced confidence * See that Jesus stepped in * Walk out in freedom

Final Thought:
You don’t need to prove yourself.
You don’t need to punish yourself.
In Christ, you are free to forget yourself—and finally live.

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The Way Is Jesus | Philippians 2:1–11
Sermon Notes Outline

INTRO

• Paul is writing to a church he deeply loves
• Unity is the defining mark of the Church
• The world will know we belong to Jesus by how we love one another
• Question: What are churches actually known for today?

I. THE CALL TO UNITY (Philippians 2:1–2)

• “If” = since these things are already true in Christ
• Encouragement, love, Spirit, compassion → LIVE THIS WAY
• Command:
  • Be like-minded
  • Have the same love
  • Be one in spirit and mind

Tension:

• We often interpret “like-minded” as: think like me
• We elevate preferences to convictions

Truth:

• Not a mind like mine → a mind like Jesus

II. THE ENEMY OF UNITY: PRIDE (Philippians 2:3–4)

• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit”

Selfish Ambition (eritheia):

• Using people for personal gain
• Rivalry, self-promotion, advancement at all costs

Vain Conceit (kenodoxia):

• Empty glory
• Needing others for worth, approval, recognition

Result:

• One uses people
• One needs people
• Both destroy relationships and community

III. THE WAY OF HUMILITY (Philippians 2:3–4)

• “Rather…” → the turning point

What to do instead:

• Value others above yourself
• Look to the interests of others

Key Truth:

• Pride fractures the Church
• Humility binds it together

Reality Check:

• Even “serving” can be driven by pride if not transformed by the gospel
• Pride hides behind performance
• Humility produces honesty

IV. THE SOURCE OF TRANSFORMATION (Philippians 2:5–8)

• “Have this mindset as Christ Jesus”

Not behavior modification → heart transformation

Mind of Christ =

• New inner orientation
• New way of seeing life

Jesus’ Example:

• Had all status → did not exploit it
• Equal with God → chose servanthood
• Lord of all → humbled Himself to death on a cross

Pattern:

• Cross before crown
• Humility before exaltation
• Surrender before glory

V. THE PROBLEM IN US

• We want resurrection without crucifixion
• We want the life of Jesus without the way of Jesus

Tension Questions:

• Pray for enemies?
• Turn the other cheek?
• Go the extra mile?

Answer:

• Not by trying harder
• By being reshaped by the gospel

VI. THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS (Philippians 2:9–11)

• God exalted Jesus above all
• Every knee will bow
• Every tongue will confess: Jesus is Lord

Key Truth:

• Humility becomes possible when Jesus is truly Lord
• Self must step off the throne

VII. APPLICATION: BOW LOWER

• We don’t live this out by trying harder
• We live this out by bowing lower

Practical:

• Struggling in marriage? → Bow lower
• Competing with others? → Bow lower
• Seeking approval? → Bow lower
• Protecting your image? → Bow lower

Principle:

• The lower you bow to Jesus
• The more honor you show others

BOTTOM LINE

• Humility is not achieved by effort
• It is produced through surrender

Final Call:

• Every knee will bow eventually
• Bow now—willingly, joyfully, and low before the King Jesus Christ

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Title: Living a Life Worthy of the GospelText: Philippians 1:27–30

1. The Tension of the Gospel* We didn’t earn it. We didn’t qualify for it.
2. But once we receive it—we represent it.
3. Illustration: Wearing a shirt/logo → your behavior changes because of what it represents
4. Key truth:
   • “Worthy” does NOT mean earning the Gospel
   • It means living in a way that reflects its value

Supporting Scripture:

• Ephesians 4:1–5

• A Life Worthy of the Gospel is Anchored in UnityPhilippians 1:27

• “Standing firm” = stability under pressure

• “One spirit, one mind” = deep relational alignment
• Unity is:
  • Shared mission
  • Mutual submission
  • Choosing “we” over “me”

Threats to Unity:

• Assumptions instead of communication
• Taking things personally
• Isolation instead of engagement
• Preference over purpose

Key Challenge:

• Are you contributing to unity or disconnecting from it?

Truth:

• You cannot live a Gospel-shaped life disconnected from God’s people

Supporting Scripture:

• Matthew 20:26–28

• A Life Worthy of the Gospel is Active, Not Passive* Not spectators—participants

• Not just attending—engaging

Questions to ask:

• Where am I contributing?
• Where am I spectating?

Active faith produces:

• Relationships
• Discipleship
• Accountability

Passive faith produces:

• Shallow transformation
• Isolation

Supporting Scripture:

• John 13:35

• A Life Worthy of the Gospel is Marked by CouragePhilippians 1:28

• Courage flows from identity

• Identity is found in Christ—not:
  • Personality
  • Politics
  • Career
  • Relationships

Key Truth:

• When you know who you belong to, you don’t fear who you’re up against

Fear = indicator of misplaced identity

Supporting Scripture:

• Isaiah 43:1–2

• A Life Worthy of the Gospel Embraces SufferingPhilippians 1:29–30

• “Granted” → suffering is given (like a gift)

• Hard truth: We share in Christ’s suffering, not just His victory

Common misunderstanding:

• Suffering = something is wrong
  Biblical reality:
• Suffering = something is being formed

Shift the question:

• Not “Why is this happening?”
• But “What is God forming in me?”

Supporting Scripture:

• Romans 5:3–5

• What a Gospel-Shaped Life Looks Like* Standing firm in unity

• Striving together for the mission
• Living with courage

• Embracing suffering with purpose

• The Early Church Example* They weren’t powerful or influential

• But they were known for one thing:

“See how they love one another.”

1. Final Challenge* Are we:
   • Striving side by side?
   • Standing firm under pressure?
   • Living unshaken by fear?
   • Enduring when things get hard?

Or…

• Just attending without being transformed?

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Paul opens his letter to the church in Philippi not with correction, but with deep affection, gratitude, and confidence. He remembers them with joy—not because they were perfect, but because they were partners in the gospel.

In this message, we look at what it means to be a people shaped by grace, committed to the mission of Jesus, and anchored in the promise that God isn’t finished with us yet. The same God who started a work in you is still working—even in the slow, unseen, and imperfect places.

This passage reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about arriving—it’s about becoming. It’s about walking together, growing together, and trusting that God is faithful to complete what He began.

Wherever you find yourself today—full of faith or full of doubt—you are not abandoned, and you are not unfinished by accident. God is still at work.

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The grave isn’t just empty—it’s bankrupt.
If Jesus is alive, then sin, shame, and death no longer have authority over your life.

Main Movements1. Devotion Shows Up (Even Without Understanding)* The women stayed when others left * They saw Jesus die and knew where He was buried * They returned not expecting a miracle—but to anoint a body

Takeaway:
God honors a heart that moves toward Him, even without full clarity.

1. Stop Waiting for Full Clarity* They didn’t understand the resurrection
2. They still took the next step

Tension:
We want the full plan before we move

Truth:
You don’t get transformed by what you know—you get transformed by what you step into

1. The Problem You Can’t Solve* “Who will roll the stone away?”
2. The obstacle was real—and impossible for them

Insight:
Some problems in your life are not yours to fix

1. Look Up* “But when they looked up…”
2. The stone was already rolled away

Truth:
While they were walking toward a problem they couldn’t solve…
God had already worked it out

1. Felt Need vs. Real Need* Felt need: move the stone
2. Real need: resurrection

Examples:

• Blind man → needed sight, but really needed to see Jesus
• Paralyzed man → needed to walk, but really needed forgiveness
• Storm → needed to stop, but really needed trust

Takeaway:
God uses surface problems to reveal deeper needs

1. The Declaration That Changes Everything* “He has risen. He is not here.”

Implications:

• Death is defeated
• Sin is powerless

• The grave is empty

• Go and Tell (Movement After Resurrection) First command: Go*

• Resurrection compels action

Grace Moment:
“And Peter…”

• The one who failed is still called

• The grave is bankrupt of shame too

• Why Are We Still Living Like the Grave Has Power?* If the grave has no leverage…

• Why are we still held back by fear, shame, and hesitation?

• It’s Not Over* They came carrying spices (expecting death)

• God met them with life

Application:
Some of you walked in carrying things you’ve declared dead…

But resurrection says:

• It’s not over

• God still brings things back to life

• Resurrection Changes Your Story* People expect the “old you”

• But after encountering Jesus—everything is different

Truth:
What was dead is now alive

• Shame no longer defines you
• Pain is redeemed
• Your story is being rewritten

Closing ThoughtYou didn’t just escape the grave…
You emptied it of its power.

Call to Action* Stop waiting for full clarity * Take your next step toward Jesus * Lift your eyes off the problem * Live like the grave has no power left

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This sermon walks through Mark 14–15 and brings us face to face with the reality of what Jesus endured leading up to the cross. In the garden of Gethsemane, we see a deeply human moment—Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. But what weighs on Him most is not the physical pain to come, but the spiritual reality of bearing the sin of the world and experiencing separation from the Father. Even in that anguish, He surrenders His will: “Not what I will, but what You will.”

From there, the betrayal unfolds—not through violence, but through intimacy. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, revealing that the deepest wounds often come from those closest to us. In that same moment, everyone else flees. Jesus stands completely alone in His suffering.

As He is put on trial, false accusations are thrown at Him, yet He remains silent. He does not defend Himself, because He is not trying to preserve His life—He is fulfilling His mission. When asked if He is the Messiah, Jesus responds clearly: “I am,” declaring His divine identity even though it seals His fate.

The injustice continues as Jesus is handed over to Pilate. In one of the clearest pictures of the gospel, Barabbas—a guilty man—goes free, while Jesus—the innocent one—is condemned. This is not just Barabbas’ story; it is ours. The guilty are released because the spotless takes their place.

Jesus is then mocked by soldiers who dress Him as a fake king—placing a purple robe on Him, a crown of thorns on His head, and sarcastically praising Him. Ironically, everything they mock is actually true. He is the King.

At the cross, the charge above Him reads “King of the Jews,” intended as accusation but functioning as a declaration. And when Jesus breathes His last, something cosmic happens—the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. The barrier between God and humanity is removed, not by human effort, but by divine action. Access to God is now open.

Standing there is a Roman centurion—an outsider—who sees what others cannot and declares, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” While others miss it, he recognizes that something profound has taken place.

The full weight of what happened isn’t yet understood in the moment… but everything has changed. The separation is gone. The way to God is open. And the implications of the cross will continue to unfold.

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In this message, “Redefining Greatness,” we explore Mark 10:35–45 and the powerful contrast between the world’s definition of success and Jesus’ vision for a life that truly matters. James and John approach Jesus asking for positions of honor, revealing a deep, human desire for status, recognition, and influence. Yet Jesus responds by exposing how easily we allow culture to disciple us—teaching us that significance comes from attention, power, and climbing higher. Instead, He flips the script entirely: greatness is not about authority over others, but service to them.

Through His words and His example, Jesus shows that the path to true significance is found in humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God’s prompting. The One who deserved the highest place chose the lowest, serving others even to the point of giving His life. This message challenges us to move beyond simply admiring that kind of life and instead live it—saying yes to the moments where God calls us to serve, give, and step out in obedience. Because in God’s Kingdom, greatness isn’t achieved by rising above others, but by laying your life down for them.

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Who is Jesus—really?

In Mark 8:27–38, Jesus asks His disciples a question that every person must eventually answer: “Who do you say I am?”

At Caesarea Philippi, a place filled with pagan temples and competing gods, Jesus challenges His followers to see past culture, opinion, and preference to recognize His true identity. Peter correctly declares that Jesus is the Messiah, but when Jesus reveals that His mission includes suffering and the cross, Peter resists.

This passage reveals something powerful:
You can say the right things about Jesus and still misunderstand Him.

Jesus shows that God’s victory doesn’t come through political power or dominance, but through sacrifice, suffering, and resurrection. Then He makes it clear that the cross isn’t just His path—it’s the path of anyone who wants to follow Him.

Jesus calls us to:
• Deny ourselves
• Take up our cross
• Follow Him

The world tells us to protect and build our lives. Jesus tells us the way to true life is surrender.

If Jesus is just a teacher, you admire Him.
If He is a prophet, you listen to Him.
But if He is Messiah and Lord—your life belongs to Him.

Because the question Jesus asked His disciples is the same question He asks us today:

Who do you say I am?

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IntroductionThe disciples are exhausted from ministry.

Jesus invites them to a quiet place to rest, but the crowds follow them.

When the disciples see the need, they immediately focus on what’s missing.

A poverty mindset begins by focusing on what’s missing.
A Kingdom mindset begins by focusing on who is present.

1. Our Poverty Mindset Gets ExposedMark 6:35–38

The disciples respond to the need with scarcity thinking:

It’s late

It’s a remote place

Send them away

It would cost too much

We don’t have enough

Everything they said was factually accurate.

But it was spiritually poor.

A poverty mindset is not about money.
It is a lack of faith and expectation in what God can do.

A Poverty Mindset SaysThis isn’t my responsibility

We don’t have enough

It’s too late

Someone else should fix this

A Kingdom Mindset AsksWhat do I have?

Who is with me?

What is Jesus asking me to do?

Jesus doesn’t argue their math.

He shifts their focus.

“You give them something to eat.”

Then He asks a critical question:

“How many loaves do you have?”

Jesus never asks for what you don’t have.
He asks for what you have not yet surrendered.

1. Obedience Often Precedes the MiraculousMark 6:39–41

Jesus gives the disciples instructions:

Sit the people down

Organize the crowd

Distribute the bread

They didn’t just watch the miracle.

They participated in it.

Kingdom PrincipleJesus multiplies what we surrender.

But He often invites us to work with Him in the miracle.

The order matters:

Surrender

Obedience

Multiplication

The bread didn’t multiply before they obeyed.

It multiplied as they obeyed.

Sometimes we are waiting on God to move.

But God may be waiting on our obedience.

1. The Rhythm of the KingdomMark 6:41

Jesus follows a clear pattern:

He takes it

He blesses it

He breaks it

He gives it

This rhythm appears again at the Last Supper.

Mark 14:22

Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it.

But this time the bread represents Himself.

Jesus is the Bread of Life.

The Gospel PatternJesus Himself follows this same rhythm:

Jesus was taken (from heaven to earth)

Jesus was blessed by the Father

Jesus was broken on the cross

Jesus was given for the salvation of the world

The Pattern for Our LivesWhen we follow Jesus, the same rhythm begins shaping us.

God will:

Take your life (salvation)

Bless your life (grace)

Break parts of your life (sanctification)

Give your life away (mission)

God does not bless us so we can become more comfortable.

God blesses us so we can become bread for a hungry world.

The ResultMark 6:42–43

Everyone ate.

Everyone was satisfied.

And there were twelve baskets left over.

Not barely enough.

More than enough.

This is what the Kingdom of God looks like.

Closing QuestionThe miracle didn’t begin when there was more.

It began when the disciples placed what they had into the hands of Jesus.

So the question today is simple:

What do you have?

The time you think you don’t have

The gift you think is too small

The story you think no one needs to hear

The step of obedience you keep delaying

In your hands it may look insufficient.

But in the hands of Jesus,
it becomes bread that feeds a hungry world.

Place it in His hands.

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Week 5: Invading Enemy TerritoryText: Mark 5:1–20

Jesus tells His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side.” That detail matters. The “other side” of the Sea of Galilee was the region of the Gerasenes, part of the Decapolis—Gentile, Roman-occupied territory. No self-respecting Jew, especially not a rabbi, would willingly go there. Yet Jesus goes intentionally.

He steps into a graveyard.
He meets an unclean man.
He stands among unclean animals.

This is not accidental. It is invasion.

Before Jesus ever walked out of His own tomb in Jerusalem, He walked into a graveyard to confront what death had claimed. The man living among the tombs is a picture of what darkness does to humanity. He is isolated, tormented, cutting himself, stripped of dignity, cut off from community. Scripture shows us that death is not merely biological—it is relational, spiritual, psychological, and communal. This man is alive physically but living among the dead.

And Jesus advances.

When confronted by “Legion,” the demons do not negotiate—they beg. The authority of Jesus is undeniable. In Mark 4, the wind and waves obey Him. In Mark 5, demons obey Him. His authority expands from nature to the spiritual realm. Where death claims territory, Jesus invades and restores.

The town had learned to manage the chaos. They chained the man. They isolated him. They adapted to dysfunction. But Jesus does not manage graveyards—He empties them.

When the people return, they see the man sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. That language is deliberate. This is restoration. Chaos gives way to order. Shame gives way to dignity. Isolation gives way to reintegration. Resurrection power is on display before Resurrection Sunday ever arrives.

Not every struggle is demonic. Some graves are biological. Some psychological. Some spiritual. Some are lifelong thorns that drive us toward grace. But the point of the text is not diagnosing the grave—it is declaring that Jesus has authority over it. Whatever the source, His authority is greater.

Yet the town responds with fear. Their economy is disrupted. Their comfort is shaken. Instead of celebrating freedom, they beg Jesus to leave. They prefer managed chaos over surrendered transformation.

But the delivered man begs for something different—he wants to go with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sends him back home:

“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

His pain becomes purpose.
His mess becomes his message.

He stays in the Decapolis and tells his story. Later, when Jesus returns (Luke 8:40), the region welcomes Him. The territory shifts. What changed? One transformed life faithfully proclaiming mercy.

The grave does not get the final word.
And neither does your past.

Sometimes Jesus pulls you out of the place of pain. Sometimes He leaves you there because the place that once defined your torment is about to become the platform for your purpose.

That’s how the kingdom moves forward—not just through crowds, but through one life radically changed and courageously sent.

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I. The Setup — Obedience Leads Into a StormJesus initiates the journey: “Let’s cross to the other side.”

They obey—and encounter chaos.

Obedience does not exempt us from storms.

The storm is real, violent, and life-threatening.

II. Understanding FearFear activates survival instincts (fight, flight, freeze).

Fear bypasses logic and clouds perception.

Logically:

Jesus said they would reach the other side.

Jesus was physically in the boat.

Yet fear overrides what they know to be true.

Fear is not failure—it is a signal.

III. The Question Beneath the Panic“Teacher, don’t you care?”

The storm triggered survival fear.

But the deeper fear was abandonment.

When storms arise, we question God’s heart.

Fear whispers: “You are not safe because you are not in control.”

Faith says: “I may not be in control, but He is present.”

IV. Question Your FearJesus asks: “Why are you afraid?”

Not condemnation—diagnosis.

Fear reveals misplaced trust.

The storm did not create fear; it exposed what was already in them.

They trusted the waves more than His presence.

V. The Sleeping ChristJesus sleeping is not indifference.

His rest reveals sovereignty.

The sleeping Christ is not the absent Christ.

VI. Authority Over ChaosJesus does not pray for the storm to stop—He commands it.

In Scripture, the sea represents chaos and disorder.

Only God rebukes the sea.

Jesus speaks directly to creation—and it obeys.

This is divine authority on display.

VII. Two Fears in the PassageSurvival Fear – panic, loss of control, fear of death.

Reverent Fear – awe at divine authority.

The first fear leads to frenzy.

The second fear leads to worship.

When Christ’s authority becomes greater than your storm, anxiety shrinks.

VIII. The InvitationJesus never promised a storm-free existence.

He revealed Himself as Lord over storms.

Peace is not the absence of waves.

Peace is the presence of Jesus in the boat.

Mature faith is anchored in Him—not in outcomes, control, or calm circumstances.

When authority produces awe, fear no longer rules you.

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Series: Bankrupt the Grave
Week 3 Title: He Forgives First
Text: Mark 2:1–12

Big Idea:
Jesus addresses the deepest need first. Healing the body is powerful—but forgiveness of the soul is eternal.

I. The House Is Full — The Word Comes FirstJesus returns to Capernaum and the crowds pack the house.

The yard is full. The street is full. Shoulder to shoulder.

And what is Jesus doing? Preaching the Word.

Not chasing popularity. Not performing for attention.

It is always about the Word. Always about the Kingdom.

Every generation must choose: Which kingdom will you live for?

II. The Faith of a Friend MattersThe paralyzed man cannot get to Jesus on his own.

Four friends carry him, push through obstacles, climb the roof, tear it open, and lower him down.

That is determined faith—not casual faith.

Jesus sees their faith.

Some of us are here because someone carried us in prayer.

Question: Do you have friends like that? Are you that kind of friend?

III. He Forgives FirstThe man is lowered in front of Jesus. Everyone expects healing.

Jesus says: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Why? Because Jesus always goes deeper.

Our biggest problem is not what happened to us—it’s what is happening in us.

We pray for changed circumstances. Jesus wants changed hearts.

Freedom does not begin in your body. It begins in your soul.

IV. Only God Can Forgive SinsReligious leaders accuse Jesus of blasphemy.

They are right: Only God can forgive sins.

Forgiveness belonged to the Temple system—priests, sacrifices, rituals.

Jesus bypasses all of it and declares forgiveness directly.

He is not pointing to God—He is claiming to be God.

No middle ground: evil, insane, or divine.

V. Which Is Easier?Jesus proves the invisible with the visible.

“So that you may know…” He heals the man.

The healing validates the authority to forgive.

The real miracle was not “he can walk.”

The real miracle was “he is forgiven.”

VI. The Eternal PerspectiveBodies fail. Strength fades. Health disappears.

Every healed body eventually dies.

But a forgiven soul lives forever.

Our hope cannot rest in temporary restoration—it must rest in eternal redemption.

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Bankrupt the Grave – Week 2

Description:
In Mark 1, we meet a man whose life has been defined by shame. Isolated. Rejected. Forced to announce his brokenness everywhere he goes. But when he risks everything to get close to Jesus, one touch changes everything.

This message isn’t just about physical healing—it’s about what Jesus does with shame.

In Week 2 of Bankrupt the Grave, we discover that Jesus doesn’t create distance from broken people—He closes it. He touches what others avoid, restores what shame has stolen, and brings dignity back to lives marked by rejection.

In this message, you’ll learn:

Why leprosy was about more than sickness—it was about shame

How desperation can become a doorway to healing

Why we hide what others once had to shout

How Jesus confronts shame by closing the distance

Why healing always leads to restoration and belonging

If you’ve been hiding, managing, or masking your pain—this message is an invitation to get close.
Because where Jesus is, healing happens.

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The Gospel of Mark opens with urgency because Jesus is not announcing a distant hope, but a present reality. His first message is clear: “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near.” Before any miracle, teaching, or confrontation, Jesus declares that God’s reign is breaking into the world right now. The Kingdom is not something we wait for after death—it is something we are invited to step into today. When Jesus calls His first disciples, He doesn’t ask them to prepare or delay; He calls them to respond immediately. Mark confronts us with a simple question: if the Kingdom is truly at hand, what are we still waiting for?

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Series: Essentials
Week 4: Make an Impact

Big Idea:
Making an impact isn’t about equal amounts—it’s about equal surrender.
Following Jesus expands our capacity, grows our generosity, and calls us to join His mission with our whole lives.

Transformation is not static. When we follow Jesus, our lives should be growing—growing in freedom, love, generosity, and impact. As we walk with Him, God increases our capacity to love and serve others. What once felt exhausting begins to feel joyful, because grace grows as obedience grows.

Jesus confronts fake spirituality that looks holy on the outside but consumes people on the inside. In Luke 20, He warns against leaders who love status, attention, and appearance while exploiting the vulnerable. God is not impressed by public spirituality that lacks private sacrifice. The church is not built on image, influence, or talent—it’s built on integrity and sacrifice.

Immediately after this warning, Jesus highlights what real devotion looks like. In Luke 21, He watches people give at the temple treasury. Wealthy individuals give out of abundance, but a poor widow gives two small coins—everything she has. Jesus declares that she gave more than all the others, redefining generosity not by amount, but by sacrifice and trust.

The widow didn’t just give money—she gave security. She didn’t give comfortably—she gave sacrificially. Making an impact isn’t about how much you give; it’s about how much of yourself you surrender.

But giving is not the finish line—mission is. God didn’t save us to be donors; He saved us to be disciples. Some people give money without joining the mission. Others serve faithfully but withhold generosity. Real surrender shows up somewhere—for all of us. Time, talent, and treasure are all part of a surrendered life.

Jesus’ final command wasn’t “stay and sit,” but “go and make disciples.” And He didn’t send us alone—He promised His presence with us always. The mission comes with power and promise.

Vertical exists because people matter to God. And if people matter to God, they matter to us. We don’t live for comfort—we live to make an impact. We don’t just fund the mission—we join it.

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Series: Essentials
Week 3 Title: Experience Freedom

Big Idea:
Freedom is not found where truth is absent. Freedom is found where truth and grace collide. Jesus confronts sin, but removes condemnation.

WEEK 3 - EXPERIENCE FREEDOM

We all want freedom, but we often define it incorrectly—as the absence of consequences, confrontation, or accountability. Biblical freedom is far deeper. True freedom is becoming who God created you to be.

In John 8, a woman caught in adultery is dragged into public shame and used as a trap for Jesus. This story is not just about sexual sin—it’s about what happens when truth and grace collide.

Shame exposes but never heals. It puts us on display, reduces us to our worst moment, and tells us, “This is who you are.” Shame doesn’t lead to repentance—it leads to hiding. What binds us is not what we’ve done or what’s been done to us, but what we believe about ourselves because of it.

Jesus confronts the religious leaders first. They know the Law but not the heart of God. They use truth as a weapon instead of a mirror. When Jesus says, “Let anyone without sin throw the first stone,” He exposes their hypocrisy and forces them to examine their own hearts. One by one, the stones drop. Condemnation is loud at first, but it never survives in the presence of Jesus.

When Jesus speaks to the woman, He removes condemnation before confronting sin. “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” Grace does not deny truth—it changes the outcome. Condemnation says, “This is who you are.” Grace says, “This is not how your story ends.”

Real freedom begins when condemnation loses its authority. We don’t change in order to become free—we change because freedom has already been given. We live from freedom, not for it. When shame is removed, sin loses its leverage, and transformation becomes possible.

Jesus doesn’t ignore sin, but He refuses to define us by it. Truth and grace collide—and freedom is finally experienced.

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Encounter is not the destination—it’s an invitation. Following Jesus requires surrender, reordered desires, and a willingness to leave what’s familiar behind.

ESSENTIALS WEEK 2 - FOLLOW JESUS

This message builds on the truth that every encounter with God leads to a choice. While culture emphasizes attendance and convenience, Jesus calls people into apprenticeship—an all-of-life following that reshapes the heart before it reshapes behavior.

Jesus consistently asked questions that exposed desire because He understood something deeply true about human nature: we follow what we want most. Our money, calendars, relationships, and attention all reveal what truly has our hearts.

Through the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, we see that following Jesus requires leaving our nets behind—not sinful things, but familiar ones. Identity, security, comfort, and control can quietly become anchors that keep us from fully following Him. The greatest threat to discipleship is not rebellion—it’s comfort.

Jesus makes the cost of following Him clear. To follow Him means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and reordering our lives around His leadership. This is not self-hatred, but self-surrender. Jesus doesn’t ask for a compartment of our lives—He asks for first place.

The good news is that Jesus doesn’t discard who we are; He redeems it. When He calls fishermen, He doesn’t erase their skills—He redirects them. When we follow Jesus, our desires change, freedom grows, and impact follows.

Every encounter brings us to the same question: What do you want?

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Series: Encounter God
Week 1 Title: Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Exodus 3; John 4

Big Idea:
One true encounter with God can change everything.

I. Humanity’s Search for GodThroughout history, people have chased sacred places and spiritual experiences.

The assumption: if we get to the right place, God will meet us there.

Jesus challenges this idea—God is Spirit and seeks worshipers in spirit and truth.

II. God Meets Us in Ordinary PlacesMoses encounters God not in a temple, but in the wilderness.

He’s not seeking God—he’s hiding, discouraged, and carrying shame.

God often meets us when we least expect it and least feel worthy.

III. Encounter Begins with AttentionMoses notices the burning bush and turns aside.

Encounter starts when we slow down, notice, and lean in.

God’s presence turns ordinary ground into holy ground.

IV. Encounter Produces HumilityMoses removes his sandals—acknowledging God’s holiness.

God’s presence exposes our limitations and strips away self-reliance.

Holiness flows from God’s presence, not human performance.

V. Encounter Always Leads to CallingGod reveals His presence and immediately invites Moses into His mission.

Every true encounter with God includes an assignment.

God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

VI. Presence Becomes the PriorityMoses eventually reaches a place where God’s presence matters more than success.

“If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us.”

God’s presence moves from being the means to the mission to the meaning of life.

Closing ThoughtEncountering God changes what we want, how we live, and who we trust.
God isn’t distant. He’s near—and He’s inviting you to encounter Him.

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Big Idea:
Responsibility is not a burden God puts on you—it is a gift He puts in you that produces joy when you live it out.

The angels announced the birth of Jesus not to kings or crowds, but to shepherds quietly doing their jobs in the fields. They weren’t chasing excitement. They weren’t escaping responsibility. They were being faithful—and that’s where joy met them.

This sermon challenges the idea that joy is found in escape, novelty, or comfort. While culture tells us joy is something we chase, Scripture shows us joy is something we discover when we faithfully steward what God has placed in our hands.

Joy is rooted in responsibility, not escape. God often meets His people not when they are running from what He’s called them to, but when they are obedient in obscure places. Like David tending sheep before slaying Goliath, or delivering bread before winning battles, joy is often hidden behind the responsibilities we’d rather avoid.

Responsibility gives life meaning. When we trade faithfulness for distraction, we lose joy. But when we commit to showing up—in our homes, our work, our relationships, our church—we find that joy emerges in the ordinary.

Advent reminds us that joy came to a manger, not a palace. To the faithful, not the famous. And that same joy—Jesus Himself—is present with us today in the mundane, the unseen, and the responsibilities God has entrusted to us.

Joy is found when we show up.
Joy is found in obedience.
Joy is found in Jesus.

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Series: The Advent of ____
Week 1 Title: The Advent of Hope
Main Scriptures: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 40:1–5, Luke 1:30–32, Galatians 4:4, John 14:3, Romans 15:13

Big Idea:
Hope is not a wishful feeling—hope has a Name, perfect timing, and a promised future.
Jesus is our Hope, our Living Hope, and our Coming King.

I. Introduction — What Advent Really MeansAdvent = “coming” or “arrival.” Not just remembering Christ’s birth but anticipating His return.

Historically marked by fasting, reflection, and preparing room for Jesus.

Weekly themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

Hope is often the hardest to hold onto—even for strong believers.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Proverbs 13:12).
Hope delayed makes the heart tired. Hope can feel risky or fragile.

II. The Reality of HopelessnessMany feel “learned hopelessness”—after disappointment, unanswered prayers, and long waiting, the heart stops expecting anything to change.

People do this spiritually the same way the dogs did in the study.

BUT God does not want His children living in hopelessness.

Isaiah was sent to speak comfort, forgiveness, and hope to weary people.

Isaiah 40:1–5: A message of comfort, deliverance, and restoration. God is leveling valleys and mountains—He is preparing a way.

III. Truth #1 — HOPE HAS A NAMEHope is not a concept; it’s a person—Jesus.

Luke 1:30–32: The angel reveals Jesus as the promised One tied to Isaiah’s prophecy.

Jesus is our Hope… our Blessed Hope… our Living Hope.

Our hope is anchored not in circumstances but in who God is.

IV. Truth #2 — HOPE HAS PERFECT TIMINGGod’s timing is not Amazon Prime—but it’s always right on time.

Galatians 4:4 — “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son…”

The 400 “silent years” were not silent—God was preparing the world:

Socratic method encouraged questions.

Old Testament translated into Greek.

Jews scattered across the world.

Rome built highways and unified language.

When conditions were perfect for the gospel to spread, Jesus came.

God works the same way in our waiting—He aligns things we cannot see.

V. Truth #3 — HOPE IS COMING AGAINAdvent looks backward and forward—Jesus will return.

John 14:3 — “I will come back and take you to be with Me…”

A future hope: resurrection, restoration, eternal life.

Proverbs 13:12 (full verse): Hope fulfilled becomes a “tree of life”—a sign of healing and wholeness in Revelation.

One day every longing will be fulfilled.

Until then, we choose hope.

VI. Closing — A Call to Respond

Group 1: Those far from God—hope is not in something; it’s in Someone.

Group 2: Believers carrying heavy burdens—Romans 15:13 prayer of overflowing hope.

Hope is our posture, our anchor, our promise.

“Our hope is not in desired outcomes—but in God Himself.”

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Series: The Advent of ____
Week 1 Title: The Advent of Hope
Main Scriptures: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 40:1–5, Luke 1:30–32, Galatians 4:4, John 14:3, Romans 15:13

Big Idea:
Hope is not a wishful feeling—hope has a Name, perfect timing, and a promised future.
Jesus is our Hope, our Living Hope, and our Coming King.

I. Introduction — What Advent Really MeansAdvent = “coming” or “arrival.” Not just remembering Christ’s birth but anticipating His return.

Historically marked by fasting, reflection, and preparing room for Jesus.

Weekly themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

Hope is often the hardest to hold onto—even for strong believers.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Proverbs 13:12).
Hope delayed makes the heart tired. Hope can feel risky or fragile.

II. The Reality of HopelessnessMany feel “learned hopelessness”—after disappointment, unanswered prayers, and long waiting, the heart stops expecting anything to change.

People do this spiritually the same way the dogs did in the study.

BUT God does not want His children living in hopelessness.

Isaiah was sent to speak comfort, forgiveness, and hope to weary people.

Isaiah 40:1–5: A message of comfort, deliverance, and restoration. God is leveling valleys and mountains—He is preparing a way.

III. Truth #1 — HOPE HAS A NAMEHope is not a concept; it’s a person—Jesus.

Luke 1:30–32: The angel reveals Jesus as the promised One tied to Isaiah’s prophecy.

Jesus is our Hope… our Blessed Hope… our Living Hope.

Our hope is anchored not in circumstances but in who God is.

IV. Truth #2 — HOPE HAS PERFECT TIMINGGod’s timing is not Amazon Prime—but it’s always right on time.

Galatians 4:4 — “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son…”

The 400 “silent years” were not silent—God was preparing the world:

Socratic method encouraged questions.

Old Testament translated into Greek.

Jews scattered across the world.

Rome built highways and unified language.

When conditions were perfect for the gospel to spread, Jesus came.

God works the same way in our waiting—He aligns things we cannot see.

V. Truth #3 — HOPE IS COMING AGAINAdvent looks backward and forward—Jesus will return.

John 14:3 — “I will come back and take you to be with Me…”

A future hope: resurrection, restoration, eternal life.

Proverbs 13:12 (full verse): Hope fulfilled becomes a “tree of life”—a sign of healing and wholeness in Revelation.

One day every longing will be fulfilled.

Until then, we choose hope.

VI. Closing — A Call to Respond

Group 1: Those far from God—hope is not in something; it’s in Someone.

Group 2: Believers carrying heavy burdens—Romans 15:13 prayer of overflowing hope.

Hope is our posture, our anchor, our promise.

“Our hope is not in desired outcomes—but in God Himself.”

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Series: Grateful
Week 2 Title: Hospitality
Main Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8–10

BIG IDEA:
Hospitality is what happens when the love God pours into us gets poured out of us.
When we are filled with gratitude, what comes out looks like hospitality.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

I. The Context of 1 PeterWritten to believers who were scattered, suffering, pressured, and afraid.

Life was tight and overwhelming, but Peter calls them outward—not inward.

“Above all, love each other deeply… offer hospitality… use your gifts to serve.”

When life presses in, the way of Jesus presses out.

Hospitality in a broken world is resistance and spiritual warfare. It’s how we make room for others the way God made room for us.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

II. Big Vision for Your LifeTo live a life marked by hospitality—loved by God and sharing that love.

Hospitality is not decorating your home—it’s making space for people.

It’s not natural; it’s formed. Built. Practiced.

It’s not a talent but the expression of a heart that has been loved.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

III. Hospitality Is an ExpectationScripture repeatedly commands it:

Romans 12:13 – “Practice hospitality.”

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…”

1 Peter 4:9 – “Offer hospitality without grumbling.”

Pastors and elders must be hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8).
Hospitality isn’t optional for believers—it’s part of Christlikeness.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

IV. Hospitality Starts With Being Loved1 Peter 4:8 — “Above all, love each other deeply…”

Loving well begins with receiving love well.

Many struggle to receive love because of wounds from their “inner child.”

Spiritual maturity = seeing that inner child but not letting them steer your life.

Christ shepherds us; we shepherd the fearful places inside us.

You honor the child within you—but you don’t let them lead.

Many struggle to offer love because they still feel unknown, unsafe, or unloved.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

V. Hospitality Is Love in Action“Offer hospitality… without grumbling” reveals whether it’s duty or delight.

True hospitality makes room in your heart, not just your home or calendar.

Not about hosting; about welcoming.

If you’re critical of others’ hospitality, you may not feel welcome in your own heart.

When we’re strangers to ourselves, we bury others under unfair pressures.

The church becomes powerful when its people carry hospitable hearts.

Small groups are hospitality in action—spaces to be known and loved.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

VI. Open Heart Policy1 Peter 4:10 — “Faithful stewards of God’s grace…”

Hospitality is not “doing something nice.” It’s distributing grace.

Grace is meant to pass through you, not get stuck in you.

Hospitality = living with an open heart, a welcoming presence, an inviting spirit.

Limited perspective leads to harmful assumptions that close us off.

Without an outlet for grace, our hearts become like the Dead Sea—receiving but never releasing.

WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY

ClosingHospitality is not a moment—it’s a lifestyle.

God made room for us; now we make room for others.

Grace isn’t meant to be stored. It’s meant to be poured.

We don’t want to just say “thanks”—we want to live gratitude through hospitality.

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Series: Grateful
Week 1 Title: I Am Grateful
Scripture: Philippians 4:4–7; Philippians 2:28; Philippians 4:11–13

Big Idea:
Gratitude is what makes peace possible.

I. The Context of GratitudePaul writes Philippians not from comfort but from a Roman prison cell.

He’s chained to uncertainty yet overflowing with joy, peace, and thanksgiving.

Gratitude isn’t tied to circumstances—it’s anchored in the presence of God.

Even here, I’m grateful.

II. Fix Your Focus“Rejoice in the Lord always” — a command, not a suggestion.

Joy is not denial—it’s direction. You choose where to aim your attention.

Where your attention goes, your emotions follow.

When anxiety rises, fix your focus on God’s presence, not your problems.

Philippians 2:28 shows that Paul himself experienced anxiety—so it’s not sin, it’s human.

“You can’t stop anxious thoughts from showing up, but you can decide where they go.”

III. Gratitude Changes Our PhysiologyPhilippians 4:5 — “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Gentleness = calm presence born from gratitude.

Gratitude grounds us in God’s nearness rather than our fear.

The practice of presence transforms anxiety into awareness of peace.

IV. Gratitude is the Pathway to PeaceThanksgiving is in the prayer, not just after the answer.

Gratitude invites supernatural peace that surpasses understanding.

“The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace doesn’t mean everything makes sense; it means your heart is guarded in the chaos.

Testimonies: marriages saved, friendships restored, hope renewed—all through gratitude.

V. Learning the PracticeGratitude is not fake optimism—it’s honest faith.

“God, I hate the hard times. But I’m grateful You’re still with me in them.”

Philippians 4:11–13 — Paul learned contentment in every season.

We don’t stumble into gratitude; we practice it until it shapes us.

Fix your focus. Change your physiology. Let peace guard your heart.

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Series: Rooted
Week 10 Title: Do We Really Need the Church?
Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25, 1 Peter 2:9, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 12:46–50, Romans 12:9–16, Romans 12:1–2, Acts 2:41–42

Big Idea:
You can’t follow Jesus apart from His body. The church isn’t optional—it’s essential.

I. God’s Design for the ChurchMany say, “I believe in God, but not the church.” Yet the God of Scripture deeply identifies with His church.

When Saul persecuted believers, Jesus said, “Why are you persecuting Me?”—He equates Himself with His people.

The “church” is not a building but a people — ekklesia, “the called-out ones.”

Called out of sin and darkness.

Called into community and light (1 Peter 2:9).

Galatians 6:10 — We do good especially to the family of believers.

The church is not a club; it’s a family — a place of belonging, accountability, and encouragement.

Jesus redefined family: “Whoever does the will of my Father… is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

II. The Practicality of the ChurchThe church is good for the world. Even skeptics admit its impact.

Romans 12:9–16 — The church is where love becomes action:

Sincere love, shared burdens, hospitality, humility, forgiveness.

“We cannot become more loving, generous, or patient in isolation.”

Faith grows and refines in community.

The church isn’t perfect—but it’s God’s chosen vessel to make His love visible.

III. The Call to Live as a Living SacrificeRomans 12:1–2 — Offer your bodies as living sacrifices.

Sōma (Greek) means your whole embodied life—your actions, relationships, energy, speech, habits.

God doesn’t just want church attendance—He wants all of you.

The church is where we learn to live out this surrendered life together.

IV. The Practice of the ChurchActs 2:41–42 — They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.

Baptism and communion are not rituals—they’re family moments.

Communion: the sacrifice of Jesus unites us.

Baptism: publicly declares new life and belonging.

The church is where we believe together, belong together, and become together.

Baptism isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting line.

Final Thought:
The church is imperfect people worshiping a perfect God.
You don’t need to agree with everything to belong—but you do need to belong to grow.

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Series: Rooted
Week: 9 – The Story of All of Us
Big Idea: God’s story of redemption becomes our story of transformation—and together, we tell the story of Jesus to the world through our lives, our words, and our generosity.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

I. God’s Story — Creation, Fall, RedemptionCreation (Genesis 1:26–28): We are made in God’s image, with authority and purpose to create, build, and live in relationship.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Fall (Genesis 3): Sin enters—humanity chooses independence over obedience, resulting in brokenness, shame, and separation.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Redemption (John 3:16): God refuses to let the story end in brokenness. Jesus steps into our story to rewrite it with grace.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Restoration (Revelation 21:5): “I am making all things new.” God will one day fully restore all things.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

II. My Story — Before Jesus / With JesusActs 26: Paul’s story before King Agrippa—who I was, how I encountered Jesus, who I am now.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Every believer has a story:
Before Jesus → Encounter Jesus → Life with Jesus.

Your story is evidence of grace. People can argue theology, but they can’t argue your transformation.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

III. Our Story — What God Is Writing Through UsThe church is God’s people living out His story together through unity, generosity, mission, and love.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Matthew 5:14–16 — We are the light of the world. Let your life shine.

2 Corinthians 9:11 — We are blessed to be a blessing.

Every baptism, every dollar given, every story of transformation—part of God’s bigger story.

WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM

Final Challenge“God’s story began in creation. My story changed when grace found me. Our story continues as we live on mission together.”

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Series: Rooted
Week: 8 – Kingdom Currency
Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21, 24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:15; Deuteronomy 8:17–20; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8, 11; Proverbs 23:4–7

Big Idea:
You can’t serve two masters. Money is not evil—but when it becomes your master, it will control your heart. God invites us to a better way: to live open-handed, using what He’s given to build His Kingdom.

I. The Problem — The Pull of Earthly TreasureMoney is emotional, personal, and powerful—it reveals who has your heart.

Jesus warns against storing treasure on earth because it decays, distracts, and disappears.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Money is not meant to be served—it’s meant to be surrendered.

You can’t hold onto both God and greed.

II. The Warning — The Destructive Love of Money“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Money itself isn’t evil; the love of it is.

Money makes false promises—security, satisfaction, significance.

Greed is sneaky; it’s the sin no one thinks they have.

When money takes the throne, peace leaves the room.

III. The Reminder — Everything Comes from GodDeuteronomy 8:17–20 — Don’t forget who gave you the ability to produce wealth.

We’re not owners; we’re stewards.

Every gift, talent, and resource you have is from God.

Gratitude shifts your heart from self-sufficiency to worship.

IV. The Remedy — Generosity as Worship2 Corinthians 9:6–8 — Generosity isn’t loss; it’s sowing.

Giving isn’t about guilt—it’s about gratitude.

“Generosity is not about money leaving your hand; it’s about idols leaving your heart.”

When you live open-handed, God keeps refilling your hands—not to hoard, but to keep giving.

You’re blessed to be a blessing.

V. The Question — Who Is Your Master?“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Your spending reveals your worship.

Every act of giving declares, “Money is not my master—God is.”

The antidote to greed is not more—it's generosity.

Challenge:

If you’ve never given, start.

If you already give, stretch your faith.

Let your giving declare your allegiance to God and invest in eternity.

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Series: Rooted
Week: 7 – Shalom
Scripture: Luke 10:25–37; Jeremiah 29:4–7; Titus 3:4–5; Micah 6:8

Big Idea:
God calls His people to embody mercy personally and shalom collectively—bringing His peace, justice, and renewal to the world. But we can’t extend true mercy or live in true shalom until we’ve first received it from Christ.

I. The Question of JustificationThe expert in the law asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

His question isn’t about love—it’s about justifying himself.

Like him, we all seek to prove our worth: through comparison, religion, or performance.

But we can’t meet the standard or change the rules. We fall short.

II. Jesus Flips the StoryThe parable of the Good Samaritan isn’t about moral improvement—it’s about mercy received.

We are not the Good Samaritan; we’re the traveler, beaten and broken by sin.

Religion (the priest) and morality (the Levite) can’t save us.

But the despised One—Jesus—comes near, binds our wounds, pays our debt, and restores us.

Only when we’ve received mercy can we truly extend mercy.

III. Mercy Leads to ShalomMercy (Hebrew: hesed) isn’t just withholding punishment—it’s love that moves toward brokenness.

Mercy acts; it steps toward pain, binds wounds, and restores what’s broken.

When mercy is extended, shalom begins—wholeness, harmony, everything in its right place.

Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

IV. God’s Mission is ShalomIn Jeremiah 29, God tells exiles to seek the peace and prosperity (shalom) of their city.

Shalom is more than peace—it’s renewal and restoration.

God’s mission isn’t to rescue people from the world but to renew the world through His people.

Every act of mercy and service becomes a declaration of the gospel.

V. Shalom is Our CallingWe too are exiles (1 Peter 2:11). Our calling isn’t escape—it’s engagement.

To be a peacemaker is to bring heaven’s peace into earth’s chaos (Matthew 5:9).

Every time we forgive, serve, build, or pray—we participate in God’s justice.

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… for if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

But we can’t give what we haven’t received.

The true Good Samaritan—Jesus—restored us first so that we can restore others.

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Series: Rooted
Week 6 Title: Leverage Your Life (Part 1)
Scripture: Mark 10:45; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10

Big Idea: You were created to serve. You discover your God-given purpose when you recognize how God has uniquely gifted you, how He has corporately called you, and when you live that calling out through serving.

I. Created to ServeYou weren’t created just to exist or consume—you were created to serve.

Ephesians 2:10 — “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

God designed you intentionally, not accidentally.

Serving isn’t a punishment or chore—it’s how we participate in God’s purpose.

Jesus modeled this: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:45)

II. Gifted to ServeGod wired you with a unique mix of natural abilities and spiritual gifts.

Romans 12:4–6 — We are one body with many parts, each with a function.

Every believer has spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.

Your story, passions, and talents reveal what God designed you to do.

“Serving is not about filling a spot—it’s about fulfilling a calling.”

III. Called to Serve1 Peter 4:10 — “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”

God didn’t gift you for isolation or self-gain; He placed you in community.

The church is the place where individual gifting meets God’s collective mission.

Every part of the body matters—no one is extra or unnecessary.

IV. Discovering Your PurposeAsk four key questions to uncover how you were designed to serve:

Story: What has God brought me through?

Passion: What stirs or breaks my heart?

Skills: What do I do well?

Relationships: Who has God put in my path?

When you combine these, you find your God-given calling.

V. Living It OutServing isn’t about what you give—it’s about what God does in you.

Serving grows your faith, brings belonging, and fills you with joy.

The goal isn’t survival—it’s impact.

Imagine what could happen if every person in the church lived on mission with their gifts—our city would be transformed.

You were created to serve. And when you serve, you find purpose.

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Series: Rooted
Week 5 Title: There Is an Enemy!
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–20

Big Idea: There is a real enemy who opposes God and His people—but Christ has already won the victory. We don’t fight for victory; we fight from it.

I. The Reality of the EnemyEvil isn’t just human—it’s spiritual. There is an unseen realm of darkness opposing God’s Kingdom.

Satan is not a myth or symbol—he is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

The devil’s greatest trick is convincing the world he doesn’t exist.

Everything God creates, Satan counterfeits.

II. The Enemy’s Strategy1. Temptation to Sin

Satan entices believers to gratify the flesh outside of God’s will.

Sin becomes a stronghold when it moves from struggle to pattern.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 — take every thought captive.

We defeat temptation by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17).

2. Accusation and Lies

The enemy is “the father of lies” (John 8:44).

He twists God’s Word and distorts truth to produce shame and confusion.

Agreements with lies (“I am unworthy,” “God doesn’t care”) must be broken by declaring God’s truth.

Romans 8:1 — no condemnation for those in Christ.

3. Persecution and Suffering

The spirit of darkness opposes the Spirit in you.

Believers worldwide face hatred and persecution (Matthew 10:22–23).

Trials refine faith and earn eternal reward (James 1:12).

III. The Path to VictoryVictory begins with salvation: transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Son (Colossians 1:13).

Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–17):

Belt of truth – stand against lies.

Breastplate of righteousness – guard your heart.

Shoes of peace – stay grounded in the gospel.

Shield of faith – extinguish doubt and fear.

Helmet of salvation – protect your mind with assurance.

Sword of the Spirit – strike back with the Word of God.

We are protected and empowered to stand firm.

The fight is not ours—it’s God’s.

IV. Christ’s TriumphColossians 2:15 — Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them by the cross.

The cross was not His defeat—it was His victory parade.

Satan and shame are already conquered.

We march in triumph behind our King.

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Series: Rooted
Week 4 Title: Where is God in Pain and Suffering?
Scripture: John 16:33; Romans 5:1–5; 2 Corinthians 4:7–10; Revelation 21:3–5

Big Idea: Suffering is not evidence of God’s absence but often the place we encounter Him most intimately.

I. The Question We All AskPersonal story of suffering — grief, loss, unanswered questions.

Everyone wrestles with: If God is good and powerful, why does He allow suffering?

The Bible doesn’t ignore pain; it shows us where God is in it.

II. Expectation and Perspective“Suffering is often not just about what happens to us — it’s about how we think it should have happened.”

Our response to suffering is shaped by expectations and perspective.

III. We Will SufferJesus promised: “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33).

Suffering isn’t a surprise to God.

Christianity is unique: God enters suffering through Christ.

IV. God Uses Suffering to Shape UsRomans 5:3–5: Suffering → Perseverance → Character → Hope.

Like salt, suffering can preserve and strengthen—or amplify pain—depending on how it’s carried.

Some allow suffering to propel them toward compassion and purpose; others let it suffocate them.

V. Suffering Reveals God’s Power in Our Weakness2 Corinthians 4:7–10: Jars of clay — fragile, but filled with God’s power.

Suffering strips away self-reliance and makes space for God’s life to shine through.

Our cracks become the place His glory leaks out.

VI. Suffering Will Not Have the Final WordRevelation 21:3–5: One day, every tear will be wiped away, pain will end, all things will be made new.

The cross proves God doesn’t just explain suffering—He bears it.

The resurrection proves suffering is temporary but God’s presence is permanent.

Conclusion:
We don’t need more answers—we need peace.
John 16:33 — “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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Series: Rooted
Week 3 Title: God Speaks, Are You Listening?
Scripture: Hebrews 1:1–3; John 1:1,14,18; John 16:12–15; Acts 13:2; Proverbs 11:14; Hebrews 10:24–25

Big Idea: God is not silent. He has spoken most clearly through Jesus Christ, and He continues to speak through His Spirit and His people.

I. God Speaks Through His SonIn the past, God spoke through prophets and visions (Hebrews 1:1).

Now, He has spoken most clearly through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2–3).

Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

All Scripture points to Him (John 5:39–40).

To see and hear Jesus is to see and hear the very Word of God.

II. God Speaks Through His SpiritThe Spirit convicts, reveals truth, glorifies Jesus, and guides believers (John 16:8,13–14).

The Spirit actively leads God’s people (Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 13, Acts 16).

The Spirit convicts while the enemy accuses.

The Spirit reveals truth while the enemy confuses.

The Spirit glorifies Jesus while the enemy glorifies self.

III. God Speaks Through His PeopleWise counsel (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22).

Encouragement and healing (Proverbs 12:25; 16:24).

Influence (1 Corinthians 15:33).

The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and encouragement (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25).

Following Jesus is not a solo pursuit; we need each other to hear God’s voice.

IV. Application / ChallengeDon’t overcomplicate the divine—God is speaking clearly.

Ask: Are you in His Word? Are you listening to His Spirit? Are you walking with His people?

God speaks. The question is: are you listening?

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Series: Rooted
Week 2 Title: Who is God?
Scripture: Exodus 34:6–7, Acts 17:22–28

Big Idea: God reveals Himself as a relational God—not distant or abstract, but One who invites us to know Him personally through His Word, His creation, His image in us, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.

I. The Most Important QuestionA.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

We don’t invent God; He reveals Himself.

The starting point for being rooted is answering: Who is God?

II. God Reveals Himself (Exodus 34)Moses asks: “Show me your glory.” God responds with His name and character.

The most repeated description of God in Scripture: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, just.

These attributes live in tension, not contradiction.

Takeaway: God is not who we imagine Him to be—He is who He declares Himself to be.

III. God is Near (Acts 17)Paul in Athens: an altar “to an unknown god.”

Our culture is just as religious, creating images of God in our own likeness—ideology, politics, sexuality.

Paul declares: the true God is Creator, Sustainer, Lord of history.

“In Him we live and move and have our being.”

God is not distant—He is near and relational.

IV. Response / ApplicationEncounter Him: God is a presence to know, not just a subject to study.

Seek Him: Don’t settle for secondhand opinions of God—pursue Him in His Word.

Worship Him: God is transcendent and immanent.

Trust Him: His compassion and justice meet at the cross—Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1–3).

Final Challenge: Rooted is not about abstract knowledge but about a relational God who longs to be known—by Israel, the church, every tribe and nation, and you today.

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESSeries: Rooted
Week 1 Title: Introduction – Rooted vs. Rootless
Scripture: Psalm 1:1–6

Big Idea: The blessed life isn’t found in being potted but in being planted—rooted in God, drawing strength from His Word, His people, and His purpose.

I. Two Ways to LiveThe righteous: rooted, fruitful, enduring, blessed by God.

The wicked: rootless, unstable, blown away like chaff.

Psalm 1 frames the entire book of Psalms as a wisdom gateway.

II. The Progression of CompromiseWalk with the wicked → Stand with sinners → Sit with mockers.

Influence shapes destiny. Who you walk with, sit with, and do life with matters.

Fool = adjusts truth to fit behavior. Wise = adjusts behavior to fit truth.

III. Rooted vs. RootlessRooted: a tree by streams of water—strong, stable, life-giving.

Rootless: chaff—weightless, useless, gone in a moment.

Illustration: Biosphere 2 — without wind, trees looked healthy but collapsed. Resistance produces roots.

IV. Planted or Potted?A planted tree = deep roots, stable, fruitful.

A potted plant = shallow, surface-level, easily uprooted, limited growth.

Living potted is safer, but never fruitful. True life comes from deep roots.

Illustration: Mentor who planted gardens even in temporary homes—lived with the long game in mind.

V. The Choice is YoursDeuteronomy 30:19 — Choose life or death, blessing or curse.

Jesus doesn’t make life easier—but He makes it better, meaningful, worth it.

Decide: “I’m not going to be potted. I’m going to be rooted.”

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESSeries: Welcome Home
Week 5 Title: Welcome to the Party
Scripture: Luke 15:23–24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4–5; Galatians 6:1–2; Matthew 18:20; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1
Big Idea: God doesn’t just forgive us privately—He restores us publicly.

I. The Weight of ShameShame convinces us to hide—just like Adam and Eve.

Shame whispers: “Keep your story quiet. You’re better off in the shadows.”

But the Father’s love breaks down walls of isolation and disconnection.

II. Grace is UnashamedLuke 15:23–24 — The father didn’t flinch when the son returned filthy from rebellion.

He embraced, kissed, and celebrated him.

Grace doesn’t deny your past—it refuses to be defined by it.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — You are a new creation.

Ephesians 2:4–5 — Made alive in Christ, even when dead in sin.

III. Restoration is PublicLuke 15:24 — The community knew who he was; now they witness who he is.

Restoration happens in community: Galatians 6:1–2.

Matthew 18:20 — God’s presence shows up when we gather.

Healing comes when we share our burdens and stories with others.

IV. The Father Pays in FullLuke 15:23 — The fattened calf = costly, valuable sacrifice.

Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — He became sin so we could be righteous.

Romans 8:1 — No condemnation remains.

Story: the father-in-law who always insisted on paying the bill—restoration is costly, but the Father delights to cover it.

V. The Invitation to CelebrateThe Father calls us out of hiding to feast at His table.

Baptism = a public declaration of restoration.

Don’t let shame keep you from the party—the only thing missing is you.

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESSeries: Welcome Home
Week 4 Title: The Reckless Love of the Father
Scripture: Luke 15:20–24
Big Idea: The Father’s love closes the distance, covers our shame, and restores our dignity.

I. The Father Closes the DistanceThe father sees his son “while he was still a long way off” (v.20).

Patriarchs didn’t run—but this father did. He risked shame to protect and embrace his son.

God runs toward our mess, not away from it. His love overrides pride.

Application: Don’t stiff-arm those coming home. Close the distance like God does.

II. The Father Covers Our Shame (The Robe)The best robe = honor, identity, belonging.

Covers the filth of the pig pen with dignity.

Isaiah 61:10 — clothed with righteousness.

Application: Stop arguing with grace. Let the Father clothe your shame.

III. The Father Restores Our Dignity (The Ring & Sandals)Ring = family authority, adoption, restored position (Romans 8:15).

Sandals = freedom; only sons wore them, not slaves.

Application: You’re not a guest in God’s house. You are family. Walk in freedom and sonship.

IV. The Father Celebrates Our Return (The Feast)Grace can’t stay quiet—restoration demands celebration.

The fattened calf = public joy, a party that brings the community in.

Application: God doesn’t just forgive privately—He restores and celebrates publicly.

Final Challenge: If you’ve come home, it’s time to go public—through baptism, through community, through celebration.

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESBig Idea: Religion keeps us near the Father’s house but far from the Father’s heart.

The older brother obeyed the rules but missed the Father’s love.

Pride turns obedience into slavery — “All these years I’ve been slaving for you…” (Luke 15:29).

Pride compares and keeps score — “You never gave me even a young goat…” (Luke 15:29).

Pride creates distance — “This son of yours…” (Luke 15:30).

The Father’s response: “My son… you are always with me… everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31)

Grace throws parties while pride keeps score.

The greatest distance wasn’t the younger brother’s rebellion, but the older brother refusing to step into the celebration.

The story ends open — the Father is still inviting us in.

Reflection questions:

Am I obeying out of overflow or obligation?

Do I celebrate others’ blessings or compare?

Am I moving toward people God has invited, or keeping distance?

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESMain Passage:
Luke 15:11–24

Big Idea:
Freedom without the Father always ends in filth.

Key Points:

Entitlement – Wanting the benefits of God without His boundaries (Luke 15:12)

Wild Living – Squandering God’s blessings on self-indulgence (Luke 15:13)

Loss of Identity – Forgetting who we are when we forget whose we are (Luke 15:16–19)

Cultural Parallels:

Entitlement says, “I deserve it,” even if it means rejecting God’s design.

Wild living feels like freedom but ends in relational breakdown, moral compromise, and spiritual numbness.

Identity without God leaves us anxious, insecure, and unstable.

Illustrations:

Adam & Eve’s desire for the one thing they couldn’t have (Genesis 2)

The Lion King’s “You have forgotten who you are” moment as a call back to identity.

Reflection Questions:

Where are you chasing “freedom” apart from God?

What boundaries of the Father are you pushing against?

Is your identity rooted in His love or in your performance and possessions?

📱 Instagram Recap Caption🚫 Freedom without the Father always ends in filth.

The younger son thought he was chasing freedom.
Instead, he found himself broke, alone, and feeding pigs.

Entitlement made him say, “Give me what I want, but don’t tell me how to live.”
Wild living promised joy but delivered shame.
And in the process, he lost himself—because when you forget the Father, you forget who you are.

💬 But rock bottom can be a turning point.
You can still “get up and go to the Father.”
No matter how far you’ve run, His arms are still open.

Where is God calling you back home today? 🏠

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SERMON PODCAST NOTESMain Passage:
Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

Big Idea:
Jesus tells a parable not just about a prodigal son—but about two sons, both lost in different ways, and one radically loving Father.

Key Points:

Two audiences: “Sinners and tax collectors” and “Pharisees and scribes”

The younger son runs away—rebellion, indulgence, shame

The older son stays close but grows bitter—self-righteousness, pride

The Father is the true focus—running, embracing, restoring, inviting

The parable ends open-ended—Jesus invites us to see ourselves in the story

Quotes to Pull:

“You can be lost in rebellion or lost in religion.”

“The Father doesn’t just tolerate you—He runs toward you.”

“God isn’t just forgiving rebels—He’s pleading with the self-righteous, too.”

Reflection Questions:

Which son do you relate to more right now?

Are you standing outside the party God has invited you into?

Will you come home—not just physically, but spiritually?

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Title: Wrestling With Grace
Text: Jonah 4:1–11
Big Idea: It’s possible to obey God outwardly but still resist Him inwardly. The real fight is often between our heart and His grace.

I. Jonah’s Outrage at Mercy

After Nineveh repents and God spares them, Jonah is furious.

“Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home?” (v. 2)

Jonah obeyed God—but resented Him for being too gracious.

He quotes Exodus 34:6 back to God: “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger…” but says it like it’s a bad thing.

Key tension: Jonah didn’t mind grace when it saved him—he hated it when it saved them.

II. The Jonah Inside All of Us

This chapter exposes something in all of us:

We want justice for others but mercy for ourselves.

We’re often more concerned with being right than being righteous.

God’s question in verse 4 hits home:

“Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah never answers. He sits down and watches the city—hoping for judgment.

III. The Object Lesson with the Plant

God causes a plant to grow up and shade Jonah (v. 6)

Then God appoints a worm to destroy the plant, and Jonah is angry again (v. 7–9)

God uses the plant to reveal Jonah’s self-centeredness:

He’s more upset about a plant than about people.

More concerned with comfort than with compassion.

IV. The Final Confrontation

God’s last question is the heart of the book:

“Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh…?” (v. 11)

The book ends without closure—because the real story is your response.

The uncomfortable truth: God’s grace often offends our sense of fairness.

Final Challenge:
Where in your life do you want grace for yourself, but judgment for others?
Are you angry about God’s compassion toward people you don’t like?
If the book of Jonah is a mirror—what is it reflecting in you?

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Title: God’s Not Done
Text: Jonah 3:1–10
Big Idea: You can’t out-sin the mercy of God—and you’re never too far gone for a second chance.

I. A God of Second Chances

After rebellion, a storm, and three days in the belly of a fish, Jonah gets another shot:

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” (Jonah 3:1)

Jonah’s rescue wasn’t random—it was redemption.

God didn’t discard Jonah—He restored him.

Titus 3:5 – God saves not because of our goodness, but because of His mercy.

Examples of God’s Second Chances:

Adam & Eve, Moses, David, Rahab, Zacchaeus, Peter, Thomas.

Each one messed up—but God still had a purpose for them.

If He did it for them, He’ll do it for you.

II. Jonah’s Second Chance

“Get up and go…” (Jonah 3:2) – yalak qum (ל ְֵ֥ך ק֛ ּום) = Go now. Immediately. Today.

This is not just instruction—it’s urgency.

God’s mercy doesn’t just forgive—it re-commissions.

Jonah 3:3-4

Jonah obeys. He enters Nineveh, declares God’s message.

He doesn’t sugarcoat the warning—“40 more days and Nineveh will be overthrown!”

III. The Power of Repentance

Shockingly, the people listen. “The Ninevites believed God.” (Jonah 3:5)

From the greatest to the least—even the king—there’s deep, public repentance.

Sackcloth and dust were cultural signs of humility and brokenness.

To repent is to change your mind so deeply, it changes your life.

IV. God's Compassion Responds to Repentance

“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented…” (Jonah 3:10)

This wasn’t about performance—it was about surrender.

Isaiah 30:18 – “The Lord longs to be gracious to you…”

God didn’t have to forgive Nineveh—but that’s who He is.

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Title: Waiting on God
Text: Jonah 1:17 – 2:10
Big Idea: While you’re waiting, God is working—especially on your heart.

I. Jonah’s Descent & Desperation

Jonah ends up in the belly of a great fish—not by accident, but by divine appointment.

He’s completely out of control, trapped in a place of darkness and regret.

“Sometimes what we call punishment, God calls provision.”

God’s mercy shows up in unlikely packages—like a fish that saves Jonah from drowning.

II. God's Provision vs. Our Preference

Big Idea 1: God gives us what we need, not what we want.

The fish wasn’t punishment—it was provision to preserve Jonah for his purpose.

Psalm 115:3 reminds us: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”

Sometimes, what pleases Him is to give us a second chance.

III. Prayer in Distress

Big Idea 2: Prayer is our response to distress.

Jonah doesn’t pray until he’s desperate. But when he does, God hears him.

James 5:13 – “Is anyone in trouble? Let them pray.”

When we feel trapped, powerless, or broken, prayer is not our last resort—it’s our lifeline.

IV. Praying God’s Word

Big Idea 3: When you don’t know what to pray, pray His Word.

Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 is full of direct parallels to the Psalms.

He was trained in God’s Word—and in his darkest moment, that’s what surfaced.

The Holy Spirit cannot remind us of what we haven’t hidden in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).

Jesus modeled this in His wilderness temptation (Luke 4).

V. From Distress to Breakthrough

Jonah’s circumstances didn’t change immediately—but his heart did.

He moves from despair to gratitude and praise, even before being delivered.

Jonah 2:10 – “And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”

VI. While You’re Waiting, God is Working

Big Idea 4: Waiting is not passive—it’s active.

God often uses seasons of delay to refine our hearts.

You may not have the character yet for what you’re asking for.

The waiting is not wasted—God is shaping you for what’s next.

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God’s Plans Are Wrecking Mine
Text: Jonah 1:1–17
Big Idea: When you run from God, you don’t just delay your purpose—you invite a storm. But even then, His grace finds you.

I. The Setup: A Clear Command, a Defiant Run

God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah heads to Tarshish—the opposite direction.

This is not confusion. It’s defiance.

“If you want to run from God, the devil will always offer you a ride.”

Jonah rationalizes sin, something we all do: our minds make excuses for what our spirits know is wrong.

II. Downward Spiral of Disobedience

Jonah’s journey is literally and spiritually descending:

He goes down to Joppa (1:3)

Down into the ship (1:5)

Down into the sea (2:3)

Sin always takes us downward.

Delayed obedience is still disobedience. True maturity shortens the gap between hearing God’s Word and obeying it.

III. Storms Have a Purpose

God sends a storm—not to destroy Jonah, but to redirect him.

While the sailors panic, Jonah sleeps—numbed by rebellion.

Jonah confesses who he is (1:9), but he still refuses to repent.

Eventually, he tells the crew to throw him overboard. Only then does the sea grow calm.

IV. The Wake-Up Call: Sin Affects Others

Jonah’s disobedience nearly kills an entire boat of people.

Our rebellion never just affects us—it impacts everyone around us.

But even in this moment, God is working. The sailors end up worshiping the true God.

V. God’s Mercy in a Fish-Shaped Package

Jonah doesn’t drown. God provides a fish.

This wasn’t punishment—it was preservation.

Sometimes, what feels like rock bottom is actually the start of mercy.

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Title: You Can’t Outrun God
Text: Jonah 1:1–3
Big Idea: Jonah’s story isn’t just about a fish—it’s about a faithful God chasing a rebellious heart.

I. The Book No One Expected — A Prophet Who Refuses to Prophesy

Jonah is the only prophetic book centered on the prophet's disobedience, not his message.

He receives a clear word from God… and immediately runs in the opposite direction.

Jonah is raw, emotional, and deeply human. He’s not the hero—we’re not meant to “be like Jonah.”

Tension: What do you do when God’s Word leads you somewhere you don’t want to go?

II. Jonah Isn’t Just a Story — It’s a Mirror

Jonah’s actions reflect our own struggles with obedience, resentment, and control.

He obeys—eventually—but his heart is not aligned with God’s.

Even after a city-wide revival, Jonah is angry. He doesn’t want them to be forgiven.

This book confronts the reader with key questions:

What if God’s grace makes you uncomfortable?

What if His calling disrupts your comfort?

Is it possible to do the will of God without the heart of God?

III. Themes That Will Challenge Us (Series-Wide)

God’s mercy is scandalous – He loves people we’d rather avoid.

Obedience isn’t about convenience – Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

God relentlessly pursues us – Not with wrath, but with grace.

Emotional health matters – You can’t separate spiritual maturity from emotional honesty.

The journey of Jonah challenges the inner life, not just outer behavior.

Final Takeaway:
You may run—but God pursues.
Not with punishment, but with mercy.
Not to crush you, but to restore you.
The question isn’t “Will God speak?”
It’s: Will you run, or will you respond?

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Guest: Noelle Stanley
Feature: My Story Matters from Vertical Church
Originally Shared: During worship on June 22, 2025

Key Topics:Growing up in a Southern Baptist family in Gluckstadt, MS

Sudden loss of her mother in 2018

Becoming a parental figure to her younger siblings at 23

The struggle with control, pride, and surrender

Finding refuge in friends, faith, and the local church

Discovering Vertical Church and joining The Table women’s ministry

Learning to let others in and accept help

Living out obedience through service and community

Powerful Quotes:

“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
“You’re not all your family needs—and that doesn’t mean you’ve failed.”
“The work you do should never be your identity. I’m a Christian first.”
“They didn’t care about the ugliness that got me there. They just cared about helping me heal.”

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Title: Practicing the Way — Living Out Your Calling
Main Texts: Ephesians 2:8–10; Matthew 3:16–17; Acts 9; Romans 1:1; Colossians 3:23–24
Big Idea: You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Your identity is rooted in Christ, your calling flows from that identity, and your assignments are how you live it out.

Key Points:

Identity: Who You Are

Your identity is not based on your performance, people’s opinions, or what you have.

It is anchored in the grace of God—“By grace you have been saved… not by works.” (Eph 2:8–10)

You are God’s poiēma—His workmanship, His masterpiece, His new creation.

You are not what you do—you are who God says you are: beloved, child, disciple.

Jesus’ Identity Before Ministry

Before Jesus did anything public, the Father declared: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”

Our identity is not achieved—it’s received.

Everything Jesus did flowed from who He already was. The same is true for us.

Calling: Your Why

Your calling is how you carry your identity into the world.

It is shaped by your story—your pain, your passions, your personality.

Calling is not a job title—it’s a theme that shows up wherever you go.

You are called to embody and express the love of Jesus in every sphere of life.

The Apostle Paul is a powerful example: God didn’t erase who Paul was—He redeemed it and used it for His mission.

Assignment: Your Where and What

Assignment is the current way your calling is being expressed.

Assignments change—calling does not.

Paul was a church planter and a tentmaker. In every season, he lived out his calling—even when the setting changed.

What seems small or unspiritual might actually be sacred in God’s plan.

What About You?

Are you neglecting your current assignment because it seems beneath you?

Are you bitter that your role doesn’t look like your dream?

God might be using this “ordinary” assignment to prepare you for something eternal.

Colossians 3:23–24 reminds us: Whatever you do… do it for the Lord.

Final Challenge:
Step into your identity. Clarify your calling. Embrace your assignment.
And if you’re unsure where to start—just start serving. God already has good works prepared for you. Your job is simply to walk in them.

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Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Simplicity & Generosity
Main Texts: 1 Timothy 6:6–10; Luke 12:15; Mark 4:18–19; Matthew 19:23–24; Luke 11:39, 41
Big Idea: Greed is one of the most deceitful sins—it quietly damages our hearts and distorts our desires. The antidote is the practice of simplicity and generosity.

Key Points:

The Deceitfulness of Greed

Greed is rarely confessed. It’s easy to justify, often hidden beneath surface sins.

Paul warns: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Greed traps us in the endless cycle of “more, more, more”, which never satisfies.

How Culture Feeds Greed

We live in an era of surveillance capitalism—algorithms constantly fuel discontent and desire.

Marketing sells feelings, not products: status, security, confidence, adventure.

The American Dream is built on the myth of more: “If I just had a little more, then I’d be happy.”

But in reality, the more we get, the more empty we often feel.

Jesus’ Warnings About Wealth

Luke 12:15 — “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”

Mark 4:18–19 — Wealth is not evil, but it’s deceitful. It chokes out spiritual life.

Matthew 19:23–24 — Jesus warned that wealth can make it very difficult to enter the kingdom.

Greed is a heart issue—not about income level, but about attachment and priority.

Money Isn’t Bad, but the Love of It Is

Wealth itself can be used for great good.

But when money becomes the goal, it corrupts our motives and relationships.

Pride, anxiety, contempt for others all increase when wealth becomes identity (TED Talk: Does Money Make You Mean?).

The Antidote: Simplicity and Generosity

Simplicity isn’t about poverty; it’s about intentionality.

Luke 11:41 — “Be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.”

Generosity cleanses the heart by reminding us that we already have enough—and that life is found in giving, not hoarding.

Personal Story of Radical Generosity

The story of a family who gave sacrificially to meet tangible needs after a time of personal family crisis.

True generosity leaves a legacy—not just in stuff, but in lives transformed.

Final Challenge:
The kingdom of God runs counter to the myth of more. Live simply. Give generously. Find contentment—not in what you accumulate, but in what you release.

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Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Sabbath & Rest
Main Texts: Genesis 1:1, 31; Genesis 2:1–3; Mark 2:23–28
Big Idea: True rest isn’t just about taking time off—it’s about transforming both how we work and how we rest by aligning with God’s rhythm for life.

Key Points:

God’s Rhythm of Creation

Genesis 1:1 — God worked.

Genesis 2:1–3 — And then God rested—not because He was tired, but because He was satisfied.

Rest is holy. The very first thing God called “holy” was time, not a place or person.

If God rests, who are we to think rest is for the weak or lazy? It’s a part of the divine pattern.

We Live in a Hustle Culture

In today’s culture, busy is worn as a badge of honor.

But endless busyness produces burnout, anxiety, and disconnection from self, others, and God.

A connected soul, a family at peace—these are far more impressive than flashy schedules or name brands.

Rest Is More Than Time Off

Many think “I just need a vacation”—but no amount of time off will heal you if you don’t change how you spend your time on.

Sabbath is an intentional rhythm of work and rest:

Work like God works.

Rest like God rests.

Two Modern Enemies of Rest

Burnout

Some are addicted to hustle and performance.

Jobs, money, and accolades become identity. This is a recipe for collapse.

Others are addicted to mindless “breaks” that actually exhaust them—social media, screens, shallow entertainment.

Constant screen time keeps the body in fight-or-flight, blocking true rest and recovery.

How do you get your dopamine? If the answer is screens and noise, you aren’t truly resting.

The Sabbath Was Made for You

Mark 2:27 — “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

The Pharisees overcomplicated the Sabbath. Our culture ignores it entirely.

The solution is neither legalism nor neglect—it’s joyful practice.

Sabbath should be a gift, not a guilt trip.

Practical Invitation

Sabbath isn’t about strict rules—start simple:

Shut down the phone.

Disconnect from “work” for a full day.

Engage in life-giving relationships, hobbies, meals, and worship.

Practice what it looks like for your soul to say: God is enough. I can stop.

Final Challenge:
Fasting trains us to say “no.” Sabbath trains us to say “enough.”
Start where you are. You won’t master rest overnight—but embracing Sabbath as a rhythm will realign your heart with God’s design for your life.

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Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Prayer
Main Text: Luke 11:1–4
Big Idea: Prayer is the doorway to life with God—not just something we do, but a relationship we enter.

Key Points:

Prayer Misunderstood

For many, prayer feels distant, boring, ineffective, or frustrating.

It often becomes a last resort—like grabbing the steering wheel once we’re already in the ditch.

But Jesus shows us that prayer is the very entry point to life with God. It’s not optional; it’s vital.

Jesus' Example

Luke's Gospel shows Jesus frequently withdrawing to pray (Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:28).

The disciples watched His vibrant relationship with the Father and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

They didn’t ask Him to teach them how to preach, lead, or heal. They wanted His prayer life—because they saw it was the foundation of His power.

Four Things Jesus Teaches About Prayer (Luke 11:1–4)

1. God Is Our Father (Abba)

Jesus uses intimate, unheard-of language for God: Abba—a deeply personal, affectionate term.

God is not a dictator or vending machine—He’s a good Father.

Some of us need to spend more time healing our image of God before we can freely talk to Him.

The word “heaven” doesn’t mean distant outer space—it can also mean the air, the atmosphere.

God is as near as your next breath. His name, YHWH, even sounds like breathing: inhale Yah, exhale Weh.

You are never praying into silence—God surrounds and sustains you.

“Hallowed be Your name” means we approach God with awe and joy, not just a grocery list of needs.

Tim Keller calls this “a wondrous sense of His beauty.”

We often treat prayer like pain management—but it’s actually about delight in His presence.

“Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven.”

The Bible is filled with stories where prayer changes outcomes: Hannah’s child, Elijah’s rain, Hezekiah’s extended life, Peter’s release.

Prayer doesn’t just align us with God’s will—it often invites God to act in ways He’s waiting for us to ask.

The Goal Isn’t to Master Prayer—It’s to Be Mastered by God

Don’t strive to be a prayer expert. Strive to be present.

Make it consistent, habitual, personal. Pick a time. Pick a place.

Prayer isn’t a spiritual luxury—it’s spiritual oxygen.

Final Challenge:
Draw near to God—and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Let prayer become as normal as brushing your teeth or breathing in air. It’s not performance—it’s presence.

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Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Community
Main Texts: Matthew 18:21–35; Acts 2:42–47

Big Idea: In a culture fractured by tribalism and individualism, God calls us to unity, sacrifice, and forgiveness in a community centered on His Word.

Key Points:

We Were Not Created for Aloneness

Solitude is healthy; isolation is not.

From womb to adulthood, we were designed for connection, but our culture pushes hyper-independence and pride in self-reliance.

True Christian formation happens with others.

Why We Avoid Community

Many avoid community because they’ve been hurt by it.

But the very thing that hurt you is often the thing God will use to heal you.

Forgiveness is not optional in God’s family—it’s foundational.

Forgiveness Fuels Community

Matthew 18:21–35: Jesus teaches that we are to forgive others just as we’ve been forgiven—radically, repeatedly, and from the heart.

Forgiveness isn’t fair, but neither was the cross.

Without forgiveness, there’s no true community. With it, there’s restoration, depth, and witness.

The Call to Countercultural Community

Acts 2:42–47 paints the picture of God’s design:

Devoted to Scripture, fellowship, meals, prayer

Generosity, gladness, consistency, awe

A community like this draws others to Christ.

Questions to Reflect On:

Who hurt you? Forgive them.

Who do you need to move toward? Don’t wait.

Who do you need to say, “I’m sorry” to? Start the healing.

Final Challenge:
If you want the fruit of community, you must practice the way of community—and that means walking in truth, love, and forgiveness.

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Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Scripture
Main Texts: Romans 12:2; Matthew 7:24–29

Big Idea: The practice of Scripture is our starting place. It’s how we build a foundation strong enough to withstand life’s storms.

Key Points:

Three Forces That Shape Us

The stories we believe

The habits we build

The relationships we keep

But the stories we believe shape us most—and the enemy uses lies to distort them.

The Castle of the Mind (Illustration)

A warrior named Julian guards a castle built on truth. But lies sneak in through neglected cracks.

Truth (Scripture) restores clarity and strength. We must renew our minds daily with the Book of Light.

Formation Is Always Happening

Whether we realize it or not, we’re always being formed—by culture, media, success, pain, etc.

Romans 12:2 — Don’t conform, be transformed by renewing your mind.

Jesus as Rabbi: Truth-Teller

A rabbi’s job was to reveal truth, not just inform minds but capture hearts.

Scripture isn't just information—it’s formation.

Truth vs. Cultural Lies

Paganism: Many gods → The Lord is One (Mark 12:29)

Moral relativism: Multiple truths → Jesus is the Truth

Social hierarchy: Exalt self → Serve and be humbled

Self-centeredness: You are not the center → Jesus must be

Putting Truth into Practice

Matthew 7:24–29 — Don’t just hear the Word—practice it.

Storms don’t create a foundation; they reveal it.

Truth must become lifestyle: worship, obedience, sacrifice.

Final Challenge:
Start where you are. Let Scripture reshape the story you believe—then live it out.

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Title: Practicing the Way
Main Text: Luke 5:1-11

Key Points:

The Discipleship Crisis

Many profess faith but do not practice the way of Jesus.

Salvation is not just being saved from something—it's being saved to something: life with Jesus.

The Call to Follow

In Jesus’ day, being a rabbi’s disciple was the highest honor—but Jesus didn’t choose the elite.

He called the backups—the ordinary, the overlooked—and said, "You’re exactly who I want."

Jesus initiates the call, not the other way around.

Simon Peter’s Encounter with Jesus

Despite logic and experience, Peter obeys Jesus’ command to fish again—“because you say so.”

Encountering Jesus confronts us with our sin, our smallness—and invites total surrender.

The Cost and the Invitation

Peter, James, and John left everything to follow Jesus.

Following Jesus costs something, but the invitation is open to whoever is willing.

The Kingdom of God is not for the qualified—it’s for the willing.

Be With Jesus. Become Like Jesus. Do As Jesus Did.

Discipleship isn’t passive; it’s a relationship, a transformation, and a mission.

Acts 4:13 reminds us that the world notices when ordinary people have been with Jesus.

Final Challenge:
Are you simply professing Jesus? Or are you truly practicing the way of Jesus?

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Title: Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life
Main Text: John 11:1-44

Key Points:

The Setup: Lazarus' Sickness and Death

Jesus delays responding to Lazarus’ sickness not out of neglect but to reveal God’s glory (John 11:4, 15).

Sometimes God's greatest miracles are hidden inside our waiting.

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

Martha approaches Jesus intellectually (“I know he will rise at the last day”)—Jesus gives her truth.

Mary approaches Jesus emotionally—Jesus responds with compassion (John 11:35, “Jesus wept”).

Jesus isn’t intimidated by your questions or crushed by your emotions—He meets you exactly where you are.

The Resurrection Is Personal and Present

Jesus doesn’t just promise resurrection one day—He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

Eternal life doesn’t start after death—it starts the moment you believe.

The Miracle Beyond Lazarus

The miracle wasn’t simply that Lazarus lived longer—it’s that Jesus displayed His power over death itself.

Jesus isn’t just offering more time—He offers eternity.

Take Off the Grave Clothes

Lazarus comes out alive, but still bound (John 11:44).

What "grave clothes" are still wrapping you up? Fear, shame, bitterness, sin?

Jesus calls us to freedom—new life, new identity, new hope.

You Are Now People of the Resurrection

Romans 6:4-5: We were buried with Him and raised to live a new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17: The old is gone, the new has come.

Final Challenge:
Are you living like you’ve been raised with Christ? Or are you still wearing grave clothes that He’s already told you to leave behind?

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Title: Jesus Is the True Vine
Main Text: John 15:1-11

Key Points:

The Vine, the Vinedresser, and the Branches

Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches.

True believers bear fruit. Fruit doesn’t lead to salvation—it proves salvation.

There are two types of branches: those that bear fruit and are pruned, and those that bear no fruit and are cut off.

Dead Branches: Divine Judgment

Branches that don’t remain in Christ are thrown away, wither, and are burned (John 15:6).

Dead branches drain life, invite disease, and block light and growth—for themselves and others.

Judgment is not passive—it’s just, and it reveals true spiritual condition.

Fruitful Branches: Divine Discipline

God prunes fruitful branches so they bear even more fruit.

Pruning is painful, but it’s an act of love that draws us deeper into dependence on Christ (Hebrews 12:6, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

Spiritual growth often comes through trials.

Abide in the Vine

Remain. Abide. Stay close. Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Remaining doesn’t make you a disciple—it proves that you are one.

If you were hurt in community, healing happens in community.

Fruit = Love

Jesus’ command is clear: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

His joy becomes our joy when we obey His commands and live a life marked by sacrifice and love.

Final Question:
Are you bearing fruit? What season are you in? The goal isn’t to force fruit—it’s to stay close to the vine.

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Title: Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Main Text: John 14:1-7, 16-19, 25-27; Romans 8:15-16

Key Points:

Jesus Brings Comfort in the Face of Fear

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus comforts His disciples rather than seeking comfort Himself.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)

The remedy for a troubled heart? Faith.

The Deep Longing for Home

Jesus says He’s preparing a place in His Father’s house.

Our souls crave belonging, safety, and unconditional love—and Jesus fulfills that longing.

Jesus Is the Way to the Father

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Through Jesus, we not only gain knowledge of God but a personal connection with the Father.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promises the Spirit will live in us—“The Holy Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you.”

The Spirit brings peace, guidance, and reminds us of what Jesus taught (John 14:26-27).

Adopted as God’s Children

Romans 8:15–16 shows that we’ve been adopted, and we can cry out “Abba, Father.”

The Spirit assures us that we belong—not based on performance, but on love and grace.

Final Reflection:
Are you living as if you’re truly loved by the Father? Or are you still trying to earn what Jesus already secured for you?

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Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
Main Text: John 10:11-16, 19-21

Key Points:

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

He lays down His life for the sheep, unlike a hired hand who abandons them (John 10:11-12).

He knows His sheep personally, and they know His voice (John 10:14).

His role was foretold in Ezekiel 34—God Himself promised to shepherd His people.

Recognizing the Shepherd’s Voice

To hear and follow Jesus, we must spend time in God’s Word.

Distractions keep us from hearing God clearly.

Without His voice, we are vulnerable to pitfalls:

Wandering → Isolation and lost direction.

Going in circles → Repeating the same struggles.

Falling in ditches → Getting trapped in sin.

Chasing greener pastures → Seeking fulfillment in the wrong places.

We Are Called to Follow and Shepherd

Submission to Authority → We are to follow Jesus first and trust godly leaders.

Being an Undershepherd → Parents, mentors, and believers care for others spiritually.

Staying with the Flock → Isolation breeds deception; community brings clarity.

Watching for Wolves → False teachers deceive and divide (Matthew 7:15).

Final Challenge

Are you tired of wandering? Being deceived? Falling into the same traps?

Let Jesus lead you—His rod and staff will comfort, protect, and guide you.

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Title: Jesus Is the Gate of the Sheep
Main Text: John 10:1-10

Key Points:

Jesus as the Gate

Jesus declares, “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7-9)

Through Him, we find salvation, security, and provision—rest for our souls.

He is the only way to God, emphasizing the exclusivity of the gospel.

The Sheep Pen & Its Meaning

A place of safety and rest at night before going back out in the morning.

Only those who enter through Jesus experience true rest and belonging.

Beware of Thieves & Robbers

False teachers, false gospels, and spiritual deception seek to lead people astray (John 10:1, 8).

Common false teachings:

Salvation by works (earning God’s favor)

Self-help gospel (human effort over grace)

Prosperity gospel (blessings over true faith)

Political gospel (misplacing our hope in human systems)

Churchless gospel (isolating faith from the body of Christ)

The Call to Humility

Entering through the gate requires humility—recognizing our need for Jesus.

Illustration: The Door of Humility at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem—small enough that visitors must bow to enter, symbolizing the humility required to follow Christ.

Sheep vs. Goats (Matthew 25:33)

Jesus calls people out of false systems and into the true fold—His Church.

Philippians 2:1-11 reminds us that Christ humbled Himself for our salvation.

Final Challenge: Will you choose humility, step through the gate, and follow Jesus?

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Title: Jesus Is The Light of the World
Main Text: John 8:12

Key Points:

Jesus Declares Himself as the Light of the World

During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus claims, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This claim references God's presence as light, guiding His people.

The Symbolism of Light vs. Darkness

Light represents truth, God’s presence, and guidance.

Darkness symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God.

The Three Barriers That Blind Us to the Light

Arrogance – Trusting in intellect and self-sufficiency rather than surrendering to Jesus (John 5:39-40).

Ignorance – Not understanding God’s ways yet refusing to believe (John 8:21-24).

Pain & Suffering – Tragedy can blind us to God’s presence instead of drawing us to Him.

God’s Presence Leads Us Through Every Season

Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness with light, Jesus leads us through our struggles into His presence.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4)

The Call to Follow the Light

Following Jesus means walking in the light and leaving darkness behind.

“Even as He spoke, many believed in Him.” (John 8:30)

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Title: Jesus Is The Bread of Life
Main Text: John 6:1-69

Key Points:

Desperate People Are After Jesus

• Crowds followed Jesus not for who He was, but for what He could do (John 6:1-2).

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish

• Jesus fed 5,000 people with a small meal, revealing His divine provision (John 6:14).

Why Do We Follow Jesus?

• The crowd’s pursuit was transactional, not relational (John 6:25-26).
• Jesus calls for a deeper faith—one that seeks Him, not just His miracles.

Desperation & Divine Appointment

• Jesus declares, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:32-35).
• Many rejected Him because they were too familiar with His earthly background (John 6:41-42).

Spiritual Problems Require Spiritual Solutions

• People wanted physical bread, but Jesus pointed to their deeper spiritual hunger.
• Spiritual solutions: confession, repentance, surrender.

The Danger of Familiarity

• Being too familiar with something (self-reliance, anger, past success) can hold us back.
• What once protected us may now be dangerous (white-water rafting life vest analogy).

The Satisfied Soul

• A truly satisfied soul isn’t consumed with the physical but is anchored in hope and purpose.
• Suffering reveals whether we are truly satisfied in Christ.

Final Question: Are you pursuing the only One who can satisfy your soul?

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Sermon Outline:

Title: Transformation – Training for Lasting Change

Big Idea: Transformation requires shifting from trying to training. The focus should be on what we are sowing, not just the desired outcome.

Key Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Running the race with purpose and discipline)

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (Training in godliness)

Galatians 6:7-9 (Reaping what we sow)

Hosea 10:12-13 (Sowing righteousness for a future harvest)

John 12:24-25 (Dying to self to bear fruit)

Outline:

Introduction:

The importance of training vs. trying.

Illustration: Championship athletes emphasize training over the outcome.

Connection:

We often put more effort into careers, hobbies, and sports than our faith journey.

Surrendering to God’s process is the key to real transformation.

God’s Perspective:

The biblical principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-9).

Training ourselves in godliness holds eternal value (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Jesus' call to die to self in order to bear lasting fruit (John 12:24-25).

Practical Application:

Stop Trying, Start Training: Shift from striving to intentional growth.

Get the Gear: Equip yourself with Scripture, prayer, and a faith community.

Create a Game Plan: Commit to regular church attendance, daily spiritual disciplines, and sowing seeds of faith in daily life.

Be Patient: Transformation takes time; don’t judge success by immediate results but by consistent effort.

Conclusion:

Who do you want to be in 5, 10, 20 years? The choices you make today shape that future.

Encouragement to commit to sowing the right seeds now for an eternal harvest.

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Sermon Outline:

Title: Transformation – Breaking Free from Sin’s Snare

Big Idea: Even after salvation, sin remains a snare. Recognizing and avoiding sin's traps is crucial to becoming who God intends us to be.

Key Scriptures:

Judges 13:24-25 (Samson’s early blessings)

Judges 15:20 (Samson’s leadership)

Judges 16:1 (Samson’s downfall)

James 1:21 (Accepting God's word to break free from sin)

Hebrews 12:1 (Casting off sin to run the race of faith)

Proverbs 4:14-15 (Avoiding paths leading to sin)

Proverbs 13:20 (Influence of companionship)

Outline:

Introduction:

No one intends to ruin their life; it’s small daily choices that lead to drastic consequences.

Connection:

Sin subtly destroys; often we only recognize its impact after significant damage.

God’s Perspective:

Samson’s life shows how unchecked impulses and pride gradually lead away from God’s plans (Judges 13-16).

Identify and confront personal sin through humility and God’s Word (James 1:21).

Practical Application:

Remove triggers (cues) that lead to sinful habits (Hebrews 12:1; Proverbs 4:14-15).

Identify common triggers: Places, Times, Moods, Moments, People.

Surround yourself with wise companions to cultivate wise habits (Proverbs 13:20).

Conclusion:

Immediate action against temptation today is more powerful than future resistance.

Encouragement that transformation is possible, urging listeners to reclaim their identity in God and redirect their paths toward His purposes.

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Summary of Brad & Emily’s StoryBrad and Emily shared their journey of marriage, struggles, faith, and transformation. Brad grew up with a semi-Catholic background, while Emily was raised in a Baptist church. They met in Nashville, married within a year, and moved to Maryland, where they faced significant challenges.

Early in their marriage, Brad struggled with alcoholism, which caused tension. Emily began noticing patterns of unhealthy drinking, leading to conflict and eventual intervention. A turning point came when Brad’s parents became involved, and they sought counseling and community support. Brad entered recovery and has been sober for eight years. Emily also attended Al-Anon, which provided her with valuable coping tools.

As their family grew, they faced postpartum depression, job dissatisfaction, and uncertainty. Emily found healing and joy in gardening, which later became a business—Cedar Hill Gardens. Brad eventually left his physical therapy job to join full-time. The business became not just work but a ministry, employing men in recovery and blessing others. Their faith deepened, and they adopted the motto, “Rivers, not reservoirs,” symbolizing generosity and allowing God’s blessings to flow through them.

Conversation with Meghan and DanielMeghan and Daniel facilitated a discussion about communication, leadership, faith, and accountability.

• Communication in Marriage: Brad and Emily acknowledged that learning to communicate effectively is a continual process. They emphasized stepping outside of their own perspectives and seeking outside counsel when needed.
• Brad’s Spiritual Leadership: Brad reflected on how his faith and leadership evolved, especially through recognizing that his presence and spiritual state set the tone for their home. Emily affirmed seeing tangible changes in his responses and actions.
• Key Scriptures: Brad finds wisdom in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, especially loving one’s enemies. Emily related to parables about self-awareness and avoiding judgment.
• Accountability & Community: Brad spoke about the power of vulnerability and sharing struggles, emphasizing how community has been transformative in his recovery. Emily noted that true connection happens when people realize they’re not alone.
• Faith in Business & Ministry: Cedar Hill Gardens became a means to bless others, offering clients joy, healing, and even employment for men in recovery.
• Encouragement to Others: Brad urged those struggling to “find the helpers,” while Emily emphasized allowing people to face consequences while still offering love.

Meghan and Daniel concluded by highlighting church community groups, encouraging everyone to find connection, and reminding them that Jesus meets them where they are.

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Transformation Week 3Description:

In Week 3 of our TRANSFORMATION series, we tackle a foundational truth: Our behavior flows from our identity. What we believe about ourselves determines how we live. Are we living out of a distorted identity shaped by lies, or are we rooted in Christ? Through scriptures like John 8:44-45 and Ephesians 4:21-24, we uncover how to break destructive cycles and embrace the new self God has called us to be.

Detailed Overview:

Series: TRANSFORMATION
Week: 3
Big Idea: Our identity in Christ shapes our behavior. To experience transformation, we must align our beliefs about ourselves with God's truth.

Key Scriptures:

John 8:44-45: Exposes the enemy’s lies that distort our identity.

2 Corinthians 5:17: Declares that in Christ, we are new creations.

Ephesians 4:21-24: Calls us to put off the old self and embrace the new self in righteousness.

Philippians 4:12-13: Teaches contentment in all circumstances through Christ’s strength.

Romans 8:37: Affirms that we are more than conquerors through Christ.

Sermon Highlights:

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Our habits are shaped by a deeper force—our identity.

Three secondary reasons we act: obligation, desire, or validation.

The DO flows from the WHO: What we believe about ourselves drives our choices.

The Enemy’s Lies vs. God’s Truth

The devil wants us to believe we are our mistakes and failures.

John 8:44-45: The enemy is a liar, and his goal is to distort our identity.

2 Corinthians 5:17: In Christ, we are made new.

Breaking the Cycle

A distorted identity leads to destructive habits, which reinforce the distorted identity.

True transformation happens when our identity is rooted in Christ, leading to Christ-like actions.

How Jesus Modeled Identity-Driven Living

When hungry, He relied on God’s Word. (Matthew 4:4)

When angry, He acted with righteous purpose and grace.

When lonely, He sought intimacy with the Father.

When tired, He rested and prioritized solitude.

Living from Identity, Not for It

Ephesians 4:21-24: Calls us to put off the old self and be renewed in Christ.

Philippians 4:12-13: Teaches that our worth isn’t found in circumstances but in Christ.

Romans 8:37: We are victorious, not victims.

Application: 21-Day Prayer Challenge

Pray daily for God to renew your mind and identity in Him.

Reject lies and replace them with God’s truth.

Live from the identity God has given you, not the one the world imposes.

Takeaway: Transformation isn’t just about changing habits—it’s about changing how we see ourselves. Root your identity in Christ, and your life will reflect His truth.

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Series: TRANSFORMATION
Week: 2
Big Idea: To experience true transformation, we must identify and address the root causes of our behaviors.

Key Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 3:18: Highlights the continuous process of being transformed into Christ's image as we reflect His glory.

John 8:34-36: Emphasizes freedom from the slavery of sin through the Son.

Mark 1:35 & Luke 5:15-16: Demonstrate Jesus’ practice of solitude for connection with the Father.

James 5:16: The power of confession for healing within community.

Psalm 139:23-24: A heartfelt prayer for God to search and reveal areas needing change.

Psalm 119:11: The importance of hiding God's word in our hearts to resist sin.

Sermon Highlights:

Introduction: Many believers stop at salvation without experiencing deep transformation, continuing old patterns and habits. True transformation is a journey of moving from glory to glory by contemplating the Lord's presence.

The Power of Habits:

Over 40% of our behavior is habitual.

Carl Jung: "Until you make the unconscious, conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

Frederick Mathias Alexander: "People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future."

Breaking the Cycle: Addictions and destructive habits stem from disconnection. Jesus offers true freedom (John 8:34-36). The opposite of addiction isn’t just sobriety—it's connection.

Connecting with God:

Solitude: Jesus modeled the importance of withdrawing to pray (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15-16). Solitude connects us to God, while distractions lead to loneliness.

Community: Jesus maintained close friendships, illustrating the value of deep connections. Community fosters accountability and growth.

The Role of Confession: Confession isn’t about shame but healing (James 5:16). Being real before God leads to genuine transformation.

Reflection and Application:

Conduct a personal inventory: What habits control you? What are you reaching for to fill voids?

Psalm 139:23-24 serves as a prayer of surrender, inviting God to reveal hidden struggles.

Anchor yourself in Scripture (Psalm 119:11) to combat sin.

Takeaway: Transformation is not just about behavior modification; it’s about heart transformation through connection with God and community. Identify your habits, confess, and lean into God’s transformative power.

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Podcast Episode Notes: Desperate for Change | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Nathan Hughes
Transformation Series – Week 1

Big Idea:
God doesn’t call us to behavior modification; He calls us to spiritual transformation. True change happens not through our efforts alone but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

Key Scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
• Romans 7:15, 19, 24-25 (NLT): Paul’s struggle with doing what is right but failing to do so, concluding that Jesus Christ is the answer to freedom.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
• 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NLT): Paul acknowledges that his transformation is all due to God’s grace working through him.
• Zechariah 4:6 (NIV): “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT): "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."De

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Introduction: Our Need for Connection Humans are wired for connection—it’s how we thrive. * Illustration: Harlow monkey study* – Demonstrates that emotional comfort is more crucial than physical needs. * We naturally transition through stages of dependence: + Completely dependent → Somewhat dependent → Highly independent → Interdependent → Dependent * Connecting with others is often the hardest, especially as we get older.

Key Point: Conflict is not a sign of dysfunction; it’s an opportunity for growth in compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Understanding Conflict Through ScriptureLuke 17:1-5 (NIV):

1. Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.
2. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
3. So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.
4. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
5. The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Key Takeaways from Luke 17:

• Expect Offense: Conflict and offenses will happen—it's a part of life.
• Avoid Living in Offense: Don’t dwell on it or let resentment build.
• Rebuke and Forgive: We are called to address issues and extend forgiveness.
• Faith is Required: The disciples’ response shows that forgiveness requires a heart transformed by faith.

Dealing with Offense and ConflictGreek Insight – "Skandalon":

• The word “offense” (Greek: Skandalon) refers to a trap or stumbling block.
• In the Bible, skandalon can be positive (offense of the gospel) or negative (causing others to stumble).

Ways People Cause Offense:

• False counsel
• Leading others into deliberate sin
• Gossip, slander, and false accusations

Application from Luke 17:3:

• “Watch yourselves” – Take responsibility for your actions and responses.
• Address conflict with grace and truth, offering opportunities for repentance and healing.

Forgiveness as a Spiritual DisciplineLuke 17:4-5:

• Jesus calls us to forgive repeatedly, even when offenses happen multiple times a day.
• The apostles ask for greater faith, recognizing the challenge of radical forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV):
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Key Point: Unforgiveness is more damaging to us than to those who hurt us. It keeps us in spiritual darkness and hinders our growth.

Practical Steps to Becoming UnoffendableLuke 17:6 (NIV):
“He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey you.’”

Steps to Overcoming Offense:

1. Expect Offense: Don't be surprised when conflict arises.
2. Address Offense: Speak truth in love rather than resorting to silence or violence.
3. Forgive Often: Practice ongoing forgiveness as an act of obedience and faith.
4. Choose Interdependence: Healthy relationships thrive on mutual respect and grace.
5. Take Small Steps: Even the smallest act of forgiveness can create lasting transformation.

1 John 2:9-11 (NIV):
9. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
10. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
11. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them.

Challenge: What small action can you take today to live in the light and embrace forgiveness?

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Episode Notes: The Hardest Person to ForgiveOverview

In Week 2 of the "Purpose" series, we dive into the challenge of self-forgiveness and the transformative power of embracing your story. Every individual is uniquely crafted by God, and your experiences—no matter how difficult—can reveal His glory. This episode invites listeners to do the deep work of connecting with their personal journey, understanding their God-given purpose, and extending forgiveness, starting with themselves.

Key Scripture References

• Psalm 139:13-14 – "You are fearfully and wonderfully made."
• Exodus 4:10-12 – God equips us despite our perceived weaknesses.
• Proverbs 20:5 – Insight draws out the deep purposes of the heart.
• Romans 12:3-8 – Embrace and steward your unique gifts for the body of Christ.
• Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving as God forgave you.

Major Points

Embrace Your Uniqueness

• God has made you uniquely with a purpose. Even identical twins are radically different.
• Your story is unlike anyone else’s and has the potential to glorify God when embraced fully.

The Power of Self-Acceptance

• Self-forgiveness is often the hardest step, but it’s essential for showing compassion to others.
• Reflecting on our past helps us better understand God and His purpose for us.

Don’t Disqualify Yourself

• Like Moses, we often feel unqualified, but God uses our weaknesses for His strength.
• God calls us to embrace, not hide, our story to bring life to others.

Forgiveness as a Path to Freedom

• True forgiveness begins with releasing the burdens we carry about ourselves.
• Extending grace to others flows from experiencing God’s grace for us.

Application

• This week, take time to reflect on your personal story. Identify areas where self-forgiveness is needed and bring them to God in prayer.
• Practice showing kindness and compassion to others, remembering that forgiveness is rooted in the forgiveness Christ offers us.

Closing Thought

Don’t let self-doubt or past mistakes rob you of your God-given purpose. As John 3:30 reminds us, “He must increase; I must decrease.” Let God’s glory shine through your unique story.

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Episode OverviewThis week, we kick off our series, PURPOSE, by diving into one of life’s biggest questions: Why am I here? In this sermon, we explore how we were created to connect with a very real and personal God, and how that connection begins by repenting and believing in Jesus Christ. Drawing from Acts 17, we examine the spiritual hunger of humanity and the incomparable fulfillment found in Jesus.

Key Scripture References Acts 17:22-23 – Paul addresses the Athenians' religious practices and introduces the "Unknown God." * Acts 17:24-28 – God is revealed as Creator and sustainer, inviting us into relationship with Him. * Acts 17:29-30 – A call to repentance and turning away from idols. * Acts 17:11-12* – The Bereans' noble character in studying God’s Word leads to belief.

Major PointsHumanity’s Search for Meaning

• Across philosophical, scientific, and spiritual realms, people seek purpose.
• We all tether ourselves to something, whether tangible (careers, relationships) or intangible (belief systems, idols).

The Unknown God

• Paul observed the Athenians’ worship and challenged them to know the true God.
• Modern parallels: idols of materialism, technology, and personal gratification.

The God Who Made Us

• God, the Creator of all, desires relationship with us.
• "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

Repentance and Faith

• True purpose begins with repentance and belief in Jesus Christ.
• Jesus embodies unconditional love and fulfills our deepest desires for connection.

The Berean Example

• Our greatest connection to God is through His Word.
• A life built on Scripture leads to purpose and fulfillment.

Reflection Questions* What "unknown gods" have you allowed to take priority in your life? * How does knowing you were created for connection with God change your perspective on purpose? * What steps can you take to build a foundation on God’s Word this week?

Practical Application* Spend time daily in Scripture, asking God to reveal Himself to you. * Identify one area of your life where you need to repent and invite Jesus in. * Reflect on Acts 17:27—how can you "reach out for Him and find Him" this week?

Closing Action Step: Embrace your purpose by connecting with Jesus personally. * Call to Action: Join us next week as we continue the PURPOSE* series, exploring how to connect with your story.

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The Advent Of, Joy, Week 3.In this Week 3 message of Christmas at Vertical, we explore how the good news of the gospel interrupts our lives with great joy and transforms us into bearers of that joy to the world. Using Luke 2:8-20, we uncover powerful lessons from the shepherds – their faithfulness, humility, and willingness to be interrupted by God’s divine plan. Discover how joy isn’t just a momentary interruption but a consistent theme we can live out every day. Be encouraged to embrace the joy of the gospel and share it with those around you this Christmas season.

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The Advent Of, Week 2.Christmas is a time of celebration. We celebrate the coming of the savior into the world. This arrival brings about the reality of peace, hope, joy, and love like we have never seen before. The reason we need those things is because Christmas is not just a time of celebration but it is also a reminder of the pain we experience right now. We look back to the arrival of our God into the lives of humanity and we look forward to the advent of our God as we navigate the pain, brokenness, and sin of our world. This Christmas we will behold the King, receive Him, and share in the gifts that he brings.

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Make It Home Campaign Vision.As we close 2024 and look to 2025 and beyond, we are trusting God with a vision we are calling ‘Make It Home.’ This $600,000 initiative involves finishing the year strong by making budget for 2024, building our financial reserves, and laying a foundation for a second building.

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The Advent Of, Week 1.Christmas is a time of celebration. We celebrate the coming of the savior into the world. This arrival brings about the reality of peace, hope, joy, and love like we have never seen before. The reason we need those things is because Christmas is not just a time of celebration but it is also a reminder of the pain we experience right now. We look back to the arrival of our God into the lives of humanity and we look forward to the advent of our God as we navigate the pain, brokenness, and sin of our world. This Christmas we will behold the King, receive Him, and share in the gifts that he brings.

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The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 6.When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And don’t we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. It’s who He is.

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The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 5.When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And don’t we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. It’s who He is.

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The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 3.When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And don’t we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. It’s who He is.

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The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 2.

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The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 1.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 6.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 5.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 4.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 3.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 2.

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Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 1.

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Abraham: A Series on Faith Week 5. When we put our faith in action, we see God in motion.

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Abraham: A Series on Faith Week 2. When we put our faith in action, we see God in motion.

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Abraham: A Series on Faith Week 1. You are never too old and it is never too late to be used by God.

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Wisdom of Proverbs Week 6. Even though God is in ultimate control of the world and future, we still are held accountable and have a responsibility in the present.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Mike Dehaan.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Lauren Johnson.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Kaitlyn Roberts.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Angela Shelby.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Mike Petyak.

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It's a special week here at Vertical Church and we asked some friends to come on to help us prepare. Please welcome back our friends Rachel Tharpe and Graeme Forrest.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Meghan Petyak.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Steven Sahler.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Blake Vail.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Melissa Werhan.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Andrew Werhan.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Zane Rader.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Rachel Tharpe.

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At Vertical Church we believe that our stories matter and that when we can be vulnerable others will grow from them as we have. We hope to leverage that this year by sharing the stories of the people that make this place special. Please welcome Christa Boyd.

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"Human" is a series about who we are, how we got here and how we come alive. The big idea this week is - Vulnerability: both what we are hiding from and what we need.

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"Human" is a series about who we are, how we got here and how we come alive. The big idea this week is - Vulnerability: both what we are hiding from and what we need.

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In this weeks podcast we discuss the closing to our Advent series and get into why loving others and being loved is the key to getting what we really want out of life.

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This week we continue in some further discussion from on Sundays's teaching about joy.

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Week Three of our Advent series.

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This week we continue in our Advent series to discuss peace. Specifically how to find peace for the future, gain it in the present, and let it give some clarity to your past.

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This week we began our Advent series as we ring in the Christmas season. This week on the podcast we discuss our first teaching of this series and why the hope Jesus provided through his arrival meets both our personal and historical needs.

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This week on the Vertical + Podcast we recap baptisms and discuss why it's important for us consider obedience a direction we head towards rather than a destination.

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You know nothing makes us happier than getting to know one of our Vertical partners stories by having guests on the podcast. Please welcome: Mike Stempkovski.

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As we close our We Are _____ series we tackle our last of Vertical's four vision words: unpredictable. This episode revolves around change in the plan, fear of failure, and how God so often uses an unexpected challenge to mature us. We hope you enjoy!

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We are back to discuss the third vision word of our We Are ______ series! Join us for great conversation around inclusivity and stick around to find out where to get the best Greek food in town.

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Today we will recap the most recent teaching from our WE ARE _____ series, talk through the freezing and rewinding of time, and give a little bit more information about our upcoming Night Of Worship. It's good times all around!

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We are excited to have Reshma Bangar here to give us all the updates on Hope For Weekend 2023!

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Graeme Forrest is back to help us introduce our latest teaching series and give the back story on a song we will all be singing together very soon.

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Here's a little bit of a knuckle ball of a podcast but we are here for it! Instead of our regularly schedule program we will be taking on the topic of rest. We hope you enjoy!

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Pastor Rob Futral teaches as we finish the "Make Way" Series.

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We are going to be revisiting the words of Jesus when he said “it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick, I have not come to call the righteous but sinners” and ask ourselves why Jesus chose to pursue these people and what exactly he meant in saying that?

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What's better than a great podcast? A great podcast with great guests! We hope yo enjoy getting to know some of the people that make Vertical the place that it is. Please welcome Graeme Forrest!

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This week we walk through how God has called us all to be leaders in our own way. With some AUA and recommends, that sounds like enough for a great podcast to us!

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What's better than a great podcast? A great podcast with great guests! We hope yo enjoy getting to know some of the people that make Vertical the place that it is. Please welcome Daniel Hicks.

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We are back to discuss our third week in Vertical's "Make Way" series through the book of Mark, exactly how and to what extent we talk to our pets, and how to plan meals when traveling!

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This week we cover week two of Make Way, discuss how to celebrate a milestone, and talk all about how doing hard things ultimately benefit us. It's another week of the Vertical + podcast!

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What's better than a great podcast? A great podcast with great guests! We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the people that make Vertical the place that it is. Please welcome Brennan Herrmann.

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Today we discus our recent baptism service and decisions that were pivotal in our spiritual journey. Don't worry! We would never let you down and forget Ask Us Anything or Recommends. It's all here on this weeks Vertical+ podcast!

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What's better than a great podcast? A great podcast with great guests! We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the people that make Vertical the place that it is. Please welcome Angie Pulliam.

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What does it take to break through our walls? Will the lessons we've learned help? Would you rock a fanny pack? Don't answer too quickly...

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We're digging deep as we jump into our new series. Subscribe to get updated every time we upload an episode!

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The title says it all. But maybe not in that order.

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We're back at it again to discuss our childhood food phobias, trips to the cinema, and our latest thoughts on Enemies of the Soul.

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Today we are so excited to introduce our new co-host to the show. In addition to that we also talk about our latest series, the criteria for being a friend, and how to treat yourself well. What more could you want?

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Today we recap our Father's Day Sunday service, rank pizzas, and talk about the things we do that drive our loved ones crazy.

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This week we discuss the topic of timidity and how if we do not attend to it we might misuse the gifts that God has given us.

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This week, we discuss the things we seek instead of God, and dig into why.

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This week, we discuss the role that passion and calling have in our given talent.

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This week, we recap this Sunday's talk on the trap of time.

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This week we recap Mother's Day and discuss the importance of mentorship with guest Reshma Bangar.

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This week, we wrap up our discussion on change!

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This week, we continue to recap Sunday's series, Better than Before.

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This week, we have Melissa Werhan joining us as a guest as we discuss how change has grown us personally.

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This week, we discuss how Peter found restoration with Jesus after the resurrection.

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This week, we take some time discussing grief & doubt, how they show up in our lives, and some misconceptions about the two.

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In this episode, we open up a conversation about doubt, and fear in our relationship with God.

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This week we had guest Rachel Tharpe join us as we discussed last Sunday's storm relief efforts.

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This week we discuss the parable of the two brothers, specifically the brother who learned a lesson.

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This week, we took some time to discuss how Rosalyne's story impacted us, and what we learned from her.

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This week, we discuss last week's message and how human connection has impacted our own personal journeys.

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This week, we open up a conversation on how change is a necessary component to growth, and discuss how that can show up in our own lives.

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This week we have guest Shelby Maloney with us discussing Mary's story and the parallells to our own lives.

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This week we unpack Ruth's story while also giving our opinions on the Super Bowl.

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After a short hiatus, we are bringing the Vertical Plus weekly podcast back! Join us as we share our thoughts on last week's teaching.

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Throwing it back to Week 1 of our Summer 2018 series How We Grow, featuring Ben Derrick.

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Ben takes some time on a Sunday morning to walk us through the heart behind The Discipleship Process.

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In August we're launching our Discipleship Process. Before we did that, we wanted to sit down and talk about why we thought now was the right time for us to fully implement a discipleship process at Vertical.

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Toxic positivity, itself, is not a new concept, but it is a fairly new term. And our current culture is really getting behind the thinking of this new movement to address it. But how does it work in the Church world? DOES it work in the Church? Is it something we should be looking out for in our culture? Let's talk about it.

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This week we take a look back at the talk Ben gave for Father's Day 2021. He had some great things to say and we thought they deserved a deeper look!

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Literally anything.

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Catherine Hagwood joins us on the podcast to go a little more in-depth on her career path and her work with Crossroads Ministries!

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Teaching audio from our May 16th Service

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Mom guilt is a term that's really finding its place in culture as of late, but is still in need of defining within the Vertical Community. Here to help us do that is are loyal listeners and friends of the podcast, Rachel Hammack (whom Chase loves) and Rachel Tharpe!

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We apologize for the audio distortion on Meghan's microphone. Hopefully that won't stop you from enjoying this fantastic panel with some of the mother's from Vertical's community!

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This week we are incredibly excited to have on our friend Derek Walker to discuss what creativity looks like within the Church.

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Teaching audio from our April 25th Service

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Teaching audio from our April 18th service

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We made it. The road was treacherous but we're finally wrapping up purity culture episodes with part of 2 of Sex Trauma. Jaycee and Shelby are back to help us with some next steps, along with helping us talking the Church's role in sexual trauma.

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We've got one more two parter for you. This time we wanted to go further into the effects of not only purity culture, but sex trauma in general. So we decided to bring in our therapist friend, Jaycee Terry, and small group leader extraordinaire, Shelby Maloney.

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Teaching audio from our April 11th service

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Tune in for the second half of the talk on purity culture!

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Purity culture was a part of many of our upbringings. Was it bad? Was it good? Was any of it okay? Let's talk about it.

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Unfortunately we had some recording issues so we only have a majority of the service uploaded. We hope you enjoy nonetheless!

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Welcome back. Good to see you. Last week we had on Cammie Derrick. This week, we did the same exact thing.

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Teaching audio from our March 31st teaching

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We've got one of the most exciting guests we could get for you this week. Cammie Derrick, wife to Benjamin David Derrick, has blessed with the backlog and family/parenting dynamics of hers and Ben's journey to leaders within the Vertical Community. A two-parter that you DO NOT want to miss.

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Teaching audio from our March 14th service

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This week we decide to unpack Austin's teaching for week 1 of our series, A Long Obedience. You can listen to it in the episode before this one!

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Teaching audio from our March 7th service

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Take a listen as we wrap our two-part series on Lead Pastor Ben Derrick's story.

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Teaching audio from our February 28th service.

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We've heard bits and pieces over the years of Ben's story, but never much of it in one shot. Well here's your chance.

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Teaching audio from our February 21st service.

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Our guest speaker ,Stephen Ray, wraps up Awake Weekend.

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This week we're taking a dive into our upcoming student event, Awake Weekend, along with student ministry as a whole.

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Teaching audio from our February 7th service.

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We had the honor of helping share Jack Page's story. We took some time to discuss what we each got from it.

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The start of a new year, especially after such a hard previous one, makes one eager to see where it will take you. In this episode, we talk about where we see the culture of Vertical Church headed over the next calendar year.

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Teaching audio from our January 24th service

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In this episode, we dive into some baggage that we each have from our early years in our respective church pasts.

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Teaching audio from our January 17th service.

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Ben gave his thoughts from the stage this past Sunday on the events that occurred at the American Capitol. We felt there was more to be said.

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Teaching audio from our January 10th service.

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2020 was hard but were there some positives to pull from it? Let's find out.

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Teaching audio from our January 3rd service.

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Audio from our A Vertical Christmas 2020 Service

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The one where they talk about Christmas memories. It's a "Friends" joke.

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Teaching from our December 13th service.

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This week we discuss seasons of life, growth within them, and which seasons produce the most growth.

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Teaching audio from our December 6th service.

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This week we take a look back at Ben's teaching from Sunday and personalize the content.

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Teaching audio from our November 29th service.

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We have the first spouse episode of the podcast. Austin's dear wife, Kaitlyn, comes on to help us discuss the importance of community.

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This week on the podcast we discuss a concept from Ryan Holiday's "Ego is the Enemy".

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Teaching audio from our November 15th service.

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The mythical creature that is our friend Kris Wilson is FINALLY on the podcast. It's a wonderful day to meet your new favorite person.

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This episode we invite Chris Groat back into the studio. This time he's here to make the case that the Sabbath is just as relevant today as it was in the Old Testament.

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Teaching audio from our November 1st service.

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Teaching audio from our October 25th service

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This episode we bring in our good friend Reagan Thomas, owner of Outland Stories, a local wedding videography company. We have just an absolutely delightful conversation about creatives and the creative process.

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Teaching audio from our October 18th service.

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Vertical has made a new hire, and her name is Avery Snyder. Let's light some charcoal and let the grilling begin.

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Teaching audio from our October 11th service.

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We're starting a new series this coming weekend. We thought it was worth having a discussion about it before we dove off into it.

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Teaching audio from our October 4th service

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Hello there. You've found us, once again, having Reshma on the podcast. But this time we wanted to really dive into the story of Reshma's Home and what exactly her organization does.

Reshma's Story: https://www.livevertical.tv/reshmas-story-matters Reshma's Home: https://www.reshmashome.org

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Sermon audio from our September 27th service.

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This week we have on barber and ProPresenter extraordinaire, Andrew Werhan. Andrew is a good friend of ours and an incredible volunteer, so we decided you should meet him. Meet, Andrew.

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Teaching audio from our September 20th, 2020 service.

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Drew Cleek is finally back in studio! He joins us to talk about week 1 of our new series, Inward Fire. We follow it up with AUA and recommends.

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Teaching audio from our September 13th service.

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This week we break down our standalone teaching from September 6th, Before You Save the World. We follow it up with AUA and our weekly recommends!

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Teaching audio from our September 6th service.

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The one where Chase gets a concussion.

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Teaching audio from our August 30th Service.

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Welcome back to the Vertical+ Podcast! Austin introduced a new series this week called "The Trouble with Trouble". We breakdown his talk, along with AUA and our weekly recommends!

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Teaching audio from our August 23rd service.

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This week we sit down and talk about Bill Blair's story that was shared this past Sunday. We follow it up with AUA and recommends!

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If you haven't seen Bill's story, you can view it at https://www.livevertical.tv/bills-story

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DefundSeminary

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Audio from Ben's teaching from our August 9th service.

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Hello there. Thanks for coming back. This week we've got a trio of da boyz, rehashing Austin's teaching from this past Sunday. It's quite a hoot. We also answer some questions and give our recommendations!

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Teaching audio from our August 2nd service

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Welcome back! This week we talk about Ben's teaching from Week 3 of our Consider the Raven series. We follow it up with some Ask Us Anything and our recommends!

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Teaching audio from our July 26th service

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Thanks for checking out Episode 0017 of the podcast! This week we have our friend Cydnee Weaver as our guest! She hops on to discuss with us Ben's talk from this past Sunday, along with AUA and recommends!

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Teaching audio from our July 19th service.

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We started a new series this past Sunday called "Consider the Raven" where we look to attack fear, head-on. This episode we're going to unpack Austin's week 1 teaching, followed by AUA and our weekly recommends!

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Teaching audio from our July 12th Service.

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Welcome back! This week we finally had services in our building. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to discuss gratitude, so that's what we did!

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Teaching audio from our July 5th service.

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Thanks for joining us for Episode 0014! This week our friend Reshma is back with us to breakdown Ben's teaching from our June 28th service. Strap in 'cause it's a wild ride! (not really)

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Welcome back! This week we welcome our guest, Michael Traylor, to the podcast! We talk a little about our teaching from Father's Day, as well as field some questions and dish some recommends.

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Teaching audio from our Father's Day service.

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This week we're back talking about Part 2 of A Message for the TImes, with special guest Mike Self, along with some great questions for Ask Us Anything and our recommends.

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Audio from our June 14th Teaching.

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This week we have a true outside guest: Grey Shepard! Grey has a mighty place in the short lore of the Vertical + Podcast, and we're excited to finally give him a true voice.

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Thanks for checking Episode 10 of the podcast! We take some time to recap Ben's interview with Drew Cleek, along with our segments Ask Us Anything and our weekly recommends.

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Audio from May 24th teaching for Framework Week 2

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Welcome to the ninth episode of the podcast! This week we're back unpacking Ben's teaching from week 1 of our new series, Framework. We follow it up with a heated section of AUA, along with our weekly recommends.

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Audio from our May 17th teaching.

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Welcome to episode 0008! This past Sunday we had a guest speaker, Courtney Layson. She took a dive into a story about Peter, and this episode we unpack what she talked about! We also field some listener questions in Ask Us Anything, followed by our weekly recommends.

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Audio from our Mother's Day 2020 Teaching.

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Welcome back to the Vertical+ Podcast! This week we unpack Drew Cleek's teaching from this past Sunday, along with some listener questions and our weekly recommends!

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This week we're back to unpack Ben's teaching from Week 3 of The Enemy's Noose, along with AUA and weekly recommends!

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Teaching from our April 26th service.

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This week we take a dive into Teaching Team member Drew Cleeks talk on Esther, followed by our Ask Us Anything segment and our weekly recommends!

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The Week 2 teaching of our series The Enemy's Noose.

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Enjoy the teaching from our Easter 2020 Service.

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This week we do our weekly recap/unpacking of this past Sunday's teaching, followed by Ask Us Anything (AUA) and our recommends.

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This week we dive in a little to this past Sunday's standalone teaching, "The Names of God," followed by some AUA (Ask Us Anything) and recommends!

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In this episode, we give our first update on the behind scenes of our Job series, and the COVID-19 pandemic as a whole.