Maury Hills Church: Recent Episodes
Maury Hills Church
Messages from Maury Hills Church. Audio of each Sunday's message is posted one week after. Until then, the full service lives on YouTube. You can check it out at www.youtube.com/mauryhillschurch or visit our website at www.mauryhills.com.
In this message from our “How to Be a Healthy Church” series, we explore 1 Timothy 2 and Paul’s call to pray without anger or disputing. Although Christians may disagree on difficult issues—including the role of women in the church—our goal is not to win arguments but to live peaceful, godly lives that point people to Jesus. Healthy churches approach one another with open hands, clothe themselves with good deeds, and keep the gospel at the center of every conversation.
In the opening message of our “How to Be a Healthy Church” series, we explore 1 Timothy 1 and Paul’s call to guard the truth of the gospel. As trust in churches and pastors declines, Scripture reminds us that healthy churches value character over influence, test what they hear, and remain anchored in sound doctrine. The gospel is not “Jesus plus” something else—it is the good news that Jesus came to save sinners and patiently transform us through His grace.
Through the story of Les Misérables, we explore the contrast between grace and law through the lives of Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert. One allows grace to transform his identity and begin a new story, while the other cannot accept it. God’s grace has the power not only to save us, but to free us from our past and completely change our future.
This week's At the Movies takes on Wicked, the story of Glinda and Elphaba and how a friendship gets tested when one of them decides truth matters more than popularity. It's the same choice believers in Thessalonica faced in Acts 17, and the same one we face today: do we accept what we're told, or do we test it for ourselves like the Bereans did? We're unpacking Paul's charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 to "test everything, hold fast to what is good," and what spiritual discernment actually looks like in practice. Because what we don't know can hurt us, and it's never too late to see the truth.
It's Family Worship Sunday at Maury Hills as Russ is joined by special guest Luke Chapman, a third grader from Maury Hills, for a unique message in our At the Movies series. Using The Lion King as a backdrop, they explore the difference between fear and identity, discovering that our greatest confidence comes from remembering who we are in Christ. Through scenes from the movie and passages from Scripture, this message reminds us not to be consumed by worry, to embrace our identity as children of God, and to face life's fears with the confidence that comes from walking with the King.
For generations, Christians have debated the rapture, the tribulation, and the millennial kingdom. But what does the book of Revelation actually say? In the final message of our Revelation series, we'll separate popular ideas from biblical teaching, explore the three major views of Revelation 20, and discover why this book wasn't written to fill us with fear about the future, but with hope and faithfulness in the present.
(Revelation 20-22)
Revelation 4–19 contains some of the most mysterious and debated imagery in all of Scripture, but its central message is clearer than many people realize. In this message, we explore the four major approaches Christians have used to interpret Revelation—the Futurist, Preterist, Historicist, and Idealist views—and discover that faithful believers have disagreed on these chapters for centuries. Rather than focusing on predicting dates or decoding every symbol, we examine what all Christians can affirm: God is on the throne, the Lamb is victorious, judgment is coming, and followers of Jesus are called to remain faithful no matter the cost. Whether you see Revelation as future prophecy, first-century history, timeless spiritual truth, or some combination of the three, the book ultimately points us to the same hope—God reigns, Jesus wins, evil loses, and the church must endure in faith until the end. (Rev 4:1-19:21)
Revelation is often considered the Bible’s most confusing, debated, and misunderstood book. In this opening message of our series, It’s Revelation, Not Revelations, we step back from charts, timelines, and end-times speculation to explore the book’s original purpose and historical context. Who wrote Revelation? Who was it written to? What was happening in the Roman Empire that prompted John to write this message of hope and encouragement? By understanding the world of the first-century church, we begin to see that Revelation is not primarily about predicting modern events but about calling followers of Jesus to remain faithful in the face of pressure, persecution, and competing allegiances. The central message of Revelation is as relevant today as it was then: Jesus is Lord, evil will not have the final word, and in the end Christ will prevail.
In this message from Romans 14, Russ explores one of the most important principles for maintaining unity in a diverse church: “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.” Paul addresses disagreements among early Christians over issues like food and special days, reminding believers not to judge or despise one another over disputable matters. Drawing connections to modern debates within the church, this sermon challenges us to distinguish between essential truths of the gospel and secondary issues where faithful Christians may disagree. The call is simple but challenging: keep Christ at the center, extend grace to one another, and refuse to let opinions become points of division.
In her sermon From Groanings to Glory, Lydia Brooks draws from Romans 8:18-28 to challenge the tendency many believers have to skip straight to the comfort of verse 28 without sitting in the weight of the verses that precede it. Using a mirror-versus-microscope approach to Scripture, she walks through three movements in the passage: first, that we are bound to our human nature and our pride will be challenged by the call to obedience; second, that God provides warning signs and a map so we are never left without direction in our suffering; and third, that difficulty produces endurance, endurance produces wisdom, and wisdom ultimately produces glory. She unpacks the key phrase "according to His purpose," reframing love for God not as a feeling but as trust, surrender, faith, and obedience. Her closing charge is clear: the groanings of this life are not obstacles to salvation but instruments of it, and our responsibility in the middle of those groanings is obedience, prayer, and attentiveness to where God is working.
This week we wrapped up our “Big Picture” series by turning to the final two chapters of the Bible — Revelation 21–22. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one unified story: creation, fall, rescue, redemption, and restoration. Pastor Russ explores how the Bible ends where it began — with God dwelling among His people in a renewed creation. Along the way, we look at the connection between Eden and the New Heavens and New Earth, the symbolism of Revelation, and the hope Christians have in the resurrection and restoration of all things through Jesus. This message reminds us that the story of Scripture is not ultimately about fear or speculation, but about hope: in the end, God wins.
In week five of "The Big Picture", Ebony traces the birth of the church through Acts 2. The early church was marked by devotion to scripture, shared meals, communal prayer, and generosity, a model the pastor admits she deeply longs for while also acknowledging the tension modern believers feel between that first-century ideal and today's consumer-driven church culture. Drawing on the example of her own painful experience with church leadership, she is honest that no single model of church is one-size-fits-all, while testifying that her healing and renewed faith in the local church came through her community at Maury Hills. The sermon closes with a challenge rooted in Micah 6:8 and Francis Chan's pointed contrast between what congregations expect from church and what God actually commands of it, calling believers away from comfort-centered faith toward sacrificial, Spirit-led community, with a charge that lingers long after the benediction: don't just come to church; be the church.
This message continues our series The Big Picture by focusing on Act Four—The Chosen One (Jesus)—where everything in Scripture finds its fulfillment. After tracing the story from the Garden to the Fall to the Chosen People of Israel, we see how the promise was never about elevating one nation but about pointing to one person—Jesus. Looking at the opening of the Gospels and key moments in Luke, we explore how Jesus fulfills the promises made to Abraham, David, and ultimately to all people. Like a story rooted in a greater story, the life of Jesus only comes fully into view when we connect it to what came before. From his first sermon in Nazareth to the road to Emmaus, Jesus reveals that all of Scripture has been leading to him.
In Week 3 of The Big Picture, we step into “The Chosen People” and trace the unfolding story of God’s rescue mission through Abraham and the nation of Israel. Beginning in Genesis 12, we see God make a promise to bless all nations through one family, but what follows is a story filled with faith and failure, hope and dysfunction. From Abraham to Moses to the giving of the Law, God reveals His heart and calls His people to live differently, yet Israel continually falls short. Even in their rebellion, exile, and brokenness, God remains faithful, raising up prophets who both confront sin and point forward to a coming rescue. This message shows how the entire Old Testament builds tension and expectation, setting the stage for Jesus, the One through whom God ultimately fulfills His promise to bless, redeem, and restore the world.
The Big Picture: Understanding God’s Story Week Two
This week, we explore the Fall in Genesis 3 and why it’s one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. What began as a perfect world filled with goodness, peace, and relationship is disrupted by deception, sin, and rebellion. This is where the story shifts—from a “report” to a real story—because conflict enters the picture. In this message, we unpack how the Fall introduces shame, separation, suffering, and death, realities we still experience today. But even in the middle of the brokenness, there’s a hint of hope. From the very beginning, God is already pointing toward a future rescue through Jesus. When you start to see the Bible as one connected story, you begin to realize—there’s always something more going on.
In Week 2 of our series The Big Picture, we explore the Fall in Genesis 3 and why it’s one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. What began as a perfect world filled with goodness, peace, and relationship is disrupted by deception, sin, and rebellion. This is where the story shifts—from a “report” to a real story—because conflict enters the picture. In this message, we unpack how the Fall introduces shame, separation, suffering, and death, realities we still experience today. But even in the middle of the brokenness, there’s a hint of hope. From the very beginning, God is already pointing toward a future rescue through Jesus. When you start to see the Bible as one connected story, you begin to realize—there’s always something more going on.
Cultural Crossroads: Four Trends Shaping our World : Week Four
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus—but what does that mean for our lives right now? In a culture marked by loneliness, division, and isolation, this message explores one of the most pressing needs of our time: community. Drawing from Luke 24 and Acts 2, we see that Jesus didn’t just rise to give us hope for the future—He rose to invite us into a new way of life together.
Following Jesus was never meant to be done alone. Whether you’re here every week or just once a year, this message is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of belonging and the kind of community Jesus created for us to experience today.
Cultural Crossroads: Four Trends Shaping our World : Week Three
Palm Sunday wasn’t just a spiritual moment—it was deeply political. In this message, we explore how the crowd misunderstood Jesus by attaching Him to their own political hopes, expecting a conquering king instead of a suffering Savior. But Jesus makes it clear: His kingdom is not of this world. So what does that mean for us today in such a divided culture? As followers of Jesus, how do we engage in politics without letting it define us, divide us, or take the place of our true allegiance? This sermon challenges us to keep politics in its proper place under the lordship of Christ and to reflect His character—choosing love, humility, and peace over partisanship and division.
Cultural Crossroads: Four Trends Shaping our World - Week 2
In a culture quick to label opponents as enemies, Jesus offers a better way. In this message from Matthew 5:43–48, we explore how the demonization of others fuels division—and how Christ calls us to something higher: love, prayer, and maturity in how we treat those we disagree with. Through biblical teaching and a real-life local story, this sermon challenges us to resist the pull of outrage and choose a more Christlike path forward.
Cultural Crossroads: Four Trends Shaping our World - Week 1
The Rise of Fear (John 16:33, Luke 12)
Cultural Crossroads: Four Trends Shaping our World - Intro
Why does it feel like we’re more divided than ever—even within the church? In this opening message of our March series, we step back from the hot-button cultural issues that often spark conflict and ask a deeper question: Why are we losing the ability to talk about them? Instead of debating the issues themselves, we explore the underlying forces driving today’s divisions and introduce four cultural trends that are shaping how we see one another and how followers of Jesus can respond with wisdom, humility, and unity in Christ.
2nd Timothy 1:7, John 16:33, Luke 12
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 8
In this sermon, Ebony explores the powerful truth that believers are no longer defined as “sinners,” but as saints being transformed by the Holy Spirit. Through the story of Carey’s struggle with repeated sin and the dramatic conversion of Paul, she shows how many Christians get stuck trying to change through willpower instead of true spiritual transformation. Drawing from Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, she explains that salvation gives us a new identity in Christ and begins a lifelong process of inner renewal—reshaping our beliefs, desires, and character. Like a butterfly emerging from a worm, transformation is often slow and messy, but real and beautiful. The message reminds us that ongoing struggle does not cancel our identity in Christ, and that lasting change comes through surrender, renewing our minds, living in community, and depending daily on God’s presence, especially through spiritual practices like solitude.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 7
In this message from our Discovering the God Jesus Knows series, we confront the subtle but powerful idea that God is distant, uninvolved, or indifferent. While deism teaches that God created the world and stepped back, Scripture tells a very different story. From “Immanuel — God with us” in Matthew 1 to Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit in John 16, the Bible consistently reveals a God who moves toward us, dwells among us, and remains present in our lives. Even when we don’t feel it, even when circumstances confuse us, Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” If you’ve ever wondered whether God truly cares about your everyday struggles, this message is for you — because the good news is simple and powerful: God is not distant. God is present.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 5
God is love. God is grace. But does that mean God doesn’t care how we live? In this message from Romans 6, we wrestle with a cultural moment where it’s popular to talk about Jesus—but not always to be changed by Jesus. Looking at everything from Super Bowl halftime shows to Paul’s words about grace, we confront a false narrative that says obedience doesn’t matter. Paul responds clearly: grace doesn’t lower the standard—it raises it. Because of Jesus, we are not only forgiven from sin’s penalty, we are freed from sin’s control. God’s love is unconditional, but it is never apathetic. Like a good Father, He disciplines, trains, and calls us to share in His holiness. This week’s spiritual practice challenges us to take an honest inventory of our lives, confess our sin, and trust that the God who is good, trustworthy, generous, loving—and holy—is still transforming us.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 5
In this message, Russ explores one of the most familiar yet most misunderstood attributes of God: God is love. Scripture says it plainly—but many of us still live with a quiet belief that God’s love is conditional, dependent on our performance or our ability to “get it right.” Drawing from 1 John 4, Romans 8, Philippians 3, and real-life stories, we look at how performance-based faith distorts our identity, fuels shame, and keeps us from experiencing the unconditional love God already offers. This message invites us to lay down legalism, embrace the freedom of grace, and rediscover a God whose love is unchanging—on our good days and our bad ones.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 4
In this message from Maury Hills Church, we continue the series Discovering the God Jesus Knows by challenging the deeply ingrained belief that God’s love, grace, and favor must be earned. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) and the familiar story of the prodigal son, this sermon reveals a God whose generosity is not transactional or performance-based, but freely given to all. Through personal stories, reflections on human relationships, and the contrast between worldly systems and God’s kingdom, we’re invited to let go of the false narrative of “try harder” and rediscover the outrageous generosity of God. The message ends with a practical spiritual practice: a simple, intentional act of generosity meant to mirror the grace we have already received.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 3
In this message, we explore what it means to truly trust God—and why trust may be one of the hardest gifts many of us have to offer. Using marriage vows, broken trust in religious leaders, and Jesus’ own prayer life as a backdrop, this sermon acknowledges the very real ways faith and trust can be damaged by people and institutions, while inviting us not to project those failures onto God Himself. Through Jesus’ teaching in the Lord’s Prayer, we see that every line assumes a God who is near, good, generous, forgiving, and protective. Rather than a distant or unreliable deity, Jesus reveals a Father who can be trusted with our daily needs, our failures, and our future. The message concludes with a simple—as a way to rebuild trust in God not just with our beliefs, but with our lives.
Spiritual Formation Practice—Daily praying the Lord’s Prayer slowly and intentionally.
Discovering the God Jesus Knows Week 1
In this message, we introduce a new series centered on discovering the God Jesus knows—a journey shaped by the recognition that all of us bring baggage, background, and false narratives into our understanding of God. Drawing from Matthew 11 and the life and words of Jesus, this sermon explores why Jesus is the clearest and most trustworthy revelation of who God truly is, challenging common misconceptions of God as angry, distant, disappointed, or unforgiving. By examining how family, cultural, and religious narratives shape our view of God, we’re invited to let the Jesus narrative take priority, revealing a God who is both holy and near, majestic and loving. This series will walk through key characteristics of God—good, trustworthy, generous, loving, holy, self-sacrificing, and transforming—while pairing each week with spiritual practices designed not just to reshape how we think about God, but how we respond to Him.
At the Movies: Christmas Edition
In week 2 of At the Movies: Christmas Edition, Russ uses the classic film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to explore why peace feels so fragile during the holidays. Clark Griswold’s quest for the “perfect Christmas” mirrors our own tendency to chase idealized moments that quickly unravel into chaos, conflict, and unmet expectations. But Jesus offers a different kind of peace—one that isn’t dependent on circumstances, perfect families, or flawless plans. Drawing from John 14:27, Philippians 4:8, and Colossians 3:15, this message helps us let go of perfectionism, adjust our expectations, embrace life’s disruptions, and rest in the steady peace Christ gives. In a season when stress runs high and families are imperfect, this sermon reminds us that the peace of Jesus is secure, present, and available—even in our most Griswold moments.
At the Movies: Christmas Edition
In this first week of Advent, we explore the theme of hope through the classic film Miracle on 34th Street, a story about belief, wonder, and opening ourselves to something bigger than we can logically prove. Just as Susan wrestles with whether Santa is real, many people wrestle with whether God is real and trustworthy—especially in moments of darkness or doubt. Scripture shows us that God doesn’t run from our questions; He steps into them. In Jesus—the Word made flesh, the visible image of the invisible God—we see God revealing Himself, entering our world, and giving us reason for deep, grounded hope. Advent reminds us that in a world filled with confusion and consumerism, light still breaks into darkness. Hope has come because Jesus has come.
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In this message, Russ explores Hebrews 13 and challenges the idea that following Jesus has to look dramatic, strange, or overly spiritualized. After reflecting on everything from @pastorswithprops to the emotional excesses of the Cane Ridge Revival, he shows that the true life of faith is most often lived in simple, consistent, everyday faithfulness—loving people well, practicing real hospitality, showing empathy to the mistreated, staying committed in relationships, being content, and doing good. Rather than chasing spiritual hype, Hebrews invites us into a steady, grounded walk with Jesus that shapes ordinary Tuesdays just as much as big spiritual moments. This sermon closes the 15-week journey through Hebrews by reminding us that the way of Christ is not weird… just faithful.
Week 15: Hebrews 13
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In this sermon, Russ walks through Hebrews 12 and shows how the contrast between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion helps us see the difference between approaching God with fear or approaching Him with joy. Building on Ebony’s insight that God’s “discipline” means loving training rather than punishment, Russ explains why many of us still relate to God as if He’s disappointed or waiting to catch us doing wrong. Using memorable stories—from a wrong-way touchdown to the difference between TSA lines and airport welcome gates—he reminds us that through Jesus we’re invited into the better mountain, the better covenant, and a God who welcomes us home with confidence, grace, and joy.
Week 14: Hebrews 12:18-29
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews - Ebony Lovely
God’s loving discipline shapes believers into maturity, even when it feels uncomfortable, and His correction is motivated by love, not anger. Like marathon runners, Christians must train through spiritual discipline, remove distractions and sin, and rely on community for encouragement. The message concludes by urging believers to fix their eyes on Jesus—the ultimate example of endurance—and to run their race faithfully, trusting His grace to carry them through, whether they are weary in the midst of it or just stepping onto the track.
Week 13: Hebrews 12:1-17
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
Faith doesn’t always make sense in the moment—but it always makes sense in hindsight. In this message, Russ continues through Hebrews 11 with the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab. Their examples show us that real faith means trusting God when we can’t see the outcome and obeying even when it seems irrational. From Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Moses’ courage in standing up to Pharaoh, to Rahab’s bold act of protection, each story points to Jesus—the ultimate deliverer. Sometimes, like on a plane you can’t control, all you can do is trust that God’s got it—and that’s what faith really is.
Week 12: Hebrews 11:20-40
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In this week’s message, Russ walks through Hebrews 10 and the three-part invitation at the heart of the book — to draw near to God with confidence, to hold unswervingly to hope even when life gets hard, and to encourage one another in community. The whole letter to the Hebrews builds to this bold invitation to live in God’s presence, anchored in hope and surrounded by others.Week 10: Hebrews 10
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
Hebrews 8 reminds us that Jesus didn’t come to update the old covenant— He came to establish a new one. In this message, Russ explains the difference between the old covenant of law and the new covenant of grace, and why following Jesus means we live under something far better.
Week 8: Hebrews 8:1-13
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In Hebrews 7 we meet one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible—Melchizedek. The writer of Hebrews uses him to show us why Jesus is not just a great High Priest, but a better High Priest. Unlike the priests of the Old Testament, Jesus is permanent, perfect, and the only true mediator who brings us near to God. In this message, Pastor Russ unpacks what Hebrews 7 teaches about Jesus, why He’s greater than any substitute we try to rely on, and how His better way gives us lasting hope, forgiveness, and access to God.
Week: Hebrews 7
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In this message from Hebrews 6:13–20, Pastor Russ reminds us that while people often break promises, God never does. His promises are secured by His oath and His character, and our hope in Jesus becomes an anchor for the soul—firm, secure, and steady through life’s storms. Unlike everyday wishful thinking, biblical hope is grounded in God’s unchanging word, and that hope points us to Jesus alone as the only foundation that will hold.
Week 6: Hebrews 6:13-20
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
This week at Maury Hills we welcomed Scott Utter as our guest speaker. Scott brought a challenging message from Hebrews 5:11–6:12, reminding us that faith isn’t meant to stay stuck in immaturity but to keep growing toward maturity in Christ. His words invite us to reflect on where we are in our spiritual journey and encourage us to take the next step forward with Jesus.
Week 5: Hebrews 5:11-6:12 - Scott Utter
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In Hebrews 4:14–16, we’re told that Jesus is not just our High Priest—He’s our Great High Priest. That means we don’t have to approach God like a nervous defendant in a courtroom, hoping for mercy. Because of Jesus, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence. In a world filled with anxiety and fear of being judged or rejected, this truth changes everything: you belong in the Father’s house because you’re with the Son.
Week 4: Hebrews 4:14-5:10
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
We love to argue about the greatest of all time—Jordan or LeBron, Brady or Mahomes. For the first Christians, the question wasn’t about sports. It was about Moses. Hebrews 3 makes a bold claim: Jesus is greater than Moses. We may not be tempted to follow Moses today, but we still wrestle with elevating rules over grace and old ways over Jesus. This passage calls us to fix our thoughts on Him, our apostle and high priest.Week 3: Hebrews 3:1-19
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
In Hebrews 2, we’re reminded of something profound: Jesus didn’t keep His distance. He “shared in our humanity,” becoming both fully God and fully human. That matters because it means Jesus understands our struggles. He knows what it’s like to be tempted, to suffer, and to face death itself. He didn’t just come to save us from a distance—He came close enough to walk in our shoes. In this message, Russ unpacks why the humanity of Jesus is just as important as His divinity, and how that truth gives us courage, comfort, and confidence today.📖 Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18
The New Covenant: A Study of Hebrews
We’re kicking off a new series on the book of Hebrews, The New Covenant. In this opening message, Pastor Russ unpacks the prologue of Hebrews and reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God—greater than angels, prophets, or traditions. Many people see God as silent or scary, but Hebrews 1 shows us a different picture: through Jesus, we learn that God is not silent and He’s not scary. He speaks, He cares, and He looks exactly like Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-14
Ricky Brown, Jesse Reyna, Ryan Morgan, and Aubrey Flagg share testimonies about the work of Hope Center Columbia.
In this final message of our summer "At the Movies" series, Russ explores the powerful true story behind The Long Game—a film about perseverance, purpose, and pressing on when life gets hard. Drawing lessons from the 1957 San Felipe High School golf team and their unlikely championship journey, this sermon unpacks what it really means to "play the long game"—in sports, in faith, in recovery, and in life.With reflections on personal regret, inspiring Hope Center testimonies, and scriptures from Galatians, Philippians, and Hebrews, this message is a timely reminder to stay the course. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Keep going because the reward is waiting on the other side of perseverance.
In this week’s message, Ebony shares a deep and heartfelt reflection on the film The Six Triple Eight. She explores the inspiring true story, based on the accounts of living witnesses, and highlights the real courage of the all-Black, all-female battalion who served during WWII—women who were not fully recognized in their time.Ebony connects their story to the biblical truth of Imago Dei—that every person is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity. Drawing from Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman, she reminds us that Jesus saw the humanity in people others overlooked. The challenge for us: see people the way Jesus did.
Love One Another Week Five (1 John 5:1-5)
Many people think being a Christian is confusing, overwhelming, or even impossible. But in this message from our Love One Another series, we return to 1 John to see how the early church simplified the core of Christian identity. John says it all comes down to two things: one core belief and one core activity. It's not that difficult to understand—but definitely challenging to live out. Discover how love, faith, and Jesus himself make the Christian life both clear and compelling.
Love One Another Week Four
In 1 John 4, the apostle reminds us that not everything labeled “Christian” is Christlike, and not every message about Jesus is rooted in truth. We’re called to test what we hear, discern wisely, and above all, love boldly. In this message, we explore how real love is both our evidence of God and our witness to the world. Featuring the powerful story of Corrie ten Boom, this sermon challenges us to practice a courageous kind of love—one rooted not in emotion, but in faith.
Love One Another 1st John 3:11-24 - Week 3
In this message, we explore one of the most practical and powerful sections of 1 John—his command to “love one another.” Pastor Russ reflects on what real, Christlike love looks like, not just in words but in actions and truth. Drawing from personal experience on the recent Justice Journey Bus Trip through key Civil Rights sites, he shares powerful examples of love in action—from Bishop I.H. Bonnor in Selma to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth in Birmingham. We’ll also see how the early Christians’ radical love left emperors speechless and how the same call challenges us today. Are we known by our love? Does the world see Jesus in how we treat others?
Love One Another Week 1 ( 1st Jn 1:1-2:17)
What does it really mean to walk with God? In this opening message from our series on 1 John, we explore how love, truth, and light are inseparable from genuine faith. Drawing on John’s eyewitness account of Jesus, this sermon challenges us to examine whether our lives reflect God's light—or if we're still walking in darkness. If we claim to know God but don’t love others, we’ve missed the heart of the gospel. True fellowship with God begins with seeing—and treating—others as fellow image-bearers of God.
This Easter message kicks off a new series called Practicing the Way: Becoming a Disciple of Jesus. Pastor Russ Adcox asks a powerful question: Who are you following? Because whether we realize it or not, we’re all disciples of someone—our lives are shaped by the people and voices we follow.Using examples from financial guru Dave Ramsey to marathon coach Hal Higdon, Russ explores how discipleship impacts our habits, values, and identity. But unlike self-help teachers or influencers, Jesus calls his followers to something deeper: self-denial, sacrifice, and transformation.Drawing from Luke 9 and John 20, this message challenges cultural Christianity and reframes discipleship around the resurrection power that makes following Jesus possible. Whether you're new to faith or seeking a deeper path, this sermon sets the stage for discovering what it really means to follow Jesus.
The Most Controversial Sermon Ever Preached - Week OneWhat if the most beloved sermon in history is also the most controversial? In this message, we dive into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and explore why His teachings on meekness, mercy, and peacemaking remain just as countercultural today as 2,000 years ago. Are we truly following Christ’s call, or have we rewritten His words to fit our narratives? Join us as we challenge the modern mindset, reflect on the Beatitudes, and wrestle with what it means to live out the Kingdom values of Jesus.
In this message to parents, we explore three essential lessons: Don’t miss it, don’t buy it, and don’t force it.
Aimee Alberd (guest speaker)1st Cor 6:12-20Divided We Fall: A Study of 1st Corinthians (week eight)
True Wisdom (1st Cor 3:18-4:3)Divided We Fall: A Study of 1st Corinthians (week five)Marvin Corr
An update on our Hope Center Columbia location, including testimonies from the leaders, participants, and mentors.
Listen to what The Well is doing in our community and why we choose them as our year-end giving recipient.
Controversies in Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-12:44)
Simply Jesus: The Gospel of MarkWeek Twelve
Come to the Table: The Radical Invitation of Jesus (week two)Luke 7:36-50 (Dinner at Simon's House)
Our annual Greatest Impromptu Christmas Pageant Ever. A no-rehearsal play performed by our children's ministry.
Promises for Us
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The same God who is faithful to you will also be to your children - Acts 2:39
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Our present suffering does not compare to the glory coming - Rom. 8:18
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Away from the body is to be at home with the Lord - II Cor. 5:8; Phil.1:21
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God saves those not looking to be saved - Is.65:1
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I Know Who Holds Tomorrow - Matt. 6:26-33
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Your Labor in the Lord is not in Vain - I Cor. 15:58
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I’m not what I once was and not yet what I hope to be -- When He appears we shall be
like Him - I John 3:2
A message inspired by Andy Stanley's book "Not In It to Win It" and rooted in the teaching of Paul in Romans 14, 1st Corinthians 9, and Philippians 3.
A message shedding light on predatory payday loans and tangible ways we can help our community.
A series designed to help us wrestle with the questions about life after death and the in between.
A series designed to help us wrestle with the avoided questions about life after death.
A series designed to focus our hearts & minds on Jesus using five key cities he visited in his earthly ministry. In each city, Jesus chose to reveal a bit more of his identity and purpose.
Trent Ogilvie - Guest Speaker
A series designed to focus our hearts & minds on Jesus using five key cities he visited in his earthly ministry. In each city, Jesus chose to reveal a bit more of his identity and purpose.
Marvin Corr - Guest Speaker
A series designed to focus our hearts & minds on Jesus using five key cities he visited in his earthly ministry. In each city, Jesus chose to reveal a bit more of his identity and purpose.
A series designed to focus our hearts & minds on Jesus using five key cities he visited in his earthly ministry. In each city, Jesus chose to reveal a bit more of his identity and purpose.
A podcast episode discussing the book Reconsidered: What the Bible Actually Says About the Role of Women in the Church.
A series designed to focus our hearts & minds on Jesus using five key cities he visited in his earthly ministry. In each city, Jesus chose to reveal a bit more of his identity and purpose.
This is week seven of our Anchored Spirituality, our emotional and spiritual health series. This episode talks about how to endure the storms of life with our faith intact. It includes a testimony from Harvey Church.
This lesson is week six of Anchored Spirituality, our emotional and spiritual health series. This episode talks about how we can be better at being open to receiving feedback.
This is week five of our Anchored Spirituality series. This episode talks about how humility is intertwined with our spiritual and emotional health.
A sermon by Aimee Alberd. This is week four of Anchored Spirituality, our emotional health series.
Kick Off Message. This series looks at how to resist the toxic culture of celebrity and consumerism in the modern church, and how to nurture and embrace a culture of goodness.
The early church didn't grow through gimmicks and clever evangelism tactics. It grew with the simple story of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. This message dives into Acts 4:1-22 as we wrap up the Launch series. Includes a powerful testimony by Norm Jenks at the end.
Ebony Lovely, our Discipleship & Online Pastor brings a message on the third key to spiritual growth from 1st Peter 13:1-7. Includes a powerful testimony from Darlene Blade and two songs from her son, Logan.
The church is messy and imperfect. Yet, the church is also beautiful and essential. A message about why we need the church and why we need each other (1st Cor 12 & Mark 2).
How did the world get so broken? A message on mistrust, disunity, and how to rebuild broken trust.
AtTheMovies2021
RayaAndTheLastDragon
Scott Utter, speaker
A Different Kind of Kingdom
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
Week Nine
Interview with Kathy Cook
Director of the Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee
Love and Justice, Week Four
Missing Advent - Week Four. The things Jesus brings at his coming (hope, peace, love, joy) are often missing from our lives. This series is about how to recapture them and experience wholeness this Christmas season.
Missing Advent - Week Three. The things Jesus brings at his coming (hope, peace, love, joy) are often missing from our lives. This series is about how to recapture them and experience wholeness this Christmas season.
Missing Advent - Week Two. The things Jesus brings at his coming (hope, peace, love, joy) are often missing from our lives. This series is about how to recapture them and experience wholeness this Christmas season.
Missing Advent - Week One. The things Jesus brings at his coming (hope, peace, love, joy) are often missing from our lives. This series is about how to recapture them and experience wholeness this Christmas season.