Celina First Church Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Celina First Church of God
In Romans 7, Paul ends with a desperate question: “Who will rescue me?” Romans 8 answers with one of the clearest declarations of the gospel: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
In this message, Pastor Craig looks at the difference between conviction and condemnation, why Christians sometimes put the chains of shame back on themselves, and why our confidence does not rest in what we have done, but in what God did through Jesus Christ.
If you have ever struggled to believe that grace is really for you, this message is a reminder that in Christ, the chains are off and you are free to walk in the Spirit.
In Romans 7, Paul addresses an important question for Jewish believers: If salvation comes through grace, what do we do with the law? Paul makes it clear that the law is not sinful. The law is holy, righteous, and good. It reveals what holiness looks like and exposes the sin already present within us. But knowing what is right does not always give us the power to do what is right. As Paul honestly admits, “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” The law can reveal our sin, but it cannot rescue us from it. Rules, knowledge, discipline, and willpower cannot transform a sinful heart. That is why Paul cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” The answer is not greater effort, but a greater Savior. “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Through Christ, we have been released from the law as the means of becoming righteous before God. We now belong to Jesus, serve in the new way of the Spirit, and depend on His grace. The law can reveal our guilt, but Jesus bore our guilt. The law can show us our need, but Jesus alone can rescue us.
In this week’s message, Pastor Craig teaches on “The Sound of Repentance.” Repentance is more than feeling guilty or simply saying we are sorry. Biblical repentance includes both confession and change.
Confession is what repentance sounds like. It clearly names the sin, takes responsibility, and asks for forgiveness without excuses or blame. Change is what repentance looks like. It means turning away from sin and producing fruit over time as we walk in obedience to God.
The message also explores what repentance should sound like in our relationships. When our sin affects another person, a simple and honest response may be: “I sinned against you when I did this. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”
Repentance is not weakness. It is the humble path that leads us away from sin, toward Jesus, and into healthier relationships with others.
In this week’s message from Romans 6:15-23, we look at Paul’s reminder that grace is not permission to keep living in sin. Grace is the power of God that sets us free.
Paul uses the language of slavery to show us that everyone serves something. We were created to worship God, but sin bends our worship toward things like money, pleasure, reputation, success, comfort, or self. Sin may start small, but it grows, leads to shame, and ultimately ends in death.
But the good news of the gospel is that in Christ, sin is no longer our master. Jesus has set us free from sin and shame so that we can now belong to God and walk in righteousness.
In this week’s message from Romans 6:1-14, we continued our series through Romans by looking at Paul’s response to one of the natural misunderstandings of grace. If God’s grace increases where sin increases, does that mean we should just keep sinning?
Paul’s answer is clear. By no means. The Christian has not only been forgiven of sin, but has died to sin. In Christ, we are made new. The old self has been buried, and we are raised to walk in new life.
This message also looked at the meaning of baptism as a picture of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection, and the call to no longer offer any part of ourselves back to sin. Grace is not permission to keep living under sin’s power. Grace is what sets us free from sin’s power.
Here is this week’s message from Romans 6:1-14.
In this week’s message from Romans 5:12-21, Pastor Craig walks through one of the clearest passages in Scripture on Adam, original sin, and the greater grace we have in Jesus Christ. Paul shows us that sin is not just a series of bad choices, but a condition that entered the world through Adam and spread to all people. Because sin entered, death entered too.
But the good news of the gospel is that Adam does not get the final word. Through one man, sin and death came into the world. But through one man, Jesus Christ, grace, righteousness, and life are offered to all who receive him by faith. This message reminds us that sin is serious, death is real, and we cannot save ourselves, but the grace of Jesus is greater than all of it. Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
This week we continue our study through Romans by looking at Romans 5:6–11, where Paul brings us back to the heart of the gospel.
At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. That means Jesus did not come for people who had already cleaned themselves up, proven themselves worthy, or found a way to save themselves. He came for sinners. He came for enemies. He came for people who had no power to make themselves right with God.
In this message, we look at the love of God demonstrated through the cross, the blood of Jesus that justifies us before God, and the reconciliation that restores us to relationship with Him. The gospel is not only that God forgives guilty people. It is that God brings enemies near and makes them His own.
Romans 5 reminds us that every believer has a “but God” story. But for God’s mercy, we would still be in our sin. But for God’s love, we would still be powerless. But through Christ, we have been justified, reconciled, and given reason to rejoice.
In this week’s sermon, we continue our journey through Romans by looking at Romans 5:1 to 5.
Paul begins with the good news that, because we have been justified through faith, we now have peace with God through Jesus Christ. That peace changes how we understand everything else, including suffering.
In this passage, Paul gives us a progression that is both difficult and deeply hopeful. Suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character. Character produces hope. None of us naturally want suffering, and Scripture does not ask us to pretend pain is good. But Paul shows us that, for those who belong to Christ, suffering does not have to be wasted.
This message looks at the different ways suffering enters our lives, how God can use suffering to build endurance and character, and why Christian hope is stronger than our circumstances. Our hope is not just that things may get better someday. Our hope is that God is with us now, and Christ will one day make all things new.
So as you listen, consider where you may be in that process. Are you suffering? Are you persevering? Is God shaping your character? Are you learning to hold onto hope?
Romans 5 reminds us that because of Jesus, hope does not put us to shame.
Welcome to the Celina First sermon podcast. Today we continue our walk through Romans with Romans 4, where Paul points back to Abraham to show that salvation by faith is not a new idea. God has always made people right with Himself by faith, and righteousness is credited, not achieved.
In this message, we look at why that matters for both the original Roman church and for us today. Faith is not just mental agreement. Real faith receives the gift of grace and then walks with the God who gives life.
Here is this week’s message from Romans 4.
This week in Romans 3:21–31 we arrived at the heart of the gospel message. After spending several chapters showing that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s standard, Paul now points us to the cure found in Jesus Christ.
In this sermon we walk through what the cross actually accomplished. Christ redeemed us from sin and death, offered salvation freely by grace, and atoned for our sins through His sacrifice on the cross. We also looked at how the cross satisfied God’s justice, revealed Jesus as the only path to salvation, and removed every reason for human boasting.
The gospel is not about earning our way to God. It is about trusting what Christ has already done for us. The diagnosis was worse than we thought, but thanks be to God, the cure was greater than we imagined.
Welcome to the Celina First podcast. This week we continue our verse by verse walk through the book of Romans as we come to one of the most important truths in the entire Christian faith: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
In Romans 3, Paul brings both the “good kids” and the obvious sinners into the same boat. Religious people, irreligious people, moral people, broken people, all stand in need of the same Savior. But this passage is not meant to leave us hopeless. It is meant to help us understand just how powerful and beautiful the Gospel really is.
In today’s message we wrestle with the universality of sin, the danger of pride, the purpose of God’s Word, and the incredible grace freely offered through Jesus Christ.
This week’s message continues our walk through the book of Romans as we move into chapter 2. After looking at the brokenness of culture in chapter 1, Paul turns the focus inward and addresses those who know the truth but are not always living it out.
In this sermon, we explore how knowledge of the gospel was never meant to produce pride or judgment, but obedience, humility, and a deep gratitude for God’s grace. It is a direct and honest look at the tension between knowing better and actually doing better.
If you have ever wrestled with that gap in your own life, this message will meet you there and point you forward to the hope we will see more clearly in the weeks ahead.
Welcome to the sermon podcast of Celina First Church of God.
This week we continue through Romans by looking at Paul’s argument in Romans 1:16–32. Paul declares that the gospel is powerful enough to save both Jew and Gentile, then explains how the brokenness of culture can actually be evidence of God giving people over to their own desires.
We also address why this passage speaks about sexual sin alongside envy, greed, gossip, and pride, and why the answer to every form of bondage is still the same: the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for listening.
This is the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God. Thanks for taking a few minutes to listen in.
This week we continue our walk through Romans, looking at what it means to have a faith that is actually known. Not just something we claim, but something that shows up when life gets hard. In this passage, Paul points to a group of believers whose faith was being talked about everywhere, and then explains why he is not ashamed of the gospel.
In this message, we explore how faith is tested through hardship, how it becomes visible when it is lived out unashamed, and how the strength to stand does not come from us, but from the power of the gospel itself.
If you have ever wrestled with holding onto your faith in difficult moments or wondered where the strength to keep going comes from, this message will walk through that honestly and clearly.
Welcome to the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God. We are glad you are listening along.
This week we begin a brand new series walking through the book of Romans. This is not a quick series. It is a slow and intentional journey through one of the most important and theologically rich books in all of Scripture.
In this opening message from Romans 1:1–7, we take time to set the table. We look at who Paul is, who he is writing to, and why that matters for us today. Along the way, we are reminded that God uses surrendered people, that the church is meant to be united around Jesus, and that our primary identity is found in being servants of Christ.
If you have ever wanted to go deeper in your faith and better understand the foundation of the gospel, this is a great place to begin.
If you missed Easter at Celina First, this message walks through why the resurrection of Jesus matters far beyond just the promise of heaven. We look at how the empty tomb confirms that it is finished, and how that same power shows up in our lives right now. Using the story of Lazarus, this sermon challenges us to consider where we may still be stuck and what it looks like to step into new life. It is a clear and practical look at the hope of Easter, both for eternity and for today.
In today’s message, we continue our Final Week series by looking at the cross and Jesus’ words, “It is finished.” This sermon walks through what Jesus meant by that statement, tracing the problem of sin from the beginning, the role of the sacrificial system, and how Jesus fulfills it completely. We also wrestle with the tension of why life can still feel unfinished, even though Christ has paid the debt in full. Ultimately, this message points us to the truth that the cross secured the payment, and the resurrection confirms the victory.
In this message, we take a close look at what we are calling “the Peter problem.” Peter was bold and confident in his faith, yet he quickly fell into denial and disobedience when things became difficult. His story exposes two struggles we all face, spiritual pride and selective obedience.
But Peter’s story does not end in failure. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything, showing us that Christ is Lord and that His way leads to life, even when it feels like loss. This sermon challenges us to examine where we may be overconfident or resistant to Jesus and to trust Him fully in every area of our lives.
Today’s sermon comes from the final week of Jesus’ life and focuses on a powerful moment that took place during the Last Supper. Pastor Dean Calvin walks through the scene where Jesus washes the feet of His disciples and shows what true humility and service look like. In a moment that surprised the disciples, Jesus demonstrated that greatness in the kingdom of God is not about status but about serving others. This message invites us to reconsider how we lead, how we treat people, and what it really means to follow Christ.
In today’s sermon we continue our series The Final Week: The Days That Changed Everything by following the story right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The passage looks at two connected moments from Matthew 21. First, Jesus enters the temple and confronts the corruption that had taken over a place meant for prayer and worship. Then we see the unusual moment where Jesus curses a fig tree that looked healthy but was not bearing fruit. Together these events reveal a deeper lesson about the danger of empty religion and the difference between simply looking spiritually alive and actually producing fruit in a life that follows God.
This week we kicked off our new series, The Final Week: The Days That Changed Everything, by looking at Palm Sunday in Matthew 21. We slowed down and examined what was really happening as Jesus entered Jerusalem. The crowd welcomed Him as King, shouting “Hosanna,” but they expected a political deliverer who would overthrow Rome.
We talked about three key truths from the passage. First, Jesus will not be redirected. He refused to be co opted for the crowd’s agenda and stayed focused on His mission to the Cross. Second, Jesus will not be rushed. The people wanted immediate change, but God’s kingdom unfolds on His timeline, not ours. Third, Jesus does not rule by force, but through sacrifice and service, ultimately establishing His kingdom through the Cross.
Palm Sunday sets the tone for the entire week. It reveals the kind of King Jesus is and challenges us to follow Him on His terms, trusting His timing and embracing His way.
In this message, we wrap up our Gospel Reset series by focusing on what Jesus calls “the least of these” in Matthew 25. The sermon begins with a look at how easy it is to say all people matter while quietly living as if some matter more than others. From there, we build a biblical foundation in Genesis 1, reminding ourselves that every person is made in the image of God and has inherent worth.
You will then hear four specific areas where the Gospel must reset us: our mind, our words, our actions, and our money. Each one is grounded in Scripture and aimed at helping us move from agreement to obedience. The message is both challenging and practical, calling us to examine how we treat and value the vulnerable in everyday life.
Welcome back to the Celina First sermon podcast.
This week in our Gospel Reset series, Pastor Brad Seeger led us through a timely reminder about the rhythms of our lives. We all have rhythms whether intentional or not. The question is whether those patterns are forming us toward Christ or slowly pulling us away.
Brad walked through the importance of resetting core spiritual rhythms such as prayer, time in the Word, and Sabbath rest. These are not random religious add ons. They are foundational practices that anchor our hearts in a distracted and hurried world. When those rhythms are neglected, other things quickly take their place. When they are cultivated, they shape our desires, our priorities, and our peace.
As you listen to this message, take inventory of your own life. What rhythms are currently shaping you? And where might the Lord be inviting you to reset?
Here is Pastor Brad.
Welcome to the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God.
This week we continue our Reset series with a message focused on parenting and how the gospel reshapes the way we view and raise children. Rather than drifting into cultural extremes that either ignore kids or idolize them, this message calls parents to a better gospel centered road.
Children are a gift from God, entrusted to us for a season to be discipled, disciplined, and ultimately deployed for His purposes. In this sermon, we explore what that looks like practically and biblically, and why parenting is not about perfection, but faithful stewardship.
Thanks for listening.
Welcome to the Celina First sermon podcast. Thanks for taking a few minutes to listen in today.
This week we are continuing our Gospel Reset series, where we are looking at areas of life that often get shaped more by culture than by the good news of Jesus. In this message, we talk about our gifts, our talents, our skills, and the ways God has uniquely wired each of us.
The world often tells us to use our gifts to build our own name or platform. The gospel offers a better way, calling us to see our gifts as something God has given so His name can be made great through faithful lives lived in community.
Whether you are listening as part of the Celina First Church family or you found this podcast another way, we are glad you are here. We hope this message helps reset the way you think about your gifts and encourages you to use them for God’s glory.
Welcome to the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God.
In today’s message, we continue our Reset series by talking about one of the most uncomfortable and influential areas of life: money. Not because the church needs something from you, but because money has a way of quietly shaping our fears, our priorities, and our sense of security.
This sermon explores what it looks like to experience a gospel reset with our finances by starting with the right foundation. God is our provider, and we are stewards of what He has given us. From there, we contrast the world’s wisdom about money with the freedom found in God’s Word, addressing contentment, debt, generosity, and practical steps toward financial health.
Whether you feel confident with money or overwhelmed by it, this message is an invitation to trust God more deeply and step into a healthier, freer way of living.
Thanks for listening.
In today’s message from our Reset series, we talked about how the gospel reshapes the way we think about our physical health. Instead of following the world’s extremes of obsession or denial, Scripture calls us to a better way rooted in identity and stewardship.
We were reminded that our worth is not tied to appearance or performance, that we are deeply loved by God, and that our bodies belong to Him. From that foundation, the gospel invites us to pursue self-control, not as punishment, but as freedom, learning to resist habits and comforts that quietly master us and instead seek the Lord as our true source of strength and peace.
If this message challenged or encouraged you, we invite you to sit with it again, pray through it, and ask God what a gospel reset might look like in your own life.
Welcome to the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God.
Today we begin a brand new series called Reset, where we are talking about how the Gospel offers real change, not just inspiration, but transformation. In this message, we start where all change begins by resetting our mindset and our language. We look at how the Gospel gives us a new identity in Christ, why renewal starts in the mind, and how our words can either cooperate with or resist the work God wants to do in us.
If you are stepping into a new year longing for change, this message is a great place to begin. Thanks for listening, and we pray this sermon encourages you as you learn to think and speak like a Christian.
Today we’re continuing our Advent series called Unexpected with a message titled Unexpected Cost. A lot of us assume that following Jesus should make life easier, but the Bible is honest. Sometimes obedience actually makes life harder. In this message, we look at the life of Joseph and the real cost he paid for doing the right thing, not because he disobeyed God, but because he followed Him. If you’ve ever wondered why obedience can feel costly or lonely, this message is for you. Thanks for watching.
Welcome to the Celina First sermon podcast. Today we continue our Advent series, Unexpected Advent, by looking at the unexpected people God uses in his story. From Mary to the shepherds to Peter, we are reminded that God has never relied on status, ability, or perfect timing. He works through ordinary people who are willing to surrender and say yes. The question this message presses on all of us is simple. Why wouldn’t God use someone like you?
Welcome back to the Celina First sermon podcast. Today we begin our Advent series called Unexpected. Pastor Brad opened the series by looking at the timing of the birth of Christ and how God often works in ways we would never plan. He reminded us that Advent is a season of waiting with hope and that the coming of Jesus teaches us how to trust God’s timing in our own lives.
Thanks for listening to the sermon podcast from Celina First Church of God. This week was the first Sunday of Advent and Pastor Craig preached a message titled Pastoral Care for Advent. The teaching focused on very practical ways to keep our hearts centered on Jesus during a season that can feel overwhelming or exhausting.
As you listen, we hope this helps you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember the hope that comes with the arrival of Christ.
Welcome to the Celina First sermon podcast. Today we are finishing our fall series on the Parables of Jesus by looking at the good Samaritan from Luke chapter 10. This is one of the most familiar stories Jesus told, but it carries a deeper challenge than simply being a good person. Jesus shows us what real neighbor love looks like and how it flows from our understanding of God’s love for us.
Thanks for listening and we pray this message encourages you to love God and love your neighbor in the way of Christ.
Welcome back to the Celina First sermon podcast. Each week we share the full audio from Sunday’s message so you can stay connected to what God is teaching our church.
This week we continued our fall series through the parables of Jesus. Pastor Craig walked us through Luke 18:1-8, where Jesus tells the story of the persistent widow. It is a simple parable with a clear invitation, that followers of Jesus should be people who pray with consistency and determination.
If you missed the service or want to listen again, we are glad you are here. Let us jump into this week’s message from Luke 18:1-8.
This week, Pastor Craig continues our series on the Parables of Jesus with a message from Luke 16 titled “Whose Report Will You Believe?”
Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus — a powerful reminder of the reality of Heaven and Hell, and the hope we have in the one who has seen both and come back from the dead to lead us to life.
Let’s listen in.
This week Pastor Craig walks us through two short but powerful parables from Matthew chapter 13.
Jesus tells of a man who finds treasure in a field and a merchant who discovers a pearl of great value. Both sell everything they have to gain what truly matters. The message reminds us that while salvation in Jesus is free, following Him will cost us our lives. But when we understand what we gain, we trade it all with joy.
Here’s Pastor Craig with this week’s message, The Greatest Trade.
This week Pastor Craig continues our Parables of Jesus series with a message from Matthew 25:1–13, where Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. It is a story about preparation, expectation, and faithfulness.
Jesus reminds us that none of us know the day or the hour when He will return, or when our time on earth will end. What matters most is being ready now. We cannot borrow someone else’s faith or righteousness. Each of us must personally walk with Christ and live rightly before Him today.
Let this message challenge and encourage you to trust God fully, live with purpose, and keep your lamp burning bright as you wait for the coming of the King.
Welcome back to the Celina First sermon podcast. This week Pastor Craig walks us through one of Jesus’ most well-known stories — the parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15. It’s a message about two sons who both misunderstood their father, and a father whose grace never ran out.
Whether you relate to the younger son who ran away or the older brother who stayed but lost his joy, this sermon will remind you that real life is found only in relationship with the Father. Let’s dive in together.
In this week’s message, Pastor Craig teaches from Matthew 22:1-14, where Jesus tells the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. God has invited everyone to the celebration of His Son, but people still find ways to decline the invitation. Some are too busy, some respond with hostility, and others try to come on their own terms. This sermon reminds us that the only way into the banquet is through the righteousness God provides in Jesus. The invitation is open — the question is, how will you respond?
In this week’s message from Celina First, Pastor Craig Flack teaches from Luke 18:9-14, where Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It’s a powerful look at pride and humility—two heart postures that determine how we relate to God.
You’ll hear how pride can blind us to our need for mercy, while humility opens the door for God’s grace and favor. This message reminds us that God sees the heart, not the performance, and that those who humble themselves will be lifted up by Him.
In this sermon, Pastor Craig takes us into Matthew 18 where Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. You’ll hear how Jesus calls his followers to forgive as they’ve been forgiven, why forgiveness is not punishment but a gift, and how trusting God to make things right frees us to live in peace. This message will challenge you to see your own sin debt, embrace God’s good commands, and walk in the freedom of forgiveness.
In this sermon, Pastor Craig walks us through Luke 15:1–10 where Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. When the Pharisees questioned why he spent time with sinners, Jesus explained his heart — to seek and bring home the lost. Together we’ll see how Jesus builds relationships with unlikely people, why the stakes for the lost are so high, and how heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents.
In today’s message from Luke 12, we look at the parable of the rich fool. Jesus reminds us that life is not found in the abundance of possessions but in being rich toward God. You’ll hear three ways we can live that out: recognizing our abundance comes from the Lord, resisting the pull to find life in stuff, and remembering that one day we’ll give an account before God.
In this sermon we look at the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13, where Jesus teaches us about living as God’s good seed in a world full of weeds. You’ll be encouraged to trust the good Farmer, resist blaming Him for evil, and tend your portion of the field faithfully while we wait for the harvest.
Every person who hears the gospel responds in a different way. Jesus illustrates this with the Parable of the Sower—one seed, four soils, four outcomes. In this message, Pastor Craig walks through each soil and what it reveals about our hearts. The challenge is clear: what kind of soil are you, and is your life bearing fruit for the kingdom of God?
Thanks for tuning in to the Celina First sermon podcast. This week we continue our series Rules for Free People by looking at the 9th commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In this message, Pastor Craig unpacks why God takes lying so seriously, the deeper reasons we’re tempted to stretch the truth, and how living as people of truth flows from our identity in Christ. Let’s listen in.
Thanks for tuning in to the sermon replay from Celina First Church of God. This message is part of our series, Rules for Free People, as we explore the wisdom behind the Ten Commandments. In this sermon, we look at the command, "Do not steal," and examine not just the act itself but the heart issues that lead us there. God calls us to live with contentment, purpose, and generosity. We hope this message challenges and encourages you today.
Adultery isn’t just about what happens behind closed doors—it’s a heart issue that threatens marriages, families, and society as a whole. This week in our “Rules for Free People” series, we explore the 7th commandment and see how Jesus takes it even deeper. Whether you’re single or married, this message is for you. Join us as we talk about covenant, purity, and the path to real freedom.
Today we continue our series Rules for Free People by looking at the 6th commandment: You shall not murder. At first glance, this one might feel like a “freebie” for most of us—but Jesus takes it far deeper than that. We’ll explore what this command truly means, why God gives it, and how we can follow it not just with our hands, but with our hearts.
Welcome to Episode 1 of Tell Me Your Story. In this first conversation, we sit down with Carissa Rodriguez. Carissa is a wife, mom of two, hair stylist, and part of our Celina First family. She was baptized in January, and just a few weeks later, received a breast cancer diagnosis. In our time together, she shares what led her to Jesus, how she’s been walking through this diagnosis with her faith intact, how she talks to her kids about hard things, and how she’s found thankfulness even in the valley. It’s a powerful and honest conversation. Its also a reminder that God is at work even in the hardest seasons.
In this sermon, Pastor Craig continues our Rules for Free People series by exploring the fifth commandment: Honor your father and mother. What does this command look like in a world marked by broken families, generational pain, and shifting roles? With clarity and compassion, we’ll unpack God’s design for the family, the order He establishes, and how we can live lives of honor—whether we’re kids, adults, or parents ourselves. It’s a challenging word with real hope for every stage of life.
Pastor Craig is back in the pulpit and will be continuing our summer series Rules for Free People, walking through the Ten Commandments. Today’s message focuses on the Sabbath—what it means to rest, to worship, and to trust God enough to stop.
In this sermon, Pastor Craig kicks off our new series Rules for Free People by unpacking the first and foundational commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” We’ll explore how we were made to worship, why false gods still capture our hearts today, and how true freedom begins when we put Jesus at the center. If you’ve ever felt pulled in a thousand directions, this message will help you realign your heart and discover life-giving clarity in Christ.
We’re wrapping up our Then What? series, which has been tracing the journey from the empty tomb of Easter to the spread of the early Church. Today, we’ll look at one of the most powerful conversion stories in all of Scripture: Saul’s transformation into Paul on the road to Damascus. It's a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that He can use anyone for His glory.
In this sermon, we’re continuing our series Then What? by looking at a key turning point in the early Church—when persecution first broke out after the stoning of Stephen. Today’s message explores why persecution comes and how God can still work powerfully through it. Whether you’re watching from home or traveling, we pray you’re encouraged to stand firm in your faith and trust God’s purposes in every season.
In this sermon we’re diving into Acts 2 to explore what defined the early Church and how those same traits should shape us today. We’ll look at four core devotions and four powerful values that brought the Church to life.
This week we are continuing our “Then What?” series, looking at what happened after Jesus rose from the dead. In this sermon, we dive into Acts 2 and the powerful moment when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. We’ll explore how the Spirit empowers, directs, and speaks through believers—even today.
In this sermon, we’ll focus on the Great Commission, where Jesus gives His followers a clear mission: go and make disciples. We’ll explore what that means for us today as we live out our calling to share the gospel and help others grow in faith.
Easter may have passed, but the story is far from over. This morning we’ll see how Jesus met Peter in his failure and restored him to purpose. No matter where you’ve been, there’s grace, mission, and a call to follow Jesus waiting for you too.
Today’s message will walk through four powerful truths that build the foundation of our faith. Whether you’re tuning in full of faith or still seeking, we believe God has something to say to you today. So settle in, grab a Bible if you have one, and let’s worship our risen Savior together!
Join us as we look at a powerful moment just before Jesus enters Jerusalem—when Mary pours out an extravagant act of worship and Judas tries to cover his selfishness with spiritual-sounding words. In this message from John 12, we’ll explore what it means to trust God’s prompting even when we don’t see the full picture
Many followed Jesus for miracles, but walked away when His teaching got hard. In this message, we look at what it means to truly believe Jesus is Lord—even when His words challenge our comfort and convictions. Peter’s bold confession reminds us there’s nowhere else to go if Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. This sermon invites us to examine our faith and take the next step of obedience, even when it’s difficult.
Are you seeking Jesus for who He is — or just for what He can give you? In John 6, Jesus challenges the crowd (and us) to stop chasing temporary miracles and start trusting Him as the true Bread of Life. Discover why true fulfillment comes not from the gift, but from the Giver Himself.
Are you trying to fit Jesus into your agenda? In this sermon from John 6:14-24, we explore how Jesus refuses to be used for political or personal gain—and why that’s good news for us. Discover how Jesus shows up on his terms, even in the middle of life’s storms.
In this sermon, Pastor Craig explores the Feeding of the 5000 and how Jesus used it as a test of faith for His disciples. We saw how we often focus on what we lack instead of trusting God to provide. Let study the Word to discover how stepping out in faith with what little you have can lead to God doing more than you can imagine.
How do you train your soul to be dependent upon God in times of true trial and tribulation? What if there were a season in the Church calendar set aside just for that type of training? That could give us practice at "suffering well" and leaning upon the Lord. Well, you're in luck—Lent offers the disciple of Jesus just that. In this sermon, Pastor Craig will unpack how Lent provides that opportunity and how we can reflect on Jesus' time in the desert to train our own souls.
Jesus calls every believer to trust Him, be transformed, and continue His mission. In this sermon, Pastor Craig breaks down what it means to make disciples in everyday life and how you can step boldly into your calling. No matter where you are, your mission field is right in front of you—let’s see how God's word calls us to embrace it!
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this sermon, we explore the call to transformation through self-denial, breaking down what it means to trust Jesus as Lord, surrender every area of our lives, and actively walk in discipleship. Join us as we discuss Ready, Reluctant, and Refused Lordship—and how you can move toward full surrender in your faith journey!
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
Have you ever felt disappointed by God? Has God's timing ever felt way too long to wait for? Have you ever questioned God's love for you? If you have then you have a lot in common with the audience of the prophet Malachi.
In this final book of the Old Testament we see a prophet who hopes to reignite a people's faith in God. And we see a God that relentlessly pursues a wayward people.
The challenge of the prophets is that we see that humanity will always fail to live as God calls us to live. The Beauty of the prophets is that we see a God that will never give up on us, no matter how much we fail!
Ask Pastor Craig is a short form content series designed around answering your questions. Whether they are about the Bible, faith, relationships, parenting, and so much more, Pastor Craig will endeavor to provide Biblical wisdom as we navigate the topic.
By request, we will now be posting the audio of our Wednesday Night Bible study for people to listen to. The video version is also on YouTube.
So often when we look at the Bible we are so focused on what it says about God or what it says will happen that we can sometimes forget the way the word seeks to challenge us. Scripture is always concerned about who we are and who we are becoming.
Zechariah is a book written to a people that are in the midst of rebuilding their nation; and in the midst of rebuilding they wonder if God might come and bring his kingdom to them. The challenge Zechariah has for the people then is the same challenge we need to wrestle with. Are we people that are compatible with the kingdom of God? And are we doing anything to grow into that kind of people?
What would you do if you had a fresh start? A time to begin again, to redo or start over? That is what the book of Haggai explores. As the people of God return from exile, Haggai seeks to lay a firm foundation. The people of God are never called just to receive blessing, but to be people of blessing. The light that spreads to the ends of the earth. Haggai reminds us the power and influence we have, to bring forth God's kingdom here and now!
Have you ever heard that God was angry in the Old Testament but turned loving in the New Testament? Has the Old Testament passages felt overwhelming or inconsistent with how we picture Jesus in our Gospels? Here's the good news, God's love, compassion and reconciliation are a consistent aspect of his identity.
His anger is always against the horrible injustices and corruption that occur in humanity; His heart aches when he sees the powerless and marginalized exploited. But his heart is always for reconciliation, refinement and flourishing of all people.
The prophet Zephaniah showcases the intense justice and love of our God; as we see someone speaking to a people on the edge of destruction. We see a God that desperately seeks for his people to turn from what kills back to what brings life!
Have you ever wondered why God allows evil to occur? Have you ever grown frustrated that God seems to remain silent to your cries? How can a good God be in control, yet it seems injustice, corruption and violence run rampart?
These are the questions that Habakkuk seeks to answer through his prophetic book. In it we see the prophet in dialogue with God as he tries to see how a good God can allow evil; and how a faithful people are called to respond to this evil.
Habakkuk is such a unique and candid prophet, who asks God questions we might not feel appropriate to ask. In Habakkuk we see a God that moves with us, brings unnatural hope, and brings radical grace!
Justice is something we all want, when it comes to other people; but usually we would rather learn about a God that quickly and cleanly forgives. But a loving God cannot ignore cruelty, destruction and evil; a Loving God needs to respond, and move us towards justice.
Nahum is a prophet that centers on God's justice, and how that justice reveals God profound love for humanity. In this prophet we see a God that desires the fullness of life for both us and others. We see a God that is not idol in the face of oppression. We see a God that wants not superficial religion but transformational faith.
Have you ever wondered how God's Justice and Mercy work? Does it ever feel like the Bible is sometimes talking about angry judge God and sometimes talking about a God rich in love and forgiveness? If that's the case you are not alone, in fact trying to figure out how these two qualities of God work is the main topic the prophet Micah speaks on.
The truth is the qualities of Justice and Mercy are not opposite but interrelated. And both of these qualities reveal a God who is so rich in love that he is not satisfied with "good enough" but deeply desires the flourishing our hearts require.
If you want to learn more about these qualities I invite you to check out this week's podcast on the book of Micah!
Who is your enemy? Who deserves God's Mercy? Who should receive Justice? Jonah is a familiar prophet for a lot of us but within it we see a deeply challenging theological challenge. One that shows us the lengths of God's mercy, and challenges us to live likewise.
Pride is a key issue in the Bible. Pride leads not only to personal sin but also to the kind of sin that harms others. The small book of Obadiah walks through the way pride leads to our own self deception, that overflows to the harm of others!
We continue our series in the Book of the 12 with the book of Amos. Amos is the last of the pre-exilic prophets and he holds the burden of calling the people of God out on their unjust ways. Friends if you have been curious about how following God should lead to us bringing justice, Amos might be the perfect prophet to explore!
Joel is a key prophet to understand God's character, his redemptive plan and the whole Book of the 12. Joel helps remind us that God is not satisfied with the world as it is, and is at work in restoring and redeeming all of creation.
Hosea is the prophet who lived out God's promise of running after wayward hearts. In this book we see an encouraging love that will not give up, abandon or walk away from us. We see a God that is running after us!
How we handle the check engine light in the car can actually teach us a thing or two about marriage.
We are starting a new series for our Going Deeper Podcast. In this series we will be taking a deep dive into the Minor Prophets, or The Book of the Twelve. In these twelve prophets we see a clearer picture of God's relationship with his people; His mercy and Justice; and a kind of love that refuses to abandon. If you want to hear more on these topics or just want to get a fuller picture of these twelve prophetic books; I want to invite you on this journey with me!
Anytime you see a therefore in the scriptures you know the author is going to build on their argument. This week Peter is going to build upon the idea that Christians are born again and heaven bound with giving them some "instructions" on what to do while they way.
In this week's sermon Pastor Craig looks at how Peter assumes that all believer are "Born Again." From this new birth there are some clear results that are very important for us to understand.
In this week's sermon, Pastor Craig unpacks 1 Peter 1:1-2. In the text we see four different ways Peter describes his audience, Christians, and we examine how those adjectives or markers apply to Christians today.
In this week's sermon, Pastor Craig kicks off our new sermon series, Sermons for Sojourners, by examining the first few words of the book of 1st Peter. We explore why authorship matters and what it can tell us about Jesus Christ, given that Peter is a New Testament author.
We experienced some audio issues mid sermon on this. We apologize for the inconvenience.