Ed Young is a pastor, author and conference speaker noted for his creative communication style. He has a passion for making the complex simple, as he speaks truth to people in ways they can understand and apply to their everyday lives.
Tune into the podcast each week as Pastor Ed creatively presents inspirational and biblical truth for every area of life.
Identity. Capacity. Security. All of these, as this series on Ephesians has revealed, are possible through a relationship with Jesus Christ. But there’s one other aspect of the Christian life that many people fail to fully understand – peace. In this message, Pastor Ed Young reveals the truth about peace, and he shows us how the person, primacy, and potential of peace will help us truly live out the life God wants us to live.
A revolution is a change for the better. When it comes to the revolution God wants us to have, that “better” is the result of something most of us have a hard time understanding - grace. In this message, though, Pastor Ed Young takes a look at grace and shows us just how much better life is when we experience the grace of God. And we discover that grace is the one thing that provides eternal security!
To experience a revolution in our lives, we must first understand who we are created to be. But it goes far beyond knowledge. We must put that knowledge into action. Pastor Ed Young builds on the first message from this series and shows us in this message how our God-given identity opens up to experience God-driven change. It’s not just about knowing who we are in Christ; it’s about reaching our full capacity in what He has created us to do!
A revolution is a change for the best. But without the right starting point; without the right catalyst,
a revolution can never truly take place. That’s why, in the first installment of this series, Pastor Ed
Young takes us back to the only starting point we need in order to experience the best in our lives.
And as we look at the revolution God wants us to experience, we discover that it can only begin when we take hold of our true identity.
Pastor Ed Young interviewed Pastor Denny Duron and discussed how he used football to reach
people for Jesus. God used football as an instrument to spread the goodness of Jesus seen through
the life of Pastor Duron.
What do you think of when you see a Christmas Tree? During this inspiring Christmas message,
Pastor Ed explains how the Christmas tree and its accessories actually have a deep biblical meaning.
God in His goodness has forged a path through life’s pain. In fact, our freedom was purchased in the sacrificial offering of Jesus on the cross. The key to unlocking the path lies in our trust and relinquishing control to God. Pastor Ed Young discusses the topic of surrendering our pain and lives to God. When we do so, He not only establishes our path but also illuminates our path. In this surrender, clarity and purpose unfold, revealing a transformative journey shaped by the profound wisdom and grace of God.
In this powerful message from Ed and Lisa Young, taken from their new book, A Path Through Pain, they share their personal account of the last 2.5 years after the death of their oldest daughter, LeeBeth. This talk speaks to finding stability and hope in life's most challenging moments. Drawing from Hebrews 6:19, they share how hope acts as a steadfast anchor for our souls. Watch and discover how the promises of God can be the anchor you need most in your life.
The question that perplexes most people is the coexistence of a loving God and the suffering of people. Many wonder how a loving God can allow bad things to happen to good people. The specific reasons behind our suffering may ultimately be a mystery, but it calls for trust in an all-powerful and all-knowing God. Through the example of Jesus as He walked on earth as a man and as He experienced pain and suffering, He exemplified endurance and a model of trusting God’s plan. In this sermon, Pastor Ed Young delivers a heartfelt message of trusting God in the face of pain.
Can you change an unhealthy family cell into a healthy, godly cell? Pastor Ed Young eloquently breaks down how cell structure and formation are analogous to family order. God provided a place of protection and guidance for children that includes not just the home but the church also to develop the children into fully functional and successful individuals.
God, in his divine wisdom, meticulously crafted the concept of family, mirroring the intricate and purposeful design seen in the very structure of cells. In this message, we gain insight into God’s system for the success, function, and well-being of all members of the family. Pastor Ed Young dives into the sacred nature of the God-ordained and intentional roles of the family and church.
Wouldn't it be cool if you could see the story of the Bible in pictures, icons, and illustrations? In this sermon, Pastor Ed Young puts ten toes down and runs through the New Testament by using emoji illustrations. You'll never see the Bible the same -- so get out your sneakers and get ready to run!
Wouldn't it be cool if you could see the story of the Bible in pictures, icons, and illustrations? In this sermon, Pastor Ed Young puts ten toes down and runs through the Old Testament by using emoji illustrations. You'll never see the Bible the same -- so get out your sneakers and get ready to run!
We can find ourselves unwittingly caught in the crossfire, vulnerable and unprepared. Thankfully, we are provided with spiritual battle gear and the necessary training partner to equip ourselves and fight from a place of victory. Pastor Ed Young scrutinizes the effectiveness of our preparation and encourages us to engage in the ongoing battle against the devil.
We find ourselves engaged in a spiritual battle, a conflict that none of us can escape. This war demands a choice: either we confront it with purpose and strategy, or we fight ill-prepared. Thankfully, God provides a formidable arsenal of armor that empowers us to emerge victorious in this struggle. Pastor Ed Young, in this week’s message, dives into the protective gear that not only shields us but also infuses us with divine strength.
We live in spiritual conflict, a clash between light and darkness, good versus evil whether we will admit it or not. God has meticulously crafted armor to protect and empower us and we choose to put it on. Pastor Ed Young elaborates on the Ephesians 6 passage that describes the potency of our battle gear and the freedom it bestows on us as we step out into our purpose, thoroughly equipped for the battle ahead.
We stand poised for battle against our adversary, the devil. In this message, Pastor Ed discusses the spiritual battles we face against the enemy. He speaks to the strongholds Christ followers encounter, the strategies God provides, and the enemy's schemes. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we can overcome these challenges and live a life of victory!
Each of us is entrenched in a battle between the forces of God and the machinations of the devil. The implications span across our families, marriages, and children if unequipped, but God has designed a blueprint for success. In this message on spiritual strategies and strongholds, Pastor Ed Young explores the plan God has for us to not only be on guard but to ultimately win.
All of us deal with authority issues. We don’t like to talk about it, but it’s something we all struggle with in one way or another. Not to mention, authority issues are everywhere; they’re in your marriage and mine, they’re in your family, your family of origin, they’re at your job, they’re on the team. But the good news is that God is a God of authority. He always works with authority. There is a chain of command. God, being God, whether you believe it or not, is sovereign. He’s omnipotent. And He places people in our lives, authority figures in our lives, to mold us and to shape us into the kind of people that He desires. And yet so often in our lives, we want to push back from the purpose that God has for our lives, which is for us to submit to authority. So in this message, I want us to take a look at a couple different places mentioned in Scripture so that we can learn more about how God wants us to deal with our authority issues.
In this message, we’re going to take a look at Saul and how he became king. The Israelites were begging for God to give them a king like all the other nations. In other words, God as their King wasn’t good enough. So even though God’s perfect will would have been for Him to remain as their King, He granted them Saul as their king according to His permissive will. The difference between those two wills is what we’re going to talk about today, because I want you to learn how to live in more fear of rejection. No one likes rejection, right? Of course not! But if you’re asking for something that isn’t God’s best, rejection might just be the best thing for you. We’ll learn more about that as we read the story of Saul becoming king and hopefully learn how seek God’s perfect will above our own.
Have you ever put God in a box? I hate to confess it, but I have. I've put God in a box. A lot of times, we don’t even realize we’re putting God in a box, but that’s exactly what we’re doing. We think, “I have this neat little box and, and I'll just carry God around in it, and I'll sort of use God for myself. When it's convenient, I'll take him out and use him when I need a blessing. When I need something good in my life, when I need something supernatural, sort of an add on, I'll use God.” In this message, we're talking about that very subject. It's tempting for us to use God, but we're going to find out that God doesn't want you and me to use Him. He does however want us to remain and to be usable. In other words, God wants to use you. God wants to use me. By the end of this message, I want you to be able to figure out whether or not you’re usable to God, or if you’re more focused on using Him.
In the midst of this mayhem we are facing in the world today- in the midst of the bad stuff, the negative stuff going on at your school, at your office, around your neighborhood, in your context, in your social media feed - in the midst of all that can you hear the voice of God? I mean, people say sometimes, “Oh yeah, God talked to me.” But what do you mean by that? “God showed me. God is communicating with me.” What are you talking about when you say that? You mean the God of the universe wants to communicate and call and talk with us? Yes. The answer is yes. Listening to God is something that we shouldn't run away from; instead, it’s something that we should lean into. I’m going to unpack that a little bit today, how can we – I’m talking about you, I’m talking about me – how can we hear the voice of God?
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to looking at the writings of Samuel in Scripture, because Samuel was a chief protagonist during his time. Specifically in this message, we’re going to take a closer look at what he wrote about Hannah and the kind of parent she was. Whether you’re a parent now with children in your home, a parent whose children have moved out, or someone who wants to become a parent someday, this message is for you, because we can all learn how to be better parents that honor God with the way we parent our children.
Discover an inspiring journey from the darkness of despair to the radiant light of redemption in part 2 of Pastor Ed Young’s conversation with a former porn star. You’ll be encouraged by how his life which was once ravaged by depression and suicidal thoughts, became reborn through the healing power of Jesus Christ. Witness a true testimony of personal growth and faith in overcoming addiction and mental health battles. Whether you're in the grip of depression, feeling lost, or just needing reassurance that change is possible, this story is your beacon of hope. Take a listen and discover the transformative potential of second chances through God's amazing grace.
Pastor Ed Young sits down for an interview with a former porn star whose life was once overwhelmed by hurt, depression, and thoughts of suicide. This powerful testimony shows the journey from despair to grace, showing the healing power that comes from Jesus Christ. This isn't just a story for those battling depression or feeling lost - it's a beacon of hope for anyone doubting their ability to change and grow! This message serves as a reminder of the life-altering power of second chances through God’s grace!
Join Pastor Ed Young as he sits down for a heart-to-heart with former Congressman Trey Gowdy. They chat about God, family, and the current state of America, combining their spiritual and political insights in a way that's sure to get you thinking. After their talk, don't miss out as Pastor Ed shares a moving message about the sense of freedom we can experience when we choose to live within the structure that God has set up for us.
We’ve all been there at some point — the time when we look around and see nothing but helplessness and hopelessness. It leaves us reeling in utter dismay as we think, "How will it ever get better?" In a real sense, it's our very own "Death Valley." In this powerful message, Pastor Ed Young helps us all discover that no matter our circumstances or even as hopeless and helpless as the situation may seem, God can and will resurrect us to experience life in the face of death.
Many say that the birth of freedom occurred on July 4, 1776, when our nation’s forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence — but this statement is false. As crucial as this nominal event was for our great country, freedom long outdates it. Ultimate freedom was birthed over 2,000 years ago on a cross outside Jerusalem. Had it not been for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we would live in a very different America. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches what the Bible says about the colors of freedom and how they apply to our lives.
Could you imagine if Jesus sat down in the Oval Office and had a conversation with the 46th President, Joe Biden? What would he say? In this captivating sermon, Pastor Ed Young explores this fascinating question while seamlessly weaving biblical stories, personal experiences, and powerful lessons. Pastor Ed illustrates the profound importance of being born again by encouraging President Biden and us to pursue truth in our lives relentlessly. This message challenges us to examine our relationship with Jesus, accept our human fallibility, and embrace the awe-inspiring greatness of God. Don't miss this must-watch sermon that speaks volumes about personal growth, faith, and truth-seeking in today's world.
What would Jesus say to Donald Trump, the most polarizing yet popular person in our land? Pastor Ed Young dives into this exciting message of truth and wisdom from the Bible delivering a timely word for all of us. Jesus would probably speak to former President Trump about his pride and remind him that Christ is the answer to all the world’s problems. He would reiterate it’s time to “fire yourself” and don’t try to do deals with God. The most important thing he would say to Donald Trump is, “Have you been saved?”
In this message, Pastor Ed Young focuses on the love and kindness that Jesus would display toward Tiger Woods if they had a conversation. Jesus would recognize Tiger’s abilities, including his concentration and competitiveness, and would encourage him to focus on Christ. Additionally, Jesus would offer Tiger a new course to follow, suggesting that with Jesus as his guide, Tiger would have the ultimate “caddy” to help him navigate life’s challenges. We can all join Tiger on the new course as we commit our lives to Christ.
Jocko Willink is a Navy Seal Commander, American author, speaker and podcaster, leadership coach, and black belt in Jui-jitsu. We go deep into leadership and sacrifice in this interview with Jocko as we celebrate Memorial Day and what that means for us in today's society.
If someone is drowning, what do you do? Do you respond? Or would you wait for someone else to help? In this message, Pastor Ed clarifies the four steps of rescuing a sinking soul. The rescue crew never stops; they are constantly seeking and searching. Let's discover tips on sharing with others the only ticket to Heaven - Jesus.
Once Jesus has rescued us, we are called to help rescue others. Why is it that so many people struggle to share with others the rescuing power of Jesus? Every day there are people all around us who are drowning and don’t even realize it! During this message, Pastor Ed Young unpacks why we must use our sphere of influence to reach others for Jesus.
Once Jesus has rescued us, we are called to help rescue others. Why is it that so many people struggle to share with others the rescuing power of Jesus? Every day there are people all around us who are drowning and don’t even realize it! During this message, Pastor Ed Young unpacks why we must use our sphere of influence to reach others for Jesus.
Played across the ancient world, Tug of War is one of the oldest games known to man. Pitting two teams' strengths against one another, it remains a popular sport today. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that we engage in a cosmic game of Tug of War the moment we realize that we are sinking in our sin and accept Christ as our Savior. The evil one doesn’t want us to rescue the lost. He tosses rational lies for not doing what God has tasked us to do, tugging us in the wrong direction. We have a culture in crisis, a cause commanded, and a world in need of a crew committed to rescuing others.
In any rescue situation, the mission is always to save lives at all costs, to do the seemingly impossible, offering a second chance to those facing imminent physical peril. The same is true when it comes to our spiritual health. In fact, our need to be rescued by God is even more crucial to our ultimate survival. The Bible is an anthology with a central theme woven throughout the canals of time — rescue. God didn’t leave us to sink and drown in our sin and depravity. In His great love, He sent the ultimate lifeline to rescue humanity. He sent Jesus Christ to live perfectly, die sacrificially, and rise bodily, claiming victory over the grave and offering us the eternal hope of heaven. In this message, Pastor Ed Young reminds us to fix our focus on our God-given duty to seek and save lost people. He shows us that, while there’s a culture in crisis, Christians hold the true lifeline, the only real hope of rescue, and the ring is the thing!
The greatest meal in the world isn’t found in an uptown five-star restaurant. It isn’t grandma’s recipe or even a home-cooked meal. It’s the Bread of Life — Jesus Christ, best served at a table near you — the local church. In this foundational message by Pastor Ed Young, we discover what each chair around the table identifies and represents our various roles as we pull up our seats. And we see how this cosmic carbohydrate transforms everything in the lives of those who show up hungry for this soul-satisfying meal.
God is a God of ideas. It was His idea to create the earth; it was His idea to make us. A terrible idea condemned His creation, but the most excellent idea has redeemed humankind. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that the ability to fully see God's idea for our lives is utterly incomprehensible to our finite minds because God's idea is just that amazing, that phenomenally cataclysmic! Obviously, the enemy wants us to settle for second best, to never discover God's greatest solution for our pollution. This leaves us with a choice. Will we choose man’s provenly failed plan or God’s perfect agenda? Go with the idea of eternal life, the soul-winning strategy of salvation through Christ!
Mayday is an international radio distress signal used by ships and aircrafts. It’s a word used to signal a life-threatening emergency, letting others know that help is desperately needed. Maybe you’re at a place in your life right now where you need to say, “Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.” Maybe you’re in an emergency situation that makes you feel like your life is out of control. You’re in a tailspin. You’re sinking, and you don’t know how to get out of the mess you’re in. Thankfully, there is hope for salvation, and that hope is found in our Savior, Jesus Christ. All we have to do is cry out to Him and He will save us. So if you’re at a point today where you need saving, I want you to consider these four reasons why you should call out “Mayday” today.
Courage is a scarce commodity in today’s world. It takes courage to face the ordinary challenges of life. God will give us strength and enable us to live courageously. In this message, Pastor Ed dives into Scripture using the life of Simon Peter and puts handles on how we can be courageous in our daily lives.
If you want to learn to be courageous and stand firm in your convictions no matter the cost, this message is for you. Get ready to be inspired as Pastor Ed Young delivers a powerful message on the need to have courage as we follow Jesus. In this talk, Pastor Ed draws from the story of the children of Israel to demonstrate how easily courage can crumble and how God wants us to possess all the promises He has for us. We learn that courage is essential for all believers and are urged to regularly increase our courage quotient and trust the Holy Spirit to work within us. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be motivated and challenged to live a life of courage for God.
Are you held captive by shame? Does it shape your thoughts, decisions, and future? In this message, Pastor Ed Young sheds light on the path to breaking free from shame. By forgiving yourself and others while embracing the transformative power of God, you can reclaim your freedom and live a life of peace! Embrace the freedom and joy that come with letting go, through the power of Jesus.
One of the most difficult challenges we face is forgiving people who have hurt us. Forgiveness is unnatural but can be unbelievable when we realize it is more for us than for the offender! In this message, Pastor Ed Young helps us discover the freedom that comes with forgiveness!
Do you deal with waves of shame consistently? Shame comes from various sources, and who or what we listen to determines the amount of shame that we will be shackled to. Pastor Ed Young explores the story of Saul as we find freedom from the cycle of shame. It is time to deal with shame and live in freedom and peace, free from the destruction of shame and regret.
Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of shame? The enemy wants to keep you captive in guilt and stuck in your shame. But there is hope! Pastor Ed Young explores the story of Moses and how we can find the freedom and peace that Jesus offers us. It’s time to break free from the crippling effects of shame and live out the amazing plans Jesus has for you!
Are you struggling with shame? Do you feel like you can't escape it? In this message, Pastor Ed Young explores the nature of shame, where it came from, and how it plays out in our lives. But there is hope; God provided a way for us to be free from shame so we can break the cycle. Don't let shame weigh you down any longer!
Today, many marriages face a constant barrage of temptation and "easy outs" — but God offers us a better way to keep romance and intimacy alive and Satan at bay. Through this dynamic message, you'll find that there's help and hope for troubled marriages as well as a challenge to make great marriages greater. Enjoy the aroma of romance with Ed and Lisa Young as they get things cooking by sharing the ultimate recipe for a healthy, vibrant marriage.
Anchors secure boats from going adrift in the wind. When they penetrate the seabed surface, suction generates resistance to secure the craft. In this message, Ed and Lisa Young ask, "What are you anchored to?" When the rogue winds and waves hit, if you have the right anchor — Jesus — He will provide stability and strength to not only survive but thrive in the storm.
Communication is an integral part of everything we do. It can go from incredibly good to terribly wrong within a matter of seconds – especially in marriage, where it isn't as much the presence of conflict that's the problem as the how - the "Okay, what next?" In this message, Ed and Lisa Young teach the do's and don’ts before saying, "I do." We'll learn that following biblical guidelines for conflict resolution will help us develop sound communication skills before it comes to saying: "We quit!"
Many have tried their hand at marriage in every way but God's way. He has an ultimate vision and plan for every marriage, but so does the enemy! In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that God's vision for marriage is far more profound and much broader than today's culture can even begin to comprehend. Why? Because it's hard work, and anything of lasting value doesn't come easy. But when we're willing to work, the hardest things in life, such as marital success, become the greatest things when we view them and do them according to God's perspective.
From drama to action and adventure to romance, life is a movie. It’s “The Story of God’s Glory,” and we all have a role to play. In this special Christmas message, Pastor Ed Young guides us through the story of Christ’s birth as we discover what it truly means to have “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” And he teaches us that when we cast Jesus in the starring role, not only will we bring God the glory He deserves, but we’ll live a life of purpose and passion as we fulfill the role God has for our soul.
In this Christmas message, Pastor Ed Young teaches we can't understand Christmas until we understand its news. The bad news of Christmas is sin, separation, and death. The good news of Christmas is redemption and God's response to our behavior as well as our response to the Gospel.
We can never know what the new year has in store, but one thing we can count on with confidence is that there will be a lot of travel. Over 122 million people will journey on average 275 miles per trip in cars, planes, buses...and if you're Elon Musk, well, Space X! We create distance from home upon departure and close it as we return. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches Christmas is a time of distance. The good news of Christmas is God is with us. He is so close. He's with us. He has closed the gap, and He wants you to take that last step. He will come into your life, and you'll live forever as you go the distance with Him.
Throughout history, God has used ordinary people to do extraordinary things. But sometimes, who He doesn’t make sense to us. We find ourselves asking, “Why them, God?” In this message, Pastor Ed Young looks at one of the most known stories of Scripture – the birth of Jesus. And as he unpacks the life of Mary, we learn that asking, “Why her?” unlocks the keys to what it takes to be used by God for greatness.
Christmas is a time of celebration and preparation. But it’s also a time of anticipation. Just as people during the first Christmas anticipated the birth of Jesus and his introduction into the world, this is a time of year when we anticipate all that God is going to continue to do in the world. And as we prepare to celebrate what has been done in the past, Pastor Ed Young helps us discover how God is preparing the way for something even greater in the future!
We have all read the story of the first Christmas a million times before, from the manger to the magi, we know the drill. In this message, Pastor Ed focuses on the shepherd's side of the story and helps us find a new perspective on the first Christmas.
When it comes to fear, many people believe that it is all bad. But the reality is that fear can actually be beneficial if we understand it and fear the right things. In this message, Pastor Ed Young takes a look at one of the biggest fears many people deal with - a fear that can challenge our concept of its role in our lives. And as we learn what it means to truly fear God, we discover something that can actually lead us into a life of confidence and purpose.
Everyone wants to be wanted. We’re made to desire acceptance. That desire leads to one of our greatest fears. But what really causes the fear of rejection to run rampant in our lives? In this message, Pastor Ed Young uncovers the root of our fear of rejection. And as we study a popular biblical character, we learn how to harness our fear and move forward in life with true acceptance from the One who truly matters – God.
The list of fears that people have is nearly unending. There’s a fear for everything – from death to dogs, public speaking to peanut butter sandwiches. But one fear underscores all of the other fears, and it is one we all face. It’s the fear of the unknown. In this message, Pastor Ed Young equips us with what we need to overcome the foundation of all fear. He reminds us that God is truly in control. And he shows us what it takes to keep our fear in check and to trust God with it all.
We’ve all stepped into something gross smelling without realizing it. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches the same is true when it comes to our worldview, a lot of us of are “stepping in it” without even realizing it!
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that a worldview isn't just about how we view the world, but it's also how the world views us. It's our baseline of beliefs and behaviors, vision and values, that affect all things such as thoughts, truth, emotion.
It's been said, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything!" In part one of Pastor Ed Young's timely new series, we take a panoramic look at how we think and learn about the importance of having a Christian worldview. And we discover how to "take a stand" by filtering our thoughts and actions through the lens of God's absolute truth.
In this message we will learn how to live in the fear of rejection through the life of Moses. Moses started as a somebody in Egypt. God took him to a nobody. Then he realized God could use anybody. It’s time that we said, God, I’m not somebody, I'm a nobody before You, I receive You Jesus, because You can use anybody.
"Fear not" is the number one command in the Bible. In our frailty, God knew that it would be a significant factor in our lives. Although some fear is healthy, much of it isn't, it's toxic and keeps us from experiencing God's best for our lives. This message helps us stop defying fear and remember the magnitude and almighty strength of the One who goes before us every day.
As the marriage goes, so goes the family. And just as God has set married couples up for success, He has set families up to win as well. But winning in the family takes just as much work, just as much of a fight. In the last message of this series, Ed and Lisa Young focus on the centrality of the marriage relationship within the family, and they unpack a unique definition of “kids” that will help every family experience ultimate success.
For marriages to win, two people have to be willing to put in the work and fight for the right things. But so often, arguments between a husband and wife aren’t fair, and they end up causing serious damage. How can marriages emerge victorious from the inevitable arguments they will face? In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young reveal the commandments of a fair fight. Because to get the most out of marriage, we have to be willing to fight, and fight fair.
Success in anything requires more than just desire. It takes a willingness to work. It’s true in the business world, the sports world, and even the relational world. When we are willing to do the work, we will experience some amazing results. In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young unpack the reality of God’s design for relationships and marriage. They help us discover the keys to success, what we need to work on, and how we can all become relational winners!
Every sports team has them. They show up to every game, cheer every play, don their uniforms, and defend their teams with passion. They are the real fans. But fandom isn’t something reserved just for the sports world. In this message, Pastor Ed Young parallels our response to God with the kind response avid fans have for their teams. Because when it comes to excitement and passion for life, there’s no greater place to display it than in the only thing Jesus ever built – the local church!
Have you ever put God in a box? I hate to confess it, but I have. I've put God in a box. A lot of times, we don’t even realize we’re putting God in a box, but that’s exactly what we’re doing. We think, “I have this neat little box and, and I'll just carry God around in it, and I'll sort of use God for myself. When it's convenient, I'll take him out and use him when I need a blessing. When I need something good in my life, when I need something supernatural, sort of an add on, I'll use God.” In this message, we're talking about that very subject. It's tempting for us to use God, but we're going to find out that God doesn't want you and me to use Him. He does however want us to remain and to be usable. In other words, God wants to use you. God wants to use me. By the end of this message, I want you to be able to figure out whether or not you’re usable to God, or if you’re more focused on using Him.
In the midst of this mayhem we are facing in the world today- in the midst of the bad stuff, the negative stuff going on at your school, at your office, around your neighborhood, in your context, in your social media feed - in the midst of all that can you hear the voice of God? I mean, people say sometimes, “Oh yeah, God talked to me.” But what do you mean by that? “God showed me. God is communicating with me.” What are you talking about when you say that? You mean the God of the universe wants to communicate and call and talk with us? Yes. The answer is yes. Listening to God is something that we shouldn't run away from; instead, it’s something that we should lean into. I’m going to unpack that a little bit today, how can we – I’m talking about you, I’m talking about me – how can we hear the voice of God?
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be looking at the writings of Samuel in Scripture, because Samuel was a chief protagonist during his time. Specifically in this message, we’re going to take a closer look at what he wrote about Hannah and the kind of parent she was. Whether you’re a parent now with children in your home, a parent whose children have moved out, or someone who wants to become a parent someday, this message is for you, because we can all learn how to be better parents that honor God with the way we parent our children.
Wouldn't it be cool if you could see the story of the Bible in pictures, icons, and illustrations? In this sermon, Pastor Ed Young puts ten toes down and runs through the New Testament by using emoji illustrations. You'll never see the Bible the same -- so get out your sneakers and get ready to run!
Wouldn't it be cool if you could see the story of the Bible in pictures, icons, and illustrations? In this sermon, Pastor Ed Young puts ten toes down and runs through the Old Testament by using emoji illustrations. You'll never see the Bible the same -- so get out your sneakers and get ready to run!
Las Vegas is famous for its showy signs and billboards. They light up the night’s sky in a brilliant way, yet really have nothing to say. Conversely, as Christ-followers, we have everything to say, but often don’t know how to say it! In this message, we will unpack the importance of responding to the identity, activity, and creativity of God. And we’ll learn that the best way for us to reflect the brilliant blaze of God’s glory is for our lives to become walking, talking advertisements for the message of Christ!and practically as we live our lives as an act of worship.
If asked, most people would define God as love. But contrary to popular belief, love alone doesn’t describe the totality of who God is. In fact, His most defining attribute – the “otherness” of God that sets Him apart – is holiness. In this message, we are going to talk about a defining moment in the life of Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet. He had a beautiful collision as he caught a glimpse of God’s glory and felt an impactful conviction that led to a wonderful condition. Through this story, we will learn how to be holy positionally through Christ.
One of the most profound questions we can ask ourselves is, “Why am I here?” The answer: to glorify God! But what does that really mean and how do we do that? In this message, we are going to learn about the magnitude, magnificence, and meaning of God’s glory, the impact it has on our lives, and the importance of being intentionally passionate about mirroring the majesty of our Maker!
Did you know that something as small as a stray olive can make a huge difference? In this message, we are going to learn how small things can have a big impact in our lives. If we surrender to God and His plan, we discover an amazing reality— we can impact the world for His Glory. We can live as a stray olive!
It’s been called Zion, Paradise, the Great Beyond, and the Pearly Gates. Most people simply call it heaven. It’s a place where many dream of and wonder about, but few have an understanding of what it will really be like. The word itself invokes images of the angels and wings, clouds and singing. But what will heaven truly be like? Will the streets really be lined with gold? Are the gates truly made of pearls? Will we simply be given a cloud and a harp and told to live happily ever after? In this message, we’ll look to the only true source of authority on heaven – the Bible. And it will help us discover just what in heaven is going on!
It’s been called Zion, Paradise, the Great Beyond, and the Pearly Gates. Most people simply call it heaven. It’s a place where many dream of and wonder about, but few have an understanding of what it will really be like. The word itself invokes images of the angels and wings, clouds and singing. But what will heaven truly be like? Will the streets really be lined with gold? Are the gates truly made of pearls? Will we simply be given a cloud and a harp and told to live happily ever after? In this message, we’ll look to the only true source of authority on heaven – the Bible. And it will help us discover just what in heaven is going on!
As we go through life, we encounter different decisions points. We come to those places in life where we have to go one way or the other. Some of those decisions are minor; others are major. But only one decision has an eternal impact. In this message, we will take a look at that decision and reveal some frightening facts about it. Because when it comes to making the choice to follow Jesus Christ fully, there’s more at stake than we may realize.
The book of Revelation is mysterious. Perhaps no more confusing topic in it exists that the end times. People ask questions like: What will the end look like? What will happen? Are we in the midst of that end now? In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the biblical timeline of the end times. As we discover where things will fall and what will occur, however, we discover God’s truth that those who are Christ followers have a sense of hope, purpose, and direction today.
The book of Revelation has many aspects to it that many people find it confusing and confounding. But the fact is, the central theme of the book is comforting and can conform us to the life God wants for us. In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the central focus of the book and the fact that it was originally a letter written for specific people, in specific places, at a specific time. But that letter can also speak clearly to us today as well. As we look at the words penned to the seven churches of the province of Asia, we discover just how they can impact and improve our lives today.
Revelation is unquestionably one of the most intriguing books of the Bible. For centuries, people have studied it, debated it, and critiqued it. But how often do we look at the overall picture of this book and understand what it means in our lives? In this message, Pastor Ed Young gives us a panoramic picture of Revelation. As he unpacks the principles, prophecies, and promises found in the last book of the Bible, we discover how it can help us get the most out of every day of our lives.
They led this muscular guy out into the courtyard. His eyes had been gouged out and people were making fun of him and his God. Thousands of people were crowded into this facility and suddenly, without warning, this man turned his face toward heaven and he said these words. He said, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! just this once...” In this message Pastor Ed Young teaches how the evil one whispers to us, “Just this once.” And just like Samson, we can either stand or fall by the individual choices we make to either give in to or reject lust’s deceptive advances.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches from Mark 14, where Mary truly extends her life to Christ. Her hair is a beautiful metaphor for our own opportunities to do the same. Like Mary, we must extend our lives to Jesus, extravagantly, expressively, and expediently. Then, and, only then, will we discover what life is all about.
Absalom was flying through the forest on one of his best animals, with hair blowing in the wind, when, suddenly, he was snatched from the saddle. In shock and amazement, he found himself hanging from a tree limb by his long, thick hair. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches, if we're like Absalom, and have misplaced ambition, misused authority and misinterpreted advice, we’ll be in for a bad hair day.
As we kick off a new series with this message, I want to drill down into one simplistic but deep phrase that Jesus made about God knowing the number of hairs on our head. In the Greek it's in the pluperfect tense which means Jesus was referring to things that had happened. In other words, Jesus is saying, "Hey guys, our great God knew the number of hairs on your head, the sum total of the hairs on your head before the foundation of the world." He knows. He’s that incredible, that awe- inspiring, that omniscient. But not only does this statement show us that God knows us; it shows us that God values us. After all, if the hairs on someone’s head are numbered, what must their soul be worth?
God wants a relationship with all of us, and He has done everything He can to make it simple. But so often, we complicate the simple when we don’t need to. In this special Easter message, we’ll see the powerful reality of two short sentences that capture the essence of the Christian faith. And we’ll learn just how easy understanding God’s purpose and plan for our lives is. It’s all about 1...2...3
The first phrase uttered by Jesus on the cross was a prayer to a holy God. “Father, forgive them.” The second, though, was a promise to a repentant sinner. “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” In this simple yet powerful promise, we find hope beyond helplessness and a future beyond futility. As we continue this study of Jesus’ last words, we realize that no matter how far away we may feel from God, we are all just one small step away from experiencing forever with Him...today.
The words we hear and the words we speak are undeniable forces in our lives. They can lift us up, carry us through, and empower us to make a lasting difference. But some words carry more weight than others. In this message, we will unpack how the first phrase Jesus spoke during his crucifixion, “Forgive them,” can help us overcome a life of pain and enable us to experience something greater— freedom.
The more I watch sports, and the more I observe people living life in general, I’m just blown away by the authority issues that so many of us deal with. People are always in authority – it seems like – over us and we sometimes want to get to the point where we say, “You know what? I want to live my life where I have no one in authority over me.” Well that, my friend, is impossible because we’re always going to have authority structure and people and issues in our lives. It’s how we handle authority issues that really says a lot about the tone and the tenor of our lives. It says a lot about how we view the game of life, because God wants us to live a championship life. He wants us to be coast- to-coast followers, full-court followers of Him. That’s God’s desire. But we’re never going to play His game the way He wants us to until we understand authority issues. God is the coach. He has a basketball for us, a court for us. It’s lined up for us. He has a game plan for us, offensively and defensively, but if we don’t submit and follow His game plan, it’s not going to be pretty. So let’s take a look at what we need to do to follow God’s game plan and play by His rules.
When it comes to the Christian life, many of us are educated far beyond our level of obedience. A lot of times, the same thing happens in sports. Maybe you’re like me and you know a lot more about basketball than you actually applied to playing basketball back in the day. You know which moves to make, which shots to take, and which passes to fake. But sometimes the execution you practice doesn’t match the knowledge you have. It’s sad to say that many Christians live out their faith walk the same way. They know a lot about Christianity. They’ve memorized an endless number of Bible verses. And they can talk about theology for days. But when it comes to actually practicing what they preach and acting out what they say they believe, again the execution and the knowledge don’t match up. However, there is a way to make sure you don’t fall into this trap with your faith. The Bible makes it very clear to us how we can practice what we preach and live out our beliefs. So let’s take a look at what James, the brother of Jesus, has to say about the different ways you can walk out your faith.
Temptation is an ever present opponent brought on by the evil one. Pastor Ed Young gives great biblical handles from the Book of James to keep you from fouling out of the game of life.
Using the game of basketball as a powerful metaphor, Ed Young gives four great handles to help full court followers of Christ win over trials in the game of life.
We’ve all been there at some point — the time when we look around and see nothing but helplessness and hopelessness. It leaves us reeling in utter dismay as we think, "How will it ever get better?" In a real sense, it's our very own "Death Valley." In this powerful message, Pastor Ed Young helps us all discover that no matter our circumstances or even as hopeless and helpless as the situation may seem, God can and will resurrect us to experience life in the face of death.
When a Category 5 storm hits, there is massive damage, the most damaging part being the storm surge. It can reach 20 feet above sea level with waves and water getting anywhere and everywhere. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us how to identify and weather a storm using the absolute truths found only in the Bible.
The drink is popular...we’re intoxicated by it and don’t even realize we’re intoxicated. It’s a mixture of Classical Marxism, Postmodernism, and Critical Theory, and with it, you have a dangerous cocktail called a Marxarita. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us how to put down the Marxarita and overcome the evil and divisive tactics of Marxism trying to splinter our communities and churches.
Is there a snake in your house? In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that many of us have a snake in our house, and don’t even realize it. The snake is Marxism, and it is a secular philosophy that views life as a power struggle between the oppressed and the oppressor. We as a church must aggressively go after and speak the truth of Christ to people. We want to build bridges of love to people, but we don't want to confuse acceptance with approval.
As we conclude our series entitled “Hooked,” I want us to take one last look at the theme on which this series is based: fishing. When you think of fish as we dive into this message, I want you to think of it as an acronym. F-I-S-H. Focus In our Sea of Humanity. In other words, if we are going to be faithful, obedient followers of Jesus, we are to be fishers of men, just like Jesus commanded the disciples to be. In order to do that, we must embody the characteristics of a good fisherman, and those characteristics are what we’re going to break down in today’s message.
Temptation is a part of life. And when you see this word “temptation” in Scripture, it’s the Greek word “peirasmos.” The word literally means to test or prove. When we read about this concept in the Bible, we can see that while the enemy tempts us to make us do wrong, God tests us to make us strong. So, even if you’re being tested on the outside or tempted on the inside, the great news is we can turn these times of trials and tests and temptations into triumphs. Isn't that great? We don’t have to have this victim mentality, we’re victors because of who we are and whose we are. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three things we need to do if we want to be victorious when we’re faced with temptations and tests.
Have you ever seen one of the gospel bracelets with the different color beads? I love these bracelets because they are such a simple but symbolic way for us to explain the gospel to the people we come in contact with each day. In this message, I want to walk you through the meaning behind each of the colored beads, and explain what they represent, in hopes that you will acquire your own bracelet if you don’t have one already and use it to share God’s message of hope for the world with those around you.
There are so many great stories in Scripture surrounding fishing and so many lessons we can learn from Jesus as He incorporates fishing and fishermen into His teaching. As we kick off a new series called “Hooked” we are going to take a look at a fishing trip to remember from Luke chapter 5 and see how we can trust God to do the impossible when it feels like we’ve tried everything.
In this Christmas message, Pastor Ed Young teaches we can't understand Christmas until we understand its news. The bad news of Christmas is sin, separation and death. The good news of Christmas is redemption and God's response to our behavior as well as our response to the Gospel.
From drama to action and adventure to romance, life is a movie. It’s “The Story of God’s Glory,” and we all have a role to play. In this special Christmas message, Pastor Ed Young guides us through the story of Christ’s birth as we discover what it truly means to have “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” And he teaches us that when we cast Jesus in the starring role, not only will we bring God the glory He deserves, but we’ll live a life of purpose and passion as we fulfill the role God has for our soul.
Christmas is a time of celebration and preparation. But it’s also a time of anticipation. Just as people during the first Christmas anticipated the birth of Jesus and his introduction into the world, this is a time of year when we anticipate all that God is going to continue to do in the world. And as we prepare to celebrate what has been done in the past, Pastor Ed Young helps us discover how God is preparing the way for something even greater in the future!
It’s been called Zion, Paradise, the Great Beyond, and the Pearly Gates. Most people simply call it heaven. It’s a place where many dream of and wonder about, but few have an understanding of what it will really be like. The word itself invokes images of the angels and wings, clouds and singing. But what will heaven truly be like? Will the streets really be lined with gold? Are the gates truly made of pearls? Will we simply be given a cloud and a harp and told to live happily ever after? In this message, we’ll look to the only true source of authority on heaven – the Bible. And it will help us discover just what in heaven is going on!
It’s been called Zion, Paradise, the Great Beyond, and the Pearly Gates. Most people simply call it heaven. It’s a place where many dream of and wonder about, but few have an understanding of what it will really be like. The word itself invokes images of the angels and wings, clouds and singing. But what will heaven truly be like? Will the streets really be lined with gold? Are the gates truly made of pearls? Will we simply be given a cloud and a harp and told to live happily ever after? In this message, we’ll look to the only true source of authority on heaven – the Bible. And it will help us discover just what in heaven is going on!
As we go through life, we encounter different decisions points. We come to those places in life where we have to go one way or the other. Some of those decisions are minor; others are major. But only one decision has an eternal impact. In this message, we will take a look at that decision and reveal some frightening facts about it. Because when it comes to making the choice to follow Jesus Christ fully, there’s more at stake than we may realize.
As the marriage goes, so goes the family. And just as God has set married couples up for success, He has set families up to win as well. But winning in the family takes just as much work, just as much of a fight. In the last message of this series, Ed and Lisa Young focus on the centrality of the marriage relationship within the family, and they unpack a unique definition of “kids” that will help every family experience ultimate success.
or marriages to win, two people have to be willing to put in the work and fight for the right things. But so often, arguments between a husband and wife aren’t fair, and they end up causing serious damage. How can marriages emerge victorious from the inevitable arguments they will face? In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young reveal the commandments of a fair fight. Because to get the most out of marriage, we have to be willing to fight, and fight fair.
Success in anything requires more than just desire. It takes a willingness to work. It’s true in the business world, the sports world, and even the relational world. When we are willing to do the work, we will experience some amazing results. In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young unpack the reality of God’s design for relationships and marriage. They help us discover the keys to success, what we need to work on, and how we can all become relational winners!
Where do you to work? Better yet, how do you view your work? Whether it is in a boardroom, classroom, locker room, or family room, work is a crucial part of all our lives. But work is about more than contributing to the bottom line; it can actually help us discover our God-given purpose. In this message, Pastor Ed Young dives into some proverbial wisdom from God to help us reach our full potential and turn our workplace into a worship space!
We’ve all made those dumb, “what was I thinking?” decisions in life and experienced the negative consequences on the other side. But we don’t have to keep making those same mistakes as we move forward. In fact, God has given us everything we need to make better decisions. In this message, Pastor Ed Young begins a series that will point us to the perfect place to look for, discover, and apply the kind of wisdom we all need so that next time, we can make the right decision!
Strong families are built on a solid foundation because the H.O.U.S.E. is a holy objective utilized to serve everyone. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that only when we're quick to run to the house — the local church — will we truly learn to run our house built on The Rock: Jesus Christ!
We have a very real enemy vying to elevate his "thingdom." But when we fight for the ultimate, God's kingdom, we win time and time again. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches families how to succeed by maintaining God's chain of command, focusing on what truly matters, and living it out through established priorities and commitments. Fighting for the family is the ultimate fight because we're fighting for the Ultimate: the Almighty God!
Strong families are built on a solid foundation because the H.O.U.S.E. is a holy objective utilized to serve everyone. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that only when we're quick to run to the house — the local church — will we truly learn to run our house built on The Rock: Jesus Christ!
The book of Revelation is mysterious. Perhaps no more confusing topic in it exists that the end times. People ask questions like: What will the end look like? What will happen? Are we in the midst of that end now? In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the biblical timeline of the end times. As we discover where things will fall and what will occur, however, we discover God’s truth that those who are Christ followers have a sense of hope, purpose, and direction today.
The book of Revelation has many aspects to it that many people find it confusing and confounding. But the fact is, the central theme of the book is comforting and can conform us to the life God wants for us. In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the central focus of the book and the fact that it was originally a letter written for specific people, in specific places, at a specific time. But that letter can also speak clearly to us today as well. As we look at the words penned to the seven churches of the province of Asia, we discover just how they can impact and improve our lives today.
Revelation is unquestionably one of the most intriguing books of the Bible. For centuries, people have studied it, debated it, and critiqued it. But how often do we look at the overall picture of this book and understand what it means in our lives? In this message, Pastor Ed Young gives us a panoramic picture of Revelation. As he unpacks the principles, prophecies, and promises found in the last book of the Bible, we discover how it can help us get the most out of every day of our lives.
We’ve all stepped into something gross smelling without realizing it. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches the same is true when it comes to our worldview, a lot of us of are “stepping in it” without even realizing it!
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that a worldview isn't just about how we view the world, but it's also how the world views us. It's our baseline of beliefs and behaviors, vision and values, that affect all things such as thoughts, truth, emotion.
It's been said, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything!" In part one of Pastor Ed Young's timely new series, we take a panoramic look at how we think and learn about the importance of having a Christian worldview. And we discover how to "take a stand" by filtering our thoughts and actions through the lens of God's absolute truth.
The back-and-forth life is one everyone is familiar with. In our world, it is easy to fall into the double-minded mentality. But to get the most out of life, we have to follow God’s plan of living the single-minded life. In this message, we’ll take a look at the life of Elijah and see how easy it can be to fall into the victim mentality of double mindedness. But we will also discover what it takes to get back to being a victor!
Life is full of decisions. Some of those decisions are small, others are big. Yet so often, we waver between two sides, afraid to commit to one or the other. In essence, too many people are living on the fence. But life on the fence is no life at all, and it certainly is not the life God has in store for us. The best way to get the most out of life is to commit, and to commit to the right things. So in this message, we’re going to look at the dangers of living on the fence and unpack the amazing benefits of finally committing to God.
As we have discovered throughout this series, every one of us is in a battle, a fight. But who are we really fighting? In this final message of the series, we’ll learn who our true opponent is. Because no matter who or what we think we are facing in the ring of life, there’s something bigger that we’re all really fighting. And when we come to the point of submitting to our blessed opponent, we realize what the key to victory is.
Jacob, the Old Testament patriarch, lived a life full of fights and chock-full of conflict. In this message, as we continue tracking his life, we come to perhaps the most famous wrestling match of all time. But what does this match have to do with us today? We will be shown something we may have never considered. Because when it comes down to it, we’re all involved in WWE – wrestling with eternity!
Jacob’s Ladder...it’s one of the most famous dreams in history. Yet, while it may be something we have all heard of, its implications and influence span the gap of time and reach further than we may have imagined. In this message, we are going to look at how Jacob’s Ladder isn’t just a famous story. It is something that can actually help us discover who God has created us to be today. Because when it comes to the fights in our lives, there’s a ladder match we all need to face.
Every day, whether we realize it or not, we are all facing a fight. We’re thrust into the ring and forced to engage in a wrestling match we cannot avoid. The great news is that we do not have to fight alone. In this message, we will begin to look at the life of one of the most prominent fighters in all of Scripture, the Old Testament patriarch Jacob. And as we unpack Jacob’s battles with his own brother, we discover that victory in our lives has more to do with our trust in God than it does our ability to fight.
They led this muscular guy out into the courtyard. His eyes had been gouged out and people were making fun of him and his God. Thousands of people were crowded into this facility and suddenly, without warning, this man turned his face toward heaven and he said these words. He said, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! just this once...” In this message Pastor Ed Young teaches how the evil one whispers to us, “Just this once.” And just like Samson, we can either stand or fall by the individual choices we make to either give in to or reject lust’s deceptive advances.
Absalom was flying through the forest on one of his best animals, with hair blowing in the wind, when, suddenly, he was snatched from the saddle. In shock and amazement, he found himself hanging from a tree limb by his long, thick hair. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches, if we're like Absalom, and have misplaced ambition, misused authority and misinterpreted advice, we’ll be in for a bad hair day.
As we kick off a new series with this message, I want to drill down into one simplistic but deep phrase that Jesus made about God knowing the number of hairs on our head. In the Greek it's in the pluperfect tense which means Jesus was referring to things that had happened. In other words, Jesus is saying, "Hey guys, our great God knew the number of hairs on your head, the sum total of the hairs on your head before the foundation of the world." He knows. He’s that incredible, that awe- inspiring, that omniscient. But not only does this statement show us that God knows us; it shoes us that God values us. After all, if the hairs on someone’s head are numbered, what must their soul be worth?
All of us deal with authority issues. We don’t like to talk about it, but it’s something we all struggle with in one way or another. Not to mention, authority issues are everywhere; they’re in your marriage and mine, they’re in your family, your family of origin, they’re at your job, they’re on the team. But the good news is that God is a God of authority. He always works with authority. There is a chain of command. God, being God, whether you believe it or not, is sovereign. He’s omnipotent. And He places people in our lives, authority figures in our lives, to mold us and to shape us into the kind of people that He desires. And yet so often in our lives, we want to push back from the purpose that God has for our lives, which is for us to submit to authority. So in this message, I want us to take a look at a couple different places mentioned in Scripture so that we can learn more about how God wants us to deal with our authority issues.
In this message, we’re going to take a look at Saul and how he became king. The Israelites were begging for God to give them a king like all the other nations. In other words, God as their King wasn’t good enough. So even though God’s perfect will would have been for Him to remain as their King, He granted them Saul as their king according to His permissive will. The difference between those two wills is what we’re going to talk about today, because I want you to learn how to live in more fear of rejection. No one likes rejection, right? Of course not! But if you’re asking for something that isn’t God’s best, rejection might just be the best thing for you. We’ll learn more about that as we read the story of Saul becoming king and hopefully learn how seek God’s perfect will above our own.
Have you ever put God in a box? I hate to confess it, but I have. I've put God in a box. A lot of times, we don’t even realize we’re putting God in a box, but that’s exactly what we’re doing. We think, “I have this neat little box and, and I'll just carry God around in it, and I'll sort of use God for myself. When it's convenient, I'll take him out and use him when I need a blessing. When I need something good in my life, when I need something supernatural, sort of an add on, I'll use God.” In this message, we're talking about that very subject. It's tempting for us to use God, but we're going to find out that God doesn't want you and me to use Him. He does however want us to remain and to be usable. In other words, God wants to use you. God wants to use me. By the end of this message, I want you to be able to figure out whether or not you’re usable to God, or if you’re more focused on using Him.
In the midst of this mayhem we are facing in the world today- in the midst of the bad stuff, the negative stuff going on at your school, at your office, around your neighborhood, in your context, in your social media feed - in the midst of all that can you hear the voice of God? I mean, people say sometimes, “Oh yeah, God talked to me.” But what do you mean by that? “God showed me. God is communicating with me.” What are you talking about when you say that? You mean the God of the universe wants to communicate and call and talk with us? Yes. The answer is yes. Listening to God is something that we shouldn't run away from; instead, it’s something that we should lean into. I’m going to unpack that a little bit today, how can we – I’m talking about you, I’m talking about me – how can we hear the voice of God?
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to looking at the writings of Samuel in Scripture, because Samuel was a chief protagonist during his time. Specifically in this message, we’re going to take a closer look at what he wrote about Hannah and the kind of parent she was. Whether you’re a parent now with children in your home, a parent whose children have moved out, or someone who wants to become a parent someday, this message is for you, because we can all learn how to be better parents that honor God with the way we parent our children.
I would say that Easter was a roller coaster experience. If you take the weekend of Easter, think about that experience. Up and down, twist and turns, things were just happening that shocked and surprised everyone. It was like a roller coaster. It was like a roller coaster in our Savior's life. It was a roller coaster definitely in the disciples' lives, and it was especially a roller coaster ride in the life of a guy I'm going to spend just a little bit of time talking about, Simon Peter. You might have heard him called Saint Peter, Simon Peter. He was one of the first chosen by Jesus. He left his fishing business to go into the soul business. Whenever the disciples are mentioned in the gospels, Simon Peter's name is usually at the first. He was the defacto leader – impetuous, instinctive, intense. But at during Easter weekend, Simon Peter struggled to stay on track, because he remained at a distance from his Savior. So in this message, I want to take a look at three key things we should consider if we also find ourselves in a distance dilemma.
Some of us need help. Some of us need to help. All of us need rescue. In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us that when we cry out MAYDAY, and are rescued the first thing we need to do is “Repentize”, repent and be baptized. Then we will begin to discover the power and freedom that our lives can have in Christ.
Using the game of basketball and its rules as a metaphor for life, Pastor Ed Young gives helpful handles on submitting and reacting to authority.
Letting God coach us from the book of James, Pastor Ed Young shares 3 important game plan principles to guarantee that your actions speak louder than words!
Temptation is an ever present opponent brought on by the evil one. Pastor Ed Young gives great biblical handles from the Book of James to keep you from fouling out of the game of life.
Using the game of basketball as a powerful metaphor, Ed Young gives four great handles to help full court followers of Christ win over trials in the game of life.
If we want to know how to do something, we like expert advice. When it comes to prayer, Jesus is that expert! No one on earth has ever given such profound instruction when it comes to communicating with our Heavenly Father.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches that by establishing a location, regardless of motivation, and regularly start a prayerful conversation, we can truly align with God. And as we praise Him, give thanks, confess, and seek His guidance, we will live in beautiful symmetry with God's wants and desires.
Studies show that most people break new year's resolutions by the 12th of January. So, perhaps it’s time to look beyond to the year 2030. Where will we be in 10 years? Or, even better, where does God want us to be in 10 years? That's what this new series by Pastor Ed Young is all about!
In this message, Pastor Ed breaks down the spiritual discipline of fasting. When we disrupt our daily rhythm and demonstrate our dependence on God, we will soon discover the blessings and benefits as Christ-followers who fast to follow fast!
We have all read the story of the first Christmas a million times before, from the manager to the magi, we know the drill. In this message, Pastor Ed focuses on the Shepard's side of the story, and helps us find a new perspective on the first Christmas.
Christmas is a time of celebration and preparation. But it’s also a time of anticipation. Just as people during the first Christmas anticipated the birth of Jesus and his introduction into the world, this is a time of year when we anticipate all that God is going to continue to do in the world. And as we prepare to celebrate what has been done in the past, Pastor Ed Young helps us discover how God is preparing the way for something even greater in the future!
The book of Revelation is mysterious. Perhaps no more confusing topic in it exists that the end times. People ask questions like: What will the end look like? What will happen? Are we in the midst of that end now? In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the biblical timeline of the end times. As we discover where things will fall and what will occur, however, we discover God’s truth that those who are Christ followers have a sense of hope, purpose, and direction today.
The book of Revelation has many aspects to it that many people find it confusing and confounding. But the fact is, the central theme of the book is comforting and can conform us to the life God wants for us. In this message, Pastor Ed Young breaks down the central focus of the book and the fact that it was originally a letter written for specific people, in specific places, at a specific time. But that letter can also speak clearly to us today as well. As we look at the words penned to the seven churches of the province of Asia, we discover just how they can impact and improve our lives today.
Revelation is unquestionably one of the most intriguing books of the Bible. For centuries, people have studied it, debated it, and critiqued it. But how often do we look at the overall picture of this book and understand what it means in our lives? In this message, Pastor Ed Young gives us a panoramic picture of Revelation. As he unpacks the principles, prophecies, and promises found in the last book of the Bible, we discover how it can help us get the most out of every day of our lives.
One of the most valuable aspects of sports is the ability of those involved to evaluate their own performance in order to elevate their game. In this message, Pastor Ed Young looks at the index of involvement in the local church, and challenges us all to evaluate where we are on God’s field of faith. Because when we know where we are on the field, we discover just what we need to do in order to reach the next level!
Every sports team has them. They show up to every game, cheer every play, don the uniforms, and defend their teams with passion. They are the real fans. But fandom isn’t something reserved just for the sports world. In this message, Pastor Ed Young parallels our response to God with the kind response avid fans have for their teams. Because when it comes to excitement and passion for life, there’s no greater place to display it than the only thing Jesus ever built – the local church!
Life is chaotic and crazy! During this series find clarity and confidence for your life by getting in rhythm with God’s word. In this message, Pastor Ed Young helps us see how the authority figures in our lives are there to mold and shape us into the people God has called us to be.
Life is chaotic and crazy! During this series find clarity and confidence for your life by getting in rhythm with God’s word.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young uncovers the root of our fear of rejection. And as we study the biblical characters Samuel and Saul, we learn how to face our fear and move forward in life with true acceptance from the One who truly matters – God.
Life is chaotic and crazy! During this series find clarity and confidence for your life by getting in rhythm with God’s word.
We put all kinds of things in boxes, but there’s one thing we should never put in a box, God. In this message, Ed Young teaches God’s ways are higher than ours and we can’t put limitations on a limitless God. We can’t use God, but He wants to use us. We can’t capture God, but He wants to capture us. When we allow God to use and capture us, we’ll discover the blessings of knowing the Great I Am.
Life is chaotic and crazy! During this series find clarity and confidence for your life by getting in rhythm with God’s word.
How do we know if God is speaking to us? How can I recognize God's voice? Does God speak to me? In today's message, Ed Young teaches us how to listen and recognize the voice of God and the power and potential that comes with living out what He says.
Life is chaotic and crazy! During this series find clarity and confidence for your life by getting in rhythm with God’s word. Samuel was one of the most influential people in the Bible. Today, Ed Young teaches us how God used Samuel to navigate the world's madness and how we can be influencers in today’s insane culture.
God is glory and glory is God. His nature is His name and His name is His nature. We are to glorify God because God glorifies God. These are profound statements that can make our heads swirl. But the truth is, when we glorify anything other than God, whether it's something, someone or even ourselves, we miss out on the best life possible. The question is what are we worshiping?
In this message, Pastor Ed Young talks about the importance of living our lives as an act of worship in everything we do, say, touch and feel. And he teaches us that as we ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name, agree with His Word, adhere to His commands, and announce who He is and all that He’s done, we will discover a life far greater than we could’ve ever dreamed possible.
If asked, most people would define God as love. But contrary to popular belief, love alone doesn’t describe the totality who God is. In fact, His most defining attribute – the “otherness” of God that sets Him apart – is holiness. In this message, Pastor Ed Young talks about a defining moment in the life of Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet. He had a beautiful collision as he caught a glimpse of God’s glory and felt an impactful conviction that led to a wonderful condition. Through this story, we will learn how to be holy positionally through Christ and practically as we live our lives as an act of worship.
One of the most profound questions we can ask ourselves is, “Why am I here?” The answer: To Glorify God! But what does that really mean and how? In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us about the magnitude, magnificence, and meaning of God’s glory, the impact it has on our lives, and the importance of being intentionally passionate about mirroring the majesty of our Maker!
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us the real deal about seeking the "higher than human," moral authority of God's honest truth, and the just standard it sets in all our lives.
In this message Pastor, Ed Young teaches us how to live in the fear of rejection through the life of Moses. Moses started as a somebody in Egypt. God took him to a nobody . Then he realized God could use anybody. It’s time that we said, God, I’m not somebody, I'm a nobody before You, I receive You Jesus, because You can use anybody.
"Fear not" is the number one command in the Bible. In our frailty, God knew that it would be a significant factor in our lives. Although some fear is healthy, much of it isn't, it's toxic and keeps us from experiencing God's best for our lives. This message helps us stop deifying fear and remember the magnitude and almighty strength of the One who goes before us every day.
Fear is a powerful force in our lives. It can keep us cornered and cause us to cower. Too often, it drives us away from experiencing the path God has for us. And one of the most devastating fears we have is our fear of commitment. Let’s face it. Our culture is characterized by a lack of commitment—from month-to-month apartment leases to pre-nuptial agreements. This message by Pastor Ed Young outlines the dangers of shying away from commitment, and gives us an in-depth look at the areas of our life that need commitment. Because when we commit the way God wants us to, we experience the blessings God has in store for us.
When it comes to fear, many people believe that it is all bad. But the reality is that fear can actually be beneficial - if we understand it and fear the right things. In this message, Ed Young takes a look at one of the biggest fears many people deal with - a fear that can challenge our concept of its role in our lives. And as we learn what it means to truly fear God, we discover something that can actually lead us into a life of confidence and purpose.
Everyone wants to be wanted. We’re made to desire acceptance. That desire leads to one of our greatest fears. But what really causes the fear of rejection to run rampant in our lives? In this message, Pastor Ed Young uncovers the root of our fear of rejection. And as we study a popular biblical character, we learn how to harness our fear and move forward in life with true acceptance from the One who truly matters – God.
More Bibles have been purchased than any other book in the history of the world. Every year, it tops the charts. Yet, for as popular as it is, the Bible is too often misunderstood and mistreated.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young teaches us about the power and priority the Bible should have in all of our lives. Because when it comes down to it, the Bible isn¹t just another good book. It is a book that literally has the potential to transform everything!
Breathing is a sign of life. Every time we take a breath we lengthen our lives and open up opportunities to make a difference in the world. But there's much more to life than the number of breaths we take.
In this new series by Pastor Ed Young we discover the difference between existing and living, between inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, and truly breathing. Because when it comes to the breath we take, God has something much more in mind than a transfer of elements. The breath He has in store for each of us can truly transform the world!
Breath is crucial to our existence. When it is present, it comes with hope, opportunity, and potential. When that breath is the very breath of God, something even greater happens. In this special Easter message, Pastor Ed Young looks at the power of breath. With a look at the breath Jesus Christ took – both before and after the resurrection – we discover the key to more than existence. We will realize the power of life, and we experience the true meaning of our breath!
God wants a relationship with all of us, and he has done everything he can to make it simple. But so often, we complicate the simple when we really don’t need to. In this special Easter message, Pastor Ed Young shows us the powerful reality of two short sentences that capture the essence of the Christian faith. And he reveals just how easy understanding God’s purpose and plan for our lives is. It’s all about 1…2…3!
Every relationship comes with questions. How do we handle the difficult situations? What do we do when the unexpected happens? How can we make it through the ebb and flow of life? What about when the storms of life seem overwhelming? In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young tackle some of the most hard-hitting questions surrounding the relationships in our lives; questions we are all thinking but may have never asked before. The answers they will share come straight from the Bible, their experience, and years of doing life together; and they will help us all cruise through life on whatever relationSHIP we are on!
In our commitment-phobic culture, we want assurances in anything we get connected to. From joining a gym to buying a house, we are used to signing our name to a piece of paper that defines both parties’ commitment and responsibility. But when it comes to relationships, and in particular marriage, the significance is found in much more than a signature.
In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young unpack the meaning of marriage. As we take a close look at the wedding ceremony, we learn just how seriously God takes the bond between a husband and wife.
From casual acquaintances to lifelong connections, relationships are all about linking our lives with other people. As we look at the relationships in our lives, so much of what we experience has to do with romance and dating. But what does God have to say about dating? Who are we supposed to date? How are we supposed to date? In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young give us some powerful principles to follow when it comes to the world of romance and dating. Because when it comes to this connection, God has some important guidelines for rating our dating!
Of all the influences in our lives, relationships are among the most crucial. Who our relationship are often determines our direction and destination in life. In this message, Pastor Ed and Lisa Young unpack some powerful questions that help us discover the right relationships God wants us to have. Because, when it comes down to it, the force of relationships is one of the most powerful forces we ever face.
For 26 years, Fellowship Church has taken the message of hope and purpose in Christ far beyond the walls of any one location. That focus has led us to reach out to people anywhere and everywhere, including some Texas area prisons. In this special message, Pastor Ed Young highlights one of those campuses. And as we discover what God is doing through “God Behind Bars,” we discover what can lead to a life of freedom for us all!
Throughout history, God has used ordinary people to do extraordinary things. But sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to us. We find ourselves asking, “Why them, God?” In this message, Pastor Ed Young looks at one of the most known stories of Scripture – the birth of Jesus. And as he unpacks the life of Mary, we learn that asking, “Why her?” unlocks the keys to what it takes to be used by God for greatness
God wants all of us to experience a life free from the collateral damage caused by unforgiveness. Yet, so often, we resign to being tethered to anger and resentment because of what happened in our past. In this message, Pastor Ed Young unpacks the power of being unleashed and shows us how the unbelievable nature of forgiveness is just one step away!
When it comes to dysfunction and character defects, we all deal with them. They infiltrate our lives at a young age, only to manifest themselves years later. Too often, we reserve ourselves to the fact that we just have to deal with them. But God has something better for us! In this message, Pastor Ed Young shows us what it takes to get rid of the dysfunction in our lives. It's all about learning how to take out the trash.
At one point or another, we have all dissed God's function for our lives. Thus, we all have a level of dysfunction in our lives. However, to get the most out of the life God has given us, we must do more than recognize the effects of our dysfunction. In this message, Pastor Ed Young helps us dive deep to discover the cause of our dysfunction, and he helps us realize what it takes to experience true freedom and continue pursuing God's purpose for us.
Life comes with baggage. Some of the baggage is emotional. Some is relational. Some may be spiritual. But no matter what the baggage looks like, we all have some. Why we carry it and how we carry it may vary. But we all carry it. In this message, Pastor Ed Young helps us take a look at the baggage we carry. And more than that, he helps us to come to a point of handing it all over and experiencing true freedom in Jesus!
Every time we take a trip, we pack our bags and load up our luggage. When we arrive back home, we empty the bags and put them away. But how often in life do we refuse to put the ‘baggage’ away? The fact is, too often, we carry baggage from our past that weighs us down and keeps us from experiencing the freedom God wants us to have. In this message, Pastor Ed Young helps us examine the baggage we carry, and he teaches us what it takes to unload the luggage and instead allow God to transform and change us so we can experience true and lasting freedom.
Temptation is one of the most difficult, and dangerous, issues we face in life. It’s something in life that can lead us down one of two roads. Either we turn from it to discover God’s purpose, or we give into it and find ourselves partnering with the villain.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young takes a look at the most difficult temptation anyone in history ever faced. By looking at how Jesus dealt with – and overcame – temptation, we discover the perfect template for our own lives as well.
Every NFL offense starts their attack in the same place – the huddle. It is the place where assignments are given, plays are communicated, and vision is cast for what is about to happen on the field. But it’s not where the action is. In this message, Pastor Ed Young shows us how breaking free from the huddle is crucial when it comes to game time. He challenges with Jesus’ final words on earth, and then reminds us that Jesus told us to break away from the huddle in order to get into HIS game!
Every sports team has them. They show up to every game, cheer every play, don the uniforms, and defend their teams with passion. They are the real fans. But fandom isn’t something reserved just for the sports world. In this message, Pastor Ed Young parallels our response to God with the kind response avid fans have for their teams. Because when it comes to excitement and passion for life, there’s no greater place to display it than the only thing Jesus ever built – the local church!
On the field of life, we all want to “win”. We want to get the most out of the time we are giving on the clock. God wants the same thing for us. But it doesn’t happen if we don’t have the right players in place. In this message, Pastor Ed Young challenges us to all as The Quarterback Question. Because when we look at who is really calling the plays of our lives and hand control over to Jesus, we discover the only game plan to true victory.
Our world loves to talk about compromise. But when it comes to standing for our convictions, compromise is the furthest thing from God’s plan. Because when we stand for what we believe, the blessings are unbelievable! In this message, Pastor Ed Young continues his look at the Old Testament prophet Daniel. By studying Daniel’s refusal to compromise what he believed, we discover the focus isn’t about fighting against culture. Rather, it’s about being resolved to focus first and foremost on God. When we do that, we will experience the blessings of God no matter what happens in the world around us.
The prophet Daniel was one of the most self-aware characters we encounter in the Old Testament. Because of that, he had opportunity after opportunity to make a lasting impact in the world. But things weren’t always easy for him. Sometimes, he faced challenges that forced him to make difficult decisions. In this message, Ed Young unpacks one of the most well-known biblical accounts, Daniel and the lions’ den. Through an in-depth look at the decisions Daniel had to make in the midst of that time, we discover just what it takes to make the right decisions today and experience the kind of impact God wants us all to have.
Throughout the Bible, we encounter characters who serve as models for us today. Some of those characters teach us what to do; others remind us what not to do. Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, was one character no one wants to replicate in today’s world, because the mistake he made cost him everything. In this message by Pastor Ed Young, we look at this rebellious ancient ruler in Daniel 5 and discover just what it takes for us to read, understand, and avoid the writing on the wall.
We all want to know, deep down, who we truly are. Yet so many people have a misconception of their true identity, because they look to the wrong source of that identity. In other words, we are self-unaware. But through this message by Pastor Ed Young, we realize that the true source of our identity is the One who made us. And when we tap into God’s power of self-awareness, we discover the power and potential we were truly meant to have.
In the second part of this two-part series, Pastor Ed Young gives us an overview of the 27 books of the New Testament. And as he moves us from the Old Testament into the New Testament, we discover how the overall storyline of Scripture continues to point to Jesus and reveals the power and ability he has to help us get the most out of life.
Against the backdrop of a culture that too often touts leaving over lasting and bailing out rather than blasting through, this powerful message by Ed Young challenges us to remember the commitment quotient that God has given us all. And because of the example of Jesus, we all have the ability and opportunity to display the kind of commitment that can change our lives.
Life is full of ups and downs. Oftentimes, we find ourselves dizzy, not knowing which way to turn. But in the midst of everything we face, there is a powerful reality we all need to know. In this special message, Pastor Ed Young reminds us that no matter how many ups and downs we face in life, God is in control. And when we hand everything over to him, we realize the amazing adventure life is meant to be!
It’s perhaps the most used and recognized gesture in the world. ✌️ But could it be that this simple hand gesture holds more power and meaning than we often give it? In this message, Pastor Ed Young unpacks peace from God’s point of view, and helps us see that there is much more to it than we may know. But when we gain the proper perspective on peace, it becomes something that can transform every area of our lives!