Veritas COMO: Recent Episodes
Veritas COMO
How do you actually read the Bible and why does it matter? This week, we wrapped up summer Veritas by talking about how Scripture isn't just a rulebook, but God's invitation into a relationship with Him. We covered practical ways to start reading your Bible, what to do when it feels confusing, and why the goal isn't just more information, it's a transformed life. If you've ever wanted to know where to start or how to make Bible reading a real part of your faith, this conversation is for you.
This week at Veritas, we had an honest conversation about alcohol and what it looks like to follow Jesus in a college culture where drinking is everywhere. We talked about why God gives good gifts with good boundaries, how to navigate the pressures of fitting in, and how faithfulness isn't about being self-righteous or finding loopholes, it's about living for God's glory. Whether you're 21 or not, the challenge is the same: will you trust Jesus enough to follow Him, even when it's different from everyone around you?
This week at Veritas we tackled a question that every college student faces: How should followers of Jesus handle conflict? We talked about why avoiding hard conversations rarely leads to peace, and how Scripture calls us to be peacemakers who actively pursue reconciliation. Rather than seeing conflict as a sign that something is broken, we explored how healthy conflict can actually deepen relationships, build trust, and help us grow. Most importantly, we looked at how the way Jesus has reconciled us to God becomes the model for how we forgive, seek peace, and move toward one another with humility and grace.
This week at Veritas, we kicked off our summer question series by talking about dating. Scripture shows us that both marriage and singleness are good gifts, but dating should ultimately point us toward Jesus. We talked about pursuing someone who genuinely loves and follows Jesus, setting boundaries that help us say yes to Him, and remembering that our identity is rooted in Christ, not in who we date.
This week at Veritas, we wrapped up the Sermon on the Mount by asking one final question: what are you building your life on? Jesus says storms will come, and when they do, the foundation will show. A life built on comfort, success, relationships, or control may look fine for now, but it won’t last. Jesus invites us to build now, build deep, and build on him because he is the only foundation strong enough to withstand the storm.
This week at Veritas, we talked about Jesus’ invitation to enter through the narrow gate. In a world full of options, flexibility, and fear of missing out on something better, Jesus calls us to a path that is narrow, costly, and hard—but leads to real life. The wide path may look like freedom, but it leads to destruction. The narrow path may look restrictive, but it leads to Jesus himself. Following him isn’t just about saying the right things, feeling spiritual, or doing Christian activities. It’s about knowing Jesus and being known by him.
This week at Veritas, we talked about what it looks like to respond with kindness in a world that teaches us to match energy, sort people into boxes, and give others what they give us. Jesus points us to a better way: not treating people how they treat us, but treating them how we would want to be treated. Because God met us with mercy when we didn’t deserve it, we’re called to initiate good, even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or undeserved. Kindness isn’t weakness or passivity. It’s the fruit of a life shaped by the kindness of Jesus.
This week, we wrestled with a hard question: what do you do when you pray and nothing happens? Jesus says in Matthew 7:7–8 to ask, seek, and knock. But what about when the answer is no? We were reminded that the struggle isn’t just unanswered prayer, it’s that we often fixate on what God can give us instead of who He is. Looking across Scripture, one thing becomes clear: God’s priority has always been presence. God is relentlessly pursuing relationship with His people. So maybe unanswered prayers aren’t evidence that God isn’t good… maybe they’re an invitation to trust His heart more than His hand.
This week, we were challenged to take a hard look at our own hearts before pointing out the flaws in others. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 show how easy it is to focus on the speck in someone else’s eye while ignoring the plank in our own. Instead of living with a critical spirit, we’re invited to recognize our own sin, receive God’s mercy, and walk in humility. When we truly see how much grace we’ve been given, it reshapes how we treat the people around us.
What if the anxiety so many of us feel isn’t coming from having too little, but from constantly consuming more? This week, Patrick challenged us with Jesus’ words on worry and invited us to consider how the things we use to cope can actually keep us trapped. Instead of looking to more comfort, more distraction, or more escape, Jesus calls us to trust our Father, seek his kingdom first, and find the kind of freedom only he can give.
We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—more money, more success, more experiences. But what if chasing “more” is actually leading us somewhere empty?
In Matthew 6, Jesus asks a deeper question: Where is your treasure? Because what we chase doesn’t just shape our future—it shapes our hearts, how we see the world, and ultimately who we serve.
This talk is an invitation to step back and ask what you’re really building your life around—and to see that the greatest treasure we could ever have isn’t something we gain, but someone we know.
This week at Veritas, we look at the prayer at the center of Jesus’ most famous sermon. What if prayer is about more than asking God for help in the big moments? What if it reveals what we truly need most? In Matthew 6, Jesus shows us a deeper kind of dependence—one that leads us back to our Father again and again.
You can do all the right things—and still miss the point. Jesus isn’t just after what you do; He’s after why you do it. This talk exposes the pull to be noticed, admired, and approved… and invites you into a quieter kind of freedom: giving, praying, and fasting from a place that doesn’t need an audience.
Flaking is normal now—so normal we barely notice it. But Jesus says our words were never meant to be slippery, strategic, or padded with loopholes. This talk is a call to a different kind of life: simple, honest, dependable… where your “yes” actually means something, your “no” is clear, and trust can grow again.
Some things feel satisfying in the moment—but slowly hollow you out. In this talk from Matthew 5, Luke shows why Jesus takes lust so seriously: it isn’t just about behavior on the outside, but what’s happening in the heart—and what it’s shaping you into. It’s an honest invitation to trade short-term pleasure for lasting freedom, and to take real, practical steps toward a deeper desire for Jesus.
Ever said something you wish you could take back? Jesus says the problem isn’t just “big” sins like murder—it starts way earlier: anger, contempt, and the words we throw around. In Matthew 5, Kyle shows why our words carry more weight than we think… and why Jesus calls us to reconcile quickly. If there’s a name on your mind right now… this one’s for you.
This week at Veritas, Davis asked a question you can’t avoid: Who’s really running your life?
College will hand you a thousand “good life” scripts—serve yourself, chase the high, keep it easy. Jesus offers something totally different: a life where trust shows up as obedience… and it actually leads somewhere. If following Jesus has ever felt costly, lonely, or “not worth it,” this talk is for you.
This week at Veritas, Keith asked a simple question: what if sharing Jesus didn’t have to be awkward? Jesus calls us salt and light—and that means your everyday life might be the way someone else finally sees Him. If you’ve ever wanted to talk about Jesus but didn’t know how (or didn’t want to be “that guy”), this one’s for you.
This week at Veritas, Kyle kicked off our new semester series The Sermon On The Mount. We talked about how following Jesus is often an unexpected path—but it’s the path that actually leads to the life we’re looking for. Jesus doesn’t just call us to believe; He calls us to follow, and the Beatitudes show the kind of person we’re becoming in His Kingdom.
This week at Veritas, we celebrate the good news of Christmas—news that isn’t just for some people, but for all people. From the angels’ announcement in Luke 2 to the breakthrough of Acts 10, we see that Jesus didn’t come for one type of person, one background, or one story. He came for everyone. This is the hope of Christmas: good news for all.
This week at Veritas, we talked about doubt—not as the enemy of faith, but as something that can actually deepen it when we bring it to Jesus. We looked at the story of “Doubting Thomas,” why he wanted proof, and how Jesus met him with compassion instead of shame. Davis challenged us to be a community where it’s safe to ask hard questions and to keep coming back to Jesus and his people, trusting that God isn’t finished with our stories—or our doubts.
This week at Veritas, we look at one of the most unexpected stories in the Bible—when Jesus interrupts the life of Saul, the last person anyone thought could ever follow Him. Saul wasn’t curious, searching, or close. He was hostile. He hated Christians. And yet Jesus stepped into his story at just the right moment and changed everything.
Through Acts 9, we see that God is still doing this today. He is still interrupting stories, opening eyes, rescuing, and saving—often in the people we would least expect. And before this becomes a message about “them,” it becomes a reminder about us: we were once Saul too, rescued by grace alone.
God isn’t finished. Not with you. Not with the people you’ve given up on. Not with His church.
This week at Veritas we look at the story of Philip in Acts 8—a seemingly ordinary guy who chose to say yes to God. When persecution scattered the early church, Philip didn’t chase comfort; he followed the Spirit. And through his obedience, entire cities were changed.
God isn’t looking for the most impressive people; He’s looking for faithful ones. The story of Philip reminds us that ordinary faithfulness can lead to extraordinary impact when we trust the God who sends us.
What story is shaping your life right now? The world offers us stories about love, success, and adventure — stories that promise fulfillment but always leave us wanting more. In this week’s message, we look at the life of Stephen in Acts 6–7 and see how living in God’s bigger story gives us calmness, confidence, and commitment even in the face of suffering.
When you know the end of the story — that Jesus has already won — you can face whatever happens in the middle.
What if the messiness of church isn’t a problem to fix—but a sign that God is at work? In this message from Acts 6, Davis shares how the early church’s growth brought challenges, complaints, and differences—and how those “problems” became opportunities for more people to step in, serve, and grow.
Through stories from Veritas and the book of Acts, we’re reminded that following Jesus means embracing the mess, leaning into differences, and learning to love one another in the middle of it all. Because the church isn’t meant to be perfect—it’s meant to be alive.
This week at Veritas, we look at the pull of approval—the likes, affirmations, and attention we crave—and how easily it traps us. In Acts 5, the apostles face the loss of people’s approval but choose obedience to God instead.
Through their story, we see that true joy and satisfaction don’t come from gaining more approval but from giving our lives away for Christ. The good life isn’t found in being liked—it’s found in living for the One who already loves and approves of us completely.
This week at Veritas we look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and see how easy it is to hide behind the mask of appearance and performance. They wanted the applause of people more than the approval of God—and it cost them everything.
God doesn’t want our perfection; He wants our honesty. The gospel invites us to drop the act and live in the freedom of being fully known and fully loved.
This week at Veritas we reflect on the reality that every life is marked by a simple dash—the years between our birth and our death. Through Acts 4 and stories from Scripture, we’re challenged to consider how we will spend that dash. Will we play it safe, living for comfort and security? Or will we risk it all for Jesus, trusting the God who knows the end from the beginning?
This week at Veritas we look at Acts 4:12, where Peter declares that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. In a world full of options and competing truths, Christianity isn’t just one choice among many—it’s something entirely different.
Jesus doesn’t simply offer advice or religion; He offers Himself, the only One who can bring true belonging, freedom, and life.
This week at Veritas we look at two men who thought they knew what they needed—one asking for money, the other for healing. But Jesus had something greater in mind: not just a change in circumstances, but new life itself.
Through Acts 3 and John 5, we see how Jesus meets us in our lowest places, not to simply fill our cup, but to transform our lives completely. He doesn’t always give us what we expect—He gives us something better.
Loneliness is everywhere—especially for Gen Z. Even in a crowd, many of us still feel unknown and unseen. But from the very beginning, God said, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” In Acts 2, we see His solution: the church. Not a building, but a family where no one makes it alone and life is better together. This week at Veritas, we dive into what it means to belong—not just to each other, but to Jesus—and how our life together becomes a powerful witness to the world.
This week at Veritas Alex continues our series in Acts by asking a question we’ve all wrestled with: Am I the kind of person God wants? From personal stories of longing for belonging to the powerful moment of Pentecost in Acts 2, we see that God meets us exactly where we are—brokenness and all—and invites us into new life through His Spirit. No one is too far, too messy, or too unworthy. The promise of Jesus is for you.
This week at Veritas, Kyle kicks off our series in Acts by asking a big question: What do you want most out of college? From highlight reels to real struggles, he points us to something greater—Jesus offers us a better place to belong, a better power through the Holy Spirit, and a better purpose as His witnesses. You were made for more. Are you willing to step into it?
What does the fruit of your life say about who you're truly connected to?
In our last Tuesday Night of the summer, we explore what it means to abide in Jesus — to stay rooted in the true vine so we can grow, thrive, and bear lasting fruit. Drawing from John 15, personal stories, and practical wisdom, Michael challenges us to evaluate the habits, mindsets, and relationships in our lives that may be draining us rather than helping us grow.
John 14:6
What’s heaven like? What’s the way to get there? Those are some big questions, and a lot of us don’t feel like we have answers. Fortunately for us, Jesus’ closest followers were asking the same things in John 14. Join Alex as we explore Jesus’ claim that he’s the way to eternal life with God.
What voices do you listen to in your life? More importantly, where are they leading you? In John 10, Jesus tells us that the voices we listen to matter because they determine where we end up. If we want abundant life, we need to learn to follow his voice, because he is our good shepherd.
John 6:35
What’s the thing you want most in life? If you got it, would it offer you the contentment and satisfaction you’ve been craving? In John 6, Jesus talks to a crowd of hungry people, and offers them the one thing that can truly satisfy their deepest hunger—himself. Join Alex as we start our series in the I am Statements by asking: What are you hungry for?
Celebrate the last Tuesday Night of the semester with us! Expect a longer video than normal with extra music and baptisms!!
Ephesians 6:10-18
If the devil wanted to pull you away from Jesus, what in your life would he use to do it? That’s a question most of us don’t think about often, maybe ever. But the reality is the devil wants to rob you of a life with God. So we’ve got to know his tactics and get good at fighting back. Join Alex in walking through a battle plan for standing firm and living the abundant life.
How should Christians think about our relationship with our parents as we move into adulthood? The Bible tells us to obey and to honor our parents at all ages but that raises two big questions: why? And even more pressing, what does that look like? Davis continues our series “The Bigger Picture” with a talk on obeying your parents from Ephesians 6:1-3.
Sin makes us really good at thinking primarily about ourselves. How does that relate to marriage? And is there a better way to live? Kyle continues our series “The Bigger Picture” with a talk on marriage from Ephesians 5:22-27.
Ephesians 5:15-20
What does the Bible teach about alcohol? How does that relate to following Jesus? Why does it even matter? Those are all questions Kyle addresses in this talk as he continues our series “Seeing the Bigger Picture.”
Sometimes God’s commands for us are easy to obey. Other times, like when it comes to sex, it can be harder to trust he truly knows best. So there comes the question - will we follow our own way, or walk in the light?
Listen in as Davis continues our series, The Bigger Picture.
Ephesians 4:17-32
We all want to know our "real self" — but how do we find it? The world tells us to look within, but what if our true identity comes from something beyond us? In this message, we dive into Ephesians 4 to explore what it means to put off the old self and live as the new self in Christ. Discover how knowing Jesus shapes your identity, renews your mind, and transforms the way you live every day.
Join us as we unpack Paul's practical guide to embracing the new self.
Ephesians 4:1-16
Do you want Jesus, or do you want the things you think Jesus can give you? How do you know? Paul says we answer with our lives. What do they show? What SHOULD they show? Listen in as Kyle continues our series, The Bigger Picture.
Have you ever wondered why you were born? What was God thinking when He created you? This week, Michael Porter Sr dives deep into identity and purpose—two things that so many of us struggle to understand. We often take the life God has given us and use it in ways He never intended. But there's good news—God always has a plan, and it's greater than we can imagine! Michael takes us through Ephesians 3 and shows us how rooting our identity in Christ can transform our lives, give us peace that surpasses understanding, and unlock the purpose God has designed for us.
Ephesians 2:11-22
We all know the anxiety of not feeling like we belong. The feeling of being on the outside looking in, wanting to be a part of something that others have. But no matter what we do, we can’t find the peace of mind that we really do have a place to fit in.
Ephesians 2:11-22 tells us that peace is only found in Jesus. With him, we belong to God and to others. And that has big implications for how we live. Join Alex as she continues through our series through the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Most of us have problems of some kind. Ephesians 2 teaches us that our main problem is far worse than most of us imagine, and yet, the solution is far greater than we could possibly hope. But for what purpose? Listen in as Kyle continues our series, “Seeing the Bigger Picture.”
Ephesians 1:15-23
A lot of us our looking for a change. Change in our habits, our priorities, our life. But every time we try to turn things around, they seem to wind up just the same. Is there any hope for real transformation? Where do we find the power to change? Ephesians has the answer, but it may not be what you expect. Join Alex as we continue our series through the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:1-14
Do you ever wish you could see God’s bigger picture for your life? What would change if you could? Less anxiety? Less performing? Freedom from pretending? Something else? Kyle answers these questions and more as he kicks off our Tuesday Night series from Ephesians.
Enjoy our full Veritas Christmas service with caroling and a short message from Kyle. Merry Christmas and remember to choose joy this holiday season!
Resisting Digital Babylon
In a world shaped by the glow of screens, how do young Christians navigate their identity? This week, guest speaker, Luke Simon, explores what it means to follow Jesus in "Digital Babylon," where devices promise connection but often deliver emptiness. Drawing from personal stories and biblical truth, he challenges us to confront the idols of technology, reclaim our identity in Christ, and live as His disciples in an age of distraction. If you’ve ever wrestled with the pull of social media or felt lost in the digital noise, this message is for you.
Jeremiah 29:1-14
Sometimes we get frustrated by the places and circumstances we find ourselves in, but what if God has us there for a purpose? If so, what is it? That’s the question Kyle answers as he continues our series “Living in Exile.”
Daniel 10-12
What do you want to be true of yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 50 years from now? If being a follower of Jesus your entire life is your goal, you’ve got to have the right expectations going forward. Daniel 10-12 gives us a picture of what we can expect life to look like as believers, what it means to stand firm in the face of opposition, and the impact it can have when we love like Jesus. Join Alex as we wrap up the book of Daniel in our series Living in Exile.
Daniel 9
People are leaving the church at record rates. Gen Z is the least religious generation in American history. Why? It’s complicated, but one thing is obvious: a lot of people don’t like what they see. Daniel gives us a way forward though. It’s hard, and certainly uncomfortable, but necessary if we want to faithfully follow Jesus in a culture that doesn’t.
Daniel 7
Daniel 7 is a weird chapter, let’s be honest. It’s got visions, beasts, angels, thrones… there’s a lot going on. But what does it all mean, and what does it have to do with us? Join Alex as she offers insight into the perspective Daniel uncovers for us, and how we can use it to live faithfully as exiles, no matter what life throws at us.
Daniel 7
Join Kyle as he discusses the heart of human rebellion and the "kingdom of self," and discover how God's plan—a greater story of blessing and purpose—calls us to live beyond our own ambitions. Watch now to find out how the story of Babel still speaks to us, and what it means to live for God's kingdom in a world obsessed with self.
Daniel 6
“Who am I?” It’s one of life’s biggest questions, and the Bible has a lot to say about it! The issue? Our culture does too, and the answers are completly opposite. So, which do we listen to? Davis continues our series “Living in Exile” with the story of the lion’s Den that shows which identity gives us the freedom we’re looking for.
Daniel 5
Life can feel unpredictable at times. Unexpected, chaotic even. We have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring or what’s coming. Things happen that can make us feel like our world is spinning out of control. When it comes to the anxieties, fears and worries of the uncertainties in life, what do you cling to? Join Alex in Daniel 5 as she explores what it looks like to give God control of our lives and everything in it.
Daniel 4
As the saying goes, “Pride comes before the fall.” But if pride is so destructive in our lives, how do we fight it? What’s the solution? Kyle continues our series “Living in Exile” with a talk from Daniel 4 that both diagnoses our problem, and gives us the cure.
Daniel 3
We all want to fit in somewhere, to belong. But that desire to fit in often makes us afraid to stand out. The only problem? Living faithfully in exile means we will stand out. So what do we do when the pressure to fit in is high but we long to live faithfully? Davis continues our Fall Tuesday Night series, Living in Exile
Daniel 2
When you have a big decision to make, who do you ask for advice? When you’ve got a problem you can’t solve, where do you look for answers? More often than not friends, family, roommates, TikTok, the internet, those are the people and places we go to for wisdom. But the Bible tells us that real wisdom only comes from one source: God. Join Alex in Daniel 2 as she explores why turning to God for wisdom is the only way to find clarity, confidence and peace.
Daniel 1
Daniel’s story is our story, because we too live in exile. Our circumstances are different, but we’re caught in the same tension – left asking what it looks like to be faithful to God in an unbelieving culture. Kyle kicks off our fall Tuesday Night series, Living in Exile.
John 9: 1-41
There is a powerful story in the Gospel of John about a man born blind who is healed when Jesus performs a miracle. But this story isn't just about a miracle; it's about how Jesus saw beyond the man's physical condition to his deeper purpose. Despite skeptics and religious leaders, the healed man's faith in Jesus transforms from him seeing Jesus as just a man to acknowledging Him as Lord. In our last week of the summer, Kyle challenges us to see beyond our distractions and recognize Jesus in our lives. Are we truly seeing Jesus for who He is, or are we missing out because we're too distracted?
John 2: 1-11
If you had to describe what Jesus is about in one word, which would you choose? Obedience? Healing? Restoration? All right answers, but when we look at an encounter where Jesus performs his first miracle, we find that the real answer might be “joy.” Join us as Davis continues our summer series, “Face to Face.”
John 5:1-14
What we think we want isn’t what we really want. But what do we really want? That’s the answer we get from an encounter that Jesus has with a man at the local pool in John chapter 5. Listen in as Kyle continues our summer series, “Face to Face.”
What image do you have of Jesus? Is it positive or negative? Regardless of how we answer, the only way for us to truly know Jesus is by encountering him, letting him answer those questions himself. So the question becomes, will we? Join us as Davis kicks off of summer series “Face to Face”
God is so good! So let's celebrate with one more Tuesday Night this school year! "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" Psalm 107:1-2.
How much of your day revolves around you? Your thoughts, your feelings, things you want, things you’re worried or excited about, things that affect YOU? The answer to that question is probably more than we want to admit. We’re prone to live life mostly for ourselves, but Jesus is calling us into something different. Into a life lived for him. Alex finishes up our last week of Seven with Revelation 3:14-22.
Revelation 3:7-13
What do we do hold on to when life is hard? Does it give us the stability we actually need? Kyle continues our series, Seven, and shows us how Jesus’s letter to a church in Philadelphia gives us a better answer.
Rev. 3:1-6
Jesus’s words to a church in Sardis in the first century raise an important question: Is our faith vibrant and alive? Or have we grown complacent and find ourselves going through the motions? Kyle continues our series, “Seven,” and challenges us to see that there should be a connection between what we believe about Jesus and how we live.
When it comes to our faith, what’s the cost of our compromise? When we settle for a faith that is based on Jesus and ____, what do we lose? Listen as Emilee continues our series through the book of Revelation.
Guest speaker, Michael Porter Sr. discusses Revelation 2, where Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum. In a world filled with pressures and temptations, God's Word can bring freedom despite what society expects from us. Michael pushes the importance of remaining faithful and challenges us to consider what truly matters.
If Jesus is good, why does following him seem to make life harder? How do we remain faithful to Jesus and live for his kingdom while living in a world that’s so different? Listen as Davis continues our series through the seven letters to the secen churches in Revelation.
What causes us to fall out of love with Jesus? And how do we come back to him? Listen as Emilee kicks off our new series, going through the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation.
We’ve got a problem that we can’t seem to fix. We can ignore it, we can avoid it, but when it comes to sin, we just can’t seem to get rid of the shame and guilt we sometimes feel. Thankfully, God has a solution. Join Alex as she walks through God’s character of forgiveness in our series YHWH.
We live in the age of ghosting. Is that what God is like too? Not according to Exodus 34. Yahweh abounds in love and faithfulness. But what does that mean for us? Listen in as Kyle continues our series, YHWH.
We don’t like thinking about God’s anger. We don’t want a God who gets mad or punishes sin. But what if God’s anger was actually a good thing? What if his anger at evil was good news for us? Join Alex as she explores God’s character of patience and justice in our series YHWH.
Exodus 34:6
The thing that Yahweh wants us to know about himself, maybe more than anything else, is that he’s compassionate and gracious. Is that what comes into your mind when you think about God? We love that God is compassionate and gracious toward us, but what about others? Kyle continues our series, YHWH.
Have you ever noticed how often the Bible mentions “other gods”? What’s that about? And what does it have to do with us today? Join us for week two of our series YHWH as Alex talks about putting our trust in the incomparable, unmatched, unrivaled God of the universe.
Exodus 34:5
Did you know God has a name? No, it’s not God. It’s Yahweh. And the fact that he reveals his name to us reveals something about him – he wants us to relate to him personally. Is that how you think about God? Listen along as Kyle kicks off our new Tuesday Night series, YHWH.
Do you like winning? Who doesn’t, right? At the end of Jesus’s life, it looked like a humiliating defeat. But really, it was his path to victory all along. What does the crucifixion mean for us? Kyle continues our series Jesus Unfiltered.
Mark 14:66-72
God’s really good at using our mistakes and failures and transforming them as a part of the bigger story he’s telling. But how? Hear about how Peter denied knowing God, and how God brought him back into a relationship with him and used him for something bigger than himself.
According to the Bible, we have a problem bigger than our relational conflict or anxiety or loneliness or financial struggles. It’s the problem at the root of every problem. But what does that have to do with Jesus? Kyle continues our series, Jesus Unfiltered, with a message from Mark 14.
At times many of us find ourselves gripped by darkness; caught inside a storm we can’t control. Something got into our lives and instead of bringing happiness and peace and comfort, it’s only brought more pain and isolation and destruction. What does Jesus do with someone like that? Hear from Kyle as he continues our series, Jesus Unfiltered, with a message from Mark 4:35-5:20.
How do you want to be seen by others? Is it by what you do, or the character you show? In a strange story about a fruitless fig tree, Jesus shows us that following him means reflecting his character. Join Alex in Mark 11:12-24 as we continue in our series, Jesus Unfiltered.
Are you tired of trying, striving, and proving you’re good enough? What if we were never supposed to live that way? In a world where we’re told it’s up to us to be good enough to get the things in life that matter, Jesus comes along and offers us another way. Mark 10:17-28
What kind of leader was Jesus and why do so many people follow him? Pastor Sean Boone from The Bridge in Ferguson, MO joins us to answer these questions and more as we continue our series, “Jesus Unfiltered.”
We’ve all got a bad habit of saying things we don’t quite mean. More often than we realize, there’s a disconnect between our words and our heart. In Mark 7, Jesus says that’s a pretty big issue. So what do we do? Join Alex in looking at how our words should reflect a heart for Jesus as we continue in our series, Jesus Unfiltered.
We all have plans in our lives: things we think that will bring us happiness, comfort, peace. It’s tempting to use Jesus as a way to get what we want in life, but Jesus says that if we follow him, we’ll get even more than we hoped for. Davis continues our Tuesday Night sermon series, “Jesus unfiltered.”
Sometimes the noise in our life is so loud! It comes at us from every direction, all the time, competing for our time and attention. In Mark chapter 4, Jesus cuts through the noise to speak to us directly by telling a simple story with a much deeper meaning. Kyle continues our Tuesday Night series, “Jesus Unfiltered.”
Ever feel like you’re not good enough for Jesus? What if he told you that you don’t have to be? If you’re tired of trying to earn Jesus’ love, hear what he has to say in Mark 2 and 3. Join Alex as she talks about being in relationship with the true king in our Tuesday Night series, “Jesus Unfiltered.”
Mark 1:1-15
If someone asked “How do I know if I’m a Christian?” what would you say? Jesus has an answer that may surprise you. Hear from Kyle as he continues our Tuesday Night series, “Jesus Unfiltered.”
For our last Tuesday Night of the semester, we celebrated all the ways we've witnessed God's faithfulness this year!
What are we here for? Why did God create us? What’s out purpose in life? For the last 6 weeks, we’ve been exploring these questions. Now, in Ecclesiastes 12, we get a clear answer. Want to know what it is? Join us as Alex wraps up our series, The Pursuit of Purpose.
Ecclesiastes 5
What comes to your mind when you think about God? Some say it’s the most important thing about you. Why? Because what you believe about God shapes how you live. Kyle teaches from Ecclesiastes 5 as he continues our series, The Pursuit of Purpose.
Ecclesiastes 4
The Bible teaches that it’s not good to be alone, and yet Gen Z is the loneliest generation in America. Ecclesiastes 4 teaches us four things that contribute to our isolation, and why living for “we” is better than living for “me.” Kyle continues our series, The Pursuit of Purpose.
“Out of time” Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
Life is a beautiful gift, but it moves fast and only in one direction. If everything we do ends in death, how do we find meaning in our time on earth? Davis continues our Tuesday Night series “The Pursuit of Purpose” as Ecclesiastes moves closer to answering “what is our purpose?”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Life, according to Ecclesiastes, is elusive. It’s short. And it’s often repetitive. So, what’s the point? What’s our purpose in that? A lot of us aren’t sure. Hear from Kyle how Ecclesiastes answers as he kicks off our new Tuesday Night series, “The Pursuit of Purpose.”
It’s been said the longest distance in the world is between our head and our heart. When it comes to living out who we really are, how do we close the gap between what we know to be true and what we feel is real?
Labels are a normal part of life. Whether it’s ingredient lists or book titles, clothing tags or mailing addresses, labels help us identify things. But when we label people, the result is reducing who they really are down to one word. In the end, labels just aren’t enough. So then how should we define who we are? Join Alex for answers as we continue in our series: Identity Crisis.
Christina, Alex, Davis, and Cole talk about finding our identity in our relationship status. They help us think through and answer the questions: Why is it so easy to find our identity in the fact that were’s single? Why is it easy to become co-dependent on our significant other? Why is Jesus actually the better answer and who we should actually seek to find our identity?
We all want to fit in and social media has given us the ability to craft our image until people accept us. And yet, we’re lonelier than ever. Why? Jesus tells us we weren’t made to just fit in, we were made to belong.
Three-fourths of Gen Z feels “inadequate” or “not enough.” What do we do with that? Just try harder? That only sends us into an endless cycle of comparison and discontentment. God offers a better way - a path to an identity we were made for.
Most, if not all of us, find our identity (at least in part) in what others want, expect, or need us to be. But constantly trying to live up to the expectations of other people is a miserable way to live. Jesus offers something better - an identity base not on what we do for others, but what he’s done for us.
If someone asked you, “Who are you?”, what would you say? What or who defines your identity? Do you feel like you know the real you, or just versions of yourself?Veritas is unpacking these questions and more with our series Identity Crisis. Join us as Alex kicks things off by asking the not so simple question: “Who Am I?”
What’s the issue with getting drunk? Does God really care if I drink underage? What does the Bible actually (if you can italicize, italicize actually) say about alcohol? For our last talk in this series, we’re asking all the questions you’ve probably had, but never wanted to ask, about drinking.
Guest Speaker: Patrick Miller
We live in a society that believes it is always right, so it’s no surprise that Christians fall victim to the same thing. But aren’t Christians called to live differently? We brought in guest speaker, Patrick Miller, to answer this weeks hard question, “Why can’t Christians admit when they’re wrong”.
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J E S U S I S M O R E.
Guest Speaker: Greg Johnson
Homosexuality is a hot topic in today’s culture, but what does the Bible have to say about it? Does Jesus love gay people? Greg Johnson, a pastor at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis and author of Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn from the Church’s Failed Attempt to Cure Homosexuality,answers the question: “Is Jesus for Gay People?”
Pastor after pastor and church after church seems to be getting caught up in public scandals... aren't Jesus' people supposed to be loving other people, not hurting them? What do we do with this reality? Davis talks about Jesus' response to scandal and a vision for the future of his people, the church.
The Bible warns us about practices related to the occult, but why? Isn’t it all just a bunch of make believe? Not exactly. With halloween around the corner, Kyle talks about the rise in interest of the occult among Gen Z and why that’s not a good thing.
In the United States, Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse age group in all of U.S. History. As their influence transforms culture around them, people are asking why American Christianity sometimes still looks like a white, western religion. Does the Bible have anything to say about who Christianity is for? Does history give us any insight to how the gospel message has impacted the world? Join Alex as she continues our series on "Hard Questions, [Un]Easy Answers".
What do Apple, Peloton, Cross Fit, and Soul Cycle all have in common? They’ve all figured out what we all want most - a place to belong. Jesus gives us just that, and at Veritas, that’s what we’re all about: Jesus. Whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, whatever you’re doing, whatever questions and doubts and insecurities and imperfections you have, we hope you’ll join Kyle as he explains why you belong at Veritas.
A lot of us are lonely, and it’s taking a toll on us. But what do we do with feelings of isolation? Join Alex as she gives practical advice on how to combat loneliness and ways to deeply connect.
Everything’s Not Fine: Anxiety A lot of us think the Bible’s response to anxiety is, “Stop it!” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. What does it say? Listen in as Kyle kicks off our new series - Everything’s Not Fine - on mental health. Instagram: @veritascomo Facebook: Veritas COMO Website: veritascomo.com
J E S U S I S M O R E.
Dating is hard. It's full of uncertainty, anxiety, and discomfort. During the Swipe Right series, we gave our students the chance to send us any questions they had about dating. Guest speakers from The Crossing use biblical truth and personal experience to bring clarity to some of the most asked dating questions submitted throughout the weeks.
With endless advice and options at our fingertips, you’d think dating would be less confusing and ambiguous. How do we date each other well? Listen as Emilee gives us 5 biblical principles we can apply to our dating lives.
Nobody’s perfect. There will always be things about the other person we wish were different. But what are the warning signs we should look for in dating? Kyle continues our series Swipe Right with 10 dating red flags from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
The world around us has a lot to say about what dating should look like. While it may sound great, it’s not always great for us. So where do we turn? Who has the answers when it comes to all our dating questions? Alex Gray continues our Swipe Right series with Dating Myths 2.
Dating Myths Pt. 1 Dating is complicated. We love it and we hate it. We want it and we don’t. It’s exciting and confusing. But part of what makes it confusing is that often turn to what our culture thinks over what God thinks. What does our culture think? Kyle Richter kicks off Swipe Right with a message on dating myths.
Different Purpose | 1 Peter 2:9-12 There can be a ton of pressure in college to find your purpose. But the things we turn to for meaning often over-promise and under-deliver. Emilee helps us see how Jesus offers a better purpose for our lives as she finishes our series, Different.
Following Jesus in a culture that doesn’t will be hard. Being Different is going to make us stick out. But how do we respond when others question our faith? Do we crumble, fight back, shut down, doubt? Alex Gray explores 1 Peter to help us see a different perspective on handling hardship.
What comes to mind when people hear your name or see your face? In other words, what are you known for? What do you want to be known for? Most of us probably don’t think of “holy” as an answer, and yet, that’s exactly what God wants. But what does that mean? Kyle Richter kicks off our new Tuesday Night series, Different.
Have you ever considered how the way you view yourself affects the way you love people? We’re all prone to let our accomplishments define who we are. But how does that affect how we treat the people around us? And what the Gospel really change about that? Listen as Emilee finishes up our series in Galatians.
Everybody wants the freedom to live life how they see fit. The good news? God gives us that freedom, but we’re left with the question - how are we going to use it? The way we answer that question will tell a story about Jesus to the people around us. Join Davis as he continues our Tuesday night series “Galatians.”
We all want to live a life that counts for something, don’t we? But how do we know what that looks like? What does it mean to make life count? 2000 years ago, a letter was written to a small church in Galatia, and in it we find the answer. Alex Gray explores the only thing that really counts in our Tuesday Night series, “Galatians.”
There is nothing you can do to add to what Jesus has already done for you. And what Jesus has already done for you is everything you could possibly need. Join Kyle as he continues our Tuesday night series, “Galatians."
Our eyes and ears are the gateway to our hearts. That means that what we read, watch, and listen to is shaping who we are. Listen as guest speaker Michael Porter, Sr. walks us through how learning to meditate on the Bible can change our lives for the better.
So many have felt the effects of division in the church. What causes this division and is there any hope for unity? Listen as Justin points out division the church in Galatia and Paul’s hope for unity in the good news of Jesus Christ as we continue our series “Galatians."
Do you find yourself doing things to get others to notice you? To praise you? It's exhausting, right? Listen as Kyle explores our common human struggle with people pleasing and how Jesus' answers our needs as we continue our series "Galatians."
Have you lost sight of the what's most important to you? In a world with so many competing ideas and values, it's not so uncommon, but that's also exactly what happened to the church of Galatia thousands of years ago. In his letter to the Galatian church, Paul reminds us of the importance of the Gospel of the Saving King Jesus. Listen as Emilee kicks off our new Tuesday Night series, "Galatians."
Our habits can change the course of our lives, but for the better or worse? Patrick shares how a hunger for reading the Bible can satisfy us and change our lives as he finishes our series "Trajectory."
Whether you know it or not, there is a throne in your life, and someone or something is King of your life. The most important question, though, is who sits on that throne? Listen as Keith Simon continues our series, "Trajectory."
When “hard” comes our way in life, we all have to make choices about where to go. Jesus said the same thing 2000 years ago, but did it in the form of a question, and it’s a question that might make us a little uncomfortable. Kyle Richter continues our Tuesday night series, “Trajectory."
Is God good? Can we trust the Bible? Why do bad things happen? We’ve all got questions and doubts about our faith. So what do we do with them? Jesus asked his disciples this same question, but we might be surprised by how he wants them (and us) to respond. Alex Gray continues our Tuesday night series, “Trajectory.”
Our culture’s obsessed with greatness, but what does it mean to be great? Jesus’s answer might not be what we expect. He doesn’t just tell us though, he shows us. And when we understand what he’s done for us, it changes everything. Kyle Richter continues our Tuesday night series, “Trajectory."
According to Jesus, we’re all looking for something. What is it? Whatever it is, Jesus thinks he’s a better answer. Want to see why? Jesus invites you to come and see who he really is. Kyle Richter kicks off our new Tuesday night series, "Trajectory."
Do we want to follow Jesus or something else? Is there something holding us back from wanting Jesus completely? In a stand alone sermon, Cole Moog helps us think through what we want and why we should want Jesus.
What did Jesus really mean when he said, “blessed are the pure in heart”? It actually has very little to do with purity rings and a whole lot more to do with how we live our entire lives. Emilee McEnery continues our sermon series though the beatitudes, "Blessed."
Fear is a powerful motivator. For many of us, fear of what other people will think about us leads us to shy away from following Jesus today. What do we do with the fact that Jesus says, “blessed are the persecuted…”? Justin Derks continues our sermon series “Blessed.”
We live in a culture that is often divided, divisive, at odds, suspicious and angry at each other. How should Christians respond? Jesus has an idea that’s as radical in our day as it was in his. Kyle Richter continues our Tuesday night series, “Blessed.”
Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful,” but what is mercy and how do we show it in a culture that’s often outraged, divided, and in disagreement on almost everything? Kyle Richter continues our Tuesday night series, “Blessed.”
For 2000 years, Christians have been claiming that a man named Jesus died a death he didn’t deserve, was buried, and on the third day, physically rose from the grave. Did it really happen? More importantly, does it really matter? The answers to those questions changes everything about us. As Easter approaches, Kyle Richter talks about Jesus’s resurrection and what it means for us.
Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." We all know what it's like to be hungry and thirsty, but what does it mean to hunger and thirst for Jesus? On top of that, what does it mean to be filled by him? Michael Porter Senior continues our Tuesday night series, “Blessed."
Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” But what does that mean? Is Jesus asking us to be weak, or is he actually asking us to use our strength to build his kingdom instead of our own? Jeff Parrett continues our Tuesday night series, “Blessed."
How do you respond to sin in your life? Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn,” sin. But not all mourning is created equal. There are right and wrong reasons that sin makes us sad. What are they? Kyle Richter continues our Tuesday night series, “Blessed."
According to a professor at Yale, “Our intuitions about what will make us happy… are totally wrong.” She isn’t the only one that thinks this though. Jesus would agree. What then, will give us what we’re looking for? It might not be what you’d expect. Kyle Richter kicks off our new Tuesday night series, “Blessed.”
Dating is really hard to navigate, but we can learn a lot about how to date by looking at what the Bible has to say about marriage. Emilee helps us learn about God’s intention for marriage and how that can help us frame how we date as we wrap up our series "Dysfunctional."
Scripture, research and our own intuitions tell us we were not created to be alone. We long for and were made to live in community with others. However, we’ve all experienced dysfunction in our friendships due to sin. Justin helps us strive for godly friendships by looking at examples in the bible as we continue our series, “Dysfunctional.”
Why is my family like this? Will this ever get easier? If you’ve asked those questions, you’re not alone. Family is messy. The Bible show us that sin has been distorting these relationships for thousands of years. So is there hope? This week Alex helps us think through family dysfunction and how Jesus is committed to redeeming the story.
Our culture tells us that the key to happiness is looking inside ourselves, figuring out what we want most, and then going for whatever it is. In other words, “own our wanting.” Jesus sees it differently. Real happiness, real joy, real meaning doesn’t come from making life all about us, it comes when we make our lives all about him. Kyle Richter continues our series, “Dysfunctional."
Jesus doesn’t just want you to believe in him. He wants you to be with him. Sometimes though, our sin gets in the way. It blinds us from seeing God clearly, and because we can’t see clearly, we replace God with someone or something else. But will that lead to the life we’re looking for? Kyle Richter kicks off our series, “Dysfunctional."
It is safe to say that we have all failed. Big or small, we have all failed to love God and love others. So, not if but when we fail, how will we respond? Justin wraps up our sermon series, “Encountering Jesus” by looking at Peter in John 21 as an example of someone who failed, yet shows us an example of how to love Jesus when we mess up.
How did Jesus spend the last night of his life? That answer might surprise you. Even more, where Jesus thinks you and I will find real happiness. Kyle continues our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 13:1-5, 12-17.
Ever feeling like you’re wasting your life? With so many different ways to spend our time and energy its hard to know if we are wasting our lives or not. The good news is that Jesus cuts through the noise and helps us find the only way to know we aren’t wasting our lives. Jensen Holt Mcnair speaks from John 12 to help us hear Jesus’ answer.
There’s an abundance of voices shouting at us, giving us different answers for how we’re supposed to live and what kind of people we should be. And yet, Jesus says that he is the good shepherd, and his voice is the only one that will lead us to the good life. Are we going to keep getting distracted by all the shouting, or will we follow Jesus? Davis Patrick continues our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 10:11-18.
Many of the religious leaders of Jesus’s day couldn’t see Jesus for who he really was. Are we in danger of making the same mistake? It’s only when we realize how blind we are that God gives us the eyes to see Jesus for who he really is. Kyle continues our series, “Encountering Jesus,” from John 9:1-41.
How do you know if you are truly following Jesus? In John 8, Jesus tells those following him that his true disciples are those abiding in him. Justin helps us unpack what it means to abide and gives a few practical ways we can abide as believers and followers of Jesus as he continues our series, “Encountering Jesus,” from John 8:31-36.
Ever thought about your main motivations for why you do what you do? Maybe if you were honest with yourself, you care a lot about what the people around you think. Hear Jensen challenge us to live our lives for something far better than gaining the approval of others as she continues our series, “Encountering Jesus,” from John 5:44.
We all have things we want, but what if what we want isn’t what we really want? What if what we really want is something only Jesus can give? Kyle Richter continues our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 5:1-14.
Whatever you’ve done, wherever you’ve been, whoever you’re with… What you’re really looking for, is Jesus. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” Kyle Richter continues our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 4:3-26.
What comes to mind when someone says they have been “born again”? Positive, negative, neutral? In this talk, Justin lays out what the Bible means when it says we are to be born again in John 3:1-8.
We’re all looking for something to make us happy. Something to bring us joy. Something that gives us a sense of well-being and comfort and satisfaction. Jesus invites you to stop looking, stop chasing, stop running after, stop trying to find other wine, and instead, drink from the best wine saved for last. The best aged wine, that never runs dry. Kyle Richter continues our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 2:1-11.
The Jesus that came to the world wasn’t the Jesus people expected. And because he wasn’t the Jesus they expected, he became the Jesus they rejected. Who do you say that Jesus is? That question is the most important question you’ll ever answer. Kyle Richter kicks off our series “Encountering Jesus,” from John 1:1-14.
Jesus showed radical hospitality in his life, death, and resurrection. Are we called to do the same? Listen as Cole wraps up our series, Rhythms of the Way, by showing us how we can be like Jesus in the ways we love those around us.
This generation has been described as the loneliest ever. But the Bible says that we were made for community. Listen as Davis continues our series, Rhythms of the Way, by talking about how important our friendships are in following Jesus.
Most college students don’t know how to rest well. We tend to overwork, and when we do rest, it’s not actually restful. Emilee continues our series, Rhythms of the Way, by talking about sabbath: the Biblical ideal of resting every seventh day. Listen as Emilee describes what resting well looks like, and how it can benefit our lives.
Are you being conformed to the patterns of our world and culture? Or is your mind being changed and renewed by the Holy Spirt? Austin continues our series, Rhythms of the Way, by talking about how our thought life is being shaped.
What does the way you spend your time say about you? Your habits and routines form who you are and what you love. This summer, we’re going through a series, Rhythms of the Way, where each week we look at a different aspect of being with and like Jesus in the rhythms and routines of our daily lives. Listen as Kyle kicks off our series with a sermon about how our habits affect our hearts.
Depression is a difficult thing to go through. Listen as Austin gives a few ways to help when dealing with depression.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
As, more and more states are legalizing recreational marijuana, it’s no big deal if Christians use it, right? Listen as Kyle gives us some Biblical wisdom on how we should think about weed.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
Watching more Netflix than ever before? Austin gives us some tips for helping us decide what entertainment is okay for us to interact with.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
Sometimes, other people hurt us deeply. The hardest response to that pain is to let it go. Despite this, Kyle encourages us to forgive those that hurt us and shows us how.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
What can the Dog Whisperer teach us about forgiving ourselves? Listen to today’s episode to find out.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
God might be in control, but is that a good thing? Kyle helps us see why it is.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
Hate feeling alone? As you should. Austin shows us how we should respond when we’re feeling lonely.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
Secure your mask before assisting others? Kyle helps us find a balance between looking after our own needs and the needs of those around us.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
Does our current cultural moment of the coronavirus feel completely hopeless to you? Austin helps us see how we can find hope, even when it seems like there’s none left.
Thanks for listening to Veritas Daily, where we spend a few minutes each day answering questions you’ve asked. For more resources or to submit a question, go to veritasmizzou.com/resourcepage
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Listen as Austin wraps up our series, "Hey Siri," by answering the question, "Can I have sex and still be close to God?"
[Speaker: Ryan Wampler] Listen as Ryan Wampler answers the question, "How do Faith and Politics Fit Together?" as part of our series "Hey Siri," where we respond to the questions you've asked.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] We continue our series “Hey Siri,” where we respond to the questions you asked. Listen as Austin answers the question, “how do science and Christianity fit together?”
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Listen as Kyle continues our series “Hey Siri,” where we answer questions you asked. This week Kyle responds to the most asked question: "how do I know God’s plan for my life?”
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Listen as Austin responds to the question, "how do I know when to take the Bible literally?" as part of our ongoing series, Hey Siri, where we answer questions you've asked.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Listen as Kyle continues our series “Hey Siri,” where he answers the question, “What makes Christianity more true than other religions?”
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Listen as we continue our series "Hey Siri,” where we respond to questions you’ve submitted. In this episode, Austin answers the question, “How do I know when God is Speaking to me, and where do I look?”
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Is being a lukewarm Christian okay? Or does your whole life have to be about Jesus? Listen as Kyle kicks off our sermon series "Hey Siri," where we answer the questions you asked us.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Christmas means that the king is here. We ended our semester with a Christmas service to sing, worship, and celebrate King Jesus. Listen as Austin shares the good news about the how King Jesus, hope incarnate, has invaded this world to save us from our sin and restore his world.
[Speaker: Jensen Holt McNair] We live in an anxious world. We can’t dent that anxiety is all around us. We turn to the Bible for answers, but we sometimes come away confused or frustrated. Listen as Jensen helps us wrestle with what the Bible actually has to say about anxiety.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] What is heaven? What’s it like? What comes to mind when we think about it? What does the Bible say about Heaven? Listen as Kyle answers these questions.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Does the bible really say that? Well, yes, but it doesn’t mean what you think it means. Listen as Austin helps us think through what Paul really meant.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] On a college campus there are all sorts of opportunities for misunderstanding each other. How do we respond when people think and live differently than us? Listen as Kyle helps us think through what the Bible actually says on this topic.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Christians are good people, right? Doesn’t Jesus expect Christians to be salt and light? Doesn’t Jesus expect Christians to be a light in a dark place and a city on a hill? So then what do we do when non-Christians are good? Or what about when we see Christians being not so good? Listen as Austin walks us through these questions.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] What do you want to be when you grow up? Maybe you’ve known since you were a kid, or maybe you’re still figuring it out. Regardless, eventually, we all go to work. What does the Bible have to say about that? Listen as Kyle finishes our sermon series with the lie “work sucks, I know.”
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] We’ve all been asked to consider what we do on our phones, but have we ever stopped to consider what our phones are doing to us? Listen as Kyle addresses the lie “we need our phones.”
[Speaker: Austin Conner] "Hookup culture is an occupying force, coercive and omnipresent. For those who love it, it's all sunshine, but it isn't for everyone else. Deep in the fog, students often feel dreary, confused, helpless. Many behave in ways they don't like, hurt other people unwillingly, and consent to sexual activity they don’t desire." (Lisa Wade, American Hookup). If you’ve been in college for more than one minute, then you’ve felt this. How do we follow Jesus in this fog? What if you’ve already hooked up? What’s the better way and is it even worth trying to get there? Listen as Austin explores these questions as we continue our series "Big Little Lies."
[Speaker: Patrick Miller] From Fall Retreat 2019, where guest speaker Patrick Miller works through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Listen as Patrick talks about sowing seeds of love through our actions.
[Speaker: Patrick Miller] From Fall Retreat 2019, where guest speaker Patrick Miller works through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Listen as Patrick challenges us to take risks for God.
[Speaker: Patrick Miller] From Fall Retreat 2019, where guest speaker Patrick Miller works through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Listen as Patrick talks about how God show’s his love to his people.
[Speaker: Patrick Miller] From Fall Retreat 2019, where guest speaker Patrick Miller works through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Listen as Patrick talks about how our experiences shape our beliefs about God.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] What do we do when hard things happen in our lives? Where do we go? Who do we turn to? Culture has an answer, but is it true? Does it work? Listen as Kyle continues our sermon series Big Little Lies.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] God says “Thou shall not lie,” but our culture must have missed that Sunday School lesson because culture tells us all sorts of lies. What are they? Are we buying into them? How are they impacting us? Listen as Austin kicks off our new sermon series with the first lie: “You Are Your Mistakes.”
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] What do you, me, Andrew Carnegie’s mom, and Kim Kardashian have in common? Listen to find out as Kyle finishes our first sermon series Jesus Is More.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] What does your weekend say about what you want most? Better yet, what does your entire week say about what you believe the good life to be, and what you think is more? Is your Sunday to Sunday built on something that lasts? Listen as Austin walks us through a well known story Jesus designed to help us build our lives on what matters most.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] What’s the difference between following Jesus and following religion? Aren’t they the same? Does it matter? Listen as Kyle explores these questions.
We apologize for the poor sound quality of this episode—our usual method of recording wasn’t working and we made do with a back up. We hope you still enjoy the content provided.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] “Who do people say that I am?” Jesus asked this question of his disciples. What would your professor, co-worker, or friends say? What about you? There are so many different pictures of Jesus out there, is it even possible to know who Jesus really is? Listen as Austin Conner explores this topic.
[Speaker: Cole Moog] We all crave satisfaction from somewhere. We have culture offering us so many different ways to be satisfied, but are any of them truly lasting? Listen as Cole takes us through the story of King Solomon and how his endless pursuit of all things pleasurable led him to love the gifts and forget the giver.
[Speaker: Emilee Meurer] We all have a deep longing to be loved. Whether that be from our friends or significant other, our parents, our professors. It can be easy to look to the people around us for meaning, identity, and a sense of worth. Listen as Emilee takes us through the story of Leah, who was rejected by the people around her, and yet God saw her – and he loved her.
[Speaker: Kermit Summerall] If you've ever felt like you're not good enough, that you'll never measure up, Jacob's story is for you. The wounds of Jacob's early life sent him running scared, endlessly grasping at anything to feel good enough. One dark and lonely night, everything changed when he got desperate enough to grasp onto God and never let go.
[Speaker: Audrey High] We often feel like we aren't being seen. Whether by friends, by family or by God, that feeling of being ignored or looked over is hard. What do we do with that feeling? How should we respond? Are we truly ever not seen? Listen as we look at Hagar's story to see how she dealt with not being seen, and how God responded to her despite her circumstances.
[Speaker: Jensen Holt McNair] We live in a culture that is constantly telling us how we can be more impressive. The expectation of perfection that is placed on us is enough to make us crack under the pressure and long for relief. Listen as we hear the story of Zerubbabel, who didn't meet the expectations placed on him, and see that ultimate freedom is found in Christ.
[Speaker: Justin Derks] We've grown up being told by parents and teachers, "Patience is a virtue." Now while that is great to hear, I'm sure we all can think of ways we have been impatient recently. Listen as Justin kicks off our sermon series for this summer by looking at the story of Sarah and her impatience with God's promises.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] What's your relationship with doubt been like in your life? Have you had doubts about Christianity? How have your doubts been dealt with? Are you minimizing them? Have you been shamed for them? Perhaps most importantly - if I'm a Christian, am I allowed to have them? If you or someone you know has questions like these, listen to hear how the Bible answers the question "Can Christians Have Doubts?"
[Speaker: Austin Conner] What do we do with the following statements: "The God the Old Testament is full of wrath and judgment, unlike Jesus in the New Testament. There are so many weird and offensive things in the Old Testament- slavery, genocide, child sacrifice. Jesus died for sins and fulfilled the Law, so now the Old Testament is irrelevant." Are all of these true? What place, if any, should the Old Testament play in my life? Listen as we continue our series "Four Questions Every College Student Needs To Answer."
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] The apostle Paul tells us in a letter to Timothy that the Bible is God's word: it is trustworthy. But 2000 years removed from that, how can we know that what we have now is what they had back then? Do we know for sure that the Bible hasn't been changed or altered? Listen as Kyle explores these questions and talks about whether or not we can trust the words of scripture.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] As Christians are coming together this weekend to celebrate the good news of an empty tomb, tonight we ask the question: why was Jesus' tomb empty? Is there any credible evidence to suggest that Jesus actually rose from the dead? Listen as Kyle kicks off our newest series exploring the questions and answers surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus!
[Speaker: Justin Derks] Justin Derks wraps up our sermon series in the letter of 1 Peter with Peter's final warning to the exiles - resist the devil. But who is the devil and how are we able to resist him?
If you knew how everything was going to end, would it change anything about your life today? Peter tells his readers that the end of all things is near, and that it has big implications for how they are called to live right now. What does it really mean for the end of all things to be near, and how we as believers should be living life in light of that reality?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Peter's audience lived in a culture that wanted little to do with their faith and yet how they lived was important. How we live is a good indicator of what or who we're building our lives on. What do people see when they look at your life?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] "Fake": Not genuine; counterfeit; claiming to be something or someone they aren't. 1 Peter 1:15 says that Christians must "be holy in all our conduct." Is this true of you, or are you faking it?
[Speaker: Jensen Holt McNair] Trials are a part of the Christian life. Peter tells Christians to expect trials as exiles living faithfully in a world that isn't our home. Why it might be worth faithfully following Jesus, even when that means walking into difficulty?
Being away from the comfort and security of home is disorienting, but that is exactly the situation Peter's audience finds themselves in. Even more, they're caught in the tension of living faithfully in a culture that rejects them for their beliefs. What does their situation have to do with us though?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Why do I need to commit to a church? If I read my Bible and have my smaller group of Christian community, do I need to go to church? How important is the church to Jesus?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Faithfully following Jesus means accepting the uncomfortable truths that Jesus teaches. It means embracing a willingness to do uncomfortable things like loving others sacrificially. But it also means committing ourselves to living alongside uncomfortable people.
[Speaker: Colleen Luley] Loving others as Jesus does is far harder than it seems, but Jesus calls his followers to love others, sacrificially, not selfishly. Colleen explores what this kind of uncomfortable love looks like and why Jesus thinks it's such a big deal.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] If we're committed to following Jesus together, we're going to be faced with some uncomfortable truths and difficult situations. But what do we do when Jesus asks us to be something that seems all-together unattainable?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Because of the culture we live in it's tempting to think that following Jesus should be easy. Many of us make Christianity about our happiness, our convenience, our experience, and our comfort. But is comfort a normal part of the Christian life? Can it be dangerous to be comfortable?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Marriage is the most important human relationship. So what would be helpful to know about marriage beforehand? What is it really for and what is it really like? Can we prepare for marriage even while we're single?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Sex, in its various forms, has become almost unavoidable in our culture, especially in college. What message does our culture tell us about sex? How does our culture's view of sex compare to God's view? Is God anti-sex? How do we overcome past mistakes?
[Speaker: Alex Moore] Our culture loves to tell us who and how to date. But instead of leading us to faithfulness and joy, the culture's view of romance and love usually brings pain and stress. What if the Bible offered a better way to think about dating?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] The vast majority of college students are single. How should we think about our singleness? Is it good? A problem? Does it have a purpose? How do we use our singleness well?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] If you found out you weren't a Christian in five years, why do you think that would be? Is there anything that could happen to you that would cause to walk away from Jesus? We learn from Acts that the apostle Paul faced the temptation, but he didn't give in.
[Speaker: Justin Derks] In life we all experience trial and hardships. How are we supposed to handle those when they come our way? What does it look like to be faithful and believe Jesus is more during those difficult times?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] In a world that has heard it all and often doesn't seem to care, where do Christians begin when it comes to relating with people that don't share our faith in Jesus? Is it possible for us to find common ground?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] When you stand before Jesus and he asks if you'll be saved, what will you say? Is it your faith, your baptism, your theology? What do you think your friends, roommates, co-workers would say?
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Jesus told his disciples to go to the ends of the earth, but they were hesitant at first. It wasn't easy for early church insiders to include outsiders. Why? What was the turning point? And what can we learn from it?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Wouldn't it be nice to have a reset button? To simply push a button and start over? Change what's been going on in the present and start fresh? In Acts 9 we seeGod drastically changed Saul's life, and his story gives for those who seem even the farthest away from Jesus.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Our culture wants a Jesus who is just one of the many ways to God, someone who is just a small part of a larger truth. But that's not who Jesus says he is. Can it make sense when Jesus says he is the only way and the only truth?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] When the Holy Spirit shows up at Pentecost, he shows us that God is serious about drawing imperfect people from all nations and languages to himself. He continues that call 2,000 years later.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Two thousand years ago, something happened in history. Something happened that changed the course of the world as we know it. Jesus launched the world’s largest religion. How did he do it? Is Jesus really who the Bible says he is? Is he really worth committing our lives to?
[Speaker: Jensen Holt McNair] Our fear of missing out can seem harmless at times, but what if it is actually rooted in something much deeper? What is it about our culture that feeds our fear of missing out?
[Speaker: Kermit Summerall] How far would you go to fit in? We all want to fit in, but when fitting in means losing our Christ-like distinctiveness, it hurts our relationship with God, our mission to the world - it’s not who we are! But how do we have enough courage to live in and love a world that's dofferent from us?
[Speaker: Colleen Luley] When you think about it, we spend a lot of time and energy comparing ourselves to others. And when we dwell on how our lives may or may not look like someone else's, we're actually letting ourselves be drawn away from Jesus and his mission for our lives. Yet Jesus gives us hope on how to follow him and serve others in the places he has us.
[Speaker: Matt Gordon] We live in a connected world. A super computer occupies our pockets and gives us answers, advice, and news at the ready. Despite all this connection, though, is there a disconnect? Does our media consumption actually satisfy us in deep, sustainable ways?
[Speaker: Jeff Parrett] Shame is a reality that we all face. It unravels our personal lives and distorts the way we see ourselves. But God sees ahead to the person he's making us. Should that change the way we look at ourselves?
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[Speaker: Austin Conner] The pressure to be flawless in every area of life is both alluring and suffocating. Whether it’s through our accomplishments, appearance, or religious life, we are simultaneously captivated and crushed by perfectionism. Why do we do this? How does this effect our calling as God’s people?
[Speaker: Alex Gray] What kind of king do we want to follow? That’s the question we asked at the beginning of the semester. As we end our sermon series on 1 & 2 Samuel, we’ll see that Jesus, the True King, is the only king worth following and what that means for your life going forward.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] What should you do when a friend does something really stupid? Do you tell them it was stupid? Do you say nothing? What if they do something sinful? Austin Conner walks us through how God answers these questions when it comes to our sin and our stupidity.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most well-known stories in all of the Bible. It's a shocking story, full of twists and unexpected turns. What leads a man to do something he didn't know he was capable of? What hope is there when we find ourselves in similar situations?
[Speaker: Austin Conner] Have you ever asked yourself, “What can I do for God?” King David did. Do you know what God told him, and what he tells us? “Not much.” Why would He respond like that? What’s a better question we could be asking?
[Speaker: Patrick Miller] Have you ever found yourself asking “How far can I go until it’s really a sin?” In this bizarre story from the final pages of Saul’s life we learn the tragic results of such a dangerous question.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Gender and issues related to gender are a regular part of our culture’s conversations. Does the Bible support the notion that men are “better” than women? With stories like that of Abigail from 1 Samuel 25, we find just the opposite to be true.
[Speaker: Austin Conner] In the face of injustice, there are really only two options - we can take revenge or leave revenge. Which one is our culture encouraging us to do? Can we even find the power to leave revenge behind?
[Speaker: Alex Moore] We all want to be known but sometimes we are afraid of being seen. This fear keeps us from the deep relationships God created us to have. Using David and Jonathan's relationship from 1 Samuel, Alex Moore explores our desire to be known and the kind of friendships God is calling us to.
[Speaker: Kyle Richter] Philistines and Israelites. Giants and foes. Champions and kings. The story of David and Goliath has become one of the most well-known Bible stories. It's also a narrative our culture loves to embrace - you can slay your own "giants." But is this story really telling us to put faith in ourselves, or in something greater than us?
[Speaker: Justin Derks] Israel has asked for a king and they get what they want in Saul. But just as God warned, Israel's first king falls way short of their expectations. Listen to hear about how choosing to please people over following God's commands leads to his downfall.
Kyle Richter opens our series on 1 & 2 Samuel with a talk from Judges 21:25. What do we have in common with Taylor Swift? We're all looking for someone or something to be the king of our hearts and lives. Who or what's it going to be?
Austin Conner finishes our Fall series as he preaches from Philippians 4:1.
If in 5 years you weren't a Christian anymore, would you know why? We don't often see the small dangers that overtime can take us away from our faith. But Paul tells us how we can stand firm.
Justin Derks preaches from Philippians 4:10-13.
When we say we are content, we usually mean everything is fine. Not bad, not great, just fine. But Paul tells us true contentment - a deep, restful peace - is vital if we want to have a life of joy.
Alex Gray preaches from Philippians 4. Everyone deals with anxiety in some way or another. But in this passage Paul says, “do not be anxious about anything.” So how do we get to that point in our own lives? What does Paul say about how we can find peace in the middle of difficult cirumstances?
Kyle Richter preaches from Philippians 3:12-21. What is it in your life that might keep you from running the race that God has marked out for you? For many of us, it's the temptation to coast.
Austin Conner preaches from Philippians 3:1-11. We often come to God with both hands outstreteched, one holding Jesus' perfect record and the other our own personal resume. But what does Paul have to say about our resumes? Why do we hold on to them so closely when we don't need them?
What do you think is the most powerful way to reflect [Speaker: Polly Conner] Jesus to people around you? Global missions? Non-profit work? The Apostle Paul might suprise you with his answer...
[Speaker: Justin Derks] "Work out your own salvataion..." Does Paul drop a huge weight on our shoulders? No. Justin helps us understand how this verse gives us the proper response to the salvation God has already worked for us.
[Speaker: Kermit Summerall] Every generation expresses themself as the "Me" generation in one way or another. Why are we so focused on ourselves? How can our lives instead be used to help others focus on God?
Kyle Richter gives a talk based on Philippians 1:12-26. Either God exists or he doesn’t. How we answer that question has drastic implications for how we see our circumstances. In this passage, Paul helps us to see our circumstances in light of God’s plan and purpose for our lives.
Austin Conner opens our series on Philippians. The Apostle Paul, who penned this letter to the church in Philippi, often wrote of being joyful amid suffering. Working from Philippians 1:6, Austin gives us three truths and three lessons to sustain us through both hardship and success.
Kyle Richter gives a talk based on Matthew 13:44. Looking for treasure isn’t just something we did as kids. It’s something we’re all doing right now. We might not call it that, but the reality is we’re all searching for some kind of treasure in life. Is the treasure we’re searching for worth more than Jesus?
Austin Conner walks us thrugh what the Bible says about the kind of friend we should look for and the kind of friend we should be. Because we were made for relationships, no Christian can go it alone. Yet we often don’t surround ourselves with the people we need to encourage and support us.
We all build our identity on something. In fact, we were created to do so. But is our identity in the right place? Does it even matter? Listen as we consider whether or not there is a better place for us to find our identity.
Culture tells us lots of stories. What they all have in common are the promise of the "good life." What's our good life? Is that best for us? Is there something better? Listen as Austin helps us think through these questions.