Alle afleveringen
879 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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The Church God Wants to Be a Part of
1 november 2026 · 45 min
Ask 10 different people what kind of church they want to be a part of, and you’ll likely get 10 different answers. For some, a church devoted to preaching theologically rich sermons is a high priority. For others, it’s a church where they feel part of a family. For still others, it’s a church focused on missions and evangelism. The better question, however, is what kind of church God wants to be a part of. In this week’s message from Acts 11 and 13, Pastor J.D. invites us to consider this question in light of the story of the church at Antioch—not a church of “super Christians,” but a church filled with ordinary people on an extraordinary mission: to advance the gospel far and wide. Lees meer
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Winning the One Who Wronged You
25 oktober 2026 · 48 min
“Love your enemies”—talk about a difficult command to follow. Surely it would have been easier if Jesus had said, “Feel free to just ignore your enemies.” But the truth is, that’s not how he treats us, is it? After all, Romans 5 reminds us that Jesus reconciled us to himself while we were still his enemies. In this week’s message from Matthew 5, Pastor Bryan helps shift our perspective on how to treat those who have wronged us, reminding us that our decision to love our enemies is ultimately a powerful opportunity to put the gospel on display. Lees meer
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Sex, Lust, Marriage, and Adultery
18 oktober 2026 · 52 min
One aspect of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount that is particularly challenging is how he addresses not merely sinful behaviors but also sinful thoughts and desires—and when it comes to issues like lust and sex? Jesus doesn’t shy away from them. In this week’s message from Matthew 5, Pastor Curtis unpacks commonly held views of sex and explains how to confront distortions of God’s design. In the end, our only hope is a new heart—and that’s exactly what Jesus gives us when we place our trust in him. Lees meer
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When Being Good Isn't Good Enough
11 oktober 2026 · 52 min
It’s entirely possible to build a life around the type of righteousness that is staged rather than genuine—and many people around us may be none the wiser. But the righteousness that Jesus desires for us is radical: not new rules, but a new heart. In this week’s message from Matthew 5, Pastor J.D. takes us through the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, explaining how Jesus is the new and better Moses, bringing the kind of transformation that laws and rules alone never could. Jesus isn’t looking for those who are content with merely restraining their behavior, as the Pharisees attempted to do. He’s looking for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, because they are the ones who will truly be satisfied. Lees meer
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True Life Begins When Our Life Ends
4 oktober 2026 · 55 min
We normally think of indicator lights as a way of communicating that something is wrong (think: the dreaded “check engine” light on your dashboard). But in Jesus’ revolutionary Sermon on the Mount, he presents a series of indicator lights—more commonly known as the Beatitudes—that help us know whether the kingdom of heaven has gotten into us. In this week’s message from Matthew 5:1–16, Pastor Bryan helps us see these countercultural teachings of Jesus for what they really are: not things we do to earn our way into the kingdom but signs that we are people who have truly come to the end of ourselves, desperate for God and hungry for righteousness. Lees meer
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The Everyday Life of a Disciple
27 september 2026 · 46 min
This week, Pastor John takes us through Acts 2:42–47 as we look deeper into the five identities of a disciple: worshiper, family member, servant, steward, witness. Ultimately, disciples of Jesus don't just believe differently—they live differently.
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Make the Most of Your Mist
20 september 2026 · 49 min
In chapter after chapter of Ecclesiastes, we're given principles for how to live wisely in a world of hevel. But these principles aren't meant to merely help us "survive" life in this broken world—ultimately, they're preparation for a day we will all face: the day when we stand before God. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 10–12, Pastor J.D. encourages us not to dread this day but to anticipate the beauty of what it actually means: the end of all pain and futility, and the most glorious reunion with our great Savior. Lees meer
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Why Funerals Are Better Than Birthday Parties
13 september 2026 · 45 min
It seems more than just counterintuitive to say that “the day of death is better than the day of birth.” After all, who in their right mind would rather attend a funeral than a birthday party? But this is exactly the kind of view that Solomon advocates, because it’s only by thinking about life from the perspective of our death that we learn to live wisely. In this week’s message from Ecclesiastes 7, Pastor J.D. reminds us how, in light of how short our lives are, it makes no sense to chase after what is fleeting. Instead, we should leverage our lives to invest in what will serve to advance God’s kingdom long after we’re gone. Lees meer
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Making Work, Work
6 september 2026 · 50 min
Though we don't always view it this way (perhaps even less so on a Monday morning), work is a gift from God. But what happens when work becomes an end in itself, centering on our accomplishments and tempting us to neglect the very relationships we should be pouring into? At that point, Solomon says, it's all meaningless—a chasing after the wind. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 4–5, Pastor Bryan helps us reframe our work as something that is most meaningful when it goes beyond ourselves, reaching out to ease the plight of the oppressed and reaching up to connect with God. Lees meer
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Enjoy Your Life
30 augustus 2026 · 51 min
“For everything there is a season …” You might recognize these words (“turn, turn, turn”) as lyrics to a song made popular in the ’60s. But thousands of years before that, they were written as the opening of a poem in the book of Ecclesiastes about the cyclical nature of life. Just as we have no control over summer turning to fall, we can't alter the cycles of life. There is indeed a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to weep. In this week's message from Ecclesiastes 3, Pastor J.D. gives us helpful principles for not only navigating life in a world we can't control, but enjoying it for what it is: a gift from God. Lees meer
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What the Hevel
23 augustus 2026 · 51 min
The book of Ecclesiastes is often regarded as one of the most confusing (and perhaps depressing) books in the entire Bible. But the truth is, it’s one that raises—and provides real answers to—some of the core questions of life. In this week’s message from Ecclesiastes 1, Pastor J.D. addresses three common approaches that the world takes to finding meaning in life. These approaches, it’s no surprise, come up short time and time again. And that’s because the only satisfying answer for “life under the sun” is actually to embrace life above the sun—that is, life with God, the only one who truly imbues our lives with meaning. Lees meer
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Here Comes the Son
16 augustus 2026 · 48 min
Upon reading example after disastrous example from Israel's history, it's tempting to just give up and throw in the towel. After all, if these previous generations weren't able to avoid stumbling and falling, what hope is there for us? In this week's message from the last six verses of Jude, Pastor J.D. shows us that the answer is found in one action: to keep ourselves in the love of God. But it doesn't end there. Because the Christian life is meant to be lived in community, we also have a responsibility to help others who are struggling—even at the expense of our own comfort. Lees meer
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Yesterday
9 augustus 2026 · 49 min
It’s often said that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. In Jude’s short letter, he draws on a litany of examples from Old Testament history to warn the church about the dangers of rebelling against Jesus’ rule. In this week’s message from Jude 5–19, Pastor Curtis helps us unpack these warnings and their application for the church today, reminding us that when Jesus comes again, he will judge the rebellious—but he will also save the faithful. And in this is found the astonishing beauty of the gospel: Guilty people find refuge not in fleeing from the true Judge but in running to him. Lees meer
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Hey, Jude!
2 augustus 2026 · 45 min
If you've ever had the unfortunate experience of discovering termites in your home, you know the frustration of realizing that surfaces that you thought were solid are actually badly damaged. Sadly, a similar thing happens in many churches when false teachers creep in unnoticed, harming a church from the inside. In this week's message from the first four verses of Jude, Pastor J.D. shows us how we see the manifestation of this kind of corruption in the church today. It is only when we are clear on what the gospel truly is that we are able to guard against this danger and preserve the faith entrusted to us. Lees meer
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Contentment and a Life That Matters
26 juli 2026 · 49 min
The longing for a life of meaning and significance is a universal human desire. But too often, we end up looking in all the wrong places to create a life that matters. In this week's message from the second half of Philippians 4, Pastor Bryan shows us how the Philippian church lived lives of eternal significance, exemplified by their partnership in sharing the gospel. Their example ought to be an encouragement to us to pour out our lives for the spread of the gospel, whether in our homes, in the marketplace, or abroad. Lees meer
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Whatever Happens, I’m Good
19 juli 2026 · 50 min
True contentment can seem so elusive, especially in a world inundated with ads and influencers, a world designed to teach us that the road to happiness is paved with the accumulation of more possessions. So what is the secret to contentment? In this week’s message from Philippians 4, Pastor Bryan gives us a framework for what it looks like to be content in Christ, something that doesn’t come naturally but must be learned. Thankfully, we have the ultimate teacher, the one who modeled contentment better than anyone: Jesus himself. Lees meer
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When Was the Last Time You Felt Happy?
12 juli 2026 · 48 min
It's tempting to read verses like "Rejoice in the Lord always" and "Do not be anxious about anything" and dismiss them out of hand. They're nice sentiments, we might think, but ultimately, they're simply out of touch with reality. But as Pastor J.D. reminds us in this week's message from Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul wasn't exactly living in the lap of luxury as he wrote these words. On the contrary, they carry more weight precisely because he had endured so much suffering. We, too, can rejoice always—not because our circumstances are always good, but because our God is. Lees meer
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Time to Grow Up: Maturing in Christ
5 juli 2026 · 46 min
When we begin following Jesus, we’re much like newborn babies—but just as babies grow and mature, so should we in our walk with Christ. In this week’s message from Philippians 3, Pastor Curtis reveals four marks of maturity in Christ, and—spoiler alert—it begins with being honest enough to admit that we haven’t arrived. It’s only when we’re willing to do this that we can direct our focus toward the one thing we must pursue: knowing and following Jesus with everything we have. Lees meer
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Résumé for the Good Life
28 juni 2026 · 48 min
One of the most important parts of applying for a job is presenting an impressive résumé. After all, your résumé is essentially an argument for why you are the best candidate for a particular job. In this week’s message from Philippians 3, Pastor J.D. takes us through the Apostle Paul’s résumé before he met Jesus. As impressive as it was, Paul counted it as rubbish compared to the joy of knowing Jesus. And in the end, as he reminds us, even our best earthly accomplishments don’t contribute anything to our acceptance in the sight of God—and that’s a good thing. Lees meer
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You Can’t Stream Community
21 juni 2026 · 46 min
It can be easy, particularly in a large church, to slip in and out unnoticed and never truly experience community. But when we do this, we are missing out on how God intended his church to function: as a family. In this week's message from Philippians 2, Pastor Bryan shows us just how vital this sense of community is, and how we each play a role in creating and sustaining it. As Christians, there really is nothing that quite compares to the bond we share through the gospel of Jesus. Lees meer
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Work It Out
14 juni 2026 · 46 min
The Apostle Paul’s charge to “work out your own salvation” can, at first glance, seem contradictory to the idea that our salvation is something that can’t be earned. But when we read the rest of the sentence, we see that what Paul is talking about is the process of sanctification, where God continues to work in us throughout our entire lives. In this week’s message from Philippians 2, Pastor Curtis helps us unpack the practical implications of this rich theological truth. Yes, salvation is a gift we receive—but it’s also a life we live. Lees meer
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The Good Life ROI
7 juni 2026 · 40 min
As Christians, the love that we have received from God is, in the words of hymn writer Frederick Lehman, “greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell.” But God doesn't give us good gifts with the intention that we keep them to ourselves. In this week's message from Philippians 2, Pastor John helps us see that a proper response to God's love and grace is to, well ... do something. What exactly that something is may vary depending on our passions and areas of gifting, but it is the love of Christ that compels us to be a blessing to others in whatever way we can. Lees meer
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The Good Death
31 mei 2026 · 49 min
The book of Philippians is full of paradoxes, one of the most profound being how Paul experiences true freedom even while in chains. His confidence, after all, was never in the possibility of God changing his circumstances, but in God sustaining him no matter what. In this week’s message from Philippians 1, Pastor Curtis reveals three more aspects of “the good life,” a life that makes sense only when our perspective is the same as Paul’s: To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Lees meer
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The Bottom Line to Everything
24 mei 2026 · 52 min
When we consider some of the great missionaries of the past, whether the Apostle Paul himself or people like Adoniram Judson and William Carey, we often wonder how they endured under such difficult circumstances. Not only that, but how could they possibly be joyful in the midst of these trials? In this week’s message from Philippians 1, Pastor Bryan shows us that what these heroes of the faith had in common was a radical perspective: Everything in life is an opportunity to advance the gospel. Whether in the marketplace or overseas, we all have a call to live on mission for God. Lees meer
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GLP-0: Paul's Rx For The Good Life
17 mei 2026 · 45 min
You’d think that someone sitting on the cold stone floor of a Roman jail cell would be the least likely to pen a letter overflowing with joy and gratitude—but that’s exactly what the Apostle Paul does with his letter to the church at Philippi. And in this week’s message from Philippians 1, Pastor J.D. explains how gratitude is one of the secrets to the “good life” that Paul illuminates for us. Gratitude, of course, doesn't always come naturally. It isn’t merely a feeling that comes and goes, but a practice that we can—and must—intentionally cultivate. Lees meer
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Fade to Black
10 mei 2026 · 48 min
We’ve all seen shows or movies with unsatisfying endings—the kind that make us question, “Wait, was that really it?” The last chapter of Nehemiah certainly has the potential to make us feel the same way. But as we’ll see, what initially seems like a terribly unsatisfying ending actually paves the way for the greatest finale of all time. In this week’s message from Nehemiah 10–13, Pastor J.D. shows us that though Nehemiah was ultimately not the reformer the people needed, a greater one was still to come—one who would not just compel external conformity but would change the very hearts of his people. Lees meer
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The Pain You Didn’t See Coming
3 mei 2026 · 49 min
It's one thing to be on the receiving end of gossip or criticism by a coworker or acquaintance, but to be hurt by someone close to us? That's an entirely different kind of pain. And this is precisely why church hurt can cut so deep, because it comes from a completely unexpected place. In this week's message from Psalm 55, Pastor Bryan explores what a godly response to this kind of hurt looks like. It can be tempting to isolate ourselves, but these are the very moments when we need to resist drawing away and instead pursue community with fellow believers. Lees meer
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Confession and Renewal
26 april 2026 · 50 min
Of all the things required of those who follow Jesus, confession of sin is probably one of the hardest. True confession requires humility and courage—but what enables you to do it is a desperation for the power and presence of God in your life. In this week’s message from Nehemiah 9, Pastor J.D. takes us through the prayer of the Levites, highlighting four crucial elements of confession. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s so worth it, and ultimately, it brings renewal and revival. Lees meer
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God, I’m Saying YES!
19 april 2026 · 43 min
This weekend, Pastor Spence Shelton from Mercy Church (Charlotte) shares a message from Jonah 4.
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The Water Gate Revival
12 april 2026 · 50 min
Depending on which generation you're a part of, the word "revival" may conjure up thoughts of planned, week-long events at church featuring fiery sermons and calls for repentance. But as we'll learn, revival isn't something you can simply put on a calendar. In this week's message from Nehemiah 8, Pastor J.D. takes us through five elements of true revival, some of which we can do and others of which only God can do. And in the end, revival doesn't begin with a brilliant strategy; it begins with a hunger for the Word of God. Lees meer
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Who Is Jesus? How the Resurrected Christ Sets Us Free
5 april 2026 · 46 min
Easter is a cause for incredible celebration for many reasons, of course. But one of them is that even as astounding as Jesus' miracles of healing were, ultimately, they were signs that pointed to something greater still. They were mere shadows, and Jesus' resurrection, his resounding victory over sin and death, is the substance. In this weekend's message from John 5, Pastor Bryan shows us the healing and freedom that is found in believing in the resurrection and finding our true identity in Jesus. Lees meer
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The Greatest Threat to Your Calling
29 maart 2026 · 49 min
It's hardly surprising that Nehemiah faced opposition in rebuilding the wall. But what is particularly unsettling is that the most dangerous opposition came not from outside but from inside. In this week's message from Nehemiah 5, Pastor J.D. shows us how compromise on the inside is a far bigger threat to the work of God than critics on the outside. So how can we guard against such a grave threat? The truth is, the heart of leadership that refuses to bow to compromise is found, first and foremost, in a posture of awe and reverence before God. Lees meer
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The Devil’s Defensive Line of Discouragement
22 maart 2026 · 49 min
Every work of God in the world, whether big or small, faces opposition. If we're going to fulfill what God has called us to, persistence may be the most important skill that we can master. In this week's message from Nehemiah 4 and 6, Pastor J.D. not only shows us the different kinds of opposition that Nehemiah faced, but how he responded. A proper response always starts with remembering how God has been faithful in the past, and this, ultimately, fuels our anticipation of how he will be faithful in the future. Lees meer
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Everybody’s Got a Job
15 maart 2026 · 53 min
The book of Nehemiah leads us to think a lot about the idea of a calling on our lives. We may think we're too broken or messy to be used by God, but the truth is, broken people are exactly who God longs to use to build his kingdom. In this week's message from Nehemiah 2 and 3, Pastor J.D. explains how everybody has a job to do and a role to play in the restoration that God is bringing. The question is, are we ready to go where he calls us to go and do what he calls us to do? Lees meer
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Watch Out!
8 maart 2026 · 45 min
In this weekend’s message, Pastor Joby Martin from The Church of Eleven22 walks us through part of 1 Corinthians 16, cautioning us to be watchful.
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Holy Discontent, Part 2
1 maart 2026 · 46 min
We've all wondered it: Does God have a special assignment for me, and if so, how do I know if I'm actually accomplishing it? The Bible doesn't record Nehemiah ever receiving a prophetic dream or vision from God, and yet, he has a divinely placed burden that moves him to act. In this week's message from Nehemiah 2, Pastor J.D. shows us how to narrow down what God might be calling us to do for his kingdom. Not everything that comes from heaven has your name on it, but something does. Lees meer
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Desert Obedience
22 februari 2026 · 43 min
Time and again, we've seen that God moves through ordinary acts of obedience; we simply have to join him in the work he's already doing. In this week’s message from Acts 8, Pastor John takes us through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. What set Philip apart as someone used by God? He wasn't an apostle, after all. He wasn't flashy or even particularly impressive. But he was a faithful servant, and his obedience to God was immediate. Could the same be said of you? Lees meer
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Holy Discontent, Part 1
15 februari 2026 · 53 min
The Bible is full of stories of God using ordinary people to do amazing things by putting his vision into them, and the book of Nehemiah is no exception. In this week's message from Nehemiah 1, Pastor J.D. gives us helpful principles for discerning God's call on our own lives. The truth is, Nehemiah wasn't someone of particular privilege or position; he had simply heard from God and was burdened to act. And when he did, God used him to change history. How might he choose to use you? Lees meer
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Embracing Ambition
8 februari 2026 · 47 min
Ambition tends to get a bad rap, particularly in Christian circles. Sometimes, that's for good reason. But sometimes, it's simply because we're missing the point: Scripture doesn't call us to kill ambition but to aim it properly. In this week's message from Romans 15, Pastor Curtis shows us how the gospel shapes ambition and ultimately redeems it. When we are secure in our identity in Christ, we won't be striving for self-worth; we'll be striving from the worth given to us in him. Lees meer
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Fundamentals, Not Hype
1 februari 2026 · 44 min
You might expect Paul's final instructions to the Corinthian church to be full of eloquent, stirring rhetoric, designed to hype them up as they faced survival in a world hostile to Christ. But what we find in reading his final charge to this congregation is strikingly different. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 12 and 13, Pastor J.D. shows us how Paul's focus was on calling the church back to the fundamentals, lived out in the context of community. His words remain essential to us today, as we navigate a world no less hostile to Christ and his message. Lees meer
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Glitch or Feature?
25 januari 2026 · 45 min
In Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” a video game character named Vanellope has a frustrating glitch, making her flicker and disappear. It’s a source of shame for the entire movie … until she learns that this “glitch” actually provides her with a power she could never have imagined. Her glitch was actually a feature. In this week’s message from 2 Corinthians 11–12, Pastor J.D. shows us a similar “glitch” in the life of Paul—and, in fact, in the lives of all believers. It’s that point of pain and struggle we all wish we could remove. But as we’ll learn, this “glitch” of weakness is actually the gateway to experience God’s grace: God’s power made perfect. Lees meer
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Looking for Help in All the Wrong Places
18 januari 2026 · 48 min
There are many spiritual battles that we will face in our lives, whether related to our own growth, parenting our children, or seeing someone come to Christ. The problem is that we often try to fight these battles out of our own strength, rather than relying on the power that God supplies. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 10, Pastor J.D. shows us the importance of being properly equipped for any spiritual battle—and it begins with things like prayer, saturating ourselves in the Word, and depending on the Holy Spirit. Lees meer
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Are You Serious...?
11 januari 2026 · 47 min
It can be tricky to distinguish a real diamond from a fake one, and it requires intentional examination to do so. In much the same way, we don't always know if someone's faith is real just by looking at them from the outside. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 6–7, Pastor J.D. provides us with some diagnostic questions to ask ourselves in order to determine if our own faith is authentic. If we want to be true disciples of Jesus, we must do the hard work of honestly reflecting on things such as our repentance and our relationships, uncomfortable though it may be. Lees meer
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Slowly But Surely
4 januari 2026 · 49 min
In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 3, Pastor Curtis helps us take a closer look at what it means that we are being transformed “from one degree of glory to another.” As we begin a new year, we should be encouraged to press in and seek God, knowing that as we do, he is slowly but surely transforming us. Lees meer
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Wise Men Still Seek Him
21 december 2025 · 43 min
One of the most intriguing elements of the Christmas story is that of the wise men, who see a mysterious star and set out on a journey that ultimately leads them to worship Jesus. In this week’s message from Matthew 2, Pastor J.D. gives us a snapshot of various responses to the birth of Jesus, all of which are still seen in different degrees today. Just as God used a sign to lead the wise men to the Savior, he continues to meet us where we are and draw us to himself. The only question is if we will respond to Jesus’ birth as the wise men did, with joy upon joy upon joy. Lees meer
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The Love of Christ
14 december 2025 · 50 min
What drives your life? Whether money, or our children, or the approval of others, we all have something that drives us, even controls us. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 5, Pastor Bryan helps us see how allowing the love of Christ to control us changes everything. Living out the identity that Jesus gives us as believers means a new outlook on everything—ourselves, others, and even life and death itself. Lees meer
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Plastic Sacks and Gucci Bags
7 december 2025 · 52 min
The gospel is so beautiful and valuable, yet God chooses to place this great treasure in “jars of clay.” It's almost incomprehensible, really, but it's how God works. All throughout the Bible, we see examples of how he uses weak, broken vessels for his glory. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 4, Pastor J.D. shows us how even when we experience suffering, God often uses it for his good purposes, working in us and through us in powerful ways. Lees meer
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The Wonder of Jesus
30 november 2025 · 40 min
When we think about reading Luke 2, our thoughts naturally turn to the story of Jesus’ birth. But what follows is the account of a man named Simeon, a man who marveled at the sight of Jesus because he knew that at last, salvation had come. In this week’s message, Pastor John takes us through Simeon’s story, showing us what we all should marvel at: the wonder of Jesus. Lees meer
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Prove Yourself
23 november 2025 · 49 min
We've all heard the voice of that inner critic, telling us that we're not enough, that we need to constantly prove ourselves. It's exhausting to try to live up to the pressure we place on ourselves, to try to carry a weight that the gospel has already lifted. In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 2 and 3, Pastor Curtis explains how to let go of these weights and submit to the transformation that only the Holy Spirit can bring. Ultimately, transformation doesn't come from trying harder, but from spending time beholding the glory of the Lord. Lees meer
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Turn the Cat Around
16 november 2025 · 57 min
When we evaluate why many people aren't generous, it's probably not because they're selfish. More likely, they're battling either fear or pride (or maybe both). In this week's message from 2 Corinthians 9, Pastor J.D. shows us how these things can prevent us from being generous, as well as the remedy. By trusting and obeying God as it relates to our finances, we will experience the joy that results from seeing him use these resources to build his kingdom. And we will proclaim, as Paul did, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” Lees meer