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There are messages a pastor does not particularly want to preach. Not because they are untrue — but precisely because they are. Because they require something of everyone in the room, including the one standing at the pulpit. This is one of those messages. And I believe with everything in me that God prompted it for this specific morning, for this specific congregation, and for every person reading these words right now. So I am asking you to do one thing before we go any fur

There is a verse sitting in the middle of Colossians chapter one that stopped me cold the first time I really sat with it — and it still does. It is the kind of declaration that sounds almost too good to be true, the kind of thing the enemy will immediately try to argue you out of. But it is right there in the Scripture, in black and white, written by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: because of what Christ has done, you stand before God holy and blam

The power of the resurrection means you are no longer guilty before God. This Easter discover what Christ rising from the dead truly changes for your life.

Today is Palm Sunday — a day of waving branches, swelling music, and joyful celebration of the King who rides in. And yet, if we stay only on the surface of this story, we will miss the most searching question that Palm Sunday asks of every one of us. It is not simply "Will you praise Him today?" It is far more penetrating than that. The question Palm Sunday presses to the center of our chests is this: do you actually know Jesus personally — or do you only know about Him? Tha

Has your life felt scattered lately — pulled in a dozen directions, a little unfocused, a little chaotic? If the honest answer is yes, then I have good news for you today. There is a passage in Scripture written precisely for that feeling, and it centers on one simple, foundational truth: when Christ is central and supreme, everything else finds its proper place in our lives.  That is not a motivational slogan. It is the heartbeat of Colossians chapter one, and it is the mess

A Reminder We All Need My message today is a reminder—and like Reverend Earley said last week, God runs the message through the preacher first. So this is a word to me, and it’s a word to all of us. It’s the kind of reminder that feels like a swift spiritual kick in the butt—in a good way. Sometimes we don’t need new truth… we need truth we already know, because we’ve gotten lax. And the title the Lord put on my heart is simple: You are the light of the world. Not just “the c

The Practical Thing I Keep Seeing: Impulse Isn’t the Same as God’s Leading There’s something I’ve been noticing—this is a practical word , just an observation. I keep seeing people being impulsive , and then crediting that impulse as if it’s God… like opportunity automatically equals God’s plan. But when we’re impulsive, it’s easy to step into presumption . And yes… I’ve heard that about myself too. “John, you can be a little impulsive.” Then the ladies piled on: “You can be

A Word That Wouldn’t Let Go I’m excited about what I believe the Lord has put on my heart. Back in early December, I heard the Lord begin to speak to me—so clearly it felt weighty , like the Holy Spirit pressing on my heart. And I had that question many of us have asked: “Lord, is this word for me… or is it something You want me to share with the church?” So I prayed every day. And week after week it stayed heavy. Then one Saturday morning, I prayed again: “Lord, this is not

Life Really Is a Journey (And We’re All On One) Well… life is a journey, isn’t it? We’re born into this world, we learn to walk, we learn to talk. We go to school, maybe college, maybe Bible school. We get married, become moms and dads, have children and grandchildren… we work jobs, change jobs, maybe stay home (which is absolutely a job), and some of us even retire—and start trying new things like hatching baby chicks or making homemade egg noodles for the first time. 😄 We’

“Be Still and Know…” (Sometimes We Need to Hear the Lyrics First) I was going to play a song… but instead, I’m just going to read the lyrics. Be still and know that He is God…Be still and know that He is holy…Be still, oh restless soul of mine…Bow before the Prince of peace…Let the noise and clamor cease… I’ve pondered that verse a lot. It’s such an incredible verse. And honestly, “be still” is the first step —and it’s a hard one, isn’t it? If it felt awkward in church when w

Turning the Lights On: Why Exposure Matters This morning, we’re about to do an exposé —on the kingdom of darkness. Because here’s the thing: Satan loses a lot of power once he’s unmasked.  He hates light. Demons scurry when the light is turned on. And if my voice sounds a little gravelly today… maybe I’m supposed to preach gravelly. Sometimes you’ve got to reach down to that low gear— four-wheel drive  during this season. So let’s do it. Let’s turn the light on. Quick Review:

Feeling overwhelmed? This message unpacks why trials have purpose, how worship recalibrates our hearts, and why the battle belongs to the Lord.

Water Baptism Feels Like a Wedding… in the Best Way Amen. Today I want to talk a little more about water baptism —and I’ve always felt like a baptism service is kind of like going to someone else’s wedding. If you’ve already been baptized, coming to a baptism service can be like being married and watching another couple exchange vows. You grab your spouse’s hand, give it a squeeze, and you remember your own vows. People do it differently, but it has a way of refreshing what y

We’re in Battles… Aren’t We? We’re in battles, aren’t we? Last week we looked at 1 John 3:8 —that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil . And let’s be real: the devil’s been “working overtime.” He’s on the overtime plan. Maybe you’re saying “amen,” or maybe you’re saying, “Oh my… oh me.” But here’s the truth that steadies us: Jesus came.  And when Scripture talks about Jesus destroying the works of the devil, it’s not just “destroy” like a dramatic word we toss around.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this still true today?” — I want to go straight to a verse I’ve enjoyed for years, and I enjoy it every time I read it. 1 John 3:8 (second half)  says: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”   That scripture is still in effect. And there are four big words  in that line that shape the whole message: Purpose Manifested Works Destroy Let’s walk through them in a way that’s clear, real, and enc

Looking Beyond the Familiar Christmas Story We’ve just finished celebrating Advent and Christmas Eve—a beautiful season filled with familiar songs, candlelight services, and cherished traditions. But as this Christmas season has unfolded, attention has been drawn not only to the birth of Jesus, but to what happened after  the first Advent. Jesus lived on this earth for more than three decades. Yet Scripture tells us very little about His childhood, adolescence, and young adul

When the Familiar Becomes Too Familiar At Christmas time, we hear the same story year after year.The same Scriptures. The same songs. The same manger scene. And if we’re not careful, the most spectacular truth in human history  can become overly familiar. Human nature has a way of doing that. The things that are most precious—our family, our spouse, our children, even our faith—can slowly become common in our minds. Not because we mean for it to happen, but because familiarit

Hardened Hearts in Scripture The sermon begins not with comfort, but with truth—the “bad news” before the good. Scripture repeatedly shows Jesus addressing hard hearts , even among His own disciples. A Pattern in the Gospels Several passages from Mark and Luke reveal the same theme: Hearts hardened after miracles Eyes that see, but don’t perceive Ears that hear, but don’t understand Slow hearts when belief is required Jesus wasn’t addressing strangers—He was speaking to those

Remembering What Jesus Did During communion, we reflect on the humility of Jesus—how He took on human flesh, went to the cross, and gave Himself fully for us. But today’s message goes even deeper. Not only do we remember what  He did, but we explore why  He did it. Jesus Himself explained His purpose, and Scripture confirms it again and again. We don’t have to guess. We don’t have to hope we’re interpreting Him correctly.We have His own words and the clear testimony of Script

Seek the Lord While He May Be Found Isaiah 55:6–7 — An Invitation and a Warning “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him… for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah paints a picture overflowing with mercy:✔ God is near.✔ God is calling.✔ God is willing to abundantly pardon. But the passage also contains a charge: Forsake your