Bridgeway Church

We need to move beyond "Amazon wish list" prayers to a transformative relationship with God. "Lead us not into temptation" isn't about dodging spiritual landmines—it's an invitation to let Jesus guide our lives away from self-protection and self-gratification toward loving others. Whether you're wrestling with temptation or seeking deeper faith, this powerful message shows how following Jesus—not...

What if your prayers have been missing their true purpose all along? Jesus transforms our understanding from treating prayer as a spiritual wishlist to seeing it as a profound alignment with God's will. Mature faith means declaring our daily dependence and extending the same forgiveness we've received - even when it's difficult. we should move beyond "kiddie prayers" to exper...

Have you ever wondered if your prayers are more than just a cosmic wish list? Prayer is not about bending God's will to ours, but aligning ourselves with His perfect plan. Seeing God's true greatness changes everything about how we pray. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" isn't just a religious phrase, but a transformative way to approach our relationship with an amazing...

What if the path to peace isn't found in rage rooms or primal screams, but in discovering your true identity as God's beloved? Joel unpacks how embracing our belovedness transforms anger into grace, drawing from Paul and Peter's radical examples of remaining unoffendable even amid persecution. Trusting in God's unconditional love empowers us to forgive freely and live with thick sk...

Have you ever wondered what true Christian love looks like in a world that seems increasingly hostile to faith? We're called by God to love the world, not police the way those around us live and act. Grace-filled words and unexpected kindness can transform lives more powerfully than judgment ever could.

Have you ever wondered why humans are the only species that can hold onto anger for years while zebras shake it off in seconds? Joel talks this week about breaking free from offense. Through Paul's letter to the divided Ephesian church, we discover how harboring anger creates room for destructive forces in our lives, while choosing kindness and forgiveness leads to freedom. This message offers...

Have you ever noticed how easily offended our world has become? Joel ackles this cultural moment head-on, challenging us to embrace "unoffendability" as our Christian superpower. Anger corrodes our relationships, health, and spiritual life. We should release others from the pressure of perfection and embrace God's grace in our own lives.

What if the key to finding God's presence isn't in doing more, but in slowing down? Matt shares how hitting burnout led him to discover the transformative power of Sabbath—not just as religious obligation, but as God's gift for healing and wonder. Intentionally stopping allows us to notice God's fingerprints in everyday moments, from morning coffee to sunset walks. Whether you'...

Have you ever wondered what happens when good things come to those you'd rather see fail? Through our exploration of Jonah's story, we discover it's not just about a reluctant prophet and a big fish—it's a powerful mirror reflecting our own struggles with enemies. This message shows how God's transformative love shatters our comfortable categories, inviting us to see potential...

What drives us to seek revenge when we're wronged? Through the cautionary tale of Samson, Joel reveals how vengeance only escalates pain and keeps hurt in circulation. Rather than being a simple superhero story, Samson's journey shows us the futility of taking justice into our own hands. Yet even in Samson's darkest moment, God's grace prevails. Watch or listen to discover how drop...

Have you ever wondered how ancient stories can still speak powerfully into our modern lives? Today we took a look at the Tower of Babel – we realize that this tale isn’t just about confusion and punishment. We discover that God’s response to humanity's pride is not one of wrath but of love; by confusing their languages, God offers a redemptive opportunity for connection and understanding. This...

Have you ever wrestled with the fantastical stories of the Old Testament, wondering if they truly hold relevance for our lives today? These stories invite us into a deeper understanding of God’s nature as one who seeks to restore a broken world. The God we see in Noah’s Ark offers a covenant of grace, not only saving Noah and his family but also inviting them into a partnership to heal the world....

Are you treating Jesus like a genie in a bottle, just waiting for your wishes to be granted? We often customize Jesus to fit our comfort zones. In this sermon, Joel skillfully examines the misconceptions around prayer and faith, reminding us that true fulfillment in our spiritual journey comes from deepening our relationship with Christ. We should be aligning our prayers with God’s purpose rather...

Are you trapped in the endless cycle of trying to earn God's love through rules and appearances? "Country Club Jesus" is a version of faith that prioritizes looks over authenticity. Many of us have felt pressured to conform to a set of expectations, but true faith isn't about fitting molds. It's about seeking a genuine relationship with Jesus. Reflect on your own spiritual jo...

Have you ever crafted a version of Jesus that perfectly suits your desires and preferences? We sometimes have a tendency to create a "Build-a-Bear" Jesus—one that aligns with our views and comforts us without ever challenging us. A true relationship with Jesus requires us to stay alert, actively engage with His teachings, and remain accountable for the truth we’ve been given. We're i...

Jesus defied societal norms, breaking barriers not only to include those labeled as enemies but to demonstrate that love transcends labels. True following of Christ means embracing His call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, challenging us to extend that grace to those we may see as "others".

What if the struggles and uncertainties in your life are actually invitations to experience God's faithfulness in profound ways? Chelsea explores the hidden significance of trees found in the Bible. Each illustration invites us to reflect on how we can be a source of encouragement and shade for others in their deserts. Don’t miss the chance to discover how these lessons can transform your fait...

Have you ever felt the weight of hiding your true emotions behind a mask, especially in a place meant for acceptance and love? Faith and doubt are not mutually exclusive; instead, they coexist in our spiritual journey, allowing us to be "complicated cocktails" of belief. We should embrace our struggles, remembering that Habakkuk ultimately chose to trust God even amid uncertainty—declari...

Many of us face a struggle between faith and doubt, but questioning God is a part of the relationship with Him. In chapter three of Habakkuk, the focus shifts to remembering God's past faithfulness, suggesting that recalling how God has acted in the past can instill hope for the future. It's sometimes difficult, but we should strive to hold onto our faith in dark times and share what God h...

Waiting on God... it can often be more challenging than questioning. Waiting is not passive; instead, it should be characterized by expectation, confidence, and humility as we trust in God's timing and plans, even when they differ from our own. It's important that we maintain faith during periods of uncertainty and waiting. God is always at work, even when we can't see it.

Doubt is a common part of everyone's faith journey. Habakkuk expressed raw emotions towards God about injustice and suffering while also maintaining a deep trust in Him. We're encouraged to be honest with God about our doubts – it's better to wrestle with God than to walk away from Him altogether. We're invited to engage in a journey of "faithfully doubting," where we can...

We should be responding actively to the death and resurrection of Jesus by becoming "culture medics" rather than "culture warriors." Our challenges as believers is to live with broken hearts for those around them and to engage with people where they are, fostering love and compassion rather than fear and anger. We should view others as individuals to love, serving as vessels of...

Following the resurrection of Jesus, our mission is to actively engage with the world rather than retreat into safety. God’s intention is to break down barriers and invite all people, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, into His family. Our challenge is to embrace hospitality towards others, fostering a diverse community that mirrors God's inclusive love and celebrating the beaut...

In the aftermath of Jesus' death and resurrection, early followers faced opposition as they shared the message of hope and healing. Like those early Christians, we shouldn't respond to adversity with fear or bitterness, but with boldness and a commitment to serve others. Ultimately, we should embrace opposition as a part of our journey, trust in God’s sovereignty, and react with grace, ref...

Early Christians understood their role as temples of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring heaven to earth, emphasizing the need for active participation in this mission. Our challenge is to recognize our purpose and live out our faith actively, embodying the hope and transformative power of the resurrection in our daily lives.