The Local Church

Acts 2 tells the story of Pentecost - an awe-inspiring event when the Holy Spirit came upon all types of believers, moving His presence from a building into his people. The invitation to faith was and is for everyone, not just those who fit a certain mold. Jesus is not looking for the gifted; He's looking for the obedient. This message is part of our series in the book of Acts, which is like t...

The book of Acts is like the "part 2" of Luke's writing, capturing the life and ministry of Jesus as it's lived out through his early church. Our study begins in chapter 1, as the disciples are confused about when Jesus will actually make everything right, but he urges them not to wait on his return - that the gift of the Holy Spirit is powerful. It causes us to ask: Do we recogn...

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Our lives are filled with the voices of others telling us who we are, what we should be like, what we need, and how to fill those needs. But w does Jesus say about you? The answer can be summarized in one word:  beloved . --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let...

Feelings are great windows into our hearts but terrible leaders. Psalm 119 has much to say about the path that leads to freedom - one based on the unchanging truths found in God's word. Freedom allows you to be with God. Autonomy pretends you are God. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help yo...

Have you ever wondered what is so special about God? Why is he worthy of praise? Psalm 135 details his power and sovereignty, and three "Rs" to help us understand the scripture's framework: The REASONS God's name is worthy of praise, the RESPONSES we can have, and the RESULTS of our responses. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 1...

The "Psalm 1" of our culture will leave you thirsty, but the Psalm 1 of scripture promises abundant life for those who delight in and meditate on God's word. Sometimes the simple things, like daily scripture reading, are the most difficult to practice regularly. This July our church is venturing to read through all of Psalms together by reading 5 per day. Join us! --- Join us for ser...

How do you really  know  that God's deep, unfailing love - his hesed - is for you? We feel the emotions of love, but emotions are fickle. The liturgical psalm 136 points outside of ourselves, to the awe and wonder found in nature that reminds us of God's power and his faithfulness. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to fol...

Psalm 139 was a beautiful and raw place to begin our series "Eat Psalms, Be Healthy" looking at the questions "Does anyone truly know me? Am I alone? Do I matter?” For a prayer to engage with the Father around this text, you can head to our Instagram . --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would lov...

Do you ever find yourself bogged down by worries, wondering if the Lord cares? Martha did, too. This week we looked at the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10. As we spent time in prayer, reflection and worship, we invited the Lord to reveal to us where we are worried and distracted. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to fol...

Sometimes our intentions are good, but the path we're on won't lead where we want to go. We need God to show us a path we cannot see without him. The apostle Paul (once a persecutor of Christians named Saul) was forever changed when he encountered God face to face in Acts 9. The God of relationship shines a bright light on the undeniable truth of his sovereignty, and shows him an alternate...

Have you ever done something you thought you couldn't come back from? The story of Simon Peter's denial of Christ demonstrates that we don't have to be defined by our failures. Jesus, our savior, lives to intercede for us. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what&#39...

In the story of God calling Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3, we see that we're not the main character of our story - God is. He's not looking for our ability, but our availability. When God calls: He often comes to meet us where we are It's grounded in his heart for his people It often meets our insecurities --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday...

Many of us are waiting to hear from God about this journey we're on and the things we're pursuing. But in Genesis 45-46, we see that worship comes first. Jacob (the father of Israel) paused his journey to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Then, God spoke: promises that were a balm to a fearful Jacob, and can be to us, as well. When we're in a place of unknowns, God give us these words...

We began our series "Twice: When God Calls" looking at the story of Abraham's obedience in Genesis 22. At first glance, God's instruction to sacrifice Isaac can cause us to question his goodness and kindness. But Abraham obeys immediately because he's witnessed God's faithfulness to deliver many times. If you're willing to trust God and obey, you'll always find yo...

This Easter Sunday, we looked at a meal that Jesus had after his resurrection - after he traveled the road to Emmaus with two disciples (unbeknownst to them). After realizing they'd had this encounter with Jesus, they were forever changed and had to run and share the good news. This Easter, we should be asking: Where is Jesus now? What would happen if I met him on the road? If I ate with him?...

Jesus loves to find those on the margins of society and restore them. Dr. Burge helped us understand the cultural significance of the city Jericho, and the oppressive taxation system that existed there. In Luke 19, Jericho's chief tax farmer Zacchaeus had an encounter with Jesus that rearranged his heart and left him fundamentally changed.   --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand...

The meals captured in the gospel of Luke signify transformational encounters with Jesus and the kingdom he has been talking about. The meal scene in Luke 14 is packed with lessons from Jesus. Those in God's family should love for the sake of loving and serve for the sake of serving, even (and especially) when people cannot repay us. Which of the guests do you most identify with today? --- Join...

The meals captured in the gospel of Luke signify transformational encounters with Jesus and the kingdom he has been talking about. In Luke 11, Jesus interacts with the Pharisees and shares six "woes" of warning with them. These warnings can still help us today to guard against legalism and trade performance-based faith for one of genuine grace. --- Join us for service online or in-person...

The meals captured in the gospel of Luke signify transformational encounters with Jesus and the kingdom he has been talking about. This week, Pastor Toran brought new light to the story of Mary and Martha told in Luke 10. When Martha was embarrassed about Mary taking the place of a disciple at their rabbi Jesus's feet, Jesus said it was right. He didn't limit access to his love or teaching...

The meals captured in the gospel of Luke signify transformational encounters with Jesus and the kingdom he has been talking about. This week, we looked at Luke 7, when a woman anoints Jesus's feet with oil. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday! On March 30, services will be at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what'...

The meals captured in the gospel of Luke signify transformational encounters with Jesus and the kingdom he has been talking about. In Luke 5, Jesus dines with Levi the tax collector. Levi recognizes his brokenness and is hungry for the love and forgiveness Jesus offers. He is changed as he surrenders to Jesus's way, and later becomes Matthew, one of the 12 disciples. Do we too come to God reco...