Emmanuel Church

Dr. David Pitkins breaks down Zechariah 3 and exposes the spiritual reality of accusation and divine redemption. Through the story of Joshua the High Priest, we learn that regardless of our past or shortcomings, God takes away our dirty rags and clothes us in fine, clean garments through Jesus Christ. Sermon Highlights: Historical Background: The return from Babylonian captivity under Ezra, Nehemi...

In this message on Zechariah chapter 2, we explore our human tendency to build "walls" of control, safety, and self-reliance. While it is natural to seek comfort and security in a dangerous world, man-made walls ultimately limit what God can do in our lives and can even keep us captive to false security. Through the prophet Zechariah, God reveals a powerful vision of Jerusalem—a kingdom...

Welcome to the first episode of The 219 Podcast! Hosts Edward and Pastor John dive into the heart behind starting this podcast: telling stories of God's movement across our region, connecting our church community beyond Sunday mornings, and diving deeper into Scripture together. In this episode, we explore the book of Zechariah chapters 1 & 2, unpacking how God’s character remains constant...

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life's struggles or strongholds that you couldn’t even look up? Maybe this is your experience right now. In this powerful sermon from the book of Zechariah, Pastor John explores what happens when we feel surrounded by forces bigger than us. Discover how God doesn’t just see your pain—He sends His Spirit to redeem, reshape, and turn your greatest battles int...

Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten or abandoned you in a season of suffering? In this sermon on Zechariah 1:7–17, Pastor John examines Zechariah’s vision of the myrtle trees to reveal that God is actively present, Jesus intercedes for His people, and silence never means absence.

Pastor John begins our new series in the Book of Zechariah, exploring how God calls His people out of spiritual apathy and back into a vibrant relationship with Him. Key Scripture: Zechariah 1:1–6

To the next generation: You haven't been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Prayers for boldness for the this school year! This morning, we prayed over elementary students through young adults, teachers, educators, and school workers.

What is the 219 vision, and how is God positioning us to impact our communities this year? In this vision message, Pastor John breaks down the core pillars of our mission: choosing presence over programs, proximity over distance, and purpose over preference. Anchored in the Great Commission and the unshakable presence of Jesus, discover how our simple 219 strategy can transform and deepen your loc...

"Delayed obedience is still disobedience." In this message on the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Gary Arblaster talks about faithfulness over comparison, joy over happiness, and a bold challenge for men to stop sitting on the sidelines. Listen now and ask yourself: what are you doing with what you've been given? What is your purpose? What are you doing with your life?

"The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ." — Kyle Idleman You can wear the jersey, know the stats, and memorize the facts, like a fan of a famous athlete, without ever actually knowing the person. So what happens when you stand before God? Examining Matthew 25 and C.S. Lewis’s powerful conversion...

Even the demons believe in Jesus, so what makes your faith any different? In this powerful message, we start with John 3:16 and spend time in Jesus's Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21) to dismantle shallow religion and explore what true, saving faith really looks like. True faith isn't just reciting a prayer from your past; it’s surrendering your life to Jesus today. In this video, you’l...

Pastor John unpacks this parable of Jesus, revealing fresh insights into God’s grace, generosity, and the true meaning of fairness in the Kingdom of Heaven. We’ll explore:• The significance of the vineyard and its workers in Jesus’ parable• How God’s grace is extended to all, regardless of when we come to Him• Lessons about humility, gratitude, and God’s boundless love• Practical applications for...

Unlock the powerful lessons behind one of the most profound parables of forgiveness in the Bible. In this message, Frank Mele takes viewers on a transformative journey through the timeless story found in Matthew 18:21-35, exploring the themes of mercy, grace, and the true meaning of forgiveness. Learn why forgiveness is not just a command, but a pathway to healing and freedom. Frank unpacks the si...

Matthew 13:47 THE CATCH: EVERYONE IS REELED IN. THE CHOICE: EVERYONE IS SORTED OUT. THE CONSEQUENCE: EVERYONE FACES A DESTINY. THE CLOSING WINDOW: TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Is Jesus the Lord of your life, or is He just a safe category you wrap your life around? In this sermon on Matthew 13:44-46, we examine the absolute worth of the gospel. Jesus presents us with two scenarios: a man plowing a field who stumbles upon a hidden treasure, and a merchant searching for fine pearls. Though their journeys are different, their responses are identical: they joyfully give up e...

This Sunday, Pastor Matt Lushko challenges us to take a deeper look at the tiny mustard seed and microscopic leaven in Matthew 13. God doesn't wait for us to have perfect, giant faith before He uses us; He takes our small, ordinary steps of obedience and uses them to transform our lives and expand His kingdom. Whether you're training for a spiritual "Iron Man," serving behind the...

In this deeply moving message from Matthew 13:24-43, we unpack the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat to discover Jesus' radical answer to the problem of evil. Pulling back the curtain on a question that serves as a major stumbling block for many, we learn that God's delay in purging evil from the world isn't a sign of weakness or blindness, it is a reflection of His breathtaking, radi...

We often assume our hearts are "good soil," but what do our Mondays actually say about our Sundays? After a funny family trip update, we dive into Matthew 13 to look at the Parable of the Sower. Pastor John breaks down the four types of hearts: hardened, shallow, divided, and receptive -and challenges us to stop ignoring God's conviction in a hyper-distracted world.

Today, we jump into our brand-new 12-week series, The Parables of Jesus. Pastor John kicks things off by diving into why Jesus taught in parables in the first place. These timeless stories act as a mirror, revealing the true posture of our hearts. While a hardened heart hears only a simple story, a heart open to Christ receives the deep secrets of the Kingdom. Let's ensure our eyes see, our ea...

Today, we shine a spotlight on the next generation! Our NextGen Director, Erin Conner, speaks on stage to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of our kids and students. From newborns to high school seniors, she shares powerful stories of how our little ones are already developing faithful, servant hearts. Erin also welcomes four graduating seniors to the stage to share their testimonies and mi...

What does it truly cost to follow Jesus? In this final message of our Jude series, Pastor John shares the incredible story of "Mario" - formerly an Imam named Muhammad—who lost everything to follow the Truth. Many religions operate on a "pyramid" of works, where you must climb and achieve to earn God’s love. But the Gospel is a "canopy." It is the story of God climbin...

In this message from Jude 17-21, Pastor John pushes back against the cultural narrative that faith is blind and science is the ultimate savior. The reality is that science can explain how things happen, but only the Gospel can tell you why you exist. Our faith isn’t a fantasy—it’s historical, it's reasonable, and it’s rooted in a living Savior.

In a study of Jude 11–16, we are warned that the greatest threat to the church often comes from within—"hidden reefs" that look like believers but live for themselves. Through the examples of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, we see that sin always stems from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. We can’t fight a spiritual war with flesh and blood tactics. We must be...

In Jude 1:8-10, we see a warning against 'dreamers' who claim Christianity but reshape God’s commands to match their desires. Statements like 'God wants me to be happy' can subtly lead us to a faith that doesn't recognize the need for the cross. If we don't have to deny ourselves, the cross has no purpose. As a church, we get to learn how to stand firm and defend the true G...

Drawing from the book of Jude, this sermon emphasizes that the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not need to be restored or updated, but rather protected and remembered. The message specifically contrasts biblical doctrine with the teachings of the LDS church, challenging the claims that Christ’s original church failed or that humans can eventually become gods. By examining scripture, we see that Jesus...