Restoration Church

They wanted the soldier on a warhorse. Instead, they’re met by the Prince of Peace, riding on a donkey. This Sunday, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday – a day that always challenges us to consider where our salvation lies. (Matthew 21:1-11)

There are all sorts of names and descriptions for God throughout the Bible: Savior, Lord, King… but in John 11, we meet God in a way we might not expect: as our friend. Sunday, we see how Jesus’ friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus help us see how he shows up in our lives, too. (John 11:1-45)

We’ve all gone through seasons in our story that feel like “the valley of the shadow of death.” Moments that feel like the darkness is overwhelming. And when we find ourselves here, the question is clear: where is God? And what is He like? This week, we look to a familiar and powerful passage to help us meet “The God of the Valley.” (Psalm 23)

A lot of us know what it feels like to be on hte outside looking in. This week, our Gospel story is one of the many times Jesus upends the cultural boundaries of his time and meets a vulnerable person right where they are with love. So if you feel like your an outsider, there’s good news – he’ll meet you there, too. (John 4:5-42)

We often speak of salvation of something that happened – not something that’s happening. In our second week of Lent, we look at the story of a man in the midst of a crisis of faith; not because he didn’t have all the right answers, but because all those right answers came face to face with Jesus. Nicodemus is invited to be “born again,” an invitation we, too receive. So what does it mean to live i...

We often speak of salvation of something that happened – not something that’s happening. In our second week of Lent, we look at the story of a man in the midst of a crisis of faith; not because he didn’t have all the right answers, but because all those right answers came face to face with Jesus. Nicodemus is invited to be “born again,” an invitation we, too receive. So what does it mean to live i...

As the season of Lent begins, we give our attention to a moment in David’s life that brought both conviction and clarity. Psalm 32 celebrates the forgiveness of God, but it doesn’t shy away from the weight and weariness of sin. David’s words remind us that God is present even in our hiding and wandering – and if we’ll allow him, he can change us right in the middle of it. (Psalm 32)

In this message, pastor Luke Embree unpacks the Transfiguration, a scene in the Gospel that teaches us how God is present with us in power - right in the middle of the ordinary. (Matthew 17:1-9)

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say we as Americans have a dysfunctional relationship with the Bible. It is misused, misapplied, and weaponized. Why? Because we’ve been handed down a tradition that sets the Bible apart from the One to whom it testifies. This Sunday, we’re talking about unlearning and relearning the Bible by reading it through Jesus, with Jesus, for the sake of becoming like...

If you haven't heard, Restoration is moving! On Sunday, March 1, we're moving to a new home at Arlington Christian Church. In this message, Justin speaks about our identity as a Church - and how we want to grow in our dependence and expectation as we root ourselves in the power and provision of God. (Matthew 16:13-18)

Did you hear the big news? Restoration has a new home! Beginning Sunday, March 1st, we’re gathering at Arlington Christian Church at a new time: 11:30am. In this message, we hear from Justin and other leaders at Restoration about how and why we are taking this next step. If you're interested in learning more, visit restorationlex.com/futurefund

In this special message and interview, we highlight Kentucky Refugee Ministries! Beforehand, Justin unpacks the consistent theme of God's heart for the vulnerable - all the way to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. If you've never heard of KRM, they do incredible work in caring for the needs of refugees in central Kentucky. Visit their website at kyrm.org

Do you believe God loves you? You might know the “right answer” to that question, but if we’re honest, there are times when it can be hard to believe. This week, as we look at the baptism of Jesus, we see the loving affirmation of the Father – a love that is likewise spoken over us in Christ. What might it look like to live from this love instead of spending our lives striving for it? (Matthew 3:1...

In taking on human flesh, Jesus embodied both the message and mission of God. And when it comes to our mission as a Church, the same is true. Just as Jesus chose presence with and for others, we, too, are called to the ministry of presence right where we are. (John 1:1-18) 

The incarnation means that God chose to become fully human – just like us. Jesus experienced every aching reality of our humanity, from hunger and sadness to laughter and joy. And you may not know it yet, but this is good news. Why? Because everything Jesus embodies, He redeems. (Hebrews 2:10-18)

What we don't need this Christmas is good advice about how to make an already hard life a little bit better. What we need instead, is good news - a Gospel of a God who meets us in vulnerability and need. That's what we gather around together - a God who meets us where we are, as we are, in love. (Luke 2:1-14)

In this special Sunday gathering, we celebrate the coming of Jesus through the leadership of Restoration Kids! Our message is about Jesus as the light of the world - and how no matter how old we are, we can be a light through a life of love. 

The Gospel begins in the lowest lows. Jesus entered the world through a poor, teenage mother in a nowhere town – in an empire committed to the exploitation of her people. And as her story comes into focus, she does something surprising: she sings a protest song – a song about how the mighty will fall and the lowly will be lifted by God. (Luke 1:46-55)

The prophecies that promise the Messiah aren’t just words of hope. They are also pronouncements of judgment. Both then and now, sin and injustice wreck havoc in the world around us. Judgment is coming, yes – but not to ruin us. God’s justice restores. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

Theologian Fleming Rutledge tells us that “Advent begins in the dark.” It is a season that encourages us to name and embrace the waiting and the longing we feel. As we begin the season of Advent, the Bible calls us to live in the tension – a tension between the darkness we see around us and the light we know is on the way. (Romans 13:11-14)

For better or worse, our lives are the product of the stories we immerse ourselves in. So as a Church, we need rhythms and practices that reorient our lives around the story God. This week, we’re talking about how our Church practices the story of Jesus together – and how you can walk with us. 

To the surprise and horror of Jonah, Nineveh repents and turns to God. And while this would might seem like good news (it was!), it made Jonah furious. Jonah’s story raises an important and difficult question: how do we respond to a God to loves the people we despise? As we close out our time in Jonah, we’re exploring how God’s widening mercy challenges the walls we place between “us” and “them.”

Jonah 2 is a prayer from rock bottom. After running from God, Jonah finds himself sinking deep into the worst moment of his life. And yet unlike Jonah, our worst moments don’t have to harden us. If we allow them to, we can find humility, clarity and a hope that can only be found at the end of our rope. 

Jonah is a prophet that does like what he hears from God. So what does he do? He runs. And the result? Rock bottom. But strangely, the belly of the whale isn't a sign of God's anger, but rather his mercy.  It's not a matter of if - but when - we'll reach our own rock bottom. So what kind of God will we meet at the end of our rope? (Jonah 1) 

This weekend, our students are leading every aspect of our gathering! As a part of this special Sunday, Our Student Pastor Casey is speaking about rage: namely, our culture’s obsession with reactivity and judgment towards our neighbors. How can we find a better way in Christ?