Thrive Harbor

To conclude our series on Jesus' "I am" statements in the Gospel of John, we threw in an extra one from the Gospel of Matthew! Matthew 11:29 says that Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart," the only explicit statement in the Gospels that tells you what Jesus' heart is really like. What does it look like to know Jesus as the gentle and lowly God? In this message, Dustin Polley, director of Thrive Ki...

A Christian's identity isn't achieved; it's received as a gift—which means that following Jesus is about becoming who you already are. In this message, Kingsley Powell, Director of Student Ministries at Chapel Hill Church , walks through how we can get in touch with the new identity we've been given in Christ, based on Colossians 3:1-16.

Sheep are totally helpless without their shepherd. So by calling himself the shepherd and his people the sheep, Jesus reminds us of just how dependent we really are on him. This message was given by Mark Klingler, Discipleship Pastor at Waypoint Church .

Jesus claims to be the door into salvation. But what does that mean, what is the abundant life that Jesus says is on the other side of that door, and how can we know that Jesus' claims are trustworthy? Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 10:1-10; 15:13; 3:3; Isaiah 35:5-6; 56:9-12; 53:5-6, 9; Jeremiah 23:1-4; 25:32-38; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 9:9; 11; Micah 5:2; and...

Darkness is one of the Bible's favorite metaphors for the shadow side of the human condition. But into that darkness stepped Jesus, who called himself the light of the world. No matter how dark the world gets, He is our one true hope! Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 8:12; 3:19-20; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Peter 1:19; and Luke 23:44.

What would it look like for your soul to be satisfied? In the first of Jesus' "I am" statements (our focus in this series) Jesus claims to be the secret to a true and lasting joy, which can exist even in the midst of suffering. Scripture passages cited in this message include John 6:25-35 and Ecclesiastes 1:7.

What's wrong with the human race? In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus gives a true diagnosis of humanity's condition, a diagnosis we desperately need in order to be truly healed.  Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Colossians 2:23.

What does it look like to have a vibrant faith that takes God at his word? In this message on Mark 6:45-52, Dustin Langley, lead pastor at Peninsula Life Church , looks at the story of Jesus walking on water to answer that question.

The first time Jesus sent his disciples out on mission, they healed people. But does God still heal today? In this message on Mark 6:1-13, Peter Churness, lead pastor of One Hope Church , gives nine biblical clues about how healing works today.

As our culture becomes more secular, how can Christians speak the truth in an increasingly hostile world? In this message on the death of John the Baptist, Curtis Baker, a young adult from Thrive Kitsap , unpacks what the Bible has to say about this question.

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of Jesus' most well-known miracles. But for the disciples it disrupted their lives and tested their faith. Called by Jesus to surrender their agenda, the disciples demonstrate that following Jesus is an invitation to find satisfaction in Christ as we give our lives over to Him. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Matthew 14:18 and Exodus...

Fear is crippling, and for many it feels impossible to shake. In this message on Mark 4:35-41, Jake Chambers, pastor of Local Church , shares the good news of the gospel: that Jesus is stronger than fear, and that He not only cares for us but is able to care for us.

Why do some people find it easy to believe while others don't? According to Jesus the answer can't be lack of evidence. Instead he points to a difference between belief and unbelief that goes deeper than that. Scripture passages cited in this message include John 16:7-8.

As Jesus' ministry grew, he shrank it down to focus on just twelve disciples. In Mark 3:7-19, Mark shows us that Jesus understood discipleship as being rooted in relationship with him, and that in order to be sent out to serve Jesus, a disciple must first learn how to be with Jesus.  Scripture passages cited in this message include John 15:5-10.

Jesus taught that the gospel would burst out of the old institutions of Judaism. How, then, should followers of Jesus relate to the Law and the Sabbath? In one of his many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus teaches on this question.

Tax collectors were traitors. They were hated and reviled. So when Jesus called a tax collector to be one of his disciples, he was making a powerful statement of what his kingdom was all about. This message was given by Mekan Piriyev, a recent high school graduate who is part of the Thrive community.

When Jesus heals a paralyzed man, some react with joy and others with hate. In this message on Mark 2:1-12, Dustin Polley, co-director of Thrive Kitsap, unpacks four different responses people had to Jesus and invites us to consider what our own response to Him will be.

Jesus came bearing a unique authority—to call disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick. But amazingly, Jesus used his authority not to serve himself but to serve others. (We apologize for the poor audio quality of this recording.)

Mark's gospel begins with an announcement about Jesus' arrival. But how should we to respond to that arrival? This message, the first in Thrive's series on the Gospel of Mark, takes up that question, while also providing an overview of Mark's entire book. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include 1 Peter 5:13; Acts 12:12; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Mark 10:45.

As Thrive moves into a new year, Hebrews 11 offers an inspiring picture of what can happen when Jesus is the foundation of our lives. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Psalm 127:1; 34:8; 1 Peter 1:21; John 6:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Hebrews 12:2.

According to one study, over 60% of American college students have experienced overwhelming anxiety. What does Jesus have to offer those dealing with anxiety, fear, and depression? In this final message in Thrive's series on Philippians, Michael Bouterse, Thrive's local director, looks at the Bible's answer to this question in Philippians 4:4-7.  Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in th...

How do we know whether we're "enough"—enough for God, for others, for ourselves? In this message, Caleb Janson, pastor of Gig Harbor United Reformed Church , unpacks how Paul answers this question in Philippians 3:1-11. The human heart is hard-wired to look to our good deeds in order to feel like we're worthy of love—and that's exhausting. But Paul discovered that we're worthy of love not because...

What's the secret to happiness? The answer, surprisingly, is self-sacrificial obedience. Although extremely countercultural, self-sacrifice is at the heart of following Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. And as a result of Jesus' life-transforming death and resurrection, He sets us free to live a self-sacrificial life for the sake of others. This message was given at Thrive Harbor on T...

Why is there war? Why are there divisions? Why can’t human beings just find a way to get along? According to the Bible, the answer is pride. Our pride makes us harm those around us so that we can be first. But Philippians 2 shows us that pride has a cure—because while everyone else was climbing up the ladder to make themselves first, Someone climbed down the ladder to make Himself last. Scripture...

Our culture tries to deny death, distracting ourselves so we don’t have to face the fact that one day… we’re all going to die. That’s why Paul’s words in Philippians are so remarkable. He celebrates dying! How could he say this? In this message on Philippians 1:20-26, Michael Bouterse, Thrive’s local director, looks at what the Bible says about Heaven, Hell, and why Christians can approach death w...