Alongsider Church

One Final Question: Is Jesus the Only Way? In this final message of our Tough Questions series, we wrestle with one of the most personal and pressing questions of all: Is Jesus truly the only way to God? With honesty, clarity, and compassion, we explore what makes Jesus different from every other religious figure and why His exclusive claim is not arrogance, but rescue. If you’ve ever wondered how...

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian? Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” In this message, Pastor Blake Manuel explores what it truly means to follow Christ—not just in words but with a surrendered heart and obedient life. True faith is more than belief; it’s love in action, rooted in Christ and marked by faithfulness. Scripture . Matthew 7:21–...

How does the Trinity make sense? Many people wrestle with this question but never speak up. While the word “Trinity” isn’t in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, revealing one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this message, we explore: -Why the Trinity matters and how it has been understood throughout church history -What the Bible teaches about the nature of...

Many believe science disproves miracles or contradicts the Bible's creation account. But is that true? This sermon explores the nature of miracles, the purpose of Genesis 1, and the difference between primary and secondary theology. We'll discuss how science can reveal the glory of God rather than replace Him. Above all, we're called to unity in Christ, seeking truth with humility and...

Who is God? Grasping the concept of God can feel overwhelming—how can He have always existed? Why does He allow certain things to happen? If God were on trial, what would your testimony be? From the beginning of time, humans have worshipped 18,000 gods throughout history, yet only One is the true, living God. The Apostle Paul stood in Athens and proclaimed, “The God of the Bible is not made by hum...

Pain, suffering, and evil are unavoidable realities in our world. If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow them? In this sermon, we explore how Scripture addresses the problem of evil, why suffering exists, and where we can find hope. Jesus Himself acknowledged the trials we would face but assured us, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Through His suffering on the cros...

In this message, we dive into the foundational question: Why should the Bible hold authority in our lives? Blake unpacks the purpose of Scripture, its trustworthiness, and its relevance for today. Whether you're seeking to deepen your faith or looking for answers to share with others, this sermon will equip you to understand and articulate the importance of God’s Word. alongsiderchurch.org Dis...

In this sermon, we confront the reality of hypocrisy within the church and its destructive impact, showing the importance of aligning our actions and beliefs. We explore how Jesus confronted hypocrites in Matthew 23 and emphasize the grace and redemption found in Christ, who lived the perfect example. Ultimately, we’re called to pursue God wholeheartedly, acknowledging our failures while focusing...

Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and teacher, came to Jesus under the cover of night, seeking understanding but leaving with more questions than answers. His encounter with Jesus reveals a profound truth: it’s not what you know but who you know that makes a difference. Today, we’ll explore John 3:1-21 and what it means to be "born again," and how God’s love, not human knowledge, is the key to etern...

In this message, we explore the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 and discover what it means to have a heart of thanksgiving. Through faith, gratitude, and action, we learn to trust God in all circumstances and reflect His goodness to others. Join us as we uncover the power of a thankful heart and how it transforms our relationship with God and others. alongsiderchurch.org

In Mark 12:13-17, Jesus encounters a political question: Should we pay taxes to Caesar? He answers, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." While coins may bear Caesar’s image, Christ-followers bear the image of God. This passage reminds us that, although we live under earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. He calls us to reflect His image in everything we d...

Through the story of Jesus at the temple in Luke 2:41-52, we’ll discover how Mary and Joseph modeled trust in God's plan for their family and how Jesus demonstrated both obedience and dedication to His heavenly Father. This sermon invites us to reflect on our trust in God's plan and to renew our commitment to treasure and follow Christ. Join us as we dig deeper into what it means to surrender, rec...

In this sermon, we explore the question: How do we prepare for what lies ahead? Just as Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, we too must practice our relationship with God, rooted in prayer and Scripture. This sermon challenges us to reflect on the wedge that may be separating us from God and calls us to engage in spiritual training to fight well, staying grounded in truth, righteousness, fai...

In this continuation of our sermon series, Encounters with Jesus, we explore the story of Zacchaeus—a wealthy yet isolated tax collector transformed by his encounter with Jesus. We discuss how Jesus seeks out the unlikely, the difference between religion and the Gospel, and how true conversion changes our attitudes and actions, especially in how we view money and generosity. Luke 19:1-10

In this sermon in our "Encounters with Jesus" series, we explore John 4:1-42, where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, breaking down deep-seated social and cultural barriers. Through their conversation, Jesus reveals His identity as the Messiah and speaks to the deeper spiritual thirst we all have. Discover the transformative power of truth, love, and friendship in evange...

Welcome to our latest sermon podcast! Join Jeff Jewett as he explores John 11:1-44, the story of the raising of Lazarus. In this episode, we'll dive into the themes of Jesus' compassionate love and His anger at death and its consequences. Let's grow in our trust in God, deepen our understanding of the power of faith in Jesus' promises, and embrace the hope that comes from His victo...

Sermon Description: In this week’s sermon, Chris Clancy examines John 20:11-18, where Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. Together, we will explore the theme of discovering our purpose within God's plan and discuss the significance of spiritual gifts in fulfilling our mission. Series Description: In the Gospels, Jesus profoundly impacted people's lives with his powerful words and transformati...

In this sermon, “At the Feet of Jesus,” Blake Manuel looks at Mark 5:21-43 where two very different stories come together to show how we too can fall at the feet of Jesus to find hope and healing. Series Description: In the Gospels, Jesus profoundly impacted people's lives with his powerful words and transformative answers. The series "Encounters with Jesus" explores these meetings,...

In this sermon, Jeff Jewett explores Mark 2:1-12, “Jesus Heals a Paralytic,” and answers the key questions: Why don’t we evangelize? How do we overcome evangelism barriers? Series Description: In the Gospels, Jesus profoundly impacted people's lives with his powerful words and transformative answers. The series "Encounters with Jesus" explores these meetings, showing how they can sti...

In this sermon, “Jesus Heals a Boy,” Jeff Jewett unpacks Matthew 17:14-20 and answers three key questions: What is faith? How do we become stronger in our faith? How do we practice our faith? Series Description: In the Gospels, Jesus profoundly impacted people's lives with his powerful words and transformative answers. The series "Encounters with Jesus" explores these meetings, showi...