Local Church Forsyth

 In Luke 8, Pastor Josh unpacks the extraordinary moment Jesus sailed into Gentile territory, a place no rabbi would dare go, solely for one forgotten, demon-possessed man chained in a graveyard. This powerful story reveals that Jesus is never outnumbered—only unmatched—and that no sin, no isolation, no "legion" of struggles is beyond His reach. Are you managing your brokenness instead of bringing...

In John chapter four, a Samaritan woman goes toe-to-toe with Jesus in a raw, unexpected conversation—and he refuses to let her stay surface-level, even exposing five failed marriages to reach her soul. Pastor Chris uses this powerful encounter to challenge us: are we bringing Jesus only our physical needs, or allowing him to minister to the deepest places within us? Don't settle for religion—dive...

In Matthew 8, a battle-hardened Roman centurion—tough, scarred, commanding 80 soldiers—shocks everyone by humbly kneeling before a Jewish carpenter, declaring, "Just say the word." Pastor Chris unpacks how this gritty warrior knew three things most of us miss: he *needed* Jesus, trusted Jesus' complete authority, and carried faith so radical it left Jesus astonished. As Max Lucado writes, "Faith i...

In Mark chapter 5, a woman who had suffered for 12 years—broke, out of options, and out of time—fought through a crowd just to touch the edge of Jesus' robe, and in that moment, heard the words she'd longed for: *"Your suffering is over." Pastor Chris reveals how desperation either drives us to Jesus or to things that only numb the pain. Don't hide behind the facade any longer. Lay it at the feet...

Pastor Chris shares the story of a man born blind who encountered Jesus—not through gentle words, but through mud and spit that changed everything. From a mission trip revelation to his own son's risky surgery, Chris reveals how sometimes our deepest struggles become platforms for divine grace. Whether you're questioning why bad things happen to good people or feeling spiritually blind yourself, t...

What if God's calling you to become a Barnabas—a person whose generosity changes everything? When Joseph sold his field and gave the proceeds to the church, he became known as "the son of encouragement," rescuing future apostles Paul and Mark when others had given up on them.  Whether you're in the season of giving what you can, giving significantly, or giving from abundance, this church needs Bar...

Pastor Chris confronts our tendency to build faith on podcasters and social media influencers rather than God's testimony about Jesus as Messiah. Using John's crystal-clear message—"whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have the Son does not have life"—he challenges us to examine what voices shape our beliefs and what occupies the center of our hearts. His closing fable powerfully illustr...

What if the hardest person to love is holding the key to your freedom? Through God's sacrificial love demonstrated at the cross, we discover love isn't acceptance or emotion, but "a sacrificial commitment to desire and seek another person's good, even at personal cost." When we rely on the Holy Spirit to love difficult people—that family member, ex-friend, or bitter rival—perfect love drives out a...

Pastor Chris reveals John's urgent call to "see, perceive, behold"—we're permanently adopted into God's family with unshakeable identity and future glory beyond imagination. Through the tender story of John caring for Mary after the cross, Chris challenges believers to live sanctified lives worthy of our divine family name. Whether your earthly family brings joy or heartache today, discover the tr...

Pastor Chris reveals how Satan brilliantly markets sin through our cravings for pleasure, possessions, and pride—just like that daytime TV guru telling a broken woman to "be a better version of yourself." Drawing from 1 John 2, Chris exposes how worldly people and worldly things lure us away from truth, while calling believers to "remain" steadfast with Christ through life's brutal realities. Read...

Picture this: Jesus, hours before his crucifixion, washing the feet of the very disciples who would deny, betray, and abandon him—including Judas who had already sold him out for thirty pieces of silver. Pastor Chris reveals how this ultimate act of sacrificial love becomes our blueprint for loving the "unlovable" people in our lives. Through First John's powerful teaching on walking in light vers...

Pastor Chris delivers John's uncompromising truth: God is pure light with zero darkness, yet many Christians live as "liars"—claiming fellowship with God while deliberately walking in spiritual darkness. This isn't about salvation but intimate fellowship with the Creator. John, Jesus' closest disciple, promises that walking authentically in God's light brings unmatched joy—but it demands brutal ho...

In Matthew 14, Jesus sends his disciples into turbulent waters while he prays on a mountain, then walks on water to meet them in their struggle. Pastor Rob, a church planter who's faced his own storms, shares how every difficult season builds spiritual muscle for future moments. Whether you're battling marriage struggles, addiction, or fear about sharing your faith, this message reveals that real...

Pastor Chris plunges us into the brutal reality of Golgotha—the screams, blood, and mockery surrounding Jesus's crucifixion. Through five stark responses to the cross, from silent apathy to angry blasphemy to humble surrender, we see ourselves reflected in the crowd. The thief who cried "remember me" became the only person in history to share both Jesus's cross and paradise. 

Pastor Chris shares how Tim Keller, facing cancer, found unshakeable peace in one truth: "If Jesus Christ rose from the dead, everything's gonna be okay." Paul reminds the Corinthians that over 500 witnesses saw the risen Christ—this isn't fairy tale but historical fact. Whatever mess you're in today, the resurrection offers radical grace and hope. 

Pastor Chris unveils how the ancient tabernacle points to something far greater—Jesus himself. Drawing from Exodus and Hebrews, this powerful conclusion to the "Unless the Lord" series shows how centering our lives on Jesus—not treating Him as a mere cultural icon—unlocks God's glory in every aspect of life.

Through the story of building the tabernacle, Pastor Chris reveals how the Israelites' hearts were stirred to give sacred offerings—not out of manipulation, but from genuine spiritual movement. He challenges us to stop hitting "mute" on God's promptings and instead bring offerings of real value, whether that's our time, talents, or resources. From high school students to million-dollar donors, eve...

 In this powerful message, Pastor Chris explores how the detailed blueprints for the tabernacle reveal two vital keys for discerning God's ordained plans: every element must point to His glory, and those carrying out His work must first be filled with His Spirit. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, he challenges us to pursue consecration before concentration, dealing with our hearts befo...

Through the story of Moses on Mount Sinai, Pastor Chris reveals three powerful keys to discerning God's presence. Drawing close to God brings clarity, His presence leaves unmistakable evidence, and complete obedience is the only path forward. Whether facing major life changes or daily choices, this message offers practical wisdom for recognizing God's leading.

Pastor Chris shares an inspiring vision for the future, rooted in 10 years of seeing lives transformed. Through detailed plans for an expansion project—including a larger auditorium and expanded children's spaces—he emphasizes this growth isn't about buildings, but about creating more room for the broken and hurting to encounter Christ. Drawing from Moses' example of keeping his eyes on "the invis...

Pastor Chris explores Moses' intimate encounters with God in the tent of meeting—where the Creator of the universe spoke "face to face, as one speaks to a friend." Drawing from Exodus 33, he reveals how establishing a sacred space and time for God transforms casual religion into deep relationship. Through personal stories of date days with his wife and practical steps for creating distraction-free...

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by what God's called you to do? In a powerful message, Pastor Gerald unpacks Moses' raw conversation with God about leading the Israelites—a task far too big for him alone. Through Moses' honest struggle, we discover the key to handling God-sized assignments: acknowledging our need for help, depending fully on God's presence, and looking for signs of His g...

In Exodus 17, Pastor Chris unveils a powerful truth through Moses' story—we were never meant to do God's work alone. When Moses' arms grew weary holding up the staff during battle, Aaron and Hur stepped in, standing close to support him until victory came. Through this compelling message, learn how God provides fellow believers to help shoulder our burdens and witness His miracles together. Don't...

In this powerful message, Pastor Chris explores how the Israelites' struggle with manna reveals our own tendency to fixate on provisions rather than the Provider. Through vivid storytelling—from treacherous West Texas hikes to childhood playground memories—he illustrates how we often trust more in what God gives than in God Himself. Drawing from Exodus 16, this timely teaching challenges us to shi...

In this devotional, Pastor Chris unpacks how God's incomprehensible peace acts as a protective shield around our hearts and minds. Drawing from Philippians 4, he reveals that true peace isn't found in circumstances or social media scrolling, but in complete surrender to Christ's authority. Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, Pastor Chris shows how living "in Christ Jesus" unlocks a soul-...