Messages

When life presents obstacles, it can be hard to know where to turn. Difficult circumstances and decisions make us wish we had all the answers laid out in front of us, that we could be absolutely sure of the best way to respond. But when life gets hard, how do you know what to do? Or where to turn? And how can we be sure?

To be happy... It's the pursuit of nearly everyone you meet. It's even built into the fabric of our societies and constitutions. But what does it really mean? How do you actually get there? And what if there is something even better than "happy"?

At all our locations we will gather for this fall kick-off service and the chance to hear from our Lead Pastor, Jeff Lockyer, as he shares our vision for this next season of faithfulness at Southridge.

Our world feels divided as ever and the greatest chasm might be the political aisle. But rather than avoiding the political discourse, what would it look like to talk politics like Jesus? How can politics become a healthy and productive dialogue rather than a rampant and destructive elephant in the room?

They say there's three things you shouldn't talk about at a party: religion, politics and money. But Jesus didn't seem scared to talk about any of them. In fact, the Bible refers to money more than any other single subject. So what do we do with this? How can we change the way we think and talk about money to get the elephant out of the room?

Over the last decade, few things have changed the world more than social media. From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram to Snapchat there's limitless possibility to posting and scrolling. But what effect has this had on our relationships? What effect has this had on our lives? If he was here today, how might Jesus navigate his online presence?

Studies show that 1/5 people experience some form of mental illness. But with such common occurrence, why is the conversation still rare? What gets in the way of talking about mental illness and anxiety that, if removed, might move us toward greater health? How can our faith help us navigate the challenges of mental health?

Human beings are creatures of habit. Structure, routine and repetition help us navigate the world. But what happens when our habits get out of control? Where can we turn when less-than-healthy habits get the best of us? What would it take for conversations about addiction to be the norm rather than the stigma, so we can all discover the freedom to grow?

Where will you be 10 seconds after you die? It's a question that can spark fear and uncertainty in an instant. And for some, this is the question of faith that drives everything. But is the invitation of Jesus a scare tactic to avoid eternal damnation? Is this what he meant by "good news"? Are we destined to live in fear until the day we die?

For some, a life of faith equals a life of failure; always feeling bad cause you're never good enough. It feels like at best, God is disappointed with us, or at worst, he's all out furious. But is God really angry? Is God trying to shame us into submission? Is feeling crappy really the "good news" of Jesus?

For many people, the gospel is supposed to make people religious. People who truly follow Jesus are devoted to attending Sunday services, volunteering at church, and most importantly, following the rules; constantly trying to prove their worth. But is this what the "good news" is all about? Did Jesus die so that we could all become more religious?

The word "gospel" means "good news." But a lot of times in faith, religion and church, it seems like it's all designed to make us feel bad? What's the deal with that? Is the "good news" not that good after all? How can we escape fake news and false gospels to discover the truth of the message of Jesus?

Not only is the church for everyone, but we believe the church needs everyone. We've said before that it takes everyone's help to help everyone. And that's especially true when it comes to raising the next generation. So what role do you play in helping kids, parents and families thrive? What would it look like for all of us to go all in?

Approximately 17,700,000 women have reported a sexual assault since 1998. If that's not sad enough, there's still countless others who have felt the need to stay silent. Thankfully, the #MeToo movement is changing that, empowering the once voiceless to speak up against sexual harassment, abuse and violence. So what role can the church play? How can we be agents of dignity and respect in all our re...

Is God a man? Not according to the Bible... So in an historically male-dominated environment like the church, how we can learn to tap into the maternal nature of God? How can we empower women to be all they've been created to be? Rather than discouraging female empowerment, what if we could inspire a generation of BRAVE women?

In the church, "single" often feels like "second class." But the truth is, many, if not most people, will spend more of their lives single than coupled. So how can we embrace and elevate single life in the church? What unique and necessary role does singleness play? Rather than making singles feel forgotten, how can we grow in single mindedness together?

Some have said "all roads lead up the mountain," and when you look at religions today, they can feel pretty much the same. All seem to be mixed with a bit of good, a bit of bad, and maybe a dose of boring; a mixture of "whatever works for you." But is that true? How are major religions the same and how are they different? What makes faith in Jesus unique from faith in anything else?

If Jesus has really been raised from the dead, then that really changes everything. Not just for us, but for everyone; for the whole world. What if the end of Jesus' story is just the beginning of ours? What does it look like to extend the resurrection?

This much we know: dead people don't become alive again. Yet, the entire Christian faith rests on this single claim. What do you do with that? How can someone believe in Jesus if that means believing in resurrection? What if you could explore for yourself?

That moment that changes everything. When it seemed like it was all over. And then suddenly... astonishing news. A turning point, the beginning of an era where everything is brand new. What if that's exactly what Jesus' death is all about? What if the end is just the beginning?

Easter Sunday is a high point for the church: a day to celebrate our hope and faith in resurrection. But is this just an ancient tradition? Is it anything more than a fairy tale of life after death? What about the here and now? How could Easter create a fresh start in the places we need it most?

Good Friday can be a bit perplexing. To some, it's nothing more than a strange tradition marking the death of a religious figure. To others, it seems a powerful symbol of forgiveness and salvation. So how should we respond to the death of Jesus? Is it nothing more than a mockable failure? Or does it say something astounding about the reality of God?

We're constantly being influenced. When we're aware of it and when we're not, the powers and pressures of culture, relationships, and responsibilities shape our lives. So what will be our greatest influence? Where will we put our loyalty? How will we respond to the power of the cross?

We've all been there; on the verge of hopelessness; when it seems like there's nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, and no way out. Because of mistakes we've made or steps we can't retrace, we find ourselves at the end of our rope. But what if the end doesn't have to be that way? Where can we find hope in our greatest agony?

We've all done it. Wanting to be the hero. Wanting to make the grade. Wanting to live up to the highest expectations. Our own. But we've all dropped the ball a time or two. So what can we learn from one of Jesus' closest friends who felt the weight of failing when it mattered most?