Mill Creek Church

Life is going to be messy, even for the believer in Jesus. When we experience healthy sorrow over our sin, it leads to a closer walk with God. We do not have to feel everlasting shame for our mistakes and messy Christian walk. Jesus can remove our shame and offer us redemptive hope.

There are times we might feel like we are riding the “spiritual struggle bus”. Feelings of spiritual inadequacy can make us fearful of God but not in the healthy way. Jesus shares an impactful picture of the extravagant love of the Father with people who felt the same. The grace of God can meet us in those struggles, empowering us to change and we are not an exception to that grace!

No sin is so great, no bitterness so deep that God’s grace cannot transform the heart and rewrite the story. Sin is ugly, but God’s grace is greater than any past mistake or regret. If we realize our need for God’s grace, and submit ourselves to him, His grace will transform our lives. We can be forever changed because of His amazing grace!

God's grace goes beyond just a moment of forgiveness but is also something we are called to grow in. The process of sanctification (being set apart) following justification (salvation) is critical as we prepare for glorification (eternity). In the meantime, we are being shaped and fitted for eternity by learning to live today in light of the work that has been done in us already.

Sometimes the basic idea of grace gets convoluted because it seems to be defined in different ways. Paul’s message of grace centers on the work of Jesus as the sole source of salvation. It is offered as a gift and it is through Jesus alone that we have the opportunity to experience adoption as sons and daughters.

As we enter into the fall and a season of transition, the hurt and confusion around us is real. The Christian hope is more than mere optimism that says things will “hopefully” work out. It is a sure hope, and so we “hope fully" through every trial and test of faith. We have a firm hope that is alive, rooted in the story of an empty tomb, which can be our story and message to a struggling world.

God created us with talents and a purpose that go beyond the four walls of the church; these enrich and create beauty in a broken world. God's great love and rich grace is not meant for us to hold onto and hide from our world. Instead, we are called to employ our talents to serve others outside the church, that they may know the goodness of God as well.

We belong to God and to other believers which means we do not have to live in fear and can discover a better way than selfishness. In those relationships, we discover God has uniquely shaped us and given us talents that serve the body of Christ. As we discover our "fit" we will have a better understanding of the God-given purpose for our lives.

Christians don’t just belong to God—they also belong in a community of other believers. We discover the early church was more than just a group of people—it was a close-knit family. They didn’t just see each other for an hour once a week or on social media; they met together. They lived together. Even though some of the practices might change, you need the church community every bit as much as it...

Throughout the Bible, God reminds his people that they belong to him in a loving relationship. Even though we might struggle to fit in or belong with the cliques and norms of this world, we can always be sure of one thing: we belong to God. Even when we are physically alone, God is always with us.

The idea and theology of sin is uncomfortable and easier to ignore or downplay. Most would rather label themselves "mistakers" versus "sinners". However Jesus always used the word sin and in fact, raised the bar. Knowing what it would cost to pay the price of sin, Jesus teaches a provocative message to be extreme in our handling of sin.

We can probably remember incredibly vividly the last mean name someone called us. We can also probably easily remember the last time someone called us something kind or uplifting. The names we are called—good or bad—have great effect on us because they are personal, powerful, and identity-shaping. Jesus not only uses some harsh language against the Pharisees, but he also uses some intense names fo...

We know the phrase - "A picture is worth a thousand words". There are iconic images that need no explanation. As soon as it's shown, we know exactly what's going on. In a moment of strange words and actions, Jesus creates an impactful picture that would drive home his passion for real faith from his followers. A faith that was not built on institutions or religious tradition but a relationship wit...

We can be so familiar with the stories about Jesus we miss (or skip right over) some of the strangest, most shocking, and often controversial things that Jesus says. But Jesus always spoke with purpose, revealing important truths in strange places. In one of those hard teachings, we are to love Christ above all else, rather than allowing lower loves and loyalties to take priority.

God has called us to live a great life that is full of freedom and hope. He has also called us to share that news with others. In what ways do you proclaim the gospel and disciple others in your sphere of influence? But maybe more importantly, what are some ways we have turned people off in our divided culture of politics and winning?

Labels can sometimes get us in trouble. They can give us a false sense of identity and purpose. Jesus was very clear in the label he attached to his followers and the call that came with that label. This new series brings better understanding about what it means to be a disciple and follower of Christ. We are called to a very meaningful purpose, will we embrace that call?

What kind of difference do you make? In your workplace, your home, your school, your church? Would people say you’re a positive influence or a bad influence? Being any kind of leader can be a terrifying feeling. A follower of Jesus, however, no matter their status in life, is called to be a spiritual leader in the lives of the next generation. We are called to leave a legacy of faith.

Why should we read the Bible? Bible study can be misunderstood as personal comfort and an intellectual pursuit. It can also be discouraging because it can be hard to understand or difficult to align with our cultural practices. But we must allow the Bible to read us and train us in God’s ways. We should allow God to breathe his life and truth into us through His word.

It can be tempting to do good with a desire to get credit for it. Whether social media, scholarship applications or just general affirmation, we can give selfishly. God is a giving Father who teaches us not to be self-centered in our giving. Following Jesus requires us to walk a path like him - give to others for their sake and because we love God, not for what we can get out of it.

In life we want a return on the things we do. If we are going to invest large amounts of time and money on a college education, we want to know there will be a positive return. But in our relationship with God, this can lead to spiritual disciplines being treated as transactional. We should seek God not to check off a task on a list but to experience knowing him.

Following Jesus is a journey. It has its ups and downs, victories and failures. It would be easy to get discouraged, believing that Jesus might be done with our failures. We might be passionate and sincere in our faith but still trying to call the shots, rather than submit to God's plan. Through the examination of the lives of Peter and Paul, we discover some encouraging truths about a journey of...

Because you last forever, everything you do to change, grow, and become more like Jesus will go on forever. Because the people around you are eternal, every time you touch someone’s life, that impact will go on and on and on. If the story of the empty tomb is true, then we have a powerful story to tell of grace, hope and life.

There is a real battle in our culture for truth. Who speaks truth? Where do we find it? If the tomb was empty, how do we handle the words and claims of the man who predicted his own death and resurrection? It won't be enough just to hear his words, we need to follow and act on what Jesus teaches.

After the followers of Jesus found an empty tomb and interacted with him again, the scared, scattered group began to share the message and gather together in community. Jesus predicted that the church would be born and nothing could stop it. While some of the practices and structures of church has changed, the value has not. We need the church and the church needs you!

The celebration of an empty tomb is the foundation of the Christian faith. Everything rises and falls on the resurrection of Jesus. As hard as it might be to set aside our doubts, there is great evidence that the events that build our foundation are true. And if it is true, the resurrection allows the broken parts of our lives to be made whole again.