St. Mark Houston

We all have a battle with sin, and part of that battle happens in secret. In this message, we open a brand new series called, The Tough Stuff, by taking an honest look at the hidden, shameful, and often habitual sin that none of us want to talk about. Drawing from Romans 7 and Ephesians 5, we explore what it means to wake up to the reality of our sin, drag it out of the darkness and into the light...

Moms spend so much of their time trying to understand and meet the needs of everyone around them, and yet so rarely does anyone stop to ask what's going on inside their hearts. This Mother's Day message is for every parent who's locked themselves in a bathroom just to cry, gripped the steering wheel after school drop-off, or laid awake wondering if they're getting it all wrong. That voice is real....

What do a wandering sheep, a missing coin, and a rebellious son have in common? They were all pursued. In this message, we explore the two parables Jesus told before the Prodigal Son, a prequel that reveals one of the most powerful truths in Scripture: no matter how lost we are, God relentlessly pursues us. Drawing from Luke 15, we unpack what it means to be found by a God who doesn't wait for us...

Most people assume there's only one way to be lost: through rebellion and running away from God. But in the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus reveals a second, subtler way: getting so caught up in rule-keeping and score-keeping that you drift far from the Father's heart. If you've ever felt entitled to God's blessings, quietly judged someone else's grace, or confused obedience with intimacy, this...

In the parable of the prodigal son, we discover that God doesn't wait passively for us to find our way back. He actively pursues his lost children. When a wandering son finally comes home, his father doesn't just forgive him; he elevates him, clothes him in honor, and throws the party of a lifetime. This is the heart of God on full display: a love that restores, celebrates, and recreates everyone...

The Black Sheep - Matt Popovits by St. Mark Houston

I Believe - Matt Popovits by St. Mark Houston

Many great stories, from Citizen Kane to Rocky, feature a creator who does it all. In this conclusion to our All Together Now series, we look at the Triumphal Entry in Luke 19 to see how Jesus serves as the ultimate "one-man production" of our salvation. While we often look for a "helper" to fix our surface-level problems, Jesus insists on being the Hero who conquers our deepest needs. Explore why...

When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a trick question about paying taxes to Caesar, his answer was anything but simple. In this message, we unpack Luke 20 and explore what Jesus really meant by "give to Caesar what is Caesar's", and what it means for us today. From Martin Luther's two kingdoms theology to one seminarian's courageous stand against racism in 1960s Mississippi, discover how fa...

Ever pulled a Bible verse out of context and wondered if you're reading it right? In this message, we dive deep into Jeremiah 29, including the famous verse 11, to uncover what God was actually saying to his people in exile, and what that means for us today. Context is king, and every verse has a home. So do we.

Why does the Bible feel confusing, or even irrelevant to real life? In this message, we explore how Scripture interprets Scripture, uncovering the surprising depth found in Luke 13. From the reality of suffering and sin, to God's patient grace, to the promise of salvation, discover how God's Word doesn't just make sense of the Bible, but makes sense of your life. Whether you're in a season of doub...

What does the story of the Good Samaritan actually mean? In this message, we dig into one of Jesus's most famous, and most misunderstood, parables to discover that the point isn't simply "be a better person." The real hero of the story might surprise you. Join us as we learn to ask better questions of Scripture and uncover the deeper truth about a God who loves us at great cost to himself.

Scripture is always speaking just two words: "do" and "done"—law and gospel. In this message, we'll walk through Ephesians 5:22-33, one of the Bible's most misunderstood passages on marriage, and uncover how Paul renovates patriarchy with the gospel. See how God's "do" words reveal our need for Jesus, while His "done" words deliver the grace we desperately need. Whether you're married, single, or...

Discover how to read the Bible with the end in sight. In this message, we explore Jesus' rejection at Nazareth and uncover how prophecy works throughout Scripture. Learn why the people of Nazareth misunderstood their Messiah, how biblical prophecies can be fulfilled multiple times, and why God's promises always come true. Plus, get practical tips on studying unfamiliar biblical terms and places. W...

Ever felt lost reading the Bible? You're not alone. In this message, we explore Luke 1 and discover the lens that brings Scripture to life: Jesus. Learn how to read God's Word with Christ at the center of everything.

Concluding our "I Love My Church" series with a powerful message about the centrality of God's Word in our lives. Using the metaphor of driving in the dark without headlights, we explore three characteristics of a church that loves God's Word: being deeply rooted in the promises of Jesus, regularly encountering the person of Christ, and being transformed by His power. Learn why the life of faith i...

Discover what it truly means to experience Christian community beyond Sunday mornings. In this message, we explore Acts 2:42-47 and uncover three powerful insights: life with a shared Lord, shared everyday experiences, and shared joy. Learn how the early church celebrated God's gifts together and how you can deepen meaningful relationships within your faith community. From celebrity sightings at t...

Who gets excited about Sundays? If you're honest, getting to church can feel like a battle, especially with kids. When we gather for worship, four incredible things happen: (1) Christ is actively working among us, (2) the outside world is welcomed and honored, (3) our faith comes alive, getting out of our heads and into the real world, and (4) we are being reformed by God's counter-algorithm, resh...

There's a pizza place in Times Square that used to be a vibrant, mission-driven church called Gospel Tabernacle. Now, instead of a pulpit, there's a brick oven. It's a sobering reminder that while being part of a local church is a gift, it's a gift that must be protected. In Hebrews 10, we're called to "stir one another up to love and good works", to be a church in action through mercy (relieving...

What was Jesus like as a 12-year-old? We don't know for sure, but Luke 2:40-52 gives us a rare glimpse into Jesus' childhood that reveals profound truths about who He is and who we are. We see Jesus listening to religious leaders in the temple, not because they had perfect theology but because He shows up for sinners like us out of love. We also see Jesus submitting to His parents, demonstrating t...

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." The harsh reality of life in a broken world is that nothing lasts. Loved ones pass away, faith feels dry, and the magic fades. But Isaiah 9 announces a different reality: a kingdom that will never end, ruled by a child born to us. This eternal kingdom gives us gifts, both mountaintop experiences and spir...

What's on your Christmas list this year? We all drop hints hoping the people who love us will get us what we really need. For millennia, humanity has been sending up prayers, asking God to notice our needs and do something about the brokenness, sin, and darkness we can't escape on our own. Isaiah 49 promises that God has heard our cries and answered with the perfect gift: Jesus. He is an incredibl...

Family at the holidays is a blessing, but let's be honest, it also comes with baggage. Broken relationships, unresolved hurt, empty chairs, and painful memories can make gathering together feel more fraught than joyful. But Isaiah 66 promises that Jesus will one day return and make all things right. He will bring justice for the wounds we've carried, reconciliation for the relationships that seem...

What are you hungry for this Christmas? We spend so much time chasing satisfaction in all the wrong places: the perfect celebration, the ideal family gathering, the flawless holiday experience. But Isaiah 55 reminds us that Jesus offers something far better, a free, satisfying feast of grace, forgiveness, and belonging that never runs out. Unlike everything else that demands payment or performance...

What does "home" really mean? In this Advent message, we explore the profound reality that we're living in exile, separated from God since the Garden of Eden. Through Isaiah's prophecy of a shoot rising from Jesse's stump, we discover that God sent a Savior who entered our exile, walked through our brokenness, and died on a cross to lead us home. While we wait for Christ's return, we can give othe...