The Church @Fairfax

The Kingdom is upside down. Humanly we would never equate a yoke (used by teams of oxen to haul heavy loads) with freedom. Being connected to something or someone for the purpose of work or labor is thought of as liberating. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, this is exactly how we get freedom and rest. As we continue with our Set Free series, Pastor Steven Merritt, how to get peace and rest.

Living life in the Kingdom of God is upside down. It takes a lot of strength to admit your weakness and yield to God. It takes an immense amount of trust. And He will give you the strength to trust Him if you are at least willing to be made willing. One thing is for sure - even though His strength is displayed through our weakness, the life on someone who would follow Jesus is definitely not for t...

Some things we are able to do without any training. Most things we want to do need some explanation, instructions, and even modeling. Most (not all) followers of Jesus know far more of what they SHOULD be doing that they are currently doing. In this latest message of the Set Free series, Pastor Steven Merritt reminds believers of what they already know to do, and reminds them to do it.

Not everyone is what they appear to be, or even what they claim to be. Many claim to be followers of Jesus, and even have amazing deeds to back their claim. But an authentic relationship with Jesus is not about words, or even deeds. And the storm that is coming will reveal the truth of the matter. As we continue the series Set Free, Pastor Steven Merritt compares an authentic relationship with God...

Despite the increasing prominence of some religious groups, by and large the church seems divided and powerless. That lack of power reveals a great deal. It reveals that someone in the church has been ignored. Pastor Steven Merritt begins a new series called Set Free, a deeper study into the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer and in the lives of believers collectively - in someth...

Betrayal is a terrible experience. It hurts so much because there is relationship, and the trust was violated. It hurts. Continuing with the Questions from Jesus series, Pastor Steven Merritt addresses the issue of betrayal, and asks believers if they have been betraying Jesus.

Continuing with Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Steven tells us the account of the ten lepers Jesus healed on His way to Jerusalem. He tells us especially about the one leper that came back and why WE should be more like that leper.

What if I told you that there are many people who consider themselves believers who are likely committing a sin that is worse than witchcraft? That's shocking isn't it? A bold claim? Maybe, but Pastor Steven Merritt helps us understand that there are some things that God cannot stand as we continue our series on Questions Jesus Asked.

Some people believe they see clearly, but in truth they are blind. There IS a Truth, and that Truth is a person, Jesus. Pastor Dale Otto continues the sermon series that focuses on questions Jesus asked, and the truth His questions reveals.

A follower of Jesus will encounter supernatural things. In fact, living as a believer is a supernatural occurrence in and of itself. Often, however, we lean on our reason. And while reason is not a bad thing, sometimes what God is revealing to us will seem to contradict "reason," even though it does not. Join in the conversation as Pastor Steven Merritt begins a new sermon series on Ques...

A follower of Jesus will encounter supernatural things. In fact, living as a believer is a supernatural occurrence in and of itself. Often, however, we lean on our reason. And while reason is not a bad thing, sometimes what God is revealing to us will seem to contradict "reason," even though it does not. Join in the conversation as Pastor Steven Merritt begins a new sermon series on Ques...

Are you fighting a fight that has already been won? On this Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Steven Merritt reminds us that Jesus has already won the victory!

We have several prayers of Jesus written down in the Gospels. Perhaps the most well-known is His prayer recorded in The Gospel of John, chapter 17. There are a lot of things Jesus prayed for and about in this prayer. Was He praying for YOU? Pastor Steven Merritt starts a short sermon series called The Last Days of Jesus with this message.

This series has looked at how we can know God, and why we should want know Him. Now, in this final message of the series we consider why this is what God really wants, and what it means to us. Pastor Steven Merritt gives some insights from Scripture on how we can really please God.

Life is full of trade-offs. Not all trade-offs are good though, are they? Many people trade off one the most valuable opportunities they will ever have for something that is completely worthless. In this second message in the series To Know Him, Pastor Steven Merritt walks us through some of the things that so easily distract us from our true purpose.

What do you think of when you think of God? Do you believe it is possible to know Him? What if I told you He wants for you to know Him? You can be as close to God as you want to be. In this first sermon of the series To Know Him, Pastor Steven Merritt begins a brief study of the Book of Hosea. Many will be surprised at how closely our own culture parallels that of the Northern Kingdom of Israel be...

Many of us have things in our past that we believe disqualify us from serving God. We have shame, and fear, and we are just not convinced God wants us. And we definitely don't think He could ever use us. It may surprise you who God chooses. In fact, would you believe that God has chosen you? In this next to last message in the series God and the Underdogs, Pastor Steven Merritt offers some enc...

We all doubt from time to time, don't we? Have you been there? Are you there right now? This message is for YOU! Gideon asked some important questions that you have probably asked too. In this third message of the "God and the Underdogs" series, Pastor Steven Merritt gives us God's answers to the doubter's questions.

Personal attacks hurt! When people are out to get you, what do you do? How should you respond? In this second message in the "God and the Underdogs" series, Pastor Steven Merritt offers some guidance on how to handle critics, EVEN if they are targeting you to kill you.

What's holding you back? For many it is the idea that they do not feel "real" or authentic. They do not believe they have the ability to do what they believe God is calling them to do. In this first message of the series, "God and the Underdogs," Pastor Steven Merritt offers some insights into our fears and hope for how we can overcome those fears.

There was a reason Herod was "disturbed" by the arrival of the magi searching for the one born to be King of the Jews. Those who are seeking God can learn some important life lessons from the magi, the wise guys. This coming year will be better or it will be worse, and YOU are the one who will determine what kind of year it will be. In this final message of the Questions of Christmas ser...

Some say miracles happen every day, all around us. Others say there is no such thing as miracles. Are miracles possible? Is so, why do they happen, and when? In this second part of the Questions of Christmas, Pastor Steven Merritt takes a brief look at one miracle that changed the world, and answers why that miracle was needed.

Thanksgiving has not been completely commercialized...yet. But many find difficulty being thankful. Life is hard. But there is a way to have more joy even in difficulty. Anyone can have more joy, and the answer is closer than you might thing. Pastor Steven Merritt reminds his listeners of the power of relationships in this life.

When we feel out of control we cannot be at peace or feel contented. But what if we can only feel contented by giving up our control? In this final message of the Enough is Enough series, Pastor Dale Otto reminds us that our greatest need is to be in a loving relationship with our Creator God.

We hear a lot about God's love. Many struggle with the idea that God is loving AND that there is a literal hell. God's love and His judgment are often misunderstood. One does not make the other impossible - they are not mutually exclusive. Both are true - God is love and there is a judgment. But what does that mean to YOU? God loves you so much He wants you to escape that inevitable separa...