The Increase

In today’s broken world, all of us face challenges, hardships, and trials. Sometimes those trials are severe and incredibly painful. When horrible hardships are hitting you hard, what is the right way to respond while honoring Jesus?  What strategies can help you survive? (James, Faith in the Real World, part 11)  

Does it ever discourage you that the rich and powerful seem to get away with everything? Will drug lords, human traffickers, and greedy business owners ever get what’s coming to them?  In James chapter 5, James calls out unrighteous rich people for their abusive behavior and talks about their judgment. Why is this encouraging news for people like you and me in the here and now?  (James: Faith in t...

We just concluded an awesome week of Vacation Bible School featuring “The Great Jungle Journey." During our Grand Finale Sunday, Pastor Ryan Day shared a message on the “one story” of the Bible. Even though the Bible has 66 different books and a variety of genres, it really is just one story given by one God.  How can you better understand the flow of the Bible and what it’s really all about?...

If we were honest, we’re often guilty of pushing ahead with our plans and forging ahead with future goals, with no thought given to God’s leadership over our lives. This is actually an ugly sin called presumption .  What does James say about how you can protect yourself from the sin of arrogant planning?  (James: Faith in the Real World, part 9)

As part of our Father's Day celebration, Pastor Day made a huge display of tools on the platform, and then he took five of the most popular hand tools to illustrate the kind of spiritual training that Dads need to be sharing with the next generation. Most Christian Dads have heard about Proverbs 22:6 and training up children in the way they should go. But what specific trainings should Dads b...

*Guest Speaker*   The book of Hebrews is one of the most powerful books of the New Testament.  It's there we learn that Jesus is better than all the parts and pieces of the Old Testament system.  In Jesus we have everything we need: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, a heavenly home, and a kingdom that cannot be shaken. What does all of this mean for your everyday life?  (Next-Gen Pastor Jare...

Experts are telling us that Americans are passionate for smoothie drinks—to the tune of 4 billion dollars last year in the pursuit of healthy bodies. In the same way that a smoothie is full of proteins, fruits, and vegetables, what are the essential ingredients that can lead to a healthy and vibrant local church? Which vital ingredients can you add to the recipe?  (James: Faith in the Real World,...

Out of all the ways you’d want to get your church’s name out into your community, a giant fight in the middle of Sunday morning worship isn’t one of them.  But sadly, this kind of thing happens from time to time in churches and it's always heartbreaking. How do churches go from loving Jesus one minute to throwing punches the next? Where does the breakdown happen?  (James, part 7)

The New Testament teaches that are only two kinds of wisdom in this world— which means you and I are either being directed by the truth of heaven or the forces of hell.  What important insights does James reveal about these two kinds of wisdom, and how can you be sure to lean into the right one? (James, part 6)

*Guest Speaker* Many churches have heard messages on the closing section of Proverbs 31, but the opening of that famous chapter is filled with wisdom from a wise mother to a godly king.  What insights of wisdom do you need to a have a life that impacts others and honors God?   Mother's Day 2024 (Next-Gen Pastor Jared Carline) 

Did you know that just behind your lips lives a savage beast— that’s tough to tame?  It’s your tongue, and James has much to say on the connection between your everyday words and your Christian testimony. What does the Bible say about the things that you say?    (James, part 5)

All of us know people who claim to be a Christian, but sadly their everyday lives show no evidence of Christ-honoring behavior. What are we to make of such people? Is their faith alive or dead? How can you spot a fake faith? (James, part 4)    

Have you ever been on the wrong end of unfair treatment, bias, or one-sided favoritism? Was someone treated better than you because of their money or last name? This kind of favoritism is common in a sinful, secular world, but something is really wrong when this kind of prejudice shows up inside the church. In James chapter two, what does James say about discrimination and favoritism in the church...

A wise person once said that “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you respond to it.”   None of us are immune to challenges, adversities, and trials— even if we are devoted followers of Jesus. When life gets hard, God wants us to respond in right ways that build our faith and honor Him. If you want to experience the life that God desires of you, what are some everyday behaviors you s...

When difficulties or challenges come crashing into our lives, we can become discouraged or disillusioned, or sometimes even despairing that God has forsaken us. But the NT letter of James opens with incredible encouragement that God always has a purpose behind the pain. God often allows trials to come our way so our faith can be made better and stronger. How can you face trials without falling apa...

When good things happen in our lives, sometimes we’ll say that we were fortunate or even “lucky” that things turned out that way. But that isn’t the case with Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection from the tomb wasn’t just nice, it was necessary. In fact, the NT says Jesus “must” rise again. As we search the Scriptures, what are five reasons why Jesus must rise again, and how do these reasons stil...

*GUEST SPEAKER* As part of our Palm Sunday Celebration, we heard a message from our Next-Gen Pastor Jared Carline on the significance of Jesus coming into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. In Mark chapter 11, we read how Jesus entered the city as the crowds celebrated and cheered his arrival.  Why did they shout “Hosanna” to Jesus, what happened over the next two days, and what does all this mean for...

A recent survey revealed that 75% of Americans believe in God, with 63% of respondents self-identifying as Christians. But what actually makes a person a genuine Christian?  Is it only believing in God, attending church, owning a Bible, or thinking positively about Jesus?  Is it possible that many Americans have convinced themselves that they are a Christian, when in fact they are not? What are th...

Three times in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave His disciples explicit warnings about His impending arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. Unfortunately, the disciples struggled to digest the seriousness of these predictions. While they were focused on Jesus’ popularity and growing power, Jesus had His eyes fixed on the Cross. So as we step through these three predictions, what details does Jesus...

Election season 2024 is officially upon us, which means non-stop political ads on our phones, TV’s, and mailboxes. If one person tried to run for the offices of President, Congress, and Supreme Court at the same time, we’d laugh at such a notion—because America’s founding fathers created three separate branches of government to stop power from being abused. But when we study the Bible, Jesus fulfi...

Every year in America, there are countless books, articles, and seminars that hope to help married couples live together in harmony. But what does the Bible prescribe for true marital fulfillment and satisfaction? How can you live with your spouse in an understanding way?  (Straight Talk, part 5)

In today’s world, many Christians singles have never heard or have never been taught God’s principles when it comes to relationships and sexual activity. What are some of the most urgent questions Christian singles are asking on this topic, and what are the relevant insights from God’s Word? (Straight Talk, part 4)

It only takes a brief look at modern America to see how far our marriage relationships have wandered from the biblical worldview. Is it any surprise that we’re drowning in divorces, broken homes, fractured families, hurting hearts— and every form of relationship disfunction?  Where has secular society gone so wrong?  What are the essential truths on marriage from God’s perspective?  (Straight Talk...

Today’s churches spend so much time exalting marriage that single people can start to feel like they are second-class Christians or that they have missed the mark with their lives. Is it a sin to be single? Is singleness a curse or a punishment? If a Christian stays single, is he or she destined to a lonely, unfulfilling, or miserable life? What encouraging truths do we uncover in the Bible on the...

When McDonalds recently announced the return of the “Double Big Mac”, hamburger lovers rejoiced, but heart doctors cringed. There’s no doubt that many Americans will buy this burger, on account that it is their money, their life, and their choice. Interestingly enough, this is the very same approach that most Americans take toward sex and sexuality too.  But what heavenly wisdom has God shared wit...