The Local Church

In Acts 9, Saul has a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and grace completely flips his story. Ananias was a quiet but crucial “hinge character” whose obedience, even when it was scary and didn’t make sense, helped change Saul’s life — and ultimately the world. God often works through ordinary people saying yes, not just big-name heroes of the faith. Who might God be calling you...

All of humanity has a "God-shaped hole in our heart" and nothing we try to fill it with - even good things - don't satisfy. Throughout scripture, Jesus is called the promised “branch” who brings real life and hope. Christian hope isn't wishful thinking — it’s confident trust in a future God has already promised and revealed in Christ. The way to translate this hope to others who...

Where are you? Are you far from God or living like you're one of His family? We often hide from God - especially when we’re ashamed, hurting, or overwhelmed - but God invites us back to Him. In our darkest moments, God is compassionate, gentle, and delighted to draw near to us. The promise of Immanuel, God with us, is that light is coming. No matter what you're carrying, God wants you to c...

There are many types of suffering - physical, emotional, spiritual, relational. Some of us can name specific suffering we're going through, but there's also a general sense in the world that things are broken and not okay. Pain and suffering aren't proof that God has left us — it's often the place where He does His deepest work. Jesus understands our suffering and actually walks wi...

Does truly loving someone mean that we need to affirm all parts of them, including their sexual orientation?  Today we look at what scripture says about same-sex attraction as well as how God loves and responds to his people (with all types of brokenness). Though TLC holds to a traditional sexual ethic, how we talk about this charged topic and live it out has deep implications for people that Jesu...

What is the Bible? Even proclaimed Christians can have trouble constructing a definition, often because we come to scripture with our own opinions and doubts. But if we start with how Jesus understood and viewed God's Word, we can reach a new definition: The Bible is a library of books — both human and divine — that's trustworthy and authoritative, and tells a unified story that leads us t...

Can we really trust the Bible? Using history, archaeology, and critical literary research, we explore how Scripture was formed, copied, and preserved with remarkable accuracy. Compared to other ancient texts, it is unmatched in evidence and consistency. When we look at how God has faithfully preserved His Word through thousands of years, we can feel confident that the Bible is historically credibl...

Does God still speak personally and clearly today, like he speaks to Phillip in Acts 8? Obedience to God’s voice can lead to unexpected but life-changing outcomes. God speaks through Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and community. Believers can learn to recognize God’s voice the same way they recognize a parent’s—through familiarity and relationship. --- Join us for service online or in-person...

God loves to take the ancient truth of the gospel and breathe new life into it. In Acts 7 & 8, we read of the persecution and scattering of Christians as Jewish leaders tried to stop the spread of the gospel. But this physical movement of Jesus's followers to a new place ignited a bigger movement of the Spirit in people's hearts. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rap...

This Sunday was a Sacred Space Sunday, where we spent extended time in Acts 4:23-31 together in small groups. We examined the text for what it reveals about God's character, and prayed for the boldness to recognize and obey any invitation the Spirit has for us. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love...

When faced with opposition, will you obey God or man? Acts 4–5 shows the early church wrestling with this question. Jesus’ followers had to choose between obeying men who threatened them or obeying God. Today, many believers still face severe persecution, while most of us encounter subtler tests—how we respond to gossip, integrity, anger, money, culture, and idols. Through the Spirit and the churc...

The early church in Acts gave generously and sacrificially. How? They devoted themselves to Jesus' teachings on the subject and those of the Old Testament. Today we looked at six Biblical principles of giving that believers can follow today. This message is part of our series in the book of Acts, which is like the "part 2" of Luke's writing, capturing the life and ministry of Jes...

Acts 2:42 gives a picture of what the church can look like when it's operating at its best: devotedly pursuing the apostles' teaching (the New Testament), fellowship, eating together and prayer. Practicing this kind of fellowship - or koinonia - offers so much value for our lives today. This message is part of our series in the book of Acts, which is like the "part 2" of Luke&#39...

Acts 2 tells the story of Pentecost - an awe-inspiring event when the Holy Spirit came upon all types of believers, moving His presence from a building into his people. The invitation to faith was and is for everyone, not just those who fit a certain mold. Jesus is not looking for the gifted; He's looking for the obedient. This message is part of our series in the book of Acts, which is like t...

The book of Acts is like the "part 2" of Luke's writing, capturing the life and ministry of Jesus as it's lived out through his early church. Our study begins in chapter 1, as the disciples are confused about when Jesus will actually make everything right, but he urges them not to wait on his return - that the gift of the Holy Spirit is powerful. It causes us to ask: Do we recogn...

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Part of our Beloved series, looking at how Jesus views us.

Our lives are filled with the voices of others telling us who we are, what we should be like, what we need, and how to fill those needs. But w does Jesus say about you? The answer can be summarized in one word:  beloved . --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let...

Feelings are great windows into our hearts but terrible leaders. Psalm 119 has much to say about the path that leads to freedom - one based on the unchanging truths found in God's word. Freedom allows you to be with God. Autonomy pretends you are God. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help yo...

Have you ever wondered what is so special about God? Why is he worthy of praise? Psalm 135 details his power and sovereignty, and three "Rs" to help us understand the scripture's framework: The REASONS God's name is worthy of praise, the RESPONSES we can have, and the RESULTS of our responses. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 1...

The "Psalm 1" of our culture will leave you thirsty, but the Psalm 1 of scripture promises abundant life for those who delight in and meditate on God's word. Sometimes the simple things, like daily scripture reading, are the most difficult to practice regularly. This July our church is venturing to read through all of Psalms together by reading 5 per day. Join us! --- Join us for ser...

How do you really  know  that God's deep, unfailing love - his hesed - is for you? We feel the emotions of love, but emotions are fickle. The liturgical psalm 136 points outside of ourselves, to the awe and wonder found in nature that reminds us of God's power and his faithfulness. --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to fol...

Psalm 139 was a beautiful and raw place to begin our series "Eat Psalms, Be Healthy" looking at the questions "Does anyone truly know me? Am I alone? Do I matter?” For a prayer to engage with the Father around this text, you can head to our Instagram . --- Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:30AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would lov...