Thrive Harbor

Tax collectors were traitors. They were hated and reviled. So when Jesus called a tax collector to be one of his disciples, he was making a powerful statement of what his kingdom was all about. This message was given by Mekan Piriyev, a recent high school graduate who is part of the Thrive community.

When Jesus heals a paralyzed man, some react with joy and others with hate. In this message on Mark 2:1-12, Dustin Polley, co-director of Thrive Kitsap, unpacks four different responses people had to Jesus and invites us to consider what our own response to Him will be.

Jesus came bearing a unique authority—to call disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick. But amazingly, Jesus used his authority not to serve himself but to serve others. (We apologize for the poor audio quality of this recording.)

Mark's gospel begins with an announcement about Jesus' arrival. But how should we to respond to that arrival? This message, the first in Thrive's series on the Gospel of Mark, takes up that question, while also providing an overview of Mark's entire book. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include 1 Peter 5:13; Acts 12:12; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Mark 10:45.

As Thrive moves into a new year, Hebrews 11 offers an inspiring picture of what can happen when Jesus is the foundation of our lives. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Psalm 127:1; 34:8; 1 Peter 1:21; John 6:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Hebrews 12:2.

According to one study, over 60% of American college students have experienced overwhelming anxiety. What does Jesus have to offer those dealing with anxiety, fear, and depression? In this final message in Thrive's series on Philippians, Michael Bouterse, Thrive's local director, looks at the Bible's answer to this question in Philippians 4:4-7.  Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in th...

How do we know whether we're "enough"—enough for God, for others, for ourselves? In this message, Caleb Janson, pastor of Gig Harbor United Reformed Church , unpacks how Paul answers this question in Philippians 3:1-11. The human heart is hard-wired to look to our good deeds in order to feel like we're worthy of love—and that's exhausting. But Paul discovered that we're worthy of love not because...

What's the secret to happiness? The answer, surprisingly, is self-sacrificial obedience. Although extremely countercultural, self-sacrifice is at the heart of following Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. And as a result of Jesus' life-transforming death and resurrection, He sets us free to live a self-sacrificial life for the sake of others. This message was given at Thrive Harbor on T...

Why is there war? Why are there divisions? Why can’t human beings just find a way to get along? According to the Bible, the answer is pride. Our pride makes us harm those around us so that we can be first. But Philippians 2 shows us that pride has a cure—because while everyone else was climbing up the ladder to make themselves first, Someone climbed down the ladder to make Himself last. Scripture...

Our culture tries to deny death, distracting ourselves so we don’t have to face the fact that one day… we’re all going to die. That’s why Paul’s words in Philippians are so remarkable. He celebrates dying! How could he say this? In this message on Philippians 1:20-26, Michael Bouterse, Thrive’s local director, looks at what the Bible says about Heaven, Hell, and why Christians can approach death w...

Everyone suffers, but not everyone suffers well. So what’s the secret? The Bible would say you have to find meaning in suffering, a purpose higher than just your happiness. Many world religions claim to offer such a purpose, but Christianity is utterly unique in offering not just a purpose worth suffering for… but a person who suffered for you. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this mess...

Mark Twain said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." Yet most of us struggle to find a purpose worth living for. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul sets out the one passion that fueled and energized him—the advance of the gospel. But why was Paul so gripped by the gospel, and what gave him the power to lay down his life for it? Scri...

The last five psalms are psalms of praise, and that's no accident. That's because in Christ we're promised that even the most painful experiences will eventually give way to praise. This message on the Bible's final psalm unpacks what praise is, the different forms praise can take, and the ultimate motive that Christians have for worshipping God.

Fear is like paralysis: it makes us stuck and unable to move forward. In this message, Drew Dawson, a church planter with  Resurrection Church , shares on Psalm 27, a reflection on how David’s faith helped him combat his fear.

There are plenty of religious figures out there. What makes Jesus unique? One of the best answers to this question is found in an obscure chapter from the Old Testament. Psalm 110 gives us the "ID card" of the Messiah, predicting Jesus' two natures (fully God and fully man), two comings (to bear judgment and to bring judgment), and two offices (king and priest). Latching on to these truths about J...

When we try to control everything, we get stressed out. Faith, by contrast, is life without scheming, and the result is rest. In this message on Psalm 131, Jake Chambers, pastor of Local Church , shows that the more control we release, the more peace we receive, as we remember that God is God and we are not.

God pursues us, but he also invites us to pursue him. In this message, Peter Churness, pastor of  One Hope Church , unfolds David's prayer in Psalm 63. Just as David thirsted for his first love in the desert, so God invites us to thirst for him when we feel spiritually dry. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Psalm 42; 2 Samuel 15ff.; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:13; and...

Why do we experience guilt and shame? Why is it so creeping, pervasive, and deep? And where can we find release? In Psalm 32, King David—whose moral failures included murder, adultery, and sabotage—announces his discovery of a way to be rid of guilt and shame, and the joy and peace that he experienced as a result. This message was preached on Thursday, July 16, 2020 by Kurt Mach, pastor of Peninsu...

Everybody has experiences in life where things that you looked to for identity and security crumble before your eyes. Yet Psalm 46 makes the radical claim that there is a source of protection and inner strength that will never let you down—even if "the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." Scripture passages cited in this message include Romans 8:28.

David's strategy for seeking God's protection is a strange one: he breaks out into a worship session! Psalm 16 is the record of what David spoke to his heart when faced with fear and anxiety. Not only do his words teach us how to find strength in God, but they also provide an incredible glimpse of the gospel, showing us that the true source of strength isn't in the power of our worship but in the...

Anxiety and depression are skyrocketing, especially among younger Americans. But through God, depression doesn't have to have the last word. Psalm 42 is a psalm written by a depressed person. But instead of bowing to his depression, the psalmist reminds his soul in the darkness of the truths he learned in the light. Refusing either to ignore his pain or to treat it as ultimate reality, the psalmis...

Susan Bouterse joins Thrive to share some profound thoughts on prayer, the journey of knowing God, and the way God can use suffering to shape us. As Thrive journeys through the Psalms, be sure to check out the Thrive "Psalmcast," a special series of regular podcast  episodes  that help you pray the psalms. Just search for "Thrive Harbor" wherever you get your podcasts!

The God of the Bible is a God who loves justice. How should this shape the way Christians live? In this message, Michael Bouterse, Thrive's local director, offers some thoughts from Scripture on how Christians can listen, lament, and respond to racial injustices in our world. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Galatians 2:11-16; Romans 12:15; Jeremiah 22:3, 15; Nehemi...

John Dorsey, former youth pastor at  Fox Island Alliance Church , joins Thrive to talk about prayer. John shares his story about how God became real to him through prayer, the difference between prayer as duty versus delight, and his favorite ways to spend time with God. As Thrive journeys through the Psalms, be sure to check out the Thrive "Psalmcast," a special series of regular podcast&nbs...

How can our hearts become ready and receptive to meet with God in prayer? In Psalm 139, David shows that one way to do this is to meditate on whom it is we’re praying to. Reflecting on God’s attributes prepares our hearts for prayer, captivating us with God’s wonder and majesty, and also driving us to a healthy measure of self-examination.  Scripture passages cited in this message include Psa...