Vertical Church Teaching

Encounter is not the destination—it’s an invitation. Following Jesus requires surrender, reordered desires, and a willingness to leave what’s familiar behind. ESSENTIALS WEEK 2 - FOLLOW JESUS This message builds on the truth that every encounter with God leads to a choice. While culture emphasizes attendance and convenience, Jesus calls people into apprenticeship—an all-of-life following that resh...

Series: Encounter God Week 1 Title: Encounter God Primary Scriptures: Exodus 3; John 4 Big Idea: One true encounter with God can change everything. I. Humanity’s Search for God Throughout history, people have chased sacred places and spiritual experiences. The assumption: if we get to the right place, God will meet us there. Jesus challenges this idea—God is Spirit and seeks worshipers in spirit a...

Big Idea: Responsibility is not a burden God puts on you—it is a gift He puts in you that produces joy when you live it out. The angels announced the birth of Jesus not to kings or crowds, but to shepherds quietly doing their jobs in the fields. They weren’t chasing excitement. They weren’t escaping responsibility. They were being faithful—and that’s where joy met them. This sermon challenges the...

Series: The Advent of ____ Week 1 Title: The Advent of Hope Main Scriptures: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 40:1–5, Luke 1:30–32, Galatians 4:4, John 14:3, Romans 15:13 Big Idea: Hope is not a wishful feeling—hope has a Name, perfect timing, and a promised future. Jesus is our Hope, our Living Hope, and our Coming King.   I. Introduction — What Advent Really Means Advent = “coming” or “arrival.” Not just...

Series: The Advent of ____ Week 1 Title: The Advent of Hope Main Scriptures: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 40:1–5, Luke 1:30–32, Galatians 4:4, John 14:3, Romans 15:13 Big Idea: Hope is not a wishful feeling—hope has a Name, perfect timing, and a promised future. Jesus is our Hope, our Living Hope, and our Coming King.   I. Introduction — What Advent Really Means Advent = “coming” or “arrival.” Not just...

Series: Grateful Week 2 Title: Hospitality Main Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8–10 BIG IDEA: Hospitality is what happens when the love God pours into us gets poured out of us. When we are filled with gratitude, what comes out looks like hospitality. WEEK 2 - HOSPITALITY I. The Context of 1 Peter Written to believers who were scattered, suffering, pressured, and afraid. Life was tight and overwhelming, but...

Series: Grateful Week 1 Title: I Am Grateful Scripture: Philippians 4:4–7; Philippians 2:28; Philippians 4:11–13 Big Idea: Gratitude is what makes peace possible. I. The Context of Gratitude Paul writes Philippians not from comfort but from a Roman prison cell. He’s chained to uncertainty yet overflowing with joy, peace, and thanksgiving. Gratitude isn’t tied to circumstances—it’s anchored in the...

Series: Rooted Week 10 Title: Do We Really Need the Church? Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25, 1 Peter 2:9, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 12:46–50, Romans 12:9–16, Romans 12:1–2, Acts 2:41–42 Big Idea: You can’t follow Jesus apart from His body. The church isn’t optional—it’s essential. I. God’s Design for the Church Many say, “I believe in God, but not the church.” Yet the God of Scripture deeply identifies...

Series: Rooted Week: 9 – The Story of All of Us Big Idea: God’s story of redemption becomes our story of transformation—and together, we tell the story of Jesus to the world through our lives, our words, and our generosity. WEEK 9_ EVANGELISM I. God’s Story — Creation, Fall, Redemption Creation (Genesis 1:26–28): We are made in God’s image, with authority and purpose to create, build, and live in...

Series: Rooted Week: 8 – Kingdom Currency Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21, 24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:15; Deuteronomy 8:17–20; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8, 11; Proverbs 23:4–7 Big Idea: You can’t serve two masters. Money is not evil—but when it becomes your master, it will control your heart. God invites us to a better way: to live open-handed, using what He’s given to build His Kingdom. I. The Problem — The...

Series: Rooted Week: 7 – Shalom Scripture: Luke 10:25–37; Jeremiah 29:4–7; Titus 3:4–5; Micah 6:8 Big Idea: God calls His people to embody mercy personally and shalom collectively —bringing His peace, justice, and renewal to the world. But we can’t extend true mercy or live in true shalom until we’ve first received it from Christ. I. The Question of Justification The expert in the law asks, “What...

Series: Rooted Week 6 Title: Leverage Your Life (Part 1) Scripture: Mark 10:45; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10 Big Idea: You were created to serve. You discover your God-given purpose when you recognize how God has uniquely gifted you, how He has corporately called you, and when you live that calling out through serving. I. Created to Serve You weren’t created just to exist or consume...

Series: Rooted Week 5 Title: There Is an Enemy! Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–20 Big Idea: There is a real enemy who opposes God and His people—but Christ has already won the victory. We don’t fight for victory; we fight from it. I. The Reality of the Enemy Evil isn’t just human—it’s spiritual. There is an unseen realm of darkness opposing God’s Kingdom. Satan is not a myth or symbol—he is a fallen an...

Series: Rooted Week 4 Title: Where is God in Pain and Suffering? Scripture: John 16:33; Romans 5:1–5; 2 Corinthians 4:7–10; Revelation 21:3–5 Big Idea: Suffering is not evidence of God’s absence but often the place we encounter Him most intimately. I. The Question We All Ask Personal story of suffering — grief, loss, unanswered questions. Everyone wrestles with: If God is good and powerful, why do...

Series: Rooted Week 3 Title: God Speaks, Are You Listening? Scripture: Hebrews 1:1–3; John 1:1,14,18; John 16:12–15; Acts 13:2; Proverbs 11:14; Hebrews 10:24–25 Big Idea: God is not silent. He has spoken most clearly through Jesus Christ, and He continues to speak through His Spirit and His people. I. God Speaks Through His Son In the past, God spoke through prophets and visions (Hebrews 1:1). Now...

Series: Rooted Week 2 Title: Who is God? Scripture: Exodus 34:6–7, Acts 17:22–28 Big Idea: God reveals Himself as a relational God—not distant or abstract, but One who invites us to know Him personally through His Word, His creation, His image in us, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. I. The Most Important Question A.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most import...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Series: Rooted Week 1 Title: Introduction – Rooted vs. Rootless Scripture: Psalm 1:1–6 Big Idea: The blessed life isn’t found in being potted but in being planted—rooted in God, drawing strength from His Word, His people, and His purpose. I. Two Ways to Live The righteous: rooted, fruitful, enduring, blessed by God. The wicked: rootless, unstable, blown away like chaff. Psalm...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Series: Welcome Home Week 5 Title: Welcome to the Party Scripture: Luke 15:23–24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4–5; Galatians 6:1–2; Matthew 18:20; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1 Big Idea: God doesn’t just forgive us privately—He restores us publicly. I. The Weight of Shame Shame convinces us to hide—just like Adam and Eve. Shame whispers: “Keep your story quiet. You’re better off...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Series: Welcome Home Week 4 Title: The Reckless Love of the Father Scripture: Luke 15:20–24 Big Idea: The Father’s love closes the distance, covers our shame, and restores our dignity. I. The Father Closes the Distance The father sees his son “while he was still a long way off” (v.20). Patriarchs didn’t run—but this father did. He risked shame to protect and embrace his son. G...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Big Idea: Religion keeps us near the Father’s house but far from the Father’s heart. The older brother obeyed the rules but missed the Father’s love. Pride turns obedience into slavery — “All these years I’ve been slaving for you…” (Luke 15:29). Pride compares and keeps score — “You never gave me even a young goat…” (Luke 15:29). Pride creates distance — “This son of yours…” (...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Main Passage: Luke 15:11–24 Big Idea: Freedom without the Father always ends in filth. Key Points: Entitlement – Wanting the benefits of God without His boundaries (Luke 15:12) Wild Living – Squandering God’s blessings on self-indulgence (Luke 15:13) Loss of Identity – Forgetting who we are when we forget whose we are (Luke 15:16–19) Cultural Parallels: Entitlement says, “I de...

SERMON PODCAST NOTES Main Passage: Luke 15:1–3, 11–32 Big Idea: Jesus tells a parable not just about a prodigal son—but about two sons, both lost in different ways, and one radically loving Father. Key Points: Two audiences : “Sinners and tax collectors” and “Pharisees and scribes” The younger son runs away—rebellion, indulgence, shame The older son stays close but grows bitter—self-righteousness,...

Title: Wrestling With Grace Text: Jonah 4:1–11 Big Idea: It’s possible to obey God outwardly but still resist Him inwardly. The real fight is often between our heart and His grace. I. Jonah’s Outrage at Mercy After Nineveh repents and God spares them, Jonah is furious. “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home?” (v. 2) Jonah obeyed God—but resented Him for being too gracious. He quot...

Title: God’s Not Done Text: Jonah 3:1–10 Big Idea: You can’t out-sin the mercy of God—and you’re never too far gone for a second chance. I. A God of Second Chances After rebellion, a storm, and three days in the belly of a fish, Jonah gets another shot: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” (Jonah 3:1) Jonah’s rescue wasn’t random—it was redemption . God didn’t discard Jonah—He...

Title: Waiting on God Text: Jonah 1:17 – 2:10 Big Idea: While you’re waiting, God is working—especially on your heart. I. Jonah’s Descent & Desperation Jonah ends up in the belly of a great fish—not by accident, but by divine appointment. He’s completely out of control, trapped in a place of darkness and regret. “Sometimes what we call punishment, God calls provision.” God’s mercy shows up in unli...