Wray Church of the Nazarene

True discipleship involves moving beyond mere association with Jesus to genuine apprenticeship. We are constantly being shaped by something—whether culture, fear, comfort, or Christ himself. Formation differs from information; it's the slow, intentional shaping of our inner life and outer habits to increasingly reflect Jesus's character. When Jesus called his first disciples, they immediat...

Ever wonder if your faith is actually real? Jesus gives us a surprising answer that has nothing to do with how much you pray or read your Bible. The evidence of genuine faith isn't what you might expect - it's Christ-shaped love flowing through your ordinary moments. What does love look like when Jesus is doing it through you instead of you trying to do it for Him? For sermon notes, recap,...

What if loving others isn't about trying harder, but about abiding deeper? Jesus calls us to love as He has loved us - not as another assignment, but as the natural fruit of staying connected to His love. Are you loving from obligation or from overflow? For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://sermons.wraynaz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For all our links, click here:...

Are you living FROM God's love or trying to live FOR it? There's a life-changing difference. Jesus doesn't say 'obey me and I'll love you' - He says 'I love you, now remain in that love.' What would change in your life if you truly believed His love isn't based on your performance? For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://sermo...

What if the difficult things in your life aren't punishment but proof that God is paying attention? When God prunes us, He's not cutting randomly - He's carefully removing what's crowding out our spiritual growth. The same hands that prune you are the ones that hold you through the process. Are you ready to trust the Gardener? For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠...

What if spiritual growth isn't about trying harder, but staying connected? Jesus said apart from me you can do nothing - not as condemnation, but as compassion. We were designed for connection, not performance. Are you chasing spiritual fruit or cultivating the relationship that naturally produces it? For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sermons.wraynaz.com...

As we enter a new year filled with pressure to do more and be better, Jesus offers something different than a list of demands. In John 15, he invites his disciples to remain in him like branches connected to a vine. This agricultural imagery emphasizes patience and organic growth over industrial efficiency and forced results. Instead of striving and performing, Jesus calls us to active dependence...

Gratitude isn't just a feeling—it's worship in motion that leads you straight back to Jesus! Like the healed leper who returned to thank Him, gratitude transforms our hearts and brings us into God's presence. Where is gratitude leading you today? For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sermons.wraynaz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For all our links, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

The world says think for yourself, but Paul says think like Christ. Are you being led by human wisdom or the Spirit of God? Discover what it really means to have the mind of Christ and why some truths can only be understood through divine revelation. The difference will transform how you see everything. For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sermons.wraynaz.com⁠⁠...

What if your greatest weakness could become your most powerful testimony? God has a habit of choosing the unlikely, the ordinary, and the broken to accomplish extraordinary things. The cross proves that divine strength is perfectly displayed through human weakness. Are you trying to impress others with your abilities, or are you allowing God to shine through your weakness? For sermon notes, recap,...

What unites us? Jesus. What divides us? Everything else. In a world that pressures us to choose sides, how can the church maintain unity without compromising truth? The answer might surprise you - it's not about agreeing on everything, but about fixing our eyes on the same Savior. For sermon notes, recap, and devotionals, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://sermons.wraynaz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For all our...

The church of Jesus Christ is called not to mirror culture or withdraw from it, but to  engage it with the heart and mind of Christ  — embodying truth, grace, and love in a world desperate for meaning and reconciliation. We begin a new series through Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church that focuses on what the church should look like and how it should engage in a culture that is very...

Thank you Lucas for sharing this week! Jesus knew His followers would face adversity for the next 2,000 years, so He provided three practical responses that remain relevant today. First, don't panic - choose faith over fear, remembering that the world is powerless against the spiritual realm. Second, trust God to provide what you need, viewing persecution as an opportunity to share the gospel...

Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 reminds us that we share the gospel with His authority, not our own. Our mission isn't to make converts but disciples—people who follow Jesus in every aspect of life. This requires long-term investment and patience, unlike our culture's preference for quick results. The command to 'go' creates urgency for today, not someday. Most impo...

Mission isn't reserved for special occasions but is woven into our everyday lives. Based on Colossians 4:2-6, living on mission begins with purposeful prayer that transforms our hearts to see others as Jesus does. It continues with living wisely among non-believers, where our conduct matches our message, and speaking graciously in a way that gives life and points to Jesus. We don't need sp...

In a world marked by division and violence, Jesus offers us a powerful model for breaking barriers and building bridges. Through His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, we see how Jesus intentionally crossed racial, gender, religious, and social boundaries to reach someone with truth and compassion. Rather than retreating to comfortable spaces or engaging in debates, Jesus approached o...

God's heart for the lost is beautifully illustrated in Jesus' parable of the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find just one that wandered away. This reveals how every single person matters deeply to God, regardless of their past or present circumstances. While we often create bubbles and keep uncomfortable people at a distance, Jesus modeled a different approach—actively seeking out those w...

This message kicks off a new series focused on a simple yet powerful idea: evangelism isn't about grand gestures or scary street-corner preaching, but about focusing on one person God has placed in our lives. It all begins not with guilt or obligation, but with the transforming love of Christ that compels us from within. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5, we're reminded that because Jesus rescu...

In a world that operates on 'an eye for an eye,' Romans 12:16-21 challenges us to break the cycle of evil by responding with good instead of retaliation. When wronged, our natural instinct is to hit back, but this only escalates conflict rather than resolving it. Living honorably means acting with integrity even toward those who hurt us, pursuing peace whenever possible, and showing radica...

When life's pressures reveal what's truly in our hearts, Romans 12 guides us toward a transformative response. Rather than reacting with bitterness or revenge when persecuted, we're called to bless those who hurt us—actively praying for their good. Paul challenges us to practice deep empathy by rejoicing with those celebrating and mourning with those grieving. Living in harmony require...

In Romans 12:13, Paul calls believers to share with those in need and practice hospitality as expressions of sincere love. These aren't optional extras but foundational aspects of Christian living that challenge our culture of independence and privacy. True sharing involves empathetic connection, not just material giving. Hospitality means actively pursuing opportunities to welcome others, not...

Romans 12:12 offers a powerful blueprint for navigating life's pressures: 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.' True Christian joy comes from anchoring our hope in God's unchanging promises rather than temporary circumstances. Patience means enduring hardship with trust in God's timing, recognizing that He often does His deepest work in our waiting. Pr...

Romans 12:11 provides a blueprint for vibrant Christian living, urging believers to maintain spiritual zeal and fervor while serving the Lord. Spiritual slothfulness manifests as delayed obedience and hesitation in following God's prompting. True zeal is action-oriented, focused on God's priorities, and reflects the Father's heart within us. To cultivate spiritual fervor, believers mus...

Brotherly love, or 'Philadelphia' in Greek, represents the deep familial bond that should characterize Christian relationships. This love goes beyond politeness to become loyal, sacrificial, and deeply committed. When we practice brotherly love, we stop keeping score, assume the best about others, and commit for the long haul. Romans 12:10 also challenges believers to 'outdo one anothe...

Genuine Christianity is marked by sincere love that goes beyond surface-level interactions. Based on Romans 12:9, authentic faith requires love without hypocrisy, actively opposing evil, and clinging tightly to what is good. This transformative love isn't just a feeling but compels action, reflecting Jesus' example of unconditional compassion. When we've been changed by God's grace...