Anchorage Baptist Temple

Continuing the Exodus series, Pastor Ron walks through plagues two through seven: frogs, gnats, flies, the death of livestock, boils, and hail. He ties each plague to the Egyptian god it dismantles: Heqet, Geb, Uatchit, Hathor and Apis, Isis and Imhotep, and Seth. The point of the plagues isn't only to defeat false gods. It is to announce to the whole world that there is one God, Yahweh.The message wrestles with the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Pharaoh hardens his own heart first, and only later does God harden it. Pastor Ron turns to Romans 9 to show that God is free to display his power however he chooses, and that we have no standing to put him on trial. He applies this to our lives: the tendency to negotiate with God's word, to repent only to escape consequences, and to come to worship while unreconciled with others. He also contrasts confessing God with truly fearing him. The message closes with the question Pharaoh's own servants ask, "How long?", and a call to surrender before our choices ruin the people around us. Pastor Ron also previews Sunday's message, "Why Does a Loving God Kill Women and Children?"

Some of the hardest questions in the "What Does the Bible Say?" series come from real life: a friend leaving their marriage, a son or daughter living in open rebellion, a loved one who has run from God. In this message, Pastor Ron works through how a Christian should respond, starting with how seriously God takes sin. He then walks through how Scripture calls us to confront in love, keep our standards consistent, and never close the door to restoration.He draws a clear line between a believer who is living in open rebellion and a lost person who doesn't know Christ. Love and truth belong together, and a relationship is not the same as an endorsement. Whatever it costs, the way back to Jesus must stay open.

In Exodus 5–7, Moses' first meeting with Pharaoh has just made things worse for Israel: double the work, no straw, and a people ready to blame him. Moses turns and questions God himself. God answers with a reminder of who he is: "I am the Lord," the God who remembers his covenant, redeems his people, and takes them as his own. The message looks at what happens when we let our circumstances drive our emotions, and why a daily reminder of who God is matters.The message then walks through the genealogy of Levi in chapter 6 and why it is placed in the middle of the story: it establishes the authority of Moses and Aaron. It ends with the first plague, when the Nile turns to blood. That plague is a direct challenge to Hapi, the Egyptian god of the Nile, and it leads to a closing question: what are you trusting in that you should be trusting God for?

What does the Bible actually say about sex?Not what culture says. Not what feels right.What God says.This message takes a direct, unflinching look at sex and sexuality — pornography, premarital sex, adultery, same-sex relationships, and transgender identity — through the lens of Scripture instead of cultural opinion. It traces God's original design for sex within marriage, confronts where our culture has separated sex from that design, and names the real cost of that separation.But it doesn't stop at conviction. It ends at the cross — with the reminder that no sexual past puts anyone beyond the grace of Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 4, Moses is still resisting God's call, and his excuses sound a lot like ours. This message picks up at excuse number three: "They won't believe me." God answers by asking what is already in Moses' hand and turning it into a sign. The staff becomes a snake, and Moses has to trust God enough to grab it by the tail. His hand turns leprous and is healed, and the Nile is promised to turn to blood. Together, the signs show that God controls everything, both nature and human life.Moses keeps going with excuses number four ("I'm not eloquent") and number five ("send someone else"), and God's anger is kindled. God still works it out by sending Aaron alongside him, but Moses loses part of what he could have been given. The story then takes a sharp turn on the road back to Egypt, where Moses' disobedience over circumcision reminds us that being called by God is not permission to be disobedient. The message ends with Moses and Aaron back in Egypt: the elders believe and worship, and Pharaoh answers, "Who is Yahweh?" It closes on a call to celebrate and worship the King and stop making excuses.

Conflict is a part of life, but Scripture gives us a clear path for handling it faithfully. In this message, we look at what the Bible says about examining our own hearts, going directly to the person involved, listening carefully, speaking truth with gentleness, confessing honestly, forgiving freely, and pursuing peace and restoration. Ultimately, biblical conflict resolution points us back to the gospel. Because Christ pursued us, forgave us, and reconciled us to God, we are able to pursue reconciliation with one another.

Picking up where Moses fled to Midian, this message walks through Exodus 3, where Moses meets God at the burning bush on the west side of Midian (which Pastor Ron identifies as Mount Sinai). The bush burns but is not consumed, a picture of God's self-sustaining holiness, and God calls Moses to take off his sandals on holy ground. God identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and tells Moses he has seen Israel's affliction and is sending him to Pharaoh.Moses' first response, "Who am I?", becomes the pattern for every excuse that follows: God answers not by building up Moses, but by promising his own presence, "I will be with you," a promise echoed in the Great Commission. God then reveals his name, "I Am Who I Am" (Yahweh), and lays out the plan: gather the elders, go to Pharaoh, and expect resistance that only his mighty hand will overcome. The message closes on Israel plundering Egypt as they leave and a call to make disciples the same way God once called Moses.

Engage Your Destiny: Decrease So He Can IncreaseGuest speaker Ben Peterson, founder of Engage Your Destiny, brings a message about identity, culture, and what it takes to walk fully with God in this cultural moment.Using a historical pattern — hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times — Ben challenges us to recognize where we are in this cycle and what it will take for the church to rise in this hour. He unpacks how technology and social media are conditioning our attention away from God, and connects that pattern all the way back to the Tower of Babel.But the heart of the message is identity. Ben challenges us to stop striving to prove we're enough and instead receive our true identity in Christ — sons who are leaders, daughters of the King, no longer working for victory, but working from it. The message closes with a powerful invitation to lay down what competes for our attention and affection, and to fully receive who God says we are.

The Wednesday night study returns to Exodus after the summer break and covers chapters 1 and 2. Israel has grown from 70 people into a strong nation, but a new king rises who doesn't know Joseph. When you forget your history and stay distant from your neighbors, fear takes over. Pharaoh answers with control: taskmasters, heavy burdens, and finally a decree against Israel's baby boys. The message contrasts that pressure with the Hebrew midwives, who feared God more than the king. God blesses them, and Israel keeps growing.The focus then turns to one family from the tribe of Levi and the baby they hide, place in a basket on the Nile, and watch God rescue through Pharaoh's own daughter. The message follows Moses from Egyptian prince to a man who acts on his own and has to flee, then to a shepherd in Midian, where he defends the underdog and meets Jethro. It closes with Israel finally crying out to God after 350 years, and God remembering his covenant. The point throughout: every life is part of God's story, and it is for his glory.

Living As Though Jesus Is SaviorWe say we believe Jesus is our Savior — but does it actually show?In this message, we finish our series in the Gospel of Mark by asking a question every believer has to answer honestly: if Jesus really is your Savior, how does that change the way you live?We look at what it means to truly call on Jesus — not just to know about Him, but to depend on Him daily. We talk about the temptation to return to old patterns of sin, what it means to trust Him in the middle of the storm, and why so many of us keep quiet about the very thing that changed our lives.This isn't a message about head knowledge. It's a challenge to ask: do I really believe what I say I believe — enough that it shapes my choices, my relationships, and my witness?If you've never given your life to Christ, this message ends with an invitation — because today can be the day everything changes.

Who Are You? Discovering Your Identity Through the Trial of JesusIn this message, we step into one of the most intense moments in the Gospels — Jesus standing trial before the high priest, falsely accused, and asked directly: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" His answer changes everything.Walking through Mark 14:53–65, this message unpacks five things Jesus reveals about His identity in that moment — that He is sinless, willing, silent when falsely accused, unashamed to declare who He truly is, and willing to suffer for us. Each of these becomes a mirror: if Jesus is sinless, we're confronted with our own sin. If He was willing to lay down His life, we're invited to respond with repentance and surrender.From there, the message turns to a question every person eventually has to answer: Who are you? Not what you do, not how you feel, not what culture tells you to believe about yourself — but who you actually are. It challenges the idea that identity is something we feel our way into, and instead points to a steadier foundation: we are sinners in need of a Savior, called to confess, repent, and live as people who exist to glorify God.Along the way, the message doesn't shy away from real, present-day tension — touching on cultural conversations around identity, sexuality, and the value of life, as well as the church's role in civic engagement during election season. It closes with a direct, personal invitation: to stop defining yourself by feelings, failures, or labels, and to find your identity in who Jesus says you are.You'll walk away with a clearer answer to one question: if Jesus knew exactly who He was — even while being falsely accused, mocked, and condemned — what would it look like for you to know exactly who you are?

What does it actually cost to follow Jesus? In this message from Luke 14:26–33, Wesley walks through Jesus' own words to the crowds who followed Him — words that demand a radical reordering of priorities. Drawing from personal stories about basketball, marriage, and an unfinished home renovation project, Wesley breaks down three characteristics of a devoted follower of Jesus: they love Jesus above everything else, they count the cost before they commit, and they surrender everything — not just the easy parts — to Him. The message closes with Peter's invitation in Acts 2, calling listeners to respond not out of guilt, but out of a genuine, cut-to-the-heart recognition of who Jesus is. Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're hearing this for the first time, this is an invitation to ask: is my faith right now driven by convenience, or by conviction?

A missionary serving in Benin, West Africa shares an on-fire update on what God is doing on the mission field — from 16 to 23 church plants in a matter of months, whole families coming to Christ, baptisms in a backyard swimming pool, and believers paying a real cost to follow Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 136, he unpacks five reasons we give God thanks: He is good, He is Lord, He is our Creator, He is our Redeemer, and His mercy endures forever — illustrated through the parable of the prodigal son (better named "the parable of the good father"). A challenging, personal call to wake up from comfort, make disciples, and remember that the same Great Commission given overseas has been given to us right here at home.

Fear is a quiet architect. It builds walls in our relationships, talks us out of our callings, and keeps us comfortable when God is calling us to be courageous. But Scripture points us to a different kind of fear, a holy reverence for God that doesn't shrink us, it sets us free. In this message, we explore how the fear of the Lord replaces the fear of man, opening the door to deeper intimacy, real boldness, and the abundant life we were made for. Whether you're feeling stuck, playing it safe, or simply hungry for more, come as you are. There's room for you here, and a God who meets you right where you are.

Jesus didn't just claim authority — he gave it away. In this final message of our authority series, we open Mark 3:13–15 and discover the four biblical conditions through which Christ's authority flows into everyday life: abiding with Jesus, obeying his commands, speaking his message, and acting in his name. If you've ever felt powerless as a Christian — at work, at home, or in your own struggles with sin — this message is for you. Authority isn't reserved for pastors or apostles. It's been granted to you.

Jesus didn't just claim authority — he gave it away. In this final message of our authority series, we open Mark 3:13–15 and discover the four biblical conditions through which Christ's authority flows into everyday life: abiding with Jesus, obeying his commands, speaking his message, and acting in his name. If you've ever felt powerless as a Christian — at work, at home, or in your own struggles with sin — this message is for you. Authority isn't reserved for pastors or apostles. It's been granted to you.

What do you do when the worst thing that ever happened to you turns out to be part of God's greatest plan? In this message from Genesis 44–45, Pastor Ron walks us through one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture — the moment Joseph reveals himself to the brothers who sold him into slavery. Through Joseph's story, we discover what it looks like to trust God with your pain, live by your word, own the weight of unconfessed sin, and extend grace to people who don't deserve it. If you've ever wondered whether God can redeem the broken chapters of your story, this message is for you.

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of your Christian walk — checking boxes, following rules — only to feel more exhausted than fulfilled? In this message from Mark 2:23-28, we discover why Jesus confronted the Pharisees over a grain field — and what it reveals about how easily our faith can drift from relationship to religion. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us that God's commands were never meant to weigh us down. They were designed to give us rest, restore our joy, and refocus our eyes on the people around us. If your faith has started to feel like a burden, this message is for you.CHAPTER REFERENCES:Mark 2:23-281 John 3:16-18James 2:15-17Genesis 2:1-3Exodus 20:8-111 Samuel 21

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions of your Christian walk — checking boxes, following rules — only to feel more exhausted than fulfilled? In this message from Mark 2:23-28, we discover why Jesus confronted the Pharisees over a grain field — and what it reveals about how easily our faith can drift from relationship to religion. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us that God's commands were never meant to weigh us down. They were designed to give us rest, restore our joy, and refocus our eyes on the people around us. If your faith has started to feel like a burden, this message is for you.CHAPTER REFERENCES:Mark 2:23-281 John 3:16-18James 2:15-17Genesis 2:1-3Exodus 20:8-111 Samuel 21

When four friends carried a paralyzed man to Jesus, they came believing he needed healing. But Jesus saw something deeper — a greater need the man didn't even know he had.In this message from Mark 2:1–12, Pastor Tom Kobar walks us through three powerful truths: faith is always evidenced by action, forgiveness of sin reveals the divinity of Christ, and unbelief reveals itself through accusation. Along the way, we're confronted with the same question the scribes faced that day — who is Jesus, really, and does he have the authority to forgive your sin?We all have real needs: relationships, health, financial stability, mental wellness. But scripture points us to something greater than all of them. Jesus sees your deepest need, has the authority to meet it, and invites you to place your faith in him today.Part of Mountain City Church's ongoing series through the Gospel of Mark.Mark 2:1–12 (primary text)Mark 1 (context — healing of the leper)Hebrews 11:1James 2:18Psalm 41:4Psalm 103:3John 9:1–7Daniel 7 (Son of Man reference)Romans 3:262 Corinthians 5:21

When four friends carried a paralyzed man to Jesus, they came believing he needed healing. But Jesus saw something deeper — a greater need the man didn't even know he had.In this message from Mark 2:1–12, Pastor Tom Kobar walks us through three powerful truths: faith is always evidenced by action, forgiveness of sin reveals the divinity of Christ, and unbelief reveals itself through accusation. Along the way, we're confronted with the same question the scribes faced that day — who is Jesus, really, and does he have the authority to forgive your sin?We all have real needs: relationships, health, financial stability, mental wellness. But scripture points us to something greater than all of them. Jesus sees your deepest need, has the authority to meet it, and invites you to place your faith in him today.Part of Mountain City Church's ongoing series through the Gospel of Mark.Mark 2:1–12 (primary text)Mark 1 (context — healing of the leper)Hebrews 11:1James 2:18Psalm 41:4Psalm 103:3John 9:1–7Daniel 7 (Son of Man reference)Romans 3:262 Corinthians 5:21

What makes Jesus different from every other teacher? In Mark 1, Jesus steps into the synagogue and teaches — and everything shifts. Not because of His credentials, but because of His authority. His words carry weight. Even demons respond. In this message, we unpack what it means that Jesus isn't just a wise voice among many — He is the authority. And if that's true, it changes how we read His Word, how we follow His commands, and how we answer the one question that matters most: Do I actually believe it?

What makes Jesus different from every other teacher? In Mark 1, Jesus steps into the synagogue and teaches — and everything shifts. Not because of His credentials, but because of His authority. His words carry weight. Even demons respond. In this message, we unpack what it means that Jesus isn't just a wise voice among many — He is the authority. And if that's true, it changes how we read His Word, how we follow His commands, and how we answer the one question that matters most: Do I actually believe it?

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But are we following the real Jesus described in Scripture, or a version we've shaped to fit our own preferences? In this first message of our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Preston takes us to Mark 1:1-11 to meet the Jesus who showed up in real history, was announced by a prophet, affirmed by the Father, and declared worthy of our full surrender. If Jesus is who Mark says he is, there's only one right response: repent, believe, and follow him.

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But are we following the real Jesus described in Scripture, or a version we've shaped to fit our own preferences? In this first message of our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Preston takes us to Mark 1:1-11 to meet the Jesus who showed up in real history, was announced by a prophet, affirmed by the Father, and declared worthy of our full surrender. If Jesus is who Mark says he is, there's only one right response: repent, believe, and follow him.

AJ Hurley, National Outreach Director for the White Rose Resistance, delivers a bold and urgent call to the church to stop outsourcing the fight for life and start living like the truth actually costs something. Drawing from John 12, his years as a respiratory therapist at UCLA Medical Center, and frontline pro-life activism, AJ challenges believers to confront the silence and apathy that has allowed abortion to persist in America for over 50 years. This is not a political message. It is a gospel one.

Every defining moment in history has one thing in common: God was there — and so was the enemy, trying to rewrite what it meant. From creation to the fall of man, from Noah's flood to the empty tomb, Satan's strategy has never changed: lie, deny, and distract. But this Easter, we're reclaiming the story. God's truth isn't just ancient history — it's your history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all of human existence, and it means the debt has been fully paid, the sentence has been served, and the battle has been won. Don't let the enemy false-advertise the greatest moment of your life.

Every defining moment in history has one thing in common: God was there — and so was the enemy, trying to rewrite what it meant. From creation to the fall of man, from Noah's flood to the empty tomb, Satan's strategy has never changed: lie, deny, and distract. But this Easter, we're reclaiming the story. God's truth isn't just ancient history — it's your history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all of human existence, and it means the debt has been fully paid, the sentence has been served, and the battle has been won. Don't let the enemy false-advertise the greatest moment of your life.

You believe. You show up. You serve. But what if you've been missing the one thing that matters most?In this message, we confront a dangerous and comfortable lie — that living a good Christian life is enough, even when we're silent about the Gospel. Drawing from Matthew 13, Pastor unpacks the Parable of the Sower and reveals what it really means to follow Jesus: not just believing, but living on mission.The seed is the Word. The field is the world. And you've been called to sow.Not every heart will receive it. Not every life will bear fruit. But the question worth sitting with is: what kind of soil are you — and are you even planting?If you recently put your faith in Jesus, we're celebrating with you. Take your next step: mountaincity.church/visit

What do you really want? Peace in your marriage. Purpose in your work. Joy that lasts. Most of us are asking the right questions but looking in all the wrong places.In this message, Pastor Ron walks through the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to uncover a truth that cuts against everything culture tells us: you cannot receive what you are unwilling to give. Satan's greatest lie is that you can have everything Christ promises without surrendering everything Christ requires.Whatever your question, whatever your struggle, whatever the desire of your heart, the answer is found in one place and one person. And whatever the cost, it will be worth the loss.Luke 18:18–29 — The rich young ruler (main passage)John 18:37 — Pilate's exchange with Jesus on truthLuke 6:38 — "Give and it will be given unto you..."

What do you really want? Peace in your marriage. Purpose in your work. Joy that lasts. Most of us are asking the right questions but looking in all the wrong places.In this message, Pastor Ron walks through the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to uncover a truth that cuts against everything culture tells us: you cannot receive what you are unwilling to give. Satan's greatest lie is that you can have everything Christ promises without surrendering everything Christ requires.Whatever your question, whatever your struggle, whatever the desire of your heart, the answer is found in one place and one person. And whatever the cost, it will be worth the loss.Luke 18:18–29 — The rich young ruler (main passage)John 18:37 — Pilate's exchange with Jesus on truthLuke 6:38 — "Give and it will be given unto you..."

Colossians 3:23 says to work as unto the Lord, not unto men. Joseph didn't just know that verse — he lived it in chains. Genesis 39 shows us a man who turned slavery into stewardship, resisted temptation without a word, and found favor in prison because his character never depended on his circumstances. Pastor Ron brings this ancient story home with a direct challenge: your boss, your household, and the people around you should be experiencing blessing simply because you fear the Lord. Are they?

How do you know when to say yes and when to hold your ground?In Nehemiah 6, the walls of Jerusalem are nearly finished. But just before the work is complete, the enemies show up again, not with swords this time, but with invitations, open letters, hired prophets, and double agents inside the house.In this message, we walk through the remarkable discernment Nehemiah had in the middle of enormous pressure. He could tell the difference between an opportunity and a distraction, a warning and manipulation, a friend and a deceiver, a risk and a trap and it all came down to one thing: he knew the Word.Whether you're navigating a tough decision at work, tension at home, or pressure from people around you, this message will give you practical, biblical tools to hear clearly and move wisely.Discernment isn't just for a select few. It's for anyone willing to get into God's Word and that includes you!

 In one of the Bible's most unexpected chapters, God interrupts the story of Joseph to zoom in on Judah — a man running from guilt, compromised by culture, and blind to his own hypocrisy. Genesis 38 is a raw, unfiltered portrait of what happens when we drift from God, suppress our sin, and project our shame onto others. But it's also the story of Tamar — a woman overlooked, sidelined, and wronged — whose quiet, steadfast righteousness earns her a place in the very bloodline of Jesus Christ. This message challenges us to ask the hard question: what are we hiding? Because God doesn't expose our sin to humiliate us — He exposes it to heal us, restore us, and use us for something far greater than we could imagine.

It's easy to get so focused on the task in front of us that we forget the people standing right beside us. In Nehemiah 5, we watch a skilled project manager step outside his lane not because he had to, but because he genuinely cared. This message unpacks what it looks like to lead with integrity, confront injustice with courage, and never lose sight of the people behind the project.

You've heard the voice. Later. Later, when life slows down. Later, when things make more sense. Later, when you feel more ready.But what if "later" is a lie?In this message, we confront one of the most dangerous deceptions we face — not rebellion, not doubt, but delay. Through the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, Jesus warns us that the greatest risk isn't refusing to follow Him. It's assuming we have more time than we do.Life is a vapor. Moments become memories faster than we expect. And the door does not stay open forever.Scripture doesn't say "tomorrow is the day of salvation." It says now.Whether you've been putting off surrender, a hard conversation, or simply getting serious about your faith — this message is for you.The King is coming. Will you be ready?Take a Next StepRecently put your faith in Jesus? We're celebrating with you.

What do you do when opposition moves from mockery to real threat? In this episode of Forward Motion, Pastor Chris Carter walks through Nehemiah chapter 4, where the enemies of Jerusalem ramp up their tactics and the people of God have to make a choice, abandon the mission or pick up a sword and keep building. We explore what it looks like to pray first, protect what matters, and refuse to quit even when the work gets hard. Whether it's your family, your faith, or your calling, some things are worth fighting for.