Audio – Grace Baptist Church | Pekin, IL

With global tension rising—wars, political unrest, and fears of what's next—it's no wonder many are asking, “Are we living in the end times?” In 1 Thessalonians 4–5, Paul speaks to a church filled with similar questions and fears, offering not panic, but peace—and a call to live with readiness. This sermon will help you see the headlines through a biblical lens, find comfort in God's promises, and walk with urgent hope as we await Christ's return.

Most dads clock out of one job only to clock into another—often more important—second shift at home. Discover how Paul's example gives every dad a “job description” for engaging, comforting, and guiding their children with purpose. If you've ever felt the tension between exhaustion and responsibility, this message offers hope, help, and a call to something greater.

Our teens are leaving for camp, most of them just finished their school year, and several recently graduated. It is easy to look at a time like this in our lives and consider the steps of faith that are needed. But each of us are being called to take steps of faith every single day. What is it that God is calling you to do?

“My kid wants to be just like me...and it scares me to death!” What if the struggles you're facing today didn't start with you—but with generations before you? This message explores how patterns of sin like deception, anger, or addiction can quietly pass from parent to child, but also how one decision, grounded in faith, can break the cycle. Discover how the gospel doesn't just forgive sin—it rewrites family legacies.

As we follow Jesus, there are certain things that need to be “put on.”

Have you ever felt overlooked, unwanted, or like you'll never measure up—no matter how hard you try? In the tangled story of Leah, Rachel, and Jacob, we discover how comparison and control can't fill the emptiness only God was meant to satisfy.

Mother's Day can stir up a wide range of emotions—joy, gratitude, pain, or even loss. Whether you're celebrating or struggling, this message from the life of Jacob is a reminder that no matter how messy life gets, God is with you. In times of trouble, transition, or uncertainty, we don't need all the answers—we just need to remember the One who never leaves our side.

Would you trade a sizable inheritance for a Value Meal?! Esau traded his legacy for a moment of relief—how often do we do the same without realizing it? This message will help you spot the lie before you surrender what matters most.

Ever feel like you're constantly chasing something—approval, success, identity—while pretending you've got it all together? This message unpacks the internal conflict between who we are and who we pretend to be, and how the path to true transformation begins not with perfection, but with honesty.

Do you know the part in the movie where everything goes wrong right before the hero shows up?! What if the darkest moment(s) in your life are exactly where Jesus plans to show up and rewrite the story? In this Easter message from John 20, we explore how Jesus not only rose from the grave but also began a work that turns our deepest pain into lasting hope.

We've all fallen for the “this time it'll be different” leader—like trying to fix a leaky roof with duct tape and good vibes. This sermon walks through Israel's demand for a king, our own craving for someone to rescue us, and how Jesus flips all those expectations upside down. If you've ever felt let down by people you trusted, you'll want to hear about the one King who never disappoints.

What is it that you want right now?!? We all chase after things we think will satisfy—success, stuff, relationships—but somehow, it's never enough. Judas made the same mistake, seeing Jesus as a means to an end rather than the true source of life. What if the very things we're craving are keeping us from the only One who can truly satisfy?

With a sermon title like this, it's easy to think about how we're too busy, too tired, or just don't like people. :) But...if we're going to “follow Jesus,” we must learn to “follow” His example. This sermon might step on your toes… but hey, at least Jesus is offering to wash them!

In Mark 7 we see a tension between Jesus and the religious leaders over a ceremonial hand-washing tradition and why the disciples didn't wash their hands before eating. Jesus shares three warnings to the Pharisees about wrong priorities that are equally as applicable to us today as they were to them back then.

Recent surveys have indicated that between 60 and 80% of adults report feelings of loneliness and isolation. Other surveys have proven that loneliness and isolation are as damaging to a person's overall health as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. Something has to change! We need community. Following a sermon series on Real Love, Mark walks us through what it means to be loved by, and connected to, God and others.

Why is it so easy to ‘love' things that don't really matter? Then, we struggle to show ‘love' to the things that actually matter? Guest speaker, Thomas Osterkamp, shows us how I Corinthians 13 answers these questions.

Love is GREAT...until we're hurt, let down, or disappointed. How does ‘real love' respond in these times? Discover how ‘real love,' even when tested, can transform relationships and never fails!

Have you ever tried really hard to love someone...only for your efforts to be met with rejection, resistance, or resentment?! This study of I Corinthians 13 will challenge our understanding of love and show us the true source of love that never fails.

We all “lean in” a bit when someone says, “Let me make this clear.” Jesus' final words of John 12 cause us to “lean in” as He challenges us to confront the truth, examine our own faith, and respond to the light before it's too late.

Most of us have said, “No” to a child, a pet, or a salesman...but what about to GOD?! What happens when you tell GOD, “No?” Why would a person tell God, “No?” Both of these answers are clearly answered in this text from John 12.

Do you remember playing “follow the leader?” In this passage, Jesus uses a seed to illustrate what it looks like to follow Him.

“Inauguration” and “insurrection” are words referenced in modern politics. In this passage, we see BOTH of them! Join us as we see practical truth and application that will help us...whether you're into politics, or not!

Mary washes FEET with her HAIR with about $7200 worth of perfume. Judas lies. They decide to kill Lazarus. This is a wild, yet familiar, story. BUT, there is something that you CANNOT miss in it...

Sports. Most people love them or hate them. Did you know that God actually uses sports to teach us what it looks like to walk (or “run”) with Him?! Whether you're chasing a physical trophy or eternal crowns, this message will challenge you to reflect on how you're living and inspire you to run with intentionality in 2025.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly live a life that positions you for God's blessing? In this message, we step “behind the scenes” of Mary's life in Luke 1 to discover three resolutions she lived by that can help us in facing a New Year.

If your life feels chaotic this season, this sermon offers hope that God is at work, even when it seems like everything is going wrong. We dive into the familiar story of Luke 2, revealing how Mary and Joseph faced challenge after challenge leading up to Jesus' birth. From their journey, we uncover practical truths about navigating life's messiness.

Life doesn't always go the way we expect, does it? Plans get interrupted, and we're left grappling with fear and uncertainty. But what if those interruptions aren't accidents? What if they're part of God's bigger plan? In this sermon, we look at the story of the shepherds in Luke 2—ordinary men with ordinary plans—who had their night completely turned upside down by an angelic announcement.

Let's be real...following Jesus isn't a cakewalk! Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing. In this sermon about the wise men, we learn some helpful insights for these times.

Whether you're wanting something to STOP, START, or CONTINUE...it's often that we see that God works on His own timetable and with His own plans. The story of Zachariah and Elisabeth help us learn what to do during these times.

Overwhelmed? Broken? Anxious? Hurting? Philippians 4 gives us a detailed path to peace during these difficult times.

Most Christians know that we're **supposed** to talk to others about Jesus, but often find it difficult or awkward. This study of the Apostle Andrew gives us practical advice on how to talk to others about Jesus.

Pastor Bob Clark from Danvers, IL helps us see how the Gospel changes everything in this study of Philemon.

In the heat of this election season, the story of the fallout from the resurrection of Lazarus reminds us that “Jesus > Politics.” This truth should impact the way we vote and the way we treat others.

It comes fairly easy to believe that “Jesus Loves Me” when everything is going smoothly in life...but what about in the difficult times? In this sermon, we discover the difference it makes in our trials when we believe that Jesus loves us.

If you've tried to live by faith for any amount of time...you have found yourself frustrated. Far too often, God does not operate according to our plans or our timetables. Join us as we learn that ‘pain has purpose' in this ‘lesson from Lazarus.'

Dave McCroskey brought this message on our Missions Emphasis Sunday.

Whether it's Jason Bourne, Liam Neeson, or the Lone Ranger...we may get a great story...but NOT a great example to follow. Spiritually, we NEED others because “we were not designed to follow Jesus alone.”Join us as we talk about the spiritual discipline of Community and how it helps us to pursue Jesus more effectively.

This HAS to be one of our favorite commands in Scripture! Take a day off? Yes, please! In an ever-increasingly hectic society, Sabbath is needed now possibly more than ever. Join us as we learn how taking a day off can help us more effectively pursue Jesus.

Jesus talks about money in about 15% of his teachings (that's more than he talked about heaven/hell). This sermon takes an honest look at what it looks like to follow Jesus with our finances.

We all know we SHOULD read the Bible, but only 1 in 4 Christians do (on a regular basis). Could it be that we struggle with it because we simply don't know how to read the Bible? Join us as we learn what this looks like!

Prayer. Is there anything that is easier to explain and harder to practice?! In this sermon, we explore the practical guidance on prayer given in the Lord's Prayer.

So many of our prayers are no different than someone ‘wishing on a star.' This study of Paul's prayers will help us learn to pray ‘spiritual' prayers.

What does the Bible REALLY say about fasting? Are we supposed to fast? What is it supposed to look like? The answers might surprise you...

When you think of “following Jesus,” what comes to mind? What does it really look like to “follow” Him? It starts with resolving to “be with Him.”

Does God really even care about ME?! There is so much going on in the world, does He have time to be concerned with MY life? These questions are answered in Jesus' declaration, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

In this study, Mark leads us through what it looks like to question, to trust, and to change.

Out of all the items that Jesus could have used to illustrate His Person and power...why did He choose a ‘door?!'

We often hear about how God is working behind the scenes in our lives. Through the story of the blind man, we get some insight into how we can become more aware of God's pursuit of us.

There are certain things in life that we “just know,” well...we “think” we know. I'm looking at you that sings the wrong lyrics to that song!! :) This passage helps us to have clarity about the most consequential thing in our lives...our relationship with God and how we interact with Him.

Jesus calls us out of darkness and into the light of life because he is the light of the world. This happens when we are changed by understanding and accepting the truth of who Jesus is and what he came to do.