Community Church

We're taking a deeper dive into the parts of the last message that didn't make it into the final cut and exploring the rest of God's self-description to Moses in Exodus 34, including the confusing and often misunderstood part about punishing future generations. What's actually going on here? And how does this fit into a picture of a good and loving God?If you haven't watched or listened to the last message yet, check that out first—it sets the stage for everything we cover here.

In seasons of uncertainty, the most helpful thing may not be answers or clear outcomes, but a clearer picture of who God is. This message begins with the ancient prayer, “Show me your glory,” and explores God's description of Himself: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. These traits provide a solid foundation for trust when everything else feels uncertain.

Ever feel like life was finally clicking—then suddenly everything fell apart? This message dives into the story of Abram, an ancient figure who hit a major roadblock just as things were going right. It's not just about old stories—it's about what we do when our plans unravel, and how looking back at moments that grounded us can actually help us move forward with more clarity and confidence.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: “What do we do when things don't go according to plan?”8:02 – God calls Abram; he builds altars13:05 – The famine hits; Abram goes to Egypt17:53 – Egypt detour unravels; God intervenes22:23 – Abram returns to the altar—why it matters today29:15 – Practical application: Building altars in your lifeLike & Subscribe:Enjoyed this message? Tap like and subscribe

In this message from the B.C. series, we dive into the remarkable story of Esther—a biblical book where God is never mentioned. If you've ever wondered where God is in your chaos, silence, or uncertainty, this message will resonate.

We kicked off our new series, “B.C”, we explore the Genesis story of Adam and Eve—not as ancient myth, but as a pattern we all repeat. At the core is a question we still face today: Who defines what is good—us or God? Jesus steps in as the true image of God, inviting us to trust Him with the definition of goodness.Key Takeaways:

In the final message of the “To & Through” series, we explore the radical idea that God has entrusted us with what we have, not just to manage it, but to reflect His character through it. We're looking at what it means to live as ambassadors and stewards—people who use what they've been given to show the world what God is like.Timestamps:0:00 – Chasing Growth the Wrong Way3:45 – Why Jesus Talked About Money So Much8:30 – Identity Check: Ambassadors & Stewards15:00 – Your Generosity Reflects God's Generosity34:00 – What If: A Dream for the Most Generous ChurchResources & Next Steps:

What if the biggest threat to your peace isn't pressure—but misplaced trust?In this message, we launch the To and Through series with a surprising metaphor from a children's book: a pigeon that insists on driving the bus. It's a light-hearted picture of a deeper truth—how something persistent and persuasive (like fear, control, or even our pursuit of provision) can start steering our lives. Jesus invites us into a better way: to live from abundance, not anxiety. This isn't about giving something up—it's about taking hold of a life rooted in trust and radical generosity.Key Takeaway:You can't serve both God and something else—not because you shouldn't, but because you can't. This message will help you reclaim who (or what) drives your life, and how generosity can actually grow your faith.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & “Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”02:00 – Who or What is in the Driver's Seat?06:30 – The Connection Between Trust and Generosity13:00 – Why Generosity Frees You to Live from Abundance20:00 – A Better Way: Life That Is Truly Life

When church becomes a place to pretend, everyone loses.In Part Three of our Church Hurt series, we dive into one of the biggest reasons people walk away from church: hypocrisy. Jesus didn't come for those who have it all together—He came for those honest enough to admit they don't. This message explores the pressure to perform, the harm of image management, and the freedom to embrace your imperfections. You don't have to fake it. You can bring your hurt to church.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – A Place for the Hurting or the Performing?5:51 – Jesus Calls Out the Fakes10:02 – Red Flags in Church Culture17:05 – The Crushing Weight of Image Management25:30 – You Can Be Flawed, Just Don't Be Fake

What do you do when the place meant to bring hope ends up causing pain?In this message, Lou walks through four levels of church hurt—from tough love to deep wounds—and offers a path toward healing. Whether you've experienced shame, betrayal, manipulation, or even abuse within the church, you're not alone. And it was never supposed to be this way.This message isn't about pointing fingers—it's about finding clarity, healing, and the kind of honesty that creates healthier communities.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Jesus' vision for the Church06:00 – Four types of church hurt07:15 – Tough love (why it stings but helps)12:00 – Frustration (the cost of community)18:00 – Pain (when trust is broken)24:44 – Abuse (when authority is misused)35:00 – Real steps for healing

We all wrestle with shame — but what happens when shame finds a home in the very place that's supposed to heal it? This message kicks off a new series on Church Hurt and explores one of the deepest dysfunctions that can quietly take root: shame. Pulling from the Genesis origin story, modern research, and real life experiences, this message uncovers why shame thrives where performance matters more than progress — and why the Gospel offers a radically different story. If you've ever felt "not enough," doubted your worth, or wondered if you truly belong, this is for you. You are deeply loved, even at your lowest, and the church should be the safest place for you to bring your whole self.Timestamps:3:50 - How Dysfunction Hurts the Church7:00 - Humanity's Origin Story & Shame's Entrance13:00 - How Shame Speaks into Our Identity20:00 - When Churches Reinforce Shame Instead of Healing It29:00 - Why Your Worst Moment Doesn't Define YouResources & Next Steps:• Dive deeper with resources at communitychurch.net/series-resources• Find your next step at communitychurch.net/connect

Jesus told his followers that they'd respond to his resurrection with joy… but initially, none of them did.This Easter, we're talking about the way the people closest to Jesus responded to the resurrection—and more importantly—how he responded to their responses.Whether you're disappointed, skeptical, or just unsure about the whole thing, this message reminds us of one powerful truth: when we show up, he shows up.

If you've ever felt like you owe God, this is for you.In Part Two of Table Manners, we explore the meaning behind Jesus' words at His final meal. Communion isn't about earning grace or paying God back. It's a moment to reflect on what has already been accomplished. This isn't a transaction—it's an invitation to rest in grace.

What would you do if you had all the power in the world? Jesus' answer flips everything upside down.In this kickoff to our series “Table Manners,” we take a closer look at one of the most unexpected, awkward, and countercultural moments in Jesus' life—the moment he washed his disciples' feet. He wasn't just being nice. He was making a point, and the message still hits today: if you want to follow Jesus, it starts with humility, sacrifice, and serving even those who least deserve it.

What if following Jesus isn't just about what you believe or where you go on Sunday... but about who you're becoming and what you're doing?In the final part of our series The Way, we explore the third and final goal of following Jesus—doing what He did. This message connects the dots between being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and carrying His work forward in our everyday lives. This isn't about pressure—it's about purpose. Jesus invites us into a story that's bigger than ourselves—and better than we imagined.Whether faith is new to you or you've been around church for a while, this message will help you see why your everyday life matters more than you think.

In Part 3 of The Way, we explore what Jesus truly offered: a path to becoming like Him. Many of us have adopted a version of faith that focuses on behavior, beliefs, or rituals—but Jesus called His followers disciples, and that word meant something powerful. It wasn't just about learning; it was about becoming.Timestamps:3:39 - Jesus Came to Offer a Way to Follow10:16 - Who Are You Becoming?19:02 - The One Thing That Defines a Disciple27:02 - How We Are Being Formed (And Why It Matters)

Still hitting roadblocks? Maybe the problem isn't them… We're wrapping up Hot Mess by talking about one of the biggest relationship killers—and it's something we all do without even realizing it. Jesus had a lot to say about how we judge, criticize, and assume things about others—and (spoiler) we're way more confident than we are capable when it comes to understanding people's intentions.So what if the best way to fix your relationships isn't about fixing the other person at all?

What do you do when things go wrong–when you're hurt, insulted, offended or let-down? How do you move forward without falling apart? This week, we're talking about the importance of handling conflict, and we're exploring the steps that lead to reconciliation. The Process: 1. Know your motive.2. Know your story.3. Share your motive.4. Share your story.5. Listen to their story.6. Own your part in the story.7. Ask for what you want.8. Take action.List adapted from: Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler and Emily Gregory ➡️

Loving well requires learning well. Healthy relationships aren't copy-paste—they're custom-built. Are we looking beyond our own perspective and considering how our actions and words are received by others? Are we speaking in a language they understand? Are we meeting their specific needs for love and respect?By learning to serve one another and communicate effectively, we can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships—ones that truly reflect God's love in our lives.

According to an 85-year Harvard study, the quality of our relationships is the biggest factor in our overall life satisfaction. But as we all know, people are complicated, and relationships can get messy. We're looking at how our desires can shift to expectations in relationships over time—leading to frustration, disappointment, and even resentment.Paul's teaching on mutual submission offers a different approach. Instead of aiming for a 50-50 balance, he introduces a model that gives 100-100—fully showing up for each other, not out of obligation, but out of love. This mindset shifts our focus from keeping score to building trust, gratitude, and deeper connection. When we approach relationships this way, they become stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling.

In the conclusion of the series, we explore the transformative power of faith and its ability to make a real difference in our lives. Through two contrasting stories—the centurion's great faith and Jesus' hometown's lack of faith—we see how our internal beliefs can profoundly impact external circumstances.Key Takeaway: Faith isn't about specific outcomes or emotions. It's about confidence in Jesus, rooted in knowing and trusting God. As we deepen our relationship with Him, His presence works more powerfully in our lives, even when circumstances don't match our expectations.This message challenges us to reflect on our own faith journey and invites us to cultivate deeper trust in God.

Jesus gets angry, at times very angry. Whether we see this as good news or bad news is completely dependent on understanding why.

Have you ever wondered if Jesus experienced worry about what was ahead? This week, we're exploring the very real, very human emotion of distress and what it reveals about who He is.

Have you had an emotion so strong that you felt it in your gut? This week, we're talking about Jesus' compassion--who it's directed toward and why.

Is what we're really celebrating worth really celebrating? How you understand the different aspects of the Christmas story will determine how you answer that question. Come celebrate Christmas with us.

Is it always better to have more? This week, we're talking about a powerful and practical way to grow your faith and make an impact in the lives of those around you.

It lurks beneath the surface and leaves behind a wake of destruction. This week, we're looking at a toxin that lives deep within the motivational structure of the heart.

What do we do when others get what we want or feeling like we don't measure up? This week we're exploring how to escape the trap of comparison and learn how to not get what we want.

What happens when we carry the "naughty or nice" framework many of us grew up with into our adulthood? This week we're talking about the problems we encounter when we mix what we learned about Santa Claus with how we understand God.

What does it take to develop great faith? How do you become a person who has real confidence in God? As we launch our first Thursday night service, we're taking a look at the way real people with real doubts become real followers of Jesus.

You're part of a worthwhile purpose, you're in the right position, but what if you're not making progress? This week, we're talking about the picture of progress in the church.

Finding your work unfulfilling? There may be a reason for that. This week, we're talking about the importance of playing not just a part, but your part, in a cause that's bigger than yourself.Strength and Personality Assessments: https://communitychurch.net/me

When's the last time you thought about what you're living for? This week, we're talking about Jesus' paradoxical way of looking at life, and what that means for us today.

Are we lab rats in some kind of divine experiment? To close the series, we're discussing the different ways faith can be tested, and the role God plays in all of it.

Why are we talking about food? This week, we're looking at God's generosity and his desire to help in our relationships.

What do Spotted Lanternflies have to do with the way you see the world? Find Out in part three of More Than Words.

Who you're speaking to determines what you say, how you say it, and how you feel when you're saying it. This week we're talking about the importance of understanding lines one and two.

We've been given a tool that has the ability to shift the way we see the world--and yet for many, it's value has been lost in meaningless repetition.

What makes a life great? What makes a church great? This week, we're talking about another seemingly paradoxical teaching of Jesus.Sign Up Here ➡️ https://communitychurchli.churchcenter.com/people/forms/801388

Why does serving God often feel like just another chore? This week, we're diving into one of Jesus' final stories to discover how we can shift from seeing it as an obligation to embracing it as an opportunity.

Why by God's rules? This week we're looking at a famous story that reveals the surprising reality of listening to what God says.

How do you respond when someone has hurt you? What about when someone has helped you? This week we're looking at a story that exposes a potential flaw in our reflexes.

We're looking at a story about two different people with two totally different ways of life... who ended up being more like each other than they thought.

We tend to measure and remember our lives in moments. This week we're talking about two moments of disproportionate influence that are key to the development of your faith.

We made a whole video about one question...but it's a big one. In this segment, we're looking at faith–what it is, how Jesus responded to it, and how you can make sure yours is continuing to grow.One-Week Reading Plans:

How should we understand the events recorded in the Bible? Did they really happen? Should the Bible be taken literally? Is there a question beneath all of these questions?One-Week Reading Plans: