Illumine Church

I thought it was Christmas in December...why in the world are we talking about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? And what about "having a Christmas"?Text: Luke 19:28-40Series: Humble ChristmasDate: December 5th, 2021

Imagine never having to prove that you were right. Imagine never having to think about how you look to others. Imagine never having your status be a concern of yours.Here's the good truth (you're gonna hear it numerous times over this series): Christmas is not about you. But it is for you. So good! Text: Luke 3:1-6Date: November 28th, 2021Series: A Humble Christmas

It seems like Jesus is praising the guy for being dishonest. For tipping the scales in his favor. But that can't be what Jesus is doing...right? Text: Luke 16:1-15Date: November 21st, 2021

Feeling you belong vs. feeling like an outcast--there's a huge difference. So which are you? And which are others? And is there anything you can do about it? Yes. Text: Matthew 9:9-13Date: November 14th, 2021Series: A God-Lived Life

Everyone (Christian, non-Christian…at least in America) knows what it means to be a Good Samaritan. But less obvious is the actual point of Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan—why did he tell it? What was the point? We find out in this sermon.Text: Luke 10:25-37Date: November 7th, 2021Series: A God-Lived Life

That's really what this is. Because a life as Jesus' disciple is one where he's caring for you (and yes, there's more) through his Word. Text: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3Series: A God-Lived Life | The Life of Being a DiscipleDate: October 31st, 2021

So Illumine's got a new ministry center....now what? This sermon takes a look at what life together looks like, and focuses in especially on worship. And by the way...it's not just Christians who worship.Date: October 10th:Texts: Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:16-25

What would life look like if we truly got who we are and what we have? This message comes from Illumine's first worship in our new ministry center on October 3rd, 2021.Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12

How should we feeling about moving?On October 3rd, 2021, Illumine moved ministry centers. We began worship at the facility we've rented for 7 years, and then we drove a few miles away and finished worship at the new ministry center we closed on last week. So how should we feel about that? Psalm 84 & 1 Corinthians 3 shed some light.Texts: Psalm 84:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 3:16-17Date: October 3rd, 2021

Chapter 4 is the nail in the coffin of Jonah being good. If you were on the fence, you can't be anymore. His anger infiltrated his thoughts and words, and even exploded into his actions. Welcome to God's anger management course!Text: Jonah 4Date: September 26th, 2021

Proposition: Jonah was halfheartedly going through the motions (you'll find out how we can know that in the sermon). And it's easy for us to do the same.But the good news is this: we get to do so much better than echoing the king of Nineveh, who said, "Who knows?"Text: Jonah 3Date: September 19th, 2021

Some people call Jonah's prayer exemplary, a joy to read, absolutely wonderful...but is it actually all those things? This sermon dives deep into Jonah's prayer and looks at the heart of the issue.Text: Jonah 2:1-10Date: September 12th, 2021

Jonah was running. Away from his callings, but also away from the Lord. It is easy for us to do the exact same thing. The big question is: how will the Lord respond?Text: Jonah 1:1-17Date: September 5th, 2021

The 10 Commandments plane has landed, and we finished where we started...with the heart. The fact is: we'll never climb the ladder of the 10 Commandments. Fact is, they're more of a brick wall. But that doesn't mean there's no good news today. There certainly is.Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (and Ephesians 1)Date: August 29th, 2021

When it comes to self-esteem, the problem is that you're always on trial. You're always in the courtroom of SELF-esteem. But because God is the true guardian of your reputation (with him, others, and yourself), there's a third way. A better way.Text: 1 Samuel 19:1-6Date: August 22nd, 2021

It's all about the stuff. Not just the stuff you possess, but all the stuff of life: people, experiences, dreams...and your attitude towards it all.Text: Acts 5 (Ananias & Sapphire)Date: August 15th, 2021

How do you fill in the blank? How should you fill in the blank? Is there only one right answer?We don't all that often just straight up talk about sex--but here we are. God bless your listening.Text: Matthew 5:27-28

Ever murdered someone before? Jesus would say...yes. Because in Jesus' eyes, anger = murder. So what's the antidote to anger?

The 4th Commandment exposes our real struggle to honor leaders and those in authority in all aspects of our life. But don't worry: there's also good news. A lot of it.Date: July 25th, 2021

Are you good at resting? And how's your relationship with work? And I don't just mean employment; I mean all the work you do. Most importantly, what does God say about work and rest? Find out as we dive into the 3rd Commandment.Date: July 18th, 2021

There's never a time when you're not speaking words. Sometimes they'll be literal words, audibly exiting your mouth. Or you might speak by what doesn't come out of your mouth. And you speak in your actions (or non-actions) and in what you think (or what you don't think) as well.So…what words are you saying?Exodus 20:7 | "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God."Date: July 11th, 2021

Are the 10 Commandments something you "should" do? Are they something you "can" do? The answers to those questions are different. Yes, and no. And those different answers points us to the ultimate purpose of the Commandments, and as we understand them better and better in this series, they'll fulfill their purpose: drive us back to the God who gave them and fulfilled, and drive us out to serve our neighbor, and in serving our neighbor, serve our God.Text: 2 Kings 5:10-19Date: July 4th, 2021

How to defeat a walled city? God's got a plan, and it's...well, it's a lot of things.Text: Joshua 6:1-21Date: June 27th, 2021

John Mark's story, that is. In so many ways. And his status and purpose is also yours.Texts: Acts 13:4-5, 13; Acts 15:36-41Date: June 13th, 2021

Some would say Moses had an identity crisis. If so...good! And he would have been so blessed. He would have been somebody. He would have had pleasures, treasures, power, honor, prestige, security, and more. Except he turned it down—all of it, because for Moses, there was a better identity.And there is a better identity for each and every one of us, too.Date: June 6th, 2021Text: Hebrews 11:24-28

We asked 70+ people the question, "What would you say is the purpose of the Bible?" How do you think they responded? And what's the answer to the question, anyways? Is there one right answer? And what in the world is life in Jesus' name, and how do we get it? Check it all out in the conclusion to our Gospel of John series.Text: John 20:30-31Date: May 30th, 2021

…when he said, “I will not leave you?” How does the world give, actually?What's the deal with the Holy Spirit? Just some of the questions that will be answered when you listen to this sermon on John 14.Date: May 23rd, 2021Illumine Church, Rock Hill, SCPastor Nathan Loersch

Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” The question is: what is the truth he was talking about, and what does it look like to be free? What is true freedom? It might not be what you think it is.Also: listen for the “sermon after the sermon” (in other words, sometimes pastors forget to say things that they can't leave unsaid).Text: John 8:31-36Date: May 16th, 2021Location: Illumine Church, Rock Hill, SC

After a couple week hiatus, we're back with another conversation! Enjoy listening in on this dive into Jesus' promise, “I AM the Bread of Life.”

That's what C.S. Lewis said—don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose. And Jesus said the same thing, only his words were: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.” So the question is: what are you eating?Text: John 6:25-35Date: May 9th, 2021

Fear is powerful. It causes you to make bad decisions, even do destructive things. It diverts your attention and it sucks the joy out of your life. But there's an answer to fear, and he says, "Don't be afraid. It is I."Text: John 6:16-21Date: May 2nd, 2021

Jesus clapped back at the Jewish leaders. Not in a bad way, and not even in an aggressive way. He just told the truth. That he is God, and he is right. And...he's the judge. Which is soooooo good. Text: John 5:16-30 Date: April 25th, 2021 Place: Illumine Church, Rock Hill, SC

Are you in the middle of a tough day or week? It happens. All the time. Even to pastors. This conversation is what you need (okay--what you actually need are Jesus' promises, and that's what we talk about). Enjoy!

You know the feeling: you pour your heart and soul into something, you spend a ton of energy and time, and you come up empty. Turns out there's a man on the shore with your breakfast all ready. Text: John 21:1-14 Illumine Church, April 18th, 2021

Where were the disciples at that first Easter evening? Peace & The Keys Does Thomas get the short end of the stick?

THREE times in 2 appearances, Jesus says, "Peace be with you." What is he saying, and what does he mean when he says "peace"? Text: John 20:19-29 Date: April 11th, 2021

What's your favorite part of Easter? What did Peter & John believe? And a classic Zoom gaffe (around 9:30)

You can't get through life without suffering, and you can't get through suffering without hope. Hope is necessary to survive. But not just any hope will do. Certain Hope is what we need. Happy Easter! Text: John 20:1-18 Date: April 4th, 2021 (Easter!)

Do you know how horrible crucifixion was? Turns out...it was horrible, but that's not really the point. Text: John 19:16-30 Good Friday 2021 - April 2nd Illumine Church, Rock Hill, SC

Your King is riding in…on a donkey. Yeah, a donkey. And that's so important. This is one of the few accounts from Jesus' life that's recorded in all 4 Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And John leaves out some details, but he zeros in on exactly what he wants you to hear. This sermon was preached on March 21st, 2021 at Illumine Church in Rock Hill, SC.

What's your favorite part of John 11? (Apologies for the intermittent audio difficulties...the internet's not perfect [and neither are we!]) Jesus saying, “I am the resurrection and the life” ??? Jesus saying, “Lazarus, come out!” ??? Jesus' power move? Jesus letting Lazarus die? Let us know by emailing nathanl@illuminechurch.com!

Jesus' friend died, and Jesus was broken up about it. He was ripped apart by it! How did he deal with it all--the death, the people, everything? How should we deal with it all? God shows us in John 11. Thank you to Jessica, Catalina, and Elijah who helped read today! One note: there will be a couple short parts of John 11 are inaudible, as they were being read by the congregation and were thus not caught on any microphone. Sorry about that! These messages were proclaimed on March 14th, 2021 at Illumine Church in Rock Hill, SC.

Listen in on Josh & Nathan relishing the fact that Jesus is the Good Shepherd!

If everybody knew everything about everyone, would anyone have any friends? Frankly, who knows. But we never even have to worry about that with Jesus—he knows us all fully and still says he is our Good Shepherd. Text: John 10:11-21 Date: March 7th, 2021

Voices are calling to you all the time. How should you listen to each of them? Listen in as pastors Josh Schultz and Nathan Loersch discuss Jesus saying, "I am the gate," and all its implications for us.

Listen in as Pastors Nathan Loersch and Josh Schultz dive in to John 9! Here's a link to read or listen to John 9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9&version=NIV

Beautiful voices are all around, calling out to us, "This is the way! This is what you need?" How should a Christian handle them? Jesus gives the answer. Text: John 10:1-10 Date: February 28th, 2021

We cry out, "Why, God?" And often we don't get clear-cut answers. Here are 5 reasons why suffering could be happening in your life. And one of them is for sure. Text: John 9:1-7 Date: February 21st, 2021

It's extremely simple, but also extremely difficult: simply taking Jesus at his word. Text: John 4:43-54 Date: February 14th, 2021

A conversation delving further into John 4:1-42. Enjoy!

Jesus meets a woman who is desperately thirsty, proves he is "greater than", and shows her how her soul can be truly satisfied. How would it have turned out if it were you and Jesus by that well? Text: John 4:1-26 Date: February 7th, 2021 Place: Illumine Church