Inland Hills Church: Weekly Messages

We're told to follow our hearts, chase our dreams, and write our own story. Self-empowerment is the language of our age. But at what point does that stop being inspiring and start feeling isolating or exhausting? This week, we're exploring the messages behind hustle culture and radical independence — and why trusting someone wiser than ourselves might not be weakness after all.

In today's culture, there are all kinds of ways to talk about Jesus: as a life coach, a path to success, a political symbol, or a way to guarantee life after death. But when the focus shifts from Jesus himself to what we can get through him, something subtle but significant changes. This week, we'll look at four popular versions of Christianity in America and ask a simple but important question: are these still rooted in the way of Jesus? Or have we started to follow something else entirely? 

We live in a time when spirituality, wellness, and self-optimization are increasingly intertwined. Mindfulness, breath work, energy, alignment — these practices and ideas offer people a sense of peace and wholeness. But how do they fit with Jesus? Do they complement his way, conflict with it, or do something else entirely? This week is an invitation to explore how ancient practices and modern wellness trends intersect with Christian spirituality. 

Karma has quietly become one of the most accepted spiritual ideas in the West, even among people who've never studied Eastern religions. It's simple, intuitive, and feels just. But is that what the world is really like? This week, we'll explore what karma actually teaches, where it resonates with the way of Jesus, and where the two paths begin to diverge.

For many, the idea of God just doesn't add up. Whether for logical, emotional, or experiential reasons, atheism has become a default setting, especially in the modern West. But what does a world without God actually ask us to believe? And what are the strengths and limitations of that view? This week is an open exploration of the worldview that says, “There's no one out there… and that's okay.”

In a global culture where pluralism is often a given, it's easy to assume that all religions are basically saying the same thing. But is that actually true? This week, we'll explore the core stories and claims behind some of the world's major religions — and a few of the stranger ones, too — to see what they have in common, where they differ, and why those differences might matter more than we think. 

Easter brings fun memories of egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, and baskets of goodies. But beneath it all - is Easter true? Is the story of a man conquering death and offering us freedom worth believing? Listen to our discussion about why we choose to follow Jesus. 

We read in the New Testament that God is love, and then we read other stories in the Old Testament about God bringing punishment and death and plagues. So, how do we reconcile what seems almost to be a dual personality? Does God act like Jesus dying for his executioners, or is God more like the deity who allowed an angel of death to kill the firstborn children of Egypt? The answer to that question becomes more evident when you understand that God is like a Zippo Lighter.

During the Watergate scandal of the early 1970s, Senator Howard Baker posed the question during a hearing, "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" We intuitively understand that the specific knowledge people have and the amount of time they have it can either exonerate or implicate them. What does God know, and when does he know it? It's often said that God is "all-knowing," but what is the actual content of that knowledge? Do our choices matter, or is the future set in stone? Does prayer change things, or is everything destined to play out in a predetermined way? It turns out God is like Dr. Strange. 

For the last several centuries, a troubling philosophical question has haunted Christianity: If God is all good and all-powerful, why is there so much evil in the world? What's fascinating is that this question is never posed in quite this way in the Scriptures. How could Jesus and his followers expect the world to be filled with pain and still believe in a completely loving Creator God? Because they knew something we've forgotten: that God is like an empowering boss.

Honey badgers are relentless and fearless. They don't give up even when facing off against much larger animals, and they're wicked smart. When it comes to his love for us, God is like a honey badger. He will not be deterred. He keeps pursuing us and trying to help us even when we flee him, curse him, or deny him. We are invited into this ravishing love, and we are invited to share it. 

Does your job feel like a calling—or just a grind? Work isn't just a paycheck—it's a chance to find joy and bring God glory. Scripture is full of men and women who demonstrate that even ordinary jobs can become a platform for something bigger when we invite God in. How can their examples help us find joy and purpose in our daily grind? 

Our own brokenness and anxiety distorts our relationship to work and can frequently cause us to have an unhealthy relationship with it. But the Gospel of Jesus can transform HOW we work and how we THINK about work. This Sunday, we talk about how faith reshapes work, and why you were made for Monday.

Work is not just what you do—it's who you become in the process. We live in a culture that either glorifies work or resents it. Hustle harder. Climb the ladder. Or—just survive until the weekend. But what if work was designed for something more? What if the sacred is found in the spreadsheets, the meetings, the endless to-do lists? In Take This Job and Love It, we'll reimagine work through God's design, not as something that drains us but as something that shapes us. Whether you're stuck in a job you hate or obsessed with a career that defines you, there's a better way. Work isn't the enemy—it's the opportunity. The only question is: will you step into it?This week, our message is about how our culture tends to either worship work or demonize work. There's very little in-between. So we'll look at God's design for work and how it fits in our lives to make us better and make the world around us better.

Perhaps growing up, you had a mischievous uncle or friend: someone who loved you in part by kidding around with you, playing innocent practical jokes, or giving you a non-painful noogie with a whimsical glint in their eye. That was Jesus. He occasionally used his miraculous power in funny ways. He seemed to intentionally confuse his disciples at times both to deepen their thinking and, seemingly, for his own personal amusement. He loved others deeply and with good humor. This week, we'll explore the lavish love of a playful savior. 

Pop-culture is saturated with superheroes, Jedi, hobbits, wizards, and things that go bump in the night. We love stories. A good story can help us make sense of our lives. A well-written character can inspire us, engage us, and make us feel like we belong. Jesus loved stories as well. His hallmark teaching device was the parable: he crafted illustrations to help us understand God and our place in God's world. This week, we'll explore the stories of Jesus that reveal so much about the person of Jesus.

Jesus himself said that others called him a "glutton" and a "drunkard." What a strange reputation for the most influential spiritual leader in the history of the world! While Jesus believed those descriptions of him were misguided, it's worth asking the question: why did some religious leaders believe this of him? Jesus seemed to believe that sometimes spiritual transformation and the most profound conversations happen over a meal or a glass of wine. This week, we'll explore the Savior who offered us life while meeting us at the party.

What picture comes to mind when you think of Jesus? Is he stoic? Self-serious? Hippy-dippy? For many of us, Jesus seems both unapproachable and unrelatable. However, the stories of Jesus found in the Gospels portray a very different Jesus than the one in our heads: joyful, funny, and welcoming. This week, we'll explore an often undiscussed attribute that seemed to be the key to several of Jesus' interactions: the cleverness of Jesus.

Rounding out our Level Up series, we're looking at taking our rest to the next level. Join us to explore how we can prioritize true rest so that we can bring our best selves to all we do. 

 We hear it all the time as a casual expression in our culture: Have a little faith. He's acting in bad faith. She's acting in good faith. Keep the faith. Take a leap of faith. He believes on blind faith.We praise, deride, and criticize people for having or not having faith. But what is faith? Is it always good? If you wanted to “grow” in faith, what would that even look like? And if you have a crisis of faith, does that lead to enlightenment, or disillusionment? Discover some of the ways Jesus invited us into Next Level Faith. Whether you're a mature Christian, or newly exploring faith, there's something in this message for you! 

The person you're becoming tomorrow is being shaped by the habits you practice today. No one drifts into spiritual depth, health, or mastery—it all starts with intentionality. Jesus didn't just teach about the way of life; He lived it through a daily rhythm of prayer, rest, and purpose. This week, we'll explore how the gospel reshapes not only what we believe but also how we live—because the habits you form today determine the person you'll be tomorrow.

Parenting is a relentless, beautiful, heartbreaking journey of pouring yourself into tiny humans who simultaneously bring you great joy and stretch you to your limits. When we lean into this divine calling, we discover it's more than just hard work; it's holy work. Whether you're a mom, a dad, a grandparent, or a mentor, let's explore how to find God's presence and power in the midst of it all. Together, we'll see what it means to Level Up in the sacred role of shaping the next generation.

Cynicism can build walls, brick by brick, around a weary heart. Even John the Baptist, the one who prepared the way, found himself questioning when the story didn't unfold as he hoped. But Jesus, in His gentleness, always comes close to meet our doubts. This week, we'll discover how Christmas calls us to lay down our skepticism and trust again in the God who makes all things new.

God wants everyone to experience His joy, no matter their starting point. This feels great when we're receiving grace, but what about when we're the ones forgiving, accommodating, or celebrating with family or friends who have hurt us, or failed to meet our expectations? At Christmas, we're reminded that Jesus left His heavenly home to bring us into God's family and invites us to extend that same grace, creating space for others to find their way home.

Home. It's a word that can elicit feelings of comfort, rest, and safety. At Christmas-time the word may spark memories of brightly colored packages under the tree, the nostalgic smell of hot cocoa, or the pleasure of extended time with family. As we get older, we don't just enjoy home — we become home for someone else: neighbors, friends, children, co-workers. But the responsibility of providing a sense of home for others can leave us longing for the simplicity of home as a child: where we felt safe, secure, warm, and a childlike confidence that we'd be taken care of. This Christmas season, Verve City Church invites you to come home for the holidays: to discover in Jesus the childlike sense of wonder and acceptance when the world seemed simpler and your load seemed lighter. Family is the place meant to hold us, but so often, it's where we feel broken, misunderstood, or left out. Jesus whispers a truth that steadies the soul: God's family is open to all who lean into His will. This week, we'll look at how Christmas invites us to a deeper belonging—a family built on grace and a home that never lets go. 

In the last week of our Boundless series, we'll reflect on the security believers have in God's love. Paul asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" and answers: No hardship, suffering, or power can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.Join us for our final look into Romans 8, a powerful reflection on the life of the Spirit and the assurance of God's enduring love for believers. 

In the third week of our Boundless series, we're looking at what God has in store for our present and future. Join us for the continued dive into Romans 8, a powerful reflection on the life of the Spirit and the assurance of God's enduring love for believers. 

In the second week of our Boundless series, we'll explore our identity as followers of Jesus. What does it look like when we allow God's boundless love to transform our hearts and our lives?

Following Jesus isn't about following a bunch of rules; it's about allowing God's boundless love to transform your heart and your life. What would it look like to live for future glory… now? Join us Sundays in November to dive into Romans 8, a powerful reflection on the life of the Spirit, the hope of future glory, and the assurance of God's enduring love for believers.

Our Halloweekend message is a look at one of the spookiest stories in the Bible: The Witch of Endor. Note: This message is PG-13 for some adult themes and general spookiness! 

In the final week of our True North series, we're exploring how the Holy Spirit guides us toward Jesus, grows the fruit of love in our hearts, empowers us for ministry, and distributes spiritual gifts and talents among us to help build up the Body of Christ.

Our True North series is a look at the compass within us all, a profound calling that cuts through the noise and confusion. This week, we're looking at another fundamental truth: God does not love us because we are good; God loves us because He is good.

In a culture addicted to noise, speed, and endless options, it's no wonder so many of us feel lost, pulled in a thousand different directions. We're bombarded with messages about who we should be, what we should want, and where we should go. But what if there's a compass within us all, a more profound calling that cuts through the noise and confusion? This journey isn't about escaping the chaos but finding clarity within it. Join us as we explore the pursuit of a life lived on purpose – a life aligned with your True North.

We have a tremendous capacity to innovate and create. That power can be used for good—to care for each other and the world—or it can be used in destructive ways to oppress and dehumanize others. The lesson of Babel is the tremendous damage that can occur when humans devalue one another and God.Series Overview: If you grew up in the United States, you were likely handed a few Bible stories as a child — Adam and Eve, Noah and a boatload of animals, a tower of Babel stretching to the sky. The stories were filled with memorable characters and vivid scenes. In many cases, even though we grew up, our understanding of these ancient stories never did. But what if we reexamined them as adults? What lessons could be unlocked? What depths would we discover? Join us to explore the Lost World of the Bible and take a fresh look at some of the unforgettable stories from its opening pages.

Many Christians have mistaken Jesus' call to service as a rebuke against aspiration. In a special message for VIP Night, Josh challenges us to achieve greatness – together.On Aug. 24, we welcomed all VIPs -- VERVEY IMPORTANT PEOPLE! -- to share a special night of worship, vision-setting, opportunities to get involved this fall, and a sneak peek of our September series, At the Movies.

A defining attribute of God is that he brings order out of chaos. The flood narrative is a hyperbolic theological story that helps us understand the pain of a chaotic world and the heroic lengths God will go to to establish the order required for human flourishing through his relational covenant.  Whatever chaos is currently pervading our lives, we are invited to trust in the God of Noah to bring healing and calm.Series Overview: If you grew up in the United States, you were likely handed a few Bible stories as a child — Adam and Eve, Noah and a boatload of animals, a tower of Babel stretching to the sky. The stories were filled with memorable characters and vivid scenes. In many cases, even though we grew up, our understanding of these ancient stories never did. But what if we reexamined them as adults? What lessons could be unlocked? What depths would we discover? Join us to explore the Lost World of the Bible and take a fresh look at some of the unforgettable stories from its opening pages.

Understanding Cain and Abel's story reveals our deep-seated human struggles with comparison, accountability, and the choices that shape us. Cain's actions show how sin has evolved from an external influence to an internal force that wreaks havoc in our lives and the world. The Mark of Cain leaves us asking the question, can God do anything about the desires we give into that make a mess of our lives and the world?Series Overview: If you grew up in the United States, you were likely handed a few Bible stories as a child — Adam and Eve, Noah and a boatload of animals, a tower of Babel stretching to the sky. The stories were filled with memorable characters and vivid scenes. In many cases, even though we grew up, our understanding of these ancient stories never did. But what if we reexamined them as adults? What lessons could be unlocked? What depths would we discover? Join us to explore the Lost World of the Bible and take a fresh look at some of the unforgettable stories from its opening pages.

Adam and Eve were perhaps real people, but they were far more than that. They serve as archetypes for us: Their failure is our failure, and there are consequences for our sin and brokenness. But God is not content to allow our story to end in tragedy. Rather, from the very beginning, he goes about setting a plan in place to redeem who we are and restore what we've broken.Series Overview: If you grew up in the United States, you were likely handed a few Bible stories as a child — Adam and Eve, Noah and a boatload of animals, a tower of Babel stretching to the sky. The stories were filled with memorable characters and vivid scenes. In many cases, even though we grew up, our understanding of these ancient stories never did. But what if we reexamined them as adults? What lessons could be unlocked? What depths would we discover? Join us to explore the Lost World of the Bible and take a fresh look at some of the unforgettable stories from its opening pages.

What can we learn from one of the wisest guys who ever lived? Plenty! In the final message in our Voices series, Audrey explores practical ways to acquire and apply more WISDOM. Series Overview:Verve City Church's July series, Voices, features practical perspectives for everyday living. Join us each week for a message on blessings, comparison and wisdom.

Guest speaker Adam Smith teaches a message about comparison – and how we can manage feeling like "the other" by focusing on our relationship with Jesus. Series Overview:Verve City Church's July series, Voices, features practical perspectives for everyday living. Join us each week for a message on blessings, comparison and wisdom.

Guest speaker Mike Obadja challenges us to redefine our relationships in the context of following Jesus with "The Culture of Blessing." Series Overview:Verve City Church's July series, Voices, features practical perspectives for everyday living. Join us each week for a message on blessings, comparison and wisdom.

In this online-only message, we explore a few final questions in our Any Questions series. Where are dinosaurs in the Bible? Were Adam and Eve real people? Are all other religions wrong, or do they use different language to point to the same reality? Series Overview: Faith and doubt make excellent dance partners. In this series, we'll explore some of YOUR biggest questions about life, faith and God. Each week, we'll tackle a different theme: After You Die, The Bible & Science, The Validity of Faith, and a wrap-up Grab Bag.

In the last week of our Any Questions series, we squeezed in as many of your awesome questions as we could -- including the topics of good and evil, misogyny in the Bible, infertility, and church scandals to name a few.Series Overview: Faith and doubt make excellent dance partners. In this series, we'll explore some of YOUR biggest questions about life, faith and God. Each week, we'll tackle a different theme: After You Die, The Bible & Science, The Validity of Faith, and a wrap-up Grab Bag.

How can we know if God, Jesus and salvation are real? How do we reconcile the loving Christian God when there have been and are so many other world religions? Can we trust a book as old and disputed as the Bible? Series Overview: Faith and doubt make excellent dance partners. In this series, we'll explore some of YOUR biggest questions about life, faith and God. Each week, we'll tackle a different theme: After You Die, The Bible & Science, The Validity of Faith, and a wrap-up Grab Bag.

Does science affirm or contradict Christianity? How can a scientist interpret the book of Genesis pertaining to how the world was created? How does evolution relate to the Bible? Were Adam and Eve real people?Series Overview: Faith and doubt make excellent dance partners. In this series, we'll explore some of YOUR biggest questions about life, faith and God. Each week, we'll tackle a different theme: After You Die, The Bible & Science, The Validity of Faith, and a wrap-up Grab Bag.

What happens when you die? Where do you go? And what happens to the people we care about?Series Overview: Faith and doubt make excellent dance partners. In this series, we'll explore some of YOUR biggest questions about life, faith and God. Each week, we'll tackle a different theme: After You Die, The Bible & Science, The Validity of Faith, and a wrap-up Grab Bag.

When Jesus chose disciples, he invited them from all over the political spectrum. Their allegiance to Jesus transcended their opinions about how the world's governments should be run. How do Christians make a positive difference in the places they live while remembering that their primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God?Series Overview: Verve City Church won't tell you who to vote for. We won't tell you which policies to support or which politicians to be outraged at. But we need to have an entirely necessary and honest conversation about politics. For some, politics has become their religion. Others have lost relationships with friends and family members over a difference in political opinion. This is a great series to invite someone to sit with you. Let's explore together: How can followers of Jesus thoughtfully maintain their Christian witness in a fractured political environment?

Perhaps you've heard someone say, "I just don't know how someone can be a Christian and a Democrat." Or, "I just don't know how someone can be a Christian and vote for that candidate." Embedded into those statements is the critical issue: there's something they don't know. In week five of Party Crashers, Verve City Church will explore why different Christians vote differently while deriving their values from the same Christian faith.Series overview: Verve City Church won't tell you who to vote for. We won't tell you which policies to support or which politicians to be outraged at. But we need to have an entirely necessary and honest conversation about politics. For some, politics has become their religion. Others have lost relationships with friends and family members over a difference in political opinion. This is a great series to invite someone to sit with you. Let's explore together: How can followers of Jesus thoughtfully maintain their Christian witness in a fractured political environment?

Christianity once had more cultural influence in the United States than it now does because more people identified as Christians. What happened? Why did people start walking away from Christianity in the 1990s? While the answers to that question are complex, the Church's grab for political power played a significant role. The Church wasn't silent; the Church was loud about the wrong things.Series overview: Verve City Church won't tell you who to vote for. We won't tell you which policies to support or which politicians to be outraged at. But we need to have an entirely necessary and honest conversation about politics. For some, politics has become their religion. Others have lost relationships with friends and family members over a difference in political opinion. This is a great series to invite someone to sit with you. Let's explore together: How can followers of Jesus thoughtfully maintain their Christian witness in a fractured political environment?

In our polarizing times, faith and politics seem to be leading more to rage than actual change. It's discouraging, disheartening, and disappointing. But Sarah Bauer Anderson believes it doesn't have to stay this way. Civility is not a pipe dream. Nuance is not unrecoverable. Peace is possible. And it can all start right here, right now, with us.Series Overview: Verve City Church won't tell you who to vote for. We won't tell you which policies to support or which politicians to be outraged at. But we need to have an entirely necessary and honest conversation about politics. For some, politics has become their religion. Others have lost relationships with friends and family members over a difference in political opinion. This is a great series to invite someone to sit with you. Let's explore together: How can followers of Jesus thoughtfully maintain their Christian witness in a fractured political environment?

When political division shows up not only on the campaign trail but also at our dinner tables, we wonder: Can we be part of a better way? Michael Wear says "yes," offering a distinctly Jesus-centered approach to politics that results in healing rather than division, kindness rather than hatred, and hope rather than despair.Series Overview: Verve City Church won't tell you who to vote for. We won't tell you which policies to support or which politicians to be outraged at. But we need to have an entirely necessary and honest conversation about politics. For some, politics has become their religion. Others have lost relationships with friends and family members over a difference in political opinion. This is a great series to invite someone to sit with you. Let's explore together: How can followers of Jesus thoughtfully maintain their Christian witness in a fractured political environment?