Journey Church SC

In our journey of spiritual formation, we are reminded that transformation happens in community, over time, and through everyday life. The message of 2 Corinthians 3:18 guides us—we are being changed from one degree of glory to another.This process is slow and steady, like a sunrise or rain filling a bucket. It shapes us into the image of Christ. We are challenged to move beyond individualism and embrace the shared nature of our faith. God uses the church, our neighbors, and even our failures to form us.As we walk this path, we are encouraged to rejoice in our struggles. They produce endurance, build character, and lead to hope. We are invited to look for God in the small, ordinary moments, trusting that He is at work even when we do not see it.This message calls us to stay rooted in a local church, to be patient with our growth, and to rely on God's grace as He shapes us.

In our spiritual journey, we are called to be formed in the image of Christ with purpose and intention. This does not happen by accident. It requires us to take part in the process.Second Corinthians 3:18 reminds us that we are being transformed into Christ's image, one degree at a time. This change comes as we behold God's glory through focused intention, steady attention, and a shift in direction. Like a sculptor revealing a figure hidden in stone, spiritual formation involves clearing away what does not reflect Christ.We are asked to examine what holds our attention, knowing that what we focus on shapes who we become. Are we letting constant distractions pull us away, or are we fixing our eyes on God?This message challenges us to take our growth seriously. While God's grace leads the way, our efforts to know and obey Him matter. We are invited to go deeper into Scripture, let it shape our hearts and minds, and face the refining work of repentance with courage.

In our journey of spiritual formation, we are called to become whole people who love God with every part of who we are. This message invites us to take an honest look at who we are now and who we are becoming.Jesus' words in Matthew 22 remind us that loving God includes our mind, heart, strength, and soul. It is not about appearances but about deep transformation. We are made in God's image, as Genesis 1 tells us, which gives us purpose and value.At the same time, we face the reality of sin and its impact on our lives. But through Christ, we can be renewed and changed.This journey is not about fixing one part of ourselves. It is about bringing our thoughts, emotions, actions, and inner life together to reflect the character of Christ. As we consider our spiritual path, we are encouraged to fully enter into the process of becoming more like Jesus, where we find true life and peace.116791

In this message on spiritual formation, we are asked to think about how we are being shaped, not only by our faith but also by the world around us. The message centers on Romans 12:2, where we are told not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.This kind of transformation is not only about changing how we think. It involves a deeper change in our hearts. We are given the image of “spiritual watermelons,” people who, like fruit grown in molds, are shaped by outside forces without even noticing. Culture, habits, and expectations can press us into forms we were never meant to take. But in Christ, we have a way to grow freely into the shape God designed for us.Spiritual formation is not optional. It is always happening. We are shaped by something, whether it is the world, our own desires, or spiritual forces that do not want what is best for us. The real question is not if we are being formed, but what is doing the forming.This message challenges us to take an active role in our formation. We are invited to join in the work God is already doing, letting Him shape our minds and hearts as we follow Christ.

In this message, we are reminded of the power of Christ's resurrection and the living hope it brings. From 1 Peter 1, we see that this hope is not a passing feeling. It is a steady anchor for our souls.Unlike the hopes we place in things that fade or disappoint, our hope in Christ is lasting. It is called imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. This kind of hope helps us endure trials, knowing God uses them to shape our faith, like fire purifies gold.We are challenged to view our struggles not as punishment but as chances to grow and trust God more. The message encourages us to find joy even in hard times, reminding us that real joy comes from Jesus, not from our circumstances.As we reflect, we are invited to look at where our hope is anchored and to live in light of the eternal inheritance we have in Christ.

On this Resurrection Sunday, we're reminded of the profound significance of Jesus' victory over death. The sermon takes us through Acts 2, where Peter boldly proclaims the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. We're challenged to consider: what does the resurrection mean for us today? It's not just a historical event, but a declaration of Jesus' authority and lordship over all creation. This truth demands a response from each of us. Are we ready to repent, to turn from our self-centered ways and embrace the new life Christ offers? The resurrection isn't about warm feelings or mere hope—it's about transformation. As we reflect on Peter's powerful words, we're invited to examine our hearts and ask, 'What shall we do?' The answer is clear: repent, be baptized, and receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we reflect on Easter, let's not just celebrate a miracle of the past, but accept the invitation to a transformed life in Christ today.

In this message, Pastor Chris brings a powerful and timely message as we look at the story of Palm Sunday. But instead of focusing only on the palm branches and celebration, we take a deeper look at what happened next—when Jesus walked into the temple and flipped the script.We read from Matthew 21:12–17, where Jesus clears out the money changers, heals the blind and the lame, and reminds everyone who's really in charge. In that moment, Jesus shows His authority—not just over the temple, but over sickness, brokenness, and even life and death itself.This message challenges us to take a closer look at our own hearts. If our lives are temples, like Scripture says, then what might Jesus want to clear out? Are we letting sin, distraction, or the pressures of the world get in the way of real worship? Just like He cleared the temple back then, Jesus still wants to make space in us for what truly matters.We also see a powerful contrast in this passage. The religious leaders were angry and offended, while the children were shouting praises with joy and boldness. It reminds us that real worship sometimes comes from the most unexpected places—and that God values humble, wholehearted faith over polished appearances.As we head into Holy Week, this message invites us to be honest with ourselves. Are we holding back like the skeptical leaders, or are we running to Jesus like the kids in the crowd and the broken people who needed healing?Let's prepare our hearts, clear out anything that doesn't belong, and come to Jesus with open hands and full trust.

Denton Lee continues our series on the Sermon on the Mount, diving into one of Jesus' most well-known teachings—what some might call His “Greatest Hits.” While all the Gospels share pieces of these teachings, Matthew gives us the most complete version, laid out over a few chapters.Jesus gives a powerful call: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” From there, He lays out a radical way of life—one where humility, mercy, righteousness, and a pure heart define those who belong to His Kingdom. He blesses the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He calls us to trust God instead of worrying and to seek Him in prayer.In this message, we focused on Matthew 7:6-12. These verses remind us that God is a good Father who invites us to ask, seek, and knock. Denton pointed us to Jesus' promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” God wants us to come to Him with boldness and trust, knowing that He gives good gifts to His children.We are reminded that God is infinitely strong, righteous, good, wise, and loving. Because of who He is, we can count on Him to:1. Keep His promises – God is faithful and never fails.2. Provide what we need – Even when we don't understand His timing or ways, He knows what's best for us.3. Prepare us for His Kingdom – Sometimes, that means He answers our prayers differently than we expect because He's shaping us to be more like Christ.Denton used the example of a good earthly father—how a loving dad provides for his kids, making sure they have what they need. If human fathers do that, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father care for us? But God's goodness isn't just about giving us what we want; it's about forming us into who we were made to be.So, as we reflect on this passage, we're challenged to think about how we approach God in prayer. Are we coming to Him with trust, knowing He is good? Are we aligning our hearts with His will? Even when we don't get the answer we expect, we can be sure of this—God always gives us what we need most: Himself.Let's keep seeking, trusting, and leaning into our good Father.

Pastor Chris's message focuses on Jesus's teaching in Matthew 7, where Jesus talks about the difference between righteous judgment and hypocritical judgment.We've all heard the phrase “do not judge” thrown around, but it's often taken out of context. So, we take a step back to really understand what Jesus means. Pastor Chris reminds us that judging isn't always wrong—“to judge is to analyze or evaluate.” The key is how we do it. It's okay to form opinions, as long as we use them to help and build others up rather than tear them down. “There is a right way to judge and a hypocritical way to judge,” he says, challenging us to approach judgment with humility and self-awareness.We walk through three important steps to judging righteously. First, we watch our measure—making sure we're holding others to the same standards we hold ourselves. Second, we clear our own vision—dealing with our own issues before pointing out someone else's. Third, we discern our audience—realizing that not everyone will be open to receiving the truth.Jesus puts it plainly: “Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own?” His words remind us to look at our own hearts first before calling out someone else's mistakes.As we reflect on this, we commit to sharing truth wisely. Not everyone will accept it, so we approach others with humility and grace. Our goal isn't to condemn but to help each other grow closer to Christ with love, truth, and wisdom.

This week at Journey Church, Nathan Campbell (Pastor of Spiritual Formation) led us through Matthew 6:25–34, where Jesus directly addresses the weight of anxiety and the human tendency to worry about life's necessities—what we eat, what we drink, and what we wear.At the start of the message, Nathan reminded us why we stand for the reading of Scripture—not as a mere ritual, but as an act of honor, recognizing the power and truth of God's Word.Jesus' words are clear: “Do not be anxious about your life…” He challenges us to look beyond material concerns, calling us to a life that is rooted in something deeper than our day-to-day needs. Yet, despite advances in technology and access to resources, anxiety remains at an all-time high, particularly among younger generations. Nathan pointed out this irony, highlighting how “we have more than ever, yet we are more anxious than ever.”As a church, we were invited to confront our own anxieties and lay them before Jesus, who meets us with gentleness and compassion, not condemnation. Rather than being harsh with ourselves, we are encouraged to extend the same grace to ourselves that Jesus offers.Nathan also unpacked the deeper roots of our worries, explaining how much of our anxiety ultimately stems from the fear of loss—especially the fear of death. This perspective shifts our focus to the bigger question: What are we truly seeking?Jesus provides the answer: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Nathan emphasized that our worries lose their grip on us when we prioritize God's kingdom. The promise isn't that we will never experience anxiety, but that by anchoring ourselves in God's care, we won't be controlled by it.We were challenged to reflect: What are we seeking? Where are we placing our trust? Anxiety may be a shared human experience, but through faith, we can find peace by resting in the care of our Heavenly Father.At Journey, we want to be a community that seeks first His kingdom—together, let's trust in His provision and walk in His peace!

Devotion is only devotion if it's exclusive.

Does your life reflect forgiveness as one who's been forgiven?

God-honoring prayer is about God and His Glory. It's not about us.

Our prayers aren't to impress God…they're to worship Him.

For the Jesus-follower, generosity isn't optional.

The gospel produces a life of thankfulness, growth, and endurance.

A changed heart leads to a generous heart.

Abundant life is only possible through Jesus.

Faith always expresses itself through love.In this message, we highlight the needs of local orphans and fosters, and the opportunities to serve through our J1:27 Ministry and Connie Maxwell Children's Ministries. Special thanks to Kat Deal and Tana Dukes for joining Pastor Chris and sharing with us.To download the J1:27 Monthly Prayer Guide, or to get more info about J1:27 or Connie Maxwell and how you can serve, visit the links below.

Walking in the way of Jesus is an active choice to walk against the way of the world.

Nothing but truth should ever come out of our mouths.

We can be faithful because God has been faithful to us.

The only one worthy of all our affection is Jesus.

Jesus doesn't call us to something he hasn't done himself.

True righteousness requires a heart oriented towards Christ.

You cannot live in isolation in the world because you have been placed on this earth for a reason.

If the kingdom of God is at hand, then the people of God cannot be complacent.

Ephesians 6:21-24

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:12-18a

Ephesians 6:5-9

Ephesians 6:5-9

Ephesians 6:1-4

Ephesians 5:22-33

Ephesians 5:19-21

Ephesians 5:15-18