Laurel Ridge Community Church

This powerful message takes us deep into Luke 15, where Jesus uses three interconnected metaphors to reveal how God sees those who are far from Him and what our response as the church should be. We discover that people without Christ are like lost sheep—lacking spiritual insight and strength, unable to navigate life's spiritual terrain on their own. They're like lost coins—missing their God-given purpose, unable to fulfill what they were created for. And they're like the prodigal son—lacking true fulfillment, searching for satisfaction in all the wrong places. What's remarkable is how these three stories don't just describe the lost condition; they reveal the very nature of the Trinity. Jesus is the seeking shepherd who races into dangerous territory to rescue us. The Holy Spirit is like the woman with the lamp, illuminating truth and revealing sin so we can find our way home. And the Father is the one who runs toward us with open arms, restoring us to full sonship regardless of our past. This isn't about cleaning ourselves up before approaching God—it's about recognizing that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The challenge for us as believers is clear: we're called to rescue, reveal truth in love, and receive others with grace. We cannot expect unbelievers to act like believers until they become believers. Our job isn't to push people away with judgment but to draw them in with the same grace we've received.

Today, we dive deep into a challenging yet crucial aspect of our faith journey - our relationship with money. At the heart of this message lies Matthew 6:24, where Jesus teaches us that we cannot serve both God and money. This isn't about salvation, but about how we practically live out our faith day-to-day. The core spiritual lesson is that our devotion to God is often competing with our attachment to material possessions. We're challenged to examine: does our use of money reflect trust in God or self-reliance? The message draws interesting parallels between our financial habits and our spiritual condition, suggesting that how we handle money can be a 'progress report' of our faith. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to break the power of greed through disciplined giving, saving, and living. This isn't about amounts, but about cultivating an attitude that recognizes God as our ultimate provider. Let's consider: are we truly seeking God's kingdom first in all areas of our lives, including our finances?

In this powerful message, we're challenged to align our lives with Christ's example of servanthood. The central theme revolves around Jesus' teaching in Matthew 9:36-38, where He looks upon the crowds with compassion and calls for workers in the harvest field. This passage reminds us that our world is full of broken people in need of spiritual guidance, and we are called to be those workers. The message emphasizes that true greatness in God's kingdom comes through serving others, not through worldly achievements. We're encouraged to shift our focus from self-centered pursuits to meeting the needs of those around us, just as Jesus did. This shift in perspective isn't always convenient, but it's essential for our spiritual growth and for fulfilling our purpose as followers of Christ. As we reflect on this, let's ask ourselves: Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones and be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities?

In our exploration of discipleship, we've uncovered a powerful three-part framework that illuminates what it truly means to follow Christ. This journey begins in our minds, as we accept Jesus' authority and invitation to 'follow me.' It then transforms our hearts, where God molds us into Christ's likeness through the Holy Spirit's work. Finally, it manifests in our hands through action, as we become 'fishers of men.' This progression from head to heart to hands reminds us that true discipleship is not just about knowledge, but about allowing God to change us from the inside out. The call to be 'fishers of men' echoes Jesus' words in Matthew 4:19, challenging us to move beyond self-focus and actively engage in the ministry of reconciliation. As we reflect on this, let's consider: Where are we in this journey? Are we allowing God to work in all three areas of our lives?

In this powerful exploration of the early church, we're invited to rediscover the essence of what it means to be part of God's movement. The message centers on Acts 2, where we witness the birth of the ecclesia - not as an institution, but as a dynamic, Spirit-led community. We're challenged to strip away centuries of tradition and return to the core: Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This foundational truth, declared by Peter, becomes the rock on which the church is built. As we delve into the devotion of the early believers, we're prompted to examine our own spiritual habits, our connections with fellow believers, and our commitment to serving others. The early church's unity, despite diverse backgrounds, serves as a powerful reminder of how our shared faith in Christ can overcome all differences. Are we living out this transformative love that even non-believers found attractive? This message urges us to rekindle our passion for God's movement, reminding us that the church is not a building, but a community of imperfect people adopted into God's family.

In this powerful message, we explore the profound promise found in Philippians 4:19 - 'And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.' But this promise comes with a condition: generosity. We learn that our giving is not just about money, but about our time, talents, and resources. It's an investment in the future and a sacrifice pleasing to God. When we give generously, we become more like Christ and experience true contentment. The message challenges us to examine our hearts - are we givers or takers? It reminds us that God is our ultimate supplier, not our job or our own efforts. This perspective shift can transform our approach to life's challenges and deepen our trust in God's provision.

Discover ways to achieve a life free from stress in the "Habits that Lead to Happiness" series taking place this Sunday!

Learn "How to Develop Daily Habits-Part 2," in the "Habits that Lead to Happiness" series from Philippians this Sunday!

Learn how to develop daily habits in the "Habits that Lead to Happiness" series from Philippians this Sunday!

Find out how happiness is learned in the "Habits that Lead to Happiness" series from Philippians this Sunday!

Discover the secrets to maintaining joy in your life during the ""Habits that Lead to Happiness" Series from Philippians this Sunday!

Find out How to Reduce Conflict in the "Habits that Lead to Happiness" series this week!

This week in the Habits that Lead to Happiness Series, we will find out how happiness can't be stopped, no matter what!

This week in the new Habits that Lead to Happiness Series, we will be looking at "How to Grow Healthy Relationships." We'll explore 4 principles for appreciating others and discover effective ways to pray for them.

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by how fast technology is moving these days? It can be tricky keeping up with all the new apps and gadgets that pop up in our kids' lives, right?So, this Sunday we'll find out some tips on how to help our families thrive in this digital age as we continue in the Family Life Series with "How to Raise Kids in the 21st Century, Part 2."

Join us this Sunday for How to Raise Kids in the 21st Century, Part 1. As part of the Family Life Series, we will explore the impact of technology, the process of goal-setting, and how to guide our children to rely on the Lord instead of solely depending on us.

Have you ever considered that the source of conflict might be within us? Join us this week for "Family Life: Can We Just Stop Fighting," as we explore how inner desires impact our relationships. 

Our new series 'Family Life' kicks off this week! Learn the traits that can transform your family life into a journey of growth and protection.

This week, we will explore what it truly means to leave a lasting legacy, not through just wealth, but through timeless values. This Father's Day Message reminds us that a good life is celebrated through future generations. 

This Sunday, we invite you to experience life from a perspective of faith instead of relying solely on our human vision. Let's transition from fear to trust as we explore how God empowers us to persevere during challenging moments.

Join us this Sunday for an inspiring message on how to turn a little faith into a lot! Discover how small acts of faith can lead to miraculous outcomes. 

Join us this Sunday as we learn to trust in God's promises, find His peace, and rest in the assurance that He sustains us today and will continue to be faithful tomorrow. 

Have you ever wondered what it means to walk in the presence of God? This week in the "Jesus Is" Series, we'll discover how God comforts us in overwhelming times, counsels us during temptation, and leads us to live a Spirit-controlled life. ⁠

Join us this Mother's Day as we explore how to make time for the most important things.

Let's discover more about how Jesus is...The Point!⁠

This Sunday, come discover a longing for God's Word. I hope you will witness the transformation and joy it can bring.

Nehemiah's desire was to build a city that honors God. How do you fit in to God's plan for your church, city, country, & world?Join us this Sunday, for Nehemiah 7: Fitting In. 

This week we see how we may be "Distracted from Doing the Best," in Nehemiah 6.Let's learn to guard ourselves from the enemy's attacks!

This week we will learn about God's Formula for Financial Freedom from Nehemiah 5.Let's explore financial freedom through biblical principles!

Stay connected, stay alert! Join us this week as we explore Nehemiah 4 and learn how God aids us in building and defending His kingdom in Faith and Trust.

We often believe the lie of progress without pain. Nehemiah teaches us that every success story involves struggle. Let's uncover the truth of perseverance. Don't miss out on insights from Nehemiah Part 3: Pain for Progress.

Are you ready to discover your mission in life? Join us as we explore how caring can transform the world. Don't miss out on insights from Nehemiah: Mission Possible, that could change your perspective.

Discover the qualities God can use in any of us, through the story of Nehemiah - a cup-bearer, not a priest or prophet, but a man with a heart for God's people.  New Series "Nehemiah - Principles That Will Change You," starts this Sunday!

This Sunday we're tackling "Freedom from Self." Let's explore how breaking free from bitterness and anger allows us to see who we really are in Christ. Have your elements ready as we will celebrate the Lord's Supper this week!

Would you consider offering the devil a place to stay?Scripture reminds us: "Do not sin in your anger," and "Do not allow the devil a stronghold."Together, we will explore the origins of our anger and discover ways to maintain a healthy heart.

In this week's message, our theme is Freedom from... Bitterness.We explore the origins of resentment, its potential for growth, and the harm it can inflict.We examine the negative effects that this harmful fruit can generate. Additionally, we learn how to eradicate this bitter root within ourselves. We also consider our responses to individuals filled with bitterness in our lives.

This week, our ongoing series on Prayer will address the topic of "Dangerous Prayers."

This week, our ongoing series on Prayer will address the topic of "How to Pray About Your Problems."

This week we continue in our series focused on Prayer. This week we will explore "The Conditions of Answered Prayer."

This week marks the start of an exciting new series focused on Prayer. Our message for this week will explore the theme of "Spiritual Growth in 2025."

This week we conclude our Christmas series with an End of Year Reflection and we will partake in the Lord's Supper together, please have your elements (cracker, drink) ready!

This week we will continue with our Christmas 2024 series with a message entitled "Perfect Gift."We will look into the gifts that were brought to Jesus, as He is the perfect gift that we celebrate at Christmas.

This week we will start our Christmas 2024 series with a message entitled "Perfect Timing."Mary might have thought it was bad timing for her son to be born. We will see how Christmas is about God's sovereign timing in all of our lives.

Join us as we continue with our series titled 'Miracles of God.' This week, we will concentrate on 'Miracles of Protection.' We'll explore our understanding of God, His existing plans, and how we can offer our praise for all that He has yet to accomplish!

We will continue with our series 'Miracles of God.' This week, our focus will be on 'Healing Miracles.' We will explore the definition of a miracle, examine why Jesus chose to perform some miracles while refraining from others, and discuss how to pray for a miracle.

We are excited to continue with the series titled 'Miracles of God.' This week, we will concentrate on 'Part 2 of the Full Armor of God.' We'll explore how to identify truth and effectively utilize the entirety of God's spiritual armor.

We are excited to continue with the series titled 'Miracles of God.' This week, we will concentrate on 'Part 1 of the Full Armor of God.' We'll explore how to identify truth and effectively utilize the entirety of God's spiritual armor.