Misty Creek Community Church Sermons

This Sunday:  Storms Part 2: The Storm That RefinesJames 1:2-4 Hey Misty Creek family, This Sunday we continue our Storms series with Part 2: "The Storm That Refines." Last week we saw how storms reveal our foundation: what we really believe about God when everything else gets stripped away. This week, we go deeper: storms don't just reveal, they refine. We'll dig into James 1:2-4, where James makes the surprising claim that we can consider trials "pure joy" — not because trials feel good, but because of what they produce in us.  We'll revisit Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their furnace, explore the examples of gold being refined and iron sharpening iron, and honestly wrestle with what it means when God's answer to our prayers is “no” or "not yet" instead of "yes." If you're in a storm of your own right now — a diagnosis, a strained relationship, a waiting season, this message is for you. We'll close by looking at James 1:12: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial... that person will receive the crown of life." Come ready to be refined, not just comforted. See you Sunday, Pastor doug

I'm starting a new sermon series this Sunday called Storms. Over the next 4 weeks, I'll unpack how the Lord used trials, tribulations and storms in our lives to strengthen our trust in Him, to build our character and to shape us to be more like Christ.This week:Storms Part 1: The Storm That RevealsMark 4:35-41Senior Pastor, Doug Allen

The God Who Searches Me (Psalm 139 Series Finale)Psalm 139:19-24 This Sunday we close out our four-week journey through Psalm 139 with our final message. We've spent the last three weeks marveling at a God who knows us, is present with us everywhere, and formed us with intention and care. This week, we confront the fuller picture of who He is: a holy God who hates sin (Psalm 139:19-22, Proverbs 6:16-19) and yet loved us enough to send His Son to the cross so that hatred of sin would never mean rejection of us. We'll pause during the message to celebrate Holy Communion together, and then close with David's most courageous prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart... see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." We'll take time for quiet reflection and an open invitation to respond at the altar, closing our service with Phil Wickham's "Your Name Is Holy." Come ready to be searched, and to be led. I hope to see you Sunday, Pastor doug

The God Who Formed MeWeek 3: Psalm 139:13-18 | John 3:16 You are not an accident. You are a masterpiece, knit together in your mother's womb by a Creator who does not make mistakes. This week, we continue our journey through Psalm 139 by turning to the God who formed us: every detail intentional, every day of our lives written in His book before we ever lived it. From body image to the sanctity of life, we'll confront the world's shifting standards of worth with God's unchanging verdict, and see just how far He went to prove it, sending His one and only Son to redeem us. Join us as we discover that your worth was never up for debate; it was settled at the cross. I love y'alldougSenior Pastor, Doug Allen

Psalm 139 Part 2: The God Who is EverywherePsalm 139:7-12 | Week 2 of 4: Psalm 139  Following last week's look at the God who fully knows us, this message explores David's question: "Where can I go from your Spirit?" Through three extremes: the heights of heaven, the depths of the sea, and the darkness of hiding. David discovers there is nowhere anxiety, suffering, or shame can take us that God has not already gone before us. Weaving in Jonah's flight to Tarshish and the story of Jesus seeking out the Samaritan woman at the well, the sermon lands on verse 10's tender promise: "Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Whether we're wrestling with fear of the future, isolation in dark seasons, or shame that makes us want to hide, God isn't waiting for us to find our way back, He's already pursuing us with grace. The message closes reflectively, inviting the congregation to simply rest in being held and pursued. 

A new series:Psalm 139 Part 1, The God Who Knows Me.Psalm 139:1-6 | Jeremiah 29:11-14  Have you ever felt the exhaustion of keeping up a perfect image — online, at work, even at church? This Sunday we open our brand new 4-week series in Psalm 139 with a simple but life-changing truth: God has already seen through every mask you wear. Every thought, every fear, every hidden struggle — He knows it all. And He hasn't looked away. In The God Who Knows Me, we will explore what it means to be completely known by a God who loves you not for your performance, but for who you really are. Drawing from Psalm 139:1-6 and the hope-filled promise of Jeremiah 29:11-14, this message is an invitation to stop hiding and start seeking, because the God who knows you completely is waiting to be found. We'll also be launching a 6 Day Challenge beginning Monday to help you experience what radical transparency with God looks like in your everyday life. I love y'alldougSenior Pastor: Doug Allen

Small But Mighty Part 3: Jesus and His Disciples. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29Pastor Doug AllenJune 28th, 2026 We wrap up our Small But Mighty series this Sunday with what may be the most powerful installment yet. Over the past two weeks we have seen how God used Gideon and his tiny army of 300, and David and his band of unlikely mighty men, to accomplish extraordinary things. This week we bring that same theme right into the New Testament and discover that God's pattern of choosing the small and overlooked reaches its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ Himself. Born in Bethlehem, a small, easy-to-overlook town.  Jesus would grow up and hand His world-changing mission to a small band of ordinary, unschooled fishermen. Men like Peter, who failed spectacularly, yet was graciously restored and went on to build the church of Jesus Christ. And a little boy whose small lunch, freely offered, fed thousands.The message is simple and powerful: God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.What He is looking for is not your ability, it is your availability. Join us this Sunday as we close the series with a challenge to stop waiting until you feel ready, and instead take a step of faith and say — Yes, Lord. Use me.  I love y'alldoug

"Fire From Heaven or Love?"Luke 9:51-56      In this story - James and John are ready to call fire down from Heaven and Zapp an entire village. Jesus had other plans. If we are honest, we can often relate with the feelings of James and John. Jesus has other plans for us as well. Love is our calling.Special guest: Rev. David Shivers

Small But Mighty Part 2: David and His Mighty Men What do a ragtag band of World War II fighter pilots, 300 Israelite warriors, and a group of distressed and discontented men hiding in a cave all have in common? They were all written off by the world, but used mightily by God. This Sunday we continue our Small but Mighty series with one of the most overlooked stories in all of Scripture: David and his Mighty Men.  From the cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22 to the legendary exploits of warriors like Eleazar and Benaiah in 2 Samuel 23, we'll discover that God has never recruited from the top of the depth chart or from popularity circles. He takes the broken, the overlooked, and the disqualified and transforms them into kingdom champions. God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. If you've ever felt too broken, too far gone, or too ordinary to be used by God, this message is for you. Come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and sent out with purpose, kingdom purpose. I hope to see you SundayI love y'alldoug

Small But Mighty, Part 1: "Gideon and the 300"Judges 7:2-7 Have you ever noticed that God rarely works the way we expect Him to? This Sunday, we'll kick off a brand-new series: Small but Mighty. We'll look at one of the most surprising military victories in the entire Bible: Gideon and the 300. When God called Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress, convinced he was the least qualified person around. Yet God chose him anyway. And when Gideon finally rallied an army of 32,000 men to face an enemy of 135,000 — God said,  You have too many.  Too many? Only God would say that.  Join us this Sunday as we dig into Judges 6 & 7 and discover why God is far less interested in the size of your group than the condition of your heart. He doesn't need a crowd. He wants committed people — fully surrendered, nothing held back, ready to be used for something only He can get the credit for.  This message will challenge you to ask a simple but powerful question: Am I dry wood or wet wood? Am I on fire for God or am I a lukewarm follower of Jesus? 

05/31/26 Sermon:"Standing in Victory" (The Armor of God, part 2)Ephesians 6:14-18Senior Pastor, Doug Allen

05/24/26 Sermon: The Armor of God Part 1: Put Your War Clothes On. Ephesians 6:10-20 We are excited to kick off a brand-new two-week series this Sunday, and it starts with a question most of us have never stopped to ask: Do you know who you are really fighting? The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 6:12 that our greatest battles are not against people, they are spiritual. And just like the ancient military strategist Sun Tzu wrote, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. God wants us to know our enemy so we can stand firm against him.  This week, we will walk through the three primary tactics the enemy uses against believers: deception, division and discouragement. We'll also introduce the first three pieces of the Armor of God that the Lord has already provided to counter every one of them:   The Belt of Truth to counter the enemy's lies.The Breastplate of Righteousness, to guard your heart.The Gospel Shoes of Peace to keep you grounded and united . We will be anchored in Ephesians 6, 1 Peter 5:8, Isaiah 54:17, and more. And you will leave with a practical Daily Armor Challenge to carry into your week! No weapon formed against you will prevail. Isaiah 54:17 We hope to see you Sunday! Bring a friend! This is a message everyone needs to hear.  I love y'allPastor doug

"Revival That Lasts"(If You Build It, He Will Come - Nehemiah Series, Part 4)Nehemiah, 8:1-3, 5-6Revive Us AgainWhat comes to mind when you think of the word revival? Does it take you back to your childhood when churches would hold services every night of the week in an attempt to recapture the love of Christ again?  There's absolutely nothing wrong with a church attempting to grow closer to God through a week of services to seek His face but real, lasting revival begins in an individual's heart, then spreads to his or her family and then spreads to the church, then the community and then quite possibly the nation. Taken from the root word revive, it quite literally means to bring back to life, to become active, to flourish again. Our nation and our world are in a state of decay. The more that God is removed from a society, the more that society descends into depravity, filth, moral decay and chaos. We are living in a time where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Absolute truth is becoming unacceptable and intolerable, especially the Word of God. The Truth of Scripture has even become intolerable in many churches. The Truth of God's Word has been exchanged for a lie. Many churches are lukewarm at best, many more are dead altogether. But Christian, all is not lost. This Sunday we will finish our 4-week sermon series in Nehemiah with Nehemiah Part 4: Revival That Lasts. God used Nehemiah to bring about revival in Jerusalem. The Lord began by placing a burden in Nehemiah's heart for the Jewish people and for the city of Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah, as cupbearer to the king, moved forward in faith by asking King Artaxerxes of Persia to not only let him travel to Jerusalem but to fund the rebuilding of the wall.  Then Nehemiah inspired and rallied the Jewish people to accomplish the impossible, to rebuild 2 ½ miles of completely destroyed and burned walls and gates surrounding the city of Jerusalem and with God's help, they did it in just 52 days! In this final sermon, we will learn how God used both Nehemiah and Ezra to not only bring about revival for the Lord, but revival that would last. Ezra read the forgotten Word of God to the Jewish people and they responded with confession of sin and a returning to God. Beloved, our God is a God of mercy, his heart is always longing for forgiveness, restoration and revival. I believe we witnessed the beginning of a revival in this country 3 years ago, February 8th, 2023 on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. No famous theologians, no big-name worship leaders or musicians...just a group of students who were hungry for an encounter with God. They humbly confessed their sins and shortcomings and simply poured out their hearts to Jesus. That revival spread to many other college campuses around the country and it's still burning today.Christian, do you long for revival? God is always ready!  If you'll completely and humbly confess your sins and surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then you are positioned for revival to break out in your own heart, and in the hearts of your family members and then who knows, perhaps then in your church, your community, the nation and the world. All things are indeed possible with our great God!Revive us again Lord, I pray! I love y'all...Your brother in Christ Jesus our Lorddoug 2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Built Together, Battling Together This Sunday I will continue Part 3 of a sermon series on Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a timely message for our church at Misty Creek and a timely message for our world. The Lord is always ready to do a new thing in the world but to see God's hand move first requires a step of faith and obedience. In my life, the movement from the Lord only happens after the step of obedience, I have example after example of this happening. It's always the case in Scripture as well. The Lord wants to know that we will put the full weight of our trust and hope in him. When we do this, we are positioned to see God do great and mighty things. This is exactly what Nehemiah did. He was living a comfortable life in Susa as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Living in Persia, Nehemiah was far from his home and his people in Jerusalem but God put a burden on his heart for his people.  That's what God does so often, He breaks our heart for what breaks his. And so, Nehemiah trusted God and did what he was asked to do. He pushed through his fear and approached the king to ask for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city. And furthermore, He courageously asked the king to fund the project with timber and supplies. And beloved, here's the beautiful thing, when God asks you to do something you're never in it alone, he goes before you and paves the way for victory. And that is exactly what he did for Nehemiah.  This Sunday, we will learn how Nehemiah rallied the Jews to do the impossible, to begin rebuilding 2 ½ miles of broken down and burned wall around the city of Jerusalem. We'll watch how he united the Jews and taught them to build together while battling their enemies together. Christian, the lesson for all of us through Nehemiah is a message of unity. This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. Just before Jesus Christ went to the cross, he prayed one of the most powerful prayers in human history.  John 17:20-21“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  Beloved, in this prayer in chapter 17, Jesus first asks the Father to glorify him so that he could glorify his Father. Then he prays for his disciples. Then he prays for you and for me, the future believers!  He prays for us to be united, to literally be one just as he and the Father are one! Simply amazing and altogether beautiful. This is the ultimate message that Nehemiah teaches us. There is only so much that we can accomplish by ourselves but when we are united by the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is absolutely nothing we can't do! And the added bonus is this: the world will see our unified witness and praise our God in heaven.  Lord, help us to live our lives with humility, surrendered to your will and your purpose for us as your children. Help us to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. And today and every single day, to your great name be great glory!I pray all these things in the mighty and matchless name of Yeshua, Jesus! Yes, Lord let it be so, Amen! I love y'alldoug

Chasing Lions1 Chronicles 11:22Special Guest: Reverend David Shivers

I'm super excited to continue this sermon series through the book of Nehemiah. Here are the highlights for this Sunday.If You Build It, He Will Come Nehemiah Part 2: Moving Forward in FaithNehemiah 2:1-20 A Study in Vision, Courage and Faithful ActionThe Big IdeaWhen God calls you to rebuild, you may have to take a step of faith you've been avoiding, and you will face opposition, but the Lord is the One who gives deliverance and victory. Nehemiah's story is not just ancient history. It is a mirror for anyone who senses God stirring them toward something that feels impossible. Main points to remember and apply1. Prayer is not a substitute for action — it is the preparation for it. Nehemiah prayed, then moved.2. God exposes what is broken not to shame you, but to heal you. Honest assessment is an act of mercy.3. Opposition after a step of obedience is often confirmation, not condemnation. Keep building.4. You are God's handiwork, created for good works already prepared for you — but those works require movement.5. The step of faith you've been avoiding may be the very doorway into your next season with God.I hope to see you this Sunday!I love y'all!doug

If You Build It, He Will Come, Nehemiah Part 1: Burden Before Breakthrough Nehemiah 1:1-11 Every great work of God begins not with a blueprint, but with a broken heart. Before a single stone was laid in Jerusalem, there was a burden. Obedience to God invites His presence and activity. When we say yes to what He is stirring in us, He shows up in ways we could never manufacture on our own.• The burden comes before the breakthrough• God does not give you a burden without a plan• The broken heart is the beginning of something extraordinary Nehemiah's first response was not a plan, it was prayer. His prayer gives us a three-part model for responding to the burdens God places on us:1. CONFESSION (vs. 6-7) — He said 'we,' not 'they.' He owned the brokenness as his own. Corporate humility creates space for God to move.2. COVENANT REMINDER (vs. 8-9) — He prayed Scripture back to God. He stood on God's promises and said, 'Lord, You said this. I am holding You to it.' When walls look broken, go back to what God has said.3. BOLD PETITION (vs. 10-11) — He asked specifically for favor before the king. Not vague. Not passive. He knew what he needed and he asked.The prayer moves from humility to hope, from 'we have sinned' to 'give me success today.'Beloved, God does not give you a burden without a plan. The burden is not the end of the story, it is the beginning of the breakthrough.We have a promise from God Almighty. If we build our lives on Jesus, the Cornerstone of our faith, He will come and lead us and guide us and shepherd us. Jesus said that He is the Vine and we are the branches. If we abide in Him, He promises to abide in us.I pray that you will join us this Sunday as we study the life of Nehemiah. Christian, his story is our story too. Jesus wants to use you and I to build his glorious kingdom one life at a time.I love y'alldoug

"What Are You Looking For?"Psalm 105:4 & Psalm 27:8Sermon by Jeff WillisMisty Creek Community Church

JESUS IS (Part 4):"Jesus is on the Loose!"Mark 16:1-7Misty Creek Community ChurchSenior Pastor: Doug Allen

Jesus Is (pt. 3): "Jesus is the Lamb of God"John 19:25-30Senior Pastor, Doug Allen

Jesus Is (Part Two):"Jesus is the Son of David, Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord"Matthew 21:1-11Senior Pastor, Doug Allen

"What Is That In Your Hand?"Exodus 4:1-5 Overview:  Exodus 4:2, God asks Moses, "What is that in your hand?", Moses replies, "a staff". This was an ordinary shepherd's tool, really it was just a stick. But God wants us to simply use the recourses "great or small to accomplish His great and mighty task. Let's walk thru the Bible and see how God used the small, simplest things in our life to accomplish the great work of the Lord. That thing you think is ordinary, may be the very thing God wants to use to shake nations, break chains, and build faith.  Sermon message by Jeff Willis.

03/15/26 Sermon: "Jesus is the Good Shepherd" (Jesus Is, pt. 1)John 10:2-5Senior Pastor, Doug Allen

Made for More  Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Beloved, you are God's instrument. You were created to bring Him pleasure—not by sitting idle, not by playing it safe, not by hiding your gifts and your calling. You bring God pleasure when you're actively living for Him, when you're using what He's given you, and when you're walking in the good works He prepared for you.  When you do these things, you are actually worshipping him with your whole life, you are becoming a living sacrifice to the Lord. He didn't craft you as a masterpiece just so you could sit on the sidelines. You were made for more.  The good works God prepared for you are waiting. The purpose He designed you for is calling. The life of meaning and impact and fulfillment is available. Will you walk into God's calling for you? I pray that you will.  I love y'allPastor doug

Be Bold in Your Faith Part 4: The Spirit of Lawlessness2 Timothy 3:1-5 Whether you're watching the news, scrolling through social media, or just observing what's happening in society, there's a growing trend that's impossible to ignore. It's a blatant disregard for authority that seems to be spreading like wildfire throughout our culture. As Christians, we should feel this disturbance in our Spirit. Do you feel it?We see students openly defying teachers in classrooms. We see employees showing contempt for their supervisors. We see road rage and people filled with anger all around us. We see outright anarchy in the streets, angry mobs mocking and attacking law enforcement and government officials. Abortion has been normalized, gender confusion abounds and school shootings have become the status quo. We even see children rebelling against their parents in ways that would have seemed unthinkable just a generation ago. And perhaps most troubling of all, we see people within the church questioning biblical authority and redefining God's standards to fit their own preferences, and many more are walking away from the Lord and their faith altogether.   This isn't just a social problem or a political issue. What we're witnessing is something the Bible warned us about thousands of years ago. It's what Scripture calls "the spirit of lawlessness" and it's been working and active in the world since the very beginning.This Sunday, we'll examine the origins of lawlessness, what the Bible has to say about it and practical ways that we can stand firm against it. I hope to see you there!Pastor doug

"The Favor of God"Psalm 90:1702/22/26 Misty Creek Community ChurchSermon message by Jeff Willis

02/18/26 Ash WednesdayMay we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Jesus and set our hearts on repentance, renewal and drawing closer to God.Senior Pastor: Doug Allen

Be Bold in Your Faith Part 3: You Are the Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. What Jesus is saying to his followers here is a declaration of truth: You are the light of the world. Not "you should try to be" or "you might become." Jesus declares that if you belong to Him, you ARE light. But here's the tension we all feel, we live in a world that constantly pressures us to dim that light, to blend in, and not to stand out. But that's not what Jesus did. He preached the good news everywhere he went and with boldness and authority. And if we want to be his disciples, he calls us to do the same. Our prayer...Jesus, fill us with courage and strength to shine our lights for Your glory and for Your kingdom. May our light shine in such a way that others see our good deeds and glorify You.Jesus, to Your great name be great glory!I love y'all!Pastor Doug

Your Name is Holy Exodus 3:4-6, 13-15 The Book of Exodus outlines Moses' encounter with God Almighty. God reveals that His name is I AM THAT I AM. He is a holy God. So holy in fact, that the Jewish people were afraid to even speak the name Yahweh, instead they called Him: Yod, Heh, Vav, Heh.  But fast forward about 3,500 years. I believe one of the greatest challenges facing the church today is society's casual and cavalier attitude towards God. We've become so familiar with God that we've lost our fear of God. And I don't mean terror—I mean that healthy, reverent awe that recognizes who He is and who we are. We treat prayer like a quick text message to heaven. We approach worship like we're attending a performance. We read Scripture like we're scrolling through social media. And we wonder why our faith feels flat, why our worship feels empty, and why we're not experiencing the power and presence of God.  The problem isn't that God has changed. The problem is that we've lost our sense of reverence.  Please join us this Sunday as we learn how to consecrate ourselves before a Holy God and to give Him the reverence and honor that He deserves. I love y'allPastor Doug

Come As You Are Jesus extends a remarkable invitation to all of mankind. Matthew recorded it for us in his Gospel. Matthew 11:28-30“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This is literally an open invitation to every man, woman and child on the planet, open and available to anyone who would simply come. But to fully understand his invitation, his offer for rest, we must back up one paragraph. Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. What Jesus is saying here is significant. In the ancient scrolls or what we now refer to as the Old Testament, the word “know” means far more than just knowledge, it refers to an intimate relationship. And that is exactly what Jesus is offering in his invitation, an intimate relationship with himself. Just as the Father knows the Son, Jesus is inviting us to know him, not just know about him but to be in intimate relationship with him. O how marvelous, O how wonderful!  And once we accept his offer of salvation and we belong to him, we begin to gain deeper and more significant revelation into how much he loves us. And once we have that epiphany, that Aha moment when we realize that there is nothing that we can do to make God love us any more than he already does, he truly loves us just as we are, and with that realization then we can begin to trust him…I mean really trust him, with all of our heart. Christian, I promise you, once you grasp the reality of God's love for you through Christ Jesus, you'll never look at trials and tribulations the same way again. You will see, just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did in the fiery furnace, that you're not in this world alone, Jesus is right there with you, right beside you, helping you endure, persevere and overcome. Beloved, are you weary? Are you burdened? Are you exhausted and burned out and just tired of it all? Then I urge you to take Jesus up on his offer. He wants to give you everlasting life and he wants to give you rest in the here and now…but remember, it may not mean that your problems will just go away, however Jesus is offering to walk through them with you and to give you his peace and strength for the journey. Is your soul hungry for something more, are you thirsting for something beyond this world? Then simply, just as you are, come to Jesus. Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.To God be the glory! I love y'allpastor doug

I've recently been thinking about how thankful I am for America. It is certainly easy to take things for granted and focus on some obvious problems, but if we are willing to look, we can find reasons to thank God for this country.As a Christian our desire should be to live a life that is peaceable, quiet, and biblically faithful life. I know that there are going to be neighbors, coworkers, politicians, and university professors who are out of step with our worldview. This is okay. It's an opportunity. America gives us this opportunity.God graciously has allowed the flame of the gospel to continue to burn—and even flourish throughout our history. We could've been born in a country or region that is unreached. But, as God would have it, he has graciously allowed us to be born and raise our children here where evangelists roam the streets and sit in office cubicles. America certainly has her bad moments, but this is a too often overlooked virtue. And it's an important one.Now as a Sunday School teacher I think about how thankful I am that we can assemble freely as a church while declaring our loyalty to and longing for our Soon Coming King. We are able to boldly preach and teach the Word of God without fear of being thrown in jail. This is a gift not shared by our brothers and sisters in every country.As a church, we regularly pray for and zealously pursue opportunities to plant and strengthen churches. Thank God we live in a country where this is possible. We can openly train, plan, and pursue the establishment of more churches.I am also thankful for the overall pursuit of peace, justice, and security. I know things are not perfect, and there are obvious limitations in each of these categories. But when we look around the world and throughout history, we who live in the United States are extremely blessed to live here and now.Our country is not perfect (far from it). We will certainly not be homesick when we tread upon the streets in the Celestial City. But living in America is an occasion for us to thank God, praise God and to use this time and season to give God ALL the Glory, for Great things He has done!. The most important things in this world are the church and our family. We need to be grateful to God that as of now both are able to be cared for and given opportunity to flourish.As America turns 250 years old we remember this:Considering where our trust is established: Ps 20: 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.Remembering where our help comes from: Ps. 121: 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.May God Bless America and lead us to give God all the Glory. Jeff Willis

The Voice of Truth 2 Timothy 4:2-4 The foundation of any human relationship is truth. As followers of Christ, we have an enemy who is called the father of all lies. It is imperative as Christians in this dark world to be able to discern godly truth from lies. This Sunday we will examine some of the strategies of Satan to deceive us and we'll look at how God says we can have victory in this battle. There is power in the name of Jesus so right now, in this moment I speak the name of Jesus against Satan and his followers, against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. To our great God be great glory!I love y'alldoug

Factory Reset Hebrews 12:5-11 We most definitely live in an ultra-fast paced, information sharing, computer driven age. In fact, it's hard to even imagine life today without personal computers, laptops or a smart phone attached to every hip, right?  Whether we like it or not, the information age genie is out of the bottle and it's not going back in and even more so with the advancements of A.I., Artificial Intelligence…but what happens when these devices on which we've become so dependent, fail to operate properly?  Our pc or laptop crashes or our smart phone gets bogged down and sluggish… For whatever reason, a virus, lack of memory or just too many installed apps, our devices can sometimes get to a point where they no longer operate as the original designer intended. Fortunately, the designer created a way to restore these units to their original settings and that is with a factory reset.  As followers of Christ, we too can become bogged down with the virus of sin, the busyness of life and the worries of this world. To get our attention, God sometimes has to perform a factory reset so He can refocus our wandering hearts back onto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. And to do this, God will sometimes strip us of our idols of comfort and familiarity to drive us to our knees before His throne in absolute desperation. God doesn't do this to hurt us; He does it as a loving Father who longs to bring us into oneness with His Son, Jesus. I hope that you'll join us this Sunday as we begin the new year, a year of new beginnings in the Lord.  God Bless, I love y'all!Pastor Doug

The Humble Servants of God Part 3: Jesus Christ, the Light of the World John 1:14Interim Pastor: Doug Allen

"Christ is Coming"Malachi 3:1 NIV  “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.  Malachi is a Hebrew name meaning "my messenger" famously belonging to the last Old Testament prophet who delivered God's final messages before a long silence, calling Israel to repentance and foretelling the coming of the Messiah, Our Lord, Our Savior.  Advent: Latin word “adventus,” the word advent means “arrival” or “coming.” First Week of Advent:Theme: Hope (Hope Candle or Prophet's Candle).Theme: Peace (Peace Candle, Love Candle, or Bethlehem Candle).Theme: Joy (Joy Candle or Shepherd's Candle).Special Name: Gaudete Sunday, emphasizing rejoicing.Theme: Love (Love Candle of The Angel Candle) Christmas Day, which marks the culmination of the Advent season,and the central Christ Candle on the Advent wreath is typically lit on this day to symbolize the birthof Jesus, the Light of the World.Second Week of Advent:Third Week of Advent:Fourth Week of Advent: The prophecy here reveals the Christ Child that did come and also foretells the One who shall also return.  12/21/25 Misty Creek Community ChurchSermon message by Jeff Willis

The Humble Servants of God Part 2: Joseph, the Earthly Father of Jesus Matthew 1:18-24 God's ways are not our ways. Just like Mary, Joseph, according to human reasoning and understanding was an unlikely choice to be used by God to be His Son's earthly father. But God takes the logic and reasoning of the world and flips it on its head. It was prophesied that Jesus would come from the Tribe of Judah and would be a direct descendant of both Abraham and King David. Joseph fulfilled this ancient prophesy, but even though he was a man of simple means, we can learn much from his life. Joseph chose to walk by faith even in the midst of confusion. He was a man who modeled humility and Joseph's life, character and obedience point us to the heart of our Heavenly Father. As the children of God, may we all strive to be more like Joseph; humble and selfless as we serve the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus.See you Sunday!I love y'alldoug

The Humble Servants of God Part 1: Mary, Mother of Jesus Luke 1:26-38 Perhaps you've heard the saying God's ways are not our ways? It is in fact true. God's will and His ways are often a mystery to us but He is always working things out for our good and for His glory. And in the Holy Bible, throughout history, the Lord has used humble people to accomplish great and mighty things. There is a saying worthy of full acceptance. God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.  God only needs people that by faith will say yes Lord, here I am use me. There are so many examples of this in Scripture: Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, being wrongly accused of sexual assault and jailed in Egypt; he had every reason to give up but Joseph by faith, remembered God's promise to him in a dream and God's word never fails. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, helped the Israelite spies and by faith, believed their promises that God would save her and her family. The Lord did indeed save her and her household, but God didn't stop there, Rahab would become part of the family tree and the genealogy of Jesus Christ, for God's word never fails.  But there is perhaps no greater example of God using the humble to accomplish mighty things than the life of Mary. She was a simple girl from the poor town of Nazareth. The most unlikely of choices to carry the Son of God, the Light of the world. But God chooses the weak and humble things of the world to shame those things which are strong. Mary, by faith,  believed the angel Gabriel's words and the Lord blessed her mightily, allowing her to give birth to our Savior and Messiah, Jesus…  This Sunday we'll take a close look at the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. God kept His promises to her because His word never fails, it never has and it never will. To our great God be great glory!I love y'allPastor doug

"If Idols Don't Work, Why Do People Still Worship Them?"Isaiah 44:13-20Sermon message by Kenneth Abele

An Attitude of Gratitude Philippians 4:6-7 In this world of keeping up appearances and keeping up with the Joneses, it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what we don't have. This isn't God's will for us for when we live like that, we're never content, never at peace and never grateful. But God wants something different for His children. He wants us to be a people who are grateful and thankful for all He has provided for us. Paul writes this. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. As Christians, we have a Good Father who loves us and blesses us beyond measure. When we choose to count our many blessings, what we're really choosing is to be grateful, to be thankful and to walk in humility. And this pleases the Lord, in fact, He promises that when we choose gratitude that He will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus and fill us with peace from heaven. Glory Hallelujah! So beloved, this day and every day may you choose to have an attitude of gratitude. I love y'alldoug 

DesirePsalm 27:4One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.Desire in this context is not merely a fleeting wish but a deep, heartfelt longing. The psalmist's desire is aligned with God's will, demonstrating a mature faith that prioritizes spiritual over material needs. This aligns with the biblical principle found in Psalm 27:4 which encourages delighting in the LORD to receive the desires of one's heart, suggesting that true fulfillment is found in God alone. The focus is on our desire and our seeking the Lord.

Be Bold in Your Faith Part 2: You are the Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Jesus calls his disciples to make a difference in this world, to be bold in our faith. He tells us in his powerful sermon on the mount to be salt and light. He didn't say try to be salt, no, he said that we are the salt of the earth. As with everything that Jesus taught, this command to be the salt of the earth is packed with meaning. In Jesus' day, salt was used to preserve, to purify, to add flavor and to create thirst. In this world that is so corrupted by sin, Jesus wants to use his followers to hold back moral decay, to cleanse what's corrupted, to bring joy, grace and kindness and to point people to him.  Will you be bold in your faith? Will you accept your role and walk in your identity? You are the salt of the earth! Go out there and change the world for Christ Jesus!See you Sunday!I love y'alldoug

Be Bold in Your Faith Acts 4:13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. When it comes to our Christian faith, the loud voices in this world often tell us to keep our faith and our beliefs to ourselves, to blend in, to avoid offending anyone. But that's not what Jesus did. He preached the good news everywhere he went and with boldness and authority. And if we want to be his disciples, he calls us to do the same. But how do we do this in a world that views the Christian message of salvation with increasing hostility?  Beloved, bold and courageous faith comes from being with Jesus. We experience supernatural courage and strength when we spend time in fellowship with the Lord. When the resurrected Christ rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples, he promised that a gift was coming, the Advocate and Comforter was coming, the Holy Spirit. Christian, we are filled with the same Holy Spirit as Peter and John and we can literally accomplish great and mighty things with his help. So be strong, be encouraged and be bold in your faith, Jesus is counting on you!I love y'alldoug

The Valley of VisionRomans 8:31, 35, 37-39In this world, it's not a matter of if we will endure trials, tribulation and hardship, it's a matter of when. Jesus told us plainly that in this world we will have trouble but not to lose heart, he has already overcome the world. He also promised his believers that he would never leave us, in fact he promised to be with us all the way, even to the end of the age. When we endure the valleys of hardship, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus for he alone is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.And when we fix our eyes on him while in the valley, he refines our vision. You see beloved, it's in the valley that we learn invaluable lessons of the Lord's deep love and faithfulness towards us that we simply could not learn any other way. My deepest times of growth in my relationship with Jesus have come in the valley, I suspect yours have too? May we remain faithful in those times of trials and testing and know in our deepest heart that he will lead us through the valley and onto the mountaintop of victory.

Standing Firm in ExileDaniel 1: 1-7 Over and over again one of the central truths of the Bible is "Our Lord Reigns."Even in moments of darkness, even when the future feels uncertain, God is sovereign.He is not distant. He is not silent. He is present and ruling - even when things are falling apart. Daniel 1 teaches about God's sovereignty showing HE is in control even when people suffer, and the importance of standing firm in one's convictions by refusing to compromise faith, despite intense pressure to conform to worldly customs. It demonstrates that obedience to God brings divine favor and wisdom as seen when Daniel and his friends are rewarded with superior knowledge for their faithfulness to a simple diet and their convictions.  God Bless,Jeff Willis

Battle Ready Part 2: This is How We Fight Our Battles Ephesians 6:10-18 In the previous sermon Battle Ready Part 1: Wake Up Sleeper, we learned what it means to be the True Church of Jesus Christ. We learned that a church that looks just like the world has nothing to offer the world. Jesus is calling his church to wake up and boldly proclaim the Gospel message of salvation. In this message we'll identify who are enemy is and we'll examine the powerful weapons that the Lord has given us to achieve victory over Satan and his diabolical schemes. I love and appreciate y'alldoug

It All Starts with a Thought Luke 15:11-31 One of Jesus' greatest parables can be found in the Gospel of Luke, it's the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This Sunday we'll delve into the Scriptures and examine what Jesus wants to show us through the story of the younger son, the older brother and the heart of the Father. Behind the scenes, Satan is always planting thoughts in our minds to confuse us. The strategic thoughts and ideas that Satan whispers in our ear always lead us away from the Father while the thoughts from the Holy Spirit always draw us near to the Father. Father God is always searching for us when we go astray and He is always prepared to welcome us home with open arms.  To our great God be great glory!I love y'alldoug

For This Cause Titus 1:5        For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: So many times, we are led by the Spirit of God to places, thru circumstances or in a situation that we do not want to endure. There seems to be our plan and then God's plan. Here in the book of Titus we find Paul providing instruction to a young pastor named Titus as to why he is in Crete. We ask ourselves: Why are we here?  What should I be doing? God's Word is filled with direction, filled with instruction, and promise. We don't need to be consumed with the noise of this world but remain focused on the Will of God….regardless where we find ourself today! God Bless!JeffSermon message by Jeff Willis

Battle Ready: Wake Up Sleeper 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Ever since the original sin in the Garden of Eden, the battle of good vs. evil has continued throughout the ages. The battle has intensified though and the only answer and the only hope mankind has for triumph over evil is Jesus Christ. The church has been complacent and asleep at the wheel for far too long. We can no longer wink at sin and go along just to get along. It's time for the Church of Jesus Christ to wake up and put on our spiritual armor. The same promise that the Lord made to Joshua is for us today. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Church, may we fight the good fight of the faith for the hearts and souls of this generation. To our great God be great glory and great victory!I hope to see you there!I love y'alldoug

09/14/25 Worship Service from Misty Creek Community ChurchFrom Interim Pastor, Doug Allen:All is Well I'm not a big fan of change, I never have been… I'm a creature of habit I suppose and I speculate that most of us are like that. I like to stay within my comfort zone and if I had it my way, things would always stay the same. However, that is just not the way life works, it's not the way that God works. Change is not just a possibility, it's a certainty. Our lives are constantly changing all around us, sometimes in small almost unnoticeable ways and sometimes in really big ways. Sometimes the change is exciting and other times the change is grievous and perhaps too much to bear, in our own strength that is. This week, I was out for a 3 mile walk in our neighborhood. I almost always feel a connection with God when I'm outdoors in His creation. This particular day, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and found myself fearful over big changes in my life, changes that I didn't necessarily see coming, remember I don't like change. I needed to know that everything was going to be alright and at that moment I just couldn't see it… I turned on Pandora and started walking. A song came on by Robin Mark called All is Well. God gave me a new perspective that day. The lyrics say: All my changes come from Him, He who never changesI'm held firm in the grasp of the Rock of all the agesAll is well with my soulHe is God in controlI know not all His plansBut I know I'm in His hands In that moment, I felt a peace from God cover me like a warm blanket. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God is in control of all things, yes even all of the changes that happen in our lives and that He works things out for the good of those who love Him.   Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  I can't always see the good with my earthly eyes but I can trust in His Word and trust His heart. You see, God wants to shape us and mold us and draw us closer to Himself. He will often use change in our lives to do just that. He wants us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust in Him and His ways, to lean on Him, to press into Him, and when we do that, we begin to change too…We begin to see things with God's eyes, not our own eyes. Changes will come, this fact is inevitable but we have a God who never changes, who will never forsake us, who will never leave us alone. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or change???  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!  To our great God be great glory! I love y'alldoug

For Such a Time as This Ephesians 2:10“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”God wants to use each of us as His dearly loved children to accomplish His will on the earth. In fact, He has prepared good works for us to do and He is always working behind the scenes to orchestrate and bring those good works to fruition. We'll look at the life of Esther. God made a way for a young Jewish girl to become the Queen of Persia. For such a time as this, the Lord put Esther in that position to help thwart an evil plan that would have annihilated the entire Jewish race in Persia. God has a plan for you too, are you ready? Don't miss it, God created you for such a time as this.I love y'alldougWorship Pastor, Doug Allen

This Sunday's message focuses on Paul's call to "keep on being filled with the Spirit" instead of following worldly influences. The sermon emphasizes three aspects of Spirit-filled living: walking in love, living as God's holy people, and living as children of light.God's Spirit works in believers' lives through baptism, continuous filling, empowerment for ministry, guidance, and enabling worship and prayer. Instead of seeking fulfillment in temporary things, we are encouraged to pursue a deeper relationship with God. As C.S. Lewis observed, God offers us much more than we often settle for. Let's aim to depend consistently on God's presence. Please work on your Spiritual Gifts Discernment and Assessment Guide. You may present your identified gifts at MCCC on September 14 or 21 during worship at 10:30am. For a digital copy please click the link below.https://mistycreekchurch.org/wa3417/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Spiritul-gifts-handout.pdf Grace and Peace,Stephen