Reach Community Church

There’s a moment in every believer’s life when you wonder if your failure disqualified you. Not just a mistake—but a deep regret. A betrayal. A silence when you should have spoken. A distance you never thought you'd drift. Have you ever looked at your own heart and thought, “Jesus can’t possibly still want to use someone like me”? This story isn’t just about Peter—it’s about Jesus. About how He deals with broken people. About how love restores, redeems, and recommissions. About how grace doesn’t give up when we do. And what happens here? It’s not just a reunion. It’s a restart.

Have you ever felt like your joy was leaking? Like you're doing all the right things—working hard, showing up, even reading your Bible—but something deep inside still feels flat, restless, or empty? We live in a world that offers quick hits of happiness but leaves us hollow. We’re surrounded by people chasing after pleasure, performance, and possessions, but somehow missing the one thing they were made for: lasting joy. Jesus doesn’t just want to get you through life—He wants to fill you with His own joy. Not a cheap substitute. Not a surface smile. But a deep, abiding joy that outlasts your circumstances and flows out of your relationship with Him.

Have you ever been caught off guard by someone’s kindness—so unexpected, so undeserved, it left you speechless? Maybe it was a note you didn’t expect, a debt forgiven, or a friend who showed up when everyone else walked away. There’s something powerful about love that stoops low. It unsettles our pride. It rewrites our expectations. And if we’re willing, it reshapes how we see ourselves—and everyone around us. Today, we step into one of those moments—where love doesn’t shout or shine, but kneels quietly and does what no one else is willing to do. And it just might change everything.

Imagine walking into a feast where every dish promises to satisfy your deepest hunger, but as you reach for the first bite, you realize it's only a shadow, a faint echo of the real thing. This is the tension Jesus confronts in John 6. The crowd had tasted the miraculous bread, felt the buzz of divine power, but they were still starving spiritually. When Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life," He wasn’t just offering a meal — He was inviting them into a deeper reality, one that transforms temporary satisfaction into eternal life. But this invitation comes with a challenge: it’s not about tasting but abiding, not just knowing but consuming, not just following from a distance but being united with Him in the most personal, life-altering way possible. Today, as we dive into this passage, we’re confronted with a choice — will we settle for spiritual snacks or feast on the true, living bread that fully satisfies?

Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we honor not just those with children in their arms, but also those with children in their hearts, dreams, and prayers. Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel captures both the deep sorrow and the profound joy of motherhood. Her journey reminds us that God sees the forgotten, hears the desperate, and sometimes does the miraculous. This message is for everyone who has ever prayed for a child, for those who have struggled with loss, for those who mother others through mentoring, and for those who have chosen a different path. You are seen, valued, and loved by the God who sees the hidden tears and hears the whispered prayers. As we reflect on Hannah’s story today, I want you to see that her journey points us not just to the power of prayer, but to the deeper hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Like Hannah, we all experience longing, brokenness, and the need for redemption. Today, you can find the same grace and hope that transformed her

“Alright, let’s talk vegetables… or technically, fruits. This is a cucumber. And it’s a lot like us — fresh, full of potential, but still kind of… plain. Nothing wrong with it, but let’s be honest — no one’s lining up for cucumber-flavored chips. On the other hand a pickle. Same vegetable — totally different vibe. Pickles have flavor. They’ve been changed. Transformed. But here's the thing: this guy didn’t get this way by trying harder. It didn’t wake up one morning and say, ‘Today’s the day! I’m going full dill!’”……..“It got this way by sitting. Soaking. Being immersed in a new environment — day after day. That’s what changed it. And honestly? That’s how spiritual growth works too.” “You don’t become more like Jesus by gritting your teeth. You become like Him by staying close — abiding. That’s what we’re diving into today.”

Hallelujah was never meant to be tied to good days. It’s the cry of a soul that says, "My God is greater than my circumstances!” It’s the song you shout when the walls haven’t fallen, when the breakthrough hasn't come, when you're still waiting — but you trust Him anyway.Today’s message is simple and powerful: Praise is a choice. It’s not built on what you see — it’s built on who He is. It’s not driven by feelings — it’s anchored in faith. And when you choose to worship through the storm, you shake the very foundations of the darkness around you. Today we’re not just talking about worship — we’re stepping into a Hallelujah Anyway kind of life.

Some words stay with us forever — a final goodbye, a whispered “I love you,” a promise that held us up in our darkest hour. But no words in history carry more weight than these: “Father, forgive them.” They were spoken from a place of unimaginable agony — nailed hands, a bleeding brow, surrounded by mockers. And still… He prayed for mercy. But how do we know His prayer wasn’t just a beautiful sentiment?
Because three days later, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And forgiveness wasn’t just a hope — it became a reality, backed by the authority of the Risen King. So today, let us turn to the Word of God to shape our future. Let us come with soft hearts, ready to receive God’s invitation — to step into life in all its fullness.

Have you ever gone to extreme lengths just to help someone you love? Maybe you’ve rearranged your whole schedule, drained your savings, or driven through the night — not because it was easy, but because it mattered. Love gets creative. Faith gets bold. Desperation breaks through ceilings. As we continue our journey to the cross in this series, Father, Forgive Them, we’re leaning in to the scandal and the beauty of forgiveness — the kind that breaks barriers, rewrites stories, and reaches deeper than we often expect. Last week, we asked the question: Who needs forgiveness? And we saw that Jesus offers it to the person the world least expects — a woman with a past, and a heart that runs toward grace. Today, we’re looking at a moment where forgiveness doesn’t just walk through the front door — it comes through the roof. And what Jesus says and does in this moment doesn’t just shift the room — it rattles the entire religious system. Because Jesus isn’t just willing to forgive… He’s determined to. He doesn’t wait for us to get everything right. He honors faith that risks, that carries, that climbs — and He offers healing that starts in the soul. Let’s step into this story — not just to admire the miracle, but to meet the Savior who still sees our need… and speaks forgiveness before we even ask.

There are few words more surprising—more offensive, even—than the ones Jesus spoke from the cross: “Father, forgive them…” In that moment, bleeding and mocked, Jesus wasn’t just showing mercy—He was defining His mission. Forgiveness wasn’t an afterthought. It was the reason He came. But here’s the tension: forgiveness only matters if we know we need it. And that’s where we often get stuck. We divide the world into “good people” and “bad people.” We compare sins like they’re stains that can be scrubbed out with enough effort. And some of us—like the woman in today’s passage—know our need all too well. Others—like the Pharisee sitting next to Jesus—aren’t so sure they need anything at all. So before we get to the cross… Before we hear Jesus pray for those who nailed Him to a cross… We have to ask a deeper question: Who needs forgiveness? And maybe more importantly—do I? Let’s find out together.

Reach Community Church

Imagine standing in the wilderness, surrounded by crowds who have come not for entertainment, but for transformation. That’s where we meet John the Baptist in Luke 3. He’s not preaching comfort—he's calling people to repentance, preparing the way for the coming Messiah. His message is bold: "Turn from your sins, and bear fruit that proves your heart has changed." In todays verses, John announces a baptism of repentance, confronts complacency, and urges his listeners to live lives marked by justice, generosity, and integrity. He points beyond himself to One far greater—One who will baptize not just with water, but with the Holy Spirit and fire. Today, as we step into this passage, we are invited to hear John’s challenge afresh: How are we preparing the way for Jesus in our own lives?

Have you ever found yourself in a season where God has spoken a promise over your life, but you have yet to see it fulfilled? Maybe you’re waiting for healing, restoration, provision, or direction, and in the waiting, doubt begins to creep in. It’s one thing to praise God when the answer has come, but what about when you’re still in the middle of uncertainty? Mary, a young girl from an insignificant town, had just received an astonishing word from the Lord. She would give birth to the Messiah. Yet, at this moment, nothing in her outward circumstances had changed—she was still an unwed teenager in a society that wouldn’t understand her pregnancy, still facing an unknown future. And yet, she lifts her voice in magnificent praise. This is the heart of faith: worshiping God not because we have seen the promise fulfilled, but because we trust the One who made the promise. When we believe in God's faithfulness, we can magnify His name even in seasons of waiting. Today, we will explore how Mary’s song teaches us to rejoice in the character of God, to trust in His perfect timing, and to proclaim His greatness—even when we haven’t yet seen how His promises will unfold.

There’s a big difference between renting and owning. When you rent something—a house, a car, or even a tool—you may have access to it, but it doesn’t truly belong to you. You use it for a time, but in the end, you answer to the owner. Yet, how often do we live as if we own what has only been entrusted to us? Our lives, our resources, our time—all of it has been given by Someone else, yet we often cling to them as if they are ours to control. Jesus tells a story that reminds us of this truth: We are renters, not owners. And how we handle what we’ve been given will determine everything. The question today is, Are we living as faithful stewards, or are we trying to claim ownership over what belongs to God?

Reach Community Church

Have you ever tried to walk in two directions at once? It’s impossible. Imagine standing at a crossroads, one path leading toward God’s kingdom and the other toward the world. Many of us try to keep a foot on both paths, thinking we can balance our love for God with our attachment to worldly things. But eventually, we’re forced to choose—because a divided heart cannot stand. Jesus spoke a powerful truth when He said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We see this principle everywhere—nations collapse under internal strife, families fall apart when unity is broken, and even churches weaken when division takes root. But the most dangerous place division can occur is within our own hearts. Too often, we try to serve two masters. We want to trust God, but we also want control. We desire holiness, but we still chase worldly pleasures. We long for peace, but we cling to worry and doubt. This internal battle leaves us weak, exhausted, and spiritually unstable. But Jesus doesn’t call us to half-hearted devotion. He calls us to full surrender. Today, we’re going to examine what it means to be “a house divided” and how we can build our lives on a foundation that stands firm in Christ. The choice is before us—will we be fully devoted to God, or will we remain divided?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where justice seemed completely reversed—where the guilty walked free while the innocent suffered? Moments like these leave us unsettled because they go against everything we believe about fairness and righteousness. Yet, at the very heart of our faith lies the most profound and shocking exchange in history. An innocent man took the place of a guilty one, not by accident, but by divine design. This was not just a failure of human justice but the fulfillmen of God’s redemptive plan. It was a moment where mercy triumphed over judgment, where righteousness bore the weight of sin, and where love willingly embraced suffering so that the condemned could go free. Today, we stand in the shadow of that exchange. The question is—what will we do with it? Will we see it as a distant event of history, or will we recognize ourselves in the story? The answer changes everything.

Reach Community Church

Have you ever held onto something so tightly that letting go felt impossible? Maybe it was a dream, a possession, or even a sense of security. We like to think we’re in control, that our efforts, our good deeds, and our checklists will get us where we want to go. But what if the very thing we cling to is the thing keeping us from something greater? Today, we’re going to talk about what it really means to follow Jesus—not just with our words, but with our whole lives. Jesus is more interested in our hearts then just what we do with hands and words.

Today marks the final day of our 21 days of prayer and fasting, as well as the conclusion of our Pray series. Throughout this journey, we have heard the words of Jesus as He taught His disciples to pray, recognized the importance of withdrawing to pray, and told not to give up but to keep praying. This morning, we will seek to understand what it means to lament in prayer. To lament is to express deep grief or sorrow passionately. This is an art that has been largely lost in the modern church, partly because we do not teach or practice it. Interestingly, 40% of the Psalms are prayers of lament, and there is an entire book of the Bible called Lamentations. I believe today’s prayer topic has the potential to transform our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We must learn to bring the storms of pain, suffering, anxiety, and conviction that rage within us to the right place—God. Whether we realize it or not, we are doing something with these painful emotions. Let us learn the practice of lament.

Welcome to week three of our series on prayer. Quick questions have you been praying? In week one, we started with the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. Last week, we looked at the importance of withdrawing to pray, learning that if Jesus needed to step away and spend time with the Father, so do we. We all know we should pray and take time with God, but what about when it feels like prayer isn’t working, or life isn’t going our way? Over the next two weeks, we’ll tackle the hard parts of prayer. Today, we’ll explore what it means to pray persistently, trust God’s timing, and align our hearts with His will. Persistent prayer isn’t about wearing God down—it’s about deepening our trust in His character and promises. Let’s dive into Luke 11 and discover how Jesus calls us to "ask, seek, and knock" with bold faith and unwavering persistence.

Good morning, church family! Last week, we began our Pray series by diving into the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus taught us how to pray. Today, we’re focusing on why prayer is so vital by looking at the example Jesus Himself set. Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus frequently withdrew from the crowds to pray and spend time with His Father. This wasn’t just about finding a quiet place—it was about prioritizing intimacy with God in the midst of a busy and demanding life. If the Son of God, who was constantly surrounded by people and responsibilities, made space to connect with His Father, how much more should we? This morning, we’ll explore what it means to follow Jesus’ example of withdrawing to pray—how it refreshes our souls, strengthens our faith, and helps us stay aligned with God’s will. Let’s dive in and learn how withdrawing to prayer can transform our walk with God.

Today, we begin a new series called Pray. Historically, Reach has started each new year with 21 days of prayer and fasting as a way to prepare our hearts and align with God’s purpose. This year is no different. The key ingredient to the next 21 days is prayer. Over the next few Sundays, we’ll dive into the significance of prayer—something that, for many, has become a source of guilt for not doing enough rather than the incredible gift God intended for His children. For the next few weeks, we’ll focus on this transformative truth: God is our source of clarity, vision, purpose, hope, peace, and joy. If that’s true, the big question is: How do we get to this place of clarity? If prayer isn’t part of the process, you won’t experience these blessings fully. If you’re seeking clarity in your life, ask yourself, What are you willing to do to achieve it? Clarity doesn’t come without a cost. Consider a common New Year’s resolution, like losing weight—it takes effort, sacrifice, and discipline to see it through. A 2018 study by Strava, a social network for athletes, revealed that January 12 is the day most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. Why? Without commitment and intentionality, we lose momentum. Now, let me ask you this: Is your spiritual health not far more important than your waistline? So I’ll ask you again, What are you willing to do to pursue clarity in your life? Let’s step into these 21 days with purpose, leaning into prayer and allowing God to shape our vision for the year ahead.

When God entered this world, He did so in a way no one could have expected. It wasn’t in a palace or with great fanfare, but in a small, unremarkable town, in a barn surrounded by animals, born to poor parents under circumstances that seemed questionable to others. Yet, in this humble arrival, God made His way into our world so that we could experience God with us. No longer would there be a great divide between the Creator and His creation. God chose to put on flesh to bridge the gap, offering you and me the chance to reconnect with the very source of life itself. Through Jesus, He invites us into a kingdom life filled with purpose, hope, and a future. But this invitation often comes through an interruption—an interruption meant for our ultimate good. Jesus entered this world to show us the depth of His love—His love for the world, and His love for you.

Today, we continue exploring the God-ordained interruptions that led to the birth of the Savior of the world. This week, we turn our attention to a lesser-discussed character in the birth narrative of Jesus—Joseph, the adoptive father of our Savior. While not much is written about Joseph, his role is no less significant in the story that has captivated hearts for over 2,000 years. Sometimes, being a supporting character rather than the star of the show can still lead to an extraordinary and meaningful ending.

Today, we continue our Christmas series, Life Interrupted, with another visit from the angel Gabriel—this time to a young woman named Mary. God had been planning this moment from the beginning of time. As Galatians 4:4–5 says: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." God’s purpose was to fix what was broken by the first sin. That sin stained every one of us, making us unfit for life with the one thing our hearts truly long for: connection with our Father. In fact, I would go so far as to say that every longing in your heart can be traced back to the desire to know and be known by God. This moment marked the beginning of the end of that separation. God put on flesh, walked among us, and became the final Lamb sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins for all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. But for this to happen, God had to interrupt someone else’s life. Remember, every child of God has committed themselves to this: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”

This week, we’re starting our Christmas series called Life Interrupted. We’ll walk through the birth narrative of Jesus and see that when God is on the move, your life will be interrupted. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if you’re a disciple of Jesus and your life hasn’t been interrupted, something has gone horribly wrong. Before we met Jesus, we were doing our own thing, living life the way we thought was best. But on the other side of salvation, we see how much of our life was heading down the wrong path. Jesus loves His children so much that He’s willing to completely interrupt our old lives to give us what we really need—Him! This interruption doesn’t stop at salvation; it continues as He leads us into the fullness of life. So, here’s the question: Are you ready to be interrupted?

Reach Community Church

Today, we come to a passage that calls us to examine the foundation of our relationship with God and with one another. The writer of Hebrews takes us on a journey, urging us to consider the holiness of our lives, the weight of God's presence, and the unshakable kingdom He is establishing.This is a text that challenges complacency and reminds us that the God we serve is not to be approached lightly. It calls us to see His grace not as a license for apathy but as a reason for reverence and gratitude. As we open our hearts to this Word, may we be stirred to live with purpose, pursue peace, and worship God with awe and wonder. Let us prepare ourselves to hear and respond to His voice.

Rahab the harlot would have been a part of the destruction of Jericho had she been like the rest of Jericho. They all heard of the great and awesome things Almighty God was doing for His people, the Israelites, but only Rahab responded in faith to what she heard about God. Her faith was simple, saving, and working. What about you? How's your faith? What is God revealing to you that you need to respond in faith to?

In todays text we’re invited to glimpse Jesus in a way that redefines our understanding of who He is and what He does for us. This passage challenges us to see Him not only as the Savior who redeemed us, but as our Great High Priest—one who knows our struggles firsthand, who stands with us in our weaknesses, and who intercedes for us with deep compassion. It’s a portrait of Jesus that speaks to anyone who has ever felt weary, tempted, or unsure of how to approach God. Here, we’re called to draw near to the throne of grace, to find strength and mercy in the One who is both mighty and merciful. Today, let’s explore what it means to trust in the One who doesn’t just rule from heaven but has walked where we walk and offers us His very life as an anchor for our souls.

Good morning, church! Today, we’ll be diving into a passage from Paul’s letter to Titus that speaks directly to how we, as believers, are called to live in a world that doesn't always align with our faith. This section in Titus challenges us to reflect on our conduct, both as members of the church and as citizens of the world. It addresses how we interact with others, how we display Christ-like character in our daily lives, and how we handle divisions within the body of Christ. As we explore this text together, I want us to ask: How does the grace we’ve received shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships? Let’s open our hearts and minds to God’s Word as we consider what it means to live out our faith in a way that reflects His transforming grace.

Reach Community Church

As we open to Colossians today, we are stepping into a passage that lifts our eyes to the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Here, Paul reveals the glory of Jesus in a way that goes beyond mere theology—this is a powerful declaration about who Christ is, what He has done, and the central place He holds in all of creation and redemption. As we reflect on these verses, let us be prepared not only to understand more deeply who Christ is but also to consider how this truth transforms our lives, our worship, and our relationship with God.

Faith can be a struggle because life can be challenging. Sometimes, it is easy to lose sight of what God has done and is doing because all you can see is the walls closing in. Today, we will look at a prayer written by Paul from prison. If you let him, Paul will help you live with a perspective that will help you trust in the right source who is building you into a house fit for a king. Paul allowed hardships to make him better, not bitter. Life is hard, but God is good. God is not done with you. Hang on and be patient. 

Today, we delve into a passage that challenges us to reflect on the nature of our calling as followers of Christ. It’s a call to examine not only how we live our individual lives but how we contribute to the larger body of believers. This message isn't just about personal faith, but about how our lives impact and strengthen the unity and growth of the church. As we explore this text, we'll consider what it means to live in a way that honors our calling and builds up the community of faith, drawing us closer to the fullness of Christ together.

We live in a weird time and culture. Our culture has an unhealthy balance between what I deserve and what I must earn. The problem is many of us carry this imbalance into our relationship with Jesus. Sometimes, we live in the “I deserve it” world where you are baffled when you don’t get everything you want and desire. Or when things don’t go your way, you’re mad at the “Good God” who isn’t showing up. The other side of this coin is “you must earn it”, that nothing is free, and if you aren’t getting what you need, it’s because you didn’t do the right thing or pray the proper prayer. Today’s text from Galatians 3 will help clarify that the righteous of God are called to live by faith and not by the Law. 

What does real strength look like to you? As Americans, it sure isn’t embracing and exposing our weaknesses. Weak is not something most people in this world walk out the door hoping to become. We have fought hard to hide our weaknesses. Many of us in the room are proud of our ability to seem strong to others when, in fact, we are struggling and insecure. Sometimes, I am good at hiding it; sometimes, I do not. Like everyone else, I want to be strong, but like most people, I do it the wrong way. Today, we will look at what Paul thinks real strength looks like. 

Our country did not start this way, but we have become lonely and isolated as we have developed. Back in the day, you didn’t have a choice because, without community, you struggled to get almost anything done. Today, because of modern conveniences, it has become more accessible and easier to isolate with the feelings of being connected. Whether it is the way homes are built, the fact that most houses have AC, that we have online shopping, access to smartphones, or connected to all our friends on social media, it is pretty easy to get what you want by interacting with people. Today, we head into the Old Testament and to the book of Ecclesiastes to see what wisdom we can get on the importance of community.

Do you ever feel like a failure? How about being overwhelmed with life, and the thought of tomorrow is already stressing you out? If that is you, you are in good company. I can be one of those people, and I often find myself in the pit of despair. I call it my "chicken little" times.  I would love to tell you that I could free you from all future pain and suffering. Anyone promising you that is a liar, and I don’t plan on lying to you today. I plan on allowing the hope and promises of God to show us a way through. If you are familiar with the Bible, you are aware that none of God's people were spared the struggles of life. (JOB) The question for you today is, who are you going to trust?

Today, we will tackle the most popular wedding verse to discover that 1 Corinthians 13 wasn’t just written for couples getting married. Today, we will see the importance of being rooted in the Love of God to operate in the world properly. There are so many good things that we can be ruined by doing them from the wrong motivation. We have all been wounded when we find out we were treated well, but only because it benefitted the other person. Everyone longs to be loved, but how do we know the way of Love without knowing and surrendering to the source of Love? Buckle up this way, sting a little. 

Why do we keep repeating things that bring us pain? Why are we sometimes so reluctant to learn from the wisdom of others, telling ourselves that it is different for us or we can handle it better? The truth to both is that we think we are smarter than we are. People haven't changed as much as we believe they have over the last few thousand years. People are people, including us, and if we don't learn our lesson, we are doomed to repeat the same painful things repeatedly. Today, we will see how Paul tried to get the Corinthians to learn from the lessons of the exiles. God has always and will always provide a way out for you to stand under his Grace, but it will be your choice.

Last week, we spent some time in Romans 10 working through the idea that the only way to salvation and righteousness is through the finished work of Jesus. With that truth in mind, it is essential to share the Gospel because they can believe and trust in what they don’t know. Today, we continue to the next step in our journey with Jesus, building on this foundation and truth of the Gospel. Here is the big idea of today: it makes a difference how and what you build, so take care of how you build. This week, you get a reminder of the importance of a strong foundation built above the flood plain. 

How did you come to believe in Jesus? To become a believer, you must first be told who to believe in. That means that somewhere in your life, you heard a compelling story about the person and work of Jesus. So much so that you put your faith in him and began your faith journey as a disciple; for some of you, that happened in church service like you are today, and for others, it was from someone who loved you enough to share the Gospel with you. Today, we will look at the first part of Romans 10 and see the importance of doing our part to know and share the Gospel. 

The world around us is going crazy; over the next few months, it will seem even crazier than usual. With all this craziness, it is easy to blame this crazy world for all our troubles. It is easy to blame traffic, co-workers, spouses, kids, TV, and social media for why you are acting the way you are acting. When you get caught misbehaving, what is your typical response? If you are anything like me, we look for someone to blame. They made me do it. This has been the story from the beginning of time. Eve blamed the snake, and Adam blamed the woman God gave him. What if I told you that your worst enemy is inside you not outside of you? Our mission at Reach is to help you live like Jesus is Greater in your hearts, homes, and cities. There is a reason why hearts are at the front of the list. We can't change anything outside of us without first dealing with our hearts. Matthew 5 "In his heart" Mark 7 What defiles a person is not what goes into him but rather what comes of him. My feeling now is that work always starts inside me and not outside. Ignoring the job done on and in my heart will get us nowhere. I like the practical work my outward actions do, but if those aren't fueled by what God is doing inside me, they won't get me where he wants me.

This is the garden in which good fruit grows, the soil that God cultivates and cares for, the place where a blessing is commanded. Unity. This is the garden where we can stand before God, naked and unashamed. Unity This is the garden where blame stops and gratitude begins, the ground in which holy longing and holy being collide. Unity

Three times in the gospels Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer…” We know that even though things seem out of control in our world God is still working. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray…” What if… the church was UNITED in prayer? Would the church experience an even greater move of the spirit of God?

This week, we start a three-week series called One: The Church United, and over the next three weeks, you will get to see how much we believe in the work of “The Church” and not just one Church. Today, you will hear from me, and in the next two weeks, you will hear from two of my closest friends and pastors. We decided on The Church United because, in our current culture, you see more disunity than unity in the local Church. I think Leland is a little above average in terms of the willingness of local churches to work together. At least, that has been my experience. I decided to talk about the one thing that binds us together. The one thing that tells us how to know God, his purposes, and plans for the Church and us individually. My question today is how important the Word of God is to you. Does that importance show itself in your time spent in it?  Are you allowing it to change you?

Throughout time, people have asked the question…why am I here? For us as believers in Jesus Christ, it’s really a simple answer…TO KNOW GOD, AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN! We read our bibles, go to church, listen to Christian podcasts, pray, and spend a lot of effort in getting to know God, but what about making Him known? How often do we share about Jesus with those that don’t know Him? How do we do that? We will dive into Acts 17 this Sunday and see how the Apostle Paul made Jesus known and turned the world around him right side up.

Happy Father's Day!! As we celebrate Father's Day, I want to talk about the opportunity we are given to invest in something that will outlive us, and I am not talking about our careers. The truth about those is we will quickly be replaced and soon forgotten about. Sorry if that hurts!! If you want to leave a legacy, investing in people is the best way to do that. People are the one thing that survives us. The choice you have to make is what you want your legacy to be. For fathers in the room, the first people you need to think about are those God has given you. As a father, God has given you the role and responsibility of discipling your children. They are looking to you. Now is the time to make sure that you see the right things. We have all fallen short, and you will again. This is why we need a personal, intimate, and intentional relationship with our Father in Heaven. Today's message started with something that has always stood out to me about the Kings after David. 

You were not made to muscle through this world; you were not made to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. No matter how much our culture tells you otherwise. We were made for community. We were made to help each other along the way. If you are here this morning, I hope you see the need for others to help encourage you to take the next step in your faith. When everything is working correctly, this is a shared experience. You, at times, get the opportunity to encourage others; on the other side, you get to be encouraged by others. I know this isn’t a perfect world, and we don’t always get it right, but this is why we look for the truth in the word of God. This morning, we get to see how a minor player in the story gets to leave a significant legacy.