Sunday Sermons
In our ongoing series Above All Else, Grant Clark turns to the seventh and most misunderstood of the deadly sins: sloth. Far from simple laziness, sloth -- or acedia -- is a spiritual apathy and quiet resistance to Jesus that can live just as easily in the heart of the overachiever as in the one on the couch."Acedia is ultimately a failure of love. It's a place of apathy toward life and a kind of spiritual boredom... Whether midday, midlife, halftime or halfway through a big project, we're tempted to give in, give up or distract ourselves. Acedia tempts us to abandon the life we have for some imagined better option somewhere else -- as in 'anywhere but here'! Acedia can also be the temptation to live our lives in imagined fantasies of what might be rather than living in the gift of what is." - Alan Fadling (An Unhurried Life)What is acedia?- The Cambridge Dictionary defines sloth as "an unwillingness to work or to make any effort" -- but the biblical concept runs far deeper- Derived from the Greek a ("not") + keedos ("to care") -- acedia is a failure of love, a resistance to the transformation God is calling us into- Pope John Paul II defined acedia as "a sadness arising from the fact that the good is difficult"- It is not just laziness -- it is a selective laziness that can look like overwork, busyness, and productivity while neglecting the most important thingWhat does acedia look like?- The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42): Martha was productive and active, but distracted from the one thing necessary -- attentiveness to Jesus- "Acedia is 'a restlessness that entices us to pursue everything but our most important duties. Acedia distracts. It makes us lazy and sluggish toward our spiritual and practical responsibilities. It is a selective laziness that makes everything else appealing.'" - John Cassian- "Slothful people are not only found lying around on couches or beds. They are often found in the gym every morning at 5:00 A.M., leading large organizations and companies, writing books, achieving goals, and even working hundred-hour weeks. Yes, the same sin can be at work in the heart of the person glued to the TV and the person who does not have time for TV. Christian thinkers have always seen links between laziness and overwork, though the definition of sloth has morphed through the years." - Trent Casto (The Death of the Deadly Sins)- Sloth wears many masks: variety-seeking, escapism, distraction, commitment-phobia, procrastination, and never finishing what we start- The "noonday demon" of the Desert Fathers -- the midday restlessness that whispers anywhere but here- Delayed obedience: like Augustine's prayer, "Lord, give me chastity and self-control -- but not yet"- Acedia is avoiding the responsibilities that loving God and loving neighbor require - Trent CastoFrom sloth to zeal (Romans 12:11)- "Do not be slothful in zeal. Be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord." (ESV) / "Do not lack diligence in zeal. Be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord." (CSB)- Zeal = earnest commitment with haste and diligence; fervent = to boil, to burn -- a passion for Jesus- The word diligent in Latin (diligere) means "to love" -- to be diligent in zeal is to love- "Look at the intensity in this verse. The Christian life is neither cold nor indifferent... We face many temptations to be passive or lazy today. So let's heed this word: live on fire for Christ! And let's see that God is gracious in giving us such a command. He knows our frames. He knows our passions can cool. So he exhorts us in love. I believe every Christian in a privileged part of the world must always ask, 'Do I love comfort too much? Has it become an idol? Has it caused me to shrink back from passionate service to the Lord Jesus?'" - Tony Merida- "Since acedia is a failure to appreciate the gifts of the present moment or the present season, the classic remedy for acedia has always been to abide in the good relationships and to engage in the good work before us." - Alan Fadling- Practical response: (1) Obey straight away -- identify and repent of any area of delayed obedience; (2) Abide -- stay where God has placed you, persevere in the ordinary, and trust that God is at workVerses- Proverbs 4:23- Luke 10:38-42 (CSB)- Luke 10:40- Romans 12:11 (ESV + CSB)- Ephesians 2:8-10- Hebrews (for the joy set before him, he endured the cross)- Psalm 72
As part of our Above All Else series on the Seven Deadly Sins, Joseph Yasso teaches on greed — or avarice — not merely as a love of money, but as a disordered heart posture that replaces trust in God with trust in wealth. Through personal storytelling, Jesus's Parable of the Rich Fool, and the writings of Paul, this message traces where greed comes from, what it's really serving, and how simplicity, generosity, and gratitude can loosen its grip."Greed is the disordered hope that money can give us the security, significance and satisfaction only God can give. And it leads to a lack of faith, generosity, and gratitude, while also adding anxiety to our lives."What Greed Is NOT:- Greed is not wealth — it's not the same as having money- Greed is not enjoying good gifts — God made a world full of beauty meant to lead us back to him- Greed is not materialism only — it includes craving experiences, status, or comfort at any cost- Greed is not saving — stewarding money wisely is commended in ScriptureWhat Greed IS:- A condition of the heart, not the bank account- Functional worship of money as a surface idol serving deeper idols: Approval, Power, Comfort, or Control/SecurityThree Roots of Greed:- Injury from our past — money stories pressed into us by how we grew up- Idolatry in the present — money as a functional savior- Anxiety over our future — stockpiling against uncertainty rather than trusting God's provisionThree Antidotes:- Simplicity — hold things loosely; give, lend, and acquire less freely- Generosity — surrender ownership; let generosity reorder the heart- Gratitude — receive life as gift rather than grasping for more"We can recognize our excessive attachments in both our dreams and our broken dreams.""The line gets crossed when money stops being a tool in your hand and becomes the place your heart runs to feel safe." — Joseph Yasso"Money is a useful servant, but a terrible God." — Joseph Yasso"Many have called this the experience economy. We've gone from buying things to doing things. A sign of status used to be the logo on your jacket or handbag. Today it's the location of your latest Instagram post." — Josh Butler"Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God." — Richard Foster"We can identify virtues like generosity and spiritual disciplines like simplicity not by percentages given, but by their yields in freedom, lightness and joy." — Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering VicesVerses:- Proverbs 4:23- Proverbs 21:20- 1 Timothy 6:7–10- 1 Timothy 4:4–5- Luke 12:13–34- Philippians 2:3–8- 2 Corinthians 8:9- Hebrews 13:5
As part of our Above All Else series on the Seven Deadly Sins, Andy Rodgers teaches on lust, not just as sexual temptation, but as a deeper distortion of love, desire, and the way we see other people. This message explores sexuality, purity, shame, healing, and the hope of transformation through the grace of Jesus in a culture shaped by both sexual shame and sexual excess.—-"Lust is disordered, sexual desire that reduces another person into an object for selfish pleasure instead of honoring them as a whole person made in God's image. It consumes rather than loves, and takes rather than honors."Isn't refraining from sexual desires sexual repression? And isn't that really bad for your mental health?Isn't this just about controlling women's bodies?Isn't lust a private matter that doesn't affect anyone if it stays fantasy or is expressed through consenting adults?Isn't teaching on sexual purity the same thing as purity culture? Isn't that false teaching/toxic theology that hurts people?Lust ...- Dehumanizes Others- Harms Others- Isolates Us- Enslaves Us- Deforms Us"The problem with pornography is not that it shows too much of the person, but that it shows far too little." — Pope John Paul II"The nature of the union of the soul with the body … is so intimate that one nature, one person, one self is the subject of both and of all their activities. It is always the same soul that peers through the eyes, thinks through the brain, grasps with the hands, and walks with the feet…." — Herman Bavinck“Chastity (sexual holiness) is first and foremost a ‘yes,' from which a ‘no' then proceeds. The underdevelopment of the virtue of chastity occurs when someone ‘does not keep up' with the affirmation of the value of the person…. The essence of chastity lies precisely in ‘keeping up' with the value of the person in every situation and in ‘pulling up' to this value every reaction to the value of the ‘body and sex.'” — Pope John Paul II"Purity doesn't ignore the body or pretend it's unimportant. Rather, it remains committed to God-honoring thoughts and actions toward the person the body manifests. Mature sexual purity can look at an attractive man or woman and say, ‘Wow, an utterly unique person mediated through a body.' Lust says, ‘Wow, a useful body.' To be sure, sometimes we simply need to look away to avoid mentally reducing a person to a serviceable object (i.e., lusting). And yet, while this response represents a meaningful step toward purity, it's not the finish line. Yes, it's better than moving deeper into lust, but it's purity lite." — Chase KrugVerses:- 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8- Romans 6:12–13- Matthew 5:27–30- Romans 13:14- James 5:16–19
In week three of the “Above All Else” series, Grant Clark explores the deadly sin of envy and how comparison quietly corrodes the heart. Through Scripture, practical examples, and the gospel, this message invites us to move from discontentment and comparison into deeper satisfaction and contentment in Jesus.Quotes:“Envy is the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has.” — Britannica“Envy rejects the good life God has given me and obsesses over what God gives someone else.” — Jeff Cook, Seven“Envy has the deadly ability to distract my heart and mind from the daily bread God puts in my hands each morning, focusing me instead on the gifts, status, talents, and joys he gives to others… Envy is a deadly sin because it inspires us to say to God, ‘The life you've given me just isn't good enough.'” — Jeff Cook, Seven“We live in the most materially prosperous era in human history... Yet we are anxious, restless and often enraged. Why? It's not only about our circumstances. It is about how we perceive our lives.” — Jonathan Haidt“Social media didn't invent envy, but it industrialized it. It turned comparison into a business model.” — Jonathan Haidt“Envy works its cruel deception on our heart in such a way that our neighbor becomes a measuring stick of God's goodness (or lack of goodness) in our own lives.” — Melissa Kruger, The Death of the Deadly Sins“To pray for those we envy is to pour down rain on our envy parade.” — Kevin Vost, The Seven Deadly SinsScripture References:Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)Proverbs 14:30 (CSB)Psalms 23:1 (CSB)Matthew 13:44–46 (CSB)Philippians 4:11–13 (CSB)Hebrews 13:5 (CSB)Psalms 73:25–26 (CSB)
In Week 2 of our Above All Else series, we explore the hidden roots of pride and the freedom found in humility. Looking at Proverbs 4:23, we examine how pride quietly shapes our hearts through self-sufficiency, entitlement, comparison, vainglory, and self-focus, often without us realizing it.Through the teachings of Jesus and the example of His humility, we're invited to surrender the “kingdom of self” and trust God's way instead of our own. This message challenges us to ask: where is pride resisting God's work in our lives, and what would it look like to truly humble ourselves before Him?Quotes:• “Pride, as any medieval priest-therapist would tell you, is both the first and the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins.” — Peter Jones• “Is it an exaggeration to say that pride is the underlying cause of all sin? I don't think so. If you would take the time to excavate your sin, beneath it all you would discover the rotting bones of pride and arrogance.” — Sam Storms• “Vainglory is the excessive and disordered desire for recognition and approval from others.” — Rebecca DeYoung• “Being willing to be led where you would rather not go.” — Henri Nouwen• “Pride not only looks down on others; it also fails to look upward. It refuses to let God take his proper role in our lives.” — Tim Keller• “The cure for pride is to believe that the Lord deserves our love, thanks, obedience, and imitation.” — Daniel Doriani• “True humility always produces joy… self-forgetfulness leading to joy.” — Gavin OrtlundScriptures:• Proverbs 4:23• Mark 8:34• John 21:18-19• 1 Peter 5:5-7• 1 Corinthians 4:7• Proverbs 12:15• Proverbs 13:1• Philippians 2:3-11• Matthew 6:5-13
As we begin our new series Above All Else, Grant Clark explores the call to guard our hearts because everything in life flows from it. Drawing from Proverbs 4:23 and the story of David, this message invites us to examine our attention, affection, and direction. What are we letting in, what do we love most, and where is it leading us?Through honest reflection and the hope of Psalm 51, we are reminded that while an unguarded heart can lead us off course, God's grace can cleanse, restore, and create something new within us."Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."-Proverbs 4:231. Attention — What am I letting in?2. Affection — What am I loving most?3. Direction — What is this shaping me toward?“It [Psalm 51] comes from David's blackest moment of self-knowledge, yet it explores not only the depths of his guilt but some of the farthest reaches of salvation.” - Derek Kidner“What can wash away my sin? What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Grant Clark opens in Book of Exodus 31:1–11, using Bezalel and the tabernacle to show what God is building among His people. The message centers on building the base and becoming who we already are, a call to be a Spirit-filled community where God's presence is real, people are shaped by grace, and the church is strengthened for mission.Key Themes 1. Building the Base 2. Becoming Who We Already AreThe Tabernacle “The tabernacle was God's earthly dwelling during the period from Moses to David. As his dwelling, the tabernacle emphasizes God's presence with his people, continuing a theme that has run throughout the book of Exodus.” - Longman and Dillard Bezalel's Calling Bezalel built a place where: - God would dwell by His Spirit - People would worship - People would experience the reality of the forgiveness of sins - People would be defined by their God - People would live as God's peopleVision To start a movement of reproducing churches empowered by the radical grace of Jesus Christ to love San Diego and glorify God Mission To make disciple-making disciples who are being transformed by the radical grace of Jesus ChristCore Values - Gospel - Family - Dependence - Mission - Multiplication - RenewalVerses:- Exodus 31:1–11- Exodus 35:4–10- Proverbs 4:23- 1 Thessalonians 1:5–7
Hesed means: Loyal Love, Unfailing Kindness, Faithfulness, and Steadfastness.“...he genuinely cares about humans and holds toward them a tender attitude of concern and mercy.”- Douglas Stuart “...he does things for people they do not deserve and goes beyond what might be expected to grant truly kind favor toward people, favor of which they are not necessarily worthy.”- Douglas Stuart “Hesed cannot be translated with one English word. It is a covenant term, wrapping up in itself all the positive attributes of God: love, covenant faithfulness, mercy, grace, kindness, loyalty. In short, it refers to acts of devotion and loving kindness that go beyond the requirements of duty.”– Daniel BlockGod reveals Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and rich in faithful love. This hesed is not casual kindness but covenant loyalty. It is love that remains steady even when undeserved. This is who God is at His core. That same description echoes throughout Scripture:- Numbers 14:18- Nehemiah 9:17- Psalm 86:15- Psalm 103:8- Psalm 145:8- Joel 2:13- Jonah 4:2- Nahum 1:3These are not isolated statements but a consistent reminder of His character across generations. God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.This is not only something to understand, it is something that transforms us. As we behold God, we are changed. What we fix our attention on shapes who we become. Being with Him and keeping Him before our minds forms us over time into that same kind of life.“Who we are on the inside, we will eventually become on the outside.”- Pete ScazzeroSaint Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God.”“The first and most basic thing we can and must do is to keep God before our minds... This is the fundamental secret of caring for our souls. Our part in this practicing the presence of God is to direct and redirect our minds constantly to Him. In the early time of our 'practicing' we may well be challenged by our burdensome habits of dwelling on things less than God. But these are habits - not the law of gravity - and can be broken...A new, grace-filled habit will replace the former ones as we take intentional steps toward keeping God before us. Soon our minds will return to God as the needle of a compass constantly returns to the north. If God is the great longing of our souls, He will become the pole star of our inward beings.”- Dallas Willard
This Easter Sunday, Grant Clark explores the cross through the stories of those present at the crucifixion, including the two thieves and Simon of Cyrene. Some reject Him. Some believe. Some are completely changed. From the thief who comes with nothing but a humble request to be remembered, to Simon whose life is reshaped by carrying the cross, this message invites us to consider our own response to Jesus. Wherever you are in your faith, Easter is an invitation to come as you are and encounter Him.Verses:Luke 23:32-43 (CSB)Luke 23:42Luke 23:26-27 (CSB)Romans 16v13 (ESV)Mark 8:34Galatians 2:20-21 (CSB)
This week's message explores the tabernacle in Exodus and what it reveals about God's desire to dwell with His people. From Eden to the cross and into the future, we see a story of access, redemption, and restoration. Through Jesus, the barriers are removed and we are invited to approach God with confidence and experience His presence in a real and personal way.“The tabernacle was God's earthly dwelling during the period from Moses to David. As his dwelling, the tabernacle emphasizes God's presence with his people, continuing a theme that has run throughout the book of Exodus.”- Longman and Dillard“Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”- St Augustine“Jesus became flesh and TABERNACLED among us.”“Those in whom the Spirit comes to live are God's new Temple. They are, individually and corporately, places where heaven and earth meet.”- NT Wright (Simply Christian)Verses:Exodus 25:1–9Genesis 3:24Genesis 4:16Mark 15:37–39Ephesians 3:12Hebrews 10:19–22John 1:14Ephesians 2:221 Corinthians 3:16Revelation 21:3
Dependence:We are a church who strives to live dependently on the power of the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives. We aren't trying to fix ourselves or anyone else with our own power, but trusting His power to work in us and through us.“Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel arrives at Mount Sinai, a location where they spend almost two years. Even more striking, the rest of the book of Exodus, all of Leviticus, and the first part of Numbers (through 10:11) take place at Sinai.”- Tremper Logman 3rd and Raymond Dillard“The people heard the voice of God for themselves and thus could not doubt his presence among them, a presence more directly manifest at Sinai than in any other mode previously since they had first learned of his interest in them. All the people were hearing the voice of God just as Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, and the patriarchs had heard it and as Moses had heard it earlier at Mount Sinai when God first called him. And this time the voice of God was accompanied by such audio and visual displays as to leave no doubt in their minds as to both his presence and his uniqueness…”- Douglas Stuart“This commandment highlights the twisted desires of mankind and the sin of discontentment. Instead of having a thankful heart, the coveter desires what others have. Notice also that this commandment is about the inward nature of the law. Covetousness is about the heart. It is about desire. It may or may not lead to an act, but even if there is no act, it is still wrong because our desire should be on the God who made us and redeemed us. Covetousness, then, involves breaking the first commandment.”- Tony MeridaVerses:Exodus 19:1-2Exodus 12:37Exodus 19:4-61 Peter 2:9Exodus 19:16-20Exodus 20:1Exodus 24:9-11Exodus 20:1-2Exodus 20:3-4Exodus 20:7Exodus 20:8Exodus 20:12-17Leviticus 18:1-4Exodus 20:18-21Exodus 20:21
What is trust, and what happens when yours has been shaken? In this message from Exodus 13-17, Grant Clark follows the Israelites through their journey after leaving Egypt. They see the Red Sea parted, follow pillars of cloud and fire, and experience God's provision in incredible ways. But when new challenges come, their confidence fades quickly. It's a pattern most of us know well. This sermon is an invitation to see that God is both greater than we can imagine and closer than we could hope, and that real faith is built not only in the big moments, but in the ordinary, daily act of trusting Him with what's right in front of you.BIG MIRACLES and ORDINARY OBEDIENCETrust “is confidence born from experience.”God is both greater than we can imagine, and closer than we could hope.Pictures of the Pillar of Cloud and Fire“Even though they left “in battle formation”, this does not mean they were ready to fight.” - Tony Merida“The most accurate test of your faith is not how you respond when miracles happen, but how you respond when they don't.” - JD Greear"Follow me" - Jesus“In the old covenant God faithfully remained with His people, accompanying them in the tabernacle and the temple. Under the new covenant, the only temple is the believing community itself, and God dwells not only among the community corporately, but also in each member individually.” - James Hamilton“[A] case can be made that the Holy Spirit may be the same as the pillar of fire and the cloud.” - James HamiltonVersesJohn 1:14 (MSG)Exodus 13:21-22 (CSB)Exodus 13:17-18 (CSB)Exodus 14:10-14 (CSB)Exodus 14:21-22 (CSB)Exodus 14:30-31 (CSB)Romans 8:32 (NIV)Exodus 15:11-13 (CSB)Exodus 15:22-25 (CSB)Exodus 17:7 (CSB)Exodus 16:2-4 (CSB)Exodus 16:35 (CSB)John 10:27 (CSB)
“Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?”Post-truth: “Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”- Oxford DictionaryThe 10 Plagues:1. Water turned to blood -- Exodus 7:14–242. Frogs -- Exodus 8:1–153. Gnats (or lice) -- Exodus 8:16–194. Swarms of flies -- Exodus 8:20–325. Death of livestock -- Exodus 9:1–76. Boils on people and animals -- Exodus 9:8–127. Hail and fire -- Exodus 9:13–358. Locusts -- Exodus 10:1–209. Darkness over the land -- Exodus 10:21–2910. Death of the firstborn -- Exodus 11:1–10What are these Plagues about?1. The Plagues Reveal the Glory of God2. The Plagues Are Judgments on Egypt's Gods3. The Plagues Are a picture of De-Creation4. The Plagues Expose False Security5. The Plagues Prepare the way for Passover “These nine plagues against Egypt are not just a display of God flexing his muscles. They are, as we have seen, the unleashing of God's creative forces against the enemies of God's people (and therefore the enemies of God himself).”- Peter Enns“The plagues are creation reversals: Animals harm rather than serve humanity; light ceases and darkness takes over; waters become a source of death rather than life; the climax of Genesis 1 is the creation of humans on the last day, whereas the climax of the plagues is the destruction of human beings in the last plague.”- Peter Enns “Just as the plagues were a sign to Egypt of God's justice and judgment, now the Passover was a sign of God's mercy to Israel!”- Tony MeridaVerses:Exodus 5:1-2Exodus 6:6-8Exodus 9:14-16Exodus 11:1Exodus 12:1-14John 1:29Ephesians 1:7-8
"What makes life worthwhile is having a big enough objective—something which catches our imagination and lays hold of our allegiance; and this the Christian has in a way that no other person has. For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?"- J.I. Packer (Knowing God)“I have witnessed, time and time again, two people in the same gathering come away with completely different experiences. One had a burning bush moment, leaving with a heart warmed and transformed, while the other left cold and unchanged, with no worthy takeaway save for an opinion of the worship and a score for the preacher. “- Alan Frow“The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”- Tim Keller“Spiritual formation is a process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others.”- Robert Mulholland (Invitation to a Journey)Chekov's Gun:“One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep.”Excuse 1: “Who am I?” (3:11)Excuse 2: “What do I say?” (3:13)Excuse 3: “What if they don't believe me?” (4:1)Excuse 4: “I'm not gifted enough.” (4:10)Excuse 5: “Please send someone else.” (4:13)“This final excuse was not so much an excuse as it was Moses' desperate plea to pass the responsibility to someone else. He was out of excuses. Every one of his questions had been answered in stunning ways. Now he basically said, “Here I am, send someone else.”- Tony Merida“Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses…” (4:14)# Reflection Questions:- Where are you resisting God in your life?- Where are you letting insecurities, fears, doubts and a lack of trust in God hold you back from what He is leading you too? - Where is your past determining what God can do with your future?- Like Moses, if the layers are pealed back, where do you see that actually you are just saying “No” to God?The answer to Moses' insecurity isn't more self-confidence.It's more confidence that God's presence is with him.
Josh Lewis, February 22, 2026
Alex Cottrell, February 15, 2026
Andy Rodgers, February 8, 2026
Andy Rodgers, February 1, 2026
Brad Sarian, January 25, 2026
Grant Clark, December 14, 2025
Jackie Rodgers, December 7, 2025
Andy Rodgers, November 30, 2025
Andy Rodgers, November 16, 2025
Joseph Yasso, November 2, 2025
Julia Price, October 26, 2025
Grant Clark, October 19, 2025
Andy Rodgers, October 12, 2025
Jamie Ternent, October 5, 2025
Grant Clark, September 28, 2025
Andy Rodgers, September 14, 2025
Andy Rodgers, September 7, 2025
Grant Clark, August 31, 2025
Julia Price, August 17, 2025
Grant Clark, August 10, 2025
Julia walks the gathering through The Lord's Prayer, The 4 R's Framework, teaching us how to pray.The 4 R's1. Reverence2. Response3. Request4. Readiness
Andy Rodgers, June 8, 2025
Grant Clark, May 25, 2025
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
