Sermons – Community Church | Greensburg | Batesville

 At some point in life, everyone has a need to identify God's voice in their lives. When times of stress, uncertainty or confusion happen, we can wonder where God is and what He wants. In this story from the Bible, we will learn about hearing God in these moments from a time in the life of the prophet Elijah.

We all have things in our lives we wish we could undo—mistakes we've made, choices we regret, moments we'd take back if we could. But what if the goal isn't to undo the past, but to move forward from it? Reconnecting with the beginning of God's story may be the key to understanding how to live with what's been broken.Genesis 1:1, 31a; Genesis 3:1-5, 7-9, 21; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:21-23

Sometimes the biggest dangers in life are the ones we never see coming. Blindspots can trip us up—even when we think we know what's next. It's why smart people still make dumb mistakes. So how do we avoid the avoidable? Maybe the first step is asking for help from the One who sees it all.

You might know what's coming next—but if you've never been there before, are you really prepared? Whether it's a new stage of life or an unfamiliar challenge, the unknown can leave us unsure of our next steps. What if the key to moving forward is learning from those who've already been there?

Life is all about moving from here to there. It's all about motion. Progress. Change. Seasons. Starting school. Ending school. Starting a new relationship or getting out of a relationship (marriage or divorce). Having kids. Empty nesting. Finding a new job. Losing a job. All of those transitions have the potential to knock us off balance. So what do we hold onto as we transition from season to the next? We need an anchor that we can hold onto, but that can also hold onto us. 

Just because you know what's coming doesn't mean you're ready for it. A new season, a big opportunity, or an unexpected challenge might be just around the corner. But how do you prepare for what's next when life keeps moving? Maybe the best preparation starts long before the moment arrives.

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to surround ourselves with other people that always share the same opinions and worldview? We live in a world and culture that prefers to cancel out other people and opinions that are challenging or conflicting to our own. Ironically, nothing promotes more personal growth in our lives than challenging contradiction. Join us as we look at the benefits of having people with different worldviews around us and how we should respond to those around us that challenge us the most.

Plenty of teachers have made bold claims—but only one backed them up by rising from the dead. The Resurrection isn't just part of Jesus' story—it is the story. It's what turned whispers into a worldwide movement. What if the event that changed everything in the first century could still change everything for you today?

If God is good, why does He allow so much evil? It's one of the most honest, difficult questions we ask—especially when we experience personal pain. But what if God's response to evil is far different than we imagined? And what if the answer has everything to do with Jesus?

What if the reason you haven't found what you're looking for is because you've refused to look? Sometimes it's not a lack of evidence that holds us back, but a refusal to see what's right in front of us. When it comes to faith, believing often begins when we admit we don't have to see everything to believe something.

Do you follow Jesus for who He is—or just for what He can give you? Too often, we treat Him like a means to an end, only sticking around when He delivers what we want. But Jesus wasn't offering quick fixes; He was inviting people into real, lasting life. Is it possible you're missing the significance of His invitation?

What happens when religion gets in the way of loving people? Jesus healed a man who had suffered for years, but instead of celebrating, the religious leaders were outraged. Too often, we elevate rules over relationships and miss what matters most. What if faith was never meant to be an excuse to ignore the person right in front of us?

We like proof. We want to see before we believe. But what if the kind of faith Jesus calls us to requires something more? In this message, we explore how one man was asked to take Jesus at His word—just like we are today. Could trusting before seeing be the key to real, life-changing faith?

What if faith isn't a leap in the dark but a response to evidence? In the Gospel of John, eyewitnesses recognize that Jesus' signs point to something far greater. In this message, we'll explore how turning water into wine isn't just a miracle—it symbolized the far better work God was doing through Jesus.

Suffering is inevitable. Our response to suffering matters — we can choose to respond poorly or we can choose to respond well. Lets explore together how God empowers us to respond in freedom and with joy.

Since our childhood, we are taught that maturity is when we move from being dependent to being independent. But societal trends have shifted our notion of independence to an unhealthy and selfish way of living. What if there was a healthier version of the tension between being dependent and independent? Spoiler alert: there is and it is a healthier way for us to live life that involves not only leaning on others but learning to let others lean on us as well.

Why is it that, in a world more connected than ever, so many of us feel isolated and alone? Isolation isn't just hard—it's harmful, affecting us mentally, physically, and even societally. In this message, we'll uncover the profound impact of isolation and begin to explore the key to living a flourishing life.

Just like your physical core is vital to overall fitness, there's a spiritual core that shapes your faith—and it's closely tied to your relationship with money. When your finances are aligned with God's principles, it strengthens your connection with Him and leads to massive gains in your faith life.

What is God's plan for the world? It might not look the way we expect. In a culture that celebrates self-importance, the paradox of God's design is this: in making ourselves nobody, we discover our true purpose. Could it be that serving others is the key to the world God envisions?

Have you ever noticed how we show up early, cheer loud, and stay until the end for our favorite teams and performers? We bring a lot of energy and excitement to entertainment, but sometimes we struggle to see the value of that same energy and commitment to church. Perhaps we've lost sight of what a church service is and the opportunity it offers us to grow deeper in our connection with others and our connection with God.  

Faith grows bigger and stronger when it's developed in a group setting. In this message we'll consider how being part of a group gives space to ask our questions, build friendships, and take new steps of faith. 

Like a workout, building faith takes intentional effort. In this message, we'll explore how inviting someone to take a step toward God not only impacts their journey but also strengthens your own. Discover how a simple invitation can be a powerful exercise in growing your faith.

In a world longing for light, God chose an unsuspecting young woman from Galilee to carry His light into the darkness. Mary, undeserving by the world's standards, brought the Messiah to the world, and her faith sparked a light that still shines 2,000 years later. This Christmas Eve, discover how we are now called to carry that same light. Will you embrace it and share it, or let it pass you by?

What if the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want, isn't as freeing as it seems? When we chase what's best for us, we often discover it's not best at all—and the ripple effects can hurt those around us in ways we'd never expect. Explore how pursuing God's way leads to a better path for everyone.

What do we do when it feels like God has forgotten us? In those moments of doubt and waiting, it's easy to lose hope. But what if our role is part of something bigger than we can see? Discover how faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty connects us to God's unfolding story.

We all carry labels—names and identities that stick to us, often shaping how we see ourselves and how others see us. But what if those labels don't define us? Jesus' love and forgiveness break through the labels, offering us a new identity. Discover how His story, even in His genealogy, reveals the power to rewrite ours.

The past has a way of following us, shaping our present and influencing our future. But when Jesus came, He brought light—not just to the world, but to each of our individual worlds. Discover how His light can illuminate the darkest parts of our lives, bringing hope, healing, and transformation.

The reality of burnout in our lives is very real and is evidenced by our lives, our schedules and our bank accounts, leaving us stressed and anxious. But the reality is that all of those things are external parts of our lives, problem areas that reflect the choices we make each day. In order to get to the root of our burnout, we need to look inside, at the condition and health of our soul because we live from the inside out. We all need a Burnout Prevention Plan that starts from the inside and is then reflected in the choices we make for our lives.

In a world where our screens constantly demand our attention, it's easy to miss what's happening right in front of us. Our phones promise connection but often leave us feeling distracted and disconnected from real life. How can we engage with our devices in a way that keeps them from controlling us? Join us as we explore how to reclaim focus and live more fully in the moment.

As we explore the topic of burnout, most of us are comfortable talking about and reevaluating our schedules and priorities, but those aren't the only areas in our life where we feel stressed and have a lack of margin. In fact, one might argue that a good portion of our burnout in life is rooted in another area of our life where we constantly are chasing more: money. How can we find contentment in a world that is repeatedly telling us we need more?

We live in a world where the demands of work and life never stop. There's always one more thing to do, one more activity for kids, one more task to complete. So we push ourselves to the limit, running at full speed, only to find ourselves exhausted and burned out. But why do we keep going until we crash? What if the way we're working is keeping us from the rest and restoration we truly need?

It doesn't matter who you are, it feels like all of us are just plain tired, exhausted, and stressed. We all have FOMO, a Fear Of Missing Out, that drives us to constantly strive after one thing in our life: MORE. But our constant pursuit of more can not only leave us feeling burned out, it can also indicate our lack of trust in how God has called us to live and/or the promises He has made to us. What if we were able to stop pushing ourselves to our limits and adopt a new way of thinking?

When we look around, it is not difficult to come to the conclusion that what our world needs now is something BETTER. What our world, what YOUR world needs now is not something new and shiny…but rather something very old, ancient even. What our world needs now is THE CHURCH; gatherings of people being changed by Jesus creating more gatherings of people being changed by Jesus. 

In a world and a country full of conflict and division, it's easy to believe that power and control will bring peace. But what if that approach only deepens the divide? In this message, we'll explore how the Gospel of Jesus offers a radically different way forward than the gospel of culture. What if true victory comes not through winning but through surrendering to the right Gospel?

Ever feel like the people who disagree with you are the enemy? In a world filled with division, it's easy to think that the person with a different opinion or vote is your adversary. But what if we've got it all wrong? Discover how our real enemy operates in the spiritual realm, and learn how to fight the right battles in the right way.

We're okay with not always winning—as long as we're not losing. We value fairness, but what happens when Jesus calls us to embrace personal loss? The early church exemplified this kind of self-sacrifice, showing us a radical love that goes beyond fairness. Explore how we are invited to practically love others through the lens of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us.

What if the story of suffering and loss isn't the end, but the beginning of something greater? In this message, we explore how Jesus' path to victory through suffering is a model for our own lives. Discover why, in a world obsessed with winning, we can afford to lose and still walk in ultimate victory.

In a world that constantly pushes us to win, what if true victory looks more like a loss? Jesus redefined winning, showing us that through surrender and humility, we gain what matters most. Perhaps following his example is a better way of actually winning in a world obsessed with power and control.

I want to believe, but… If we are honest, many of us have a few questions that comb in the back of our minds causing us to doubt about God, the Bible, or Jesus. If we don't personally have these doubts, we usually have family and friends that do. I want to believe, but…The completion of that statement is a barrier to putting faith in Jesus. In this message Scott addresses when hypocrisy of Christians is the barrier. 

Growth is a part of life. From the early stages of development, our physical strength grows, our understanding of the world grows, and even our ability to connect with others can grow. But there's one area we don't tend to think about growing, and that's the area of faith. It may surprise you to hear that not only is our faith capable of growing, but there are things we can do to help it grow on a daily basis so we can embrace a vibrant relationship with God.

Has anyone ever asked you what God's story is? Some of us may feel more comfortable answering that than others, but trying to help someone understand the Gospel can be hard - especially for someone who doesn't believe what anything in the Bible says. One of the most effective ways to tell someone about God's story is actually through your story as far as how God has revealed Himself through your life. This week we get to hear more about our new Campus Pastor Scott Rosen's faith journey. 

If you didn't grow up in church, stepping foot inside a church can feel like stepping into a different world. Often unintentionally, Christians create barriers that make it difficult for people to turn to God. At Community Church, we want to remove those barriers and create intentional environments that foster a meaningful faith experience. Learn how you can be part of a movement to know Jesus and make Him known.

Have you ever wondered how you got where you are? As simple as it sounds, you got where you are because you made a series of decisions that took you there. While our choices seem insignificant in the moment, over time we discover they are often a pathway to something bigger that isn't always better. King Jeroboam learned this lesson the hard way with disastrous consequences. What if we could learn from his life to embrace the bright future God desires for us?

Why is it that our worst decisions often involve the wrong people? Why don't we pay more attention to the people we pay attention to? In the account of Rehoboam, a king whose poor choice of advisors led to disaster, we discover an important lesson about influence. Perhaps from his life, we can learn how to avoid the traps of bad influence and find the path to wisdom and fulfillment.

We all have regrets and mistakes we'd rather keep hidden. But what if there's a way to ensure our lives are not defined by our failures? Our failures don't have to destroy our futures, even when we haven't always lived up to what's on display in our highlight reels. As we explore Israel's kings, discover how to navigate your past with grace and hope.

Do you ever struggle with the urge to control things around you? We all want a bit of control, but ironically, it's in our need to control that we discover a lack of control. What if rather than striving to control, we were striving to obey? How might we see God show up in our everyday lives?

Do you ever find yourself doing something just to fit in? Built within every one of us is a desire to be accepted and to be like everybody else. But what if being like everybody else isn't why we were created? What if God has something better in store for us?

This Father's Day, join us for a special conversation with Dick Towner, a cherished friend and mentor, as we talk about life lessons that he has learned on his journey. From embracing success and intentionality to tuning into God's direction and the power of reflection, Dick shares his wisdom on living a life marked by generosity and gratitude. Discover the profound impacts these principles can have on your life and how they pave the way for a fulfilling path guided by faith.

All of us have had painful moments in our lives. Times where we are left stunned, hurt and wondering what to do next. In those moments, we all have a crucial decision to make: how will we let this defining moment define us? As we continue in the story of Jacob this week, we will see how he chose to answer that question and help provide some examples on how we too can move forward, limp and all.

Doesn't it feel like most of us are wrestling with life? Whether it is with family, work, success, or relationships, it often seems that we are doing all we can to exert our force and pin life to the mat for the win. We might not realize it, but when we wrestle with life, we actually are wrestling with God. Today we look at a famous person from the Bible (and what may be one of the oddest stories!) to see what all this wrestling really gets us versus what God wants for us.

In a world where Christianity often gets reduced to a label, what if we refocused on what truly defines us? Discover how Jesus's call to "love one another" challenges us to go beyond belief and live out a faith that radically transforms lives and communities. Join us to uncover the heart of genuine discipleship.