Story Church Mayfield Heights

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews' children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.Grace be with you.

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.Story Church1441 Lander Rd.Mayfield Heights, OH 4412410:00 AM

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.Story Church1441 Lander Rd.Mayfield Heights, OH 4412410:00 AM

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.Story Church1441 Lander Rd.Mayfield Heights, OH 4412410:00 AM

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.Story Church1441 Lander Rd.Mayfield Heights, OH 4412410:00 AM

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit,seen by angels,proclaimed among the nations,believed on in the world,taken up in glory.Story Church1441 Lander Rd.Mayfield Heights, OH 4412410:00 AM

In addition to Elders, Timothy is to find qualified Deacons. How does God equip these servants for faithful ministry in the church? We look at 1 Timothy 3:8-13 to answer that question.

In addition to Elders, Timothy is to find qualified Deacons. Who are Deacons? We look at Acts 6 and examine how the early church adapted to increased ministry needs by establishing a new office of ordained men to serve the material needs of the church. Acts 6:1-7

Paul has charged Timothy to find qualified Elders to set up over the churches in Ephesus. In this section, Paul lays out the character requirements Timothy should be looking for. Every member of the church should work toward cultivating these characteristics, especially anyone desiring to serve the church in any kind of leadership role. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Can we trust God's design for His church? In this message from 1 Timothy 2:8–15, Pastor Jeremy unpacks Paul's restriction of pastoral teaching and governing to qualified men, showing how it is rooted not in cultural bias but in God's creation order. With humility and hope in the gospel, we are called to receive God's Word, live out His order in the household of faith, and bear witness together to the redemption we have in Christ 

What does it mean for women to be taken seriously as disciples of Jesus? In this message from 1 Timothy 2:11–15, Pastor Jeremy emphasizes Paul's call for women to be learners in the church, nurtured in a distraction-free environment and equipped to grow in Christ. True discipleship means creating space for women to learn with attentiveness and submission to God's Word, so that the whole church may be built up in faith and worship

What is the church's true mission? In this message from 1 Timothy 2:8–15, Pastor Jeremy calls the church back to its identity as a life-saving station, urging men to pray with holy hands and women to adorn themselves with good works. Together, we are to embody the gospel with holiness, unity, and love, so that Christ is seen in us and God is glorified

Where is God when life hurts? In this message from Lamentations 3, Pastor Jeremy shows how Scripture gives us words to lament, a choice to turn to God, and real comfort in His steadfast love and faithfulness. Even in suffering, Jesus proves that God keeps His promises, is enough for His people, and has carried our deepest pain so that we may know lasting hope.

We've heard from our neighbors what their biggest questions are about faith and God. How do we hear from God today? Hebrew 1:1-4 reminds us that we should open our Bibles and listen to God, we should look to Jesus and trust in Him, and that we should ask the Spirit for help.

Ruling Elder Jon Wolvin walks us through Paul's encouragement to Timothy and to the church to pursue godliness and contentment the gospel!

Because God has given us his grace in Christ, we are called to give joyfully and generously.

In the second chapter of 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructs the church to pray for all people -- specifically, for the salvation of all people. Why should we do that? Paul gives three reasons. God desires the salvation of all people, our confession of faith demands that we invite all people into this salvation, and the death of Christ is sufficient for the salvation of all people. So, let's pray for it!1 Timothy 2:3-7

What is our duty toward those who are in positions of power and authority over us? The Apostle Paul, in a brief excursus in the middle of his instructions for the church to pray for all people, reminds us that this includes praying for Kings! Why should we pray for Kings, and what should the result be of those prayers? Take a listen and find out. 1 Timothy 2:2

This week, our friend Ted Yap from Heights Presbyterian Church, shared with us about how Jesus has come to offer healing. Because of His compassion, we should go to Jesus with our need, and find in Him the restoration and healing we long for. Luke 8:26-39

In this first sermon from a mini-series from 1 Timothy 2:1–7, we explore why prayer must saturate the life of the church. Paul begins his practical instruction to Timothy with a call to pray — not just as a routine, but as the church's first priority. Why? Because prayer is how we commune with God, express humble dependence on His provision, and participate in His saving mission. This message calls the church to reignite the “boiler room” of intercession — to be a people who truly believe that God still saves, and who boldly pray like it.1 Timothy 2:1-7

In a time of discouragement and spiritual fatigue, the Apostle Paul writes to a weary Timothy with a bold, grace-filled reminder: gospel ministry rests not on our strength, but on Christ's. In this message, we explore three confidence-giving truths for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their calling—whether in church leadership, parenting, friendship, or everyday faithfulness. Discover:Why Christ's call includes the promise of His strengthHow Paul's radical conversion gives hope for every lost causeWhat it means to cling to Christ when you feel like you're barely holding onWhether you're tempted to give up or just need fresh encouragement to press on, this sermon invites you to rest in the One who holds you fast.“To the King of the ages… be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”1 Timothy 1:12-20

In this sermon from 1 Timothy 1:6–11, Pastor Jeremy explores how the law, when misused, can lead to confusion, pride, and harm—but when rightly used, it leads to Christ. Paul calls the church to hold fast to sound doctrine, not as an end in itself, but as a means of guarding the gospel and pointing sinners to grace.1 Timothy 1:6-11

The Apostle Paul opens this letter to Timothy, reminding him of the urgency to maintain gospel purity in the church. This was a personal concern for Paul whose whole life had been radically changed by the gospel. Therefore, Timothy is being instructed to remain in Ephesus, to defend the truth of the gospel, and to cultivate the fruit of love which flows from the gospel. 1 Timothy 1:1-5

Jesus alone is worthy of our worship—and He sends us out with His presence. This sermon reflects on the Great Commission, showing how disciples are formed not just through teaching but through worship and surrender. Come be reminded that Christ is with you always—and He calls you to follow, grow, and go. Matthew 28:16-20

The resurrection of Jesus is not just the end of the story—it's the breaking open of heaven's power, hope, and grace. In this Easter sermon from Matthew 28, we see how Christ's victory over the grave brings restoration to the broken, joy to the grieving, and welcome to the undeserving. The tomb is empty, and Jesus is calling us home. Matthew 28:1-10

On trial before human judges, Jesus reveals Himself as the true Judge, the divine King, and the servant Savior. This sermon explores how Christ's authority, love, and sacrifice turn the world's values upside down—and offer us freedom, not condemnation. The Judge took our place so we could be set free. Matthew 26:57-68, 27:1-2

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see both the depth of our weakness and the strength of Christ's love. This sermon explores how Jesus doesn't flinch at our failures but instead drinks the cup of wrath, stands in our place, and walks with us through our darkest moments. No matter how far we've fallen, Gethsemane assures us: His love goes farther. Matthew 26:30-46

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” This sermon invites us to consider how children are not just the future of the church but a vital part of it today. Whether you're a parent or a fellow disciple, discover how we're all called to bring children to Jesus and worship alongside them. Matthew 19:13-15

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. April 6th, 2025. Jesus at the End: Before Pilate.

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. March 9th, 2025. Jesus Teaches in Jerusalem: Faithful Stewardship.

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. February 23rd, 2025. Jesus Teaches in Jerusalem: Resurrection.

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. February 9th, 2025. Jesus Teaches in Jerusalem: God & Caesar.

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. February 2nd, 2025. Jesus Teaches in Jerusalem: Authority.

The Good News of Jesus - The Gospel According to Matthew. January 26th, 2025. Jesus & Power.

This week we continue our sermon series in Matthew and discuss the high view of marriage in Christ's kingdom and how it reflects the hope and transformation of the gospel in our own lives.

This week in our series we look at Luke 2 and Psalm 98 as they help us understand the meaning of the song "Joy to the World", As we seek to answer the question "what brings us joy?" we see that Christ's birth is cause for all of us to celebrate with joy.

In the first week of our new series, "Songs of the Season", we reflect on the message that the angel of the Lord brings to Joseph, proclaiming, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel."

This week we wrap up our sermon series in Esther and reflect on over-arching themes from the book, including God's omnipresence even when He isn't seen or speaking directly to us, God's faithfulness to keep His promises to His people, and that even when the world feels chaotic, we can rest assured that the King and His bride will reign.

This week in Esther we study why pride is such a common and destructive sin in our hearts, and we see that too often we seek praise for ourselves instead of giving the praise to God.

This week we study the wisdom Queen Esther displays as she seeks to persuade the king to spare her people.

This week we continue in Esther and see God's providence as Esther realizes she has been put in a unique position to save her people. We see also that we are called to stand up for others with the confidence that God has put us where we are for a specific reason.

At the conclusion of Paul's Letter to the Romans, he encourages the church to let the Gospel direct their hospitality toward one another, saying that we are to welcome one another, just as Christ has welcomed us, and do all of this to the glory of God. What does that mean for how we open up our lives to one another at Story Church? Take a listen and find out...

The story of Esther reveals with vivid detail the reality that we live in a fallen world. How should God's people respond when faced with such brokenness, sin, and destruction? In Esther chapter 4, Mordecai responds to the declaration that Hamen will destroy all the Jewish people by tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and ashes, and crying out with a loud and bitter cry. This is the art of Lament.

In this section the main antagonist of the story of Esther appears, Hamen, who is identified as the enemy of the Jews and wants to destroy God's people. What does it mean to be faithful in a world that hates God's people? In this sermon we'll consider the actions of Mordecai as examples of being faithful. That looks like sometimes pursing the good of the city around you, and other times looks like resisting the evil of the world. Always, though, we are to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel.