Audio of the weekend messages from Valley Church in West Des Moines, IA
Ever notice how background actors never get the credit, but without them, the story falls apart? We live in a world obsessed with platforms, applause, and charisma which means the quiet power of servant leadership is often overlooked. In this weekend's message from 1 Corinthians 4, we'll reframe what it means to lead like Jesus and discover that same isn't bad but faithfulness is always better.
1 Corinthians 1:10-31
Pastor Quintin kicks off our series in the Apostle Paul's Letters to Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Ever panic-clean before company comes over? We've all done it, we hide the mess, throwing comforters over piles of junk and just calling it creative planning in hopes no one opens a closet. But what if the guest is Jesus… and He's not coming to inspect your house, He's coming to take over your heart? This Palm Sunday, we're diving into Matthew 21 and asking a big question: are we making room for the moment, or making room for the King? Spoiler alert, Jesus doesn't need your perfection. He just wants your invitation.
Eye exams are usually not too bad—until they pull out that air puff test, right? It catches you off guard, but once it's done, you feel relieved and ready to see clearly. There's something about having the right prescription that makes all the difference—suddenly, the world isn't blurry anymore. Well, Jesus is inviting us to take a closer look at our spiritual vision. What's in focus for us? Are we seeing God clearly or are we distracted by other things? In this message, we'll explore how what we focus on—whether it's God or money—shapes where we're headed. Let's make sure we're focused on what truly matters.
Celebrating 35 Years of Making Room at Valley Church
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions when praying? You know prayer is important, but it can easily become routine or even a performance. In today's message, we're diving into what Jesus really meant when He talked about prayer and fasting. It's not about being seen or saying the perfect words, it's about being present with God. If you want to discover how you can connect with God in a deeper, more meaningful way? Let's make room for Him in our lives, starting in the quiet places.
Ever feel like you're living for the likes? We all crave recognition—whether it's applause for our hard work, a pat on the back for our generosity, or just a little more appreciation. But Jesus warns us about the "applause trap"—when doing good becomes more about being seen than about actually seeking God. In Matthew 6, Jesus flips the script: What if the greatest rewards come from what no one sees? This week, we're diving into what it means to make room—not for approval, but for a deeper, more lasting reward. Are you ready to live for something more?
Pastor Quintin teaches on James 5:19-20, as we close out our Good Faith series in the Letter of James.
We know we ought to pray, we just don't fully understand how it works. What is clear is that prayer is essential for every follower of Jesus. Instead of making it too complicated, James gives us a very important description of the need for prayer and the significance it brings to the Christian life. Join us this weekend at Valley as we seek to understand this life changing truth and answer the question,"What Good is Prayer?"
Have you ever said to someone, "I'll believe it when I see it." Although we are called to live by "faith and not by sight," the way we live our life matters. In fact, some would say, "the proof is in the life." James is one of those people. In James 5:1-12 we find instruction and exhortation on how we ought to live as we wait until the coming of the Lord. My prayer is that you will be challenged, encouraged and strengthened as we take a dive into the text this weekend.
We all face moments when the pull of temptation feels too strong to resist. But what if resisting isn't just about saying “no” but about being fully prepared to stand firm? In this week's message from James 4:7-12, we'll uncover the keys to resisting the enemy, drawing near to God, and finding the strength to overcome. Discover how to prepare your heart and mind for victory in life's toughest battles.
Why is it so hard to find peace with others—or even ourselves? Whether it's a frustrating coworker, a tough family conversation, or that nagging inner voice, conflict seems unavoidable. But what if the real issue isn't out there—it's inside us? James 4:1-6 helps us address the mess within, and when we do, we open the door to experiencing true peace, purpose, and grace in every area of life.
Have you ever been in a relationship where words caused hurt or misunderstanding? Maybe it wasn't intentional, but the damage was done. This week, we're exploring James 3:13-18 to see how our words shape relationships and how God calls us to use them well. Join us as we discover how to foster good faith relationships by speaking life, love, and truth.
Have you ever said something you wish you could take back? Maybe you meant it, but knew you shouldn't have said it. This week, we're learning from James that our words have power. I know you already understand this, but James emphasizes it because it's a lesson we all need to hear. It's surprising that, even though we know how much our words impact our lives, none of us have fully mastered our speech. Join us this weekend as we explore how to master our words and tame the tongue.
The holidays can get chaotic, but James 2:14-26 reminds us that real faith isn't just words—it's action. It's a faith that shows up in how we love, serve, and make a difference in the lives of others. This week, let's take a moment to reflect: Is our faith alive and active? Are we living in a way that reflects God's heart? Join us as we dive into what it means to live a faith that's real, impactful, and true to his calling.
Life can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering if there's any goodness left. But James 1:16-18 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, unchanging and faithful. This week, let's reflect on how the blessings in our lives aren't random-they're intentional gifts from a loving Father. Join us as we rediscover the steady goodness of God!
Life often feels like a battle, doesn't it? Just when you think you've got things under control, something else hits – a temptation or struggle perfectly designed to throw you off course. You're not alone in feeling this way. This week, we're looking at how these battles are more than setbacks; they're opportunities for real growth. Join us as we dive into how God uses life's toughest moments to build resilience and cultivate a ‘Good Faith' that can weather any storm.
FOMO (the fear of missing out) is a real thing. How you not miss out on what really matters? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Quintin continues our series in the letter of James with the message, "The Value of Your Life."
It's decision time! We all face times in our lives when we what we decide will have profound impact on our lives... and on many others. So what's the best pathway to move toward the best decisions? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Quintin brings the message, Good Faith Decisions from the letter of James to the early church.
When was the last time you found joy in a situation that didn't go your way? Maybe that seems impossible. After all, who celebrates when life throws a curveball? Yet, James challenges us to view trials differently, revealing how God uses our hardships to shape us, grow our faith, and bring about something greater than we could imagine. If you're ready to explore how struggles can lead to spiritual maturity and deeper joy, join us this weekend as we dive into James 1:2-4 and discover the surprising gift of trials.
Join us at Valley Church this Sunday as we dive into the letter of James, where faith meets action! In this powerful book, James challenges us to live out our beliefs with boldness and authenticity, reminding us that faith without works is dead. Together, we'll explore practical wisdom that speaks to the heart of real-life struggles—addressing issues like patience, perseverance, and the power of our words. Whether you're seeking fresh perspective or deepening your walk with Jesus, this study will equip you to take steps of faith that impact your world.
Have you ever been in a situation where no matter what you did, you felt like you were the bad guy? Join us this weekend as Pastor Quintin brings the final message in our Everybody One Body series: Being a Good Bad Guy.
Feeling like life's throwing a lot at you right now? You're not alone. But here's the good news: God's not just watching from the sidelines—He's working in you, and He wants to work through you! This weekend, we're diving into Romans 12:12-16 to discover how we can live with hope, patience, and purpose.
How do you make the most of the gifts and abilities that God has given you? Join us this weekend as Pastor Quintin brings the message “The Ultimate Gift Guide.” we are continuing our exciting series in Romans with “Everybody One Body.”
There's a lesser known path to finding your life's true purpose and deep fulfillment. Think of it as the back trail or the hidden path or the scenic route. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Quintin brings the message, "Finding Your Way to YES!" We'll discover in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans (chapter 12) how everybody in the one body of Christ can experience lasting significance and impact.
God has an amazing design and plan for his people -- uniquely individualized and powerfully collaborating. Don't miss this Sunday as Pastor Quintin brings the message, "The Life-Giving Church" in our continuing series in Romans 12 "Everybody One Body." Invite and bring a friend who needs the encouragement that God isn't finished doing something wonderful in and through them.
Ever feel like life is on repeat and nothing really changes? This Sunday, we're talking about how a shift in the way you think can lead to real, lasting transformation. We'll explore Romans 12:1-2 and discover how renewing your mind isn't a practice of positive thinking or a spiritual exercise—it's the key to breaking free from the ordinary. Don't miss out on this chance to experience the kind of change you've been waiting for. See you at church!
There's a desire in every human heart to be a part of something greater than ourselves. It's a yearning for a higher purpose, a clear identity, and deeper relational connection. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Quintin launches a brand new series "Everybody One Body" (from Romans 12). Invite and bring a friend too!
A great fireworks show always ends with a grand finale. Likewise, the amazing Book of Daniel has an exciting final chapter. Don't miss this Sunday, as Pastor Quintin brings the message, “Rethinking the Future.” It's time to get different perspective on how we view the strange new world we live in!
When we face the difficulty and pain that comes our way in life, our focus makes all the difference. We can focus on the pain, or on our very personal God who is working out all the details of our lives for his glory and our ultimate joy. Daniel is a very godly person going through extremely difficult circumstances. Like us, he cries out to God for an answer. The answer for Daniel comes in the form of a visit from an angel and he is reassured about his future, and ours. What he finds is that although life is certainly difficult, the Messiah Jesus is Lord over all, which is our cause to rejoice. Our focus on Jesus is life altering!
Do you ever struggle to find the right words when you pray? Maybe you don't know where to start or when you start you just don't know what to say. If you ever catch yourself wondering what to pray, this Sunday could be a game-changer for you. We'll explore how Daniel's approach to prayer didn't focus on length or impressive language, but on truly understanding who God is. Join us this weekend as we move from uncertainty to confidence in your conversations with God.
What do you do when life feels overwhelming and out of control? When you read through Daniel's story, you can see that his life was anything but easy, then in chapter 8 God reveals a future that was even more confusing and stress-inducing. Despite being confused, stressed, and sick for days after receiving this revelation, Daniel's faith in God remained unwavering. And it's the same for us—despite our struggles and the chaos around us, God is in control of time all the time. Daniel 8 is a powerful reminder that even when we are facing troubles because of our choices or the choices of those around us, God is actively working to set things right. Join us as we dive into Daniel 8 and discover the hope we can all have a God who is always in control and faithful to his promises.
Have you ever read the Bible, especially prophecy, and simply walked away with some fear or anxiety about the way the future is described? Daniel's vision in chapter 7 leaves him 'terrified, pale and silent." But he is not left there, and neither are we. God gives us much reassurance in his Word. Our Sovereign God is in control of each and every outcome. Join us this Sunday as we move from the stories surrounding the life of Daniel, to the apocalyptic literature which makes up the rest of the book study together. We will take a look at "Facing Anxiety about the Future."
Join us for the epic account of Daniel in the lions den. We will all face moments when our personal faith and values collide with those of the prevailing culture or in a personal situation. God is in control, even in the days of extreme testing and opposition. Don't miss this weekend.
Do you ever wonder why you do what you do? Maybe you did something amazing and didn't know you had it in you, or you made a bad decision and thought, “What was I thinking?” We are all a product of the people around us and the things we let influence us. Daniel chapter 5 shows us the lives of two men under two very different influences. The impact of those influences not only set the direction of their lives, it also determined the type of influence they would have in other people's lives. Join us this Sunday as we dive into this story and discover that we are all under the influence of something.
Does life seem like it's spinning out of control? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Quintin brings the message, “The Whole World in His Hands.” Daniel 4 is filled with encouragement, challenge, and inspiration. Bring a friend!
Feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty and instability at work, home, or school? Maybe things are a little crazy in your relationships, finances, or with things you're seeing in the news and media. We all face moments out of our control, and it can feel like it's too much to handle. Where do we find real security? Daniel 2 gives us a powerful glimpse of God's forever kingdom, unshaken and eternal, standing above all earthly powers. Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream reveals that while human kingdoms rise and fall, God's kingdom endures forever. He shows us how to be faithful and trust God when our surroundings aren't trustworthy. We hope to see you this weekend.
We're starting a new series called "Thriving in a Strange New World" with deep insights from the Book of Daniel. On Sunday, Pastor Quintin will bring the message, "Unconventional Wisdom." God's Word continually challenges us to defy our echo chambers, open our hearts to God, and re-orient our minds in light of the Scriptures. Get ready to be stretched... and encouraged!