WRC Sermon of the Week

Our thought patterns fundamentally shape who we become and how we experience life, as Proverbs 23:7 teaches. The heart in biblical terms refers to our soul (mind, emotions, will) and spirit working together. When these are united, we experience spiritual health; when divided, we face internal conflict. God designed an authority structure where our spirit follows Christ, our soul follows our spirit, and our body follows our soul. Negative thoughts produce harmful chemicals in our bodies, while positive thoughts promote health. By renewing our minds with Scripture and creating healthy environments, we can take every thought captive and align our lives with God's truth.

In our fast-paced world, most of us live with no margin—no space between what we have to do and what we're doing right now. Creating mental margin is essential for our wellbeing, as it generates purity, generosity, excellence, grace, and peace in our lives. Purity comes from setting boundaries around weaknesses, generosity from boundaries around finances, excellence from boundaries around expectations, grace from boundaries around schedules, and peace from boundaries around relationships. By being still and creating these boundaries, we can hear God's voice more clearly, respond to others with grace, and live with the peace He intends for us.

In our fast-paced world, most of us live with no margin—no space between what we have to do and what we're doing right now. Creating mental margin is essential for our wellbeing, as it generates purity, generosity, excellence, grace, and peace in our lives. Purity comes from setting boundaries around weaknesses, generosity from boundaries around finances, excellence from boundaries around expectations, grace from boundaries around schedules, and peace from boundaries around relationships. By being still and creating these boundaries, we can hear God's voice more clearly, respond to others with grace, and live with the peace He intends for us.

Breaking free from destructive habits requires understanding the mind-body connection and the four-step habit loop: cue, craving, response, and reward. This process mirrors spiritual struggles described in Scripture, where our thoughts eventually become actions. The good news is that we can break these patterns through five key strategies: renewing our minds through God's Word, relying on the Holy Spirit, engaging in prayer, turning away from sinful patterns, and focusing on worship. By recognizing our triggers and immediately replacing negative thoughts with truth, we can literally remodel our neural pathways and experience the freedom Christ offers.

Breaking free from destructive habits requires understanding the mind-body connection and the four-step habit loop: cue, craving, response, and reward. This process mirrors spiritual struggles described in Scripture, where our thoughts eventually become actions. The good news is that we can break these patterns through five key strategies: renewing our minds through God's Word, relying on the Holy Spirit, engaging in prayer, turning away from sinful patterns, and focusing on worship. By recognizing our triggers and immediately replacing negative thoughts with truth, we can literally remodel our neural pathways and experience the freedom Christ offers.

Imagination is the powerful bridge between our mind and heart, shaping our reality and determining our actions. Negative imagination leads to worry, anxiety, and fear, while positive imagination fosters hope and faith. Following the five-step pathway from Philippians 4:4-8 can transform our imagination: always be joyful, don't worry about anything, pray about everything, be grateful, and fix your thoughts on what is true and good. When we keep our thoughts fixed on God rather than our problems, we experience perfect peace. By consciously redirecting our imagination from worry to hope, we open ourselves to God working beyond what we could ask or imagine.

Imagination is the powerful bridge between our mind and heart, shaping our reality and determining our actions. Negative imagination leads to worry, anxiety, and fear, while positive imagination fosters hope and faith. Following the five-step pathway from Philippians 4:4-8 can transform our imagination: always be joyful, don't worry about anything, pray about everything, be grateful, and fix your thoughts on what is true and good. When we keep our thoughts fixed on God rather than our problems, we experience perfect peace. By consciously redirecting our imagination from worry to hope, we open ourselves to God working beyond what we could ask or imagine.

This week's 5 on 5 was a powerful reminder of what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. In just five minutes each, our speakers encouraged us to carry joy that overflows to others, to pay attention to what we are truly serving with our time and hearts, and to stay spiritually nourished by spending time in God's Word. We were also reminded that through the Holy Spirit we've been given real authority to live boldly for Christ, and that our lives are a race we are called to run with focus and purpose. Together, these five messages pointed us back to Jesus and the life of freedom, strength, and love He calls us into.

This week's 5 on 5 was a powerful reminder of what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. In just five minutes each, our speakers encouraged us to carry joy that overflows to others, to pay attention to what we are truly serving with our time and hearts, and to stay spiritually nourished by spending time in God's Word. We were also reminded that through the Holy Spirit we've been given real authority to live boldly for Christ, and that our lives are a race we are called to run with focus and purpose. Together, these five messages pointed us back to Jesus and the life of freedom, strength, and love He calls us into.

This sermon addresses three mental barriers that block God's best for our lives, using the story of the 12 spies from Numbers 13. When Moses sent spies to explore the Promised Land, ten returned with a negative report, saying they felt like grasshoppers compared to the giants living there. This one sentence kept an entire nation from God's best for 40 years. The sermon identifies comparison, feelings, and assumptions as the three mental barriers that prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land and that still hinder believers today.

This sermon addresses three mental barriers that block God's best for our lives, using the story of the 12 spies from Numbers 13. When Moses sent spies to explore the Promised Land, ten returned with a negative report, saying they felt like grasshoppers compared to the giants living there. This one sentence kept an entire nation from God's best for 40 years. The sermon identifies comparison, feelings, and assumptions as the three mental barriers that prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land and that still hinder believers today.

Pastor Andy discusses the importance of wisdom in living a fruitful life for God, using Solomon's story as a framework. He emphasizes that wisdom is essential for kingdom living and helps us get unstuck from harmful patterns. Through examining Solomon's encounter with God in 1 Kings 3, the pastor identifies five key traits that unlock divine wisdom: a spirit of sacrifice, an attitude of gratitude, a habit of honesty, a posture of humility, and a heart of understanding. These traits positioned Solomon to receive God's wisdom and can do the same for believers today.

Pastor Andy discusses the importance of wisdom in living a fruitful life for God, using Solomon's story as a framework. He emphasizes that wisdom is essential for kingdom living and helps us get unstuck from harmful patterns. Through examining Solomon's encounter with God in 1 Kings 3, the pastor identifies five key traits that unlock divine wisdom: a spirit of sacrifice, an attitude of gratitude, a habit of honesty, a posture of humility, and a heart of understanding. These traits positioned Solomon to receive God's wisdom and can do the same for believers today.

In this sermon titled 'Expiration Dates,' the pastor uses personal stories and metaphors to illustrate how trials in life are temporary and have purpose. He contrasts trophies (which everyone wants) with trials (which no one wants), explaining that while trophies last, the pain it took to get them doesn't. Using examples of expired food, he emphasizes that our trials, like bread with an expiration date, will eventually come to an end. The pastor shares his own experiences with health challenges, including a stroke that left him in a wheelchair, and how his faith carried him through these difficult seasons.

In this sermon titled 'Expiration Dates,' the pastor uses personal stories and metaphors to illustrate how trials in life are temporary and have purpose. He contrasts trophies (which everyone wants) with trials (which no one wants), explaining that while trophies last, the pain it took to get them doesn't. Using examples of expired food, he emphasizes that our trials, like bread with an expiration date, will eventually come to an end. The pastor shares his own experiences with health challenges, including a stroke that left him in a wheelchair, and how his faith carried him through these difficult seasons.

Breaking free from curses requires understanding their biblical causes. Curses represent diminishment and reduction, opposite to blessings, and always have a cause. Churches experience curses through carnality, apostasy, and legalism. Individuals face curses through parental disrespect, robbing God of tithes, negative words, soulish prayers, anti-Semitism, occult involvement, and harmful words from authority figures. Generational patterns transfer through blood and example, but freedom is possible through examining your life, breaking generational ties, practicing forgiveness, speaking life-giving words, and establishing new godly patterns.

Breaking free from curses requires understanding their biblical causes. Curses represent diminishment and reduction, opposite to blessings, and always have a cause. Churches experience curses through carnality, apostasy, and legalism. Individuals face curses through parental disrespect, robbing God of tithes, negative words, soulish prayers, anti-Semitism, occult involvement, and harmful words from authority figures. Generational patterns transfer through blood and example, but freedom is possible through examining your life, breaking generational ties, practicing forgiveness, speaking life-giving words, and establishing new godly patterns.

In this sermon, Pastor Lee discusses the concept of blessings and curses, explaining that blessings are God's default setting and represent flourishing and abundance. He introduces the Law of First Mention, showing how the first biblical appearance of 'blessing' in Genesis establishes its meaning as being fruitful and multiplying. The pastor emphasizes that all blessings come from God as an expression of His love, and that God has extended His blessing to all mankind through Abraham.

In this sermon, Pastor Lee discusses the concept of blessings and curses, explaining that blessings are God's default setting and represent flourishing and abundance. He introduces the Law of First Mention, showing how the first biblical appearance of 'blessing' in Genesis establishes its meaning as being fruitful and multiplying. The pastor emphasizes that all blessings come from God as an expression of His love, and that God has extended His blessing to all mankind through Abraham.

This sermon discusses the armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-20, comparing it to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster where a small breach in the heat shield led to catastrophic failure. The message emphasizes that Christians are in a spiritual war against a methodical enemy (the devil) who seeks to destroy us. The pastor outlines four realities of spiritual warfare: we have an adversary, we are in a war, we have a solution (the full armor of God), and we have a purpose (to share the gospel).

This sermon discusses the armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-20, comparing it to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster where a small breach in the heat shield led to catastrophic failure. The message emphasizes that Christians are in a spiritual war against a methodical enemy (the devil) who seeks to destroy us. The pastor outlines four realities of spiritual warfare: we have an adversary, we are in a war, we have a solution (the full armor of God), and we have a purpose (to share the gospel).

Pastor Andy shares a powerful message about the importance of worshiping before battles in our lives, using the story of Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20. When three armies were coming against Jehoshaphat, he sought God through prayer and worship. God instructed them to send singers ahead of the army, and as they began to worship, God fought the battle for them, causing the enemy armies to destroy each other. Pastor emphasizes that worship isn't just a song but a strategic spiritual weapon that prepares us for challenges before they arrive.

Pastor Andy shares a powerful message about the importance of worshiping before battles in our lives, using the story of Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20. When three armies were coming against Jehoshaphat, he sought God through prayer and worship. God instructed them to send singers ahead of the army, and as they began to worship, God fought the battle for them, causing the enemy armies to destroy each other. Pastor emphasizes that worship isn't just a song but a strategic spiritual weapon that prepares us for challenges before they arrive.

God sees us differently than the negative labels we often wear. When we belong to Christ, everything about us is made new according to 2 Corinthians 5:17. Like Gideon, who was called a mighty warrior while hiding in fear, God speaks to our future calling rather than our present circumstances. To embrace our true identity, we must let God define us, refuse to be confined by our past, and know that God stands behind us. By tearing down false altars in our lives and standing firm on God's truth, we can reject negative labels and live as who God created us to be.

God sees us differently than the negative labels we often wear. When we belong to Christ, everything about us is made new according to 2 Corinthians 5:17. Like Gideon, who was called a mighty warrior while hiding in fear, God speaks to our future calling rather than our present circumstances. To embrace our true identity, we must let God define us, refuse to be confined by our past, and know that God stands behind us. By tearing down false altars in our lives and standing firm on God's truth, we can reject negative labels and live as who God created us to be.

The sermon focuses on the importance of compassion in Christian life, using the parable of the Good Samaritan as its central text. The pastor identifies three main 'compassion assassins' - pride, agendas, and labels - that prevent people from showing true compassion to others. He emphasizes that compassion is not just about seeing someone in need, but feeling their pain and taking action to help them, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The sermon focuses on the importance of compassion in Christian life, using the parable of the Good Samaritan as its central text. The pastor identifies three main 'compassion assassins' - pride, agendas, and labels - that prevent people from showing true compassion to others. He emphasizes that compassion is not just about seeing someone in need, but feeling their pain and taking action to help them, regardless of their background or circumstances.

This sermon focuses on the power of faith and its application in three major life areas: finances, health, and family. Bro. Lee emphasizes that faith is the most powerful force in the world, but it must be properly understood and applied. He explains that faith differs from hope (which is future-focused) and must be exercised in the present. After reading 380 prayer cards, he identified these three areas as the most common prayer requests.

This sermon focuses on the power of faith and its application in three major life areas: finances, health, and family. Bro. Lee emphasizes that faith is the most powerful force in the world, but it must be properly understood and applied. He explains that faith differs from hope (which is future-focused) and must be exercised in the present. After reading 380 prayer cards, he identified these three areas as the most common prayer requests.

The sermon discusses the significance of Pentecost, both historically and spiritually, drawing parallels between the first Pentecost at Mount Sinai and the New Testament Pentecost in Acts 2. The pastor emphasizes how God's timing and plans may differ from our expectations, but His consistency remains throughout scripture. The message highlights the transformation from the first Pentecost, where 3,000 died due to disobedience, to the New Testament Pentecost, where 3,000 were saved through the Holy Spirit's power.

The sermon discusses the significance of Pentecost, both historically and spiritually, drawing parallels between the first Pentecost at Mount Sinai and the New Testament Pentecost in Acts 2. The pastor emphasizes how God's timing and plans may differ from our expectations, but His consistency remains throughout scripture. The message highlights the transformation from the first Pentecost, where 3,000 died due to disobedience, to the New Testament Pentecost, where 3,000 were saved through the Holy Spirit's power.

This sermon featured 5 on 5 — five speakers sharing short, impactful messages that stirred our faith. Each speaker brought a fresh perspective, challenging us to trade fear for faith, step into community, remember God's faithfulness, walk in forgiveness, and take bold steps of obedience. We were reminded that real transformation comes when we're willing to roll away the stones that hold us back. The themes of faith, love, and action wove together beautifully, inspiring us to live out what we've heard.

This sermon featured 5 on 5 — five speakers sharing short, impactful messages that stirred our faith. Each speaker brought a fresh perspective, challenging us to trade fear for faith, step into community, remember God's faithfulness, walk in forgiveness, and take bold steps of obedience. We were reminded that real transformation comes when we're willing to roll away the stones that hold us back. The themes of faith, love, and action wove together beautifully, inspiring us to live out what we've heard.

The sermon discusses four dangers of false religion based on Colossians 2, focusing on legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. Pastor Andy warns against adding anything to Jesus or trying to earn salvation through rules, spiritual experiences, or self-denial. He emphasizes that salvation comes through Christ alone and cannot be earned through human effort or religious practices.

The sermon discusses four dangers of false religion based on Colossians 2, focusing on legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. Pastor Andy warns against adding anything to Jesus or trying to earn salvation through rules, spiritual experiences, or self-denial. He emphasizes that salvation comes through Christ alone and cannot be earned through human effort or religious practices.

Time with children is precious and limited, with only 936 weeks from birth to age 18. Children hear approximately 148,000 negative messages by age 18, making positive parental influence crucial. Five key statements can help make every moment count: expressing presence, offering encouragement, prioritizing Jesus, setting boundaries, and emphasizing spiritual foundation. Parents must be intentional about using their time wisely to build faith, character, and strong relationships with their children.

Time with children is precious and limited, with only 936 weeks from birth to age 18. Children hear approximately 148,000 negative messages by age 18, making positive parental influence crucial. Five key statements can help make every moment count: expressing presence, offering encouragement, prioritizing Jesus, setting boundaries, and emphasizing spiritual foundation. Parents must be intentional about using their time wisely to build faith, character, and strong relationships with their children.

Discover the profound truth about Jesus Christ's supreme authority over all creation. Learn how everything in existence was created in Him, is sustained through Him, and has been reconciled by Him. From the precise rotation of planets to the intricate balance of molecular structures, explore how Jesus maintains perfect control over the universe. Understand the transformative power of His reconciliation and what it means for your life today.

Discover the profound truth about Jesus Christ's supreme authority over all creation. Learn how everything in existence was created in Him, is sustained through Him, and has been reconciled by Him. From the precise rotation of planets to the intricate balance of molecular structures, explore how Jesus maintains perfect control over the universe. Understand the transformative power of His reconciliation and what it means for your life today.

This sermon focuses on Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically the first 14 verses, outlining three elements of a powerful church. The pastor discusses how Paul praises the church for loving in the spirit of God, prays for them to find God's will, and prepares them for battle in the kingdom of God. He illustrates unconditional love through a personal story about hurricane relief efforts and emphasizes the importance of following God's will through His Word, peace, and confirmation through other believers.

This sermon focuses on Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically the first 14 verses, outlining three elements of a powerful church. The pastor discusses how Paul praises the church for loving in the spirit of God, prays for them to find God's will, and prepares them for battle in the kingdom of God. He illustrates unconditional love through a personal story about hurricane relief efforts and emphasizes the importance of following God's will through His Word, peace, and confirmation through other believers.

The sermon focuses on the power of joy and its importance in Christian life. The pastors emphasize that joy has medicinal properties, producing four 'happy chemicals' in the brain (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins) that benefit physical and mental health. They explain that true joy comes from focusing on God rather than circumstances, and that the ultimate source of joy is knowing one's name is written in the Book of Life.

The sermon focuses on the power of joy and its importance in Christian life. The pastors emphasize that joy has medicinal properties, producing four 'happy chemicals' in the brain (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins) that benefit physical and mental health. They explain that true joy comes from focusing on God rather than circumstances, and that the ultimate source of joy is knowing one's name is written in the Book of Life.

This sermon focuses on how church hurt and other emotional pain can physically affect the body through three types of separation: from God, from self, and from others. The speakers explain how negative thoughts and emotions produce chemicals in the brain that can cause physical illness, while positive emotions can promote health. They use Einstein's E=MC² formula to illustrate how emotional energy converts to physical matter in our bodies through chemical reactions.

This sermon focuses on how church hurt and other emotional pain can physically affect the body through three types of separation: from God, from self, and from others. The speakers explain how negative thoughts and emotions produce chemicals in the brain that can cause physical illness, while positive emotions can promote health. They use Einstein's E=MC² formula to illustrate how emotional energy converts to physical matter in our bodies through chemical reactions.

This sermon focuses on dealing with bitterness, particularly through church hurt and betrayal by close friends or family. Using the biblical story of David and Ahithophel, the pastor illustrates how bitterness can poison both the person holding it and those around them. Ahithophel, who was Bathsheba's grandfather, harbored bitterness toward David for 20 years after David's actions with Bathsheba and Uriah, ultimately leading to Ahithophel's own destruction.

This sermon focuses on dealing with bitterness, particularly through church hurt and betrayal by close friends or family. Using the biblical story of David and Ahithophel, the pastor illustrates how bitterness can poison both the person holding it and those around them. Ahithophel, who was Bathsheba's grandfather, harbored bitterness toward David for 20 years after David's actions with Bathsheba and Uriah, ultimately leading to Ahithophel's own destruction.

Church hurt can create deep wounds that prevent us from experiencing God's full purpose. Through a biblical framework of pausing, pondering, praying, and participating, healing and restoration are possible. When we take time to be still, reflect on God's work, seek His guidance, and take action on His direction, we can find peace that surpasses understanding. This path leads to renewed purpose and the ability to use our spiritual gifts for serving others.

Church hurt can create deep wounds that prevent us from experiencing God's full purpose. Through a biblical framework of pausing, pondering, praying, and participating, healing and restoration are possible. When we take time to be still, reflect on God's work, seek His guidance, and take action on His direction, we can find peace that surpasses understanding. This path leads to renewed purpose and the ability to use our spiritual gifts for serving others.

The sermon focuses on finding wisdom at life's crossroads, particularly in dealing with church hurt, using Jeremiah 6:16 as the main text. Pastor Andy emphasizes the importance of stopping, waiting, and looking around before making decisions, especially when dealing with pain or hurt within the church context. He contrasts modern society's impatience with the biblical principle of waiting on God's timing and direction.

The sermon focuses on finding wisdom at life's crossroads, particularly in dealing with church hurt, using Jeremiah 6:16 as the main text. Pastor Andy emphasizes the importance of stopping, waiting, and looking around before making decisions, especially when dealing with pain or hurt within the church context. He contrasts modern society's impatience with the biblical principle of waiting on God's timing and direction.