With special guests, Emily and Taylor Vickerman, we delve into the heart of Psalm 139, uncovering profound truths about our identity and security in Christ. The message challenges us to confront our attachment struggles and anxiety, reminding us that we are fully known and deeply loved by our Creator. We're encouraged to be honest with God about our fears, doubts, and pain, recognizing that He can handle our raw emotions. The beautiful imagery of God hemming us in and laying His hand upon us invites us to reimagine our proximity to Him as a source of comfort rather than fear. This message speaks directly to our struggles with shame, self-loathing, and hypervigilance, offering the transformative truth that we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made.' As we navigate our attachment wounds, we're called to bring our emotions to God, trusting Him to make sense of them and lead us into repentance and growth.

As we continue our exploration of Matthew 6:25-34, we're challenged to confront our deepest worries and anxieties. Jesus' teachings on worry aren't naive platitudes, but nuanced truths that speak to the core of our human experience. We're reminded that our value exceeds our basic needs - we are more than what we eat, drink, or wear. By looking at the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, we're encouraged to trust in God's provision and care. This message pushes us to examine where we place our security and hope. Are we building our lives on worry, or on trust in God's kingdom? The call to 'seek first His kingdom and His righteousness' invites us to shift our focus from earthly concerns to eternal priorities. As we grapple with our tendency to worry, we're challenged to embrace a life of daily surrender, courageous generosity, and present-moment living. This teaching isn't about ignoring real-life challenges, but about finding a deeper trust in God that can transform our approach to life's uncertainties.

Pastor Tyler kicks off a new sermon series! We're reminded that anxiety is a universal human experience, but it doesn't have to define us. The key scripture, Philippians 4:4-9, offers a roadmap for finding peace amidst our anxieties. We're called to rejoice always, pray with thanksgiving, and focus our thoughts on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. This isn't about ignoring our struggles, but rather bringing them to God and allowing His peace to guard our hearts and minds. The parallels drawn between Paul's circumstances and our own challenges are striking, showing that even in the midst of great hardship, we can choose joy and gentleness. As we navigate our anxieties, we're encouraged to remember our true identity as beloved children of God, shifting our focus from our circumstances to our secure attachment in Christ.

Have questions about the Bible? Dr. Manny Arango may have answers.

Guest speaker Dr. Manny Arango challenges us to reconsider what it truly means to be human in God's eyes. The central narrative of Cain and Abel, and subsequent generations, reveals a profound truth: we constantly face the choice between embracing our God-given humanity or succumbing to our baser, animal-like instincts. This message urges us to reject the lie that we're slaves to our passions and instead embrace the unique human ability to critically examine our desires. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's original design and reflect His glory. The parallels drawn between various biblical figures and Christ himself remind us that Jesus is the ultimate example of true humanity - one who perfectly balanced divine nature with human experience. As we navigate our faith journey, let's strive to emulate Christ's example, mastering self-control and allowing God's word, not our instincts, to guide our actions.

This Easter message challenges us to examine where we're searching for life and meaning. The central story of Jesus' resurrection in Luke 24 serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journeys. Are we, like the women at the tomb, looking for the living among the dead? This profound question invites us to reflect on the 'graveyards' in our lives - places of fear, shame, or false comfort where we mistakenly seek fulfillment. The message encourages us to step out of these tombs and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. It reminds us that Christ's victory over death isn't just a historical event, but a present reality that can transform our daily lives. As we confront our fears and uncertainties, we're called to 'come and see' - to draw close to Jesus and experience His living presence. This Easter, we're invited to release our fear, draw near to God, step out in faith, and live in hope.

In this powerful message, we're challenged to see our city through God's eyes and join Him in rebuilding what's broken. The story of Nehemiah serves as our guide, showing us how to respond when faced with ruins – whether in our communities or our own lives. Nehemiah's journey from cupbearer to city rebuilder reminds us that God often calls ordinary people to extraordinary tasks. We're encouraged to slow down, pray, and discern God's specific call for us in our current context. The parallels drawn between ancient Jerusalem and modern-day Seattle are striking, reminding us that God's work of renewal is timeless. This message urges us to resist apathy and instead become 'repairers of the breach,' actively participating in God's redemptive work. It's a call to hope, even when circumstances seem dire, trusting that the God of heaven will give us success as we faithfully serve Him.

In this powerful exploration of God's dwelling place, we journey through the Bible's rich temple imagery. From Eden to the New Creation, we see God's unwavering desire to be with His people. The story of Solomon's Temple in 2 Chronicles 7 becomes a launching point to understand how God's presence has evolved throughout scripture. We're challenged to see beyond physical structures and recognize that through Jesus, we ourselves have become living temples. This shift from external to internal holiness invites us to reconsider our relationship with God. Are we fully embracing the reality that the Holy Spirit dwells within us? This message encourages us to surrender completely to God's presence, reminding us that true transformation comes not from religious symbols or buildings, but from allowing God to work in and through us.

In this powerful exploration of God's calling, we delve into the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 18 and 19. We're challenged to confront our own idolatry and division, recognizing that our true calling goes beyond our career or achievements. The narrative of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, followed by his moment of despair, mirrors our own spiritual journey. We learn that God speaks to us both through dramatic displays of power and in gentle whispers, reminding us that our calling is not fragile but sustained by God's faithfulness. This message encourages us to trust God's reality over our idols, His strength over our enemies, and His whisper over our expectations. As we navigate the highs and lows of our faith walk, we're invited to lean into a deeper connection with God, understanding that clarity isn't always guaranteed, but trust in Him is paramount.

In this powerful exploration of the Book of Ruth, we're challenged to confront our disappointments and trust God even when life doesn't go as planned. The story of Naomi and Ruth reminds us that God can use our darkest moments as setups for greater redemption. We're encouraged to see Ruth's radical decision to follow Naomi and her God as a model of faithful trust in times of crisis. The concept of 'hesed' - God's steadfast love - is beautifully illustrated through Ruth's actions and Boaz's redemption. This message invites us to reflect on our own responses to life's setbacks: Do we withdraw in bitterness like Naomi, or step forward in faith like Ruth? We're reminded that small acts of faithfulness can lead to big redemption, not just in our lives but in the lives of those around us. Ultimately, we see Jesus as our greater Boaz, our ultimate Redeemer who invites us into a covenant relationship that transcends our earthly struggles.