Ever since the dawn of time, people have rebelled. Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Colonial Americans tossed tea into the Boston Harbor, and a new store is boycotted every year. The moral of the story? Well… It’s in our nature. We naturally rebel against God and against other men. Today, Pastor Bill teaches that you can’t assume someone has been changed by Christ, and you should expect rebellion. However, that gives you all the more reason to demonstrate what a Christ follower looks like.

Could you imagine what it would be like if your boss decided to let you be in charge for the day? You’d have the power to run the company, and he’d listen to your orders. In today’s message, Pastor Bill teaches that Jesus came down to a world He created, and listened to people bark orders at Him, while following rules set by men who couldn’t follow the rules set by God. Do you think you or your boss could do that? Jesus endured all of that and more because He loves you and wants you to follow His rule.

Have you ever seen someone make furniture out of old pallets? After salvaging the pieces of wood, they dismantle the pallets and then create something new from something old. However, it sometimes requires cutting off chipped edges or planing warped boards. Once it’s finally assembled, the carpenter will finish it off with a hefty sanding to remove all of the old ruggedness. In today’s message, Pastor Bill teaches that sometimes, the Carpenter will have to do a little sanding in your life to remove the old junk.

No gardener plants tomato plants expecting an orange. No violinist puts the bow to the strings expecting the sound of a French horn. When you see two plus two, you don’t expect “five.” In today’s message, Pastor Bill teaches that when you tell someone that you are a Christian, they shouldn’t expect to see the same you that they knew before Christ entered your life. They should expect to see a life that models Jesus. This requires bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit and living a life of repentance.

Whenever you walk into a barbershop, you’re expected to come just as you would any other day, hair fixed as it normally is. Whenever you are finished, you expect a change, right? You don’t walk in expecting to leave the chair the same way you sat down. In today’s message, Pastor Bill teaches that in the same way, whenever you come to Jesus, you can come just as you are. There’s no need to clean yourself up first. However, don’t expect to stay scraggly! When coming to Jesus, anticipate change.

Have you ever obeyed God in something small, wondering if it even mattered? Today, Pastor Bill points to Joseph, who simply did what God told him without any promise of fame or grand explanation. He just obeyed step by step, and God used that faithfulness to accomplish huge things. You might want God to show you the big, impressive assignment first. But God says, “Just do what I tell you to do.” Your obedience in the ordinary moment may be the very thing that opens the door to what He has next.

Today, Pastor Bill explains Jesus’ promise in John 7:17: if anyone wills to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or from human authority. Jesus makes it clear that those who truly desire to obey Him will receive clarity on doctrine. God guarantees understanding to the one whose heart is set on doing His will. The key to gaining that clarity is simple: obey quickly what the Lord tells you. Delayed obedience clouds hearing; prompt obedience opens up the lines.

Today, Pastor Bill encourages you that if your understanding of Christ doesn’t naturally move you to worship, slow down and get to know Him better. If who He is and what He has done for you leaves you unmoved, take more time. Worship should be the believer’s most natural response to truly seeing Jesus, His character, and His finished work on the cross. Spend time with Him in the Word, in prayer, and in quiet, undistracted reflection until your heart responds the way it was created to.

There comes a time in our lives when we have to decide where we want to be. Do we stay in this world and all it offers, or do we choose something more? Something that frees us from the weight and brokenness of sin? Someone who will lead us into everlasting life, where there is no sin or pain? Today, Pastor Bill reminds you that when you make Jesus the Lord of your life, He begins to break the chains that hold you down. Jesus sets you free and walks with you through every storm, now and forever.

Isn’t it amazing that we serve a God who desires a relationship with us? Our Creator didn’t make us just to forget us; He created us to know Him and to choose Him. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins, and through Him, we’re given the choice to follow Him or the world. That’s what Easter is about: the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, who rose again and made a way for us to be with Him. So today, Pastor Bill encourages you to make that decision and invite Jesus into your life.