Alabaster Group

NYC Sunday Sermon by guest speaker, Jody Atchison.

The more we become acquainted with societal norms, the easier it is to conform to these norms without even realizing it, and life in God is no exception to this. Although adhering to the status quo of Christian living may feel safe, it can cause us to lose sight of the unique aspects of our personalities that were deposited in us by God. If we are to remain authentic to who God created us to be, we must be willing to do what is risky—be ourselves.

Matthew 25; 2 Corinthians 11

NYC Sunday Service | October 19, 2025

Biblical life and death can be understood as more than physical conditions, but states of being that permeate all aspects of our lives. Divine “life” is an inexhaustible, dynamic experience characterized by blessings, prosperity, health, restoration, and supernatural resilience in the face of affliction. “Death,” however, is a gradual spiritual decline marked by confusion, frustration, failure, and sickness, which overtakes a disobedient person even while they are physically alive. Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will became a conduit through which the overwhelming life of God could flow to everyone He encountered, and we have the ability to offer the same to those around us.

When we earnestly seek out the will of God, we discover that he not only has an opinion about the destination that we reach in life, but the path that we take to get there. This path becomes increasingly narrow the more we decide to understand his will and obey his commandments. Although the narrow path is difficult, choosing to follow it enables us to live out his specific promises for our lives.

Luke 9; Isaiah 7; Matthew 7; James 1; 2 Corinthians 2

Whether we are in full-time ministry or raising children or pursuing a vocational career, we often find ourselves in positions of leadership and authority. As followers of Jesus, we are called to love those whom we have been given influence over, even at the expense of our own convenience and comfort. In this way, we demonstrate what it means to be a shepherd to the flock that the Lord has entrusted to us, just as He is to us.

2 Kings 5; Ezekiel 34; John 10; Jude; Isaiah 53

NYC Sunday Service | September 28, 2025

The Kingdom of Heaven is often not found in excess displays of power or success, but in voluntary sacrifice and self-denial. Jesus patterned his life on earth in this way, and he invites us to do the same so that we may experience the fullness of the Kingdom.

Matthew 19; Deuteronomy 17; Luke 14; 1 Corinthians 4; Luke 4

NYC Sunday Service

NYC Sunday Service

NYC Sunday Service

NYC Sunday Service