Avalon Church

This video is about GellerWhat does it mean to live a life that outlives you? In this message from Matthew 14:1–12, Pastor K. Paul Maurer examines the lives of John the Baptist and Herod to reveal the difference between protecting your reputation and standing firm in your convictions. Through John's example, we're challenged to join Jesus' mission, proclaim His message, speak His truth, accept the cost, and leave a legacy that points others to Christ. A life surrendered to Jesus is never wasted.

What does it really mean to find your life? In this week's message, Finding Your True Life, Pastor K. Paul continues our Losing Your Life series through Matthew 10:39–42.

Jesus teaches us something completely countercultural: true life isn't found in holding tightly to our own desires, but in surrendering ourselves to Him. From the daily battle between selfishness and sacrifice to the simple ways we can serve others, Pastor K. Paul challenges us to move beyond simply believing in Jesus to actively living as His disciples.

Because the life we're looking for is found when we give our lives away for Him.

What does it really mean to find your life? In this week's message, Finding Your True Life, Pastor K. Paul continues our Losing Your Life series through Matthew 10:39–42.

Jesus teaches us something completely countercultural: true life isn't found in holding tightly to our own desires, but in surrendering ourselves to Him. From the daily battle between selfishness and sacrifice to the simple ways we can serve others, Pastor K. Paul challenges us to move beyond simply believing in Jesus to actively living as His disciples.

Because the life we're looking for is found when we give our lives away for Him.

What happens when the peace you expect from Jesus isn't the peace He promised?

In Matthew 10:34–38, Jesus challenges the assumption that following Him will make life easier. Pastor Kodi unpacks Jesus' difficult words about bringing a sword, the cost of divided loyalties, and what it truly means to take up your cross. Through Scripture, he reveals the difference between the world's version of peace and the lasting peace Jesus offers.

Following Jesus means trusting God's way even when it costs us comfort, approval, or control. Are you willing to obey Him even when you don't understand?

Speaker: Pastor Kodi Mullins
Scripture: Matthew 10:34–38

Following Jesus isn't always comfortable, and Jesus never promised it would be. In Matthew 10:16–33, Pastor K. Paul Maurer unpacks Jesus' warning that His followers will face opposition, rejection, and suffering as they share the gospel. But we're called to respond with wisdom, gentle hearts, and unwavering courage.

Discover what it means to live with thick skin and a big heart, choose gratitude in difficult circumstances, and trust that God sees and cares for us. Following Jesus means more than showing up on Sunday. It means faithfully representing Him wherever we go.

What if rejection doesn't mean you failed?

In Matthew 10:5–15, Jesus sends His disciples out on their first assignment and prepares them for something they will inevitably encounter: rejection. Pastor K. Paul Maurer explores what it means to give your life away for Jesus while learning not to let someone else's response become your story of failure.

Jesus tells His disciples to shake the dust off their feet and keep going. That same freedom is available to us. We can share the Gospel freely, trust God with what we cannot control, and move forward when people don't respond the way we hoped.

The challenge is simple: stay in your lane, trust God along the way, share freely rather than fearfully, keep it simple, and shake off the dust when rejection comes.

Speaker: Pastor K. Paul Maurer
Scripture: Matthew 10:5–15

What does it look like to follow Jesus, lead others, and then follow Him again?

In this message, Pastor K. Paul Maurer explores the rhythm Jesus modeled with His disciples: follow, lead, follow again. From Matthew 9:35–10:8, we see Jesus call ordinary people to follow Him, equip them to serve others, and send them out to make a difference.

Scripture: Matthew 9:35–10:8
Speaker: K. Paul Maurer

Teaching Pastor Bob Smith begins our Losing Your Life series in Matthew 9:35–38, where Jesus looks at the crowds and sees more than their circumstances. He sees people who are hurting, helpless, and in need of a shepherd, and He is moved with compassion.

But Jesus doesn't stop at seeing the need. He turns to His disciples and tells them the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

In this message, Bob challenges us to become good-news people who don't simply notice brokenness, but allow the compassion of Jesus to move us toward people. The harvest is all around us. The question is whether we're willing to be sent into it.

In the final week of our Miracles series, Pastor K. Paul Maurer looks at Matthew 9:27–34 and the story of two blind men who come to Jesus asking for mercy. Their story points us to something bigger than physical healing: faith isn’t about finding the right method or having enough faith to guarantee the outcome we want. It’s about the object of our faith—Jesus.

Through the miracles of Matthew 9, we see the heart and power of Christ for people at the top, the bottom and everywhere in between. And when prayers are answered (and when they aren't) we can still trust Him. Because the greatest miracle isn't simply what Jesus can do for us. The miracle is Jesus.

What does it look like to trust Jesus when life takes a devastating turn?

In Mark 5:21–43, Pastor K. Paul Maurer shares the story of Jairus, a father who comes to Jesus in desperation after learning that his daughter has died. Jesus tells him, “Don't be afraid. Just believe.”

Through this powerful story, we discover that faith doesn't stop with words. It moves into action. We are challenged to trust God, walk alongside people in their hardest moments, and live with the hope of eternity in mind.

This message also includes a personal testimony from Pastor Adam about the moment he first prayed to Jesus when his newborn daughter was in danger.

Don't quit. Keep on believing.