Spiritual decline is often like a flat tire. Most flat tires occur because air leaks out over time. Gradually. Imperceptibly. We're usually not even aware that there is a problem until the car becomes too difficult to steer or a worse problem arises.

The decline of one's spiritual life, the loss of one's vitality and first love for the things of God, can be quite similar. It happens gradually and imperceptibly -- and it’s what we see taking place in the nation of Israel in the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah. After having experienced such great spiritual renewal earlier in the book, what went so wrong for Israel in Nehemiah 13? And what can we learn from their story that can help us to maintain our spiritual fervor for God and prevent us from making the same mistakes?

At times, all of us can feel unimportant, unnoticed, or unappreciated. We wonder if we matter or if our work makes any difference in the world. Sometimes our questions lead to a downward spiral of doubt and darkness. But the truth is, God cherishes each individual on the planet, uses all of our efforts, and has a marvelous plan for our future. No one is unimportant, unnoticed, or unappreciated. Instead, all of us, each one of us, plays a critical role in the world. This week, we will see how we matter to God, how we matter to the world, and what God still has in store us.

Easter is the event that changed everything. Disciples went from doubters to believers. Death suffered its first defeat. Jesus was vindicated as God who came to save us, and we are given a confidence that can overcome any trouble. This year, as we look at the familiar Easter story, we’ll see the surprise of Easter, the uniqueness of Easter, and the hope of Easter.

Guest Speaker: Valerie Hill, CEO of RealOptions Pregnancy Center/

Every life is precious to God, and each one of us was knit together by Him while we were still in the womb. This Sunday, we draw attention to the importance of valuing lives in the womb, and use our voices to speak for those who don’t yet have one.

Why do some people seem to get so much enjoyment and encouragement out of reading a passage of Scripture or hearing God’s Word taught, while others who read the exact same passage or hear the exact same sermon as the other group are minimally affected by it? Why do some people seem to leave church or a worship service each week uplifted and comforted, while others are largely unmoved? Why is it that some people can sit through a 2-hour movie with rapt attention and yet fidget after only a few minutes of reading the Bible? What is the secret? Join us for this week’s message as we discover the answer.