Sermon Outline
Focus: True greatness in God’s Kingdom is not found in elevating yourself, but in
humbling yourself to serve others. When we follow Jesus—who laid His life down
for us—we discover a better way to live and a greater purpose to pursue.

I. The Tension
       Social media Influencers
       Culture says: Be seen. Be known. Build your name. We equate influence with
             importance
       Jesus says: The greatest serve. The first go last.

II. Pursue Greatness Through Humility (vv. 1-4)
       “In humility count others more significant than yourselves…”
       Humility = thinking of yourself less
       Lived out in everyday moments:
               Letting someone else be right, serving without recognition,
               choosing not to elevate self
       Greatness = lowering yourself to serve others

III. Follow Jesus’ Example (vv. 5–8)
       Jesus stepped down: From glory → humanity, from power → servant,
       From life → the cross
       His humility was not just an example – it was our salvation
       You cannot follow a humble Savior and live a prideful life

IV. God Exalts the Humble (vv. 9–11)
       Jesus humbled Himself → God exalted Him
       Kingdom Principle: Humility may feel like losing now…but it
            leads to lasting impact

V. What kind of life are you building? One that points to you…or one
             that points to Jesus?
       If you want to be great—learn to go low.

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Kingdom Conversations – Grace6:8 & the Heart of Foster Care

In this episode of Kingdom Conversations, Church of the Lakes invites you into a powerful and deeply personal conversation centered on living out a Kingdom mindset through foster care ministry.

Pastor Robby sits down with special guest Meredith Priset, (Pastor Jared's wife) a licensed foster parent who is an integral part of the church’s Grace 6:8 ministry. Together, they explore what it truly means to step into the foster care journey—sharing the calling, the process, the challenges, and the life-changing impact along the way.

You’ll hear Meredith’s firsthand experiences from the early days of fostering—the joys, the struggles, and the sacrifices—and how God used those moments to shape her family’s story. The conversation also highlights the vital role of “care communities,” a unique support system designed to surround foster families with practical help, encouragement, and love.

Rooted in the call of Micah 6:8—to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God—Grace 6:8 exists to help foster families not just survive, but truly thrive. Whether you feel called to foster or simply want to support those who do, this episode offers a compelling vision for how the Church can come together to make a lasting difference.

This is more than a conversation—it’s an invitation to live counterculturally, love courageously, and reflect the heart of Jesus in tangible ways.

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Sermon Outline
Focus: Kingdom perspective sees hardship not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for
the gospel to advance. What feels like a setback to you may be a setup for the gospel.

I. God Uses Hardship to Advance the Gospel
        “What has happened to me…has really served to advance the gospel” (v. 12)
        Paul doesn’t deny hardship – he reinterprets it
        Joseph: what was meant for evil, God used for good (Genesis 50:20)
        You’re not stuck – you’re sent.

II. Your Situation Is a Platform
        “My imprisonment is for Christ…” (vv. 13-14)”
        Paul’s chains became a platform for the gospel
        Others gained courage because of his faith
        People are watching how you walk through hardship.
        Your life is speaking, so, what is it saying about Jesus?

III. The Gospel Advances No Matter What
        “Christ is proclaimed…and in that I rejoice” (vv. 15-18)
        God uses imperfect people (Moses, David, Peter, Jonah)
        The mission is bigger than our comfort or reputation
        Question: Is Jesus being made known through my life?

IV. Joy comes when we stop asking, “Why is this happening?”
        and start asking, “How is the gospel advancing through this?”

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In this episode, Pastor Robby sits down with Pastor Jared to introduce our sermon series, “Citizens of Heaven: A Journey Through the Letter to the Philippians.” Together, they explore the background, purpose, and powerful themes of Paul’s letter—unpacking what it truly means to live with a Kingdom mindset in a world pulling us in the opposite direction.

This conversation dives into real-life questions about faith and identity:

•  How can we recognize when we’re building our lives on the wrong kingdom? 
•  What does it look like to experience joy that’s rooted in something bigger than ourselves? 
•  How do we hold onto confidence in God when we feel stuck or discouraged? 
•  What are the true markers of spiritual growth—and how can we measure them without becoming overly critical? 
•  And how can we avoid climbing the “wrong ladder” in life, even as committed Christians? 

Plus, in our Real Questions, Real Answers segment, we ask a challenging question:
If Jesus evaluated our church today, what might He confront us about?

Whether you’re new to the Bible or have been walking with Christ for years, this episode sets the foundation for a transformative journey through Philippians—calling us to live with purpose, joy, and Kingdom clarity.

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Sermon Outline
Focus: Joy is not found in our circumstances, but in our identity as citizens of heaven.
As we move from consuming church to participating in the gospel mission, we discover the deep and lasting joy of the Kingdom.

I. Gospel Partnership Produces Joy (“Partnership in the gospel…” vv. 3-5)
        We are called to participate, not just attend
        Joy is found in shared mission (RFKC, Habitat, short-term mission trips)
        Joy grows when you move from being a consumer of church to a participant            in the mission.

II. Gospel Confidence Produces Joy (“He who began… will complete…” v. 6)
        God started the work; God sustains the work; God will finish the work
        Our confidence is found in the finished work on the cross and in the empty              tomb.

II. Gospel Growth Produces Joy (“That your love may abound…” vv. 9-11)
        Growing love; Wise discernment; A fruitful life
        Joy increases when your life produces eternal impact.

IV. Joy is not found in what you accumulate, but in what you multiply for the                   Kingdom.
        Don’t settle for a small life.
        Step into the mission.
        Find your joy in His Kingdom.

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About This Episode

In this special episode of Kingdom Conversations, Pastor Jared and Pastor Robby bring the Altar’d Lenten series to a powerful close by reflecting on the ultimate altar in Scripture—the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Throughout this conversation, they revisit the biblical theme of altars as sacred places where people encounter God and are forever changed. Together, they explore what it truly means to live an “altar’d” life—not just during Lent, but every day—by surrendering our lives fully to God and embracing the freedom, peace, and transformation that follow.

With honest reflection and real-life application, this episode dives into questions we all wrestle with:

•  What are we holding back from God? 
•  Why is surrender so difficult? 
•  How do we keep from picking back up what we’ve already laid down? 

You’ll hear personal insights, meaningful takeaways from the series, and encouragement to carry these truths forward into your daily walk with Christ.

As we celebrate the risen Savior, this conversation challenges us to adopt a Kingdom mindset—living counterculturally, becoming more like Jesus, and courageously loving others.

Whether you’ve followed the entire Altar’d series or are joining for the first time, this episode will inspire you to meet God at the altar—and never leave the same.

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Sermon Outline
Focus: Because of the cross, we have died with Christ; because of the
resurrection, we have been raised with Christ. Now, by the power
of His Spirit, we are called to walk in newness of life as people of
His Kingdom.

I. The Waddling Ducks (Soren Kirkegaard)

II. Movement 1 – YOU DIED (Identity)
       Because of the cross and the blood of Jesus:
       Your sin, guilt, shame, and old self was nailed to the cross
       You are completely forgiven because Jesus paid for your sin in full.

III. Movement 2 – YOU ROSE (Power)
       Because of the resurrection:
       You are not the same person anymore
       New life, change, and freedom is possible
       The same power that raised Jesus is at work in you

IV. Movement 3 – NOW WALK (Purpose)
       To “walk in newness of life” means:
       Live in forgiveness, not shame
       Forgive others as you were forgiven
       Live for the King, not just yourself
       Use your time, gifts, and resources for God’s Kingdom
       Live with purpose and eternal perspective
       The Christian life is not lived to earn a new identity. It is lived from a new                   identity.

V. The Gospel in One Sentence:
       The blood of Jesus paid for your sin. The resurrection of Jesus gave you new             life.
       And now the Spirit of Jesus gives you power to walk differently.

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Kingdom Conversations: Surrendering Our Past Sins & Mistakes

In this week’s Kingdom Conversations, Pastor Robby and Pastor Jared dive into a powerful and often uncomfortable topic—what it truly means to surrender our past sins and failures to God.

Continuing in the Lenten series Altar’d, this conversation centers on the altar built by David in 1 Chronicles 21—a defining moment where failure meets surrender, and surrender opens the door to restoration. David’s story reminds us that our greatest mistakes don’t have to define us, but how we respond to them matters deeply.

Together, they explore the tension between saying “I’m sorry” and “I’m sorry, but…,” uncovering how our natural instinct to justify ourselves can block true repentance. They also wrestle with the reality that what we often consider “private” sin can have very public consequences—impacting not just our own lives, but the lives of others.

You’ll hear honest discussion around questions like:

•  Are we minimizing sin by calling it a “mistake” or “struggle”? 
•  What does it actually cost to follow God in repentance? 
•  Why do we wait until things are cleaned up before coming to Him? 
•  And how do we move from a one-time surrender to daily freedom? 

David’s declaration—“I will not offer to the Lord what costs me nothing”—challenges us to rethink what genuine surrender looks like in our own lives today.

This episode is a call to stop carrying the weight of past failures and instead lay them down at the altar—trusting that God’s grace not only forgives but transforms. 

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, shame, or moving forward after failure, this conversation will encourage you to embrace God’s restoration and walk in true freedom.

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Sermon Outline
Focus: God calls us to surrender our failure to receive His restoration.
             This restoration leads to true worship.

I) Key to maturity starts at accepting responsibility for our failure
        A lesson from sixth grade basketball: “Owning my life” by getting rid of the              “but”

II) David Confesses his failure to trust the Lord to defend Israel (I Chronicles 21:8)
        What is the big deal with a census of available troops? (21:1-6)
              Failure to trust that God would provide
        Confession leads to grace while facing consequences of failure:
              Famine, devastation, plague (21:10-12)
        David trusts in the mercy of the Lord (21:13)

III) True Worship of the LORD Requires Sacrifice
              David: “I will not offer…what costs me nothing” (v. 24)
              True worship isn’t about comfort: it’s about commitment
               Requires Surrender “presented burnt offerings and offerings of well-                           being” (v. 26)
              Costly grace: calls us to follow, surrender, and be transformed
              Bonhoeffer: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring
              repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without
              confession, absolution without personal confession.”

IV) The LORD meets our failure with Restoration
        After David builds the altar, his sacrifice is sealed with fire and judgment stops (v. 26-27)
        David’s space to remember his failure becomes the site of the Jerusalem temple (22:1)
        God redeems broken places by sending Jesus to die on adjacent hill of Calvary
        Jesus is the ultimate guilt offering (Hebrews 10:10–14)
        What failure do you need to surrender so God can bring restoration?

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Kingdom Conversations Podcast – Surrendering the Past

In this week’s episode of Kingdom Conversations, Pastor Robby and Pastor Jared dive into the powerful story of Jacob in Genesis 32–33 as part of the Lenten series Altar’d. Through Jacob’s wrestling with God and his long-awaited encounter with Esau, we explore what it truly means to surrender our past to the Lord.

Jacob’s journey reveals a familiar struggle—facing the weight of past decisions, fears, and unresolved relationships. Instead of running, Jacob wrestles… and in that wrestling, God transforms him. What begins as fear becomes faith, and what was once avoidance becomes reconciliation.

Together, Pastor Robby and Pastor Jared unpack how God meets us in our moments of tension, why surrender often requires confrontation rather than escape, and how true transformation happens when we cling to God and refuse to let go.

You’ll also hear practical insight on what it looks like to “wrestle with God” in your own life, along with a real-life question about trusting God in difficult and unexpected seasons.

If you’ve ever struggled with your past or wondered how God can redeem it, this conversation will encourage you to take your next step toward healing, trust, and surrender.

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