Compass Church Bloomington-Normal

Jesus said, “It’s better for you if I go.” Sounds strange, until you realize why. He was sending the Holy Spirit. In this message, discover how God’s presence meets you in real life - guiding, calming, and giving you strength when everything feels uncertain.

We’ve all been stuck at a crossroads, facing pressure to decide without clear answers. The first followers of Jesus felt the same way after He left them without a map. In Acts 1, we see how they prayed, searched Scripture, used wisdom, and trusted God—and how their story can guide us when we don’t know what to do.

The story of Jesus disappearing into the clouds can feel strange. But for his followers, it wasn’t about him leaving - it was about him taking his place as the true leader of the world. Discover why this moment mattered so much to them, and how it can change the way we see God’s presence when life feels uncertain.

What kind of power actually changes things? Nations use military strength, governments legislate, and we fight for control in our own lives. In Acts 1:6–8, Jesus redirects his disciples from chasing political power to receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve wondered whether the power you’re chasing really works, this message wrestles with that tension.

Waiting feels like wasting time. But what if the intervals between now and then are where God does His deepest work? Discover how God uses delays to prepare, strengthen, and reshape us. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the in-between or restless with His timing, this teaching will help you see why waiting on God is worth it.

You don’t need all the answers to follow Jesus. In Acts 1, even the disciples didn’t understand everything. But they still leaned in. This message explores faith, doubt, and why spiritual openness matters more than certainty. If you’ve ever wondered if questions disqualify you, this is for you.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the persecuted.” But how could suffering ever be a blessing? In this message, discover what persecution really is, why it follows those who live like Jesus, and how your response can change everything. This teaching explores hope, endurance, and courage when faith collides with opposition.

Most people would describe peace as the absence of conflict or a feeling of tranquility. But is that the kind of peace Jesus was talking about when he said, "Blessed are the peacemakers?" Do his followers make peace by causing people to feel calm or reducing disagreements? When you discover what biblical peace is, you may be surprised by what it means to be a peacemaker.

When Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart,” he wasn’t talking about flawless rule-followers. He meant people whose inside life matches their outside. Discover why notorious sinners felt at home with Jesus while the most religious didn’t, and why God cares more about honesty than appearance.

What does real mercy look like in a world built on power and payback? Jesus taught that mercy isn’t just a feeling. It’s power leveraged for someone else’s good. In this message, we explore what mercy really means, how it's connected to forgiveness, and why those who’ve received it are called to give it. Mercy isn’t weakness. It’s kingdom strength.