This week Pastor John Pickens tells the story of three people: Matthew (the Cheat), Nicodemus (the Curious) and the woman at the well (the Discarded). Each person who comes to Jesus in different ways, receives his love and is challenged to change their life and come and follow him. No matter who we are and what issues we are dealing with, we also are invited to receive Jesus' love. We are invited to come and follow him as he changes us into new people.

The birth of Jesus starts off appearing to be a scandalous event, the pregnancy of an unwed, young girl. But, the truth is that this birth is God's solution to the problem of sin. Jesus is a turning point in history, he's also a turning point in our lives. Just as Jesus grew inside Mary, and eventually came out of her, he can also grow inside each of us. When that happens he will emerge out of our lives and not only can he be a turning point in our lives, but also in the lives of those we encounter. Jesus can take the mess that sin has made of our lives and make something good. 

We are all called to mission, to go and obey whatever God asks us to do, but we don't have to do it alone. God can use us right where we are. Just because we may be uncomfortable where we are, our first thought shouldn't be: God get me ought of here. Instead, if our first thought were: God, What can you do with me here, we might discover that God has a purpose for us right where we are.

From the story of Esther, pastor Kevin Hancock talks to us about setting aside our fear and self-interest and being willing to go into the dark and messy places, into the lives of people who need to know Jesus and how he can turn their lives around completely.

This week pastor Kevin talks about the story of Ezra and the rebuilding of the temple. He challenges guys to look at our priorities and to and to consider if God's big thing is also our big thing.

This week Pastor Kevin preaches from the story of Daniel. He reminds us that we don't have to be like everyone else. We can live in ways that are counter to our culture and that when we do, we don't stand alone.  We have a God that stands with us. 

This week Pastor Kevin talks about Manasseh, one of the kings of Judah. Pastor Kevin talks about how a God who is good and who loves us disciplines and corrects us in order to bring us back to him. 

This week pastor Kevin uses the story of Hezekiah to illustrate how much better life is when we Trust God and follow his lead. Because we know God is trustworthy, we know he will do what he says.

This week Pastor Kevin talks about the story of Hosea. The prophet Hosea's life is a picture of how God relates to us. It's a picture of how God loves and cares for us, in spite of our unfaithfulness. 

This week Pastor Kevin tells the story of how Israel became a divided kingdom. In order to avoid having a divided heart toward God, we need to listen to Godly counsel, stay focused in our relationship with God and state focused on the mission that God gives us.