Some friendships blossom under challenging circumstances. In instances where it might seem that issues would keep people apart, God is not limited by our usual distinctions. Jesus’ unique friendship with a religious leader named Nicodemus is a shining example of this. Jesus’ critics within the religious hierarchy of His day could have thwarted this friendship. But Jesus makes room for this religious leader’s questions and a friendship is born.

Are you living like a friend of Jesus—or merely a follower at a distance? Draw close. Receive His love. Reflect His friendship in a world that consistently promotes isolation and hyper-independence from God and others. 

When Jesus sees people, He doesn’t see problems. Instead, He sees potential. Often, we may be astonished by the people Jesus calls. But as we see Him transform their lives, the reason they were chosen begins to make sense. This is true of a woman we know as Mary Magdalene. While her initial encounter with Jesus was a miraculous deliverance, Mary blossomed into one of Jesus’ most cherished friends. 

In Luke 19:1-10, we meet Zacchaeus, a man seen as a manipulator and traitor by his community, but seen differently by Jesus. Where others saw someone worth rejecting, Jesus saw a heart worth saving. This story reminds us that a friendship with Jesus isn't based on reputation or performance, but on grace and transformation. Our Savior doesn’t just tolerate people, He pursues them with a boundary-breaking love. Join us as we discover a Friend who draws near when others walk away and sees your heart when others see your past.

One of the most astounding things about Jesus is His choice of those He associated with. In a world where there is so much “ladder-climbing” and so many people seeking to increase their status by associating with the right people, Jesus flips the script. The people He chose to be His friends often were people that others wished didn’t exist. In this weekend’s message, you will see Jesus’ friendship with a tax collector named Matthew.

What a friend we have in Jesus! That’s the title of a famous hymn from the history of the church. As good as the song is, those words are an even better reality–that we can actually be friends of God. This weekend we will begin looking at the unique friendships of Jesus. First, we will see Jesus’ unique friendship with two sisters who couldn’t be more different. But both are friends of Jesus.

Feeling burned out or spiritually dry? Jesus doesn’t ask us to strive, He invites us to abide. In this message, discover what it means to stay connected to Christ and bear fruit that lasts. You weren’t made to do life on your own... you were made to abide in the Vine. Let’s talk about connection, pruning, and living a truly fruitful life.

In a world obsessed with climbing higher, Jesus points us downward. When His disciples asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus responded by placing a child in front of them—and in doing so, He turned the whole idea of greatness upside down. In this message, we explore the radical call of Jesus to humble ourselves, trust Him like children, and remember that even as mature believers, we never stop needing a Savior. True greatness in God’s kingdom is not about power or platform, but about humility, surrender, and generational faithfulness. It’s time to stop striving and start trusting—and to live in such a way that the next generation sees Jesus clearly in us.

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, which provokes the question of sin and suffering. This story illustrates the power of Jesus, not only to restore physical sight, but also to offer each of us a new perspective on life and divine purpose. As we embrace His perspective on life, Jesus then can transform our struggles into testimonies of His power and love.

In a world driven by deadlines and urgency, Jesus invites us to slow down and walk at His pace. As we continue in the A Life With Jesus series, we see that even He faced pressure from those closest to Him. Yet today’s passage reminds us that God’s perfect timing doesn’t bend to human demands. It may not match our ideal schedule, but it’s always right on time. Join us as we explore how Christ embodied obedience, patience, and purpose—and how these qualities can help shape our faith when the world says, “Go now,” but God says, “Not yet.”