Elevation Point Church

In Matthew 18:21–33, Jesus tells a powerful story about a servant who was forgiven an unimaginable debt, yet refused to show the same mercy to someone who owed him far less. In essence, Jesus is asking, “I showed mercy to you—so why won’t you show mercy to someone else?” And when we really think about it… that just isn’t right. If we’re honest, every one of us wants grace when we mess up. We want forgiveness from Jesus, and we hope others will extend the same to us. The good news is that Jesus never fails to do exactly that—no matter what we’ve done, He continues to show mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness. The real question is: why do we struggle to give that same forgiveness to others? Do we somehow see ourselves as more deserving of it? Jesus reminds us that grace isn’t only something we receive—it’s something we’re called to give. Because when it comes to mercy and forgiveness, it can’t be “rules for thee, not for me.” If it’s right for us to receive it, it must also be right for us to extend it.

In Mark 9:33–37, the disciples were arguing about something surprisingly petty: who among them was the greatest. While they debated status, recognition, and importance, Jesus listened—knowing they were completely missing the point. It’s easy to laugh at their argument, but the truth is that the same struggle exists in all of us. Our world constantly pushes us to chase recognition, build our own name, and present the best version of ourselves. But Jesus flips that mindset upside down. In the Kingdom of God, greatness isn’t about elevating yourself—it’s about humbling yourself and serving others. When our focus shifts from making ourselves known to making Jesus known, we begin to live the kind of life that is truly aligned with His Kingdom purpose.

In the Parable of the Talents, no servant lost what they were given — but only two chose to put it to work. Their risk wasn’t greater or smaller; it was the same — they each surrendered all they had, trusting their master with the outcome. In the same way, God has entrusted every one of us with gifts, abilities, and resources, and the question isn’t what we’ve been given — it’s what we’re doing with it. Fear says bury it, but faith says invest it, because sacrifice is always the right response at the moment of decision. The words “well done, good and faithful servant” aren’t just a future hope — they begin with the choices we make today.

n this message from II Corinthians 10:3–4, we’re reminded that life is full of struggles, mountains, and battles—and whether we realize it or not, we’re in the middle of a fight. But followers of Jesus face these realities differently. While the world fights with natural strength and visible solutions, Scripture teaches that our battles aren’t ultimately physical or based on what we can see—they’re spiritual. That truth can be easy to embrace in moments of prayer and worship, yet much harder to remember when real-life hits: a difficult diagnosis, unexpected conflict, or news that shakes us. This sermon challenges us to truly live with a spiritual perspective, refusing to run in fear and instead stepping forward in the confidence of whose we are and the power of the One who fights for us—because when you belong to Jesus, the fight is different.

David was anointed king in 1 Samuel 16, but his calling wasn’t activated in a palace—it was released in a valley. In 1 Samuel 17, what began as an ordinary errand led David to the Valley of Elah, where facing Goliath became the defining moment that launched him into God’s purpose for his life. So often, we try to avoid the valleys—the uncomfortable seasons, difficult obedience, and challenging moments—yet those very places may be where God intends to release what He has already placed inside us. In this message, we explore how avoiding the valley can delay our calling, and how stepping into it may be the key to walking fully in God’s purpose today.

God instructed Elijah to leave where he was and go where He led, and Elijah obeyed. He stayed there for a season—until God spoke again and told him it was time to move on. This pattern reveals a powerful truth: God is always leading and directing. The challenge for many of us is that we’re willing to listen and obey—once, maybe twice, or even a third time if we’re really feeling spiritual. We follow an instruction, feel good about our obedience, get comfortable, and slowly stop listening for what God might say next. So when He gives another direction—often to a new place where He intends to provide—we miss it. Then we wonder why certain areas of our lives begin to dry up. God led Elijah to the Kerith Ravine, a valley, and provided for him there—but only for a season. When the brook dried up, God made it clear: Kerith had been good, but it was never the final destination. The message was simple and confronting—it’s not here.

Life is full of voices, whether you follow Jesus or not. From childhood we’re guided by parents, teachers, and coaches, and even when we grow up those voices don’t disappear—they simply change into bosses, leaders, spouses, and familiar influences that continue to shape our decisions. Along the way, we also hear the noise of people’s opinions, the deception of the enemy, and the gentle guidance of God, and discerning which voice to follow is not always easy. Yet John 10 reminds us of a powerful truth: those who belong to God know His voice, and those who are rooted in Him can recognize when He is speaking. The challenge isn’t whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening and choosing to follow. In a world filled with competing directions and constant noise, learning to stay rooted and intentionally follow the right voice is essential—so the question remains: which voice will you choose?