Emmanuel Church

In this deeply moving message from Matthew 13:24-43, we unpack the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat to discover Jesus' radical answer to the problem of evil. Pulling back the curtain on a question that serves as a major stumbling block for many, we learn that God's delay in purging evil from the world isn't a sign of weakness or blindness, it is a reflection of His breathtaking, radical patience.

We often assume our hearts are "good soil," but what do our Mondays actually say about our Sundays? After a funny family trip update, we dive into Matthew 13 to look at the Parable of the Sower. Pastor John breaks down the four types of hearts: hardened, shallow, divided, and receptive -and challenges us to stop ignoring God's conviction in a hyper-distracted world.

Today, we jump into our brand-new 12-week series, The Parables of Jesus. Pastor John kicks things off by diving into why Jesus taught in parables in the first place. These timeless stories act as a mirror, revealing the true posture of our hearts. While a hardened heart hears only a simple story, a heart open to Christ receives the deep secrets of the Kingdom. Let's ensure our eyes see, our ears hear, and our hearts are softened to receive His truth today!

Today, we shine a spotlight on the next generation! Our NextGen Director, Erin Conner, speaks on stage to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of our kids and students. From newborns to high school seniors, she shares powerful stories of how our little ones are already developing faithful, servant hearts. Erin also welcomes four graduating seniors to the stage to share their testimonies and mission statements as they transition into their next season of life. Finally, we take a moment to honor and recognize our incredible NextGen team members who faithfully serve our students every single week.

What does it truly cost to follow Jesus? In this final message of our Jude series, Pastor John shares the incredible story of "Mario" - formerly an Imam named Muhammad—who lost everything to follow the Truth.Many religions operate on a "pyramid" of works, where you must climb and achieve to earn God’s love. But the Gospel is a "canopy." It is the story of God climbing down to us. We explore the reliability of Scripture, and how to contend for the faith not with pride or fear, but with a heart of compassion and grace.In this message, you will learn:-The fundamental difference between "Abiding" and "Earning."-How to answer the claim that the Bible has been corrupted.-Why the Gospel is a message of certainty in a world of anxiety.-Practical ways to share Jesus with those from other faith backgrounds.Key Scripture: Jude 1:20-25, 1 John 4:10, Ephesians 2:8-9

In this message from Jude 17-21, Pastor John pushes back against the cultural narrative that faith is blind and science is the ultimate savior. The reality is that science can explain how things happen, but only the Gospel can tell you why you exist. Our faith isn’t a fantasy—it’s historical, it's reasonable, and it’s rooted in a living Savior.

In a study of Jude 11–16, we are warned that the greatest threat to the church often comes from within—"hidden reefs" that look like believers but live for themselves. Through the examples of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, we see that sin always stems from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.We can’t fight a spiritual war with flesh and blood tactics. We must be anchored in the Word of God and surrendered to the King who took our place on the executioner’s table. It’s time to stop living a double life and find rest in the finished work of Jesus.

In Jude 1:8-10, we see a warning against 'dreamers' who claim Christianity but reshape God’s commands to match their desires. Statements like 'God wants me to be happy' can subtly lead us to a faith that doesn't recognize the need for the cross. If we don't have to deny ourselves, the cross has no purpose. As a church, we get to learn how to stand firm and defend the true Gospel with the Word of God.

Drawing from the book of Jude, this sermon emphasizes that the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not need to be restored or updated, but rather protected and remembered. The message specifically contrasts biblical doctrine with the teachings of the LDS church, challenging the claims that Christ’s original church failed or that humans can eventually become gods. By examining scripture, we see that Jesus is the sole protector of His bride and that the "gates of hell" never prevailed against His church. Ultimately, believers are called to contend for the faith by resting in the finished work of Christ, rejecting any "grace plus works" theology that replaces true freedom with fear. We must guard the original Gospel because it is the only truth that truly sets people free.

In this message on Jude 3–4, Pastor John explores what it means to "contend for the faith" in a world filled with subtle deceptions. By comparing Scripture with various man-made doctrines, Pastor John warns that adding anything to the finished work of Jesus whether it be works, earthly mediators, or traditions, robs us of the true freedom found in Christ.