February 8th, 2026 | Encounter | John 14

What if God actually answered the prayers we’ve been praying?

In this powerful message from our Encounter series, Pastor Derrick Jackson challenges us with a sobering reality: when we ask God to come near, He doesn’t show up as a guest—He moves in as a resident.

Through John 14:16–23, we see that Jesus didn’t promise a temporary visitation. He promised the Holy Spirit—another Helper of the same kind—to dwell with us forever. Not occasionally. Not conditionally. Forever.

But here’s the tension: guests are easy. Residents are not.

Guests don’t rearrange your life. Residents do.
Guests overlook messes. Residents address them.
Guests visit. Residents take ownership.

When God makes His home in us, He doesn’t just comfort—He confronts. He doesn’t affirm everything—He redeems everything. His presence exposes what we’ve learned to manage, challenges what we’ve delayed surrendering, and transforms what we’ve kept behind closed doors.

This message is a heartfelt call to move beyond inviting God into moments and instead surrendering the whole house—our habits, our relationships, our private struggles, our delayed obedience. Because when Christ reigns, obedience begins—imperfectly, but sincerely.

You don’t clean the house so God will move in. Jesus already paid the price so God could dwell in imperfect people.

The question isn’t whether God will come near.
The question is: Are you ready for Him to stay?

Listen in and ask yourself—are you praying for a visit, or are you ready for full residence?

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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