We’re beginning a brand-new series in the book of Job called Faith in Suffering. Before we dive deep into the chapters ahead, this episode gives a 30,000-foot view of the story—its themes, tensions, and the big questions we’ll wrestle with together.

What kind of world do we live in? What kind of gospel should we preach? What kind of Savior do we need?

Job confronts us with the reality that we live in a fallen world where suffering is real and often doesn’t make sense. It challenges the idea that faith guarantees comfort and exposes the emptiness of a prosperity-driven gospel. Instead, it points us to a better hope—a perfect Savior who suffered for us and walks with us in our pain.

This episode reminds us that God is not absent in our hardship. Like a tapestry viewed from the back, life can look tangled and unclear—but God is weaving something beautiful beyond what we can see.

If you’ve ever asked “Why?” in the middle of suffering, this series is for you. Join us as we discover how to hold onto hope and say, like Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.”

What does it really mean to say, “I believe…”?

In this message from our I Believe series, we explore what it means to confess faith in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, and the forgiveness of sins. Looking at Acts of the Apostles chapter 2 and the transformation of Peter at Pentecost, we see how the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in and empowers believers today.

This sermon reminds us that the Church is not a building but a Spirit-filled people—global, eternal, and united in Christ. We are not called to live the Christian life in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is with us, in us, and upon us—giving power, producing love, and pointing us to Jesus.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to follow God on empty, this message is a reminder: you were never meant to do it alone. The Spirit still transforms cowards into courageous witnesses. He still builds His Church. And through Jesus, forgiveness is offered fully, forever, and freely.

What if you built a house… but never moved in?

In this week’s message from our I Believe series, we explore one of the most overlooked lines of the Apostles’ Creed: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father… and He will come to judge the living and the dead.”

We celebrate the incarnation. We preach the cross. We rejoice in the resurrection. But the ascension? Too often, we skip past it.

Walking through Acts 1:6–11 and the words of Jesus in John 16:7, we discover that the ascension wasn’t Jesus leaving—it was Jesus coming nearer. It was the detonator that unleashed the power of the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Because Jesus ascended:

• We have representation — an Advocate at the right hand of the Father (1 John 2:1).
• We have a promise of His return — the same Jesus is coming again.
• We have a responsibility — to worship upward and witness outward (Matthew 28:18–20).
• We have a reward — eternity with Him (Revelation 22:12).

The ascension launched the church upward in worship and outward in witness. It reminds us that Jesus isn’t absent—He is present. Not beside us, but within us.

The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, who stilled storms, who walked out of the grave… is coming again.

The question is simple—and weighty:

Are you ready?

What do Christians actually believe—and which beliefs are absolutely essential? In this message from the I Believe series, we turn to the Apostles’ Creed to explore the “load-bearing walls” of the Christian faith. Just like the human body has vital organs you can’t live without, Christianity has core truths that everything else depends on.

At the center of it all is this declaration: “On the third day, He rose again.” The resurrection isn’t a side note—it’s the heart of the matter. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then faith collapses. But if He did, it changes everything.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15 and the historical details of the New Testament, this sermon wrestles honestly with the question: Is the resurrection a legend, or is it history? We look at eyewitness testimony, early writings, awkward and unpolished gospel details, and the transformation of Jesus’ followers—many of whom suffered and died rather than deny what they had seen.

This message challenges the idea that Christianity is built on inspirational stories or blind faith. Instead, it points to a faith rooted in real places, real people, and real events—anchored by an empty tomb.

If Jesus truly rose from the dead, then He isn’t just a good teacher or moral example. He is Lord—and that reality demands a response.

Want to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and how you can get connected? Visit our website to explore our church, meet our team, and find your next step with us.

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That everyone would Encounter God daily, Pursue Jesus together, and Make an Impact in our community is the vision of Fort Scott Nazarene, led by Pastor Virgil Peck based in Fort Scott, KS. ____

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What do you actually believe—and why does it matter? In this message from our I Believe series, we turn to the Apostles’ Creed and focus on one of the most crucial truths of the Christian faith: the cross of Jesus Christ.

The cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world—and also one of the most misunderstood. Far from being an abstract idea or religious decoration, the cross is anchored in real history, marked by real suffering, and filled with real meaning for our lives today. As we explore what it means that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,” we discover that the cross is not an unknown variable—it is the very center of our faith.

In this sermon, we look at:

• Why the cross is anchored to a fixed moment in history
• The shame, pain, and reality of crucifixion
• How Jesus’ death was vicarious, voluntary, and victorious
• Old Testament prophecies that point directly to the cross
• How the cross offers both forgiveness and wholeness

Paul said it best: “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” If we miss the cross, we miss Jesus. But when we truly understand the cross, we find the treasure of grace, restoration, and new life.

The cross is the crux of the matter—and the place where everything changes.

What you believe isn’t just personal preference—it’s a load-bearing wall that holds up your entire life.

In this message from our “I Believe…” series, we continue walking through the Apostles’ Creed and arrive at the center of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ. Using the powerful metaphor of load-bearing walls, this sermon explores why a right understanding of Jesus isn’t optional—it’s essential. Remove Him, and everything else eventually collapses.

Together, we unpack what it truly means to say:

“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord… conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.”

From Colossians 1 to the mystery of the incarnation, from fulfilled prophecy to the trilemma of Jesus’ identity, this message challenges us to ask an honest question: Is Jesus just a good teacher—or is He Lord?

Because if we get Jesus wrong, we miss everything. But if we get Jesus right, it changes everything—how we encounter God, pursue Jesus, and make an impact with our lives.

To learn more about our church, watch past messages, or take your next step, visit our website at www.fsn.life

What do Christians really believe—and why does it matter for everyday life?

In this opening message of our new series I Believe, we begin unpacking the core truths of the Christian faith using the Apostles’ Creed as our guide. A creed—credo, meaning “I believe”—is not a ritual or a formula, but a clear statement of what sits at the heart of following Jesus.

With over a million words in Scripture, believers can sometimes emphasize different parts of the faith. The Apostles’ Creed helps us anchor ourselves in what unites us: the essential beliefs about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Written in the early church during times of persecution and doctrinal confusion, this roughly 100-word confession captures the essence of biblical truth and connects us to nearly 2,000 years of Christian witness.

In this message, we explore:

• Why creeds still matter today
• How belief shapes behavior
• The balance of God as almighty Creator and merciful Father
• The weight and beauty of grace that saves, sanctifies, and empowers us to live holy lives

Through Scripture, history, and vivid illustrations, we’re reminded that what we believe doesn’t just inform our theology—it transforms how we live.

Whether you’re new to faith, returning with questions, or have followed Jesus for years, this message invites you to consider anew: What do I believe—and what does that mean for me?

Join us as we say together, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”

Visit our website to learn more about what we believe and upcoming events!

What is a “thrill of hope”? It’s that sudden awakening—the realization that everything is about to change.

In this Christmas Eve message, we explore how the thrill of hope is not a fleeting feeling, but a person: Jesus. Drawing from Luke 2, we meet two often-overlooked witnesses of the Christmas story—Simeon and Anna—who spent years waiting, praying, and trusting God through seasons of longing and weariness. When they finally held and saw the Messiah, hope became tangible.

This message reminds us that biblical hope isn’t wishful thinking or crossed fingers—it’s confidence in a promise-keeping God. Hope took on flesh, entered our darkness, and remains steady even when we feel burned out or weary.

Whether you’re full of joy or carrying the weight of the world, this message invites you to rediscover the truth that the Light is still shining, the power is still flowing, and Jesus is the thrill of hope—for you.

Christmas is a season filled with expectations—family traditions, perfect moments, and hopes for how things should be. But what happens when those expectations fall short?

In this Advent message, we’re reminded that Jesus Himself didn’t meet the expectations people had for the Messiah—and yet, He was far greater than anything they imagined. While the world expected a king on a throne, God sent a Savior in a manger. Not a gamble. Not a disappointment. A sure and unshakable hope.

Through John 1, Romans 15, Psalms, and Isaiah, this message invites us to examine where our hope is placed. Is it in circumstances, people, or outcomes—or is it anchored in Jesus, the God of hope? A hope that isn’t based on probabilities, but on promises. A hope that restores, renews, and sets people free.

This sermon also highlights our Advent Giving initiative: Over 1 million Christians are trapped in slavery in Pakistan, and $2,000 can rescue, resettle, and restore one family. Our goal this Advent is $8,000—to bring freedom and hope to four families.

Jesus is the hope of the world—and He is our hope today.

👉 Learn more about our Advent Giving Project at our website. 📺 The message is also available to watch on our YouTube channel.

Hope is not a roll of the dice. Hope has a name—and His name is Jesus.