What does it really mean to belong to a church? In a culture where people often choose churches based on preference or feelings, the Bible calls us to something deeper. Church membership is not simply about attendance or convenience—it’s about shared convictions, shared mission, and a shared commitment to follow Christ together.

In this message, we begin a three-part series on what it means to be part of a healthy church body. Before committing to a church, there are essential biblical foundations that must be in place. When believers are aligned around these foundations, the church can flourish as God intended.

In Part 1 of this series, we explore the prerequisites of being a church member. Scripture teaches that a healthy church body must share three key pillars: beliefs, mission, and leadership. We examine core doctrines of the Christian faith—such as the Trinity, the authority of Scripture, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit—along with the mission Christ gave His church to make disciples. We also look at the biblical structure of church leadership and the call for believers to walk in humility and submit to godly authority when leaders meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture.

Along the way, we consider how the Bible speaks to the times we are living in and why believers are called to stay alert, faithful, and grounded in God’s Word. As followers of Jesus, our hope is not in the shifting circumstances of the world but in the promises of God and the coming redemption found in Christ.

If you live on the Central Coast, we would love to have you join us at Harvest Church in Arroyo Grande. Our heart is to see people grow in God’s Word, build authentic Christian community, and worship Jesus together. Whether you’re exploring faith or looking for a church home, you are welcome here.

At Harvest Church we are committed to clear Bible teaching and helping people follow Jesus through faithful study of Scripture. Join us for a Christian sermon rooted in the authority of God’s Word, where we practice verse-by-verse Bible teaching and expository preaching that helps believers grow in their walk with Christ.

Sunday services are at 9am and 11am. For more information, visit www.agharvest.org.

After failure, hesitation, and regret, what does restoration look like?

At the end of the Gospel of John, Jesus meets Peter on the shore and asks him a piercing question: “Do you love Me?” It’s not meant to shame him. It’s meant to restore him. In this final passage of John, we see that following Jesus without hesitation begins with an honest look at the condition of our hearts.

As we conclude our 18-month verse-by-verse study through John, we are reminded why this Gospel was written: that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in His name (John 20:30–31). In John 21:15–25, Jesus confronts Peter’s three denials with three loving questions. He distinguishes between a natural, brotherly love and a supernatural, self-sacrificing love. Peter answers honestly, and in that honesty, Jesus restores him and recommissions him: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Follow Me.”

This passage presses three critical questions into our lives:

- What kind of love do you have for Jesus?

- Will you follow Jesus if it costs you everything?

- Are you growing in your love, capacity, and commitment?

Jesus not only restores Peter, He tells him that following faithfully will eventually cost him his life. And Peter follows anyway. The man who once denied Christ becomes the preacher of Acts 2, boldly proclaiming the Gospel as thousands are saved. He becomes the shepherd who exhorts others to care for the flock of God. Restoration led to growth. Growth led to fruitfulness.

The same is true for us. Jesus is patient with our failures, but He calls us forward. He invites us to stop comparing our calling to others and to focus on one simple command: “You follow Me.” A fruitful life is found not in hesitation, but in wholehearted surrender.

If you are in the Arroyo Grande area, we would love to invite you to join us at Harvest Church as we continue growing in God’s Word, worshiping Jesus, and walking in authentic Christian community. Whether you are new to faith, returning to church, or looking to go deeper in your discipleship, there is a place for you here.

Join us Sundays at 9am & 11am.

This message is part of our ongoing Bible teaching ministry at Harvest Church, where we are committed to verse-by-verse study, Christ-centered preaching, and clear expository preaching that equips people for following Jesus faithfully in everyday life.

Do you hesitate in your obedience to Christ?

In this message, Pastor Curtis explores what it means to follow Jesus without hesitation as he takes us through John 21:1-14, a fishing story where a resurrected Jesus encounters his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

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In John 20, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples and repeats a simple but powerful phrase: “Peace be with you.” The disciples were afraid, confused, and uncertain about the future—yet Jesus offers them peace.

Many Christians know about God’s peace, but still live anxious, frustrated, and restless lives. In this message, we look at the encounter between Jesus and Thomas and discover how the resurrection gives believers a kind of peace the world cannot offer.

We explore three essential aspects of living in God’s peace:

Peace Within Yourself – freedom from guilt, anxiety, fear, and the inner turmoil that steals our joy (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27; 1 Peter 5:7).

Peace With Others – becoming peacemakers in our homes, relationships, and daily lives, trusting God with justice and choosing good over evil (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18-21).

Peace With God – the foundation of all peace, made possible through faith in the risen Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2; John 20:31).

The peace Jesus gives is not dependent on circumstances. It comes from the certainty that Christ is alive, our sins are forgiven, and our eternity is secure. When we walk in that peace, our lives become a powerful testimony to a frantic and anxious world.

If you are struggling with worry, guilt, conflict, or spiritual uncertainty, this message is for you.

Scripture: John 20:24-31 (ESV)

Join us as we learn how to protect, pursue, and live in the peace Jesus died and rose again to give us.

After the resurrection, Jesus’ first words to His fearful disciples were simple but powerful: “Peace be with you.”

In John 20:11–23, we see anxious followers hiding behind locked doors, Mary Magdalene weeping outside the tomb, and hearts overwhelmed by confusion, grief, and uncertainty. Into that fear, the risen Christ steps and speaks peace.

This message explores why Jesus offered peace then — and why He still offers it today.

We all experience moments like the disciples: fear about the future, disappointment in our circumstances, and questions about what comes next. Yet this passage shows us that the presence of Jesus changes everything. Mary’s tears turn into testimony, the disciples’ fear becomes gladness, and their confusion becomes calling.

In this teaching, we learn:

• Jesus offers peace when we are scared and uncertain

• Jesus offers peace that replaces fear with gladness and joy

• Jesus offers peace, fills us with His Spirit, and calls us to a greater purpose

Biblical peace (eirēnē — similar to shalom) is more than calm feelings. It is wholeness, security, and confidence rooted in the presence of Christ Himself. God’s peace is not found in perfect circumstances — it is found in a living Savior.

God’s peace is followed by God’s purpose.

Scripture: John 20:11–23

Join us as we discover the peace that only the risen Jesus can give.

On this special Say Yes Sunday, we reflect on what it means to live a life that leaves a lasting legacy and to respond faithfully when God calls us.

What really happened on the morning Jesus rose from the dead—and why does it matter so much today?

In this message from John 20, we look at the climax of Jesus’ biography: His resurrection. Unlike every other life story that rises and falls, Jesus’ story doesn’t end at death—it explodes into resurrection, ongoing ministry, and eternal reign.

Together, we explore three essential truths:

The Event – What the Gospel accounts actually tell us happened at the empty tomb

The Evidence – Eyewitness testimony, historical sources, and physical evidence that support the resurrection, including discussion of the Shroud of Turin

The Effect – How Jesus’ resurrection changes history, reshapes our faith, and offers new life to every person who trusts Him

The resurrection isn’t just a theological idea—it’s the foundation of Christianity and the turning point of human history. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, then everything He said is true… and it demands a response from all of us.

Whether you’re confident in your faith, wrestling with doubt, or simply curious about the truth, this message invites you to do more than glance at the resurrection—to consider it carefully and let it transform your life.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In John 19:31–42, we are brought face-to-face with the reality of Jesus’ death—and the question it demands of every heart: What impact does the death of Jesus have on you?

As Jesus’ body is removed from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb, Scripture reveals both fulfilled prophecy and exposed hearts. John records these events so that we might believe, and as we walk through this passage, we see three distinct responses to the death of Jesus:

1. Some who witnessed His death decided to believe in Him.


2. Others continued in their unbelief.


3. At least a couple were moved to make their faith in Jesus public.


This message explores the theological and personal significance of Jesus’ death—His role as the Passover Lamb, the meaning of the blood and water, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the call to repentance and belief. But more than information, this passage invites reflection.

Does the cross still move you?
Do you mourn over your sin?
Are you willing to come out of the shadows with your faith?

“These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)

We continue our study through the Gospel of John with John 19:16b–30, where we witness the crucifixion of Jesus and hear His final words from the cross: “It is finished.”

Jesus finished His life well.

In this message, we see that finishing well doesn’t happen by accident. From Golgotha, Jesus shows us what a faithful life looks like all the way to the end. As He carries His own cross, fulfills God’s plan, cares for others even in suffering, and completes the work the Father gave Him, we are challenged to follow His example.

Together, we explore three essential truths:

1. Jesus carried His own cross; we must carry ours — dying to self and living fully for Christ.

God had a plan for Jesus’ life, and He has a plan for yours. The way we finish is shaped by how we live today. May this message encourage you to deny yourself, follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and commit to finishing your race well—for the glory of God.

Building on last week’s reminder that God hears our prayers and meets us with comfort, this message from Hebrews 10:19–26 calls believers to live with confidence, conviction, and committed fellowship because of what Jesus has done.

Through Christ’s sacrifice, a new and living way has been opened. The barrier that once separated humanity from God has been torn down—not by religion or effort, but by the finished work of Jesus. Because of Him, we now have bold access to the presence of God.

In this message, Pastor Scott Goodman walks us through three essential exhortations from Hebrews 10:

🔹 Draw near to God with confidence in His forgiveness

🔹 Hold fast to your confession of hope

🔹 Stay committed to fellowship in the fear of God

Along the way, this message explores the powerful imagery of Psalm 22, the symbolism of the torn veil, the beauty of Christ as our Great High Priest, and the serious warning against treating the sacrifice of Jesus casually or willfully walking away from truth.

This sermon is both an encouragement and a sober reminder: the Christian life is not passive. We are in a race, a battle, and a family—called to walk closely with Christ and closely with one another.

As we conclude with communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes, celebrating together the salvation we’ve been given through His work on the cross.

📖 Scripture: Hebrews 10:19–26, Psalm 22, Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 22:37–40, 2 Corinthians 13:5

How are you helping others draw near to God, hold fast to Jesus, and stay engaged in the fight of faith?