Throughout this series, we are taking a closer look at what defines us as a church family and why those things matter. Last week we laid the foundation, and now we're excited to build on that as we move into part two.

This week we'll be focusing on one of the most important questions for any church: Why is the Bible our primary authority? In a world filled with competing voices, opinions, and influences, we believe that God's Word provides the truth and guidance we need to shape how we live, how we serve, and how we operate as a church. Together we'll explore what the Bible says about its own authority and why trusting it makes all the difference in our faith and our community.

In this sermon launch a brand-new series called Our Church, where we'll explore who we are as a church family, what we value, and the mission God has called us to. We will begin with the truth that in God's Kingdom, it's the small things that make the biggest impact. Just like James Clear's story from Atomic Habits, we will see that lasting transformation doesn't come from one big moment, but from small, faithful habits practiced consistently. Jesus illustrated this with the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31–32), reminding us that what seems small in our eyes can grow into something much greater in God's hands.

In Acts 2, we will look at how the very first church practiced these small but powerful rhythms: devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These weren't religious checkboxes but life-giving habits that helped disciples stay connected to Jesus, be transformed by Him, and stay on mission with Him. When the early church devoted themselves to these rhythms, needs were met, communities were changed, and people came to know Jesus daily. The same will be true for us—our devotion to these practices is how God will grow His Kingdom through ordinary people like us.

The challenge for us will be simple: don't just attend church—be the church. Commit yourself to learning from God's Word, building genuine fellowship, remembering Jesus through Communion, and practicing prayer. These may seem like small things, but in God's Kingdom, they are the big things. Just as the early church changed the world through devotion to these rhythms, God will bring transformation in your life, your family, our community, and beyond when we do the same. To learn how this can apply to your life, take a few minutes and check out, Being The Church.

In this sermon we wrap up our August series, Does God Really Love Me? by talking about something that touches all of us at some point—anxiety. When life feels out of control and the world seems to be falling apart, it's easy to wonder if God really loves us or if He's even paying attention. But the good news of Scripture is that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus. His love is steady, faithful, and unshakable—no matter what we face.

If you've ever felt anxious, overwhelmed, or questioned God's goodness, you're not alone—and you won't want to miss this message. Together we'll look at how God's covenant love can bring peace even in the middle of life's storms. We'd love for you to to take a few minutes and listen to part five of Does God Really Love Me?

Have you ever had those moments where you just don't like yourself very much? Maybe you replay past mistakes, wrestle with insecurities, or feel like you'll never measure up. I think we've all been there. And when we're stuck in that place, it's easy to wonder: If I can't love myself, how could God possibly love me? That's exactly what we're going to talk about this Sunday in our series Does God Really Love Me? with the message: Does God Really Love Me When I Can't Love Myself?

I believe this is going to be a really encouraging sermon for you. We're going to look at what God actually says about His love for us—love that isn't based on how well we perform or how we feel about ourselves, but on who He is. My hope is that you'll walk away knowing deep down that God's love is bigger than your doubts and stronger than your struggles. I'd love for you to be there, and maybe even invite someone who needs this reminder too.

We've all been there. At some point in your walk with God, you've probably had questions. You've probably wondered why prayers seem unanswered, why life feels unfair, or why following Jesus can feel so hard in a world going a different direction. Those moments of doubt can be unsettling — not just because they shake our faith, but because they make us wonder, "Does God still love me if I'm not 100% sure about Him right now?"

In This Sermon, we're going there. We're taking an honest look at doubt — what it is, why it happens, and why it doesn't make you a second-class Christian. From Thomas to Peter to John the Baptist, Scripture is full of people who wrestled with questions. And in every case, Jesus didn't push them away. He met them right in the middle of their uncertainty and reminded them of His love. Your doubts don't scare God, and they certainly don't disqualify you from His care.

If you've ever questioned God's goodness, this one's for you. We'll discover together that God's love doesn't shrink when our faith shakes. In fact, those moments can become opportunities for God to reveal Himself in fresh, life-changing ways. To learn more, check out sermon number three in our series, Does God Really Love Me?

In part two of our sermon series, we're diving into one of the most honest and necessary conversations the church can have: Does God really love me when I'm depressed and anxious? If you've ever felt the crushing weight of depression or the unshakable grip of anxiety, you know how hard it can be to believe that God hasn't walked away. Maybe you've asked yourself, If I were stronger in faith, I wouldn't feel this way… right? This message will break through the lies depression and anxiety whisper, replacing them with the unshakable truth of God's character and His unwavering love for you—no matter what you feel.

Through real-life biblical examples like Elijah, David, Job, Jeremiah, and even Jesus, we'll see that God is not repelled by our pain—He meets us in it. We'll explore why so many believers mistake emotional numbness for spiritual distance, and how guilt and shame distort the truth of God's compassion. This isn't a sermon filled with pat answers or empty platitudes. It's an invitation to be honest with God, anchor your identity in Christ, lean into community, seek help without shame, and speak truth over your soul—practical steps rooted in Scripture that can help you experience His love in the darkest valleys.

Whether you're in the thick of depression and anxiety yourself or you love someone who is, this message will equip you to see God's heart more clearly and respond with compassion instead of condemnation. We'll be reminded that feelings are not the foundation of faith—God's unchanging nature is. If you've been looking for hope, clarity, and a fresh reminder that you are never beyond the reach of His love, this sermon is for you. Remember, The absence of feeling is not the absence of God. His love is steady, even when your heart is shaky.

With this sermon we kick off a brand new sermon series centered around one of the most common spiritual questions: Does God really love me, even when I've done bad things? Many people—Christians included—struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy that distort their view of God's love. Whether it's due to religious trauma, performance-based theology, or underdeveloped faith, these barriers can lead people to believe God only loves the "good" version of them. The pastor emphasizes the need to replace these unhealthy perspectives with the truth found in Scripture: God's love is unconditional and rooted in His character, not our behavior.

Turning to Romans 5, the message unpacks the reality that God demonstrated His love for us while we were still sinners. Paul writes that even in our powerlessness, brokenness, and rebellion, Christ died for us. This isn't a hypothetical or symbolic gesture—it's a historical demonstration of divine love. The sermon uses this to challenge the belief that God's love is earned. Instead, love is poured out through grace, which we continually stand in as we walk with Jesus—even amid suffering, struggle, or failure. This grace-based relationship produces hope, character, and a deeper experience of God's love, regardless of past mistakes.

To move forward in that love, we will discover practical steps rooted in Scripture: giving allegiance to Jesus, practicing godly repentance, and regularly confessing sin. Through these actions, believers are reminded of their secure standing in Christ—free from condemnation and alive in the Spirit.

We continue our sermon series Summer in the Sand, where we explore how God works in the lives of people navigating sandy and difficult places—just like He did throughout Scripture. From the Israelites wandering the desert to prophets and apostles sent on uncertain journeys, the wilderness has always been a place of challenge and transformation. In this series, we're discovering that God is still at work in our lives today, even when the path ahead seems unclear or uncomfortable.

In this sermon, we journey with Philip in Acts chapter 8 as he heads out on the road to Gaza. There, he encounters an Ethiopian dignitary wrestling with questions about God. In a seemingly random moment, God orchestrates a divine appointment that leads to life-changing transformation. Just like Philip, we too are called into unfamiliar or inconvenient situations—places where we may not understand the "why" but are asked to trust and obey. Will we be open to God's leading, or will we cling to comfort and miss His power at work?

In this episode we continue our sermon series, Summer in the Sand: learning from wilderness journeys in the Bible. For this sermon we will move to the sandy wilderness near the city of Nineveh where the Old Testament prophet Jonah, still recovering from his traumatic fishing story, contemplates his next move.

God had called the prophet Jonah to preach a message of repentance to the city of Nineveh, a place filled with people he deeply despised. Jonah resisted, not because he feared failure, but because he feared success—he knew that if the Ninevites repented, God would show them mercy, and that thought was unbearable to him. Yet God's lesson to Jonah was clear: His love and compassion extend to all people, even those we consider enemies. Jonah's story confronts us with a tough question—do we struggle with the same problem? Is it difficult for us to love those who have wronged us, even when God's heart is for their redemption? If God loves our enemies enough to pursue them with grace, shouldn't we at least be willing to do the same? This is a difficult teaching, but one that could radically transform your faith. Take a few minutes and check out Jonah chapter four and see what God wants you to do.