In part two of our series The Cross, we wrestle with a powerful question: Why did Jesus have to die? It’s a deeply personal question—and one that gets to the heart of the gospel. We look at what Jesus’ death actually means for you, and how understanding core biblical truths, even the big doctrinal ones, can give your faith a firm foundation. Let’s lean in together and think deeply about what the cross accomplished—and what it means for our lives today.

As we lead up to Easter, we’re kicking off a new series called The Cross. Before we celebrate the resurrection, we’ve got to stop and wrestle with a deeper question—Why did Jesus have to die? In this message, Pastor Stephen walks us through Romans 3 and introduces three powerful words that help us understand the cross: redemption, justification, and propitiation (yes, we’re saying it together). Let’s build a stronger foundation for our faith—because when we get the why, the celebration means even more.

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provides. Whether you’re looking to grow in faith or be that person for someone else, this message will challenge and encourage you.

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provides. Whether you’re looking to grow in faith or be that person for someone else, this message will challenge and encourage you.

Have you ever met someone who completely changed your faith journey? This week, Pastor Stephen shares how God uses relationships to grow our faith, deepen our trust in Him, and shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical wisdom and personal stories, we’ll explore how the people around us influence our faith—for better or worse—and how we can make ourselves available for the relationships God provides. Whether you’re looking to grow in faith or be that person for someone else, this message will challenge and encourage you.

Whatever we do, we typically want to be better at it. Whether we are playing an instrument, practicing martial arts or just loving our children, most people want to grow in the endeavor. Our faith is no different. We start out on the journey of following Jesus, and we hope we grow stronger and more faithful as we follow Jesus more closely. But, here’s the thing, it doesn’t just happen automatically. Growing in our faith demands intentionally doing things that foster growth. During these next five weeks, we’ll unpack some of those things that God uses to grow our faith.

In this episode, we explore what it means to have a growing faith and a deep trust in God. Looking at the story of the centurion in Matthew 8, we see an example of extraordinary faith—one that amazed even Jesus. True faith is not just believing in God’s existence but trusting that He is actively involved in every detail of our lives. How can we cultivate that kind of faith? How do we trust God even in times of uncertainty? Join us as we unpack these questions and discover how trusting God transforms our lives.

Message by Stephen Saxton recorded February 23, 2025, at Islands Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia

This week on The Islands Christian Church Podcast, we’re continuing our series, The Thankful Church, with a powerful message from special guest Jeremy Crosby. Jeremy, who serves as the operations pastor at Gateway Church, brings a heartfelt and challenging word about what it means to be a church that serves.

Drawing from Jesus' example, Jeremy unpacks how true gratitude is expressed not just in our words but in the way we serve—both inside the church and out in the community. Through real-life stories and biblical truth, he reminds us that every act of service is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.

So, what if our thankfulness to God was measured by how we serve? Listen in and be encouraged to take your next step in living a life of gratitude through serving.

In this message, Pastor Stephen continues our series onThe Marks of a Thankful Church by exploring what it truly means to give. Giving is more than financial generosity—it’s about giving ourselves to one another in community. Drawing from Galatians 6, we see how a healthy church supports those in seasons of weakness, knowing that one day, we’ll all need that same support.

Through personal stories and biblical wisdom, this sermon challenges us to move beyond self-sufficiency and embrace the power of a grace-filled community. How can we use our strength to lift others? And what happens when it’s our turn to be weak?

Listen in and discover how a thankful church gives—because giving isn’t just about what we have, but about who we are.

Join Pastor Stephen Saxton as we dive into the heart of what it means to be a church marked by gratitude. In this new series, The Thankful Church, we explore how thankfulness is more than just a feeling—it’s a lifestyle that transforms the way we worship, give, and serve.

Throughout this series, we’ll discover how a grateful heart strengthens our community and brings glory to Christ. You’ll be challenged to reflect on how thankfulness shapes your own life, and how, together, we can make a deeper impact by living out the love and generosity God has shown us.

Whether you’re exploring faith, new to church, or have been part of a community for years, this series offers something for everyone. Join us in embracing the power of a thankful heart as we grow together in 2025.