This week, guest speaker David Faunce teaches from Matthew 11–12 and addresses a struggle every believer faces at some point: doubt. Even John the Baptist - the one who prepared the way for Jesus - found himself questioning when circumstances didn’t match his expectations. Through the lives of John, the Pharisees, and the crowds who witnessed Jesus’ miracles, we discover that not all doubt is the same. Some doubt is rooted in indifference, some in rebellion, and some in honest confusion. Jesus responds differently to each, revealing that the real issue is not the presence of doubt, but the posture of the heart. This message invites us to bring our questions to Jesus and find rest in Him - not certainty in circumstances, but trust in who He is.

1. “When Even the Faithful Doubt” (Matthew 11:1–3)

* John the Baptist questions Jesus while sitting in prison.

* Doubt can surface even in strong, faithful believers.

* The issue is not doubt itself, but what’s happening beneath it.

2. “Doubt Rooted in Indifference” (Matthew 11:20–24)

* The towns witnessed miracles but refused to repent.

* Exposure to God’s activity does not equal surrender to God’s presence.

* Indifference hears truth but chooses comfort over response.

3. “Surrounded by Truth, Unchanged by It” (Matthew 11:20; James 1:22)

* Familiarity with truth can dull spiritual sensitivity.

* Sitting under teaching without responding hardens the heart.

* Indifference puts faith to sleep without realizing it.

4. “Doubt Rooted in Rebellion” (Matthew 12:22–26, 34)

* The Pharisees saw clear evidence and still resisted Jesus.

* Rebellious doubt knows the truth but refuses to submit to it.

* Our words reveal what our hearts have already decided.

5. “A Hardened Heart Is Dangerous” (Matthew 12:34; Hebrews 3:15)

* Hardened hearts don’t break slowly - they shatter suddenly.

* Rebellion wants a God who agrees, not a God who leads.

* Jesus confronts rebellion to prevent permanent blindness.

6. “Doubt Rooted in Honest Confusion” (Matthew 11:4–6; Isaiah 35:2–6)

* John’s doubt came from unmet expectations, not unbelief.

* Jesus responds with compassion, not rebuke.

* Honest doubt still leans toward God, not away from Him.

7. “Unmet Expectations Are Where Doubt Is Born” (Psalm 13; Matthew 11:6)

* Doubt often begins when God’s timing or plan doesn’t match ours.

* Confusion becomes dangerous only when it hardens the heart.

* God invites us to bring our disappointment directly to Him.

8. “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28–30)

* Jesus invites the weary, the wounded, and the burdened.

* He offers rest, not answers to every question.

* Faith grows when we trust the Person, not just the plan.

This week, Pastor David teaches from Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus, reminding us that Jesus is always moving toward the lost, the overlooked, and the unlikely. Zacchaeus wasn’t searching for religion; he just wanted a glimpse of Jesus. But grace had other plans. In a moment that changed everything, Jesus stopped, called him by name, and invited Himself into Zacchaeus’ life. This message reveals a God who pursues us personally, meets us where we are, and transforms us from the inside out.

1. “A Man Desperate for a View” (Luke 19:1–4)

* Zacchaeus was wealthy, powerful, and deeply empty.

* His height and reputation kept him on the outside.

* Desperation pushed him past dignity just to see Jesus.

2. “Humility Gets Heaven’s Attention” (Matthew 18:3; Psalm 138:6)

* God draws near to the humble and resists the proud.

* Childlike faith opens the door to the Kingdom.

* Grace begins when pride is laid down.

3. “Jesus Calls You by Name” (Luke 19:5; John 10:3–4; Psalm 139:1–16)

* Jesus stops and looks up before Zacchaeus ever speaks.

* He knows us fully and still chooses us.

* Being known by God is not exposure - it’s safety.

4. “Joyful Obedience” (Luke 19:6–7)

* Zacchaeus responds immediately and joyfully.

* Obedience often invites criticism from religious crowds.

* Jesus values repentance over reputation.

5. “Real Change Produces Real Fruit” (Luke 19:8; Romans 6:6)

* Zacchaeus’ repentance is public and costly.

* Grace doesn’t excuse sin - it breaks its power.

* Transformation always affects how we live and give.

6. “Salvation Has Come” (Luke 19:9–10; Romans 2:4)

* Jesus declares salvation before Zacchaeus proves anything.

* God’s kindness leads us to repentance.

* Jesus came to seek and save the lost - not the impressive.

7. “Grace Knocks First” (Revelation 3:20; 1 Corinthians 1:28–30)

* God chooses the unlikely to display His glory.

* No one can boast - salvation is entirely His work.

* Jesus still stands at the door, knocking and calling by name.

This week, Pastor David opens our new series, His Pursuit, by reading out of Isaiah 61 and Luke 15 to reveal the relentless, pursuing heart of God. Jesus doesn’t wait for the lost to find Him - He goes after them. Whether it’s the wandering sheep, the missing coin, or the runaway son, Scripture shows us a Father who searches, restores, celebrates, and makes all things new. No matter how far someone has drifted, God’s grace is already on the move toward them.

1. “The Mission of Jesus” (Isaiah 61:1–3)

* Jesus came to bring good news to the broken and bound.

* God exchanges ashes for beauty, mourning for joy.

* The Father’s heart is always restoration, never rejection.

2. “A God Who Seeks” (Luke 15:1–7)

* Jesus pursues the one who wanders.

* No distance is too far for His grace to reach.

* Heaven erupts in joy when even one sinner comes home.

3. “The Joy of Finding What Was Lost” (Luke 15:8–10)

* God searches carefully and intentionally for the lost.

* His heart rejoices when the lost are restored.

* Salvation brings celebration, not shame.

4. “The Father Who Runs” (Luke 15:11–24)

* God meets repentant hearts with compassion, not condemnation.

* The Father embraces, restores, and clothes us in new identity.

* Grace welcomes us home even when we feel unworthy.

5. “Made New & Sent Out” (Psalm 103:8–12; 2 Corinthians 5:17–18)

* In Christ, the old life is gone and the new has begun.

* God’s mercy is greater than our failures.

* We are called to carry the message of reconciliation to others.

This week at Great Oaks Fellowship, guest speaker Delayna Wilkins leads us through Foster & Adopt Sunday — a powerful reminder that caring for vulnerable children isn’t just charity… it’s the gospel in action. Through Delayna's testimony, Scripture, and the heart of Jesus, we’re challenged to see the foster crisis not as someone else’s responsibility, but as a mission field the church is uniquely called to enter. Every believer has a role to play — some foster, some mentor, some pray, some support — but everyone can say “yes” to Jesus in this area. God places the lonely in families, and He calls His people to step into hard places with courage, compassion, and sacrificial love.

1. “Understanding the Crisis” (Psalm 68:5–6; Matthew 25:40)

- Six children are removed every day in Bexar County due to abuse or neglect.

- Half go to kinship placements; half enter foster care with strangers.

- The foster system is overwhelmed — and the church has an opportunity to step in.

2. “The Reality of Foster Care” (James 1:27)

- Removal is always traumatic, even when necessary for safety.

- Foster care is temporary — the goal is permanency, ideally with family.

- Every child carries a story of loss, pain, and deep need for healing.

3. “The Cost — and the Worth” (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 13:2)

- Fostering brings challenges: busy schedules, trauma behaviors, sacrifices.

- Every act of love is a kingdom deposit that God counts.

- Mariah’s story shows how seeds planted in a short time can bear fruit years later.

4. “Everyone Has a Piece to Play” (Romans 12:4–6)

- Prevent: mentor crisis families through APN to keep kids safely at home.

- Protect: support aged-out youth through “Don’t Go Alone.”

- Provide: foster, adopt, or offer kinship care.

- Support roles matter: caseworkers, CASA advocates, certified babysitters, tutors, intercessors.

5. “A Biblical Call to Action” (James 1:27; Hebrews 13:2; Ephesians 1:4–5)

- God commands His people to care for orphans, widows, and the vulnerable.

- We obey not out of guilt, but out of love for Jesus.

- Adoption is the gospel — God adopted us when we were spiritual orphans.

6. “Finding Your Next Yes” (Isaiah 6:8)

- You may not be called to foster, but you are called to something.

- This crisis is solvable if every church engages.

- Before leaving service, everyone is invited to stop by the tables and take a step: pray, serve, mentor, or get trained.

7. “God’s Heart for the Fatherless” (Ephesians 1:4–6; Psalm 68:5–6)

- God moves toward broken places and hurting people — and calls us to do the same.

- He places the lonely in families and invites His church to join His mission.

- When we say “yes,” we become the hands and feet of Jesus to children who desperately need hope.

This week, Pastor Jason teaches on the power of our thoughts and the power of our words. Scripture shows that what we think becomes what we speak, and what we speak shapes the direction of our lives. Many of the battles we face in the mind didn’t start with us - they began with words spoken over us. But God’s Word has the final say. Through 2 Corinthians 10, Proverbs 18, Ezekiel 37, and Romans 12, we learn how to take thoughts captive, speak God’s truth, break strongholds, and declare life over the dead places in our minds and hearts. God is not intimidated by the battles you face - He restores, renews, and breathes life where hope has dried up.

 1. “Capture Your Thoughts” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

 - Thoughts and words are connected — what we think becomes what we speak.

 - Rebellious thoughts must be confronted, captured, and submitted to Christ.

 - Unchallenged thoughts grow into strongholds that shape identity and behavior.

 2. “Life and Death in the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)

 - Your words create the atmosphere you live in — life-giving or destructive.

 - Speaking God’s promises builds faith, courage, and spiritual strength.

 - Negative self-talk shapes a false identity that God never assigned to you.

 3. “Words Spoken Over You” (Isaiah 55:11)

 - Hurtful words from others often shape deep, long-lasting wounds.

 - But those words do not have the final authority — God’s Word does.

 - His truth uproots lies and heals what others damaged.

 4. “Dry Bones Can Live Again” (Ezekiel 37:1–14)

 - Israel’s despair reflected hopeless thoughts and hopeless words.

 - God restores broken identity and lost hope by commanding Ezekiel to speak.

 - Life responds to the Word of God — speak life to dead places.

 5. “Strongholds and Neural Pathways” (Romans 12:2)

 - Scripture and science agree: repeated thoughts form mental pathways.

 - Strongholds are built by repeated lies; freedom is built by repeated truth.

 - Renewing the mind is a daily practice of speaking God’s Word out loud.

 6. “Words to Others” (James 3:1–12)

 - Our words can build up or destroy — intent does not cancel impact.

 - The tongue is powerful and must be surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

 - God exposes harmful speech not to shame us, but to heal and transform us.

 7. “A Better Word Spoken Over You” (Romans 10:13; Ezekiel 37:14)

 - God declares identity, hope, and restoration over His children.

 - You are not stuck, forgotten, or defined by past words or thoughts.

 - God puts His Spirit in you and brings you to life again through Christ.

This week, Pastor David walks through the powerful story of Passover and shows how every detail points to Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God. Just as the Israelites were helpless slaves in Egypt, humanity is helpless under the weight of sin - until the blood of the Lamb is applied. Through Exodus 12, Matthew 26, and the New Testament, we see that salvation doesn’t come by effort, goodness, or religious rituals. It comes through one thing alone: the blood of Jesus. His sacrifice sets us free, breaks our chains, and gives us new life as sons and daughters of God.

1. “Slaves in Need of Rescue” (Exodus 1:6–14)

- Israel’s physical slavery represents our spiritual slavery to sin.

- We cannot free ourselves; sin is a merciless taskmaster.

- God hears the cries of His people and moves toward rescue.

2. “The Lamb Without Defect” (Exodus 12:1–6)

- God required a spotless lamb as the substitute for every household.

- Something had to die: either a son or a lamb.

- The lamb’s perfection pointed ahead to Jesus, the true spotless Lamb.

3. “When I See the Blood” (Exodus 12:7–13, 23)

- The blood on the doorposts was the only thing that saved them.

- Pedigree, morality, effort, or heritage couldn’t stop judgment - only the blood.

- Salvation required personal obedience: each family had to apply the blood themselves.

4. “The Passover Points to Jesus” (Matthew 26:17–28; John 1:29)

- At the Last Supper, Jesus reveals He is the true Passover Lamb.

- He offers His body and blood as the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins.

- John the Baptist announces Him as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

5. “The Ransom Paid for Our Freedom” (1 Peter 1:18–19; Hebrews 9:12–14)

- We were ransomed not with silver or gold but with Christ’s precious blood.

- His sacrifice was once for all - complete and eternal.

- The blood of Jesus purifies our conscience and gives us access to worship God.

6. “Adopted Into the Family” (Galatians 4:5–6)

- The blood doesn’t just free us; it adopts us.

- We become sons and daughters who cry, “Abba, Father.”

- Our identity is forever changed because of the sacrifice of Christ.

7. “The Blood Still Speaks” (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; Colossians 1:19–20)

- Life is in the blood, and Jesus’ blood makes peace between us and God.

- Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

- The blood of Christ is still enough - still powerful - still saving.

This week, Pastor David preaches from Matthew 7 and James 2, reminding us that genuine faith is revealed through the fruit of our lives. We can say all the right things, but if our lives don’t reflect the love and character of Christ, something’s missing. True disciples don’t just talk about faith; they live it out through obedience, compassion, and surrender. This message challenges us to examine the fruit in our lives and stay rooted in Christ, the true Vine.

1. “You’ll Know Them by Their Fruit” (Matthew 7:15–20)

- Jesus warns about false prophets who look right but live wrong.

- You can recognize true faith by consistent, godly fruit.

- What we produce reveals who we’re really following.

2. “Faith Without Works Is Dead” (James 2:14–20)

- Real faith always produces action.

- Words without obedience are empty.

- Faith and works work together to show a living relationship with Jesus.

3. “Faith Proven Through Obedience” (James 2:21–26)

- Abraham and Rahab’s obedience revealed their genuine faith.

- Faith isn’t proven in comfort; it’s revealed in costly obedience.

- God calls us to trust Him enough to act on what we believe.

4. “Abide and Bear Fruit” (John 15:1–9)

- Jesus is the true Vine; we are the branches.

- Remaining in Christ is the only way to produce lasting fruit.

- Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

5. “The Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:19–25)

- The flesh produces chaos; the Spirit produces Christlike character.

- The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

- Stay in step with the Spirit, and let His fruit define your life.

This week, Pastor David shares from John 5, where Jesus encounters a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. In a powerful moment of grace, Jesus asks a simple but life-changing question: “Do you want to be healed?” Through this story, we’re reminded that Jesus doesn’t just fix our circumstances; He restores our hearts and gives us the strength to walk in new life. When we respond to His word, everything changes.

 1. “The Pool of Bethesda” (John 5:1–5)

 - Crowds gathered around the pool searching for healing.

 - The man had been waiting thirty-eight years.

 - Jesus sees beyond the crowd and focuses on one man’s need.

 2. “The Question That Changes Everything” (John 5:6–7)

 - Jesus asks, “Do you want to be healed?”

 - Our excuses often keep us from breakthrough.

 - Healing begins when we respond to His invitation, not our limitations.

 3. “The Word That Brings Healing” (John 5:8–9)

 - Jesus speaks, “Pick up your mat and walk!”

 - The man is instantly healed by faith and obedience.

 - When Jesus speaks, His word carries the power to transform.

 4. “The Controversy That Followed” (John 5:10–13)

 - The religious leaders cared more about rules than restoration.

 - Religion restricts; Jesus releases.

 - The healed man didn’t even know Jesus’ name yet still obeyed His word.

 5. “The Warning and the Witness” (John 5:14–17, 24)

 - Jesus calls the man to stop sinning and live differently.

 - Grace is not permission; it’s empowerment to change.

 - Jesus reveals His divinity: “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

This week, Pastor David unpacks Hebrews 6 and challenges believers to move beyond the basics of faith into deeper maturity. Many Christians stop at the foundation - salvation through Jesus - but God desires to build something lasting on that foundation. Through this passage, we’re reminded that repentance isn’t punishment; it’s a gift that keeps our hearts tender, our faith anchored, and our hope secure in Christ.

1. “Don’t Stop at the Foundation” (Hebrews 6:1–3)

- Our salvation in Christ is the starting point, not the finish line.

- God calls us to grow beyond basic teachings and into spiritual maturity.

- A strong foundation matters, but God wants to build a full life on it.

2. “The Danger of Adding to Salvation” (Hebrews 6:4–6)

- Salvation is found in Christ alone—works or rituals can’t improve it.

- When we add to grace, we weaken the foundation of faith.

- Repentance restores direction when we begin to drift.

3. “The Soil of the Heart” (Hebrews 6:7–8)

- The rain (God’s Word) falls on all hearts, but only good soil bears fruit.

- Examine what kind of crop your life is producing.

- Fruit reveals whether we’re walking in truth or deception.

4. “The Gift of Repentance” (Hebrews 6:9–12)

- Repentance is not shame—it’s freedom.

- God uses conviction to bring restoration, not condemnation.

- A repentant heart stays tender, fruitful, and full of hope.

5. “Anchored in Hope” (Hebrews 6:13–20)

- Jesus is our unshakable anchor in the storm.

- Hope holds us steady when we can’t see the outcome.

- God’s promises are sure. He cannot lie, and His Word stands firm.

When life feels fragile and temporary - when we’re groaning under the weight of this world - God reminds us that what’s ahead is not death but life. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul shows us what it means to live with eternity in view: confident, purposeful, and reconciled. We’re not just surviving in our clay jars; we’re carriers of glory.

Text: 2 Corinthians 5

1. “When This Tent Is Taken Down” (v.1-5)

- Our earthly bodies are temporary dwellings.

- God has prepared an eternal house for us — a permanent, perfected body.

- The Holy Spirit is our guarantee, our “engagement ring” from God.

2. “We Walk by Believing, Not by Seeing” (v.6-9)

- Faith fixes its eyes on eternity, not the temporary.

- Our goal in every circumstance: to please the Lord.

- Even in weakness, God renews us day by day.

3. “A Fearful Responsibility” (v.10-13)

- Every believer will stand before Christ to give an account.

- We live with reverence, not fear — motivated by His love, not guilt.

- Paul reminds us: the ministry of sincerity matters more than appearances.

4. “Controlled by Christ’s Love” (v.14-17)

- The love of Christ compels us to live for Him, not ourselves.

- In Christ, we’ve died to our old life.

- The old has gone — the new has come.

5. “Ambassadors of Reconciliation” (v.18-21)

- God reconciled us to Himself through Christ.

- Now we carry that message to the world.

- We are Christ’s ambassadors, pleading with others: Come back to God.