Courage is easy to talk about until obedience starts costing us something. It is one thing to follow Jesus when the road is clear, the crowd is supportive, and the outcome feels safe. It is another thing to keep walking when obedience leads into misunderstanding, opposition, false accusation, and pain. But mission was never promised to be comfortable. It was promised to be worth it.

In this message, Pastor John Rogers continues our On a Mission series by looking at Paul’s journey to Jerusalem in Acts 21:27–36, 22:22–29, and 23:11. Paul knew that chains and afflictions were waiting for him, but he obeyed the Spirit and went anyway. When he arrived, a riot broke out. He was falsely accused, dragged out of the temple, beaten, and bound in chains. From the outside, it looked like everything had gone wrong.

But in the middle of the barracks, Jesus stood by Paul and said, “Take courage.” Not because the crowd had calmed down. Not because the chains had fallen off. Not because the accusations had disappeared. Jesus told Paul to take courage because Paul was not alone, and his mission was not over. As he had testified in Jerusalem, he would also testify in Rome.

This is what it means to live on mission when following Jesus costs you. Your courage cannot come from comfortable circumstances, public approval, or guaranteed safety. Those things can change in a moment. Real courage comes from the presence of the One who stands by you when everything around you is shaking.

When obedience costs you your comfort, your reputation, or even your freedom, stand firm. The mission is still moving. Jesus is still near. And the same Savior who calls you forward is the One who stands beside you.

Stand firm in the faith.

In This Message:

► Bound for the Gospel: Why Paul kept obeying even when he knew suffering was ahead.

► False Accusation and Opposition: How to remain faithful when you are misunderstood, attacked, or treated unfairly.

► Take Courage: The power of Jesus standing by Paul in the middle of uncertainty and chains.

► Stand Firm in the Faith: Practical ways to draw courage from Christ’s presence instead of your circumstances.

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Not everything that uses the name of Jesus actually belongs to Jesus. There is a difference between authentic faith and counterfeit faith. One surrenders to the power of God; the other tries to use the power of God. One is transformed by Jesus; the other borrows His name for personal gain, reputation, or control.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our On a Mission series by looking at Acts 19:11–20 and the move of God in Ephesus. The name of Jesus was moving with undeniable power. Miracles were happening. Evil spirits were being driven out. The gospel was confronting darkness in a way no one could ignore.

But when some traveling exorcists tried to copy Paul and use the name of Jesus like a magic charm, they were violently exposed. They knew the language, but they did not know the Lord. They wanted the results without the relationship. They wanted spiritual authority without surrender. And the demonic realm recognized the difference.

When the church saw what happened, fear fell on them, and real repentance broke out. Believers began bringing their sorcery scrolls into the open and burning them publicly, even though they were worth a fortune. They did not just feel bad about their past; they cut ties with it. They burned the bridges to the life Jesus had rescued them from.

This is what real power does. It exposes what is counterfeit. It confronts what is hidden. It calls us out of compromise and into surrender. You cannot play games with the power of God or mix Jesus with the world. True faith does not keep a backup plan for sin. It burns the ship.

Burn the ship.

In This Message:

► Real Power: How the name of Jesus moved with undeniable authority in Ephesus.

► Counterfeit Faith: Why using the language of Jesus is not the same as surrendering to Jesus.

► Exposed by the Darkness: What the sons of Sceva reveal about spiritual authority without relationship.

► Burn the Ship: Why true repentance means cutting ties with the sin, practices, and compromises Jesus has called us to leave behind.

Next Steps:

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We live in a world that is constantly searching. Searching for meaning. Searching for identity. Searching for truth. Searching for something solid enough to build a life on. And even though our culture may not use the word “idols” very often, we are surrounded by them. Success. Comfort. Knowledge. Control. Politics. Pleasure. Self. The names may have changed, but the human heart is still chasing everything but God.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard begins our new series, On a Mission, by looking at Paul’s time in Athens in Acts 17:16–34. Athens was a city filled with idols, intellectual pride, spiritual confusion, and endless religious options. Paul could have attacked the culture with hostility, or he could have retreated from it in frustration. Instead, he stepped into the moment with wisdom, courage, and clarity. He used their own cultural context to point them to the one true Creator.

Paul did not condemn their search for meaning. He exposed where the search had come up empty and boldly declared the answer they were actually looking for. The God they called unknown was not distant, silent, or unreachable. He was the Creator of all things, the One who gives life and breath to everyone, the One who calls all people to repentance, and the One who proved Himself by raising Jesus from the dead.

This is what it means to live on mission in a secular culture. We do not hide from the world, and we do not simply yell at the world. We enter the conversation with truth and grace. We listen well, speak clearly, and point people to Jesus as the exclusive answer their hearts are searching for.

God is not far.

In This Message:

► The Unknown God: How Paul used the spiritual hunger of Athens to point people to the one true Creator.

► Mission in a Secular Culture: Why followers of Jesus are called to engage the world without retreating or attacking.

► Searching for Meaning: How modern idols reveal a deeper longing only God can satisfy.

► God Is Not Far: The hope of a Creator who is near, who calls us to repentance, and who has revealed Himself through the risen Jesus.

Next Steps:

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The most dangerous place spiritually is not always open rebellion. Sometimes it is comfort. It is knowing just enough about Jesus to feel secure while living as if we do not really need Him. It is having enough resources, success, routine, and religion to convince ourselves that everything is fine—even when our hearts have grown cold.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard closes our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14–22. Laodicea was wealthy, comfortable, and self-sufficient. They believed they had everything they needed. But Jesus saw something very different. They were spiritually poor, blind, and exposed. Even more sobering, Jesus was standing outside the door of the church, knocking.

This letter is urgent because lukewarm faith is not neutral faith. It is a decision to keep Jesus close enough to be familiar, but far enough away that He does not disrupt our comfort. We can attend church, know the language, believe the right things, and still live as though we are the ones in control. Jesus does not want a portion of our lives. He wants the whole heart.

But the image of Jesus knocking is not a threat. It is an invitation. After all the compromise, comfort, and self-sufficiency, He is still there. He still wants relationship. He still wants to come in. The final letter of Revelation is not just a warning about lukewarm faith; it is a picture of relentless grace.

Lukewarm isn’t a temperature. It’s a decision.

In This Message:

► Dear Laodicea: Why spiritual comfort can be more dangerous than obvious rebellion.

► The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency: How success and comfort can convince us we do not really need Jesus.

► Lukewarm Faith: Why Jesus refuses a faith that keeps Him close enough for convenience but too far away for surrender.

► Jesus Is Still Knocking: The hope of a Savior who continues to pursue us and invite us into real relationship.

Next Steps:

► New to New Post? We’d love to connect with you: https://www.newpost.church/contact-10

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Faithfulness is not measured by how strong you feel. It is revealed by what you do when your strength is running low. We often assume God can only use us when we feel confident, capable, and fully prepared. But some of the greatest acts of faith happen when we have little strength left and choose to keep obeying anyway.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7–13, along with the call in Ephesians 5 to live faithfully and make the most of every opportunity. Philadelphia was not described as powerful or influential. Jesus said they had little strength. Yet they kept His word and refused to deny His name.

Because of their faithfulness, Jesus placed before them an open door that no one could shut. They did not create the opportunity through their own power, and no person could take it away. Their responsibility was not to force the door open. It was to remain faithful to the One who opened it.

This is one of the most encouraging letters Jesus gave to the seven churches. He offers no rebuke to Philadelphia. He simply tells them to hold on. Faithfulness is not about how much talent, influence, energy, or strength you have. It is about what you do with what God has already placed in your hands.

The storm may be real, and your strength may feel small, but Jesus is still faithful. Hold on to His Word. Keep carrying His name. Walk through the doors He opens, and stand firm in the place where He has called you.

Stand firm.

In This Message:

► Dear Philadelphia: Why Jesus honors a church with little strength but genuine faithfulness.

► The Open Door: How God creates opportunities that cannot be forced open or shut by people.

► Hold On: Why perseverance matters when obedience becomes difficult and strength runs low.

► Stand Firm: Practical ways to remain faithful, walk wisely, and make the most of what God has placed before you.

Next Steps:

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Join us for an update from the Brazilian soccer missionaries and our missionary to The Philippines, Pastor Kelly, and see how God is moving and changing lives.

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It is possible to look alive and still be asleep. We can have activity without intimacy, reputation without renewal, and motion without a heart that is truly surrendered to Jesus. From the outside, everything can appear fine. The calendar is full. The language sounds right. The habits are familiar. But Jesus is not impressed by a reputation that is disconnected from reality.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1–6. Sardis had a name for being alive, but Jesus said they were spiritually dead. They were going through the motions, but the motions were not reaching the heart. They had the appearance of faithfulness without the life that should flow from it.

This letter is a wake-up call, but it is not a call to earn salvation. Jesus is not telling Sardis to work harder so they can be loved by God. He is calling them to wake up and live out what salvation was always meant to produce. We are not saved by good deeds, but we are saved to good deeds. Real faith does not stay asleep. Grace does not leave us unchanged.

The hope in this letter is that it is not too late. Jesus says there are still a few names in Sardis who have not soiled their garments. There are still people who are awake, still faithful, still walking with Him. And by grace, it is never too late to be one of them.

Wake up. You were not saved by good deeds, but you were saved to them.

In This Message:

► Dear Sardis: What happens when a church has a reputation for life but is spiritually asleep.

► Wake Up: How Jesus lovingly confronts empty religion, spiritual drift, and going through the motions.

► Saved To, Not By: Why good deeds do not earn salvation, but they should flow from a life changed by grace.

► Still a Few Names: The hope that it is never too late to wake up, return, and walk faithfully with Jesus.

Next Steps:

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► Need Prayer? If you’re ready to tear down an altar today, our team would love to stand with you: https://www.newpost.church/care

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Not everything called love is actually loving. Sometimes what sounds like grace is really permission to stay stuck. Sometimes what looks like patience is actually passivity. And sometimes the most loving thing Jesus can do is confront what is quietly destroying us before it has the final word.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2:18–29, along with the biblical call to flee from sexual immorality. Thyatira was not a church without good fruit. Jesus saw their love, faith, service, and endurance. In fact, He acknowledged that they were growing in some areas. But they were also tolerating sin and calling it grace. They had allowed sexual immorality to take root, and Jesus loved them too much to ignore it.

This letter reminds us that real love does not look away from sin. Grace is not God pretending sin does not matter. Grace is God calling us out of what is destroying us and into something better. Holiness is not a punishment. It is an invitation. It is Jesus saying there is more for you than compromise, secrecy, shame, and temporary satisfaction.

The hope in this letter is that Jesus does not only confront what must change. He also holds out a promise. To those who hold on, He offers the morning star. There is something far greater than what we settle for when we stop flirting with sin and start running toward Christ.

Flee. Don’t flirt with it.

In This Message:

► Dear Thyatira: How Jesus sees the good in His church while still confronting what is dangerous.

► Tolerating Sin: Why calling something grace does not make it loving if it keeps people trapped.

► Flee, Don’t Flirt: Why sexual immorality is not something to manage, excuse, or entertain.

► The Morning Star: How Jesus invites us into holiness, freedom, and something better than compromise.

Next Steps:

► New to New Post? We’d love to connect with you: https://www.newpost.church/contact-10

► Need Prayer? If you’re ready to tear down an altar today, our team would love to stand with you: https://www.newpost.church/care

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It is possible to hold on to Jesus and still let the wrong things take root. Sometimes compromise does not walk through the front door with a warning label. It slips in quietly. A little addition here. A little exception there. A version of faith that still uses the name of Jesus, but slowly makes room for things Jesus never approved.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12–17. Pergamum was a city saturated with idolatry, pressure, and cultural compromise. Yet in the middle of that environment, the church had held on to the name of Jesus. Jesus honors their faithfulness. But He also confronts what they had allowed to grow among them. They had stayed loyal in some areas while tolerating false teaching in others.

This letter reminds us that the gospel does not need additions. Jesus does not need to be improved, adjusted, or combined with something else to make Him enough. Christ plus nothing is still the whole message. The moment we add anything to Jesus, we have not made the gospel stronger; we have emptied it of its power.

But the hope of this letter is not just that Jesus warns His church. It is that He offers something better. He offers hidden manna. He offers the real thing to people tired of settling for spiritual substitutes. There is something better waiting for those who stop mixing Jesus with compromise and choose Him fully.

The moment you add anything to Jesus, you’ve subtracted everything.

In This Message:

► Dear Pergamum: What it looks like to follow Jesus in a culture full of competing loyalties.

► Christ Plus Nothing: Why the gospel does not need additions, upgrades, or substitutes.

► Quiet Compromise: How false teaching can take root when we tolerate what Jesus calls us to confront.

► The Hidden Manna: Why Jesus offers something better to those who choose the real thing over spiritual compromise.

Next Steps:

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► Need Prayer? If you’re ready to tear down an altar today, our team would love to stand with you: https://www.newpost.church/care

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Not every hard season means something has gone wrong. Sometimes the pain we are walking through is not proof that God has left us; it is the place where we discover He has been closer than we realized. We often measure blessing by comfort, resources, ease, and escape. But Jesus measures differently. What the world calls poor, He may call rich. What the world calls losing, He may call faithful. What the world sees as weakness, He may see as endurance.

In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our Dear Church series by looking at Jesus’ letter to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8–11. Smyrna had very little by the world’s standards. They were facing pressure, poverty, slander, and real persecution. Yet Jesus looked at them and said they were rich. He did not minimize their suffering, but He also did not promise them an easy exit. He promised them something greater: His presence, His faithfulness, and a crown of life.

This letter is for anyone going through something hard right now. The diagnosis you didn’t expect. The pressure that will not let up. The grief you cannot shake. The season that feels unfair. Suffering does not mean God has forgotten you. Sometimes it means He trusts you with something most people cannot carry.

Jesus does not always remove the fire, but He meets His people in it. He sees what you are enduring. He knows what it is costing you. And He reminds His church that pain does not get the final word. Faithfulness does.

The presence of pain does not mean the absence of God.

In This Message:

► Dear Smyrna: Why Jesus’ words to a suffering church still bring hope to hurting people today.

► Poor but Rich: How Jesus redefines blessing, strength, and spiritual wealth.

► No Easy Exit: Why Jesus does not always remove suffering, but promises to be faithful through it.

► Suffering Well: Practical ways to remain faithful, hopeful, and anchored in Christ when life gets hard.

Next Steps:

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