NewGrace Podcast

In this opening message of the I Am Saved series, we answer the critical question: Why do I need to be saved? Rooted in Ephesians 2:8–9 and John 3:17–18, this sermon reveals that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, not something we earn. Jesus makes it clear that the world is already in a state of condemnation, yet God’s mission is not to condemn but to rescue through His Son. Salvation is available to “whoever” believes—but that belief must be real, rooted, and fully placed in Jesus. The result is powerful: those who trust in Him are no longer condemned, but justified and secure. At the same time, the message carries urgency—those who reject Him remain condemned already. Ultimately, this sermon brings clarity and conviction, reminding us that every person stands before God either saved by grace or still in need of it, and invites us to respond while there is still time.

Christ died for our sins. He rose again in victory, but the story doesn't end there...

In this message, we explore how the real battle believers face happens in the mind, as taught in 2 Corinthians 10. Strongholds are formed by lies we’ve believed, but through prayer and God’s Word, we can tear them down and take every thought captive. You don’t have to live controlled by your thoughts—you can learn to win the war within.

n this message, we look at how faith can feel trapped when life doesn’t go as expected. Through the story of John the Baptist in Matthew 11, we see how doubt can creep in—but also how Jesus responds by reminding us of who He is and what He’s doing. Even when circumstances don’t change, our faith can be set free when we choose to trust God anyway.

In this message, we explore why people are so easily offended and how believers can break free from the trap of taking everything personally. Looking at the example of King David in 2 Samuel 16, we learn how to respond to criticism, conflict, and hurt with humility, peace, and grace instead of pride or emotion. When we remember the grace God has shown us, we can stop living offended and start living free.

Fasting is more than just abstaining from food - it's a powerful spiritual discipline that can break dependencies and create freedom in your Christian walk. When we're too full of ourselves, our flesh, and our selfish desires, fasting teaches us to say no to self while saying yes to God. By partnering fasting with prayer, we unplug from worldly distractions and tune into God's frequency. This practice helps break underlying dependencies and creates space for God to work in our lives. Whether fasting from food, social media, or other habits, the goal is shifting our dependency from ourselves to God and experiencing true spiritual freedom.

Financial stress affects nearly every household in America, including Christians who find themselves trapped in financial bondage despite their spiritual freedom. With average household debt at 130% of yearly income and 59% of families living paycheck to paycheck, many believers are enslaved by money rather than using it as a tool for God's kingdom. The Bible warns that the borrower becomes a slave to the lender, and our consumer culture traps us by convincing us that possessions equal self-worth. True financial freedom isn't about how much you make but how much you owe, and it requires renewing your mind through determination, devotion to God as the true owner of everything, and discipline through the Holy Spirit's help.

Many Christians live saved but not free, like birds in open cages who refuse to fly. True freedom comes through knowing God's truth, which reveals sin's destructiveness, Christ's power, and our identity as more than conquerors. While salvation opens the cage door, walking in freedom requires three deliberate choices: deciding to live free, declaring biblical truth about ourselves, and departing from old patterns. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in believers, making complete freedom possible. Yet many resist this freedom due to blindness to their bondage, comfort in familiar patterns, or confusion between religion and relationship with Christ.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20-21 that God is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think. Nothing in your life takes God by surprise - He operates on a completely different level than we do. There's power in asking God questions rather than just making statements in prayer. When we ask questions, we demonstrate faith and create intimacy with God. Sometimes we don't ask because we lack confidence in God's ability or fear His answer. Remember what God has already done in your life to build confidence for present prayers.

Ignite Sunday! Our students and young adults had an amazing weekend at Ignite, where they were encouraged to LIVE LIT! Pastor Derek brings that idea into Sunday to share it with the whole church. What does it feel like to Live Lit?