Next Level Church - Charlotte

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

This is the moment we've been building toward. In Week 4 of "Why Do I Keep Doing This," Lead Pastor Clay Monkus unveils the answer to breaking free from the cycles that have held us captive: Life in the Spirit.

Through Romans 8:1-17, we discover that the Spirit empowers us to walk free from sin's grip. After weeks of understanding the problem—sin as a power, our powerlessness through self-effort, and the futility of trying harder—we finally arrive at the solution. The Spirit doesn't just encourage us or give us good advice; He actually empowers us to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us.

This message explores what it practically looks like to live Spirit-empowered lives—free from condemnation, free from defeat, and walking in real victory. No more white-knuckling your way through struggles. No more shame when you fall short. Just the liberating power of God at work in you.

If you've been waiting for hope, here it is. The Spirit is ready to do what you could never do on your own.

Join us for this pivotal message as we discover how to actually live in the freedom Jesus won and the Spirit makes possible.

"I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Ever felt like Paul when he wrote those words?

In Week 3 of our series, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles a hard truth: The real problem isn't lack of effort—it's that sin is stronger than self-effort. No matter how hard you try, willpower alone will never be enough.

Through Romans 7:14-25, we'll dive into Paul's honest struggle and discover why "trying harder" keeps leaving us frustrated and defeated. This isn't a message about giving up—it's about recognizing that the battle requires a power greater than our own.

If you've been exhausted by your own efforts to change, if you've wondered why good intentions keep falling short, this message will help you see why self-effort was never meant to be the solution. There's a better way forward, but it requires surrendering our need to be strong enough on our own.

Stop trying to muscle your way to freedom. It's time to discover the power that actually works.

#WhyDoIKeepDoingThis #TryingHarder #Romans7 #SelfEffort #SpiritPower #Surrender #ChurchSeries

Feeling defeated by the same cycles? Here's a truth that changes everything: you're not powerless.

In Week 2 of "Why Do I Keep Doing This," Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles a crucial reality—at salvation, sin loses its legal claim on us, but it still tries to act like it's in charge. Through Romans 6:1-14, we'll explore what it means to live like you're truly free.

Sin may keep trying to boss you around, making you feel helpless and defeated, but the truth is it has no real authority over you anymore. The struggle isn't about gaining power you don't have—it's about learning to live in the freedom you already possess in Christ.

This message will help you understand your true identity and give you biblical insight into why you're not the powerless victim sin wants you to believe you are. Whether you're battling old habits, wrestling with guilt, or feeling stuck in familiar patterns, this episode offers hope and practical truth.

You have more power than you realize. It's time to start living like it.

Join us as we continue this journey toward understanding our struggles through Scripture and discovering how to walk in the victory Jesus has already secured.

"I don't really understand myself. I want to do what's right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." Sound familiar?

Welcome to our new series, "Why Do I Keep Doing This: How to Stop the Cycle You Can't Seem to Quit." In this opening message, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles the foundational question: How did we get stuck in these cycles in the first place?

Through Romans 5:12-21, we'll explore how sin isn't just about our individual choices—it's a power that invaded the world and now works against us. Understanding this truth changes everything about how we view our struggles and sets the stage for discovering real freedom.

If you've ever wondered why you keep falling into the same patterns despite knowing better, this message offers biblical insight and hope. Join us as we begin this journey toward understanding mental health through the lens of Scripture and discovering the Spirit's power to set us free.

Whether you're listening while commuting, working out, or just need encouragement in your daily walk, this series is designed to meet you where you are and point you toward the freedom Jesus has already won.

What do we do with the reality that even Jesus experienced crushing emotional pain? Christian Nichles concludes our series by exploring Matthew 26:36 and Jesus's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Son of God was "deeply grieved, even to death" and asked His friends to stay with Him in His darkest hour.

Jesus's experience in the garden shows us that emotional struggle isn't a sign of weak faith—it's part of the human experience that even God Himself entered into and understood.

In this final message, you'll discover:

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

About the Series: This seriece explores mental health through Scripture, showing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

What happens when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want? Christian Nichles explores 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul begged God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh," only to receive this response: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul's experience teaches us that sometimes God's answer isn't healing—it's sustaining grace. This doesn't mean we stop seeking help or give up hope, but that we can find strength even in our ongoing struggles.

In this message, you'll discover:

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

What do you do when everything you love is stripped away? Christian Nichles explores Job 1-2, where we encounter a man who lost his children, health, and wealth in a matter of days—yet continued to wrestle with faith in the midst of unthinkable suffering.

Job's story reveals that profound loss and mental anguish aren't signs of spiritual failure. Sometimes faithful people experience devastating circumstances beyond their control.

In this message, you'll discover:

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

About the Series: "Life Under the Broom Tree" explores mental health through Scripture, showing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

What do you do when you've reached your breaking point? In this inaugural episode of our "Life Under the Broom Tree" series, Christian Nichles opens 1 Kings 19 to reveal a side of the prophet Elijah we don't often talk about—the moment when this giant of faith completely fell apart.

Fresh from his dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah finds himself running for his life, collapsing under a broom tree, and begging God to let him die. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Mental health struggles have been part of the human story since the beginning, and God's response to Elijah reveals profound truths about how He meets us in our darkest moments.

In this honest and compassionate message, you'll discover:

This series is for anyone who has wrestled with anxiety, depression, burnout, or overwhelming fear. It's also for those who love someone who is hurting and want to understand how to help.

Join us as we explore what it means to find hope and healing under life's broom trees, knowing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

About the Series: "Life Under the Broom Tree" is a biblical exploration of mental health, examining how Scripture addresses anxiety, depression, and emotional struggle with honesty and hope. Through the stories of Elijah, Paul's teachings on renewing our minds, and Jesus' own wrestling in the Garden of Gethsemane, we'll discover that our mental health matters deeply to God.

If you're struggling with mental health, please reach out to a trusted friend, counselor, or mental health professional. You don't have to walk this journey alone.

What did the early church have that made people say "I want to be part of that"? What if we could experience the same kind of community that changed the world?

In this final week of our "Why Church?" series, Pastor Joseph McMurry takes us back to Acts 2 to discover why he loves the church through God's original blueprint. This isn't about nostalgia—it's about understanding what made the early church so compelling and how we can experience that same kind of transformative community today.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.

What if the church offered something you couldn't find anywhere else? The chance to be part of something bigger than yourself and relationships that are ready before the storms of life hit?

In Week 3 of our "Why Church?" series, Pastor Bradley Medford gets personal about why he loves the church. This isn't about obligation—it's about discovering the irreplaceable value of being connected to something greater and building relationships that matter when life gets hard.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.