Northland Church Riverside

From viral internet memes like "21" and dabbing to the sudden exhaustion of superhero movies, our culture is obsessed with fleeting trends. Pastor Dalton opens this message with a humorous look at how quickly cultural moments come and go—including his own failed high school mission to make fanny packs cool again. While the world is constantly changing what is considered "in," it's incredibly easy for us to get swept up in temporary things and lose sight of the eternal realities that never shift.

Speaking on a special "Love Your Neighbor" Day at Northland Riverside, Dalton dives into the opening verses of Ephesians 2 to bring us face-to-face with the most permanent problem humanity shares: our spiritual condition apart from Christ. The text offers a sobering reality check, reminding us that without Jesus, we aren't just misbehaving; we are completely hopeless, spiritually dead, and operating as enemies of God. We are entirely powerless to climb out of our own graves. But the beautiful truth of the Gospel is that God, being rich in mercy, sent Jesus to take our place, pay our debt on the cross, and offer us a completely free gift of grace and adoption. Learn how to step out of the graveyard of pride and old habits, kill the sin remaining in your heart, and walk out a life of good works that points all the glory back to Him.

Key Topics:

• The Expiration Date of Trends: Laughing through old cultural moments like the "21" joke, dabbing, and the tragic reality of high school fanny packs to reveal how quickly worldly phases pass away.

• Dead in the Grave: Facing the heavy, humbling theological reality that human effort and independent willpower are completely useless when it comes to paying the price for our sins.

• The Ultimate Substitution: Unpacking the finished work of Jesus on the cross, where He took our place in death and rose victorious to extend a free gift of eternal life.

• Jumping Back in the Tomb: Discerning the frustrating tendency of believers to drift back toward "dead areas" like pride and secret sins, and learning how to let the Holy Spirit put those behaviors to death.

• Deflecting the Glory: Understanding that as we serve our community on "Love Your Neighbor" Day and beyond, our good works must never be about our own reputation, but about highlighting the God who arranged them beforehand.

Growing up, Pastor Tyler and his neighborhood friends spent almost every evening and weekend playing basketball in a local driveway. It was the ultimate neighborhood hangout spot—until a local bully, who was bizarrely a grown man, would periodically drop by to terrorize and pick on the kids. Tyler vividly recalls stepping inside for just three minutes to grab a quick drink of water, only to walk back out to a driveway full of crying, defeated friends because the bully had struck the moment they were left unprotected. We all know exactly what it feels like to face a intimidating force that leaves us feeling completely outmatched and outgunned.

In this powerful message wrapping up the first chapter of Ephesians, Pastor Tyler bridges this childhood memory to our modern spiritual battles. Left to our own strength, we are entirely powerless to fight the ultimate spiritual bullies of sin, Satan, shame, and death. But the beautiful truth of the Gospel is that we don't have to fight. Because of God's immense love, Jesus paid our debt with His blood, conquered the grave, and was seated by the Father at His right hand with all rules, dominions, and enemies placed firmly beneath His feet. Discover how to live with unshakeable confidence, knowing that the intimidating "bullies" of anxiety, guilt, loneliness, and despair have completely lost their power over you through the absolute supremacy of Christ.

Key Topics:

• The Driveway Bully: Tyler shares a nostalgic yet sobering illustration from his childhood basketball days to highlight what happens when we feel completely unprotected against an overwhelming opponent.

• Outmatched and Outgunned: Realizing our total human inability to conquer sin, guilt, and spiritual opposition using our own independent willpower or legalistic effort.

• Seated in Supreme Authority: Unpacking the magnificent theological reality of Christ's resurrection and ascension, where the Father positioned Him far above all earthly and spiritual rulers.

• Crushed Beneath His Feet: What it practically means for the church, the body of Christ, that our greatest cosmic enemies have already been thoroughly disarmed and defeated by Jesus.

• Silencing Modern Strongholds: How anchoring your daily identity in Christ strips the power away from everyday "bullies" like shame, anxiety, depression, and frightening medical diagnoses.

Imagine being completely surrounded by an enemy army with no visible way out. Pastor Dalton opens this message with the dramatic Old Testament account from 2 Kings 6, where the king of Syria sends a massive force to capture the prophet Elisha. When Elisha's servant wakes up and panics at the sight of the surrounding forces, Elisha prays a simple but profound prayer: "Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." Instantly, the servant's eyes are opened to a spiritual reality he couldn't see before—the surrounding hills filled with horses and chariots of fire protecting them. This serves as an encouraging reminder for a young church plant navigating its own messy day-to-day realities (like literally catching rainwater in a bucket during service!) that there is always more going on spiritually than what meets the eye.

Diving into Ephesians chapter 1, Dalton connects this narrative to Paul’s prayer for the believers: that the "eyes of our hearts would be enlightened." True Christian maturity means moving beyond surface-level awareness and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the limitless hope, the glorious riches of our inheritance, and the incomparable resurrection power available to those who believe. Discover how to stop living in fear of your circumstances, get closer to God through His Word, and learn to walk day by day with a confidence rooted in the magnificent, boundless grace of Christ.

Key Topics:

• The Reality of a Church Plant: A lighthearted and authentic acknowledgment of the beauty and messiness of gathering as a newer campus—including a literal bucket in the room catching leaks—and how God moves in the middle of it all.

• Elisha and the Unseen Host: Unpacking the 2 Kings 6 narrative where a servant's paralyzing fear is instantly transformed into bold faith when God reveals His protective army of fire.

• Enlightening the Eyes of the Heart: Understanding Paul’s deep theological prayer in Ephesians 1 and what it means for the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual sight.

• No Limits in Christ: Recognizing that there is absolutely no boundary to God’s hope, the richness of His inheritance, or the resurrection power available to carry us through life.

• A Community of Prayer: A call to faithfully pray for one another and for those who are lost, asking the Holy Spirit to go before us, bring truth to our minds, and open blind eyes to the gospel.

For his 30th birthday, Pastor Tyler received an unexpected and unforgettable gift from his wife, Abby. Without his knowledge, she reached out to the most influential men in his life—his dad, father-in-law, mentors, pastors, coaches, and friends—asking them to write letters sharing what they saw in him and what they hoped for his future. At a time when Tyler was deeply wrestling with his calling to pastoral ministry and wondering if anyone truly believed in him, reading those letters one by one revealed the profound heart and love behind the words.

This powerful personal experience serves as a lens for looking at the deeper message of Ephesians. While the spiritual blessings of the Gospel—like forgiveness, redemption, and adoption—are absolutely incredible, Tyler reminds us that the blessings themselves are not our ultimate foundation. Instead, our lives must be anchored in the very heart of God expressed through Jesus Christ. Discover how to stop working to earn God's favor and instead find true rest, security, and purpose by understanding the riches of His grace and His kind intentions toward you.

Key Topics:

• The 30th Birthday Letters: A look at Tyler’s personal season of doubt regarding pastoral ministry and the profound impact of the letters gathered by his wife.

• The Heart Behind the Words: Moving past the surface level of what people say to understand the deep love and belief motivating them.

• Blessings vs. The Foundation: Recognizing that spiritual blessings like adoption and forgiveness are built on something even greater: Jesus Himself.

• Resting in His Riches: Shifting from a performance-based mentality to a posture of resting in the finished work and kind intentions of God's heart.

• Everyday Application: How anchoring your identity in Christ transforms your daily walk in your job, school, community, and parenting.

Have you ever visited a foreign country but stayed so close to the tourist districts that you never actually experienced the real culture? Pastor Tyler opens this message with a reflection on his college mission trip to Vietnam, where he realized he was living in a "vacuum" or a "bubble" that kept him from seeing the true beauty of the land.

This serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. Many believers live "in Christ" but stay within a spiritual bubble, never fully grasping the staggering riches they possess. Diving into the "hymn of praise" found in Ephesians 1:3–14, Tyler unpacks the six massive spiritual blessings every believer has received: being chosen, adopted, redeemed, enlightened to the mystery of God's will, given an inheritance, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Discover how moving from a mere mental understanding to a "heart-level" realization of these truths can transform your mundane daily life into a continuous celebration of God’s glory.

Key Topics:

• The Vietnam Vacuum: How staying in the "tourist district" of faith prevents us from seeing the true beauty of God's Kingdom.

• Chosen and Adopted: Understanding that God’s plan for your life began "before the foundation of the world" and resulted in being brought into His family.

• Redemption Through Blood: The high cost of our forgiveness and the "lavish" grace God has poured out on us.

• The Mystery and the Inheritance: Exploring God’s plan to unite all things in Christ and the eternal "down payment" we have received.

• Sealed by the Spirit: The security of knowing we are marked and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit until we acquire full possession of our inheritance.

• From Head to Heart: Why our identity in Christ needs to "sink down past your head and into your heart" to produce true worship.

What causes someone at the absolute peak of their career to walk away and try something completely different? Pastor Dalton opens this message with the famous story of Michael Jordan, who, at age 31 and following three straight NBA championships, shocked the world by leaving basketball to pursue a career in minor league baseball. This pivot serves as a springboard for a deeper conversation about our own sense of mission and purpose.

Continuing our series on the Northland mission statement, Dalton explores what it means to live a life of "fulfilling service." He reminds us that being "usable" to the Lord doesn't require us to be perfect or to possess extraordinary talents; rather, it requires a heart that is willing to offer whatever we have—much like the boy who gave his two loaves and a few fish. Discover how God can take your unique hobbies, sports, passions, and resources and use them to share His love and grace with a world that needs it.

Key Topics:

• The Jordan Pivot: Reflections on Michael Jordan’s 1994 transition from the NBA to the baseball diamond and what it teaches us about seeking new challenges.

• The Oklahoma Thunder & The Playoffs: A lighthearted look at the joy of being a fan and the excitement of "dream time" in the sports world.

• Loaves and Fish: Understanding the biblical principle that God uses our small offerings to accomplish massive Kingdom work.

• An Inventory of Passions: Why listing your hobbies and skills is the first step toward discovering your specific area of service.

• Pleased in Christ: Finding the freedom to serve not to earn God’s love, but because we are already fully loved and accepted in Jesus.

We live in what many social scientists call the "loneliest era in human history," where despite being more connected than ever, we are increasingly isolated. In this message, Pastor Tyler opens with a beautiful personal story about his wedding to his wife, Abby—recalling the moment the doors flew open and he saw his bride for the first time. This picture of a wedding and a promise serves as a gateway to understanding the profound relationship God has established through the church.

Tyler explains that Jesus didn't just die for individuals; He "purchased the church"—a community of brothers and sisters meant to live life together. This belonging isn't always easy; it involves navigating conflict, political differences, and personal offenses. However, because of the Gospel, we are united by a love that "binds and mends broken hearts," allowing us to love one another not despite our faults, but in light of them. Discover how to lean into the community God has built and find a true place to belong in a world of isolation.

Key Topics:

• The Wedding Promise: Using the imagery of engagement and marriage to illustrate our relationship with Christ and His church.

• The Loneliest Era: Addressing the modern crisis of isolation and how the church is the designed solution.

• A Purchased People: Understanding that the church is not a club we join, but a family purchased by the sacrifice of Christ.

• Unity in Diversity: How the love of Jesus unites people across "both sides of the political aisle" and through various personal conflicts.

• The Mending Power of Love: Why the church is the place where broken hearts are mended and where we learn to walk from death into life.

Fresh off a men's retreat and nursing a "dead leg" from a competitive game of flag football, Pastor Dalton Leslie explores what it truly means to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Continuing the series on the Northland Church mission statement, this message dives into John 14 to define the mechanics of spiritual maturity.

Just as earthly relationships with friends, siblings, or spouses require time, communication, and shared experiences to flourish, our walk with Christ requires intentionality. Dalton unpacks the vital link between our love for Christ and our obedience to His word, reminding us that we don't follow rules to earn God's love, but because we are already captivated by it. Discover how to move past seeing God as a "magic genie" and instead embrace Him as a loving Father who provides the strength we lack to live out our mission.

Key Topics:

• The Flag Football Fiasco: A humorous look at the Men's Retreat and the physical cost of "giving it your all" on the field.

• The Anatomy of a Relationship: Comparing the growth of human friendships and marriages to our spiritual journey with Jesus.

• Love and Obedience: Exploring John 14 and the truth that our actions are the natural overflow of our love for Christ.

• Our Inability, His Strength: Why acknowledging our own weakness is a "kindness" that leads us to rely fully on God’s grace.

• Approaching the Father: Shifting our perspective from a transactional faith to an intimate relationship with a compassionate Father.

What happens to your faith when the bottom drops out? Pastor Tyler opens this message with a gripping story of a flight through a violent storm where the plane suddenly plummeted through the sky. In those seconds of terror, he witnessed two distinct human reactions: half the passengers began vocally pleading with Jesus, while the other half screamed profanity.

Using this moment of crisis as a lens, Tyler explores what it truly means to have a "transforming encounter" with God. Drawing from the aftermath of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, we see that a real meeting with Jesus isn't just a "one and done" event or a temporary religious reflex in a storm. Instead, it is a life-altering reorientation where we recognize that God has "come running after us" to pull us out of the abyss. Join us as we discuss the three tenses of salvation—that God has saved us, is saving us, and will one day save us—and how that reality provides peace and joy even when the "engines" of life seem to fail.

Key Topics:

• The Plane Test: What our instinctive reactions in moments of intense crisis reveal about our hearts.

• The Abyss and the Rescue: A look at the "deep" we were sinking into and how God enters our world to pull us out.

• More Than a Moment: Why a transforming encounter is a "life lived calling out to God day by day, hour by hour" rather than a single past experience.

• The Tenses of Salvation: Understanding the theological reality that we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved.

• Sealed and Secure: Finding confidence in the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God once we are held in His hands.

In this Easter Sunday message from Pastor Dalton Leslie brings the series on 1 Corinthians 15 to a triumphant close. Beginning with the ancient greeting, "He is risen! He is risen indeed!", Dalton explores why the resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the only source of true hope in a broken world.

The message unpacks the "Already but Not Yet" tension of the Christian life—the reality that while Christ’s victory over sin is already won, we still wait for the "not yet" of our final physical transformation. Dalton explains the concept of Christ as the "firstfruits," the divine guarantee that because the "First Man Up" has left the grave, those who belong to Him will surely follow. Join us as we reflect on the mystery of the "twinkling of an eye" and the glorious day when death is finally swallowed up in victory.

Key Topics:

• The Easter Proclamation: Why we join together in the traditional "He is risen" greeting to anchor our worship in historical truth.

• The Already but Not Yet: Understanding why we still experience pain and death even though the ultimate victory has been secured.

• The Firstfruits Guarantee: How Jesus’ resurrection serves as the "sample" and promise of the harvest to come.

• The Last Trumpet: A look at the "mystery" Paul describes regarding our sudden transformation from perishable to imperishable.

• The Stingless Enemy: Why the resurrection means we no longer have to fear death as a final end, but as a defeated foe.