He didn’t write that when life made sense, but when it didn’t. 

he is imprisoned

He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “are you the one we’re waiting for?”

Even strong Faith can struggle in hard seasons 

John 1:29

John’s very words, so why would he doubt? 

Unmet expectations: He didn’t forget who Jesus was, he didn’t understand what Jesus was doing. 

Disappointment can distort your view of Jesus  “God if you were really… then this wouldn’t be this way…” 

Disappointment in life can lead to disappointment in God and can lead to question the character of God 

In the time of testing, they fall away

Reframes the disappointment 

Direct quote from Isaiah about the messiah (35:5-6, 61:1)

Points to evidence

Instead of letting disappointment cause you to turn away, look at the evidence of Jesus. 

Blessed are you who don’t stumble, distrust, desert, because of disappointment, unmet expectations

When you don’t understand what Jesus is doing, trust who Jesus is. 

Offer your whole life to God

Following Jesus is not just believing something, it’s surrendering everything

Remodeling while living in the home is difficult 

There are things outside of our ability to restore 

God doesn’t ask for 10% of our life. He wants all of it. He wants to do something new. 

Let God change the way you think 

There’s things that we accept as normal, but we need a new mind

Transform = metamorphosis = complete change 

How? Philippians 4:8 setting your mind on these things makes temptation powerless

Discover the life God has planned for you

“Everyone is being discipled. But most people are being discipled by their algorithm.”

There’s a peace and a joy in freedom. No “I hope they don’t find out… I hope they don’t see who I really am…”

The problem with living sacrifice is that you can get up off the altar

What’s pure and holy and will transform your mind? the word of God. 

4 days or more per week in the scripture drastically changes everything

Pastor Jonathan Absher February 15, 2026 Am I good enough? The question we all want to know the answer to. We’re not short on advice in this world. If advice could fix the deepest part of us, we’d all be good. Paul writes the letter to the Roman church in the middle of conflict. But he doesn’t start with advice. No Paul's "Top ten tips to resolve conflict." You don’t need better advice. You need Gospel power. Advice tells you want to do. The Gospel tells you what has been done. - Christianity is not a self-improvement plan. It’s a rescue mission. - You don’t give advice to someone who’s drowning. You jump in and save them. That’s what Jesus did. - Gospel power is God’s ability to do in you what you could never do for yourself - Gospel power: - Forgives your past - Breaks your chains - Builds a new future Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (NIV) Paul wanted his readers to know the answers to all of life’s important questions The gospel is power. It’s the only thing that can actually save someone. - Advice can inform you. Only God’s power can transform you. - You can’t defeat a spiritual problem with self-help strength. "Everyone who believes." - Not everyone who deserves, everyone who achieves - Faith says “I can’t fix me, but I trust the One who can.” - “Holiness isn’t white-knuckled behavior modification. It is Spirit-empowered transformation that begins with surrender.” - What we’re really struggling with in holiness is surrender. The Gospel makes you right with God. Romans 1:17 "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" (NIV) - Righteousness: made right with God - You can’t fix yourself. But you can surrender yourself. Why Jesus? Because without him, we do not have Good News. Rock Creek Church of God is a church located in central Alabama, just outside of Birmingham. We are affiliated with the Church of God, Anderson movement, and you can find out more about us on our website at www.rockcreekchurchofgod.org. Join us in person or online on Sundays at 10:30am central time!