Sonrise Church Messages

This message pauses to celebrate what God has been doing through Sonrise Church while reaffirming our mission to help people know and follow Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 26, it emphasizes the joy of gathering in God’s house and reminds us that remembering God’s faithfulness strengthens future obedience and trust. The message clearly defines Sonrise's mission, vision, values, and discipleship pathway, encouraging everyone to unite around the gospel, God’s Word, prayer, generosity, and loving people as they grow into fully devoted followers of Jesus. 

This message also celebrates tangible evidence of God’s work—from growing ministries, baptisms, student outreach, and community partnerships while casting vision for the future. It challenges every member of our church, regardless of age or stage of life, to move from simply attending to actively participating in God’s mission by showing up, jumping in, and living out our faith. Ultimately, this message reminds us that the Church is most effective when it is united in purpose, faithful in stewardship, and committed to helping more people know and follow Jesus.

This message explores Psalm 33 and answers a simple but important question: Why do we worship God? It explains that worship is more than a church tradition or a musical experience—it is a response to who God is. Because God created everything, sustains everything, and is completely trustworthy, He alone is worthy of our praise. The message highlights that worship has always been a part of God’s design for His people, providing creative ways for us to express gratitude, awe, joy, and devotion to the One who spoke the world into existence.

This message also teaches that worship benefits believers by helping us recognize who God is, reminding us of His goodness and power, and teaching us how to respond to Him in faith. In a world where it is easy to trust only what we can see, worship trains us to trust God even when we cannot see how He is working. Ultimately, this message reminds us that worship is both a declaration of God’s worth and a practice that shapes our hearts, deepens our faith, and helps us trust Him in every season of life.

This message explores Psalm 38, a deeply personal prayer of repentance and dependence, reminding us that no matter how successful, capable, or accomplished we may appear, we all desperately need God. Through David’s raw confession of guilt, pain, fear, and brokenness, the message highlights the reality that human achievement, wealth, influence, and status can never satisfy the deepest needs of the soul. David’s words reveal a man who has reached the end of himself and recognizes that true hope, healing, and restoration can only be found in God. 

This message also challenges us to recognize our need for God in every area of life—not just when we reach a crisis point. Rather than waiting until life falls apart, believers are encouraged to build a daily habit of thanking God for every good thing and seeking His help in every circumstance. By cultivating gratitude and dependence, we learn to trust God more deeply, bringing every struggle, decision, relationship, and need before Him. Ultimately, this message reminds us that the more we recognize our need for God, the more we experience His faithfulness, guidance, and care in every season of life.

This message explores Psalm 3 and reminds us that everyone faces seasons of fear, pain, uncertainty, and hardship. By examining the circumstances behind David’s prayer—written while he was fleeing from his own son—the message highlights the raw honesty of the Psalms and shows that God invites us to bring our deepest struggles to Him. Rather than hiding his emotions, David openly expresses his fear, grief, frustration, and helplessness, while continuing to trust that God is his protector, sustainer, and source of hope.

This message also challenges us to consider where we turn when life gets difficult. While it is easy to seek comfort, distraction, or escape in temporary things, true peace and lasting hope are found in God alone. Using David’s example, the message teaches that praise is a discipline that strengthens our trust in God even when circumstances do not change. Ultimately, it encourages us to develop the habit of turning to God in every season, believing that while He may not always change our situation, He will use it to shape our character and deepen our faith.

Andy Thoren- May 31st, 2026

This message launches the Psalms series by exploring Psalm 1 and its foundational question: What path are you on? Through the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the message explains that every person is moving in a direction—either toward God or away from Him. It warns that spiritual drift often happens gradually through the influences we allow into our lives and challenges us to be intentional about what shapes our thoughts, values, and decisions. Rather than being influenced by the world, believers are called to delight in God’s Word, allowing it to guide and transform their lives.

This message also highlights the powerful imagery of a tree planted by streams of water, showing that a life rooted in God grows strong, fruitful, and resilient through every season. In contrast, a life disconnected from God is compared to chaff—unstable, directionless, and ultimately leading to destruction. The message encourages believers to continue growing deeper in their relationship with God and challenges those who have not yet trusted in Christ to consider the path they are on. Ultimately, it reminds us that the choices we make today shape the direction of our lives and that true flourishing is found in a life rooted in God.

Pastor Scott Smith - May 24, 2026

Grace changes how we see people, and forgiveness changes what’s possible between them.

Pastor Scott Smith - May 17, 2026

This message continues through the book of Philemon by exploring why Paul was so confident in Philemon’s obedience and character. It explains that Philemon’s faith was not hidden or private—it was visible in the way he lived, loved, served, and impacted others. Paul points to the evidence of a life transformed by Jesus, describing how Philemon’s faith had refreshed and encouraged many people. Through the story of Onesimus, the message highlights the radical equality of the gospel, reminding us that in Christ, every person has value, dignity, and a place in the family of God.

This message also challenges believers to consider the long-term impact of their everyday decisions and personal testimony. Just as Philemon’s daily obedience created a reputation that pointed people toward Jesus, our lives also communicate what we truly believe. The message calls the church to live in such a way that others can clearly see evidence of Jesus in us—through our generosity, forgiveness, service, relationships, and love for others. Ultimately, it reminds us that the goal of the Christian life is not simply to claim faith in Jesus, but to live so faithfully that others are refreshed, encouraged, and drawn toward Him through our example.

Pastor Scott Smith- May 10, 2026

This message introduces the book of Philemon by highlighting the power of relationships, teamwork, and shared mission within the church. Through Paul’s short but deeply personal letter, we see a picture of grace, reconciliation, and restoration unfolding between real people who are living out their faith together. The message emphasizes that ministry was never meant to be carried by one person alone, but through people reaching people—families, friends, coworkers, and entire communities working together to help others know and follow Jesus.

This message also challenges believers to recognize that everyone has value and a role to play in God’s kingdom, regardless of their past, abilities, or insecurities. By pointing to Onesimus’ transformation from “useless” to “useful,” the message reminds us that no one is beyond God’s ability to redeem and use for His purposes. Ultimately, this message calls the church to stop living faith in isolation and instead actively participate in the mission of Jesus—serving, sharing faith, building community, and helping carry the gospel further together.

Pastor Scott Smith- May 3, 2026

This message concludes the “Peace of Mind” series by focusing on how change inevitably brings loss, and how that loss leads to grief—a universal experience that everyone must learn to navigate. It explains that grief looks different for each person and situation, challenging the idea that it follows a fixed formula. Instead of trying to “get over” grief, this message encourages a healthier perspective: learning to grow through it. By recognizing that even Jesus experienced and expressed grief, this message reassures us that God understands our pain and invites us to bring it to Him honestly.

This message then provides both practical and spiritual tools for processing grief, such as creating moments to look forward to, expressing emotions openly, and surrounding ourselves with supportive community. It emphasizes the importance of honest prayer, worship—even when it’s difficult—and trusting that God remains near in seasons of deep pain. Ultimately, this message reminds us that while loss is unavoidable, we are not meant to face it alone, and with God’s help and the support of others, we can grow through even the hardest seasons of grief.

Pastor Scott Smith- April 26, 2026

This message focuses on universal emotions like frustration, disappointment, anger, and sadness, explaining that while they are normal, they can become destructive if not handled properly. It teaches that these emotions tend to “evolve”—moving from simple feelings into deeper struggles like discouragement, bitterness, or even depression when left unchecked. By reframing emotions as messengers rather than managers, this message encourages us to understand what they are revealing instead of allowing them to define or control our lives.

This message then provides practical tools for navigating these emotions, emphasizing the need to diffuse anger and digest sadness. It calls us to pause in moments of anger, honestly examine what’s happening beneath the surface, and choose forgiveness to break the cycle. For sadness and disappointment, it highlights the power of praise and gratitude as a way to retrain our focus and build healthier emotional habits. Ultimately, this message reminds us that peace of mind is possible when we do the work of processing our emotions with God’s help—and when we also look out for others who may be struggling and need support.