We are living in the loneliest, most isolated culture in human history. Most of us feel it, even when we never say it out loud.In this message Pastor Mike Mannes continues our journey through the book of Acts with the second of four postures that open our lives to God. Gather. It sounds simple, but it cuts against everything our culture says about being strong and self-sufficient. Because needing people isn’t weak. Admitting that we need people is actually wisdom.Drawing from the early church, the story of five friends who cut a hole in a roof to get their paralyzed buddy to Jesus, and a sobering roadside moment that reminded him what really matters, Pastor Mike makes the case that we were never meant to do life on our own. The enemy prowls like a roaring lion, and he goes after whoever has wandered off alone. But something happens when we gather to worship, to serve, and to build real friendship. You make a difference, and you are made different.People matter more than you think. More than the stuff we chase, more than the opinions we hold, more than almost anything. God brings the power. We bring the posture.

We are living in the loneliest, most isolated culture in human history. Most of us feel it, even when we never say it out loud. In this message Pastor Mike Mannes continues our journey through the book of Acts with the second of four postures that open our lives to God. Gather. It sounds simple, but it cuts against everything our culture says about being strong and self-sufficient. Because needing people isn’t weak. Admitting that we need people is actually wisdom. Drawing from the early church, the story of five friends who cut a hole in a roof to get their paralyzed buddy to Jesus, and a sobering roadside moment that reminded him what really matters, Pastor Mike makes the case that we were never meant to do life on our own. The enemy prowls like a roaring lion, and he goes after whoever has wandered off alone. But something happens when we gather to worship, to serve, and to build real friendship. You make a difference, and you are made different. People matter more than you think. More than the stuff we chase, more than the opinions we hold, more than almost anything. God brings the power. We bring the posture.

People Matter More Than You Think | Pastor Mike Mannes

Think about the last thing that genuinely brought you joy. A restaurant, a show, a trip you took. What’s the first thing you did? You told someone. That instinct to share what we love is closer to the heart of following Jesus than we might think.In this message Pastor Phil Hills continues our journey through the book of Acts and lands in Athens, where the apostle Paul stood among a thousand idols and told a truer, more beautiful story than any the world around him was living by. The gods of that day had to be appeased, begged, and served, and they loved no one. Paul introduced the city to a God who came not to be served but to serve. A God who loved people so much He stepped into our world and laid down His life for us.Here is the heart of it. So many of us are settling for so little, and so are the people we love. You don’t change the world by winning arguments or by being impressive. Paul wasn’t even a good speaker. You change it by telling a truer and more beautiful story, and by letting the quality of your life match the words you say.So let your heart break a little for the people who don’t yet know Him. Then tell the story as well as you can, imperfectly and honestly. Even the moments you blow it can point someone to Jesus, when you’re willing to own it. It was never your eloquence that changes anyone. It’s the story, and the God at the center of it.

Think about the last thing that genuinely brought you joy. A restaurant, a show, a trip you took. What’s the first thing you did? You told someone. That instinct to share what we love is closer to the heart of following Jesus than we might think. In this message Pastor Phil Hills continues our journey through the book of Acts and lands in Athens, where the apostle Paul stood among a thousand idols and told a truer, more beautiful story than any the world around him was living by. The gods of that day had to be appeased, begged, and served, and they loved no one. Paul introduced the city to a God who came not to be served but to serve. A God who loved people so much He stepped into our world and laid down His life for us. Here is the heart of it. So many of us are settling for so little, and so are the people we love. You don’t change the world by winning arguments or by being impressive. Paul wasn’t even a good speaker. You change it by telling a truer and more beautiful story, and by letting the quality of your life match the words you say. So let your heart break a little for the people who don’t yet know Him. Then tell the story as well as you can, imperfectly and honestly. Even the moments you blow it can point someone to Jesus, when you’re willing to own it. It was never your eloquence that changes anyone. It’s the story, and the God at the center of it.

Tell a Better Story | Pastor Phil Hills

The Greatest Threat

How to Prioritize

Arguing with God

Inner Vows

Sudden Turbulence

The Free, Light Life

Glued To Your Heart

The Fight Of Your Life

Easter at Southside 2025

Who is Jesus?

Southside Church exists to invite people to follow Jesus one Next Step at a time. We hope you are encouraged and challenged by these sermons. For more content, please visit www.southsidelife.com

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