Spirit Church

Why is it so hard to stay focused on God—even when your intentions are good?
In a world built to pull you in every direction, Jesus invites you to remain… and learn how to resist distractions.

In Week 4 of our Remain series, Brad teaches on one of the enemy’s most effective tactics: distraction. Not always through obvious sin, but through constant noise, worry, pressure, and even “good things” that slowly pull our hearts away from God.

Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 13 (the Parable of the Sower), showing how the same Word can produce different results depending on the condition of our hearts. In this message, you’ll learn four ways the enemy tries to neutralize God’s Word in us—and how to cultivate “good soil” so we can bear lasting fruit:

• Snatched by distraction → Guard your heart
• Scorched by shallow roots → Go deeper and get rooted
• Strangled by worries, wealth, and desires → Simplify and weed the garden
• Sabotaged through subtle interference → Stay alert and stay awake

If you’ve felt scattered, anxious, spiritually numb, or pulled in a thousand directions, this message is for you.

📖 Scriptures referenced:
John 15:5, 15:10
John 10:10
Matthew 13:1–9; 13:19–23; 13:24–26
Proverbs 4:23
Luke 8:15
Psalm 139:23–24
1 Peter 5:8–9
Matthew 26:41
Hebrews 12:1–2
Ephesians 2:10

📲 New to Spirit Church? We’d love to meet you.
🌐 https://www.spiritchurch.co

Sundays • Hamilton High School • Chandler, AZ
Service Times: 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

Is your life running on empty?
Jesus offers a better way—not more hustle, but a rhythm for rest.

In Week 3 of our Remain series, we talk about Sabbath as a practice that helps us stay connected to Jesus so we can bear lasting fruit. Culture says the secret to producing is doing more. Jesus shows us the secret to fruitfulness is learning how to pause—and remain.

In this message, Brad walks through what the Sabbath is, why God built it into creation, and how it becomes a gift (not a rule) that restores your soul. Sabbath is about resting and remembering, enjoying life, and mirroring God’s rhythm—so you’re not driven by pressure, burnout, or the spirit of “more.” You’ll also hear practical guidance for choosing a day, building a simple plan, and avoiding legalism.

If you’re tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or constantly “on,” this message is an invitation to come to Jesus—and find rest for your soul.

📖 Scriptures referenced:
John 15:5
Matthew 11:28–30
Isaiah 58:13–14
Exodus 20:8–11
Genesis 2:2
Genesis 1:5
John 5:19
Matthew 5:17
Mark 2:27
Romans 14:5–8
Luke 4:16
Hebrews 4:14–16
Hebrews 10:19–23
Matthew 6:33
1 Corinthians 11:23–26

📲 New to Spirit Church? We’d love to meet you.
🌐 https://www.spiritchurch.co

Sundays • Hamilton High School • Chandler, AZ
Service Times: 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

How do you actually pray—and enjoy it?
If prayer feels awkward, intimidating, or hard to sustain, you’re not alone.

In Week 2 of our Remain series, we explore prayer as a daily practice that keeps us connected to Jesus so we can bear much fruit. Jesus didn’t just invite us to pray—He invited us to know God. Not know about Him, but walk in a real, ongoing relationship with Him.

In this message, we look at why prayer often feels difficult and how Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. Using the Tabernacle Prayer model, we see prayer not as a memorized script, but as a relational journey—moving from thanksgiving, to the cross, to cleansing, to the Spirit’s power, the Word of God, worship, and finally intercession.

Because of Jesus, we now have direct access to God. Prayer isn’t a performance or a formula. It’s an ongoing conversation—on all occasions—where we draw near to God and He draws near to us.

If you want prayer to become life-giving instead of stressful, this message is for you.

📖 Scriptures referenced:
Matthew 7:21–23
Matthew 6:9
Luke 11:1
Ephesians 6:17–18
Exodus 25:8–9
Matthew 27:51
Hebrews 4:14–16
Psalm 100:4
Romans 12:1
John 8:12
Acts 1:8
Psalm 141:2
Revelation 5:8
James 4:8
Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 10:19–23

📲 New to Spirit Church? We’d love to meet you.
🌐 https://www.spiritchurch.co

Sundays • Hamilton High School • Chandler, AZ
Service Times: 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

What if the reason we don’t experience the life we want with God isn’t lack of access—but lack of connection?

In this message, Brad Straarup launches our new series Remain by unpacking Jesus’ words in John 15. Jesus makes a bold promise: those who remain in Him will bear much fruit. Not religious activity. Real fruit—peace, joy, clarity, strength, and a faith that lasts.

This teaching explores why some believers stay spiritually alive while others slowly dry out, and how abiding in Christ—not striving—leads to a truly fruitful life. You’ll also hear practical, biblical guidance on building a daily rhythm with God through Word, prayer, and worship.

If you’re longing for a year marked by spiritual growth instead of burnout, this message will help you learn how to move from having access to God… to actually accessing all He has for you.

Scriptures referenced:
John 15:1–8
Matthew 6:33
Genesis 1:28
Matthew 28:19–20
James 1:25
Mark 1:35
Luke 10:38–42

📲 New to Spirit Church? We’d love to meet you.
🌐 https://www.spiritchurch.co

Sundays • Hamilton High School • Chandler, AZ
Service Times: 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

Ever feel like your prayers are hitting a ceiling?
Like you believe in God, but something’s missing?

Jesus once told His disciples their lack of breakthrough wasn’t about power — it was about connection.

In this message, we unpack why fasting isn’t about punishment or religious effort, but about realignment. Discover how prayer reconnects us to God, fasting loosens our grip on the world, and why these two practices together can restore spiritual clarity, authority, and intimacy with God.

If you’re hungry for more of God, clarity for the new year, or breakthrough in your faith, this message is for you.

💻 Watch more on our website.

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

Life rarely turns out the way we expect.

We plan, we hope, we pray—and then something interrupts the picture we had in mind.A relationship changes. A dream stalls. A season feels heavier than it should. At the very first Christmas, the miracle didn’t arrive the way anyone expected either.

In this message, Brad walks through the Christmas story and reminds us that when life doesn’t look like what we thought, God is often doing His greatest work. From an unlikely place, through an unlikely person, in an unlikely way—God brought hope into the world.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “This isn’t what I thought my life would look like,” this message is for you.

Because just because it’s messy doesn’t mean it’s meaningless.
And just because it feels unfinished doesn’t mean God is done.

If this message helped you, consider sharing it and partnering with Spirit Church as we lead people to fully follow Jesus in Chandler, AZ and beyond. Learn more about Spirit Church and upcoming gatherings at https://www.spiritchurch.co

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

What kind of legacy is your life building right now?

In this Legacy Sunday message at Spirit Church, Brad Straarup teaches a clear, biblical framework for generosity, giving, and tithing in the New Testament. If you’ve ever asked questions like “Is tithing biblical?”, “What does the Bible say about tithing?”, or “What did Jesus say about money and generosity?” — this message is for you.

Brad walks through what the Bible says about giving, addressing common misconceptions around tithing, church finances, and generosity. Rather than teaching from pressure or obligation, this message unpacks a New Testament theology of giving that moves us from law to life, from percentages to posture, and from obligation to overflow.

Together, we explore:
- Is tithing in the New Testament?
- What does God say about generosity?
- What does the Bible teach about giving today?
- Why did Jesus talk about money so often?
- How should Christians approach giving and generosity?

Whether you’re new to church, wrestling with questions about tithing in the Bible, or looking to grow in generosity, this message will help you take a next step in trusting God with your whole life.

If this message helped you, consider sharing it and partnering with Spirit Church as we lead people to fully follow Jesus in Chandler, AZ and beyond. Learn more about Spirit Church and upcoming gatherings at https://www.spiritchurch.co

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

What do you do when you want to do what’s right…but keep doing what you hate?
Today we close out our “Life by the Spirit” series by talking about the fruit that holds every other fruit together: self-control by the Spirit.

In this message, Brad unpacks why self-control isn’t willpower, rule-following, or trying harder — it’s the supernatural strength the Holy Spirit produces as we build walls, make pre-decisions, create boundaries, and fall deeper in love with Jesus.

You’ll learn:
• Why self-control safeguards your love, joy, peace, patience, and every other fruit
• Why sin starts in the mind — and how the Spirit renews your thoughts
• The enemy’s 3-step strategy (Identification → Isolation → Destruction)
• The four steps that lead to real freedom
• How to build holy boundaries, remove stumbling blocks, and fight with the Spirit’s power
• Why grace doesn’t lower the standard — it teaches us to live self-controlled lives

If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or out of control… if you’ve wondered why change feels impossible… if you’ve battled addiction, temptation, or secret cycles — this message is full of hope.

There is no condemnation for those in Christ, and the Spirit gives you everything you need to walk in victory.

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

What if the strongest people aren’t the loudest, but the gentlest?

In Week 8 of our “Life by the Spirit” series, Brad brings a powerful message on Gentleness. It is a fruit of the Spirit that many of us misunderstand, yet it has the power to transform every relationship in our lives.

We often think gentleness means weakness, softness, or being walked on. But in Scripture, gentleness is “strength under control.” Jesus models it. The early church teaches it. And when the Holy Spirit forms it in us, it changes how we speak, how we lead, how we handle conflict, and how we love.

In this message, you’ll discover:
• Why gentleness is actually a mark of real spiritual strength
• How gentleness shapes your words, will, and ways
• How God uses gentleness to restore people instead of destroying them
• What Jesus means when He says the meek “inherit the earth”
• How to hold strength, conviction, and healthy boundaries with a gentle spirit
• Why gentleness reflects Christ more than giftedness ever will

If you have ever said, “That is just my personality” to excuse anger, harsh words, or control, this message will call you higher and give you hope. The Holy Spirit can grow gentleness in you.

If this encourages you, share it with someone who needs peace, healing, or a fresh work of God in their relationships.

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church

What do you do when you’re waiting on God… and nothing seems to change?

In this message, “Faithfulness by the Spirit,” Brad teaches on the fruit of the Spirit — faithfulness — and what it means to trust God when there’s no visible progress, no cloud in the sky, and every part of you feels like giving up.

Looking at 1 Kings 18:41–46 (Elijah and the drought) and Galatians 5:22–23, Brad shows how God often works “underground,” forming the foundation before the breakthrough. You’ll also learn how the enemy tries to steal faithfulness through distraction, distortion, and destruction — and how to fight back by remembering God’s faithfulness, removing lies, and re-upping your yes to God.

If you’ve felt tired, discouraged, or like God is silent, this sermon on faithfulness, perseverance, and trusting God’s timing will encourage you to stay planted and steady — because He is faithful.

LINKS

• Website: https://www.spiritchurch.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritchurch.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spirit.church
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spirit.church