Continuing in our series, Encounters With Christ, we see the difference between someone who has faith in Jesus for a brief time after he does a miracle, versus those given faith to trust him before, during, and after. The difference between the two is between being a fan of Jesus, or being a committed follower and disciple. We invite you to listen to week four's message, "Say the Word." 

To learn more about who we are, visit us online at sunshine.church. 

We often use defensive walls and masks when we interact with others; sometimes, we even try this with God. Encountering Jesus, however, requires a complete unmasking into ruthless transparency and honesty. This is one of the most painful and daunting aspects of a relationship with Jesus. We may be terrified of being truly known. In week 2 of our series, "Encounters With Christ," we see how Jesus loves us enough to gently and persistently peel back the layers until he gets to our true hearts and our deepest selves. He delights to see us face-to-face.

To learn more about who we are, or find our service times, visit us online at www.sunshine.church.

This week we kick off our series for the Lent Season, "Encounters With Christ," where we'll explore encounters with Christ in the Gospel of John. In week 1, we look at an encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus, where we see how even the most brilliant of scholars know nothing unless they know Him. 

In week 4 of our series, "The Four Loves," we learn that without the unconditional, divine love of God, none of the other loves are sustainable. They may be natural and normal; however, they are weak and far too corruptible to last and satisfy unless they are infused with Agápē. God is love, and his kind of love is pure, unconditional, and fully free. When God's love is infused into our hearts, it changes everything!

In week four of The Four Loves series, Pastor Josh Blunt brings us through what the Bible says about Erōs love – a complimentary love involving physical and emotional attraction, full-transparency with one another, and a pursuit of union that is born from catalytic differences and gifts. The beauty of Erōs love is that reciprocal love of this kind can humble and refine us. This is how Jesus pursues and complements his Bride – a perfect display of Erōs love.

Continuing our series, The Four Loves, Pastor Josh unpacks Philia Love, the love that exists in deep and meaningful friendships. Freely-chosen love of someone similar to ourselves can build and sharpen us. This love is perfected in Christ Jesus, and God invites us to reflect him!

To learn more about who we are, please visit us online at sunshine.church.

This week, Pastor Josh Blunt launched us on a new sermon series, "The Four Loves." Over the next four weeks, we will learn about the four different kinds of love God has given to us! They are all important, and they are all perfected in Jesus Christ. In fact, we'll see how each type of love makes a pathway that leads us all closer to God as we grow from simpler affections the most profound and selfless ones. The most basic of loves flows out of proximity and need; yet, God is not too proud to meet us there!

This week, Pastor Josh Blunt preaches from Joshua 3 & 4, a miraculous story of how God dried up the Jordan River to make a path for the Israelites to cross to The Promised Land. Looking beyond God's miraculous provision to the Israelites, a significant aspect of the story is when they stacked stones to mark this momentous and significant day in the life of Israel. Similarly, today we acknowledge immense changes in what we've known as a church in order to pursue the greater things we believe are possible but can't yet see. That is no easy task for a congregation, but God's people have been in these types of moments before. They respond the same way nearly every time: they mark the moment.

This week, Pastor Cody Statema preaches from Ezekiel 37:1-14; a passage that challenges our convictions about what we believe about the word of God. If God's word is really as powerful and transformative as we claim it is, then the implications of that belief in our lives are quite great. We are sent to declare God's Word and marvel as he breathes new life into ourselves and our neighbors.

Sometimes, it seems life can dish out some pretty outrageous traps and pitfalls. We might find ourselves in situations where it seems there is no earthly escape and all our strengths fail us. Often, it is at such moments we discover the power of humility and dependance on God. We learn what it means to suit up, show up, and experience His strength in the midst of our weakness.