Thrive Harbor

Our culture has a conflicted attitude toward singleness. Traditionally-minded people tend to see being unmarried as bad and even shameful. Progressive-leaning people tend to see it as a badge of freedom and liberation. So which is it? The Bible cuts through both stereotypes. It exalts singleness as a glorious gift that can be even better than marriage. But it also warns against choosing to stay single for the wrong reasons.

Scripture passages cited in this talk include 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7, 25-38; Genesis 30:22-23; 1 Samuel 1:10-11; Isaiah 4:1; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; and Matthew 22:30.

To conclude our series on Jesus' "I am" statements in the Gospel of John, we threw in an extra one from the Gospel of Matthew! Matthew 11:29 says that Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart," the only explicit statement in the Gospels that tells you what Jesus' heart is really like. What does it look like to know Jesus as the gentle and lowly God? In this message, Dustin Polley, director of Thrive Kitsap, meditates on that question.

A Christian's identity isn't achieved; it's received as a gift—which means that following Jesus is about becoming who you already are. In this message, Kingsley Powell, Director of Student Ministries at Chapel Hill Church, walks through how we can get in touch with the new identity we've been given in Christ, based on Colossians 3:1-16.

Sheep are totally helpless without their shepherd. So by calling himself the shepherd and his people the sheep, Jesus reminds us of just how dependent we really are on him. This message was given by Mark Klingler, Discipleship Pastor at Waypoint Church.

Jesus claims to be the door into salvation. But what does that mean, what is the abundant life that Jesus says is on the other side of that door, and how can we know that Jesus' claims are trustworthy?

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 10:1-10; 15:13; 3:3; Isaiah 35:5-6; 56:9-12; 53:5-6, 9; Jeremiah 23:1-4; 25:32-38; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 9:9; 11; Micah 5:2; and Revelation 22:4; 20:4.

Darkness is one of the Bible's favorite metaphors for the shadow side of the human condition. But into that darkness stepped Jesus, who called himself the light of the world. No matter how dark the world gets, He is our one true hope!

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 8:12; 3:19-20; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Peter 1:19; and Luke 23:44.

What would it look like for your soul to be satisfied? In the first of Jesus' "I am" statements (our focus in this series) Jesus claims to be the secret to a true and lasting joy, which can exist even in the midst of suffering.

Scripture passages cited in this message include John 6:25-35 and Ecclesiastes 1:7.

What's wrong with the human race? In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus gives a true diagnosis of humanity's condition, a diagnosis we desperately need in order to be truly healed. 

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Colossians 2:23.

What does it look like to have a vibrant faith that takes God at his word? In this message on Mark 6:45-52, Dustin Langley, lead pastor at Peninsula Life Church, looks at the story of Jesus walking on water to answer that question.

The first time Jesus sent his disciples out on mission, they healed people. But does God still heal today? In this message on Mark 6:1-13, Peter Churness, lead pastor of One Hope Church, gives nine biblical clues about how healing works today.