Sunday, March 29, 2026

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jacob walks through Luke 19:28–40, revealing Jesus as the true King of Peace. While the crowds welcomed Him with praise, they misunderstood the kind of King He came to be. Jesus didn’t come to bring military victory or political relief—He came to bring true peace with God through His life, death, and resurrection. Many today still wrestle with unmet expectations of God, longing for control instead of surrender. But our greatest need is not external change—it’s salvation from sin. Jesus is the Savior of the world, worthy of our trust and worship. All of creation was made to worship worship Jesus - will you?

Sunday, March 22, 2026

In this sermon from Ephesians 6:10–24, Pastor Jacob Ambrose closes out the book of Ephesians by reminding us that the Christian life is a spiritual battle. He unpacks how our struggle is not against people, but against Satan and the spiritual forces of evil, and calls us to recognize the enemy’s schemes in our everyday lives—distraction, deception, isolation, and more. Pastor Jacob then walks through the armor of God, showing how truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel, and the Word of God equip us to stand firm. Finally, he emphasizes that we are not meant to fight alone, but alongside our spiritual family, the church. Because of Jesus’ victory, we can stand firm with confidence, strength, and hope.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

In this message, Pastor Jacob teaches from Ephesians 6:1–9 about how the gospel transforms the relationships closest to us. When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, He doesn’t just change what we believe—He changes how we live at home and at work. Children are called to honor their parents, and parents are called to disciple their children with patience and intentionality. In the workplace, we are reminded that our work ultimately serves Christ, not merely human supervisors. Likewise, those in positions of authority must lead with justice, humility, and care, remembering that they too answer to God. The Spirit-filled life reshapes every relationship—parent and child, employee and employer—so that our homes and workplaces increasingly reflect the character and authority of Jesus.

Sunday, March 8, 2026

In this message from Ephesians 5:17–33, Pastor Jacob teaches what the Spirit-filled life looks like in everyday relationships. Paul commands believers to be filled with the Spirit, and the result is a transformed community marked by wisdom, worship, gratitude, and humility. A Spirit-filled church becomes a worshiping community where believers encourage one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Paul then shows how the Spirit also transforms marriage. Husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loved the church, while wives are called to respectfully submit to their husband's loving leadership. When these roles are lived out according to God’s design, marriage becomes a powerful picture of the gospel. Ultimately, Spirit-filled lives transform both the church and the home so that the world can see the beauty of Christ.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

This week at Valley Church, Pastor Jacob preached from Ephesians 5:1–16 in a message titled “Like Father, Like Children.” As beloved children of God, we are called to imitate our Father — walking in holiness and love in every area of life. Paul shows us what that looks like practically: Holy in what we Love (sexual purity and freedom from greed), Holy in what we Say (speech marked by gratitude instead of crudity), Holy in our Witness (shining as light in a dark world), and Holy in our Walk (living with wisdom and urgency). God cares deeply about our holiness — not to restrict us, but because He loves us and desires our flourishing. In Christ, we are made new — and new people walk differently.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

In this message from Ephesians 4:17–32, Gary Merksamer walks us through what it means to face—and resolve—our identity crisis. He reminds us that before Christ, we weren’t just people who made mistakes; we were spiritually dead, separated from God, and hardened in heart. But through Jesus, we are given a completely new identity. Gary emphasizes that we don’t merely learn about Christ—we “learn Christ” in a personal, relational way. Because we’ve put off the old self and put on the new, our lives should reflect real change: truth instead of lies, forgiveness instead of bitterness, grace instead of corrupt speech. This isn’t behavior modification—it’s identity transformation. In Christ, the old has passed away, the new has come, and we are called to walk in joyful obedience to the Savior who made us new.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

In Ephesians 4:1–16, we discover how Christ grows His church. Just like a Winter Olympic team depends on every athlete doing his or her part, the church thrives when every believer participates. Paul calls us to walk together in unity, work together using our spiritual gifts, and grow together into maturity in Christ. Unity is something Christ has already secured through the cross — our responsibility is to maintain it with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Each believer has been given spiritual gifts to serve the body. When every part works properly, the church grows in depth and in number. You have a role to play. The question is: will you step into it?

Sunday, February 8, 2026

In Ephesians 3:14–21, we hear Paul’s heartfelt prayer for the church—and it’s a prayer we need just as much today. As a diverse and growing church, we cannot become who God has called us to be through our strength alone. Paul prays that the church would be strengthened together by the Spirit, rooted and grounded in Christ’s infinite love, and filled with all the fullness of God as we grow into spiritual maturity. This kind of growth is God’s work in us, both individually and corporately, and it leads to one ultimate goal: God’s glory alone. As we follow Paul’s example, Pastor Jacob reminds us that the church needs prayer—because our God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine!

Sunday, February 1, 2026

In our message today from Pastor Jacob, Paul pauses mid-prayer to reflect on the calling God has given him—to steward the gospel faithfully among the Gentiles, even at great personal cost. In this message, we ask the searching question: Am I a faithful steward of the gospel?  We learn several things about what faithfulness requires. First, faithful stewards have clarity about the message—the good news that all people can come to God through faith in Jesus. Second, faithful stewards embrace their calling, recognizing that God not only saves us but sends us as ambassadors into the places we live, learn, work, and play. Finally, faithful stewards persevere in suffering, trusting that God uses hardship and persecution to advance His purposes. As we reflect on Paul’s example—and the testimony of the global church—we’re invited to steward the gospel with clarity, obedience, and perseverance wherever God sends us.

Sunday, January 25, 2026

In Ephesians 2:11–22, Paul reminds us that before Christ, we were separated—separated from God and separated from one another. Divided by walls and hostility, the Gentiles lived far apart from the Jews, unable to approach God or truly belong together. But through the cross, Jesus brought those who were far off near. By His sacrifice, He fulfilled the law, tore down the dividing wall, and reconciled us both to God and to each other. In Christ, former outsiders become members of God’s family with equal access to the Father. Paul goes on to show that the church is not a building but a people—being built together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Through the cross, Jesus forms us into one Spirit-filled family - the Church!