In week two of the Draw Near series, we explore the connection between worship and self-awareness. Building on the definition that “worship is responding to God for who He is, with everything we are,” this message challenges us to ask a deeper question: Who are we, really?

Using the Johari Window as a framework, we examine how growing in self-awareness—through vulnerability, humility, and time with God—expands what we can offer back to Him. Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us fully, even the parts we don’t yet understand ourselves.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of private worship—not just a weekly routine, but a daily response to a God who is all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful. As we draw near to Him in those quiet, personal moments, He reveals more of who we are so that we can surrender more fully to Him.

The challenge is simple but powerful: Don’t let Sunday be your only moment of worship. Let it be the overflow of a life spent daily in the presence of God.

In this opening message of the Draw Near series, we tackle a foundational question: What is worship, really? Is it just singing songs on Sunday, or is there something deeper going on?

Walking through Romans 12:1–2, this sermon explores how worship is rooted in our response to God’s mercy—especially what we see through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Rather than reducing worship to music or emotion, we’re invited to see it as something far more comprehensive: offering our entire lives to God as “living sacrifices.”

Along the way, we unpack how worship involves both the mind and the heart, and how our understanding of who God is directly shapes how we respond to Him. Using relatable illustrations—from tuning instruments to everyday life—we’re challenged to align our lives with the truth of God’s character.

The result is a clear, guiding definition for the series: Worship is responding to God for who He is, with everything we are.

This message also includes a practical challenge to slow down, reflect on God’s attributes, and allow deeper understanding to lead to more genuine, everyday worship.

In this Easter message, The King and His Cross, we explore the shocking contrast between the kind of king people expected and the King Jesus revealed Himself to be. Looking through John 19, we see a “coronation” unlike any other—no golden crown, no royal throne, no cheering crowds. Instead, Jesus is mocked, beaten, and lifted onto a cross.

But what looked like defeat was actually victory.

Through a powerful illustration of “bringing the receipts,” this message shows how the resurrection validates everything Jesus claimed—He is the Messiah, the King, and God Himself. The empty tomb is the proof.

This sermon challenges us to wrestle with a hard truth: we often want a King who fits our expectations. Yet Jesus calls us to surrender, to follow a King who reigns through sacrifice, and to trust Him even when His ways don’t match our own.

Because in the end, His greatest victory came not through force—but through surrender.

And that changes everything.

What kind of king do you actually want when your life is on the line?

In this message from the Crown and Consequence series, we step back and look at the long line of kings in Israel’s history—men who were often unfit, inconsistent, or outright rebellious. Against that backdrop, the triumphal entry in Gospel of Luke reveals something radically different: a King who perfectly follows the will of the Father.

This sermon explores how Jesus Christ stands apart from every other king—not because of power, popularity, or strategy, but because of complete obedience. From fulfilled prophecy (Book of Zechariah) to His intentional march toward the cross, Jesus proves Himself to be the only one truly capable of saving His people.

But this isn’t just theology—it’s personal.

Do you really believe Jesus can save you? Not in theory, but in the weight of your actual sin, your present struggles, and your deepest doubts?

This message challenges listeners to move beyond surface-level belief and fully trust in a King who doesn’t save partially—but completely.

Have you ever ignored warning after warning—only to be shocked when the consequences finally came?

In this message from the Crown and Consequence series, we look at the final king of Judah, Zedekiah, and the tragic end of a nation that refused to listen. Despite clear warnings from prophets like Jeremiah and the unfolding promises of judgment, Zedekiah hardened his heart—leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and exile in Babylon.

But this isn’t just a history lesson.

This sermon wrestles with one of the hardest topics in the Christian faith: the justice of hell. Is it fair? Is it loving? Or is it misunderstood?

By examining God’s perfect justice in the fall of Judah, we begin to see that judgment is not random, exaggerated, or cruel—it is measured, rightful, and deeply connected to the seriousness of sin. Sin isn’t small; it’s rebellion against a holy God, and it always carries consequences.

At the same time, this message highlights the grace of God in giving warning after warning. From the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus Christ, Scripture consistently points to both the reality of judgment and the opportunity to respond.

And that leads to the challenge:

If hell is real—and just—how should that shape the way we understand the Gospel… and share it with others?

This message calls believers not to use fear as a tactic, but to faithfully and clearly communicate the full truth of the Gospel—including the warnings that come from a loving and just God.

In this message, we examine the reign of King Josiah and the powerful moment when the long-lost Book of the Law was rediscovered in the temple. Like trying to build a Lego set without the instruction manual, Josiah had been pursuing God with the knowledge he had—but when the true standard was finally found, he didn’t ignore it or make excuses. Instead, he humbled himself and led the nation of Judah back to God’s instructions.

Through Josiah’s response, we see the importance of Scripture as God’s standard for our lives. Throughout church history—from the Reformation’s emphasis on Sola Scriptura to the Restoration Movement’s call to return to the authority of the Bible—believers have repeatedly been challenged to come back to God’s Word as the ultimate guide for faith and life.

This sermon calls Christians to resist the temptation to give themselves “slack” by redefining God’s standards and instead hold tightly to the truth God has given. Salvation is freely given through Christ, but those who truly desire to be close to God will pursue Him through His Word.

As Josiah discovered, when we return to the standard of Scripture, it doesn’t push us away from God—it draws us closer to Him.

Why do some people remain faithful in the background while others lose their way once the spotlight shifts?

In this message from the Crown and Consequence series, we explore the story of King Joash and the priest Jehoiada in 2 Chronicles 24. Joash began his reign doing what was right, guided by the wisdom and faithfulness of Jehoiada. But after his mentor’s death, Joash lost sight of what mattered and allowed selfish influence to shape his decisions—with tragic consequences.

Through the illustration of three stone cutters working on the same project with very different perspectives, this sermon challenges us to consider how we view our own lives. Are we just “cutting stones,” or do we see the greater work God is building through us?

Jehoiada never sought power or recognition, yet his quiet faithfulness shaped a king and preserved the line of David. His life reminds us that influence is not limited to those with titles, and purpose is not reserved for those in the spotlight.

Whether you live in a small town, hold a prominent role, or quietly serve behind the scenes, God invites each of us to see the bigger picture of His work in the world.

In this episode we explore:

• The rise and fall of King Joash
• The quiet influence of faithful leadership
• How losing sight of God’s bigger picture leads to destructive choices
• Finding purpose and joy by aligning our lives with the will of God

True honor doesn’t come from status or power—it comes from faithfully playing the role God has given you in the story He is building.

In this message, we continue our Crown and Consequence series by examining one of the most infamous kings in Israel’s history—Ahab. Known for doing “more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any before him,” Ahab’s reign is marked by idolatry, compromise, and tragic influence. Yet woven throughout his story is something unexpected: relentless mercy.

From drought to Mount Carmel, from miraculous military victories to prophetic warnings, God gives Ahab chance after chance to repent. Time and again, Ahab resists. But even in his rebellion, we see a God who continues to pursue, warn, and invite.

This sermon explores what Ahab’s life teaches us about the patience of God, the danger of compromise, the influence of relationships, and the truth that we cannot hide or escape from God’s Word—either in judgment or in grace.

Most importantly, it points us to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ—the only one who lived the perfect life we could never live. When we stand before God, the scorecard we receive will not reflect what we deserve, but what Christ has accomplished on our behalf.

If you have breath in your lungs, you have another chance.

Listen and be reminded: our God is a God of second, third, fourth… and even fifth chances.

This week we were joined by guest speaker Austin Ettleman, who came to share about the ministry of Nebowa Christian Camp and to preach on this summer’s camp theme, Ascend, from Psalm 24.

Drawing from David’s powerful question, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?”, Austin challenged us to consider what it truly means to approach God. Psalm 24 reminds us that the earth belongs to the Lord, that He is holy, and that those who seek Him must come with clean hands and pure hearts. Ascending isn’t about earning our way up—it’s about humbly pursuing the presence of God with integrity and surrender.

Austin also shared how Nebowa Christian Camp creates space for students and families to step away from distractions, seek the Lord intentionally, and grow in their faith. As we look toward the summer, this message calls us upward—to live lives that reflect God’s holiness and to actively seek Him above all else.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to draw near to God and live with eternity in view, this message will encourage and challenge you to ascend.

In the opening message of our Crown and Consequence series, we begin by examining the reign of King Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11–12. Given a kingdom by God and promised an enduring dynasty if he would simply trust and obey, Jeroboam instead allowed fear to drive his decisions. Worried about losing the approval of the people, he set up golden calves for Israel to worship—repeating the very sin that once led the nation astray in the wilderness.

This message explores a sobering truth: when pleasing people becomes the goal, people quietly become the god. From ancient Israel to modern social media pressures, we wrestle with the temptation to seek approval from others rather than faithfulness to God. Jeroboam’s story reminds us that fear often leads to compromise, compromise leads to idolatry, and idolatry always carries consequences—not just for us, but for those we influence.

As we trace the divided kingdom and the lasting impact of Jeroboam’s choices, we’re reminded that every earthly king ultimately points us to the One true King—Jesus Christ—who reigns not by fear or manipulation, but by faithfulness and truth.

Will we seek the approval of people, or will we trust the promises of God?