WeAreIBC

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell as we continue our study in 1 Peter. In this message, “Carrying the Family Name,” we explore what it means to live out our new identity as members of God’s household. Just as a dollar should look like a dollar, a Christian should reflect the image and character of their Heavenly Father.

The sermon focuses on three key markers of our spiritual heritage:

- Remember Who You Are: Peter provides four powerful titles for every believer: a Chosen Family, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, and a People of His Own Possession. These aren’t badges we earn like merit badges; they are gifts given the moment we are born again. We are God’s “treasured possession,” rescued from the fire of sin to live in His marvelous light.

- Remove What Wars Against You: As “sojourners and exiles,” we are living in a world that is not our home. Pastor Allen explains that we must abstain from “passions of the flesh” that wage war against our souls. Using the illustration of a sunken aircraft carrier, we see the danger of not having “watertight doors” in our lives to seal off the temptations that seek to sink our faith.

- Reflect Christ to the World: We are called to keep our conduct “honorable” even when we are slandered or misunderstood. By living out our family values through good deeds, we prepare the way for others to glorify God on their “day of visitation”—the moment God knocks on the door of their own hearts.

The message concludes with the beautiful story of Hosea and Gomer, illustrating how God relentlessly pursues us, ransoms us from our shame, and gives us a new name. Whether you have been far off or are just beginning your journey, you are invited to join the family of God today.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for a powerful message on spiritual maturity and growth. In this study of 1 Peter 2, we examine the essential question for every believer: “Got Milk?” Just as a physical body needs nourishment to survive, our spiritual lives require a specific kind of fuel to reach maturity.

The sermon focuses on three key principles for growing in your faith:

- Reject What Kills Love: Peter instructs us to “put away” behaviors like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These aren’t just “bad habits”—they are community-killers that act out of character for those who have a new identity in Christ. Learn how to “weed the garden” of your heart to make room for genuine love.

- Feed What Grows Love: Mature faith doesn’t happen by accident. We are called to “crave” pure spiritual milk—the Word of God—with the same intensity and desperation as a newborn infant. Pastor Allen challenges us to evaluate where we are in the spiritual life cycle (infant, toddler, child, teenager, or parent) and to stop settling for “filler” when God offers deep satisfaction.

- Support One Another in Christ: Using the metaphor of “living stones,” we see that God is building a spiritual house. We are not meant to be lone sheep or isolated stones; we are designed to be connected to the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and to one another. Discover why staying connected to the body of Christ is the only way to avoid being “devoured” by the enemy.

The message concludes with a challenge: If you want to love well, you must starve your sin, feed your soul, and stay connected to God’s people. Whether you are a seeker “tasting” that the Lord is good for the first time or a long-time believer needing to “grow up,” this message is a roadmap for your spiritual journey.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for a powerful message on our identity and purpose as believers. In this study of 1 Peter 1, we explore what it means to be born again into a "New Family" and how that transformation should impact every area of our lives as we prepare for Easter.

The sermon focuses on four key markers of our new identity in Christ:

- Set Your Mind on Jesus: Drawing from Peter’s instruction to "prepare your minds for action," we learn the importance of mental discipline. Just as ancient workers tucked their robes into their belts for movement, we must "gird up" our minds by focusing on the future grace of Christ rather than past mistakes or worldly distractions.

- Live Like Jesus: We are called to be "obedient children" who do not conform to the patterns of our former ignorance. Pastor Allen explains that holiness means being set apart from the world's systems to mimic our Father, calling Him "Abba" (Daddy) in an intimate, personal relationship.

- Ransomed by Jesus: Our identity is not based on what others think, but on the fact that we were bought back from a "futile life." We have been redeemed by the precious, unblemished blood of Christ, giving us a "royal bloodline" as children of the King.

- Love Like Jesus: Being part of a new family means loving one another "earnestly" from a pure heart. The word for earnest love implies "stretching" like a runner reaching the finish line—love that is sacrificial, inconvenient, and attractive to a watching world.

The message concludes with a daily declaration to help you remember who you are in Christ every morning. As we look toward the resurrection, let us live as "elect exiles" who are known by the way we love.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell as we continue our journey through the book of 1 Peter. In this message, titled "A Living Hope," we look at how Peter—a man who intimately knew the pain of failure and the beauty of restoration—encourages believers facing intense trials and persecution.

The sermon explores the bedrock of our security in Christ:

- Rooted in Mercy: Our salvation is not based on our performance or our past, but on God’s great mercy. Drawing from the life of Peter, we see that betrayal and failure are not the end of the story when they are met with the "chesed" (steadfast love) of God.

- A Living Hope: Unlike a historical memory or a wishful fantasy, our hope is living because our Savior is living. Because Jesus walked out of the grave, our future is anchored in a resurrected reality that cannot be shaken by earthly circumstances.

- An Imperishable Inheritance: Peter describes our heavenly inheritance using three powerful terms: it is imperishable (cannot decay), undefiled (unstained by sin), and unfading (never loses its luster). It is kept in a "heavenly safety deposit box" where neither life nor Satan can touch it.

- Purified by Fire: We discuss the purpose of various trials. Just as gold is not destroyed but purified by fire, our faith is tested and strengthened through hardship. The "hotter the fire," the more the true nature of our faith is revealed and proved.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by current trials or struggling with the weight of past mistakes, this message is a reminder that your salvation is guarded by God’s power and secured for all eternity.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell as we begin a new study in the book of 1 Peter. In this opening message, "The Elect Exiles," we are introduced to a letter written to believers facing intense cultural pressure and government persecution. Peter’s words provide a timeless anchor for anyone feeling like an outsider in today’s world.

The sermon dives into the foundational truths of our identity in Christ:

- Citizens of Another Kingdom: Peter addresses his readers as "exiles" or "sojourners." We are reminded that as Christians, our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. Like pilgrims on a journey, we are passing through a world with a different value system, keeping our eyes fixed on our eternal destination.

- The Comfort of Election: Pastor Allen explores the often-debated doctrine of election, emphasizing that in Scripture, it is always presented as a source of comfort for the suffering saint. To be "elect" means you are chosen, loved, and secured by God, and no one can snatch you from His hand.

- The Mystery of God’s Plan: We look at the beautiful tension between the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. While we may not fully understand how they meet, we trust that God is weaving a masterpiece out of the broken shards of our lives.

- Multiplied Grace and Peace: Discover why Peter prays for grace and peace to be "multiplied" to his readers. This peace is not dependent on circumstances; it is an inward calm that comes from the triune God, regardless of the storms we face.

Whether you are walking through a season of suffering or simply trying to navigate life in "Babylon," this message will encourage you to glance at your problems and glare at your God.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for the powerful conclusion of our "40 Days of Ancient Ways" series. In this message, we explore the spiritual discipline of worship—not as a mere Sunday morning activity, but as a total life response to the revelation of who God is.

Drawing from the heart of King David in Psalm 103, we learn what it means to truly bless the Lord:

- Remember His Benefits: We often forget the "fringe benefits" of the Gospel. Pastor Allen breaks down how God forgives our iniquity, heals our spiritual diseases, and crowns us with a steadfast love that never runs out.

- The Expanse of Mercy: Explore the infinite nature of God's forgiveness. Using the geography of the heavens and the globe, we see how God separates us from our sins "as far as the east is from the west"—an ever-expanding distance that removes our guilt and shame.

- A Covenant-Keeping God: Discover the deep meaning of Hesed (God's steadfast love) and Yahweh (His covenant name). We are reminded that our security is not based on our performance, but on the strength of the Father who holds us secure when the waves of life crash.

- Holy, Holy, Holy: Why do the angels cry out "Holy" rather than "Sovereign" or "Love"? We examine how God's holiness colors every other attribute, ensuring that He is not just powerful, but perfectly good, and not just loving, but perfectly just.

The message concludes with a challenge to awake your soul and sing. Whether you need to confess, surrender, or simply rest in His mercy, this is an invitation to be reconciled to a holy God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

Join Pastor Dustin Rife for a high-energy message in our “40 Days of Ancient Ways” series. In this sermon, we explore the legendary accounts of David’s Mighty Men from 2 Samuel 23, discovering that greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t about where you start, but who you choose to follow and how you respond in the heat of battle.

The message dives into the qualities that forged these “broken people” into world-changers:

- Strength from Brokenness: Before they were “Mighty Men,” they were a group of 400 individuals in distress, in debt, and bitter in soul. God specializes in taking the broken and qualifying them for a mission greater than themselves.

- The Courage to Stand Alone: While others fled, men like Shammah took a stand in a field of lentils, defending his master’s ground and seeing God bring about a great victory. We learn that to stand out for Christ, you often have to be willing to stand alone.

- Leadership in the “Snowy Pits”: We look at the “bad to the bone” exploits of Benaiah, who killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. True character is proven in the dangerous and uncertain seasons of life, not just on “sunny fields”.

- The Power of Your Circle: Your growth is directly related to those around you. Pastor Dustin challenges us to find a brotherhood or community that holds us accountable and pushes us to be better leaders, parents, and friends.

The message concludes with a call to honesty. God doesn’t use the perfect; He uses those who are honest about their failures and willing to surrender to the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for week five of our series, "40 Days of Ancient Ways." In this message, we explore one of the most remarkable conversations in history: Abraham’s intercession for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This passage challenges us to ask: Is anyone truly "too far gone" for the mercy of God?

The sermon breaks down the heart of intercessory prayer and God’s righteous character:

- Loving Justice and Mercy: We love justice because God loves justice. We examine why a holy God must judge sin to be a fair judge, yet how He simultaneously invites us into a "cosmic conversation" to plead for mercy on behalf of others.

- Drawing Near to the Bench: Abraham "drew near" to God—a legal term for approaching a judge’s bench. We learn how we, as believers, are called to be conduits of blessing and priests who intercede for nations, communities, and individuals far from God.

- The Power of the Righteous Few: Abraham’s negotiation with God (from 50 down to 10 righteous people) reveals a powerful truth: God is willing to restrain judgment for the sake of a righteous remnant. We see how this points directly to Jesus, the only truly Righteous One who became the substitute for the unrighteous many.

- A Call to Intercede: This week, our church enters a 24/7 week of prayer. We are challenged to "stand in the gap" for those who don't even know they need to be fought for—from world leaders to our own neighbors and family members.

The message concludes with a reminder that we were all once "unrighteous ones" until the Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine to come after us. Do not give up on those you love; instead, draw near to the Father and plead for His mercy today.

Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for week four of our "40 Days of Ancient Ways" series. In this powerful message, we explore the spiritual discipline of confession and why it is essential for moving from the "grave" of our past into the freedom of Christ.

Using the story of the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11, the sermon highlights the journey from bondage to liberation:

- The Weight of the Secret: We discuss how unconfessed sin acts like "spiritual grave clothes," binding us and keeping us in a state of decay. Just as Lazarus was alive but still bound in his burial wrappings, many believers are saved but still hindered by the weight of hidden guilt and shame.

- The Healing Power of Community: Jesus commanded the community to "unbind him and let him go." Confession is not just a private act between us and God; it is a communal practice. We learn how inviting "2:00 AM friends" into our struggles provides the support needed to stay free.

- From Oppression to Forgiveness: Drawing from Psalm 32, Pastor Allen illustrates the physical and emotional toll of keeping silent about our sins. True refreshment and the "lifting of the weight" only come when we stop hiding and start being honest before God and others.

The message concludes with a powerful invitation to leave your "grave clothes" at the altar. Whether you are dealing with a small entanglement or a major stronghold, today is the day to experience the radical forgiveness and transformation that only Jesus can provide.

Join Pastor Scott Cannon for a powerful message in our “40 Days of Ancient Ways” series titled “The Power of Surrender.” Through the lens of Genesis 32, we explore the life of Jacob—a man who spent his entire life wrestling with people, only to find himself in a life-changing wrestling match with God.

The sermon highlights three key phases of Jacob’s journey that reflect our own:

- Jacob the Deceiver: Like many of us, Jacob relied on his own intelligence, manipulation, and self-preservation to get ahead. We see how pride often leads us to a dead end where our own strategies can no longer save us.

- The Encounter in Solitude: God often meets us when we are alone and at our weakest. We look at how God stripped away Jacob’s family, possessions, and control to lead him to a place of solitude. It is in these quiet, distracted-free moments that we truly begin to hear God’s voice.

- Clinging vs. Striving: In the heat of the struggle, God dislocated Jacob’s hip, forcing him to move from striving in his own strength to clinging to God for a blessing. Jacob walked away with a new name (Israel) and a limp—a testimony that true success is found in dependence on God, not ourselves.

The message concludes with a challenge to stop “wrestling” against God’s will and to wave the white flag of surrender. Whether it is your finances, your reputation, or a specific habit, true freedom begins when you open your hands and let go.