Dr. Scott McKee launches a new sermon series titled "Up: Seven Practices for Living and Loving Like Jesus." The first practice, "Look Up: Praise and Worship," draws from Psalm 100 and highlights the essential role of worship in the Christian life. Pastor Scott unpacks how worship brings joy to God, reorients us to remember who God is and who we are, fosters a spirit of gratitude, and strengthens our connection with the church family. Through joyful praise, we can experience God’s presence and de...
Sep 29, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1
In the final part of the "Apprenticing with Jesus" series, titled "Do What Jesus Did," Dr. Scott McKee reflects on Matthew 4:18-25, where Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him and become "fishers of people." Pastor Scott explains that this call was an invitation to apprentice under Jesus, learning not just to observe, but to eventually do what He did—preaching, healing, and helping others. He introduces the four stages of apprenticeship: watching, helping, doing with guidance, and doing ...
Sep 22, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1
In the second part of the "Apprenticing with Jesus" series, Dr. Scott McKee delves into the process of spiritual transformation in a message titled Become Like Jesus. Drawing from Luke 6:39-40, he emphasizes that becoming like Jesus is not just about behavior modification but requires deep inner transformation through intentional training and spiritual formation. Pastor Scott explores the necessity of practices that open us to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, debunking myths such as r...
Sep 15, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1
Dr. Scott McKee kicks off a new sermon series titled "Apprenticing to Jesus." In this first part, titled "Be With Jesus", Pastor Scott reflects on the ancient practice of apprenticeship to a rabbi. He unpacks how we can apply this to modern-day discipleship with Jesus, emphasizing the three-part invitation of apprenticeship: to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did. Drawing from his personal health journey, Pastor Scott highlights how abiding with Jesus sustains us through every cha...
Sep 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1
In this sermon, Rev. Terence Gray reflects on the dangers of prioritizing outward productivity over inward fruitfulness. He shares his personal journey from the Fall of 2015 when, as a youth pastor in a large church, he became consumed with work to the point of burnout, depression, and feeling empty. Through this experience, he learned that his identity should not be wrapped up in his work or performance but in his relationship with God. Pastor Terence emphasizes that true fruitfulness comes fro...
Sep 01, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1
Dr. Scott McKee, in his second sermon back since his recovery from a serious medical condition, delivers a powerful message from Hebrews 11-12 titled "When You Feel Like Giving Up." Drawing from the Hall of Faith, he explores the perseverance of those who ran their race with unwavering faith, despite facing immense challenges. Weaving in lessons learned from his own recent health struggles, Pastor Scott emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus and running the unique race marked out ...
Aug 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Dr. Scott McKee returns to the pulpit for the first time after a serious medical condition kept him away for several months. Drawing from Romans 8, he weaves together the harsh realities of our broken world with the glorious truths of God's unwavering love and purpose. Through personal reflections on his own health challenges and deep scriptural insights, Dr. McKee explores how suffering and hardship are part of our earthly journey, yet God's love remains inseparable and H...
Aug 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1
In this powerful sermon, Rev. Terence Gray explores the reality of spiritual warfare, focusing on Satan as the accuser who hurls darts of doubt, temptation, and accusation at believers. Drawing from 1 Peter 5, Rev. Gray encourages us to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, resist the devil with faith, and trust in Christ's justification, which renders all accusations powerless. As he reminds us, the attacks we face are not personal but are a part of being on Christ's victorious team. Despit...
Aug 11, 2024•32 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Micah Williams delves into the challenging topic of suffering as a believer in Christ. Drawing from 1 Peter 4:12-19, he emphasizes that true followers of Jesus will inevitably face trials and hardships. Micah shares personal reflections on the demanding process of church planting and the unexpected pain of learning new skills, likening it to the Christian journey. He encourages believers to ensure their suffering is a result of their obedience to Christ rather than poor de...
Aug 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Rev. Terence Gray explores the concept of the "Dream Church" and how our fantasies of a perfect church can undermine the true beauty and value of the real church. Drawing from 1 Peter, he emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort and commitment in our relationships within the church community. Pastor Terence challenges us to move beyond consumerist mindsets and transactional relationships, calling us to a Christ-like mindset that values unity, diversity, and sacrif...
Jul 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Mark Ordus tackles the challenging topic of submission, exploring its meaning and importance in our faith. Reflecting on 1 Peter 3:1-7, Mark discusses the historical context of submission within marriages and its broader implications for all believers. Through personal anecdotes and biblical insights, he emphasizes that true submission is about trusting God, giving up control, and placing others' needs above our own. Mark reminds us that submission, far from being a sign o...
Jul 21, 2024•33 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Rev. Terence Gray addresses the challenging topic of how Christians should relate to governing authorities, especially in light of current events. Reflecting on historical and biblical contexts, he explores the balance between honoring and obeying earthly governments while remaining faithful to God. Pastor Terence emphasizes that, as Christians, we must navigate our dual citizenship with discernment, understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. He urges the con...
Jul 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Pastoral Resident Sarah Horton explores 1 Peter 1:13-19, addressing the question "How then shall I live?" She emphasizes that living a holy life means being set apart for God, loving Him, and loving our neighbors in a way that reflects Christ. Sarah discusses the historical responses of Christians to cultural challenges and shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the complexities of faith in modern culture. She encourages us to resist conformity to the world and embrace a ...
Jul 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1
In this week's sermon, Rev. Terence Gray delves into the shift from Christendom to a post-Christendom society, exploring how the church can thrive even when it is not the dominant voice in society. Drawing on the early church's example, he emphasizes the need to move from a Christendom mode—where Christians go with the cultural flow—to an apostolic mode, which requires proactive faith and swimming against the current. Using the analogy of a lazy river, Rev. Gray highlights the importance of acti...
Jun 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 1
In this week’s sermon, Jenni Neighbour kicks off our new series in the book of 1 Peter by exploring the theme of feeling like exiles in a familiar land. Peter’s letter, written to encourage and guide Christians in Asia Minor, resonates with us today as we navigate a culture increasingly different from our Christian values. Jenni delves into how Peter establishes our identity as God’s chosen people, addresses our temptations to conform, fight, or withdraw from the world, and provides us with a wa...
Jun 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1
Join us for the concluding sermon in our series, "The Life of Joseph," delivered by Rev. Terence Gray. In this message, we explore the profound impact of a father's blessing through the story of Joseph and his father, Jacob. As we delve into Joseph's journey, we learn about the significance of a father's words and the deep influence they have on identity, courage, and healing. Pastor Terence reflects on his personal experiences and the importance of receiving and giving blessings. This episode a...
Jun 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 1
In this sermon, Rev. Terence Gray explores the story of Joseph and the profound lessons it teaches about God's redemptive power. Discover how God can transform our brokenness into beauty, our messes into miracles, and our wrecks into stories of redemption. Through the ups and downs of Joseph's life, we learn about enduring faith, the importance of waiting, and how God uses our trials to prepare us for greater purposes. This message will encourage you to trust in God's plan, no matter how broken ...
Jun 09, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1
In this sermon, Rev. Nicole Unice delves further into the challenging and inspiring story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. As we explore a critical junction in Joseph's life, the discussion uncovers how his trials from pits to prison illustrate the unexpected ways in which God's blessings manifest. This sermon challenges us to rethink the concept of prosperity and blessings through a biblical lens, contrasting the traditional American dream with the teachings of Jesus. It invites us to embrac...
Jun 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1
Join Mark Ordus for an insightful sermon as he delves into the life of Joseph, whose story of betrayal, hardship, and resilience illustrates how a foundation of faith remains steadfast, even when everything else falls apart. Explore how true blessings often come through life's toughest challenges and learn actionable insights for embracing God’s faithfulness. This sermon encourages us to remember God's promises, reflect on His historical faithfulness, and live confidently in His presence through...
May 19, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1
In the opening message of our new sermon series, Rev. Nicole Unice delves into the unexpected seasons of life that challenge our expectations and hopes. Drawing from her latest book, "Not What I Signed Up For" and the biblical story of Joseph, she addresses the transformative power of enduring faith through trials. Discover how Joseph's journey from betrayal to redemption in the face of adversity offers a powerful lesson on the sovereignty of God and the purpose behind our trials. Learn how thes...
May 12, 2024•31 min•Ep. 1
In the final message of our "Practical Atheist" sermon series, Rev. Terence Gray explores the concept of forgiveness in a culture driven by vengeance, sparked by Kanye West's claims of divinity and self-protection. This discussion centers on the topic, "I believe in God, but I still carry a grudge," examining the spiritual impact of vengeance and the Biblical mandate that it belongs to God. Pastor Terence delves into how grudges elevate oneself falsely and the unhealthy dynamics of cancel cultur...
May 05, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1
Dr. Scott McKee tackles the paradox of believers who live entangled in worry despite their faith. As part of this eye-opening series, Pastor Scott explores why claiming to trust in God yet living in constant anxiety is practically living as an atheist. Drawing wisdom from Jesus's teachings, he addresses the futile nature of worry and presents a faith-infused perspective on life. This sermon promises to shift paradigms, offering us a path away from the grip of worry and towards a peace-filled lif...
Apr 28, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1
In the continuation of our 'Practical Atheist" sermon series, Rev. Terence Gray refutes the idea that God is indifferent to our happiness, asserting instead that God deeply cares about our joy, found through Him. He debunks the myths separating happiness from holiness and joy from happiness, underlining that they coexist in our pursuit of God. Pastor Terence advises us to actively nurture a joyful heart by aligning with God and cautions against the worldly chase for pleasure. He advocates for ma...
Apr 21, 2024•30 min•Ep. 1
In the second message in the "Practical Atheist" sermon series, Mark Ordus confronts the disconnect between professed belief and actual practice in Christianity regarding sexuality. Using Samson's downfall as a cautionary tale, he warns against the gradual steps away from God's guidance. Mark encourages believers to examine their lives for subtle compromises and to embrace God’s perfect plan, which offers fulfillment and protection from the pitfalls of temptation. He advocates for a relationship...
Apr 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1
Dr. Scott McKee's sermon begins the "Practical Atheist" sermon series, confronting the gap between belief in God and truly knowing Him. He likens our relationship with God to personal relationships, stressing the difference between knowing about God and experiencing a profound connection. He shares Apostle Paul's transformation from religious fervor to a life valuing intimate knowledge of Christ above all. The message challenges us to examine our own faith, encouraging a move from superficial be...
Apr 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1
In a spirited Easter message, Dr. Scott McKee unpacks the essence of the Christian faith focusing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as detailed in 1 Corinthians 15. He emphasizes that the crucifixion was for our sins and that the resurrection is the beating heart of Christian belief — without it, faith is futile. Pastor Scott explains that Jesus' resurrection is not metaphorical but a historical pivot that gave rise to the church and sustains our hope for life after death. He clarifies that th...
Mar 31, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this Holy Week sermon, Dr. Scott McKee delves into the birth of the Church from the resurrection of Jesus. He describes the Church not as an institution but as a movement of love, a universal body that Jesus charged with continuing His work. Reflecting on the Apostles Creed, he underscores the Church's mission to serve, love, and unite people across all divides. Pastor Scott shares the Church's first mention in Matthew 16, where Jesus entrusts Peter—and by extension, all believers—with its es...
Mar 24, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Rev. Terence Gray delves into the quiet yet transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Terence illuminates the Holy Spirit's role as the "Forgotten God," quietly working miracles, breaking chains, and instilling courage. He navigates through varying Christian traditions' perceptions of the Holy Spirit, from the light touches of Presbyterianism to the intense embrace of Pentecostalism. Emphasizing the Holy Spirit's eternal presence and creative power, Pastor Terence invites us to welcome the...
Mar 17, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this sermon, Dr. Scott McKee navigates the profound implications of Jesus' ascension amidst the backdrop of a presidential election year. Pastor Scott reflects on whether Jesus is concerned about the election, leading to a broader discussion on divine sovereignty versus earthly power. He uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor a journey through scripture, illustrating how Jesus' ascent to heaven transcends political turmoil, enabling the Holy Spirit's arrival, advocating for us before the Father, ...
Mar 10, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Rev. Terence Gray takes us deeper into the heart of the Apostles' Creed, exploring the profound truths of Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and triumphant resurrection. With a personal anecdote about misunderstanding communion, Pastor Terence invites us into a reflection on grace, shame, and redemption. This sermon dismantles the lies of condemnation, highlighting Jesus' role as our mediator who fully embraced humiliation to offer us eternal paradise. Drawing from Luke 23 and 1 Peter 3, it emphasiz...
Mar 03, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 3
