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October 6, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - The Pharisee in the Room
Summary More - The Pharisee in the Room, part of a series on the "stolen life versus the full life" from John 10:10, tackles one of the most uncomfortable topics in the Christian faith: the Spirit of the Pharisee. Rather than dismissing the Pharisees as obvious villains, we take a deeper dive into the role of a pharisee. They were sincere, deeply religious people whose faith had drifted from genuine relationship with God into performance and rule-keeping. Jesus's seven woes in Matthew 23 are not an attack on obvious evil but a warning against the subtle corruption that can take root in any sincere religious heart. The sermon challenges each person to examine the "inside of the cup," the private reality of their faith, rather than focusing only on the outward appearance. The Pharisee Spirit shows up today when faith leads with rules instead of relationship, performs for a human audience, judges instead of loves, and shuts the door of the kingdom in people's faces. The pastor calls the group to four movements away from this Spirit: ruthless honesty, replacing rules with relationship, moving toward people we tend to categorize, and actively opening doors for others to experience Jesus. Intro Prayer Lord, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to live the full life you came to give us, we ask that you search our hearts with gentleness and truth. Remove any desire to perform or impress one another in this room. Give us the courage to be honest about what is really on the inside of the cup. Holy Spirit, lead this conversation. Speak to each of us in the way we personally need to hear from you today. We want the real thing, Jesus. Amen. Ice Breaker What is one hobby or interest that people who know you casually might be surprised to learn about you? Key Verses John 10:10 Matthew 23:13 Matthew 23:15 Matthew 23:25-26 Matthew 11:28-30 Matthew 6:21 Questions The Pharisees, as a group, were not as obvious villains but as sincere, exhaustingly religious people. Does that change how you relate to the warnings Jesus gives in Matthew 23? Why or why not? Jesus uses the image of a cup that is clean on the outside but filthy on the inside (Matthew 23:25-26, NLT). What does the "outside of the cup" look like in your own life, and what might be hiding on the inside? Pastor Jon shared a vulnerable moment in a room full of pastors where he almost gave a polished, performative answer about his soul before stopping himself. Have you ever caught yourself performing your faith rather than living it? What did that feel like? We see four signs of the Pharisee Spirit today: leading with rules instead of relationship, performing for an audience, judging instead of loving, and shutting the door on others. Which of these do you find most tempting or most present in your own life? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." How does this invitation feel different from a faith built on performance and rule-keeping? Pharisees were "stealing the life of God from people by substituting performance for presence, and rules for relationship, and duty for delight." Where in your own spiritual life have you experienced duty crowding out delight? The sermon challenges us to move toward people we have been categorizing rather than seeing as full human beings. Who in your life might you have placed in a category? What would it look like to genuinely move toward that person this week? Is our version of faith opening doors for people or closing them How would the people in your life who are outside the church answer that question about you personally? Life Application This week, choose one of the three actions from the sermon and commit to it. You could do an honest audit by sitting quietly with God and writing down where you are performing faith rather than truly living it. You could move toward one person you have been categorizing, not with an agenda but with genuine curiosity about who they are. Or you could ask someone outside the church what they honestly think of Christians, and simply listen without defending. Whichever you choose, bring what you discover back to God and ask Him to replace the performance with real, living relationship. Key Takeaways The Pharisees were not obvious villains but sincere religious people whose faith had drifted into performance, and Jesus's warning to them is just as relevant to us today. Pastor Jon uses the image of a cup clean on the outside but filthy on the inside to show that God is far more concerned with our inner reality than our outward religious appearance. The Pharisee Spirit shows up in modern faith when we lead with rules instead of relationship, perform for a human audience, judge people instead of loving them, and make the kingdom feel inaccessible to others. Ruthless honesty is the first and most essential step away from the Pharisee Spirit, because pretense cannot survive in the light of truth. Jesus did not come to give us a better religious performance. He came to offer a living, breathing relationship with himself, one where his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30, NLT). Ending Prayer Jesus, thank you for this time together and for the honesty you have stirred in us. We confess that the Pharisee Spirit is not just a historical problem. It lives in us too, and we need your help to root it out. Wash the inside of the cup, Lord. Where we have been performing, teach us to simply be present with you. Where we have been judging, give us your eyes to see people the way you see them. Where we have been closing doors, make us people who fling them wide open. We choose relationship over religion, presence over performance, and delight over duty. Lead us into the full life you came to give. We love you, Jesus. Amen.
September 30, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - You Are A Jar
Summary In this sermon, Youth Pastor Matt explores what it truly means to pursue "more" in the Christian life, challenging the cultural tendency to live under the gaze of others and constantly compare ourselves to those around us. Using the history of lawn culture and the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses," he illustrates how deeply ingrained our desire to perform and appear impressive really is. The central question he poses is: under whose gaze do we live? Do we orient our lives before the face of God (coram Deo) or before the face of the world (coram mundo)? Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4:6-18, he unpacks Paul's paradoxical vision of the Christian life, where weakness and suffering are not obstacles to experiencing more but are actually the very context in which God's power is revealed. Paul's image of "treasure in jars of clay" reminds us that our value is not found in how impressive we appear but in what God has placed within us. The road to experiencing more, is paved by becoming less, fixing our eyes not on the seen and temporary but on the unseen and eternal, grounded in the hope of resurrection. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, we come before You today as ordinary jars of clay, aware of our fragility and our tendency to seek approval from the world around us. As we open Your Word together, we ask that You quiet the noise of comparison and performance in our hearts. Holy Spirit, we invite You into this space. Help each person in this group to be open to what You want to speak to us today, not what we expect to hear, but what You long for us to receive. May our eyes be fixed on Your face rather than on the faces of others. In the name of Jesus, amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you owned or did as a kid simply because everyone else had it or was doing it? Key Verses 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Questions Coram deo (living before the face of God) and coram mundo (living before the face of others) are two phrases that easily describes how people lived then and today. Which of these most honestly describes how you have been living lately, and why? Paul describes himself and other believers as "jars of clay" that hold an extraordinary treasure. What does this image stir up in you personally? Does it feel freeing, humbling, or something else? "The road to becoming more is paved by the hard work of becoming less." What do you think he means by that, and where do you find it hardest to embrace in your own life? Paul calls his suffering "light and momentary," not because it does not hurt, but because he is comparing it to the eternal glory that awaits. How does the hope of resurrection change the way you think about the difficulties you are currently facing? Many Christians know what they have been saved from but do not fully understand what they have been saved into. How would you describe the Christian hope in your own words, and how does it shape your daily life? Identify one area of life where we have been performing for approval. Without needing to share the specific area, what does "performing for approval" feel like in your experience, and what does it cost you? Paul writes that we fix our eyes "not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." What are the visible, temporary things that most easily pull your attention away from God's eternal promises? The pastor encouraged us to bring areas of genuine weakness into the light, either through confession to God or by sharing with a trusted friend. What makes that kind of vulnerability difficult, and what might make it easier in a community like this one? Life Application This week, choose one of the following three challenges and commit to it. First, identify one area of your life where you have been performing for approval and spend time in prayer asking God what it would look like to live that area before His face instead. Second, bring one area of genuine weakness into the light by confessing it to God and, if possible, sharing it with a trusted friend or mentor. Third, sit down and honestly audit how you are spending your time. Ask yourself: if I truly believed Jesus is making all things new, what would I change about my priorities? Come back next week ready to share what you discovered. Key Takeaways We are all shaped by cultural pressures to perform, compare, and keep up appearances, but the Christian life calls us to live primarily before the face of God rather than the face of others. Paul's image of "treasure in jars of clay" teaches us that our value is not found in our strength or impressiveness but in the extraordinary God who dwells within ordinary, fragile human beings. The Christian life is inherently paradoxical: we are wasting away outwardly while being renewed inwardly, and it is often through weakness and suffering that God's power is most clearly revealed. Paul's ability to endure suffering without being overcome by it was rooted in a hope bigger than his circumstances, specifically the hope of bodily resurrection and the coming kingdom of God. Experiencing more in the Christian life begins not with becoming stronger or more successful, but with taking our eyes off ourselves and fixing them on the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You have chosen to place Your extraordinary glory inside ordinary, fragile jars of clay. Forgive us for the ways we have spent our energy performing for others rather than resting in Your gaze. As we leave today, help us to carry the truth that we are already known and already loved by You. Give us the courage to embrace our weakness, to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal, and to live our lives before Your face above all others. May the hope of resurrection anchor us when suffering feels heavy, and may we find freedom in simply being who You made us to be. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
September 23, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
More - Never Alone
Summary In this sermon, Pastor John continues the series "More" by focusing on the reality that God is always with us, even when we feel profoundly alone. Drawing from John 15, he explores the concept of "meno" (abiding or remaining), a word Jesus uses repeatedly to describe the kind of deep, permanent, relational connection God desires with His people. Just as a branch receives everything it needs through its connection to the vine, believers receive life, strength, and fruitfulness through an ongoing relationship with Jesus, not through striving or trying harder. Pastor John also addresses the modern loneliness epidemic, noting that over half of American adults report measurable loneliness, even when surrounded by people. He shares a personal story of feeling utterly alone after receiving a painful letter, and how he eventually found peace not by resolving the situation, but by stopping, opening his hands, and acknowledging God's presence. Supported by Romans 8:38-39 and Hebrews 13:5, the sermon calls believers to move from a distant, duty-based faith into a living, conversational, and intimate relationship with God who will never, never leave them. Intro Prayer Lord, we come together today grateful for the chance to gather and dig deeper into your Word. As we open our hearts and minds, we ask that you would quiet the noise around us and within us. Holy Spirit, we invite your presence into this space right now. Help each person in this group to receive exactly what you have for them today, not just what we expect or hope to hear, but what you want to speak into our lives. Give us open hands and open hearts. In Jesus name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one place or activity where you feel most at peace and why? Key Verses John 15:4-8 Romans 8:38-39 Hebrews 13:5 Proverbs 3:6 Questions Today’s society is described to be in a loneliness epidemic where people feel alone even when surrounded by others. Have you ever experienced that kind of loneliness? What did it feel like? Jesus uses the word 'meno' (remain or abide) repeatedly in John 15. In your own words, what do you think it means to truly abide in Christ, as opposed to just checking in with God occasionally? The sermon compared our relationship with God to a branch connected to a vine. What does it look like practically for you to stay connected to the vine in your daily life? The feeling of being alone is often the most famous lie we believe. What are some of the subtle ways that lie shows up in your own thinking or emotions? Romans 8:38-39 lists every conceivable barrier and declares that nothing can separate us from God's love. Which of those barriers (fear, the future, past mistakes, spiritual opposition) feels most real or threatening to you personally? Pastor John shared a moment where he stopped, closed his eyes, and opened his hands to acknowledge God's presence. Have you ever had a moment like that? What happened? There are four practical ways to abide: talking to God throughout the day, letting God's Word abide in you, acknowledging God in the ordinary, and opening your hands when you feel alone. Which of these feels most natural to you, and which feels most challenging? Abiding in Christ and abiding in community are not separate things. How does your connection with other believers support or strengthen your connection with God? Life Application This week, practice the presence of God by setting three reminders on your phone at different points during the day. When each alarm goes off, pause for 30 seconds and say out loud: 'Lord, I acknowledge that you are right here, right now, and I am not alone.' Additionally, write Romans 8:38-39 on a card and place it somewhere visible for when feelings of loneliness creep in. Finally, choose one person this week and share something you have been carrying in silence. You were not designed to carry life alone. Key Takeaways Abiding in Christ means making a permanent home in Him, not just visiting God in moments of crisis. It is an ongoing, conversational, and relational connection. Just as a branch produces fruit through connection to the vine rather than through effort, believers experience a full and fruitful life through relationship with Jesus, not through trying harder. The feeling of being alone is one of the most common lies people believe, but Romans 8:38-39 and Hebrews 13:5 confirm that nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love, and He will never, never leave us. Acknowledging God's presence, especially in ordinary moments, is a posture of surrender and trust that opens us up to experience what is already true: God is with us. Abiding in Christ and abiding in community go together. We need both our connection to God and our connection to one another to live the full life Jesus described in John 10:10. Ending Prayer Father, thank you for this time together and for the truth that you are always with us. We confess that we have sometimes tried to carry life on our own, feeling dry and disconnected from the vine. Right now, we choose to remain. We choose to abide. Help each person in this group to walk out of here with a deeper awareness of your presence in the ordinary moments of their week. When the feeling of aloneness comes, remind us of your promise: you will never, never leave us, and you will never, never forsake us. May that truth reshape what we feel and how we live. We love you, Jesus. In your name we pray, amen.
September 16, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - Freedom
Summary This sermon, part of a series called "More: You Were Not Made for Ordinary," focuses on the foundational component of the abundant life Jesus offers: freedom. The biblical and historical context for this passage is important to consider when reading Galations 5:1. During this period, in which the letter was written, false teachers called, ‘Judaizers’ were convincing new believers that faith in Jesus alone was not enough and that they needed to come under and follow the Mosaic law. Paul's response is clear: Christ set us free for the purpose of actually experiencing freedom, and returning to a system of rules and human effort is like putting a heavy yoke back around your neck. The sermon challenges listeners to honestly examine whether they are truly walking in freedom or simply declared free while still living in bondage. Today people carry four common yokes: guilt, shame, fear, and old identity. Walking in genuine freedom starts with four practical steps: name what you are still carrying, bring it into the light by confessing to a trusted person, renew your mind with truth, and stand firm when old burdens try to return. Freedom in Christ is not a license to do whatever you want, but the power to live as God designed and called you to live. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and discuss what it means to truly walk in freedom, we ask that You soften our hearts and open our eyes. Remove any distractions or defenses that might keep us from hearing what You want to say to each of us personally. Give us the courage to be honest with You and with one another, and let Your Spirit lead this conversation. We trust that You are here, and we invite You to do something real in each of our lives today. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you have finally let go of in life, whether it was a bad habit, a worry, or a physical item, and how did it feel once you put it down? Key Verses Galatians 5:1 John 8:32 John 8:36 Psalm 103:12 Romans 8:1 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Corinthians 5:17 Romans 12:2 James 5:16 Questions There is a gap between freedom that has been declared and freedom that is actually experienced. In your own life, where do you sense that gap most? Are there areas where you know you are forgiven but do not feel free? Paul told the Galatian church that returning to the law after receiving grace was like putting a yoke back on. What are some modern-day 'yokes' that Christians can slip back into, even with good intentions? The sermon drew a parallel between freed slaves who became sharecroppers and Christians who are declared free but continue living in bondage. Why do you think it is so hard for people to actually live in the freedom they have been given? Four common yokes people carry today are guilt, shame, fear, and old identity. Which of these resonates most with you personally, and why do you think that one tends to linger? Psalm 103:12 says God has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. What does that image mean to you, and does it change how you think about guilt you may still be holding onto? Romans 8:1 says there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. How does internal shame or self-condemnation conflict with that truth, and what does it look like practically to believe it? Genuine freedom is not the license to do whatever you want, but the power to do what you ought to do. How does that definition of freedom challenge or reshape the way our culture typically thinks about freedom? James 5:16 calls us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. What makes that kind of vulnerability so difficult, and what would it take for your community to become a place where that happens naturally? Life Application This week, take a few quiet minutes alone and ask God honestly: what am I still carrying that Jesus already paid to remove? Write down one specific thing, whether it is guilt about a past decision, shame tied to your identity, a fear that is driving your choices, or an old label someone placed on you. Be specific rather than vague. Then find one person you trust and speak it out loud to them. Ask them to pray with you. You do not need to have it resolved before you share it. Simply naming it to a safe person begins to break its power. Let this be your first step toward actually walking in the freedom that has already been declared over your life. Key Takeaways Freedom declared and freedom experienced are two different things. Many believers are legally free in Christ but are still living under the weight of guilt, shame, fear, or old identity, much like freed slaves who continued living as sharecroppers. Returning to human effort, performance, or rule-keeping as a means of standing before God undermines the sufficiency of grace and the cross. Paul's message in Galatians is that grace through faith in Christ alone is the only foundation for true freedom. The yokes people carry today look different from the Mosaic law, but the weight is the same. Guilt, shame, fear, and old identity are real burdens that Jesus came to remove, and Christians do not have to keep picking them up. Genuine freedom in Christ is not the absence of boundaries or the license to do whatever you want. It is the power to live as God designed you to live, free from what was controlling you and free to love, serve, and become who God made you to be. Walking in freedom is an active, ongoing choice. It requires naming what you are carrying, bringing it into the light with a trusted person, renewing your mind with truth, and standing firm when old burdens try to return. Ending Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You purchased for us at such a great cost. As we leave this conversation, we do not want to walk out the same way we walked in. We confess that we have sometimes carried things You already removed, and we have lived smaller lives because of it. Today we choose to believe what is already true: we are forgiven, we are free, and we are new creations in You. Give us the courage to name what we have been carrying, the humility to bring it into the light with someone we trust, and the strength to stand firm when old guilt, shame, fear, or identity tries to return. Let the freedom You died to give us be the freedom we actually live in, every single day. In Your name we pray, amen.
September 10, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - You Were Not Made for Ordinary
Summary This sermon opens a new series called "More: You Were Made for More Than Ordinary," centers on Jesus's promise in John 10:10 that He came to give life "to the full." Using the story of a boy who gave his only dollar to a parade clown thinking he had seen the circus, this story illustrates how many Christians settle for a shallow version of faith that was only ever meant to point toward something greater. The core message is that Jesus offers an overflowing, abundant life, not just forgiveness or a ticket to heaven, but a present reality marked by freedom, joy, purpose, and genuine connection with God. People tend to live three versions of life: the stolen life (numb, going through the motions), the dead religious life (outwardly correct but inwardly empty), and the full life that Jesus actually came to give. Drawing from John 10 and the Greek word "perissos," meaning overflowing and more than enough, the sermon challenges listeners to honestly assess which version they are living and to open themselves to the abundant life God intends for every believer, not just a select few. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to live the abundant life you promised, we ask that you quiet our minds and soften our hearts. Holy Spirit, we invite you into this conversation. Help each of us to be honest about where we are, open to what you want to show us, and willing to receive more of what you came to give. May this time together not just be an exchange of ideas, but a genuine encounter with you. In Jesus name, Amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you were really looking forward to as a kid that turned out to be even better than you expected, or maybe a little disappointing when you finally experienced it? Key Verses John 10:7-10 Psalm 23:1 Ephesians 3:20 1 Peter 5:8 Questions The pastor used the story of a boy who gave his dollar to the clown and went home thinking he had seen the circus. In what ways do you think Christians today might be settling for the parade instead of the real thing Jesus offers? Jesus says in John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The pastor mentioned that this theft is often quiet rather than dramatic. What are some subtle ways you have seen joy, peace, purpose, or identity quietly stolen in your own life or in the lives of people around you? The pastor described three versions of life: the stolen life, the dead religious life, and the full life. Which of these resonated most with you, and why? The Greek word translated 'to the full' in John 10:10 is 'perissos,' meaning overflowing and more than enough. What would it look like practically for your everyday life to be described as overflowing rather than just adequate? The pastor shared that he was living both the stolen life and the dead religious life at the same time at age 22, going through the motions while feeling a deep disconnect. Have you ever experienced that kind of disconnect between your outward faith and your inner reality? What did that feel like? The pastor described his turning point as a literal act of repentance, turning around on a walk around a lake. What does genuine repentance, turning around and moving in a new direction, look like in your own spiritual journey? Jesus says in John 10 that the sheep who enter through Him will find pasture, a place of nourishment, abundance, and rest. What does it mean to you personally to find that kind of rest and nourishment in your relationship with God? The pastor challenged the group to name specifically what has been stolen from them that Jesus came to give. What is one thing you feel has gone missing in your faith life, and what might it look like to begin reclaiming it? Life Application This week, set aside some quiet time to sit honestly with this question: What part of the abundant life Jesus promised has gone missing in my life? Is it joy, peace, freedom, purpose, or a sense of God's presence? Name it specifically, either in a journal or out loud in prayer, because you cannot begin to reclaim what you have not yet identified. Then read all of John 10 slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the contrast between the thief and the good shepherd. Let the words of Jesus move from your head to your heart this week. Key Takeaways Jesus came to give life that is overflowing and more than enough, not just forgiveness or a future hope, but a present, abundant reality available to every believer right now. The thief's work is often subtle, quietly stealing joy, peace, purpose, identity, and freedom while leaving people feeling that ordinary and empty is simply all there is. There are three versions of life people tend to live: the stolen life, the dead religious life, and the full life. Jesus calls us out of the first two and into the third. Genuine repentance means turning around and moving in a new direction toward God, who is already pursuing us, and it is the starting point for stepping into the abundant life. You cannot reclaim what you have not identified. Naming what has been stolen is the first and necessary step toward experiencing the life Jesus promised. Ending Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise that you came not just to save us, but to give us life that overflows. As we leave this discussion, we ask that your Holy Spirit continue to work in each of our hearts. Where life has been stolen, begin the process of restoration. Where we have been living a performance rather than a relationship, draw us into something real and genuine. Give us the courage to turn around wherever we need to, and the faith to believe that you are already running toward us when we do. May we stop settling for the parade and step fully into everything you came to give. In your name we pray, Amen.
September 1, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Reach One - The Most Underrated Skill in the Room
Summary In this final message of the "Reach One" series, the often-overlooked practice of listening one of the most powerful tools for sharing faith. We live in a world-wide listening crisis, where everyone is broadcasting but no one is truly hearing others. Drawing on research and Scripture, the case is made that listening and love are functionally the same thing, and that when we genuinely listen to the people in our lives, we are performing one of the most evangelistic acts possible. Jesus modeled this pattern throughout the Gospels, asking 307 questions and listening deeply before speaking. Using passages from James 1, Proverbs 18, and 1 Corinthians 13, four practical habits of a real listener emerge: being fully present, asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to fix, and listening for what God is already doing in someone's life. The sermon closes with a personal story about how 30 minutes of genuine listening at a wedding reception moved someone more than any sermon or spiritual expertise could, reminding the church that the most powerful thing we can do for our "one" this week is simply to make them feel heard. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and reflect on what it means to truly listen, we ask that You quiet our minds and soften our hearts. Help us to set aside our own agendas, our prepared answers, and our distractions, and to be fully present with You and with one another right now. Holy Spirit, speak to us not just as individuals, but as a group. Show us what You want us to take away from this time together. May our conversation today draw us closer to You and closer to the people You have placed in our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one person in your life who you feel truly listens to you, and what is it about the way they listen that makes you feel heard? Key Verses James 1:19 Proverbs 18:13 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Mark 10:51 Luke 21:3 Questions We heard that listening and love are 'essentially the same thing.' Do you agree with that? Why or why not? Think about the last time someone truly listened to you without trying to fix your problem or redirect the conversation. How did that make you feel? Jesus asked 307 questions in the four Gospels and directly answered only eight. What does that tell us about how Jesus engaged with people, and how does it challenge the way we typically share our faith? James 1:19 says to be 'quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.' Which of those three do you find most difficult in your everyday relationships, and why? Pastor John described the difference between 'listening to respond' and 'listening to understand.' Which mode do you find yourself in most often during conversations, and what makes it hard to shift? Pastor John shared that 30 minutes of genuine listening at a wedding reception moved someone more than any sermon or spiritual expertise. Has there been a moment in your own life where simply being heard changed something for you or for someone else? There are four practices of a real listener: being present, asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to fix, and listening for what God is already doing. Which of these four do you feel is your greatest area of growth, and what would it look like to practice it this week? How does the idea of 'listening for what God is already doing' in someone's life change the way you might approach a conversation with your 'one'? What might you be missing if you go into conversations with your answers already prepared? Life Application This week, commit to having at least one conversation with your 'one' where your only goal is to listen. Do not offer advice, do not steer the conversation, and do not try to fix anything. Ask genuine questions that follow what they actually say, make eye contact, put your phone away, and let your whole presence communicate that they matter to you. Afterward, take a few minutes to journal or pray about what you noticed. What did they share? What might God already be doing in their life beneath the surface? Let that listening be your act of love this week. Key Takeaways We live in a listening crisis, and the simple act of genuinely hearing someone is both rare and extraordinarily powerful in today's world. Listening and love are functionally the same thing. According to 1 Corinthians 13, everything done without love is in vain, which means listening to your 'one' is one of the most evangelistic things you can do. Jesus modeled a pattern of listening first and speaking second throughout the Gospels, asking questions and entering people's worlds before offering truth or healing. There is a critical difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. Real listening means paying attention to what is underneath the words, not forming your reply while the other person is still talking. When you listen to someone, you are not just building a relationship. You are paying attention to where God is already at work in their life, and you become a bridge to the God who is already present and active in them. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that love often looks less like a well-crafted argument and more like a quiet, attentive presence. Forgive us for the times we have talked more than we have listened, and for the times we have prepared our answers before we ever heard the question. As we leave today, give us ears that truly hear. Make us people who slow down enough to notice what You are already doing in the lives of those around us. Help us to love our 'one' the way You love them, with patience, with curiosity, and with genuine care. May our listening open doors that no sermon or strategy ever could, because it reflects Your heart. Go with each person in this group this week, and let our conversations be filled with Your presence. In Jesus' name, amen.
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April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Women's Ministry Update
Will we be found faithful? We are in the heart of our spring Bible study series, "Rooted," and week 6 through the book of Ruth does not disappoint. This Tuesday, we're sitting with Ruth 2 – the moment Boaz notices Ruth gleaning in the fields and says, "I've been told all about what you have done." Her faithfulness was seen, even when she thought no one was watching. There is so much in that for us. New faces are always welcome. Bring your friend or family member. Printed study guides are available at the door, and you can jump in at any point in the series. Many women have joined mid-series and said they wished they'd come sooner. If you've been on the fence, Tuesday is your week.Sign Up Here We're thrilled to spotlight Dr. Kezia Addo, one of our Women's Ministry small group leaders, who just successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in public health last week. Kezia, you have juggled leadership, study, family, and faith with extraordinary grace. We celebrate you. Volunteer need: We're looking for women with hospitality gifts to help coordinate light refreshments for our Tuesday evenings. It's a small role with a big impact. You’re suited to do this. 📅 Women's Bible Study – Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM in Room 104 Upcoming: Women's Spring Brunch – Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets available at lifeabundant.la/women.
April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Men's Ministry Update
We sharpen each other This Thursday, Men's Brotherhood meets for the second session of our spring series, "Present" – Being the Man You're Actually Called to Be. Last week's conversation about emotional availability in friendships and marriage hit harder than most of us expected. Several guys stayed an extra hour just to keep talking, and the conversation has continued throughout the week. That's what belonging to this group is all about. This week we're opening up Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We'll be asking honestly: who is sharpening you right now? And who are you sharpening? These aren't easy questions for men who've been taught to go it alone, but they're the right ones. We want to spotlight Tony Guerrero, who quietly organized a work crew of eight men last Saturday to help a widowed church member repair her fence and repaint her front door. No announcement, no social media post — just men showing up. Tony, that's the kind of leadership that changes a neighborhood. Volunteer need: We're looking for two or three men with construction or handyman skills to join our rotating Home Help crew, which serves elderly and single-parent households in our surrounding community once a month.Sign Up Here 📅 Men's Brotherhood – Thursday, March 21, 6:30 AM
Room 201 (yes, we meet at 6:30 AM. Yes, coffee is provided. Yes, it's worth it.) Upcoming: Men's overnight retreat – April 25-26 in Angeles National Forest. Registration now open at lifeabundant.la/men.
April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Family & Kids Ministry Update
Spring has sprung 🌸 Spring Carnival is this Saturday and we could not be more excited! We still need about 10 volunteers to help run game booths and assist with face painting from 9:30AM setup onward.Sign Up Here Many hands make light work, and honestly, it's one of the most fun mornings of the year. Bring sunscreen. Our Sunday Kids Church curriculum this month is walking through the story of David. We’re talking about courage, failure, grace, and restoration. Big themes, told in ways that actually land for a 6-year-old. Parents, ask your kids about it on the drive home! This week's lesson focuses on 1 Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." We're teaching our kids early that they are seen and valued for exactly who they are. We also want to spotlight one of our incredible volunteers, Rosa Mendez, who has served in the 4-year-old classroom every single Sunday for the past three years. Rosa, you are the definition of faithful. Our kids light up when they see you walk through that door. Thank you. Is God calling you to take your next step? Join Rosa’s team and start volunteering today. Coming up: Easter Sunday kids programming registration opens April 1. Spots fill fast – mark your calendar.
April 16, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Weekly Update
Welcome to the weekly roundup 👋 This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. Sunday, October 19th 9:00 & 11:00am Worship Gatherings - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during both services Youth Small Groups - Meeting after the 11:00am service in the Youth Room Monday, October 20th Women's Bible Study - 7:00pm in Room 204 Prayer Gathering - 8:00pm online via Zoom Tuesday, October 21st Young Adults Gathering - Coffee, teaching, and discussion at 7:00pm in the Cafe Wednesday, October 22nd Midweek Worship & Prayer - 6:30 pm. in the Sanctuary. Kids Midweek Club - Games, music, and Bible stories (ages 4-11) Thursday, October 23rd Men's Breakfast & Devotion - 7:00am at the Fellowship Hall. RSVP Here so we make sure we have enough food! Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm in the Sanctuary Friday, October 24th Community Outreach Night - Serve with us downtown at 6:00pm. If you want to ride-share, let us know. Saturday, October 25th Youth Retreat Kickoff - Meet at the church at 10:00am for departure. Upcoming Events Trunk or Treat - Sunday, October 26th a 5:00pmNew here? We'd love to connect. This Week's Message "Called by Name"
Pastor Debbie Walker | John 10:1–15 What does it mean to be truly known – not just seen, but known? This week Pastor Debbie takes us into the heart of John 10 and the radical intimacy of a God who calls each of us by name. Whether you're in a season of clarity or one of deep searching, this message is for you. Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 David & Lena Reyes – David begins chemotherapy this week. Believing for strength, peace, and full healing. 🙏 The Nguyen Family – Grieving the loss of Grandma Rose, who went home to be with the Lord on Monday. May they feel surrounded by love. 🙏 Our College Students – Spring finals season is here. Wisdom, rest, and perspective over pressure. 🙏 Our City – For the families still displaced after the January fires — continued provision, housing, and hope. Submit your own prayer request here. Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest.Give Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Saturdays at 5:00 PM · Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:30 AM
4200 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029 Next Week: "Even Here" – Psalm 139:7–12
See you soon ☀️
April 16, 2026 • 10 Minute Read
Blog Post
Nobody has a perfect family. We know that. But there's a difference between knowing it and feeling it, especially on holidays designed to celebrate what yours was supposed to look like. You scroll through social media and see curated perfection. You sit at the dinner table and feel the weight of everything that was never said. And somewhere in the back of your mind, a question lingers: What do you do when your family is broken and the culture keeps pretending perfection is the goal? Here's the truth that changes everything: God is not looking for perfect families. He's looking for purpose-filled families. And the distance between those two realities is where healing begins. The Family Was Always the Plan From the very beginning, God designed the family as the primary environment for growth, identity, and belonging. Genesis 1:28 records that after creating humanity, God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth." Family was not an afterthought. It was the mechanism. And this isn't just a theological claim. Neuroscience and psychology continue to confirm what Scripture has always taught. People who grow up in healthy family environments are less likely to struggle with substance abuse, have lower incarceration rates, experience greater relational satisfaction, and demonstrate stronger emotional resilience. If that feels discouraging because your family wasn't healthy, stay with this. The same Bible that affirms the power of family also tells the unfiltered truth about how messy families really are. Four Generations of Dysfunction Genesis chapters 30 through 40 trace four generations of one family: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. And if you read their stories, you'll find yourself thinking, "This is really messed up." It is. The Bible doesn't sugarcoat it. It doesn't put its heroes in stained glass. It exposes the brokenness we all recognize. Adam blames Eve. Cain kills Abel. Abraham sleeps with his wife's servant. Isaac favors one son over the other, breeding rivalry and competition. Jacob, whose very name means "deceiver," lives up to it. And Joseph, at the end of the family line, is sold into slavery by his own brothers. Through these four generations, the patterns repeat: favoritism, deception, rivalry, manipulation, passive-aggressive behavior, distorted intimacy. Sin doesn't just separate humanity from God; it fractures families, turning intimacy into blame, siblings into rivals, and homes into battlegrounds. The cycle doesn't break until Joseph. And what Joseph did to reverse the curse his family passed down is the blueprint for every one of us still carrying the weight of what was handed to us.Subscribe To These Posts When Your Family Has Failed You, God Has Not Abandoned You The most remarkable thread running through Genesis is this: God's love is not dependent on your family's dysfunction. God made a promise, and no amount of generational brokenness could nullify it. Abraham failed. God was still with him. Jacob was a deceiver. God was still with him. Hagar was cast into the desert by the very people who used her. God showed up and said, "I am with you." Joseph was betrayed, enslaved, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. God showed up and said, "I'm still with you." Your family background may explain who you are, but it does not have to define who you become. When you read the genealogies in Genesis, name upon name, generation upon generation, God's faithful, loving covenant remains. When God makes a promise, not even your family's dysfunction can rob you of it if you lean into it. God even changed the names of these patriarchs to reflect His transforming work. Abram, meaning "father," became Abraham, "the father of many nations." Jacob, "the deceiver," became Israel, "one who wrestles with God." When you let God do His work, He transforms what looks broken into something beautiful. The Soil of Your Heart Think of it like gardening. If the soil of your life has been deeply compacted by the weight of what happened to you, if it's been stripped of nutrients because no one ever told you "I love you" or "you matter," if toxins have been poured in through words that poisoned your heart, then no wonder nothing grows. Maybe you've been trying to grow really good things. You want to be a good parent, a good provider. You want to show up when it matters. But the soil has been hardened by circumstances you didn't choose. The good news is that God is the great Gardener. If you let Him, He'll begin to till the soil again, softening it so that air and nutrients can be poured in, so that light can penetrate the dark places, and good fruit can grow. The Crucible That Refines You Joseph's story reads like a crucible. A crucible is a container that withstands intense heat. You place raw ore inside it, ore covered in debris, dirt, and impurities. As the heat rises, everything melts. The pure metal sinks to the bottom while the impurities rise to the surface. A skilled refiner scrapes away everything that doesn't belong until only the pure design remains. You and I were created in the image of God. The circumstances of life may feel like they've buried that image. But God uses the crucible of experience not to destroy you, but to refine you. The heat turns up not to break you, but to reveal who you were always created to be. If you skip the process, you get a weakened version. It might look like gold on the surface, but under pressure, it crumbles. Joseph grew up in an environment of survival of the fittest. But he chose generosity. He grew up surrounded by rivalry and pain. But he chose forgiveness. When he stood before the brothers who had sold him into slavery, now the second most powerful man in Egypt, he had the opportunity to continue the family curse or break it. And he looked at them and said, "What you intended for harm, God intended for good." Healing Must Interrupt What Dysfunction Repeats The patterns in Genesis are unmistakable. A father favors one son. Rivalry erupts. Deception follows. Manipulation takes root. And then the next generation inherits it all. The question every generation faces is the same: Will I repeat the pattern that was passed on to me, or will I, with God's help, break it? No matter your family background, there are things that happened to you that should have never happened. But if you let God heal you, He can transform it. That's the story of Joseph, and it can be yours, too. As you look at your own family experience, consider: What did your family teach you about conflict? About love? About generosity? These things may explain who you are, but they don't have to define you. And the harder question, especially for parents and grandparents: What patterns am I carrying forward, and where might God be inviting healing? When my wife and I were first married, we had to work through a lot of crucible experiences. We dealt with conflict in completely different ways. My way of dealing with conflict is to say it straight up. You're not going to have to guess what I'm feeling or thinking. Hers was the opposite. She saw conflict as something negative to be avoided. You can imagine how well that went until we made a decision: How are we going to define, as a family, how we deal with confrontation? How are we going to handle generosity and parenting? We had very different ideas, and we had to work through them with God's help to create a new way forward. How to Build a Healthy Family Today If you recognize these patterns and you want something different, here's what I've learned practically in my own life about becoming the parent and family member God has called me to be. Choose Presence Over Perfection Your kids don't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. It's in being present that the beautiful transformation takes place. You can't script it or plan it. You're just there. When my kids started playing sports, I made a commitment to coach them. Not to be overbearing, but so we could experience everything together. Dance recitals, awards, birthdays. Sometimes it was around a dinner table where we chose to be present, no phones, looking at each other, talking about things we maybe didn't want to talk about. Sometimes it was at bedtime when we would just pray, not out of religious obligation, but out of inviting the presence of God into that moment. "Train up a child in the way that they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). It's embedded into what family is. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be there. Speak Blessing Instead of Cursing Many of you know the pain of words that were spoken over you. You're dumb. You're ugly. You'll never amount to anything. You're worthless. When those words are spoken into a child's life, they plant seeds that harden the soil. It is never justified to curse your children. Never. Instead, learn to speak blessing. Maybe you'll be the first one in your family line who actually expresses "I love you" on a regular basis, not because someone earned it, but just because. Maybe you'll be the first to speak truth that isn't visible yet: "I see something in you that you don't see in yourself. You are worthy. You are loved. You matter." If you don't know what to say, read the promises of God over them. You are a child of the living God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. When you begin to speak life instead of death, it will break a curse. Practice Repentance and Forgiveness Some of you might need to stand in front of a mirror and say the words: "I was wrong." That is not weakness. That is breaking a curse. I do this now as a grandfather. My grandkids call me Papa. And sometimes I'll say, "Papa shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." You're modeling something. You're breaking something. You're building something. Invite God Into Everyday Life It doesn't have to be weird. Just begin to talk about what God is doing in you and how you're trying. That was maybe the greatest gift my family gave me growing up. They invited God into most everything we did. And inviting God into everyday life begins to shape and form the people around you. You Don't Have to Come From a Healthy Family to Create One You don't control what happened to you, but you do choose how you see it. And that choice shapes everything that follows. In a world that's increasingly lonely, where abandonment and rejection are common experiences, we need to fight for each other. We need to create spaces of belonging, not spaces where you have to think a certain way or behave a certain way before you're welcomed in. You belong because you were created in the image of God. Jesus said, "They will know you are my disciples by how you love one another" (John 13:35). No one has ever been won over by a slick argument. But people have been transformed because someone chose to love them. Today could be the day of transformation. The day you decide, with God's help, to believe that He is present with you and that you will be present with your family. You can't fix what's broken on your own. Only God can do that. But you can keep showing up, keep loving, keep speaking blessing, and keep inviting God into that space. You are loved. You belong. Your family story, however broken or beautiful, is not beyond God's redemptive grace. And with His help, you can create a different kind of family, one marked by presence and blessing, repentance and forgiveness, belonging and hope.
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