I’ve read the Gospels many times, and I still feel a rush of excitement when I read about Jesus inviting a few commercial fishermen to follow him. In first-century Palestine, students asked rabbis if they could follow them, not the other way around. Those young fishermen jumped at the opportunity to follow Jesus.

Have you ever gotten excited about an invitation? I’ve had many such invitations, and I never get tired of them. On the other hand, I’ve been invited to events I was uncertain about, like parties, sporting events, concerts, mega churches, and too many other kinds of invitations to mention.

We are now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

Special guest speaker Pastor Mike Chong Perkinson reminds us that faith is not the absence of fear, but the decision to keep our eyes on God in the middle of life's storms. Looking at King Jehoshaphat's response to overwhelming circumstances in 2 Chronicles 20, we learn the importance of praising God, remembering His faithfulness, and trusting Him when we don't know what to do. Pastor Mike challenges believers to stop focusing on the size of their problems and start focusing on the greatness of God. Through powerful personal stories and biblical truth, he encourages us to remove the armor of self-reliance and fully surrender to God's strength. Even when life feels uncertain, God remains faithful. When we trust Him, we can find peace in the storm and courage to move forward in faith.

I know some of you are going to find this hard to believe, but sometimes I make mistakes. Okay, you can stop laughing now!

Last Sunday I made a mistake in my message, so I want to make sure I correct it.

We are now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

Rich Nye explores the Transfiguration of Jesus and the powerful lessons it teaches about faith, suffering, and hope. For a brief moment, Peter, James, and John witness the glory of Christ unveiled, giving them a glimpse of God's coming Kingdom. This mountaintop experience prepared them for the difficult road that lay ahead. The message reminds us that Jesus stands above every other voice and deserves our complete trust and obedience. While life often feels more like a valley than a mountaintop, God gives us reminders of His presence and faithfulness along the way. Ultimately, the Transfiguration points us to the hope that glory comes after suffering.

Stories have a way of connecting us in ways few other things can. Whether it’s how we met a spouse, a life-changing moment, or a memory we never get tired of sharing, our stories reveal who we are. Recently I was reminded how even people we’ve known for years can surprise us when they tell their story. The more we share, the more we discover—and sometimes we find ourselves reliving moments we thought we had left behind. There’s one story in particular that has the power to keep stirring our hearts no matter how many times we tell it.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

We explore one of the most important questions Jesus ever asked. While many people have opinions about Jesus, not all of them reflect who He truly is. This message challenges the tendency to reshape Jesus into a version that fits our preferences or culture. Instead, we are invited to recognize Him as the true Messiah—the suffering Savior who gave His life for us. Following Jesus requires surrender, not just belief. Ultimately, how we answer this question shapes the direction of our entire lives.

At 12 years old, moving from city life to ranch life felt like stepping into a whole new world. Surrounded by creeks, hills, and open land, I spent my days exploring places that felt like hidden treasure. One day I stumbled upon a fishing spot that would become an unforgettable adventure. What started as a simple trip with a fishing pole quickly turned into a lesson in patience, persistence, and something much deeper. Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t just about catching fish at all.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

We see that not all storms are physical—some are deeply spiritual. After calming the sea, Jesus encounters a man whose life has been completely overtaken by darkness. This powerful story reveals that while society may try to manage brokenness, only Jesus can truly restore a person from the inside out. It also challenges us to recognize the unseen spiritual battle happening around us. Through Jesus’ authority, we see that no life is too far gone to be transformed. Ultimately, this message reminds us that our story of restoration can become a powerful testimony to others.

How is your thought life? I ask this question because there are many who strive to influence or control your thoughts for their purposes. Scientists say we think around 62,000 thoughts a day. Some scientists who study these kinds of things say we think up to 70,000 thoughts a day. The point is, we think a lot of thoughts every day.
Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (NKJV).

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

We see how a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee reveals both the fear of the disciples and the authority of Jesus. While chaos surrounds them, Jesus remains calm—reminding us that His presence is greater than our panic. This message highlights a powerful truth: storms are inevitable, but we are never alone in them. Even when God feels silent, He is still at work. Through this story, we’re challenged to shift from fear to faith. Ultimately, it leads us to ask one important question—who is Jesus to us in the middle of life’s storms?

I remember our honeymoon like it was yesterday—full of adventure, spontaneity, and a few unexpected challenges along the way. From carefree road trips to moments of uncertainty, those early days were unforgettable. But like every relationship, the excitement of the beginning eventually gave way to the realities of life. What started as a beautiful journey soon faced tests we never saw coming. Looking back, those moments shaped far more than just our marriage. They revealed something deeper about how we grow through both joy and hardship.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.

Jesus uses the Parable of the Sower to reveal that spiritual growth is less about the message and more about the condition of our hearts. While God generously spreads His truth, our response determines whether it takes root. Some hearts are hard, some shallow, and others crowded with distractions—but only a receptive heart produces lasting fruit. This message challenges us to examine what might be blocking growth in our lives. It also reminds us that change is possible through humility, repentance, and obedience. Ultimately, the question isn’t whether God is speaking, but whether we are truly listening and responding.

I realize it must sound weird or strange for a pastor to say they have a problem with religious people, but please hear me out.
Religion itself can be positive or negative. I did a Bible (AI) search on the word religion or religious. The results were interesting. It said the positives and negatives of those words have much to do with the particular translation of the Bible. Apparently, English translations lean more negative than the original translations. Maybe that’s why I struggle with those words.

Pastor Steve is now providing Sermon Recap Questions each week to help you go deeper into Sunday’s message. These questions are designed to guide personal reflection or group discussion, helping you engage more meaningfully with the Scripture and key takeaways from the sermon. Whether you’re spending time with God on your own or connecting with others in a group, this is a simple and practical way to continue growing throughout the week.