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Life's complicated. We want to help. Find what you are looking for in one of our past messages. Topics covered include Faith, Relationships, Anger, God, etc.
Topics are listed at the top of each message series which are ordered chronologically.
Baptism, Going Public
GOING PUBLIC
June 22, 2025 // [Part 1 of 1]
Originally, “baptism” was not a religious concept. Yet over time, baptism has become an exclusively religious idea - one that even rouses deep emotion and controversy. In this message, Matt Braun unpacks baptism, from its birth with John the Baptist to its modern equivalent. If you are a follower of Christ and baptism is still on your “to-do” list, this message may be the nudge you need to finally go public.
Masculinity, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting
MODERN MEN AND OUR ANCIENT SCRIPTS// Lion and Lamb
June 8, 2025 // [Part 1 of 2]
Somebody may have defined masculinity for you, but how will you define it for yourself?
MODERN MEN AND OUR ANCIENT SCRIPTS// The Man from God
June 15, 2025 // [Part 2 of 2]
Following the script of Jesus doesn’t mean all men will be the same. But it does mean we’ll be better men.
Heart, Truth, Treasure
CHECK YOUR HEART // Do You Hear Yourself?
May 11, 2025 // [Part 1 of 3]
Monitoring the physical condition of your heart is important, but what about the spiritual condition of your heart? In Matthew 15:10-20, Jesus teaches that it’s the words we say that reveals what is in our hearts. Monitoring the nature of your own words can actually help us monitor the condition of our hearts. When it comes to your heart, do you hear yourself?
CHECK YOUR HEART // Now or Later?
May 18, 2025 // [Part 2 of 3]
There is a very real battle between what we want now and what we want most, and we have a choice to make—will our hearts be set on NOW or LATER?
CHECK YOUR HEART // Fill in the Blank
June 1, 2025 // [Part 3 of 3]
The goal of a follower of Jesus should be to allow our hearts to break for the things that break God’s heart. When you are faced with another person in a tough situation or in desperate need, how does your heart respond?
Resurrection, Cross, Risen, Life
EASTER // Didn't See It Coming
April 20, 2025
Despite Jesus predicting it multiple times, eyewitnesses were shocked to learn God had raised Jesus from the dead. And what God did for Jesus, he can do for you.
Fruit of the Spirit, Spiritual Growth, Purpose
WHAT OUR WOLRD NEEDS NOW // No Substitute
March 2, 2025 // [Part 1 of 9]
The Holy Spirit was given to us not so we could be more spiritual, but so we could become more mature.
WHAT OUR WOLRD NEEDS NOW// Journey to JOY
March 9, 2025 // [Part 2 of 9]
While most of us understand that circumstantial happiness is inherently fleeting, we still have a tendency to chase happiness when what we really long for is joy. But lasting joy isn’t something we can chase. In John 15, Jesus reveals where joy comes from and how we can experience it.
WHAT OUR WOLRD NEEDS NOW // The Missing Peace
March 16, 2025 // [Part 3 of 9]
Jesus never said life would be easy, but he did promise us a path that leads to peace.
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // A Long Fuse
March 23, 2025 // [Part 4 of 9]
We all have a little bit of patience but we also know how limited it can be. How do we increase our capacity for patience? And why does it matter?
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // Human-kind-ness
March 30, 2025 // [Part 5 of 9]
What does human-kind-ness look like, act like, and react like?
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // Goodness
April 6, 2025 // [Part 6 of 9]
We all want to be good, but sometimes we’re not. What do we do when we fall short?
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // Faithfulness
April 13, 2025 // [Part 7 of 9]
It’s tough enough to be a faithful follower of Jesus under normal circumstances, and nearly impossible when someone around you has given you a big reason not to be. But help is available to us.
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // Gotcha!
April 27, 2025 // [Part 8 of 9]
What could our world look like if we chose restoration instead of condemnation?
WHAT OUR WORLD NEEDS NOW // Self-Control
May 4th, 2025 // [Part 9 of 9]
Self-Control
Gathering, Grace, Serve, Faith, Prayer
EKKLESIA // What's in a Name?
January 19, 2025 // [Part 1 of 6]
Being part of a local gathering of Jesus followers means you are part of something big. It’s up to each generation to determine what Christianity looks like, sounds like, and reacts like.
EKKLESIA // Opening Day
January 26, 2025 // [Part 2 of 6]
When the church first began, a natural question surfaced right away: What shall we do? The answer had to do more with understanding who your faith was in more than what needed to be done.
EKKLESIA // Our Turn
February 2, 2025 // [Part 3 of 6]
Provide for the next generation what you wish the previous generation had provided for you.
EKKLESIA // Big and Bold
February 9, 2025 // [Part 4 of 6]
Early Christians were bold, confident, and courageous. How we pray is an indicator if we’ve strayed from that.
EKKLESIA // The Wonder of It All
February 16, 2025 // [Part 5 of 6]
The message of the church is a message for the world.
EKKLESIA // The Enemy Within
February 23, 2025 // [Part 6 of 6]
It’s easy to believe the greatest enemy of the church comes from outside the church. Unfortunately, the church’s greatest threat is right in the middle of it.
Holy Spirit, Spiritual Growth
THIS IS MY YEAR...I PROMISE // Part 1
January 5, 2025 // [Part 1 of 2]
The New Year is full of possibilities that fuel the potential for a better future. That’s why we make resolutions . . . even though those resolutions often fall by the wayside. But there’s something simple you can do to make the most of this year. It begins by looking past what you think is possible in your life to what God thinks is possible.
THIS IS MY YEAR...I PROMISE // Ounce of Prevention
January 12, 2025 // [Part 2 of 2]
Many times we give money in response to a felt need or in response to a tragedy—it’s emotional and the results are measurable. But in addition to that, what would it look like to become someone who was not only an intervention giver, but a prevention giver?
Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Love
THE WAY IN A MANGER // Dead Ends
December 8, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
Usually by the time we realize we’re lost, we’ve been lost for quite some time. And we instinctively ask, "What should I do?" Instead, there’s a different question to consider.
THE WAY IN A MANGER // The Way of Life
December 15, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
Jesus came to show us not only the way back to God, but the way back to others as well. As people who have been reconciled to God, we should pursue reconciliation with people whenever possible.
THE WAY IN A MANGER // The Way of Love (Christmas Service)
December 22, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
During this time of year, we engage our imaginations as we embrace the magic of Christmas. Let’s also imagine what the world would be like if we fully embraced the way of Jesus—the way of love.
Faith, Life, Gospel
HOMECOMING // Your Place in the Story
November 17, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
Sometimes if something is too familiar, we forget how significant it is. The parable of the prodigal son is a perfect example. And when we acknowledge where we are in the story, we’re positioned to discover where we need to be.
HOMECOMING // The Word Works
November 24, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
Many Christians refer to the Bible as the “Word.” But there’s more to the Word than the Bible itself.
HOMECOMING // Deeper and Wider Than Ever
December 1, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
We believe following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life, and we want our local church to inspire people to follow him. In this message, Matt Braun talks about how and why we do church the way we do.
Faith, Belief, Trust, Doubt
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES // When Life Happens
October 27, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
Our circumstances are not an indicator of God’s absence.
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES // Promises, Promises
November 3, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
No matter if our current season of life is easy or difficult, we strive to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of our circumstances.
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES // For Those Who Doubt
November 10, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
Doubt doesn't have to be an off-ramp to faith. In fact, it's a natural part of the journey.
Purpose, Direction
FATAL DISTRACTIONS // Great Work!
October 13, 2024 // [Part 1 of 2]
Great work is often found on the other side of a terrifying longing. How could clarity regarding your “terrifying longing” reduce the allure of the distractions you’re most susceptible to?
FATAL DISTRACTIONS // Fog, Fires, & Fear
October 20, 2024 // [Part 2 of 2]
Your great work is to identify the distractions that keep you from the “problem” that you are uniquely positioned to solve.
Community, Serving, Giving
BE RICH
October 6, 2024 // [SPECIAL 1-PART MESSAGE]
We don’t have a responsibility to predict what God is up to. But we do have a responsibility to help meet people’s immediate needs.
Faith, Spiritual Growth, Character
MAKE ROOM // Means to an End
September 22, 2024 // [Part 1 of 2]
Spiritual habits are not the end; but a means to an end. To what end? Jesus makes that abundantly clear.
MAKE ROOM // Practice Makes Progress
September 29, 2024 // [Part 2 of 2]
Spiritual disciplines require practice. Practicing well is just as important as practicing, period. In this message, we’ll learn about a few disciplines we can begin to practice to make room to experience more of God’s power in our lives.
Faith, Spiritual Growth, Influence, Leadership, Purpose
ICON // It Won't Work
August 25, 2024 // [Part 1 of 4]
It's not intuitive to choose to lose, but Jesus introduced an upside-down way of living.
ICON // Loser's Club
September 1, 2024 // [Part 2 of 4]
The cross is a reminder for us to stop chasing what can’t be caught.
ICON // Chasing Humility
September 8, 2024 // [Part 3 of 4]
We can be tempted by a lot of things we shouldn’t give in to. But when we give into the temptation of humility, the world changes for the better.
ICON // Kingdom Now
September 15, 2024 // [Part 4 of 4]
Living in the upside-down kingdom Jesus described can perhaps seem risky and foolish. But the power and love of God is released when we embrace it.
Bible, Belief, Faith, Trust, Identity
PRACTICING WHAT I PREACH
August 18, 2024 // [SPECIAL 1-PART MESSAGE]
Following Jesus is complicated. We all need help figuring it out and sticking with it.
Faith, Spiritual Growth, Belief, Bible
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // Hang on to Baby Jesus!
June 23, 2024 // [Part 1 of 8]
The Fundamental List #1: Jesus is God’s Son and our King.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // Shadowcaster
June 30, 2024 // [Part 2 of 8]
The Fundamental List #2: Jesus came to illustrate and demonstrate what God is like.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // The Sin Knot
July 7, 2024 // [Part 3 of 8]
The Fundamental List #3: Jesus defined sin as anything that harms you or others.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // Judge Not
July 14, 2024 // [Part 4 of 8]
The Fundamental List #4: Jesus promised justice in the end and invites us to trust him in the meantime.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // Of First Importance
July 21, 2024 // [Part 5 of 8]
The Fundamental List #5: Jesus died for my sin to reconcile me to God.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // God's Special Agent
July 28, 2024 // [Part 6 of 8]
The Fundamental List #6: The church is God’s agent of transformation personally, culturally, and globally.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // As You Go
August 4, 2024 // [Part 7 of 8]
The Fundamental List #7: Jesus followers are multipliers.
THE FUNDAMENTAL LIST // The Bible
August 11, 2024 // [Part 8 of 8]
The Fundamental List #8: The Bible documents God’s redemptive activity in the world, culminating in the arrival of his final King.
Spiritual Growth, Relationships, Community, Accountability,
FRIENDOLOGY // Image is Everything
June 2, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
In the beginning, there was a problem mentioned even before the first sin was committed. And it’s a problem that still gets in the way of developing thriving friendships.
FRIENDOLOGY // Not Your Own
June 9, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
Prioritizing the needs of a community of people above ourselves moves us toward the interdependence we need.
FRIENDOLOGY // Challenging Friendships
June 16, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
With our society as divided as ever, we as Jesus followers have the opportunity to model how to cultivate a culture of diverse friendships.
Bible, Belief, Faith, Trust, Identity
DID GOD REALLY SAY? // The Truth About Lies
April 28, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
It’s easy to blame misinformation on the Internet, media, or culture wars. But what if there’s an underlying internal belief that’s affecting how we receive the information in the first place?
DID GOD REALLY SAY? // Who Are You Really?
May 5, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
Old habits die hard. So do old beliefs. But there’s a way to replace those old beliefs with new ones.
DID GOD REALLY SAY? // Be True to Yourself
May 12, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
We live out what we trust in. And when we put our trust solely in what our hearts tell us, we could be heading down a wrong path.
Belief, Faith, Spiritual Growth
THIS IS THE WAY // Get Dusty
April 7, 2024 // [Part 1 of 3]
Being an apprentice of Jesus leads to a life full of love, joy, hope, peace, purpose, contentment, wisdom, perspective, better decisions, and fewer regrets. Not just eternal life, but a fulfilling life on this side of heaven can be ours when we go beyond believing and start following his way.
THIS IS THE WAY // Just Say No
April 14, 2024 // [Part 2 of 3]
The way of Jesus—the life he modeled—is a life of daily surrender and sacrificial living. Every day, we have countless opportunities to deny ourselves and take up our cross, even in the small, seemingly insignificant moments.
THIS IS THE WAY // Live Low
April 21, 2024 // [Part 3 of 3]
The way of Jesus is the way of love. But loving in theory and loving as a way of life are very different, with very different outcomes. The great thing for us is that Jesus offers us his own life as an example of how to love as a way of life.