From Dust to Glory: The Promise of the Resurrection
by Nick DeYoung on February 24th, 2025
Christianity does not merely promise a spiritual afterlife but a bodily resurrection—a complete transformation into eternal life with God. In 1 Corinthians 15:35-50, Paul answers a question that many still ask today: What kind of body will we have when we are resurrected? The biblical teaching on resurrection is often misunderstood. Many believe that after death, we become disembodied spirits floating in heaven, but Scripture paints a different picture. Our future hope is not just about “going to heaven” but about bodily resurrection in a renewed creation. To fully grasp the significance of this promise, we must understand three key truths: resurrection is not an escape but a transformation, resurrection begins now, and resurrection changes how we live today. Read More
The Transforming Power of Forgiveness
by Nick DeYoung on February 17th, 2025
Unforgiveness is like carrying a heavy chain around our necks, burdening us with emotions that God never intended for us to hold onto. The pain of betrayal, hurtful words, and broken trust can make it difficult to forgive, but when we refuse to forgive, we are the ones imprisoned. Instead of punishing the offender, we end up punishing ourselves, allowing anger and pain to take root in our hearts. Read More
The Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Hope
by Nick DeYoung on February 10th, 2025
The resurrection assures us that our past is forgiven. No matter our history, Christ’s victory over sin secures our redemption. Paul, a former persecutor, was made new. The same grace that transformed him is available to all who trust in Christ. Read More
Called and Equipped: Trusting God’s Plan for Your Life
by Nick DeYoung on February 3rd, 2025
Throughout scripture, we see that God’s calling is deeply personal. He calls individuals by name, knowing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential. Consider how Jesus called His disciples. He didn’t pick the most educated or influential individuals; instead, He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary people. Their purpose was not defined by their status but by God’s divine calling. Read More
One Body, Many Parts: Living in Christ's Unity
by Nick DeYoung on January 27th, 2025
When we place our faith in Jesus, we are baptized by one Spirit into one body (v. 13). This means that all believers, regardless of background, ethnicity, or status, are united in Christ. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Read More
Empowered by the Spirit for the Common Good
by Nick DeYoung on January 20th, 2025
This truth invites us into a life of purpose and contribution, challenging us to see our gifts not as isolated talents but as part of God’s grand design. Whether you’re deeply involved in ministry or still searching for your place, this passage reveals that God has a role for everyone in His kingdom. It’s not about what you can’t do—it’s about what God can do through you. Read More
Revealed in the Water: The Identity, Mission, and Invitation of Jesus
by Nick DeYoung on January 13th, 2025
Jesus’ baptism inaugurates His public ministry and confirms His divine authority. It is not a private moment; it is a public declaration. Much like a coronation ceremony for a king, this act affirms that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God who will bring redemption to the world. Read More
Embracing the Mystery: A New Year, A New Revelation
by Nick DeYoung on January 6th, 2025
The concept of a "mystery" in Scripture refers to a divine plan or truth that was once hidden but has now been revealed by God. In this case, the mystery is the inclusion of Gentiles—those once considered outsiders—as full participants in God’s promises. Read More
The Final Say for Christmas
by Nick DeYoung on December 24th, 2024
The prophet Isaiah spoke words of hope, challenge, and promise centuries before the arrival of Jesus. These words ring just as true today, offering us three powerful truths to hold onto this Christmas: comfort for the weary, a call to prepare, and the glorious revelation of God. Read More
The Victorious King: Hope in the Promise of Advent
by Nick DeYoung on December 23rd, 2024
This prophecy declares that the Messiah, though entering the world as a humble child, will establish an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness. This truth is especially poignant in today’s world, where uncertainty, fear, and chaos dominate our news feeds. Advent calls us to pause and remember that our ultimate hope is not found in earthly power or fleeting comforts but in the reign of Jesus, whose kingdom will never end. Read More
The Shepherd Messiah: A Comfort for Every Season
by Nick DeYoung on December 16th, 2024
When life feels overwhelming, we can find rest in the arms of our Shepherd. He carries us when we are too weak to carry ourselves. His care is not just for the strong or the capable but especially for the vulnerable, the weary, and the brokenhearted. Read More
Hope Restored: Finding Light in Life's Brokenness
by Nick DeYoung on December 9th, 2024
Isaiah 61 provides a profound declaration of the Messiah’s mission, a mission focused on bringing good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, and liberty to the captives. These ancient words reverberate with hope, reminding us that no matter how shattered life may seem, restoration is not only possible but promised. Read More
A Righteous Judge for a Hurting World
by Nick DeYoung on November 18th, 2024
Just as spring follows winter, the Messiah brings restoration where despair once reigned. We’ve all experienced seasons of waiting—times when we’ve prayed for renewal in our lives, families, or communities. Just as God fulfilled His promise to Israel, He is faithful to fulfill His promises to us today. Read More
The Rejected and Suffering Messiah - God Feels Our Pain
by Nick DeYoung on November 11th, 2024
Isaiah 53 challenges us to live out our redemption by embodying Jesus’ love, kindness, and humility. Our lives become a testament to His sacrifice when we pursue justice, extend compassion, and embrace the call to be lights in a dark world. Jesus’ suffering wasn’t an end; it was the beginning of God’s work of redemption in the world, a work that continues through each of us as we live out our faith. Read More
Embracing the Promises of the Messiah - God With Us
by Nick DeYoung on November 4th, 2024
In our own lives, the presence of God through Jesus is just as real. This truth assures us that no matter what we face, we are never alone. Whether in the middle of a personal crisis, an illness, or a season of uncertainty, we can take heart knowing that God is with us. He walks with us, sharing in our struggles and offering hope that cannot be taken away. Read More
Walking with God
by Nick DeYoung on October 28th, 2024
At the core of walking with God is abiding in His love. Enoch’s life with God was not transactional; it was relational, rooted in God’s love and Enoch’s response to that love. Read More
Walking Humbly in a Divided World: A Call to Live Differently
by Nick DeYoung on October 14th, 2024
As we bring our sermon series on Micah 6:8 to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what it truly means to walk humbly with our God. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how God calls us to act justly and to love faithfulness, each of which is deeply rooted in our relationship with Him. Today, we arrive at perhaps the most challenging and countercultural part of the verse: walking humb... Read More
Loving Faithfulness in a Divided World: A Call to Live Out Mercy
by Nick DeYoung on October 7th, 2024
As we reflect on this call to love faithfulness, let’s take a moment to ask ourselves: Are there people in our lives from whom we have been withholding mercy? Are we willing to separate our need to be right from our responsibility to show compassion? In the midst of political tension, can we extend steadfast love to those who think differently than we do? Read More
A Call to Deep Faith: Reflecting Inwardly, Loving Outwardly
by Nick DeYoung on October 3rd, 2024
The Franciscan Blessing offers us a framework for living a deep and compassionate faith. It calls us first to look inward, to examine the places where we’ve settled for less than what God desires for us. It invites us to sit with discomfort, to confront the ways we’ve contributed to injustice, to allow our hearts to break for the suffering of others, and to believe that God can use us to make a difference. Read More
Embracing Change in a Time of Transition
by Nick DeYoung on October 3rd, 2024
This season of change may bring challenges, but it is also an exciting time of growth, refocusing, and deeper connection. As we embrace this cultural shift, may we do so with open hearts, ready to see the new things God is doing in and through us. Read More
The Call to Act Justly
by Nick DeYoung on October 1st, 2024
Justice is not just a lofty ideal or something reserved for legal experts or politicians. It is a way of life that God calls each of us to embody. The call to act justly is an invitation to align our hearts and actions with the character of God, who is both just and righteous. As we pursue justice in our personal lives, our communities, and our world, we reflect the heart of our Savior, bringing His light into the darkness. Read More
Embracing God’s Call in a Divided World
by Nick DeYoung on September 24th, 2024
In a world filled with injustice, God calls us to act justly. What does this mean? Acting justly means standing up for the vulnerable, advocating for fairness, and resisting the systems and practices that oppress others. It means seeing the image of God in every person, regardless of their social or political status, and treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Read More
Embracing God's Design for Rest
by Nick DeYoung on September 8th, 2024
As all of us navigate the busyness of life, it can be easy to forget the importance of rest. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more, achieve more, and be more. However, God, in His infinite wisdom, established a rhythm of work and rest that is not only necessary but also sacred. The Sabbath is God’s gift to us, a time set apart for rest and renewal, not just physically but spiritually as well. Read More
Finding Purpose and Joy in Our Daily Lives
by Nick DeYoung on September 2nd, 2024
Paul’s words challenge us to examine our motives in everything we do. Are we working just to meet deadlines, earn a paycheck, or gain the approval of others? Or are we working with a higher purpose in mind? When we shift our focus from merely fulfilling duties to serving the Lord with all our hearts, our work becomes more than just a task—it becomes an act of worship. Read More
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From Dust to Glory: The Promise of the Resurrection
February 24th, 2025
The Transforming Power of Forgiveness
February 17th, 2025
The Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Hope
February 10th, 2025
Called and Equipped: Trusting God’s Plan for Your Life
February 3rd, 2025
One Body, Many Parts: Living in Christ's Unity
January 27th, 2025
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