When Religion Gets in the Way of Faith

Why God's Grace Isn't Fair

In this message, Pastor Kirt Anderson walks through Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard from Matthew 20, where a landowner pays every worker the same wage no matter how many hours they put in. Pastor Kirt explains that the outrage of the earliest workers reveals something important about human nature, we want justice on our terms, but the kingdom of heaven runs on grace instead. He connects this to the story of Mary and Martha and to the deeper truth that grace, by definition, isn't fair. Pastor Kirt also shares moving stories from Saint Matthew's House graduation ceremonies, where people who spent years in addiction and brokenness are welcomed into a completely new life, "workers in the kingdom" every bit as much as those who have served faithfully for decades. Whether you've been walking with God your whole life or feel like you're just arriving, this message is a reminder that God's grace makes room for all of us in the vineyard.

Preach the Word: Fighting the Good Fight of Faith

In this message from 2 Timothy 4, Pastor Kirt Anderson unpacks Paul's final charge to Timothy to "preach the word" no matter the cost. Drawing on his seminary training under theologian Bruce Metzger and the Barmen Declaration written in 1930s Germany, Pastor Kirt asks what it looks like for the church to stay faithful to Scripture when culture pushes toward compromise, and why we should ask why a fence is there before we tear it down. Pastor Kirt closes by turning to Paul's own words near the end of his life: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." He reminds us that our hardest battle for faithfulness isn't found out in the culture around us, it starts within our own hearts. Join us as we consider what it means to fight the good fight today.

Why Pray for Our Leaders? | 4th of July Weekend Message

This 4th of July weekend, Pastor Kirt Anderson shares a message on praying for those in authority, drawn from Paul's letter to Timothy written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Pastor Kirt walks through why Paul urged the early church to pray for kings and leaders even under persecution, and what it means for us today to live peaceful, quiet lives marked by goodness and dignity. Along the way, Pastor Kirt shares stories from American history, including John Witherspoon's legacy at Princeton and the story of Chief Joseph, along with personal family moments that bring the message home. Whether you are new to faith or have been part of a church for years, this message offers a hopeful and practical look at what it means to be a faithful citizen. Naples Community Church | 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102naplescommunitychurch.org

Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good

Have you ever started something with the best intentions, only to run out of steam? In this message, Pastor Dan Edmondson digs into 2 Thessalonians 3:13, where the apostle Paul gives a short but powerful charge to the church: "Do not grow weary in doing good." Drawing from personal stories of missionary work in Sierra Leone and his son's journey through Papua New Guinea and rural Mexico, Pastor Dan identifies four real obstacles that cause people to give up: disappointment, lack of planning, lack of vision, and lack of faith. He closes with a simple, unforgettable challenge involving a napkin and a Sharpie. Whether you're burned out from helping people who don't seem to change, unsure if your vision is big enough to matter, or quietly wondering if God is even paying attention, this message speaks directly to where you are. Naples Community Church meets Sundays at 10:00 AM at 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL. Join us in person or online. Learn more and plan your visit at naplescommunitychurch.org.

What Does It Mean to Call God "Father"?

On Father's Day, Pastor Kirt Anderson draws from Isaiah 63 to explore one of the most personal questions in the Bible: where is God when His people are suffering? The people of Israel, exiled in Babylon for nearly 70 years, cried out to God and asked why He seemed so far away. Pastor Kirt unpacks what that season of waiting was really about, and why the image of God as Father, though rare in the Old Testament, is so central to how Jesus taught us to pray. Pastor Kirt also shares honest, personal stories from his own experience as a dad, and why the eruption of love he felt at the birth of his daughter gave him a new window into God's love for us. Whether you are a father, struggling with your own faith, or simply wondering what the Lord's Prayer really means, this message is for you. Naples Community Church meets at 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL. New here? Plan your visit at https://naplescommunitychurch.org/visit [https://naplescommunitychurch.org/visit].