The Steel City Church

The Happy Life | The Peacemakers | Matthew 5:9 & Jeremiah 29:1-7. May 31, 2026

What if peace is more than the absence of conflict?In a world filled with division, outrage, fractured relationships, and constant tension, Jesus makes a surprising declaration:“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)In this message from The Happy Life series, we discover that biblical peacemaking is far more than keeping the peace or avoiding difficult conversations. Jesus invites His followers to become active participants in God’s work of restoring what sin has broken and reweaving His shalom into the world around us.Through Matthew 5:9 and Jeremiah 29:1-7, we explore God’s vision for His people living faithfully in a broken world. Rather than withdrawing, attacking, or simply surviving, followers of Jesus are called to seek the flourishing of their cities, neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and homes.In this message you’ll discover:• The difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking• The rich biblical meaning of shalom• Why peacemaking is central to the mission of Jesus• What Jeremiah’s message to exiles teaches us today• How to seek the peace and flourishing of your city• Practical ways to become a peacemaker in your home, church, and community• Why God’s people are called to restore what brokenness has torn apartJesus, the Prince of Peace, didn’t simply come to give us peace with God—He invites us into the ongoing work of bringing His peace to a hurting world.The question isn’t whether you’ll solve global conflict. The question is: Will you become a peacemaker right where God has planted you?Will you forgive?Will you apologize first?Will you open your table?Will you pray for your city?Will you help others flourish?One day Jesus will fully restore all things. Until then, we build, plant, serve, disciple, and seek peace wherever He has placed us.Scripture References:📖 Matthew 5:9📖 Jeremiah 29:1-7📖 Genesis 1📖 Isaiah 9:6-7

Stop Working for Rest | Zakk Roberts | Matthew 11:28–30 | May 24

Are you exhausted, burnt out, and running on empty — but can't seem to stop?In this standalone message from Matthew 11:28–30, Zakk Roberts unpacks one of the most radical invitations Jesus ever made: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."But what does Jesus actually mean by rest? It's not a vacation. It's not a nap. It's something far deeper.Zakk walks us through three essential questions:🔹 Who is this invitation for?🔹 What kind of rest is Jesus actually offering?🔹 How do we learn to live and work from that rest?Drawing from the historical context of first-century Judaism, the original Greek language of the text, and the everyday grind of modern life — this message will challenge you to stop working for rest and start working from it.If you've ever felt spiritually numb, trapped in legalism, crushed by productivity pressure, or stuck in the comparison trap — this message is for you.📖 Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30 | Psalm 23

Pure in Heart: How to Truly See God | May 17 | The Happy Life Series

Are you fully devoted to God — or is your heart divided?In this message from Matthew 5:8, Pastor Chris explores the sixth beatitude: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Using the vivid imagery of water filtration, we unpack what it truly means to have a pure heart — not a perfect heart, but an undivided one.Drawing from Isaiah 52–53, we discover four movements toward purity:🔹 Wake Up — stop normalizing the things that numb your soul🔹 Look Up — purity changes how you see God moving in your life🔹 Speak Up — a purified heart naturally becomes a messenger🔹 Open Up — only Jesus can truly cleanse and transform the heartThe cross is where impurity goes to die. You don't clean yourself up before coming to Jesus — you come to Jesus so He can cleanse you.If you've been spiritually numb, exhausted from pretending, or trapped in a divided heart — this message is for you.📖 Scriptures: Matthew 5:8 | Isaiah 52–53 | Psalm 139:23–24 | Hebrews 12:14

The Merciful: The Native Language of the Kingdom | May 10 | The Happy Life Series

We live in a world wired for revenge. But Jesus says the blessed life — the happy life — belongs to the merciful.In this Mother's Day message from Matthew 5:7, we unpack what mercy actually is, why it's so costly, and why it's the native language of the Kingdom of God. Hint: it's not just withholding punishment — it's moving toward people with loyal love and gracious action.Through the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37, we discover that the people we'd least expect are often the ones speaking mercy most fluently — and that Jesus is calling us to do the same.We'll wrestle with three honest questions:🔹 What does mercy actually look like in real life?🔹 Why is the merciful person truly blessed?🔹 How do we live from the mercy we've received — not just for it?From the story of the Charleston church shooting and the stunning forgiveness offered by grieving families, to the cross itself — this message will challenge you to stop avoiding people and start moving toward them.Mercy isn't something you do from a distance. It requires proximity. Presence. And it will cost you something. But it cost God everything.📖 Scriptures: Matthew 5:7 | Luke 10:30–37

Hungry for the Right Things: Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness | May 3 | The Happy Life Series

Do you know what you're actually hungry for?In this message from Matthew 5:6, Tyler Abernathy unpacks the fourth beatitude: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."We all have desires — for satisfaction, security, relief, and pleasure. But Jesus isn't just talking about wanting good things. He's announcing that the truly happy life belongs to those with an ongoing, habitual longing for righteousness — a life bothered by injustice and yearning for God's justice and peace to break through.Tyler walks us through three essential questions:🔹 Do you know you're hungry and thirsty?🔹 Do you know what you're actually hungry and thirsty for?🔹 How do you practically hunger and thirst for righteousness?Drawing from the prophet Amos, the Greek meaning of righteousness (dikaiosune), and the tension between personal holiness and social justice — this message challenges us to stop chasing things that leave us wanting more and start pursuing the one thing that truly satisfies.Because Biblical righteousness isn't either/or. It's both: personal holiness and justice for others. And Jesus is the fulfillment of both.📖 Scriptures: Matthew 5:6 | Amos 2:7–8 | Amos 5:14–15 | James 1:26–27 | Matthew 6:33 | 1 Peter 3:15–16