Stand Firm, Act Like Men (Part 4) - JT Riley - 7/12

Stand Firm, Act Like Men (Part 4) - JT Riley - 7/12

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, Matthew 20:17–28, John 13:13–17, Proverbs 24:16 Our culture has a lot of definitions for what makes a man "strong," but most of them focus entirely on the external—brawn, bank accounts, or bossing people around. In week four of our series, Stand Firm, Act Like Men, Pastor JT takes us to Matthew 20 to look at how Jesus completely flips the worldly script on power and masculinity. If we want to be strong men, we have to look to the strongest Man who ever lived. Through Jesus' life and teaching, we discover that biblical strength looks vastly different than the world’s imitation. * A Strong Man is a Sabbathed Man (vv. 20–21): Real strength isn’t found in endless grinding; it is found in resting in God. A strong man knows how to stop, unplug, and prioritize proximity to Jesus. Our power to lead comes from our connection to the Source, not our own empty tanks. * A Strong Man is a Persevering Man (vv. 22–23): Strength isn't about never falling; it's about what you do when you hit the dirt. As Proverbs 24:16 says, "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." Biblical masculinity means getting back up, dust of failure and all, and continuing the march. * A Strong Man is a Humble Man (v. 23): A weak man demands respect and clambers for position. A strong man is secure enough in his identity in Christ that he doesn't need to force his way to the head of the table. * A Strong Man is a Serving Man (vv. 24–28): Jesus modeled the ultimate picture of leadership when He picked up a towel and washed His disciples' dirty feet (John 13). True greatness in the Kingdom of God is not measured by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. It is time to put these principles into action. Men, the call to biblical strength is a direct call to serve. Your Challenge This Week: Identify one concrete way you can actively serve the people in your circles. How can you serve your wife? Your kids? Your coworkers or employees? Your church? Step up, grab the towel, and lead by serving. Connect with Us: Men, let's continue to walk this out together. Listen to the full message on our app or website, and make sure to share it with a brother who needs the encouragement to step up and serve this week!

Stand Firm, Act Like Men (Part 3) - JT Riley - 7/5

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, Ephesians 6:10–18 True biblical manhood isn’t passive; it is courageous and combative against the things that matter most. In week three of our men's series, Stand Firm, Act Like Men, Pastor JT moves us from the defensive posture of remaining on guard to the active posture of spiritual warfare. We aren't fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that want to destroy our lives, our marriages, and our children. Drawing from Ephesians 6, we unpack the heavy weaponry God has provided for every man to gear up, stand his ground, and fight the good fight of faith. The Armor of God  The Belt of Truth: The foundation of everything. It holds your armor together and protects you from the lies and deception of the enemy.  The Shoes of Peace: A man of God must be anchored. These shoes provide the traction and stability needed to stand firm when the cultural terrain gets slippery.  The Shield of Faith: Your active defense. When the enemy hurls flaming arrows of doubt, insecurity, and temptation, a man lifts his shield, trusting in the promises of God.  The Helmet of Salvation: Protecting your mind. This is the ultimate security that your identity and eternal destiny are completely secure in Jesus Christ.  The Sword of the Lord: Our offensive weapon—the living, breathing Word of God. We don't just take the hits; we strike back with Biblical truth.  Prayer: The engine of the armor. Weaponry is useless without the power source. Consistent, fervent prayer keeps a man locked into the strategy of his Commander. Call to Action Last week, you were challenged to lock arms with four brothers you can trust in the trenches. This week, we are putting that brotherhood into action. Your Challenge: Get together with your four guys this week and pray Ephesians 6 out loud over one another. Do not leave your brothers uncovered on the battlefield. Connect with Us: Men, the battle is real, but the victory is already won. Grab your squad, listen to this message, and gear up for the week ahead. For more resources or to find a men's huddle near you, visit our church app or website.

Stand Firm, Act Like Men (Part 2) - JT Riley - 6/28

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, 1 Peter 5:6–11 The call to "be on your guard" sounds great in theory, but what does it look like in the trenches of everyday life? In the second installment of our men's series, Stand Firm, Act Like Men, Pastor JT breaks down how a man of God stays vigilant against the forces trying to dismantle his faith, character, and family. Pulling back the curtain on spiritual warfare, we look at 1 Peter 5 to expose five specific tactics the enemy uses to ambush men when their guard is down. Exposing the Tactics of the Enemy  Tactic 1: Pride (v. 6) — The enemy loves to convince us that we don't need help, accountability, or God. True biblical masculinity requires the strength to humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.  Tactic 2: Worry (v. 7) — Anxiety paralyzes leadership. When we carry the crushing weight of pressure alone instead of casting our cares on Him, we become vulnerable to poor decisions.  Tactic 3: Lack of Sobriety (v. 8) — To be sober-minded means to see things clearly as they truly are. The enemy thrives in our mental fog, distractions, and emotional numbing.  Tactic 4: Isolation (v. 9) — A lone wolf is an easy target. The enemy wants to convince you that you are the only one struggling so that you will step away from the brotherhood and community of the church.  Tactic 5: Lust — A weapon specifically designed to corrupt a man's vision, distort his desires, and break his covenants. Standing firm means guarding your eyes and your heart with uncompromising boundaries. The Battle Plan To stand firm, you have to know what you are up against. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour—but he looks for the careless, the isolated, and the proud. This week, take inventory of your life. Which of these five areas has your guard been slipping in? Connect with Us: Men, don't fight these battles alone. Grab a brother, listen to this episode together, and talk about it. Visit our church website or app to find a local men's group and get plugged into the brotherhood this week.

Stand Firm, Act Like Men (Part 1) - JT Riley - 6/21

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, Genesis 1:26–28, Genesis 2:5–18 What does it actually mean to be a man of God in today's world? This week, Pastor JT kicks off our highly anticipated men's series, Stand Firm, Act Like Men, anchored in the challenge of 1 Corinthians 16:13–14. To understand true Biblical masculinity, we have to go back to the very beginning—before the world's expectations and cultural distortions took hold. In this message, we unpack God's original blueprint for men by looking at the three foundational gifts and responsibilities given in the Garden of Eden. Key Takeaways  God Gives Man Work to Enjoy (Genesis 2:15): Long before the fall, God created man to work, cultivate, and care for creation. Work was never intended to be a curse or endless drudgery; it was designed to be an extension of our calling. When you operate within your God-given purpose, work becomes one of the greatest joys of your life.  God Gives Man a Will to Obey (Genesis 2:16–17): True strength is found in submission to authority. God gave man a free will alongside clear boundaries. We must remember: God is not a God of arbitrary rules; He is a God of relationship, and our obedience is a reflection of our trust in Him.  God Gives Man a Woman to Love (Genesis 2:18): God declared that it was not good for man to be alone, creating partnership and community. For men, this is a call to relational responsibility—to love, honor, and protect the relationships God places in our care. The Starting Line "To stand up and act like men, you must first bow down and surrender to Jesus. This is where it all starts." You cannot successfully build the life God has called you to lead without first surrendering your life to the One who created you. True biblical manhood doesn't begin with self-reliance; it begins on our knees. Connect with Us: Men, this series is for you, but it's also a great listen for anyone wanting to understand God's design for leadership and responsibility. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss Part 2, and visit our website to find a men's small group meeting near you this week!

Made New: Doctrine of Salvation - 6/14 - JT Riley

Scripture References: Ephesians 2:8–10, Romans 5:1–2, Galatians 2:15–16, Philippians 3:20–21 When we surrender our lives to Jesus, what actually happens to us spiritually? This week Pastor JT unpacks the profound theology of our rescue. Salvation isn't just a one-time prayer; it is a beautiful, multi-layered work of God that transforms our past, our present, and our eternal future. Using Ephesians 2:8–10 as a anchor, we break down the four foundational pillars of the Christian life: Conversion, Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. Key Takeaways  New Life Must Be Received (Conversion): True transformation begins with a turn. Through repentance and faith, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which Titus 3:5 tells us washes and renews us from the inside out.  New Life Isn’t Earned, It’s Given (Justification): You can't work your way into God's good graces. Through justification, God declares us righteous not because of our track record, but because Jesus took our sin and gave us His perfection (2 Corinthians 5:21). We have instant peace with God the moment we trust Him.  It’s Not About Trying Harder, It’s About Growing Closer (Sanctification): Christian growth isn't behavior modification through sheer willpower. It is the lifelong process of being set apart and molded into the likeness of Jesus. As Hebrews 10:14 reminds us, by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  Made New in Life, Made Perfect in Eternity (Glorification): Our current struggles with brokenness, sickness, and sin have an expiration date. Philippians 3:20–21 promises that our citizenship is in heaven, and one day Jesus will transform our earthly bodies to be like His glorious, resurrected body. Reflection & Challenge Salvation changes our identity today and our destiny tomorrow. Consider these two challenge questions this week: 1. If you are already made new and headed home to Jesus, what is one practical step of growth He is calling you to take in your relationships, habits, or devotion this week? 2. Jesus is offering to make you new right now—not after you clean up your act or fix your problems, but exactly as you are today. What is keeping you from stepping into that freedom? Connect with Us: If you want to learn more about what it means to walk out your salvation in community, we would love to connect with you! Hop onto our church app to join a LifeGroup or visit our website to reach out to our ministry team.