Thrive in the Decline with Pastor Josh Cougle

Deacon Ordination

We all come to the Bible bringing our politics, our opinions, our biases... we all see the Bible through our lens, which is why we disagree with so many other Christians about what the Bible is actually saying. God wants to challenge our lens, removing it and replacing it with the mind of Christ, and we'll talk about how that happens. We'll do this in the context of discovering the call God gives believers to the local church, and as we ordain deacons.

One More Lap - Week 2

What if the greatest danger in the Christian life isn’t how you start—but how you finish? Drawing from 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, this message explores Paul’s call to live with purpose, discipline, and integrity in a race that truly matters. Everyone is running toward something, but only an eternal prize lasts. The message confronts hypocrisy, spiritual drift, and half-hearted faith, reminding listeners that private compromise eventually becomes public consequence. This sermon challenges believers to take their faith seriously, practice spiritual discipline, and believe deeply that what God promises is better than anything the world offers. Grace is real, forgiveness is available, but coasting is not an option. How we live—and how we finish—matters more than we realize.

One More Lap - Week 1

This Sunday's message uses the thrill of NASCAR—when the white flag waves signaling one final lap—as a striking picture of where many stand in life's journey of faith. It draws from a biblical letter written by someone facing imminent execution, yet declaring with confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Death isn't defeat; it's the finish line he's raced toward all along.

Christmas Redemption - Week 4

This week, we see how Ebeneezer Scrooge didn't just remain the same person who made different choices, but he obviously became a new person because he had experienced something that changed everything! The Bible says that we we're in Christ, the same thing happens to us... the old us is gone, and a new us begins!

Christmas Redemption - Week 3

Facing your grave changes everything. Week 3 explores humanity’s built-in knowledge of God, guilt, and coming judgment—then the glorious “But God” that raises the dead to new life through repentance and faith in Jesus. A true Christmas redemption story.