The Book of James :: Stop Playing God

What Jesus Asks of You :; Come and Follow

What does Jesus ask of those who want to follow Him? In this message from our Come and Follow series, we explore Jesus’ powerful invitation in Matthew 4:18-22 as He calls ordinary fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him. Jesus does not call perfect people—He calls ordinary people into extraordinary allegiance. Following Christ is more than admiration, belief, or church attendance; it is surrendering every area of life to His authority. We’ll examine the cost of discipleship, the things we must be willing to leave behind, and the greater purpose Jesus calls us into. If you've ever wrestled with obedience, control, comfort, identity, or what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus, this message will challenge and encourage you to take the next step of faith. Join us as we discover that when Jesus says, “Follow Me,” the only faithful response is to drop the nets and follow.

What Jesus Asks of You :: Come and See

What does Jesus actually ask of you? In John 1, Jesus doesn’t call people to casual interest or distant admiration. He invites honest seekers to “come and see,” but that invitation always requires movement. Many people want enough Jesus to feel comforted, forgiven, or inspired, but not enough Jesus to surrender to His authority. Yet Jesus never called people to admire Him from a distance — He calls people to follow Him. This message walks through John 1:35-46 and explores how Jesus welcomes questions, confronts motives, and invites people into deeper surrender. Andrew, Philip, Peter, and Nathanael all show us that you do not need to know everything before taking the next step of faith. Christianity can handle honest investigation, but eventually the invitation of Jesus demands a response.

The Book of James :: Prayer and Restoration

James gives us a clear picture of a life shaped by prayer in every circumstance—not as a last resort, but as the first response. Whether in trouble, joy, or sickness, prayer is the ongoing lifeline between God and His people. It is not transactional or merely functional, but deeply relational—drawing us closer to God as we acknowledge who He is, submit to His will, bring our needs before Him, confess sin, and ask for protection and guidance. Prayer is not dependent on perfect people but on a powerful God who hears, and even ordinary faith, like Elijah’s, can lead to extraordinary movement when it is persistent and rooted in trust. James then turns toward restoration within the community of faith. Believers are not meant to drift in isolation or be ignored when they wander, but to be pursued with truth, love, prayer, and invitation back into relationship with God and His people. Spiritual drift is usually slow and subtle, and the response is not judgment or shame, but faithful pursuit—speaking truth in love and helping one another return. Healthy Christian life reaches upward in prayer and outward in care for others.

The Book of James :: Money and Patience

In this message titled “Money and Patience,” Student Ministries Pastor Connor walks through James 5:1–12, where James confronts two major areas of the human heart: money and pressure. This isn’t just a warning about wealth or a simple call to “be patient”—it’s a reminder that money reveals what we trust, and pressure reveals what we believe about God. When money becomes ultimate, it distorts how we treat people and what we rely on for security, but James reminds us that God hears the cries of the oppressed and will bring justice in His timing. On the other side, James calls believers to stand firm in seasons of waiting and suffering, refusing to grumble or give up because the Lord is near. And in the middle of it all, he challenges us to live with integrity—where our words are simple, honest, and trustworthy. Ultimately, this passage invites us to live with undivided devotion: trusting God with our money, our waiting, and our words.

The Book of James :: Stop Playing God

In this message from James titled “Stop Playing God,” Student Ministries Pastor Connor walks through the tension James highlights between judging others and controlling our future. As part of the New Hope series through the book of James, this sermon challenges the subtle ways we step into roles that were never meant for us—becoming judges of others and kings of our own plans. James 4 reminds us that when we speak against others or try to control tomorrow, we are unintentionally placing ourselves in God’s position. But only God is both Judge and King. Instead, we are invited to remember that Jesus died for the very people we are tempted to judge, and to live with humility, discernment, and love. We’re also reminded that while we can make plans, we cannot control outcomes. Life is fragile and uncertain, and James calls us to surrender our future to God—living with open hands and obedient hearts. The challenge is simple but deeply countercultural: pray before you plan, and obey what God has already made clear. If you’ve ever struggled with judgment, control, or anxiety about the future, this message will invite you back into trust, humility, and surrender.