Pursuing Truth Over Influence | Chris Bello | 6/28/2026

Pursuing Truth Over Influence | Chris Bello | 6/28/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon concludes the study of 2 Corinthians by examining Paul's final words to the Corinthian church in chapter 13. The message centers on the distinction between actual truth found in Scripture and influenced truth from worldly sources. Paul's heart for restoration is revealed as he balances gentleness with authority, calling believers to examine themselves and pursue authentic faith. The sermon challenges listeners to filter all aspects of life through biblical truth rather than cultural influencers, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes only through embracing the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Chris uses powerful imagery of a clouded vessel versus a clear, full one to illustrate how worldly pursuits leave us empty while God's truth brings clarity and fullness. Key Points: -Paul writes with authority established by multiple witnesses and visits, fulfilling the Deuteronomy 19:15 requirement -God transforms symbols of weakness (the cross) into symbols of ultimate power through resurrection -Believers should lead with gentleness and grace first, reserving power/authority for when necessary -Regular self-examination is essential—comparing our spiritual growth from previous seasons -Communion provides a weekly opportunity to examine ourselves and remember Christ -The difference between actual truth (Scripture) and influenced truth (cultural voices, influencers, status, wealth) -All truth claims must be filtered through Scripture as the ultimate authority -Paul's desire for restoration rather than correction drives his ministry approach -Authentic community requires moving beyond passing phrases to genuine connection -The simplicity of the gospel: grace of Jesus Christ, love of God, fellowship of the Holy Spirit -Influenced truth keeps us empty and clouded; biblical truth brings clarity and fullness Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 13:1-14 (primary passage) -Deuteronomy 19:15 (witnesses requirement) -2 Corinthians 10:1-2 (Paul's gentle approach) -1 Corinthians 11:28 (self-examination during communion) -2 Corinthians 11:3-6 (warning against false apostles) -Psalm 139:1-14 (God's intimate knowledge of us)

God's Power Made Perfect in Weakness | Luke Edgerton | 6/21/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 12 about his "thorn in the flesh" and God's response that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." The message challenges believers to stop pleading with God to remove limitations that He has purposefully allowed to keep them humble. Rather than seeking comfort, God is more interested in keeping His people humble so His power can work through them. The sermon emphasizes that God's divine power doesn't work outside of us but within us when we yield to Him. It calls believers to stop comparing themselves to others, to be content with their God-given identity and limitations, and to understand that the same grace that saves from the penalty of sin also delivers from the bondage of ongoing sin. The message concludes with a call to confession, acknowledging that complete healing comes when we confess our sins to one another and to God. Key Points: -More than keeping you comfortable, God is interested in keeping you humble -God allows limitations in our lives as mercy gifts to protect us from pride and conceit -Substance and content are more important than style and form in ministry -God's grace (favor) is sufficient and compensates for our lack -God's explosive power (dynamis) is made perfect in weakness, not in human strength -The power of Christ is attracted to humility and repelled by pride -God's divine power works within us, not outside of us, when we yield to Him -We must give God something to move on through faith, prayer, fasting, and obedience -Many Christians believe Jesus saves from the penalty of sin but don't believe the same power delivers from the bondage of sin -Belief structures create our future - we must believe before we experience -Unconfessed sin causes spiritual decay and weakness -Complete healing comes through confession of sins to God and to one another Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (primary focus) -2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (key verses about the thorn in the flesh and God's sufficient grace) -Psalm 27 (seeking God's face) -Ephesians 3:20 (God able to do more than we ask or think) -2 Peter 3:4 (divine power for life and godliness through intimate knowledge of God) -John 3:16 (belief leading to eternal life) -Psalm 32:1-7 (David's confession and the weight of unconfessed sin) -James 5:16 (confessing sins to one another for healing)

Pure Devotion | Luke Edgerton | 6/14/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon examines 2 Corinthians 11 where Paul warns the Corinthian church about false teachers who would lead them away from pure devotion to Christ. Using the metaphor of a bride being presented to her husband, Paul expresses concern that just as the serpent deceived Eve, false teachers will lure Christians away from Christ. The message emphasizes three primary ways believers are led astray: through the proclamation of another Jesus (such as in Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Freemasonry), the reception of another spirit (doctrines that teach about the Holy Spirit without experiencing His presence), and the acceptance of another gospel (works-based salvation, apocrypha-influenced teachings, and Christian subcultures like prosperity or poverty gospels). The sermon challenges believers to test everything against Scripture, maintain discernment in an age of false teaching, and remember their salvation enough to be willing to suffer for the gospel like Paul did. It concludes with a call to be plagued with tears for the lost and to pursue a Holy Spirit-filled, Bible-oriented faith rather than comfortable Christianity. Key Points: -God demands exclusive, pure devotion from His bride, the church, and will not share His people with any other devotion -Christians are led astray through three primary means: proclamation of another Jesus, reception of another spirit, and acceptance of another gospel -False leaders teach false doctrine using false material to persuade a false word -The way we view the Bible is the way we view God; if we view the Bible as lacking authority, we view God as lacking authority -Essential biblical "cleats" to anchor our faith include: 66 books, written over 2,000 years, one author (Holy Spirit) with 40+ co-authors, across three continents and three languages, revealing one God -False leaders are motivated by pride and profit, while true leaders are motivated by love -The enemy's strategy is to lower our discernment while God calls us to test everything against Scripture -Christians must remember their salvation and be willing to suffer like Paul for the sake of the gospel Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 11:1-33 (primary focus) John 14:16, 26 Acts 19:2 Galatians (referenced regarding law vs. faith) 1 Corinthians 13 2 Corinthians 5:14 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Jude 1:3-4 1 Samuel 16 (Spirit departing from Saul)

Waging War in the Spiritual Realm | Luke Edgerton | 6/7/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the spiritual warfare that Christians face, emphasizing that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces in heavenly places. Pastor Luke teaches that while we live in physical bodies, we do not wage war according to the flesh but through divine power accessed via prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture. The message addresses how demonic strongholds—including the occult, the sexual reorientation revolution, and false religions—affect believers through spirits of rejection, orphanhood, and betrayal. The sermon emphasizes that God's divine power, not human willpower, is necessary to overcome these spiritual battles. It concludes with a powerful reminder that Christians must identify themselves according to God's Word rather than the enemy's accusations, loving people (the hardware) while hating the evil ideologies (the software) that bind them. Key Points: -The battle for Christians is not against what is seen but against unseen spiritual forces and authorities -Trauma creates opportunities for demonic spirits (orphan spirit, rejection, betrayal) to influence and complicate lives -Divine power is accessed through prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture study—not through human willpower alone -Spiritual weapons include the Bible, prayer, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit -Three major strongholds in modern culture: the occult, the sexual reorientation revolution, and world religions -Every person bears the image of God (Imago Dei) regardless of their salvation status -Christians must "love the hardware, hate the software"—love the person but hate the evil ideology -Arguments and lofty opinions (like Calvinism, Dispensationalism, Cessationism) must stand up to Scripture -Authority in ministry is given by God for building up and empowering others, not overpowering them -Substance trumps appearance and delivery style in ministry -Christians should identify themselves according to what God says about them, not what the devil says Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 10:1-17 (primary passage) -Ephesians 6:12 -Joel 2:32 -Ephesians 6:17 -Galatians 1 -Psalm 139:14 -Jeremiah 1:5 -Proverbs 6:16-19 -Proverbs 8:13 -John 3:16

Testing God's Currency | Luke Edgerton | 5/31/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon challenges believers to understand that God's currency is trust, not the American dollar. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8-9, the pastor confronts both the prosperity gospel and the poverty gospel as lies, teaching instead that God invites us to test Him specifically in the area of finances. The message emphasizes that generosity flows from understanding how much God has given us in Christ, and that Christians should give their first fruits to God—not reluctantly or under compulsion, but as an act of worship. The sermon calls believers to move from being consumers to contributors by trusting God with every area of life, including money, and challenges the congregation to increase their giving by one percentage point to test God's faithfulness in provision. Key Points: -God's currency is trust, not the American dollar; promises are appropriated by faith, not automatically received -The Macedonian churches gave generously out of their poverty because they understood the gift of Jesus Christ -Joy does not come from a full bank account but from the salvation found in Jesus -Comparison with others leads to chronic disappointment; focus on what God has provided for you -Giving yourself first to the Lord aligns everything else in proper order -The poverty gospel is as false as the prosperity gospel; God doesn't punish people by providing wealth -Money is a tool to accomplish greater goals, not the goal itself; when money becomes the goal, it becomes our god -If you're living paycheck to paycheck, you likely have a spending problem, not an income problem -Malachi 3:10 is the only place where God invites us to test Him—specifically regarding financial stewardship -How you give to God is how God gives to you; whoever sows sparingly reaps sparingly -God loves a cheerful giver, not one who gives reluctantly or under compulsion -When Jesus is Lord of your life, He must be Lord of your finances too -Everything the Father has is available to us, but must be received by faith Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 8:1-15 -2 Corinthians 9:1-15 -Malachi 3:10 -Matthew 6:24 -Proverbs 3:9-10 -James 4:11 -Luke (reference to Jesus teaching about faithfulness with little leading to more)