A Better Heart - June 7, 2026

A Better Heart - June 7, 2026

Pastor examines Hebrews 8 to contrast the external rules of the old covenant with the internal transformation of the new covenant. Using a chore-chart analogy, the sermon explains how the law reveals sin but cannot change the heart, while Jesus and the Holy Spirit bring forgiveness and new desires written on the heart. The talk outlines practical ways God rewrites lives—through the indwelling Spirit, a new identity in Christ, a community of grace, and daily surrender—and invites listeners to surrender, trust, and receive God’s mercy and forgiveness today. “A Better Heart” Hebrews 8:1–13 The new covenant doesn’t just tell you what God wants; it changes what you want. 1. Introduction: The Chore Chart 2. The Problem with the Old Covenant (vv. 7–9) * The law was good, but it stayed * Israel’s history proves the point. * Many believers today live like old-covenant Christians. III. The Promise of the New Covenant (vv. 10–12) * “I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts” * “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” * “I will be merciful… I will remember their sins no more” 1. The Practice of Heart Writing * God writes on your heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit. * God writes on your heart through a new identity in Christ. * God writes on your heart through a community of grace. * God writes on your heart through daily 1. Conclusion and Invitation * Where do you need God to write something new on your heart today? * Trust. Receive. “Jesus, I need You. I can’t change myself. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I receive Your forgiveness. I surrender my life to You. Write Your life on my heart. Make me new. I trust You today. Amen.”   “God’s new covenant doesn’t just change your behavior—it changes your want‑to.” Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live [https://www.mvcnaz.org/live] Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter [https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter] Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect [https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect]   With Pastor Mike Curry.

TAG! God's It! - May 31, 2026

It is my privilege to invite you to today's sermon podcast where a playful relay-tag leads into a serious message: trust God one step at a time. Using Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 119:105, the pastor explains the acronym TAG — Trust, Acknowledge, God — and encourages listeners to pause before decisions, lean on God rather than their own understanding, and follow His guidance. Through a mix of practical examples, prayer for graduates and families, and reminders that God provides light for the next step, this episode offers hope and a simple action: trust God with your next step and let Him direct your path. “TAG!  God’s It!” Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 119:105 Big Idea: God promises to guide us one step at a time when we trust Him. Introduction: Do you want to play TAG? T -  Trust God More Than Your Own Understanding (Proverbs 3:5) * The first step in God’s guidance is trust. * God is trustworthy when life feels uncertain. * Pray: “Lord, I trust You with what I cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) A -  Acknowledge God in Every Part of Life (Proverbs 3:6a) * To acknowledge God means to recognize Him in everything we do, everywhere. * God cares about everyday decisions, not just church moments. * Before decisions, pause and pray: “Lord, I acknowledge You in this. Show me what honors You.” G -  God Promises to Direct the Path (Proverbs 3:6b; Psalm 119:105) * God does not promise an easy path, but He does promise guidance. * He gives enough light for the next step, even when He does not reveal the whole map. * Move forward in obedience with the light God gives today. Conclusion Trust God with your next step and He will lead your whole journey.   Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live [https://www.mvcnaz.org/live] Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter [https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter] Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect [https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect]   With Pastor Mike Curry.

A Better Salvation: To the Uttermost - May 24, 2026

In this episode the preacher shares a personal story about being stuck in a rut and points to Hebrews 7 to explain how Jesus, as our eternal High Priest, saves completely, intercedes continually, and transforms us from the inside out. If you feel trapped by habits, attitudes, or sin, this sermon invites you to bring your real life to Jesus for deep, lasting change. A Better Salvation: To the Uttermost Hebrews 7:23-28 Main Idea: Jesus changes lives completely—now and forever! Introduction: Stuck in a Rut Why trust Jesus with the deepest parts of our lives? I. His Help Can Reach Us (Verses 23-25a) • Human help is often limited.  • Jesus saves completely (to the uttermost). • Jesus’ power to save you goes one step deeper than your deepest pit. • Action Point: Stop defining the limits of God's grace by the depth of your failures.  II. His Help Is Still Active Right Now (Verse 25b) • Jesus is not distant or passive. • Jesus is alive now and still working on your behalf.  • Jesus will not walk away from you in the middle of your struggle.  • Action Point: Rest in the reality that Jesus is actively working on, in, and through you.  III. He Brings Real Change (Verses 26-28) • Jesus is our Waymaker. • Jesus not only forgives us; He reshapes us from the inside out.  • Jesus is not content to leave you with a divided heart. • Action Point: Give yourself completely to Jesus – let Him save you to the “uttermost”. Conclusion  Don’t just manage your sins, let Jesus conquer them! Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live [https://www.mvcnaz.org/live] Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter [https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter] Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect [https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect]   With Pastor Mike Curry.

A Better Priesthood - May 17, 2026

It is my privilege to invite you to today's sermon podcast. This message walks through Hebrews 7 and the figure of Melchizedek to show how Jesus fulfills a superior, eternal priesthood beyond the old Levitical system. You’ll hear why the old priesthood could not fully restore us, how Christ’s priesthood gives direct access to God, and practical responses—access, allegiance, and generous living—called for by that truth. ---- A Better Priesthood Hebrews 7:1–10 Main Idea: Jesus gives us better access to God, a better basis for acceptance, and a better claim on our lives.  Introduction: “Who do I confess to?”  Why Do We Need a Better Priesthood? 1. The old priesthood couldn’t bring us home (Hebrews 7:1–4) * The old process: sin → priest → sacrifice → ceremonial restoration. *  The Law and sacrifices revealed sin but could not fully restore us to God. Jesus gives us a better priesthood (Hebrews 7:1–3; Genesis 14:18–20) * The mysterious Melchizedek * A king of righteousness, king of peace, and priest of God Most High. * Jesus is our eternal High Priest, greater than the Levitical priesthood. A better priesthood calls for a better response (Hebrews 7:4–10) * Access: Draw near to Christ with confidence. * Allegiance: Trust Him fully * Generosity: Worship Him with your life.  Conclusion: “We are saved for a purpose!” * * Trust Jesus as your High Priest. * Lay down a “lesser priesthood” and renew trust in Christ. * Choose a specific way to obey Christ in generosity and surrender. ---- Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live [https://www.mvcnaz.org/live] Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter [https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter] Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect [https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect]   With Pastor Mike Curry.

A Better Hope - May 10, 2026

Join today's sermon podcast reflecting on Hebrews 6:13–20, where the preacher ties a Mother's Day message to the promise of God. Using Abraham's long wait and God's unchangeable oath, the sermon points to Jesus as the firm, secure anchor for the soul. The episode offers five practical ways to live anchored in hope during life's storms: attach your struggles to God’s promises, practice anchor prayers, choose faithful responses, remove false anchors, and reach out to others who are drifting. A concise, encouraging call to trust God while you wait. ---- A Better Hope Hebrews 6:13–20 Introduction: “Mom, You Were My Anchor” Main Idea: When everything else feels unstable, God’s promise in Jesus is the one anchor you can trust not to move. 1. Learning to Wait Well (6:13–15) * God often grows us in His “waiting room,” where faith and patience are formed even when we cannot see what He’s doing. 1. Why You Really Can Be Sure (6:16–18) * Our security rests on two unchangeable things: God’s promise and God’s oath—and it is impossible for God to lie. III. An Anchor That Actually Holds (6:19–20) * Our hope is tied, not to our performance or our feelings, but to where Jesus is right now—standing for us in the presence of God. Conclusion: Live anchored this week 1. Anchor Your Storm to God’s Promise 2. Practice “Anchor Prayer” in the Waiting Room * “God, You cannot lie. Jesus is my anchor. Help me trust You right now.” 3. Choose One Faithful Response While You Wait 4. Loosen a False Anchor and Lean on the True One 5. Throw a Rope to Another “Drifting Boat” “This week, I will stop treating hope like a feeling and start treating it like an anchor.” Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live [https://www.mvcnaz.org/live] Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter [https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter] Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect [https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect] With Pastor Mike Curry.