Current Series
Two thousand years ago, a gathering of people in a middle-eastern city began a movement that would circle the globe and leave its mark on individuals and cultures on every continent. This movement would eventually become known as The Church. The church is a movement, and it’s still moving. Whether you consider yourself a church person or not, you’re invited to join us for this 7-part series, Big Church, as John brings life to the story of the local church movement.
Day One — Jan 8
When we think of church, why is a building the first thing that comes to mind? Is church a place full of robes and pews? Bands and banners? Or is church meant to be something different? In this message, John explains that the early church was a movement, and it’s still on the move today.
Big Prayers — Jan 15
Chances are, if God answered all the prayers you have prayed in the last year, the only difference it would have made is in your life and your family. And while that may be great for you and your family, could your prayers be bigger? Bolder? God invites us to pray for the daily aspects of our lives. But if the early church provided us with a model for prayer, then God also invites us to pray with boldness…to pray big, bold, God-honoring prayers.
Big & Bold — Jan 22
Are we practicing safe Christianity or bold Christianity? What’s the difference? The early church was marked with boldness, not safety. Rather than being a group of safe believers, the early Christians looked for opportunities to be bold. That’s what made the church a movement rather than an institution. That’s where God showed up. So, be bold. Speak up. Take advantage of opportunities God gives you. Create opportunities to be bold, and be a part of the difference Christ can make in people’s lives.
Big Audience — Jan 29
God chose the unlikeliest person to carry the message of Christianity out of Jerusalem. But it is thanks to this man’s simple telling of the gospel that Christianity continues as a movement today. The message of Christianity comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people emphasize our brokenness. Others emphasize God’s goodness. The need for repentance or forgiveness. Having faith. Walking in obedience. While all of these are part of the gospel, what was the essential message that ignited a movement that continues today? The gospel of Jesus Christ is clear: Christ died for our sins; he was buried; he was raised; he appeared. This is the foundational message behind the movement that continues today.
Big Drift — Feb 5
The early church’s first major challenge is one we still face today. Controversies arise in churches for many reasons. Some are important. Others are seemingly trivial. One tension that arose in the early days of the church that continues to surface today is the balance of grace and truth. Specifically, how good does a person have to be in order to be part of the church? We must work hard to be a church where grace and truth don’t conflict, but coexist. Jesus was full of both grace and truth. So, in response, we’ll make three commitments: (1) Let’s be more concerned with who we’re reaching than who we’re keeping; (2) Let’s always err on the side of grace; (3) Let’s remain openhanded in our attempts to advance the message of Jesus Christ.
Big Answers — Feb 12
Is the church still relevant for today? In this message, John makes the case that Christianity, unlike any other religion, offers not just a different way of living, but a better way of living. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a message that saves people for eternal life, but a message that restores a broken world. It’s a message that has shaped cultural values and national identities. With that in mind, it’s time for the church to re-engage at every level because our message is a message of life.
Big Opportunity — Feb 19
Influence is a stewardship issue. In this message, John details four bold actions we can take to ensure we use our influence to leave the local church better than it was handed down to us. Do Christians give Christ a bad name? Do Christians make it easy or difficult for people to approach God? The church is a big idea. It started with one man and spread to many more become a movement that continues to grow today. The church is God’s idea, and he invites us to boldly be a part of it for our generation.
