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Sunday, September 8, 2024 - Choose Your Hard: Burn the Ships!

In this powerful sermon titled "Why Can’t I Change—Are You Ready to Burn the Ship?", Pastor Rick explores the concept of fully committing to spiritual change. Drawing from historical examples like Sun Tzu, Alexander the Great, and Hernán Cortés, Pastor Rick explains the importance of "burning the ships"—leaving no room for retreat when it comes to tackling the toughest spiritual battles.
We all face struggles we can’t seem to overcome, despite our best efforts. In this introduction to the "Choose Your Hard" series, Pastor Rick asks why some things in our lives seem impossible to change, and how only through Jesus can we truly experience transformation.
This message addresses what changes when we come to Christ and what doesn’t—helping us understand the ongoing struggle with sin and how to find victory. Pastor Rick challenges us to make the decision to "burn the ship" and never look back, committing fully to the freedom we have in Christ.

Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Games People Play: Checkers

In this final message of "The Games People Play" series, Pastor Rick jumps into the game of life through the lens of Checkers, offering giving insights on how our choices today shape our future. Inspired by the legendary checkers player Marion Tinsley, Pastor Rick explores decision-making, emphasizing that, like in checkers, every move matters. Through the teachings of James 4:13-17, he highlights the importance of setting clear goals aligned with God’s kingdom and consistently moving forward in faith. As life throws unexpected challenges our way, Pastor Rick urges us to make wise decisions grounded in Scripture, even when faced with tough situations.
The central truth is clear: The way you end your journey is determined by the decisions you make today. Every choice, every step, every move we make carries weight, shaping not just our present but our ultimate destination. Don't miss this thought-provoking wrap-up to our series, as we learn to navigate life's game with purpose, intentionality, and a focus on the kingdom of God.

TheRoad Detour: Granger Smith & Culture Christianity

Matthew talks with Granger Smith after his appearance at Man Night. They chat about Granger's life, starting with his early years in Texas and his time in Nashville. They also share memories of living in Tennessee before getting into a deeper discussion about Granger's faith.
Granger shares his journey to becoming a true Christian, focusing on three key moments: the sad day when he lost his son, a night when he realized he wasn't living as a real Christian, and a morning when he felt a big change in his faith. He talks about how being a Christian isn't just about believing, but about truly following what the Bible says. Granger's commitment to living by scripture has given him a new sense of purpose and joy in his life with God.

Sunday, August 25, 2025 - Granger Smith - Finding True Treasure

In this message, we introduce special guest speaker Granger Smith, a man who spent most of his life as a successful country music artist. But a year ago, he left it all behind to fully follow Jesus. Granger is here to share a powerful message based on Matthew 13:44, a verse where Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven being like a treasure hidden in a field.
Granger opens with a story about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who stood strong in his faith even as he faced death in a concentration camp during World War II. Bonhoeffer's courage came from his belief in something greater—a treasure worth more than anything else in life.
As Granger dives into the parable of the hidden treasure, he asks a big question: Do you have eyes for this treasure? He challenges us to think about what we value most and what we’re willing to give up to gain something as priceless as the Kingdom of Heaven. Through this video, Granger encourages us to see the Kingdom of Heaven as something so valuable that losing everything else to gain it is worth it. He reminds us that this treasure is not about money or power, but about a relationship with God that’s open to everyone who seeks it.
Granger’s message is simple but deep: Are we willing to trade our lesser treasures for the one that truly matters?

Sunday, August 18, 2024 - Games People Play: Risk

In today's message from our series "Games People Play," Pastor Rick dives into the game RISK, drawing parallels between strategic gameplay and our church's vision for the future. Just like in RISK, where strategy and planning are essential, our church is also at a critical juncture where we must assess our current resources, devise a plan, and prepare for what's ahead.
Pastor Rick discusses the current state of our church, shares exciting updates on attendance, giving, and baptisms, and outlines our strategic vision for the future, including stewardship, leadership transitions, and discipleship. He also offers practical ways we can all contribute to making room for more people to join us on this journey.
As we prepare for our family meeting and the building committee's recommendations, Pastor Rick reminds us that, just like in RISK, we must plan with wisdom and foresight, always seeking God's direction.
Join us as we explore our strategy for the future and the steps we can take now to continue reaching our community for Christ.

TheRoad Detour: Briar - Gone in a Flash

In this heartfelt episode of "The Road Detour," Pastor Rick sits down with Briar to chat about his exciting transition to becoming the full-time student minister at Grace Place. They share laughs over funny moments, reflect on the personal and spiritual growth Briar experienced during his time with us, and celebrate the strong relationships he's built along the way. As we bid farewell, we want Briar to know he's always welcome to call or visit. We'll miss him, but we're confident that God has BIG plans for Briar and family in this next chapter!

Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Games People Play: The Memory Game

Join us for a powerful message from Pastor Matthew as he dives into "The Lord's Supper" and its profound significance in our lives. In this week's sermon, part of the "Games People Play" series, we explore "The Memory Game" and how our ability to remember impacts our spiritual journey. Pastor Matthew reflects on personal memories, the importance of recalling God's works, and how the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of the covenant we share with Christ. Don’t miss this insightful exploration of faith, memory, and commitment.

Sunday, August 4, 2024 - Games People Play: Sorry

Join Pastor Rick as he dives into the true meaning of saying "sorry" in our series, “Games People Play.” Using the game "Sorry" and a hilarious Carol Burnett clip, Pastor Rick illustrates how empty our apologies can sometimes be. But what does a genuine apology look like, and why is it so crucial? In this sermon, we explore Matthew 5:23-24 and Psalm 51, uncovering the importance of heartfelt repentance and the journey of King David.
We'll learn how acknowledging our mistakes, asking for forgiveness, and living differently can heal our relationships with God, others, and ourselves.
Tune in for: Honest truths about our mistakes and the power of a real apology. Steps to make a legitimate apology, inspired by David’s example in Psalm 51. The transformative power of forgiveness and living a changed life. Whether you've struggled with empty apologies or want to deepen your understanding of repentance, this message offers valuable lessons for everyone. Don’t miss it!

Sunday, July 28, 2024 - Games People Play: Monopoly

Tune in to today's message in our "Games People Play" series as we explore the game of Monopoly. This classic favorite offers lessons that go beyond the board. Pastor Matthew will highlight three key takeaways: control is just an illusion, your attitude shapes your relationships, and in the end, everything goes back in the box. With insights from Mark 8:34-36, Proverbs 19:21, and Matthew 6:19-21, we'll discover that chasing more isn't the answer. True fulfillment comes from surrendering to God's plan and embracing grace and kindness. Join us to uncover these powerful truths and align your life with God's purpose.

Sunday, July 21, 2024 - Games People Play: Hide & Seek

Join Pastor Rick as he puts a fresh spin on the classic game of "Hide and Seek," drawing connections to our spiritual journeys. With nostalgic tales of playing the game with his grandkids, Pastor Rick highlights how our attempts to hide from God mirror this childhood pastime. He delves into how our awareness of sin drives us to hide and the fears that keep us concealed. The message wraps up with a compelling reminder that true victory lies in being found by God. Get ready to shed your old self and embrace the boundless love God offers. Listen now and start your journey towards spiritual authenticity and deeper relationships.