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On this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Mark South explores Ephesians 2:8–10 and what it means to live entirely by God's grace. Drawing on Martin Luther's struggle to earn righteousness and Paul's teaching in Romans 3:27–28 and Galatians 6:14, Mark shows that salvation is God's gift, received through faith rather than earned through performance. Grace removes every ground for boasting, makes us new in Christ, and sends us to walk in the good works God has prepared. Our standing in Christ is secure even as God continues to shape us into His image. Good works are the fruit of salvation and depend on the same grace that saves us. Whether we are striving to earn acceptance, taking credit for spiritual growth, resisting further change, or settling into comfort, the invitation is to come with empty hands, boast only in Jesus, and live in daily dependence on Him. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 2:8–10 01:58 Introduction – Entirely by Grace 05:09 Martin Luther and the Reformation 12:43 What Does It Mean to Be Saved? 18:01 A Life of Grace Is Received 25:35 Boasting Is Removed 34:59 New Creation Is Formed 38:51 Secure in Christ, Still Being Formed 43:42 Walking in Good Works 48:48 What Makes a Work Good? 51:58 Four Hearers – Responding to Grace 53:48 Closing Prayer

Pastor David explores Ephesians 2:1–7, reminding us that understanding who we were before Christ deepens our gratitude for the life He has given us. Apart from Christ, we were dead in our trespasses and sins: condemned for rejecting the giver of life, choosing rebellion, sinful by nature, and powerless to save ourselves. Drawing also from Romans 1–3, David shows that everyone needs the same miracle of grace, whatever their testimony. But God, rich in mercy and great in love, made us alive with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. Remembering our past is an invitation to live confidently in Christ, extend mercy to those outside the church, show grace to one another, and leave behind the sin that once brought death. Our redeemed lives display the immeasurable riches of God's grace and call us to worship Him for His goodness. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 2:1–7 02:21 Introduction – Who Were You Before Christ? 07:12 Everyone Needs New Life 11:00 Dead as in Condemned – Trespasses and Sins 19:09 Dead by Choice – Without Excuse 21:38 Dead by Nature – Why the World Is Broken 24:46 Dead as in Powerless – Unable to Save Ourselves 27:38 But God Made Us Alive – Rich in Mercy 30:25 Raised with Christ – Walk in Confidence 31:14 Remembering Grace Changes How We Live 35:38 Our Lives Display God's Grace 36:36 Closing Prayer

In this sermon, Pastor Mark explores Ephesians 1:15–23 and shows how Paul's prayer can reshape both our expectations and our prayer life. Paul begins with gratitude for the visible grace of faith and love, reminding us not to confuse imperfect progress with no progress. He asks the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that what we know about God becomes something we see and live. Rather than chasing new spiritual experiences, believers are invited to grow more deeply in the hope, inheritance, and power they already have in Christ: a secure future, belonging to God as His treasured people, and His immeasurable power at work in us. Because Jesus is risen and reigning over all things for His church, we can persevere in ordinary, daily faithfulness and pray with gratitude, confidence, and endurance. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 1:15–23 03:00 Welcome and Gratitude for the Church 04:45 Introduction – When an Apostle Prays for You 08:56 Faith and Love – Visible Grace 13:42 Prayer Begins with Gratitude 16:40 Don't Confuse Imperfect Progress with No Progress 19:55 The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation 25:15 A Deeper Awakening to What You Already Have 26:54 From Mind Knowledge to Heart Seeing 30:47 Growing in the Hope, Inheritance, and Power We Have 34:57 Hope – Confidence in the Future God Has Secured 40:19 Inheritance – We Are God's Treasured People 44:03 Power – His Immeasurable Greatness at Work in Us 46:40 Anchored in the Risen and Reigning Christ 52:44 Closing Prayer

In this sermon, Pastor Mark explores Ephesians 1:11–14 and invites us to anchor our hope in the future God has already secured in Christ. Success, comfort, relationships, and past milestones cannot give us a lasting future, but in Christ we have obtained an eternal inheritance. Mark 10:29–30, 1 Corinthians 15:51–54, and Revelation 21:3–4 point to a future of resurrection, freedom from grief, and life in God's presence. God has chosen us and is working all things according to His purposes, so even suffering cannot overturn His promise. The Holy Spirit seals us as God's own and guarantees our inheritance by dwelling in us now. Authentic faith is expressed through hearing and believing the gospel, repentance, and surrender—not simply through our feelings. Because we have more ahead of us than behind us, we can take risks, give generously, and obey Christ today instead of wasting our lives building a future He has already secured. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 1:11–14 02:16 Welcome and Church Anniversary 04:31 Church Building Update 11:07 Introduction – A Hope Story Worth Telling 15:00 What Is Your Hope Story? 17:39 In Christ, We Have Obtained an Inheritance 23:13 The Future God Promises 27:18 In Christ, You Have More Ahead Than Behind 29:32 Not Merely Surviving, but Inheriting Everything 33:19 God Has Secured Your Future 35:38 Because He Chose It, We Cannot Lose It 36:47 Everything Is Working to Get You to Your Future 41:05 Sealed with the Holy Spirit 46:13 Authenticity Is Hearing and Believing 49:52 The Spirit Guarantees Our Inheritance 51:19 God's Pledge Is His Presence 54:26 Application – Keep Rebuilding Your Hope in Christ 55:25 Closing Prayer

In this sermon, Pastor Mark explores Ephesians 1:7–10 and urges us to use the grace God has already given us in Christ. Jesus' blood has redeemed us from the real guilt of our trespasses, and His forgiveness is sufficient for both our sins and the sins committed against us. God's grace makes us rich through union with Christ, and He lavishes it on us rather than rationing it. This redemption is part of God's purpose to display Christ and, in the fullness of time, unite all things in Him. Because that future is coming, we can begin surrendering our wills to Christ today instead of wasting the life His blood has purchased. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 1:7–10 01:50 Introduction – Don't Waste Your Forgiveness 09:55 Redemption Through Christ's Blood 13:14 Redemption Means Forgiveness of Trespasses 15:02 Seeing Our Real Guilt 25:56 The Cross Shows Sin and Redemption 30:20 Rich in God's Grace 36:23 Grace Is Poured Out 38:00 Pursuing Pennies Instead of Grace 38:55 God's Purpose Revealed in Christ 44:36 One Visible Purpose Amid Unanswered Questions 46:29 God's Plan to Unite All Things in Christ 52:20 Begin Uniting Your Will With Christ 54:31 Closing Prayer

In this sermon Pastor Rick Walker explores Ephesians 1:3–6 and asks why God’s people can sing even when their lives are on fire. Every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ: the Father chose us before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of His will and adopted us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Adoption gives us a new identity as God’s children, the assurance of His Spirit (Romans 8:15–16), and a loving Father we can approach with trust and intimacy. We are invited to stop living like orphans or finding our worth in accomplishments and instead rest in our belonging to God. These blessings lead to the praise of His glorious grace—not only through Sunday singing, but through offering our bodies and daily lives in worship (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 12:1). When the song of our lives matches the song of our voices, others can see God’s glory, even through suffering. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 1:3–6 03:37 Introduction – Chosen for Worship 07:41 Blessed in Christ 09:57 Chosen Before the Foundation of the World 16:32 Chosen According to the Good Pleasure of His Will 18:41 Chosen for Adoption Through Christ 21:35 Adoption Provides a New Identity 29:38 Adoption Provides a Loving Father 40:07 Chosen to Praise His Glorious Grace 49:30 Closing Prayer

Pastor Mark South begins our series in Ephesians “Don’t Waste Your Life” by showing how the opening words of Ephesians reveal the way to a life of lasting purpose. Drawing on Paul’s transformation in Philippians 3:4–7, Mark explains that the grace of God’s will turns rebels into servants of Christ: a life directed by God’s will may not be easy, but it will not be empty. Believers are saints—sinners claimed and set apart by God—whose truest address is not their circumstances but “in Christ.” Paul’s greeting of grace and peace summarizes the gospel: God’s unearned favor leads us to faith and repentance, the experience of reconciliation with God, and war against every competing loyalty. Through Acts 19:18–29, the message shows that the gospel both frees people to abandon their idols and provokes resistance from those whose gods are threatened. A life is not wasted because following Jesus costs something; it is wasted when spent on what can never give grace and peace. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Ephesians 1:1–2 01:46 Introduction: Don’t Waste Your Life 10:02 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus 14:03 The Battle of the Wills – Philippians 3:4–7 18:00 God’s Will Turns Rebels into Servants 22:36 Saints: Sinners Claimed by God 27:57 Faithful in Christ Jesus 31:25 Your Truest Address Is in Christ 37:55 Grace and Peace from God 43:24 From Grace to Faith, Repentance, and Peace 45:28 When the Gospel Came to Ephesus – Acts 19:18–29 47:09 Grace Makes War Against Idolatry 48:57 Christ’s Lordship Resisted 52:03 The World Resists a Jesus Who Replaces Its Gods 52:26 The Way to the Unwasted Life 52:55 Closing Prayer

Pastor Gregg Katz concludes Living Stones’ core values series by exploring what it means to be in the city for the city. Beginning with God’s call to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:4–10 to seek the welfare of Babylon, Gregg draws on 1 Timothy 2:1–7, Proverbs 11:9–12, Matthew 22:34–40, and Titus 3:1–3 to call Christians to pray for their leaders, speak with kindness, love their neighbors, and be ready for every good work. He offers practical ways to be present physically, culturally, and spiritually through local relationships, community involvement, generous service, prayer, and sharing the gospel. Although our citizenship is in heaven, the promise of God’s eternal city in Revelation 21:1–4 gives purpose to our life here: we seek the good of our city because we want its people to be in God’s city. The message closes with encouragement to keep doing good, serve through local ministries, and invite others to know Jesus. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Jeremiah 29:4–10 01:48 Introduction: In the City for the City 07:48 Seek the Welfare of Your City – Jeremiah 29:4–10 11:40 Pray for All People and Leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1–7 13:36 Speak Encouragement into Your City – Proverbs 11:9–12 15:37 Love God and Your Neighbor – Matthew 22:34–40 17:19 Be Ready for Every Good Work – Titus 3:1–3 22:05 Physically: Be Present and Invest in Your City 24:42 Culturally: Participate and Influence for Good 26:53 Spiritually: Pray and Share the Gospel 28:17 We Are Exiles: Our Citizenship Is in Heaven 30:08 We Want the People in Our City to Be in God’s City 30:46 Our Eternal Home – Revelation 21:1–4 34:00 Keep Doing Good: Your Neighbor Needs Your Service 36:12 Practical Next Steps: Serve Locally and Invite Others 38:57 Closing Prayer

Guest pastor Caleb Richardson of Radiant Church in Alaska continues Living Stones’ “This Is Us” series by exploring the core value of churches planting churches. Drawing on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20, the Spirit’s power in Acts 1:8, and the church at Antioch in Acts 11 and 13, Caleb shows that church planting is the fruit of a healthy church, is led by the Holy Spirit, and requires going out to proclaim the good news of Jesus. Through stories from Alaska and pictures of multiplying dandelions and fireweed bringing life to burned ground, he illustrates how the gospel brings hope to communities marked by sin and brokenness. Grounded in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, the message calls every believer to consider their part in God’s mission and pray for people, places, and provision for new churches. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Acts 13:1–5 03:16 Introduction: Caleb Richardson and Church Planting in Alaska 08:00 This Is Us: Churches Planting Churches 12:25 The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19–20 18:00 Empowered by the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8 21:45 The Gospel Spreads to Antioch – Acts 11 25:29 Antioch Sends Barnabas and Saul – Acts 13:1–4 27:00 Church Planting Is the Fruit of a Healthy Church 30:12 Church Planting Is Led by the Spirit 34:40 Go and Proclaim the Good News – Acts 13:5 36:21 Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 41:50 Fireweed: Gospel Hope in Broken Communities 43:55 Our Part: Pray for People, Places, and Provision 47:35 Closing Prayer

Pastor Mark continues Living Stones’ “This Is Us” series with the call for disciples to make disciples. From Paul’s return to the city where he was stoned, his repeated proclamation of the gospel, his strengthening of believers through tribulation, and his appointment of elders, Mark shows that disciple-making is ordinary “garden work” rather than impressive “cathedral work.” It is one of the greatest ways to spend a life, makes Jesus unmistakable and unavoidable in everyday relationships, returns continually to the gospel, and takes a church where people are known, strengthened, and encouraged to persevere. Because discipleship is cross-shaped, Jesus does not promise an easy life, but he does promise his presence; wherever God plants us, we are called to follow Christ, help others follow him, and make Jesus the hero of our story. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Acts 14:19–23 00:39 Opening Prayer 03:07 Introduction: Returning from Ireland 04:16 St. Patrick and the Garden 06:19 Disciple-Making Is Garden Work 11:29 One of the Greatest Ways to Spend Your Life 19:09 Make Jesus Unmistakable and Unavoidable 20:31 Gospel, Gospel, and More Gospel 25:06 Strengthening Souls and Continuing in Faith 30:33 Disciple-Making Is Cross-Shaped 34:46 The Prayer of St. Patrick 35:17 Disciple-Making Takes a Church 39:15 Make Jesus the Hero of Your Story

Gabe Dye continues Living Stones’ “This Is Us” series with the core value that the gospel is for all people. From Luke 24:44–48, he shows that Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures through his suffering and resurrection so that repentance and forgiveness could be proclaimed to every nation: Christ denied heaven’s privileges to bring sinners near, turns rebels into sons and daughters, and followed the Father’s will all the way to the cross. Because Jesus went first, Luke 9:23–25 calls everyone who comes after him to deny self, take up the cross daily, and follow him—dying to comfort, approval, success, and sin while seeing others as God’s image-bearers and carrying the gospel locally and throughout the world. Hosea’s pursuit of Gomer pictures Christ’s costly, relentless love and returns the sermon to its central question: Is Jesus worth our time, commitment, and sacrifice? 00:00 Scripture Reading – Luke 9:23; 24:44–48 00:51 Opening Prayer 01:14 Introduction: Was It Worth It? 05:38 The Gospel Is for All People 11:25 Christ Denies 21:02 Christ Turns Sinners into Saints 27:17 Christ Follows the Father 32:48 Deny, Take Up, and Follow – Luke 9:23–25 33:47 Deny Yourself 36:37 Take Up Your Cross Daily 39:30 Every Day Something Will Die 40:01 Follow Jesus 42:21 Is Jesus Worth It? 44:00 Hosea and Gomer: Redeeming Love 47:38 Closing Prayer

Pastor David introduces Living Stones’ core value of making outsiders insiders through 1 Peter 2:4–10. Because Christians were once outsiders who received mercy and became God’s people, the church is called to share the gospel by following Jesus’ example and Paul’s willingness to become all things to all people—laying down freedoms, removing unnecessary barriers, going to people, welcoming guests, and defending the vulnerable. Yet the goal is more than belonging or community: outsiders are invited to come to Christ, the rejected cornerstone, and be built together into a spiritual house and holy priesthood. The sermon warns comfortable religious insiders not to mistake familiarity with church for faith in Jesus, and points to Christ, who became an outsider so sinners could be brought in and made free. 00:00 Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 2:4–10 01:20 Opening Prayer 02:01 Introduction: Living Stones’ Core Values 05:59 Making Outsiders Insiders 08:03 Why: Once We Were Not a People 11:46 Everyone Was Once an Outsider 15:38 Outsiders Don’t Know What They’re Missing 16:28 The Joy of Being an Insider 19:03 How: Become All Things to All People 24:05 Jesus Went to Outsiders 30:01 What: Built as a Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood 32:37 Invitation to Come to Christ

Pastor Mark preaches from Daniel 10, where a devastating word leaves Daniel mourning, fasting, praying, and waiting before God. Rather than seizing control or reacting out of fear, Daniel pauses in God’s presence and discovers that heaven has not been idle: his prayer was heard from the first day, even though the answer was delayed. The chapter pulls back the veil on a spiritual conflict beyond what Daniel can see, reminding believers that God rules every visible and invisible power and gathers their prayers into his larger purposes. Christian maturity, then, is not the absence of fear but the grace to stand faithfully while trembling, assured by God’s declaration that his people are greatly loved. Daniel’s experience ultimately points to Jesus, who trembled in the garden, submitted to the Father’s will, and stood for sinners so that no one who trusts in Christ is abandoned. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Daniel 10 03:06 Opening Prayer 03:54 Introduction: Stand Trembling 09:43 Can Your Faith Tremble and Still Stand? 11:41 Daniel’s Reaction: Pause, Don’t React 20:21 While Daniel Mourns, Heaven Is Not Idle 22:25 Delay Is Not the Same as Unheard 24:22 When Prayers Go Unheard 26:41 God Rules Every Visible and Invisible Power 30:54 Prayer and God’s Larger Purposes 35:19 Stand Trembling Before Frightening Realities 36:08 You Are Greatly Loved 38:46 Jesus Stood Under the Weight 41:15 Invitation to Respond 41:55 Closing Prayer

Pastor John Wolfe preaches from Daniel 9, where Daniel finds hope not by denying the pain of exile or manufacturing optimism, but by remembering God’s promises in Scripture. Reading Jeremiah’s promise of seventy years, Daniel learns that God remains sovereign, that judgment is not abandonment, and that biblical hope is confidence in God’s goodness because of his past faithfulness. This hope enables Daniel to pray with open, honest confession, trusting the covenant-keeping God for mercy rather than pleading his own righteousness. When Gabriel answers Daniel’s prayer, God gives a larger promise: not only release from Babylon, but the final defeat of sin and everlasting righteousness through Jesus Christ. The sermon calls believers to bring their circumstances honestly before a God who loves them, hold fast to his goodness, and find lasting comfort not in speculation but in the gospel. 00:00 Scripture Reading – Daniel 9:1–5, 17–19, 22–22 03:25 Prayer 04:40 Introduction: Standing in Hope 09:21 Daniel’s Hope Begins in Scripture 11:26 Biblical Hope Defined 13:08 Judgment Is Not the End of the Story 16:30 Hope Enables Us to Pray Openly and Honestly 19:25 Daniel’s Confession and God’s Character 22:08 Honest Confession Before a Good God 23:00 Corporate Confession and Spiritual Weakness 28:03 Pleading God’s Mercy, Not Our Righteousness 30:48 Bringing Our Circumstances to the Lord 32:31 God Uses Us at Every Stage of Life 34:13 Hope Looks Beyond Present Hardship 36:27 Gabriel’s Answer: You Are Greatly Loved 38:18 From Babylonian Exile to Freedom From Sin 40:46 The Purpose of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks 42:55 Jesus Brings an End to Sin 45:01 Comfort in God’s Goodness, Not Speculation 46:33 God Cares About Present Circumstances 47:08 Closing Prayer

Pastor Mark preaches from Daniel 8 on why self-made greatness always falls while the weak are made to stand by the greatness of God. Mark traces Daniel's vision of the ram, the goat, and the little horn through Persia, Greece, Alexander the Great, and Antiochus, showing that every kingdom and every human attempt at permanence is borrowed power that cannot bear its own weight. He presses the church to see where we are standing in our own strength, where success has made us exposed, and where we are trusting kingdoms that will not last. In contrast, Daniel is overwhelmed, confused, and unable to stand, yet God has already arranged what he needs, commands what he will supply, and raises him up by grace. The sermon calls believers to rest in Christ's unbreakable greatness, receive God's sustaining touch, and return to the King's business even when we do not yet understand everything. 00:00 Scripture Reading - Daniel 8:15-27 03:48 Welcome and Announcements 06:28 Introduction: What Do You Think Will Last? 09:45 Daniel in a Kingdom That Will Fall 12:16 Why Do the Great Fall but the Weak Stand? 13:24 Daniel's Vision of the Ram, Goat, and Little Horn 18:48 Three Portraits of Self-Made Greatness 21:49 Daniel 8 in History 27:07 Self-Made Greatness Cannot Stand 28:56 God's Diagnosis of Greatness 31:26 Living Inside Kingdoms That Will Not Last 33:58 Self-Made Greatness Is Borrowed Power 38:18 Success and Exposure 40:07 Stand on the Greatness of God 41:16 Daniel's Sequence: Straining, Falling, and Standing 43:36 God Arranges What We Need 46:27 God's Commands Supply Power to Obey 49:18 Daniel Did Not Stand; He Was Stood 54:44 Standing Before Understanding 55:56 Back to the King's Business 57:38 Closing Prayer