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A message by Trevor Dawson

Message by Trevor Dawson

Familiarity can blind us to the very things that once amazed us about God. Maybe you remember a time when faith felt fresh - Somewhere between then and now, wonder can fade into routine and disappointment can leave us feeling numb without us even noticing.  This week, we'll talk about what causes that shift, how to be honest with God about it, and practical ways to feel your faith come alive again.

What if prayer became more than our last resort? We all know what it feels like to pray desperate prayers when life gets difficult. But what would it look like to develop a life of prayer before the desperation comes? Throughout Scripture, we see that prayer changes things. Jesus modeled a life of prayer, and we’re called to do the same. If we want to see a move of God, our prayer life needs to match the vision we have for what God wants to do. Prayer is not just an event—it is a life we get to develop. In this message, we’ll look at five ways we can develop a life of prayer: Have a Time — Make prayer a priority and create space to meet with God. Give God Thanks — Learn to recognize and thank God for what He is doing. Open Your Heart to What God Has — Bring your desires to God while surrendering to His will. Believe God Can Do It — Pray with faith and trust that God is able to move. Keep Showing Up — Develop a consistent prayer life, even when you don’t immediately see the results. We’ll also look at the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 and how one simple prayer can teach us to ask God to bless us, expand our territory, guide us, and keep us through trouble and pain. The goal isn’t simply to pray more when we need something from God. The goal is to develop a life where prayer is our first response—not our last resort. “Never stop praying.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

What does Jesus actually want from me?In Mark 10, a rich young ruler approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life. He had the faith, the influence, and the success—but Jesus showed him there was still something standing between him and fully following Him.Jesus wasn’t asking him to simply do more. He was asking him to surrender everything and go all in.In this message, we look at the story of the rich young ruler and what it teaches us about surrender, control, sin, and what it really means to follow Jesus.JESUS WANTS US TO GO ALL IN ON RECEIVING HIM.So how do we go all in?1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM — Sin separates us from God.2. GIVE UP CONTROL — You can’t fix it yourself. Jesus already did.3. KEEP PUTTING YOUR YES IN FRONT OF JESUS — Following Jesus is a daily choice.The question isn’t just, “What does Jesus want from me?”The question is: What is keeping me from going all in with Jesus?📖 Mark 10:17–22

Seeking God in a New Season | The Local New seasons bring new questions, new decisions, and often new worries. But what if instead of allowing our worries to lead us, we chose to seek God above everything else? In this message, we look at Matthew 6:25–34 and Jesus’ teaching on worry, trust, and seeking the Kingdom of God. Whatever season you find yourself in, your worries are not bigger than the God who created you—and you don’t have to carry them alone. In this message, we talk about: • Your life is more than what you are worrying about • Worry won’t add anything to your life • Your worries are not bigger than the God who created you • How to seek God through His Word • How to seek God through His Church • How to throw off the sin that gets in the way of seeking God • How to communicate with God and give Him your worries ANCHOR VERSE: Matthew 6:33 (NLT) — “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” As you step into a new season, don’t let worry determine your focus. Seek God first. Give Jesus today’s problems, and trust Him with tomorrow. “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” — Matthew 6:34  Matthew 6:33–34  Matthew 11:28–30  1 Peter 5:7  Philippians 4:6–7 The Local | High Street Church 900 N Eastgate Ave | Springfield, MO Tuesdays at 7PM

A message by Greg Lyons

Life is full of transitions—especially in young adulthood. From graduating high school to starting college, leaving home to living independently, building new relationships, and stepping into careers or marriage… every season brings both excitement and uncertainty. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”(He will show you which path to take.) – NLT The reality is that transition can feel overwhelming. There’s both fear and beauty in the unknown—but it’s often in these moments that purpose begins to take shape.

Ever feel like what you want is pulling you in the wrong direction? In this message, we unpack how desire—something God created as good—can still lead to tension in our relationship with Jesus when it’s misplaced. From a personal story about wanting shoes to powerful truths in Scripture (James 1:14–15, Ecclesiastes 3:11), this is all about understanding what’s really going on inside us. We were made to want more… but somewhere along the way, we started settling for less—approval, status, relationships—things that never fully satisfy. The truth?You’re not desiring too much.You might just be desiring the wrong things. God isn’t against your happiness—He’s where it’s found. If you’ve been chasing things that leave you empty, this one’s for you.

In this message, we explore the powerful story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:10–28, where they are commanded to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image or be thrown into a blazing furnace. Despite the threat, they boldly declare in Daniel 3:17–18 that God is able to deliver them—but even if He doesn’t, they will not compromise their faith. As the story unfolds (Daniel 3:18–20, 24–25), the king orders the furnace to be heated hotter than ever—but instead of being destroyed, the men are seen walking unharmed in the fire, with a fourth figure among them. Their faith leads to a miraculous moment that ultimately causes the king to honor God. This message challenges us to examine our own faith in light of today’s culture, reminding us to stand firm and trust God—no matter the outcome.

In “Spiritual Gifts from 30,000 Feet,” we take a big-picture look at what the Bible says about Spiritual Gifts and why they matter. God doesn’t want His people to be confused about the gifts He has given them—and He didn’t make a mistake when He gave you yours. In this message we explore three key questions:• What are Spiritual Gifts?• How do I know what my Spiritual Gifts are?• What do I do with my Spiritual Gifts? God uniquely designed you and equipped you with gifts to serve others and build His Kingdom. But Spiritual Gifts won’t fully make sense unless we first accept the greatest gift of all—salvation through Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered how God has wired you or how you can serve more effectively, this message will help you see the bigger picture.

The Holy Spirit isn’t just a concept. He’s our Helper. In this message we talk about how the Spirit: • Convicts us of sin and calls us higher • Grows us in holiness when we’re frustrated, harsh, or disappointed in ourselves • Strengthens us internally when life feels heavy  • Seals us in faith when seasons feel uncertain  • Gives us spiritual gifts to serve others This is practical theology for real life. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve got what it takes to follow Jesus long term, this is for you.

In this episode of Local Convos, interns at The Local share why they said yes to investing and serving in the church. We talk about how we 1st got involved serving, what barriers young adults face in investing into the local church, and simple steps of how to go all in with the gift's God has given you. If you're a young adults navigating how to get involved in the church, feeling like you are made for more, or wrestling with using your gifts to serve, this convo is for you.

What does it really mean to walk by the Spirit? And why does it matter? In Galatians 5:13–25, we’re reminded that the way we walk—the way we live our daily lives—reveals the true king of our hearts. Every decision, attitude, and action points to who is leading us. When we walk by the Spirit, we choose to let Him guide our thoughts, desires, and direction. It’s more than behavior modification—it’s surrender. It’s living in step with the presence of God and acknowledging Jesus as King over every area of our lives.

Dating is not just vibes and butterflies. It shapes your future. In this message we talk about why dating actually matters and how God’s Word gives us a framework for healthy relationships. The Bible may not talk about modern dating but it is very clear about intentional pursuit purpose and commitment. We unpack why marriage is serious and why dating should be too. You will hear about agape love what humility really looks like and why fruit matters more than perfection. This is about joy and attraction but also responsibility growth and long term vision. If you are dating someone thinking about dating or recovering from dating mistakes this message is for you. Healthy boundaries bring clarity. Clarity is kindness. And it is never too late to begin again.