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As we study Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we've come to the final Beatitude, and it's a hard one: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." If we're truly living in the way of Jesus and pursuing the flourishing life He talks about, we should expect that not everyone will like it. But what if some of the opposition we face means we're actually doing something right? This morning, we'll discover why Jesus tells us to expect persecution and the hope we can have when it comes. We'll also explore what following Jesus can cost us and what we gain that we can't find anywhere else.

You've no doubt experienced a fight with a loved one, encountered a rude person in public, or seen someone treated unfairly. We all recognize that situations like these need peace. So what if we are called to do more than just recognize the need? Jesus says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This Sunday, we're discovering what true peace means and why being peace-loving or peace-keeping isn't enough to describe what Jesus is calling us to do. We hope you'll join us to explore why following Him means we have an active role to play in making peace and what that can look like in our everyday lives.

Ever been all in for something - maybe a favorite football team or a band you really like? That kind of one-track focus gives us a glimpse into what Jesus means when He talks about the pure in heart. That's because Jesus doesn't just want some of us - our Sunday mornings or a rushed prayer here and there. He wants all of us, a life where we keep asking, "Where are we going, Jesus?" That may leave you wondering how we can be all in without making following Jesus another exhausting attempt to get it all right. This Sunday, we'll discover why a pure heart isn't about performance and learn how Jesus can create that kind of heart in us as we look to Him.

As we continue our journey in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is sounding the alarm on what we think is the way to happiness, offering a very different way instead. This week, we explore what it means that a flourishing, happy life includes showing mercy to others. But what is mercy and is it just another thing to check off a spiritual to-do list? Join us to discover what it looks like in our homes, our relationships, and in our everyday lives. We'll see why extending mercy actually begins with something we receive and how a promise for the future can change how we respond to the people in front of us today.

How many times have you uttered the phrase, "I'm hungry"? We're often referring to physical hunger, but the hunger Jesus talks about in Matthew is different. He's talking about a holy hunger - a longing for God to make things right in us, through us, and in a broken world. As we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount this week, we'll explore what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness and why Jesus says those who do will be filled. Join us to see how this holy hunger can lead us toward the flourishing life Jesus offers.

Ever feel like you're chasing someone else's definition for success or happiness? Maybe you feel the pressure to be successful, wealthy, strong and confident, or well-liked. Psst... You could be all those things and still miss the flourishing life Jesus offers. The truth is, He's inviting us into a different way of living that leads to real happiness. This week, we'll explore the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 5:3-5, and then join us to discover what Jesus says is the real way to flourish.

We all want to live a good life - full of joy, peace, and purpose. But maybe what we're chasing isn't what Jesus has in mind at all. Our new series, From the Mountain, launches today. We'll explore the opening of Jesus' most famous sermon, where He paints a surprising picture of what a flourishing life really looks like. It may not be what you expect, but it is the life God created you for.

Sports. Money. Beauty. Success. Those are all good gifts, but they can easily become things we value most. This Sunday, we'll explore why God alone is worthy of our worship and why His invitation to worship is an invitation into His goodness. You might even discover ways you're already worshiping more than you realize - even if you don't have a great singing voice!

We've all done it... wondered if what comes next will make life better. The next job, the next house, the next relationship, the next season. But what if God wants to do His greatest work where you already are? We're wrapping up our Backyard BBQ series this week by exploring God's invitation to embrace community right where He's placed us. See why following Jesus is about more than waiting for something bigger or better. It's about loving where you are, putting down roots, and allowing God to work in you and through you.

Think about the best party you've ever attended. Maybe it was a wedding, a graduation, a championship, or even a backyard BBQ. Chances are, what made it so memorable wasn't the decorations or food. It was the people, the laughter, and the memories you made. Did you know that God actually wired us for celebration? This week we'll explore Jesus' parable of the Great Banquet and discover why celebration is a vital part of building community. See how God's design for celebration actually draws us closer to him and to one another and learn why celebration invites us into a bigger story, a story where everyone is invited.

There are certain people we might expect to invite to a backyard BBQ - and some people we probably would always leave off the guest list. Zacchaeus was one of those people. He cheated others to make himself rich and most people avoided him at all costs. But not Jesus. He sought out Zacchaeus with a boldness that no one saw coming and an invitation that changed Zacchaeus' life forever. This Sunday, we'll see how Jesus invites others who we might exclude or overlook, including the surprising truth that we are on His guest list, too. Discover how accepting His invitation can change our hearts, priorities, and attitudes about the people around us.

Most of us want to be known... that is, until we don't. What if people saw the real you, the one that's not quite put together? The one who makes the same mistakes over and over? The one we want to keep hidden? So we withdraw. We pretend. We keep people at a distance. This Sunday, we'll explore the familiar story of the woman at the well in John 4 and see how how much we have in common with her. Discover what happens when Jesus meets us in our loneliness, frees us from shame, and offers an invitation into the abundant life and community we were created for.

Our world is more connected than ever, so why do so many people still feel lonely? Maybe it's because we can know a lot about each other without really knowing each other. This Sunday, we'll explore why God created us for something different. From the beginning, His design was for us to experience life with Him - and one another. We'll discover why authentic, Christ-centered community is more than just a nice idea. It's part of who we were created to be.

Summer has a way of bringing people together, doesn't it? We often find ourselves talking with friends and neighbors around the grill or the pool or even just the driveway. Maybe God wants to use those everyday moments for something more. This week, we're kicking off a new series, Backyard BBQ, by looking at one of Jesus' most well-known stories and asking the simple question: Who is my neighbor? We'll discover together how Jesus calls us to love others in practical, intentional, and life-changing ways.

Most of us aren't very good at slowing down. We live in a world that constantly tells us to do more, achieve more, and stay busy. So when God invites us to rest, what does that actually mean? Is Sabbath just another rule to follow, or is it something more? We'll see how Jesus helps us answer those questions as we wrap up our Healthy Hustle series. We'll also talk about some practical ways to build rhythms of rest into our everyday lives. If you've been feeling tired, stretched thin, or like life has been moving a little too fast lately, we think this message will encourage you.