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Pastor Rich Barrett begins the Icon series by challenging our assumptions about winning and success. Drawing from Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and Paul's conversion, he shows how the cross displays both God's justice and love and how following Jesus reshapes our ambition. Rather than shortcuts to power, the way of the cross calls us to sacrificial love: "deny yourself and take up your cross daily." Practical takeaways include asking this week, "What would choosing to lose look like in this situation?" as a way to start living the priorities that really matter.

Life moves fast. Between busy schedules, endless responsibilities, and constant distractions, it can be difficult to slow down, take a deep breath, and experience the presence of God. This week at Access Church, we did something a little different. Instead of our typical Sunday service, we had a Pause Sunday—an intentional opportunity to slow down, reflect, worship through music, and create space to hear from God. Because Pause Sundays are designed to be more experiential, they don't translate quite as well to an audio-only podcast. But we don't want you to miss out! We invite you to watch the full Pause Sunday experience at AccessChurch.com/watch. Take some time this week to step away from the noise, refocus, and connect with God. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is simply pause.

Spencer Boulter preaches from Luke 14 on the cost of discipleship, explaining that salvation is a free gift but following Christ requires a willingness to "bear your cross," renounce what holds you back, and serve sacrificially—locally and on mission.

Rich Barrett (The Responsibles) challenges listeners to "clean the inside of the cup and the dish," asking us to take responsibility for the private parts of our hearts. Drawing on Jesus' sharp warnings to religious leaders—"for they say and do not" and "whitewashed tombs"—this message calls us to surrender every room of our heart to Christ so our inner life and outward witness are integrated.

Noah Schultz (The Responsibles) challenges listeners to stop creating unnecessary burdens for others by taking responsibility for their actions and relationships. Grounded in Galatians 6 and practical examples, the message explores cause and effect, the law of the harvest, and three reflective questions to help you choose daily disciplines that bless others rather than burden them.

Rich Barrett teaches on forgiveness, repentance, and taking responsibility for the consequences of our actions and others' actions. Using Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant and practical examples, he shows how unresolved hurt becomes an "infection" and outlines steps for apology, restitution, and freedom.

Most people would describe themselves as responsible, but is there more to responsibility than simply doing what’s expected? In this opening message of The Responsibles, we explore how our choices affect the people around us, why avoiding responsibility creates lasting consequences, and how the teachings of Jesus invite us into a different way of living that transforms our relationships and our communities.

We all have things we want—but what happens when what we want right now competes with what we want most? In the final message of What the World Needs Now, we take a closer look at self-control, the last fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians. Through Scripture, everyday examples, and some surprising insights about willpower, we’ll explore how our desires, environments, and relationships influence who we are becoming.

When people fail, our response says a lot about who we are. In this message from the What the World Needs Now series, we explore the fruit of the Spirit known as gentleness and discover why God’s approach to people is often very different from our natural instincts. It’s an invitation to become the kind of people who reflect the heart of Jesus in both truth and grace.

Why is it so hard to become the person we want to be? This message takes an honest look at our struggle to follow through on our commitments and challenges us to consider a different path—one that isn’t driven by willpower alone. As we continue our series, What Our World Needs Now, we’ll discover how a Spirit-led life produces the kind of character our world desperately needs.

Everyone wants to be a good person—but who gets to define what “good” actually means? In this message, we examine one of the fruit of the Spirit and wrestle with some of life’s biggest questions about goodness, purpose, and the character of God. Discover why shifting your perspective can change the way you see yourself, others, and the world around you.

In this message from our What the World Needs Now series, we explore how kindness can transform the way we view others, navigate difficult situations, and represent Christ in our everyday relationships. You’ll be challenged to consider what people experience when they’re in your presence—and how living more like Jesus can make a lasting impact.

Everyone has a breaking point—but what if our shortest fuse points to one of our greatest opportunities for growth? This week, we continue our What the World Needs Now series by exploring a quality that affects every relationship we have. Through practical stories and biblical insight, we’ll discover why this isn’t simply about trying harder, but about allowing God to shape something deeper within us.

Jesus never said life would be easy, but he did promise us a path that leads to peace.

Jesus promised that a consistent, constant, and steady joy can be ours. And fortunately, he also tells us how.