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Diving Deeper into God's Word

This week's sermon explored what it means to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the mission Jesus has given His church. Before sending His disciples into the world, Jesus told them to wait -- not because the mission was unimportant, but because zeal without the Holy Spirit is not enough. The same Spirit who empowered the early church is still empowering ordinary believers today, not to draw attention to themselves, but to faithfully point others to Jesus Christ.

When life gets difficult, what is your first response? In Acts 4, the early Church faced real opposition and an uncertain future, but their first response was not panic, planning, or fear. It was prayer. In Week 6 of The Church Jesus Builds, Pastor Paul explores what their response teaches us about depending on God in every circumstance. Prayer shifts our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God and reminds us that we were never meant to face life in our own strength. Prayer is the language of dependence.

A new season calls for renewed faith. In this special installation service for Pastor Paul Milligan as Lead Pastor of New Hope Church, Nathan Sheridan, Superintendent of the Kansas Assemblies of God Ministry Network, shares a timely message about building our lives on God's unchanging Word, serving with Christlike humility, and guarding our hearts as we step into the future God has prepared. As we begin this new chapter together, we're reminded that God faithfully leads His Church through every season.

Where do I fit in the Church? In Week 5 of The Church Jesus Builds, Pastor Paul explores 1 Corinthians 12 and reminds us that God has intentionally gifted every believer with a unique purpose. We were never created to compare ourselves to others, but to faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to us. When every member serves, the whole Church grows, and Jesus is seen.

The Church Jesus Builds Lives Like Family explores God's design for His Church as more than a gathering. Through Acts 2:42-47, we'll discover how biblical community is built through devotion to God's Word, prayer, fellowship, and genuine relationships. Jesus didn't call us to attend church. He called us to belong to His family.

Jesus didn't simply call us to believe in Him. He called us to follow Him. In Week 3 of The Church Jesus Builds, Pastor Paul unpacks Jesus' Great Commission and challenges us to embrace the life of a disciple. Following Jesus is not about religious routine or perfect performance. It is a daily journey of becoming more like Christ and helping others do the same.

What does it truly mean to love God first? In Week 2 of The Church Jesus Builds, Pastor Paul explores Jesus' answer to one of the most important questions ever asked: Which command in the Law is the greatest? Jesus reveals that the foundation of a healthy church isn't found in activity or achievement, but in wholehearted love for God. This message challenges us to examine whether our service flows from genuine devotion or has simply become routine, and reminds us that when our love for Jesus comes first, everything else finds its proper place.

Jesus asked His disciples one question that still confronts each of us today: "Who do you say I am?" In the opening message of The Church Jesus Builds, we discover why Peter's answer became the foundation for one of Jesus' greatest promises: "I will build My church." This message reminds us that the Church belongs to Jesus alone. He is still building His Church, inviting us to trust Him, follow Him, and join in His mission of bringing hope to the world.

In Matthew 13:31–32, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed—small in size but full of incredible potential. Through the ministry of Project Rescue, we see this truth come to life as women and children are rescued from exploitation and given new hope in Christ. This message reminds us that God brings extraordinary transformation through faithful obedience and invites each of us to help plant seeds that can change lives for eternity.

In a culture that constantly shifts, how do we stand firm? Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, we're reminded that convictions are formed long before they're tested. Their bold declaration, "Even if He doesn't," reveals a faith rooted not in outcomes, but in God's character. This message challenges us to build our lives on God's Word, remain grounded in biblical community, and develop the private faith that produces public courage.

What gives us the strength to keep going when life feels overwhelming? In Ephesians 3, Paul reminds us that true strength is not found in ourselves but in God working within us. This message explores how our souls are strengthened as we acknowledge our need for God through prayer, trust Jesus more deeply, and root our lives in His unfailing love. As we discover the vastness of God's love, wide enough for everyone, long enough to endure every season, high enough to lift us from despair, and deep enough to meet us in our lowest moments, we find the strength to persevere, forgive, worship, and remain faithful. No matter what season you're facing, God's love is the foundation that gives us the inner strength to keep moving forward.