When Following Costs You Something confronts the reality that while following Jesus is free, it is not comfortable. Rooted in Luke 9:21–27, this message challenges us to stop chasing comfort, control, and approval, and instead choose surrender, obedience, and real life in Christ. In a culture obsessed with happiness and self-preservation, Jesus calls us to lay down our way, let go of what is slowly killing us, and follow Him without shame. This message invites us to move beyond shallow faith and step into the freedom and life only Jesus can give. #TheRealThing

“Idols of a Nice Jesus” confronts the tendency to reshape Jesus into a version that feels safe, comfortable, and non-confrontational. Rather than rejecting Jesus outright, many of us unknowingly edit Him, keeping what comforts us and removing what challenges us. Anchored in Colossians 1:15–20, this message lifts our eyes to the real Jesus revealed in Scripture: fully God, Creator of all things, Sustainer of life, and Redeemer through the cross. A “nice” Jesus cannot transform us, but the supreme Christ can. This message calls us to surrender our false versions of Jesus and encounter the One who truly has the power to change our lives.

In Week 1 of The Real Thing, we confront the reality that Jesus was never meant to be a label we wear or an accessory we add to our lives. Using John 14:6, we see that Jesus does not simply show us a path. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Our culture encourages us to follow our own way, define our own truth, and search for life everywhere except God, but those paths always leave us empty. Real transformation begins when we stop treating Jesus as optional and start building our lives on Him. This message calls us to move from religious association to daily relationship by choosing Jesus as our foundation.

#TheRealThing #KnowGod

Your generosity is building something. In Week 3 of our Everyday Altar series, we’re learning that worship is so much bigger than singing, serving, or even showing up. Worship is the way you live. It’s the way you love. It’s the way you give. Paul tells us in Philippians that generosity isn’t just kindness — it’s a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” rising to God Himself. That means your giving is not just kindness; it’s worship. This week we’re choosing to give like God is our provider, our source, and our reward.

Your work is building something. In Week 2 of our Everyday Altar series, we’re discovering that worship isn’t just a song you sing, a service you attend, or a spiritual moment you feel. Worship is the way you live, the way you show up, the way you work. Paul tells us in Colossians that whatever we do, we are to do it as unto the Lord. That means your workbench can be a worship bench. Your office can be an altar. Your shift, your schedule, your everyday grind can bring glory to God in a way you never realized. This week we’re choosing to work like Jesus is our supervisor, our strength, and our source.

Your words are building something. In Week 1 of our Everyday Altar series, we learned that every word we speak becomes either an offering of worship or a weapon that tears down what God is trying to build in us. Jesus said our words reveal what’s really in our hearts, Proverbs reminds us they carry life or death, and Acts shows us they can shift entire atmospheres. This week we’re choosing to speak life, truth, and gratitude. Don’t let your mouth work against the miracle God is trying to do—offer your words as worship.

Most people receive blessings and keep moving — but one turned back. “The Gratitude Gap” is a reminder that gratitude is more than saying thank you. It is remembering what Jesus saved us from and choosing to turn our lives back toward Him. In a world rushing forward, this message challenges us to slow down, recognize God’s hand in our story, and respond with intentional gratitude that transforms how we live. Don’t be part of the nine. Be the one who returns.

Tonight we wrapped up our series This Changes Everything with a powerful truth — you are never alone. When you gave your life to Jesus, He didn’t just forgive you or free you. He united Himself to you. His life is in you, His strength is in you, and His presence goes with you into every battle. You don’t have to fight your temptations, fears, or struggles by yourself anymore. Christ is in you, and that changes everything. #ThisChangesEverything #NeverAlone #UnionWithChrist #CedarPointRecovery