Religion is different from a relationshihp. Religion can often be a series of repetative practices that provide feelings of piety or happiness, but is God calling you to religion? or is He calling you to something more? In this message Elder Phil DeAngelis shares the difference between the two and how Jesus is closer than we think and looking to be more than we could ask for.

Text: Acts 17:22–31

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: You’re looking for purpose, and it’s closer than you think.

1. We desire purpose, meaning, and transcendence. (vv. 16, 22–23a)

2. Religion promises purpose but leaves us striving. (vv. 24–27a)

3. Jesus reveals the God in whom our purpose is found. (vv. 27b–31)

We are all born with a desire to be loved. Many spend their entire life searching for it but still come up empty. What if I told you that love was closer than you think.

Text: John 4:4–29

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: You’re looking for love, and it’s closer than you think.

1. We are looking for love. (vv. 4–14)

2. We look for love in all the wrong places. (vv. 15–25)

3. Jesus gives the love we’ve been looking for. (vv. 26, 28–29)

When you wake up in the morning you have a purpose and a direction for the day and your life, or do you? What is drawing you along in this life? is it the need for money, or advancement, or recognition? Many people search day in and day out for meaning and purpose and even work hard to achieve what God has already given freely.

Text: Jeremiah 2:11–13

Sermon Summary:
Big Idea: Looking isn’t the problem. Where we look is.

1. We were made to look for satisfaction. (v. 11)

2. We turn good longing toward worthless substitutes. (vv. 12–13)

3. Jesus is all-satisfying. (John 7:37–38)

You're looking for Jesus. Can you see him? In this message Pastor Fikre Prince shares that we are all born blind to the truth of God, but the good news is that Jesus came looking for us to bring us into the light.

Text: John 9:1–41

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: You’re looking for Jesus, and he is closer than you think.

1. Everyone is blind. (vv. 1–7)

2. Everyone is looking for Jesus, but not everyone wants to see. (vv. 8–34)

3. True Sight is looking for you. (vv. 35–41)

Disappointments and what seem like delays in our plans may cause you to feel like God is not at work in our lives. Those obstacles can leave you feeling alone, aimless, or unsuccessful. In this message Pastor Fikre Prince shares that God's plans not only succeed, but they gift us with growth along the journey.

Text: 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: God finishes what he starts.

Key Question: How does God finish what he starts?

1. In his timing. (vv. 1-3)

2. True to his promises. (vv. 4-5)

If God has a plan, what do I do with the opposition that I face? God's way of removing obsticles and struggle is different than our natural way of doing things. God's way produces blessing on multiple levels, while our selfish desire for change and vendication will produce more struggle.

Text: 1 Samuel 24

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Trust God instead of taking control.

Key Question: How do we keep from taking matters into our own hands?

1. Refuse to compromise. (vv. 1-7)

2. Rest in divine justice. (vv. 8-15)

3. Repay with good. (vv. 16-22)

Trusting God can be tough even when you can see the path forward. What happens when you can't? Will you still have faith in God's love for you and his ability to guide you through struggles? In this message we look at a time in David's life where things seem to be going from bad to worse, yet he still chose to trust God along the path.

Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-5

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Our need for security is met in God.

Key Question: How does God meet our need for security?

1. He delivers. (v. 1a)
2. He provides. (vv. 1b-4)
3. He guides. (v. 5)

Have you ever noticed that the plans we make for ourselves don't always turn out the way we planned them? Often times we have limitiations on what we can see and know in making those plans, but God doesn't. God has a plan for us and our lives and what he looks for in planning is deeper than what we can see and better than what we can plan for.

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: God chooses differently.

Key Question: How does God choose differently?

1. He anoints his chosen. (vv. 1-5)

2. He prioritizes our heart. (vv. 6-10)

3. He develops the overlooked. (vv. 11-13)