John Swadley | Luke 12:13-21

This powerful teaching from Luke 12:13-21 challenges us to radically rethink our relationship with money and possessions. When someone asks Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute, He responds not with legal advice but with a warning about greed—revealing that our real problem isn't getting our fair share, but understanding why we have what we already possess. Jesus calls us to become 'rich toward God,' storing up treasure in heaven by sharing our extra with those in need. This isn't about guilt or deprivation—it's about freedom. When we stop chasing the world's definition of success and start living by kingdom principles, we discover that our self-worth doesn't equal our net worth. We break free from the exhausting rat race and find purpose in generosity. The challenge before us is clear: will we save carefully and give sparingly, or will we be rich toward God first, save for our future second, and live joyfully off the rest?

John Swadley | 1 Chronicles 29:10-12

This powerful message confronts one of the most pervasive myths that quietly undermines our spiritual and financial well-being: the belief that we actually own anything. Drawing from King David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, we're invited to embrace a radical truth—everything in heaven and earth belongs to God. Not just the tithe, not just what we give to church, but literally everything. The message challenges us with a simple but transformative exercise: looking at everything we have through fresh eyes, acknowledging that this is God's house, God's income, God's possessions entrusted to our care. This perspective doesn't just change how we handle money—it transforms our relationship with God himself.

John Swadley | Matthew 6:19-21

This message confronts one of the most uncomfortable yet transformative areas of our spiritual lives: our relationship with money. Drawing from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21, we're challenged to recognize that our financial decisions are fundamentally spiritual decisions. The call isn't to earn more money but to surrender more fully to Jesus, recognizing that everything we have belongs to Him anyway. When we track where our money goes, we discover where our hearts have wandered, and that awareness becomes the first step toward financial and spiritual freedom.

John Swadley | Mark 4:35

What happens when God calls us to cross over to 'the other side'—to reach people we've been taught to fear or avoid? In Mark chapter 4, Jesus drops a bombshell on His disciples: 'Let us go over to the other side.' This wasn't just a geographical journey across the Sea of Galilee; it was a mission into enemy territory, where everything they believed about God's love would be challenged and expanded. The disciples faced storms, demons, and their own prejudices, yet Jesus remained steadfast in His mission. As we step into a new year, we're challenged to examine our own 'other sides'—the people we've written off, the places we've avoided, the stories we've been too afraid to share. Are we willing to get in the boat when Jesus says it's time to cross over? Are we ready to let go of our comfortable circles and embrace God's heart for the whole world?

John Swadley | Luke 2:8-20

This powerful Christmas message reminds us that the first Nativity wasn't about being home with family—it was about coming home to God. Through the familiar story in Luke 2 of shepherds in the fields, we discover three compelling reasons to return to our heavenly Father this Christmas season. We're invited to understand that Jesus left His home in heaven so we could come home to God, not just for Christmas, but forever.

John Swadley | Matthew 1:18-25

The Christmas story we think we know contains a scandal we often overlook. Matthew's account reveals Joseph as a 'sadiq'—a righteous man fully committed to God's law—facing an impossible choice. When Mary becomes pregnant before their marriage, the law demands public stoning. Yet Joseph's righteousness transcends mere rule-following. He plans to divorce her quietly, protecting her dignity even at great personal cost. When God confirms Mary's story through an angel, Joseph faces his greatest test: marry Mary and lose his reputation forever, or maintain his standing in the community. Joseph chooses love over reputation, tying his destiny to a scandal that would follow him and Jesus for decades. This untold Christmas love story teaches us that true righteousness isn't just about correct behavior—it's about extending grace to those who fall short. We're challenged to examine our own hearts: when someone doesn't measure up to God's standards, do we pick up stones of judgment, or do we offer the same scandalous grace that God has given us? This Christmas, we're invited to choose Jesus over our reputations, just as Joseph did, understanding that our faith is ultimately about God's grace, not our perfection.

John Swadley | Luke 1:5-20

This powerful message takes us into the story of Zechariah from Luke chapter 1, a priest who struggled with doubt despite his faithful service to God. We encounter a man who was blameless before God yet experienced the deep pain of unanswered prayers—he and his wife Elizabeth desperately wanted children but remained childless into old age. When an angel appears to announce that Elizabeth will bear a son, Zechariah's response is telling: 'How can I be sure?' This question becomes the skeptic's motto, and it's a question many of us have asked in our own spiritual journeys. The beauty of this narrative is that God doesn't reject Zechariah for his doubts—instead, God blesses him anyway. We learn that God doesn't love doubt, but He deeply loves doubters. This message reminds us that faith isn't the absence of doubt; it's obeying God in spite of our doubts. Whether our skepticism comes from our upbringing, our personality, or painful life experiences, we can still nurture our relationship with God, look for His activity around us, and give Him a chance to surprise us. The story challenges us to jump into the arms of God, trusting that He's never dropped anyone who's taken that leap of faith.

John Swadley | 1 Peter 5:1-7

This message from 1 Peter 5 challenges us to examine what makes a church truly healthy by looking at both leadership and followership through God's eyes. We're reminded that the church doesn't belong to any human leader—it belongs to God. The passage calls spiritual leaders to shepherd willingly, not for personal gain or power, but as humble examples who serve rather than dominate. What's striking is how Peter, himself an apostle, identifies as a 'fellow elder,' showing us that great leadership begins with humility. For those of us in the congregation, we're called to clothe ourselves with humility too, supporting our leaders while keeping our ultimate trust in God. The most powerful truth here is verse 7: 'casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.' Whether we're worried about our personal lives or concerned about our church, we're invited to cast those cares on God and leave them there—not to keep reeling them back in like a fishing line. This isn't about blind submission to flawed humans; it's about recognizing that God is big enough to handle whatever challenges we face. When both leaders and followers humble themselves before God, the church becomes a place where His glory shines through imperfect people.