Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Ephesians 4:11-32

What does it really mean to become more like Jesus? Following Him isn’t just about what we know, what we do, or how we compare to others. It’s about being transformed from the inside out.

In this message, we explore Ephesians 4 and discover how spiritual maturity happens through loving, truthful community, putting off our old ways of living, and allowing God’s truth to renew our hearts and minds. Real transformation goes deeper than behavior change—it begins as we learn to believe what is true about God and who we are in Christ.

We don’t become like Jesus on our own, and we don’t have to pretend we’ve already arrived. As we practice honesty, confession, forgiveness, and repentance together, God continues His work of making us more like His Son.

Because we become like Jesus as His truth and love transform our lives in community.

Speaker: Sarah Taylor

Passage: Luke 10:38-42, John 15:4-8

What does it really mean to know Jesus—not just know about Him, attend church, or do things for Him, but truly know Him personally and deeply?

In this message, we explore the first part of Jesus’ timeless invitation in Mark 1:17: “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Before we can become like Jesus or do what Jesus did, we must first learn to be with Jesus.

Through the stories of Mary and Martha, Jesus’ teaching about the vine and branches, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, we discover why a life of following Jesus begins with presence, not performance. In a world that celebrates busyness, productivity, and constant distraction, Jesus invites us to slow down, stop striving, and find our life and strength in Him.

Discover how the practices of solitude and silence can help quiet the noise, settle our souls, and deepen our relationship with God—not so we can do more for Him, but so we can learn to live from His love.

You don’t have to earn God’s love or prove your worth through what you do. You are invited to simply be with Him.

This week, take a moment to slow down, create space for Jesus, and reconnect with the source of life. Because before we can become like Jesus and do as Jesus did, we must learn to be with Jesus.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Mark 1:17; Mark 8:34-37

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Is believing in Him enough, or is He inviting us into something more?

In this message, we explore Jesus’ invitation to become His apprentices—not just to believe in Him, but to build our lives around His teachings, His example, and His way of life. In Mark 8:34–37, Jesus challenges us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, reminding us that gaining everything the world offers means nothing if we lose our souls in the process.

Following Jesus requires surrender. It means letting Him shape our priorities, redirect our desires, and lead every part of our lives. But this surrender isn’t about losing the life we want—it’s about discovering the abundant life He created us for.

Jesus is worth everything it costs to follow Him. The question is, are we willing to trust Him with everything?

Join us as we discover what it means to move beyond selective discipleship and become lifelong apprentices of Jesus, learning to say yes to Him every day.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: John 14:15-27; 16:7; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:22-23

How can we experience Jesus today if Jesus isn’t physically here?

Jesus’ disciples had the incredible experience of walking with him, listening to him teach, watching him heal, and seeing his life up close. But Jesus told them he was going away—and somehow, he said, that would actually be better for them.

Why?

Because Jesus promised to give them the Holy Spirit: God’s personal, abiding presence with and in his people.

In this message, we explore what Jesus meant when he said, “It is for your good that I am going away,” and discover three ways the Holy Spirit helps us experience Jesus today: by making his presence always available, helping us hear and follow him, and transforming our love for Jesus into a way of life.

Following Jesus isn’t simply believing that Jesus was here 2,000 years ago. It’s learning to live with the God who is here now.

The invitation isn’t to try harder to become spiritual. It’s to come to Jesus, receive the life he offers, and learn to live aware of the Spirit who has already made his home with you.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: John 6

What does it actually mean to have faith in Jesus?

In this message, we explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—words in Christianity: believe. Faith isn’t about turning off your brain, having every question answered, or pretending you never have doubts. It’s about discovering whether Jesus is trustworthy enough to place the weight of your life on Him.

Walking through John 6, we look at three things we’re tempted to trust instead of Jesus: what we want (bread), what we can do (works), and what we need to see (signs). But Jesus keeps pointing us toward something better than any of these: Himself.

Faith isn’t having all the answers. It’s knowing Jesus enough to trust Him with the questions that remain.

Whether you’re exploring Christianity, wrestling with doubt, or have followed Jesus for years, this message invites you to take an honest look at what—and who—you’re really trusting.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: John 1:1-18, Ephesians 2:1-5

Who is Jesus, really? A good teacher? A moral example? A religious figure? Or something far more?

In this message, we go deeper into the central claim of Christianity: Jesus is God who became human to reveal God to us and bring us back to life.

Looking at John 1 and other passages throughout the New Testament, we explore what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully human—and why that matters. If something is wrong with the world and with us, what is the real diagnosis? And if our deepest problem is death in all its forms, what would it take to truly be brought back to life?

This message explores sin, suffering, salvation, the incarnation, the resurrection, and the incredible truth at the heart of the Gospel: God loves us and has come to us in Jesus.

The question isn't only, “Who is Jesus?” It's also: “Who is Jesus to you—and how will you respond to Him?”

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: John 10:10; John 20:30-31; John 4:5-30

What if the reason we’re always searching for the “next thing” is because there’s a deeper hunger inside us that success, relationships, experiences, and possessions can’t satisfy?

In this first week of Life in Jesus, we explore the universal feeling that something is missing and Jesus’ provides the promise of “life to the fullest.”

Through the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4, we discover four barriers that can keep us from experiencing life in Jesus:

• The Unworthy Outsider: “Jesus wouldn’t want someone like me.”

• The Wounded Cynic: “I’m too far gone to change.”

• The Disillusioned Dropout: “I’ve tried religion, and I don’t want more of it.”

• The Casual Procrastinator: “I’ll get serious about God someday.”

Jesus responds to each barrier with an invitation: You belong with Him. He can change your life. He offers more than religion. And you don’t have to wait.

We all have a “well”—something we turn to for meaning, satisfaction, and security. But Jesus offers living water, a source of life that never runs dry.

The invitation is simple: Don’t just rely on someone else’s experience with Jesus. Explore Him for yourself. Life in Jesus is possible for you.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Revelation 2:1-5; Hebrews 2:1

How do we keep Jesus at the center as we grow?

The greatest threat may not be failure, but drift. Over time, anything left uncultivated can slowly move away from what matters most—including our faith, relationships, calling, and even the mission of the church.

Looking at the church in Ephesus, we see a community that was still working hard, persevering, serving, and doing many things right—yet, they had drifted from their first love.

So how do we respond when we recognize drift? Jesus gives us three simple words: Remember. Repent. Return.

In this message, we explore what it means to stay aligned with Jesus, cultivate what matters most, and pursue the mission God has given Bright City—not simply by doing more, but by continually coming back to Jesus.

Speaker: Mark Artrip

Passage: Acts 2

In this message, Pastor Mark Artrip speaks from his experience about what really matters for Bright City in this season—and what will still matter five, ten, and even thirty years from now. Join us as we dive into the blueprint God has given us through the book of Acts and discover what it means to truly follow Jesus. The goal isn’t simply to attend church, be a good person, or keep our faith to ourselves. Followers of Jesus are called to become multipliers—people who reproduce their faith, influence, and impact in others. We’ll unpack what it looks like to connect people to the gospel, connect them to community, and ultimately connect them to mission.

Through the stories of Barnabas, the early church, and people whose lives have been transformed through our network of churches, we’ll see that multiplication isn’t reserved for pastors, staff, or people with years of experience. It’s for every follower of Jesus. Whether your next step is sharing the gospel, investing deeply in community, serving, leading, giving, planting, or simply saying yes to where God is calling you, there is a next step for you. We don’t want to be a social club, a selfish club, or a safety club—we want to be followers of Jesus who multiply. Keep walking. Keep growing. Keep going. The gospel, your calling, and your unique DNA can have an exponential impact far beyond you.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 139

In this message, we dive into Psalm 139 and the powerful truth that God knows me better than I know me. Through David’s words, we explore what it means to be completely known by a God who is all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful.

Being fully known can feel both comforting and terrifying. We all long to be understood, yet we often hide the parts of ourselves we’re afraid others—or even God—might see. But Psalm 139 reminds us that there is nowhere we can go where God isn’t present, and the God who knows everything about us never leaves us.

We also explore how Jesus understands what it feels like to be misunderstood, rejected, betrayed, and alone. Because God already knows us completely and loves us completely, we don’t have to demand that other people understand us perfectly.

But being known by God isn’t meant to simply comfort us—it’s meant to transform us. David ends Psalm 139 with an invitation: “Search me. Show me. Lead me.” We can invite God to reveal what’s really happening within us, show us what we may not see, and lead us into the life He wants for us.

God knows where you are—and He loves you too much to leave you there.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 90

Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, focuses on the contrast between God’s eternal nature and the shortness of human life. Moses reminds us that while generations come and go, God remains constant and can always be our “dwelling place” and source of security.

Human life is temporary, described as being like grass that grows in the morning and withers by evening. Because our time is limited, we should not waste it through sin, procrastination, or constantly telling ourselves we will do important things “later.” Sin can keep us from becoming the people God wants us to be and from doing the good He calls us to do.

The central prayer of the psalm is, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This means recognizing that our time is limited and choosing to live intentionally for God. Every stage of life has purpose—young adults should not wait for their “real life” to begin, families should appreciate ordinary moments, and older adults should remember that God can still use their lives.

The message also points to Jesus as the answer to sin and death. Jesus forgives our sins, reconciles us to God, and defeats death, giving our lives eternal hope.

Ultimately, we should invest our limited time in three things:

1. Knowing Jesus

2. Investing in people

3. Building God’s Kingdom

The main question isn't “How many days do I have left?” but “God, what do You want to do with the days I have?”

Our lives are short, but when we give our lives to God, He can use them for something that lasts for eternity.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 73

What happens when your “God formula” stops working?

Have you ever thought, “If I’m following God, why does my life still feel so hard?” Or looked at someone else’s life and wondered, “Why do they seem to have everything I wish I had?”

In Psalm 73, Asaph gets brutally honest about his envy, disappointment, and doubts. He believed that following God should lead to a certain kind of life—and when reality didn’t match his expectations, he nearly lost his footing.

But everything changes when Asaph enters the presence of God. His circumstances don’t suddenly change. His perspective does.

This message explores the danger of turning God’s promises into formulas, the way envy reveals what we think God owes us, and the powerful truth that God Himself is our greatest treasure. We may lose health, success, money, relationships, dreams, or comfort—but if we belong to Christ, we will never lose Him, and He will never lose us.

So what if we need a new scorecard for life? What if the better question isn’t, “Why do bad people seem to have it all?” but, “If I have Jesus, what do I actually lack?”

Come explore Psalm 73 and discover why being near God is our greatest treasure.

Speaker: Joel Trainer

Passage: Acts 2:37-47

In this message, we discuss the perspective shift that it isn’t wrong to spend some time reflecting after hearing a message preached from the Bible. It’s tempting, however, to stay there, and never move from reflection to a response. Churches that are spiritually alive are full of people who are eager to respond when God speaks to them.

Speaker: Trey Gilmore

Passage: Matthew 23:27-28; Luke 4:16-30, 10:1-23; Proverbs 15:31-33, 16:1-2

In this message, we convey that the church's greatest need is a culture of radical, rigorous honesty. While church planting often creates excitement and outward momentum, it can unintentionally encourage people to hide struggles like sin, broken relationships, and pride. Using Jesus' warning against the "whitewashed tombs" in Matthew 23, the speaker contrasts religious performance with the honesty Jesus welcomed in repentant sinners, calling the church to move beyond transparency into true vulnerability.

The sermon concludes that honesty is the foundation of spiritual growth because it leads to humility, loving accountability, and transformation. As believers "walk in the light" (1 John 1), they experience genuine community, freedom from shame, and deeper formation into the likeness of Jesus.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 46

Psalm 46 teaches that while chaos is unavoidable, God is our constant refuge. Whether the world is shaken by disasters, conflict, or personal hardship, believers are invited to run to God rather than fear or rely on temporary sources of security.

In this message, we highlight three central truths:

1. God is a safe place—He is always available and can be found in times of trouble.

2. God is with you in the chaos—Through the Holy Spirit, God's presence brings help, comfort, and assurance even when circumstances don't immediately change.

3. You don't have to control everything—"Be still" is a call to surrender control and trust God's authority over every situation.

We connect Psalm 46 to King Hezekiah's deliverance from the Assyrian army, demonstrating God's power to intervene when His people place their trust in Him. It ultimately points to Jesus, who became humanity's ultimate refuge by defeating sin and death and giving believers the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

When life falls apart, God remains unshaken. Instead of asking, "How do I fix this?" the better question is, "Where is my refuge?"

Speaker: Sarah Taylor

Passage: Psalm 13

In this message, we explore Psalm 13, where David cries out to God during a season of waiting and uncertainty.

We unpack the context for Psalm 13 by tracing David's journey after he was anointed to become Israel's future king. Although his path initially seemed to lead directly toward God's promise, everything changed when King Saul became jealous and forced David to spend years hiding for his life. It was during this difficult season that David wrote Psalm 13.

We focus on three responses David models in the midst of waiting. First, he complains honestly, bringing his questions and emotions directly to God instead of hiding them. Second, he prays boldly, continuing to ask God to intervene and reveal His presence despite years of unanswered waiting. Finally, David trusts unconditionally, choosing to focus on God's unfailing love and faithfulness rather than his circumstances.

The central takeaway is that God's delays are never a sign of God's absence. Throughout Scripture, God's people often experienced seasons of waiting before His promises were fulfilled, and those seasons were used to shape their faith. Even when circumstances don't change immediately, God remains present and at work.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 51

Repentance Is the Pathway to Restoration

In this message, we continue our summer series through the Book of Psalms by exploring Psalm 51, one of the Bible's most powerful prayers of repentance. Written by King David after his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah was exposed, this psalm offers hope for anyone who has experienced failure, guilt, or shame.

The message begins by reminding us that Jesus came for sinners—not those who think they have it all together. Every person must eventually answer the question: What do I do after I've sinned? Psalm 51 shows us that repentance is the pathway to restoration.

Using David's story as the backdrop, we walk through five practical steps of repentance:

1. Recognize Your Need for God – David appeals to God's unfailing love and compassion rather than his own goodness. Repentance begins by acknowledging our need for God's mercy.

2. Name Your Sin and Brokenness – Instead of minimizing or excusing his actions, David honestly confesses his sin. True repentance means agreeing with God about our sin and turning back toward Him.

3. Surrender to Whatever God Wants to Do – God desires more than outward religious activity; He wants transformed hearts. As His Word exposes what's hidden, He begins the work of cleansing and renewal.

4. Receive God's Grace and Healing – David asks God to create a clean heart and restore the joy of salvation. Through Jesus, we can confidently receive mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from shame.

5. Help Others Find God's Grace – Repentance doesn't end with personal forgiveness. Restored people become instruments of restoration, pointing others toward the same grace they've received.

Throughout this message, we explore the difference between guilt and shame, the importance of honest confession, and how God's grace is greater than our greatest failures. David's story reminds us that no one is beyond repentance, and no one is beyond restoration because no one is beyond the grace of God.

Whether you're struggling with hidden sin, carrying shame, or simply longing to experience renewed joy in your relationship with God, Psalm 51 offers an invitation to step into the light and discover God's restoring grace.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 127

What are you building with your life—and will it actually last? In this Father’s Day message from Psalm 127, we explore one of the Bible’s most profound truths about legacy: what lasts isn’t what we build for ourselves, but what God builds through us. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, mentor, leader, or simply someone longing to make your life count, this teaching will challenge you to rethink success, surrender the weight you were never meant to carry, and invest in what matters most.

Discover how to:

- Build with God instead of striving without Him.

- Find rest by trusting the One who never stops working.

- Leave a lasting legacy by investing in the next generation.

- Draw people close with compassion and discipline, aim them high with instruction and example, and release them with affirmation and trust.

Your greatest legacy won’t be your accomplishments, achievements, or possessions. It will be the people you invest in and the Jesus you point them to.

Speaker: Jon Couser

Passage: Psalm 145

What Is Your Minimum Requirement for Praising God?

Most people find it easy to praise God when life is going well—when prayers are answered, goals are achieved, and blessings are obvious. The Way of Praise reveals that mature faith praises God not because circumstances are good, but because God is good.

As we read Psalm 145, we explore how praise should become a constant posture rather than a reaction to, or for, favorable outcomes.

Speaker: Josh Taylor

Passage: Psalm 23

Psalm 23 may be one of the most familiar passages in the Bible, but it is far more than a funeral reading—it is a declaration of trust. In Week 3 of our series, we explore David’s powerful image of God as our Shepherd and discover why God can be trusted through every season of life.

Together we unpack three truths from Psalm 23: the Shepherd provides for us, the Shepherd stays with us through our darkest valleys, and the Shepherd’s goodness and love never leave us. Along the way, we see how God’s character—not our circumstances—is the foundation of our trust.

Ultimately, Psalm 23 points us to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep and promises that we never walk alone. Whether you’re resting in green pastures or walking through deep shadows, this message is a reminder that God is with you every step of the way.

God can be trusted to provide and stay with us through every season of life.