Messages – New Life Gillette Church

Seventh Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:07:22 +0000

Seventh Commandment | Stone | Week 7

God's Design for Sexuality, Faithfulness, and Restoration

In Week 7 of our STONE series, Pastor CJ Ward tackles one of the most personal and culturally challenging commandments found in Scripture:

"You shall not commit adultery."

Exodus 20:14

For many people, conversations about sex immediately create discomfort. Some carry shame. Others carry confusion. Some carry wounds, regrets, addictions, broken trust, or painful experiences that still affect them today.

Yet Scripture doesn’t avoid the topic.

God speaks about sexuality because He created it.

The Seventh Commandment isn’t evidence that God is against sex. Quite the opposite. This command exists because God values sex so highly that He designed boundaries to protect it.

What This Message Is About

When most people hear the Seventh Commandment, they immediately think about adultery as a behavior that affects married people.

But Pastor CJ challenges us to think deeper.

Throughout Scripture, sexual sin is never treated as merely a physical issue. It affects our hearts, our relationships, our identity, and our spiritual lives.

We live in a culture where sexuality is often treated as a primary source of identity. We’re encouraged to define ourselves by our desires, experiences, attractions, and behaviors.

But God’s Word offers a different perspective.

Our identity is not found in our sexual history.

Our identity is found in being created and loved by God.

Understanding God's Boundaries

One of the central illustrations in the message focuses on value.

If we don’t recognize something’s value, we won’t protect it.

The reason God establishes boundaries around sexuality isn’t because He wants to withhold joy from us. It’s because He understands the value and significance of what He created.

Healthy boundaries always exist to protect something valuable.

The Seventh Commandment reveals that marriage matters.

Faithfulness matters.

Trust matters.

Commitment matters.

God’s design matters.

Just as guardrails protect drivers from danger, God’s commands protect us from harm while guiding us toward flourishing.

Looking for Loopholes

Pastor CJ points out something common to human nature.

When we’re given a boundary, we immediately start looking for loopholes.

How close can we get without crossing the line?

What technically counts?

What doesn’t count?

Can we justify behaviors that don’t seem as serious?

This isn’t a new problem.

Jesus addressed the same issue in the Sermon on the Mount. He challenged people who wanted to limit obedience to outward behavior while ignoring what was happening inside their hearts.

The goal of God’s commands has never been merely avoiding technical violations.

The goal is transformation.

God desires people whose hearts reflect His holiness, love, and faithfulness.

Sexuality and the Human Heart

The message highlights something many people know from personal experience:

Sexual sin affects us differently than many other sins.
It touches identity.
It affects how we view ourselves.
It impacts how we view other people.
It influences trust, intimacy, and relationships.

This is one reason Scripture repeatedly calls believers to pursue purity—not because God is trying to shame people, but because He wants human flourishing.

God never designed people to use one another as objects.

He created us to see one another as image-bearers worthy of dignity, respect, and love.

The Seventh Commandment calls us back to that vision.

The Reality of Shame

One of the most powerful moments in this message comes when Pastor CJ addresses shame directly.

The reality is that nearly everyone carries some form of brokenness in this area.

Some carry regrets.

Some carry addictions.

Some carry wounds caused by the actions of others.

Some carry secret struggles nobody else knows about.

The enemy thrives in secrecy.

Shame convinces us to hide.

Shame tells us healing is impossible.

Shame tells us we’re too far gone.

But the Gospel tells a different story.

God’s desire is never to leave us trapped in guilt and secrecy.

His desire is healing.

His desire is freedom.

His desire is restoration.

The Gospel Changes Everything

The good news of Jesus is that no area of life is beyond redemption.

Pastor CJ repeatedly reminds us that God’s grace is bigger than our failures.

The cross of Christ proves that God does not run from broken people.

He moves toward them.

Jesus came to forgive sin.

He came to heal hearts.

He came to restore what has been damaged.

He came to redeem what shame says can never be redeemed.

Whether someone is battling temptation, recovering from past mistakes, working through addiction, rebuilding trust, or carrying deep wounds, Jesus offers hope.

The Gospel does not minimize sin.

It defeats it.

The Gospel does not excuse brokenness.

It heals it.

The Gospel does not ignore shame.

It removes it.

Practical Application

This week’s message invites us to ask several honest questions:

Am I honoring God’s design for sexuality?
Are there areas where I am looking for loopholes rather than pursuing holiness?
Is there a secret struggle I need to bring into the light?
Do I believe God can truly heal and restore broken areas of my life?

God’s desire is not merely behavior modification.

His desire is heart transformation.

Take you Next Step

This week, take one step toward bringing hidden struggles into the light.

Talk with a trusted friend.

Join a Life Group.

Ask for prayer.

Begin a conversation you’ve been avoiding.

Remember: healing begins where honesty starts.

God’s grace is greater than your shame, and His desire is to forgive, heal, and restore everything.

Did you like the message, Seventh Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Sixth Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:06:04 +0000

Sixth Commandment | Stone Week 6

You Shall Not Murder

In Week 6 of our STONE series, Pastor Mark Boettcher explores one of the most direct and sobering commands in all of Scripture:

"You shall not murder."

Exodus 20:13

At first glance, the Sixth Commandment can seem simple. Most people read it and immediately think, “I’ve never murdered anyone, so I must be doing okay.”

But as we look deeper into God’s Word, we discover that this command reveals something much bigger than the act of murder itself. It reveals how much God values human life and how He calls His people to value others as well.

What This Message Is About

The Sixth Commandment is rooted in a foundational biblical truth: every human being is created in the image of God.

From the opening pages of Genesis, we see humanity set apart from the rest of creation. Men and women are uniquely created to reflect God’s image and character. Because of this, every person possesses God-given dignity and worth.

That means human value is not based on success, status, achievements, intelligence, wealth, age, or ability. Human value comes from God Himself.

Pastor Mark reminds us that while sin has distorted humanity, it has never removed the image of God from humanity. Like a worn coin that still retains its value, every person remains valuable because they bear God’s image.

This truth becomes the foundation for understanding the Sixth Commandment.

God Deeply Values Human Life

The command “You shall not murder” flows directly from God’s love and concern for people.

Human life is sacred because it belongs to God.

When God gave this command to Israel, He was establishing a society where life would be protected, valued, and respected. This command served as a safeguard against violence, chaos, and the destruction that sin produces.

Throughout Scripture, God consistently demonstrates His concern for human life. From creation to redemption, God’s story is one of pursuing and protecting people.

The Sixth Commandment reminds us that every person matters to God.

The neighbor across the street.

The coworker who frustrates you.

The family member you disagree with.

The stranger you pass every day.

Every human being carries the image of God.

Human Life Is Worth Protecting

Pastor Mark points to the story of Cain and Abel as one of the earliest examples of how quickly sin can escalate.

It didn’t take long for humanity to move from disobedience to murder.

Cain’s jealousy became anger. His anger became hatred. His hatred became violence.

The story serves as a warning that unchecked sin always moves toward destruction.

God’s command protects individuals, families, and communities by creating a framework where life can flourish.

Imagine a world where violence, theft, and lawlessness had no consequences. Society would quickly collapse into fear and chaos.

Instead, God gives His people commands that create peace, stability, and flourishing.

The Sixth Commandment is not simply restrictive—it is protective.

Jesus Moves the Conversation to the Heart

One of the most powerful moments in the message comes when Pastor Mark turns to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus refuses to let people reduce the command to merely avoiding physical murder.

Instead, He says:

Practical Application

"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment."

Matthew 5:22

Jesus reveals that murder begins long before an action takes place.

It begins in the heart.

Anger.

Contempt.

Bitterness.

Hatred.

These are the seeds that eventually grow into destructive actions.

The Sixth Commandment is not only about what we do. It is about who we are becoming.

God cares about our thoughts, attitudes, relationships, and words because every person we interact with bears His image.

The Call to Reconciliation

Because every person carries God’s image, followers of Jesus are called to pursue reconciliation whenever possible.

This is not natural.

Our instinct is often to justify our anger, hold onto grudges, and replay offenses over and over again.

Yet Jesus calls His followers to a different way.

He teaches that relationships matter so much that if we are preparing to worship God and remember unresolved conflict with someone else, we should seek reconciliation first.

Why?

Because our relationship with God cannot be separated from how we treat people made in His image.

The Gospel transforms not only our vertical relationship with God but also our horizontal relationships with others.

The Good News of the Gospel

The reality is that none of us have perfectly obeyed this command.

Most of us have never committed murder.

But all of us have experienced anger, resentment, bitterness, or hostility.

The good news is that Jesus came for people exactly like us.

God loves us so much that He sent His Son to save us, forgive us, and give us new life.

Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live.

He died the death we deserved.

He rose again victorious over sin and death.

Because of Jesus, forgiveness is available.

Because of Jesus, reconciliation is possible.

Because of Jesus, anger does not have to define our future.

The Sixth Commandment ultimately points us to the One who valued human life so much that He gave His own life to redeem it.

Practical Application

This week, ask yourself:

Is there anger I’ve been holding onto?
Is there someone I need to forgive?
Is there a relationship that needs reconciliation?
Am I treating people as image-bearers of God?

The Sixth Commandment challenges us to move beyond simply avoiding harm and begin actively honoring the value God places on every person.

Take you Next Step

This week, identify one relationship where anger, bitterness, or resentment may have taken root.

Pray for that person.

Ask God to soften your heart.

Take one practical step toward reconciliation if possible.

And if you’ve never trusted Jesus with your life, remember this truth: God deeply values your life. Through Christ, you can experience forgiveness, healing, and the new life only He can provide.

Did you like the message, Sixth Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Fifth Commandment

nlwchurch — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:26:27 +0000

Fifth Commandment | Stone Week 5

Honor Your Father and Mother

In Week 5 of our STONE series, Pastor Mark Boettcher walks through the Fifth Commandment and explores what it truly means to honor your father and mother. While this command may sound simple on the surface, the deeper meaning reaches into every stage of life and every relationship we carry with our parents.

Main Scripture: Exodus 20:12

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12

The STONE series has been unpacking how the Ten Commandments are not outdated rules, but foundational truths that still shape our lives today. The Fifth Commandment sits at the center of those truths, connecting our relationship with God to the way we treat others—starting in the home.

What This Message Is About

The message “Fifth Commandment” challenges us to rethink what honor really means. In the original Hebrew language, the word “honor” carries the idea of weight, significance, and value. To honor someone means to treat them as significant.

That means honoring parents is more than simple obedience during childhood. It’s recognizing the God-given role parents have had in shaping our lives.

Pastor Mark explains how family structure in ancient Israel looked very different from modern culture. Families operated collectively, and children were expected to help carry on the family legacy. Today, society often revolves around individual goals, dreams, schedules, and personal fulfillment. Yet even in a completely different culture, God’s command still stands: honor your father and mother.

This command matters because the health of society begins in the home.

Honor Begins in the Home

One of the central themes of the message is that respect for authority is first learned through parents. God designed the family to shape future generations, and the way honor is practiced inside the home impacts communities, relationships, and culture itself.

When honor disappears, it is often replaced with rebellion, disorder, and brokenness. But when parents and children learn to treat one another with significance, homes become places where wisdom, stability, and healthy relationships grow.

Pastor Mark also reminds parents that honor works both ways. Parents are called to live honorably and lead with integrity, grace, and humility. No parent does this perfectly, but God’s design for the family still matters deeply.

Honor Is a Lifelong Posture

A major takeaway from the Fifth Commandment message is this truth:

Honor is not a stage. It’s a lifelong posture.

As children, honor may look like obedience and listening. As teenagers, it involves respect while learning independence. As adults, honoring parents often shifts into representing them well, caring for them, and valuing their role in our lives.

Pastor Mark shares personal stories about carrying his father’s name into the workplace and realizing that his actions reflected on his family. In the same way believers carry the name of Christ, we also carry the influence and legacy of those who raised us.

The message also highlights practical care for aging parents. In biblical culture, children were expected to care for their parents as they grew older. While modern systems like assisted living and nursing homes exist today, the heart behind the command remains the same: we are called to thoughtfully care for those who cared for us.

What About Painful Relationships?

One of the most powerful parts of the Fifth Commandment message is its honesty about broken relationships.

For many people, honoring parents is difficult because their relationship with their mother or father was painful, neglectful, abusive, or deeply disappointing. Pastor Mark addresses this tension directly with an important distinction:

Honor the position, not the person.

Biblical honor does not mean pretending abuse was acceptable. It does not mean ignoring wounds or enabling harmful behavior. Instead, honor means recognizing the significance of the role while allowing God’s grace to heal bitterness, unforgiveness, and pain.

Forgiveness is not instant, and reconciliation is not always simple. But Jesus calls His followers toward healing, grace, and freedom.

Ultimately, the Fifth Commandment points us toward our Heavenly Father.

Where earthly parents fail, God remains perfect.
Where parents were absent, God is present.
Where parents wounded us, God brings healing.
Where parents fell short, God’s love remains constant.

The Gospel reminds us that through Jesus we are welcomed into the family of God and called children of God.

Practical Application

This message invites every person to ask an honest question:

Where do I need to start honoring my parents?

For some, that may begin with gratitude.

For others, it may begin with forgiveness.

For others, it may involve reconciliation, care, or simply acknowledging the impact their parents had on their lives.

No matter your story, the Fifth Commandment reminds us that God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts and the relationships that shape us.

Take Your Next Step

This week, take time to honestly reflect on your relationship with your parents. Ask God where healing, forgiveness, gratitude, or reconciliation may need to begin.

Maybe your next step is making a phone call.

Maybe it’s beginning the process of forgiveness.

Maybe it’s caring for a parent in a more intentional way.

Or maybe your next step is simply trusting that God can redeem the places where earthly relationships have fallen short.

The Fifth Commandment reminds us that honor is not just about behavior—it’s about becoming people shaped by grace, humility, and the love of our perfect Heavenly Father.

Did you like the message, Fifth Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Fourth Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:23:28 +0000

Fourth Commandment | Stone Week 4

Exodus 20:8–10 says:

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 For six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male slave or your female slave, or your cattle, or your resident who stays with you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; for that reason the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11

The Fourth Commandment may be one of the most overlooked commands in Scripture. In a culture that celebrates hustle, busyness, productivity, and constant achievement, the idea of true Sabbath rest can feel almost impossible. Yet in the middle of the Ten Commandments — alongside commands against murder, theft, adultery, and idolatry — God gives His people a command to stop working and rest.

In Week 4 of our STONE teaching series, CJ Ward explores the Fourth Commandment and why Sabbath is not optional for a healthy, flourishing life. This message challenges the modern mindset that says our worth is tied to our productivity and reminds us that rest is deeply connected to trust.

The Fourth Commandment Is Still Important

Many believers tend to minimize the Fourth Commandment compared to the other commands in Scripture. Few people would openly justify murder, theft, or adultery, yet many of us regularly justify a life without rest.

We say things like:

“Life is just too busy right now.”
“I have to keep grinding.”
“I can rest later.”
“I can’t afford to slow down.”

But the Fourth Commandment reveals something important about the way God designed humanity. Rest is not weakness. Rest is part of creation itself.

In this message, CJ explains that the Sabbath is not merely about taking a day off from a job. Biblical Sabbath is a full day of genuine rest — a day where we stop striving, stop accomplishing, stop producing, and stop carrying the weight of control.

The Fourth Commandment reminds us that God designed humanity with limits, and those limits are not flaws. They are intentional.

God Designed Us to Work — and to Rest

One of the most powerful truths in this message is the reminder that work itself is not bad.

Scripture consistently teaches that followers of Jesus should work hard, live responsibly, and steward their lives well. In fact, the Fourth Commandment itself says, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.”

God created humanity with purpose and responsibility. Work existed before sin entered the world. Human beings were designed to build, create, serve, cultivate, lead, and contribute.

But we were never designed to work endlessly.

The Sabbath reminds us that productivity is not our identity. Our value does not come from how much we accomplish. We are not machines built only for output. We are people created in the image of God.

This message pushes back against the cultural belief that nonstop work equals significance. Instead, the Fourth Commandment teaches that healthy rhythms of work and rest are foundational to the life God created us to live.

Sabbath Is an Act of Trust

At the center of the Fourth Commandment is a question of trust. Do we trust God enough to stop working?

For many people, the hardest part of Sabbath is not physical rest — it is surrendering control. We fear that if we stop striving, everything will fall apart. We fear that if we stop producing, we will lose value. We fear that if we slow down, we will fall behind.

But Sabbath becomes a weekly reminder that God is the provider and we are not.

CJ describes Sabbath as a “physical practice of trust.” Every time we rest, we remind ourselves that God is still in control even when we stop working. The world keeps spinning because He is sustaining it, not us.

The Fourth Commandment calls believers to step out of anxiety and into dependence on God.

What Does Sabbath Actually Look Like?

This message also provides practical guidance for how to begin practicing Sabbath in everyday life.

CJ describes Sabbath as:

24 hours with no work
A time to stop striving
A day free from accomplishing and producing
Space to enjoy God, family, rest, and delight

Two key ideas help shape a healthy Sabbath:

Do nothing that feels like work
Do not try to accomplish anything

The goal of Sabbath is not legalism. The goal is restoration.

Jesus Himself taught that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God did not create Sabbath to burden people with more rules. He gave Sabbath because human beings need rest emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally.

You Are Loved Even When You Rest

At the heart of this message is one powerful truth:

You are loved even when you are not accomplishing anything.

For many people, that truth is difficult to accept. We often tie our identity to success, achievement, productivity, and usefulness. But the gospel reminds us that Jesus already accomplished what we never could through His death and resurrection.

Because of Christ, we do not have to earn love through performance.

The Fourth Commandment becomes a weekly reminder that our worth is not based on our output. We are loved because we belong to God.

Sabbath is not simply about stopping work. It is about learning to rest in the love and faithfulness of Jesus.

Take Your Next Step

This week, take one intentional step toward Sabbath.

Create space to rest, trust God with what you cannot control, and remember that your value is not found in constant productivity. Practice resting in the love of Jesus and allow Him to remind you that you are already accepted, already loved, and already cared for by Him.

Did you like the message, Fourth Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Third Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 11 May 2026 21:58:36 +0000

Third Commandment | Stone Week 3

The Third Commandment is one of the most quoted — and most misunderstood — commandments in the Bible. Many people assume this command is only about using God’s name as a curse word or saying His name disrespectfully. While honoring God with our words certainly matters, the Third Commandment goes much deeper than speech alone.

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Exodus 20:7

In Week 3 of our STONE teaching series, CJ Ward unpacks the meaning behind the Third Commandment and challenges us to consider what it truly means to represent Jesus faithfully.

What Does the Third Commandment Really Mean?

When most people hear the phrase “take the Lord’s name in vain,” they immediately think about speech. While honoring God with our words absolutely matters, the biblical meaning behind the Third Commandment goes far beyond language alone.

The original Hebrew wording carries the idea of bearing, carrying, or wearing the name of God. In other words, the Third Commandment warns against attaching ourselves to the name of God while living in a way that misrepresents Him.

For followers of Jesus, this becomes deeply personal.

When we call ourselves Christians, we carry the name of Christ into every part of our lives. We represent Him in our homes, workplaces, relationships, conversations, habits, and priorities. The question is no longer just, “What do I say about God?” but, “What does my life say about Him?”

The Second Commandment and the Danger of Images

The heart of the Second Commandment is not just about physical idols—it’s about how we represent God. Anytime we try to reduce God into something we can fully understand, control, or define, we are creating an image that falls short of who He truly is.

Just like a photo can never fully capture the beauty of a sunset, any image we create of God will always fall short. God is not limited, contained, or restricted—He is infinite, eternal, and beyond our comprehension.

The Second Commandment reminds us that God cannot be shaped by our perspective. Instead, we must allow Him to reveal Himself to us.

Carrying the Name of Jesus

Throughout this message, CJ Ward explains that following Jesus is not just about adopting a label — it is about transformation.

The Third Commandment challenges believers to ask difficult but important questions:

Has following Jesus changed the way I live?
Does His name affect my decisions?
Does my faith shape the way I treat people?
Does the character of Jesus show up in my everyday life?

There is a way of living associated with the name of Jesus.

The Third Commandment reminds us that faith should never be empty or performative. Christianity was never meant to be something we wear publicly while remaining unchanged privately. God calls His people to live lives that reflect His holiness, mercy, humility, forgiveness, and truth.

This command pushes us beyond surface-level religion and into genuine discipleship.

The Danger of Wearing His Name Casually

One of the strongest themes in this week’s message is the warning against using the name of Jesus for personal benefit.

It can be tempting to associate ourselves with Christianity because of appearance, influence, trust, reputation, or approval. But the Third Commandment reminds us that the name of Jesus is not something we use to elevate ourselves.

Instead, followers of Jesus are called to make His name known — not their own.

CJ Ward powerfully reminds the church that “Jesus is the only name that can save.” Human platforms cannot save people. Popularity cannot transform lives. Influence cannot heal hearts. Only Jesus can do that.

That truth changes everything.

Rather than building our own reputation, we are called to leverage our lives for His glory. The Third Commandment invites believers to live in a way that reflects the goodness and faithfulness of Christ to the world around them.

A Call to Spiritual Responsibility

This message also speaks directly to spiritual leadership and responsibility within the family and the church.

CJ challenges believers not to push spiritual responsibility onto someone else. Instead, followers of Jesus are called to take ownership of their faith and actively pursue Christ in the way they lead, serve, love, forgive, and sacrifice.

The Third Commandment reminds us that carrying the name of Jesus comes with responsibility. It affects the way we love our spouse, raise our children, treat our neighbors, and live behind closed doors.

Faith was never meant to stay private or passive. The name of Jesus changes how we live.

Mercy for Those Who Fall Short

At the same time, this message is filled with hope.

None of us carry His name perfectly. Every believer has moments where we fail, compromise, fall short, or misrepresent Christ. But the gospel reminds us that Jesus is full of mercy and grace.

The cross is proof that we serve a Savior who forgives, restores, and redeems.

The Third Commandment reveals our need for grace, but it also points us directly to the mercy of Jesus. Through Him, we are forgiven and empowered to keep growing, keep repenting, and keep becoming more like Christ.

This is not a message about perfection. It is a message about surrender.

Take Your Next Step

The Third Commandment challenges every believer with one powerful question:
How are you wearing His name?

This week, don’t just hear the message — live it. Ask God to reveal the places where your faith has become casual, comfortable, or disconnected from the way you actually live. Let the name of Jesus shape your decisions, your relationships, your priorities, and your character.

This week’s next step is simple:

Wear the name of Jesus with integrity.

Carry His name faithfully at home, at work, online, in your relationships, and in every part of your life. Not perfectly — but honestly, humbly, and surrendered to Him.

Did you like the message, Third Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Second Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:52:55 +0000

Second Commandment | Stone Week 2

In Week 2 of our Stone series, Sawyer Poitra unpacks the meaning and significance of the Second Commandment, revealing a truth that still challenges us today: God cannot be reduced to an image, an idea, or a version we create.

The Second Commandment, found in Exodus 20:4–6, says:

“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them…”

Exodus 20:4-6

At first glance, the Second Commandment may seem irrelevant in a modern world where most people don’t carve statues or bow down to physical idols. But this message reveals that idolatry didn’t disappear—it just evolved.

What Is the First Commandment Really About?

Many people read the First Commandment and assume God is simply asking to be first on a list of priorities. But this message reveals something deeper.

God is not asking to be one option among many. He is calling for exclusive devotion. He is not asking to compete with everything else in your life—He is asking to occupy the sacred space in your heart that belongs to Him alone.

The First Commandment is about loyalty, worship, and relationship.

The Second Commandment and the Danger of Images

The Second Commandment reminds us that God cannot be shaped by our perspective. Instead, we must allow Him to reveal Himself to us.

How We Still Break the Second Commandment Today

Even if we don’t create physical idols, we often create mental ones.

We form ideas about God based on our experiences, our upbringing, or our expectations. We may see God as distant, harsh, or only present in certain moments. We may treat Him like a genie—someone we go to only when we need something.

These are all modern forms of breaking the Second Commandment.

When we try to define God on our terms, we limit Him. We place Him in a box. And when we limit God, it directly impacts how we relate to Him.

The Second Commandment and Our Relationship with God

How you see God shapes how you respond to Him.

If you see God as distant, you won’t run to Him.
If you see Him as harsh, you may hide from Him.
If you see Him as small, your faith will be small.

But when you begin to understand who God truly is—powerful, loving, holy, and present—it changes everything.

The Second Commandment invites us to stop creating God in our image and instead be transformed by the truth of who He is.

You Were Created to Reflect God

One of the most powerful truths in this message is that God has already given us an image—us.

Humanity was created in the image of God. That means we were designed to reflect His character, His love, and His truth to the world around us.

Instead of creating images of God, we are called to be image-bearers of God.

And while we fall short because of sin, Jesus gives us the perfect picture of who God is. Jesus is not just a representation of God—He is God. When we look at Jesus, we see the character, love, and truth of God fully revealed.

The Second Commandment and God’s Jealous Love

The Second Commandment also describes God as a “jealous” God. This isn’t a petty or insecure jealousy—it is a passionate, protective love.

God is jealous for your heart.
He is jealous for your attention.
He is jealous for your relationship with Him.

He doesn’t want anything to come between you and Him—not because He needs you, but because He loves you.

Take Your Next Step

Take time this week to examine how you see God.

Have you limited Him?
Have you created a version of God based on your experiences instead of His truth?

Return to who God has revealed Himself to be.

Dive into Scripture.
Look to Jesus.
Let God redefine your understanding of Him.

The Second Commandment is not just a warning—it is an invitation to know God as He truly is.

Did you like the message, Second Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

First Commandment

nlwchurch — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:30:51 +0000

First Commandment | Stone Week 1

We’re beginning a brand-new teaching series called Stone, a 10-week journey through the Ten Commandments and the timeless truths God gave to shape our lives. In Week 1, Pastor CJ Ward teaches a powerful message titled First Commandment, centered on one of the most important commands in Scripture.

The First Commandment is found in Exodus 20:1–3:

And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:1-3

This foundational command still speaks directly to our lives today.

What Is the First Commandment Really About?

Many people read the First Commandment and assume God is simply asking to be first on a list of priorities. But this message reveals something deeper.

The First Commandment is about loyalty, worship, and relationship.

What Is Occupying God’s Space?

Every person gives worship to something. If it isn’t God, it will be something else.

For some, it may be success.
For others, it may be money, relationships, approval, politics, pleasure, comfort, or control.

The First Commandment invites us to honestly ask: What is occupying God’s space in my life?

When anything else takes the place only God should hold, it becomes an idol. And idols always promise more than they can deliver.

The First Commandment Is Built on God’s Faithfulness

Before God gave Israel the command, He reminded them of what He had already done:

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

That means the First Commandment begins with grace.

God rescued His people before He instructed His people. His relationship with them was built on His faithfulness, not their perfection.

The same is true for us today through Jesus Christ. Jesus rescues us from sin, forgives us completely, and invites us into relationship with Him. Our obedience is not how we earn His love—it is how we respond to His love.

Why the First Commandment Still Matters Today

The First Commandment is still relevant because our hearts are still tempted to place other things above God.

When we place our hope in temporary things, we live anxious, divided, and empty lives. But when God takes His rightful place, we experience peace, clarity, freedom, and purpose.

God doesn’t ask for all of your heart because He is controlling. He asks for all of your heart because He loves you.

Take Your Next Step

If something has taken God’s place in your life, today is the day to return.

Allow Jesus to reclaim the sacred space in your heart. Put your faith fully in Him. Trust His faithfulness over every competing voice.

The First Commandment is not just a rule—it is an invitation to live fully devoted to the God who has always been faithful to you.

Did you like the message, First Commandment? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Jesus Restores Everything

nlwchurch — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:04:06 +0000

Jesus Restores Everything

In the final week of our Jesus Changes Everything series, guest speaker Adam Weatherby brings a powerful message from John 21 that reminds us of one life-changing truth: Jesus restores everything.

After the resurrection, Jesus meets His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in what feels like a quiet, almost ordinary moment—but it becomes one of the most powerful moments of restoration in Scripture. This is where Jesus restores Peter.

Just days earlier, Peter had denied Jesus three times. He was overwhelmed with shame, guilt, and regret. The weight of his failure could have defined him. But instead of walking away from Peter, Jesus moves toward him. Instead of condemning him, Jesus restores everything that was broken.

That same truth applies to us today.

Jesus Restores Everything—Even Your Past

No matter what you’ve done or how far you feel from God, Jesus restores everything. Your past mistakes don’t cancel your future. Your failures don’t disqualify your calling.

Peter thought he was finished. But Jesus showed him that God’s calling never expires.

Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve blown it. Maybe you’ve been carrying shame, guilt, or regret for a long time. This message is a reminder that Jesus doesn’t just forgive—He restores everything. He restores your identity, your purpose, and your relationship with Him.

Jesus Restores Everything—And Calls You Forward

When Jesus restored Peter, He didn’t just comfort him—He recommissioned him.

He called him forward.

“Feed my sheep.”
“Follow me.”

Even after failure, Peter still had a purpose. And the same is true for you.

Jesus restores everything, and then He invites you into a life of purpose, mission, and impact. Your story isn’t over. In fact, your restoration may be the very thing God uses to impact others.

Jesus Restores Everything—So Come Back to Him

One of the most powerful moments in this passage is when Jesus simply invites the disciples: “Come and have breakfast.”

It’s a reminder that Jesus doesn’t just want to fix you—He wants to be with you.

If you’ve been distant from God, if you’ve been running, hiding, or feeling unworthy, hear this clearly: Jesus restores everything, and He is inviting you back into relationship with Him.

You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to earn your way back. You simply come.

Jesus Restores Everything—And That Includes You

At the end of the day, the message of the gospel is simple:

We bring nothing.
Jesus gives everything.

Because of His death and resurrection, you can be forgiven, restored, and made new. Not because of anything you’ve done—but because of what He has already done for you.

Jesus restores everything—and that includes you.

Take Your Next Step

If you’ve never put your faith in Jesus, today can be the day your life changes forever.

Allow Jesus to restore you.
Put your faith in Jesus.
Follow Him.

And if you’re ready to take a step, we’d love to walk with you.

Click the button below to let us know you made this important next step in your lie.

Did you like the message, Jesus Restores Everything? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Easter 2026

nlwchurch — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:50:16 +0000

Easter 2026

Easter isn’t just a holiday—it’s the moment that changed everything.

In Week 1 of Jesus Changes Everything, CJ Ward unpacks the power and significance of the resurrection of Jesus and why it still matters today.

The Resurrection Changes Everything

The empty tomb is more than a symbol—it’s proof.

Proof that:

Death has been defeated
Sin no longer has the final word
Hope is alive and available to everyone

This isn’t just good news—it’s life-changing truth.

From Death to Life

Because of Jesus, our story doesn’t have to end in brokenness.

The resurrection offers:

New life
A fresh start
A restored relationship with God

No matter your past, Jesus invites you into something new.

This Is Personal

Easter isn’t just something we celebrate—it’s something we respond to.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you today. The question is: what will you do with it?

Jesus Changes Everything

When Jesus steps into your life:

Your past is forgiven
Your future is secure
Your purpose is redefined

This is more than inspiration—it’s transformation.

Take Your Next Step

This Easter could be the moment everything changes for you.

Attend our next service and experience the power of the resurrection for yourself.

Did you like the message, Easter 2026? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Devoted

nlwchurch — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:09:27 +0000

What does it really mean to be devoted?

In Week 5 of Hope of Glory, CJ Ward closes out the series by pointing us to one of the most important rhythms of the Christian life—prayer. Not as a religious obligation, but as a daily, ongoing relationship with God.

In Devoted, we explore how prayer isn’t about having long, perfect moments with God, but about consistent communication that shapes how we think, how we see others, and how we live on mission.

Devoted to Prayer, Not Just Passionate About God

There’s a difference between passion and devotion. Passion comes and goes—but devotion is a decision. In the same way we stay committed in relationships, we are called to devote ourselves to prayer—to stick with it, prioritize it, and build our lives around it.

Watchful, Not Fearful

CJ challenges us to rethink what it means to be “watchful.” Instead of living in fear of what might happen next, we are called to pay attention to what God is already doing.

When we become watchful in prayer, we begin to see:

Where God is already at work
Opportunities to step into His mission
People not as problems—but as people Jesus is pursuing

Thankful, Not Negative

Thankfulness shifts everything.

When we focus on gratitude, fear loses its grip. Instead of being consumed by what’s wrong, we begin to recognize what God has already done—and is still doing.

Prayer Prepares Us for Mission

A devoted prayer life doesn’t pull us away from the world—it prepares us for it.

When we talk to Jesus consistently:

Our conversations become full of grace
We begin to recognize opportunities to share the gospel
We learn to live intentionally with the people around us

We don’t have to force anything. We simply join what God is already doing.

Devotion Is Daily Communication

Being devoted to prayer doesn’t mean hours of uninterrupted silence—it means talking to God throughout your day.

In the car. At work. In the ordinary moments.

Because devotion is revealed by communication.

Take Your Next Step

Don’t overcomplicate it—start talking to God today.

Attend our next service and take a step toward building a life that is truly devoted.

Did you like the message, Devoted? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

King Jesus

nlwchurch — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:28:12 +0000

King Jesus

In week four of our Hope of Glory series, CJ Ward brings a powerful message titled King Jesus, reminding us that Jesus is not just a part of our lives—He is meant to be Lord over all of it.

Many people are comfortable with Jesus as Savior. We want forgiveness. We want grace. We want hope. But the message of the gospel goes further than that. Jesus is not only the one who rescues us—He is the King who leads us.

Jesus Is Not Just Savior—He Is King

In Colossians 1, Paul makes it clear that Jesus is supreme over all things. He is not secondary. He is not optional. He is first.

To call Jesus “King” means that He has authority over every area of our lives—not just the parts we’re comfortable giving Him.

This challenges the way many of us live because it’s possible to accept Jesus as Savior while still trying to remain in control.

The Tension of Control

We often want the benefits of Jesus without surrendering to His authority.

We want:

Forgiveness without obedience
Grace without transformation
Comfort without surrender

But following Jesus means laying down control. It means trusting that His way is better than ours—even when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or costly.

What Surrender Really Means

Surrender isn’t just a one-time decision. It’s a daily posture.

It’s choosing to place the following under the authorit of King Jesus:

Our plans
Our identity
Our relationships
Our future

When Jesus is truly King, it changes how we think, how we live, and how we respond to every situation.

Why This Matters

If Jesus is not King over everything, then something else will be.

We will either live under the authority of Christ, or we will be ruled by something else—success, approval, comfort, or control.

But only Jesus is a King who brings life, freedom, and hope.

Take Your Next Step

What would it look like for you to surrender one area of your life to Jesus this week?

Attend our next service and take a step toward placing every part of your life under the leadership of King Jesus.

Did you like the message, King Jesus? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Deeply Rooted

nlwchurch — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:10:29 +0000

Deeply Rooted

In week three of our Hope of Glory teaching series, Brooklyn Alm shares a message titled Deeply Rooted. Looking at Colossians 2, this message explores how lasting faith grows when our lives stay rooted in Christ.

Many people begin their faith journey with excitement and passion. Yet over time, some believers remain strong while others slowly drift away. What makes the difference?

The apostle Paul gives us the answer.

The Strength of Your Faith Depends on Your Roots

In Colossians 2:6–7, Paul writes:

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

Just like a plant needs strong roots to survive storms, our spiritual lives need deep roots in Christ.

When our roots grow deeper in Jesus, our faith becomes stronger. Difficult seasons still come, but our foundation remains secure because our lives are built on Him.

What Crowds Our Spiritual Roots

Spiritual drift rarely happens suddenly. It usually happens slowly.

Distractions, busyness, comparison, and self-reliance can quietly crowd our spiritual lives. Over time, we may begin treating Jesus like someone we visit occasionally instead of the foundation we build our lives upon.

When that happens, our roots stop growing deeper.

But when we stay connected to Christ, everything begins to change.

How Our Roots Grow Deeper

Just like plants need water and nutrients, our faith grows through intentional connection with God.

Scripture points us to three simple but powerful practices:

Reading God’s Word
Prayer
Christian community

These practices don’t earn God’s love. Instead, they keep us connected to the source of life.

As our roots grow deeper in Christ, spiritual fruit begins to grow naturally in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gratitude.

The Goal Isn’t Trying Harder

The Christian life isn’t about striving harder or proving ourselves to God.

The goal is simply to stay Deeply Rooted in Jesus.

When our lives remain connected to Him, our faith grows stronger and our lives begin to overflow with thankfulness.

Reflection Questions

What currently competes for your attention more than time with God?
Which spiritual practice (Scripture, prayer, community) needs to grow stronger in your life?
What would it look like for your faith to become more deeply rooted this season?

Take Your Next Step

Faith grows best when we don’t try to follow Jesus alone.

Join a Life Group and grow deeper in your faith alongside others who are learning to stay rooted in Christ.

Did you like the message, Live Deeply Rooted? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.