Friends Church Sacramento

Friends Church Sacramento

Welcome to the Friends Church Sacramento podcast! Join us each week as we dive into the timeless truths of scripture and explore how they apply to our lives today. Whether you're a regular attendee or tuning in for the first time, our podcast offers a convenient way to stay connected and engaged with our community. At Friends Church Sacramento, we're passionate about creating an atmosphere of authentic worship, genuine fellowship, and transformative teaching. Our Sunday sermons are designed to inspire, challenge, and encourage you on your spiritual journey. With each episode, you'll experience uplifting messages from our dynamic speakers, insightful reflections on scripture, and practical applications for everyday living. Whether you're seeking spiritual growth, encouragement in your faith, or simply curious about what it means to follow Jesus, our podcast has something for everyone. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable spot, and join us as we journey together through God's Word. Subscribe to the Friends Church Sacramento Sunday Sermon Archive podcast today and let's explore the riches of God's truth together!

  1. 9h ago

    Selfish Desires Pull Us Away From God | The Book of James

    Selfish Desires Pull Us Away From God | The Book of James Jared Reiter Have you ever made a small decision that eventually led you somewhere you never intended to go? Sometimes it doesn't take a major decision to get off course. A small degree of inaccuracy, repeated over time, can lead us a long way from where we hoped to be. That's the picture James gives us in chapter 4. After describing the kind of wisdom that produces peace and good fruit, James turns his attention to the conflicts, selfish desires, and divided loyalties that were taking root among the early church. His message is direct: the things happening around us often reveal what is happening within us. But even when we've wandered from God, there is a way back. Our selfish desires can pull us away from God James begins by asking a difficult question: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” His answer is that the desires battling within us are often at the root of our conflict. We see this in everyday life. How many disagreements with a spouse, a child, a friend, or a family member become bigger than they need to be because of our own pride? We become convinced that we deserve something, that things should go our way, or that we are entitled to what we want. James challenges us to look beyond the actions of the other person and examine our own hearts. This doesn't mean every disagreement is caused by selfishness, or that wanting something good is wrong. God is the giver of good gifts. But even a good desire can become destructive when we pursue it at the expense of loving others or obeying God. When our desires become more important than our relationships with God and others, they begin to pull us away from the life God wants for us. God's grace is greater than our failures James doesn't stop with the conflict between people. He confronts something deeper: the divided loyalties of a church that had become too comfortable with the values of the world. When James talks about friendship with the world, he isn't saying that the physical world or the people around us are bad. He's warning against allowing values that oppose God to shape our priorities, desires, and allegiances. It's possible to say we follow Jesus while allowing other things to take his place. We can begin looking to success, money, status, comfort, or the fulfillment of our own dreams to provide the satisfaction that only God can give. But right in the middle of this confrontation, James gives us one of the most hopeful statements in the passage: “But he gives us more grace.” (James 4:6) God's grace is greater than our failures. He doesn't abandon those who have wandered. He invites us to come back to him, and he gives grace to those who humble themselves. Humility means recognizing that we aren't the ones in control. We don't get to put our desires above God's direction and simply hope he blesses the path we've chosen. We are invited to trust him, listen to his Spirit, and let him shape the way we live. Returning to God requires a change of direction James doesn't leave his readers wondering what it looks like to return to God. In verses 7–10, he gives a series of commands: submit to God, resist the devil, come near to God, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, and humble yourselves before the Lord. These commands describe repentance. Repentance is more than feeling bad about something we've done. It involves a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of direction. It means turning away from the things that are pulling us away from God and choosing to return to him. This is where we can sometimes misunderstand grace. God's grace isn't an excuse to remain in the same patterns that are damaging our relationship with him. Grace invites us into a changed life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship, warned against what he called “cheap grace”—the preaching of forgiveness without repentance or discipleship. His challenge reminds us that receiving God's grace should change the way we respond to sin. We may still struggle, and we may still stumble, but we should not become comfortable making peace with the very things that pull us away from God. James gives us a clear invitation: come near to God. Stop defending the things that are distancing you from him. Humble yourself, submit your life to him, and receive the grace he freely gives. What is God asking you to turn away from? The good news of James 4 is that we don't have to stay where we've been. Our selfish desires may pull us away from God, but his grace invites us to return. So take a moment to consider your own life: What habit or desire have you been defending? Where have you allowed something else to take the place that belongs to God? What would it look like to turn around and submit that area of your life to him? James closes this section with a promise: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10) The world tells us to elevate ourselves. God invites us to humble ourselves and trust him. We don't have to keep walking in the wrong direction. Through Jesus, there is grace to come home. Friends Church Sacramento | Faith Lived Out

  2. Oct 26

    What Kind of Wisdom Is Shaping Your Life? | The Book of James

    What Kind of Wisdom Is Shaping Your Life? | The Book of James Jared Reiter What Kind of Wisdom Is Shaping Your Life?James 3:13–18 | Faith Lived Out The health of a garden depends on the soil in which it grows. You can plant good seeds, water them faithfully, and give them plenty of sunlight, but if the soil isn't healthy, the garden won't thrive. The same is true of our lives. The wisdom shaping our hearts influences the choices we make, the relationships we build, and the kind of people we become. In James 3:13–18, we discover that there are two very different kinds of wisdom competing to shape our lives: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom that comes from God. The way you live reveals what kind of wisdom you're living by. 1. Godly wisdom is more than knowing the right answersJames begins with a question: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13) His answer might surprise us. He doesn't point to the person who knows the most, speaks the most confidently, or has all the right answers. Instead, he says that wisdom is demonstrated through a good life and deeds done in humility. There's an important difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is what we know or understand. Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge rightly. We can know that getting enough sleep is good for us and still stay up too late scrolling on our phones. We can know what Scripture teaches and still struggle to put it into practice. Knowing what is right isn't the same as living wisely. We have access to more information than ever before. Technology can help us find answers quickly, but having an answer doesn't automatically give us the discernment, humility, or discipline to live it out. This is where we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God doesn't simply invite us to accumulate knowledge; he invites us to be transformed by what we learn. What would it look like to slow down this week, spend time with God, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you need to put your faith into practice? Godly wisdom isn't defined by how much we know, but by good deeds done in humility. 2. Worldly wisdom is revealed by a life focused on getting ahead of othersJames then describes the characteristics of false wisdom: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” (James 3:14) Two things stand out: bitter envy and selfish ambition. Envy causes us to resent what someone else has. Selfish ambition pushes us to pursue our own advancement without considering how our pursuit affects others. Together, they create a life focused on comparison, competition, and getting ahead. It's a struggle many of us recognize. Social media makes it easy to compare our ordinary lives with the carefully selected highlights of everyone else's. We see someone else's success, relationships, possessions, or accomplishments, and we begin to wonder why we don't have the same things. Even good things can become unhealthy when comparison takes hold of our hearts. We might begin to see someone else's success as a threat to our own worth. Instead of celebrating what God is doing in another person's life, we wonder why it isn't happening for us. This can happen in our workplaces, friendships, families, and even our churches. Beneath comparison is often a deeper lie: that our value comes from what we have, what we know, or what we accomplish. So we keep striving to have more, learn more, and achieve more in the hope that we'll finally feel like we matter. But there will always be someone who has more, knows more, or accomplishes more. The good news is that we don't have to build our identity on these things. Romans 5:8 reminds us that God demonstrated his love for us through the death of Jesus while we were still sinners. Because of Jesus, we don't have to prove our worth. We are already loved by God. When our identity is rooted in Christ, we can stop treating other people's success as a threat. We can become more honest about our weaknesses, more willing to grow, and more able to celebrate what God is doing in others. James isn't saying that ambition or accomplishment is inherently wrong. He's warning us against the selfish ambition that puts our own advancement ahead of the well-being of others. So ask yourself: Is your identity rooted in what you're trying to achieve, or in the love God has already shown you? 3. Godly wisdom is revealed by a life focused on seeking the best for othersJames contrasts worldly wisdom with the wisdom that comes from heaven: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) Notice the difference. Worldly wisdom is marked by envy and selfish ambition. Godly wisdom produces humility, integrity, compassion, and peace. James concludes by pointing to the fruit of peacemaking: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18). Peacemaking isn't simply avoiding conflict or keeping everyone happy. Sometimes pursuing peace requires us to have an honest conversation, acknowledge where we've been wrong, extend mercy, or work toward reconciliation. Peace takes effort. Just as a garden requires healthy soil, careful planting, and patience, our relationships require intentional care. Our words, attitudes, and choices can either cultivate peace or contribute to division. Think about the people you encounter throughout your week. How do you show up at home? At work? In your friendships? In your church community? Does your presence bring peace into your relationships, or are you adding tension? This isn't about being perfect or taking responsibility for everyone else's emotions. It's about allowing God to shape our character so that we increasingly treat others with humility, honesty, mercy, and care. Jesus has made peace between us and God. As people who have received that peace, we're called to carry it into our relationships with others. Godly wisdom is revealed by a life focused on seeking the best for others. What kind of soil is shaping your life?When we look at a garden, the fruit gives us clues about the health of the soil. In the same way, the fruit of our lives can reveal the wisdom shaping our hearts. Are our choices marked by humility or pride? Are we driven by comparison and the need to prove ourselves, or are we secure in God's love? Are our relationships characterized by rivalry and division, or are we learning to become peacemakers? James invites us to examine our lives honestly—not to leave us discouraged, but to help us recognize where God wants to bring growth. And we don't have to figure it out on our own. Earlier in his letter, James gives us this promise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) We can come to God honestly, ask for wisdom, and invite the Holy Spirit to transform the way we think and live. This week, take a few minutes to reflect on these questions: What is motivating my decisions: love and humility, or envy and self-advancement? What kind of fruit are my motives producing in my relationships? Where is God inviting me to become a peacemaker this week? The way you live reveals what kind of wisdom you're living by. Let's become people whose lives are shaped by the wisdom of God—people who live with humility, bear good fruit, and seek the good of others. Looking for a church community in Sacramento? We'd love to welcome you to Friends Church Sacramento. Join us Sundays at 10 AM in East Sacramento. Visit Friends Church Sacramento Plan Your Visit

  3. Sep 27

    How Do You Know Your Faith is Real? | The Book of James

    How Do You Know Your Faith is Real? | The Book of James Jared Reiter When Your Faith Becomes Visible: James 1:19–27 Does your life show that you're a follower of Christ without having to say you're a follower of Christ? That's the question James puts before us in James 1:19–27. It's one thing to say that we believe in Jesus. It's another thing for the way we live to actually reveal that we belong to Jesus. Throughout the book of James, we're reminded that faith isn't meant to remain something we simply profess. Genuine faith becomes visible in the way we live. Faith Is Meant to Change Us James begins this section with a familiar command: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James isn't saying that anger itself is always wrong. Anger is a human emotion. The question is what we do with it. Our anger does not get to control our response. James tells us that human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. When anger controls us, it can lead us toward words and actions that don't reflect the character of Christ. For followers of Jesus, the gospel gives us a different way forward. God's patience toward us begins to shape the way we respond to others. Slow to anger reveals Christ's patience at work in us. One practical way to begin is to pause when anger rises, pray and invite God into the situation, and ask for perspective. Instead of immediately reacting, we can ask, “God, what are you wanting to teach me through this?” Faith isn't passive. God is continually forming us into people who look more like Jesus. Let God's Word Shape Your Life James then moves from hearing to doing. He warns his readers not to merely listen to the Word and deceive themselves. Instead, they are called to put what they hear into practice. James compares Scripture to a mirror. A mirror shows us what we actually look like. In the same way, God's Word helps us see ourselves accurately. We don't look into Scripture merely to see what we already believe. We look into Scripture to see ourselves accurately. That means Scripture isn't simply information for us to collect. It is something that confronts us, exposes the areas of our lives that need to change, and helps form us into the people God is calling us to become. Quick to listen reveals whose word shapes our lives. The question isn't simply, “How much Bible do I know?” A better question is: “What is God's Word actually changing about the way I live?” Our Bible study, church attendance, sermons and small groups are valuable—but hearing God's Word should ultimately lead to action. Let God's Word actually confront and form you. Faith Changes the Way We Treat Others James closes this section by talking about what he calls “pure and faultless” religion. He points to three tangible expressions of genuine faith: controlling our tongues, caring for people who are vulnerable, and remaining unstained by the world. James isn't attacking worship practices. He's exposing empty religious activity that never reaches the heart. Our worship should lead to transformation. Our words should begin to reflect the character of Christ. Our faith should move us toward compassion and care for people who are hurting or vulnerable. And following Jesus should change the way we interact with the culture around us. James refuses to separate personal holiness from practical compassion. Slow to speak reveals Christlike humility toward others. Faith becomes visible when the people around us experience the difference Jesus is making in us. What Does Your Life Reveal? James brings us back to a question worth asking: Does your life reveal to people that you're a follower of Christ without having to say you're a follower of Christ? Genuine faith becomes visible in the way we live. Not because we are trying to prove ourselves to God, but because God is at work within us, continually shaping us into the likeness of Jesus. So take a moment to look in the mirror. What does my life reveal about the faith I profess? Where is God inviting you to grow? What attitudes, patterns, reactions or assumptions need to be brought into the light? The goal isn't simply to leave church knowing more about James. The goal is to leave looking more like Jesus. Scripture James 1:19–27 Reflection Questions What does my life currently reveal about the faith I profess? Where am I most tempted to react quickly rather than be slow to anger? What has God's Word recently revealed about me that I need to put into practice? Are there areas where my religious activity has become disconnected from a transformed heart? Who around me might God be inviting me to serve, listen to, or care for? Visit us this Sunday at 10am

  4. Sep 21

    The Book of James | The Importance of Humility

    The Book of James | The Importance of Humility Tim Metzger Sermon on James 1:9-12 Plan Your Visit

  5. Sep 13

    The Book of James | When Life Doesn’t Go Our Way

    The Book of James | When Life Doesn’t Go Our Way Jared Reiter When Life Gets Hard: What Does Genuine Faith Do? What does genuine faith do when life doesn't go the way we want? That question is at the heart of James 1:1–8 and the beginning of our new sermon series, Faith Lived Out. It can be easier to say that we have faith in Jesus than it is to actually live that faith out. James understands that life gets hard. He doesn't offer Christians a quick fix or promise that following Jesus will keep us from difficulty. Instead, he gives us practical wisdom for developing a faith that is resilient, mature, and able to endure for the long haul. Genuine Faith Is Revealed When Life Gets Hard James begins his letter by addressing Christians who had been scattered among the nations. These believers were facing pressure and hardship, and James immediately begins addressing how their faith should shape the way they respond. He writes: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” That can sound strange at first. Why would James tell Christians to consider trials joyful? He isn't saying that suffering itself is good or that Christians should pretend to be happy when life hurts. James is pointing to what God can produce through difficult circumstances. Trials can develop perseverance. And perseverance, James says, leads toward maturity and completeness. This changes the way we look at hardship. Instead of only asking, “God, how do I get out of this?”, we can begin asking: “God, what might you be producing in me as I faithfully walk through this?” The difficult situation may not be something God caused, but that doesn't mean he can't use it. God can use financial pressure to teach us dependence. He can use disappointment to expose our tendency toward comparison. He can use relational conflict to teach us forgiveness. He can use seasons of uncertainty to deepen our trust in him. The trial isn't merely something standing in the way of our faith. God can use the trial itself to strengthen our faith. When You Don't Know What to Do, Ask God James then moves from trials to wisdom. He writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…” This is an incredibly practical promise. There will be moments when we don't know what to do. We won't always understand why something is happening, what decision we should make, or how we're supposed to move forward. James doesn't tell us that we have to figure it out alone. Ask God. God generously gives wisdom to those who ask him. Biblical wisdom isn't simply having more information. It is practical discernment—learning to recognize God's ways and live accordingly. That means Christian faith isn't just about knowing what God says. It's about trusting him enough to follow his wisdom. Who Are You Trusting to Tell You How to Live? We live in a world overflowing with answers. There are books, podcasts, influencers, social media, friends, experts, search engines, and artificial intelligence ready to give us advice. The question isn't whether we should ever listen to another person or use another resource. The deeper question is: Who ultimately has the authority to tell me how to live? James describes the person who asks God for wisdom but remains divided as “double-minded” and “unstable.” Genuine faith doesn't treat God as simply one voice among many. Don't make God one voice among many when you're deciding how to live. We can seek advice from others. We can learn from wise people. We can gather information. But ultimately, our lives are to be grounded in the wisdom of God. Genuine Faith Turns Toward God James 1:1–8 gives us a picture of faith that is actually lived out. When life gets hard, genuine faith doesn't mean we won't struggle. It means we don't have to run from God. We can turn toward him. We can ask what he wants to produce in us. We can ask him for wisdom. And we can trust him enough to follow where he leads. Genuine faith turns toward God when life gets hard. That is what it means to have a faith that is not simply professed, but lived out. If you're looking for a Christian church in Sacramento, a church near me, or a community where you can explore faith in Jesus and grow alongside others, we'd love to welcome you to Friends Church Sacramento. Friends Church Sacramento meets Sundays at 10:00 AM in East Sacramento. Plan Your Visit

  6. Sep 8

    You Are The Church | Be A Blessing

    You Are The Church | Be A Blessing Jared Reiter Be a Blessing: The Gospel Changes How We Live The gospel doesn't just save us; it reorients how we live toward God and others. What does it actually look like to be a blessing? It's easy to reduce the idea to simply being a nice person—to help when it's convenient, give when we have enough, or serve when we feel like it. But Scripture gives us a much deeper picture. In 2 Corinthians 5:14–21, Paul shows us that being a blessing isn't ultimately about what we do for other people. It's about what the gospel has done in us. Because Christ has loved us, reconciled us to God, and made us new, we are called to live differently in the world. Christ's love changes what drives us Paul writes: “For Christ’s love compels us...” — 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul's life wasn't ultimately motivated by money, status, recognition, or comfort. He had every reason to pursue those things, but instead he gave his life to serving Christ—even when that meant suffering, rejection, and sacrifice. Why? Because he had experienced the love of Christ. Jesus gave himself for us while we were still sinners. The gospel reminds us that we don't have to spend our lives trying to prove ourselves, build our reputation, or live for our own comfort. Christ has already given us what we could never earn for ourselves. And when we truly understand that love, it begins to change what motivates us. We don't serve because we're trying to earn God's approval. We don't give because we're trying to make ourselves look generous. We don't love others because they can give us something in return. We live for Christ because Christ first gave himself for us. Christ's love changes how we see people Paul continues: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.” — 2 Corinthians 5:16 The gospel changes our perspective. The world teaches us to evaluate people according to status, success, appearance, wealth, politics, personality, or whether someone is “one of us.” But followers of Jesus are called to see people differently. We begin to see the person behind the inconvenience. The neighbor behind the difference. The lonely person behind the awkwardness. The homeless person behind the circumstances. The person who has hurt us behind their worst moment. This is part of what Jesus illustrated through the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan didn't simply notice the wounded man—he saw him with compassion, and that compassion moved him to action. The gospel calls us to do the same. Instead of asking, “What does this person have to offer me?” we begin asking, “How can I love this person?” Instead of asking, “Are they like me?” we begin asking, “How can I show them the love of Christ?” Compassion begins when we stop seeing people simply through the lens of how they affect us and start seeing them as people worthy of our love. Christ's love changes how we live Paul then gives us the calling that comes from being reconciled to God: “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:19 And then: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20 This is an incredible calling. If God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, he now invites us to participate in his work of reconciliation in the world. We are Christ's ambassadors. That doesn't mean every Christian has to become a street preacher. It doesn't mean everyone needs to move overseas and become a missionary. It means that wherever God has placed us, we represent Jesus there. At work. In our neighborhoods. At school. On the sidelines of our kids' sports. At the grocery store. In our friendships. At church. Around our dinner tables. Our lives become opportunities to reveal the love of Christ and point people toward the God who reconciles. We may not preach a sermon from the street, but we can love our neighbors in a way that builds trust and opens doors for conversations about Jesus. We may not organize a missions trip, but we can be generous with our time, resources, and relationships, showing people what the generous love of Christ looks like. We may not know exactly how God will use our actions, but we can trust that God is already at work—and he has invited us to participate. Who is God sending you to? As we conclude our You Are the Church series, we've talked about three movements: BELONG → Find your place in God's family. BECOME → Grow together to become more like Jesus. BE A BLESSING → Join Jesus in blessing our neighbors and our world. And notice the order. We don't bless others because we're trying to earn God's love. We bless because we have already received God's love. We don't serve out of guilt. We serve out of gratitude. We don't live on mission because we have to. We live on mission because Christ's love has changed us. So take a moment and ask yourself: Where am I on this pathway? Maybe your next step is finding a place to belong. Maybe it's growing deeper in your relationship with Jesus and becoming more like him. Maybe it's finding a place to serve. Maybe it's becoming more generous. Maybe it's time to start living intentionally on mission. And if you're ready to take that next step, start simple. Ask God to put three people on your heart who need to experience the love of Christ. They might be a neighbor, coworker, family member, friend, or another parent you see every week. Write their names down. Pray for them. Pay attention to the opportunities God gives you. And when the opportunity comes, take a step. Because being a blessing isn't simply something we do. It's who we become when the gospel takes root in our lives. Who is God sending you to? Plan Your Visit

  7. Aug 31

    You Are The Church | Become

    You Are The Church | Become Jared Reiter How Do We Become More Like Jesus? Romans 12:1–13 It’s possible to know a lot about Jesus without actually becoming like Jesus. I learned this lesson through Spanish. I started taking Spanish in 7th grade and continued all the way through my senior year of high school. Learning a second language came pretty easily to me, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I did well enough in the class that, during my senior year, I was placed in a native-speaker class. One of the reasons I loved Spanish was because of how practical it was. Every year, my youth group would take trips to Mexico, and I always wanted to help translate. But there was a problem. Even though I had earned great grades in Spanish, I still struggled to hold a conversation whenever I was actually in Mexico. As it turns out, knowing Spanish and speaking Spanish are two very different things. And I think something similar can happen in our faith. Information Isn't the Same as Formation We can easily confuse information with formation. We think that because we know something, we must therefore be able to do something. But knowledge by itself doesn't guarantee formation. Information is necessary for formation, but information alone isn't sufficient for formation. And this reality can creep into our relationship with Jesus. We can know the stories.We can know the theology.We can know the songs.We can remember the sermon points.We can know the vocabulary and culture of the church. And yet we can still fail to resemble Christ in the way we think, serve, and love. That's one of the dangers of Christianity: seeing faith primarily as something that saves us rather than something we have been saved into. The church should be a place that doesn't simply inform us about Jesus, but helps form us into the likeness of Jesus. So how do we become more like Jesus? Paul gives us a picture of this in Romans 12. 1. A Renewed Mind Is the Pathway to Transformed Living Paul begins Romans 12 by writing: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Then he says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Notice where Paul begins: the mind. Before Paul talks about how we serve others or how we love one another, he talks about how we think. Our lives are shaped by the patterns of thinking we adopt. The world is constantly discipling us—teaching us what to value, what to pursue, how to treat people, and where to find our identity. Paul says that instead of simply conforming to those patterns, followers of Jesus are invited to be transformed through the renewing of their minds. That transformation isn't something we manufacture on our own. Paul begins by reminding us of God's mercy. Our obedience is a response to what God has already done for us. We offer ourselves to God because of His mercy. And this isn't just something we do on Sunday. Worship becomes a way of living every day in light of God's grace. What might renewing your mind look like? Sometimes transformation begins by identifying the old patterns that continue to shape us. When I'm anxious, my old pattern might be to obsess. My new pattern can be to pray. When someone hurts me, my old pattern might be to write them off. My new pattern can be to practice forgiveness. When someone annoys me, my old pattern might be to withdraw. My new pattern can be to move toward them. Becoming like Jesus requires more than learning what Jesus taught. It requires allowing God to reshape the way we think so that we can increasingly bring our lives into alignment with His will. And this transformation doesn't happen overnight. The Holy Spirit doesn't magically erase every deeply ingrained habit the moment we believe. We may still find ourselves influenced by the patterns of our old life. But God invites us to remain in the world without being conformed to it. Transformation begins in the mind and works its way into the rest of our lives. 2. Your Gifts Aren't Meant for Your Own Glory Paul then moves from the transformation of our minds to the way we function together as the body of Christ. Romans 12:3–8 describes the church as one body with many different members. Each person has a different role, and each person has been given different gifts. Paul lists gifts such as prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy. The list isn't exhaustive. Instead, Paul is illustrating an important truth: Every member of the body matters. No one has every gift. That means we need one another. The church is lacking when people refuse to use the gifts God has given them. At the same time, Paul warns us against thinking too highly of ourselves. Our gifts aren't given so that we can build our own reputation or receive recognition. They're given by God's grace for the good of the body. Your gifts aren't about you. This is something I've had to learn personally. For some reason, I tend to think I should be able to do everything. I'll remodel my kitchen. Fix my car. Replace an iPhone screen. Cut my own hair. There's almost nothing I won't at least attempt. I genuinely enjoy figuring out how things work. But almost every time, I eventually reach that dreaded moment when I realize I'm completely in over my head. And that's usually when my wife asks: “Why didn't you just hire a professional to do this?” Over the years, I've realized that some of this comes from pride. I don't just want to accomplish something. I want the satisfaction of saying, “Look what I was able to do.” But I've had to learn that I will never be a professional at everything. I've been given certain gifts and abilities—and so have you. The church works best when we don't try to do everything ourselves. Instead, we learn to play to our strengths and allow other people to use theirs. Imagine a sports team where one player tries to play every position. It wouldn't work. They would be exhausted, and the team would suffer. Paul is saying something similar about the church. Your gifts aren't meant for your own glory. They were given for God's glory. The deepest joy doesn't come from accomplishing everything ourselves or receiving praise for what we can do. The deepest joy comes from serving God and blessing others in the process. So what might be keeping you from using your gifts? Maybe you don't know what your gifts are. Maybe you don't know where you fit. Maybe your schedule or priorities are keeping you from making room to serve. Whatever the reason, the invitation isn't simply to “volunteer more.” We don't earn our place in God's kingdom through what we give. We give because of what Christ has already done for us. God has invited us into His kingdom, and we get the privilege of participating in what He is doing. 3. Becoming Like Jesus Means Growing in Love Together Paul's final emphasis in this section is love. Romans 12:9–13 says: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…” Paul describes a kind of love that goes far beyond politeness. It's sincere. It's devoted. It's generous. It's patient. It's prayerful. It's hospitable. It's a love that puts the needs of others ahead of our own. And this kind of love doesn't happen in isolation. We need each other. Our culture has become pretty good at surface-level love. We can be polite. We can speak kindly. We can restrain ourselves from saying what we're thinking. But Paul is describing something deeper. He's talking about a love that comes from a genuinely transformed heart. It's the kind of love experienced within a family that is committed to one another. And it's one of the reasons Christian community matters so much. Sunday mornings are an important place to begin experiencing Christian community, but it's difficult to experience the depth of biblical love in a one-hour gathering. We need people who know us. People who can encourage us. People who can challenge us. People who can pray with us. People who can walk with us when life gets difficult. I've experienced this personally through community groups. As a pastor, there can be an expectation that I should have everything figured out. But during a difficult season in my previous church, my wife and I needed a community where we could be honest, process hard questions, and experience tangible love even when we didn't have everything figured out. Our small group became that place for us. It reminded me that we cannot follow Jesus alone. Proverbs 27:17 says: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” You can't always see the blind spots in your own walk with Christ. Sometimes you need another believer to point them out. And that's not a failure. That's the gift of the church. We don't just receive from one another—we contribute to one another's growth. God is the source of our transformation, and community is one of the primary ways that transformation is lived out and deepened. Becoming Like Jesus Romans 12 gives us a picture of what it looks like to become more like Jesus. It begins with a renewed mind. Then it moves into using our gifts to serve others. And it continues as we grow together in love. This is why the church is about more than attending a service. We aren't simply gathering to learn more information about Jesus. We're becoming His people. We're learning to think like Him. We're learning to serve like Him. We're learning to love like Him. And as we become like Jesus, we become the kind of people God can use to change the world around us. So what is your next step? Maybe your next step is discovering the gifts Go

  8. Aug 24

    You Are the Church | Belong

    You Are the Church | Belong Jared Reiter What Does It Mean to Belong to the Church? Finding a church can be difficult. Maybe you've searched for a church near me in Sacramento. Maybe you've looked for a Christian church in Sacramento where you and your family can feel welcomed. Or maybe you've been part of a church before and walked away wondering whether you really belong. Church is supposed to be a place where people experience community, grace, forgiveness, and the love of Jesus. But churches are made up of imperfect people, which means church can sometimes feel broken. So how can a perfect God have a church that feels so broken? The answer begins with understanding what the church actually is. The Church Is a Community Where You Belong At Friends Church Sacramento, our mission is to create a Christ-centered community that is changing the world. We believe that following Jesus isn't something we were meant to do alone. Throughout our You Are the Church series, we're exploring what it means to belong to the body of Christ, become more like Jesus, and be a blessing to the world around us. Our first step is belong. Everyone needs a place to belong before they have everything figured out. In Colossians 3, Paul gives us a picture of what this kind of community looks like. Your background does not determine whether you belong. Paul writes: “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” — Colossians 3:11 The church Paul was writing to lived in a world filled with divisions; differences in nationality, social status, culture, and background. Paul's message was revolutionary: those divisions do not determine someone's status in Christ. The gospel is available to everyone. John 3:16 says that “whoever” believes in Jesus receives eternal life. That means your background doesn't disqualify you. Your past doesn't disqualify you. Your social status doesn't determine your worth. Your personality doesn't determine whether you are worthy of belonging. When we are found in Christ, we become part of his body—the church. That doesn't mean our differences disappear. God created each of us uniquely, with different experiences, personalities, cultures, and gifts. Our differences simply no longer have to divide us. Your background has no bearing on your status in God's community. All who are in Christ belong to his body—the church. The Church Isn't a Gathering of Perfect People Of course, belonging to a church doesn't mean you'll suddenly be surrounded by perfect people. Quite the opposite. Paul continues: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” — Colossians 3:12 Notice how Paul begins. They are chosen, holy, and dearly loved. Their status isn't something they've earned through perfect behavior. It has been given to them by God's grace. And because they belong to Christ, Paul tells them how to live with one another: Compassion Kindness Humility Gentleness Patience Forgiveness Love Why do we need all of these? Because church is made up of people. And people are imperfect. Church isn't a gathering of the perfect, but a community formed of those being perfected. There will be disagreements. There will be misunderstandings. People will disappoint you. Sometimes the church may even forget your name. But Christ never will. When those moments happen, Paul's answer isn't simply to walk away. He calls us to bear with one another and forgive one another in the same way Christ has forgiven us. That doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. It means remembering the grace we've received from Jesus and allowing that grace to shape the way we treat other people. Belonging Means Participating Paul then moves from how individual Christians treat one another to what the church does together. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:16 Notice something important. Paul doesn't tell only pastors or church leaders to teach and encourage one another. He speaks to the whole church. The church is supposed to participate. We aren't simply consumers of a Sunday morning experience. We're members of Christ's body. That means your presence matters. Your encouragement matters. Your prayers matter. Your story matters. Your gifts matter. Your voice matters. Sometimes the most encouraging moment of a person's week won't come from the sermon. It may come from the conversation they have with someone sitting next to them after the service. The beauty of the church is found in how each person participates. That's why belonging involves participation. Why Church Still Matters in Sacramento Our culture is increasingly connected digitally while becoming increasingly isolated relationally. People are looking for genuine friendship. They're looking for community. They're looking for a place where they can be known and accepted. And this is one of the great gifts the church has to offer our city. When we moved into our community, we began asking God to show us the needs around us. One of the things we sensed was a deep need for community, not simply more activities, but genuine relationships. That's part of why we've worked to create spaces where people can connect before they ever consider themselves part of the church. We've hosted neighborhood events, created opportunities for families to connect, and offered spaces like Alpha where people from different backgrounds and beliefs can ask honest questions about faith without feeling excluded. Because we believe that everyone should have a place to belong. If you're searching for a church near you in Sacramento, especially around East Sacramento, we would love for you to come and experience our community. You don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to have the perfect background. You don't have to pretend you're perfect. You can come as you are and take the next step toward Jesus. You Are the Church The church isn't simply a building we attend on Sunday. The church is the people of God, the body of Christ, living out his mission together. We belong because of what Jesus has done for us. We learn to live together through compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. And because we belong, we participate. Our Sunday gatherings aren't the destination. They're the spark that sends us into the rest of the week with our minds set on Christ and our hearts filled with gratitude. So the question isn't simply: “Where should I go to church?” The deeper question is: “Where is God inviting me to belong, grow, and participate in the life of his church?” If you're looking for a Christian church in Sacramento, we'd love to invite you to visit Friends Church Sacramento and see what God is doing in our community. You don't have to figure everything out before you belong. There is a place for you in the body of Christ. If you're searching for a church in Sacramento, we'd love to meet you this Sunday! Plan Your Visit

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Welcome to the Friends Church Sacramento podcast! Join us each week as we dive into the timeless truths of scripture and explore how they apply to our lives today. Whether you're a regular attendee or tuning in for the first time, our podcast offers a convenient way to stay connected and engaged with our community. At Friends Church Sacramento, we're passionate about creating an atmosphere of authentic worship, genuine fellowship, and transformative teaching. Our Sunday sermons are designed to inspire, challenge, and encourage you on your spiritual journey. With each episode, you'll experience uplifting messages from our dynamic speakers, insightful reflections on scripture, and practical applications for everyday living. Whether you're seeking spiritual growth, encouragement in your faith, or simply curious about what it means to follow Jesus, our podcast has something for everyone. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable spot, and join us as we journey together through God's Word. Subscribe to the Friends Church Sacramento Sunday Sermon Archive podcast today and let's explore the riches of God's truth together!

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