Friends Church Sacramento

Friends Church Sacramento
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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!

  1. 6d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. Aug 2

    Why Does Reading the Bible Sometimes Feel Like a Chore? | From Eden to Jesus

    Why Does Reading the Bible Sometimes Feel Like a Chore? | From Eden to Jesus Jared Reiter Have you ever opened the Bible, read a chapter, and closed it thinking, “I have no idea what I just read”? Or maybe you've experienced something even more frustrating: you believe the Bible is God's Word, you know you should read it, and yet your time in Scripture sometimes feels more like homework than something that gives you life. You're not alone. In the final message of our From Eden to Jesus series at Friends Church Sacramento, we explored an important question: Why does reading the Bible sometimes feel like a chore instead of a joy? Throughout this series, we've been walking through Old Testament stories and discovering that the Bible is not simply a collection of disconnected stories, rules, and historical events. It is one connected story of God's love, rescue, and invitation—and that story ultimately leads us to Jesus. Scripture Doesn't Save Us—It Points Us to the One Who Does We began with Isaiah 9:2–7, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. God's people had repeatedly failed to live according to God's law, yet God continued to provide hope. Isaiah describes a people walking in darkness who would see a great light. He speaks of a child who would be born, a Son who would be given, and a ruler whose kingdom would bring justice and peace. The law was never the ultimate hope. The hope was always the One the law pointed toward. Isaiah's promise ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah who came to rescue humanity from sin and bring us back into relationship with God. This changes the way we approach Scripture. The Bible isn't primarily a rulebook that we have to master so that we can somehow become good enough for God. Scripture reveals our need for a Savior and points us toward the One who can save us. Everything Scripture Has Been Saying Reaches Its Fulfillment in Jesus Hebrews 1:1–3 takes us from the promise of Isaiah to the person of Jesus. The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Jesus doesn't merely tell us what God is like. Jesus shows us what God is like. This is why the Old Testament matters so much for Christians. Stories about creation, Abraham, Moses, the Exodus, the prophets, Israel's failures, God's promises, and the coming Messiah aren't disconnected pieces of history. They are part of one story that ultimately points toward Jesus. Jesus himself demonstrated this after his resurrection. On the road to Emmaus, he walked alongside two disciples who were struggling to understand what had happened. Beginning with Moses and the Prophets, Jesus explained what the Scriptures said about himself. The promise had become a person. Scripture Comes Alive When Christ Opens Our Eyes The disciples on the road to Emmaus had access to Scripture, but they didn't yet understand what they were seeing. Then Jesus opened their eyes. Later they said: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Their experience reminds us that reading Scripture isn't simply about trying harder to understand more information. We can buy another study Bible, listen to another sermon, read another commentary, or learn another Bible study method—and those things can certainly help. But ultimately, we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see Christ in Scripture and allow God's Word to transform the way we live. The goal isn't simply to know more about the Bible. The goal is to know Jesus more deeply. So How Should We Read the Bible? If Bible reading has become a burden, perhaps the answer isn't simply to try harder. Instead, begin by asking: “Jesus, what are you showing me about yourself through this passage?” Read Scripture expecting to encounter Christ. Pray before you read. Slow down. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. And then ask how what you've read should change the way you live. The Bible becomes so much more than a religious obligation when it becomes an avenue through which we deepen our relationship with Jesus. The Bible isn't a burden to carry. It is an invitation to know Jesus. And that is ultimately what our journey From Eden to Jesus has been about. From the very beginning of Scripture, God has been telling a story of creation, brokenness, rescue, redemption, and hope. And that story finds its fulfillment in Jesus. Join Us at Friends Church Sacramento If you're looking for a Christian church in Sacramento, a church near you in East Sacramento, or a welcoming community where you can explore faith, we'd love to meet you. Friends Church Sacramento is a Christian community in East Sacramento committed to creating a Christ-centered community that is changing the world. Join us Sundays at 10:00 AM at our church in East Sacramento. Sacramento Friends Community Church | Friends Church Sacramento Learn more at sacfriendschurch.org. Plan Your Visit

    Why Does Reading the Bible Sometimes Feel Like a Chore? | From Eden to Jesus

  4. Jun 28

    When You Don't Feel Ready to Be Used by God | From Eden to Jesus

    When You Don't Feel Ready to Be Used by God | From Eden to Jesus Jared Reiter When You Don't Feel Ready to Be Used by God Have you ever asked yourself: "Am I really ready for God to use me?" Maybe you feel like you haven't learned enough. Maybe your past feels too messy. Maybe you've made mistakes you can't seem to move beyond. Or maybe you're simply waiting for the day you'll finally feel "qualified." If that's you, you're in good company. One of the greatest leaders in the Bible felt exactly the same way. Moses Didn't Look Ready When we think of Moses, we often picture him standing before Pharaoh, parting the Red Sea, or receiving the Ten Commandments. But before any of that happened, Moses was simply a man with a complicated story. His life began under the threat of death. He was raised in Pharaoh's palace but knew he belonged to the Hebrew people. In a moment of anger, he killed an Egyptian and fled into the wilderness, spending decades tending sheep in Midian. From the outside, it looked like failure. From God's perspective, it was preparation. God wasn't absent during Moses' difficult seasons. He was shaping him. The same may be true for you. Your upbringing, your disappointments, your waiting, and even your failures may become the very tools God uses to prepare you for His purposes. God's Calling Doesn't Depend on Your Confidence Everything changed when Moses encountered God at the burning bush. God called Moses to lead Israel out of slavery. Moses immediately began making excuses. "Who am I?" "What if they don't believe me?" "I'm not a good speaker." "Please send someone else." Moses focused on his inadequacy. God continually redirected Moses' attention back to Himself. God never said, "You're enough." Instead, He said, "I will be with you." That is still the promise Christians cling to today. God's calling isn't sustained by our abilities. It's sustained by His presence. Don't Mistake Resistance for Failure One of the surprising moments in Exodus happens after Moses obeys God. Things get worse. Pharaoh increases the Israelites' workload. The people become discouraged. Even Moses questions God. Many Christians assume obedience should immediately make life easier. Scripture tells a different story. Following God often includes seasons of resistance, unanswered questions, and discouragement. Obedience is not measured by immediate success but by faithful trust. God Is Still the Deliverer The story reaches its climax through the ten plagues, the Passover, and the crossing of the Red Sea. Again and again, God demonstrates that salvation belongs to Him. Israel didn't rescue themselves. Moses wasn't the hero. God was. The Exodus ultimately points us to Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery, Jesus delivers us from sin and death through His life, death, and resurrection. The greatest rescue story in Scripture points to the greatest Savior. What Does This Mean for Us? Many people spend their lives waiting until they feel ready before serving God. Moses reminds us that readiness isn't the prerequisite. Faith is. God prepares ordinary people through ordinary life. He patiently calls people who feel inadequate. He faithfully delivers those who trust Him. If you've been wondering whether God could ever use someone like you, Moses' story offers hope. God prepares. God calls. God delivers. And He often begins that work long before we realize it. Looking for a Church in Sacramento? If you're searching for a Christian church near you, a church in East Sacramento, or simply looking for a welcoming community where you can grow in your faith, we'd love to meet you. Friends Church Sacramento gathers every Sunday at 10:00 AM for Christ-centered worship, practical biblical teaching, and authentic community. Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're just beginning to explore faith, you're welcome here. Visit us this Sunday. We'd love to meet you. Plan Your Visit

    When You Don't Feel Ready to Be Used by God | From Eden to Jesus

  5. Jun 21

    When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan | From Eden to Jesus | Genesis 37-50

    When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan | From Eden to Jesus | Genesis 37-50 Jared Reiter When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan: Lessons from Joseph's Story Have you ever wondered how to trust God when life doesn't go according to plan? Most of us have experienced seasons where life takes an unexpected turn. A relationship breaks down. A career opportunity disappears. A diagnosis changes everything. A dream gets delayed. During those moments, it's easy to wonder where God is and whether He is still at work. The story of Joseph in Genesis offers one of the Bible's clearest answers. God Is Still Working When Life Feels Unfair Joseph's story begins with promise. God gives him dreams that reveal a significant future, but almost immediately everything seems to fall apart. His brothers become jealous, throw him into a pit, and sell him into slavery. Through no fault of his own, Joseph loses his family, his home, and his future. Yet throughout the story, God never abandons him. One of the most encouraging truths found in Scripture is that God can use what was meant for harm to accomplish His good purposes. Joseph's brothers were responsible for their actions, but their evil could not stop God's plan. The same is true today. If you've experienced betrayal, disappointment, loss, or injustice, God is not absent from your story. He may be working in ways you cannot yet see. God Develops Character Before Expanding Influence After arriving in Egypt, Joseph continues to face hardship. He serves faithfully in Potiphar's household only to be falsely accused and thrown into prison. Many people would become bitter. Joseph remains faithful. Years pass between the promise God gave Joseph and the fulfillment of that promise. During that time, God is shaping Joseph's character, integrity, and leadership. We often want immediate results, but God frequently works through long seasons of preparation. The lesson is simple but powerful: God often develops our character before He expands our influence. If you're in a season of waiting, don't lose heart. God may be doing important work beneath the surface. God Can Bring Good from Difficult Circumstances Eventually, Joseph rises to become second in command over Egypt. Through God's wisdom and provision, he helps save countless lives during a devastating famine. Then comes the moment readers have been waiting for. Joseph's brothers stand before him in need. He has the power to punish them. Instead, he chooses forgiveness. In one of the most famous verses in the Old Testament, Joseph says: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20) Joseph doesn't excuse their actions. He simply recognizes that God's ability to redeem is greater than humanity's ability to destroy. How Joseph Points Us to Jesus Joseph's story ultimately points beyond itself. Like Joseph: Jesus was betrayed by those close to Him. Jesus was falsely accused. Jesus suffered despite His innocence. Jesus became the means of salvation for others. On the cross, Jesus responded to His enemies not with revenge but with grace. Because of Christ, we can trust that no circumstance is beyond God's ability to redeem. Looking for a Christian Church in Sacramento? If you're searching online for a Christian church near me, a Bible-believing church in Sacramento, or a welcoming church in East Sacramento, we'd love to meet you. At Sacramento Friends Community Church, our mission is to create a Christ-centered community that is changing the world. Whether you're exploring faith, returning to church, or looking for a church home, you'll find authentic community, biblical teaching, and people who genuinely care. Visit us Sundays at 10:00 AM and learn more about our church family: Sacramento Friends Community Church Website Plan Your Visit

    When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan | From Eden to Jesus | Genesis 37-50

  6. Jun 14

    Am I On The Right Path? | From Eden to Jesus | Abraham

    Am I On The Right Path? | From Eden to Jesus Jared Reiter What Matters Most Is Not Where You're Going, But Who You're Becoming One of the most common questions people ask is, "How do I know if this is the path God has for me?" We ask it when considering a new job, making a major life decision, navigating a difficult relationship, or facing an uncertain future. We want clarity. We want details. We want guarantees. Yet when we open the pages of Scripture, we discover that God often works differently than we expect. Abraham's story is one of the clearest examples. Called Without a Map When God first called Abraham, He told him to leave his country, his people, and his father's household and go to a land that God would show him. The remarkable thing about this invitation is what God did not tell him. God didn't tell Abraham how long the journey would take. He didn't tell him exactly where he was going. He didn't explain how a seventy-five-year-old man with a barren wife would become the father of a great nation. Instead, God gave Abraham a promise and invited him to trust. Faith often requires us to walk before we see the path. The same is true for us today. God rarely provides every detail before calling us to take a step of faith. He invites us to trust His character before we understand His plan. Faith Is Forged in the Waiting Abraham's journey was not a straight line. Years passed without the fulfillment of God's promise. Obstacles arose. Questions surfaced. Doubts crept in. At one point, Abraham and Sarah became so impatient that they tried to accomplish God's promise through their own efforts by having a child through Hagar. The problem was not simply a poor decision. The deeper issue was that they attempted to secure God's promise through human strength instead of trusting God's timing. Abraham thought his biggest obstacle was barrenness. God knew his biggest obstacle was learning to trust. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations. We face delays, setbacks, disappointments, and unanswered prayers. We assume the obstacle in front of us is the real problem. But often God is doing a deeper work within us. He is forming patience. Building trust. Teaching dependence. Growing faith. Faith is forged in the waiting. Loving the Giver More Than the Gift After twenty-five years of waiting, God finally fulfilled His promise. Isaac was born. Then came one of the most difficult moments in Abraham's life. God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. The test was never really about Isaac. The question was whether Abraham loved the gift more than the God who gave it. Would Abraham trust God even if it cost him the very thing he had spent decades waiting to receive? In the end, Abraham demonstrated that his faith was anchored in God Himself. God's greatest gifts were never meant to replace God Himself. This remains one of the greatest challenges for believers today. It's easy to love God's blessings. It's easy to thank Him for comfort, success, family, provision, and opportunities. The harder question is this: Do we love God more than the blessings He gives? God desires a relationship with us that goes deeper than what we can receive from Him. He wants our trust, our devotion, and our hearts. The Real Destination When we look at Abraham's life, it becomes clear that the story is not ultimately about arriving in Canaan. It's about becoming a person who trusts God. Faith begins with a step into the unknown. Faith grows through seasons of waiting. Faith matures when we trust God more than the blessings He gives. The same is true for us. What matters most is not where we are going. What matters most is who we are becoming. Through Jesus Christ, we have already received the greatest gift possible: access to God's presence. Because of Christ, we belong to God, walk with God, and can trust Him no matter what lies ahead. The path may not always be clear. The timing may not always make sense. But we can trust the One who walks with us every step of the journey. Plan Your Visit

    Am I On The Right Path? | From Eden to Jesus | Abraham

  7. Jun 8

    Jesus Walks on Water

    Jesus Walks on Water | Matthew 14:22-33 Tyler Lemen

  8. Jun 8

    Trusting God When Life Feels Out of Control | From Eden to Jesus

    Trusting God When Life Feels Out of Control | From Eden to Jesus Jared Reiter Trusting God When Life Feels Out of Control Genesis 6–9 | From Eden to Jesus Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized you weren't in control? Most of us spend our lives trying to keep things together. We make plans, create schedules, build savings accounts, and try to anticipate every possible outcome. But eventually, life reminds us that control is often an illusion. A diagnosis. A job loss. A broken relationship. A financial setback. A crisis we never saw coming. When life feels out of control, one question rises to the surface: Can God still be trusted? That is exactly the question we encounter in the story of Noah and the Flood. Trusting God Often Feels Like Losing Control Before It Feels Like Gaining Clarity When God told Noah to build an ark, it must have seemed like a strange request. The world around him was filled with violence and corruption, yet God chose Noah and his family to preserve humanity through the coming flood. God gave Noah detailed instructions for constructing an enormous ark—a vessel unlike anything the ancient world had seen. One fascinating detail is that the ark wasn't designed to be navigated. There is no rudder. No sail. No steering mechanism. The fate of everyone on board was completely in God's hands. Yet Noah obeyed. Genesis tells us, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Noah trusted God even when he couldn't see the outcome. His story reminds us that faith is not about controlling our lives for God. Faith is about trusting God when our lives are out of control. Often, God asks us to take a step of obedience before He reveals the destination. God's Promises Are Certain, Even When His Timing Feels Slow After Noah entered the ark, the storm arrived. The floodwaters rose. Chaos covered the earth. Everything outside the ark was swept away. Yet Noah and his family remained secure—not because they controlled the storm, but because God faithfully preserved them through it. The flood narrative reminds us that God is involved in every detail. God instructed Noah to build the ark. God brought the animals. God shut the door. God sent the rain. God caused the waters to recede. God guided the ark. God preserved His people. The story reveals a God who is not distant or detached. He is actively present in the lives of His people. Many of us assume that if we are in a storm, God must be absent. Noah's story teaches the opposite. Sometimes the place where God's faithfulness is most evident is right in the middle of the storm. The challenge is that faith often requires patience. Noah and his family spent more than a year in the ark waiting for God's timing. Like them, we often want immediate answers. But God is still faithful even when His timing feels slow. God Judges Evil, But He Also Provides a Way of Rescue As the waters receded, Noah sent out birds to determine whether the earth was ready for life again. When the dove returned carrying an olive leaf, it became a symbol of hope and new life emerging from chaos. Eventually Noah left the ark, and his first response was worship. Then God made a covenant with Noah and all creation. He promised that never again would He destroy the earth through a flood. The sign of that covenant was the rainbow. Interestingly, the Hebrew word translated "rainbow" is also the word used for a warrior's bow. It's as if God hangs up His weapon in the clouds and declares that judgment is not His final word. The Flood reveals a God who takes sin seriously, but it also reveals a God who is rich in mercy. Many people assume the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Yet the same God who judged evil in Noah's day is the God who ultimately demonstrated His love through Jesus Christ. Rather than aiming judgment at humanity, God sent His Son to bear that judgment on our behalf. The Flood points us forward to the gospel. God judges evil, but He also provides a way of rescue. The Invitation Today The story of Noah is ultimately not about Noah. It's about God. A God who reigns over chaos. A God who keeps His promises. A God who is faithful in every storm. A God who provides rescue for His people. The question is not whether storms will come. The question is whether we will trust God when they do. Because when the world falls apart, Jesus holds us together. If you're searching for a church in Sacramento, a Christian church near you, or a place to explore faith and grow in your relationship with Jesus, we'd love to meet you. Plan Your Visit

    Trusting God When Life Feels Out of Control | From Eden to Jesus
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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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