Skip Heitzig

Sep 3, 2025 • 59 min

When opposition arose once again, God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage His people to continue rebuilding the temple. Despite threats and challenges, they pressed on in obedience, and God even moved pagan kings to support the work. This is a vivid illustration of the way He refines us through the furnace and brings us forth as pure gold.

Aug 31, 2025 • 46 min

“The whole you needs worship—and the part of you that will live forever needs it most,” wrote Robert McIntyre. Nehemiah chapter 12 describes the worship of God’s people who had gathered to dedicate the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. This week and next week we will eavesdrop on their worship service and discover how we should worship when we assemble together. I. Their Worship Was Biblical (v. 24) II. Their Worship Was Vocal (vv. 27-30, 43) III. Their Worship Was Musical (vv. 27b, 35-36, 41) IV. Their Worship Was Joyful (vv. 27, 43) Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your heart that’s holding you back from authentic worship and a deeper relationship with Him. Talk with others: Share your favorite worship album or playlist with your Connect Group or a believing friend or family member this week. Talk with kids: How is Jesus better than the judges in the story?

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 5m

Ezra 3–4 reminds us that whenever God is rebuilding, His people will experience both great joy and fierce opposition. The exiles restored worship and laid the temple’s foundation, celebrating God’s faithfulness, but opposition rose quickly. Together, these chapters show us that true faith rejoices in God’s work, perseveres through resistance, and trusts that His purposes cannot be stopped.

Aug 24, 2025 • 46 min

Jerusalem was not the most popular place to live. Most people preferred to live elsewhere—in outlying towns and villages. It was more expensive to be in the city, and safety was a big concern. In this section there are some vital but often-forgotten principles about God’s city, God’s people, and God’s work. Let’s glean some of these important lessons from the city planners. I. All Places Are Significant; This Place Is Sacred (v. 1) II. Projects Are Important; People Are More Important (vv. 3-36) III. Ability Is Good; Availability Is Better (v. 2) IV. Work Is Practical; Worship Is Vital (vv. 22-24) Talk with God: Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to pour into His people this week. Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they’ve noticed anything in your life that might hinder the Lord’s desire to work through you. Talk with kids: How has Jesus defeated our enemies: sin and death?

Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 3m

In Ezra 1, we see God’s faithfulness on display as He orchestrated the Israelites' return to Jerusalem by stirring the heart of King Cyrus. What looked like the end of God’s promises in Babylonian captivity was actually just a pause—because His Word never fails. God moved kings and common people to fulfill His plan, reminding us of His sovereignty and faithfulness.

Aug 17, 2025 • 48 min

When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easy. After generations of failure, God’s people finally realized what was most important in life, so they made a list of things they were committed to changing. Their heartfelt prayer in chapter nine led to heartfelt priorities in chapter ten. Let’s explore how they committed to change in these four areas of life. I. Scriptural Authority (vv. 28-29) II. Relational Purity (v. 30) III. Spiritual Regularity (v. 31) IV. Financial Responsibility (vv. 32-39) Talk with God: Spend time in prayer as you consider each of these areas in your own life and ask the Lord to reveal areas you need to re-prioritize. Talk with others: Ask your mentor or a trusted fellow believer to provide accountability as you refresh your priorities. Talk with kids: How does Jesus save us from the punishment our sin deserves?

Aug 13, 2025 • 58 min

Paul closed his letter to the church in Philippi with a call to live joyfully, think rightly, and trust fully in God’s provision. True peace comes when we rejoice in the Lord, pray instead of worry, and fix our minds on what’s good. Contentment isn’t about circumstances—it’s about Christ being enough in every situation and trusting God to supply all our needs.

Aug 10, 2025 • 46 min

The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of our needs but to invite Him to rule our lives. After a national revival broke out in Jerusalem during a Bible study, the people gathered again for prayer. Let’s notice a few key elements that make for an effective experience of communicating with God. I. They Looked Up: Adoration (vv. 5-6) II. They Looked Back: Reflection (vv. 7-35) III. They Looked Within: Confession (v. 37) IV. They Looked Around: Petition (vv. 32-37) V. They Looked Ahead: Submission (v. 38)

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 2m

In Philippians 3, Paul reminded believers that real joy isn't found in religious performance, but in knowing Jesus personally. He warned against those who put their confidence in the flesh. True righteousness doesn't come from what we do for God, but from what God has done for us through Jesus.

Aug 3, 2025 • 46 min

The nation of Israel was back in its homeland once again after the Babylonian captivity. The walls of the city of Jerusalem had been repaired and rebuilt. But something was missing. The spiritual hunger of the nation now demanded a clear word from the Lord. As they gathered together, we see five clear signs of how this nation was transformed, experiencing a real revival. I. Realization: They Knew They Needed More (vv. 1-2) II. Reading: They Heard the Word of God (vv. 3-8) III. Remorse: They Mourned Over Their Failure (vv. 9-10) IV. Rejoicing: They Felt the Joy of the Lord (vv. 11-12) V. Results: They Obeyed God’s Commands (vv. 13-18) Talk with God: Take an honest look at your daily walk this week and ask the Lord to refresh your heart and revive your passion for His Word. Talk with others: Ask a believing friend or mentor to encourage you to spend time in the Word each day and keep you accountable. Talk with kids: Why did God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous?

Jul 30, 2025 • 53 min

The Christian life isn't about starting strong—it's about staying faithful to the end. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul reflected on his life with confident clarity: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Finishing well means staying in the fight, running with endurance, and holding tightly to our faith no matter the cost. It’s not perfection that matters, but perseverance. In this message, Pastor Nelson Walker encourages us to live with eternity in mind, so we can one day say, “I finished well.”

Jul 27, 2025 • 54 min

In 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Paul reminded the church that the Christian life is not a casual jog—it’s a purposeful race of salvation through grace. Just as athletes discipline themselves to train for a purpose, we’re called to run with determination, focus, and self-control. The goal? A crown that lasts forever. This passage challenges us to examine how we’re running. Are we chasing what matters? Are we living like we want to win the race God has set before us? It’s time to run with passion, not passivity—because in Christ, we’re not just in the race, we’re running to win.  I. The Right Attitude (v. 24) II. The Right Motivation (v. 25) III. The Right Commitment (vv. 26-27)

Jul 23, 2025 • 52 min

Jesus didn’t come to manage your life—He came to transform it. In Matthew 11, Jesus doesn’t offer tips for a better life; He offers rest for weary souls. He invites us to lay down the burden of self-reliance and religion and take up His yoke—not to work harder, but to walk with Him. If your version of Jesus only exists to motivate, optimize, or advise, you might be following a counterfeit. The real Jesus leads with gentleness, gives rest, and calls us to surrender, not self-help.

Jul 20, 2025 • 52 min

What if the most overlooked chapter in Nehemiah is actually the loudest proof that God keeps His promises? Nehemiah 7 isn’t just a list of names—it’s a receipt of God’s faithfulness and a record that He finishes what He starts. In a world full of broken promises, this chapter invites us to trust the One who never forgets, never fails, and never leaves His people behind. I. God Finishes What He Starts II. God Remembers Every Name III. God Moves Hearts to Respond Talk with God: Meditate on Philippians 1:6 this week as you praise the God who will complete the work He’s doing in you. Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to rest in the knowledge that the Lord “will sustain [them] to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8). Talk with kids: Why is complaining a sin?

Jul 16, 2025 • 53 min

Jesus doesn't need to campaign for His throne—His kingdom isn’t of this world, and His authority isn’t up for debate. Jesus already has all the power; it's our job as His followers to make disciples in His name. The question has never been whether He’s King, but whether you’ll follow Him.

Jul 13, 2025 • 52 min

The wall was finished, but the battle wasn’t over. Even after the work was done, Nehemiah faced ongoing opposition. This message from Pastor Nate Heitzig reminds us that completing a task or completing the rebuilding process doesn’t mean the fight is over—spiritual resistance often continues. Stay watchful, stay faithful. I. The Wall Was Finished, but the Work Wasn’t Over II. The Enemy Was Intimidated, but Not Repentant III. The Victory Was Visible, but the Attacks Became Subtle Talk with God: Meditate on Romans 8:31-39 and spend time in worship as you are reminded that “God is for [you].” Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing friends and family members how you can support them in their walk this week. Talk with kids: Why can we always trust God?

Jul 9, 2025 • 50 min

People often treat Jesus like an insurance policy—someone to call when life falls apart. But Romans 5:1–5 shows us that faith in Christ gives us more than a rescue plan—it gives us peace with God, daily access to His grace, and real hope. Trials aren’t detours in the Christian life; they’re part of the journey. And God uses each trial to build perseverance, character, and a hope that won’t disappoint. In this message, Pastor Taylor Bronisz unpacks a powerful truth: Jesus doesn’t just get us out of trouble—He transforms us through it.

Jul 6, 2025 • 57 min

Nehemiah faced relentless attempts to distract, discredit, and derail him from completing God’s work. His enemies used deceit, false accusations, and even spiritual manipulation to try to lure him off the wall, but Nehemiah responded with bold focus, unwavering conviction, and consistent prayer. Refusing to come down, he modeled what it means to stand firm in the face of pressure and stay faithful to God’s mission. This passage challenges us to silence the noise, resist fear that’s been dressed as faith, and declare with confidence: “I’m doing a great work—I cannot come down.” I. The Distraction of Deceit II. The Distraction of False Accusations III. The Distraction of Spiritual Manipulation Talk with God: Meditate on Isaiah 41:10 this week and ask the Lord to give you the strength to continue faithfully in your calling. Talk with others: If you’re facing a struggle or battling distraction, ask a pastor, mentor, or trusted believer to lock shields with you in prayer and practical ways. Talk with kids: How can we show thankfulness in all circumstances?

Jul 2, 2025 • 54 min

In a world drawn to self-help philosophies and spiritual influencers, it’s tempting to reduce Jesus Christ to just another life coach or guru—someone who simply offers advice without providing true life change. But in Mark 8 and 10, Jesus calls for far more than personal improvement; He calls for death to self. Jesus doesn’t invite us to self-discovery—He invites us to the cross. In this message, Pastor Taylor Bronisz asks: Will you choose to follow Him on His terms?

Jun 29, 2025 • 41 min

During the last two days, we have practiced and proclaimed the gospel to our community. Both Love Day and Freedom Celebration were outward expressions of the good news about Jesus Christ loving the world. But why not make it a lifestyle that continues year-round? Today we will explore four reasons Paul the apostle was not ashamed of the gospel. I. Because It’s Good News II. Because It’s God’s Power III. Because It’s Given Freely IV. Because It Gets Us Right Talk with God: Meditate on “the righteousness of God” (v. 17) and spend time in worship as you thank Him for the salvation and freedom He’s given you through His Son’s sacrifice. Talk with others: Come alongside a believing friend or family member facing sorrow or difficulty this week and encourage them to rest in God’s grace and continue to “live by faith” (v. 17). Talk with kids: Why is Jesus the perfect and final sacrifice for sin?