FOUNT

Through the seventh commandment Jesus raises the bar, teaching us that sin begins in the heart, not just in our actions.Our sexual desires, while not inherently bad, were designed by God for the sacred covenant of marriage. Are we treating these gifts with the reverence they deserve, or have we fallen into a consumer mindset? In this week's Sunday message, Pastor Luis Guerrero calls us to take radical steps towards purity and holiness, not out of shame, but out of a desire for true freedom in Christ.

There is profound significance in covenant relationships and God's design for human sexuality. In Genesis, we see how men and women were created to reflect God's image together and rule side by side. When sin enteres the scene and disrupts this harmony, it leads to power imbalances and the exploitation of one another. The seventh commandment is a challenge to examine our hearts, recognizing that lust goes beyond physical acts to include how we regard others in our minds. In this week's Sunday message in Brooklyn, Pastor Amy Perez invites us to consider how we can honor God's design for sexuality and relationships in our own lives, whether married or single.

In Philippians 2, Paul refers to putting on the mind of Christ and the humility that comes with it. When we trust in circumstances or mountain top expereinces, it can easily try to exalt us instead of bringing us low into humility. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter gives practical tips and examples on how humility can form us more into the image of Christ.

In exploring the sixth commandment, 'You shall not murder,' we uncover a profound truth: we all have a 'killer heart.' This commandment goes far beyond physical murder, addressing the roots of anger, hatred, and devaluation of human life. Jesus expands on this in Matthew 5, equating anger and insults with murder in God's eyes. The core of this command is clear: all human life is sacred, bearing God's image. We're called to be life-givers, not life-takers, in every aspect of our lives. In this week's Sunday Manhattan message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter invites us to value others as God does, bringing life and peace to our relationships, workplaces, and communities.

In this powerful exploration of the sixth commandment, 'You shall not murder,' we're challenged to look beyond the literal act and into the depths of our hearts. The story of Cain and Abel serves as a stark reminder that violence begins in our thoughts and emotions long before it manifests in our actions. By learning to investigate our anger, we can address its root causes and respond in ways that honor both ourselves and others as image-bearers of God. In this week's Sunday Brooklyn message, Pastor Amy Perez invites us to a deeper level of self-awareness and spiritual growth, challenging us to be 'our brother's keeper' in every interaction.

The fifth commandment is not just about obedience, but about shaping our entire approach to relationships and authority. The Ten Commandments offers a guide to shift from a modern, individualistic mindset to one that values responsibility, legacy, and respect for divinely-appointed authority. In this week's Sunday message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter encourages us that honoring our parents, even when it's difficult, is a pathway to personal growth, societal stability, and spiritual maturity. It's a call to reflect on how our family dynamics shape our broader worldview and our relationship with God.

In this Leadership Lesson, Pastor Luis Guerrero hosts a conversation with Pastor Kevin Myers and Steph Rivas on how to practically apply the fourth commandment of Sabbath to our modern context.

Remembering the Sabbath day and keeping it holy is not just about taking a day off—it's about resisting the relentless demands of our culture and rediscovering our true identity in God. By intentionally ceasing our work, we're declaring trust in God's provision and pushing back against the 'hustle culture' that threatens to consume us. In this week's Sunday message in Manhattan, Pastor Ryan Schlachter outlines how Sabbath allows God to restore our souls and usher us into a holy rest.

Sabbath is not just about ceasing work, but is a weekly opportunity to declare our trust in God's provision and resist the world's demands on our time and energy. As we practice Sabbath, we are invited into a deeper intimacy with God, echoing the first thing humanity did with the Creator—resting and delighting in His presence. In this week's Sunday message in Brooklyn, Brittany Smigielski challenges us to guard our rest and experience the freedom, healing, and restoration that comes when we obey this holy command.

There is a myth that salvation is purely an individual expereince, however it's because we have been set free by love that we then love other people. In Genesis, God stated that it was not good for man to live alone, but to have companionship on this earth. But how do we maintain healthy relationships? In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Amy Perez gives three ways we can test if we are gettin enough relational nutrients and how to continue to grow in community and with God.

The Ten Commandments aren't just rules or behavior modification—they reflect God's holiness and how we, as His image-bearers, represent Him. Because God exists as our heavenly Father who wants good things for us, we can stand confident that these commandments are actually outlining a way of living that is for our benefit. In this week's Sunday message in Manhattan, Pastor Luis Guerrero discusses how the third commandment isn't just about avoiding 'bad words,' but bearing His name in a way that honors Him in our lives.

The third commandment isn't about our speech as much as it is about our sincerity and reverence. It's easy to get caught up in superficial worship, hypocrisy and self-centeredness, but the commandment to honor God's name opens us up to a freedom to live in genuine surrender to a heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. In this week's Sunday message in Brooklyn, Pastor Ryan Schlachter provides four ways in which we can honor the third commandment and bless the name of God in our lives today.

In leadership, there are many things that can be considered a "win" in your life. The wins we encounter are personal and not linear, but there are biblical truthts that will allow you to have wins that go beyond the surface level. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter gives us seven questions that can help define what a win can look like in our context based on the teachings and life of Jesus.

We often create our own version of God—one that's convenient, indulgent, and never challenges us. But the second commandment warns us against this very trap. The gods we make up never challenge us. They agree with everything we do. There's no laying down our life. Everything is catered towards us. But we are called to be living sacrifices, image bearers of a Heavenly Father who knelt in the dust to craft us. In this week's Manhattan Sunday message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter implores us to surrender our self-made idols and worship the true, living God who transforms us.

John Calvin descibres the human heart as an "idol factory," continually manufacturing images that try to fulfill desires in our hearts. However, the second commandment of the Ten Commandments directs us to not make idols of any kind. What do we as followers of God deal with this tension and surrender fully to him? In this week's Brooklyn Sunday message, Pastor Amy Perez invites us to reconsider our priorities and rediscover our true identity as image-bearers of God, designed to reflect His glory in the world.

Running the race faithfully is not guaranteed based on our background or upbringing if we don't have a focus for the future. If we allow idols to live in our hearts, we probably won't make it as disciples of God at the end of our lives. In this message from Pastor Ryan Schlachter at our ALLIN night, we learn the dangers of letting idols stay in our lives, and the freedom that is available when we choose to follow God fully.

In John 3 we see an interaction John the Baptist has with his disciples, comparing him to the ministry of Jesus. He responds in a way that defies the comparison, conflict, and criticism that could arise, recognizing that there is plenty of water for both ministries of baptism in the land. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Amy Perez unpacks the biblical significance of water while also encouraging us that there is room for all to flourish in the body of Christ and house of God.

In the Ten Commandments, 'You shall have no other gods before me,' challenges us to confront the idols in our lives that compete with our devotion to God. Anything we prioritize above God—be it money, relationships, or even our own desires—can become an idol. As we hear from Pastor Ryan Schlachter, we discover that identifying idols in our lives isn't meant to shame us, but liberate us from the promises of false loves and lead us into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with our Creator.

At Leadership Lessons, Pastor Ryan shared from Acts 20:28-35, emphasizing that what we love determines what we do. Drawing from Paul's encouragement to the early church, he challenged us to live holy, surrendered lives, guarding our hearts against offense, pride, and false doctrine while remaining accountable to others. We're reminded of Paul's example of humility, hard work, and generosity, encouraging us to embrace the truth that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

In our Zakar series, Pastor Kathryn Myers reminds us that our bodies are created to remember—and to remember God. Our posture towards life reflects our faith, shaped by what we've lived and remembered. Faith isn't just about what we know; it's something we feel and experience in our whole being. Even when painful memories linger, our loving Father offers a greater story.

At Leadership Lessons, Steph Rivas shared a message on contending for faith and finding true contentment in God. When we contend together as a unified church, we can bring the kingdom of God to our city, showing the world a glimpse of heaven.

As we continue in our Zakar series on remembrance, we acknowledge that while God calls us to hold fast to his faithfulness, we also have to let go as we step into this new year. Pastor Luis preaches on letting go of fear, the past and control so we be strong and courageous as we step into God's promises.

For our January ALLIN, Pastor Amy explored the moments of consecration from Joshua 4-5 as the Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land. There is a Promised Land rest available for us as believers and leaders that aligns our position, provision, pace and plans to heaven's.

For 2025, our theme as a church is Kingdom Come, where we are immersed in a story from generation to generation of God's faithfulness from generation to generation and join in the prayer for NYC to experience this everlasting kingdom. In our Leadership Lessons, Pastor Kevin Myers shares on how we experience God's Kingdom as believers.

The practice of 'zakar' - remembering - isn't just about nostalgia; it's a spiritual discipline that strengthens our faith and shapes our identity. By recalling God's past provisions, we're better equipped to face future challenges. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Luis Guerrero encourages us to create intentional rhythms of reflection and gratitude, reminding us that our worth isn't determined by our achievements, but by our identity as children of God.

There is something quite divine about waiting. God is the author of time and omnipresent, yet he chooses to wait and to be patient alongside us while the promise is on the way. As we conclude our Like Us series, Pastor Amy Perez brings us through the journey of three women in the Bible who were waiting for a promsise from God, and how we learn why waiting is part of God's plan.

Jesus coming to earth isn't just a theological concept—it's a transformative reality that shapes our daily lives. What sets Christianity apart is the truth that, in Jesus putting on flesh and becoming like us, He offers more than a solution for sin; He becomes a Savior who fully empathizes with our human experience. In this week's message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter invites us to see Jesus not as a distant deity but as our perfect mediator, who understands our struggles and continually intercedes for us.

In the liturgical calendar, the Advent season kicks off the year as we wait for the arrival of our savior in the form of a baby. There are few things on earth that feel as holy and human as our waiting, and God meets us in whatever waiting season we are part of. How do we make the most of our time and create markers of holy moments while we wait? In this week's Leadership Lesson, Creative Director Carter Gekiere shares three ways you can make the most out of this Advent season.

Genealogies in the Bible are often skipped over, but they are divinely inspired and intentional. Jesus, fully God and fully human, born into the lineage of other humans, reveals incredible truths about God's plan. In this week's message from our series, Like Us, Pastor Ryan brings to light the significance of Jesus' genealogy, reminding us of the incredible ways God's purpose prevails even in the imperfections of humanity, giving us hope this Advent season.

Your waiting is one of the most holiest things you can experience. When we don't wait well, we lose sight of what the actual promise is. Jesus is the greatest gift, and the one who gives the promise is much better than seeing the promise fulfilled. At this month's ALLIN, Pastor Ryan Schlachter speaks on the life of Simeon and the beauty behind wiating.

Jesus is familiar with loneliness and hardships, but provides a pathway of hope for all to enter into. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter gives practical tips on how to find hope through stories, worship, and trusting in God.

In His incarnation, Jesus not only identified with our humanity but also revealed the true essence of what it means to be human. As we begin Advent in our Like Us series, Pastor Ryan Schlachter highlights the deep significance of our Savior's arrival on earth — inviting us to ask, What does it truly mean for us to be fully human, just as He intended?

Children often ask insightful questions about their environments and how things work, but often we lose that curiosity as we grow up. In our relationship with God, it can become easy to have a diminished curiosity, but there is so much value in asking God questions and sharing in life with him. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Kids Ministry Director Steph Rivas shares three ways to reignite curiosity in your faith today.

We are invited to live in God's house as celebrated, loved children. Joyful and free, to ultimately become like the Father to a hurting world: generous, patient, welcoming, gracious and full of mercy. Through Jesus, we are empowered and propelled into the good works he's created in advance for us to do. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Kathryn Myers surfaces a soul-piercing question from this parable: will we mindfully say yes everyday to the many invitations God is extending us?

On this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter talks about the importance of faithfulness that is only shaped over time. While our culture places importance on instant growth, 2 Peter 1 states that we have everything we need by His divine power—and growth occurs through incremental steps faithfulness.

Ecclesiastes states that life is fleeing, like a vapor. What we do with our life matters, and we have the opportunity to waste it or to invest it. We have a responsibility to be intentional with the time God has given us. Instead of spending our time chasing accolades and worldly success, He invites us to use it to sow into the eternal. In this week's message, guest speaker Micah McElveen encourages us on ways to steward our lives here on earth.

As followers of Jesus, our identity is not defined by achievements, influence, or anything of worldly value. Above all, we are sons and daughters of God, graced with a unique purpose. We are entrusted with gifts and responsibilities, and how we respond to these reveals the condition of our hearts. In our series, Wasted Grace, Pastor Luis Guerrero uses the parable of the Prodigal Son to guide us in understanding what it means to live a life that recognizes God's grace and embraces the purpose He has given each of us.

At our ALLIN Night, Pastor Ryan Schlachter encouraged us that we are obligated as believers to continue to mature in our faith so that we don't fall away into apostasy. Being able to eat solid, spiritual food is not achieved by becoming really intelligent but by becoming really obedient. May we be a people who walk in faithfulness to God more and more each day.

Idols can be produced when good things can become ultimate things. More often than not, they stem from a deeper desire that can only be filled by our connection with God. On this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Amy Perez breaks down idols and how they can take hold of our lives.

Grace is a gift — God's closeness to us is pure grace. But as the parable of the Prodigal Son reveals, we can miss the fullness of it. In the parable, Jesus shows how both sons waste the grace of their father's love, whether through rebellion or resentment. As we begin our new series, Wasted Grace, Pastor Luis Guerrero reminds us that our identity as His children remains unchanged, and we serve a God who longs to be close to us.

As much as the world talks about money, so does the Bible. Jesus serves as our guide, helping us become not only wise stewards of our finances but also generous givers, for generosity reflects the very heart of God. In concluding our series The Lowly, Pastor Ryan Schlachter emphasizes that spiritual maturity is evident in how we approach generosity toward God and others. True humility involves letting God have the final say over our finances, inviting Him into our financial decisions with open hearts.

As we grow in our walk with Jesus, our growth in Him is dependent on our personal devotion to His ways. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter shares on intentional discipleship, truth that is transfered through relationship.

In a society filled with worry and anxiety, the gospel encourages us in a different way of living. Statistics show that roughly 87% of the things we become worried or anxious about don't actually happen, but it becomes comfortable to live in states of chaos instead of entering into mindsets of peace. Regardless of what our circumstances lay in front of us, we can think better thoughts that are based on gospel truth and clarity. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Luis Guerrero shares three ways that God becomes the answer for our anxiety.

As we set our gaze on Jesus, we naturally bear the fruits of the Spirit, and in response, live a life that reflects Him. In this week's on Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter highlights how our alignment with Christ makes our lives truly attractive.

Our contentment in life comes from loving-union with Jesus, not more of the things he gives us. Often times we look to the blessing in front of us instead of the one who is everlasting and provides for us. When we guard our hearts against anything that attempts to take our eyes off of Jesus, we are able to find a satisfaction that goes beyond our possessions and circumstances. In this week's message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter gives three ways Paul in Philippians 4 teaches us how to be truly content.

On this week's Leadership Lessons, Pastor Ryan Schlachter explores six key principles for guarding our thoughts, drawn from Philippians 4:8. Whether it's filtering negative self-talk or appreciating the beauty in everyday moments, we align our thoughts through the truth of Christ.

If we know God, if we are loved by God, reconciliation and forgiveness should be our pursuit. To reconcile in a healthy way begins with coming before God in humility, recognizing that he first came down to draw near to us. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Kevin Myers explains ways to reconcile with one another in a biblical way that honors Christ and one another.

The threats of spiritual warfare are real, but as followers of Christ, we have the power to operate and combat the schemes of the enemy with the truth of God's Word. At ALLIN, Pastor Ryan emphasizes our ability to lean into the power of prayer and Christ's intercession.

Friendship, as modeled by the gospel, calls us to a higher standard of connection—one that goes beyond convenience and surface-level interactions. These friendships reflect the transformative grace of Jesus and invite us to live in alignment with the gospel in every relationship. In this week's leadership lessons, Pastor Ryan Schlachter delves into the power of proactive, Christ-centered relationships that are marked by depth, vulnerability, and forgiveness.

Scripture calls us "strangers of this world," because our true home is found in heavenly places, far beyond what our eyes can see. When we walk in our true identity as citizens, we have different cravings that guide us to live with fervent a expectation for what is to come. This Sunday, Pastor Luis Guerrero breaks down a profound truth: as citizens of Heaven, our lives are governed by a higher standard, distinct from the culture of earthly cities.