Project Church

Many of the battles we face start with the lies we believe about ourselves. In this message, we look at Gideon’s story and uncover how fear, pain, insecurity, and past wounds can shape identity in unhealthy ways. This sermon reminds us that God does not call us according to our weakness, but according to the purpose, courage, and calling He has placed within us. As we reject false labels and place our identity in Christ, we can live in freedom, healing, and bold faith.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Name the Chain begins (01:01) - Why identity must come first (03:11) - Gideon, fear, and life in hiding (07:50) - Lie 1 I have to stay small to stay safe (14:14) - Lie 2 God has abandoned me (19:30) - Lie 3 My past disqualifies me (23:02) - Lie 4 I am not enough (24:40) - Truth 1 You are worthy of God’s presence (26:29) - God speaks to your potential (31:06) - You are commissioned, not accidental (35:14) - Gideon’s victory with 300 men (39:28) - Surrender your identity to Jesus

In The Crown After the Cross, Caleb Cole shares a powerful Easter message from Hebrews 2 about the choices Jesus made for humanity. Before He wore the crown of glory, He chose humility, suffering, and the cross. This sermon points to the grace of God, the victory of the resurrection, and the invitation for every person to choose Jesus and receive the life only He can give.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Happy Easter and Hebrews 2 opening (01:37) - He really did it (02:15) - The Crown After the Cross (03:02) - Why we love crowns (05:04) - Jesus chose the cross before the crown (06:42) - Jesus chose to lower Himself (09:48) - God uses unlikely people (10:22) - Jesus stepped into suffering on purpose (12:25) - We want the crown without the cross (14:16) - I was there to give, not receive (16:25) - Jesus teaches us true humility (17:17) - Jesus chose us at our worst (19:17) - Why receiving grace is so hard (24:30) - God has more than enough grace (26:01) - Jesus tasted death so we could have life (29:10) - The crown proves He conquered death (30:28) - What are you choosing today (33:27) - Today I choose Jesus

Fear and anxiety don’t just affect how we feel, they shape how we live and the decisions we make. In this message, we explore how cycles of stress and control can lead to regret, and how trying to force outcomes often increases anxiety instead of relieving it.Through the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, we see a powerful reminder that shortcuts and control are not the answer. Instead, surrender, waiting on God, and obedience from the inside out lead to lasting peace.When you understand that God sees you, knows you, and is working on your behalf, fear begins to lose its power and your life can be guided by trust instead of anxiety.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Introduction to fear and anxiety (00:20) - The reality of a chaotic and stressful world (01:30) - How stress leads to poor decisions (02:30) - The cycle of fear, stress, and regret (03:00) - Genesis 16 and the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (04:00) - When fear leads to control and bad decisions (05:30) - The danger of forcing God’s promises (07:00) - The consequences of shortcuts and control (09:30) - Surrender vs control in the life of faith (11:00) - Value 1 Concern for the glory of God (13:00) - Value 2 A willingness to wait on God (15:00) - Waiting strengthens your spiritual resilience (17:00) - Value 3 Obedience and inner transformation (18:30) - The gap between who you are and who you present (21:00) - God sees you and meets you in your fear (23:00) - Identity rooted in being seen by God (26:30) - Focus on your calling to overcome fear (30:45) - God develops you before He delivers you (32:00) - Surrender what you’re trying to control

Pastor Chrissy Cole continues the Way of Decrease series with a powerful message on how entertainment and distraction are shaping our spiritual lives. Teaching from Matthew 16, this sermon challenges us to move from spiritual entertainment to true discipleship through denial, obedience, and surrender. Discover how reclaiming your attention and prioritizing intimacy with Jesus leads to lasting transformation and purpose.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Introduction to the Way of Decrease (01:20) - Why We Must Decrease Entertainment (02:48) - The Reality of Screen Culture (04:18) - Boredom Leads to Wonder and Faith (06:02) - Entertainment Is Shaping Your Spirituality (07:38) - Distraction Is Stealing Your Attention (09:20) - The Cost of Discipleship (10:30) - Gaining the World Losing Your Soul (12:17) - Deny Yourself and Limit Access (15:00) - What You Behold You Become (18:28) - Entertainment Is Selling You Lies (22:21) - Don’t Feed Your Soul Artificial Fuel (23:27) - Spiritual Entertainment vs Obedience (27:15) - Returning to Your First Love (31:29) - From Spectator to Disciple (35:40) - Dying to Self to Find Life (40:57) - Slowing Down to Hear God (41:49) - Deny Yourself or Deny Jesus

Pastor Caleb Cole continues the Way of Decrease series with a message titled “Comparison: The Way of Cain or Abel!” Teaching from Genesis 4, this sermon explores how comparison, jealousy, and envy begin in the heart and can ultimately separate us from God’s presence. By contrasting the way of Cain with the way of Abel, Pastor Caleb challenges us to choose surrender, obedience, and sacrifice so we can experience deeper joy and greater connection with God. (00:00) - Introduction to the Way of Decrease (02:02) - Why Comparison Is Everywhere (04:35) - The Story of Cain and Abel (07:10) - Comparison Is a Heart Problem (10:45) - The Way of War vs The Way of Peace (14:05) - The Way of Blood vs The Way of Comfort (18:20) - Comfortable Christianity vs Sacrificial Faith (22:00) - Faith Without Works Is Dead (25:00) - Submission vs Control (28:30) - How Comparison Steals Joy (31:30) - God Gives Cain a Second Chance (35:00) - Sin Is Crouching at the Door (38:20) - Returning to the Presence of God

Pastor Sam Fleurry concludes the Through the Fire series with a powerful message about faithfulness, covenant, and restoration. Looking at the story of Hosea and Gomer, this sermon explores how small compromises can slowly drain relationships, why devotion to God must come before devotion to people, and how God’s relentless love pursues us even when we fail. Whether single or married, this message offers practical wisdom for building relationships that reflect the faithfulness of God. (00:00) - Series Closing + Introduction (01:23) - The Story of Hosea and Gomer (04:02) - When You Forget Why You Have Something (07:30) - Faithfulness Starts With God (11:00) - Living the Word Before Sharing It (13:30) - Devotion Over Desire (17:45) - Becoming the Person You Want to Marry (21:00) - The Small Leaks That Destroy Marriage (24:00) - Marriage Reveals What Isn’t Healed (27:00) - Choosing Connection Over Control (30:00) - Small Flames Become Big Fires (33:00) - Faithfulness Invites God’s Favor (37:00) - God’s Relentless Love and Restoration

Pastors Caleb and Chrissy Cole continue the Through the Fire series with “Keeping the Fire Alive.” Teaching from Leviticus 6, Revelation 2, and Ephesians 4, they show how love must be cultivated through daily rhythms, intentional priority, truth in love, and consistent connection. This message challenges couples to protect the flame God has given them and choose love daily. (00:00) - Through the Fire Part 4 Introduction (02:00) - How Do We Fall in Love Again? (04:00) - Love Is a Choice, Not a Feeling (06:30) - Leviticus 6: Keep the Fire Burning (09:30) - The Flame Dies in Drift, Not Disaster (12:00) - Stop Doing Nothing (15:30) - The Flame Requires Priority (18:30) - Go Back to What You Did at First (22:00) - The Flame Needs Oxygen: Truth in Love (25:45) - Flames of Love vs Flames of Fury (29:30) - The Flame Survives on Consistency (34:15) - Protect the Tone and Time (38:00) - Daily Rhythms Restore the Fire (40:00) - Salvation & Marriage Prayer

Pastor Caleb Cole continues the Through the Fire series with “Taming the Fire of Desire,” a message on sexual purity, identity in Christ, and biblical boundaries. Teaching from 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Peter 1, he explains how sexual desire is God-given but must be directed within God’s design. This sermon calls believers to pursue holiness, protect marriage, and find freedom through intimacy with Christ.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Through the Fire series recap (01:16) - Why we must talk about sex (03:06) - Cultural sexual revolution vs biblical worldview (05:17) - Sexual desire is God given (06:08) - Flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6) (08:40) - What sexual immorality includes (11:45) - The consequences of sexual freedom culture (12:32) - Identity begins in Christ (16:09) - Biblical sexual ethic explained (20:33) - Self denial vs self expression (22:35) - Intimacy in marriage God’s design (31:33) - Fight for purity in a digital world (39:10) - Holiness leads to peace and flourishing (41:45) - Salvation and purity prayer

Pastor Chrissy Cole continues the Through the Fire series with “Fighting Fire With Fire,” a message on handling conflict with humility and Spirit-led self-control. Teaching from James 1 and Ephesians 4, she explains how unmanaged anger damages connection and how choosing kindness, listening, and unity leads to healthier relationships.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Through the Fire series recap (02:30) - Fighting Fire With Fire introduction (05:00) - Conflict is the price of intimacy (07:10) - Flesh fire vs Spirit fire (11:00) - Conflict is inevitable, combustion is optional (14:45) - What anger exposes in the heart (18:30) - Identifying unhealthy communication styles (21:00) - Be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19) (24:30) - Managing anger before it manages you (29:00) - Practical tools for emotional regulation (34:30) - Humility protects unity (39:00) - Choosing connection over being right (42:30) - Invitation, prayer & response

Pastor Caleb Cole launches the Through the Fire series with a message about having the right fire within us. Teaching from Matthew 6, he explains how seeking first the Kingdom, pursuing righteousness, and trusting God’s promises create a healthy foundation for every relationship. This message calls believers to find contentment in Christ and let Him be enough.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Launching the Through the Fire series (02:03) - Why relationships feel harder than ever (03:18) - The fires burning inside us (06:08) - Your relationship with Jesus comes first (08:16) - Fire #1: More of Jesus (09:49) - Anxiety as a divided mind (11:21) - Daily connection, not Sunday faith (15:31) - Fire #2: Seek the Kingdom first (20:18) - Delighting in God changes your desires (24:05) - Fire #3: A passion for righteousness (31:56) - Righteousness produces peace (33:23) - Fire #4: Trusting God’s promises (38:50) - The secret of contentment in Christ (40:02) - Jesus is enough: salvation invitation