Watermark Sunday Messages

The story of David and Mephibosheth shows us a burdened, helpless man with no future being brought into a covenant with the king. It shows an outcast orphan finding a family, a future, and a home. It paints a beautiful picture of the gospel.

2 Samuel 7 is one of the most important chapters in the life of David – and the entire Bible. In this message, Timothy “TA” Ateek teaches through a story that begins with David’s plans and culminates with God showing His plans to be far greater than anything David could’ve imagined.

2 Samuel 6 displays God’s holiness as David seeks to establish his kingdom in Jerusalem with God as the Eternally Enthroned One. Do you want God in your life? Do you fear God? Do you worship God with your entire life?

2 Samuel 5 displays David walking and living in the “sweet spot” of God’s will as God, in his timing, makes him king over Israel. David displayed his trust in the Lord by knowing God’s priorities, being filled with God’s Spirit, and seeking God’s direction. David, however, was not perfect and sinfully took wives he should not have taken, which points beyond David to the greater David, Jesus, who will perfectly do God’s will to bring salvation to his people.

God was working to establish his kingdom through David, but David trusted the Lord to fulfill his promises in his perfect timing. Instead of listening to his men and seizing the kingdom, David trusted the Lord in action, word, and heart. John Elmore teaches through 1 Samuel 24, giving three ways to trust God when wronged, and pointing to the greater David who perfectly brings God’s kingdom and salvation in his time.

How we handle other people’s success reveals what we truly believe about God and His will for us. Do we try to rule over our lives, or do we recognize that a true and loving King reigns over it all for our good and His glory? Timothy Ateek teaches through 1 Samuel 18 and gives three ways to respond to God’s will.

The familiar story of David and Goliath was really God’s story that David was a part of. In this message, John Elmore reminds us that the Lord is the one who saves. We all face things that we are powerless to overcome, but the gospel hope is that Jesus, the Son of David, is our giant-slayer.

David is the Old Testament character that is spoken about most in the Bible. He wrote one of the most famous chapters in the Bible (Psalm 23) and is featured in other well-known Bible stories. He is also called “a man after God’s own heart.” In this message, however, Timothy “TA” Ateek points out that the most important thing about David is the way he is connected to and foreshadows Jesus Christ.

Have you ever given up praying for a situation before getting an answer from God? In this message, John Elmore teaches through The Parable of the Persistent Widow and shares why we are to always pray and not lose heart.

Do you ever struggle with performance or comparing yourself with others? In this message, Blake Holmes will help us to look at the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector. This parable is ultimately a story about Jesus warning us against the spiritual pride in all of us and how it blinds us from the truth.

As we look at the parable of the talents, what is clear is that one day we will stand before Jesus and give an account for how we have lived the one life He has given us to live. If you were to die tonight and stand before Jesus, what do you expect His response to be?

Do you struggle with unforgiveness? For anyone who is in Christ, living in unforgiveness is nothing short of hypocrisy. But Jesus has provided forgiveness for each person’s insurmountable debt of sin. Therefore, God calls us to forgive one another as Christ forgave us. John Elmore unpacks The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

Are you more naturally a rule breaker or a rule follower? In this message, Timothy (TA) Ateek helps us continue to look at the parable of the two sons in Luke 15. This parable is ultimately a story about how rule breakers and rule followers interact with the grace of a perfect heavenly Father.

Why are some people present with God and others are not? In this message, John Elmore walks through the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son. Through this story, we see God’s heart for both the self-indulgent and the self-righteous.

Marvin Walker explains that the focus of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9 is not the sower, but rather the various types of soil. This parable shows us that the seed of the gospel is not ineffective, but if it’s planted in the wrong type of soil, the consequences can be painful and even deadly.

Our culture would define success as being ‘built different’; this person would be the greatest of all time, a hard worker, gifted in business, athletic abilities, or exceptional talent, and this is reserved for just a select few. Jermaine Harrison shares that in God’s Kingdom, everyone can be ‘built different,’ and it is way more important than the accomplishments of this world.

Listen to Timothy “TA” Ateek share the parable of the Good Samaritan and learn what the point of this story is truly about. No one can come to God without recognizing who they are in God’s eyes. We like to think we are “good enough,” but the Good Samaritan story is intended to provoke humility that leads to eternity with God.

Do you believe that God truly wants us to come to Him in prayer and that He will actually answer? He does, and He will! In this message, John Elmore walks through Jesus’ parable about a friend’s response to a bold request and what it teaches us about God our Father.

Without making an intentional decision, we might fail to give our time this summer to Jesus. In this message, Timothy “TA” Ateek teaches through two parables about the kingdom of heaven: the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value.

Is money the source of your joy, peace, and security? In this message, Watermark Elder Kyle Thompson shares four questions about money and generosity, and the answers to those questions in Scripture. He reminds us that generous living is not a one-time decision but a lifetime of daily discovery of what faithfulness looks like.

Do you ever look at your life and finances and think, “I’ve got it”? In this message, Watermark elder Mickey Friedrich shares about three warnings from Scripture for when we have self-dependence in our stewardship and why we must shift to a dependence on the Lord.

Did you know that Jesus spoke on the topic of money more than the topics of heaven and hell combined? Our relationship with money has a big impact on our spiritual life. Listen as John Cox starts a new series with what Scripture has to say about the connection between money and your heart.

In the conclusion of 1 Peter, we are reminded that we have an enemy, and his goal is to cause us to suffer and fear. 1 Peter 5:6-14 shows us that, when life is H.A.R.D., the prescription is to Humble yourself, make sure your Anxieties are cast, Resist in faith, and trust in the Dominion of God.

What makes a healthy church? Have you ever been a part of a healthy church without healthy leaders? Timothy “TA” Ateek walks through the beginning of 1 Peter 5 and the importance of elders in the local church. This message is a charge to shepherds of the flock as well as the flock.

All of us experience suffering. Our broken world brings loss of health, death, divorce, prodigal children, financial troubles, job loss, and so on. God sees it all. He allows suffering and redeems it so that it may be a gift to our faith. John Elmore walks us through 1 Peter 4:12-19 on navigating the inevitable suffering that will come as we abide in Christ.

As believers, we often focus on the cross as a symbol of our salvation. But the good news is not just that Jesus died, but that He rose again. On Easter, John Elmore explains three truths that the empty tomb should remind us of.

For Good Friday, Timothy “TA” Ateek teaches through 2 Corinthians 5:21 and encourages us to remember the reason for the cross, the reality of the cross, and the result of the cross.

If Jesus told you exactly when He would return, what, if anything, would change in your life? Listen to Timothy “TA” Ateek walk through 1 Peter 4 and give five keys to living like the end is near.

Have you ever felt alone, left out, or mocked because of your faith? Jesus’s victory over sin and death offers us hope in our present suffering and secures our glorious future with Him. Blake Holmes walks through 1 Peter 3:18-22, encouraging us to live a life of holiness in all circumstances.

Oren Martin walks us through 1 Peter, giving evidence for why relationships and suffering are primary ways we can share the gospel with others. Specifically, our relationships with believers, relationships with non-believers, and times of suffering need to be understood as opportunities to share our hope in Jesus Christ.

Want a better marriage? The key to a better marriage is to show Jesus in your marriage. You can show Jesus in your marriage by fulfilling your God-given role, cultivating your character, and hoping in God.

God’s truth dispels the lies of our false identities so we can be secure in who we are and know how to live as we follow God. Listen as John Elmore shares from 1 Peter 2 the truth of our identity, calling, and Jesus’s example for our lives.

Are you at the right church? How do you even know? With Scripture from 1 Peter 2:4-12, here are six questions you should ask regarding church.

Are you growing spiritually? How can you measure your spiritual growth? Spiritual growth is measured not by external performance, but by an inner transformation of our hearts. 1 Peter 1:22-2:3 shows us three indicators of spiritual growth: love for others, hatred for sin, and hunger for truth.

We are all prone to spiritual amnesia. We forget the truth that is meant to transform us. Listen to Timothy “TA” Ateek share from 1 Peter 1 three crucial reminders we need daily.

What is a right theology of suffering? We will all face different trials in life, but God can use your suffering for your good and His glory. 1 Peter 1:3-12 shows us that we can praise God and have joy in suffering because we have the hope of ages.

The Christian life is a race. One of the keys to running the Christian race well is never forgetting who you are. Timothy “TA” Ateek unpacks 1 Peter 1:1-2 to show us how God has set His affections on us.

New Year’s Day is often the only time people pause to think about what has happened in the past year and make plans for the year to come. Using Psalm 71 as an example, Chris Sherrod talks about how we should reflect on God’s attributes and what He has done, use our mouths to talk about what our hearts are excited about, and build a hunger for God in the hearts of the younger generation.

Do you want to experience freedom from sin in your life? As we continue our series, “How He Built This,” John Elmore teaches us about authenticity and repentance. He shows us how to make war with sin by submitting to God and resisting the devil one day at a time.

Do you ever find yourself in arguments over the dumbest things? What about arguments over things of the faith? The truth is, sometimes, we argue about some of the most ridiculous things. There are inconsequential things that we should never argue about, and there are some important things that we need to take a stand on. In this start to a new series, “The 7,” Blake Holmes teaches about the essentials and the non-essentials of the Christian faith, and how to discern between the two.

What should you do when God's Word doesn't give you a clear answer on a choice you have to make? Blake Holmes discusses how to utilize the wisdom and principles in God's word that can help us make wise choices in the gray areas of life.

There is freedom in the choices we make, but God is very clear on some choices. We discuss the principles of God's word that will help us make wise choices when the word isn't explicit.

The great majority of us know someone who is currently facing a crisis. The story of Job and his friends offers us some invaluable insights as to what to do - and just as importantly what NOT to do - as God calls us to love and care for those who are hurting.