REFUGE KENOSHA

What causes you to lose a clear vision of God and His work in your life? Stresses, crises, even pursuing good things in a particular way can begin to blur how we see God, ourselves, and the world. As we look at the last set of miracles in Matthew 9:27-34, we will see that the closer we are to Christ, the clearer our vision will become.

When pain, fear, and loss press in, where do you turn? In Matthew 9:18–26, two desperate people reach for Jesus—one grieving a child, the other bleeding for twelve years—and both discover the power of a Savior who responds to fragile faith. In this message, we explore how our most desperate moments can become the canvas for Christ’s greatest work.

Jesus doesn’t call the qualified—He calls the unlikely and sits at their table. In this passage, we see that following Him means leaving behind old forms and embracing the new life and joy He brings. The presence of Jesus changes everything, and when He shows up, it’s time to feast, not fast.

What does it mean for Jesus to have authority to forgive sins, and how does that authority change everything? In Matthew 9:1-8, we see Jesus not only heal a paralyzed man but also declare his sins forgiven, revealing a power that shocked religious leaders. Today we’ll see that our deepest need is not just physical healing, but the forgiveness that only Christ can give.

Every human path is ultimately a reaction to Christ’s authority. In Matthew 8:28-34, we witness demons who recognize Jesus’ power, a man who is radically transformed, and a crowd that begs Jesus to leave. How we respond to Christ’s authority reveals the true state of our hearts—will we reject Him, or will we follow in obedience?

What do your reactions reveal about your heart? When the disciples faced a violent storm in Matthew 8:23-27, their fear exposed their lack of trust in Jesus. Yet, with a word, He calmed the wind, waves, and coincidentally, their hearts. This passage challenges us to examine our own responses to life’s storms and to stand in awe of the One whom even the winds and waves obey.

Following Jesus requires more than good intentions—it demands complete commitment. In Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus confronts half-hearted disciples with the hard truth that following Him means not living primarily for comfort, security, and personal priorities. Have you truly counted the cost, or are you clinging to compromises that keep you from fully following Jesus?

Jesus has the authority to heal and restore what is broken, but do we truly believe that today? In Matthew 8:1-17, we see Christ’s power displayed as He touches the untouchable, commands creation, and restores people for service. This message challenges us to approach Jesus with humble trust, recognizing that His authority is not just a past reality but a present and personal invitation to faith.

In today’s message, “Running from God; Finding His Mercy,” Nathan McCray is going to lead us through some of the story of the prophet Jonah, a story of rebellion, pursuit, and relentless grace. We will find that often in our running from God we can actually come face to face with His inexhaustible love. Are you running from God? If so, today is an invitation to return to Him and seek Him out with your whole heart.

Have you ever felt too broken, too unworthy, or too far gone for God’s grace? Today, as we look at John 4, Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals a love that breaks every barrier to offer living water to the thirsty. No matter your past, God's grace is greater than your sin, and His invitation is for you—will you come to the well? Speaker: Mark Lehmann.