Is it possible to believe in the goodness of God and the victory of the cross while living in deep emotional darkness? In this sermon, we explore the disorienting reality of being a genuine Christian who battles the "mental arthritis" of depression.
In this message, you’ll discover:
• The Weight of History: The story of Charles Spurgeon, a world-renowned preacher who battled a "mental giant" of depression for 35 years after a tragic church accident,.
• A "Canonized" Struggle: Why the Bible doesn't dodge depression but instead features main characters like Moses, Job, Elijah, and even Jesus as a "Man of Sorrows" who was familiar with suffering,.
• The Darkest Psalm: A deep dive into Psalm 88, the only psalm in the Bible that doesn't end with a happy confession of faith, but with the haunting line: "Darkness is my closest friend",.
• The "Who" Before the "Why": Why Heman the Ezrahite started his darkest prayer with three Hebrew words: Yahweh Elohei Yeshua’ti—affirming that God is present, powerful, and his only source of salvation, even when he couldn't feel it,,.
• How to Love Someone in the Pit: Practical advice for those supporting loved ones, including the need to be "comfortable with uncomfortable emotions" and the power of presence over easy solutions,.
• The Ultimate Hope: The life-changing truth that "Jesus saves the depressed". He doesn't wait for you to climb a ladder to reach Him; He climbed down into the "pit" to find you.
Your feelings may be valid, but they don't get the last word—Jesus does,. Whether you are struggling to get out of bed or walking alongside someone who is, this message is a reminder that while sadness may be temporary, the joy found in the finished work of Christ is eternal.

"It is Jesus—and not the absence of depression—that saves us".

If you break an arm, the path to recovery is clear, and you have a visible cast to show why you can't "help move a couch". But when it comes to mental health, there is often no clear story, no X-ray, and no obvious timeline for healing. In this final message of our series, "Light in the Pit: Faith through Depression and Anxiety," we look at the heavy reality of life in the darkness and how God meets us there.
In this sermon, you will discover:
• The Complexity of the Pit: Why depression is often "polygenetic"—where genetics "load the gun" and environment "pulls the trigger". We explore how neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine affect our homeostasis and motivation, making even a simple "to-do list" feel insurmountable.
• The "To-Do List" Trap: Why telling someone in a depressive episode to "just pray" or "just read your Bible" can feel like an impossible mountain to climb, and how to offer physical care and love instead of spiritual cliches.
• Biblical Heroes in the Dark: A look at the "grandparents' diaries" of faith—King David, Job, Jonah, and Jeremiah—who all experienced moments of melancholy, turmoil, and even a desire to die.
• Elijah’s "Greatest Day" to "Darkest Night": How the prophet Elijah moved from the high point of fire on Mount Carmel to a "pit" of exhaustion and isolation in a cave, begging God to take his life.
• God’s Holistic Care: See how God restores Elijah not by lecturing him, but by providing sleep, food, physical touch, and eventually, a "gentle whisper".
• The Three Pillars of Recovery: Why the combination of seeing light, finding community, and having a sense of purpose is vital for walking out of the pit.
Depression may make you feel abandoned, but the Bible reminds us that you are never alone. Jesus Himself entered the "deepest darkness"—suffering the weight of sin and true separation from God—so that He could reach into your pit and pull you into the light.

Whether you are in the pit today or walking alongside someone who is, find hope in a Savior who goes all the way to the darkness to bring you home.

Is your brain acting like a malfunctioning smoke detector, screaming about an emergency when there’s no fire in sight? In this third week of our series on mental health and Jesus, we tackle the "massively important" topic of anxiety by looking at how the Trinity works together to calm our hearts.
In this sermon, you’ll discover:
• The Gift of Anxiety: God wired your brain with a "danger detector" called the amygdala to keep you safe from real tragedy. But for many of us, this system is "out of control," triggering panic over bad grades, work projects, or social media "what ifs."
• The Father & Your Body: Your mental health is "deeply theological" because God created your body and brain. Learn how to use the "vagus nerve" and intentional "box breathing" to literally tell your brain there is no danger.
• The Son & Your Certainty: Drawing on the story of Martin Luther, we explore the "monster of uncertainty" regarding our standing with God. If you’ve ever wondered if you are "good enough," discover the peace of knowing righteousness is by faith in Jesus—from first to last.
• The Spirit & Your Community: Discover why even atheists recommend church for improved mental health. The Holy Spirit "roots" us in community, using the "communal nature" of singing and gathering to pull us out of isolation and remind us we aren’t alone.
• Jesus as a Resurrected King: Stop zooming in on your problems and zoom out to see the King who holds your "what ifs" in His pierced hands.
Anxiety might be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the end of it. Whether you are struggling to "just chill out" or trying to help a friend who is spiraling, this message offers a grown-up, biblical look at finding a peace that goes beyond understanding.

Stop trying to earn your peace and start receiving the relief only the King of Kings can bring.

Is your nervous system feeling the weight of the "Anxious Generation"? In this sermon, we explore how our modern environment—filled with digital inundation and constant comparison—is creating a cultural rise in anxiety that our bodies weren't designed to carry.
In this message, you’ll discover:
• The Childhood Shift: A look at how we’ve traded physical risk and independence (like riding bikes around the block) for digital "security" that is actually more emotionally dangerous.
• The Body’s Fire Alarm: Why anxiety isn't a sign that your body is "broken," but rather a God-designed alarm system that is simply going off too often. Learn how to move from your "dinosaur brain" back to reason.
• The Trinity vs. Anxiety: A practical three-part framework to quiet your thoughts:
◦ The Father & Your Body: Reclaiming your physical health through breathing, sleep, and nature, while removing the shame of seeking medical or professional help.
◦ The Son & Your Future: Why the cross answers your biggest "what ifs." If Jesus finished the work of your salvation, you can trust Him with your family, your job, and your health.
◦ The Spirit & Your Community: How the Holy Spirit intercedes in your weakness and places you in a community of people ready to help you carry your "heavy boxes".
• Digital Abstraction: The danger of trying to be "omniscient" like God by consuming an endless stream of global news and social comparison.
Anxiety often tells us to isolate, but God invites us to return to community and anchor ourselves in the Gospel. Using a powerful scene from the movie Signs, Pastor Mike reminds us of the Father’s invitation in the midst of our struggle: "Breathe with me. You're not alone. You're okay".

Stop telling yourself a story about a scary future and start resting in the story God has already finished.

In a world of pop psychology, personality tests, and "Selfie culture," finding your true identity can feel like chasing a moving target. In this sermon, "Beyond Stuart Smalley: Three Biblical Affirmations for Mental Health," we move past the "cotton candy" affirmations of modern culture and dive into three rock-solid truths from God’s Word that provide a stable foundation for your soul.
In this message, you’ll explore:
• The Affirmation Trap: Why the vintage SNL joke "I’m good enough, I’m smart enough..." has become a common—yet often hollow—American practice used to handle identity.
• The Danger of the Extremes: How thinking too little of yourself leads to moping and missed potential, while thinking too much of yourself leads to a therapeutic "slippery slope" that can leave you psychologically sick.
• Affirmation #1: I Am Human: Why you are not "chemical scum" worth a mere $150,000 in elements, but are the crown of creation with an immortal soul—handcrafted by God and so valuable that He became a man to save you.
• Affirmation #2: I Am a Sinful Human: The counter-cultural truth that we are "broken but it’s not beautiful". Learn why owning your "pie chart of blame" and acknowledging your sinful nature is actually a mercy that saves you from arrogance and self-righteousness.
• Affirmation #3: I Am a Saved Human: Why the gospel "blows secular affirmations out of the water". It’s not about rewiring your brain through self-talk; it’s about a truth outside of you—that Jesus saw your badness and chose to love you anyway.
Whether you are struggling with a "veneer of fine" or feeling the weight of the current mental health crisis, this sermon offers a "biblical middle road". It provides the two notes we all need in our pockets: one to keep us humble ("I am dust and ashes") and one to keep us happy ("The universe was created for me").
Stop looking in the mirror for answers and start looking to the Father who has already declared who you are.

Are you struggling with where to find your value? In this installment of the "Everything Isn't Fine" series, we dive into the topic of self-worth and why relying on your feelings can be a deceiving guide. Since the late 19th century, "self-esteem" has been framed as a mathematical ratio of successes divided by expectations; however, this creates a fragile sense of worth that collapses when we fail to meet subjective standards.
In this sermon, "Infinite Worth: Finding Value Beyond Our Feelings," you will discover:
• The Struggle is Real: Pastor Bill shares honestly about his own battles with self-worth as a pastor and a parent, reminding us that these mental health challenges affect everyone, including those in leadership.
• The Failure of Feelings: We explore the cultural shift that has placed feelings, rather than God, as the determiner of human value—and why that shift leads to bitterness and isolation when life hits us hard.
• The Bad News of Romans 3: By nature and because of sin, we have "turned away" and become worthless, much like the ashes found in a common fire pit.
• The Good News of Infinite Value: Apart from our performance or the law, Christ has declared those who believe to be of infinite worth, justified and redeemed by His grace.
• A "Son of God in Waiting": Through a powerful object lesson, we learn that while we may eventually return to dust and ashes, those who trust in Jesus carry the promises of God and the hope of a glorified body.
It is time to swap out the devil's lies and negative self-talk for the promises of God that are proven by the empty tomb. Whether you feel like a "zero" today or are riding the high of a recent success, your true value is found in the fact that you were worth the very blood of Christ.
Watch to find out how to lift your head high and remember that in Christ, everything will be fine

Are you currently living out the "This is Fine" meme? In this sermon, "The Good Use of Stress: Finding Rest in Life's Fires," we dive into the reality of mental health—stress, anxiety, and depression—and why the goal of a Christian life isn’t actually to reach "zero stress."
In this message, you will learn:
• The Problem with "Faking It": Why church culture often pressures us to paste on a smile when the room is actually engulfed in flames, and how God "canonizes" these feelings in the Bible so we can talk about them honestly.
• Stress as "Soul Gym": Just as athletes need "microtrauma" to build muscle, our souls need the "friction" of difficult circumstances and strained relationships to develop perseverance, character, and hope.
• The Danger of Overload: While some stress makes you strong, "too much stress makes you dead". Using a personal story of burnout and a "95 complaints" letter, Pastor Mike explains why a busy season shouldn't turn into a busy life.
• The Jesus Rhythm: How Jesus, despite the demands of massive crowds, "often withdrew to lonely places" to pray. Learn the vital question you must ask when adding something to your schedule: "What will I stop doing?".
• The Ultimate "Stress Test": Why the cross was Jesus' day to be stressed so that you could be saved. Discover the "existential rest" that comes from knowing you are 100% forgiven and right with God, no matter your mistakes.
Don't just pray for an easy life; pray for a great faith. Whether you're in a season of "spiritual soreness" or you need to find the boundary to sit down and rest, this message will help you find the biblical middle ground.
As one woman leaving a brutal workout put it: "It's a good one!"

Are you tired of saying "I'm fine" while your world feels like a "major dumpster fire"? In this sermon, "Beyond the Veneer of Fine," we explore why we use the word "fine" as a "cheap veneer" to hide everything from minor disappointments to overwhelming stress. Whether you are hiding behind filtered photos or automated responses, this message challenges you to stop "faking fine" and start dealing with your burdens in a "good and godly way".
In this message, you’ll discover:
• The "Fine" Trap: Why pretending everything is okay leads to bitterness, isolation, and hopelessness.
• Stress as Strength: How stress acts like resistance training for the soul, creating the "friction" your faith needs to grow back stronger.
• A Reality Check: Why feeling overwhelmed is actually a form of "honesty" that reveals you are not God and forces you to rely on the One who raises the dead.
• Escape vs. Rest: Why scrolling, snacking, or nostalgia are just temporary "escapes" that can't provide the true spiritual rest your soul craves.
• Jesus’ Busiest Day: A look at Mark 1, showing how Jesus navigated a world of "stress, anxiety, and hardship" by prioritizing prayer over his endless to-do list.
Jesus doesn’t invite you to come to Him once you "have your act together". He specifically calls the "weary"—those on a hamster wheel of tasks—and the "burdened"—those crushed by unfair expectations—to find total rest in His finished work.
Stop the act and find the peace that comes from being 1,000% known and 100% forgiven.