Category: Podcast – Akron East

Jesus Was Full of Grace AND Truth

Was Jesus all grace, accepting everyone exactly where they were? Or was He all truth, confronting people about sin and calling them to change?

When we look at Jesus, we find something better than either extreme. John describes Him as “full of grace and truth.”

Jesus received people who had failed, moved toward the broken, and offered forgiveness—but He also loved people enough to tell them the truth and call them toward something better.

In this message, we look at how Jesus interacted with people and what His example means for us. If we want to become more like Jesus, we have to learn to see individuals instead of issues, meet people where they are, love them with truth, and become people others can trust.

“You have sinned. You are loved. You can change.”

📖 John 1:14 | John 8:1–11 | Exodus 34:6

Make Room for Better – What Needs to Go?

What if the reason we don’t have room for what matters most isn’t because we’re doing bad things—but because we’re trying to do too many good things?

Jesus lived with incredible clarity about what He was here to do, and that clarity shaped what He said yes to and what He said no to. In the same way, following Jesus sometimes means cutting things out, shrinking good things that have become too big, and setting limits so we can give ourselves to what matters most.

In this message from Don’t Skip the Big Rocks, we look at what Scripture says about pruning, self-control, people-pleasing, and throwing off the things that hinder us. Because putting the big rocks first eventually requires us to make room for them.

Sabbath: Learning to Stop and Trust God | Don’t Skip the Big Rocks 05

We live in a world that constantly tells us to do more, achieve more, and keep going. But God created us with a different rhythm: work and rest.

In Week 5 of Don’t Skip the Big Rocks, we look at what the Bible really teaches about Sabbath. Sabbath is more than a rule or a day on the calendar—it is a gift that reminds us that God is in control, our value is not found in our productivity, and the work of Jesus is already finished.

What would it look like to regularly stop, rest, delight, and notice what God is doing?

Scriptures: Genesis 2:1–3, Deuteronomy 5:12–15, Colossians 2:16–17, Hebrews 4:9–11, Mark 2:27, Matthew 11:28–30

Are You Aiming at What Matters Most?

Every day, we wake up with another opportunity to decide what matters most. Even when we know our priorities, it can be easy to drift, get distracted, and slowly miss the target.

In John 15, Jesus gives us a simple invitation: “Remain in me.”

In this message, we look at God’s goal for our lives, our role in staying connected to Him, and His promise that when we abide in Jesus, He will produce lasting fruit and transformation in us.

The Christian life isn’t just about arranging our priorities correctly once. It’s about choosing, day after day, to walk with Jesus, listen to Him, learn from Him, and remain connected to Him.

God’s goal is deep connection. Our role is to remain. His promise is transformation.

John 15:4–8

You Can’t Do Everything. So What Should You Do?

We’ve talked about putting the big rocks first—the things that matter most in life. But once those priorities are in place, there’s another question we have to ask:

What are the medium rocks that need our time and attention in this season?

Wisdom isn’t just knowing what matters. Wisdom is knowing what matters right now.

Every season of life brings different responsibilities, relationships, and opportunities that need our attention. Maybe it’s managing your finances, taking care of your health, going to school, starting a business, raising young kids, caring for a parent, building friendships, or finding Christian community.

These things may not be the ultimate priorities of our lives, but they still matter—and stewarding them faithfully is part of following Jesus.

In this message, we’ll look at three kinds of “medium rocks”:
• Life stewardship — faithfully caring for the responsibilities God has given you.
• Relationship stewardship — intentionally investing in the people God has placed in your life.
• Stabilizing rocks — practices and community that help keep the big rocks in place.

The goal isn’t to do everything. The goal is to recognize what God is asking you to give your time and attention to right now.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

Am I making room for the rocks that need to be in my life right now?

Get the Big Rocks Right – Where is Your Life Going?

As we step into a new season, it’s easy to get caught up in everything demanding our attention. But what if some things matter far more than others? In this message, we look at the “big rocks” God has entrusted to each of us—and how we can learn to carry them well. Jesus calls us to seek God first, love the people around us, live with purpose, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead the way we live each day. Our faith isn’t just something we practice on Sundays. It shows up in the everyday moments—in our homes, our work, our relationships, our schools, and our communities. Are we missing one of the big rocks? And are we carrying the ones God has given us in the right way?

Don’t Skip the Big Rocks – Making Room for What Matters Most

Life gets complicated quickly. There are responsibilities, relationships, opportunities, distractions, and countless things competing for our attention. But what if the problem isn’t that we have too much to do—it’s that we’re filling our lives with the wrong things?

Proverbs 27:19 says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Sometimes we need to stop and honestly look at our lives because what we give our time and attention to reveals what matters most to us.

In this message, we’ll look at what it means to live with wisdom and intentionality by putting the “big rocks” first—the kingdom priorities God has placed in front of us. Rather than trying to create a perfect plan for life, we’ll learn to ask better questions: What matters most? What season am I in? What has God entrusted to me? And what needs to matter more?

Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). When Christ defines our priorities, everything else can find its proper place.

Don’t skip the big rocks. Make room for what matters most.

How to Share Your Faith Without Fear | Living as an Ambassador | Grace Church Akron East

Sharing your faith can feel intimidating. What if you don’t have all the answers? What if someone rejects you? What if you’re doing it wrong?

In Part 3 of our Ambassadors series, we discover that God never called us to force people into faith—He calls us to faithfully plant seeds while trusting Him to bring the growth. Our role is to stay available, love people well, recognize the opportunities God places in front of us, and boldly share the hope we have in Jesus with gentleness and respect.

Whether you’ve followed Christ for years or you’re a brand-new believer, this message will encourage you to take your next step in living on mission every day.

Scripture:
• 1 Corinthians 3:6
• 1 Peter 3:15–16
• Colossians 4:5–6

In this message you’ll discover:

  • Why God is responsible for the results—not you
  • How to overcome fear when sharing your faith
  • The difference between being overzealous, reluctant, or unaware
  • How to recognize “no-brainer moments” to talk about Jesus
  • Why we’re messengers of good news—not the morality police
  • Practical ways to pray, invite, and share your story

If this message encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who has questions about faith or who could use hope today.

Made Right with God | The Gospel Explained

What does it really mean to be made right with God?

In week two of our Ambassadors series, we walk through the heart of the Gospel and discover why our greatest need isn’t becoming a better person—it’s being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Using 2 Corinthians 5:21 and John 3:16–17, we explore:

  • Why God created us for relationship with Him
  • How sin separates us from God
  • Why Jesus had to die on the cross
  • What the Bible means by atonement
  • The incredible Great Exchange—Jesus taking our sin and giving us His righteousness
  • Why salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, not earned by good works
  • What it means to trust Jesus personally

If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Can I earn God’s forgiveness?
  • Why did Jesus have to die?
  • What is the Gospel?
  • How can I know I’m right with God?

This message is for you.

For those who already follow Jesus, this message is a reminder that we never outgrow the Gospel. We grow deeper into it. As Christ’s ambassadors, we’ve been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation and are called to share the hope we’ve received with the world around us.

📖 Key Scriptures:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • John 3:16–17
  • Romans 3:25
  • Ephesians 2:8–9

Chosen, Sent, and Representing Christ

What if following Jesus isn’t just something you believe—it’s who you are?

In the first message of our Ambassadors series, we explore what it means to be Christ’s ambassador. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, every follower of Jesus has been chosen and commissioned to represent Him in the world. We aren’t sent because we’re perfect or qualified—we’re sent because Christ has called us. This message challenges us to see people through the eyes of Jesus, live in a way that reflects His character, and remember that our identity shapes every conversation, relationship, and opportunity we have.

Even when we fail, our mission remains the same: to point people to Christ with humility, grace, and truth.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 John 20:21 Ephesians 4:1

Key Takeaway: “I am sent into this day—by Christ, for Christ, and with Christ.”