Real Life Church

How do we find joy when the headlines are filled with chaos, conflict, and crisis? When social media brings an endless stream of bad news directly to our phones, where do we turn for hope?

Romans 8 offers us a revolutionary perspective—one that doesn't deny reality but transcends it. Through Paul's powerful words, we discover that Jesus has already won our freedom, and because of this victory, we are alive and empowered to walk in daily victory despite our circumstances.

This freedom begins with a transformation of our mindset. Before knowing Christ, we were "dominated by...

What defines authentic manhood? Not societal stereotypes of machismo or self-serving independence, but something far more profound and purposeful. In this Father's Day message, Brandon Gillum cuts through cultural confusion to reveal God's blueprint for men as revealed in Scripture.

The statistics are sobering: fatherlessness stands as the primary contributor to our society's most pressing problems. When fathers abdicate their responsibilities, families and communities crumble. Yet when men embrace their calling, particularly their spiritual leadership, the impact is extraordinary—a father's commitment to faith results in a 94% likelihood that his entire family will follow his example.

The world bombards us with bad news daily, from political divisions to social unrest. But what if there's a transformative truth that rises above it all? In this powerful opening message of "The Champion" series, we dive into Romans 8, exploring how Jesus has won our freedom and what this victory means for our daily lives.

Romans 8 reveals three profound dimensions of our freedom in Christ. First, we've been freed from death to life – no condemnation remains for those who belong to Jesus. Using powerful legal language that would have resonated deeply with his Roman audience, Paul declares th...

What does it take to change the world? Not a grand gesture or viral moment, but something far more powerful: ordinary faithfulness. In this concluding message on the Book of Ruth, we witness the remarkable grand finale of a story that began in tragedy but ends in triumphant redemption.

The final chapter reveals Boaz's masterful negotiation at the town gate, where he secures the right to marry Ruth and redeem Naomi's family line. What seems like a happy ending to a love story suddenly transforms into something far more significant when we discover this ordinary couple would...

What are you still refusing to surrender? In this powerful message from the Book of Ruth, Pastor Chris delves into the profound concept that "redemption comes through surrender" as he examines Ruth's humbling encounter with Boaz at the threshing floor.

The story reveals Ruth's recognition of her need for redemption – a mirror to our own spiritual condition. Though virtuous, she understood she couldn't save herself, just as we cannot earn salvation through our own efforts. When Ruth laid at Boaz's feet, she demonstrated the very essence of surrender – ceasing to resist and submitting to authority. This beautiful pict...

Ever feel like your private battles are wearing you down? You're not alone. When we face challenges that threaten to overwhelm us, we need more than temporary fixes – we need an overflowing, unstoppable hope.

Drawing from the rich imagery of Psalm 23, this message reveals how the Lord as our shepherd provides hope that outlasts our circumstances. David wasn't writing from a comfortable armchair – he'd experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of life. Yet he discovered that no matter what valley he walked through, God was bigger than his problems.

What exactly is this overflowing hope...

What happens when we look at our lives through the lens of God's long-term faithfulness? In this powerful message on Ruth, we discover how God works through ordinary acts of faithfulness to bring extraordinary redemption.

When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, she was so bitter about her circumstances that she asked people to stop calling her by her name (which means "sweetness") and instead call her "Mara" (meaning "bitterness"). She had lost everything—her husband and both sons—and felt God had abandoned her. Yet when her daughter-in-law Ruth "happens" to glean in Boaz's field, something shifts in Naom...

Have you ever been stuck at rock bottom, wondering if God has abandoned you? The story of Ruth powerfully demonstrates how courage to take the next step—even when everything seems hopeless—can lead to extraordinary redemption.

This eye-opening message unpacks Ruth chapter 2, revealing how a destitute foreign widow's decision to gather leftover grain became a pivotal moment in biblical history. Rather than surrendering to despair after losing everything, Ruth embodied a life-changing mindset: "It may not be my fault, but it is my responsibility." Her ordinary faithfulness positioned her to receive extraordinary blessing through a "chance" enco...

Ever felt abandoned by God during your darkest moments? The ancient story of Ruth speaks directly to that feeling, revealing how divine providence operates most powerfully when heaven seems most silent.

Ruth chapter one introduces us to Naomi—a woman who loses everything. Desperate to escape famine, her family leaves God's promised land for enemy territory in Moab. When her husband and both sons die in this foreign land, Naomi's bitterness consumes her. "Call me Mara," she tells her neighbors upon returning to Bethlehem, "for the Almighty has made my life very bitter."

This raw po...

What does it take to transform life's hardest seasons into something beautiful? Through the small but mighty Book of Ruth, we discover that God uses ordinary faithfulness to accomplish extraordinary things.

The story unfolds during Israel's darkest period—the time of the judges, when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." In this chaotic landscape, we meet Naomi, whose life collapses around her. After leaving Bethlehem ("house of bread") during a famine, she loses her husband and both sons in Moab, left only with two foreign daughters-in-law. Her world shattered and dreams crushed, Naomi makes a...

"A thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give life, a rich and satisfying life." These words from Jesus reveal the heart of Easter and the hope we celebrate today.

We live in what many experts call the "anxious generation." From government concerns to cultural divisions, financial struggles to family drama, our challenges mirror those Jesus' audience faced two thousand years ago. Yet the resurrection brings extraordinary hope in the midst of our anxiety. Because our Shepherd King lives, we have genuine reasons for optimism regardless of our circumstances.

The...

What does it truly mean to be blessed? In this powerful exploration of Psalm 23:6, we uncover a transformative truth: real blessing isn't measured by what we possess, but by who possesses us.

The Hebrew word for "pursue" in this verse paints a striking picture – it's not a casual following but an aggressive chase, the kind used to describe armies overtaking enemies. God's goodness and unfailing love don't passively trail behind us; they actively, relentlessly pursue us through every season and circumstance of life.

Drawing from the shepherd metaphor, we discover how God uses "sheepdogs" of go...

What does it really mean to dine at God's table while your enemies watch? There's something powerfully defiant about Psalm 23:5 that challenges our entire perspective on hardship.

The Hebrew phrase "naged, so rei, rei" translates to "right in front of any hostile force." This isn't God timidly serving you leftovers after your battles end – this is God boldly setting a feast while your opponents are still in the room. He doesn't need permission from your circumstances to bless you.

Audacious confidence isn't just positive thinking. It's a trust so profound it makes no sense to an...

What do sheep and humans have in common? More than you might think. When faced with fear, sheep instantly panic, scattering in all directions, often injuring themselves and others in the process. Sound familiar?

In this powerful exploration of Psalm 23:4, we discover the profound comfort found in the shepherd's rod and staff. These weren't merely decorative implements but essential tools that shepherds used daily to guide, protect, and rescue their vulnerable flocks. For us today, they represent God's constant presence and care in our lives.

Everyone carries private battles unknown to others. That promotion-winning colleague...

Wrestling with the toughest questions of faith takes courage. Why does a loving, all-powerful God allow suffering? More puzzling still—why do faithful believers suffer?

The answer lies hidden in plain sight within Psalm 23. When David writes "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me," he reveals profound truths about suffering that transform our understanding of pain's purpose.

First, suffering is inevitable. Notice David doesn't say "if" but "when" we walk through valleys. Jesus himself warned followers they would face opposition and commanded them to...

Have you ever felt completely lost, driving in circles and passing the same landmarks over and over? In this illuminating message on Psalm 23:3, Pastor explores what it means to trust God's guidance through life's changing seasons.

Drawing from a hilarious personal story about getting hopelessly lost in Louisiana despite having detailed directions, we discover a profound truth: God is our ultimate guide who knows the way even when we don't. Just as sheep need a shepherd to move them from pasture to pasture for their wellbeing, God moves us through various seasons of life for our growth...

Ever found yourself spiritually gasping for breath? You're not alone. 

In this powerful message on Psalm 23:3, "He renews my strength," we discover God's promise to bring restoration to every weary place in our lives. Drawing a compelling parallel between sheep that become "cast" (stuck upside down and unable to right themselves) and our own spiritual exhaustion, Pastor reveals how even in green meadows beside peaceful streams, we can still find ourselves spiritually dying on the inside.

We explore the three primary reasons sheep become cast—trying too hard to be comfortable, becoming weighed down with acc...

The quest for inner peace often feels like searching for water in a desert - we know we need it desperately, but finding the genuine source seems increasingly difficult in our chaotic world. In this profound exploration of Psalm 23's promise that God "leads me beside peaceful streams," Brandon Gillum reveals the critical distinction between contentment and true peace.

Drawing from Philip Keller's insights as a modern shepherd, Brandon illuminates how sheep find water in three specific ways - and how these parallel our own spiritual journey toward tranquility. Just as water is essential to physical life...

Have you ever noticed how we can be surrounded by blessings yet still feel restless and unsatisfied? This tension sits at the heart of our exploration of Psalm 23:2, where David reveals a profound truth: "He lets me rest in green meadows."

The imagery here is more striking than we might initially realize. In the arid Middle Eastern landscape where David lived, green meadows weren't commonplace—they represented carefully cultivated oases that required tremendous effort from the shepherd to create and maintain. That's precisely what God does for us—He creates spaces of refreshment in the desert seasons of o...

Ever felt like discussions about end times are filled with charts, timelines, and scary scenarios that don't actually impact your daily life? Dr. Andy Goins flips the script on traditional eschatology by revealing how the biblical teaching about last things should transform everything from your marriage to your money.

Drawing from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24, Dr. Goins unpacks three simple yet profound directives for believers living in these last days: be alert, be ready, and be faithful. Rather than getting caught up in predicting when Christ will return, we're called to a lifestyle of spiritual vigilance that...

Have you ever driven down a familiar road and suddenly noticed a sign that's been there all along? That moment of realization—"How did I miss this?"—perfectly captures what happens when we rediscover the profound truths of Psalm 23.

In this opening message of our "Good Shepherd" series, we explore how this beloved passage isn't just for funerals but speaks powerfully to every season of life. The simple declaration "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need" establishes a relationship that transforms how we navigate our world.

Though we might resist the comp...

Pastor Brandon Cannon

Pastor Brandon Cannon