Vertical+ Podcast
There's more to being a church than just Sunday mornings. In this podcast, the Vertical Team will talk out how we live out being a community that is generous, unpredictable, inclusive, & real.
Jonah Week 1: You Canât Outrun God | Trea Futral

Title: You Canât Outrun God
Text: Jonah 1:1â3
Big Idea: Jonahâs story isnât just about a fishâitâs about a faithful God chasing a rebellious heart.
I. The Book No One Expected â A Prophet Who Refuses to Prophesy
Jonah is the only prophetic book centered on the prophet's disobedience, not his message.
He receives a clear word from God⌠and immediately runs in the opposite direction.
Jonah is raw, emotional, and deeply human. Heâs not the heroâweâre not meant to âbe like Jonah.â
Tension: What do you...
My Story Matters: Noelle Stanley

Guest: Noelle Stanley
Feature: My Story Matters from Vertical Church
Originally Shared: During worship on June 22, 2025
Key Topics:
Growing up in a Southern Baptist family in Gluckstadt, MS
Sudden loss of her mother in 2018
Becoming a parental figure to her younger siblings at 23
The struggle with control, pride, and surrender
Finding refuge in friends, faith, and the local church
Discovering Vertical Church and joining The Table womenâs ministry
Learning to let others in and accept help
Living out ob...
Practicing The Way Week 8: Calling | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â Living Out Your Calling
Main Texts: Ephesians 2:8â10; Matthew 3:16â17; Acts 9; Romans 1:1; Colossians 3:23â24
Big Idea: You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Your identity is rooted in Christ, your calling flows from that identity, and your assignments are how you live it out.
Key Points:
Identity: Who You Are
Your identity is not based on your performance, peopleâs opinions, or what you have.
It is anchored in the grace of GodââBy grace you have been saved⌠not by works.â (Eph 2:8â10)
You are Godâs poiÄmaâHis wor...
Practicing The Way Week 7: Generosity | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â The Practice of Simplicity & Generosity
Main Texts: 1 Timothy 6:6â10; Luke 12:15; Mark 4:18â19; Matthew 19:23â24; Luke 11:39, 41
Big Idea: Greed is one of the most deceitful sinsâit quietly damages our hearts and distorts our desires. The antidote is the practice of simplicity and generosity.
Key Points:
The Deceitfulness of Greed
Greed is rarely confessed. Itâs easy to justify, often hidden beneath surface sins.
Paul warns: âThe love of money is a root of all kinds of evilâ (1 Timothy 6:10).
Greed traps us in the endless cycle of âmore, more, moreâ...
Practicing The Way Week 6: Rest | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â The Practice of Sabbath & Rest
Main Texts: Genesis 1:1, 31; Genesis 2:1â3; Mark 2:23â28
Big Idea: True rest isnât just about taking time offâitâs about transforming both how we work and how we rest by aligning with Godâs rhythm for life.
Key Points:
Godâs Rhythm of Creation
Genesis 1:1 â God worked.
Genesis 2:1â3 â And then God restedânot because He was tired, but because He was satisfied.
Rest is holy. The very first thing God called âholyâ was time, not a place or person.
If God rests, who are w...
Practicing The Way Week 5: Prayer | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â The Practice of Prayer
Main Text: Luke 11:1â4
Big Idea: Prayer is the doorway to life with Godânot just something we do, but a relationship we enter.
Key Points:
Prayer Misunderstood
For many, prayer feels distant, boring, ineffective, or frustrating.
It often becomes a last resortâlike grabbing the steering wheel once weâre already in the ditch.
But Jesus shows us that prayer is the very entry point to life with God. Itâs not optional; itâs vital.
Jesus' Example
...
Practicing The Way Week 3: Community | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â The Practice of Community
Main Texts: Matthew 18:21â35; Acts 2:42â47
Big Idea: In a culture fractured by tribalism and individualism, God calls us to unity, sacrifice, and forgiveness in a community centered on His Word.
Key Points:
We Were Not Created for Aloneness
Solitude is healthy; isolation is not.
From womb to adulthood, we were designed for connection, but our culture pushes hyper-independence and pride in self-reliance.
True Christian formation happens with others.
Why We Avoid Community
Many avoid community becaus...
Practicing The Way Week 2 | Romans 12:2 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way â The Practice of Scripture
Main Texts: Romans 12:2; Matthew 7:24â29
Big Idea: The practice of Scripture is our starting place. Itâs how we build a foundation strong enough to withstand lifeâs storms.
Key Points:
Three Forces That Shape Us
The stories we believe
The habits we build
The relationships we keep
But the stories we believe shape us mostâand the enemy uses lies to distort them.
The Castle of the Mind (Illustration)
A warrior named Julian gua...
Practicing The Way Week 1 | Luke 5:1-11 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Practicing the Way
Main Text: Luke 5:1-11
Key Points:
The Discipleship Crisis
Many profess faith but do not practice the way of Jesus.
Salvation is not just being saved from somethingâit's being saved to something: life with Jesus.
The Call to Follow
In Jesusâ day, being a rabbiâs disciple was the highest honorâbut Jesus didnât choose the elite.
He called the backupsâthe ordinary, the overlookedâand said, "Youâre exactly who I want."
Jesus initiates the call, not the ot...
Jesus Is the Resurrection and Life | John 11 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life
Main Text: John 11:1-44
Key Points:
The Setup: Lazarus' Sickness and Death
Jesus delays responding to Lazarusâ sickness not out of neglect but to reveal Godâs glory (John 11:4, 15).
Sometimes God's greatest miracles are hidden inside our waiting.
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
Martha approaches Jesus intellectually (âI know he will rise at the last dayâ)âJesus gives her truth.
Mary approaches Jesus emotionallyâJesus responds with compassion (John 11:35, âJesus weptâ).
Jesus isnât intimidated by y...
Jesus Is the True Vine | John 15:1-11 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Jesus Is the True Vine
Main Text: John 15:1-11
Key Points:
The Vine, the Vinedresser, and the Branches
Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches.
True believers bear fruit. Fruit doesnât lead to salvationâit proves salvation.
There are two types of branches: those that bear fruit and are pruned, and those that bear no fruit and are cut off.
Dead Branches: Divine Judgment
Branches that donât remain in Christ are thrown away, wither...
Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life | John 14:1-7 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Main Text: John 14:1-7, 16-19, 25-27; Romans 8:15-16
Key Points:
Jesus Brings Comfort in the Face of Fear
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus comforts His disciples rather than seeking comfort Himself.
âDo not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.â (John 14:1)
The remedy for a troubled heart? Faith.
The Deep Longing for Home
Jesus says Heâs preparing a place in His Fatherâs house.
Our soul...
Jesus is The Good Shepherd | John 10:11-16 | Nathan Hughes

Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
Main Text: John 10:11-16, 19-21
Key Points:
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
He lays down His life for the sheep, unlike a hired hand who abandons them (John 10:11-12).
He knows His sheep personally, and they know His voice (John 10:14).
His role was foretold in Ezekiel 34âGod Himself promised to shepherd His people.
Recognizing the Shepherdâs Voice
To hear and follow Jesus, we must spend time in Godâs Word.
Distractions keep us from hearing God clearl...
Jesus is The Gate of The Sheep | John 10:1-10 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Jesus Is the Gate of the Sheep
Main Text: John 10:1-10
Key Points:
Jesus as the Gate
Jesus declares, âI am the gate for the sheep.â (John 10:7-9)
Through Him, we find salvation, security, and provisionârest for our souls.
He is the only way to God, emphasizing the exclusivity of the gospel.
The Sheep Pen & Its Meaning
A place of safety and rest at night before going back out in the morning.
Only those who enter through Jesus experience true rest a...
Jesus is The Light of the World | John 8:12 | Nathan Hughes

Title: Jesus Is The Light of the World
Main Text: John 8:12
Key Points:
Jesus Declares Himself as the Light of the World
During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus claims, âI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.â (John 8:12)
This claim references God's presence as light, guiding His people.
The Symbolism of Light vs. Darkness
Light represents truth, Godâs presence, and guidance.
Darkness symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God.
T...
Jesus is The Bread of Life | John 6:1-69 | Nick Hughes

Title: Jesus Is The Bread of Life
Main Text: John 6:1-69
Key Points:
Desperate People Are After Jesus
Crowds followed Jesus not for who He was, but for what He could do (John 6:1-2).The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish
Jesus fed 5,000 people with a small meal, revealing His divine provision (John 6:14).Why Do We Follow Jesus?
The crowdâs pursuit was transactional, not relational (John 6:25-26).Jesus calls for a deeper faithâone that seeks Him, not just His miracles.Desperation & Divine Appointment
Jesus declares, âI am t...Reap and Sow | 1 Corinthians⏠â9âŹ:â24âŹ-â27 | Nathan Hughes

Sermon Outline:
Title: Transformation â Training for Lasting Change
Big Idea: Transformation requires shifting from trying to training. The focus should be on what we are sowing, not just the desired outcome.
Key Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Running the race with purpose and discipline)
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (Training in godliness)
Galatians 6:7-9 (Reaping what we sow)
Hosea 10:12-13 (Sowing righteousness for a future harvest)
John 12:24-25 (Dying to self to bear fruit)
Outline:
Introduction:
The importance of training vs. trying.
...Breaking Free | Proverbs 4:14-15 | Nathan Hughes

Sermon Outline:
Title: Transformation â Breaking Free from Sinâs Snare
Big Idea: Even after salvation, sin remains a snare. Recognizing and avoiding sin's traps is crucial to becoming who God intends us to be.
Key Scriptures:
Judges 13:24-25 (Samsonâs early blessings)
Judges 15:20 (Samsonâs leadership)
Judges 16:1 (Samsonâs downfall)
James 1:21 (Accepting God's word to break free from sin)
Hebrews 12:1 (Casting off sin to run the race of faith)
Proverbs 4:14-15 (Avoiding paths leading to sin)
Proverbs 13:20 (Influence of companions...
My Story Matters | Brad & Emily Grohovsky

Summary of Brad & Emilyâs Story
Brad and Emily shared their journey of marriage, struggles, faith, and transformation. Brad grew up with a semi-Catholic background, while Emily was raised in a Baptist church. They met in Nashville, married within a year, and moved to Maryland, where they faced significant challenges.
Early in their marriage, Brad struggled with alcoholism, which caused tension. Emily began noticing patterns of unhealthy drinking, leading to conflict and eventual intervention. A turning point came when Bradâs parents became involved, and they sought counseling and community support. Brad entered recovery and has...
Who We Are | Ephesians 4:21-24 | Nathan Hughes

Transformation Week 3
Description:
In Week 3 of our TRANSFORMATION series, we tackle a foundational truth: Our behavior flows from our identity. What we believe about ourselves determines how we live. Are we living out of a distorted identity shaped by lies, or are we rooted in Christ? Through scriptures like John 8:44-45 and Ephesians 4:21-24, we uncover how to break destructive cycles and embrace the new self God has called us to be.
Detailed Overview:
Series: TRANSFORMATION
Week: 3
Big Idea: Our identity in Christ shapes our behavior. To experience transformation...
Why We Do What We Do | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Nathan Hughes

Series: TRANSFORMATION
Week: 2
Big Idea: To experience true transformation, we must identify and address the root causes of our behaviors.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 3:18: Highlights the continuous process of being transformed into Christ's image as we reflect His glory.
John 8:34-36: Emphasizes freedom from the slavery of sin through the Son.
Mark 1:35 & Luke 5:15-16: Demonstrate Jesusâ practice of solitude for connection with the Father.
James 5:16: The power of confession for healing within community.
Psalm 139:23-24: A heartfelt prayer for God to search and reveal areas needing ch...
Desperate for Change | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Nathan Hughes

Podcast Episode Notes: Desperate for Change | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Nathan Hughes
Transformation Series â Week 1
Big Idea:
God doesnât call us to behavior modification; He calls us to spiritual transformation. True change happens not through our efforts alone but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lordâs glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."Romans 7:15, 19, 24-25 (NLT): Paulâs struggle with doing what is right but fail...Connecting with Others | Luke 17:1-6 | Nathan Hughes

Introduction: Our Need for Connection
Humans are wired for connectionâitâs how we thrive.Illustration: Harlow monkey study â Demonstrates that emotional comfort is more crucial than physical needs.We naturally transition through stages of dependence:Completely dependent â Somewhat dependent â Highly independent â Interdependent â DependentConnecting with others is often the hardest, especially as we get older.Key Point: Conflict is not a sign of dysfunction; itâs an opportunity for growth in compassion, empathy, and understanding.
Understanding Conflict Through Scripture
Luke 17:1-5 (NIV):
Jesus said to his disciples: âThings that cause people to stumble are bound...The Hardest Person to Forgive | Exodus 4:10-12 | Nathan Hughes

Episode Notes: The Hardest Person to Forgive
Overview
In Week 2 of the "Purpose" series, we dive into the challenge of self-forgiveness and the transformative power of embracing your story. Every individual is uniquely crafted by God, and your experiencesâno matter how difficultâcan reveal His glory. This episode invites listeners to do the deep work of connecting with their personal journey, understanding their God-given purpose, and extending forgiveness, starting with themselves.
Key Scripture References
Psalm 139:13-14 â "You are fearfully and wonderfully made."Exodus 4:10-12 â God equips us despite our perceived weaknesses.Proverbs...Why Am I Here? | Acts 17 | Nathan Hughes

Episode Overview
This week, we kick off our series, PURPOSE, by diving into one of lifeâs biggest questions: Why am I here? In this sermon, we explore how we were created to connect with a very real and personal God, and how that connection begins by repenting and believing in Jesus Christ. Drawing from Acts 17, we examine the spiritual hunger of humanity and the incomparable fulfillment found in Jesus.
Key Scripture References
Acts 17:22-23 â Paul addresses the Athenians' religious practices and introduces the "Unknown God."Acts 17:24-28 â God is revealed as Creator and sustai...Teaching - December 15th, 2024

The Advent Of, Joy, Week 3. In this Week 3 message of Christmas at Vertical, we explore how the good news of the gospel interrupts our lives with great joy and transforms us into bearers of that joy to the world. Using Luke 2:8-20, we uncover powerful lessons from the shepherds â their faithfulness, humility, and willingness to be interrupted by Godâs divine plan. Discover how joy isnât just a momentary interruption but a consistent theme we can live out every day. Be encouraged to embrace the joy of the gospel and share it with those around you this Christmas season.
Teaching - December 8th, 2024

The Advent Of, Week 2. Christmas is a time of celebration. We celebrate the coming of the savior into the world. This arrival brings about the reality of peace, hope, joy, and love like we have never seen before. The reason we need those things is because Christmas is not just a time of celebration but it is also a reminder of the pain we experience right now. We look back to the arrival of our God into the lives of humanity and we look forward to the advent of our God as we navigate the pain, brokenness, and sin of...
Make It Home Vision

Make It Home Campaign Vision. As we close 2024 and look to 2025 and beyond, we are trusting God with a vision we are calling âMake It Home.â This $600,000 initiative involves finishing the year strong by making budget for 2024, building our financial reserves, and laying a foundation for a second building.
Teaching - December 1st, 2024

The Advent Of, Week 1. Christmas is a time of celebration. We celebrate the coming of the savior into the world. This arrival brings about the reality of peace, hope, joy, and love like we have never seen before. The reason we need those things is because Christmas is not just a time of celebration but it is also a reminder of the pain we experience right now. We look back to the arrival of our God into the lives of humanity and we look forward to the advent of our God as we navigate the pain, brokenness, and sin of...
Teaching - November 24th, 2024

The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 6. When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And donât we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. Itâs who He is.
Teaching - November 17th, 2024

The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 5. When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And donât we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. Itâs who He is.
Teaching - November 3rd, 2024

The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 3. When we look at the OT we see that Hospitality has always been foundational when it comes to the character of God and the command he gives to his people. Israel is likened to a guest over and over again with God being the ultimate host. And donât we see this in the creation account as well? God being the ultimate host that he is, literally creates a world for his most prized creation, humanity, to inhabit and enjoy. Itâs who He is.
Teaching - October 27th, 2024

The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 2.
Teaching - October 20th, 2024

The Lost Art of Hospitality, Week 1.
Teaching - October 13th, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 6.
Teaching - October 6th, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 5.
Teaching - September 29nd, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 4.
Teaching - September 22nd, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 3.
Teaching - September 15th, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 2.
Teaching - September 8th, 2024

Identity: A Series in Ephesians, Week 1.