Eastgate Church
Eastgate Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and Wilson, North Carolina. https://www.eastgate.church We invite you to come as you are and be forever changed by the love of Jesus.
Sermons by Eastgate Church
From an underground house church to community group
The Caberoys came to faith in Christ in an underground house church in the Middle East. When they moved to the US, they found a familiar environment in a church small group
I'm not afraid of death. I'm not afraid of life anymore either.
When Opal Scott was 18, she was on her own. After experiencing a lot of trauma, God used a cross country trip to change her life.
Samantha Sharpe Testimony
As part of our Life on Life Discipleship process, Samantha Sharpe learned how to share her testimony. She shared it with us on a recent Sunday morning.
Why Lord?
What do we do when we have questions for God? Hard questions? We cry out to him, pour our heart out to him, and we wait in faith. Habakkuk 1:12 - 2:5 (ESV) 1:12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. 13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? 14 You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler. 15 He[a] brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet; for by them he lives in luxury,[b] and his food is rich. 17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever? 2:1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.[c] 5 “Moreover, wine[d] is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest.[e] His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.”
Would You Do It Again, Lord?
Hope & Worship from Habakkuk Feeling lost and questioning God? You're not alone. Habakkuk, a prophet in the Bible, went through the same struggle. This sermon dives into his journey of lament and doubt, ultimately finding hope and strength in worship and: 1. How to turn your frustrations into praise, even when things are tough. 2. Why remembering God's past faithfulness can fuel your hope for the future. 3. The powerful truth that God's character is trustworthy, even when his plans are unclear. Plus: A powerful personal story of overcoming grief through faith. Practical tips on applying these lessons to your own life. Join us on this journey of faith and discover how, like Habakkuk, you can find hope and strength even in the darkest times. #faith #hope #doubt #Habakkuk #Bible
Where are you, Lord?
We are exploring the book of Habakkuk, focusing on Habakkuk's questions about God's actions in a seemingly unfair and unjust world. The key text is Habakkuk 2:4, "The righteous shall live by faith." Watch the whole series on Habakkuk at https://www.eastgate.church/series/god-questions-an-exposition-of-habbakuk/ Key Points: Habakkuk questions God's silence and judgment. He struggles to understand why God allows evil to flourish and why his promised judgment seems delayed. God answers Habakkuk through five "woes" pronounced on Babylon. These pronouncements serve as a reminder of God's ultimate justice and the consequences of sin. The knowledge of God's glory will fill the earth. Although judgment falls on Babylon, God's plan is ultimately to redeem and restore. Jesus Christ drank the cup of God's judgment for us. Through his sacrifice, we are freed from the consequences of sin and can experience true hope and lasting comfort. God's judgment is already in motion. Apart from Jesus, we face death and separation from God. The story of Babylon reflects the human tendency to build our own kingdoms apart from God. This always leads to judgment and destruction.
I'm Trusting You Anyway, Lord!
The Habakkuk Paradox: Finding Faith Amidst Difficulty Join us as we unpack the powerful message of Habakkuk. This sermon tackles tough questions about prayer, trust, and finding joy in God, regardless of your circumstances. Habakkuk 3:16-19 (ESV) 16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
How the Cross Restores our Relationship with God
In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Combs explains how Jesus' death on the cross restores our relationship with God: 1) Jesus took our separation from God and offered us sonship instead. Through faith in Christ, we become children of God. 2) Jesus took our death and gave us eternal life in its place. By dying for our sins, he conquered death so we can have life. 3) Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. When we trust in his sacrifice, we are made righteous before God. Watch to be reminded of the power of the cross to restore you to right relationship with God.
Thanksgiving Praise Service - 2023 Recap Video
Here is the video we shared at our annual Thanksgiving Praise Service in 2023.
The Cross is the Key
The foolishness of the cross or God's secret wisdom? Why Jesus' crucifixion is a stumbling block to some but the power of God to believers. Discover how the message of Christ's sacrifice on the cross reveals humanity's sinfulness and God's powerful love. This sermon explores the paradox of the cross as both foolishness and wisdom according to Scripture. Gain new insight into this central message of Christianity. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 (ESV) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Christ the Wisdom and Power of God 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach[a] to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Now, What Do I Do With the Cross?
In this message, Pastor Jonathan Minter concludes our series "Meditations on the Cross" by asking what we need to do with the cross. Following Jesus involves getting on His path instead of our own. It means denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily, sacrificing ourselves in love for others as Jesus did. He gives examples from Scripture of Jesus and others modeling self-sacrificial love. We can follow Jesus' example by denying ourselves, taking up our crosses daily, and getting on His path. Be challenged to live a life of sacrificial love and learn how following Jesus leads to the best life God has for you. Discover how to trade your path for His.
I never thought it could happen to me…
Lisa Francois went through a lot of hardships early on in her life and she turned to drugs to try and cope with the heartbreak she experienced. After finally accepting that she was worthy of Christ’s forgiveness, she experienced the transformation that comes from God’s love.
You’re never too far gone…
Ryan Mathison received Christ in his early 20’s, but finally was delivered from wounds he had been carrying when he realized that there was nothing God didn’t want to heal.
Which Side of the Cross are You On?
Join us as we explore the question "Which side of the cross are you on?" through the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Listen as we walk through the accounts of the two criminals crucified alongside Christ - one who rejected Him and one who acknowledged his own guilt and need for salvation. Discover how though innocent, Jesus' sacrifice made reconciliation with God possible. Be encouraged to evaluate your heart and consider on which side of the cross you stand.
Will we know one another in Heaven?
In this sermon, Pastor Gary discusses the question, "Will we know one another in Heaven?" By examining Revelation 7 and other Scriptures, he makes the case that believers will retain their identities and recognize fellow saints in Heaven. Though perfectly united, we will still be distinct individuals praising God together. Listen to be encouraged that Heaven means reunion with loved ones who know the Lord. Your relationships on earth are not lost forever but find their fulfillment in eternity. Be comforted knowing you will fellowship with brothers and sisters from every tongue and tribe in the presence of Christ. Let this glimpse of Heaven move you to live for what lasts forever.
What's Heaven Really Like?
Pastor Gary continues our "Heaven" series asking, "What is heaven really like?" Do you ever give any thought to what heaven is like? People who have faced death, either personally or among their friends and family, tend to think more about what heaven might be like. What’s heaven like for the believer when they die? How can we face death and eternity with confident knowledge and expectation of heaven? In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he encouraged believers that they could confidently face death knowing what their heavenly home with the Lord would be like.
Why the Empty Cross?
This Easter sermon reminds us that the empty cross is a powerful symbol of both Christ's death that paid for our sins and his resurrection, demonstrated through the empty tomb. Because Jesus lives, we can have new life in Him. But are our lives truly rich and satisfying as He promised? Our culture pursues "the good life" through money, career, and happiness. Yet despite achieving these things, many still feel empty inside. True fulfillment is only found in Christ. By being united with Him, His death to sin allows us to see ourselves as dead to sin too. Join us as we reflect on what it means to live a new life in Christ.
What Will Our Eternal Home Be Like?
In this sermon, Pastor Gary Combs continues a series on heaven by focusing on what the eternal home will be like for believers. He reviews scriptures from Revelation that reveal God's amazing plan to create new heavens, a new earth, and new resurrection bodies for those who believe. Gain insight into the incredible details of this future existence free from sin, death, pain and crying. Learn how our current life on earth is only temporary, but God has prepared an eternal city where we will dwell with Him in perfection. Be encouraged that this broken world is not the end. There is an incredible eternal existence being prepared for you if you trust in Christ. Let this glimpse of your future inheritance inspire you to live for what lasts.
Why Focus on Heaven?
Join us as we begin a new six-week sermon series on the biblical truth about heaven. Many people's understanding of heaven comes from pop culture rather than God's Word. Over the next several weeks, we'll answer common questions like what heaven is like, if we'll know each other there, what we'll do in heaven, and who gets to go to heaven. Pastor Gary shares four key reasons why Christians should set their minds on heaven - because we're called to seek it, because Christ is there, because we're called to focus on heavenly things, and because that's where our future resurrected life will be. We'll explore the beauty and wonders of heaven straight from Scripture. This series will help you understand more about God's amazing plans for us in eternity. You'll gain a richer biblical perspective on heaven that will transform your view of the afterlife. Join us as we study and reflect on the hope we have in Christ! Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What Must We Do To Prepare For Eternity?
What must we do to prepare for what comes after death? How can we prepare for the ultimate journey? It’s a journey that most of us don’t want to think about, but it’s a journey that everyone must take. Trips take a lot of preparation, some more than others. But how much more must we prepare for the trip that everyone will face one day… the trip to our eternal home! In the gospel of John chapter 6, Jesus told His hearers what they must do to be prepared for eternity.
Should We Care About Heavenly Rewards?
A lot of Christians get nervous about this topic of heavenly rewards. They are confused about the importance of living a life of faithful obedience to God in this life. They mistakenly claim, “My good works mean nothing to God.” It’s true that we are saved by grace apart from works. We can’t earn salvation. We can’t work and earn eternal life and heaven. We can only receive the free gift of salvation by faith. That’s true. But in the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he told them to take care to live faithfully for Christ for it would determine their heavenly reward. We can take care to live faithfully for Christ knowing that it determines our heavenly reward.
God Is Mighty
Do you feel out of control today? Are you immobilized by some fear, perhaps of some confrontation or some difficult step? Do you wish you were strong enough to face it? What if you had the might to control time and matter? That’s the joy of today’s message. We can know God who is mighty in the ultimate kind of way. In the book of Zephaniah, the prophet told the people of God that they could know God is mighty by recognizing His powerful deeds. We too can know that God is mighty by recognizing His powerful deeds.
God Is...Love
In this sermon, Mike Laramee launches our new 8-week series called "God Is..." that explores God's divine characteristics, beginning with God's love. Knowing God more deeply can transform your life. Discover how God reveals His love to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Be encouraged to grow in your understanding of who God is through His word. Come along on this journey of Knowing God more intimately and see how it changes you.
God Is Merciful
The saying goes: only the strong survive. From marketing campaigns and sports teams to climbing the corporate ladder, strength is one of the highest values in our culture - we spoke about that last week as we explored the mightiness of God. Mercy, on the other hand, often doesn’t make the cut when we talk about things we value. In a society placing more and more emphasis on power, mercy has almost become a foreign concept. So, what is mercy all about and should it even matter to us? In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he told the believers that they could know God's rich mercy. We can know this rich mercy of God.
I am willing to surrender all I have to Your will
After spending his whole life in the rock and roll lifestyle, Jonathan Wilson hit rock bottom when a relationship ended and he spent months couch-surfing. Months later, on a basement couch, he finally surrendered his life to Christ and his will.
2024 Uganda Mission Report
The Uganda Mission Report that was given on Sunday, August 11th at 6:30pm.
God Is...Faithful
In a world full of broken relationships and broken promises, don’t you wish you knew someone who was faithful? Someone dependable and reliable? Someone constant and trustworthy? And that’s what our God is. He is faithful! In Lamentations 3, the prophet Jeremiah declared his hope in God’s faithfulness in the midst of his suffering and sorrow. We can put our hope in God’s faithfulness.
God Is Unchanging
Learn how you can rely on God's unchanging nature even when everything around you seems to be in flux. Pastor Gary gives us four key reasons you can depend on God no matter what changes you face in life - God's unchanging perfections, promises, purposes, and Jesus Christ as our eternal High Priest. Let this message strengthen your trust in God's steadfast, unchanging character and equip you to stand firm when circumstances shift.
God Is...Father
By exploring God's attributes and His Word, we can come to see Him not just as a distant deity but as a Dad who cares for us. When we are led by God's Spirit, we become His adopted children with full rights and privileges. We can call on Him as "Abba Father" in any circumstance, trusting that He is responsible for us. Though suffering will come, we are co-heirs with Christ destined for eternal glory. Listen to be encouraged in your relationship with your heavenly Father. Discover how walking in His Spirit and grasping your identity in Christ can transform your life.
God Is Holy
Why is it important for us to consider God’s holiness? Indeed, the word “holy” might be taken negatively by some. If someone calls you a “Holy Joe,” or refers to you as “holier than thou,” you might take it to mean that they think you are judgmental, that you think you’re better than them or that you’re really a hypocrite. So, we have a little trouble with the word “holy.” Yet, God says to His people, “Be holy, for I am holy” But before we try to understand what it might mean for us to be holy, we first need to get a grasp on what it means that “God Is… Holy.” In Psalm 99, the Psalmist called worshipers to praise God for His holiness. We can praise God for His holiness.
God is Good
“Is God really good?” You ask. Sometimes you may have doubted God’s goodness. For if any of us has had a trauma, a bad diagnosis, lost a job, or suffered a failed relationship… then we’ve asked the age-old question: “If God is good, then why are these bad things happening to me?” Most of us affirm God’s goodness until something bad happens to us. Perhaps it is our understanding of God and our understanding of what is truly good that is lacking. For who are we to approve of what is good or not? In Psalm 107, the Psalmist encouraged his hearers to give thanks to the LORD for His goodness. We can give thanks to the LORD for His great goodness towards us.
The Tightrope: Singleness
Sometimes attempts at matchmaking makes singles uncomfortable. Our couples groups and family gatherings make them feel left out. Our questions that imply they are less than whole as a single, make them feel inadequate or like an odd man out. But the truth is there is nothing “odd” about being single. Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus lived as singles. We all begin life single and many of us will experience singleness again later in life, and ultimately we will face God as singles. What can help singles with the challenges they face? I believe that God’s Word offers the help that we need for living a fulfilled life and a life lived under God’s blessing. The truth is in Christ, we are never alone! In his 1st letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul instructed singles to look for true fulfillment in Christ Jesus alone. Whether married or single, we can recognize that we are to find our true fulfillment in Christ alone.
A Shared Faith
While communities based around politics, sports, BBQ and regional accents may help us find people to associate with as friends, they fall far short of the real community that God has in mind for us. How do we move from these “pseudo-communities” to real community? In the book of Acts, Luke described the “true community” of the first century church. He noted that they were marked by four “devotions.” These devotions were: a shared faith, a shared family, a shared food, and a shared focus. We can experience this authentic community when we pursue these four devotions. In this first message in the series, we’re going to focus on the first devotion, “A Shared Faith.”
5.19.2024 Baptism - Eastgate Church
The baptism that took place on May 19, 2024 at the Eastgate Church - Wilson Campus.
Who Dealt This Mess?
Have you ever asked, “Who dealt this mess?” Isn’t that the way we all feel sometimes about our families? We did. That’s the answer. That’s why we worry so much about it. Because we know that much of the mess, if we’re truly honest, is our own fault. Yet no matter how hard we try to have the perfect family, we’re still ending up with crazy chaotic and well, messy. And this often leaves us feeling exhausted and feeling like failures. But what if we’re aiming at the wrong thing? What if we stop aiming at having the perfect family and instead aim at having a family that lives and even thrives under God’s blessing?
The Lion Cage: Parenting
The truth is, parents today are worried. They’re worried about their child’s health: obesity, drug abuse, bullying, internet safety, teen pregnancy, gender dysphoria, depression, teen suicide… They’re worried about their education: public, private or home school? College? So, a lot of parenting today is worry-driven, or fear driven. Parents today feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Either because they came from a dysfunctional family themselves or because they have no foundational biblical understanding, they feel lost in their role. So, many are just winging it. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he told them how to parent their children in the Lord. We can follow God’s Word for parenting our children in the Lord.
The Safety Net: Grandparents
Grandparenting and parenting are two different roles that require different approaches. It can be confusing because grandparents are still their grown children’s parents, but they are not their grandchildren’s parents. Moving from a direct role to a support role, from the decision maker to the influencer, from being in charge, to being an encouragement, is a challenging shift. Does the Bible have anything to say about grandparents? In Psalm 71, David expressed his desire that in his old age God would help him pass on a godly legacy to his grandchildren. We can depend on the Lord to help us to pass on a godly legacy to our grandchildren. How can we depend on the Lord to help us pass on a godly legacy to our grandchildren.
The Flying Trapeze: Marriage
Every marriage is like a high flying dangerous acrobatic endeavor that requires two people to focus on hanging on tight to one another. How is your marriage doing? Are you hanging on tight to one another? Think about your marriage for a minute. Are you experiencing the blessing of God on your marriage today? Wouldn’t you like to? As we learned last week, experiencing the blessing of God on our family means bowing to His authority and plan and depending on His power and love. Have you decided to follow God’s plan, His design for the family? In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he gave instructions on how to follow God’s design for being the family of God. Among these, are his instructions on how to follow God’s design for marriage.
A Shared Food
There’s something about shared food, a shared meal that leads to real community. The same was true of the first century church. In the book of Acts, Luke described the “real community” of the first century church. He said they were marked by four “devotions.” They were a shared faith, a shared family, a shared food, and a shared focus. We can experience this real community when we pursue these four devotions. Today, we’re going to focus on the third devotion, “A Shared Food.” Today's text gives three reasons why the breaking of bread is essential for living in Christ’s community.
A Shared Focus
When you visit another country or even another part of our country, you’ll notice several unique features to their community, to their culture. What they believe, whether they are relational, friendly or not, what kind of food they eat and of course what language or dialect they speak. A shared language is one of the key marks of any community. The same was true of the first century church. They had their own way of greeting one another. They had a shared language–– it was the language of prayer. It was a shared focus, one that focused on spending time together talking to God in prayer. We can experience this authentic community when we pursue the four devotions of the apostle's teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. Today, we’re going to focus on the 4th devotion, “A Shared Focus.”
A Shared Family
People today are starving for true and lasting relationships. Yet, Americans are struggling with loneliness more than ever. To attempt to cure our loneliness, we’ve turned to social media. But a 2023 study in the National Library of Medicine concluded this: “This study found that more time spent on social media was associated with higher levels of loneliness… in particular for people who used social media as a means for maintaining relationships.”— National Library of Medicine In the book of Acts, Luke described the “authentic community” of the first century church. He said they were marked by four “devotions.” We can experience this community when we pursue these four devotions. Today, we’re going to focus on the second devotion, “A Shared Family.”
A Greater Goal
From the time of our birth, parents and doctors begin to measure our physical growth. Educators measure our intellectual growth. Banks and credit agencies measure our financial growth. They all have goals for where we should be in order to be considered healthy or to graduate or to qualify for a loan. But what about spiritual growth? Does God have a goal for our spiritual growth? Many in the church today seem to be unaware of this greater goal. So the greater goal is not to just make converts, but to make Christ-followers, to make disciples of Jesus who grow up to maturity becoming like Him in every way. Because as Dallas Willard warned, “The way to get more people into heaven is to get heaven into more people. And if you don’t do that, then you wind up with a group of people that are testimonies against heaven.” What’s your goal in life? Is your life a testimony for heaven or against heaven? Are you growing spiritually? Since becoming a Christian, are you growing more like Jesus? In the epistle of Hebrews, the Jewish background believers were warned not to fall away from the goal of growing to maturity in Jesus. We can heed the warning not to fall away from the goal of growing to maturity in Jesus.
A Greater Hope
We live in a world that often feels unstable, where uncertainty looms large, and the promises that people make to us often come up empty. Unkept political promises, unfulfilled contracts, broken wedding vows… who can we trust? It’s hard not to lose hope. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to live with confident hope, a hope that is grounded in something far greater than the fleeting assurances of this world. Our hope is anchored in the promises of God, and this hope is not wishful thinking, but a firm and steadfast confidence that God will be faithful to fulfill His Word. In Hebrews 6:9-20, the author encouraged believers not to lose heart, but to cling to a greater hope in the promises of God. We can have this greater hope in the promises of God.
A Greater Priesthood
Why does this passage about a mysterious figure named, Melchizedek, and an ancient priesthood matter to us today? While we may not be struggling to reconcile temple worship with our faith in Christ, we face a similar challenge: Where do we turn to find true connection with God? In our world, people are looking everywhere for meaning, security, and spiritual fulfillment. Some turn to religious traditions, others to personal spirituality, and still others to worldly solutions like success, status, or wealth. Even as Christians, we may sometimes feel distant from God and question how we can approach Him and hear from Him. This is why we need to hear about the greatness of Christ’s priesthood. It reminds us that our relationship with God doesn’t depend on our efforts, rituals, or qualifications. We have direct access to God through Jesus, our perfect High Priest. His priesthood is superior to anything the world or religion can offer. In Him, we find security, peace, and reconciliation with God.
A Greater Guarantee
We live in world filled with guarantees, lifetime warrantees, insurances, promises and so on. Our culture knows full well that we the consumer are looking for things that last, things that have been guaranteed to succeed for us. We have lots of guarantees in this life, but lots of broken ones too. Many of us are painfully living through many unfulfilled guarantees and desperate for someone to follow through. Wouldn’t you be pleased to discover that in your area of greatest need, you have a guarantee that is totally certain? Our salvation, our spiritual access to the living God, our communion with Him is made certain, guaranteed by our savior Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 7:18-28, the author explained to the Jewish background believers that Jesus is a greater guarantee of salvation. We can understand that Jesus is a greater guarantee of salvation.
A Greater Offering
Many people struggle with feelings of guilt. They can’t believe that God would forgiven all their sins in Christ Jesus. They struggle with shame over past sins. Others have received forgiveness and the joy that goes with it, but they struggle with perfectionism, thinking that God will love them more if they perform some great work for Him, or follow some list of rules and rituals more perfectly. But perfectionism leads to exhaustion, not rest. It leads to thinking of your relationship to God as one of earning favor, rather than being favored as His very own child. The people of the old covenant needed a perfect sacrifice that could fully cleanse them, free them from the burden of sin, and restore them permanently to God. Like them, we need assurance that our sin is fully dealt with—that we don’t need to rely on our own strength or efforts to be right with God. We can trust that Christ’s perfect offering is sufficient. In Hebrews 10:1-18, the author told the Hebrew believers that the offering of Christ is greater than the offerings of the old covenant. We can understand that the offering of Christ is greater than the offerings of the old covenant.
A Greater Covenant
Everything in life seems to eventually become obsolete. Everything eventually gets old, runs down, stops working… everything loses its new car smell. Don’t wish some things would last? We all long for something better, something more permanent, something we can always depend on and trust. That’s what the New Covenant in Christ offers. It will never become obsolete. It is permanent, empowering, and perfect. It is greater than the old covenant in every way! In Hebrews 8, the author explained to Jewish background believers that the new covenant in Christ Jesus is greater than the old. We can understand that the new covenant in Christ Jesus is greater than the old.
A Greater Tabernacle
Do you feel like a VIP with God? Or do you struggle with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy? Maybe feelings of shame and guilt linger from your past and you’ve never been able to experience complete cleansing and forgiveness? Maybe you’re feeling a disconnect with God today? You’re going through a season of spiritual dryness? In fact, instead of feeling like a VIP, you feel that God is distant from you and not hearing your prayers? That’s what this message is about today. Because through the ministry of Jesus in God’s heavenly tabernacle we are offered VIP access to God! In Hebrews 9:1-14, the author told the Hebrew believers that the heavenly tabernacle where Jesus serves as High Priest is greater than the old. We can understand that the heavenly tabernacle where Jesus serves as High Priest is greater than the old.
A Greater Way
How have you responded to Christ’s claim to be not only the greatest way, but the only way to come to God? To come to the Father? Many in our world today struggle with this claim. They try to reach God, or their idea of God, through human means, through religion or rule-following or some other way. But they all fall short. Others believe that Christ has opened the way to God, but they don’t feel assured that they are worthy of it or that they can be sure of it. While others are confident of their new position in Christ, but they aren’t taking full advantage of what Christ has accomplished in opening this new and living way to the Father. Perhaps the author of Hebrews had all these responses to Christ in mind as he shifted from 10 chapters of propositional truth to prescription, from doctrine to deeds. In Hebrews 10:19-25, the author told the Hebrew believers that they could confidently respond to the new and living way that Christ had opened up for them to God. We can confidently respond to the new and living way Christ has opened to God.
A Greater Sacrifice
Are you put off by all the talk of blood and sacrifice that you see in the Bible? Does the idea of Christ’s crucifixion offend you and cause you to turn your eyes away? As one person said to me, “I just don’t get all the talk about blood and cross-carrying. I’m looking for a more positive spirituality.” Or perhaps you have heard the message of Christ’s sacrifice and it has moved you to repent of your sins and believe? You’ve understood the message of love that Christ’s great sacrifice has put on display? His great love moved Him to make the greatest sacrifice in order to save those who believe in Him. For Jesus is greater and His sacrifice is greater. In Hebrews 9:15-28, the author told the Hebrew believers that the sacrifice of Christ is greater than the sacrifices of the old covenant. We can understand that the sacrifice of Christ is greater than the sacrifices of the old covenant.
Chrissy Huff Testimony
Chrissy Huff lost her father in 2021. Struggling with pain and questions, she experienced a life-changing moment through a Christian podcast. Finding peace in Christ, she joined a supportive church community in Eastgate and now shares how God has brought healing and hope, even in her darkest times.
From Homeless to an Ambassador
After a life-changing accident in Mexico ended his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, Isaac Castro moved to the U.S., where he faced homelessness and hardship. A kind family took him in, and through meeting his wife, he was introduced to Jesus Christ. Isaac accepted Christ in 2001 and has since dedicated his life to sharing the gospel, especially with his family in Mexico. No longer pursuing political ambitions, he now serves as an ambassador for Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission as he returns to Mexico to plant a church.
With Thanksgiving to the Lord
So you probably feasted this week and enjoyed family, but did you do this with thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God? We have tendency to separate the physical from the spiritual and we would do well this morning morning to reconnect Thanksgiving to our Lord. Perhaps today, you feel like you have much to be grateful for. How might you turn that into gratitude and prayer unto God? Perhaps for some, though, it has been a terribly hard season. In those times, thanksgiving can feel completely foreign. However, it is in those times that thanksgiving is all the more necessary for your healing. In Psalm 9, King David wrote of how he willed himself to be thankful to the Lord with all of His heart. We can choose to be thankful to the Lord with all our hearts.
A Greater Possession
Do you understand the great possession offered to in Christ Jesus? Perhaps you once did. But you’ve been feeling disheartened? Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone in the church and you’ve lost sight of the prize you have in Christ. Maybe you’ve wondered if staying faithful is worth the struggle. The early readers of Hebrews faced those same doubts. Some had suffered great loss for their faith. Others were tempted to return to the familiar rituals of their old life. They were at risk of turning away from their greatest treasure: their possession in Christ. Disappointment, suffering, or the busyness of life can distract us. The world promises possessions and comforts that seem tangible and immediate, but these things pale in comparison to the eternal and abiding possession we have in Christ. Hebrews reminds us of the surpassing worth of Jesus! In Hebrews 10:26-39, the author warned believers to remember their greater possession in Christ. We can remember our greater possession in Christ.
The Way is Through
In this life there will be difficulty either physically or spiritually. Where there is greater physical difficulty, people tend to turn quickly to the Lord spiritually and where there is little physical challenge the people struggle to see God. We are beyond blessed physically but this means we have to actively and intentionally pursue the Lord and His will. Some of us are asking God today, “Can I avoid those challenges, Can I just be a spectator, Can’t someone else do the hard stuff?” But God wants to reveal Himself to us and change us in those times. When He calls you into deep waters will you pursue Him? In Isaiah 43, the prophet shared an encouraging word from the Lord that His people could fearlessly go through the difficulties ahead as they pursue the Lord. We can fearlessly go where God leads us too.
09.15.2024 Baptism at Eastgate Church
This is the baptism that took place at Eastgate Church on September 15, 2024 at the Wilson, NC campus.
7.28.2024 Baptism at Eastgate Church
This is the baptism that took place on July 28th, 2024 at the Eastgate Church Wilson, NC campus.
The Gift of Gold
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Don’t you feel the tension? Don’t you feel the pressure to spend more money than you have in order to give your kids (or spouse or grandkids…) everything on their list? You want everyone to be happy and you want to be happy, so you spend, spend, spend… And the more you spend, the less it feels like Christmas. Or what it’s supposed to mean. How can we pull our affection off of the crazy, chaotic spending spree that comes every December and instead focus on worshiping Christ as King? How can we spend less and worship more? In the gospel of Matthew, the story of the birth of Jesus is told within the political backdrop of the times. From the beginning there was a battle between worshiping the true King and the false king Herod. The challenge for us is to remove our worship from the false king and to put our worship on the true King, Jesus Christ.
The Gift of Frankincense
In John 1:1-18, the apostle John bore witness of Jesus as the Son of God who came into the world that we might believe in Him and become children of God. The Magi’s gift of frankincense points to Christ’s divinity. We can believe John’s witness that Jesus is the Son of God.
It's Time to Consider Our Priorities
The pressures, demands, expectations, and tasks that push in from all sides assault our schedules. Do this! Be there! Finish that! Respond to that email! Answer that text! It seems as though everyone wants something from us—family, friends, employers, school, church, children’s sports and activities… Soon there is little left to give, as we run out of energy and time. We find ourselves rushing through life, attending to the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent. The important is all too often left in the dust. Our real problem is not the volume of demands or lack of scheduling skills, but our priorities—what is truly important to us? In Haggai chapter 1:1-6, the prophet challenged the Jews who had returned from Babylonian exile to consider whether they were giving God and His house priority. We can consider whether we’re giving God and His Kingdom priority.
It's Time to Consider Our Purpose
Isn’t purpose one of the most basic questions we ask ourselves? “Who am I? Why am I here? What’s my purpose?” Some look around them and find purpose from the external sources. This is the traditional approach: My family and my community give me my identity and purpose. The post-modern approach is more common today: I look within to find my identity and purpose. But both of these approaches, the outward and the inward, fall short. They both lead to false identities and meaningless lives without real purpose and fulfillment. In the book of Haggai 1:7-11, God challenged His people to consider their ways to bring them into alignment with God’s ultimate purpose for their lives. We can consider our ways to bring them into alignment with God’s ultimate purpose for our lives.
The Gift of Myrrh
Our Christmas sermon from 2024, including a children's sermon on the Legend of the Candy Cane.
From rebellion to a relationship
Tyler Dean has been through the gamut of rebellion, hardship, atheism, agnosticism and more. But after discovering that Jesus wanted a real relationship with him, things have changed.
The Wait is Over
It can be uniquely challenging to know what to do as a Christian because so much of our Christian faith is based on trust and dependence on God. But there is a distinct line between rightly trusting in God’s will, power, and provision and being spiritually passive or lazy. Maybe you are at a decision point in life about a job opportunity or a relationship or something major like that. Carefully praying and trusting in the Lord is right, but it doesn’t stop there. Pursuit is what follows. When it comes to our walk in Christ this is always the right pattern … prayer and then pursuit. In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul instructed the church in Philippi that the one thing he did was press on towards the goal God had called him towards. We can do this one thing and pursue God’s goal for us.
It's Time to Respond to God's Call
Have you heard God’s call on your life? For some, it’s a call to come to faith in Jesus. You’ve never responded to the call of salvation. You’re still trying to live life according to your own priorities and purpose. For others, you’ve answered God’s call to come to Jesus. You’ve trusted Him as your Lord and Savior. But lately, you’ve been feeling stuck spiritually, you’ve lost the joy, the fire that you once experienced in Christ. Could it be that Jesus has called you to more? Could it be that you’ve gotten your priorities out of order and forgotten your true purpose? Jesus hasn’t left you nor forsaken you, but He can’t fully bless you and lead you until respond in faithful obedience to His call. That’s where the people of God in Haggai were. They had been stuck, but now they’re ready to move on with God again! In the book of Haggai 1:12-15, the people of God faithfully responded to God’s call to rebuild His house. We can faithfully respond to God’s call.
It's Time to Consider God's Blessings
What does it mean to be blessed? Everybody’s saying it these days! From the Walmart greeter who says, “Have a blessed day!” To the Hollywood star who wins an Oscar saying, “I feel blessed.” In Haggai 2:18-19, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to help the Israelites understand what it meant to live under God’s blessing. We can understand what it means to live under God’s blessing.
Inviting Others into Gospel Community
What are your greatest needs? Belonging? Purpose? Like every other human being that has ever existed, you want food, water, shelter, but you truly seek family, community and purpose. You were made that way. Do you pursue these deeper needs? Do you seek out Gospel community? Are you inviting people into this kind of community? Are you opening up your life as a conduit for God’s grace to others? In the book of Acts, Luke recorded how the early church cultivated a culture of Gospel Community, and God added to their number daily. We can invite others into Gospel Community with an eager expectation that the Lord will grow His church.
It's Time to Trust God for the Results
Do you worry about success? At work? For your family? In other words, do you worry about how things are going to turn out? Sure, we can put the work in, but how do we know it will be successful in the end? Is there a more trustworthy way to live? In Haggai 2:6-9, the Lord told the prophet Haggai to tell His people that if they would persevere in building His house, they could trust Him for the end result. We can join God in His kingdom work and trust Him for the end result.
It's Time to Be Encouraged
Discouragement is one of the greatest obstacles to faithfulness in serving God. When things don’t seem to be going the way we expected, we can easily lose heart. The people in Haggai’s day faced this same struggle. They had begun rebuilding the temple, but it didn’t compare to the former glory of Solomon’s temple. Many became disheartened, and some questioned whether their efforts were even worth it. How are you doing today? Are you facing some obstacle or difficulty that has you feeling discouraged, even feeling like giving up, or quitting? We all have feelings of discouragement from time to time. How can we find encouragement during times like this? That’s what today’s message is about. How to be encouraged in the Lord! In Haggai 2:1-5, the people of God were encouraged to overcome their discouragement and to persevere in His work. We can be encouraged to persevere in God’s work.
It's Time to Worship with a Right Heart
God cautions His people to understand that worshiping God, both giving and serving, must come from a heart that is pure and devoted to Him, not just outward religious activity. God cares more about the attitude of our hearts than the amount of our giving. He cares more about our motive than our money. He desires that we worship with a right heart. In Haggai 2:10-17, God told the prophet Haggai to help the Israelites to understand that what really matters to God is that they worship Him with a right heart.
It’s Time to Trust God With the Future
Do you worry about the future? Do you ever wonder if God is really in control when the world seems chaotic? Maybe you feel uncertain about your job, your health, or your family. Maybe you’re looking at the state of our nation or the world and wondering, “Where is this all going?” The people of Israel in Haggai’s day had similar concerns. They were a small, struggling remnant in a land that once flourished under King David and Solomon. Their temple was in ruins, their enemies were strong, and they wondered if God’s promises to them were still true. But through Haggai, God gave them assurance that they could trust Him with the future. In Haggai 2:20-23, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to assure Zerubbabel that he could trust God with the future of Israel. We can trust God with the future.
Living with Gospel Intentionality
Do you sometimes feel a disconnect between you personal spiritual life and your public life? Do you feel like there is a version of you that goes to church and community group, and then another version of you that goes to work or school or to the grocery store? What would it look like to be more consistent, being your true self everywhere you go? What if every day you could be more intentional about making your spiritual life and your public life one and the same? Wouldn’t that make every day more of an adventure? In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he told them that their ordinary, day-to-day lives could be radically used for God by living with gospel intentionality.
Faithfulness in the Kingdom
From our Rocky Mount Campus on May 4th, 2025... This sermon addresses King Jesus’ call to be faithful in keeping the marriage covenant and in our daily communication. In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a deeper faithfulness to the commitments they made than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens we are called to pursue faithfulness in all our commitments.
Experiencing Kingdom Blessings
How does King Jesus begin this sermon? He begins with a declaration of the blessings that belong to the citizens of God’s kingdom. Do you know this state of blessing that God offers to those who repent of their sins and follow Jesus as King? Or are you still seeking the temporary happiness that the world offers. In the gospel of Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount by declaring the blessings of those who live as citizens of God’s kingdom. We can experience the blessings of living as citizens of God’s kingdom.
Living as Kingdom People
Last week, we studied the Beatitudes, the blessings of Kingdom living in Matthew 5:1-12. Today, we’ll be looking at Mathew 5:13-16, which as Dr. Danny Akin says, “flows naturally out of the Beatitudes.” For as he says it is “taking on and exhibiting the character of the Beatitudes that makes it possible for us to be salt and light on the earth” While the Beatitudes describe the inner character and blessed state of those who follow Jesus as King, these next verses describe how we are to live as Kingdom people outwardly in this world. How are we to live as Kingdom people? What does Jesus have to say about this? In the gospel of Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus used the two powerful metaphors of salt and light to call His disciples to faithfully bear witness of His transforming power by living as Kingdom people.
Reconciliation in the Kingdom
We live in a world filled with division, uncontrolled anger, and broken relationships. Whether in families, communities, or workplaces, unresolved conflict is a barrier to true peace. We’re hearing of fathers and sons being at odds over politics, over how they voted. We’re seeing mothers and daughters fighting over gender issues and appropriate pronouns. Neighbors are ripping up yard signs, pulling down flags, and keying one another’s cars. Even in the church, we struggle with unresolved conflict that disrupts our unity. People leave their community group, their youth group, or even the church over discord, rather than learning to reconcile with one another. Yet Jesus calls us to pursue reconciliation as an essential element of living in His Kingdom. But how can we understand its importance? In the Gospel of Matthew 5:21–26, Jesus confronted His hearers with the deeper intent of the Law by exposing the seriousness of unresolved anger and urging them to pursue reconciliation as true citizens of God’s kingdom.
Purity in the Kingdom
Today, Jesus takes us into one of the most personal and challenging areas of life—our sexual purity. In a world flooded with temptation, sensuality, and distorted views of love, Jesus speaks with clarity and authority. He doesn’t lower the bar. He raises it to the level of the heart! Let’s be honest, no one escapes this struggle untouched. Lust isn’t just a temptation we battle out there in the world. It’s a battle in here, in our hearts. If we’re going to live as faithful citizens of God’s Kingdom, if we’re going to live counter to the world’s culture as salt and light, we need more than just a pursuit of outward obedience, trying to keep ourselves pure through self-effort. We need transformation of the heart! In our text today, Jesus exposes the root of our problem and calls us to radical, grace-filled purity. In the gospel of Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus confronted His hearers with the deeper intent of the Law, exposing the seriousness of lust as adultery of the heart, and calling them to a life of sexual purity as true citizens of God’s kingdom.
Greatness in the Kingdom
Jesus transitions from His discussion of the character of Kingdom citizens (the Beatitudes), and the influence Kingdom citizens are to have in this world (salt/light), to those whom He calls great in the Kingdom of Heaven. He says that greatness in the Kingdom is connected to how we view the Bible, its commandments and how we view righteousness. Indeed, if we are to consider Jesus our King, then we must look at the Bible through His eyes! In the gospel of Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus called those who saw the Bible through His eyes great in the Kingdom of Heaven. We can be among those whom Christ calls great in the Kingdom.
Love in the Kingdom
Have you ever been wronged so deeply that your first instinct was to strike back? Maybe it was a harsh word, a betrayal, or someone who simply made your life miserable. The world teaches us to stand our ground, defend our rights, and get even. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers us a different way—a kingdom way. Jesus calls His followers not to live by the law of retaliation but by the law of love. Kingdom love doesn’t play by the world’s rules. It refuses revenge. It reaches across enemy lines. And it reflects the heart of God. What does love in the kingdom look like according to Jesus? In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a greater love than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens, we can answer Christ’s call to live according to His greater love.
Faithfulness in the Kingdom
From our Wilson campus on May 4th, 2025... This sermon addresses King Jesus’ call to be faithful in keeping the marriage covenant and in our daily communication. In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a deeper faithfulness to the commitments they made than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens we are called to pursue faithfulness in all our commitments.
Love in the Kingdom
Have you ever been wronged so deeply that your first instinct was to strike back? Maybe it was a harsh word, a betrayal, or someone who simply made your life miserable. The world teaches us to stand our ground, defend our rights, and get even. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers us a different way—a kingdom way. Jesus calls His followers not to live by the law of retaliation but by the law of love. Kingdom love doesn’t play by the world’s rules. It refuses revenge. It reaches across enemy lines. And it reflects the heart of God. What does love in the kingdom look like according to Jesus? In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a greater love than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens, we can answer Christ’s call to live according to His greater love.
Do You Believe This?
On this day Easter Sunday we are reminded that Jesus claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life. He claimed that He was not only able to defeat death, but that He is the only way that we can receive this resurrection life. Where do you need this resurrection life today? Where are you experiencing death today? For there are many kinds of death: death of an unfulfilled dream; death of a relationship due to divorce or discord among former friends or family; and of course the finality of death itself. How do you face death? What do you believe about this? Jesus not only claimed to be the resurrection and the life. He proved it! His resurrection is a fact and a matter of historical record. Do you believe this? In the gospel of John 11:25-26, about two weeks before the first Easter Sunday, Jesus called Martha, whose brother Lazarus had died, to believe in Him as the resurrection and the life. We can experience resurrection life by believing in Jesus.
2025 Citywide Prayer Rally - Wilson, NC
Join us for our citywide prayer rally, brought to you by a collaboration of churches from Christ Together for Wilson (ct4w.org). Sunday, April 27th @ Christ Temple of Praise Monday, April 28th @ Bible Missionary Baptist Church Tuesday, April 29th @ Eastgate Church Wednesday, April 30th @ Farmington Heights Church More information at https://www.ct4w.org/2025-citywide-prayer-rally/
Right Motivation in the Kingdom
(From our Wilson Campus) In today’s world, appearance often trumps authenticity. Social media thrives on applause. Our culture encourages us to project a curated image—whether through photos, achievements, or even spiritual acts, like saying we’ll pray for someone or give to some cause we say we care about. But what if the pursuit of human recognition corrupts our faith? What if God isn't impressed by our outward acts at all, but is instead watching our hearts? Watching our motives? That’s really been the theme of the Sermon on the Mount—Jesus shifting the focus from outward behavior to inward transformation. He’s moved the emphasis of the Law from external compliance to internal motives. And now, in Matthew 6, He turns to our spiritual practices, not to say we shouldn’t do them, but to teach us how and why we should. He challenges us to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. For in the Kingdom of God, the heart and its motives and attitudes matter most. In Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Jesus warned His disciples against practicing acts of righteousness with the motive of human recognition rather than God’s.
Laying Up Treasures in the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount campus) Many have discovered the emptiness in the pursuit of things that compete with the culture that God intends for His people in the Kingdom. God did not create us for the rat race. He created us to pursue Him and nothing can substitute the peace, joy and purpose we find in that pursuit. In today’s text we will see our savior Jesus offering a better pursuit in the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 6, Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount by teaching that those whose heart is on God, His Kingdom citizens, will lay up treasures in heaven.
Right Motivation in the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) In today’s world, appearance often trumps authenticity. Social media thrives on applause. Our culture encourages us to project a curated image—whether through photos, achievements, or even spiritual acts, like saying we’ll pray for someone or give to some cause we say we care about. But what if the pursuit of human recognition corrupts our faith? What if God isn't impressed by our outward acts at all, but is instead watching our hearts? Watching our motives? That’s really been the theme of the Sermon on the Mount—Jesus shifting the focus from outward behavior to inward transformation. He’s moved the emphasis of the Law from external compliance to internal motives. And now, in Matthew 6, He turns to our spiritual practices, not to say we shouldn’t do them, but to teach us how and why we should. He challenges us to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. For in the Kingdom of God, the heart and its motives and attitudes matter most. In Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Jesus warned His disciples against practicing acts of righteousness with the motive of human recognition rather than God’s.
Praying in the Kingdom
Jesus, with the crowds on the mountainside, began to remove some of those obstacles in prayer and guide them towards an intimate and purposeful fellowship with their Father. He guides through His Word today. In Matthew chapter 6 as Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount, He taught the crowd how to pray as citizens in God’s Kingdom.
Seeking First the Kingdom
(From Adam Purvis at our Rocky Mount Campus) Anxiety is a topic that dominates the narrative today. You may not be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but are there stressors in your life that you are anxious about? Have you lost a job or looking for a new one? Are there final exams coming up, college decisions, financial aid or other academic stresses? How about relationship stress that causes anxiety? Marriage issues, dating problems, friendship relationships that are not “two way” can all cause anxiety. Jesus, with the crowds on the mountainside, guides us away from a life of anxiety, stress and worry and guides us towards a life of freedom with their Father. In the Sermon on the Mount, after Jesus called His listeners to make God their master, He then challenged them to not be anxious by freeing themselves from the worries of the world. Having made Jesus our Lord, we can free ourselves from the worries of the world.
Laying Up Treasure in Heaven
(From our Wilson campus) Many have discovered the emptiness in the pursuit of things that compete with the culture that God intends for His people in the Kingdom. God did not create us for the rat race. He created us to pursue Him and nothing can substitute the peace, joy and purpose we find in that pursuit. In today’s text we will see our savior Jesus offering a better pursuit in the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 6, Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount by teaching that those whose heart is on God, His Kingdom citizens, will lay up treasures in heaven.
Praying in the Kingdom
Jesus, with the crowds on the mountainside, began to remove some of those obstacles in prayer and guide them towards an intimate and purposeful fellowship with their Father. He guides through His Word today. In Matthew chapter 6 as Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount, He taught the crowd how to pray as citizens in God’s Kingdom.
Seeking First the Kingdom
(From Mike Laramee at our Wilson Campus) Anxiety is a topic that dominates the narrative today. You may not be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but are there stressors in your life that you are anxious about? Have you lost a job or looking for a new one? Are there final exams coming up, college decisions, financial aid or other academic stresses? How about relationship stress that causes anxiety? Marriage issues, dating problems, friendship relationships that are not “two way” can all cause anxiety. Jesus, with the crowds on the mountainside, guides us away from a life of anxiety, stress and worry and guides us towards a life of freedom with their Father. In the Sermon on the Mount, after Jesus called His listeners to make God their master, He then challenged them to not be anxious by freeing themselves from the worries of the world. Having made Jesus our Lord, we can free ourselves from the worries of the world.
Judgment in the Kingdom
(From Adam Purvis at our Rocky Mount Campus) Does our country feel more polarized today than in the past? Do you know what happens a lot when there are issues that divide groups of people? Most times, people identify with that issue. They make that issue part of their identity. Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount by addressing judgment as He transitioned His message towards more interpersonal issues. In Matthew 7, Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount and taught His listeners to avoid harsh and hypocritical judgment while also maintaining spiritual discernment. We can avoid harsh and hypocritical judgment and practice spiritual discernment.
Judgment in the Kingdom
(From Mike Laramee at our Wilson Campus) Does our country feel more polarized today than in the past? Do you know what happens a lot when there are issues that divide groups of people? Most times, people identify with that issue. They make that issue part of their identity. Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount by addressing judgment as He transitioned His message towards more interpersonal issues. In Matthew 7, Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount and taught His listeners to avoid harsh and hypocritical judgment while also maintaining spiritual discernment. We can avoid harsh and hypocritical judgment and practice spiritual discernment.
The Currency of the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) The world says, “You get what you earn.” The world’s currency is merit—performance, success, hard work, self-reliance. But the currency of the kingdom is asking. It’s coming to God not trying to earn His blessing, but as children depending on a generous Father. Now, that goes against everything we’re taught from an early age, doesn’t it? Many of us were raised to be self-sufficient, to never ask for help, to earn our way forward. And that’s why we need this message today. Some of us have grown weary in prayer. Others have stopped asking because we think God isn’t listening, or that we don’t deserve an answer. Some of us have tried to live the Christian life in our own strength and we're running on empty. Today’s message is a gracious reminder from Jesus: You don’t earn God’s favor—you ask for it. In Matthew 7, Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount by teaching kingdom citizens how to experience the generous provision of their heavenly Father. We can experience the generous provision of our heavenly Father.
The Currency of the Kingdom
(From our Wilson campus) The world says, “You get what you earn.” The world’s currency is merit—performance, success, hard work, self-reliance. But the currency of the kingdom is asking. It’s coming to God not trying to earn His blessing, but as children depending on a generous Father. Now, that goes against everything we’re taught from an early age, doesn’t it? Many of us were raised to be self-sufficient, to never ask for help, to earn our way forward. And that’s why we need this message today. Some of us have grown weary in prayer. Others have stopped asking because we think God isn’t listening, or that we don’t deserve an answer. Some of us have tried to live the Christian life in our own strength and we're running on empty. Today’s message is a gracious reminder from Jesus: You don’t earn God’s favor—you ask for it. In Matthew 7, Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount by teaching kingdom citizens how to experience the generous provision of their heavenly Father. We can experience the generous provision of our heavenly Father.
Discernment in the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) Last week, we saw how He speaks of two different gates or paths and how one leads to life, but the other leads to destruction (7:13-14). Now today, Jesus moves the discussion from warning about the path of destruction to warning against the prophets of destruction. He calls them wolves in sheep’s clothing. Why do we need this warning? Because not everyone who claims to speak for God is from God. Some are deceivers in disguise. And not only are they deceptive, they are dangerous. For claiming to be guides to the narrow gate, they actually lead people to the wide gate and destruction. What we need is spiritual discernment. If we don’t exercise spiritual discernment, we risk being led astray. Without discernment, we could follow someone who ultimately leads us away from Christ and into destruction. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warned His Kingdom citizens to beware false prophets by being spiritually discerning of their fruit. As kingdom citizens, we can exercise spiritual discernment to recognize false prophets.
The Narrow Way of the Kingdom
(From our Wilson Campus) As we’ve studied His sermon, we’ve seen how Jesus has laid out what it looks like to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Now, as He closes, He calls us to a decision, to a choice. Whose kingdom will you choose? And it’s this choice that we’re discussing today. It’s a simple choice. For Jesus only offers two options: the wide gate or the narrow gate. That confronts our desire for spiritual autonomy. It challenges the mindset that we can take a little bit of Christianity, a little bit of self-help, and maybe sprinkle in some Eastern philosophy and end up just fine. But Jesus doesn’t leave room for a middle path! And that’s why we need this message today. Because the narrow way isn’t just hard to find—it’s easy to reject. Not because it’s unclear, but because it’s unpopular. And yet, it’s the only way that leads to real and lasting life. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus began to conclude His sermon by warning His first-century Jewish audience that there were only two spiritual paths, the broad way that leads to destruction and the narrow way that leads to life, and He instructed them to enter through the narrow gate.
The Goal of Communication: Oneness
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) We often think of good communication as just getting our point across or being heard. But God's vision is bigger: He wants our communication to lead to oneness. In both our families and our church family, the goal isn't just to express ourselves—but to grow together in Christ, building unity through our words and attitudes. Yet so often, our communication leads not to unity, but to division. Good communication for the Christian is more than hearing and being heard, it's being at one with the Lord and with one another. Hearing and being heard is good start, but being at one is better. That’s the real goal of communication: oneness. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he called believers to pursue oneness in the Lord as the goal of their communication.
Assurance in the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) Throughout this series, Jesus has described what life in His Kingdom looks like—what it means to live under His rule and reign. He has called us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. And now, He closes His sermon with a sobering warning and a gracious invitation, a call to examine whether we truly belong to His Kingdom. There are many today who assume they are right with God simply because they try to live a good life, say the right religious words, got baptized, and joined the church. But not everyone who claims to follow Jesus truly knows Him and are known by Him. The question is this: Do I have real assurance that I belong to the Kingdom of God? Can we have real assurance of our salvation? As Jesus brings His sermon to a close, He contrasts those with a superficial faith with those who have a sincere and saving faith. He warns of self-deception and shows us how to be certain of our place in His Kingdom. In Matthew 7:21-29, Jesus closed His Sermon on the Mount by both warning and inviting people to pursue a sincere faith that brings real assurance in God’s Kingdom.
The Narrow Way of the Kingdom
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) As we’ve studied His sermon, we’ve seen how Jesus has laid out what it looks like to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Now, as He closes, He calls us to a decision, to a choice. Whose kingdom will you choose? And it’s this choice that we’re discussing today. It’s a simple choice. For Jesus only offers two options: the wide gate or the narrow gate. That confronts our desire for spiritual autonomy. It challenges the mindset that we can take a little bit of Christianity, a little bit of self-help, and maybe sprinkle in some Eastern philosophy and end up just fine. But Jesus doesn’t leave room for a middle path! And that’s why we need this message today. Because the narrow way isn’t just hard to find—it’s easy to reject. Not because it’s unclear, but because it’s unpopular. And yet, it’s the only way that leads to real and lasting life. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus began to conclude His sermon by warning His first-century Jewish audience that there were only two spiritual paths, the broad way that leads to destruction and the narrow way that leads to life, and He instructed them to enter through the narrow gate.
The Danger of Communication: Anger
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) Today, we’re talking about a topic that every family—and every believer—must face: anger. Let’s be honest, anger shows up in every home, every relationship, and even in the church. It can flare up with a harsh word or simmer beneath the surface with a cold shoulder. But left unchecked, anger can wreak havoc on the relationships God has called us to nurture. Uncontrolled, sinful anger is a danger to our family communication and ultimately our unity. Whether we’re talking about your family or the church family, the way we deal with anger will either strengthen or sabotage our relationships. Anger itself isn't always sin, but what we do with it often is. We need God's power and wisdom to respond in a way that builds up rather than tears down. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he exhorted believers that they must control their anger as members of one another in Christ Jesus.
Discernment in the Kingdom
(From our Wilson Campus) Last week, we saw how He speaks of two different gates or paths and how one leads to life, but the other leads to destruction (7:13-14). Now today, Jesus moves the discussion from warning about the path of destruction to warning against the prophets of destruction. He calls them wolves in sheep’s clothing. Why do we need this warning? Because not everyone who claims to speak for God is from God. Some are deceivers in disguise. And not only are they deceptive, they are dangerous. For claiming to be guides to the narrow gate, they actually lead people to the wide gate and destruction. What we need is spiritual discernment. If we don’t exercise spiritual discernment, we risk being led astray. Without discernment, we could follow someone who ultimately leads us away from Christ and into destruction. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warned His Kingdom citizens to beware false prophets by being spiritually discerning of their fruit. As kingdom citizens, we can exercise spiritual discernment to recognize false prophets.
Assurance in the Kingdom
(From our Wilson Campus) Throughout this series, Jesus has described what life in His Kingdom looks like—what it means to live under His rule and reign. He has called us to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. And now, He closes His sermon with a sobering warning and a gracious invitation, a call to examine whether we truly belong to His Kingdom. There are many today who assume they are right with God simply because they try to live a good life, say the right religious words, got baptized, and joined the church. But not everyone who claims to follow Jesus truly knows Him and are known by Him. The question is this: Do I have real assurance that I belong to the Kingdom of God? Can we have real assurance of our salvation? As Jesus brings His sermon to a close, He contrasts those with a superficial faith with those who have a sincere and saving faith. He warns of self-deception and shows us how to be certain of our place in His Kingdom. In Matthew 7:21-29, Jesus closed His Sermon on the Mount by both warning and inviting people to pursue a sincere faith that brings real assurance in God’s Kingdom.
The Challenge of Communication: Correction
(From our Wilson Campus) In families and churches alike, conflict and the need for correction are inevitable. But how we speak the truth, and how we receive it, makes all the difference. Without spiritual preparation, correction can wound instead of heal. We need Christ to shape us into people who can both give and receive correction with grace, truth and love. Real peace doesn’t come from avoiding truth, it comes from speaking and hearing it in love, with hearts transformed by Christ. Paul knew that correction was essential for unity in the church, but it had to come from hearts shaped by Christ. In today’s text, he shows us how to prepare our hearts for those challenging, but necessary conversations. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he taught believers how to spiritually prepare themselves to truthfully give and receive correction in unity.
The Goal of Communication: Oneness
(From our Wilson Campus) We often think of good communication as just getting our point across or being heard. But God's vision is bigger: He wants our communication to lead to oneness. In both our families and our church family, the goal isn't just to express ourselves—but to grow together in Christ, building unity through our words and attitudes. Yet so often, our communication leads not to unity, but to division. Good communication for the Christian is more than hearing and being heard, it's being at one with the Lord and with one another. Hearing and being heard is good start, but being at one is better. That’s the real goal of communication: oneness. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he called believers to pursue oneness in the Lord as the goal of their communication.
The Power of Devotion
(From our Wilson Campus) Spiritual habits act as a conduit that connects us to the power of the Holy Spirit. We not only open up and ask the Spirit to fill us, we create habits that give Him a conduit to fill us and use us to do God’s will. We can be passive with our faith, just waiting for the Holy Spirit to move while we coast through life. “Fill me”, we say, but then we don’t physically do anything. Today we will be kicking off this series by learning to apply the foundational habit of devotion. The goal of this habit is to get alone with God, spend time talking to and hearing from Him, and be recharged His power. It is during this time that you will be prepared by the Spirit to do the work that God has called you to do. A time of personal devotion is key to many of the other habits we will talk about and is important to our spiritual growth. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus demonstrated His habit of devotion to His disciples. By studying and applying the practices seen in this story, we too can practice Jesus’ habit of deliberate, daily devotion.
The Danger of Communication: Anger
(From our Wilson Campus) Today, we’re talking about a topic that every family—and every believer—must face: anger. Let’s be honest, anger shows up in every home, every relationship, and even in the church. It can flare up with a harsh word or simmer beneath the surface with a cold shoulder. But left unchecked, anger can wreak havoc on the relationships God has called us to nurture. Uncontrolled, sinful anger is a danger to our family communication and ultimately our unity. Whether we’re talking about your family or the church family, the way we deal with anger will either strengthen or sabotage our relationships. Anger itself isn't always sin, but what we do with it often is. We need God's power and wisdom to respond in a way that builds up rather than tears down. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he exhorted believers that they must control their anger as members of one another in Christ Jesus.
The Restoration of Communication: Forgiveness
(From our Wilson Campus) We all know the pain of broken communication—harsh words, unresolved conflict, silence that grows like a wall. Whether in our homes, marriages, friendships, or church family, we’ve all experienced the damage that unforgiveness causes. But God has given us the way to restoration: Christlike forgiveness. Without forgiveness, communication breaks down and relationships fall apart. So how do we move from brokenness to restoration in our communication? In a word: forgiveness! In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he exhorted believers to put away relational sins and practice Christlike forgiveness as a Spirit-led expression of their new life and oneness in Christ.
The Habit of Fellowship
Over time isolation leads to loneliness, weakened support systems, and deeper disconnection. The short-term gain creates long-term pain. What we really need spiritually and even physically is fellowship. God’s word teaches us that fellowship is an essential habit to connecting with God. In Hebrews chapter 10, the author concluded his instruction about drawing near to God and holding fast the confession of hope without wavering by teaching the spiritual habit of faithful fellowship as the Day of Christ drew near.
2025 High School Mission Trip
From July 24th-27th, 2025, the Eastgate Youth High Schoolers travelled to New Bern, NC to provide relief for the damage from Hurricane Florence. They worked on a new construction and installed windows, the vapor barrier, duct work, electrical, and an attic access.
The Habit of Rest
This time of year, school’s back, sports are back (travel ball never left), maybe work is ramping up your work load, the holidays will be here before you know it. We live in a state of stress … an overwhelmed sort of just getting by until the next weekend, the next vacation, the next glass of wine, the next night of doom scrolling, or sadly until next summer. But these “nexts” are not real rest but merely distractions. Many of us are trying to numb the problem with distractions but the problems remain. True rest is not living for distractions but walking in Jesus. What if we could find rest in the midst of our work, what if we could even live, work and play out of a state of spiritual rest? In Matthew chapter 11, Jesus invited the crowds to find rest for their souls not in laws or rituals but in relationship with Him. When we build the habit of rest in Him, we can discover rest for our souls.
The Habit of Service
You might easily be able to see why you need a habit of personal devotion to Jesus like we studied week 1 and you may see the need for fellowship as we studied last week. But service, why would service be a spiritual habit or discipline? How does a spiritual habit of service help me to connect with the Holy Spirit and grow in Christlikeness? That’s the right question and the right motivation! As we will see today, service moves us towards Christlikeness in powerful ways. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 20, Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest among them would become servants like Him. We can follow the call of Jesus by becoming servants through the spiritual habit of service.
The Habit of Bible Study
Americans today have more access to the Bible than any previous generation. Most us have several copies in various versions. We even Bible apps on our phones. Yet according to recent polls the overwhelming majority do not actually read those Bibles regularly, much less study or deeply engage with the Bible. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he charged him to remain faithful to the study and preaching of God’s Word that God’s people might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. We can practice the spiritual habit of Bible study that we might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Habit of Witness
Jesus empowers us to be a witness to his work in our lives so others can experience his love. But it’s also a key part of our own spiritual formation. Find out why this Sunday. In the book of Acts, Luke recorded that the first century believers were committed to witnessing to others about Jesus and the church exploded upon the scene, experiencing exponential growth in spite of persecution. We can cultivate a habit of witnessing to others about Jesus.
A Greater Faith
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Keep the faith.” In our culture, that usually means, “Stay positive,” or “Don’t give up hope.” But notice what’s missing—it never defines the object of that faith. No wonder so many today are “deconstructing” their faith, pulling it apart piece by piece until nothing remains, because if faith is only a vague feeling or a cultural inheritance, why hold on to it? But biblical faith is different. It’s not about how hard you believe—it’s about who you believe in. It’s not great faith in God that matters, but faith in a great God. And our faith is greater because its object—Jesus Christ—is greater. In the epistle of Hebrews, the Jewish background believers were encouraged not to shrink back from believing because of trouble and persecution, but to live by a faith that is greater because it rests in Christ Jesus as its fulfillment as the believers of old had done.
A Greater Promise
Since we were children, we have made a big deal about promises. Who hasn’t heard a child crying to a parent, “But you promised?” We all make promises and try to keep them. We promise to take our son fishing. We sign a promissory note at the bank to buy a car or obtain a mortgage. We promise “till death do us part.” We make a lot of promises and try to keep them, but a promise is only as good as our integrity and our ability to keep it. But every human promise has a shelf life. Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? Maybe it was small — a promise to call, to help, to show up. Or maybe it was big — a promise that left a scar. We live in a world full of broken promises, so it’s easy to doubt anyone who says, “Trust me.” Yet, that’s exactly what God calls us to do in Christ Jesus. In the book of Hebrews, the author taught believers that the promises of God, in which the patriarchs believed, pointed to greater promises in Christ Jesus.
A Greater Reward
We live in a world that constantly bombards us with offers for immediate gratification— fleeting pleasures, temporary treasures, and the shallow status that money and influence can buy. These things distract us and actually weigh us down. For they only last for a moment and they never really satisfy. That’s the tension we’re going to see in today’s Scripture. For the OT people of God had to choose between seeking worldly pleasure or by faith, seeking the greater reward of Christ. In the book of Hebrews, the author encouraged Jewish background believers by reminding them how the saints of old faithfully looked beyond worldly success and suffering to the greater reward God promised and fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We can faithfully look beyond this life to the greater reward we have in Christ Jesus.
A Greater Love
We live in a world where love often grows cold—where relationships are strained, marriages are fractured, and people are lonely even when surrounded by others. What’s worse, our world has lost sight of what true love really is. It is not merely an emotion, but an act of the will. It involves commitment, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion. Yet we can’t manufacture this kind of love on our own. We need a greater love—Christ’s love—filling our hearts and flowing through us in every relationship. That’s exactly the kind of love the writer of Hebrews calls us to. In the book of Hebrews 13:1-6, the author, concluding his appeal for believers to live as grateful worshipers in God’s unshakeable kingdom, exhorted believers to demonstrate Christ’s greater love in all their relationships.
A Greater Endurance
Many believers start the race of faith well, but grow weary when trials come. We lose focus, stumble under the weight of sin, or misunderstand the Father’s discipline. Sometimes we feel exhausted, discouraged, or even tempted to give up. We see others running seemingly effortlessly, while we struggle to put one foot in front of the other. What we need is not more grit and self-effort, but a greater endurance. What can help us endure life’s challenges? In In the book of Hebrews chapter 12, after portraying the heroes of faith in chapter 11, who by faith endured hardship, the author of Hebrews exhorted weary believers to run their own race of faith with endurance—fixing their eyes on Jesus as their example and source of strength.
That time Pastor Jonathan played Anthony Atkinson one-on-one
In 2021, our KidzFest theme was "Summer Games." And Pastor Jonathan (Dolf) got an opportunity to "learn" how to play basketball from Wilson legend Anthony Atkinson.
A Greater Leader
When it comes to leadership, people today are both skeptical and searching. Many have seen leaders fail, whether in politics, business, or even the church. The result is a growing distrust of authority. Yet, God designed His church to be led, not by celebrities or dictators, but by faithful shepherds under the authority of the greater, unchanging Leader, Jesus Christ. The Hebrew background believers were tempted to turn back to old covenant forms of religion and to disregard their Christian leaders. Today, believers still face the temptation to resist spiritual authority or follow popular voices instead of faithful shepherds. We need to remember that Christ Himself has appointed leaders for the good of His flock. In the book of Hebrews 13:7-17, the author exhorted Jewish background Christians, who were tempted to be led away from the gospel of grace, to faithfully follow the spiritual leaders that Jesus, the greater, unchanging leader had set over them.
A Greater Kingdom
Today, we’re concluding our study of Hebrews chapter 12. And we’re nearing the finish line of a marathon—the race of faith that Hebrews 12:1-3 first began to describe to us. But just as a runner must not break stride, the author of Hebrews gives us some final, urgent warnings and overwhelming motivation to continue running for the goal. And what is the goal? It’s Christ Jesus and His Kingdom. Yet many of us are exhausted, distracted, and the world is always calling us to settle for less. Many of us are living as if the finish line is here on earth, pursuing things that are guaranteed to decay, rust, and ultimately pass away. At the same time, the world around us is “shaking”—economically, politically, morally. We need something greater, something unshakable. And this is exactly what the Lord is calling us to in Hebrews 12–– a greater, unshakeable kingdom! In the book of Hebrews chapter 12:14-29, the author challenged believers to stay faithful in running life’s race as citizens of Christ’s greater, unshakeable Kingdom.
The Receptive Heart
How are you and God? When’s the last time you asked that question? And how do you even begin to answer it? If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes we are all over the place with our spiritual life, aren’t we? Why is there such a variation in how we ourselves feel about our spiritual health from one day to the next? Why is there such a variation in different people and how they seem to be doing spiritually? Jesus has an explanation for this. In the parable of the sower, Jesus taught that the key to bearing the fruit of the Kingdom of God is a heart that is receptive to the word of God.
4.20.25 Baptism
The baptism that took place at the Wilson Campus.
The Annunciation
Like Mary, many of us struggle to understand that God wants to do something significant in our lives. We look at our resumes, our past mistakes, or our current limitations, and we think, "God couldn't possibly use me. I'm nothing special." We tend to think God's favor is something we have to earn, achieve, or qualify for. We need to know today that God’s activity in our lives isn't based on our performance, but on His unmerited favor. If we miss this, we miss the heart of the Gospel. Luke’s account shows us a different way. It shows us that God breaks into ordinary history to reveal His extraordinary, unmerited grace to ordinary people. In the gospel according to Luke, he recorded how the angel Gabriel announced God’s gracious favor to Mary, revealing the miraculous conception of God’s Son and assuring her through God’s Word and power so that she might respond in faithful submission.
6.25.25 Baptism
This is the baptism that took place at the Wilson Campus.
9.28.25 Baptism
This is the baptism that took place at the Wilson Campus.
The Magnificat
Does the message of Christmas, of Christ’s coming, cause you to make much of the Lord? To esteem Him highly? To call Him great! Or do you struggle during the Christmas season? You’re tired of all the “Jingle Bells” and Santa songs on the radio? You’re overwhelmed by the crazy busyness and expense of the gift buying and present wrapping, home decorating…and it’s giving you a “Bah! Humbug!” attitude this Christmas? Or maybe it’s that present you won’t be buying, the stocking you won’t be hanging, the empty seat at the table that won’t be setting… that’s got you feeling a lack of joy this Christmas? But what if we’re focusing on the wrong things at Christmas? What if there’s a more faithful way to respond to the true and good news of Christmas? In the gospel according to Luke, he recorded that when Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, she was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit, and her unborn baby leaped for joy in her womb, leading both women to faithfully respond to the Good News of the coming Messiah.
A Greater Shepherd
We live in a world filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and spiritual drift. Many believers feel ill-equipped to live lives that truly please God. We often try to rely on our own strength, self-help strategies, or even religious routines rather than trusting the One who is greater than all our problems and needs. Some of us feel wounded, weary, or wandering. Like sheep, we easily go astray. What we need most is not more effort, but a greater Shepherd. That’s why today’s message is so important. The author of Hebrews closes with a benediction that points us to Jesus, our Great Shepherd, who alone can equip us to live lives pleasing to God. In the book of Hebrews 13:18-25, the author concluded his letter to the Jewish background believers by offering a benediction asking God to equip believers through Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, to live lives pleasing to God.
10.12.25 Baptism
This is the baptism that took place at the Wilson Campus.
A Vision for the World
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) Today we’re talking about the HARVEST—how God wants us to have His vision for the world. And what is God’s vision for the world? Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" This is God’s vision for the church. It’s God’s vision for me and for you! The challenge for many of us is not that we disagree with God’s vision, but that we feel overwhelmed by it. We hear the vision, but the world? That’s just too big for our minds to grasp! For others it’s more a matter of feeling disconnected from it. How do ordinary believers like us move from feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from the mission to experiencing the joy of meaningful partnership in God’s vision for the world? That’s exactly what the apostle Paul helps us see in Philippians 4. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expressed his joy for their partnership with him for the gospel, viewing their generous support as a spiritual investment that fueled the gospel’s advance and brought glory to Jesus.
The Covenant
(From our Rocky Mount Campus) Because we live in a "contract world," we often treat God like a "contract God." We feel that if we have a bad week or a season of doubt, the deal is off. We live in fear that we’ve broken the contract and God is going to "evict" us from His grace. We default to “earning” rather than “receiving.” So we wonder, “Am I really right with God?” “Can I truly trust in His saving promises?” “What if I fail or doubt or wander astray?” We need assurances. Genesis 15 gives us assurance. It shows us that God Himself secures His saving promises. In Genesis 15, Moses recorded how the LORD reassured Abram by declaring him righteous through faith and by unilaterally making a covenant in blood, guaranteeing the future fulfillment of His redemptive promises.
The Catastrophe (Flood)
(From our Rocky Mount campus) Have you ever looked at the world and wondered, “How bad does it have to get before God does something?” Violence, corruption, moral confusion… it can feel like evil is winning and God is silent. Genesis 6–9 shows us that God is never indifferent to sin, but He is also never absent in mercy. Moses recorded how God judged the sin and rebellion of humanity by sending a worldwide flood to destroy all the living, yet preserved a remnant by providing an ark of salvation for Noah and his family. We can see how God reveals both His justice and His mercy in the account of the Flood.
12.08.2024 Baptism
This is the baptism that took place at the Eastgate Wilson Campus on Sunday, December 8th, 2024.
The Incarnation
The INFINITE became an INFANT. The ETERNAL ONE entered human history. At Christmas, we celebrate the staggering truth that the One who CREATED all things stepped into His own CREATION. God did not send a MESSAGE from heaven, He sent the MESSIAH, His one and only Son, Jesus Christ––God in the flesh! But here’s the question: Why does the incarnation matter to us today? Why should it move our hearts and change the way we live? Because too often the true meaning of Christmas gets buried under shopping lists, wrapping paper, and holiday festivities. We enjoy the celebration, but miss the meaning. If we’re not careful, we can celebrate Christmas and overlook Christ. In the second chapter of Luke’s gospel, he gave a historical account of the incarnation, describing the humble birth of God’s Son and the angelic announcement to shepherds watching their flocks nearby. In this birth announcement, we can see the true meaning of Christmas revealed.
A Vision For Your Life
Some of us may feel like we have no vision for our life at all. We’re drifting, reacting, just trying to get through life. Others of us do have a vision, but it may be unclear, incomplete, or even in conflict with God’s purposes. We know what we want, where we’re going, and how we plan to get there. But our vision may be shaped more by ambition, fear, or trying to stay in our comfort zone, rather than following Christ. Whether we have no vision or the wrong vision, the problem is the same: our hearts need to be aligned with God’s vision for our lives. And that’s exactly what the apostle Paul prays for in Philippians 1. From a Roman prison, he shows us how God changes the heart so that our vision becomes aligned with His purposes. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expressed his joyful gratitude and pastoral affection for them and prayed that they would grow in following God’s vision for their lives. We can choose to follow God’s vision for our lives.
The Creation (and the Fall)
(From our Rocky Mount Campus). if we don’t understand the beginning of the story, we will misunderstand everything that comes after it. We won’t understand: who we really are, why the world is so broken, or why Jesus had to come. Genesis 1–3 is not just the start of the Bible, it’s the foundation of reality. If we get the beginning wrong, the rest of the story won’t make sense. But if we get this right, suddenly the beauty we long for and the brokenness we live with both have an explanation. And so does our hope. From creation to consummation, the Bible tells one great story of a good and holy God rescuing His broken world through Jesus. THE STORY begins… In the book of Genesis, Moses recorded the story of how God created the heavens and the earth, creating humanity in His own image and calling it very good, yet after humanity’s rebellion, He promised a coming offspring who would defeat the serpent who tempted them to fall.
A Vision For Your Family
Without a vision for your life from God, life slowly loses direction and purpose. Most homes, and churches, don’t fall apart all at once. They drift. Conversations get shorter. Patience gets thinner. And many of us are exhausted, not because we don’t care, but because we’re trying to hold relationships together with our own strength. When God’s vision is missing, both our house and God’s house slowly lose their warmth and direction. So, how do we stop the drift? How do we move from a home that is “perishing” for lack of vision to a home that is thriving in the Spirit? How do we get God’s vision for our house and God’s house? In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he reminded believers that since they had already been given the mind of Christ, they were called to live out of that new mindset in all their relationships. We are called to live out of the new mindset we have in Christ in all our relationships.
A Vision for the World
(From our Wilson Campus) Today we’re talking about the HARVEST—how God wants us to have His vision for the world. And what is God’s vision for the world? Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" This is God’s vision for the church. It’s God’s vision for me and for you! The challenge for many of us is not that we disagree with God’s vision, but that we feel overwhelmed by it. We hear the vision, but the world? That’s just too big for our minds to grasp! For others it’s more a matter of feeling disconnected from it. How do ordinary believers like us move from feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from the mission to experiencing the joy of meaningful partnership in God’s vision for the world? That’s exactly what the apostle Paul helps us see in Philippians 4. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expressed his joy for their partnership with him for the gospel, viewing their generous support as a spiritual investment that fueled the gospel’s advance and brought glory to Jesus.
The Creation (and the Fall)
(From our Wilson Campus). if we don’t understand the beginning of the story, we will misunderstand everything that comes after it. We won’t understand: who we really are, why the world is so broken, or why Jesus had to come. Genesis 1–3 is not just the start of the Bible, it’s the foundation of reality. If we get the beginning wrong, the rest of the story won’t make sense. But if we get this right, suddenly the beauty we long for and the brokenness we live with both have an explanation. And so does our hope. From creation to consummation, the Bible tells one great story of a good and holy God rescuing His broken world through Jesus. THE STORY begins… In the book of Genesis, Moses recorded the story of how God created the heavens and the earth, creating humanity in His own image and calling it very good, yet after humanity’s rebellion, He promised a coming offspring who would defeat the serpent who tempted them to fall.
That's when I knew something had to change...
Michelle Barnes gives her testimony, how God took away the guilt and shame of choices she made as a teenager and began a journey of growth and change.
A Vision for Your Work
People often find their identity in their work, in their resume or in their bio. If your vision for work is only about the “gain” on your resume, you will eventually hit a “Now what?” wall. Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul showed us how to move past that wall. Writing from a Roman prison, the apostle Paul testified to the Philippian believers how he had counted his past achievements as “loss” and redirected his vision toward pursuing his upward calling in Christ Jesus. We can redirect our vision for our work toward pursuing our calling in Christ Jesus.
The Covenant
(From our Wilson Campus) Because we live in a "contract world," we often treat God like a "contract God." We feel that if we have a bad week or a season of doubt, the deal is off. We live in fear that we’ve broken the contract and God is going to "evict" us from His grace. We default to “earning” rather than “receiving.” So we wonder, “Am I really right with God?” “Can I truly trust in His saving promises?” “What if I fail or doubt or wander astray?” We need assurances. Genesis 15 gives us assurance. It shows us that God Himself secures His saving promises. In Genesis 15, Moses recorded how the LORD reassured Abram by declaring him righteous through faith and by unilaterally making a covenant in blood, guaranteeing the future fulfillment of His redemptive promises.
The Catastrophe (Flood)
(From our Wilson campus) Have you ever looked at the world and wondered, “How bad does it have to get before God does something?” Violence, corruption, moral confusion… it can feel like evil is winning and God is silent. Genesis 6–9 shows us that God is never indifferent to sin, but He is also never absent in mercy. Moses recorded how God judged the sin and rebellion of humanity by sending a worldwide flood to destroy all the living, yet preserved a remnant by providing an ark of salvation for Noah and his family. We can see how God reveals both His justice and His mercy in the account of the Flood.
Shorts by Eastgate Church
You probably underestimate God’s grace #shorts
Eastgate Church
You probably underestimate God’s grace #shorts
What kind of old person are you becoming? #grandparents
Eastgate Church
What kind of old person are you becoming? #grandparents
What does it take to experience real fellowship?
Eastgate Church
What does it take to experience real fellowship?
Jesus is inviting us into His fellowship with the Father...together.
Eastgate Church
Jesus is inviting us into His fellowship with the Father...together.
Why should we be devoted to food?
Eastgate Church
Why should we be devoted to food?
Are you suffering from a "failure to thrive" spiritually?
Eastgate Church
Are you suffering from a "failure to thrive" spiritually?
Have you gone to the cafeteria of spirituality?
Eastgate Church
Have you gone to the cafeteria of spirituality?
Checks, checkbooks, sacrifices and Jesus
Eastgate Church
Checks, checkbooks, sacrifices and Jesus
Do you struggle reading the Old Testament?
Eastgate Church
Do you struggle reading the Old Testament?
Do you feel distant from God?
Eastgate Church
Do you feel distant from God?
Everyone has 2 appointments on their calendar...
Eastgate Church
Everyone has 2 appointments on their calendar...
Stir one another up...come on in together through the Way
Eastgate Church
Stir one another up...come on in together through the Way
Okay, we get it...Jesus is greater!
Eastgate Church
Okay, we get it...Jesus is greater!
Singing in the valley is more important than singing on the mountaintop.
Eastgate Church
Singing in the valley is more important than singing on the mountaintop.
When the family descends on the house on Christmas Eve like a swarm of locusts....
Eastgate Church
When the family descends on the house on Christmas Eve like a swarm of locusts....
What do you do when it feels like you've lost your passion for the Lord and his work?
Eastgate Church
What do you do when it feels like you've lost your passion for the Lord and his work?
Worrying about outcomes vs being faithful.
Eastgate Church
Worrying about outcomes vs being faithful.
Why would God discipline me?
Eastgate Church
Why would God discipline me?
God cares more about your character than he does your comfort.
Eastgate Church
God cares more about your character than he does your comfort.
Are there two versions of you?
Eastgate Church
Are there two versions of you?
Dropping truth bombs vs seeing and meeting needs...
Eastgate Church
Dropping truth bombs vs seeing and meeting needs...
Redefining success by God's upside-down Kingdom...
Eastgate Church
Redefining success by God's upside-down Kingdom...
You are the light of the world...
Eastgate Church
You are the light of the world...
That time the preacher told you to leave the church...
Eastgate Church
That time the preacher told you to leave the church...
Jesus vs. the Pharisees on divorce
Eastgate Church
Jesus vs. the Pharisees on divorce
What might happen if you start letting your "yes" mean "yes" and your "no" be "no"?
Eastgate Church
What might happen if you start letting your "yes" mean "yes" and your "no" be "no"?
The lie we believe: "Hate your enemies"
Eastgate Church
The lie we believe: "Hate your enemies"
Retaliation? Or love...
Eastgate Church
Retaliation? Or love...
The moment I realized I had been accepted by my father in law...
Eastgate Church
The moment I realized I had been accepted by my father in law...
Does Jesus teach us not to fast?
Eastgate Church
Does Jesus teach us not to fast?
What does forgiveness actually look like?
Eastgate Church
What does forgiveness actually look like?
If God knows what we need, why pray at all?
Eastgate Church
If God knows what we need, why pray at all?
How do you start your day?
Eastgate Church
How do you start your day?
God will provide, but does that mean we don't have to work anymore?
Eastgate Church
God will provide, but does that mean we don't have to work anymore?
What does Jesus mean by "judge not"?
Eastgate Church
What does Jesus mean by "judge not"?
Go deep with Jesus to understand his teaching on prayer...
Eastgate Church
Go deep with Jesus to understand his teaching on prayer...
The crazy part about prayer....
Eastgate Church
The crazy part about prayer....
"Enter the narrow gate" is an individual decision...
Eastgate Church
"Enter the narrow gate" is an individual decision...
It might take time, but what's inside will eventually come out...
Eastgate Church
It might take time, but what's inside will eventually come out...
The wise person builds their house upon the rock of God's Word...
Eastgate Church
The wise person builds their house upon the rock of God's Word...
A merely verbal profession of faith, without obedience, is no faith at all...
Eastgate Church
A merely verbal profession of faith, without obedience, is no faith at all...
In relationships, there are some things you just need to put up with...
Eastgate Church
In relationships, there are some things you just need to put up with...
When I had to ask my daughter to forgive me...
Eastgate Church
When I had to ask my daughter to forgive me...
God gets angry, but what is his anger like?
Eastgate Church
God gets angry, but what is his anger like?
Could there be a good purpose to your anger?
Eastgate Church
Could there be a good purpose to your anger?
How long should you spend with God in the mornings?
Eastgate Church
How long should you spend with God in the mornings?
Are You Treasuring Anything Above Jesus?
Eastgate Church
Are You Treasuring Anything Above Jesus?
Endure with Jesus' strength until he calls you home...
Eastgate Church
Endure with Jesus' strength until he calls you home...
Don't lose life's race for a Big Mac and fries!
Eastgate Church
Don't lose life's race for a Big Mac and fries!
Mary knew the secret of the sailboat
Eastgate Church
Mary knew the secret of the sailboat
Protect the peace in your home (here’s how) #shorts
Eastgate Church
Protect the peace in your home (here’s how) #shorts
How to know who you should date #shorts
Eastgate Church
How to know who you should date #shorts
Wondering where to find true happiness? Look here #shorts
Eastgate Church
Wondering where to find true happiness? Look here #shorts
Your past doesn’t disqualify you #shorts
Eastgate Church
Your past doesn’t disqualify you #shorts
How to pray for others well #shorts
Eastgate Church
How to pray for others well #shorts
That ache you feel when something is truly beautiful #shorts
Eastgate Church