Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. Instead, He invited people to honestly consider what discipleship would require.

In this message from The Invitation series, John Gunter walks through Luke 14, where Jesus challenges His followers to count the cost before committing their lives to Him. Through practical examples and biblical teaching, we're reminded that discipleship is not about adding Jesus to an already full schedule. It's about making Him the highest priority from which every other decision flows.

Following Christ costs something, but nothing compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Him.

Key Themes:

• Following Jesus requires reordered priorities.
• Small daily decisions shape our spiritual lives.
• Discipleship is intentional, not accidental.
• Every area of life should be surrendered to God.
• Christ is worth every sacrifice.

Key Scriptures:

• Luke 14:25-35
• Matthew 16:24-26
• Philippians 3:7-11
• Romans 12:1-2

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

When the Samaritan woman encountered Jesus, everything changed.

She didn't become a Bible scholar overnight. She didn't suddenly have all the answers. She simply left her water jar behind, ran into town, and invited others to meet the One who had changed her life.

In this message from The Invitation series, John Gunter explores one of Scripture's greatest examples of personal evangelism. Through the story of the Samaritan woman, we're reminded that God often chooses the people we least expect to accomplish His greatest work.

Sharing our faith isn't about having a perfect past or perfect knowledge. It's about introducing people to the perfect Savior.

Key Themes:

• God uses imperfect people.
• Your testimony matters.
• Don't let your past silence your witness.
• Jesus calls us to invite, not convince.
• The harvest is ready today.

Key Scriptures:

• John 4:27-42
• Mark 5:18-20

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

Before Jesus told His disciples to go into the harvest, He first taught them how to see.

In Matthew 9, Jesus looked at the crowds with compassion because they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Rather than viewing people as interruptions or labels, He saw individuals who desperately needed hope, healing, and a Savior.

In this second message of The Invitation series, John Gunter challenges believers to slow down, notice the people God has already placed around them, and begin praying for opportunities to simply invite others to encounter Christ.

Sharing our faith doesn't begin with having all the answers. It begins with having the eyes of Jesus.

Key Themes:

• Seeing people through the eyes of Christ
• Compassion before invitation
• The harvest is people, not projects
• Prayer prepares our hearts to reach others
• God provides the growth while we faithfully invite

Key Scriptures:

• Matthew 9:35-38
• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Romans 15:7
• 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

In Luke 14, Jesus tells the parable of a great banquet where the invited guests are too busy to attend. Rather than canceling the celebration, the master sends his servants back out again and again because there is still room at the table.

In this message, John Gunter explores how ordinary distractions can keep us from responding to God's invitation and how the church is called to reflect God's heart by welcoming everyone who comes through its doors.

The gospel isn't reserved for people who have everything together. God's kingdom has room for people from every background, every story, and every stage of faith.

Key Themes:

• Ordinary excuses can crowd out eternal priorities.
• God's invitation is for everyone.
• The church should welcome people the way Christ welcomed us.
• There is always room at God's table.
• Our mission is to invite, welcome, and point people to Jesus.

Key Scriptures:

• Luke 14:15-24
• Isaiah 55:1-3
• Romans 15:7
• James 2:1-9

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

Every follower of Jesus has a story that began with an invitation.

In the opening chapter of John's Gospel, we see a simple pattern repeated again and again. Someone encounters Jesus, and then they invite someone else. John the Baptist points to Christ. Andrew brings Peter. Philip invites Nathanael. None of them have every answer. They simply say, "Come and see."

In this message, John Gunter challenges us to think about the people God has placed in our lives and asks one important question:

Who is your Simon?

As we prepare to begin The Story together as a church family, this sermon reminds us that sharing our faith is not about having perfect answers. It is about introducing people to the One who changes lives.

Key Scriptures:

• John 1:35-51
• Psalm 34:8
• 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
• John 6:66-69

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

What are you building today that you may never fully enjoy?

In this Father's Day message, John Gunter examines the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Through opposition, weariness, and discouragement, God's people discovered that the wall itself was never the ultimate goal. The goal was renewal, worship, and preparing a future they might never fully experience.

This sermon reminds us that faithful people build with future generations in mind. They persevere through ordinary days, trust God through difficult seasons, and keep moving forward even when they feel tired.

Key Themes:

• Building for future generations
• Persevering when you feel worn out
• Why discouragement isn't defeat
• The importance of ordinary faithfulness
• Remembering that the Lord is great and awesome

📖 Scriptures: Nehemiah 2:17-18; 4:10-14; 6:15-16; 8:1-12; 12:43

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.

What do you do with the moments you never want to forget?

In this special fifth anniversary message, John Gunter reflects on the story of Joshua 4 and God's command to Israel to build a memorial of stones after crossing the Jordan River. Those stones were not trophies celebrating human achievement. They were testimonies pointing future generations to the faithfulness of God.

Looking back over five years of Eagle Community Church of Christ, this sermon celebrates God's provision through seasons of uncertainty, challenge, sacrifice, and growth. Through every obstacle, God has continued to bless His people and open doors for ministry.

But this message is about more than the past. It is a call to build for the future. Just as Israel built stones for the next generation, believers today are called to leave behind a testimony of faith that others can follow.

Key Themes:

• Remembering God's faithfulness through difficult seasons
• Building a testimony for future generations
• Unity is worth protecting and pursuing
• Every believer has a place and purpose in God's family
• The church grows when ordinary people become fully engaged

📖 Scriptures: Joshua 4:1-7, Isaiah 54:17, Ephesians 4:1-6

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Is God really near, or does He just feel far away?

In the final message of the God Revealed series, John Gunter addresses a struggle many believers quietly carry. We know God is real. We know He is powerful. Yet there are seasons when He feels distant.

Drawing from Acts 17, this sermon examines Paul's message to the Athenians and their altar to an unknown god. Paul reveals a God who cannot be contained by temples, controlled by human systems, or kept at a distance. He is the God who gives life, breath, and everything else. He is the God in whom we live and move and have our being.

This message reminds us that God's nearness is not dependent on our feelings. He is present in worship, present in suffering, present in ordinary days, and present in every season of life. The question is not whether God is near. The question is whether we are drawing near to Him.

Key Themes:

• God cannot be confined to the boxes we create
• God is present in every part of life, not just spiritual moments
• We often treat God as distant when Scripture says He is near
• God's nearness is an invitation to relationship
• Drawing near to God changes how we live every day

📖 Scriptures: Acts 17:22-28, Psalm 34:18, James 4:8, Jeremiah 23:23-24

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