"But we have this treasure in jars of clay..."In this powerful message, Pastor Owen Miller of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church explores the concept of "Broken Arrows." So often, we disqualify ourselves from God’s service because we feel too damaged, too flawed, or too "broken" to be useful. This is a continuation of Owen's "Under Construction" Series of monthly messages.Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4:7 and the story of the woman at the well in John 4, Pastor Owen reminds us that our humanity isn't a hurdle for God—it's His preferred canvas. When we stop trying to hide our cracks and brokenness, we allow the light of Christ to shine through them more clearly.If you’ve ever felt like you aren't "whole" enough to make a difference, this sermon is a reminder that God doesn't just tolerate your weakness; He embraces and uses it to display His extraordinary power.Key Highlights:Jars of Clay: Understanding that the "treasure" is Christ, not our own perfection.The Woman at the Well: How a life of brokenness became a catalyst for a city’s revival.From Disqualified to Directed: Shifting our focus from our flaws to God's strength.Scripture References:"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." — 2 Corinthians 4:7"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" — John 4:29Connect with Walnut Creek Mennonite Church!#BrokenArrows #WalnutCreekMennonite #PastorOwenMiller #2Corinthians4 #GraceInBrokenness #ChristianSermon

"Envy causes the body of Christ to attack itself by viewing a brother’s blessing as a personal offense."

Welcome to week two of our series, The Hygiene of My Heart. This week, Charlie Grimes explores the deceptive pathogen of Envy—the "auto-immune disorder of the soul." Just as a physical illness can cause the body to turn on its own healthy tissue, envy causes us to see a "neighbor" as an "enemy" and a brother's success as our own failure.

In this message, we examine:

• The Pathogen of Perspective: How looking "sideways" at others blinds us to God's goodness in our own lives.

• The Warning Signs: Recognizing the "downcast face" and the "silent resentment" that rots the bones.

• The Cain and Abel Case Study: Understanding how comparison can lead to a total systemic collapse of our relationships.

• The Hygiene Protocol: Practical "antibiotics" for the heart, including specific confession, the "Vitamin C" of contentment, and the exercise of celebration.

Stop measuring your "field" against your brother’s "altar." Join us as we ask the Great Physician to reset our spiritual immune systems and replace the bitterness of comparison with the soundness of contentment.

Scripture References:

• Galatians 5:25–26

• Genesis 4:1–8

• Matthew 20:15

• Proverbs 14:30

About This Series:The Hygiene of My Heart is an eight-week journey into what it takes to get our hearts clean and keep them clean. Derived from the Greek word Hygies, we are seeking to be "sound, healthy, and whole" in our spiritual walk.

Title: The Landmine of Pride | The Hygiene of My Heart (Week 1)

Is your heart truly healthy, or is there a "stealth pathogen" hiding in plain sight?

In this opening message of our new series, The Hygiene of My Heart, Charlie Grimes explores the ancient root of pride through a modern lens. Using the Greek concept of hygias—meaning sound, healthy, and whole—we look at how pride mimics health while secretly attacking our spiritual immunity.

In this video, you will discover:

• How pride acts like a "silent virus," convincing us we don't need the Great Physician.

• The danger of the "Rooftop Moment" and what King Nebuchanezzar's story teaches us about spiritual blind spots.

• Practical "Heart Hygiene" protocols to restore spiritual soundness.

• How to identify the "cuckoo bird" eggs of pride in your own life.

Big Idea: The sin of pride is a silent virus that convinces us we don’t need the Great Physician.

Key Scripture: Proverbs 11:2; Daniel 4:34-37; 2 Samuel 11:1-5

Connect with Charlie Grimes:charlesrgrimes.com

#Faith #Sermon #CharlieGrimes #SpiritualHealth #TheHygieneOfMyHeart #Pride

When Jesus Speaks Your Name | Easter Sunday | Pastor Charlie Grimes

Description:

"Mary."

In one single word, everything changed. This Easter Sunday, Pastor Charlie Grimes explores the powerful, intimate encounter between the risen Christ and Mary Magdalene in John 20:11–18.

Mary stood at the tomb weeping, blinded by grief and unable to recognize the Savior standing right in front of her. It wasn't until Jesus spoke her name that her eyes were opened to the reality of the Resurrection. In this message, we dive into the personal nature of God's love—reminding us that the same Jesus who conquered the grave calls each of us by name today.

Are you listening for His voice amidst your own "weeping"? Join us as we celebrate the hope of the empty tomb and the God who meets us in our deepest moments of need.

Key Highlights:

• Finding hope when you feel overwhelmed by grief.

• Why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus at first—and what that means for us.

• The transformative power of a personal encounter with the Risen Lord.

Scripture Reference:

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means 'Teacher')." — John 20:16

Many thanks to the talented Sarah Hochstetler, Meghan Miller, and Owen Miller for their performance of the classic "In the Garden" by C. Austin Miles (1912).

Are we worshipping God, or a version of ourselves we’ve labeled “God”?In the powerful finale of our "Flawed" series, Pastor Charlie Grimes dives into one of the messiest and most revealing stories in the Book of Judges: Micah and his personal shrine in Judges 17.This ancient tale holds a compelling mirror to our modern, consumerist approach to faith. We all have that one area of our lives where we subtly say, “I’ve got this under control,” and start building a 'Designer Deity' that never challenges, never corrects, and always agrees with us.Join us as we explore the danger of "DIY Religion" and identify the subtle ways we "cherry-pick" our faith—embracing the comfort but avoiding the cost, seeking a divine therapist rather than a Sovereign King.In this final message, we cover:The Micah Moment: The chaos of "Doing what is right in your own eyes."** Transactional vs. Covenantal Faith**: Why we bargain when we don't trust God's character.Tearing down the shrines: How to move from self-rule to true rest in the King who is more than enough.You were never meant to carry the crown. This message is a final invitation to resign from the throne of your own life and find the grace and peace that comes only through whole-hearted surrender to the only King we need.

It’s a Process | Pastor Owen Miller

Are you in a season that feels more like a construction site than a finished home?

In this powerful message from March 8th, 2026, Pastor Owen Miller explores the truth that God is a Master Builder, and His favorite projects often take time. Drawing from the life of Joseph in Genesis and the promise of Philippians 1:6, we learn that the mess we see might actually be the evidence of God's movement.

• The Dust of Construction: Why "mess" is actually a sign of life. If there is dust, it means God is still working and the story isn't finished!

• The Joseph Journey: From the pit to the prison to the palace, Joseph’s life shows us that God’s "process" is often the path to His "purpose."

• The Promise of Completion: A deep dive into Philippians 1:6—the confidence that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

If you feel stuck, sidelined, or under renovation, this message is a reminder that the Architect hasn't walked off the job. Your current season is a process, not a permanent destination.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6

Ever thought you were strong enough to 'handle' that habit, relationship, or secret? That's Samson's story, and maybe it’s yours, too. We usually focus on his muscles and his hair, but the real story of Samson isn't about physical strength—it’s about the devastating, invisible power of small compromises.

Today Pastor Charlie looks into the story of a "flawed" hero of Judges: Samson.

We’re examining why Samson, a man set apart from birth, ended up blinded and bound, and what it tells us about our own 'strongest weaknesses.'

In this message, we cover:

• The Nazarite calling vs. the self-focused cravings: Why Samson thought his gifting made him exempt from the rules.

• The Slow Drift of Compromise: The three-step 'dance' with Delilah where he lost his fear of being burned.

• The Fatal Mistake: Why Samson’s collapse wasn't sudden; it was the quiet leak of a lost connection to God.

• The Gospel Solution (The Better Deliverer): Why Samson’s blind, final prayer is a pre-figuring of the voluntary, triumphant sacrifice of Jesus.

The Bottom Line: You can’t control a sin that you refuse to confront.

Stop your drift. Stop trying to 'muscle' your way out of a cycle that only grace can break. This sermon is a final call to stop the transactional hustle and find the true strength that comes only through surrender.

The Tragic Vow | Judges 11

What do you do when your past feels like it has disqualified you from your future?

In this message, we explore the life of Jephthah, a man who was pushed to the margins, rejected by his family, and forced to live in the shadows. Yet, when the people of Israel faced an impossible crisis, God reached into the "land of Tob" to call upon the very man they had cast out.

• The Pain of Rejection: Understanding Jephthah’s background and how our wounds often shape our identity.

• God’s Surprising Selection: Why God chooses the "outcasts" and "mighty warriors" that society often overlooks.

• The Complexity of Faith: Navigating the triumphs and the tragic vows of a man despite his deep flaws.

Your pedigree doesn't determine your purpose. Join us as we see how God’s grace reaches into the most broken circumstances to find leaders for His people.

"Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah..." — Judges 11:29

• Visit the Website: Find more sermons and resources at charlesrgrimes.com

• Read the Book: If you’re interested in stories of running from and returning to God, check out my book, Jonah: Following God's Call When You'd Rather Run Away, available now on Amazon.

• Subscribe: Hit that subscribe icon to be notified of our weekly teachings from the Book of Judges.

#Judges11 #Jephthah #Sermon #BibleStudy #GodsGrace #FaithInTheFlaws