If you feel exhausted by trying to be “good enough” for God, you’re not alone. Many people experience faith as just another system of pressure: do more, try harder, measure up. But Jesus never invited people into more burden. He invited them into rest.

In the first part of our series "Relief," we look at how religion can quietly become a performance system and why Jesus consistently pushed back against that. From the Beatitudes to Jesus’ invitation to the weary and burdened, Scripture paints a picture of a God who relieves pressure instead of adding to it.

This message is for: Anyone burned out by church Anyone who feels like they are never “enough” Anyone carrying guilt, spiritual pressure, or shame Anyone who wants to rediscover the real heart of Jesus Jesus did not come to give you another system to master. He came to give you rest.

📖 Key passages explored: Matthew 5, Matthew 11, Matthew 23, John 7 📍 Forest Park Church - Elizabeth City NC, 27909

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To support our ministry and help us continue to reach people in Elizabeth City, and around the world click here: http://www.fplive.org/give/

Our mission: Help people follow Jesus one step at a time.

Stay Connected with FPC _______________________________ Website: http://www.fplive.org Forest Park Church Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/forestparklive Forest Park Church Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/forestparkchurch Forest Park Church TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forestparkchurch Scott Neal Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottnealonline Scott Neal Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/scottnealfpc Scott Neal Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scottneallive

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest messages and content by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/forestparkchurch?sub_confirmation=1

To support our ministry and help us continue to reach people in Elizabeth City, and around the world click here: http://www.forestparkchurch.com/give/

Our mission: Help people follow Jesus one step at a time.

Stay Connected with FPC _______________________________ Website: http://www.forestparkchurch.com Forest Park Church Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/forestparklive Forest Park Church Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/forestparkchurch Forest Park Church TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forestparkchurch Scott Neal Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottnealonline Scott Neal Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/scottnealfpc Scott Neal Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scottneallive

In this message, Pastor Scott concludes our series by exploring what it means to become whole, not perfect, but integrated, grounded, and moving in the right direction. Drawing from Scripture, the teachings of Jesus, and the story of Peter, this sermon challenges the belief that people are permanently broken or destined to stay stuck.

Jesus did not come only to forgive us, but to transform us. He invites us into a life shaped by truth, healed through love, and formed over time through faithful following.

This message speaks to anyone who feels worn down, fragmented, or resigned to spiritual mediocrity, and offers a hopeful vision of healing, growth, and real change through following Jesus one step at a time. Key themes in this message: * What biblical wholeness really means * Why perfection is not the goal, but direction matters * How your heart shapes the trajectory of your life * Why Jesus can be trusted as someone who truly understands reality * How transformation happens slowly, imperfectly, but genuinely * Why wounded people heal best in community

Whether you are struggling, skeptical, tired, or searching, this message is an invitation to believe that growth is possible and that Jesus knows how life actually works.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest messages and content by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/forestparkchurch?sub_confirmation=1

To support our ministry and help us continue to reach people in Elizabeth City, and around the world click here: http://www.fplive.org/give/

Our mission: Help people follow Jesus one step at a time.

Stay Connected with FPC _______________________________ Website: http://www.fplive.org Forest Park Church Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/forestparklive Forest Park Church Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/forestparkchurch Forest Park Church TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forestparkchurch Scott Neal Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottnealonline Scott Neal Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/scottnealfpc Scott Neal Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scottneallive