What does it truly mean to be saved? In this powerful opening message of the "God Saves" series, Pastor Timothy Mann cuts through common misconceptions to reveal the radical truth of salvation from Ephesians 2:1-10.

Like someone floating face down in water, our spiritual condition before Christ isn't just injured or struggling—we're dead. The stark reality is that apart from divine intervention, we're spiritually lifeless, enslaved to the world's values, under Satan's influence, and captive to our own sinful nature. This isn't describing particularly bad people—it describes all of us.

But then comes the divine turning point: "But God, who is rich in mercy." When we couldn't take a single step toward Him, God took the initiative. Not because we deserved it, but because of His character of love and mercy. Salvation isn't about self-improvement—it's spiritual resurrection.

Through vivid exposition, Pastor Tim reveals that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not of works. We bring nothing to salvation except the sin that made it necessary. Even our faith itself is a gift from God, leaving no room for human boasting. Yet this humbling truth is also liberating: we are God's workmanship, His masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance.

Whether you've been a believer for years, are newly saved, or still exploring faith, this message will deepen your understanding of what it means to be rescued by grace and transformed for God's glory. You'll discover why the backdrop of our spiritual deadness makes God's mercy shine so brightly, and why believers will spend eternity in awe of the grace that reached them when they were helpless.

What makes someone a genuine Christian? It's a question that strikes at the heart of faith itself, and one that Pastor Timothy Mann addresses with remarkable clarity in this enlightening message from Providence Church.

Nicholas Kristof once had a public conversation with Pastor Tim Keller that was published in the New York Times. In this exchange, Kristof asked if he could be considered a Christian while rejecting core Christian doctrines—a question that reflects the spiritual confusion of our age. Pastor Mann uses this as a springboard to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding authentic Christian identity.

At the core of this message are three essential pillars: what a Christian believes, how a Christian behaves, and where a Christian belongs. Pastor Mann skillfully demonstrates why this order matters profoundly. Christianity begins with belief—not just any belief, but specific convictions about God's existence, our sinfulness, and Christ's saving work through his death and resurrection. Drawing from Romans 10:9 and other key passages, Mann establishes that certain doctrines like the virgin birth and bodily resurrection are non-negotiable for genuine Christian faith.

With pastoral wisdom, Pastor Mann warns against the dangerous heresy of moralism—the false gospel that suggests we become Christians through good behavior rather than through faith. Instead, he clarifies that our behavior changes as a result of our belief, not as a prerequisite for it. When we truly believe, God declares us righteous (justification), and through the indwelling Holy Spirit begins making us righteous (sanctification), producing virtues like those described in 2 Peter 1:5-9.

Whether you're questioning your own faith, seeking to understand Christianity better, or wanting to grow in your ability to explain the gospel to others, this message provides the biblical clarity you need to address life's most important question with confidence and hope.

Navigating what it truly means to love our neighbor ranks among the most challenging aspects of living out our Christian faith. Pastor Timothy Mann cuts through cultural confusion with a powerful reminder that love isn't an optional extra for believers—it's the main course.

Drawing from John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:20, and Mark 12:29-31, Pastor Tim establishes that loving others directly reflects our love for God. This teaching provides a transformative framework for how Christians should approach relationships, particularly with those whose lifestyles or identities may conflict with Biblical teaching.

The message unpacks three essential components of Biblical love. First, love promotes dignity by recognizing every person bears God's image regardless of their choices or identity. History's greatest atrocities—from the Holocaust to slavery—stemmed from denying this fundamental truth. Second, love requires empathy, the willingness to understand another's perspective before speaking into their life. As Galatians 6:2 instructs, we must "bear one another's burdens." Third, love shares truth, which often contradicts our culture's definition that equates love with affirming every desire.

Pastor Tim addresses the tension Christians face between speaking Biblical truth and being labeled hateful, reminding us that true love isn't measured by popularity but by alignment with Scripture. This teaching provides practical wisdom for believers navigating relationships in an increasingly divided society.

Whether you're struggling to love difficult people, wrestling with how to engage loved ones making choices contrary to Scripture, or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of Christian love, this message offers biblical clarity and compassionate guidance. The question isn't whether we'll encounter people with different values and identities—it's whether we'll respond with dignity, empathy, and truth.