Flatirons Community Church Podcast

Why is there so much evil and brokenness in our world? And what happens when people keep rejecting God and choosing their own way? In the final week of our Rebellion series, Jim Burgen unpacks the Tower of Babel, the scattering of the nations, and a part of the Bible most people have never connected to the story of Jesus. From Genesis 11 to Pentecost, we'll discover how humanity's rebellion led to separation from God and how Jesus came to bring people back into His family. Whether you've been questioning why God allows evil, struggling with the consequences of your own decisions, or wondering if you've gone too far to come back to God, this message is for you. Discover why God's grace is greater than your past and share this message with someone who needs that reminder. In this message you'll discover: — Why the Tower of Babel was about more than building a tower — What happens when people continually reject God and His direction — How the Bible explains the spiritual forces behind the brokenness in our world — Why Pentecost connects directly to the scattering of the nations — How Jesus makes a way back to God, no matter how far you've wandered Key Scriptures: Genesis 11:1–9, Deuteronomy 32:8–9, Romans 1:18–32, Acts 2:1–41, Matthew 28:18–20 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

What if the reason you keep falling into the same sin has more to do with spiritual warfare than you realize? The Bible tells a strange story about giants, rebellious spiritual beings, and a battle a several thousand year old battle that’s affecting us today. In Week 6 of Same Demons. Different Day., Jim Burgen unpacks the forgotten rebellion in Genesis 6, the mysterious Nephilim, and what the Bible teaches about the origins of demons. But this isn't just about ancient giants and rebellious spiritual beings. It's about understanding why sin and temptation still have such a powerful grip on our lives and how Jesus gives us the power to overcome them. Whether you're fighting a habit you can't seem to break, struggling with temptation, or trying to understand spiritual warfare, this message will help you recognize the real battle and discover why willpower alone isn't enough. In this message you'll discover: — Why Genesis 6 reveals a spiritual rebellion most Christians have never heard about — What the Bible says about the Nephilim, fallen spiritual beings, and the origins of demons — Why overcoming sin and temptation takes more than willpower — How the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out — How to recognize spiritual attacks and stand strong with the armor of God Key Scriptures: Genesis 6:1–5, Psalm 82:1, Mark 5:1–13, Ephesians 6:10–17, John 13:34 Want to learn more about rebellion in the Bible? Watch our earlier series, Rebellion, here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2JgqKXOrZcVbhEHVv3y9NNt5gz0Ab2qs Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

What if the biggest problem in your life isn't your worst mistake, but the belief that you know better than God? In Part 5 of Same Demons, Different Day, Jim Burgen takes us back to Genesis 3 to uncover the root of sin and the strategy Satan has been using since the Garden of Eden. From questioning God's Word to trusting our own judgment, the same deception that led Adam and Eve into rebellion is still shaping our decisions, relationships, and faith today. Whether you're struggling with temptation, carrying regret, or wondering if you've gone too far for God to forgive you, this message will challenge you to recognize the lies you've believed and discover the grace Jesus offers. Share this with someone who needs to hear it. In this message you'll discover: — Why pride is the root of sin and how it shows up in everyday decisions — How Satan uses doubt and deception to lead you away from God's truth — What Genesis 3 reveals about temptation, shame, and the consequences of trusting yourself over God — Why your past mistakes don't have to define your future when you turn to Jesus — How knowing God's Word helps you recognize deception and stand firm in spiritual battles Key Scriptures: Genesis 3:1–13, 1 John 4:1–3, Ephesians 6:11–12, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 9:7–8, Romans 5:6–8 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

You can't fight an enemy you don't recognize. And according to the Bible, not every battle you face is against something you can see. In Ephesians 6, Paul explains the reality of spiritual warfare, the enemies we're up against, and why God calls us to put on His armor. The question isn't just whether spiritual warfare is real. It's whether you're prepared to stand firm when it comes. Whether you're new to following Jesus or you've been walking with Him for years, this message will help you better understand the spiritual battle described in Scripture and what it means to stand strong in God's power. In this message you'll discover: Who the Bible identifies as our real spiritual enemies Why your own strength isn't enough for spiritual warfare What it means to put on the whole armor of God How to stand firm and withstand spiritual opposition Why standing your ground is central to spiritual warfare Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10–13 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay ConnectedWebsite: https://flatironschurch.comFacebook: https://Facebook.com/flatironsInstagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

What if you've been reading the Bible your whole life and still missing what's really going on? In Part 3 of Same Demons, Different Day, Jim Burgen unpacks the spiritual world behind the Bible's bigger story, from the divine council in Psalm 82 to the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Understanding the Bible in its original context changes how we recognize spiritual warfare, understand our enemy, and put our faith into action today. If you've ever struggled to understand the supernatural parts of Scripture or wondered what spiritual warfare has to do with your everyday life, this message will challenge you to look beyond the surface. Watch and share it with someone who's ready to dig deeper into God's Word. In this message you'll discover: Why understanding the Bible's original context changes how you read Scripture What Psalm 82 reveals about the divine council and the unseen spiritual world How the rebellion in Genesis 3 connects to the spiritual battle we're facing today Why following Jesus requires more than believing the right things How prayer, gathering with other believers, and bold action strengthen your faith Key Scriptures: James 2:14–19, Psalm 82:1–6, Genesis 3:1, Ephesians 1, 1 Timothy 2:1–2, Hebrews 10:24–25 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

What if the biggest threat to the church isn’t what’s happening around us, but what’s happening inside us? In this message, Jim Burgen continues our spiritual warfare series by unpacking the unseen spiritual battle behind what we see happening in our world. But the challenge eventually turns back on us: before we point at everything wrong with the world, followers of Jesus have to ask whether we’re actually living, praying, and loving differently. If you’re frustrated by politics, culture, or the direction of the world around you, watch this message before deciding who the enemy is. Jesus calls His followers to something much harder than winning an argument: loving people, even our enemies, the way He loved us. In this message you’ll discover: — What the Bible means by children of God, the Son of God, and sons of God — How the Bible describes the spiritual forces working against God and His people — Why judgment begins with the household of God before we point at the world — What repentance, prayer, and loving our enemies look like for followers of Jesus today — Why our allegiance to Jesus has to come before our politics, opinions, and agendas Key Scriptures: John 1:9–14, Psalm 82, 1 Peter 4:12–17, 2 Chronicles 7:14, John 13:34–35, Matthew 5:43–47 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

There's more going on beneath what you're experiencing. It's time to pull back the curtain and learn how to fight the battle that actually needs to be fought. This message kicks off Same Demons, Different Day, a series on spiritual warfare and learning to discern between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. You'll hear why identifying the schemes of the devil changes how you fight, plus details on the six-week Prayer Challenge starting Monday (text PRAYER to 80857) and the Unseen Realm Conference Oct 9-10 at Flatirons West Campus. Whether you're in a season of chaos, temptation, or spiritual exhaustion, this one is for you. Watch this message and get equipped to stand strong when the day comes. In this message you'll discover: — Why your struggle isn't just flesh and blood and what's really happening underneath — Why trying to fight in your own strength won't work and what it looks like to stand equipped — How to test what you're hearing and know if it's truth or error — Why Jesus' unchanging power and authority is your source of victory and protection Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-13, Ephesians 6:18-20, 1 John 4:1-6, Matthew 26:41, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 13:8, Philippians 2:6-11, Romans 10:13 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

Why do you do what you do? There's a question driving your life and you might not even know it. This message unpacks the Seven Primal Questions model and the core need underneath your behaviors, choices, and relationships. Most of that wiring was imprinted in childhood, and when that question got a no, maybe, or unclear, it started running your life from under the surface. Whether you're in a season of feeling stuck, triggered, or misunderstood in your marriage, parenting, friendships, or faith, watch this message and start getting honest about what's really driving you. In this message you'll discover: — How to identify the core primal need running underneath your behaviors and choices — Why unmet needs from childhood still shape your adult relationships today — What the scramble is and why it keeps you from a flourishing life — How God wants to meet your deepest need and answer it with a yes Key Scriptures: Psalm 18:2, Lamentations 3, 2 Corinthians 1 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

Some things you only have to do once to wreck your marriage. This message names them out loud, and hands you the guardrails so you never do that. In a culture that keeps redrawing the lines on sex, marriage, and conflict, this message goes back to what God actually said, that sexual intimacy belongs inside covenant, that temptation is universal but never an excuse, and that the words you use in a fight can wound deeper than you realize. The question underneath all of it: what do you need to stop doing today to protect the marriage and the people God gave you? Whether your marriage feels strong right now, feels like it's hanging by a thread, or you're single and want to get this right before you ever say "I do", this one is for you. In this message you'll discover: — Why sexual intimacy belongs inside covenant marriage, and why that boundary protects you rather than restricts you — How to run from temptation instead of negotiating with it, and why God always provides a way of escape — Why Jesus goes after the heart and not just the act, and what that means for lust and pornography — The guardrails that keep you out of the room where affairs actually start, and the "never do that" rules that keep a conflict from becoming a wound, including the forgiveness that cancels a debt they could never pay Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 5:27-28, 1 Corinthians 13 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

Most marriages don't explode overnight. They drift. This is Part 2 of More Than A Game. We dig into what it really takes to build a marriage that goes the distance with a clear vision, full intent, and a practical strategy for becoming one. It's about covenant over contract and choosing oneness on purpose. Whether you're feeling distant, stuck in the same fight, or just coasting while career and kids get your best, this one is for you. Watch now and take an honest look at where you are and where you could go together. In this message you'll discover: — Why every marriage on mission needs vision for where you're headed, intent to stay all in, and strategy for what to start and stop — What true oneness really means and why intimacy is far bigger than just sex — How husbands are called to love with sacrifice that fuels joy and purpose — How wives bring life through respect, belief, and words that build strength Key Scriptures: Matthew 19:4-6, Genesis 2, Genesis 4, Ephesians 5:25-33, 1 Timothy Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bringing the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online. #FlatironsChurch #Sermon #OnlineChurch

Marriage was never meant to be a game, but so many of us treat it like one. What if the way you've been playing is what's actually breaking it? This is Week One of our series More Than a Game. Marriage isn't a contract you keep when it's convenient, it's a covenant that reveals who you really are. This message asks a challenging question: What if God designed marriage less to make you happy and more to make you holy? Whether you're single and want to prepare well, in a good marriage that needs attention before it drifts, or in a painful season wondering if it's too late, this message is for you. In this message you'll discover: — Why the real battle in your marriage isn't against your spouse — How God uses marriage as a refining tool to expose and grow your character — What it means to draw a circle around yourself and take ownership of your part —- Why finding your identity in Christ is the foundation for a healthy marriage Key Scriptures: James 4:13-14, Ephesians 6:12, Malachi 2:16, Psalm 139:23-24 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Jim Burgen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Burgen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.burgen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimburgen Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

Somebody is waiting for you to stop waiting. There's a name you keep putting off and God hasn't quit on them yet. The whole Christian life can feel like it's about the crowd: the service, the numbers, the movement. But when Philip heard one voice tell him to run, he left the crowd behind and chased down a single man on a desert road. This message is about the one, the one person God keeps putting in front of you, the one conversation you keep avoiding, and the one name you can't seem to write down. Whether you've convinced yourself they're too far gone, you're afraid of how the conversation will go, or you just stopped noticing them years ago, this is your nudge to stop inspecting the soil and start walking toward them. In this message you'll discover: — Why the one matters more to God than the crowd — What Philip's "run" reveals about how God actually reaches people — How to stop prejudging who's reachable and start the conversation — A practical way to pray for and pursue your one person Key Scriptures: Acts 8:26-40, John 3:16, Luke 15:4-7, 2 Peter 3:9 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

Everyone wants their life to matter. The question is whether you'll chase that by climbing higher, or by going lower. In a culture obsessed with status, achievement, and recognition, Jesus quietly rewrites the definition of greatness. He doesn't tell His followers to stop wanting to be great. He redirects the desire entirely: the way up is the way down. Drawing from Mark 10, Philippians 2, and John 13, this message unpacks what it actually looks like to live a life of humble service the way Jesus modeled it. Whether you're in a season of feeling overlooked, restless for more impact, or simply wondering how your faith is supposed to show up in everyday life, this message is for you. In this message you'll discover: — Why Jesus redirects our desire for greatness instead of dismissing it — How "emptying yourself" the way Christ did becomes the path to real significance — Three practical choices for a life of service: Get Up, Go Low, and Grab a Towel — Why serving isn't just something you do for others — it's how God transforms you Key Scriptures: Mark 10:42-45, Philippians 2:3-11, John 13:3-5, John 13:13-17 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus

Your kid comes home from camp on fire for Jesus. A few weeks later, it's like it never happened. In this message from Mark 2, we look at the story of four friends who carried a paralyzed man to Jesus because he couldn't get there on his own. It's a picture of what it takes to break a cycle of dysfunction in a family or a generation: someone has to grab a corner of the mat and carry the next person toward Jesus, because they can't force their way there alone. Whether you're a parent watching your kid drift after a spiritual high, a leader wondering if your investment in a young person is actually landing, or someone still carrying the weight of what wasn't given to you growing up, this message is for you. In this message you'll discover: — Why a mountaintop moment like camp fades fast without people carrying a young person afterward — The four "corners of the mat" every next generation needs: parents, friends, leaders, and the church — The true story of a 14-year-old boy whose courage broke a cycle of abuse in his own home — Practical ways to show up for the young people in your life this week, starting now Key Scriptures: Mark 2:1-12, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 6:4 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus

Partial obedience is disobedience. And Jesus would rather you be cold than where you are right now. In the final message of the Seven Letters series, we land on the most confrontational letter in Revelation—written to a church that had everything and needed nothing. Or so they thought. The letter to Laodicea delivers a gut-check that cuts through every kind of self-deception: lukewarm is not a safe middle ground. It's the most dangerous place to be.Whether you've been following Jesus for years but feel like something is missing, or you've been letting Him into some parts of your life while keeping the door firmly closed on others—this message is for you. In this message you'll discover: — Why Jesus finds lukewarm faith more repulsive than outright rejection — How you can look like you're winning at life while actually wasting it — What true zeal looks like — and why there is no revival without repentance — Why Jesus doesn't kick doors down, and what it means to finally open all of yours Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:14-22, Hebrews 12:11

When you feel weak, forgotten, or ready to quit, Jesus does not measure your life by its headlines. He calls you to hold fast, trust His authority, and stay faithful. In this message, you’ll explore Jesus’ encouragement to a church that had little worldly strength but refused to abandon its faith. The message confronts our instinct to force doors open, control outcomes, and measure success by influence, while pointing us back to dependence on Christ. Jesus is the One who opens doors, strengthens the weak, and gives His people an identity that cannot be shaken. Whether you’re discouraged in your marriage, parenting, work, ministry, or calling, this message speaks to the part of you wondering whether you can keep going. If prayer feels unanswered or life feels unstable, discover how faithfulness in your current assignment can become an act of trust. In this message you’ll discover: — Why Jesus’ authority matters when you are trying to force doors open. — How God works through dependence and weakness rather than self-sufficiency. — Why your neighborhood, workplace, family, and current season are not accidents but assignments. — How to stop fighting every critic, hold fast to Jesus, and keep going when quitting feels easier. Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:7–13, Isaiah 22:22, John 10:9, Matthew 5:3, Galatians 6:9, Romans 12:19, Psalm 59:16

It is easy to fall asleep when you are comfortable. But spiritual complacency can leave you vulnerable before you even realize you are drifting. In this message from the SEVEN LETTERS series, we examine Jesus’ warning to the church in Sardis—a church with a reputation for being alive but a spiritual condition that told a different story. Sardis was conquered twice by stealth, and its history gives us a vivid picture of what happens when comfort replaces vigilance. Whether your faith feels routine, your relationships feel like maintenance, or you are simply going through the motions, this message challenges you to wake up and strengthen what remains. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life, but we are called to respond with intentional faith. In this message you'll discover: — Why comfort can quietly lead to spiritual complacency — How resistance may reveal that you are moving in the right direction — What it means to remember, guard, and repent — Five practical ways to wake up your faith: gather purposefully, serve selflessly, connect deeply, influence daily, and give generously Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:1-6, John 16:33, Luke 6:26, Hebrews 10:24, Galatians 5:13, Proverbs 18:24, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

The church in Thyatira was loving, faithful, and growing. Jesus still had a problem with them. This is Week 4 of our Seven Letters series through Revelation. Jesus turns His gaze on Thyatira—a church doing a lot right. But their tolerance of a false teacher named Jezebel was quietly unraveling everything. The core question Jesus asks them is the same one He's asking the modern church: have we confused love with tolerance? Whether you've quietly let something destructive linger in your own life, or you've been told that tolerance is the highest virtue, this message will reshape how you see both love and sin. In this message you'll discover: — Why what you tolerate eventually becomes what shapes you — The difference between loving people and celebrating what's destroying them — How false teaching subtly twists God's Word and how to recognize it — Why the sin you're tolerating today will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay Key Scriptures: Revelation 2:18-29, 1 Kings 16, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Genesis 4, Lamentations 3:22-23

You haven't rejected Jesus. You've just stopped letting Him be Lord of every room. This is Part 3 of SEVEN LETTERS, a series walking through Jesus' letters to seven real churches in the book of Revelation. In His letter to the church in Pergamum, Jesus confronts a community that held on to His name—but slowly made peace with the very things He called them to resist. The question isn't whether you believe in Jesus. It's whether He's actually in charge. Whether you've been drifting without realizing it, feeling the pressure to keep your faith quiet, or wondering how the church keeps losing its edge in culture—this message cuts right to the center of it. In this message you'll discover: - Why "reducing Jesus from King to consultant" is more dangerous than outright rejection - How the ancient compromise of the Pergamum church mirrors the exact pressure Christians face today - What the story of Balaam reveals about false teachers and spiritual drift in the modern church - The meaning behind the white stone—and why it matters more than the world's verdict on who you are Key Scriptures: Revelation 2:12-17, Numbers 22-25, 1 John 2:18, John 6 Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campus Stay Connected: Website: https://flatironschurch.com Facebook: https://Facebook.com/flatirons Instagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurch Bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

What if the faithfulness Jesus asks of you isn't measured by what you'd die for, but by what you're willing to lose today? This message walks through Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna from Revelation 2—a group of believers facing real persecution, real poverty, and real fear. Unlike most of the seven churches, Jesus doesn't rebuke them. He acknowledges their pain, names their suffering, and then challenges them to stay faithful anyway. The core question isn't whether you'll face hardship. It's whether you'll trust that the end of the story is already written—and that the end is victory. Whether you're in a season of grief, walking through something that feels impossible to survive, or just quietly wondering if your faith is real enough to hold up under pressure, this message is for you. Jesus wrote a letter to people in pain, and it still speaks. In this message you'll discover: Why having faith is free but being faithful always costs something How knowing "the End" gives you the strength to endure "the middle" of your story What Jesus' letter to Smyrna reveals about suffering, persecution, and His presence in your pain The true story behind the hymn "It Is Well" and what it looks like to trust God when everything falls apart Key Scriptures: Revelation 2:8-11, Revelation 21:1-5