New Life Church - Fayetteville

Our words matter. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. What we say reflects what’s going on in our hearts, and our words can either build up or tear down.In this episode, we explore how words spoken decades ago still impact us today, why even “joking” can cause harm, and how encouragement can shift lives. The tongue is like a spiritual check engine light—what comes out of our mouths reveals the condition of our hearts.Speak life and speak truth as light in a world full of darkness.

This week, our founding pastor Rick Bezet came and shared on how to grow up spiritually. The book of James talks a lot about how we can mature in our faith in so many ways. Some key aspects for those who are mature in their faith is that they: Choose joy, stay in God’s pace and place, practice gratitude daily, and always are building the kingdom with new souls.

The parable of the prodigal son is one of Jesus’ most famous stories—but it’s not just about the prodigal. In Luke 15, we also see the other family members in the prodigal’s story, what we can learn from them, and also lessons about the lost sheep and the lost coin. Who are we most like—the prodigal, the older brother, the father, or even the religious leaders looking on?In this episode, we talk about what it means to be lost and found, how the coin represents those inside the house (a picture of the church), and why rehearsing our apologies is different than true repentance. God calls us not just to make it right—but to be transformed by His grace.

The Next-Generation is ON FIRE for God. It is so evident in our ministries weekly, and in the way we see them live boldly for God. This Next-Gen Takeover Service was designed to show you what God is doing and how you can be involved. It doesn’t take qualifications, it takes a willing spirit. There will always be another generation and God is asking us to get in the game now. We all have been gifted with unique ways to invest into God’s Kingdom and impact generations!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 tells us of God's unconditional love and grace. The message highlights how God pursues both those who have wandered far from Him (the younger son) and those who have become self-righteous (the older son). No one is a "lost cause" in God's eyes, and He continually seeks to restore and welcome back those who have strayed, whether through active rebellion or pride.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…” (Joshua 1:8). In this episode, we talk about what it really means to meditate on God’s Word and fill our minds with Scripture.From Joshua’s call to courage, to how meditation strengthens our faith, we’ll explore why dwelling on God’s Word leads to transformation and intimacy with Him. Whether you’re new to spiritual disciplines or seasoned in your walk, meditating on His Word will help you slow down and fix your thoughts on the Lord.

“What do I do, when I don’t know what to do?” Joshua's transition after Moses' death helps us understand this question we all face in our life. Trusting in God's promises, remaining obedient, and maintaining a "whatever, whenever" attitude of faith helps us approach any and all situations with the best odds. Pastor Seth encourages us to cling to God's promises, allow God to instruct you, and respond to challenging times with love, forgiveness, and God-Confidence.

Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The sermon today emphasizes that conflict is inevitable in human relationships, but how we respond to conflict is what matters. Pastor Seth provides practical guidance on addressing conflicts by looking inward, moving towards pain rather than avoiding it, pursuing reconciliation, and extending forgiveness as Christ did. As Christians, we are called to be intentional about resolving conflicts with love, humility, and grace, recognizing that our response can either point people towards or away from Christ.

Pastor Seth emphasizes that marriage is God’s idea and a divine design meant to reflect His love and unity. A healthy marriage doesn’t happen by chance—it requires intentionality, communication, transparency, forgiveness, and a Christ-centered foundation. Couples are challenged to fight for their marriage rather than with each other, to be mindful of who and what they are spiritually "yoked" to, and to create a culture of love, honesty, and grace. The message encourages spouses to forgive quickly, avoid secrecy, and pursue purity and mutual respect, recognizing that marriage ultimately points to Christ’s relationship with the Church.

Pastor Seth talks about singleness. As Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 7, the singleness is not a bad thing, but a purposeful season of life where singles can focus on personal growth, spiritual development, and serving God without distractions. This sermon encourages everyone to view their current life stage as a valuable opportunity for self-discovery, preparation, and dedication to serving the LORD, rather than merely a waiting period for marriage. Marriage is not required, it is not simple, but we can focus on the LORD and find our worth in Him regardless of where we land in relationships. Our focus is the relationship with the Father!

As we dive into a new series (Fully Devoted Families), Pastor Seth talks about the importance of intentional spiritual alignment and building a life centered on God's standard and guidance. Life is built either by default or by design. But we must focus on avoiding distractions that can lead to spiritual destruction. The visual of a plumb line demonstrates spiritual alignment. A house(person) will fall the way it is leaning,so we must rely on God's word as the standard for our life, recognize our own brokenness, and continuously realign ourselves with God's purpose to run this race of life well.

Pastor Justin Free dives into Abraham's faith test in Genesis 22, where God asks Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited son Isaac. Our faith is revealed through trials, God tests faith not to break us as believers, but to reveal our spiritual depth. There are three key ways God tests faith: through love (what we treasure most), obedience (our willingness to follow God's commands), and surrender (letting go of control). True faith emerges within us as we trust God's character even in challenging, seemingly impossible circumstances.

Pastor Mason explores the fifth commandment — “Honor your father and mother” — with both joy and tenderness, recognizing how honoring parents can be easy for some and deeply painful for others. It acknowledges that while obedience may come naturally in healthy family dynamics, many struggle due to wounds from neglect, abuse, or broken relationships. Mason emphasizes that God's command to honor parents is not conditional on their behavior but is a reflection of our obedience to God Himself. Honoring looks different at each stage of life: through obedience as children, respect as adults, and care as our parents age. The message weaves in stories, personal reflection, and the importance of forgiveness, urging listeners to soften their hearts and remember their own brokenness. Only through God's grace can we truly honor those who may not seem worthy of it — just as Christ forgave us when we didn’t deserve it.

Pastor Chad Denmon shares the powerful story of Jesus and a man with leprosy, showing us God's unconditional love and ability to restore broken lives. Jesus does not shy away from human brokenness, but instead walks toward those society has rejected. The story of the leprous man illustrates how surrender, humility, and faith can lead to complete restoration that Jesus wants to do in our own lives. This man had only heard of Jesus’s miracles, yet he didn’t need to see to believe what Jesus could do in his life. Jesus is not only capable of healing but is fundamentally willing to heal, restore, and transform individuals regardless of their past or current circumstances.

God gives us a command in Exodus 20 to honor the sabbath. A day designed for us to rest and replenish with our father. There is a critical importance to rest in a culture that glorifies constant busyness. We often say it’s “burning the candle at both ends.” God designed humans to work six days and rest one day, rest is not weakness but a divine mandate. This commandment is not to limit us but to restore us with God. It’s not often a scheduling issue we have with honoring this day, but a heart issue. Jesus promises that those who come to Him, He will give rest. But we must come to Him. We must sabbath. And in order to do so well, on our sabbath we must stop our work, enjoy rest, practice delight and remember God.

Pastor Seth unpacks how lying opposes God’s character and always has a cost. Ephesians 4:21-2521 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Exodus 20:7, part of the Ten Commandments, states: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain". Pastor Marcus shares on the importance of speaking the Lord's name in victory, instead of vein. Pastor Marcus speaks on the many ways that the Lord's name can be misused in our world today.

This week, Pastor James Dearmond shared with us commandment #10: "You shall not covet.” A deeper spiritual examination of our heart attitude and discontentment. Coveting is not just about wanting material possessions, but represents a spiritual struggle with feeling satisfied. This sermon emphasizes three key attitudes: recognizing that what God has given is enough, accepting who God has made you to be, and understanding that God Himself is enough. We can overcome the societal pressures of constant comparison, social media-driven desires, and the perpetual pursuit of "more" by focusing on gratitude, our identity in Christ, and spiritual contentment and peace that Jesus gives freely.

This sermon, centered around the 8th Commandment — “You shall not steal” — explores the deeper heart issue behind stealing: a lack of contentment and trust in God. Pastor Seth illustrates how even small compromises in integrity (like stealing soda with a water cup or logging fake hours) reflect a deeper mistrust in God’s provision, timing, and character. It challenges believers to embrace contentment with what God has given, trust that He knows and provides what we truly need, and live with integrity in even the smallest areas. Through biblical principles and relatable stories, the sermon emphasizes that God honors those who are faithful with little and encourages us to live as sons and daughters of a faithful Father—not as spiritual orphans trying to provide for themselves.

As we cover the commandments this summer, commandment #6 tells us “Do not murder” delving deeply into the biblical understanding of human life's sanctity. Jesus lets us know that murder is more than just physical killing, but also includes relational and emotional destruction through anger, bitterness, and dehumanization. Committing murder can be a heart condition, not just a physical act. Pastor Seth emphasizes that all human life is valuable because it is created in God's image, and he challenges us to examine our hearts, practice forgiveness, and seek reconciliation rather than harboring anger or writing people off. And we can stop labeling people according to their sin, but defining them by their potential in Christ.