SMCC Messages

This week in our Fire From Heaven series, we explore Elijah’s dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel and the question that still confronts us today: what is truly real, and what only appears to be? As Elijah rebuilds God’s altar, drenches the sacrifice, and prays a simple prayer—“God, make yourself known”—God answers with fire from heaven, exposing the emptiness of false gods and revealing Himself as the one true God. Ultimately, this message points beyond Mount Carmel to the cross, where Jesus became the sacrifice for us, absorbing the fire of judgment so that we could be purified, restored, and brought into the presence of God.

Pastor Eric Nelson continues the Fire From Heaven series by examining Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Through the failed rituals, desperate devotion, and ultimate silence of Baal, this message exposes how modern idols—such as money, success, control, and approval—promise fulfillment but ultimately abandon those who trust in them. Discover why false gods always disappoint and how Jesus reveals Himself as the only Savior who hears, responds, and never leaves His people.

In this episode of On The Fence, Pastor Eric Nelson dives into the story of Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings, revealing how every culture creates its own idols—things we look to for meaning, security, and identity apart from God. From success and money to appearance and relationships, “Fire From Heaven Pt. 1” challenges listeners to examine the counterfeit gods that eventually leave us spiritually dry and empty. Through the drought in Israel and Elijah’s bold question, “How long will you waver between two opinions?”, this message calls us to recognize the showdown between the gods in our own lives and choose who we will truly follow.

In this episode, we explore “The Test of Wisdom” through the lens of Proverbs 21, unpacking the difference between worldly success and true biblical wisdom. We talk about how money, habits, and generosity reveal whether we are living reactively or intentionally, and why automation and planning can shape us into wiser, more generous people over time. Ultimately, this conversation challenges listeners to stop living like stagnant ponds and start becoming life-giving rivers by aligning their lives and finances with God’s design.

This Mother’s Day message explores the beauty and purpose of biblical womanhood in a culture that constantly pressures women to “do it all.” Through Scripture and the stories of women like Ruth, Mary, the Proverbs 31 woman, and the woman who touched Jesus’ robe, we discover that true identity and worth are not found in performance, but in being rooted in God’s image and living with courageous presence. Whether you’re a woman seeking freedom from exhaustion or someone wanting to better support the women in your life, this message offers clarity, encouragement, and hope.

In Parenting With Purpose Pt. 3, Josh White explores what it looks like when grace—not performance—rules the home. Rooted in John 1:16–17, this message unpacks how confession becomes the catalyst for change, love becomes the focus over behavior, and knowing God becomes the goal rather than striving to “arrive.” Discover how embracing God’s unconditional grace can transform the way we parent, relate, and grow together.

Parenting is more than instruction—it’s a ministry shaped by the condition of your own heart and the relational patterns you model. In this message, we explore five key relational competencies—respect, attunement, development, attachment, and acceptance—and how Jesus perfectly demonstrated each one. As you lead your family, discover how loving God fully transforms the way you love others and equips your children for a lifetime of faith.

Parenting is like helping your kids pack for a journey they’ll one day take without you—and if you’re not careful, it’s easy to load them down with the wrong things or lose your way entirely. This episode reframes parenting through the lens of the Gospel, reminding us that we are ambassadors of Christ raising apprentices, not owners, friends, or scorekeepers. With practical guidance, we explore how to equip our kids by shaping their head, heart, and hands—so they’re prepared to follow Jesus in every part of life.

This sermon explores the question of where Jesus is now after His resurrection, addressing skepticism around the Ascension and examining what the Bible actually teaches about it. It presents the Ascension as a symbol of Jesus’ victory and authority, a return to His throne rather than a disappearance, while also reframing heaven as God’s present, overlapping reality with earth rather than a distant place. Ultimately, it argues that the Ascension is both a preview of the future union of heaven and earth and a credible claim with no clear motive for being invented.

In a world full of fragmented stories and endless “choose your own adventure” paths, this Easter message invites you to rediscover the one true story that makes sense of it all—the gospel. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we see that Christianity isn’t just an idea, but the grand narrative of reality that can hold the weight of your life and give you a place within it. The question is no longer whether the story is true, but how you will respond to the empty tomb and step into a story that changes everything.