Imprint Sermon Series
This series explores the profound truth that every human being is created in the Imago Dei (the Image of God). Just as a coin bears the likeness of a ruler, our lives bear the stamp and breath of our Creator. Throughout this series, we examine how that divine image has been marred by sin, shame, and the pressures of the world, and how Jesus Christ, described in Scripture as the "exact imprint" of God’s nature, came to reclaim and renew that likeness within us.
Part 1 | Marked by the Heart of Jesus
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Every day, we are bombarded with competing images telling us who we should be, images of success, performance, and self-sufficiency. But beneath those cultural stamps lies a much deeper, original identity.
In this first message of our new series leading to Easter, Mike Albano explores the profound truth of what it means to be made in the image of God. Using the same metaphor Jesus used with a Roman coin, we look at how our lives belong to the one whose likeness we bear. Discover how, though the divine image in us has been marred by sin, shame, and the pressures of the world, Jesus came as the "exact imprint" of God’s nature to reclaim and renew us.
This message is a call to recognize that you are not an accident; you bear the stamp, design, and breath of your Creator. Learn why the scars of Christ are the ultimate mark of mercy, transforming our judgment into freedom and inviting us to allow His truth to imprint our hearts in a fresh way.
Part 2 | Marked by the Faithfulness of Jesus
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When we fail, we often expect God to respond with judgment or distance. But what if His response to our faithlessness is actually a deeper, more radical commitment to stay?
In this second message of our "Imprint" series, Jason Durst explores the heart of Jesus through the lens of one profound word: Faithfulness. Drawing from the intense and often uncomfortable story of the prophet Hosea and his marriage to Gomer, we see a vivid picture of God’s relentless pursuit of a people who have repeatedly turned away.
Through the stories of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 and the apostle Peter’s restoration, Jason challenges us to look past our shame and labels . Sharing a raw personal testimony of his own struggle with failure and the "marks of mercy" that followed, he unpacks the beautiful paradox of 2 Timothy 2:13: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful".
Discover why God's faithfulness isn't a reaction to our performance, but a reflection of His unchanging character. Whether you are running hard after God or feel like you’ve blown it all up, this message is a reminder that you are marked by a love that refuses to let go.
Part 3 | Marked by the Shepherd’s Heart
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Do you ever feel like you have a "sheep-like" tendency to wander off or try to fix things on your own? In this message, part of our "Imprint" series, Kaj Wigston explores one of the most tender and significant images of Jesus found in the Bible: the Good Shepherd.
Drawing from John 10 and the beloved words of Psalm 23, Kaj unpacks how being marked by the shepherding heart of Jesus reshapes how we see God and ourselves. We move past the idea that the "sheep" metaphor is an insult, discovering instead that it is a beautiful picture of our need for a protector who knows us by name.
In this episode, we explore four ways Jesus reveals His heart as a shepherd:
A Shepherd who speaks: Discover why God still has a voice today and how He desires an intimate, conversational relationship with His children .
A Shepherd who gives: Understanding the life of abundance Jesus offers in contrast to the "thief" who seeks to destroy.
A Shepherd who is present: Learning to trust His rod and staff for comfort, even when walking through the darkest valleys.
A Shepherd who dies: Reflecting on the radical love of a King who lays down His life to protect His flock from the wolf.
Whether you are currently feasting at the table He prepared for you or you feel lost in the shadows, this message is a powerful reminder that you have a Shepherd who is always looking for you, always speaking to you, and always present in your deepest night.
Part 4 | Marked by the Humility of Jesus
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What if humility isn't about thinking poorly of yourself, but about accurately recognizing your reality? In this message, part of our "Imprint" series, Jason Rath explores the "humble heart of Jesus" and what it means for us to be marked by His lowliness.
Drawing on the insights of Andrew Murray, Jason challenges our standard definitions of humility, reframing it as an "entire dependence on God". We explore how pride—the rejection of that dependence—is the root of all sin, from the fall of Satan to the temptation in Eden .
Using Philippians 2:3-11 as a guide, we look at the radical self-emptying of Christ. By examining the Nicene Creed, we see the weight of this humility: that the one who is "very God of very God" chose to take the form of a servant for our sake. This episode is an invitation to move away from self-exaltation and into the freedom of total dependence, learning to count others as more significant than ourselves as we are restored into the image of the one who first humbled Himself for us.
Part 5 | Marked by the Voice of Jesus
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What if humility isn't about thinking poorly of yourself, but about accurately recognizing your reality? In this message, part of our "Imprint" series, Jason Rath explores the "humble heart of Jesus" and what it means for us to be marked by His lowliness.
Drawing on the insights of Andrew Murray, Jason challenges our standard definitions of humility, reframing it as an "entire dependence on God". We explore how pride—the rejection of that dependence—is the root of all sin, from the fall of Satan to the temptation in Eden .
Using Philippians 2:3-11 as a guide, we look at the radical self-emptying of Christ. By examining the Nicene Creed, we see the weight of this humility: that the one who is "very God of very God" chose to take the form of a servant for our sake. This episode is an invitation to move away from self-exaltation and into the freedom of total dependence, learning to count others as more significant than ourselves as we are restored into the image of the one who first humbled Himself for us.
Part 6 | Marked by the Love e of Jesus
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What does it truly mean to be loved by God? In this message, Josh Reitzel challenges our common definitions of Agape, moving from the idea of "unconditional love" to the deeper biblical reality of God as the Great Initiator.
Drawing on the historical insights of Augustine and the Puritans, Josh explores how God’s love isn’t a reaction to our goodness, but the very source of it. This episode is an invitation to drop the masks of performance and perfection, allowing yourself to be fully seen and loved by the One who chose you before you were even formed. Discover the freedom of resting in a love that doesn't depend on you.
Part 7 | Marked by the Beauty of Jesus
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What if holiness isn’t a list of rules, but the most attractive force in the universe? In this message, Brady Wilson challenges our misconceptions of "holiness" as harsh or punitive, reframing it as the radical, matchless beauty of God .
Drawing on the imagery of the burning bush and the "Holy, Holy, Holy," Brady explores how God’s presence doesn’t overwhelm us to erase us, but to draw us forth into who we truly are. Discover how to move from a religion of "self-effort" into a companionable relationship with a Father who is utterly interested in you. This episode is an invitation to be marked by a beauty that the world can't help but notice.
Part 8 | Marked by the Offense of Jesus
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We often talk about Jesus as the "Rock," but we rarely speak the "quiet part" out loud: Jesus is also a stumbling block and an offense. In this message from the "Imprint" series, Michael Albano explores why being offended by Jesus is an inevitable and necessary part of a transformative relationship with Him.
Drawing from Matthew 10 and 11, Mike unpacks how Jesus’ radical truth often clashes with our personal expectations—whether He is sending His disciples into certain rejection or leaving John the Baptist to question Him from a prison cell . Discover why we must resist the urge to conform Jesus to our own image and instead allow His "sword" of truth to cut through our lives, turning every moment of friction into an open door for deeper growth and authentic companionship.
Part 9 | Marked by the Friendship of Jesus
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What does it mean to be truly known and loved by the ultimate friend? In this message from our "Imprint" series, Catherine Klausen explores the life-altering friendship offered to us by Jesus.
Drawing from the story of Lazarus in John 11, Catherine examines how friendship is a dynamic force that shifts through every stage of life. While human relationships can be limited by time, energy, and changing circumstances, Jesus remains the faithful friend who is always available and whose grace meets us in our failures. Discover how being marked by His heart transforms the way we relate to God and how we walk alongside others.
Part 10 | Marked by the Obedience of Jesus
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What if the secret to a faithful life isn't trying harder to obey, but resting in the One who already has? In this message, Jason Durst explores the vital distinction between self-driven moralism and the life-changing power of Christ’s obedience .
Jason unpacks the danger of "selective obedience"—doing most of what God asks while keeping the parts we find valuable for ourselves . We often fall into the trap of sugarcoating our rebellion or blaming others, but the prophet Samuel’s words remain true: "To obey is better than sacrifice".
This message is an invitation to stop the "fire and brimstone" self-discipline and start believing that your identity is firmly shaped by the finished work of Jesus
Part 11 | Marked by Christ’s Heart for Sinners
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What is the natural posture of Jesus’ heart toward people who have failed or are weary? In this message, JD Sherman explores the "gentle and lowly" heart of Christ found in Matthew 11:28-30.
JD challenges the idea of a "drive-thru" faith, where we hurry into God’s presence only long enough to get what we need, and instead invites us to "come home sooner and stay longer". Discover how to trade your apathy and burdens for the true rest and mercy that can only be found by lingering in the presence of the Savior who delights in receiving sinners.
Part 12 | Marked by the Generosity of Jesus
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What if we’ve misunderstood the math of God’s love? In this message Michael explores the "greatest short story ever told", the Prodigal Son, and reveals that the true "prodigal" in the narrative is the Father .
Mike deconstructs the calculations we often make in our despair: the belief that our failures make us unworthy of our place in the family . Discover how the heart of God intersects with human need, not with judgment or a "servant’s wage," but with a lavish, unmeasured generosity that ignores our rehearsed speeches of unworthiness .
Whether you are "eating farm food" in a season of despair or struggling to believe God is truly for you, this message is a reminder that your Father already knows what you need, and He has already given His all to provide it.
Part 13 | Marked by the Purpose of Jesus
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Do you ever feel like you are on autopilot or missing a grander sense of purpose? In this message from our "Imprint" series, Michael Albano explores what it means to live a life of intention by looking at the ultimate purpose-filled life: Jesus.
Drawing from John, Mike unpacks the ancient Greek concept of the Logos—the reason, logic, and purpose behind the universe. Discover why true fulfillment isn’t found in an impersonal philosophy or self-effort, but in aligning your life with Jesus. This episode is an invitation to step out of autopilot and anchor your daily living in the One who holds all meaning together.
Part 14 | Marked by the Joy of Jesus
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Is joy central to how you picture God? In this Palm Sunday message from our "Imprint" series, Kaj Wigston challenges us to rediscover the Trinity as deeply and centrally joyful.
Drawing from John 15, Kaj explores how Jesus—the "most joyous being in the universe"—offers His own unshakable joy to us so that our joy may be complete . This episode is an invitation to move beyond the common image of a "man of sorrows" and learn how to practically live in the vibrant, overflowing delight of the Savior every day.
Part 15 | Marked by Uncommon Confidence Part 1
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What is the source of your confidence? In this message, Michael Albano explores how a life marked by Jesus is transformed by an "uncommon confidence" that redefines our identity and purpose .
Mike illustrates how faith acts as a "dividing line" between our old hopelessness and a new, unshakable hope in Christ . He shares the gripping story of Telemachus, a 4th-century monk whose bold, sacrificial stand in the Roman Colosseum unmasked a culture of violence and changed history forever.
In this episode, we explore Beyond Mental Agreement: Why authentic faith is more than just factual knowledge; it is a conviction and a state of assurance . The Impact of One: How the boldness of a single person, fueled by the Spirit, can dismantle injustice and spark transformation. A New Identity: What it looks like to live as the "dwelling place of God," moving from being dead to yourself to being fully alive in Christ. This message is an invitation to examine what you have been resting your confidence on and to embrace the boldness that comes from the grace of God alone.
Part 16 | Marked by Uncommon Confidence Part 2
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Building on the foundational truth that true confidence is not self-generated but received through grace, Michael Albano explores how to live consistently out of the "uncommon confidence" described in Hebrews 10. This message highlights the contrast between self-reliance, which is easily shaken by life’s circumstances, and a steadfast assurance rooted in the finished work of Jesus . Beyond individual faith, we are called to cultivate a "culture of confidence" within our community, where we intentionally support one another to ensure no one "shrinks back" to old patterns of hopelessness . By grounding our identity in Christ’s unshakable kingdom, we are empowered to live with hope and serve as active participants in God’s mission.
Part 17 | Marked by the Peace of Jesus
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Are you waiting for a "Christmas truce", a temporary pause from the stress and anxiety of life—just to catch your breath? In this message from our "Imprint" series, Kaj Wigston explores how the peace of Jesus is far more than a fleeting ceasefire.
Drawing from Colossians 3:15, Kaj unpacks the three-dimensional nature of true peace: Vertical Peace: Resting in the reality that our debt is paid and we are reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. Horizontal Peace: Living out the high calling to maintain unity and practice peace within our communities, even amidst disagreement. Internal Peace: Allowing the steady, consistent presence of Christ to "rule" over our hearts and minds, regardless of our circumstances.
Discover why this peace isn't something we produce through self-effort, but a fruit of the Spirit that remains constant even when the world around us is in conflict.
Part 18 | Marked by Uncommon Confidence Part 3
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In the final installment of his series on "Uncommon Confidence," Michael Albano shifts the focus from building a corporate culture of faith to examining our personal, internal lives. While cultivating a communal culture of confidence relies on us boldly speaking encouragement out loud, Michael reveals that true personal confidence is forged in the opposite direction: through internal silence and quietness . This "quiet confidence" is the unmistakable mark of a soul that is fully resolved, fully decided, and resting securely in the absolute certainty of God's truth rather than anxiously talking through options . Ultimately, this message is an invitation to step away from the noise, take personal responsibility for our communion with God, and make a conscious covenant to anchor our will and hope in Jesus’ secure, unshakable kingdom.