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Illuminate Community Church2/9/25 - Lessons from the Ant Hill: Wisdom for Work, Finances, and Unity - Proverbs 6 - Pastor Jason FritzThis week will we explore Proverbs 6, where the wise father addresses three key areas of life: financial wisdom, diligence versus laziness, and the importance of unity. First on his mind is the danger of co-signing unwise financial agreements, likened to a snare that entraps us. The Bible does not condemn debt outright but warns against decisions that jeopardize our financial stability or enable poor stewardship in others. Next, we turn to the metaphor of the ant, that little creature modeling diligence and intrinsic motivation. The ant’s unwavering effort in preparation and perseverance teaches us to work hard, seize opportunitie...2025-02-1034 min

Illuminate Community Church2/2/25 - Sweet and Bitter Sexuality - Proverbs 5 - Pastor Jason FritzSex is like fire; in the fireplace it keeps us warm. Outside the fireplace it burns the house down. The Bible is not silent or shy about sex, portraying it as a sacred gift meant to be enjoyed exclusively within the covenant of marriage. Using vivid imagery, the chapter warns against the dangers of sexual immorality, comparing it to honey that turns bitter and ultimately leads to destruction. The passage emphasizes that God's design—one man and one woman in a lifelong, faithful union—not only fosters personal and spiritual well-being but also protects against the destructive consequen...2025-02-0336 min

Illuminate Community Church1/26/25 - Flourish by Guarding Your Heart - Proverbs 4 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Proverbs 4, the focus shifts from warnings to encouragement, emphasizing actions that lead to flourishing in life. This chapter reflects the wisdom of a father passing down vital lessons to his sons, which he learned from his father. The passage highlights the importance of pursuing wisdom as the key to living a meaningful and abundant life, aligning with Jesus' promise in John 10:10. True abundance comes not from worldly pursuits but from a life lived in and for Christ. Scottish minister Thomas Chalmers insightfully noted that real change happens when we see Christ as the source of true life, outshining...2025-01-2736 min

Illuminate Community Church1/19/25 - The Weight of Wealth: Trusting God and Living Generously - Proverbs 3:9–10 - Pastor Jason FritzOur text in Proverbs 3 invites us to consider the role of God’s wisdom in navigating the highs and lows of life. Whether in times of plenty or seasons of scarcity, we are called to trust God wholeheartedly, acknowledging Him as our ultimate provider. Solomon’s counsel to honor the Lord with our wealth and the firstfruits of our produce reminds us that money carries a significant weight in revealing our values and affections. The challenge lies in shifting the focus from glorifying ourselves to glorifying God with what we have, using our resources to highlight His greatness and meet...2025-01-2034 min

Illuminate Community Church1/12/25 - The Path to Shalom: Trusting God's Wisdom - Proverbs 3:1–8 - Pastor Jason FritzIn this week’s sermon, we draw a contrast between Proverbs chapters 2 and 3. While chapter 2 issues a warning to avoid the path of the wicked, chapter 3 takes a positive approach, teaching how to live a life of shalom—marked by peace, success, and refreshment. Solomon's fatherly counsel begins with the words "my son" and links wisdom with tangible blessings, urging us to guard our hearts against cultural ideologies, such as the popular mantra "live your truth," which opposes the biblical foundation of truth found in Jesus Christ. Solomon emphasizes the need to reject worldly loves and instead pursue the steadfast love and fa...2025-01-1333 min

Illuminate Community Church1/5/25 - Wisdom’s Warning - Proverbs 1:22-33 - Pastor Jason FritzWisdom’s Warning Proverbs 1:22-33 Last Sunday’s message from Proverbs reminded us of a fundamental truth: wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. This fear isn’t about dread but reverence, a profound awe for God’s greatness, power, and grace. Proverbs 1:7 underscores this: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” To be wise is to recognize God’s design for the world and to live in harmony with it. Like a toddler ignoring a warning about playing with an electrical outlet, those who disregard God’...2025-01-0632 min

Illuminate Community Church12/29/24 - Wisdom or Folly? - Proverbs 1 - Pastor Jason FritzWhy study Proverbs? Because life is hard! As we begin to open the book, we are reminded of the complexities of life—relationships, conflict, and unexpected difficulties. Proverbs offers us a timeless guide for navigating these challenges with wisdom. The book, written by Solomon, contrasts two paths: the way of the wise and the way of the fool. Its purpose is clear from the outset: to impart skills for living a meaningful and purposeful life by aligning with God’s design. Wisdom is not strictly intellectual; it is a response to how God has ordered the w...2025-01-0233 min

Illuminate Community Church12/22/24 - Advent Love - John 3:16 - Pastor Jason FritzThis week’s Advent theme is love, beautifully captured in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” The depth of God’s love is seen in His plan of redemption, which began in theGarden of Eden after the fall of humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, their relationship with God was broken, and sin and death entered the world. But even then, God promised a Savior in Genesis 3:15, foretelling that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’...2024-12-2331 min

Illuminate Community Church12/15/24 - Advent Joy - Luke 2:8–15 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday’s Advent theme explores the concept of joy as presented in the great birth announcement given by angels. Joy, unlike happiness, is not based on favorable life events but rooted in a relationship with Jesus. Biblical joy persists through all circumstances, anchored in the character and promises ofGod. This is why the angels’ announcement of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 was such a momentous declaration of "great joy" for all people—introducing a joy that comes through Christ’s presence and God’s redemptive plan rather than worldly pleasures or success. The announcement reveals God’s profound presence throug...2024-12-1635 min

Illuminate Community Church12/8/24 - Advent Peace - Luke 2:14 - Pastor Jason FritzWe may recognize peace symbols and awards like the Nobel Peace Prize, yet the world remains full of conflict, with major wars raging. The Bible's concept of peace, shalom, is deeper than just the absence of conflict; it’s the restoration of our relationship with God. C.S. Lewis argued that the true meaning of Christmas is often buried under sentimentality, but at its heart, Christmas is about reconciliation between humanity and God. As the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” This peace is availa...2024-12-1133 min

Illuminate Community Church12/1/24 - Advent Hope - Isaiah 9:1–7 - Pastor Jason Fritz“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Isaiah 9:2 As Christmas nears, the Advent season begins, focusing on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to prepare us for Jesus' birth. We start with the message of hope, a gift from God that comes alive in the prophetic words of Isaiah, written centuries before Jesus' arrival. Isaiah foretells a light emerging from the overlooked region of Galilee, home to Nazareth, where Jesus was raised. This surprising choice illustrates God's way of working through the unexpected to brin...2024-12-0235 min

Illuminate Community Church11/24/24 - Dress for Spiritual Success - Ephesians 6:10–24 - Pastor Jason FritzPaul closes his letter to the Ephesians by emphasizing the practical application of our faith in a discussion about the "Armor of God." In chapter 4, Paul urges believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" they have received. In chapter 6 he reminds us that there is an enemy who wants to push us off the path. Paul’s message reminds believers that they are in a spiritual battle. In fact, the world’s turmoil is a direct result of being under Satan’s influence. Paul addresses several key points about Satan: he is a real...2024-11-2536 min

Illuminate Community Church11/17/24 - Godly Households - Ephesians 6:1–9 - Pastor Jason FritzIn our passage this Sunday, Paul emphasizes how the gospel transforms relationships in the home and workplace. Paul instructs children to obey their parents, noting that this is the natural order of things. He highlights that honoring parents is the first commandment with a promise, (“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land”) indicating that proper family dynamics have long-term benefits for children. Paul also stresses the importance of parents—especially fathers—providing Godly instruction and discipline. They are encouraged to raise their children in a way that prepares them for a well-or...2024-11-1810 min

Illuminate Community Church11/10/24 - The Mystery of Marriage - Ephesians 5:21–33 - Pastor Jason FritzIn our passage this Sunday, the Apostle Paul explores the theme of submission within the family. The fact is, we are all called to place ourselves under authority. "Submit one to another,” says Paul. As one of your Pastors, I am under the authority of the Elders - this is a great thing. It brings accountability and protection. And yet, is there a more incendiary word than submission in our culture today? A common misconception is that submission means inferiority or “less than.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus spent his entire life submitting to the will of the Fa...2024-11-1133 min

Illuminate Community Church11/03/24 - Imitators of God - Ephesians 5:1–22 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul challenges Christians to live in a manner worthy of their calling. He emphasizes that knowing who God is and what He has done should lead us to obedience. This includes sexual purity and greed. Despite cultural resistance, Paul warns that sexual immorality, impurity, and coveting should not be present in the lives of Christians as these behaviors distort God's design for relationships and sexuality. Are we not seeing the damaging consequences of the sexual revolution that began 60 years ago? Now more than ever we encounter broken families, loneliness, objectification, and general dissatisfaction in relationships.2024-11-0434 min

Illuminate Community Church10/27/24 - The Wardrobe of a Transformed Life - Ephesians 4:17–32 - Pastor Jason FritzOur text this Sunday focuses on the decisive action needed to overcome sin. I am reminded of the metaphor from C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce. The main character has a lizard on his shoulder which represents sin and temptation, constantly leading the man astray. One day an angel appears and says, “I can remove that lizard by killing it.” The lizard senses his approaching doom and begins to whisper excuses to delay the action. “I will be good from now on. I won’t go too far. You and I have been together for so long now.” The angel gives his response to the ...2024-10-2836 min

Illuminate Community Church10/20/24 - Unity and Diversity in the Church - Ephesians 4:1–16 - Pastor Jason FritzIn a world marked by division, God's people should stand out as the most unified force on the planet. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul transitions from theology to practical application, urging believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" they have received. Paul is thinking of the theological realities described in the earlier chapters; and they are amazing… - we are chosen - we are redeemed - we are sealed by the Holy Spirit Therefore, we are called to live lives that reflect these profound...2024-10-2137 min

Illuminate Community Church10/13/24 - A Prayer For The Church - Ephesians 3:14–21 - Pastor Jason FritzHave you ever started praying for something specific, only to find your mind wandering? Perhaps someone asked you to pray for their job interview, but as you begin your thoughts shift to your own work responsibilities. Suddenly, you’re not praying anymore—you’re mentally compiling a to-do list! Our passage this Sunday begins by drawing a parallel between our own distracted prayers and Paul's writing in Ephesians 3, where he starts with a prayer but then digresses into a theological reflection on the mystery of God’s plan to unite Jews and Gentiles into one family. After th...2024-10-1435 min

Illuminate Community Church10/6/24 - Through the Church - Ephesians 3:1-13 - Pastor Bob Drew"This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" - Ephesians 3:11-12 The moment we became Christians, our lives were beautifully transformed. First and foremost, we became Christ’s, new creations in Him, and are continually being shaped into His likeness every day! Even more exciting, we became part of a new humanity—a Body of believers, chosen to follow and boldly proclaim the love and hope of Christ. Yet, the Bible reminds us that m...2024-10-0733 min

Illuminate Community Church9/29/24 - The End of Prejudice - Ephesians 2:11-22 - Pastor Jason Fritz"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…" Ephesians 2:13-14 Have you ever asked, “Where does all of the world’s separation come from?" The answer is not social or cultural, it is spiritual. In Ephesians 2, the apostle Paul addresses the deep divisions that existed in the world of his time, much like those we see toda...2024-09-3035 min

Illuminate Community Church9/22/24 - Living Out God’s Masterpiece - Ephesians 2:1-10 - Pastor Jason FritzIn this Sunday’s message from Ephesians 2:1-10, I am reminded of the struggles that so many in the world face today—work anxiety, family stress, political division, social media pressure, and the overwhelming pace of life. These challenges can often make people feel like something is fundamentally wrong as if we are all searching for peace but can never quite find it. The Apostle Paul speaks directly to this condition, showing us that the world’s unrest is not just a result of external pressures, but a reflection of a deeper spiritual reality. Mankind is with...2024-09-2337 min

Illuminate Community Church9/15/24 - Open The Eyes of Our Hearts! - Ephesians 1:15–23 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday's message dives into the Apostle Paul’s powerful prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23, where he expresses his gratitude for the faith and love this church has for all believers. Notice the word “all.” If you’re not irritated by someone at Illuminate, you’re not attending Illuminate. The fact is, some are harder to love than others and yet, this is our charge - to love everyone. After giving praise to them, he prays for them. Paul prays that they would understand the incredible blessings they possess in Christ. He emphasizes three key gifts: the hope of their calling, t...2024-09-1732 min

Illuminate Community Church9/8/24 - Count Your Blessings - Ephesians 1:1-14 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday, I’m very excited to begin a new study in the book of Ephesians! There is one overarching theme: sound docrtine is important and should lead us to a life of holiness. The letter emphasizes the goal of living in harmony as one body with Christ as the head and provides guidance on how to navigate spiritual warfare. It is amazing! Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul during his house arrest in Rome, around the early 60s AD, to the church in Ephesus. Despite his imprisonment, Paul remained active in wri...2024-09-1636 min

Illuminate Community Church9/1/24 - Faithful to the End: Finding Hope in God's Sovereignty - Daniel 12 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday, we conclude our study of the Book of Daniel, having explored it verse by verse to grasp the author's original intent under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This method helps us understand the overarching narrative and the homiletical plot of the story, aligning with Paul's reminder in Romans 15:4 that the Scriptures provide instruction, endurance, and hope. We have taken a deep dive into historical and prophetic texts that resonate with our faith journey, giving us a deeper understanding of God's work throughout history and His promises for the future. Thanks for hanging in there!2024-09-0929 min

Illuminate Community Church8/25/24 - Faith and Sovereignty: Trusting God's Plan in Turbulent Times - Daniel 11 - Pastor Jason FritzThere is nothing like the Bible. In this Sunday's sermon, we explore the prophetic insights of Daniel chapter 11, a text written around 530 B.C. This chapter is renowned for its intricate predictions of future events, many of which have already transpired with remarkable accuracy, showcasing Daniel's divine revelation. The chapter narrates the rise and fall of various kings and kingdoms, affirming that God orchestrates the course of history. Daniel's prophecies cover a span of 350 years, highlighting key historical transitions, such as the reigns of Persian kings and the subsequent dominance of Alexander the Great, whose e...2024-08-2638 min

Illuminate Community Church8/18/24 - Seeing the Unseen War - Daniel 10 - Pastor Jason FritzThe calculation of the 476 years from the 483 (69 x 7) years in Daniel 9:24-26 arises due to the difference between the Jewish lunar calendar and the Gregorian solar calendar. Jewish (lunar) vs. Gregorian (solar) Calendars The Jewish calendar is based on a lunar year, which has 360 days per year. (12 months each having 30 days.) The Gregorian calendar (which we use today) is based on a solar year, with 365.25 days per year (including the leap year adjustment). The difference in years come from the conversion of the lunar calendar to the so...2024-08-2629 min

Illuminate Community Church8/11/24 - 70 Weeks Foretold - Daniel 9:19-27 - Pastor Jason FritzIn the first half of Daniel chapter 9, we witness the prophet Daniel praying with a tear-stained face and a heart weighed down by sorrow. His prayer is a heartfelt plea, one that ends abruptly as he calls out to God: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name." (Daniel 9:19) But before Daniel can even finish, God answers swiftly and unmistakably: "While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin...2024-08-1432 min

Illuminate Community Church8/4/24 - Serve One Another - 1 Peter 4:10-11 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday, I will be stepping out of Daniel and giving an update on our expansion plans. We are nearing the start of construction, and I want us to envision what will be included in the new Worship Center and the upstairs space. This time each year, by God’s grace, we experience growth, and for this reason, it's vital for more people to engage in the life of the church through service. As 1 Peter 4:10-11 reminds us, each of us has received gifts to serve one another, being good stewards of God's varied grace. Serving within th...2024-08-0640 min

Illuminate Community Church7/28/24 - Confess, Ask, Expect - Daniel 9:1-21 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday, we will delve into Daniel 9, splitting this chapter into two parts. In two weeks, we will cover the second part, which contains one of the most significant prophecies in the entire Bible. This week, we will focus on the first half, where we find Daniel’s remarkable prayer. By this time, Daniel was over 80 years old and had endured many trials in Babylonian captivity. Throughout all these challenges, he has consistently placed his trust in God and remained faithful. Daniel’s heart and mind have always been set on his homeland despite being taken...2024-07-3033 min

Illuminate Community Church7/21/24 - The Bold Faced Man - Daniel 8 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Daniel chapter 8, the prophet recounts a vision he had in the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, finding himself beside the Ulai Canal in Susa. Brace yourself. In the vision, Daniel witnesses a powerful ram with two horns, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire, which is eventually overcome by a swift goat with a notable horn, representing the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. (Horns signify strength, if you remember from last Sunday.) The goat's horn is removed at its zenith, replaced by four horns signifying the division of Alexander's empire among his generals. From one of these...2024-07-2233 min

Illuminate Community Church7/14/24 - The Four Beasts - Daniel 7 - Pastor Jason FritzPrepare yourself for some intense imagery from the book of Daniel! Starting in chapter 7, the nature of this profound work shifts dramatically. The text transitions from Aramaic to Hebrew, marking the onset of several visions granted to Daniel. These visions unveil God’s cataclysmic plans for the nations. Yet, the most harrowing times are still ahead for the faithful. Daniel contemplates these revelations and reacts: “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.” Daniel 7:15 Daniel's alarm stems from a vision of an apoca...2024-07-1833 min

Illuminate Community Church7/7/24 - In the Lion's Den - Daniel 6 - Pastor Jason FritzWhen my kids were little they loved visiting the zoo and especially the lions. Most of the time they were laying around with no worries knowing they were apex predators. From a distance they seemed harmless. However, when the male wanted to make himself known, you could hear him roar from anywhere in the park. Imagine Daniel, an octogenarian, thrust into the midst of these powerful animals, with nowhere to conceal himself. I’ve had some pretty bad days at work but nothing like this! However, Daniel knew no crisis because he believed in the sovereignty of God. 2024-07-0933 min

Illuminate Community Church6/30/24 - The Handwriting On The Wall - Daniel 5 - Pastor Jason FritzMany are acquainted with the phrase "He couldn’t see the handwriting on the wall," often unaware of its origins in Daniel chapter 5. Here, during King Belshazzar’s extravagant feast, his arrogance invites God's judgment, marked by a mysterious inscription on the palace wall. As the soiree persists, the Persians encircle Babylon. Did Belshazzar grasp the imminent danger? It seems likely, given the formidable size of the amassed army. So why indulge in revelry while the enemy lurks at the gates? Perhaps he deemed Babylon impregnable—a notion well reasoned considering its colossal walls. The remnant...2024-07-0133 min

Illuminate Community Church6/23/24 - Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimony - Daniel 4 - Pastor Jason FritzImagine this: In the midst of darkness filled with late-night indulgences, Nebuchadnezzar finds himself in a dream unlike any other. Instead of the typical fast food inspired visions before bedtime, he encounters a divine revelation. Within his slumber, he sees a magnificent tree, towering and strong, providing food, shelter, and shade to all. As he marvels at this natural wonder, a heavenly voice is heard, commanding it to be chopped down, leaving only a stump. Additionally, he learns that for seven years, a ruler shall dwell as a beast of the wild. Perplexed by the v...2024-06-2737 min

Illuminate Community Church6/16/24 - Spiritual Fathers - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 - Pastor Jason FritzHappy Father's Day Dads! This Sunday, we celebrate the profound privilege and responsibility of being a father. For many, their fathers served as admirable examples, while others may have had different experiences. In today's world, there's often confusion about what it truly means to be a good dad. However, God’s wisdom awaits us in the Bible. This Sunday, we will explore how the apostle Paul considered himself a spiritual father to the believers in the Corinthian church. Paul played a crucial role in their journey to Christ, as he was the one who brought the gospel to...2024-06-1637 min

Illuminate Community Church6/9/24 - Faith Under Fire - Daniel 3 - Pastor Jason FritzIf you've been immersed in church culture, the narrative from Daniel chapter three is likely etched in your memory. It recounts the unwavering faith of three young men in the face of adversity. It's a story that challenges us to reflect on our own daily choices. What—or whom—are we truly worshiping? This question holds profound significance because what we worship shapes our lives. Worship, at its core, is about assigning ultimate worth to someone or something. In essence, we are all worshipers, directing our deepest devotion towards various objects or ideals. Shad...2024-06-1034 min

Illuminate Community Church6/2/24 - The Everlasting Kingdom - Daniel 2:25-49 - Pastor Hudson GarciaThis week, we will receive the long-anticipated revelation and interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. As Daniel began to reveal this dream to the King, it was important to Daniel that the king knew and understood who had revealed this mystery. “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.” Daniel 2:28 In this dream, a great and mighty statue resembling a man or god stood before the king. Each section of this statue was crafted from a different metal: the head was gold, the ch...2024-06-0332 min

Illuminate Community Church5/26/24 - Wisdom in Crisis - Daniel 2:1-24 - Pastor Hudson Garcia This week, Daniel, and his three friends are once again faced with a difficult situation. King Nebuchadnezzar is troubled in his spirit because of a recurring nightmare and threatens to kill all the wise men of Babylon if they cannot help him. However, King Nebuchadnezzar asked them not only to interpret the dream but also to reveal the content of the dream to him first. No king had ever asked them to do this, as it was seemingly impossible. “The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king...2024-05-2834 min

Illuminate Community Church5/19/24 - Inward Conviction > Outward Pressure - Daniel 1:8-21 - Pastor Jason FritzLast week, we witnessed Daniel and his three friends being uprooted from everything they knew. Their world was turned upside down as they were taken into the custody of the mighty Babylonian empire. It was common for the Babylonians to educate the best and brightest in their ways. Almost overnight, these teenagers were on the path to immense influence. Upon arriving in Babylon, they encountered the pinnacle of worldly luxury. The city was magnificent and opulent, filled with pagan temples. The king’s palace, which was beyond their wildest imaginations would be their home. Despite the unique temptations they fa...2024-05-2035 min

Illuminate Community Church5/12/24 - The Secret to Motherhood - Mother's Day - Pastor Jason FritzIt is widely acknowledged that mothers hold a uniquely cherished place in our lives. Do you realize that Mother's Day ranks as the third most celebrated holiday in America, following closely behind Christmas and Easter? Additionally, it is the third most attended Sunday in churches nationwide. Mother’s Day sees more phone calls exchanged than any other day of the year. Every child knows that no mother is flawless, yet there exists within each of us a sacred space that only a mother can occupy. This bond transcends age and time. I recall the memorable moment when Sh...2024-05-1334 min

Illuminate Community Church5/5/24 - No Compromise - Daniel 1:1-8 - Pastor Jason FritzDaniel, along with his three companions, exemplified unwavering faith amidst the complexities of public life. Captured by the Babylonians as mere teenagers in the sixth century BC, they found themselves thrust into positions of influence within a pluralistic, secular society that often clashed with their deeply held beliefs in the one true God. Much like our own time, where faith can feel marginalized and confined, the Babylonian empire presented Daniel and his friends with significant challenges. Their devotion to God was viewed as disruptive in a culture that favored pluralism. Sound fami...2024-05-0636 min

Illuminate Community Church4/28/24 - Theology Leads To Doxology - Romans 16 - Pastor Jason FritzI often picture Paul as a seasoned soldier who is all blood and guts. He was constantly fighting the good fight, waging spiritual battles and slaying demons. However, in the final chapter of Romans you see the tender heart within him. This man accomplished great things for God but he did so through strong affectionate relationships with his brothers and sisters in Christ. With his concluding words he turns his attention to them. You can feel the overflowing emotions of love. "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, t...2024-04-2939 min

Illuminate Community Church4/21/24 - Paul's Passion and Vision - Romans 15:14–33 - Pastor Jason FritzWe are nearing the end of the book of Romans and in chapter 15 Paul begins his closing remarks. If you reflect on the life of this man, you really have to be amazed. Paul is nothing out of the ordinary in stature and presence, over time his body would become disfigured because of the violence brought against him. Yet, he would be one of the most significant individuals in the history of the world. Paul changed the course of Rome and Western civilization, not through the power of an army, but through the power of a message. His calling...2024-04-2232 min

Illuminate Community Church4/14/24 - Jesus The Uniter - Romans 15:1–13 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Romans chapter 15, Paul encourages the church to maintain her unity once again. It turns out, this was quite a challenge for early Christians. I’ll give you some examples of what was happening in the local congregations… The church in Galatia was known for its legalism. The church in Corinth was divided because some were tolerating the kind of sins that many unbelievers didn’t tolerate. The church in Pergamum was splitting because Christians were marrying pagans and it appears their pagan gods were being introduced. Many of Paul’s letters aim at preventing division d...2024-04-1534 min

Illuminate Community Church4/7/24 - Eternal Not External - Romans 14:13–23 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday we're back in our study of Romans chapter fourteen. Paul isn’t finished talking about the importance of Christian unity. This can be challenging because we don’t all come from the same backgrounds, experiences and cultures. In Paul’s day, Rome was a cosmopolitan city with diverse people now joined together under the banner of Christianity. Many of these folks had very little in common. Picture this incredible scene… Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Barbarians, servants of the house and owners of the same house sharing the same meal around...2024-04-0833 min

Illuminate Community Church3/31/24 - Easter at Illuminate - Pastor Jason Fritz"Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, wh...2024-04-0232 min

Illuminate Community Church3/24/24 - Uncommon King - John 12:12-19 - Pastor Jason FritzThis weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday which marks the time when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowds waved palm branches as a sign of respect as he passed by. They shouted, “Hosanna!” which means, save us! This is the action displayed by those who are receiving their king. However, by the end of the week, some of these same people will be shouting, “Crucify him!” What happened? Well, Jesus was not the king they wanted him to be, but rather he was the king they needed him to be. You see, they did not understand the ulti...2024-03-2529 min

Illuminate Community Church3/17/24 - Let God Be Judge - Romans 14:1-12 - Pastor Jason FritzNormally, diversity does not easily breed unity. The human tendency is to judge and look down upon those who are different than we are. This was certainly true in Paul’s day. The Jews living in Jerusalem viewed the Jews living in Rome as sellouts because they had adopted Roman customs. The Jerusalem Jews shunned Roman culture and therefore they were holier…or so they thought. Both groups looked down on the Gentiles who practiced paganism and had very little spiritual life. When people from these divergent groups met Jesus they soon met together. Their backgrounds had very little in c...2024-03-1732 min

Illuminate Community Church3/10/24 - Love Without End - Romans 13:8-14 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday we read from the last half of Romans chapter 13. It is beautiful. It contains the distinctively Christian virtue of love. I say, "distinctively Christian" because of the specific Greek word used by Paul - agape. This word is rarely used outside of the Bible. Yet it is the primary way in which Christians are commanded to love each other - without condition and without end. It is this unending love in action that gave rise to the spread of Christianity around the Mediterranean. The world had never seen anything like it. First century A...2024-03-1133 min

Illuminate Community Church3/3/24 - Heavenly Citizens of Earth - Romans 13:1-7 - Pastor Jason FritzRomans chapter thirteen is famous for its words relating Christian conduct and human governments. This is not the first place in Scripture we read these things. In Matthew chapter twenty-two we find an interaction between Jesus and a group of men who were trying to trap him. This group was an unusual alliance between two types of Jews. The Pharisees, who represented religious life in the Jewish community, did not like Roman rule. The second group was the Herodians. These Jews didn’t mind the Roman way of life. In fact, they supported the Roman government and paid their tax...2024-03-0339 min

Illuminate Community Church2/25/24 - Love Inside and Out - Romans 12:9-21 - Pastor Jason FritzLast Sunday we looked at Romans 12:3-8. We read about having our minds renewed in Christ. This has a profound effect on who we are and what we do. A renewed mind manifests itself in loving those inside and outside the church. How exactly is this done? Paul tells us what Christian love is, and is not. This is necessary because in our day we use the word love to describe affections that are not all the same. For example, you might hear someone say they love ice cream and then a minute later they tell you they love th...2024-02-2733 min

Illuminate Community Church2/18/24 - How To Think About Yourself - Romans 12:3-8 - Pastor Jason FritzLast Sunday we covered the first two verses in Romans chapter twelve. Paul exhorted us in this way… "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 In the verses that follow, he explains how to...2024-02-1934 min

Illuminate Community Church2/11/24 - The Call To Commitment - Romans 12:1-2 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Romans chapter 12 there is a noticeable shift in the letter from Paul. He moves from doctrine to application. This is the part where you ask yourself, "What difference does knowing God make in my life?" Paul helps… I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1-2 Paul is making an urgent request and at the same, he forms the basis for it: God’s mercies. God’s mercy is both simple and complex. A short definition is to say...2024-02-1235 min

Illuminate Community Church2/4/24 - Israel Then, Now, and Future - Romans 11 - Pastor Jason FritzOur text this week is about the nation of Israel. There is no doubt they are a unique group of people. They have been around a long time despite many efforts aimed at their destruction. Many ancient nations have come and gone yet Israel has stood the test of time. They are second to none in the history of battle. Think about this - they can trace their lineage back thousands of years to one man, Abraham. Worldwide those who identify as Jew first total about 15 million. Approximately half live in Israel and a little less than half l...2024-02-0535 min

Illuminate Community Church1/28/24 - Human Responsibility - Romans 10 - Pastor Jason FritzRomans 10 There is a recurring argument that Paul confronts in the book of Romans and it goes like this…If the nation of Israel, with all of its tremendous spiritual privileges has not followed God’s plan of redemption through Jesus but still clings to a works oriented view of salvation - does that mean God has failed? Afterall, God chose Israel to be his people and yet they have turned their backs on his offer of salvation through Christ. This might lead some to think God did not accomplish what he set out to do and therefore God has f...2024-01-2940 min

Illuminate Community Church1/21/24 - Q+A with Peter Williams - Pastor Jason FritzIn this very special service, Dr. Peter Williams from The University of Cambridge joins us to speak about the trustworthiness of the Gospels. Dr. Williams is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, Chair of the International Greek New Testament Project and a member of the Translation Oversight Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. He assisted Dr. Dirk Jongkind in Tyndale House’s production of a major edition of the Greek New Testament and his book "Can We Trust the Gospels?" has been translated into 13 languages. His latest book, "The Su...2024-01-2234 min

Illuminate Community Church1/14/24 - Happy Birthday Illuminate! - Pastor Jason FritzHappy 8th Birthday Illuminate! Wow, how time goes by! What began as a dream eight years ago has become a movement of God’s people who call Illuminate their home. We couldn’t have imagined all that God would do, but we are not surprised because we believe God is big and he wants to do much more than we could ask or think... Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the chur...2024-01-1534 min

Illuminate Community Church1/7/24 - God Is Working His Plan - Romans 9 - Pastor Jason FritzIn this message, we will be reading from Romans chapter nine. It’s a stark contrast to the end of chapter eight where Paul ends on a high note. He gives a mountain top experience but when you arrive at the summit and look ahead you see storm clouds approaching. After turning the page, you find distress in what Paul writes next. Consider the change in tone... For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, wi...2024-01-0833 min

Illuminate Community Church12/31/23 - God Is For Us - Romans 8:28-39 - Pastor Jason FritzIn 1660 John Bunyon, the Puritan preacher and author was in deep depression until he began meditating on the words of our text this Sunday. He read this from Romans chapter 8, “If God is for us, who is against us?” The more he reflected on these words the more the clouds departed. All we have to do is look around us and see what’s happening in the world and it’s easy to become downhearted. Or we can look within and recognize life’s unwanted circumstances and this too can cause a downward spiral. It’s time to look up. Romans chapter 8...2023-12-3133 min

Illuminate Community Church12/24/23 - Christmas Eve at Illuminate - Luke 1-2 - Pastor Jason FritzHave you noticed that Christmas has become the world’s largest secular holiday? Sadly, the story of Jesus’ birth goes unnoticed and yet the story itself is remarkable. It’s like someone who lives in Arizona and yet never visits the Grand Canyon thinking, “It will always be just a few hours away and when I get time, I’ll make it there.” There’s this incredible place of natural beauty and yet never experienced even though it’s in our own backyard! That’s the way many people treat the birth of Jesus. “Someday, I’ll think more critically about the most talked...2023-12-3128 min

Illuminate Community Church12/17/23 - Advent: Peace - Luke 2:14 - Pastor Jason FritzAdvent - Peace Luke 2:14 You may not speak Hebrew but you know the word shalom. The peace symbol is one of the most recognized in the world. Worldwide recognition is given every year to those who are considered great peacemakers. Meanwhile the 20th century has seen more bloodshed in war than all previous centuries combined. Currently there are two major ongoing conflicts. In reality; peace on earth is elusive. Last Sunday we looked at the first part of the angel’s glorious birth announcement. Shepherds were the first to hear about the true source of joy arriving in the...2023-12-1837 min

Illuminate Community Church12/10/23 - Advent: Joy - Luke 2:1-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz Christian joy is not dependent upon circumstances, it is dependent upon a person. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ...2023-12-1136 min

Illuminate Community Church12/3/23 - Advent: Love - John 3:16 - Pastor Jason Fritz “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 The Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard reflected on the reason for the incarnation and said this… Imagine a prince desiring to get married. Each day his gold carriage traveled through the marketplace on its way to the castle. One day his eye caught the beauty of a peasant maiden. He fell in love with her. But how could he get her to marry him? As prince he could force the girl. Or he could have p...2023-12-0434 min

Illuminate Community Church11/26/23 - Advent: Hope - Romans 5:13 - Pastor Jason Fritz This Sunday we start our Advent series in preparation for the most significant event in human history - the birth of Jesus. The word advent means “arrival” and beginning in the fourth century AD Christians have been preparing their hearts, minds and homes with the hope of Christmas. We use the word hope several different ways. We might say, “I hope next summer won’t be as hot as the last one!” There is an element of pessimism in this. That’s not the kind of hope we are talking about. Instead, Biblical hope is a confident assurance that what God promised...2023-11-2737 min

Illuminate Community Church11/19/23 - Grief and Hope - Romans 8:18-27 - Pastor Jason FritzRomans 8:18-27 Friends, the Scritpures are honest in describing an inescapable reality: there is pain in human existence. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 Paul is honest in describing a life modeled after Jesus and guided by the Spirit includes suffering. He would know. This is his testimony… Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a nigh...2023-11-2034 min

Illuminate Community Church11/12/23 - Live and Let Die - Romans 8:1-17 - Pastor Jason FritzRomans 8:1-17 Last week we heard some brutally honest words from the apostle Paul. He reveals his own personal struggles in Romans chapter 7… For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. vs.24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:14-15; 24. I can relate to this and so can you. We want to do good b...2023-11-1437 min

Illuminate Community Church11/5/23 - The Struggle is Real! - Romans 7 - Pastor Jason FritzThis is a very poignant description of somebody who cares deeply about people, the Word of God, and what God wants for him. This is the person who desires to obey God’s laws, but is disappointed with himself, because in spite of what he desires he is pulled and pushed away from what he wants to do into the very thing he hates. It is the personal conflict of a soul in turmoil. The struggle is real. It is so intense and so strong that it dominates the life of Paul, and it dominates our lives also. You...2023-11-0631 min

Illuminate Community Church10/29/23 - Choose The One You Serve - Romans 6:15-23 - Pastor Jason FritzLast week we heard from the apostle Paul as he explained the effects of God’s grace in our lives. Some erroneously believed that because God forgives, they can just go on wilfully sinning. In fact, some made the argument that if we sin more, then God has to give us more grace and when God gives grace that just makes him look better. So we should sin more, therefore revealing God to be good. Paul answers with a resounding, “No!" You don’t understand grace. A proper understanding of grace should lead you away from sin, not tow...2023-10-3031 min

Illuminate Community Church10/22/23 - Prevention Theology - Romans 6:1-14 - Pastor Jason FritzThe message this Sunday is for all those who feel trapped in destructive habits. It is for those who have been living in a cycle of sin, confess, sin, confess, over and over again. It is for those who feel stuck and wonder if thier Christian life will ever move forward. It is also for those who ask, "What did Jesus ever do for me?" The apostle Paul has been writing about the grace of God in Romans chapter 5. He’s been telling us that God’s grace covers every one of our sins. As often as we sin...2023-10-2334 min

Illuminate Community Church10/15/23 - The Two Most Influential Men - Romans 5:12-21 - Pastor Jason FritzSunday’s passage in Romans is widely accepted as one of great significance and also one of the most challenging. Our task is to make it simple but not to simplify it. Sin came into the world through one man, says Paul. That man is Adam. Paul believed Adam was a real human (and so did Jesus.) Paul reaches back to the Garden of Eden when God said to the man, “Just one restriction, don’t eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” And what happened? Adam ate. Then came the result: death was spread through si...2023-10-2335 min

Illuminate Community Church10/8/23 - Salvation Leads To Exaltation - Romans 5:1-11 - Pastor Jason FritzRomans chapter five contains the famous passage commonly referred to as “the chain of salvation.” Imagine Paul linking together five amazing blessings that come into your life as a result of trusting in Jesus. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 First, we have peace with God. What does it mean to have peace with God? What...2023-10-2334 min

Illuminate Community Church10/1/23 - The Object of Our Faith - Romans 4:13-25 - Pastor Jason Fritz"That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,” Romans 4:16 What exactly is the faith of Abraham? Paul explains… In hope he believed against hope, (that’s another way of describing a seemingly impossible situation) that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken i...2023-10-2335 min

Illuminate Community Church9/24/23 - Sola Fide - Faith Alone! - Romans 4:1-15 - Pastor Jason Fritz There is one central theme to Romans chapter 4 and it is this: Salvation comes by faith and not works. This is a timely message for today because there are millions of people practicing some form of religion or self actualization that teaches one must earn his or her way to enlightenment or heaven. Most believe if your good outweighs your bad then God smiles on you and the gates of heaven will be thrown open. Paul shatters this idea by using just two examples from the Old Testament. He eagerly probes at the roots of this issue by asking the q...2023-10-2335 min

Illuminate Community Church9/17/23 - Discipleshift - Matthew 28:19-20 - Pastor Jason FritzWe’ve got something special for you church family! This Sunday we will be stepping out of our study in Romans and bringing you something very important. For the last several months we have been planning a refocus of our priorities and purpose as a church. Our mission was made clear by Jesus when he said this in Matthew 28:19-20… "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behol...2023-09-1934 min

Illuminate Community Church9/10/23 - Validated By God - Romans 3:21-31 - Pastor Jason FritzThis is a rich sentence my friends... For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:22-24 All are sinners. You might be familiar with the scene of ancient archers drawing back their bows and letting the arrows fly toward the target. If they missed the bullseye the crowd yelled, “Sinner!” To sin is to m...2023-09-1233 min

Illuminate Community Church9/3/23 - What Good Is the Bible? - Romans 3:1-22 - Pastor Jason FritzThere’s a YouTuber who crashes fashion shows by dressing up unknown elderly people in the most ridiculous costumes. The funny part is that he is able to convince everyone in charge that he is a real designer and that these geriatrics are real fashion models. Sometimes he actually gets them on the runways. The crowd can be seen applauding, taking pictures, asking for interviews and writing reviews...until someone says, “That’s my grandpa who retired from the post office!” Suddenly the mask is taken off and everyone gets a good laugh at the expense of those who claim to...2023-09-0535 min

Illuminate Community Church8/27/23 - The Failure of Religion and Moralism - Romans 2 - Pastor Jason FritzFor the last couple of weeks we’ve been reading from Romans chapter one. The apostle Paul paints a bleak but realistic portrait of what happens when people reject God. There is a very predictable trajectory that leads to dark places and practices including idolatry and sexual perversion. However, in chapter two he makes an abrupt, unexpected, and shocking turn. It only makes sense if you understand what he’s written at the end of chapter one... And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ough...2023-08-2937 min

Illuminate Community Church8/20/23 - The Progress of Unbelief - Romans 1:24-32 - Pastor Jason FritzThree times in this passage Paul uses the phrase, “God gave them up”. So what does this mean? Simply put: God will allow men and women to go as far down the path of destruction as they desire. If one continues to deny God then what follows is all kinds of perversion. For example, one of the most popular genres of porn today is incest. Paul tells us there are consequences to depravity. These reverberations reveal God’s truth. We reap what we sow. In 2022 the top five infectious diseases amongst teenagers were: Cold, flu, strep throat, mono, gonorrhea and syph...2023-08-2240 min

Illuminate Community Church8/13/23 - Not Ashamed! - Romans 1:8-23 - Pastor Jason FritzThe apostle Paul minces no words in proclaiming his attitude toward the work of Jesus on the cross… For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 Can you say the same? There is power in the gospel because it brings salvation to all who believe. And yet, many don’t believe. In fact, some don’t believe there is a creator God. How does this happen? Paul explains... Fo...2023-08-1540 min

Illuminate Community Church8/7/23 - Paul Reveals His Identity - Romans 1:1-7 - Pastor Jason FritzIt is with great excitement that I write this update to you! Beginning this Sunday, we start a new verse by verse study in the book of Romans. This is one of the most life-changing letters in the entire Bible. We will be swimming in the deep end of the spiritual pool. If you come each week I promise you will understand God more and your faith will significantly increase. It was Romans that brought about the conversion of Augustine in 386 AD. Many years later in 1515 it was Romans that brought Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, to a p...2023-08-0837 min

Illuminate Community Church7/30/23 - Preparing for Heaven - Matthew 6:19-21 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday we bring our series on heaven and hell to a close. Perhaps the best way to do this is to hear from Jesus as he tells us what we can do here and now in order to prepare ourselves for the day we see Him face to face. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says this... “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do...2023-07-3133 min

Illuminate Community Church7/23/23 - Satan Practices Self Love - Ephesians 6:12; Isaiah 14:12-14; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday we’ll discover a person and a force that is entirely devoted to keeping people from entering heaven. If you paid attention in World History class you remember that as Hitler’s appetite for power and territory grew, his army began to march across Europe. In some cases, the fight could hardly be called a battle. The German army rapidly advanced, with its tanks and technologically advanced weapons. In some of the underdeveloped nations, their armies made a futile effort to resist the aggression, fighting back with spears and even rocks. It was no contest at all, because t...2023-07-2536 min

Illuminate Community Church7/16/23 - Well Done Good and Faithful Servant! - Matthew 25:13-30 - Pastor Jason FritzWe are nearing the end of our series on eternity (eternity lasts forever and this series will not) so this Sunday we read a remarkable parable from Jesus. Think of a parable as a short story that leaves a profound impact. It’s found in Matthew chapter 25 and it reveals the goal for every Christian. The goal is hearing Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master (the one who rules and owns everything)!” So how exactly do we receive this welcome? We receive it by making the most of...2023-07-1731 min

Illuminate Community Church7/9/23 - Resurrected Bodies - 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 - Pastor Hudson Garcia“There is a preacher of the old school but he speaks as boldly as ever. He is not popular, though the world is his parish and he travels every part of the globe and speaks in every language. He visits the poor, calls upon the rich, preaches to people of every religion and no religion, and the subject of his sermon is always the same. He is an eloquent preacher, often stirring feelings which no other preacher could, and bringing tears to eyes that never weep. His arguments none are able to refute, nor is there any heart that ha...2023-07-1232 min

Illuminate Community Church7/2/23 - The Bema Seat and Eternal Crowns - 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - Pastor Steve Johnson“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) You are the crown of God’s creation! He has taken great care in uniquely designing you. And the way in which God has crafted you determines what He intends for you to do. You have been created in Jesus with purpose and significance in His Kingdom, to do good works every day for His glory. And this Sunday, we will see that Scripture tells us those everyday good works have cons...2023-07-0332 min

Illuminate Community Church6/28/23 - Your Forever Home - Revelation 21-22 - Pastor Jason FritzOur eternal residence is described as having streets paved with gold, gates of pearl, life without pain, sorrow, temptation or loss. Hard to imagine that kind of existence. However, that’s not the best part. The beautiful and peaceful environment is secondary to the person because we will be in the very presence of God almighty. Let me give you an illustration to help you understand what this means. Suppose that someone you love is a prisoner of war, held captive for many years. You know this person (your husband, wife, son, daughter or best friend) is alive and yo...2023-06-2836 min

Illuminate Community Church6/11/23 - Jesus and the Meaning of ”Gehenna” - Matthew 25:41-46 - Pastor Jason FritzThis Sunday we’ll be looking at the words of Jesus as he speaks about a place called Gehenna. I mentioned it last Sunday and again some have asked, “Do we really have to talk about this?” Well, it seems like everyone is talking about eternal places except for Christians. For example, those who don’t know Jesus use the word “hell” all the time; and shouldn’t we be talking about the things Jesus talked about? Surprisingly to some, he talked about a place of torment quite a bit. So to ignore this is to miss an important subject accord...2023-06-1234 min

Illuminate Community Church6/4/23 - The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31 - Pastor Jason FritzI often hear people say, “I never hear sermons about heaven and hell and what happens when you die.” Okay, let’s do it. Beginning this Sunday, we’ll start a nine week series asking and answering common questions... Are heaven and hell real places, and if so, what are they? How can you reconcile hell with a loving God? Will we be rewarded in heaven? Will we have "heavenly” bodies, and if so, how exactly does that work? What does Jesus have to say about these things? We’ll start with a parable from Jesus...2023-06-0733 min

Illuminate Community Church5/28/23 - Come to me… - Matthew 11:25-30 - Pastor Jason Fritz"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light because he bears it with us. On our own, the burdens feel unbearable, but with Jesus it can be easy and light. And the yoke which joins you to him is made especially for you...2023-05-3133 min

Illuminate Community Church5/21/23 - Don’t Misplace Your Fear - Matthew 10:25-33 - Pastor Jason FritzMatthew chapter 10 contains preparation for what is to come. If you are boldly speaking the name of Jesus you need assurances in the face of opposition. God gives you three. Assurance #1 The opposition is no judge. God is. "So have no fear of them for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” -Matthew 10:26 Man’s approval or condemnation is not what counts. His opinions will not matter on the day of judgment. They won’t even be heard. Everything that everyone does, including our actions an...2023-05-2236 min

Illuminate Community Church5/14/23 - The Greatest - Matthew 18:1-4 - Jason FritzThis Sunday is Mother's Day and for some it’s much like Father’s Day in the sense that it can be difficult. The parent child relationship is a dynamic that is felt both positively and negatively over the course of one’s life. Of course parenting is one of, if not the most rewarding, exhausting, joy and tear-filled relationships a human can experience on earth. Being a Mother is a sacred thing because parenting is a sacred role. Moms have the future in their hands. Discipleship training starts in the home and what makes it so incredibly challenging is tha...2023-05-1632 min

Illuminate Community Church5/7/23 - Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-8 - Pastor Hudson GarciaI was talking with a friend this week about how the most terrifying stage with kids is when they learn to say “no.” He followed that up by expressing how his kids would typically say “no” about either seemingly irrelevant things or just super dangerous things. When he would ask them, “Please do not walk into the street,” his toddler would respond with a resounding, “No,” and would then dive headfirst into traffic. We laughed, and then we cried because it was too true. Unfortunately, for many of us, our desire to say “no” to authority does not go away after...2023-05-0931 min

Illuminate Community Church4/30/23 - Sheep Wolves Snakes Doves - Matthew 10:1-22 - Pastor Jason FritzJesus is so good. He always gives us what we need to accomplish what he has called us to do. Sometimes the provision includes a warning. That’s exactly what we get in Matthew chapter 10. Jesus has called us to make disciples and according to him the road will not be easy. Consider these words... "Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end w...2023-05-0132 min

Illuminate Community Church4/23/23 - Pray For Laborers - Matthew 9:2-38 - Pastor Jason FritzJesus met people in their moments of need. Perhaps the most remarkable, humbling and dignified thing about it is this: Jesus wants our help in spreading God’s compassion to those who are hurting. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” -Matthew 9:37-38 The harvest could very well represent the Old Testament concept of judgment. The Bible is clear in stating that one day God is going to make all things ...2023-04-2534 min

Illuminate Community Church4/16/23 - Beware The Wolves - Matthew 7:14-20 - Pastor Jason FritzIn Matthew chapter 7 Jesus brings the Sermon On The Mount to an end. Previously he has spoken of two gates. One is narrow and the other is wide. The narrow gate is restrictive (only one way and few enter) but it leads to life. You can’t earn your way through and you certainly don’t deserve what’s on the other side, but by God's grace he opens it for you through Jesus. The wide gate is broad and easy to enter, however, it leads to destruction. As we learned two weeks ago, the wide gate represents man’s vain a...2023-04-1834 min

Illuminate Community Church4/9/23 - Risen - Pastor Jason Fritz 2023-04-1234 min

Illuminate Community Church4/7/23 - Good Friday - Pastor Steve Johnson 2023-04-1222 min

Illuminate Community Church4/2/23 - I am The King - Palm Sunday - John 12:12-19; Luke 19:28-35 - Pastor Jason FritzFor several hundred years the church has spent the Sunday before Easter observing the triumphal entry of Jesus. He arrives in Jerusalem during Passover week on the back of a donkey. This event is commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. Luke chooses not to record the actual waving of palm branches but Matthew does. This is the kind of praise fit for a monarch. When a victorious king rode into town on his warhorse the people used palm branches to signal their loyalty and respect. But when Jesus rides into town he’s making a statement that was lost on...2023-04-0436 min

Illuminate Community Church3/26/23 - I am the Way the Truth and the Life - John 14:1-7 - Pastor Jason FritzJesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 This Sunday we’re going to look at what might be the most controversial statement spoken by Jesus. It’s the very thing that had him killed. If you ask people living in the Valley what they think about Jesus, most will tell you they like him. From what they understand, Jesus seemed to be peaceful, loving and kind. This was his message to others so the world could use a little more Jesus - ri...2023-03-2837 min

Illuminate Community Church3/19/23 - Narrow is Wide and Wide is Narrow - Matthew 7:7-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." -Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus is concluding this amazing sermon on the Galilean hillside. He speaks of two very different gates. What does it mean? Context is important. All throughout this sermon Jesus has been calling out the religious leaders for their hypocrisy. If you imitate them thinking you will f...2023-03-2135 min