The Increase
Episodes
246 episodes
The Cost of Following Jesus
When America’s “Founding Fathers” signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew there was going to be a great cost in breaking from Great Britain, but they didn’t shrink back from embracing that cost. In Luke 9, Jesus talks with three diffe...
Resisting Assimilation
Today’s Christians need a reminder that America’s culture is not morally neutral. It’s working against God and His truth. And nowhere is that influence more evident than with our children and young people. Today’s culture wants to strip away th...
A Marriage That Made History
Many people know that Martin Luther impacted Christian doctrine when he broke from the Roman Catholic Church. But did you know that Martin Luther also impacted Christian marriage? Have you heard the story of how Luther helped 12 nuns esca...
A Daring Act of Faith
Did you hear about the man who walked across Niagara Falls back in 2012? It was a daring, dramatic, and dangerous walk that was watched live by more than 500 million people. In Ruth chapter three, the widow Ruth makes her own daring walk,...
A Chance Encounter That Wasn't Chance
American television changed forever when a Cuban man and a red-haired woman met and then merged their professional careers in 1940. Their sitcom, “I Love Lucy” is still considered one of the greatest of all time. In Ruth ch...
Moms Who Change The World
Did you know that nearly 70% of people who are succeeding with their personal goals, careers, and families— attribute that success to their upbringing in a positive family environment? That statistic certainly underlines the tremendous impact o...
A Heartbreaking Homecoming
How do you typically respond when life comes crashing down? Do you complain and sink into a season of despair, or do you turn to the LORD in confidence and trust? In Ruth chapter one, Naomi returns to her home country after a decade of he...
Broken Pieces Made Beautiful
On Sunday morning, we launched into a brand-new study of the Book of Ruth called “Broken Pieces Made Beautiful.” Even though the story of Ruth is marked by famine, death, and heartbreak, God takes the broken pieces and writes a b...
Perils of Pride
On Sunday, April 19th, our church participated in an extra-special “Pulpit Swap Sunday”, where I exchanged pulpits for the day with Dr. Terry Felton from Mason Dixon Baptist Church in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. That morning, Past...
More Than Forgiveness
When Jesus redeems us, He gives us so much more than just the forgiveness of our sins. Of course, His death removes the negative penalties that we deserve—like God’s wrath and eternal punishment. But the Bible also teaches that through...
The Power That Raised Jesus
Even though the opponents of Jesus were happy to see His execution, Jesus worked His greatest miracle on that first Resurrection Sunday, when He triumphed victoriously over death and the grave. As we study this world-shaking event, what power d...
The King They Didn't Understand
There’s no doubt that Jesus was one of the most misunderstood people in history, and nowhere was that more evident than the Sunday He entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This was a day filled with misplaced expectations and serious misunderstandings...
The Plan to Stop Jesus
After the resurrection of Lazarus, the religious leaders reach a breaking point and hold a meeting to decide what to do about Jesus. What do these leaders discuss? What is their plan to stop Jesus? What vital lessons can you learn about the evi...
Calling Out the Complacent Church
In Revelation 3, Jesus called out the church at Laodicea for their complacency, lukewarmness, and total ineffectiveness. As we listen to Jesus rebuke lukewarm believers, what is most needed by complacent Christians in today’s world? How c...
The Fingerprints of a Faithful Church
On Sundays at Wrightsdale we’ve been in a message series called “7 Letters”, where we’re examining Jesus’ words to seven churches of the NT era. The church at ancient Philadelphia received no corrections from Jesus, but only commendations-- bec...
Reviving a Dead Church
While some churches receive commendation in Revelation 2-3, one church gets a harsh critique for being “dead.” What does a dead church look like, and is there any hope of reviving one? What can you learn about diagnosing spiritual d...
No Escape for a Negligent Church
In Revelation 2-3, Jesus speaks candidly to seven churches of the ancient world. Can you imagine a church congregation looking the other way when public, persistent sin was happening in their midst? Is your church supposed to be tolerant at any...
Confronting a Compromised Church
Did you know that one of the greatest threats to the church is cultural compromise? What is at the heart of compromise, and what does it look like for the church in America? What does Jesus have to say to a church caught in the web of cultural ...
Strength When You're Suffering
The second church that Jesus addressed was the ancient church at Smyrna, where Christians were suffering under intense persecution for their faith. When the church of Jesus is under assault, and Christians are paying the price, wha...
Lessons from a Loveless Church
Even though these were ancient letters to ancient churches, they are still very relevant to our churches today. Is it possible that your church is so busy doing ministry and defending doctrine that it’s forgetting the supreme motivation? Could ...
The Sovereign Lord of the Church
On Sunday morning, we launched into an exciting new message series called “Seven Letters” where we’ll take a deeper look at what Jesus had to say to seven churches of Revelation— both where they were succeeding and where they were slackin...
A Successful Ministry
On Sunday, January 11th, our Lead Pastor Ryan Day brought a dynamic message for the official ordination of our Next-Gen Pastor Jared Carline. Jared received a personal challenge from God’s Word about what it takes to be successful in mini...
Already Near
*Guest Speaker* God wants you to be confident about the immense love He has for you, but sadly many of us get tripped up by common obstacles in our thinking. What are some of the most common obstacles that keep us from growing closer to ...