Media - Melrose Community Church

Melrose Community Church

12/28/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

December 28, 2025 • Mike Fast • Matthew 1:18–25

This sermon concludes a three-part Christmas series by examining Jesus Christ's ministry after His incarnation. Drawing from Matthew 1 and weaving through Scripture, Pastor Mike explores three significant stages of Christ's post-Christmas ministry: His earthly life from birth to death & resurrection 33 years later, His present ministry in heaven, and His promised future return. He visualized the mathematical probability of Jesus fulfilling just eight prophecies as covering all of Texas two feet deep in silver dollars and finding one marked coin while blindfolded. But Jesus fulfilled hundreds. This isn't coincidence; it's divine orchestration we cannot ignore. But it gets personal: What difference does Jesus make in your life today? Not culturally, not theoretically, but actually? We're reminded that Christ is our sustainer, our advocate, our sympathizer who understands our weaknesses, and our coming King. He's not just a historical figure we celebrate once a year—He's actively preparing a place for us, interceding for us, and offering salvation to a world He loves too much to abandon. The question lingers: If someone asked you today what difference Christ makes in your daily life, what would you say? This message doesn't let us file away Christmas and move on; it demands we wrestle with the living, active reality of our risen Savior.

Christmas Eve 2025 "Wisemen Still Seek Him" Matt. 2:1-12

December 24, 2025 • Mike Fast • Matthew 2:1–12, Matthew 2:18–23

Wonderful time of music and refocusing on the what our minds should be on this season if we want to be among the ranks of "Wise Men".

12/21/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

December 21, 2025 • Mike Fast • Philippians 2:1–11, Matthew 1:18–25

This message challenges us to examine what Christmas truly means in our lives by contrasting two celebrations: 'X-mas' and Christmas. Without Christ, we're left with a potentially hollow holiday focused on presents, parties, and commercial excess—a celebration that circumstances can easily steal from us. But with Christ at the center, Christmas becomes an unshakeable celebration of God's greatest gift: His Son born in human flesh. The sermon draws us into Philippians 2, where Paul describes Jesus's incredible humility—how He emptied Himself, took on human form, and became obedient to death on a cross. This passage reminds us that Christmas isn't just about a baby in a manger; it's about the eternal God stepping into our darkness to become our light. We're invited to reflect on four critical areas: the holiday itself, the virgin conception, Christ's death, and His resurrection. In each area, we see the stark difference between a Christless celebration and one anchored in the reality of Immanuel—God with us. The challenge is personal and penetrating: Are we celebrating Christ-mas or just X-mas? Are we looking for opportunities to share the hope that makes all the difference? Like Bob Evans experiencing sight for the first time after 51 years of blindness, we're called to remove our spiritual blinders and truly see the beauty and wonder of what Christ has done for us. Discussion Questions: • What did you think of Christmas before you were saved? • What do you think about it now? • What happens when you take Christ out of a holiday meant to celebrate Him? • What do you have if you take Christ out of Christianity? • Consider other areas of everyday life and how they look without Christ as opposed to how they look with Christ. • Can you become so familiar with or accustomed to something that you overlook its beauty or significance? • Homework: Find an opportunity to share the real meaning of Christmas with someone this week?

12/14/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

December 14, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 1:1–8

This powerful message invites us to see beyond the manger scene and grasp the eternal nature of Jesus Christ. Drawing from John 1, Philippians 2, and Hebrews 1, we're reminded that Christmas morning wasn't the beginning of Jesus—He existed from all eternity as the Word, the Creator, and God Himself. The sermon walks us through eight profound descriptions of Christ: Word, Life, Light, Flesh, One and Only, Jesus, Christ, and God. Each title reveals a facet of His divine nature and mission. The imagery of moving baby Jesus closer to the nativity scene each day before Christmas serves as a beautiful metaphor for keeping Christ at the center of our celebrations. But the deeper truth challenges us: when we look at that baby in the manger, do we see just a helpless infant, or do we recognize God incarnate—the mighty Creator who humbled Himself to dwell among us? This perspective transforms everything. Understanding that Jesus is the eternal God who holds all things together, who spoke creation into existence, who is the very radiance of God's glory, makes His birth not just a sweet story but an earth-shattering event. For those of us who believe, this truth deepens our worship. For those still searching, it presents the unavoidable question: is Jesus a liar, a lunatic, or truly Lord? There's no middle ground for a 'good moral teacher' who claimed equality with God. Discussion Questions (can be used with small groups or personal devotions): • His birth and the cross seem to be the two most predominant times we consider Jesus. What prevents us from thinking more of Christ prior to the incarnation? • Why is it important to believe in the preincarnate existence of Christ? • What is the significance of John 17:5 and Philippians 2:6? • More plainly, why is it vital that we believe in the deity (being God) of Jesus Christ? • How would you reply to someone who believes Jesus became a God? How would you reply to someone who believes Jesus was created (had a beginning)? • Why could Jesus not be “just” a good moral teacher but nothing else He claimed?

12/7/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

December 7, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 6

This powerful exploration of John chapter 6 invites us to examine what we're truly seeking when we pursue Jesus. The miraculous feeding of over 15,000 people with five loaves and two fish sets the stage for a profound spiritual conversation about satisfaction and sustenance. We discover that the crowds followed Jesus not because they understood His divine nature, but because their physical bellies were filled. The teaching challenges us with four critical mistakes we make in our spiritual journey: demanding God meet our physical needs on our terms, trying to impress God with our resumes of good works, requiring God to continually prove Himself according to our schedule, and wanting the benefits of faith without the commitment. Jesus cuts through all our striving with a simple, revolutionary answer: believe in Him. Not accomplish a checklist, not perform religious rituals, but simply believe. The bread of life isn't about what we do—it's about who He is and what He's already done. This message calls us to move beyond seeking temporary satisfaction and embrace the living bread that offers eternal life, reminding us that when we think the cost of following Jesus is too high, we should remember what it cost Him. Discussion Questions - How was the question Jesus asked of Philip in John 6:5 a test? - Can you speculate what Andrew (or the boy with the bread) thought Jesus would do with 5 loaves, if anything? - How can “believing” in Christ become a “good work”? - Consider a time you tried to manipulate God into doing something you thought He should do for you. - Contemplate the similarities between Jesus and bread.

11/30/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

November 30, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 5

This powerful exploration of John 5 takes us to the Pool of Bethesda, a place whose very name means 'house of mercy' or 'house of grace.' We encounter a man who had been disabled for 38 years—a number that echoes Israel's own 38 years of spiritual wandering in the wilderness. The story challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we waiting for help in areas where we feel blind, lame, or paralyzed? The beauty of this account is that Jesus doesn't wait for the man to find Him; He comes to the man. This is the heart of the gospel—God seeks us when we cannot seek Him. The passage then shifts to Jesus making bold claims about His equality with God the Father, offering multiple witnesses including His miracles, John the Baptist, the Father Himself, the Old Testament scriptures, and even Moses. We're confronted with an unavoidable question: What do we do with Jesus? Ignoring Him is the same as rejecting Him. This message invites us to move beyond being grateful merely for the gift of salvation to being in awe of the Giver Himself. It's a call to self-examination—not to critique others, but to honestly assess where we stand in our relationship with Christ and whether our lives demonstrate genuine commitment to Him.

11/23/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

November 23, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 4:20–26

What if everything we thought we knew about worship was incomplete? This powerful exploration of John 4:20-26 challenges us to move beyond worship as mere Sunday routine and discover it as the very purpose for which we were created. Drawing from Jesus's conversation with the Samaritan woman, we're confronted with a startling truth: worship isn't about music styles, emotional experiences, or getting blessed—it's about assigning God His true worth. The message dismantles six common misconceptions: worship isn't an event we attend, it's not confined to music, it's not a performance to be graded, it's not measured by feelings, it's not limited to one day weekly, and it's definitely not about our own pleasure. Instead, we discover that genuine worship is a heartfelt response to who God is—fierce in holiness yet heartbreaking in tenderness. The call to worship 'in spirit and truth' means engaging our whole self—mind, emotions, will, and body—while anchoring our understanding in Scripture's revelation of God's character. Isaiah's throne room vision reminds us that worship begins when we truly see God as He is: high, lifted up, and holy. This isn't about religious obligation; it's about recognizing that we were created for this very purpose—to declare the worth of our Creator, not because of what He does for us, but because of who He is to us.

11/16/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

November 16, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 4

This powerful exploration of John 4 takes us on a journey with Jesus as He breaks social barriers to reach a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. What unfolds is not just a conversation about water, but a masterclass in evangelism that challenges us to rethink how we share our faith. The passage reveals five essential principles for sharing the gospel: respect for others regardless of social divisions, relevance in finding common ground, reminding people of their need for salvation, reflecting on God's nature, and giving space for people to resolve their decision about Christ. The Samaritan woman's story is particularly moving because she represents the marginalized and overlooked—someone who drew water at noon to avoid the shame of encountering others. Yet Jesus intentionally sought her out, demonstrating that God's harvest includes those society has dismissed. The living water Jesus offers contrasts starkly with temporary solutions—it's an eternal spring welling up inside us. This message reminds us that we cannot wait for people to simply walk through church doors; we must go where the lost are, just as Jesus did. Our mission isn't to convert but to converse, planting seeds and allowing the Holy Spirit to work. Each of us has a unique circle of influence—neighbors, coworkers, family members—who need to hear this good news. The question becomes: will we step into uncomfortable spaces, engage in relevant conversations, and lovingly help others see their need for the Savior?

11/9/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

November 9, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 3:22–36

This powerful exploration of John 3:22-36 reveals one of the most profound lessons in humility found anywhere in Scripture. We journey alongside John the Baptist during a pivotal moment when his disciples come to him with jealous concerns—Jesus is baptizing people too, and crowds are flocking to Him instead. What unfolds is a masterclass in godly leadership and selfless devotion. John's response cuts through our natural human tendencies toward comparison and competition: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a revolutionary way of living that challenges everything our culture teaches us about success and significance. The passage invites us to examine our own hearts—how do we respond when others are blessed? When someone with less experience gets promoted? When another church grows while ours struggles? John demonstrates that true spiritual maturity means celebrating God's work in others' lives, recognizing that every blessing comes from heaven, and finding our deepest joy not in our own recognition but in seeing Christ lifted high. The sermon unpacks four key observations about humility: accepting our mission with grace, responding as leaders with servant hearts, celebrating God's blessings in others' lives, and consistently introducing people to Christ rather than ourselves. This message confronts our self-centered nature and calls us to a radical reorientation—one where Christ's glory matters more than our comfort, and His increase brings us genuine joy.

11/8/25, Melrose Community Church, Men's Breakfast

November 8, 2025 • Mike Fast • Hebrews 11:19–25

11/2/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

November 2, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 3:1–21

We all face the ultimate question: what happens after death, and how do we enter God's kingdom? This profound exploration of John 3 confronts us with the reality that our credentials, achievements, and good intentions aren't enough. Through the nighttime encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus—a religious leader with an impressive resume—we discover that entrance into heaven isn't based on our standards, but on God's terms alone. Nicodemus had everything: religious knowledge, moral conduct, political influence, and prestigious lineage. Yet Jesus cuts through all of it with a startling declaration: 'You must be born again.' This isn't about physical rebirth or self-improvement; it's about spiritual regeneration that only God can accomplish. The wind illustration reminds us that God's Spirit works mysteriously and powerfully in ways we cannot fully control or predict. We learn that salvation isn't reformation—it's regeneration. It's not about becoming better versions of ourselves through effort, but about becoming entirely new creations through faith in Jesus Christ. The famous John 3:16 takes on fresh depth as we realize God's love was demonstrated not through words alone, but through the ultimate sacrifice at the cross. This message challenges us to examine what we're truly trusting in for salvation and invites us to believe into Christ—not just intellectually acknowledging Him, but entrusting our entire lives to His finished work on the cross.

10/26/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

October 26, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 2

In John chapter 2, we encounter three powerful demonstrations of Christ's glory that challenge us to examine the depth of our own faith. The chapter begins with Jesus transforming water into wine at a wedding in Cana—not just any wine, but 150 gallons of the finest quality. This wasn't merely a display of supernatural power; it was a revelation of Jesus' gracious, compassionate nature and His concern for saving others from embarrassment and shame. We see the Messiah who cares about the details of our lives, who shows up at our celebrations, and who provides abundantly beyond what we could ask or imagine. Then the scene shifts dramatically to Jerusalem, where Jesus cleanses the temple with righteous zeal, driving out merchants and money-changers who had turned His Father's house into a marketplace. Here we witness the severity and holiness of God—the same Jesus who graciously provided wine now confronts religious corruption with fierce authority. This dual nature of Christ, both kind and severe, reminds us that true faith embraces the fullness of who God is. Finally, we're confronted with perhaps the most sobering truth: Jesus knows the human heart completely. While many followed Him for signs and wonders, seeking religious experiences and emotional highs, Jesus did not entrust Himself to them because He knew their hearts. This challenges each of us to ask: What is the nature of our faith? Are we following Jesus for what He can do for us, or have we truly surrendered our lives to Him as Lord and Savior? The passage calls us beyond superficial belief to genuine, life-transforming faith.

10/19/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

October 19, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 1:35–51

In this powerful exploration of John 1:35-51, we discover the various ways people are drawn to Jesus Christ. The passage reveals how God uses different methods to call us into a relationship with Him. We see examples of people being drawn through the testimony of others, the promise of forgiveness, the search for answers, and the fulfillment of Scripture. This reminds us that our own journey to faith is unique and personal. As we reflect on how we came to know Christ, we're encouraged to share our testimonies, knowing that our stories might be the very thing that draws others to Him. The message challenges us to be aware of how we're living our lives, as others are always watching. It's a call to be intentional about our witness and to trust that God can use our ordinary lives to do extraordinary things in drawing people to Himself.

10/12/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

October 12, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 1:15–34

In our exploration of John's Gospel, we discover the profound importance of witnessing for Christ. The apostle John presents seven powerful witnesses to Jesus' divinity and mission, including John the Baptist, Christ's works, God the Father, the Scriptures, Jesus Himself, the Holy Spirit, and the disciples. This emphasis on testimony challenges us to consider our own role as witnesses. Are we actively sharing the truth of Scripture about Christ? Are we boldly testifying to how He has transformed our lives? Our personal stories of faith, when centered on Christ, become powerful tools for sharing God's love and grace. As we reflect on this, let's ask ourselves: How can we more effectively bear witness to Christ in our daily lives? Our testimony, both in words and actions, can be a beacon of hope in a world searching for truth and meaning.

10/05/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

October 5, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 1:1–14

Four points concerning Jesus Christ; 1. Jesus is God, vv. 1,2,14,18. Three facts in verse one that concern our Lord Jesus; A. He is eternal. B. He was and is a Person distinct from God the Father, yet one with Him. C. The Lord Jesus Christ is God. 2. Jesus is Creator, vv. 3,10a. 3. Jesus is Life and Light, vv. 4-9. 4. Jesus is Rejected or Received, vv. 10-13.

9/28/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

September 28, 2025 • Mike Fast • John 20:30–31, John 1:19, John 1:35, John 1:40

As we embark on a journey through the Gospel of John, we're reminded of the transformative power of God's grace and love. John's life serves as a beautiful illustration of how Christ can refine even the most thunderous personalities. Once known as a 'Son of Thunder,' John's passion was redirected towards spreading the truth and love of Jesus. This transformation challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how God's grace is shaping us. The recurring themes of witness, truth, and love in John's writing invite us to embrace these qualities in our own faith journey. As we delve deeper into this gospel, we're encouraged to see ourselves as disciples whom Jesus loves, understanding that God's love for us was fully demonstrated on the cross of Calvary. This perspective can profoundly impact how we view ourselves and interact with others in our daily lives.

9/21/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

September 21, 2025 • Paul Glazner • 1 Peter 5:1–4, Titus 2:7–8, Hebrews 13:17, Psalm 23, 1 Timothy 5:17

Today, we explored the profound calling of spiritual leadership and the vital role of a supportive church family. The central message revolves around Hebrews 13:17, which urges us to 'obey our leaders and submit to them.' This scripture isn't about blind obedience, but rather a willingness to align ourselves with God's vision for our community. We're reminded that true leadership is not just a job, but a sacred calling that requires both the leader and the congregation to work in harmony. The analogy of shepherding, drawn from various biblical passages, beautifully illustrates this relationship. As we reflect on our own roles within the church, we're challenged to consider: Are we making our leaders' work a joy? Are we using our God-given talents to their fullest potential? This message invites us to see the church not just as an organization, but as God's chosen instrument for transforming the world. It's a call to unity, encouragement, and active participation in God's grand design for our community.

9/14/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

September 14, 2025 • Mike Fast • 1 Corinthians 6:20, Psalm 1, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21

Today we explore the concept of discerning God's will, emphasizing that it's not about finding a detailed individual plan, but rather about understanding and following God's moral will as revealed in Scripture. Pastor Fast distinguishes between God's sovereign will, moral will, and the misconception of an individual will. He encourages believers to make decisions within the framework of God's moral commands, to focus on glorifying God, and to submit to God's sovereign plan.