Illuminate Community Church

11/2/25 - Under the Mighty Hand - 1 Peter 5:8-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we conclude our study of 1 Peter, where he ends with the most fitting exhortation once again: be humble and entrust yourself to God’s care. Humility is the key to a healthy church because without it, unity suffers, and without unity, the world sees us as just another divided, ineffective group.  Pride separates, but humility recognizes our need for one another. As we discussed last Sunday, Jesus Himself set the ultimate example, humbling Himself even to death, and the more we imitate Him, the stronger our unity becomes. True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. It is prioritizing others, submitting, forgiving, and living selflessly.

Peter moves from humility to trust, urging us to place our anxieties upon God because He is sovereign. This is a reminder that God is in control of all things, and we can pause in our stress, disappointment, or conflict and hand over our burdens. The call is to make your anxiety God’s problem. But trusting God also means recognizing the reality of opposition: the devil prowls like a roaring lion, claiming territory and seeking to devour. We are called to resist him, firm in our faith, using the armor God provides.

Finally, Peter reminds us that suffering is temporary in light of eternity. After we endure trials, the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. We see this fulfilled in the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who, even while being stoned, prayed for his enemies and witnessed Christ ready to receive him. The message is clear: faithful endurance glorifies God, strengthens His church, and secures eternal reward. Let us humbly depend on Him, stand firm in faith, and encourage one another until He calls us home.

10/26/25 - Your Role in God’s Story - 1 Peter 5:1-5 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we are nearing the end of our series in 1 Peter, a letter that has guided us through the challenges of living faithfully in a world that often opposes God. We’ll reflect on the first half of chapter 5, where Peter encourages church leaders to shepherd with humility and integrity, and calls all believers to follow God’s appointed leadership with trust and joy. As we explore these truths, we’ll see how the roles of leader and follower work together to strengthen the church, and how God uses each of us in His plan.

I’ll also be highlighting Hebrews 13:17, reminding us that our leaders watch over our souls and that our attitude toward them - whether joyful, respectful, and trusting or grumbling and resistant - directly impacts the health and joy of our church family. We’ll draw lessons from the story of Israel in the wilderness, their struggles with trust and submission, and how God’s people can learn to respond in humility, bring their concerns respectfully, and grow together in faith.

As we prepare our hearts this week, I encourage you to reflect on your place in the church. Are you stepping into your role, whether as a leader, a follower, or a servant, with trust, humility, and joy? I look forward to gathering with you this Sunday to celebrate God’s faithfulness, learn from His Word, and encourage one another to live faithfully in our community and in the world.

10/19/25 - Dishonored on Earth, Vindicated in Heaven - 1 Peter 4:12-19 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This week, we are approaching the final section of Peter’s letter, where he addresses how Christians are to live in a hostile world. Peter’s focus is on enduring suffering for righteousness’ sake while keeping our hope fixed on the eternal glory God has prepared for us. He reminds us that everything we do - our words, actions, and service - should glorify God, pointing others to His greatness and character. Living for God naturally draws opposition, and Peter warns that trials and ridicule are part of the Christian journey, designed not to harm us but to refine and strengthen our faith, much like gold being purified in fire.

Peter gives practical encouragement for facing these trials. Believers are to rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings, understanding that what appears as shame or loss in the world is actually a sign of belonging to Him. He reminds us of the example of the early apostles, who were whipped, insulted, and even died for preaching the gospel, yet rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s name. I think of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose courage, prayer, and vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand demonstrate how God’s Spirit, the Spirit of glory, gives strength, sustains His people, and confirms their ultimate vindication, even in the darkest moments.

Finally, Peter clarifies that suffering for Christ is blessed, but suffering for sin or misdeeds carries no honor. He urges believers to embrace the name “Christian” with Godly pride, recognizing that it signifies being part of a diverse and unified body of Christ. He explains that God’s judgment begins with His people to purify and prepare them, and that enduring trials faithfully point to the greater accountability of the world. Our response, then, is to entrust ourselves to the faithful Creator, who is sovereign over all life and circumstances, and to continue doing good, confident that God is at work for His glory.

10/12/25 - Live Like You’re Dying - 1 Peter 4:7-11 - Pastor Jason Fritz

What would change if you knew you only had one week left to live? Would you spend more time with God? Mend broken relationships? Focus on what truly matters? Peter writes to wake us up, not to scare us. We are reminded that our lives are short, and history is moving toward God’s ultimate plan: the return of Jesus. This week, we’ll explore what it means to live with urgency, clear thinking, and a heart fully aligned with God.

We’ll look at how self-control and sober-mindedness affect our prayers and our relationships. Anxiety, anger, and selfishness cloud our hearts and hinder our connection with God, but when we cultivate clarity, we can love one another earnestly, forgive past offenses, and serve others with joy. Peter shows us that love covers sins and that hospitality and service are powerful ways to strengthen the body of Christ.

Finally, we’ll discover how to use the gifts God has given each of us. From teaching and serving to encouraging and leading, every gift is meant to bless others and glorify God. When we align our abilities with God’s purpose, His glory shines through everything we do. I’m looking forward to discussing how we can live intentionally, serve faithfully, and glorify God in every part of our lives!

10/5/25 - When No Means Yes – Saying no to sin is saying yes to God - 1 Peter 4:1-6 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday we will continue our journey through 1 Peter and look at what it means to suffer for doing what is right. Peter tells us that when we experience rejection, criticism, or even ridicule because of our faith, it is not a sign of weakness but rather evidence that we’ve made a clean break with sin. Christ Himself suffered in the body to accomplish God’s will, and we are called to arm ourselves with that same attitude. Suffering in the Christian life is not wasted; it shows our loyalty to Christ and our willingness to live for God’s will rather than for human approval.

We’ll see how Peter points back to our old way of life and reminds us that enough time has been wasted there. When we say “no” to the patterns of the world and instead say “yes” to God, people will notice. Some may misunderstand us, label us, or even mock us, but Peter lifts our eyes to the greater reality: God is the ultimate judge, not people. Their disapproval may sting in the moment, but His approval is eternal. Death itself cannot cancel the hope we have in the gospel, for even those who have gone before us in Christ are alive with Him forever.

This passage is both sobering and deeply encouraging. It reminds us that following Jesus will cost us something in this world, but it also assures us that our suffering has purpose and our hope is secure. As we gather this Sunday, we’ll be encouraged to live boldly, even when it’s costly, knowing that we are anchored in Christ. I hope you’ll join us, and I pray this message strengthens your resolve to live for the will of God with courage, joy, and hope!

9/28/25 - The Christian’s Guide to Hard Days - 1 Peter 3:8-20 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday we will continue our journey through 1 Peter and look at what it means to suffer for doing what is right. Peter tells us that when we experience rejection, criticism, or even ridicule because of our faith, it is not a sign of weakness but rather evidence that we’ve made a clean break with sin. Christ Himself suffered in the body to accomplish God’s will, and we are called to arm ourselves with that same attitude. Suffering in the Christian life is not wasted; it shows our loyalty to Christ and our willingness to live for God’s will rather than for human approval.

We’ll see how Peter points back to our old way of life and reminds us that enough time has been wasted there. When we say “no” to the patterns of the world and instead say “yes” to God, people will notice. Some may misunderstand us, label us, or even mock us, but Peter lifts our eyes to the greater reality: God is the ultimate judge, not people. Their disapproval may sting in the moment, but His approval is eternal. Death itself cannot cancel the hope we have in the gospel, for even those who have gone before us in Christ are alive with Him forever.

This passage is both sobering and deeply encouraging. It reminds us that following Jesus will cost us something in this world, but it also assures us that our suffering has purpose and our hope is secure. As we gather this Sunday, we’ll be encouraged to live boldly, even when it’s costly, knowing that we are anchored in Christ. I hope you’ll join us, and I pray this message strengthens your resolve to live for the will of God with courage, joy, and hope!

Until Sunday, be the light!

9/21/25 - When Your Life Becomes the Sermon - 1 Peter 3:1-7 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we’ll continue our series on how our faith shapes the relationships in our lives, turning our focus to a topic that touches many of our hearts: marriage. Specifically, we’ll explore what it looks like for a Christian woman to live faithfully when married to a husband who does not yet know Christ. Using 1 Peter 3 as our guide, we’ll discover practical wisdom for living out the gospel in ways that are deeply countercultural, both in the first-century Roman world and today. This is not a message about winning arguments or pressuring anyone into faith, but about letting our lives shine as a testimony to His grace.

We’ll also talk about the difference between outward adornment and inner beauty. In a world that often measures worth by appearance, status, or social influence, Peter reminds us that the "imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" is what God treasures most. This is a wife’s uniqueness that truly influences hearts, strengthens marriages, and reflects Christ to those around her. Together, we’ll see how cultivating faith, trust, and humility has a profound, lasting impact on our families.

Finally, we’ll explore the call for mutual honor and respect within marriage. Peter elevates the role of both husband and wife in spiritual partnership, reminding us that Christian marriage is rooted in God’s grace, not societal expectation or fear. Wives are empowered to live courageously in their faith, and husbands are called to treat their wives with understanding and honor, recognizing them as co-heirs of God’s eternal promises. My prayer is that this message will encourage all of us, whether married, or single, to trust God as we reflect His goodness in our lives. In doing so, we will experience the blessing that comes from living faithfully in all His ways.

9/14/25 - When Righteousness Hurts - 1 Peter 2:12-25 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, I’ll be preaching from the second half of 1 Peter chapter 2, a passage that radically reshapes how Christians are called to live in the world, and especially in the face of unjust treatment. Peter writes to believers who were being slandered and mistreated simply for following Jesus, and rather than encouraging them to retaliate or withdraw, he calls them to live honorably so that their good conduct might lead others to glorify God. The challenge in this text is to live righteously, not just when life is fair, but especially when it’s not, because when we respond to hostility with Christlike character, we bear silent but powerful witness to the gospel.

We’ll explore how our faith transforms two major areas of everyday life: our relationship with government and our relationship with employers. In each case, Peter urges us to respond with humility and respect, not because the person in authority is always right, but because honoring the structure of authority reflects our trust in God. This is especially powerful when authority is abused or when the system is unjust. Peter isn’t excusing mistreatment, but he is saying that when we endure it with patience and faith, like Jesus did, we participate in something deeply Christlike. Jesus didn’t retaliate when reviled; He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly, and we are called to follow in His steps.

This message is essential in today’s cultural climate, where outrage and vengeance are normalized. But Scripture calls us to something higher. Whether you’re frustrated with the decisions of politicians, facing injustice at work, or struggling in silence, your response has eternal significance. You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can choose to honor Christ through them. And when you do, you reflect Jesus to a watching world, and you never suffer unseen. Your endurance matters to God, and sometimes, it becomes the very means by which someone finds Him.

9/07/25 - Taste and See: A Life Nourished by God - 1 Peter 2:1-12 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we’re stepping into 1 Peter 2 and continuing our journey through this powerful letter. Peter begins by showing us how love for one another is not just a command, it’s the visible evidence of Christ at work in us. But he doesn't stop there. He warns us of five destructive behaviors: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These things sabotage our community and damage our witness. They are not simply bad habits; they’re soul-level toxins that erode trust and fracture unity in the body of Christ. If we’ve tasted the goodness of God, we should crave the things that nourish us spiritually - His Word, His Spirit, His people, and prayer.

Peter then paints a beautiful picture of who we are becoming together. Individually, we’re like newborns growing in grace; collectively, we are being built into a spiritual house. Jesus, the cornerstone, is the foundation for it all. Even though the world may reject Him, and us by extension, God sees His Church as chosen and precious. Each of us plays a role in this sacred structure, and we’re all priests called to offer our lives in worship. There’s no hierarchy here, just one Savior, one Spirit, and one mission.

In a time when the church is often criticized for its flaws, Peter reminds us that we’re not just a gathering, we’re being shaped into something eternal. This calling comes with a responsibility: to live honorably, love sincerely, and shine brightly in a dark world. I look forward to unpacking this with you and challenging us all to consider what kind of “spiritual house” we’re helping to build. Come prayed up and hungry for the Word.

8/31/25 - Love Earnestly, Live Biblically - 1 Peter 1:22-25 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we’re digging into a powerful and foundational question: Why should we trust the Bible? In a world full of skepticism and shifting opinions, many wonder if Scripture is just another ancient book or if it really is the living and enduring Word of God. In 1 Peter 1:22–25, we’ll explore how God’s Word not only brings new life, being “born again of imperishable seed,” but also transforms how we live and love. Peter shows us that our obedience to the gospel isn’t just personal; it spills out into sincere, sacrificial love for others. That’s the mark of a life changed by the gospel!

We’ll also answer important questions about how the Bible came to be, why certain books were included or excluded, and how we know the New Testament carries the same authority as the Old. You’ll see that Scripture isn’t just trustworthy because of historical consistency or fulfilled prophecy (though there are plenty of examples of this!), but because it was written by authors “carried along by the Holy Spirit.” That means when you open the Bible, you're not reading man’s thoughts; you’re hearing the very voice of God, speaking eternal truth.

As we reflect on these things, I want to encourage you to respond practically. Where is God calling you to love others deeply? How is His Word shaping your worldview, your priorities, and your everyday choices? Whether it’s serving, giving, encouraging others, or digging deeper into Scripture yourself, don’t let the living Word stay on a shelf. Let’s be a church that not only believes the Bible is true but lives like it.