Messages by Ryan Lenerz
Easter Morning
What would you do if your favorite show ended on a cliffhanger with no next episode? That’s exactly how Mark’s Gospel ends the Easter story — and he did it on purpose. In this Easter message, we explore Mark 16:1-8, the most unusual resurrection account in the Bible. No tidy ending. No appearance of the risen Jesus. Just an empty tomb, a frightened group of women, and a challenge left for you to wrestle with. We’ll uncover why Mark deliberately left the story…
Thursday: The Last Supper
On Maundy Thursday — the final night before the cross — Jesus packed more love into a few hours than most of us show in a lifetime. He washed His disciples’ feet, predicted His own betrayal, taught them about what was coming, and then broke bread and poured wine and said: remember me. In this message we walk through the full story of the Last Supper using all four Gospels, uncovering what Jesus was really doing and why it still…
Wednesday: Judas Agrees To Betray
What would you do with your mom’s diamond ring — bury it, keep it, or sell it? That question opens up one of history’s most haunting betrayals: Judas Iscariot. In this message, we explore what really drove Judas to betray Jesus, why it matters more than we’d like to admit, and the uncomfortable truth that we’re more like Judas than we think. But there’s also the story of Peter — another betrayer with a very different ending. Two disciples. Two betrayals.…
Tuesday: Clashing With Foes
Tuesday of Holy Week reveals intense confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious establishment. The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and elders felt threatened by Jesus’ growing popularity, especially after raising Lazarus from the dead. They challenged His authority and tried to trap Him with three questions about taxes, marriage, and the greatest commandment. Jesus answered with divine wisdom, then exposed their hollow performance and love of human applause. He contrasted their self-serving motivations with a poor widow who gave sacrificially…
Monday: Turning the Tables
Jesus’ dramatic actions in the temple weren’t about corrupt business practices—they were about a broken religious system that had become spiritually unfruitful. The temple was supposed to be a house of prayer for all nations, but it had become exclusive and ritualistic. Jesus wasn’t trying to reform the old system; he was declaring it finished and replacing it with himself as the new temple. Through Christ, we now have direct access to God without religious barriers. God desires sincere hearts…
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday reveals three distinct responses to Jesus that still exist today. The crowd correctly identified Jesus as the promised Messiah but wanted him to be a political king who would restore Israel’s former glory. The Pharisees completely rejected Jesus because he threatened their power and authority. Only Jesus himself understood the true purpose of this moment – that he came not for political liberation but to offer spiritual freedom from sin and death. This pivotal event challenges us to…
Confronting The Conflict
Conflict is inevitable in relationships, but how we handle it determines the outcome. While forgiveness and love are powerful tools, sometimes biblical confrontation becomes necessary for true healing and restoration. Many Christians mistakenly believe they should never speak up or challenge wrongdoing, but confrontation is actually a biblical principle when done God’s way. Jesus provided a clear four-step process in Matthew 18: go directly to the person, bring a witness if needed, involve church leadership, and set healthy boundaries. The…
Preventing Conflict: Love
It takes two people to fight, but only one person to choose love. What if the secret to preventing conflict isn’t winning the argument, but refusing to enter the battle? Most fights have deeper roots than what we’re actually arguing about. When you stop keeping score and start looking for the heart behind the hurt, everything changes. Are you ready to become known for love instead of the battles you’ve fought? Discover powerful strategies for preventing relationship conflicts before they…
God’s Key to Conflict: Forgiveness
Conflict is an unavoidable reality in every relationship because we are imperfect people with different experiences and perspectives interacting with other imperfect people. The goal isn’t to avoid conflict entirely, but to learn how to navigate through it in healthy, God-honoring ways that lead to genuine resolution and healing. Most people default to one of three ineffective responses when conflict arises. Some choose to fight, responding aggressively and determined to prove they’re right while the other person is wrong. Others…
Rise Up And Go!
Many Christians find themselves stuck in a perpetual cycle of receiving – attending church services, reading devotionals, and participating in Bible studies – without ever transitioning to actively living out their faith. While spiritual growth and learning are essential, Jesus designed discipleship to move beyond endless training into purposeful action. Just as medical students must eventually treat real patients and seminary graduates must preach their first sermons, followers of Christ are called to step out of their comfort zones and…