Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in Livermore, CA (2026)

Some people call Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. I also know it can be one of the hardest. Maybe this is your first Christmas after a loss. Maybe money is tight, or your family is carrying more stress than joy right now.

Whatever this season looks like for you, I do not want you to face it without hope. So consider this your personal invitation to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Arroyo Church in Livermore.

Christmas Eve at Arroyo: when and where

Thursday, December 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Arroyo Church, 945 Concannon Blvd., Livermore, CA. Our worship center is the round building, and there is plenty of free parking on site.

Come as you are, and bring the whole family. We will have a kids program during the service, so your kids will have a place of their own. You do not need to dress up, and you do not need to have your faith figured out to be welcome here.

If you can't be there in person, you can still join us. The service will be livestreamed on the Arroyo Church YouTube channel.

What happens at our Christmas Eve service

We will sing Christmas carols together, hear the story of the night Jesus was born, and end the service by lighting candles together.

We do not light candles just because it looks beautiful, even though it does. The Bible calls Jesus the light of the world, and John wrote this about Him:

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5, NIV)

Some of us walk into Christmas carrying real darkness. It might be a struggling marriage, depression, grief, or a fear you have not told anyone about. When we light those candles, we remember that Jesus is the light in the middle of all of it, and the darkness does not get the final word.

If you want a feel for the night before you come, here is last year's Christmas Eve service.

The reason Jesus was born

Last Christmas Eve, I talked about the night God was born. Before Jesus was born, an angel told Joseph what to name Him:

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21, NIV)

The name Jesus means "the Lord saves." Matthew then shows that His birth fulfilled a promise God made about 700 years earlier: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (Matthew 1:23, NIV). Immanuel means "God with us."

Those two names tell you why Jesus came. He came to save you, and He came to be with you. He left the perfection of heaven to be born into a humble family and laid in a feeding trough, because He would rather do that than live without you. The reason for Christmas is relationship.

That is the hope of Christmas. No matter what this year has held, God came near to you, and He still wants to be with you.

Christmas is not about us climbing a ladder up to God. It is about God leaving heaven and coming down to us. He has already reached out His hand to you, and the question is whether you will grab hold of it. If God has been calling you, do not send Him to voicemail. You can answer Him today.

If you are ready, you could pray something like this:

Jesus, thank You for being born. Thank You for pursuing me even when I was running away from You. I commit my life to You by faith, and I place You as Lord and Savior of my life. I give You my life for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

If you prayed that prayer, I would love to hear about it. You can tell us on our Connect page.

Everyone is welcome on Christmas Eve

Whether you are with us every week, have not been to church in a while, or are somewhere in between, you are welcome here. If you are in town visiting family, come with them. If this would be your first time in a church, Christmas Eve is a great night to start.

It is also a great night to invite someone. After the shepherds found baby Jesus, "they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child" (Luke 2:17, NIV). They could not keep the good news to themselves. Sometimes all someone needs is a simple invitation, and yours could change their life forever.

Planning your Christmas Eve visit

Not sure what to wear or what to expect? Start with what to wear to church and what a Sunday at Arroyo is like. If you have a question, call the church office at (925) 694-0426, Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If Christmas Eve is your first time with us, we would love to see you again on a Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. You can let us know you are coming on our Plan Your Visit page.

I would really love to see you there. Merry Christmas!

What to Wear to Church (and What Sunday Is Really Like)

Your first time going to church, or your first time back in a long time, can bring up a lot of questions. What should I wear? How long will it last? What do I do with my kids? Will I stick out?

Those are fair questions, and you deserve honest answers. It is normal to feel a little nervous before you walk into a new place. Here is what to expect at church on a Sunday at Arroyo Church in Livermore, starting with the question people ask most.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in

Most people at Arroyo dress casually. Jeans are completely normal here. If you like to dress up for church, that is great too, so feel free to come dressed however you want.

If you want a simple rule, wear what you would wear to meet a friend for coffee. Clean and comfortable is plenty, and you do not need to buy anything new for Sunday.

Nobody is going to judge you for what you wear. People come as they are, and we are glad they came. What matters is that you are there, not what is in your closet.

Every church is a little different. If you are visiting another church and you are not sure what people wear, look at the photos on its website or social media. You can also call the church office and ask. It is a normal question.

Here is what happens on a Sunday morning at Arroyo

Our worship service starts at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday at 945 Concannon Blvd. in Livermore. The worship center is the round building, and you can't miss it. There is plenty of free parking on site.

Doors open at 9:30, so you have time to settle in before the service starts. When you walk in, grab a coffee and a donut, and a friendly face will help you find your way.

We start with a few songs, then there is a message from the Bible, and then we close with a few more songs. The music is a blend of new worship songs and hymns that have been around for decades, so if you grew up in church, some of it may sound familiar. Nobody expects you to know the songs. The message is clear and practical, and it is for wherever you are in your faith. Most Sundays, I teach through a book of the Bible, one passage at a time.

You do not need to bring anything with you. If you have a Bible, you are welcome to bring it, but the verses are shown on the screens, so you will not need one to follow along.

We often have a time when anyone who needs prayer can come forward and receive it from someone on our pastoral team. Going forward is always up to you, and if you would rather not, you can share a prayer request through the Connect page on our website.

The whole gathering lasts about 70 minutes.

Want to see what it is like before you come? You can watch the service live on the Arroyo Church YouTube channel on Sundays at 10 a.m., and past messages are there too. Watching one or two is an easy way to get a feel for Arroyo first.

Your kids will have a place of their own

Arroyo has children's ministry every Sunday during the worship service, for kids from nursery age through 5th grade. It is a safe and fun place for your kids to learn about Jesus, so you can focus on the service while they have a blast. When you arrive, check your kids in at the kids desk. Older kids and teenagers sit with their families in the service.

You do not have to do anything you are not ready for

Can you sit in the back? Yes. Seating is open, so sit wherever you feel comfortable.

Do you have to sing? No, you are welcome to sing along or simply listen.

Will anyone single you out? No. Nobody will ask you to stand up or introduce yourself, and nobody expects a guest to give money.

Coming by yourself is fine. If walking in alone feels hard, you are welcome to bring a friend along.

Do you have to have your faith figured out? Not at all. Arroyo is a church dedicated to knowing and showing the love of Jesus, and no matter where you are with God, you are welcome to join us. You can come with questions, or while you are still deciding what you believe about Jesus. We love you right where you are.

If you have a question before Sunday, just ask

You can call the church office at (925) 694-0426, Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No question is too small. You can also let us know you are coming on our Plan Your Visit page. After you fill out the short form, I will reach out to say hi and help you plan your visit.

However you show up, dressed up or dressed down, you are welcome here.

What Most People Miss About Money | Finding Contentment and Generosity in Christ

• Table of Contents:

  • Contentment from Christ changes how we view money

  • Why generosity begins in the heart

  • Giving is more than finances. It is worship

  • The true riches every believer already has

  Money is one of the most powerful tools in daily life. We use it to pay bills, care for our families, build homes, create memories, and plan for the future. But money can also become a source of pressure, conflict, debt, fear, and division. It can bless a household or burden it. It can serve God’s purposes or quietly begin to take God’s place.

  That is why conversations about money matter so much. Not because the church wants something from people, but because God wants something for people. Scripture speaks often about money because money so often reveals what is happening in the human heart.

  In this final message from the Unstoppable Joy series through Philippians, we are reminded that joy and generosity are deeply connected. In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul shows us that the key issue is not simply how much money we have. The deeper issue is whether our hearts are content in Christ. At Arroyo Church, we believe this is especially important in Livermore and across the Bay Area, where ambition, pressure, and comparison can leave people spiritually dry. In a region that often feels like a spiritual desert, Jesus invites us to become a river of grace, generosity, and trust.

  Contentment from Christ cultivates generosity

  One of the clearest themes in Philippians 4 is that contentment is learned, not automatic. Paul says he had learned the secret of being content whether he had little or plenty. That matters because our culture constantly teaches the opposite.

  The world tells us contentment is always one purchase, promotion, or financial milestone away. Once you get the bigger house, the higher salary, the better lifestyle, then you will finally feel secure. But that finish line keeps moving. What looked like “enough” last year suddenly does not feel like enough anymore.

  Paul offers a better way. Real contentment is not found in circumstances but in Christ. That is the heart behind Philippians 4:13. It is not mainly about accomplishing impressive goals. It is about receiving strength from Jesus to remain steady, grateful, and surrendered in every season.

  That kind of contentment changes how we handle money. When our peace comes from Christ, money loses its power to define us. We can hold what we have with open hands because we trust the One who provides.

  This is an important word for the Bay Area, where success can easily become a measuring stick for identity. If we are not careful, we start believing that more stuff will make us more secure, more valuable, or more fulfilled. But Jesus offers something better than accumulation. He offers peace.

  A practical step toward contentment is learning to rest in God’s loving care. Like a child at peace in a parent’s arms, we can come before God not just for what He gives, but for who He is. That is where a generous life begins.

  Stop letting greed disguise itself as wisdom

  Another major truth from this passage is that generosity is not mainly about income level. It is about spiritual posture. Paul praised the Philippian church for sharing with him faithfully, even though they were not the wealthiest church. Their example reminds us that generosity is possible in every season.

  That challenges a common assumption: “I will be generous later, once I have more.” But if generosity is always postponed, it usually stays postponed. The issue is rarely about having enough. The issue is whether we trust God enough to live open-handedly now.

  In affluent communities especially, greed can hide behind respectable language. We call it planning, caution, or comfort. Of course wisdom matters, and Scripture does not call us to irresponsibility. But sometimes the Holy Spirit gently exposes that what we call wisdom is really fear, or what we call caution is really self-protection.

  Paul contrasts churches that held back with the Philippians, who gave consistently and sacrificially. Their generosity was not occasional or accidental. It was a pattern. They understood that following Jesus means moving from “me” to “we.”

  That is true for church life too. A healthy church is not a place where people only consume. It is a community where people receive from God and then pour out for others. At Arroyo Church, that means we gather to worship, grow, serve, invite, and give together so more people in Livermore and the Tri-Valley can know and show the love of Jesus.

  Generosity is an act of worship

  Paul describes the Philippians’ gift as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. That language is deeply worshipful. Their giving was not merely a transaction. It was worship.

  That is a needed correction for many of us. We often reduce worship to singing on Sunday, but biblical worship is much larger than music. Worship is how we live. It is how we trust. It is how we love. And yes, it is how we handle our money.

  Jesus made this plain when He said we cannot serve both God and money. At some point, every heart chooses. We either worship God with our wealth, or we quietly worship wealth itself.

  This is why generosity matters so much. It is not a side issue. It reveals allegiance. When we give cheerfully, consistently, and sacrificially, we are declaring that God is our source, our security, and our treasure.

  For first-time guests or those exploring faith, this is also worth saying clearly: the invitation of Jesus is not first about giving money. It is first about giving Him your heart. God is not after reluctant religious performance. He is after surrendered lives transformed by grace.

  You are richer than you think

  Philippians 4 closes with one of the most encouraging promises in Scripture: God will supply every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

  That promise is not prosperity teaching. Paul is not saying God will fulfill every material desire. He is saying God is faithful to provide what His people truly need, and that provision flows from a much deeper treasure than earthly wealth.

  The truest riches are found in the grace of God.

  In Christ, we have forgiveness for our past, peace for our present, and hope for our future. We are loved not because we earned it, but because Jesus gave Himself for us. That is why Christians can live generously. We are not giving out of emptiness. We are giving out of abundance.

  When grace becomes real to you, earthly wealth starts to shrink to its proper size. Money still matters, but it no longer rules. The love of Jesus becomes brighter, steadier, and more beautiful than the things this world sells.

  And that is exactly the kind of witness our city needs. In Livermore and throughout the Bay Area, people are surrounded by pressure to achieve, consume, compare, and perform. The church has an opportunity to live differently. We can be a river in the spiritual desert by embodying contentment, worship, and generosity that point people to Jesus.

  What most people miss about money is that the real issue is never just money. It is worship. It is trust. It is contentment. It is whether we believe Jesus is enough.

  When we turn our eyes to Christ, the things of this world begin to lose their grip. We become freer to give, freer to trust, and freer to live for something bigger than ourselves. Whether you are new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, the invitation is the same: receive the riches of God’s grace, and let that grace shape every part of your life.

  If you are looking for a church in Livermore, CA where you can grow in faith, experience authentic community, and learn what it means to know and show the love of Jesus, we would love to welcome you to Arroyo Church.

Pray Your Way to Joy: Finding Lasting Peace Through God’s Presence

Imagine driving home and realizing, ten minutes into the trip, that you are heading the wrong direction on the freeway. The destination you typed in was real, but the road you were following led south when you needed to go north. Many of us live like that when it comes to joy. We genuinely want it, but we keep following the wrong instructions.

The world offers a fleeting joy — fun that fades by morning. God offers something the world cannot: a lasting, eternal joy He gives freely. In our new Practicing Prayer series through the Psalms, we opened with one of the most joyful prayers in all of Scripture, Psalm 16, to ask a simple question: how do we actually pray our way to joy? The Psalms are songs and prayers — a great place to learn to pray is to take one and make it your own.

1. Pray for preservation

Psalm 16 opens with a request:

"Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge." (Psalm 16:1)

We live in a chaotic world that constantly pressures us away from who God made us to be. To be preserved is to be protected and kept uncorrupted. So we run to God as our refuge and ask Him to guard our joy and our character.

It is in the inevitable times of trouble that we need Him most. As the old saying goes, fatigue makes cowards of us all. Many people do not fall because of overwhelming evil desires; they fall because they are tired and they give up. When a nuclear bomb goes off in your family, your finances, or your health, God can preserve peace inside you even when there is chaos outside. That is a prayer worth praying: "Lord, I cannot protect myself. Would you do what I cannot do for myself?"

2. Praise God as the source of all goodness

Prayer is not only asking; it is praising.

"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'... The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." (Psalm 16:2, 6)

There is always a reason to praise God, because God is always good even when life is not good.

The psalm gives us three reasons to praise His goodness:

• Relationship with God's people is a gift. "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" (v.3). You were made for relationship with God and with others. Real joy comes not from slipping in and out on Sunday, but from real relationships with people who really care about you.

• Chasing false gods multiplies sorrow. "The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply" (v.4). A false god is anything you love more than God. We often take good gifts — sex, success, finances, even family — and turn a good thing into a god thing, which makes it a bad thing. When a good gift becomes the ultimate thing, its loss shatters us.

• His goodness lasts forever. Scripture puts it this way: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 136:1). God loves you on your bad days just as much as your good days. Your obedience may fail, your health may fail, your family may fail — but His love endures forever.

3. Practice the presence of God

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8)

To practice God's presence simply means never forgetting that He is with you and for you — at work, at home, at all times, in all places. The question is not whether He is with you; it is whether you are aware of Him. Like a father whose child asks, "Please put your phone down and talk to me," God is right there, wanting relationship, while we scroll past Him distracted and busy.

Two things happen when we live aware of His presence. First, He counsels us. Jesus promised,

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)

The Spirit applies God's Word to your life at just the right moment. Second, you "will not be shaken." When you know the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is beside you, no problem is bigger than He is.

4. Praise Him for providing the path

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

This path leads to God's presence in heaven, where faith becomes sight and we see face to face the One our hearts have longed for. Whatever your single greatest moment of earthly joy has been, heaven will be infinitely greater. And because David prophesied that God would not "abandon" him to decay (v.10), we know death is no longer a dead end but a doorway. Because Jesus rose, those who trust Him will rise too.

So who is this path? Jesus said,

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Jesus is not only the destination; He is the road we walk to get there.

The takeaway

Here is the surprising promise: if you make joy your god, you will never get it. But if you pursue Jesus, joy gets thrown in. Some of us need to call on His name for the first time. Others simply need to be rerouted — back onto the path of life we drifted from.

Reflection question: Where in your life are you chasing joy by following the wrong instructions — and what would it look like to run to Jesus as your refuge instead?

If you are anywhere in Livermore or the greater Tri-Valley and looking for a church family to grow with, we would love to meet you and pray with you this Sunday.

Watch more sermons — Plan your visit

Pray Through the Tension: Finding Freedom From Envy Through God’s Presence

• Table of Contents:

  • Why Comparison Feels So Heavy

  • Psalm 73 and the Struggle With Envy

  • How Prayer Changes Perspective

  • God Is Enough

  • Living Free From Comparison

• Have you ever looked around and wondered why life seems easier for everyone else? Maybe you’ve watched people succeed while making selfish decisions, while you’ve tried to honor God and still faced disappointment, stress, or unanswered prayers.
  That tension is real. And Psalm 73 speaks directly into it.
  In this week’s message from Arroyo Church in Livermore, CA, we continued our Practicing Prayer series by exploring how prayer transforms our perspective when envy, comparison, and frustration begin to overwhelm us. Through the honest words of Asaph in Psalm 73, we’re reminded that God welcomes our honesty, meets us in our struggle, and reveals that His presence is better than anything this world can offer.
  In a culture constantly pushing comparison—especially here in the fast-paced Bay Area spiritual desert—it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. But God invites us to draw near to Him and discover that Jesus is enough.

Why Comparison Feels So Heavy

Comparison is one of the most exhausting battles we face. Social media highlights everyone else’s “perfect” life. Success stories surround us. Promotions, vacations, relationships, financial wins—it can feel like everyone else is thriving while we’re barely hanging on.

Psalm 73 begins with a brutally honest confession from Asaph:

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Asaph wasn’t an unbeliever. He was a worship leader. A spiritually mature man. Yet even he struggled with envy.

That should encourage us.

Struggling with comparison doesn’t mean you’re failing spiritually. It means you’re human.

Psalm 73 and the Struggle With Envy

Asaph looked around and saw people rejecting God while seemingly living easier, more successful lives. Meanwhile, he was trying to remain faithful to God while walking through hardship.

Sound familiar?

Envy distorts our perspective. It makes us focus on what we don’t have instead of remembering who God is and what He’s already done.

Comparison blinds us to grace.

When we constantly measure our lives against everyone else’s highlight reel, we slowly begin believing the lie that God is withholding goodness from us.

But prayer changes that.

How Prayer Changes Perspective

One of the most powerful moments in Psalm 73 happens when Asaph says:

“Till I entered the sanctuary of God…”

Everything shifted in God’s presence.

His circumstances didn’t suddenly improve. His bank account didn’t change overnight. The people around him didn’t suddenly become righteous.

But his perspective changed.

That’s what prayer does.

Prayer silences the noise of comparison and re-centers us on truth. It reminds us that God sees what we cannot see. It reminds us that eternal things matter more than temporary success.

In a world obsessed with status, influence, and appearance, prayer grounds us in what is eternal.

That’s why at Arroyo Church, we believe prayer is not just a religious activity—it’s a lifeline. It’s where our hearts are transformed.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by envy, frustration, or disappointment, don’t run from God. Bring those emotions honestly before Him.

God can handle your questions.

God can handle your doubts.

God can handle your honesty.

God Is Enough

By the end of Psalm 73, Asaph reaches a completely different conclusion:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

What changed?

He realized God Himself was the treasure.

Not success.
Not comfort.
Not approval.
Not possessions.

God.

That’s the invitation Jesus gives all of us today.

In the middle of the Bay Area’s pressure to achieve more, earn more, and become more, Jesus offers something deeper: His presence.

He offers peace that success cannot provide.

He offers joy that circumstances cannot steal.

He offers identity that comparison cannot destroy.

This is why Arroyo Church exists—to help people know and show the love of Jesus in Livermore, the Bay Area, and beyond. In a spiritual desert where many people feel exhausted, disconnected, and spiritually dry, Jesus invites us to become rooted in Him like a river bringing life to dry places.

Living Free From Comparison

Comparison says:
“I need what they have.”

Jesus says:
“You already have Me.”

That changes everything.

When Christ becomes enough, envy begins losing its grip. We stop striving to prove ourselves. We stop obsessing over everyone else’s life. We stop chasing fulfillment in temporary things.

Instead, we rest in God’s love.

We trust His timing.

We walk faithfully with Him.

And from that place of security, we can begin showing His love to others.

Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances immediately—but it changes us. It gives us God’s perspective. It reminds us that we are deeply loved, fully known, and never alone.

Conclusion:
Maybe today you feel exhausted from comparison. Maybe envy has stolen your joy. Maybe you’ve been questioning whether following Jesus is really worth it.
Psalm 73 reminds us that God welcomes us honestly into His presence. And when we draw near to Him, we discover something greater than temporary success—we discover that Christ is enough.
No matter what tension you’re facing today, bring it to God in prayer. Let Him reshape your perspective. Let Him remind you that His presence is your greatest blessing.
Jesus is enough—today, tomorrow, and forever.

How Prayer Empowers You: Finding Strength Through Faith in Difficult Seasons

• Table of Contents:

  • When Life Feels Too Heavy

  • Speaking to God During Suffering

  • Recognizing God’s Voice

  • Inviting God to Speak

  • Proclaiming God’s Word

  • Living Empowered by Prayer

When Life Feels Too Heavy

The world often tells us that the answer to hardship is self-empowerment. Work harder. Think more positively. Push through. While determination has value, there are burdens in life that simply cannot be carried through human strength alone.

That is exactly where Hannah found herself in 1 Samuel. She experienced deep heartbreak, years of infertility, and constant pain. Yet instead of allowing suffering to harden her heart, she brought her pain directly to God.

Her story teaches us an important truth: suffering will either drive us toward God or away from Him.

Speaking to God During Suffering

Hannah’s response to suffering offers a model for every believer.

1. Let Brokenness Lead to Prayerfulness

Pain has a way of exposing our need for God. Rather than becoming bitter, Hannah became prayerful. She poured out her heart before the Lord.

Many people ask, “Why is this happening to me?” during difficult seasons. While those questions are natural, prayer shifts our focus from demanding answers to seeking God’s presence.

Even when life is not good, God is still good.

2. Pray in Faith

Hannah addressed God as “Lord Almighty,” recognizing His power and authority. Her prayer reflected confidence that God could do what she could not accomplish herself.

Faith does not mean we control God’s actions. Rather, faith means trusting that God is able.

When we pray, we approach a God who can save, heal, restore, and transform. We may not always receive the answer we expect, but we can trust the One who hears us.

3. Surrender What God Gives You

Hannah promised that if God blessed her with a son, she would dedicate him back to the Lord.

This challenges us to evaluate our own prayers. Are we asking God for blessings solely for ourselves, or are we asking for opportunities to honor Him?

Whether it is a career, family, finances, or influence, every blessing becomes most meaningful when it is surrendered back to God for His purposes.

Recognizing God’s Voice

As Samuel grew, God began speaking to him. Yet Samuel initially failed to recognize God’s voice.

Why?

Because he was around the things of God without yet truly knowing God.

This is a powerful reminder that attending church and participating in religious activities are not substitutes for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus said:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

When we develop a genuine relationship with Christ, we begin to recognize His voice more clearly.

How Do We Recognize God’s Voice?

God speaks with affirmation, not accusation.

The Holy Spirit reminds believers that they are loved children of God. While God convicts us of sin, He does not condemn those who belong to Him.

God never contradicts His Word.

Any message that opposes Scripture cannot come from the Holy Spirit. God’s character and truth remain consistent.

God leads us toward love.

The voice of God moves us toward loving Him and loving others, not toward selfishness, pride, or personal glory.

Inviting God to Speak

Prayer is not only speaking to God—it is also listening.

When Samuel finally understood what was happening, his response was simple:

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Those words reveal three practical habits for every believer.

Take Time to Listen

Many people wonder why they do not hear God’s voice. Often, the issue is not that God is silent but that life is loud.

Social media, entertainment, work demands, and endless distractions create spiritual noise that drowns out God’s voice.

Listening requires intentionality.

Listen to Be Led

Samuel approached God with humility. He came as a servant ready to obey.

Too often we listen only for information. God desires something deeper—transformation.

The question is not merely, “What is God saying?” but “Am I willing to follow where He leads?”

Read Scripture Slowly

One of the most powerful ways to hear God is through His Word.

Instead of rushing through Bible reading as a task to complete, slow down. Read a passage multiple times. Reflect on it. Pray through it. Ask God what He wants to reveal.

Transformation happens when Scripture moves from our minds into our hearts.

Proclaiming God’s Word

God did not speak to Samuel merely for Samuel’s benefit.

God spoke to Samuel so Samuel could speak to others.

As Samuel faithfully proclaimed God’s truth, Scripture tells us that none of his words fell to the ground. God’s power accompanied His message.

The same principle applies today.

Every follower of Jesus has been entrusted with the gospel—the good news that Christ lived the perfect life we could not live, died for our sins, and rose again so that we could be forgiven and adopted into God’s family.

We do not share the gospel because we have all the answers.

We share the gospel because God’s Word is powerful.

As Romans 1:16 declares, the gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation.”

• Conclusion:

Prayer changes us because prayer connects us to God.

When we speak to God during suffering, recognize His voice, invite Him to speak through His Word, and boldly proclaim His truth, we experience His power in everyday life.

In a region that can often feel spiritually dry, God continues to call people into a living relationship with Him. Like Samuel, we are invited to respond.

God has already made the first move. He has already called your name.

The question is simple: Will you answer?

What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Stuck | Philippians 3 Sermon in Livermore, CA

• Table of Contents:

  • Understanding that growth with Jesus is a process

  • Living with the right perspective

  • Holding on to the progress God has already built

  • Finding spiritual parents and mentors

  • Setting your mind on heaven, not just earth

It is hard to be stuck anywhere you never wanted to be in the first place. That feeling is frustrating in a parking garage, on the side of the road, or in a long season of uncertainty. But it is even heavier when the place you feel stuck is spiritual.

Maybe you feel stuck in anxious thought patterns. Maybe you are stuck in a relationship cycle that keeps breaking trust and peace. Maybe you are stuck in a habit, temptation, or sin that you keep returning to even though you desperately want freedom. The reality is that most people do not want to stay stuck, but many do not know how to get unstuck.

In this message from Philippians 3:10–21, Arroyo Church walks through five practical, biblical steps for what to do when you feel spiritually stuck. This is not a message about trying harder in your own strength. It is a message about pursuing Jesus, trusting His grace, and moving forward with unstoppable joy.

For anyone looking for a church in Livermore CA or searching for hope in the spiritual desert of the Bay Area, this message offers both truth and encouragement: God does not leave you stuck where He found you.

1. Pursuing Jesus is a process
One of the most freeing truths in this passage is that spiritual growth is not instant. The Apostle Paul says he wants to know Christ more deeply, even though he already knows Him. Paul had planted churches, preached the gospel boldly, and lived with remarkable faithfulness, yet he still said he had not reached perfection.
That matters because it means your growth in Christ is also a process.
Following Jesus is not a one-time emotional moment and then automatic maturity. Yes, when you trust in Christ, you are forgiven, made right with God, and welcomed into His family. But after that begins the lifelong journey of knowing Him more deeply. Growth takes time because we still live in a broken world, surrounded by brokenness, inside bodies that still wrestle with sin.
Sometimes growth is dramatic. Sometimes it is slow and hidden, like roots growing under the surface before anything visible appears. Some days you will feel strong. Other days you may feel stagnant. But none of that means God has abandoned His work in you.
The good news is that God is patient in the process. He does not walk away when you stumble. He does not stop loving you when growth feels slow. His patience is not permission to stay passive, but it is a reminder that failure is not the end of your story.
Real change begins when you stop pursuing Jesus out of guilt and start pursuing Him because He first loved you. That is the heartbeat of the gospel.
2. Live with the proper perspective
Paul says he is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. That does not mean pretending the past never happened. It means refusing to let your past define your future.
Many people stay spiritually stuck because they live mentally anchored to old shame, old failures, old wounds, and old patterns. The enemy loves to keep replaying what was. God, however, keeps calling you toward what can be through His grace.
Maybe your past includes a fractured marriage, financial mistakes, addiction, regret, or years of spiritual drift. Those things are real. They should be acknowledged honestly. But they should not become the controlling narrative of your life.
When your focus stays on the past, you move backward. When your focus shifts to the future God has for you, you begin to move forward.
This is especially important in a region like the Bay Area, where many people are carrying quiet exhaustion, private discouragement, and deep spiritual hunger under outward success. God’s mercy is new every morning. In the middle of the spiritual desert, He is still making a way forward.
3. Do not lose the progress you have already made
Paul gives a simple but powerful instruction: hold on to the progress you have already made.
That is such an important word for anyone in a discouraging season. Feeling stuck can tempt you not only to stop moving forward, but to start sliding backward. When you are tired, disappointed, or spiritually numb, it can become easy to think, “Why keep trying?” That is often when old habits start calling your name again.
But one bad day does not need to become a destructive turning point.
There are seasons when thriving feels natural, and there are seasons when simply surviving with faithfulness is a victory. In those moments, do not underestimate the value of staying grounded. Keep praying. Keep showing up. Keep worshiping. Keep saying yes to the small acts of obedience that protect what God has already built in your life.
The enemy would love to convince you that because growth feels slow, your progress does not matter. But it does matter. Hold your ground in Christ.
4. Get spiritual parents
Paul tells the church to follow his example and learn from others who are faithfully walking with Jesus. That is a reminder that we were never meant to grow alone.
Sometimes the reason you feel stuck is not because God is absent, but because you are trying to navigate a difficult season without wise, godly people around you. We all need spiritual mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who can encourage us, challenge us, pray for us, and help us take the next step.
This is one of the reasons church community matters so much. Growth often happens in relationships before it is visible anywhere else. When you invite others into your journey, you create space for accountability, comfort, and wisdom.
If you are new to Arroyo, this is a great reminder that church is more than a Sunday service. It is a family. You can learn more through About Arroyo Church or begin connecting through Plan Your Visit.
And if you have been following Jesus for years, this message is also a challenge: become that steady presence for someone else. Someone around you needs a spiritual parent, not just a friendly face.
5. Ponder the right place
Paul contrasts two ways of living. One life is driven by appetite and focused only on the here and now. The other life remembers that our citizenship is in heaven.
This is a powerful key to getting unstuck. What fills your mind will shape your life. When you think only about temporary comfort, immediate gratification, and earthly success, your decisions will be shaped by short-term desires. But when you remember heaven, your perspective changes.
Thinking about heaven does not make you less useful on earth. It makes you more faithful here. It gives you hope in suffering and purpose in everyday life. You remember that pain is not permanent, temptation is not ultimate, and your calling is bigger than simply getting through another week.
As followers of Jesus, we are not just trying to have better habits or cleaner behavior. We are learning to live as citizens of another kingdom. That is how a church becomes a river in the spiritual desert of the Bay Area. When people know the love of Jesus and show the love of Jesus, hope begins to flow outward into homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.
If you are longing to grow deeper in your walk with Christ, resources like Devotional and community connections through Kids Ministry and other church gatherings can help you keep taking your next step.

If you feel spiritually stuck, the invitation of this message is simple and hopeful: do not stay there. Growth is a process. Your past does not have to define you. Your progress matters. You need godly people around you. And your mind must be fixed on heaven, not just earth.

Most of all, remember this: Jesus meets people in the middle of their mess. He does not wait for you to get unstuck before He loves you. He entered our brokenness, died for our sins, and rose again so that we could be forgiven, restored, and made new.

Where you are weak, He is strong. Where you cannot make a way, He can. And wherever you are today, you can call on His name and find grace for the next step.