Forgiving When You Don’t Feel Like It: A Study of Matthew 18
It's been said that bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. The truth in that line stings: no matter how much resentment you nurse toward someone who hurt you, the person you damage most is yourself. So what do you do when you know you should forgive—but you simply don't feel like it?
This message kicks off a new series, Transformational Stories, walking through five parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. We begin with the parable often called the unforgiving servant—a story Jesus told in answer to a very practical question from Peter.
Peter's Question and Jesus' Surprising Math
"Then Peter came up to him and said, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" (Matthew 18:21–22)
Peter likely thought he was being generous—seven was the number of completeness. But Jesus wasn't handing out a new limit to count toward. He was exposing how often we forgive at a fraction of how God forgives us. We say, "I'll forgive when I feel like it," or "when they deserve it," or "only a certain number of times." Jesus calls us higher. The challenge isn't just severe wounds—the betrayals and abuses that feel like being stabbed in the back—but also the everyday, repeated offenses of living in real relationships. Anyone you stay close to long enough will sin against you, and you against them.
Three Truths About Forgiveness
1. Forgiveness is needed because of a debt
In the parable, a king settles accounts with a servant who owes him ten thousand talents—a debt so staggering it could never be repaid in a lifetime.
"So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'" (Matthew 18:26)
That servant pictures us before God. Scripture says we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Sin isn't merely a slip-up, like dropping a plate by accident. It's loving something more than the God who made us for himself; it's crossing the boundaries our good King set for our flourishing. The debt this creates is real and immense—and no amount of church attendance, kindness, or generosity can pay it off.
"...no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law." (Galatians 2:16)
2. Forgiveness from God is free—but not cheap
"And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt." (Matthew 18:27)
The king didn't forgive 90% or 50% of the debt. He wiped it clean. This is what sets Christianity apart from every system of religious earning: you don't achieve forgiveness, you receive it. Yet free doesn't mean costless—it means you aren't the one who pays. Jesus is.
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness... he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13–14)
Notice the heart behind it. The king had pity—compassion in the middle of the servant's brokenness. God never pushes away a humble person who calls out for help; he opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And his forgiveness is full: past, present, and future sins covered. Like a home that's fully paid off, there's nothing left owing. You can rest. You receive it simply by faith—trusting Jesus, the way you cash a check someone has already funded.
"Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Acts 10:43)
3. Forgiving others is not optional
Here the parable turns. The same servant, just released from billions, finds a fellow servant who owes him a comparatively tiny amount—and throttles him, refusing mercy, throwing him into prison. When the king hears, he is furious.
"So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:35)
You can't spell forgive without give. A heart genuinely transformed by God's mercy will, over time, become a merciful heart. That doesn't mean it's easy or instant—but a refusal to forgive at all reveals a heart that hasn't yet been gripped by grace.
One important clarification: forgiveness is not the same as automatic trust or instant reconciliation. In cases of serious harm—abuse, betrayal, repeated wounding—you can release the offense to God without immediately restoring full trust. Rebuilding may take time and wisdom. But the goal of forgiveness is still restoration wherever it's possible, not using "forgiveness" as a label while quietly cutting everyone off.
Where the Power Comes From
So how do we forgive when we don't feel like it? First, rest in God's forgiveness of you.
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
Forgiven people become forgiving people. The gospel both comforts us (God loves me though I don't deserve it) and humbles us (I'm a sinner who couldn't save myself). That humility dismantles the lie that keeps us bitter: "I would never do what they did." We're all on the same level—all needing the same mercy.
Second, ask God for the power. Jesus taught us to pray, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). If forgiveness feels impossible in your own strength, pray for a transformed heart—and trust that this is a prayer God delights to answer.
Remember the cross. After being beaten, mocked, and nailed there, Jesus looked at the very people who put him there and said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." If he can forgive that, he can give you the grace to forgive whoever comes to mind right now.
A Reflection to Carry With You
Two questions sit at the heart of this message: Have you been freed by God's forgiveness? And who do you need to forgive? You ultimately have one of two roads—the freedom that flows from forgiveness, or the slow isolation of bitterness.
If you'd like to explore this with people in person, we'd love to welcome you at Arroyo Church here in Livermore in the Tri-Valley—a place where we're learning together to know and show the love of Jesus.
Getting to Your Next Chapter: Lessons from Samuel and David
Imagine reading a great book and getting stuck on chapter four. The first time through, it's gripping. The second time, you catch a detail you missed. By the fifth time, you're frustrated—no new surprises, no progress, just the same page over and over. That's how a lot of us feel about our lives. We sense there's a next chapter, but we can't seem to turn the page.
As we close out our Walk Faithfully series through the life of Samuel, we land in 1 Samuel 16, where Samuel himself is being asked to turn the page—both in his own life and in the life of Israel. If you've ever felt stuck in your story, this passage offers three honest, hopeful ways forward.
1. Turn the page on mourning
The chapter opens with God's pointed question:
"The LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'" (1 Samuel 16:1)
Samuel had invested deeply in Saul—like a spiritual son. When Saul failed and was rejected as king, Samuel grieved. And grief is not the problem. Mourning is a natural, healthy response to loss; it's actually a sign that we loved something. But God's question reveals that mourning, while necessary, is meant to have an ending. Here are three ways to move through it well:
Let mourning be seasonal. Ecclesiastes reminds us there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). No season lasts forever. Avoid both extremes—rushing through grief so you never truly heal, and sitting in it so long that you never move on.
Don't let mourning isolate you. Paul writes, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). Some burdens are too heavy to carry alone. This is one reason God created the church—not just an event to attend, but a community to belong to.
After mourning, get moving. God told Samuel to fill his horn and go. Romans 8:28 promises that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God doesn't waste your past; He can use even painful chapters to prepare the next one.
A gentle caveat: if you're in the middle of fresh grief, this is not a command to rush. Let the Spirit show you where you are and what step comes next.
2. Turn the page on being superficial
When Samuel arrives at Jesse's house, he sees the impressive oldest son and assumes he's the one. God corrects him:
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Saul had looked the part—tall and handsome. Samuel was still measuring by the old standard. But God cares far more about the heart, the seat of our thoughts, desires, and emotions, than about how we appear. Jesus reserved His sharpest words for the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites and "whitewashed tombs"—clean on the outside, dead within. The honest question isn't "How do you look?" but "How is your heart?"
And here's the good news: you cannot change your own heart by willpower or technique. You need a new nature. God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). That transformation comes through faith in Jesus—and it's ongoing. Even David, "a man after God's own heart," prayed after his failure, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). We call on Christ to renew our hearts not once, but daily.
3. Turn the page toward His powerful presence
Finally, Samuel anoints the overlooked shepherd boy:
"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David." (1 Samuel 16:13)
In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon people. In the New Testament, believers in Jesus receive something greater—the Spirit dwelling within us. That presence empowers us in at least three ways:
To overcome sin. "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Fighting sin in your own strength is like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight. Walking by the Spirit means staying in step with Him—moment by moment doing the next right thing He shows you.
To share the gospel. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8). A witness simply says, "Here's what Jesus did in my life—and He can do it in yours." Often what holds us back isn't a lack of knowledge but a lack of love that overcomes fear.
To be secure in your salvation. God "anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). The Spirit within you is God's guarantee—heaven is not a maybe; it's a promise.
Your story isn't over
If the current chapter feels like a dead end, remember it isn't the end. The author of life was crucified and rose again three days later so that a new chapter could be written in your story. The question isn't whether you can get to the next chapter—it's whether you'll trust Christ to take you there.
A reflection question
What page have you been re-reading for too long—a season of mourning, a habit of pretending, or a sense of powerlessness? Ask the Spirit to show you the next faithful step, then take it.
If you're anywhere in the Tri-Valley and you're looking for a community where people genuinely know Jesus and want to grow, we'd love to meet you at Arroyo Church here in Livermore. Come as you are—there's a next chapter waiting.
Radical Restoration: How God Brings Us Back When We've Wandered
Table of Contents (optional):
Why We All Need Restoration
Step 1: Rid Yourself of False Gods
Step 2: Be Real About Your Sin
Step 3: Ask God to Rescue You
Step 4: Remember What God Has Done
Returning Home to God
Every person experiences brokenness. Sometimes it shows up in our relationship with God. Sometimes it appears in our relationships with others. Other times, it surfaces deep within our own hearts.
The good news of the gospel is that God specializes in restoration.
In this message from our Walk Faithfully series through the life of Samuel, we explore a powerful story from 1 Samuel 7 where God restores His people after they had wandered far from Him. Their story reminds us that no matter how broken things seem, God can bring radical restoration when we return to Him.
For many people in Livermore and throughout the Bay Area, life can feel spiritually dry. Yet God continues to call people back to Himself, inviting them to become part of His work as a river in the spiritual desert around us.
Why We All Need Restoration
Restoration is necessary whenever something has been broken.
The Israelites in 1 Samuel 7 had drifted from God. They had replaced worship of the one true God with devotion to false gods and idols. As a result, their relationship with God suffered.
While most people today aren't bowing before carved statues, idolatry remains a very real issue. We often take good things and elevate them into ultimate things.
Success. Status. Money. Relationships. Comfort. Even our own desires.
Whenever something occupies the place in our hearts that belongs only to God, it becomes an idol.
Step 1: Rid Yourself of False Gods
Samuel's first instruction to Israel was clear:
"Rid yourselves of the foreign gods."
Before restoration could begin, the people had to identify what was competing with God for their affection.
A helpful question to ask is:
What do I believe I must have in order to be happy?
The answer often reveals what has become an idol.
God doesn't call us to abandon His gifts. He calls us to worship the Giver rather than the gifts. True restoration begins when Jesus becomes the center of our hearts once again.
Step 2: Be Real About Your Sin
After removing their idols, the people gathered together and confessed their sin.
Confession can feel uncomfortable because we fear rejection. We worry that if people see who we really are, they won't accept us.
Yet Scripture teaches the opposite.
Healing begins when honesty begins.
James 5:16 reminds believers to confess their sins and pray for one another so that healing may occur. Hidden sin continues to wound us, but confessed sin can begin the process of restoration.
At Arroyo Church, we believe church should be a place where people can be honest about their struggles and experience the grace of God. None of us are perfect. Every one of us is in need of God's mercy.
Step 3: Ask God to Rescue You
When the Philistines threatened Israel, the people realized they could not save themselves.
So they cried out to God.
Samuel interceded on their behalf and offered a sacrifice before the Lord. God responded by delivering His people from an enemy they could not defeat on their own.
This points us directly to Jesus.
Every sacrifice in the Old Testament ultimately points forward to Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The gospel is not about earning God's favor through good behavior. It is about receiving the salvation Jesus already accomplished through His death and resurrection.
The invitation of Christianity is remarkably simple:
Call upon the name of the Lord.
When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness, restoration, and eternal life—not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us.
Step 4: Remember What God Has Done
After God delivered Israel, Samuel set up a stone memorial called Ebenezer.
Its purpose was simple:
Remember God's faithfulness.
Too often, we suffer from spiritual amnesia. We quickly forget the prayers God answered, the grace He showed, and the ways He carried us through difficult seasons.
Remembering God's faithfulness produces two powerful results:
Thankfulness for the Past
When we reflect on God's goodness, gratitude begins to grow.
We remember His provision. His forgiveness. His protection.
Thankfulness shifts our focus away from fear and toward worship.
Faith for the Future
Remembering God's faithfulness also builds confidence.
If God was faithful yesterday, He will be faithful tomorrow.
The same God who carried us through past challenges will continue to walk with us through whatever lies ahead.
This is why regular spiritual rhythms matter. Prayer. Scripture reading. Worship. Community. These practices continually remind us who God is and what He has done.
Returning Home to God
One of the most powerful images of restoration in Scripture is the story of the prodigal son.
After wasting everything, the son finally returned home.
But before he even arrived, his father saw him from a distance and ran toward him.
That's the heart of God.
When we return to Him, we discover He has been pursuing us all along.
No matter how far you've wandered, God invites you to come home.
No matter how broken your story may feel, restoration is available through Jesus Christ.
And when we return to Him, we discover that radical restoration is possible.
God's plan has always been restoration. Through Jesus, He invites us to remove our idols, confess our sins, call upon His name, and remember His faithfulness.
Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or returning after a difficult season, God is ready to meet you with grace.
As Arroyo Church seeks to be a river in the spiritual desert of the Bay Area, our prayer is that more people would experience the life-changing restoration only Jesus can provide.
Winning the War Against Worry: How to Find Lasting Peace Through Philippians 4
Table of Contents:
The Reality of Worry in Today’s World
Weapon #1: Choose Joy
Weapon #2: Pray the Right Way
Weapon #3: Ponder What Is Pure
Weapon #4: Practice What You’ve Heard
Finding Peace With God
There’s a battle happening inside every one of us—a war against worry. Some days it feels like we’re winning. Other days, it feels like anxiety has the upper hand. In a culture often described as the “age of anxiety,” where stress, burnout, and fear are at all-time highs, the question becomes urgent: How do we actually overcome worry?
The good news is that God hasn’t left us without a strategy. In Philippians 4:4–9, we’re given a clear, practical plan to experience peace—not just occasionally, but daily. At Arroyo Church in Livermore, CA, we believe God is calling us to be a river in the spiritual desert of the Bay Area—and that includes bringing His peace into anxious hearts.
Let’s walk through four powerful, biblical “weapons” that help us win the war against worry.
1. Choose Joy (Philippians 4:4–5)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice. The Apostle Paul doesn’t suggest joy; he commands it. Why? Because our joy isn’t rooted in changing circumstances, but in an unchanging Savior.
When life is uncertain, finances are tight, relationships are strained, or the future feels unclear, we can still choose joy because Jesus hasn’t changed.
His presence is constant: “The Lord is near.”
His power is unmatched: He can change your situation—or change you within it.
You are not a victim to worry. Through Christ, you can become a victor. Choosing joy shifts your focus from what’s unstable to what’s eternal.
2. Pray the Right Way (Philippians 4:6–7)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…”
This is one of the most powerful promises in Scripture: peace that surpasses understanding. But there’s a premise before the promise—prayer.
Paul gives us two simple ways to pray:
Petition: Tell God what you need
Gratitude: Thank Him for what He’s done
Prayer isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. You don’t need fancy words or a perfect life. You just need an honest heart.
And here’s something powerful:
It is impossible to be deeply worried and deeply thankful at the same time.When anxiety rises, shift your posture:
Don’t panic—pray
Don’t worry—worship
Try this: write down what you’re thankful for. As gratitude grows, worry loses its grip.
3. Ponder What Is Pure (Philippians 4:8)
“Think about such things…”
If you struggle with worry, you likely also struggle with your thought life. Worry often comes from:
Exaggerating problems
Assuming worst-case scenarios
Focusing on what you can’t control
Paul redirects us to think differently:
What is true
What is honorable
What is pure and praiseworthy
Here’s the key:
Don’t resist anxious thoughts—replace them.When fear creeps in, replace it with truth from God’s Word. Meditate on Scripture. Reflect on who Jesus is and what He’s done.
In the Bay Area’s fast-paced, pressure-filled environment, your mind can easily become a desert of anxiety. But when you fill it with God’s truth, it becomes a river of life and peace.
4. Practice What You’ve Heard (Philippians 4:9)
“Put it into practice…”
Peace isn’t just about what you know—it’s about what you do.
You can hear sermons, read Scripture, and take notes every week—but if you don’t live it out, you won’t experience the peace God promises.
Peace is on the other side of obedience.
When we live according to God’s design—for our relationships, our words, our choices—we step into His peace. When we ignore His ways, we often invite chaos instead.
God’s instructions aren’t meant to restrict you—they’re meant to lead you into flourishing.
You Can’t Have Peace From God Without Peace With God
Before you can experience the peace of God, you must first have peace with God.
Sin separates us from Him—but Jesus came to restore that relationship. Through His death and resurrection, He made a way for us to be forgiven, restored, and filled with His Spirit.
Peace isn’t something you earn—it’s something you receive.
If you’ve never placed your faith in Jesus, today can be the day you step into true peace. And if you already follow Him but feel overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to realign your life with His ways.
Winning the war against worry doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by intention. When you choose joy, pray faithfully, think rightly, and live obediently, you step into the peace God promises.And in a region like Livermore and the greater Bay Area—where anxiety often runs high—God is inviting you to experience something different. A peace that doesn’t make sense. A joy that can’t be shaken.
You don’t have to live in worry anymore. Through Jesus, peace is possible.
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.
Is the Resurrection of Jesus Real and Relevant? An Easter Message for Livermore and the Bay Area
Every day we answer small questions: which shirt, which restaurant. We also answer bigger ones: where to live, who to marry. But underneath all of those sit the deepest questions of all — the ones that reach the root of why we exist. This Easter, our new series "Hard Questions, Real Answers" begins with the biggest question of them all: did Jesus really rise from the dead, and if He did, does it actually matter for your life?
Here is why this question is not just interesting but urgent: if Jesus really walked out of the grave, then your whole life belongs at His feet, with Him as Savior and Lord at the center. But if He did not, we are all wasting a beautiful Sunday morning. There is no comfortable middle ground. So let's look honestly at the evidence and the implications, walking through the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15.
Believing the Resurrection Is Reasonable
Faith in the resurrection is not blind belief. Paul roots his claim in eyewitnesses:
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living... Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." (1 Corinthians 15:3–8)
Notice what Paul is doing. He is not simply asserting a private belief; he is pointing to people you could go and interview. Most of those five hundred witnesses were still alive. In effect he says, "Don't take my word for it — go ask them." That is the language of evidence, not legend.
Most historians, including skeptical ones, agree on a few things: Jesus lived, Jesus was crucified, and His tomb was found empty. If you reject the resurrection, you still owe an explanation for that empty tomb. Consider the common alternatives:
The swoon theory — that Jesus merely fainted. Yet the Romans knew how to kill, and Jesus was brutally whipped and beaten before He was crucified. Even if He had somehow survived, a badly injured man could not have rolled away a heavy stone, and anyone who saw Him would have seen a dying man, not a risen Lord.
The legend theory — that the resurrection developed over centuries. But the creed Paul passes on in 1 Corinthians 15 goes back to the church's earliest days, and the Gospels were written within 20 to 40 years of Jesus' life. Legends do not form that quickly while eyewitnesses can still object.
The hallucination theory — that grieving followers imagined it. But five hundred people do not share the same hallucination.
The conspiracy theory — that the disciples stole the body. Yet these ordinary men went on to suffer and die rather than recant. People may die for something false they believe is true; they do not knowingly die for what they know is a lie.
Even a detail like the first witnesses being women — whose testimony carried little legal weight in that culture — argues for authenticity. No one inventing a story would include it. It's there because it happened.
The Resurrection Can Reach Anyone
Paul does not just argue for the resurrection; he is living proof of its power.
"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Corinthians 15:9–10)
Before he was a church planter, Paul was a church persecutor — approving executions, hunting believers. Any of us would have written him off. Yet God chose him and transformed him. That's the point: the resurrection can reach anyone. It does not matter how long or how far you have been running from God. Grace is not based on what you deserve; it is based on who God is. And grace, when truly received, is always transformational. Jesus made the same point when He said of a forgiven woman, "her many sins have been forgiven — as her great love has shown" (Luke 7:47). The more we grasp how much we've been loved, the more naturally we live for Him.
The Resurrection Gives Living Hope
Finally, Paul explains why all of this matters for the future:
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:17–20)
Because Jesus rose, those who trust Him will rise too. Peter calls it "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade" (1 Peter 1:3–4). Biblical hope is not wishful thinking about the weather; it is confident expectation of a secure future. And because that hope is a gift you never earned, it can never be taken from you — which means no fear in life and no fear in death. Death becomes not a dead end but a doorway.
A Takeaway to Sit With
Jesus told doubting Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). You may not have it all figured out, and that's okay — it is not the strength of your faith that saves you but the depth of His love. So the honest question this Easter is simple: is the resurrection real and relevant to you? Not, have you attended church or memorized verses — but have you actually entrusted your life to the risen Jesus?
If that question is stirring something in you, we would love to walk with you. Whether you are a longtime believer or exploring faith for the first time here in Livermore and the Tri-Valley, there is a place for you at Arroyo Church.
Where Is God When You’re Suffering? Finding Hope in the Middle of Pain
Table of Contents:
Understanding the Source of Suffering
How to Pray Through Pain
God Is Working in Your Suffering
Trusting God’s Goodness and Power
The Hope Beyond Suffering
Suffering is one of life’s hardest realities—and one of the biggest reasons people question God. Whether it’s emotional pain, broken relationships, illness, or loss, we’ve all faced moments where we’ve asked: “God, where are You?”
At Arroyo Church, we believe in facing hard questions head-on. And this is one of the deepest: Where is God when I am suffering?
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, you’re not alone. But the good news is that the Bible doesn’t ignore suffering—it speaks directly into it. And even here in the Bay Area, often described as a “spiritual desert,” God is still moving, still speaking, and still offering hope like a river in the dry places.
1. Understanding What Started Suffering
To understand suffering, we have to go back to the beginning.
God created the world good—perfect, without pain, death, or brokenness. But humanity chose to turn away from God. Sin entered the world, and with it came suffering.
This means something important: God is not the author of suffering—sin is.
Instead of blaming God, we can recognize that we live in a broken world. That doesn’t make the pain easier, but it gives clarity. Suffering isn’t proof that God is absent—it’s evidence that something is not as it should be.
So what do we do with that truth?
Don’t blame God for what sin has caused
Don’t be surprised by suffering—prepare for it with faith
When we understand the origin of suffering, we stop asking “Why is this happening at all?” and start asking better questions.
2. Learn to Pray Honestly About Your Pain
One of the most powerful truths in Scripture is this: God invites your honesty.
In Psalm 10, the writer cries out:
“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
That’s raw. That’s real.
God isn’t looking for polished, perfect prayers—He wants a real relationship with the real you.
When you pray honestly:
You release the burden you’re carrying
You invite God into your pain
You open the door for His peace
Prayer is not pretending everything is okay. It’s bringing everything that’s not okay to the One who can handle it.
And here’s the promise: God hears you. He cares. And He responds.
3. God Is Working Even in Your Suffering
One of the hardest truths to accept is also one of the most powerful:
While you are suffering, God is working.
Romans 5 tells us that suffering produces:
Perseverance
Character
Hope
Think of suffering like fire. Fire can destroy—but it can also refine. Gold becomes purer through fire.
The difference isn’t the fire—it’s what’s being refined.
So instead of asking:
“Why is this happening to me?”
Try asking:
“God, what are You teaching me through this?”
Maybe:
That difficult situation is producing patience
That painful relationship is teaching forgiveness
That uncertainty is growing your trust in God
God doesn’t waste pain. He uses it.
4. Believe That God Is Always Good and Powerful
In Mark 4, Jesus calms a storm while His disciples panic. Before the miracle, they ask:
“Don’t you care if we drown?”
They doubted two things:
God’s goodness (“Do You care?”)
God’s power (“Can You do anything?”)
Sound familiar?
When we’re in a storm, fear often reveals that we’ve forgotten one—or both—of these truths:
God is good
God is powerful
He’s not one or the other. He’s both.
That means:
If He allows the storm, He has a purpose
If He doesn’t stop it, He will strengthen you through it
God is good even when life isn’t. And He is powerful enough to either change your situation—or change you through it.
5. The Hope Beyond Suffering
Here’s the ultimate hope of the Christian faith:
Suffering is not the end of your story.
Jesus Himself suffered more than anyone—rejected, beaten, crucified. On the cross, He cried:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
But three days later, He rose again.
Because of Jesus:
Suffering has meaning
Pain has purpose
Death is not the end
Revelation promises a future where:
Every tear is wiped away
There is no more pain, death, or sorrow
That’s the hope we hold onto.
Even here in the Bay Area—where life can feel spiritually dry—Jesus offers living water, a river of hope in the desert.
So where is God when you’re suffering?
He’s beside you
He’s listening to you
He’s working in you
And He’s preparing a future for you
If you’re in Christ, suffering is not your whole story—it’s just a chapter. And the ending is already written.
And it is good.