We all struggle with divided loyalties—wanting to follow God, yet drawn toward what leads us away from Him.

In this week of Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor Mike Wilson walks through the story of Samson to show how sin slowly destroys our strength and blinds us to God’s plan. But no matter how far we fall, God’s grace invites us back home.

Scripture Highlights:

• James 1:6–8 – Divided loyalties lead to instability.

• Judges 13–16 – Samson’s divided heart and God’s redeeming grace.

• Lamentations 3:22–23 – His mercies are new every morning.

• Romans 8:13 – Put to death the deeds of the flesh.

• Luke 15:11–24 – The prodigal son’s return.

In this message, you’ll learn:

• Why sin promises freedom but produces pain.

• How to build boundaries that protect your walk with God.

• Why strength comes from surrender, not striving.

• How God’s mercy restores what sin tries to destroy.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and continue Becoming who God created you to be.

Everyone doubts. The question is — what will you do with it?

In this week of Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor CJ Ward explores the reality of doubt and how to walk through it without shame. Whether your doubt is intellectual or deeply personal, this message will remind you that God is not afraid of your questions.

Scripture References:

• 1 John 3:19–24 – God is greater than our hearts.

• Matthew 28:17 – They worshiped Him, but some doubted.

• Psalm 34:8 – Taste and see that the Lord is good.

• Romans 8:1 – No condemnation in Christ Jesus.

• 1 John 3:1 – We are called children of God.

In this message, you’ll learn:

• Why doubt is normal and even necessary for genuine faith.

• The difference between intellectual and personal doubt.

• How condemnation—not questioning—is what holds us back.

• How the Holy Spirit works through community when our own faith feels weak.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and continue Becoming who God created you to be.

• (00:00:00) - New Life Gillette: Starting a Wednesday Service
• (00:02:02) - First John 3:1-3
• (00:03:31) - How To See an Elk
• (00:08:12) - What Doubt Is
• (00:12:20) - Both Intellectual Doubt and Personal Doubt
• (00:14:25) - All of John's Gifts for Going Through Doubt
• (00:19:25) - Satan's Lies for Those Who Are Doubtful
• (00:22:03) - First John 3: I'm greater than your condemnation
• (00:27:27) - How to Get Through Season of Doubt (1)
• (00:30:56) - A Season of Doubt

We were never meant to follow Jesus alone.

In this final week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor CJ Ward hosts a panel discussion with New Life attenders about the importance of community, connection, and accountability through Circles (our Life Groups).

Scripture References:

• Genesis 2:18 – It’s not good for man to be alone.

• Acts 2:42–47 – The early church devoted themselves to fellowship.

• Hebrews 10:24–25 – Don’t give up meeting together.

• Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron.

• James 5:16 – Confess your sins and pray for one another.

In this conversation you’ll hear:

• How isolation is one of the enemy’s biggest tools against spiritual growth.

• Why community is not optional—it’s essential.

• Real stories of how Circles have shaped faith, friendship, and transformation.

• How to find freedom through being fully known and fully loved.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and find your Circle today at newlifegillette.com/groups.

Have you ever wondered why some aspects of life seem so challenging, even when we're pursuing something meaningful? There's a profound truth that often gets overlooked: everything in life worth doing is hard. This applies not just to our worldly pursuits, but also to our spiritual journey.

As followers of Christ, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that because salvation is a free gift, our spiritual growth should come easily. But there's a crucial distinction we need to understand: grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort.

Imagine someone gifting you a house. You have two choices: you could neglect it, allowing it to fall into disrepair, or you could invest time and energy into maintaining and improving it. The house was freely given, but the effort you put in determines how much you benefit from and enjoy that gift. Our spiritual life works in a similar way.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses the analogy of an athlete training for a race. He encourages believers to run as if they're competing for a prize – not a temporary accolade, but something of eternal value. This prize isn't salvation itself (which is already secured through Christ), but rather becoming who we were created to be.

It's entirely possible to receive the gift of salvation yet miss out on fully becoming the person God intended. This is where effort comes into play. We don't earn God's love or our place in His kingdom, but we do need to apply ourselves to grow and transform.

So, what does this look like practically? There are five key skills that form the foundation of a disciple's life:

1. Gather Purposefully: It's not just about showing up to church, but coming with intention – to worship, learn, and connect with God's people. We prioritize gathering, even when we don't feel like it, understanding that consistent community shapes us.

2. Connect Deeply: We were created for relationship – with God and others. This often happens through small groups or intentional friendships where we're willing to be vulnerable and ask for help when needed. It's a skill that requires practice and overcoming our natural tendency towards self-sufficiency.

3. Give Generously: The Bible speaks about money more than it does about heaven and hell combined. Why? Because our relationship with money deeply affects our spiritual health. Tithing (giving the first 10% of our income) isn't about earning God's favor, but about freeing our hearts from the grip of materialism and aligning our priorities with God's kingdom.

4. Serve Selflessly: When we serve others, we're not just meeting needs; we're becoming more like Jesus. Every act of service, whether it's in children's ministry or hospitality, shapes our character and aligns us with Christ's example of servanthood.

5. Influence Daily: Making disciples isn't reserved for pastors or missionaries – it's the calling of every believer. This doesn't mean awkward, forced evangelism. Instead, it's about being attuned to the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of those around us and using our influence to point people towards Christ in natural, loving ways.

Developing these skills requires consistent effort, much like an athlete or musician who practices daily to improve their craft. We don't suddenly master these areas; it's a lifelong journey of growth and refinement.

It's important to recognize a common pitfall in this process. Over time, we can start to believe that our efforts mean we've earned our place in God's family. This attitude leads to looking down on others who don't seem to be trying as hard. We must constantly remind ourselves that while effort is crucial for growth, it doesn't negate the fact that our salvation and acceptance are purely gifts from God.

The beauty of this journey is that we're not alone in our efforts. The Holy Spirit meets us in our stri...

• (00:00:00) - Foreign Church Teaching
• (00:00:50) - The Skills of a Disciple
• (00:02:56) - Everything in Life Worth Doing is Hard
• (00:07:59) - Temptation to Think You Deserve a Home
• (00:13:53) - The gift of salvation
• (00:15:02) - 5 Skills of Life on Mission
• (00:15:42) - We Gain Purpose in Church
• (00:20:32) - How to Abound in Life
• (00:20:57) - The Problem With Talking About Money in Church
• (00:26:13) - 3 Things We Serve Selflessly
• (00:31:14) - Take a Step toward Becoming Who You Were Created to Be

What does it really mean to abide in Jesus?

In this week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor Mike Wilson unpacks John 15 and shows us that abiding isn’t about trying harder—it’s about staying connected to the true vine, Jesus Christ.

Scripture Highlights:

• John 15:1–5 – Remain in Me and you will bear much fruit.

• Matthew 7:17–20 – A tree is known by its fruit.

• James 4:4 – You cannot serve two masters.

• Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit.

In this message you’ll learn:

• Why intimacy with Jesus matters more than proximity to church activity.

• How pruning is God’s way of making our fruit healthier.

• Why abiding guarantees fruit—not because we can produce it, but because Christ produces it through us.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church as we continue Becoming who God created us to be.

What makes communion and baptism so important? This week in our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor CJ Ward explains the meaning of sacraments and why they matter for our faith.

Scripture:

• Joshua 4:1–7

• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

• Romans 6:3–4

Sacraments are not magic—they are sacred because they remind us that something happened. Jesus’ death and resurrection have changed everything. Communion and baptism are memorials that point us back to that reality:

• Communion reminds us of Christ’s body and blood given for us.

• Baptism is our public declaration that our old life is gone and we now belong to Jesus.

Sacraments both comfort us when we feel unworthy and challenge us to obedience. Above all, they remind us that because of Jesus, everything is different now.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and join us as we continue becoming who God created us to be.

• (00:00:00) - Joshua 4:1
• (00:00:46) - Joshua 4: Sacraments
• (00:02:23) - Joshua
• (00:06:49) - Sacrifices
• (00:08:30) - The Story of the Ark of the Covenant
• (00:12:50) - For We Can't Remember the Good Things
• (00:19:04) - The Sacraments of Jesus
• (00:21:46) - Jesus' Baptisms
• (00:25:53) - Something Happened in My Life

Who are you becoming? In this opening message of our new series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor Mike Wilson challenges us to reflect on our growth, our motivations, and our calling as followers of Jesus.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3–8

• God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

• The path of becoming includes: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, and love.

• The more we grow in these, the more useful and productive we are in God’s kingdom.

This message reminds us that Jesus raised the bar but lowered the pressure—He met the standard for us and empowers us to grow.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and join us on the journey of becoming who God created you to be.

• (00:00:00) - Teaching From The Prison
• (00:00:56) - How to Get Out of Stuck
• (00:05:45) - Why Do We Do the Crime?
• (00:11:28) - How to Become a Tin Whistle Disciple
• (00:18:08) - All the Promises of God's Kingdom
• (00:18:56) - Healthy Living Through Faith and Self-control
• (00:23:26) - The Journey of Loving Everyone
• (00:25:01) - Guilt and Shame in Our Life
• (00:33:15) - God, I pray for this series

God’s love and power have no boundaries. In this Kickoff Sunday message, Pastor Mike unpacks what it means to live with faith in the limitless God—a God who can forgive every sin, redeem every story, and use anyone for His glory.

In this message you’ll learn:

• Why pessimism limits our faith and how optimism rooted in Jesus sets us free.

• The story of the woman caught in adultery and the freedom Christ offers.

• Our Wesleyan heritage and the call to bring the Gospel beyond the walls of the church.

• The truth that there are no limits on who can be saved, how God can use you, or what He can redeem.

Key Scripture: Ephesians 3:20 – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine.”

Subscribe for more messages of hope and faith from New Life Gillette Church.

• (00:00:00) - Jesus on Being Pro-Optical
• (00:07:32) - A tour of John Wesley's life
• (00:11:40) - What Makes Wesleyan Theology Unique?
• (00:19:23) - The Word Perfect
• (00:26:32) - Christians: The Great Commission
• (00:28:17) - God's Plan for Your Life
• (00:30:50) - Today Is the Day to Put Your Faith in God