What if the change you’ve been praying for isn’t meant to happen around you—but in you?

In A Promise and a Signature, part of The Passion Project series, Pastor Mark Medley explores Nehemiah 10 and the deeply personal process of spiritual transformation. While the early chapters of Nehemiah focus on rebuilding walls, chapters 8 through 10 reveal God’s true renovation project: rebuilding His people from the inside out.

Mark traces how transformation begins when we encounter the Word of God. In Nehemiah 8, the Israelites rediscover Scripture, and it cuts through apathy like a sword. As they listened, conviction stirred. In chapter 9, that conviction led to heartfelt repentance. They weren’t just sorry—they were surrendered. They owned not only their sin but the generational patterns of rebellion that had marked their history.

Then comes chapter 10, where the people draw up a covenant—signing their names to a fresh commitment to God. They vowed to honor Him in every area of life: their relationships, their time, their business practices, their finances, their worship. Their zeal was real. Their desire to change was genuine.

But Mark doesn’t stop there. He points out what history reveals: they would fall short again. Their passion couldn’t carry the weight of lasting obedience. Paul’s words in Romans 7 ring true: “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.” We’ve all been there.

So what’s the answer?

Mark points us to the better covenant—sealed not with ink, but with blood. The new covenant in Christ isn’t dependent on our promises to God but on His promise to us. As Hebrews puts it: “I will put my laws on their hearts… I will remember their sins no more.” Jesus is the one who both initiates and completes our faith.

If you’ve been exhausted by trying harder, this message is for you. Let go of striving and receive what Jesus has already accomplished. Believe the promise. Live from the promise. Because real transformation begins where self-effort ends.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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What does it mean when God says, “Behold, I am making all things new”? In this Easter message, All Things New, Pastor Tyler Lynde explores the stunning vision of restoration found in Revelation 21:1-8. This isn’t just about going to heaven—it’s about the complete transformation of creation, relationship, and experience.

Tyler begins by showing us that God’s plan is not to repair the broken world, but to recreate it. The new heaven and new earth will be free from natural disasters, decay, and death. As beautiful as parts of our current world may be, they are merely glimpses of what’s to come. Revelation 21 opens our eyes to the breathtaking scale of God’s restoration—where everything wrong is made right.

But it’s not only the physical world that will be renewed. Tyler highlights the restoration of relationship at the core of the passage: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” Since the fall, humanity has been separated from God, but in the new creation, this relationship will be fully restored. No more barriers, no more distance—just perfect communion with our Creator.

Then there’s the emotional restoration. “He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more… neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain.” This vision offers a powerful contrast to the world we live in now—a world filled with suffering, anxiety, and loss. Tyler reminds us that in Christ, we don’t just look forward to healing—we’re promised complete renewal.

Most importantly, this newness isn’t only for the future. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” When we respond to Jesus in repentance and faith, God begins His renewing work now. Through the Holy Spirit, we’re empowered to live differently today, even while we wait for the ultimate restoration.

But Tyler also doesn’t shy away from the urgency of the moment. Revelation 21 ends with a warning for those who reject this invitation. Eternity is on the line, and we’re called to respond—to repent, believe, and receive the free gift of salvation.

This message is a celebration of the resurrection, a call to transformation, and a reminder that the best is yet to come.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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What does real repentance look like? In this message from The Passion Project series, Pastor Scott Wiens explores Nehemiah 9—a powerful account of how the people of God responded after hearing the law of the Lord read aloud.

Scott walks us through the covenantal structure of the passage, revealing three key movements: Perspective, Remembrance, and Response.

It begins with Perspective. The Israelites spent a quarter of the day reading God’s Word, followed by confession and worship. They acknowledged God’s greatness and re-centered their hearts around His sovereignty. This wasn’t a ritual—this was a reorientation. As Scott explained, without seeing ourselves rightly before God, true repentance is impossible.

Then comes Remembrance. Nehemiah 9 recounts Israel’s long history of rebellion, but also God’s unmatched faithfulness. The people didn’t make excuses or hide their sin. Instead, they laid it bare. Again and again, they had turned away from God, experienced judgment, cried out, and received mercy. Scott reminded us that honest remembrance isn’t meant to bury us in guilt—it’s meant to lift our eyes to grace. As Romans 2 tells us, it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.

The final step is Response. The people didn’t just confess—they committed. They entered into a covenant, pledging to walk in obedience moving forward. And while we know the Israelites would fall again, Scott pointed us to the hope we now have in Christ: the promise of a new heart and a new spirit within us. Through the Holy Spirit, God empowers us to live transformed lives—not just momentarily moved, but continually changed.

Scott also quoted R.C. Sproul, who said, “When we realize that we have offended God, we must feel this rupture of our soul.” That rupture is not condemnation; it’s a holy discomfort that leads us to the arms of Jesus. If you’re feeling that tug—if you’re weary from carrying sin on your shoulders—Jesus invites you to come and find rest.

This message isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a present-day call. God still draws us back. He still speaks through His Word. And He still transforms hearts.

Watch or listen now and let Nehemiah 9 shape your perspective, stir your memory, and invite your response.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!
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