Karl Ihfe draws on the largely forgotten apostles — James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Thaddeus — to remind us that recognition and significance are not the same thing. Like Clarence B. Jones, who helped write Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech while standing 50 feet in the background, these three disciples followed Jesus faithfully, left everything, and helped carry the gospel into the world — even though history barely remembers their names. The question they leave us with is not, will people remember me? but rather, will I be faithful to the one who called me?

In this sermon, Carter Shuman uses the calling of Philip and Nathanael from John 1 to challenge us to lay down our snap judgments and our mental calculations, and simply follow Jesus. Like Nathanael, who doubted anything good could come from Nazareth, and Philip, who tried to do the math on what God could do, we often let our assumptions and limitations define what we believe God is capable of. The invitation Jesus extends to both disciples — and to us — is simple and powerful: come and see.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe draws on the life of James, son of Zebedee, to show that Jesus is not surprised by our immaturity — He is committed to our maturity. Through James' journey from wanting to call down fire on enemies and seeking seats of honor, to ultimately drinking the cup of martyrdom with faithfulness, Karl reminds us that transformation happens in the ordinary, everyday moments of following Jesus. Before God calls us to do anything great, His first invitation is simply, "Will you follow?"

In this sermon, Jeremy Smith uses Jesus' parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 to challenge the congregation to recapture the heart of evangelism. Friends Day isn't about filling seats or boosting numbers — it's about recovering the conviction that inviting others into the life of the church is an essential part of faithful discipleship. Just as someone once cared enough to introduce each of us to Jesus, we are now called to extend that same welcome to others.

Thomas, often unfairly labeled "Doubting Thomas," was actually a man of remarkable courage who asked the honest questions others were too afraid to voice — and in doing so, drew out some of the most profound truths Jesus ever spoke. Far from rebuking Thomas, Jesus met him with grace, giving him exactly what he needed to move from doubt to worship. Thomas's story reminds us that faith is not about pretending life isn't hard, but about following Jesus even when it is.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe uses the calling of Matthew the tax collector to challenge the idea that following Jesus is the easy road. Drawing on the truth that every meaningful "yes" requires a "no," Karl reminds us that life isn't a choice between hard and easy — it's a choice between different kinds of hard. The real question isn't whether life will be difficult, but whether the hard we choose leads us toward reward and purpose, or toward regret.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the life of Andrew, one of Jesus' lesser-known disciples, who is most often remembered simply as "Simon Peter's brother." Karl highlights how Andrew's quiet faithfulness — seen in three key moments in the Gospel of John — was defined by one simple, powerful act: bringing people to Jesus. The challenge left with the congregation is this: just as someone was your Andrew, who will one day point to you as theirs?

Karl Ihfe explores the remarkable transformation of the apostle John — from a brash, ambitious, hot-tempered "son of thunder" to the beloved apostle of love. Through his relationship with Jesus, John's fiery personality wasn't erased but redirected, surrendered, and refined for the kingdom. Karl challenges us to ask not what our personality is like, but what part of ourselves still needs to be surrendered to Christ.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe walks through the life of the apostle Peter, showing how Jesus saw in Simon something Simon couldn't yet see in himself — a rock. Through Peter's failures, restorations, and ultimate transformation, Karl reminds us that Jesus doesn't call us because we're already who we should be, but because he intends to make us who he created us to be. It's all grace — only grace, ever grace.