What if everything you thought you knew about happiness and blessing was backward? In this sermon, Pastor Tyler Lynde kicks off our new series, “Red Letters,” with a deep dive into the Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. These words, spoken to a people desperate for hope after 400 years of divine silence, completely flip our modern understanding of what leads to a truly blessed life.

Jesus’s sermon wasn’t just a collection of nice sayings; it was a declaration of war against the world's value system. Where our culture says "blessed are the self-sufficient," Jesus says "blessed are the poor in spirit." While society often rewards the ruthless, Jesus promises blessing to the merciful and the meek. In this message, Tyler Lynde unpacks each of these radical statements, contrasting the fleeting mantras of our world with the eternal truth of God's Kingdom.

Discover why the Beatitudes are not a checklist of behaviors to earn God's favor, but a beautiful portrait of a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. This is the core of the New Covenant—not relying on our own strength to follow external rules, but receiving a new heart and being empowered by God’s Spirit living within us. Tyler doesn't shy away from the hard truth that this path leads to a collision with the world, but he also reveals the magnificent promises attached to it: comfort, mercy, satisfaction, and being called a child of God.

Most importantly, see how Jesus himself is the perfect embodiment of every beatitude. He is both our example to follow and the enabler who makes it possible. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus secured every blessing He describes. Whether you're just exploring faith or have followed Jesus for decades, these ancient words carry fresh power to transform your perspective on what it truly means to live a blessed life.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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We live in an age of endless conversation. Tweets, posts, podcasts, news, and nonstop commentary flood our senses every day. But amid all the noise, how often do we pause to consider the power of the words we ourselves speak?

In this compelling message titled Taming the Tongue, guest speaker Dr. Clem Ferris walks us through James chapter 3 to help us understand the immense spiritual weight carried by our speech. Clem unpacks vivid imagery—bits in horses’ mouths, rudders steering massive ships, and the spark of a fire spreading uncontrollably—to show how the smallest part of our body can determine the course of our lives.

James doesn’t hold back. He says the tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison,” and “set on fire by hell.” That’s intense. But Clem helps us see the real issue: the tongue itself has no ears—our heart does. And it’s what fills the heart that shapes the words that flow from our mouths.

The breakthrough comes not through external behavior tweaks, but through internal transformation. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” When our hearts are shaped by God’s Word, our words begin to reflect His character—words of life, truth, peace, and healing.

Clem ties this truth to Pentecost Sunday, reminding us that God’s first act in empowering the early church was to cleanse and commission their speech. The “tongues of fire” didn’t burn with destruction—they blazed with holy purpose. God wants to do the same with us today. The very mouths once used for gossip, sarcasm, or complaint can now be tools for encouragement and bold proclamation.

We also look to Jesus, who “opened not His mouth” even under accusation, choosing silent obedience to bear our sin. His restraint paved the way for our restoration. Now we’re invited to speak with a new voice—shaped not by the world, but by heaven.

You may not be able to stop the noise of culture, but you can decide what words will come from your lips. Let God’s Word dwell in your heart richly and speak life into your world.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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What does it mean to be empowered for missions—not just in theory, but in everyday life? In this special message, Ebenezer Asiamah shares his deeply personal journey from nightclubs in Ghana to Spirit-led evangelism across continents. It’s a story of transformation, calling, and the unmatched power of God to use ordinary people for extraordinary mission.

Eben’s story begins with a “prodigal son” moment—a turning point when he recognized his life was far from God. Through the guidance of a local pastor and a fresh hunger for the Holy Spirit, he found not only forgiveness but boldness to proclaim the gospel. From those early days preaching in village centers without electricity, to ministry work here in the U.S., Eben has lived the truth that missions begins when we say yes to God’s purpose and power.

Drawing from Acts 1:8, Luke 4, and Matthew 28, Eben outlines three foundational truths:
1. Mission is the heart of the Father. From Genesis, God has always been seeking the lost. Mission isn’t our idea—it’s His.
2. Mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus was anointed to do the Father’s work, we need the Spirit’s power to live and speak boldly.
3. Mission is our calling. Whether across the globe or across the street, every believer has a role in God’s redemptive plan.

Eben also walked us through practical responses to this call:
- Pray. Spend time before the Lord and let Him place His mission on your heart.
- Evangelize and disciple. Be a witness in your home, your church, your workplace, and beyond.
- Support missionaries. Through prayer and generosity, you can be part of what God is doing globally.

This isn’t about guilt—it’s about invitation. God’s mission is fueled by grace, and He desires to work through surrendered people like you.

The world is still full of “unpossessed land,” both spiritually and physically. But we go forward with Jesus’ promise: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…and I am with you always.”

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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