Next Level Church - Charlotte

Why Do I Keep Doing This? - Week 3

"I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Ever felt like Paul when he wrote those words?

In Week 3 of our series, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles a hard truth: The real problem isn't lack of effort—it's that sin is stronger than self-effort. No matter how hard you try, willpower alone will never be enough.

Through Romans 7:14-25, we'll dive into Paul's honest struggle and discover why "trying harder" keeps leaving us frustrated and defeated. This isn't a message about giving up—it's about recognizing that the battle requires a power greater than our own.

If you've been exhausted by your own efforts to change, if you've wondered why good intentions keep falling short, this message will help you see why self-effort was never meant to be the solution. There's a better way forward, but it requires surrendering our need to be strong enough on our own.

Stop trying to muscle your way to freedom. It's time to discover the power that actually works.

#WhyDoIKeepDoingThis #TryingHarder #Romans7 #SelfEffort #SpiritPower #Surrender #ChurchSeries

Why Do I Keep Doing This? | Week 2: Dead, but Still Dangerous

Feeling defeated by the same cycles? Here's a truth that changes everything: you're not powerless.

In Week 2 of "Why Do I Keep Doing This," Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles a crucial reality—at salvation, sin loses its legal claim on us, but it still tries to act like it's in charge. Through Romans 6:1-14, we'll explore what it means to live like you're truly free.

Sin may keep trying to boss you around, making you feel helpless and defeated, but the truth is it has no real authority over you anymore. The struggle isn't about gaining power you don't have—it's about learning to live in the freedom you already possess in Christ.

This message will help you understand your true identity and give you biblical insight into why you're not the powerless victim sin wants you to believe you are. Whether you're battling old habits, wrestling with guilt, or feeling stuck in familiar patterns, this episode offers hope and practical truth.

You have more power than you realize. It's time to start living like it.

Join us as we continue this journey toward understanding our struggles through Scripture and discovering how to walk in the victory Jesus has already secured.

Why Do I Keep Doing This?- Week 1: How Did We Get Here?

"I don't really understand myself. I want to do what's right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." Sound familiar?

Welcome to our new series, "Why Do I Keep Doing This: How to Stop the Cycle You Can't Seem to Quit." In this opening message, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus tackles the foundational question: How did we get stuck in these cycles in the first place?

Through Romans 5:12-21, we'll explore how sin isn't just about our individual choices—it's a power that invaded the world and now works against us. Understanding this truth changes everything about how we view our struggles and sets the stage for discovering real freedom.

If you've ever wondered why you keep falling into the same patterns despite knowing better, this message offers biblical insight and hope. Join us as we begin this journey toward understanding mental health through the lens of Scripture and discovering the Spirit's power to set us free.

Whether you're listening while commuting, working out, or just need encouragement in your daily walk, this series is designed to meet you where you are and point you toward the freedom Jesus has already won.

Mental Health: Finding God's Hope in the Struggle | Part 4

What do we do with the reality that even Jesus experienced crushing emotional pain? Christian Nichles concludes our series by exploring Matthew 26:36 and Jesus's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Son of God was "deeply grieved, even to death" and asked His friends to stay with Him in His darkest hour.

Jesus's experience in the garden shows us that emotional struggle isn't a sign of weak faith—it's part of the human experience that even God Himself entered into and understood.

In this final message, you'll discover:

• How Jesus models honest prayer in times of overwhelming distress
• Why community matters when we're struggling mentally and emotionally
• The hope we have because Jesus walked through anguish and emerged victorious

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

About the Series: This seriece explores mental health through Scripture, showing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

Mental Health: Finding God's Hope in the Struggle | Part 3

What happens when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want? Christian Nichles explores 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul begged God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh," only to receive this response: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul's experience teaches us that sometimes God's answer isn't healing—it's sustaining grace. This doesn't mean we stop seeking help or give up hope, but that we can find strength even in our ongoing struggles.

In this message, you'll discover:

• How to find peace when prayers for healing seem unanswered
• What it means that God's power is perfected in our weakness
• The difference between cure and grace in our mental health journey

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

 

Mental Health: Finding God's Hope in the Struggle - Part 2

What do you do when everything you love is stripped away? Christian Nichles explores Job 1-2, where we encounter a man who lost his children, health, and wealth in a matter of days—yet continued to wrestle with faith in the midst of unthinkable suffering.

Job's story reveals that profound loss and mental anguish aren't signs of spiritual failure. Sometimes faithful people experience devastating circumstances beyond their control.

In this message, you'll discover:

• How to process grief and loss without losing faith
• Why suffering doesn't mean God has abandoned you
• The difference between toxic positivity and genuine hope

This series is for anyone wrestling with anxiety, depression, or fear—and for those who love someone who is hurting.

About the Series: "Life Under the Broom Tree" explores mental health through Scripture, showing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

If you're struggling, please reach out to a counselor or mental health professional.

Mental Health: Finding God's Hope in the Struggle - Part 1

What do you do when you've reached your breaking point? In this inaugural episode of our "Life Under the Broom Tree" series, Christian Nichles opens 1 Kings 19 to reveal a side of the prophet Elijah we don't often talk about—the moment when this giant of faith completely fell apart.

Fresh from his dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah finds himself running for his life, collapsing under a broom tree, and begging God to let him die. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Mental health struggles have been part of the human story since the beginning, and God's response to Elijah reveals profound truths about how He meets us in our darkest moments.

In this honest and compassionate message, you'll discover:

• Why even spiritual victories can lead to emotional crashes
• How exhaustion affects our perspective and decision-making
• God's gentle, practical approach to caring for those who are struggling
• The difference between God's presence and the quick fixes the world offers

This series is for anyone who has wrestled with anxiety, depression, burnout, or overwhelming fear. It's also for those who love someone who is hurting and want to understand how to help.

Join us as we explore what it means to find hope and healing under life's broom trees, knowing that God doesn't shame us for our weakness—He meets us in it.

About the Series: "Life Under the Broom Tree" is a biblical exploration of mental health, examining how Scripture addresses anxiety, depression, and emotional struggle with honesty and hope. Through the stories of Elijah, Paul's teachings on renewing our minds, and Jesus' own wrestling in the Garden of Gethsemane, we'll discover that our mental health matters deeply to God.

If you're struggling with mental health, please reach out to a trusted friend, counselor, or mental health professional. You don't have to walk this journey alone.

 

Why Church? - Part 4

What did the early church have that made people say "I want to be part of that"? What if we could experience the same kind of community that changed the world?

In this final week of our "Why Church?" series, Pastor Joseph McMurry takes us back to Acts 2 to discover why he loves the church through God's original blueprint. This isn't about nostalgia—it's about understanding what made the early church so compelling and how we can experience that same kind of transformative community today.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.

 

Why Church? - Part 3

What if the church offered something you couldn't find anywhere else? The chance to be part of something bigger than yourself and relationships that are ready before the storms of life hit?

In Week 3 of our "Why Church?" series, Pastor Bradley Medford gets personal about why he loves the church. This isn't about obligation—it's about discovering the irreplaceable value of being connected to something greater and building relationships that matter when life gets hard.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.

Why Church? - Part 2

If Jesus loves the church, shouldn't we? What if understanding Jesus' heart for the church could change everything about how we see our place in it?

In Week 2 of our "Why Church?" series, Christian Nichles explores why Jesus is so passionate about the church. This isn't about obligation—it's about discovering what Jesus sees in the church that makes it precious to Him.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.

Why Church? - Part 1

In a world where everything feels optional, what if church wasn't just good for you—what if it was essential to becoming who God made you to be?

Christian Nichles launches our "Why Church?" series by exploring what the church truly is (and isn't) according to God's design. This isn't about guilt or attendance—it's about discovering why the church is irreplaceable in your spiritual transformation.

Church was never meant to be a service you watch; it's a people we become.

 

Church Planting

Church Planting: God's Heart for Expansion with Doug Irvin

Doug Irvin delivers a compelling message on the mission and vision of church planting. This episode explores how God calls ordinary people to extraordinary work—establishing new faith communities that reach people far from God. Learn about the biblical mandate for church multiplication, the heart behind planting new churches, and what it takes to answer this calling.

Perfect for anyone curious about church planting, missions, or wanting to understand God's heart for expanding His kingdom. This message will inspire you to see your role in God's greater mission, whether you're called to plant, support, or pray for new church communities.

Rhythms - Part 4

Episode 4: "Rhythms: Practicing the Way of Jesus" - Community & Togetherness with Bradley Medford

Bradley Medford unpacks the transformative rhythm of community in this fourth episode of our series. Explore how Jesus lived in deep relationship with others and called us to the same. This message challenges our individualistic culture and reveals how genuine community becomes a pathway to experiencing God's love and growing in faith.

Ideal for anyone seeking deeper connections or wondering how to build authentic relationships, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for embracing the rhythm of togetherness that Jesus modeled.

Rhythms - Part 3

Episode 3: "Rhythms: Practicing the Way of Jesus" - Sabbath Rest with Christian Nichles

Christian Nichles guides us through the essential rhythm of Sabbath rest in this third installment of our series. In a culture that glorifies busyness, this episode reveals how Jesus practiced and calls us to embrace rest as a spiritual discipline. Learn how Sabbath isn't just about stopping work, but about creating space to encounter God and experience the renewal our souls desperately need.

Perfect for reflecting on your own pace of life, this message offers both challenge and invitation to discover the peace found in following Jesus' rhythm of rest.

Rhythms - Part 2

Episode 2: "Rhythms: Practicing the Way of Jesus" - Week 2 with Lead Pastor Clay Monkus

Building on our series foundation, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus continues exploring how Scripture reveals Jesus in transformative ways. This episode deepens our understanding of developing spiritual rhythms that reshape how we see and live. Clay offers practical guidance for cultivating consistent engagement with God's Word that leads to genuine heart change.

Perfect for deepening your spiritual practice during daily routines, this message will challenge and encourage your walk with Jesus. Don't miss this continuation of our transformative series.

Rhythms - Part 1

Episode 1: "Rhythms: Practicing the Way of Jesus" - New Series with Lead Pastor Clay Monkus

Jesus is revealed through Scripture, yet we often miss Him until we pause to truly reflect on God's Word. In this series opener, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus guides us into understanding how the Bible does more than inform—it transforms how we see Jesus and live our lives. Perfect for your daily commute or quiet reflection time, this message introduces life-changing rhythms for engaging with Scripture.

Join us as we explore how consistent time in the Word opens our eyes to recognize Jesus in ways we've never seen before. Subscribe to stay connected with this transformative journey.

Following the Way - Part 4

Listen as Christian continues our thought-provoking series "Following the Way" in this fourth installment. Through clear teaching and compelling insights, this episode explores timeless principles that have the power to transform your daily walk. Perfect for your commute or quiet moments of reflection, this message offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

This series has resonated deeply with our listeners, providing a roadmap for authentic spiritual growth in a complex world. Subscribe now to ensure you never miss an episode in this impactful journey.

Following the Way - Part 3

In this episode, Pastor Clay continues our impactful series, “Following the Way.” Though this message was shared on Mother’s Day, it’s not a holiday-specific sermon—it’s a powerful exploration of what it means to walk in the way of Jesus in our everyday lives.

Tune in for a meaningful word that will challenge, encourage, and guide you forward on your faith journey.

➡️ Don’t forget to follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Following the Way - Part 2

Following the Way - Part 1