Ashworth Road Baptist Church - West Des Moines

What fuels your fear? For King Herod, it was a lack of control and power over a baby prophesied to be King. Pastor Brent and Pastor Amy explore the story of King Herod in the book of Matthew, helping us look towards 2024 with confidence and hope instead of fear.

Who do you turn to when chaos surrounds you? Listen to this brief Christmas Eve message on our King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace: Jesus.

The birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was announced to an unexpected audience. Pastor Steve explores the story of the angels’ incredible proclamation to a group of shepherds, demonstrating that the fear of God is the fear that drives away all other fears.

What does it mean to be “favored” by the Lord? Pastor Brent explores the beautiful story of Mary as told in Luke, helping us understand her significant role in the birth of Jesus even as a young, teenage girl.

Joseph’s role in the life of Jesus was an unexpected and likely difficult one. However, he responds to God’s invitation with courage and obedience. Through his story, we learn that just because a situation is difficult and fear-provoking, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t in it.

God became flesh. It’s a simple yet profound truth that brings a holy, all-powerful God to our front doorstep. Listen as Pastor Amy helps prepare our hearts and minds to celebration the miracle of Jesus’ birth and His invitation to become the overlap between heaven and earth.

As we conclude our series on prayer and intimacy with Jesus, we give thanks. Follow along as we reflect on the goodness of God in our lives and celebrate Thanksgiving.

The story of Daniel in the Old Testament teaches us what it means to pursue God in daily, consistent prayer. Daniel knew that prayer is real, powerful, and the anchor of a life devoted to God. Pastor Brent encourages us that there’s not a wrong way to pray. Each prayer matters, whether we’re at the pit of a lion’s den or going about a typical day.

In the book of Luke, we find two very different kinds of prayers in the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee. Pastor Brent explores the heart behind our prayers, teaching us that how we pray is more about the heart than anything else. Here, we receive the mercy of God.

Jesus doesn’t just walk alongside us in the midst of life’s pain and difficulties. He’s experienced it Himself. Pastor Steve explores Mark 14, demonstrating that the eternal plan of salvation and redemption through Jesus had to come down to and through a passageway of lament. The post Lamenting with Jesus appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

If King David’s life teaches us anything in Scripture, it’s that there’s redemption and freedom found in bringing our deepest failures, sins, and regrets before God. Pastor Brent explores the power of confession demonstrated in Psalm 51 by David. Here, we find that the paradox of confession is that what should should repel us from God (our sin in light of God’s holiness) actually draws us closer. The post Confession & Prayer appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

In 1 Samuel, we find a story of suffering, perseverance, and hope. Hannah’s life and testimony teaches us that our peace comes not from what God gives us, but from God Himself. As we pray and commune with God in the midst of our suffering, He gives us exactly what we need. The post Trusting God in Prayer appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

As we conclude our series studying the book of Galatians, we learn that there’s a difference between loving to earn God’s favor and loving because you’ve experienced it. Paul demonstrates that it’s not about what you do—it’s about who you are inside. The post Freedom in the Spirit appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

In Galatians, Paul encourages the Jewish community to remove the ethnic, racial, economic, and gender barriers they’ve placed on others in order to see God and His people in a more realistic way. Here, we learn that our identity isn’t based on information or the social constructs placed on us. Its based on intimacy with a Father who adopts us into His family. The post All in the Family appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

Watch as Pastor Brent explores Galatians 3, teaching us about the relationship between the Law, God’s people, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it’s not about what we can do. It’s about what God can do through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The post First Things First appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

In Galatians 2, Paul addresses a church defined by hypocrisy. In this passage, we find that the Good News of the Gospel is not righteousness through religious practice. It’s receiving righteous position through justification. The post Hypocrisy & Justification appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

Join us for a new series focusing on the book of Galatians! This week, Pastor Brent explores the first chapter of this letter. As you listen, ask yourself: Is Christ enough? The post The True Message appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

It’s the start of a new school year and, with it, the anticipation of the big day when everyone gets a yearbook. Yearbooks can be fun to look at and sign, but what about when someone tells you, “Don’t ever change!” Pastor Brent looks at how this is often used as a negative but when people say, ‘You’ve Changed,” it actually means we are growing. And without change, we cannot begin to look more like Jesus. Explore the significance of The post You’ve Changed appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

Join us for the conclusion of our sermon series, where we’ve embarked on a journey to find God in the every day—the “In Plain Sight” series wraps up with a powerful message. Throughout this series, we’ve uncovered the subtle ways God manifests in our lives, even in the ordinary. As we looked for God, we discovered something profound: our intrinsic needs that often go unnoticed. Week by week, we’ve explored how we seek to satisfy these needs through our own The post Responding to God in Plain Sight appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.

What is it with the current cultural fascination with all things British? THe Bake Off? Dr. Who? Downton Abby? In this message titled “The British Invasion (and Other Signs We Need Other Cultures),” Pastor Brent explores the cultural fascination with British influence and how it intersects with our faith. From the timeless allure of the British Invasion to the impact of diverse cultural elements on our lives, Pastor Brent delves into the questions of why certain aspects of foreign cultures The post The British Invasion (and Other Signs We Need Other Cultures) appeared first on Ashworth Church - West Des Moines.