The book of Nehemiah doesn’t end the way we might expect. After the victory of rebuilding the wall and a national spiritual renewal, chapter 13 brings us into deeply uncomfortable territory: everything falls apart.

In Pulling Our Hair Out, Pastor Kelly Kinder unpacks the closing chapter of Nehemiah and what it reveals about the fragility of human faithfulness. It’s not a fairytale ending—it’s a real-world snapshot of what happens when we stop tending to our spiritual lives.

While Nehemiah was away, spiritual compromise crept back in. The temple was misused. Ministry was neglected. The Sabbath was disregarded. Marriages were defiled. Nehemiah didn’t ignore it—he confronted it with courage and clarity.

Kelly walks us through the four areas Nehemiah had to clean house:
1. Compromise in Purity
An enemy of God, Tobiah, had been given residence in the temple. Nehemiah threw him out—literally. It’s a powerful image of what it means to cleanse our lives from subtle spiritual compromises.

2. Neglect in Giving
The Levites and temple servants weren’t being supported, so they left their ministry posts. Nehemiah restores order and calls the people to recommit their resources. It challenges us to consider whether we’re faithfully supporting God’s work.

3. Disregard of the Sabbath
The people had returned to doing business on the day God had set apart for rest and worship. Nehemiah shuts the city gates and calls the people to honor what God designed for their good.

4. Defilement of Marriage
Intermarriage with foreign nations had diluted their spiritual identity. Nehemiah’s response is intense—but so is the danger of spiritual compromise through unaligned relationships.

Kelly doesn’t sugarcoat it: spiritual decline is rarely sudden—it’s usually subtle. Like a tire with a slow leak, you don’t notice the danger until you’re stuck. That’s why vigilance matters.

The final words of the book—“Remember me, O my God, for good”—are a humble reminder that even the most faithful leaders need grace. And that grace is found not in our performance, but in Christ, the perfect covenant-keeper.

If you’ve noticed a spiritual leak in your life, this message invites you not to shame, but to restoration. God is ready to meet you where you are—and rebuild what’s been compromised.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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What if your joy could be heard far away? That’s exactly what happened in Nehemiah 12, where the people of God celebrated with such exuberance that their joy echoed beyond the city walls. In this message, Joy Filled Living, Pastor Tyler Lynde walks us through what true, contagious joy looks like—and how we can live it out today.

Tyler begins by unpacking the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is circumstantial; it fades as quickly as it comes. But joy is enduring—it takes root in our relationship with God and grows through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Nehemiah 12, we don’t just see a community celebrating a successful construction project—we see a people restored by God, rejoicing with a depth that external circumstances can’t touch.

Tyler identifies three essential elements that shaped this joy-filled celebration: an attitude of gratitude, a heart of worship, and a firm understanding that joy comes from God.

The first is gratitude. The Israelites gave thanks not just because the walls were finished, but because their hearts were full. Tyler reminded us how easy it is to slip into negativity, but how Scripture calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18). Gratitude transforms our perspective and aligns us with the joy God wants to give.

Next is worship. Nehemiah 12 describes music, singing, and processions around the city. Worship wasn’t a side note—it was the center of the celebration. Tyler emphasized that when we choose worship—even in hard seasons—God meets us there. Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

Finally, Tyler reminds us that joy is a gift. Nehemiah 12:43 says, “God had made them rejoice with great joy.” This wasn’t manufactured; it was God-given. And it wasn’t limited to leaders or men—it included women and children, showing us God’s joy is for everyone.

Jesus Himself endured the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Heb. 12:2). That joy? Us. Through Him, we’re offered not just salvation, but joy that strengthens us, sustains us, and overflows to others.

Whether you’re celebrating or struggling, this message is a call to reclaim the joy that’s already yours in Christ.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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What if the world could see your faith lived out—unfiltered and unhidden? In Living in Glass Houses, Pastor Tyler Lynde explores Nehemiah 11 and the powerful call for believers to live lives of visible holiness.

As Jerusalem’s walls were rebuilt, the city still needed to be filled with people willing to live there. While the leaders led the way, others had to be chosen by lot to repopulate the holy city. Tyler unpacks why so many hesitated: living in Jerusalem meant living under constant watch. It was a city set apart, and living there came with heightened expectations. The parallels to modern Christian life are striking—we too are called to live as a “city on a hill,” with our lives pointing others to God.

Holiness is not optional for the believer—it’s our identity. But it doesn’t begin with behavior; it begins with God. Tyler points to Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6, where the prophet encounters God’s holiness and is immediately undone. That same holiness still transforms today. As Scripture teaches, everything God is and does is utterly holy—and those who belong to Him are called to reflect that.

Drawing from 1 Timothy 4:12, Tyler breaks down five areas where holiness shows up: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Holiness isn’t just about avoiding sin—it’s about becoming like Christ in every aspect of our lives.

But here’s the freedom: we don’t have to manufacture holiness ourselves. Tyler reminds us that Jesus, the only one to live a perfectly holy life, offers His holiness to us through the cross. And through the Holy Spirit, we’re empowered to live in a way that’s not just outwardly different, but inwardly transformed. Romans 8 says the same Spirit that raised Christ now lives in us—that’s the power we rely on.

Living transparently, with nothing to hide, isn’t about performance—it’s about reflection. When we live holy lives, others get a glimpse of Jesus. And in a world filled with pretense, that kind of authenticity is deeply compelling.

The question is: will we embrace our “glass house”? Will we accept the call to holiness, not as a burden but as an opportunity to shine with the light of Christ?

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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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.
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Join Pastor Kelly Kinder in The Passion Project for Revival at the Water Gate, where the aftermath of Jerusalem’s swiftly rebuilt walls sets the stage for a spiritual revolution. Nehemiah may have orchestrated the external restoration, but Kelly highlights how Ezra steps in to guide the internal renewal. At the heart of this story is a gathering at the Water Gate—a communal hunger for God’s Word that sparks a deep, lasting transformation.

Rather than being forced, men and women crowd together because they long to hear Scripture read aloud. For six straight hours, they listen, fully engaged. Kelly emphasizes that this remarkable focus underscores the people’s desperation for divine truth. By demanding, “Bring the Book,” they acknowledge the one source capable of healing their spiritual emptiness.

Ezra’s elevated wooden platform symbolizes the rightful place of God’s Word—lifted above all human opinion. As he opens the Scriptures, the people stand, then bow in reverent worship. Thirteen Levitical priests circulate, ensuring everyone grasps the meaning behind the text. Understanding triggers a tidal wave of tears, revealing both awareness of their distance from God and renewed hope in His mercy. Kelly points out that Scripture can mirror our brokenness and simultaneously move us toward joy, reminding us that true strength lies in “the joy of the Lord.”

Yet this revival doesn’t stall at emotional catharsis. The very next day, leaders return to study further, discovering a forgotten command about celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Their immediate obedience results in overwhelming joy, demonstrating that revival extends beyond initial conviction to ongoing action. Kelly stresses this crucial progression: from hearing and understanding the Word to letting it radically shape everyday life.

Throughout his message, Kelly draws parallels to our world today, where spiritual famine abounds but genuine hunger for God’s Word can still spark a profound awakening. Whether you’re yearning for personal renewal or longing to see transformation ripple through your community, the pattern remains the same: approach Scripture with reverence, humility, and an open heart, and then align your actions with its commands. As Kelly reminds us, it all starts with one simple step—“Bring the Book”—because revival finds its truest spark when the Bible moves from neglected text to guiding light in our lives.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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In The Passion Project, Pastor Kelly Kinder explores the reality of feeling physically full yet spiritually empty—and how biblical fasting can reignite our hunger for God. Kelly, known just as Kelly when he dives into Scripture, draws from passages like John 4 and Matthew 6 to demonstrate that giving up physical sustenance positions us to receive the far greater nourishment of God’s presence and power.

Kelly begins by distinguishing fasting from merely “not eating.” Instead, it’s the intentional act of refocusing our attention on the Lord, echoing David Mathis’s insight that fasting is a tool designed to channel our “holy discontent” in a fallen world. Throughout history, from the early church’s twice-weekly fasts to present-day disciple-making movements abroad, believers have embraced this practice as a catalyst for revival. Kelly notes that such devotion cultivates an environment where we “partner with God to bring the kingdom into our midst.”

Digging deeper, Kelly identifies four key benefits of fasting. First, it creates opportunities for kingdom encounters, as seen when Jesus prioritized His Father’s will over food in John 4. Second, it carries a special reward. Drawing on Matthew 6, Kelly points out that Jesus promises God’s reward for those who fast sincerely. Third, fasting fuels spiritual power over opposition. Kelly highlights Jesus’ words about certain challenges that can only be conquered “by prayer and fasting,” illustrating how addictions, shame, and unbelief often loosen their grip when confronted with this discipline. Finally, fasting paves the way for the kingdom to expand beyond us. Kelly asks if our churches might remain stagnant because we haven’t tapped into the dynamism that comes from persistent prayer and fasting.

By weaving in practical considerations—like examining motives, choosing a specific type of fast, and clinging to God’s promises—Kelly paints a clear picture of how to step into this life-changing practice. The heart of the matter isn’t legalism but longing: are we hungry enough for God to temporarily forsake lesser appetites? As 1 Corinthians 4:20 reminds us, the kingdom is about power rather than mere talk, and fasting is one avenue God uses to unleash that power. If you’re yearning for deeper spiritual breakthroughs—for yourself, your family, or your community—Kelly challenges you to pick up this ancient practice and rediscover a form of worship that can reshape your faith.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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