Out Of The Shallows... And Into The Deep | New Year Message 2026 | Pastor Nathan Pittman

This message challenges us to move beyond surface-level Christianity into a transformative relationship with Jesus that changes everything about how we live. The core insight here is powerful: entering into a relationship with Christ isn't the finish line, it's day one of a limitless journey. We're reminded through Ephesians 3:8 about the 'unsearchable riches of Christ'—a Greek term meaning something that cannot be fully explored. Think about that. We'll never reach a point where we've exhausted who God is or what He wants to reveal to us. The message draws on beautiful imagery from Psalm 63, describing a soul-level thirst for God like someone desperate for water in a desert. This isn't about religious obligation or checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list. It's about cultivating an insatiable desire to know more of Jesus, to drink deeply from His presence. When we pursue depth over obligation, everything shifts. Prayer stops being a chore and becomes conversation with someone we love. Bible reading transforms from duty into discovery. The message also addresses our fears honestly—we often stay in the shallow end because it feels safe and predictable. But like Peter stepping out of the boat, we're called to trust that Jesus won't let us sink when we step into the deep waters of faith. This is an invitation to let 2026 be marked not by superficial resolutions but by a soul-deep commitment to know Christ in ways we never have before.