This sermon was delivered by a series of youth speakers at Word of Life Church, each offering heartfelt testimonies and scriptural messages about the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The central theme running throughout the message is that faith is not about outward appearances or religious habits but about a personal, life-altering relationship with Christ.

Read the summarized highlights of the sermon below, or listen to the full sermon here.

Sermon Highlights

Faith Begins With Gratitude and Obedience

Warren, a young baseball player, opens with a message about gratitude, acknowledging that he has no notes prepared but trusts God to speak through him. He emphasizes how meaningful it is for youth to be given the platform to share their faith, saying, “There is no better place to be than up here talking with y’all or down here praising the Lord.”

Personal Faith Over Inherited Religion

Isabela shared from Deuteronomy 30:11-20, highlighting that faith is a personal choice, not something passed down or absorbed from others. She remarks that “The relationship of your parents, of your wife, your husband, your friends, don’t define your relationship with Him. [...] Christianity is a decision that starts in our head, not in our heart, because our heart is emotions. Emotions pass fast.”

A Warning Against Shallow Christianity

Manuela offered a powerful challenge to superficial faith, citing the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19. She warned against confusing church attendance with true discipleship: “Just going to church does not define a Christian.” Further, she asserts that “Testimony is not about your accomplishments. Testimony is about declaring who Christ is in your life.”

God Redeems Even the Most Painful Circumstances

Pedro gave a deeply personal and emotional testimony about growing up in an abusive home, experiencing violence, trauma, and rejection by his mother. Through it all, God met him, rescued him, and changed his life through faith and the support of a church community. His message is simple: “He [God] changed my reality. [...] He sent someone to save me. He heard me.”

Pride vs. Surrender: The Choice to Follow Christ

Evie, an American student, shared how her passion for soccer once consumed her identity — until a devastating injury led her to reevaluate everything. Through community and Bible study, she found renewed purpose. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called,” she observes. “God doesn’t delete your past; He turns it into a testimony Satan wished never existed.”

Closing Analogy: Plates vs. Frisbees

The final speaker used a memorable metaphor to tie the message together. They said that plates represent how the world sees youth: ordinary, limited, and breakable. Conversely, Frisbees, once turned upside down, represent the transformative power of God. Suddenly, the same person becomes full of potential, direction, and purpose. They pointed out that “Christ turned my life upside down. His mom was treating him like a plate. God wanted him to be a Frisbee.”

The speaker finished by saying, “If you feel like you’re in plate mode, and you want to be in Frisbee mode, I’d encourage you to give it a shot.”

The sermon closed with a call to surrender to Christ, not just in public moments but in daily living. Faith isn’t about performance; it’s about abiding in Christ. The youth demonstrated how raw honesty, vulnerability, and spiritual passion can build a strong foundation for the future.

Tune Into the Word With Word of Life Church

Word of Life Church is dedicated to making the world a better place by spreading the Word and love of God. Our mission is to create an authentic, welcoming worship community and to empower Christians to live a life of faith and service in the name of Jesus.

To that end, we have two convenient locations serving both North and South Wichita, and we also offer accessible church services to support you in your journey. If you’re unable to attend in-person church services, you can watch our live stream sermons or listen to our podcast sermons from the comfort of your home or preferred location. If English isn’t your primary language, you can take advantage of our weekly international and Spanish-language services.

Our church offerings include a variety of worship experiences, LifeGroups, youth programs, and service initiatives for individuals of all ages, all designed to offer community and opportunities to engage with God and enhance a mindset of gratitude. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you!