Uncontrolled Desires
Uncontrolled desires quietly shape the heart and pull trust away from God. Jesus invites us into freedom through renewed desires and Spirit-led transformation.
SINS OF UNBELIEF
Rejecting God’s Authority
Resisting the authority of God can take many forms — from deciding what’s best for yourself without seeking Him, to refusing to follow His guidance, to quietly ignoring Truth when it challenges your plans. You might find yourself thinking you know better, relying on your own wisdom, or pushing back against God’s ways when they don’t align with your preferences. These patterns can leave you feeling disconnected from God’s peace and unsure of your footing spiritually.
Spiritually, rejecting God’s authority isn’t merely about disobedient actions. It’s about where your heart stakes its confidence — in your own understanding or in the steadfast character of God. When you push God’s authority to the background, you miss out on the life of freedom and joy He offers through surrender to Him. But the gospel invites you into a different posture — one where you learn to trust God’s wisdom, let go of self-rule, and find strength in resting under His loving authority, not in resisting it.
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
— Judges 21:25
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
— Luke 6:46
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
— Romans 8:7
GET HOPE & HELP
Resources for Helping with Accepting God's Authority
The Law
A biblical explanation of God’s law as a gift meant to guide life, not restrict freedom, and how rejection of...
The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission
A John Piper message exploring 1 Peter 3 and how a Christian wife’s hope in God leads to fearless, beautiful...
All Authority in Heaven and Earth
A John Piper message on Jesus’ sovereign authority in heaven and earth and how that truth fuels obedience to Christ’s...
NEXT STEPS
If you’ve ever found yourself choosing your way over God’s way, questioning His guidance, or wanting to follow Him but feeling unsure how, you’re not alone. These next steps are designed to help you turn toward Jesus and find peace, purpose, and freedom in surrendering to God’s loving authority.
Repent
Repentance is more than regret—it’s a turning of the heart toward God. By naming sin honestly and choosing a new direction of obedience, we step out of hiding and into the grace, freedom, and transformation Jesus offers.
Know Jesus
Jesus isn’t just a religious figure—He’s the Savior who invites you into real life with God. Explore who He is, what He offers, and the next steps you can take to know Him personally.
Get Baptized
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation. It’s a public declaration that you have decided to follow Jesus and want to live for Him. At Sonrise, we celebrate baptisms as a church family, standing with you as you take this powerful step of obedience and faith.
Follow Jesus
Following Jesus means taking your next step with Him in real life. Find practical ways to grow through faith, spiritual practices, community, and everyday life.
NEED HELP?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin, we’d love to walk with you.
Fill out the form below and a trusted member of our team will reach out to listen, pray, and help you take a wise next step.
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Status & Success
A look at how achievement and recognition can begin to define identity and worth, and how the gospel invites us to rest in who we are in Christ, not what we accomplish.
Sins of Material Commission
When our choices harm others through greed, dishonesty, or exploitation, this page explores how those actions affect the heart — and how Jesus offers forgiveness, restoration, and a better way forward.
AN INVITATION TO JOIN US AT SONRISE
At Sonrise Church, we believe real life change happens when people encounter Jesus, walk in truth, and grow together in community. You are welcome here—no matter your past, your struggles, or where you’re starting from. Join us this Sunday to take your next step toward freedom and formation with us. Jesus changes everything.
Sonrise Church
Service Times:
- Sunday : 9:00 AM (1st Service)
- Sunday : 10:40 AM (2nd Service)
At Sonrise Church in Santee, CA, we understand how easy it can be to push back against God’s authority — especially when life’s pressures make self-reliance feel safer or when God’s guidance seems inconvenient or uncomfortable. In East County San Diego, many people wrestle with choosing their own path, relying on their own wisdom, or quietly setting aside God’s voice in daily decision-making. Sonrise Church offers compassionate teaching and community rooted in Scripture that helps you explore what it means to trust God’s authority and follow Him with confidence.
In Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lakeside, our church family learns together how surrendering to God’s authority doesn’t limit freedom — it brings peace, purpose, and joy that come from trusting in His wisdom and care. Jesus models what it means to live under God’s authority with courage and love, and He invites you into that same life of faithful trust. If you’re longing for clarity, peace, and a deeper walk with God, Sonrise Church in East County San Diego is a place to take your next steps with others on the same journey of faith.
Come discover how the gospel reshapes your heart toward trust, surrender, and a life lived under God’s loving authority.