March 26th, 2025
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
In the mid to early 2000s, it was common in central KY to see people driving around town with the word “Questapalooza” written on the back of their windshields. You would see them everywhere. Everyone, Christian or non-Christian, knew the word well. Questapalooza was a concert festival put on by Quest Community Church every year in Lexington, KY. They would bring in big-named artists from Christian music, and thousands would come to be part of the festivities. At that point in time, Quest was the “it” church in central KY. It was getting more publicity than Southland Christian or Immanuel Baptist Church. Their Sr. Minister, Pete Hise, was starting to get calls to speak nationally on the conference circuit. Quest seemed to be bulletproof…..but something happened.
Over the course of several years, many members of Quest found themselves wanting more. They learned of Jesus there, but there was little to no depth in the teaching. Others had only gone once and felt threatened by the intensity of the members who constantly challenged whether they were “saved” or not. Small cracks started to form in the foundation. Even Questapalooza, the church’s biggest outreach event of the year, was canceled. Something wasn't right, and the people were feeling it.
In September 2014, Sr. Minister Pete Hise stepped down from his position as Sr. Minister after admitting to a relationship with a female in the church that “led to the crossing of physical boundaries while stopping short of sexual intercourse.” The worst part about this was that it was with another member of the ministerial staff. Their relationship sent shockwaves throughout the church that caused several to question their faith and many to leave.
The scandal rocked the church so much that they rebranded as Lex City Church. This was seen as an opportunity to “relaunch” and “reset” the maligned congregation. For the next few years, it really seemed as though the ship had been righted and all was well. Then, in the summer of 2024, the church was rocked with the news that their executive pastor, Zachary King, had been in an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl starting from the time she was 15 from January of 2023 to April of 2024. Following his arrest and all the legal fees the church had to pay, Lex City Church closed its doors. On July 10th, they sent a letter out to all their members letting them know that the church would be closing its doors permanently.
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.”
Isaiah 1:11
As we discussed yesterday, God detests sin. When sin is hidden, He detests it. When it’s made public, it makes God’s Bride look bad. God is not a fan of that. He won’t stand for that. In the mid to late 700s BC, Isaiah warned the people of Israel of what their fate would be if they continued to live in rebellion against God. The Assyians were at their front door and ready to conquer God’s people, and God wasn’t going to save them this time. Their sin had grown so deep that He didn’t even want them to celebrate the many feasts of their calendar. Those feasts were meant to worship God, but they had lost their meaning to many of God’s people. God had no room for their empty celebrations and sacrifices. He continues in verse 12.
“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”
Isaiah 1:12–15
If I was an Israelite of that time, I would’ve been shaken to my core. The God of the universe and protector of our people has just told us He won’t defend us, and His eyes are hidden from us. No God-fearing Jew would ever want to hear this, but the words had been said. Thankfully, God didn’t stop there. He didn’t leave them hopeless. He had a solution for their issues, but it was on them to carry it out.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 1:18–20
As we read that, we see similar images to what we hear in the New Testament: our sins being washed away and sin becoming like wool. In 1 John, we read all about this. God sees sin as filth, and the only way to remove filth is through cleansing.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
We also know that Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Later, Isaiah would talk about a man being like a sheep in a prophecy about Jesus.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
God never promised the nation of Israel that they wouldn’t have to pay for their sins, but he did let them know that there was one who was coming who could redeem them. It took hundreds of years, but Jesus finally came and took on all of those sins and the sins of us today, put them on His back, and gave His life to make us white as snow. Pure gold comes from a refiner’s fire. Through the intense heat and breaking down of the precious metal, it is made pure. God had to let His justice play out so that His people could receive their redemption. He does the same with us, and just like Israel, He calls for our willingness and our obedience.
Over the course of several years, many members of Quest found themselves wanting more. They learned of Jesus there, but there was little to no depth in the teaching. Others had only gone once and felt threatened by the intensity of the members who constantly challenged whether they were “saved” or not. Small cracks started to form in the foundation. Even Questapalooza, the church’s biggest outreach event of the year, was canceled. Something wasn't right, and the people were feeling it.
In September 2014, Sr. Minister Pete Hise stepped down from his position as Sr. Minister after admitting to a relationship with a female in the church that “led to the crossing of physical boundaries while stopping short of sexual intercourse.” The worst part about this was that it was with another member of the ministerial staff. Their relationship sent shockwaves throughout the church that caused several to question their faith and many to leave.
The scandal rocked the church so much that they rebranded as Lex City Church. This was seen as an opportunity to “relaunch” and “reset” the maligned congregation. For the next few years, it really seemed as though the ship had been righted and all was well. Then, in the summer of 2024, the church was rocked with the news that their executive pastor, Zachary King, had been in an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl starting from the time she was 15 from January of 2023 to April of 2024. Following his arrest and all the legal fees the church had to pay, Lex City Church closed its doors. On July 10th, they sent a letter out to all their members letting them know that the church would be closing its doors permanently.
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.”
Isaiah 1:11
As we discussed yesterday, God detests sin. When sin is hidden, He detests it. When it’s made public, it makes God’s Bride look bad. God is not a fan of that. He won’t stand for that. In the mid to late 700s BC, Isaiah warned the people of Israel of what their fate would be if they continued to live in rebellion against God. The Assyians were at their front door and ready to conquer God’s people, and God wasn’t going to save them this time. Their sin had grown so deep that He didn’t even want them to celebrate the many feasts of their calendar. Those feasts were meant to worship God, but they had lost their meaning to many of God’s people. God had no room for their empty celebrations and sacrifices. He continues in verse 12.
“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”
Isaiah 1:12–15
If I was an Israelite of that time, I would’ve been shaken to my core. The God of the universe and protector of our people has just told us He won’t defend us, and His eyes are hidden from us. No God-fearing Jew would ever want to hear this, but the words had been said. Thankfully, God didn’t stop there. He didn’t leave them hopeless. He had a solution for their issues, but it was on them to carry it out.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 1:18–20
As we read that, we see similar images to what we hear in the New Testament: our sins being washed away and sin becoming like wool. In 1 John, we read all about this. God sees sin as filth, and the only way to remove filth is through cleansing.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
We also know that Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Later, Isaiah would talk about a man being like a sheep in a prophecy about Jesus.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
God never promised the nation of Israel that they wouldn’t have to pay for their sins, but he did let them know that there was one who was coming who could redeem them. It took hundreds of years, but Jesus finally came and took on all of those sins and the sins of us today, put them on His back, and gave His life to make us white as snow. Pure gold comes from a refiner’s fire. Through the intense heat and breaking down of the precious metal, it is made pure. God had to let His justice play out so that His people could receive their redemption. He does the same with us, and just like Israel, He calls for our willingness and our obedience.
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What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
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We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
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Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
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