Messages Archive
Hope. Real Hope. Not just fantasy wishing. It certainly seems in short supply, if at all existent. As Follower of Jesus we have been told that we have a Hope that will not disappoint. Great in theory, but how do we make it practical? This Sunday we will take that journey together.
Scripture: Exodus 5:22-6:12, Romans 15:13
Our songs together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Ancient of Days - CityAlight
Grace - The Gettys
We draw into Luke's Gospel where we see a story filled with unexpected characters chosen as the first recipients of the good news. How does Jesus’ arrival challenge what the world sees as power and influence? What fears might God be inviting you to release as you remember that God is with us? We celebrate Christ, the Savior and Lord.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:9-14 (second reading, Children’s ministry)
Reflect together:
Consider the difficult realities surrounding Jesus’ birth: the Roman census, traveling while pregnant and giving birth in a manger. How might these realities help shift the way I endure challenging circumstances in my life? What might the Spirit be birthing in my story?
All who heard the Shepherds were amazed, but Mary held these things close to her heart and considered them seriously. This advent season, what is the Spirit inviting you to treasure and ponder?
In what ways has ‘God with us’ been good news and brought great joy in your story? In what ways can your presence, speech and actions embody and extend that same joy to others?
The angels opened the announcement with "Do not be afraid." What fears or anxieties might God be inviting you to surrender?
Our songs together:
Peace Has Come - Hillsong
Joyful Joyful
All Glory Be To Christ
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Life was messy for Mary after saying that she was the Lord’s servant and humbly accepted the role of being mother to the Messiah. Her dreams and plans took a distant second place to the role God wanted her to be part of. Life can get messy for us as well. Having a real relationship with Jesus does not mean that all the broken parts disappear or that no hard times will come. We live in a broken world and in broken stories. What it does mean is that the Love of the Lord will carry us through all of these moments in ways we could never have expected.
Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38
Our songs together:
God with us - All Sons and Daughters
Behold (then sings my soul) - Hillsong
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Living Hope - Phil Wickham
Is it possible to find comfort in discomfort, to cling to hope in despair? When we find ourselves in the wilderness, how might Isaiah’s promises of restoration resonate in our own story of healing and expectation. Join us for the second Sunday of Advent.
Scripture reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Reflect together:
Where can I see glimpses of God's comforting presence in the midst of my own wilderness What new beginnings or new possibilities might God be birthing in my story as an outcome from this wilderness?
What ‘mountains,’ ‘valleys’ or obstacles in my life need to be leveled or raised to prepare for a deeper experience of God’s presence this Advent?
How have I experienced God’s comfort or transforming power in wilderness seasons? How can I offer God's comfort to others who are walking their own wildernesses? In what practical ways can I embody the comfort that Isaiah speaks of?
Our songs together:
King of Kings - Hillsong
Peace Has Come - Hillsong
Come Thou Fount
Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight
The Israelites have returned from exile only to find the Temple is destroyed and Jerusalem lay in ruins. In Isaiah 64, the prophet begs that God would tear open the heavens, that he would come down and make things right. In the midst of disappointment and longing, he invites us to look in the mirror and see our collective need for redemption. Join us for this first Sunday of Advent.
Scripture reading: Isaiah 64
Reflect together:
Isaiah expresses a longing for God to “rend the heavens and come down.” How does this vivid imagery resonate with your own desires for God's intervention in your life and in the world?
How does the metaphor of our righteousness acts being like “filthy rags” challenge your understanding of personal righteousness and self-sufficiency? In what ways might this prompt you to rely more deeply on God's grace rather than your own efforts?
The prophet speaks of God as the potter and us as the clay. When God, in his sovereignty, first imagined you - who did he see? What may need to change in your posture or perspective to become more malleable in the hands of the Potter?
Our songs together:
All Who are Thirsty
O Come O Come Emmanuel
It is Well - Bethel
Christ the King Sunday
How do we sing with joy in God's presence while navigating the wilderness of our own doubts and mistakes? Do you often find yourself experiencing the tension of trust and hesitation? Psalm 95 affirms that this is a dance as old as faith itself, the psalmist’s experience echoes the contrasts in our own life.
Scripture reading: Psalm 95
This is the second of two messages on the Psalms to prepare us for the Advent season
Respond Together:
The Psalm recalls choices made by the Israelites during their wilderness pilgrimage. What lessons can I learn from past experiences where I’ve either trusted God or leaned on my own strength and understanding? How can these lessons shape my future decisions?
“Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts...” What does the 'voice of God' sound like in my life, and how am I responding to it? Are there areas where my heart has become hardened?"
How do the people around me influence my ability to trust God and surrender? Am I conscious of the ways that I encourage or hinder others in this journey?"
Our songs together:
King of Kings - Hillsong
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Good to Me - Audrey Assad
From the Inside Out - Hillsong
In Psalm 90, Moses stands at the threshold of eternity and pens a prayer that cuts to the heart of human experience. In this ancient poem we find a reflection on the brevity of our days against the backdrop of God’s eternity. Join us as we unearth wisdom that calls us to live fully here and now.
Scripture reading: Psalm 90
This is one of two weeks of messages on the Psalms in preparation for the Advent Season
(Audio unavailable for this week)
Respond Together:
As you navigate the landscapes of profound grief, loss and the fragility of life, how might the assurance of God’s unchanging character and presence as ‘dwelling place for all generations’ offer us grounding peace?
What does gaining ‘a heart of wisdom’ mean to you in the context of life's brevity? How can this wisdom manifest in habits and practices that can be cultivated over time?
As Moses ponders the weight of his life, he prays that God would, ‘establish the work of our hands for us.’ How does this prayer shape your perspective of work, creativity, or service?
Our songs together:
Better is One Day - Matt Redman
Goodness of God - CityAlight
Morning by Morning - Pat Barrett
Only a Holy God - CityAlight
What would it mean to have Jesus work with us in our story? Can we take a Sabbath from the way we would normally do things and with His leading work with Him directly in all of our tasks? What would our stories look like? What if Sabbath is learning how to let Jesus be a real conscious part of all that we do?"
Scripture reading: Luke 5:1-11
This is Week 9 of our series on Sabbath
Our songs together:
What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong
Yours (Glory and Praise) - Elevation Worship
The Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight
Grace - The Gettys
Have you ever had the feeling that you are chasing rest that always seems just beyond your reach? What if that rest was never meant to be chased, but entered—like stepping out of hiding into the open? The writer of Hebrews talks about a rest so rich, so vibrant, it stretches from the creation of the universe right into your own heartbeat. Engage the art of Sabbath and discover a peace that's been available all along.
Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:1-11
This is Week 8 of our series on Sabbath
Respond Together:
If your life was written as a story, what title would you give to your current chapter? Is it ‘The Pursuit’, ‘Numb,’ ‘Waiting,’ ‘The Striving’, or are you ready to turn the page to 'Embracing Rest'?"
Bruggemann says “People who keep sabbath live all seven days differently.” How might keeping sabbath shape your daily presence, posture and witness to everyone around you?
Reflect on the last time you experienced true peace — can you recall the experience, the time, the place? What if that peace was just a glimpse, a shadow of something far greater available to you each day?
Our songs Together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Build My Life - Elevation Worship
Simple Gospel - United Pursuit / I Could Sing of Your love - Delirious?
Nothing With You - The Worship Initiative
Why does God seem to speak so softly in a world that is desperate to hear a thundering voice? In the isolated confines of a cave, Elijah experienced God's presence not in dramatic winds or raging fires, but in a gentle whisper. Sabbath calls us to set aside a sanctuary in time where we can hear the still small voice of God.
Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:9-13
This is Week 7 of our series on Sabbath
Respond together:
What do you think of the idea that Sabbath is a “sanctuary in time” How often do I create spaces of stillness? Could the absence of these ‘sanctuaries in time’ be drowning out God's voice in my life?
Walter Brueggemann sees the question to Elijah as one that shows YHWH’s life and Elijah’s life are “inextricably linked.” How do you see your personal story weaving into the tapestry of God's overarching story?"
When the beliefs deep in your soul seem to clash with the unexpected, how do you remind yourself of God's unchanging presence, just as He was with Elijah? What are tangible practices that help anchor yourself in the promise that you're never truly alone?"
What are the rivals to God’s voice in my story? What are the "earthquakes," "winds," and "fires" in my life that drown out God's whisper?
Our songs together:
Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me - CityAlight
God with Us - All Sons and Daughters
Nothing I Hold Onto - United Pursuit Band
“Meh.” While navigating the realities of life, this exasperated sigh captures the all too common state of not necessarily being depressed but not feeling a sense of thriving either. Do you ever find yourself grieving a loss of a future you envisioned? There is a universal longing for wholeness, a rest for our soul. Jesus invites us, not to another appointment, task or errand we don’t want to do; but to the true “unforced rhythms of grace.”
Scripture reading: Matthew 11:28-30
This is Week 6 of our series on Sabbath
Reflect Together:
The yoke is a symbol of submission and shared work. What does it mean for me, in my current season of life, to take on Jesus' yoke? How is His yoke ‘kind’ and His burden 'light' when compared to the yoke of the world?
The Greek word for ‘gentle’ communicates a ‘strength under control.’ How can I model the gentle and humble heart of Jesus in our relationships and daily actions?
In what ways might my understanding of 'rest' differ from the ‘rest for your soul’ that Jesus offers? How does my inner being respond to Jesus’ invitation to find rest in him? Do I feel hard-hearted, resistance, relief, yearning or something else entirely? What might these feelings reveal?
Our songs together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Whole Heart - Hillsong
Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight
Gratitude - Brandon Lake
What if the rhythm of the land, with its seasons of production and rest, mirrors the rhythm that our bodies and souls yearn for? In a world racing forward, God, through the Bible; whispers a timeless secret: true flourishing comes when we, and the world around us, are allowed to breathe. Are we listening?
Scripture reading: Leviticus 25:1-7
This is Week 5 of our series on Sabbath
Respond together:
The act of leaving the land fallow is an act of trust, relinquishing control for a season.
In what areas of your life are you struggling to let go and trust, rather than trying to constantly produce or control?
The ancient Israelites saw the land as a direct gift from God. How does this perspective change the way you view and interact with nature? How does it influence your daily choices Every purchase, every choice we make has a ripple effect on the environment. Are there habits or patterns in your life that, upon reflection, might need reconsideration in light of being a steward of creation?
The Sabbatical year wasn't just for individual farmers but for the entire community. How can we make choices that not only benefit us but also the world around us?
Our songs together:
Holy Spirit - Jesus Culture
‘Tis So Sweet
Goodness of God - Bethel
King of My Heart - John Mark McMillan
Have you ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of doing, accomplishing, and striving? The words of the prophet Isaiah and the actions of Jesus help us discover that Sabbath saves us from our relentless self-driven paths. It's a reminder that Sabbath isn't a burdensome command; it's a gift crafted for our wholeness.
Scripture reading: Isiah 58:13-14, Mark 2:23-28
This is Week 4 in our series on Sabbath
Reflect together:
What is your 'doing as you please' that keeps you from experiencing the true delight of Sabbath? What self-driven paths have become so familiar that they rob you of the deeper joy God promises? In our world where work follows us with 24/7 connectivity, what would it look like for you to genuinely 'not go your own way' for a day? What might you discover in the quiet, in the stillness?
"The Sabbath was made for man." God crafted Sabbath as a gift with you in mind. How might you embrace that gift as a habit, not as an obligation, but as an intimate invitation?
Isaiah speaks of calling the Sabbath a 'delight.' Imagine a week where your Sabbath is the North Star. How would that reshape the other six days? What might you let go of? What might you lean into?
Our songs together:
What Love my God - CityAlight
Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
He Will Hold Me Fast - Shane and Shane
As we explore Exodus 16, we are invited to re-examine the 'Egypts' that we cling to — the unseen chains that keep us enslaved. Join us Sunday as we see how Sabbath is an act of resistance in a world with an insatiable appetite for more. May we reclaim our humanity, learn to trust, to pause, and remember that we are no longer slaves.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 16
This is week 3 of our sermon series on Sabbath
Respond Together:
What are the "Egypts" in your life — the habits, environments, or relationships — that you find hard to leave, even though they hold you in bondage?
How can we support one another in stepping out of our personal "Egypts" and journeying towards the "promised land" God has for us? In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God's provision, similar to the Israelites' fear of not having enough manna?
How are you currently observing Sabbath in your life, if at all? What changes might you need to make to truly embrace Sabbath as a time of resistance to society's demands? How does the incessant cycle of production and consumption affect your self-worth? Can you envision a life where your value is not tied to your productivity?
Songs Together:
Tethered to the Cross - Danny O’Callaghan
‘Tis So Sweet
Simple Gospel - United Pursuit / I Could Sing of Your Love - Delirious?
Gratitude - Brandon Lake
In a world that is quick to bind us with chains of expectation and judgment, imagine a Sabbath that sets people free, free from the weights we bear, and invites us to stand upright. This Sunday, journey with us through Deuteronomy 5 and Luke 13, where Jesus reveals the Sabbath as a day where the broken are made whole, the oppressed are set free, and God's loving-kindness is manifest in transformative ways.
Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Luke 13:10-17
This is week 2 on our series on Sabbath
Reflect together:
In what areas of your life are you experiencing constraint, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and how can you invite Christ's liberating power into those areas? How can our community continue to grow as a space of renewal and wholeness for people who are bound by various forms of oppression?
How can you embody the true spirit of the Sabbath, a time set aside for rest and renewal, beyond mere rule-following?
How does seeing yourself as a "child of Abraham," a phrase Jesus uses to affirm the woman's identity and worth; impact your understanding of your own value and place in the community of faith? How can we foster a community where every member's identity as a child of God is recognized and celebrated, breaking free from any forces that seek to devalue or marginalize?
Our songs together:
Holy Spirit - Jesus Culture
Come as You Are - Crowder
No Long Slaves - Bethel Worship
Another in the Fire - Hillsong (Baptism)
Many people think of God as being eager to punish them for their sin. This is not true! And yet, in Exodus 34:7, God is clear that He “does not leave the guilty unpunished... laying the sins of the parents on the children... to the third and fourth generation.” So what on earth does that mean?! Is God really going to punish our kids for our sin? Is this to be believed? And how can God still be good and beautiful if this is true?
Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:6-7
This is the second message from our guest Pastor Jeff Jantzi on this passage.
Reflect together: Additional Notes from the Elders
Our songs together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
Ancient of Days - CityAlight
Yet not I But Through Christ in Me - CityAlight
Since the beginning, the universe has pulsed with a rhythm that continues to this day - work and rest. Movement and stillness. Dive into the Scriptures as we explore the 'why' behind our work and the beauty of rest. Join us this Sunday as we begin a series on Sabbath and what it means for the people of God to embody rest in a restless world.
Scripture reading: Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11
This is Week 1 of our series on Sabbath
Reflect together:
In Genesis, God rested after the work of creation: How does this divine rhythm of work and rest challenge the way you approach your own work and rest each week?
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, valued only for their labor. When God commands rest in the form of Sabbath, it was a radical shift from this. How does the idea that your value isn't solely based on your productivity resonate with you?
By observing the Sabbath, the Israelites had to trust that God would provide for their needs. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to trust that if you rest, everything will still be okay? The Sabbath wasn't just an individual practice; it was a communal one. How might the concept of shared rest strengthen our connections to one another?
Our songs together:
Graves Into Gardens - Elevation Worship
Come as You Are - Crowder
Lord I Need You - Matt Maher
Rest On Us (response) - Maverick City Worship
What if transformation was less about trying harder but about surrendering more? Romans 12:1-2 invites us into a life where our hearts and minds are shaped, not by the noise of the world, but by aligning ourselves with the way of Jesus. A renewed mind, a transformed life - it's closer than you think.
Respond together:
What if your life became your offering, your true and proper worship? Where are you holding back, and where are you giving everything? Where is the line between the sacred and the everyday, or is there a line at all?
How's your mind and heart conforming to the noisy patterns of this world? Can you feel it happening in certain areas? How can you swim against the cultural flow and what practices can help you resist? Do you have regular habits that draw you into prayer and community? (ie. Formation Groups, spiritual disciplines, a rosary liturgy or specific times of prayer)
The wisdom literature reads: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”
Do you make a habit of giving thought to the direction you are heading? Take some time in prayerful reflection this week.
Our songs together:
God with Us - All Sons and Daughters
Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle
Speak O Lord - The Gettys
Remembrance - Hillsong
Guarding your heart and mind isn't just about protecting yourself; it's about preserving the essence of who you are meant to be and the path you walk. Join us for this week's sermon on Proverbs 4:20-27, where we'll explore how the heart is the wellspring of life, and why our influences echo in our actions, our relationships, and our outcomes. Let's discover how to cultivate a heart that aligns with wisdom and the Spirit of God, and see how it transforms every aspect of our lives.
Scripture passage: Proverbs 4:20-27
Respond together:
How do you discern which influences in your life are healthy, and which ones might be harmful to your spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being? Are these influences drawing you closer to God or leading you away from Him?
When have you experienced a positive change in your heart or mind as a result of a deliberate effort (ie. Lent, uninstalling apps, fasting, sabbath, Common Rule)? What actions might you take today?
What does an 'undivided heart' mean to you? In what areas of your life might your heart feel divided, and what steps can you take to pursue a more wholehearted devotion to God?
What role does transparency and honesty with fellow believers play in helping you keep your heart aligned with God's will?
Our songs together:
Speak O Lord - The Gettys
Build My Life - Pat Barrett
Thy Word
Be Thou My Vision
Jesus uses parable to give us good news: this world belongs to God and He is working in it, and also bad news is that there is an enemy trying to undermine the kingdom. The message gives encouragement, teaches the importance of patience and not judging the people of the world (we are not good at this, and it is not our job), and sounds a note of urgency & accountability with a cosmic ‘painting’ of the end of the age.
Scripture passage: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 and Psalm 91:1-16
Our songs together:
Rest On Us - Maverick City Worship
Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle
King of My Heart - John Mark Macmillan
Gratitude - Maverick City Worship
