Christmas is both a major holy and secular holiday celebrated in different ways and, therefore, immersing us in different competing stories around Christmas. The tradition of remembering and celebrating the Christmas story every year is meant to remind us to be immersed in this particular story of Jesus and all its implications. And the 3rd gift presented by the wise men—myrrh—helps us do just that.

What do you need from God this Advent season? In this message, we begin by examining our own hearts to identify our need then look expectantly to the promises brought by our great King!

As we close our series on the Beatitudes, Jesus brings it to a sobering conclusion: as followers of Jesus, we should expect persecution, but He also invites us to respond in a radically different way through rejoicing and gladness.

At a time when Jesus’ fame and popularity were growing, and, in a world similar to ours that was rife with violence, injustice and hardship, Jesus introduces the idea of God’s peace as revolutionary action. So what exactly does it mean to be a peacemaker?

In a time when only the ritually clean could approach the presence of God in the Temple, Jesus said that it is those of a pure heart that will get to see him. Join us as we unpack what Jesus meant by purity of heart and how it helps us uncover, analyze, and redirect our loves.

In a world where mistakes are swiftly punished, and goodwill is only for the worthy, grace and mercy are an absolute necessity.

– Judy Ponio

In this message, we unpack what Jesus says with regard to the merciful.

Can your life be so transformed that even your inner desires change for the better? What drives unhealthy behaviour is not lack of knowledge but distorted desires. Jesus said that happy are those who hunger and thirst after the right things – they will be satisfied! This message looks at the 4th beatitude from Jesus’ most famous sermon.

The Blessed/Happy Life offered by Jesus in The Beatitudes is the life of true flourishing  meant for us as humans. But it comes to us in such a counter-cultural way, we often struggle to truly believe or align our lives with what Jesus says. It was the same struggle for Jesus’ original audience as it is for us today: “What do you mean  the meek inherit the earth?!”

Jesus gave this amazing statement that “blessed” or “happy” are those who mourn. It seems rather counter intuitive, but digging deeper into the concept proves that until we actually feel the brokenness of the world and our own lives can we receive the comfort that only He can offer.

A season of crisis, change or transition can be exhausting. But it is also in these times where the core foundation and beliefs of our lives get exposed, for better or worse. It is in these pressure moments that we truly see what we hold fast to in terms of our hope.  The question is, is our hope substantive enough to see us through?