Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our Advent series, Seeing Everyone Enjoy the King, preaching from Isaiah 61. He invites us to reflect on the concept of a "false summit" in our understanding of God's promises, particularly regarding the separation between vengeance and favor. How does Jesus' role serve as the pivotal bridge in this divine timeline, and what does that mean for communities seeking renewal?

Empowerment takes center stage as Pastor Ben examines the Holy Spirit's role in equipping us to spread the good news to broken people, broken cities, and our broken world. He also explores how the Spirit instills believers with the strength to bring joy and hope to their communities, embodying justice, mercy, and humility in a world that aches for healing.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our Advent series, Seeing Everyone Enjoy the King, preaching from Genesis 4:26. Pastor Ben unravels the cultural mandate seen in Genesis 4:17-25, highlighting humanity's quest for security and civilization despite the fall. Cain’s city-building, alongside the cultural contributions of his descendants, paints a complex picture of human creativity shadowed by rebellion and sin. Yet, in this tapestry, we find a thread of hope through characters like Seth and Enosh, reminding us of the divine promise and our destiny.

In this context, he then explores the extraordinary power of prayer, drawing inspiration from the stories of Abraham and Moses. Their stories teach us about the intimacy and authority that comes through a deep connection with God. From calling upon the name of the Lord in times of trial to witnessing the fervent prayers that sparked the Hebrides revival, Pastor Ben offers a heartfelt invitation to embrace prayer as an active expression of faith. This Advent, as we long for spiritual awakening, we are invited to join together in seeking a transformative experience of God’s presence in our communities.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter begins our Advent series, SEEK: Seeing Everyone Enjoy the King, by preaching from Psalm 8. This series will trace the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation, all interwoven with the power of prayer. In this sermon though, Pastor Damein shows how Psalm 8 illuminates humanity's unique role in reflecting God's glory and discover the deeper questions of our place, predicament, and God's plan.

Pastor Damein also explores what it means to live as both priests and kings within creation, as described in biblical texts like Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. He uncovers the psychological and spiritual impacts of living in alignment with God's divine order, using the metaphor of a compass to highlight how easily we go astray. Through candid reflections on modern challenges such as "workism" and consumerism, he also unveils the dangers of disconnecting from our God-given dignity, urging a return to seeing life as a divine gift rather than a series of self-made solutions.

In ending, Pastor Damein turns us to the transformative power of prayer, particularly as captured through Psalm 8. Prayer is portrayed as a guiding force, realigning our hearts with God's vision and helping us embrace His presence more fully. In this series, we will be encouraged to shift from a life of constant production to one of receiving with gratitude and wonder. May this Advent season be a time where we embrace God's goodness, rediscover our identity as His beloved child, and prepare our hearts for His kingdom to come.

In this final sermon in our Leviticus Is For Lovers series, Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt preaches from Leviticus 25, exploring the transformative power of rest, economic fairness, and compassion for the poor. He reflects on Tim Keller's insights into early Christian generosity, where personal integrity met radical economic sharing, offering a model that challenges our modern values.

Pastor Ben also explains the essence of Jubilee, a time every 50 years when debts were forgiven, lands returned, and lives reset, providing a fresh start for those trapped in poverty. He unpacks how these ancient practices critique modern economic systems, urging a balance between ownership and communal generosity. He encourages us to embrace a spirit of 'Jubilee generosity,' recognizing the debts canceled by Christ's crucifixion and fostering a community rich in trust and gratitude. In doing so, we can reimagine a life where justice, generosity, and grace are woven into the very fabric of our being.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 20. Pastor Damein takes us us through the depths of cultural and spiritual misunderstandings surrounding sex. He explains how society has diluted sex into mere recreational activities, often overlooking the spiritual implications. Using Leviticus 20, Pastor Damein addresses sexual sin, not just as an act but as evidence of deeper spiritual adultery, where misplaced worship and idolatry overshadow true devotion. In doing this, he also advocates for a counter-community that embraces selfless love and covenant intimacy with God, offering hope and redemption.

Pastor Damein then explores the transformative power of grace, brought to life through Jesus’s encounter with the woman caught in adultery. This episode underscores the church's mission as a beacon of sexual wholeness, urging us to shed hidden idols and embrace the gospel's empowering grace. Relying on insights from Tim Keller, Pastor Damein reflects on the sanctity of marriage as a covenant of enduring love, contrasting it with fleeting consumer relationships. He closes by inviting listeners to experience the gospel's good news and commit to a life of holiness guided by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from chapter 18. In it, he challenges prevalent cultural narratives and offers a deeply theological perspective on our sexuality. Pastor Ben shows how faith intersects with personal desires and cultural expectations, emphasizing the transformative power of grace. He discusses the church's critical role in offering healing and redemption to those grappling with society's conflicting sexual norms. Drawing inspiration from Christopher West's "Our Bodies Tell God's Story," he underscores the importance of embodying sexual wholeness and holiness to offer hope and light in a culture often perceived as morally decaying.

Pastor Ben also examines the theological symbolism of marriage and sexuality, weaving parallels between earthly relationships and the anticipated union between Jesus and the church. Through this lens, he unpacks the significance of gender roles, the impact of the sexual revolution, and the enduring sacredness of the family. He concludes by encouraging us to open our hearts to the gentle mercy of Jesus, encouraging His presence to illuminate and heal parts of our lives that yearn for divine touch.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 19. He connects the teachings here in Leviticus with New Testament calls to live purposefully, in order to uncover the timeless value of compassion, justice, and holiness.

Holiness transcends mere behavior; it's about belonging to God and living in love. By reflecting on the phrase "I am the Lord, your God," Pastor Damein helps us understand how this divine relationship influences our actions and fosters true holiness. He challenges the notion of morality based on fear or duty, emphasizing that genuine holiness is rooted in love and relational commitment. Ultimately, Pastor Damein illustrates how belonging to God through Jesus enables us to reflect His holiness, leading to changed behaviors and genuine freedom.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching on the themes of atonement and holiness from the ritual in Leviticus 16. He explores the high priest’s critical role in bridging the gap between God and His people, and the crucial symbolism of the scapegoat carrying away the sins of Israel. Here, we see how drawing near to God requires confrontation with our own ambivalence, guilt, and shame. Together, we can reflect on God's persistent love and His desire to dwell among us despite our shortcomings.

Leviticus 16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the transformative power of Christ, as depicted in Hebrews. There, we can see how Jesus embodies the temple, priest, and sacrifice, removing traditional religious barriers. Pastor Ben concludes with practical advice on honoring the Day of Atonement through fasting and resting, and encourage us to embrace bold confidence in approach to God, not through personal merit, but through the grace offered by Christ.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from a selection of texts from Leviticus 10-15. Drawing on Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory, he uncovers how the principles in this section of Leviticus still echo in our political landscapes and personal beliefs, urging us to rethink the relevance of biblical concepts in today's world.

Pastor Ben then focuses on the thematic verse, Leviticus 10:10, to unravel the clear lines between the holy and the common, the clean and unclean. He explains the temporal nature of these laws, reflecting on their intended purpose from Moses to Jesus, and how they underscored the uniqueness of God's covenant with Israel.

By exploring Jesus' teachings on internal transformation, Pastor Ben highlights how His sacrifice offers true purification and freedom from guilt, providing hope and healing even at our lowest moments. Jesus's compassion invites us to break free from shame and embrace the grace and holiness at the heart of the Christian faith.

Pastor of Congregation Care & Missions Jason Dunn continues our series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from a selection of texts in Leviticus 8, 9, and 10. He explores the theme of consecration in worship and its profound implications for believers today. There, we see that Leviticus offers a path to holiness that defies cultural pressures. Through the lens of the Israelites' journey from Exodus, one can also see areas of theological, moral, and leadership compromise within the modern church. By contrasting these issues with the call to consecration, Pastor Jason provides insights on how to maintain distinctiveness as God's people. The narrative from Leviticus not only warns of the dangers of compromise but also invites us to align ourselves with God's purposes, ensuring that our faith remains unshaken in a culture of compromise. This is ultimately possible through the transformative power of Jesus and His role in sanctifying us for a life set apart. He fulfilled the Father's will, drawing us closer to God.