A boss or government may demand obedience, yet obeying them can sometimes mean doing what God forbids. Scripture commands submission to human authorities, but Peter and John refuse the council’s order to stop speaking about Jesus. God’s command comes first when the two conflict, even when refusal carries serious consequences. Jesus reigns over every ruler. Because they have seen and heard His saving work, they cannot keep silent, and Christians can speak simply about His forgiveness and hope.

Bible Reference: Acts 4:18–20

Preacher: John Westendorp

Suffering can feel like an endless night. Psalm 23 pictures the Lord as the shepherd who rules the valley, stays with His sheep, and carries a rod and staff to protect and correct them. Jesus entered the deepest darkness at the cross, forsaken under judgement, so those who trust Him will never be abandoned there. He guards them from eternal harm, draws them back from sin, and leads them into God's presence, where every tear will be wiped away.

Bible Reference: Psalm 23

Preacher: Ben Fien

Life can look like the tangled underside of a tapestry. Suffering, disappointment and confusion leave its design hidden. Ecclesiastes 3 says God appoints every season and sees the whole design, while people cannot understand His work from beginning to end. Faith therefore rejoices during hardship, not because of it, and receives daily work, varied gifts and simple pleasures as God's gifts. His goodness is clearest at the cross, where Jesus bears sinners' punishment and rises again, grounding grateful trust and joyful service in every season.

Bible Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1–17

Preacher: Jordan Vincent

When life falls apart, joy can seem tied to whatever is left. Habakkuk faces invasion, hunger and shaking grief, yet he rejoices in God rather than in his suffering. His joy lives alongside sorrow and grows through repeating God's truth and remembering the exodus, when God rescued His powerless people. Jesus, God's sacrificial lamb, gave His blood to forgive and free His people from sin and death. Because nothing can separate them from God's love, suffering can press them closer to Him and give lasting perspective.

Bible Reference: Habakkuk 3

Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

People can stare at a miracle and still miss its true source. When a man lame from birth walks, Peter refuses credit and directs the crowd to Jesus, whose authority made him strong. The wonder becomes an opening for the word about Jesus, the risen author of life who continues to work through His church. Peter calls the crowd to repent, receive forgiveness, and hope for Jesus’ return, when God will restore all things.

Bible Reference: Acts 3

Preacher: John Westendorp

Uncertain times expose how quickly people expect prosperity and panic when their plans fail. Habakkuk waits for God while violent Babylon threatens his country; such patience requires humility about what only God knows. God will judge Babylon’s proud greed, violence and lifeless idols. Jesus drinks the cup of God’s wrath for sinners, so faith can wait through evil times with hope for His return and God’s glory filling the earth.

Bible Reference: Habakkuk 2

Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Abram must leave home without knowing his destination. God calls him from a family that served other gods, so grace rests on God’s choice rather than human worth. The promised place, people, and blessing reach their full meaning in Christ, who saves His church and prepares an eternal home. Trusting these promises means accepting the cost of following Christ and carrying His good news to people from every nation.

Bible Reference: Genesis 11:27–12:3

Preacher: Jed Saville

Calls for wives to submit can sound like a claim that women matter less. Yet God gives men and women equal worth while assigning different responsibilities within marriage. A wife submits to her own husband, and he loves her with the sacrificial care Christ shows His church. Authority does not grant permission for selfish rule. Marriage serves Christ when both honour His order and reflect His relationship with the church.

Bible References: 1 Peter 2:13–3:7; Ephesians 5:21–6:9

Preacher: Bill Berends

Only God makes a planted seed grow. Jesus' words are seeds believers plant in others, while the Holy Spirit makes those seeds grow. At Pentecost, people from many nations heard the good news in their own languages, showing God's purpose to carry news of Jesus to every nation. Being inspired by the Spirit means knowing Jesus, trusting God's grace, speaking His words with His love, and leaving the results to God.

Bible Reference: Acts 2:1–41

Preacher: Gerhard Oberholzer

Hope often shrinks into a wish when illness, conflict, or death clouds the future. Jesus’ ascension offers firmer ground: He rose bodily into heaven, took His throne, and will return visibly as He left. History is not drifting. Because Jesus guides history towards His return, hardship is not meaningless, and His people who die will not miss His return. This hope neither narrows life to present troubles nor escapes the world; it sends Jesus’ people to serve as His witnesses in word and deed.

Bible Reference: Psalm 24

Preacher: John Westendorp