Pilgrim Church

Pray For Your Pastor with Guest Raymond Seetoh

Romans 15:30-33

Ministry is a blessing, but it is also a struggle. In Romans 15, Paul shows us that pastors are not meant to carry the burden alone—they need the prayers of God’s people. This Sunday, discover why praying for your pastor matters more than you think.

Raymond Seetoh grew up in Singapore and met Jesus while in high school in Australia. He’s served as a pastor in both Singapore and Vancouver, and now calls Cornerstone home while also helping with the B.C. Baptist Association. Raymond is married to his college sweetheart, Rhema, and together they enjoy life with their two teenage daughters.

The City of God with Joshua Liem

Revelation 18-22

This Sunday we conclude our Love Thy City series by looking at the final city in Scripture—the radiant city of God in Revelation. John gives us two powerful pictures: Babylon, a city of pride and violence, and the Heavenly City, a bride radiant with transparency, hospitality, and healing. Which city are we living in today, and how can we embody the city of God here in Vancouver?

The Antichrists: Discerning Love from its Counterfeits

1 John 4:1-5:2

Joshua Liem

In a world full of voices claiming authority, how can we tell the difference between Christ’s Way and its counterfeits? This Sunday, we’ll explore 1 John’s warning about the antichrists already among us and how to live discerningly in the love of Jesus.

For reflection & discussion:

1. Before the sermon, what was the first image or person that came to mind when you heard the word "antichrist"?

2. The sermon talked about "testing the spirits." What are some of the "spirits" or influential voices in our culture (or even in the church) that we need to test today?

3. Have you ever encountered the idea that the physical world is "less spiritual" or that our bodies don't really matter to God? How does the sermon's central point—that Jesus came in the flesh—challenge that?

4. Does the idea of "obeying commandments" feel freeing or restrictive to you? How did the sermon's explanation of it as "the shape of love" sit with you?

5. The final challenge was to reflect on Jesus's life. What is one aspect of Jesus's life or teaching that you feel challenged or inspired to focus on this week?

6. The sermon connects the spirit of antichrist to domination and accumulation, and the Spirit of Christ to self-giving love. Where do you see this conflict playing out in your own life or city?

Has This Ever Happened To You? with Guest Speaker Graham McCarthy

Judges 3:12-30

The story of Ehud and Eglon is a weird story and a small snippet of what we see happen over and over again in the book of judges. Through this story, we see the absurdity of our humanity's of violence, and it leaves us exhausted, making us long for a time when our cycles of absurdity come to an end, and we're ruled by a King that can bring our world to peace.

For reflection & discussion:

1. What stood out to you most from the sermon, and why?

2. How does this message challenge or affirm your current understanding of God or faith?

3. Was there a specific story, scripture, or phrase that you found especially meaningful or difficult?

4. How can we live this out together in our daily lives or as a group?

5. What is one step you feel invited to take this week in response to the sermon?

War Pigs on Judgement Day with Joshua Liem

Psalm 137

What do anti-war anthems, psalms of vengeance, and the kingdom of God have in common? This Sunday we’ll explore how rage and grief can be sung in worship.

Who is the Greatest? with Jessica Chan

Mark 9:30-37

We all love to be great, don’t we?  So how does Jesus define greatness?  What did Jesus have to say to his disciples about what it means to be truly great?

For reflection & discussion:

1. What stood out to you most from the sermon, and why?

2. How does this message challenge or affirm your current understanding of God or faith?

3. Was there a specific story, scripture, or phrase that you found especially meaningful or difficult?

4. How can we live this out together in our daily lives or as a group?

5. What is one step you feel invited to take this week in response to the sermon?

Church and State: Navigating a Divided World with Joshua Liem

1 Peter 2:5, 9-20

In a world that feels more politically divided by the day, how are followers of Jesus supposed to respond? The Bible has been used to justify everything from silent submission to radical protest, and the Church's own history is filled with both beautiful and horrifying examples of its engagement with state power. This Sunday, we’ll dive into a challenging passage from 1 Peter to find a surprising and prophetic path forward— one that calls us to be faithful exiles who seek the peace of our city with both the compassion of the cross and the courage to flip tables. Join us as we explore what it means to be a holy nation in a hurting world.

Love Thy City - Neighbours & Enemies with Guest Darren Lof

1 Peter 2:11-12; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:9-21

As exiles in a city notoriously known for loneliness, Jesus calls us to live counter-culturally through radical love - for our neighbours and our enemies.

Darren and his wife Crista run a small church in Steveston called Church at the Hub. It has been described as a fresh expression of church that aims to help people to live a flourishing life with and through Jesus. In addition, they also run the Steveston Hub, which is an alternative community space in the heart of Steveston. Darren and Crista have a daughter, son-in-law, and grandson living in South Africa, as well as another son who is known to play the drums at Pilgrim.

For reflection & discussion:

1. Who is a neighbour that I've ignored or written off?

2. Who is an enemy I can start praying for and loving this week?

3. What difference could radical love for neighbours and enemies make in this city?

The Idol Economy: When the Gospel Starts a Riot with Joshua Liem

Acts 19

When the Gospel spread in Ephesus, it was so disruptive that it threatened the city's entire economy, sparking a full-blown riot. The core issue? Following Jesus meant no longer buying into the local idol industry. This Sunday, we're diving into Acts 19 to ask some pointed questions for us in Vancouver: What happens when our faith clashes with our finances? What are the modern idols our city's economy is built on? And what is the church's unique, powerful, and perhaps disruptive role in it all?  

A Long Obedience To the Den with Joshua Liem

Daniel 6

Most of us know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den… but what if the way we pictured it completely missed the point?  This Sunday, we'll revisit this familiar passage to uncover a powerful message for our modern age of burnout, anxiety, and the temptation to just "lie flat." Discover how an ancient story about surviving lions offers a profound, resilient hope that can move us from apathy to action, empowering us to love our city and live faithfully for the long haul.