Redeemer Central

The Familiar Stranger: Part 4 — Water

The Bible’s story of the Spirit often comes with the image of water—rivers flowing into deserts, living streams making the Dead Sea fresh. David Armstrong unpacks the invitation Jesus gives when he brings holy disruption to the Feast of Tabernacles: “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink.” The Spirit not only quenches our thirst but makes us springs of living water for the world. Where the river flows, everything will live.

The Familiar Stranger: Part 3 — Breathe

John Herron explores how the Holy Spirit, as God’s breath, transforms our lives. From Genesis to Pentecost, this divine “ruach” shapes chaos into order, brings life to the lifeless, and turns fear into courage. The Spirit makes Jesus’ promises personal, connecting head to heart and filling us with God’s love. Rather than starting our days with screens, we’re invited to begin with a simple prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.”

The Familiar Stranger: Part 2 — The Advocate

Jesus said it was better for Him to leave so that the Advocate could come. But who is this Advocate? In a culture that longs for experience more than explanation, we discover the Holy Spirit as a person—not a vague life force—who comforts, guides, and empowers. In this sermon David Armstrong traces the Spirit’s story through Scripture and invites us to live as little temples, filled with His presence and power.

The Familiar Stranger: Part 1 — Rumour & Reality

Many of us know about the Holy Spirit, yet live as if He’s little more than a rumour—caught between promise and experience. In this opening message of our new series, David Armstrong explores the Spirit as the familiar stranger: present but often unnoticed, closer than we think, inviting us into a faith that closes the gap between rumour and reality, moving from theory into encounter.

Scripture 03: Study

The Bible is not a single book but a library — written over centuries, in multiple languages, by many authors, and in a wide range of literary genres. It’s no surprise, then, that understanding it can be challenging. Jesus himself often corrected harmful misreadings of Scripture, showing that when we misunderstand it, the impact can be damaging to both our souls and our society. But when we approach Scripture with clarity and care, its truth can transform and enrich our lives.

In part 3 of our practicing scripture series, David Armstrong explores the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of study — the patient, thoughtful work of seeking to understand what the Bible says, what it meant to its original audience, and what it means for us today. Though study can feel dry or academic, when done with the desire to know and love God, it becomes a vital part of our spiritual formation.

In part 2 Stephanie Wilson teaches how we meditate on scripture. The digital age teaches us to read quickly and move on, but the library of Scripture was created for slow, prayerful reflection so that God’s thoughts inhabit our minds completely.

Scripture 01: Read

Scripture is far more than an ancient text—it’s a sacred story and a portal into God’s reality, with the power to shape and transform our lives. In this sermon David Armstrong explores why reading the Bible is essential for those who follow Jesus, the Rabbi who modelled a life deeply immersed in Scripture.

The Scriptures are not just for information but for spiritual formation. As we slow down, pray, and approach the text with hearts open to God’s presence, the Spirit invites us into a living encounter with Christ—an encounter that shapes who we are and roots us firmly in the Story of God.

Scripture 00: A Jesus-Centred Approach

The library we call “the Bible” can connect us to God and change who we are, but distraction, hurry, and confusion can hinder our experience with these ancient texts. This is the first of a six-week series helping us rediscover how to engage Scripture as an apprentice to Jesus.

In this first part David Armstrong explores the complexities of interpreting the Bible in a modern world where it often seems to conflict with science, morality, and lived experience. Rather than abandoning Scripture or reading it literally without nuance, we are invited to rediscover the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, this Jesus-centred approach helps us reconcile difficult passages, prevents us from misusing Scripture as a weapon and instead embrace the Bible as a divinely inspired narrative that points us to Jesus.

Part of the Practicing the Way Series. For info and resources on this series go to redeemercentral.com/ptw

The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this opening message of a new mini-series, John Herron finishes our journey through Job by looking at the dramatic epilogue in Chapters 38-42.

The Book of Job is a strange and compelling story nestled within the Hebrew Scriptures — a poetic exploration of human suffering, divine mystery, and the search for meaning in the midst of loss. In this second part Stephanie Wilson looks at the conversations between Job and his friends (ch.3-42) and how we can learn to sit with doubt, lament honestly, and find God’s presence even in the midst of pain and suffering that we don’t understand.