Series: Advent

Sermon: Advent of Joy (Luke 2:8-14)

Discover the true meaning of joy this Advent season as we dive into the message of Luke 2:8-14. In this sermon, we explore how joy isn't found in fleeting circumstances or material things but is rooted in the eternal reality of God's faithfulness through Jesus Christ.

Learn how:

• God uses the unexpected to reveal His glory, as seen in the shepherds.

• The message of great joy transforms hearts and calls us to share it with others.

• Joy endures beyond trials when we know Christ is with us.

Find hope, peace, and a deeper connection to the joy of the Lord this Christmas.

Series: Advent

Sermon: Advent of Peace (Ephesians 2:13-22)

In this week’s Advent message, we explore Ephesians 2:13-22, where Paul reminds us that Jesus is our peace. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus tore down every wall—be it sin, hostility, or prejudice—reconciling us to God and each other.

Peace isn’t just a feeling; it’s a person. And this Advent, we celebrate the Prince of Peace who invites us to experience a real, lasting peace that transforms hearts, relationships, and communities.

What barriers in your life need to be torn down? What hostility can Christ replace with His reconciling love? Let’s reflect on how the cross brings peace to every broken corner of our world.

Series: Advent 2024

Sermon: Advent of Hope – Isaiah 9:1-7

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation as we reflect on the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and eagerly await His glorious return. In this message, we focus on the theme of hope—not mere wishful thinking, but a confident expectation rooted in God's promises.

Isaiah 9:1-7 offers a powerful prophecy of the coming Messiah, a light breaking into the darkness, and a King who brings wisdom, strength, peace, and eternal love. Discover how the hope of Christ transforms despair into joy, weakness into strength, and brokenness into redemption.

Join us as we explore:

• The Great Reversal: God's power to turn gloom into glory.

• The Light in the Darkness: Jesus, the light of the world, shines in our darkest moments.

• The Names of the Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—and what they mean for us today.

• Living as Hope Bearers: Sharing the transformative hope of Christ with a world in need.

Sermon: Strength in Weakness

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

In this message,, Strengthen in Weakness, we explore the profound truths of 2 Corinthians 12:10, where the Apostle Paul declares his contentment in weakness, insults, and hardships. Using the contrasting imagery of mountaintops and valleys, we reflect on the spiritual vantage points in life—times of glory and times of struggle—and how God uses both for His purposes. We unpack the mysterious "thorn in the flesh" that Paul faced, looking into its role as a reminder of God's sufficient grace and severe mercy. This sermon encourages us to see trials not as defeats but as opportunities for God’s strength to shine. Whether you are currently in a valley or know someone who is, this message offers hope and guidance to persevere with contentment and joy.

Sermon: Strengthened by Grace

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-12

In this message, we explore 2 Timothy 2:1-13, a powerful passage where Paul imparts timeless wisdom to Timothy. Just as Timothy faced challenges in a turbulent world, we, too, must be strengthened by God's grace to endure life's battles. Through vivid analogies of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, we learn to persevere with discipline, avoid the enemy's schemes, and embrace the hard work of faith. Discover how to draw strength from Christ's grace and find courage in God's unwavering faithfulness. Join us as we unpack how to stay focused, fight the good fight, and remember the faithfulness of Jesus in every season of life.

Yet I Will Rejoice

Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk's song in chapter three transitions from questioning to worship, marked by "Shigianoth," indicating emotional praise. Despite foreseeing destruction, he chooses to celebrate God's historical faithfulness, like the Exodus, as a foundation for his trust. This worship amidst fear shows a shift from despair to a resolute joy in God, not in circumstances. Habakkuk's commitment to rejoice in God, even with the threat of total loss, underscores a profound faith that finds joy in God's unchanging nature, encouraging believers to maintain hope in divine love despite adversity.

The Justice of God

Habakkuk 2

In this sermon, we explore the profound theme of divine justice from Habakkuk 2, where God's response to evil is both a promise and a warning. God instructs Habakkuk to write the vision plainly, ensuring it is understood that justice, though seemingly delayed, will come. The sermon contrasts the proud, who amass wealth unjustly, with the righteous who live by faith, underscoring that God's justice addresses all forms of human sin and greed. It delves into how God's wrath is not mere anger but a deep, loving response to protect His creation from the ravages of sin. Pastor Matthew highlights that while God is slow to anger, He is also just, promising that every act of injustice will be met with divine retribution. Through Christ, we see this justice intertwined with mercy, where sin's punishment is borne by Jesus, offering forgiveness to those who repent. Ultimately, the message is one of hope for the oppressed and a call to repentance for the sinner, reminding us that God's justice and love are two sides of the same divine coin.

In this sermon, How Long, Oh Lord?, we dive into the burden of Habakkuk, the praying prophet, who asks God the hard questions we all face when the world around us seems consumed by evil and injustice. As Habakkuk cries out in distress, witnessing the collapse of his society and questioning God's silence, we explore the relevance of his ancient struggle to our modern world. How do we respond when life is dark, when evil appears to win, and when God seems distant? In this message, we examine how the prophet’s raw honesty with God points us towards faith that wrestles, questions, and ultimately leans in, rather than walking away. This is a journey through Habakkuk's deeply personal conversation with God, setting the stage for how we too can engage with God in our pain and confusion.

Pastor Dan explores the reasons for attending church and the importance of community, using reflections from Acts, Corinthians, and Exodus. He emphasizes the collective responsibility of Christians to support each other, meeting both spiritual and practical needs. Through biblical examples and personal insights, we explore the principles of Christian generosity, the identification and use of spiritual gifts, and the essential role of the church in addressing community issues. We are reminded that the church is not a building but a community of individuals called to serve and uplift one another, inspired by the early church’s practices of communal support and daily distribution.

Join us as we uncover how to live out our faith by embracing and utilizing our God-given gifts for the benefit of all.

Sermon: Engaging the Unwanted

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

In this sermon, "Engaging the Unwanted", we explore how the Gospel calls us to stand for the most vulnerable in society—those whom the world often deems unwanted. From the unborn baby in the womb, to the children caught in the horrors of sexual exploitation, and those marginalized by society, we are challenged to engage with compassion and mercy. Based on Luke 10:25-37, the story of the Good Samaritan, we learn how Jesus reveals the heart of loving our neighbor and standing for justice. As Christians, we cannot ignore the cries of the unwanted lives around us. We are called to act—to love, protect, and show mercy to the most vulnerable. This message also dives deep into the intersection of faith and politics, urging believers to not only defend biblical values but to take action for the oppressed and marginalized, from the unborn to the exploited. It’s a call to stand up for life, for justice, and for mercy in a culture that often devalues human life. Watch this sermon and discover how we, as the church, can respond to God’s command: "Go and do likewise."