Sanctuary Church San Francisco

In a "crazy, hectic, busy world," what are you using to nourish your soul? As we celebrate our first anniversary at Sanctuary Church, Tim Harms dives into John 6 to explore what it means to find true sanctuary in Jesus. Discover how to move from being "lost to found" and "found to formed" by accessing the comfort, identity, and power available in the secret place.

Main Text: John 6

In the conclusion of the "Cultivating Joy" series, Tim Harms challenges the common pursuit of self-centered happiness. Drawing from Jesus' first miracle—turning water into wine—Tim highlights that the servants were the only ones who truly knew where the wine came from. He argues that "complete joy" is found not in being served, but in participating with Jesus through the selfless service of others.

Main Text: John 2:1–11; John 15:9–12

As the year begins, God is bringing clarity that produces boldness and speed. Guest speaker Travis Aicklen explores the theology of joy, challenging the idea that spiritual life and sensory pleasure are incompatible. Drawing from the life of Blaise Pascal and the teachings of the Apostle Paul, we learn that joy is not just a command to "snap out of it," but a fruit we must cultivate like a farmer—removing barriers like bitterness and anxiety to make room for the "oil of gladness."

Main Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22

In this message, Tim Harms kicks off the Cultivating Joy Series at Sanctuary Church. Addressing the modern crisis of joylessness in America, Tim explores why prosperity, convenience, and status often fail to produce deep-seated happiness. Drawing from scripture and the insights of C.S. Lewis, he makes a compelling case that joy is not a feeling to be manufactured, but a person to be known. If you find yourself in a season of cynicism or stress, join us as we learn to move from "flossing" to "feasting" in the presence of God.

Main Text: Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

During Advent, we reflect on the songs surrounding the birth of Jesus. In this message, we look at Simeon’s Song from Luke 2 and what it teaches us about personally encountering Jesus in the here and now.

Simeon’s encounter leads to worship, freedom from the fear of death, and a life caught up in God’s greater story of salvation. This message invites us to consider whether we are simply open to Jesus, or truly hungry for more of Him.

A reflective and pastoral message on Advent, consecration, lament, hope, and the work of the Holy Spirit in everyday life.

Scripture Focus:

Luke 2:25–35

In this Advent message, Tim explains why Advent teaches us to wait with hope, then walks through Zechariah’s story and his prophetic song. We explore how waiting is not passive but preparation, how God finishes what He starts, and how Jesus comes as the sunrise that breaks into our darkness and leads us into peace.

Scripture focus

Luke 1:67 to 79

1 Corinthians 12 and 14

John 3:16 to 17

In this Advent message, Mary’s Song, Joni walks us through Luke 1 26 to 56 and the story of Mary receiving the news that she will carry Jesus. Together we look at Mary’s encounter with the angel, her visit to Elizabeth, and the Magnificat, and see how her response to God is joyful, humble, and deeply personal.

Joni invites us to prepare for Advent the way Mary did, learning to rejoice in God’s promises, embrace humility, and receive the coming of Christ as a gift given not only to the world but to each of us personally.

In this message on Ephesians 6, we walk verse by verse through the armor of God and learn how to face real spiritual battles with the strength of Jesus, not our own effort.

We look at how the letter to the Ephesians moves from sit, to walk, to stand and what it means to stand our ground in a world filled with chaos, temptation and pressure. Together we explore:

The reality that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil

Why we need the full armor of God, not selective pieces

The belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness guarding our mind and heart

The gospel of peace as footwear that helps us stay steady and move with purpose

The shield of faith that extinguishes flaming arrows of lies, shame and accusation

The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, applied by the Holy Spirit

Prayer as the way we actually put the armor on and keep standing

In this message from Ephesians 5:21 to 6:9, we explore how the gospel reaches into the most ordinary and intimate parts of life. Paul moves from the heights of theology to the everyday realities of marriage, parenting, and work, showing that life in the Spirit changes everything.

We walk through a challenging passage that touches gender roles, parenting, slavery in the first century, and the nature of authority and submission. With pastoral sensitivity and historical context, this sermon shows how the gospel both confronts broken power structures and dignifies every person.

Come and See Weekend at Sanctuary Church. We paused our New Humans series to sit in Psalm 46 and the vision of the City of God. Distinct, dependent, durable. A call to build little Rivendells where the presence of God heals, equips, and sends. Respond with surrender, consecration, and confidence in a kingdom that will not fall.