We all have our places—the spaces we return to again and again. For Peter and John, it was the temple at the hour of prayer. For a man lame from birth, it was the gate called Beautiful. For you, it might be a coffee shop, a soccer field, an office, or an airplane seat.

In Acts 3, we see what happens when formed believers step back into their everyday places with open eyes. What begins as an ordinary walk to prayer becomes a divine appointment. A man broken for forty years is seen, dignified, and healed—not with silver or gold, but in the name of Jesus.

Before Jesus restores this man’s legs, He restores his dignity. Before chaos gives way to order at the temple gate, healing had already begun at the cross.

This message reminds us: the church is not a lake meant to collect, but a river meant to flow. We don’t grieve what we lack—we offer what we have. And what we have is Jesus.

How does the Holy Spirit reshape everyday life? The faith of the early church was exemplified through their awe at the work of the Spirit, and it drove them to become people of devotion. The result was exponential growth - individually and corporately. Listen to learn how the church is not an event, but a people of devotion.

The early church of Acts gives us a picture of how God brings new-creation power into broken human systems.
The Spirit is not reduced or diluted for modern believers, but the Spirit transforms ordinary, flawed people into bold witnesses. We need to look at what God can do through surrendered weakness.

What happens when we follow the early church’s example of “devoting” ourselves in prayer? When we understand that prayer means aligning our wills, desires, and purposes with God’s, He will act in power to transform us.

The early church of Acts shows us that the church begins not with activity, but with trust. Don’t stare at the sky or cling to the past - wait for power and prepare to be sent.

As we begin a new year, this message sets a clear and hopeful vision for Summit. Rooted in Ephesians 1:3–8 (NLT), Eyes Up, Summit! reminds us that our identity, freedom, and future are found in our union with Christ. When our eyes are lifted to Jesus, praise flows naturally, and joy and peace are shaped by who He is rather than by what we are facing.

This sermon invites our church to avoid two unhealthy extremes: pushing down pain and pressing on in our own strength, or turning inward and becoming stuck in discouragement. Scripture offers a better way. With our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2), we can honestly face hardship while remaining rooted in hope and purpose.

Advent joy is defiant joy - it sings even in the dark. The shepherds were weary, forgotten people, yet the angel’s message came to them first: “Good news of great joy for all people.” Joy comes when we realize that even in our pain, we are not forgotten. Jesus’ arrival is the assurance that God is near, and His nearness turns despair into delight.

We often look for peace in control, comfort, or certainty, but true peace is found in the presence of Christ. Into the noise and chaos of the world, the angels declare, “peace on earth.” The Prince of Peace entered our unrest to still our hearts and reconcile us to God. Advent peace invites us to rest - not because everything is calm, but because He is with us.

In this Advent message, we’re reminded that hope doesn’t overlook our weariness — it shines through it. For centuries, God’s people waited in silence and darkness, clinging to a promise they couldn’t yet see. That same promise meets us in our own seasons of uncertainty. Advent hope is the trust that even when the night feels long, the dawn is already on its way. Jesus is the fulfillment of every longing and every promise — the Light who still breaks into our darkness and calls our weary hearts to hope again.

Living out the Beatitudes won’t always bring applause. Jesus reminds us that persecution comes with a promise: we are never alone, and our reward is eternal.