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This past Sunday, guest speaker Rob Snow, preached a message entitled "Journey in the Valley." Drawing from Psalm 84:5-7, Rob reminded us that God’s presence is not limited to the mountaintop moments of life but is with us even in the valleys of sadness, despair, and uncertainty. He explained that the valley of Baca, an arid place watered by tears, becomes a place of springs as God meets His people there and leads them from strength to strength. Pastor Rob emphasized that God knows our valleys and hears our groaning, pointing to His presence throughout Scripture and ultimately to Jesus, who experienced the deepest valley on the cross. Yet through Christ, the valley becomes a place of redemption, making it possible for us to be with God on the mountain. This message encourages us to trust that God is present with us in every valley and that He can bring hope, renewal, and redemption even from our deepest places of sorrow.

✍️ Notes
Title: Journey in the Valley – Rob Snow

“Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7

On the Mountain with God:
Israel journeys to the temple mount to experience his presence. Israel experiences God’s shalom when in his presence: “all is right because God reigns.” (Psalm 84:2)

In the Valley with God:
⭑ Baca is an arid valley watered only with tears
⭑ But this sadness doesn’t last long

In the Valley with God:
“As they go through the valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs; the early
rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will
be seen in Zion.” (Ps 84: 6-7)

God Knows the Valleys
⭑ Psalms of lament account for 1/3 of the Psalms (Ps 13:1-2)
⭑ Psalm 84 affirms that God’s presence is not beyond the place of sadness and despair.
⭑ Even more, the presence of God.

God Knows the Valleys
⭑ God heard their groaning. (Exodus 2:24)
⭑ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46)
⭑ “That very Spirit intercedes wit groanings too deep for words.” (Rom 8:26)

God Knows the Valleys
⭑ God, in the person of his son Jesus, experienced a great and terrible valley on the cross.
⭑ But that valley made it possible to be on the mountain with him.
⭑ The valley is the place of redemption.

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This past Sunday, Pastor Sebastian Martinez, preached a message entitled "How’s your Walk?" Pastor Sebastian challenged us through 1 Kings 18 to consider whether we are wavering between two opinions or wholeheartedly following the Lord. He contrasted Baal as appealing but ultimately unavailable and powerless with the Lord, who hears, answers, and acts. Through Elijah’s faith and prayer on Mount Carmel, we were reminded that the Lord is faithful and desires to turn our hearts back to Him. This message encourages us to walk wholeheartedly with the Lord through both the valleys and the mountains, trusting Him and choosing to follow Him wholeheartedly in every season.

✍️ Notes
Title: How’s your Walk? – Sebastian Martinez

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.
21 Elijah went before the people and said,

“How long will you waver between two opinions?

If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.
22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” 1 Kings 18:20-24

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you.Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response;  no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 1 Kings 18:25-29

1. Appealing but unavailable, promising but powerless
2. The God who’s answered & acts

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.”32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them,  “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time.  35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil and also licked up the water in the trench. 1 Kings 18: 30-38

3. Wholehearted through the valleys & mountains

1 Kings 18:39
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord-he is God! The Lord-he is God!"

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This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis, preached a message entitled "The Evergreen Faithfulness of God." Pastor Hunter reminded us through Psalm 121 that our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, who watches over us faithfully and never grows weary. He encouraged us to recognize God’s faithfulness not only on the mountaintops but also in the valleys, trusting His presence through every season. Drawing from Psalm 23, Pastor Hunter emphasized that God’s faithfulness is best expressed in us when we allow Him to lead us down the mountain rather than remain at the top, and when we follow Him through the valley instead of trying to escape it. This message invites us to trust God’s unwavering presence and goodness, knowing that He faithfully guides, comforts, and sustains us through every high and low.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Evergreen Faithfulness of God – Hunter Gillis

 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4 (NIV)

Even though I walk Through the darkest valley I will fear no evil. For you are with me, Your rodand staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4-5 (NIV)

⭑ The Mountains

 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4 (NIV)

God’s faithfulness is best expressed through us when he sends us down the mountain not camping on top.

⭑ The Valleys

 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (NIV)

⭑ God's faithfulness is best expressed in us by leading us through the valley instead of escaping it.

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "What Kind of People Ought We Be?" Pastor Ben encouraged us to live with eternity in view, drawing from 2 Peter 3:8–14 and God's promise of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. He reminded us that while the Lord is patient, His return is certain, calling us to respond by living lives that reflect His heart. Pastor Ben highlighted three key characteristics every believer should pursue: being holy, set apart for God; hopeful, confidently looking forward to Christ's return and His promises; and ready, making every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him. This message challenges us to live faithfully today as we eagerly anticipate the day when God makes everything new.

✍️ Notes
Title: What Kind of People Ought We Be? – Ben Johnson

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives… as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:8-14 (NIV)

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:20-21 (NIV)

1. Holy
“You ought to live holy and godly lives...”
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your
God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)

2. Hopeful
“… as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
“…we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

3. Ready
“… make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "The Hope of His Coming." Pastor Ben reminded us of the incredible hope we have in Christ’s promised return, encouraging us with the assurance of 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 that one day we will be with the Lord forever. He highlighted both the promise and the picture of Christ’s coming, reminding us that Jesus will return for His people just as He promised. Pastor Ben also challenged us to prepare for His coming by staying close to God, living holy lives, and boldly sharing the hope of the Gospel with others. This message encourages us to live with expectation, confidence, and readiness as we await the return of Jesus Christ.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Hope of His Coming – Ben Johnson
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Promise of His coming
“For the Lord will come down from heaven.”

The dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
VS.  Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

“See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones” Jude 1:14 (NIV)

“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8 (NIV)

“He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

“I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV)

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12 (NIV)

Picture of His coming
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14: 1-3 (NIV)

Preparation for His coming
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

⭑ Stay close
…as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
⭑ Get ready
“All who have this hope in him purify themselves…” 1 John 3:3
⭑ Talk about Him
“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20
The bridegroom is coming!

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This past Sunday, Guest Speaker Mark Hazzard preached a message entitled "Be Ready." Speaker Mark Hazzard walked us through Matthew 24, where Jesus reminds His disciples that while no one knows the day or hour of His return, His followers are called to live with watchfulness and readiness. Drawing from Jesus’ comparison to the days of Noah, We are challenged  not to become distracted or complacent but to recognize the urgency of the times and remain faithful in our walk with Christ. He also encouraged us to consider those in our circle of influence who do not yet know Jesus, reminding us that the call to be ready includes sharing the hope of the Gospel with others. This message invites us to live each day prepared for Christ’s return, faithfully serving Him and pointing others to Him while there is still time.
 
✍️ Notes
Title: Be Ready – Mark Hazzard
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matthew 24:1-3 (NKJV)
 
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:36-44

In my opinion, one of the most critical signs that we are in the last days…is that people will not pay attention to the signs that we are in the last days.

⭑Are you ready for the return of Jesus?
⭑Are there people in your circle of influence who don’t know Jesus?

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "Signs of the Times." Pastor Ben walked us through Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24, reminding us that what we believe about the end times influences how we live today. He highlighted Jesus' warnings that deception, global unrest, persecution, and false prophets will increase, while the Gospel continues to be proclaimed to all nations. Rather than living in fear, Pastor Ben encouraged us to remain watchful, steadfast in our faith, and ready for Christ's return, holding firmly to His promise that He will come again in power and glory.

✍️ Notes
Title: Signs of the Times – Ben Johnson
"Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:1-14 (NIV)

 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV)

⭑ What you believe about the end, influences how you live now.
⭑ Deception will increase
⭑ Global chaos will increase
⭑ Persecution will increase
⭑ Many will turn away and hate – false prophets
⭑ The Gospel will be preached

Be Ready
“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "Marriage Matters." Pastor Ben unpacked Ephesians 5:25–33, reminding us that God's design for marriage reflects the profound relationship between Christ and His Church. He encouraged us to believe right by embracing God's purpose for marriage, build right through the foundational principles of love and respect, and love right by following Christ's example of sacrificial, selfless love. This message challenged us to honor God's design for marriage by cultivating relationships marked by humility, mutual respect, and Christlike love that points others to the Gospel.

✍️ Notes
Title: Marriage Matters – Ben Johnson
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her
to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:25-33

⭑ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy (25.26)

⭑ This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church. (32)

1. Believe Right
For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother an be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. (31)

“Haven’t you read,”he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

2. Build Right Building Blocks: Love & Respect
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

3. Love Right
⭑ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… (Ephesians 5:25)

⭑ Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. (Ephesians 5:21)

Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness…And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage. Ephesians 5:22-28

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor preached a message entitled "Dear Family Member." Through Hosea 2:14–15, Pastor Jeremiah walked us through the story of God's relentless pursuit of His people despite the relational fracture caused by sin. He showed us that God's response is not to abandon us, but to pursue us – to allure us, bring us into the wilderness, speak tenderly to us, give generously, and transform our places of trouble into doors of hope. Pastor Jeremiah reminded us that the wilderness is not a place of punishment but a place where God has our full attention and restores intimacy with Him. He also emphasized that while love operates on covenant, God's love is so faithful that even when the covenant is broken, He pays the price anyway. This message reminded us that although humanity's deepest wound is relational rupture, God never stops coming after His children, offering restoration, hope, and the invitation to return to Him.

✍️ Notes
Title: Dear Family Member – Jeremiah Niengor
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. Hosea 2:14-15

Scene 1: The Letter

Scene 2: The Fracture

If Relation fracture is humanity’s deepest problem, then the question become: How does God respond?

Scene 3: The Pursuit

I will allure - God pursues
I will bring - God doesn’t abandon
I will speak - God restores intimacy
I will give - God is generous
I will make - God transforms

The wilderness isn’t punishment. It’s where God has your full attention.

“He is not a passive recipient of your rejection. He is an active participant in your reclaiming.”

Scene 4: The Door

The deepest human wound is relational rupture. And God moves toward it.

Scene 5: The Price

Love operates on covenant. And when covenant is broken, love pays the price anyway.

“Maybe the greatest surprise in Hosea isn’t that God’s people wandered. It’s that God never stopped coming after them.”

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Act Like Men, Marks of a Godly Man.” Pastor Ben unpacked Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong,” while reminding us that everything we do must be done in love. He explained that biblical manhood is not about dominance or pride, but about living with courage, humility, and steadfast faith in Christ. Pastor Ben encouraged us to remain spiritually alert, grounded in God’s Word, and clothed in the character of Christ, as described in Galatians 3:27-28. He also highlighted that godly men lead with love, reflecting God’s heart by pursuing justice, mercy, and humility, while caring for the vulnerable as seen in Micah 6:8 and Psalm 68. This message challenged us to pursue a life marked by strength, faithfulness, and Christlike love.

✍️ Notes
Title: Act Like Men, Marks of a Godly Man – Ben Johnson

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV)

I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires… 1 Kings 2:2-3 (NIV)

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus… Galatians 3:27-28(NLT)

Watchful: “Be watchful,”

Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then… Ephesians 6:13-14 (NIV)

Leads with Love: “Let all that you do be done in live.”

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

… His name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows… Psalm 68:4-6

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "The Baptism in the Holy Spirit - The Promise is for You.” Pastor Ben explored Jesus’ promise to His followers that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and receive power to be His witnesses, as recorded in Acts 1:4–9. He explained the three baptisms found in Scripture: being baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, being baptized in water as a public declaration of faith, and being baptized in the Holy Spirit by Jesus for empowerment in ministry. Pastor Ben also taught about the gift of tongues, describing it as a sign of the Spirit’s filling, a prophetic exhortation that builds up the church, and a prayer language that enables believers to speak directly to God. Through this message, we were reminded that the promise of the Holy Spirit is still for believers today, empowering us to live boldly and faithfully for Christ.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Ben Johnson
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
–Acts 1:4-9 (NIV)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
–Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

THREE BAPTISMS

Baptized into the body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:13) by the Holy Spirit

Baptized in Water
(Romans 6:4) by a Disciple

Baptized in the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8) By Jesus

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
– Ephesians 19:5-7 (NIV)

Tongues are…
⭑ A sign: of the spirit’s filling (Acts 2:4)
⭑ A prophetic Exhortation: building up the church (1 Corinthians 14:5)
⭑ A prayer language: speaking to God (1 Corinthians 14:2)

“THE PROMISE IS FOR YOU…” ACTS 2:39

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This past Sunday, Guest Speaker, Marshall Eizenga preached a message entitled “The Divine’s Benefit Package.” Drawing from Psalm 103, Pastor Marshall highlighted the incredible benefits God graciously gives to His people — forgiveness, healing, restoration, favour, contentment, and spiritual enablement. Focusing on the promise that God “heals all your diseases,” Pastor Marshall reminded us that God cares deeply about every part of our lives — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. He encouraged us to trust God even in seasons where healing may not yet be visible, choosing faith over fear and believing in the unseen because we know the One who is faithful. Through David’s example, we were challenged to hold onto a faith that remains strong and alive, confidently resting in God’s power, goodness, and sustaining grace. This message invited us to remember God’s faithfulness and to walk daily in gratitude for His divine care and provision.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Divine’s Benefit Package – Marshall Eizenga
Dr. H.L. Wilmington: “Psalm 103 contains precious and personal promises which all believers can feed upon. This psalm is possibly the greatest, grandest and most glorious poem of praise to Jehovah God ever composed.”

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
“Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
–Psalm 103:3-5

The Divine benefit of Forgiveness
The Divine benefit of Healing
The Divine benefit of Restoration
The Divine benefit of Favour
The Divine benefit of Contentment
The Divine benefit of Spiritual Enablement

⭑ David believes in the unseen because he believes in the one he hasn’t seen
⭑ David’s faith wasn’t going to die before he did!

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This past Sunday, Guest speaker Mark Hazzard preached a message entitled "Devoted: One Church, One World, One Mission." Drawing from Matthew 28:18–20, Pastor Mark emphasized both the urgency and clarity of Jesus’ Great Commission to "go and make disciples." He challenged us to consider four important questions: Who should be making disciples? What does making disciples look like? Who should we disciple? And when should we make disciples? Pastor Mark reminded us that disciple-making is not reserved for a select few but is the calling of every believer, empowered by Christ’s authority and presence. This message encourages us to live with purpose, embracing our mission to make disciples wherever God has placed us.

✍️ Notes
Title: Devoted. One Church, One World, One Mission – Mark Hazzard
“18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. –Matthew 28:18-20

⭑ Note the urgency of the message
⭑ Note the clarity of the message

Four important questions:
1. Who should be making disciples?
2. What does making disciples look like?
3. Who should we disciple?
4. When should we make disciples?

Go and make disciples!

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Still Room at the Table.” Pastor Ben reminded us that God’s invitation is open to everyone, pointing to Jesus’ parable in Luke 14 where the master continued to welcome more guests because there was still room at the table. He encouraged us to see the heart of God for people who may feel overlooked, forgotten, or far from Him, and challenged us to make room in our lives for others just as Christ has made room for us. Pastor Ben also reflected on Acts 2:46-47, highlighting the beauty of biblical community as believers gathered together with glad and sincere hearts, sharing meals, praising God, and witnessing lives being transformed daily. This message calls us to live with open hearts, open minds and open tables, inviting others into the life-changing love and community found in Jesus.

✍️ Notes
Title: Still Room at the Table – Ben Johnson

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
–Acts 2:46-47 NIV

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’  “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.”
–Luke 14:15-23 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, guest speakers, Darcy and Leanne McAlister shared a message entitled “The Power of Sending.” They reminded us that God is still calling people into His mission and that the Church is called to participate through evangelism, discipleship, justice, creation care, and community. Drawing from Acts 13:1–3, Darcy and Leanne highlighted how the church at Antioch identified, discipled, and sent out leaders like Barnabas and Saul for God’s work. They encouraged us to see sending as a community responsibility — one that requires a willingness to mentor, develop, and release the next generation into ministry both locally and globally. Through stories of mission work, marriage ministry, and investing in young leaders around the world, they challenged us to say “yes” to God’s calling and to faithfully send our sons and daughters into His mission.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Power of Sending – Darcy and Leanne McAlister

Connecting Women & Men into God’s Mission
• French translation
• International groups
• Groups for and Women
• Regional Conferences

Mission Global
• Communicating God’s heart for mission
• Encouraging missional discipleship
• Connecting our churches with global work

Marriage Ministry
• Online and in person
• Marriage mentoring in a Muslim country
• Marriage courses used by leaders in contexts without Bible schools

A Call to Young Leaders
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• In Canada & around the world

God is Still Calling People
• God has a Mission
• God Mission is Holistic
• Evangelism
• Discipleship
• Justice
• Creation Care
• Community
• The Church is Called to Participate

“Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”
–Act 13:1-3 (NLT)

Committed to Identify and Disciple
• Barnabas identified him as a leader
• He mentored him
• He developed a leader

Dedicated to Sending
• A community responsibility
• We send our best

We must send our sons and daughters

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;”
–Act 2:17

A Willingness to say “yes.”

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Passing on the Faith.” Pastor Ben walked us through 2 Timothy 1:2–7, reminding us that faith is passed on through lives that genuinely reflect Christ, through stirring up the gifts God has placed within us, and through intentionally imparting faith to the next generation. Drawing from the examples of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, Pastor Ben emphasized that sincere faith is often cultivated through faithful relationships and daily example. He also reminded us of God’s heart for family and discipleship, as seen in Ephesians 1:5 and Psalm 78:4–5, encouraging us to share the goodness and power of God with future generations.

✍️ Notes
Title: Passing on the Faith – Ben Johnson

2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
–2 Timothy 1:2-7 (NIV)

How is the faith passed on?
• It is lived
• It is stirred up
• It is imparted

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family, by bringing us to himself through Jesus… this is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure…”
–Ephesians 1:5

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.
–Psalm 78:4-5

Passing on the Faith: The great commission is fulfilled one life at a time.

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Way of Missions.” Pastor Ben reminded us, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel… it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16), and pointed to Jesus’ prayer that “all of them may be one… so that the world may believe” (John 17:20–21), and that “by this everyone will know… if you love one another” (John 13:35). He taught that the Great Commission is what we do: “go into all the world and preach the Good News” (Mark 16:15), the Great Commandment is how we do it: “love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39), and Great Compassion is why we do it: because people are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

✍️ Notes
Title: The Way of Missions – Ben Johnson
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
–Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 
–John 17:20-21 (NIV)

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
–John 13:35 (NIV)

Great Commission – What
And then he told them, “You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.
–Mark 16:15 (TLB)

Great Commandment – How
Jesus replied “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
–Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

Great Compassion – Why
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
–Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor preached a message entitled “Becoming the Will of God.” From Romans 12:1–2, he urged us, “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship,” and to “not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Pastor Jeremiah spoke to the real questions people are asking today: about identity, relationships, emotions, growth, and truth challenging us with: What are you looking for? Why does it matter? Are you willing? He reminded us that “if you are not intentionally being transformed, you will unintentionally be conformed,” and that “if He is not your greatest treasure, He won’t be your deepest worship.” This message calls us to live fully surrendered—for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21) as we become aligned with God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.

✍️ Notes
Title: Becoming the Will of God – Jeremiah Niengor
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
–Romans 12:1-2

What are you looking for?

Top 5 Questions People are Asking Today:
1. How do I figure my life out? Desire for identity + direction
2. How do I fix or understand my relationships? Desire for love + belonging
3. How do I deal with what I’m feeling?  Desire for peace + emotional health
4. Help me grow or get better? Desire for transformation
5. What's actually true? Desire for truth + clarity

⭑ Why does it matter?
⭑ Are you willing?

“Worship is the submission of all our nature to Jesus. It is the quickening of conscience by Jesus’ holiness. It is the nourishment of mind by Jesus’ truth. It is the purifying of the imagination by Jesus’ beauty. It is the opening of the heart to Jesus’ love. It is the submission of will to Jesus’ purpose…All this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable, and therefore the chief remedy of that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.”
–Archbishop William Temple

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
–Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

Are you able? If he is not your greatest treasure, He won’t be your deepest worship.
Paul is not just after a mind that can spot what’s right…but a heart the loves what’s right.
If you are not intentionally being transformed, you will unintentionally be conformed.

⭑ The Will God Reveals

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This past Sunday, our pastor, Adam Meckelborg, preached a message entitled “The Glorious Gospel: Before and After.” Pastor Adam contrasted life without God and life with Him through Ephesians 2, showing that apart from Christ we are spiritually dead, following the world, the flesh, and the enemy. But in Ephesians 2:4–5, we see the turning point: “But because of his great love for us, God… made us alive with Christ — it is by grace you have been saved.” He emphasized that God’s motive is love and His character is rich in mercy, covering every sin. Through the gospel, we are brought from death to life and raised with Christ. 

✍️ Notes  
The Glorious Gospel: Before and After – Adam Meckelborg

Contrasting Realities
Live Without God VS. Life With Go

Life Without God
Ephesians 2:1 (NIV)
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” 

Ephesians 2:1b-3
“… you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  

3 Things We Follow (Life Without God)

Paul’s Unholy Trinity

Spiritually “Dead”: Immobilized / Stuck / Unable to change
Bound to the flesh.  
Ensnared in the systems of the world.  
Unable to defeat the power of Satan.

We need someone who can step into the reality we are in, break the bondage of that reality, and bring us into another one. We need a hero.

Life With God

Ephesians 2:4-7 (NIV)
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Life With God:  
God’s motive: “Because of his great love for us.”  
No hidden agenda, unsaid expectation, no catch.  
God’s character: “God, who is rich in mercy…” No error, mistake, misstep, that mercy cannot cover.  

Our sin is no match for the wealth of His mercy.

Ephesians 2:5
“…made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:6-7
“6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

The Glorious Gospel:

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Power of the Gospel.” Pastor Ben reminded us through Romans 1:16 that the gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” emphasizing that the gospel is not what we do, it’s what Jesus has done. Walking through 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, he highlighted the foundation of our faith: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Using the imagery of baptism – into the water, under the water, and up out of the water, he illustrated Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This message calls us to stand firmly in the gospel, holding fast to the truth that saves us.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Power of the Gospel – Ben Johnson
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
–Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

⭑ The Gospel is not what you do – it’s what Jesus has done!

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
–1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15: The Gospel

Jesus died for our signs
Into the water
Jesus was buried
Under the water
Jesus rose again
Up out of the water

and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
–Corinthians 15:5-8 (NIV)

The Gospel is not what you do – it’s what Jesus has done!

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Good News of Easter.” Pastor Ben walked us through Matthew 28:1–10: “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified… He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” He also shared from G.B. Hardy, “When I look at religion, I have two questions. One: has anybody ever conquered death? Two: if they did, did they make a way for me to conquer death?” concluding, “I came to the tomb of Jesus, and it was empty… ‘Because I live ye shall live also, Jesus is Lord.” Referencing 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,” he pointed to the moment, “Suddenly Jesus met them… they came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.”

✍️ Notes
Title: The Good News of Easter – Ben Johnson

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the  tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus me them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)

Jesus really died
“I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.”

Jesus is alive
“He is not here; he has risen.”

“When I look at religion, I have two questions. One: has anybody ever conquered death? Two: if they did, did they make a way for me to conquer death?’  I checked the tomb of Buddha, and it was occupied.

I checked the tomb of Confucius, and it was occupied; I checked the tomb of Mohammed, and it was occupied; and I came to the tomb of Jesus, and it was empty; and I said, 'There is One who conquered death.’

And I asked the second question, ‘Did He make a way for me to do it?’ I opened the Bible and discovered that He said, 'Because I live ye shall live also.” Jesus Is Lord.”
–G.B. Hardy (Canadian scientist)

Jesus can be trusted
“…just as he said.”

1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…” Jesus can be experienced Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. 

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This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis preached a message entitled “What King is This?” Pastor Hunter walked us through Matthew 21, where as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds asked, “Who is this?” a “proper, profitable, personal, pressing question.” Looking at both His ride and His rule, we see a King who comes “gentle and riding on a donkey,” Zechariah 9:9. Through Matthew 11, Jesus invites, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened… and you will find rest.” He is a King who rules with gentleness and humility, inviting us to take His yoke and learn from Him.

✍️ Notes
Title: What King is This? Hunter Gillis   
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven! “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this? “The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked.“Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV)

“Where Jesus comes he makes a stir, and raises a question question. “Who is this?” Is a proper, profitable, personal, pressing question. Let [the] reader make this enquiry concerning Jesus and never rest till he knows the answer.”
–Charles Spurgeon

⭑ His Ride

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)

⭑ His Rule

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

His temper is mild. He comes not in wrath to take vengeance, but in mercy to work salvation. He is meek to suffer the greatest injuries and indignities for Sion’s cause, meek to bear with the follies of Sion’s own children…He is easy of access; easy to be entreated. He is meek not only as teacher, but as a ruler; he rules by love. His government is mild and gentle, and his law is not written in the blood of his subjects but in his own. His yoke is easy.
–Matthew Henry

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Just Ask, When Prayer Feels Hard.” Pastor Ben walked us through Matthew 7, reminding us to first examine our own hearts before judging others, and to approach God with humility and sincerity. He emphasized that prayerlessness often reveals a heart that feels self-sufficient, rather than dependent on God. Drawing from Jesus’ words—“ask, seek, knock”— he encouraged us to admit our need, pursue God’s direction, and persist in prayer with urgency and faith. Pastor Ben reassured us that God is near, attentive, and eager to respond, giving good gifts to His children. This message invites us to move toward God in honest, humble prayer, trusting that He hears us and responds according to His will.

✍️ Notes
Title: Just Ask, When Prayer Feels Hard -  Ben Johnson

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1–5 (NIV)

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7:6 (NIV)

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too — your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful — I can’t take it all in!
Psalm 139:1-6

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
1 John 5:14

“Prayerlessness is almost always a humility issue-the natural consequence of a heart that tends to believe it is good without God.”
– Jackie Hill Perry (Upon Waking)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

⭑ Ask – Admit your need.
⭑ Seek – when you need God’s direction.
⭑ Knock – with urgency and persistence.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Way Out of Worry.” Drawing from Matthew 6:25–34, Pastor Ben reminded us that Jesus calls His followers to live free from worry by trusting in the faithful care of our Heavenly Father. Just as God provides for the birds of the air and clothes the flowers of the field, He lovingly provides for our needs and invites us to place our confidence in Him. Pastor Ben emphasized that worry loses its grip when we choose to trust God fully, live in the present rather than fearing tomorrow, and make seeking His Kingdom our highest priority. He also encouraged us to bring everything to God in prayer, cultivating gratitude as we remember His faithfulness. This message challenges us to deepen our trust in Jesus, knowing that the more we trust Him, the less we allow worry to shape our lives.

✍️ Notes
“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

⭑ God deeply cares about you

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

⭑ Choose to live in the present
“Do not worry about tomorrow… each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

⭑ Seek God’s Kingdom first (top priority)
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Matthew 6:33

⭑ Pray about Everything
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

⭑ Cultivate Gratitude
“… by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests  to God.” Philippians 4:6

⭑ The more we trust Jesus, the less we worry

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This past Sunday, Pastor Merrie Eizenga preached a message entitled “Come Closer.” Pastor Merrie walked us through Matthew 6, reminding us that God invites us into a real and personal relationship with Him. She shared how giving, prayer, and fasting are simple ways we can draw near to the father in the quiet place. Through the Lord’s Prayer, we were encouraged to come to God with honest, childlike faith, trusting that He already knows what we need. This message warmly invited us to come closer to God with humility, authenticity, and a heart that simply wants to be with Him.

✍️ Notes
Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT)
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do —blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  Give your gifts in private, and your father, who see.”

Matthew 6:5-8 (NLT)
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:9-15 (KJV)
Pray like this, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

⭑ “it’s okay to pray like a six-year-old or an old man falling down the stairs.”
– Peter Greig

Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Heart Level Righteousness.” Pastor Ben reminded us that true righteousness goes beyond outward behaviour and begins in the heart, because “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Walking through Matthew 5, he showed how Jesus calls us deeper — addressing anger, lust, dishonesty, retaliation, and even how we treat our enemies — revealing that God is after inward transformation, not just external obedience. Pastor Ben encouraged us to live with integrity, purity, and love. Reflecting the character of our heavenly Father. Ultimately, this kind of righteousness is only possible through Jesus, as we receive His righteousness by faith and loving on others because He first loved us.

✍️ Notes
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”

Matthew 5:20 (NIV)
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees
and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV)
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break  you oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’  But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;  or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Matthew 5:38-41 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

⭑ 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
“We love because he first loved us.”
⭑ 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
⭑ Philippians 3:9 (NIV) 
“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ —the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

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This past Sunday, Pastor Adam Meck preached a message entitled “The Salt of the Earth.” Pastor Adam reminded us that Christians are called to be a necessary ingredient for the good of the earth, just as salt was essential in the ancient world. Drawing from Matthew 5:13, he explained that salt was used to savour, preserve, and purify, and that while salt cannot stop being salt, it can stop being used. He emphasized that salt does not exist for itself and that we lose our saltiness when we stay in the shaker. Pastor Adam challenged us to remember that the purpose of the Church is for those not in the room. He encouraged us to live with the right vision and mission by humbly serving within our spheres of society for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Salt of​ the Earth​ - Adam Meck

“If Christianity is such an inessential add-on, why become a Christian?​ Still, if someone has a faith worth following, I feel that​ their beliefs should make me feel uncomfortable for not​ doing so. If they share 90 percent of my lifestyle and values,​ then there is nothing especially inspiring about them.​ Instead of making me want to become more like them,​ it looks very much as if they want to become more like me.”​ - Ben Sixsmith, The Sad Irony of Celebrity Pastors. The Spectator, 2020.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.​ Matthew 5:13 (NIV)​

⭑ Salt in the ancient world​
Savour – Enhance, Flavour, Enjoy. ​
Preserve - Prevent moral decay.​
Purify - Heal from sin and death.

Jesus is saying that as salt is a necessary ingredient for daily life, so we are the necessary ingredient for the good of the earth. ​ ​

“If salt loses its saltiness, how can​ it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

It is impossible for salt to stop being salt. ​It is possible for salt to stop being used. ​

1. Salt doesn’t exist for itself. ​
“The school of the Church is an admirable surgery… not for bodies, but for souls.”​
St. Chrysostom, Homily Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.​

“Sin demands to have a man​ by himself. It withdraws him​ From the community.” Bonhoeffer, Life Together. ​

2. We stay in the shaker.​
We lose our saltiness when we forget​ that the ultimate purpose of this gathering is for the people not in this room. ​

3. Right Vision, Wrong Mission​
The Seven Spheres of Society​
1. Family ​
2. Church ​
3. Education ​
4. Media ​
5. Art​
6. Business / Economy​
7. Government / Social Service
​
The way we reach our spheres is not by climbing to their peak, but going so low we become their foundation. ​

Responses To The Word: ​
​
1. Are you isolated from community? Take a step to change that. ​
​
2. Is your Christian life limited to already Christian circles?​
Who are 2-3 people you can intentionally love and serve. ​
​
3.  What sphere are you in? Within that sphere,​ what small, potent thing can you do that will​ bring the kingdom of God to that place.

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Blessed Life.” Pastor Ben taught from Matthew 4:23–25 and Matthew 5:1–10, showing how Jesus redefines what it truly means to be blessed. We saw that blessing flows from our posture toward God, our response to sin, our relationships with others, and how we endure suffering. Jesus invites us into a life marked by humility, mercy, purity of heart, and peace, a life shaped by the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Christ, we are brought near to God and called to live out His peace in the world.

✍️ Notes
Title: The Blessed Life – Ben Johnson
Matthew 4:23-25
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 5:1-10
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⭑ “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

1. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit“ Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).
Attitude: Our attitude about ourselves - when we know we need God.

⭑  “Learn this lesson: not to trust Christ because you repent, but trust Christ to make you repent; not to come to Christ because you have a broken heart, but to come to Him that He may give you a broken heart; not to come to Him because you are fit to come, but to come to Him because you are unfit to come. Your fitness is your unfitness. Your qualification is your lack of qualification.”

2. Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4)
Attitude:  Our attitude toward our sin - we feel the weight of our own sin.

3. Blessed Are the Meek
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5)
Attitude:  Our attitude about others - power under control.

4. Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt. 5:6)
Attitude:  Our attitude toward God – wanting God and His ways

5. Blessed Are the Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt. 5:7)
Attitude:  Having a forgiving spirit.

6. Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8)
Attitude:  Having a pure motivation

7. Blessed are the Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9)
Attitude:  To go out of our way to make peace.

8. Blessed Are Those Persecuted for Righteousness
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10–12)
Attitude:  Being content and patient during suffering

Romans 5:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Ephesians 2:13–14 (NIV)
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace…”

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This past Sunday, Pastor Mandi Gillis preached a message entitled “The Kingdom Breaks In.” Pastor Mandi focused on Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” reminding us that God’s kingdom is present and breaking in now. She highlighted Matthew 4:13–17, where Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.” Drawing from Jeremiah 23:5–6, she pointed to Jesus as the righteous King who “will reign wisely” and is called “The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” This message called us to repent, to change our lives and to continually repeat our response to the nearness of God’s kingdom.

✍️ Notes
Matthew 4:17 NIV “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

"Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali — to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,  the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people living in darkness have Seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”  From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Matthew 4: 13-17

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved  and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior." Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV

"Change your life. God's kingdom is here." Matthew 4:17 NIV

“Gradually, as Matthew’s story develops, we begin to realize. If the light-bearers insist on darkness, darkness they shall have. If the peace-people insist on war, war they shall have. If the people called to bring God’s love and forgiveness into the world insist on hating everyone else… hatred and all that it brings will come crashing around their ears. This won’t be an arbitrary judgement or punishment; it will be what they themselves have been calling for…This is why they must repent while there’s still time. The kingdom is coming, and they are standing in the way.”
N.T. Wright – Matthew for Everyone

⭑We need to repent
⭑We need to repeat

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “When Temptation Comes.” From Matthew 4:1–11, Pastor Ben reminded us that “temptation is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13) and that God does not tempt us (James 1:13). He taught that temptation often comes after a spiritual high or in moments of weakness, just as Jesus was led into the wilderness and fasted forty days. Pastor Ben pointed to Jesus’ responses to temptation, declaring “It is written” and affirming that we are called to worship the Lord and serve Him only. He encouraged us that God is faithful and always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13) as we endure temptation.

✍️ Notes
Title: When Temptation Comes – Ben Johnson
Matthew 4:1-11 (NKJV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

1. Temptation is common to the human experience
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man…” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

2. God does not tempt us
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (James 1:13 NIV)

3. Temptation often comes after a spiritual high or before a spiritual breakthrough
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

4. Temptation often comes when we feel weak, depleted or poured out
“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

5. Satan is a “tempter”, but he has limits
“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Corinthians 10)

6. Our own desires tempt us
“but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” (James 1:14 NIV)

7. There’s always a way out
“But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

Jesus and Temptation (Matthew 4)
⭑ Lust of the Flesh – Stones
→ Bread → “Man shall not live by bread alone”
⭑ Pride of Life – Jump from Temple → “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”
⭑ Lust of the Eyes – All kingdoms now → “Worship the Lord your God”

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 (NLT)

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Here Comes The Kingdom.” Pastor Ben walked us through Matthew 3:1–17, highlighting how the arrival of God’s Kingdom is marked by announcement, a voice, and affirmation & anointing. He reminded us that John the Baptist’s call to repentance was a clear announcement that the Kingdom of heaven had come near, preparing hearts for the coming of Jesus. Pastor Ben emphasized the power of being a faithful voice in the wilderness—calling people back to God with humility, obedience, and a life that bears fruit. As Jesus was baptized, we see the Father’s affirmation and the Spirit’s anointing, revealing Jesus’ identity and mission. This message invites us to respond with repentance, live as a clear voice for God’s Kingdom, and walk confidently in the affirmation and calling God places on our lives.

✍️ Notes
⭑ Announcement
⭑ A Voice
⭑ Affirmation & Anointing

Matthew 3:1-17
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea  and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wreath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father. I tell you that out of these stones, God can raise up children for Abraha. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied,
“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

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This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis, preached a message entitled “The King Is Here.” Drawing from Matthew 2:1–12, Pastor Hunter reminded us that the wise men modeled hearts that seek, surrender, and worship Jesus as the true King. He challenged us to confront the “Herod” within our own hearts, laying down anything that resists Christ’s rule. This message calls us to seek Jesus wholeheartedly and respond with joyful worship and surrendered lives.

✍️ Notes
Matthew 2:1-12
'Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he  who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come
to worship him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and
assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers
of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way.

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

★ Conquer your Heart and Kill your Herrod
★ A People who Seek
★ A People who Surrender

Jeremiah 23:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.

Tim Mackie
“The conflict between Jesus and the powers begins right here in Matthew 2. Ironically, even the other nations can see who the king really is, but Israel's current leadership is so invested in the power politics of the day that all they see is a threat.”

Charles Spurgeon
Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him will worship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance to him.”

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Merry Christmas FA Family! This past Wednesday on Christmas Eve, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The King Has Come.” Pastor Ben reminded us through Matthew 1:23 that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. He emphasized that the greatest gift of Christmas is God’s presence with us, echoing John Wesley’s words, “the best of all is that God is with us.”

✍️ Notes
Matthew 1:23 (NIV) The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with us)."

The best of all is that God is with us" John Wesley

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This past Sunday, our pastor, Travis Holownia, preached a message entitled “The Small Things.” Pastor Travis reminded us that spiritual growth often happens through faithfulness in the ordinary, pointing to Luke 2:52 as a picture of Jesus growing step by step in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and others. Through the story of Jesus calling His first disciples in Luke 5:1–11, he highlighted how God uses small acts — availability, staying faithful, obedience, humility, and waiting — to bring about life-changing purpose. As Simon Peter obeyed Jesus despite exhaustion and doubt, God moved powerfully, showing us that when we are faithful in the small things, God can use them to accomplish something far greater than we could imagine.

✍️ Notes
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” - Luke 2:52 (NIV)

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11 (NIV)

⭑ The Small Thing of Availability.. (Luke 5:1–3)

⭑ The Small Thing of Staying.. (Luke 5:2)

⭑ The Small Thing of Obedience.. (Luke 5:4–5)

⭑ The Small Thing of Humility.. (Luke 5:8–10)

⭑ The Small Thing of Waiting.. (Luke 5 → Acts 2)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor preached a message entitled “This Is Not How I Planned It.” Pastor Jeremiah walked us through Matthew 1:18–25, showing how the trouble in Joseph’s story reflects the disruptions we face when God’s faithfulness collides with our plans. He reminded us that grace often doesn’t arrive as comfort, but as interruption—and that what looks like a problem may actually be God’s work of redemption. Through Joseph’s obedient response, we were invited to surrender control, seek discernment in confusing seasons, and say yes to God even before we fully understand, trusting that He is forming Christ in us.

✍️ Notes
The trouble in the text → The trouble in our world
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary​ was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they
came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV)​
​
⭑ What do you do when God’s faithfulness disrupts your plans completely?​

The grace in​ the text →​ The grace we don’t expect​

But after he had considered this,​ an angel of the Lord appeared to him in​ a dream and said, “Joseph son of David,​
do not be afraid to​ take Mary home as​ your wife, because​ what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.​ Matthew 1:20 (NIV)​

⭑ Grace doesn’t arrive as comfort.​ It arrives as interruption.​

⭑ What are you quietly walking away from that God might be using to form Christ in you?​

The claim of​ the text →​ The claim on us​

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ​22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will
call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:21-23 (NIV)​

⭑ The Human Response​

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not
consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

⭑ Where is God working in a way that looks like a problem but is actually redemption?​

⭑ Where are you planning a quiet exit from the place God is forming​ Christ in you?​

Prayer Points:​
1) Surrender – God, help me release control where You are interrupting me.​
2) Discernment – Help me see Your work in what feels confusing or painful.​
3) Obedience – Give me courage to say yes before I understand

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This past Sunday, Pastor Sebastian Martinez preached a message entitled “A Faith that Costs.” Pastor Sebastian walked us through Mary’s story in Luke 1, highlighting three movements in the text: God’s initiating grace in the Annunciation, Mary’s faith-filled response in the Conversation, and her worshipful surrender in the Magnificat. He emphasized Mary’s remarkable faith—one that trusted God despite the cost and the scandal of grace—captured in her words, “I am the Lord’s servant… may your word to me be fulfilled.” By connecting Mary’s song with Hannah’s prayer, Pastor Sebastian reminded us that God is faithful to His promises, lifts the humble, fills the hungry, and reverses human power. This message calls us to a faith that responds to God’s revelation with worship, surrender, and trust, knowing we are part of a much greater story.

✍️ Notes
⭑ The call that changed it all​

3 Movements of the Text​:

1. The Annunciation - God's initiating grace​
2. The Conversation – Mary’s Faith​
3. The Magnificat – Mary’s Worship​
​
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town​ In Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel of the Lord went to her and said, "Greetings you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."​ 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.​ 30 But the angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, ​Mary; you have found favour with God. 31 You​ will conceive and give birth to a son, and you​ are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:26-33 (NIV)​

⭑ A Remarkable Faith​
⭑ The scandal of grace​

38 "I am the Lord's servant, "Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.

⭑ Nothing to lose​

46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord. 47 And my spirit rejoices in God my saviour, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the mighty one has done great things for me- holy is his name. ​50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has broken down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. ​53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. ​Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)​

⭑ Part of a greater story​

⭑ Shared themes {side by side}​
 
Hannah (1 Sam 2)​ | Mary (Luke 1)​

“My heart rejoices in the LORD”​ | “My soul magnifies the Lord”​

⭑ Revelation that leads to worship & surrender​
 
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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “A Saviour for All Generations.” Pastor Ben walked us through Matthew 1:1–17, showing how the genealogy of Jesus reveals God’s faithfulness across every generation. He highlighted the promises made to Abraham, the prophetic hope spoken through Isaiah, and the righteous King promised in Jeremiah—reminding us that God always keeps His promises. Pastor Ben also emphasized that people matter deeply to God, as seen in the diverse and imperfect individuals included in Jesus’ family line. Finally, he pointed us to the depth of God’s grace, encouraging us through Hebrews 4:16 to approach the throne of grace with confidence, trusting that we will receive mercy and help in our time of need.

✍️ Notes
1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the
father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. 12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud,​ 15 Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan,​ Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. Matthew 1:1-17 (NIV)​

⭑  God Always Keeps His Promises
2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”​ Genesis 12:2–3
(NIV)
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit​ of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— 3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”​ Isaiah 11:1–3 (NIV)​
5 “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. 6 And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.”​ Jeremiah 23:5–6 (NLT)​
​
⭑ People Matter to God​

⭑ God’s Grace Runs Deep​
16 Let us then approach God’s throne​ of grace with confidence, so that we​ may receive mercy and find grace to​
help us in our time of need.​ Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)​

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This past Sunday, Lead Pastor Ben Johnson preached a message entitled "The Power of Together." Pastor Ben reminded us of Ecclesiastes 4:9 — two are better than one — calling us to walk in unity as families, in vision, and in giving. Through the example of Exodus 35, we were shown how the people gave willingly — bringing offerings, skills, and craftsmanship to the Lord’s work. We were encouraged to respond to God not only with obedience, but with our whole hearts, gifts, and talents. This message invites us to move from being consumers to contributors and champions, recognizing that God builds His church as we come together — willing, obedient and generous.

✍️ Notes
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (GNT)

GOD IS CALLING US TOGETHER:​
⭑ Together as Families​
⭑ Together in Vision​
⭑ Together in Giving

21 All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord. Exodus 35:21-22 (NLT)​​

WE GIVE OUR OBEDIENCE:​
Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded…” (35:4)​
“This is the thing which the Lord commanded​"

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.​ The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;​ they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.​ ​Psalm 19:7-10 (NIV)​

WE GIVE OUR HEARTS:​
“All whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings (35:22)​

WE GIVE OUR GIFTS & TALENTS:​
35 The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.  Exodus 35:35 (NLT)​

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)​

6-7 So Moses sent out orders through the camp: “Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!” The people were ordered to stop bringing offerings! There was plenty of material for all the work to be done. Enough and more than enough.​  Exodus 36:6-7 (MSG)​

EVERY CHURCH:​
⭑ Consumers​
⭑ Contributors​
⭑ Champions

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Excel in the Grace of Giving.” Pastor Ben taught from 2 Corinthians 8–9, emphasizing Paul’s call to “excel in this grace of giving” just as we excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love. He highlighted the Macedonian churches, whose overflowing joy and extreme poverty produced rich generosity as they “gave themselves first of all to the Lord.” Pastor Ben reminded us that giving multiplies blessings, should be cheerful and free, and brings freedom from financial worry. Scripture teaches that God is able to bless abundantly so we “will abound in every good work” and be “enriched in every way” to be generous on every occasion. Giving supplies the needs of the Lord’s people, inspires others to praise God, and is our response to His “indescribable gift.”

✍️ Notes
7 But since you excel in everything​ in faith, in speech, in knowledge,​ in complete earnestness and in the​ love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.​ 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)​

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. They gave themselves first of all to the Lord…‘But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”.​" 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NIV)

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give… for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly… so that you will abound in every good work. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…This service… is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”​ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)​

⭑ EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD ​
They gave themselves first of all to the Lord… (vs 5)​

⭑ GIVE TO GOD FIRST
They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. (vs 5)

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,​
and your vats will overflow with good wine.​Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)​

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,​ that there may be food in my house. Test me​ in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I​ will not throw open the floodgates of heaven​ and pour out so much blessing that there​ will not be room enough to store it. ​Malachi 3:10 (NIV) ​

1. GIVING MULTIPLIES BLESSINGS​
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (9:6)

2. GIVING SHOULD BE FUN AND FREE​
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,​ not reluctantly or under compulsion,​ for God loves a cheerful giver”  (9:7)​

3. GIVING BRINGS FREEDOM​ FROM FINANCIAL WORRY​
“God is able to bless you abundantly… you will abound in every good work” (9:8)​

4. GIVING ENRICHES YOUR LIFE​
“You will be enriched in every way​ so that you can be generous on​ every occasion” (9:11)​

5. GIVING MEETS THE​ NEEDS OF OTHERS​
“supplying the needs of the Lord’s people…” (9:12)​

6. GIVING INSPIRES OTHERS TO PRAISE GOD​
“Others will praise God… for your generosity in sharing” (9:13)​

7. GIVING IS A RESPONSE TO GOD’S GIFT TO YOU​
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:15)​

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This past Vision Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “God’s Not Finished Yet.” Preaching from Habakkuk 1-2, God is actively at work and calls us to hold to His vision with faith, trusting that delay is not denial. Pastor Ben shared three exciting steps God is leading us into: Phase 1 is the building plan for our South Property, a developing Christian high school partnership between GCA, Trinity, and First Assembly, and progress on the Calgary Dream Centre’s Erlton House — providing safe, supportive housing for women and mothers with children. He closed with a Champions Call to Fast and pray, to plan for the Kingdom Builders Vision 100 Miracle Offering Sunday, to plant a financial seed, and to participate by stepping boldly into the vision God is unfolding.

✍️ Notes
“Look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. ” Habakkuk 1:5 (NLT)

“Write the vision​ and make it plain on tablets,​ that he may run who reads it.​ 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;​ but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.​ Though it tarries, wait for it;​ because it will surely come,​ it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NLT)

Don’t Lose Sight of God’s Vision! “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets…”

Remember: Delay is not Denial. “…Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come”

3 exciting steps God is leading us into:
1) Phase 1 of Building Planning Underway: South Property
2) Shared Vision for Christian High School Partnership (South Property)
GCA
Trinity
First Assembly
3) Calgary Dream Centre, Erlton House: (Calgary Center)
A Safe, Healthy, Supportive and Affordable Home for Women and Mothers with Children

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)

Here’s why we are doing this: “The harvest is plentiful...” - Jesus (Luke 10:2)

Prophetic words spoken over first assembly:
⭑ “Write the vision and make it plain.” Habakkuk 2:2
GOD IS LOOKING FOR RUNNERS - “That he may run who reads it.”

Champions Call:
1) Pray: Fasting & Prayer
2) Plan: Plan for KB Vision 100 Miracle Offering Sunday
3) Plant: Plant a financial seed into the vision
4) Participate: STEP INTO THE VISION

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “From Decision to Disciple.” Drawing from Matthew 28:16 - 20, Pastor Ben reminded us that while becoming a Christian happens in a moment, becoming a disciple is a lifelong journey of knowing, obeying and following Jesus. He emphasized that true discipleship begins with personally knowing Jesus, continues through faithfully obeying His commands, and overflows into inviting others to follow Him as well. Pastor Ben encouraged us to live with confidence in Christ’s authority and comfort in His presence, knowing that He is with us always as we walk out His Great Commission together.

✍️ Notes
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”​ Matthew 28:16–20 (NIV)​

⭑ YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN IN A MOMENT, BUT YOU BECOME​ A DISCIPLE OVER A LIFETIME​

1. KNOWS JESUS PERSONALLY​
“Go make disciples of all nations.” (vs 19) ​

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.​
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.​ Romans 10:9-10​

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”​ Ephesians 1:17​

“I am the good shepherd; I know my​ sheep and my sheep know me.”​ John 10:14​

2. OBEYS JESUS FAITHFULLY​
“baptizing them in the name of the Father​
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (vs 19)​
​
“…and teaching them to obey everything​
I have commanded you.” (vs 20)

3. INVITES OTHERS TO​ FOLLOW JESUS TOGETHER
“Go and make disciples of all nations.” (vs 19)​

⭑ WE HAVE HIS AUTHORITY - POWER​
“All authority in heaven and on earth​ has been given to Me.” (vs 18)​

⭑  ​WE HAVE HIS AVAILABILITY - PRESENCE​
​“And surely I am with you always, to the​ very end of the age.” (vs 20)​

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor preached a message entitled “The Basin, the Towel & the Blood.” Drawing from John 13, Pastor Jeremiah spoke about the descent of majesty, where Jesus, knowing His hour had come, laid aside His outer garments, took up a towel, and washed His disciples’ feet—revealing a love that “went to the end.” He reminded us that we are already made clean, yet our feet still need washing—that baptism is a once-for-all cleansing, while foot-washing is the continual grace of God. The towel, Pastor Jeremiah explained, represents discipleship—humility walked out. He also shared about the battle for the basin, contrasting selfishness with servanthood and quoting, “If we do not serve one another, we have not yet understood the cross.” Finally, Pastor Jeremiah pointed us to the cleansing power of love, from the upper room to Golgotha—where Jesus poured water in a basin and later poured out His blood to cleanse sin—inviting us to let Him wash us, lay aside our garments, and find joy in going low.

✍️ Notes
⭑ THE DESCENT OF MAJESTY ​

“1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having
loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.​ 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had
come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper.​ He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”​ John 13:1-5​

⭑ THE WAY OF THE TOWEL​

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ​8 “No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you,
you have no part with Me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” ​10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.​ John 13:6-10​

“YOU ARE ALREADY MADE CLEAN,​ YET YOUR FEET STILL NEED WASHING.” ​
⭑ Baptism = once-for-all cleansing (louō). ​
⭑ Foot-washing = continual grace (niptō). ​
⭑ The towel is discipleship — humility walked out

“It was not a throne but a towel that revealed the heart of God.”​​ - Charles Spurgeon

⭑ THE BATTLE FOR THE BASIN ​

SELFISHNESS: Concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; seeking one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others ​

SERVANT: One who yields obedience; one​
who makes painful sacrifices in love for others

“If we do not serve one another, we have not yet understood the cross.”​ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

⭑ THE CLEANSING POWER OF LOVE ​

UPPER ROOM​
Poured water in a basin​
Washed feet in private​
Cleaned dust​

GOLGOTHA​
Poured blood from His side​
Washed the world in public​
Cleansed sin​

Call 1: For those resisting grace ​
            → Let Him wash you. ​

Call 2: For people holding onto rank​
            → Lay aside your garments. ​

Call 3: For anyone weary of striving​
            → Find joy in going low.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER​
1. Do I resist being “washed” by Jesus—confessing sin,​
receiving grace because I’d rather appear self-sufficient? ​

2. How might my leadership look different if ​
I measured greatness by towels rather than titles? ​

3. Who is God calling me to serve that feels beneath me? ​

4. How might my life become a basin through which​
others experience the cleansing presence of Christ?

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This past Sunday, Pastor Adam Meck preached a message entitled “Wholehearted Obedience.” Teaching from Matthew 19:16–22, Pastor Adam shared the story of the rich young ruler – a man who did everything right outwardly, yet still asked Jesus, “What am I still lacking?” He reminded us that we often try to fix soul-level issues with surface-level solutions, when what Jesus truly invites us into is deeper surrender. Ultimately, he reminded us that Jesus asks for our whole heart because He wants our heart to be whole. This message calls us to trust God fully, to let go of what holds us back, and to follow Him with wholehearted obedience.

✍️ Notes
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?”​ 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall​ not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love​ your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said​ to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?”​ 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go​ and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and​ you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”​ 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property​. Matthew 19:16-22 (NASB)​

16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?”

17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”​

“TEACHER” - ADMIRER / LISTENER​
“RABBI” - FOLLOWER / IMITATOR

⭑ OUR DESIRE TO LISTEN TO GOD THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES SHOULD BE STRONGER THAN OUR DESIRE TO​ LISTEN TO PEOPLE FROM PLATFORMS.

18-19 Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not​ give false testimony; Honour your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbour as yourself. 20The young man said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?”

⭑ AT SOME POINT WE ALL END UP LIKE THE RICH YOUNG RULER, WONDERING “WHAT AM I STILL LACKING?”​

⭑ WE TRY TO FIND SYSTEMATIC SOLUTIONS TO SOUL LEVEL PROBLEMS.​

“We hit the wall when the practices that used​ to work stop working. We’ve done everything​ right, but we are being invited into a deeper​ surrender that cannot be managed or achieved.”​​ Ruth Haley Barton - Strengthening The Soul Of Your Leadership​

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possession​ and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”​

In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what​ to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God or spiritual-type thing to worship…​

Is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things — if they are where you tap real meaning in life — then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It’s the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you….​

Worship power — you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep​ the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen​ as smart — you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. And so on.​ - David Foster Wallace, Address At Kenyon College, 2005​

⭑ JESUS ASKS FOR YOUR WHOLE HEART BECAUSE HE WANTS YOUR HEART TO BE WHOLE.​

Jesus and Money:​
“That Jesus did not command all his followers to sell all their possessions gives comfort only to the kind of people to whom he would issue that command.”​ - Robert Gundry

⭑ “COME, FOLLOW ME”​

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Rest For Your Soul.” Pastor Ben reminded us that following Jesus is true rest. Teaching from Matthew 11:25–30, he shared Jesus’ invitation to “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We were encouraged to come, take and learn from Him — to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

✍️ Notes
⭑ 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father,​ Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.​ 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills​ to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for​ your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and​ My burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30 NKJV​

⭑ FOLLOWING JESUS IS TRUE REST​

⭑ COME
Matthew 11:28 NKJV​
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."​

John 7:37 NKJV – “If anyone thirsts,​ let him come to Me and drink.”​

Revelation 22:17 NKJV   “And the Spirit and​ the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.​" Isaiah 55:1–3, 6 NKJV​

“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”​ Matthew 23:4 NKJV ​

⭑ TAKE
Matthew 11:29 NKJV ​
“Take My yoke upon you​ and learn from Me.”​

⭑ LEARN
Matthew 11:29–30 NKJV​
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”​

28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything​ heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me​ and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”​

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This past Sunday, Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson shared a message titled “The Cost of Following Jesus.” Looking at Matthew 16:13 – 26, following Jesus begins with desire — “If anyone desires to come after Me…” (vs 24). Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, finding joy in self-denial as Paul did, counting all things loss for the excellence of knowing Christ. True life is discovered when we lose our life for His sake. Denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him daily looks like loving others even when it’s hard, serving others by giving our time, energy and gifts to God’s mission, and forgiving others by letting go of grudges, bitterness and resentment.

✍️ Notes
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying,  “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are [j]an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:13-26 (NKJV)
​
⭑ Desire
"If anyone desires to come after Me..."  vs 24

⭑ Deny Yourself and Take Up the Cross
“let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Vs 24

⭑ Joy in Self-Denial (Paul)
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8)

⭑ Discover True Life
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  (Vs 25)

⭑ Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him daily looks like:

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson shared a message titled “The Call to Follow.” From Matthew 4:17–22, we see Jesus calling His first disciples to leave everything and follow Him. The call begins with repentance — turning away from the world’s patterns and being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1–2). Then comes the invitation to follow — to walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us (Ephesians 5:1–2). Finally, Jesus promises that as we follow Him, we will be made into something new: “fishers of men.” Who we follow shapes who we become. When we choose to follow Jesus, we step into His light and purpose, becoming vessels of His life and love to the world (John 8:12).

✍️ Notes

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them,​ “Follow Me, and I will make you​ fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in
the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.​ Matthew 4:17-22 (NKJ)​
​
BIG IDEA: WHO YOU FOLLOW SHAPES WHO YOU BECOME.​

⭑ REPENT
17… Repent, for the kingdom​ of heaven has come near.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view​ of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve  what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2​

⭑ FOLLOW
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us…​ Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)​

⭑ BE MADE
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among​ the people... 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick
people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23-24 (NKJ)​

'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' John 8:12 (NIV)​

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This past Sunday, Pastor Mark MacKnight shared a message titled A Word for FA. Paul’s one final exhortation to the believers in II Corinthians 13:11–12 is to EMBODY their faith: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.” He concludes with these words: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Pastor Mark reminded us that “the beauty of the church is imperfect people who embody God’s unmerited favour, unconditional love, and unlimited Spirit-life.”

✍️ Notes
THE LETTERS TO FA CORINTH​
NT Letters were ‘occasional documents’​

"Finally, brother and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings." ​II Corinthians 13:11-12 [CSB]​

This is Paul’s one final exhortation to the believers to EMBODY their faith​.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.​" II Corinthians 13:13 [CSB]​

"The ‘unmerited favour’ of the Lord Jesus Christ and the ‘unconditional love’ of God, and the ‘unlimited participation’ of the Holy Spirit be your daily reality." II Corinthians 13:13 [MJM]​

⭑ THE JOURNEY​
"The beauty of the church is imperfect people who embody God’s unmerited favour, unconditional love, and unlimited Spirit-life."​

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, shared a message titled The Table of Blessing. Looking at Romans 5:1–11, we were reminded of the incredible blessings we have through faith in Christ. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God, access to His grace, and the glorious hope of heaven. Even in suffering, we can find purpose, as trials produce perseverance, character and hope. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, assuring us of His presence. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness, salvation and reconciliation with God — giving us unshakable joy and confidence in our walk with Him.

✍️ Notes

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character;
and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.​​ Romans 5:1-11 NIV​

⭑ PEACE WITH GOD​
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (v.1)

⭑ ACCESS INTO GRACE​
Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (v.2)

⭑ THE GLORIOUS​ HOPE OF HEAVEN
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (v.2)

⭑ PURPOSE IN SUFFERING​
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (v.3,4)

⭑ GOD’S LOVE POURED​ OUT WITHIN
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (v.5)​

⭑ SALVATION AND​ FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN.
…While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! (v.8,9)

⭑ JOY AND ASSURANCE OF SALVATION​
…how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (v.9)​. We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation… (NKJV, v.10,11)​

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled Fresh Oil for a Fresh Season. Samuel anointed David, and from that day the Spirit of the Lord came upon him with power (1 Samuel 16:13). The anointing is the very presence of the Holy Spirit, working in us, upon us, and through us for His glory. Fresh oil changes atmospheres and carries a Christ-like fragrance that spreads everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). The anointing opens hearts to receive truth (Acts 16:14). It heals the sick and brings freedom (Acts 10:38). It shifts spiritual environments and breaks yokes of bondage (Isaiah 10:27). We are called to grow in the anointing by waiting, by worship, and by walking in love.

✍️ Notes
"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David." 1 Samuel 16:13 (NIV)

"“I have been anointed with fresh oil.” Psalm 92:10  (NKJV)

⭑ FRESH OIL FOR A FRESH SEASON
Atmosphere – changing anointing

“The anointing is the very person and presence of the Holy Spirit Himself,actively working in you, upon you and through you for His glory.”

"14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledgeof Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our livesare a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who arebeing saved and by those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NLT)​

⭑ IT OPENS HEARTS
“…the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.”  Acts 16:14 NIV

⭑ IT HEALS THE SICK
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." Acts 10:38 NIV

⭑ IT SHIFTS SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENTS AND BREAKS BONDAGES
"It shall come to pass in that day That his burdenwill be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil." Isaiah 10:27 NKJV

⭑ GROWING IN THE ANOINTING:
1. Waiting
2. Worship
3. Walking in Love

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This past Sunday, Pastor Adam Meckelborg shared a message titled Built To Last. Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount with The Choice: two paths, two trees, two claims, and two builders. A wise life is one that hears His words and puts them into practice, building on the rock. Through practice, obedience that feels awkward becomes second nature. Jesus invites us to build a faith that withstands chaos, reminding us a damaged house is not a destroyed house. A life of obedience to Jesus is the only foundation that will last.

✍️ Notes
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these​ words of mine and puts them into practice​ is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against​ that house; yet it did not fall, because it had​ its foundation on the rock. ​26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27​

⭑ Sermon on the Mount | Matthew 5-7​
Kingdom Identity | 5:1-16 ​
Kingdom Vision | 5:17-7:12 ​
The Choice | 7:13-27

⭑ The Choice
Two Paths - broad and narrow ​
Two Trees - good fruit and bad fruit ​
Two Claims - self deception and true allegiance​
Two Builders - rock and sand​

⭑ Two Ways:
Life: Living in loving submission to God.​
Death: Living as your own god, in submission to whatever you desire. ​

⭑ The Choice – Rock or Sand​
An Encouragement ​
An Invitation ​
A Warning

⭑ An Encouragement​
24 “Therefore everyone who hears​
these words of mine and puts them​
into practice is like a wise man who​
built his house on the rock.

Through practice, what felt​
unnatural becomes second nature. ​

⭑ Awkward obedience is more solid​
than coordinated compromise.​

⭑ An Invitation ​
25 And the rain came down and the floods came and the winds blew and​
fell against that house, but it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ​

⭑ We cannot confuse a damaged house for a destroyed house.

⭑ An Invitation
Jesus knows that chaos comes, and rather than escape it, He invites us to build something that can withstand it.​

⭑ A Warning​
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”​

Hearing – Practicing –  Built To Last​
Hearing – Not Practicing –  “A Great Crash” ​
If chaos is inevitable, what kind​ of life is worth building?

⭑ An appreciation of Jesus without obedience to Jesus will not withstand the chaos of life and will leave us wanting.

⭑ Built Different: Obedience, Not Resonance

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This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled: Trusting God in Difficult Times. From Psalm 46:1–11, we were reminded that even when the earth shakes and the nations rage, God is our sure refuge and strength. Pastor Ben walked us through three truths found in this passage: We have a refuge — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We have a river — “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God… God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.” And we have a rest — “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” No matter what difficulties we face, we can stand firm knowing the Lord of hosts is with us, and the God of Jacob is our refuge.

✍️ Notes

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the​ city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not​ be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of​ Dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;​ He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us;​ The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 46:1-11 (NKJV)

⭑ We have a refuge
Psalm 46:1–2  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth ​
be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…" Selah

⭑ We have a river
Psalm 46:4–5 "There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn." Selah​

⭑ We have a rest
Psalm 46:10  "Be still, and know that​
I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Selah

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This past Sunday, our lead Pastor, Ben Johnson shared a message entitled "Forgive and Live." Drawing from Matthew 18:21–35, he reminded us that forgiveness is not easy, but essential. Jesus teaches that forgiveness isn’t about keeping score, it’s about losing count. We forgive because God forgave us first, and He calls us to extend that same grace to others. Unforgiveness traps us in a prison, but true freedom is found when we let go. Pastor Ben encouraged us to begin by praying for those who have wronged us (Start Upward), examine our own hearts (Move Inward), and take steps to reconcile (Reach Outward).

✍️ Notes
Title: Forgive and Live - Ben Johnson

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:21–35 NIV

⭑ Forgiveness is not easy
⭑ Forgiveness isn’t about keeping score; it’s about losing count
⭑ God forgave us first; He expects us to forgive others
⭑ Unforgiveness is a prison

Forgiving Others:
1) Start Upward – Pray for the person
2) Move Inward – Check your own heart
3) Reach Outward – Go to them

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This past Sunday, Pastor Mark Hazzard preached a message entitled “The Parables of Jesus.” Through the parables of the workers in the vineyard and the rich young ruler, we were reminded that the Kingdom of God is not built on comparison or human effort, but on the generosity and grace of its King. God’s Kingdom is ever-growing, and His invitation is open to all — whether early or late in the journey. Unlike the system of law, where we earn what we deserve, God’s system of grace gives us what we could never earn: His kindness, His presence, and eternal life.

✍️ Notes

⭑ If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. "At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. At noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing. "At five o'clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, 'Why haven't you been working today?' "They replied, 'Because no one hired us.' "The landowner told them, 'Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.' "That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage. "He answered one of them, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?' "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."
Matthew 20:1–16 (NLT)

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. Matthew 19: 16-30

1) The Kingdom has a King
2) His Kingdom is large and growing
3) Comparing yourself to others in the Kingdom is very dangerous…and can be deadly
4) He is a gracious and generous King

"The system of law is easy to figure out: you get what you deserve. The system of grace is foreign to us: God deals with us according to who He is, not according to who we are or what we've done." David Guzik

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This past Sunday, Pastor Merrie Eizenga shared a message titled "You Choose" from Luke 18:9–14, comparing the self-righteous prayer of a Pharisee with the heartfelt plea for mercy from a tax collector. Drawing from scripture and commentary, she highlighted how the Pharisee magnified his own goodness while the tax collector magnified his brokenness. We were reminded that God measures righteousness by humility and repentance, not moral performance, and that “those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The challenge was clear—choose humility, choose relationship, and choose gratitude as we walk with Christ.

✍️ Notes

“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else.” Luke 18:9 NLT . “He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people.” MSG
 
“Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer. “I thank you God, that I’m not a sinner like everyone else, for I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give you a tenth of my income. But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." Luke 18:10-13 NLT 

“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Verse 14 NLT

"Pharisees genuinely try to uphold the Torah in a world where Roman power and Samaritan neighbors tempt people to compromise. Pharisees genuinely try to please God. Tax collectors, on the other hand, collaborate with Romans and steal from Jews. Jesus’ listeners must be shocked at the Great Reversal as this parable unfolds." Richard Neill Donovan   

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer. “I thank you God, that I’m not a sinner like everyone else, for I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give you a tenth of my income. Verse 11-12 NLT

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. Verse 13 NLT

"The tax collector, like the Pharisee, stands by himself, but his reason is different. The Pharisee feels too good to associate with common people, but the tax collector feels too bad." Richard Donovan

“The tax collector did not boast of his own righteousness but pled with God for mercy acknowledging his sin. He used God as the standard of righteousness and confessed that he fell short. The Pharisee magnifies his goodness while the tax collector magnifies his brokenness.” Tom Constable

"First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall." Proverbs 16:18 MSG

"Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked, are just plain sin." Proverbs 21:4 MSG

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." James 4:6 NLT

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NLT

⭑ Choose Humble
⭑ Choose Relationship
⭑ Choose Gratitude

"The Holy Spirit will always cooperate to the full limit with anyone who comes to hate his pride and love the humility of Christ." Oswald Sanders

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This past Sunday,  Pastor Hunter Gillis continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “What It’s All About,” unpacking the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11–32. Pastor Hunter reminded us that this parable reveals the heart of God — a Father who runs toward the broken, welcomes the repentant, and celebrates what was once lost being found. We were challenged to remember our own lostness, reframe what faithfulness looks like, and realign our hearts to celebrate what heaven celebrates. Whether we relate more to the wandering younger son or the resentful older brother, the invitation is the same: return to the Father’s love and join the joyful mission of welcoming others home.

✍️ Notes

'Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”' Luke 15:11-32

⭑ Remember your lostness
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8

⭑ Reframe your faithfulness
⭑ Realign your celebration

“’But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” – Luke 15:32

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35–38 NIV

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This past Sunday at First Assembly, we welcomed guest speaker Pastor Rob Snow, who continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message on The Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. In response to a lawyer's question, “Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus tells the story of a man beaten and left for dead—ignored by a priest and a Levite, but rescued by a compassionate Samaritan. Pastor Rob unpacked how this parable shifts the focus from identifying who our neighbour is to how we live as one. The Samaritan is interrupted, indiscriminate, and willing to intervene—showing us that true love for God is expressed through mercy and action.

✍️ Notes

Hear the Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37
"An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, while traveling, came upon him, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

⭑ Why does Jesus tell this parable?
• “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it” (vv. 23-24, NRSV).
• Words and actions of Jesus reveal God’s presence and reign!

⭑ A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho...
• A priest “when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (v. 31b, NRSV)
• A Levite “when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (v. 32, NRSV).
• A Samaritan, “when he saw him, he was moved with pity” (v. 33, NRSV).

⭑ “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (v. 36, NRSV).
• Jesus shifts the focus from not doing to doing.
• Religious ritual should always serve God and enable us to act like him.

The good Samaritan is interrupted.
• We don’t get to pick when a crisis hits.

The good Samaritan is indiscriminate.
• The NT is clear: God in Jesus Christ overcomes division and separation.

The good Samaritan intervenes:
God loves all, Jesus reveals it, and the good Samaritan lives it.

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This past Sunday at First Assembly, Pastor Ben Johnson continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “Worth Everything.” Teaching from the parables in Matthew 13, Pastor Ben spoke on the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. Those who discover the kingdom respond with total surrender, giving up everything to obtain it. We were reminded that the kingdom of God is priceless, deeply personal, brings joy, and has already been paid for by Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). When we truly grasp its value, the kingdom is worth everything.

✍️ Notes

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.​ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (NIV)​ Matthew 13:44-46​

Matthew 13 Parables:​
⭑ The Sower: The word of the kingdom is shared; hearts receive it differently.​
⭑ Wheat and Weeds: Good and evil grow until God’s judgment.​
⭑ Mustard Seed & Leaven: The kingdom starts small and spreads.​
⭑ Treasure & Pearl: The kingdom is worth everything.

The Kingdom:
⭑ It's priceless.
⭑ It's personal.
⭑ It's joyful.
⭑ It's paid for.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:10 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson launched our new teaching series, “Parables: Stories Jesus Told,” with a message titled “How’s Your Heart?” Teaching from Matthew 13, Pastor Ben unpacked the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus describes four types of soil that represent the condition of our hearts in receiving God’s Word. Some hearts are hardened, others are shallow or distracted, and some are ready to receive and bear fruit. We were invited to examine our own hearts and to partner with the Holy Spirit to soften and prepare the soil of our lives. Through worship, humility, and faith—even faith as small as a mustard seed—we can respond to God’s Word in a way that produces lasting transformation and spiritual fruit.

✍️ Notes

That same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.​ Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.​ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.​ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.​ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”​ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”​ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.​Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them​. This is why I speak to them in parables:​ “Though seeing, they do not see;​ though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”​ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:​ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”​ Matthew 13:1-23​

1. Invite the Holy Spirit​
“I will give you a new heart...”  (Ezekiel 36:26)​
“Humbly accept the word planted in you...”  (James 1:21)​

2. Worship​
“Bow down… do not harden your hearts.” (Psalm 95:6-8)​

3. Have Faith​
“Faith as small as a mustard seed...” (Matthew 17:20)🔗 STAY CONNECTED
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This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis concluded our Unshakeable series with a message titled “The Tension of Excellence,” drawing from Daniel 6 and Jeremiah 29. He reminded us that Daniel’s faithfulness in exile wasn’t flashy—it was marked by consistency, integrity, and excellence that distinguished him, even in a hostile culture. Pastor Hunter emphasized the tension we feel as believers called to live with conviction and character in environments that may resist our faith. He outlined a vision for living well in that tension: cultivating an incorruptible mind transformed by God’s Word, hardworking hands committed to serving as unto the Lord, and a faithful heart that remains connected to Jesus in prayer. Just as God called the exiles in Babylon to flourish and seek the good of their city, we too are invited to thrive where we’ve been placed—not by conforming, but by faithfully standing out.

✍️ Notes
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:1-5 (NIV)

⭑ Fighters & Followers
⭑ Flourishers

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:4-9 (NIV)

⭑ An Incorruptible Mind

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

⭑ Hardworking Hands

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

⭑ A Faithful Heart

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NIV)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

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This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor shared a powerful message titled “A Lion’s Den Faith and a Window Sill Devotion.” Preaching from Daniel 6, he challenged us with the truth that while many long for bold, headline-worthy faith like Daniel’s in the lion’s den, few cultivate the quiet, consistent prayer life that made that moment possible. Daniel’s unwavering devotion—praying three times daily even when it became illegal—wasn't performance but resistance, and it prepared him for the test of faith in the den. Pastor Jeremiah reminded us that we cannot expect lion’s den outcomes if we live in Babylonian compromise. True strength comes from secret habits of devotion. Whether your rhythm has been off, you’re feeling stuck in a lion’s den season, or you’ve been bowing to culture’s pressure, this message called us to return to the window—to prayer, to faith, to trust in the God who rescues.

✍️ Notes
 
EVERYBODY WANTS THE LIONS DEN FAITH BUT FEW PRACTICE WINDOW SILL DEVOTION.
 
WE LOVE THE HIGHLIGHT REELS & THE HEADLINE FAITH MOMENTS BUT STRUGGLE WITH THE HIDDEN HABIT.
 
You can’t have lion’s den outcomes with Babylonian Compromise.
 
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing. Daniel 6:1-9
 
PRAYER IS NOT PERFORMANCE IT’S RESISTANCE.
 
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The decree stands—according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” Then they said, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, ignores you and your decree. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was deeply troubled and tried until sunset to save Daniel. But the men returned and reminded him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that no decree or law issued by the king can be changed.”
—Daniel 6:12–15

“Direction, not intention, determines destination.” Andy Stanley

Even If He Doesn’t… I’m Still His.

So the king gave the order, and Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. The king said, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was placed over the den and sealed by the king and his nobles. That night, the king fasted and couldn’t sleep. At dawn, he rushed to the den and called out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God saved you?” Daniel replied, “My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. They did not harm me, for I was found innocent before Him and before you, O king.” Overjoyed, the king ordered Daniel lifted out. No injury was found on him because he had trusted in his God.
—Daniel 6:16–23

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him—in suffering, not just blessing.” John Piper

Ways To Respond
1. Your rhythm’s been off open the window again.
2. You’ve been in the lion’s den God is with you.
3. You’ve bent your knee to Babylon it’s time to return.

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson continued with our series Unshakeable with a message titled “The Writing is on the Wall” from Daniel 5. We looked at the story of King Belshazzar, who dishonoured God by using sacred temple items in a prideful feast, worshipping idols instead of the living God. In the midst of his arrogance, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a divine warning on the palace wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN — meaning your days are numbered, you’ve been weighed and found wanting, and your kingdom will be divided. Pastor Ben reminded us that like Belshazzar, we are each accountable to God, who holds our lives in His hands. The message was a clear call to humility, reverence, and repentance — urging us to respond to God's voice today and not harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:15).

✍️ Notes

"King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking." Daniel 5:1-6

“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor... But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself…But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.” Daniel 5:18-28

⭑ MENE — Your Days are numbered

⭑ TEKEL — Weighed and found wanting

⭑ PARSIN (PERES) — Kingdom broken & given away

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15

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This Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson continued our Unshakeable series with a message titled “Stand Strong.” Focusing on Daniel 3, Pastor Ben highlighted the powerful moment when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even under the threat of the fiery furnace. Their courageous response—"Even if He doesn’t, we will not serve your gods"—revealed a faith that didn’t hinge on outcomes, but on obedience. We were encouraged to stand with principle, perseverance, and in God’s strength, trusting that even in fiery trials, God is with us. As 1 Peter 4 reminds us, we shouldn’t be surprised by hardships, but rejoice knowing they refine and reveal our faith.
✍️ Notes
Nebuchadnezzar said: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? When you hear the music, if you’re ready to fall down and worship it, very good. But if you do not, you will be thrown into a blazing furnace.Then what god can rescue you from my hand?” Daniel 3:14-16 (NIV)

They replied: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to defend ourselves. If we are thrown into the furnace, God can deliver us,but even if He doesn’t, we will not serve your gods or worship your image.” Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)

STAND STRONG
⭑ Stand with Principle
⭑ Stand with Perseverance
⭑ Stand in God’s Strength

"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad" 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)

—

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This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson started our new series "Unshakeable" with a powerful message titled “Living Bold in Babylon.” Drawing from Daniel 1:1–8, he explored how Daniel and his friends resisted the Babylonian strategies of isolation, indoctrination, and assimilation by standing firm in their God-given identity. Though their names were changed to reflect Babylonian gods, they remained rooted in truth and chose not to defile themselves. Pastor Ben challenged us to follow Daniel’s example by living with purpose in our hearts, maintaining a posture of honour, and persevering in obedience—no matter the cultural pressures. Anchored in Matthew 5, the message reminded us that we are called to be salt and light in the world, boldly reflecting God’s glory through how we live.

✍️ Notes
 
Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God.These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.  
 
Babylonian Strategies

 
 Daniel → Belteshazzar 
“God is my Judge” → “Lady, protect the king” 
 
 Hananiah → Shadrach 
“Yahweh is Gracious” → “Command of Aku” 
 
  Mishael → Meshach 
“Who is like God?” → “Who is like Aku?” 
 
 Azariah → Abednego 
“The Lord Helps” → “Servant of Nebo” 
 
Purpose in Your Heart “Daniel resolved not to defile himself…” — Daniel 1:8 
 
Posture of Honor “God gave favor… an excellent spirit was in him” — Daniel 1:9, 6:3
 
Persevere in Obedience “They were found ten times better…” — Daniel 1:20

Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot...



Matthew 6:13-16
...16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

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Hey Friends! in this conversation Adam and Pastor Ben sit down to talk about how to build a life of prayer. In wrapping our Pray First series, Adam and Pastor Ben sit down and chat through how to build a prayer life.

Our hope is that this conversation gives you both the confidence and the tools to build a life of prayer, while also inspiring you to draw closer to God in deep and meaningful ways. We love you!

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