In this sermon, we examine the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 and learn from His example how to overcome the temptations we face in life. When we are tempted by the desires of the flesh, we must satisfy our souls with the Word of God. When we are tempted by the pride of life, we must secure our identity in the Lord. And when we are tempted by what we see, we must learn to seek the things of the Kingdom. In Christ, we not only find the perfect example of resistance but also the power to walk in victory over temptation.

As we conclude our study in the Old Testament, we turn to one final Christophany in Zechariah 3, which points to the day when God would redeem His people through His Servant. In this vision, the Angel of the LORD advocates for God’s people, acquits them of their sin, and clothes them in righteousness—all foreshadowing the work Christ would accomplish when He atoned for humanity’s sin. In this, we see God’s eternal character revealed through His work of redemption.

As we continue our series in the Old Testament, we come to the story of Samson’s parents and their encounter with theAngel of the LORD in Judges 13. We see how when they ask for His name, the Angel of the LORD replies that it is “wonderful,” invoking the idea that, by His very nature, God is beyond comprehension—indescribable in glory and majesty. Like Samson’s parents, we are meant to respond to this revelation with worship, and reverent fear. Yet this same wonder also invites us to place our hope inHim, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness. In knowing God as “wonderful,” we are drawn not only to marvel but to hope in who He is.

As we continue our series in the Old Testament, we discover why the LORD is considered the God of Peace. We look at thestory of Gideon and how the LORD brings about peace in times of conflict and fear. We see how God brings peace by conferring mercy to sinners, then commissions His people to administer His peace in practical ways. Finally, He consecrates sinners, creating spiritual peace between Him and us. Peace is central to God’s character, and He invites us to find and receive His peace.

As we continue our study of Christophanies, we turn to Genesis 32—the story of Jacob and Esau. Here, God reveals Himself as the one who delivers, especially from fear. He often does this by disrupting our solitude, breaking our self-reliance, and drawing us into dependence on Him as He delivers us from sin. In Jacob’s struggle, we see that true deliverance begins when God lovingly breaks us in order to remake us.

What does it mean that God is a God of mercy? As we continue our series “God with Us,” we look at Abraham’s interaction with the Angel of the Lord regarding Sodom in Genesis 18 and 19. Here we see how this Christophany reveals God’s mercy toward sinful man. In particular, we see how mercy is God’s preference, as He chooses to show mercy over judgment. We also see how mercyis God’s prerogative, as He shows mercy to whom He will show mercy. Finally, we see how mercy is God’s promise to those who follow Him, even extending mercy on our behalf. God’s mercy abounds in the face of great sin, inviting us to trust His compassionate heart and draw near to Him.

What does it mean that God is a “God of seeing”? As we begin to study the various appearances of the “Angel of theLord” in the Old Testament, we start with the story of Hagar and explore what it means that God truly sees us. In Hagar’s story, we learn that God sees our suffering—even when it is caused by our own sin, which He also sees. Yet, despite this, God also sees our salvation, promising relief to all who repent and come to Him. God is with us because He sees us.

What kills passion for the things of God? What halts the momentum of the Gospel? What makes our worship lukewarm and doctrine stale? The answer is apathy. In this sermon we examine the consequences of apathy, and how to reignite passion for the things of God.

In this sermon we look at what the Apostle Paul meant when he says that “in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” We unpack how we are merely vessels—weak, imperfect, yet chosen by God to carry His work, and that through Christ’s finished work, we have the assured victory over sin and death. Because of this victory, every faithful act we do in the Lord has eternal value. Our labor is never wasted when it is done in Christ.

In this sermon we continue our study in John 15 and examine what it means to “abide” in Christ. We do this by Our Obedience, we remain in Him by following His commands, demonstrating our love through action. Yet it is by God Ordaining our perseverance that we remain in the Saviour. Finally, it is through Our Outpouring of Love to One Another that we abide and reflect the love of Christ we are to abide in. It is only when we abide in Christ can we hope to bear the fruit of our salvation.

In this sermon we look at John 15 and Christ’s last I AM statement, “I am the true vine.” We unpack how this statement reveals that He is the fulfillment of God’s promise—succeeding where Israel, the unfaithful vine, failed. As the true vine, He also facilitates pruning, refining believers to make them more fruitful. Finally as the true vine, He produces fruit in our lives–giving evidence of a sincere faith. It is necessary that Jesus is the True Vine, because apart from Him we can do nothing.