The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Holiness | 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-8 | Joey Zorina

What shapes our understanding of holiness? Does the idea of "holier than thou" put you off? As we saw last week, Paul had heard a good report from Timothy about the faith of the Thessalonian church. He had just prayed for them to be "blameless in holiness" as they await Jesus' return (in ch. 3: 13). So, Paul here encourages them to grow in holiness in the pattern that they had received from him. Following in our passage, we'll see that: a) Holiness is pleasing to God. b) Holiness is lived from the heart. c) Holiness is from the Holy Spirit.

God's Electing Love

God’s Electing Love | 1 Thessalonians 1: 1–10 | JOEY ZORINA

How does waiting for Jesus’ return change how we live here and now? Paul had written this letter in AD 49–51 during his second missionary journey (Acts 17, 18). Here, Paul was writing to new believers who were grieving over deaths and enduring persecution. But in his opening prayer (in vv. 2-3), Paul is thankful to God for their work of faith, love and hope. He is thankful that their genuine faith is as a result of God’s electing love. So, in our passage, we’ll see: a) The joy of knowing God’s electing love. b) The joy of sharing God’s electing love. c) The joy of waiting for Jesus’ return.

God's Chosen People

God’s Chosen People | Deuteronomy 7:6-11 | Joey Zorina

What does it mean to be God’s chosen people? Deuteronomy is often called the “Gospel according to Moses.” Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than any book of the O.T. Here in ch. 7, the Israelites were camping at Moab and were about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses begins by saying that God would remove the nations more numerous and stronger than Israel (v. 1). This was not because Israel had anything that impressed God. Rather, it was because God had set them apart for His sovereign purposes. So following in our passage, we’ll see: a) God chose us not on the basis of merit. b) God chose us on the basis of His love. c) God chose us so that we may love Him.

Seeing The Glorified Jesus

Seeing The Glorified Jesus | Revelation 1: 9–20 | Joey Zorina

What comes to your mind when you think about Jesus? As we saw last week, John had begun his first sentence with “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). The whole book is a prophecy of unfolding events and what Jesus is saying to churches facing persecution, compromise and false teaching. Yet, Jesus is not only the revealer of the truths, but also the one being revealed as John said in vv. 4–8. And this grand vision of Jesus had come to John—not in a time of comfort and ease but in a time of great suffering. So, in our passage, we’ll look at: a) The patient endurance in our sufferings. b) The portrait of our warrior-King. c) The presence of Jesus in our fears.

Unveiling Jesus Christ

Unveiling Jesus Christ | Revelation 1: 1–8 | Pastor Joey Zorina

What is the book of Revelation mainly about? Revelation was recorded by the apostle John while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos (which is in present day Turkey)! John had received this revelation around the mid 90s AD at the time of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The book was written to first-century churches in Asia. But what is the book mainly about? Is it mainly about difficult symbols, dragon and end times? In our passage, we’ll see that:- a) It’s all about the revealing of Christ. b) It’s all about the grace of Christ. c) It’s all about the return of Christ.

Moving From Problems To Praise

Moving From Problems To Praise | Psalm 77 | Kyllum Lewis

In this stand alone sermon, Pastor Kyllum honestly shares how he struggled with depression and shows how the psalmist tells God his struggles and moves forward by remembering God's redemptive work resulting in praise. We see the psalmist:- a) Praying, b) Pondering, c) Preaching and c) Praising God.

Present Groanings To Future Glory

Present Groanings To Future Glory | Romans 8: 18–27 |

Where do you place your hope as you look at the sufferings of this world? Creation is both beautiful and violent! Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons and volcanoes remind us that creation is groaning. But why does creation groan? When will this groaning end? Writing in the 50s AD, Paul here talks about the groanings between the present sufferings and the hope of future glory. So in our passage, we’ll see:- a) The groanings of God’s creation. b) The groanings of God’s children. c) The groanings of God’s Spirit.

The Coming of The Spirit's Power

Acts 2: 1-24 | The Coming of The Spirit’s Power | Joey Zorina

As we remember Pentecost Day, Pentecost is the 50th day after the Jewish Passover festival. It’s a celebration of the feast of weeks (Lev. 23:15–16, Exod. 23:16). But for Christians, it marks the day the Holy Spirit came with unusual power. So from our passage, we’ll see that: - a) The Holy Spirit gives power to witness. b) The Holy Spirit awakens awe and wonder. c) The Holy Spirit exalts the risen Saviour.

Christ in Everyday Life

Colossians 3:18—4:1 | Christ In EveryDay Life | Joey Zorina

How does the resurrection of Christ renew our relationships? Earlier, Paul had said in v.16 that the church is being renewed as the word of Christ dwells in us richly. And in v. 17, he had said believers are to, “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Now, he shows how our new identity in Christ changes relationships in the family and society. So in our passage, we see that:- a) Christ is Lord of our households. b) Christ is Lord over our earthly masters. c) Christ is our just and fair Master in heaven.

The Resurrection and The Mission of Christ

The Resurrection | Matthew 28: 11- 20 | Pastor Joey Zorina

In our passage, an angel had told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead (v. 7). But while the women were on their way, another group was trying to cover up the truth. So we’re going to see 3 responses to the resurrection of Christ:- a) Those who try to hide the risen Christ. b) Those who doubt the risen Christ c) Those who are sent by the risen Christ.

Seek The Things Above

Colossians 3: 1–11 | Seek The Things Above | Joey Zorina

What does your heart seek everyday? Everyone seeks something, to become something or someone everyday! So what shapes your identity as a person? Earlier in ch. 2: 20, Paul had said that if you have died with Christ you are now a different person. And now Paul encourages the Colossians to seek their new life in Christ. So, in our passage, we see: a) The mind that is set on Christ. b) The idols we now put to death. c) The new self we have put on in Christ.

Nourished by Christ

Colossians 2: 16–23 | NOURISHED by Christ | Pastor Joey Zorina

How do you grow as a Christian? Where do you turn everyday for spiritual nourishment? Remember, false teachings had entered the church in Colossae with empty deceit, human tradition and philosophy. But Paul shows that spiritual growth cannot happen by following ethnic and religious rituals, visionary experiences, and ascetic practices. In our passage, we see:- a) The shadows of things to come. b) The body that is nourished by Christ. c) The life we have died with Christ.

Delivered by Christ

Colossians 2: 8–15 | Delivered by Christ | Pastor Joey Zorina

What captivates your heart and mind as you go about your day? What shapes your values and lifestyle? Remember, false teachings had entered the church in Colossae. And Paul was encouraging the Colossians to be rooted and built up in Christ (v. 7). So in our passage, we’ll look at: a) The empty promises that captivate us. b) The baptism that unites us with Christ. c) The record of debt that has been cancelled.

Knit Together in Love

Colossians 2: 1–7 | Knit Together in Love | Pastor Joey Zorina

Here, Paul was struggling greatly. Why was Paul struggling? Earlier in ch. 1: 29, Paul said, “For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me” Paul was struggling because he loved the church, the people. So in our passage, we see: a) The love that unites us together. b) The treasures of wisdom in Christ. c) The heart that receives Christ as Lord.

Christ The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1: 24-29 | The Hope of Glory | Pastor Joey Zorina

Although Paul is in prison, he rejoices in his sufferings. Because we live in a broken world, sufferings will come. The question is not if we will suffer, but how we respond to sufferings! So picking up from vv. 24–29, we’ll see: - a) Christ in us, our joy in suffering. b) Christ in us, our hope of glory. c) Christ in us, the energy within us.

The Supreme Worth of Christ

Colossians 1:15—23 | THE SUPREME WORTH OF CHRIST | PASTOR Joey Zorina

Who is Jesus Christ to you? Although Paul is in prison in Rome for his beliefs, he continues to praise the greatness of Jesus Christ. Often when life is difficult, it’s easy to look for answers elsewhere. But Paul shows us that our hope is secured in Jesus alone. So in vv. 15–23, we see that:- a) Jesus is sovereign over all creation. b) Jesus is the head of the church. c) Jesus reconciles sinners to God.

Praying The Gospel For Your Church

Colossians 1: 1-14 | Praying The Gospel | Pastor Joey Zorina

Epaphras had visited Paul in Rome and informed him about the condition of the church. And when Paul heard the news, he was filled with gratitude for their faith, love and hope. Although Paul never visited Colossae, his love for that church is seen even in his prayers. From Paul’s prayers, we see:-- a) The heart of thanksgiving in prayer. b) The fruit of the Gospel through prayer. c) The power that strengthens us in prayer.

The Sword of The Prince of Peace

The Sword of The Prince of Peace | Luke 2: 21- 35 | Advent

If Christmas is about a baby in a manger, why was He born? Why was this peaceful child opposed from the time of His birth? What was the purpose of His coming? In our passage, we see that:- a) Jesus came to fulfill God’s law for us. b) Jesus came to reveal salvation to us. c) Jesus came to bring peace with a sword.

Resurrection and Future Judgement

THE GOSPEL IN ISAIAH | RESURRECTION & JUDGEMENT | Isaiah 26: 16–21 |

Isaiah saw a bright future of God’s people entering the strong city, singing songs of salvation (vv. 1-12). Meanwhile, God’s people are praying in distress as they wait for these promises to become a reality. Even as Christians, life is not smooth sailing. There is distress in trials and sufferings, and also in our own failures, as we wait for God’s future deliverance. So in our passage, we see: a) The distress of failure. b) The promise of resurrection. a) The refuge from fury.

War of Kings And Family Rescue

Jesus in The Old Testament | Genesis 14: 1-16 | Pastor Joey Zorina

Lot had chosen all the green Jordan Valley, not knowing the danger that awaited him. What Lot could not see was that war and destruction was soon coming in those regions! So from our passage, we see:- a) The idolatrous hunger for power. b) The desires that hold us in captivity. c) The king who rescues us from captivity.