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.

The Power of Christ on The Cross

The Power of Christ On The Cross | Luke 23: 39–49 | Joey Zorina

Where was God in the darkest of times? Here, we see the darkest day in human history. This was the day Jesus was crucified with two criminals (vv. 39–43), leading to his death and burial (vv. 44–49). By this time, Jesus had already appeared to Pilate the Roman governor. The Jews had accused Jesus of misleading the nation and forbidding them to give tax to Caesar (v. 2). Pilate had wanted to release Jesus. But the Jews demanded that a murderer, Barabbas, be released instead (v. 18). So Jesus was led away to be crucified with two thieves. In our passage, we’ll see: a) The response of sinners on the cross. b) The darkness that came over the cross. c) The believers of Jesus at the cross.

Transformed By The Glory of Christ

Transformed By The Glory of Christ | Luke 9: 28–33 |

Here, Jesus took 3 of His disciples up a mountain for an extraordinary experience. In v. 21, Jesus had said some disciples would not taste death until they see the kingdom of God. So what did the disciples see on that mountain that changed their lives? How can we change too? From our passage, we’ll see three insights on: a) Seeking the face of Jesus. b) Awakening to the glory of Jesus. c) Listening to the words of Jesus.

The Call To Discipleship

The Call To Discipleship | Luke 5: 1–11 | Pastor Joey Zorina

After Jesus was rejected in His hometown, Nazareth, He had gone to Capernaum performing great miracles. By this time, He was preaching at the synagogues just as He had done in His hometown. So what has Jesus come to do in the lives of ordinary fishermen? What has He come to do in our own lives? In our passage, we’ll see simple yet crucial insights on: a) Hearing the words of Jesus. b) Trusting the words of Jesus. c) Following the crucified Jesus.

The Unwelcome and Rejected Son

The Unwelcome and Rejected Son | Luke 4: 22-30 | Joey Zorina

Last week, we saw that as news about Jesus began to spread around the country, Jesus came to Nazareth—His hometown. As was His custom, He came to the synagogue and began to teach the scriptures. But how did His own people respond? Did they give a warm homecoming party? What has Jesus come to do in our lives, neighbourhoods, cities and nations? And how will we respond today? In our passage we’ll see: a) Recognizing the gracious son. b) Accepting the unwelcome son. c) Receiving the rejected son.

The Spirit Anointed Deliverer

The Spirit-Anointed Deliverer | Luke 4: 16–21 | Joey Zorina

Last week, we saw that Jesus “full of the Holy Spirit” was “led by the Spirit in the wilderness” and overcame all temptations by the devil. And then Jesus “returned in the power of the Spirit” in Galilee. But as news about Him began to spread, Jesus now comes to His hometown, Nazareth. What did Jesus do in His hometown? Is Jesus welcome in your hometown? What has Jesus come to do in our lives, neighbourhoods, cities and nations? In today’s passage, we’ll see: a) Jesus came to teach the scriptures. b) Jesus came to proclaim the good news. c) Jesus came to fulfil the scriptures.

Overcoming Temptations

Overcoming Temptations | Luke 4: 1–14 | Pastor Joey Zorina

Last week, we saw in ch. 3: 22 how the Spirit came upon Jesus at His baptism. Now in ch. 4: 1, Luke says that Jesus is “led by the Spirit in the wilderness”—where He faced great temptations. As long as we are in this world, the flesh, the devil and the world are going to test our faith. So how does Jesus overcome temptations? And how can we overcome temptations? Follow along in the sermon.

The Father’s Voice of Approval

The Father’s Voice of Approval | Luke 3: 15--22 | Joey Zorina

Last week, we saw how “the word of God” came to John the baptist—out in the wilderness. All around Israel, John was calling people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. As his preaching gained attention, the Jews began to wonder whether he might be the long awaited Messiah. But his preaching would eventually result in rejection and death. Whose approval do you live for each day? Whose rejection do you fear? In our passage, we’ll see:- a) Expecting the son’s arrival. b) Facing the world’s rejection. c) Receiving the Father’s approval.

The Voice in Our Wilderness

The Voice in Our Wilderness | Luke 3: 1--9 | Pastor Joey Zorina

Luke now takes us to the political and religious scene in Israel. God’s people, by this time, were under the Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar. As they were conquered, Israel did not have their own kings during this time. Rather, Rome had appointed certain men and their families as regional rulers. So as Israel was waiting for the long awaited Messiah “the word of God” came in an obscure place—in the wilderness. Here in our passage, we see:- a) God’s word in our wilderness, b) God’s way in our wilderness c) God’s grace in our wilderness.

Growing Up in The Father’s House

Growing Up in The Father’s House | Luke 2: 41--52 | Joey Zorina

What can a boy teach adults about growing up? Three weeks ago, we saw in v. 34 how Jesus was dedicated at the temple in Jerusalem as a child. After His parents had done everything according to the custom, they returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew in wisdom (v. 40). Luke now takes us back to Jerusalem as Jesus’ parents had to travel there. But this trip would turn out to be one of the most stressful events as they lose sight of Jesus. So in our passage, we see that children can teach us a great deal about:- a) Growing in following Jesus. b) Growing in understanding Jesus. c) Growing in treasuring Jesus.

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 Sign That Is Opposed

The Sign That Is Opposed | Luke 2: 21- 35 | Pastor Joey Zorina

Last week, we saw the angels singing “peace on earth” at the birth of Christ. Yet in the midst of turmoil and conflict in the world, how can we experience peace? Here in our passage, we see that this new born child would be opposed by many in Israel. But why was this new born child opposed from the time of His birth? Luke now takes us from the scene of shepherds “out in the field” to Jerusalem. So from our passage, we’ll see that:- a) Jesus came to fulfill God’s law for us. b) Jesus came to bring true peace to us. c) Jesus came to suffer opposition for us.

A Radical Gospel Community

A Radical Community | Acts 4: 32–37 | Pastor Joey Zorina

What does a community changed by the Gospel look like? Last week we saw in ch. 4, that in the face of opposition, the apostles trusted in God’s sovereignty and the power of prayer. V. 31 says that when they had prayed, the entire place was shaken and they continued to speak the word with boldness. The preaching of the Word was so effective that it radically changed their community. So in our passage, we’ll see:- a) The unity beneath the surface. b) The power to testify of Jesus. c) The grace to share our treasures.

Fasting To Be Seen Only By God

Fasting To Be Seen By God | Matt. 6: 1–6, 16–18 | Pastor Joey

Have you experienced the joy of secret fasting? Our text comes right in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave in chapters 5-7. Here in ch. 6, Jesus assumes that His followers would live a lifestyle of giving, praying and fasting in secret. So from our passage, here are 3 insights we are going to follow:- a) When you give to be seen. b) When you pray to be seen. c) When you fast to be seen.

The Rejected Cornerstone

The Rejected Cornerstone | Acts 4: 1—12 | Pastor Joey Zorina

In this episode, we saw before (in ch. 3: 1–10) the healing of the crippled man. As that healing attracted a large crowd, Peter began to preach his second sermon (in vv. 12–26). There, Peter was boldly calling Jews to repent so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. But how did the crowd respond to that sermon? And how should we respond to God’s Word today? Here, in our passage, we see 3 types of responses to God’s Word:- a) Those who oppose the word. b) Those who believe the word. c) Those who reject the precious stone.