Sermons from Pastor Steven Canfield

In Jesus’ first sign (John 2), a wedding crisis becomes a window into new creation. Water turns to wine, shame turns to welcome, and scarcity turns to abundance—inviting us not just to see the sign, but to perceive Christ’s glory.

On Christmas Sunday, The Magi Movement celebrates the arrival of Jesus—the true King. In Matthew 2, outsider magi follow the star into a troubled world, refuse Herod’s false power, worship the child, and bring gifts that reveal Christ as King, God-with-us, and Savior.

In The Initial Spark of Heavenly Glory for Ongoing Joy, we reflect on Advent as a slow-building fire that trains our hearts for lasting joy. Through Psalm 16, C.S. Lewis, and Luke 2:10–12, we move from fear and waiting into Christ’s glory—stepping into the light, not just observing it.

In Isaiah 9, Steven invites us to cultivate a bigger vision of peace, rethink the small ways we talk about it, and rest in Jesus—the true Ruler of Shalom whose peacemaking work shapes our hearts and our hope.

Advent doesn’t begin with twinkle lights and nostalgia—it starts in the shadows. In week one of Shadow & Light (“Expectation from the Shadows”), we looked at Isaiah 2 and the promise of a day when God’s glory is raised above all, weapons become tools, and all peoples stream to His light.

In part two of When Good People Get Stepped On, Habakkuk 3 shifts from argument to worship—readiness for Babylon’s coming, remembrance of the God of the Exodus, and a rest that rejoices in God even when everything falls apart.

We begin our new series When Good People Get Stepped On in the book of Habakkuk, where the prophet pours out raw complaints about injustice and God’s strange use of empires. Steven walks us through God’s five “woes” against Babylon’s injustice and idolatry, and then gives us two anchors to stand on in troubled times: living by faith and trusting God’s promise that his glory will one day cover the...

Flourish, Part 8: The Tell-Tale Target (Matthew 5:10–12) Why does following Jesus paint a target on your back? In Matthew 5:10–12, we explore persecution as the tell-tale sign of kingdom formation, rejecting pride, privilege, and power for meek, peacemaking lives that threaten evil—and rejoice.

Flourish, Part 7: Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) Could true peace be bigger than a calm feeling—more like everything set right in Jesus? Discover what peacemaking looks like, why it reshapes our identity and reputation, and how to begin where you live and love.

Flourish, Part 6: Whole Making (Matthew 5:8) What if the good life isn’t about spotless behavior but an undivided heart? Jesus teaches that wholeness—not perfection—is what lets us see God. The pure in heart are those made whole from the inside out.

Flourish, Part 5: Tender Love (Matthew 5:7) What does mercy really look like in practice? Jesus calls us to a life “bent toward mercy”—helping the needy, showing compassion to the hurting, and extending grace even to those who don’t deserve it. This is the tender love that makes a kingdom people flourish.

Flourish, Part 4: The Hungry for Justice (Matthew 5:6) What do you ache for when you see the world’s brokenness? Jesus calls that deep hunger for things to be set right a blessing—and promises that those who long for God’s justice will be truly filled.

Flourish, Part 3: Giants of Gentleness (Matthew 5:5) How do we thrive in a world that prizes aggression and control? Jesus redefines true power in Matthew 5:5—calling us to a calm, kindhearted meekness that trusts God and ultimately inherits the earth.

What if your tears are more than pain? In Matthew 5:4, Jesus says mourners are blessed—not ignored. Our sorrow tells a bigger story of grace, comfort, and a kingdom where every tear will be wiped away.

This Is the Kingdom Way opens with Matthew 5:1–3. Jesus overturns Rome-shaped power and Greek virtue with a shocking claim: the broken and powerless receive the kingdom—and that’s where real life begins.

In this most-voted text by the congregation, Pastor Steven explores 1 Timothy 2:11–12. How should we understand Paul’s words about women in the church? This sermon digs into the context and affirms the importance of women’s voices today.

In this second most voted text by the congregation, Pastor Steven explores Romans 13:1-7. Do Paul’s words on government still apply today? Romans 12 challenges us to rethink obedience, resistance, and where true authority lies.

This week, Pastor Steven tackles the 3rd most curious text as voted on by the congregation, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. What happens when you look at life as if God’s love and wisdom aren’t there? Ecclesiastes 1:12–18 invites us into that perspective — and this sermon shows why it matters.

In the fourth most voted "Curious Text" by the congregation, Steven tackles Psalm 137:8-9 in this second message in our Curious Texts series.

Pastor Steven kicks off a new summer series, Curious Texts, diving into scriptures the congregation voted as the most surprising, curious, or concerning. For week one, he dives into Mark 11:12-14, The Cursing of the Fig Tree.

In this final message of Steven's series on the symbolic world of Genesis 1–3, we reflect on the moment everything fractures. As Adam and Eve hide among the trees, God’s voice echoes with a question that still resonates today: “Where are you?” This sermon explores the deep human impulse to hide—born out of sin, shame, and suffering—and the ways it manifests through blame and broken relationships....

In Part 4 of Steven's Temple The Symbolic World of Genesis 1-3 Series, we turn to Genesis 3 and the moment the serpent enters the story. Through a visual and symbolic exploration of the Garden narrative, this sermon unpacks the meaning behind the two trees—the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As we reflect on the temptation to "be like God" and the desire for wisdom apa...

In Part 3 of our The Symbolic World of Genesis series, Steven reflects on the biblical theme of water—a symbol that flows from the chaotic deep in Genesis 1 to the still rivers of Revelation. This message centers on the symbolic weight of water as a force of cleansing, a source of life, and a reminder of the chaos God brings order to. Through storytelling and reflection, we’re invited to see how w...

In Part 2 of our “Temple” series through Genesis 1–3, we shift our focus to Genesis 2—a second, more intimate telling of the creation story. Here, we explore how the Garden of Eden is more than paradise; it is a sacred space, carefully planted and filled by God, where humanity is placed to dwell in relationship with the Creator. This message uncovers the rich temple imagery embedded in the narrati...

This message kicks off our 5-part sermon series exploring the rich theme of Temple—not just as a building, but as a way of understanding God’s presence in creation, in scripture, and in us. In Part 1, we turn to Genesis 1–3 to discover how the story of creation is far more than a historical account. It's a symbolic and theological foundation for seeing the world itself as a temple, with God dwelli...