The Garden Church // Sunday Teachings

Pastor Larry Kim preaches on the story of Noah’s Flood and encourages us to remain faithful and not lose hope even when things feel desperate. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Right before Pentecost in Acts chapter 1, we find Jesus leaving his disciples, ascending to heaven, and promising them that they would be his witnesses. Jesus said he would send them his Spirit, and all they had to do was wait and receive. Through this text, we discover that waiting on God often precedes glory, and that Jesus sends all of us on 'mission' from a place of prayer and dependency. For...

The end of Luke and beginning of Acts give us overlapping accounts of Jesus' final post-resurrection, pre-ascension appearance to his disciples. This is by no means the end of Jesus' work, but the beginning of a new way (a new body) through which He will work. He instructs the disciples to wait for the Spirit which will empower them to continue the work of Jesus even after he is physically gone aw...

The resurrected power of Jesus appears to us in our greatest moments of need with more than enough provision for us to live out our calling. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In John 20:26-29 we see Jesus once again appearing to his disciples huddled behind locked doors. As Thomas enters the story, he confronts the disciples with doubt of the resurrected Christ. We are immediately invited to witness Jesus engage Thomas' unbelief with the scars of his suffering. What if we trusted our community of faith with our doubt more than the locked rooms of isolation and fear? Wh...

What if you lived as though the resurrection of Jesus were a Reality, today? What affect would it have on you, right now, in the midst of pandemic? From Luke 24:36-49 and John 20:19-22, Al Abdulla explores what often gets in the way of us living as though the Resurrection is a reality, as well as what can begin to make that shift in our lives. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

When tragic events happen in our world it can be hard to imagine a better day, or that anything good could come from it. This perspective was likely true for the disciples of Jesus— they thought that the crucifixion of Jesus meant the end of God's redemption plan. In Luke 24:13-32 we find 2 disciples in the midst of a long walk discussing the disappointment of their shattered dreams, and Jesus joi...

We continue our sermon series in Eastertide focusing on the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection, and we find that the followers of Jesus are skeptical about this news. Not only that, they were not expectant, and certainly not filled with wonder. From Luke 24:9-12, Rashad Clemons talks about what it means to live in awe and wonder of God, knowing that Christ is still risen, no matter the ci...

Things often don't go as we expect. The same could be said for the disciples, though Jesus foretold about His death, burial, and resurrection. Like the disciples, we often experience disappointment and failed expectations in life, and often believe that this is just how things will be. But if we view the events of life through the prism of Jesus' life it might just wake up the Resurrection Hope wi...

In times of uncertainty sometimes hear, "All you can do is trust God.” But how do we know we can really trust God? And is that really all we can do? From the Palm Sunday text of Matthew 21:1-11, Al Abdulla addresses what’s needed to trust God, and what active trust looks. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

As we adapt to meeting online and engaging in community, we're still observing what it means to make space to listen in this Lenten season. To do that, we're going to look at Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:10-17. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Our world has changed drastically since the COVID-19 epidemic. Still, Jesus' Church is on the move. As we adapt to meeting online and engaging in community, we'll take a look at 1 Kings 19:9-12, and pay attention to how God has still called us to make space to hear Him in this season. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In our world and in our city so many things demand our attention— business, chaos, and other distractions. As a community following Jesus, one of our core values is to live lives that are postured to hear from God, which is a counter-cultural act. In Psalm 46 God says to his people, "be Still and know that I am God". From this passage, Rashad Clemons explores what it means to make space, quiet our...

After Jesus reappeared from the dead, he commissioned his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples. It was a mission with meaning. Little did the ancient church, and the modern church for that matter, know that the great commission would often be at the expense of their comfort. From Acts 8:1-8, Al Abdulla explores our purpose and promise we have in participating in God’s modern day m...

Everything begins in the mind— our thoughts shape our reality, and our thoughts lead to actions. If Jesus embodies what is true, good and beautiful, our thoughts should be centered on Him, but the wrong mindset can rob us of Christ's eternal joy and peace. In the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we see how a thought life centered in Christ reframes how we see the world. Fo...

What is it that we’re really hoping for in an election year? Perhaps it’s vindication. We want someone to finally represent our needs, our views, and our values. Election year gives is the possibility of hope. From Philippians 3:15-21, Al Abdulla explores why our citizenship in heaven is perhaps the fulfillment of our deepest longing. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In life we are often taking hold of things that we believe will bring us joy, fulfillment, and status. Here in Philippians 3:1-14, Paul teaches and exhorts the church to take Hold of true Joy by pursuing a life with Jesus— that pursuing Jesus will challenge us to let go of the things we once thought would bring us fulfillment. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Community and relationships can be difficult, and the church in Philippi was experiencing the difficulty of unity and affection in the midst of trial. From Philippians 2:12-18, Rashad Clemons shares how Paul admonishes this young church— Paul explains that the love of Jesus that's been worked into our hearts is also meant to be worked out in our difficulties with one another for the advancement of...

Humble confidence is the sweet spot of loving others as you also love yourself. Yet, there are two enemies to humble confidence: Fear and self-doubt. Both are rooted in the ego. From Philippians 2:1-11, Al Abdulla explores the antidote we need to become truly humble and confident. *There are no slides available for this sermon.

The joy found in the good news of Jesus is not only found in good times, but also in times of trials and hardship. This young Philippian church's joyful unity was in jeopardy, and the Apostle Paul gives them a word of encouragement on how to holdfast for the sake of the gospel. From Philippians 1:27-2:4, Rashad Clemons shares how tests are meant to galvanize a community to live from a place of hum...

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” —Nietzsche Suffering is universal. A metaphor often used for our affliction is ‘Chains.’ In Philippians 1:12-26, Paul finds himself in a dark Roman prison and in literal chains. In this talk, Al Abdulla explores what it is that allows Paul to have joy in the midst of his chains, and how our lives might be affected when we find ourselves chaine...

In a world searching for fleeting happiness, the book of Philippians points to an indestructible Joy found in the good news of Jesus. Paul begins his letter with thanksgiving and prayer, filled with joy, on behalf of all of God's people in Philippi. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Colossians 1 and John 1 both tell us that before the cosmos began, Christ existed in perfect love, power and faithfulness. His story might seem like a myth-- too good to be true, but the prophets tell us of the good news of a coming King who is just, and shepherds his people into hope and life. From verses in Micah 5 and 6, Al Abdulla illustrates what it looks like to believe in this Shepherd King...

What does God see when he sees me? The answer to that question can determine the deepest part of our identity. From Zechariah 3:1-10, show us how God sees us when we’re we’re given a behind the scenes look into the spiritual realm. Al Abdulla shows why we tend to have difficulty seeing ourselves as God does and the difference it makes when we do. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teaching...

Delays can often get confused with unfulfillment, and experiencing a season of unfulfilled expectations can breed cynicism. God speaks to the people of God through the prophet Malachi, that surely He is sending the Messiah, and that their cynicism is not only misdirected, it has polluted their heart and clouded their perspective. We will explore what the scriptures say about God's faithfulness and...