Waterstone Church Sermon Podcast

Self-control, essential for spiritual growth, reflects the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, emphasizing the need for divine strength over personal effort. Overcoming internal struggles and desires involves crucifying the flesh, recognizing true freedom through faith in Christ, and relying on the Spirit's guidance rather than cultural self-fulfillment methods. Daily prayer for...

Being gentle goes against the grain of all the outrage we see around us. The Bible and the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians show us how important this is. Take the story of the woman anointing Jesus—her gentleness was all about strength under control, not weakness. We definitely need God's help to be like that. When our communities embrace gentleness, it can totally change how we interact and he...

Staying faithful in a culture of compromise requires allegiance to Jesus, trust in God's character, and perseverance through challenges, with Jesus' steadfast faithfulness as our ultimate example. The Parable of the Servants in Matthew 25 illustrates the importance of trusting in God's character despite difficulties and doubts. Similarly, like an ultrarunner, we can endure pain if we are driven by...

Experiencing God's goodness is not about achieving perfection but about recognizing and accepting our brokenness as the space where God's grace and healing are most evident. Adhering to checklist morality and striving for a "good life" often result in unfulfillment and disappointment, revealing the limitations of human efforts in the quest for goodness. So, this is where we can experience the true...

Practicing kindness and forgiveness, inspired by God's example, can make a real difference, even in a world that often feels indifferent. Being kind to those closest to us and even those who may not deserve it shows God's love and can draw others to Christ, so it's worth making a conscious effort to overcome busyness and bitterness. Fasting & Prayer Throughout this series we encourage you to p...

Endure hardships with patience and forbearance, following the example of Christ, to show love to others and grow in faith. When we demonstrate love and endurance during tough times it can lead others to Christ, and walking by the Spirit, not the flesh, empowers us to overcome challenges with grace. References: "Lord, I'm down here trying to do what's right...But...I must confess...I'm losing my co...

Peace is about feeling whole and connected to God, which requires effort to push past our natural urges to avoid conflict or be aggressive. It's something we're meant to share to create harmony and unity. The Spirit helps us fight against our destructive tendencies. Embracing peace means becoming a peacemaker in a chaotic world, spreading love, forgiveness, and understanding. References: "We are n...

True joy stems from an inner work and a choice to adopt a joyful attitude, with the presence of God as its source, cultivated through practices like prayer, scripture reading, and worship. It acknowledges the reality of sorrow and grief, encouraging surrender to God and finding hope in His promises, while highlighting gratitude and intentional thought management as key factors in fostering joy. Pe...

The ongoing struggle between fleshly desires and spiritual fruit highlights the crucial need to cultivate spiritual virtues: love, joy peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. By walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, and living by the Spirit, we can overcome this tension and experience a fulfilling life in Jesus. Fasting is a practical way to dis...

Today we explore and celebrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in global missions, and recognize that the same divine power that created the universe and revived the Israelites is within each of us who follow Jesus. By relying on the Holy Spirit and following his guidance, you can experience personal renewal and contribute to bringing new life to the world. This journey promises spirit...

God's heart in Leviticus and in Jesus has always been the same: to make a way for sinful people to be in relationship with Him. Leviticus shows that blessings come from obedience and curses from disobedience, but God's ultimate desire is for reconciliation and restoration. Jesus fulfills the law and brings God's presence to us, offering forgiveness and a path to abundant life. TRANSCRIPT

The teachings of Leviticus highlight the importance of astonishing generosity and empowering the poor and immigrants. This involves intentional financial planning to support those in need and building relationships that provide growth opportunities, reflecting God's love through sacrificial actions. By following the early church's example, we can challenge traditional economic systems and make a s...

The Day of Atonement stands as the cornerstone of Leviticus, rich with rituals and symbolism that stress the cleansing of sin. Amidst misconceptions about God's character, we aim to see The Day of Atonement as a ritual full of his love and grace in handling sin's consequences. We also see the parallels between Leviticus and the New Testament teachings, which ultimately; point to Jesus as the compl...

The book of Leviticus is about demonstrating God's holiness and life to the world. Today we focus on Leviticus 18, where we find the importance of embodying God's values in sexual practices to reflect His goodness. Additional context is also shared from the book of Genesis and the work of theologian Rebecca McLaughlin. References: Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill " 4 Things Christians Must Reclai...

In this sermon on Leviticus, we unpack "embodied holiness" and its relevance today. Holiness isn't just about following rules but showing respect and dedication to God. Today we live post-resurrection, so our understanding of God's presence is different than ancient Israel. We have the opportunity to see Jesus as the epitome of holiness, and his ability to enable transformation through surrender....

Easter Sunday reminds us of the early Christians' radical love and how Christianity spread like wildfire—clear evidence of how Jesus' resurrection transformed their lives. Who exactly was Jesus, and what was his mission? For generations, his life, death, and resurrection have compelled people to grapple with accepting him as divine or rejecting him altogether. So, what's the significance of his re...

Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the time that Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the back of donkey. The disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the multitudes came out to welcome him, laying before Jesus their cloaks and the branches of palm trees. The palm branches and cloaks symbolized Jesus' victory and triumph. The people hailed and praised Him as the “King who...

Loving our enemies challenges us to mirror God's love by promoting love for all. As followers of Jesus we should confront societal norms and illustrate the counterintuitive nature of God's kingdom. Ultimately, let's encourage our community to embrace the challenging, transformative power of love in a world yearning for grace. References: TRANSCRIPT

Despite Jesus initially showing indifference and making a hurtful remark, the Canaanite woman's steadfast faith and determination ultimately bring about her daughter's healing. From this story we learn that we are called to examine our own biases and preconceptions, and to extend God's grace to everyone we encounter. The gospel's powerful message of inclusivity, challenges us to embrace and welcom...

Jesus warned us against greed when we taught on generosity and the over accumulation of possessions. He challenges us to prioritize being rich toward God and to live selflessly, not allowing money to hinder our spiritual growth. Instead, he prompts us to embrace the tension, constantly questioning, "Could I be more generous?" TRANSCRIPT

Following Jesus is an open invitation for all. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to follow Jesus, although it comes with a price and is a daily decision to become more like him. If you have decided to follow Jesus, the question is, do you look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday? Do you look like a person who is more filled with love than you were five years ago? Does your presence resem...

In our lives, we'll face monumental and profound losses, it feel as though we have endured falling towers, but because Jesus bore the weight of the eternal tower, none of the trials will ultimately define us or mark the end of our journey. In addition, these experiences are not a result of our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The reason hard, tragic and evil things happen is because we live in a br...

Jesus calls us to embrace compassion instead of harsh judgment, urging us to extend empathy and understanding to others. This call doesn't require us to dismiss our principles or beliefs; rather, it encourages us to uphold them with grace and humility. In doing so, we can demonstrate the profound balance of compassion and conviction that Jesus exemplified in his teachings and actions. References:...

In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses strong language, saying, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." This statement is often interpreted metaphorically, emphasizing the radical commitment required to follow Jesus. It underscores the idea that discipleship involves prioritizing one's dev...

*Note: Due to technical difficulties, the first 3 minutes of this sermon was not recorded. Anxiety at its core, most often refers to an incessant worry or apprehension about what is coming. It’s a fear that surrounds uncertain possibilities or outcomes and affects the way we think and behave. So, what do we do when we are overwhelmed by anxiety? As followers of Jesus how should we respon...