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Sermon: Joy in the House of the Lord (June 21, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 122 Bryan Buck We apologize that the first few minutes of this sermon replay are missing, where Bryan reads from the Wall Street Journal article, “Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass.” Quotes for Reflection Anyee Bhutani, “Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass, WSJ May 3, 2026 Gen Z Christians attend church more often than millennials, Gen X and baby boomers, according to the Barna Group, a firm that studies U.S. faith trends. In 2025, the typical Gen Z churchgoer attended nearly two weekends a month, the highest level since the firm began tracking, and up from around one weekend a month in 2020. Young men in particular are more interested in faith. A Gallup poll released in April found that in 2025, 42% of young men said religion is very important to them, up sharply from 28% in 2023, and overtaking young women. C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself. It is for a very different reason that religion cannot occupy the whole of life in the sense of excluding all our natural activities. For, of course, in some sense, it must occupy the whole of life. There is no question of a compromise between the claims of God and the claims of culture, or politics, or anything else. God’s claim is infinite and inexorable. You can refuse it, or you can begin to try to grant it. There is no middle way. Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary Jerusalem was the center for justice, equity, and the reinforcement of what is right. It was the place where thrones for judgment stood, where right was rewarded and wrong was punished. It was the place where the innocent were defended and the guilty were prosecuted. Jerusalem was called the house of David because it was the royal city of Israel where David sat enthroned, presiding over the people and dispensing justice. Thus, Jerusalem was not only the central place for worship but also the site where civil judgments and legal decisions were made. It was the seat of government, the place where the king of Israel presided. Not only was the Word of God taught here, but it was reinforced here. Application Questions 1. Consider your own story with the church. What’s been life-giving and what’s been discouraging? How do you explain this mix of experience? 2. Why are people in our day making a return to the church? What do you think God is up to in this movement of renewal? 3. Read Psalm 122 in an unhurried fashion. What’s one aspect that can become your prayer for the church?

Sermon: The Lord Our Keeper (June 14, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 121 Bryan Buck (Series: Psalms of Ascent) Quotes for Reflection Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary Making the trip to Jerusalem required making an upward ascent in elevation into the holy city to attend the feasts. There were no paved roads but, for the most part, only well-trodden paths across the valleys, along the side of rivers, and over mountain passes. This psalm recounted the arduous journey and the abundant strength they found in the Lord himself to complete their trip. God himself was their strength, sustainer, supporter, and Savior from all harm. Timothy Keller, Center Church The gospel, if it is truly believed, helps us out of the extreme neediness that is natural to the human heart….without the Spirit, our hearts don’t really believe in God's delight or grace, so they operate in their default mode. But the truths of the gospel, brought home by the Spirit, slowly but surely help us grasp in a new way how safe and secure, how loved and accepted, we are in Christ. Through the gospel, we come to base our identity not on what we have achieved but on what has been achieved for us in Christ. And when the gospel, brought home to our hearts, eats away at this sin-born neediness, it destroys the inner engines that drive sinful behavior. Elizabeth Elliot, Your Suffering is Never for Nothing Where does this idea of a loving God come from? It is not a deduction. It is not man so desperately wanting a god that he manufactures him in his mind. It’s he who was the Word before the foundation of the world, suffering as a lamb slain. And he has a lot up his sleeve that you and I haven’t the slightest idea about now. He’s told us enough so we can know that suffering is never for nothing. Application Questions 1. What ascent are you making right now? What makes you anxious? What are you anticipating? 2. How has your personal story shaped particular patterns of anxiety in the face of need? What self-saving responses do you need to turn away from? 3. Spend a few minutes this week writing down your greatest need right now and how the gospel addresses that need. How would it change your life to find your security in the love of God given to us in Christ?

Sermon: Deliverance from Deceit (June 7, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 120 Series: Psalms of Ascent Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Julian of Norwich, The Showings of Julian Norwich As long as we are in this life, whenever we foolishly turn our attention to those we deem not to be on a spiritual path, our Lord God tenderly touches us and blessedly calls to us, speaking to our souls: Let me be the only object of your attention, my beloved child. Focus on me alone, for I am enough for you. Rejoice in your savior and your salvation. John Newton, The Letters of John Newton We judge things by their present appearances, but the Lord sees them in their consequences. J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor's will. Steven J Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary An incomparable blessing awaits God's people whenever they come to God's house to hear God's Word. True spiritual growth necessitates that believers regularly attend the gathering of worshippers and sit under the Scripture being taught. Wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the glory of God is manifested, and the grace of God is magnified in the hearts of the saints. Whatever the distance a person must travel to receive the Word, the effort is always eternally rewarding. Singing praises to God with other like-minded believers makes the journey worth the while. Nothing is more important to one's spiritual life than hearing and living God's Word. Application Questions 1. Think back on a challenge you faced this week. How did you initially respond? Did you trust in yourself or God? What does your gut reaction reveal about your heart? 2. Have you ever been the object of slander in your community? Why would the Psalmist recommend that we trust in God’s judgement rather than pursue retribution on our own? 3. Why would traveling to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple be the ultimate solution for dealing with a deceitful world?

Sermon: The Disciples at the Well (May 31, 2026)

Sermon Text: John 4:1-42 Pat Roach

Sermon: A Faithful Father (May 24, 2026)

Scripture Text: Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 and Acts 2:1-13 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Ben Witherington III Throughout Acts, the presence of the Spirit is seen as the distinguishing mark of Christianity — it is what makes a person a Christian. John Owen, Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Each Person Distinctly, in Love, Grace, and Consolation But just remember…he is our most loving Father. Every other discovery of God, without this, will but make the soul fly from him; but if the heart be once much taken up with this the eminency of the Father’s love, it cannot choose but be overpowered, conquered, and endeared unto him. This, if any thing, will work upon us to make our abode with him. If the love of a father will not make a child delight in him, what will? Put, then, this to the venture: exercise your thoughts upon this very thing, then eternal, free, and fruitful love for the Father, and see if your hearts be not wrought upon to delight in him. N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone Instead of a holiday, imagine a moment, long promised, dreamed of, planned for, mulled over, prayed for, ached for, agonized over: a moment when things would work out right at last, when hopes would be realized and good times would begin. A moment when a huge sigh of relief would give way to a huge sense of new possibilities: now, at last, things could really start! Application Questions 1. Why is a SAY/DO ratio so important for relationships? 2. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fulfilled God’s promises. Why was the Spirit the answer and how was this different from what the disciples expected? 3. Where do you need a fresh apprehension of God’s faithfulness this week? How can you trust the Holy Spirit for this need?

Sermon: Ascended & Reigning (May 17, 2026)

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:17-23 and Acts 1:1-11 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone In the world of the first century, when someone was enthroned as king, that new authority would take effect through heralds going off throughout the territory in question with the news, ‘We have a king!’ That was always proclaimed as good news, because everyone in the ancient world (unlike many in the modern world) knew that anarchy is always worse than authorized government. Governments may be bad, but chaos is worse. So the heralds, the messengers, would go off to the far reaches of the kingdom (imagine, for instance, a new Roman emperor coming to the throne, and heralds going off as far as Spain to the west, Britain to the north, and Egypt to the southeast), to announce that Claudius, or Nero, or whoever, was now the rightful king, and to demand glad allegiance from supposedly grateful subjects. And that is what Jesus is telling them they must now do. Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity The life the Spirit gives is not an abstract package of blessing; it is his own life that he shares with us, the life of fellowship with the Father and the Son. Thus the Spirit is not like some divine milkman, leaving the gift of “life” on our doorsteps only to move on. In giving us life he comes in to be with us and remain with us. Having once given life, then, he does not move on; he stays to make that life blossom and grow. F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of Luke From the earliest times in Israel, God was acknowledged as king (cf. Ex. 15:18). His kingship is universal (Ps. 103:19), but is manifested most clearly where men and women recognize it in practice by doing his will. Application Questions 1. What is one thing you hadn’t considered before about the meaning of Jesus’ ascension? 2. What does it look like for you to live in the tension of the “already, but not yet” after the ascension—or the bodily absence of Jesus, but the presence of his kingdom and Spirit? 3. How may God be calling you to “not stand around looking up,” but instead to engage with his work in the world around you?

Sermon: To The Lost (May 10, 2026)

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16 and Luke 15:1-10 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Kylne R. Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus Few things are more important than our perception of God, for from that understanding we perceive our own identity, how we should think and act, and how the world ought to be. J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke Christ’s love is a deep and mighty love. Just as the shepherd rejoiced to find his sheep, and the woman to find her money, so does the Lord Jesus rejoice to save sinners. It is a real pleasure to Him to pluck them as brands from the burning. It was His “food and drink” when upon earth to finish the work which He came to do. He felt constrained in spirit until it was accomplished. It is still His delight to show mercy. He is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are willing to be saved. N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone In the stories of the sheep and the coin, the punch line in each case depends on the Jewish belief that the two halves of God’s creation, heaven and earth, were meant to fit together and be in harmony with each other. If you discover what’s going on in heaven, you’ll discover how things were meant to be on earth. That, after all, is the point of praying that God’s kingdom will come ‘on earth as in heaven’. Application Questions: 1. Why is our view of God’s disposition toward us so consequential for our relationships with people who are spiritually lost? Does your view of God match how he is described in Luke’s parables? Why or why not? 2. How do the parables of Luke 15 knock down any sense of spiritual superiority? What specific elements can you point to and elaborate on? 3. How can it be most advantageous to simply invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to church? What is exciting about this idea, and what gives you pause? Who are one or two people of peace in your life who need an invitation?

Sermon: To the Least of These (May 3, 2026)

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and Luke 10:25-37 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Timothy Keller, Ministries of Mercy What was the point of Jesus’ parable? We could put it this way. He was humbling us with the mercy God requires so we can receive the mercy God offers. This is the gospel. All of us lie helpless and bankrupt, dying on the road. Jesus Christ, who is our natural enemy, who owes us nothing, nevertheless stops and gives us of His spiritual riches and saves us. J.C. Ryle, The Gospel of Luke We should regard the whole world as our parish and the whole race of mankind as our neighbors. We should seek to be the friend of everyone who is oppressed, or neglected, or afflicted, or sick, or in prison, or poor, or an orphan, or a heathen, or a slave, or starving, or dying. We should exhibit such worldwide friendship – no doubt wisely, discreetly, and with good sense – but of such friendship we never need be ashamed. The ungodly may sneer at it as foolish and fanaticism. But we need not mind that. To be friendly to all men in this way is to show something of the mind that was in Christ…the world would be a happier place if there was a more practical Christianity. Michael Card, The Gospel of Amazement If our working definition of the Hebrew word hesed is “when the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything,” then the Samaritan clearly exhibits hesed…Hesed is always something you do, and so Jesus closes the interaction with the simple command, “Go and do the same.” Perhaps without realizing it, the scribe’s first question was just answered as well. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ answer? Do hesed. Application Questions 1. Why is self-righteousness such a default-mode for us all? How does self-justification surface in your own life? What impact do you believe it will have and what’s the actual result? 2. How would you summarize the ‘moral of the story’ in this parable and how does that recognition change your love for God? 3. What’s one way that the gospel can transform your perception and relationship to the “least of these” this week?

Sermon: A Brief Theology of Prayer (April 26, 2026)

Scripture Text: 1 Kings 18:17-39 and Acts 6:1-4 Daniel Robbins Quotes for Reflection: Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way (quoting Tito Colliander on the Ascetics). "Prayer is action." Application Questions 1. If you look at your practice, what does is imply about your lived belief in prayer? 2. If you had to focus on one request for this coming day, what would it be? How about for the next week? 3. What fears does prayer bring up in you? Would praying about them help?

Sermon: Investing in People & Place (April 19, 2026)

Scripture Text: Philippians 1:3-11 and Acts 16:6-34 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. Ralph Ellison, Interview on Invisible Man, 1974 I think most of us Americans are challenged, to be very, very conscious of where we are and that’s not an easy thing to do, and I do believe that knowing where we are, has a lot to do with our knowing who we are. N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone We sometimes think it would be nice if life were not complicated, but it is, and the complexities matter. They are part of God’s world and God’s work. Michael Keller, Contextualization in the Late Modern West It ought to be our goal to know our friends, our neighbors, and our cities and areas so well that we know the cultural stories around us. What makes the gospel unique is that its storyline—its answers to these questions—can encompass and complete every other culture’s storylines. Whereas other cultures identify some created thing as being the problem and another created thing as the solution that will make things right, Christianity says the root of all problems is sin and the ultimate solution is Jesus. Application Questions 1. God can call us to a people over our personal preference. Where have you experienced this in your own life, and how have you seen God at work? 2. Why is our embodied, faithful presence essential to God’s work in the world? Where do you see that taking shape in your own context? 3. The gospel is not only comforting, it is also disruptive. In what ways do you see the gospel confronting the status quo of our city?

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