Introduction

Last week, Pastor John gave a sermon that talked about who you were, who you are now in Christ Jesus, meaning you are now part of God’s family, and as a member of God’s family, God is building us up together. Today, I will be piggy backing off last week’s sermon to talk about building up the Next Generation. I want you to know that understand your role in building up the next generation is a way for you and the church to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Introduction

When we hear “build up the church,” we may think of programs, volunteering, or simply doing more ministry. But in this passage, Paul is speaking about something far deeper: our identity as the people of God, the community Christ Himself is forming, and the spiritual house God is actively building with Jesus as the cornerstone. Before Paul tells us how to build up the church, he tells us who we are — because without understanding our identity in Christ, all our attempts will become burdens, performance, or disappointment. But when we understand who we are because of Jesus, building up the church becomes the overflow of grace.

Paul walks us through three movements:

1. We were once far off — separated, divided, and without hope.

2. Christ has brought us near — tearing down walls and making one new humanity.

3. We are now being built together — formed into a spiritual home where God dwells.

Introduction

One of the most important truths about our humanity is that we were created for relationships — deep, meaningful relationships filled with love, trust, and mutual care. Even in the perfection of Eden, before sin entered the world, God identified one thing that was not good: Adam was alone. From the beginning, God designed people to flourish through committed and loving relationships.

Modern research reflects this biblical truth. Children who are unable to bond with stable caregivers experience profound emotional and psychological harm, and their development can suffer in devastating ways. Even in adult relationships, such as marriage, when two people drift apart, it feels like something inside is dying — because relational disconnection truly affects us mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. We deteriorate without connection because God made us for it.

And just as relationship is essential for human life, it is essential for spiritual life. We cannot grow as healthy Christians or function as a healthy church without deep fellowship. This is why Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church is so meaningful. Many scholars believe that Philippians is Paul’s warmest letter, written to a church he considered uniquely close to his heart. From the moment Paul begins, we can sense the affection, history, and mutual love shared between them.

At first, his greeting may seem like a standard opening, but when we look more closely, Paul is actually teaching us what healthy, gospel-shaped relationships look like. Today we will focus on two parts of Paul’s opening:

1. Paul’s greeting and what it reveals about his relationship with the Philippians.

2. Their shared partnership in the gospel.

Introduction

Think about the most meaningful relationships in your life — friendships, family, marriage, or community. Words play a powerful role in shaping them. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Every word carries weight — it can bring life or death, hope or despair, healing or harm. Words reveal the state of our hearts and shape those around us.

The story of Anna and Ian reminds us that words don’t just express how we feel; they shape hearts and relationships. They can tear down or build up, escalate conflict or bring reconciliation. But before we can speak words that build up others, we must start with the source of life — our relationship with God. How we speak to Him — honestly and vulnerably — sets the tone for how we speak to others.

Today we’ll explore three ways our words can reflect spiritual elevation:

1. Speak Honestly to God – pouring out our hearts in trust and vulnerability.

2. Speak Gracefully to Others – using words that encourage and build up.

3. Speak Redemptively through the Gospel – letting the gospel shape our words to reconcile and reflect Christ’s love.

Introduction

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who wasn’t really listening? Maybe a spouse, friend, or colleague — someone who seems present in body but absent in attention. It’s frustrating and leaves us feeling unheard. Not long ago, I was deeply focused on an “important mission” — searching for a World Series Edition Blue Jays hat. While scrolling online for it that evening, Grace walked into my room to confront me about something I’d done earlier that day. I responded with all the right words: “mhmm,” “I see,” “sorry you felt that way” — but my eyes were on my phone the whole time. Needless to say, that evening ended tragically — and it was all because I wasn’t really listening.

Listening matters. It builds trust, deepens intimacy, and invites growth. The same is true in our relationship with God. We can pray, read Scripture, and attend church — but if we don’t listen, we miss His voice and guidance. In 1 Samuel 3, we see God speaking to a young boy named Samuel — not in a dramatic scene, but in a quiet, personal moment. His story teaches us how to listen attentively, patiently, and obediently to the voice of God.

Today, we'll reflect on three truths from this passage:

God speaks to us personally

God teaches us to listen through guidance and community

Listening well leads to a faithful response

Introduction

Sociologists today describe a phenomenon called “Peter Pan syndrome”—adults who resist growing up. Many live as “kidults,” holding on to youthful comforts while avoiding responsibility. We see this in our culture: people chasing pleasure, comfort, and freedom but avoiding commitment, discipline, or sacrifice.

Spiritually, the same issue exists in the church. Many believers have been Christians for years but remain immature in faith—quick to anger, slow to forgive, and self-focused rather than Christ-centered. This was the case in Corinth. Outwardly gifted and active, they were inwardly divided and proud. Paul rebuked them, saying, “I could not address you as spiritual people, but as infants in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1).

The Corinthians pursued status over service and gifts over love. That is why Paul emphasizes in chapter 13 that love—not ability, knowledge, or giftedness—is the true measure of maturity. When he writes, “When I became a man, I gave up childish ways,” he calls believers to move from self-centered childishness toward Christ-like love. Spiritual maturity is not about age or time in church; it’s about being transformed by love that reflects Christ.

Introduction

I remember being told in my earlier days by various people about being thankful. Being thankful is easy to do when things are going smoothly, things are going well, you see results and achievements, money is good, relationships, and marriage is good, and you’re feeling good, even better happy. But what if it’s not? I would then hear people say things like you still have to give thanks to God for the bad stuff too. If you say thanks first the rest will follow. Or something out of the Sound of Music – when God closes a door he opens a window – and I’m thinking well the window better be bigger than the door. Or I would get the biblical answer quoted to me from today’s passage that we have to, we must be thankful because that’s the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. And what the heck does that even mean? But I tried to understand it and tried to live it as well. However, as I tried to live up to God’s command or try to live it down. I found myself reaching a breaking point where I lash out in anger and bitterness, especially against God.

I had many honest feelings and questions about be thankful in all circumstances - How can I be thankful when I don’t feel thankful? How can I be thankful if the last thing on my mind is being thankful. And why is being thankful the will of God? How is being thankful the will of God. And what good is all that when I don’t feel thankful and I’m hurting inside? How do I reconcile my feelings with this command? Am I to count my blessings and look for the things that I should be grateful for? But what if those things are gone? What then?

Introduction

Good morning, church. It’s truly an honor to share God’s Word with you today. Every time I stand here and see God’s people faithfully gather to worship, my heart is stirred. I’m especially thankful for Reverend John—my dear friend and a faithful servant of the Lord. We bonded years ago in Edmonton through shared trials, and I look up to him as a spiritual heavyweight. As for me? I’m more of a spiritual featherweight—so lower your expectations and be gracious with me! But here’s my confidence: our God is too great to be contained by one preacher, and He is faithful to speak through every messenger. So let’s open our hearts—because I believe God wants to meet us.

Let me begin with a question: What matters more—purpose or efficiency?

Introduction

In our passage, Abram faces growing tension between his people and his nephew Lot’s people. Abram, later called Abraham, is one of the central figures of Scripture—a man of faith chosen by God to be the father of a great nation. Through him, all the families of the earth would be blessed. His life was marked by trust and obedience, leaving his homeland to follow God into the unknown.

Lot, Abram’s nephew, journeyed with him from Ur to Canaan, sharing in the blessings God gave. Both households grew so large that the land could no longer support them. Disputes arose, threatening unity. This story is not just history—it is a mirror for us, inviting us to grow in trust, discover the beauty of surrender, and follow God’s leading even when the way feels uncertain.

Introduction - Who is David?

When most people think of David, they remember the boy who faced Goliath, the king who unified Israel, or the psalmist who poured out his heart to God. Scripture itself tells us in Acts 13:22 that David was “a man after God’s own heart.” And yet, David was not perfect. He was human—broken, frail, and prone to sin just like us.

Psalm 51 was written after one of the darkest chapters of his life. At the height of his power, instead of leading his men in battle, David stayed home. From his rooftop he saw Bathsheba, desired her, and took her. When she became pregnant, he tried to cover it up, eventually arranging for her husband Uriah to be abandoned on the battlefield to die. David, the man after God’s own heart, fell into adultery, deception, and murder.

But God did not leave him there. Through the prophet Nathan, David was confronted with his sin. Nathan told him a story about a rich man who stole a poor man’s lamb, and David was outraged. Then Nathan declared, “You are the man!” In that moment, David was pierced to the heart. He saw his guilt not only against Bathsheba and Uriah, but ultimately against God Himself. From that brokenness came Psalm 51, a raw and honest prayer for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing.

This psalm teaches us that the path upward in the Christian life begins by being brought low. Before God can elevate us, He must cleanse us. And that cleansing involves three steps: Contrition, Confession, and Cleansing.

Introduction

As we turn to this closing section, we see that Paul’s words to Timothy are more than pastoral advice; they are a charge for the whole Christian life. Throughout this letter, Paul has shown that the church God desires is rooted in truth, shaped by grace, fueled by prayer, led by godly examples, discerning in confusion, passionate for godliness, and committed to passing on a living faith. None of this is passive. Following Christ requires vigilance, courage, and endurance. Here Paul gathers it all into one life-long summons: “Fight the good fight of the faith.”

For Timothy and the Ephesian church, this meant resisting false teaching and cultural compromise. For us, it may look like withstanding secularism, materialism, digital distraction, or the subtle pull to prize comfort over obedience. The question beneath every age is the same: Will we remain faithful to the gospel—and model a faith worth passing on? In this passage Paul issues three essential calls for those who want to finish well:

Flee the traps of this world.

Pursue the virtues of Christ.

Hold fast—and fight—anchored in eternity.

Introduction

Money is one of those topics that makes us uneasy. We all need it—bills must be paid, food bought, and housing secured. Yet at the same time, we know how easily money can capture our hearts. In a city like Toronto, the race for more feels unavoidable. Promotions, investments, housing, travel, even lifestyle trends whisper the same message: If you just had a little more, you would finally be enough.

Take housing as an example. For many young people, owning a home seems impossible. Renting alone can feel overwhelming, shaping decisions about careers, families, and the future. Or think about cultural obsession with lifestyle—the latest technology, vacations, or even “quiet luxury,” where wealth is subtly displayed without logos. These pursuits reinforce the illusion that money equals identity, security, and worth.

The truth is, money itself is not evil. It’s a gift from God, a tool to be used for His purposes. But when money moves from being a tool in our hands to becoming the treasure of our hearts, it takes God’s place. That is why Paul presses in so strongly in this passage. He is not giving Timothy a few financial tips—he is warning of a spiritual danger that can destroy lives and derail faith.

The real question is not, Do we have money? but, Does money have us?

Paul gives us a sharp contrast: the danger of chasing wealth that leads to ruin, and the gain of godliness with contentment that satisfies the soul.