The Story | Faithful in Babylon

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Matthew 2:1–12 In the third week of Advent, Pastor Josh invites us to consider how easy it is to miss Jesus, even when we think we are ready to see Him. In the story of the Magi, insiders with power and knowledge miss Jesus, while unlikely seekers pursue Him with curiosity, sacrifice, and wonder. In this sermon, Josh invites us to slow down, notice where God is breaking in, and courageously follow the light toward worship and transformation.Advent Breath Prayer INHALE: Christ, You are with me EXHALE: Give me eyes to see

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Luke 3:1–18 This week, Pastor Josh meets us in the ache of Advent longing and echoes John the Baptist's call to "prepare the way" for Jesus. His message reframes waiting as faithful roadwork—the repentance, generosity, and justice that clear space for grace to land. We’re invited out of the “wait-and-wish” ditch of avoidance and the “work-and-worry” ditch of control, learning to do our part with courage while trusting God with His.

Teacher: Mandi Paszek Text: Matthew 1:18-25 NIV Christmas is an invitation to hope. But what do we do when our hopes are left waiting? In the first week of Advent, Mandi invites us to meet God in our longings, our lament, and our experience of liminal space.Questions for reflection: What longing am I holding back from God today?Where do I need God to meet me in my grief and lament?

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Revelation 21:1-5 In the final week of The Story series, Pastor Josh reframes Revelation—not as a code to be cracked, but as God’s hope-filled unveiling for weary, pressured people trying to stay faithful in Babylon. Here we're given a better ending than we could ever write ourselves: Jesus makes all things new, and our present faithfulness matters because the story ends with God dwelling with his people forever.

Teacher: Larry Kim (Central Square Church) Text: Acts 2:1-8 NIV Guest preacher Larry Kim continues The Story series with Acts 2, when God fulfills His promise to dwell with His people forever through the Holy Spirit. With wind, fire, and the miracle of tongues, the Spirit forms the Church and empowers ordinary people with God’s own power. Because Christ now lives in us, we’re invited to live differently—rooted in God’s promise, power, purpose, and presence.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Luke 22:7-8, 14-20 Josh continues The Story series in Luke 22, tracing how Jesus redefines Passover around himself. Through the cross and resurrection, we see God’s breathtaking rescue plan—a holy ambush that defeats death from the inside and invites us to live marked by his redeeming love.

Teacher: Mandi Paszek Text: Luke 4:16-21, 25-30 This week, we enter the New Testament. Preaching from Luke 4, Mandi traces how the promises and longings of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus—the King who brings good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and sight to the blind. In a world chasing control, status, and certainty, she reminds us that Christ’s Kingdom begins with surrendered hearts and the life-changing truth that Jesus is the King we’ve been waiting for.

Teacher: Caleb McCoy Text: Ezekiel 37:1-10 The prophet Ezekiel denounced the idolatry of God’s people—not only their individual sin, but their collective injustice, hypocritical worship, and oppression of the poor. In this continuation of The Story, Caleb emphasizes that despite their warped allegiances, God continues to pursue His people and call them back to life.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: 1 Samuel 8:4–20 Israel’s demand for a king in 1 Samuel reveals our shared impulse to grasp for control when trust feels risky. In this message, Josh traces how God cautions, consents, and continues—working through even our worst choices to bring renewal and raise a truer King.This sermon was preached on October 5.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Exodus 19:3–8 At Sinai, God forms a rescued people with a covenant constitution — not an entrance exam, but a path for presence and public witness. In this sermon, Josh explore “grace before guidance” and the Law’s three aims: rituals for identity, boundaries for holiness, and rules for flourishing. He explores how the law can train us into people who host God’s presence and bless our city.This sermon was preached on September 28.