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Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from chapter 18. In it, he challenges prevalent cultural narratives and offers a deeply theological perspective on our sexuality. Pastor Ben shows how faith intersects with personal desires and cultural expectations, emphasizing the transformative power of grace. He discusses the church's critical role in offering healing and redemption to those grappling with society's conflicting sexual norms. Drawing inspiration from Christopher West's "Our Bodies Tell God's Story," he underscores the importance of embodying sexual wholeness and holiness to offer hope and light in a culture often perceived as morally decaying.Pastor Ben also examines the theological symbolism of marriage and sexuality, weaving parallels between earthly relationships and the anticipated union between Jesus and the church. Through this lens, he unpacks the significance of gender roles, the impact of the

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 19. He connects the teachings here in Leviticus with New Testament calls to live purposefully, in order to uncover the timeless value of compassion, justice, and holiness.Holiness transcends mere behavior; it's about belonging to God and living in love. By reflecting on the phrase "I am the Lord, your God," Pastor Damein helps us understand how this divine relationship influences our actions and fosters true holiness. He challenges the notion of morality based on fear or duty, emphasizing that genuine holiness is rooted in love and relational commitment. Ultimately, Pastor Damein illustrates how belonging to God through Jesus enables us to reflect His holiness, leading to changed behaviors and genuine freedom.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching on the themes of atonement and holiness from the ritual in Leviticus 16. He explores the high priest’s critical role in bridging the gap between God and His people, and the crucial symbolism of the scapegoat carrying away the sins of Israel. Here, we see how drawing near to God requires confrontation with our own ambivalence, guilt, and shame. Together, we can reflect on God's persistent love and His desire to dwell among us despite our shortcomings.Leviticus 16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the transformative power of Christ, as depicted in Hebrews. There, we can see how Jesus embodies the temple, priest, and sacrifice, removing traditional religious barriers. Pastor Ben concludes with practical advice on honoring the Day of Atonement through fasting and resting, and encourage us to embrace bold confidence in approach to God, not through personal merit, but through the grace offered by Chri

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from a selection of texts from Leviticus 10-15. Drawing on Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory, he uncovers how the principles in this section of Leviticus still echo in our political landscapes and personal beliefs, urging us to rethink the relevance of biblical concepts in today's world.Pastor Ben then focuses on the thematic verse, Leviticus 10:10, to unravel the clear lines between the holy and the common, the clean and unclean. He explains the temporal nature of these laws, reflecting on their intended purpose from Moses to Jesus, and how they underscored the uniqueness of God's covenant with Israel.By exploring Jesus' teachings on internal transformation, Pastor Ben highlights how His sacrifice offers true purification and freedom from guilt, providing hope and healing even at our lowest moments. Jesus's compassion invites us to break free from shame and embrace t

Pastor of Congregation Care & Missions Jason Dunn continues our series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from a selection of texts in Leviticus 8, 9, and 10. He explores the theme of consecration in worship and its profound implications for believers today. There, we see that Leviticus offers a path to holiness that defies cultural pressures. Through the lens of the Israelites' journey from Exodus, one can also see areas of theological, moral, and leadership compromise within the modern church. By contrasting these issues with the call to consecration, Pastor Jason provides insights on how to maintain distinctiveness as God's people. The narrative from Leviticus not only warns of the dangers of compromise but also invites us to align ourselves with God's purposes, ensuring that our faith remains unshaken in a culture of compromise. This is ultimately possible through the transformative power of Jesus and His role in sanctifying us for a life set apart. He fulfilled the Father's will,

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 6:13. He reflects on his own quest to cultivate a community centered around prayer, realizing the vital role of God’s presence, as symbolized by the biblical fire in this verse. His story underscores the enduring importance of prayer and divine power in revitalizing both personal lives and ministry, offering a profound philosophy of maintaining spiritual fervor in every aspect of life.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our fall series, Leviticus Is For Lovers, preaching from the Leviticus 4:1-14, where unintentional sins and their intricate sacrificial rituals reveal a deeper spiritual truth. Pastor Damein draws vivid parallels between contemporary everyday actions and ancient practices, underscoring that ignorance never exempts us from consequences.He then navigates the rich symbolism within the sacrificial rituals of Leviticus, illustrating how these actions demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and profound love for His people. Through these rituals, we understand sin as a pervasive stain that disrupts our relationship with God and others, necessitating purification and atonement. By dissecting the concept of ransom, we see how God steps in to pay a debt we cannot, reflecting His immense grace and mercy. This helps us connects the ancient practices to our modern experiences of guilt, avoidance, and the transformative power of knowing we are loved and accepted

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our fall series, Leviticus is for Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 3. He revisits the theme of atonement, emphasizing its role in bridging the gap between us and God, and moves into the heart of the message: God's invitation to fellowship. The laws for peace offerings in Leviticus 3 are not just about legal satisfaction but signify a restored, dynamic relationship with God, epitomized by the symbolic shared meal. This chapter transitions us from forgiveness to communion, offering a vivid illustration of God's desire for a vibrant relationship with His people.You can read more about Tim Keller's book, Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?, that Pastor Damein mentioned in his sermon by clicking here.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter kicks off our fall series, Leviticus is For Lovers, preaching from Leviticus 1. He tackles the cultural distance and perceived obscurity head-on, revealing profound insights into God's character and His values. By slowing down and examining the priestly and sacrificial systems, Pastor Damein connects the dots from these ancient practices to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. He also shows how laws against murder and theft reveal the values of the lawgiver, and how offering our best to God reflects His holiness and grace.Pastor Damein concludes by bridging Leviticus to the New Testament, drawing meaningful connections that underscore the inclusivity of worship and the completeness of atonement provided by Christ. Reflecting on Romans 12:1, he explores how offering our lives as living sacrifices is a powerful response to God's mercy. Through his message, we are prepared to deepen our love for Jesus and enrich our understanding of Scripture, recognizing God&ap

Special Guest Preacher, the Rev Dr Irwyn Ince preaches from Hebrews 13:7-16. What does it mean to live a life of unwavering faith in Jesus Christ? How can we persevere through the trials and tribulations of our Christian journey? Pastor Irwyn highlights the critical message of Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." He underscores how this powerful truth equips us to face the costs of discipleship with courage and perseverance. By looking to Jesus, we find the strength to hold fast to our confession of faith, no matter the challenges.Pastor Irwyn explains how Jesus's sacrifice outside Jerusalem transforms our understanding of spiritual worship and everyday commitment to praise, good deeds, and sharing. He draws parallels to the Day of Atonement rituals, which encourages believers to bear the reproach of Christ and seek our lasting hope in the eternal city to come. He wraps up with reflections on living lives that continually glorify God, sustained by the steadf

Pastor of Congregational Care and Missions Jason Dunn preaches about the covenantal relationship between Jonathan and David from 1 Samuel 18, illuminating the power of friendship and loyalty. Inspired by Justin Earley's book "Made for People" and insightful research on the perils of chronic loneliness, Pastor Jason helps challenge the notion that modern technology alone can fulfill our deepest need for connection.He also shows us Jonathan's extraordinary loyalty to David, even in the face of dire opposition from his own father, King Saul. This self-sacrificing friendship offers a powerful model for how mutual support can help us navigate life's adversities. Drawing on anthropologist Robin Dunbar's findings on the critical role human connections play in our health and longevity, Pastor Jason emphasizes that true friendships can indeed anchor us in stormy times.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt concludes our Vision series on the Lord's Prayer and its transformative power in shaping our spiritual journey. Pastor Ben differentiates between character-building trials and temptations that derail us. The petition "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" serves as our anchor, guiding reflection on liberation from sin's presence and power.He then unpacks the meaning behind "lead us not into temptation," emphasizing that following Jesus is more about our direction than achieving perfection. By drawing on the wisdom of Psalm 23, he turns our attention to trusting Jesus' leadership amid life's darkest moments. He further clarifies the distinction between God's testing and Satan's tempting before encouraging us to seek maturity in our faith. Ultimately, we understand that being led by Jesus sometimes means venturing into uncomfortable territories but it always is aimed at our spiritual growth and fre

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our fall Vision series. Pastor Ben uses his experience at a silent disco as a springboard to discuss how we can all live in tune with the "kingdom of abundance and mercy." The Lord's Prayer serves as our choreography for life, reminding us to trust in God's provision and embrace a mindset of abundance, even when the world clings to scarcity and merit.Pastor Ben addresses the unique challenges faced by the rich and the poor, highlighting the temptations of self-sufficiency and a forgetfulness of God. He draws from Proverbs 30:8 and the story of manna in Exodus to emphasize our daily dependence on God. He also discusses the call for socioeconomic diversity within the church, advocating for a community built on generosity and justice, inspired by Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 8.Forgiveness and community are at the heart of the Lord's Prayer, and we see this as we explore the transformative power of seeking and extending

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our fall vision series, asking us to imagine people who have a future. As we recognize God as our Father and embrace His promises, it can shape our daily actions and our shared aspirations, much like a parent's hopeful dreams for their child's future.Imagine a businessman and a fisherman, each with different visions for their future—one driven by ambition, the other by contentment. Through this thought-provoking parable, Pastor Damein uncovers the significance of having a clear and focused vision for our future. By aligning our lives with the petitions of the Lord's Prayer, such as hallowing God's name and seeking His kingdom, we find freedom, joy, and clarity. These lessons help us build a sturdy foundation of hope and purpose, enabling us to live enriched lives filled with meaning and resilience.But transformation goes beyond our willpower; it requires a change in what we love. Pastor Damein emphasizes that God's love reshapes our desires, urg

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter begins our fall Vision series, centered on the Lord's Prayer. At NewCity our vision is to see the Father answer the Lord's Prayer. With this, we might ask, how does understanding the Lord's Prayer transform our daily life? The Lord's Prayer is not just a grand vision but also a practical guide for our daily walk, aligning with NewCity's mission to form and send disciple-makers.Pastor Damein digs into the profound concept of knowing God as our Father and the unique relationship we have with Him through adoption. Drawing insights from J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" and Dane Ortlund's "Gentle and Lowly," he discusses the deep security and identity that come from being adopted into God's family. Through a thought experiment, Pastor Damein illustrates the irrevocable nature of our place in God's family, emphasizing that truly knowing Him as Father can transform our lives and make us reflections of Jesus’s relationship with

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter finishes our July series, Following Jesus in Politics, preaching from 1 Peter 2:13-17. In doing so, he challenges the prevailing trends of privatizing and partisanizing faith and advocate for a revival of political discipleship grounded in Jesus's teachings.Pastor Damein also presents four distinct postures the church can adopt in its cultural engagement: fortification, domination, accommodation, and incarnation. The latter calls for the church to move into the world with a mission of redemption and love. This helps us avoid the twin temptations of societal change: retreating into cynicism or pushing for revolution. Instead, following a long tradition of biblical figures and contemporary Christians engaged in politics, Pastor Damein advocates a path of transformative gospel living as a potent witness. This allows us to embrace our identity as loved and chosen people, free from self-righteousness, and grounded in the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our July series, Following Jesus in Politics, preaching from Mark 12:13-17.You can read the article he mentions here

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our summer series, Following Jesus in Politics, preaching from Romans 13:1-7.

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter beings our July sermon series, Following Jesus in Politics, preaching from Mark 1:14-15

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter finishes our Summer in the Psalms of Refuge series preaching from Psalm 90.