Topic: community

Pastor Wes reflected on Matthew 6:1-15, exploring five foundational practices of faith: faithfulness, forgiveness, fasting, generosity, and prayer. He shared a childhood memory of a bedroom sign listing daily rules, comparing it to how Jesus’ teachings might feel like a set of regulations. However, he emphasized that Jesus calls for deeper reflection and transformation, not just rule-following.

He contrasted these spiritual practices with society’s focus on fame, wealth, and success, challenging the congregation to consider how these values shape their lives. Encouraging both personal and communal commitment, he invited everyone to embody these practices daily as a way to live out their faith.

In “Spice of Life,” Pastor Wes draws parallels between the everyday, ordinary nature of salt and light and the calling of Christians to embody faithful discipleship. Just as salt enhances flavors and light guides our paths, Jesus invites followers to embrace their roles in ways that are often mundane yet transformative. Pastor Wes emphasizes the importance of balance, warning against “too much” salt or light that can overwhelm rather than heal or inspire. He highlights the collective responsibility of the church to be agents of love, justice, and belonging in a world often clouded by cynicism and negativity. The message concludes by reminding the congregation that God, the head chef, continues to guide and shape the church’s identity, blending both familiar and forgotten “spices” for meaningful service and community.

Pastor Wes’s sermon on Acts 9:1-19 emphasizes the transformative power of divine encounters, as exemplified by Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. He highlights the pivotal role of Ananias, who, despite initial hesitation, obeys God’s call to heal and baptize Saul, demonstrating courage and faith. Pastor Wes encourages self-reflection on our own life experiences and the influences that shape us, likening them to contents stored in a Tupperware container. He challenges us to consider who serves as an Ananias in our lives, guiding and supporting our spiritual journeys, and how we can embody that role for others within our community.

Pastor Wes reflects on Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls Simon, James, and John to follow him after a miraculous catch of fish. He highlights Simon’s initial feelings of failure and doubt, the vulnerability of “deep water” as a metaphor for faith, and Jesus’ call to ordinary people to discipleship. Pastor Wes emphasizes that living our belovedness involves not only personal growth but also participating in community. He challenges the congregation to embrace discipleship as a shared journey, marked by welcoming, worship, caring, belonging, justice, and faithfulness, growing in the image of God for the sake of others.