Sojourn Woodstock

Where is the Lord calling you to serve here at Sojourn? 

In this biblical exploration of repentance, we examine the story of Nehemiah and are reminded that repentance is not a one-time event, but a continual way of life for believers. View repentance not as a burden, but as a means of encountering God's grace and transformative power. There are many parallels between Israel's exile and our own spiritual journeys, prompting us to consider this: What areas of our lives might God be calling us to return to Him? Are we allowing His loving discipline to shape us? True renewal and rebuilding can only occur when we prioritize the pursuit of God's presence above all else. This is what true repentance looks like.

In this message about prayer, we are reminded of the transformative power of approaching God with a heart full of worship and confession. The book of Nehemiah serves as a profound example of how prayer can be a catalyst for renewal and reformation in our lives and communities. Prayer provides us with a new perspective on our challenges, reminding us of God's power and love. True prayer is not about running through a list of needs; rather, it is about aligning our hearts with God's will.

In this exploration of grief and renewal, we dive into the book of Nehemiah, uncovering God's wisdom for processing loss as people of faith. Nehemiah's heartbreak over Jerusalem's destruction becomes a mirror for our own experiences of pain and sorrow. We learn that grief is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one that can draw us closer to God's heart. This message challenges us to sit with our sorrow, to weep openly, and to bring our raw emotions before God in prayer and fasting. This biblical pattern of grieving reminds us that it's okay to be vulnerable and that our tears can be a powerful testimony to what truly matters to God. As we navigate our seasons of loss, be encouraged to seek not only closure but also divine comfort that strengthens our souls, enabling us to step into our calling even amidst pain. This message speaks to anyone grappling with heartache, offering hope that our Comforter, Jesus Christ, binds up our broken hearts and walks with us on the path of renewal.

This powerful message invites us to explore the profound truth that God keeps His promises. Through the story of Nehemiah, we see how God's faithfulness extends across generations and empires. The central theme revolves around the gap between where we are and where God wants us to be, both individually and as a church. We're challenged to embrace God's vision for our lives and our community, recognizing that He has a sovereign plan for reconciling all things to Himself through Jesus. The message draws intriguing parallels between the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and our own spiritual renewal, emphasizing that God invites us to partner with Him in this work. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to examine our lives, asking ourselves: What promises of God are we not believing? What areas are we not surrendering to Jesus' authority? How do we need to repent? This introspection isn't meant to condemn us, but to guide us into a deeper understanding of God's grace and His ongoing work of transformation in our lives.

“Making Much of Jesus in Our Relationships." By Zack MorganThis sermon is part of a series aimed at exploring how we, as followers of Jesus, can emphasize the presence of Jesus in various aspects of our daily lives. Today's sermon discusses the importance of relationships between believers and the church community as a whole.Key points from today's sermon include:1. **Christ-Centered Relationships**: Relationships within the church should be centered around Christ, not just adjacent to Christian activities. Hebrews 10 illustrates how relationships should encourage love and good deeds and maintain regular fellowship.2. **Honoring Relationships**: what great importance it is to honor one another, as Paul instructs us in Romans 12:10. This involves believing the best in others, celebrating their victories, and recognizing the work of God in their lives.3. **Honest Relationships**: finally, honesty is needed in our church relationships. We must encourage one another to be open about our struggles AND victories. 1 John 1 highlights the importance of walking in the light and having genuine fellowship. How can we have a Christ-centered relationship when it's predicated on hiding from one another? Today's sermon concludes with a call for Sojourn to be a welcoming, safe, and honest place. It is ultimately focused on making much of Jesus in our lives and in the lives of those around us.