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That we would be Kept - though Jesus is no longer in the world, where he kept and guarded us, that we would continue to be protected by God.That we would be One - as Jesus and God are one, being unified in Him.That we would be Joyful - not just to endure this world, but to be genuinely fulfilled.That we would be Set Apart - sanctified in the truth of God’s word, growing in holiness.That we would be Sent - just as Jesus was sent into the world, we are sent into the world for a reason, that we would be set apart for God’s purposes.

In this sermon from Jeremiah 29, Pastor Mike Westhuyzen reminds us that God’s people have always lived in seasons where life doesn’t go according to plan. Writing to Israel in exile, God calls His people not to despair, withdraw, or assimilate—but to live faithfully in the midst of a foreign land. As “elect exiles” (1 Peter 1:1), Christians today are called to plant, pray, and seek the good of the world around them, while ultimately living for a greater King. Even in hardship, God’s promises remain sure: He is working for our good, and He is near to all who seek Him.

In this sermon, we celebrate Easter Sunday by examining the encounters that Christians have had with God that bring them to faith. The sermon especially focuses on the conversion of Paul in Acts 9. We find that: 1. Meeting Jesus is personal. 2. Meeting Jesus transforms you. 3. Meeting Jesus is of grace.

His full glory.

Rejoice greatly and shout aloud. Behold, your king is coming to you! In the lead up to the crucification, we look at what is means that Jesus is King. On Palm Sunday, we look at the day that the arrival of Jesus was welcomed to God's city. Where he was met with joy, before later being crucified in that same city. He who was promised. Underneath God's rule we were designed to flourish and multiply over the Earth. The plan was very good - but we rejected God's authority over us, we rejected our King. But it was foretold that the promised offspring would come as king. That the throne would be filled not by an earthly king, but by Jesus who would come and reign over his people forever and ever. On this Palm Sunday, we look at the moments where we almost had it right, where there were shouts of 'Hosanna to the Son of God'. But only five days later, He was again rejected by His people to shouts of 'Crucify Him'. We await the day when Jesus returns, not humbly on a donkey, but established in His full glory.

In John 17: 1-5, Jesus prays directly to God. He uses the word ‘glory’ or a variation of it 5 times, highlighting its importance. The passage also displays how Jesus prays to God as his ‘Father’, and outlines the gift of eternal life that awaits followers of Christ.

In John 16:25-33, Jesus reminds his disciples of three things: They are deeply loved. They are weaker than they think. Jesus is stronger than the World, and He has overcome it.

In this message from John 16:16–24, Pastor Mike Westhuyzen helps us see how Jesus prepares His disciples—and us—for the reality of suffering while anchoring us in an unshakable promise of joy. Jesus’ words come just before His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples are confused and unaware of the trials that are about to unfold. In verses 16–20 we see the warning: sorrow is coming. In a world broken by sin, suffering is not unusual but expected. Even Peter, full of confidence, would soon fail and experience deep shame. As followers of Christ we should not be surprised when hardship comes; often our most difficult days still lie ahead. But sorrow is not the end of the story. In verses 20–22 Jesus gives the promise: sorrow will give way to joy. Using the illustration of childbirth, He shows how intense pain can lead to overwhelming joy when new life arrives. In the same way, the anguish of the cross—the darkest moment in history—became the very source of salvation and life. Christians still grieve in this world, but as Paul reminds us, we do not grieve like those without hope. Through the risen Christ we are given a joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory,” a joy that no one can ultimately take away. Finally, in verses 23–24 we hear the invitation: prayer is the doorway into experiencing that joy. Jesus invites His people to ask the Father in His name. Too often we stand on the edge of God’s grace like a thirsty traveller who finds an oasis but never stoops to drink. Prayer is the act of stepping in—cupping our hands and receiving what God freely gives. Sorrow in this life is inevitable, but for those who belong to Christ it is never final. Jesus assures us that our sorrow will turn to joy, and He invites us to draw near to the Father in prayer so that our joy may be full.

John 16:5-15 speaks about the coming of the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Specifically, that He will be the convicting Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment - John 16:8 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth - John 16:13  He will glorify me - John 16:14  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. - John 16:15 

Jesus warns the disciples about the rejection and persecution that they will experience from the world. However, he also reassures them that: -He will always be near to his followers. -Justice is coming for the world.

In this week’s sermon from John 15:18–21, we continue Jesus’ teaching on abiding in Him and bearing fruit that lasts. Last week we saw that Christ chose us to bear enduring fruit—lives marked by love for God, joyful worship, and love for neighbour. This fruit is not self-produced; it flows from remaining in Christ. As we abide in Him, we increasingly resemble Him. But Jesus now gives a sobering warning: abiding in Him will also bring opposition. When Jesus speaks of “the world,” He is not referring to creation itself, but to humanity in rebellion against God—the kingdom of darkness set against the kingdom of light. Scripture teaches that there is something in our fallen nature that is hostile toward God. We are either reconciled to Him through the new birth or we remain opposed to Him. Jesus reminds His disciples: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” The sinless, obedient Son of God was rejected, mocked, and crucified. Why? Because He obeyed the Father rather than men. Because He revealed the truth about human sin. Because He was the very God they refused to acknowledge. If the world hates us for our faith, it is ultimately Christ they hate. We have been chosen out of the world. We now bear His name. And bearing His name will provoke a reaction. Jesus does not hide this reality from us—He tells us beforehand so that we will not fall away when rejection comes (John 16:1, 4). Opposition is not evidence that something has gone wrong; it is often evidence that we truly belong to Him. The New Testament repeatedly describes this “strange offense.” When believers no longer join in sinful patterns, others are surprised and may malign them (1 Peter 4:3–4). A life transformed by grace exposes the emptiness of sin. Choosing Christ inevitably creates a form of estrangement from the world. This raises a pressing question: are we seeking the approval of God or the approval of man? Scripture warns against loving the world (1 John 2:15), against becoming friends with the world’s system (James 4:4), and against fearing man more than God (Galatians 1:10). Even in Jesus’ day, some believed in Him quietly but would not confess Him publicly for fear of social rejection (John 12:42–43). Jesus calls us to something better than blending in. Fitting in is not a valid option for those who have been chosen out of the world. That reality reshapes our lives. It affects: Our priorities — how we spend our time, money, and energy. Our message — resisting a “gospel of nice” that seeks cultural approval rather than faithfulness. Our mission — remembering that our ultimate purpose is not winning temporary cultural or political battles, but participating in Christ’s eternal kingdom work. We do not belong to this world anymore. Our identity, allegiance, and hope are elsewhere. Jesus closes with this reminder: “All these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him who sent me.” The dividing line is ultimately about knowing God. So the question before us is clear: will we seek to fit in, or will we gladly wear His name—trusting that abiding in Christ, even amid rejection, is the pathway to fruit that truly endures?

John 15:16-17

John 15:12-15

John 15:9-11 - 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:1-11 Abide in Me Jesus give an illustration to the disciples in form of a vineyard. The Father prunes the branches not bearing fruit so that the healthy branches can flourish. This is both an assurance, a warning and rescue plan. 1.An illustration (v1-2) 2.An invitation (v3-4) 3.Two outcomes (v5-9) 4.A purpose statement (11)