Many things in our lives can bring us joy, at least for a while. But the joy that comes from faith in God’s promises is unshakable.

“Being Fruitful: Joy” by Pastor Ryan

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)
Romans 14:17-19 (NLT) ; 羅 馬 書 14:17-19 (CUVS)


You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

God is Love, and we are called to love each other — but not just as a task that we have to do. Love, as part of the Fruit of the Spirit, is an outcome of the Spirit dwelling within us, a way we reflect the image of God to the world. Our love for others gives evidence to our claim to have Jesus in our lives, as well as other things.

“Being Fruitful: Love”, by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)
1 John 4:7-16 (NLT) ; 約 翰 一 書 4:7-16 (CUVS)


You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

The fruit of the Spirit is not formed in us because we follow a law (legalism) or because we are free to operate outside of law (moral freedom). Instead, it forms because God has placed his Spirit within our hearts. The result of God’s presence and work inside of us is that our character becomes more and more like God’s. The character of God in us is revealed by the presence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NLT) ; 以 西 結 書 36:25-27 (CUVS)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)

Pastor Ryan led us in this prayer by John Stott:

“Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

One book Pastor Ryan is using as a basis for this sermon series is Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: Growing in Christlikeness, by Christopher Wright.


You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

The boy Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” There isn’t much more than this known about Jesus’ boyhood. But one story has some lessons for us about community and learning.

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (NLT) ; 撒 母 耳 記 上 2:18-20, 26 (CUVS)
Luke 2:41-52 (NLT) ; 約 翰 福 音 18:37-38 (CUVS)

Pastor Ryan referred to a song by Rich Mullins, where he wonders what Jesus was like as a boy. Here it is:

You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript), or get real-time captions when you listen.

Photo by Cassidy James Blaede on Unsplash

Jesus is the “Reason for the Season”. But what were his reasons for leaving heaven and coming here to live among us? Pastor Ryan’s 2024 Advent sermon series “The Reason He Came” explores this question.

December 1 – To do the Father’s Will
December 8 – To give Abundant Life
December 15 – To Save the World
December 22 – To Bear Witness to the Truth


Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Stained-glass windows in St. Malachy’s Church in Castlewellan, County Down, depicting the presentation of baby Jesus by Mary and Joseph to the shepherds (taken September 2020)

What is truth? Pilate asks this during the trial of Jesus, when Jesus says he came to this world to bear witness to the truth. What truth does Jesus want us to know?

1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NLT) ; 提 摩 太 前 書 1:15-17 (CUVS)
John 18:37-38 (NLT) ; 約 翰 福 音 18:37-38 (CUVS)

You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

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Photo by Avery Evans on Unsplash