EXODUS 25-31

We've heard the phrase, "There's no place like home." And whatever our experience of "home" has been like, we get what it means. There's nothing like being where you're supposed to be. There's no place like home, but, in this life, there's really no such place as "home." On this side of man's fall into sin, we never really come all the way home. And, even when we're at home, we realize there's something more we're looking for. Another world. Another place. A life in which everything really is the way it's meant to be. In the story of the Bible, the construction of the tabernacle is a step in the direction of this capital "H" Home.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

EXODUS 24:1-18

In Exodus 24 the action of the story resumes. God has been speaking and revealing who he is and what life with him will be like for the past 4 chapters. But now it’s time for Israel to respond. To seal the deal on their special relationship with God. To make it official. This is done through a solemn ceremony that most resembles a wedding. It’s got an altar, vows, and a special symbol which represents the union. And it shows us that the kind of relationship God wants with us calls for the kind of devotion and commitment we find in marriage. A formal, serious, and all-in relationship. And while it’s true that we can be afraid of commitment, God is not. Because the same God who calls for all of us gives us all of him. Through the story of Exodus and gospel of Jesus, we’re invited us to draw near to the God who will never be done with us. To be happily wedded to the Savior who will never withdraw his love.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

EXODUS 23:20-33

The Book of the Covenant ends with a promise. A promise that God would give his people a place to live out their special relationship with him. To bring them into the land he'd long ago promised Abraham. A land that would be a new sort of Eden. A land to plant this fledgling nation. A land out of which he'd one day bring a blessing that would extend to all nations. But in order for them to enter in, they'd have to be ready for a fight. Yet, just as we saw in the victory over Egypt, the battle belongs to the Lord. Even more, this battle back then has everything to do with our fight of faith here and now. Because we, like Israel, are also on our way to a promised land.

*Due to technical issues, the audio might be hard to hear. We’ve got the sermon manuscript to help you follow along.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

MATTHEW 28:16-20

On Sunday, Pastoral Intern Robert Lopez preached the gospel to us one more time before heading off to Pastors College. His parting words were the same the Lord Jesus left with his disciples in Mt 28:16-20. And what the Risen Christ left to them was - and remains - the most extraordinary mission that's ever been given! As he prepared to ascend to heaven, he gave them the task of advancing his Kingdom all across the earth. Making disciples of all people everywhere. Welcoming the world into the goodness of his saving reign and then teaching them how to walk in his righteous ways. And, what’s so amazing about it all, is that he chose the people he did to do it. People like the denying and doubting disciples back then. Ordinary, unimpressive, and struggling people like us now. Yet, far from this overwhelming or discouraging us, it actually brings us hope. Because the success of the Great Commission doesn’t ultimately depend on us. It depends on the Savior who saved us, sent us, and promised always to be with us. He will give us all we need. He will get the job done.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

MALACHI’S TESTIMONY

From July 10th - 13th, 12 students and 4 leaders from CGSA joined our sister churches in the West for the 2026 Youth Camp! They gathered together in the mountains of AZ for a time of worship, teaching, games, and lip-sync battles, all to the glory of God!

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!

God met them in big ways! This past Sunday, we heard about Malachi’s experience at camp. Read his testimony below and be encouraged that God is at work among the next generation.

Before I went to camp I was worried about my future, super self focused, and trying to navigate relationships (mainly a relationship) from this past year. And I kept praying to God to give me peace, in the midst of all the madness in my head, but i still was worrying and facing the battle of not letting go. So I definitely had a vulnerable heart going into camp. And spending the time at camp really helped take my eyes off of the stresses and worries by just looking at God’s creation and fellowshipping.

One of my favorite moments from camp was the worship. God was showing me through worship that he loves me and that I don’t need to worry about anything. And I think a turning point for me was a sermon that was spoken on Hebrews 12. Which was talking about running the race which God has set for you. And the pastor pointed out that, "God has set a race for you, and you keep resisting because you’re not willing to let go of the past." And for me that was the relationships or even the worries about where I’m gonna end up 10 years from now. And so one note I wrote down was, “Stop clinging to what is keeping you from running to Jesus.” On my notes I wrote a list of things, people, and ideas that are hindering me from following God’s path for me and prayed for him to give me the strength to let these things go.

Coming back from camp, God ultimately showed me I don’t need to worry about anything, all I need to do is pursue Jesus in his word and find joy being in his presence.

Praise the Lord!

EXODUS 20:22-23:19

What do we do with all the rules we find in Exodus 20:22-23:19? A section known as the Book of the Covenant filled with words about altars, bondservants, 3,500 year old criminal codes, unruly oxen, our neighbor’s farm animals, and ancient festivals. Do we hang onto the 10 Commandments and skip over what comes next? Do we assume it doesn’t apply to us and move onto the stuff that seems less removed by time, culture, or differing places in the redemptive storyline? What do we when we come to weird, obscure, or challenging parts of our Bibles (especially the Old Testament laws)? We believe that even if there’s a sense in which these words aren’t directly spoken to us, they are absolutely spoken for us. You should receive all God’s words as words for you.

On Sunday, we took up 3 different laws in the Book of the Covenant and did just that. Considering rules regarding slavery, equity, and sexual intimacy and asking the following questions: 1) What does this law say to do? In that time back then. 2) What does this law say about God? For all time. 3) What does this law say for us? In our time, context, and place in the story on the other side of the cross and enthronement of Jesus Christ.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

NO COVETING

God could have simply said, "No stealing," but he didn't stop there. Not only should we not take what others have, we shouldn't want it either. We shouldn't sinfully desire something that belongs to someone else. But instead, God must reign over our desires. So that we learn to be content with whatever he has given us. And, more than anything else, so that we never take for granted that we have the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who gave himself to satisfy the demands of God's Law and satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. He alone can give a people always wanting more something that is finally enough.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

NO FALSE WITNESS

The first application of the 9th Commandment is in the courtroom. A solemn legal context in which we must not bear false witness about our neighbor. Yet, while not all of us have appeared in a court of law, everyone will stand in the court of God - the Righteous Judge "who never lies" (Tit 1:2). He’s set us apart to be a people who tell the truth. But, if we're honest with ourselves, we struggle to handle the truth. We live in a world filled with deception and lies. We misconstrue others to paint ourselves in a better light. We make excuses for why we were late. We mute or deny the clear words of God. All this is why Truth himself took on flesh and dwelt among us. To be falsely accused by us and to pay the penalty that false witnesses deserve. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

NO STEALING

We may not think it, but we're all thieves. Every one of us has taken something that didn't belong to us. Not returning something to a friend. Shoplifting. Helping ourselves to some supplies from the office. Squandering the precious resources we've been given. Up to the biggest theft of all: stealing the glory that's meant for God alone. The 8th Commandment challenges us to turn away from sinful taking and embrace lives of generous giving. We can do this. We should do this. We are compelled to do this because Christ gave himself for us. He came to this earth, did not demand what was rightfully his, and was crucified between two thieves in order to set us free from being slaves to stuff. And now, because we have him, we can gladly give anything else away.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

NO ADULTERY

Infidelity should be serious to God’s people, because fidelity is so serious to God. The God who makes covenant at Sinai is the God who never breaks covenant with his people. Because of this, we should be the kind of people who keep our covenants to each other. And the most significant covenant relationship we ever make is that of marriage. We should be the kind of people who keep our vows to our spouses and do everything we can to respect and esteem the marriages of others. But to do this we must depend on the faithfulness of Jesus. The perfect husband to his imperfect bride. The One who will honor his vows even when we fall short of honoring him. The Savior who forgives all our unfaithfulness.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE