Cedar Mill Sermon Podcast

Incarnation (Resurrection): Arise to Awakening – Ashley Bell

This week, we continue our Incarnation Series with the Story of Jesus’ Resurrection. The grave is empty, but where is Jesus? We pick up the story with the road to Emmaus, with two disciples processing not only the death of their friend, but the broken promise of redemption. As they walk and talk about all that went down over the last few days a random traveler joins them; meeting them where they’re at reminding them that the promise of redemption had been fulfilled, and through the resurrection we are now free from sin, empowered and invited into a relationship that brings renewal & hope that changes our understanding and energizes us to spread hope and renewal to others.

Incarnation (Resurrection): Easter – Dave Teixiera

This Easter, we attempt to revisit the story of Jesus’ resurrection with fresh eyes. We’ll pay close attention to who was there and why their presence matters. As we step into their shoes, we’ll explore not only what they felt that morning, but also what their responses reveal about following Jesus today. In the end, we’ll be reminded that Easter means the death of death and that there are no longer any powers in this world that can oppress us if we are determined to receive the gift of Jesus' victory by following him as Lord of our lives. 

Incarnation (Death): Not the King They Expected – Dave Teixeira

As we wrap up our series on the Story of Jesus’ Death, we return to where Holy Week began—Palm Sunday. Jesus starts His journey in Jericho, greeted by the desperate cries of two blind men. He then dines in Bethany at the home of Lazarus—the man He raised from the dead. From there, He travels to Bethphage, where a colt awaits, fulfilling ancient prophecy. Then, in a moment filled with royal symbolism, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, surrounded by waving palm branches and the joyful shouts of “Hosanna!” It feels like a king’s welcome—everything we’d expect and hope for. But then Jesus does something surprising: He weeps. Why does this moment of triumph move Him to tears? Join us this Sunday as we explore the meaning of Palm Sunday in a message titled, “Not the King They Expected.”

Incarnation (Death): On Trial – Dave Teixeira

In Matthew 26:57–27:26, Jesus stands trial before Caiaphas, Pilate, and the crowds—but in reality, they, and we, are the ones truly “On Trial.” Caiaphas rejects Jesus to protect his power and position, Peter denies Him out of fear, Judas is consumed by regret but chooses despair over repentance, and Pilate sacrifices truth for the sake of convenience. These same responses—rejection, denial, regret, and compromise—still tempt us today. Yet, in the midst of human failure, Jesus remains unwavering. His steadfast commitment to truth and grace stands in stark contrast to our weakness. Even when we falter, He is faithful, and His gracious strength calls us to examine our own hearts and ask, “Are we standing with Him, or are we still deciding what to do with the one called Christ?” 

Incarnation (Death): Gethsemane – Luke Emery

This week's sermon highlights the disciples' initial boldness but ultimate failure - Judas' calculated betrayal, Peter, James, and John's inattentiveness, and Peter's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission —culminating in them all fleeing. In contrast, Jesus remains faithful, drinking the cup for us despite our failures.

Incarnation (Death): Jesus Prepares a Table – Rick McKinley

As Jesus moves towards his sacrifice, He shares the Passover meal with His disciples. Around a table with his closest friends, Jesus prepares a meal that has sustained the Church for 2000 years. In this sermon, Rick McKinley will explore how the shape of the Lord’s Supper becomes the shape of Christian discipleship and in this simple meal of Bread and Wine, we find the grace to follow our Crucified King.

Incarnation (Death): Traps, Taxes & Total Allegiance – Dave Teixeira

In this week’s message, Jerusalem’s religious and political authorities confront Jesus with a politically charged question, hoping to trap Him and seal His fate. But instead of falling into their trap, Jesus masterfully rejects both political simplicity and complacency, reminding His followers that their ultimate allegiance belongs to God. While this passage addresses a specific first-century issue, its message remains profoundly relevant today—calling Jesus-followers to embody the Incarnation by keeping God’s authority at the center of our lives.

Incarnation (Death): Fig Trees & Temple Tables – Dave Teixeira

In Mark 11:11-25, Jesus exposes the emptiness of selfish, exploitative religion by cursing a fruitless fig tree and overturning tables in the temple. The fig tree, full of leaves but barren of fruit, symbolizes a faith that looks good on the outside but lacks true devotion to God’s heart. Likewise, the temple—intended to be a house of prayer for all nations—had become a marketplace of exclusion and exploitation, cutting off access for the poor and foreigners seeking God. Jesus calls us to reject hollow religiosity and instead hunger for lives marked by prayer—authentic connection with God—and forgiveness, extending His mercy to others. A faith that bears real fruit is one that welcomes the marginalized, advocates for justice, and offers grace as freely as we have received it. As we follow Christ, may we be known not for temple tables of self-interest, but for lives that reflect the love of God to the world.

Incarnation (Life): Testing - Jeremiah Nealon

Jesus famously has an epic showdown with Satan in the desert. These tests have been the tests that humanity faced and failed, throughout the Old Testament. How does Jesus approach the tests and the tester? What can we learn from Jesus’ triumph? Most importantly how do we walk in the presence of God through our trials, becoming a church that resists the tests of Satan and strives onward towards the cross in the upcoming Lenten season?

Incarnation (Life): Lives of Listening - Dave Teixeira

The Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13 reveals deep truths about Jesus’ identity, God’s redemptive plan, and true discipleship. It confirms that Jesus fulfills both the Law and the Prophets, demonstrating that all of Scripture ultimately points to Him. Moses and Elijah serve as powerful examples of those who found strength through time with God on a mountain. God’s command to “Listen to Him” calls Jesus’ followers to do the same—seeking strength through intentional time with Him. Ultimately, the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah highlights the pattern of suffering before glory, reminding us that God’s kingdom is not just experienced in mountaintop moments but must be lived out in a broken, fallen, and often adversarial world.