Cedar Mill Sermon Podcast

(Re)Building: Identity pt 2 - Dave Teixeira

In Nehemiah chapters 10-12, we witness the Israelites’ renewed desire to live as God’s distinct people. They take intentional steps to strengthen this commitment: formally committing together, honoring those who have made sacrifices, and celebrating all that God has done as they dedicate the wall to Him. Through these actions, they model how to retain a godly identity over the long haul, showing us how to build resilience and dedication into our faith as we seek to live for Jesus today.

(Re)Building: Identity - Dave Teixeira

Nehemiah 7-9 explores how God calls His people to move from rebuilding walls to rebuilding hearts. It’s the transition from physical work to the spiritual work needed for the Israelites to rediscover their identity and recommit to God through worship, confession, and covenant celebration. This act of renewal is not about earning God’s favor but a heartfelt response to His faithfulness. Our message this week challenges us to live as a covenant people today, distinct from the world around us in the right ways. This distinction centers on the power of gathering together for worship and allowing the Word of God to transform our hearts, humble confession & remembering and celebrating God’s faithfulness in the midst of our failures. When we commit to rebuilding together we know God can and will help us become Hid people who shine brightly in this world.

(Re)Building: Opposition from Within and Outside the Walls - Jeremiah Nealon

The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls was not unnoticed or unchallenged. Nehemiah had to lead his people through mockery, threats, schemes, and traps. Most insidious of all, it wasn’t just Jerusalem’s walls that were in cinders, but so was the commitment to God’s justice and mercy. How can Nehemiah’s governance inform how we can tackle today’s challenges? How should we engage in government now? Most importantly, how can Nehemiah’s life of prayer help us live faithfully in anxious political times?

(Re)Building: From Rubble to Restoration - Dave Teixeira

This week's sermon from Nehemiah chapter 3 focuses on the list of people who contributed to rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. While it might seem like a simple list of names, this chapter is relevant and challenging for the church today. It emphasizes humble servant leadership, where individuals work behind the scenes for a greater purpose. It underscores the importance of embracing struggles beyond our personal concerns, and it challenges us to take part in the less glamorous work of ministry, doing our part even when tasks are mundane. In the end, this passage serves as a powerful reminder for the church to engage in the collective work of rebuilding and renewal as God's people. So, dig in this week and spend some time reflecting on how you might contribute our church becoming a community that transforms rubble into restoration.

(Re)Building: Need (Re)Building, Get Going - Dave Teixeira

This week’s sermon follows Nehemiah’s initial steps as he arrives in Jerusalem and begins leading the people to rebuild the city walls. It’s a message about not only getting started but getting started well, as we move towards our places of rebuilding with intentionality, purpose, and a clear strategy.

(Re)Building: Courageous Action in the Face of Opposition - Luke Emery

In Nehemiah 2:1-10, we witness a profound journey that begins with fear, moves through prayer, and leads to courageous action against overwhelming opposition. In this sermon, we discussed the truths in our lives that demand our attention and talked about how, through God’s power, we can (re)build our lives, communities, and church.

(Re)Building: Hearing, Caring, Praying & Confessing - Dave Teixeira

This week, we begin a new series on Nehemiah 1, exploring Nehemiah’s place in world history and his emotional state when he receives troubling news about the state of his homeland's city of Jerusalem. Moved with compassion, Nehemiah’s first response is to turn to God in prayer. Join us as we embark on Nehemiah’s journey, discovering what it means to partner with God in the (re)building of our world, culture, and personal lives.

Paradox Series: The Bondage of Freedom - Dave Teixeira

We live in a world that places a high value on freedom and yet, we haven’t always thought through what real freedom is. In this message we’lll explore the powerful paradox of how not doing whatever we desire in a moment and surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus actually leads to the freedom our hearts most crave.

Paradox: Shine Secretly - Dave Teixeira

Maybe you’ve felt the tension between wanting others to know you're a follower of Jesus and the more insidious desire to be admired for how you live it out. Jesus addresses this tension in the Sermon on the Mount, warning that this mindset can get out of control and rob us of the Kingdom life He offers. In today’s message, we’ll explore what Jesus says about this temptation and consider how we can shift our hearts and motives in a new direction—while still taking His command to shine as His followers in the world seriously.

Paradox: In Weakness, Strength - Michelle Jones

Victorious and overcoming is how we typically like to see ourselves. We are often most comfortable in winners’ circles and at the top of the heap. But the example of Jesus would have us become better acquainted with our own mortality as a way to experience true strength and power.