Redeemer Downtown Sermons

What happens when we slowly drift away from what is true? In this sermon from the The Power of Good series, Pete Nicholas explores faithfulness through 2 Timothy 4:6–8 and the Apostle Paul’s charge to “keep the faith.” Faithfulness is more than consistency or reliability, it is the ongoing work of aligning our lives with what is true about ourselves, the world, and God. Over time, even small compromises can shape the direction of our lives. We exaggerate our strengths, hide our weaknesses, and build carefully managed versions of ourselves that leave us disconnected from others and distant from God. This sermon explores why faithfulness is a lifelong fight and how the grace of Jesus frees us to live with honesty, integrity, and deeper trust in Him.

Why is it so hard to care for others without ultimately serving ourselves? In this sermon from The Power of Good series, Hansol Kang explores the biblical meaning of goodness through Philippians 2 and the example of Timothy who is marked by genuine concern for the welfare of others. While culture often defines goodness by what benefits the self, Scripture presents something radically different: a life shaped by humble love and rooted in the goodness of God Himself. But this kind of goodness doesn’t come naturally. It flows from knowing the love of Christ, who laid aside power and privilege to serve others. As we grasp the depth of God’s goodness toward us, we’re invited to become people who reflect that same goodness to the world around us.

Kindness is far deeper than sentiment or good manners. In this sermon from The Power of Good, Pete Nicholas explores the biblical vision of kindness through Titus 3:3–6. Far from weakness or superficial niceness, true kindness is the practice of compassionately and courageoulsy seeking the good of others. Through the kindness of God revealed in Jesus, we see a love that moves toward people with mercy, grace, and renewal. As that kindness reshapes us, we’re invited to become people whose ordinary acts of compassion can bring renewal to others, our communities, and even the world around us.

Why is waiting one of the hardest parts of faith? In this sermon from The Power of Good, Pete Nicholas explores patience not as passive waiting, but as the ability to persistently and peacefully endure present difficulties in light of a future hope. In a culture shaped by speed, productivity, and instant gratification, patience can feel almost impossible to cultivate. Looking at Colossians 1:9–12, this sermon explores why patience is essential in our relationships with others, in our growth as people, and in learning to trust God through seasons of waiting and suffering. Real patience is not rooted in willpower alone, but in staying deeply rooted in Christ.

Is joy different from happiness? In this sermon from The Power of Good, Pete Nicholas explores the Christian understanding of joy as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). From ancient philosophy to modern culture, people have long searched for happiness whether through pleasure and comfort or through discipline and detachment. But Christianity offers something deeper. Looking at 1 Peter 1:3–9, this sermon shows how real joy can exist even in the midst of suffering–not because life is easy, but because hope is secure. This is a joy grounded in the person of Jesus.