Aletheia Church, Providence Ri

How does the Bible define joy? This week, Jonathan Cothron guides us to a robust, Christ-centered definition of joy. In this sermon, we look at the story of Mary and how she found joy in receiving God’s presence in her life, especially as she sings her famous song, the Magnificat.

n this message, Pastor Justin explores a part of the Christmas story we often overlook: the Flight to Egypt in Matthew 2. While we usually focus on the joy of the wise men, Scripture reveals that Jesus arrived right in the middle of deep darkness, political threat, and injustice. Join us as we meditate on a God who does not remain distant but enters into exile with us, weeps over our grief, and offers a hope that will one day wipe away every tear.

Isaiah 7 shows us that God doesn’t wait for life to settle before giving peace—he steps into the chaos with us. Instead of offering quick fixes, he gives us something better: Emmanuel. This message is an invitation to stop scrambling, breathe, and receive the peace only God can give, and then bring that peace into the world around us.

As we begin our Advent series, we look at Isaiah 9 and Micah 5 where the prophets show us what God does in the darkest moments: He gives a promise. A Son. A King. A Light the darkness cannot overcome. We are invited to trust God’s promises, turn toward his light, and hold onto real hope this season. Darkness doesn’t get the last word—Jesus does.

As we conclude our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, Pastor Justin Chapman unpacks how the death and resurrection of Jesus fulfill every covenant promise God made throughout Scripture. From the Passover meal to the cross to the empty tomb, Jesus becomes the Lamb, the curse-bearer, and the risen King who launches new creation. This is the greatest moment in history—and it demands our response.

In Matthew 23–25, Jesus confronts his disciples with the truth about judgment, the end of the age, and the choice every person must make. Pastor Justin Chapman walks through Jesus’ warnings, exposing our illusions of control and self-righteousness, and calling us to endurance, clarity, and wholehearted allegiance to Christ. The gospel isn’t something to admire from a distance—it demands a response.

In Matthew 19–21, Jesus overturns what we think we need—achievement, power, and self-made goodness—and shows us what we truly need: Him. Following Jesus means releasing lesser loves to receive the only King who can save and satisfy.

In one of the most dramatic turns in Matthew’s Gospel, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ at the very gates of hell. Pastor Justin unpacks how Jesus builds his Church not on perfection but on revelation—and how he calls every disciple to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.

In Matthew 11–13, Jesus invites us to trust him by coming to him for rest, learning from him in humility, and treasuring him above everything else. The Kingdom of God isn’t a concept to admire but a reality to enter. In this message, we’re challenged to stop striving, surrender control, and choose the King himself. Because to choose the Kingdom is to trust the One who rules it.

In Matthew 8–10, Jesus doesn’t just proclaim the kingdom, he demonstrates it. Through healing, deliverance, and mission, the power and authority of the king become unmistakable. In this sermon, we unpack what Jesus’ authority means for modern disciples: trust his power and sovereignty, submit to his reign, and bring the news of his kingdom to the world.

We all know Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” But how do we actually do that? In Matthew 6–7, Jesus shows us that trust is the engine of discipleship. In this sermon, we are reminded that self-reliance is the enemy of Kingdom life—and that only by trusting the Father’s goodness can we overcome anxiety, greed, and judgmentalism.

Jesus opens the sermon on the mount by flipping our expectation of "the good life" upside down. In his kingdom, the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom, the mourners are comforted, and the persecuted are blessed. In this sermon, Pastor Justin walks through Matthew 5, showing how the promise of Christ's kingdom subverts our expectations of what blessing is, and transforms our motivation from one of anxiety and fear to one of love and faith.

In Matthew 3–4, we see Jesus baptized in the Jordan, affirmed by the Father, tested in the wilderness, and calling disciples into mission. Where Adam failed, where Israel failed, where we fail—Jesus succeeded. In this sermon, Pastor Justin shows us how our perfect Christ pioneers the way for imperfect people like us to know God’s acceptance, fight temptation, and follow him in his mission.

The Gospel of Matthew opens not with a miracle or a parable, but with a genealogy. Why? Because Matthew wants us to see who Jesus truly is. In a world full of opinions about Jesus, the most important decision you’ll ever make is not your career, your relationships, or your future plans—it’s who you say Jesus is.

When the world feels fractured by violence, division, and fear, where can we place our hope? In Revelation 7:9–17, we’re given a heavenly vision: a countless, multi-ethnic multitude gathered before the throne of Jesus, unified in worship. This is not just a future reality—it shapes our calling now: to resist fear, love our neighbor, and live as a diverse, unified family of faith.

What shapes the values of the church? Not preference, not culture, but the gospel story. In this sermon from Ephesians 2:1–10, we continue our House Rules series and explore our church values: Truth, Grace, and Change. Discover how the gospel rewrites our story and calls us into a life marked by humility, freedom, and transformation.

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? In this sermon on Matthew 28:18–20, Pastor Adam reminds us that in this house, we are disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. Every believer has a next step—whether it’s exploring faith, deepening foundations, leading others, or even stepping into ministry. Discover what it means to obey Jesus’ final command and how God’s promise of his presence empowers us to go.

Spiritual warfare isn’t just dramatic exorcisms or strange encounters—it’s the daily battle against deception and discouragement. In this sermon, we explore the nature of spiritual warfare, the armor God gives us, and the help of the Holy Spirit so that we can stand firm in the evil day.

Saul had everything—status, reputation, religious zeal. But on the road to Damascus, everything changed. Jesus interrupts Saul’s mission and flips his world upside down, turning him from persecutor to preacher. In this message, we see how Jesus still meets people where they are, strips away false identities, and replaces them with the surpassing worth of knowing him. The question isn’t whether Jesus will lead—it’s whether we’ll follow when he does.

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done. In this sermon, we explore the dangerous but transformative prayer: Lead me. We unpack what it means to truly let go of control and allow God to shape our lives around his holiness, his kingdom, and his will.