Hope & Resistance in an Age of Upheaval with Joshua Liem
Exodus 1:6-2:10
This week we begin a new sermon series exploring how God's people live faithfully in times of fear, empire, and uncertainty. We start in Exodus 1–2, where courageous women defy Pharaoh and lay the foundation for liberation, echoing the subversive power of Jesus' own birth. In a moment where global powers are shifting and anxiety is high, come be rooted in Scripture’s call to be a non-anxious presence and a people of peace.
For reflection & discussion:
What fears or anxieties surfaced for you during the sermon, especially in light of today’s global or political tensions?
How does naming spiritual forces (rather than just political ones) change the way we understand current events?
The midwives "feared God" more than Pharaoh. What does "fearing God" mean to you in a practical sense, especially when faced with pressure to conform to something unjust or ungodly? How does this differ from being afraid of God?
The sermon acknowledged the temptation to downplay our "first world problems" when compared to severe oppression. How can we hold the reality of our own anxieties (e.g., job market, cost of living in Vancouver) while also maintaining a broader perspective on God's work and global suffering?
Considering our specific context in Vancouver, what are some subtle (or not-so-subtle) "Pharaohs" or oppressive systems/mindsets that God might be calling us to creatively resist or bear witness against?
What is one practical way you can be a non-anxious presence this week—in your family, work, or community
