Teachings
Pure in Heart | Makarios
Deep relationship with god requires proactively pursuing purity in heart.
Big idea:
Deep relationship with god requires proactively pursuing purity in heart.
The following is a teaching given by Alex Davison for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, March 16th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:8
James 4:8
Matthew 6:21, 24
Matthew 23:25-28
Hebrews 10:22
James 1:15
1 Samuel 15:22
John 14:21
Merciful | Makarios
Hungering and thirsting for right relationships honors jesus and gives us opportunities to take action.
Big idea:
Mercy is not weakness—it is power rightly used for restoration.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, March 9th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:7
Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness | Makarios
Hungering and thirsting for right relationships honors jesus and gives us opportunities to take action.
Big idea:
Hungering and thirsting for right relationships honors jesus and gives us opportunities to take action.
The following is a teaching given by Hannah Baltz for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, March 2nd, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:6
Psalm 1:1-3
Jeremiah 22:3
Galatians 6:2
Meekness | Makarios
Meekness is the ultimate sign that your trust in God can transcend what is being done to you, and what you will do about it for the sake of others.
Big idea:
Meekness is the ultimate sign that your trust in God can transcend what is being done to you, and what you will do about it for the sake of others.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, February 23rd, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:5
Those Who Mourn | Makarios
We live the given life, not the planned.
Big idea:
we live the given life, not the planned.
The following is a teaching given by Elisabeth Badenhop for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, February 16th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:2-11
Poor in Spirit | Makarios
You do not try to have a poor spirit, but you repent and are a poor spirit.
Big idea:
You do not try to have a poor spirit, but you repent and are a poor spirit.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, February 9th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Matthew 5:1-3
The Journey & Our Affections | A Community of Resistance | Formed
Formation is a lifelong journey which requires us to shed burdens and sin, while fixing our eyes upon Jesus and his joy.
Big idea:
Formation is a lifelong journey which requires us to shed burdens and sin, while fixing our eyes upon Jesus and his joy.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, February 2nd, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Hebrews 12:1-3
Honesty and Accountability | A Community of Resistance | Formed
Radical honesty, rooted in humility and accountability is essential for our personal formation and Jesus’ centered community.
Big idea:
Radical honesty, rooted in humility and accountability is essential for our personal formation and Jesus’ centered community.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, January 26th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Luke 4:16-30
Luke 10:17-20
Proverbs 15:31 - 16:2
Group Identity & Conviction | A Community of Resistance | Formed
Our group identity in Christ shapes us to live out His values through radical conviction, and removing the destructive shame in our lives.
Big idea:
Our group identity in Christ shapes us to live out His values through radical conviction, and removing the destructive shame in our lives.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, January 19th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Romans 8:28; 2 Timothy 1:7; Mark 8:34-35; 1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:58, 6:19-20; Luke 7:47; 2 Timothy 1:9
Relationships & Attachment | A Community of Resistance | Formed
Relationships rooted in attachment—both to God and others—are the foundation of a community of Jesus followers.
Big idea:
Relationships rooted in attachment—both to God and others—are the foundation of a community of Jesus followers.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, December 12th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
John 15:4-5, 14:23; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 4:11, 5:1-3, 4:20-21
Joy | A Community of Resistance | Formed
Joy is an essential component of a community of resistance for the formation of our souls.
Big idea:
Joy is an essential component of a community of resistance for the formation of our souls.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, December 5th, 2025.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
2 Corinthians 4:6, Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 16:11, Galatians 5:22, Hebrews 12:2, John 15:11, John 17:13, Matthew 5:12, Luke 10:20, Romans 12:12, 15, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 2:18, Philippians 3:1, Philippians 4:4, and 2 Corinthians 6:9-10
Christmas Eve Eve
Radical yeses lead to true peace.
Big idea:
Radical Yeses lead to true peace
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Monday evening, December 23rd, 2024.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Luke 1:28-38; 46-55
John 1:14
1 Timothy 1:15
The Resistance: A Rule for Our Souls | Formed
In order to resist the cultural norms and press into the way of Jesus, followers of Jesus should foster a rule of life which serves as a trellis for the soul to flourish.
Big idea:
In order to resist the cultural norms and press into the way of Jesus, followers of Jesus should foster a rule of life which serves as a trellis for the soul to flourish.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, December 22nd, 2024.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
James 4:4-10
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 4:9
John 15:1-8
Matthew 6:21
The World: Culture in The West 2.0 | Formed
As we reflect on cultural norms like the idolization of feelings and hurry, we are invited to align our emotions and pace with the truth, self-control, and lifestyle of Jesus.
Big idea:
As we reflect on cultural norms like the idolization of feelings and hurry, we are invited to align our emotions and pace with the truth, self-control, and lifestyle of Jesus.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, December 15th, 2024.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
Genesis 1:27
John 14:6
Galatians 5:22-23
Matthew 11:28-30
Psalm 46:10
Romans 12:2
Colossians 3:2
The World: Culture in The West | Formed
As we reflect on our environment, we are called to challenge the cultural ideals of comfort and individualism, embracing the transformative power of suffering and redirecting our focus from self toward glorifying God and loving others.
Big idea:
As we reflect on our environment, we are called to challenge the cultural ideals of comfort and individualism, embracing the transformative power of suffering and redirecting our focus from self toward glorifying God and loving others.
The following is a teaching given by Trey Gilmore for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday morning, December 8th, 2024.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching is:
2 Kings 18:3-6
Matthew 16:24-26
John 3:30
2 Peter 1:4
Matthew 11:28-30
Acts 5:40-42