We Have Forsaken Your Commandments

Ezra 9:1-15


Light cannot have fellowship with darkness; A believer cannot marry a non-believer. For those already in relationships with unbelievers, however, the Bible says to persevere so that your holiness might stir the heart of the other. Yet, cases of non-believers coming to faith because of a faithful significant other are few and far between. If you are single seeking a spouse, seek one that serves Christ.

Israel had a problem with compromise, marrying pagan wives and thus marrying their gods, breaking the first commandment that God is to be worshipped exclusively. Ezra sees that Israel’s sins have piled up to heaven, and he prays and fasts for mercy. Repentance is required in the rebuild, and we need leaders that pray on behalf of the people. We have forsaken God’s commandments and our guilt has reached heaven. Yet, Christ died as our substitute on the cross, incurring the wrath of God in our place, that we might no longer be slaves but through his mercy be adopted as children of God.

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5 Jun 2022

Joel Deacon

Joel Deacon is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Wollongong. He is firmly convinced that we are designed for community, especially in a big and sometimes lonely city like Wollongong. Before becoming a pastor, Joel worked as a Civil Engineer and is always up for a chat about roads and bridges. But his greatest passion is talking to people about Jesus. Joel is married to Emma, and they have three kids Elijah, Isaac and Lily. An ideal day off for Joel would include coffee with his wife, smelling flowers with his daughter, wrestling with his boys, reading, and staying up late to watch EPL.



5 Jun 2022

Mike Wziontek

Mike is the Community Pastor at City on a Hill Brisbane. He is married to Sarah and they have two young daughters, Elle and Lily. He loves engaging with people from all walks of life, and is passionate about the life-changing message of Jesus. He also enjoys playing or watching all types of sport and trying a new cafe or craft beer.

5 Jun 2022

Luke Nelson

Luke is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne West. He joined City on a Hill in its early days, serving as the Community Pastor in Melbourne, before being asked to lead a new church plant. Having grown up in Melbourne’s western suburbs, he has a deep knowledge of and passion for the area, and a great desire to see the gospel bring transformation. A gifted communicator, he loves the work of pastoring a church, opening God’s word each week and seeing the Spirit work. Luke graduated with a BA (Hons) from Melbourne University, has a Grad Dip in Divinity and a Masters of Ministry from Ridley College. He is an ordained Anglican minister in the Diocese of Melbourne.

29 May 2022

Ben Hewitt

Ben is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Ballarat. He grew up in Ireland, North and South, then came to Melbourne with his wife Suja, before moving to Ballarat. He’s an ordained Anglican minister, has been in gospel ministry for more than 10 years, and is passionate about seeing disciples of Jesus made and matured. Ben and Suja have 3 beautiful kids, a little dog and a few precious fish.

29 May 2022

Ben Hewitt

Ben is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Ballarat. He grew up in Ireland, North and South, then came to Melbourne with his wife Suja, before moving to Ballarat. He’s an ordained Anglican minister, has been in gospel ministry for more than 10 years, and is passionate about seeing disciples of Jesus made and matured. Ben and Suja have 3 beautiful kids, a little dog and a few precious fish.

29 May 2022

Neil Castle

Neil is the Executive Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne East. He is married to Kirsty and has two children. He loves music, playing guitar, and wrestling with his kids. Neil has a Bachelor of Theology from Ridley College, and a Diploma of Music from Box Hill Institute.

29 May 2022

Louis Glazebrook

Married to Esther and father of three girls (Evelyn, Audrey and Winifred) Louis is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Surf Coast. The story that God has written for his life has thus far seen him enjoy a country upbringing, service in the army, working as physiotherapist and now most recently completing an MDiv at Ridley College. A few of his many weaknesses include caramel slice, boys toys, and not putting away his shoes.

29 May 2022

Pat Donohoe

Pat is the Community and Missions Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne East. Pat is passionate about Jesus and passionate about people. His heart is for searching people to coming to know Jesus, as well as helping Christians grow in maturity through their faith walk linking theology with life. He is the husband to Carly and father to two children. Pat loves wild cooking and trying to source his own food from the outdoors.

29 May 2022

Andrew Grills

Andrew is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Geelong. He has spent most of his life as an officer in the Australian Army. Graduating with the Sword of Honour from the Australian Defence Force Academy, he served in Infantry and Intelligence, including operations in East Timor with the commandos. He holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations from Oxford University and an MDiv from Ridley College. Andrew later became an Army Chaplain at the Australian Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, before leaving the full time Army in 2013 to plant City on a Hill Geelong. Andrew has been married to his beautiful wife Danna for over 20 years and has five young children. He loves the ocean, traveling, camping, playing with his kids (including attending their innumerable sporting matches), and reading military history.