Select a church above to view sermon content.
We are Free
1 Peter 2:18–2:25
We are wired to resist pain, yet as Christians we are called to be like Jesus even when it hurts. Though God is opposed to slavery, he plays the long game and calls his people to fight injustice not with injustice but with humility and grace. When we’re treated like slaves in the workplace, suffering for doing what is right, we are to be encouraged that God sees and has gone ahead of us.
Jesus knows what it means to suffer like a slave despite doing good, yet he persevered. Peter was a witness to this — seeing that Jesus ‘committed no sin, and was reviled but did not revile in return, suffered though did not threaten, entrusting himself to him who judges justly.’ So too we ought to follow in Christ’s footsteps, becoming uncomfortable for his sake, restoring relationships that have been broken and standing upon our faith wherever we are, shining the light of Jesus to those around us. Justice for our suffering will come, but until then our job is not to fight back injustice with injustice, but to take up our cross and follow ‘the shepherd and overseer of our souls.’
SELECT A CHURCH
6 Mar 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.
6 Mar 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.
6 Mar 2022
Sam Low
Sam joined the team in 2018 as one of our inaugural church planting residents in our Planters Academy. Sam is now the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Gold Coast which launched publicly in 2020. Sam has a passion to see people discover the life, joy, and hope that is only found in Jesus. He loves to preach the bible to whoever will listen and is energised by seeing leaders developed and released to use their gifts and passions for God’s glory. Sam is married to Sally and they have three sons Bailey, Hudson and Zion. He is an ordained Anglican Minister.
6 Mar 2022
Zech Sargent
Zech is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Brisbane. He, along with his wife Hannah, have two kids named Sonny and Zoey. Zech loves the local church and is keen to be a part of what God is doing in Brisbane through City On A Hill. He is also currently studying his BTh at Queensland Theological College.
6 Mar 2022
Khoi Phuong
Khoi is the Associate Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne West. He has a deep heart for communities of life, love and mission, as he passionately wants to see the gospel of Jesus make an impact in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Khoi’s favourite community, of course, is at home with his wife and two boys. He is an avid sports fan who supports mostly losing teams – which keeps him pretty humble (and sad).
6 Mar 2022
Joash Belousoff
6 Mar 2022
Nick Coombs
Nick is the Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Melbourne East. He loves Jesus, is passionate about connecting deep theology with everyday life, and eager to make a difference in the time he has by helping plant as many churches as possible. After Jesus, Nick loves his wife Jules, and his two kids, Axel and Aria. He holds an MDiv from Ridley College, is an ordained Anglican minister and gives too much of his time to fantasy sports.
6 Mar 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.