Newcity Orlando

In this sermon from NewCity Orlando’s Hebrews: Unshakeable series, Associate Pastor Benjamin Kandt explores Hebrews 11:1–6, focusing on the nature of true faith. He unpacks how faith is not merely wishful thinking but a confident trust in the unseen promises of God, grounded in His character. Drawing on examples from the early chapters of Genesis, Pastor Benjamin highlights that a life pleasing to God is rooted in faith — a trust that shapes how we live, worship, and relate to God daily.This message challenges listeners to examine the foundation of their faith, encouraging them to move beyond cultural assumptions about belief toward a biblically anchored, enduring trust in God's Word. Pastor Benjamin calls the church to live by faith, holding fast to the unseen realities promised by God, and to draw near to Him with full assurance.

In this Easter message, Associate Pastor Benjamin Kandt reflects on the story of Thomas, the disciple who famously doubted the resurrection. Rather than condemning his skepticism, Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was—inviting him to touch his wounds and believe. This moment reveals a God who enters locked rooms of fear and doubt, offering grace, not shame.The resurrection isn’t just a historical event; it’s an invitation into new life for those who question, suffer, and long for restoration. Jesus’ scars become a healing response to our deepest wounds, showing that faith isn’t blind—it’s grounded in love, community, and truth. The gospel calls us not to behave better, but to believe deeper. Jesus meets us in our doubt and leads us into joy.

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jason Dunn explores Hebrews 10:19–25, a pivotal passage that transitions from the theological foundations of Christ’s priesthood to practical exhortations for the church. Through the imagery of a train journey shared with his twin brother, Pastor Jason illustrates how many of us feel spiritually hesitant—bound by conscience, shame, or fear. Yet, Hebrews reminds us that we have confident access to God through the blood of Jesus and a faithful advocate in Christ.The sermon unfolds around three central imperatives: draw near, hold fast, and stir up. Believers are invited to approach God with assurance because Christ has cleansed their hearts and secured their access. In holding fast to our confession of hope, we are reminded that our endurance does not rest on our strength, but on God’s faithfulness. And finally, we are exhorted to stir up one another toward love and good works—something that only happens in the context of regular, intentional Christian community. Pastor Jason

In this sermon, Pastoral Resident Kenny Dyches continues NewCity’s series in Hebrews by exploring chapters 9 and 10 and the insufficiency of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Pastor Kenny compares our modern reliance on systems—whether technological, biological, or religious—with Israel's sacrificial system, highlighting how all human systems inevitably fail when used to grasp for control or to justify ourselves apart from God. He emphasizes that these systems, while not inherently bad, become insufficient when they're disconnected from a relationship with God and used to avoid true dependence on Him.Pastor Kenny calls listeners to recognize the futility of self-reliant spirituality and instead rest in the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, our great High Priest. Christ’s blood not only secures eternal redemption but also purifies our consciences from dead works, empowering us to serve the living God with joy and freedom. He concludes with an invitation to build life-giving systems—like confession

In this sermon from Hebrews 8, Pastor Benjamin Kandt explores the profound truth that God doesn't just manage the gap between heaven and earth—He closes it through Jesus. Drawing from the imagery of the tabernacle, Pastor Ben shows how God's desire has always been to dwell with His people. Just as Moses was commanded to build a tent patterned after heaven, we too are called to “heavenize” earth by following Jesus and forming communities of disciples who embody God’s presence. The church, made up of living stones, becomes the spiritual house where heaven meets earth—not through bricks and rituals, but through Spirit-formed lives.The sermon also unpacks the better promises of the new covenant: new hearts, new belonging, new intimacy, and new mercy. Unlike the old covenant, which revealed the gap but couldn’t bridge it, the new covenant transforms us from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. This indwelling presence of God is the ultimate gift, empowering us to reflect heaven in our workplaces, relations

In his final sermon as Senior Pastor, Pastor Damien Schitter preached from Hebrews 7, reflecting on our deep human longing for status, security, and significance—things we often seek in fragile, earthly pursuits like career, relationships, or achievements. He pointed us to Jesus, our true and better High Priest, who alone offers us a lasting status, unshakable security, and eternal significance.Unlike the Levitical priests who were temporary and imperfect, Jesus is our permanent and perfect priest. He lives forever, always interceding for us, fully knowing us, and never forgetting us. Jesus not only saves us from our sin but saves us to the uttermost—reaching even the darkest places of our hearts with His redeeming love.Pastor Damien reminded us that if our status, security, or significance rests on anything shakable, it will ultimately fail us. Only Jesus, the King of Righteousness and Peace, offers us a foundation that is truly unshakeable. In Him, we find rest, assurance, and the freedom to live knowing we

Assistant Pastor Ryan Gawrych continues our Hebrews series, preaching from Hebrews 5:11-6:20. Pastor Ryan challenges listeners to confront barriers that hinder spiritual maturity, identifying complacency, empty religious practices, isolation, self-reliance, and skepticism as significant obstacles. He encourages the congregation to move beyond spiritual infancy and complacency by actively engaging in their faith through practice and community involvement.The sermon underscores that spiritual maturity comes from active discipleship, not passive familiarity with religious rituals. Pastor Ryan emphasizes that true faith involves fully placing one's hope in Jesus, overcoming barriers that keep believers from fully trusting Him. Jesus is presented as the steadfast anchor for the soul, who overcomes every spiritual barrier—complacency, religion, isolation, self-reliance, and skepticism—ultimately securing believers' eternal hope through His unchangeable promise and priesthood.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our sermon series on Hebrews, preaching from Hebrews 4:14-5:10, emphasizing two main commands: "hold fast" and "draw near." He highlights that believers facing trials and cultural pressures should firmly hold onto their confession of faith, openly affirming Jesus as their Savior, even when it's difficult. Jesus, as our "great high priest," uniquely qualifies for this role because He is sinless, fully human, and has personally experienced trials and temptations. Jesus learned obedience through suffering, showing believers how to faithfully endure their own hardships by trusting, honestly expressing their desires, and ultimately surrendering their will to God.Furthermore, believers are invited to confidently "draw near" to God, trusting Jesus’ sympathy and gentleness toward human weakness. Unlike humans who often respond harshly or critically, Jesus responds with compassion. This gentle, sympathetic posture i

Pastoral Resident Kenny Dyches' sermon, based on Hebrews 3:1-6, explores how Jesus grants believers freedom, family, and a future. He uses the analogy of freediving to illustrate how fear can pull us downward, much like gravity, leading to isolation, enslavement, and hopelessness. However, just as a freediver must hold onto a lifeline, we must hold fast to Jesus, who has freed us from fear and death. Pastor Kenny emphasizes that knowing the truth of the gospel is not enough—we must apply it to our lives, allowing it to transform our daily experiences and bring us into the freedom Jesus offers.He also stresses the communal aspect of faith, illustrating how believers are called to persevere together, much like mangrove trees that root themselves firmly and create an environment where others can flourish. Jesus is not only our high priest and mediator but also our leader, guiding us toward our eternal future. Pastor Kenny calls the congregation to fix their eyes on Jesus, embracing the freedom he offers, en

In this sermon, Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt explores Hebrews 2, presenting a four-part framework to explain the gospel: God made it all, we lost it all, Jesus gave it all, and we get it all. He begins by reflecting on the Psalm 8 reference in Hebrews, highlighting the profound truth that humanity was created with glory and honor, entrusted with God’s authority over creation. However, Pastor Kandt contrasts this biblical view with secular perspectives, arguing that while secularism offers a diminished view of human worth, Scripture presents humanity as divinely endowed with purpose and dignity.He then addresses the fall of humanity, explaining how sin led to humanity losing its authority, effectively handing power over to the devil. This brokenness is visible in the fear, anxiety, and shame that permeate human experience. Yet, the heart of the message is the redemptive work of Jesus, who took on human flesh to destroy the power of sin and death. Pastor Kandt emphasizes that Jesus’ sacrific

In this opening message of NewCity Orlando’s spring sermon series on Hebrews, Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt lays a foundation for understanding the book’s central theme: Jesus over everything. Preaching from Hebrews 1:1–2:4, he highlights seven ways Christ is superior—He is the heir, creator, radiance, imprint, sustainer, savior, and Lord.Through vivid illustrations, historical context, and deep theological insights, Pastor Benjamin unpacks how the supremacy of Jesus calls us to draw near rather than drift away. He challenges us to see Jesus not merely as useful, but as beautiful—worthy of our highest love and devotion. Drawing on themes of perseverance, worship, and trust, he reminds us that in a world constantly vying for our attention and allegiance, Christ alone is unshakable. Whether you feel close to God or find yourself drifting, this sermon calls you to reorient your heart and life around the One who holds all things together.Whether you're familiar with Hebrews or exploring it

Associate Pastor Kenny Dyches continues our brief Winter Wisdom series, preaching on the contrast between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, using a compelling story about a man who built a successful business but struggled with spiritual emptiness. The man’s journey, shaped by a vivid dream and an encounter with a preacher resembling Jesus, highlighted the challenge of surrendering earthly pursuits for true fulfillment in God. Drawing from Proverbs, Pastor Kenny emphasizes that wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge but a lived experience of God, requiring a heart posture of surrender and obedience.He outlines practical steps for obtaining wisdom: receiving, treasuring, inclining one's ear, calling out, and seeking diligently. He stresses that wisdom is cultivated not in isolation but through relationships, community, and submission to God. Using relatable examples and personal anecdotes, Pastor Kenny encouraged the congregation to pursue godly wisdom, trust in God's guidance, and live out their f

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter begins a new mini-series, Winter Wisdom, preaching from Proverbs 3:5-8. He explores what it means to be truly wise, emphasizing that wisdom is not just about intelligence or self-sufficiency but about trusting in the Lord wholeheartedly. Pastor Damein argues that in a world obsessed with knowledge for self-reliance, biblical wisdom calls for deep dependence on God. He contrasts wisdom with folly, illustrating how self-sufficiency, as exemplified in biblical figures like Jacob, leads to struggles, while true wisdom involves trusting God with all aspects of life.Pastor Damein also emphasizes that wisdom is both a journey and a skill developed over time, much like becoming proficient in chess or cooking. It involves not just knowing the right things but living in relationship with God and aligning one's life with His guidance. The ultimate wise one, Jesus Christ, embodies wisdom, and trusting in Him leads to true flourishing. He closes with a call for believers to wholeheartedl

Pastor of Congregational Care & Missions Jason Dunn concludes our sermon series on the definition of a disciple: one who is united to Jesus, in communion with God, in community with others, and commissioned for the world. Pastor Jason focuses on the final piece: the commission. Using the story of a tragic bridge collapse in 1907 and the subsequent creation of the "Order of the Ring" for engineers, he explores how our work, whether as engineers, artists, parents, or cashiers, is deeply meaningful and meant to glorify God. Just as engineers are reminded to pursue excellence for the public good, disciples of Jesus are called to see their work as sacred and impactful, contributing to human flourishing.Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, John 17:4, and 1 Corinthians 15:58, Pastor Jason unpacks the plan, purpose, and power of our commission as disciples. Our work is not merely about financial gain but about reflecting God’s character, pushing back darkness, and participating in His mission for the world. Thr

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our January vision series, preaching from John 13:34-35. He explores the nature of Christian community, arguing that it's characterized by sacrificial love, mutual knowing, and a shared commitment to God's mission. Pastor Damein contrasts this with a consumerist approach to relationships, drawing on the work of social psychologist Sherry Turkle and illustrating his points with examples from both Scripture and Toy Story 4. He also emphasizes the necessity of communion with God as the foundation for genuine Christian community and stresses the transformative power of being fully known and loved by God. Pastor Damein concludes with a call to action, urging us to embrace the messiness of authentic relationships.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues out January vision series, preaching from John 15:1-11, to reveal how abiding in Jesus is fundamental to bearing fruit and expanding God's kingdom right here in Orlando. Pastor Ben also draws on rich biblical metaphors that illustrate the union between Christ and the church, with special attention to the imagery of a bride and bridegroom in Ephesians 5. He also reflects on the extraordinary exchange between Jesus and the church, where burdens are lifted, and divine riches are shared. This marriage-like union exemplifies how Jesus embraces us with grace and love, inviting us to share in His rights and to entrust Him with our trials—a theme that resonates deeply within our journey of faith.Pastor Ben concludes by encouraging us to embrace the transformative power of abiding in Jesus's love and work in our daily lives. Drawing on theologian John Owen and the wisdom of John 5 and 15, he discusses how communion with Jesus is an ever-evolving danc

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt kicked off our January vision series, preaching from 2 Timothy 2:1-7. He unpacks the essential elements of disciple-making—trustworthiness, teaching, and grit—drawing parallels to Paul's instructions in 2 Timothy. He asks us to imagine a movement so powerful, it sustains itself across four generations. That's the vision he shares as he discuss the qualities needed for a disciple-making movement to thrive.Pastor Ben also draws on the wisdom from near-death experiences in "Imagine Heaven," intertwining spiritual growth with the concept of stewardship. He then encourages us to boldly step into the grit and grace of disciple-making, to embrace the call to spread our faith. The power of generational disciple-making is how we hope to truly see the Father answer the Lord's Prayer at NewCity, in Orlando, and beyond.

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt ends our year and Advent series, preaching from Psalm 27:8. He focuses on the importance of both desire and discipline in our journey of seeking God. He contrasts various cultural perspectives on desire, from the postmodern focus on the journey itself to Eastern philosophies that view desire as a source of suffering. Yet, the biblical perspective suggests that our desires point us toward God, highlighting a beautiful paradox: even when we find God, the search continues as we seek to deepen that relationship, much like nurturing love in a romantic partnership.Pastor Ben also draws inspiration from Soren Kierkegaard's "The King and the Poor Maiden," to then reflect on the profound love and sacrifice embodied in the Jesus's incarnation. The journey to seek God's face is a pursuit initiated by God but is also an inherently relational endeavor. Through prayer and spiritual awakening, we are called to set our hearts free from lesser pursuits

Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our Advent series, Seeing Everyone Enjoy the King, preaching from Isaiah 65:17-25.  Anchored in God’s promises, Pastor Damein confronts the pitfalls of complacency and triumphalism in our pursuit of hope for the future. Complacency risks making us passive, while triumphalism tempts us to rely solely on human effort. Through inspiring examples of redemptive entrepreneurship and community-focused initiatives, Pastor Damein explains how a hope grounded in God's future work can inspire meaningful action today. His sermon emphasizes the call to align our efforts with God’s values, fostering justice and love for our neighbors.Hope is more than just a comforting idea—it’s a sustaining force, an unshakeable certainty rooted in Christ’s work. With that in mind, Pastor Damein explains how biblical imagery and even pop culture, like the Hunger Games, highlights the power of hope to transcend fear and sustain us through life's challenges. He closes by inviting God's

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt continues our Advent series, Seeing Everyone Enjoy the King, preaching from Isaiah 61. He invites us to reflect on the concept of a "false summit" in our understanding of God's promises, particularly regarding the separation between vengeance and favor. How does Jesus' role serve as the pivotal bridge in this divine timeline, and what does that mean for communities seeking renewal?Empowerment takes center stage as Pastor Ben examines the Holy Spirit's role in equipping us to spread the good news to broken people, broken cities, and our broken world. He also explores how the Spirit instills believers with the strength to bring joy and hope to their communities, embodying justice, mercy, and humility in a world that aches for healing.