Where our identity comes from shapes how we live and engage with the world around us. From the very beginning, God called us “Image Bearers”. A truth that defines how we live, love and lead. But in a world full of false identities, how do we stay rooted in what’s true? We often tie our worth to what we do, but our true identity comes from who we are in God. When we live from that place, we become like a city on a hill, set apart, shining brightly. So shine!

To pursue God’s vision and partner with Him in building the Garden City, we must reflect on our work. Work is how we engage with the world every single day — it’s far more than just paid employment. Our time spent in church is only a couple of hours, our rest is limited, but most of our time is spent working. The real question becomes: How can we honour God through our work?

The Garden of Eden was filled with raw potential human beings were placed there to cultivate life, beauty and purpose. But sin disrupted the plan and cities became symbols of fear, exclusion, and death.

Yet God has not abandoned His vision.

Through redemption, He reclaims humanity and puts the story back on track, leading us toward the Garden City of Revelation, where the gates are never shut and His light never fades.

The Holy Spirit fills the Church, just as He once filled the Tabernacle and the Temple. God is declaring, This is My new dwelling place.

The Temple was where God was glorified, where people met with Him, and where all nations were welcomed. Now, a new people are formed to carry this purpose forward to make the world new.

Pentecost marks the beginning of God’s new project of re-creation. God's desire has always been to dwell among his people.

New Heaven and New Earth is the end goal. God is renewing the world. And it starts with renewing people who then live differently as they follow Jesus and join God on his mission to renew the world. The whole world is not God's temple (earth is your footstool) and the New Jerusalem that comes from heaven is a metaphor for the center place of the Holy of Holies. For all things made new.

We are now all God's people. The mission was never simply about getting saved and going to heaven. Rather, something profound has happened through Jesus' death and resurrection. The Lord of the earth has come, and you are invited to be part of His kingdom. Jews and Gentiles, male and female, slave and free, all are now one family. This mission goes beyond Israel.

Jesus often taught that the KOG has come. Through His death and resurrection, He further demonstrated the upside-down nature of the Kingdom. While others seek to lord over people, the true King serves. While others take life, the King lays down His own. While others strive to preserve themselves, the King gives His life, passing through death to birth life for all.

The fallen world is run by rebellious spirits, working alongside rebellious people and systems. Human beings gave over their authority to the enemy at the fall. Jesus nailed them to the cross and made a public spectacle of them. This is a victory, not a defeat. Here comes the final victory, a culmination of his life's work as he cast out demons and healed the sick.