Sunday Morning Sermon Series: “Authentic or Counterfeit Gospel?” The War The Ideals The Costs There is a spiritual epidemic today. It is a deficiency of the employment of discernment in the Church. To be fair, some in the visible church are not using discernment because they don’t truly know the Word (Mat. 7:21-23). And those…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Wolves in Wool” Scripture has much to say about false teachers/prophets. In fact, Jesus saved His most scathing condemnation for the authoritative establishment Pharisees of His day. Why? Not because they were teaching heresy or disdaining Scripture, but because they were hypocritically teaching it and failing to see how Jesus is…
DetailsSpecial Sunday Morning Question and Answer time. 29 August 2021 Jesus is the answer! You may ask, “What’s the question?” As the Antitype to the ancient type and the Substance to the ancient shadows, He is the answer to the ancient prophesies, ceremonies, and promises. He is the answer to our problem of sin. He…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “In His Image” parts 1 and 2 What does gender have to do with God, Scripture, the Church, or the Gospel? Everything! God created two genders, male and female, so as to bear His image because He is a relational triune being who is love. Both genders are equally valued and…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “John 12:20-36” (Multiple parts) Hour at Hand Hour Signaled (20-22) Hour of Jesus’ Glory (23) Hour of Death (24-27, 32-33) Hour of Dread (27) Hour of Father’s Glory (28-30) Hour of Judgment (31) Hour of Victory (31) Hour of Attraction (32-34) Hour of Darkness (35-36) Click here for Bible study notes…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Salvation” part 5 The Final Word I once heard it said that Jesus is the only true individual. No one has, is, or will ever be all that Jesus is or could do all that Jesus has done. It is true that we are being conformed to His…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Salvation” part 4 The Glorified Word What is the promise of the beatific vision? What does it mean that we will see God? What is theosis or deification? Who believes in it? Will we partake of divinity? Mormons teach that as God is now, man will be; and…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Salvation” part 3 The Sacrificial Word Throughout Scripture, God repeats that He does not delight in the sacrifice of burnt offerings (e.g. 1 Sam. 15:22; Pss. 40:6; 50:8; 51:16; Prov. 21:3; Hos. 6:6; Heb. 10:5-7). Why? Because He’d rather enjoy obedience. When we trust and obey Him, there…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “John 12:1-19” (Multiple parts) Surprising Situations Surprising Devotion (1-7) Surprising Dualities (12-18) Surprising Dismay (8-11, 19) Click here for Bible study notes Audio part 1 Audio part 2 Audio part 3 Audio part 4 (final part)
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Salvation” part 2 “The Living Piercing Word” A large portion of today’s sermon will consist of quotations/sermons from others who have acknowledged the utter uniqueness of Jesus and the unparalleled impact He has had on history. So too with the Scriptures, which all point to the person and…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Righteous Redeemer” Luke 4:18 The Declaration of Independence is a document that acknowledges humans’ unalienable rights endowed by our “Creator” who is God of “Nature” and Nature’s “Laws” (legislative), “Supreme Judge” (judicial), and who governs “Providence” (executive). The Declaration of Independence is a profound yet simple document of words. But it…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Salvation” part 1 “The Condemning Word” part 1 To condemn people is not our prerogative. To condemn political correctness is. Such is not being political but being biblical. Politics is the use of deceptive rhetoric in order to grab, maintain, and gain power and nothing more. It is…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Incarnation” part 3 “The Word of the Living Temple” We considered the Word of the Tabernacle and how the Church is a large part of the fulfillment of it. Perhaps a little less foreign to you is the concept of Jesus himself being the Temple. No doubt that…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “John 11:45-57” (Multiple parts) Shepherd and Beasts Good Shepherd and Scheming Wolves (vv 45-48, 53) Scape Goat and Passover Lamb (vv 49-52) Beasts of Land and Sea (vv 48-53) Sheep & Wolves (vv 54-57) Click here for Bible study notes Audio part 1 Audio part 2 Audio part 3 Audio part…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Incarnation” part 2 “The Word of the Tabernacle” There are some circles of Christian study groups, sermons, books, and teachings which go into great details of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Such are very helpful in pointing to multiple aspects of the person and work of Christ. However,…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Incarnation” part 1 The Word Preincarnate part 1 The Word of the LORD is a person; but before the incarnation of the Word, God’s people experienced the Word manifested in various ways (Heb. 1:1-2). Samuel heard the audible Word. Abraham saw, sat with, spoke with, and ate with…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study “John 11:17-44” (Multiple parts) The Person of Resurrection (vv 17-27) The Premise for Resurrection (ravages of sin and death) (vv 28-37) The Proof of Resurrection (vv 38-44) Click here for Bible study notes Audio part 1 Audio part 2 Audio part 3
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Revelation” part 4 Because every word that comes from the mouth of God is true, righteous, and beautiful, He need not make a vow. What is interesting is that when it comes to our salvation, He actually did “swear” so to speak (see Heb. 6:13-14). And the author…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Revelation” part 3 The Word of the Prophets. The Word is full of motifs (tapestries of themes) which point to the Person of salvation. In hindsight, we see that the Feasts depicted major aspects of Jesus’ person and work. We see how He is the fulfillment of Sabbath…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Revelation” part 2 The Word of Law (or righteousness) is the same as the Word of love. We live with our carnal desires (the flesh) and have been totally depraved; thus our thinking, motives, and even worship has been tainted by sin. Jesus, however, was born of the…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Revelation” part 1 Everything except God must have context. All creation is in the context of the eternal Word. For example: galaxies, our solar system, and earth are governed in and by the environment of the cosmos, while spiritual beings such as angels and humans are governed by…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Word of Creation” part 2 What we are about to explore is seldom emphasized or hardly preached in the Church. However, what we consider now is fundamental, theological, and necessarily biblical. To understand who we are is to better understand who God is – and we cannot do such without…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: The Word of Creation (Part 1) I have chosen to switch our series in John to Wednesdays in order to present this series about the Word on Sundays. Although I think hyperbole should be appropriately used, I don’t like it when pastors unduly hype up certain realities, topics, or virtues. Therefore,…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: John 11:1-16 (Multiple parts) Because all have sinned, death visits all of us (Ro. 5:12; 6:23). Death is not natural, but rather a result of our fallen nature’s curse. Though 10 out of 10 people die, we don’t have to fear death. It has been defeated for us by the Savior.…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “True Temple and Righteous Judge” John 10:22-42 Jesus is the true Temple, the One to whom the Temple in Jerusalem pointed, and He boldly proclaimed that He would raise it again in three days after it was “destroyed” (Jn. 2:19-22). A body (temple) was prepared for the Son of God (Heb.…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Righteous Shepherd” John 10:1-21 Palm Sunday not only looks back to when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as they cried out ‘hosanna.” It also recounts the prophecies of God that He himself would come to save them and be their Shepherd King. As Hosea wrote, The King/Shepherd would come…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Metaphorical Miracle” John 9 The greatest miracle I know is that I was blind and now I see! “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn. 3:36; see…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Sons of Satan” John 8:37-59 Are you a slave or an heir? Is your father God or the devil? Do you abide in Christ or dismiss His claim of being the Almighty God? In His argument with the Jews, Jesus had to correct their assumptions of their spiritual status and His…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “From Slavery To Son-ship” John 8:21-36 Continued Confrontation: Jesus is Judge of heaven and earth. Nevertheless, those who confronted Him assumed to be in judgment of (or even over) Him. He simply shared the cold hard truth with them and that truth He gave to the religious ones of His day…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “Spiritual Armor” Ephesians 6:10-20 (Multiple parts) An excerpt from Pastor Chris Hall’s notes: Having put on the breastplate of God’s truth, righteousness, and faithfulness doesn’t mean we no longer associate with the sinner. We are still, in fact, sinners who must befriend sinners. I know of self-righteous Christians who say that…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “The Light of the World” John 8:12-20 One cannot live without making judgments but we must strive not to be judgmental (condemnatory). We are people of the light though we must walk in a dark world; thus we must use discernment and judge righteously. We need to be ‘street smart’ Christians…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Guilty Accusers” John 7:53-8:11 This jewel of a passage has mystery and debate about where and whether or not it should be in our Bibles. However, scholars for centuries have agreed and acknowledged that its place in the canon is appropriate. It may seem a bit or a lot disjointed but…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Public Apocalypse” John 7:37-52 It is difficult to be patient while waiting for truth to be revealed. However, I’m learning patience as I continually remind myself that God is in control and will reveal all things in due time. Jesus had initially refused to go the great feast when urged by…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “Christ’s Final Return” (Two parts.) An excerpt from Pastor Chris Hall’s notes: Jesus’ first advent entailed His incarnation, perfection (including temptation), reconciliation (including separation), resurrection, ascension, and session (including impartation, administration, and intersession). Jesus’ Second Advent involves His glorification and exaltation; our resurrection, extrication, exultation, glorification, compensation, and communion; the wicked’s…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Secretly Revealing” John 7:1-36 (Two Part Sermon) Part 1: Many conflicts are never solved because they have not been appropriately approached. Many of us have our minds made up before we attempt to resolve such. An open mind is often helpful but what is indispensable is honesty. If we are to…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Harsh Words?” John 6:60-71 Jesus’ words were ‘hard’ and seemingly offensive and divisive. Well, they may have been difficult to take but not so difficult to get. They may also be divisive because truth has a way of dividing right and wrong, good and evil. However, His words were not offensive;…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Through Slaughter To Splendor” John 6:51-59 (2 part Sermon) Part 1: All orthodox believers partake of Jesus. All who know Him abide in Him and thus He in us. Not all believers agree upon the understanding of Jesus’ discourse on eating and drinking His flesh and blood and on the meaning…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Prophetic Praise and Passion” Luke 2:29-35 Most of us like to be prepared. Many of us want to know that our time, energy, and resources will not be wasted if we invest in an idea, enterprise, career, relationship, ministry, etc. Most of us would also like to know if some conflict…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Heavenly Hosts’ Herald” Luke 2:8-14 We have considered Mary’s and Zechariah’s Christmas songs which emphasize Jesus’ character and mission. Here we consider the angels’ song which emphasizes the manner and method in which Jesus visited us. Of course these songs overlap with regard to Jesus’ person, mission, method, attitude, etc. and…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Prophesy of Praise” Luke 1:68-79 When we considered Mary’s song of praise, we saw what God is like. He is a mindful, mighty, merciful, and methodic being. As we consider Zechariah’s poem of praise, we see what God has done for us. He has planned, promised, prepared, and performed, a powerful,…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Mary’s Magnificat, Our Magnificat” Luke 1:46-55 LORD, may Your people never cease to praise You in public and in private, corporately and personally, radically and wisely! To put it softly, it’s been a mess out there in 2020! Much has happened this calendar year and such has tested most, awakened many,…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Eternal Food” John 6:26-51 The Jews had an erroneous focus on a worldly king, national redemption, political Messiah, and earthly prosperity. They had the Prophets and Writings of God, the Temple and priesthood, but they looked to national liberation and prosperity foretold in their scriptures. What was also foretold in those…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Crossing the Sea” John 6:15-25 Jesus will let us be alone. He will even allow us to be alarmed. But the same storms which bring chaos, doubt, conflict, and pain in our lives are the same storms over which He is Lord. He will approach His own to either calm the…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Servant King” John 6:1-15 “The key, beyond our believing in God’s ability and will to use us, lies in the wholeheartedness of our surrender to him. William Booth’s secret is an open one. Asked to explain the phenomenal impact of his life, he replied, ‘For the last eighty years God has…
Details“Who’s on Trial?” John 5:16-47 Although Jesus knew their hearts were hardened toward Him; He offered them, His disciples, and now us evidence for who He is. He was not on trial but they were. The mother of all questions came from Jesus: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus offered us evidence not…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “A Mat Without A Man” John 5:1-17 Though revolving around a miracle, this passage is about the refusal to trust Jesus’ clear authority over nature, health, sin, and (later) even death (vv. 28-29). John’s Gospel account divides those who encountered Jesus by those who believed and are saved, and those who…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “A Servant Leader” Acts 6:1-7 A deacon in the Southern Baptist Church is an office of service. The term is used of “serving tables” (deacon tables) and is stated in Acts 6, and the Greek term for table is used for more than food. It also is used of money tables.…
DetailsWednesday Night Bible Study: “Reigning or Restrained?” Rev 20:1-8 One of the most blessed chapters in Scripture is one of the most misunderstood. It is the most symbolic chapter in the most symbolic book of Scripture. What saddens my heart is to see that the topic of millennium has become the distinguishing determiner for one’s…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Words, Witness, and Works” John 4:27-54 Jesus didn’t stay long where He got too much attention and He visited people and places where He’d not typically be accepted. Seems counter-intuitive to us. But to God, such is necessary. Paradoxically, those from whom He came needed more evidence to believe in Him,…
DetailsSunday Morning Sermon Series: “Wellspring of Worship” John 4:1-26 When I attempt to create witnessing opportunities, I find that people are not looking For God or His righteousness (Ro. 3:10-11). That is why I have to point to sin (theirs and mine) and the necessity for repentance, sacrifice, substitution, righteousness, and mercy. Jesus is the…
Details