Sun, Dec 10, 2023
Duration: 48 mins 43 secs
The early church was a confessing community. The gospel was its foundation. It shaped them into godly people. This good news of Jesus unveiled a mystery spoken by God from history's first days. Paul waxes on this mystery in his first letter to Timothy. A brief hymn takes center stage in the letter describing the revelatory work of Jesus. The hymn steels us against false teaching and selfish living. It invites us to wait, wonder, and worship King Jesus.
Sun, Nov 26, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 25 secs
Galatians reads like an intervention. Paul writes in ALL CAPS to get the attention of the Galatian Christians. They have traded the true gospel for an un-gospel. Foolishness! His letter not only reprimands their drift toward Jewish law but also reminds them of the amazing grace of Jesus and wonderful gift of the Spirit.
Sun, Nov 19, 2023
Duration: 40 mins 31 secs
Philippians is a friendly letter. Paul was grateful for his partnership in the gospel with the church in Philippi. He was grateful for the ongoing work of God. Imprisonment and death were no threat to his joy because the hope of resurrection loomed. At the core of this letter is the Christ Hymn (Phil. 2:6-11), describing Jesus's humility. Paul avers that adopting Jesus's humble thinking will keep the Philippians linked in gospel service. This principle remains. Today we will focus on humility.
Sun, Nov 12, 2023
Duration: 39 mins 28 secs
When God calls us to reconcile with one another in the church, he asks us to do something he has done. In Christ, he reconciled the world to himself. We were offending sinners, but he turned us into beloved sons and daughters. Thus, when Paul sends Onesimus, a runaway slave, back to his former owner, he implores Philemon to receive him openly. To reconcile. Restoring broken relationships is challenging, but it highlights the gospel at work in our lives.
Sun, May 07, 2023
Duration: 30 mins 23 secs
God's Spirit sets us free. We are free from the Old Testament Law, slavery to sin, and ourselves. This is good news. Our freedom allows us to live as peacemakers with others. This message reflects on Galatians 5:1.
Sun, Apr 09, 2023
Duration: 41 mins 19 secs
Grace gets the last word as Paul ends his friendly letter to the Thessalonians. This is as it should be: grace is the central reality of life with Jesus. We are saved by grace, live by grace, and grow in grace. And we need God's grace because we are woefully incomplete without it. Hence, Paul's prayer that believers be made whole in Jesus. Wholeness does not come from more money or children, better work or fitness, good friends or growing influence. Wholeness is found in Christ alone.
Sun, Mar 19, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 25 secs
Loss is inevitable in this life. The longer we live the more we lose. Grief is the natural response to these losses. It is especially good to grieve when a loved one dies. However, grief must not last forever. Christians have hope in everlasting life, resurrection, and reunion with our loved ones in Christ. This sermon will encourage us to grieve well and hope better.
Sun, Mar 12, 2023
Duration: 48 mins 13 secs
If Simple Living sounds like a magazine title, it's because it is. If it sounds too easier said than done, it's because it is. Living simply is counter cultural. We live in a busy, noisy, greedy age. We want more and do more to get it. We do more and want more as a result. This is not good for Christian witness. Thus, Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians remains relevant: keep striving to live simply. We can do less, buy less, and speak less to excel more for Jesus.
Sun, Mar 05, 2023
Duration: 48 mins 13 secs
Sex is everywhere. Our world treats it like it's everything. Sadly, sexual brokenness abounds. Paul writes to the Thessalonians about their ongoing spiritual formation. Sexual integrity is one aspect. Though sexual immorality seems to affect a minority of the church, Paul addresses it, knowing the promiscuous port city may tempt them. Sexual integrity is about avoiding self-indulgence, respecting others, and embracing God's design. Finally, sex outside of marriage is not the unpardonable sin. God's grace runs deep.
Sun, Feb 26, 2023
Duration: 41 mins 11 secs
Prayer is a way of connecting with God. We share our heart for him. We express our love for others. This conversation should overflow in our lives. Paul prayed like this for the Thessalonians while apart from them. It is a model prayer.
