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, Dec 03, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 13 secs
Paul waxes advent in Galatians 4:4, where he describes the birth of Jesus in the "fullness of time." Jesus entered time to redeem it. Unfortunately, many of us suffer the ravages of time. We're busy, rushed, and distracted. This sermon provides a brief history of time and its myths; a theology of time and its key moment; and ways to embrace time.
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 05, 2023
Duration: 41 mins 28 secs
We need a sixth sense. We need that ability to perceive the spiritual real. To see God's glory shimmering in creation. To see Christ's victory looming over our sin. To see the devil's schemes, so they do not ensnare us. Ours is a spiritual world. Elisha perceived this. He prayed others would, as well. In this final message of the series, we observe Elisha standing firm in a spiritual battle because he knows God's invisible army outnumbers his Aramean opponents.
Sun, Oct 08, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 48 secs
Mentors mold us, shape us, and make us into more effective workers for God's kingdom. The Bible is full of mentoring relationships, from Moses and Joshua to Paul and Timothy. Likewise, Jesus called his twelve disciples to learn how to live as kingdom saints. Modern mentorship provides the same growth opportunities through personal relationship. This sermon will be conversational, sharing with one another about mentoring.
Sun, Sep 10, 2023
Instead of a sermon, we hear from three people from Leesburg Grace reflect on their discipleship to Jesus. The panelists will talk about our their salvation story, our recent sermon series, following Jesus in their life phase, and the people and practices that fuel their faith. Hopefully, their responses will both encourage you and prompt self-reflection about your discipleship.
Sun, Sep 03, 2023
Duration: 44 mins 34 secs
People are messy. We can try to reform them through structures; however, structures get too strict. We also need grace. One of the greatest acts of grace is forgiveness. This sermon will interact with Jesus's teaching about God's amazing grace and the critical but complex nature of forgiveness.
Sun, Aug 27, 2023
Duration: 40 mins 20 secs
People are messy. This applies to the church. God's people are not immune to sin. We think too highly of ourselves. We create stumbling blocks for ourselves and others. We wander. Hence, Jesus envisioned the church as a community of correction and exhortation. We confront others without accusing them. We insist on holiness. This is called church discipline. It has formative and corrective applications. It helps bring structure where messes abound. (NOTE: Around 34:40, the audio dropped out. Part of the sermon was lost. The quality of the last five minutes of the recording is not as good.)
Sun, Aug 20, 2023
The call to discipleship is costly. Jesus said this clearly. His first followers lived this reality. In the 2000 year history of the church, disciples have lost rights, comforts, and their very lives. Confessing Jesus as the Christ, Son of God, and Lord has consequences. But with this confession comes a spiritual community, mission, and eternal reward. Is it worth it? Absolutely. (NOTE: There is a deliberate break in the sermon. When it resumes, the lapel microphone has cut out, so the quality of the last 10 minutes is poor.)
