Carlton Landing Community Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Carlton Landing Community Church
It's easy to see someone growing up physically, but what does it look like to grow up spiritually? The second half of Galatians is all about growing up in Christ. In this section of chapter 4, we get three first glimpses of what it means to have Christ formed in us. We follow godly examples, listen to godly leaders, and look like Christ to the world around us.
Of all the blessings and privileges of the Christian life, adoption is the sweetest. God does not just forgive us and justify us; he brings us into his family as sons and daughters. In this section of Galatians, Paul describes the evidence and pleasures of having God as our Father.
One of the most difficult questions for Christians is how the Gospel and the Law go together. This isn't a new question; it's the very one they were struggling with in Galatia. Paul shows us how they fit together by zooming out and telling the whole story of Scripture. The Law is for our good and points us to our need for Christ.
In their time of crisis, Paul asked the Galatians some key questions to help them get back on track. This list can help us to search our hearts as well. Are you believing the gospel? Are you being changed by the gospel? Are you being blessed by the gospel?
God likes to tell stories with a specific shape. He loves to redeem his people, to take them from their guilt and shame and bring them into his love. In Galatians 2:20, Paul shows us the shape of every Christian story, from sin and death to faith and life.
Though the Galatians had heard the good news and believed it, they were abandoning grace and distorting the Gospel. Paul writes with urgency to remind them of the truth they believed and defend the Gospel. Like the Galatians, we have a hard time with grace. Paul's words remind us of the free gift of grace.
There's one very important word in Galatians that's the key to the letter. It's the word, Gospel. When we hear that word, we might think of theology or ideas. When they heard that word, they thought of empire, life change, and good news. In this opening sermon on Galatians, Pastor Cole discusses the meaning of the Gospel and how it brought good news then and now to the world.
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In Psalm 112, the author says something astonishing: "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD." In our world today, how can anyone live without the fear of bad news? Blake Bastin searches these psalms to find that the fear of the Lord is the only path to true freedom.
At the end of the book of Joshua, as they settle into the Promised Land, Joshua has some final words for the people. First, he reminds them to consider all that God has done for them, bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. Second, he urges them to put away foreign gods and commit themselves wholly and completely to the Lord.
One of the greatest miracles in the Bible happens in Joshua 10; the sun stands still. Can we believe this? What was God teaching his people then, and what can we learn now?
The story of Jericho is well-known, but what about the message? God uses a set of unlikely people and unlikely methods to keep his promises.
The book of Joshua begins in a familiar place, on the banks of the Jordan River with Israel preparing to enter the Promised Land. Moses has died and a new leader will take them into the land of promise. Joshua means "God Saves" and his life and the book that bears his name will demonstrate this theme to God's people then and now.
The stone wasn't rolled away for Jesus; it was rolled away for us. Easter is a personal invitation to life with God.
What happens when you become a Christian? Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose to give us eternal life, but God does something else as well. He forgives our sins and restores our relationship. Now, he sees us through the lens of his Son and welcomes us back into his family.
The Rich Man and Lazarus is the most unique among Jesus's parables. It's the only one with a named character and the only one that portrays the afterlife. It starts out with a simple reversal, but there's more to it than that. This parable is fundamentally about trust. Who will we trust? That will make all the difference now and in the life to come.
In one of Jesus's final parables, he warns the religious leaders about their self-reliance. God will demand fruit in his vineyard. This short parable tells the whole story of human history, beginning with creation and fall, highlighting God's patience and long-suffering, and culminating in Christ's death and resurrection. In spite of our rebellion against God, he welcomes us back to his family through the work of his Son.
The parable of the talents is often seen as a message about using your gifts. That is true, but there's a lot more to it. Jesus told this parable in the final week of his life, during a sermon on the end times. Like the other parables around it, this one teaches us to live in light of eternity. Our King will return, and we who have been entrusted with the kingdom should be faithful until he arrives.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
The Prodigal Son may be the greatest story ever told. In just a few paragraphs, Jesus tells the story of a lost son who goes away and wastes his inheritance, only to be welcomed home by a loving father. But there's so much more to the story than that. There are two sons in the story, and Jesus has a lesson for each. This parable has a lesson for each of us, whether we've heard it once or a thousand times.
Jesus is the greatest teacher who ever lived. He preached sermons, taught lessons, and told masterful parables. In the well-known story of the sower, seeds, and soils, Jesus gives us a pattern of the parables and reminds us to be careful how we hear the Word.
There are stirrings of revival in our world today. People are giving Christianity a chance all over again. What should we do? How can we be ready? A few Greeks came to Jesus after the triumphal entry, asking the question of this rising generation, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus!"
The angels came to announce good news of great joy! But why did they come to the shepherds? This startling encounter shows us that God was bringing good news of great joy for all time, for all people, and for all of us.
God's people were praying and longing for the Messiah to come. After a baby was born, it was Jewish custom to bring them into the temple for dedication. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem, Simeon and Anna celebrated his birth as an answer to their prayers. God had come back into the temple! In this story, we see how to wait for God, receive the gift of Christ, and share it with others.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
The book of Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses. There, looking over the Promised Land, God buries one of his most faithful servants. Moses's life shows us the character of God, the hope of salvation, and the plan of God that will only come to completion when we are face-to-face with Christ.
What does it truly mean to be blessed? In our social media age of humble brags and #blessed posts, we've lost sight of the biblical understanding of blessing. Deuteronomy 28 and the Beatitudes reveal that true blessing isn't found in material prosperity or spiritual poverty alone, but in the fullness of life lived in God's presence. We discover that blessing is both physical and spiritual because it flows from enjoying God Himself.
If Israel had any hope to live up to the covenant in the land, they would need to be renewed. In his final address, Moses challenged the people to surrender their hearts fully to the Lord, repenting and receiving God's blessing. His Words remind us of our own need for renewal. We need new hearts to live for God and walk with him in all of life.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
God speaks; he has from the very beginning. Throughout history, he has guided his people by his Word. Moses warned Israel to listen to the Word of God and obey it. But he also predicted that a new prophet would arise who would be even greater and would carry a greater message. In Deuteronomy 18, Moses was pointing the Jesus, the greatest and final prophet, who brought God's Word to us in its fullness and offered us life everlasting.
All through the Bible, God tells his people, "Be holy because I am holy." What does that mean? In Deuteronomy, God reminds the Israelites that he chose them, he purifies them, and he will bless the world through them. For the church, the mission hasn't changed. Our holiness is one way we can display God to the world.
Right before He led his people into the Promised Land, God reminded them that they were to be a generous people. He had given them everything they needed, so they should give to others. Today, we've been given the same assurance and the same principles from God. All we have is his, and he wants us to bless the world through what we have.
What is worship? Jesus talks about it in terms of treasure. In the Old Testament, Moses warns against turning to idols. In this passage, God teaches us how to worship and what he requires. Our whole-hearted worship of God is unifying, acceptable, and sacrificial.
When the people of Israel stood at the age of the Promised Land, Moses reflected on all God had taught them over their 40 years in the wilderness. God had been like a school teacher, molding and shaping them for life in the land. Through this passage, we can see how God teaches us, disciples us, and humbles us to live for him.
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gives the people his parting words. These four sermons remind them of all that God has done and challenge them to live as the people of God in the Promised Land. Here, in the most famous of all Old Testament texts, the Shema, Moses reminds the people to know, love, obey, and remember their God.
How do we hear the voice of God? In this Psalm, David teaches us to look at the word of God in the world, in his word, but then turns the tables and invites us to allow the Word to look at us. When we do, we come to know God fully and more deeply.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
Among the worship Psalms, something unique happens in Psalm 95. David begins by calling the people to worship, but in the middle, he begins to challenge the people, saying, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." How do we respond when we hear God's voice? How do we avoid the hardness of heart this psalm describes?
In the Psalms, we learn where to take our troubles. These ancient hymns of Israel are a school for our emotions and inner life. In these two Psalms, the author shows us how to deal with our souls when we feel downcast, far from God, and desperate for his presence. Three times, the Psalmist speaks to his own soul and faith begins to rise up out of despair.
Over and over, the Bible invites us to praise God. We do that through worshipping him, singing, surrendering, serving, and above all, finding our gladness in him. Psalm 100 lays out a template to teach us to praise God.
How did Moses pray? Preserved in the Psalms, we have a prayer from Moses for the people of Israel. In this Psalm, we see the power of raising our esteem of God, so that we can gain a heart of wisdom.
The opening psalm is a gateway to the book. It describes the blessed life, someone who delights in God's Word and instruction. Then it gives a picture of the blessed life, like a tree, rooted and grounded, yielding fruit, and steadfast forever.
Saul started as a great king, but disobedience was his downfall. We can learn a lot about the root of disobedience, self-reliance, and how to trust God in difficult times through his story.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
To wrap everything up, Paul gives the church one short piece of advice: continue in prayer. In the final chapter, Paul commands them to pray, provides a prayer request, and offers an example of how to pray. It's a fitting end to this powerful letter.
The engine of growth in the Christian life is the Word. Paul says to let the Word make a home in you, dwelling on it, and meditating on it. It's easy to say, but how do we do this in everyday life? As we continue to grow in the Lord, we experience the gratitude that only God can give.
When we come to Christ, our life completely changes. Paul talks about it like putting on a new set of clothes, and on top of everything else, we put on love. How could this not change the way we live as families? In this passage, Paul talks about the Christian family and the opportunities we have to be a witness to the world by how we love each other at home.
How do we change? God promises that through Jesus Christ we will be transformed, but how does he do it? In the third chapter of Colossians, Paul shows us how we change. Because of our new home in heaven, our new life in Christ, and the new love in our hearts, God slowly transforms us to look like Jesus.
After a short time, false teachers came into Colossae, adding to what Jesus had already done. In Paul's rebuke of the false teachers, we see some timeless principles for living out the freedom we have in Christ.
One of the oldest errors in the church is to add to the work of Jesus. In this section of the letter, Paul turns his attention to addressing the false teaching affecting the Colossians. Paul's reminder for them is true for us, Jesus paid it all. Nothing we add will ever improve the work of Christ.
What is faith? In the Bible, faith is more than just believing something to be true; it's trusting. Abraham is the great exemplar of faith in the Bible, and he has a lot to teach us about how to trust in the promises of God.
How can Paul say, "I rejoice in my suffering?" His perspective is as necessary now as it was then. Part of maturity comes through seeing our suffering as an opportunity to grow. By drawing near to God, even our suffering can be used for God's glory and our good.
More than anything else, the church in Colossae needed a picture of Jesus. In one of the most beautiful passages in the New Testament, Paul reminds them of the power, majesty, and glory of Jesus. Because he is supreme over all things, he is sufficient for all our needs.
Colossae was not a prominent town, but it had a healthy church. Paul praised them for their faith, hope, and love, cornerstones of the Christian life. In these opening lines, we find the central components of following Jesus Christ.
When the spies came into Jericho and knocked at her door, Rahab had a choice. Should she trust in everything she knew and the powerful people in her town, or this unknown God of Israel? Rahab had heard of God's might and his character, and when she trusted him, her life changed forever. A crimson cord marked her house safe from destruction, a sign of the coming savior who would be in her bloodline.
Preacher: Lance Ward
Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, but that's not all. After 40 days, Jesus ascended into heaven. Though we don't talk about it as much, the ascension is an essential piece of Jesus' ministry and our faith. In it, we see Jesus exalted to the right hand of the Father, present by his Spirit, and empowering his people to build his Kingdom on Earth.
Jesus joins two travelers on Easter afternoon. As they talk about the Messiah, Jesus walks through the Bible showing them how all of the Scriptures point to him. It's a reminder to us of where Jesus can be found. Then, when they arrive for dinner, Jesus joins them, and their eyes are opened to see Jesus across the table. This story gives us confidence today that we can find him in his Word and around his table.
Most of us have trouble asking for help, especially in our spiritual life. In Psalm 121, the author provides a vivid picture of seeking God for our needs. He encourages us to turn to God by showing us who helps us, how He helps, and when we can depend on Him. In the end, we see a loving God ready to meet our needs and preserve us for eternity.
Preacher: Chris O'Neal
On Easter morning, the world changed forever. When Jesus rose from the dead, things would never be the same. We celebrate his resurrection, but we also celebrate the new life we can live in him. We have life in his name, faith in his finished work, and we can be forgiven, accepted, and restored to the family of God.
In the final hours of Jesus's life he goes up to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Even as his disciples are falling asleep, Jesus is in agony, wrestling with his Father in prayer, arriving at the conclusion, "your will be done." Like the other events of his final week, Jesus is living out a parable for us that explains his death and his resurrection. He is teaching us obedience and submission to God's will for his glory and our joy.
On the night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus gathered his disciples for a final meal. Gathered around the table, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples and instructed them to share this meal when they gathered together. How should we celebrate communion today? What does it mean for us when we take the bread and the cup? This celebration is a tangible reminder of Jesus's death and resurrection, the Gospel of our salvation.
On the night before he was crucified, Jesus gathered his disciples for a Passover meal. Without a servant in the room, Jesus humbled himself to wash the disciples' feet. In doing that, he showed them the kind of death he would die and the kind of lives they should live.
On Monday of Holy Week, Jesus walks by a fig tree that is not bearing fruit and curses it. The disciples are shocked, but later in the week, Jesus explains this living parable. Jesus is showing them something important about his death; that he is the only way to salvation and the only way to transformation.
During Jesus's last week on earth, he was very intentional with his time. Starting at the triumphal entry, Jesus carefully prepared his followers so that they would understand his death and resurrection. The first thing he did was go into the Temple to clear out the livestock and money changers. Jesus wasn't just losing his cool, he was showing them what his death was going to achieve and the kind of sacrifice he was going to make.
The parable of the prodigal son is one of the greatest stories ever told. In the parable, a younger son takes half of his father's possessions and squanders them in the far country. When he returns, he expects to be taken in as a hired hand, but his father welcomes him back as a son. But this father had two sons, and each one serves as an example for us. One was lost near, one was lost far, but both were lost, and the father provided a way for both of them to be saved. What would they do with the opportunity?
Preacher: Blake Bastin
We know the apostle Thomas as a doubter, but that's not the whole story. After the resurrection, Thomas has his doubts, but Jesus draws near to him, invites him to investigate his doubts, and calls him to believe. And he does! Thomas's story is one of growing stronger through doubt, and it is an example for us of how Jesus treats doubt: kindly, patiently, and calling on us to believe in him.
Peter was always the one speaking first, stepping out, and taking the leap of faith. When a storm came up on the Sea of Galilee, Peter was the one who stepped out of the boat to walk on water. In this encounter, we learn how to handle doubt in the Christian life and how to trust Jesus in the storm.
1 Kings 19 is one of the most pitiful scenes in the Bible. After a mountain top experience just before, Elijah runs for his life into the wilderness. There's hardly a more acute scene of doubt in the Bible. But in this moment, God draws near to Elijah, shows him his glory and gives him a vision of true spiritual power.
The Transfiguration may be the most important event in Jesus's life that no one ever talks about. In a strange event where Jesus transforms in glory, Moses and Elijah appear, and he tells everyone not to talk about; what should we take away from this story? There is so much we can learn about waiting and glory, worship and longing. Jesus shows us that though we suffer today, we await glory tomorrow.
Preacher: John Frawley
There is no person in the Bible we know quite as well as Jeremiah. His life, struggles, and prophecy are on display for 50 years and we see him consistently follow God under challenging circumstances. In what might be his greatest act of faithfulness, he buys a field for $17 that the Babylonian army is currently camped on, as an act of trust in God's plan. There's a lot we can learn from Jeremiah about trusting God's promises in any situation.
Jonah is the story of the Bible's worst prophet, going to the worst city, preaching the worst sermon, and everyone gets saved! But what do we make of Jonah? He was battling doubts about God's goodness, and his story gives us an opportunity for faith.
Doubt isn't always intellectual; often, it's emotional. Can we trust that God is good? Does he have a plan for us? Joseph was a person who had every reason to doubt God's plan, but he trusted God all the way. We can learn to trust God in seasons of doubt by looking at his life.
The first temptation reveals the very nature of all temptation: can we take God at his word? When Adam and Eve sinned, they made an exchange, God's word for theirs. Tempted by the enemy, they doubted God's Word and his goodness. Like them, we are tempted to do the same. For this very reason, Jesus was tempted and showed us the way to remain faithful in seasons of doubt.
Doubt and faith are not opposites. Through the Bible, God meets his people in their doubts and invites them to draw closer to him. In this story of a father who comes to Jesus, doubt is a gateway for a deeper understanding of Jesus. His prayer is a pattern for us when we have questions; "I believe; help my unbelief!"
Are we living in a post-Christian world or a pre-revival world? Throughout history, God's pattern has been to revive his church and awaken his people. In the story of Nehemiah, we see the pattern of revival among God's people and we look ahead to our own day and long for God to revive us again.
Above all, more than anything else, Jesus prays for unity. In fact, he prays that it would be the way that all people would know his disciples - by their unity. Studying this part of the prayer, we learn how to be unified in the church and how to showcase the amazing love of God for his people.
The disciples were not a star-studded bunch. They were slow to grasp what Jesus taught, and scattered in the hour of need, but Jesus never gave up on them. He spent some of his last hours on earth praying for them, asking God to finish the work he started. Of all the things they needed, Jesus thought they needed a little bit more prayer. Jesus prays the same things for us today, and we can be encouraged by what Jesus asked for them because he will do the same for us.
Jesus's prayer in John 17 is the greatest prayer in the Bible. What can we learn from it? Starting with the opening line, we learn to pray two prayers perfect for any situation: glorify your name and help me know you.
In the gospels, Jesus is often praying but we seldom get to hear what he says. But on the night before his crucifixion, John records Jesus's longest prayer in the Bible. What did he pray that night? What can we learn about prayer from listening in? In this study of John 17, we learn from Jesus's prayer in his final hours on earth.
The final message of Revelation is simple: Jesus is coming soon. Will you be ready? All of the Bible showcases the neverending love of God, and the final chapter gives us the encouragement we need to be ready when Jesus returns.
In the final vision of Revelation, we see the end goal of all things. Jesus is making all things new. He will right every wrong, wipe every tear, and bring us into the perfectly heavenly kingdom of the Father. All suffering and death will pass away and heaven and earth will be one in the New Jerusalem.
The greatest event in all of history will be the second coming of Jesus Christ. This future event, foretold almost 2,000 times in the Bible, is the source of our hope, now and forever. In Revelation 19, Jesus returns to judge the world, save his people, and fulfill the promises of God. It is a source of joy for believers and an anchor for our faith in what's to come.
At the 4th Lausanne Congress, believers from across the world gathered to plan, discuss, and encourage the Church to complete the Great Commission. In 1974, Billy Graham and other leaders called together the global church to continue the work of evangelism. Fifty years later, the Church is growing across the world. Kirk Humphreys attended the Lausanne Congress in Seoul and brings an update for the church on the progress of global evangelism and discipleship.
By Revelation 14, we haven't seen the Lamb in 7 chapters. Where is Jesus during all the chaos? He's with his people, and he always will be. The middle section of Revelation presents us with a striking contrast between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the dragon. The beasts force us to consider who we will worship. But the Lamb shows us that God will always be among his worshiping people.
In the middle of the book, Jesus is proclaimed the king of all the nations of the earth. But why doesn't it look like he's reigning? The Kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of the earth. It is a proclamation, a mustard seed, and a treasure. Understanding the "already and not yet" of the kingdom helps us to live in and proclaim the kingdom of our Lord until he comes again.
After the 6th seal, we expect a climactic judgment scene in heaven, but instead, as the 7th seal opens, there is 30 minutes of silence. God and the Lamb are present in the silence, and an angel gathers up the prayers of the people and casts them down to the earth. A pattern emerges that every Christian must learn: silence, prayer, and action.
God's favorite metaphor for leadership in the Bible is shepherding. It was not a glamorous profession, but shepherding shows us an insight into the heart of God. In Revelation 7, the Lamb steps forward to shepherd God's people and we get a glimpse of what it's like to follow Jesus's loving leadership.
The heavenly throne room erupts with singing, praise, and worship to the Lamb. The chorus crescendoes when the Lamb steps forward to open the scroll and fulfill the promises of God. This passage shows us that Jesus is worthy of our worship and encourages us to join in with the chorus of heaven.
It's easy to follow the crowd and walk in the way of the world. But God didn't promise to make us better people; he promised to make us new. The Christian life is one of total transformation from beginning to end. Sometimes, it's as simple as walking in a different direction.
Preacher: Terry Feix
Joy is a trademark of the Christian life, but how do you get it? In Philippians, Paul commands the church to rejoice! In John 15, Jesus promises his followers joy. All through the Bible joy comes from communion with God. Even in trying circumstances and intense suffering, we can find joy through Jesus Christ.
Preacher: Kerwin Dees
We talk a lot about Jesus in the past and Jesus in the future, but what is Jesus doing now? In the book of Revelation, there are nine visions of Jesus that reveal who he is and what he's doing now. These visions round out our picture of Jesus and encourage us to persevere to the end.
Saul of Tarsus was an unlikely candidate to become a Christian. As a persecutor of the church, he was running the opposite way, and God turned him around, forgave him, showed him grace, and sent him on a mission. As the last testimony in our series, this passage shows us that God can save anyone!
The gospel began making its way out into the world and there was a God-fearing Gentile in Caesarea named Cornelius. He confronts us with an important question: Do good people need to convert? Though he was a good person, through he Gospel he became a godly person.
On a desert road headed out of Jerusalem, two unlikely characters crossed paths and one was changed forever. The story of the Ethiopian Eunuch is a stunning conversion that reminds us of the power of God's word, the nature of evangelism, and the unlikely people God draws to himself. His story is one of seeking, finding, and rejoicing.
Rahab was written off in every way possible. She is one of the least likely converts in the Bible, but she had heard about God. When the opportunity came, she put her trust in him. It's no surprise that she's listed in the great "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11. She shows us what it means to put our faith in God, no matter what we've done or where we find ourselves. She was far off, and by faith, she was brought near.
Naaman was an unlikely convert for an unusual reason: he had no need for God. He was totally successful in everything he tried, except for one thing. He had leprosy. He had searched far and wide for a cure when a slave girl asked if he would be willing to try the prophet in Israel. Naaman was incomplete, he received grace, and was made whole.
All through the Bible, God brings the outsiders and the unlikely into his family. Maybe no one was more unlikely than Obed-Edom, a placeholder for the ark of the covenant whose life was completely transformed by God. What can we learn from his testimony about following Christ? Obed-Edom went from a placeholder to a beholder to a doorholder. We've been called to do the same.
In his final words to the church in Philippi, Paul thanks them for their gifts and encourages them for their generosity. This church was special to him because of their long partnership in the gospel. But then he explains the secret to being content in every circumstance and ends the letter with one of the great lines in Scripture: "And my God will supply all of your needs through his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Do not worry. Easier said than done. But in the final section of the letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us the secret to peace and the antidote to worry.
Our lives are highly influenced by who we follow. Paul calls on all Christians to set their eyes on godly examples who will lead them to Christ.
Though he seems that way to us, Paul was not perfect. He didn't have it all figured out, but he knew one thing: keep pressing on. The Christian life is lived in motion, moving toward the goal and finishing the race. In this passage, we find tremendous comfort and an inspiring challenge. We press on because Christ has made us his own. That precious truth sustains us through the race.
If you could use one word to describe the apostle Paul, what would it be? He might have picked "joyful." Here in the letter of joy, in the final chapters, Paul shows us how to have joy that can never be taken away.
The Bible is more than a list of what to do and not to do; it's filled with examples of people just like us following Jesus. Paul gives us two of these examples in Timothy and Epaphroditus. These men show us how to live in such a way that those who look at our lives will only be able to conclude that something massive has changed in our hearts.
What is our role in the Christian life, and what is God's? Paul puts it this way, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." But how does this work in practice? Growing requires us to know God's work, our work, and the attitude we should have as we grow.
When Paul turns his attention to humility, he reaches for the greatest example of all time - Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. By looking to and imitating Christ, we can walk in humility and unity as a church.
Sitting in prison, how was it that Paul could say, "To live is Christ and to die is gain"? Paul made it his great ambition to make much of Jesus Christ and magnify him in every circumstance. He urges us to do the same. In this passage, we see a great ambition for our lives, a mission to adopt, and growth areas to focus our efforts.
Justin Whitmel Earley spoke at our first Marriage and Family Weekend, April 26-28, 2024. Justin is an attorney in Richmond, Virginia, an author, and a speaker. In this second message, he discusses the habits and liturgies for technology and media.
Get Justin's book Habits of the Household.
Justin Whitmel Earley spoke at our first Marriage and Family Weekend, April 26-28, 2024. Justin is an attorney in Richmond, Virginia, an author, and a speaker. In this first message, he discusses the habits and liturgies of the Christian home.
Get Justin's book Habits of the Household.
It was customary to give an update at the beginning of a letter. Paul gives the church a synopsis of his situation but adds a twist. He views his imprisonment not as a setback but as an advance of the Gospel. By seeing Paul's perspective, we too can view our sufferings as the work of God for us and through us.
Paul didn't pray like we do. In this opening prayer in Philippians, Paul asks for something that God has already promised, that our love would abound more and more and turn into discernment. By following the course of this prayer we can learn how God designed us to produce fruit for the Kingdom.
The Letter to the Philippians is different from Paul's other letters. His joy, gratitude, and warmth convey the depth of his love for them and their history together. But this love wasn't just based on their history; it was based on what God had done in their community and the promise that he would finish what he started.
Jesus's final words to his disciples give us a glimpse of his top priorities. It should come as no surprise that Jesus talked to them about love. In John 14, he comes back to the greatest commandment: love God with everything you have and everything you are. This is a steadfast, obedient, all-in kind of love, exactly the kind of love Jesus demonstrated for us on the cross. We love him because he first loved us.
Preacher: Kerwin Dees
Easter 2024. The resurrection changes everything! It is the turning point in all of history. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, everyone must consider what to do with the empty tomb and everyone has the opportunity to encounter the risen savior of the world.
In the final scene of Exodus, God has kept his promise. He brought his people out of Egypt, made a covenant with them, gave them the law, revealed the plans for the Tabernacle, and descended to dwell in their midst. In many ways, this reflects the way God still interacts with us today. The Exodus story is our story and the same God is still our God.
The golden calf is a famous "uh-oh" moment in the Bible. After God delivered them from Egypt, gave them the law, and entered into a covenant with them, Israel went back to their old ways and worshiped an idol. In contrast, in the following chapter, Moses worships God and pleads to see his glory. These two stories teach us some important lessons on how we should worship God today.
How do the long chapters describing the plans for the Tabernacle apply to us today? Simply put, they are the most detailed descriptions of God's character, his plan for salvation, and the coming of his Son in the Old Testament.
The high point of the covenant ceremony comes when God completes his promises and dwells with the people of Israel. In this scene, Moses and the elders go up on the mountain and feast with God. The chapter presents a picture for us of what it's like to worship God and live with him at the center of our lives.
The Ten Commandments are revered outside of religious settings; they adorn our law courts and government buildings. Why have they had such an enduring appeal? What can they teach us now? At Mount Sinai, Israel is invited into a formal covenant with God, but the order is highly significant. In this passage, God reveals more than just his law, he reveals his grace, character, and the coming Messiah who will perfectly fulfill the law.
The Passover is the most potent image in the Bible of what Jesus did on the cross. After nine plagues, God told the Israelites to select a lamb and spread its blood on the door of their homes. As they celebrated the Passover, they were previewing the sacrifice of God's own son, who would be saved by the power of his blood.
The plagues are one of the best-known and least-understood parts of the Exodus. Why did God subject Egypt and the Israelites to judgment? In chapter 5, Pharaoh asks the question that spans the whole book of Exodus; "Who is God that I should obey him?" The rest of the book is an answer to this question and an arrow pointing to an overarching theme in the Bible, salvation through judgment.
Names are incredibly important, especially in the Bible. In this passage, God reveals his name to Moses and the people of Israel. It is his name forever, YHWH, and it is still his name today. This passage reveals God's character and plan, then and now.
At the beginning of Exodus, the children of Abraham find themselves in a difficult position. But signs soon emerge that God is bringing new life to their situation. God will surprise his people with his deliverance. Today, God still loves to tell these stories, and as we look to the past, we learn to look for God in the present.
The book of Exodus is a continuation and a reversal of the theme of Genesis. While the book starts in Egypt, it ends with God dwelling again with his people. In fact, the story of the Exodus teaches us about how we can dwell in the presence of God and how to worship him. This is the first message in a series on the book of Exodus.
Through Christ, God is making all things new, starting with us. Part of the message of Christmas is that this peacemaking project has begun, and we are all a part of it. But God doesn't make peace like we do. He comes to us personally, in weakness, and in love to set things right and enlist us in his peacemaking project across the world.
The story of humanity is a story about power. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall, but in the book of Daniel, God reveals his overarching and eternal reign over the kingdoms of the earth. Daniel's faithful presence reveals his underlying trust in God's guidance of history. This story comes full circle when Jesus is born and the Magi come to worship him. This event signifies that God's promises are going to come true through the life of his son.
In one of the lower points in the history of Israel, Zechariah uses a new word to describe the Messiah: humble. This was not a word anyone would have used to describe a king, but this king would be different. He would be humble; he would take on the form of a servant to save his people. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, every part of the story showcased his humility, lowliness, and care for us.
From the time Adam and Eve left the Garden, people were waiting for a king. What kind of King would he be? When would he come? David, who was the greatest king of Israel, was waiting for another king. In Psalm 24, he proclaims the King of Glory. The coming Messiah would be glorious, holy, and greater than his father David.
In the final scene of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus commissions his disciples to make disciples of all the nations. This command comes as a culmination of the Gospel but also of many themes in the Bible. Every believer is called into the work of building the kingdom, evangelizing the nations, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. The gospel ends the way it started, with a promise that God will be with us always.
Before the world began, God was telling a story. When he created the universe, his space and our space completely overlapped, but when sin entered the world, we were separated from God. So God sent his Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life, save us from sin, and reunite Heaven and earth. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we look forward to the day when we are reunited with God perfectly. Until then, we live and pray in for things on earth to be as in heaven.
Watch the video, "Learn Where Heaven and Earth Overlap," by the Bible Project.
Preacher: Grant Humphreys
In the Roman world, someone crucified would never have been seen as a hero. What was different about Jesus? The gospel writers don't spend much time telling us what happened when Jesus died, but they do tell us why he died and what it has to do with us. Each time we read about the crucifixion, we are confronted with Jesus Christ and encounter the reasons for his death.
In the Last Supper, Jesus does more than just celebrate the Passover. He re-interprets this meal for all time and invites us to pull up a set. But what are we doing at this table? Every time we celebrate communion, we are committing, communing, and commemorating Jesus Christ.
Jesus's favorite way to describe the time between his resurrection and the second coming was through the picture of a master going away and returning. In a series of parables, Jesus instructs us on what to do as we wait for his return. The parable of the talents is a common parable with a powerful meaning; we should be working for the kingdom until the King returns.
In the last discourse with his disciples, Jesus talks about the end of the world, kind of. The disciples ask Jesus when the events he describes will take place. Jesus answers by talking about both the destruction of the temple and the second coming. In the midst of this teaching, he gives us some things to watch for and some things to do as we wait.
The Pharisees were after Jesus. In this last stretch of the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees double their efforts to trap Jesus in his words. In response to a lawyer's question, Jesus gave what has come to be one of the most famous passages of Scripture, the great commandment. Here, we find all of what is required of us summed up in one command: to love God.
Jesus was a master storyteller. In the parable of the tenants, Jesus weaves historical threads together to address three audiences: the world, the Pharisees, and you and I. To each group, Jesus shows the total sovereignty of God over history, the patience of the Father, and the opportunity to join in the work of God.
As is the case in so many Psalms, this one begins in trouble. There are four requests to God in this Psalm, and by the end, he's answered them all. Through the process, we learn to come to God and trust in his goodness, no matter what we're facing.
Preacher: Kerwin Dees
Jesus's encounters in the gospels are opportunities for us to encounter Jesus as well. In the encounter with the rich young man in Matthew 19, Jesus holds up a mirror to his need, his money, and his salvation. In doing so then, he holds the mirror up for us now. We know how the young man responded. How will we respond to Jesus?
When Jesus talks about confronting sin in others, it's based on the core teaching of the Gospel. We know what to do with sin. In Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and restored into relationship with God. Now we can do the same thing with others. All Christians have been called to be peacemakers, modeling the grace and forgiveness of God to others. In Matt. 18:15-17, Jesus calls us all to grow in our unity and reconciliation by dealing with sin.
Psalm 73 models nearly everything the Psalms teach us about emotions. The psalmist begins with duty and ends with delight. He begins envious of the ungodly and ends exclaiming, "Whom have I in Heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you." How did this change take place? When he went into the sanctuary, God gave him a new perspective, a new beginning, and a new direction. Through this psalm, God can do the same thing for us.
Everywhere you look in the Bible, you'll find lament. Life is difficult, painful, and filled with struggles and God wants us to come to him in your pain. The Psalms teach us the pathway from lament to trust. Even when nothing changes in our circumstances, we change, God draws near to us, and we learn to trust him more.
Can we just skip the angry Psalms? So many of the psalms capture feelings of anger, rage, and bristling against injustice. Then and now, anger is a part of our lives, and the Psalms show us how to recognize, evaluate, and act on our feelings. God meets us in our anger and changes us. In Psalm 52, David models good anger with a great response.
Fear is everywhere in our world, but the good news is it is also everywhere in the Bible. The most common command in God's Word is "Do no fear." In this psalm, we see a pattern for getting to the root of our fears and moving our loves to things that never fail.
Joseph is the last of the great patriarchs in Genesis. The long arc of sin and family dysfunction comes to a close when Joseph reverses the course of the story and forgives his brothers. As his story shows, it takes great faith to forgive. Christians have been commanded to forgive one another, but how can we do what often seems like an impossible task?
Psalm 19 reminds us that God is speaking to us all the time. In the world around us, the word before us, and the witness within us, God is communicating to us. Are we listening? Are we listening completely?
Preacher: Sam Hitchcock
It would be hard to find someone with more relationship problems than Jacob. From his brother Esau, to his parents, to his own family, strife followed him wherever he went until his life-changing encounter with God. After wrestling with God, he was blessed, renamed, and changed forever. In the same way, when we encounter God, the fruit pops up in our relationships.
We often find ourselves waiting for God. We may know his promises, character, and track record, but waiting for God is still difficult. Abraham found himself in a similar situation, but instead of waiting he sought his own solution. In this message, Dr. Jarrett Ford reminds us of the importance of waiting for the Lord and the wonderful promises he has given us.
Abraham is the father of the faithful, a paragon of what it looks like to believe God and follow his plan. But after ten years without a son, Abraham looks for a sign. In Genesis 15, God meets Abraham's doubts, not just with facts, vision, or assurance, but with a covenant. In Abraham's time of doubt, God gave himself in an eternal covenant that would be fulfilled thousands of years later through one of Abraham's descendants.
Abraham is known as the father of the faithful - even the friend of God. In Genesis 12, we are introduced to a man who looms over all of history. But what made him special? God called out to Abraham when he was far from God and in a desperate place, and when he heard from the Lord, Abraham believed God. This simple act of taking God at his word is the life of faith, then and today.
Nimrod was the greatest man in the generations after the flood. Having settled in the flood plain of Shinar, he decided to build a city named Babel with a tower reaching up to the heavens. This endeavor reveals the rival way of living, self-reliance versus reliance on God. The city fails and the people scatter, but the way of Nimrod endures through the ages. In this story, we encounter a choice between values and a vision of life fully centered on God.
By the time of Noah, the problem of sin had spun out of control. The world was full of evil, violence, and corruption. God sent a flood to judge the earth and cleanse it of evil, but he also had mercy. Noah and his family trusted God, and he provided safety and a covering for them. Even now, God's grace comes through similar acts of faith.
Guest preacher: Terry Feix
Cain and Abel is a story about brotherly strife, but it's deeper than that. The root of Cain's sin takes place not between him and his brother but between him and God. In these opening chapters of Genesis, we learn about the nature of sin, the tenderness of God, and the wonder of grace as God takes our fig leaves and gives us a covering.
The opening chapters of Genesis portray the human condition before and after sin entered the world. When Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened, and they were ashamed. They sewed fig leaves together to hide their nakedness and we do the same thing today. But in the first picture of the gospel, God clothed them, covered their nakedness, and offers to do the same for anyone who comes to him.
God often gives a glimpse of the end before the beginning. That's what Jesus did when he took his disciples up on the mountain. As he was transfigured before them, he showed them his glory in a way they would only see again in eternity. In the same way, we often need a glimpse of what God has in store to power us through the journey.
The time had come. Jesus turned to his disciples and asked them a very important question, who do you say that I am? Speaking for the group, Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." That was true then, and it is true now. We're all faced with the same question; who do you say that he is?
Surrounded by a hungry crowd, Jesus took a few loaves of bread and some fish and fed thousands of people. All four gospel writers include this miracle in their accounts. What is it they want us to see? There's more than a meal going on here. Jesus, moved with compassion, supplies the needs of his people through a royal feast. And he's still doing the same thing today.
When Jesus invites Peter out onto the water, he quickly finds himself in over his head. But what do we take from this story? It is not a story about Peter, but one about Jesus. Matthew shows us what Jesus was doing during the storm then and what he is doing during the storms we face now. We're often in the place of Peter, and in those moments, we can be sure that Jesus is with us, praying for us, and has a purpose for us.
Jesus came onto the scene announcing that the Kingdom of God had come. His disciples must have wondered, where is it? In these kingdom parables, Jesus reframes our expectations about how the kingdom works and who can be a part of it. The kingdom is like mustard and leaven, like hidden treasure and a valuable pearl. These apparently innocuous parables hold profound meaning for us today.
To explain the nature of the kingdom, Jesus begins to speak in parables - earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. The first and paradigmatic parable of the sower and the soils. Like so many other parables, this story is a mirror for us to examine our ears and our hearts and evaluate the way we respond to God's Word.
On Easter, we celebrate the fact that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and because of that, everything has changed. When Paul found out that some of the Corinthians were doubting the resurrection, he reminded them of the essential tenets of the faith; Christ has been raised, sin has been defeated, and eternal life has begun.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a triumphant King. Just a few days later, though, he was betrayed by the Jews and crucified by the Romans. What about the Kingdom? In Revelation 1, Jesus appears to John with a message to the churches. He is the King of kings, the firstborn from the dead, and the faithful witness. In this vision, he reminds John - and the church today - that he is building his church and his kingdom will never end.
The great empires of history have one thing in common; they were built through force. But in the New Testament, Jesus claims to be doing something fundamentally different. He is bringing in a kingdom of love. In this passage, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, the one who lays his life down for his sheep. Dr. Heath Thomas explains what Jesus meant with these words and how they still apply to our lives today.
It must have shocked his disciples and followers when Jesus walked up to Matthew's tax booth and called him to be his disciple. These words, "Follow me," didn't just change Matthew's life. Soon, tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and learning to follow him. In Matthew's calling, we see the heart of God for those far from him.
After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comes down into the real lives of the people around him. He heals diseases, casts out demons, and shows people the love of God through his compassionate ministry to the lost and broken. In these two stories, we encounter the great compassion of Christ and the radical new life of the Kingdom of Heaven.
When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the people were astonished at his teaching. In the parable of the two men and the two houses, there is a warning and a promise. There are two ways to live, two foundations, and two outcomes. In this simple story, Jesus shows us how to build our lives on an unshakeable rock.
In the final section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turns to how we treat other people. If we are living righteously before him, it will change our relationships. In these passages, Jesus teaches us to have wisdom in the way we see others. Instead of harsh judgment, we see others generously. Instead of denial, we discern the ways we can live for the kingdom. In everything, we ask God to use us to draw people to him.
Three times, Jesus says, "Do not worry." But what exactly is he prohibiting? In line with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to turn our hearts to him, to seek his kingdom and righteousness first, and then worry will be replaced in our lives with trust. The command not to worry is at its core a command to come to him.
The Lord's Prayer is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. In the middle of a sermon on righteousness, all of a sudden, Jesus instructs us, "when you pray, pray like this." This prayer is a model of righteousness, a mold for our hearts, and a vision into the heart of God. When we pray this way, we orient our hearts toward God and tune our lives to his grace.
Love your enemies. No one had ever said that before, and it would become a trademark of Jesus's teaching. But Jesus didn't just teach this, he did it. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his disciples to follow in his footsteps by overcoming evil with love.
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. That means Jesus's life and teaching don't change what God commanded Israel, but perfectly encompass and live up to it. Jesus's life is the fullest picture of the way God designed us to be. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to live righteous lives before God by surrendering our hearts to him and learning to be forgiven. In the first example, Jesus applies this lesson to anger. To be free from anger, we must learn how to be forgiven.
Jesus called us to be his disciples; not just his followers and friends, but learners, imitators, and co-workers in the mission of God. When Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he called the disciples to a life of following him. He would train them, develop them, and send them out to work with him in the Great Commission. In the first sermon of this series, Pastor Cole talks about the call that we have received to be Jesus's disciples.
This Sunday, we're beginning a new series at Carlton Landing Community Church called Disciples, a study of the Gospel of Matthew. From now until Easter Sunday, we'll be following Jesus through the gospel and learning what it means to be his disciples.
For more information, check out the series page on our website.
New Year's Day is a time of transition. What will the next year look like? Who do we want to be in 2023? As Paul points out in this passage, the key to transformation is tradeoffs. In this message, Pastor Cole Feix casts a vision for the new year and challenges us to make the tradeoffs that will lead to transformation.
The Magi were strange guests to appear in the first Christmas stories. They were Gentiles, outsiders, and wanderers from the East, but their story tells us that Jesus came for everyone. He was God's invitation back into the family and the faithful son who came to seek and save the lost.
God's love is the most transformative power in the universe. So much so that Paul said, when you've known it, you're compelled by it. In Advent, we celebrate the greatest act of love in history, God sending his son to die for us and bring us back into God's family. Curiously in Matthew's gospel, we first see this love played out in Joseph's life. He is a picture of the transformation God wants to bring each of us.
Peace is more than just the absence of something. When the angels announced "peace on earth," they were drawing on hundreds of years of promises. God promised to return to Israel, to put his king on the throne, and bring everlasting peace. During the triumphal entry, Matthew turns our attention to a prophecy in the book of Zechariah about a humble and righteous king who would speak peace to the nations. If we serve the prince of peace, how can we find peace in our world today?
When Jesus came preaching the kingdom, what was he preaching? Of the gospel writers, Matthew makes the most connections between the story of Israel and the story of Jesus. In chapter 4, he cites a famous Christmas passage, Isaiah 9:1-7, but he doesn't simply quote, "For unto us a child is born," he quotes the first part of the passage, "people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light." Jesus came to give hope to the region of Galilee, and from there, hope to the ends of the earth.
We're in a spiritual war. Christ has conquered death, and he will defeat every enemy in the end, but for now, we must be prepared for spiritual battle. God has equipped us with a full set of spiritual armor for whatever we may face, and he's opened himself to us in prayer, listening whenever we open our hearts to him.
Preacher: Kerwin Dees
Every household has a center. Something will be the gravitational center of our homes. Paul calls us to organize our households around Christ. He is the center of our marriages, families, companies, and communities, and the way we treat one another reflects that. Christian homes look different from the world because their center is different; they have been called to reflect the household of God.
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples to announce that the kingdom of God is near. The fields were ripe for harvest, and God was sending out his laborers. The same thing is true today. In this message, Jason McMahan tells his story of serving as a missionary in Mali and outlines God's plan to send his laborers to the ends of the earth. Jason is the Director of Global Outreach at Fellowship Bible Church in NWA.
Be imitators of God. Walk in love. But how? To see any lasting change in our lives, we must understand the why before we attempt the how. In this passage, Paul shows us the kind of love God has given us and then tells us to love in the same way. All of our actions reflect the love God has poured out through his son, a sacrificial, God-centered love. When we have our hearts transformed by the Spirit, life change will always follow.
What changes when you become a Christian? It starts with the heart. In this passage, Paul tells Christians not to walk the way they used to, but to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. Putting on the new self is a daily commitment, slow and steady, walking on a new path. The new self is created after the image of God, and our new life is designed to look like him. We speak the truth, deal with anger, encourage, and forgive because those are the things our Heavenly Father does.
Turning the corner into chapter 4, Paul gives the theme of the second half of Ephesians in the opening verse; "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." We've all received a calling from God, and we've been made a part of the body of Christ. Whether we're going or sending, we all have a role to play. Special guest John Rinehart and Pastor Cole talk about equipping, sending, and giving toward the mission of God.
Above everything else, Paul was a missionary. In this passage, he narrates his mission as an apostle - to preach the riches of Christ and bring to light God's plan for the ages, to unite Jews and Gentiles in Christ. Next, Paul prays this vision into reality. Missions leads to worship and prayer is the bridge between.
In Ephesians 2, Paul doesn't just say that we have been made alive with Christ; we have also been reconciled with other people. In Christ, God is bringing people together, tearing down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, and creating a new group of people, his church. The church is the wonder of the world, God's power and love on display.
The gospel is the greatest story ever told. God sent his son to seek and save the lost, turning children of wrath into sons and daughters of God, and making sinful rebels into trophies of his grace. In this passage, Paul describes the spiritual death outside of Christ and the new life for everyone who trusts in him.
The blessings of chapter one are so numerous and powerful that Paul prays for God's help to fathom them all. He asks that God would open the eyes of our hearts to see the hope in our calling, the inheritance we've been given, and the immeasurable power of God at work in us. As Christians, we can learn to see by looking to God. The more we know him, the more clearly we see everything else.
Paul begins the letter to the Ephesians with a cascade of blessings found in Christ. In him, we have been blessed with holiness, predestined to be adopted as God's children, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. The only possible result of understanding our blessings in Christ is to praise the glorious grace of God.
God is revealing his eternal plan, hidden for the ages, in Jesus Christ. All things are united in him, summed up in his life, death, and resurrection, and recapitulated under his leadership. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes a summary of God's plan in the world. Reflecting on the beginning of the church and Paul's work there, we get a picture of what it looks like when Christ sums up everything in our lives.
It wasn't too long before problems arose in the early church. By Acts 6, threats to the basic fellowship of the church emerged, and the disciples called the whole body together to solve the problem. They needed more leaders, people of godly character who could keep the church on mission, care for the congregation, and point people to Christ. The same pattern exists in the church today. We appoint elders, deacons, and leaders to keep our devotion and further the mission.
After the day of Pentecost, three thousand people were added to the church. They worshipped God, met in homes, shared what they had, and united in purpose. This church is the community we all long for, and it can be ours in Jesus Christ. How can we be a church like this? By devoting ourselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
On the day of Pentecost, the Church was born. People from all over the world saw the Spirit fall upon the disciples and heard the good news in their own languages. Many of the likely thought of the Tower of Babel, the leadership of Moses, and the valley of dry bones. God was fulfilling his promises for his people.
What does it mean to be forgiven? How does repentance fuel holiness and transformation? In Psalm 32, David models the kind of repentance and confession that leads to a life of freedom. As we follow Christ, we confess to grow closer to him and to be restored in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
We were made to worship God - not just for what he's done but for who he is. This psalm reveals a life of praise, rooted in God's character and nature, and celebrating all that he has done for us.
God is our refuge and strength, especially in times of trouble. This psalm from the sons of Korah contrasts earthly cities with the heavenly city, God's city. They remind us that our only hope in trouble is to have God in the center of our lives.
"The Lord is my shepherd" is one of the most famous lines in the Bible, but what does it mean? In this psalm, David describes what it's like to have the Lord as our shepherd, in the green pastures and in the valley, with his rod and his staff, and nourishing us from his table in the presence of our enemies. He will provide everything we need for the transformation he designs.
In Psalm 126, one of the Songs of Ascent, the author sings of deliverance. The relief was so sweet it was almost like being in a dream. Then he faces another trial but his mind turns to prayer and to the promises of God. Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy! We too have been called to live by this promise, to share the Word of God and our testimonies so that we can take part in the harvest.
Preacher: Terry Tramel
One thing that made David so unique among God's people was his ability to see God working in every season of his life. When he was suffering he saw God deliver. When he triumphed he found God to be his deepest joy. When he waited he saw God working something through him for the future. In every season, David had a testimony of God's faithfulness and he shared it with others.
Every Christian will go through a season of doubt, disappointment, or discouragement. Even John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets and the forerunner of Christ, found himself wondering if God would really come through on his promises. In Matthew 11:1-15, Jesus responds to John and shows us how to turn to God in seasons of doubt.
Elijah was God's prophet to a generation in Israel limping between Yahweh and other gods. They worshipped God in principle but worshipped Baal in practice. They looked to God as a people but to Baal for their needs. In this sermon, Pastor Cole looks at the temptation to compromise and trust in things other than God today. In the end, Elijah is a witness to us that God is the one true God and the only one we need.
By the world's standards, Jeremiah was an unsuccessful prophet. For 40 years he spoke God's word to the people of Judah but they did not listen. In the eyes of God, though, Jeremiah's ministry was a triumph. He lived out his calling, trusted God, and spoke of the day when God would fulfill his promises and make a new covenant. Today, we get to see what Jeremiah spoke about, and like him, we are encouraged to be faithful in difficult times.
Caleb is only mentioned in a few passages, but he is a hero of the faith. When the Israelites sent spies into the promised land, Caleb believed God would fulfill his promise and give them the land. After 45 years, he was still hoping to be a part of God's plan. Caleb is a model for anyone who wants to live wholeheartedly for God.
What do you do when you don't know what to do? Hezekiah found himself in a no-win situation. Jerusalem was under siege and he had a choice: listen to God or listen to the most powerful king in the world. We're often stuck between competing voices and opposing promises, and we have to choose who to go to. Hezekiah reminds us of the importance of listening for God's voice and trusting in his promises, no matter the alternatives.
Daniel's story ends being saved from the lion's den, but how did it start? For almost all of his life, Daniel served God in a foreign land. He was never in the majority, but with God, he was never forsaken. What did he do to keep himself from compromising? The story of Daniel and the lion's den shows us how to live a godly life and to commit ourselves to God's ways, God's plans, and to prayer.
When things weren't going right in Hannah's life, she turned to God. In the midst of her disappointment and discouragement, she poured her heart out to him. Even when God gave her the deepest desire of her heart, she continued to praise and serve him. Hannah is a hero of the faith and a model for us of going to God in our troubles and triumphs.
We're often asked questions that linger with us and shape us spiritually. Jesus asked over three hundred questions in the New Testament. But the first question God asks in the Bible is one we all have to answer; "Where are you?" When God asked Adam and Eve where they were, he wasn't just talking about their location, he was talking about their hearts. Today, we still need to answer this question. Where are you spiritually? How are things in your heart?
He is risen! Now, what do we do? The announcement of the resurrection comes with a mission. We have been called to go make disciples of all the nations, but as we see at the end of John it can be hard to know where to start. Jesus gathers the disciples, presents the mission, prepares his people, and provides for the journey. We're on the same mission today and Jesus is still with us and empowering us as we go.
You were created for abundant life; perfect love, joy, and peace with God. But when Adam and Eve sinned, they lost sight of the glory of God and redirected it to themselves. Ever since then, we've been longing for the abundant life that comes through God. The message of Easter is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead to bring us back into perfect love, joy, and peace with God. He gave all glory to God and now we can be reunited with God through faith in Christ.
On Thursday night, Jesus gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper. The meal began familiarly, they had all been celebrating Passover for their whole lives. But this night, Jesus did something different. He made a new covenant and offered his life to the disciples. When we take communion now, we have the same offer; "My life for yours?"
Jesus rode into town for the Passover to people shouting, "Hosanna! Save us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." But just a week later, he was crucified. What happened in between? What did they miss about the kind of king Jesus came to be?
On the final night before his death, Jesus gathered the disciples to tell them a few last things before he went to the cross. As he passed the temple, he said, "I am the true vine and my father is the vinedresser." Everyone who stays connected to Christ will bear fruit. In this message, Pastor Cole explains how we can stay connected to God every day.
On the Thursday night before he died, Jesus gathered his disciples for the last supper. Sitting around that table, Jesus had a few things he wanted to tell his disciples before they died. He began by saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." It's remarkable that facing his own death he was concerned to tell his disciples not to be afraid. Maybe even more remarkable are the reasons he gives to ensure that none of his followers ever need to be afraid. He is the way, the truth, and the life.
After Jesus healed the man born blind, he turned to the Pharisees and said, I am the door of the sheep. I am the good shepherd. Jesus came to be a different kind of leader, the promised Savior, God himself coming to shepherd his sheep. The good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep; he seeks, loves, leads, gives life, and ultimately dies for them. This week, Pastor Cole talks about what it's like to follow the Good Shepherd.
When Jesus healed a man born blind he was doing so much more than opening his eyes physically. This was a sign of what it means to see spiritually as well. In the conversations that follow, Jesus shows us how to see. He is the light of the world and by him we see everything else.
John 9:1-41
After Jesus fed 5,000 people he noticed the crowds were following him looking for another meal, but he had something better in mind. He did not come just to give bread but to be bread. He is the bread of life and anyone who trusts in him can eat and be satisfied. The question for each of us is will we eat? Will we trust in Christ for our fulfillment and transformation?
God has never been clearer than he is with us. We have the Scriptures, the Spirit, and the knowledge of how to be reunited with God through Jesus Christ. In the church, we live in the greatest spiritual generation. Even the angels long to look into this wonderful salvation.
Preacher: Lance Ward
The Christian life is comprised of two races. The first is from life to death. We're all given a lifespan to trust in Christ, honor God, and do his will. The second race is a relay. We've been passed the baton by someone who shared the gospel with us, and now we have the joy and opportunity to pass our faith on to others. In this sermon, Dr. Terry Tramel talks about how to finish both races well.
God is telling a story in your life. What kind of story is it? In Christ, we are all part of the grand story of redemption; God summing up all things in Christ. In this sermon, Pastor Cole looks at the story of Joseph to see what kinds of stories God tells and how we can share the stories of God's grace in our lives.
Christians believe that Jesus is coming back again, that those who have died will be raised, and everyone who trusts in him will be with him forever. As Paul encouraged the church in Thessalonica, this means we grieve, but not without hope. In this sermon, Pastor Cole looks at 5 aspects of the second coming and what life will be like after Jesus returns.
If prayer is such an essential part of the Christian life, why is it so difficult? In Luke 18, Jesus tells two parables to encourage us to pray, and he starts with the attitudes we bring to prayer: persistence and dependence. In this sermon, Pastor Cole continues our series 5 Truths to Build Your Life on with easy ways to improve your time in prayer.
The parable of the prodigal son is one of the greatest stories of all time. It's proof that anyone can be forgiven, that there is more than one way to be estranged from God, and that the father is waiting with open arms to forgive and restore. Forgiveness is open to all but it is not free; it cost the Son of God his life. Because he is risen, we know that any sin can be forgiven and any sinner can be welcomed back into the family of God.
Jesus said, "Anybody who hears these words of mine and does them is like a man who builds his house on the rock." God's words are worth building our lives on. His word is true, life-giving, and the guiding voice in our life. This week Pastor Cole looks at what the Bible says about itself, what it means for God's word to be true, and how to build our lives on the Scriptures.
Who will you be in the new year? As Peter reminds us, our goals and resolutions will accomplish little if we don't know who we are. You have been invited into God's own life, granted his great promises, and given everything you need for life and godliness. Now, how should we live? In this first message of the new year, Pastor Cole talks about identity, growth, and supplementing your faith in 2022.
Christmas is good news! When the angel came to the shepherds, he said, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." That good news still inspires great joy. When the Magi saw the star, they searched for the king. When the shepherds heard, they went to the manger. When the angels appeared, they praised God. As we hear the good news that our king has come, he has defeated death and given us peace with God, we're also called to respond. In this sermon, Pasto Cole talks about how the good news of Christmas can become great joy in our lives.
After Jesus was born, Magi from the East came to visit him. Through this story, Matthew shows us how to respond to the coming of Christ, contrasting the magi with Herod, earthly kings with the heavenly king. Who were these men and why did they come to Judea? These men were looking for the King of Peace, and when they found him, they opened their treasures and bowed down to worship him. In this sermon, Pastor Cole encourages us to follow the example of the Magi this Christmas.
Christmas is a great reversal. As the story opens, two unlikely women, Mary and Elizabeth, sing of the goodness and justice of God. They had been awaiting a savior and now they saw God keeping his promises. During Advent, we're reminded that God is still doing the same thing. In this first Advent message, Pastor Cole looks at the Magnificat to see what God might be doing in our lives this Christmas season.
Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Through his life and death, he set up a pattern for us to follow: greatness can only come through service. Christians are called to follow his example by laying down our lives for others. In this message, Kerwin Dees describes a life of service, giving our time, encouragement, and talents for others.
In some ways, we're not that different than the people of Israel. Focused on the trouble of their day, they missed what God was doing. If we're consumed by what's happening now we'll miss it too. In this famous Christmas text, Isaiah shows us how to live and what to look for if we want to see God working in this holiday season.
We've been called to be salt and light. Salt is a preservative; it cleanses, purifies, and preserves. Light reveals, enlivens, and causes growth. Zach Schemmer shares his story of freedom and transformation and talks about how we can be salt and light in the world today.
God created Adam and Eve in his image, to worship him, and to spread the garden across the earth. But soon things went wrong. As soon as sin entered the world it started reshaping worship, work, and relationships. It didn't stop with Adam and Eve, but spread to all of their descendants. In Genesis 11, we read about the tower of Babel, a picture of sin in society. In this story we learn about the roots of sin, see God's provision, and look ahead to the coming of the only true King.
You cannot know who you are until you know where you came from. In Genesis 2, we read our own origin story. We were created by God in his image, for worship, work, and relationships. In the beginning, God made us to be His image-bearers and his co-regents to expand the Garden of Eden to fill the whole earth. It's only by understanding God's design that we understand who we were made to be.
We don't often think of Jesus as gentle and lowly, but in this passage, he says, "Come to me all who are weary... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." If there's one passage that captures Jesus' heart for us, it's this one. He is the only source of rest for our souls. No one who turns to him will ever be cast out.
You could almost sum up Jesus' life as a series of tables. He ate with friends and enemies, Pharisees and tax collectors. In the story of Simon the Pharisee, we learn about hospitality, forgiveness, and peace. We learn that those who have been forgiven much love much. We're challenged to see our tables as an apologetic and as an opportunity to display the hospitality of God.
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When Jesus heals the man with a withered hand, he's showing us the gospel in miniature. He pursues us, cleanses us, heals us, and brings us back into a relationship with him. Everything we surrender to him can be healed. But what about the parts we don't surrender? What isn't surrendered isn't healed. In this text, we're all confronted with the question, what will you do with your withered hand?
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Late one night, a Pharisee comes to see Jesus. The Pharisees were religious rulers in Israel concerned with calling Israel back to faithfulness with God by keeping the law. In their conversation, Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Being right with God can't come from the outside, it must come from the inside. And when we are right with God in our hearts, we're free to obey his commands.
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