The Shepherd's Church: Recent Episodes
The Shepherd's Church
Welcome to the Shepherd's Church..
'We exist to glorify God together through the preaching, singing, hearing, and doing of His Word.'
Today, pastor Douglas Wilson addresses the crisis of fatherlessness, emphasizing the need for fathers and children to turn their hearts toward each other, a reconciliation that can only be achieved through the Gospel of the kingdom. He stresses that Jesus is already crowned King, and our mission is to proclaim His reign, which transforms personal and societal relationships, urging repentance and a reorientation of life around Christ rather than traditional values or personal efforts.
In today's sermon, we spoke about new creation. When Jesus rose from the grave, He unleashed new creation power on this old creation cosmos. Join us as we consider 8 vital realities that Jesus' resurrection has ushered in.
In today's sermon, we notice how Christ put away the Old Covenant world of types an shadows and ushered in a new creation by His resurrection from the dead. Join us as we consider these things.
Every element of Jesus' death on the cross and burial was not only predicted in the Old Testament and accomplished in perfect fulfillment by Christ. Join us as we explore nine powerful evidences of prophecy being fulfilled in Jesus' final moments. And it is our prayer that you would be encouraged.
In the Scriptures we see God loving His people through the sacraments. In today's sermon, we will see how beautiful and glorious this is through the life of Moses and Jesus.
In today's passage, we see how Christ came into His Kingdom, not in the pomp and circumstances of a normal coronation, but in the infamy and inglorious mockery of the cross. Join us as we explore the horror Jesus went through while becoming King.
In our passage this morning, we see how Jesus intentionally and deliberately fulfills the sin offering of Leviticus 4, taking the curse that we are owed, and giving us His righteousness that we could not deserve.
In our sermon, we explore the ongoing spiritual warfare between the forces of God and evil. We cover topics like the Nephilim, man-eating giants, Goliath, and Golgotha, showing how all of these themes come together at the cross of Christ. Join us as we explore these themes together.
Instead of trusting in Christ to take the curse on their behalf, the Jews of the first century welcomed the curses to fall upon their own heads. Join us as we look at what that means and what harrowing events followed because of this.
As Jesus was being flogged in John 19, there are covenantal realities that are going on explicitly and implicitly under the surface. Jesus is taking upon Himself the curses of the covenant, so that we can walk away with freedom and with blessing.
In this sermon, we delve into the vital proclamation that 'Christ is King,' a statement of faith that stands at the heart of Christianity, yet has sparked significant controversy in today's societal discourse. Drawing upon the "Christ is King" controversy and its implications for believers, the message explores the guidance of 2 Timothy 2:23 on engaging with controversies, emphasizing the distinction between useless disputes and those vital to our faith. Through the biblical narrative of Jesus' interaction with Pilate in John 18:28-40, we uncover six truths about Christ's kingship, revealing it to be spiritual, truthful, timeless, counter to worldly logic, and transformative. This sermon challenges us to stand firm in our confession of Jesus as King, understanding that while this may provoke opposition, it is essential for advancing His kingdom and embodying the gospel's transformative power in our lives and the world.
When we think about the Gospel as Americans, we often think about our individual salvation. But the Gospel, according to Scripture, is the campaign to conquer the entire world for the glory of Christ! Join us as we examine this cosmic Gospel in today's sermon!
Join us this Good Friday as we explore the horrors of the cross, the agony Jesus went through, and what it all means for us.
Just as Peter faltered in the face of adversity, we're reminded of our own moments of doubt and denial. But through it all, there's hope in the restoration Christ offers, calling us to embrace bold faith even in the midst of life's storms. When we are faced with comfort or courageous commitment, will we stand firm or falter like Peter in the sandstorm of life?
In John's passage, Jesus is often misunderstood, much like navigating without GPS. Some, like Judas, betray Him for personal gain. Others, like the guards, blindly follow authority. Even Peter misunderstands Jesus's true victory. Yet, the Gospel remains a beacon of hope, guiding us back to the truth of who Jesus is and His divine purpose for us.
In today's passage, Jesus is doing things on two levels. On the surface, Christ is getting arrested, betrayed, and will soon be en route to a sham trial. Under the surface, however, there is more going on than meets the eye. Join us this week as we peer behind the layers of John 18 to see all that Jesus is doing.
A Church that is participating in the Gospel has three characteristics: 1) They stay true to the Gospel of grace; 2) They are emotionally bound together in love; 3) AND They are making disciples. Join us as we consider these things this morning.
As Jesus ended His high priestly prayer, He turned His attention to heaven. And as we will see in this passage, heaven is not primarily about a place, it is about a person (i.e. being with Jesus). Join us as we dive into our final sermon on John 17.
She acknowledges that all glory comes from the Father, that in His incarnation and crucifixion He has been given that glory, and our of pure grace He has shared that glory with His people. Because of this, we grow in unity with one another, perfected in that unity, so that the nations will come to know God, and so that we will be with Him in heaven in full enjoyment of His presence forever!
After 19 verses of Jesus praying for His disciples, He alerts us that He has been praying for us the entire time as well. join us as we consider what Jesus' High Priestly prayer means for us, and what it means for the world.
As we continue looking into the Lord's great High Priestly Prayer, we arrive at Jesus' words in verses 17-19 about our sanctification. At the cross, Christ would sanctify Himself so that He could permanently sanctify us. This is positional sanctification. He also commands us to be continually sanctified, which is progressive sanctification. When both are happening in the life of the believer, they will be on mission. Join us as we explore these things together
As Jesus was preparing to depart, He prayed the most famous prayer in history; His High Priestly prayer. In that prayer, this week we saw how He prayed for the church that He has left in the world. Join us as we consider these things from John 17:14-16.
As we jump back into our main series on John's Gospel, we reenter Jesus' High Priestly prayer, where today we will see Jesus praying for our joy!
What could be so important that it could be considered worthy of Jesus’ redemptive work? Only the thing that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit agreed together was worth the price of his death and resurrection: The redemption of a bride, a people for God’s only begotten son, to the glory of God. The value of the church to God cannot be overstated given the price he was willing to pay.
The promise of the King goes back to the most ancient passages. As we celebrate the Lordship and Kingship of Christ, born in the royal line of David, let us also remember hat His foundations are from old and His Kingdom will never end.
In the great scene, where Abraham is called to sacrifice his son Isaac, we see a picture of Gospel freedom. Like Isaac, God's Son, like Isaac was bound. But, unlike Isaac, God did not allow Jesus to walk away free, because in that event, He was purchasing our freedom.
Ask we saw last week, the hope of Christmas can be found in the first book of Genesis. There we learn that Jesus will not only be born of a virgin, but He will also bring about world-wide dominion and blessings. Join us as we consider how Christ inherits and will bring about the blessings of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) by being the true seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16).
The foundation of Christmas does not begin in the Goaspel of Matthew or of Luke, but in the first chapters of Genesis. Join us as we explore the promise of a Son, who would come through a virgin's womb, prophesied thousands of years before it happened.
In Christ's magnificent prayer, He turns His focus onto the character and nature of the true church, who must not devolve into sinful patterns of disunity, but based on our union with Christ, we grow in unity with one another.
Salvation is not just the work of God in election and the work of Christ in revelation, but also the work of the Spirit in sanctification, to help us love and obey His Word, and to help us rest in His sovereignty. Join us as we explore these truths together.
In the only recorded prayer from Jesus in the Bible, Jesus prays as our true high priest and represents us to the Father. Join us as we look at part 2 of Jesus' great prayer!
In the only prayer where we have the actual words of Christ, Jesus prays a prayer focused on His glory. Join us as we dive into one of the deepest and most glorious passages in all of Scripture
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How will we conquer the world? It will not be with short bows and swords. It will not be through hiding in our holes and waiting for a rapture. Instead, we conquer the world by leaning into the victory of Christ, the one who has already conquered and is ruling of the world.
We live in a world filled with sorrows. But, in the midst of any pain, any trial, or any hurt, Christ is Lord, and Christ can and will bring joy out of sorrow. Join us as we examine these truths.
What role does the Spirit play in bringing the revelation of God to the people of God? Join us as we consider these things this Lord's Day morning.
We often think about the Holy Spirit in regard to what He does for the believer. But, does the Spirit have a role among the reprobate? Among the enemies of God? Join us as we examine the Holy Spirit's role in bringing conviction to the unbelieving world.
When the Christian contemplates the root of our joy, and the bedrock of our happiness, far too frequently we forget the ascension of Christ. In His ascension, all of the promises of God will come true, finding their yes and amen in the ruling Lord. Join us as we explore how the ascension of Christ can make us truly happy, both now and for ever.
John 16:1-4 details the awful suffering and persecution that the first century church would go through in their service to Christ. Today, we may not suffer like the disciples did, but the lessons Jesus taught His disciples still apply to us today. Join us as we consider these things together
One of the most overlooked themes in the Bible is that the Church is called to be a festive and fellowshipping community. Join us as we discover the whole Bible foundation of communal feasting and celebrating and how this applies to the modern church.
In part 2 of our sermon on strong children, pastor Derrick dives into the application and demonstrates why having a strong view of covenant children makes strong communities that last for generations.
This Fall we have been looking at what it means to be a strong and Biblical community. That has led us to consider Biblical masculinity & femininity, church partnerships, strong giving, and what it means to have an identity set on the things of God. Today, we look at one of the most critical aspects of being built strong, which is an approach to building up our children.
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From Psalm 35, we see the kind of rock hard identity that the follower of Christ should have. Join us as we explore these things together so that we can be built up strong for mission.
The most significant truths and promises ever given were not given to individuals, not even to individual churches, but to the church of Jesus Christ, which is His global timeless bride that will continue to advance into all the earth. Join us as we examine what a strong church is, as we seek to understand how we belong to the entire body of Christ.
In a world that is thoroughly confused over womanhood, the Bible speaks plainly and clearly. Join us this week as we discover seven truths that God says about womanhood and how these things bring blessings into our lives.
In the Scriptures, God sets the paradigm for giving in that He gave both joyfully and fully. He gave unreservedly and sacrificially. From this posture, we learn how we must give.
What is a man? How is a man supposed to live, act, worship, and lead the ones God has given to him? Join us as we explore these things today.
As Jesus prepared Himself for arrest, trial, and crucifixion, He was also preparing His disciples for life without Him. Far from leaving them alone, He would be leaving them with a helper, the Parakletos, the Holy Spirit, who would lead God's people into Spirit-filled living. Join us as we examine the five elements this passage teaches us about the Spirit-filled life.
When Christ calls us to Himself, He also invites us into the hatred that the world has for Him. Today, we will explore several ways that the world hates Christ and His followers and we will end focusing on why their hatred gives us hope. Join us as we explore these truths in John 15:17-25.
Christ is our true Friend. Every aspect of our relationship with Him has been defined by Him. Join us in John 15:12-17 as we look at five definitional truths that our true of us, now, because of all that Christ has done.
In today's passage Jesus calls us to abide in Him. That abiding will cause us to bear much fruit, and that fruit will manifest itself in six consequential areas of our life. We will bear God's F.R.U.I.T.S when you are:
- Faithful to the Word
- Residing in Biblical prayer
- Undertaking godly discipleship
- Immersed in God's love
- Toiling for obedience
- Savoring His Joy
As Jesus and the disciples left the city, en route to the very garden where Jesus would be arrested, the conversation turned to who is and who isn't the true and faithful vine. Join us for part 1, as we look at how Judah became the fruitless vine.
When the peace of Christ comes into us it changes us, it does things to us, and today we will look at five glorious realities that come into our life because we have been given peace with Christ. Join us as we explore these truths and wrestle with the text of John 14:27-31
God organized the world with peace. In the fall, we lost that peace as chaos came in. Join us as we discover how Christ will bring peace back to His people, to the church, and to the world.
If you want to live a Spirit-filled life you must live a Word filled life. Join us as we discover the crucial role that the Holy Spirit plays in teaching, revealing, and reminding us of divine revelation.
We have often heard that God's love is unconditional, but this is not accurate. God did not love us just the way we are; He loved us enough to die for us, which is quite a bit different. Join us as we consider how amazing His conditional love is and how it guarantees 4 glorious consequences in our life!
The Holy Spirit is our Helper who was promised long ago, brings purpose into our live, and provides His ongoing presence so that we are never abandoned or forsaken. Join us as we explore who the Holy Spirit is and what His presence does in us!
In a world that is seeking to redefine love according to carnal definitions, what does it mean to love Jesus? And, once we love Him, what does that accomplish in our life? Join us as we explore the Grammar of love, the Gospel of love, and the Greater work we do in His love.
What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name? Is it an add-on to the end of our prayers? Is it a magic formula that ensures we get what we want? Or is it something different entirely? Join us as we discover what it means to pray in Jesus' name!
The Bible does not tell us to do our belief. Instead, we have been made into believers. Faith, obedience, and righteous living flows from our new identity not from more religious effort. Join us as we explore these concepts in John 14:12.
If we are going to know the Father, we must first know the Son. Yet, in our flesh we cannot come, we cannot know, and we cannot be known by Christ. It is only when God drags us to the Son, that we can know the Son and know the Father, which produces gratitude for all that Christ has done.
Join us as we welcome visiting paster, Andrew Smith, as he unpacks the Word for us this morning!
In order to inherit Jesus' life, we must first join Him in His death. Join us as we explore what Jesus' way, truth, and life is, and what that means for us.
Jesus came to die. From His birth, even from the first moments of creation, there was a straight line path carved out from Christ, that would take Him from the manger to the cross, from Eden to the garden tomb. Join us this Good Friday as we examine Christ's way.
When Christ said that He was going to go and prepare a place for us, He was using wedding language that a bridegroom would bounce to his future bride. Join us as we consider the truths of this passage and revel in what Christ has done for us!
When Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He tells them that He is going away to prepare a place for them. The place that Jesus was preparing was none other than a new and glorious temple. Join us as we explore what the temple is, why Jesus was replacing it, and why that is the best news ever!
As Jesus prepared His disciples for life without Him, He was preparing them for war. A fight for holiness, for purity, for the Kingdom to advance, and to fight in all aspects of life. Jesus gave His disciples three behaviors that would help them stay in the fight. Join us as we discuss those three behaviors this morning.
While God is never ultimately distant from His people, and while nothing can separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, there are times when our feelings do not line up with reality. Join us as we consider how to deal with, think about, and overcome our feelings.
We tend to approach our lives like we are in control. But, what happens when God allows us to walk in shadows, allows us to faceplate for our good and for His glory? How will we respond then? Will we trust God and joyfully continue following Him? Join us as we examine John 13:36-38 as we dive into these things together.
After Judas defects from the discipleship community, Jesus turns His focus onto encouraging His disciples and giving them assurance in Him. Join us as we examine five lines of assurance Jesus offers them and that He also offers us.
God not only chooses His people, to ransom them into eternal life and to bring them into His blessings, but He also chooses those who will remain in their sins and be lost forever. While this is a difficult doctrine, as we will see today, it is in Scripture, and we must wrestle with. Join us as we look at the difficult doctrine of reprobation and see what John 13:18-30 teaches us.
We often think about obligations as being things that take from us and drain us, instead of being things that bless us. Join us today as we examine the great blessings that Christ gives to those who obey Him.
After the most astonish act of service ever committed on planet earth, Jesus takes His disciples through an after action report on what it is that He has done for them. In today's text, we will see who Jesus is, what He has done, and how He will call us to imitate Him in all things.
When Jesus kneels down to wash His disciples feet, He is picturing so much more than Middle Easter hygiene. In that moment, He is showcasing the very heart of the Gospel and inviting us to drown in His purifying grace.
When Christ pours out His love on us, He does so until the bitter end. He loved us all the way to the cross, He loves us in our trials and tribulations, and He loves us until we meet Him face to face in heaven. Join us today as we explore four vital things that the love of Christ does for us!
How do Christians engage with culture? Join us as we examine Jesus' teaching on that very topic.
What is the Biblical foundation for giving? How are we to think about our money? Join us for part 1 of this 2 part sermon addition to the True Church series.
After waiting decades to see the fulfillment of the Scriptures, Simeon was confronted with the baby Christ in Jerusalem, and it not only changed his life, but it caused him to sing! Join us this Christmas as we examine Simeon's song and what it means for us today!
On Christmas morning, the angels burst forth in glorious singing, written by God, sung over humble shepherds. Today, we join in that heavenly chorus and celebrate all Christ has accomplished for us!
When Zacharias was confronted with the bigness and faithfulness of God, he doubted at first, but then got to see God move in an amazing way. While he began the narrative muted, he ends the narrative singing. May we join in with his song this season, praising God for who He is and all the wonderful things He has done!
When Mary's life is intersected with God's glorious plan, joy and song flooded into every aspect of her life. Join us as we consider one of the most famous songs in Scripture, Mary's song, the Magnificat.
The Bible is filled with music. Whenever the people of God have an encounter with Him, their hearts are filled to the brim, and their mouths are filled with song. Join us this Christmas as we examine the songs of Christmas, this week we are in the book of Psalms!
In one of the most familiar passages in the Bible on marriage, we see a clear point bubbling underneath the surface. In Ephesians 5:22-32, we see the love that Christ has for His bride, the Church, which by extension means the love He has for us. Join us as we explore the love of Christ and rest in the warm intimacy of His Gospel.
As we conclude our series on the true church, we examine 11 aspects of a true church that are given in 1 Peter 2:1-12. Join us as we consider these things together.
One of the aspects of a true church is unity. God made us for unity, Christ died to bring us in union with God, the Holy Spirit is working for unity in the church, and when the church is in unity the world gets to see the glory of the Gospel. Join us this week as we examine how, why, and where unity comes from!
Every church has a government, but not every church government is Biblical. Today, we examine what a Biblical church government is, what officers can serve, and what that requires of a congregation.
The Bible begins with God making humans and putting them under a masculine and feminine commission. And while sin damaged that commission, it has been restored in Jesus Christ! Join us as we explore our great commission in light of the home together.
When we look at the Bible, more than seventy-five percent of its pages are comprise of the Old Testament. And yet, of the two testaments, this one if the most neglected. What we will see today is that there is great continuity between the two testaments, especially when it comes to the Lord's Supper, which comes directly out of the Passover. Join us as we explore these things together.
What role does the "law" have in the life of the believer? Do we obey it? Or, do we scrap it? Are we saved by it? Or has it been abolished? Join us this week as we look at the ongoing ministry of the law of God on the people of God.
A true church practices a true and faithful liturgy. This includes prioritizing confession.
The Lord has not only called us to give Him worship, praise, and participation on the Sabbath, but the Sabbath is also a gift to God's people. In the Scriptures we learn that the Sabbath was made for man, which was by design and by the love and mercy of God. Join us as we examine how we are called into worship by being called into the Sabbath.
Why does the church gather on Sundays? Is it to entertain the ones who come? To educate? To evangelize? To evaluate secular culture? Or is there a deeper, more Biblical, and even more covenantal reason for why we gather and what we do when we gather? Join us today as we will see the covenantal underpinning that undergird our worship!
One of the most spiritually consequential behaviors that you can implement in your life is to remember your baptism. When you sin, when you doubt, when you are broken, remember your baptism. Why? Because your baptism signifies all of God's good promises that have been made available to you!
One of the most spiritually consequential decisions of our lives is finding a faithful church and attending that church faithfully. Today we looked at three ways we can be faithful when it comes to the Lord's gathering. 1) We can Prepare to be in the presence of God. 2) We can participate in the Lord's gathering. and 3) We must practice obedience in the community of the saints! Join us as we examine these things together!
One of the most spiritually consequential decisions of your life is finding a faithful church and attending a faithful church. Because in the Church, God has covenanted to share His glorious presence, in ways that cannot be replicated anywhere else on earth. Join us for week two of this series called True Church, where we discuss the life-changing spiritual blessings that await the soul who makes regular committed attendance, at a Biblically faithful church, a priority in their life.
What is the church? Why does she exist? And what is she called to be and do in this world? These are the questions that we will be asking over the next couple of weeks in this series called "True Church".
All throughout the Scriptures, the family of God exists as a mixed multitude. There are true believers and false ones. There are lambs and goats, wheat and tares, authentic and fake Christians mingling together on this side of eternity. Join us as we close out John 12, and examine 3 counterfeit characteristics of the fake Christian and how true Christians must live differently.
Over the last few weeks, we have been discussion the dominion of Christ and how that will positively effect the world to the glory of God. But today, we see the other side of dominion, how unbelievers will be prevented from believing, blinded, and damned for God's glory. And while these topics are difficult for mere mortals to comprehend, we must talk about them because Scripture talks about them. Join us this week as we declare God's Word from the Gospel of John.
As Jesus drew near unto His death, He announced that judgment was coming upon the world. That judgment was first unleashed upon Christ Himself, who would be judged on behalf of His people, and then also upon the nations who rejected Him. That judgment, often in the Old Testament, is communicated as covenantal "shaking", "quaking", and "earth-trembling" catastrophic cursing. Join us as we explore this judgment language and theme that develops in John 12:27-33.
Last week we learned that Christ will have world-wide dominion over all the nations. This week we learn how Christ will work to accomplish this. He not only chooses us for salvation but also empowers us to be His witnesses. Join us today as we explore these things together.
One of the major themes that develops across the Scriptures is that God will have dominion over the whole earth. In Adam, that plan looked lost. In Christ, we see it's redemption. Today we will see how Christ has begun and is leading a Kingdom that will eventually bless all the families on the earth!
After the feast at Bethany, Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem under the weight of a heavy Jewish messianic expectation. For six centuries the Jews were expecting a messianic King, and when that King finally came they missed Him.
When we consider where the church is in the present culture, we find that we are, obviously, the 'tail' and not the 'head'. So, what should we do? By God's kind and wise providence we are told through the prophet, Jeremiah, how to avoid the stunted existence of waiting for change--but to effect change from within--to show the strength of the Good News when we are weak; for we are always weak but God is always strong.
From the Old Testament sacrificial system, to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God receives true sacrifice as a pleasing and sweet-smelling aroma unto Him. Now, on the basis of Christ's finished work, we too have been made the aroma of Christ and like Lazarus get to share that aroma with the world. Join us as we explore this theme in John 12:8-11.
As the narrative turns to the Kingship of Christ, it narrows onto a exquisite banquet that Lazarus, Martha, and Mary are throwing for Jesus. In this passage, we get a beautiful picture of how to worship, serve, and give everything to Christ. We also get a vivid example of how to rob from God. Join us as we explore these truths together.
John's Gospel is the story of how Jesus becomes our Prophet, Priest, and King. He was rejected by the Jews as true prophet in John 11. He was rejected as true king in John 12. And He was rejected as true priest in John 18. But, with His death, burial, and resurrection, He has become all of this and more for us who have believed! Join us as we consider these things this morning.
As soon as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, a deadly council was convened to eliminate Christ. At the head of this clandestine killer arrangement was none other than the High Priest of Israel, who ignorantly uttered the greatest prophesy ever spoken about the atonement of Christ. Join us as we examine this strange prophesy and how it will result in the peculiar glory of God and the salvation of the Church.
When we consider how God feels about human death, one of the last emotions we may expect Him to feel is righteous fury. Yet, in our text today, Jesus not only showcases an indignation for death, but also that human death will redound to redound to the glory of God. In this passage, we see the very essence of the Gospel, that by the power of Christ alone fallen man will be raised. There is no other way!
Faith is about so much more than a set of facts, emotive esperiences, or social activism. Faith penetrates every facet of our lives and transforms us into the image of Christ. Join us as we examine what Biblical faith is, what it produces in us, and what it will require from us.
Christians have been called by God into covenant with Him by grace through His Son, Jesus the Christ. With this covenant, you are an heir of the blessings of God, yet you are also a commissioned servant to His commands to work in the expansion of His victorious kingdom. Will you heed the call to have dominion over the world and subdue it? Or will you sit idle as the world creeps into the blessings God has given, perverting what He’s given to you and to those who would come after you?
When we think of eschatology, we often think of defeat. Antichrist's, mark of the beasts, hailstones, blood moons, and a host of other perilous cricumstances. But, what if we have misunderstood what the end times are really about? Using John 11:17-27, and the end times conversation Jesus had with Martha, we pull back the veil a bit on the topic and look at what the Bible really teaches in some of its clearest passage. Join us as we discover the victorious hope of Christ in the end of all things.
As Jesus approaches Bethany, and as Matha goes out to meet Him, we see the problem of death looming, hanging powerfully, over the passage and over the lives of God's people. In today's sermon, we go back into the pages of the Old Testament, looking at what the Hebrew Bible says about death, how it is an awful curse, how it makes us crave future redemption, and how death is right at the center of the Gospel. Join us as we explore these things this Lord's day.
When Jesus says to Martha, "I AM the resurrection and the life", He is speaking into deep theological assumptions Martha and her culture had about the ressurection. Join us as we look deep into what "The Ressurection" means, and what Jesus has done in our life, to the glory of God!
In Psalm 12, David reveals 2 reasons why societies collapse. 1) The first is the abandonment of God and the second is 2) The downfall of Biblical masculine men. Join us today as we examine what David says, and what it means for Christian men.
Peter lays out 7 marks of a Christian. He gives us 7 identifiable characteristics that will help us know what it means to be a follower of Christ, and that will help the world understand why we are so different. Those 7 markers are that a Christian has been
- CHOSEN by God the Father;
- CLEANSED by God the Son;
- CHANGED by God the Spirit;
- CALLED into obedience;
- CONSECRATED as a citizen of heaven;
- COMMISSIONED on this earth;
- CONFERRED with all of God's blessings both now and also forever!
Join us as we explore how Peter defines a Christian!
Like Thomas the "doubter", we carry names and titles that do not belong to us as Christians. Names like "sinner", "failure", "broken", or "sick". But 2000 years ago, Jesus came to give Thomas a new name, the Name that is above every name, and if you believe in Jesus that can be your name too! Join us as we consider what it means to be identified with Jesus! Happy Easter!
In John 11 we learn how God uses pain for His good pleasure. Nowhere is that more evident than on the cross, where God is pleased to crush Jesus and cause Him grief, so that you and I can become children of God. We see at the cross how God can take the darkest day and turn into the moment of our greatest joy! Join us this Good Friday as we look to Christ Crucified.
When Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem, He is making a declaration of His Kingship. He is the King, like Solomon, appointed by His Father to rule. He is the King according to the prophecy of Zechariah who will have eternal dominion. Join us as we follow along with Christ, and celebrate His unique and universal reign.
When pain strikes, we tend to lose perspective on what God is doing. But in today's passage, we see how God can be pleased in our pain, because He is using it to accomplish His purposes. Join us as we rethink pain and learn how to praise God, both for the blessings and also for the calamities.
In today's service, guest minister Andrew Smith shares the Word with The Shepherd's Church. In our passage, we will see five moments where Jesus's deity is clearly on display. His divine power and authority can be seen even as his disciples are terrified. From clear miraculous power to allusions to Old Testament theophanies, we will see Jesus as He is.
The Psalms teach us how to pray. And when we partner our prayers with the Psalms we see the same Spirit who authored those Psalms invigorating our prayers. Join us as we look at how to praise God in prayer for His future oriented grace.
The Gospel of John, like a great play, unfolds over three successive Acts. Act 1 (John 1-2:12) opens up with the eternal Christ, coming to a darkened world, to bring the light of heaven to God's elect. Act 2 (John 2:13-10), demonstrates how many in this darkened world reject Him, especially the city of Jerusalem. Today, we begin the final Act of the drama, where Christ will triumph over the forces of darkness with His ressurection power. But before we get to that empty tomb, we have to look at another. Today, we will examine the ressurection of Lazarus, and we will see how knowing Christ, will cause us to live and die for the glory of God.
Psalm 9 is our first total psalm of praise. Meaning from the beginging to the end, Psalm 9 expresses a whole life oriented, total affection driven kind of praise. This is not onlyu a picture of heaven but evidence of our redemption. For only the redeemed can praise our God this way. Join us as we look at part 1 of this psalm this week and learn how to pray through psalm 9.
In the final interaction that Jesus has with the Pharisees, He not only discredits their objections, but He shows them how they are just like their ancestors who died in the wilderness. By rejecting Him, the Jews were rejecting God, and were inviting covenantal curses upon their own heads. They rejected their King. So as we end, we see this King, remaking a new Israel in His image. That is the Church. Join us as we consider these things together!
In today's passage, we will learn how our salvation is a gift from God. First, we will see that we are the gift that God the Father gave to God the Son as a reward for His obedience. Second, we will see how all those who belong to Jesus, will receive manifold gifts that will help them walk with God. Join us as we consider these things together.
In Psalm 8, we get to see a theology of God's majesty unfold. This understanding will help us approach Him rightly, praise Him rightly, and pray to Him rightly. Join us as we consider these things this evening.
The purpose of John's Gospel, is to advance one single, simple, and understandable theme. That without faith in the divine Son of God, you will have no life! This is what happened to the Pharisees, and it is what will happen to all who refuse the Son. Join us as we consider these things together, from John 10:22-25.
When we understand who God is, and grab a hold of His unstoppable promises, we cannot continue in despair, misery, and doubt. Hope in His future promises lifts our countenance, inspires our souls, and enlivens our demeanor. We experience, joy, happiness, contentment, and satisfaction when we know who God is and trust in Him with a future oriented hope.
We live in a world that longs for unity but that unity is built upon a false foundation. In the Bible, we are called to work towards unity, but at times, there are legitimate and godly reasons to divide. join us as we explore and develop our theology of division.
Psalm 6 is the first example in the book, where David suffers for his own sin. In other Psalms we have looked at, David is in anguish over what someone else has done to him, or how someone has sinned against him. Today, we examine the way David prays when he is the chief culprit, when God's fury over sin is aimed at Him, and how David appeals to God's covenantal love and kindness to save him. Join us as we explore this Psalm and also learn how it helps us to pray!
As we close out our time in John 10:1-18, we examine Christ as our true and good Shepherd. Today, we looked at 8 characteristics of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, which will bring hope and encouragement to our souls. Join us as we revel in the truth of Christ of who God is!
In Psalm 5, David walks through a prayer of lament, teaching us how to pray when our hearts are broken. In this 5 part formula for prayer, we will learn how to lament well and how to rest in the finished work of Christ as well. Join us as we consider Psalm 5 and grow in our discipline of prayer.
Psalm 4 describes a litany of things that we cannot do without Jesus. For instance, we cannot have confidence in God, we cannot find freedom from sin, we cannot meditate, we cannot behave, and we cannot even pray. Yet, as Psalm 4 makes abundantly clear, for all who are in Jesus, these truths will become real to us because of Him! Join us this Wednesday night as we celebrate who Christ is and as we pray for personal, corporate, and national revival!
The New Testament goes to great lengths to reveal the sinful heart of the Pharisees and also to expose the idolatry that was latent in their movement. In today's sermon, we examine 18 characteristics of the Pharisaic religion, how this same grouping of sins pop up in modern evangelicalism, and how as Christians we must repent and turn to Christ!
When we pray, we must lean into who God is. We do not simply ask Him for our needs, we joyfully declare, praise, and worship Him for who He is, which not only changes our demeanor in a situation, but also changes our praying. We see David moving from coward to courage in this Psalm because His prayers are centered on God. The same is true for us when we learn to pray like that!
In today's passage, Jesus teaches His people that He is the one who enters through the door and brings salvation to His people. He is also the one who stands in the door and keeps His people safe in their salvation. Join us today as we examine how Christ is the door, and also the key to our salvation!
God is in control of all the things that happen in our lives. He is in control of the good things, the bad things, and He is even sovereign over the wicked things that occur in this world. Join us as we explore the sovereignty of God in Psalm 2, and join us wherever you are in prayer!
There are two things we learn from the leadership of Christ. First, he is a perfect leader, a pure and perfect Shepherd, and He will lead His blood-bought people safely to eternal life. But, He will also destroy all the wicked leaders, especially those who abuse His sheep, beginning with the Pharisees. Join us today as we examine these things in John 10:1-10
Join us for our Wednesday edition of The Shepherd's Church Podcast. Every week we gather to pray for us, our church, this nation, and our world. Join us each week as we pray and examine the Psalms together!
God's care for us is so perfect that He can make bold, seemingly outlandish, promises that will provide the greatest comfort and assurance to His people, who know He will come through. He does not speak these promises to us out of turn. He does not make empty promises to make us feel better, like a parent will often do for their children. He speaks promises that not only provide comfort, but will in fact always find their yes and amen in Christ. Join us today as we examine God's ordinary means of grace in the book of 1 Corinthians!
As we wrap up our series called Christmas Child, we examine the point for why Jesus came. He was born so that He would die. He died so that we will live. We live because God has given us new birth. And that is what we will examine this morning. What does it mean to be reborn? What benefits come with the new birth? And how might we take this knowledge and use it to praise our wonderful God! Join us as we explore this in our final sermon of 2021.
When we open up the Bible to the nativity story, one of the most surprising features of that narrative, is that everyone seems afraid. Today, we learn how Christ will crush our fears through the amazing message given to His mother Mary. Join us as we consider!
The people of Israel were longing for a deliverer who could come and set them free. In response, God raised up men like Samson who brought a temporary relief to the people of God, but the most profound impact Samson had, was that his ministry dramatically and poignantly pointed to Christ. Join us as we examine how every aspect of Samson's life points to Jesus, how Jesus is the greater deliverer, and how in Christ we can be free!
We were born in the midst of a epic battle. But, we are not called to fight like the world or with the weapons of the world; we are called to fight with the ordinary means of grace. Today we look back at the book of Joshua, seeing how the people were called to fight, and we remember the Gospel, who Christ has made us His people and brought us into the war to end all wars. Join us as we examine these things together!
Jochebed longed for deliverance and got to see God bring a mighty deliverer through her faithfulness. Even still, Jochebed did not see the full deliverance that God would bring through His one and only Son. The birth of Christ is the fulfillment of every Old Testament type and shadow. Today we will learn about how Jesus is the greater Moses who brings a greater freedom.
Sarah laughed in her doubts, and then she laughed in true worship. Her laughter at both points exposes where she is at with God and it points forward to her true offspring who will bring true joy and laughter to the world. As Christians, we have the Christ, who brings us true and unsurprising joy!
The Christmas story does not begin in the Gospels it begins in Eden. It begins after sin entered into the world, the serpent was proclaiming victory, and the woman was wondering what her punishment would be from God. Her sin deserved God's wrath. She got God's grace. To the woman, Eve, a child was promised who would make all things new!
3 John is the shortest book in the Bible but it contains big magnificent truths. Truths that will help the local church be faithful in leadership and also faithful among its members. Join us today as we explore what a faithful church is from the book of 3 John!
The Lord has left His bride, the Church, here to proclaim the excellencies of His Gospel until He returns. That is our mission. Today, we explore the good and right attitude that a church is supposed to have while we participate in that mission while we wait. As sinners, it is easy for us to be given over to a spirit of bitterness and complaining. But as Christians, we must REPENT of our sins, REST in the truth of who Christ is, and REINFORCE ourselves with that precious truth day by day until He returns! Join us as we explore these things together, in James 5:7-11.
In baptism, Jesus came and identified Himself with us, so that in baptism we can be identified with Him. Join us as we consider how we are identified with Christ, both men, women, and children.
In our final session, Dr. David Booth answers common objections to the position of covenant baptism. Join us as we conclude our seminar with an excellent session!
Once we have understood the covenant structure of the Bible, now it is time to learn what baptism is and how it is rightly administered according to the New Testament. And while there is so much that could be said about this topic, we have tried to limit the content to that which was most helpful. Join us as we explore the meaning and the mode of covenant baptism.
Why would we begin a baptism seminar with a session on Covenant Theology? Well, as Dr. David Booth explains, you cannot rightly understand baptism until you do understand covenants. It is the glue that holds our theology of baptism together. With that, join us as Dr. David Booth shares about the covenants and how they are so important in our quest to understand baptism!
In the Bible, blindness is described in three specific ways. First, a man may be born physically blind as we see in John 9. Second, a man will be born spiritually blind because of Adam's sin. And third, God will sometimes enact a covenantal curse of blindness upon His enemies that is unforgivable and unshakable. All three instances of blindness occur in John 9, and through Christ - our perfect light - we learn how we are joyfully rescued! Join us as we examine the curse of blindness today, and magnify Christ as our only cure!
There are times when God feels so near to you than you could reach out and grab hold of Him. And yet, there are times when God feels distant. Like He has left you. And you are walking all alone. Join us today as we examine why Jesus pulls back and how He is using those moments to accomplish His good plan and His good purpose for our lives.
Perhaps you have heard words like Marxism, Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and Wokeness, being thrown around like candy over the past year? Well, what do these terms mean? And how must a Christian think about concepts like this? Do we support them? Reject them? And if we reject them, what reasons should we have for doing so? Join The Shepherd's Church as we learn from author, historian, and speaker Dr. Glenn Sunshine, who will shed light on this issue for us!
After the blind man received his sight, he was taken before the religious leaders who were supposed to pronounce him clean. Instead, they questioned him, ridiculed him, and eventually cast him out of the synagogue, which would have meant total religious and social isolation. His crime? He had been healed by Jesus and refused to quit speaking. No matter what happened to him, He shared the Gospel anyway. Join us today as we examine John 9:13-34, as we consider how to share the Gospel even when we are ridiculed, shamed, abused, and rejected.
In John 9:6-12, Jesus heals a real man with a real struggle of lifelong blindness. But yet, under the surface of this passage is a metaphor for the Christian life. Join us as we examine these 7 verses and discover 7 ways this passage teaches us to be a Christian.
We are accustomed to hearing sermons about how to be saved, but we do not normally consider why we are saved. In today's passage, we will consider why Jesus came, why He saved us, and what that means for our life.
Today we take a brief introductory look at a Biblical theology of creation. How did creation begin? What was creation like when it fell? And how will Jesus bring about the redemption of creation (Both human redemption and the redemption of all things). Join us as we explore that theme together today.
Different people respond to God in different ways. To use language from John 8, this is especially true of families. According to John 8, there are only two families on earth: the family of Satan and the family of God. Join us as we examine the final sermon from John 8, and look at how various people respond to Jesus Christ!
How do you know if you are a child of God or a child of hell? Jesus divides the world into these two spiritual families in John 8:37-47, and He gives a four fold test to see which family you are in. As we will discover, the only way to be in the family of God is through the death, burial, resurrection, election, and adoption of Jesus Christ. His Gospel has brought us into His family!
The Jews of John 8 believed that they were free and that they would receive the promises of Abraham by sheer virtue of their lineage. Yet, Jesus shows them that true freedom does not come through having the right ethnicity, but through having the right proximity, which is covenantal nearness to Christ. Join us today in John 8:33-36, as we examine how Christ has set us free from the Law, given us true freedom in Him, and will use us to bring His covenantal freedom to the world!
In this sermon, we examine the theological underpinnings of John 8:31-59, by looking at covenants. We will go back into the pages of the Old Testament to understand the five great covenants, and how the Gospel of John holds these covenants in tension. This week will be an overview of the entire Bible, and will serve as essential background for John 8:33-59.
Paul combats the counterfeit wisdom that the Corinthians were entrusting with the true wisdom of God. We consider four characteristics of this wisdom and how Christ is its substance.
Last week we covered how to go to hell in four easy steps. This week, we will review four ways that Christians are called to continue. We are called to continue in the faith. We are called to continue in obedience. We are called to continue in truth. And we care called to continue in Christian freedom. Join us today as we explore John 8:31-32!
In today's passage, Jesus condemns the Pharisees to a seeking that will not result in finding and a life that will end in Spiritual death. Jesus lays out 4 simple reasons why the Pharisees will die in their sins and ultimately end up in hell. And, it is these same 4 truths that will condemn us today as well. Join us as we explore 4 easy steps to end up in hell, along with 4 awful realities you will face once you get there, and then join us as we close on the one and only cure! Christ. And Christ ALONE!
As the Feast of Tabernacles was in it's final moments, and as the lamps overhead were burning out, Jesus cried out that He is the light of the world! He is the coming light that the Old Testament anticipated. He is the light that saves us, sanctifies us, and will glorify us to stand in His presence. And He is the light who makes us brightly shine for Him, until He returns. Join us as we explore, John 8:12-20 together.
As John 7 comes to a dramatic close, Jesus is not the only one who is being rejected. Those who have even the slightest positive opinion of Him are being mocked, silenced, and eventually persecuted. We learn that all who love Christ will be hated by the world. Join us today, we we examine what it means to be rejected for Christ.
In John 7:37-39, a passage on the Feast of Tabernacles, Christ intentionally, dynamically, and poignantly showed that He is the point of this feast! Join us as we consider what the feast of Tabernacles is, why it is important to our worship, and how Christ totally and completely fulfills it!
The crowds in Jerusalem not only rejected Jesus; He rejected them. And not only rejection, total condemnation. Jesus Christ, in John 7:25-36, barred the doors of heaven closed to the ones who had rejected Him. Where He was going... They COULD NOT COME. Join us as we examine what it means to be under the reprobation of God and how even that is good news for the elect.
Underneath the text of John 7 (and frankly all scripture) is a persistent thread of covenant. God began the Bible with covenant. He pushes His story forward with covenants. And He writes the story of redemption through Christ, the King and fulfillment of all covenants. John us as we explore the covenant underpinning of John 7:19-23 and see how Jesus is the Christ of the Covenants!
When Jesus entered Jerusalem in John 7, He did so unwelcomed. He was not heralded. He was not celebrated. He was even accused of being a law-breaker! In today's passage (verses 17-24) we will see how Christ defended that charge, then turned the tables on the Jews, showcasing that they, were in fact, the law breakers they had accused Him of being. And in the end, we will see, how Jesus it the hope for law breakers like us today. Join us, as er explore this passage together!
There are a myriad of ways to reject Jesus. In today's text we will examine 10 ways that Jesus was rejected by His own people in John 7:8-18 and then we will discuss how there is ONLY ONE way to rightly receive Him. And that is to accept His teaching and His Word! Join us as we examine these texts together!
In John 7:1-9, Jesus faces 4 moments of crisis in His ministry that demonstrates who He truly is. He is not a man who is regulated by His flesh or the things of the world, He is a man who is regulated by the things of God, which gives us great hope. Because Jesus lived and died in perfect submission to the regulations of God, we can be saved. And not only that, we can grow to live like Him. Join us as we explore John 7:1-9 together!
We live in a world that is filled with identity crises and moral confusion. The reason is that the world eagerly seeks to define their identities on everything but Jesus. But, thankfully, this is not true for the Christian! We have a brand new identity because of Jesus Christ, which propels us out of confusion and into understanding that will continue for eternity. Join us this week as we examine our new found Christian identity in 1 Peter 2!
Peter reminds us that the Christian life is a calling to leave the world and to run into the Kingdom of God. This brings the people of God into a permanent posture of exile, knowing that this world is not our home, as we await our King to return and bring us into that better Kingdom. Join us this week as Pastor Scott helps us examine what living in exile truly means.
As we close out John 6, it is clear that Jesus' words were not received by everyone. In fact, many left Jesus because they were offended. Join us today as we examine how the Word of God offends everyone. Some are offended and abandon Christ. Some are offended and repent. Who are you?
Jesus has proven His Kingship unmistakably. Now on Sunday He has risen, His Kingdom has come, and He is prepping His followers to understand what it means to be His slaves and citizens in His Kingdom. Join us as we examine the same in Matthew 28 this Resurrection Morning!
The unmistakable theme running through the events of Holy Week is that one Kingdom was going to fall into total ruin while another Kingdom would rise to eternal life, power, and dominion. And at the center of both of these Kingdoms hangs a crucified savior on a Roman cross. In His death He brought an end to the kingdom of old, to the temples, sacrifices, priests, and law. And in His death, He brought about an entirely new paradise Kingdom where sinners would be forgiven. Join us as we examine these things today in the sermon!
The plain and obvious fact of the Gospel of John is that Jesus is King. But along the way, the Jewish leadership is offended by Him, the crowds misunderstand Him, and even His disciples are totally confused by Him. Join us on this Palm Sunday as we witness the kind of King Jesus claimed to be. King forever!
Jesus preaches a three part sermon in Capernaum in John 6:43-58. In that sermon He explains the truth of salvation, that we are drawn to Christ by God (v. 43-44), drawn to obedience to Christ (v. 45-47), and in today's passage He tells us that we are drawn to feast on Jesus! Join us today as we consider what it means to be fed by Christ and to be ever filled by Christ!
The Lord dragged us into salvation so that we will obey. We do not obey to be accepted by God. But, for all those who have been accepted by Him, the Lord will cause them and help them to obey. Join us today as we examine what God says about obedience. Join us as we examine John 6:44-47.
How does a man or woman become saved? Is it through human effort? Human wisdom? And human power? Or is it entirely a work of God alone? Join us today as we see how God, by His own power alone, chooses, purchases, draws, awakens, enlivens, justifies, and sanctifies His people. Join us as we examine John 6:44 together!
The story of man is a long winding tale of men and women who incessantly complain and constantly grumble. We are the kind of people who minimize our God and maximize ourselves, and when we do that, we always grumble. Join us this week as we explore what grumbling is, why our grumbling provokes the righteous wrath of God, and how Christ is our only hope!
The same crowds who attempted to force Jesus into being their king, now stand back and listen to Jesus' explanation of salvation. Jesus teaches us in John 6:30-40 that there are two kinds of faith. Authentic, God-honoring, faith. And everything else is counterfeit. Join us today as we examine what counterfeit Christianity is, how is is impotent to save, and how Jesus was bringing something better!
What does it mean to work? What is work? Why did God create it? And how is Christ redeeming it? Join us today as we zoom into a conversation between Jesus and the crowds which teaches us so much about how God desires for us to work!
In today's passage, John demonstrates the most elegant contrasts that give us clarity about who Christ is. He is the one who pursues believers, but purposefully abandons the wicked. He is the one who reveals Himself and gives wisdom to those who are His, yet leaves the wicked in their error. And He is the one who will bring His people safe to shore, home to be with God for eternity, while leaving the wicked to their self-imposed disaster. Join us as we consider who our Christ is and how He reveals Himself to us in this passage.
After Jesus feeds the crowd of five thousand, the crowd turns to Him to make Him King by force. In this move, they showcase the kind of kingdom they anticipate Jesus to be bringing, Not the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of politics, monarchies, and nations. In this, they also showcase the state of their heart, which has been given over to a particular kind of idolatry, that prizes nation over God. Join us this week as we explore this very timely and relevant challenge together!
Learning about God and gaining insight to who He is does more than increase you knowledge base. Knowing God kills despair in our life, it fuels hope, and ignites our praise. Join us as we consider this theme from Psalm 29 and learn with us on how to live a hope-filled, fear-free, joyful life that does not end!
In John 6:1-13, Jesus did far more than feed five thousand hungry people, He showcased definitively that He was and is God! Like His Father who rested the 12 tribes of Israel, Jesus tested His disciples. Like Yahweh who rained down bread to feed His people from heaven, Jesus multiplied bread to feed God's people. And Just like God, who always gives far more than we could ask or imagine, Jesus not only fed the crowds, He gave His body as an offering for God's people so that they would always be well supplied, fed, and nourished. Join us today as we examine how Jesus is the true and greater Exodus from John 6:1-13
While the message of the cross, a crucified God, might be foolishness to those who are perishing, this message is the very wisdom of God. This message is the power of God. And this message is how we come to boast in God! Join us this week as we consider Paul's words to the Corinthian church together!
In this final message in our series on Isaiah, we look at the end goal of Jesus' coming. He did not just come to be born. He came to die. And not only to die, but to rise again. And in that resurrection, to establish a kingdom. And with that kingdom, to take back the world! Join us today as we look at Jesus' Kingdom and what that means for us!
In the midst of a nation spiraling into decline, God announces the birth of His one and only Son. A Son who will replace the wicked kings of Jerusalem, who will set up a better Kingdom than Judah, and who will inaugurate all of the promises of God through His incarnation. 2000 years ago this great King was born. But, He was announced long before that in Isaiah. Join us as we celebrate all these truths this Christmas Eve!
At the heart of Christmas is the in-breaking of God's holy light, for we know that in Christ, that heaven's true light has come into this dark world. Join us as we explore the prophecy of light that was given by Isaiah to the people who were living in great darkness and join us as we joyfully celebrate all that Christ has done for us today!
In our second week of Christmas in Isaiah, we will examine one of the most notable and incredible prophecies in all of the Bible. Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel." Join us this week as we examine the depth and beauty found in this passage.
Long before the events of Christmas morning, before a star led wisemen to the King, before the heavenly hosts heralded the messianic birth to nearby shepherds, before the virgin conceived, and before Gabriel announced it, Isaiah the prophet foretold it. He heralded the hope of Christmas in a particular setting and scene, and understanding that, will unlock the hope of Christmas for us as well. Join us this week, as we explore the foundation of Christmas in Isaiah.
In week 2 of our mission series we discuss the second half of The Shepherd's Church mission statement, which covers how we are called to give glory to God. And that is through the preaching, singing, hearing, and doing of God's Word! Join us this week as we examine that mission more deeply.
The mission of The Shepherd's Church is this: "We exist to glorify God together, through the preaching, singing, hearing, and doing of God's Word". This week we revisit the first part of that mission, which is "glorifying God together".
What do you do when the love of God grows cold in your heart? According to our passage today, you must first remember who God is and all that He has done for you, and then, you must use all of that mental energy to fuel you to repentance. Join us today, on this special episode of the podcast, as we examine this text together.
Surrounded by a hostile mob who is seeking His death, Jesus responds with with 4 lines of evidence to prove His innocence. He also brings major damning accusations against the religious elite, and in the end, pronounced their judgment. Join us today as we examine the testimony of Christ and see how this testimony is good news for God's elect today!
In Corinth, we see the damaging results of the party spirit, which left that church deeply divided. Unfortunately, we see that same phenomenon ripping the church apart today. Join us as we examine Paul's letter to the Corinthians, as we look at the characteristics of division, the foolishness of division, and the cure for division, which is the Gospel!
Happy Reformation Day!!
After healing the man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus is approached by a hostile mob of Pharisees with blood lust to kill Him. In that moment, Jesus told them exactly who He is, which will be instructive for all of God's people today. In today's sermon, we will learn who Jesus says that He is, why that matter and requires our response, and how we can guarantee that everything Jesus has spoken is true!
This week, we enter into a new section of John's Gospel (Ch. 5-11), which will focus on the growing resistance and rejection that Jesus and His Kingdom will face by the Jews. To begin this section, we will look at the very first betrayal of Christ (in John 5:1-16), we examine how this betrayal took place, and then we will examine what betraying Jesus might look today.
in John chapters 2-4 we see that there are three ways to respond to Jesus. Yet, only one of these ways leads to salvation. You can respond to Him like the seeker-sensitive Galieans who were always looking for signs and wonders but did not know Christ. You can seek Him like the woke Sadducees, who were consumed with the world and their philosophies, but hated Christ and His Gospel. Or, you can seek Him the way Jesus demands to be sought, and the only way that leads to eternal life. And that is, to seek Him like the humble faithful Samaritans.
Join us as we examine how to seek Christ rightly from these passages!
After an encounter with the Christ, a Samaritan woman drops everything in order to tell people about Him. The same is true for His disciples, who move from deep confusion about Jesus' mission, to growing understanding, and then to missional activity. 2000, years ago these men understood who Jesus was, and what He came to do, and with that understanding, they turned the world upside down. That is our prayer for us today as well.
What does it mean to be a Christian? In John 4:23-24 we get 5 specific elements, that when added together, give us the most comprehensive and beautiful glimpse of who we are and what we are called to do. Join us this week as week seek to examine this together!
Sin is like a deadly poison that has been unleashed upon humanity by humanity. Its greatest side effects are shame and spiritual confusion, which render a person incapacitated and alienated from God. This means, apart from divine intervention, there is no cure for our sin, shame, and spiritual confusion. But, that is where Jesus comes in, as we see in John 4:7-26, Christ provides the cure for all who turn to Him.
As The Shepherd's Church enter's a new chapter of our existence, stepping out of an existing church and prayerfully into our own building, there is no better time to review the basics. What should a church commit to do for its people? What should the people commit to do in the church? And how can we be a church that successfully raises up disciples, faithfully preaches the Gospel, and effective reaches this culture? Join us this week as we explore that in Romans 12.
This week, Pastor Derrick led us through the beginning of 1 Corinthians, where we examined the roots of a two year old church that quickly fell back into their old patterns of sin. As we learned in this passage, that same danger is present for us today, but the cure is found in verse 9, that "God is faithful". When we know that and remember that we will have a childlike faith and will become a child like church.
After spending time in Jerusalem, John records the relocation of Jesus' ministry to Galilee in the north. But, before Jesus arrives in Galilee, He stops for a poignant interaction with a Samaritan woman. Join us this week as guest preacher Scott Griffin leads us to explore John 4:1-10 together.
John ends chapter 3 with a theological reflection on the supremacy of Christ. He is the supreme Lord who speaks the Words of God, sends the Spirit of God, and brings salvation to the people of God. He is also the supreme Lord who issues forth the wrath of God on all who reject Him. Our Lord is supreme. The question is, how will we respond to Him?
As John 3 comes to a close, Jesus' ministry was growing. John the Baptist's ministry, however, was shrinking. And while his disciples were filled with envy over the success of Jesus' ministry, John himself demonstrated true Biblical humility. He understood the secret of true joy; in all things, Jesus must increase even as he must also decrease. Join us today was we examine the heart of John the Baptist and how Christians today will do well to imitate Him.
As the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus ebbed to a close, Jesus warns Nicodemus of the judgment that was not only future for him, but was already here. For anyone who does not believe, Jesus tells us, there is a judgment that only Christ can lift that has fallen upon their minds, hearts, and wills. Join us as we examine that judgment together and look to Christ as the only cure!
John 3:16 offers the great assurance of our salvation. While we were still sinners, God loved us and sent His Son, so that we would never perish and have eternal life. That assurance is irrevocable! Join us this week as we explore the assurance of God's love in our salvation!
Though humanity remains in a state of utter inability to save themselves, Christ offers the cure. He is the Lord who condescended to our level. He is the one who bore our curse. And, He is the one who provides us the cure. Check out this weeks sermon on John 3:13-15.
After going to war with the false religion of Jerusalem, Jesus turns His sights upon the deadly epidemic of false faith among God's people. First, He diagnoses it in the crowds, then He demonstrates it in Nicodemus, and ultimately He will die to set His people free from it. Join us this week as we explore what false faith really is and how only Christ can provide the cure!
Every 4th of July Americans celebrate the birthday of our nation. But as Christians, we must never forget that we belong to a better Kingdom. A Kingdom that was inaugurated 2000 years ago, is still growing, where true peace and healing can be found, and will last forever into eternity. Join us today as we briefly examine these things in light of Philippians 3:20.
After a quiet small town wedding in Cana where Jesus unveils the Kingdom of God, He then goes to Jerusalem and makes war on false religion. In anger, He flips the tables in the courtyard, make a whip of cords, and then chases the idolators right out of the temple mount. Join us this week as we examine what made Jesus so angry and what this passage means for us today.
What is the kingdom of God? When did it begin? And how are we to have hope as citizens of that Kingdom? Join us today as we examine how Christ unveiled the Kingdom at a wedding party in Cana and inaugurated it on a hill called Calvary!
The only comfort that we can ever have comes from belonging to God. We are not our own. We need the Lord to build our house, our life, our cities and our nation. And when we stop trying to clamor for control and rest in Christ, then we will have true rest. Join us as we examine Psalm 127 and unpack these truth's together.
How does a Christian respond to evil? Do we take up arms, fight fire with fire, evil with evil? Or is there another way? A Biblical way? And if that way exists, what is it? How do we do it? Join us as we look at Psalm 37, which speaks so fully into this!
There will be seasons in your life where God allows you to walk through a spiritual desert. In those times, there will be many voices who are speaking to you. But only one voice is the voice of truth. Join us as we consider how to navigate the spiritual desert with wisdom and joy!
What does it mean to have "The Blessed Life"? Who defines it? How does someone get it? Or better yet, once you have it how do you keep it and enjoy it forever? Join us for our very first message in the book of Psalms where we examine the life of blessing!
In this final sermon on what it means to BE The Church, we consider how we are supposed to be the Church even as we await the return of Christ. Join us as we close out this series in Hebrews 10:23-25.
What does it mean to be the Church? Well, that question cannot even be answered if you do not understand the Holy Spirit. Literally everything the Church is, does, participates in, and celebrates is infused with His power. In today's message, we will examine seven truths about the Holy Spirit and how He empowers us to BE the church! Join us!
For us to be the Church, we must love one another with a special kind of love that is authored by God the Father, modeled to us by Jesus Christ, and given to us by His Spirit. And that love will cause us to serve one another in love and be devoted to one another in love. In fact, love is the key ingredient for what it means to BE the Church. Join us this week as we explore it together!
When Jesus entered the room it changed everything. Thomas the doubter, became Thomas the believer. With five simple but powerful words, "My Lord and my God", Thomas was no longer the skeptic who was consumed with doubts, he was the bold witness who uttered the clearest and most powerful witness ever spoken of Jesus Christ.
Join us this Easter as we look at the powerful effect Christ had on Thomas and we pray that His Gospel would have that same effect on you!
Today, we examine the gruesome events that happened on the darkest day in human history. But, even on our darkest day, the hopeful light of Easter still shines! Join us this Good Friday as we grapple with what Jesus Christ has done!
During this pandemic, it is more important than ever for us to know what it means to BE The Church. In our first episode of BE The Church, we talk about unity. How does God want the Church to be in unity? What will that require us to think? How will that require us to live? And what might that propel us to do? All of that and more in today's sermon!
While the world is in full-on panic mode with the Coronavirus, Christians can rest in the hope of Christ. In today's sermon, Christians will be taught how to defeat the sin of worry with three Biblical and Gospel centered actions, and one Biblical promise. Tune in to explore Matthew 6:25-33 along with us!
In the midst of all the trials, pains, and frustrations, we will not lost heart! We will not lose heart because God is doing something in our pain, God is working through these light and momentary afflictions. He is producing an eternal weight of glory within us and because of that we will not lose heart!
While we are unable to gather together as a church this evening, the Word of God has much to say about how we walk through trying times like these. Join us for this special edition of The Shepherd's Church podcast as we discover what the Bible has to say to all of us this day!
John 1 ends in a dramatic encounter with Nathaniel. Jesus challenges his identity, shares the hope of the Gospel, and foreshadows the totality of salvation. Join us this week as we continue in our series on the Gospel of John
As we conclude our look on what a follower of Christ is, we see the final three elements. 5) Followers of Christ bring others to Christ. 6) Followers of Jesus know who Christ is. 7) Followers of Christ have a new identity in Christ.
Can children participate and take Communion? This is a very serious question that came to us this week in our newsletter and I believe that it requires a very serious response. Normally I would include responses to such questions in the body of the email, but for this question, I have decided to post the answer here so that we could explore it in depth together
What does it mean to follow Jesus the rabbi? What will discipleship require of us? Join us this week as we examine these questions together!
John 1:35-42 is our first glimpse at Jesus and our first look at His followers. But there is something else going on in the text. John shows us 8 marks of what following Jesus will look like. In part 1, we will cover the first three.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John sees Jesus and declares: "Behold the Lamb of God". But what does he mean by lamb? And how might this passage speak to followers of Christ today? John us as we examine John 1:29-34 together.
John 1:17-18 is the end of John's amazing introduction to his Gospel. It is surprising in many ways and is a refreshing reminder to New Testament believers about the relationship between the law of God and the grace of Christ. Join us as we examine the Word of God together!
There are scarcely 2 more important doctrines, in all of Christianity, than the supremacy of Christ and His sufficiency in the life of the believer. In John 1:15-16, we examine both as we consider the testimony of John the Baptist. May you be blessed through the preaching of God's Word!
Andrew Smith, a Deacon at the nearby Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA, delivers an encouraging word on the marks of a church committed to healthy growth.
In our second look at John 1:14, we went back into the pages of the Old Testament to understand what it means that God has come to dwell with humans. We looked at how God has made His glory safe for the elect. And finally, we looked at how John 1:14 offers some of the best and most practical truths for all those who are in Christ! Check out this weeks sermon to learn more.
John 1:14 is at the same time one of the most beautiful Christmas passages in Scripture and also one of the most profound. In it, John definitively answers three of the most basic and fundamental questions human beings can ask. And he does so with just 8 simple words: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us". Join us as we examine these beautiful words and what they teach us!
And... Merry Christmas!!
This week, in John 1:3-5, we learn three amazing doctrines that teach us who Christ is. 1) Christ is the creator of creation. 2) Christ is the sustainer of creation. 3) Christ is the redeemer of that creation. Join us as we explore in depth who Jesus is from this passage!
John introduces us to His Gospel by introducing us to Jesus, the God-man, the one who was and is and will always be; and the one in whom we are called to savor! Join us as we begin our journey through John, by looking at John 1:1!
The book of Jude concludes with the beauty and grandeur of God. The final Word in this book is God in His glory and final words must only be praise. In this final message on the book of Jude we see 6 realities about God that will fuel our praise! Be blessed as you listen!
Jude transitions to the final section of the book in verses 20-23. Jude issues 6 ethical commands that Christians are to do for their savior. Not to earn God's love, but because of it! Join us as we near the end of this beautiful book and revel in the good old Gospel truths!
After making the case against the false teachers, now Jude turns to encourage his people with four powerful truths. This week, Jude encourages his people to remember: 1) stand on God's Word alone, 2) by the Spirit of God alone, 3) until Christ calls us home!
Jude takes on the role of prosecuting attorney in verses 8-16. He presents the undeniable evidence against the false teachers in his congregation and levels 3 powerful indictments that will lead to their destruction. But, for the Christian, who have an advocate in Jesus Christ, there is hope!
Jude unpacks the doctrine of destruction. He began in verse 5 by showing that unbelief in Christ leads to destruction. This week, Jude teaches us that unbelief in Christ leads to a certain and permanent judgment. Join us this week as we explore the doctrine of hell and how it is avoidable for all who are in Christ.
After teaching his church about wolves that were infiltrating the church, Jude turns to his congregation to offer them hope. He reminds them that both salvation and condemnation belong to Christ, and in both of these things God gets the glory! Join us this week as we explore Jude's theology of salvation and also damnation.
Last week we looked at Jude 4 and examined what wolves do when they get into the church. This week we went back to Jude 4 and examined who wolves are, and what should the proper Biblical response be.
Jude says that wolves will come into the church of God and that they will do so in four stages. 1) They will sneak into the church unnoticed. 2) They will demonstrate how they have been marked out for destruction. 3) They will devolve into ungodliness and will use Scripture to justify their behavior, and 4) Ultimately they will denounce Christ, either through their behavior or doctrine.
After equipping us with truth, Jude calls us to contend! But, what does that mean? And what are we contending for? Better still, how do we contend? Check out this weeks sermon to find out more.
The way human beings grow in the grace of God is not by active effort and energy, or by moralism or religiosity. The way human beings grow is when God, who calls them, loves them, and keeps them, works mercy, peace, and love inside of them. Join us as we learn how to grow together by examining Jude verse 2.
The most sure and steady hope for any Christian is that they are called by God, beloved by God, and kept for Jesus Christ. When we know that, we can face anything. Join us as we explore what these three beautiful truths mean and why they give us such great hope!
Jude does not begin with the problems the church is facing, even while those are very important. Jude begins with who we are as believers. He begins with the simple but fundamental point that we are slaves of Christ. Why? Because knowing that truth equips us to deal with the problems we face. We are powerless. We are slaves. We cannot face anything in our own strength. But as we will see, being a slave of Christ means that we get His authority, His honor, and His courage because we belong to Him. And in His strength, we can do everything He has called us to do.