Jeff Lee's Sermons: Recent Episodes
Jeff Lee
The story of Ruth finally comes full circle as Boaz redeems Ruth in marriage. The story is not just about Boaz and Ruth, but also prepares us to see the way in which God prepares the way for King David as well as great David's greater Son.
The hope that Boaz will be a redeemer to Ruth and Naomi picks up steam in chapter 3. Naomi hatches a plan for Ruth that will unfold under the cover of darkness and continue the uncertainty of what will happen between Ruth and Boaz.
Though an outsider and a Moabite, Ruth lives by faith in the promises and provisions found in God's Word. The Lord proves faithful to Ruth and Naomi, preparing us to see the hope of redemption.
Tonight we make the transition from the book of Judges to Ruth. Ruth's story unfolds in the period of the Judges and is an encouraging reminder that even in the darkest days, God is still at work in the lives of His people.
This is perhaps one of the darkest and heaviest stories in the Old Testament. The moral degradation in Israel points to the need for a true king who will rule the hearts and lives of the people of God. That king not only rules, but also saves, forgives, renews, and cleanses His people from all their sin.
In many ways Samson's story leaves us longing for what could have been had Samson's life demonstrated a pattern of faithfulness. Yet God still used Samson to bring deliverance to His people and even point us forward to the one who's life doesn't leave us longing, but rather imparts to us the fulness of a life blessed by God.
In chapter 15 we pick up Samson's story midlife and discover that God still uses messy, broken people to accomplish His purposes.
It's hard to finish well. While there is much in Gideon's life to commend, his struggle at the end of life has much to teach us about the importance of finishing well.
God loves to use the weak things of the world to demonstrate His power. Gideon and his dwindling army demonstrate that reality in Judges 7.
In Judges 6 we are introduced to the fearful, hiding, Gideon. An unlikely warrior who will be used powerfully by God.
The sparse details surrounding Othniel and the colorful story of Ehud both draw our attention to the grace of God in delivering his people from the hand of oppression.
Judges chapter 2 provides a fitting introduction to this period of Israel's history and prepares us for what to expect in this book.
Hebrews 11 enables us to have an eternal perspective as we consider the relationships we enjoy throughout this life.
Conflict in relationships is inevitable. The presence of conflict isn't the issue, the question is how should we navigate those conflicts when they arise? Tonight we consider a moment of conflict in the lives of Peter and Paul.
Note: This sermon was preached outside in the FAU amphitheater.
We are created for relationships because we are created in the image of God. Tonight, we look at the reality of what it means that God Himself exists eternally in relationship.
Tonight we consider how the truth of the Gospel and the wisdom of God's Word informs our understanding of dating and pursuit of romance.
Friendship is one of the many blessings God bestows upon His people. We shouldn't be surprised then to discover we have much to consider in stewarding well these relationships.
Our culture abounds with confusion and obsession about sex. Tonight we turn to God's Word for clarity and direction in how to live faithfully in this area of life.
Tonight we consider the roles of husband and wife as God lays out his purposes and plans for marriage in Ephesians 5.
God gives clear guidelines about his purposes and plan for marriage. When Jesus is asked about divorce in Matt 19, his answer to that topic provides significant understanding of the importance and beauty of marriage.
The battle of indwelling sin is a reality for all who seek to live faithfully. While that battle will continue for the rest of our life, it does afford us a deeper understanding of God's mercy and grace for His people.
We see tonight that who we serve will be our master. When we faithfully respond to God's Word, we find that obedience actually is the path to freedom and life we desperately long for.
What joy and hope is promised to God's people as we discover the reality that there is now no condemnation for us who are in Christ.
It seems a likely temptation that an increase in God's grace would encourage a greater likelihood of living in sin. However, we discover in Romans 6:1-14 that the grace of God not only opposes a sinful lifestyle, but is actually our best hope for living faithfully.
In Romans 5:12-21 we see that all of humanity is found to be united to either Adam or Jesus. To be in Adam leads to death, but to be in Christ is life. Join us as we consider how Jesus is the true and better Adam who brings life to those who come to him by faith.
God's wrath is a terrifying reality, but one that we need to understand if we are to truly embrace Christ. While God's wrath is reveal from heaven against sin, His wrath has also been satisfied on the cross by the work of Christ.
The righteous shall live by faith is the great theme of Romans, as well as the heart of the Christian faith. Join us as we discover what this means as we begin our study in Romans.
We conclude the fall semester's study by studying John 20 and Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
The drama of this miracle is not so much in the miracle itself, but in the interaction between a Roman Centurion and Jesus. What is it that caused Jesus to marvel at his faith? And how is it possible that a Roman Centurion is one who displays such humility and grace. Join us as we dive in to this story.
Tonight we consider the parable of the Prodigal Son through the lens of the elder brother and what his experience teaches us about ourselves and our relationship to God.
Jesus urges us to pray, to pray often, and expectantly. If a powerless widow receives justice from an unjust judge, how much more so should we expect to be heard by our Father in heaven.
A paralytic comes looking to be healed of his paralysis when Jesus surprises everyone by declaring the man's sins are forgiven. Tonight we consider the significance of what that means for us as we come to Christ in faith.
Elisha's death brings an end to an era of the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Yet his death and the circumstances surrounding it point us to a prophet even greater than these two men who secures life eternal for those whose hope rests in Him.
In a day of immense suffering and hardship, the Lord delivered His people in the most unexpected of ways through the most unexpected messengers.
A mundane day, an unnamed servant, and a remarkable miracle point us to the goodness and kindness of Christ for the weak and lowly.
The Gospel of grace humbles to realize all that we are, all that we have, and all that we aspire to be, is nothing before the Lord. And in that place of humility, is exactly where He meets us with His transforming grace.
The ministry of God's Word continues even after the departure of Elijah. Elisha is the clear successor to Elijah's office as he executes faithful ministry to the Lord.
Elijah's ministry comes to a conclusion in dramatic fashion. Join us as we consider the implications of Elijah's departure for our own lives.
For those who love the Lord, God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. However, for those who reject and spurn God's Word, darkness and destruction are sure and certain realities. Tonight we see King Ahab reject God's Word leading to his ultimate destruction.
When Naboth refuses to sell the family's vineyard, Queen Jezebel takes matters into her own hands. In an incredible act of injustice, we see God is not silent towards his faithful servants. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and, while his timing is mysterious, He remains faithful and true.
In a time of discouragement and disillusionment, God sustains Elijah providing the grace and mercy needed for faithful living.
Tonight we turn our attention to 1 Kings 18 and the great battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We see once again that Yahweh is the only God worth following.
After confronting King Ahab, Elijah endures a series of trials where the provision of God is put of full display.
Tonight we meet Elijah, called by God to confront King Ahab. The question the Israelites (and us) will ultimately need to wrestle with is Who Rules? Who Rules our life? Do we turn to God in faith or will we continue trusting in the ways of this world.
Peter tells in 2 Peter 1 that the realities of Christianity are not cleverly devised myths, but confirmed by those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus himself. Not only were there eyewitnesses, but their written testimony confirms Old Testament prophecies that have been preserved for us through the Word of God.
1 Peter 2 identifies the realities of what it means to be a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God's possession. Our identity in Christ is the foundation for these realities as Peter makes clear in 1 Peter 2:1-12.
While this life is filled with trials and tribulations, God has entrusted us with a living hope. While its reality is currently felt in this life, we still long for the final fulfillment of that hope. 1 Peter 1:1-12 encourages us to see the eternal inheritance that is ours through Christ - our living hope!
Prayer is one of the great privileges we have as followers of Christ. Yet how often we neglect and overlook this gift of God. With simplicity and clarity, James 5:13-20 leads us to see both the privilege and duty that we have in prayer.
James contrasts two types of wisdom - one earthly, one heavenly that play a significant role in our lives and relationships. In this message we consider the destructive ends of earthly wisdom and peaceful fruit that accompanies the wisdom from above.
James warns us about the power of words and calls us to guard our speech. It's easy to overlook the damage our words can do and to neglect to use our speech to build others up.
James 2 warns us that faith without works is dead. Tonight we consider the relationship between faith and good works as we are called to live faithfully.
Jude exhorts us to continue growing in our faith even as the world around us seems to be sliding further and further away. Living faithfully in these times requires us to be ever aware of the opportunity to share the Gospel while guarding ourselves from the destructive patterns of sin.
Afflictions, hardships, and trials are facts of life for believers and unbelievers alike. Living faithfully, even joyfully, in the midst of these trials requires godly wisdom that only god can provide.
Whether our life is in a period of transition or things are stable, we need to seek the presence of God in all that we do. Moses refuses to move forward without God's faithful presence and we need to exercise that same faith.
How quickly the Israelites abandon their covenant promises and worship a golden calf. Yet we find our hearts are too easily lured to worship the created rather than the creator.
God uses covenant ceremonies to establish His relationship with his people. Exodus 24 shows us the reality that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgivness.
God's promise to deliver the Israelites by driving out their enemies, presents a problem for many believers. We'll explore the justice and mercy of God as it pertains to the Canaanites.
Like God's people in the wilderness, we can easily find ourselves discontent with life and grumbling about the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
In Exodus 14 God dramatically rescues His people by parting the Red Sea and destroying the Egyptian army. We'll consider how these realities foreshadow Jesus' redemption of His people from their bondage to sin.
In this sermon we see the reality of God's judgment brought to bear on Pharaoh, mercy to the Israelites and the future hope of Christ our passover lamb.
As Moses is called to lead God's people from Egypt, he does so with the conviction that Yahweh is holy, powerful, and good.
Living faithfully in challenging times requires a conviction that God knows. God knows our needs, God knows our desires, and God ultimately knows what is best in all of life. We consider how these realities come to bear in Moses' life.
Join us as we trace God's providential care for His people in the birth of Moses. His mercy is not only seen in Moses' birth, but is a promised reality for His people through all of history.
God calls his people the body of Christ. More like a living organism than members of a team, we are interdependent on one another as we serve together in order to bring glory to God.
In chapter 11 Paul details for us the significance of the Lord's Supper and the great promises that are ours in that meal.
Whether one can eat meat that's been sacrificed to an idol seems like an archaic issue today. However, the concerns and principles underlying this issues have vast importance for believers today in loving their brothers and sisters well.
In 1 Cor 6 God calls his followers to die to self in how they relate to money and sexual immorality. Still, the hope of the Gospel is held out for those who have fallen short.
Willful, sinful, disobedience is not only destructive for individuals, but also for the entire community of believers. This week we consider God's call to holiness in the life of the church body.
While the Corinthian church was riddled with division, Paul exhorts them and us, to find unity with one another in our identity in Christ.
We take a look this week at 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 in understanding how the cross is the very power of God.
In response to the Gospel, God calls us to live whole heartedly in devotion to him. We close out our study in Colossians considering this reality in our lives.
Our words have enormous power. God reminds us in Col 4 to be wise with our use of words.
The Gospel not only changes us, but will also change our relationships with others. Join us as we consider three critical relationships that the Gospel impacts
What does it mean to be filled with Christ? The evidence will be obvious from the overflow of our lives.
As we grow in our walk with Christ, God calls us to put off the old self and put on the new.
God warns us of the dangers of legalism, mysticism, and asceticism as we grow in our walk with Christ.