Grace Baptist Church – Sheboygan: Recent Episodes
Grace Baptist Church – Sheboygan
Words have power. In this sermon we listen to the instruction of Solomon as he teaches us three important lessons about wisdom and her words.
Solomon has shared his wisdom, calling us prize wisdom and insight. Now we find that Solomon learned this wisdom from his own father, David. In this message we think about the heritage of wisdom and the choice of wisdom.
The way of wisdom teaches us to trust God and to love our neighbor. In this passage we learn three ways that faith in God helps us to love our neighbor as Christ commands.
What would you be willing to give up to get wisdom? Whatever you might give up for wisdom, whatever it might cost you, the blessings of wisdom are far greater.
Wisdom walks with God. Wisdom chases after God. Wisdom finds its joy and its satisfaction in who He is, and it trusts Him for what He’s done. Wisdom honors God, and it enjoys the blessings of God.
Proverbs teaches us to pursue wisdom, but how do we know that we will find it? Here in Proverbs 2, Solomon gives us the answer. He teaches us that wisdom comes from God that He is a glad giver to those who seek Him.
In our passage last week, Solomon urged us to hear his instruction. He opened his heart and his voice to us, calling us to pay attention to what he has to say. In this passage he takes a different approach. He portrays wisdom as a lady, to be desired and to be listened to. That’s really the main point of this passage. Lady Wisdom is speaking to us, and we must listen.
God has designed the family to be a school of wisdom. In this sermon we take a look at that design, and we see how wisdom equips us to resist the allure of evil.
The book of Proverbs is meant to teach us how to live life well in light of eternity. It’s a book that rewards the reader with wisdom, and urges us to take wisdom to heart. In this introduction to the Book of Proverbs we hear four meditations on what wisdom is and how it's meant to affect our lives.
The focus of Isaiah 12 is on worship. But it’s more than an invitation to worship. Really, it’s a promise of worship. It’s a promise of effective salvation, in which God’s people experience and respond to the gracious character of God.
God is a God of prodigals. He is a God who is for prodigals. In this passage, Isaiah puts the fatherly heart of God in perspective for us, showing us that He is a God who recovers prodigals, who restores prodigals, and who uses prodigals to expand His kingdom.
Isaiah teaches us to hang our hope on Christ, and as we read what he has to say about him, we learn 3 important lessons: We learn toA) Have hope when things look small and feel insignificantB) Have hope, because the Spirit of God in Christ is now at work in usC) Have hope because Christ is on his throne
As the armies of Assyria approach Israel and Judah, we can feel the darkness of the day grow, but God had spoken—a remnant will remain, and they will hope in him. God secures that hope with three promises concerning this remnant, and that’s what we’re going to spend our time focusing on this morning. A passage like this expressly calls God’s people to trust in Him.
God, the good Creator of all things, sovereignly rules over all things and works them together to the praise of His glory and the good of those who hope in Him.
In the verses we’re about to read, Isaiah identifies four specific sins that were killing Israel. This is more than just a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s a scan of their heart, and it exposes the critical condition that was bringing God’s judgment on them.
The wonder of the gospel is that God fulfilled what was spoken of long ago, accomplishing His purpose and plan, even in the midst of man’s failure to recognize it, and this is what we see spoken of by Isaiah in our text today. In this passage, Isaiah speaks of the mysteries of God’s plan. He declares his faith in God’s promise. He calls out the gloom and the darkness of sin. And he presents us with the hope of God’s promise to break that gloom through Christ the King.
Before we can enjoy the blessings of the gospel, we must first embrace the offense of the gospel.What does it mean to embrace the offense of the gospel? Here are 3 practical ways in which we are meant to do this:A) We Abandon the Fears of the World (Which are very natural to us)B) We Adopt the Fear of God (Which is very alien to us)C) We Take Refuge in the Sanctuary of God
Ahaz's foolish decision to trust in his own plan instead of trusting in the power and the promise of God led Judah into some dark days. In this passage we get a taste of the days that were ahead of Judah, but we also remember the promise that God does not abandon his people. In that day, He is still with them.
God calls Isaiah to serve Judah as a prophet, but his calling isn't what you might expect.
The pursuit of trivial treasure and trivial pleasure will, in the end, leave you empty. In this passage, Isaiah teaches us not to spend our lives chasing after accumulation or earthly pleasures but to set our sights completely on the true treasure of God.
Do not bear the rotten fruit of sin in your life, but live in a manner worthy of Christ, bearing the fruit of righteousness.
God glorifies Himself by making what had become fruitless and twisted, beautiful again.
When society abandons the fear of the Lord and basks in rebellion against him, it corrodes into nothing.
Where worldliness leaves us empty and unsatisfied, God fills us with true joy and salvation in Himself.
Learn from example, so you may lead by example, and follow Christ, who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
The great big message of the book of Hebrews is the greatness of Christ. It gets that message across especially by connecting who he is and what he’s done to the Old Testament. Our author has one more way he wants us to see the greatness of Christ. He wants to show us the greatness of the Kingdom of Christ, and he shows us this by comparing what Israel received and experienced at Mt. Sinai to new covenant and the heavenly city that we have in Jesus. God has given us an unshakeable kingdom.
To succeed in the upward calling of God on our lives, we must look to Christ.There are three commands given to us in this passage, which help us see what that means and put this into action.A) Put Every Encumbrance AsideB) Run with EnduranceC) Look to Christ
In this passage, we learn to work out our faith in response to the work of discipline that God does in the lives of his people.
Take the Lord’s discipline to heart. It is for your holiness.Here we have three instructions for how Christians are called to find resilience in our walk with Christ: We endure by:A) Considering the Example of Christ’s Own LifeB) Receiving the Lord’s Discipline as SonsC) Remembering the Point of God’s Discipline
Jesus completes the hope of faith.A) Faith is the Great Divide Between Those who Live and Those Who PerishB) Faith Fuels Decisive ActionC) Faith Proves Worthy Through SufferingD) God's Plan to Complete Faith
Faith finds the strength to endure as it invests itself in the faithfulness of God.A) Faith Has True Love for GodB) Faith Stands on the True Word of GodC) Faith Finds True Treasure in God
Faith receives an inheritance from God, a true home with Him in a heavenly city. In this sermon we look at the faith of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived on earth as citizens of heaven, looking for the inheritance of a heavenly city that God had promised to them.
Faith receives the gracious blessings and the commendation of God because it believes his word is true and entrusts itself to Him in faithful obedience.
In our walk with Christ, we have need for endurance, so that after we have done the will of God we may receive what has been promised to us. In this passage we look at three keys to enduring well.
Christ Jesus is a complete and perfect Savior, who gives us confidence. In Hebrews 10:19-25, we learn three ways God calls his people to live in light of that confidence.
Jesus has offered a single sacrifice for sins, that is once and for all. Therefore, we can wait with an unshakable hope, fully assured that He will complete His work in us.
God desires obedience, not sacrifice. God's command's are right, and they are for our good. Here in Hebrews 10:1-10, we learn more about God's purpose for the law, we learn what God really wants from us, and we see how God has provided for us to have life and salvation through the active obedience of Jesus Christ.
Christ Jesus has come once to put sin away for us through his sacrifice on the cross, and he is coming again, this time to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.In this sermon, we look at the principle of purity that had to be met. We look at what Jesus accomplished in his first coming, and we think about the hope that we have in his second coming.
God shows the depths of his love and grace to us by making us co-heirs with Christ, with the promise of eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of God.
The death of Jesus was necessaryA) So that Jesus Can Be Our MediatorB) So that Jesus Could Redeem Us from SinC) So that We Could Receive an Eternal Inheritance According to God’s Promise
When it comes to knowing God, we face a serious challenge. As creatures, we are dependent upon God's self-revelation. Thankfully, God is a God who delights to reveal Himself to us, both through His work and His word. In this sermon, we explore God's purpose in the Old Testament for giving people a place to come and encounter His holiness at the tabernacle. This was a gracious gift, but also something that was meant to look forward to an even greater gift- the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
The New Covenant in Christ is the faithful promise of a faithful God to secure salvation for faithless people and to bring them into a right relationship with Him again.
Models are great, but they aren't a replacement for the real thing. In this sermon we see that Jesus is the real deal, a great high priest who is able to deliver us and make good on all of God's promises.
Jesus Christ is our true, great high priest. We come to God through him. In this passage our author compares the ministry of Jesus to that of the Levitical priests, showing that Jesus is truly greater.
God, in Christ, has given us a greater high priest, who gives us a greater hope, because He is able to perfect us and make it so that we can draw near to God.
Melchizedek, King of Salem, is one of the most mysterious figures of the Bible. He may only occupy a small space in the Old Testament, but he leaves a massive expectation for the Messiah. In this sermon we are introduced to this man, and we discover something of the superiority of Jesus Christ, who holds our hope secure.
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith and hope. In this passage, Jesus sets that foundation up for us, declaring that he is the resurrection and the life and that all who believe in him will have eternal life. In this sermon, we explore that hope as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Christ is the sure and steady anchor of our soul. As long as he remains our great high priest, we have a hope that cannot be shaken.
True faith is faith that lasts. This passage is a warning with a purpose. Not everyone who hears the gospel bears the fruit of faith. In this sermon, Pastor Philip helps us consider the purpose of this warning and what it means to press on towards a mature faith.
Birth is exciting, but it's not everything. Babies are meant to grow. Growth isn't optional for children, and it isn't optional for Christians either. In this sermon we look at the importance of growing into a mature faith. We also look at how God h as provided for believers to grow, and we consider the assurance that we have in that growth by His grace.
The purpose of this passage is to help us connect the work of Jesus on the cross to the way God has appointed him to serve as our great high priest, which we looked at last week. This is what the Father called Jesus to do, and because Jesus accomplished that work, God has made him the source of eternal salvation for sinners like you and me.
Authority matters. It legitimizes the use of power. In this passage we take a close look at the authority that Jesus has to serve as our great high priest, and we see why that matters for us.
Jesus is superior, not only in the word he speaks but in the way he functions as our great high priest. In this sermon, we consider three important truths for what Jesus' priesthood means for us.
The Word of God is living and active. Though it does not change, it is never stale or irrelevant. It is the standard of God's judgment, and it brings us face to face with the excellence of who God is.
Rest is one of the big themes that shows up in the Bible. Rest has to do with that relationship we are meant to have with God. In this sermon, we look at what this rest looks like, why our sin keeps us from that rest, and we see how God has provided for us to have that rest in Christ.
Falling into the trap of a hard, unbelieving heart is a real threat that even the strongest, most mature believers must stay constantly vigilant against. Hebrews 3:7-14 calls our attention to the danger of this trap, and it arms us so that we can recognize it and avoid it.
Where do you look for courage? When it comes to finding confidence and hope in the midst of pressure situations, the Bible calls us to look to Christ. In Hebrews 3:1-6, the author calls us to consider three things about Jesus, which bring us confidence and hope to press on in our upward calling.
The Book of Hebrews is all about seeing the supremacy of Jesus Christ, so that we will come and satisfy ourselves in him. No one else measures up to him. No one else is able to accomplish what he did, when he went to the cross. No one else is able to bear that burden and deliver us from the punishment our sin deserves. No one else is able to perfect us, so that we may enter, without fear into the presence of God, to have that fellowship with him that we were created and intended by God to have.
We are not what we were made to be, and neither is the world around us. For all the beauty and the glory of the created world, there is still disorder, suffering, evil, and darkness. The world longs to be set free and restored, and so do we. This is what Jesus came to do. In this passage, the author of Hebrews teaches us how Christ came to make us human again, where he won that victory, and when we will see it complete.
Danger isn't always visible. In Hebrews 2:1-4, our author warns us against the danger of drifting from the hope we have in Christ. This is a call to vigilance and faith.
The glory of Jesus is unrivaled. Even the heavenly glory of the angels and heavenly beings bows to him. In this passage, the author of Hebrews highlights the glory of Jesus by comparing him to the angels, showing that he is greater than they are.
Jesus Christ is superior in every way, because He is the Son of God. In this inaugural sermon on the book of Hebrews, we unpack three key ideas surrounding the superiority of Jesus, namely that He is the Creator Son, the Radiant Son, and the Savior Son.
Major changes are on the horizon for Israel in Deuteronomy 31. Moses, their leader is about to die. The nation itself is about to cross over into the Promised Land. In preparation for this, Moses charges God's people to entrust themselves to the Lord, who does not change.
It's important to know where you stand. In Deuteronomy 29-30, Moses leads Israel to commit itself to the Lord in a covenant that said they would keep His commands. Moses calls to us as he called to the people then, to choose life by listening to the Lord and trusting Him.
The Law promised blessings and curses. The blessings were for Israel, if they obeyed. The curse were for Israel, if they broke faith with God and went their own way. In this sermon, we take a deep dive into both the blessings of the law and the curses, and we look forward to the New Testament, to see how Christ came to break the curse and to bring the blessing of eternal life.
In this passage, we are urged to come and offer a sacrifice of thanks to God. First, Moses establishes why we ought to bring God thanks. Then he helps us to consider two important points that affect a thankful heart.
When it comes to virtue, we really must pay attention not only to what we we ought to do but to why we ought to do it. Virtue for virtue's sake is a fruitless endeavor. To really see why virtuous living is right, we need to start with its source. In this passage, Moses gives us a list of rights and wrongs. They all have to do with reflecting the heart of God in how we live and act towards one another.
The focus of this passage is fellowship with a holy God. To have that, we must be pure. Purity is not something that we can obtain on our own, nor is it natural to us since the Fall. God, in his great grace, has paid the price of our admission, by sending his Son, Jesus, to make us pure.
God cares about His creatures, and He cares about what we do. As judge of all the earth, God will hold us accountable for what we do. The primary purpose of the law, besides showing us right from wrong, is to show us that we are all guilty. In this passage, God addresses the issue of sexual immorality, showing us how serious it is and calling our attention to its consequences. At the same time, this passage prepares us to see God's solution for our sin, His Son, Jesus.
As our Creator, God is Lord of our ways. In this passage, God gave specific commands to Israel about how they were to love their neighbor and care for their wellbeing. Taking each of these commands into account, we see that God calls his people to love their neighbor by regarding their life and wellbeing, by embracing God given distinction and definition, and by embracing and loving holiness.
The Bible is grounded in reality. It recognizes that the world is not what it should be, and it helps us to understand why that is. The Bible also tells us about God's plan to redeem and restore creation through the saving work of Christ. Deuteronomy 21 is a chapter aimed at teaching Israel how to handle certain situations where the corruption of sin is seen, but it also points us forward to Jesus Christ, who tells us he is making all things new.
God made life, and He loves His creation. In this passage we see how God gave certain commands to protect life in Israel. We also consider how we are meant to adopt this same culture of life in loving and caring for our neighbors.
God calls His people to come and worship Him. The commands He gives concerning worship provide structure for right worship, even as the fellowship He designs for worship produces praise from the hearts of His people that is pleasing to Him. In this passage, we take a detailed look at the 'why' of worship.
God’s commands in Deuteronomy 15 are driven towards a similar goal. As Israel’s King, God shows regard for the poor and the vulnerable among his people, passing laws to protect the poor. These commands teach us to put others over our personal gain.
God calls his people to give with glad and generous hearts. He does this for many reasons, four of which we consider in Deuteronomy 14.A)We Give Because We Have Glad Fellowship with GodB)We Give Because Giving is an Exercise of Faith to Trust in God to ProvideC)We Give in Gratitude to Support God’s Kingdom WorkD)We Give Because God Means For Us to Reflect His Own Gracious Heart in Love to Others
Cloven hooves? Chewing the cud? Owls and vultures? No pork? What are all these food laws, and why do they matter? In this sermon, we explore the details and the purpose of clean and unclean foods in the Law of Moses. We explore God's plan to set His people apart from the nations, and we look at how Christ has made the unclean, clean through his work on the cross.
Cloven hooves? Chewing the cud? Owls and vultures? No pork? What are all these food laws, and why do they matter? In this sermon, we explore the details and the purpose of clean and unclean foods in the Law of Moses. We explore God's plan to set His people apart from the nations, and we look at how Christ has made the unclean, clean through his work on the cross.
Life is about priorities. What we love affects what we do. Deuteronomy 13 challenges us to take a close look at the priorities of our heart by causing us to see the supremacy of the name of God.
Rules are important. Good rules don't limit our joy, they maximize it. In Deuteronomy 12, God gives rules for worship. These include breaking with sin, coming to him in the way he calls us, and coming in true joy.
God's work of redemption happens according to his plan of redemption. In the book of Ruth, we can see how God worked to redeem the house of Elimelech and to bring about a new chapter in the story of salvation. In this conclusion to Ruth, we see the costliness of redemption and the effect of redemption.
Rest is a big theme across the Biblical storyline, and it's especially important in Ruth 3. Here we see Naomi work to secure rest for Ruth in the house of Boaz. It's a beautiful, somewhat awkward story of two lovers that points us forward to the greater rest that God has for his people in Christ.
The Lord is a God who protects those who put their hope in him. He is a refuge to us in every time of need. God's protection and kindness is seen in three ways here in Ruth 2. His kindness and faithfulness to those who hide themselves in him is seen in Ruth's humble faith. His generous heart is mirrored in Boaz. His steadfast love is remembered as Naomi rejoices in His redemption.
The Lord is kind. He does not forget, but redeems what has been lost. In this opener to the book of Ruth, we witness God working in spite of the bad decisions of men and the rebellion of his people to accomplish the impossible.
It's important for God's people to remember and to rejoice. In this conclusion to Esther, we learn about how the feast of Purim became established. As Mordecai and Esther use their authority to establish the memory of God's salvation in the mind of every Jew, we look forward to Jesus, who is our better king and our great Savior.
In this passage we see the day finally arrive, as God saves his people and repays their enemies by destroying them. From this passage we learn three main lessons: that God is the great reverser, that a hard heart is a truly dangerous thing, and that God has secured everlasting joy and relief for his people.
With Haman overthrown, God's people were still in danger. In Esther 8, we see how she worked to complete the salvation of her people by interceding for them before the king. Esther's example points us to the greater work of Jesus, who intercedes for us.
Jealousy--is it a good thing or a bad thing? It really depends. When jealousy is motivated by self-seeking desire, fear, and anxiety, then it is a wicked and terribly destructive thing. But when jealousy is motivated for holiness, it is right. In this passage we see a right sort of jealousy that leads to the salvation of Esther and the destruction of Haman. It gives us an opportunity to think about the passion God has for his people and the hope we have in the Day of the Lord.
We trust God to provide for us, but do we realize that the heart of God delights to give us the good gifts he has prepared for us? Seeing the pleasure of God in caring for the needs of his people, delivering them, and enforcing perfect justice is key to loving the Lord with all our heart.
The tide starts to turn for Esther and the Jews in Persia. God gives her favor in the sight of the king and the favor that Haman has enjoyed starts to work against him. In this sermon, we see that our only hope for salvation is in the merciful heart of God and the favor of our King.
God's providence frees us from fear of death. It frees us to take right risk. It gives us significance for living. In this sermon we look at the heart of the book of Esther and what it means to live by faith in a God who provides.
When it comes to problems, we all want solutions. In our rush to 'fix' what's going on, we often forget the important step of lament. In this sermon we look at three lamentable things that happened in the darkest days of the book of Esther. We also consider the place of lament in our own lives.
Mordecai's place at the king's gate put him in the right place and the right time to save the king's life, but it also put him in the wrong place at the wrong time to put his own life in danger. In this sermon we consider the providence of God and how He works in all situations for the good of his people.
God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. In this passage we meet Esther and watch as God brings her into the kingdom of Persia as Queen.
The Book of Esther is one of the most unique books in the Bible. It has many lessons to teach us about God, his sovereignty, his power, and his faithfulness. In this intro to the book of Esther, we see the fallen kingdom of man compared to the eternal kingdom of God.
When Paul went to Jerusalem, knowing that he would surely suffer there, he went, constrained by the Spirit and of love. In this sermon we consider the events of Paul's arrest, but more specifically, we learn what it looks like to walk in wisdom and in love, as Christ teaches his disciples to do.
Knowing God's will for our lives is important for believers, because we want to live in a way that's pleasing to him. But how do we know God's will for us? How do we entrust ourselves to him? How do we entrust our loved ones to him as well? These are important questions, which Acts 21:1-14 carefully answers for us.
God calls His people into battle against sin, the flesh, and all sorts of spiritual enemies. In this passage, Moses helps us to see and recognize the danger we face from three enemies: fear, dissatisfaction, and a covetous heart. He also arms us for the fight.
God’s people have been called out to live as a holy people. In this sermon, we take a deep dive into what that looks like.
Every good and perfect thing is from the Lord. In this sermon we consider how God's people are called to enjoy those good gifts with a heart of faith.Deuteronomy 6:10-25
Biblical meditation is what God lovers do with God’s word. It is a command from the Lord, for our good. It’s essential to our growth in godliness. In this passage we consider the way God's people are called to meditate on His word.Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Christ is the terminus of the hope of old and the anchor of the hope we have today.In this sermon our attention is drawn to three changes that have come about through the work of Christ. In Christ we have received: A New Spirit; A New Baptism; A New Age
As Christians, we live by faith on the proved promises of God.Three ways we’re meant to live faith out:A) Face Your FearB) Submit to SovereigntyC) Honor Your Commitment
To love the Lord is the heart of the law. In this sermon we look at what Jesus calls the Greatest Command and consider the order of worship in listening to God's word, knowing Him, and loving Him with all that we are.
The goal of the book of Deuteronomy is to teach us to walk in the way of holiness. In this sermon we consider the call to come and learn about the Lord so that we may learn how we are called to live.
This passage is a glorious display of the authentic power of Christ over counterfeit saviors. Here we see that : Jesus is our true and only Savior, which is seen in the power of his word and the strength of his work.
This passage is a glorious display of the authentic power of Christ over counterfeit saviors. Here we see that : Jesus is our true and only Savior, which is seen in the power of his word and the strength of his work.
When Christ calls us out of the Kingdom of Darkness into his Kingdom of Light, he calls us into his service. Regard yourselves as servants of the Lord:Maintaining a Teachable Spirit; Striving to Build Others Up in the Truth; Gladly Going Where God Calls You
When Paul was low, God raised him up through three means of grace. This is a passage for those who are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the state of the world.
God does not intend for us to be merely religious, but to have a deep and abiding relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
We live in a culture that is not so different from the culture of Athens. There are many lessons for us to take with us as we seek to be faithful our calling as followers of Christ in this present world. In this passage we learn to be faithful to the calling to be in the world, while remaining distinct from the world
God is committed to freeing the oppressed. The Bible records God's word and his work in redeeming us from our sin. Christ has set us free. In this passage we see something of the heart of God for sinners. We consider how God has secured our freedom through the suffering of Christ, and we also consider how Christ has called his people to join him in this work.
How do you know what God's will is for your life? How can you know whether He is leading you one direction or another? These are questions that can challenge Christians, but God has not left His people without answers. In this sermon, we look at how we should respond when God closes a door and when He opens a door.
It's painful to say goodbye, especially when it's not on the best of terms. In this passage, Paul and Barnabas take their leave of each other. It's a moment that reminds us that they were human, but it's also a moment that shows us the power of God's amazing grace to redeem.
Is it ever right to say no to liberty? Sometimes, the answer is yes. In this passage, we see the church put doctrine into practice. Having come to agreement in the gospel concerning the role of the law of Moses, the council in Jerusalem moved to protect the liberty of believers, all while instructing them to exercise those freedoms according to the rule of love.
Christ has called his Church to labor in the truth. In Acts 15, we see the Church laboring together for the truth, defending the gospel from those who would seek to distort it. In this sermon, we consider the issue at hand, the way the Church worked together to address it, and the way the gospel of grace triumphed over distortions.
Paul and Barnabas make their way back to the church in Antioch in Syria, where they bring joy to the saints, telling them all that God had done through them. In this sermon, we consider the joy of gospel partnership.
The sovereignty of God is meant to be a great comfort to his people. In this passage, we see that while believers will face many challenges, God will see us through. Drawing from Acts 14, Pastor Philip draws our attention to three things that King Jesus has given us to help see us through the dangers that we will face as his disciples.
Paul and Barnabas' reception in Lystra is one of the most bizarre reactions to the gospel in the book of Acts. Even so, it gives us an opportunity to consider the influence of worldview on our perception of truth, and it shows us the importance of God's grace, to give us a right perspective of the truth of the gospel.
Jesus gives his people an unshakable, eternal joy. This joy comes by faith, and it causes his people to press into his grace, to resist jealousy, and to endure in the midst of every circumstance. Jealousy, which is the enemy of joy, will seek to rid us of it, but in Christ, God's people will endure.
The truth and hope of the gospel are anchored firmly on the fact of Jesus' resurrection from the grave. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores why the resurrection of Jesus matters for us.
The gospel is the good news of what God has done for us through Christ. In this sermon, Pastor Philip shows the importance of Jesus' identity as the son of David, and we investigate what it means to believe the gospel.
Christians put their hope in a crucified Savior. The crucifixion of Jesus lies at the center of our hope, because it's there that redemption was purchased by God for his people.
In Christ, God has given us better than we could have ever have imagined. In this sermon, Pastor Philip highlights how God has given us a better inheritance, a better King, and a redeeming Savior.
God is on a mission to exalt the glory of Christ in all the world. In this passage we see an epic showdown between the truth of the gospel and the lies of self-serving, false prophet. The result is the epic triumph of the power of Christ.
What does it mean to be a missional church? It means being committed to the mission Jesus gave his church, to make disciples. In this sermon, we take a detailed look at the life of the church in Antioch and God's calling on them to send Barnabas and Saul to take the good news of the gospel to other places.
God in his sovereignty raises up rulers and puts them down. Christians live, in a sense, between two worlds. We live as citizens of an eternal kingdom, in a world that is passing away. In this passage, we learn to live and hope in God's triumph.
Trouble is on the horizon for the church. Two new threats are on their way. But God had not forgotten his people, and Luke shows us how God exalted himself over these two threats by providing for his people. In this sermon, we see how God prepared and provided for his people.
In this passage, Luke records the birth of a local church in the city of Antioch. This is an extraordinary display of God's power and purpose for the gospel. In this sermon, we consider the pattern of the church and the purpose of the church.
The Church is no stranger to controversy and disagreement. Even now there are many controversial issues facing it, but God has not left His people directionless or ill-equipped to deal with those issue. In this sermon, we see a model for how the Church should handle controversy, and we learn about how God's word works to lead us through those moments to deepen our understanding of the truth.
Salvation is a work of God. The reason the gospel takes root in a person’s heart, so that they repent, believe, and are saved, is all because God gives growth to it. As believers, we have a role to play in God’s work of salvation, being commissioned by our Savior, to take the gospel of salvation to the lost, making disciples, baptizing them, teaching them all he has commanded.
God has gloried Jesus by making him the Savior of the World.In this passage, we see God bringing glory to Christ in three ways: By giving grace to the Nations, by breaking down the walls that divide us, and by calling us to share in his heart for others.
Christmas is more than a holiday. It's the culmination of God's promises to send a redeemer who would save his people from their sins. At the right time, God sent forth his own Son, to be that promised offspring, so that we can all have life and salvation.
In this second sermon of our advent series, we turn to Isaiah 9:1-7. Here God unveils a new era under a new King, who is the promised offspring from Genesis 3:15.
In the wake of humanity's fall from glory into sin, death and darkness entered the world. Even so, God did not abandon his creation. He promised to undo what had been done, to restore what had been broken. At the center of this promise was an offspring, a Son, who would crush the head of the serpent by being crushed for the salvation of his people.
Deuteronomy 5:22-33 gives us a fascinating look into the heart of God for his people. Even as we gaze along with Israel into the weight of the glory of God displayed on Mt. Sinai, we see that he is gracious and merciful. God loves his people, and he loves to see a heart of obedience in them. In this sermon, Pastor Philip highlights three ways that God effects this heart in His people.
God calls each one of us to love our neighbor as ourself, but what does that actually look like? In Deuteronomy 5:17-21, God gives His commands for how each one of us is to think about and treat others. Accordingly, we learn how a right relationship with God will affect the way that we treat our relationships with others.
We honor God when we rest in Him. That is a difficult thing to do when we face such temptation to trust in our own efforts. In this sermon, Pastor Philip unpacks the importance of Sabbath command and the command to honor one's father and mother.
Everything that is done in obedience to God is done in response to who He is. The commands God gave to his people in the law aren't arbitrary. They are right and good commands that were meant to teach Israel how to live in a right relationship with God. In this sermon, Pastor Philip introduces us to the 10 Commandments and shows us how they teach us to live in response to God in His holiness.
With a new generation of Israelites came a new need for commitment to the covenant God made with them on Mt. Zion. In this passage, we see how Moses and the people committed themselves to keep the covenant that their parents had broken. In this sermon, Pastor Philip walks us through the when, what, why, and how of this response, and we consider the way that we have been called to live in the new covenant that God's people have in and through Christ.
As important as it is to know what you believe, it's just as important to know why you believe it. The Bible declares to us that there is only one God and only one way to Him. This passage calls us to hope in God, and it also explains why that hope is sure.
In this passage, Moses warns about sin and its consequences. He explains why it is so critical that God's people fight against sin, but he also points us to the power of the grace and mercy of God for when we do sin.
Besides dedicating ourselves to the word of God and remembering the work of God, Moses instructs his listeners to fight against idolatry. This is a war that is waged in the depths of the heart. In this sermon, we consider why it is so important that we fight against the allure of this deceptive sin.
In Deuteronomy 4:9-14, Moses calls on the nation of Israel not only to remember God's word but to remember God's work. In particular, he recounts Israel's experience with God at Horeb. In this sermon, we explore why this was so important for Israel's obedience and why remembrance is so important for our own.
God's word reflects the beauty, the holiness, and the perfection of his own character. In Moses' introduction to the law, he directs his listeners to the true purpose of the law: to direct us in the light of God and to live and thrive with God. In this sermon, Pastor Philip walks us through the 3 effects of God's commands.
As God works in us to produce the holiness and the image of Christ, he does not always give us what we ask for. He has a purpose and a plan to bless us in His Son, though it doesn’t always look like what we ourselves might think is best. The path of faith is a path of self-denial, a path that trusts God that he has a purpose when he says ‘No.’ In this sermon, Pastor Philip explains how we can live and thrive in faith in every circumstance.
Though you probably won't find Israel's battle with the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, in many kid's bible story books, the fact of the matter is that these victories were nation defining for the Israelites. As Moses recounts Israel's victory over Og, we learn an important lesson of how to walk in obedience and faith with God.
In Deuteronomy 2:26-37, God shows that his promises are battle proven. He does not fail. And within that, God also shows how he rules over this world and accomplishes his purposes, working all things together for the good of his people and for the glory of his name.
After the disaster of Kadesh Barnea, the nation of Israel was sent to wander in the wilderness. Nevertheless, God did not abandon his people. In this passage, we learn how God went with his people into this exile, how He guided them with his commands, how He blessed them and made them a blessing, and how He prepared them to receive the blessing of His covenant promise. As such, we gain helpful insight into how God guides his people here and now as we wait on the fulfilment of His promise.
In this passage, we listen to the song that Jonah prayed to the Lord from the belly of the great fish. As we do, we learn what it means to experience and hope in the salvation that is of the Lord.
Our God has swallowed up sin and death in Christ, and He leads us to repentance, faith, and salvation. This is a passage that bears significance in and of itself for what it shows us about God’s determined pursuit of sinners and the way He shows compassion and mercy to them.
In this passage, we gain a better understanding of God's sovereignty over his creation. We see the detail of his design and the extent of his rule. As such, we learn to trust God and his good designs.
Just as the book of Jonah will have us to rejoice in the steadfast love and compassion of the Lord, so it also seeks to instill a right fear of the Lord within our hearts. In this passage, we see how God works to bless us with a right fear of him, exposing us to the power of his majesty, revealing the impotence of lesser saviors, and saving those who are perishing.
The book of Jonah is about the long-suffering God of Creation, who reigns over the nations in unstoppable power and authority. It’s the story about the Lord of the universe, who appoints the comings and goings of prophets, sailors, kings, and peasants. It’s a book about the heart of God, who does not delight in the death of the wicked, but who also enforces perfect justice, while showing undeserved mercy.
After his experience with Jesus appearing to him on the road to Damascus, Saul was not the same man. God's grace radically transformed him, so that he went from being one of the bitterest enemies of the church to one of the greatest proclaimers of the gospel. In the end, we see how God prevails over every obstacle to build his church.
The Book of Acts is all about the expansion of the Kingdom of God. In this passage, we see Jesus triumph over one of his bitterest enemies: Saul of Tarsus. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores the details of Saul's conversion, showing how God works powerfully and effectively to save sinners.
The Lord is a God who loves his people with a steadfast love. He loves them and will pursue them. In this passage, we see God's commitment to his fame and the salvation of his people. We also consider how God has called the Church to play an important role in declaring this good news to the world.
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings us face to face with the true, authentic power of God. But this experience is not enough. We must come to this gospel with true faith and authentic hearts.
When Stephen was killed, everything changed for the church in Jerusalem. Some, like the apostles, stayed. Others, like Philip, traveled to new places. But wherever God took these first Christians, they shared the good news of Jesus with others. In this sermon, Pastor Philip looks at how God works through and triumphs over the trials his people go through, and we see how God works to gather people into his house, even as he scatters his people throughout the world.
Jesus calls his people to the cross, but he also sustains his people through his love and the promise that even though we die, because of him we will live. In this sermon, Pastor Philip looks at the events of Stephen's death for the sake of the gospel, showing us how God preserves and sustains his people through his love.
As Stephen stood on trial for his life, he spoke clearly, boldly, and powerfully to the council of the Jewish leadership, showing from history God's plan of salvation. In this week's sermon, Pastor Philip dives into three truths that Stephen presents about the history of redemption, which lead us to consider the exclusive work of Jesus as the savior of his people.
Stephen is described as a man who was 'full'- full of wisdom, full of faith, full of grace, full of power, full of integrity, and full of godliness. We are led to understand that it was the fulness of the Holy Spirit which so filled Stephen with all these things. In this sermon, Pastor Philip considers the victory of God's word, the fullness of the Spirit, and the face of Stephen, showing that the life of the Christian is lived to the fullest when lived in the fullness of the Spirit.
In this Resurrection Day sermon, Pastor Philip looks at three important questions surrounding Jesus' cross and resurrection. We learn why Jesus had to die, why he had to rise, and how we're joined by faith to Christ to benefit from his work.
Luke has recorded many wonderful things about the birth of the church. In this passage, Luke tells us about how the church grew in maturity, addressing an oversight and guarding the church against division. In this sermon, Pastor Philip demonstrates how the ministry of the word is critical for producing a ministry of service in the church.
God has given his Church a ministry of the word. In this passage, Luke shows us the priority of the message of the gospel. We see in vivid color how God's word prevails over those who oppose it and how it prevails in the hearts and lives of God's people.
God is holy, and He calls his people to be holy like Him. In this passage, Luke brings to our attention God's priorities of unity and purity for his Church. We see in effect that God produces joy-filled encouragement and awe-felt reverence in his people by calling us to unity and purity as his people.
The gospel of Jesus will always prevail. In this passage, Peter and John are arrested and put on trial for preaching the gospel. In the end, the trial only revealed the reality of Jesus' reign and rule. In this sermon, Pastor Philip zooms in on three key characteristics of the gospel and how it prevails.
This passage covers the heart of Peter's sermon to the crowd in the temple. He switches gears to call people to repentance and faith in Jesus, so that they could receive the blessings of Christ for themselves. In this sermon, Pastor Philip looks at three blessings which Jesus secures for his people as the Christ.
When people came into contact with the power of God to heal a lame man, they were shocked and awed. They were looking for an explanation. In his sermon, Peter made sure to direct people's gaze from the work itself to Jesus, in whose name this man had been healed. All glory goes to Christ
In this passage, Luke tells us how God brought healing to a man who was born lame. In it, we see the power of Jesus' name, the authenticity of the gospel, and the astonishing grace of God.
God showed his power in a great way on the day of Pentecost, but it didn't stop there. In the conclusion of chapter 2, Luke describes how the church came together in fellowship. In this sermon, Pastor Philip dives into three defining features of the early church which still define it today.
The real miracle of Pentecost was the salvation of 3000 people, who believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, Christians have been called to a kingdom work, in which we reason with people and exhort them, but most of all in which we proclaim the message of the gospel of God's grace. Acts 2:37-41 demonstrates that salvation is a divine work, which demands a human response, which is accomplished through the proclamation of the gospel.
In Acts 2:22-36, Peter proclaims that the promised Christ had come and that his name was Jesus. In this sermon, Pastor Philip dives into three aspects of Jesus' kingship which are part of why he is uniquely qualified as the Christ.
When the people who had gathered to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem witnessed God's power in his church, they were filled with wonder, amazement, and some confusion. They knew something big had happened, but they didn't know what it meant for them. That was the moment when Peter opened his mouth and began to preach. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explains how God shines in the darkness of our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of his word.
In this sermon, Pastor Philip takes us through the Day of Pentecost: what happened, what it meant for the early Church, and what it means for us. As we look at this astonishing display of God's power, we quickly recognize the Holy Spirit's priority of exalting Christ as Lord and Christ.
In the days after his resurrection, Jesus called and equipped his disciples to go into the world to bear witness of the gospel of salvation. Before they went; however, he told them to wait. In this passage, Luke fills us in on what the early church did as they waited on Jesus' promise. Most fundamentally, we see that they prayed. In this sermon, Pastor Philip considers 6 principles for prayer for believers to take with them from this example into their own prayer lives.
In the book of Acts, Luke shifts his attention from the works that Jesus did on earth to the works that Jesus has now accomplished through his Church. It tells the story of the kingdom of God and the work which King Jesus has don in establishing and expanding that kingdom through his redeemed people. In this sermon, Pastor Philip introduces us to Acts, explores Christ's call to his people to be his witnesses in the world, and examines four ways that Jesus equips the church for this task.
Lasting change takes serious commitment, and our strongest resolutions can easily crash and burn. In this passage, Joshua confronts us with the limitations of our good intentions and points us to God's solution for our weakness.
This passage is one of the most iconic moments in Israel's history. With the land at rest, Joshua presses the people to decide if they will serve the Lord or opt to put their hope somewhere else. God's work demands a response from us. In this sermon, Pastor Philip calls us to respond to the work that God has done for us by trusting him.
The book of Joshua presents us with tangible evidence of God's faithfulness to keep his promises. The end of the book of Joshua aims to teach us how to live in response to God and his faithfulness. Joshua 23 in particular calls us to pursue God in his grace. In this sermon, Pastor Philip takes us through Joshua's exhortation of Israel's leaders, showing us how we too ought to pursue after God in his grace now that we've received the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Worship is about having a right response to the truth of who God is. Wrong worship suppresses the truth of who God, meaning that the purity of worship is a matter of life and death. In this sermon, Pastor Philip draws out four important lessons for the church today on why worship matters, how the church should handle conflict over disagreements, the effects of sin on us all, and what we should look to for our confidence in our salvation.
Having wrapped up the fulfillment of God's promises to give Israel the land, the book of Joshua turns to record Israel's first steps as a nation in that land. In so doing, this book causes us to consider how we ought to live in response to God's manifest faithfulness. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores the relationship that exists between thankfulness and obedience, and he outlines three ways a thankful heart seeks to obey God.
In this sermon, we explore the designation and distribution of the Levitical cities, which are intimately tied to God's purposes of redemption and mercy. Pastor Philip outlines three parts of the Levites' inheritance, and he explores how this passage assures us of God's faithfulness to us.
Before God's work to give the land of Canaan to Israel was complete, he provided them with cities of refuge. God is a perfect judge, but he is also a gracious redeemer. Joshua 20 demonstrates that God is a God of refuge for sinners. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores the significance of these important cities and how they anticipate God's redemptive purposes.
Joshua 18-19 provides us with insight into what it looks like to live in the victory that God gives his people, here and now. The victory of Christ is meant to spur us on, knowing that our victory is secure, but there’s work to be done. In this sermon, we learn three lessons for finishing well in our walk of faith.
The faithfulness of God's grace is greater than our sin. Joshua 16-17 outlines the land God gave to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and it records a couple of key details that demonstrate the surpassing power of God's grace. While the giving of the land was a reason to celebrate, this passage makes us remember the pervasiveness of human sin. Thankfully, it also teaches us of the surpassing wisdom and mercy of God our Savior.
Boundaries matter. In this passage, the book of Joshua lays out the boundaries of the land that was received by the tribes on the east side of the Jordan River. In it, we see three kinds of inheritances mentioned: one of land, one of fire, and one of the sword.
We serve a God who lovingly rules over the details of our lives. Joshua 15 outlines the boundaries of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. It also fills us in on some of the details of how Caleb received the portion of the land given to him. In this chapter, God puts a microscope on the details of how he cares for his people, in the nitty-gritty details of our lives.
NOTE: This audio begins about halfway through the first point of the sermon. Joshua 14 is one of those rare, golden moments in the Bible where everything seems to be just right. In this chapter, we get a glimpse of the extraordinary ordinary faith of the man Caleb, and we learn four important components of what faith does.
The book of Joshua is all about God's faithfulness to keep his promises. In this sermon, Pastor Philip draws three applications from the concrete fact that God is faithful to all generations.
The Psalms of Ascents tell the story of God’s work of redemption. They extol God’s promises and raise our gaze to behold the glory of God in the face of his anointed King. In Psalms 133 and 134 we see how the peace of God, which has been secured for us by Christ, extends out to sanctify us, not only in our relationship with Him, but in our relationship with each other.
Psalm 132 raises our eyes to new heights, to consider not only the riches of God’s forgiveness, but the even greater inheritance he gives his people—a city that will never pass away, in a kingdom that endures forever, a place where he dwells with us and we with him. This is an inheritance which is only possible because of the riches of God’s work in and through Christ, and that work is here anticipated by the psalmist as he rejoices in how God had chosen to make Zion the place of his dwelling.
How do we take heart in the midst of suffering? How does lament fuel faith and hope remain even while the world seems to crumble in around us? It remains because of the sure hope of the gospel, a hope that is grounded in the love of God which never fails and which never passes away. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores the importance of confession and lament, while also focusing on the hope that comes when we rest in God.
In this life, there are many uncertainties. Things we take for granted all can be taken from us in an instant. Nothing is more valuable in this world than to know that we are kept under the protection of God, and that is precisely the hope that these Psalms offer to those who take their refuge in him. These songs are intended to build up our hope and confidence in the loving regard that God has towards those who trust in him.
God delights in satisfying the hearts of me and women with great joy. He is not the enemy of joy as some imagine, but is pleased for the sake of his glory for us to find true joy and satisfaction in him. In this sermon, Pastor Philip shows three of the treasures that God provides for those who trust in Him.
God's steadfast deliverance is a reason to give him praise. Through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ, He has secured a durable joy that moves his people to true joy and thanksgiving. Psalm 124 and Psalm 125 are a lesson in finding this joy, thankfulness, and praise in the work of Christ.
God's people are a glad people, a joyful people. They are joyful because He fills them with joy. In this sermon on Psalm 122 and Psalm 123, Pastor Philip examines God's priority of joy for us, and explains four ways that God fills us with joy.
The Bible calls believers strangers and sojourners, that's because our true home is somewhere we've never been. The Songs of Ascents are a special group of psalms, which raise our eyes from the troubles of living in a fallen world to the glory of God's salvation promises. These songs teach believers how to live in the hope of the heavenly city, the inheritance that Christ has secured for his people.
In this closing sermon to our series on Galatians, Pastor Philip wraps up by considering the priority of getting the gospel right. In this passage, we learn the true motives of the men who were troubling the Galatian churches, and we learn to rely on the gospel of grace and the power of the Holy Spirit as he works in us.
God is not mocked. We each reap what we sow. The gospel of grace calls believers to walk by the Spirit. We cannot expect to invest our lives in fleshly priorities and avoid the corruption and death that is the result of sin. In this sermon, we consider the call to perseverance.
What makes a church a church? It's more than just our proximity to each other. The local church is meant to be a committed community. Christians are called to fulfill the law of Christ in how we treat one another. In this sermon, Pastor Philip outlines four ways Christians are called to live with each other in the covenant community of the local church.
The Christian life takes intentional living. While the gospel of grace teaches believers to hope exclusively in the objective work of Christ for us, it compels us to live enthusiastically in the joy of knowing Christ. We rely on God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to do this. In this sermon, Pastor Philip examines the work of the Spirit as he equips us to purge pride, to build others up, and rest content in Christ.
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Gal 5:16, ESV). This is how believers resist the flesh, and put to death its passions and desires. In this sermon, Pastor Philip examines three ways the Holy Spirit equips us for this fight against the flesh.
The law is fulfilled in one word, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." God calls us to freedom in Christ, not so that we may sin freely, but so that we can use that freedom to love as he has loved us.
As Paul wraps up his argument against the distortion of the gospel that was taking hold of the Galatian churches, he delivers three words: one to the church, one about the false teachers, and one concerning himself. The combined effect is a deep and valuable instruction to believers about how to resist obstacles to obedience to Christ.
Christ has secured a lasting freedom through his death and resurrection, but the hope of the gospel can only benefit us when we secure ourselves in him by faith. In this message, Pastor Philip explains how the objective work of Christ benefits us, and calls us to pursue the thing that really matters- the righteousness that comes through faith.
Without the truth of the gospel, there is no real freedom. True freedom is more than just liberation; it is the freedom to live as we were meant to, under the rightful authority of God as his people. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explains the significance of Jesus' work for us, and how He calls us to live as a free people, standing firm in faith and resisting the old mastery of our sin.
In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul appeals to the Galatian churches to hold fast to the gospel of grace. In three parts, he demonstrates how the Old Testament teaches us that freedom can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Christians are called to care. In this sermon, Pastor Philip outlines three ways Christians are called to care in the pursuit of truth and in the power of the gospel of grace.
God wants his glory to be known and enjoyed by all people everywhere. In this sermon Pastor Philip explores what it means to know God and to be known by Him, and we learn how this knowledge of God keeps us from following after a vain faith.
In this Resurrection Day sermon, Pastor Philip dives into the inheritance of sonship that Jesus secured for his people through his death, resurrection, and ascension.
It is impossible to separate the blessings of redemption from the sonship of Christ. From the beginning, God’s promise of salvation has hinged on the arrival of the Son, and in Galatians 3:23-29, Paul explains how that promise has become a reality through the coming of Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul presents us with a new identity, an identity that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. The greatest comfort for the believer is to know that they are in fact a son of God with Christ.
Jesus came to set sinners free. The gospel of grace tells the story of how God has secured freedom for all who who believe. In Galatians 3:15-22 Paul lays out the biblical story of how God has secured this freedom through the promise fulfilled by Christ.
God made some amazing promises to Abraham. He promised to bless him and to make him a blessing to the entire world. In this passage, Paul shows how faith makes believers children of Abraham. The fulfillment of that promised blessing in Christ gives us assurance in the power of the cross of Christ.
The power of the cross is felt in the heart of the believer, tasted by their soul, and relished in their experience of grace. A cross-less gospel is a powerless gospel. In Galatians 3:1-5, Paul explains how the Holy Spirit works to assure believers of the power of the cross of Christ.
One of the delightful mysteries of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that while it is a message that can be summed up accurately in only a few sentences, it is deep enough to occupy our attention with awe and wonder for the rest of eternity. In this sermon, Pastor Philip dives into what Paul has to say about the good news of God's grace and our union with Jesus through faith.
Peter vs. Paul...what happens when these two pillars of the early church collide? In this sermon, Pastor Philip examines the situation in Antioch and what it means for followers of Christ. We learn why salvation is based on faith in Christ alone, how Peter got out of step with the gospel of grace, and how the grace of Christ works to effectively restore us when we fail.
The Gospel of God's grace impacts every aspect of life. It is the standard by which all ministry and obedience is judged. In Galatians 2:1-10, Paul recounts how he was willing to face scrutiny, how he stood his ground, and how he was sent out to continue his gospel work. His experience in Jerusalem with the other apostles teaches believers how the gospel of grace rules as the standard for Christian living.
In this account of his early ministry, Paul defends the authenticity of the message he preached and counters the accusations being leveled against him that he preached a watered down gospel in an attempt to gain a following for himself. Paul counted knowing Christ above being known by anyone else. He embraced the anonymity of ministry gladly. In this sermon, Pastor Philip considers three ways Christians are called to live by Paul's example, finding glory in service to Christ, embracing anonymity
While Paul wasn't keen on boasting about himself, he was always glad to talk about how God had saved him and changed him. When the gospel of grace came under fire, Paul aimed to use his testimony to defend the authenticity of this message. In this sermon, Pastor Philip shows where our authority to share this message comes from.
There is only one message capable of saving sinners. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores problem going on in the churches in Galatia, who were abandoning the gospel of grace that Paul had preached to them, in favor of a different gospel that could not save. In this passage, we learn that there is only one message that brings hope to sinners. There can only be one.
There's only one gospel through which people can be saved. In this sermon, Pastor Philip examines Paul's statements about the exclusivity of the gospel of grace, and he appeals to us to put our hope in this gospel of grace.
Christians are called to be guardians of the gospel. This sermon is the first of a new series through the book of Galatians. In it, Pastor Philip examines the opening greetings of Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, and he demonstrates how God calls his people to guard this precious message and what that looks like in our daily life.
Joshua 10:1-14 records one of the most astonishing acts of God's power in the Bible. In this week's sermon, we see how God fought for Israel at Gibeon. We learn to trust God, the mighty warrior of his people, and we see how he maintains an attentive ear to the prayers of his people.
The book of Joshua is well known for the way it depicts God's justice, but it also has much to say about God's mercy and our response. In this week's sermon, we consider three different responses to God's mercy, and we learn that the only way we can hope to enter God's rest is through the gate of God's mercy.
Joshua 8:30-35 is a high point in the book of Joshua that focuses on Israel's worship in lieu of God's covenant faithfulness. This passage is immensely instructive for God's people as they worship Him. In this sermon, Pastor Philip brings our attention to three reasons God's people have to worship Him.
The sin of Achan had an impact on him, his family, and the whole nation of Israel. At it's most fundamental level, Achan's disobedience broke Israel's relationship with God. In Joshua 8:1-29, God restores that broken relationship. In this sermon, Pastor Philip explores how God went about fixing what had been broken, and he connects how God's work of covenant restoration gives us hope in the work of Jesus Christ.
Having to live with the consequences of someone else's action doesn't feel fair. When Achan took devoted things from Jericho, his sin had consequences for him, his family, and the entire nation of Israel. In this sermon, Pastor Philip considers three lies that Achan believed, the consequences of violating God's covenant, and God's solution for saving sinners.
When God bears his sword of judgment, He enforces perfect justice and he accomplishes the salvation of his people. In this review of the Battle of Jericho, we see how God worked out salvation for Rahab and her family, even as He brought justice on an unrepentant city. Pastor Philip shows from this passage how God's people are called to find hope in God's justice.
The battle is the Lord's, and the place of God's people is to trust him. God fought the Battle of Jericho. From bizarre battle tactics to overwhelming victory, God taught Israel where to put their trust for victory. NOTE: Due to a technical error, not all of this sermon was recorded.
God is worthy of our total allegiance. In this sermon, Pastor Philip, explores Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the army of the LORD. Joshua's response to this mysterious warrior indicates three ways God calls us to give our allegiance to him.
God removes the shame of Israel at Gilgal. Pastor Philip explains three ways God removed Israel's reproach and replaces it with his own fame.
Pastor Philip explores Joshua 3, where we see how Israel came to know God's holiness, presence, and deliverance. We then see how this event in Israel's history looks forward to the work of Jesus Christ.
This sermon marks the start of our series through Joshua. Pastor Philip explores how God calls his people to do impossible things and how he equips them to do those things.
Jesus Became like us so we could be like him. 1. we are baptized like christ 2. we are loved like christ 3. we are made holy like christ
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Jesus speaks as the Greatest Prophet.
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Jesus rules as the Divine King.
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Jesus redeems as the Highest Priest.
A good workman will avoid foolish controversies, rightly handle the Word of Truth, live honorably, and rest in the gospel.
If we are going to suffer we must be prepared. In this text, Paul gives Timothy three necessities which will enable him to suffer well.
Following Jesus requires us to live counter-culturally. In this text, Paul equips Timothy with some patterns of right thinking which will help him live faithfully in a hostile world.
Because Paul thinks so highly of Timothy, his child in the faith, he urges him to boldly use the gift that was given to him.
Scripture alone reveals that man can be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Christ's work alone, to the Glory of God alone.
Scripture alone reveals that man can be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Christ's work alone, to the Glory of God alone.