Sermons: Recent Episodes
Ridgeline Community Church: Souderton, PA
In Zechariah’s third vision he saw a man with a measuring line. The vision describes a future expansion for Jerusalem because God will once again choose to dwell there.
Zechariah's second vision described four military nations that had terrorized Israel. In response, the Lord raised up four "craftsmen" to go and defeat those "horns." The vision gives us hope that God sees our affliction but he delivers us through those he raises up. We don't need to walk in fear, but in confident faith.
Zechariah's first vision of "the angel of the Lord" riding on a red horse standing in a valley in the myrtle trees is a picture of Jesus drawing near to those who are broken in spirit. It's a comforting message of hope for those who are hurting.
In Zechariah's opening verses he urges the Israelites who have returned from exile to return to the Lord. They had returned to the land and started to build the temple but left off after becoming discouraged. The temple re-build was important, but it was more important that they have a change of heart toward the Lord.
In part two of our mini-series on church discipline, we explore a case study in the life of the church at Corinth. Paul gives steps for discipline and restoration to the wayward believer.
The story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing is almost cartoonish, and yet God's will was done in spite of family disfunction and inordinate appetites.
The story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing is almost cartoonish, and yet God's will was done in spite of family disfunction and inordinate appetites.
Isaac repeats the mistakes that Abraham made in lying about his wife. And yet God affirms his covenant promises and provision for Isaac.
Rebekah feels the struggle of the twins within her. God reveals that there are two future nations at war and the older will serve the younger. Esau sells his birthright and inheritance for a bowl of food. And he will later be cheated out of his blessing.
We learn that Abraham had other wives and children but they weren't like Isaac, the child of promise given to him and Sarah in their old age. Abraham dies at 175 years old.
The way Isaac and Rebekah come together is truly a beautiful work of God's sovereignty over all the small details. These two were put together by God for his glory. This is part two of how Isaac met Rebekah.
The longest narrative episode in Genesis highlight God's Providence in Isaac and Rebekah's marriage.
On the occasion of Sarah's death, Abraham is finally able to purchase a piece of property in Hebron.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly foreshadowed in Genesis 22 as Abraham is commanded to go and sacrifice his son, his only son, on a mountain near Jerusalem. But God provides a substitute sacrifice at just the right moment.
Abraham had a divided house, heart, and loyalty in this episode of Genesis. How do we deal with divisions that threaten our devotion?
The angels are investigating Sodom and Gomorrah for the outcry against it. They aren't in the city for more than a few hours when all the men of the city surround Lot's house and demand to sexually violate the two angels. Lot is rescued and the cities are annihilated.
After the angel of the Lord reveals that Sarah will have a baby next year, Abraham learns of the mission to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah for their outrageous wickedness. Abraham pleads for the Lord to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous.
In Genesis chapter 17, we read about the details of God's covenant with Abraham, including circumcision, which is the sign of the covenant.
We learn more about Sarai's maidservant Hagar in Genesis chapter 16. In an effort to help God fulfill his promise, Sarai comes up with an idea for children that ultimately causes heartbreak and hardship. But God encourages Hagar and reveals himself to her as the God who sees her and knows her.
Earthly kings war against each other. Lot is taken captive and Abram goes on a rescue mission. Abram meets Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and honors him.
Matthew records Jesus' final words of commissioning on a mountain in Galilee before his ascension.
Jesus answers questions about the end times and his second coming in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. This is part 3 of the Olivet Discourse.
Jesus teaches his disciples what to expect before his second coming and the end of the age.
After leaving the temple, Jesus prophesies that it will be destroyed. He then takes his disciples to the Mount of Olives and teaches at least nine truths that his disciples needed to know about the end times and his second coming.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain. He is there transformed into a glorious state while he speaks with the Prophet Elijah and with Moses.
Jesus welcomes the large crowd who gathered around him and he healed them. After 3 days of remaining with Jesus, they became hungry. In response, Jesus miraculously multiplies bread and fish to feed the crowd. This passage foreshadows the future Messianic Banquet where Jesus will be united to His Bride in the coming Kingdom of God.
Today's sermon covers the last five beatitudes that introduced the sermon on the mount delivered to Jesus' disciples on a mountain near the sea of Galilee.
Jesus teaches his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. This sermon focuses on the first three beatitudes.
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness where he fasts for forty days. After his time of fasting he faces temptation from the devil.
The gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the rightful King of all creation. He demonstrates his authority over nature, spirits, disease, demons, and more. This sermon introduces the series "The 7 Mountains in Matthew's Gospel".
Luke records Paul's final years in the closing of the book of Acts. The prison epistles also shed light on how Paul finished his life and ministry.
Paul begins his long journey to Rome to testify before the Emperor. Along the way he experiences the grace and protection of God through shipwreck, snake bite, and starvation.
Paul is passionate about sharing the gospel, in spite of his imprisonment. These chapters include Paul's 4th and 5th public defenses and his appeal to Caesar.
The governor Felix has custody of Paul for two years in his palace and talks with him often. But instead of responding to the gospel, he hardens his heart, hoping for a bribe.
After being rejected in Jerusalem, beaten, and taken in custody by Roman officials, Jesus comes to Paul to encourage him.
Paul makes five public defenses of his faith in Acts 22-28. This is the first of those defenses of the faith. His speech gives us a good outline for how to craft our testimony. We also see in this passage a nationalism that becomes an obstacle to the gospel.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul is encouraged by the Jerusalem church leaders. He also encounters believers who are also zealous for the law. This causes problems for Paul...
On this Christmas Eve morning worship service, we consider the basic message of God becoming a human to dwell among us as one of us.
We see in this passage the great cost of discipleship. But we also see the value of fostering deep and enriching friendships with other believers.
Paul knew that his time was coming to an end. He was on his way to Jerusalem, expecting persecution, imprisonment, and even death. He gives his final farewell to the Ephesian elders in this passage.
This passage usually focuses on the young man Eutychus dying and coming back to life. But the word "encourage" is used three times in this short text. Paul is an encouraging Christian, and we see in this passage ways that we can become more encouraging to others.
Paul's ministry in Ephesus is a solid example of the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit in times of revival and awakening.
Paul experiences rest and refreshment in Corinth after a long period of trials and difficulties.
Paul waits for his missionary team in Athens. While he's there he continues to proclaim the gospel in the Areopagus.
Paul and Silas are in bad shape after their trial in Philippi. They don't wait for the perfect circumstances to preach the gospel though. They labor in the Kingdom, in spite of their trials and physical condition.
Paul is led to three people who hear and are impacted by the gospel: Lydia, the slave girl, and the Philippian jailer and his household.
Paul has had some time off before embarking on his third missionary journey. But right away he experiences a division between he and Barnabas. Then he has to put together a new ministry team. And the final challenge comes in discerning the will and direction God is leading.
This chapter shows us Abram's family background and demonstrates how God calls people from darkness into his glorious light.
This chapter shows humanity united against God and how God responds to their rebellion. The Tower of Babel is ultimately an act of grace.
Genesis chapter 10 gives us 70 names in a genealogy that helps ground the Israelites who were delivered from Egyptian slavery by showing them who they are and where they came from and all that God has done in their history.
Genesis chapter 9 is a strange inclusion in the life of Noah. But today's sermon gives insight into why Canaan, the land that the Israelites are traveling through the wilderness to possess, is cursed.
In the flood narrative part 2, we see God remembering Noah and his family and acting favorably toward them by cutting off the waters. God remembers and acts favorably toward his people.
In the flood narrative (part 1) God instructs Noah to build an ark so that he may de-create what had been corrupted by sin. God chooses Noah and his family to restart humanity.
Genesis 6:1-8 is one of the most challenging and mysterious passages in Genesis. Who are the Sons of God? Who are the Nephilim? How can we make sense of the pre-flood world? Today’s message attempts to answer those questions in light of the biblical context.
After tracing the ungodly lineage of Cain, Moses now gives information about the shrinking remnant of God-fearing men and women in Seth’s line.
After Cain kills his brother Abel, Moses traces the ungodly lineage and rise of an evil civilization.
This passage tells us where all evil in the world gets its beginning: at the fall of man in the garden of Eden.
"It is not good that man should be alone..." God creates Eve after Adam names all the animals.
This passage zooms in and gives us more details on the creation day six. God plants a garden in Eden and places the newly created man there to cultivate and work the garden. There is a warning in this passage about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
God continues the work of creation on days 4-6 and then rests on the 7th day after declaring his work as good.
Are we saved by works? Are we saved by grace + works? Or is Jesus’ death on the cross sufficient for salvation? The Jerusalem council convened to determine the answer to these questions. The result: we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works.
As Christians declare the Gospel of Jesus, we will find a variety of responses. Our job is to be faithful and to entrust the results to God.
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas and Mark leave for their first missionary journey. What would your life look like if you lived as a missionary?
The apostle James is killed while the apostle Peter is miraculously delivered from death. Is God still good when things don’t play out the way you expected? How do we respond when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we hoped?
Evangelists spread out from Jerusalem after the death of Stephen in Acts 7. Their influence launched one of the most important churches in church history: the Church at Antioch.
Peter reports to Jerusalem how God saved the Gentiles in Caesarea. God is not partial. He saves all who believe in Jesus as Lord and savior.
Peter learns that God is not partial. He chooses to save both the Jews who believe and also Gentiles who believe in Jesus.
Peter is called by God to preach the good news to Cornelius, a Roman centurion soldier.
After visiting the new churches in Israel, Peter visits four individuals (Aenas, Dorcas, Simon, Cornelius) who are forever changed by the gospel message.
Saul, on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus, is arrested by Jesus, blinded, and led by hand into the city. Three days later his sight is restored, he becomes a follower of Jesus, and he gets baptized.
After Stephen's martyrdom in Jerusalem, the believers are scattered around. They carry the message of the gospel. Persecution spreads the gospel.
Religious leaders have arrested Stephen and put him on trial for his claims that Jesus is the Messiah and that He died on the cross and rose again from the grave. In his dying moments Stephen proclaimed that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Peter and John explain to the amazed crowd how the crippled man was healed and what it means for them. Hundreds of men respond to the gospel message and Peter and John are arrested.
Peter and John heal a beggar in the temple that sets off a mass conversion experience and lands the apostles in jail for the night.
Right after the church is born, Luke gives us a picture of their regular rhythms and activities. Those activities still guide Jesus’ church today.
After the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter explains to the crowd what they are witnessing. The result is thousands of new Christians.
Acts 2 describes the initial coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples gathering in the upper room. The Holy Spirit and His role and activity has been confusing to some in church history. What does the Bible teach about the regular work and activity of the Person of the Holy Spirit?
As the apostles wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, they continue to meet and organize the young church. One of their decisions involves choosing an apostle to replace Judas. This passage is insightful to help us learn to wait well and a template for healthy decision making.
Acts is about obedience to Jesus’ final command to go and make disciples. The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, obey Jesus’ commands and the results are dramatic. This sermon overviews the book of Acts and gives background and introductory material.
Paul reminds the Colossians they are no longer alienated and hostile toward God, but they’ve been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Proverbs 3:9-10 - "How to Honor God with Wealth." Did you know that statistics show that if you make more than $35k a year you are in the top 1% of the world? How will you honor the Lord with wealth?
God designed us to work; it is a pre-fall reality. How can we work in such a way that we bring God glory with our careers?
The Bible is extremely clear regarding the correction and discipline of children. So why do so few parents discipline according to scripture?
We know that the Bible says to teach our children, but what is the core curriculum? What should be the content of our message to our kids? Today’s sermon provides the answer from Proverbs.
Jesus tells the apostles on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane that He is the True Vine and the Father is the Vinedresser.
In the upper room after the Lord's Supper, Jesus says, "I Am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, in comparison to the religious leaders of the day who were anything but good shepherds. But his statement is a fulfillment of the prophesy from Ezekiel 34 where the false shepherds are condemned and the Lord himself takes on the role as the Good Shepherd.
In John 10:1-11, Jesus claims to be the doorway for salvation. He says, “I Am the Door” and if anyone wishes to be saved they must go through me.
In John 8:12-20, Jesus proclaims "I Am the Light of the World." This proclamation came with with a promise: whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
Jesus claims to be the Bread of Life which fully satisfies and sustains a person spiritually.
Recorded in John 8:48-59, Jesus claims to be God by saying he existed before Abraham. The name of God given to Moses in Exodus is "I Am." Jesus picks up this title and applies it to himself with the bold statement, "before Abraham was, I Am." Those listening tried to stone him to death because they understood perfectly his claim to deity.
Jesus makes the claim: "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" before raising Lazarus from the dead. He asks Martha, "Do you believe this?" This sermon gives insight into what it means to believe in Jesus.
Paul concludes the letter to the Galatians with a summary of his arguments against his opponents. The only thing that matters is being a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Paul is closing the letter to the Galatians with a section of "parenesis" (a rapid fire list of action items). Bear burdens, restore gently, share with your teacher, and sow to the Spirit to reap life are among the actions listed.
Paul tells the Galatians they are now set free from sin, not to continue to feed the sin nature, but to serve joyfully. They must walk by the Holy Spirit in order to experience freedom from sin and it's deadly effects.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12:11)
Paul continues his case to the Galatians to reject legalism. He writes, "For freedom Christ has set us free." Use your newfound freedom, not to sin, but to serve in love.
The Apostle Paul explains some of the benefits of our new life and identity in Christ Jesus.
The Galatian churches were tempted to trade salvation by grace through faith for a works based salvation through legalism.
John 8:2-11 - “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Jesus restores the dignity of a woman caught in adultery.
Paul describes the curse of returning to the law. We cannot please God by works of the law.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
The Apostle Paul describes a time when he had to confront the Apostle Peter. How can we confront and deal with conflict in a healthy way?
Paul is astonished that someone would experience Jesus and his love, grace, mercy, and power and then so quickly abandon him.
The pure gospel of grace cannot be mixed with legalism. Paul corrects the Galatian churches in their understanding of the gospel.
What is the church and what does it mean to be a member of one? This three part series teaches the doctrine of ecclesiology as a foundation for church membership at Ridgeline.
What is the church and what does it mean to be a member of one? This three part series teaches the doctrine of ecclesiology as a foundation for church membership at Ridgeline.
What is the church and what does it mean to be a member of one? This three part series teaches the doctrine of ecclesiology as a foundation for church membership at Ridgeline.
Paul describes his weakness and how God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in weakness. We don’t like weakness but there are times when strong is wrong and weakness is the way.
Guest speaker Adam Larew teaches about decision fatigue and how to make better choices, especially the choice for wisdom.
Proverbs 6 describes three types of morally inferior people who we should avoid lest they have a negative influence in our lives.
Solomon teaches his son to be wise with the money and time that had been entrusted to him.
Boundaries are an expression of love from a parent, showing them the border of safe and dangerous. Solomon warns his son against the dangers of adultery and the beautiful boundaries of sexual expression.
Solomon passes down godly legacy-building wisdom to his son. But it was Jesus who ultimately fulfilled the role of the truly noble son described in Proverbs.
The Lord restores Naomi’s life and future through the blessings of Ruth and Boaz and their son Obed.
Boaz redeems Ruth at the city gate after confronting a closer relative who was unwilling to take care of Naomi and Ruth. This passage contrasts two kinsman redeemers.
Boaz notices Ruth and extends kindness and grace toward her by providing food and protection.
After leaving her family and country, Ruth settles in Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi and immediately goes to work in the fields.
Naomi has returned to Bethlehem after the bitter loss of her husband and sons in Moab. Now among her people, she expresses her bitterness toward God.
After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi hears that God has visited his people and provided relief from the famine. She decides to return home from Moab.
What should we do with the longer ending of Mark? Is the longer ending inspired and authoritative? How do we make sense of textual variances and maintain confidence in the Bible?
Easter Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Gibson preaches today from the gospel of Mark.
After enduring three quick trials before the Jewish religious authorities, Jesus endures three more trials before the Roman authorities before being sentenced to death on a cross.
Starting from Genesis 1 and working through key texts, Gibson zooms out to give an overview of God’s work of redemption in human history.
After reflecting on God’s ability to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless with great joy, Jude erupts in worship for God in one of the most beautiful and powerful doxologies in the Bible.
Way back in Jude 4 we were commanded to contend for the faith against the false teachers who came into the church. Now after a lengthy section describing the false teachers, Jude gives us instructions on how we are supposed to contend for the faith. There are personal instructions (vs. 17-21) and corporate instructions (vs. 22-23).
Jude pronounces judgment on the false teachers who have invaded the church and are seeking to corrupt it for selfish purposes.
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Ridgeline elder Seth Hogan explores Jude’s greeting to the recipient church.
Jude, the youngest brother to Jesus, writes a letter to the Christian church, appealing to them to contend for the faith because false teachers have infiltrated.
Guest speaker Pat Cummings preaches from Psalm 11, reminding us that we are to approach God as our refuge.
This sermon is a timely reminder of how Christians ought to live, especially with the 2020 presidential election this week.
Ridgeline met for prayer, worship, and to set apart a family going to Central America to be missionaries.
Philippians 4:4-7 - Paul tells the church at Philippi to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer… let your requests be made known to God.” Is prayer the answer to anxiety? This sermon explains how the gospel brings peace that surpasses understanding to those who struggle with fear and worry and anxiety.
Are you experiencing fear or anxiety? The cure is not a politician or a better government. The bible presents the remedy as a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This message explains it all...
Jesus’ last moments of freedom are spent in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane where he surrenders to God’s will and drinks the cup of God’s wrath.
Jesus eats the Last Supper with his disciples in the upper room before Judas betrays him.
Jesus gives instructions for the disciples to prepare for Passover. The disciples experience what it's like to walk by faith.
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and prepared for burial by a woman's extravegent gesture of worship and adoration a few days before his crucifixion. How much is Jesus worth? To Judas, he is worth 30 pieces of silver - about the price of a used car. To the woman Jesus healed he is worth at least a year's salary.
Jesus embraces humility and the cross while the disciples argue over who is the greatest. As a course of correction for the disciples, Jesus teaches and models a path of humility and sacrifice and suffering so the disciples may have greater union with Jesus.
Jesus was transformed in front of three eyewitnesses who each died as martyrs holding to their testimony that Jesus is God incarnate. Their eyewitness testimony lends great credibility to Jesus' deity.
God used Nahum to announce justice and judgment on the Assyrian nation. He was the prophet Jonah wanted to be.
God never changes, right? Jonah announced that Nineveh would be destroyed but it wasn't, so did God change?
In Mark 5:1-20 we read about Jesus delivering a man from a legion of demons who had destroyed this man's life.
Why does Christianity fixate on blood? Why is there such an emphasis on blood in the Bible? To better understand, check out this new sermon from Hebrews 9:11-22 - "Why Jesus' Blood Satisfies God's Wrath and Saves Sinners."
The God of the Bible makes promises and keeps them. We must hold fast to the hope given by our promise keeping Father in Heaven.
Many people struggle with assurance of salvation; the confidence that when you die you will spend eternity in heaven. In today's sermon Gibson helps the believer understand the security of the believer from Hebrews 6:1-8.
Do you have a hardened heart that makes hearing from God difficult? Hebrews 4 describes a hardened heart and ways to soften your heart so that you may hear clearly from God.
The author of Hebrews warns the community of drifting away from their faith and walk with Jesus.
The author of Hebrews introduces Jesus to his audience with 7 ways that Jesus is amazingly worthy to trust him with your life.
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..."
The author of Hebrews writes to a specific audience. Understanding the audience of the book of Hebrews is the secret to understanding the message of the book of Hebrews.
Charles Gregoire talks about God's faithfulness and our tendency to forget how good and faithful God is toward his children.
Jesus interacted with people for forty days after the resurrection before ascending to the Father in Heaven. What did he do during that time? What can we learn from these resurrection encounters?
Do you struggle with doubts? Many people do. Though we all visit doubt occasionally, it is a terrible place to live. Learn from this text how Thomas and Jesus worked through doubt.
Peter had fallen away before the crucifixion. Jesus pursues him and restores him. Though the restoration process was painful it was also necessary to fully restore Peter back to leadership.
Easter Sunday sermon: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and why his disciples didn't recognize him.
Christ-followers experience life transformation as they become serious about bible intake through the power of the Holy Spirit in the context of a relationship with God.
The greatest experience in life is to have an intimate relationship with God. This can be experienced by any person in the world. This year make growing in your relationship with God the highest priority.