GraceHill Church: Weekly Sermons: Recent Episodes

GraceHill Church

Weekly Sermons from GraceHill Church in Citrus Heights, CA. Please visit gracehillonline.org for more information.

A sermon by Tim Belev from Psalm 45.

What does an ancient royal wedding have to do with Jesus and His Church? Psalm 45 points us to Christ, the majestic King and Bridegroom who gave Himself for His people, inviting us to find our greatest joy in Him and overflow with praise for our King.

Big Idea: We must praise Christ, our King and Bridegroom.

Christ the King: Majestic and Righteous (2-9)
Church the Bride: Blessed with Kingly Favor (10-16)
The Psalmist: We Must Be Overflowing with Praise (1, 17)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Selected Scriptures.

Why do we spend so much of our lives working, only to feel like it's never enough? In Ecclesiastes, Solomon exposes the emptiness of finding our identity in our careers and points us to the God who gives our work lasting purpose.

Big Idea: Your work will not bring you ultimate fulfillment, but trusting God and His purposes will.

Work Can Be Futile - So Focus on God’s Goodness
Work is Brief - So Focus on God’s Providence
Work is Unknown - So Focus on God’s Promises

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

Is money a blessing to be enjoyed, a danger to be avoided, or something else entirely? In this sermon, we explore the timeless wisdom of Proverbs and discover God's balanced perspective on wealth and possessions.

Big Idea: Wise stewardship of wealth means giving generously, working diligently, holding loosely, and trusting God completely.

God gives wealth because He is generous, yet He gives because He wants you to give
Diligent work often produces wealth, yet living for wealth produces folly
Lending can be an act of generosity, yet borrowing places you in bondage
Saving for the future is wise, yet future savings should never become your source of security

Summer Camp 2026, Session 1 by Pastor Tim Vusik.

Many Christians believe that God will never give them more than they can handle, but is that what the Bible actually teaches? In this session, we examine the meaning of 1 Corinthians 10:13 and see how God often allows us to reach the end of ourselves so that we learn to rely on His sufficient grace rather than our own strength.

Lie: I have what it takes to handle whatever comes my way.

God Does Not Promise That You Have What It Takes to Handle Life
God Often Gives People More Than They Can Handle
God Overwhelms You So You Can Rely on Him

Summer Camp 2026, Session 1 by Andrey Zabolotnyy.

We often chase success in our careers, ministries, and families, believing that achieving our goals will finally satisfy us. This session exposes the emptiness of finding our identity in earthly accomplishments and points us to the lasting joy and contentment found only in Christ.

3 areas of lies that we believe about life:

Having success in material things will give me fulfillment
Having success in ministry will give me joy
Having success in marriage and family will fulfill my purpose in life

Summer Camp 2026, Session 1 by Pastor Mike Trofimenko.

Many Christians settle for shallow relationships because they believe lies about other people—that they don't need others, can't trust others, or that people never change. In this session, we discover how the gospel frees us to pursue biblical community through humility, loving confrontation, forgiveness, and hope in God's transforming grace.

2 areas of lies that we believe about others:

The Value of Others
- “I’d rather be alone than have anyone intrude into my life”
- “I don’t need anyone else in my life. I have my family."
- “They already have a circle of friends. I don’t want to intrude."
- The Character of Others
- “I got hurt by some, so I just can’t trust anyone."
- “I forgave them, but I just don’t want to have anything to do with them.
- “People just don’t change.”

Summer Camp 2026, Session 1 by Pastor Tim Vusik.

Many of us unknowingly create a god who thinks like we do—one who agrees with our priorities, preferences, and expectations. This session explores the biblical truth that God's thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours, calling us to humbly receive Him as He has revealed Himself in Scripture rather than remaking Him in our own image.

Lie: God thinks the way I do.

God is Unreachable by Us!
God Reaches Down to Us!
God Rewards Those Who Seek Him!

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

Wisdom literature is among the most misunderstood parts of Scripture. In this message, we lay the foundation for rightly reading Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon and discover how God's wisdom helps us faithfully navigate life in a fallen world.

Big Idea: Biblical wisdom comes from God, teaches us how to live before God, and is cultivated through Christ by a lifetime of humble pursuit.

Source: Wisdom Comes from God
Purpose: Wisdom Teaches Us How to Live in God’s World
Pursuit: Wisdom is Cultivated through Union with Christ

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 11:10-32.

We end the Genesis 1-11 series where we began, in Genesis 1:1. The focus remains on God. Behind all history is His story. His story of redemption; His story of grace; his story of purpose. Though His name is not mentioned, His hand of providence is everywhere.

Big Idea: God advances His redemptive story by His grace and according to His purpose.

Celebrate God’s Unmerited Grace
Rest in God’s Unthreatened Purpose

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Genesis 11:1-9.

The story of Babel reminds us that human pride turns even unity into rebellion against God. But where humanity failed, God remained faithful, working through history to unite people from every nation and language in Jesus Christ.

Big Idea: God opposes unity that promotes self-made greatness and advances His purposes for His name.

Humanity Unites in Proud Rebellion Against God (1-4)
God Breaks False Unity and Advances His Purpose (5-9)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Luke 10:17-24.

We often think of Jesus as the Man of Sorrows—grieving, weeping, and confronting sin—but Scripture also reveals a deeply joyful Savior. In Luke 10, we see that His joy is rooted in the salvation He came to accomplish.

Big Idea: As Christ’s disciples, our greatest joy is found in the salvation God has revealed to us in the Messiah.

Rejoice That Your Name is Written in Heaven (17-20)
Rejoice That God Has Revealed Himself to You (21-22)
Rejoice That You Live in a Time of Fulfillment (23-24)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 10:1-32.

At first glance, Genesis 10–11 may look like just another list of names, but these chapters answer some of the most fundamental questions about our world. Why are there so many different peoples, languages, and cultures? How should we think about our own identity in relation to others? And what is God's purpose for the nations?

Big Idea: Though humanity has been divided into many nations, we all share one origin and are united in one Savior.

‍One Race: God Created One Human Family (1, 32)
Many Nations: God Formed and Rules Over All the Nations (1-32)
One Savior: God Gathers the Nations through One Messiah (1-32)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 9:18-29.

Everyone longs for a fresh start, hoping that a new beginning will finally bring lasting change. Yet Noah's story reminds us that while circumstances may change, the problem of sin remains in the human heart, revealing our need for something greater than a new start.

Big Idea: Because sin still dwells in every heart, respond rightly to sin and find your covering in Jesus.

No Matter the Environment, You are Not Immune to Sin (19-21)
No Matter the Sin, Never Treat It Casually (22-23)
No Matter the Shame, Find Your Covering in the Descendant of Shem (24-29)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 8:20-9:17.

In Genesis 8-9, we encounter the first explicitly stated covenant in the Bible, the covenant God establishes with Noah after the flood. The world has been judged, and humanity has been reduced to a single family. What happens next? Will God simply destroy the world again when mankind returns to its sinful ways?

Big Idea: God's covenant with Noah sustains our world, affirms human value, and secures our future.

God Sustains Our World Because of His Word (8:20-22)
God Values Our Lives Because We Bear His Image (9:1-7)
God Secures Our Future Because of His Covenant Mercy to All Flesh (9:8-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 7:1-8:19.

Just as Noah’s salvation in the ark depended completely on God, so too did the judgment of those outside the ark. Every detail, including who remained outside, the extent of the floodwaters, and the timing of their rise and fall, was determined by God Himself.

Big Idea: From terms to execution, judgment belongs to the Lord.

God Sovereignly Determines the Terms of Judgment (7:1-16)
God Justly Executes Universal Judgment (7:17-24)
God Graciously Keeps His People Through Judgment (8:1-19)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 6:8-22.

The story of Noah is not just about God’s judgment of sin; it is about God’s salvation of sinners. In Genesis 6, we see that while mankind could not fix what sin had broken, God Himself provided the only way of rescue, reminding us that salvation belongs to the Lord.

Big Idea: From heart transformation to final preservation, salvation belongs to the Lord.

Transformation Comes by God’s Grace Alone (8-12)
Deliverance Comes by God’s Provision Alone (13-16)
Preservation Comes by God’s Promise Alone (17-22)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Luke 7:36-50.

Why did a sinful woman love Jesus more deeply than a respected religious leader? In Luke 7:36–50, we see that those who truly grasp the depth of their forgiveness cannot remain cold toward Christ because forgiven sinners become passionate worshipers.

Big Idea: The extravagant love reveals a deep awareness of forgiven sin, which flows from saving faith in Christ.

The Love that Offends the Proud (36-39)
The Forgiveness the Proud do not Feel (40-47)
The Faith the Proud do not Possess (48-50)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 6:1-8.

Sin enters in Genesis 3, spreads in Genesis 4, and by Genesis 5, death reigns over all. When we arrive at Genesis 6, humanity has fallen so far that God grieves over His creation and is ready to bring judgment. How did things unravel so quickly, and what can we learn from it?

Big Idea: Though humanity deserved to be wiped out, God’s holy grief led not only to judgment, but to grace.

The Great Wickedness (1-5)
The Holy Grief (3, 6-7)
The Saving Favor (8)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 5:1-32.

When we’re young, we ignore death, but as we age, we spend our lives trying to outrun what we know is inevitable. Genesis 5 may look like a list of names, but it reveals a problem we cannot escape and a hope we cannot afford to miss.

Big Idea: Though death is certain because of sin, your hope beyond the grave is faith in God’s promises.

You Still Bear God’s Image in a Dying World (1-3)
You Cannot Escape the Reality of Death (3-20)
You Must Trust in God’s Promise for Hope Beyond Death (21-32)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 4:17-26.

In Genesis 4:17–26, two family lines are set before us. These aren’t just records of ancient history; they reveal the pursuit that defines every human life.

Big Idea: In a fallen, self-indulgent world, don’t build your name but call on His name in faith.

Don’t Defy God’s Grace by Building Your Own Name (17-24)
Depend on God’s Grace by Calling on His Name (25-26)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 4:1-16.

Genesis 4 continues the story of the fall by showing us what life looks like outside the Garden. Though humanity has lost paradise, people still approach God and offer worship. Yet this chapter confronts us with a sobering truth: not all worship is accepted.

Big Idea: Because we are sinners outside the garden, we must come to God on His terms and respond to Him on our knees.

Relate to God on His Terms (1-5)
Respond to God on Your Knees (6-16)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Acts 17:30-31.

Not all events in history carry the same impact or significance. There is, however, one event that stands above them all. Though it occurred at a specific time and place, it determines the destiny of every person who has ever lived.

Big Idea: Since the resurrection is true, judgment is due, and repentance is the way through.

Since the Resurrection is True, Judgment is Due (31)
Since Judgment is Due, Repentance is the Way Through (30)

A sermon by guest preacher Benjamin Schroeder from John 4:1-42.

Big Idea: We are satisfied when God is worshipped.

Are you thirsty?
Are you hungry?
Work in God’s harvest!

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 3:8-24.

If all we see in Genesis 3 is misery, we’ve missed the point. In the middle of judgment, God’s mercy is on full display.

Big Idea: God responds to sinful humanity with unexpected mercy.

God’s Pursuit of Us (8-9)
God’s Promise to Us (14-15, 20)
God’s Provision for Us (21)
God’s Prohibition to Us (22-24)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 3:7-19.

If God is good, why is there so much misery in every aspect of our lives? The answer takes us back to the rebellion of Genesis 3, where we learn that sin is far more serious than we often think.

Big Idea: Because of sin, God has subjected every part of human life to misery.

Misery in the Heart (7-13)
Misery in the Home (16-17)
Misery in the World (17-19)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 3:1-7.

Genesis 3 records the moment humanity commits mutiny against its Creator. The rebellion that begins here spreads through the entire human race like a deadly disease. Every broken relationship, every injustice, every tear, every grave can ultimately be traced back to what happens here.

Big Idea: When God’s Word is distorted and God’s goodness is discredited, our life with God is destroyed.

Satan leads humanity into mutiny against God as he:

Distorts the Word of God (1-3)
Discredits the Goodness of God (4-6)
Destroys Your Life with God (7)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 2:18-25.

Weddings are full of joy—but marriages often face strain and disappointment. Why? Because we forget that marriage is God’s gift, designed with purpose and meant to flourish according to His plan.

Big Idea: Marriage is God’s design—initiated, formed, and established for our good and His glory!

Divine Initiation: God Gifts Us Marriage for Our Good (18-21a)
‍Sacred Formation: We Respond to God’s Gift with Commitment for Our Good (22b-23, 25)
Universal Institution: We Follow God’s Design for Our Good (24)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 2:4-17.

Made in God’s image, we were designed to flourish. Genesis 1–2 reveals His blueprint for our well-being, and only by living according to His design do we truly thrive.

Big Idea: From the beginning, humanity flourishes only by belonging to God, depending on God, and submitting to God.

Man’s Origin: God Formed Man to Belong to Him (4-7)
Man’s Environment: God Placed Man to Depend on Him (8-14)
Man’s Purpose: God Commanded Man to Submit to Him (15-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 2:1-3.

We rest because we grow tired and need to be replenished. But why did God rest after six days of creation? His rest reveals something about His character, establishes a pattern for our lives, and points beyond itself to something far greater.

Big Idea: Because God’s work was finished, His rest establishes a rhythm for our lives and points to our ultimate rest in Christ.

God’s Rest Marks the Completion of His Work (1-3)
God’s Rest Establishes a Rhythm for Our Lives (3)
God’s Rest Points to Our Ultimate Rest in Christ (3)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 1:26-31.

What is the purpose for which God created us? God made us to live in relationship with Him—to reflect His goodness, display His glory, and represent Him in the world He made.

‍Big Idea: God created us to represent Him by fulfilling His mandate according to His design and sustained by His provision.

God Blessed Us with One Mandate (26, 28)
God Designed Us as Two Sexes (27)
God Provided Us with All Resources (29-31)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 1:26-28.

From the beginning, humanity has asked, Who am I and why am I here? In this sermon, we return to Genesis 1 to see that we are not accidents but people created by God, in His image, and for His glory, a truth our confused culture desperately needs.

Big Idea: We were created in Adam, and re-created in Christ, to be like God and to represent God.

We were Created to Be Like God in Our Being
We were Created to Represent God in Our Doing
We are Newly Created to Be Like Christ in Our Being and Doing

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Genesis 1:3-25.

When we read Genesis 1 rightly, it does more than inform our minds; it reorients our hearts. The creation of the universe calls us to stop, to listen, and to bow in humble praise before the true and living God, who alone is sovereign, omnipotent, and incomparable.

Big Idea: Our sovereign, powerful, and good God created all things in six days and deserves our worship and praise.

Worship God. He sovereignly created everything by His word.
Worship God. He powerfully created the universe in six days.
Worship God. His good creation reveals His goodness.

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 1:1-2.

If science requires observation, then God, who was there in the beginning, is our only trustworthy source for the origin of the universe and of man.

Big Idea: The Triune God created absolutely everything out of absolutely nothing with absolute purpose.

God Created Everything out of Nothing (1)
God Created Everything with Order and Purpose (2)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Genesis 1:1a.

When everything feels unstable, God’s Word remains sure. Genesis 1–11 is not ancient history or myth, it is reality explained. And it all starts with God, because if we get God wrong, we will get everything else wrong.

‍Big Idea: God is the ultimate reality and the revealer of all true knowledge.

God is the Ultimate Reality
God is the Ultimate Revealer

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Jude 20-21.

As we celebrate our 7th anniversary, the question before us today is not, “Has God been faithful?” He clearly has. Rather, the question we need to consider is, “How do we remain focused and faithful?”

Big Idea: Let’s live this year (and beyond) fully anchored in the Father’s love!

Keep Yourselves in the Love of God! (21a)
Keep Yourselves in the Love of God by: (20-21)
- Building yourselves in truth
- Fueling yourselves with prayer
- Sustaining yourselves with mercy

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5.

As we come to the end of another year, it’s natural to take stock of our lives and ask whether we’ve had a successful year. But how do we measure success? The Apostle Paul gives us a rubric for doing so in 1 Thessalonians.

Big Idea: The greatest thing we can do as Christians is help others become more like Christ.

Affection: Long to Be Present with God’s People (2:17-18)
Valuation: Value People as Your Greatest Investment (2:19-20)
Action: Commit to the Perseverance of God’s People (3:1-5)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from John 1:14-18.

As John concludes the prologue, he finally identifies the Word. The One who was with the Father took on flesh to make God known to humanity.

Big Idea: The Word became flesh in order to make God known to us.

Jesus made God known by becoming human and dwelling among us (14a)
Jesus made God known by revealing God's glory (14b-15)
Jesus made God known by granting us grace and truth (16-17)
Jesus made God known by explaining Him to us (18)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from John 1:6-13.

John 1:6–13 reminds us that God has revealed the True Light in Jesus, and that no one remains neutral before Him. The Light has come, God has spoken, and every heart, then and now, must respond.

Big Idea: God has witnessed to the True Light so that we would respond in faith and report Him faithfully.

Recognize the True Light God has Revealed (6-8)
Respond to the True Light God has Revealed (9-13)
Report the True Light God has Revealed

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from John 1:1-5.

As we enter the Christmas season, we’re reminded that the One who wrote the story of creation also stepped into it. In the opening of his Gospel, John lifts our eyes above the manger and back before shepherds, before Mary and Joseph, before even the world existed. Before all this, Jesus already was.

Big Idea: Because Jesus is the eternal source of life, He came to show us the way of life.

Jesus Had No Beginning Because He Always Was (1-2)
All Things Came to Be Through Jesus (3)
Jesus Appeared to Reveal the Way of Life (4-5)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Exodus 33:18-34:9.

One of the most daring requests ever made came from Moses when he asked the Lord to show him His glory, at a moment when the Lord was warning that He would no longer go with Israel on their journey to the Promised Land. What was Moses thinking, and how did the Lord respond?

Big Idea: God reveals His glory so that we may know Him deeply and worship Him rightly.

The Desire for God’s Glory: Seek the Lord Who Reveals (33:18-23)
The Declaration of God’s Glory: Listen to God’s Self-Revelation (34:5-7)
The Demand of God’s Glory: Worship Low and Lift Him High (34:8-9)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 6:17-21.

As Paul ends the letter, he reminds Timothy and the church to make this life about the future.

Big Idea: Eternal life shapes how we steward God’s wealth and word.

Hope in God, not Gold (17)
Invest in the Future, not Futility (18-19)
Safeguard the Gospel, not Gnosis (20-21)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 6:11-16.

As Paul closes the letter, he doesn’t call Timothy to simply try harder or push himself further. Instead, he first reminds him that he's a man of God and then issues five activities that naturally flow from that identity.

Big Idea: Our identity determines our activity—because we are people of God, we must live as people of God.

Flee From the World’s Vices (11a)
Follow Christ’s Virtues (11b)
Fight for the Truth (12a)
Finish Your Race (12b-14)
Focus on God’s Character (13-16)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 6:3-10.

We live in a world that says contentment is always one purchase, promotion, or prayer away. But we often bring that mindset into our walk with Christ, treating godliness as a way to get blessings, rather than seeing godliness itself as the blessing.

Big Idea: A healthy church teaches Christ-centered truth that results in Christ-sufficient contentment.

Avoid Christless Doctrine that Fails to Produce Godliness (3-5)
Adopt Christ-Sufficient Contentment that Flows from Godliness (6-10)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 Timothy 6:1-2.

In this passage, Paul speaks to Christian slaves, a situation far removed from our modern experience. While we can’t fully relate to their circumstances, we can still learn from the principles he gives. This text challenges us to examine our attitude and effort in the way we serve, both in our workplaces and in how we respond to those in authority over us.

Big Idea: Christians are to serve those in authority with honor so that God’s name is exalted and fellow believers are blessed.

Honor Unbelieving Authority – Uphold the Name of God (1)
Honor Believing Authority – Bless the Family of God (2)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 5:17-25.

How should the church care for its pastors? That’s an interesting question, because we’re often far more focused on the care pastors give to the sheep, and rightly so. But today, God calls us to consider the other side.

‍Big Idea: The church preserves its health and witness by honoring faithful pastors, confronting fallen pastors, and appointing qualified pastors with care.

Faithful Pastors: Honor and Support for Effective Ministry (17-18)
Fallen Pastors: Confront and Expose for Church’s Purity (19-21)
Future Pastors: Take Time and Examine for Qualified Leadership (22-25)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

We might be surprised by how much space Paul devotes to the subject of widows, but when we consider the heart of God, it’s not surprising at all. Throughout the Bible, God makes it abundantly clear that He sees, cares for, and loves widows and orphans. And the church, built upon the blueprint of His Sos, is called to support widows as well.

Big Idea: Because God cares for the vulnerable, the church must reflect His heart by supporting widows according to His Word.

Family Widows: Support Them Within Their Own Households (3-4, 7-8, 16)
True Widows: Support Them Within God’s Household (5-6, 9-10)
Young Widows: Safeguard Them Within Their God-Give Role (11-15)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

If the Gospel truly saves—and it does—the church will be filled with men and women of all ages, backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. But this beautiful reality also brings relational and theological challenges that must be addressed, so Paul instructs Timothy on how to navigate them with each group.

Big Idea: Correction in the church must aim for restoration with respect toward age and gender.

Command: Don’t Strike, But Strengthen (1a)
Congregation: Don’t Strike Recklessly, but Strengthen Relationally (1b-2)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 4:11-16.

In chapter 3, Paul listed the qualifications of a pastor—the kind of man he must be to serve. But in chapter 4, Paul shifts from qualifications to preoccupations—the things a pastor must continually give himself to once he’s in the role.

‍Big Idea: The pastor’s focus must remain on self, the saints, and salvation.

Self: Cultivate Your Character (12, 15-16a)
Saints: Proclaim the Word to the Church (11, 13-14, 16a)
Salvation: Keep the Goal in View (16b)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 4:6-10.

In a church threatened by false teaching, Paul urged Timothy to stand firm and fulfill his calling—not just as a pastor, but as a servant of Christ. But what makes a faithful servant of Jesus? Though these words were written to Timothy in his pastoral role, their principles apply to every follower of Christ.

Big Idea: A good servant of Christ feeds on good doctrine and trains in godly discipline because of hope in a glorious Deliverer.

A Good Doctrine (6)
A Godly Discipline (7-9)
A Glorious Deliverer (10)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

We don’t often hear the word apostasy today, especially outside the church. The cultural buzzword is deconstruction. The vocabulary may have changed, but the reality remains the same. That’s exactly what Paul warned Timothy about in Ephesus, and it’s exactly what we need to hear today.

Big Idea: While some in the church will abandon the faith, the church must stand firm on God’s truth and enjoy His good gifts with gratitude.

Expect Apostasy in the Church (1a)
Expose Apostasy for What It Is (1b-3)
Equip Yourself Against Apostasy (2, 3b-5)

A sermon by preacher Andrey Zabolotnyy from 1 John 1:5-10.

Big Idea: Christians are called to examine their relationship with God based on their tests of fellowship, holiness, and confession.‍

Test of Fellowship (6-7)
Test of Holiness (8)
Test of Confession (9-10)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

We commit to one another in the body of Christ for many reasons: wisdom, correction, encouragement, and care. Yet one of our central callings is to give — to give ourselves to one another for His sake. In 1 Thessalonians 2, we look to Paul’s example as a model for how our Life Groups can live out this ministry together.

Big Idea: Life Group is a place to give our lives for the glory of God and the growth of His people.

A Place to Give Yourself (8)
A Place to Provide Selfless Service (9)
A Place to Model Genuine Faith (10)
A Place to Offer Personal Encouragement (11-12)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Proverbs.

We live in the most connected generation in history—yet we’re lonelier than ever. Friendship is supposed to bring joy, but many of us know the pain of betrayal, distance, or shallow connections that leave us empty. Proverbs shows us what wise friendship really is—and why we can’t live without it.

Big Idea: Wise friendship is believers, united in Christ, pursuing one another with faithfulness and truthfulness, to glorify the One who made them His friends.

Wise Friendship is Formed by God and Flows from Our Unity in Christ
Wise Friendship is Forged by Faithfulness and Truthfulness
Wise Friendship is Fueled by the Unfailing Work of Christ

A sermon by guest preacher David Truesdell from Romans 8:31-39.

Big Idea: Seven reasons to rejoice in the love of Christ. For the believer, the love of Christ:

Guards
Provides
Cleanses
Intercedes
Sustains
Prepares
Assures

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from John 13:1-17.

Much of our love is tied to what brings us pleasure, comfort, or fulfillment. But the love of God in Christ is entirely different—selfless, sacrificial, and poured out for the good of others.

Big Idea: Christ, in his divine love, cleanses His own and calls us to imitate Him in service.

The Sovereign Constancy of Love (1–3)
The Humble Service of Love (4–5)
The Cleansing Necessity of Love (6–11)
The Imitative Call of Love (12–17)

A sermon by guest preacher Tony Sanelli from Psalm 46.

Psalm 46 was written by those who had lived through a crisis or calamity and discovered firsthand that God truly is the Living God—always present when you need Him most.

God's Abiding Presence is Our Source of Safety in Times of Upheaval
God's Abiding Presence is Our Source of Joy and Protection
God's Abiding Presence is Ours to Experience by Faith

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 3:14-16.

Every church is shaped by something—some by tradition, others by strong personalities, and still others by the surrounding culture. But in the middle of his letter, Paul gives Timothy three vivid metaphors that cast a different vision: a church shaped not by convenience or trend, but by the gospel itself.

Big Idea: A gospel-shaped church lives out her new identity and life in response to the truth of the gospel.

The Household of God: Defined by Her New Identity in Christ (14-15a)
The Assembly of the Living God: Directed by Her New Life in Christ (15b)
The Pillar and Support of the Truth: Devoted to the Gospel Truth of Christ (15c-16)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

The office of deacon is often misunderstood. Some view it as a janitorial role; others see it as a stepping stone—“one day I’ll grow up to be a pastor.” But who are deacons, and how are they called to serve in that office?

Big Idea: Deacons are gifted men or women, officially set apart to serve Christ’s church with Christlike character and manner.

Official in Their Service (8a)
Competent in Their Character (8b-12)
Tested Before They’re Tasked (10)
Mindful of Their Reward (13)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

What qualities does God desire in the pastors of His church? When selecting or evaluating elders, what should be the criteria? This text gives us clear answers.

Big Idea: The pastors of the church must be men who are spiritually, morally, and relationally fit to lead Christ’s church.

Fit in His Desire (1)
Fit in His Maturity (2a-3, 6-7)
Fit in His Ability (2c, 4-5)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 2:9-15.

Although men and women are equal in personhood, they are distinct in their roles. They function differently in the home and in the church. This difference is not defined by society—which shifts from generation to generation and place to place—but is rooted in God’s good design.

Big Idea: God calls women in the church to cultivate godly attitudes and embrace their God-given assignments.

Godly Attitudes: How Women Are to Fashion Themselves in the Church (9-10)
God-Given Assignments: How Women Are to Function in the Church (11-15)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 Timothy 2:8.

The church can engage in all kinds of ministries, but without prayer, there will be no lasting fruit. Prayer is not just one ministry among many—it is the lifeline of every ministry. It is the means by which all other ministries function. And men must take the lead in prayer.

Big Idea: God calls men of the local church to lead in prayer while striving to live holy lives.

The Place of Prayer
The Person of Prayer
The Posture of Prayer

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

As Paul transitions to the second part of the letter, he begins instructing Timothy on how to order the life of the church. As he guides him regarding the church’s worship, gender roles, and leadership, the first thing he urges the Ephesian church to do is pray.

Big Idea: The church’s gospel witness begins in prayer and is sustained by God’s desire to save all through one Mediator.

Pray for All (1-2)
Because God Desires All (3-4)
And Only Jesus Saves All (5-6)
So Proclaim to All (7)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Psalm 128.

Psalm 128 invites us to consider a definition of blessing that is not rooted in circumstances, but in fearing the Lord and walking in His ways. It doesn’t paint a picture of a perfect life, but of a fruitful, God-centered one—especially through the lens of the home and the legacy of a father.

Big Idea: Fathers who fear the Lord are richly blessed—and become a blessing to their families and their communities.

The Blessed Father Commits to the Chief Priority (1, 4)
The Blessed Father Enjoys Rich Provisions (2-3)
The Blessed Father Longs for a Godly Posterity (5-6)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 1:18-20.

Before his conversion, Paul was a fighter—fighting against the Lord and trying to destroy the church. But God transformed him. He forgave Paul and enlisted him to fight for Him. Now Paul looks at Timothy and says, “Fight the good fight with me!” Join the battle for the truth of the gospel.

Big Idea: Christians, and especially pastors, must fight for the truth of the Gospel!

Fight by Remembering Your Calling (18)
Fight by Guarding Your Doctrine and Life (19-20a)
Fight by Applying Church Discipline (20b)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

What happens to someone who’s done real evil, caused real harm, and seems too far gone to change? Are they scrapped? Written off? Thrown away? That’s the question Paul answers in our passage.

Big Idea: God’s grace is so hyper-abundant that it transforms the worst sinner into a servant and a showcase for His praise.

God’s Super-Abundant Grace Qualifies Us to Serve Jesus (12)
God’s Super-Abundant Grace Saves Even the Worst of Us (13-16)
God’s Super-Abundant Grace Provokes Us to Worship Him (17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 1:8-11.

If we are going to be gospel people, we need to understand how the law and the gospel relate. Paul shows us here: the law is not the gospel, but it leads us to the gospel. It’s not a ladder we climb to reach God; it’s a mirror that shows us our sin and our need for a Savior.

Big Idea: God’s law exposes our sin and leads us to the gospel, so that we might be saved by grace through faith in Christ.

Know the Nature of the Law: It is Good (8)
Know the Purpose of the Law: To Expose Sin (9-10)
Know the End of the Law: Christ in the Gospel (11)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 1:3-7.

What does the church body need to hear from its pastors? Paul is burdened that Timothy and other church elders understand what the church truly needs—not theories or speculations, but truth. Gospel truth. Truth that produces love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Big Idea: Faithful pastors steward God’s truth with love as the goal and pure motives at the heart.

Guard the Gospel Truth Entrusted by God (3-4)
Teach the Gospel Truth with the Goal of Love (5)
Proclaim the Gospel Truth with Pure Motives (6-7)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17.

What’s the greatest gift a loving mother can give her children? If you’re striving to succeed as a mother, what does true success look like? We find the answer in Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

Big Idea: Influential motherhood is rooted in a sincere faith and expressed through discipling faith, shaping the next generation for God’s glory.

Sincere Faith: Influential Motherhood Begins With Who You Are, Not What You Do (1:3-5)
Discipling Faith: Influential Motherhood Aims at God’s Purposes, Not the World’s Achievements (3:14-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 1:1-2.

Paul's introductions to his letters are never accidental. The slight variations often highlight key themes he will address throughout the letter. The introduction to 1 Timothy reveals not only what Paul wants to communicate to Timothy personally, but also what future churches reading this letter should focus on.

Big Idea: God’s design for the church begins with His saving mission, led by His approved leaders, and sustained by His generous provision.

Anchored in Gospel-Centered Mission (1)
Led by Gospel-Formed Leadership (2a)
Empowered by Gospel-Rich Provisions (2b)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Luke 15:11-32.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son beautifully reveals the radical mercy and compassion of God toward sinners who don’t deserve it. It not only shows how we can receive that mercy with a humble heart, but also warns us of the danger of rejecting God's grace.

Big Idea:God joyfully extends grace to the repentant sinner, but the self-righteous despise His mercy.

The Prodigal Son: Repenting sinners recognize their need and come to God in faith (11-21)
The Loving Father: God joyfully reconciles with the repentant sinners, celebrating their return with lavish grace (20, 22-24)
The Self-Righteous Son: The self-righteous sinners reject God’s offer of grace and despise His grace offered to others. (25-32)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Luke 24:13-35.

In Luke 24, the risen Jesus walks seven miles with two disciples leaving Jerusalem in despair. Just a week earlier, hope was high as He entered the city. Now, they believe all is lost—until Jesus shows them that His death was the very path to true hope.

Big Idea: In your despair, meet the Risen Christ in His Word; then your heart will delight and your mouth will declare.

Despair: Not from Lack of Evidence, but from Unbelief (13-26)
Delight: Not from Physical Sight, but from Scriptural Insight (27-32)
Declaration: Not from Convenience, but from Conviction (33-35)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Galatians 3:13-14.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ both saves us and keeps us saved. We are all prone to wander. We’re all tempted to “graduate from the Gospel” in pursuit of bigger and better things—like doing more for the Lord. That’s why we must keep Christ and His cross front and center as we live for Him.

Jesus Removed God’s Curse from Us (13)
Jesus Secured God’s Blessing for Us (14)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Samuel 23:1-7.

David’s final words in 2 Samuel 23 offer the answer to your life. No matter your age, his theology holds hope for the entire world—not because it was rooted in himself or his own faithfulness, but because it was grounded in the promise of God’s future Messiah, whose coming we celebrate even this morning.

Big Idea: True theology is shaped by God’s Grace and grounded in God’s King, leading us to worship today and giving us hope for tomorrow.

A Theology Shaped by God’s Profound Grace (1)
A Theology Grounded in God’s Righteous King (2-7)
- God’s Ruler will Reign in God’s Fear
- God’s Ruler will Bring in God’s Blessing
- God’s Ruler will Reign in God’s Faithfulness
- God’s Ruler will Bring in God’s Judgment

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Samuel 21:1-14.

This story in 2 Samuel 21 may sound strange to our ears. We wonder why it was necessary to kill Saul’s seven descendants for something done years earlier, related to a covenant that was 400 years old. Yet this account is preserved under God’s inspiration to teach us that, beyond the obvious, King David’s actions point to a greater reality—the reign and work of another King, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Big Idea: Sin, however old, has consequences. Only when justice is served and atonement made can it be forgiven—and God has done both for you in Christ.

A Supernatural Exposure: “There was a famine in the land…” (1-2)
A Severe Justice: “How can I make atonement?” (3-9)
A Satisfying Closure: “After that God was moved.” (10-14)
A Surpassing Message: “God has made a covenant with you—and atoned for your sin in Christ!”

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Samuel 16:5-14.

In 2 Samuel 16, David is on the run once again. The first time, he fled from his predecessor, Saul, who sought to take his life. Now, he is running from his own son, Absalom. Once more, David is humbled—barefoot, crushed, and broken. Yet, in his brokenness, we witness the king’s confidence. He no longer places his trust in himself but in God.

Big Idea: When confronted with unjust criticism or the consequences of sin, trust God to mercifully sustain you.

Shimei’s Cursing: “You Got What You Deserved!” (5-8)
David’s Confidence: “The Lord Will Be Good to Me!” (9-14)
- Confide in the Sovereignty of God
- Confide in the Discipline of God
- Confide in the Compassion of God

A sermon by guest preacher John Fernandez from Revelation 21:1-8.

Heaven is designed by Jesus to remedy all the suffering and persecution of this life, but He doesn’t want us to merely wait for “then”—He calls us to fix our hearts and hope on it right now.

Big Idea: Be comforted by the reality of heaven and be stirred to tell other people that Jesus is the only way to get there.

Eternal Joy of God’s New Home for Us (1-2)
Eternal Joy of God’s New Presence with Us (3)
Eternal Joy of God’s New Experience for Us (4)
Eternal Joy Because of Ironclad Certainty (5-7)
Eternal Misery for Those Rejecting Christ (8)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Samuel 12:1-15.

1 and 2 Samuel recount the reigns of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. Though Saul was handsome, he was disobedient and ultimately rejected by God. David, in contrast, sought to rule according to God's word and covenant. He also failed, but his failure was not final—God restored him rather than rejecting him.

Big Idea: God actively restores His people through His messengers and His Word—all because of His mercy.

The Lord Restores by Confronting Us through His Messenger (1-6)
The Lord Restores by Exposing Us through His Word (7-10)
The Lord Restores by Covering Us in His Mercy (11-15)

A sermon by guest preacher Victor Zubarev from 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10.

Apostle Paul saw faith in Christ as life-changing, shaping everything we do. When God is our highest priority, it shows in our work, family, rest, spending, and emotions. True faith rings out because it is always connected to the greatest love of our hearts—Christ.

Big Idea: God’s profound work will always manifest in a faith that declares itself.

Faith Worth Imitating (6-7)
Faith Worth Spreading (8)
Faith that Amazes with Its Radical Nature (9-10)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 5:12-14.

In his closing statement, Peter summarizes the entire letter with the declaration: “This is the true grace of God!” All the indicatives, all the imperatives, and all the encouragement to suffer well—Peter wraps it all up and calls it the true grace of God. Grace is the heartbeat of this letter. Grace is the center of our lives. The Christian life is all grace.

Big Idea:The Christian life is all grace—now and always—so stand firm in it and extend it.

Know the True Grace of God (12)
Stand in the True Grace of God (12)
Extend the True Grace of God (13-14)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 5:5-11.

At the end of the letter, Peter encourages the Christians by reminding them once again that they are not alone in their suffering. Though they may feel intimidated by the roaring lion—the enemy—they can find peace in knowing they are in the capable hands of the Chief Shepherd.

Big Idea:Stay humble and firm in faith to resist the lion and rest in the Shepherd.

Your God is Mighty—Humble Yourself Before Him (5-7)
Your Adversary is Intimidating—Resist Him with Firm Faith in Christ (8-9)
Your God is Gracious—He will Perfect You (10-11)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 Peter 5:1-4.

Peter's call for the church to endure suffering is now directed primarily at the church's elders. During times of hardship and persecution, the first to be affected within the church are often the pastors. When a leader's freedom, position, lifestyle, family, or even his own life is at risk, it is easy for him to falter and neglect the shepherding and oversight duties he was called to perform.

Big Idea: Faithful shepherds are called to lead God’s flock in a loving manner, looking to the Chief Shepherd for their eternal reward.

The Call to Shepherd (1-2a)
The Manner of Shepherding (2b-3)
The Reward for the Shepherds (4)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 4:12-19.

In this text, Peter reminds us that God neither ignores nor minimizes our suffering. He is not indifferent to our pain. Rather than explaining every reason for suffering, Peter helps us understand why God allows it and encourages us to entrust ourselves to Him through it.

Big Idea:Don’t be surprised by suffering; instead, rejoice and trust God, who is refining you.

Welcome your suffering (12-14)
Understand your suffering (15-18)
Entrust yourself to God in suffering (19)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 4:7-11.

What should the church do if the end of all things is at hand? Should we spend our time trying to determine the date of His coming? Should we quit our jobs and retreat to the hills? No! Instead, we are called to live faithful Christian lives that glorify God and serve others.

Big Idea:The end is near, so live normal Christian lives that glorify God and benefit others.

Live soberly to stay prayerful (7)
Love fervently to cover sin (8-9)
Serve diligently to glorify God (10-11)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 4:1-6.

As Peter continues to instruct his readers on the topic of suffering, he encourages them to endure it well by focusing on their new identity as Christians. Since they are no longer who they once were, every moment of their lives should be devoted to living for Christ, even if it comes at a great cost.

Big Idea:From the day you were born again, every moment belongs to Christ, no matter the cost.

It’s time to arm yourself with Christ’s mindset (1)
It’s time to live according to God’s will (2-4)
It’s time to stand on God’s verdict (5-6)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 3:18-22.

This is one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. A common mistake when teaching such passages is overemphasizing unclear details and losing sight of the main point. Peter highlights that Christians can endure suffering because Jesus was vindicated through His resurrection and ascension. Suffering is not the end; glory is.

Big Idea:We can suffer well because we share the same destiny as Jesus!

Christ’s suffering resulted in exaltation that brought you to God (18)
Christ’s suffering resulted in exaltation that triumphed over demonic powers (19-20a; 22)
Christ’s suffering resulted in exaltation that gives meaning to your baptism (20b-21)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 3:13-17.

In 3:13, Peter transitions in his letter to address the topic of suffering. He seeks to equip his Christian readers not only to endure severe persecution but also to recognize it as an opportunity for witness. How should the church respond to suffering while rejoicing in its salvation and remaining faithful to Christ?

Big Idea:Face suffering with a gracious manner, godly mindset, and gospel message.‍

Persevere Patiently: Do good and submit to God’s will (13-14a; 17)
Prioritize Properly: Fear God above all lesser fears (14b-15a)
Proclaim Promptly: Be ready to defend your gospel hope to everyone (15b-16)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 3:8-12.

Everyone desires a sweet life, but they often look in different places to find it. How can Christians enjoy a good life, especially in the midst of suffering? Peter provides a straightforward answer.

Big Idea:Live together with Christ-like attitudes, and you will inherit a blessing!

GraceHill, live together as a Christ-filled church! (8-9a)
GraceHill, live together as a Christ-filled church because of eternity! (9b-12)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Psalm 67.

God, in His grace and kindness, blesses us not to keep for ourselves but to share His blessings with others. As His redeemed children, we are called to reflect His mission, desiring that all nations come to praise and enjoy Him.

Big Idea: God blesses His people so they can lead the lost to Him, bringing them joy and glory to His name.

God is on a mission to bring joy to the nations (4)
You are blessed so that others may come to know Him (1-2, 6-7)
Join the mission and call people to exclusive praise (3, 5)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Luke 2:21-35.

In the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets, God left numerous hints about His plan of salvation, which centers on a Person. Initially, these hints were subtle, but as the revelation unfolded, they became increasingly clear. Many Jews, who had access to the Scriptures, patiently awaited the coming of the Messiah. One man, however, received a special revelation: he would not die until he had seen his Savior.

Big Idea: Jesus, the Hope of Christmas is offered to all but must be received by each.

Our Hope is Rooted in the Perfection of Jesus (21-24)
Our Hope is Rooted in the Sufficiency of Jesus (25-33)
Our Hope is Rooted in our Submission to Jesus (34-35)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Ezekiel 34:1-24.

In Ezekiel 34, God condemns the shepherds of Israel for failing to embody the pastoral qualities necessary to care for their community. He promises to remove them from their positions and take on the role of Shepherd Himself. Only then will the people experience true care, comfort, and the assurance of a glorious future.

Big Idea:God has appointed His Son as the Good Shepherd, so it’s a blessing to be His sheep!

The Reason for the Good Shepherd: “I am Against Your Shepherds” (1-10)
The Comfort of the Good Shepherd: “I will Care for You!” (11-22)
The Identity of the Good Shepherd: “I will Set Over You One Shepherd” (23-24)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Psalm 72.

Psalm 72 is a Coronation Psalm—a petition for a righteous king to be appointed to the throne. However, the question we must ask is: who was the original subject of this prayer? While it is evident that the psalm was intended for Solomon, it is equally clear that Solomon could never fully embody the hopes expressed in this prayer. This psalm is ultimately a prayer of hope—that another royal Son of David would one day come in righteousness to establish God's Kingdom. And that hope has already been fulfilled.

Big Idea:Jesus is God’s answer to His people’s prayer for a perfect King, so praise and adore Him!

Jesus has come as the Righteous King to bring peace and justice (1-4)
Jesus has come as the Everlasting King to prosper His people (5-7)
Jesus has come as the Universal King to be worshipped by all nations (8-11)
Jesus has come as the Compassionate King to bring hope to the hopeless (12-14)
Jesus has come as the Blessed King to bless and be blessed (15-20)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Genesis 3:15.

In Luke 24:44, Jesus tells His disciples that all Scripture points to Him. The Old Testament, consisting of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, reveals truths about Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection. The Law, written approximately 4,000 years before Christ’s coming, contains the earliest prophecies of His birth.

Big Idea: The Child that was promised in ancient times has been born for you also. He is Jesus, who lives as your Victor, your Blessing, and your eternal King.

Jesus is the new Adam who would defeat Satan and reverse the curse (Genesis 3:15)
Jesus is the Heir who would come from the chosen family and be a blessing to the rest of the world (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6)
Jesus is the Ruler from the line of Judah whose reign will never end (Genesis 49:8-12)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 3:7.

As Peter continues addressing Christian living within the home, he exhorts husbands just as he did wives. Christian husbands, whose identity is rooted in Christ, are called to prioritize the welfare of their wives.

Big Idea:A husband’s beautiful behavior in the home is demonstrated by his humble deference in understanding and honoring his wife.

Husband, show Jesus in your marriage by:

Living with Your Wife in Understanding (7a)
Treating Your Wife with Honor (7b)
Prioritizing Your Walk with the Lord (7c)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 3:1-6.

As the Gospel spread throughout Asia Minor, many women in pagan marriages began to put their trust in Christ. This conversion was often seen as an act of rebellion against their husbands. Facing various challenges, these wives were uncertain about how to proceed. Peter’s response, both then and now, might come as a surprise to many.

Big Idea:A wife’s beautiful behavior in the home is demonstrated by her humble submission, her hidden beauty, and her hopeful faith.

Wife, show Jesus in your marriage through:

Humble submission that influences your husband (1-2)
Hidden beauty that pleases your Lord (3-4)
Hopeful faith that identifies your lineage (5-6)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 2:18-25.

According to Peter, the best way to respond to a difficult or unreasonable boss, teacher, or leader is to honor and submit to them, even when we feel wronged. Though challenging, this passage encourages us to endure for God’s glory, offering both reasons and guidance on how to do so.

Big Idea:Through your unjust suffering, remain obedient to Christ, following His example.

Endure hardships through submission to please God (18-20)
Endure hardships through submission to Follow Christ (21)
Endure hardships through submission by Fixating on Christ (22-25)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 2:11-17.

What is a holy nation to do in the midst of a wicked Roman Empire? What are we to do when the morals of God’s kingdom collide with the immorality of the earthly nations in which we still reside? In this section, Peter gives us a strategy to honor God and live for Christ in our wicked culture, by the power of the Spirit working in us from the inside out.

Big Idea:Since you're God’s people, depart from fleshly desires and display beautiful behavior.

Turn away from desires outside of God’s will (11)
Live in a way that draws others to God’s glory (12-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 2:4-10.

Peter was writing to Christians who were living in a hostile world, much like we do today. In this section, he provides an invaluable answer to how we are to live as we wait for Jesus' return: we must rest in our identity with God and each other, and pursue His mission of worshiping God and declaring His worth to others.

Big Idea:As God’s chosen exiles, Christ sets our identity and mission in this broken world.

We are Living Stones in God's temple, being built by Him for worship (4-5)
We are set on Christ the Rock, trusting Him to share His security and honor (6-8)
We are God's Precious People, embraced by Him to declare His excellencies (9-10)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 Peter 2:1-3.

Just as a child needs the right nutrients to grow physically, Christians need spiritual nourishment to grow in faith. In 1 Peter 2:1-3, Peter urges those who have been born again to 'long for the pure milk of the Word,' reminding us that our spiritual growth is directly connected to our intake of God's Word.

Big Idea: Your growth in salvation is nourished by the Word of God and manifests in love toward others.

Your spiritual growth is dependent on God’s Word, so be nourished by the Word (2-3)
Your spiritual growth becomes apparent in your love, so put away the sin (1)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:22-25.

After giving three commands that focus on our lives before God, Peter transitions to another command that addresses our relationships with one another, particularly within the church. This shift moves from the vertical relationship to the horizontal. Although the orientation changes, the subject remains the same.

Big Idea: We love sincerely and fervently because we live purely and eternally.

Love sincerely, for you were purified for a new life of love (22)
Love fervently, for you were birthed to new life by the eternal Word (22b-25)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:13-21.

Verse 13 opens with a powerful word: “Therefore.” With that single word, Peter connects two major concepts. In the first twelve verses, Peter discusses the reality of the Gospel in our lives. Now, he aims to show how we are to respond to the Gospel.

Big Idea: Since you're now part of God's family, live in holiness and reverence as you wait for Christ to return.

Since you’ve been graced, fix your hope on future glory (13)
Since you’ve Been called, follow your Father in holiness (14-16)
Since You’ve been redeemed, fear your Father in reverence (17-21)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Christians, who receive a new identity in Christ, lose their previous earthly status and benefits, along with their sense of significance. In the eyes of the world, they appear as the most unfortunate and disadvantaged. As Peter concludes his introduction, he reminds them how privileged they are as New Testament saints.

Big Idea: Christian, you are greatly privileged because you have received the complete truth of salvation in Jesus Christ.

You Enjoy What the Prophets Prepared (10-12a)
You Received Whom the Preachers Proclaim (12b)
You Experience What the Angels Puzzle Over (12c)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:6-9.

For the first time, Peter introduces the topic of suffering, which will continue throughout the letter. He acknowledges that life in exile is marked by suffering but reminds his readers that their faith today will lead to final salvation, far greater than all the pain, allowing them to rejoice even now.

Big Idea: Rejoice amid trials because they’re short-lived, God-ordained, and fruit-bearing.

Rejoice while in trials because:

All trials are short-lived compared to eternal joy (6)
All trials are God-ordained to prove your faith (6-7)
All trials are fruit-bearing both now and for eternity (8-9)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Peter is writing to those who are harassed, insulted, and pressured by a sinful culture, encouraging them to recognize something important about God and to declare His praises. Since God is blessed, it is right to bless Him in all circumstances. Peter provides the reasons for this in the following verses.

Big Idea: Praise the Father because He has saved and secured you forever!

Bless the Father because He birthed you into His family (3a)
Bless the Father because He gave you living hope in Christ (3b)
Bless the Father because He guards you for future inheritance (4-5)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Peter 1:1-2.

1 Peter was written to people in a situation similar to ours: not experiencing full-blown persecution but facing harassment, insults, and pressure from a culture and society that hated Christ. Peter wrote to encourage the Christians and to remind them that they possess a living hope in a hopeless land. As he begins to write, the first thing he does is remind them of their status.

Big Idea: Recognize your status as deeply loved by God and deeply loathed by the world.

Chosen: Recognize that God Deeply Loves You
Aliens: Recognize that the World Deeply Loathes You

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

The Bible clearly states that believers belong to one another. Unlike our relationships with unbelievers, Christians have the privilege of fellowshipping with each other, and small groups allow us to do just that.

Big Idea: Life Groups provide a place for deeper fellowship—sharing, caring, and welcoming of one another.

A Place to Share Our Common Lives with One Another
A Place to Care for One Another
A Place to Welcome Others

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 4:6-10.

The concepts of training and discipline are outlined throughout the New Testament. Paul frequently used metaphors of running, boxing, exercising, and laboring to describe the Christian walk. Discipline is a necessary component of our walk with God.

Big Idea: Train by feeding on the gospel, aiming for godliness, and fueled by hope.

The Diet of Training: Gospel & Doctrine (6-7a)
The Goal of Training: Godliness Promised in the Gospel (7b-9)
The Fuel for Training: Hope in the Living Savior (10)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Selected Scriptures.

Our strength in prayer arises from our knowledge of God and His purposes as He reveals Himself in the Scriptures. The starting point in prayer is God’s revelation of who He is and what He is doing.

Big Idea: We pray because our gracious Father offers his help and performs gospel works in response to the prayers of his needy children.

We pray because our Father graciously offers his mercy and help
We pray because we are God's helpless and needy children
We pray because God does the works of the gospel in us and through us in response to our requests

A sermon by guest preacher Greg Reed from Isaiah 42:1-13.

The church is commissioned because of the glorious commission of our great Christ.
The church is commissioned because of the glorious salvation of our great Christ.
The church is commissioned because of the glorious song of our great Christ.

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

Throughout church history, there have always been periods when preaching was resisted and attacked, and today is no different. In a world full of complex issues, what good does it do to gather once a week to listen to somebody talk about God from the Bible?

Big Idea: Preaching is a meeting with God to hear Him speak, leading to conversion and change.

We Preach Because Our God Has Spoken
We Preach Because We are Saved Through Preaching
We Preach Because We are Changed Through Preaching

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

All people sing. We are singing creatures. We were created to sing by God, who sings Himself! However, why do Christians sing?

Big Idea: Singing is an act of worship that responds to the Gospel and an act of faith that receives the Gospel.

We Sing to Respond to the Gospel
We Sing to Receive the Gospel
We Sing to Reinforce Our Unity in the Gospel

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Selected Scriptures.

The Scriptures offer extensive guidance on managing our possessions, including money. Our attitude toward handling these possessions reflects our understanding of grace and our participation in God's plan.

Big Idea: Giving is a form of true worship of God that imitates his heart and extends his mission.

We give because we are the recipients of God’s gifts
We give because we are God's stewards
We give because we are God's guaranteed beneficiaries

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Selected Scriptures.

The idea of membership is familiar to all of us. We are members of many things: gyms, teams, stores, and unions. Church membership, however, is more than just a club membership; it’s a declaration. It signifies that you belong to a body of believers who are committed to helping each other and serving together to accomplish Christ’s purposes on earth.

Big Idea: Being a member of a local church shows that I belong to Christ and His body.

Membership is Inherent in the Purchase Made by Christ
Membership is Intended in the Picture of Christ’s Body
Membership is Implied in the Practice of Christ’s Church

The cross is followed by the crown. The resurrected Lord has completed His mission to atone for the sins of His people. But the mission goes on. He instructs His disciples to pick up the baton and continue the work: to tell and teach all people about Jesus, the great Immanuel.

‍Big Idea: Since Jesus is crowned as the resurrected Lord, He is worthy of worship from all peoples, so we must tell them about Him!

All Authority: Jesus is Crowned as the Universal Lord (16-18)
All the Peoples: We are Charged with a Universal Mission (19-20a)
All the Days: We are Blessed with Universal Comfort (20b)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Today, we can find many plans in the world that offer to improve our health or increase our wealth. There are also plans that propose ways to work your way to God—every religion has them—but they are all doomed to fail because no human plan addresses your sin. Only God, in His wisdom, solves our sin problem by Himself so that all praise goes to Him.

Big Idea: Our salvation is entirely from the Lord so that our boasting may be entirely in the Lord.

God Alone Saves Us (30a)
Christ Alone Enriches Us (30b)
The Lord Alone Deserves Our Boasting (31)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 John 4:7-12.

While believers are called to love even their enemies, loving fellow Christians is fundamental to the Christian faith. Because of God's work, Christians are able to love, are called to love, and are obligated to love one another.

Big Idea: You must love your fellow Christians because of your new relationship with God.

Because love is the evidence of our new birth (7-8)
Because we received God's love in His Son (9-11)
Because God continues to love in and through us (12-13)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 28:1-15.

The Bible never records any descriptions of how Jesus rose from the dead, but only the fact that He rose from the dead so that we would not be wrapped up and consumed with all the minutiae of the resurrection, but with the matter and the meaning of the resurrection.

Big Idea: The Resurrection of Jesus is not a hoax but a historical matter with hope-filled meaning to those who believe.

Come and See the Matter of the Resurrection (1-6)
Go and Tell the Meaning of the Resurrection (5-10)
Recognize and Reject the Myth of the Resurrection (11-15)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 27:57-66.

At first glance, the last ten verses of chapter 27 might appear as “filler verses”—simply filling in some historical details and bridging two important events in Christianity: the cross and the resurrection. However, Matthew tells us something very significant about Jesus and how His burial impacts our salvation.

Big Idea: Jesus was buried to assure us of our complete salvation through His death and His resurrection.

Jesus’ Certain Burial Assures Us of His Humiliating Death (57-61)
Jesus’ Secure Tomb Assures Us of His Glorious Resurrection (62-66)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 27:45-56.

Our text reveals the most unnatural concept, truly an oxymoron that should cause us to reflect deeply on its meaning: Jesus died. Those two words should not be used so closely together because there is nothing about Jesus’s death that is fair, right, just, or sensible. Yet this is what makes His death central to the Good News of the Bible.

Big Idea: Jesus’ undeserving death creates for us undeserving grace.

Jesus was Judged by God, so You Would Never Be (45-49)
Jesus Gave Up His Life, so You Would Never Have To (50-56)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 27:27-44.

Unlike other Gospel writers, Matthew looks at the cross through the lens of human wickedness and corruption. He incorporates into Jesus' story the stories of sinners who are blind, and their stories reflect us. When we look at those who mocked and insulted Jesus, we're supposed to identify with them.

Big Idea: The cross of Christ reveals our sinful blindness and our need for a Savior, regardless of who we are and what we do!

The Cross Reveals Our Sinful Blindness to Who Christ Is (27-37)
The Cross Reveals Our Sinful Blindness to What Christ Does (38-44)

A sermon by guest preacher Tony Arnds from John 16:33

How do we overcome mountains that stand in our way? How do you persevere in the faith through many trials of this life? Though we may experience small or massive trials and tribulations, we can endure believing in Christ to the end.

Four glorious truths that we must know in order to persevere through tribulations. In order to live victoriously,

You must know the Word of God and its promises to you
You must know your place in the world as a believer
You must know that Jesus has already overcome the world
You must know that His victory is the guarantee of yours

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 27:11-26.

Since His arrest in the Garden, Jesus has been bounced from one trial to the next because no one could find any guilt in Him. Finally, as the council hands Him over to Pilate, the stage is set for the greatest scandal in history, which also illustrates substitutionary atonement: the innocent is convicted, and the guilty are released!

Big Idea: The first-century Israel chose the wrong “son” so that sinners in every century would delight in a right Savior.

The Charge: Jesus is the King-Shepherd (11-14)
The Choice: Which “Son” Do You Want? (15-23)
The Charade: You Can’t Be Neutral with Jesus! (24-26)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 27:1-10.

The opening verses of Matthew 27 seem to portray Judas' repentance. However, the chief priests and elders emerge as the primary actors, exhibiting the same behavior as that of the scribes and Pharisees who opposed and rejected Jesus.

Big Idea: Without Christ, there’s only hopelessness and hypocrisy.

The Hopelessness of Christless Religion: Zero Forgiveness (1-5)
The Hypocrisy of Christless Religion: All Self-Righteousness (6-10)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:69-75.

Jesus is on trial. Multiple witnesses are sought to testify against Him, but all of their testimonies are false. Only Jesus testifies truthfully about Himself. But is there another witness to confirm Jesus’ testimony? There is – Peter. However, unlike Jesus, Peter lies about his association with Him, swearing and cursing. Is there hope for him?

Big Idea: Peter’s denial demonstrates the gravity of our sin against Jesus and the greatness of His faithfulness towards us.

Peter’s Grave Failure: Never Forget the Gravity of Your Sinfulness (69-74a)
Christ’s Great Faithfulness: Never Forget the Greatness of Christ’s Love (74b-75)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:57-68.

“What do you think?” asked Caiaphas. What does He deserve? The answer in our text is—He’s worthy of death! But what do we think? Let's examine four portraits of Jesus and consider our response to each.

Big Idea: Jesus, who was unjustly condemned to death, is deserving of our trust, confession, worship, and following.

Jesus, the Innocent One: Trust Him as Your Savior (57-61)
Jesus, the Silent One: Confess Him as Your Substitute (62-63a)
Jesus, the Majestic One: Worship Him as Your Sovereign (63b-66)
Jesus, the Meek One: Follow Him as Your Shepherd (67-68)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:47-56.

During Jesus' arrest, we see traitors kissing, disciples fighting, angels resting, the innocent being arrested, and the followers fleeing. Nothing about this scene makes sense unless you view it through the eyes of a loving God who was determined to save His people. Everything here is beyond human logic; it’s according to higher wisdom.

Big Idea: Jesus' strange arrest magnifies God’s commitment to cover and pardon us!

Jesus Suffered Personal Betrayal To Show His Commitment to Us (47-50)
Jesus Refused Personal Protection To Become Our Cover (51-54)
Jesus Endured Personal Injustice To Secure Our Pardon (55-56)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul defends the reality of Christ’s resurrection, which guarantees something for all who put their faith in Him. Jesus Himself provides the initial testimony to support this guarantee.

Big Idea:Since Christ, the “first fruits,” is alive, the full harvest of resurrection and restoration is guaranteed.

Reality: Christ Has Been Raised from the Dead! (20)
Resurrection: All Who Belong to Christ Will Be Raised (21-23)
Restoration: Everything Will Be Restored to Perfection (24-28)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Hebrews 7:17-28.

Big Idea: The hope of eternal life with God is based on two things - the Father’s oath and the Son’s priesthood

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:36-46.

The Garden of Gethsemane reveals Jesus' sorrow unlike any other time during His earthly ministry. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus, the second Adam, was able to overcome the greatest temptation on the way to restoring what the first Adam ruined in the Garden of Eden.

Big Idea:Gethsemane reveals our Savior’s pure character and provides His perfect comfort.

Watch Jesus who Battles — He Understands Your Struggles (36-39)
Watch Jesus who Warns — He Knows Your Snares (40-41)
Watch Jesus who Obeys — He Secured Your Salvation (42-46)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:26-30.

Halfway through the meal, Jesus transforms the last Passover into the first Supper, and its significance is hard to overemphasize. Jesus provides His disciples with a lens through which they can make sense of the cross. He offers them a framework that will guide their lives and solidify their mission after His resurrection.

Big Idea:Communion is a Gospel celebration of our complete forgiveness, united fellowship, and glorious future.

Look Back with Faith: Your Forgiveness is Accomplished (26-28)
Look Around with Love: Your Fellowship is United (27)
Look Forward with Hope: Your Future is Glorious (29-30)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:17-25; 31-35.

A familiar scene from the Gospel of Matthew reemerges during the final Passover meal: apart from Jesus himself, there are no heroes or saints. Instead, the meal portrays a group of failed men - straying sheep in the presence of a perfect Lamb. They sit with Jesus at the table not because of their own merits or righteousness but as beneficiaries of Jesus’ reconciling work for them.

Big Idea:Our straying, as Christ’s sheep, points to the necessity of the Lamb’s sacrifice for us.

Christ is Our Passover Lamb (17-19): While the sheep can’t grasp the significance of the moment, their Lamb discerns His time.
Christ Was Betrayed for Us (20-25): While the sheep question their loyalty, their Lamb Is loyal to His plan.
Christ Was Raised for Us (31-35): While the sheep will all fail, their Lamb will not fail His mission.

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 26:1-16.

Matthew begins the passion account with a surprising twist. The religious conspiracy is not surprising; they have been scheming how to get rid of Jesus for a while now. The surprise is what happens next. In light of Christ’s impending sacrifice, Matthew presents two responses to Christ - one of pure devotion and love, and the other of deception and hate.

Big Idea:In light of Christ’s infinite worth, nothing we give up for Him is too costly.

Know: Jesus Sovereignly and Freely Sacrificed Himself for You (1-5)
Treasure: Do You Delight in Christ Because He is Your Only Hope? (6-13)
Treason: Do You Despise Christ Because He Crushes of All Your Hopes? (14-16)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 25:31-46.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goals explains the attitude Christians should have while they await Christ's return. In the parable, there are no commands or direct encouragement to act in a certain way, but rather an explanation of what to expect upon Christ's return.

Big Idea: Wait for the Lord Jesus as people who are so filled with the love of God that they can't help but serve their brothers and sisters in Christ unselfconsciously.

Separation: Serve people expecting their upcoming Judgement by God
Surprise: Serve people out of the love of God, and not for the reward

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 25:14-30.

The parable of the Talents teaches us to be faithful while Christ is away. Besides staying alert, his followers must work hard. It's important to ask: What will we do with Christ, who sacrificed for us? Will we ignore Him and focus only on ourselves? Or, as we wait for His return, will we prioritize His mission?

Big Idea:Waiting for His return, make much of Christ by faithfully stewarding His riches.

You have been Entrusted with the Riches of Christ (14-15)
You are Called to Steward the Riches of Christ (16-18)
You will be Accountable for the Riches of Christ (19-30)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 25:1-13.

Christ's disciples thought that Jesus' glorious return would be immediate. However, through this parable, Jesus conveys a different message: When it comes to His return, we must hasten to prepare ourselves yet remain expectant, regardless of the duration of the wait.

Big Idea: Knowing Jesus prepares you for His coming, feeds your expectation of His return, and secures your participation in the joy of Christ’s feast.

Call: Prepare and Wait Expectantly for Jesus’ Return (1-10)
Caution: When Jesus Returns, Preparation Will Not Be an Option (10-13)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 24:36-51.

Christians are people of hope—the glorious truth that one day, we will be forever with Jesus. Yet, what fuels our hope is not the timing of His return but the certainty of His return. Believers are to be a people who anticipate the Lord's return so much that we are constantly awake to it, always ready for it, and faithfully serving in the light of it.

Big Idea:Jesus will return when least expected, so live each day being occupied with Christ and offering Him to others.

Stay Awake: You Don’t Know the Day of Christ’s Coming (36-42)
Stay Ready: Live Each Day Occupied with Christ (43-44)
Stay Faithful: Live Each Day Offering Christ (45-51)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 24:29-35.

Having addressed the disciples' initial question regarding the destruction of the temple, Jesus now responds to their second question concerning His coming and the end of the age. In essence, He emphasizes that despite the inevitable challenges and difficulties they will face, they should find comfort in the certainty of His return.

Big Idea:Jesus is coming back, so be confident, comforted, and cautious.

Be Confident: Jesus’ Coming Will Eclipse Everything Because He is the True Messiah (29-30a)
Be Comforted: Jesus’ Coming Will Bring Both Judgment and Rest (30b-31)
Be Cautions: Jesus is at the Door (32-35)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 24:15-28.

Having corrected the disciples' wrong assumption that the destruction of the temple will automatically usher in the end, Jesus addresses the first question they asked. Specifically, He talks about the destruction of the temple, but His answer concerns more than one event in history.

Big Idea:God has complete control over all the past, present, and future events of human history, so we should trust Him and stay faithful until His glorious coming.

Understand the Nature of Prophecy: The Past Foreshadows the Future! (15-22)
Understand the Nature of God: He Cares Deeply for You! (16-22)
Understand the Nature of Christ’s Coming: It Will Be Obvious, so Stay Faithful! (23-28)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 24:1-14.

After prophesying about the destruction of the temple (soon after His ascension) and the national repentance of Israel (at the second coming) in Matt 23:37-39, Jesus leaves the temple, never to return. In just a short while, He will be gone. What were His disciples to do while He was absent? In the following verses, Jesus gives His pastoral counsel to His disciples, relevant for every generation between His two comings.

Big Idea:Beloved of God, endure to the end by trusting, abiding, loving, and preaching Christ, not by looking at signs of the times.

Keep Trusting the True Christ through All Deception (4-5, 11)
Keep Abiding in the Word of Christ through All Worldwide Evil (6-8)
Keep Loving Christ through All Personal Suffering (9-12)
Keep Going and Keep Preaching (13-14)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 1 Timothy 2:1-8.

What significant tasks should our church prioritize? Alternatively, what would Christ, the Great Shepherd of the church, consider as the primary mission for the church?

Big Idea: For GraceHill Church to advance God’s mission of reaching the lost, prayer must be our urgent and first priority!

GraceHill, Let Us Make Prayer a Top Priority (1-2a)
GraceHill, Our Prayers Advance God’s Mission (2b-7)
GraceHill, Let Us Pray With the Right Attitude (8)

A sermon by Kirill Belyakov from Isaiah 61:1-11.

Big Idea: Once the Lord has given us favor in Christ to remain on this earth until He comes again, He will faithfully establish His earthly kingdom to be glorified among and through His people forever more in righteousness and grace.

The Dawn of the Lord’s Dominion (1-3)
The Dawn of a New Priesthood (4-8)
The Dawn of a Supreme Nation (9-11)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Isaiah 40:1-11.

Isaiah 40 marks a significant shift as the prophet now speaks to the discouraged Jews in Babylonian exile, who feel defeated and believe God has let them down. Despite this, God comforts them in their despair.

Big Idea: God does not forsake those who turn away from Him but offers them comfort—Jesus. So take comfort in Him and take His comfort to others!

Take Comfort Because God is For You (1-2)
Take Comfort Because Your Savior Has Come and Is Coming (3-5)
Take Comfort Because God’s Word is Certain (6-8)
Take the Comfort of Good News to Others (9-11)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Isaiah 11:1-10.

The concept of 'utopia' is scriptural and true. Such a world is guaranteed to come to fruition, but in due time. It is accomplished not by humans but by God Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Big Idea: Jesus Christ, God’s promised Messiah, has once come in the flesh and is returning soon to make all things right and bring everlasting peace on this earth.

Rejoice in Our King (1)
Delight in His Character (2–3a)
Await for His Ultimate Reign (3b–9)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Isaiah 9:1-7.

Although the book of Isaiah contains prophecies for Israel, the hope of both Israel and Judah is also ours, as it is anchored in the same Messiah who came once to save us from sin and will come again to reign in glory.

Big Idea: Our hope for the future is reinforced by trusting in God's promises and His plan.

No matter how desperate your situation may be, trust in God’s promises (1-5)
No matter how absurd God’s method of salvation may seem to us, trust in God’s plan (4b, 6-7)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 23:37-39.

Having just condemned the religious leaders of His people as hypocrites, and with those rebukes still ringing in the ears of the crowd, Jesus begins to openly express His heart — a broken heart for the very people He has just condemned. Here's a picture of God: one who does not delight in the destruction of sinners but rejoices when they turn from their sin and flee to Him for grace.

Big Idea:Behold and bestow God’s compassion, which continually pursues to protect us from the coming judgment.

Behold God’s Compassion in the Person of Jesus (37a)
Shelter In God’s Protection Under the Wings of Jesus (37b-38)
Bestow God’s Compassion to Sinners Like You (39)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 23:13-36.

Just like the Sermon on the Mount is best known for the Beatitudes, which describe the character and attitudes of those the King approves, Matthew 23 is best known for the Woes, which describe the character and attitudes of those whom the King rejects.

Big Idea:All who refuse to humble themselves and cling to Christ will be humbled and rejected!

All Who Are Barriers to Christ (13-15)
All Who Are Blinded by Their Self-Righteous Obedience (16-24)
All Who Dress Up Their Unrepentant Hearts with Religion (25-36)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 23:1-12.

While some may be tempted to title this chapter 'The Mean Jesus,' it is His grace and compassion that are on display, as He speaks the truth, serving as a warning for His disciples today.

Big Idea: The heart of Pharisaism is hypocrisy, which appears to be confident in God but is confident in self.

3 lessons from Christ's exposure of the Pharisee hearts:

Study Scripture as the Direction to Christ Instead of Destination in Itself (1-3)
Bless Others with Christ Instead of Burdening Them with the Law (4)
Serve Others Like Christ Instead of Showing Off Yourself (5-12)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 22:41-46.

Jesus' final question to the Pharisees compels us to grapple with our understanding of salvation. What type of Savior is Christ? What kind of Messiah are we seeking? The type of Savior we're looking for depends on our perception of the trouble we're in.

Big Idea:Our slavery to sin requires a total Savior - One who is both Man and God!

You Need a Human Savior to Bear Your Curse (41-42)
You Need a Divine Savior to Give You Life (43-46)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 22:34-40.

Has anyone ever obeyed the 'great commandment'? Yes, and that's precisely Matthew's point. When applying this text, we should first consider Jesus before ourselves.

Big Idea: The center of God's Law is love for God and His people, which is perfectly revealed and fulfilled in Jesus.

A Tempting Request (34-36)
A Penetrating Response (37-39)
A Gospel Reflection (40)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 22:23-33.

Having handled the first trap, Jesus is asked another deceitful question. Although on the surface, the issues appear to be those of death and resurrection, the deeper issue is unbelief, which Jesus diagnoses and addresses.

Big Idea: Beware! Unbelief uses reason and morality as a cover-up to discredit God and avoid dealing with Gospel realities.

Unbelief Presented (23-28)
Unbelief Diagnosed (29)
Unbelief Corrected (30-33)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 22:15-22.

Beginning at 22:15, Matthew presents the first of three deceitful attempts to trap Jesus. Everyone gangs up against Him to catch Him in some controversy. The question posed to Jesus is essentially this: "What is your relationship to the government, Jesus? Are you for the Romans or for the Jews?" His answer is very surprising! As Jesus' opponents are hoping to catch Him committing treason against the state, He exposes their treason against God!

Big Idea: Our primary duty is to give back to God, from whom all other duties originate.

A Secret Trap (15-17)
A Sovereign Trial (18)
A Surprising Twist (19-22)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from John 3:16.

The truth of John 3:16 is simple, yet it is so profound and weighty. It reveals the heart of the gospel, which is vitally needed for the unbeliever as well as the believer.

Big Idea: The Gospel is a revelation of the gift of life.

The Gospel Is a Revelation
The Gospel Is a Gift
The Gospel is Life

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 22:1-14.

The final parable in which Jesus continues to indict the religious leaders for their faithlessness is about a wedding, but with an unusual ending. Instead of the couple entering the wedding chambers with great joy, the parable ends with a man entering the outer darkness with 'weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Something profound happens. The groom and his father are terribly dishonored.

Big Idea: Embrace God's gracious invitation to His banquet with humility and faith, for He is truly worthy!

The Great Invitation (1-3a)
The Gross Insult (3b-6)
The Grave Indignation (7)
The Gracious Inclination (8-14)

A sermon by guest preacher Patrick Lacson from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

This section of Paul's writing contains the most essential paragraph in the entire New Testament regarding how we should think about and engage in ministry.

Big Idea: Every Christian is an ambassador of Christ because every Christian has been changed by Christ!

How have we been changed by Christ?

He has given us a new mindset
He has given us a new ministry
He has given us a new message

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 21:33-46.

The parable of the wicked vine-growers differs from all the others Jesus had spoken before. The scenes are emotionally stirring, with bright flashes of mercy shining against the dark backdrop of serial murders. They depict both the unprovoked violence of the growers and the unfathomable patience of the owner.

Big Idea: Self-righteousness blinds you to God's exceeding patience and drives you to commit spiritual suicide.

The Unfathomable Patience of the Landowner (33-37)
The Unimaginable Wickedness of the Growers (35-41)
The Unmistakable Vindication of the Son (42-46)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 21:23-32.

When questioned by the elders about His authority, Jesus demonstrated that His actions during His final week were rooted in grace.

Big Idea: Grace is the greatest authority that leads us to obedience in faith.

Jesus leads with Grace (23-27)
Believers Follow Grace by Responding with Faith and Repentance (28-32)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 21:1-11.

The OT prophets would often demonstrate God's judgment through visual aids instead of pronouncing it directly. Matthew 21 presents to us another Prophet who employs the same technique to pronounce judgment upon Israel for rejecting the very hope they were claiming to be waiting for.

Big Idea: All worship that does not center on Christ is rebellious and hypocritical!

Jesus: The Right Place of Worship
Jesus: The Right Person of Worship

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 21:1-11.

People who promote themselves usually repel others. However, perhaps no event in the Gospels highlights Jesus' self-promotion as much as His triumphal entry. Why isn't Jesus off-putting?

Big Idea: Though the people of Israel welcomed Jesus with proper theology and procession, they did not recognize His true identity. Do you?

Behold Your Sovereign King (1-5)
Behold Your Humble King (5-7)
Behold Your Saving King (8-11)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Kings 20:1-6.

At some point, we've all asked ourselves questions that pertain to both our prayers and God's sovereign will: If God controls every event, from the smallest to the greatest, then why should we pray? If events are predetermined, what meaningful difference can our prayers possibly make? These complex questions are indeed answered in the Bible.

Big Idea: Pray, because our prayers are a means to accomplish God's plans that demonstrate His faithfulness to His promises.

A Grievous Announcement (1)
A Godward Appeal (2-3)
A Gracious Answer (4-6)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Genesis 25-32.

Big Idea: God provides grace to His people when they don't deserve it and makes them useful for His Kingdom.

A Shameful Trade - Gen 25:21-34
A Stollen Blessing - Gen 27:18-30
An Underserved Promise - Gen 28:13-15
A Lesson from the Family - Gen 29:21-30
Jacob Becomes Israel - Gen 32:9-12

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Genesis 22:1-19.

The main characters of Genesis 22 appear to be Abraham and Isaac, but in reality, the heart of the story is God – who provides a substitute sacrifice instead of Isaac. This is the essence of the message.

Big Idea: God provided a Lamb as an offering so that you may live.

God Challenges (1-10)
God Provides (11-14)
God Promises (15-19)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Peter 3:11-18.

Christians must not only know that Jesus is coming back, but properly respond to His coming. Heaven is not just our final destination, but a present motivation.

Big Idea: Beloved, let the future coming of Christ motivate the present conduct of your life!

Stay Alert to Live Holy and Godly (11-14)
Stay Diligent to Understand God’s Plan (15-16)
Stay on Guard to Grow in Christ (17-18)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Peter 3:1-10.

What does the Second Coming have to do with patience? Everything. In 2 Peter 3, Peter shepherds believers in the truth of God’s word and encourages them to remember Christ's Coming, even if it appears to be delayed because believing that He’s coming back has great implications for our lives.

Big Idea: Beloved, don’t let Christ’s delayed coming lull you into thinking it won’t happen!

Remember God's Word (1-2)
Remember God's Work (3-7)
Remember God's Way (8-10)

A sermon by Kirill Belyakov from 1 John 5:19-21.

Before we talk about what we must do as Christians, it is of the utmost importance for us to establish what defines us as Christians and the sort of foundation upon which we are to build our lives.

Big Idea: Abide in the true God and worship Him in Spirit and truth.

We know who we are... (The children of God)
... because we know and believe in true God... (Jesus Christ)
... and so we know what we should do. (Walk in the Light)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from James 1:1-8.

The Christian life is filled with problems. They come uninvited and unexpected. Sometimes they come singly and sometimes in masses. They are inevitable. The question is, “What are we going to do about them?"

Big Idea: We should regard trials as blessed opportunities to grow in our trust in God and His plan of salvation.

Our Perspective in Trials Should be Joy (1-2)
Our Perseverance in Trials will Produce Maturity (3-4)
Our Promise in Trials is the Increase in Wisdom (vv.5-8)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 20:29-34.

The term "woke" or "wokeness" is primarily employed in the context of the social issues that surround us today. However, it is appropriate to ask whether we are "woke" in regards to the Gospel.

Big Idea: Do you realize that you continually need Jesus to be your Savior and your Shepherd?

Their Condition: Blind Beggars! (29-30)
Their Cry: Have Mercy! (30-31)
Their Consolation: Compassionate Christ! (32-34)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from Ephesians 4:17-24.

Faith in Jesus Christ is not an energy that is stored within us that automatically works out in godly living. Christian's faith is expressed in specific thinking and certain convictions that produce obedience.

Big Idea: Christian, drop the lifestyle of those who are of the world, and instead live in accordance with your new identity in Christ.

Do Not Live Like Those in the World (17-19)
Live Like You Have Learned Christ (20-24)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 20:17-28.

We live in an ambition world. Everyone wants to be a celebrity. But if you can’t be a celebrity, at least try to be next to one. As Jesus gives another horrifying prediction of His death, His disciples are not concerned about Christ but are angling for better seats in His kingdom.

Big Idea: Christ’s cross is the pattern for our ambition: the outpouring of yourself in service of others.

The Messiah’s Ambition (17-19)
The Disciples’ Ambition (20-24)
The Christians’ Ambition (25-28)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 19:27-20:16.

Generally speaking, when we do a good job, we expect appreciation. The problem arises when we bring this value system into our relationship with God. Does God owe us anything?

Big Idea: Trusting God’s generosity leads to a life of contentment and sacrifice!

God’s Generous Grace Can’t be Earned (19:27-30)
God’s Generous Grace Must Lead to Gratitude (20:1-16)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 19:13-26.

Following Jesus' discussion with the Pharisees, Matthew focuses on two other encounters. In the first, we see children who come to Him with nothing, and in the second, a man who comes with everything.

Big Idea: Even the best of men can’t be saved apart from God’s merciful grace in Jesus.

What Good Thing Shall I Do? (16-19)
What Am I Still Lacking? ( 20-22)
Then Who Can Be Saved? (23-26)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 19:1-12.

As opposition against Christ grew stronger, the Pharisees tried to trap Him by raising the controversial issue of divorce. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus reproached them for distorting the Scriptures and misrepresenting God's intended purpose for marriage.

Big Idea:Marriage is ordained by God not for self-seeking pleasure but for the Glory of God and the service of another.

The Sacred Marriage (3-6)
The Sinful Mankind (7-9)
The Singles' Mindset (10-12)

A sermon by guest preacher Tony Arnds from Ephesians 5:1-5.

We are called to imitate God by loving Him and one another because God loved us and transformed us by giving us His new nature.

What to Follow (1-2)
What not to Follow (3-4)
Why?

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 18:21-35.

After Jesus instructed His disciples to be peacemakers and actively seek reconciliation with those who had wronged them, Peter felt compelled to ask Him, "How many times should I forgive someone who has offended me? Is there a limit to forgiveness?" In response, Jesus directly addressed Peter's question and proceeded to share a parable that conveyed extreme truths.

Big Idea: God’s extreme grace towards us leads us to be people of extreme grace.

Extreme Responsibility (21-22)
Extreme Remission (23-27)
Extreme Reluctance (28-30)
Extreme Reality (31-35)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 18:15-20.

When someone in the church sins against you, how should you respond? According to Jesus, we should pursue them to make peace with them, not to punish them.

Big Idea: When sin disrupts your relationships, be a peacemaker by humbly pursuing your fellow believers.

Make Peace by Pursuing Your Brother (15-17)
Make Peace by Relying on God’s Authority (18-20)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 18:10-14.

Jesus continues to teach His disciples that great value is placed on every single “little one” who trusts in Jesus, therefore, they must avoid looking down on one another.

Big Idea: Each disciple of Christ is valuable to God and therefore deserves our respect and care.

Do not despise any of Christ’s disciples:

Because the Father Watches Over Each Of Them (10)
Because the Father Pursues Each of Them (12-13)
Because the Father Opposes Anything that Threatens Each of Them (14)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 18:5-9.

Jesus continues to answer the disciples' question about greatness and emphasizes that since everyone enters the kingdom through Christ's merit, we should receive each other as equally great and not hinder anyone's faith in Christ.

Big Idea: Since faith in Christ gains you entrance into the kingdom, accept one another on the merits of Christ.

Receive One Another on the Merits of Christ (5)
Refrain from Blocking the Way to Christ (6-7)
Recognize the Stumbling Blocks to Christ in Your Life (8-9)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 18:1-4.

Jesus' fourth discourse in Matthew is initiated by a question posed by His disciples regarding the greatness in the kingdom. In His reply, Jesus reminded them of the values and priorities that characterize all who enter His kingdom and join the community of the saints, the church, beginning with the crown of them all, humility.

Big Idea: Greatness in the kingdom is not defined by prideful ambition but by childlike humility.

Childlike Humility is the Way Into the Kingdom (2-3)
Childlike Humility is the Life Of the Kingdom (4)

A Resurrection Sunday sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Ephesians 1:15-23.

What do you think is our greatest need today as Christians? Living in a culture that opposes God and all that He approves, what are we to be focused on the most?

Big Idea: Our greatest need as believers is to know God better!

Know the Hope of God’s Calling (18a)
Know the Glory of God’s Inheritance (18b)
Know the Greatness of God’s Power (19-23)

A Good Friday sermon by Yan Kislitsa from 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.

Big Idea: We come to the Lord's Table as a sign of our union with Christ and communion with one another.

When we come to the Communion Table, we should expect -

To be served by Christ
To be nourished by Christ
To grow in our faith

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:24-27.

After another prediction of Jesus' death, Matthew, a former tax collector, tells a story about taxes and exemptions. The story includes interesting details and an extraordinary miracle that teaches us about being tax-exempt in the kingdom of Christ.

Big Idea: Jesus is the King’s Son who forgoes His rights and pays our ransom tax so rely on Him and reflect Him!

Recognize the Son’s Lofty Position (24-26)
Rely on the Son’s Gracious Provisions (27)
Reflect the Son’s Humble Posture (27a)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:14-23.

The questions surrounding our faith are many. In this passage, Jesus addresses what the "mountain-moving" faith looks like, and to our surprise, that faith is not big at all. He teaches that mountain-moving faith is not about its size, but about reliance on Him.

Big Idea: The power for life and ministry is rooted in our complete reliance on Jesus and His Word!

The Reality of Unbelief (14-18)
The Reason for Unbelief (19-20)
The Resolution to Unbelief (22-23)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:1-13.

Jesus had just told His disciples about His identity and plan. He's going to Jerusalem to be crucified, and they're understandably discouraged. So in Matthew 17, Jesus reveals Himself to them in a unique way to build them up in the faith.

‍Big Idea: Our future experience of glory is rooted in the grief of our glorious Savior.

A Vision of Glory (1-4)
A Declaration of Grace (5-8)
A Reminder of Grief (9-13)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 16:21-28.

What does "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me" mean? Is it about giving up worldly comforts and being ready to die for Jesus, or admitting your unworthiness and inability to save yourself, like admitting to being a criminal deserving of death?

Big Idea: The hope of salvation is built on Jesus’ sacrifice alone and not on our own.

The Necessity of Jesus' Cross (21-23)
The Necessity of Your Cross (24-28)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 16:13-20.

It's tempting to look around and wonder, "What hope does the church have in such a hostile world?" The answer to this question is found in Matthew 16. The church has great hope only because of her builder!

Big Idea: Since Jesus is God and the only door into His Kingdom, the church must profess Him and proclaim Him!

A Blessed Profession: Jesus is the Christ, The Son of the Living God (13-17)
A Sure Promise: Jesus Will Build His Church (18)
An Authoritative Proclamation: Jesus is the Only Door into the Kingdom (19-20)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 16:1-12.

As Jesus' journey to the cross begins to take front stage, He is more and more concerned for His disciples. He sees a definite threat - not of political instability or changing culture but of the blindness of the human heart to see its sinfulness and His death as its only cure.

Big Idea: Beware of your self-righteousness which blinds you to your ongoing need of Jesus!

Be Aware of the Signs (1-4)
Be Wary of Self-Righteousness (5-12)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 15:29-39.

Many people experience déjà vu when they read about the feeding of four thousand. Although this event is very similar to the feeding of five thousand, it reveals something new about Jesus - He is not only the hope of Israel but also the hope of the Nations.

Big Idea: Jesus affords hope to all who acknowledge their incurable disease, including the Gentiles.

Jesus is the Nations’ Hope of Redemption (29-31)
Jesus is the Nations’ Hope of Provision (32-39)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 15:21-28.

On the heels of Jesus’ encounter with the Jewish leaders who challenged Him, charged Him, and got offended at Him, Matthew presents a Gentile woman who seems to know more about Jesus than all of Israel. The Pharisees saw themselves as righteous; the woman sees herself as desperately ill and in need of great mercy.

Big Idea: Faith that results in genuine worship recognizes Christ as an abundant Lord and self as an undeserving sinner.

The Proper Recognition (21-22)
The Proper Request (22-25)
The Proper Resilience (26-28)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 15:1-20.

True worship can only be offered by those who have a heart for Christ, being transformed by the work of the Spirit.

Big Idea: Your worship is determined by who you are! Unless God changes your heart your worship is useless!

Worship of a Faulty Theology (1-14)
Worship of a Filthy Heart (15-20)
Worship of a Faith full Worship (Gal 5:14/22-23)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Acts 8:26-40.

The narrative of the Ethiopian eunuch is not about a man seeking God, but about God seeking a man. It illustrates how God fulfills the Great Commission by empowering ordinary people to preach extraordinary Christ to those perishing in their sins.

Big Idea: God is determined to save sinners through ordinary people who preach Jesus Christ!

A Divine Initiative (26-29)
A Divine Word (30-35)
A Divine Ordinance (36-40)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 14:13-21.

Matthew records Christ's miracles to reveal not only the nature of the His Kingdom but also the nature of the King. These miracles reveal His true identity - He is the Christ, God with us! The record of His walking on water focuses our attention on His divinity, leading His disciples into greater faith.

Big Idea: Trust Jesus fully even in impossible situations because He is God who is with us and saves us!

3 reasons to trust Jesus:

Jesus is Always in Control of Our Circumstances (22-24)
Jesus is Always Present in Our Circumstances (25-29)
Jesus is Always Ready to Save Us in Our Circumstances (30-36)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 14:13-21.

Following the flashback of John's death, Matthew put the spotlight squarely on Jesus. Against the dark scenes of a bloodthirsty king Herod, we see a portrait of a compassionate, kind, and giving Christ, who’s concerned more for the wellbeing of others than His own.

Big Idea: Jesus is a compassionate, resourceful, and all-satisfying Giver, so receive Him and give Him to others.

Jesus Alone is Selflessly Compassionate (13-14)
Jesus Alone is Divinely Resourceful (15-19)
Jesus Alone is Abundantly Satisfying (20-21)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 14:1-12.

When Herod the tetrarch hears about Jesus, it is a perfect opportunity to learn more about Jesus and to worship Him! Instead, he behaves just like his father, gripped with fear, not faith.

Big Idea: The fear of man is so crippling, it causes us to do things we never thought we could do.

Jesus’ Increasing Fame (1)
Herod's Gripping Fear (2-12)
Our Confident Faith

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 Timothy 6:3-12.

With all of the competing pulls for our attention and attempts to sway our focus, our responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ is to uphold and protect the whole body of truth, which at its core is the gospel of faith.

Big Idea: The man of God upholds and protects the body of truth.

Embrace the truth of the gospel (3-5)
Practice godliness with contentment (6-8)
Flee from worldliness (9-11a)
Actively pursue faith and godliness in your calling (11b-12)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Luke 2:1-20.

Many are well acquainted with the story of Christmas as recorded by Luke. What is the Christmas story all about?

Big Idea: Christmas is a story of a big God who came as a humble Savior for the little, the common, and the fearful.

Little People Like Us Must Remember That We Serve a Big God (1-5)
Common People Like Us Must Remember that We Have Access to a Humble Savior (6-7)
Fearful People like Us Must Remember that We Possess a Joy-Inducing, Peace-Producing Gospel (8-20)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Luke 1:46-55.

Why do we sing and what do we sing about this Christmas season? When the news broke to Mary that she would give birth to God's Son, she responded by singing about God’s greatness instead of her goodness.

Big Idea: Rejoice in God because of who He is and because of what He has done!

What God Did for Mary (46-50)
What God Did for Us (50-53)
What God Did for Israel (54-55)

A sermon by guest preacher Denis Gerasimov from Psalm 116.

Big Idea: From Trials to Thanksgiving: What You Don’t Expect Hardships to Accomplish

Increase Our Love for God (1-4)
Remind Us of the Character of God (5-7)
Display the Work of God (8-11)
Produce Thanksgiving to God (12-19)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Romans 8:35-39.

We've come to the end of our journey through Romans 8. At the very end, we come to another profound promise for God's children: we will not be separated under any circumstances from God's love!

Big Idea: Be convinced, the love of God will never let us go!

A Threat to Love (35-36)
A Triumph of Love (37)
A Trust in Love (38)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:31-34.

Romans 8:31-39 is a great finale. It is a celebration of God. Paul's opening declaration of "no condemnation" brought full circle to "no separation." We are secure in Christ because God is on our side!

Big Idea: Christian, God is for you and will always be for you because of His Son’s exonerating work.

Nothing and Nobody will Overcome God’s Commitment to You (31-32)
Nothing and Nobody will Overturn God’s Verdict over You (33)
Nothing and Nobody will Overpower God’s Intercession for You (34)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:29-30.

How can we be sure that all things work together for the believers' good and God's glory? Because of God's plan, which in these verses is described in five loaded words, intended by Paul and the divine author of Romans to bring us assurance and comfort.

Big Idea: Christian, God has mapped out a plan to ensure that you will become like Jesus Christ.

God Initiates His Plan to Work for Your Good and His Glory (29)
God Effects His Plan to Work for Your Good and His Glory (30)
God Completes His Plan to Work for Your Good and His Glory (30)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:28-29.

Romans 8 is written to anchor our assurance that we will never be separated from the love of God. However, when going through suffering, we often question God's love and goodness toward us. Is there any good in suffering?

Big Idea: Christian, be certain that God works all things for your good and His glory as He planned from eternity past to eternity future.

God’s Purpose: To Glorify His Son in Making Us Like Jesus! (29)
God’s Promise: He Works All Things to Accomplish This Purpose (28)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:26-27.

Romans 8 stresses that believers have great assurance because of the work of the Spirit in their lives. Verses 26-27 focus on the intercession of the Spirit for the believers - the Spirit within us takes our weak prayers and translates them into requests that are always heard and answered!

Big Idea: Christian, the Spirit turns your weak prayers into powerful petitions that are always answered since they perfectly align with God's will.

Admission: We Need Help! (26a)
Awareness: We Have Help! (26b)
Assurance: Our Help is Guaranteed! (27)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Romans 8:23-25.

When the Bible speaks about Christians living in hope, it does not suggest that their lives will be free of pain and suffering. It does not God promise that God will spare us from all troubles. This text teaches that we will groan and we will suffer, but we will do it in hope.

Big Idea: Keep your eyes on the future glory and you will endure present suffering with hope.

Groaning in Hope (23)
Growing in Hope (24-25)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:18-22.

Doesn’t our suffering suppress our hope of assurance? According to Paul, instead of extinguishing hope, suffering fuels hope. The Holy Spirit within us reminds us that we are destined for coming glory—a glory so great that it pales in comparison to our current suffering.

Big Idea: Christian, your coming glory is greater than your current suffering! It is so great, that all of creation is groaning for it!

Truth: Your Coming Glory is Greater than Your Current Suffering (18)
Proof: The Whole Creation is Groaning for Your Coming Glory (19-22)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:14-17.

If you’re a believer in Christ, you’re part of a healthy family whether you realize it or not - the family of God! You are a child of God by birth and adoption. In your regeneration, you received a new life; in your adoption, you received a new relationship.

Big Idea: The believer in Christ is adopted and assured by the Spirit that he is a beloved child of God!

The Confidence of Our Sonship (14)
The Characteristics of Our Sonship (15-16)
The Confirmation of Our Sonship (17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:12-13.

We have been set free to live for our Savior. When He set us free, God gave us His very self in the Person of the Holy Spirit, who deals with our sin since He is the ultimate sin-killer!

Big Idea: The believer in Christ is indebted to God and enabled by His Spirit to put to death fleshly deeds.

The Right Perspective: I Owe Sin Nothing! I Owe God Everything! (12)
The Right Practice: I Rely on the Spirit to Kill Fleshly Deeds (13)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:9-11.

What makes the ultimate difference in a believer's life? What sets those who are according to the flesh vs. those who are according to the Spirit? In verses 9-11, Paul writes that the Holy Spirit is the difference maker!

Big Idea: The believer in Christ is sustained by the Spirit through sin and death!

The Spirit Sustains You by Residing in You (9)
The Spirit Sustains You by Renovating You (10)
The Spirit Sustains You by Resurrecting You (11)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Romans 8:5-8

The whole world is divided into various camps and categories of people. But there are two distinct groups of people in the world: those of Flesh and those of the Spirit. At times, one can be confused who is who, but at the core, the difference between these groups is like the difference between a corpse and a newborn.

Big Idea: Those who are in Christ Jesus have been set free from every obligation to the flesh and are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit.

Two Distinct Natures (5a)
Two Distinct Mindsets (5b)
Two Distinct Experiences (6)
Two Distinct Relationships (7-8)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:3-4

What is the Gospel and what does it refer to? When Paul explains the gospel of Jesus he exclusively refers to the great works achieved by God! How is it possible for us to be set free, to be liberated from bondage to sin? The answer is given to us in some of the most glorious verses in the Bible, Romans 8:3-4.

Big Idea: God took care of our sin and became our substitute so that we might live for our Savior.

The Father Sent His Son to Pay the Penalty for Our Sin (3)
The Son Fulfilled the Requirement of the Law as Our Substitute (4a)
The Spirit Births and Directs Us to Live for Our Savior (4b)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Romans 8:1-2

The message of Romans 1-3 is clear: All mankind is guilty before God for their suppression of God's truth and worship of self. Therefore, their condemnation is just (3:8). Yet, in Christ Jesus we are set free with no fear of judgment!

Big Idea: Recall your condemnation in Adam so that you might taste the sweetness of your freedom in Christ!

Recall Your Condemnation in Adam
Savor Your Freedom in Christ

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Psalm 90

Life is too short. Ten out of ten people die. How can this brief life, filled with so much pain and disappointment, have any lasting significance? Can you enjoy life knowing what awaits you? In Psalm 90, Moses' gives us answers to these crucial questions.

Big Idea: Your brief life is meaningful and enjoyable only if it’s lived in God and for God.

Our Earthly Brevity Reminds Us that God Alone is Everlasting (1-6)
Our Earthly Brevity Reveals God’s Anger Against Our Sin (7-11)
Our Earthly Brevity Teaches Us to Take Refuge in God (12-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Exodus 15:1-21

Exodus 15 contains the first recorded song of the Hebrew nation. Moses pens this song and it is all about God. The context and contents are about God. Its focus is solely on God and its reason is founded on God. The central act that is emphasized is God’s redemption and the people’s response.

Big Idea: We worship the Lord because, in love, we have been redeemed to be His own!

Redemption Causes God’s People to Praise Him (1-6, 19-21)
Redemption Reveals God’s Uniqueness (7-12)
Redemption is Rooted in God’s Special Love for His People (13-18)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 2 Samuel 7:18-29.

Big Idea: The grace of God, if accepted in faith, leads to an intimate and God-exalting prayer.

Four marks of David’s prayer as a response to God's grace:

A Sense of Humility
Words of Thanks
Words of Praise
Words of Supplication

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Big Idea: The grace that David received from YHWH in the OT and the grace we receive from God through Jesus Christ is based on God's loving nature and not on our doing.

The Grace of God Comes From the One without a Need (1-7)
The Grace of God Is Sovereign and Free (8-9a)
The Grace of God Is True to His Promises (9b-11a)
The Grace of God Comes with Eternal Results (11b-13, 16)
The Grace of God Is Shown Through a Relationship (14-15)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God created men and saved them so that they might boast in Him, and Him alone!

Big Idea: The deeper we understand our need for Grace, the greater our boasting in the Lord.

Consider the Grace for Sinners (26-29)
Consider the Grace for Saints (30-31)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:53-58

Is there a danger of being too familiar with Jesus that you no longer take Him seriously or that He becomes boring? Matthew's Gospel reveals that many people who had the hardest time believing in Jesus were the ones who had been around Him the longest, which is a lesson for us.

Big Idea: Faith in Christ, not familiarity with Him, allows you to experience His kingdom blessing!

The Reaction: Being Amazed by Jesus Doesn’t Imply Faith in Him (53-54)
The Reason: Being Too Familiar with Jesus Often Hinders Faith in Him (55-56)
The Result: Being Offended by Jesus Reveals Unbelief in Him (57-58)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:47-52

Christ's final two parables in Matthew 13 are crucial. Even though each parable has its own meaning, both are related in that they call us to action. They demand a response from both sinners and saints. The lost must respond to the warning, and the saved must spread the warning and point people to Christ!

Big Idea: God’s judgment is delayed, but it is certain; therefore, warn and point sinners to Christ who stands ready to forgive and justify!

The Great Separation: Judgment is Delayed, But It is Certain
The Great Obligation: Warn and Point Sinners to Christ

A sermon by Kirill Belyakov from John 1:14-18

According to John's Gospel, Jesus bore witness to the love of God for mankind in a way we can relate to and trust. And that is the Gospel of hope, full of God's grace and truth; that is the Gospel we should believe and live by.

The Heart of God
The Heart of the Law
The Heart of the Gospel

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:44-46

The parables of treasure and pearl are some of the most well-known of all the parables of Christ. The most common interpretation of these parables is this: the Kingdom of Heaven is worth giving up everything for! Certainly, this truth is emphasized throughout the Gospels and the rest of the NT. But as meaningful as this interpretation might be, there is a more contextually-informed, Christ-centered interpretation.

Big Idea: Behold your God who graciously gave up His own life to purchase you to be His treasured possession.

The Treasure Hunter: The King Himself
The Treasure: The Blessed People of the Kingdom
The Transaction: The King’s Work on Behalf of His People

A sermon by guest preacher Todd Bolton from Ruth 3-4 at the Family Summer Camp 2022.

Big Idea: Selflessly love others trusting Christ will be glorified!

Actively Seek the Good of Others (3:1-15)
Expect God to use your selfless love to exalt Christ (3:16-17)
Spend Your Life for Christ because He Redeems Even the Most Broken Dreams (4:1- 12)
Spend Your Life for Christ because His Dreams Abundantly Satisfy (4:13-17)
Spend Your Life for Christ because He Will Use Your Life to Impact Others beyond Your Wildest Dreams (4:18-22)

A sermon by guest preacher Todd Bolton from Ruth 2 at the Family Summer Camp 2022.

Big Idea: God abundantly provides for those living for Christ!

Count on God Using Your Broken Dreams to Provide (1-3)
Count on God Providing as you Work with Diligence (4-17)
Count on His Provision Exceeding Your Wildest Expectations (18-23)

A sermon by guest preacher Todd Bolton from Ruth 1 at the Family Summer Camp 2022.

God will use even your darkest trials to bring about His purposes in Christ!

Remember God Often Accomplishes His Purposes through Broken Dreams (1-6)
When Your Dreams Are Broken, Where Do You Turn? (7-18)
When Your Dreams Are Broken, Don’t Get Bitter; Hope in Christ! (19-22)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:31-35

When you look at a world of billions of people ravaged by wars, diseases, famines, and natural disasters, do you wonder if Jesus is in control? It often feels like Christianity is weak and small, hated by the media, persecuted worldwide, and on the verge of being wiped out. If we’re feeling this way today - Jesus wants to encourage us this morning as He encouraged His disciples.

Big Idea: Do not be put off by what appears tiny and unimpressive - Christ will continue to transform people until His Kingdom encompasses the whole world.

In its Appearance, Christ’s Kingdom is Tiny and Unimpressive (31-32)
In its Influence, Christ’s Kingdom is Transformative and Unstoppable (33-35)

A sermon by Pastor Mike Trofimenko from 1 John 3:1-3

How does one who's born of God practice righteousness?

Behold the Love of the Father (1a)
Be Encouraged by the World's Rejection (1b)
Remind Yourself of Your Identity as a Child (2a)
Await Your Glorious Destiny (2b)
Purify Yourself with Hope (3)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

The immediate, natural reaction of the people to Jesus’ proclamation of the presence of the kingdom was to wonder about the continuing presence of evil in the world. The Jews were expecting the complete removal of all that opposed the Lord (Zech 14:9), so to find out that the kingdom would have that kind of toleration was quite a revelation of God’s merciful patience with mankind.

Big Idea: Christian, don’t be surprised at the abundance of evil around you, but be encouraged - Christ will preserve you for glory and judge all evil.

The Parable: Don’t Be Surprised at the Abundance of Evil! (24-30)
The Promise: Evil will be Judged While The Righteous will be Preserved! (36-43)
The Principles: Live as Sons of the Kingdom!

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23

In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the different responses to His teaching ministry and why these different reactions exist. The parable is a mirror: it shows people where they stand in reference to the Word of the Kingdom (gospel).

Big Idea: Our response to the Gospel does not depend on the messenger or the message but on the condition of our hearts.

The Compacted Heart: Hears BUT does not Understand (3-4; 19)
The Circumstantial Heart: Hears BUT does not Endure (5-6; 20-21)
The Compromised Heart: Hears BUT does not Bear Fruit (7; 22)
The Good Heart: Hears AND Bears Fruit (8; 23)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 13:1-3; 10-17

Matthew 13 marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry. Through the use of parables, Jesus veils the truth of the kingdom from the crowds because of their previous response to the clear revelation of Christ - The King was in their midst, but they didn't submit to Him in faith.

Big Idea: Parables teach that understanding of God’s truth is graciously given to those who believe in Christ and His Word.

To Express a Turning Point in Jesus’ Ministry (1-3)
To Emphasize God’s Grace and Human Responsibility (10-12)
To Expose the Hearts of His Hearers (13-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians is pure Christology. In chapters 1-2, Paul defends the supremacy of Jesus Christ over creation, salvation, and the church. In chapters 3-4, he emphasizes the supremacy of Christ over the personal life of every believer. Colossians 3:1-4 is a bridge that joins both sections in which Paul lays down the requirements and reasons for living with heavenly priorities.

Big Idea: Our new position in Christ results in a new direction in life.

Keep Seeking Christ! (1-2)
Because You have been Made Alive in Him (1a, 3a)
Because You are Hidden with Him (3b)
Because You will be Glorified with Him (4)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 12:38-50

Throughout the gospel, Matthew's message to his readers is simple: Jesus is the Christ, and there is none greater than Him. As Jesus closes His exchange with the scribe and Pharisees in Matthew 12, He drives this point home: To reject Him is to reject God's greatest message and our greatest hope.

Big Idea: The greatness of Christ demands a radical response of faith.

Christ is the Greatest Prophet (38-41)
Christ is the Greatest King (42-45)
Christ is the Greatest Love (46-50)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Genesis 1-3

Womanhood needs to be correctly defined. The good news is that Scripture provides us with God's original design for womanhood!

Big Idea: The Christian woman embraces God’s design to be man’s helper and is empowered by the glorious Gospel to propagate God’s glory.

The Christian Woman Embraces God’s Design A. The Woman’s Dignity (1:26-27) B. The Woman’s Destiny (2:15-25) C. The Woman’s Danger (3:1-7)
The Christian Woman is Empowered by the Gospel A. The Woman’s Hope (3:15) B. The Woman’s Power (Eph 5:2)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 12:33-37

While addressing the Pharisees' slander against Him, Jesus taught an important lesson. Pharisees' words did not sentence them to eternal condemnation. Instead, their words only exposed a person with an evil heart who was already condemned because man’s words reveal man’s heart.

Big Idea: Your words display your heart. The solution to a month that speaks evil is a repentant heart that values Christ.

Your Words Display Your Heart (33-34)
Your Words Declare Your Values (35)
Your Words DiscloseYour Destiny (36-37)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 12:22-32

Matthew 12 contains some of the most challenging and misunderstood verses in the Bible, specifically 31-32, in which Jesus speaks of the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit." What happened in this chapter is extremely consequential, so we need to know what that sin is, who can commit it, and how. But the main point of this passage is not about the “unpardonable sin” but about the Kingdom of God and the King, who came as God’s Anointed to overthrow the kingdom of darkness and the works of the enemy.

Big Idea: Christ, the King, confronts you with a choice: receive Him as exclusive good or reject Him as evil.

Jesus’ Kingship is Demonstrated (22)
Jesus’ Kingship is Denied (23-24)
Jesus’ Kingship is Defended (25-32)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from 2 Timothy 2:8-13

We, who have been shown grace and adopted into His family, may come to a point where we feel defeated and deflated. We may think that serving the Lord is a waste of time. Through Paul, Christ wants to restore and motivate us to see the privilege of loving and serving the Risen King.

Big Idea: Because Jesus is the Risen King, Press On in Serving Him!

Press On in Service by Remembering the Risen King (8, 11-13)
Press On in Service by Remembering the Power of His Word (9)
Press On in Service by Remembering His Saving Promises (10)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Galatians 1:3-5

Big Idea: Revel in God’s grace and Glorify God because Jesus gave Himself to rescue you!

Grace to You (3)
Because of the Gift of Christ (4)
For the Glory of God (5)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 12:15-21

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees about their misunderstanding of the law and the heart of God (12:1-14), they responded by hatching a plan on how to destroy Christ. In verses 15-21, Matthew shows the difference between Jesus, the Servant, and the Pharisees. While the Pharisees are conspiring on how to kill, Jesus is conspiring on how to save.

Big Idea: Because Jesus is God’s Chosen Servant Who’s full of compassion and gentleness, He is the Sinners’ only Hope!

Behold the Chosen Servant (15-18)
Marvel at the Humble Servant (19-20)
Hope in the Exalted Servant (20-21)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 12:1-14

Big Idea: Disciples of Christ must learn to rest in Christ, rely on His compassion, and respond to Him with faith.

Learn to Rest in Christ's Work (1-2)
Learn to Rely on Christ's Compassion (3-8)
Learn to Respond to Christ with Faith (9-14)

A sermon by guest preacher Austin Thompson from 1 Peter 1:13-21

Gospel obedience is always rooted in gospel realities. In the opening verses, Peter calls us to bless God for the new birth (3-5), for the trials (6-9), and for God's unprecedented grace (10-12). Now, in light of these gospel truths, he calls us to live out our salvation.

Big Idea: In view of God's redeeming grace in Christ, live out your salvation!

Live out your salvation by setting your hope in the grace to come (13)
Live out your salvation by being holy (14-16)
Live out your salvation by living fearfully (17-21)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 11:25-30

This passage is very familiar to many. It’s a text that’s been comforting sinners since the day Jesus uttered these words: Come to Me! It is especially refreshing and comforting when you understand the context and the timing of this announcement - in the midst of judgment, Jesus offers hope.

Big Idea: We can only know the Father by believing in His Son, who graciously invites all who humbly sense their need for Him.

The Father Reveals the Truth of the Gospel Only to the Humble (25-26)
The Father Reveals the Truth of the Gospel Only through His Son (27)
The Son Reveals the Truth of the Gospel by Inviting the Humble to Come to Him (28-30)

In this text, Jesus speaks of the people who are never satisfied with God’s approved ways of pleasing Him. In effect, He answers the following question: What happens to those who reject John’s message of repentance and Jesus’ message of grace?

Big Idea: To behold Jesus and yet not respond with faith and repentance, is to bring a severe judgment upon ourselves!

A Childish Response is One That’s Never Satisfied with God’s Ways (16-19)
A Childish Response Will Be Severely Judged (20-24)

God's Word, the Bible, is our final authority. It is inspired, inerrant, infallible, perfect, sufficient, clear, and holy. Therefore, we must submit to it, understand it, honor it, be amazed by it, and be deeply thankful for it.

6 Distinguishing marks of God's Word

The Word of God is Divine
The Word of God is Living
The Word of God is Active
The Word of God is Razor-Sharp
The Word of God is Piercing
The Word of God is able to Judge

On the heels of Matthew 10, in which Jesus prepares His disciples for the tough road ahead, Matthew records for us an episode where Jesus is asked a very serious question. It’s a question that every reader of Matthew should be asking also: after what we’ve seen in the first 10 chapters, is Jesus the one who is to come? Jesus' answer in this passage encouraged not only John but also should encourage the rest of us in times of doubt.

Big Idea: Jesus is the Expected One who “disappoints” our expectations but is greater than we expect!

Trust God’s Word: Jesus is the Christ (1-6)
Accept John’s Testimony: Jesus is the Lord (7-10)
Follow Jesus: Jesus is the King (11-15)

In the closing section of Jesus' instruction to His disciples, He continues to encourage and exhort them to make decisions in light of the big picture, in view of eternity. Not to be prisoners of the moment, choosing convenience over hardships, preserving personal relationships and temporary peace at the expense of their very souls. If we're going to be faithful disciples of Christ, He must have priority in our lives.

Big Idea: Our ultimate love and loyalty belong to Jesus, above the family or self.

Love Christ Above Everyone, In View of the Purpose of His Coming (34-37)
Deny Everything for Christ, In View of the Promise of Eternal Life (38-39)
Risk All for Christ, In View of the Pledge of His Reward (40-42)

Jesus has warned the twelve that all will reject them because of their allegiance to Him. After hearing such a warning, fear of opposition and rejection would naturally overtake the twelve, so Jesus addresses the issue of fear next. His answer to their fears is not, "Stop fearing!" Instead, Jesus deals with their value system because you fear what you value most.

Big Idea: The cure for fear of man is valuing Christ and His mission.

Live for Christ by Following His Example (24-27)
Live for Christ by Prioritizing His Values (28-31)
Live for Christ by Confessing Him Before Men (32-33)

As Jesus prepares His disciples to go out, He prepares them for what's to come. Jesus doesn't want the twelve to be caught off guard. His words are clear, direct, and very sobering - "You will be rejected because of Me!"

Big Idea: Those who love Christ will be rejected by the world!

You are Sent Out In the Name of Christ, So Be Wise (16)
You will be Rejected for the Sake of Christ, So Beware (17-18)
You will be Assisted in the Name of Christ, So Depend (19-20)
You will be Saved by the Name of Christ, So Endure (21-23)

Now that the twelve ordinary men are called and equipped for the mission, Jesus gives them specific instructions which ultimately focus on His person and work. In the same way that Matt 5:1-4 taught that discipleship exists to make much of Jesus, verses 5-15 teach that missions exist for the same purpose: to present Jesus as Savior and Lord! Missions belong to the Lord!

Big Idea: The Goal of Missions is to present Jesus as Savior and Lord!

Jesus is the Commander of the Mission (5b-8)
Jesus is the Provider for the Mission (9-11)
Jesus is the Lord of the Mission (12-15)

In Christ’s discipleship school, there’s only one major - Christ! To know Him, to love Him, to speak of Him! If discipleship were about disciples, then surely Jesus would have picked someone more presentable, more notable, more impactful than the group He chose. But He didn’t. Because the key to being a faithful disciple is not found in the disciples, it’s found in Christ.

Big Idea: Ordinary men who know and follow their extraordinary Master, will make much of Christ!

Christ Calls Ordinary Disciples to Be with Their Extraordinary Master (1a)
Christ Equips Ordinary Disciples to Make Much of Their Extraordinary Master (1b-5a)

Suffering is guaranteed in this life. No doubt, you might be in the midst of suffering right now. The Lord does not want us to waste our sufferings but to suffer with a great purpose and passion for the Lord.

Five distinguishing marks of a Godward sufferer:

Seeks the Lord (1-2)
Trusts His Goodness (3; 7-8)
Praises His Name (3-5)
Delights in His Character (4)
Expects His Judgments (9-11)

In Titus 2:11-15, Paul states the facts about Christ that compel us to live our life in Christ.

God's Saving Grace
God's Sanctifying Grace
God's Spurring Grace

What is our primary goal in life? What should we be passionate about? What must we live for? What will be the payoff? For Paul, the answer was easy: "For me to live is Christ." As we look at the text in front of us, the Lord wants to remind us to continue to faithfully advance the cause of the Gospel until the coming of Christ!

Big Idea: Make partnership in the Gospel the goal of your life until the coming of Christ!

View Yourself In Light of the Gospel (1-2)
Value the Spread of the Gospel (3-8)
Ask God for Wisdom to Advance the Gospel (9-11)

In Psalm 15, David poses a question to God, and his question is of eternal significance. Asking and answering the right questions correctly can mean the difference between right and wrong conclusions on the one hand, and even more series, between eternal life and eternal condemnation.

Big Idea: Permanent residence with God is guaranteed to those who please Him!

A Great Question (1)
A Grand Answer (2-5a)
A Glorious Promise (5b)

High priests were crucial for the life and fellowship of the OT believer. They functioned as mediators who came in between two parties who are estranged from one another to bring in peace. The OT priests ultimately pointed to Jesus, the Great High Priest whose priesthood will be forever. In Heb 5:1-10, the author gives three reasons to be confident and draw near to the throne of grace because of the person and work of Christ.

Theme: We have confidence in God’s mercy and grace because of Christ, so draw near!

Be Confident in God’s Mercy Because You Have a Sympathetic Mediator (1-4; 7-8)
Be Confident in God’s Mercy Because You Have an Everlasting Mediator (5-6)
Be Confident in God’s Mercy Because You Have a Perfect Mediator (7-10)

From the beginning, God intended humans to live up to their calling - to perfectly reflect God’s character and rule upon the earth in complete submission to Him. Unfortunately, this purpose was never fulfilled. The original human had sinned. Nevertheless, God did not leave men helpless but provided His perfect Son, who became the perfect Human. The book of Hebrews exalts Jesus Christ as the greatest human that ever lived and still lives.

Theme: Jesus has fulfilled the role of a perfect human, providing for us a path to salvation and glory while maintaining an intimate brotherly relationship.

Jesus the Expected Son of Man (5-9a)
Jesus the Qualified Pioneer (9b-10)
Jesus the Sanctifying Brother (11-15)

Today, many people make a mistake when they hear the word "Christmas." They don't think of Jesus and the implications of His miraculous birth. They don't pause to consider what it means that the perfect Son of God became a man. But for those who love and worship Christ, this is a very appropriate time for us to consider Him once again to grow still more in our adoration of Christ.

Theme: We should listen to and adore the Son because He is God’s final Spokesperson and Sacrifice!

Adore Jesus, the Final Spokesperson (1-2a)
Adore Jesus, the Flawless Son (2b-3a)
Adore Jesus, the Final Sacrifice (3b)

If the most repeated one another command in the New Testament is “love one another” (mentioned no less than 9x), the second most frequent command might surprise most - “greet one another with a holy kiss” (5x)! Notably, in five different letters, this command was written by two different apostles, addressed to dozens of congregations in several different countries. Even though in our culture today, this might seem awkward, we still need to understand and apply it to be obedient to the Lord.

Theme: Since we are bound together by the Gospel, our greeting should display genuine affection for one another.

Greet One Another in the Lord
Greet One Another with Affection

Christians need fellowship with other believers! Relationships within a unified, Spirit-filled body of believers are essential for growth and for maintaining our individual faithfulness to the Savior. For this reason, we need regularly gather with the church to encourage one another in faith, hope, and love. This is the message of Hebrews 10:19-25.

Theme: As one family in Christ, we must encourage one another to grow in faith, hope, and love!

Let Us Draw Near in Faith (19-22)
Let Us Hold Fast in Hope (23)
Let Us Keep Up in Love (24-25)

Theme: Our love must be patient and tolerant of other believers’ opinions, especially when dealing with non-essential matters of life.

Accept One Another, Do Not Despise!
Encourage One Another, Do Not Enslave!
Instruct One Another, Do Not Condemn!

If today was your last day on earth, what would you do? While this question gets us thinking about what truly matters, it also paralyzes us. How do you decide what's the most effective, impactful, God-honoring thing to do when you're about to enter eternity? Perhaps, what we should be asking instead, is, "Does being prepared for the second coming of Christ involve some grand acts of obedience or not?" Well, according to Peter, it doesn't. In 4:7-11, Peter reminds his readers that in light of Christ'sChrist'st coming, they need to remain faithful to Christ by fervently loving and serving each other!

Theme: In light of Christ’s imminent return, the church must glorify God by lovingly serving each other as faithful managers of God’s grace!

The End: is Near (7)
The Aim: is the Glory of God (11b)
The Duty: is Love Through Acts of Service (8-11a)

The various "one another" commands in the New Testament deepen our understanding of what it means to "love one another." In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul calls the church to "regard one another as more important than yourselves" (2:3), or to esteem one another. To esteem means to set a high value on something; to count others as more valuable or more significant than yourself.

Theme: A regular affirmation of Gospel realities directly affects how we value each other in the body of Christ.

Affirm the Gospel Realities (1)
Exhibit the Gospel Attitude (2-4)
Consider the Gospel Hero (5-11)

The churches of Galatia were in great danger of believing that Christ was not enough - that His work on the cross and His resurrection was not sufficient to make one right with God. When Christ alone is not the sole focus, instead of being a grace-saturated community, the church becomes laced with legalism, which always results in competition, strife, discord, and envy (5:26). So, to address this issue in the church, Paul pens 6:1-5, describing the characteristics of a burden-bearing disciple.

Theme: A burden-bearing disciple relies on the Spirit to walk humbly and love diligently.

A burden-bearing disciple:

Walks in Step With the Spirit (1a)
Restores Others Caringly and Cautiously (1b)
Loves Others Diligently Through Various Struggles (2)
Understands His Own Condition (3)
Recognizes His Own Accountability (4-5)

Today we are looking at one of the most "painful" activities in believers' lives - forgiveness. Forgiveness is based on the belief that God has forgiven our sins through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2), and therefore, we should now forgive others. Yet, admittedly, it is a difficult task. It is much easier to receive forgiveness than to grant forgiveness to someone who has wronged you.

Theme: Forgiveness is the new currency among the redeemed by Christ

Be Honest: Tell the truth with one another (25)
Be Patient: Control your anger among one another (26-27)
Be Generous: Work so you may give to one another (28)
Be Uplifting: Speak to build one another (29-30)
Be Kind: Overcome one another with kindness (31-32)

Prayer is an expression of your dependence on God in all spheres of life! Prayer is dependence, and all Christians are dependent! We don’t pray to show off our piety and holiness; we pray because we’re in such great need of God’s intervention - His mercy, His care, His wisdom, and so on. A praying church is a powerful force. Today, as the title of the sermon indicates, we are talking about prayer! Personal prayer & corporate prayer!

Theme: Since prayer is powerfully effective, we should be motivated to pray individually and corporately!

Pray Privately: Live with a God-Dependent Focus (13)
Pray Corporately: Share Your God-Dependent Focus (14-16a)
Pray Inspired: Motivate Your God-Dependent Focus (16b-18)

The local church is an interdependent body made up of men and women who have believed the Gospel by repenting of sin and trusting in Christ. Jesus, the architect of the church, did not leave the church without instructions on how to relate to each other in His body. The often-repeated phrase, “one another,” occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Approximately 59 of these occurrences are specific commands that teach us how (and how not) to relate to one another. This morning, we’ll look at the foundational command for the rest of these "one another’s" - Love one another!

Theme: Our connection to Jesus through the new birth and His abiding in us enables and causes us to love one another.

Love One Another Since You are Born of God (7-8)
Love One Another Since You are Loved by God (9-10)
Love One Another Since You are Indwelt by God (11-12)

Matthew 9:35-38 serves as a transition to the next section of Matthew's Gospel. In chapter 10, Christ will gather the twelve disciples to instruct them and send them out to proclaim the Gospel to the nation of Israel. Before He instructs them, however, the most important thing Jesus wants His disciples to learn s what His heart is all about. Christ's heart is primarily a heart of compassion that yearns and breaks for people ravaged by sin. And if we're going to imitate the mission of Christ, we must have the heart of Christ!

Theme: Our motivation for faithful proclamation of the Gospel is rooted in deep compassion and stimulated by earnest prayer.

Proclaim Faithfully, As Jesus Proclaimed (35)
Perceive Deeply, As Jesus Perceived (36)
Pray Eagerly, As Jesus Prescribed (37-38)

All of us come to a point in life when we wonder whether or not we have the strength to go on. Are you feeling devastated, betrayed, and without hope? This message is for you.

Theme: A heart reliant on God is resilient in times of trouble!

Focus on the Power, Not the Weakness
Focus on the Spiritual, Not the Physical
Focus on the Future, Not the Present
Focus on the Eternal, Not the Temporal

As you hear God’s Word about Jesus, how do you respond to Christ? Because you must respond; neutrality to Jesus is impossible! You either reject Him or submit to Him! You come to Him and keep coming to Him, or you find other damning alternatives like the Pharisees. You either see the greatness of Christ, or you are blind to it!

Theme: The miracles of Christ are recorded not to magnify the miracles but to exalt Christ and force us to respond to Him.

Two Blinds who See the Greatness of Christ (27-31)
Too Blind to See the Greatness of Christ (32-34)

Matthew had just described for us Jesus’ encounter with John’s disciples in which He dropped a huge bomb - "I am the bridegroom you have been waiting for, for centuries! A new era is upon you! This is no time for fasting, it’s time to feast! Things are gonna be radically different from now on. I’m not just another prophet like those before Me; I can’t be patched on to an old system of doing things - I came to make all things new!" And now, Matthew proceeds to show that since Jesus is the Promised Bridegroom who came to make all things new, He is our only hope in this life and the next!

Theme: Jesus came to touch sinners and give life not only to the living but even to those already dead.

Jesus is Our Hope in Death (18-19)
Jesus is Our Hope in Life (20-22)
Jesus is Our Hope Because He Redefines Death (23-26)

Jesus got a lot of questions thrown His way during His ministry. He was constantly surrounded by people who questioned everything He did. In today’s passage, He is asked another important question concerning the way He and His disciples followed and worshipped God. On the surface, this passage seems to be dealing with fasting, but upon deeper reflection, this passage is all about Jesus and who He claims to be!

Theme: Jesus Christ is not an add-on to an old system but a Bridegroom who established a new covenant with His people.

Three implications from Christ’s encounter with John’s disciples:

Rejoice in Christ! He is the Promised Bridegroom (14-15)
Believe in Christ! He Established a New Way of Life (16-17)
Value Christ! He is the Center of Life

What does the word “sinner” mean to you when you hear it? Would you feel comfortable beginning your autobiography with, "Hi, my name is _____. I am a sinner!"? There is something profound in remembering that you’re a sinner because it constantly drives you to your refuge in Jesus. In this passage, Matthew writes of his own conversion in which he reveals the heart of Christ, namely, His desire to forgive undeserved sinners. Matthew is not ashamed of his past in the slightest because it only serves to accent God’s grace, mercy, and love towards him.

Theme: Jesus is a Merciful Physician who came to show needy sinners the love of God and equip needy sinners to do the same!

Jesus is a Merciful Physician Who Seeks Needy Sinners (9)
Jesus is a Merciful Physician Who Welcomes Needy Sinners (10-11)
Jesus is a Merciful Physician Who Declares God’s Purpose for Needy Sinners (12-13)

The Bible tells us that we all are born into this world in a condition of debt - and it's a debt that we cannot pay off (Rom 5:12). All of us are born into this world with the debt of Adam's sin charged to our account. God is our great Creditor, and every day we compound that debt further before Him with our own sins. Well, in our text today, Matthew presents to us Someone who takes the burden of our debt upon Himself, one who has no personal “sin-debt,” so He’s able and willing to pay our debt.

Theme: Forgiveness is man’s deepest need and Jesus’ foremost mission!

Behold the Forgiveness in Jesus (1-2)
Behold the Unbelief of the Scribes (3-7)
Behold the Blindness of the Crowds (8)

In this passage, we see the beginning of Jesus’ war on Satan and his angles, which will crescendo on the cross and ultimately, when he is cast into the lake of fire!

Theme: Jesus is the Son of God who has authority and willingness to rescue the powerless and unwilling from their bondage to sin.

There are practical implications to Jesus being the Son of God. Because Jesus is the Son of God:

He Delivers From the Bondage of Sin (28)
He Destroys the Work of the Enemy (29-32)
He Designates What is Truly Valuable (33-34)

In this passage, Jesus will teach His disciples a precious lesson on discipleship. Suddenly, as a result of following Jesus, they get caught up in an unexpected storm, and in the middle of all the chaos, He reveals more of Himself and what it really means to follow after Him.

Theme: Like the Son, who entrusted Himself to His Father, disciples of Jesus must learn to trust His presence, His power, and His goodness in all of life’s circumstances.

The Turbulent Sea (23-24)
The Troubled Sailors (25)
The Trusting Savior (26-27)

Jesus' brief interaction with a scribe and a disciple leads us to question our commitment to Christ and subsequent discipleship. What kind of loyalty does Jesus seek? What does He expect from those whom He calls out of the world? A better question might be this: what does He produce in those who respond in faith to the call to follow Him?

Theme: Jesus calls His followers to fully surrender themselves to His care and His will.

Faith-full response to follow surrenders comfort and gains.
Faith-full response to follow involves surrendering of earthly matters
Faith-full response to follow involves surrendering to Christ’s will

Having concluded the word of Jesus in chapter 7, Matthew sets out to reveal the works of Jesus. His goal is not to primarily emphasize the miracles but to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed the Messiah who has come to cleanse His people, bring in the outsiders, and bear their curse by dying for them. Anyone who comes to Jesus in humility and faith will be accepted and pardoned!

3 Portraits of the Messiah:

Jesus is the Sympathetic Messiah Who is Willing to Cleanse the Outcasts (1-4)
Jesus is the Sovereign Messiah Who is Able to Heal the Outsiders (5-15)
Jesus is the Substitutionary Messiah Who had Come to Atone for Sinners (16-17)

For the final time, Jesus is warning His people. He is pleading with them to trust and surrender to Him in this life so that they could remain standing in the next! Because Jesus loves us, he warns us! There’s only one safe building, one safe ground, and it is found in Christ! Everything else will collapse! No matter how promising and secure things might look today - we need to trust God; we need to believe His word!

Theme: True, saving faith treasures Christ and His words, and endures to the very end!

In the final few verses of this chapter, we have a closing illustration from Jesus the Preacher and a final note from the Gospel writer about the Preacher himself. Both Jesus and Matthew are calling us to respond to Christ's message.

Don’t Just Hear the Message, Obey the Message (24-27)
Don’t Just Admire the Messenger, Submit to the Messanger (28-29)

As Jesus concludes His sermon, He begins to give His listeners contrasting pairs - two gates, two ways, two trees, two fruits, two professions, two builders, and two foundations. He presents only two possibilities but preaches only one way! With these pairs, Jesus emphasizes His exclusivity! He alone is the Savior! He commands you to make a choice! And not just to choose, but to choose Him! Believe in Him! Trust Him for your righteousness!

Theme: The only ground for entering the kingdom of heaven is a personal relationship with Christ, evidenced by a transformed heart that trusts Jesus for its righteousness.

If your eternal destiny hangs on this truth, then the enemy will do everything to persuade you otherwise! Therefore:

Beware of the False Prophets Who Lead You Away from Jesus (15-20)
Beware of the False Professors Who Lack Personal Relationship with Jesus (21-23)

Although the world may have different methods of offering education, wisdom, and training of young people, its wisdom falls short of instilling the precious lessons and skills required for the lives of mature men, women, and children. However, the Lord revealed to us a perfect way to grow in wisdom, understanding, and discernment. His way is revealed to us in His Word, and His Word is trustworthy.

Theme: God-given wisdom, that is rooted in the fear and knowledge of God, will be expressed in submission to God, devotion to Him, and reflection of His character.

Four manifestations of wisdom that every God-fearing person will grow in:

Keeps God's Word (1-2)
Values God's Love and Truth (3-4)
Devotes to God's Ways (5-10)
Accepts God's Discipline (11-12)

In Titus 3:4-7, Paul offers a behind-the-scenes look at our salvation from God’s vantage point, not ours. What specifically happened to a person who believed in Jesus and repented of sin? The summary statement of the entire sentence is - He saved us! In this passage, Paul answers three specific questions regarding our salvation: When did God save us? How did He save us? For what purpose did He save us?

Theme:God saved us by His mercy, through the actions of Jesus Christ, by the agency of the Holy Spirit for eternal fellowship with Him.

God Saved Us At the Appearing of His Son (4)
God Saved Us According to His Mercy (5-7a)
God Saved Us For Eternal Fellowship (7b)

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus describes for us two gates, two ways, two destinations. He knows both gates, He knows both ways, and most importantly, He knows the destination of both roads Jesus calls all of His listeners to consider and to choose! What path are you on, friend? What is the end of your journey?

Theme: Contrary to popular opinion, there’s only one way to life - through the righteousness of Jesus Christ the Lord!

Choose the Narrow Gate! (13a)
The Broad Way Leads to Destruction! (13b)
The Narrow Way Leads to Life (14)

Theme: We must prayerfully seek divine grace in order to live out the divine requirement.

The Great Demand (1-6)
The Great Need (7-8)
The Great Promise (9-11)
The Great Rule (12)

If Christians were to pick their favorite verse in the Bible, it would probably be John 3:16. If the world were to pick its favorite verse, it would probably be this verse right here in Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge.” Not many people know their Bibles, but it seems everyone knows this verse.The question that’s before us is this - to judge or not to judge? What is Jesus calling His disciples to?‍

Theme:Those who treasure Christ are humble and merciful to each other and walk wisely in the world.

Stop All Hypocritical Criticism (1-2)
Gain Clarity Through Personal Repentance (3-5a)
Care Humbly for Fellow Saints (5b)
Practice Discernment In the World (6)

God uses our failure and despair to teach us and mold us further into the saints He’s called us to be!

Theme: No matter the depth of your despair, cry out to God who delights in redeeming and sustaining sinners!

Cry Out to the Lord for Mercy (1-2)
Confess Your Need for Forgiveness (3-4)
Count On the Lord’s Promises (5-6)
Convey the Lord’s Mercies to Others (7-8)

In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus calls His disciples to assess their priorities. What treasures are we focusing on? What will ultimately give us lasting satisfaction - earthly or heavenly treasures? His vivid examples - treasures, body parts, money - illustrate a deeper truth. The point of this passage is not strictly about money or stuff, but about how much stuff gets in the way of us focusing on and valuing that which is more important, the One who is most important!

Theme: Eternal satisfaction does not result from craving earthly stuff but from treasuring Christ and His agenda!

Where is Your Treasure? (19-21)
How is Your Vision? (22-23)
Who is Your Master? (24)

Theme: Righteous fasting comes from a humble heart as an expression of dependence on God.

The Practice of Fasting
The Purpose of Fasting
The Promise of Fasting

Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food as a religious exercise of expressing humility and dependence on God!

Prayer - a topic that’s often the most guilt-inducing for the believer. Every time prayer is mentioned from the pulpit, we often feel awkward and convicted, quickly realizing that our prayers are so shallow, so infrequent, and so self-centered. But in this passage, Jesus warns us about the misuse of prayer and instructs us about the nature of prayer.

Theme: Prayer is an expression of humble dependence on our Father who sees, knows, gives, and purposes all things.

Forsake the Common Pitfalls in Your Prayer (5-8)
Focus on God’s Priorities in Your Prayer (9-15)

Why do you come to worship on Sundays? Why do you sing? Why do you give? Why do you read? Why do you pray? What do you speak? What motivates your living? What motivates your godliness? The “why” of our Christianity is the foundation for the “what”! What you do, so often reveals only a partial picture. Why you do something matters to God just as much as the what.

The passage in front of us, addresses this very issue. No one knows us better than our Savior. He knows not only the what but also the why! And only someone who knows us so intimately and thoroughly would warn us about doing the right thing in the sight of men while harboring wrong motives before God.

Theme: Motivation for godly living is not rooted in our pursuit of recognition but in our pleasure of God!

Beware of Your Heart (1)
Be Charitable in Secrecy (2-3)
Be Aware of God's Presence (4)

You can have hope in a hopeless world! Although our earthly hopes may die, we have an ever-living hope that can never be taken away from us! This hope is alive because our Savior is alive!

Through the resurrected Christ, you have a glorious future
Through the resurrected Christ, your trials have a glorious purpose
Through the resurrected Christ, you have a privileged place in history

The cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest paradox in Scripture. Because it is so difficult to grasp, it is often described as a stumbling block to the faith of some and foolishness to others. Yet, for others, who behold the cross with the eyes of faith, our encounter with the crucified Jesus is the turning point and the foundation of our faith.

Theme: Jesus’ trial, execution, and burial were paradoxical because His mission was paradoxical - to live for and to die in place of wretched sinners, like you and me!

The Servant’s Trial - 53:7
The Servant's Execution - 53:8
The Servant's Burial - 53:9

Theme: By loving our enemies and by praying for them, we prove that we are the children of our heavenly Father.

Four motivations to love our enemies:

Because of our Savior's Command (43-44)
Because of our Father's Character (45)
Because of our Heavenly Reward (46-47)
Because of our Glorious Destiny (48)

In this section, Jesus turns to another very twisted and warped area of scribal interpretation, addressing two laws, of a and retaliation. Our speech and our actions. And just like the previous two, this one will cut deep to expose our hearts. On the surface, the issues Jesus raises don't seem to address the folks living in 2021. But Jesus' principles are much deeper than they initially seem.

Theme: As kingdom citizens, we make much of Jesus by speaking truthfully and serving sacrificially.

As Kingdom Citizens, Speak Truthfully to One Another (33-37)
As Kingdom Citizens, Serve Sacrificially One Another (38-42)

God created us as sexual beings to enjoy intimate relationships in the covenant of marriage for the glory of God. Sin, however, perverted everything. But our sexuality matters a great deal to God! The 10 commandments stress that importance. And Jesus stresses its importance for us today. As we study this text, my prayer is that we listen intently, and as the Spirit exposes our hearts, we do not hide, we do not run, we do not resist the mirror. Instead, in humility, we must look to Jesus for grace and restoration.

When it comes to the 7th commandment (sexual purity),

The Crime is More Severe Than You Think (27-28, 31)
The Cause is Much Deeper Than You Believe (28-30)
The Consequence is More Damning Than You Anticipate (31-32, 29-30)
The Call is More Radical Than You Expect (29-30)

When it comes to the 6th commandment, it's not enough that we have not physically taken the life of another. God's intention is that we do nothing, or say nothing, or think nothing, or even wish nothing, that in any sense defraud another human created in the image of God. In fact, the intent of the 6th commandment is love! To do otherwise is to commit a "heart-murder".

Understand the Matter of “Heart-Murder” (21-22)
Resolve the Matter of “Heart-Murder” (23-26)

Theme: By preaching the Law, Jesus makes it clear: apart from Him, no one has a shot of entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law: Christ successfully fulfilled the whole Law for us because only He could (17-18)
The Failure of the Law: Apart from Christ we have miserably failed at the Law (19-20)
The Function of the Law: By believing in Christ we are covered in His righteousness and now function under the Law of Christ (Gal. 6:2)

One of the greatest problems that we have in the Christian church is not realizing who we really are. And because of that, we have neglected to take our Christian responsibilities seriously. This, I believe, is the heart of verses 13-16. The crowds were looking at Jesus. Now Jesus was beginning to look at His disciples. Have you ever ever wondered why Jesus allows you to live today? How often do you think about His purposes for you? Because His purposes must shape our purposes. In these verses, Jesus describes the nature and purpose of discipleship.

Theme: Disciples of Christ must display Christ so that a hostile world might glorify the Father!

As Salt, Christ’s Disciples Maintain A Distinct Identity (13)
As Light, Christ’s Disciples Reflect the Light of Christ (14-15)
Therefore, Christ’s Disciples, Be What Y'all Are (16)

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ inaugural address in which He lays out His vision of life in the kingdom of heaven. This sermon is all about Jesus and why we must submit to him! Beginning with the beatitudes, He announces that only the humble and merciful are blessed and approved by God! It is not the courageous, the wise, the temperate, the intelligent, or the attractive that are blessed. According to Jesus, the blessed life in His kingdom is enjoyed by the poor, sad, lowly, hungry, and mistreated!

Theme: The blessed life in Christ’s Kingdom is expressed by humility towards God, mercy towards men, which triggers opposition from the world.

Kingdom Citizens Walk Humbly Before God (1-6)
Kingdom Citizens Act Mercifully Towards Men (7-9)
Kingdom Citizens Trigger Opposition From the Outsiders (10-12)

Theme: The goal of following Jesus is to become like Jesus Himself

Settle among Sinners (12-16)
Speak to Sinners (17)
Summon Sinners (18-22)
Sympathize with Sinners (23-25)

Trials and temptations are part of our lives because of the state of our being and the reality of the presence of sin. Because we’re sinful on the inside and we live in a world marred with sin which lies in the power of the evil one, we are constantly being tested or tempted, depending on the outcome. So this episode in the life of Christ, gives us great hope in our predicament, primarily because the Son singlehandedly overcame the devil, but also because we can learn from Jesus how to prevail in our own trials.

Prioritize Obedience over Instant Gratification - 4:1-4
Prioritize Humility Over Presumption - 4:5-7
Prioritize Faithfulness over Ease - 4:8-11

King Jesus is the Mighty God who Saves and Judges - 3:11-12
King Jesus is the Anointed Servant who Suffers and Instructs - 3:13-16
King Jesus is the Beloved Son who Delights the Father - 3:17

What is the most glorious reality of Christ taking on flesh? It is this: God has come to dwell with us (Matt 1:21-23)! Now that the King is born, God sends a man out to preach in the wilderness to prepare his people to welcome the King. Preparation for people meant - repentance!

This morning, we will look at 4 aspects of repentance which John emphasized in preparing the way for Jesus.

The Message of Repentance - 3:1-3
The Sign of Repentance - 3:4-6
The Fruit of Repentance - 3:7-9
The Urgency of Repentance - 3:10

In chapter 2, Matthew brings to the foreground the Kingship of Christ! He is no other than the promised Messiah who would reign on the throne of David, to whom every knee will bow, whether in this life or the next! Matthew calls us to honor Jesus and worship Him as King! In this text, Matthew contrasts two responses towards the birth of Christ. The enthusiasm of the Gentiles to worship, with the apathy of God’s people towards worship; the willingness of the Gentiles to act on the evidence available to them and fall down and worship the Child, with the murderous plot of Herod to try to get rid of the child! The point that Matthew makes is that King Jesus is controversial! Because He’s the king, He makes all the other so-called kings tremble and oppose His rule!

The Call to Worship the King
The Conflict of Jesus' Kingship
The Character of Jesus' Kingship

The Christmas Story is a simple story, yet it is unlike any other in history. The twists and turns, the confusion and revelation, the human and the divine - all come together in one major event which forever altered our history. It is a story of the Father’s love, of the Son’s submission, and of the Spirit’s creation.

Theme: Because Jesus is both, the Son of Man and the Son of God, He is uniquely qualified to address man’s greatest enemy - sin!

Jesus is the Son of Man, proved by His Natural Birth
Jesus is the Son of God, proved by His Divine Conception
Jesus was Divinely Conceived and Naturally Birthed to Be Our Savior

The Gospel of Matthew is a turning point in Scripture. From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament built up an expectation of something great that was to come. Indeed, Someone great was to be among men who would accomplish the will of God like no one had ever done before. The story of Christ, however, doesn’t begin in Matthew - the promises of Christ are carried in Scripture from Genesis 3:15 through the narratives of the prophets, priests, and kings, and are ultimately fulfilled in Bethlehem, in the Person of a little baby - the Son of God and Son of Man!

Theme: Jesus is the rightful heir through whom all the promises of God are fulfilled.

Jesus is the Promised Messiah
Jesus is the Promised King
Jesus is the Promised Seed

“So that He might be first in every realm" (Col 1:18).

This is the theme of Colossians - The Preeminence and the Excellence of Christ over all things! Every realm - you personally, your family, your church! Christ desires to be in the first place. He must be first. If God rescued you from darkness and you’re in Christ’s kingdom - then the King comes first! He’s the most important, more glorious, more precious. But here’s the question:

When you look at and analyze the church, how could you tell whether or not this church is concerned about Christ? Are there tell-tale signs of a church where Christ is the True Head - not just in position but in practice?

Theme: A Church where Christ comes first is where the Peace of Christ rules the church, the Word of Christ permeates the church, and the Name of Christ dominates the church.

Outline: 1. The Peace of Christ Rules the Church - vs. 15 2. The Word of Christ Permeates the Church - vs. 16 3. The Name of Christ Dominates the Church - vs. 17

Paul began Colossians 3 by noting that we have been set free in Christ to “seek the things above” (vs. 1) and to “set our mind on things above” (vs. 2). This is possible because we have been “raised with Christ” in the past (vs. 1); we are “hidden with Christ” in the present (vs. 3), and we will “appear with Him in glory” in the future (vs. 4). As those who have been raised up with Christ, we are to “consider” our old self “as dead” and to “put off” the life of our old self because we have “put on the new self which is being renewed” in the image of Christ (vss. 5-11).

Beginning in verse 12, Paul instructs the church to put on something that corresponds to their new nature. But as people to whom Christ became all in all (vs. 11), Christians are called to put on Christ - wear his virtues and graces. There are no superstars in the church! There’s only one Champion and His name is Jesus Christ. The rest of us acknowledge our weaknesses and sins and put on Christ!

Theme: As God’s beloved, we must wear the virtues of Christ to effectively fellowship with one another as redeemed sinners.

Outline: 1. As God’s Beloved, Put on Christ 2. Put on Christ by Putting Up with One Another

As partners in the Gospel, we have an incredible privilege and responsibility to act as agents of grace towards both sinners and saints.