We often think about the gospel in terms of "my salvation" or "my eternal life", but the gospel is bigger than that! Today's sermon is about how God uses the small things to build his kingdom, gives us hope for the coming kingdom, and bids us to live as if it's already here. In short, this sermon is about the gospel of the kingdom of God!
What stops you from sharing your faith? In today's sermon, we consider another agricultural parable from Jesus. Much like the parable of the sower just a few verses previous, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a vulnerable seed. However, in this parable, he focuses on the relationship of the planter to the one who gives the growth. We need not fear sharing the gospel--it is ultimately God who gives the growth.
As Christians, it’s our job to let the light of the gospel shine out of our lives and into a darkened world. In order to do this, we must develop gospel clarity in every area of life. Today, we consider what it means to have gospel clarity within ourselves, in our private lives, and in public life.
Good Biblical interpretation includes two main principles: First, Scripture interprets Scripture. Second, Scripture should be interpreted in its historical context. In the parable of the sower, we get put these two principles into action, then apply the Word to our hearts and lives. What kind of soil are you?
The greek word translated "church" in our Bibles literally means "gathering" or "assembly". But it's so much more than that. When Jesus asks the rhetorical question, "Who are my mother and my brothers," we get a glimpse into the true nature of the Church. The Church isn't just an ordinary gathering. It's a family that loves and obeys.
The unpardonable sin--it's something that Christians have agonized over and worried about since Jesus spoke the very words in today's passage. Should we be worried that we've committed such a heinous act? What else can we learn from this hard saying of Jesus? Today's sermon addresses these questions and provides hope for all those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Romans 12:5 - "so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Amazon and Audible
What is the Church's mission on earth? Matthew 28 is a common place to go, but what about Mark 2:27? In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus bound the strong man and empowered the church with the Holy Spirit to finish the work he started. The mission of the Church is to steal Satan's stuff.
Every church plant wants to grow, but what is the best strategy? Lights and lasers? Robes and bells? Great branding? Today, we consider church growth, not according to human wisdom, but according to Jesus.
The Pharisees thought they had everything figured out. They had created a law by which people were judged to be righteous or sinful before God. But those laws were man-made--not God-defined. In the sermon today, we address the legalism of the Pharisees and of our own hearts.
To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Even as Paul longed to be with Jesus in Heaven, he knew the church would be better served if he remained. Understanding that death has no sting allows the Christian to live for Jesus by loving God and neighbor no matter the cost.
If John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, why was Jesus baptized? Did he have sin for which he needed to repent, or was something else happening? And what does his temptation mean for us? In this week's sermon, we see how the baptism and temptation of Jesus allows us to be confident before both God and man.
Who was John the Baptist, and what was his role in ushering in the gospel of the Kingdom? This week, we see how John pointed others to Jesus, and we are encouraged to do the same by his example.
What is the gospel? This week, we explore why the gospel isn't just any old good news. When the word gospel is connected with the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, only then does it become good news that draws us into an eternity of worship.
Jonah is truly a reflection of the character of mankind. In chapter 2, he sang God's praises. In chapter 4, he questions God. But God is patient and merciful toward Jonah, just as he is with us.
In this chapter, we see Jonah's faithful preaching of God's wrath, the Ninevites' heartfelt repentance, and the mercy of God that undergirds it all. We cannot preach the good news of grace without first preaching the bad news of judgment. But even the warning of judgment is a product of God's mercy, which leads us to faith, repentance, and ultimately, worship!
As Jonah found himself alive in the belly of the great fish (much to his surprise), he prayed a prayer of deep thanksgiving and gratitude to the God who had saved him from certain destruction. Jonah deserved death, but God preserved his life. Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Jonah's name might mean "silly bird", but he is truly the "son of Amittai", the "son of My faithfulness". Despite Jonah's disobedience, God preserves his life. This week, we see how God chastises those whom he loves, how he faithfully loves us through our sin, and brings us to faith and repentance in Jesus Christ.
