Preached Word.

I Dreamed A Dream

The God Who is With You

This sermon explores Genesis 39, highlighting Joseph's unyielding faithfulness to God amidst various life seasons. By examining Joseph's responses through blessing, temptation, and unjust suffering, it demonstrates how God's continuous presence sustains believers through every circumstance.

Concealed Corruption

In this sermon on Genesis 38, the preacher addresses one of the most corrupt narratives in Scripture, exposing the depths of human depravity and the hypocrisy of hiding our sins. Yet through the dark providences of Judah's failures and Tamar's desperation, God sovereignly preserved His covenant line through Perez. Ultimately, this passage highlights how God uses broken individuals and tragic circumstances to display the magnitude of His redeeming grace in Jesus Christ.

Brothers to Bondage

Exploring the dramatic betrayal of Joseph by his brothers in Genesis 37, this sermon reveals how favoritism and envy can lead to deep brokenness and division within families and communities. Yet, in the midst of dark providences, God's sovereign hand is actively preparing a path of redemption, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ who was similarly betrayed to secure salvation for his people.

Worship Matters

This sermon explores the biblical nature of true worship, warning against the dual errors of emotionalism and intellectual rationalism. Drawing from Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, the speaker argues that authentic worship requires both spirit and truth—where sound doctrine and heartfelt delight work in harmony to glorify God.

Budgets Matter

This sermon addresses the connection between our hearts and our finances, emphasizing that how we steward our money is a direct reflection of our devotion to Christ. Grounded in Matthew 6 and other New Testament passages, it calls believers to give regularly, sacrificially, and joyfully to support pastoral ministry, local church functions, and global missions.

Deacons Matter

This sermon explains the vital role of deacons in the church, drawing from 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 6. The speaker outlines the deacon's job to preserve unity and facilitate practical service, freeing pastors for the ministry of the Word and prayer. He details the character qualifications for deacons, including the biblical support for women deacons, and highlights the great reward they receive for their selfless service, ultimately reflecting the sacrificial servant heart of Jesus Christ Himself.

Pastors Matter

This sermon, "Pastors Matter," explores 1 Timothy 3:1-7 to emphasize that a pastor's character and godliness are more crucial than their actions or charisma. It meticulously details twelve qualifications for overseers, from their desire for noble work to their reputation among outsiders, portraying a holistic image of a Christ-like leader. The sermon also outlines the core responsibilities of pastors—modeling godliness, preaching, praying, and discipling—and guides the congregation on their vital role in recognizing, supporting, and holding their leaders accountable, ultimately exalting Christ as the perfect Chief Shepherd.

Congregationalism Matters

This sermon explains the vital importance of congregationalism, asserting that individual church members hold significant God-given authority and responsibility. The speaker outlines four key areas where the congregation exercises this authority: church membership, leadership (affirming or removing pastors and deacons), governing documents, and the church budget. It emphasizes that while pastors lead, the congregation has the ultimate 'emergency brake' to safeguard the purity of the gospel and the integrity of the church, fostering a robust and trustworthy community.

Church Discipline Matters

This sermon outlines the biblical imperative for church discipline, explaining that it serves two primary purposes: to protect Christ's reputation and to facilitate the sinner's restoration. It details the process of church discipline as taught in Matthew 18, emphasizing that it should be carried out with love, humility, and a clear understanding of the gospel's power to transform and forgive repentant sinners.

Church Membership Matters

This sermon explores the biblical basis and practical importance of church membership through the lens of Christ's kingly authority in Matthew 16. It explains that church membership is a formal recognition of Kingdom citizenship and an explicit covenant to take responsibility for one another's discipleship.

The Gospel Matters

This sermon explores the essential nature of the Gospel, framing it as the "material principle" of Christian life and the church. It highlights how the Gospel saves individuals from sin, creates new spiritual life and the church community through practices like baptism, protects the integrity of the church through the proper administration of the Lord's Supper, and ultimately cultivates humility and empowered service in believers. The message emphasizes that true faith rooted in Christ's work leads to transformed lives and active participation in God's redemptive plan.

Scripture Matters

This sermon initiates a series on the nature and function of the church, emphasizing that God's Word is the authoritative blueprint for all church life. The speaker argues that the Word not only creates salvation and the church itself but also commands its principles, practices, and priorities, providing the essential foundation to prevent division and foster genuine Christian community. Ultimately, relying on the Word cultivates humility, grace, and patience, recognizing that it is God who works through His inspired text, not human effort or preferences.

Buried Blessing

This sermon contrasts the lives of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 35-36, highlighting the paradox of living by faith in a fallen world. It explores Jacob's struggles and God's renewed promises amidst personal losses, juxtaposed with Esau's worldly success that ultimately leads to oblivion. The message calls believers to prioritize God's eternal promises through Christ over temporary earthly comforts, finding true hope and redemption in Jesus' victory over sin and death.

Defiled Deliverance

This sermon unpacks the dark narrative of Genesis 34, highlighting the pervasive corruption of both love and justice. It examines Shechem's selfish actions and Jacob's passive response, as well as the deceitful and violent vengeance of Simeon and Levi. Ultimately, the sermon points to the perfect justice and redemptive grace found only in Jesus Christ, offering hope and a call to firm conviction in a fallen world.

Hit the Ground

This sermon unpacks Jacob's transformation from a scheming, self-reliant individual to 'Israel,' one who struggles with and depends on God. Through his panicked efforts to appease Esau, his wrestling match with God that leaves him with a permanent limp, and an unexpected reconciliation with his brother, Jacob learns that true security and salvation come not from his own efforts but from God's grace. The sermon applies these lessons to the Christian life, emphasizing reliance on God, radical forgiveness, faithful obedience, and a secure identity in Christ.

Jim Armstrong Memorial

This memorial service celebrates the faithful life of Jim Armstrong through heartfelt tributes from his daughter, sister, friends, and neighbors. Pastor John delivers a powerful gospel message based on the reality of death and the secure hope of the resurrection found in Jesus Christ.

Counting Sheep

This sermon explores Jacob's struggles with self-reliance, superstition, and deception while working for Laban, highlighting how Jacob's attempts to control his own destiny ultimately led to further conflict and revealed his faithlessness. It further examines Rachel's hidden idolatry and Jacob's distorted communication with his wives, illustrating how sin and superstition defile. Ultimately, the sermon points to the need for God's true covenant and the cleansing, redeeming grace found only in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's standard of purity and offers forgiveness for our defilement.

Wants, Wages, and Wickedness

This sermon delves into Genesis 29-30, exploring the intertwined themes of Jacob's self-reliance, Laban's deception, and the bitter envy between Leah and Rachel. It argues that each character serves their own idols, leading to a downward spiral of sin, manipulation, and dissatisfaction. Ultimately, the message highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and grace amidst human brokenness, culminating in the redemptive work of Jesus, who offers true fulfillment and freedom from the slavery of idolatry.

3 - Panel

A panel discussion exploring the theological and practical implications of artificial intelligence on the Christian life. The speakers contrast the artificial nature of AI with true human personhood, arguing that while AI is a powerful tool, it poses a risk of automating critical thinking, relationships, and the biblical value of work.