Despair. Disappointment. God, where are you? I’m at the end of my rope! This sermon takes us through Psalm 88, the darkest of the psalms, and suggests four responses for when things get dark.
Tag: Sermons
True Repentance: Create in me a Clean Heart [Sermon]
King David sinned. Big time. He pleaded to God for mercy and forgiveness. This sermon explores David’s story, Psalm 51, and how we too might engage in true repentance. It’s wanting your heart to follow your tongue.
Be still, and know that I am God [Sermon]
It’s easy to lose perspective when facing uncertainty or fear. Enter Psalm 46 which is often read during times of national or personal crisis. It helps us re-gain perspective. This sermon unpacks Psalm 46, considers the bigness of God, and the “inner stillness” that faith can foster.
The LORD is my Shepherd. What does Psalm 23 mean for us today? [Sermon]
It’s the world’s most famous psalm. It is said at funerals, memorized, tattooed on bodies, and underlined in Bibles. Our Shepherd provides for us and restores our souls. But this is no naive optimism. He does so through the valley of the shadow of death. This sermon explores Psalm 23 and zeroes in on one major application for our lives today.
The Two Ways [Sermon]
We live in a world of choices. But Psalm 1 foregrounds a big one. Will we choose the way of the righteous, or the way of the wicked? This sermon introduces a series on the most famous psalms, and explores Psalm 1, the “gateway” to the psalsm.
Failure doesn’t disqualify you [Sermon]
Jesus was about to physically leave them. Could they continue his message and mission even though they were deeply flawed? Yes. And so can you. This sermon on John 21 explains why and how.
His Pain, Your Gain [Good Friday Sermon]
We are in a covenant relationship with God. But what happens when we don’t live up to our end of the relationship? The answer has to do with why Good Friday is called “good.” This sermon and episode from Good Friday looks at John 14:15, and two of the life-changing facets of Jesus’ saving work. His pain, our gain.
Bleedership [Sermon]
Leadership is desperately needed — and not just from others, and not just in ‘official’ capacities. You have many opportunities to show unofficial leadership. This sermon on John 19:1-16 explores some critical historical context to highlight the kind of leader Jesus was, and who we can emulate.
How to get the most out of a sermon
If you follow Jesus, listening to sermons is a significant part of your discipleship. They are called a “means of grace” (i.e. they can be a channel of God’s generosity, guidance and help in your life, even via imperfect preachers). So don’t you want to understand, make the most of, and engage with them? This talk provides practical assistance. It’s about being proactive, not passive.
Live like royalty [Sermon]
Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world. What does that mean and what are the implications for those of us who follow him but who still live in this world? This sermon is on John 18:19-40 and provides some practical responses to our royal identity.
Finding joy when you don’t feel it [Sermon]
We live in a quick-fix culture. Sine we can get some things quickly, we assume we should be able to get all things quickly — even when it comes to joy. But not so fast. Think diet not pill. This sermon is on John 16:4-25 and a joy which overcomes sorrow.
Light Locations [Sermon]
Jesus warns that the darkness can “overtake you.” Fortunately, God has provided light locations to keep us on the right path. This sermon explores John 12:27-50.
Seeking serious answers to serious questions [Sermon]
People are seeking serious answers to serious questions. There’s a temptation to downplay or trivialize these questions. But Jesus didn’t. This sermon explores John 12:20-26.
Listening to and walking with The Good Shepherd (Growing Deeper with John 10:22-42)
This episode is a Bible Study on John 10:22-42 and explores the idea of listening to (and following) the Good Shepherd when we can’t actually see or hear him.
How to hear Jesus’ voice when you can’t actually hear his voice [Sermon]
Throughout history, many people have claimed to hear God’s voice. Prophets certainly did. Madmen with Messiah complexes leading people into the desert to die did
What God can do through you is greater [Sermon]
A national poll asked: “If you could ask God only one question and you knew he would give you an answer, what would you ask?”
Freed to serve [Sermon]
“The truth will set you free.” So said Jesus. Aren’t we already free? Not necessarily. Good things are both now and in the future. This sermon on John 8:31-38 explores just these things.
Follow the Light [Sermon]
“I am the light of the world. Whoever WATCHES me…” Oops, nix that. “Whoever FOLLOWS me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Let’s talk about why and how in this sermon on John 8:12-30. The light might not always take you where you want to go; but it takes you where you need to go.
Grace opens doors [Sermon]
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Did Jesus act with all grace and no truth, or all truth and no grace? — or both? This sermon explores John 5:53-8:11 (a text not in the oldest biblical manuscripts) and considers what we can learn from it about opening doors to others.
Suffering from small thoughts about God no more [Sermon]
What is puzzling to you is a puzzle piece to God. When things seem just too much, maybe you need to ponder the hugeness of God. That’s what this sermon on Ephesians 3:14-21 explores.
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