We live in a time when most sermons are like "how-to" manuals. Five easy steps to a healthy marriage... Strategies for overcoming the daily doldrums... Sure-fire methods for putting pride in its place. But sometimes, it's simply good to bask in the wonder and marvel of our salvation. Peter does so as he begins his first epistle and we'll join him as we look at the Source, Substance, and Surety of our Salvation.

"Violence!" the prophet cries, and it still rings true today. Anger is evident in thought, word, and deed all around us. It climaxes in hateful murder and leaves a wake of destruction. What are we to do? Habakkuk wondered the same thing. Join us as we study Yahweh's answer. The godly man's hope is the same today as it was then. God reveals His plan for vengeance on the wicked but promises us, "The righteous will live by his faith."

As we look at patience, James provides us with a sense of space and depth! James offers a distinctive insight into the importance, reward, and blessings associated with patience. While he portrays the nature patience, he does so by referencing the Lord’s return, highlighting that He will reward the righteous and recompense the wicked. James presents a three-dimensional picture of patience, providing traits that are worth emulating, such as those seen in the farmer, the prophets of old, and the patriarch Job.

What is the cry of the heart that not only acutely and piercingly feels their transgression and sin…but just as acutely and clearly know the forgiveness and hope that permeates the believer who swims in the unsearchable depths of God’s forgiveness. 

Often in a trial we can either feel paralysed and not know what to do, or jump straight into action in ways we learned in the flesh. James 1:19-27 begins a focus on what we must do in trials that we might call 3D Christianity: Faith in action. 

God proves His love for us in Christ’s death, and that while we were still enemies! As a result, we bask in the hope of future salvation. God’s wrath will be averted! His selfless love inspires us to trust Him. If Christ has died for us, how much more so can we trust Him to act for us? We have received the priceless gift of a reconciled relationship—this treasure is the boast of our joy.

The apostle Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:14-21 is a heartfelt pastoral plea on behalf of believers that also helps shape our own desires and prayers.

In this sermon on Acts 13:26-41 we learn how the gospel is to be preached with an emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Ezekiel 14:1-11 recounts an encounter between the prophet Ezekiel and some elders of Israel who come to inquire of the Lord. However, God reveals that these elders have set up idols in their hearts and placed sinful stumbling blocks before themselves. Because of this hypocrisy, God declares that He will not answer them as they expect. Instead, He warns that anyone who turns to idols will be judged by Him directly.

In Colossians 3:12-13, the Apostle Paul lists three characteristics of every believer’s new identity in Christ: chosen, holy, and beloved. Once we realize the true identity of our “new self,” we are ready to put off the “old self” and, by God’s grace, become more and more who we truly are in Him.