The Mar.16, 2025 Sunday morning sermon at Broadway Church of Christ oin Lubbock, TX.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the Book of Hebrews, addressing the central question: "Is it worth it to keep following Jesus?" He begins by highlighting how God has spoken throughout history, ultimately speaking through His Son, Jesus Christ. Ihfe warns against two common pitfalls in dealing with our past: amnesia (forgetting) and atavism (glorifying). Instead, he encourages believers to see how our history points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan.

Ihfe emphasizes Jesus' divinity and humanity, quoting Hebrews 1:3, which describes Jesus as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." He reminds the church that Jesus is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all things. The sermon concludes with a warning against drifting away from faith and an encouragement to hold on to Jesus, who intercedes for us before the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16). Ihfe urges believers to live into God's grand story rather than settling for a lesser dream.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe launches a Lenten series focused on the Book of Hebrews. He explains the purpose of Lent as a time of reflection and preparation, rooted in Biblical examples of 40-day periods. Ihfe then delves into the relevance of Hebrews for today's church, highlighting how both ancient and modern Christians struggle with the question, "Is it worth it?" to follow Jesus amidst persecution and challenges. Ihfe draws parallels between the early church's struggles and contemporary issues such as deconstruction of faith, institutional distrust, and political polarization within Christianity. He emphasizes the Hebrew preacher's message of perseverance, quoting Hebrews 10:35-36: "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Using the metaphor from the movie "Finding Nemo" of "just keep swimming," Ihfe encourages the congregation to endure in their faith, keeping their focus on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2). He concludes by challenging the church to read Hebrews and to support one another in the journey of faith.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the power and significance of prayer in the Christian life. Drawing from Luke 18, he emphasizes Jesus' teaching on persistent prayer, encouraging believers not to give up even when circumstances seem dire or God seems distant. Ihfe highlights Paul's prayer for the Philippian church, demonstrating how prayer shapes our hearts and helps us see the world through God's eyes. The pastor stresses that God is not just a starter but a finisher, who will complete the good work He begins in us. He encourages the congregation to pray together, citing Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs us to pray in every situation. Ihfe explains that communal prayer ushers us into the reality of our need for one another and brings about a peace that defies understanding. He concludes by challenging the church to be people of prayer, partnering with God in His reconciling work in the world.

In this sermon, Chad Hammond delves into the concept of God's mercy as presented in the book of Romans. He begins by highlighting the importance of church attendance as a spiritual discipline that encourages the body of Christ. Hammond then focuses on Romans 12:1, particularly the phrase "in view of God's mercy," which leads him to explore Paul's exposition of God's mercy in the preceding chapters.

Hammond emphasizes that all people, regardless of background or religious observance, deserve God's wrath due to sin. However, through Christ's faithfulness, we receive God's righteousness and mercy. As Romans 8:1 states, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This understanding of God's mercy should transform how we view and treat others, including our enemies. Hammond concludes by urging the congregation to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21), reflecting the extravagant mercy we've received from Jesus.

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Chad Wheeler, CEO of Open Door, shares the organization's journey from a small gathering at Carpenter's Kitchen to a thriving ministry serving hundreds. He emphasizes the importance of building something that lasts, based on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24. Wheeler outlines three key steps to building in the way of the kingdom: listening, seeing Jesus in others, and responding to their needs.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the concept of walking in the way of love as a core tenet of Christianity. He begins by drawing parallels between inheriting traits from our earthly families and inheriting spiritual traits from our heavenly Father. Ihfe then focuses on Jesus' example of love, particularly in John 13 where He washes His disciples' feet.

The sermon delves into the transformation of the apostle John, from an aggressive and ambitious disciple to one who identifies himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." This change, Ihfe argues, came through John's experience of Jesus' love and the resurrection. Karl challenges the congregation to reflect on whether they show a family resemblance to God through their love, emphasizing that this should be the defining characteristic of Christians in a world that may not share their beliefs or values.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the concept of wisdom, distinguishing between earthly and heavenly wisdom as described in the book of James. He highlights how James, once skeptical of Jesus, transformed after witnessing the resurrection, leading him to write about true wisdom from God.

Ihfe explains that heavenly wisdom is characterized by action, humility, and peacemaking. He emphasizes that wisdom is not just knowledge, but the application of that knowledge in our lives. Using examples from Jesus' teachings and personal anecdotes, Ihfe illustrates how earthly wisdom often leads to envy, selfish ambition, and disorder.

Karl encourages his congregation to seek God's wisdom, reminding them of James' words in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." He concludes by urging listeners to apply this wisdom in their daily lives and relationships.

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In this New Year's sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the question of how we measure a good life or a good year. He begins by referencing Psalm 128, which states, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him" (Psalm 128:1). Ihfe explains that this fear is not terror, but a reverent awe of God that leads to obedience.

Ihfe then turns to Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, to illustrate what a life of obedience looks like. He focuses on Matthew 7, where Jesus provides four images to help understand true discipleship: the narrow gate, the good tree, doing God's will, and building on the rock. These images emphasize the importance of not just knowing about Jesus, but actively living out His teachings.

The sermon concludes with a call to action for the congregation to either reaffirm their commitment to walking in obedience or to make that commitment for the first time. Ihfe encourages listeners to leave old habits behind and embrace new ones that align with God's will, emphasizing the importance of community support in this journey.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into Paul's prayer for the Colossian church, found in Colossians 1:9-14. He sets the context by explaining the challenges faced by the Colossians, including the pervasive influence of Rome and the temptation of syncretism. Karl emphasizes the power of prayer, noting how Paul, despite being imprisoned, could still impact the church through his prayers and letters.

The core of the message focuses on Paul's specific prayer for the Colossians, which Karl adopts as his prayer for the church in the coming year. This prayer centers on being filled with the knowledge of God's will through the wisdom and understanding given by the Holy Spirit. The desired outcomes of this spiritual filling include bearing fruit in good works, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with God's power for endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father.

Karl stresses that this spiritual filling leads to a transformation in how we live, enabling us to see God at work in the world and respond with gratitude and hope, even in challenging circumstances. He concludes by reminding the congregation that God has already qualified them for His kingdom through Christ's redemptive work.

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The Dec. 22, 2024 Sunday morning sermon at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX.

In this sermon, Dr. Brandon Fredenburg delves into the meaning of Advent and its significance in the Christian calendar. He explains that Advent is a time of progression from darkness to light, symbolizing God's promise to the world through Jesus. Dr. Fredenburg emphasizes that as disciples, we are the continuation of Jesus' incarnation and the means by which God's promise is fulfilled.

Drawing from Matthew 5, Dr. Fredenburg highlights Jesus' teaching that disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He encourages us to recognize the darkness around us and actively bring light to our neighbors, especially during the challenging holiday season. Dr. Fredenburg also addresses the importance of sharing our good works with others, not for self-praise, but as a means of glorifying God and inspiring fellow believers.

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