The central message of this sermon is that God wants His followers to be skilled at being good, rather than merely avoiding being bad. The parable of the unjust steward (or dishonest manager) is used to illustrate this point, highlighting the manager's cleverness and decisiveness in getting what he wanted, even if it was through deceitful means. Jesus wants his followers to emulate the manager's skillfulness and effectiveness in achieving their goals, but with a moral compass that aligns with God's values. This message advances the belief that being a faithful follower of God requires not just avoiding sin, but actively pursuing righteousness and living a life that honors God. The takeaway is that Jesus' desire for his followers is not just to be morally good, but to be good at being good, which implies a high level of skillfulness, effectiveness, and dedication to living a life that reflects God's character.

The central message of this sermon is that unbelief has its own set of problems, which include explaining away the evidence of God's presence and power in the world. The speaker argues that those who deny the resurrection of Jesus must account for the many signs and wonders that attest to its truth, such as the Shroud of Turin, which presents a mysterious image that cannot be easily explained away. The sermon suggests that the chief priests and elders, who were instrumental in Jesus' death, are guilty of covering up the truth and silencing their own doubts through bribery and lies. This message advances the idea that faith is not just about maintaining one's own conviction in the face of doubt, but also about confronting the reality of God's presence and power in the world. The takeaway the speaker wants listeners to understand is that unbelief has its own set of consequences and that it requires a significant amount of effort and deception to ignore or deny the evidence of God's work in the world.

The central message of this sermon is that earthly glory invites a deeper sacrifice, and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem serves as a prime example of this principle. Jesus, who knew about the fleeting nature of earthly glory, willingly accepted public recognition as Messiah while simultaneously knowing that his acceptance would lead to his crucifixion. The sermon highlights how people often misinterpret the purpose and meaning behind events like Jesus' triumphal entry, mistakenly thinking it signals an end to their struggles or a demonstration of God's wrath on their enemies. In contrast, Jesus understood that his glory was not about personal recognition or earthly power, but rather about fulfilling God's plan for humanity's salvation through sacrifice. The sermon advances the belief that true greatness and significance are measured by one's willingness to surrender personal interests and desires in service to a higher purpose, even when it involves suffering and sacrifice.

The central message of this sermon is that salvation and good works are not a matter of balance or equal weight, but rather an either-or proposition: it's by faith alone through God's grace, not by human effort or good deeds. The speaker argues that our natural tendency to try to balance truth and love, or faith and works, is misguided, as both are essential components of the Christian life, but salvation itself is a gift of God's unmerited favor, not something we can earn through our own efforts. This message advances the belief in justification by faith alone, a fundamental tenet of Protestant theology, and underscores the nature of God as a holy and just Judge who cannot abide sin. The takeaway for listeners is that they must abandon any attempts to balance their way into heaven or salvation, recognizing instead that it's solely through faith in Christ that they are saved.

The central message of this sermon is that Christians should approach questions about their faith with a gentle and respectful attitude, being prepared to answer them in a way that is honest and humble. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that questions are legitimate and addressing objections directly, rather than avoiding or sidestepping them. This approach advances the belief that Christianity is not just a set of dogmatic truths, but a comprehensive worldview that offers hope and answers to fundamental human questions about existence and meaning. The takeaway for listeners is that they should be ready to share their faith with others, not by being confrontational or defensive, but by engaging with people's questions in a spirit of humility and respect, and trusting that the truth of Christianity will shine through in such interactions.

The central message of this sermon is that "lost people matter to God" and that He goes to great lengths to seek and save them, as exemplified in Jesus' parables about the lost sheep, coin, and son. This message advances the belief that God's primary concern is not with those who are already righteous or morally pure, but rather with those who are broken, sinful, and in need of redemption. The sermon highlights how Jesus' actions and teachings demonstrate a radical reversal of traditional Jewish expectations about God's relationship to sinners, emphasizing instead that God's heart is for the lost and that He delights in their repentance and restoration. The takeaway from this message is that our understanding of God's character and priorities should shape our own values and actions, leading us to prioritize evangelism, discipleship, and service to those who are far from God. Ultimately, this sermon encourages listeners to adopt a posture of compassion, humility, and seeking after the lost, just as God does through Jesus Christ.

The central message of this sermon is that Community Bible Fellowship (CBF) is called by God to move forward and improve its facilities and methods while preserving its core values and strengths. The speaker argues that CBF's current building is no longer suitable for the church's growth and needs, citing issues such as limited parking, inadequate space for children and youth ministries, and a need for better facilities for adult education and worship. However, the sermon emphasizes that this change is not about abandoning the church's unique culture and identity, but rather about adapting to God's vision for its future while maintaining its commitment to authenticity, participatory worship, and focused mission efforts. The speaker presents a vision for CBF's future, using the PROGRESS acronym to outline its goals in prayer and worship, resource management, outreach, and growth. Ultimately, the sermon encourages listeners to trust that God is leading CBF forward into a brighter and more effective future.

The central message of this sermon is that biblical prophecy can be a source of hope and encouragement for believers, despite the turmoil and uncertainty of the world around us. The preacher emphasizes the importance of approaching prophetic material with balance and perspective, rather than getting caught up in sensational or speculative interpretations. By focusing on Jesus' words about the signs of the end times, the preacher encourages listeners to stand firm in their faith and lift up their heads, knowing that redemption is drawing near. The sermon also highlights the significance of Jerusalem's Temple Mount as a site of great importance in biblical prophecy, and how its current status reflects the complex and often disputed history of control over this sacred place. Ultimately, the takeaway from this message is that God is still in control, and His plan for the world will ultimately prevail, giving believers reason to be hopeful and confident in the face of uncertainty.

The central message of this sermon is that Christmas, while often perceived as a time of joy and hope, also involves a paradoxical element: God's willingness to enter into human suffering and humiliation in order to bring salvation. This theme is developed by drawing parallels between the events of 9/11 and the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting the ways in which both involve invasions, require a response, and necessitate a new understanding of God's nature and character. The sermon ultimately argues that God's humble and lowly birth in a stable was not a weakness, but rather a necessary step for him to become incarnate, live among humans, and reveal his true nature as one who serves and gives himself for others. This message advances the idea that God is not distant or detached from human suffering, but rather, he enters into it with us, and that this entry point is not just a sentimental gesture, but a crucial aspect of his mission to save humanity. The takeaway from this sermon is that true understanding and connection with God can only be achieved through seeing him in his humility and willingness to suffer alongside us, and that this encounter ultimately reveals our own need for redemption and transformation.

The central message of this sermon is that pride and hypocrisy are major obstacles to truly knowing and experiencing God's presence in our lives, and that humility is the key to genuine relationship with Him. The speaker argues that the Pharisees' actions and attitudes in the biblical account reveal a deeper issue of pride and hypocrisy, which prevents them from genuinely responding to Jesus' questions or being honest about their intentions. By analyzing the Pharisees' behavior, the speaker highlights the dangers of pretending to be something we're not, and instead exhorts listeners to cultivate humility and authenticity in their relationship with God. This message advances the belief that true spirituality is rooted in a genuine desire to know and obey God, rather than in external performances or appearances of righteousness. The takeaway from this sermon is that humility and honesty are essential for experiencing the fullness of God's presence and truth in our lives.