Courage on SermonAudio

God created man to serve as a priest-king, ruling in righteousness while worshiping and submitting to the Lord. Yet Genesis 14 reveals the consequences of abandoning that priestly calling, as nine wicked kings pursue power, domination, and autonomy from God. In contrast, Abram demonstrates the character of a righteous priest-king, motivated by love and justice to rescue the innocent rather than seeking power or personal gain. His remarkable victory over the kings of the east reveals the power and faithfulness of God Most High. Upon his return, Abram encounters two contrasting kings: Melchizedek, the righteous priest-king of Salem, and the wicked king of Sodom. By honoring Melchizedek and rejecting Sodom's riches, Abram demonstrates his allegiance to righteousness and his refusal to compromise with evil. Yet even Abram acknowledges a king greater than himself, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal Priest-King who triumphs over every enemy and grants His righteousness to His people. The passage calls believers to reject the temptation of worldly power, act courageously against injustice, refuse ungodly alliances, and treasure the eternal riches of Christ above the fleeting rewards of this world.

The sermon examines Joshua 22 to demonstrate that genuine covenant faithfulness requires both a zeal for God's holiness and a submission to His comprehensive truth. It argues that the conflict between the Eastern and Western tribes was not merely about regulated worship, but about the integrity of Israel's standing before Yahweh, where the Western tribes rightly demanded investigation before judgment, and the Eastern tribes rightly sought to preserve their children's access to worship. The text highlights that serious accusations must be verified through diligent inquiry rather than assumed, and that true unity is preserved when believers rejoice in the truth rather than in their own vindication. Ultimately, the sermon points to Jesus Christ as the faithful covenant keeper who bore the judgment for sin, reconciling believers to God and to one another, establishing a unity that is both holy and one through His blood and Spirit.

When life's pressures and unexpected threats try to intimidate you, how should you respond? In the message The Chicken is Not Afraid, Pastor Steve Harness examines Luke 13 to show how Jesus courageously faced opposition without yielding to fear. Discover how to walk out your God-given calling with confidence and find ultimate refuge under His protective wings.

This sermon explores the central promise of Psalm 23:4, emphasizing that God's presence remains constant even when believers walk through the valley of the shadow of death. The message challenges the prosperity gospel notion that faith guarantees a trouble-free life, asserting instead that suffering is a reality of living in a broken world, yet it is not a dead end but an opportunity for deeper intimacy with God. By analyzing the shift from third-person to second-person address in the psalm, the text illustrates how hardship transforms the relationship with the divine from a distant observation to a personal, immediate encounter. The sermon uses personal testimony and the metaphor of the shepherd's rod and staff to demonstrate how God comforts through His power and tangible presence, often mediated through the community of believers. Ultimately, the message invites the audience to trust in the Shepherd's unwavering companionship, finding courage and comfort in the knowledge that they are never alone in their darkest seasons.

Preaching: Iver Martin "Astonishing Courage in Common Men" Acts 3:1-10; 4:1-22

The Great Commission is Christ's gracious call to share in His work of making disciples. In Matthew 28:16–20, the risen Jesus meets imperfect followers, entrusts them with a worldwide mission, and assures them of His unfailing presence. Our confidence rests in the Savior who sends us. First, come to Jesus with worship and doubts. The disciples worshiped even as some hesitated. We, too, may bring our questions, fears, and failures to Him. Through prayer, Scripture, and Christian fellowship, trembling faith grows stronger. We need not wait for every uncertainty to disappear before obeying. Second, bow to Jesus as Lord of all. His authority extends over every part of life, including our relationships, finances, ambitions, and hidden struggles. The Savior who forgives us also calls us to surrender. His gracious rule gives us courage amid opposition. Third, go for Jesus and make disciples. Every believer has a part in sharing the gospel, welcoming others, and helping them learn obedience to Christ. This requires patient relationships, truthful teaching, and love that crosses cultural and personal boundaries. We speak faithfully while trusting God to awaken faith. Finally, walk with Jesus in confident faith. His presence does not spare us every hardship, but it sustains us through them all. We plant and water; God gives the growth. A church's calling reaches beyond preserving buildings or maintaining activities. Having received Christ's mercy, we carry His gospel to others. Ask Him for one person to love, encourage, and disciple. Then take the next step with Him.

This was an intense time of persecution which tried the faith of Christians. Paul encouraged Timothy to stand true and not be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus, to be courageous.

How should we live in this temporary world, knowing that our eternal home is with Christ? Because Christ has secured our future with him, we can live with courage seek to please him and take seriously the day we will stand before him

Jesus' final words to His disciples in John 16, focus on the promise of peace amidst worldly tribulation. The central message asserts that while sorrow is inevitable in this fallen world, the joy found in Christ is permanent and cannot be taken away. The text highlights the theological necessity of the Trinity for salvation, arguing that only through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can sin be atoned for and righteousness imputed to believers. By connecting the disciples' impending scattering with their subsequent boldness, the sermon illustrates how the assurance of Christ's victory over the world transforms fear into courage. Ultimately, the passage serves as a direct comfort to believers, encouraging them to trust in God's faithfulness and to live as distinct witnesses of the Gospel in a hostile world.

This sermon examines the burial of Jesus as recorded in Mark 15, emphasizing that the physical death and burial of Christ are essential components of the gospel message. The exposition highlights three key aspects: the courageous action of Joseph of Arimathea in claiming the body, the confirmation of Jesus' death by Pilate and the centurion, and the faithful execution of the burial by Joseph and Nicodemus. The preacher argues that these events demonstrate the literal reality of Christ's sacrifice, countering the idea that He merely suffered or swooned. Furthermore, the passage illustrates that true allegiance to Christ requires practical obedience and service, even in the face of fear or apparent defeat. Ultimately, the sermon grounds the believer's confidence not in fluctuating emotions but in the unchanging truth of Scripture and the faithfulness of God, who fulfills His promises even in the midst of grief and finality.