Grace Dover Messages

Sermon by Daryl Wattley, RUF Director at Delaware State University, from Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 and John 1:1-5, 29-34, 43-49. Time with God, time in public, time with friends.

Will you grow as Samuel did in 2022?

1 Samuel 2

Sermon by Mike Godfrey, Ruling Elder, from Micah 5:2-5a & Luke 1:45-55. We will look at the parallels between the foretelling of the birth of Jesus and some of the other miracle babies in the Bible: Elizabeth-John the Baptist, Hannah-Samuel, Rachel-Joseph, Sarah-Isaac. We will then examine the truth about Jesus that Mary may have discovered when she was reminded of those women and what led to their babies, and led her to sing the Magnificat.

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Isaiah 12:2-6 & Philippians 4:4-7. As Christians, we are called to rejoice always in the Lord. Though our hearts may be troubled, though we may become weary, and even in the midst of our trials, we are able to rejoice because the Lord is our strength and our song. We rejoice because of the salvation that has been given to us by the grace of God.

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Malachi 3:1-4 & Philippians 1:3-1. During the Advent season, we are reminded that we are able to enjoy Christ each day and wait with eager hearts for his return because of the good work that God began in us. It is also God who will complete his work in us as we are sanctified through the Holy Spirit and grow in knowledge and all discernment. Paul teaches us that the evidence of this growth is that we will abound more and more in love to the glory and praise of God.

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Jeremiah 33:14-16 & Luke 21:25-36. This week begins the season of Advent. Advent has to do with the coming of the Lord. The Lord's coming is filled with a sense of dread and chaos. So, what is the believer to do, since waiting for the Lord's return can be difficult? Jesus instructs the believers to stay awake at all times. How are we to stay awake? This is ultimately a question about one's belief in the return of Christ. If you believe who Jesus really is, the Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then to stand before him is the goal of your heart. Jesus tells us how to do just that when he instructs us to raise our heads, look at the fig tree, and stay awake at all times. For Jesus is here, and he is coming. Jesus' word is more sure than the heavens and the earth. Jesus provides strength to escape and stand before the Son of Man. This is the good news of the gospel of grace. So we pray, "Even so come, Lord Jesus!"

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Daniel 7:13-14 & Revelation 1:4b-8. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and Advent, we look back in our lives and are reminded of all that the Lord has done for us. Yet, we must also be reminded that the Lord’s kingdom is everlasting and look forward to the day that he will come again.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, from Jeremiah 3:14-17 & Revelation 7:9-17 If discipleship is following Jesus then to what destination are we being led? This Sunday we are at the end of our series on discipleship. Our discipleship is following Jesus. Furthermore, we've said that active discipleship stewards the unity that God has given us in Christ. This stewarding calls for us to be faithful until we reach our destination, which is the presence of God. To help us get to the presence of God, the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be our shepherd. The Lamb graciously gives us shepherds who share his heart. Their role is to feed us with knowledge and understanding. Knowledge and understanding of what? Knowledge and understanding of who we are as a people, the place where we will dwell, and the presence that shelters us. It is the good news of the gospel that gives the disciple all of these things. And the stewardship of our unity has as its final destination the presence of the God and the Lamb.

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Daniel 3:8-18 & Matthew 5:10-12 This Sunday is recognized as the International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians. Let us be reminded of our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted daily for their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us support them through our prayers and resources to come alongside them in their times of distress. Let us also be strengthened and challenged by their faithfulness to Christ as we endure persecution in our own lives.

Sermon by Rick Barr, Associate Pastor, from 1 Chronicles 29:16-20 and Ephesians 3:14-21. What is the heart of the matter for discipleship, individually & collectively? The heart of the matter is...the heart! We are only able to be Christ’s disciples and then, in turn, disciple others in Christ by the gift of a new heart, purchased by our Lord by His sacrificial gift. So, we respond in faith to Jesus' gift of a new heart! Now we live our live as His disciples being “rooted and grounded in love."