This sermon focuses on the transformative power of desperation for God. Dr. Smith uses the biblical stories of a ruler seeking healing for his daughter and a sick woman touching Jesus' garment to illustrate how desperation can lead individuals to take extraordinary risks and experience miraculous breakthroughs. He emphasizes that true desperation involves recognizing our utter need for God, acknowledging our brokenness, and being willing to surrender everything to Him. Dr. Smith encourages listeners to examine their lives for idols and to cultivate a deep, abiding thirst for God that surpasses all other desires. He assures them that God honors genuine seeking and rewards those who approach Him with humble, desperate hearts. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, we find true satisfaction, purpose, and eternal life.

Dr. Roger Smith focuses on the miracle of Jesus healing a paralyzed man, emphasizing that the greater miracle was the forgiveness of the man's sins. Dr. Roger Smith argues that faith is the key to unlocking God's power, as demonstrated by the paralyzed man's friends who brought him to Jesus. Dr. Smith highlights that Jesus prioritized spiritual healing over physical healing, challenging listeners to examine their own priorities. He further uses the example of Jesus calling Levi the tax collector to illustrate that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, emphasizing that salvation is available to all who believe. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, to prioritize spiritual wellness over physical wellness, and to recognize the transformative power of forgiveness and salvation.

Dr. Roger Smith focuses on the miracle of Jesus healing a paralyzed man, emphasizing that the greater miracle was the forgiveness of the man's sins. Dr. Roger Smith argues that faith is the key to unlocking God's power, as demonstrated by the paralyzed man's friends who brought him to Jesus. Dr. Smith highlights that Jesus prioritized spiritual healing over physical healing, challenging listeners to examine their own priorities. He further uses the example of Jesus calling Levi the tax collector to illustrate that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, emphasizing that salvation is available to all who believe. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, to prioritize spiritual wellness over physical wellness, and to recognize the transformative power of forgiveness and salvation.

Dr. Roger Smith focuses on the different ways Jesus interacts with people based on their spiritual needs. Using the examples of Peter, the fisherman, and a man with leprosy, Dr. Smith highlights the contrasting approaches of truth and grace. Peter, initially proud and unaware of his spiritual need, requires a miracle and a direct encounter with Jesus to recognize his sinfulness. This truth breaks him, leading him to submit to Jesus and receive grace. Conversely, the leper, already humbled by his condition, approaches Jesus with faith, needing only grace and healing, which Jesus readily provides. This sermon emphasizes that some need truth to shatter their pride and lead them to repentance, while others, broken and desperate, need the balm of God's grace. Both paths, however, require submission to Jesus and a recognition of his lordship in our lives. Ultimately, the message encourages introspection, asking listeners to consider whether they need humbling truth or restorative grace in their own lives.

Dr. Roger Smith focuses on the different ways Jesus interacts with people based on their spiritual needs. Using the examples of Peter, the fisherman, and a man with leprosy, Dr. Smith highlights the contrasting approaches of truth and grace. Peter, initially proud and unaware of his spiritual need, requires a miracle and a direct encounter with Jesus to recognize his sinfulness. This truth breaks him, leading him to submit to Jesus and receive grace. Conversely, the leper, already humbled by his condition, approaches Jesus with faith, needing only grace and healing, which Jesus readily provides. This sermon emphasizes that some need truth to shatter their pride and lead them to repentance, while others, broken and desperate, need the balm of God's grace. Both paths, however, require submission to Jesus and a recognition of his lordship in our lives. Ultimately, the message encourages introspection, asking listeners to consider whether they need humbling truth or restorative grace in their own lives.

In John 1 and 2 we see the Jesus is unlike any person that has ever lived because He is both Fully God and fully man at the same time. This sermon focuses on the significance of Jesus’ divine nature as both fully God and fully man, emphasizing that this truth is essential to understanding his teachings and miracles. Dr. Smith argues that Jesus’ miracles weren't mere magic tricks, but "signs" that amplified his true identity as Lord over creation. He challenges listeners to reflect on how they perceive Jesus, urging them to move beyond seeing him as just a friend or a source of personal blessings, and to fully embrace his kingship and authority. Dr. Smith concludes by emphasizing the importance of sharing the Gospel and making disciples, reminding the congregation that their purpose is to "lift up Jesus" so that He can draw people to himself.

In John 1 and 2 we see the Jesus is unlike any person that has ever lived because He is both Fully God and fully man at the same time. This sermon focuses on the significance of Jesus’ divine nature as both fully God and fully man, emphasizing that this truth is essential to understanding his teachings and miracles. Dr. Smith argues that Jesus’ miracles weren't mere magic tricks, but "signs" that amplified his true identity as Lord over creation. He challenges listeners to reflect on how they perceive Jesus, urging them to move beyond seeing him as just a friend or a source of personal blessings, and to fully embrace his kingship and authority. Dr. Smith concludes by emphasizing the importance of sharing the Gospel and making disciples, reminding the congregation that their purpose is to "lift up Jesus" so that He can draw people to himself.

In preparation for 2024, Dr. Roger L. Smith introduces "Amplify" as the theme for the year, derived from a personal experience where he saw a license plate with the word on it. Amplifying, he explains, is about bringing attention and empowerment beyond natural abilities, like an electric guitar needing an amplifier. He emphasizes that God also amplifies certain things, using bumper stickers as an example of personal amplification. Dr. Smith focuses on John 16:4-11, explaining how the Holy Spirit amplifies specific truths: conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He stresses that the church should align with the Spirit's work, not the other way around, and that true spiritual endeavors begin with recognizing our sin before God. Ultimately, Dr. Smith calls for self-examination, urging the congregation to consider what they are amplifying in their lives and whether it aligns with God's kingdom.

In preparation for 2024, Dr. Roger L. Smith introduces "Amplify" as the theme for the year, derived from a personal experience where he saw a license plate with the word on it. Amplifying, he explains, is about bringing attention and empowerment beyond natural abilities, like an electric guitar needing an amplifier. He emphasizes that God also amplifies certain things, using bumper stickers as an example of personal amplification. Dr. Smith focuses on John 16:4-11, explaining how the Holy Spirit amplifies specific truths: conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He stresses that the church should align with the Spirit's work, not the other way around, and that true spiritual endeavors begin with recognizing our sin before God. Ultimately, Dr. Smith calls for self-examination, urging the congregation to consider what they are amplifying in their lives and whether it aligns with God's kingdom.

Grace Family | Pleasant Hill