Hope is not an optimistic feeling or the power of positive thinking—hope has a name, and His name is Jesus.

In this sermon on Hebrews 6:10–20, Lead Pastor Neil McClendon kicks off the Advent season by addressing how believers can cultivate and sustain a certain, unwavering hope to the very end. Exploring the modern epidemic of hopelessness and the human progression of disillusionment, Pastor Neil shows why anchoring our faith in ourselves, our parents, or our peers always falls short. Discover how God’s unchangeable promise, His binding oath, and the eternal high priesthood of Jesus Christ provide a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Progression of Hopelessness: How disillusionment with parents, peers, and self can lead to a sense of despair or nihilism.
• Faith Rooted in God's Character: Why our faith must be in the "Surely I will" of God rather than our own efforts or religious traditions.
• Two Unchangeable Things: How God’s promise and His oath guarantee the unchangeable character of His purpose to bless His people.
• The Anchor of the Soul: Understanding Jesus as our forerunner who entered behind the curtain to make permanent atonement for our sins.
• Inheriting the Promises: Following the example of Abraham by combining faith with patient waiting to experience true spiritual assurance.

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Hearing God’s voice isn't reserved for the super-spiritual—it is the birthright of every child of God.

In this sermon on 1 Samuel 3, Guest Speaker Chris Brooks explores how believers can cultivate a life that listens to and obeys the voice of God. Unpacking the story of young Samuel in the temple, Chris breaks down the common barriers to spiritual hearing and provides a practical, biblical framework for recognizing how the Lord communicates. Discover why staying word-fed and spirit-led enables us to move from hesitation to confident obedience, learning to say together: "Speak, Lord, your servants are listening."

In this episode, we cover:

• Our Birthright to Hear God: Understanding that every believer is meant to discern their Heavenly Father's voice through the Holy Spirit.
• Lessons from Samuel and Eli: Seeing how even dedicated believers need community and practice to distinguish God's call from other voices.
• How God Communicates: Recognizing the diverse ways God speaks—primarily through His Word, but also through people, circumstances, creation, and impressions.
• Cultivating Holy Habits: Shifting away from chasing random spiritual moments toward daily, quiet discipline in prayer and Scripture.
• Testing and Discerning the Voice: Evaluating internal impressions through biblical alignment, spiritual cooperation, and healthy community accountability.

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The final judgment isn't bad news designed to terrify us—it is the glorious assurance that evil will not triumph and God's justice will prevail.

In this sermon on Acts 24:24–25 and Revelation 20:11–15, Lead Pastor Neil McClendon concludes his three-part series on the components of biblical faith by examining the coming judgment. Unpacking Paul’s reasoned defense before Felix, Pastor Neil shows why the final judgment provides necessary clarity for the gospel, offering genuine hope to believers while warning the unrepentant. Discover the clear distinction between the Bema Seat for Christians and the Great White Throne for non-believers, why God's ongoing judgment happens even now, and how trusting in Christ allows us to experience the full enjoyment of God rather than fear His righteous standard.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the Final Judgment Is Good News: Recognizing that true divine justice brings hope, rights all wrongs, and ensures evil does not win.
• How Judgment Explains the Gospel: Understanding that Christ came to save us from divine wrath and reconcile us to an infinitely holy God.
• Ongoing vs. Final Judgment: Seeing how God meets out present, measured judgment to warn the world and grant time for repentance.
• The Bema Seat vs. Great White Throne: Differentiating between the reward and recognition for believers and the final indictment for those without Christ.
• Enjoyment Over Avoidance: Shifting the motivation of faith from merely escaping punishment to fully experiencing relationship with God.

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Self-control is not about white-knuckling your way through life or hating yourself into submission—it is the natural byproduct of walking in the Holy Spirit.

In this sermon on Galatians 5:16–26, Lead Pastor Neil McClendon continues his series on the components of biblical faith by addressing the often-misunderstood topic of self-control. Moving past external self-discipline and legalistic list-keeping, Pastor Neil reveals how true spiritual transformation happens from the inside out when the desires produced by the Spirit become stronger than the desires of the flesh. Discover how to identify and dismantle the four root idols of power, control, comfort, and approval, and learn what it means to keep in step with the Spirit daily.

In this episode, we cover:

• Self-Control vs. Self-Discipline: Distinguishing between external behavioral modification and true, Spirit-led internal change.
• Walking and Being Led by the Spirit: Experiencing freedom from the law’s condemnation and constraint through the Spirit's internal reality.
• Crucifying the Flesh: Identifying and strangling sin at the motivational level rather than just setting boundaries at the behavioral level.
• The 4 Root Idols: Understanding how power, control, comfort, and approval drive human behavior and how to dismantle them.
• Keeping in Step with the Spirit: Living from the inside out and experiencing the full, orchestrated freedom of a Spirit-led life.

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Our capacity to delight in God is only as strong as our capacity to embrace His deep delight in us.

In this sermon on Luke 12:32, Guest Speaker Sam Storms explores one of the most comforting declarations in Scripture: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Addressing the widespread struggle believers face in trusting God's goodness, Dr. Storms unpacks how false beliefs about God's disappointment can rob us of spiritual joy. Discover seven life-changing truths hidden within this single verse that reveal the Father's eager, overflowing delight to bless His children through Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we cover:

• What It Means to Enjoy God: Experiencing deep, soul-satisfying delight and supreme satisfaction in who God is.
• Overcoming the Fear of Disapproval: Breaking free from the misconception that God is disgusted, irked, or repulsed by us.
• The Father’s Eager Generosity: Understanding that God does not bless us begrudgingly, but with a heart bursting with affection and joy.
• Divine Logic vs. Human Fear: Seeing how God’s complete knowledge of our weaknesses moves Him toward compassion rather than rejection.
• The Ultimate Gift of the Kingdom: Recognizing that the greatest treasure of the kingdom is the King Himself and His eternal presence.

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Righteousness isn't something you achieve through your own good works—it is a gift you receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this sermon on Acts 24:22–27, Lead Pastor Neil McClendon launches a three-part series on the core components of biblical faith by unpacking the meaning of righteousness. Exploring Paul's defense before the Roman governor Felix and his wife Drusilla, Pastor Neil shows why true Christianity addresses our deepest spiritual condition rather than offering mere moral comfort. Discover why humanity is unrighteous by nature, self-righteous by effort, and made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, whose credited righteousness transforms how we live and relate to God.

In this episode, we cover:

• Contextualizing the Gospel: How Paul presented the gospel to powerful listeners by focusing on righteousness, self-control, and future judgment.
• Unrighteous by Nature: Understanding why human goodness falls short of God's holy, unbending standard of righteousness.
• Self-Righteous by Effort: Identifying the subtle ways we trust in our own moral performance and standard-setting rather than God.
• Imputed Righteousness: Discovering how Christ takes our blame and credits us with His righteousness through faith.
• Living as New Creations: Experiencing the freedom and capacity to act in ways consistent with God's character.

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The communion table is a place of profound proclamation and honest examination, where messy, broken lives meet the sufficient grace of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 11:20–34, Lead Pastor Neil McClendon leads a special communion service centered on remembering and proclaiming the Lord's death. Grounded in Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth, Pastor Neil unpacks how Christ extended grace and gratitude even on the night He was betrayed. Discover why coming to the Lord's Table requires both self-examination and joyful proclamation, why true freedom replaces guilt, and how God lovingly receives us in all our brokenness rather than demanding we clean ourselves up first.

In this episode, we cover:

• Gratitude in Betrayal: Seeing how Jesus offered thanks and established the new covenant in the midst of betrayal.
• Proclamation at the Table: Understanding that receiving communion actively declares our complete dependence on Christ's sacrifice.
• Self-Examination vs. Self-Hatred: Approaching the table with thoughtful spiritual reflection rather than mindless routine or guilt.
• Open Communion: Welcoming all believers to participate in the shared remembrance of Christ's body and blood.
• Freedom Over Guilt: Embracing the truth that Christ's bloody, sufficient sacrifice frees us from shame and cleanses our brokenness.

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 Oct 13, 2024 
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Dr. Christopher M. Brooks, Pastor to Pastors | Local Church

Hello Trouble! (or The Christian Response to Trouble)
Psalms 69:13-18

What do you do when you are in trouble?

Most Underquoted Promise of Jesus
John 16:33
2 things you can be sure of when you get into trouble:
• The devil wants to destroy you
•  God wants to develop you
What is the Christian Response to trouble? Name it, explain it, and ask for help
• Name it - I am in trouble
• Explain it
• Ask for Help - Hurry to Help Me.
Be honest with God about our deepest fears and darkest feelings when we are in trouble
• Psalm 46:1
• Psalm 9:9
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
•  John 14:1
•  John 16:33
Hello Trouble!  - James 1:2-4

Mental Worship?
1. Where are you experiencing trouble?
2. What is your default response to trouble?
3. What keeps you from asking for help?
4. When have you experienced “the gift of being caught”?
5. Is there anything you need to confess? 
6. Is there anyone you need to forgive?

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Oct 6, 2024  GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor

How To Keep Going When You’re Spiritually Tired
Acts 22:30-23:11


1. Remember your audience, v. 1

To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

Psalm 139:7-16


Two things I want you to see here…

a) there is not place you can be where God is not
b) there is not a day of your life for which God doesn’t have a plan

2. Remember what it’s all about, v. 6

Acts 4:1-4

I Corinthians 15:12-24


3. Remember the sustaining power of encouragement, v. 11

Four things God says to Paul in verse 11...

a) I know you
b) I am with you
c) I am for you 
d) I am not finished with you


Mental worship…

1. What are you currently forgetting that would be helpful and hopeful for you to remember?
2. Does your parenting demonstrate to your kids that God has a plan for their lives? 
3. Which do you need more of right now: motivation or encouragement? 
4. Which of those last four phrases do you need to hear God say to you? 
5. What questions do you have as a result of what you heard today?

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Sep 22, 2024 
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Dr. Sam Storms
Pastor Emeritus, Bridgeway Church

The Two Most Glorious Words a Sinful Soul Can Hear
Romans 8:1-4

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