This Advent sermon explores the theme of hope by examining Isaiah's prophecy about the coming Messiah. The pastor addresses how disappointment can signal misplaced hope and invites listeners to recenter their hope in Jesus Christ. The message emphasizes that we live in the "already and not yet" of God's kingdom—Jesus has come, bringing light into darkness, yet we still experience suffering and wait for His return. Hope is defined not as wishful thinking but as "the expectation of coming good based on the person and promises of God." The sermon encourages believers to practice hope by recognizing Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, while actively participating in the advancement of God's kingdom through small acts of justice and mercy.

This sermon explores the challenging concept of "forgive and forget" within the Christian faith, particularly how believers can practice what the speaker calls "non-remembrance." Drawing from the dramatic example of Pope John Paul II forgiving his would-be assassin, the message emphasizes that forgiveness is not merely a Christian duty but something that "suits" Christians because of their transformed nature in Christ. The sermon addresses the practical impossibility of erasing painful memories while offering a biblical framework for not allowing those memories to dominate our lives. It teaches that practicing non-remembrance means choosing not to repeatedly open the "files" of past hurts while focusing instead on three key areas: who we are in Christ, what God has done for us, and what our future holds. The message concludes by connecting this practice to communion, where believers remember Christ's sacrifice and experience the transformative power that enables them to forgive even the worst offenses.

This sermon explores the challenging yet transformative practice of forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us. Josh emphasizes that while Christians readily embrace receiving forgiveness from God, extending that same forgiveness to others requires supernatural power and intentional practice. The message clarifies common misconceptions about forgiveness—it doesn't mean denying what happened, returning to abusive situations, or waiting for an apology. Instead, forgiveness is a gift we give to others and ourselves that breaks the cycle of revenge and sets us free from the prison of bitterness. The sermon distinguishes between forgiveness (a one-way, unconditional act) and reconciliation (which requires repentance from both parties). Ultimately, forgiveness is presented as a journey that often requires repeated choices to release offenders to God, pray for their blessing, and trust God with justice. This practice demonstrates the reality of Christ's kingdom in a world bent on vengeance.

This sermon addresses the common struggle of knowing intellectually that we are forgiven by God while not feeling forgiven internally. The pastor explores the journey from head to heart, examining why believers often carry guilt despite receiving Christ's forgiveness. Through the parable of the prodigal son (reframed as the parable of the prodigal father), the message emphasizes God's extravagant, wasteful love and immediate welcome for those who turn to Him. The sermon provides practical steps for experiencing forgiveness, including remembering who we're talking to when we pray, properly naming our sins, confessing to others, genuine repentance, and making amends where appropriate. The core theological truth is that God does not deal with us on the basis of our sins once we come to Christ, and we must learn to tell ourselves this truth until our hearts catch up with our heads.

This sermon explores the foundational Christian doctrine of forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus' death was a "once for all" payment for sin—past, present, and future—contrasting the Old Testament sacrificial system that temporarily covered sin with Christ's permanent removal of sin. The message addresses common misconceptions that keep believers trapped in cycles of guilt and self-condemnation, such as believing forgiveness must be earned through confession or good behavior. Instead, the sermon presents forgiveness as a completed work that believers receive, not earn. The pastor challenges the congregation to move from viewing God as disappointed and keeping score to understanding their identity as forgiven sons and daughters who can approach God with confidence. This theological understanding leads to practical freedom: believers don't need to constantly beg for forgiveness but can live in gratitude, quickly returning to alignment with God when they stumble, and focusing on their new identity in Christ rather than their failures.

This sermon addresses the question "How do I think about my giving?" by exploring biblical principles of financial generosity through 2 Corinthians 9. The pastor emphasizes that giving is not merely a financial transaction but an act of worship that reflects trust in God's provision and responds to His generosity toward us. The message challenges cultural norms around money management, presenting a biblical framework that prioritizes giving to God first rather than last. The sermon outlines a progressive journey of generosity—from giving something for the first time, to giving regularly, to proportional giving (tithing), and ultimately to living a generous and sacrificial lifestyle. Throughout, the pastor emphasizes that God's design for giving leads to joy, freedom from financial worry, spiritual growth, and participation in Kingdom work. The teaching is practical and transparent, offering a "four-month tithe challenge" to help people take their next step in generosity while acknowledging that growth in giving will involve both spiritual growth and spiritual resistance.

This sermon explores the compatibility of science and miracles in the Christian faith. The speaker argues that belief in both is not only possible but complementary. She emphasizes the importance of approaching complex questions with curiosity rather than fear, seeking truth in both scientific and spiritual realms, and maintaining faith in God's power and goodness. The sermon encourages believers to embrace the mystery of faith while appreciating scientific discoveries as a means to marvel at God's creation.

This sermon explores the biblical perspective on women's roles in teaching and leadership within the church. The speaker argues for a model of "complementarity without hierarchy," where men and women lead together as equal partners, based on a comprehensive examination of Scripture from Genesis through the New Testament. The sermon challenges traditional complementarian and egalitarian views, proposing that Jesus offers a harmonious alternative where men and women serve together without gendered hierarchy.

This sermon explores the importance and practicality of hearing God's voice in daily life. It emphasizes that God desires intimate communication with His people, not just for personal benefit, but to equip believers for kingdom work. The speaker outlines various ways to discern God's voice, stressing the importance of Scripture, community, and a willingness to take risks in faith.

This sermon explores Jesus' teachings on nonviolence and enemy love from the Sermon on the Mount. The pastor challenges listeners to take Jesus' words seriously, emphasizing that followers of Christ are called to respond to evil and violence with creative, nonviolent alternatives. The sermon highlights the transformative power of enemy love, prayer, and radical hospitality as means to break cycles of violence and reflect God's character.