June 21, 2026

Rarely does a single act of faithfulness reveal its full impact in the moment. Stephen's martyrdom seemed like a defeat, yet it planted seeds in the heart of his greatest enemy, a persecutor named Saul who would eventually become the Apostle Paul, one of Christianity's most devoted servants willing to die for the very faith he once violently opposed.

What does it mean to remain faithful when you cannot see the results of your spiritual work?

Deeply rooted in Acts chapter 8, this message explores how Stephen's bold proclamation of the gospel, even unto death, accomplished far more than anyone could see at the time. According to Isaiah 55:11, God's word never returns empty. Stephen's Christ-like forgiveness while being stoned planted seeds of conviction that ultimately transformed Saul's heart (and consequently, the entire early church).

Faithfully, Larry also challenges modern Christianity's drift toward prosperity-focused preaching, contrasting it with early believers who scattered not to hide but to keep spreading the gospel with remarkable joy despite severe persecution. True conversion, he reminds us, begins with recognizing sin, not expecting earthly comfort.

June 21, 2026

June, 14, 2026

Taking Ground: Why the Church Must Stop Playing Defense

Boldly, the church was never meant to hide behind walls. This sermon opens with a striking image: the D-Day invasion as a picture of what the Christian mission should actually look like, and it reframes everything about how believers engage with culture.

Jeff draws from Matthew 16 to make a case that Jesus called the church to advance against the gates of Hades, not retreat into comfortable religious bunkers. Gates, he explains, represent the weakest points of walls (not the strongest), which means the church is called to push through, not hunker down.

What does it actually mean to be on a rescue mission rather than a defensive one? Drawing on Matthew 10, the Jeff explains that Jesus warned his disciples the gospel would bring division, not peace, because truth is inherently disruptive to the status quo.

By citing the Apostle Paul's direct confrontations in Galatians, Jeff illustrates that real love sometimes demands difficult conversations rather than comfortable agreement. Like salt irritating a wound, truth heals even when it stings.

Reflecting on his 2008 return from Iraq, Jeff reminds listeners that faithfully completing your specific role matters, whether you're a counselor, worship leader, or preacher.

June, 14, 2026

June 7, 2026

June 7, 2026

Boldly speaking truth, even when it costs everything, is the heartbeat of this powerful exploration of Stephen's martyrdom and what it means to truly follow Jesus.

From 120 disciples in the upper room, the early church exploded through Pentecost into something that stopped counting converts. Yet as the church faces its first real persecution, the message gets harder and more personal. Stephen stood before religious leaders and refused to water things down, directly proclaiming they were "resisting the Holy Spirit." That kind of courage is rare today. (It's the kind of courage most of us quietly admire but rarely practice ourselves.)

Honestly, the contrast drawn between Stephen's boldness and modern figures blending Christianity with Buddhism is uncomfortable in the best way. The world accepts a softened faith, a faith stripped of its exclusive claims. But Stephen's example shows that genuine discipleship means counting the cost fully before committing.

Could you actually die for Christ? Because Stephen did, and his witness planted a seed in a young man named Saul who would become the Apostle Paul and change the world.

True discipleship demands surrender, not just belief. The ripple effects of faithful obedience reach further than we ever see.

May 31, 2026

Rarely does a single life capture the full weight of Christian conviction, but Stephen's story does exactly that. This teaching digs into Acts 6:8-14 and what it really means to be prepared, genuinely prepared, to defend your faith in a world that increasingly pushes back against it.

Stephen, described as "full of grace and power," performed miracles and debated religious leaders who ultimately couldn't counter his Spirit-filled arguments. So instead, they fabricated charges of blasphemy against Moses and God. (The irony here is striking: his accusers had elevated Moses almost to divine status, letting tradition completely overshadow living faith.)

What does it actually look like to sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart? Larry draws on Matthew 7, 2 Corinthians 5, and a memorable encounter with apologist Votie Bauckham in 2004 to unpack what faithful, bold witness requires today.

Wisely, Larry distinguishes knowledge from wisdom, reminding us that wisdom is the practical ability to apply biblical truth with grace. Stephen had both. His commitment cost him his life, yet his faithfulness helped spark Paul's conversion.

Every believer carries spiritual gifts and a real responsibility to use them.

May 24, 2026

When Bold Faith Costs Everything

Rarely does a Bible study connect ancient persecution to a modern news story so powerfully. This sermon explores Acts chapter six and the life of Stephen, drawing a striking parallel between the early church's boldest deacon and the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, a Christian political commentator who faced violence for speaking biblical truth. The connection is jarring and thought-provoking, and it brings the timeless cost of faithful witness into sharp focus.

What does it actually look like to be full of the Holy Spirit in everyday life? Stephen wasn't perfect, but he habitually submitted to God, resulting in grace, power, and wisdom others could clearly recognize. The early church grew rapidly after Pentecost, thousands converting while facing real persecution, and Stephen stood at the center of that bold movement.

Drawing from Philippians 2:12-13, Larry explains that God provides both the desire and ability to walk in submission. Humility isn't optional here. Pride, he warns, directly invites God's opposition.

Because when believers stop chasing their own agenda and genuinely seek God's kingdom first, something transformative happens in families, communities, and beyond.

May 24, 2026

May 17, 2026