Lesson 12 from the 2026 session of the Old Union Ministers School.

The sermon centers on the transformative power of sacrificial love, illustrated through the story of the woman anointing Jesus with spikenard in Mark 14. It draws a profound parallel between her costly, heartfelt act of devotion and the essential, often unseen, love that church members should extend to their pastor—a love that sustains him in moments of spiritual struggle and isolation. The preacher emphasizes that just as Jesus cherished the fragrance of her love during His final days, pastors too need the spiritual aroma of their congregation's genuine affection to endure the burdens of ministry. Rooted in personal testimony of conversion and divine calling, the message calls the church to embody Christ's new commandment to love one another as He has loved, not out of obligation, but as a living memorial of grace. The tone is deeply pastoral, convicting, and comforting, urging believers to recognize the sacred value of their love in sustaining God's servants.

The sermon centers on the biblical understanding of the church as God's chosen, holy people called out from darkness into His light, emphasizing that true membership requires a personal, Spirit-empowered conversion—not mere cultural or familial affiliation. It underscores that while God's invitation is universally inclusive, entry into His fellowship is exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ alone, who alone lived a perfect life and provides the only way to salvation. The preacher argues that authentic church membership demands a credible profession of faith, evidenced by transformed desires and consistent fruit, and that the church, as God's steward, must uphold His standards with humility, love, and accountability. Church discipline is presented not as punishment but as a loving, necessary act to protect God's reputation, safeguard individual souls, and preserve the community's spiritual purity, all rooted in the conviction that the gospel's integrity and the well-being of believers depend on faithful adherence to Christ's standards.

The sermon centers on the doctrine of the church as a divinely ordained people, not defined by human preference or institutional function, but by God's eternal purpose to dwell among His chosen. Rooted in Scripture from Exodus to Revelation, it emphasizes that God's desire has always been to form a holy, set-apart people—delivered not merely from bondage, but called into a life of covenantal relationship, worship, and mission. The church is portrayed not as a mere organization, cultural institution, or collection of rules, but as a living, growing temple where believers are fitly joined together through the Spirit to become a dwelling place for God. This identity demands more than attendance or activity; it requires a heart committed to being God's people, marked by love, obedience, and sacrificial unity. The sermon calls leaders and younger generations to diligently study, uphold, and pass on these truths, ensuring the church remains faithful across generations so that God's presence may continue to dwell among His people, culminating in the eternal vision of God tabernacling with humanity.

The sermon centers on the personal and emotional reality of Christ's resurrection, emphasizing that God is not distant but actively present in the midst of human grief, confusion, and daily life. Moving beyond doctrinal or narrative explanations, it highlights how Jesus, though unrecognized by the disciples on the road to Emmaus, was intimately engaged with them, speaking truth through Scripture and revealing Himself in moments of sorrow and doubt. The passage underscores that God speaks continually—through Scripture, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit—but often in ways we fail to perceive, especially in times of loss and emotional turmoil. The resurrection is not merely a historical event but a living reality where Jesus walks with believers, igniting a deep inner awareness and joy when hearts are opened to His presence. Ultimately, the message calls for a humble, personal relationship with Christ, where faith is not just intellectual assent but a dynamic, transformative encounter with the living God who meets us in the complexity of life.

The sermon centers on the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, presenting a living hope that transcends suffering and death. Drawing from First Peter and the resurrection accounts in Luke and John, it emphasizes that this hope is not based on sight or circumstance, but on the risen Lord who is alive and interceding for believers. The preacher underscores that Christ's death was essential, but His resurrection was equally vital—fulfilling Old Testament types, conquering sin and death, and securing salvation through His triumph over the grave. This hope, rooted in the reality of Christ's resurrection, is not a mere wish, but a confident expectation that fuels joy, perseverance, and spiritual completeness in believers. The message calls the audience to live with this eternal perspective, celebrating not only Christ's sacrifice but His victorious resurrection, which makes faith meaningful and life purposeful.

Lesson 7 from the 2026 session of the Old Union Ministers School.

Lesson 8 from the 2026 session of the Old Union Ministers School.

Lesson 9 from the 2026 session of the Old Union Ministers School.

Friday night sermon from the 2026 session of the Old Union Ministers School. The sermon centers on the urgent question, 'Now what?' following a transformative week of spiritual renewal, calling believers to move beyond performance and activism into a deeper, personal reliance on God. Drawing from Psalm 51, it emphasizes that God desires a 'broken and contrite heart' over religious rituals, underscoring that true spiritual renewal—'create in me a clean heart'—is not repair but divine re-creation, mirroring the original act of creation. Through the stories of David, from shepherd to king, and the anointing of the youngest son in 1 Samuel, the message highlights God's focus on the heart rather than outward appearance, performance, or human strategy. The sermon challenges listeners to abandon self-reliance, reject the 'armor' of human methods, and trust in the Spirit's power, as demonstrated in David's victory over Goliath and the promise of Acts 1:8—where true witness flows from the Holy Spirit, not human effort. Ultimately, it calls for a paradigm shift: from seeking to impress to surrendering to God, so that ministry, relationships, and mission are fueled not by human achievement but by a heart restored and renewed in Christ.