This sermon was preached at Morgans Baptist Church in Bedford, VA. Scripture quotations are from the NKJV.

The sermon explores the theological significance of Jesus' impending crucifixion during the Passover, contrasting His sovereign control with the futile schemes of religious leaders. It draws parallels between the Old Testament Passover lamb and Christ as the ultimate antitype who offers eternal redemption through His blood. The preacher emphasizes that despite the malicious plotting of Caiaphas and the princes of darkness, Jesus remains in complete authority over His own death and resurrection. This divine sovereignty ensures that salvation cannot be thwarted by evil forces or human opposition. Believers are called to trust in this unstoppable work of God and act as ambassadors of reconciliation to a lost world.

The sermon warns against corrupt religious leaders who exploit vulnerable believers for personal gain, highlighting five specific traits of such broken leadership. It contrasts these self-serving figures with the example of a poor widow whose sacrificial giving exposes the failure of the system to protect her. Jesus is presented as the ultimate antidote to this corruption, serving as the perfect shepherd who sees and cares for the needy unlike the hypocritical scribes. The message urges believers to recognize the danger of exploitative leadership while placing their hope solely in Christ's faithful care. Ultimately, it calls the church to examine its own motives and trust in Jesus rather than human leaders.

1. Where We Must Go 2. What We Must Sacrifice

The sermon examines Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7 to illustrate the persistent human tendency to resist divine truth out of love for sin rather than intellectual disagreement. It highlights three key themes from Stephen's defense: his role as the true interpreter of Moses, the global expansion of God's presence beyond the physical temple, and the historical pattern of Israel rejecting its prophets. The preacher argues that genuine salvation requires a radical surrender of self-control and a willingness to die to one's own desires for the sake of Christ. By contrasting the religious leaders' wrath with Stephen's heavenly vision, the message challenges listeners to evaluate whether their current attachments are worthy of Jesus' sacrifice. Ultimately, the call is to treasure Jesus above all else and live fully surrendered to His lordship in every area of life.

This morning Dr. Will Collins addresses the objection that salvation by faith is too easy by distinguishing between grace being free and faith being effortless. He argues that while salvation cannot be earned by human works, it was purchased at a high cost through Christ's sacrifice and requires a costly response of discipleship from us as believer. Drawing on Romans 4 and the example of Abraham, these passages explains that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trusting obedience demonstrated by good works.

Jesus Christ entered into the Most Holy Place, and this is NOT speaking of the Holy of Holies in the earthly tabernacle, NOR of the Holiest Place of the temple… this speaks of Him entering into the very throne room of the Majesty on High and stepping before the actual seat of His Mercy!!

This sermon examines the first three plagues in Exodus to illustrate the hardness of human hearts and the absolute sovereignty of God over creation. The preacher contrasts Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to submit with the ultimate authority of Christ, who bears judgment for sinners. Key themes include the futility of idolatry, the danger of postponing repentance, and the insufficiency of religious counterfeits compared to divine power. The message urges listeners to surrender their lives to God rather than seeking relief without submission. It concludes by highlighting Jesus as the true Mediator who redeems believers from the curse of sin through His grace.

Over Philippians 1:7-11, we see the deep love and affection of Paul for the local church. How should we as Christians think and even feel about the local church? What are biblical desires and affections for the church? Here in these verses we see how Christ bears fruit through His people to love the church and sacrificially serve for one another's good being guided by the truth of His Word.

General Summary of Main Points • Christ's unique person as the God-Man grounds a priesthood and glory no creature can attain; He ministers in the true, heavenly tabernacle and reigns as priest-king at the Father's right hand. • Earthly priests and sacrifices are copies and shadows; Jesus offers Himself and, through His ascension, conducts the necessary eternal intercession in heaven. • The ascension is indispensable: our problem is fundamentally spiritual; only a heavenly, eternal intercessor secures believers perpetually so that none are lost. • The old covenant's inadequacy lies in human failure; Christ fulfills every type and shadow, thereby obtaining a more excellent ministry as Mediator of the better, new covenant enacted on better promises. • Jesus, unlike Israel, resists temptation, refuses wilderness grumbling, obeys perfectly, defeats Satan, and conquers death—functioning as true Israel and the last Adam. • The new covenant brings a people who truly know the Lord; its membership is constituted by genuine faith rather than merely physical descent or external inclusion. • The church era, empowered by the Spirit, advances the gospel globally; Christ's ascension aligns with God's plan for worldwide mission and ongoing heavenly mediation.