The sermon explores the theological significance of baptism as outlined in Colossians 2:12, emphasizing its role as an outward sign of inward spiritual grace. It highlights the believer's union with Jesus Christ through identification with his death, burial, and resurrection. The text argues that faith is the essential means by which this union is realized. The preacher warns against viewing baptism as a mechanical ritual or dismissing it as unimportant, insisting instead on its vital connection to conversion and the gospel. Ultimately, the message calls for the need of true faith if we are to benefit from the sacraments.

Matthew 24 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

The sermon explores Acts 11 to demonstrate how God sovereignly guides His people through prayer, Scripture, providence, and confirmation. It highlights the pivotal moment when the gospel expanded to the Gentiles, challenging Jewish traditions of purity and emphasizing that salvation is by grace alone. The preacher encourages believers to seek divine direction by earnestly praying, diligently reading the Word, and observing God's hand in history rather than relying on miraculous signs. By examining Peter's humble account and historical examples like William Carey, the message urges Christians to expect great things from God and attempt great works for His glory. Ultimately, the text asserts that all of God's guidance serves His redemptive mission, leading to the glorification of His name.

1. Healing in the Streets 2. A Church Guarded and Gathered 3. A Church Still Unified This sermon examines Acts 5:12-16 to illustrate how the ascended Christ guarded, gathered, and unified His church through signs and wonders. The text highlights miraculous healings, including the unique detail of Peter's shadow bringing restoration, which served to authenticate the gospel message amidst external persecution and internal hypocrisy. These divine interventions demonstrated that Christ's power sustains the believers, and ensures their perseverance and growth despite opposition from both outside forces and false brethren within. The passage emphasizes that the church remains unified 'of one accord' because its foundation is rooted in Christ rather than human strength. Ultimately, the transformed lives of Christians today act as living signs and wonders, testifying to the reality of the resurrection and inviting others to faith.

I. The Sign II. The Recipients

The sermon explores the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, emphasizing that possession of the Spirit must be accompanied by walking in His leadership. It outlines three primary functions of the Spirit: drawing non-believers to Christ through conviction, indwelling and instructing believers, and producing spiritual fruit while convicting them of sin. The preacher contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, urging listeners to recognize the internal battle as evidence of the Spirit's presence rather than a sign of failure. By using the metaphor of a check engine light, the message highlights how the Holy Spirit alerts believers to areas needing correction and growth. Ultimately, the text calls for daily submission to the Spirit's guidance to achieve victory over sin and demonstrate Christ-like character.

What if the same faith that brought us into God's family is the very same faith meant to carry us through every trial we face? That is the heart of Colossians 2:6-7, where we are told that just as we received Christ, so we are to walk in Him. In this message, Pastor Paul Chapman unpacks what that walk actually looks like in the middle of real, messy, painful problems. It is not a sprint or a soar, but a steady, faithful placing of one foot in front of the other, rooted in Christ like a tree with deep roots, built up like a structure rising course by course, and established like a signed and sealed contract that cannot be undone. The spiritual riches are already there. The question is whether we are actually walking in them or living far below what God has made available to us. This is an invitation to stop surviving and start thriving in the overflow of what Christ has already provided.

1. The Covenant 2. The Promise 3. The Lessons The sermon defends the practice of infant baptism by grounding it in the doctrine of God's covenant as a family relationship of love and friendship. It argues that just as infants were included in the Old Covenant through circumcision, they are included in the New Covenant church and receive the sign of baptism. The preacher addresses the theological difficulty of unbelieving covenant members by citing Romans 9 to explain that salvation depends on God's sovereign election rather than human merit or conditional promises. Consequently, believers are exhorted to approach their children with humility, recognizing their total depravity, and to view parenting as a divine privilege despite the pain of potential rejection. The message encourages the congregation to trust in God's particular promise to the elect among them while faithfully rearing all children in the faith.

The sermon explores the division caused by the hard teachings of Jesus in John chapter six, emphasizing that the gospel inherently scandalizes and separates the truly believing from the superficial crowd. It argues that offense at divine truth is a sign of spiritual hardness, while true faith recognizes Jesus as the sole source of eternal life despite the offensive nature of substitutionary atonement. The preacher contrasts the visible church, which often abandons Christ when teachings become difficult, with the invisible church of the elect who remain steadfast through divine grace. Using illustrations of hearing aids and cochlear implants, the text highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts so they can receive the life-giving power of God's Word. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to embrace the scandal of grace without apology and to rely on Christ alone for spiritual sustenance.

1. Healing in the streets 2. A church guarded and gathered 3. A church still unified