Sunday Sermons

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is meant to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus. It also gives us a glorious portrait of Jesus that is meant to encourage us. Last week, we learned about the church in Thyatira. This week, we continue our study of the proclamations to the seven churches with Sardis. Unlike most of the other churches, the church in Sardis faced no external threat. Their problems came from within. This church was satisfied with the name it had made for itself, but Jesus wanted to give it the right name—an unsoiled name in the eyes of the One who matters most. Through this church, we are challenged to ask ourselves: Would Jesus find us to be alive or dead? Do we cling to the only One who can give us life? He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: Wake up!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is meant to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus. It also gives us a glorious portrait of Jesus that is meant to encourage us. Last week, we learned about the proclamation to the church in Pergamum. This week, we turn our attention to Thyatira. Through this church, we are challenged to consider the ways we might tolerate what we should not. Here we learn that Jesus really cares about the purity of His church—and we should too! The One with eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze searches our minds and hearts. Do we keep His works, or the works of the world? He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The last book of the Bible, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is meant to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus. It also gives us a glorious portrait of Jesus that is meant to encourage us. Last week, we learned about the proclamation to the church in Smyrna. This week we turn to look at Pergamum. While those in Smyrna were warned that some of them may die for the faith, one in Pergamum already has. Through this church, we are motivated to hold fast to Jesus’ word and reminded of the dangers of compromising our allegiance to the Lord. Here we learn that whoever’s word means the most to us will have the most influence over us. Jesus’ proclamation to Pergamum calls us to ask ourselves: If we are willing to die for our faith in Jesus, are we willing to live for Him—adhering to His word alone? He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The last book of the Bible, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is meant to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus. Last week, we learned about the first of the proclamations to the seven churches: If the great Ephesian church was to let its light shine in the world, its sound teaching must also be manifested in works of love. This week, we learn about the proclamation to the church in Smyrna. Unlike Ephesus, the church in Smyrna receives no rebuke from the risen Jesus. Instead, it is called to maintain its witness in the face of suffering. It is called to face persecution with faithfulness and without fear. Through the church in Smyrna, we learn that true Christianity does conquer—even to the point of death. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

In our sermon series, The Son of Man at the Center, we have been walking through the last book of the Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation is meant to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus. Last week, we learned that the One described in John’s vision is the One who walks with His people. This week, this One who walks with His people has a jarring message for them. The great Ephesian church, planted and nurtured by Paul, Timothy, Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila (Acts 18: 24-28; Acts 19), is in danger of losing its place among the lampstands. If they are to let their light shine in the world, their sound teaching must also be manifested in works of love. His message for the Ephesian church is also a message for us. Do we as individuals and as a church prioritize both sound teaching and works of love the way that Jesus does? Do we have ears to hear?

This week we continue our sermon series on the last book of the Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Although its imagery may be confusing and the theories surrounding it may be distracting, this is actually a book about discipleship. Its purpose is to motivate and equip us to be mature disciples of Jesus Christ—to be faithful witnesses like Him. Last week, we were reminded to focus our attention on Jesus. This week, we are given one of the biggest, clearest, and most encouraging portraits of Jesus in all of Scripture: The One described in John’s vision is the One who walks with us. The One like a Son of Man with eyes like fire and feet like burnished bronze is close enough to touch us and say, “Fear not.”

This week we begin a new sermon series on the last book of the Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Although it is easy to be confused by the imagery in the book or distracted by theories that surround the book, this is actually a book about discipleship. Ultimately, this book gives us one of the biggest, clearest, and most encouraging portraits of Jesus in all of Scripture. Its purpose is to be a blessing to the church and to help us follow Jesus until He returns. Our passage this week focuses our attention on Jesus, the primary source and subject of the revelation. He has a message of blessing to those who keep it. Although our context is very different from the context of suffering and persecution in which this book was written, the stakes are as high as ever. Are we ready to hold fast to Jesus, no matter what comes? Are we ready to walk the road of discipleship and lay down our lives to follow Him?

This week we stand between two sermon series: “Know the Story” and our upcoming Revelation series. In this in-between, we are invited to pause and examine our hearts. We look at Proverbs to learn the great irony of humility: The road to obtaining honor is not pride, but being lowly in spirit. The way up is really the way down. As we walk this road, let us look less at ourselves and more at Someone greater: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Note: Due to a power failure, a clip of the audio cuts out.

In our sermon series “Know the Story,” we can see that God has woven together one narrative about His redemption of His creation for His glory. And at the very center of this narrative is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. For the past couple weeks, we have been learning about Jesus’ life, teaching, and works. Most importantly, we have learned about what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. As we transition to the book of Acts, we find a transition in the narrative itself. As Jesus ascends into heaven, the story of His time on earth comes to an end and the story of the church begins. This story runs throughout the New Testament and continues on today. Like the disciples, we have been given the Holy Spirit and have been called to be on mission and to be witnesses to Christ. Like they did, we too will see the gospel triumph.

In our sermon series “Know the Story,” we have been tracing the big picture storyline of the whole Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God has woven together one narrative about His redemption of His creation for His glory. Although there are many passages that capture the essence of this sweeping narrative, Romans 3:21-26 is one of the most powerful and succinct. In these six verses, we find the very center of the Bible’s narrative: God’s Son, Jesus Christ. And we learn that the problem of righteousness is solved in Christ. Not only has He made a way for us to be righteous before God, but He has also revealed and vindicated the righteousness of God. On the cross, God’s love and wrath meet. On the cross, His mercy and justice are reconciled.