The 2026 Easter sermon from Whitemarsh Island Baptist Church. An exposition of 1 Peter 1. The Apostle proclaims to us a living hope that is found in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This hope is not found in the world but in Christ alone. Do you have this living hope? Do you know the joy of an empty tomb and a heart filled with the love and grace of Christ Jesus and His eternal salvation?

If someone asked you what the Bible teaches, if you had to sum up the central message of Scripture, what would you say? Today's Catechism Question on Biblical Doctrine helps us to understand that "The central message of Scripture is the redemption of sinners through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God.

The apparent tension between Paul and James on justification is easily resolved. Paul teaches forensic justification before God: we are declared righteous by grace through faith alone in Christ, apart from works. James combats a dead, works-less faith by showing that genuine faith is vindicated before others through the good works it produces. True saving faith is never alone—it always expresses itself in love and obedience. As James illustrates that we are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.

In John 17—the High Priestly Prayer—Jesus, on the night before His crucifixion, intercedes as the perfect Priest and Mediator for His own glorification through the cross, the protection and sanctification of His immediate disciples in a hostile world, and the spiritual unity of all future believers (including us) so that the world may know the Father sent the Son and experience God's triune love.

The entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—isn't just a collection of disconnected stories and rules, but one thrilling, unbroken drama with Jesus at its center? On the very day of His resurrection, the risen Lord Himself took two confused disciples on a journey through Scripture and revealed the greatest plot twist in history: every promise, every sacrifice, every king and prophet was quietly pointing to Him all along. Join us from the Chatham Transition Ministries weekly study as we seek to see the Story of Redemption- the Bible as the revelation of God that begins in a garden, climaxes at the cross, and races toward a glorious new creation. This isn't just ancient history… it's your story too!

In Chapter 2:1–13, James warns believers against showing favoritism based on wealth or social status—especially preferring the rich while dishonoring the poor—as this violates the royal law to "love your neighbor as yourself," contradicts faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, and makes one a lawbreaker guilty before the whole law. God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, while the rich often oppress believers; partiality reverses God's values, but mercy triumphs over judgment.

In the sermon "Sweet Sorrow" from John 16, Jesus warns His disciples of coming persecution from a hate-filled world, yet speaks to keep their faith from failing. Though sorrow now overwhelms them at His departure, it is to their advantage: the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—will come to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, guide believers into truth, and glorify Christ. Their temporary grief, like labor pains, will turn into permanent, unstealable joy at His resurrection, granting direct access to the Father and deep peace amid tribulation—because Jesus has overcome the world. If sorrow, conviction, or unrest burdens you, listen to this message: Jesus invites you to come to Him, receive the Spirit's help, and find abiding joy and unshakable peace in His victory. Come hear how sorrow becomes sweet!

Grab your Bible and join us from the Chatham Transition Ministries weekly study. Today we learn that The Bible, as God's written Word, has key attributes reflecting His divine perfections: it is inspired (God-breathed, every word divinely superintended through human authors), authoritative (supreme rule for faith and life, above all else), infallible (incapable of error or deceit), inerrant (wholly true and without error in the originals), sufficient (complete for salvation, godliness, and every good work), canonical (the providentially recognized 66 books), and illuminated (made understandable and life-changing by the Holy Spirit). These qualities—rooted in God's truthfulness, faithfulness, wisdom, holiness, and sovereignty—enable Scripture not only to reveal God but to transform believers into Christ's likeness through faith in His Word.

James 1 serves as the opening chapter of this practical New Testament letter, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church. The chapter focuses on living out authentic faith amid real-life challenges and sets the tone for the entire letter: In it we are reminded that faith that is alive shows itself in how we respond to hardship, seek God, control ourselves, and love others. The chapter emphasizes that genuine faith produces maturity, wisdom, self-control, and active compassion—especially under pressure.

Today, in part two of our exposition of John 15, we turn the lens from the overarching redemptive story to the personal one—your story and mine. We zoom in on what it means for you, the individual believer, to live as a branch in this true vine. How do we actively abide in Christ day by day? What does staying connected look like in the ordinary moments of life—when pressures mount and temptations pull. We'll explore the practical heart of abiding: remaining in His love, letting His words dwell richly in us, trusting the Father's pruning and depending wholly on Him so that real, lasting fruit—His fruit—emerges naturally through us.