1. The attempted hindrances 2. The unimpeded progress 3. The absolute certainty

Christ's mission as the second Adam is to reverse the effects of the fall by restoring the image of God in humanity. In Mark 5, the man possessed by a legion of demons represents the most extreme example of human desecration found in scripture, his humanity nearly extinguished by demonic forces. When Jesus arrives in this Gentile territory and delivers the man, he restores not merely his sanity but true humanity, demonstrating the transforming power of the gospel. There are three responses to Christ in this episode: The transformed man who longs to remain with Jesus, the fearful townspeople who beg Jesus to leave, and the demonic forces who recognize Christ's absolute authority. Apart from Christ, all humanity operates in a kind of spiritual insanity, suppressing truth and surrendering the will to the kingdom of darkness. Salvation entails the restoration of a right mind, true freedom, and genuine life. Those redeemed are called to live as witnesses to the gospel's transforming power while awaiting the return of Christ to complete the restoration of all things.

The sermon examines Paul's address in Antioch of Pisidia, emphasizing that salvation is found solely through faith in Jesus Christ rather than adherence to the Mosaic law. It refutes the notion that human actions or religious rituals can secure redemption, highlighting instead God's sovereign power demonstrated in raising Jesus from the dead. The preacher underscores the historical reliability of the resurrection through multiple eyewitness accounts and fulfilled prophecy. A strong appeal is made for listeners to abandon self-reliance and trust exclusively in Christ's atoning work on the cross for their eternal salvation. The message concludes with an urgent call to believe in Jesus before it is too late, warning against the hardness of heart that rejects this divine provision.

JUST KEEP FOLLOWING.[YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW THE COURSE WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE FOLLOWING] Hebrews 12:1–2; John 10:27 KJV In 2014, during a grueling adventure race through Ecuador, Swedish racer Mikael Lindnord and his team encountered a hungry stray dog. After receiving a simple act of kindness, the dog—later named Arthur—began following the team.Through mud, mountains, jungle, exhaustion, and even across the water, Arthur kept following. He didn't have a map. He didn't understand the course. He couldn't see the finish line. He simply knew who he had chosen to follow.Arthur's remarkable true story provides a beautiful picture of the Christian life.Hebrews 12:1–2 tells us to "run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."In this message, we discover three truths about following Christ: I. FOLLOW WHEN THE ROAD IS HARD Following Jesus does not mean the road will always be easy. Valleys, disappointments, suffering, and trials will come, but Christ has promised never to leave us.II. FOLLOW WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE THE FINISH Faith does not require us to know every turn in the road. We may not understand where God is leading, but we can trust the One who leads us.III. FOLLOW UNTIL YOU GET HOME Arthur began the journey as a stray but finished it with a family and a home. Likewise, Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost. Through Christ we become part of God's family, and one day every believer will finish this earthly race at home with Him.You may not know what tomorrow holds. You may not understand the road you're traveling. You may not see the finish line from where you stand today.Keep following.

The sermon argues that belief in Jesus Christ is justified by his divine origin, his authoritative testimony from heaven, and the eternal consequences of accepting or rejecting him. It contrasts earthly perspectives with the truth revealed by Jesus, who alone has seen and heard from the Father. True faith involves certifying God's truthfulness through one's life, while unbelief constitutes disobedience to clear light. The message emphasizes that believers possess everlasting life now, whereas unbelievers currently endure the abiding wrath of God. Ultimately, the preacher urges listeners to turn away from self and place their complete trust in Jesus as the Lamb of God.

The sermon expounds on 1 Peter 2, urging believers to live as sojourners and exiles who abstain from fleshly passions while abounding in good works. It emphasizes the theological imperative to submit to civil authority for the Lord's sake, even when facing injustice or persecution. The preacher contrasts worldly freedom with true Christian liberty found in obedience to God. By fearing God above all earthly powers, believers find the courage to honor authorities and endure suffering without retaliation. Ultimately, the message calls Christians to follow Christ's example of entrusting themselves to the just Judge while maintaining a holy witness in a hostile world.

Continuing his series in the Gospel of John, Pastor Rockhill brings the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well to its climax in John 4:25-30. His central burden is to display how Christ patiently, compassionately, and deliberately draws a guilty, hardened sinner to faith, breaking down her resistance until she rests in Him alone. As the woman deflects to the coming Messiah, Pastor Rockhill traces both the Samaritan hope of a prophet like Moses and the Jewish longing for a Davidic king. He shows that both expectations were partial, and that the full witness of Scripture presents the Messiah as prophet, priest, and king. Even more, when Jesus declares, "I who speak to you am He," He uses the covenant name of God—the great I AM—revealing Himself not merely as the anointed one but as the Lord Himself, come in the flesh to offer the living water of the Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Pastor Rockhill dwells on the woman's transformation: her shame lifted, her guilt washed away, she leaves her water pot behind and runs to invite her city, "Come, see a man." This, he explains, is the fruit of Spirit-wrought conviction—sin exposed, then grace freeing the sinner to live boldly. The application is warm and evangelistic. Believers cannot compel anyone to Christ; they can only point others to Him and trust the Spirit to work. Pastor Rockhill urges every hearer to humble themselves, call on Christ, and, freed from condemnation, joyfully share the gospel with those around them, all to the glory of God alone.

Working through John chapter one, the preacher first shows that the deity of Christ is not confined to verses one and fourteen but runs through the entire chapter, from the Word who was in the beginning to the only begotten Son of God proclaimed by John the Baptist. He then comes to verse thirty-eight, the very first recorded words of Jesus in this gospel, a question: What seek ye? The message examines why the Lord opens with a probing question, how questions are a useful tool in witnessing and in the ministry, and what it reveals about a person's heart when they are asked what they truly want from Christ. Applying it to the church, the preacher contends that many seek entertainment, comfort, or a message that never confronts sin, when what a believer ought to seek is help from sin, the preaching of the word, and a closer walk with the Lord. He closes with the two men who called Jesus Master and asked where He dwelt, and with the Lord's open invitation to come and see.

Closing Thought: Three witnesses stand before us: the water, the blood, and the Spirit. Each points to the same truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save His people from their sins. Beloved, when doubts come or the world challenges your faith, remember that God's testimony has not changed. The message is consistent, the witnesses agree, and Christ remains the same. Believe God, rest in His Son, and encourage one another to hold fast to Him. NOTE: A suspected lightning strike from the previous night's storm knocled out the transformer to our church. So, with minimal power and no air conditioning, the church carried on. The noise you hear in the background is a large fan.