The Son of Man, Demons, and Rejection

“The Son of Man, Demons, and Rejection”Luke 8:26-39November 23, 2025 We have an enemy. He is intelligent — “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (Js. 2:18). He is strong — “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm […]

Jesus, in the Storms of Life

“Jesus, in the Storms of Life”Luke 8:22-25November 2, 2025 Call it what you want — affliction, calamity, difficulty, disaster, disease, hardship, horror, illness/sickness, pain, persecution, suffering, tragedy, trial, trouble — life is filled with events and circumstances that seem contrary to us. It has always been that way, the Bible is filled with it: Murder […]

Don’t Just Read Your Bible

Your Bible reading isn’t finished when you complete the reading you have chosen for the day. Bible reading is not just about reading the words in the section for that day. Bible reading is designed to change and transform us — we don’t just read the Bible, but we do what we read. We act on […]

How is Your Hearing? Pt. 2

“How is Your Hearing?” Pt. 2Luke 8:16-21October 26, 2025 I have some tools in my workshop and some more in our kitchen that need some attention: My air compressor hose has a leak at the joint where the tool connects. The tools still work, but while I’m working there is a constant sound of […]

Jesus Teaches

“Jesus Teaches”Luke 6:20-49July 27, 2025 Jesus Christ is the Son of Man. That is a title that denotes His position as both God and Man. He is the fulfillment of the promise in Daniel 7:13-14 — the One who is given authority over all things by God the Father (the Ancient of Days). As the […]

Jesus Teaches: On Obedience

“Jesus Teaches: On Obedience”Luke 6:46-49July 20, 2025 Last Sunday afternoon we became aware that John MacArthur was ill, in the hospital, and not expected to survive past a few more hours. Indeed, Monday evening he entered his heavenly reward. Faith was made sight. Tuesday morning the elders gathered to pray, as we do each week, […]

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a Name?Luke 1:56-66August 4, 2024 One of Raye Jeanne’s sisters was married and pregnant before we got married; one day when I was at her parent’s home, the family was in earnest discussion about names for the coming baby. As soon as suggestions were made, they were rapidly shot down for all […]

Sermon: Dead to the Law (Pt 2)

Dead to the Law (Pt 2) Romans 7:5-6 April 22, 2018 A decade ago, A. J. Jacobs wrote a book in which he pondered the question, “is it possible to follow all of the commands of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament” (which was of interest to him because of his Jewish heritage)? And is […]

Sermon: Dead to the Law (Pt 1)

Dead to the Law (Pt. 1) Romans 7:1-4 April 15, 2018 We have a love-hate relationship with the law. When a criminal is caught and then brought to justice, we are grateful. When someone recklessly speeds past us and then we see him stopped by the side of the road with a police car behind […]

Sermon: Slavery, Wages, and Grace

Slavery, Wages, and Grace Romans 6:20-23 March 25, 2018 It started as a brief experiment on November 8, 2016. It was only going to last a few days. But those few days have now turned into a nearly 1-1/2 year event that Erik Hagerman calls his personal “blockade.” Upset over the results of the presidential […]

Sermon: Enslaved to…? (Pt 3)

Enslaved To…?: Obedience in Light of God’s Grace (Pt. 3) Romans 6:15-19 March 18, 2018 One of the sad verses of the Bible is 2 Timothy 4:10 — “…Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica…” Like Lot who moved to Sodom and his wife who yearningly looked back at […]

Sermon: Enslaved to…? (Pt 2)

Enslaved To…?: Obedience in Light of God’s Grace (Pt. 2) Romans 6:15-19 March 11, 2018 One of the great lessons in life is learning appropriate submission to authorities over us. And we must not only submit to (in attitude), but also obey (in action) those who have authority over us. Children must obey parents: “Children, […]

Sermon: Fearing God – A Life of Blessing

Fearing God — A Life of Blessing Psalm 112 March 22, 2015 When I read Scripture, not only am I instructed by the words I read, but I often also have emotional responses to those words: Some words make me feel comforted and encouraged and hopeful and happy — like being wrapped up in a […]

Sunday Leftovers: What God Desires in His People

God desires that His people submit to Him and obey Him. So Peter reminds his readers, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Pet 5:6). Because God is the sovereign King, His people are to submit to His authority and follow His dictates […]

The 10 commandments

It has often been observed that the ten commandments are given in two “tables” — that is, there are two primary sections of commandments, with the first four governing a man’s relationship with God and the second six governing a man’s relationships with other men. It is also significant that each of the Old Testament […]