Sermon catalog

The speaker continues the series on money, emphasizing that a person's heart will ultimately choose between God and money. He references Matthew 6:24, stating that increasing hatred of money increases love for God. Furthermore, he stresses that faithfulness with earthly resources (money) is how God tests us to entrust us with truly valuable things, urging the audience to desire what is eternally valuable.

The speaker emphasizes that 'ministering' means attending to the needs of someone, rather than holding a specific position. He draws parallels between Moses ministering to Israel and Jesus teaching that serving the least among us is equivalent to serving Christ. The message encourages the congregation to consider how they can serve or attend to the needs of God.

The sermon reviews the biblical understanding of money, defining it as a storeable object and emphasizing that its form does not matter. Key teachings covered include giving correctly, avoiding debt, maintaining an attitude of open hands regarding possessions, and recognizing that 'enough' is defined by God, not accumulation. The central message warns that humanity must choose between loving God or loving money, referencing Matthew 6:24.

The speaker emphasizes the biblical principle that believers are commanded not to be anxious, pointing to First Peter 5:6-7 as a remedy. The core message is that overcoming anxiety requires actively humbling oneself and casting all burdens onto God because He is powerful enough to handle everything. The sermon also uses the analogy of labor pains to describe the process leading up to spiritual rebirth.

The message uses military analogies, particularly the role of the quartermaster, to illustrate that every believer has been entrusted with gifts and resources from God. The central theme is maintaining a state of readiness for Christ's return, emphasizing that all service—whether on the front lines or in support roles—yields the same reward before Jesus. Unreadiness can be examined by looking at what might cause one to be 'red' rather than 'green.'

The speaker discusses the biblical understanding of money, emphasizing that true wealth lies in loving God rather than accumulating possessions or being indebted. He stresses the importance of discipline and faithfulness in handling finances, drawing parallels between stewardship of money and spiritual gifts. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to prioritize a deep love for God above all earthly attachments.

The message emphasizes the continuous state of readiness required for Christ's return or service, detailing four things that render one unready: sin, unresolved conflict with others, unforgiveness, and lacking an inner life in Christ. For each deficiency, a corresponding solution is provided—confession/repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and seeking the Holy Spirit. The speaker concludes by contrasting the perceived 'heaviness' of Christian commands with the actual weight of sin.

The speaker recounts a period of financial and personal strain after moving to Austin, detailing how his income sources dried up due to receiving a 'no pay no points' letter from the Air Force. This sudden loss of expected income and status triggered deep doubts about his place in the church community. The message uses this experience to illustrate that when life circumstances create uncertainty, one must rely on God rather than external stability.

The speaker reviews previous lessons on money, emphasizing that money is fundamentally a storage method and that Christian discipleship requires relinquishing possessiveness. He challenges modern assumptions about wealth by pointing to scripture's concept of 'enough,' suggesting life should be viewed as a bell curve rather than a linear progression toward more. The central message uses the story of Joseph during a famine to illustrate that God can work good even out of circumstances intended for evil, applying this principle to financial management.

The speaker encourages the audience to view biblical narratives not just as stories about historical figures, but as reflections of their own lives. He shares how reading scripture has shifted from mere fact-gathering to deep personal identification with characters, including both heroes and villains. The central message is a call for self-examination regarding our tendency to seek popularity and approval over following Christ's truth.

The sermon focuses on the importance of having the 'mind of Christ,' which is described as an attitude rather than a mere action. Paul urges believers in Philippians 2:3-4 to act without selfishness or conceit, but with humility, considering others as more important than oneself. The speaker emphasizes that while emotions are often uncontrollable, one's attitude is a choice that must emulate Jesus' selfless service.

The speaker argues that Christians should look to the Old Testament not for rules, but as a book of discovery to understand the heart of God found in Christ. He illustrates this by examining prophets like Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel, noting that they were often asked to perform difficult or seemingly impossible tasks. These examples challenge modern assumptions about what spiritual gifts or obedience should feel like.

The speaker encourages listeners to always hold the New Covenant standard as higher than previous covenants, noting that Jesus raised the standard from prohibitions against actions (like murder) to internal states (like hatred). He emphasizes reading the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, not for intellectual display but to seek God's heart. The core teaching revolves around examining scripture—specifically Exodus 30 and Numbers 1 and 32—to determine if God has set a specific age of accountability or maturity.

The speaker uses his fascination with authors to illustrate that scripture is not merely text but carries weight through its authorship and context. He emphasizes that knowing who wrote a passage, like Peter writing Second Peter, makes the message more real and powerful. The sermon encourages listeners to find encouragement in the fact that even flawed disciples, like Peter, are used by God to write Scripture.

The message challenges listeners to move beyond relying on personal or cultural understandings of righteousness and instead seek God's true standard through Scripture. The speaker emphasizes that genuine understanding of God's justice requires humility, recognizing that our own efforts are insufficient for salvation. He directs the focus inward, suggesting that spiritual growth in righteousness must begin with self-examination rather than judging others.

The speaker explores the book of Jude, emphasizing that its structure as a letter holds valuable insights. He advises listeners to pay attention to the introduction—the 'from,' 'to,' and greeting—as these establish authority. The central message is that one's true identity comes from being a devoted servant of Jesus Christ and acknowledging spiritual authorities in life.

The speaker cautions against being deceived by counterfeit faith, emphasizing that true biblical faith must be tested and rooted in scripture and love. He urges the congregation to approach their own spiritual lives with humility, recognizing that even apparent certainty can be mere presumption rather than genuine trust in God.

The message emphasizes the continuous need for spiritual readiness, using the analogy of a pilot checking a master caution button to illustrate persistent vigilance. The speaker reviews previous points on unreadiness, stressing that sin, unresolved relationships (requiring apologies), unforgiveness, and neglecting an inner life with Christ are major hindrances to being ready for fellowship with God. True readiness requires addressing these internal issues.

The speaker uses his profession as a cost analyst to illustrate how people often fail to accurately assess what truly matters in life. He argues that if we could properly analyze the 'cost' of things—including our time, energy, and devotion—we would realize that following Christ is by far the best deal available. The message concludes by urging listeners to consider the eternal cost-benefit analysis of living for self versus living for Christ.

The speaker encourages listeners to endure life's trials by fixing their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him. He uses examples from scripture—including Jesus singing a hymn before Gethsemane—to illustrate that maintaining faith and expressing devotion through song or worship is possible even amid intense suffering. The core message is finding perseverance in one's own trials by comparing them to the struggles of others, ultimately drawing strength from God's grace.

The message uses Peter's life as an example of how God can use our failures for blessing. The core teaching is that while sin is real, Jesus prays for believers so that their faith does not fail when they stumble. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that if we do sin, confession allows Christ to cleanse us from unrighteousness.

The speaker emphasizes the often-overlooked aspect of prayer: listening. He draws parallels from his experiences in the military, law enforcement, and teaching, noting that active listening requires deep engagement beyond simply hearing words. The central message is a warning against the illusion of paying attention, as people often wait for silence to interject their own thoughts rather than truly absorbing what is being said.