Sermon Archive

Sermon Date: May 4, 2025

Read John 21:1-19

“¹ After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ ⁶ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. ⁷ That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. ⁸ The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

⁹ When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, ‘Follow me.'”

Sermon Date: April 27, 2025

Psalm 148

(Praise for the created heavens above)
“¹ Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. ² Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts. ³ Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. ⁴ Praise Him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. ⁵ Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for He commanded, and they were created. ⁶ He set them in position forever and ever; He gave an order that will never pass away.”

(Praise for the created heavens below)
“⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, all sea monsters and ocean depths, ⁸ lightning and hail, snow and cloud, powerful wind that executes His command, ⁹ mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, ¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle, creatures that crawl and flying birds,”

(Praise for the creation of humanity)
“¹¹ kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, ¹² young men as well as young women, old and young together. ¹³ Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for His name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth. ¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for His people, resulting in praise to all His godly ones, to the Israelites, the people close to Him. Hallelujah!”

Sermon Date: April 20, 2025

Easter Sunday

He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Hallelujah

Luke 24:1-12
“¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. ⁵ So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. ⁶ “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷ saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” ⁸ And they remembered His words. ⁹ Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. ¹¹ But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. ¹² Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.”

1 Corinthians 15: 1-5, 12-19, 20-26
“¹ Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. ² You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. ³ For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.”

CHRIST IS NOWHERE!
“¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; ¹⁴ and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. ¹⁵ In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. ¹⁹ If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.”

CHRIST IS NOW HERE!
“²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead alsocomes through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.”

Sermon Date: April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday / Maundy Thursday

John 12:12-19

“¹² “The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³ they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One — the King of Israel!” ¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: ¹⁵ Fear no more, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. ¹⁶ His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. ¹⁷ Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. ¹⁸ This is also why the crowd met Him, because they heard He had done this sign. ¹⁹ Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look — the world has gone after Him!”

Sermon Date: April 6, 2025

Justice and Judgment of God

In the refining fire of God’s judgment, we find,
A justice that restores, leaving no sin behind.
Not retribution, but a loving hand,
Guiding us back to truth, helping us understand.

As we view our lives through His loving gaze,
Our mistakes come to light, remorse ablaze.
With truth revealed, our hearts humbled and contrite,
Guided gently towards repentance, in His light.

In the furnace of His love, we’re cleansed by fire’s embrace,
Our sinful self-consumed, our true essence to replace.
Amidst the flames that sear, our genuine self is revealed,
As the dross is purged, our identity is healed.

Though the process may be painful, a journey of strife,
God’s refining fire brings forth abundant life.
With each burning ember, He molds and forms,
Shaping and renewing us through flames that transform.

Through the refining fire, we emerge anew,
Clothed in righteousness, His image shining through.
God, the consuming fire, devours lies, sin, and evil’s might,
In His presence, all darkness fades, consumed by His righteous light.

When judgment’s fire comes, our works will be laid bare,
Selfish deeds consumed, no trace left in the air.
But what was done in love, with selfless hearts ablaze,
Will stand the test of time, and receive eternal praise.

Every act of kindness, every word of grace spoken,
Will shine like radiant jewels, never to be broken.
For in the refining flames, our true intentions revealed,
And those fueled by love, in eternity are sealed.

Through His judgment, He sets all things right,
Bringing justice to every person, ending their night.
No soul forgotten, no injustice ignored,
His justice prevails, a promise fully restored.

His justice is good news, a cause to celebrate,
He restores all because we all relate.
His justice is a balm, healing every wound,
Drawing us closer to Him, no one is eternally doomed.

In the end, all will be made whole,
Every broken story, every shattered soul.
God’s restorative justice, a symphony of grace,
Bringing redemption and wholeness in every place.

So let us trust in His judgment, His divine plan,
For His justice is love-driven, not the wrath of man.
With His hands at work, everything will be set right,
His restorative justice, a beacon of eternal light.
(Copyright: Nick Wallace)

Psalm 33:5 “He loves righteousness and justice.”

Deuteronomy 16:20 “Justice, justice you shall pursue.”

Psalm 106:3 “Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!”

Proverbs 21:2-3; 12-13 “All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin. The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.”

Proverbs 21:15-16 “Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers. The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.”

Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.”

Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 “I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 1I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.”

Micah 6:8-9 “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. The voice of the Lord calls out to the city (and it is wise to fear your name): “Pay attention to the rod and the one who ordained it.”

Sermon Date: March 30, 2025

Luke 15:11-32

“¹¹ He also said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. ¹⁵ Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! ¹⁸ I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. ²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ²⁷ ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ “‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Sermon Date: March 23, 2025

1. Matthew 21:32 “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

2. Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Be a watchman on the wall (Isaiah 62:6-7) standing on the walls of the Church, warning about enemies; Satan.

Stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) interceding for others and pleading for God’s mercy.

Sermon Date: March 16, 2025

Mark 1:14-15
“¹⁴ Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.”

1 Peter 2:1-7
“¹ Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, ² and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, ³ if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. ⁴ And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” ⁷ This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone, …”

Ephesians 2:19-22
“¹⁹ “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 3:9-11
“⁹ “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Sermon Date: March 9, 2025

Luke 4:1-13

“¹ Then Jesus left the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness ² for forty days to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, he was hungry. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” ⁴ But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.” ⁵ So he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ The devil said to him, “I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. ⁷ If you, then, will worship me, all will be yours.” ⁸ And Jesus answered him, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” ⁹ So he took him to Jerusalem, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you, ¹¹ and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” ¹² And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.” ¹³ After the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.”