Jesus uses two analogies in Matthew 5 to describe his followers and his expectations for them. What do these analogies have in common, and what kind of behaviors should they describe in the life of the modern Christian?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 14, 2026.)
In some ways God’s work to restore creation is at the heart of the whole Bible story from the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing of Revelation. The image of the church as a new creation in Christ is a vital part of the larger story of God’s renewing work. How do we fit into this grand narrative?
(Preaching on images of the church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 7, 2026.)
When considering different images or analogies of the church, none is more common than that of a family. It is so common, in fact, that it may be inappropriate to think of it as an analogy at all; it seems to be simply the default way that the writers of the New Testament thought about the church. How should the use of family language regarding the church change the way we think about and interact with God’s kingdom today?
(Preaching on images of the church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 31, 2025.)
The metaphor of spiritual warfare is at the heart of the Christian life and our struggle with sin, the Devil, and temptation. In what way is a Christian like a soldier, and what does the image of war and fighting mean for our daily walk with Jesus?
(Preaching on images of the Church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 24, 2026.)
This sermon is a little different; 38 verses on suffering in the life of the Christian, strung together back to back. Tenses and pronouns have been modified to make the entire thing seem like a continuous letter from God to his church today.
(Preaching on suffering. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 17, 2026.)
The image of the church as a bride has a lot of implications: for how we think about and conceptualize our relationship with Jesus, for how Jesus thinks and feels about us, and for how seriously we treat our sin. Why has God always used this analogy with his people, and what should it mean for us today?
(Preaching on images of the Church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 17, 2026.)
After three chapters of angst and anguish, the fourth chapter of Ruth rushes to the conclusion of the story and the redemption of Naomi’s new, bitter reality.
(Preaching through Ruth. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 10, 2026.)
1 Kings 3 contains a heart-wrenching story of loss and love centered around two mothers. Using this story as a launching point, what does a real mother look like in the Bible?
(Preaching on mothers day. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 10, 2026.)
The third chapter of Ruth contains what is perhaps the most confusing scene in the whole story. Why does Naomi instruct Ruth to behave the way she does, and what can we learn from Ruth and Boaz’s actions in the story?
(Preaching through Ruth. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 3, 2026.)
The image of the church as branches of a tree or a vine is one of the less common in Scripture, but it is instructive nonetheless. What does this analogy teach us about our relationship with Jesus and our job as his followers?
(Preaching on the church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 3, 2026.)
Watts in the Word 