Ezekiel contains many memorable analogies, symbols, and word-pictures, but perhaps none of them is so applicable to the modern Christian as the watchman analogy in Ezekiel 3 and 33. What was this analogy used for in Ezekiel, and how does it apply to us?
(Preaching through Ezekiel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on October 13, 2024.)
Having just finished a series on “Developing an Identity in Christ”, we transition to thinking about Christ – who was he? Who is he? Like anyone else, the identity of Jesus is composed of many different facets. We will begin with the most basic part of the identity of Jesus – his Jewishness.
(Preaching on the identity of Jesus. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on October 13, 2024.)
We begin our study of Ezekiel (as we usually begin book studies) by examining the historical and political context of Ezekiel’s life and visions. What was going on at the time Ezekiel prophesied, and who was his original audience? How does this matter for the modern reader?
(Preaching through Ezekiel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on October 6, 2024. The charts mentioned can be found here and here.)
As we develop our identity in Christ, there is room for us to maintain our unique personality and to develop individual identities as followers of the master. How can we maintain the core of discipleship to Christ while retaining the things that make us who we are? And how does God want to use us personally, as unique individuals?
(Preaching on developing an identity in Christ. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 29, 2024.)
We make a lot of decisions about how we present ourselves to the world that we might describe as aesthetics, or style, or a vibe. Does God care how we present ourselves to the world? What role do our aesthetic choices play in cultivating a holy identity in Christ?
(Preaching on developing an identity in Christ. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 22, 2024.)
The last five chapters of the book of Judges doesn’t really seem to fit
with the rest of the book. There are no judges, and the stories exist
seemingly devoid of context. But these chapters serve as a conclusion
that reinforces and solidifies the main themes of the book as a whole.
What can we learn from these horrific stories?
(Preaching through Judges. This book was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 15, 2024.)
The story of Samson is both heroic and tragic. Samson’s supernatural strength creates several memorable moments, but his lack of any other kind of strength led him into sorrow, anger, and despair. What can we learn from this tragic judge?
(Preaching through Judges. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 8, 2024.)
In many ways humans are defined by their relationships to others. It can be easy to allow our individual identities to be subsumed by these connections. How does God expect our relationships to influence our identities, and how can we develop an identity in Christ while also righteously connecting with others?
(Preaching on developing an identity in Christ. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 8, 2024.)
The story of Judges is one of a steady decline in Israel away from God and further into unrighteousness. The judges themselves were not exempt from this digression. The sequence of Gideon-Jephthah-Samson highlights how even the leaders in Israel fell further and further from God. What can we learn from Jephthah’s failure?
(Preaching on Judges. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 1, 2024.)
Politics dominates modern discourse, but what exactly are politics. What makes something political? And, most importantly, what does God expect of the Christian in regards to politics?
(Preaching on developing an identity in Christ. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 1, 2024.)
Watts in the Word 