If anyone had cause to boast, it was John the Baptist, a person foretold in prophecy, born miraculously, and the baptizer of Jesus himself. Yet, it was he who uttered the phrase that should be adopted by every disciple: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” What does this phrase mean, and how can it become effective in our own lives?
(Preaching through the Gospel of John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 14, 2016.)
I imagine many (if not most) of us can quote John 3:16. But how about verses 15 or 17? What about John 3:18? John 3:16 is an iconic, powerful verse to be sure, but it is only in the context of John 3:1-21 that we see why God’s love is so amazing.
(Preaching through John’s Gospel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 7, 2016.)
Nicodemus is the perfect stand-in for the modern seeker. Coming to Jesus, recognizing his Divine power, what information does Nicodemus receive, and why does it matter today?
(Preaching through John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 31, 2016.)
The wedding at Cana stands out as an unusual story in the context of the gospels, breaking many of the normal patterns we associate with the miracles of Jesus. Why does John include this story, and what can we learn from it?
(Preaching through John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 17, 2016.)
Shame and doubt are some of the greatest hindrances in our efforts to reach others with the gospel. What do shame and doubt compel us to do? In the last story in John 1, Jesus, Andrew, and Philip demonstrate the power of confidence and assurance in their simple invitation: come and see.
(Preaching through John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 10, 2016.)
Prophecy is such an integral part of the Bible narrative, both leading the people of the Old Testament to the Messiah, and serving as evidence for people today of who the Messiah was. John, in his gospel, taps into the river of prophecy early by recounting the story of another John, the “voice of one crying out” in preparation of the Christ.
(Preaching through John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 3, 2016.)
Who was/is Jesus? This is the central question of John’s gospel, and why he begins the book with a compelling examination of one of the savior’s more interesting monikers: the Word.
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 26, 2016.)
How should Christians respond to tragic events like the shooting in Orlando? In a more general sense, how should we respond to any kind of event? What things color and filter our thoughts and reactions, and are those things Godly?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 19, 2016.)
Do we obey God because we love Him, or do we love Him because we keep the commandments of scripture? Or is it both? Or maybe there is some third, deeper, more complicated option. What does it mean to love God anyway?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 5, 2016.)
