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.)
One of the major themes in 1 John is testimony, or testifying, the act of telling something you know to be true. John presented his own testimony as a mean of combating doubt and false teaching; how can we testify about the truth of the gospel today? What should our testimony contain?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 22, 2106.)
Adoption is a wonderful thing. It takes a great deal of love and dedication to adopt, and can be a wonderful blessing to the adopted children. It is perhaps no surprise then, that our relationship with God should be compared with adoption. How and why are we adopted by God, and what does that mean for us?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on February 14, 2016.)
The church in Laodicea was somewhat unique among the churches in Asia. Their problem was not external, either persecution or lack of prosperity; their problem was almost entirely internal. They had it too easy. What did this ease do to the Christians there, and how did Jesus address it?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on January 31, 2016.)
Jesus has no condemnation for the church in Philadelphia, only praise. What was the church doing that Jesus loved so much? How can we emulate that congregation in the midst of a world that tries to drag us from Jesus?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on January 24, 2016.)
Watts in the Word 