There are a lot of things that distract us from what really, eternally matters. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus emphasize this distinction over and over, in a variety of ways. What was Paul worried would distract the church, and how do we refocus on what really matters?
(Preaching through 1-2 Timothy and Titus. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on December 14, 2025.)
The return from exile involved a lot of rebuilding; the temple in the book of Ezra, the wall in the book of Nehemiah, and generally they would have had to rebuild homes, farms, roads, etc. But perhaps the most important rebuilding was the people’s relationship with God’s word. How did Nehemiah help restore Israel’s knowledge of the law, and how should his efforts apply to us?
(Preaching on the return. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 24, 2025.)
Solomon presided over the absolute height of the kingdom of Israel, because God granted his request for wisdom in addition to giving him wealth and power. But Solomon’s great wisdom did not prevent him from falling into the same kinds of temptations that face every human. How did a man whose reign started off so well fall into such problems, and how does our own struggle mirror his?
(Preaching on the history of early Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 11, 2025.)
Given Jesus’s awesome power and authority on display all throughout his ministry, in miracles and his teaching, it would be easy to come away with the wrong idea about his purpose on earth, as his disciples did. Why did Jesus claim to be a servant? What made him such a servant, despite his power and authority? And how can we follow in his example?
(Preaching on the work and identity of Jesus. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on December 1, 2024.)
We are in a war, but it’s not against another nation, or other people, or “culture” or whatever else. The only way to win is to understand the terms of engagement, the enemy, and his strategy. How does Satan wage war against our souls, and how can we fight back?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 9, 2024.)
Jesus’s miracle by the pool in John 5 brings to mind an important question: why did Jesus heal who he did, and why not everyone? What should we learn from the healings of Jesus?
(Preaching on individual encounters with Jesus. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on November 19, 2023.)
After reminding the Philippians not to get distracted by things that don’t matter, Paul answers some of the deepest questions of Christianity. What is the point of all this? What is the goal of our faith? And, how can we make sure we reach that goal?
(Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 26, 2023.)
We all want to be joyful and have meaningful fellowship, but we are often so bad at it. What kinds of things get in the way of our pursuit of these blessings?
(Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 19, 2023.)
We have already examined Paul situation in writing the letter to the Philippians. How was Paul doing in his confinement? What was his attitude, both toward his situation and toward the Philippians?
(Preaching on Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on February 26, 2023.)
Absalom’s saga concludes not with joy, but with sorrow. How did it get to this point, and how does David respond?
(Preaching on the life of David. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on January 15, 2023.)
Watts in the Word 