In this sermon from Colossians, pastor Joel turs helps us answer the question, “How shall we then live?”, as those who have called on the name of the Lord in baptism. What we will see is that, being rooted in Christ, renewed in mind, and remade in heart, we embody thankfulness through His Spirit. And […]
In this sermon on the second Sunday of Advent, pastor Joel connects Ezekiel’s vision of two sticks joined together to the Christmas story, showing how Jesus is the Shepherd King who comes to stay. This message shows us how only Jesus Christ heals division and offers true belonging, and it encourages Christians to live in […]
In this sermon pastor Joel considers the responses to Absalom’s death, reminding us that there is no human resolution to mercy and justice without brokenness.
In this sermon pastor Joel considers the tragic death of Absalom at the hands of Joab, reminding us that we need to be careful how we treat the Son of David. Though we are all like Absalom, in our rebellion against God, the good news is that God has not send us a Joab but […]
We live in a world where “Absaloms” rise daily—where truth is traded for influence, and loyalty is seduced by charm. We live as strangers in a land shaped by self-expression, not self-denial. In such a world, faithfulness can feel like foolishness. But it’s not. Sometimes faith doesn’t look like standing tall—it looks like walking barefoot […]
In this sermon pastor Joel considers Absalom’s return to Jerusalem and his plans to become king, reminding us that our way ends in lies and death and that only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Ultimately, we can be encouraged to know that Jesus is a king who does not flatter, who […]
In this sermon, pastor Joel reminds us that, through tragedy and triumph, God faithfully provides for his beloved people. God faithfulness in the past guarantees his faithfulness in the future, and even in the heartbreak of the “not yet” we can cling to the promises of resurrection and new creation.
As Saul’s house grows weaker, and David’s house grows stronger, Abner decides to “switch sides,” giving his loyalty to Israel’s true king, David. In this sermon, pastor Joel reminds us that our king Jesus offers peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation to all the rebels and rivals to his kingdom.
For our 2024 Advent sermon series, we will consider the four blessings traditionally associated with each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, and we will do so using the Gospel of John. In this sermon, pastor Joel looks at John 15:11 and reminds us that we were created to find joy in God […]
In this sermon on the death of King Saul and his sons, pastor Joel reminds us that we need a faithful king who will honor the Lord in life and death. And unlike the “good news” of Saul’s death, proclaimed by the Philistines, the good news of Jesus Christ that we proclaim is that the […]
Gossip and slander is documented and condemned more than any other sin mentioned in the Bible. Of all the turmoil, tragedy, testing, and trauma David has experienced, slander seems to have caused the most distress to his mind and body. Hurtful words continue to devastate people to this day, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. In […]
Having seen Saul’s disregard for the word of Samuel and his rash vow, we now come to Saul’s third and final “fall,” where he is rejected by God as king over Israel. In this sermon, pastor Joel encourages us to not trust in religious behaviors but remain faithful and obedient to Jesus.
In this sermon, pastor Joel looks at Malachi 3 and Israel’s corruption to show us that our practices of giving are directly related to our relationship with God. What we will see is that how we handle our money reveals the condition of our heart, and what we do reveals what we value. In other […]
After the glorious visions of chapters 60–62 and the vision of God’s day of vengeance in 63:1–6, Isaiah offers a prayer of lament on behalf of Israel and their future exile. Isaiah calls attention to their crisis of separation from their covenant God and Father, and he prays for mercy. In this sermon, pastor Joel […]
As Jude closes his letter, he praises God for his preserving power and his promise to keep believers from stumbling. In this sermon on the final two verses of Jude’s letter, pastor Joel reminds us that Jesus is the only friend who is able and willing to deliver us, and he alone is worthy of […]
