Like I mentioned last week, at Crestview, one of the helpful rhythms we have relates to starting the year with a Week of Prayer. On the heels of this week highlighting how we speak to God, we typically follow up with a sermon on how God speaks to us or the importance of the Bible. This is meant to rekindle joy and that some will engage in Bible intake with more regularity.

This year, my friend Kole Farney gave these two messages and they were so helpful. Yesterday, January 12, 2020, Kole’s sermon was entitled Red Letters Everywhere: Bible Reading As Listening to Jesus. He made the case from John’s Gospel that anytime we open up our Bibles and read, we are reading Jesus’ words. What a blessing to be able to start the year in this way. I hope you’ll engage with Kole’s sermon and find grace as you live this year.

Some resources Kole mentioned were:

The Dwell Bible App (the audio Bible app many use)

I love some Bible reading plans, too:

Don Whitney’s Check Off Sheet

The Bible Eater Plan

The Discipleship Journal Plan

My 12/29/19 AM sermon, On Kings and Kingdoms (Reviewing 2019), dug into many of the truths we looked at in 2019 and even back into the previous decade at Crestview. The sermon itself helped remind us how earthly leaders will often disappoint, they can be so promising, but only Jesus fulfills what we truly long for and deeply need. Therefore, we should labor to trust Him. I hope all of this encourages you as we wrap up this year.

My 12/22/19 AM sermon at Crestview, Fulfilled (Matthew 2:13-23), is now online. This sermon wrapped up a brief series I did through Advent covering Matthew 1-2. It focused on the Flight to Egypt, Bethlehem’s sorrow, and setting in Nazareth and how these things fulfilled God’s Word. I was personally challenged by Herod’s slaughter of the innocents and what this might mean for the holiday season. I hope this sermon encourages you.

What a Sunday! We enjoyed an amazing Children’s Christmas Program (in spite of the weather!) at Crestview. The content, memory work, singing, and service of our children/students made for a great morning.

My sermon, Come and Worship (Matthew 2:1-12), sought to wrap up the program, continue our short series in Matthew 1 and 2, and unpack the story of the Wise Men and Herod. The sermon was only 15 minutes, so I’d love for you to connect to this content.

In the afternoon, we had an Open House for church family and friends. Again, in spite of the weather, we have so many show up and bring us joy this holiday season. We were so blessed.

Then, the day wrapped with our Small Group celebrating Advent together. We celebrated with readings from Isaiah, Psalms, Matthew, and James, as well as sang some great songs and lighted 3 candles (for week 3). We had some snacks/drinks and it proved a perfect wrap for this day. What a day!

My 12/8/19 AM sermon, The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25), is now online. This sermon dug into the familiar narrative of Jesus’ birth to help us see the progression of how God brought Jesus into the world. This sermon continues a short series I’m doing through Matthew 1 and 2 to help us marvel at the incarnation of Jesus the King. I hope it encourages you.

My 12/1/19 AM sermon at Crestview, The (Glorious) Backstory out of Matthew 1:1-17, is now online. This was the first sermon in a short series I’m preaching for Advent out of Matthew 1 and 2. And, I spent the sermon digging into the backstory of Jesus. How did the Old Testament anticipate Him? How do God’s promises find a face in Jesus?

I hope this sermon helps kickoff Advent well for you. Enjoy.

My 11/24/19 AM sermon at Crestview Bible Church, Kingdom Kindness (2 Samuel 10), is now online. This sermon was my final sermon in 2 Samuel before Advent. It dug into what to expect when our kindness and love are rejected in this world. I’m hoping it helps us persevere in doing good. Enjoy.

My 11/17/19 AM sermon, Kingdom Promises (2 Samuel 8-9), is now online. This sermon dug into the outcome of the promises God made to David in chapter 7. Specifically, God keeps His promise to David, expanding the reach of David’s kingdom. And, in chapter 9, David keeps his promise to Jonathan, extending kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. I hope this sermon encourages you.

My 11/10/19 AM sermon, A Forever Kingdom (2 Samuel 7), is now online. This sermon was one of the more significant passages in 1 and 2 Samuel, where God makes a covenant with David. This passage is more about God than us, but I did try to offer some application for us from this passage. I hope this sermon encourages you. Have a great week

My 11/3/19 AM sermon, Passion for God’s Presence from 2 Samuel 6, is now online. We’re back in 2 Samuel for the weeks leading up to Advent. And, this sermon dug into David bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. Many of the applications related to corporate worship. I hope this sermon encourages you.