My 5/6/18AM sermon, Gospel Privilege from 1 Peter 1:10-12, is now online.  If you have an understanding of the Gospel, then Peter is writing to encourage you.  You have understanding that evaded the prophets and something into which angels long to look.  The upshot is that no matter what you face, you can walk in hope in the message you rest in.  I hope this sermon encourages you.

I received a week off from preaching duties yesterday, 4/29/18, but was blessed to be able to hear Luke preach on 1 Peter 1:6-9.  His sermon, Joy In Trials, is online.  The quote above really got at the heart of this sermon.  In suffering, we try to soothe our souls with pithy cliches or by looking inward.  And, Peter’s point in these opening verses of 1 Peter is to look, by faith, to the value that Christ has and rest there.  I hope this sermon encourages you.

My 4/22/18AM sermon, Kept for a Hopeful Inheritance from 1 Peter 1:3-5 is now online.  This sermon continued our 1 Peter series, giving hope to exiles and outcasts, which is what Christians are in this world.  Peter, remarkably, didn’t begin this letter with a fixation on the world or even how believers should act towards the world (although that is certainly coming in the letter).  He begins by blessing God and rehearsing some reasons why God the Father is worthy of praise.  I hope this sermon encourages you.

My 4/15/18AM sermon, To Elect Exiles from 1 Peter 1:1-2; 5:12-14, is now online.  This sermon introduced everyone to the book of 1 Peter, which is the book we’ll be studying for a while.  It took those who are believers into tension between who we are in God and who we are related to the world.  Specfiically, Peter wrote to elect exiles, to give us hope from God.  I hope it encourages you.

I was blessed this past weekend getting some fellowship time with my friend Adrion Roberson.  Adrion pastors in Kansas City, Kansas in Wyandotte County.  He’s laboring hard doing difficult work and I asked him to come and help our people understand race, injustice, and what the Bible demands from us.  His 4/8/18 sermon, Racism and Injustice from an Adaptive, Biblical Perspective is now online.  I’m still processing what my next steps of obedience and application are, but this challenge was big and the implications for the mission we’ve been called to are numerous.  Take some time and dig into this sermon and experience the refreshment I did this past weekend.

My 4/1/18AM sermon (Easter), The Holy Spirit’s Power in Jesus, is now online.  I know it seems counterintuitive to think of the Holy Spirit on Easter.  But, if the Holy Spirit is all about Christ.  And, if the Holy Spirit was behind His being conceived a virgin, set apart for ministry, and rising from the dead, then it would be great encouragement to know how He helps us, as well.  That was the thrust of this sermon.  I hope it encourages you.

My 3/25/18AM sermon, Less Obvious Work of the Holy Spirit, explored the work of the Holy Spirit in helping us through prayer, body life, our relationship to God, and knowing God’s Word/being involved in mission.  I hope it helps you and you can see how near God is for all the “stuff of life.”

We enjoyed a great weekend at Crestview, this past weekend.  Our good friend, Vivek, arrived on Friday and we had a weekend filled with meetings, unhurried time together, and getting an update on his life and ministry (and studies!).  He spoke during the Sunday School hour, giving a brief devotional from Psalm 107 and updating us on his family and needs.  Here’s his talk:

Vivek’s Update in Sunday School (March 2018)

Luke continued preaching in our Holy Spirit series.  He drew insights from the book of Acts and how we relate to the Spirit’s Mission.  Specifically, we’re called to Ask, Act, and seeking Affirmation from others.  Here’s his talk:

The Spirit’s Mission

Like I said, we had a great weekend.  I hope these links help you connect to these two great friends of mine.  Have a great week delighting in God’s work in the world.

My 3/11/18AM sermon, The Obvious Work of the Holy Spirit, is now online.  In this sermon, I dug into John 16, 2 Corinthians 3, 1 Corinthians 12 and back to John 16 to expose some of the familiar things the Holy Spirit does.  He convicts of sin.  He transforms our lives spiritually.  He gives gifts to build up the church.  He glorifies Christ.  My hope is that as you lean into these familiar works, you would exhibit the fruit of what the Spirit is doing in you.