Trinity Bible Church Sermons

Glorious Paradox | Acts 8:1-4 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org The narrative takes a turn. In masterful strokes, the wisdom and power of God confound man. The church is seen growing in the likeness of Christ as she bears witness of Him. This passage is the introduction to a section that presents the church as a witness to the world. Yet it is strikingly marked by thoughts and ways far above those of man. In fact, much of what is put on display appears opposite to its reality. Serving to exhibit Christ’s sovereign rule and the essence of His gracious gospel is the principle of a glorious paradox. It is a healthy and helpful reminder to Christians in every area and era.

Climbing the Summit of Your Faith | Psalm 33:17-22 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Psalm 33:17–22 highlights that true gratitude comes from fully trusting the Lord. The psalmist warns of the dangers of this fleeting life and of how many chase their own ambitions without relying on God. Yet the psalmist suggests a better and more prosperous way, urging believers to trust in God's abiding presence and perfect plan. Christians who value the principles of faith and gratitude will never be disappointed.

The Blessed Walk | Psalm 1:1-6 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Beginning at ground-level, Psalm 1 raises us to the grandeur and glory of our highest purpose. In brilliant tones, it vividly sketches the simple seriousness of faith as a matter of the mind’s life. It calls us to a holy resolve of direction and hope that tastes in the present the sweetness of the future for those who love God. It speaks of distinguishing delight and serves to recalibrate our hearts’ desires. As a pastoral New Year’s address, this sermon summons us to the blessed walk.

Our Galactic God’s Magnificent Choir | Psalm 148:1-14 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Psalm 148 warmly invites everyone—whether it's the vast galaxies or tiny creatures—to come together and praise God. It has two movements indicated by the words, “from the heavens” (verse 1), and “from the earth” (verse 7). An extraordinary aspect of Psalm 148 is that it beckons praise not merely from all that breathes, but also from everything that exists. It beautifully shows that every voice matters in worship, regardless of where they are or how big or small they are. Worship is a universal call that highlights God’s majesty and reminds us of each person’s special part in His heavenly choir. Along with this worldwide call, the church has a special role: heralding the Gospel. This psalm urges believers to reflect on the profound truth that if such boundless praise is owed to God eternally, then our zeal for missions must be equally passionate. The immediate resolution, then, is to transition from a human-centered obligation to a divine-centered zeal dedicated to glorifying His name among all peoples. This way, worship becomes the heart of all missionary work.

The Man Christ Jesus | 1 Timothy 2:5 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org The deepest abiding wonder of Christmas centers on the man Christ Jesus. The message of God’s gracious and merciful love is realized in a Mediator. Scripture declares that human sin irrevocably separates man from God. No one in heaven or on earth, whether divine or created, could reconcile the righteous God and rebellious man. Yet reconciliation was necessary for the praise of God’s glorious grace and our salvation. In man’s hopeless condition, the eternal Son freely came, taking a body prepared for Him, assuming our nature into union with His divine person. In this way, Christ Jesus as the only God-man, truly God and truly man, became uniquely fit to stand between God and sinners to offer just satisfaction for sin. Christmas, then, is the celebration of this holy undertaking: the incarnation of the one Mediator, whose humble coming affords the only possibility of reconciliation with God and invites faith to behold the excellencies of His glory.

Witnessing the Worth of Christ | Acts 7:54-60 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org More than an example of bold and courageous Christian witness, Stephen embodies a prophetic and pivotal role for the proclamation of Christ. By him the most direct and Christ-centered indictment is delivered to Israel. Stephen stands in a legacy of messengers who have seen the manifest glory of God. But unlike those who came before him, a new depth of vision is revealed. The presentation and presence of God are now personally witnessed in the resurrected and reigning Christ. The first Christian martyr is marked supremely as one witnessing the worth of Christ at the cost of his life.

Righteous and Rejected | Acts 7:39-53 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Stephen stands before an unjust court. The rulers of Israel are not seeking righteousness. Those claiming to be zealous for Moses and the Law set up men to bear false witness and accuse Stephen of thrusting Moses and the Law aside.  But it is they that have thrust Moses and the Law aside. The tables are turned. Leading representatives of Israel find themselves indicted. Israel is on trial. In prophetic style, Stephen serves as a messenger of God indicting Israel for patterns of rejection that culminated in the rejection of the one and only truly Righteous One—Christ Jesus.

The Presentation and Presence of God | Acts 7:1-38 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Stephen answers the charges against him. His life now hinges on words. The defense he gives is for Christ and not himself. In powerful, Spirit-borne words, Stephen sweepingly yet selectively expounds the Law of Moses to show that the true and better substance and glory of the presentation and presence of God are in His son, Christ Jesus.

The Echo of Christ | Acts 6:8-15 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org The witness of Jesus as the Christ advances against all opposition. Intensity has been mounting against the messengers of the gospel message. Now an unexpected turn of events leads to an expected but tragic episode. Stephen introduces us to martyrdom—the ultimate price of bearing witness to the worth of Christ. The glory of Christ stands behind the end of Judaism. And to this Stephen bears witness. Here the shadows of the Old fade away by the light of the New Covenant. It is a pivotal scene in the formation and distinction of the early church. And all is powerfully demonstrated in the likeness and echo of Christ.

The Growth of Godward Fear | Sunday PM Service | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org The fear of the Lord derives from a right view of His glorious perfections and excellencies. It is the consequence of beholding and thus knowing Him as holy, just, and gracious. Godward fear is realized in all its goodness and gladness to the redeemed in Christ. But it is not something that can be acquired by human effort. It is a divine grace. Yet the redeemed are still responsible to steward the means of grace to grow in Godward fear. This last sermon in the series focuses on our responsibility to grow in Godward fear.

The Danger of Distraction | Acts 6:1-7 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org A rich digression is featured to highlight the danger of distraction in the church. Many are the needs that the church must attend. But never to the distraction of knowing and making known the surpassing worth of Christ. The church increases though under attack, and the assaults are felt from some outside the church and now again from some inside. The cycle continues but with intensifying force. Pressures test priorities.

The Gladness of Godward Fear | Sunday PM Service | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org The consequences of godly fear are not only good for us but induce a marvelous and mysterious mixture of gravitas and gladness. Godward fear is not simply compatible with joy, it is a way of depicting the sheer intensity of it. Joy without fear lacks weight. But the fear of the Lord has both.

The Surpassing Worth of Christ | Acts 5:34-42 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Nothing drives the heart of man like desire. What makes Christ’s purposes in and through His church unstoppable? On the divine side, it is His sheer sovereignty. On the human side, it is the delight of knowing His surpassing worth. The mounting hostilities against the name of Christ draw Acts 5 to a powerful close with a profound witness to the surpassing worth of Christ.

Unstoppable | Acts 5:17-33 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org An unholy hatred increases and intensifies against Christ and His apostles. The collision of Judaism and the witnesses of Jesus reaches new heights. Evidently the gospel is dangerous and threatens certain and cherished worldly and religious strong holds. An astounding advance of the church is here presented in thick irony. Those who appear to be in control are schooled by divine sovereignty. Christ is building His church despite all the powers that oppose. He and His purposes are unstoppable.

Witness Without | Acts 5:12-16 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Though under attack from within and without, Christ will build His church. Summaries have marked pivotal points in Luke’s discourse. The first (2:42-47) glimpsed the vitals of the newborn church. The second (4:32-35) its witness within. Now, the third summary considers her witness without, that is with an eye to the outside. The holy presence and power of God is central in the main thought of the passage. And the witness and testimony to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is its purpose. In typical fashion, signs are mentioned to be followed by a sermon. It all points to Christ, here in the church’s witness without.

Hypocrisy Meets Holiness | Acts 5:1-11 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Christ’s church manifests the wonder of new life in a world of old lies. She finds herself under attack. Old corruptions assault the new people of God, both from without and from within. The witness within bears testimony to an already-not-yet reality. The first twin example of this section reveals that both good and evil are present in the church on earth. It is a shocking narrative where hypocrisy meets holiness.

The Good of Godward Fear | Sunday PM Service | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org This sermon begins a look at the consequences of godly fear. That is the benefits of it. After introducing the fear of the Lord and focusing on three categorical attributes of God that furnish cause to fear Him, we set before us consequences of fearing Him. First in line is the good of godly fear, that is the good that is given to those who fear the Lord.

Humble Yourselves | 1 Peter 5:6-14 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org Peter concludes his letter to the elect exiles with exhortations to persevere in the faith through sufferings, to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, cast their cares on him, be soberminded, watchful, and resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion. Suffering is the common experience of all Christians in the present age and is for our sanctification and to share Christ’s sufferings according to God’s will. But suffering in this age will surely be followed by God exalting believers at the proper time in the age to come. Echoing the theme of suffering according to God’s will (4:19), Peter beautifully summarizes this  letter to the elect exiles by affirming that God promises to sustain even through suffering: “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.”

The God of Fear (Gracious) | Sunday PM Service | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org After the introduction, the last two sermons in this series sought to demonstrate that God is holy and just, respectively. These are two categoric grounds for God to be feared. But they are not uniquely Christian. In this sermon, the third and greatest categoric ground is explored, namely that God is gracious.

Witness Within | Acts 4:32-37 | Trinity Bible Church | Morgan Hill, CA | http://trinitybiblechurch.org When the gravitas of God reorients His people and His sovereign centrality marks their mind, something wonderfully attractive is felt. A oneness of heart and soul that resonates deeply in human longing under the curse. Now, a summary heads up a new section, beginning with this picture of unprecedented unity. The profoundness of the church belongs to the work and power of God and not man. In her best moments, the church realizes this. When she strays from it, she suffers. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is all about making Christ known, but not in word only. The Spirit bears witness not only without but within the church to the church. Here a powerful principle is sounded as the church falls under attack.