This sermon is about God’s sovereign faithfulness in a broken world. Matthew 2 shows us that the birth of Jesus does not usher in immediate peace, but resistance, violence, and grief. Earthly power reacts in fear, innocent people suffer, and evil feels overwhelming. Yet through every moment—flight, loss, exile, and obscurity—God is actively preserving His promise. Jesus retraces Israel’s story, survives human opposition, and grows up not in honor but in Nazareth, a place of scorn, fulfilling the promise that salvation would come through humility and rejection. The message confronts the false belief that following Jesus removes pain. Instead, it proclaims the deeper hope of the Gospel: pain does not mean God is absent, and evil does not have the final word. Herod dies. God’s promise endures. Jesus lives. And God remains present, faithful, and sovereign—even when life does not make sense.
This sermon invites listeners to look at the familiar Christmas story and the gospel with “fresh eyes,” like seeing an old fork as a new “dinglehopper,” by focusing on Paul’s introduction in Romans 1 and the true meaning of the gospel as good news, not good advice. It emphasizes that Christianity is centered on what God has already done in Jesus Christ—through his life, death, and resurrection—rather than on human effort or moral improvement. Paul proclaims that both Jews and Gentiles are called to belong to Jesus, receiving a new status as God’s loved and holy people through faith. Righteousness, the sermon explains, is not something we achieve but a title given to believers because of Christ’s righteousness, with obedience flowing naturally from faith as allegiance and loyalty to King Jesus. Ultimately, the message points from the manger to the cross, declaring that Jesus has changed God’s regard toward humanity, justifying believers by faith, assuring salvation, and calling all people to believe, belong, and live transformed lives in response to this joyful good news.
Pastor Peter Hough, guest preacher Pastor, The Alton Mission Luke 1:46b-55
Matthew 3:1-12 This sermon explores the deep longing and anticipation of Advent by connecting Israel’s centuries-long cry for deliverance with John the Baptist’s prophetic announcement that the Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near in the person of Jesus. While Israel had drifted far from God—trading true devotion for religious posturing, political power, and spiritual insincerity—John calls them to genuine repentance: a heartfelt change of mind that leads to a transformed life empowered by the Holy Spirit. The sermon challenges modern believers to examine where we too may resemble the Pharisees and Sadducees, using God’s name without honoring His heart, and invites us to embrace Advent as a season of honest confession, renewed dependence on God, and anticipation of Christ’s return.
This sermon steps into Mark 5 and the story of a man living among the tombs—isolated, out of control, and beyond human help. His life is what it looks like when sin and spiritual bondage run their full course: cut off from people, surrounded by death, and no longer ruling his desires, but ruled by them. We’ll connect that picture to how sexual sin works in our lives and marriages today: it starts small, feels manageable, but slowly steals our peace, hardens our hearts, and rewrites who we believe we are. But the center of this message is not the man’s brokenness; it is Jesus’ mercy. We’ll see how Christ crosses into “unclean” territory, confronts what no one else can tame, exposes the powers bent on destruction, and frees this man completely—clothed, in his right mind, and sent home with a testimony. From there, we’ll talk about what real freedom looks like for us: naming the desires that have been running the show, surrendering them to Christ instead of managing them in the dark, and learning to walk in a new identity as people He has set free and sent out to tell what He has done. The message invites us to be honest about our own “tombs,” to surrender what we can’t fix on our own, and to receive the same freeing, restoring grace that then sends us out to tell others what the Lord has done for us.
Pastor Chris Smith Colossians 3:5-17 This sermon, *The ABC’s of LGB*, addresses how the church should hold to its historic, biblical conviction that sexual intimacy belongs only within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, while also acknowledging the deeply damaging perception that Christians are unloving or hostile toward LGBTQ people. After reviewing key Scriptures, church teaching, and cultural data, the message emphasizes that homosexual behavior—like many other sins—is a symptom of humanity’s fallen state, not a uniquely weighted offense. The heart of the sermon calls believers to respond not with contempt but with Christlike compassion, humility, and hospitality, recognizing the image of God in every person and our need for salvation. Highlighting Colossians 3, Pastor Chris urges the church to create genuine community, offer belonging, and walk with LGB neighbors in love and truth, trusting the Holy Spirit to transform lives. Ultimately, the church’s mission is to welcome, disciple, and love people as Jesus did, so that all may encounter the new life He offers.
Pastor Chris Smith Job 31:1-4 **A Distortion of the Truth** explores how pornography, lust, and sexual brokenness corrupt God’s good design for sexuality and distort both the mind and the heart. Using Job’s covenant with his eyes as a starting point, the sermon exposes the immense harm of pornography—its exploitation, its addictive neurological effects, its dehumanization of people, and its cultural normalization. It explains how temptation follows a predictable cycle and how the enemy uses shame and secrecy to keep people trapped. Yet the message offers hope: God provides a way out, renews the mind, and reshapes the brain through prayer, Scripture, confession, and Christian community. Believers are called to flee sexual immorality, pursue righteousness, and allow God’s Spirit to transform them so they can live in freedom and walk in truth.
In *Better Than Sex, Part 2: A Purpose with a Plan*, the sermon teaches that God’s design for sex is both purposeful and protective, intended to be experienced only within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. Drawing from Genesis 2:19–25 and Hebrews 13:4, the message emphasizes that marriage is to be honored and the marriage bed kept pure, warning of the personal and societal harm that comes when God’s plan is ignored. Pastor Mark affirms that sexual intimacy is a sacred gift meant to unite spouses, build families, and reflect Christ’s love for the church, while also affirming that those who are single are called to celibacy as an equally honorable expression of faithfulness. The sermon highlights both God’s standards and His grace—reminding listeners that even those who have fallen short can find forgiveness, renewal, and strength to live in purity through repentance and dependence on God’s goodness. Ultimately, believers are urged to keep their vows to God and others, living as a faithful “bride of Christ” in anticipation of the final marriage supper of the Lamb.
In the sermon **“An Origin Story”** from the series *Better Than Sex (Pt. 1)*, the preacher introduces a five-week exploration of God’s design for sex, relationships, and community, beginning with the foundational truth that all humanity is created in the image of God. Drawing from Genesis 1–2, the message emphasizes that sex is not primarily about self-gratification but about reflecting the unity, creativity, and love of the Creator. Humanity was made for connection—first with God, then with one another—and sexual intimacy within marriage mirrors the sacred covenant between Christ and His Church. The sermon critiques both cultural distortions that idolize sex and church traditions that treat it as taboo, calling instead for a redeemed, biblical view that celebrates sex as a holy act of covenant renewal. It also highlights the dangers of isolation, the rise of digital disconnection, and the need for Christian community where people can speak openly about sexuality without shame. Ultimately, the message calls believers to root their identity in God’s image rather than sexual expression, to honor Him with their bodies, and to experience sex and singleness alike as sacred reflections of divine love and purpose.
In the sermon **“Stretch Marks”** from the *Twice Told Truths* series, the story of Peter’s threefold denial and restoration by Jesus in John 21 becomes a powerful picture of grace, humility, and renewed purpose. While the world says, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” Jesus responds to repeated failure with forgiveness and invitation. Through their threefold exchange—“Do you love me?”—Jesus confronts Peter’s sin honestly, stripping away pride and self-reliance, not to shame him but to restore him to ministry: “Feed my sheep.” The sermon contrasts “cheap grace,” which excuses sin, with “costly grace,” which transforms the sinner through repentance and dependence on Christ. Ultimately, Peter’s story reminds believers that God’s grace meets us in failure, restores us to purpose, and calls us to follow Jesus faithfully—even when the path leads where we do not want to go.
In the sermon **“Great Day in the Mourning,”** based on John 16:16–24, Pastor Chris explores how Jesus transforms grief into lasting joy through the presence of the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth.” As Jesus prepared His disciples for the sorrow of His departure, He promised that their mourning would turn to joy—a joy rooted not in changing circumstances but in divine truth and relationship with God. True Christian joy, unlike worldly happiness, coexists with pain and hardship because it flows from the Spirit’s work within us. By facing pain honestly, choosing to see Jesus in our suffering, and praying in His name with humility and confidence, believers experience the deep, unshakable joy that only Christ can give—a joy that begins now and will be made complete in eternity.
This sermon, titled “Objection, Counselor,” explores Jesus’ words in John 16:1–11, where He prepares His disciples for rejection and persecution and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit—the divine Advocate who will reveal truth and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus warns that faith without conviction will crumble under pressure. While comfort may feel safe, it numbs the soul; conviction may sting, but it awakens and heals. The sermon reminds us that conviction isn’t God’s rejection—it’s His rescue. It’s mercy bringing what’s hidden into the light so grace can restore what’s broken.We see that conviction deepens faith, while comfort often dulls it. The Spirit convicts not to condemn but to renew—transforming surface faith into steadfast faith that endures. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit acts as both Counselor and Advocate, uncovering sin, affirming Christ’s righteousness, and declaring the victory already won at the cross.
This sermon, titled **“And For My Next Trick,”** explores Jesus’ “very truly” statement in John 14:12–14, made during His farewell discourse to the disciples. Jesus declares that those who believe in Him will do the works He has been doing—and even greater things—because He is returning to the Father. The sermon cautions against misinterpreting this passage as a blank check for personal desires, emphasizing that prayer “in Jesus’ name” means praying in alignment with His character and for the Father’s glory. By revealing Himself as the great “I AM,” Jesus affirms His divine authority and invites believers into continual, active trust—not just one-time belief. His departure paves the way for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, granting believers His presence, power, and grace to carry out His mission. This greater work is not about personal gain but about living in the reality of His presence, participating in His ongoing work through Spirit-empowered faith and prayer.
Matthew 25:16-20 This sermon emphasizes that while Christians have unique spiritual gifts, all share one mission—the Great Commission: to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). Rather than obsessing over finding a singular, individualized “purpose,” believers are called to apprentice under Jesus, learning to live as He lived and do what He did. Drawing from Scripture, statistics, and modern authors, the message challenges Christians to own the mission personally by worshiping Christ as the center of their lives, meeting people in their pain, practicing hospitality, bearing witness through authentic relationships, and living a visibly good and beautiful life. In a culture of loneliness, anxiety, and competing “gospels,” the call is not to correct people as projects but to love them as neighbors—sharing the story of Christ’s grace and demonstrating it practically. Empowered by Jesus’ authority and presence, every believer can participate in God’s slow, transforming work of bringing His kingdom on earth, one relationship at a time.
This sermon reflects on Jesus’ act of washing His disciples’ feet in John 13 as the ultimate picture of humility and love. Though He already had all authority and power from the Father, Jesus lowered Himself to the posture of a slave, even serving those who would betray, deny, and abandon Him. In doing so, He revealed that true discipleship means embracing humility, serving others without discrimination, and resisting the pride that refuses grace. The sermon warns against being drawn into a culture of outrage fueled by “conflict entrepreneurs” and reminds us that our true enemy is not people but spiritual forces of darkness. Just as Jesus loved His disciples “to the fullest extent,” Christians are called to resist division, love one another deeply, and humbly serve in ways that point the world to Christ rather than to ourselves. Ultimately, discipleship comes at the cost of humility, but in lowering ourselves we lift up Jesus, who alone brings hope and salvation.
This Sunday in Part 2 of our Discipled series, we’ll look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” We’ll unpack what it means to take on His yoke, why discipleship isn’t about striving harder or proving ourselves, and how real rest is found in walking with Jesus. We’ll also see how His gentleness and humility meet us in our weakness, and how His promise of rest gives us hope not only for today but for the future God has promised. At the heart of it, this week is about discovering that true rest only comes by following Jesus.
This sermon begins by contrasting the shallow, low-cost nature of “following” on social media with the costly, relational call of Jesus: “Follow Me.” Unlike Twitter or Instagram followers who may know little about us, discipleship in the time of Jesus meant an intimate, all-encompassing relationship with a teacher—laying down one’s own identity to adopt the ways, values, and mission of the rabbi. From the shores of Galilee, Jesus deliberately began His ministry not in the religious hub of Jerusalem, but among Gentiles, sinners, and outsiders, demonstrating that His call was not for the already-righteous but for those in need of transformation. His first call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John reveals the heart of discipleship: repentance, relationship, and reorientation of life around Jesus, the true central figure. Discipleship is not merely knowledge or religious practice but a radical reshaping of one’s identity, leaving behind the familiar in exchange for deeper peace, joy, and purpose in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that following Jesus always leads to repentance—changing our minds about sin and aligning with God’s truth—but it begins with relationship. Like the early disciples who immediately left their nets and family businesses, the call to follow Jesus summons us into a new identity, even renaming us as His own. This call requires sacrifice, but it also brings profound reward: transformation, purpose, and participation in Christ’s mission. Using the metaphor of casting and mending nets, the preacher highlights that disciples both bring people to Jesus and help mend broken lives through His healing power. Discipleship is daily, relational, and holistic—“all of Jesus, with all of your life.” While costly, it is an exchange of “dirt for diamonds,” as Steve Lawson says. The sermon concludes with an urgent invitation: don’t delay or wait for more knowledge; like the fishermen, respond immediately to the stirring of Christ’s call, for discipleship is not about casual following but about entering a new life in Him.
This sermon, **“The Gospel in Real Life”** from Hebrews 13:1–8, 14–15, emphasizes that following Jesus is not just about right belief but about embodying His love in everyday life through tangible actions like hospitality, mercy, and deep commitment. The writer of Hebrews calls believers to extend *philadelphia* (brotherly love) to fellow Christians and *philoxenia* (love for strangers) to outsiders, including foreigners, the marginalized, and the spiritually lost. True hospitality, the sermon explains, is more than meals or social gatherings—it is opening our homes, lives, and resources to others as God has done for us in Christ. Just as our salvation is rooted in God’s radical hospitality—welcoming us as strangers into His family—we are called to welcome others with sacrificial love, compassion, and justice. Living this out may be inconvenient or costly, but it reflects the unchanging commitment of Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Ultimately, hospitality becomes a spiritual discipline and a sacramental act through which God’s grace is made visible in real life.
Isaiah 58:9-14 Sermon overview- This week we’re looking at Isaiah 58:9–14, where God confronts worship that looks right on the outside but is empty at the heart. Judah thought fasting and rituals would obligate His blessing, but Isaiah shows true worship means loosening chains, feeding the hungry, lifting burdens, and showing mercy. Israel couldn’t live this out on their own—they needed new hearts and God’s Spirit. That promise is fulfilled in Christ, whose death and resurrection reconcile us to God, and in the Spirit who empowers us to walk in step with Him. Spirit-led worship produces fruit and restoration: lives reflecting Christ’s likeness, communities renewed, and people who become repairers and restorers in a broken world. Isaiah ends with Sabbath rest—laying down striving, finding joy in the Lord, and trusting Him as provider. This passage asks whether our worship is just going through the motions or Spirit-shaped, Christ-centered, and bearing fruit that brings light and hope to the world.
The sermon *“The Vision of Division”* (Luke 12:49–53) wrestles with Jesus’ startling words that He came not to bring peace, but division, reminding us that following Him is not casual or neutral but costly and life-altering. While Jesus is perfectly good, trustworthy, and compassionate toward the broken, His presence is not “safe” for those clinging to self-righteousness, power, or comfort, because His purifying fire exposes sin and calls for full surrender. This fire of judgment, borne first by Christ on the cross, both refines and restores, offering salvation to all who make Him the center of their lives. Yet this choice to follow Jesus may cause tension—even within families or communities—because divine truth divides. Still, for those who endure His correction and trust His grace, the fire does not consume but frees, bringing peace with God and the hope of ultimate restoration.