Sermons of Redeeming Life Church

Why do our desires so often leave us empty, even when they’re fulfilled? In this week’s message centered on James 4:1–10, Pastor Josiah unpacks both the problem and the promise regarding the difficulties we face in life. Our passions and worldly pursuits leave us restless, divided, and far from God. Yet God does not abandon us—but gives grace to the humble. In Christ, the true Bridegroom, we are invited to lay down our pride, resist the lies of the enemy, and draw near to the God who draws near to us. This passage is not just a warning but an invitation: to forsake the emptiness of the world and discover the joy of full devotion to Christ. What would it look like for you to go “all in” with Christ today?

Where do you turn for answers when life is hard? What type of wisdom is shaping your life or affecting your decisions? In his sermon, “Wisdom from Above” centered on James 3:13–18, Pastor Josiah unpacks the sharp contrast between false wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic—and true wisdom that comes from God. Earthly wisdom seeks pride, ambition, and self-exaltation, but it inevitably leads to disorder and destruction. Godly wisdom, however, is marked by purity, gentleness, mercy, and peace. Most importantly, James shows us that true wisdom makes us peacemakers—sowing peace that produces a harvest of righteousness.This sermon reminds us that wisdom is not measured by intelligence or worldly success, but by a transformed heart that reflects Christ. Only by embracing the wisdom from above do we become the kind of people who strengthen the church, bring peace into broken relationships, and share the hope of the gospel with the world.

If your words were placed on trial, what would they reveal about your faith? In this week’s sermon, Alex Trotter unpacks James 3:1–12, confronting the sobering truth that our words reveal the condition of our hearts. The tongue, though small, wields extraordinary power—to bless or to destroy, to build up or to tear down. For those in Christ, speech becomes a mark of transformation: increasingly God-honoring, gracious, and edifying, not because of self-discipline alone but because Christ is reshaping the heart. Even when we fail, every careless and sinful word has been covered by the blood of Jesus. For those outside of Christ, however, the tongue exposes the futility of self-reform; apart from the cross, our words testify against us before a holy God. True hope for taming the tongue lies only in the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.Ultimately, this passage presses us to examine the fruit of our faith through the words we speak. Our speech is never neutral—it either confirms the reality of Christ at work in us or exposes our desperate need for Him. The cross of Christ is sufficient to forgive our failures and powerful enough to transform our tongues into instruments of praise. What difference would it make if every word you spoke was filtered through the cross of Christ?

This sermon confronts one of the most sobering questions in Scripture: What kind of faith saves? In his sermon centered on James 2:14–26, Alex shows us that genuine faith is never alone—it produces the visible fruit of obedience. Works do not contribute to our justification before God, but they are the God-given evidence of a heart transformed by the Spirit. For the believer, this is both a call to self-examination and a comfort: God Himself works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12–13). For the unbeliever, it is a gracious warning that mere profession without transformation is empty, and that Christ alone gives living faith that bears fruit in keeping with repentance.

In a world obsessed with appearances, James confronts the church with a bold command: Don’t play favorites! In his sermon on James 2:1-13, Pastor Josiah explores how favoritism contradicts the very mercy that saved us. When we elevate the wealthy and ignore the poor—or vice versa—we forget that at the foot of the cross, all distinctions vanish. Jesus didn’t rescue us because of status or success, but solely by his mercy. Therefore, Christians must reflect that mercy in how we see and treat others. This message is for everyone—rich or poor, polished or broken—because Jesus welcomes all who will come.

Have you experienced the kind of spiritual rebirth that leads to real change? James 1:19–27 teaches that saving faith isn’t passive—it’s transformational. In this sermon, Pastor Josiah explores how the Word of God not only saves us but reshapes us. Through vivid illustrations and pastoral exhortation, you’ll discover that “real religion” means more than just hearing Scripture—it means receiving it with humility, obeying it with integrity, and displaying it through a life of mercy, holiness, and self-control. The gospel doesn’t just inform your life; it transforms it. Why does the life of a true Christian look so different from the world? Listen to this week’s message and find out!

Are you walking through a trial that feels too heavy to carry? How can we find joy when life falls apart? In “Fire Tested & Joy Filled,” Pastor Josiah walks through James 1:1–18 to show that the trials we face are not meaningless—they are God's tool to grow our faith and prepare us for eternity. With honesty, personal testimony, and biblical clarity, this sermon calls believers to endure trials with joy, seek God's wisdom without doubting, resist the tempting lies of the enemy, and trust in the unchanging goodness of God. Even in the hardest seasons, we are not alone—Christ endured the ultimate trial on our behalf and now walks with us through the fire.

What do you do when your life is falling apart, and you’ve run out of options—can God still meet you there? Is there any hope for those who have failed God repeatedly?In this final message from our “The Search For A King” series, Pastor Josiah explores the theme of “IF”—those pivotal moments in life that center on trust, obedience, and the faithfulness of God. As Israel stands at a national crossroads, having demanded a king and rebelled against the Lord, Samuel confronts them with their sin, warns them of its consequences, and yet offers them hope rooted in God's steadfast mercy. IF we reject God, we face ruin; but IF we return to Him, He is faithful to forgive us and redeem us from the pit. Through a gospel-centered lens, this sermon shows how our repeated failures can never outmatch God's covenantal grace. Jesus, the true and better King, succeeds where Saul—and all of us—fail. And in Him, we hear the everlasting assurance for every believer: “God’s got you!”

Where is your hope? What types of things are you placing your trust in today? In his sermon, “Is This The King?” centered on 1 Samuel 10:17-11:11, Alex Trotter shared how even though Saul looked like the King who would save Israel from their enemies, ultimately it was Christ who would redeem his people from death and crush the serpent’s head once and for all. Unlike the Israelites, we mustn’t turn to rulers of this world for our ultimate salvation, even despite their apparent victories. Instead, we must turn our eyes to the true Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus Christ and look to him to save us from the brokenness that surrounds us.

What are you currently desiring or pursuing that might be more shaped by the world’s values than God’s will? Can you identify a time when God used a disappointment or failure to draw you closer to Him? In what ways is Jesus reshaping your desires to want more of Him, rather than just His gifts?In his sermon “The King You Desire” based on 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16, Pastor Josiah shared how Israel received what they asked for—a king like the nations. Saul looked the part: tall, strong, impressive. But beneath the surface, he was spiritually unfit and directionless. Sometimes, God gives us what we want to reveal that what we long for isn't truly what we need. Yet even in our rebellion, God’s sovereign grace is at work. He uses our misguided desires, our detours, and even our failures to draw us back to Himself. Ultimately, the story of Saul points us to Jesus—the King we didn’t ask for but the one we desperately need. In Him, our desires are transformed to want what He wants—and we discover that the deepest satisfaction of our hearts is not in what we get, but in whom we belong to.

Why do our demands for greater freedom often lead to deeper bondage? What happens when we ask God for what we want instead of trusting Him for what we need? In his sermon, “So, You Want A King?” based on 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Pastor Bryan Catherman explores Israel’s demand for a king and the deeper spiritual rebellion it represents. As the people reject God’s rule in favor of a monarchy like the surrounding nations, we are confronted with a timeless truth: when we choose self-rule over God’s sovereign reign, we inherit the consequences of our own folly. Yet, even in judgment, God’s mercy shines through as He ultimately provides not just any king, but the one King we truly need—Jesus Christ. The message challenges us to consider where we, too, may be exchanging divine kingship for worldly security, and reminds us that only under God's rule do we find true freedom and life.

Why does life sometimes get harder after we repent—and what is God doing in those moments? What does true repentance look like—and what does it lead to? In his sermon, “True Repentance & Divine Deliverance,” centered on 1 Samuel 7:2–17, Pastor Josiah shared how Israel turned from idolatry and returned to the Lord with a repentant heart. Yet, just as they turned back to God, new trouble arose. But God, faithful to His covenant and powerful to save, delivered His people—not because of their strength, but through the intercession of His appointed mediator, Samuel. This passage reminds us that while repentance may invite hardship, it always places us under the care of a God who is faithful to forgive, fights for us, and never fails to be there for us.

Are you tempted to approach God on your own terms rather than according to His will? How does the holiness of God shape your worship, your obedience, and your view of Christ? In today’s message we find out what happens when God's people treat His presence with irreverence! In 1 Samuel 6:1–7:1, both the Philistines and the Israelites dishonor the holy presence of Yahweh—not by defiance alone, but by casual disobedience. In his message, “Who Can Stand?” Pastor Josiah explores how God's holiness is not something to manage, manipulate, or presume upon. Through the tragic actions of Beth-shemesh and the fearful question, “Who is able to stand before this holy God?”, we are brought face-to-face with our own unworthiness and the absolute necessity of a Mediator.In a world that often reduces God to sentimentality or ritual, this message calls us back to the fear of the Lord—a fear that leads not to fleeing from God, but to obedience under His Word and submission to His final Prophet, Jesus Christ. True life is found in fearing God and obeying His Word through Christ alone.

Are we trying to manipulate God or worship Him? Is God’s presence in your life a source of joy or judgment? In 1 Samuel 5, the Philistines believed they had conquered the God of Israel by capturing the ark, but what unfolds next is a powerful revelation: God cannot be controlled, co-opted, or contained. His hand brings victory over idols, judgment upon His enemies, and—ultimately—redemption through Christ for those who turn to Him in faith. In his sermon, “The Hand of the Lord,” Pastor Josiah unpacks the triumph of God's holiness over Dagon, the terror that falls on the Philistines, and the redemptive hope that shines bright in our lives when we reach out to the One who bore the hand of judgment in our place—Jesus Christ!

Are there areas in your life where you are trusting in religious activity—rather than in God’s Word? What would it look like for your church to lose the presence of God but keep the appearance of faith? In 1 Samuel 4, Israel suffers a devastating defeat—not merely militarily, but spiritually—as the ark of God is captured and His glory departs. Despite having access to the Word of God through the prophet Samuel, the people ignore it and instead place their trust in a sacred object, assuming God's power could be wielded apart from faithful submission. This presumption leads to judgment: the priesthood collapses, the ark is lost, and “Ichabod” is declared—the glory has departed. But the story of Scripture doesn’t end in Ichabod. Through judgment, God prepares the way for restoration. In Christ, the glory returns—not in a box, but in a savior. Emmanuel—God with us—is the name now written over those who receive Him by faith.

When was the last time you slowed down enough to hear God's voice? What do you do when God's Word is hard to receive? In a time when God's voice was rarely heard and spiritual darkness covered the land, the Lord broke His silence—not through a priest or a king, but through a young boy named Samuel. This moment would mark a turning point in Israel’s history and reveal something essential about how God speaks—and how we must respond. In his message, “When God Speaks,” centered on 1 Samuel 3:1-21, Pastor Josiah explores the critical difference between those who reject God's word and those who receive it in faith.  God is still speaking. The question is—are we listening?

Does your worship reflect a heart that fears and honors God—or is it centered on yourself? Are you faithfully serving the Lord even when no one notices? In a world where spiritual leadership is often compromised and worship reduced to performance, 1 Samuel 2:12–36 reveals a sobering truth: God is not indifferent to how He is worshiped. As the sons of Eli defile the priesthood with selfishness and sin, God is already at work raising up a faithful servant—Samuel—who will honor Him. In his sermon, “The Heart of Worship,” Pastor Josiah explores the contrast between corrupt and faithful worship, reminding us that God sees every heart, judges unfaithfulness righteously, and exalts those who walk humbly before Him.

Are you looking for hope in the middle of your brokenness? What if the silence you're experiencing is the soil where God is preparing your heart for the King? In a time of deep spiritual darkness, God heard the cry of a broken woman named Hannah—and through her sorrow and surrender, He began a redemptive movement that would ultimately lead to the true King. This week, Pastor Josiah preached a message centered on 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, in which he showed how through Hannah’s story, we see God remember the lowly, raise up a prophet, and prepare His people for the hope they didn’t yet see coming. Hannah’s story is not just about answered prayer—it's about how God works in and through our times of brokenness and despair to bring about salvation and redemption.

What are some of the major concerns in your life? What is something God is calling you to care about today? In his sermon “Caring Enough to Change” centered on Nehemiah 1:1-2:8, Doug Reed shared how Nehemiah cared enough about the community that God placed him in that he helped lead the charge to rebuild the city walls in only 52 days that had been left in ruins for over 144 years. Nehemiah was called by God to act, and he obeyed! What issues in your life is God calling you to act upon? How might we affect our city with the gospel in a drastic way simply by placing our faith in Christ and trusting in him?

Are you searching for hope but not sure where to find it? Have you heard the Resurrection story but never truly experienced the risen Jesus for yourself? Mary came to the tomb expecting death—but instead, she encountered the risen Christ. In this Easter message centered on John 20:1–18, Pastor Josiah shared how Jesus meets us in our brokenness, calls us by name, and sends us out with joy. This isn't just Mary's story—it's the story of every believer! Christ’s resurrection may seem like the end of the story, but it’s actually the beginning of a new one. For those who profess faith in Christ, the best part of Christ’s resurrection – is that it guarantees ours!