Sunday Sermons

David continues FCC’s “Kingdom Come” series in Matthew by preaching on Matthew 2 and asking, “Is Jesus your king?” He contrasts Herod—an insecure Rome-installed Edomite known for building projects and executions—with the Magi from the East, a surprising group associated with astrologers/magicians, and explains how God used history, Old Testament prophecy, and even a star to draw unlikely seekers to worship Jesus. Herod views the star as a threatening omen, plots deception, and later murders Bethlehem’s male children, while the Magi follow the star as a guide, worship Jesus, and leave by another route after divine warning. Faith highlights Matthew’s theme of Old Testament fulfillment, including Jesus reliving Israel’s story through the flight to Egypt, and wrestles with the cost of fulfillment using Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel to show God is sovereign yet not indifferent to injustice. He concludes that salvation and victory over death come through Jesus, who conquers sin and death.

Pastor Ben highlights the genealogy’s focus on Abraham and David, the 14-generation structure, and Jesus’ virgin birth, naming him Immanuel (“God with us”). He explains the Gospels as theological biographies with distinct emphases, with Matthew presenting Jesus as King; this kingship is bookended by the Magi seeking the “King of the Jews” and the Great Commission declaring Jesus’ authority and enduring presence. He stresses that the Kingdom of God is here and now, not only heaven after death, and tied to Jesus’ authority and presence. Matthew’s Jewish audience, heavy Old Testament fulfillment, organized structure, land-based parables, extensive teachings challenging sayings, and central theme of discipleship as lifelong apprenticeship culminate in a call to worship and live as kingdom people together.

5 youth give testimonies of their experience serving over the summer in the various camps and ministries. Pastor Jared  shares encouraging metrics from FCC’s summer ministry (215 VBS attendees with 61 youth volunteers; 114 soccer camp attendees with 30 youth volunteers; 20 middle schoolers to Danville; 42 to Panther, WV; 41 on Wild Retreat; 15 to Japan; and 175 at the youth group kickoff). He then preaches from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (the Shema), emphasizing loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and might, keeping God’s words on one’s heart, and urging parents to teach these commands diligently to their children in everyday life.

Pastor Ben focuses on the 400 "silent" years between Malachi and the New Testament, when God did not speak through prophets while Israel passed under Persian, Ptolemaic, and then Roman rule. He describes how God’s silence can feel disorienting, like unanswered prayer and hollow Scripture, yet may be an intentional tool. He encourages honest faith, lament, and persevering trust.

Pastor Ryan, teaching from Philippians 2:1–11, says unity is living in harmony and is “found among us,” produced by the Holy Spirit rather than manufactured. He gives three requirements for unity in Christ: individuals in one body, individual humility, and individuals intent on having the mind of Christ. Paul’s call to count others more significant, look to others’ interests, and do nothing from selfish ambition is illustrated by Jesus washing feet, including Judas’s. He references Euodia and Syntyche’s conflict and urges believers to “agree in the Lord” while still disagreeing on lesser matters, concluding with John 13:34–35 that love (agape) is the church’s defining mark.