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This sermon explores the foundational question of why a person is called a Christian, grounding the answer in three distinct marks of genuine faith found in 1 John. The first mark is theological discernment, where believers recognize the truth of Jesus Christ as the Anointed One and reject the spirit of Antichrist that denies His deity and humanity. The second mark is spiritual consecration, defined by the internal anointing of the Holy Spirit, which seals believers and empowers them to serve as prophets, priests, and kings. The third mark is unwavering perseverance, illustrated by the contrast between those who depart and those who abide in the truth they heard from the beginning. The message urges the congregation to move beyond nominal identification with Christ to a deep, enduring relationship characterized by knowing the truth, sharing in the Spirit's anointing, and remaining steadfast in faith until the end.

This sermon examines Nehemiah 8, where the Israelites gather to hear the Law read and interpreted, transforming their initial grief over their sinfulness into profound rejoicing. The central message challenges the cultural assumption that holiness requires mourning, arguing instead that the joy of the Lord is the true source of strength and safety for God's people. By highlighting the public, inclusive nature of the reading and the subsequent celebration of the Feast of Booths, the text illustrates that understanding God's Word leads to a life of holy joy rather than fear. This joy is rooted in the experience of God's grace and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose love invites believers to abide in His joy through obedience. The sermon concludes by encouraging the congregation to view their relationship with God as one of celebratory fellowship, where the joy of the Lord becomes their enduring strength.

This sermon explores the identity of Jesus as the long-awaited Shepherd King by examining the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6. The exposition contrasts Christ's compassionate care for His disciples and the crowd with the harshness of King Herod, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophetic promise in Ezekiel 34 to provide a true shepherd for Israel. The message emphasizes that Christ's compassion begins with teaching the truth and that His power transforms meager resources into abundant provision, demonstrating His divine authority and grace. Listeners are challenged to recognize their own insufficiency and to live in humble reliance on Christ's sustenance, both for their personal spiritual growth and in their ministry to others. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to know Jesus not merely as a miracle worker but as the Good Shepherd who feeds His flock with the spiritual bread of life.

This sermon explores the identity of Jesus Christ as revealed in Revelation 1, emphasizing His self-identification as the First and the Last, the Living One who conquered death. The message highlights the theological significance of Jesus holding the keys to death and Hades, demonstrating His sovereign authority over all creation and the church. By connecting this revelation to the believer's union with Christ, the sermon explains how the resurrection power of Jesus enables the mortification of sin and the assurance of eternal life. The tone is pastoral and instructional, encouraging believers to rest confidently in Christ's victory and to pass on the truth of the Gospel to future generations. The central intent is to affirm the sufficiency of Christ's work for salvation and daily sanctification.

This sermon expounds on Colossians 1:15-20 to demonstrate the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ over both creation and salvation. It refutes the notion that Christ is a created being by establishing Him as the image of the invisible God, the agent of creation, and the one who holds the universe together. The message further highlights Christ's preeminence in the church as its head and in redemption through His resurrection and the fullness of God dwelling in Him. By contrasting Christ's glory with false teachings that diminish His deity, the sermon calls believers to recognize that Christ is sufficient for all needs. The tone is both instructional and worshipful, urging the congregation to place Christ in first place in every aspect of their lives.

The sermon explores the division caused by the hard teachings of Jesus in John chapter six, emphasizing that the gospel inherently scandalizes and separates the truly believing from the superficial crowd. It argues that offense at divine truth is a sign of spiritual hardness, while true faith recognizes Jesus as the sole source of eternal life despite the offensive nature of substitutionary atonement. The preacher contrasts the visible church, which often abandons Christ when teachings become difficult, with the invisible church of the elect who remain steadfast through divine grace. Using illustrations of hearing aids and cochlear implants, the text highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts so they can receive the life-giving power of God's Word. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to embrace the scandal of grace without apology and to rely on Christ alone for spiritual sustenance.

This sermon explores the opening vision of Jesus Christ in Revelation chapter one, emphasizing the believer's partnership with Him through tribulation, kingdom life, and patient endurance. The preacher connects John's exile on Patmos to the Christian experience on the Lord's Day, highlighting the importance of corporate worship and gathering together. By tracing Old Testament imagery from Exodus, Daniel, and Ezekiel, the text reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of temple symbolism, appearing among golden lampstands with divine authority. The exposition underscores that Christ holds the churches in His hand and wields the Word as a two-edged sword, calling believers to attentive worship and steadfast faith. Ultimately, the message encourages the congregation to look to the risen Lord for clarity and hope amidst worldly trials.

The sermon explores the sovereignty and reliability of God's Word as presented in Isaiah 55, contrasting it with the distrust people place in human media. It outlines three primary functions of Scripture: demanding a response through repentance, displaying divine compassion and riches to sustain believers, and delivering renown by glorifying God rather than humanity. The preacher emphasizes that preaching is a dialogical act where God calls His people to life, using metaphors of rain and snow to illustrate how the Word brings spiritual growth and future hope. Ultimately, the message asserts that all creation rejoices in redemption, and the purpose of God's Word is to make the Lord's name great through the redemptive work of Christ.

The sermon explores the virtue of Christian courage through five biblical archetypes: the disciple, prophet, philosopher, warrior, and martyr. Using John the Baptist as a central example of a 'burning and shining' light, the text argues for an authentic faith that combines inward spiritual fervor with outward moral witness. It warns against modern anti-intellectualism and reliance on technology or authority for thought, urging believers to think critically according to Scripture. The message emphasizes engaging in spiritual, ideological, and physical battles using the armor of God described in Ephesians 6. Ultimately, it calls Christians to emulate Christ's perfect courage by loving God's glory above personal safety and remaining faithful even unto death.

Christians should have Courage! They should have fear of God and not fear of man.

Dr. Matthew Everhard continues his series by explaining Rational and Irrational Natural Fears.

Dr. Matthew Everhard continues his series by explaining the different kinds of Fears: Rational and Irrational Supernatural Fears

From COVID controversies to gender confusion and cultural hostility, believers have too often allowed the fear of man to rule their hearts. Yet the Bible calls us instead to the fear of the Lord—a holy reverence that produces conviction, not compromise.