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This sermon continues the study of John 13:18–30, shifting focus from the moment of Judas's betrayal to the deeper question of how someone entrusted with such a close relationship to Jesus could fall so far. It traces two paths that lead a person toward Judas's fate: the love of money, which slowly corrupted Judas as the disciples' treasurer and ultimately drove him to betray Jesus for a small sum, and a seared conscience, the gradual numbing of moral sensitivity described in 1 Timothy 4:1–2 as consciences "seared" like flesh under a branding iron. Drawing on Romans 2:14–15 to show that even a moral conscience is God-given and universal, the message contrasts a soft heart still troubled by sin with a hardened one that no longer feels conviction, then turns to 1 Timothy 1:18–20 and the Corinthian church's experience with church discipline to illustrate how unrepentant sin can lead to being "handed over to Satan"—not out of hatred, but as a severe mercy meant to bring a person back to repentance.

This sermon opens the Gospel of John's account of the Last Supper (John 13:18–30), focusing on the identity and role of Judas Iscariot within Jesus's inner circle. It examines why Judas—described as the "son of perdition" and a foreshadowing of the future Antichrist—was chosen as a trusted disciple despite his corrupt character, and explores how Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12–13) is fulfilled through his betrayal. The message walks through the tense scene where Jesus reveals that one disciple will betray Him, unpacks the cultural significance of bread-sharing as a gesture of friendship, and shows how the disciples' assumptions about Judas blinded them to the truth even as it was unfolding before them. It closes with the sobering moment Satan enters Judas, illustrating how prior choices open the door to spiritual possession and setting the stage for the events leading to the cross.

This installment of the *Doctrines of Devils* series confronts the popular but unbiblical notion that true love means unconditional acceptance of sin. Using the account of Herod, Herodias, and the beheading of John the Baptist from Mark 6:14–29, the message draws a stark contrast between worldly love — selfish, compromising, and ultimately self-destructive — and Agape, the sacrificial, unconditional love displayed on the cross. Historical background on Herod's family and the corrupt Roman rulers of the era illustrates how "love" divorced from truth enables sin and protects evil. The sermon argues that real love calls people to repentance rather than excusing their sin, warns against the cultural pressure to affirm what God calls wrong, and challenges listeners to examine their own hearts for hidden compromises before pointing fingers outward. It closes with the story of Dr. Robertson McQuilkin's devoted care for his wife with Alzheimer's as a modern picture of selfless, covenantal love, paired with 1 Corinthians 13 and Proverbs 3:3–4 as a call to embody steadfast, sacrificial love.

This installment of the Doctrines of Devils series confronts the pervasive lie that God is primarily an experience to be chased rather than a divine Person to be known. Drawing from Romans 12:1–2, it examines how the modern church's obsession with entertainment, sensationalism, and emotional highs has produced consumers instead of disciples — and a generation that drifts away once the feelings fade. Listeners are challenged to reexamine their motives for coming to church: are they seeking an emotional experience, or coming simply because of Christ? The message closes with a call back to true worship — not what we receive, but what we give: presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, wholly devoted to God.

This sermon warns against false teachings that “deify man and humanize God.” Grounded in 2 Timothy 4, it argues that many modern distortions, from occultism and New Age spirituality to Word of Faith practices, repeat Satan’s ancient lie that humans can attain godlike power. The message calls believers, especially fathers, to guard the doctrine of their homes and remain anchored in Scripture. It rejects practices such as channeling, manifesting, and manipulative “positive confession” as attempts to control God. Instead, Christians must humbly accept their creaturely place, trust God’s sovereignty, and worship Him as the holy, transcendent Creator.

True biblical doctrine glorifies God and unites believers, while false doctrine originates from demonic influence and destroys. Churches must guard certain non-negotiable, close-handed truths — the nature of the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith alone, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, and explicit biblical mandates. Open-handed issues allow for humble disagreement without division. False teachers are identifiable by their pride, controversy-stirring, Christ-absent teachings, and personal agenda-driven motives — ultimately using godliness as a means of personal gain. The church must remain anchored to the sound words of Christ, protecting the flock from wolves who seek followers for themselves.

This sermon on John 13:1–17 highlights lessons from Peter during Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. First, believers must be patient with one another, as Jesus was patient with Peter’s immaturity and misunderstanding. Second, Peter reminds us that we do not understand everything; resisting God’s ways, grace, or methods is often prideful. Third, our plans often reveal selfish ambition, just as Peter’s hopes for Jesus were tied to his own expectations. Jesus’ foot washing symbolizes both His humble service and His cleansing work in salvation. Since Christ has washed and richly blessed His people, they should humbly serve one another too.

Jesus Christ, the most powerful being in existence, knelt before His disciples and washed their feet — the most degrading task in the ancient world. In doing so, He painted a picture of His entire mission: descending from glory, taking the form of a servant, and absorbing the cost of humanity's sin. While His disciples argued over greatness, Jesus simply picked up the towel. He calls His followers to do the same — to stop keeping score, stop fighting for position, and start serving freely. Because Christ took the ultimate hit for us, we are freed and compelled to take the hit for others.

In Jesus’ final public sermon, He cries out with urgency that to believe in Him is to believe in the Father who sent Him. Jesus is the light of the world, and apart from Him people remain in darkness. His first coming was not to judge the world, but to save it through His atoning death. Yet Judgment Day is coming, and those who reject Christ will be judged by the very word He has spoken. Salvation is not earned by works, but received by faith that truly bows to Christ. Judgment Day is terror without Jesus, but Blessed Hope for those in Him.

In John 12:37–43, Jesus’ final public appeal exposes the tragedy of unbelief and the way of salvation. Though the Jews had overwhelming revelation, miraculous signs, Scripture, and the prophets, they still rejected Christ, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. The message emphasizes that saving faith is not mere intellectual agreement but the result of God’s sovereign work in regeneration, election, calling, justification, and glorification. Yet human responsibility remains, since sinners willingly love darkness and reject truth. The passage also warns against superficial belief, seen in leaders who feared man more than God. True salvation confesses Christ openly and values God’s glory above human approval.

This message emphasizes God’s patience, the urgency of repentance, and the transforming power of walking in Christ’s light. God is merciful and does not desire that any should perish, yet His patience should never be mistaken for approval of sin. Jesus is the true Light who exposes darkness, gives life, and calls people to follow Him in truth and holiness. Those who belong to Him are no longer darkness but light in the Lord, and their lives should reflect genuine transformation. Believers are called to reject sin, live as children of light, and shine faithfully in a dark and broken world.

In John 12:27–36, Jesus faces the terrible weight of the cross with a troubled soul, yet remains resolved to fulfill the very purpose for which He came. The cross reveals both unimaginable suffering and the glory of God, as the Father confirms His plan from heaven. Through the cross, the world is judged, Satan is cast down, and Christ draws His people to Himself from every nation. Though many hardened their hearts and rejected the Light, Jesus calls all who hear to believe while the Light remains. The cross stands as the center of redemption, judgment, victory, and salvation.

John 12 presents a turning point as Jesus nears the cross. While many in Judea are fascinated by His miracles, especially the raising of Lazarus, their understanding of Him is often distorted by prejudice, nationalism, and personal ambition. The religious leaders reject Him, and even the crowds misunderstand His mission. In contrast, Greeks seeking Jesus reveal that God’s salvation is for all people, not only the Jews. Jesus then teaches that true life comes through death to self, faithful service, and following Him. In a chaotic and deceptive world, believers are called to reject worldly hope, remain discerning, and devote themselves to Christ’s kingdom.

History is filled with great kings, but every one of them eventually faded into memory. Jesus is different. He is the eternal King of Kings who conquered not through military might, but through sacrificial love. Riding into Jerusalem on a humble donkey, He came first as the Lamb — to lay down His life for the sins of mankind. But one day He will return on a white horse as the conquering Lion, to judge evil and establish His kingdom forever. The central message is clear: victory comes through sacrifice. The only question that remains is — whose side are you on?

Contrasting the fading value of worldly possessions with the infinite value of Jesus Christ is important. Using stories of misjudged financial worth, it argues that everything material will ultimately be consumed, leaving only Christ as what truly matters. In John 12, Mary recognizes Jesus’ unmatched worth and pours out her life savings to anoint Him, honoring Him with her best and surrendering dignity for worship. Martha loves Jesus but is still distracted by anxiety, control, and works-leaning service. Judas masks greed with moral language. The question: does Christ have access to everything?

Psalm 22 is the Old Testament’s most direct window into the cross, spoken through David long before crucifixion existed, yet describing Christ’s sufferings with uncanny intimacy. Jesus’ cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is both a bookmark to the psalm and a real plea of anguish as He bears humanity’s sin. In the great exchange, God imputes Christ’s righteousness to believers while Christ becomes sin for us, absorbing righteous wrath as our substitute. Yet the psalm turns from despair to triumph: “he has done it”—echoing, “It is finished.”

Jesus makes shocking claims about Himself—Savior, Son of God, equal with the Father, giver of life—and validates them through His works. In John 11, the resurrection is not merely an event but a Person: Jesus Christ. At the tomb He speaks God’s Word with authority—“Lazarus, come out”—showing that life comes by His command and by the Gospel proclaimed. Yet Lazarus emerges still wrapped in grave clothes, picturing believers saved but still bound to the old man. Jesus calls the community to “unbind him,” highlighting lifelong discipleship. Finally, resurrection life must endure hostility and suffering until the end.

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.  The resurrection is not just an event, but is a person... and that person is the Lord.  As we study His ministry involving arguably the greatest miracle He would perform, we learn how to live a Resurrection Life.

In one of the greatest miracles performed by the Lord Jesus, He demonstrates for us what living a resurrection life looks like. If the resurrection is not just an event, but a person, and that person abides in every believer, then knowing how to live as if that's true is of critical importance.

Jesus' apparently delay is turning into a great teaching opportunity to build faith in his followers.  The greatest miracle He will perform is loading as He travels to Bethany with His disciples.  As he arrives, He meets Martha and they have a discussion that is much more significant than she realizes.

The Church enters necessary seasons of lament in response to national sin.  The release of the Epstein Files necessities a response from the Church in defending the victims, and calling up on God to bring justice.  While we seek justice, we look inward at our own sin, and the necessity to repent before the Lord.

Why do we disobey?  There are four key reasons for disobedience—willful ignorance, lack of true conversion, hatred of the truth, and a distorted view of reality—showing how these played out in the Jewish leaders’ response to Jesus and still appear in the church today. Emphasizing church discipline, spiritual discernment, and the danger of affirming unrepentant sinners as believers, we contrast the secure, joyful life of Christ’s true sheep—who hear His voice, know Him, and follow Him—with those who merely profess faith. True love for God is proven by obedience, and every ongoing sin problem is ultimately a misplaced love problem.

Understanding the Good Shepherd involves recognizing His protective, providing, and sacrificial nature. It also requires discernment to identify false shepherds who seek to steal, kill, and destroy. Spiritual abuse is a real and damaging epidemic, but healing and restoration are possible through Christ. The Good Shepherd's call is inclusive, authoritative, and life-giving, offering abundant life to all who follow Him.

Two of the most important and inherit human needs are met most significantly by the Good Shepherd.  Jesus is our protector and provider, and we know that, but what does that mean exactly?

Understanding what it means for the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Good Shepherd is perhaps one of the most important distinctions to make as a Christian.  Our relationship to Christ as sheep to shepherd explains our utter dependence on his protection, provision, guidance, and peace.

This message tackles the soul-draining enemy of apathy, revealing how this subtle spiritual sickness can leave us numb to what matters most. Romans 12 provides key practical steps like confession, fellowship, fasting, and other methods to combat apathy.

There are many different possible causes for apathy.  This sermons evaluates four of the most common causes, and uses Romans 12 to combat those causes. Apathy is a disease of the soul that needs dealt with in a believer's life.  The answer is real zeal found in Christ.

It's known as the "Noonday Demon."  One of the greatest enemies of the human soul is apathy.  Apathy is a sin that settles down and inhabits a human heart when it lacks connection with God.  This message discusses what apathy looks like and where it starts.  Most importantly, we tackle how to correct it.

It's time to confront the subtle enemy of apathy lurking in our spiritual lives. This introductory message to Romans 12 opens the door for Biblical wisdom on how the transformative power of God helps renew our zeal for God's priorities.

The arrival of Jesus caused some to rise and others to fall.  This is what was prophesied by Isaiah in the Old Testament.  While those who are willing to recognize their spiritual blindness will be able to see through faith in Christ, those who likewise are wise in their own eyes will push into deeper spiritual blindness.  This text examines how the once blind man can now not only see physically, but also spiritually.

The most persistent object known to man is unbelief.  Those in unbelief will go to great lengths to protect their rebellion and sin.  This text observes how the Pharisees stare at the obvious truth and yet continually finally ways to deny it's claims, including the most important Truth that Jesus is Lord.

Jesus was constantly pushing people off the fence.  He would not allow them to remain neutral or passive about His claims about who He is.  He continues to do that today through His Word.  Genuine saving faith is never passive or neutral.  Many people attempt to ride the fence, but that is simply not an option when it comes to serving Christ.

In John 8, Jesus confronts religious leaders who claimed Abraham's bloodline meant automatic salvation. True spiritual heritage isn't about genealogy or traditions—it's about faith that produces obedience only made possible by the grace of God shown in Christ. Through Abraham's radical example of trust and sacrifice, we see that genuine faith means moving beyond comfortable religion into transformative relationship with Christ. 

True freedom isn't found in perfect rule-following, but in a genuine relationship with Jesus. Through examples of suffering and surrender, this text shows how abiding in God's Word isn't about checking spiritual boxes—it's about developing an authentic connection with Christ that changes us from the inside out.  Jesus does not have slaves, He has sons.

What does it mean to submit to governing authorities in an unjust world? Through a break down of Romans 13, Pastor Troy challenges us to examine our response to government through the lens of Christ's perfect example. Drawing from the persecution faced by early Christians under brutal Roman rule, he reveals that God remains sovereign over all authorities - both good and corrupt - and calls believers to radical submission that defies worldly wisdom.

Have you ever wondered what happens when God's house becomes a marketplace for competing loyalties? In Ezekiel's sobering vision of the temple, Pastor Josh reveals how mixing worship with cultural idols drove God from His sanctuary. Through four shocking scenes - from pagan statues at the gate to priests turning their backs on God - we see the devastating impact of compromised faith. This timely message challenges us to examine where we've allowed cultural values to infiltrate our worship, calling us back to authentic, undivided devotion to God.

Christ has established boundaries for how Christians are to interact with the world.  It is important to understand these boundaries especially concerning our involvement in culture and politics.  Who can we do ministry and worship alongside and who can we not?

As Christians we must maintain an eternal, gospel-centered perspective in their engagement with politics and culture, praying for leaders and speaking the truth in love, without compromising their allegiance to Christ's kingdom.

Continuing the conversation that we started, we will look at the final three ways to ensure you go to Hell.  These three reasons are at the heart of everything opposed to the Gospel, and they are the heart of every unconverted person.

Jesus makes a habit of drawing criticism and scorn from the self-righteous religious teachers of His day. In yet another confrontation with the Jewish elites, Jesus revels to them that they will die in their sin. They are so foolish they can’t even imagine that being a possibility, even coming from the mouth of the Judge of all Creation. Their rebuttals sets up Jesus to give them four ways to ensure a person goes to Hell. This is the first one.

The sun produces light and provides conditions to sustain life, yet men still die.  Though it’s puts off light, it ultimately simply reflects the glory of the Creator, the real Light of the World.  The manifest presence of God is the very thing that will kill us unless we have a mediator, and thanks to the grace of God we do, in the Lord Jesus Christ.  God’s presence is now safe and exactly what we need… to provide eternal life.

Jesus' dealing with the woman caught in adultery teaches us many things in regards to handling sin.  As it turns out, to pick up a rock to throw at someone else often requires us to sin in the process.  Let's look at how Jesus, the only one worthy of throwing a rock at the woman, chooses compassion and forgiveness, even considering He knew what that would cost Him personally.

The boldness of Christ intersects with a hostile crowd once again.  Jesus encounters multiple different reactions from individuals in the Temple during the Feast of Booths. Their responses demonstrate how the world responds to the teachings of Jesus.

This text in the Gospel of John shows an interesting interaction between Jesus and his earthly brothers.  His brothers, not yet converted, demonstrate what it important to the world.  The here and now.  Jesus on the other hand, submitted to the Father's will and timetable, will not budge when it comes to what the priority is.  The world's pursuits and the Lord's ways meet in an inevitable collision that will also occur in your life as a believer... that is if you don't look too much like the world already.

The closing of Jesus' powerful discourse following the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 and walking on water, Jesus makes a call for action.  What we see in the crowd is 4 different responses from 3 different people.  Using the Parable of the Sower, Pastor Josh breaks down how unbelievers, false Christians, and real Christians respond to the Gospel.

Jesus' discourse continues as he uses intense physical metaphors to describe the very real spiritual process of accepting Christ and His sacrificial work on the cross.  Drawing life from anything but Christ will leave you empty and will ultimately bring death. 

This sermon, based on John 6:35–50, contrasts the unbelieving crowd with true disciples by showing their differing responses to Jesus’ miracles and teaching. While the crowd sought physical bread and miracles for personal gain, true believers recognized Jesus as the Bread of Life and worshiped Him. Pastor Josh emphasized that salvation is entirely God’s work—repentance and faith are gifts from Him—and that all whom the Father gives to the Son will be kept and raised up on the last day. He challenged listeners to examine their lives for the fruit of genuine faith, to rest in the assurance of God’s sovereignty, and to pray fervently for the lost without carrying the crushing burden of trying to save them themselves. Ultimately, the message called for wholehearted worship of Christ, not for His blessings, but for who He is.