Goshen Baptist Church

In this passage, Jesus asserts his authority over Jerusalem's leaders, revealing their ignorance while proclaiming himself as the true Messiah. Through the command to love God and neighbor, he emphasizes total devotion and exposes human shortcomings. Ultimately, he questions his challengers' understanding of his divine lordship, urging personal surrender to him as Lord.

Introduction I Imagine you get a formal letter in the mail. You look at it and there’s a big stamp on the envelope that says, “jury summons.” You open up the letter to see and it says where you have to be and when. You also see some major consequences including a fine and some […]

I Imagine you and your spouse want to go on a date so you hire a babysitter to watch your kids. You have a lovely evening and come home to find your babysitter watching TV and your kids are no where to be found. When you ask about your children, the babysitter shrugs and asks, […]

Introduction I I’ve coached in two very different contexts. One time I coached for Upward, which was a church-sponsored sports program. My goal coaching here was to allow everyone to learn the game and for everyone to have equal play time. I also coached for the private highschool where I taught. Our goal was to […]

The passage explores the theme of approaching God without bargaining or bringing merit. It contrasts the humility of children, who come empty-handed to Jesus, with the rich young man's futile attempts to leverage his goodness. Ultimately, it emphasizes that salvation is unattainable through human effort alone and calls for a heart of trust rather than negotiation with God.

This sermon discusses the importance of recognizing Christ as central to relationships, particularly in marriage. It contrasts self-serving attitudes, which lead to division and dissatisfaction, with a Christ-centered approach that fosters unity and oneness. Emphasizing mutual care, the text argues for deep commitment and selflessness, regardless of marital status.

Read on Logos Watch on YouTube Introduction I So far in Jesus’s teaching in the family discourse, Jesus has been reorienting his disciples’ perspective on how they treat one another. This was originally triggered by the disciple’s original question: who is the greatest? Implicit to the question was “how can I become the greatest?” This, […]

I Dream falling. . . Friend dangling off Yonah – driven by greatness can lead to disaster N Our drive to be seen as great quietly reshapes how we treat sin and how we treat one another—often endangering fragile faith, including our own. T True greatness in Jesus’ family is revealed by how we protect […]

Introduction When I was growing up, one of my favorite bands was Third Day. I listened to their Christmas album very frequently. One of their songs is called Christmas Like a Child I want to feel Christmas, how it used to be With all of its wonder falling on me This season has felt so […]

“Your faith’s just not big enough.” That’s what the man with cerebral palsy was told coming to his fifth faith healing. He was sat far in the back in the wheel chair section. There where several there in wheel chairs, most didn’t make it to the front. His disease had crippled him. He could walk, […]

I I’ve been reading a nonfiction book by a pastor whose daughter decided to reject the faith at age 18 not too long after making a profession of faith at age 16. She left her parents in the dust when she went to college. Left college to marry a man. She wasn’t satisfied and decided […]

Someone at work showed me a video clip of a prosperity preacher that went viral recently. This preacher was telling his congregation that if they gave him money, that God would answer their prayers. This is the typical prosperity nonsense. This one woman went forward with her young son and, in front of the whole […]

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The sermon discusses Mr. Clean's origins and the deeper spiritual implications of cleanliness. It emphasizes that true purity comes from Jesus rather than self-effort or religious traditions. The author critiques the Pharisees for valuing tradition over God's commandments and urges the need for genuine relationship with Christ, advocating for heart transformation.

The sermon emphasizes the challenge of facing life's uncontrollable forces, likening it to a ship braving tumultuous seas. Jesus's act of walking on water serves to reveal his divine identity amidst chaos, urging believers to focus on worship rather than self-reliance during turbulent times. Trust in Jesus is paramount for true faith.

his sermon explores the striking contrast between Herod the tetrarch and Jesus Christ in Matthew 14:1–21. Herod is presented as a false shepherd — a ruler who lives for his own lusts, fears, and self-preservation. Like the selfish shepherds of Ezekiel 34, Herod feeds himself and destroys others, even ordering the death of John the Baptist to cover his sins. His gut reaction to hearing about Jesus is not faith, but paranoia and guilt. By contrast, when Jesus hears the news and faces the inconvenience of a needy crowd, He is moved with compassion. Rather than turning away in frustration, He heals their sick and miraculously feeds the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Where Herod’s gut reaction is fear and self-centeredness, Jesus’ instinct is compassion that acts, heals, and provides. This sermon challenges us to examine our own gut reactions toward people. Do we respond with anger, suspicion, and frustration—like Herod, like the false shepherds, like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol? Or will we learn from Jesus to respond with Christlike compassion that not only feels but also sacrifices to meet real needs? The gospel reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd promised in Ezekiel 34 — the One who seeks the lost, binds the broken, and feeds His flock with justice.

The post discusses the parable of the fox and the lion to illustrate familiarity leading to diminished zeal in our relationship with God. It emphasizes the importance of treasuring the kingdom of heaven, as our values directly impact our actions and life choices. Jesus' teachings, particularly in Matthew 13, highlight the need for believers to assess what they truly value, warning against the dangers of complacency and false security. Ultimately, understanding and sharing the kingdom's worth should transform our lives and priorities.

What do we do when the world feels overrun with weeds—when evil seems stronger than good, and our faith feels too small to matter? In Matthew 13, Jesus tells two parables about the kingdom of heaven: the wheat and the weeds, and the mustard seed. These stories confront two temptations we face as Christians. Some of us withdraw from the world, hiding our faith and avoiding the mess. Others go the opposite way, charging ahead, trying to rip out the weeds ourselves—even if it means hurting others. But Jesus calls us to a better way: patient influence. Like wheat growing in a field, or a mustard seed becoming a tree, the kingdom advances quietly, steadily, and powerfully—not by force, not by isolation, but by trusting God’s timing. This sermon explores what it means to live as patient influencers in a world that often tempts us to retreat or to rush.

In the gripping narrative of Pilgrim's Progress, Christian encounters a man in an iron cage, trapped by his despair—a metaphor for our self-imposed spiritual prisons. Jesus’s parable of the sower starkly illustrates this truth: our hearts, the soils, must be prepared to receive God's word. Are you cultivating fertile ground, or are you a prisoner of apathy in a kingdom begging for harvest?

Introduction I There’s a young man who has pursued one career his whole life — let’s say he’s trained for years to be a teacher. It’s not glamorous, nor the most financially rewarding, but it’s what he’s gifted at and called to do. When he and his fiancée first got together, she was on board. […]

The content emphasizes the significance of passing down sincere faith across generations, drawing from Paul's message to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1-7. It critiques the American culture's mediocrity and encourages fostering strong spiritual values amidst challenges. The importance of intergenerational mentorship and discipleship is highlighted as vital for future faith continuity.

The content explores themes of murder, anger, and reconciliation through a Christian lens, using the fictional setting of a horror story to illustrate deeper truths. It argues that both physical murder and verbal insults are morally significant, emphasizing the need for reconciliation rather than revenge in human relationships, as taught by Jesus.

This sermon emphasizes that God is the ultimate determiner of good and evil, contrasting humanity's misguided attempts to define morality independently. It encourages a return to a God-centered life, advocating for a new nature through reconciliation with Christ. The sermon highlights the beatitudes as markers of genuine faith, calling for a pure heart and peacemaking in the pursuit of righteousness, even amidst persecution.

This sermon discusses how worldviews shape our understanding of goodness and morality, contrasting modern indifference to good with past values. It highlights the significance of moments of realization, like Archimedes’ "Eureka," in defining personal values. The text emphasizes the pursuit of righteousness through the beatitudes, defined by genuine inner desires rather than mere outward appearances, underscoring the importance of mercy and a new nature in Christ.

The poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe explores themes of grief and the pursuit of happiness. The narrator, grieving for Lenore, finds solace in books until a raven's haunting refrain of "nevermore" symbolizes persistent sorrow. The pursuit of happiness, often perceived through societal norms, proves elusive and leads to disappointment, revealing a deeper spiritual longing. True happiness is seen as tied to one's relationship with God, emphasizing humility and dependence on divine grace rather than superficial achievements.

The sermon introduces the text discussing social media and emphasizing the influence gained through followers. It contrasts this with Jesus' call for discipleship, highlighting his choice of average fishermen rather than the powerful. The sermon emphasizes God's sovereignty even in negative circumstances, leading to the gospel's spread. The essence of true hope lies in the kingdom of heaven, calling believers to prioritize Christ above all and actively participate in spreading the gospel.

The preacher discusses the various definitions of success across different domains, emphasizing that true success lies in seeking the "good life" rather than merely accumulating material wealth. It highlights Jesus' teaching against hoarding earthly treasures, urging followers to focus on heavenly treasures that lead to eternal fulfillment. The sermon contrasts worldly desires with spiritual aspirations, advocating for a life centered on self-sacrifice and the pursuit of God’s glory, underscoring the importance of where one places their priorities.

The sermon reflects on the impact of standardized tests, particularly the SAT, revealing how they shape students' futures and the ethical issues surrounding college admissions. That introduction draws parallels with biblical temptations faced by Jesus, emphasizing obedience to God over self-gratification and manipulation, ultimately reinforcing the need for authentic faith and trust in divine providence.

The narrative highlights the irony surrounding the birth of Jesus, contrasting the reactions of pagan Wise Men and King Herod. While the Wise Men seek to honor the Messiah, Herod attempts to thwart God's plan out of paranoia. Ultimately, the story emphasizes humanity's intrinsic need for redemption from sin rather than mere political salvation.

In Matthew 1:18-25, the author presents the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its historical truth and theological significance. The text portrays Joseph as a compassionate and just man who, after learning of Mary's miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, chooses to marry her in obedience to divine revelation. This narrative encapsulates the essence of Jesus's mission to save humanity from sin, contrasting cultural myths and highlighting the importance of compassion in sharing the Gospel.

Matthew 1 discusses the genealogical significance of Jesus as presented by Matthew, emphasizing the connections to Abraham and David, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. It asserts that all history points to Christ, encouraging believers to focus on building God's kingdom through faithfulness in their lives, families, and communities.