Pulpit & Podium

There are moments when faith is no longer theoretical—it becomes a decision. In Numbers 13–14, Israel stands on the edge of the promised land, holding in tension everything God has said and everything they can see. The land is good, just as God promised, but it is also filled with real opposition. Faced with that tension, the people choose fear over faith. What began as deliverance from Egypt now stalls at the border of promise, not because God has failed, but because his people refuse to trust him.This sermon exposes how easily we do the same. Trusting God in the abstract is one thing; trusting him when obedience is costly is another. Israel’s refusal is not simply about fear—it is about redefining reality based on what feels most secure in the moment. Yet even in their rebellion, God remains faithful to his purposes, preserving a future for his people and pointing forward to a greater Joshua who will lead his people into true rest. The question is not whether God is trustworthy, but whether we will trust him when it matters most.I unpack:Why fear often feels more “real” than God’s promises, and how that shapes our decisionsHow unbelief is not just doubt, but a refusal to trust God’s character and wordHow this story points forward to Jesus, who succeeds where Israel failed and leads us into true rest📖 Key Passage: Numbers 13–14🎧 Listen and reflect: Where in your life are you standing at the edge of obedience—and what would it look like to trust God rather than retreat?

What’s with all the blood? It’s a question many of us feel when we come to Leviticus. The rituals seem foreign, the imagery unsettling, and the cost overwhelming. But beneath the strangeness is a single, urgent question: How can sinners live in the presence of a holy God? From Eden onward, humanity has been pushed out of God’s presence because of sin, yet God’s desire has always been to dwell with his people. Leviticus is not a random collection of rules—it is God’s gracious instruction for how that broken relationship can be restored.The Day of Atonement stands at the center of that answer. Once a year, a sacrifice is made to cleanse both the people and the place where God dwells. One goat is offered, its blood symbolizing life given to cleanse what sin has defiled. The other carries the sins of the people away into the wilderness, removing guilt and shame from the camp. Together, they reveal a profound truth: sin must be dealt with, and a substitute is required. Yet even this is not the final solution. The repetition of the ritual points forward to something greater—a better priest, a better sacrifice, and a once-for-all atonement fulfilled in Jesus.I unpack:Why God’s presence is both beautiful and dangerous, and why sin makes direct access impossibleHow the two goats of Leviticus 16 reveal both cleansing and removal, pointing to our need for a substituteHow the Day of Atonement ultimately anticipates Jesus, who fulfills both roles and opens full access to God📖 Key Passage: Leviticus 16🎧 Listen and reflect: If Jesus has fully made a way for you to be in God’s presence, what keeps you from drawing near to him with confidence?

Life often feels like standing at the base of a mountain—uncertain, intimidating, and filled with unknowns. What compels us to move forward when the risks are real and the path is unclear? In the story of Joseph, we are given a decisive answer: not confidence in ourselves, but confidence in God. From betrayal to slavery, from false accusation to prison, Joseph’s life is marked by suffering that seems senseless in the moment. Yet woven through every scene is a quiet but unshakable reality—the Lord was with him.This sermon reframes how we understand suffering, success, and control. Joseph’s story is not about his resilience or strategy, but about God’s presence and sovereignty. What others meant for evil, God intended for good—not by removing the evil, but by working through it to accomplish salvation. This is the pattern of Scripture, culminating in the cross, where the greatest evil becomes the greatest good. The question is not whether hardship will come, but whether we will trust the God who is writing the story.I unpack:Why God’s presence does not remove suffering but redefines it, showing that even in silence, he is with usHow life with God empowers us to faithfully live in our “Monday world,” not by control but by dependenceWhy only God can take what was meant for evil and weave it into good, both in Joseph’s story and ultimately in the cross📖 Key Passage: Genesis 37–50🎧 Listen and reflect: Where in your life does it feel like things have gone wrong—and how might God be inviting you to trust that he is still at work?

What does it look like to follow God when the path is unclear, the promises feel distant, and the cost is real? In the story of Abraham, we see the beginning of God’s redemptive plan unfolding through one man called to leave everything familiar and trust in what God has said. This sermon traces Abraham’s journey—not as a story of perfect faith, but as a story of growing trust. Again and again, Abraham is faced with the tension between what he can see and what God has promised, and his life becomes a living picture of what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.Yet Abraham’s story ultimately points beyond itself. The promises given to him—land, offspring, blessing—are not ends in themselves, but part of a larger plan to bring restoration to the world. Even in moments of failure and doubt, God remains faithful to his word. And in the near-sacrifice of Isaac, we see a profound foreshadowing of the gospel: a father offering his son, and God providing what is needed. This sermon reframes faith not as certainty, but as trust in the character and promises of God, even when the outcome is unknown.I unpack:How faith is not blind certainty, but trust in God’s promises in the midst of uncertaintyWhy Abraham’s failures reveal that God’s faithfulness, not ours, is the foundation of the covenantHow the story of Isaac points forward to Jesus as the true provision of God📖 Key Passage: Genesis 12–22🎧 Listen and reflect: Where is God calling you to trust him right now—even if you cannot yet see where that path leads?

We are drawn to stories where evil is finally judged—where justice comes at great cost and the world is set right. But when we encounter a story like the flood in Genesis 6–9, something shifts. Instead of relief, we hesitate. Instead of cheering, we question. This sermon wrestles with that tension by asking a deeper question: Is salvation through judgment actually good? The answer begins not with the flood itself, but with the reality of human wickedness. Genesis describes a world so consumed by evil that every thought and intention was corrupted, leading not to arbitrary judgment, but to a necessary response from a God who both hates evil and grieves over it.Yet the flood story is not ultimately about destruction—it is about grace. While judgment falls, God makes a way of rescue through Noah, not because Noah is perfect, but because he walks with God. And in the covenant that follows, symbolized by the bow in the sky, we see something even deeper: God restrains his judgment and points it, ultimately, toward himself. This story does not just explain judgment—it anticipates the cross, where God takes the arrows of justice upon himself so that we might receive mercy. The question is not simply why God judges evil, but how he does so while still offering grace.I unpack:Why God’s judgment in the flood is a response to pervasive, unhealable evil rather than arbitrary destructionHow the story shifts focus from judgment to grace through Noah as a model of walking with GodHow the bow in the sky points forward to Jesus, where God takes judgment upon himself to offer salvation📖 Key Passage: Genesis 6–9🎧 Listen and reflect: When you think about God’s judgment of evil, do you trust his goodness—and how does the cross reshape your answer?

Why does the world feel so fractured—personally, locally, and globally? In this sermon, we turn to Genesis 3 to answer one of the most universal human questions: Why is the world not the way it ought to be? From New Year’s resolutions to global conflict, we all sense that something is off. This passage reveals that the problem is not merely external but deeply rooted in the human heart. Sin is not primarily a rebellion of force, but a subtle drawing away from the goodness of God, leading to shame, fear, fractured relationships, and a world that no longer functions as it was designed.Yet Genesis 3 is not only a diagnosis—it is the beginning of hope. Even as humanity hides, God pursues. Even as sin brings death, God moves toward his people with grace, asking, “Where are you?” and making provision to cover their shame. This sermon reframes the human condition and points forward to the ultimate solution found in Jesus, who does not merely cover our shame but bears it, inviting us back into life with God.I unpack:How sin operates not as a forceful rebellion, but as a subtle redefinition of what is good apart from GodWhy life apart from God leads to fear, fracture, and burden in our relationship with God, others, and our workHow God’s pursuit and provision in Genesis 3 point forward to Jesus and the restoration of life with God📖 Key Passage: Genesis 3🎧 Listen and reflect: Where in your life are you sensing that things are not the way they should be—and how might God be inviting you back into life with him?

The story of the manger does not end in Bethlehem—it points forward to a future where God will dwell fully with his people. In Revelation 21–22, we are given a vision of the new heavens and new earth, where all things are made new. This sermon reframes our understanding of eternity, showing that our hope is not escape from the world, but the renewal of it. God’s presence will not be distant or partial—it will be full, final, and forever.I unpack:How the biblical vision of eternity corrects common misunderstandings about heavenThe promises of peace, healing, and restoration in the new creationHow we experience a foretaste of God’s presence now through Scripture, prayer, and community📖 Key Passage: Revelation 21:1–6🎧 Listen and reflect: How does the promise of God dwelling with us forever reshape the way you live today?

The manger is more than a symbol of humility—it is the declaration that God has drawn near. This sermon explores the profound reality of Emmanuel, God with us, and what it means for how we understand God’s presence. From the incarnation to our present experience, the manger reveals that God is not distant but deeply involved in our lives, meeting us in our weakness and drawing us into relationship with him.I unpack:How the incarnation fulfills God’s long-standing desire to dwell with his peopleWhy God’s nearness is both comforting and transformativeWhat it means to experience God’s presence in everyday life📖 Key Passage: Luke 2:1-7🎧 Listen and reflect: Where in your life do you most need to remember that God is with you?

In one of the most intimate moments in the Gospels, we see Jesus in prayer, wrestling with the weight of what is ahead. This sermon draws us into the tension of Gethsemane, where Jesus models perfect dependence on the Father in the face of suffering. Rather than avoiding the cross, he submits to it, showing us what true obedience looks like under pressure.I unpack:The humanity of Jesus in his struggle and what it reveals about faithful obedienceThe role of prayer in aligning our will with the Father’s willHow surrender in moments of pressure forms the foundation of true discipleship📖 Key Passage: Mark 14:32-52🎧 Listen and reflect: What would it look like for you to bring your deepest struggles honestly before God and still say, “Your will be done”?

In this passage, Jesus engages in direct conflict with religious leaders, exposing the deeper issue beneath their questions—resistance to his authority. What appears to be theological debate is actually a struggle over control, identity, and submission. This sermon reveals how easily we can mask our own resistance with intellectual questions while avoiding the deeper call to trust and obey Jesus.I unpack:How religious questions can sometimes function as a cover for spiritual resistanceThe ways Jesus exposes the heart behind the questions, not just the content of themWhy true discipleship requires surrendering not just our answers, but our authority📖 Key Passage: Mark 12:18-40🎧 Listen and reflect: Are there areas in your life where you are questioning Jesus instead of submitting to him?

When Jesus arrives, he does not meet expectations—he disrupts them. This sermon explores the tension between the kind of Messiah people expected and the kind of King Jesus actually is. Rather than arriving with immediate power and conquest, Jesus comes in humility, setting the trajectory toward the cross before the crown. This message invites us to reconsider our assumptions about God’s work in the world and challenges us to follow a King whose kingdom is not built on dominance, but on surrender.I unpack:The contrast between popular messianic expectations and the unexpected way Jesus fulfills themHow Jesus redefines power through humility, suffering, and obedienceWhat it means to follow a King who leads us not around the cross, but through it📖 Key Passage: Mark🎧 Listen and reflect: Where might your expectations of Jesus need to be reshaped by the reality of who he actually is?

What would you give up for eternal life? In this sermon from Mark 10, we examine Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler and uncover a hard but hopeful truth: eternal life is not earned through moral effort but received through humble dependence on God. While the man approaches Jesus sincerely, he ultimately walks away because he cannot release what holds his heart—his wealth. This message reframes eternal life not as endless existence, but as knowing God now and forever, and challenges us to identify what may be preventing us from fully following Jesus.I unpack:The difference between immortal life and true eternal life as defined by Jesus in John 17:3How wealth and possessions subtly reinforce the illusion of control and hinder dependence on GodWhy Jesus’ invitation to surrender is not harsh but deeply loving, leading us into the fullness of life with him📖 Key Passage: Mark 10:17–31🎧 Listen and reflect: What is one thing in your life that you would struggle to give up—and what might that reveal about your dependence on God?

This sermon tackles the difficult and sensitive topic of divorce and remarriage as addressed by Jesus in Mark 10. The sermon highlights that Jesus's teaching is not a set of general rules but a lesson in discipleship, calling followers to pursue God's design for marriage. Jesus points back to the beginning of creation, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, and that a follower of Christ should tenderheartedly pursue their spouse’s flourishing. The sermon acknowledges that we all have a story of divorce and offers specific guidance for those who are single, divorced, or married, emphasizing that Jesus offers grace and wholeness to all. It concludes with a powerful illustration of communion as a marriage covenant offered by Jesus.I unpack:The context behind the Pharisees' question about divorce, revealing it as a test for Jesus rooted in their hard-heartedness.How Jesus reorients the conversation back to God's original design for marriage as a lifelong covenant, not a contract to be broken for any reason.The high calling for all believers—single, married, or divorced—to tenderheartedly pursue marital flourishing, whether in their own relationships or in supporting others.📖 Key Passage: Mark 10:1-12🎧 Listen and reflect: A married congregant once said that marriage may not always be happy, but it can always be redemptive. What is one way you can be redemptive in your relationships this week?

This lecture, from the "Belong" core class, traces the meaning of hope from Genesis to the modern day, explaining what it means for the church to embody hope and be the hope of the world. The lecture defines Christian hope as a confident expectation rooted in the faithfulness of God. It contrasts this with worldly expectations, which are often based on past experiences. The lecture demonstrates how this type of hope has been present throughout the history of God's people, from Abraham's unwavering belief in God's promises to the people of Israel's confident expectation of a Messiah. This hope finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus and is now a "living hope" for the church, empowering us to become a safe refuge for the world.I unpack:The distinction between worldly expectation and biblical hope, defining Christian hope as confidence in God's faithfulness.How God's people in the Old Testament expected hope, while those in the New Testament experienced it through Jesus.How the church today is called to embody a living hope and become a safe refuge for the weary and oppressed.📖 Key Passage: Romans 4:17-21🎧 Listen and reflect: The sermon challenges us to consider what we would do differently if we had radical hope in God's promises. What is one tangible action you can take tomorrow that demonstrates this kind of hope?

This episode introduces the "Belong" core class with a biblical theology of belonging rooted in the Trinity. The lecture explains that the church family is a community devoted to one another in love, meeting regularly to encourage unity, support, and good works. This devotion and love find their ultimate expression in the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have existed in a triune fellowship of love from all eternity. The sermon argues that God, out of the abundance of this love, created humanity to share in that relationship and calls the church to be a reflection of that love. Viewing community through this Trinitarian lens redeems our sense of significance, peace, work, and relationships.I unpack:A definition of Christian community as a place of mutual devotion and love, which serves to foster unity, support, and good works.How the Triune God's perfect fellowship of love is the foundation and model for human belonging and community.The four areas of life—significance, peace, work, and relationships—that are redeemed when we view our lives and community through a Trinitarian lens.📖 Key Passage: John 17:20-23🎧 Listen and reflect: The lecture asks if your community is so powerful that the world can see the glory of Christ through your unity and love for one another. What is one way you can actively demonstrate this love in your own community this week?

This sermon, Case Law, preached on August 3, 2025 at Christ Community's Olathe Campus, examines Exodus 21-24 with a focus on 21:1-11. It's the tenth message in the "Exodus: Yahweh Rescues" series, addressing challenging laws for human flourishing in a broken world.I unpack:The difference between apodictic (absolute) and case laws (conditional), showing these as responses to poverty, not endorsements of slavery.How Yahweh's rules dignify the vulnerable, promote justice patiently, and point to redemption in Christ.Practical wisdom like "do for one what you wish for everyone" for pursuing proximate justice today.This message, a tough topic at a new campus, taught me to confront cultural tensions head-on, influencing how I now prepare for sensitive biblical issues. I hope it equips you to read hard passages with hope, seeing God's care for justice and dignity.📖 Key Passage: Exodus 21:1–11 🎧 Listen and reflect: How can I pursue proximate justice for the vulnerable in my own community today?

This sermon, Plagues and Confrontation, preached on June 22, 2025 at Christ Community's Shawnee Campus, delves into Exodus 4:27-10:29 with a focus on 6:1-11. It's the fourth message in the "Exodus: Yahweh Rescues" series, examining God's mighty acts against oppression.I unpack:How the plagues reveal Yahweh's personal, limitless power—unlike human or natural forces—to judge evil and redeem His people.The pattern of confrontation, warnings, and Pharaoh's hardened heart, showing God's sovereignty.Parallels to Jesus' signs and wonders, culminating in the cross as ultimate judgment and rescue.This message, drawing from personal reflections on earthquakes and Marvel films, helped me appreciate God's patient power, shaping how I now encourage hope amid modern injustices. I hope it strengthens your faith in a God who hears cries and acts decisively.📖 Key Passage: Exodus 6:1–11 🎧 Listen and reflect: In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's power for judgment and redemption?

This sermon, Becoming Together, preached on May 25, 2025, at Christ Community's Olathe Campus, explores 2 Peter 1:10-15. It's the fifth and final message in the "Becoming" series on virtue and spiritual formation, emphasizing how we grow in Christlike character.I unpack:Why pursuing virtue isn't a solo journey but requires community to confirm our calling and avoid stumbling.How Peter's reminders about diligence, knowledge, and brotherly love foster bonds that motivate transformation.The role of examples like Martin Luther King Jr. and personal friends in modeling Jesus' virtues.This message, my 16th residency sermon, challenged me to integrate personal stories like the CrossFit community into preaching, influencing how I now blend cultural analogies with biblical truth. I hope it inspires you to pursue Christlikeness not alone, but together in faith.📖 Key Passage: 2 Peter 1:10–15 🎧 Listen and reflect: Am I pursuing Christlike virtues in community, or trying to go it alone?

This sermon, The Way of Becoming, preached on May 11, 2025 at Christ Community's Shawnee Campus, dives deep into 2 Peter 1:5–9. It’s the third message in the five-part "Becoming" series, exploring the spiritual formation of Christlike character.I unpack:How the eight virtues listed by Peter are not a checklist, but a pathway of transformation.Why becoming like Jesus requires both effort and grace.The difference between a fruitless faith and a fruitful one.This message also reflects my own experience preaching back-to-back Sundays for the first time, shaping how I now approach sermon prep. I hope this helps you not just believe in Jesus—but become like Him.

Preached on May 4, 2025 at Christ Community’s Shawnee Campus, this sermon explores the deep question at the heart of the Christian life: What does it mean to be a good person—and how do we actually become one? Drawing from 2 Peter 1:1–4, I invite you to consider not only what virtue is, but how the beauty and power of Christ form us into good people.📖 In this message, I unpack:Why modern definitions of goodness fall short.How God’s divine power gives us everything we need for life and godliness.The difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him (epignōsis).How beholding Christ’s beauty transforms us into His image.We don’t become like Jesus by accident. We become what we behold. So the Christian call is not just to obey rules—but to be captivated by the glory and goodness of Christ.📖 Key Passage: 2 Peter 1:1–4  🎧 Listen and reflect: Am I captivated by Jesus in a way that’s actually changing me?

This lecture, "An Eschatology of Hope, delivered as part of the Believe Core Class at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, reframes the study of the end times through the lens of hope. Rather than focusing narrowly on debates about hell or the timing of Christ’s return, this session presents a broad biblical vision of God’s unfolding plan from Genesis to Revelation.I unpack:What eschatology really means and why it matters for today.  How the Bible’s storyline is a story of hope from beginning to end.  Why fear-based approaches to end-times theology miss the point.  How a hopeful eschatology shapes daily Christian life.📖 Key Resource: Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition)  🎧 Listen now: How can hope in Christ's victory transform your life today?👉 Share this episode with someone needing encouragement about the future.

This sermon, "Jesus Invites, preached on April 13, 2025, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, marks the climax of the "Who Do You Say That I Am? series on the Gospel of Mark. Preaching from Mark 8:27–9:1, the message focuses on Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ and Jesus’ invitation to take up the cross, lose our lives for His sake, and find true life in Him.I unpack:The pivotal moment when Jesus is first confessed as the Messiah.  The shocking call to follow Jesus through death to true life.  What it means to lose your life for Christ’s sake.  How discipleship reshapes our hopes, dreams, and identities.📖 Key Passage: Mark 8:27–9:1  🎧 Listen now: What does it mean to accept Jesus’ invitation to the cross?👉 Share this episode with someone ready to explore true discipleship.

This lecture, "The Doctrine of the Church (God’s People), delivered as part of the Believe Core Class at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, explores the identity and mission of the church. Using a surprising illustration from the TV show House*, the session challenges cultural cynicism and calls believers to embrace their role as part of God’s redeemed and sent community.I unpack:What the Bible teaches about the church’s identity and mission.  How the church reflects God's character to the world.  Why cynicism and isolation distort the church's beauty.  How belonging to God’s people shapes everyday life.📖 Key Resource: Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition)  🎧 Listen now: What does it mean to truly belong to the people of God?👉 Share this episode with someone who needs a fresh vision of the church.

This sermon, "Jesus Provides, preached on March 23, 2025, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, displays Jesus' compassion and miraculous provision. Preaching from Mark 6:31–52 as part of the "Who Do You Say That I Am? series, the message highlights how Jesus meets physical and spiritual needs and calls His followers to trust His sufficiency.I unpack:Jesus' compassion for the hungry and weary.  How the feeding of the 5,000 reveals the heart of God.  Jesus’ power over nature through walking on the sea.  Trusting God's provision in seasons of exhaustion and fear.📖 Key Passage: Mark 6:31–52  🎧 Listen now: Where do you need to trust Jesus' provision today?👉 Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to trust God's care.

This lecture, "The Doctrine of Christ’s Atonement and Our Response, delivered as part of the Believe Core Class at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, unpacks the central Christian teaching of the cross. Focusing on how Christ’s atoning sacrifice brings unexpected victory, the message calls students not just to understand the cross intellectually but to respond to it with their lives.I unpack:What Christ accomplished through His death on the cross.  Why the cross looked like defeat but was actually victory.  The meaning of substitution, sacrifice, and victory in atonement.  How we are called to respond to the atonement with faith and worship.📖 Key Resource: Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition)  🎧 Listen now: How should you respond to Christ’s victory on the cross?👉 Share this episode with someone needing a fresh look at the hope of the gospel.

This sermon, "Jesus Liberates," preached on March 2, 2025, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, proclaims Jesus’ unrivaled authority to free people from evil. Preaching from Mark 5:1–20 as part of the "Who Do You Say That I Am?" series, the message highlights Jesus’ power to liberate even the most hopeless cases and restore dignity and purpose.I unpack:Jesus' supreme authority over demonic forces.  The compassion of Christ for the isolated and tormented.  The complete transformation that comes from encountering Jesus.  Our mission to proclaim the freedom Jesus gives.📖 Key Passage: Mark 5:1–20  🎧 Listen now: How does Jesus' authority bring liberation into your life?👉 Share this episode with someone seeking hope and deliverance.

This sermon, "Jesus Surprises," preached on February 16, 2025, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, explores the shocking way Jesus redefines family and confronts religious blindness. Preaching from Mark 3:20–35 as part of the "Who Do You Say That I Am?" series, the message highlights the surprising and unsettling ways Jesus calls people into God's family.I unpack:How Jesus’ true family is marked by doing the will of God.  The confrontation over the unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  How religious leaders misunderstood and opposed Jesus.  What it means to be welcomed into God's surprising family.📖 Key Passage: Mark 3:20–35  🎧 Listen now: How might Jesus’ vision of family surprise you today?👉 Share this episode with someone wrestling with faith, belonging, or forgiveness.

This lecture, "The Doctrine of the Trinity," delivered as part of the Believe Core Class at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, explores one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith. Narrowing in on the Trinity from the broader doctrine of God, this session explains why the triune nature of God is foundational for Christian belief and everyday life.I unpack:The biblical roots of the doctrine of the Trinity.  Why the Trinity matters for our salvation, worship, and community.  Common misunderstandings and how to avoid them.  How belief in the triune God transforms how we live.📖 Key Resource: Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition)  🎧 Listen now: How does knowing God as Trinity shape your faith?👉 Share this episode with someone curious about the heart of Christian theology.

LECTURE  – Why Study Theology? Knowing God and Growing in Faith | Foundations of Christian DoctrineThis lecture, "Why Study Theology?" delivered as part of the Believe Core Class at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, invites students to see theology as an essential part of knowing and worshiping God. Using the EFCA Statement of Faith and the book Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition), this opening session explains what theology is, why it matters, and how it shapes every believer’s life.I unpack:The definition and purpose of theology.  Why every Christian is already a theologian.  How systematic theology organizes our understanding of God.  How theological study deepens our worship and witness.📖 Key Resource: Evangelical Convictions (2nd Edition)  🎧 Listen now: Why is studying theology crucial for every Christian?👉 Share this episode with someone wanting to grow deeper in their faith.

This sermon, “A Shepherd King,” preached on January 26, 2025, at King’s Cross Church in Lyons, Kansas, offers a vision of comfort and hope from Isaiah 40:1–11. Preached to a small, faithful congregation during a transitional season, the message highlights the tenderness and authority of God as the Shepherd King who comes to gather, lead, and care for His people.I unpack:God’s promise to comfort the weary and brokenhearted.The strength and gentleness of the coming King.How the majesty of God gives courage to the humble.Living with hope because of God’s faithful leadership.📖 Key Passage: Isaiah 40:1–11🎧 Listen now: How can you find comfort under the care of the Shepherd King?👉 Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

This sermon, _“Jesus Arrives,”_ preached on January 5, 2025, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus (during a weekend snowstorm!), launches the new series _“Who Do You Say That I Am?”_ on the Gospel of Mark. Preaching from Mark 1:1–13, it traces the beginning of Jesus’ ministry—the fulfillment of God’s promises, the preparation by John the Baptist, and Jesus’ baptism and testing in the wilderness.I unpack:The explosive announcement of the Good News.John the Baptist’s role in preparing hearts for Jesus.The significance of Jesus’ baptism and wilderness testing.How Jesus’ arrival reshapes our understanding of God’s kingdom.📖 Key Passage: Mark 1:1–13🎧 Listen now: What does it mean to welcome Jesus’ arrival today?👉 Share this episode with someone curious about who Jesus really is.

This sermon, "Waiting for a New Shepherd," preached on December 15, 2024, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, invites us to receive the comfort and hope of Isaiah 40. As part of the Advent series, it highlights the tenderness and power of the coming Messiah—the Shepherd who gathers and leads His people.I unpack:• God’s comfort for His weary people.• The promise of divine presence and deliverance.• A shepherd who carries the weak and leads with strength.• Finding rest in God’s unfolding plan of redemption.📖 Key Passage: Isaiah 40:1–11  🎧 Listen now: What does it mean to be shepherded by Christ this Advent?👉 Share this episode with someone needing hope and guidance.

This Advent sermon, "Waiting for a New Story," preached on December 1, 2024, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, explores Isaiah 6 and the transforming vision of God’s holiness. Isaiah's call to prophetic ministry reveals a deeper longing for God’s cleansing, glory, and ultimate restoration.I unpack:• Isaiah’s overwhelming vision of God’s holiness.• The refining power of God’s forgiveness.• A call to faithful witness in a resistant world.• Waiting with hope for the fullness of God’s kingdom.📖 Key Passage: Isaiah 6:1–13  🎧 Listen now: What story are you waiting for this Advent?👉 Share this message with someone longing for God’s renewal.

This sermon, "A Family Generous in Mission," preached on November 10, 2024, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, focuses on Romans 15:14–33 and Paul’s passion for gospel expansion. The message highlights how generosity and partnership fuel the church’s mission, urging us to live with global vision and local faithfulness.I unpack:• Paul’s heart for unreached people and gospel proclamation.• The role of giving and encouragement in missional work.• How unity and maturity prepare us for mission.• A call to be senders, goers, and faithful partners.📖 Key Passage: Romans 15:14–33  🎧 Listen now: Where is God calling you to be generous for His mission?👉 Share this episode with someone passionate about global or local ministry.

This sermon, "A Countercultural Family," preached on October 6, 2024, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, reflects on Romans 13 and the Christian's relationship to governing authorities. Delivered during an election season, this message wrestles with Paul’s teaching on submission to authority and how Christians live as a distinct, gospel-shaped family in a divided culture.I unpack:• Submitting to government as an act of trust in God’s sovereignty.• Practicing respectful disobedience when authorities oppose God’s commands.• Living with a renewed mind and transformed priorities.• Navigating allegiance to God above earthly powers.📖 Key Passage: Romans 13:1–7  🎧 Listen now: How do we honor God in our civic lives?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone thinking through faith and politics.

This sermon, "A Self-Giving Family," preached on September 22, 2024, at Christ Community’s Shawnee campus, explores Romans 12:3–8 and the call to serve one another in humility. Part of the “Living as a Family” series in Romans, it challenges listeners to discover and deploy their spiritual gifts in love.I unpack:• Seeing yourself with sober judgment through God’s grace.• Using spiritual gifts to build up the body.• Valuing diversity in the unity of Christ.• Sacrificing self-interest for the good of others.📖 Key Passage: Romans 12:3–8  🎧 Listen now: How are you uniquely shaped to serve in the family of God?👉 Share this episode with someone exploring their spiritual gifts.

I’m thrilled to share my second sermon from September 1, 2024, preached at Christ Community as part of their residency program. Titled "A Family Included in Hope," this message dives into the challenging passage of Romans 11:1-32, part of the "Romans: Living as a Family" series. I explore the profound question: Has God rejected His people? Through Paul’s words, I unpack how God’s faithfulness, patience, and mercy shine as He expands His family to include both Jews and Gentiles. Using the vivid imagery of grafting branches and a Toy Story clip, I show how God’s plan welcomes all who trust in Jesus, reminding us to stay humble and rooted in faith.I unpack:• God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, even when Israel is hardened.• His patience, holding out His hands to a defiant people.• His mercy, grafting Gentiles into His family through faith in Christ.This sermon invites us to trust God’s mysterious yet merciful plan and to live as a diverse, hope-filled family in Christ. Reflect on how God’s faithfulness shapes your life today.📖 Key Passage: Romans 11:1-32🎧 Listen now and reflect: How does God’s inclusive love inspire me to trust and share His hope?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone seeking hope in God’s family!

I’m excited to share my first residency sermon from July 28, 2024, preached at Christ Community during the residency program. In this 22-minute message, part of the "Longing for a Better King" series, I dive into 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 to unpack the story of King Manasseh, Judah’s most notorious king. I explore how his shocking descent into evil, forgetfulness of God, and eventual repentance reveal God’s unshakable faithfulness, patience, and mercy. Using the analogy of a misguided lighthouse, I show how Manasseh’s story reminds us that no one is ever a lost cause for God.I unpack:• Manasseh’s rebellion and the consequences of turning from God.• How God’s discipline is an act of mercy, leading to repentance.• The hope of redemption—how sincere faith can transform even the worst sinner.This sermon challenges me—and you—to reflect on our lives, repent, and live for Christ, the true King, in the light of God’s relentless grace. No matter how far you’ve wandered, God’s mercy is ready to restore.📖 Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:1-20🎧 Listen now and reflect: How does God’s faithfulness call me to live differently today?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear about God’s transformative love!

Following Resurrection Sunday, I want to dive deeper into what our future resurrection means for us now. In 1 Corinthians 15:35–44, Paul explains how Christ’s bodily resurrection is the prototype of our own, showing that we will be raised with new, glorified bodies. This isn’t just a distant hope—it shapes how we live today.I unpack:• Jesus’ resurrection as the model for our own future resurrection.• The transformation of our bodies—from perishable to imperishable, from weak to powerful.• How this future hope fuels our present lives—calling us to live as new creations now.The resurrection isn’t just about the future—it’s about who we are becoming in Christ today. Paul calls us to set our minds on things above and walk in newness of life even as we wait for the day when sin, suffering, and death are finally defeated.📖 Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:35–44🎧 Listen now and reflect: How does the promise of resurrection change the way I live today?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs hope beyond this life!

In this sermon on Mark 9:2–13, I explore how the transfiguration of Jesus gives us a glimpse of His glory, identity, and mission. In a moment of doubt and uncertainty, the disciples see Jesus revealed as the new Moses, the new Elijah, and the very Son of God. This event wasn’t just for them—it strengthens us today when we face fear, suffering, or uncertainty about God’s plan.I unpack:• Jesus as the new Moses – Leading a new exodus, freeing His people from sin and death.• Jesus as the new Elijah – Ushering in the Kingdom of God and fulfilling prophetic hope.• Jesus as the Son of God – The one we must listen to and behold for transformation.When we behold Christ, we are changed. As Paul says, “Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18). The question is: What are we beholding in our lives?📖 Key Passage: Mark 9:2–13🎧 Listen now and be encouraged: Jesus is glorious, His kingdom is here, and we are called to reflect His image.👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs a renewed vision of Christ’s glory!

In this sermon on Matthew 12:22–32, I explore how Jesus’ miracles challenged the expectations of the Jewish people and revealed the true nature of the Kingdom of God. While many anticipated a Messiah who would overthrow Rome, Jesus brought liberation and restoration in a way they didn’t expect—casting out demons, healing the broken, and restoring people to full participation in God’s kingdom.I unpack:• The expectations of the Messiah in first-century Judaism.• Jesus’ response to the Pharisees, who accused Him of working by the power of Satan.• What this means for us today—how we recognize God’s work and respond with faith.Jesus’ works demand a response. We cannot be neutral about His kingdom. The question is: Do we recognize the work of God, or do we resist it?📖 Key Passage: Matthew 12:22–32🎧 Listen now and consider: Am I open to God working in ways I don’t expect?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs to see God’s work in a new light!

Episode Title: Faith in the Power & Authority of JesusIn this sermon on Mark 9:14–29, I explore what it means to place faith not in personal ability or past experience but in the power and authority of Jesus. The disciples had once cast out demons successfully, but in this moment, they failed—not because of a lack of skill but because of misplaced faith. A desperate father echoes the struggle many of us face: “I believe; help my unbelief!”I unpack:• The failure of the disciples—why their past success didn’t guarantee power in the present.• The faith of the father—how doubt and past experiences often shape (and limit) belief.• The response of Jesus—why faith must rest in His authority rather than human effort.Faith isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about trusting Christ in every circumstance.📖 Key Passage: Mark 9:14–29🎧 Listen now and consider: Where is my faith truly placed?👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement in their faith journey!

In this sermon on 1 Peter 3:13–22, I explore what it means to face suffering without fear and how to find hope in the midst of trials. Peter challenges believers to stand firm, knowing that suffering for righteousness leads to glory and that Christ Himself is the ultimate example of victory through suffering.I unpack:• What Christian suffering truly is and how it differs from ordinary hardships.• How to respond to suffering—not with fear or retaliation, but with faithful testimony.• Why Christ’s suffering and exaltation give confidence that suffering is never the final word.Suffering is real, but so is hope. The call isn’t to avoid hardship but to endure it with faith, knowing that Christ has already overcome all opposition.📖 Key Passage: 1 Peter 3:13–22🎧 Listen now and discover how suffering can lead to victory in Christ.👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement in trials!

In this sermon on Daniel 7:9-15, I explore a vision of God’s throne room—a scene of fire, judgment, and ultimate authority. In the face of uncertainty, Daniel is alarmed, yet through the chaos, one truth remains: God is sovereign.I unpack: • The power of God’s dominion over the kingdoms of this world. • The contrast between beasts that act like men and the true Son of Man who receives an everlasting kingdom. • How faithfulness to God—even in trials—brings real transformation (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and ultimately, Jesus).When life’s challenges loom like terrifying beasts, the answer isn’t to seize control—it’s to faithfully serve God and trust that He has already conquered. Transformation doesn’t come through human schemes but through faithfulness in the fire.📖 Key Passage: Daniel 7:9-15🎧 Listen now and dwell on the truth that God reigns over all.👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that God is in control!

In this sermon, I dive into John 1:14-18, exploring the reality that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. From the Garden of Eden to the Tabernacle, Temple, and ultimately in Christ, God desires to dwell with His people. But what does it mean that Jesus, the incarnate Son, fully reveals God?I unpack: • How God’s presence moves throughout Scripture—from Eden to Christ to today. • Why Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God through His dwelling presence and sacrificial death. • How to behold and reflect God’s glory in daily life.Grace is not just favor—it transforms. God’s presence isn’t distant; He dwells in His people. The question isn’t whether He is present, but whether I am aware.📖 Key Passage: John 1:14-18🎧 Listen now and reflect on what it means to live in His presence.👉 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!