Sermons from Christ Presbyterian Church in Burke, VA

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached from Acts 6:8–15, taking up the remarkable detail that those who looked at Stephen in the council saw his face “like the face of an angel.” Paired with the Old Testament reading from Exodus 34, where Moses descended from Sinai with his face shining from his encounter with […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow continued the Acts series with a look at the early church’s first internal crisis. In Acts 6:1–7, a complaint arises among the Hellenists that their widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution, and the apostles respond not with defensiveness but with wisdom, identifying the problem, proposing a solution, […]

Pastor Harlow opened Acts 4:32–5:14 to show that the early church was made up of real people whose hearts were either being shaped by grace or hardened by deception. The generosity of Barnabas illustrated what it looks like when the Spirit of God forms a community around the needs of others, while Ananias and Sapphira’s […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Mark Moore, Deputy Wing Chaplain at Joint Base Andrews, preached from Psalm 85, tracing the psalmist’s journey through three movements of faith. The Sons of Korah begin by remembering God’s past forgiveness – He covered their sin, withdrew His wrath, restored the fortunes of Jacob – and that memory becomes […]

This past Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Harlow preached “The Empty Cell” from Acts 5:12–42, drawing a vivid parallel between the empty tomb and the empty prison the risen Christ left behind him. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead sent an angel to open locked doors and return the apostles to the temple courts, […]

On Maundy Thursday, Pastor Harlow preached from 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, returning the congregation to what Paul called “of first importance”: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for sinners. These two verses are not a starting point to move past but the message the church must keep coming back to, the very foundation on which […]

On Palm Sunday, Pastor Harlow preached from Acts 4:23–31 on the prayer of the early church following Peter and John’s release by the Jewish authorities. The congregation gathered, reported what had happened, and lifted their voices together to the Sovereign Lord, their prayer shaped at every point by the words of Psalm 146, Psalm 2, […]

This Lord’s Day, missionary Tom Mirabella, serving in Chiba, Japan with Mission to the World, preached from John 21:1–21 on failure, hope, and the restoring grace of the risen Christ. The disciples had returned to their boats — back to what they knew — and caught nothing, until the voice on the shore directed their […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached from Acts 3:1–26 on the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate and the proclamation that followed. The miracle was not accomplished through Peter’s own power or piety, but through faith in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Author of life whom God raised […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Hasler opened Acts 2:42–47 to examine what the life of the early church actually looked like. Luke’s snapshot of the Jerusalem believers reveals a community shaped by the apostles’ teaching, bound together in fellowship, sustained by the Lord’s Table and prayer, and marked by a generosity that flowed from genuine faith. […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow opened Acts 2 to show how God’s ancient promises find their fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What the prophets foretold and Israel waited centuries to see, God delivers on that morning in Jerusalem, just as He said He would. Peter’s sermon, anchored in the […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached from Acts 1:9–26 on the ascension of Christ and what it means to wait for His return. After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the angels’ message was clear: this same Jesus will come back, and that promise shapes everything about how His people are to live in […]

This Lord’s Day, we started a new series on Acts. Pastor Harlow preached on Christ’s ascension and the kingdom He establishes through His people. In Acts 1:1-11, Jesus spends forty days with His disciples after the resurrection, preparing them for their mission and promising the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather than restoring an earthly […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached on Psalm 62, where David calls God’s people to find their rest, refuge, and salvation in God alone. In a world that tempts us to trust in power, wealth, and the approval of others, this psalm points us to the only secure foundation for our souls. David reminds us […]

Due to inclement weather, Pastor Harlow prepared a special devotional on Psalm 127 for home or private worship, exploring the difference between flourishing and frustration. The psalm teaches that without the Lord’s blessing, all our building, watching, and working amounts to anxious toil. Through four spheres of life – temple, city, workplace, and home – […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Hasler preached on the call to worship found in Psalm 103. David’s hymn of praise reminds us of God’s many benefits: He forgives our iniquities, redeems our lives, and crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. As we remember who God is and what He has done, we are compelled […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached from the closing verses of Luke’s Gospel on how believers are called to respond to the risen Christ. In Luke 24:44-53, Jesus opens his disciples’ minds to understand how all Scripture points to him and commissions them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations. Before ascending to heaven, […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached on the physical reality of Christ’s resurrection in Luke 24:36-43. As we begin a new year, we can be anxious about what lies ahead, and like the disciples, we struggle with unbelief. Yet Jesus graciously condescends to our doubts, showing His hands and feet, inviting touch, even eating […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached on the encounter between the risen Christ and two disciples walking to Emmaus. In Luke 24:13-35, we meet discouraged followers who couldn’t recognize Jesus even as He walked beside them, their hopes crushed by the crucifixion they had witnessed. Jesus opens their eyes by opening the Scriptures, showing […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Hasler preached on the resurrection of Jesus from Luke 24:1–12, exploring what lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. When the women arrived at the tomb that first Easter morning, they found the stone rolled away and heard the angels declare, “He is not here, but has risen.” This […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow continued our Advent series by examining Christ’s crucifixion in Luke 23:26–56. Even as darkness covered the earth and the sun’s light failed, Jesus demonstrated His love for the women who mourned Him, for those who crucified Him, and for the criminal beside Him. The sermon explores how Christ, born […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached on the trial of Jesus before Pilate and Herod from Luke 23:1-25. Though Jesus faced false accusations of misleading the nation and claiming kingship, Pilate and Herod both declared him innocent. Yet religious leaders, the crowds, and even Pilate himself rejected the sinless Son of God. In a stunning […]

This Lord’s Day, Bob Eickelberg preaches on Matthew 2:1-23, tracing the events surrounding Christ’s birth from the visit of the wise men to the flight into Egypt. Through Herod’s schemes and the hardships of the holy family, we see how God’s sovereign plan unfolds despite human opposition and uncertainty. As we begin Advent, this passage […]

This Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preaches from Luke 22:63-71, where Jesus stands before the religious leaders who mock Him, beat Him, and demand answers. While His tormentors seek to humiliate the Messiah through violence and scorn, Jesus points them to the truth they refuse to see: the Son of Man will be seated at the […]

Pastor Harlow brings us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus, in the garden, faces the weight of the cup he must drink. Luke 22:39-47 shows us Christ in agony, sweating drops like blood as he prays for the Father’s will to be done rather than his own. An angel appears to strengthen him for […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Porter Harlow preached on Peter’s denial of Christ and the intercession that sustained him through his darkest moment. In Luke 22:31-38, 47-62, we see Jesus warning Peter that Satan sought to sift him like wheat, yet Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not ultimately fail. The passage shows us Peter’s […]

Pastor Hasler preached on the nature of true greatness in God’s kingdom from Luke 22:24-30. When the disciples argued about who was greatest, Jesus redefined greatness as servanthood rather than worldly power. He positioned himself as the ultimate example, the one who serves at the table. The passage reveals three truths: greatness is tied to […]

This past Lord’s Day, on Reformation Sunday, Pastor Harlow preached from Luke 22:7-22, where Jesus gathers with His disciples to celebrate the Passover and institute the Lord’s Supper. At the heart of this moment, we see Jesus’ deep desire for feasting and fellowship with His people, even as betrayal looms. Pastor Harlow explores how the […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Harlow preached from Luke 22:1-6, examining the tragic moment when Satan entered Judas and he made the fateful decision to betray Jesus. The passage reveals both the religious leaders’ fear of the people and Judas’s shocking willingness to conspire with them for money. Yet even in this dark moment of […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Hasler preached from Luke 21:5-38, where Jesus addresses the disciples’ urgent question about when Jerusalem’s destruction will occur and what signs will precede it. Rather than satisfying their curiosity about the calendar, Jesus directs their attention toward Himself and calls them to faithful endurance through coming trials. The prophecy encompasses […]

This week, Pastor Porter examines the stark contrast between religious pretense and genuine faith in Luke 20:41-21:4. Jesus warns His disciples about the scribes who love public recognition and religious status, yet their hearts are far from God, even exploiting the vulnerable for their own gain. He then highlights a poor widow who quietly gives […]

Pastor Porter preached on Christ’s comprehensive reign over all things from Luke 20:19-44. Jesus demonstrates His authority over the state when He calls us to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. He reveals His lordship over the church through His identity as the Son of David and David’s Lord. […]

Pastor Porter Harlow examines Luke 20:1-18, where Jesus responds to questions about His authority by revealing His identity as the cornerstone of God’s kingdom. Through the parable of the vineyard, Jesus shows how God has patiently sent messengers throughout history and ultimately sent His beloved Son. Though rejected by the builders, Christ becomes the foundation […]

This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Porter preached on “A Larger View of Jesus” from Luke 19:41-48, examining three aspects of Christ’s character. First, we see Jesus’ great compassion as He weeps over Jerusalem, mourning their failure to recognize the time of their divine visitation. Second, we witness His great indignation as He cleanses the temple, […]

Pastor Robert preached on Jesus’ triumphal entry from Luke 19:28-40, examining three movements: Christ’s deliberate preparation, the disciples’ joyful proclamation, and the Pharisees’ protestation. This passage reveals Jesus’ sovereign orchestration of His final approach to Jerusalem and the inevitable responses His kingship provokes in human hearts.

Pastor Tom Mirabella, a missionary serving in Tokyo, Japan, through the PCA’s Mission to the World, examines the account of Israel’s golden calf in Exodus 32:1-6, revealing how quickly God’s people turned to idolatry when faced with uncertainty. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the Israelites pressured Aaron to create a tangible […]

This week’s message examines Christ’s parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-27, where Jesus teaches about faithful stewardship during His absence. As the disciples anticipated an immediate earthly kingdom, Jesus redirects their expectations with a story about a nobleman who entrusts his servants with resources before departing to receive his crown. Through the contrasting […]

Pastor Harlow examines the familiar story of Zacchaeus through a fresh lens in Luke 19:1-10. While we often focus on the tax collector’s determination to see Jesus, this passage reveals a deeper truth: Jesus was already seeking Zacchaeus before Zacchaeus ever climbed that sycamore tree. The story unfolds in three movements. First, we see Zacchaeus […]

Pastor Porter Harlow examines one of life’s most challenging questions: Why does the Lord sometimes delay His answers to our prayers? Through Luke 18:31–43, this message explores five biblical reasons the Lord may choose to wait before acting on our behalf. Drawing from the persistent widow, the healing of the blind beggar, and the prophetess […]

Pastor Hasler explores Jesus’s tender invitation to children in Luke 18:15-17, where Christ rebukes His disciples for turning away infants and their parents. When Jesus declares, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” He reveals what it means to receive God’s kingdom with […]

This week’s message examines the heart of true humility in Luke 18:9-14. Through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus reveals the stark difference between self-righteousness and genuine repentance before God. In this passage, Christ shows us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be […]

In this message from Luke 18:1-8, we explore the parable of the persistent widow and discover how Christ’s words serve as a great encouragement to all of us seeking to “revive” our prayer time with the Lord. Through this powerful parable, we’ll learn what it means to approach God with bold persistence and unwavering faith, […]

This week’s message explores the profound tension between the “now” and the “not yet” of God’s Kingdom. In Luke 17:20-37, Jesus reminds His disciples—and us today—that the Kingdom of God has already come in Him, even as we await its final and glorious fulfillment with hope. In this passage, Jesus calls us to stay watchful, […]

This past Sunday, Pastor Robert preached on Jesus’ cleansing of the ten lepers from Luke 17:7–19. In this passage, we see not only Christ’s power to heal but also the transforming power of gratitude in the hearts of those who are redeemed by His grace. Listen as we reflect on what it means to respond […]

What does it mean to live as a Christian in a culture marked by division, blame, and bitterness? This week’s sermon from Luke 17:1–6 walks us through Jesus’ call to a life transformed by grace. In a world desperate for peace and healing, Christ’s words offer a path of grace, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.

This Sunday was a moment of joyful significance in the life of our church, as we witnessed the ordination and installation of our pastoral intern, Robert Hasler, as Assistant Pastor. In the sermon, Pastor Harlow preached from Titus 1, focusing on Paul’s call for pastors and all believers to hold fast to God’s trustworthy Word. […]

In this week’s sermon, we look back to Peter’s first message at Pentecost and the powerful response it sparked in the hearts of his listeners (Acts 2:22–47). Preaching on the ascension of Christ, Peter’s words ignited a movement—one that gave birth to the first churches of the New Testament era. This message explores how those […]

Rev. Jonathan Landry Cruse, our guest preacher, preaches on the worship Christ has made available through the New Covenant. In celebration of our church’s 6th anniversary and the conclusion of our What Happens When We Worship Conference, Pastor Cruse brings fresh insight from Exodus 27:1–19 and 30:17–21. This sermon, titled “And His Courts with Praise!”, […]

Worship is more than just singing songs or going through routines-it’s a supernatural encounter with the living God. In this series, we’ll explore how God works in and through worship to shape us, strengthen our faith, and draw us deeper into His presence. SPEAKER BIO: Pastor Jonathan Cruse is a Central Pennsylvania native and has […]

This past Sunday, the sermon will focus on one of Jesus’ most revealing teachings about life after death. Preaching from Luke 16:19–31—the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus—the pastor will guide the congregation through this powerful passage where Jesus pulls back the curtain on eternity. The message will explore questions that weigh on many […]