Anchor Bible Church - Sermons

The apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:14-21 is a heartfelt pastoral plea on behalf of believers that also helps shape our own desires and prayers.

In this sermon on Acts 13:26-41 we learn how the gospel is to be preached with an emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Ezekiel 14:1-11 recounts an encounter between the prophet Ezekiel and some elders of Israel who come to inquire of the Lord. However, God reveals that these elders have set up idols in their hearts and placed sinful stumbling blocks before themselves. Because of this hypocrisy, God declares that He will not answer them as they expect. Instead, He warns that anyone who turns to idols will be judged by Him directly.

In Colossians 3:12-13, the Apostle Paul lists three characteristics of every believer's new identity in Christ: chosen, holy, and beloved. Once we realize the true identity of our “new self,” we are ready to put off the “old self” and, by God's grace, become more and more who we truly are in Him.

In this sermon on Luke 2:1-20 we will consider the humble birth of the King of kings, Jesus Christ and how we must respond to Jesus in humility.

Many people know “the Christmas story” about a baby born in a manger. Yet, to know the story's true meaning, we must know who the One in the manger really is. In the opening of his gospel, John makes the truth stunningly clear: the baby who came from the womb of a virgin is none other than the Son of God from all eternity.

What should Christians do with the desire to sin in their lives.

From John 13:1-17, we see five actions of Jesus that help to reveal our Savior's character and remind us of our calling to humbly serve one another.

Psalm 51 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in all Scripture. As we examine David's prayer after his sin with Bathsheba, we learn how to seek God's forgiving, transforming, and restoring grace when we commit sin.

Many are troubled by the distressing news stories coming from all around the globe. The world today seems to be spiraling out of control, and we are tempted to ask, “Why can't things go back to the way they were?” However, God's Word tells us that such a question “does not come from wisdom.” In this sermon, we will explore the seven deadly stages of this kind of “foolish nostalgia.”

In this sermon on Hab. 3:16-19 we learn how to respond in a God glorifying way to very difficult foes, fears, and circumstances.

At one point or another, we have all wondered about the big questions of life: “Why do I exist? Is there real meaning to my life? Why is there evil in the world? What is the point of it all?” Far from shying away from such questions, God's Word faces them head-on and provides answers that many might find surprising. In this sermon, we will join the author of Ecclesiastes on his quest for the answers to life's toughest questions.

The subject of sanctification often suffers either from neglect or from misuse. Some Christians have been taught that sanctification is optional. Others think that doctrines of justification and sanctification are pitted against one another as opposites. One is sweet and glorious – one is wearisome and laborious. What is the truth about our sanctification? How important is it? How does it work? The answer God gives in Philippians 2:12-13 reveals that our obedience is both a daily necessity and also a marvelous mystery beyond our comprehension.

In context, the danger is false teaching. Assuming you have received Christ Jesus as “the Lord,” the real thrust of this text is the stability of your walk in Him. Your thankfulness externally confirms God's work internally.

We all often face times of trial and trouble in life. As believers we want to know, how does God want us to respond in the day of trouble? What does it look like to respond with faith even in the midst of difficult circumstances? From Psalm 86, as the king of Israel calls out to God in the day of his trouble, we learn five practical ways to demonstrate faith in the face of difficulty.

In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands His disciples not to sin by worrying and being anxious about their lives on earth, but rather to focus on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Jesus exposes the foolishness and futility of worrying and reminds His followers that they can – and must – entrust themselves to the care of their heavenly Father while they set their sights on serving Him.

In this sermon on Psalm 90:1-17 we are reminded of the eternity of God, the brevity of man, our need to be ready to meet our maker, and to seek the Lord's blessing in prayer.

The promises of God anchor us during the storms of affliction, so that our hope is found in the Lord.

From 1 Peter 1:3-5 we are going to see Peter call on the Saints in Asia Minor to bless God because of the inheritance that God will give all Believers at the last time.

Paul calls us to follow his and others' example of suffering loss for the sake of knowing Christ. So, when we feel the pain of loss, what is the hope that drives us on? It is primarily the eager expectation of a heavenly Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And along with His arrival, we look forward to transformed bodies and His omnipotent rule over all creation. This is how we must stand firm in the Lord.

In this sermon on Psa. 84 we see the worshiping pilgrim first desiring to worship in the temple, then traveling to Jerusalem for a pilgrim feast to worship in the temple, then arriving and being blessed with corporate worship in the temple.

In this sermon from Psalm 146 we are encouraged to praise the Lord and not trust in man, because God is our mighty helper.

From Psalm 54 we learn how to cope with hard trials, even life-threatening situations. David models for us a simple three step process for responding to trials in a God glorifying way.

In Psalm 13 we learn what to do when it seems the Lord has abandoned you, how we must think, what we must do, and how to give God glory even in the most painful and enduring trials.

Yahweh, the great Creator King, dramatically repulses the religious hypocrites, but then He promises to vindicate those who submit to His word. Our submission may incur earthly rejection, but we can trust that Yahweh will eventually prove us right for persevering in His promise. We will be satisfied by His justice and righteousness.

From Psalm 17 we learn how to pray with David in very hard and painful times, how to cast our cares upon the Lord, and have hope, no matter what happens to you in this life.

Sometimes we are shocked by the fruit of wickedness. Death, divorce, disease. What does faith look like during a crisis? Learn from Habakkuk how to meld human grief with godly hope. Recognize your weakness and be realistic. But also determine that you will rejoice in the God of your salvation. Proclaim that He is your strength.

In this sermon we consider what abortion is, learn that life begins in the womb, and examine Ex. 21:22-25 to see what biblical principles we can discover and apply to the holocaust of abortion.

Most every Christian would say that they understand the doctrine of justification by faith. It is, after all, one of the most important truths of our faith which gives us peace with God. However, many of the same Christians do not experience peace in their soul. Oftentimes, through lack of use and application of this truth, our faith comes in to a state of disrepair. By examining Romans 5:1-2, we will rediscover five marvelous realities of Christ's work on our behalf which should bring peace, joy, and confidence in Christ.

In this sermon on Psalm 8 we learn about the majestic splendor of God as displayed in creation, and His superabundant grace towards Adam's fallen race, which should move us to praise Him!

In Psalm 46 we learn to trust in and gain peace by reminding ourselves that the Lord is a refuge, strength, stronghold, and very present help in trouble to all who know and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In this sermon we survey all the texts in the Psalms that speak of giving thanks to the Lord, divide them up into five categories, and considering their practical application in the lives of believers.

From Psalm 25 we get a crash course in dealing with trials, hardship, and persecution in a God glorifying way.

I want to show you 4 aspects to the doctrine of assurance. First, what is the doctrine of assurance. Second, what are the blessings of assurance. Third, why do so many believers lack assurance. Fourth, How can you evaluate your faith to see if you are a true believer, so you can enjoy assurance.

In Hebrews 11:5-6, the author sets Enoch forward as a man of faith who is worthy of our imitation. We will investigate Enoch's fascinating life and consider why we must have faith like his to please the God who is and who rewards, and to gain approval like the men of old.

From Psalm 4:1-8 David counsels himself and us in how to find rest and peace when surrounded by wicked men who are reproaching us, trying to deceive us, and kill us.

From Romans 1:16-17 we are going to see two reasons why we are not to be ashamed of the gospel, so that we will have assurance that we have truly been made right with God, and with that assurance, we should be emboldened to share the gospel with those around us.

This account of the rich young ruler reveals to us the high demand of true discipleship. It teaches us some very important lessons about what it means to follow Jesus and what is required of all who would truly be His disciples. The question we must ask ourselves is simple; are we true disciples of Christ? Are we willing to follow Him no matter the cost?

Romans 8:28 is one of the most beloved verses in all the Bible, and for good reason. Yet, do we correctly understand this verse in its context? How can it be true that “all things work for good” when we suffer so many hardships and trials? Indeed, our Lord Himself promised that we would have trials and tribulations in this life. Can this beloved verse from Romans 8 really be true? As we study this verse in it's context, we come to understand what is our “greatest good.”

In this sermon from I Cor. 15:1-4 we look at seven ways the resurrection relates to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, so you will know why you must believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ to escape God's wrath and have hope that one day, you too will be raised from the dead with a glorified body like Jesus.

What is the true nature of Jesus' kingdom? What is the true mission of Jesus' kingdom? We must know the answer to these important questions in order to live as good citizens of the kingdom of God in this fallen world. Just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus reveals the essence of His kingdom as He stands on trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

In this sermon we consider the unchanging standard of biblical morality from I Corinthians 6:9-11 and related texts, learn why the immoral do not go to heaven, and learn how God's saving grace transforms sinners into saints.

After forty years of wandering in the desert, the people of Israel are now ready to enter the promised land. Joshua is commissioned to lead them across the Jordan River and into battle with its inhabitants. The task was monumental, but God would be faithful. Joshua must only be strong and courageous to follow the word of the Lord in obedience. In this sermon, we learn the timeless principles from Joshua's calling and how we can rise up in courageous faith to do all that God has called us to do for Him.

In this sermon on Acts 5:21 we examine the doctrine of being thankful, look at examples of being thankful, and consider how and why the apostles in the early days of the church, after being persecuted and physically abused, could rejoice and be thankful even in their suffering.

Three directives for the race of faith, so that together we might finish the course