The EBC Sermon page
The Truth Will Set You Free — John 8:31–37In this message, Pastor Mike unpacks what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. Drawing from John 8, we're reminded that genuine disciples abide in Christ's word, are set free by truth, and must understand their spiritual slavery. True freedom isn't found in self-expression, but in submission to God's design. Jesus shows us that it's only when we acknowledge our bondage to sin that we can receive the freedom He offers. And that freedom is not abstract—it's relational: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
In the book of John, Jesus declares himself by many names. This week we look at Jesus' declaration, “I am Light of the World”. Jesus, and only Jesus, can lead us into the light and away from darkness.
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”- John 20:26–29
Mark 10:42-45 - The Way of GreatnessWhat does the bible say about true greatness?1.GREATNESS: SHARING IN THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST“You don't know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” Mark 10:382.GREATNESS: SACRIFICIAL SERVICE OF OTHERSFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Ps Mike explores the passage on the woman caught in adultery and Jesus's response. He explores the validity of the passage and how it is the perfect example of Christ's character.On our best day we need Christ just as much as we need him on our worst day.
We go through the Old Testament to see what it says about who Jesus is and what he will do.#1 - The King (from Bethlehem)#2 - The ProphetMicah 5:2Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 5:22-33Hebrews 1:1-2, 3:3-6John 18:33-37
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.”
John 7:11-3911 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning,[d] when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's[e] will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”Can This Be the Christ?25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,' and, ‘Where I am you cannot come'?”Rivers of Living Water37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as[f] the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 7:1-10 | Blind BrothersIndwelling sin means we do wrong.Indwelling sin means we have wrong understanding.Indwelling sin means we cannot see.
In this sermon, we explore what it means to live in a gospel-centered community, where the love of Christ shapes our relationships and interactions. The gospel not only saves us from sin but invites us into the family of God, where we are deeply loved by Him. In response to God's love, we are called to love one another—though this love can be difficult, it is the essence of Christian unity and forgiveness. As God joyfully watches His children love each other, so too does He desire us to embody this love in tangible ways. True love isn't just preached or sung about; it must be expressed through action. Reflecting on the teachings of 1 John and C.S. Lewis, we are reminded that God's love is dynamic, a living activity that calls us to small acts of love today, which prepare us for even greater sacrifices tomorrow. The challenge for the church is to love authentically and selflessly, starting with the everyday moments of grace we share together.
This week we explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ - that all those who become Christians become Disciples. That all discipleship is - or should be - Gospel-centred.There are two steps to the Christian life, to believe in Him, and to abide in Him.We also look at the two parts to Gospel discipleship - the Gospel shape and the Gospel power, that the commands of God, are rooted in the Gospel of Christ.
Gospel Centred (Eph. 2.1-10)Clear on Sin (v.1-3)Clear of Grace (v.4-9)Clear on Holiness (v.10)
2 Timothy 4:16-18 God is NearPeople really will let you down (v16)Jesus never will (v17)So you can face whatever is coming (v18)
2 Corinthians 4:5-18Strong or weak? How does my idea of the a good Christian affect my view on:Salvation – My standing with GodThe mission – Sharing hope with others
God With Us - Draw Near To God Part 11: The Word2: Open the door3: RepentancePart 24: Do ministry5: Give him your burdens6: Gather together
In Galatians 5:1-15, Paul talks to the church about three main areas:1. Their slavery to the law2. The freedom they should have in the Gospel3. The freedom that fulfils the law
God With Us - Draw Near To God 11: The Word2: Open the door3: RepentancePart 24: Do ministry5: Give him your burdens6: Gather together
There are three reactions in Matthew 2:1-12 to the news of the birth of Jesus. There was resentment from Herod at the new “King of the Jews”. There was indifference from the Jewish people, who were “troubled” by his coming and did not received him. The Magi, however, sought him out and rejoiced in his coming.How do we react to the Word of the coming of Jesus?
John 2:19-21 - Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?”But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty…
We were created for nearness with God, but during the fall there was broken trust, an act of betrayal, and separation from God. Through the coming of Jesus, we have a way to be clothed in the righteousness of God and draw near to Him once more.
John 6:48-71 The Day Jesus Blew Up His Own MovementBecause Jesus loves us best, he is very willing to have necessary confrontation.Is he your Lord?
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. JOHN 6:37
John 6:20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
In this week's sermon, Pastor Matt dives into John 6:1-43, where Jesus miraculously feeds the 5,000, yet the crowd misses the deeper meaning behind the miracle. While they were focused on their immediate physical need for food, Jesus points them toward something far more profound: the true satisfaction of their deepest longings, which only He can provide.Pastor Matt draws a parallel with the Israelites in Numbers 11, who grumbled about their physical needs, showing that no matter how much we crave the things of this world, they can never truly satisfy. The real provision is found in Jesus Himself. As He declares, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:36), He is not just a means to an end—He is the end. Jesus is not just the giver of what we want; He is the goal, the prize, and the reward we are ultimately seeking.
Jesus has previously claimed in John 5, that He is equal with God, that He will judge the world, and that He is the only source of life.In John 5: 32-40, we explore Jesus going on both the offense and defense of these claims. In defense, Jesus calls to witness the Father, the Forerunner in John the Baptist, the Works for Jesus to accomplish, and the Words of Scripture. In John 5:41-47, Jesus goes on the offensive. He speaks on their dependence and hope on the law of Moses, but do not seek Jesus, of whose glory comes from the Father.
In today's sermon, "Jesus Gives Life," we explore the profound truths found in John 5:18-30. Jesus offers us eternal life, not just in terms of endless duration, but also in its richness and abundance—transforming our existence into one filled with divine quality.While we were created for community, our fallen nature often pushes us toward independence; yet, in Christ, our redeemed selves long for true dependence on Him. Instead of looking within for solutions, we must recognize that such introspection is part of the problem.Ultimately, Jesus grants us life, freeing us from judgment and ushering us into a new existence where we are born again through Him.
John 5:18-30 | Un-Shrinking JesusWhat did Jesus say about himself? Jesus will judge.Jesus Himself will judge all (v. 22, 27)There are only two paths (v. 28-29)His judgements are just (v.30)
The Divinity of PersonsThe Distinction of PersonsThe Unity of the Persons
#1 It's all, always about Jesus (v.1-3)#2 We grow the same way we start (v.4-7)#3 God in is Christ, Christ in is you (v.8-10)
Embracing that we are Reconciled (v21-23)Embracing Christ in us (v24-27)Embracing Maturity in Christ (v28-29)
Colossians 1 || Living in ChristColossians 1:1-20As we begin our mini-series in Colossians, we are called to give up our fear of man and instead fear and worship him who is worthy.
Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked… John 5:8-9 #1 – Jesus interprets scripture #2 – Don't add to the Word #3 – See God's heart
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. John 4:47 This sermon covers: #1 – The Miracle #2 - The sign
LIVING WATER (v. 1-15) HEART WOUNDS (v.16-19) TRUE WORSHIP (v. 20-26) SIMPLE WITNESS (v. 27-30)
“If you know the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:1-15 Is there any hope for someone like me?
“He who comes from above is above all.” John 3:31 In this passage in the Gospel of John, we are presented with truth of who Jesus is and the rejection by the world through ignorance. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life and whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life…” John 3:36
“He must increase I must decrease.” John 3:30 1) A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 2) I am not the Christ 3) Much will be required 4) Because he was before me. 5) The one who has the bride is the bridegroom 6) The friend rejoices 7) We are the bride 8) Therefore this joy of mine is now complete 9) This is our ultimate hope
A Growing Church How do we Keep Growing, as a church? Part 4 of our Keep Growing series. #1 Growing in Gospel Service: Loving like Christ (v. 7-12) #2 Growing in Gospel Doctrine: Knowing Christ (v. 12-14) #3 Growing in Gospel Speech: Speaking like Christ (v. 15-16)
Knowing God #1: Why it matters #2: What it means True Christianity is about knowing a person -Jesus
1. Confidence in Grace- Jesus becomes our priest for the atoning sacrifice therefore we have confidence to approach God as we stand behind the blood of Jesus 2. Draw near- You are invited into His presence so accept God's grace and grow in it 3. Hold fast- Hold fast the confession of our hope.- Keep believing the content of the Bible and preach it to be true to others 4. Stir up- Grow in grace together… you need other Christians
Christian growth is not automatic. The world is ending. Take care not to be carried away. Keep growing!
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
Do I believe in the Son of God? Yes, I believe in the Son --> No, I am not condemned No, I don't believe in the Son --> Yes, I stand condemned
Who is God? John 1:18 - The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known. …Know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Eph 3:17-19 God loves THIS world and the love of God is for YOU.