Feed My Sheep

Like the parable of the soils, we are to sow the seed of the gospel in all kinds of soil, leaving the results to God. In this Bible study, we learn how to share the gospel truthfully and urgently yet in a sprit of love.  (Part 4 in our evangelism training class at Calvary Church West Hills)

"Anyone Can Cook!" said chef Gusteau in the movie Ratatouille. As Christians, we might also say, "Anyone can share the gospel!" We actually have a duty to be salt and light as part of Jesus' Great Commission. You might think an "evangelist" is a highly trained and gifted specialist, but God wants all of us to grow in confidence as evangelists. Find out more in this week's episode. You will be encouraged that even if you feel inadequate, God is ready to use you. (Part three of our Evangelism Class at Calvary Church West Hills) 

Can you explain the gospel simply? Would you be able to lead a person to Christ? The gospel is the power of God that leads to salvation, but some of us struggle to put it into words. In this Bible study lesson, we learn... What is evangelism? What are some reasons we don't evangelize? What the gospel isn't What the gospel is A simple, helpful outline of the gospel This is part two of an Evangelism Class taught at Calvary Church in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Thanks for listening!

Want to learn how to share the gospel more effectively? Maybe you've wondered why it's so hard to talk about Jesus with unbelievers. In this Bible Study lesson, we answer the question, "Why Don't We Evangelize?" By the end of this lesson you should be able to... Follow the outline and flow of our new Evangelism Class Understand Peter's denial and how Jesus restored him Be aware of excuses we all make in why we don't evangelize Take twelve steps to evangelize more faithfully This is part one of an Evangelism Class taught at Calvary Church in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Thanks for listening!

As sinners, we deserve only one thing. We deserve hell. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:46). But if we place our faith in Christ, we don't get what we deserve. There is freedom and forgiveness in Christ. In this sermon, we learn... A review of the first two chapters of Colossians How the gospel frees us from the power of sin Common areas where legalism can creep in Should we expect new revelation like visions and dreams today?

Zechariah 4 contains a strange dream about olive trees and a lampstand, but the meaning is actually quite simple. God promises to pour out His Spirit and all the tools necessary to obey him. In this sermon, we get... A short history lesson on the prophet Zechariah The vision of the lampstand Why Zechariah 4:6 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible Places a church might be tempted to find their identity and strength  How to jump over the hurdles in life that stand in our way Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by topic or book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon Hub on my blog.

It's no fun to lose. In this study of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, we learn... The prize that awaits those who finish the race of life Paul's love for athletic images in Scripture Why we should invest in heaven The danger of being disqualified from ministry Practical ways to grow in self-control Thanks for listening. To find a complete list of sermons by topic or scripture passage, please visit the Sermon Hub on my blog.  

New year, new you! Many people want change and self-improvement. The deepest and most meaningful kind of change starts with the heart. In this study of Romans 12:1-2, we learn... why we should present our bodies as living sacrifices to God common ways the world tries to press us into its image The need for a steady diet of Scripture to renew the mind The role of the Holy Spirit in transformation Resisting worldly influence and pursuing a life rooted in Christ Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

In today's lesson, we learn about the important doctrine of union with Christ. Spiritual circumcision and baptism are two metaphors the Bible uses for the spiritual transformation that is ours through his shed blood. Because of Christ's victory, we have new life. Praise God, the debt we owed him has been paid in full!

Who can you trust? How do you know what's true? In this sermon, we discuss... The danger of false doctrine and empty philosophy Jesus as the source of wisdom and protection against error Why pursuing wisdom is like going on a treasure hunt What exactly is gnosticism, and why were the Colossians at risk?  An opportunity to trust in Christ today Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

The goal of all preaching is to see people made complete in Christ Jesus. In this study of Colossians 1:24-29, we learn... Why you can rejoice in times of suffering What's the difference between teaching and preaching? Simple ways you can serve the Lord The role of admonishing in your spiritual growth  Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog. 

Conflict is unavoidable. In this sinful world, you will sometimes be offended and disappointed, and you will let others down as well. How can you become a more peaceful person? In this study of Colossians 1:21-23, we discover... The reason God saved you How sanctification is a process, not a one-time event That peace with others begins by finding peace with God Taking the first step in reconciliation The importance of patience and forgiveness Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons listed by topic and book of the Bible, please visit my Sermon Page.

Only Jesus provides a sure foundation for his church. In this study of Colossians 1:15-20, we learn... that Jesus is head of the church What does it means that he is "firstborn from the dead"? How the church is a unified body with diverse roles Our hope in a future resurrection Finding peace with God and others The urgency of making peace with God while there's still time Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

People debate who is the "GOAT" (greatest of all time) in sports. Here in Colossians 1:15-20, we see that Jesus is the true GOAT! The image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. The one through whom all things were created. No one can compete with the supremacy and glory of Christ. In this sermon, we learn... Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. He is not just an imprint or likeness of God; He is the perfect representation and equality with God. This means he is fully God. that Jesus always existed, even before His physical birth. Jesus is actually the object of our worship, and God alone deserves worship. Encouragement to make Jesus the center of their lives and worship. Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

No matter the trials you face, God can help you endure and keep an attitude of thankfulness. 

Paul prays that the church would "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord." In this study, we learn... What does it mean to "walk" with God? A life lesson from the great John Wooden Why maturity leads to fruitfulness God is the most interesting person in the universe Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

Wouldn't it be great if you could know God's will for your life? God wants you to know his will. In this lesson, we learn... What the Apostle Paul prays for Dangerous doctrines in Colossae The two "wills" of God What you can know for sure about God's will How to make practical decisions in life Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Sermon Page. 

Missionary C.T. Studd once said, "I cannot tell you what joy it gave me to bring the first soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have tasted almost all the pleasures that this world can give...but I can tell you that those pleasures were as nothing compared to the joy that the saving of that one soul gave me.” In the final part of this sermon, we talk about the place of missions in the local church.

The Holy Spirit is alive and active! He alone gives you the power to obey the Great Commission.

The responsibility of being a witness did not end with Peter and the original twelve apostles. Each new generation is expected to "grab the baton" and faithfully pass it on to the next generation.

One of the signs of a healthy church is that they're growing in their passion for the lost and their commitment to take the gospel to the nations. 

There's an old statistic that says 80% of church ministry is done by 20% of the people. What if we could change that statistic, and have a larger percentage of members exercising their gifts in the body of Christ? In this message, we consider what it looks like practically when God gives his church a "mind to work."

Like Israel in the days of Nehemiah, Christians must remain dependent on God even as we work hard to advance the gospel. 

When Israel's enemies mocked and threatened them, Nehemiah led the people to pray to God for help. This sermon on Nehemiah 4 was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 28, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog. I'm trying out a new style of podcast that turns one sermon into several shorter podcast episodes. Let me know what you think of this new format!

Are you busy and want to listen to sermons in smaller, bite-sized portions? I'm testing out a new format of breaking one sermon down into several podcast episodes that are only 10-15 minutes long. Let me know what you think! This sermon on Nehemiah 4 was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 28, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.  

From the moment a person visits our campus or checks out our website, we want there to be a “sweet aroma” that draws them in. The church should be permeated with a spirit of love and a culture of grace that makes people glad they came, then makes them want to stay. In this lesson, we learn... What the church can learn from Cinnabon The importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves daily Some nasty behaviors we need to "put off" What's the difference between patience and kindness? Signs of a loving church Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 21, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

Francis Schaeffer once said, "There are no little people, no little places." The prophet Zechariah reminds us that we should never despise the day of small things. In this message, we learn... That spiritual growth is a process rather than the flipping of a "light switch" Who is Zerubbabel, and why is he important? How we can grow discouraged at lack of growth or slowness of progress God's promise to watch and care for the blameless The need for godly leadership in the 21st century  Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, August 11, 2024. For more about our ministry, please visit our church website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.   

Zechariah's vision of a lampstand teaches that God will generously give His Holy Spirit and all the tools necessary to obey. In this sermon, we learn... That God sometimes spoke in dreams and visions The historical background of Zechariah How we are tempted to rely on our own strength instead of God's God's promise to care for you and overcome your biggest obstacles Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, August 4, 2024. For more information about our ministry, please visit our church website. For a complete list of all my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog. 

The second feature of a Bible-believing, gospel-centered church is that we should have a hunger for truth. Sermon preached at Calvary Church West Hills on 4/11/24.

Last Sunday at Calvary Church West Hills, I began a five-part series on what it means to be a healthy, growing, gospel-centered church. The church should be known for its love for Christ, and together we look at ways this will manifest itself in how we do ministry. This message was also posted on our official Calvary Church page on Sermon Audio. Video is available on our YouTube page. 

One of the Bible's most common descriptions for spiritual leadership is a shepherd. In John 10, Jesus presents himself as both the Good Shepherd and the Door of the Sheep. All who hear his voice are invited to follow after him.

In Genesis 15, God invites Abram to look up into the night sky and count the stars, if he is able. In this Bible study, we learn... How to understand the flow of Genesis More than once, a "miracle baby" would advance God's rescue plan How God shows mercy by waiting to destroy the Amorites The Protestant doctrine of "justification by faith" found here in Genesis Covenants as a key to understanding our Bible Growing in patience as we trust and obey the Lord Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

Rainbows and rainbow flags may conjure a different image today, but the rainbow was originally designed to remind us of a special promise from God. In this study of Genesis 9, we learn... What people were allowed to eat for the first time after the flood A poetic warning in Genesis 9:6 Is it inhumane to kill animals? Even if you aren't a murderer, you've likely done this... How a weapon of war became a token of grace Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

The resurrection is at the core of the Christian faith. Without it, we have no hope. In this study of Mark 16, we learn... Why the disciples were surprised when they heard Jesus was alive How a Jewish "day" differs from a Western "day" How we know that Jesus' body was not simply stolen and hidden What do we do with these strange final verses in Mark 16?? A change that happens when the Holy Spirit arrives This lesson was part of our Sunday morning Bible Study Community series on the Gospel of Mark. Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

It rained at least "forty days and forty nights," but Noah's flood was far from over after 40 days. In Genesis 8, the author describes Noah waiting for waters to recede and dry land to appear. In this passage, we learn... How we know Noah's flood was a global - not local - flood event What does it mean that God "remembered" Noah? Had he somehow forgotten? The total amount of time Noah and his family spent on the ark The significance of Noah sending out a raven and dove Noah's first act upon setting foot on dry land What Noah's sacrifice means for us today Thanks for listening. To find a complete list of Bible studies and sermons, please visit my teaching page. 

Many counseling and recovery programs stress the importance of accountability partners. But what exactly do these relationships look like? In this lesson, we discuss... Key takeaways from our biblical counseling class The importance of understanding our new identity in Christ How to confront and restore someone who is struggling Helpful questions for any accountability relationship Thanks for listening. This is the final week in a 12-week biblical counseling class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please see my Teaching Page.

Natural disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes occur somewhere on the earth every day. The largest disaster in history is described for us in Genesis 6-8. This flood was so widespread its effects are visible in geology around the globe, and most ancient civilizations have their own flood legends. In this study, we discuss... Why early humans lived so long before the flood -- some almost a thousand years! God's holiness and the spiritual darkness of the world in Noah's day My visit to the "Ark Encounter" in Williamstown, Kentucky How the ark was perfectly suited as a life boat for humans and animals Thanks for listening. To find a full archive of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

Within one generation, Adam & Eve's sin led to a downward spiral of human envy, deceit, hatred, and the murder of one of their sons. Last Sunday, our Bible Study looked at Genesis 4 together. It was definitely an unusual Christmas Eve passage, but such evil and injustice actually remind us why Christ came into our world. In this passage, we discussed... Christmas carols with a darker tone Why did the LORD accept Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's? How the New Testament authors point to Cain as a warning What to do when you sense sin "crouching at the door" How God showed mercy in spite of Cain's cold-blooded act Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Teaching Page.

Good things often come in small packages. Never was this more true than when the Messiah -- our Deliverer-- arrived as a newborn baby in a little town called Bethlehem. In this study of Luke 2:1-15, we learn... The answer to an interesting question about "crush" versus "strike" in Genesis 3:15 Why holiday traditions are important, and ideas on how to create your own Who exactly was Caesar Augustus anyway? The significance of baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths How Christmas fulfilled a prophecy made 1,000 years earlier Thanks for listening! For a complete list of my sermons and Bible study lessons organized by topic or Bible passage, please visit my Teaching Page.

Have you ever done something you came to regret? Maybe you acted foolishly, made a costly mistake, or damaged a relationship. Genesis 3 details a decision Adam and Eve would deeply regret -- one with continuing consequences in our world today. In this lesson, we learn... Why a snake was talking to Eve Satan's deadly tactics and how to avoid them Some of the lies Satan and culture still speak God's righteous punishment for sin Signs of hope that God will not abandon the human race Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

In his goodness, God created a beautiful, habitable world, and everything Adam and Eve would need to know and worship him. In this study, we learn... How Genesis 1-2 is foundation to the rest of Scripture A helpful way to remember what God created on each of the six days What makes the God of the Bible different from other deities and religions That marriage is between one man and one woman in life-long, covenant commitment Thanks for listening. This lesson was shared during our Sunday morning median adult Bible Study Community at Immanuel Baptist Church. For a complete list of sermons and Bible Study lessons, please visit my teaching page.

Just hours before his execution, Jesus spent time in fellowship with his Father praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this lesson, we learn... How God's children are sometimes called to suffer deeply A quick overview of the layout of the city of Jerusalem How the cross is the ultimate expression of God's love The privilege of prayer in times of trouble Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies arranged by topic and scripture passage, please visit my teaching page.

Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? One of the most important passages in the Gospels on end times prophecy is found in the Olivet Discourse. In Mark 13, Jesus responds to the question, "When will these things be, and what will be the sign when all will be accomplished?" In this lesson, we discuss... Apocalyptic signs that will lead up to the "last days" Jesus' helpful analogy of labor pains Human history can be broken up into five worlds How should we handle differences on matters of eschatology? The wonderful promise that believers are not under condemnation Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies arranged by topic and book of the Bible, please visit my teaching page here.

God does not need a temple, yet he chose to establish a temple and accept our worship when it comes from a pure heart. In this study of Mark 11, we learn... A chaotic scene on the temple mount How you are God's temple How Jesus' behavior is a model for righteous anger What is the significance of Jesus cursing the fig tree? Does does faith enable you to "move mountains"? Thanks for listening. For a complete list of all sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Teaching page.

Want to learn how to lead an adult Bible study? In this workshop session, I share... Words of hope for those feeling discouraged in ministry The importance of preparing the teacher How clean vessels make useful vessels Why God cares more about character than raw talent Thanks for listening. This is part 1 of 3 in a series I taught at the Ministry Connect Conference at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Other sessions will be posted soon.

Few things are harder for a parent than watching their child suffer. We do everything we can to protect and comfort them, but what happens in Mark 9 is almost unimaginable. In this passage, we see... A great commotion as Jesus returns from the Transfiguration A young boy tormented by a demon in many ways The dangers of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and demons in our world today God's will to help your faith mature, like building your muscles The most important thing is not the size of your faith, but placing that faith in Jesus alone

James warns us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. In this lesson, we discover... Biblical patterns of confrontation and change The final step in the Love -> Know -> Speak -> Do process How to avoid turning your life into a messy California mudslide Bridging the gap from "then" to "now" Practical steps to finding relevant applications in any verse of the Bible Thanks for listening. This is part eleven in a 12-week biblical counseling class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands."

The Jews yearned for a Savior who would free them from Roman oppression. What they didn't expect was a Messiah who would suffer and die. In this lesson, we discuss... What kind of Messiah did the Jews expect? A watershed moment in the Gospel of Mark What Jesus meant by handing Peter the "keys to the kingdom" Jesus' surprising announcement of how the Son of Man would suffer The moment Peter acted on Satan's behalf and earned a sharp rebuke Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of a three month Series on Mark in our Sunday Morning Bible Study Community.