Hunt Valley Baptist Church

The sermon centers on the unwavering resolve of the Apostle Paul to fulfill his divine mission, despite repeated warnings and escalating persecution as he journeys toward Jerusalem. It highlights Paul's profound commitment to the gospel, his willingness to endure suffering, imprisonment, and even death, all while maintaining joy and faithfulness to God's calling. Through vivid accounts of his trials—including false accusations, mob violence, beatings, and divine encouragement—Paul emerges as a model of steadfast faith, demonstrating that true discipleship involves sacrifice, perseverance, and trust in God's sovereign plan. The sermon also emphasizes the theological depth of Paul's epistles—1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans—revealing their purpose in addressing church divisions, establishing believers in truth, and articulating the comprehensive gospel of salvation by grace through faith. Ultimately, the message calls believers to embrace a transformed life, not for merit, but as a response to God's grace, striving to be conformed to Christ's image and to live as faithful witnesses in every circumstance.

The sermon centers on the enduring call to persistent prayer, drawn from Jesus' teaching in Luke 11:9–13, where the commands to 'ask, seek, and knock' are presented not as one-time requests but as ongoing spiritual disciplines rooted in faith and trust. It emphasizes that persistence in prayer is not about manipulating God but about aligning the heart with His will, refining priorities, and deepening relationship through continual dependence. The parable of the friend at midnight illustrates that God values perseverance, not because He is reluctant, but because He desires a transformed heart that yields fully to His purposes. The sermon underscores that God, as a loving Father, desires to give good things—though not always what we ask for—because His character is unchanging, His love is sincere, and His timing is perfect. Ultimately, the message calls believers to persevere in spiritual disciplines, evangelism, and personal growth, trusting that faithfulness in seeking leads to divine provision and spiritual maturity.

The sermon centers on the biblical principle of stewardship, emphasizing that every believer is accountable to God for how they manage the time, talents, treasures, and opportunities entrusted to them. Drawing from the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16 and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, it underscores that while the steward's dishonesty was not commended, his foresight and proactive planning in securing his future reflect a vital lesson: all believers must prepare for a day of reckoning when they will give an account of their stewardship. The message calls for a shift from attitudes of entitlement, hoarding, or fear-driven inaction to one of gratitude, generosity, and faithful investment in God's purposes, highlighting that true stewardship is marked by diligence, initiative, and a heart that sees all things as belonging to God. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to set achievable goals in 2026, not for personal gain, but to honor God, knowing that faithfulness in small things leads to greater rewards, recognition, and joy in God's presence.

The sermon, drawn from Acts 18 and 19, highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to both evangelism and discipleship during his third missionary journey, emphasizing that true Christian ministry involves not only reaching the lost but also nurturing believers through teaching, correction, and spiritual growth. Central to the message is the necessity of doctrinal depth—illustrated by Apollos, who, though fervent and eloquent, needed instruction in the full gospel, and by the disciples in Ephesus who knew only John's baptism, underscoring that salvation requires knowledge of Christ's finished work and the indwelling Holy Spirit, received at conversion, not as a later 'blessing.' The narrative also reveals the cost of faith, as seen in the confrontation with false spiritual power, the public renunciation of idolatry, and the dangers Paul faced, all of which point to the reality that genuine conversion brings transformation and separation from worldly practices. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to emulate Paul's example—being teachable, faithful in discipleship, and willing to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel, while recognizing that spiritual maturity is not measured by time but by depth of knowledge, obedience, and surrender to Christ.

The sermon centers on the critical danger of mistaking religious ritual for genuine spiritual encounter, using the Gospel account of Jesus' trial before Pilate to illustrate how the religious leaders, preoccupied with ceremonial purity, failed to recognize the true Lamb of God who was present among them. It warns that modern believers risk the same error by focusing on the outward forms of worship—such as the Lord's Supper—while neglecting the inward transformation and personal relationship with Christ that these practices are meant to foster. The preacher emphasizes that liturgy is a means, not the message, and calls the congregation to examine themselves, confess sin, and meditate on Christ's sacrifice with humility and sincerity. True spirituality, he argues, is not found in ritual performance but in daily obedience and meek submission to Christ, whose sacrificial love is the foundation of both salvation and sanctification. The message concludes with a personal invitation to surrender to Christ, whether for the first time or in renewed commitment, urging the hearers to prioritize the person of Jesus over any religious tradition or self-righteousness.

The sermon centers on the vital Christian imperative to continually restart in faith, ministry, and personal holiness, drawing from biblical examples such as Peter, David, Jonah, and John Mark, who all experienced failure yet were restored through repentance and renewed commitment. It emphasizes that spiritual stagnation, discouragement, and setbacks are inevitable, but God's grace enables a fresh beginning, as seen in Paul's changed view of Mark and David's repentance in Psalm 51. The preacher calls believers to reject the spirit of quitting, whether in service, witness, discipline, or relationship, urging a deliberate shift from spiritual inertia to active, obedient faith. Using historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and personal anecdotes, the message underscores perseverance and the transformative power of humility, repentance, and renewed surrender to God. Ultimately, the sermon challenges every believer to embrace the ongoing call to restart—especially in the new year—knowing that God's mercy is always available and His purpose for each life remains unfulfilled until one chooses to begin again.

In John 15, Jesus presents Himself as the true vine and believers as branches, emphasizing that spiritual life and fruitfulness are only possible through abiding in Him. The sermon unfolds a pastoral call to examine one's spiritual condition by identifying the works of the flesh—such as lust, pride, hatred, envy, and self-indulgence—that hinder the natural outpouring of the Spirit's fruit: love, joy, peace, gentleness, and self-control. It underscores that these fruits are not achievements to be worked for, but byproducts of a life rooted in Christ's Word, obedience, and love, and that their absence points not to God's failure, but to personal resistance to divine pruning. The preacher then turns to the Father as the husbandman, who diligently tends the vineyard, pruning and refining branches for greater fruitfulness, and warns that while Christ intercedes for believers, continued barrenness invites divine evaluation. The message concludes with a sobering challenge to self-examination before the new year, urging each person to prepare for spiritual growth so that Christ will not need to plead for more time, but will find a harvest of fruit that glorifies God.

The sermon centers on the transformative reality of new life in Christ, anchored in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where believers are declared new creatures through the fulfillment of God's New Covenant in Jesus Christ. It unfolds through a series of spiritual renewals—new covenantal grace replacing the old law, a renewed identity marked by righteousness and holiness, a transformed demeanor reflecting Christ-like character, and the promise of a new heaven and earth where God dwells with His people eternally. Emphasizing daily renewal, the message calls believers to embrace each new day as an opportunity for repentance, growth, and faithful living, grounded in God's mercies that are new every morning. The tone is both pastoral and urgent, inviting both non-believers and Christians to seize the present moment for spiritual transformation, not waiting for a future reset but beginning today in Christ.

The sermon centers on the biblical truth that time is fleeting, transient, and ultimately uncertain, urging believers to live with a God-centered perspective rather than self-reliant planning. Drawing from James 4:13–16, Psalm 90, and Matthew 6:34, it emphasizes that life is brief—like a vapor, mist, or fog—reminding listeners that tomorrow is not guaranteed and is unknown, even to us, though it is known to God. The message calls for daily surrender of plans to God's will, rejecting presumption and boasting about the future, and instead embracing the imperative to 'seek first the kingdom of God' and to ask, 'What does God want me to do today?' It underscores that today is sufficient, filled with enough challenges and opportunities to steward wisely, and that faith is most real when walking into the unknown with Christ. The sermon concludes with an invitation to yield daily to God's guidance, trusting in His provision and presence, and living each day as a response to His grace.

Our church recently presented A Son Is Given, a powerful Christmas cantata written by Adam Morgan that proclaims the gospel message through a compelling courtroom drama. Set within the framework of a trial, the cantata vividly portrays humanity standing guilty before a righteous Judge, only to discover hope, redemption, and justification through Jesus Christ. Through Scripture, narration, and music, A Son Is Given reminds us that Christ came not merely as a baby in a manger, but as the Savior who willingly took our place, paid our debt, and offered forgiveness and new life. This moving presentation points clearly to the heart of Christmas: God's gift of His Son, given so that we might be redeemed and declared righteous through faith in Him.

The sermon emphasizes the divine principle of order in all aspects of life, rooted in Scripture and illustrated through practical examples from daily living, church practice, and personal development. It highlights a biblically grounded sequence—salvation, baptism, church membership, and then service—as essential for spiritual health and accountability, warning against the modern tendency to bypass commitment for convenience. The message extends to life stages, urging individuals to embrace their current season with integrity, particularly in parenting, adolescence, and relationships, where God's design for love, intimacy, and maturity is to be honored in marriage, not prematurely pursued. It also calls for disciplined stewardship of time, money, and spiritual priorities, exemplified by making Scripture and prayer the foundation of each day. Ultimately, the sermon presents God's order not as restriction, but as a protective and life-giving framework that leads to lasting joy, purpose, and eternal impact.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a Spirit-filled life as a Christian, drawing from Galatians 5 and other Scripture passages. The central message is that believers should walk in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, as the Spirit and the flesh are in constant conflict. The preacher contrasts living under the law, which leads to bondage, with living by the Spirit, which brings freedom in Christ. The sermon highlights the Holy Spirit's roles in convicting, cleansing, comforting, counseling, and cultivating Christ-like character in believers. The preacher stresses that the Spirit-filled life is not optional but a command for every believer, enabling them to live victoriously and bear the fruit of the Spirit. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging listeners to daily surrender to the Spirit's control and guidance.

Faith and Blue 2025