New Eden Church Sermons

In part one of our series on deacons in the church, we explore what the Scriptures have to say about when deacons are established, why their role is important, and what they actually are called to do.

Jesus taught His followers to pray with a shameless boldness. But why is this possible? And how can we trust that the Father actually wants us to pray in this manner?

"Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation.” We can trust God, because He is the Lord of provision, forgiveness, and deliverance.

"Your Kingdom Come."Implied in this prayer is full surrender to God's Kingdom not our own. But because of the work of Jesus, this is good news for a world full of division and death.

"Father, your name be honored as holy."In the opening lines of the Lord's prayer, our eyes are lifted upward. We are reminded of God's identity, His sanctity, and by grace alone, we are invited into His family.

"He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray..." There was something about the way Jesus interacted with God that caused His disciples to want to know more. In this first sermon of the series, we explore how Jesus not only explained prayer, but also was the One Who enables prayer and makes it possible.

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning? My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest."

The last chapter of Genesis summarizes many of the themes and truths scattered throughout the book. Only God is God and God is only good. And this good God is the only god who became like us so we could become like Him. Truly, He is working all things for good.

As Jacob's life comes to a close, we see a complete trust and assurance in the promises of God. As he speaks declarations over his son, we see that He is now operating with a Kingdom lens. And through his words to Judah and Joseph, we see beautiful foreshadows of the coming King.

The story of famine in Egypt serves to remind us of the futility of placing our hope in earthly possessions. Instead, we are encouraged to place our trust in the true heavenly provision offered us in Christ alone.

Even though Jacob's life had been hard and troublesome, God was faithful through the ups and downs. In the end, Jacob and his family was restored, reminded us that God can bring beauty from the darkest of circumstances.

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

After 20 years have passed, Joseph comes face-to-face with his brothers who sold him into slavery. The tensions build leading up to the big reveal, when Joseph will forgive his brother's actions, even at significant cost to himself. This points us to the One who extends at even greater forgiveness, given to all who repent and believe the good news.

The source of Joseph's wisdom and power was not from within, but from God. And this wisdom and power was given for a purpose, the salvation of many souls. The source of all true wisdom, power, and salvation is from God and God alone.

"But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part."

Sold into slavery down to Egypt, Joseph is thrust into a situation of testing as he faces temptation from Potiphar's wife. Though Joseph does respond in an exemplary manner, humans need a better Joseph. One who does not flee when sin arrives but instead faces it head-on, defeating it through His life, death, and resurrection.

On its surface, this chapter contains one of the weirdest stories in all of Scripture. But tucked away in the story's details are beautiful pictures of God's grace toward the oppressed. The oft-forgotten Tamar stands to testify that God sees the lowly and bends his ear to the hurting. He gives them places of honor in His Kingdom and uses them for purposes more remarkable than they could ever imagine.

The saga of Genesis begins a new chapter, as we're introduced to Joseph, a character who will figure prominently in the story moving forward. His life will point us to the one true eternal King and Deliverer, Jesus the chosen Messiah.

*This short portion of the Sunday gathering was at the end of an update on our Global Partners. For security purposes, we cannot publish the full update publicly. For a private link, please email info@newedenchurch.org.

Mark records the genealogy of Jesus, stating that He was simply the Son of God. The boy born of the virgin Mary would grow to wage war on sin and death, defeating it through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.

Matthew reveals for us that the baby boy is the eternal King of the universe, come to bring redemption for all.

Nothing will be impossible with God! How can Someone be completely human and completely God? Luke is determined for his audience to know that the Savior of the world is the answer to the question.

The prophet Malachi speaks of a coming day when all injustice and wickedness will be dealt with. But for those who stand in awe of God's name, this day is good news. God will dwell with His people, all tears will be wiped away, and all creation will be put to right.

The nation of Israel makes some strong accusations against God, putting Him on trial. The irony is that the nation was the guilty party, working injustice and withholding the tithe. So, God challenges them to try Him in a different way. Return to Him, test His character, and find out if He is faithful to His promises.

Individuals in the nation are committing acts of betrayal against God. This concerns Yahweh because betrayal against God always leads to betrayal against others, even their partners in the marriage covenant. Ultimately, this points us to the one faithful groom who's never betrayed His bride.

After reminding the nation of His love for them, God gets right into His case against the leaders of the nation - the priests. They had shunned their responsibilities, bringing chaos and cursing on God's people. The situation is dark, but it forces us to lift our eyes to the only true Priest of peace.

The prophet, Malachi, moderates a debate between God and His people. Israel's actions have proven that they are believing some lies about God, and these need to be challenged. God graciously starts by reminding them that no matter their earthly circumstances, He loves them. He always has, and He always will.

The Jacob portion of the story begins to wind down, and the narrator ties up some loose ends. The one constant through all the ups and downs, the highs and the lows, and the births and the deaths is this: God has been with Jacob everywhere he has gone.

The story gets dark and personal as Dinah, Jacob's daughter, is raped by a powerful man in a neighboring city. The act is reprehensible, and the story causes us to wonder what the response of the characters will be. Challenging ethical questions are raised about the solutions proposed, but the biggest question is this. Where is God, and how does he respond in the face of grave injustice? *DISCLAIMER: This sermon contains themes of sexual abuse.

Chapter 15 of Luke contains one of the most familiar stories in the entire New Testament, the story of the prodigal son. Though this story has taken a life of its own, close examination causes us to stop and ask: Who really is the most prodigal one in the story?

God has been freely offering Jacob the blessing, but he's still striving to posture and earn. On the eve of a fearful meeting with his brother Esau, God interrupts and meets Jacob, speaking to him in the only language he'll understand - wrestling and striving.

The narrator of Genesis uses the close of the Jacob/Laban saga to reinforce an essential truth for God's people: "The Lord our God, the Lord is one." There are no other gods who compare to the one true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This story is not about Jacob's superiority over Laban. It's about God's superiority against the false gods of this age. He alone is worthy.

Even while dwelling in a foreign land and even in the midst of much strife and pain, Jacob's family expands. God provides for this family - not because of their goodness but because of His. This points us to Jesus - the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a people and provision.

Jacob continues on the run, trying to escape the mess he created. But even as he runs, he can't outrun God's grace. Through the story of Jacob and his unwanted wife, Leah, we learn that there is grace abundant for the fleeing, the failing, and the forgotten.

God meets Jacob in the middle of his journey and confirms the unilateral promise of blessing. Even though Jacob has a hard time receiving this unconditional grace and still wants to bargain with God, he responds in worship the best way he can.

Rebekah and Jacob attempt to work out God's plans through deceitful means, which backfires and leads to division and the threat of death. Anytime humans try to play "God," chaos ensues. Thankfully, through a gracious inversion, God becomes human and puts everything back to right.

Isaac and his family are flooded with God's goodness, as they are given protection, provision, and peace - even while dwelling as foreigners in the midst of great famine. This provides us with a snapshot of Eden, foreshadowing the day when the true Shepherd will bring a new creation through his life, death, and resurrection.

God reveals that His upside-down way of working in the world will continue through a chosen one, Jacob, the younger of Rebekah's twins. This would've been a shocking revelation, but if we've been paying attention, we'll be in tune with the pattern that's emerging. This story points us forward to the most unlikely chosen One of all. And His success is guaranteed.

God has graciously revealed Himself to humanity through His creation and His word. Though this is remarkable, this revelation alone is not enough to redeem the world. The final revelation we're pointed to in Psalm 19 is the best news ever - God has revealed Himself finally and completely in the person of Jesus. And His redemption is offered to all.

God's design is that His people dwell in His presence. This is when we are most whole, happy, and secure. But this mission does not come without a cost. Christ Himself came and dwelt among sinful men and obeyed His Father, even unto death, so that we might be united to God's presence for eternity.

God's people are commanded to sing so that the praises of Yahweh might expand to every corner of the earth. But this isn't just any song. It's the song of God's salvation and kingship, that is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Christ. And when Jesus reigns, the entire earth will be at rest.

The psalmist, David, feels freedom to cry out and share with God how he feels, including making accusations against God Himself. But soon, his authentic anger gives way to a surprising joy and peace that is just as authentic. But how does this transformation happen? And is this same transformation possible for those of us who find ourselves still crying out, "How Long, O Lord?!?"

The Psalmist records a number of promises for the people of God in Psalm 91. But who are these promises really about? And how do they apply for us in our day and age? The answers drive us to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Where do we turn when we need help? False idols of this age clamor for our attention and trust, but there is only one strong tower where we can find shelter. This Kingdom of God cannot be shaken and the reign of King Jesus will never end. He is the Rock of Ages.

The matriarch, Sarah, passes off the scene, and Abraham purchases a burial plot on which to bury her. Rebekah, a new matriarch, enters the story through the selfless servant of Abraham. Endings and beginnings. Death and life. Is this all just a part of the circle of life? Or is God sovereignly weaving together a story to remind us of resurrection hope beyond what the eye can see?

Abraham is asked to do the unthinkable and sacrifice his son, Isaac. As we should be, our ears are repulsed by this request. But is God just a monster and one of the many deities who demand child sacrifice? Or is this story meant to show us that He is entirely different?

The 21st chapter of Genesis is a story of contrasts: the child of promise and the child of works, the well of grace and the well of striving, the oath of God and the oath of man. These contrasts are meant to point us to the truth that the works of flesh enslave, but the gospel of Jesus brings freedom.

Through his sin, Abraham puts both his wife, Sarah, and King Abimelech's whole household in danger. The story is laced with irony. The foreign king is presented as the righteous one, while the chosen prophet acts cowardly and brings cursing on the nation. The king is innocent, but he still has no power to reverse the effects of Abraham's sin. This story causes us to look forward to a better innocent king who willingly bears our sin to reverse the curse.

God hears the outcry of the oppressed in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, so He investigates. What He finds are some of the most heinous acts ever committed and the darkest parts of human hearts. But in the midst of this dark story, we might find ourselves realizing a truth so great that it's hard to believe. Could it really be that God's mercy on mankind is far greater than we could ever imagine?

When the circumstances of life make the promises of God seem impossible, God does His best work. Though we may shake our heads and laugh in unbelief, God graciously asks us to consider, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"