Sermon B-Sides - Coram Deo Church

Ephesus was full of spiritual darkness, and it was a city where the cures were as bad as the ailments. We see this in the syncretistic exorcists and magic books full of spells to cast out demons or heal from sickness. What is magic exactly? Do Christians need to be on guard against spiritual darkness today? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Acts 19 and consider how the gospel delivers people from spiritual darkness.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at the gospel ministry in Ephesus. Ephesus was a strategic location for the gospel. The gospel began to spread in Ephesus through the ministry of Apollos. Then, Paul spent over two years teaching there, resulting in all Asia Minor hearing the gospel.

In the Bible, God uses normal people like Paul and Elijah as instruments in his mission. We may think that Paul and Elijah were invincible, but they struggled with despair and the pressures of their task. But in these moments, we see God graciously comfort and strengthen them. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at the story of Paul in Corinth and Jesus' promise that Paul would not be harmed there.

What happens when the Gospel confronts the cultured pagans of Athens? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Paul's address to the Areopagus. In this passage, Paul shares the Gospel with people who are not familiar with the Old Testament. We can learn from Paul's example here; while he sought to make the Gospel understandable, he did not soften the claims of the Gospel that the Athenians found offensive.

As the Gospel spreads throughout the Greek world, the Church experiences more and more conflict. Religious leaders stir up riots. Paul and his team are accused of turning the world upside down. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss Paul's missionary trips to Thessalonica and Berea, and why it's significant that Luke mentions converted women in Acts.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how the sanctity of human life is rooted in the image of God. They also discuss how the fear of God should shape our posture towards this issue—especially with regard to abolishing legal abortion.

It is popular among Christians today to reduce the Gospel to personal "spiritual" application only. We believe that Christ has no plan to make an impact on the wider culture. As a result, we forget that Christ is Lord of all. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Acts 16:16–40 and discuss how, even in the early Church, we see Christ's impact in all aspects of life—including economics, civics, and the family.

Today, the Church faces constant pressure to redefine loving our neighbors to fit with the world's definition. This tendency can undermine the Gospel. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how redefining "sin" and "love" robs our neighbors of the truth of the Gospel: that Christ came to save us from our sin. When we do this, we compromise both the Gospel and the distinction between the Church and the world.

What does the Bible teach about angels? Why do the stories of Christ's birth have so many scenes with angels? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider how the Bible talks about angels, their relation to the Old and New Covenants, and how they often inspired fear in those who encountered them.

Merry Christmas! At the fullness of time, Christ was born in Bethlehem. The coming of Jesus was the long-awaited fulfillment of the promise given at the beginning of the story in Eden. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider how the practices and traditions of Advent teach us to consider Jesus' long-awaited arrival so we can learn to wait in hope for his coming kingdom.

Merry Christmas! What exactly happened on that first Christmas? Was that baby that in the manger also God? Is Jesus also a human? Did the Old Testament anticipate this at all? In this Advent Episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the deity of Jesus, the incarnation, and how the Bible anticipates the astounding miracle of the Word made flesh.

To the Jew first, and then to the Gentile—we see that pattern throughout the book of Acts. The mission starts in the synagogues until Peter or Paul get kicked out. Then they preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Acts 14 notice wild swings that Paul would experience in his missions. In this chapter, Paul and Barnabas bring the Gospel to the Gentiles in Lystra. At first, the crowds worship Paul and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes, but then they stone Paul and drag him outside of the city. These experiences become the way God advances his kingdom and spreads his Gospel.

Have you ever noticed how different the sermons preached in the book of Acts are from the sermons you might hear today? Rather than being mere motivational boosts, the sermons in Acts focus on how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, and they do so in a punchy, to-the-point way. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider these sermons and the way they put trust in the Word and promises of God.

King Herod killed James and continued to persecute Christians because it was politically advantageous. God later strikes him down. Shortly after this, we see the conversion of Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor of Cyprus. Why does Acts emphasize kings and rulers? How is Sergius supposed to rule now that he is a Christian? In this Episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider these questions, and share some general thoughts on various versions of Two Kingdom Theology.

Jew and Gentile. Circumcision, food laws, and the ceremonial law. The Holy Spirit and the conversion of the Gentile centurion Cornelius and his household. Ethnic identity and covenant identity. "Ordinances" and the "elementary principles of the world." Why does the Old Testament have laws that Christians don't observe anymore, while it has other laws that they do? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider questions that seem like foreign concepts to us, but were very prevalent and monumental in the New Testament. Considering these questions will help you understand major themes of the New Covenant and the Gospel.

Soon after meeting Jesus and beginning to preach that he was the Christ, Saul was on a hit-list. In Acts 9 we read of two separate conspiracies to kill Saul. Saul could've avoided this by being silent or by pursuing a life of private piety. But that wasn't an option for Saul. Instead, God used him to stir up holy controversy. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the dynamics of Saul's 'lightning rod status' and how this was actually a gift to the Church.

When Saul met Jesus on the Damascus Road, everything changed. The sovereign grace of God met Saul and made a train wreck of his life as it was. He went from persecutor to ardent supporter of the Church; from opposed to mixing with Gentiles to uniting Gentiles and Jews within the Church; from hauling Christians to the magistrate to preaching the Gospel to kings. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how the grace of God meets us and subjects everything in our lives to him.

Why is it that God sometimes rescued his people in obvious and miraculous ways, but at other times God had them take part in battles and conflict? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Psalm 44. They consider how God often doesn't deliver us in miraculous ways so he can mature our faith in him. They also consider that, even when God is silent or seems distant, we should bring him our frustrations and cries for help.

Sometimes, circumstances and conflict reveal that we've founded our hope on something that isn't solid. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Psalms 42 and 43. They discuss how in our trials, conflict, and inner turmoil, we often need to fight for our faith and joy in God rather than fall into a distorted version of lament. These Psalms show us two weapons we have in this fight: God's Word and worshiping with his people.

In our lives, we will inevitably suffer. What do you do with your suffering? What do you learn from it? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten consider how Psalm 41 teaches us to bring our sufferings to the Lord and how our sufferings teach us to consider and care for the poor and needy.

Moments of distress and affliction remind us of our need for help and reveal what we are putting our trust in. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Psalm 40 and consider how trusting in God may look like overconfidence to the world, while distrusting God may look like humility to the world.

Everyone's life is shaped by their fears. What you fear will determine how you live, how you speak, and what you love. Every fear outside of the fear of the Lord leads to a self-salvation project that leads to self-destruction and personal dissonance. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Psalm 34 and consider how the fear of the Lord delivers us from all other fears and how it shapes our speech.

There is a Psalm to give a voice to every human experience. Some Psalms, known as the imprecatory Psalms, call on God to judge our enemies and evil in the world. Are Christians called to pray or sing these Psalms? Are they inconsistent with Jesus' call to love our enemies? On this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss these questions and why the imprecatory Psalms are so important and needed in the life of a Christian.

The ancient heresy of Gnosticism is alive and well, but the Psalms will have none of that nonsense. Want to know how to be Anti-Gnostic? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten look at Psalm 33 and consider how good God's creation is and how we ought to feast upon and enjoy God's generous provision.

What would the aroma of your family and church be if you were committed to the habit of confessing sin to one another and reminding one another of the gospel of Jesus? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Rusten discuss Psalm 38 and the grace of God's "heavy hand" in bringing us to grief over our sin. To be apathetic over our sin would be a death sentence, but when we are grieved and confess our sin to God we can receive forgiveness, cleansing, and healing.

Wickedness seldom comes to being abruptly, but rather it grows slowly and follows a regular progression. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Rusten discuss Psalm 36 and the contrasting pictures it gives us of the progression of man's wickedness on one hand and God's steadfast love on the other.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the story of the Ethiopian eunuch and how the Gospel is for all people. They also ask whether we can use this passage to make a case for affirming a plethora of sexual identities.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss Simon the magician, the worldview behind magic, the revival of the occult in modern times, and the difference between science and scientism.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the joy and deliverance that the Gospel brings to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. This is a joy that surpasses understanding, it is a joy that we can't quite make sense of, and it is a joy that we desperately need. The early Church knew this joy, which is why they kept spreading the Gospel despite persecution. Is this a joy that we know too?

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the sermon and martyrdom of Stephen and how it unpacks and demonstrates a theme that is consistent through Scripture. God sends his prophet, judge, or ruler to his people, and they reject him. And through that rejection, God vindicates his man and delivers his people from bondage.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the role of deacons within the church, the question of female deacons, the ordination of women, the call to care for widows and the impoverished, and the call to be encouraged in the Lord in making a living through hard work.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the priority of the ministry of the Word in the early Church and the establishment of deacons within the Church to serve. They consider the question: "Why is the ministry of the Word so important?"

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss Acts 5 and the imprisonment of Peter and the Apostles. In a time when the authorities are encroaching on more and more of our basic liberties, it is a deep encouragement to know that Jesus is our Lord and that joy in him is our strength.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how, even during COVID-19, Governor mandates, lockdowns, etc., the message and the commission of the Church to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has gone forward unhindered. They also discuss how the Book of Revelation carries an attitude and confidence that is instructive for the Church today.

Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and gave most of it away. But they lied about how much they sold the property for because they wanted folks to believe that they gave more than they did. So, God struck them dead. What is up with that? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss why God Struck down Ananias and Sapphira and how it is a lesson for us today to not take lightly the holiness of God.

In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the story of the woman at the well and the need to not avoid the subject of sexual sin. Our culture is increasingly averse to this kind of confrontation and, often, we feel that we cannot proclaim Christ as the one who saves from sin. We hope you enjoy, and as usual, if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides—or anything else for that matter—e-mail us at pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

The Church tends to easily dismiss Christ in his Kingly office, either by spiritualizing his rule or by saying that his Kingly rule is non-existent until the second coming. "Surely, if he was really reigning the world wouldn't look like the mess that it is" is the kind of criticism that one might hear against the claim that Jesus reigns as King. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the Kingly office of Christ and how he is reigning now. We hope you enjoy, and as usual, if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides—or anything else for that matter—e-mail us at pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

Was there a priestly role in the garden of Eden before the fall of humanity? What are all those other sacrifices and offerings, (e.g. bread offerings, wave offerings, drink offerings), in Leviticus all about? What does it mean that the Church is a royal priesthood? (1 Peter 2:9) In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how Jesus is the fulfillment of the office of Priest and how Jesus makes us a royal priesthood. We hope you enjoy and, as usual, if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

Have you ever heard someone tell you that the God revealed in the Old Testament is mean and grumpy and that they prefer the Jesus of the New Testament because it seems like God has finally chilled out? Have you ever heard of folks who call themselves "red-letter Christians," meaning they only affirm the words spoken by Jesus himself in the New Testament rather than the whole counsel of God in the Scriptures? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how Jesus is the fulfillment of the office of Prophet and how these low views of the Old Testament actually result in having a low view of Jesus since Jesus is the fulfillment of God's revelation in the Old Testament. We hope you enjoy and, as usual, if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

In the book of Acts, being moved by the Gospel and the love of God, the early Christians loved each other and sold their belongings so they could give to one another wherever there was a need. Where does this kind of love come from and how is this love for the Church different from the love for our neighbors that are not members of Christ's Body? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss Acts chapter 4 and how love for the Church is an essential fruit that comes from knowing Jesus. They also discuss practical ways that members of the Church can continue to meet the needs of one another today. We hope you enjoy and, as usual, if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

"Why do the nations rage?" Those are the opening lines from Psalm 2, one of the most quoted Old Testament passages in the New Testament. It was a passage often referred to by the Church to declare the sovereign reign of the Lord in the midst of kings and nations that sought to cast off God. It was this God who "laughs" at rebellion against his Christ that gave the early Church the confidence and boldness to face suffering and conflict. It is also the Psalm that encouraged them to preach the Word and the Gospel with boldness, knowing that God's Word is the way that he reconciles sinners to himself. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss Acts chapter 4 and the need for the Church today to continue preaching the Word with boldness. We hope you enjoy and as usual if you have any questions for B-sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

The book of Acts is rife with conflict. The public preaching of the Gospel often resulted in the imprisonment and reproach of the Apostles. Ever wonder why the Apostles didn't just start house churches and invite people to attend those to "find out who Jesus is"? Wouldn't that have been an effective "mission" strategy that bypassed all the public conflict? Today, we often think being missional means avoiding conflict at all costs, but that is emphatically NOT the way the Apostles went on mission. Join us for this episode of Sermon B-Sides as Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss conflict in the book of Acts and why the public declaration of the Gospel and the public singing of praises to God is so important. We hope you enjoy and as usual if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

In the book of Acts and throughout the New Testament, the Apostles and Jesus himself don't even flinch from discussing and preaching judgment, the wrath of God, and hell. Jesus speaks about hell more than any other person in the scriptures. This topic is never avoided because it is the very thing that Jesus came to save us from; he is glorified because he saves sinners from judgment and the wrath of God. But this topic is taboo in many churches today. Which leaves many wondering no doubt, that if Jesus is savior, what does he save us from? Join Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten for this episode of Sermon B-Sides as they discuss why this difficult topic is important and yet often skipped. We hope you enjoy and as usual if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

Early on in the book of Acts, God works healing signs and wonders among the early Church through the Apostles. Are these signs normal in the life of the Church? Should we expect and ascribe veracity to faith-healers? Or is there perhaps a pattern in scripture that shows why this isn't the norm in the life of the Church? After discussing this question, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the trend throughout the book of Acts for the spicy, in-your-face, pull-no-punches sermons. Is there a reason why this kind of preaching is less common in our day? We hope you enjoy and as usual if you have any questions for Sermon B-Sides, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

The early Church was known for their love for another and how they shated they shared with one another out of their love. Many take this information and assume that because they shared, that they were communistic. In this episode we discuss the major differences between communism and Christian sharing. Another thing that comes up in this episode is the early Church's commitment to sharing meals together and a biblical theology of food. We hope you enjoy and as usual if you have any questions for Sermon B-sides, email us at pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

While we lament our divisions as a people, we also must remember that there was a kind of unity on display in the story of the Tower of Babel that God intentionally disrupted. Apparently, according to God, unity is not good in and of itself. Even today, our attempts at unity are fraught with Babel-like, man-exalting foundations. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon & Pastor Rusten discuss the ways that Acts 2:1-41 gives us a picture of the basis of good unity and the ways that the Gospel undoes the curse of Babel. If you have any questions you would like us to address in future B-Sides episodes, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

Join us for the second half of our Ask Anything episode of Sermon B-Sides. Pastor Jon & Pastor Rusten answer your submitted questions including questions regarding the value of motherhood, statistics and risk assessment, creation in six days, the NAR, hell being annihilation vs. conscious torment, and the doctrine of heaven vs. new creation. If you have any questions you would like us to address in future B-Sides episodes, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

Join us for this special Q&A episode of Sermon B-Sides. Pastor Jon & Pastor Rusten answer your submitted questions including questions regarding Calvinism, original sin, faith and cognitive disability, family discipleship, and the relationship of statistics to ethical judgments. If you have any questions you would like us to address in future Sermon B-Sides episodes, email pastor@coramdeochurch.org.

A quick announcement for Sermon B-Sides about an upcoming "Ask Anything" Episode. Ask your questions at slido.com and enter the event code 'b-sides'. We look forward to getting your questions!

Ever wonder how it is possible that Judas, who witnessed Jesus and all that he did in person, could possibly have betrayed him? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss the fate of Judas and the warning contained in his story. Not only is the story of Judas a warning, according to Peter it was also written of in the Psalms. Which leads to another question, how did the early Church read the scriptures and how might this be a challenge to some of the ways that we read them? If you have any questions you would like us to address in future episodes go to slido.com and put in the code b-sides.

The circumstances of 2020 and 2021 have been cause for pastors and the Church to ask questions that have not had to be considered in our lifetime. Are Christians bound to obey the civil authorities when they issue mandates to cease singing or gathering? What is the presence of the Church in the world supposed to look like? In this episode of Sermon B-sides, Pastor Jon & Pastor Rusten discuss the reasons for starting our study through the book of Acts, the key Luke gives to understanding Acts and the importance of the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus. If you have any questions you would like us to address in future episodes, send us an email at pastor@coramdeochurch.org.