Solid Rock Church Sermons

In this sermon, we studied Judges 2:16–18, where we see the heart of God revealed in His response to His people's rebellion. Even when Israel repeatedly turned from Him to serve other gods, God raised up judges to rescue them—not because they deserved it, but because He was moved by their groaning and suffering. This passage reminds us that our deliverance doesn't depend on our ability to earn it, but on God's mercy. In the book of Judges, we see every earthly "deliverer" ultimately points to the true and final Deliverer—Jesus—who saves us not temporarily, but forever. His compassion moves Him toward us even when we are undeserving, and His faithfulness calls us to trust Him more deeply and surrender more fully.

In this sermon, we explored how God calls His people—like Joshua and Paul—to move forward with strength and courage, even when facing fear, hardship, or weakness. After Moses' death, Joshua stepped into an intimidating leadership role, but God promised His presence and success if Joshua remained faithful to His Word. Similarly, Paul wrestled with a persistent "thorn" in his life, yet God reminded him that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. Both men discovered that God's strength isn't found in the absence of struggle, but in trusting Him through it. As believers, we are encouraged to cling to God's presence and promises—especially in seasons of suffering or transition—knowing He will never leave or forsake us.

In this sermon, we looked at how Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise God made about the coming Prophet. God originally made this promise to the Israelites through Moses in Deuteronomy, saying there would be a prophet even greater than Moses who would speak God's words. We see in John 1 that the Prophet, along with the Messiah and a messenger in the spirit of Elijah, were anticipated figures by the Jewish religious leaders. Though these leaders did not accept Him as the fulfillment of the Prophet and Messiah prophecies, the Apostles preached in Acts that it was Jesus who was the fulfillment of both promises. Jesus, the only perfect Prophet, willingly took the punishment reserved for a false prophet at the hands of the religious leaders who did not believe Him. That sacrifice on our behalf saves us from our own deserved punishment and invites us to a relationship with God through Christ's righteousness.

In this sermon, we looked at how the story in Numbers 21 is more than just a strange moment in Israel's wilderness journey—it's a powerful foreshadowing of the gospel. When the Israelites were bitten by fiery serpents because of their rebellion, their only hope for healing came not through human effort, but by looking in faith at a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole. In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent and lived, so must every person be born again by looking to the Son of Man, who would be lifted up on the cross. The central theme of this sermon—and of God's overall redemptive story—is that salvation cannot be earned; it is a gift we receive by putting our faith in Jesus.

In this sermon, we studied Philippians 3:3–12, where Paul reflects on all the things he once saw as achievements—his background, reputation, and religious performance—and how he came to see them as worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Rather than clinging to his resume, Paul rejoices that he is found in Jesus, not having a righteousness of his own, but one that comes by faith. This passage invites us—especially graduating seniors—to consider what we're building our identity on. In a world that tells us our worth comes from success, status, or self-image, Paul reminds us that nothing compares to being in Christ. Our greatest pursuit in this next chapter of life isn't a goal to accomplish, but a person to know: Jesus, who has already taken hold of us.

In this sermon, we explored the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and how it powerfully foreshadows what Christ would ultimately accomplish through His perfect sacrifice. While the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifices for the people's sins, this ritual was only a temporary covering and had to be repeated year after year. In Hebrews 10, we studied Jesus emerging as the hero in God's story of redemption, offering His own blood as the ultimate sacrifice, one that secures eternal redemption for all who believe. Unlike the sacrifices of animals, Jesus' sacrifice was once for all, fully sufficient to cleanse you from sin and remove your guilt forever. There was no need for it to be repeated. When He declared, "It is finished," He proclaimed that His sacrifice would be the final and complete atonement for our sins. Because of this, we are invited to confidently enter into God's presence every day.

In this sermon on Mother's Day, we’re reminded that God's invitation is not to the strong, polished, or put-together, but to the thirsty, the tired, and those who come with nothing to offer. In Isaiah 55, God says, "he who has no money, come, buy and eat," offering daily provision and soul-deep satisfaction that cannot be earned. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 11, calling the weary to come and find rest—not by performing, but by bringing their emptiness to Him. Moms, this is for you you—but not just for you. None of us have to be enough, fix everything, or hold it all together. In the daily demands and quiet struggles of life, we are all invited to come to Jesus again and again, and find in Him the grace, strength, and rest our souls truly need.

In this sermon, we looked at how the rock that was struck in Exodus 17:1–7 points forward to Jesus, the true Rock who was struck for us (on the cross) to give living water to our thirsty souls. Just as God provided physical water from the rock to sustain Israel in the wilderness, 1 Corinthians 10 reminds us that the Rock was Christ—He is our ultimate source of life and provision. In John 4, Jesus offers living water that satisfies forever, not just for a moment. The invitation for us is practical and urgent: to stop looking to temporary sources to quench our spiritual thirst and to come to Jesus daily for what our hearts most deeply need. When life feels dry, when relationships fail, when success leaves us empty, Jesus is still the Rock who pours out grace, peace, and strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

In this sermon, we explored how the manna God provided in Exodus 16 was more than just daily sustenance for Israel in the wilderness—it was a sign pointing forward to something far greater. Just as manna came down from heaven to meet Israel's physical need for survival, Jesus declares in John 6 that He is the true bread from heaven who satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. The manna had to be gathered daily, reminding God's people of their dependence on Him; in the same way, Jesus invites us into daily dependence on His life-giving presence. While the Israelites who ate the manna eventually died, Jesus offers us something immeasurably better—Himself. Those who come to Him, the living bread, will never hunger or die spiritually. In Christ, we find not only provision for today but the promise of eternal life with Him.

In this sermon from Exodus 14, we looked at how God rescues His people from impossible situations—not just through Israel's dramatic escape through the Red Sea, but ultimately through the resurrection of Jesus. God led Israel into what looked like a trap—not to harm them, but to show His power to save. With the sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army closing in behind, the people were overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and the temptation to return to slavery rather than trust God with the unknown. But God wasn't asking them to save themselves—He was asking them to be still and watch Him move. The Red Sea wasn't just a miracle of deliverance—it pointed ahead to the cross and resurrection, where Jesus stepped into death for us and rose again to bring us into new life. Like Israel, we're invited to stop striving, surrender control, and trust God to do what only He can do—bring us into a life of freedom, purpose, and identity in Christ.

In this sermon from Exodus 14, we looked at how God rescues His people from impossible situations—not just through Israel's dramatic escape through the Red Sea, but ultimately through the resurrection of Jesus. God led Israel into what looked like a trap—not to harm them, but to show His power to save. With the sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army closing in behind, the people were overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and the temptation to return to slavery rather than trust God with the unknown. But God wasn't asking them to save themselves—He was asking them to be still and watch Him move. The Red Sea wasn't just a miracle of deliverance—it pointed ahead to the cross and resurrection, where Jesus stepped into death for us and rose again to bring us into new life. Like Israel, we're invited to stop striving, surrender control, and trust God to do what only He can do—bring us into a life of freedom, purpose, and identity in Christ.

In this sermon from Exodus 14, we looked at how God rescues His people from impossible situations—not just through Israel's dramatic escape through the Red Sea, but ultimately through the resurrection of Jesus. God led Israel into what looked like a trap—not to harm them, but to show His power to save. With the sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army closing in behind, the people were overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and the temptation to return to slavery rather than trust God with the unknown. But God wasn't asking them to save themselves—He was asking them to be still and watch Him move. The Red Sea wasn't just a miracle of deliverance—it pointed ahead to the cross and resurrection, where Jesus stepped into death for us and rose again to bring us into new life. Like Israel, we're invited to stop striving, surrender control, and trust God to do what only He can do—bring us into a life of freedom, purpose, and identity in Christ.

In this sermon from Exodus, we reflected on how God heard the cries of His enslaved people and remained faithful to His covenant with Abraham by rescuing them from bondage. In Exodus 6, God reaffirms four key promises: to bring His people out from under their burdens, to deliver them, to redeem them, and to make them His own. As these promises unfold in Exodus 12, God establishes the Passover meal as a physical reminder of His deliverance through the blood of a spotless lamb. Every element of that first Passover pointed ahead to Jesus, who would later enter the story as our Redeemer. He is the true Passover Lamb—His death brings freedom from the slavery of sin. Like the unleavened bread, His body was broken, wrapped, buried, and revealed again in the glory of His resurrection. Just as Israel was called to live as a free and set-apart people, we too are invited to live in the freedom and redemption made possible through Jesus sacrifice.

In this sermon, we looked at Genesis 22:1–18 and the powerful story of Abraham offering Isaac on Mount Moriah. This emotional account points us to the incredible generosity of our Heavenly Father, who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. As Abraham obeyed God's command to offer his beloved son, we see a reflection of the gospel—where God the Father sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, in our place as the ultimate substitute. Just as Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice and submitted willingly to his father, so Jesus carried the cross and obeyed God completely, even to death. In the same mountain region where God provided a ram for Abraham, He later provided Jesus, the Lamb, to be sacrificed for the world. This story invites us to stand in awe of God's provision, His mercy, and the overwhelming generosity of His love with which He gave His only begotten Son for our redemption.

In this sermon, we explored Genesis 12:1-3, where God tells Abraham, "In you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Galatians 3 explains that this was actually the Gospel being shared beforehand. We looked at how God called Abraham to leave behind everything that once defined him- his home, his people, and everything familiar to follow Him into an unknown future. In return, God promised him a new identity, a new family, and a future that would bless the whole world. This promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, showing that God's plan from the very beginning was to reverse the effects of sin, restore His image in us, and build a kingdom made up of people from every nation. Through Scripture, we see that the Gospel isn't just about personal salvation- it’s about God's bigger plan to redeem the world through Jesus. Through faith in Him, we become part of God's promise to Abraham, receiving His blessings and becoming heirs in His kingdom.

In this sermon, we launched our new series, The Story of Redemption, where we will explore how the Bible is not a collection of myths or human ideas, but a single, unified story of redemption. This story was written by human authors under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with Jesus as the undeniable hero. In 2 Peter 1:16-21 and 1 Peter 1:10-12, Peter reminds us that he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of Jesus' majesty. They saw His glory firsthand during the Transfiguration and heard the Father's voice declare Jesus as His beloved Son. This eyewitness testimony affirms the prophecies of the Old Testament. Peter also reminds us that the Old Testament prophets, led by the Holy Spirit, foretold both the sufferings and the glories of Jesus, serving future generations—including us—who now see the full picture of redemption. This great salvation story, foretold by prophets, witnessed by apostles, and longed to be understood even by angels, has now been written down for us as a light in the darkness, until we see Jesus face to face.

In this sermon, we explored Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus walks on water, revealing why we don't have to live as captives to fear and anxiety. This passage reminds us that Jesus is with us, so we are never alone in the storm. It shows that Jesus cares for us, responding when we call on Him, and that He is sovereign, ruling over everything- even what we fear. Like Peter, we may struggle when we focus on the waves, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus and cry out in faith, He is ready to lift us up. No matter what we face, we can trust that He is present, He cares, and He is in control.

In this sermon, we explored Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus walks on water, revealing why we don't have to live as captives to fear and anxiety. This passage reminds us that Jesus is with us, so we are never alone in the storm. It shows that Jesus cares for us, responding when we call on Him, and that He is sovereign, ruling over everything- even what we fear. Like Peter, we may struggle when we focus on the waves, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus and cry out in faith, He is ready to lift us up. No matter what we face, we can trust that He is present, He cares, and He is in control.

In this sermon, we explored how the promise God made to Abraham serves as our secure anchor through Christ. God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants, and that through him, the entire world would be blessed. As Abraham walked in faith, God reaffirmed His promise by swearing upon Himself, demonstrating the unwavering certainty of this covenant. When we place our trust in Jesus, we become descendants of Abraham and recipients of the unbreakable promise God made. This promise of blessing is fully realized in Christ's completed work, which opens the way for us to enter beyond the veil into a personal relationship with God.

In this last sermon from our Courageous series, we studied a time when Jesus demonstrated a perfect example of vulnerable transparency. In Matthew 26:36-39, Jesus honestly expresses His deepest sorrow and grief, even at the risk of exposing His pain to others. Though fully God, He embraced His humanity by inviting His closest friends, Peter, James, and John, into His darkest moment. Rather than hiding His anguish, Jesus allowed Himself to be seen in His sorrow, even as He faced the weight of the cross. His openness didn't stop with His friends; He went even further, bringing His raw emotions before the Father, fully trusting that He wouldn't be rejected or seen as "too much" for God. This passage challenges us to move beyond hiding our weaknesses and to courageously share our burdens with God and those closest to us, knowing we are already accepted, forgiven, and loved through Christ. By this, we can see that true intimacy—with God and others—only happens on the other side of vulnerable transparency.

In this last sermon from our Courageous series, we studied a time when Jesus demonstrated a perfect example of vulnerable transparency. In Matthew 26:36-39, Jesus honestly expresses His deepest sorrow and grief, even at the risk of exposing His pain to others. Though fully God, He embraced His humanity by inviting His closest friends, Peter, James, and John, into His darkest moment. Rather than hiding His anguish, Jesus allowed Himself to be seen in His sorrow, even as He faced the weight of the cross. His openness didn't stop with His friends; He went even further, bringing His raw emotions before the Father, fully trusting that He wouldn't be rejected or seen as "too much" for God. This passage challenges us to move beyond hiding our weaknesses and to courageously share our burdens with God and those closest to us, knowing we are already accepted, forgiven, and loved through Christ. By this, we can see that true intimacy—with God and others—only happens on the other side of vulnerable transparency.

In this sermon from our Courageous series, we looked at how God delights in meeting us in our emotional honesty. In Matthew 5:4 and 1 Peter 5:6-7, He invites us to cast our grief and anxieties on Him because He cares for us. Even Jesus, in His darkest moments, modeled emotional honesty before the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Similarly, we are called to be emotionally honest with one another, sharing burdens and comforting each other. However, being emotionally honest requires courage, especially in a culture that often views emotions as weakness. For this reason, many of us have learned to hide our true feelings out of fear, shame, or past wounds. Yet, through acknowledging our need for help, seeking wise counsel, and creating safe spaces for vulnerability, we can rediscover our hearts and experience deep relationships with God and others. Emotional honesty is essential to understanding that we are fully known and fully loved as the Gospel restores us with new hearts to live abundantly as emotional beings in a broken world.

In this sermon, we explored how our relationships serve as the fertile ground for God's transformative work in our lives. Colossians 3:9-17 describes this transformation as putting off the old self and putting on the new—a renewal that restores us to the image of our Creator, echoing the original design of Eden before sin entered the world. This process unfolds within biblical community, where truth-telling, forgiveness, and love cultivate deep, intentional relationships. As God's chosen people, we are called to embody compassion, kindness, honesty, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with and forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us. When we clothe ourselves in these virtues, we become a people ruled by Christ's peace, rooted in His Word, and overflowing with gratitude and worship. In a world of shallow connections and quick fixes, the church is called to model a different way—a community where transformation happens through grace-filled, honest, and intentional relationships.

In this sermon, we looked at 2 Corinthians 3 and studied how every Christian is in a lifelong transformation process. The Gospel not only saves us, but also begins a lifelong transformation known as sanctification. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul contrasts the old covenant, written on stone and leading to condemnation, with the new covenant, written on our hearts through the Spirit, bringing life and freedom. The law given through Moses, though glorious, ultimately reveals our sin and leaves us in fear, while the ministry of Jesus removes the veil from our hearts, allowing us to behold and reflect God’s glory. As we walk with Christ, the Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory to another, shaping us into the image of Jesus. This process is not immediate but ongoing, as we learn to embrace God's work in our daily lives with confidence, courage, and celebration. In Christ we live unveiled—no longer hiding in fear and shame but fully exposed to the transforming power of God.

In the first sermon of our Courageous series, we looked at the value of expository preaching and teaching. This method of teaching allows Scripture to speak for itself and interpret itself, placing each passage within the greater story of redemption. In Nehemiah 8, the people of Israel gathered with eager hearts to hear the Word read and explained. After Ezra read the Law, the people responded in worship, even before it was interpreted. Then, the Levites helped them understand it more deeply through teaching. Similarly, in Luke 24, Jesus Himself opened the Scriptures to His disciples, revealing how everything pointed to Him. Expository preaching helps people grasp the Bible's message as it was intended—within the bigger story of God’s redemption. When we commit to this kind of preaching, we allow God's Word to shape and correct our understanding of who He is, leading us into a deeper relationship with Christ and personal transformation.

In this sermon, we examined Romans 14:1-12 and explored the Apostle Paul's biblical approach to disputable issues within the church, distinguishing between biblical doctrine and personal convictions. At Solid Rock Church, doctrine represents the core beliefs based on clear biblical mandates, while our stances on secondary issues serve as guidelines for practical matters where Scripture does not provide explicit instruction. In this chapter, Paul urges mature believers to welcome those who are weaker in faith, refrain from passing judgment on secondary issues, and hold personal convictions with humility—always seeking to honor the Lord rather than prove oneself right. While the church must stand firm on biblical convictions, it is not its role to dictate personal convictions or preferences. Ultimately, each believer will stand before God's judgment seat and give an account of their life, reminding us to prioritize biblical doctrine over personal convictions and to protect the church from unnecessary division.

In this sermon, we explored Ephesians 4:11-16, focusing on the gifts God has given to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. These roles are intended to equip believers for ministry, foster unity in faith, deepen knowledge of Christ, and encourage spiritual maturity and Christlikeness, while protecting the church from false doctrines and deceit. We examined how the church must grow together in love and stability, with each believer actively contributing to the health of the body. Ultimately, the goal is for the church to reflect the fullness of Christ, staying grounded in truth, unity, and accountability, while guarding against false teachings.

In this sermon, we examined 1 Timothy 1:3-11 and focused on how the doctrine of the church serves as the foundational set of non-negotiable, biblically-based beliefs that unite and strengthen the body of Christ. In this passage, Paul warns against false doctrines, myths, and speculative ideas that lead to division and distract from our mission. Instead, he urges the church to embrace sound doctrine—healthy, life-giving teaching that draws us closer to God and one another. When doctrine is used according to its intended purpose, it exposes our sin and leads us to Jesus, the Great Physician, who heals and restores us by His grace. When the church remains tethered to sound doctrine in both teaching and practice, it strengthens the body of Christ and leads to a love that flows from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. At Solid Rock Church, we uphold a high view of Scripture as God-breathed, without error, and authoritative, recognizing doctrine as essential for spiritual growth and church unity.

In this sermon, we looked at the secrets to setting and achieving goals in our lives. The challenge in reaching our goals doesn't lie solely in our work ethic and determination, but in the way we handle failure. Many of us take an "all-or-nothing" approach to growth, either giving up entirely when we fall short or, even worse, letting the fear of failure prevent us from trying at all. However, the Gospel invites us to a different approach. In Colossians 3:23, we're reminded to work hard, not for human approval, but for the Lord. The secret to meaningful resolutions is rooted in grace: working diligently for the approval of Jesus—approval we already have—and waking up each day to His mercies that are new every morning. Like farmers, we must till the soil, plant the seeds, and pull the weeds—doing what we can with diligence, while trusting God to bring about the growth in His perfect timing. As Christians, we know the Holy Spirit is at work, transforming us in ways we cannot. Transformation happens when we continue to show up with whatever effort we have, trusting God to bring about the change.

In this sermon, we studied James 3, which offers a warning about the power of our words. Throughout this chapter, James uses the "tongue" as a symbol for our speech, particularly emphasizing the destructive potential of our words. He compares the tongue to a horse's bit, a ship’s rudder, and a small fire, showing that, although the tongue is a small part of our body, it can have a huge influence. James also highlights a problem when we use our words to praise God while simultaneously speaking hurtfully to one another. Though it is difficult, God calls us in His Word to use our words to bring life, encouragement, and grace.

In this sermon from the fourth week of Advent, we explored Luke 2:15-21 and reflected on the first responses to the birth of Jesus— awe, treasure, and worship. The shepherds, amazed by the angel's message, hurried to Bethlehem to see the Savior. Their wonder overflowed into bold proclamation as they shared the good news with all who would listen. Mary, filled with awe and amazement, treasured this miracle in her heart, deeply reflecting on all that God had done. In this passage, we can see that even though the shepherds returned to their daily lives, they were forever changed; they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. In this brief yet profound portion of the nativity story, we discover the true meaning of Christmas: awe-filled wonder, treasured reflection, and passionate worship.

In this sermon from the third week of Advent, we looked at Luke 2:11-14 and reflected on the profound truth of experiencing God's delight. This passage takes us to the moment in the nativity where the angels announce to the shepherds the good news that, through the birth of this baby, God is bringing His peace and delight to earth. The multitude of angels praising God highlights the cosmic significance of that moment. In a world marked by chaos, anxiety, and separation from God, the birth of Jesus signals the beginning of God's plan to offer peace and delight to those who believe in Him. This peace comes to us through a restored relationship with God, bringing rest to our souls through the assurance of being fully loved and accepted by Him.

In this second week of Advent, we reflected on the birth of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan. We explored how God orchestrates history to accomplish His purposes, despite human intentions. Luke 2:1-11 highlights the contrast between human power, as seen in Caesar Augustus' decree, with divine authority, demonstrated in the fulfillment of prophecies like Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14. Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem, His placement in a manger, and the angelic announcement to shepherds reveal the lowliness and accessibility of the Messiah. This "good news of great joy" assures us that the King has come to rescue His people and establish an eternal kingdom, offering salvation to all who place their faith in Jesus.

In this sermon, we launched our Advent series by looking at Luke 1:26-33 where we see the announcement of Jesus' birth to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Mary, a young virgin from Galilee, is told by Gabriel that she has found favor with God—not because of anything she has done, but purely by God's grace. This reminds us that, like Mary, we too are favored by God's grace when we come to Him in faith, not through our own works. Gabriel tells Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning "God is Salvation," and reveals that her son will inherit the throne of David and establish a kingdom that will never end. This prophecy was foretold by the Old Testament prophets and reminds us of the eternal promise we have in Christ. Just as Gabriel told Mary of His Kingdom without end, we too can have eternal life with Him when we trust in Him alone for our salvation.

In this sermon, we discussed how remembering what God has done is vital to our worship. There are often times of trial and suffering in our lives when it can feel like God is distant, and we may wonder if He will rescue us. Psalm 77 encourages us to remember all that God has already done when we are in the midst of struggle. One key moment in Israel's history was when God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and parted the Red Sea. When God's people were in trouble, they were encouraged to recall God's miraculous provision in the past. Remembering what God has done in the past helps us trust Him during hard times and gives us an opportunity to worship Him for what He has done and will do.

In this sermon, we studied Psalm 32 and reflected on the profound blessing of forgiveness and the joy that comes from living in honesty and transparency with God and others. In this scripture, the psalmist contrasts the heavy burden of unconfessed sin with the freedom found in acknowledging sin and receiving God's forgiveness. When we attempt to manage guilt in our own strength—through silence, denial, or blame-shifting—it deepens our suffering and separates us from the life God has for us. However, repentance is an act of worship that brings life and restores us to a God who is our refuge and deliverer. Trusting in His steadfast love gives us the courage to take our guilt to Him in confession where He promises to transform our guilt and shame into joy and gladness as we experience His abundant grace.

In this sermon, we studied Psalm 6, where David models how grief itself can become an act of worship as he vulnerably brings his pain before God. In this psalm, David is grieving not only his intense physical suffering but also the pressure from his enemies, which leads him to feel as though God is disciplining him in anger. However, instead of allowing his grief to drive him away from God, we see David bring his pain directly into God's presence. Through his tears, David recognizes God's graciousness and attentiveness, transforming his heartfelt lament into an act of worship. God responds to David's plea by comforting him with His presence, restoring David's hope, and turning his grief into a profound encounter of worship.

In this sermon, we studied Psalm 42 and explored the universal experience of depression—not in terms of clinical diagnosis, but as the emotional weight everyone encounters in different forms and intensities as we navigate life with imperfect bodies in a fallen world. The psalmist expresses deep spiritual longing, emotional pain, and a sense of distance from God, while also recalling moments of joy and connection in worship. The journey toward hope begins with honest self-reflection and confession, where acknowledging our feelings helps us understand our needs, desires, and ultimate longings. By embracing this honest approach with God and within our biblical community, we find the strength to confront despair and depression, anchored in the truth of God's steadfast love and the support of others.

In this sermon, we studied Psalm 42 and explored the universal experience of depression—not in terms of clinical diagnosis, but as the emotional weight everyone encounters in different forms and intensities as we navigate life with imperfect bodies in a fallen world. The psalmist expresses deep spiritual longing, emotional pain, and a sense of distance from God, while also recalling moments of joy and connection in worship. The journey toward hope begins with honest self-reflection and confession, where acknowledging our feelings helps us understand our needs, desires, and ultimate longings. By embracing this honest approach with God and within our biblical community, we find the strength to confront despair and depression, anchored in the truth of God's steadfast love and the support of others.

In this sermon, we explored Psalm 96 where David emphasizes that gladness is meant to be celebrated by sharing it with God and others. While all of creation worships God without words, humans are uniquely created and called to express their gladness verbally through celebration. Keeping our gladness to ourselves can lead to loneliness and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of that joy. However, when we express our gladness through singing, telling, and declaration, our joy becomes complete, and others are invited to join us in acknowledging God's greatness and splendor.

In this sermon, we explored Psalm 22, where David expresses his deep feelings of abandonment and despair. His raw cry reflects a sense of forsakenness by God and rejection by others. Despite his pain, David's honesty about his emotions marks the beginning of hope, which sets the foundation for transformation. He recalls God's past faithfulness, emphasizing that God's presence is crucial, even when circumstances remain unchanged. As we continued, we examined how worship becomes powerful when it is honest, leading to hope that fuels internal transformation and eventually manifests in external change. Like David, we too can be transformed by telling the truth about our current struggles and trusting in God's presence, even before our situations shift.

In this final message from 1 John 5:16-19, we looked at the conclusion of John's letter, which provides guidance on keeping our hearts free from idols. He emphasizes the practical application of brotherly love, urging believers to pray for their brothers and sisters who are struggling with sin. John reminds us that, as God's children, we are anchored in a truth greater than ourselves: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Throughout 1 John, the overall message encourages believers to live in the light, relying on Christ's eternal protection and the transformative power of God's grace.

In this sermon, we studied 1 John 5:13-15, which reminds us that God desires a deep relationship with His children, inviting us to abide in Him daily through prayer. Prayer is more than just asking for things; it is a way to express our hearts, longings, and trust in Him. In this passage, the Apostle John writes to assure believers that they can confidently approach God in prayer, knowing He hears them when they ask according to His will. This confidence isn't based on receiving everything we ask for but on knowing that God listens, cares, and responds in ways that align with what is ultimately best for us. Prayer invites us to bring our longings before God, trusting that even when His answers don't match our desires, they are always for our good.

In this sermon, we studied the Apostle John's three powerful witnesses that affirm Jesus Christ as the Son of God: the water, the blood, and the Spirit. The "water" points to Jesus' baptism, marking the beginning of His ministry, where God publicly declared Him as His beloved Son. The "blood" refers to His sacrificial death on the cross, where He atoned for the sins of humanity. The Holy Spirit confirms Jesus' identity throughout His earthly life, guiding Him from His miraculous birth to His ascension back to the Father's right hand. Together, these witnesses testify in perfect unity, affirming that Jesus is the promised Christ of the Old Testament and the only source of eternal life. For those who believe in Him, this testimony serves as an anchor for the soul, opening the door to the riches of God's grace and an intimate, eternal relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.