There is an argument to be made that the last in our series on Christian fundamentals in Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 6 could have been the one we started with, because it is so basic to the gospel. If the gospel is the “good news” of Jesus, then eternal judgment is the underlying fact that … Continue reading Eternal Judgment
In many ways, the concept of “one body” in Ephesians 4 is a culmination or logical conclusion to the existence of the other “elementary doctrines of Christ” we have thus far examined in this series. What does Paul mean by “one body” and how should we think about this concept today? Click Here to Listen. … Continue reading One Body
One of the more popular titles, especially among certain prophets in Israel, is Yahweh of Hosts (or more familiarly “the Lord of Hosts”). Where did this title come from, why did it become so popular among the prophets, and how should modern readers relate to it today? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on names and … Continue reading Yahweh of Hosts
Of all the things in the combined lists in Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 6, perhaps none is so controversial as “one baptism” in Ephesians 4 (ironic since it’s a list of unifying Christian principles). What are we to make of Paul’s statement, contrasted with the Hebrews writer referring to “instructions about washings”? Click Here to … Continue reading One Baptism
God told Moses that before revealing his covenant name, he revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as “God Almighty.” This title appears less than you might think in the Bible, but has a special, specific significance. What does this title mean, and how should we think about it today? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching … Continue reading God Almighty
Next in our list of Christian fundamentals is one that only appears in Hebrews 6: repentance from dead works. What is repentance, where does it come from in the Christian heart, and what should it look like in our lives? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on Christian fundamentals. This sermon was preached at the Dewey … Continue reading Repentance from Dead Works
It’s apparent from a cursory glance through the New Testament that the act of believing or having faith is an essential part of fellowship with Christ. But what does Paul mean when he says there is “one faith” in Ephesians 4? One faith versus what other faiths? What kinds of faith? How should this principle … Continue reading One Faith
When Moses asks God very directly what his name is in Exodus 3, God does give him a very specific answer. What does he tell Moses, what does it mean, and how should we think about this name of God today? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the names and titles of God. This sermon … Continue reading Names of God: Yahweh
Out of the combined lists in Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 6, the one that stands out the most as puzzling to modern readers is “the laying on of hands.” What makes this an “elementary doctrine of Christ” and how does this relate to the “one Spirit” as a basis of Christian unity? Click Here to … Continue reading One Spirit
Second in our series on Christian fundamentals is “One Lord” from Ephesians 4, combined with a partial examination of “the Resurrection from the Dead” in Hebrews 6. Jesus of Nazareth is our “one Lord,” but why? What give him the right to rule, and how should people today respond to his rule? Click Here to … Continue reading One Lord
This is the first in a series on some of the names and titles of God (of which there are many), hopefully to bring us into a deeper appreciation of our Creator’s majesty and to help us consider how we might be represent him on earth. We begin with the most basic word: “God.” Click … Continue reading The Names of God
This is the first in a series on the basics of Christianity, using a combined list drawn from the “Seven Ones” in Ephesians 4 and the “elementary doctrine of Christ” in Hebrews 6. We begin this series with a consideration of “One God and Father” from Ephesians and “Faith Toward God” from Hebrews. Click Here … Continue reading Fundamentals of the Faith
Jesus uses two analogies in Matthew 5 to describe his followers and his expectations for them. What do these analogies have in common, and what kind of behaviors should they describe in the life of the modern Christian? Click Here to Listen. (This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 14, … Continue reading Salt and Light
In some ways God’s work to restore creation is at the heart of the whole Bible story from the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing of Revelation. The image of the church as a new creation in Christ is a vital part of the larger story of God’s renewing work. How do we fit … Continue reading A New Creation
When considering different images or analogies of the church, none is more common than that of a family. It is so common, in fact, that it may be inappropriate to think of it as an analogy at all; it seems to be simply the default way that the writers of the New Testament thought about … Continue reading The Family of God
The metaphor of spiritual warfare is at the heart of the Christian life and our struggle with sin, the Devil, and temptation. In what way is a Christian like a soldier, and what does the image of war and fighting mean for our daily walk with Jesus? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on images of … Continue reading The Lord’s Army
This sermon is a little different; 38 verses on suffering in the life of the Christian, strung together back to back. Tenses and pronouns have been modified to make the entire thing seem like a continuous letter from God to his church today. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on suffering. This sermon was preached at … Continue reading Suffering With Christ
The image of the church as a bride has a lot of implications: for how we think about and conceptualize our relationship with Jesus, for how Jesus thinks and feels about us, and for how seriously we treat our sin. Why has God always used this analogy with his people, and what should it mean … Continue reading The Bride
After three chapters of angst and anguish, the fourth chapter of Ruth rushes to the conclusion of the story and the redemption of Naomi’s new, bitter reality. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ruth. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 10, 2026.)
1 Kings 3 contains a heart-wrenching story of loss and love centered around two mothers. Using this story as a launching point, what does a real mother look like in the Bible? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on mothers day. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 10, 2026.)
The third chapter of Ruth contains what is perhaps the most confusing scene in the whole story. Why does Naomi instruct Ruth to behave the way she does, and what can we learn from Ruth and Boaz’s actions in the story? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ruth. This sermon was preached at the Dewey … Continue reading An Unusual Proposal
The image of the church as branches of a tree or a vine is one of the less common in Scripture, but it is instructive nonetheless. What does this analogy teach us about our relationship with Jesus and our job as his followers? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the church. This sermon was preached … Continue reading The Branches
The image of the church as a flock of sheep is perhaps the least flattering one in all of Scripture. This comparison goes back a long way, to God’s relationship with the Israelites and their leaders. What can we learn from Israel’s use of this analogy, Jesus’s adoption of it, and the early Church’s continuation … Continue reading The Flock
The second chapter of Ruth introduces a new pivotal character to the narrative; the wealthy and honorable Boaz, described in the ESV as “a worthy man.” What made Boaz so worthy, and what should we learn from his attitudes and behavior? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ruth. This sermon was preached at the Dewey … Continue reading A Worthy Man
The image of the church as a “body” is one of the most common word-pictures in the New Testament. Why is it so prevalent, and what does it mean for how we think about and act in God’s kingdom? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the church. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church … Continue reading The Body of Christ
