July 28, 2024: Wisdom of the Word

Psalms series message 1

Text: Psalm 1

Psalms

Charles Spurgeon spent countless hours immersed in the Psalms, noting it was a royal banquet for him and a means of grace for his heart. Many have rightly said that the Psalms speak to our desires, emotions, attitudes, thoughts and as Spurgeon called it, the anatomy of our conscience. For the remainder of the summer, we'll examine a Psalm from each of the genres we find within this treasure book of God's wisdom.

In this first message, we focus on a Wisdom Psalm: wisdom for life as the wicked and righteous are contrasted. Blessings come when we engage God's Word meaningfully and order our lives accordingly. 


July 21, 2024: Galatians Highlight Reel

Galatian series message 25

Text: Galatians (misc.)

The message to the Galatians is crucial for the church in every generation! After a game or concert, we often see highlights to summarize the event for those who missed it. We recap 5 key truths contained in this compelling letter that bring clarity and confidence in our walk with the Lord: the essence and glory of the gospel, don't mess with the gospel, why Abraham matters, freedom in Christ, keeping in step with the Spirit. 

July 14, 2024: He Has Perfected

Guest speaker Geoff Frink, DBC Elder Board Chairman

Text: Heb 10:10-14, 19-25

Christ, through his once for all time sacrifice, has made us complete, holy and righteous now and for all eternity. From the foundation of being made holy, perfected by Jesus, we draw near to God, hold fast to our faith in Jesus and spur each other on to live out our faith.

July 7, 2024: Crucified!

Galatians series message 24

Text: Galatians 6:11-18

Paul concludes his letter with a compelling bookend to the beginning of the epistle: the only thing that matters is a new creation, regeneration. We glory in the cross and not our efforts, nor do we grow in maturity through the strength of our own flesh.

June 30, 2024: Do Not Grow Weary!

Galatians series message 23

Text: Galatians 6:6-10

The Law of the Harvest is as dependable as Tax Day, this is especially true in relation to sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit. We should take heed to this spiritual truth and also not grow weary in doing good - life is full of temptations, setbacks and trials of various kinds.

June 23, 2024: Bear One Another's Burdens

Galatians series message 22

Text: Galatians 6:1-5

Galatians is such a practical letter! Having shown us how not to fulfill the desires of the flesh, Paul now gives concrete guidance on restoring one who is caught in transgression, giving special consideration to the reality of the ones restoring facing temptation themselves. They key in all of this? The antithesis of the previous verse: stay humble and bear one another's burdens! 


June 16, 2023: Keep in Step with the Spirit

Galatians series message 21

Text: Galatians 5:25-26

We enter the Kingdom by the Spirit, we live by the Spirit and we must keep in step with the Spirit as we mature in Christ! This week we'll bring together the crucial concepts in Pau's passage on walking by the Spirit that teach us how to follow, apprentice to and mature in Christ. His comment on relationships is noteworthy in this context!

June 9, 2024: Two Opposing Outcomes

Galatians series message 20

Text: Galatians 5:19-23

A partial list of those vices that naturally flow from our sinful nature is contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit. Those who continue in the former will not inherit the Kingdom of God, but the Spirit's fruit is a beautiful work that only He could produce in us! 

June 2, 2024: Walk by the Spirit!

Galatians series message 19

Text: Galatians 5:16-18

Our freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge ourselves in our fleshly or sinful desires, but how exactly do we resist temptation and stop sinning? Paul is clear: walk by the Spirit. In this message we break down this practical and pivotal statement for all Christ followers.

May 26,2024: Called to Freedom

Galatians series message 18

Text: Galatians 5:7-15

Our key theme keeps rising in Galatians: freedom in Christ. We are free from the crushing burden of proving ourselves through our adherence to the Law. However, our freedom is not freedom to sin. Paul gives the proper place of the Law in the believer's life, which results in loving others well.

May 19, 2024: Stand Firm!

Galatians series message 17

Text: Galatians 5:1-6

Our text begins with a profound gospel statement: it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Paul exhorts the Galatians to stand true to the purity of the gospel and not add works. To add works would be to submit again to a yoke of slavery, the very slavery he just enumerated on in the previous chapter.

May 12, 2024: Freedom in Christ

Galatians series message 16

Text: Galatians 4:21-31

Paul employs the story of Isaac and Ishmael to demonstrate that the freedom and power the gospel provides are far superior to a life defined by adherence to the Old Testament Law (i.e., legalism). 

May 5, 2024: Known By God

Galatians series message 15

Text: Galatians 4:8-20

There is nothing greater in life than to be known by God, as that is what it means to know God personally - to be reconciled to Him, to be redeemed and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Paul continues to express his great concern and affection for the Galatians, longing to see Christ formed in them. When it comes to the gospel, we simply cannot be vague or fuzzy on the details - clarity is needed as we build our lives on solid ground! 

April 21, 2024: Heirs According to Promise

Galatians series message 13

Text: Galatians 3:21-28

While combatting the Judaizers’ misguided notions regarding the Law, Paul affirms it is not contrary to the promises of God but plays a crucial role in God’s redemptive plan. On Sunday we’ll engage a lofty yet misunderstood statement that define what a Christian is.

April 14, 2024: Why Abraham Matters

Galatians series message 12

Text: Galatians 3:15-20

We're now at the heart of Paul's letter to the Galatians and it's all about Abraham. We'll dig deeper into his significance in the unfolding drama of redemption. Gaining clarity on this brings freedom and joy in our walk with Christ. When we consider the beauty of the gospel, we see God is all-wise and faithful to His promises. 

April 7, 2024: The Promise!

Galatians series message 11

Text: Galatians 3:15-19

In this message, we address the fulcrum of Paul's letter to the Galatians - Abraham, the Law, and the promise. A perfect passage for the Sunday after Easter! If you have struggled with legalism or been negatively affected by it, this message is for you.

March 31, 2024: Good News!

Supplemental Resurrection Day message

Text: Romans 1:1-7

We hear the word "gospel" a lot  - but what does it actually mean? It is an announcement of good news! The long awaited Messiah has come; He has died for sins and risen again - good news! Christ Jesus is Lord. The gospel is for everyone, and we are ministers of it!

March 24, 2024: Cursed!

Galatians series message 10

Text: Galatians 3:11-14

Our desire to contribute to our salvation is deeply ingrained in our thinking. Many turn to the Law or a moral law to do so. But that only brings a curse, because we can never fully keep the Law. And that's why the gospel is such good news! The Law giver submitted Himself to the Law's demands and kept it perfectly - yet, suffered as if He had not. All, to redeem us from the Law's curse! What a stunning passage to consider leading up to Good Friday. 

March 17, 2024: Live it Out!

Galatians series message 9

Text: Galatians 3:1-9

Can we be saved through our good works or keeping the law? No - Paul bolts that door shut. There is another important question that needs to be answered, affecting each of us: can I live this Christian life by my own efforts and in my strength? Can I put sin to death or love my neighbor by my own strength and abilities? Judaizers would say yes. The Gospel says no. Neither propositions brought by the Judaizers have any merit and nor do they breathe life, standing in stark contrast to the freedom of the Gospel. That's why the Gospel is good news!