Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
When God Starts in the Margins Let me begin with a question: If you were going to launch a movement to transform and redeem the world, where would you start? It is natural to think in terms of power, visibility, and influence. Our minds go to capitals, capitals of religion (Jerusalem), of politics (Rome), of... Continue Reading →
I. The Message of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 4:17) When Jesus returns to Galilee, He doesn’t start his preaching ministry softly. He doesn’t warm up with parables or ease into the public square with gentle reassurance. His first words are a command that thunders with urgency: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at... Continue Reading →
I. THE TRANSITION MOMENT (John 4:1–6; Mark 1:14; Matthew 4:12; Luke 3:19–20) Last week, we witnessed the beginning of the end of John the Baptist’s public ministry. Today, we return to the account after his arrest. The prophet who called people to repentance by the Jordan is now locked behind prison walls. And in this... Continue Reading →
I. The Weight of a Calling Our passage begins with just five words from John the Baptist. But behind those five words stands a lifetime of longing, preparation, and prophetic expectation. "The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold,... Continue Reading →
The Arrival of the Magi and the Revelation of the True King (Matthew 2:1-12) This account begins “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king” (Matthew 2:1). As we saw two weeks ago when we examined the Christmas story, the Prophet Micah foretold that this is where Messiah... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-6 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that... Continue Reading →
The Journey of Mary (Luke 1:39-40) “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah…” (Luke 1:39, ESV) Mary’s journey to the hill country of Judea was a pilgrimage of faith. Luke tells us that Mary “got ready and hurried” (Luke 1:39), words filled with urgency.... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Opening: Good morning, church! As we approach the close of another year and stand on the brink of a new beginning, let us take a moment to reflect on the passing of time, but on the truths God has revealed to us and the themes that will guide us forward. Themes of... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Series Introduction: In our last sermon, we saw the Israelites’ defiance after the spies’ negative and fearful report and the resulting punishment: a 40-year journey through the wilderness. Though this 40 year detour was a punishment for Israel’s sin, God also used this as time of teaching and instruction. Since we last... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Series Introduction: As we saw in our last sermon series, after 400 years of slavery, the Israelites witnessed God's power through the plagues against Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, leading to their exodus from Egypt. We ended our series in Exodus 15 with the Israelites singing praises to God... Continue Reading →
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