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 →
Introduction In Luke 4, Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, not just as the carpenter’s son, but as the Spirit-filled messenger of God’s Kingdom. He stood in the synagogue where he had worshipped as a boy. He read from Isaiah 61. Then he said something surprising: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. SAMUEL'S PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY (1 Samuel 12:1-5) Before Saul wore the crown, Israel stood apart. Surrounded by nations that bowed to thrones of gold and marble, Israel bowed to the Living God. While others trusted in chariots and kings, Israel trusted in the voice of the Lord. God Himself was their King,... Continue Reading →
Praise the Lord with All Your Heart (Psalm 9:1–10) Have you ever had a near death experience, a time when you realized just how close you almost came to experiencing death? Maybe it was a near-miss on the highway. Maybe it was a medical scare that turned out to be a false alarm. Or maybe... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. The Danger of Presuming on God's Presence (1 Samuel 4) In 1 Samuel 4, Israel makes a fatal mistake. They presume on God's presence without submitting to His authority. Facing the Philistines, a fierce warrior people from the island of Caphtor (modern-day Crete), Israel believes the battle can be won by... Continue Reading →
INTRODUCTION: Let me take you back to a prison cell in Egypt. A young Hebrew man sits in the dark. He has been betrayed, forgotten, and condemned. Not because he was guilty, but because he was righteous. His name was Joseph. You may recall the story. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, served... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1–28, ESV There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name... Continue Reading →
Introduction: Many years ago, the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, often called the "Prince of Preachers," wrote these words: “I could say with Job, ‘My soul chooseth strangling rather than life.’ I could readily enough have laid violent hands upon myself to escape from my misery of spirit.” Now, this was not a man who lacked... Continue Reading →
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK Opening: Today, we're diving into Ruth chapter 3, but first, let's quickly refresh ourselves on the journey so far. Our journey through the book of Ruth began with Naomi, a woman who once felt utterly forsaken. She had known the fullness of family, cherished a life blessed by God, and experienced the... Continue Reading →
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