Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
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 →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. The Crisis of Leadership and the Question of Kingship (1 Samuel 8:1-5) In 1 Samuel 8, Israel stands at another crossroads. The chapter begins, “When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel” (1 Samuel 8:1, ESV). Samuel had served faithfully as prophet, priest, and judge. But with age... Continue Reading →
O Lord God of Hosts, the King of the nations, unto You we lift our eyes and hearts on this occasion. As we raise the banner of this land, we acknowledge You as the giver of all good things, the Defender of the just, and the Judge of all the earth. We bless You, O... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. Introduction: The Rarity of God's Word (v. 1) 1 Samuel 3 opens by informing us that, “the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1, ESV). Do not... 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 →
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 →
Introduction Psalm 5 is a deeply personal lament in which David cries out to God for justice against his enemies while also expressing confidence in God’s righteousness and protection. This psalm highlights the themes of prayer, divine justice, the contrast between the wicked and the righteous, and the ultimate refuge found in God. The structure... 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 →
Sermon Audio: LINK Welcome: Last week we saw how Jesus rightly interpreted the Law of God regarding adultery, divorce, and making oaths. In our last sermon we saw that all three of these laws were really about pursuing an integrity of the heart, not merely exterior obedience. Today, we’ll continue our journey through Jesus’ Sermon... Continue Reading →
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