Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
Sermon Audio: LINK Introduction: This morning we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It must be said, from the beginning, that the resurrection is not just an inspiring story, it’s the heart of our faith. This event is what sets Christianity apart. We don’t follow a dead teacher or a distant memory. We serve a... Continue Reading →
Welcome: Tonight, as we gather in the shadow of the cross, I want to invite you not to rush past it. There is a temptation to become so familiar with an image that it loses its power, but I want to invite you not to sanitize or sterilize the cross. As we hear the cross... Continue Reading →
I. The Time of the Beginning (Mark 1:1; Luke 3:1-2) Mark doesn’t ease us into his Gospel. He opens with the forceful declaration: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1, ESV). There’s no mention of mangers or Magi, no angelic announcements to Mary or Joseph. Mark skips the... Continue Reading →
I. Jesus’ Growth in Nazareth (Luke 2:39–40) There is a kind of mystery in the years that pass between Jesus' infancy and His public ministry. The Gospels give us snapshots of His birth, then again when He’s twelve, and then the curtain lifts in full in His thirties. We might be tempted to call those... 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 →
Luke 2:21-38 records the circumcision and naming of Jesus, as well as when the young Jesus was presented in the Temple. It also beautifully illustrates the theme of obedience to God’s law through faith. This passage reminds us that faith is not just about belief but about living in obedience to God. Like those in... Continue Reading →
Introduction: While the Gospel writers provide only a few details about the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, they emphasize two key points. First, they make it clear that his birth really happened. They include family lineages, ancestral towns, historical references to Roman emperors and local rulers, and the testimony of eyewitnesses to confirm its... Continue Reading →
Introduction: The Gospel of John stands apart from the other Gospel accounts. While the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) provide detailed historical narratives of Christ’s life and ministry, John’s Gospel focuses on the spiritual and theological significance of Christ’s identity and mission. Theologians like John Calvin have described John’s gospel as the “soul” of... Continue Reading →
Audio: LINK Introduction: Tonight, I’d like to pose a question that might sound odd, considering why we’re all here. Imagine, just for a moment, that you had never heard the Christmas story, that you knew nothing of Jesus Christ or the good news He brings. All you knew is that tonight, the very Son of... Continue Reading →
AUDIO: LINK MUSIC: Acoustic Beginning - Simple and Singable PASTOR CROWDER: Good morning, and welcome to the annual Dover Baptist Christmas Cantata. Today, we embark on a journey through the ages, celebrating the mystery, the wonder, and the majesty of Christ’s birth. Our first hymn this morning is the beloved: “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel.”... Continue Reading →
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