Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
Introduction: As you stepped outside this morning, perhaps you noticed how the air still held the hush of night. The sky, streaked with hints of orange and gold, began to brighten the edges of the earth. The grass glistened with dew, the trees stood still in reverent silence, and the birds, hesitant at first, now... 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 →
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 →
Sermon Audio: LINK Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:15-29 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A... 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 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 →
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 Introduction: In January we began preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. We began by focusing on Jesus' first message. The call to repent. To turn from the old ways of living and to follow in His footsteps. We noted that repentance is the doorway we must all pass through to enter... Continue Reading →
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