Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
The Healing Begins At Home There are few places more personal than our homes. This is where life unfolds. The home is where we eat, rest, laugh, argue, pray, and carry our burdens. It is where we are most ourselves. When someone is coming over, we usually take a moment to straighten things up. Not... 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 →
Introduction to Psalm 8 If you have ever been camping far from city lights you may have experienced the beauty of the star-filled night sky. In moments like these, you feel your smallness, the short breath of your life. And if you're paying attention, you feel something more: wonder. King David must have felt that... Continue Reading →
I. THE STRUCTURE: A THEOLOGICAL DIPTYCH John 2:14–22 presents two scenes that together unveil a deeper truth about Jesus’ identity and mission. In verses 14–17, Jesus storms the temple courts. He makes a whip, drives out livestock, scatters coins, and flips tables. “Take these things away,” He commands. “Do not make my Father’s house a... 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 →
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 →
hardincrowder.com 