Sermons
The Advent of Redemption
The summer I turned 13, I got talked into pulling an all-nighter—which completely wrecked my sleep schedule for weeks. The silver lining? Late-night TV in the ’90s had so many great old shows. That’s where I discovered classics like Car 54 Where Are You?, Taxi, and The Twilight Zone. One episode featured a small-time crook... Read More →
How Does Salvation Work?
I want to tell you the story of a man named Barry. Barry was an engineer in Los Angeles. Then he lost his job. Then his home. The rest of his worldly possessions followed shortly thereafter. Drugs became an escape, and then an addiction—a chain that bound him to this new reality. Eventually Barry took... Read More →
What is my Inheritance as a Christian?
There’s an old story about a small kingdom perched high on a mountain—though “mountain” may be generous. It was really a hill, just high enough to lift its people above the valley below. From that height they could see every road and river that ran through the farmland spread beneath them. The mountain folk lived... Read More →
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
Gary turned 40 in 1964, and like every other man of his generation, his attention was captured that spring by the launch of the Ford Mustang. It was magical — the roar of that V8 driving 2,500 pounds of pure Americana, 271 horsepower, and a 4-speed manual transmission. He wanted it desperately, but he couldn’t afford... Read More →
Reclaiming the Wilderness
I wanted to start by sharing with you the tale of an idiot—an idiot who threw away everything: his education, his career, his home. An idiot who did so in spite of good counsel, stern admonition, and even full-throated rebuke. An idiot who pursued his own destruction with reckless abandon, somehow believing it was a good... Read More →
Freedom in Christ
Opening Story I want to start this morning with a story about a single mom. She grew up in a small town, moved away to a big city in another country when she grew up, married a man, had a baby… then it all fell apart. Divorced, isolated, unemployed. She moved back home to be... Read More →
Batman, Barbie, and Jesus
Hook Good morning all, my name is Conrad and I am one of the pastors here. If you need a Bible to follow along in our Bible study this morning, put your hands in the air and one of our ushers will make sure you get one. I have long said that my two favourite... Read More →
The Advent of Grace
HOOK [Introduce yourself, get a Bible, turn to Titus, Pastor Joel is sick] In 2005, a small, neglected painting was put up for auction in New Orleans. It was a modest piece—darkened with age, overpainted to the point of obscurity, and regarded as little more than an above-average attempt to copy of one of the... Read More →
Bold As Love
Greeting and Introduction Good morning, everyone. As Pastor Steve said, my name is Conrad. I am one of the pastors here. Pastor Joel insisted that I tell you you won’t be subjected to me much longer. He promises to be back in the pulpit soon and for a while. He’s sad that he couldn’t be... Read More →
The Miracle of Destruction
Intro Good morning! Welcome to Mountain Spring Calvary Chapel. My name is Conrad and I am one of the pastors here. And I am excited for the message God has for us this morning, one which I have entitled “The Miracle of Destruction”… ooh! Provocative! Before we get too far into our message this morning, I want... Read More →
Devotionals
I Don’t Deserve This
Some will read a passage like this and assume unmerited blessing. Others will read it and assume unmerited cursing. Solomon reminds us that both prosperity and adversity come from the hand of the Lord, and that wisdom learns from each. The posture Scripture calls for isn’t suspicion or entitlement, but attentiveness. Abram and Sarai are... Read More →
The Moving of the Spirit
Just before the flood begins to recede, Scripture tells us that a wind moves across the earth. The Hebrew word is ruah—a word rich with meaning. It can be translated as wind, breath, or spirit. This is the same word used in Genesis 1, when the Spirit of God moves over the formless waters at creation.... Read More →