Sermons
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 →
Devotionals
Supernatural Instincts
Our natural instincts often feel like second nature—habits of thought, emotion, and action that seem to spring from within us effortlessly. But in Jude 1:19, we’re reminded of a sobering truth: living by these instincts alone is a hallmark of those who are “devoid of the Spirit.” When we live solely by what feels natural,... Read More →
Building on Faith
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.” — 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NET) Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian life. It’s where our journey begins—a trust in Jesus... Read More →
How Do You See?
“To the pure, all things are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” (Titus 1:15, NET) We often think that the world around us determines how we see things. If life is good, we feel good. If life is bad, we feel... Read More →
Paul’s Lost Letter: Sometimes We Need to Be Rebuked
Rebuke isn’t something we naturally seek out. It stings, wounds our pride, and can leave us feeling vulnerable. But in 2 Corinthians 7, Paul shows us that rebuke—when done with love and a heart for restoration—has the power to bring life-changing results. Paul refers to a letter he had written to the Corinthians, now lost... Read More →
What Does It Mean to Worship “In the Spirit”?
In John 4, Jesus has an unexpected conversation with a Samaritan woman. As they talk, the topic of worship comes up. The woman points out that Jews worship in Jerusalem, while her people, the Samaritans, worship on Mount Gerizim. She’s focused on the location — the outward, physical expression of worship. But Jesus turns her... Read More →
Accidental Righteousness? I Don’t Think So
In Haggai 2, the prophet speaks to the remnant of Israel after their return from exile, addressing their efforts to rebuild the temple. In verses 10–19, God uses a powerful illustration to make a point about purity and defilement. He asks the priests whether holiness can be transferred through mere contact, and the answer is... Read More →
From a Trickle to a Torrent: When God’s Life Flows Through You
In Ezekiel 47, we read about a river flowing from the temple, starting as a trickle but quickly becoming a mighty, life-giving stream. As the river moves, it transforms everything in its path, bringing life to barren lands and healing even the salty, lifeless Dead Sea. This vision is more than a geographical restoration; it’s... Read More →
Perspective on Perspective
I’ve always said that a change in perspective changes everything else, and that really came to the fore for me today. When we read prophetic books like Jeremiah, it’s easy to imagine that the “wicked people” he rebukes are those far from God, outsiders to the faith. But the more I read them the more... Read More →
The Whole Council of God
In 2 Kings 22:8-13 and 2 Chronicles 34:14-21, we read about a significant moment in Judah’s history. During the reign of King Josiah, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law in the temple. This discovery had a profound impact on Josiah and the nation. Upon hearing the words of the Book of... Read More →