In this sermon, we look at Naomi’s identity trap: looking for satisfaction through power. We meet Naomi in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Ruth is Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Usually, when we study this book, we’re focused in on the beautiful love story that takes place between Ruth and Boaz. And Naomi is sort of … [Read More…] Naomi—Seeking Satisfaction Through Power
I’m so grateful for the prayers of God’s people here at The Moody Church. Your prayers mean the world to me. I’m confident that nothing of enduring spiritual value happens without much prayer. Whenever one of my sermons hits home, I’m certain it is because of the prayers of countless, faithful saints who are … [Read More…] March 19, 2023
One of my favorite things is to be a part of the New Members class. It’s a room full of people ready to join the church and commit to The Journey of a Lifetime as they follow Jesus here with us. It’s a big step. And it’s my joy to be a small part … [Read More…] March 5, 2023
In this sermon, we look back over 3 millennia to the story of Gideon and his identity trap—seeking security through power. 1) Gideon’s Test Gideon was a tribal warrior leader-judge. His story takes place between 1179-1154 BC and is recorded in the Book of Judges chapter 6. The context of the story is … [Read More…] Gideon—Seeking Security Through Power
In this sermon, we look at Zacchaeus’ identity trap—seeking significance through power. 1) Zacchaeus: Lost Zacchaeus was one of the “bad guys” in the Bible because he was a chief tax collector and he was notoriously rich. Everyone knew him to be one of the wealthiest people in Jericho, and they hated him … [Read More…] Zacchaeus—Seeking Significance Through Possessions
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Our family is living out that proverb this week. Krista and I are in the second year of our doctoral program at Wheaton College, and each semester we have a one-week intensive class in person. This is where the village comes in. As … [Read More…] January 29, 2023
In this sermon, we look at Jacob’s identity trap: seeking significance through power. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, and the father of Joseph. His story gives us a powerful look at the deep identity transformation God wants to bring into each one of our lives. We’ll look at three parts to Jacob’s story: … [Read More…] Jacob—Seeking Significance Through Power
Each year, two important days fall within a week of each other: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Both are important occasions for us to draw out the implications of the Gospel for the broken world in which we live. After all, a Christian understanding of racial justice and … [Read More…] January 22, 2023
Following Jesus is basically learning to live out our new identity in Christ. But it’s difficult because we’ve spent so much of our lives living from our orphan identities. To live from our new identity as children of God requires intention and practice. We must unlearn the heart-habits of orphanhood and embrace the heart-habits of … [Read More…] Joseph—Seeking Significance Through People
