Call the Doctor

Originally preached on June 7, 2025.

scripture

Matthew 9:9–13

Series

Summer Sessions

summary

This sermon from Matthew 9:9–13 presented Jesus as the Great Physician who came to heal the sin-sick. Through Matthew’s calling and Jesus’ fellowship with tax collectors and sinners, the sermon emphasized that Christ welcomes those who recognize their need for grace, while those who think they are spiritually healthy miss their need for a Savior. Jesus’ diagnosis is that all are sinners, his prescription is mercy over self-righteous religion, and his mission is to call sinners to himself. The central encouragement was that Jesus does not turn away those who know they need him—he came precisely to seek, heal, and restore them.

Call the Doctor (Matthew 9:9–13)

Aaron Halstead

God Brings Us Together

Originally preached on May 30, 2026.

scripture

2 Corinthians 13:11–14

summary

In this Trinity Sunday sermon, we see how Paul calls a divided church to live in unity because of who God is: the grace of Christ restores us, the love of the Father forms us, and the fellowship of the Spirit binds us together. Therefore, the church is to rejoice, pursue restoration, comfort one another, seek unity, live in peace, and welcome one another as family. The Trinity doesn’t just command unity—it creates it, making the church a people held together by God himself.

God Brings Us Together (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)

Aaron Halstead

There Is Only One Winner

Originally preached on July 27 2025.

scripture

Colossians 1:15–20

summary

Colossians 1:15–20 shows Christ as supreme over creation and victorious through the cross, reconciling all things to God. Because he rules and restores everything, believers live with confidence that nothing is outside his authority or redemption.

There Is Only One Winner (Colossians 1:15-20)

Noah Coates

The Word Himself

Originally preached December 24, 2025.

scripture

John 1:1–14

summary

John 1:1–14 is presented as the heart of Christmas: Jesus, the eternal Word, is Creator, Light, Savior, and the One who reveals God’s glory by becoming flesh. Though the world was marked by darkness and rejection, Christ entered it to bring life and adopt believers into God’s family by grace. Christmas is the celebration of God’s grace and truth made visible in Jesus, who gives hope, peace, and light in a broken world.

The Word Himself (John 1:1-14)

Aaron Halstead

Behold My Servant

Originally preached January 11, 2026.

scripture

Isaiah 42:1–12

summary

Isaiah 42 introduces God’s Servant—chosen, upheld, and empowered by the Spirit. This Servant brings justice not by crushing the weak but by restoring them. His mission extends beyond Israel to the nations, resulting not only in renewal and freedom but also in a global response of praise. Justice leads to restoration, and restoration leads to worship.

Behold My Servant (Isaiah 42:1-12)

Aaron Halstead

The Son, Prepared

Originally preached March 1, 2026.

scripture

Matthew 3:13–17

series

Prepare the Way

summary

In Matthew 3:13–17, Jesus comes to John to be baptized. John hesitates, recognizing Jesus’ superiority, but Jesus insists “to fulfill all righteousness.” As Jesus is baptized, heaven opens, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In the sermon, this moment was presented as a decisive beginning: Jesus is anointed as King by the Spirit of God, steps fully into His mission, and receives divine affirmation and empowerment for the work ahead.

The Son, Prepared (Matthew 3:13-17)

Aaron Halstead

for reflection:

1. What does it mean for you personally that Jesus began his mission in humble obedience and submission to righteousness rather than self-assertion?

2. Where in your life are you being invited to “fulfill all righteousness,” or to obey God even when it feels unnecessary, uncomfortable, or confusing?

3. How should the Father’s declaration over Jesus (“beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”) shape the way you understand your identity and security in Christ?

The King

Originally preached March 29, 2026.

scripture

Matthew 21:1–11

series

King, Priest, & Lord

summary

On Palm Sunday, Jesus arrives at the outskirts of Jerusalem—the moment toward which his entire ministry has been building. Rather than entering the city quietly, he deliberately arranges to ride in on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy of a humble king coming in peace. His entry draws three very different responses: his disciples obey simply and quietly; a large crowd shouts and celebrates, yet reveals it barely knows him; and the city itself is shaken, asking, “Who is this?” The same three responses people had to Jesus then are the same three ways people respond to him today. The question Matthew is asking every reader is the same one he asked on that first Palm Sunday—how will you respond to the King?

The King (Matthew 21:1-11)

Aaron Halstead

for reflection:

1. Which of the three responses to Jesus in Matthew 21:1–11 (quiet obedience, enthusiastic but shallow familiarity, or uncertainty) most closely reflects your own posture right now? Why?

2. The crowd celebrated Jesus but didn’t fully know him. In what ways might you be tempted to celebrate Jesus outwardly while keeping him at a distance inwardly?

3. If Jesus truly enters as the humble King who fulfills prophecy and brings peace, what would it look like for you to respond to him with deeper trust and obedience this week?

Our Priest

Originally preached April 3, 2026.

scripture

Hebrews 4:14–16

series

King, Priest, & Lord

summary

On Good Friday, this message from Hebrews 4:14–16 centers on Jesus as our great High Priest who makes it possible for us to hold fast to faith and approach God with confidence. Because Jesus fully understands our weakness and was tempted as we are yet without sin, we can pray boldly, knowing he is never distant or condemning. Instead, he is merciful and ready to help us in our time of need, inviting us to run to him for grace rather than carry our sin and struggle alone.

Our Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Aaron Halstead

for reflection:

1. When you feel tempted or burdened by sin, do you tend to hold back from God or draw near to him with confidence? And what usually leads to that response?

2. How does the truth that Jesus understands your weakness and temptation change the way you think about prayer in moments of struggle?

3. In what specific area of your life do you most need to stop “carrying the weight yourself” and instead actively run to Jesus for mercy and help?

The Lord of All

Originally preached April 5, 2026.

scripture

Acts 10:34–43

series

King, Priest, & Lord

summary

Acts 10 is a turning point in the history of the early church. The gospel, which had spread almost exclusively among Jewish people, is now crossing into Gentile territory for the first time. The Apostle Peter has received a vision and been called to the home of Cornelius, a Roman military officer, in the coastal city of Caesarea. Standing before a household of non-Jews, Peter delivers a compact but comprehensive account of the gospel. His message can be seen as organized around three declarations: a message of unity, a message of resurrection, and a message of forgiveness. Together they present the risen Jesus not merely as a religious figure for one nation or culture, but as the Lord of All, the one in whom every barrier falls, death is defeated, and sins are forgiven.

The Lord of All

Aaron Halstead

for reflection:

1. How does Peter’s declaration that Jesus is “Lord of All” in Acts 10 challenge the way we think about cultural, social, or personal barriers within the church?

2. Why is the resurrection of Jesus essential to the hope and message of the gospel, and how should it shape the way we live today?

3. Peter proclaims that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” What keeps people from fully trusting and resting in that forgiveness, and how can the church reflect the unity and welcome of the gospel more clearly?