Undivided Worship

Originally preached on July 7, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

The sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 calls the church to undivided worship, urging believers to “flee from idolatry” and give exclusive allegiance to the Lord. Paul warns against mixing Christian worship with participation in false spiritual practices, showing that communion unites believers to Christ, worship is shaped by sacrifice, and idolatry carries real spiritual danger. Because God is jealous for his people’s devotion, the church must resist divided loyalties and examine modern cultural idols so that all worship remains centered on Christ alone.

Undivided Worship (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)

Aaron Halstead

Healthy Corporate Worship

Originally preached on August 11, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, Paul addresses the Corinthians’ worship practices around head coverings, urging them to honor Christ’s created order, the church’s unity, and cultural expectations in ways that avoid shame or confusion in gathered worship. While affirming equality in Christ, he calls believers to practice worship that reflects both theological truth and appropriate public witness, showing respect for one another, their cultural context, and God’s design for order in the church.

Healthy Corporate Worship (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)

Aaron Halstead

Spirit-Led Worship

Originally preached on September 22, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:1-12

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches that Spirit-led worship must be driven by love and focused on building up the church rather than personal spiritual experience. Spiritual gifts—especially tongues and prophecy—are meant to be intelligible and edifying so that the whole body is strengthened. While the Spirit may move in powerful ways, the true measure of maturity is whether worship produces understanding, unity, and growth in others, not just private spiritual feelings.

Spirit-Led Worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-12)

Aaron Halstead

Spiritually Mature Worship

Originally preached on October 6, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches that Spirit-led worship should be both intelligible and mature, prioritizing understanding, truth, and the building up of the church over private emotional or chaotic experiences. He argues that worship must engage both mind and heart, follow the apostolic pattern, and reflect spiritual maturity rather than childish self-focus. When the church centers on the gospel, worship produces conviction, confession, and ultimately genuine encounter with God that edifies both believers and seekers.

Spiritually Mature Worship (1 Corinthians 14:13-25)

Aaron Halstead

Worship with Purpose

Originally preached on October 13, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:26–33 that corporate worship must be orderly and focused on building up the church rather than personal expression or chaos. Spiritual gifts are meant to serve others, so tongues and prophecy are to be practiced with limits, clarity, and self-control. Because God is a God of peace, not confusion, worship should reflect His character—controlled, edifying, and purposeful.

Worship with Purpose (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)

Aaron Halstead

Deciphering Silence

Originally preached on October 27, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

The sermon argues that 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 addresses a specific case of disorder in Corinthian worship, not a blanket prohibition on women speaking in church. Paul’s concern is orderly, edifying worship in which all believers use their gifts appropriately. The passage is therefore applied as a call for self-control and structure in corporate worship so that the gospel is not obscured.

Deciphering Silence (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

Aaron Halstead

Humble Worship

Originally preached on November 3, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:36–40

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

This sermon teaches that healthy worship is humble worship under the authority of King Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul corrects the Corinthians’ pride by reminding them that worship is not shaped by personal preference or spiritual status, but by submission to Christ’s commands. Therefore, worship should be orderly, edifying, and governed by love for the whole church rather than individual expression.

Humble Worship (1 Corinthians 14:36-40)

Aaron Halstead

Worship Because

Originally preached on December 24, 2024.

scripture

Psalm 98

Series

Prepare Him Room

summary

Psalm 98 calls God’s people to worship because of his faithful salvation, his kingship revealed in Christ, and his coming justice over all creation. At Christmas we celebrate that God kept his promises by sending Jesus, the true King who brings salvation to the world. We also anticipate his return, when he will judge with righteousness and set all things right, so we respond now with joyful, grateful worship as we prepare our hearts for him.

Worship Because (Psalm 98)

Aaron Halstead

A Reason to Rejoice

Originally preached on June 14, 2025.

scripture

Romans 5:1–5

Series

Summer Sessions

summary

In Romans 5:1–5, Paul reminds believers that because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God, grace in which to stand, and hope that sustains us through suffering. Rather than denying hardship, the gospel teaches us to rejoice in it, knowing that God uses suffering to produce endurance, character, and deeper hope. Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Christians can face trials with confidence, celebrating Christ’s faithfulness and the glory that awaits them.

A Reason to Rejoice

Aaron Halstead

In Our Worship

Originally preached on February 9, 2025.

scripture

Romans 11:33–12:2

Series

Our Purpose

summary

This sermon from Romans 11:33–12:2 taught that worship is much more than singing or attending church—it is a whole-life response to the greatness and mercy of God. After marveling at God's wisdom and grace, Paul calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, living lives of reverence, gratitude, service, and obedience. The main emphasis was that worship does not stop on Sundays; every part of life can become an act of worship when it is lived for God's glory.

As We Work (Romans 11:33-12:2)

Aaron Halstead

On Mission: Spirit and Truth

Originally preached on May 25, 2025.

scripture

John 4:23

summary

John 4:23 shows that true worship in spirit and truth connects directly to God’s mission. The Father seeks worshipers, meaning worship draws us into God’s heart for the world. As we encounter God rightly, worship becomes outward-facing and naturally leads us into mission.

On Mission: Spirit and Truth (John 4:23)

David Peterka

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