Sermons on Christian Living
Faith IRL: Wisdom Made Visible (James 3:13-18)
We live in a world that puts enormous energy into appearances—the right image, the right angle, the right filter. But according to James, real wisdom isn’t about looking impressive. It’s about the kind of life we produce. In “Wisdom Made Visible, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., explores James 3:13–18 and the difference between wisdom that merely sounds good and the wisdom that comes from above. Godly wisdom is humble, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and visible in…
Faith IRL: Tongue Tied (James 3:1-12)
“Watch your mouth.” Turns out, our moms were onto something. James reminds us that something as small as the tongue can steer a life, start a fire, heal a wound—or create one. Our words carry enormous power, whether they’re spoken face-to-face, sent in a text, or posted online. But James takes us deeper than simply learning to have a better filter. What comes out of our mouths reveals what’s happening in our hearts. Jesus didn’t come merely to make rude…
Faith IRL: Faith That Works (James 2:14-26)
What does real faith actually look like? James 2 gives us a challenging answer: living faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. It serves. It obeys. It gets its hands dirty. In this message by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., from our IRL: In Real Life series, we explore one of the most debated passages in the New Testament: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Are we saved by faith or by works? And how do James…
Faith IRL: No Favorites (James 2:1-13)
We live in a world that is constantly ranking people—by success, appearance, wealth, influence, background, and even how easy they are to like. But James says the church should be different. In James 2:1–13, we’re confronted with a challenging truth: favoritism isn’t just a manners problem—it’s a gospel problem. Grace changes the way we see people. When we remember how much mercy we’ve received from Jesus, we become people who are eager to extend that same mercy to others. In…
Church on Fire: Waiting for Power (Acts 1:1-11)
In this opening message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., in our Witnesses: Stories from the Book of Acts series, we step into Acts 1 and discover a powerful truth: Jesus didn’t just finish His work… He began it. And that work continues through His people—even now. Before the Spirit falls in Acts 2, there’s a moment we don’t always talk about: waiting. Waiting for the promise. Waiting for power. Waiting on the kingdom. But this isn’t passive waiting. It’s…
The True Vine
Why does life feel so busy… but still a little hollow? In this message from John 15, Jesus’ final “I AM” statement—“I am the vine; you are the branches”—speaks straight to one of our deepest needs: connection. We chase identity through success, schedules, and self-improvement, but Jesus says real life is found only when we stay connected to Him. In this sermon by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we explore:
True Wealth
Money. Worry. Greed. Family fights over inheritance. Sound familiar? Jesus told a story 2,000 years ago that still lands like a punch in the gut today. In this message, Gordon Dabbs unpacks the Parable of the Rich Fool and shows why our value isn’t tied to our valuables—and why barns and bank accounts can’t buy eternal life. Instead of chasing temporary treasure, Jesus calls us to be rich toward God. 📖 Scripture: Luke 12:13–21, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:17–19 About…
Have Mercy
Two men walk into the temple to pray—one a religious superstar, the other a despised tax collector. Only one leaves right with God. In this message, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., unpacks Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing us why grace always flows downhill—toward the humble, the broken, and the desperate. If you’ve ever felt unqualified, underqualified, or too much of a mess for God, this sermon is for you. Because the good news of the…
A Tale of Two Sons
In Jesus’ parable of two sons, we learn the importance of obedience. Of not simply giving lip-service to God, but actually following through with our commitment to follow him. Listen as Young Adults Minister Dr. Jacob Hawk helps us work through a fascinating parable about obedience in Matthew 21. About the series. . . The parables of Jesus aren’t just quaint tales—they’re divine disruptions. These simple stories carry deep truth, pulling back the curtain on the heart of God, the…
The Dirt on Discipleship
Why do some hearts grow in faith while others never take root? In this powerful kickoff to our Kingdom Stories series, we dig into Jesus’ Parable of the Sower—one of his most iconic teachings. Spoiler alert: it’s not about gardening… it’s about your heart. Is your faith withering in the heat? Getting choked by life’s distractions? Or ready to bear some serious fruit? Join Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., as he unpacks the soil conditions of the soul—with humor, honesty,…
Time To Stretch
Jesus never promised us a life of easy chairs and spiritual cruise control. In fact, His teachings often do the opposite—they disrupt our comfort zones, challenge our routines, and stretch us into deeper faith, sacrificial love, and bold living. Join Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., as we explore how comfort is the enemy of growth—and how Jesus calls us not to stay safe, but to grow strong. Get ready to be challenged, encouraged, and maybe a little uncomfortable… in the…
Shoulder to Shoulder
Christianity is a team sport. Whether you’re an introvert who recharges in silence or an extrovert who thrives in a crowd, one thing is true—we don’t follow Jesus alone. There are no solo disciples in the Kingdom. God places people in your life—and places you in theirs—because the Gospel doesn’t just move through sermons or scripture; it moves through relationships. Watch this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D. and discover how God uses us, together, to share His story…
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