Every journey has its obstacles. But what, specifically, is holding you back? Sometimes it’s unconfessed sin, hidden bitterness, divided loyalties, delayed obedience, or broken relationships. Maybe you’re violating your soul and sacred relationships through pornography, and you wonder why you’re not moving forward. Yet not every roadblock is caused by unresolved sin. Even when you’re faithful, sometimes God places “hindrances” in your path which are not detours, but serve to accomplish His divine will. The latter was so with the Apostle Paul (Rom. 15:22-29). Knowing this, let us be wise to discern what’s holding us in check — our sin or God’s greater purpose.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/695b542611cff32e9efacef4

Even in Christian circles, it’s commonly held that only professionals are competent to counsel. Yet the Apostle Paul obliterates this view in this statement to the local church in Rome: “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14). The good news is this: The Lord Jesus doesn't just save your soul; He changes your life. And He doesn’t need “experts” to do it. He’s more than able to work, with the Holy Spirit’s aid, through everyday Christians who talk to one another, face-to-face, in a local church.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6952196ce386b6135c21f915

The Lord’s Supper is not a mere ritual. Nor is it empty symbolism. It’s the “Gospel made visible,” as Gerhardus Vos once said. Consider these six elements: (1) The Lord's Supper proclaims the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:24-25); (2) it is given for our spiritual nourishment and growth and grace (John 6:35, 57); (3) it confirms our union and communion with Christ (John 15:4); (4) it renews our thankfulness and our commitment to God (Ps. 50:14); (5) it declares our love and fellowship with one another (1 Cor. 10:17); and; (6) it points us to the Second Coming of Christ (1 Cor. 11:26).

This Christmas, we celebrate Christ’s incarnation, born of the Virgin Mary. The Prophet Isaiah foretold this hope, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isa. 9:6). In Bethlehem, Jesus was to be born of a woman, not a man (Gal. 4:4). This is vital, because substitutionary atonement requires a sinless substitute — the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. But Isaiah declared more: Jesus was to be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). This was no fluke, but God’s resolved purpose, for, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:7). In this we have an unstoppable hope: the Messiah has come — Merry Christmas!

Sermon:https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6948df0a1f15531a561fbb64

When we hope in God, we can hope have hope for one another. That’s because — whether we’re weak or strong — the same Savior is helping us in our journey, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13). Knowing this, we’re called to receive one another as Christ has received us . . . in all our imperfections. This is what Christian community looks like — believers in their various stages of life, weaknesses, and misunderstandings of doctrine singing together in one accord as they hope, together, in Christ.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/69366a3816a3768dc4b231f1

Needless debates can tear a church apart in no time. So how do the strong and weak avoid dividing over matters of conscience — considering that God has designed the church to be a family with differing levels of knowledge and maturity? Paul gives four corrections in Romans 14. First, don’t condemn your brother for something God doesn’t condemn them for. Second, don’t destroy God’s church for the sake of a food, day, custom, or conviction not clearly given in His Word. Third, seek the kingdom of God. And, fourth, pursue the things that make for peace. While we’re not to violate our conscience, we are to walk in faith, love, and kindness, forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/692d2f7d76788078fc36b81d

Message to men — scrolling endlessly on your phones and arguing with people online is a dereliction of your sacred duties. God made men to build, govern, and reclaim. This doctrine of work begins with the Dominion Mandate (Gen. 1:28). Men are called to be dominion-takers, working with their wives in common cause to glorify Christ. To take dominion is not to exert evil domination; it’s to engage in creative stewardship. It’s expanding the usefulness of everything in the world that God made. So, men: Learn a new skill, provide for your family, and build something that matters — giving Christ the preeminence in all things (Col. 1:18).

As you gather with your family this week, what are you thankful for? The truth is, it’s easy to “give thanks” when things are going our way. But Scripture calls us to “give thanks” in everything (1 Thess. 5:18), including our ups and downs. Our highest form of thanksgiving should not be for the food, family, and health God has blessed us with, but for God being who He is—holy, sovereign, majestic, independent, and unchanging. So rather than focus your gratitude this Thanksgiving on your outward blessings, thank God for being God.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6923f50b8470e3d1e150b483