Stories of God: The Sacrifice of Isaac

Genesis 22

This sermon delves into the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22, emphasizing Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises even when asked to sacrifice his son. Drawing from Hebrews 11 and James 2, the message shows that Abraham’s faith was not blind but reasoned and deeply rooted in God’s character—trusting that God could raise the dead if necessary. It also reveals how this story foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus, with Isaac as a type of Christ and the ram as a symbol of substitution. Ultimately, Mark Skillin in this sermon challenges listeners to live out the Christian faith that not only believes but acts, trusting God’s goodness even when His ways are mysterious.

Stories of God: God Sees the Heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13

In this sermon Pastor Scott shares the story of God choosing David as the next king of Israel, found in 1 Samuel 16. We walk through Samuel’s fear, God’s surprising instruction, and the powerful moment when David, the overlooked youngest son tending sheep, is chosen and anointed. The key message centers on how God does not look at outward appearances but sees the heart. We reflect on how this applies to us—reminding listeners that God values faithfulness in hidden places and uses those with a surrendered heart for significant Kingdom purposes, even if they feel overlooked or unqualified.

Spirit: How To Be Filled

This final part of the Spirit series explores how to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit—not just as a one-time event, but as a daily reality. Drawing from Scripture and practical illustrations, we look at how sin and distraction can block the Spirit’s flow, why a lukewarm heart is so dangerous, and how true spiritual power is marked by love. Pastor Scott covers three practices to help us be continuously filled by the Holy Spirit: aligning your life with God’s will, waiting on Him with expectancy, and giving away to others the love and power we receive from the Holy Spirit. This message is a call to go beyond spiritual routine and become a life set ablaze by the presence of God.

Spirit: What It Looks Like to Be Filled

In this sermon, we dive into the vital work of the Holy Spirit—regenerating our lives, transforming our hearts, enabling deep prayer, and giving us boldness and assurance of salvation. The Spirit pours out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5). The Spirit empowers us to live out Christlike love, endure suffering with joy, and understand spiritual truths. We don’t need to try to manufacture these qualities on our own; in fact, these things are impossible to do without the Holy Spirit. A key to the Christian life is learning how to yield to the Spirit’s work in our lives.

Spirit: Why We Need to Be Filled

This sermon launches a three-part series on the Holy Spirit by addressing why we need to be filled with Him. Pastor Scott highlights the confusion and extremes often associated with the Spirit—some churches downplay His role, while others overemphasize emotional or dramatic manifestations. Yet the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or influence, but God Himself—the third person of the Trinity. Scripture shows that the Spirit teaches, comforts, convicts, empowers, and enables believers to live the Christian life. Without the Spirit, such a life is not merely difficult but impossible. This message corrects common misunderstandings and calls the church to actively seek the Spirit, recognizing Him as essential to living a life that truly honors God.

Stories of God: Easter Sunday

Luke 24: 1 - 35

What if Jesus is closer than you think—even when you feel most abandoned? On Easter Sunday, we looked at two disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus, and how the risen Jesus met them in their confusion, not their certainty. As he walked with them and opened the Scriptures, their hearts began to burn with fresh hope. This message invites you to see how God often shows up in the questions, not just the answers.

Stories of God: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus

Luke 19: 28 - 48

This sermon, based on Luke 19:28–48, explores the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Just days before His crucifixion, Jesus enters the city on a donkey in fulfillment of prophecy, declaring Himself King, but not the kind of political or military leader many expected. Instead, He embodies peace and humility. The crowd's celebration contrasts with Jesus’ deep sorrow as He weeps over Jerusalem, lamenting that the people do not recognize the peace He offers or the significance of His coming. Jesus then drives out the shop vendors in the temple, asserting His authority. This passage gives us a glimpse into the complexity and beauty of Jesus’ character, calling listeners to see Jesus for who He truly is and to respond with authentic worship.

Stories of God: Dinner Party Shake Up

Luke 14: 1 - 24

Jesus is invited to dine at the house of a leader of Pharisees, only to disrupt the evening. It was the Sabbath, and a man with dropsy approaches Jesus for healing—something the religious leaders around the table would’ve considered forbidden work. Jesus heals the man anyway, stunning the dinner guests. He then addresses the guests with two banquet parables designed to expose their pride and self-righteousness. 

This message compels each listener to reflect personally: have you truly humbled yourself before God? Do you presume you're secure in God’s kingdom, or do you recognize your deep spiritual need and your dependence on His grace?

Stories of God: Zacchaeus encounters Jesus

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Jericho who became very rich from exploiting people’s finances. One day Jesus passed through Jericho, and Zaccheus did everything he could to see Jesus, even climbing a tree because he was too short to see him in the crowds. Then Jesus calls up to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree because Jesus planned to come to his house, and while the crowd is shocked Jesus would go to the house of a “sinner,” Zacchaeus responds with saying he will give half of everything he owns to the poor.

Church leader Vicky Griffiths helps us in this message to understand the significance of this interaction. It seems like Zacchaeus is seeking Jesus, but really Jesus is seeking him.

This message is also part of Family Sunday and is designed for grade school kids to listen in, too.

Stories of God: The Woman Caught in Mercy

John 8: 1 - 11

While Jesus is teaching in the temple, religious leaders drag a woman into the space who had committed adultery. The leaders’ aim is not justice; rather they use her to provoke Jesus to say something that would get him in trouble. But what Jesus says puts the religious leaders in their place, and he protects the woman, offers her mercy, and calls her to live a new life: “Go, and from now on sin no more.” Today when we read this story from John 8:1 - 11, maybe we see ourselves in the story as the religious leaders, but many of us can relate to the Woman. Each one of us has sinned against God’s ways, and each one of us needs God’s forgiveness. This message is for anyone who is struggling with guilt or shame and needs to drink in the mercy of Jesus that ushers people into a new life.