Past Sermons

In this message, Andrew looks at Jesus’ surprising words in John 14 and 16. Jesus tells His disciples that it is better for them if He goes away, because He will send another Advocate—the Holy Spirit. This lesson explores the Spirit’s role in convicting us of our need for Jesus and how God continues His work powerfully through the Holy Spirit today.

In this message from Ephesians 2:11-22, Braden explores the many ways we experience division in everyday life—and the far greater division that once existed between Jews and Gentiles. Through the blood of Christ, Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility and created one new people. This lesson reminds us that in Christ we are no longer separated by background, culture, or differences, but are made one body through the cross.

In this message from the series on the Holy Spirit, John contrasts the ineffective approach of legalism—knowledge plus effort equaling transformation—with the true, life-changing power of the Spirit. Drawing from Romans 7 and other Pauline letters, he shows that God desires not merely right behavior enforced by willpower, but right people who naturally look and act like Jesus. Through personal stories and clear teaching, John invites us to stop striving in the flesh and yield to the Holy Spirit’s progressive work that forms us into Christ’s image.

In this message, our Summer Intern Braden explores the transforming reality of God’s grace through Ephesians 2:1–10. Beginning with a lighthearted personal story of childhood mess-ups and the longing for forgiveness, he moves into the broader biblical picture of human failure—from the Garden of Eden to the struggles of David, Samson, and the Israelites.

Paul’s words remind us that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins, following the ways of the world. Yet the heart of the passage shines with hope: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us… made us alive together with Christ.” Salvation is a free gift received by grace through faith—not earned by works—so that no one can boast. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the good works He prepared for us.

Braden highlights God’s unconditional love, illustrated by the father of the prodigal son who runs to welcome the returning child with open arms. The sermon invites listeners to rest in the immeasurable riches of God’s kindness shown in Christ and to walk in the new life He freely offers.

In this sermon from Black Hills Church of Christ, John explores the true freedom Christians experience through the Holy Spirit.

Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3, he contrasts the old covenant (the Law written on stone tablets), which brings condemnation and has a fading glory, with the new covenant. The new covenant is written by the Spirit on human hearts, brings righteousness and lasting life, and offers unfading glory through a transforming relationship with God rather than rule-keeping.

Key emphasis: The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom—not license to do whatever we want, but liberation from legalism, condemnation, and self-effort as we focus on Christ with unveiled faces. Transformation comes from beholding Him, not just studying rules.

A powerful reminder that our competence and change come from God through the Holy Spirit. Perfect for reflection on living in the freedom of the new covenant!

In the sermon "Gifts for Others Strength," Andrew from Black Hills Church of Christ teaches from 1 Corinthians 12 on spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Addressing the divided, competitive Corinthian church—where believers vied for prominence and formed factions—Paul emphasizes that diverse gifts (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, tongues, etc.) come from the same Spirit, Lord, and God, distributed to each believer specifically for the common good, not personal glory or status. Andrew uses the powerful body analogy, highlighting how even "lesser" parts like the pinky finger provide essential grip strength, to show that every gift and role is vital in God's design for unity and strength in the church. The message calls believers to humbly use their gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ, rather than seeking showiness or superiority.

In this encouraging message, John explores how God continues to reveal Himself to ordinary believers today through the Holy Spirit. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2 (and insights from John 16), the sermon highlights that Jesus is the true head of the church, actively working in each believer’s life. John shares his ministry philosophy of fostering full dependence on the Spirit rather than human leaders, addresses common concerns in Church of Christ circles about the Spirit’s ongoing role, and clarifies that this is personal, ongoing revelation—not new scripture—tailored to each believer’s readiness. He contrasts the world’s “operating system” of interpreting reality apart from God with the Spirit-enabled perspective available to Christians. Perfect for anyone desiring a deeper, Spirit-led walk with Christ. #HolyGhost

"We're in this Together" – A message from Andrew exploring how God partners with people in His work, especially through the inspiration of Scripture. Rather than overriding human authors, the Holy Spirit breathes through them—carrying them along while honoring their voices, minds, and contexts.

Drawing from 2 Peter 1 and the story of the early church, this sermon highlights how the same Spirit who inspired the Bible still invites believers today into active participation, shared discernment, and collaborative wisdom. It's an encouraging look at divine-human partnership that deepens our trust in Scripture and our role in God's ongoing work.

What does it mean when Scripture calls life “vanity” or “meaningless”? In this sermon, Matt explores the Hebrew word Hevel (הֶבֶל) — a poetic image of vapor or breath — and helps us understand how to live with purpose in a world that often feels fleeting and empty.

Andrew traces the vital connection between God’s presence and true life, starting in the Garden of Eden where Adam’s access to the tree of life and God’s presence meant full, vibrant living—while separation brought a form of death long before physical dying. Andrew then moves to the powerful vision in Ezekiel 37, where God commands the prophet to speak to a valley of dry bones. Only when the ruach (Spirit/breath/wind) enters them do the reassembled bodies truly come to life, forming a vast army.

The message powerfully shows that we can look “alive” on the outside yet remain spiritually dead without the Holy Spirit. True restoration, hope, and resurrection life come only through God’s indwelling Spirit.

John contrasts two ways of approaching God’s Law: the “morality maintenance model” (relying on intellect and willpower to decipher and obey a massive rulebook) versus the “Spirit-driven transformation model.” Through Jesus’ death and our new birth (John 3), the Holy Spirit indwells us, fulfilling the Law from the inside out—not by abolishing it, but by empowering genuine obedience that flows naturally from a transformed heart (Romans 7–8). John emphasizes that the Spirit makes living a life that honors God not just possible, but the expected reality for those born again, turning duty into delight and external effort into organic fruit.

Andrew explores how the Bible uses rich, diverse metaphors—wind/breath (ruach), living water, and fire—to help us grasp the ungraspable nature of the Holy Spirit. These images reveal the Spirit as life-giving and sustaining (like breath in Genesis 2 and Ezekiel 37), refreshing and flowing from within (John 7), and powerfully purifying/transforming (Acts 2 and Isaiah).

Andrew challenges us to expand our limited mental pictures of the Spirit, recognizing how single analogies can constrain our understanding of His vast power and activity in our lives. The message encourages embracing the full, dynamic reality of the Spirit rather than minimizing it.

In "Adam 2.0," John from Black Hills Church of Christ continues their series on the Holy Spirit. He presents Jesus as the ultimate prototype of humanity—fully God who emptied Himself (Philippians 2, John 1) to become fully human like us (Hebrews 2 & 4), experiencing the same limitations we face. Jesus lived perfectly pleasing to God not through hidden superpowers, but through total dependence on the Father and being saturated by the Holy Spirit—making what seems supernatural to us the intended normal for “Adam 1.0.”

Life can be hard—full of pain, struggles, and seasons where prayer feels difficult. In this encouraging message, we explore how we can pray with real confidence and Kingdom authority. Using the beautiful picture of a signet ring (a symbol of the King’s delegated power), this sermon gently invites us to move from frustration in prayer to a place of hope and trust. You’ll be encouraged to pray with fresh faith, knowing God hears us, works in His perfect timing, and equips us to pray as His beloved representatives.

A warm and practical reminder that we don’t pray alone— we pray with the authority of our King.

This powerful message examines the reality of temptation and testing in the Christian life, drawing from the example of Jesus in the wilderness. It explores how trials refine our faith, how God provides a way through every temptation, and how we can stand strong with His help—turning tests into opportunities for growth and deeper trust in Christ.

Based on Jesus’ words in John 14, this message reminds us that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for His followers in His Father’s house. It explores the hope, comfort, and assurance we have in Christ’s promise to return and take us to be with Him forever—encouraging us to trust Him amid uncertainty and to live with eternity in view.

Drawing from Psalm 84 and the story of the sons of Korah, this message explores how our past—including generational brokenness and painful histories—shapes us today. It encourages us to move forward by trusting in God’s presence, finding strength in His dwelling place, and releasing burdens as we walk toward a future anchored in Him. A powerful call to unburden our hearts and find true freedom in God’s faithfulness.

In John 5, Jesus encounters a man who had been disabled for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda. This message explores the historical and archaeological reality of the pool, the desperate search for healing in the wrong places, and how Jesus offers true healing and restoration that goes far beyond what anyone expected. A powerful reminder of who Jesus is and what He can do in our lives.