the Cross Orlando

The final week of the Genesis series looks at the story of Jacob, beginning around Genesis 32 as he parts from Laban and prepares to face Esau, recapping how the patriarchs reveal a God caught up in the particular details of ordinary lives.

Continuing the Genesis series, this message examines the often-overlooked life of Isaac, beginning around Genesis 22-23, and reflects on Abraham's defining willingness to receive God's gifts rather than manufacture his own future.

Continuing the Genesis series, this message takes up the difficult story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac, framed by a personal account of a coworker who stumbled over how God could test Abraham that way, and traces Abraham's journey from Haran.

Continuing the Genesis series, this message turns to the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 (starting from chapter 9 after the flood), urging that these primordial stories be read as more than children's fables and exploring what they reveal about God.

Continuing the Genesis series, this message moves into Genesis 2-3 and the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, beginning with the unwatered, virgin ground before God forms man to work it.

Beginning a series through Genesis, this message looks at the creation account in Genesis 1, with extended background on how Moses recorded the Torah, the transmission of the Hebrew text, and God's presence associated with light.

A New Year's Day message on 1 Peter 1, personally recalling the preacher's late father, focusing on being born again to a living hope through the resurrection and how trials test and refine faith amid the complexities of life.

A Christmas Eve reading of the nativity in Luke 2, noting how Luke roots the birth of Jesus in real history under Caesar Augustus and Quirinius, with God breaking into the midst of politics, taxes, and ordinary life through lowly Mary and Joseph.

The Advent gospel-openings series concludes with Luke 1, the most detailed nativity account, beginning with Luke's purpose in writing an orderly account and the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah of John the Baptist's birth.

Continuing the Advent series on the gospel openings, this message turns to Matthew 1 and the genealogy of Jesus—son of David, son of Abraham—showing how Matthew roots Jesus of Nazareth in real history and Israel's story.

Continuing the Advent gospel-openings series, this message examines the prologue of John 1, "In the beginning was the Word," exploring the divine, uncreated Word through whom all things were made and the light that shines in the darkness.

The first Sunday of Advent begins a series on the openings of the four gospels, starting with Mark 1, whose proclamation of John the Baptist is rooted in the comfort prophecy of Isaiah 40 announcing the way of the Lord.

A study of Micah 6:6-8, set in the prophet's courtroom-style indictment of Judah, recalling God's faithfulness in delivering Israel and leading toward the famous call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

An All Saints Day message on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, framing the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus' second giving of the law and showing how he fulfills Israel's covenant and inaugurates a new kingdom.

A Reformation Sunday message on John 8:31-36, where Jesus tells those who believed in him that abiding in his word makes them truly his disciples who will know the truth that sets them free.

A study of Genesis 28 and Jacob's dream at Bethel of a ladder reaching to heaven, where God renews the covenant promise given to Abraham and Isaac, after Jacob had deceived his father to obtain the blessing.

A sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Paul's thanksgiving for the Corinthian church, teaching that the reality of Christ is evidenced by believers belonging to and being gifted within the body, sustained by Christ's prerogative as they await his return and the resurrection.

A sermon on Luke 14:1-11, where Jesus heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath at a Pharisee's house out of genuine compassion, then tells the parable of taking the lowest place, teaching humility that flows from knowing the place Christ has prepared for us.

A study of Psalm 30, David's song of thanksgiving for God protecting him from his foes, healing him, and rescuing his soul from death, with the assurance that God's anger lasts a moment but his favor a lifetime: weeping endures the night, joy comes in the morning.

A sermon on Galatians 5:25-6:10, teaching that Christ sets believers free from the law so that, rather than living by the works of the flesh, they sow to the Spirit and reap its fruit and eternal life.

A study of the ten lepers healed by Jesus in Luke 17, where only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks, reflecting on gratitude and on God setting apart his people for the sake of the whole world.

A deeper look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, providing historical background on the bitter divide between Jews and Samaritans and how Israel was always meant to be a servant drawing the world back to God.

A study of 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, where Paul defends his ministry, calling the Corinthians his living "letter of recommendation" written by the Spirit, and contrasts the fading glory of the old covenant carved in stone with the surpassing glory of the new covenant of the Spirit.

An exposition of Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, addressed to those who trust in their own righteousness and treat others with contempt, exploring the trap of trying to earn God's favor.

A study of Luke 19, walking through Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the donkey and his acceptance of worship as the Son of David, leading to the moment he draws near and weeps over the city.