Shepherd of the Hills - Winchester VA

Matthew 21:33-43 Jesus tells us a story about a landowner who is unbelievably patient with the least deserving tenants ever. What can we learn? God has patience for us that could fairly be called reckless. Without concern for the cost, he patiently reaches out in love to call us to repent and be his own.

Matthew 21:23-32 Jesus tells us a story to show how God desires sincere obedient faith, not simple lip service. God doesn’t want us to simply go through religious motions like some sort of show. He sees right through that. God’s desire is that our repentance would demonstrate sincere sorrow over sin. God wants us to see the grace and forgiveness he has shown us in Christ, and in response, to love...

Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells us a story about generosity that just doesn't make sense. It's not fair! That's the point, though. God isn't fair when he deals with us. He's generous, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Genesis 50:15-21 The fifth and final in a series of sermons in which we are asking "What kind of church does God want?" instead of "What kind of church do I want?" How do you handle when someone has genuinely wronged you? Do you fantasize about getting even? Do you wait to forgive until they've made it up to you? Until your emotions have calmed? God calls believers, his chu...

Galatians 2:11-16 The fourth in a series of sermons in which we are asking "What kind of church does God want?" instead of "What kind of church do I want?" God's message is inherently offensive. That means that sharing it can be hard, especially when it means confronting a brother or sister caught in sin. That is, however, exactly what God calls and equips his church to do...

Matthew 16:21-26 The third in a series of sermons in which we are asking "What kind of church does God want?" instead of "What kind of church do I want?" Our instincts tell us that being members of God's church, connected to his glory and power should be an experience of outward glory and success as well, so what happens when we face hardship? The temptation is to avoid con...

Matthew 16:13-20 Number two in a series of sermons in which we are asking "What kind of church does God want?" instead of "What kind of church do I want?"

Matthew 15:21-28 This is the first in a series of sermons in which we are asking "What kind of church does God want?" instead of "What kind of church do I want?" Is everyone welcome at your church? Why or why not? Today we look at the story of how Jesus lovingly challenged a Canaanite woman to see how serious Jesus is about being the Savior of all, regardless of background, sta...

Matthew 14:22-33 This is the 6th and final sermon in our series on defining what it means to be Christian using God's Word. Doubt is the unpleasant constant companion of faith which likes to rear its ugly head at the worst times: when hardship and crisis occur. Whether we like it or not, doubt is always a part of a Christian's life on earth, but Christians have a unique way of answering th...

1 Kings 17:1-6 This is the 5th in our series on defining what it means to be Christian using God's Word. When it comes to where we get the things we need and want, Christians are no different from anyone else. What makes Christians different is how they view this process. Christians recognize God's powerful hand at work providing for them, and can trust in him to always provide what they n...

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 This is the third in a sermon series in which we are trying to define what it means to be Christian the way Jesus would. Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Weeds that believers can expect to live alongside evil and unbelievers in the world until Judgment Day. This means Christians need to live different and not give into the temptation to become weeds too. It also require...

Matthew 13:44-52 This is the fourth in a series in which we are trying to define what it means to be Christian the way Jesus would. A Christian properly values the gospel as their chief treasure, one that would be worth selling everything in order to obtain. Better still, God offers the gospel freely in his love!

Isiah 55:6-11 This is the fourth in a series of sermons in which we are trying to define what it means to be Christian the way Jesus himself would. What makes you Christian? Is it your Bible knowledge? Your thoughts, words, and actions? Your family? Your church attendance? No. God, in his wisdom, has chosen his Word to be the powerful tool he uses to create and sustain the faith that makes us Chri...

Matthew 11:25-30 This is the second in a series of sermons in which we are attempting to define "Christian" in God's terms. Humans need rest. Without it we suffer. Everyone looks for physical, emotional, and mental rest in all sorts of places with all sorts of plans. Christians aren't unique in their search for rest. They are, however, unique in where they find rest. Christians f...

Matthew 10:34-42 This is the first sermon in a series attempting to define what it even means to be Christian. (Ask 10 different people and you'll get 10 different answers!) We are looking to God himself for his definition of "Christian." Being Christian at its core means being someone who loves God above all. This doesn't always mean that everything is going to be peaceful and p...