ARCC Sermons

In this hour of utter darkness, Christ, from the cross, points us to a Psalm of David that speaks of suffering and despair that ultimately ends in triumph. The beauty of it all is that in the darkness God finds us. Additional Scripture References: John 17:11, 22; John 17:1; Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 2:10-11; Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 10:14-23; Psalm 22; Romans 10:20

In this most significant moment in history, as Jesus is being tortured and humiliated, mocked and reviled, it is Mark’s desire to help the reader to understand that God is in complete control, all sovereign, and THE all powerful King. It is only through His sovereign, merciful, grace that we would be able to look upon the cross and believe. Additional Scripture References: Romans 16:13; James 1:12...

Despised and Rejected Additional Scripture References: John 18:28-19:16; Mark 8:31-38; Mark 7:1-7; Mark 10:33-34; John 14:6; Romans 3:10-11; John 13:34-35; Col. 1:15-17; Psalm 22:1,6-8, 14-18; 1 Peter 2:23; Isaiah 53

As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story? Additional Scripture References: Proverbs 10:19; Matthew 7:6; Luke 21:15; James 1:19; John 8...

As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story? Additional Scripture References: Psalm 37:4; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25; Luke 6:20-26

What we learn from Jesus’ human frailty. Additional Scripture References: Hebrews 5:7; 4:15-16; Matthew 6; Luke 6:20-26

Jesus had an incredible message for His disciples when He was telling them of their future failure. Because they were all trapped on the vicious cycle of trying to morally outdo one another they were blinded. God graciously ordains failure in our life in order to show us this incredibly freeing truth of His grace. Additional Scripture References: Zechariah 13:7-9; Isaiah 53:5

Observing the Lord’s Supper or Communion is remembering the high price that was paid in order to offer a free gift of infinite worth. Let us feel the humility, the gratitude, and the hope that comes with the observance of WHAT was purchased through Christ’s blood on the cross: A BETTER COVENANT WITH BETTER PROMISES. Additional Scripture References: Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 8:6-12; Exodus...

God is making His appeal in and through those whom He has claimed for Himself! If you are in Christ then you have been raised up for a purpose. Additional Scripture References: Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:20; 23-25; Colossians 213-15; Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Last week you have this “beautiful thing…” done by a woman and we celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. This week we see a horrific thing and yet we are to celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. If you are boasting in the cross of Christ then you are celebrating God and His sovereign hand that brought ALL of it to pass. Additiona...

The turning point of all of history was days away. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, would have his body, the unleavened bread, broken for our sins. While in Bethany, Mary (Martha’s sister) prepares Jesus for burial in advance by pouring an outrageous amount of expensive perfume over his head. Judas, along with other onlookers, condemn her for the waste. But how could preparing the God of the universe for...

Oh how bad the curse we feel. Oh the glories His coming will reveal. He’s coming back and He has commanded us to stay awake and be ready for His return. Are you ready? Additional Scripture References: Isaiah 14:12-13; 24:18-22; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Isaiah 25:6-9; John 6:63; Deuteronomy 32:47; John 4:34; 6:38; John 17:1; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 9:27

When Christianity is literally life and death there is no room for gray areas. It is in these times when it is clearest who the “sheep” are that Jesus speaks of in John 10. Additional Scripture References: John 10:25-30; Romans 8:6-10; Galatians 6:17

Jesus is wanting to encourage His disciples to equate "the end" with running harder than ever, striving after His word and His promises, and pursuing righteousness like never before. Ultimately, Christ is calling on us to rest in the bitter-sweetness of our insufficiency that brings to light God's gracious, sovereignty. Additional Scripture References: Mark 9:35; 12;36; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-15: 2 C...

After Jesus silences the crowd with His answers He goes on the offensive by proving that the Messiah was much more than David’s son. He then gives a warning in regards to the hearts of men, and then finishes with an exhortation to sacrifice. Additional Scripture References: 2 Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 11; Philippians 2:9-10; James 3:1; Hebrews 13; James 2:18-19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 2...

It was the Scribe’s commendable effort to manage and sort and prioritize the commandments of God that kept him from truly understanding their purpose. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 5:19; 23:23; Deuteronomy 6; 1 John 5:19-21; Isaiah 45:5; Leviticus 19:18; Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 1:12-17; Romans 3:2; 9; 19-20; Galatians 6:18

The Sadducees make their attempt to trap Jesus up in asking a hypothetical question about marriage and the resurrection. What we find is that "knowing" the word and "knowing" the power of God means EVERYTHING. Additional Scripture References: Deuteronomy 25:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:26; John 8:44; 2 Timothy 3:15; James 1:21; Ephesians 1:16-20; Genesis 1,2,6,19; Exodus 6-12, 14; 2 Cori...

It is quite possible that God’s answers to our questions are meant to lead us to the correct questions that truly need to be answered. Additional Scripture References: 1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 11:3-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 5:21; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 26:12; Psalm 51:16-17

It is clear that the Elders and the Chief Priests felt like Christ was speaking about them in this parable as those who destroyed the servants which would certainly serve a purpose. I wonder, however, if Jesus was really speaking to those who would receive the vineyard because of the actions of the tenants. Additional Scripture References: Luke 7:8; Mark 4:11; Luke 11:47; Matthew 23:31; Acts 7:52;...

Jesus tells his disciples of things that will “come to pass” for those who believe. He even goes so far as to tell them that whatever they ask for in prayer will be theirs if they believe they have received it. Because there are several ways this can be interpreted for us living in a different culture and with a different mindset, it can be important for us to look at context and other texts to un...

A look at the most famous verse in the Bible. Attributes of God: Independence – (Acts 17:24-25; Job 41:11; Ps. 50:10-12) Unchangeableness – (Ps. 102:25-27) Eternality – (Ps 90:2; Job 36:26; Rev. 1:8; Ps. 90:4; Gal. 4:4-5) Omnipresent – (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 10:14; Ps. 139:7-10) Wisdom – (Romans 16:27; Ps. 104:24; Romans 8:28) Truth – (Jer. 10:10-11; John 17:3; Num. 23:19) Goodness – (Luke 18:19; Ps. 10...

God selected His people not so that they could be a private club, but so that they would turn and bless the rest of the world. Christ's church has been given the Gospel for the same purpose. When we forget about the Gospel, the church loses her mission and becomes a burden to the rest of the world as well as those inside. Additional Scripture References: James 1:19-22; Romans 9:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:...

Jesus was God when men were willingly handing over their donkey, when men were laying down their cloaks and branches, as well as when men were nailing him to a cross. Do we worship Christ as though He were only God on Sundays? Additional Scripture References: Genesis 49:8-12; Zechariah 9:9; Hebrews 2:8-9

Jesus shows His disciples what success, influence, and power really look like. How will the church impact culture and society? Additional Scripture References: Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 17:32-34; 18:5-8; Mark 4:11

Additional Scripture References: Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:12