Church at the Armory

In a modern age where church has often become a spectator event, we must recapture the biblical mandate that “each one” brings something to the gathering. Being used by the Spirit and building up the body is not optional—it is essential. This message is a verse-by-verse exposition of that reality, as found in 1 Corinthians 14.

In a modern age where church has often become a spectator event, we must recapture the biblical mandate that “each one” brings something to the gathering. Being used by the Spirit and building up the body is not optional—it is essential. This message is a verse-by-verse exposition of that reality, as found in 1 Corinthians 14.

Insecurity is choking the life and purpose out of believers. This message explores how God sees us and what that means for our role as those who desire to do His will. When we gain His perspective, we can't help but be empowered to do what He has called us to do.

One of the challenging questions in our Christian faith is the issue of judging others. Are we supposed to judge others? Or are we not? If we are, when should we do it, how should we go about it, and by what standard? There are so many questions—and people seem able to find Scripture to support a wide range of answers. This sermon seeks to bring clarity to the confusion surrounding this important...

James sets his sights on the sin of pride and instructs the church on how God views it, as well as how we are to humble ourselves. This section of James is essential for all Christians, regardless of spiritual maturity. We must take seriously the issue of pride within the church.

In chapter four, James begins with a discussion on the root causes of the “fights and quarrels among you.” I believe he is drawing from the lessons of the first murder—the story of Cain and Abel. He concludes this section with a bold statement about God’s jealousy for a people who have grown too friendly with the world.

Scripture tells us that “blind Bartimaeus” followed Jesus after he was healed. This occurred just days before the crucifixion of Christ. Bartimaeus saw Jesus one day—and His death only a few days later. Incredible beauty was followed by indescribable brutality. Yet Bartimaeus’ reason for following Jesus wasn’t based on what he could see, but simply that he could see. This sermon challenges us not...

This Father’s Day message, given by Andrew Runnels, challenges men in four essential areas of godly masculinity. These principles—taken from a book by Robert Lewis—are: rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility, leading courageously, and investing eternally. Each of these can be seen in the creation story and the fall of man. As fathers and men, may we continue to grow in these areas.

James lays out two kinds of wisdom: one that is from heaven and one that is earthly. The evidence of which kind of wisdom is operating in our lives is revealed not just by what we say, but by the deeds that define how we live. In other words, our actions reflect the kind of wisdom we follow. This sermon explores both types of wisdom and warns of the dangers of living without heavenly wisdom.

Immediately after discussing faith, James shifts to our words and how they shape our lives. In some of his bluntest and most direct writing, he treats the believer’s speech far more seriously than many Christians do today.

James uses Abraham, the father of faith, to demonstrate that faith must be accompanied by action to be complete. Belief is good and necessary, but by itself it is incomplete. Belief must be expressed through action in order to mature into genuine faith. Remember, even demons believe—but they do not have faith.

This Sunday Andrew Runnels shared a word, encouraging us all to look at Jesus. And after we’re done with that, look again and again.

This Graduation/Mother’s Day message highlights the legacy that sincere faith leaves in the lives of our children and grandchildren. It’s within this context that Paul declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” The message also includes a few spontaneous testimonies of God’s redemption and answers to a mother’s prayers.

James begins to address the definition of faith in this section of his letter. From our perspective here in 2025, we have a well-rounded understanding of faith drawn from all the New Testament writers, most notably Paul. Yet James was laying some of the very first groundwork for defining faith to an infant church—well before Paul came on the scene. So, hear James’ teaching on faith as some of the...

This Easter message focuses on the type and shadow found in Numbers 21, where the people of Israel are bitten by venomous snakes—a representation of judgment and curse. In response, God provides a way of deliverance: by looking upon a bronze serpent lifted on a pole, they would live. This Old Testament account points us to the cross of Calvary and to our Savior, who took our judgment upon Himself.

The phrase “in view of God’s mercy” from Romans 12 invites us to gaze upon the cross and become living sacrifices. This message takes us back through the first eleven chapters of Romans, where Paul proclaims the heart of the gospel. As Passion Week begins, may we keep our hearts fixed—in view of God’s mercy.

James begins the second chapter with a discussion on favoritism, specifically toward those with wealth. The abject poverty of the early church created a strong temptation to cater to the rich—even when they were treating believers poorly. Financial strain can lead us to make unwise judgments, even within the church. James' wisdom is clear: show no favoritism.

One of our faithfull and older members, Keith Nutt, preached to us a message about the word of God. Encouraging us with the word to “settle” ourselves in it, “until” it does its perfect work in our hearts. Listen to the stories and exhortation of this man’s history with the word of God.

In the final verses of chapter one, James emphatically exhorts the church to do the word. Twice, he warns that hearing the word without living it out leads to self-deception. This highlights a prevalent issue among believers: some assume they are spiritual simply by being around church, scripture, or other spiritual activities, yet they remain unchanged because they do not practice what they hear.

James writes, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Here, he is teaching an infant church how to handle the anger that was “prevalent” among them. In this lesson, I explore why they were angry and how James instructs them to deal with it.

William Barclay, a 20th-century scholar, once described the Book of James as “the most practical book in the New Testament,” and he wasn’t wrong. James’s letter to the twelve tribes of Israel is straightforward enough to understand, yet challenging to live out. This message marks the start of a verse-by-verse series on James. In this first installment, James urges the infant church: it’s time to g...

There is a fascinating story in 1 Samuel about the Ark of God being captured and a head-to-head—quite literally—battle between the God of Israel and Dagon, one of the Philistine gods. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign, full of authority, and glorious all on His own.

Continuing with the theme of “testimonies,” the story of Rahab offers a profound example of how God used the testimony of Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage to transform her life—and ultimately include her in the Messiah’s bloodline. Her words, “We have heard,” show how what she heard became genuine faith.

The concept of God—encompassing Jesus—as “The Shepherd” is a far more significant identity than many of us realize. From Genesis to Revelation, including the Psalms, the Major and Minor Prophets, the Gospels, and the Epistles, this theme is sprinkled throughout the entire biblical narrative. We would do well to deepen our understanding of The Shepherd.

We know how testimonies make us feel. We can sense that they build our faith, but this message walks us through Scripture to reveal how God uses stories of faith in His gospel plan. It helps us understand their purpose and the larger role they play in spiritual life. Testimonies are more than just personal stories—they are essential to God’s master plan. They are woven into the very fabric of prop...