Dr. Mike McCormick

Today we return to our study of the New Testament letter of 1 John. The Apostle has gone to great lengths explaining the necessity of abiding in the truth in order to protect the church from false teaching. He now transitions just a bit to emphasize the crucial nature of abiding in Christ himself. Four truths emerge from the text to show us the clear benefits of remaining close to Jesus. Scripture...

Today is the final Sunday for 2025. In an effort to reflect on the past year and renew our devotion entering a new year, we take a closer look into one of the closing portions of the book of Hebrews. All followers of Christ should ask themselves this question: Does Jesus make a difference in the way I live? He should. Scripture text is Hebrews 13:7-17.

Today is the fourth and final Sunday of the Advent season, just four days before Christmas. We think about the joy that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. The worship choir presented a musical representation of the gospel message, followed by a brief message from Matthew 1:18 -25. The preaching portion of the service is included here.

Today we celebrate week three of the Advent season where the focus is on love. One of the primary ways to demonstrate love for the Lord is through quality time. We can grow in our relationships with Christ by spending time in His presence. We should be spending time in prayer. We should be spending time reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. In this way we can "sit at the feet of Je...

Today is the second Sunday of the Advent season and the emphasis is on peace. It has been said that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ. It follows, then, that we should be seeking Christ as our source of peace in the world. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. Scripture text is John 1:19 -34.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent for 2025. Where can you find hope in the world? We look to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah to point us toward Christ, the Messiah. Jesus is the only source of true hope, both then and now. Scripture text is Isaiah 9:1-7.

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of 1 John. False teachers had infiltrated the assembly of God's people, but they have now departed, effectively demonstrating they never truly belonged to the family. The Apostle John explains further the potential damage that is done by those who preach a Jesus not consistent with the Scriptures. He also explains the precious prom...

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the first of John's three letters. The Apostle identifies three distinct groups of people in his audience: newer believers, older believers, and maturing believers. Each group receives aspects of the larger truth, reminding them of their identity in Christ Jesus. They are all then admonished to focus their affections squarely on the Savior...

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of 1 John. There are ways to know for sure if you are really in Christ and if you have really come to know him. Today's text tells us about two hallmarks of the Christian faith: obedience to the word of God and love for our brothers. These two characteristics are clear indicators of abiding unity with Christ. Scripture text is 1 John 2:3-...

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of 1 John. Honesty is truly the best policy, but many times we find it all to easy to be dishonest or deceptive. The Bible tells us about a gospel message we must share, a curse of sin we must address, and a righteous Savior we must embrace. We must understand these things if we are to "walk in the light as He Himself is in the light." Sc...

Today we begin a new sermon series as we study the book of 1 John. The Apostle John was used by God to write five books in the New Testament. He wrote the gospel that bears his name, he wrote three general epistles, and he was also given the Revelation as he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. The letters of John have a clear connection with John's gospel in this way: the gospel was written that we...

Today we conclude our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. It has been a wild adventure through the drama of God's people. They disobey and rebel. They suffer. God sends a judge to deliver them. They repent. God restores them to a right relationship. The judge dies. The people immediately return to their life of sin and disobedience. And on and on we go. As we come to the end of the na...

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Actions have consequences and the twentieth chapter of Judges recounts some of the consequences resulting from the continuing downward spiral of wickedness found in the people of God. Everyone is guilty so everyone suffers judgment to some extent. Scripture text is Judges 20:1-48.

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. This passage of Scripture is filled with terrible actions which are the result of the disintegration of covenant faithfulness within the people of Israel. It's one thing for unbelievers to behave like unbelievers. It's quite another thing for the people of God to behave like unbelievers. The people of God must live lives that a...

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. This week is the second part of a two-week miniseries within the narrative that demonstrates several ways in which people attempt to mask their sin. Despite our best efforts, nothing will hide our sin from God. We are only fooling ourselves. Scripture text is Judges 18:7-31.

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Following the death of Samson, there are no more judges being sent by God. The only thing that remains is a catalogue of the continued downward spiral and spiritual decline of the people of Israel. Scripture text is Judges 17:1-18:6.

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges as we conclude the life of Samson. He had a weakness of which he was unaware. He was tempted with women almost at every turn and it would prove to be his undoing. Despite all his self-reliance and sin, God still used Samson to accomplish His purposes. Repentance is always the best option. Scripture text is Judges 16:1-31.

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Samson is the current judge over Israel during the days of the Philistines. Unfortunately, he manages to forsake God's covenant, transgress God's law, ignore God's wisdom, and try God's patience. In addition to all these things, Samson demonstrates a terrible pattern of anger and revenge. Despite his complete failure as...

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Chapter 13 marks the continuing of the rebellion of God's people as well as the introduction of a new Judge. The people of God are suffering at the hand of the Philistines for 40 years as the Lord promises the birth of Samson who will begin to deliver the people. We see God's hand at every turn as we look forward to the...

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Jephthah makes a grave error in declaring a vow to the Lord that is completely unnecessary. There was no King in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This is a sad commentary for the people of God both then and now. Scripture text is Judges 11:29 - 12:15 .

As we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges, we are introduced to a mighty warrior named Jephthah, a son of Gilead. The most striking feature of this portion of the story is the way in which it point us directly toward Christ, the Messiah. Scripture text is Judges 11:1-28.

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Following the death of Gideon, God uses some relatively obscure judges to handle a temporary time of peace consisting of about 45 years. Unfortunately, it would not last. The people fall right back into the vicious cycle of disobedience and rebellion. Chapter 10 causes us to begin longing for the ultimate deliverer sent...

Today we continue our study through the book of Judges. Gideon has passed away and the land has enjoyed 40 years of rest. Unfortunately, his son, Abimilech, has made a play to become king. Abimilech has played the family card to gain a following while also hiring mercenaries to eliminate his competition for leadership. That competition just happened to be his seventy brothers. Ungodly leadership i...

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Judges. Gideon has almost completed his conquest of the people of Midian, but there are difficulties ahead. This chapter provides a helpful lesson in Typology with the correlation between Gideon and Jesus. Scripture text is Judges 8:1-35.

Today we get back to our study verse by verse through the Old Testament book of Judges. Gideon is preparing for battle against the Midianites, but the Lord still has some work to do in Gideon's life before he is ready for war. Spiritually speaking, all followers of Jesus need to be prepared for spiritual warfare. It is all around us. We need to become discipled warriors. Scripture text for today i...