Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

The apostle Peter calls Christians to disarm hostility and influence others for God and for good. In order to do this, we must know 1) what to reject; 2) what to embrace; and 3) what to keep doing. When you are slandered as one who does evil, the response is not verbal, but behavioral. For some, observing consistent godly behavior will make the difference in their decision to choose spiritual life...

Every Christian has been called out of spiritual darkness into God's marvelous light. By pulling four specific phrases from the Old Testament, Peter describes what it means to be the people of God who proclaim His excellencies. From this passage we discover three things: who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

Reaching back to the imagery of the Old Testament, Peter points out that Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of a new temple. Not only is God building a better house through the church, Christians are also a new and better priesthood. As those called to bring spiritual sacrifices of praise and service wherever God has placed them, gathered Christians are now the dwelling place of God's presence. L...

There are no shortcuts to spiritual growth. We must be on guard against certain behaviors. We must also long for spiritual nourishment. This passage tells us where to find that nourishment. We also discover why tasting the kindness of the Lord is an ongoing experience for the growing Christian.

Sincere and fervent love among Christians is not optional. In fact, the love followers of Jesus show for each other is a primary means that God uses to disarm the hostility of a watching world. In this text we discover the glory, the way, the source, the power, and the potential for loving one another well.

God relates to the Christian as both a Father and a Judge. There will be a future judgment for everyone, believer and non-believer alike. The Christian will not be condemned because Jesus Christ was condemned in his place. Yet, there will be eternal rewards based on a Christian's deeds. Not only that, but God's judgment includes His present discipline. By submitting to God's discipline...

Bombarded by distractions, the Christian needs focus if he is to be holy as God is holy. In this passage we discover what to focus on, how to focus on it, and what proper focus produces. Living in the tension between the resurrection and the return of Jesus Christ reminds us that holiness is not something we can produce. The holy behavior God expects of the Christian is the holiness of Christ'...

The Old Testament prophets saw dimly what we are privileged to clearly comprehend. The suffering and glories of Jesus Christ were hinted at in the Old Testament Scriptures, but clearly unfolded in the Gospel to the church. Not only is the death and resurrection of Jesus the foundation of the Christian life, suffering and glory is also the pattern for the Christian life. It is through the suffering...

No one likes trials, yet they are common to us all. For the Christian, no trial is an accident. God designs each trial for a reason. We consider from our text 1) the nature of trials; 2) the purpose of trials; and 3) the outcome of trials. Though a trial is not enjoyable, it can be embraced. And in doing so, we will see Jesus more clearly.

It is possible to greatly rejoice regardless of your circumstances. Peter tells us how. It all has to do with the greatness of God's mercy demonstrated through Jesus Christ. Every Christian experienced a spiritual birth in the past, will receive an inheritance in the future, and is protected by the power of God in the present. It is in reflecting on these truths that we find joy consistently a...

As the apostle Peter begins this letter to Christians scattered across Asia Minor, he reminds them of the importance of calling. Here we see the call to a vocation, the call to a location, and the call to salvation. The Father knew of your current situation before you found yourself in it. The Spirit is working through your situation to make you holy. And the sprinkled blood of the Son provides co...

In Matthew's account, the two Mary's arrive to a dramatic scene at the empty tomb. We discover that the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1) gives you proper perspective; 2) renews your rest; and 3) brings God to you. The death of Christ opens the way into God's presence. In seeking God, the resurrection ensures that God will find you.

Every Christian experiences seasons of silence. In Psalm 22, David grapples with the silence of God. He demonstrates how we must remember past deliverances, persevere in present prayer, and hope in future fulfillment. Yet, there is more going on in this Psalm than for what David's life alone gives account. The prophetic words clearly point to the crucifixion of Jesus. It is at the Cross we dis...

David begins this psalm with the reminder that sin is not something external, but internal to each of us. The answer to our rebelliousness against a good Creator is not trying harder but seeing clearer. We need a vision of God's limitless love. Once we see ourselves in God's light, there is only one proper response: to trust in the way provided for us. Where do see God's love on displa...

The Acts of the Apostles comes to a conclusion without a resolution. The reason for this is because the acts of the Holy Spirit through the church are not finished. God's people are still called to be witnesses; the Gospel is still going forth. As Paul issues a warning to the unbelieving Jews visiting his rented quarters in Rome, we make these observations about the Word of God: it is relevant...

Paul finally makes it to Rome. His circumstances improve, though he remains under house arrest. The apostle never tires of telling others about Jesus. Even as the book of Acts begins to come to a conclusion, we find Paul proclaiming the Gospel. From this passage we learn three simple lessons about evangelism. They are: 1) Be proactive; 2) Be ready; and 3) Be aware.

As Paul finishes the final leg of his journey to Rome, we are offered some surprising insight into engaging the culture. The Christian must engage without compromising his convictions or without isolating from others. There are three ways the text helps us navigate this. We must first interact with the culture. Secondly, we disarm the culture. And finally, we find in the cross and resurrection, fr...

Paul miraculously healed the father of the leading man on the island of Malta. In doing so, Paul was following the example of the Lord Jesus.  He was also exercising the authority of the Lord. By following the guidance of God, Paul operated in the power of God, and therefore, made an impact for God. The Christian is always representing the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Two people can experience the same thing and come to opposite conclusions about its meaning. The inhabitants of Malta observed a snake fasten itself to Paul's  arm. They went from viewing Paul as a murderer trying to escape justice to a god in their midst. Both conclusions were based on their observations and both were wrong. In this passage we are warned against three false conclusions: 1) a...

Providence is a word we don't use very often these days. But the idea of God's providence is found throughout Scripture and is presently active in our lives. In love and wisdom God is caring for and directing all things. In this passage we see how God's providence relates to our cooperation. We observe how providence is displayed in practical matters. And we notice how far God's providence extends...

Everyone aboard the ship with Paul faced a storm that was disorienting, unpredictable, and volatile. We all face these seasons in life. This text teaches us to prepare for a coming storm we must first, heed wisdom, and secondly, expect difficulty.  When you are in the midst of the storm, it is time to, thirdly, receive grace. It is often when we are brought to the end of ourselves that we are...

Paul begins his journey by ship to Rome to stand trial before the Emperor. The Lord reveals Himself through ordinary means along the way. As we seek to recognize what God is doing in our own circumstances, we consider from the passage the answer to three questions: Who is with you? What's around you? Where are you? The ordinary is brimming with the activity of God. 

As Paul concludes his last recorded defense in the book of Acts, the Roman governor Festus and the Jewish King Agrippa respond. Like a modern man, Festus doubts the miraculous. Even though Agrippa believes the OT Scriptures, he ignores the implications of what he's heard. Both men fail to embrace the opportunity before them to respond to the Gospel. Paul, however, in spite of his chains, faithfull...

It is clear as Paul has made his various defenses before governors, and now a king, he is focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The danger for the Christian is that the resurrection fails to make a moment-by-moment impact upon his life. When the risen Lord encountered Paul, Jesus spoke clearly and personalized the experience to him. This encounter not only transformed Paul, it continued to...

Before King Agrippa, Paul describes how he once was a Pharisee of Pharisees. He then goes on to tell of his actions as a persecutor. But all this changed when he met the risen Lord Jesus. Having received a new commission, Paul became an ambassador for another Kingdom. Every Christian battles the inner Pharisee and the hidden persecutor. Both must be suppressed. In this way the Christian, like Paul...