Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

As Paul stood before the stately and dignified King Agrippa and Bernice, it was tempting for him to feel overwhelmed and insignificant. The world system represented by the Roman and Jewish authorities, looks upon the Christian as an afterthought, his beliefs as irrelevant, and makes accusations that are indefinite. What is an afterthought to the non-Christian is a forethought to God. Instead of se...

Far from simply wise men who happened to notice a new star from their home east of Israel, the magi understood the significance of what they observed in the sky. Compelled to worship the recently born King of the Jews, they demonstrated the impulse that drives us all. Herod the Great denied the worship of God because he worshiped himself--a tendency we each must guard against. Finally, the magi fo...

The Roman governor, Felix, left Paul in prison for two years. Upon his installment, the new governor, Festus, immediately sets about to deal with Paul's case. In the meantime, the Lord has been working through Paul's season of inactivity and waiting. His confinement refined his character, and his time for reflection brought greater clarity on the will of God. As a result, Paul's defense is short a...

Felix is unwilling to rule on Paul's case. His indecision means Paul is left in custody for two more years. To live is to make decisions. Even refusing to choose is a choice. In Felix's dealings with Paul, we observe the excuses, the failure, and the tragedy of indecision. When Felix is confronted with the Gospel, Paul discusses righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. As he equivoca...

In our last of seven messages that explore the essentials of the Christian faith, we consider the future. The physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ ensures that He will physically return as King and Judge. The eternal destination of each person is based on what each decides to do with Jesus in this life. It matters how we live today because choices we make now ripple into eternity. Christ...

Paul is placed on trial before the provincial governor, Felix. According to Roman law, the accused must face his accusers. The attorney, Tertullus, brings charges on behalf of the ruling Jewish Council. In order to build a case, Tertullus obscures the truth. Essentially, Paul is accused of "hate speech." When Paul is allowed to answer the charges, he reveals the truth. Though lying takes many form...

The decision is made to quickly transfer Paul from Jerusalem to Casarea so that his case might be heard before the provincial governor, Felix. Over 400 hundred Roman soldiers accompany the apostle. The Lord protects His own when they are opposed for their witness. It is not a matter of whether you will encounter opposition for following the Lord Jesus. The question is what form will the opposition...

In Roman custody, Paul has already been rescued from the angry mob in the temple courts and from the wrath of the ruling Jewish council. At this juncture, the Lord stood by Paul in the night and gave him a word of encouragement and a promise. This promise is what will sustain Paul in the long season of imprisonment ahead. Paul then learns of a secret plot to have him killed. What the world so ofte...

It is obvious from Scripture that the church is near and dear to the heart of God. His intention is to work through local congregations to accomplish His eternal plan. From this passage in Ephesians, we discover the church's identity, the church's foundation, and the church as God's dwelling place. Nowhere else on earth do we find a group of people from such different backgrounds, experiences, and...

The Roman commander who arrested Paul places him before the Jewish Council. Paul begins his remarks with a reference to his conscience. We observe through this encounter what the conscience does, how the conscience works, and how to maintain a good conscience. Respecting those in authority positions is a matter of the conscience. Sometimes it is not clear whether one has sinned, made a mistake, or...

In his defense to the unbelieving Jews in the temple courts, Paul reveals that the motivation for the Christian to do evangelism is love. He describes how the Lord spoke to him twenty years earlier in this same place, sending him to minister to the Gentiles. While this statement enraged the crowd, it also offers insight into how the Lord guides each of us to be a witness. As Paul was on the verge...

Under arrest in the the temple courts, Paul makes his defense before an antagonistic crowd. In order to confront misunderstanding with truth, Paul shares the story of his conversion. He demonstrates that he knows his audience and is therefore able to address their ignorance. Ignorance of truth is spiritually deadly. Every Christian has a conversion story. A conversion story is the account of how t...

Three very important words in the Bible are grace, salvation, and faith. Understanding what each word means is essential to understanding the Gospel. We find all three of these ideas together in one place in Ephesians 2:8-9. The Lord has provided a rescue plan, a way to reconcile individuals to Himself. God's salvation is a gift. It is not deserved nor can it be earned. Faith is the means by which...

We all make assumptions we should not, and this includes making assumptions about the Lord. We don't think as Christians we should face what Paul did when he was arrested in the temple courts. Yet Paul was in the very center of God's will. When we follow the Lord we might be faced with false accusations, or dangerous situations, or even help from an unlikely source. God is not safe. At least, He d...

At last Paul arrives in Jerusalem. He is warmly received by the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. However, in Paul's long absence from the city rumors and accusations have mounted against him to the effect that it was believed he taught Jews everywhere to abandon the Law of Moses. James proposes a solution, which Paul accepts. In this solution and Paul's reaction to it, three principles emerge....

On the final leg of his journey to Jerusalem, Paul and his traveling companions stop in the cities of Tyre and Caesarea. Paul is convinced the Holy Spirit is leading him to Jerusalem. However, as he draws closer to the city he receives what seem to be mixed messages from other believers who are also being led by the Spirit. Through reconciling the apparent contradictions in the this passage, we di...

An essential doctrine of the Christian faith is that we hold the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament to be inspired by God and to be authoritative over every area of life. To believe the Bible is God's true and inerrant message to man is to believe in inspiration and authority. We consider together how we know the Bible is God's Word and why the Bible speaks with th...

In his message to the Ephesian elders, Paul warns against false teachers. Where do they come from? What do they want? How do we recognize them? False teachers propagate a false gospel. Seeking to point people to themselves instead of to Jesus, these wolves disguised as shepherds teach from the Word of God without teaching the Word of God. There are many false gospels, but only one that is actually...

Paul continues his message to the Ephesian elders. Using the analogy of shepherds, and drawing from the prophet Ezekiel, Paul reminds these overseers of the whole purpose of God that he declared to them. The church belongs to God. The leadership of any local church is under the authority of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Paul gives three specific charges: guard yourself, shepherd the church, and...

Paul calls the elders of Ephesus together in order to leave them with parting instructions. In the first half of his message, Paul points to himself as an example of sacrificial service. This is not done from a place of pride, but humility. Paul is not focused on himself, but on the Lord Jesus. Beginning with the necessity of humility in leadership, Paul then speaks to the elders about continuing...

This is the third message in our Christian Essentials series. Together, we are diving into those core doctrines that define Christianity. Having considered the triune nature of God, and the depravity of man, we are now in a position to look at the doctrine of the Son. Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man. We cannot err on one side or the other, but must hold both beliefs simultaneously as the...

This passage is the first description of early Christians meeting on a Sunday. It gives us a glimpse of what the gathered believers in Troas did when they came together for worship. In this message, we ask four questions: 1) Who meets together? 2) When do we meet? 3) Where do we meet? 4) What do we do when we meet? By allowing the Word of God to shape and calibrate our times of worship, the people...

After leaving Ephesus, Paul's destination is Jerusalem. He revisits the churches in Macedonia and in Achaia. However, learning about a plot against him by the non-believing Jews in Corinth, he takes a detour. Because of this unexpected change in plans, Paul ends up in Troas. While ministering to the church there, a young man is killed by falling asleep and falling to his death. The detour has turn...

Every form of idol worship represents a desire for security, significance, or satisfaction. The mob in Ephesus formed at the behest of those who felt their financial security threatened. Though Paul desired to address the confused and angry crowd, the disciples and his friends kept him from doing so. The apostle's friend in the highest place, the Lord, invites everyone to taste and see that He is...

As Paul makes plans to visit Jerusalem and then Rome, he aligns his intention with God's intention. Paul is ever looking forward, seeking to land where the Gospel has yet to be proclaimed. In his ultimate desire to go to Spain, Paul does not neglect to remember the poor. No sooner does Paul purpose and plan to do the will of God, he faces opposition in Ephesus. The local craftsman rise up against...