Maple City Sermons

Many places in Scripture rub us the wrong way. As believers, we understand God is a God of love, but what do we do with difficult passages where it seems like God is mean and vengeful? What does the Bible mean when it says that God repented? This sermon explore some of the difficulties found in 1 Samuel 15. Support the show

Paul's letter to Timothy was an instruction guide for a young pastor dealing with the responsibility of shepherding God's people in Ephesus. Paul warns Timothy to attack the wolves, to feed the sheep and to provide for the church an example of godly living in his own life. Timothy was encouraged, as all godly leadership must be, to do church God's way. Support the show

Saul was entrusted with the critical responsibility to rule God's people as their king. More than anything else, Saul needed the wisdom of God and direction of God that came through the prophet Samuel. Unfortunately, Saul's actions led to Samuel leaving Saul on his own headed toward destruction. Believers today need the Word of God in our lives just as Saul did back then - without it, we...

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonian church corrects some misunderstandings the church has about the second coming and encourages the church the stand firm in the faith. Paul expects the Thessalonians to be obedient to God's Word in the face of persecution and trials, but he also reminds them that God will provide the power they need to fulfill God's plan for their lives.  Suppo...

Paul's defense before Agrippa provides for us a microcosm of the Christian life. It begins when we repent and turn to God for salvation, then continues as we live like new creatures; adopted sons and daughters of God. Pain and suffering cannot be avoided, but if we continue to stand firm, God will always be there to help us along the way.  Support the show

Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica to thank them for their faith and love, to answer their questions about the return of Christ, and to encourage them to live today in light of their eternal hope. Support the show

Christians must live lives that preach the gospel to the world around them. This means that we must flee sin because we understand its cost, while loving and showing grace to sinners because we understand what it is to experience the amazing grace of God for ourselves. Support the show

In Paul's letter to the church of Colossae, Paul responds to the concerns that are brought to him by the Pastor of the church by reminding them of the glory and sufficiency of Christ. Everything we need for this life and the next is found in the person and work of Christ. If only we could keep our eyes fixed on Him! Support the show

King Saul is found hiding "in the stuff" not because he is so humble, but because he is so focused on himself that he will not rise to the task that God has called him for. Jesus Christ was willing to both lead and to serve in humility. As he washes the disciples feet in John 13, he teaches both them and us the meaning of true humility. Support the show

The Christian life is powerless when it is lived apart from constant dependence upon Christ. John 15 is a great picture that helps us understand the depth of our need for a relationship with Jesus. This sermon highlights this truth. Support the show

Saul was the man chosen by God upon whom the Holy Spirit came for the purpose of defending and leading the people of Israel. Instead of fighting the Philistines, Saul began prophesying and joined the praise singers. His actions were confusing to the people because he did not perform the task expected of a future king. How often believers are guilty of confusing people because our lives do not refl...

Paul explains to King Agrippa how his plans to ruin the church of Christ were turned upside down when he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. From that point on, he was careful to ensure that his plans fit the purpose God has saved him for and called him to: to be a minister and a witness to the things he now knew to be true. Just like Paul, believers today must align our plans wi...

This lesson will explore the pagan and religious history of Halloween, and then explore a passage in 1 Corinthians that will hopefully shed some light on whether or not it is right for believers to participate in Halloween.  Support the show

Paul stands before King Agrippa and confidently explains why he does what he does. Paul grew up as an impressive Jew and he believed the promise that the Messiah would come; it wasn't until Paul understood the truth that the Messiah had come, was killed, and then rose again from the dead that Paul's life changed drastically. Everything Paul does can now be explained by his belief that Je...

All Israel rejoiced to have a king like who was tall, dark and handsome. Although he was an impressive king and a good man, he was not a godly man. As a result, Saul did not complete the tasks God had for him, even when given the Spirit of God to complete them. Believers today must strive not only to be good men and women, but to be godly men and women who bear the fruit of the Spirit. Support the...

Legalism is a problem prevalent in churches today just as it was in first century Christendom. In this lesson, we will examine some of the dangers of legalism found in Paul's letter to the Galatians as he dealt with this awful perversion of the gospel. Thankfully, there is a solution; it is found in a passionate pursuit of and relationship with Jesus.  Support the show

In this passage, Luke takes his time to provide us with the details that led up to Paul's fifth trial that would take place before King Agrippa II. As we examine the scene, the contrast between the arrogant and sinful king and the humble and godly criminal becomes apparent. Paul's willingness to be humiliated for the sake of the Gospel, his confidence in the power of the gospel, and his...

This sermon will highlight the sovereignty of God as He uses mundane, ordinary events to anoint a young man named Saul as the first king over the nation of Israel. God does not always pull back the curtain so that we can see Him working in our lives, but He is always at work. Support the show

Israel was destined to have a king. In fact, long before the monarchy began Moses wrote about specific laws to govern the king. The problem in 1 Samuel 8 is not their desire for a king, but that their desire comes from a longing to be just like every nation around them. God's people ought to be different, distinct from the world. Support the show

Believers have a tendency to become self-righteous at times and self-indulgent at others. This first lesson will explore the motivations for legalism and some of the signs to look for in our own lives that reveal our legalistic tendencies. The hope is that as we look at the Pharisees, we will examine our own hearts and lives to expose the little legalist in each of us.  Support the show

Paul found himself in adverse circumstances for an extended period of time. Occasions arose where God could have intervened to free Paul, but rather than freeing Paul from his adversity, God worked through it to accomplish His purposes and answer Paul's prayer. This sermon will challenge believers to trust their Father and continue to walk with Him even in the midst of great and extended stor...

Christians struggle. Periods of trial and difficulty can produce growth or discouragement, depending upon the response of the believer to that trial. God had Samuel set up an Ebenezer after Israel had seen a great victory so that in the future, when they were at the end of themselves, they could remember that they serve a God who can be trusted to bring them through. What He did for them in the pa...

This lesson will explore a few of the primary texts used by proponents of conditional security to defend their position (Hebrews 6:1-9, John 15:1-6, 2 Peter 2:18-22). We will attempt to explain how these passages might be interpreted from a position of eternal security while remaining faithful to the biblical text.  Support the show

God places His children in trials and tribulations not because He wants us to suffer, but because He intends to show us how much we need Him, and how He is always there. This lesson will underscore God's provision and protection when everything around us seems out of control. Support the show

Are true born-again believers eternally secure or is our salvation conditional upon our behaviour or our continued faith. This is a question that believers have asked throughout church history and continue to ask today. This lesson will defend the position that believers are eternally secure by founding this belief in the framework of the gospel, and then looking at a number of scripture passages...