Sermons from Parker DC

Don't murder. Okay, that's clear. Let's move on to the next one, right!?!?!? Well, at a second glance this command is a little more extensive. Despite the command only being two words in Hebrew, this prohibition reaches to a number of areas ranging from suicide to abortion, from euthanasia to premeditated murder. And if that isn't enough, Jesus takes it in the Sermon on the Mount a...

Honor is a weird and foreign in our modern culture. It's almost archaic or nostalgic, like a relic from a more formal day. Yet, the Scriptures clearly teach that God's children should demonstrate honor and show honor. The fifth commandment speaks to this. Specifically, the command is toward honoring parents, but generally it can be understood beyond that. As the fundamental institution of...

The fourth commandment may be the most misunderstood of all the commandments, particularly for non-Jewish believers. It is helpful to remember that Jesus kept the Sabbath and affirmed it's value. But what is the purpose of this day? And when is it? The Sabbath was created by God as a gift focusing on REST and WORSHIP. Originally, the Sabbath was Saturday (Sundown on Friday through Sundown on S...

"Don't make me wash your mouth out with soap!" You may have heard this threat at some point growing up. Most certainly a "filthy mouth" was reflected in attitude or disrespect. But it can also be seen in crude language. Most people believe the third commandment deals solely with that. However, taking the Lord's name in vain goes beyond colorful language. It points to th...

Idolatry is a two-headed monster! In the second commandment, God explicitly forbids not just worshipping another god, but worshipping HIM in the wrong way. Is that even possible? Absolutely! The modern church can find itself in idolatry by allowing culture to influence the holy act of worship. It is the natural inclination of the heart to create such idols. The church idolizes personality, or prog...

The journey into the Ten Commandments begins here in Exodus 20 as the SOVEREIGN, MORAL LAWGIVER demands exclusivity in worship. This is no small command as it sets the stage for all others. In many way, to love God as He demands assumes then obedience the rest of the Law. For to love the Lawgiver yields a love and obedience to the message of the Lawgiver. For the Israelites gathered at Mt. Sinai,...

How should new covenant Christians view God's Law, the 10 Commandments, etc.? In this series, Pastor Joey will unpack the necessity of God's Moral Law upon the believer's life. We need God's Law to convict us, inform us, and show us the character of God! In this pilot message, we look at Exodus 19 and this beautiful campout at Mt. Sinai as Moses intercedes for the people before God...

In this message, Jason Hammond (Associate Pastor of Worship), preaches on the importance of understanding the implications of the gospel upon the Christian's life. As Paul writes, he highlights the spiritual death that we continually lived in before Christ, the resurrection power of Christ in believers, and then the purpose of the redeemed life. The gospel is all about what CHRIST HAS DONE. Sa...

In this finale of the #MarkSeries, Pastor Joey looks at the quick ending of Mark in light of the Great Commission in Matthew 28. The message begins with a challenge to think biblically and intelligently about the Bible and the implications of the command to "GO and MAKE DISCIPLES". There is no denying that the Great Commissions is both a call to EVANGELISM (sharing the Gospel) and DISCIP...

The gospel hinges at an empty tomb. The violence and injustice of Friday and sadness of Saturday gives weight to the VICTORY of Sunday! Everything changed on Easter Sunday! In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Joey looks at Mark's account and the joyous news and proof of the Resurrected King Jesus! He is alive! Sin and death has lost. Christ is King! This message is the precipice of human his...

"Worship is more than a song." (Jimmy Needham) In Mark 14:3-9 we witness this most beautiful and raw act of worship from Mary (of Bethany). Unfortunately, the disciples around didn't see her worship the same way. Instead, cynicism and pragmaticism eroded the beauty of both worship and Jesus in that moment. We too can be guilty of such judgment of worship. Instead of viewing worship a...

As we turn in Mark's gospel toward the last week of Jesus' life, we discover His last parable in Mark 12. And true to the pattern in recent chapters, Jesus uses this teachable moment to emphasize the necessity of the Cross and challenge the wickedness of the spiritual leaders of His day. In this story, an absentee landlord sends servants to collect fruit of his vineyard that has been lease...

What keeps you from following Christ? In Mark 10:17-31 we discover a religious young man who is trying to DO the right thing in order to please God. Yet in his doing, he is still empty. Upon asking Jesus how one can have eternal life (be saved), Jesus challenges his doing by challenging his priorities. Religious activity void of a personal relationship with Jesus is empty! We cannot be good on our...

In this message, Jon Moorman (Life Action Ministries) shares from Revelation 2:1-5 and the Book of Ephesians about the church in Ephesus and why revival was needed in the church. Revival is an act of God to REVIVE believers to the work of the Kingdom of God for the Glory of God. It demands humility and repentance! Pray for our THIRST CONFERENCE (Life Action Ministries) in October and help us invit...

Marriage is messy. Why? Because life is messy and we are messy! Our personal sin impacts our marriage. In this message from the #MarkSeries, Pastor Joey looks at Mark 10:1-12 and Jesus' response to a question on divorce. Most of the time that Jesus was asked a question about the Law, there is an alternative agenda of entrapment. The religious leaders didn't like Jesus and wanted him to implicate h...

God is zealous for His glory! In other words, the Almighty (Father, Son, and Spirit) will not share His glory with anyone! In this text, Pastor Joey invites us to climb a mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, and John in Mark 9:1-13. Atop of this summit, two others join the party (Moses and Elijah) and Jesus' entire countenance changes. It's a spectacular site for the frightened disciples. Ultimately...

We can all relate to ole Peter. In this message from Mark 8, Pastor Joey looks at Peter's extraordinary confession of Christ. It's the apex of Mark's gospel as it pinpoints the mission of the book (1:1) and the gospel. But the very next minute, Peter rebukes Jesus and is scolded by Him. Why? It's the scandal of the cross, of course! Like the disciples, we have these preconceived notions of Jesus a...

The heart is a dangerous place. In a culture that screams, "Follow your heart!", Jesus warns that our hearts aren't a safe bet! In fact, Jeremiah the prophet warns that our hearts are deceitfully wicked! All human behaviors originate in our heart, so it is absolutely critical to set guard over our heart. This message is part five in our #MarkSeries as we look at how Jesus has power over every need...

In this fourth message from the "Mark Series: Christ's Power Over Every Need", Pastor Joey unpacks a double miracle as part of a larger narrative of miracles that emphasize Jesus' power over disaster, demons, disease, and ultimately even death! We discover desperation and brokenness and how God gets involved in the mess to bring healing and life. Jesus is never too busy to save, to heal, and rescu...

Many of the early miracles of Jesus weren't just about meeting physical needs, but about engaging in liberating individuals from evil's oppression. Mark 5 highlights an individual who was possessed by a number of demons. The story is horrifying because it frames the reality of spiritual warfare. There is a cosmic battle going on right now for the souls of men! In this story, Jesus steps in and bri...

What does the gospel require of us? This is a profound question. In Mark 2:1-12 we see a story of four friends who are willing to do whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus. Undoubtedly, they were just hoping to see Jesus heal their friend. What their friend received was SO MUCH MORE! The miracles of Jesus authenticate the person of Jesus... the Christ, the Son of God. They are not an ends o...

As we begin 2023, we begin in the Gospels. The Book of Mark presents an abbreviated telling of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A dear friend and companion of Peter, John Mark records this gospel to encourage Christians undergoing a great deal of persecution in Rome. The beginning of the book highlights his purpose, to declare that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God!...

Listen now to this message from Jason Hammond, our Associate Pastor of Worship here at ParkerDC. This message was preached on Sunday, January 1, 2023 as a stand alone sermon. 

In this Christmas Day message, Pastor Joey visits the visit of the Magi as recorded in Matthew 2. Although these travelers were not on site the night of Jesus' birth, their visit and their gifts authenticate Jesus' person and power. This narrative reminds us that there is always two options when encountering Jesus. Herod shunned the Savior and wanted to kill Jesus, but the Magi eagerly sought the...

40 days after Jesus' birth, we get to an unusual and seldom discussed story. As Joseph and Mary take Jesus into the Temple to dedicate Him to the LORD, the couple interacts with Simeon (and later Anna), who are described as righteous and devout followers of God who anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Simeon recognizes Jesus and blesses the family, but also gives a gospel warning of the purpose...