St. Moses Church

This lecture focuses on Revelation 2:1–7, the message to the church in Ephesus. Jesus commends the church for hard work, endurance, doctrinal discernment, and for rejecting false apostles and the evil practices of the Nicolaitans. The central concern is that the Ephesians have abandoned their first love. The speaker explains that the passage warns against a faith where service and orthodoxy remain...

This lecture concludes the book of Ruth by describing Boaz’s meeting with the nearer relative at the city gate. Boaz raises the issue of Naomi’s land, and the relative initially agrees to redeem it. When Boaz explains that this also requires marrying Ruth so that the family line can continue, the relative declines, saying it would endanger his own estate. Boaz then publicly accepts the role of fam...

In this lecture, the speaker begins by using a recent boat rescue video as an illustration of risk and sacrifice for others. He then introduces the book of Ruth and frames the chapter around the question of how far biblical love goes in seeking another person’s good. The sermon reviews the situation of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi, once bereaved and empty, is now concerned for Ruth’s future in Bethlehem....

This lecture continues a teaching on the Book of Ruth by explaining where Ruth sits in the Christian Old Testament and in the Hebrew Scriptures. The speaker says both placements are meaningful: the Christian order links Ruth to the time of the judges and the rise of monarchy, while the Hebrew order places it among writings that reflect on life while God’s people are not yet home. The sermon focuse...

In this lecture, Sam introduces the closing message in a short series on the Holy Spirit using Galatians 5:22–24, which describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He explains the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of something unseen, comparing it to a pinwheel moved by wind and to other invisible realities such as...

This lecture introduces the book of Ruth as a story that asks whether God’s love can reach people in grief, displacement, and loss. It contrasts Ruth with a tragedy and notes that, very early in the narrative, the stage is emptied of men and the focus falls on three women. The speaker outlines the setting as the period of the judges, described as a time of rebellion, violence, and instability in I...

In this lecture, the speaker reflects on Acts 2 and the Pentecost event, where the disciples are gathered in Jerusalem and are filled with the Holy Spirit. A rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the ability to speak in other languages draw a crowd of Jewish pilgrims from many nations, who hear the believers proclaiming God’s works in their own languages. Peter responds to the crowd by explaining tha...

In this lecture, the speaker begins with two announcements: progress on planting a second location of St. Moses Church, including news that Pastor Sharon DeVale has received her visa and will join the church in Baltimore in early August, and encouraging reports from a gathering of Alpha leaders in the UK. He describes stories of spiritual openness among young people in the UK, including accounts o...

In this lecture, Sam explores the theme of creativity as it relates to a biblical theology of the Holy Spirit, specifically focusing on the empowerment of individuals to create artistic works. The session begins with a brief introduction to the overarching topic of the series on the Holy Spirit's nature and work, providing context for the teachings of the day, which center around Exodus 31 and the...

In this lecture, Ian explores Acts chapter 10, where two men—Peter, a Jewish apostle, and Cornelius, a Gentile Roman centurion—have divine encounters that signify a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement. He emphasizes the importance of these events, framing them as a fundamental shift where the gospel transcends ethnic boundaries. Ian references the visitation Cornelius receives from an a...

This lecture concludes the Book of Matthew series, presented by Christian, a member of the preaching team at St. Mo's. The session begins with a recap of the resurrection narrative where Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, discover the empty tomb and encounter an angel who tells them to inform the disciples. Christian emphasizes the gravity of this event, especially the false narrative p...

In this lecture, Andy Crouch explores the intricate relationship between humanity’s role as image-bearers of God and the pervasive existence of idols throughout history. He begins by introducing himself and his background in campus ministry, writing, and redemptive entrepreneurship, setting the stage for a deep discussion rooted in a biblical context, specifically focusing on Psalm 115. This psalm...

This lecture centers on the resurrection of Jesus as detailed in Matthew 28:1-10, exploring its significance and implications for believers today. The speaker begins by recounting the familiar Easter narrative where Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visit the tomb only to encounter an angel proclaiming that Jesus has risen from the dead. This moment is described as cataclysmic, suggesting a histor...

In this episode, we dive deep into the poignant scene from Matthew 26:36-46, where Jesus retreats to the Garden of Gethsemane, grappling with profound anguish as he anticipates his imminent suffering. I share reflections on this pivotal moment, where Jesus implores his closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—to remain vigilant and pray. His distress is palpable as he confesses that his soul is "c...

In this episode, I delve into the parable found in Matthew chapter 20, where Jesus uses the analogy of a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard to illustrate profound truths about the kingdom of heaven. I begin by recounting how the landowner goes out at various hours to hire workers, agreeing to pay them a normal daily wage. Yet, at the end of the day, he pays all the workers the same amount,...

In this lecture, we explore a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on a request made by the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to Jesus. She approaches Him, kneeling respectfully to ask for a favor: that her sons might sit beside Him in His kingdom. Jesus' response highlights the gravity of what she is asking, questioning whether they can endure the suffering He is about t...

In this lecture, Judy Breidegham presents an insightful exploration of Matthew 16:13-28, focusing on Jesus’ pivotal question, “Who do you say that I am?” The lecture begins with the reading of the scripture, which sets the stage for an examination of identity, belief, and the nature of discipleship. Breidegham provides context for the passage, highlighting the confusion surrounding Jesus' identity...

In this lecture, David Bailey, the founder of Erebon, explores the themes of identity, kinship, and the nature of belonging in the context of Christian faith, particularly through the lens of Matthew 12:46-50. He begins by emphasizing the significance of his personal journey and the influence of historical figures as a means of constructing identity. Through this, Bailey highlights how African Ame...

This lecture explores the profound teachings of Jesus as presented in Matthew 11:20-30, focusing on Jesus' denouncement of unrepentant towns and his invitation to those who are weary. The session begins with a reading that sets the stage for Jesus’ criticism of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, towns that witnessed numerous miracles yet failed to turn to God. The lecturer, Ian, introduces this c...

This lecture explores a profound scripture reading from Matthew 10:26-42, emphasizing the themes of division, persecution, judgment, and mercy as understood through the life and teachings of Jesus. The speaker begins by urging the audience to not fear the threats posed by others, reminding them of the divine care and value placed upon each individual, illustrated through the metaphor of sparrows....

This lecture delves into the narrative found in Matthew chapter 8, where the focus is on the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry as he performs three significant healings. The speaker, Leif, sets the stage by reflecting on personal anecdotes and communal experiences, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and honesty as they explore themes of ostracization, power dynamics, and the unseen with...

The lecture focuses on the biblical teaching about anger, specifically drawing from Matthew 5:21-26, where Jesus addresses the profound implications of anger in relation to murder and reconciliation. The speaker begins by highlighting the cultural prevalence of anger, stating that many struggle to acknowledge their own deep-seated anger while identifying the outward manifestations of anger in soci...

In this lecture, Ian, one of the pastors, explores the themes of repentance and transformation as presented in Matthew's Gospel, specifically focusing on the figures of John the Baptist and Jesus. The session begins with a reading from Matthew 3:1-6 and 4:17, which sets the groundwork for the discussion on the importance of turning away from sin and towards God, encapsulating the central message o...

In this lecture titled "The First Gospel," Sam elaborates on the teachings from Matthew’s Gospel, specifically focusing on Chapter 5, which includes the well-known Sermon on the Mount, also referred to as the Beatitudes. The session is framed within a larger sermon series that spans from January to Easter, inviting participants to engage with the text personally over the upcoming months. Sam empha...

In this lecture, the speaker, Pastor Ian, addresses the congregation as they embark on a new year filled with varied emotions stemming from current events and personal experiences. He acknowledges the complexity of feelings such as rage, fear, sadness, and grief, emphasizing the importance of bringing these emotions into the community without judgment. Ian shares an update regarding the church's v...