St. Stephen Reformed Church

This sermon examines the encounter between Jesus and the demon-possessed man in the Decapolis, highlighting the contrast between the chaos of demonic oppression and the sovereign authority of Christ. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus values human souls above material wealth, illustrated by His willingness to sacrifice two thousand pigs to liberate the man from the legion of demons. The response o...

This sermon explores the theological significance of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4, arguing that understanding the true identity of Christ is essential for navigating life's difficulties. The speaker emphasizes that doctrine is not merely academic but vital for living faithfully, as it shapes how believers respond to chaos and fear. By contrasting the disciples' panic with Jesus' sovereign aut...

This sermon explores the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed to illustrate the inherent power of the Word of God in advancing the Kingdom. It emphasizes that while believers are called to sow the seed through preaching and personal witness, the actual growth and regeneration are divinely automatic processes that occur apart from human effort or manipulation. The message encourages pa...

This sermon explores the charge given to Israel in Deuteronomy 4 to listen to and keep God's statutes, emphasizing that true obedience is not mere rule-keeping but a loving, loyal faithfulness akin to a bride holding fast to her husband. The preacher argues that the law serves as a witness to the nations, demonstrating the wisdom and righteousness of a people who revere a God who is near to them....

This sermon explores the parable of the lamp in Mark 4, identifying Jesus as the light that must not be hidden but displayed for all to see. It emphasizes that spiritual understanding requires active engagement with Scripture, warning that neglect leads to a loss of insight while diligent study yields greater revelation. The message challenges believers to move beyond passive hearing to deep, cont...

This sermon examines Deuteronomy 3 to contrast Moses' inability to enter the Promised Land with Jesus Christ's perfect mediation. The preacher highlights how Moses, despite his faithfulness, was barred from rest due to sin, illustrating that the Law cannot save. This narrative serves as a typology for Jesus, the greater Joshua, who bears the people's sins and leads them into true spiritual rest th...

This sermon explores the Parable of the Sower to illustrate four distinct responses to the preaching of the Word. The speaker identifies hardened, shallow, distracted, and fruitful hearers, emphasizing that true faith is evidenced by spiritual fruit rather than mere profession. The central message challenges listeners to examine their hearts to ensure they are receptive to God's truth and producin...

The sermon examines the difficult narrative of Israel's conquest of Sihon and Og in Deuteronomy, addressing the theological challenge of holy war and divine judgment. It explains that God hardened the hearts of these kings to fulfill His promise of land while maintaining their culpability for their aggression. The preacher connects the ancient concept of 'herem,' or total devotion to destruction,...

The sermon explores the theology of place by examining Moses' distribution of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh in Deuteronomy. It highlights how human decisions and divine providence intertwine to shape the destiny of these tribes and their descendants. The preacher connects this historical account to the believer's current circumstances, asserting that God orchestrates every locati...

This sermon examines Mark 3:20-35 to define the nature of true spiritual kinship through Jesus' response to his biological family. The preacher contrasts the attempt of Jesus' relatives to seize him with the reality that obedience to God establishes a new, superior family bond. Key theological themes include the unforgivable sin discussed in the preceding context and the necessity of divine regene...

This sermon examines the difficult passage in Mark 3 regarding the unpardonable sin, specifically the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The preacher clarifies that this sin is not merely general blasphemy or unbelief, but rather a deliberate and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's work by attributing it to Satan. By analyzing Jesus' defense against the scribes, the text emphasizes that God'...

This sermon examines Mark 3:7-19, highlighting Jesus' withdrawal from overwhelming crowds and hostile opposition to appoint twelve ordinary men as apostles. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus initiates this calling to reconstitute Israel around Himself, prioritizing intimate relationship over public acclaim. By choosing common individuals rather than religious elites, Christ demonstrates that disc...

This sermon examines the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding fasting and Sabbath observance, highlighting their misunderstanding of His divine identity. Jesus uses the metaphors of a wedding feast, new cloth, and new wine to demonstrate that His arrival ushers in a new covenant that cannot be mixed with old religious rituals or works-based righteousness. The preacher argues that sal...

This sermon explores Psalm 8, highlighting the majestic glory of God displayed in both the vast cosmos and the intimate care for humanity. The preacher emphasizes the theological tension between human insignificance against the backdrop of creation and the profound honor bestowed upon mankind through divine mindfulness. Key themes include the concept of dominion over the earth and the ultimate ful...

Psalm 18 is presented as a divine epic of deliverance, where David, a warrior king shaped by violence and persecution, expresses profound, tender love for God—a love rooted in divine compassion revealed through cosmic rescue. The psalm portrays God as both sovereign over creation and intimately present in personal distress, using apocalyptic imagery not to exaggerate but to reveal the magnitude of...

Psalm 18 unfolds as a divine epic of deliverance and dominion, revealing that true strength and greatness come not from human might but from God's sovereign grace, which equips, trains, and exalts His people through humble condescension. David's victories, though vividly described in martial terms, are ultimately attributed not to his prowess but to God's faithful provision, as the Lord made his w...

This passage from Mark 2:1–12 reveals Jesus' divine authority to forgive sins and heal both spiritually and physically, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God has arrived in His person and power. Centered on a paralyzed man brought to Jesus by four determined friends who broke through the roof to reach Him, the narrative highlights the priority of spiritual healing over physical restoration, as Jes...

The sermon centers on the urgent call to support and uphold those who labor for the name of Christ, emphasizing that true mission work is driven not by personal ambition but by devotion to the sacred, life-giving truth of God's name—particularly the name of Jesus, which is above all others. It contrasts the selfless, sacrificial service of unnamed traveling missionaries, who accept nothing from th...

This sermon centers on Jesus' unwavering commitment to prayer and preaching as the foundation of His mission, even amid overwhelming popularity and physical need. Drawing from Mark 1:35–39, it emphasizes that despite being surrounded by crowds seeking healing, Jesus prioritized solitude and communion with the Father, demonstrating that spiritual vitality must precede and sustain ministry. The pass...

Pentecost is not merely a historical event but the climactic fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, revealing that Jesus, exalted at the Father's right hand, has received the promised Holy Spirit as the victorious King and now pours Him out in abundance upon His church. This outpouring marks a decisive shift in redemptive history: the Spirit, once temporary and task-specific in the Old Covenant, no...

This passage from Mark 1:21–34 presents a vivid snapshot of Jesus' authority, compassion, and divine power on a single Sabbath day, revealing His supremacy over both spiritual and physical realms. Jesus' teaching astonishes the crowd not for its scholarly debate, but for its divine authority, contrasting sharply with the uninspired teachings of the scribes. His immediate confrontation and expulsio...