the Cross Orlando

An All Saints Day message on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, framing the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus' second giving of the law and showing how he fulfills Israel's covenant and inaugurates a new kingdom.

A Reformation Sunday message on John 8:31-36, where Jesus tells those who believed in him that abiding in his word makes them truly his disciples who will know the truth that sets them free.

A study of Genesis 28 and Jacob's dream at Bethel of a ladder reaching to heaven, where God renews the covenant promise given to Abraham and Isaac, after Jacob had deceived his father to obtain the blessing.

A sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Paul's thanksgiving for the Corinthian church, teaching that the reality of Christ is evidenced by believers belonging to and being gifted within the body, sustained by Christ's prerogative as they await his return and the resurrection.

A sermon on Luke 14:1-11, where Jesus heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath at a Pharisee's house out of genuine compassion, then tells the parable of taking the lowest place, teaching humility that flows from knowing the place Christ has prepared for us.

A study of Psalm 30, David's song of thanksgiving for God protecting him from his foes, healing him, and rescuing his soul from death, with the assurance that God's anger lasts a moment but his favor a lifetime: weeping endures the night, joy comes in the morning.

A sermon on Galatians 5:25-6:10, teaching that Christ sets believers free from the law so that, rather than living by the works of the flesh, they sow to the Spirit and reap its fruit and eternal life.

A study of the ten lepers healed by Jesus in Luke 17, where only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks, reflecting on gratitude and on God setting apart his people for the sake of the whole world.

A deeper look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, providing historical background on the bitter divide between Jews and Samaritans and how Israel was always meant to be a servant drawing the world back to God.

A study of 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, where Paul defends his ministry, calling the Corinthians his living "letter of recommendation" written by the Spirit, and contrasts the fading glory of the old covenant carved in stone with the surpassing glory of the new covenant of the Spirit.

An exposition of Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, addressed to those who trust in their own righteousness and treat others with contempt, exploring the trap of trying to earn God's favor.

A study of Luke 19, walking through Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the donkey and his acceptance of worship as the Son of David, leading to the moment he draws near and weeps over the city.

An exploration of the Song of David in 2 Samuel 22 (verses 26-34), reflecting on how God deals justly—showing mercy to the merciful, saving the humble, and humbling the haughty—unlike the world that rarely rewards humility.

A study of Acts 20 (beginning at verse 27), set against the week's readings about sheep, wolves, and false teachers, following Paul's ministry in Ephesus from Acts 19 and his charge to guard the church.

An exposition of Romans 6:19-23—"the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life"—read in the context of Paul's argument in Romans 4-5, using Abraham as the paradigm of faith who simply received God's good and favorable gift.

Connecting Psalm 19, the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20, and Matthew 5:17-26, this message shows that Israel kept the law because they were already God's people, and that Jesus came not to abolish but to fulfill that enduring teaching.

Opening with the Lord's Prayer and its petition for daily bread, this message turns to Luke 5:1-11 and the miraculous catch of fish, considering how Jesus involves himself in our material provision and the calling of his first disciples.

A study of Luke 6:36-42 on being merciful as God is merciful, withholding judgment and condemnation while extending mercy and forgiveness, and the speck-and-log teaching, connected to Philippians 2 and becoming like Christ the teacher.

Drawing on Luke's parables of the lost and a reading from 1 Timothy, this message frames the gospel's grand meta-narrative—a good God who creates, provides, and pursues fallen humanity—showing that our sin qualifies rather than disqualifies us as the people of God.

A guest speaker filling in explores three biblical invitations, beginning with Proverbs 9:1-9 and Wisdom's invitation to come and learn, reflecting on curiosity, humility, avoiding being a scoffer, and seeking wisdom amid current events.

A study of Genesis 15 and God's covenant with Abraham, focusing on God's promise to be Abraham's shield and reward, and how Israel's identity was established by grace through Abraham before the conditional covenant given at Sinai.

A Trinity Sunday sermon on Romans 11:33-36, Paul's doxology praising the depth of God's riches, wisdom, and unsearchable judgments, with reflections on how the doctrine of the Trinity developed and how theology is articulated in context over time.

A Pentecost sermon on the giving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), paired with the Old Testament reading of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, exploring how Christ's incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension culminate in the Spirit being released to move freely among humanity again.

A guest preacher (Aaron, filling in for Ben) preaches on the "already and not yet" of God's kingdom, drawing on Ezekiel 36:24-26 and Psalm 51 about God's promise of a new heart and clean spirit, set against the backdrop of the recent Texas school tragedy.

A sermon on prayer that turns to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul's pastoral exhortation to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving for all people and those in authority, so believers may lead peaceful and quiet lives. The opening commends the Jesus Prayer (breath prayer).