Third Church Sermons

This week we look at the invitation to freedom, and the spiritual abundance that comes from the discipline of simplicity in a life full of demands.

This Sunday we’ll look at God’s invitation to communion. As Jesus lived in ongoing communion with his Father, he now invites us, through him, to have that same ongoing relationship of communion with the God who loves us. Sermon Sources: - John Eldridge, Get Your Life Back - Rankin Wilbourne, Union with Christ - Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack - Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms - Tim Chester, En...

An Invitation To Worship by Third Church, RVA

Sermon Sources: - John Eldridge, Get Your Life Back - Rankin Wilbourne, Union with Christ - Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack - David Brooks, “The Great Unmasking,” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/opinioninstan/coronavirus-masks-vaccine.html - Dale Bruner, The Book of John

This Sunday we are finishing up our series on 2 Corinthians by looking at chapter 12:1-10, and the words of Jesus to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The places of greatest struggle are the places where we can most powerfully experience God’s grace.

This week we look at chapter 9, where we are encouraged to give so we can receive so much more: an abundant harvest of provision, gratitude, community, and eternal reward.

This week we come to a new section of Paul’s letter, chapters 8 and 9, where he talks about the how the Gospel transforms every aspect of our lives, including the way we use our money.

This Sunday we’ll be looking at 2 Corinthians 6, and Paul’s continued appeal to his friends to commit themselves wholly to Jesus Christ.

The Ministry of Reconciliation by Third Church, RVA

This Sunday, we’ll continue our study of 2 Corinthians by looking at the first part of chapter 5. Derek Mondeau will be preaching on the good news of Easter that our mortal bodies are already being swallowed up by resurrection life!

The passage this week is probably one of the most famous of the whole book. Paul’s metaphor of having “treasure in clay jars” is a powerful image that communicates what it means to have tremendous power (the treasure of the gospel and the Holy Spirit) in such apparent weakness (the “clay jar” of our mortal bodies).

This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on 2 Corinthians by looking at the way God uses weak people to make known the truth and power of the gospel.

This sermon was co-written with Rev. Kevin Germer of Christ Presbyterian Church, Richmond. Sermon sources: - Paul Barnett, The Message of 2 Corinthians (IVP) - Tom Wright, Paul for Everyone (SPCK) - R. Kent Hughes, 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness (Crossway) - James Torrance, Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace (IVP) - Anthony Thiselton, 2 Corinthians (Cascade) - A lot of personal conv...

This Sunday we kick off a series on 2 Corinthians titled “Power In Weakness.” We’ll look at Paul’s counter-cultural invitation to see that real power comes not through strength but through weakness. As Jesus’s resurrection triumph comes through apparent defeat of the cross, so now the cross and resurrection gives us the basic pattern for the Christian life.

This Sunday we’re privileged to hear from Fakhri Yacoub, pastor of our sister congregation the Christian Arabic Church. Fakhri will be preaching about the difference Jesus’ resurrection makes to help us overcome fear.

Easter Sunday: A Living Hope by Third Church, RVA

This week we’ll look at the fruit of self-control. Under the leadership of Jesus and his Spirit we can order and direct our desires toward that which we were made: love of God and neighbor. This is not about self-mastery, but living in step with and empowered by the Spirit to be the redeemed people God has created us to be. Sermon Sources this week: - Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness - Chr...

What’s the big deal about the seven days between Palm Sunday and Easter? Becca Payne sits down with Corey Widmer and Dan Marotta (Rector, Redeemer Anglican) to talk about the history of the liturgical calendar, what Holy Week offers us this year (of all years!), and tangible ways we can participate in the season ahead of us. Join us as we tell time differently and in doing so, grieve what we’ve lo...

We’re nearing the end of our study of the fruit of the Spirit. This week we’ll look at “gentleness,” probably the least well known and least prayed-for fruit of the Spirit.

This Sunday we are looking at the fruit of faithfulness. Faithfulness is at the heart of the gospel! Because of God’s faithfulness we have forgiveness from our past and hope for the future.

Goodness in a Time of Brokenness by Third Church, RVA

This week we look at the fruit of kindness. While kindness has undergone a bit of a popularity surge in our culture (“Be Kind!”), the Biblical notion of kindness is much more than niceness or random acts of service. It is a dedicated, costly commitment to another’s good. Sermon Sources for 2/28 - Philip Kenneson, “Life on the Vine” - Christopher JH Wright, “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit” - B...

This week we look to our next fruit of the spirit: patience. In a time when we are weary and anxious, patience exhorts us to endure what suffering may befall us without retaliation or revenge, and to put up with the weaknesses of others without getting too angry or irritated. In these ways, patience, as we’ll explore together this weekend, is about both our long-suffering, our forbearance and our...

This Sunday we look at the spiritual fruit of peace. Biblical peace is not really defined as inner state of calm, which is the way we moderns tend to understand it. Biblical peace is more about “wholeness” or “completion,” a state of right relationships between God and others. It is something God accomplishes for us, but then it is also something we pursue in community with others. Sermon Sources:...

This Sunday we look at “Joy in a Time of Cynicism.” Derek Mondeau, our Pastor of Discipleship and Parish Life, looks at the dangerous power cynicism can hold, and the promise of joy that is found in brokenness and suffering.