Emmanuel Community Church Sermons

In this sermon, pastor Joel reminds us that, through tragedy and triumph, God faithfully provides for his beloved people. God faithfulness in the past guarantees his faithfulness in the future, and even in the heartbreak of the "not yet" we can cling to the promises of resurrection and new creation.

As we conclude our time in this mountain peak passage in the OT, we see David's response to God's word. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us that the right response to the word of God is humble praise and expectant prayer. Great grace compels great gratitude, and rejoicing in God's covenant promises will ignite our faith as we wait for Christ's kingdom to come.

In this sermon, pastor Matt continues to unpack God's covenant with David, reminding us again that God’s gracious promises to his chosen king guarantee a glorious future for his people. And the good news is that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all these promises because he is the Son of David, the Builder of the house, and the Son of God .

2 Samuel 7 is a mountain peak of the OT. It is here that all of the promises and patterns of Scripture since Genesis 1 are gathered up and filtered into God’s covenant with David. It is here, at this mountain peak, that we find God doing what he does best: making promises and keeping promises, surprising us with his goodness and grace. In this sermon, pastor Mitch reminds us that God’s gracious pr...

In this sermon, pastor Matt shows how God’s king brings the blessing of God’s rule to his people. This is the good news of the kingdom. And like David, we too must humble ourselves before the King of kings and recognize the place where he belongs—enthroned over our lives as the source of our joy.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith examines David's failed attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, during which Uzzah, having disregarded God's holiness, is struck down for touching the untouchable. Pastor Keith argues that our Holy God must be approached according to His way and points out that God faithfully provided the way through the Law first, then in time graciously through His Son...

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that God goes before his people to give them the victory through Christ. Despite relentless opposition from the enemy, we can rejoice in the gospel of his exalted king, trusting our God to always lead us in triumph until his kingdom comes on earth as in heaven

In 2 Samuel 5, the king whom Samuel had anointed years before to replace Saul is finally recognized as the rightful king over all Israel. David, the man whom God chose for himself, after his own heart, is exalted and enthroned. As always, we’ll find that this story, like the whole story of Israel, anticipates the greater king God would one day raise up to wear the crown. This story is simply, as o...

In this sermon pastor Matt reminds us that our sovereign God is faithful to redeem his people out of every adversity. Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we must wait on the Lord, trusting he will deliver us, establish his kingdom, and bring all of his promises to pass

When Joab learned that Abner had made peace with David, he was not happy about, and decided to take matters into his own hands. 2 Samuel 3 not only recounts the tragic death of Abner, but also reveals the stark contrast between the heart of David and the heart of Joab. In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that the vengeance of man has no place in the kingdom of God. Those who belong to Christ wi...

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that we must choose this day whom you will serve: God’s king or our own. The good news is that God’s king has been exalted and invites everyone to know his saving rule. The question is whether we will recognize and serve him faithfully, or reject him for a king of our making.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that lament is good and right in a world under death's dark shadow. We mourn the curse of sin. We weep over the reign of death. But because of the gospel, we need not grieve as those who have no hope.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds that, just like the beginning of 1 Samuel (with barren Hannah), even when all hope seems lost, death does not get the final word. The good news is that our God is in the resurrection business, and in his time and his way, his exalted king will deliver his people.

In this sermon, pastor Keith considers John 14:27 and reminds us that we do not have to be afraid because Jesus paid for our peace.

For our 2024 Advent sermon series, we will consider the four blessings traditionally associated with each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, and we will do so using the Gospel of John. In this sermon, pastor Joel looks at John 15:11 and reminds us that we were created to find joy in God by receiving and giving his love.

For our 2024 Advent sermon series, we will consider the four blessings traditionally associated with each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, and we will do so using the Gospel of John. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us from John 15:9 that disciples of Jesus are to rest secure in his perfect love. We are called not only to come to Christ but to abide in him, to make ourselves at home in...

In this sermon, pastor Mitch reflects on the blessing of hope from John's gospel, where John declares that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This imagery of light shining in the darkness is the Christmas story; in this verse we find the hope of the believer and the hope for a weary and darkened world. This verse assures us that our hope is not a wish, it’s n...

In this sermon on the death of King Saul and his sons, pastor Joel reminds us that we need a faithful king who will honor the Lord in life and death.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds of our blessed assurance: that God’s king has won the battle that we might get the blessing. David shows us the kind of king that we need, one who is merciful and mighty, who takes the lead in faithfulness and generosity, who works salvation and reigns in grace.

In this sermon, as we consider Saul’s climactic fall with the medium at En-dor, pastor Mitch reminds us that the most miserable and hopeless life is the one spent apart from God’s all-sufficient word.

1 Samuel 27 sets up the final section of the book, where the reign of king Saul comes to an abysmal end. But the story here about David and the Philistines seems rather odd. It can be a difficult chapter to interpret, understand, and apply. But one thing is abundantly clear here (and in the chapters that follow): God continues to give success to his king. And through him, God’s plan for his people...

Psalm 54 was written by David when he was betrayed by the Ziphites. Twice these kinsmen from Judah betrayed him to Saul (1 Sam. 23:19; 26:1), but this was David’s response. In this sermon, pastor Matt helps us see the reassuring truth that God is gracious and faithful to help his troubled people. We can call upon the name of the Lord in faith, knowing that he will uphold our lives and deliver us f...

In this sermon, Pastor Keith traces Nabal’s foolish response to David, David’s rash response to Nabal, Abigail’s wise response to David, and David’s faithful response to Abigail to show us that God grants us restraining grace for our faithful response. By the way of contrast with David, Pastor Keith points to great David’s greater Son […]

In this sermon, pastor Harry Fujiwara (of First Baptist Church, NYC) reminds us that, when we find ourselves in a crisis, and life seems to be caving in, our cries will be met with God's comfort. Ultimately, as we look to the savior, Jesus Christ, we will find our greatest comfort and our only hope in life and death.

In this sermon, Pastor Joel uses Psalm 57 to provide a deeper look into David’s heart behind this legendary confrontation. Though slandered and hunted, we see David’s confidence in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness unleash extravagant praise to God. Throughout all of scripture we see that God is glorified in the vindication of His beloved, which gives us comfort and courage to trust Jesus in t...