This sermon uses the story of King Saul to illustrate spiritual blind spots, which are areas of disobedience we hide from ourselves through denial, blame-shifting, and self-justification. True healing from these blind spots comes not from our own attempts at self-justification, but from humbling ourselves, confessing our sins, and finding our acceptance in the grace of Jesus Christ alone.

This sermon warns against the sin of misplaced trust, which leads to a cursed life of spiritual barrenness, and instead, calls for placing complete trust in God. Through a "heart transplant" given by Jesus, believers can overcome inherited patterns of distrust and become like a flourishing tree, rooted in God's promises and provision.

This sermon uses the story of Jonah to expose the sin of self-righteousness, which twists our hearts into anger and a refusal to extend God's grace to others. It presents Jesus as the "better Jonah," whose willing pursuit of His enemies and ultimate sacrifice on the cross provides a permanent solution to our self-righteousness by granting us His perfect righteousness.

This sermon teaches that sin is an underestimated, deceptive force that, like the story of Cain and Abel, hides and devours those who give in to it. It encourages believers to understand the full weight of sin in order to appreciate the magnitude of God's grace and the redemptive power of Jesus' sacrifice.

This sermon asserts that genuine conversion is a necessary and transformative process that moves individuals from spiritual blindness to sight through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. By engaging with the historical evidence of Christ and accepting the gospel's message—that we are both sinful and profoundly loved—we can receive a new identity and a relationship with God.

This sermon uses the early church's conflict in Acts 6 to highlight four commitments for a flourishing church: celebrating growth, caring for the vulnerable, prioritizing the ministry of the Word, and cultivating a "priesthood of all believers." By addressing internal conflict through delegation and maintaining a focus on these principles, the church ensures the continued increase of God's Word and the multiplication of disciples.

This sermon highlights the early apostles' audacious faith, as they courageously obeyed God over human authority, even in the face of suffering, because they were grounded in the gospel. Their joy in persecution serves as a challenge to modern believers to abandon conformity, embrace a radical obedience, and find greater fulfillment in Jesus than in the world's fleeting pleasures.

This sermon teaches that the early church's radical unity and generosity were a direct result of the Holy Spirit's power and their gratitude for Christ's sacrifice, which led to a powerful testimony and a community without need. It holds up Barnabas as a model of this selfless spirit and calls believers to emulate Jesus, the ultimate "son of encouragement" who gave everything for us.

This sermon teaches that ordinary believers, like Peter and John, can be "shook" by God to boldly impact their culture by relying on three divine gifts: a new identity in Christ, a supernatural perspective on circumstances, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It challenges Christians to move beyond self-sufficiency by embracing the strength found in God and the support of the church community.

This sermon teaches that difficult circumstances, while challenging, are a powerful opportunity for spiritual growth because they expose our true devotion and our need for God's power. By resolving to live differently and resting in Christ's presence within a supportive community, we can grow and mature, confident that Jesus has already resolved to be with us.

This sermon uses the despair of Psalm 88 to teach that Christians are not immune to profound suffering and feelings of abandonment by God. It encourages believers to honestly lament their pain to God, drawing comfort from the fact that Jesus experienced ultimate despair on the cross so that we may have hope.

This sermon teaches that Jesus's coming, while offering peace and salvation, also creates conflict with worldly powers, demanding allegiance from His followers who will face persecution. Despite these challenges, believers can find peace in their secure identity in Christ, trusting that God uses unexpected circumstances, even opposition, to bring about redemption.