December 21, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Matthew 2
This sermon highlights God’s providence in the Christmas story through the journey of the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus. It reveals how God sovereignly orchestrated events to guide, protect, and provide for the holy family—while also drawing unbelievers to worship the newborn King. The message reminds us that salvation begins with God’s gracious initiative and that His providence is still at work today, guiding, protecting, and sustaining the lives of those who trust in Him.
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God’s Providence in Christmas
December 14, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 1—2, Luke 1—2
This Christmas sermon highlights God’s providence in the birth of Jesus Christ. Pastor Jim reminds us that Christmas isn’t just about gifts and decorations, but about salvation through Emmanuel—God with us. The message traces how God prepared Mary and Joseph, orchestrating events from Gabriel’s announcement to Caesar’s census to bring them to Bethlehem. It also explores the miraculous conception, Jesus’ humble birth in a stable, and the angels’ announcement to the shepherds, showing God’s active role in human history.
The sermon concludes with three applications: trust God’s providence in your life, share His work through your testimony, and thank Him for His guidance. Pastor Jim emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith and that God continues to work in believers’ lives today, just as He did in the Christmas story.
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Jesus is Resurrected!
December 7, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 16:1–8
This sermon highlights the resurrection of Jesus as the defining truth that sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Drawing from Mark 16 and John 20, Pastor Jim points to the empty tomb, eyewitness accounts, and Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances as evidence that He truly rose from the dead. The message affirms that the resurrection validates Jesus’ divinity and His power to forgive sins, heal hearts, and give eternal life to all who believe.
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Jesus is Buried!
November 30, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 15:40–47
This sermon reflects on the burial of Jesus Christ as recorded in Mark 15:40–47, underscoring that Jesus truly died and was not merely unconscious. It highlights the devotion of the women who witnessed the crucifixion and burial, Joseph of Arimathea’s courageous request for Jesus’ body, and the careful steps taken in the burial itself. Pastor Jim presents five key pieces of evidence for Jesus’ actual death: the witnesses at Golgotha who saw Him die, the Roman centurion’s official confirmation, Joseph’s preparation of His lifeless body with costly linen, the placement of the heavy stone sealing the tomb, and the reliable witnesses who observed the entire process. The sermon ultimately challenges believers to show similar courage in publicly declaring their faith, just as Joseph overcame his fear of the Sanhedrin to honor Jesus in death.
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Jesus Dies!
November 23, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 15:33–39
This sermon focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as recorded in Mark 15:33-39, examining the profound theological significance of Christ's death. Pastor Jim explains how the darkness that covered the land during Jesus' crucifixion symbolized God's judgment being poured out on sin, and how Jesus' cry 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' revealed the divine transaction taking place - the Father imputing our sin onto Jesus. The message emphasizes that Jesus was forsaken by the Father so that God could accept believers and that His death paid the full penalty for sin. The tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom signified that God had opened the way for direct access to His presence, no longer requiring the mediation of priests.
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Jesus is Crucified!
November 16, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 15:21–32
This sermon on Mark 15:20–32 traces Jesus’ path to Golgotha. Pastor Jim reflects on Simon of Cyrene being forced to carry Jesus’ cross, urging believers to stay ready for unexpected moments of service. He describes the crucifixion, noting that Jesus refused pain relief to fully bear the punishment for sin. The message shows how Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, especially Isaiah 53, revealing that His death was God’s plan. Though Jesus could have called angels to rescue Him, He stayed on the cross to complete His atoning work. The sermon ends with the conversion of one thief, reminding listeners that it’s never too late for salvation.
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Jesus is Mocked!
November 9, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 15:16–20
This sermon explores the concept of mockery through the lens of Jesus' suffering at the hands of Roman soldiers in Mark 15:16-20. Pastor Jim distinguishes between righteous mockery (as expressed by God against sin and evil) and sinful mockery (motivated by pride and intended to hurt rather than help). The soldiers mocked Jesus by disputing his confession as King, punishing him with pain through a crown of thorns, and expressing rejection of his identity. The message examines how fools mock important things like the gospel, the vulnerable, justice, self-restraint, authority, and God Himself, while warning believers to avoid aligning with ungodly mockers. The sermon concludes with practical applications about apologizing for sinful mockery, forgiving those who have mocked us, and learning to express righteous contempt for sin when appropriate.
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“Crucify Him”
November 2, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 15:1–15
This sermon reflects on the dramatic shift in public opinion about Jesus, from the joyful shouts of “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday to the painful cries of “Crucify him!” on Good Friday. Pastor Jim leads us through Mark 15:1–15, recounting Jesus’ trials before Pilate and the false accusations brought by the religious leaders. The message reminds us that Jesus was not condemned simply for being a wise or compassionate teacher, but because He boldly declared Himself to be God in the flesh. As we consider His quiet strength and silence before His accusers, we see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant. Pastor Jim invites us to look inward, to reflect on our own hearts and the ways we respond to Jesus today. Do we stand with Him in faith, or do we sometimes turn away in fear or frustration? The service concludes with communion, a time to remember and give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice; His scourging, His cross, and His deep love that redeems us all.
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Peter Denies Jesus
October 26, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:66–72
In this sermon, Pastor Jim examines Peter's three denials of Jesus as recorded in Mark 14:66-72, contrasting Peter's earlier bold declarations of loyalty with his fearful denials when confronted. The pastor explores how sinful fear led Peter to keep a distance from Jesus, deceive others, and deny his faith rather than declare it boldly. Despite Peter's failures, the message emphasizes that Jesus had predicted this would happen and that Peter's restoration was already planned. The sermon concludes by showing Peter's complete restoration through Jesus' forgiveness and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, transforming him from a fearful denier into a bold witness who would later preach courageously and write letters encouraging others facing similar struggles with fear.
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The Trials Begin
October 19, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:53–65
This sermon examines the trials of Jesus, focusing on His appearance before the Jewish religious leaders after His arrest. The pastor begins by establishing the importance of justice, explaining that God is perfectly just in all His ways. The message walks through Jesus' trials before Annas and Caiaphas, highlighting the numerous legal violations and injustices committed by the religious leaders. When directly asked if He is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus clearly declares "I am," making four distinct claims to deity. The religious leaders condemn Him for blasphemy and subject Him to physical abuse. The sermon concludes by connecting this injustice to God's perfect justice, referencing Micah 6:8 about doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. The pastor emphasizes that while human justice failed Jesus, divine justice was ultimately served through His sacrificial death on the cross, providing mercy and salvation for all who believe.
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Judas' Betrayal
October 12, 2025 • Pastor Alex Duran • Mark 14:43–52
This sermon explores Jesus' betrayal and arrest in Mark 14:43-52, focusing on how God remains faithful and continues working even in our darkest moments of betrayal. Pastor Alex examines three key scenes: Judas' betrayal with a kiss, Peter's violent reaction, and the disciples' fleeing. The message emphasizes that while betrayal is painful and often comes from those closest to us, God uses even these difficult circumstances to advance His redemptive plan. The sermon draws parallels between our own experiences of betrayal and Jesus' ultimate betrayal, showing how Christ's sacrificial death covers our sins and shame, just as God clothed Adam and Eve after their fall in Eden.
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The Garden of Gethsemane
October 5, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:34–42
In this sermon, Pastor Jim examines Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in Mark 14:32-42. He focuses on how Jesus prepared for his greatest trial through prayer, providing a model for believers facing their own challenges. Jesus demonstrated vulnerability by expressing his distress to his disciples and honesty in his prayer to God, asking if there was another way besides the cross. The sermon emphasizes that while Jesus requested the cup of suffering be removed, he ultimately surrendered to God's will with the words, "Not what I will, but what you will." This prayer of faith includes expressing love for God, confessing faith in God's power, presenting requests, and surrendering to God's will.
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The Lord's Supper
September 28, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:22–31
In this sermon, Pastor Jim explains the Lord's Supper from Mark 14 as a Christian ordinance where believers remember Christ's atoning death and the new covenant it established. The bread and wine are symbolic, not literal, representations of Christ’s body and blood. Participants are called to self-examination, repentance, and renewed faith in Jesus.
The sermon also highlights how trials test and strengthen faith, using Peter’s denial as an example. Though Peter fell, Jesus promised his restoration, showing that true faith endures and grows through hardship.
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Judas Plans to Betray Jesus
September 21, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:10–21
In this message from Mark 14, Pastor Jim explores the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot and the events leading to the Last Supper. The sermon examines why Judas betrayed Jesus, identifying four key reasons: his refusal to put faith in Jesus, his pride and self-belief, his greed for money, and his possession by Satan. Pastor Jim contrasts Judas's betrayal with Jesus's humble service, particularly highlighting the foot-washing scene where Jesus demonstrated servant leadership to his disciples.
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Jesus Anointed at Bethany
September 14, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 14:1–9
In this sermon from Mark 14:1-9, Pastor Jim explores the story of a woman (identified as Mary, sister of Lazarus) who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume before his crucifixion. While some criticized her for wasting valuable resources that could have helped the poor, Jesus defends her actions as beautiful and appropriate. The sermon contrasts the hatred of religious leaders plotting Jesus' death with Mary's sacrificial love and devotion to Christ.
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The Second Coming – Part 2
September 7, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 13:28–37
In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores Mark 13, continuing the study of the Olivet discourse where Jesus discusses end times. He explains how the temple's destruction was allowed because sacrifices were no longer needed after Jesus' death. The sermon details the signs of the last days, including false religions, wars, natural disasters, persecutions, and tribulations that will continue until Christ's return.
Pastor Jim emphasizes that while no one knows the exact day or hour of Christ's return, believers should remain vigilant and prepared. Using the analogy of a master leaving servants in charge of his estate, he encourages Christians to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, to be discerning about who leads in the church, and to live godly lives that demonstrate God's grace.
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The Second Coming
August 31, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 13:1–27
In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores Mark 13, focusing on Jesus' Olivet discourse where He prophesies future events, including the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and His second coming. The pastor emphasizes two core beliefs Christians should hold: Jesus is definitely coming again, and believers should live in a state of readiness for His return. The sermon examines how Jesus accurately predicted the temple's destruction (which occurred in 70 AD) and describes the signs that will precede His second coming, including false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, and persecution of believers.
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The Greatest Commandments
August 24, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 12:28–40
In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores Mark 12, focusing on Jesus' response to a scribe's question about the most important commandment. Jesus identifies loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength as the greatest commandment, followed by loving your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments form the foundation from which all other laws and prophetic words flow. The sermon contrasts the authentic faith Jesus teaches with the hypocritical behavior of religious leaders who parade themselves before others while neglecting true compassion and genuine worship.
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Life after Death
August 17, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 12:18–27
In this sermon from Mark 12:18-27, Pastor Jim addresses the question of life after death by examining Jesus' interaction with the Sadducees. The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, attempted to trap Jesus with a hypothetical scenario about a woman who had been married to seven brothers. Jesus responded by correcting their understanding, stating they were wrong because they knew neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. He explained that in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.
Jesus then provided biblical proof of the resurrection from the Pentateuch (the only Scripture the Sadducees accepted), citing God's words to Moses at the burning bush: "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Since God spoke of these patriarchs in the present tense, though they had physically died, they must still be alive with God. The sermon concludes with an invitation to consider the reality of life after death and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was resurrected, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
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The Widow's Mite
August 10, 2025 • Pastor Jim McCarty • Mark 12:13–17, Mark 12:41–44
In this sermon based on Mark 12:13-17, Pastor Jim explores Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees and Herodians, who aimed to trap him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus cleverly asks for a coin and replies, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." The sermon highlights our dual citizenship as believers—we have duties to earthly authorities, such as paying taxes and obeying laws, as well as responsibilities to God, like tithing and following His Word. Pastor Jim also discusses the story of the widow's mite from Mark 12:41-44 to illustrate that giving should come from a joyful, generous heart rather than a focus on the amount.
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