Stand Alone Sermons
Praetorian Project
February 26, 2023 • Brian O'Day • Philippians 1:1–14
The Praetorian Project is a family of 10 churches with a heart and culture to reach active military men and women with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Currently, more than 80% of the Marine Corps has access to these family of churches, and in 2015 they expanded to all military communities worldwide. Brian O'Day is the pastor of one of the pillar churches in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
To the End of the Earth
February 28, 2021 • David Frederick
A theme in the Bible is how God wants to be known to the ends of the earth. God gets his hands dirty in the mess of the brokenness of this world and in response to our sin. The Lord redeems and saves the broken and contrite in heart and desires the whole world knows of his salvation. This message explores that theme from the text of Isaiah 49:1-6 which speaks of a “Servant” God is sending to bring his people back from exile and to proclaim God’s goodness to the ends of the earth.
Three Keys to Joy in Adversity
February 21, 2021 • Mike Burchfield
One of the realities of living in our world is that adversity is a common experience which everyone faces sooner or later; and often, negative emotions like fear, sadness, despair and depression accompany it. When adversity comes, does a Christian have to remain stuck in those negative emotions though? In this message from Philippians, we see that the answer to this question is a resounding ’No”. Using Paul’s life of adversity as an example, the sermon examines three keys to finding joy in the midst of adversity - and that which gave Paul joy despite many and various trials and tests is available to every person who is in relation with Jesus Christ.
The Christian's True Hope
December 27, 2020 • Mike Burchfield
As Christians living in the 21st century, we look back in faith to the first appearing of Christ two millennia ago, and all that means for us; and we look forward to our blessed hope, the appearing of in glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, when he comes a second time. Christ’s second coming is our true hope. This theme is developed as well as how we, as Christians, are called to live in the interim, while we wait for the return of our Lord. In part, the message ends the year with the question: Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ, when he comes?
Churches, Christians and Civic Engagement
October 25, 2020 • Mike Burchfield
As the 2020 presidential elections approach, many Christians have questions about civic engagement and churches take different approaches to how they ought to engage in the political process of our nation. This sermon addresses this topic by asking and answering two questions. The first question: “What is God doing in our world?”, gives thought to what churches and Christ’s followers are called to keep before them as a primary focus. The second question: “How should churches and christians engage in the civic arena, in light of what God is doing in the world?” gives practical insight into how Christ’s followers are called to live in our time. From various texts of scripture the message shows that God is brining about an everlasting kingdom. For this reason churches and Christians are to wage a good warfare through worship, prayer, evangelism, and by participation in our political process by voting, writing and appealing to magistrates and perhaps by serving in public office, if gifted to serve in that arena for Christ.
The Way of Jesus (in our National Crisis)
June 7, 2020 • Mike Burchfield
Ours is a time of the COVID19 pandemic, unjust killings by police and others, outcries against injustice, riots, and violence. In the midst of such turmoil, what should Christ’s followers do? How should the Church respond? This sermon attempts to answer these questions from the life of Jesus Christ, who did justice with kindness and mercy as He walked humbly with God. It is a call for Christians to shape their lives after Jesus Christ instead of polarizing around the other agendas of our day. It is a call to repentance of sins like racism, injustice, hate and strife. It is a call for the church to be the church and to model in part what the church will be in eternity - a multitude of people from every tribe, and language, and people, and nation. It is a call for the Church to model in her life what our world needs most - unity around the person of Jesus Christ.