Jul 3

Jul 3 Unity of Faith | Ephesians 4:1-16

Christians are commanded to be unified in Christ, but how do we know who is a Christian to be unified with and who is a false believer to be evangelized or avoided (false teachers)? What about denominations? How do I know who is a faithful brother or sister? More than that, what do we need to do to build unity in the Church that Jesus has bought with His own blood? Sometimes it seems that those calling for unity are the ones pressing false doctrine, but if we are not careful, those with good doctrine will cut off faithful Christians who simply aren’t mature in the faith enough to be grounded doctrinally. This sermon addresses all this and more from Ephesians 4:1-16.

May 3

May 3 Fellowship and Church Discipline | Ecclesiology 6

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

The topic of Church Discipline often makes people uncomfortable at first. Most Americans have grown up in a version of Evangelicalism that sees “niceness” as an essential of the faith. Subsequently, few Christians have seen faithful church discipline applied. Either they have been a part of a body of believers that was functionally antinomian (anti-law), allowing even the most egregious sins to continue without confrontation. Here is the thing: Every Church disciplines; it is a matter of who they discipline. When a man leaves his family, refuses to repent, but is allowed to continue in fellowship with impunity, the church is effectively disciplining his wife and children out of the church. When an abuser continues to harm and the church leaders claim that it is better that he be in the church than not in the church, his victims are left unprotected. So it is with false teaching, gossip, sexual immorality, and the like. Faithful discipline is critical for the protection of the saints.

However, it is not just individuals that are at risk. 1 John gives us a detailed overview of the deep fellowship (koinonia) that is to be at the center of the Body of Christ. It is this love for one another that is to be the mark of Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35). We tend to think of church discipline in negative terms, but it is helpful to remember that Church discipline is not merely about punishment, it is about cultivating and protecting fellowship. The fellowship we share is not just with one another, it is with God (1 John 1:1-9). In this sermon, Pastor Daniel will talk about biblical fellowship from 1 John 1 before addressing the critical issue of church discipline.

Apr 4

Apr 4 The Lord's Supper | Ecclesiology 5

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

The ordinances of the Church are baptism and the Lord’s supper, and both are topics of much debate. We discussed baptism in a previous sermon. This week, Pastor Daniel addresses the command to remember the Lord’s death through communion. We learn what it does and why it is important to build faith in the believers and break down the defenses of Hell through the proclamation of the Gospel. In the process, we address the various views of communion to affirm a biblical stance.

Jan 31

Jan 31 Baptism | Ecclesiology 4

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This command is critical to the great commission, but baptism is an oft-debated topic among Christians. What is baptism? How important is it? What is the proper mode of baptism? Pastor Daniel Samms teaches from several key passages on baptism and addresses key quotes from church history and the London Baptist Confession as we clarify the importance and function of baptism in Christianity.

Nov 30

Nov 30 The Headship of Christ | Ecclesiology 3

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

The headship of Christ is a neglected topic in evangelical circles. We so often forget that He is King over all (Matthew 28:18, Col 1:1-11). We see in Ephesians that Christ is the Head of the Church. The term “Head” was used to refer to Kingly authority as the king wears his crown on his head and the head controls the body. As it applies to Christ and His Church, it means that He has absolute authority. He has subsequently given us His Word (the Bible) which is authoritative and sufficient for all matters (2 Tim. 3:16-17). While God has placed pastors/elders to shepherd the Church, they do so as under shepherds submitted to Christ, Scripture being the authority for their office. This headship that Christ has is reflected in the home with husbands serving as head over the wife, loving her and sacrificing for her. In this sermon, Pastor Daniel addresses this critical doctrine of Christ’s headship answering theological questions about authority in the Church and admonishing us to submit to Christ as Head.

Oct 14

Oct 14 Living Stones and Holy Priests | Ecclesiology 2 | Ephesians 2:19-22 | 1 Peter 2:1-12

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

Continuing our First Sunday series on the study of the Church (Ecclesiology). In this sermon, Pastor Samms focuses on the assembly of believers as the temple of God and a royal priesthood. This metaphor for the church is used in both Ephesians 2:19-22 and 1 Peter 2:1-12 as the church is described as a collective group of stones that comes together to form the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The church must gather to fulfill this critical role (Hebrews 10:23-25). Last time we talked about the church’s role to put the truth of the gospel on display (1 Timothy 3:14-16. This week we talk more about the role of Christians as a “royal priesthood” that serves one another for the gospel.

Sep 30

Sep 30 Pillar and Ground of Truth | Ecclesiology 1

Daniel Samms

Ecclesiology

The evangelical church in America is suffering from a lack of doctrine, a lack of discipleship, and now a lack of attendance. The less faithful the Church becomes, the more troubled the society grows. One of the problems at hand is the lack of understanding of the Church. People don’t seem to know what the Church is or what it is made to do. Even prominent leaders such as Andy Stanley fail to recognize the essential nature of the church, assuming live streams are enough to keep people connected. But, the commands of God for the church go deep and wide. We are called to display the truth of the Gospel, to gather together, and to partake in physical signs connected to spiritual realities. In this series, Pastor Daniel Samms takes us through what the Church is, what it does, and why it is essential. This sermon focuses on the Church’s role as the displayer of Truth (1 Timothy 3). Future sermons will address the essential job of Christians to assemble as a Church, the role of serving and giving, the nature of ordinances (baptism and communion), and more.