The Village Chapel - Sunday Sermons

In a culture that worships at the altar of individual autonomy and self-assertion, is it any wonder we live in an angry, divided and often lonely world? Into a similar societal chaos the ancient New Testament letter known as 1 Peter called God’s people to exhibit humility, self-sacrifice, kindness and compassion in all of their relationships. Join Pastor Jim as he unpacks the timeless truth of God’s instructions for Christians living in a fallen world and looking for ways the power of the Gospel can transform our relationships.

Have you ever felt like your spiritual life stalled out, as if you hit a plateau or, to use another metaphor, you were just drifting in circles? Well, here at The Village Chapel, we want you to know you are not alone in that experience. Most of us have been there too and so we gather on a regular basis to encourage one another in the Gospel. John Stott once said, “Holiness is not a condition into which we drift.” So, what is the New Testament understanding of holiness? What does it look like in our everyday lives? What are some of the things that prevent us from growing in God’s salvation? And what are some of the things that can help us grow in God’s salvation? Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through 1 Peter 2 for some insightful and practical answers to these and other questions.

First Peter is a letter suffused with hope: not merely a dream or a wish, but hope grounded in the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. For the Apostle Peter, hope through the risen Savior is multi-dimensional, touching every square inch of creation and every aspect of humanity. Join Pastor Tommy as we consider how Peter offers a panoramic view of the Christian life, pointing us toward the past — the empty tomb, the present — calling us to live a life of holiness and, lastly, a secure future — an eternal home with Jesus.

The New Testament describes the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as a historical event, asserting that a physically dead Jesus rose again from the grave three days after suffering a horrific death on a Roman cross. In one of the earliest New Testament writings, the apostle Paul stated that there were over 500 eyewitnesses who had seen Jesus alive again, with many of those eyewitnesses still alive at the time of his writing, thus available for interviewing by anyone wishing to investigate the Resurrection of Jesus. Despite this, some people have come to believe that Easter is merely a metaphor for springtime or renewal. Others suggest that Easter is based on a recycled pagan celebration or perhaps a legend crafted to bolster the image of a good man who suffered a tragic death. Join Pastor Jim as he delves into the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus and then teaches how it provides Christians with a living hope that is philosophically reasonable, historically credible, globally beautiful and personally transformative. The Resurrection was the pivotal moment in redemption history and the seismic event that showcased the power of God for all those interested in becoming new creations in Christ.

Why has the observance of Palm Sunday lasted these last 2,000 years? Why do so many Bible scholars call it the “Triumphal Entry?” Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? Why did the crowds shout “Hosanna?” What made them dance and sing “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” from Psalm 118? How might some have understood and/or misunderstood what Jesus was doing on that day? And what timeless truths about God’s love for sinners like us can be found here? Two thousand years later, some continue to misunderstand Jesus and want him to be their socio-political Messiah. Others reject or ignore Jesus. Some seek to silence Jesus and His followers. But millions of others have come to believe in Jesus and have found life in His name. How is that possible? Can that happen to you? Join Pastor Jim as he takes us back to that first Palm Sunday to remind us of precisely what happened, what it meant and what it still means for us today.

1 Kings offers a 3000-year-old chronicle that begins with an inevitable but forced royal succession and continues with relentless political disorder and conflict. We started with the relatively good King David reigning over a united kingdom, and we now conclude 1 Kings with the ignoble death of the wicked King Ahab who ruled over half of a divided kingdom. Unsurprisingly, we learn that we need a greater king than any presented in the history of ancient Israel or Judah. However, we are reminded that even through our most tumultuous times, God has proven Himself faithful to His people. God was neither silent nor inactive. Throughout 1 Kings, Yahweh's faithful prophets speak, and the word of the Lord remains central in each chapter of our study. Join Pastor Jim as he concludes our exploration of 1 Kings, reminding us to remain alert and proactive, listening for the word of the Lord as it comes to us through the written word of God, the ancient scriptures, and the living Word of God, the greater King, Jesus Christ.

Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper? In 1 Kings 21, we read of a story that involves a gross misuse of power and authority against an innocent man. Where is God in the midst of all of this? How will He make things right? Join us this week as we begin to unpack the glorious hope we have in Christ who helps the righteous to endure while also making a way for the wicked to be redeemed.

Lots of people have asked questions about why God allows this or that to happen in our world. But have you ever wondered why God was merciful to somebody you thought simply didn’t deserve it? Why does it surprise us to think God might forgive those persons we consider to be repeat offenders or “repugnant others?" And are there ever times we think God simply could not forgive us for something we’ve done multiple times? Join Pastor Jim as he shows us how there are times the surprising and relentless grace of God proves Him to be more merciful than we think He should be, more powerful than we believe He could be, more just than we sometimes want Him to be and more wise than we ever imagined He could be.

1 Kings 19 follows the prophet Elijah after a decisive victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Fresh off this climactic spiritual battle, he is confronted with a dire threat to his life. Elijah had likely expected a great revival to sweep the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a turning back to God. Instead, Queen Jezebel had only intensified her opposition to God and the life and ministry of Elijah. Join Pastor Tommy as we consider together the kindness of God as he cares for Elijah in a season of despair. This account of God’s mercy offers encouragement and practical wisdom for all those who have found themselves in the fog of sorrow, depression, melancholy, or have lost their spiritual bearings. There is much for us to learn from the tender way God continues to provide for Elijah in his moment of need.

Israel has suffered three long years of drought and God plans to bring rain back to the land. But before that happens, God intends to make very clear to the Israelites who is the real God and who is a false god. Join us as Pastor Matt leads us in the powerful recounting of Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal.

It was the 9th century BC and the northern kingdom of Israel had turned away from God to worship Baal, the rain-storm god of the Canaanites. In 1 Kings 17 the prophet Elijah appears on the scene with an abrupt and harsh prophecy for the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Elijah’s God was going to dry up all the rain credited to Baal. God immediately directed Elijah to head east and hideout for a bit, promising him some ravens will serve as waiters, bringing him the food and sustenance he will need. Not long after this, God sends Elijah deeper into Baal territory to minister to an unnamed widow and her son. But as time passes, the boy gets sick and dies. The woman blames Elijah who then responds in a most remarkable way and the woman appears to come to faith in God. What happened there? As important a figure as Elijah is throughout biblical history, he is not the primary point of this action packed chapter. Just what is? Join Pastor Jim as he guides us on a journey alongside Elijah to learn about the God who speaks, guides, hears and provides!

1 Kings 15 & 16 describe decades of unbridled idolatry, debauchery, treachery, conspiracy, assassinations, wars, civil unrest, international intrigue and strife. Was the God of the Bible aware of the chaos and deepening darkness in that time? If so, what did God do, or what was God planning to do about it? What hope can the Gospel of Jesus bring to us in our own conflicted and troubled times? Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through the pages of the yearbook of ancient Judah and Israel that we find in 1 Kings 15 & 16. Here is an important part of the divine dossier of redemption history, and it all points forward to and finds its fulfillment in the greater King Jesus.

1 Kings 14 is a heartbreaking chapter describing God’s judgment on the Northern and Southern Kingdom for their wicked ways. In light of all we have read in the book of 1 Kings, it’s right for us to ask, “How did we get here?” Join us this week as we take a closer look at the deceptive nature of sin and how the Gospel shines bright even in the midst of man’s rebellion and God’s judgment.

What does the phrase, “the word of the LORD,” mean? Can and does God speak? If so, in what ways or by what means does God speak? How should we interpret and respond to the word of the LORD? Join Pastor Jim as he helps us unravel one of the most puzzling chapters in the Old Testament and shows us how it can also be one of the most clarifying chapters in the Bible, especially as we seek to understand what the Lord may have said or might be saying. 1 Kings 13 is part of the written word of the LORD, the divine dossier of redemption history.

1 Kings 12 is a dramatic scene change in the history of God's people. King Solomon has just passed away, and his son, Rehoboam, is assumed to be his successor. Instead, the kingdom divides. Two kingdoms are now set against one another: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This separation is tragic, and the consequences will reverberate for generations. Yet, we see the hand of God at work, even in this seemingly hopeless moment. Three words from God frame this chapter and offer hope to us today, "...but not forever." (11:39) Join Pastor Tommy as we seek to learn from these events in redemptive history and lift our eyes to the hope we have today in King Jesus.

As we come to the end of another year, how many times have you heard someone say, “This year has just flown by?” Is it possible that while we have all become experts on how to stoke anticipation for Christmas, even Christians still struggle with knowing how to maintain enjoyment of all that Christmas means for us in the coming New Year? The story of the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2 is a contrast between two very different kings with two very different kingdoms. One kingdom is the sighing kingdom of “Whatever.” The other is the wonder-filled kingdom of “What If?” One is a kingdom marked by indifference, the other a kingdom in which every person and every moment of time has been designed and created for a transforming encounter with Christ. Is there a way to move our spiritual life from a bored and disinterested “whatever” to a hopeful and curious “what if?” Join Pastor Jim as he connects some of the dots of God’s unfolding plan of redemption history and shows us how we are all invited to choose Jesus as our king and begin living right now in the kingdom of heaven!

How did the historical person Jesus of Nazareth become the most talked about person who ever lived? Jesus was never an entertainment celebrity, never had a TV show, never ran for politics and never became a social media influencer. So why are there so many books and blogs, magazine articles and movies, tv shows and college courses about Jesus? To help us unravel this mystery, let's explore insights from one of Jesus' closest friends and followers. The Gospel of John opens with a remarkable summary that delves into Jesus' essence, nature and pivotal role in the tapestry of redemption history. Join Pastor Jim as he guides us through the concise yet powerful prologue, unveiling the extraordinary ways the God of the Bible fulfilled His promises and achieved His purposes through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah and the good Doctor Luke lived some 700 years apart, but the Holy Spirit weaves a thread and connects them to each other. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Matt leads us through two brief passages from Isaiah and Luke and points us to the steadfast and tenacious love of the God who is not only with us, but is also for us.

Did angels really tear a hole in the Judean night sky to sing for a bunch of Jewish shepherds? If so, what did the angels sing about and how did the shepherds respond? What is the significance of the event Christians call the Incarnation and how does it affect us 2000 years later? Join Pastor Jim as he connects some of the dots in God’s unfolding plan of redemption history during this third Sunday of Advent 2023.

The Advent season is replete with a sense of longing. We witness it in the pages of scripture. We see it in the stories our culture tells. Something has been lost that needs repair. The prophet Isaiah, roughly 700 years before the time of Christ, points forward to the genuine hope of one who would come with the power to set right what sin and rebellion had broken. Like our own day and time, Isaiah's was full of moral, relational, political, cultural and spiritual darkness. He offers us the sure hope that darkness has an end. The "joy of every longing heart" can be finally and fully satisfied in the person of Jesus — the Light of the World. He has come, is with us now by His Spirit and will come again. Join Pastor Tommy as we explore the rich promises of the Advent season and unpack their beauty, power and meaning for us today.