Sermons by Bill White

Ministry Focused

We are either focused on ourselves or we are focused on others. But when we start with the perspective of God’s mercy and reflect on …

Prayerfully Dependent

Being prayerfully dependent locks every other Core Value into place and redirects our thoughts and hearts away from the world and towards God. While some …

Corruption Turned to Reward

Adventure

Uniqueness

Oneness

Suffering & Hope

Ambassadors | Bill White

Death as Gain

The challenge that we find in Paul’s words is that death is only gain if, as he says, to live is Christ. Life for Paul …

Parenting for the Kingdom

Paradise

Jesus

Joseph

Hannah's Prayer

In the first chapter of 1 Samuel, we are faced with the story of Hannah’s confident trust in God and her courageous obedience. Where there …

God Speaks, Samuel Hears

In 1 Samuel 3, we are left in the wake of Eli’s sons’ wicked deeds as their family of priests does not faithfully stand in …

The People Demand a King

While God warns the people through Samuel that if he gives them the king they want then they will beg him for relief, they don’t …

Saul's Foolish Oath

When we allow our self-regard to consume us, becoming controlling and putting ourselves at the center, we put ourselves in opposition to what God is …

Jonathan's Loyalty

In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan’s loyalty to God and humble submission to what he is doing in David’s life is the undertone for everything that …

David Spares Saul

In 1 Samuel 24, David finds himself in a position of power with an opportunity to elevate himself to the position of king. However, he …

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, publicly proclaiming that he is the Messiah. As our Savior makes his way through the …

Advent: Like Me

As we consider the first Advent of Christ—the incarnation—we stand in awe of the powerful empathy of Jesus. The Son of God took on blood …

Mary of Magdala

After Jesus’ death and burial, Mary Magdalene is faced with loss and confusion over Jesus’ missing body. In the midst of this chaos, we see …

Ezra

A humble and capable man of God, Ezra journeys from exile back to Jerusalem, determined to teach the Law of the Lord to the people …

Hurt in the Church

In this deeply personal passage, we see Paul defending himself to the Corinthian church. As many have turned aside to false teachers, Paul reminds them …

New Bodies

Looking forward, Paul points us to a day when every believer will stand before Jesus. This day will be one of resurrection, judgment, honor, and …

Holiness in the Temple

In this passage, Paul cautions the Corinthians against over-identifying with the culture around them. He reminds them that as God’s chosen people, they are holy …

Spiritual Authority

In this challenging passage, Paul not only defends his authority, he also explains the power and nature of authority from God. Unlike worldly influence, godly …

A Thorn in the Flesh

In this passage, Paul addresses the issue of suffering. Our innate response—especially in our culture—is to avoid suffering if at all possible. However, Paul explains …

Fallen

As created beings, we are limited by this world and dependent on God in every way. Furthermore, we must understand our corrupt nature and position …

Family

An important facet of being recreated by God—into his image—is being part of his family. As adopted members of the family of God, we have …

A Troubled Heart

As the book of Nehemiah begins, many of God’s people remain in exile. Meanwhile, those who have returned to Jerusalem face trouble and disgrace, their …

Shared Work

Although this passage in Nehemiah may seem like a mere list of names, it has significance because the work God’s people were doing was significant. …

Spiritual Reorientation

In this passage, the people of Jerusalem come together to hear God’s Word. As they hear the narrative, they help one another grow in understanding …

Corporate Repentance and Covenant Renewal

For generations, a pattern of prosperity, pride, sin, discipline, humility, repentance, forgiveness, and obedience characterized Israel. In an effort to break the cycle and submit …

Easter 2021

Jesus’ resurrection is the lynchpin of the Christian faith, and our response to it is indicative of the state of our souls. In Matthew 28, …

The Incarnation

The overarching narrative of Scripture paints a picture of God’s steadfast love for his people. This love culminates in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, his …

Who is This? Jesus Rebukes the Storm

Even after witnessing Jesus’ miraculous power, the disciples fall into fear and panic while at sea in a raging storm. In the face of their …

Salt and Light

In this passage, Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light—preserving the world by pointing others to the light of the gospel through our …

Darkened, Shamed, and Deprived of Truth

In this passage, Paul begins his exposition of the gospel by first deconstructing the misplaced hopes of both the Gentiles and the Jews in his …

God's Promise and Our Faith

Paul continues undermining the overconfidence of the Jewish believers in Rome, showing them through Abraham’s example that saving grace comes through faith alone. Just as …

The Law and Sin

As Paul continues to explain how a believer is transformed by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, he unpacks the role of the law. …

In Christ: Elected

We often approach Romans 9 with a list of questions regarding God’s justice and sovereignty, but Paul’s goal for this passage is to highlight God’s …

Enemies and Vengeance

Following through the end of chapter 12, Paul compellingly illustrates what our lives will look like when we genuinely offer them as holy sacrifices. In …

Promise of the Spirit

As Luke begins the book of Acts, he focuses on Jesus, the Risen King, who calls his disciples to move forward on his mission to …

Faith, Healing, and Repentance

Peter and John begin the work of the early Church—healing in Jesus’ name and preaching the gospel. Their actions draw the attention of many, and …

Ananias and Sapphira

The early church faces both corruption from within and opposition from without. However, God uses both of these challenges to build and purify his church, …

Responses to the Gospel

After Stephen is stoned, the persecution of the church intensifies, and the gospel begins to spread throughout the world. Like Simon, some hear it, respond …

What God has Made Clean

Through the obedience of both Cornelius and Peter, God advances his mission to bring people from all nations to himself through the power of the …

Responses to the Gospel (Thessalonians & Bereans)

As Paul and Silas continue to travel and preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, they meet mixed responses. Some immediately receive the gospel …

Paul's Persecution and Arrest in Jerusalem

In this dramatic passage, Paul deals with tension with the Gentile believers as he goes to Jerusalem, where he will be beaten and arrested. However, …

Pentecost

At the time of the early Church, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday—a harvest festival celebrating God’s faithfulness. While Jews gathered to celebrate Pentecost after Jesus' …

Futility of Life

The author of Ecclesiastes begins by introducing the writings of the Teacher, most likely Solomon. Solomon has all the time and resources in the world, …

Only This Moment

Once again, Solomon brings us face-to-face with the brokenness and injustice inherent in the world. Even wisdom cannot insulate us from suffering and pain. However, …

Injustice

Solomon continues his journey of despair, grieving the injustice of the world and the brevity of life. No amount of time, money, or effort can …

Living as God's Creature

In this passage, Solomon explores the beauty and limitations of wisdom, how we should spend our time on this earth, and what must be endured …

Fear God and Keep His Commandments

At the end of Ecclesiastes, both Solomon and the author bring us back to the foundational truths of this book. There is a God, and …

The God of Wisdom and Revelation

When the wise men of Babylon cannot reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, there are dire consequences for all. However, Daniel acts with wisdom and discretion. He is …

Babylon's End

Power has passed from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar; however, the new king does not learn from his predecessor, and he comes under God’s judgment. Daniel, who …

The Last Kingdom

Daniel, famous for his interpretation of dreams, receives a troubling and confusing vision. In it, we see earthly kingdoms ravage the world, bringing chaos, terror, …

The Promise of Trouble

God’s messenger reveals the future to Daniel, and it is full of suffering, injustice, and systemic evil at work. However, God will be with his …

Easter: Have We Forgotten?

Just as Jesus’ death and resurrection are inseparable in Christianity, so must our union with him in death and new life be part of our …

Gratitude

Being thankful for beauty and goodness is inherent to the human experience. As believers, our gratitude should flow naturally to the person of God, who …

Messiah Revealed

In this passage, Jesus performs his first miracle. In doing so, he reveals his power and glory as he cares for both his mother and …

Deconstructed by Love

In this passage, Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who recognizes the work God is doing through Jesus. Instead of offering Nicodemus explanations …

Receiving Jesus

The crowd following Jesus grows; however, they seek his power to fulfill their own agenda. In contrast, the disciples simply want to be with Jesus, …

Eyes of Faith

In this passage, John contrasts a man born blind with the Pharisees. Because the Pharisees refuse to entertain any view of the world other than …

The Resurrection of Lazarus

At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus joins our lament—identifying with our grief and anger at the brokenness of the world. However, he embodies the truth that death …

Grace, Betrayal, and Denial

At the last supper, Jesus shows extraordinary grace to the man who will betray him. Judas has the opportunity to accept Jesus’ offering, but he …

Hated by the World

This passage challenges our tendency to politicize our faith as triumphant over the world. Instead, Jesus tells us to love one another, expect opposition, and …

Our Priest and Advocate

After revealing himself as the Son of God during his earthly ministry, Jesus enters a new era of functioning as our priest and advocate—he represents …

Embracing the Cross

As Jesus resolutely steps forward into suffering, prepared to embrace the cross for us, Peter remains in the shadows, confused and afraid. However, we can …

See and Believe

As he concludes his account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, John tells his audience that he has written these things so they might believe. …

Philemon

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he demonstrates the vital importance of identity, vulnerability, and love in the Christian life. Being secure in our identity in …

Bodies

Everything we have has been given to us in order to love God wholly and love our neighbors. To worship God and love others with …

Trials and Temptations

As James begins his epistle to the early Church, he calls believers to act in faith. While he is clear that being a follower of …

Partiality and Faith

In this passage, James calls us to test the authenticity of our faith by examining how we treat others. The notions of rank and position …

True Wisdom

In this passage, James contrasts false, earthly wisdom with true wisdom as modeled by Jesus. As we consider what this wisdom may look like in …

True Humility

As James addresses the issue of conflict in relationships, he digs down to the root issue, exposing our propensity towards scheming self-reliance. The prescribed solution …

Palm Sunday

The events of Palm Sunday begin the arch of the Easter narrative. Jesus stakes his claim as King in a way that is unmistakable. And …

God's Love for His People

In the opening verses of Malachi, God reminds the Israelites of his faithful love for them. While they are stuck in a cultural moment of …

Messengers to Prepare and Purify

God continues to reveal himself to the Israelites by responding to their rebuttals. Like children who pretend not to understand what they’ve been told, the …

The Faithless and Fearing

In this passage, we see clear evidence of God’s connectedness to his people. They can both grieve and delight him, even when they are not …

My Shepherd

Psalm 23 is familiar and comforting, yet the story of our Shepherd is far more gritty and robust than most of us realize. When we …

Prayers for the King

As power transitions from David to Solomon, the psalmist pleads with God to give the king a heart for justice. For when a king embodies …

Loss and Loyalty

In the opening chapter of Ruth, a scene of great tragedy unfolds—loss of homeland, a spouse, children. Yet even in the midst of her grief, …

Hope and Risk

Chapter 3 brings us to a pivotal moment in the story. Ruth risks her reputation and her future in a courageous act of loyal love …

Political Action

While our earthly nation is characterized by tribalism, polarization, and fear, we can hold out peace and freedom because our identity is rooted in the …

Unlikely Repentance

Nineveh matters to God, which creates tension for Jonah, the Israelites reading his story, and us. Even more troubling is the fact that God’s prophet …