Sermons by Blake Payne

David and Goliath

While the story of David and Goliath is a familiar one for most of us, God’s living Word reveals new convictions and truth for us …

Stephen

Full of God’s grace and power, Stephen gives us an image of what it truly means to be like Jesus. In the face of conflict, …

Spiritual Testing

As Paul continues to urge the believers at Corinth to repent of their sins and come back under God’s authority, he explains the value of …

Unfinished Work

At the end of Nehemiah, we discover that the Israelites have quickly lapsed into their old ways—compromising their holiness and conforming to the worldly cultures …

Rest

Many of us are tempted by our culture’s glorification of a busy lifestyle. However, Jesus models a life of rest and dependence even in the …

The Lord, the Law, and the Love of God

In this passage, Jesus addresses the Jewish leaders who will eventually have him executed. As they seek to trap him theologically, Jesus simply and powerfully …

The Reign of Grace

Adam’s sin brought death to all of us, and we live in the reality of a broken world. However, through God’s gracious gift, Jesus has …

Third Missionary Journey

During Paul’s third missionary journey, God uses good leadership, miracles, and disruption to advance his kingdom. In his mercy, God meets the Ephesians where they …

Church Reimagined: Family of God

Many of us have church wounds or negative preconceived ideas of church. However, the local church is an expression of the reality that all believers …

Hope for a Future World

In this passage, Solomon offers wisdom around the ideas of avoiding foolishness, developing resilience, and leading others well. However, no amount of wisdom can solve …

Encountering Another Realm

In this passage, Daniel is visited by a messenger from God—this experience overwhelms him as he is already in mourning for the plight of his …

Living Sacrificially

In this passage, Paul calls us to respond to the gospel by offering our lives to Jesus. Living without compromise requires disruption and change. Yet …

Finding Jesus

Although Jesus is welcome in Galilee, he is not honored. Most are interested only in Jesus’ ability to perform and meet their agenda. However, an …

God in Us

With death just around the corner, Jesus uses his remaining moments to encourage his disciples. His statements about leaving have caused confusion and panic, but …

2 John

As John warns the early Church about the danger of false teachers, he points them to the truth of Jesus and his Kingdom. Building a …

Talents

Stewarding our talents well means we are using them for Kingdom production, not selfish consumption. God has entrusted us all with gifts and skills, and …

Restoration

In his final words to these believers, James urges them to pursue the restoration of those who wander, as an act of love that embodies …

Love and Affirmation

Since the creation of man, we have believed lies about the nature of love. Our culture equates love with affirmation, and any disagreement is perceived …

Loneliness and Anxiety

In a culture where we have more connection and agency than ever before, we are overwhelmingly isolated and anxious. We feel responsible to make our …

Redemption Secured

In chapter 4, Boaz continues to show his noble character. Rather than scheming in private to secure his place as Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, he addresses the …

A Highway through the Wasteland

God sees the Israelites’ pain, even in their rebellion, and he promises to come with a strong arm and a soft hand to deliver them. …

Gratitude

Our culture views gratitude as a feeling that results from favorable circumstances, but that is not how God defines gratitude. The Scriptures tell us gratitude …

Worthy is the Lamb

This passage paints a glorious picture of God on his throne, surrounded by other-worldly creatures responding in worship. God’s kingship should also touch every facet …

A New Heaven and New Earth

In this passage, we see how God will complete his redemptive plan and be reunited with his people in the new heaven and new earth. …

Out of the Water

In Exodus 2, we learn about Moses—a man whose providential birth, upbringing, cultural background, and choices position him to be an integral part of the …

Escalating Judgment

As God continues to send plagues against Egypt, Pharaoh acknowledges the power of Yahweh. But his remorse quickly reveals itself as fake repentance—a desire for …

A Lesson in Leadership

In this passage, Moses receives advice from an unlikely source: his father-in-law, Jethro, a pagan priest of Midian. Rather than dismissing Jethro’s advice, Moses humbles …

Why Jesus Came

The believers of Jesus’ day had expectations about how the Messiah would rescue them. But Christ didn’t come to save us from oppressive worldly powers; …

Servants and Stewards

In this passage, Paul challenges the Corinthians’ perspective that they or their preferred spiritual leader are the best judge of the way they are living. …

Love over Freedom

In this passage, Paul responds to a question that has caused division in the Corinthian church: is it permissible to eat meat sacrificed to idols? …

A Resurrected Hope

Wisdom and Pleasure

Forgotten in Prison

The Brother Who Must Return