God, open our eyes to see that those who are with us are greater than those who are against us! In this message from the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series, Pastor Joey looks at the infamous "Angel Armies" text in 2 Kings 6. The prophet Elisha is surrounded by hostile Syrian forces and yet is completely at peace. Why? Elisha sees what most don't. The prophet is aware of God's angel army that has surrounded his adversary. This story demonstrates God's deliverance in those huge, crisis moments of our life. This doesn't mean that God always keeps us from trouble, but is PRESENT with us in the trouble! Message preached on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at ParkerDC.
In the latest message from the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series, Pastor Joey looks at a simple story in 2 Kings 6 about a lost axe head. It seems incredibly insignificant, but not to the one who had borrowed the axe in the first place. In urgency, this man runs to Elisha and pleads for help. As a result, God miraculously makes the iron axe head float. At first glance this text looks unimportant, but we learn that NOTHING is beyond God's care and concern. God cares about the BIG stuff, and the LITTLE stuff. He wants us to bring every burden, stress, anxiety, and prayer concern to Him. Message preached on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at ParkerDC.
2 Kings 5 is a relatively familiar text as we get to Naaman and his unconventional swim in the Jordan River, resulting in his healing of leprosy. But as we look deeper, we discover a lot more! Naaman has to swallow his pride in order to discover physical healing. And as a result, he also finds faith in the God of Israel. In contrast, Naaman's servant is driven by greed, dishonesty, and selfish desire. In the end, Naaman is blessed and Gehazi (the servant) is cursed. Listen now to this powerful text and sermon from the "Peaks & Valleys Sermon Series". Join us this Sunday as we continue on in our journey through the chronicles of Elijah and Elisha.
It's amazing how many miracles and teachings in the New Testament are foreshadowed in the Old. In this text from 2 Kings 4:38-44, Pastor Joey emphasizes that Jesus is the Bread of Life (see also John 6) that is pictured in the manna of the Exodus, the miracles here of the soup and the bread, and the feeding of the 5,000 in the gospels. God uses Elisha to redeem the deadly soup (also redeeming the labor) in the first short story. Then he uses the prophet to provide basic provision to the prophets and the people in a miracle that is very similar to the miraculous feedings by Jesus. We learn of God's sufficiency and provision here. Nothing in our life is unredeemable when Jesus steps onto the scene! Message preached on Sunday, April 21, 2024 as part fourteen in the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series.
What do we do when life throws us a curve? In reality, our life is really not in our hands. Contrary to Bon Jovi's "It's My Life", our life is at the disposal of the Sovereign God of the universe who orchestrates everything according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will. In this message we look at a story that is roller coaster of emotions of life, death, and resurrection... a clear picture of the Gospel for sure! The story teaches us to lean on God amid the joys and sufferings of life, knowing that God is working all things together for good, albeit maybe not our initial understanding of good. Message preached on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at ParkerDC as part thirteen of the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series.
In a very similar story to Elijah's interaction with the widow of Zarephath, 2 Kings 4 gives us a picture of God's SUFFICIENCY and PROVISION amid an incredibly desperate moment. One of the prophet's wives approach Elisha needing God's help after her husband's sudden death. What is at stake is the freedom of her children and ultimately life for the family. The prophet instructs this widow to a unique and private miracle. It doesn't make the headlines of the local news, but it does provide both MERCY and God's GRACE. God meets this need as only a loving and sovereign God could! Message preached on Sunday, April 7, 2024 as part twelve in the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series.
Of FIRST IMPORTANCE. Paul spoke in these terms in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 as he clarifies the core weekend of the gospel story when Jesus died, was buried, and rose again! In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Joey looks at the basic texts in Luke 23-24 of the Crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection of our Lord, highlighting the necessity for all and the unity of the work of Christ. Christ has won the victory over sin and death! This is not just an Easter message, but the Christian message. Message preached on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at ParkerDC.
In this impromptu message, Pastor Joey sits aside the "Peaks & Valleys" series to look at Genesis 22 and God's sacrificial provision to Abraham and how it foreshadows the greatest provision on the Cross. Message preached on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at ParkerDC.
So many sermon titles apply here.... "A Tale Of Two Cities", "To Kill A Mocking Boy", or even "The Bald And The Beautiful". In this text we see the transition of the prophet's influence, from Elijah to Elisha following the former's mysterious departure. In two unique interactions, Elisha brings a blessing upon Jericho and then a curse upon Bethel. Jericho sought God's favor and Elisha purified the water. Bethel's boys mocked God's prophet and likely lost their lives. The narrative depicts two choices. Do we honor God, His Word, and His prophet or do we scorn them? In the balance is God's favor or judgment. Message preached on Sunday, March 17, 2024 as part ten in the "Peaks & Valleys" sermon series.
Some people make an impression when they walk in a room AND some people make a greater impression when they exit. In this case, Elijah's ending is far more memorable than his beginning. In this ninth message from the "Peaks & Valleys" series, Pastor Joey looks at 2 Kings 2 and the "Pyromaniac Prophet's" unusual last day. This text highlights a test that Elijah gives to Elisha that emphasizes the strategic and persistent discipleship process. Also, Elisha's request to his predecessor/mentor emphases the importance of the Holy Spirit's empowering to accomplish the gospel purposes in life. We desperately need the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and empower us to faithful ministry. We witness a beautiful relationship between two faithful witnesses as the mantle is passed in ministry. Let the church today learn from this example of relational discipleship and ministry! Message preached on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at ParkerDC.
Elijah is the "pyromaniac prophet", or so it seems. An an encore to Mt. Carmel's showdown, we find our prophet confronting Ahab's son, Ahaziah, in 2 Kings 1. After having fallen out a window, the new king of Israel is injured. Instead of inquiring of God about the condition, however, Ahaziah chases another god (Baal-zebub), a local derivative of Baal worship. God is not pleased, and it ultimately cost Ahaziah his life. In the midst of these interactions, Elijah calls down fire AGAIN and consumes two separate garrison's of troops. In this text we discover gospel glimpses of humility vs arrogance, God's mercy and kindness, as well as his harsh judgment on the wicked. We also are confronted with our tendency to seek other things instead of God. Message preached on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at ParkerDC as part eight in the "Peaks & Valleys" series.
Greed is a nasty sin. It reveals our dissatisfaction with God and His provision and our tendency to chase idols. In this message from the "Peaks & Valleys Series", Pastor Joey takes us to 1 Kings 21 as we look at story of greed, injustice, and confrontation. We see again how God uses Elijah to confront the wickedness of Ahab. We also witness God's patience and kindness even amidst Ahab's incomplete repentance. The purpose of God's confrontation with evil is to bring conviction, leading to repentance (not just sorrow), and ultimately reconciliation. Ahab demonstrates signs of sorrow, but not full repentance. Message preached on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
There is an unfortunate stigma around depression in the church. For some proud reason, we pretend that we don't struggle with mental and emotional health, for it might make our faith look weak. In this message from the "Peaks & Valleys Sermon Series", Pastor Joey looks at Elijah's run from Jezebel, and subsequently his ministry. As a result of unrealized expectations, the prophet spirals into despair and pity. But all the while, God lovingly nurtures him, challenges, and restores him. This is what the Gospel does in the lives of believers today. Christians aren't immune to despair, anxiety, fear, etc., but have access to the Gospel for their HOPE. Message preached on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Sometimes prayer is a quick thing, but most often it is a persistent thing. In this text from the "Peaks & Valleys Sermon Series", Pastor Joey looks at the post Mt. Carmel showdown moment when Elijah hears the sound of rain in the distance and then fervently prays for the rain to come. The situation in Israel was dire due to a three and a half year drought (God's discipline due to Israel's idolatry). But now Israel has seen the truth of the power of God. Rain is promised, expected, and needed! Elijah's prayer life embodies laboring in prayer until God answers. Message preached on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at ParkerDC.
1 Kings 18 is easily one of the most iconic moments in Israel's history. Atop Mount Carmel there is an epic showdown between Elijah and Ahab, God and Baal. If you like a little sarcasm, it's present here. If you enjoy decisive moments that altar the cultural landscape (if for just a moment), you will find it here too. There are times when we all need to make reject indifference and make a decision to follow God, whole-heartedly without reservation. Idolatry (all sin) stems from a dissatisfaction with God. But God has been faithful and He is worthy of our full devotion. Message preached on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at ParkerDC as part three in the "Peaks And Valleys Series".
Are you a troublemaker? We likely can identify with that title at some point in our life. In this second message from the "Peaks & Valleys" series, Pastor Joey steps into the beginning of one of the most dramatic moments in Israel's history. The preparation of Ezekiel in 1 Kings 17 has positioned the prophet for boldness and faith in 1 Kings 18 and the infamous showdown on Mount Carmel. Elijah comes out of hiding to confront evil Ahab. Ahab attempts to redefine good and evil, blaming Elijah for the current drought and famine. However, the prophet makes it clear that sin and rebellion are the culprit. Message preached on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at ParkerDC. Join us this Sunday as we press on in this timely series.
Elijah was just a common man like us (James 5:17), but God worked in and through this prophet in enormous ways. As we begin the "Peaks & Valleys Series" in 1/2 Kings, we discover an obscure prophet called by God, emboldened by His Spirit, and.... in training. We see how God hides Elijah away for a season of waiting, of preparation that is vital to his character development and faith. Oftentimes we fight against the times of waiting, thinking it is a waste of time. But oftentimes this season equips us for the greater work. This is why PATIENCE and PRAYER is vital in the waiting. Message preached on Sunday, January 14, 2024 by Pastor Joey. Join us this Sunday as we continue on in this series.
Christ loves the Church! Think about that. And if Jesus loves the Church, we are to LOVE the church and actively be part of it! In this beginning message of 2024, Pastor Joey discusses the launch of the Church at Pentecost and how Acts 1:8 fits into the expansion of the Church. The Gospel and The Church are intricately linked. At the conclusion of this message, we talk about the future of ParkerDC as we expand missions, small groups, and explore the building of a Community Park to outreach more to this community. Message preached on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
In this final message from the "Christmas Lights" series, Pastor Joey looks at the eternal rule and reign of Christ as predicated in Isaiah 9 and declared to Mary in Luke 1. Peace is only temporary without Christ. The human condition demands real and lasting peace that is only found in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our Peace! We need peace with God. We need to be forgiven! Christmas is about the redemptive plan of God. The Advent declares this story to the world. Message preached on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023 at ParkerDC.
Joy is a funny word. Most people think it has something to do with emotions and happiness. But joy is independent of happiness and emotions. It is a conscious decision that is anchored in an unwavering faith in Christ, regardless of circumstances around you. On that Judean hillside, the angel announces "good news of great joy", the gospel proclamation, to some unexpectant temple shepherds. This joy was not just for these favored few, but for all who would place their faith in this baby boy for their eternal salvation. Joy is a distinctly Christian decision. This Christmas, may your heart, mind, and soul be FULL of the joy of the LORD. Message preached on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at part three in the advent series, "Christmas Lights" by Pastor Joey.
