Growing Faith Church Sermons

Stand Strong in the Gospel: Eph. 6:10-24

Series: "New Life, New Church, New Purpose"
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
June 22, 2025
1. Stand Strong Against the Real Enemy. (vv. 10-12)
2. Stand Strong in God's Gospel Armor. (vv. 13-17)
3. Stand Strong in Prayer. (vv. 18-24)
The armor of God equips believers for spiritual warfare against demonic forces, not human enemies. This armor includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. When Christians put on this armor, they're covering themselves in Jesus and embracing their identity in Him. Prayer serves as our most powerful weapon, especially when focused on God's mission rather than self-centered requests. Christians are called to fight from victory, not for victory, remembering that our battle is against spiritual forces of evil, not people.

Relationships that Change the World: Eph. 6:1-9

Series: "New Life, New Church, New Purpose"
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
June 15, 2025
1. The Gospel Transforms All Servant/Superior Relationships (v. 1, v. 5)
2. Servants Submit to the Lord to Gain a Future Reward (vv. 1-3; vv. 5-8)
3. Superiors Lead as Christ's Representatives in Submission to Him (v. 4, v. 9)
4. God Uses Christ-centered Relationships to Change the World (vv. 4-5, v. 9)
The gospel has the power to transform all our relationships, especially those involving authority. When we understand our identity in Christ, both leaders and followers are changed - leaders become humble servants, while those under authority serve with dignity and purpose. Parents are called to represent Christ to their children through loving discipline, while children honor their parents as unto the Lord. Similarly, in workplace relationships, supervisors should lead with respect, remembering everyone answers to God, while employees work wholeheartedly as serving Christ himself. These transformed relationships can ultimately change the world.
 

God's Design for Marriage: Eph. 5:22-33

Series: "New Life, New Church, New Purpose"Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NCJune 8, 2025
1. The Spirit Proclaims the Gospel to Empower Submission (vv. 18-21)
2. Wives Proclaim the Gospel by Submitting to Their Husbands. (vv. 22-24)
3. Husbands Proclaim the Gospel by Sacrificing for Their Wives. (vv. 25-30)
4. Marriage Proclaims the Gospel by Expressing Unity in Christ. (vv. 31-33)
Marriage is designed to proclaim the gospel through mutual submission empowered by the Holy Spirit. Wives demonstrate the gospel by respectfully deferring to their husbands' leadership, while husbands reflect Christ's love through sacrificial, santifying, and satisfying love toward their wives. This complementary design isn't about inequality but about different roles that together illustrate Christ's relationship with the church. When spouses fulfill these roles unconditionally, not dependent on the other's response, they create a powerful picture of the gospel for the world to see.

Eph. 5:15-21: Carpe Diem for the Christian

Series: "New Life, New Church, New Purpose" 
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
June 1, 2025
Christians are called to seize each day for God's mission rather than self-fulfillment. Based on Ephesians 5:15-21, believers can live wisely in an unwise world by living strategically with purpose, practicing Christian mindfulness filled with God's truth, surrendering to the Holy Spirit's control rather than worldly influences, and allowing the Spirit to empower them to encourage others, worship authentically, give thanks in all circumstances, and submit to one another. Our lives gain eternal significance when we participate in God's mission to unite all things under Christ.
1. Live Strategically (vv. 15-16)
2. Live with Mindfulness (v. 17)
3. Live Under God's Control (v. 18)
4. Live Powered by the Spirit (vv. 19-21)
 

Light in a Dark World: Eph. 5:3-14

Series: "New Life, New Purpose, New Church"
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
May 25, 2025
How much sin are you comfortable with in your life? When believers get comfortable with sin, we misrepresent God to the world. In Ephesians 5:3-14, Paul reminds us of our true identity as children of light who should have no hint of unrepented sin. Pastor Brian reminds us that rather than trying to keep one foot in God's kingdom and one in the world, we must remember that light and darkness cannot coexist, and our behavior should match our identity in Christ.
1. Don't Compromise with Sin - It Distorts Your Identity (vv. 3-7)
2. Strive to Please the Lord - Sin is Fruitless (vv. 8-11)
3. Walk in Light - Sin Destroys Your Witness (vv. 11-14)

Walk in Love: Eph. 4:17-5:2

Series: "New Life, New Purpose, New Church"
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
May 18, 2025
Justification and sanctification are two essential aspects of the Christian walk. While justification is the immediate declaration of righteousness through faith in Christ, sanctification is the lifelong journey of becoming more like Him. This transformation requires putting off the old self, renewing our minds, and embracing our new identity in Christ. Through God's grace, believers can replace sinful patterns with righteous behaviors, learning to walk in love and truth while trusting in His transformative power.
1. Stop Walking on the Road to Nowhere (vv. 17-19)
2. Learn to Walk with Jesus (vv. 20-24)
3. Walk on the Road of Your New Identity (vv. 25-30)
4. Walk in Your Father's Footsteps (4:31 - 5:2)

How God Builds a Church

Series: "New Life, New Purpose, New Church"
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
May 11, 2025
In Scripture, God promises to build His church but how does He do it? Pastor Brian shows how God's authentic blueprint for church building is found in Ephesians 4:11-13. God calls every member to use their gifts for the mission and gives leaders to the church to equip them to do so.
How Does God Build a Church?
1. He Creates Saints and Brings Them Together (v. 12)
2. He Gives the Church Leaders to Equip the Saints for Ministry (vv. 11-12)
3. He Gives the Saints Various Gifts to Build Up the Church Body (vv. 12-13)

A Healthy Growing Church: Eph. 4:1-16

What creates a healthy growing church? In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul doesn't start with an individual application of the truths of the first three chapters.  Instead, he begins by showing how the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ have a corporate application for members of the church.  Every believer is called by God to be part of his kingdom mission as part of a local church.
Three Steps to a Healthy Growing Church
1. Work to Maintain the Unity Christ Created (vv. 1-6)
2. Look to Use Your Gifts for the Benefit of Others (vv. 7-12)
3. Grow into Healthy Maturity Together (vv. 13-16)

Why Do Christians Suffer? Psalm 13

Sometimes we mistakenly think that if we are following Jesus, our lives should be blessed with ease and comfort.  But the psalms are full of laments to God by His children.  Pastor Michael Gay answers the question, "Why Do Christians Suffer?" as he looks at Psalm 13 written by King David and the life and suffering of Jesus.
1. Suffering Comes to Everyone (v. 1)
2. Suffering is Just for a Season (vv. 1-2)
3. Suffering Feels Isolating (vv. 3-4)
4. Suffering Has a Purpose (vv. 5-6)
 

Born Again: John 3:1-16 (Easter 2025)

Are you 100% certain that you will go to heaven when you die? Has the resurrection of Jesus from the dead transformed the way that you live your daily life? Come listen in as Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again to see the kingdom of heaven.
1. You Will Never Be Good Enough to Get into Heaven. (3:1-3)
2. You Must Be Born Again. (3:4-8)
3. You Can't Give Birth to Yourself. (3:9-13)
4. Look at the Cross and Believe (3:14-16)