Chris Sheppard

Matthew 5 teaches that angry, contemptuous sinners cannot offer acceptable worship while refusing reconciliation. A murderer can worship only in Christ, who fulfills the law and makes sinners new creations.

Reconciliation Before WorshipAnger as MurderNew Creation in Christ

Examining Matthew 5:21-22, the message shows that Jesus locates murder in the anger and contempt of the heart rather than merely the external act, exposing every hearer as guilty before God's true standard and in need of a savior.

Anger and MurderHeart SinSermon on the MountNew Birth

Jesus fulfills the Law and speaks with final authority over the righteousness of His kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount presses believers beyond external religion to heart-level obedience under Christ's standard.

Christ's AuthorityFulfilled LawKingdom RighteousnessHeart Obedience

Proverbs calls believers to love the poor, the hurting, and the overlooked with obedience while leaving the results to God. True Christian character is revealed in the heart God exposes and reshapes, not merely in outward acts of service.

Care for the PoorHeart MotivesChristian Character

As Nola Baptist Church prepared for its final worship service before relocating, 1 Samuel 7 and Ephesians 3 framed the move as an Ebenezer testimony to God's help. The church is called to remember the Lord's work, tell the story faithfully,

EbenezerChurch RelocationRemembering God's Help

Returning to Ephesians 3, the message shows how Christ's resurrection victory and exalted position make Paul's prayer possible, and how God's power at work within believers produces good works and growing holiness that bring Him glory in

Christ's ExaltationPower to Do Good WorksSanctifying Work

Reflecting on years of pastoral ministry at the church, the message calls the congregation to exalt Christ for all He has done and to see an upcoming relocation decision as an opportunity to display God's glory both corporately and in

Church RelocationPastoral MinistryChrist Exalting

Matthew 5:20 teaches that entrance into the kingdom requires a righteousness greater than human works or external religion. The righteousness Christ demands is impossible for sinners to produce and must come from God by grace through faith.

Kingdom RighteousnessExternal ReligionGrace Alone

Matthew 5:19 teaches that believers must not relax, annul, or disregard any part of Scripture in life or in leadership. The Old Testament Scriptures remain fulfilled in Christ, and the New Testament shows believers how to live under God's

Fulfillment in ChristOld Testament Authority

Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1 are used to affirm that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the God-man promised as Immanuel. Because he is truly man he can bear sin, and because he is truly God he conquers sin, death, and the grave.

Deity of ChristGod-ManImmanuel