Chris Sheppard

Opening a study of 1 Peter 5:1-5, this message examines Peter's apostolic authority and his identification with fellow elders as motivations for faithful shepherding, closing with a personal appeal for prayer as the church looks toward a

EldersApostolic AuthorityPastoral Calling

Peter’s restoration in John 21 traces failure, grace, love for Christ, and renewed usefulness in the work of the church. The sermon applies that testimony to personal obedience and the future faithfulness of the local church.

Peter's RestorationRenewed UsefulnessPastoral Faithfulness

Closing out a four-year verse-by-verse study through John's Gospel, this message reflects on John 21:24-25 and the reliability of the apostolic witness, tracing the testimony of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and Peter as examples of lives

Apostolic WitnessChanged by ChristVerse-by-Verse Study

John 21 shows Jesus preparing Peter for his future through sovereign patience, sanctification, and a calling that will glorify God. The passage warns against focusing on others when Christ is dealing directly with us.

Peter's CallingSovereign PatienceComparing

John 21 shows Jesus recommissioning Peter by pressing the question of love before the work of shepherding. Love for Christ is the key to feeding his sheep and fulfilling any calling in the church.

Love for ChristShepherdingRecommissioning

John 21 begins Christ's restoration of Peter after his denial and return to fishing. Jesus calls him back to obedience, kingdom work, and the local church rather than a disjointed life outside his calling.

Peter's RestorationReturn to CallingLocal Church Commitment

Preaching 1 Corinthians 15 for Easter, the message warns against a decisionist, cheap view of conversion and grounds the believer's comfort in Christ's ongoing work to save sinners and in the certainty of bodily resurrection for all who are

Bodily ResurrectionTrue ConversionUnion with Christ

John 21 shows the risen Christ patiently pursuing disciples who had failed and gone back. His miraculous provision becomes a correcting, persevering, and victorious work for their usefulness and his glory.

Miraculous ProvisionChrist's PatienceCorrective Grace

John 21 shows the risen Christ revealing himself to disciples who had gone back to fishing and caught nothing. He corrects, sanctifies, and restores them corporately, reminding the church that whole congregations may need Christ's renewing

Corporate RestorationRisen ChristCorporate Sanctification

John 21 shows the disciples digressing by moving ahead instead of waiting for Christ's direction. The passage warns the church against disobedience, impatience, disillusionment, scattering, following flawed leadership, and going back.

Spiritual DigressionWaiting on ChristPersevering Grace