http://www.damascusroadchurch.org Preaching and teaching from Damascus Road Church in Marysville, WA. en Preaching and teaching from Damascus Road Church in Marysville, WA. Damascus Road Church no Damascus Road Church info@damascusroadchurch.org ℗ & © 2008 Damascus Road Church 720 Our 2nd sermon in the Redemption series focuses on redeeming those things that have been perverted by culture and thereby demonized by the church. Walking the line of "self-denial" means not indulging or abstaining, but discerning whether you should partake or abstain all the time. Although you may have the "right" to participate in culture, if our decisions to participate or not participate are not a result of faith, then we're failing to live like Jesus. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/redeeming-food--drink http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/redeeming-food-and-drinkaudio.mp3 Sun, 11 May 2008 20:15:25 CDT Sam Ford Our 2nd sermon in the Redemption series focuses on redeeming those things that have been perverted by culture and thereby demonized by the church. Walking the line of "self-denial" means not indulging or abstaining, but discerning whether ... 54:34 Our 12 parts series titled Redemption: 'Saving the world from church' is an attempt to address those issues that consistently cause Christians trouble as they try to like Jesus in culture. The series will seek to repair the damage caused by legalism as well as reform our understandings of what it means to be a gospel-centered Christian living in the world. Although the series will feel “practical”, at the core of all of these things is a deep rooted understanding of how we live out the gospel in our “real” life. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/redeeming-church- http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/redeeming-churchaudio.mp3 Sun, 04 May 2008 18:38:29 CDT Sam Ford Redemption redeem,redemption,galatians_5.1,culture 66:59 This is the final sermon in a study of the Gospel according to John. In one of His few, and longest, recorded prayers, Jesus asks that His disciples remain protected as the live in the world. He asks that they be sent just like Jesus. Meaning, we must live in the world, not apart from it, without compromising the truth. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-1713-26-sent-like-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1713-26-sent-just-like-jesus.mp3 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:11:33 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 57:15 Jesus did not come to give us simply an example of righteousness. He came as our substitute on the cross AND give us His righteousness. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-171-12-prayer-of-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-171-12audio.mp3 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:26:03 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 65:54 Jesus overcomes the world and changes our relationship with God. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-164-33-jesus-overcomes-the-world http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-164-33-jesus-overcomes.mp3 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:10:48 CDT Matt Nickel Gospel According to John 43:33 Jesus says that the world will hate Christians. I can't help but wonder if Christians are hated because of how much the look like Jesus or because they don't look like Him at all. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-1518-164-hated-for-jesus-or-just-hated http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1518-164audio.mp3 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:41:00 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 58:09 Jesus does not command us to be fruitful, rather, He commands us to abide in Him and thus remain in His love. If we focus on the fruit and the works, we will never in fact be fruitful because we're not desiring the right thing. Our desire, our pursuit, our efforts, our energies should be poured into knowing, seeing, and loving our God which will naturally move us to have an obedient heart overflowing in joy and love for others. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-151-17-jesus-the-vine http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-151-17audio.mp3 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:24:33 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 58:28 This is no candy-coated easter sermon...you're getting meat and potatoes shoved down your throat. Easter is forgotten for 364 days a year and celebrated on one. Stop blaming the bunny. The resurrection is what built the church and it's what will grow it. We need to preach Jesus crucified, buried, and risen. We want Jesus dead and alive. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-20easter http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-20audio.mp3 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:43:44 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 56:39 Jesus tells his disciples that, although He will leave, He will not leave Him alone. Jesus not only secures our life in eternity, but he intends to give us life now. But we don't believe this. As we get older, we begin to think less like a child of faith who asks God because, well, he's God, and try to figure things out on our own. We depend less on God and more on ourselves to learn, to grow, to discern, to overcome, and to essentially, save ourselves. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-1412-31the-spirit-of-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1412-31audio.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:56:41 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 64:38 Jesus is the way the truth and the life. We try and change Jesus to use him as a tool to get what we want. Or, we change the truth and thus our need of a savior. In the process, we change our God-centered theology into a man-centered self-fix-it program. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jesus-the-one-and-only-way http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-141-11audio.mp3 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:32:30 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 50:52 Judas and Peter are quite similar and yet, quite different. Despite all appearances and assumptions, Judas did not believe in Jesus--he was a betrayer. But even Jesus' good friend Peter, denied his Lord. At the core, the difference between those who believe and those who pretend to believe is the difference between who they love, themselves, or God. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jesus-judas-and-peter http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1321-35audio-part-1.mp3 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:22:40 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 31:45 Jesus' actions give us a living picture of the gospel. They do not move us to be "better" Christians, rather, his humility gives us a vivid picture of how God loves us to which we can't help but respond by loving others. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-131-20-dirty-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-131-20-dirty-jesus.mp3 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:26:38 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 58:59 Jesus came to fix you. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jesus-came-to-fix-you http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1212-50audio.mp3 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:30:51 CST Matt Nickel Gospel According to John 48:00 Mary demonstrates a deep love for Jesus, rooted in an understanding of the Gospel. Devotion to Jesus is more than service, it is not partial, periodic, or easy. Too many of us stop at a Romantic love for Jesus where, like some boyfriend, we date him until he does something we don't like and dump him. We are called to be devoted to a God who is and was first devoted to us, even though we deserve nothing, he gave us everything. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-121-8-jesus-my-devoted http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-121-8audio.mp3 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:45:24 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 70:04 Often times, suffering is God's way of reminding us we're broken, and drawing us closer than he could have if he had prevented it from happening. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-111-44-jesus-the-resurrection http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-111-44audio.mp3 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:44:39 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 55:03 A candid discussion of the eternal security of the believer whose salvation is based on Christ's work alone. We do not speak of losing our salvation, rather, but whether or not God can lose us. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-1029-gods-pencil-has-no-eraser http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-1029eternal-security.mp3 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:05:59 CST Aaron Wartes Gospel According to John 50:48 With the backdrop of this incredibly broken and harmful Jewish leadership, Jesus sets himself in contrast to say I AM THE TRUE SHEPHERD. These shepherds, and ANY that do not point to the cross are either POWERHUNGRY or POWERLESS and all their sheep are lost in the confusion of religion that can only bring fear, despair, and rob people of life. Jesus is the MANLY True Shepherd who leads, protects, cares for, and willing dies to save us to life now and forever! http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-101-21-jesus-the-shepherd http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-101-21audio.mp3 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:07:01 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 58:08 Jesus heals a blind man and reveals who is really "blind." http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-9-jesus-and-the-blind http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-9audio.mp3 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:59:13 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 92:30 In one of the most heat arguments that Jesus has with the Jewish Pharisees, they tell him that he is possessed and he tells them that the devil is their Daddy. Jesus challenges these Jews to be more than believers in name only as they take pride in the fact that they are descended from Abraham. Jesus tells them that they are not in fact sons of Abraham because Abraham loved him...they want to kill him. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-839-59-jesus-the-i-am http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-839-59audio.mp3 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:31:08 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 68:43 This passage which we’ll be studying today is very full of truth about Jesus and the way of salvation. Jesus is continuing his conversation with the Jews about who he is and absolute necessity of trusting in him alone for salvation. In this passage we learn: 1. That it is possible to seek after Christ in vain 2. The great difference between Christ and sinners 3. Dying in your sins = hell 4. The importance of persevering in the faith 5. The nature of true slavery and, 6. What true liberty is. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-821-39 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-821-39audio.mp3-new Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:24:59 CST Mark Hakso Gospel According to John 34:44 Christmas Day without the chaos of Christmas Eve loses all its meaning. If the God of the Universe is going to become a baby for the purposes of saving the creation he loves, then we must understand that there is something we're being saved from. If we lose sight of the fact that we need saving, then the birth of Jesus Christ becomes meaningless, the life of Jesus Christ becomes common, and the death of Jesus Christ becomes the most brutal, cruel, and tragic events in history. But if we have rebelled against our Creator, then the celebration of Jesus birth becomes the cornerstone of our lives...and everything else becomes meaningless in its light. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-812-20 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-812-20audio.mp3 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:51:46 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 47:43 Jewish Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to try find a way to get at Jesus. He encourages those who have no sin to start tossing...but they all walk away. When Jesus is left alone, we see the most vivid picture of mercy and grace. He was without sin, he could have rightfully punished, just as God would be perfectly just smite us out of existence this very moment. But he holds back that rock until tosses them at Jesus so that we might live. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-753-811-jesus-the-stoner http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-753-811audio.mp3 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:52:03 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 60:36 In the middle of the feast of Tabernacles, in the middle of debate about who He is, Jesus cries out to the crowds. He challenges the people to step out of the ceremonial routines and remember what the feast points to...him. They've perfect their religion, but lost their faith. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-725-52-jesus-the-river http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-725-52audio.mp3 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:26 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 61:41 Jesus is given some good "earthly advice" of how win back the followers that recently left him. Jesus patiently listens but recognizes God's timing in all things. We're challenged to ask ourselves whether we are truly dependent on God for our decisions (even the small ones) or whether we exhaust every earthly option available first. Do we allow the appearances of what "seems" good or bad dictate our decisions. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-71-24-jesus-incognito http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-71-24audio.mp3 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:15:00 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 56:44 Jesus says some hard words and a bunch of his disciples walk away. We learn that there is a difference between being religious and being converted. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-660-71-jesus-hard-words http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-660-71audio.mp3 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:08:06 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 51:50 Jesus makes His first of the "I AM" statements, declaring himself the "bread of life." Throughout this exchange, Jesus makes some incredible claims about the true nature of salvation who the bread is, how we get it, who (if anyone) will ever accept it. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-622-59-jesus-the-cannibal http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-622-59audio.mp3 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:19:54 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 65:47 This is the 1 year celebration of Damascus Road's public launch on Nov 5, 2006. In this sermon, we explain our refined mission statement which, essentially, is a statement of what Jesus came to do and sent us to do: We are sent into the world to proclaim the gospels and to teach people to live like Jesus. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/1-year-anniversary-sent-like-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/1-yearaudio.mp3 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:48:06 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 52:43 Jesus feeds the five thousand with a little boys lunch. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-61-15-barley-bread-and-pickled-fish http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-61-15audio.mp3 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:56:36 CST Mark Hakso Gospel According to John 37:26 Some say Jesus is a good man, good teacher, good prophet. That's not what Jesus said. If what he's claimed is true, he's God and worthy of worship. If what he claimed is false, he's nothing less than a nutjob, a bad teacher, a lying possibly evil man, and a fool. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-516-47-jesus-is-god-or-a-nutjob http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-516-47audio.mp3 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:56:13 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 41:43 Jesus heals a crippled whiny, complaining, broken man who is putting his faith in something that really can't heal him. By grace, Jesus selects this one guy among the multitude, and even though he didn't deserve, didn't earn it, perhaps didn't even want it, Jesus heals him. Even though he didn't know who Jesus was before, or after, he still heals him. For those whom God has redeemed, this is our story. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-51-15-jesus-heals-the-lameim-lame http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-51-15audio.mp3 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:55:38 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 51:16 An official in Herod's court travels 20 miles to ask a Galilean carpenter to heal His son. This man who, for most of his life, ignores God's Word, now needs God in his time of suffering. Jesus challenges his faith as to whether he just wants the miracle, or he in fact, wants Him. Similarly, we our challenge to consider what our faith is based on and whether or not we'll take Jesus at His Word all the time. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-443-54-jesus-at-his-word http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-443-45audio.mp3 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:53:17 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 51:31 Jesus spends his times in the margins, with the people that most will avoid because they're dirty. What we forget, is that the gospel tells us we're all dirty. After asking for a drink, Jesus tells a young woman he meets at this well that she is the one who is in fact thirsty. She's been drinking from a well, but her well of broken relationships will not satisfy, and it will run out eventually. Jesus himself is a well that offers living water that never runs dry. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-41-26-jesus-the-well http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/.mp3 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:06:27 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 51:09 John's disciples get distracted by their own missiona and lose sight of God's mission. They more of what they needed to do versus what God was doing. Like a marriage that starts off all romantic and fluffy, quickly it becomes stagnate and burdensome when you forget your first love and you lose sight of what is of most importance--your groom, Jesus. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-322-26-jesus-the-groom http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-322-26audio.mp3 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:23:35 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 71:18 Nicodemus is a man who appears to have it all figured out. As a Pharisee he is as "good" as good will get. As a member of the Sandhedrin, he is successful, powerful, and wealthy. He has it all. But he comes to Jesus in the cover of night because there something that is missing. In this conversation, Jesus tells him that he needs something he isn't doing, something that he in fact can't do. Then Jesus tells him that He is going to die so that people can be reborn...all because of love. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-31-22-jesus-the-lover http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-31-22.mp3 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:33:19 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 74:54 This is a two part sermon. In the first half, Aaron tells the story of Julie Wakefield, a woman who Aaron was able to minister to as Matthew 25.35 would have us all do. It is a wonderful story of redemption leading into the second half of the sermon focusing on being "born again." http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-31-15-jesus-the-obstectrician http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-3audio.mp3 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:33:44 CDT Aaron Wartes Gospel According to John 63:42 ***NOT PODCAST AVAILABLE*** Jesus is still in the temple cleaning business. Although there is no temple in Jerusalem, there is a temple in your heart. Jesus doesn't care about your behavior--he is passionate, angry, and jealous about your heart. If he gets your heart,the behavior will come because those who love Jesus obey, not because they have to be "religious" but because they desire to. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-213-22-jesus-the-janitor Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:35:23 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John We must live a life that is no more than Jesus, no less than Jesus. In a passage full of imagery and symbolism, our focus on the simple facts of what Jesus does here is probably the most shocking. More than one church might question the character of a man who blesses a wedding party with 180 gallons of the best wine possible. Through this miracle, Jesus becomes real as he lives in culture yet remaining above reproach. We can learn a lot from an event we might consider unwise but that the bible says revealed His glory. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-21-12-jesus-the-bartender http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-21-12audio.mp3 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:34:46 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 77:16 Jesus selects his first disciples; he picks his first team. But he doesn't pick who we probably think he should pick. He doesn't pick the people that look like what we might consider "religious" people--today we call them "Christians." But what these uneducated, hard-working, Bible-believing, simply dressed fisherman are, are Christ-followers. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-135-51-jesus-the-team-captain http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-135-51audio.mp3 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:37:11 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 78:01 Like Jesus, John the Baptist is rejected because he did not meet the expecation of the "voice". He didn't act, talk, or look like the religious guys of the day. We all need to look beyond method sometimes and look for the spiritual fruit in the lives of those influenced by the ministry or miss where Jesus is on mission. Like the Pharisees who questioned John's authority because of his identity, we do the same to Jesus. A lot of us "know of Jesus", the good teacher, the unfortunate victim, the great example, but very few actually know Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away our sin. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-119-34-jesus-the-lamb http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-119-43audio.mp3 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:39:28 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 55:05 The Word of God becomes flesh and suddenly God comes much closer. No longer is He a cosmic deity removed from His creation, something to be feared or frightened of. He is Jesus, someone you can touch, and feel, and fall in love with. What is Jesus like? God. What is God like, Jesus. In fact, there is no UNCHRISTNESS about God. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-11-18-god-the-jesus http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-16-18audio.mp3 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:38:22 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 54:51 The gospel of John was written by a "son of thunder" to prove that Jesus is the "Son of God." Each of the gospels record the events about the life, and death of Jesus Christ, but all in a different way. John's portrait is especially unique causing scholars to often argue thatif Jesus was anything like the Christ portrayed in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, HE COULD not be like the Christ of the fourth gospel. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/introduction-to-john http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/introduction-tojohnaudio.mp3 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:06:23 CDT Sam Ford Gospel According to John 50:35 In this final chapter of the book of Jonah, we consider which Jonah we are. Running Jonah, Repentant Jonah, Begrudgingly obedient Jonah, or Angry Jonah. We must consider what right we have to be angry with God at all about anything considering that he gave, gives, and will give us everything including the air we breathe. But, when God doesn't do what we think he should after we do what we thought we were suppposed to, like a stubborn little child, we stop engaging the world, pout, and wait for God to change his mind so we can say "I told you so." It ain't happening. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah-4 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonah-4audio.mp3 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:49:57 CDT Sam Ford Jonah 53:31 Jonah is given a 2nd chance to go on God's mission. This time, Jonah arises and goes and the redemption of a great city is initiated by the obedience of one man. Like Jonah, many of us have lost our sense of "sent-ness". Jesus left us a mission to GO but we have a list of reasons why we stay. The fruit of Jesus' mission is never dependent upon the speaker but will always evidence itself out first in true repentence--beginning with the speaker. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah-3 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 10:41:17 CDT Sam Ford Jonah Scripture affirms that God is in control of all of creation, even us. Scripture also affirms that we have free will to make real choices with real consequences. We are not free, however, to choose God,to resist God if he chooses us, or ever free to be outside of God's control. This forces us to approach what we might discern as "evil" differently. Whether it is sending a storm, or influencing men to make willful choices, God's plan will come to completion through suffering that He has in fact ordained. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah23 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonah23audio.mp3 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:52:26 CDT Sam Ford Jonah ,jonah_2.3,sovereignty 47:32 From the belly of the whale, Jonah prays a prayer of repentence and thanksgiving for Salvation. Just when Jonah was about to die, at the moment when all hope was lost, in the midst of judgment brought by his own disobedience...God was there. Salvation is from the Lord. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah-21-10 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonah-21-10audio.mp3 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:51:16 CDT Mark Hakso Jonah 38:52 God let's Jonah run and face the consequences of his choices. But when the natural consequences don't teach him, God brings His own consequences--A Great Storm. We see that regardless of man's disobedience, God is soveriegn encough to complete his plan. Our disobedience may result in immediate suffering for innocent people but ultimately God will be glorified through all of it and we're the ones who'll end up hurt. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah-14-17 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonah-14-17audio.mp3 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:14:19 CDT Sam Ford Jonah 55:33 We are Jonah. We all run, we all disobey, for various reasons. The beauty of God's grace is that even in our darkest times, he is there. Sometimes he lets us run, but he never lets us go. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonah-11-3 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonah-11-3audio.mp3 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:39:17 CDT Sam Ford Jonah 57:43 Jonah is not just FISHY WHALE story. This small book of prophecy is the only book of prophecy that centers on the actions of the prophet versus the words of the prophecy. Although Jonah's rebelious spirit might shock us, if we're honest, we're just like him. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jonahintro http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jonahintroaudio.mp3 Sun, 27 May 2007 09:26:03 CDT Jonah 52:23 In this last sermon of a five-part series, we explore the true nature of our brokenness. The culture offers all kinds of sexual temptations, pornography in a multiplicity of forms. Men give into it because they crave the physical. Women become it because they crave control. Both sin, not because of something outside themselves, but because of the sin in them--they removed Jesus from the throne and made their own desires trump God's. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/reforming-sexuality-part-5-self-and-sex http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/reforming-sexuality-part-5self-and-sexaduio.mp3 Sun, 20 May 2007 12:47:00 CDT Sam Ford Reforming Sexuality 62:44 Men, like women, are called to love their brides as Jesus loves us. Living out the gospel in marriage is not a divine suggestion, but a command reflecting how God saved us, forgiving us, loving us, dying for us, when we did not deserve it. Men are called to love women by sacrificing the self as Jesus humbled himself and love their brides in ways that they genuinely feel it and others see it. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/reforming-sexuality-part-4-women-and-sex http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/reforming-sexuality-part-4women-and-sexaudio.mp3 Sun, 13 May 2007 11:06:39 CDT Sam Ford Reforming Sexuality reforming_sex,ephesians_5,women_and_sex 51:36 Our third message of a five part series on reforming sexuality. Men and sex is an attempt to educate women on their role in their husband's sexuality. All men need to hear, "I respect you...I believe in you...I want you." http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/reforming-sexuality-part-3-men-and-sex http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/reforming-sexuality-part-3men-and-sexaudio.mp3 Sun, 06 May 2007 11:07:00 CDT Sam Ford Reforming Sexuality 52:43 Sin has separated Sex from its original design. Anytime the creator is separated from creation, chaos ensues. We cannot remove sexuality for the larger picture of relationship. Open and intimate companionship leads to a commitment that is stronger than death, which naturally leads to sex. The culture seeks to satisfy our inbuilt longing for intimacy (Genesis 2) through sex. This only leads to continued disatisfaction and difficulty with intimacy. Sex God's way includes relationship and mirrors what God wants from us. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/reforming-sexuality-part-2-sin-and-sex Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:07:20 CDT Sam Ford Reforming Sexuality Part one of a five-part series on Reforming sexuality. The church's silence on sex has resulted in culture hijacking that which was God's idea and claiming it for themselves. Sex is one aspect of creation that is deformed and needs reforming. The church must do more than condemn, they must proclaim the beautiful orginal plan for sex. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/reforming-sexuality-part-1-god-and-sex Sun, 22 Apr 2007 11:07:39 CDT Sam Ford Reforming Sexuality After Jesus resurrected from the dead, He ascended to heaven to be with the Father. Before he left, however, he gaves us specific intructions to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Our responsibilty is not to ensure the gospel is believed, but heard. We must engage the culture with the gospel through the community of believers called by church. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/our-mission http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/mattculture.mp3 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:02:46 CDT Matt Nickel Easter 58:18 Easter is the climax of the story God wrote before the foundation of the world. The stage is set in Genesis 1-2, and in Genesis 3 the conflict is introduced along with the promise of a hero. We must view the Biblical narrative (all 66 books) as part of one story point to and from the Climax of Jesus' life and resurrection. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/resurrection-climax-of-the-story Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:17:44 CDT Sam Ford Easter Who killed Jesus? The Jews delivered him for religious reasons. The Romans executed him for political reasons. But God in fact planned his death through the hands of these lawless men for our redemption. In short, God killed Jesus for us. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jesusourredemption http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jesusourredemption.mp3 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:16:40 CDT Sam Ford Easter 53:31 Jesus is our passover lamb. The passover lamb of the Old Testament was best typified in Jesus Christ. Her is the perfect lamb led to slaughter whose blood was shed for our sins. Ever detail of who he was, how he suffered, and dies speaks of God's foreknowledge and plan. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/jesus-our-passover-lamb http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/jesusourpassoverlamb.mp3 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:18:09 CDT Mark Hakso Easter 32:55 Paul finishes his letter with a final warning about what our lives must be and not be about. Everything is about Jesus. We die in Jesus. We live in Jesus. We boast in Jesus. Jesus' gospel is faith alone in what He alone did on the cross. Man's gospel is a failed attempt to do what we can't do. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-611-18 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians611-18-sermon-audio.mp3 Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:28:33 CDT Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 63:16 Paul gives instruction on how to help a brother or sister who has been overtaken by Sin. At the same time, he WARNS people about spiritual pride whereby they think come to believe they are better. He begins with sharing burdens and concludes with reminding us not to ignore our own responsibilities. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-61-10 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians61-10sermonaudio.mp3 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:32:34 CDT Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 56:33 Paul teaches us about two different ways that we live our lives, one centered on the flesh and the other on the Spirit. A life in the Spirit naturally will produce fruit evidencing GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION as oppossed to simply moral reformation. Moral reformation is nothing more than a religious version of life in the flesh. The moralist and the sinner are cut from the same tree. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-522-26 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians522-26sermonaudio.mp3 Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:41:26 CDT Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 58:32 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-513-21 Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:18:28 CDT Sam Ford Letter of Galatians Paul warns the Galatians that to give into legalism, at even one point, is to lose Christ entirely. You cannot be saved b both law and grace, both human effort and works. You either live a life led by the Holy Spirit through love or you live a life led by your own effort through the self. You either go ALL the WAY with Jesus or ALL the WAY with the law/legalism. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-52-12 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians52-12audio.mp3 Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:34:47 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 56:15 To the unchurched, Christianity seems like anything but freedom. In this key verse of Galatians, a book centered on the gospel, Paul declares that Jesus set us free to live in freedom. We explore what we are in fact freed from. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-51 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians-51audio.mp3 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:24:15 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 56:19 ****This sermon recording began 20 minutes into the sermon, please read the intro from the text*** In these verses, Paul uses the Old Testament story of Issac and Ishmael as an analogy to the situation occurring in Galatia. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-421-31 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians421-31audio.mp3 Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:11:53 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians_4.21-31,gospel,issac,ishmael 36:27 In this passage, Paul moves from the rebuke of a teacher, to the love of a father. He wonders if, by telling them the truth, he has become an enemy. We learn that true love is willing to say the hard stuff, even risk the friendship in hopes of saving the heart of the one being admonished. It's hard, no fun, but hopefully they can see past the hard part to the truth of God. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-48-20 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians-48-20.mp3 Sun, 28 Jan 2007 08:17:49 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 54:05 Paul constrasts our old identity outside of Christ, under the law, with our new identity as Sons of God under grace. By understanding WHO WE ARE, we understand who everyone else is, and, most importantly recognize our new way with God through the gospel. We change from a boss-employee relationship to one where the Spirit within us cries out "Daddy." http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-326-47 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians326-47audio.mp3 Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:45:16 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 51:48 In the the third part of Paul's argument for faith alone, he visits the concept of covenant. Appealling to history, Paul goes back to the first covenant with Abram and proves how it came before the law and was not replaced by the law. Then, he answers the question, "Why have the law at all?" http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-315-25 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians315-25audio.mp3 Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:38:41 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians 46:27 In his first argument, Paul used the experience of the Galatians themselves to defend faith alone. In the 2nd part of Paul's argument for faith alone, he appeals directly to scripture. Quoting several O.T. passages, Paul defends salvation through faith by using the Scriptures. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-36-14 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 02:25:25 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians_3,gospel This passage which we’ll be studying today is very full of truth about Jesus and the way of salvation. Jesus is continuing his conversation with the Jews about who he is and absolute necessity of trusting in him alone for salvation. In this passage we learn: 1. That it is possible to seek after Christ in vain 2. The great difference between Christ and sinners 3. Dying in your sins = hell 4. The importance of persevering in the faith 5. The nature of true slavery and, 6. What true liberty is. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/john-821-39 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/john-821-39audio.mp3-new Sun, 31 Dec 2006 10:00:40 CST Sam Ford Gospel According to John 34:44 Paul continues his defense of faith alone by appealing to the experience of the Galatian believers. He asks them five questions focusing on the fact that they began their faith by the Spirit and not by works and it is through faith and the Spirit that they will grow and succeed. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-31-5 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians31-5audio.mp3-new Sun, 31 Dec 2006 12:24:53 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians,gospel,faith_alone A topical sermon for Christmas Even centering the implications of the birth of Jesus Christ. Specifically, what the incarnation tell us about the character of God AND how we should apply our theology to our behavior. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/christmas-eve http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/incarnationsermonaudio.mp3 Sun, 24 Dec 2006 23:23:57 CST Sam Ford Non-series Sermon christmas,incarnation,missional,sent 59:29 Using the term "justification" for the first time, Paul provides the rationale behind his challenge to Peter. He explains the truth behind how we as sinners are made right before a holy judge. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-215-21 Sun, 17 Dec 2006 12:33:21 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians justifcation,right_before_god,paul_confronts_peter Paul challenges Peter to behave like he says he believes. Specifically, Paul calls out the leader of the church and challenges him in his hypocrisy. Instead of telling him to stop sinning or "be happy" God love you, he tells him to align his life with the gospel. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-211-14 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians-211-14sermon.mp3 Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:49:30 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians,hypocrisy,behave_and_believe,gospel 88:11 Due to technical difficulties, the first few words of the sermon were cut out. Summary: Jewish Christians place their culture above the gospel and go so far as to attach their justification to it. They've added to the gospel and lost grace. As Christians we can become just as guilty as the Judaizers when we create our own "church culture" that we require new believers to conform to. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians21-10 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians21-10sermonaudio.mp3 Sun, 03 Dec 2006 14:54:56 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians_2.1-10,culture,church,gospel,damascus_road,paul_in_jerusalm,acts_15 47:44 Paul defends against the charge that he is a "people pleaser." He is anything but that, taking a stand for the truth before an audience of one. He points to the source of his gospel (Jesus), and explains how he did not receive anything from flesh and blood--the only true explanation for his own personal transformation. The test and evidence of his ministry is not in his popularity or comfort, but in how closely it is aligned with what Jesus said. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-110-24 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/galatians1.10-24audio.mp3 Sun, 19 Nov 2006 01:47:17 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians gospel,galatians,galatians_1,galatians_1.10-24,approval_of_men,approval_of_god,damascus_road 58:41 Paul shares is astonishment about how quickly the Galatians have abandoned a gospel of grace for a "new law" that they can keep but cannot be saved by. They add works to a gospel of grace and begin to follow a different gospel. Like Galatians, today we too add to the gospel or replace Jesus entirely. We look to someone or something else to be our savior. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-16-9 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 02:10:26 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians galatians,damascus_road,galatians_1.6-9,sam_ford,different_gospel Paul's greeting of grace and peace reveals the heart of the gospel message. Paul defends his "credentials" by grounding his authority and power in Jesus Christ alone. The only thing that qualifies us for grace and peace is Jesus and his death - not good works or pedigree. http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/sermon/galatians-11-5 http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/gal1.1-5sermonaudio.mp3 Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:00:42 CST Sam Ford Letter of Galatians damascus_road,galatians,sam_ford,gospel,grace 52:50