1 Samuel 15:10-23
When Leadership Fails
True leadership serves God's mission with humility and obedience rather than pursuing personal power and recognition. When leaders lose sight of this, they forfeit their calling.
Hebrews 13:7 · Hebrews 13:17
Hebrews
Our Response to Leaders
Leaders persuade through the quality of their lives and words, not through coercive authority. Followers yield willingly to leaders who demonstrate Jesus through their conduct, while leaders bear accountability for their stewardship.
Acts 6:1-7
Church Leadership
Deacons: Servants who Strengthen the Church
Deacons are chosen servants whose lives exemplify Jesus and godly wisdom, functioning equally with other leaders to solve the church's internal problems and enable its growth.
Mark 10:35-45 · John 17
Leadership
Leadership That Imitates Jesus
Jesus rejects the disciples' desire for power and prestige, teaching instead that kingdom leadership means serving others, losing oneself, and being last rather than first.
1 Samuel 15:27-29 · 1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Samuel
The Shepherd & the Call of God
God grieves over sin but rejoices over repentance, and He seeks people whose hearts align with His own—unnamed servants willing to obey, just as He found in the shepherd David.
Acts 20:17-35
A Message for the Elders
This sermon examines the biblical role of elders as shepherds and overseers—not business-style leaders but spiritual protectors of God's flock. It calls the congregation to support their elders and charges the elders to know, correct, lead, study Scripture, and model Jesus.
Acts 6:1-7
Acts
Choices and Priorities
This sermon examines how the early church resolved internal conflict through spiritual discernment and proper priorities, ensuring that service and prayer remained central to God's plan.
Judges 4-5
Deborah
God is the true hero who accomplishes his purposes through all kinds of willing leaders—prominent, reluctant, and obscure. Believers are called to listen and obey God's direction for their lives.
Mark 10:32-45
Dying to Serve
Jesus teaches that greatness in God's kingdom comes through humble service, not power or position. The disciples—and modern believers—are called to adopt Jesus' servant heart, demonstrated supremely in his sacrificial death.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 Timothy
Elders
This sermon examines the character qualities God expects in church elders, emphasizing that reputation—both inside and outside the church—is fundamental to their service.
1 Kings 1:1–2:12
1 Kings
Finale
David's final words to Solomon emphasize faithfulness to God's written word and offer practical counsel, including unfinished business. The sermon challenges listeners to address conflicts promptly and to plan meaningful final words for their own loved ones.
2 Kings 3 · 1 Corinthians 15:33
For the Sake of One
A godly person's influence can profoundly impact those around them. Through the example of Jehoshaphat, this sermon examines how maintaining a godly perspective and staying close to God enables Christians to lead others toward Him.
Matthew 20:20-28 · 1 Timothy 3:1
Leadership Authority
Words shape our understanding of leadership. The New Testament does not connect 'authority' with elders; instead, leadership is about shepherding, care, persuasion, and service—never dictation.
Acts 20:17 · Acts 20:25-31
Leadership Words
This sermon examines the New Testament Greek words for church leaders—elder, overseer, and shepherd—to recover their true biblical meanings and call congregations to allow leaders to fulfill their authentic function of serving, protecting, and caring for God's people.
Matthew 20:20-28
Goodman Oaks Retreat
Learning to Serve
This sermon examines Jesus's teaching on true greatness through the story of Mrs. Zebedee's request, arguing that Christian greatness comes through humble service to others, not through seeking position or prestige.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 · Acts 20
Looking for Elders
This sermon examines the character qualities God expects in men who serve as elders and deacons, emphasizing that these are observable character traits—such as faithfulness, temperance, gentleness, and caring leadership—rather than rigid qualifications, with reputation both inside and outside the church as the fundamental concern.
Malachi 2:10-16
Malachi
Malachi: Prophet of Faithfulness
This sermon examines God's intensity regarding marriage through Malachi's rebuke of covenant-breaking. It calls believers to understand marriage as a sacred covenant modeled on God's faithfulness, rejecting the illusion of greener grass and recommitting to spiritual leadership within families.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 · Acts 16
1 Thessalonians
Motives
Paul defends his ministry motives in Thessalonica, demonstrating through his sacrificial labor and character that he served the gospel and people, not personal gain—a model for believers to follow Jesus with pure hearts centered on God's kingdom.
1 Thessalonians 5:12
Ordination of Deacons and Elder
This sermon ordains deacons and an elder, charging them to serve with humility rather than seek rank, to prioritize others' interests, and to grow spiritually while shepherding the congregation toward Christ.
1 Peter 5:1-4 · 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Ordination of Elders
This sermon celebrates the ordination of four elders at Park Avenue Church after years of prayer and congregational discernment, emphasizing the mutual responsibility between leaders and congregation to shepherd one another toward Christ.
Patriarchs of the Family
This sermon encourages fathers to recognize their vital role in the family, understand their purpose in passing down faith to future generations, and express love to their children while receiving appreciation from their spouses.
2 Kings 8:7-15
Power
This sermon examines how spiritual influence comes with responsibility, and reminds believers that God knows all truth—no deception can be hidden from Him, even when others are convinced by lies.
Prayer Night
This sermon reviews the church's accomplishments in 1999—including the appointment of elders and deacons, mission work, and spiritual growth—and calls the congregation to prayer and vision for the future.
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Nehemiah
Preparation for Work
Nehemiah demonstrates that responding to God's work requires first feeling a genuine burden for those in need, then seeking God's direction through prayer, fasting, and confession—not jumping to action or programs before sitting with God.
2 Chronicles 22 · 2 Chronicles 1
Chronicles
Preparing for Tomorrow
This sermon examines how planning and preparing for tasks beyond our lifetime—as David did for the temple—teaches believers to stay active, pray for the next generation, pass on spiritual urgency, and remain focused on God.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Principles for Living
Paul instructs the Thessalonians on living as Christians through personal relationships and devotion to God, emphasizing respect for leaders, care for one another, and maintaining joy and prayer regardless of circumstances.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 · Matthew 15
1 Samuel
Seeing As God Sees
While humans judge by external appearance, God evaluates the heart. This sermon challenges listeners to prioritize character over charisma and seek leaders with a shepherd's heart rather than merely impressive credentials.
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
Chronicles
Seeking a Better Heart
When Solomon asks God for wisdom to lead well rather than wealth or honor, God grants his request and adds blessings besides. This sermon examines how seeking internal transformation—humility, godly character, spiritual alignment—should precede concern for external circumstances.
1 Kings 3:1-15
1 Kings
Seeking an Obedient Heart
Solomon's reign begins with good motives but poor choices that contradict God's explicit commands. Yet God blesses his humble request for a discerning heart, demonstrating that right action and proper motives must go hand in hand.
1 Timothy 3 · Titus 1
Selecting Elders
This sermon outlines the biblical qualifications for elders and invites the congregation to participate in identifying and nominating men whose character, faith, and servant conduct demonstrate readiness to shepherd the church.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Step Up!
Fathers are called to actively shepherd their children through encouragement, comfort, and insistence on godly standards, not to delegate this responsibility to mothers or remain on the sideline.
Joshua 1:1-9 · Deuteronomy 34:10-12
Joshua
Strong and Courageous
Spiritual strength comes from trusting God's promises and listening only to him. As Joshua faced leadership transition, God assured him of his constant presence—a promise extended to believers today through Christ.
Acts 3:1-12 · Acts 2:1-47
Acts
The Leader
Peter's leadership in the early church demonstrates the power of setting the tone through boldness, modeling example through discipline and prayer, and setting direction by expanding the gospel beyond cultural boundaries. Today's leaders can follow his example of unwavering conviction.
2 Kings 2:1-18
The Torch Is Passed
This sermon examines how God demonstrates his continued presence and power through Elijah's ascension and Elisha's succession, emphasizing that believers must stay close to God and respect his word to receive his blessings.
1 Timothy 3:8-16
1 Timothy
Traits of Deacons
Deacons must demonstrate character traits of respect, sincerity, sobriety, and integrity—their function differs from overseers (service vs. management), but their character must be equally strong and observable.
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 · Acts 20:17
1 Timothy
Treatment of Members, II
Paul instructs Timothy on honoring and protecting church elders, evaluating their character carefully, and treating all relationships with respect that honors God's name.
Luke 22:24-38 · John 13
Luke
Upside Down Thinking
In his final meal with the disciples, Jesus teaches that kingdom leadership means serving others, warns of Satan's attacks, assures them of his intercessory prayer, and calls them to prepare for persecution—lessons still vital for today's believers.
Ephesians 5:21-33 · Genesis 2:24
God's Desire for Husbands
This sermon examines God's call for husbands to lead through sacrificial love modeled on Christ's love for the church, emphasizing servant leadership that nourishes, protects, and spiritually directs rather than dominates.
Genesis 3:17-19 · Genesis 2:15
Family 2 Men
The Man God Wants
God created men with purpose, responsibility, and the courage to protect and lead. Today's men must balance gentleness with determination, accepting their created role to tend, guard, and rule for God's honor.
Acts 6:1-7
Acts
Choices and Priorities
When internal conflict threatens the early church's unity and mission, spiritual leaders must recognize priorities and delegate wisely—ensuring both prayer and preaching flourish while serving others with God's wisdom.
1 Peter 5:1-5
1 Peter
Elders
Elders shepherd God's flock through example and submission, modeling Christ-centered faithfulness amid persecution. All believers, young and old, must submit to one another as they await Christ's return.
Mark 10:28-45 · John 17:24
Leadership
Biblical Leadership
Real leadership, contrary to worldly expectations, is found in serving others without seeking personal reward or recognition. Jesus models true greatness through sacrificial service rather than the pursuit of power.
Acts 20:17 · Acts 20:25-31
Leadership
Leadership Words
This sermon examines the biblical Greek words for church leaders—elder, overseer, shepherd, and deacon—to recover a servant-leadership model grounded in first-century meaning rather than modern business structures.
1 Timothy 3:8-16
1 Timothy
Traits of Deacons
This sermon examines Paul's character requirements for deacons, showing that while deacons and overseers have different functions (serving versus managing), they must possess the same godly character traits including integrity, self-control, and commitment to truth.
1 Thessalonians 2:6b-12
1 Thessalonians
Making a Difference
Paul's investment in the Thessalonians—through maternal care, hard work, and fatherly leadership—modeled that life is about God's kingdom, not personal gain. Believers invest in others so they see Jesus, not us.
2 Kings 3 · 1 Corinthians 15:33
Kings
For the Sake of One
This sermon examines how godly influence shapes those around us through the story of Jehoshaphat's presence during Israel's conflict with Moab, calling believers to maintain a distinctly Christian perspective and let their influence draw others toward God.
2 Kings 2:1-18 · John 15:5-7
Kings
The Torch Is Passed
Through miracles at Elijah's departure and Elisha's succession, God demonstrates his continued presence and demands respect for his prophetic word. Believers must stay close to God and listen obediently to his word.
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 · Joshua 1:5-10
Transition
None Like Moses
Transitions threaten security and invite comparison, but God's presence and promises provide courage. Joshua succeeded Moses not by matching his predecessor but by faithfully following God's leading.
Ephesians 5:21-33 · Genesis 3
Family
God's Desire for Husbands
Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, reflecting Christ's love for the church—not through authoritarian rule but through servant leadership that nourishes, protects, and spiritually directs the family.