Preaching Christ With Rev. Dr. C. H. E. Sadaphal

This message talks about ten features of wickedness based upon Psalm 10, which gives us a "perfect representation of iniquity" (Luther). Dr. Sadaphal explains that the most dangerous form of evil is apostasy, or the enemy within that is actually close to Him but then rejects Him. This is the individual who is knowledgeable about God but then renounces Him (because of hatred) and now lives a life doing the exact opposite of what God says. Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 10:1-11. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Psalms.)

This message talks about disruptive change, or change that is not on your terms. This type of change tends to unsettle people, leaving them afraid, confused and uncertain. Dr. Sadaphal explains that through Christ, even in the midst of disruptive change, He is the One who provides comfort, clarity and confidence because change never disturbs an unchangeable God. Our Scripture focus will be Joshua 3:4.

In this personal message, Dr. Sadaphal remembers his father who went home to be with the Lord six days before this message was preached. His father was also a preacher, and this sermon was given to the church that his father taught for 26 years. The topic was his father's favorite: heart condition, or the condition of a man's heart before God. Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 51:10.  

Psalm 10 is a cry of the oppressed in a time of trouble. In a time of adversity, because the psalmist does not understand why things are happening this way, he begins crying to God by saying, "Why, God? Why?" In this sermon, Rev. Sadaphal will provide multiple reasons why God allows His children to suffer, but ultimately concludes that why we suffer is not as relevant as the suffering Christ endured for us on the Cross. He is the One who subsequently strengthens our hearts to endure in times of trouble. Would you rather have an explanation or an eternal God who lifts you up in the suffering? Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 10:1. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Psalms.)

Habakkuk may be a "minor" prophet but his book has a major message in the Bible: that those who are declared righteous will have one mode of living—by faith. If the righteous will live by faith, what does that life look like? What does that life feel like? How does one live the life of faith in a world that nudges you to live by sight? This sermon will provide clarity and meaningful answers to these questions. Our Scripture focus will be Habakkuk 2:4.

The kingdom of God is here, and the King who reigns uses His power to bring people into the kingdom. Jesus never recruits by force, but transforms men so that they see God for who He really is, and then see themselves for who they really are. Ironically, when a person therein feels the least deserving of God's grace, that is when the Lord extends the most mercy and pulls them close. In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus and Peter go fishing. Jesus "catches" Peter and then commissions Peter to "catch men" alive. (From the series The Gospel of Luke, a verse-by-verse exposition of the third gospel.)

The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, but the Lord subsequently traveled to Capernaum, where His ministry was not only impersonal in public but also personal in private. Here, Jesus exercises His authority in the physical realm to make well Simon's mother-in-law. This text tells us that ultimate power rests in the hands of Christ, who uses His power to compassionately touch and heal those who are afflicted. The kingdom of God is here, and the King who reigns uses His power to bring people into the kingdom. Our Scripture focus will be Luke 4:38-44. (From the series The Gospel of Luke, a verse-by-verse exposition of the third gospel.)

The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, but the Lord subsequently traveled to Capernaum, where He performed a miracle and demonstrated His power in the spiritual realm. Here, Jesus exercises His authority not only in word but also in deed in that He casts out a demon, setting free a man who was held in bondage. This text tells us that ultimate power rests not in the hands of unclean, evil spirits but in the hands of the pure and holy God who delivers people from bondage. Our Scripture focus will be Luke 4:31-37. (From the series The Gospel of Luke, a verse-by-verse exposition of the third gospel.)

Psalm 9 is a hymn of hope that teaches us how to hope in God's justice. In this sermon, Dr. Sadaphal provides seven key insights on how the church can pray for the Lord's perfect justice. God's justice will finally be fulfilled in the end, but that does not preclude His saints from praying for acute intervention in the midst of present injustice. Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 9:13-20. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Psalms.)

Who are we? Who are the people of God? What is our collective identity, our communal function, and our unified purpose? In I Peter 2:9-10, the apostle of hope (Peter) answers these questions and in doing so, gives us seven reasons to hope. Our hope is vibrant and real because the source of our hope is Christ, who is risen, eternal and unshakeable. In short, the people of God are living stones and members of a spiritual house whose cornerstone is Jesus Christ. Because the elect are all connected to Him, we are also connected to one another. Our spiritual identity transcends natural allegiances and labels, and radically transforms how we see ourselves and how we engage with the world. In the end, the church can only function as God has called it to if those in the church know who God has called them to be. Our Scripture focus will be I Peter 2:9-10.

Those who know God trust Him, and those who know God know that He is a God of justice. The elect can therefore trust and hope in God's justice because it is right, it is true, and it will never be denied. This is comforting cognizant that we live in a world filled with injustice, enmity and evil. In this broad-reaching sermon, Dr. Sadaphal shows the elect seven ways how they can hope in God's justice; this includes a discussion of modern ideas of what is "just" including the social justice movement. It also includes a real-life analysis of the problem of evil, the rest found in God, and how to think about martyrdom in the context of God's grand design. Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 9:3-12. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Psalms.)

Life is not a highlight reel; rather, life has ups and downs. So how do we hope in the midst of vexations, injustice, and the supposed triumphs of evil? Psalm Nine provides answers in that it teaches us how to hope in God's justice. King David begins this Psalm praising God, so in this sermon, Reverend Sadaphal explains what seven marks of powerful praise are. Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 9:1-2. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Psalms.)

Without the resurrection, the Christian faith would not exist; neither would Christians or the Church. At the end of Matthew's gospel, we read about one of the resurrection narratives. So what is God trying to tell us in raising His Son from the dead? What does the resurrection mean, why does it matter, and what does it require of us? What is the "Great Commission" and why is it so radically important? This sermon provides clarity and meaningful answers to all these questions. Our Scripture verses will be Matthew 28:11-20.

Without the resurrection, the Christian faith would not exist; neither would Christians or the Church. At the end of Matthew's gospel, we read about one of the resurrection narratives. So what is God trying to tell us in raising His Son from the dead? What does the resurrection mean, why does it matter, and what does it require of us? This sermon provides clarity and meaningful answers to all these questions. Our Scripture verses will be Matthew 28:1-10.

God had one Son (Jesus) and He called His Son to be a preacher and a Bible teacher. In Jesus's first sermon, the topic was the gospel or the "good news." The response, however, to Christ's first sermon was not good; it was hostile and violent. Why? Because in explaining the gospel message, Jesus declared that God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God is the most offensive doctrine in the Bible, and it still produces hostile reactions in rebellious hearts today. In this sermon, learn what the sovereignty of God is and how it applies to everyday life. Our Scripture focus will be Luke 4:22-30. (From the series The Gospel of Luke, a verse-by-verse exposition of the third gospel.)

God had one Son (Jesus) and He called His Son to be a preacher and a Bible teacher. In Jesus's first sermon, the topic was the gospel or the "good news." Hearing the gospel is what turns sinners to Christ and being able to communicate the gospel is a responsibility of all Christians. In this sermon, learn why the good news is good, and also learn the content of the announcement. Our Scripture focus will be Luke 4:14-21. (From the series The Gospel of Luke, a verse-by-verse exposition of the third gospel.)

A rut is a season when you feel discouraged; it refers to a time when you feel frustrated, run down, or crippled without hope. The Bible tells us that all Christians go through ruts. In fact, what defines a mature believer is not the absence of ruts, but how they persevere and navigate out of ruts. The question then is: how do you get out of a rut? This sermon provides clarity and seven meaningful answers. Our Scripture focus will be I Kings 19:1-18.  

Who is God? This is a question that triggers a consideration of, and a meditation on, the Almighty. Answering this question is important because knowing who God is explains what He requires of us. Identity is theological, so answering this question is also important because a thorough understanding of who God is will also tell us who we are. In this sermon, Rev. Sadaphal explores many answers to the "God question." Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 8:1-9. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms.)

Who are you? This is a question that triggers a search for identity, that non-disposable sense of self that stays with you for life. Answering this question is important because how you respond animates how you with interact with reality. Dr. Sadaphal explores several alternative answers before arriving at the biblical answer to the "man question." Our Scripture focus will be Psalm 8:1-4. (From the series Preaching Through the Psalms.)

Regeneration is synonymous with being "born again" and marks the true beginning of the Christian life on earth. Regeneration is the reason why anyone is a Christian, and Jesus explains that being regenerated is a necessary condition for seeing the kingdom of God. Regeneration is therefore critically important and absolutely necessary. So what is it, why does it matter and how is it relevant? This sermon provides clarity and meaningful answers to these questions. Also discussed are the five leaves of Calvin's T.U.L.I.P. (Total depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints). Our Scripture focus will be John 3:1-3.