Following Jesus (July 13, 2025)
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 20:45-21:4 as part of our Following Jesus Sermon Series through the Book of Luke. The story of the widow's mite is often interpreted as a lesson about sacrificial giving, when it may actually be Jesus highlighting religious corruption. Positioned between Jesus' condemnation of scribes who 'devour widows' houses' and prophecies about the temple's destruction, this account shows a vulnerable woman exploited by corrupt religious leaders. Jesus appears heartbroken, not impressed, by her giving everything she had to live on. This serves as a warning about...
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Following Jesus: July 6, 2025
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preached on Luke 20:27-44 as part of our sermon series "Following Jesus" on the Book of Luke. Jesus confronted the Sadducees who denied the resurrection with a powerful defense of life after death. The Sadducees, a powerful but disliked group who controlled the Jewish Sanhedrin, tried to trap Jesus with a trick question about marriage in the afterlife. Jesus responded by revealing their misunderstanding of both God's character and Scripture. He explained that the resurrection reality differs from earthly life, and pointed to scriptural evidence including God's...
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Following Jesus: June 29, 2025.
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 20:20-26 as part of our sermon series, Following Jesus in the Book of Luke.
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Following Jesus (June 22, 2025)
FPC Douglasville
Rev. Andrew Dickinson preaches on Luke 20:9-19, the Parable of the Vineyard, as part of the Following Jesus sermon series on the book of Luke. The Parable of the Vineyard in Luke 20:9-19 reveals four key motivations that drive human actions: ambition, desire, fear, and love. Jesus uses the story of tenants who mistreat and kill the vineyard owner's servants and son to illustrate humanity's rebellion against God. While the religious leaders were driven by ambition for power and fear of people's opinions, God demonstrates persistent love by repeatedly reaching out despite rejection. The parable...
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Following Jesus: June 15, 2025
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 20:1-8 as part of our sermon series through the book of Luke: Following Jesus. Jesus faced a challenge from religious leaders questioning his authority, which reveals two foundations of his power: his identity as God's Son and his obedience to Scripture. As Christians, we should live under the same dual authority - our relationship with God and the guidance of Scripture. Other sources of authority like science, culture, or personal preference ultimately fail because they ignore our divine design. When we struggle in our faith, it's often because we've...
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Following Jesus: Luke 19: 11-27
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 19:11-27 as part of our Following Jesus Sermon Series through the book of Luke.
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Following Jesus (Luke 18:31-43)
FPC Douglasville
Rev James Harper preaches on Luke 18:31-43 as part of the continuing Following Jesus sermon series on the book of Luke. In Luke 18:31-43, we see a powerful contrast between spiritual blindness and true sight. While Jesus' disciples, who had spent years with Him, failed to understand His clear predictions about His coming death and resurrection, a blind beggar in Jericho immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Despite never having seen Jesus, this man's faith allowed him to perceive what the disciples could not. When Jesus healed him, He emphasized that the man's faith had made him...
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Gifts of the King (May 25, 2025)
FPC Douglasville
Rev. Andrew Dickinson preaches on 2 Kings 6: 8-23 as part of the Gifts of the King Sermon Series. Spiritual vision allows us to perceive beyond physical appearances to recognize God's deeper work in our lives and in the world. Like Elisha's servant who saw God's heavenly army, we can develop the ability to see situations from God's perspective. This vision transforms our outlook on challenges, helping us recognize that God is with us, for us, and in control. By looking beyond immediate circumstances to eternal realities, we can navigate difficulties with confidence, knowing that present...
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Gifts of the King (May 18, 2025)
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on 2 Kings 5:19-27 as part of our sermon series on Gifts of the King. God's discipline differs fundamentally from punishment, with discipline focused on growth and restoration while punishment deals with past wrongs. Through Gehazi's story in 2 Kings 5, we learn that believers experience discipline rather than punishment due to Christ's sacrifice. While all Christians remain under God's loving discipline, not all suffering indicates sin. Understanding this distinction helps us recognize God's role as a loving Father who shapes His children's character...
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The Gifts of the King (May 11, 2025)
FPC Douglasville
Rev. James Harper preaches on 2 Kings 5:1-14 as part of the "Gifts of the King" Sermon Series. True restoration involves being reformed into the person God intended from creation. Through Naaman's story, we learn that God's path to restoration is straightforward yet often challenging to accept. The process requires giving up control, embracing humility, and developing patience. Key steps include honestly naming areas needing restoration, building a daily relationship with Jesus, and connecting with supportive fellow believers. While complete restoration awaits in heaven, God offers ways to...
info_outlineRev. James Harper preaches on 2 Kings 5:19-27 as part of our sermon series on Gifts of the King.
God's discipline differs fundamentally from punishment, with discipline focused on growth and restoration while punishment deals with past wrongs. Through Gehazi's story in 2 Kings 5, we learn that believers experience discipline rather than punishment due to Christ's sacrifice. While all Christians remain under God's loving discipline, not all suffering indicates sin. Understanding this distinction helps us recognize God's role as a loving Father who shapes His children's character rather than a harsh punisher.