Coram Deo Sermons

You were meant to live a life of ethical beauty. Jesus shows us how.How should I live? It’s one of the most important questions in life. Every human being is a moral creature; the problem is that we don’t all agree on morality. But what if there was an objective moral standard that's true in all times and places? That's exactly what Scripture gives us - and it's exactly what our conscience needs. In this sermon, we explore how faith in Jesus makes it possible to live a life of ethical beauty.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live und

The good life is found on the narrow way. “All men seek happiness.” So said the French philosopher Blaise Pascal. Every human being has a longing for satisfaction, fulfillment, wholeness. What does Jesus have to say about happiness? In this sermon, we explore how Jesus's words in the Sermon on the Mount reveal the path to genuine happiness and flourishing.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

Because the kingdom of heaven is at hand, you should drop everything and follow Jesus.Every human being is a follower of someone or something. At the end of Matthew 4, Jesus announces that the kingdom of heaven is near and calls his first disciples to follow him. In this sermon, we examine what it means to drop everything and follow Jesus in light of the kingdom of heaven.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

Because Jesus resisted temptation, you can too.Temptation isn’t a religious thing; it’s a human thing. Every human being recognizes that there are things they are tempted by. But what’s the solution? In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus himself is tempted, yet he fully resists. In this sermon, we explore the fact that because Jesus resisted temptation, you can too.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

In previous eras, people fought and died for their views of baptism. But in our era, it's often seen as a religious ritual that has little practical significance. In Matthew 3, Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, demonstrating that he has come to identify with sinful humanity. In this sermon, we explore the significance of Jesus’ baptism and how, in Christian baptism, the Christian receives the gift of the Spirit, the intercession of the Son, and the loving voice of the Father.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the graci

Two things are simultaneously true about every human being: we all long for something greater than ourselves to worship and serve, yet we fiercely resist any authority that threatens our control. This tension is represented in the magi and King Herod in Matthew 2. In this sermon, we explore the remarkable truth that Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's hopes (and ours). In Jesus, the nations are gathered in, evil is defeated, and a new Exodus has begun.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

In this sermon, we reflect on how these two names reveal the character and identity of Jesus: He is God incarnate who has come near to save sinners, and his presence never leaves us.Names carry meaning. In his birth account, Matthew introduces two names that reveal who Jesus truly is. He is called Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. He is called Immanuel, because he is God with us. Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

In this sermon, we explore the Bible's vision of intentional transformation, summarized powerfully in Romans 12:1-2. Every human being is being transformed. Change is not something only religious people seek; it's something every human being seeks. How do God's grace and our purposeful effort fit together in the pursuit of change? That's the question we seek to answer in this sermon.

By God’s grace, Coram Deo Church celebrates 20 years of gospel ministry this month. As we praise God for His faithfulness and look forward to what lies ahead, we welcome guest preacher Scotty Smith to preach about the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, preached by one of Coram Deo’s church planting partners, Dave Comeau, we explore what it means to follow examples who know where they are going and who also know where they belong.To be human is to seek to imitate and follow someone. Human beings are creatures who gravitate toward the examples of others, whether for good or for ill.

In this sermon honoring Coram Deo's 20th birthday, Pastor Bob unpacks three aspects of a coram deo approach to gospel ministry.In 2 Corinthians 4, the Apostle Paul describes his conviction that gospel ministry is to be done "in the sight of God." This verse was one of the foundational texts behind the name of Coram Deo Church.

In this sermon, we explore what it looks like to bring feelings of doubt and despair before God.Every human being goes through seasons of doubt. But what do we do in those moments? Psalm 74 describes a time in Israel's history when it seemed God had abandoned his people. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we follow the Psalmist's own journey to resolve his spiritual doubts and questions as he navigates a world that often seems unfair and unjust.Every human being longs for the right kind of leadership and rule. When we experience good leadership, we want to follow. When we experience poor leadership, we lament and seek other guidance. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we explore the reality that we all want a king who exercises dominion, brings prosperity, and delivers his people.Every human being longs for the right kind of leadership and rule. When we experience good leadership, we want to follow. When we experience poor leadership, we lament and seek other guidance. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we unpack what it means to be a people of hope. God's word gives us timely hope for various stages of life, culminating in the timeless hope of the resurrection.Some sort of hope drives every human being. It’s core to our humanity. But is your hope strong enough to anchor you through all the seasons of life? Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we explore the gift of desperation and how it can lead us into deeper intimacy and worship of God.As the saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures.” To be human is to experience moments of desperation. But in those moments, what do we do and where do we turn? Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we explore some of the hindrances to resilience, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us for a life of resilience.If you're going to live a meaningful life, you need to cultivate resilience. But it's a quality that's elusive and increasingly rare in today’s society. Loneliness and opposition can be major hindrances to a resilient life. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we explore how God’s work in the past anchors God’s people in the present.Every one of us is story-formed. We are shaped by what happens to us and by how we respond. But if we dwell only on our own stories, we can become self-focused and self-absorbed. Psalm 68 shows us the way out: we need a bigger story. The biblical writers ground us in God's story, showing how the narrative of redemption is more ancient, more familial, and more empowering than the alternatives. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

Psalm 67 shows us the right way to seek God's blessing: not individually, but communally. We should ask God to show favor to his people, because the flourishing of the church leads to the flourishing of the nations.The word "blessing" might be overused in religious circles, but it gets at something profound: we all want God's blessing. We want God to favor us, to smile upon us, to be happy with us. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character. 

In this sermon, we explore the anatomy of Christian worship: the what, why, when, how, and who.Human beings aren't just thinkers or lovers or doers; we are worshipers. And the Bible calls us to worship God. So what exactly does that look like? Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.