Sample Sermons
Dave favors expository sermons that first seek to understand the text in its context, asking what it was saying to the original audience. Then, he explores the tension or question it engaged within its day and how it applies to today. He believes the Spirit of God inspires the text and is the same Spirit that will make it come alive for us today. Less often, Dave will shape a series of sermons around a theme that addresses a present need in the congregation, like his Koinonia series that focused on the New Testament “one another” statements. Although the series is shaped around a need, each message honors and is drawn out of a specific text
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The Way Forward: Life Through the Spirit – Romans 8:1–4. Romans 8 reminds us that in Christ there is no condemnation, sin no longer has the right to define or dominate us, and the Holy Spirit is already at work within us. The way forward is not greater effort in our own strength, but learning to live from our union with Christ—believing who we already are and receiving the life of the Spirit.
The Way Forward: Through Sacred Assembly – Nehemiah 8:1–14; 9:1–3. Sacred Assembly is not about shame or looking backward for its own sake; it is about coming together under God’s Word, allowing conviction to lead us toward joy, and bringing sin into the light so healing can begin. In this message, Nehemiah shows us how God rebuilds not only walls and structures, but a people—through Scripture, confession, repentance, worship, and renewed joy in Him.
The Way Forward: Toward Joy – Luke 15:11–24 In this opening message of The Way Forward series, we see that repentance is not meant to lead us into shame, but back into restored communion with the Father. Jesus’ parable of the lost son reminds us that the Father’s heart is full of compassion, welcome, and joy—and that the way forward begins by coming home.
What is the Spirit Saying? – Closed Door? – Revelation 3:14–22 – Jesus confronts the lukewarm church in Laodicea for its self-sufficiency, mild approval of Him, and lack of wholehearted dependence. Yet His rebuke is rooted in love, and His final invitation is deeply personal: repent, open the door, and return to restored fellowship and communion with Him.
What is the Spirit Saying? – Open Door – Revelation 3:7–13 – Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia reminds us that weakness is not failure and that Christ can open doors no one can shut. Even when a church feels it has “little power,” Jesus calls His people to hold fast, step through the opportunities He provides, and invite others into the life, salvation, and communion He has opened.
What is the Spirit Saying? – Return to Our First Love – Revelation 2:1–7 Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for its hard work, perseverance, and faithfulness to truth, yet warns that they have abandoned their first love. This message calls us to remember, repent, and return—to move from activity without affection back to a life of deep communion, attentiveness, and love for Jesus.
Confess Your Sins to one another – James 5:13-16. Confession means agreeing with God about what is true. It is bringing sin out of hiding and into the light of Christ with a brother or sister. Confession does not earn forgiveness; it receives and rehearses the grace already given to us in Jesus. A church that practices public confession becomes a healing community—not because people are perfect, but because people are honest before God and one another.
Engaging in Conflict Redemptively – Matt 18:15-17. We’re going to take a deep dive into Jesus’ teaching on how to gently confront sin in a brother or sister. We must resist the temptation to be passive or avoidant—love is active, and relational health requires action. In this message, we’ll explore four steps for engaging conflict in a redemptive way.
Engaging Conflict with Grace and Humility – Matthew 18:18–35
Jesus teaches that we are entrusted with His authority—to bind up sin and to extend forgiveness to those in spiritual debt. Yet Peter asks about the limits: “How often should I forgive my brother?” Jesus’ response exposes our own spiritual bankruptcy, our tendency toward an individualistic faith, and the shallowness of our humility.
Easter 2026 Sermon: “The Beginning” – Mark 15:33–16:7
This message brings our series in Mark’s Gospel to a close. Yet for many, a gap remains—a divide between the head and the heart. So the last thing we need this Easter morning is simply to hear another resurrection sermon, if we are not also experiencing Jesus as alive, active, and present among us.
The Sword – Two Kingdoms – Mark 14:43–52
There are two kingdoms at odds with one another. There is Christ’s kingdom—marked by light and grace. And there is the kingdom of this world—marked by power, control, and broken relationships. God’s kingdom is not a slight adjustment to the world’s values; it is a complete reversal. When conflict comes—when pressure rises, when we are tested—that’s when we discover which kingdom’s values we are truly living from.
The Temple – Mark 11:1–18. Can we be passionate? Jesus was—zealous for His Father’s house. Why? Because the temple had lost its purpose—to be a light to the nations—and it had lost its communion with the Father. It had become busy with religious activity but empty of prayer. Imagine a meter measuring “fatherly passion.” On one end is zero—apathetic, lukewarm. On the other is ten—pure delight in the Father. Where would you place yourself?
You are richer than you think. From a series in Ephesians “Alive in Christ”. Preached at Trinity Church in San Juan Puerto Rico. This sermon gives definition and depth to our union with God, a mutual belonging to one another as our highest treasure.
What is missional? This is a the first message in a a series called Incarnational Living. In this message we’ll get a snapshot of the missional life of Abraham, Jesus and the early Christ followers. Central idea we are a sent people. The people of God on the mission of God by the Power of God.
What is incarnational? Closely tied to the proceeding message “What is missional?” In this message we focus on what we bring with us into mission, that through us sojourners need to have a genuine experience with the non condemning love of God. When confronted with an obvious sinner Jesus chooses the role of advocate over judge.
Flourishing in the Shadow of an Empire is a Daniel series. Even as foreigners in an empire that mirrors Babylon’s moral, social and political culture, God reigns. Amid America’s polarized landscape, we can still thrive as exiles. Daniel 1 offers one conviction and three practices to guide us.
In a series “Listening to the Spirit,” we examine what the Spirit says to the seven churches of Asia Minor as described in Revelation 1-3, and then consider what the Spirit says to us. This message – Faithful Lover (Thyatira), Rev 2:18-29 is about having a primary affection and allegiance directed towards one over all others, emphasizing our devotion to Jesus.
