Coram Deo Church Sermons

What Is a Disciple?

Every human being is a disciple or a learner, constantly shaped and trained by the culture around us — from the algorithms on our phones to the expectations of our family of origin or careers. True discipleship, however, requires actively submitting ourselves to the training of Jesus, allowing him to shape our understanding so we can bring out the treasure of his truth to a hungry world. In this sermon, we explore what it means to be a disciple who understands, trains, and shares the ancient and new promises of the gospel.

Fish, Nets, & Judgement Day | Matthew 13:47-50

Being in the church is not the same thing as being in God's kingdom.Everyone sorts. Whether it’s laundry, your recycling, or the people you spend time with, most of us have a deep-rooted instinct to sort the things in our lives. Through the parable of the net, Jesus warns that this period of grace will eventually give way to a final sorting. In this sermon, we explore the importance of responding to Jesus’ kingdom invitation while there is still time.

The Irresistible Kingdom | Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is irresistible to those who find it.
We all seek something — a career, a relationship, or status — that makes life's sacrifices feel worthwhile and brings us joy. But when we glimpse the incomparable value of Jesus, "selling everything" no longer feels like a sacrifice; it becomes irresistible. In this sermon, we examine the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, and the irresistible joy found in Christ and his kingdom.

Hopeful Realism | Matthew 13:24-43

Jesus invites us into a life of hopeful realism.To be human is to wrestle with the presence of evil in a world we wish were different. We often feel an urgent pressure to "fix" the world by taking matters into our own hands. Yet Jesus, through the parable of the wheat and weeds, offers a path of hopeful realism. In this sermon, we explore the nature of hopeful realism as the kingdom develops from small beginnings into a global harvest.

The Parable of the Sower | Matthew 13:1-23

A fruitful life comes from standing under the word of God.Every human is listening to someone or something. And how we listen to the word of God makes all the difference. In this sermon, we explore Jesus' famous Parable of the Sower, which shows what happens when the seed of the gospel lands on the soil of our hearts. In this parable, Jesus teaches that a fruitful life comes from standing under the word of God. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.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.

Resurrection Hope | 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the ground of all Christian hope. Because Jesus conquered death, we will too — that's the conviction that has unified and strengthened Christians around the world and across the ages. In this Easter 2026 sermon, we examine what 1 Corinthians 15 reveals about the implications of Jesus' resurrection.

Three Ways of Relating to Jesus | Matthew 12:38-50

How should we relate to Jesus? Not by holding out or cleaning up, but by drawing near.Not everyone who knows ABOUT Jesus knows Jesus. It's possible to be religious, to know the Bible, to participate in church activities — and still remain outside God's family. In Matthew 12, religious leaders demand signs from Jesus, yet they miss what's right in front of them. In this sermon, we explore three different ways of relating to Jesus: holding out, cleaning up, or drawing near.

A House Divided | Matthew 12:22-37

Neutrality is not an option.Neutrality about Jesus is impossible. Every human being wants to keep their options open, to stay uncommitted, to avoid making ultimate decisions. But in Matthew 12, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man and declares that whoever is not with him is against him. In this sermon, we explore the inescapable reality that because Jesus is King, neutrality is not an option — we must choose to follow him or reject him.

The Freedom of Jesus’ Lordship | Matthew 12:1-21

Coming to Jesus means repenting and resting.Freedom and authority seem like opposites, but they're not. We assume that submitting to a master means losing our freedom, yet the opposite is true. In this sermon, we explore how, because Jesus is Lord, we can live in freedom — not freedom to do whatever we want, but freedom from rules that crush and harshness that destroys.

Repent and Rest | Matthew 11:20-30

Coming to Jesus means repenting and resting.Every human being is weary. We carry burdens we were never meant to bear: the weight of performance, the exhaustion of trying to prove ourselves, the endless striving for approval. In this sermon, we explore how Jesus offers rest to the weary — but receiving that rest requires repenting of our pride and trusting in him alone.