The Thinking Christian

In Acts 2 we see a picture of a Church that most of us long to be like. In this message we examine some of the qualities of that church and are challenged to become like it.

The account of the raising of Lazarus challenges our understanding of who God is and how He acts among His people. This message was delivered on July 19, 2026 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. Text: John 11:1-6, 20-44

Surrounded by His antagonists, Jesus points out that the Jewish leadership are not His sheep. In this message we will examine what it means to be Jesus' sheep.

Every so often the New Testament takes us to a place where the Life Flow of God meets a strict religious system that demands an allegiance to a set of rules. John Chapter 9 is one of those places. This was preached on July 05, 2026 at First Christian Church in Somerset PA. Text: John […]

"Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?" is an oft-asked question. In today's text we find this very question seemingly asked by Jesus' own disciples.

In this text, Jesus begins to highlight the resistance that the Apostle’s may encounter as He sends them out. It is a good reminder that Christianity comes with a cost. Text: Matthew 10:24-39

In today’s text we notice a shift in Jesus’ ministry. Not a change in what He was doing – but a change in how He would do it. Text: Matthew 9:35 – 10:23 This message was delivered on June 14, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA.

How can Jesus’ suffering and death glorify God? What does this tell us about God? What does this prayer mean for us? This message was delivered on May 17, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 17:1-11

John 7 offers a challenge - not just to Jesus' first-century listeners - but to us as well. So, what's it going to take?

In this text we find two disciples walking on the Road to Emmaus. Both appear to be struggling with a crisis of their faith. What we learn from that day may help us in our own crises. This message was delivered on April 19, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale PA. Text: Luke 24:13-35

This message was delivered “very early in the morning” at Sunrise Service on April 05, 2026. Text: Mark 16:1-8

All four gospels tell us the story of Jesus feeding the multitude. John’s version gives us a a special glimpse in order to show us something very important. This message was delivered March 22, 2026 at First Christian Church in Somerset PA. Text: John 6:1-15

The ascent to Jerusalem in Mark 10 was not about distance or elevation. Listen in as we discover what was behind that climb. This message was preached on March 01 2026 at Mt Olivet Country Church near Meyersdale PA. Text: Mark 10:32-45

Have you ever wondered why Peter wanted to build tabernacles for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus? In this message we will consider one possible explanation into Peter’s thinking. This message was delivered on Feb. 15, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Matthew 17:1-9

Listen in as Jesus meets with a ruler of the Jews. In this passage, Nicodemus is left with a challenge to rethink what he knows about God and the Kingdom. This message was delivered on Jan. 25, 2026 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. Text: John 3:1-15

In this text, Jesus engages with His soon-to-be disciples using “open-ended” questions. This reveals something about His nature. This message was delivered on January 18, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 1:29-42

This is an audio clip taken from a video that I recently released. In this podcast I will discuss briefly the “fall” of Christian author Philip Yancey and the lessons we might learn from it.

In this message we hear how Joseph had “the right stuff” and are challenged to understand if we can follow the same path. This message was delivered on Dec. 21, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Matt. 1:18-25

In this final Eschatology session we answer the question: What role does Israel play in the ‘end-times?’ To answer this question we must first define “Israel.” This session was held on Dec. 01, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. My notes.

This is the 3rd session on Eschatology. It was presented on Nov. 24, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. In this session we finished our study of the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24), and then studied the question: is the Rapture separated from the Second Coming by 7 years? My Notes: Olivet Discourse & […]

This message was delivered on Nov. 23, 2025 at Mt Olivet Country Church in Fairhope, PA. If God made a Facebook page for the Sermon the Mount, then the Beatitudes would be the profile picture. Text: Matt. 5:1-8

This is second part in a series on Eschatology. It was presented at First Christian Church on Nov. 17, 2025. In this lecture we will begin our walk through the Olivet Discourse. Note: the recording began about ten minutes after the start of the class. Main Text: Matthew 24

This is the first part in a series on Eschatology. It was presented at First Christian Church on Nov. 10, 2025. Main Text: Revelation 20 My notes

This message was delivered on Oct 19, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Jeremiah 31:27-44

This teaching was presented on Oct 18, 2025 at Somerset First Christian Church during a one-day Renewal Conference. Scripture Notes

This is the final in a series of 6 lectures on Church History. This covers major movements in the U.S. from 1800 – 2000. The lecture was given on Oct 16, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA.

This message was delivered on October 12, 2025 at Milford Church in Somerset, PA. Text: Luke 12:13-21

The Reformation Aftermath This is the fifth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Oct 02, 2025. My notes

This is the fourth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 25, 2025. My notes

Planning for the future involves more than just a savings account. This message was delivered on Sept 21, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 16:1-13

This is the third in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 18, 2025. Please note that at around the 26 minute mark there will be a brief interruption of audio. My notes

This message was delivered on September 14, 2025 at Calvary Church of Somerset. Text: John 6:1-14

This is the second of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. It is a broad overview, roughly covering 300 AD – 500 AD. Presented September 11, 2025 My Notes.

This is the first of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. This section will cover from the book of Acts through around 300 AD. Presented September 04, 2025 My notes

This message was delivered Aug 31, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14

This message was delivered on July 06, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text Luke 10:1-11; 16-29

As Jesus prepares to leave His disciples, His final words point to the coming of the Holy Spirit. This message was delivered on June 15, 2025 at Amity UCC Church in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 16:12-15

This message was delivered on June 01, 2025 at Amity Reformed UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Acts 16:16-34

This message was given as an impromptu sermon on May 18, 2025 at Mt Olivet Country Church of Fairhope, PA. I had planned to preach from a different text but changed when I sensed a call to preach on a different subject just minutes before stepping up to the pulpit. Text: Matt 25:31-26

This message was delivered on May 11, 2025, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 10:22-30