Sermons Elmira Christian Center

One slogan that captures the spirit of the age is “My body, my choice.” The idea that our body belongs to us and we can with it as we please is the driving force behind the abortion movement, the LGBTQ+ movement, and physician assisted suicide. But this is not an idea that began in the sexual revolution of the 1960s. This idea is as old as sin itself, and Paul addresses it in his letter to the church at Corinth. In this sermon, pastor Mitch helps us see that sexual sin is inconsistent with God's design for the body and that the body is for the Lord. As Paul puts it, "you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:20). The Christian life is a life of obedience carried out in and with a body created in God’s image. Therefore, what we do with our bodies matters

In this sermon, Pastor Keith challenges the chaotic spirit of this age, the expressive individualism in which the self, with all authority and autonomy, determines his or her own identity, even to the point of changing gender. From Genesis 1:26-28, known as the key text for Imago Dei and the cultural mandate, Pastor Keith calls the church to remember and recover biblical anthropology. By highlighting God's deliberation (v.26), God's creation (v.27), and God's benediction (v.28), He reminds us that God created humanity in His image, male and female, for us to bear His glory, and that the ultimate and perfect image of God was displayed in Christ Jesus who came as a man to save the fallen image-bearers to regain God's blessing.

Our text from Zechariah on the fourth Sunday of Advent builds on the picture of restoration and hope we saw in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos. Like all the prophets before him, Zechariah saw a day that was coming when God would return to Jerusalem, rebuild David’s house, restore his people, and deal with their sin. If we want to understand Christmas we must understand the prophets, because it is in these texts we find the promises Jesus came to fulfill, the story of Israel he came to complete, and the hope for a weary world in sin and error pining. In this sermon, pastor Mitch helps us realize that the day of hope, which that the prophets envisioned and Israel longed for, has dawned with the advent of Jesus and the establishment of his church, the Israel of God.

In this sermon on the third Sunday of Advent, pastor Matt helps us see that the God of inescapable judgment offers unshakable hope for all people. Sinners who presume upon his grace will find there is nowhere to run from his wrath, but sinners who take refuge in his promised king will be secure and […]

In this sermon on the second Sunday of Advent, pastor Joel connects Ezekiel's vision of two sticks joined together to the Christmas story, showing how Jesus is the Shepherd King who comes to stay. This message shows us how only Jesus Christ heals division and offers true belonging, and it encourages Christians to live in unity, holiness, and hope as they wait for the New Creation.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith reminds us that when leaders fail and darkness deepens, our hope rests not in earthly shepherds but in the Shepherd King God promised. From Jeremiah 23:1–8, we see that while corrupt kings scatter the flock, the Lord Himself gathers, restores, and raises up a righteous Branch from David. In Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, God brings a greater Exodus, rescuing us from sin and death and securing us in His love forever. As we wait for His return, we trust His reign, rest in His righteousness, and follow Him with confidence, knowing He will gather all of His people at last.

In this sermon, pastor Matt heps us see how to cry to God in suffering, and it’s this: When in suffering, bring your pain and God’s promises together in prayer. This is how we grow strong in the faith through every trial we face, and how we approach the throne of grace for help in time of need.

In this sermon, pastor Matt considers the purpose and permanence of God's covenant with David, reminding us that the church of God is secure for the throne of his Christ endures. The good news is that in Jesus Christ, God has kept every one of his covenant promises, and those who belong to God’s exalted king become partakers of those promises.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith reminds us that before we question God’s providence, we remember His promise. From Psalm 89:1–18, we see that even in seasons of darkness and disappointment, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness remain unshaken. His covenant, His power, and His people all testify that He has not failed. Through Christ, the true Son of David, we can worship still—trusting that His rule is righteous, His promises sure, and His presence our joy.

In this sermon, pastor Matt concludes our sermon series on 1-2 Samuel and shows us that the king we need most is one who can save us from God’s wrath. We need a king who can satisfy the righteous anger of God that burns against us for our sin, who will let the holy hand of judgment be against him, so that we might know the riches of God’s mercy.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that God establishes the reign of his king by the work of his faithful servants. Yet what matters most is not what we do for him but what God does through us, and he is pleased to give us the victory and reward us for our service as we follow his Christ.

In this sermon, Pastor Keith reminds us that because of God’s eternal covenant we can flourish under His righteous King. David’s lasting last words point us to Jesus, the true Anointed One, whose rule brings light, life, and lasting renewal. Under His reign, God’s people find secure confidence in His Word, renewed vitality in His presence, and final cleansing through His holy judgment.

In this sermon, pastor Matt helps us see that the Lord exalts his king so that the nations might praise his name. This psalm is a song about the good news of how the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, how even his enemies can come to rejoice in his steadfast love.

2 Samuel 22 can be divided into five sections. The first two describe David's praise to God for his deliverance (1-20), while the last two sections describe David's praise to God for his dominion (32-51). In the central section (21-31) we find two paragraphs that explain the reasons why God was pleased to give deliverance and dominion to David. Far from being a passage of pharisaical pride, David sings in praise of God’s perfection, inviting all those who hear this psalm to discover how they too can come to know the Lord’s blessing as well. In this sermon, pastor Mitch reminds us that those who faithfully follow the Lord are those who experience his blessing.

This poem, which contains the words of Psalm 18, is not only part of the epilogue but is a Spirit-inspired commentary to the books of 1-2 Samuel. It gives the proper perspective we need to understand the gospel according to David. In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that our God moves heaven and earth to save all who call upon his name. And those who take refuge in the Most High will be able to sing with David that Yahweh is my God, my rock, and my salvation, and that he is worthy to be praised.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that the Lord’s faithful servants will overcome every threat to the kingdom. No matter how strong our enemy appears to be, we stand in the victory of Christ and the power of his might as we bear witness to his saving reign.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us of a sobering truth: the tragedy of sin demands the tragedy of atonement. Covenant-breaking requires blood-shedding. But we’ll also see that the gospel of Jesus transforms this tragedy into something glorious, bringing living hope out of despair.

The story of Sheba’s rebellion, in many ways, repeats what we’ve seen repeatedly throughout the books of Samuel. There’s division and rebellion; there’s deception and vengeance. But the conclusion subtly reminds us once again that this is God’s story, and he is always at work. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows us that no matter what comes against it, the kingdom of God is unshakable. Nothing—not the schemes of its enemies, the foolishness of its citizens, or even the failure of its leaders—can stop the good news of God’s reign in Christ, for his kingdom is forever.

In this sermon, pastor Matt reminds us that those who receive God’s king will be received by his grace. And the return of this king is ultimately meant to point us to the return of the King, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that awaits those who are eagerly waiting for him.

In this sermon pastor Joel considers the responses to Absalom's death, reminding us that there is no human resolution to mercy and justice without brokenness.