Sermons at Graham Emmanuel

The Ark of the Covenant is more than a prop in a Hollywood movie. It was truly commanded by God and constructed by the Israelites as their most treasured earthly possession. With it, God brought down the walls of Jericho, divided the Jordan, and defeated the Philistines. But what makes the Ark of the Covenant so important? Find out why the Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the most important truths about God, and why it points us to worshipping God through Jesus Christ.

Now that the covenant between God and Israel has been confirmed, the time has come for it to be consummated. God is beginning the process of moving into the midst of His people, and by His grace, He chooses to allow Israel to be involved in this process. Instead of creating a dwelling place for Himself, God calls for His people to generously offer back what He has given them, in doing so, He creates a bond far greater than proximity to a tent could ever offer.

Life is full of contracts. Marriages, mortgages—even terms and conditions on a web page, all function as a contract. In the Bible, contracts were formed through covenant. A covenant was more than just an agreement; it was a mutual agreement that bonded two parties together in solemn relationship. Throughout Scripture, God has connected with His people in different dispensations through covenants, including with Christians today. In Exodus 24:1-18, as Moses comes off Mount Sinai with the Book of the Covenant, God confirms the covenant with His people and in doing so gives an outline of His covenant with Christians today.

What makes something worthy of obedience? Is it their authority? Their character? Their ability to cause harm? What about God? What makes Him worthy of obedience. At the conclusion of the Book of the Covenant where God expands on the Ten Commandments with laws about how His people can conduct themselves in a way that represents Him, God concludes with the promise to go before His people and bring them to the Promised Land. In all this, God shows why He and only He is worthy of worship.

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit and what kind of impact does this have in the life of the believer, especially amidst an unbelieving culture? The church of Ephesus during the time of the Apostles found itself in the midst of a culture that celebrated sin and self-indulgence. With many believers being new gentile converts, the challenges of living a new unified life in Christ were immense. In the same way, we find ourselves living in the midst of a culture that celebrates self and elevates the sinful desires of the flesh. Being filled with the Spirit spurs on the Christian towards desires that reflect a new life in Christ and help in the fight against the flesh.

What’s the point of holidays? For Americans, holidays are chances to remember, reflect, and rejoice in what God has done for their country and the world. The same should be true for Christians. God’s people should honor Him by remembering, reflecting on, and rejoicing in what God has done for them. In Exodus 23:10- 19, God called His people to celebrate Him by celebrating special days and feasts. Even though those feasts are no longer required under the New Covenant, join us to learn how believers should honor God by celebrating Him in their lives.

The phrase “social justice” comes with much cultural confusion. Is it good or is it bad? The Bible reminds us that, no matter how the world may pervert justice, God is the author of justice and demands that His people conduct themselves in a just society that imitates Him according to His commands. Find out what that means by joining us in our expository study of Exodus 22:16-23:9.

What do verses about dead oxen in ditches and burnt crops in fields have to do with today? Quite a lot. We live in a world of sin, which means we live in a world where wrongs need to be made right. Who has the authority to do this? And how does this draw us closer to God? Find out on Sunday.

Jesus said that to love your neighbor as yourself is “like” loving the Lord with all your heart. How can this be? Far from being an irrelevant chapter about outdated laws, Exodus 21 beautifully outlines how a love for God is shown in the treatment of other human beings. Honor, respect, justice, and kindness are shown to be more than mere morals but necessary characteristics of the community of God’s people. Join us to learn more. 

Altars were built by people of the Old Testament to show their personal love for God and desire to worship Him. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—among many others—worshipped God in this personal way. But what makes worship worthy? And is God okay with any kind of worship? Join us to look in Scripture at God’s instructions for those who wish to worship Him, and what God demands of worthy worship.