Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 14 | In Matthew 7:1-12, Jesus sums up the whole of the Sermon on the Mount in one sentence. This one sentence has become widely known as the golden rule: “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” In this sermon, Darrell suggests that in this clear, succinct and brilliant little sentence, Jesus is identifying 3 ways that all of us wish to be treated, and calling us to do the same in our relating to another human being. And by following this one little command, we become a new people.

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 13 | Continuing from last week, in this sermon Darrel calls us to follow Jesus’ command to stop worrying and being anxious. This is not simply a suggestion, but a command. He explains that freedom from anxiety will only come from making wise decisions out of the three major movements of the heart that Jesus highlights within the text. The message is an exhortation that amid the chaos in the world around us, God cares for us more than all the birds and flowers–therefore we can trust him, and be at peace. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 22, 2012 | Matthew 6:1-18

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 12 | Join Darrell as he preaches one of his favorite texts—a favorite, he says, because it is a text he most needs to hear. And so do we. Anxiety is an epidemic in our time. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 that worry is the dominant symptom of making unwise choices relative to three movements of the human heart: what we treasure, how we see life, and who or what our true Master is. Thankfully, Jesus the Preacher on the Mount, wades into our anxious thoughts and can answer our prayers. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 18, 2012 | Matthew 6:19-34

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 11 | As shown time and time again in the Gospels, Jesus’ whole life and ministry on earth was driven by His relationship with His Father. Jesus lived for, in, and with the Father, and this Preacher on the Mount wants all His followers to live with this same understanding. In these 18 verses, Jesus highlights three common Christian disciplines (giving, praying and fasting) and how we ought to relate to these disciplines as he does - not for our own glory, but to foster a deeper relationship with the Father. This teaching begs followers of Jesus to consider not just the visible movements of their faith, but the motives behind them; motives that are invisible to others, but in plain sight before God. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 25, 2012 | Matthew 6:1-18

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 10 | Continuing our time in the Sermon on the Mount with Darrell, we have arrived at Jesus’ challenging line in Matthew 5:48 - “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” To many, these words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount are among the most burdensome. But what if this one line, though seemingly a command, is in fact a promise? A promise that all who say “yes” to this Preacher on the Mount will actually become like Him, because of Him. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 18, 2012 | Matthew 5:48

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 9 | In this sermon, Darrell visits the challenging and seemingly backwards teaching from Jesus on enemy love in Matthew 5:43-48. Darrell shows how “loving your enemies” is the only way to prevent the hatred you feel towards another from destroying you and destroying them. That it’s one of the ways God’s people safeguard their souls, and participate in the mission of Christ who was found using his dying breaths to pray for those who persecuted him.

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 8 | In this message, Darrell unpacks the often-misunderstood teaching of Jesus regarding retaliation and revenge. What does He mean when He says to “not resist the evil person”? Is Jesus calling us as His followers to passively stand by when we encounter those who wish to harm or take advantage of us? Through the text, Darrell shows us there is nothing passive about anything Jesus teaches. Instead, Jesus is inviting us to face evil the way He does, not as a passive surrender but rather an active initiative to overcome evil with good. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 4, 2012 | Matthew 5:38-42

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 7 | In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses obviously critical issues like murder, anger, adultery, lust, marriage and remarriage. But what about when Jesus addresses his people about making oaths? How is this as big of an issue as murder or adultery? In this sermon, Darrell unpacks the problem of making oaths and why words matter to Jesus, especially words of promise. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | February 26, 2012 | Matthew 5:33-37