Sermons by Tim Stephens (Page 3)

This sermon explores the challenges of obeying God’s difficult commands, drawing from the narrative in Deuteronomy 3:12–29 where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh are instructed to leave their newly acquired land to fight for their brothers’ inheritance, and Joshua is charged to lead courageously despite fearsome enemies. It highlights the temptations to fear and settle for less, using the historical context of Israel’s victories over Sihon and Og and the faithlessness of the previous generation as lessons. The…

This sermon explores the biblical accounts of giants, such as the Anakim, Rephaim, and Nephilim, as described in Deuteronomy, Numbers, Joshua, and Genesis, proposing that these were historical figures descended from angelic beings intermingling with humans, as per Genesis 6:1–4. It addresses the reality of the spiritual realm and its impact on the material world. These giants, offspring of fallen angels, are part of a larger, cosmic battle against God’s people. The giants’ defeat by Israel and David, prefigures Christ’s…

In this sermon we consider Israel’s encounters with Edom, Moab, Ammon, and the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, seeing God’s sovereign control over nations, his judgment against sin, and lessons for believers today. This sermon considers the shocking (to us) destruction of entire peoples, down to the last man, woman, and child. It confronts the objections head-on and considers this historical event in light of the sovereignty of God and the cross of Christ. Through this, we learn to fear…

In this sermon, Moses recounts the pivotal moment at Kadesh-Barnea, where the Israelites, poised to enter the Promised Land, faltered due to fear and unbelief, choosing human counsel over God’s command. Despite God’s promises, presence, and past faithfulness, the people’s lack of courage and trust led to rebellion, resulting in a 40-year wilderness wandering as divine judgment. Our generation must learn the necessity of courage rooted in faith, guarding against cowardice and humanism, and remembering God’s enduring love, presence, power,…

This sermon, based on Deuteronomy 1:9–18, explores God’s design for societal order through hierarchy, individual responsibility, and righteous leadership. Moses faced the burdens of leading a vast, blessed, yet sinful Israel, and God’s solution was to appoint wise, discerning, and experienced men to govern impartially, using his standards. We learn here that blessings come with responsibilities, sinners sin, and true order requires a biblical theocracy where God rules over all institutions. We are called to embrace personal accountability, support God-ordained…

This sermon introduces a series on the book of Deuteronomy, Moses’ final sermons to Israel, delivering God’s instructions for a new generation on the cusp of entering the promised land. It reminds us that Deuteronomy is God’s authoritative, inspired word, not merely a legal code but pastoral teaching aimed at guiding God’s covenant people. The sermon provides seven reasons for studying Deuteronomy: it is God’s word, challenges misconceptions about the law, is commended by Jesus, teaches about covenants, fosters Christian…