Watch or listen to sermons preached from the pulpit at Fairview Baptist Church.
The New Birth: The Life of God in the Soul of Man
What truly makes someone a Christian? Is it heritage, personal choice, good deeds, or even strong feelings? In this message from Titus 3:1–8, we explore the radical reality at the heart of true Christianity—the new birth. God, in his sovereign mercy, has rescued us not because of our works but by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. This is more than a change of behavior; it is the life of God planted within…
Holy, Holy, Holy: Beholding Christ High and Lifted Up
In the year that King Uzziah died, the prophet Isaiah was given a breathtaking vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of his robe filling the temple. Drawing from Isaiah 6:1–7, this sermon shows that Isaiah beheld the preincarnate glory of Christ—the radiant King and Priest whose holiness is unmatched. As the seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy,” the foundations shake, Isaiah is undone by his own sinfulness, and yet mercy flows from…
Christ and the Cross
In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul declares, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” This sermon explores why the person and cross-work of Jesus must remain the non-negotiable center of the Christian life, the church, and every home. We will see that this is not a simplistic slogan but a deliberate decision that rejects the world’s message and methods, and that results in the power of God to save and transform, the wisdom of God…
Come to Christ: Rest for the Weary and Heavy Laden
In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus extends a gracious invitation to all who labor and are heavy laden: “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” This message explores the many ways we become weary—whether through striving to earn God’s favor by our performance, the bondage and consequences of sin, feelings of helplessness in a broken world, or exhaustion in serving others—and points us to Christ, who alone can lift those burdens. Jesus is both the sovereign Lord with all authority…
What is Your Life?
In this passage, James rebukes, corrects, and diagnoses the arrogant attitude of Christian businessmen who make plans in self-confidence and without reference to God. In the course of this message, we are encouraged to know that everything is dependent on God’s will and that we are very limited creatures, and therefore we can live faithfully and confidently as we depend on and submit to the Lord’s will in all our plans.
A Just Society: Protecting Life, Property, and Truth
In Deuteronomy 19, God gives laws designed to protect the innocent—through cities of refuge, the safeguarding of property boundaries, and the requirement of multiple witnesses to prevent false accusations. These instructions reveal that true justice flows from a heart that loves God and walks in his ways. As we examine these principles and their ongoing relevance for society today, we are reminded that lasting judicial reform ultimately depends on spiritual reformation through Jesus Christ, the One who brings true justice…
Christ the Prophet
In Deuteronomy 18:15–22 God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses from among Israel’s own people—one who would speak God’s words faithfully and to whom the people must listen. This sermon shows how that promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the greater Mediator of a better covenant, whose words carry God’s own authority and demand our obedience. It also examines the biblical tests for true and false prophets and calls every hearer to examine whether they are truly listening…
Theocracy: Living Under God’s Rule
In Deuteronomy 17:14–18:14, Moses instructs Israel on life under God’s rule as they enter the land—addressing the king, the priest, and the customs that must never mark God’s people. This message clears away common misconceptions about theocracy and shows instead God’s wise design of complementary spheres under his supreme authority. We see the requirements for a godly king, the calling and provision of the priests as ministers of the word, and the absolute prohibition of the occult practices of the…
Justice, and Only Justice
In this message we see God’s call for his people to appoint wise judges and pursue “justice, and only justice” according to his righteous standard. Moses instructs Israel that true justice refuses bribes and perversion, will not tolerate false worship or covenant-breaking treason, and upholds order through proper authority—all so that the people may live and flourish in the land. Far from being a distraction from the gospel, this concern for justice flows from it and ultimately points us to…
A Holy Calendar: Feasts, Festivals, and Christ
We continue our series through Moses’ final sermons as he calls Israel to observe the appointed holy feasts and festivals. These sacred times formed Israel’s calendar, creating a yearly rhythm that kept God’s deliverance, provision, and covenant faithfulness at the center of their lives. Our calendar reveals who and what we worship. As shadows pointing to their substance in Christ, Israel’s festivals challenge us to examine our own weekly and yearly rhythms. Does the Lord’s Day serve as the anchor and priority…
Slavery in Scripture: Slavery, Servitude, and the Gospel
In this message from Deuteronomy 15, we tackle one of the most misunderstood and avoided topics in Scripture: slavery. Far from endorsing the brutal chattel slavery of later history, God’s law in the Old Testament regulated indentured servitude in ways that protected human dignity, restrained abuse, demanded justice, and required generous provision upon release. We explore the historical and cultural context, the clear boundaries God placed on servitude among his people, and how Israel’s own experience of slavery in Egypt…
Generous Grace: Soft Hearts and Open Hands
In this sermon from Deuteronomy 14:22–15:11, we continue our series through Moses’ final sermons by examining God’s instructions for the festival tithe, the triennial town tithe for the Levites and needy, the seventh-year debt release, and generous care for the poor among God’s covenant people. These laws were not burdensome requirements to earn favor but responses to God’s prior redemption and grace, teaching Israel to fear the Lord, rejoice in his provision, support gospel ministry, and reflect his compassion with…