There is a stark contrast between what the world views as greatness and what God views it to be. While the world looks at the outward—wealth, status, and achievement—God is looking at the heart. In this message Pastor Steve Gallagher takes a look at a man named John the Baptist, one of whom Gabriel said would be “great in the sight of God.” The viewer will ask himself if he wants to aspire to greatness in the eyes of God or in the eyes of the world.

Pure Life Ministries Sermons

Great in the Sight of the Lord

John begins his gospel by describing the splendor of one whom he refers to as “the Word.” He systematically lays out claims about this Word, this Person, that would have shocked and even offended the religious people of His day. John reveals who he’s talking about when he states that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He reveals that this grand character is the man, Jesus Christ. The implication that a poor Jewish man from Nazareth was the God of creation manifested in flesh and blood has challenged many minds for centuries. But as Dustin Renz brings out in this message, this truth has astounding implications for all who are willing to believe it in faith.

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning, man lived in unbroken fellowship with God. But when sin entered the world, that relationship broke apart. Despite this separation, God still desired to be with us, and He knew that we needed Him with us. So, he began a long campaign to restore that fellowship. God’s greatest step in drawing near to us came through Jesus Christ. Nate Danser helps us see this mission of God, beginning with Noah and culminating in Jesus. He also shows how our lives are completely changed when we allow Him to be with us.

God With Us

In Matthew 11, we see the heart of Christ when He says, “Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." These words reflect His heart for sinners, for those who are broken, those needing healing, and even His heart for the hypocritical Pharisees. Some would heed that call, but many would reject it. That’s still true today. We’re excited to begin a new sermon series where our chapel speakers will be preaching through the life of Jesus. And this week, Pastor Ed starts us off by examining this great call of Christ in the gospels and how it isn’t an invitation to religion, dogma or denomination. It’s an invitation to Jesus Himself.

Come Unto Me

Division seems to blanket our nation and our world in general, yet the Bible teaches us that beyond those apparent conflicts lies a powerful force uniting unredeemed mankind. It is a love for the world. What does it mean to love the world? It’s important any sincere Christian can answer that question, and Nate Danser sheds some light on that in this message and provides us with a remedy that will root that love right out of our hearts.

Do Not Love the World

While imprisoned on the island of Patmos, the apostle John had a profound experience. It was a look into the details of Jesus’ second coming, events which have excited the imaginations of Christians for centuries. But the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ return are not the most important part of John’s vision. Believers should take heed of the first five words of the book of Revelation which state that the whole vision is a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. In this week’s chapel sermon, Glenn Meldrum delivers a powerful message unpacking the beauty and majesty of the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ and what that means for all who call themselves Christians.

The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ

Every person is headed in a direction spiritually. Those who are bound in habitual sin have walked a path that has led them deeper and deeper into spiritual death and destruction. This downward trend is most vividly depicted in Romans 1, and can be termed, “the spiral of degradation." But praise God, there is hope. Those who have traveled this weary path have a way out. In this message, Nate Danser describes for us the steps that bring us to this desperate state, and the beautiful gift that will lead us up and out of it into real spiritual life.

Reversing the Spiral of Degradation

With the victory at Jericho behind them and the promise of God’s future protection, the people of Israel must have felt like an unstoppable force. It must have been a shock then when they suffered a humiliating defeat by the citizens of Ai. The people of Israel would soon find out that the sin of one man, Achan, had caused this terrible loss. And in this message, Dustin Renz parallels Achan’s story of disobedience to our own lives, how hiding our sin will bring spiritual death and how walking in the light will bring about victory.

When You Bury Your Sin

From the moment sin entered the world, man has had the desire to rule his own life. But God's kingdom has only one king, and all who want to come into that kingdom must come under His rule. In this message, Glenn Meldrum uses Israel's rebellious history to show us the urgency of our need to fully surrender to Christ.

Kingless

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke of four different types of soil, which each represent different ways we can hear, and respond, to the Word of God. Nate Danser examines for us the characteristics of each of these soils and helps us to see the danger of hearing the Word of God incorrectly. He shows us that it’s what our lives produce that proves whether or not we are hearing the Word in a way that will truly impact our lives.

Take Care How You Hear

Faith is vital in the life of a believer. If we possess a bold and audacious faith in God’s Word, in His promises, and in His character, then any trial thrown at us by either the world, the devil, or our own flesh will not overcome us. Instead, we will be fixed on an immovable Rock, on an unshakable foundation. In this message, Glenn Meldrum challenges us to examine our faith, to see if it lines up with the faith that the Bible calls us to.

The Audacity of Faith

Paul compared the Christian to a soldier aiming to please his commanding officer. He compared the saint to an athlete who must compete according to the rules. And he compared them to the hard-working farmer. Just like the farmer, if we are to reap an abundant harvest, then we must persevere through constant and grueling labor. In this message, Pastor Ed helps us see what it will take to endure using Jesus’ teaching on the vine and the branches from John 15.

Finishing Well

Our modern culture breeds a disposition of cynicism and skepticism into us that makes us leery of allowing others to speak truth into our lives. But this attitude can be especially dangerous, because it sets us up to be unbelieving in our spiritual lives. Jesus Himself told us that one of the Holy Spirit’s works would be to convince us of the truth. In this message, Nate Danser looks at six truths we must allow the Spirit to make real to us, and leaves us with the question, “Are you convinced?”

Are You Convinced?

The story of the prodigal son is one of the most famous and beloved parables Jesus told. But this story could easily be called “The Parable of the Pursuing Father,” because in it, we see the heart of God towards two types of wayward sons. In this message, Dustin Renz turns the looking glass towards the father of the story as he seeks to bring both the rebellious and the self-righteous son back into the father's house.

The Parable of the Pursuing Father

There are three words that perfectly describe the life and thinking of those who are bound in habitual sin-"casting off restraint." And for someone whose life is characterized by these three words, freedom and real lasting victory can seem so out of reach. So is there any hope of finding freedom? In this message, Pastor Steve shares one of the key elements the Lord uses to lead struggling Christians into a life of freedom.

Christians Running Wild

For the past 30 years, Pure Life Ministries has been guiding men into freedom from sexual sin and into a relationship with God. These sermons, from the residential campus chapel, get to the root issue of sin as well as guide believers into a vibrant life in God.

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Pure Life Ministries Sermons

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