Locust Lane Chapel | Sermons
Overcoming
If Joseph had lived today, he most likely would have been institutionalized. After all, he's highly egotistical and spoiled with a meglomaniac complex. But somewhere between childhood and adulthood, Joseph shed the labels that could have limited his usefulness in God's work. Is there something in your past holding you back? Joseph has something to teach us about overcoming.
The Greatest Backstory Ever Told
The gospel is multi-dimensional, and for a truly changed life, one needs to know all sides. In this message, Pastor Simmons examines a critical angle of the gospel by telling the greatest backstory ever told.
ABRAHAM: Man of Heritage
In the final message on the life of Abrham, Pastor Simmons looks at what Abraham does in his last days to leave a legacy that lasts.
ABRAHAM: Man of Trust
Abraham's Faith in what he could not see developed into a Trust in God because of what he continued to see. Strong faith, over time, develops into trust. In this passage, we see faith on grand display in Abraham's confident trust in God.
ABRAHAM: Man of Faith
GENESIS 22:1-18 - In the midst of the greatest crisis of his life, Abraham uttered the words, "God will provide." If you long to believe those words in the midst of uncertain crisis, then listen as Pastor Simmons shares three features of Abraham's faith that will bring growth to your own faith today.
ABRAHAM: Man of Compassion
God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. But why? The answer to this question has sparked divisive debate among Christians. But what does the Bible say? Pastor Simmons seeks to shed some light on the sins of Sodom and how that translates into our gospel work in an ever declining culture.
ABRAHAM: Man of Patience
Sarah's laugh is called a laugh of unbelief. Or was it really a laugh of common sense? Should she really believe that she at 90 years of age would bear a son? In this passage, we look at the issue of God's timing. What do we do when the time seems past for God's promises to be fulfilled? Perhaps, like with Sarah, God can turn our laughter of unbelief into a laughter of celebration.
ABRAHAM: Man of Weakness
Abraham steps out in great faith, builds altars to the Lord, and then.... it all falls a part. The man of surrender quickly becomes a man of weakness, spinning a web of lies which leads to people being hurt. Why did Abraham's life suddenly become so complicated? Pastor Simmons points to a few lessons as to why situations in our lives can become so complicated.
ABRAHAM: Man of Surrender
In this new series on the life of Abraham, Pastor Simmons speaks to the surrendered heart of Abram. How do we respond with faith? How do we trust in the Lord when the future is unknown? Abram provides the living example.
Mankind Vs. My Kind
So we gravitate towards people like us. It's normal. It's what we do. But... is it right? Does God have something else in mind for how we relate to the world? The story of Babel speaks directly to this. This message will help you reflect on your relationship with others.
All We Like Sheep
Sheep, a thief, and a Good Shepherd - these characters come together in Jesus' teaching to form a powerful analogy of who we are, how evil works, and who God is. What does it mean to be "like sheep?" Whose voice do we listen to? How do we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. Pastor Simmons tackles these questions and more.
When All Else Fails
Hannah of the Bible is a Mother's Day favorite, for she is remembered for her great trust in the Lord. But Pastor Simmons invites us to focus on the despair of her shattered dream, to find ourselves in her story, and to admire and imitate the great faith of this great woman.
Label Makers
One of the great tasks God gave to man was to name things... to categorize, divide, distinguish and to classify. But in a fallen world, naming can quickly turn into labeling. In this message, Pastor Simmons speaks about the problem of labeling in the early church, how Paul overcame it's divisive and destructive effects, and how we can apply Paul's message to a culture transfixed on labels.
Tis Blessed to Receive
Have you ever given a gift to a child and heard him say, "You shouldn't have done that?" Unlike adults, children seem to have no problem receiving. In Mark 10, Jesus points to children as an example of discipleship for this very reason. In this message, Pastor Simmons looks at what it means to have a child-like spirit before the Lord.
The Last Breakfast
Sharing a witness is for professionals, or so we think. Or for "Super-Christians." Yet Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, encounters a great commissioning from the Resurrected Lord. In this message, Pastor Simmons demonstrates how we all share Peter-like characteristics, and yet how Jesus calls us still to a great mission to bring people into His Kingdom.
I've Seen Eternity
Sometimes in the struggles of life, we begin to lose hope. In this message, Pastor Tom reminds us of the great work the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives for here and eternity.
I Will Rise - LLC Worship Team
LLC Worship Team singing "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin.
Doubt vs Faith
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - On Resurrection morning, two men saw the evidence. One believed. The other doubted. And so the struggle of doubt vs faith still confronts us on Resurrection Day. Pastor Simmons speaks to belief, faith, and struggle and what it means to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Kingdom Vs Empire
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - Why did the very crowds who waved palms to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem share in his condemnation a few days later? A misunderstanding of one word: Kingdom. Pastor Simmons explores the choice the two thives on the cross made in choosing a kingdom.
Agenda Vs. Jesus
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - Christians know the Christ. But which Christ are we following? Peter struggled to move his understanding of Christ in line with Jesus' definition of his mission and calling. Pastor Simmons asks the question: What drives your life: An agenda? Or Jesus?
Open Up Vs Cover Up
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - The pressure in the church today to cover up our true feelings when in the face of a crisis is strong. Pastor Simmons compares this culture of cover up with the raw honesty of Psalm 22.
Law Vs Grace
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - Pastor Tom continues the series with a look at the age old conflict of law vs grace.
Here Vs. Hereafter
SERIES: VERSUS - Confronting our Spiritual Struggles - What you focus on ahead of you directs the steps you take today. Peter urges the early Christians to continue focusing on the future return of Christ. Pastor Simmons speaks to how that fact affects how we live today.
Blame VS Shame
SERIES: VERSUS-Confronting our Spiritual Struggles In the first of five messages, we look at our instinct to blame versus the need to face the shame of our wrongdoing. Is shame a bad thing to embrace? Pastor Simmons argues that it is our instinct to blame that creates our greatest troubles in the spiritual life.
Cleaning House
Peace, Love, Kindness... all words we associate with Jesus. But in John 2, we see Jesus in a way we can hardly imagine... acting by means of violence. Why? Was this an emotion reaction of "righteous anger," or is there something more intentional than that? Pastor Simmons argues that Jesus is acting intentionally, making a statement about the nature of his Kingdom and the clear choice that we have to make in life.
Secure in Christ
With the death of the dearly beloved Ruthie Zimmerman still fresh on the hearts of the congregation, Pastor Simmons speaks to the security we have in Christ both in life and in death.
The Word for the Wise
What is success and how do we find it? This is the question of the book of Proverbs. In this message, Pastor Simmons looks at the preface to Proverbs and the insights it gives us about how to find biblical wisdom and success in this life.
Love Means Letting Go
Love is something we all seek, yet love is often an elusive thing. What is real love? What does it look like? Is it really what the world tells us it is, or is there something more?
Tom Neis - Evangelism
God has given his followers a mission to reach others for Christ. In this message, Pastor Tom gives practical insights from the scriptures about the important task of sharing the faith with others.
How the Grinch Almost Stole Christmas
Have you ever known a Grinch? Afraid of becoming a Grinch? In this message, Pastor Simmons looks at a Grinch like figure in the Bible who tried to ruin the first Christmas. Discover the characteristics in him that God seeks to redeem in us.
Peace Has Its Price
Why, on the Advent Sunday of PEACE do we call forth images of John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness instead of the little baby Jesus wrapped up in a manger? The reason has to do with the price of peace. In this message, Pastor Simmons looks at the price that must be paid if there is to be peace in our lives.
From 'Giving Thanks" to "Being Thankful"
Psalm 65 is a classic text of thanksgiving. This worship experience is structured around the three movements of Psalm 65, leading God's people from simply giving thanks out of needs and wants to a great sense of thankfulness in all of life.
Anytime Isn't the Right Time
We live in an "anytime" world. The pressures for "here-and-now" living are great. Jesus, by his example in John 7:1-13, shows us how to beyond "anytime" living into "right time" living.
If the Lord Builds it
People don't like to admit it, but much of what we do is driven by a need to feel secure. In Psalm 127, Solomon speaks to the vanity of such pursuits. How can we find real security in a frightful and insecure world?
Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide
When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg some 492 years ago, he inaugarated the protestant principles of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and sola fide (faith alone). Pastor Simmons ask whether we are living by these great principles or are in need of a second reformation.
A Category Five Faith
Jesus calms the storm and leaves the disciples asking, "What kind of man is this?" Why does this miracle and not the others leave the disciples pondering the very nature of Jesus? As Pastor Simmons addresses that question, you'll discover what it means to conquer the category five storms of life.
Can We Trust Him?
Often the lofty things we say about Christ and the faith ends as a nice idea but with no practical effect in the way we live. Paul tells the Colossians that the greatness of Christ can make a difference even in the worst of days.
When There's Nothing You Can Do
Sometimes we find ourselves in a jam. Between a rock and a hard place. In a lose/lose situation. Young Timothy was in such a situation. Paul instructs timothy on what to do when there's nothing you can do?
Tom Neis - Romans 7
Pastor Tom speaks to the struggle in us all who seek to live godly lives but find ourselves returning to sinful behavior. This message encourages us with God's love and grace.
A Tuesday Morning Experience
Christ reveals that God gets personal with us. This was foreshadowed in God's encounter with Moses in the burning bush. In this Labor Day message, Pastor Simmons speaks about calling in purpose in one's work.
From Night to Light
Jacob had trouble sleeping at night. His strengths had become his weaknesses. In this message, Pastor Simmons shares a most unusual interpretation of God's wrestling match with Jacob. And Jacob walks away with a limp, but into the light.
Melchizewho?
Melchizedek - the man of mystery - was fodder for all kinds of ancient Jewish legends. But why? Only three Old Testament verses mention him. But in this message, we will see how the mere mention of Melchizedek taps into a deep longing for the spiritual.
Who's Killing Your Giants?
Is David an example to us of how we can slay our giants? Or does David foreshadow a greater victor in that battle over troubles and difficulties? Hear the story of David and Goliath in the light of the saving work of Jesus Christ.
God is Doing a New Thing
Often we are trapped in tradition or by our past. But Isaiah reminds us that God is doing a new thing. Are you open to a new move of God in your life, or are you trapped by some crippling thing in your life? Pastor Tom gives biblical insights on being set free for God to do a new thing.
God is Doing a New Thing
Pastor Tom shares from Isaiah about God's desire to do a new thing in his people. No longer we have to be trapped by our past, our pain, our our guilt... he delivers us and makes all things new!
A Disproportionate Response
There's a giant elephant in the room of Joshua 7 that few like to talk about. A man has been stoned and burned along with his family, his livestock, and his possessions for the crime of stealing. And... God is pleased. Either God has responded with unwarrented force, or there is more to this crime than meets the eye.
Finding Freedom
Who is truly free? The three Hebrew men in Daniel 3 were slaves by all definitions, but these slaves were far freer than their master. This tells us that freedom is something more than mere political independence.