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The Village Chapel - Sunday Sermons

Religion & Spirituality Podcas

At TVC, we've realized that we have a deep need to nourish our spiritual lives. We've grown tired of our tendency toward spiritual lethargy, cynicism, skepticism and brokenness. So, we're doing something about it. We're becoming intentional about our faith by drawing close to God in worship, studying His Word, and learning to give and take in the context of a community of believers. At The Village Chapel, we seek to be transformed as we feed our minds on God's truth and our hearts on God's love.

Location:

Nashville, TN

Description:

At TVC, we've realized that we have a deep need to nourish our spiritual lives. We've grown tired of our tendency toward spiritual lethargy, cynicism, skepticism and brokenness. So, we're doing something about it. We're becoming intentional about our faith by drawing close to God in worship, studying His Word, and learning to give and take in the context of a community of believers. At The Village Chapel, we seek to be transformed as we feed our minds on God's truth and our hearts on God's love.

Language:

English


Episodes

Luke 19:28-48 - The Paradoxical King

3/24/2024
Why has the observance of Palm Sunday lasted these last 2,000 years? Why do so many Bible scholars call it the “Triumphal Entry?” Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? Why did the crowds shout “Hosanna?” What made them dance and sing “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” from Psalm 118? How might some have understood and/or misunderstood what Jesus was doing on that day? And what timeless truths about God’s love for sinners like us can be found here? Two thousand years later, some continue to misunderstand Jesus and want him to be their socio-political Messiah. Others reject or ignore Jesus. Some seek to silence Jesus and His followers. But millions of others have come to believe in Jesus and have found life in His name. How is that possible? Can that happen to you? Join Pastor Jim as he takes us back to that first Palm Sunday to remind us of precisely what happened, what it meant and what it still means for us today.

Duration:00:49:09

1 Kings 22 - The Word of the LORD

3/17/2024
1 Kings offers a 3000-year-old chronicle that begins with an inevitable but forced royal succession and continues with relentless political disorder and conflict. We started with the relatively good King David reigning over a united kingdom, and we now conclude 1 Kings with the ignoble death of the wicked King Ahab who ruled over half of a divided kingdom. Unsurprisingly, we learn that we need a greater king than any presented in the history of ancient Israel or Judah. However, we are reminded that even through our most tumultuous times, God has proven Himself faithful to His people. God was neither silent nor inactive. Throughout 1 Kings, Yahweh's faithful prophets speak, and the word of the Lord remains central in each chapter of our study. Join Pastor Jim as he concludes our exploration of 1 Kings, reminding us to remain alert and proactive, listening for the word of the Lord as it comes to us through the written word of God, the ancient scriptures, and the living Word of God, the greater King, Jesus Christ.

Duration:00:43:46

1 Kings 21 - Payday Someday

3/10/2024
Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper? In 1 Kings 21, we read of a story that involves a gross misuse of power and authority against an innocent man. Where is God in the midst of all of this? How will He make things right? Join us this week as we begin to unpack the glorious hope we have in Christ who helps the righteous to endure while also making a way for the wicked to be redeemed.

Duration:00:43:29

1 Kings 20 - The Surprising and Relentless Grace of God

3/3/2024
Lots of people have asked questions about why God allows this or that to happen in our world. But have you ever wondered why God was merciful to somebody you thought simply didn’t deserve it? Why does it surprise us to think God might forgive those persons we consider to be repeat offenders or “repugnant others?" And are there ever times we think God simply could not forgive us for something we’ve done multiple times? Join Pastor Jim as he shows us how there are times the surprising and relentless grace of God proves Him to be more merciful than we think He should be, more powerful than we believe He could be, more just than we sometimes want Him to be and more wise than we ever imagined He could be.

Duration:00:50:12

1 Kings 19 - Running on Empty

2/25/2024
1 Kings 19 follows the prophet Elijah after a decisive victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Fresh off this climactic spiritual battle, he is confronted with a dire threat to his life. Elijah had likely expected a great revival to sweep the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a turning back to God. Instead, Queen Jezebel had only intensified her opposition to God and the life and ministry of Elijah. Join Pastor Tommy as we consider together the kindness of God as he cares for Elijah in a season of despair. This account of God’s mercy offers encouragement and practical wisdom for all those who have found themselves in the fog of sorrow, depression, melancholy, or have lost their spiritual bearings. There is much for us to learn from the tender way God continues to provide for Elijah in his moment of need.

Duration:00:32:34

1 Kings 18 - I’ve Seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain

2/18/2024
Israel has suffered three long years of drought and God plans to bring rain back to the land. But before that happens, God intends to make very clear to the Israelites who is the real God and who is a false god. Join us as Pastor Matt leads us in the powerful recounting of Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal.

Duration:00:42:16

1 Kings 17 - Who is Your God?

2/11/2024
It was the 9th century BC and the northern kingdom of Israel had turned away from God to worship Baal, the rain-storm god of the Canaanites. In 1 Kings 17 the prophet Elijah appears on the scene with an abrupt and harsh prophecy for the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Elijah’s God was going to dry up all the rain credited to Baal. God immediately directed Elijah to head east and hideout for a bit, promising him some ravens will serve as waiters, bringing him the food and sustenance he will need. Not long after this, God sends Elijah deeper into Baal territory to minister to an unnamed widow and her son. But as time passes, the boy gets sick and dies. The woman blames Elijah who then responds in a most remarkable way and the woman appears to come to faith in God. What happened there? As important a figure as Elijah is throughout biblical history, he is not the primary point of this action packed chapter. Just what is? Join Pastor Jim as he guides us on a journey alongside Elijah to learn about the God who speaks, guides, hears and provides!

Duration:00:46:37

1 Kings 15 & 16 - Truth AND Consequences

2/4/2024
1 Kings 15 & 16 describe decades of unbridled idolatry, debauchery, treachery, conspiracy, assassinations, wars, civil unrest, international intrigue and strife. Was the God of the Bible aware of the chaos and deepening darkness in that time? If so, what did God do, or what was God planning to do about it? What hope can the Gospel of Jesus bring to us in our own conflicted and troubled times? Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through the pages of the yearbook of ancient Judah and Israel that we find in 1 Kings 15 & 16. Here is an important part of the divine dossier of redemption history, and it all points forward to and finds its fulfillment in the greater King Jesus.

Duration:00:47:32

1 Kings 14 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves

1/28/2024
1 Kings 14 is a heartbreaking chapter describing God’s judgment on the Northern and Southern Kingdom for their wicked ways. In light of all we have read in the book of 1 Kings, it’s right for us to ask, “How did we get here?” Join us this week as we take a closer look at the deceptive nature of sin and how the Gospel shines bright even in the midst of man’s rebellion and God’s judgment.

Duration:00:47:33

1 Kings 13 - The Word of the LORD

1/14/2024
What does the phrase, “the word of the LORD,” mean? Can and does God speak? If so, in what ways or by what means does God speak? How should we interpret and respond to the word of the LORD? Join Pastor Jim as he helps us unravel one of the most puzzling chapters in the Old Testament and shows us how it can also be one of the most clarifying chapters in the Bible, especially as we seek to understand what the Lord may have said or might be saying. 1 Kings 13 is part of the written word of the LORD, the divine dossier of redemption history.

Duration:00:48:55

1 Kings 12 - Be Careful Which Way You Lean

1/7/2024
1 Kings 12 is a dramatic scene change in the history of God's people. King Solomon has just passed away, and his son, Rehoboam, is assumed to be his successor. Instead, the kingdom divides. Two kingdoms are now set against one another: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This separation is tragic, and the consequences will reverberate for generations. Yet, we see the hand of God at work, even in this seemingly hopeless moment. Three words from God frame this chapter and offer hope to us today, "...but not forever." (11:39) Join Pastor Tommy as we seek to learn from these events in redemptive history and lift our eyes to the hope we have today in King Jesus.

Duration:00:41:20

Matthew 2:1-12 - From 'Whatever' to 'What If?'

12/31/2023
As we come to the end of another year, how many times have you heard someone say, “This year has just flown by?” Is it possible that while we have all become experts on how to stoke anticipation for Christmas, even Christians still struggle with knowing how to maintain enjoyment of all that Christmas means for us in the coming New Year? The story of the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2 is a contrast between two very different kings with two very different kingdoms. One kingdom is the sighing kingdom of “Whatever.” The other is the wonder-filled kingdom of “What If?” One is a kingdom marked by indifference, the other a kingdom in which every person and every moment of time has been designed and created for a transforming encounter with Christ. Is there a way to move our spiritual life from a bored and disinterested “whatever” to a hopeful and curious “what if?” Join Pastor Jim as he connects some of the dots of God’s unfolding plan of redemption history and shows us how we are all invited to choose Jesus as our king and begin living right now in the kingdom of heaven!

Duration:00:47:17

John 1 - The Word, the Life, the Light!

12/24/2023
How did the historical person Jesus of Nazareth become the most talked about person who ever lived? Jesus was never an entertainment celebrity, never had a TV show, never ran for politics and never became a social media influencer. So why are there so many books and blogs, magazine articles and movies, tv shows and college courses about Jesus? To help us unravel this mystery, let's explore insights from one of Jesus' closest friends and followers. The Gospel of John opens with a remarkable summary that delves into Jesus' essence, nature and pivotal role in the tapestry of redemption history. Join Pastor Jim as he guides us through the concise yet powerful prologue, unveiling the extraordinary ways the God of the Bible fulfilled His promises and achieved His purposes through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Duration:00:11:11

Isaiah 11:1-5 & Luke 2:25-32 - The Dear Christ Enters In

12/24/2023
The prophet Isaiah and the good Doctor Luke lived some 700 years apart, but the Holy Spirit weaves a thread and connects them to each other. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Matt leads us through two brief passages from Isaiah and Luke and points us to the steadfast and tenacious love of the God who is not only with us, but is also for us.

Duration:00:32:04

Micah 5:2 & Luke 2:1-20 - The Incarnation of the Son of God

12/17/2023
Did angels really tear a hole in the Judean night sky to sing for a bunch of Jewish shepherds? If so, what did the angels sing about and how did the shepherds respond? What is the significance of the event Christians call the Incarnation and how does it affect us 2000 years later? Join Pastor Jim as he connects some of the dots in God’s unfolding plan of redemption history during this third Sunday of Advent 2023.

Duration:00:47:33

Isaiah 9:1-7 & Matthew 4:12-22 - The Joy of Every Longing Heart

12/10/2023
The Advent season is replete with a sense of longing. We witness it in the pages of scripture. We see it in the stories our culture tells. Something has been lost that needs repair. The prophet Isaiah, roughly 700 years before the time of Christ, points forward to the genuine hope of one who would come with the power to set right what sin and rebellion had broken. Like our own day and time, Isaiah's was full of moral, relational, political, cultural and spiritual darkness. He offers us the sure hope that darkness has an end. The "joy of every longing heart" can be finally and fully satisfied in the person of Jesus — the Light of the World. He has come, is with us now by His Spirit and will come again. Join Pastor Tommy as we explore the rich promises of the Advent season and unpack their beauty, power and meaning for us today.

Duration:00:34:57

Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:18-25 - The Dawn of Redeeming Grace

12/3/2023
We often hear discussions about the true meaning of Christmas, but what is the true meaning of Advent? Where did it come from and what can Advent mean for us? About 700 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, during a very dark time in the world, with much political upheaval and moral and spiritual chaos, God spoke through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah and told of a virgin who would become pregnant and then deliver a son who would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” The appearance of this son would serve as a sign that He had come to be the Savior of the world. In our own day and time, as the 20th century English author Dorothy Sayers once said, “the drama is the dogma” and the doctrine of the Incarnation is indeed a dramatic, mind-blowing, heart-thumping, eye-popping concept. One of the most remarkable things it displays is the lengths that the God of the Bible would go to in order to save us. Join Pastor Jim as he connects some of the dots of God’s unfolding plan of redemption history during this first Sunday in Advent 2023.

Duration:00:47:17

1 Chronicles 16:8-36 - Stir Us Up and Call Us Back

11/26/2023
The last Sunday before the Advent season is called “Stir Up Sunday” or “Christ the King Sunday" in some streams of the church. For many of us, Advent is a time of joy, music, gifts and the ancient story of God becoming man in order to save us. Yet for some, the season is harder to navigate, especially for those who are broken-hearted or struggling with disappointment and despair. What hope does the Advent season offer that meets us right where we are? Join Pastor Matt as he leads us through this 3,000 year old song of thanksgiving from 1 Chronicles. This passage points us towards the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God who gives us courage for our present circumstances and hope for our future.

Duration:00:35:33

1 Kings 11:14-43 - When All is Said and Done…

11/19/2023
As a young man, King Solomon was gifted by God with unparalleled wisdom and wealth. Even in our own time, Solomon is considered to have been one of the wisest men who ever lived. And yet, while Solomon started out so well, he finished quite poorly. As a result, Solomon’s life story is both an inspiration and a warning to us. What went wrong? What happened to Solomon? And what was God up to? Join Pastor Jim as we finish up the story of King Solomon and see our great need for a much greater king.

Duration:00:49:06

1 Kings 11:1-13 - Mind the Gap

11/12/2023
The Bible is refreshingly, and sometimes shockingly, honest. Our study of 1 Kings 11 will reveal to us the unvarnished reality of King Solomon's condition of heart toward the end of his life and reign. From this short biography of Solomon's latter years, we will seek to learn how to avoid the dangers of spiritual drift. How did Solomon go from the wisest of men to one of the most foolish? His heart was wholly with the Lord as he began his reign (1 Kings 3), but in his final years, he did "evil in the sight of the Lord..." (1 Kings 11). What can we learn from this heartbreaking story? Join Pastor Tommy as we look for God's provision of mercy and lift our eyes to one greater than Solomon, who seeks to rescue and redeem all who would come to Him.

Duration:00:38:16