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Manchester Church of ChristGospel ReversalTheseus’s Paradox is a thought experiment that goes a little like this: Suppose you have a wooden ship (some might even call it the “Ship of Theseus”). If you were to gradually replace every board that makes up the ship, is it still the same ship? If it’s not, how much of the ship do you have to swap out before it becomes another boat entirely?
While this can make for an interesting debate (if you like puzzles), Paul makes it clear in Galatians 1:6-9 that the gospel of Jesus Christ is no Ship of Theseus...
2026-01-1141 minManchester Church of ChristRescued by GraceHappy New Year! My prayer is that, for us as individuals and as a congregation, 2026 will be our best year yet. Over the last couple of months, we’ve talked about how faith intersects with our mental and emotional health. Now we’re going to listen closely to how Scripture describes freedom, identity, and life in the Spirit.
Paul writes in Romans 12 that we can be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In Galatians, he makes it clear that the gospel is meant to shape our whole lives. The gospel is not just a ticket that guarante...
2026-01-0441 minManchester Church of ChristA Voice in the WildernessThis Christmastime season we have been looking at John 1. Whereas last week we explored the prologue to John’s Gospel and the good news of the Word made flesh (what we call the doctrine of the incarnation), this week we are walking through the implications of this good news on you and me.
Through the witness of John the Baptist, we see that God prepares people to receive Jesus when faithful witnesses point away from themselves, boldly call for repentance, and testify that Jesus alone is God’s chosen Lamb.
John has come onto the scen...
2025-12-2835 minManchester Church of ChristWord Made FleshWord Made Flesh
When we think of Christ’s birth, we often picture a manger, shepherds, angels, and a newborn child wrapped in cloths. John 1 invites us to step back and see it from a much wider, deeper angle. Before there was a stable in Bethlehem, before there was Mary and Joseph, the Word already was.
John calls Jesus “the Word” to remind us that God is not silent or distant. God has spoken. Through the Word, all things were made; through the Word, light shines into darkness. Celebrating the incarnation is not simply about a baby...
2025-12-2132 minManchester Church of ChristWe Carry Each OtherWe Carry Each Other
The pain you carry can be the bridge to someone else’s healing. That’s the heart of this week’s message as we finish our series on faith and mental health. Many of us know what it feels like to carry a heaviness that seems too personal, too complicated, or too painful to share. That sense of isolation often convinces us that no one could possibly understand, and it can keep us from reaching out or offering help.
But Scripture tells a different story. In 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, Paul reminds the early church tha...
2025-12-1441 minManchester Church of ChristWounds and Healing in RelationshipsWounds & Healing in Relationships
Relationships are one of God’s greatest gifts… and one of the hardest parts of being human. They bring joy, laughter, and meaning, but they also open the door to disappointment, conflict, and betrayal. Even small moments remind us how connected we really are. In the same way, our choices, good or bad, create ripple effects far beyond what we imagine.
Many of us carry relational wounds from parents, family, spouses, friends, or the world around us. Sometimes the very people we trusted most have hurt us most deeply. Scripture doesn’t igno...
2025-12-0741 minManchester Church of ChristRunning on EmptyRunning on Empty
Happy Thanksgiving weekend! This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on the relationship between faith and mental health by exploring the topic of burnout. For some of us, we might not naturally correlate burnout with our mental and spiritual health.
In fact, a lot of times we might just use the word “burnout” to describe a particularly tiring or busy season of life. For others of us, however, we mean something more akin to “a chronic exhaustion of mind, body, and spirit, often leading to a sense of helplessness and detachment.” When we are bur...
2025-11-3032 minManchester Church of ChristHope in the PitHope in the Pit
This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on the relationship between faith and mental health by exploring the topic of depression. Depression can mean different things to different people—from a medical diagnosis to a difficult season of life. Whether through personal experience or walking alongside loved ones, most of us have encountered depression in some form. The statistics are sobering: depression prevalence has increased 60% over the last decade, affecting millions of American adults and teenagers.
We’ll be looking at Psalm 42, where the psalmist cries out, “Where is your God?” In moments...
2025-11-2336 minManchester Church of ChristWhen Anxiety Takes OverWhen Anxiety Takes Over
Anxiety touches every single one of us, often more than we admit. Journalist Eric Sevareid once remarked that America’s biggest business isn’t steel or automobiles, but the “manufacture and distribution of anxiety.” Most of us hear that and quietly nod. We feel it in our schedules, in our sleepless nights, in the constant noise of comparison, and in the pace we try desperately to keep up with. It’s no wonder the Bible speaks so often about worry and fear. God knows the human heart.
This Sunday, we’ll look at 1 Pe...
2025-11-1643 minManchester Church of ChristWhat the Bible Really SaysWhat the Bible Really Says
If faith were supposed to fix everything, why did one of the Bible’s greatest prophets beg God to take his life?
In 1 Kings 19, we meet Elijah right after his greatest victory when he called down fire from heaven and proved God’s power before the nation. But the very next day, fear and despair overwhelm him. He runs into the wilderness, collapses beneath a broom bush, and prays for death. The Bible doesn’t hide this moment from us; it highlights it. Because God doesn’t shame Elijah’s weakness...
2025-11-0241 minManchester Church of ChristWhat Really Matters in the End?What Really Matters in the End?
Have you ever noticed how quickly life seems to go by? The older you get, the more quickly days, months, and years seem to pass. I guess it’s only natural that we want to make the most of our time.
We live in a world that is obsessed with doing. With being productive. With building resumes, earning degrees, achieving goals, and checking the boxes. But is that really where we find our sense of purpose? Is our success or productivity where we find meaning in life?
So...
2025-10-2642 minManchester Church of ChristHow Should We Live in a World of Uncertainty?How Should We Live in a World of Uncertainty?
We work hard to make life predictable. We plan, invest, and prepare, hoping that if we do everything right, everything will go right. But Ecclesiastes 9-10 reminds us that life doesn’t always play by the rules.
The author says, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all” (Eccl. 9:11). No one escapes life’s unpredictability. The doctor calls. The job changes. The plan collapses. And yet, instead of despair, Ecclesiastes offers wisdom. You can’t cont...
2025-10-1935 minManchester Church of ChristIs Wisdom Better than Folly?Is Wisdom Better than Folly?
We live in a world that is drowning in advice. We have podcasts, TED Talks, self-help books, and YouTube mentors who promise to make us wiser, stronger, and more successful. Yet for all access to “wisdom,” people are more anxious, exhausted, and uncertain than ever.
The writer of Ecclesiastes understood that tension long before the internet. In chapters 7 and 8, he admits that wisdom really does help us. That it teaches us patience, honesty, and humility. It helps us face reality instead of pretending life is always easy. But he also conf...
2025-10-1235 minManchester Church of ChristIs More Ever Enough?Is More Ever Enough?
Ecclesiastes takes a hard look at life “under the sun,” and chapters 5–6 turn to something we all think about: money, wealth, and success. The Teacher observes that people long for more—more possessions, more riches, more years of life—but no matter how much they gain, it never seems to satisfy. “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income” (5:10).
Wealth itself is not the problem—Scripture often speaks of it as a blessing from God. The problem comes when we treat money as if it were God, hop...
2025-10-0539 minManchester Church of ChristHow Do You Carry On?How Do You Carry On?
We all ask it at some point: How do you carry on when life feels empty? The Teacher in Ecclesiastes wrestled with this question long before us. He tested all the things people turn to for meaning—pleasure, wisdom, and work—and found them wanting.
Pleasure is fleeting. Even Solomon, with feasts and riches beyond imagination, woke up hollow. Wisdom is better than folly, but in the end, the grave does not check résumés. Hard work can be good, but what happens when your labor is wasted or forgotte...
2025-09-2135 minManchester Church of ChristHere I AmHere I Am
This Sunday, we celebrate Promotion Sunday, watching our young people move to the next level in their faith journey. But the story of young Samuel reminds us that growing up in God’s house isn’t just about advancing grades—it’s about learning to recognize when God calls our name.
Samuel couldn’t sleep that night in the tabernacle. Three times he heard his name and ran to old Eli, thinking the priest had called him. But it wasn’t Eli’s voice—it was God’s. When Eli finally realized what was happening...
2025-09-0719 minManchester Church of ChristLong Obedience in the Same DirectionLong Obedience in the Same Direction:
Happy Labor Day weekend! This Sunday, we gather as a church family to consider where God is leading us and who He is calling us to become. Vision is more than good ideas or wishful thinking—it is God-inspired imagination, seeing what God sees when He looks at our future.
Our vision as the Manchester Church of Christ is this: “To be a family of faith in Manchester, transformed by the gospel, equipping His people for Christ, and sharing God’s love through service and disciple-making at home and abroad...
2025-08-3131 minManchester Church of ChristWhat is the Point of It All?What is the Point of It All?
This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series exploring life’s most pressing questions. We start with perhaps the most fundamental one: “What’s the point of it all?”
In our age of endless productivity hacks, career climbing, and legacy building, the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes cuts through our busyness with startling honesty. The Preacher—likely Solomon himself—opens his reflections with a jarring declaration: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” The Hebrew word hebel means vapor, breath, a wisp of wind—something you cannot grasp or hold onto.
Before...
2025-08-2430 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in Depending on ChristJoy in Depending on Christ
In a world that constantly tells us we need more—more money, more success, more security—Paul’s words in Philippians 4:10–23 are refreshingly countercultural. Writing from prison, Paul reflects on how he has learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. Whether well-fed or hungry, in abundance or in need, his joy does not come from his situation but from his Savior. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Paul writes (v.13). This well-known verse isn’t about achieving personal goals or crushing obstacles—it’s about finding strength in Christ...
2025-08-1729 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in the Peace of ChristJoy in the Peace of Christ
In a world filled with division, anxiety, and distraction, where can we find lasting joy and real peace? Philippians 4:2–9 points us to the answer: in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes these words from prison, yet his tone is filled with hope and encouragement. He urges believers to rejoice in the Lord, to pursue unity in relationships, and to cast every worry before God in prayer. Instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety from our own sense of self-dependence, Paul calls us to let the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our h...
2025-08-1000 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in Knowing ChristPaul’s words in Philippians 3:1-11 cut through the noise of our performance-driven world with stunning clarity: knowing Christ is worth more than everything else combined.
The apostle warns against those who would add unnecessary barriers between people and God—the “Judaizers” who insisted Gentiles must follow Jewish customs to truly belong. These legalists were creating a spiritual caste system, making faith about human achievement rather than God’s grace.
Paul demolishes this thinking by showcasing his own impressive credentials. As a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, and zealous persecutor of the church, he had more relig...
2025-07-2739 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in Christ’s ExampleOften called the “Christ Hymn,” Philippians 2:5-18 reveals a remarkable truth about the nature of true joy – it flows not from personal achievement or recognition, but from following Christ’s example of humble, sacrificial love. This beloved passage shows us that our deepest satisfaction comes from embracing the same mindset that Jesus demonstrated during his earthly ministry. Paul paints a vivid picture of Christ’s journey from glory to suffering and back to exaltation. Jesus willingly “emptied himself” of his divine privileges, taking on human flesh and embracing the role of a servant. He didn’t cling to his rightful positio...
2025-07-2039 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in Christian Unity“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Paul’s words in Philippians 2:1-2 reveal something profound about the nature of Christian joy—it’s deeply connected to unity within the body of Christ. Writing from his Roman imprisonment, Paul doesn’t merely suggest that the Philippians pursue unity; he pleads with them to “make my joy complete” through their togetherne...
2025-07-1334 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in Suffering for ChristJoy in Suffering for Christ
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” These words from Philippians 1 are perhaps some of the most famous words ever penned by the Apostle Paul. What’s fascinating is the context in which Paul wrote them: being imprisoned in Rome. Not entirely sure of how his situation is going to shake out, Paul admits to the church in Philippi that he is torn. If he is to be released from imprisonment, Paul knows that “to live is Christ.” Paul knows that he will seize this second chance (or, more r...
2025-07-0642 minManchester Church of ChristJoy in PartnershipJoy in Partnership
This week, we’re beginning our new series Joy in All Circumstances, so we can make sure we understand what the Bible is talking about when Christians are called to be joyful. There is perhaps no better place to start than in the book of the Philippians. When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he couldn’t contain his excitement. “I thank my God every time I remember you,” he says, “always praying with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.” Every single time these believers came to mind, Paul felt grateful, genuinely joyful. That’s convi...
2025-06-2234 minManchester Church of ChristTensionTension: Stand Alone Sermon
This coming Sunday marks the beginning of our year-long journey exploring faith and mental/emotional health. This topic emerged from our congregation survey a couple of years ago as a pressing need, and for good reason—it’s a complex area where two extremes often dominate the conversation. One extreme suggests that true faith eliminates struggles with depression, anxiety, or despair, making professional help unnecessary or even sinful. The other extreme dismisses faith entirely, claiming only the secular world can address mental health concerns. We’re pursuing a third way: affirming that seeking help f...
2025-06-0140 minManchester Church of ChristMan of GodMan of God: Foundations of Faith Series
There are some titles that are used rarely and, because of this, they carry immense weight. One of these titles is Man of God. It is a select company that’s had this title bestowed upon them. Moses. Samuel. David. Elijah. Elisha. Select prophets who boldly stood up to corrupt kings. It’s not just the individuals in this company that catch my attention but also the names not given this honor. Not Noah. Not Abraham. Not Joshua. No, to be branded a Man of God is reserved for only a selec...
2025-05-2539 minManchester Church of ChristTrue RichesTrue Riches: Foundations of Faith
In a world obsessed with material success, Paul’s letter to Timothy offers timeless wisdom about the true nature of wealth. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul draws a stark contrast between those who pursue godliness for financial gain and those who recognize that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Paul warns against false teachers who view religion as a pathway to prosperity. “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing.”. Such teachers spark “envy, strife, malicious talk...
2025-05-1837 minManchester Church of ChristEngraved on Divine PalmsHappy Mother’s Day weekend!
Engraved on Divine Palms, Mother’s Day 2025
This weekend, our cities and towns buzz with restaurant reservations and florist deliveries. But this Sunday, I invite you to look beyond the cards and celebrations to a profound truth: God’s nurturing heart, revealed in Isaiah 49:13-16 and Luke 13:34.
Scripture asks, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?” (Isaiah 49:15). The answer seems obvious—no. Yet God declares, “Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” This isn’t casual remem...
2025-05-1125 minManchester Church of ChristLiving in God’s HouseholdLiving in God’s Household: Foundations of Faith
In our world of performance metrics and efficiency goals, relationships often become transactional. We evaluate connections based on what we receive rather than who we serve. But Paul’s instructions to Timothy offer a refreshingly different vision for community.
When addressing the church in Ephesus, Paul doesn’t outline an organizational flowchart. Instead, he describes a household where every relationship reflects divine love. Older men aren’t just respected elders—they’re fathers deserving gentle guidance. Young men aren’t subordinates—they’re brothers walking alongside us. Older women carry th...
2025-05-0528 minManchester Church of ChristLiving Out LoudLiving Out Loud
In his letter to young Timothy, Paul doesn’t mince words about what makes a worthy servant of Christ. He’s not talking theory or theology as an academic exercise. No, this is life-and-death practical stuff. When Paul tells Timothy to “train yourself to be godly” (4:7), he’s not suggesting a casual stroll through spiritual disciplines. He’s talking about the kind of sweaty, intentional workout that changes who you are from the inside out. “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the lif...
2025-04-2729 minManchester Church of ChristPeace!Peace!: Easter 2025
In the thin light before dawn, Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb, grief hanging heavy on her shoulders. Death seemed to have had the final word. But what she discovered was the first whisper that death’s verdict was being overturned. What unfolds next in John’s account is holy commotion—disciples running, burial cloths abandoned, angels appearing. The garden where death appeared to triumph now blossoms with new life. Meanwhile, behind locked doors, the disciples huddle together. These men who once walked dusty roads with audacious hope now breathe the stale air of dread...
2025-04-2000 minManchester Church of ChristHosanna!Hosanna!
Have you ever prayed for something, only to get something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than what you expected? That’s exactly what happened in John 12:12-19. The crowds were excitedly shouting “Hosanna!” which literally means “Save us now!” Yet, these people had specific expectations. They wanted Jesus to overthrow Rome, to be their political savior. They were waving palm branches—symbols of victory and nationalism—essentially saying, “Come be our conquering king!” But here’s the truth: Jesus had a much bigger plan than they could imagine. While they were thinking of temporary political freedom, Jesus was orchestrating eternal spiritual lib...
2025-04-1332 minManchester Church of ChristUnholy MoralityUnholy Morality: Foundations of Faith
Ever notice how some of the most religious people can be the most miserable? There’s a reason for that. In his letter to Timothy, Paul drops a truth bomb that should make us all stop and think: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” Here’s the twist—these demonic teachings weren’t pushing people toward wild living in Ephesus (which was basically the Vegas of the ancient world). Instead, they were pushing extreme religious rules: “Don’t get marr...
2025-04-0633 minManchester Church of ChristThe Right StuffThe Right Stuff: Foundations of Faith
In a world obsessed with climbing ladders and collecting titles, God’s economy turns our assumptions upside down. Leadership in the kingdom isn’t about who sits at the head of the table, but who serves the meal. Paul’s words to Timothy about deacons crack open this counter-cultural reality. He doesn’t begin with skills or talents, though those matter. Instead, he starts with character—the invisible architecture of a person’s life. A deacon isn’t merely someone who can manage church resources or organize events. They’re individuals whose lives have b...
2025-03-1636 minManchester Church of ChristModeling the MessageModeling the Message
In a world that often prizes power, position, and profit, the church’s leadership model stands in stark contrast. Our go-get-it culture frequently values leadership traits that clash with God’s design for shepherding His people. Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 outline what authentic spiritual leadership embodies. Unlike worldly leadership, the qualifications focus less on charisma or administrative skill than on character formed by the gospel. These traits—being above reproach, faithful, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach—reveal something profound: church leaders must incarnate the message they proclaim. What strikes me is how...
2025-03-0927 minManchester Church of ChristKingdom PostureKingdom Posture: Foundations of Faith
We’re experts at striking poses. Selfie poses. Power poses. Instagram poses. But what if the posture God calls us to looks nothing like the stances our culture celebrates? Paul writes to Timothy about kingdom posture—and it starts with bent knees. Praying for emperors and officials, even ones like Nero whose name made the early church tremble. Not because they deserve our prayers, but because this is how citizens of heaven influence kingdoms of earth. This upside-down influence creates space for the gospel to breathe and move without obstruction. We’ve turned...
2025-03-0241 minManchester Church of ChristMirror and MercyMirror and Mercy
Ever notice how the best stories get told over and over? Not because they’re new, but because they’re true. Deep down, innately true. The kind of truth that helps us make sense of our own scattered stories. That’s what Paul is doing in his letter to Timothy. He’s not just reminiscing about his glory days of persecution and conversion. No, he’s holding up his life like a well-worn map, saying “Look here – this is where mercy found me. And if mercy could find me there, it can find anyone, anywhere.” The...
2025-02-2332 min
Woodbury Church of Christ SermonsQuestion | Part Four -The "Greatest" Question - Caleb McCaughanWe like to compare ourselves to one another, especially when it makes us look good. We might not call ourselves "the greatest" but that's essentially what we're fighting for. Jesus has something to say about that mentality.
2020-07-2616 min