Mosaic Church RVA

Numbers 22-24 share a miraculous story of a man overcome by greed and a desire for honor. Though he leads the people of Israel into sin, God takes the curse and turns it into a blessing. 

While the world seems to be falling into more chaos and disorder, God remains true to his character: he is the God of order, and that order brings peace. In this passage, we learn about God’s good design for the family and the church. As we live according to that design, we display God’s character and glorify him before the world.

Paul explains the gifts and shows the church of Corinth the order in which they are to operate. When the gifts are properly practiced, there is no confusion among God's people. For God does not bring confusion, but peace. 

Are tongues and prophecy for today? How should we think about them? In this sermon, we consider Paul’s encouragement to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, including prophecy. The world needs the church to speak a prophetic word — and that word has not changed.

Many people celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday, but how does it apply to our lives? Why is the resurrection still relevant for the Christian right now? In this sermon we explore why it remains so important that we remember every day that He is risen.

All four gospels record the start of Holy Week with Jesus choosing the steed of a servant. He humbly and boldly makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem in the great reversal that will set the captive free.

Love is the essential ingredient for meaning and worth in life. Even the most worldly people will agree to this. Yet the world’s definition of love falls far short of the love we see in Christ. This week, we explore Christian love, its character, and the mandate to make love the driving force behind all we do. May the world know us by our love!

In this passage, Paul gives us a clear picture of how the Church is meant to function: as one body in cooperation. If you’ve ever thought you didn’t belong, this passage offers affirmation that you do. If you’ve ever thought you didn’t need others, this passage offers correction. And no matter who you are, this passage provides encouragement to plug in, get to work, and serve others with all the gifts God has given you.

The church at Corinth was more focused on the gifts than the Giver of those gifts. Paul gently corrects them by reminding them of their purpose: to make Jesus famous. 

God never forgets His promises. In 2 Samuel 9, David is the Christ-type who remembers the covenant he made with the family of Jonathan. Mephibosheth is the most unlikely reception, and still, David protects, provides, and gives him a position he never dreamed of. Jesus does the same in our lives today.

The church today seems divided against itself in so many ways. What if we could disagree but remain united? What if our differences were actually small in comparison to that which unites us? What if we re-centered on Jesus? In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul reprimands the church for their divisions and reminds them that it is not their supper that they should be celebrating — it is the Lord’s Supper.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he touches upon a subject that is the source of much confusion amongst scholars, theologians and Christians in general: head coverings. While this passage is fraught with difficulty, that doesn't mean we should ignore it. In this sermon, we plumb the depths of these verses to find the binding principles that still apply to our lives today.

Many times, we talk about the fact that we are free in Christ — particularly related to matters of conscience — but when was the last time you stopped to consider why you have that freedom? While we may certainly enjoy our freedom, that is not its primary purpose. In this sermon, we explore how our freedom of conscience was not given simply for our personal benefit, but for the glory of God and the good of others.

In this small Old Testament book, God is on full display in His sovereign order that takes us from the unknown Moabite widow to the genealogy of Christ Himself. 

Christian freedom should be considered prayerfully and in light of the gospel. For Corinth they were missing the point of their decision making. If Christ is not the center, we cannot glorify Him in anything we do.

Is it possible that by making a practice of sin, we are actually associating with demons? In this passage, we explore Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians to "flee from idolatry" and consider what idolatry looks like in the 21st century.

Not every passage of the Bible is easy. In this passage, we are reminded of God's hatred for sin. But along with this warning we are given hope in God's perfect faithfulness to his people.

After Jesus' resurrection, He meets two men on the road to Emmaus. It was on that road that these men finally saw Jesus for who He was: the King of kings.

As we celebrate Christmas, we look back at how the 7 I AM statements of John have all pointed to Jesus being the eternal Davidic king, the child born of a virgin, the snake crusher and Immanuel, God with us.

In Jesus’ final I AM statement, He declares He is the True Vine. For those who abide in Him, He not only nourishes and sustains, but He offers His joy for His branches.

When Jesus' disciples were troubled, what words did Jesus provide for them? He gives reassurance that He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." In this reality, Jesus sheds light upon the hypostatic union and why the Godman was necessary for them to have hope. 

At the end of your days, what will matter most? Death has a way of forcing us to consider that which is of ultimate importance. Will you have reason to hope? Or will you have reason for fear? In John 11, Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." If this is true, then hopelessness is not an option for those who are in Christ.

Why does suffering exist? What is the purpose of the misery we often feel? Though Job doesn’t receive all the answers to his suffering, he sees how God is both sovereign and good despite his pain. Ultimately, Jesus, the Redeemer, is the eternal light to our present suffering. 

Election. Predestination. Many Christians feel anxiety when these are mentioned, but this need not be so. The Good Shepherd has known this sheep from before the foundation of the world, calls them by name, and leads them in abundant life. If you trust in him, you can rest knowing you are one of his sheep.

Jesus' second I AM statement declares that He is the Light of the World. The Light that Jesus offers separates the darkness. Are you in His light?

The family has been under attack since the Garden of Eden. But through the redemption found in Christ, the family can experience His presence through worship once again.

In this first sermon of Mosaic’s extended advent series, we seek to understand what Jesus meant when he said he is the “bread of life”. Are you starving or are you feasting?

The race that Paul describes to the people of Corinth is the Christian journey. Like all races, there is a finish line and a prize. But for the Christian, the prize Himself has already crossed the finish line. And with Jesus being the prize, the joy not only awaits us at the finish line, but is also the hope along the way.

What does it mean to be free in Christ? In this passage, Paul shows clearly that being free in Christ is not an excuse for pursuing selfish gain or worldly pleasure, but an opportunity to "become all things to all people" in order to show them the love of Christ. A Christian ethic is not a simple list of dos and don'ts. Rather, being a Christian is about our lives being shaped by love.

In this passage, Paul establishes his rights as an apostle, but his motivations aren't self-serving. Rather than using his rights, he shows that he applies the same principle shown in chapter 8 to his own life: using (or not using) his rights for others.

Naaman was a man that had won many battles in war. He was strong, mighty, and capable. However, he was also a leper that desperately needed to be healed. Through the healing of his leprosy, Naaman encounters the God of Elijah whom he would forever call his own God.

Christian freedom is often used as an excuse to break cultural taboos, but what if your freedom were meant for more than meeting your personal desires? In this passage, Paul applies a simple principle: your Christian freedom was meant to be used primarily for your brother's good, not just your own.

In our world, knowledge feels like something we have in unlimited access. Apart from Christ, knowledge can only lead to pride. But Paul shows the people of Corinth where true knowledge comes from and that it does not destroy but rather, builds up.

In this passage, Paul presents an intensely practical view of marriage, showing us that marriage, while good, is not the only - or even best - option for every Christian. Yet there is more in this passage than a discourse on marriage. By addressing such an important decision, we are encouraged to think clearly about every "yes" and "I do" in our lives, considering what brings the most glory to God, not simply what makes us happier here and now.

Gideon was called a man of valor while hiding from his enemies in a winepress. Not heroic by any standard. But, in just 3 chapters found in the book of Judges, God teaches a weak man how to trust in his Omnipotent Heavenly Father.

What is your calling? This question plagues many, but perhaps the answer easier to find than we often think. Your calling is not just your job or the individual actions you take - it's the collision of your salvation and your circumstances.

It's commonly accepted that serving is something we should do in church, but why should we serve, and how should we serve? In Romans 12, Paul uses our salvation as the launching pad for application, showing us that serving is worship, not mere necessity.

Much like todays society, Paul faced a culture than disregarded the beauty in God's plan toward marriage and singleness. However, Jesus is revealed to those in Corinth to be the only faithful groom. And it is His life that not only purchases but perfects His unfaithful bride.

The Trinity is on full display during the coronation of King Jesus. It is no surprise His baptism is recorded in all four gospels. Especially, when we see how imperative it is to our salvation.

Paul once again speaks to the Corinthians about Christ, who has died for their sake so that they may live more abundantly. Yet they are wandering in their sins, while claiming to be apart of a greater kingdom.

The majesty of the church is not found in its people, but in its Savior by whom the people were purchased. Paul explains this in chapter 6 as he implores to change the way the Corinthians see one another.

Despite the tragic story of Cain & Abel, Christ is shown brightly as the One whose blood speaks a better word.

Last week, we established that church discipline isn't meant for vengeance, but is for the good of the individual being warned to repent and believe. This week, we consider how church discipline works for the good of the church and the world around it. Ultimately, the message is clear and simple: Repent and believe in Jesus, then follow him in newness of life.

God calls his church to perform church discipline and even excommunicate those who cease to walk with Christ for their good. In this first part of our miniseries on church discipline, we look at how it is good for the individual being disciplined, and see that while walking through this process should never be happy for anyone involved, when done rightly, it is always for the good of all.

God provides many means for us to learn how to live as new creatures in Christ. First and foremost is his Word, but he also often provides people whose examples we can follow. Sometimes it just takes us looking for them. These spiritual parents not only give us examples, but correct and admonish in love. If there are spiritual parents in your life, lean on them. If you can be a spiritual parent to others, step up. Most of all, follow Jesus so that others see him in you!

One of the oldest stories to exist is not void of the gospel. From creation to the fall, and ultimately redemption: Jesus is on display as not just Creator but Savior.

As Christians we are called to continually be shaped by the Word of God. The church of Corinth felt they had arrived and did not need to grow any longer. This week we unpack what it means to always be reforming.

As Paul continues to combat the divisiveness in the church of Corinth, we are reminded of our position in Christ, encouraged to make good use of all God has given us, and reminded that everything is a gift from God.