Covenant Church RVA Sermons

This sermon teaches that a disciple is a citizen of Christ’s kingdom.Pastor Josh uses the book of Matthew to emphasizes that citizens must confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, not merely as a teacher or prophet.He explains that the local church is entrusted with the “keys of the kingdom,” recognizing believers through membership and baptism and practicing loving discipline when needed.The sermon ends with confidence that Jesus will build His church and advance His kingdom despite all opposition.
 

The sermon teaches that a disciple is fundamentally a worshiper of God, based on Romans 12:1–2.It explains that Christian worship flows from God’s mercy in Christ, not from an attempt to earn His favor.True worship is comprehensive, continual, and corporate—offering all of life to God together with His people.It calls believers to resist the world’s influence through renewed minds shaped by Scripture.Pastor Josh closes by urging people to examine what they worship and to live transformed lives that please God.
 

The sermon focuses on God calling Abram out of idolatry and hopeless circumstances to become the means of blessing for the nations.The message points out that God graciously calls unlikely people and uses them to accomplish His unstoppable plan of redemption.Abram receives the promise of a new place, a new people, and a new purpose—promises ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the true offspring of Abraham.The sermon calls listeners to come to Christ for salvation and, if already believers, to join God’s mission by sharing the gospel and helping multiply healthy churches.
 

Genesis 10–11 explains the Tower of Babel as a story of humanity’s pride, self-protection, and desire to make a name apart from God. Pastor Josh shows that sinful societies try to “reach up” in vain, but God graciously “comes down” to judge, restrain, and ultimately redeem. Babel exposes the foolishness of seeking significance and security in our own achievements rather than in the Lord. The sermon points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment: God coming down not to scatter, but to save and gather sinners to Himself.
 

Genesis 8:20–9:29, presents the flood as a “divine reboot” that preserved creation but could not change the sinful human heart. The main point is that while the flood could not remove sin within humanity, that sin cannot stop God’s redemptive plan.
 
Pastor Josh highlights that sin does not change God’s purpose for people, cannot break God’s covenant promise, and will not stop God’s plan through the promised Redeemer. Noah’s failure shows humanity still needs a Savior, and the sermon points to Jesus as the true and better deliverer who covers sin, satisfies God’s wrath, and gives new hearts.
 

In the sermon on Genesis 6:1–8:19 , pastor Eric emphasizes that God rightly judges sin while graciously saving His people. Noah’s story shows both the seriousness of humanity’s corruption and the mercy of God, who provided the ark as a means of salvation. Noah’s faith responded to God’s grace through obedience, endurance, and proclamation. Ultimately, the ark points forward to Christ, the true and final refuge from judgment, calling believers to savor God’s grace and live by active faith.
 

Guest Pastor - Matt Smethurst - River City Baptist Church
 
Jesus opens blind eyes and patiently brings people to see Him more clearly, both physically and spiritually.
 
In Mark 8:22–30, the healing of the blind man illustrates the disciples’ partial understanding, while Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ”—marks a pivotal moment of spiritual sight.
 
The sermon calls listeners to humility, patience, faith, and encouragement, reminding the church that Christ is steadily clearing our vision. Ultimately, Jesus is fully understood through His suffering and death, where He brings sinners from darkness into light.
 

The sermon explains that Genesis 5 is more than a list of names—it reveals the story of the family of faith from Adam to Noah.Pastor Josh highlights three marks of that family: they walk with God like Enoch, trust in God’s promised Savior like Lamech, and will ultimately be rescued by God.The message points to Jesus as the promised Son who defeats sin and death, brings true relief from the curse, and calls people to live by faith while eagerly awaiting His return.
 

The sermon on Genesis 4 contrasts “the way of Cain” with “the way of the Lord,” showing that Cain’s false worship, anger, and violence lead to destruction, while God responds with pursuit, warning, mercy, and faithfulness.
The message emphasizes that Cain’s rejected offering was not about the type of gift but the absence of true faith, exposing the danger of outward religion without a sincere heart.
Though Cain murders Abel and builds a line marked by rebellion, God still shows mercy and preserves His promise through Seth, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the true and better Abel.
The sermon calls listeners to call on the Lord for salvation, endure suffering faithfully, and resist sin before it destroys.

In Genesis 3, Pastor Josh centers on the devastating consequences of sin: hiding from God, blame-shifting, relational discord, difficult work, death, and separation from God. Yet in the middle of judgment, God gives the first promise of the gospel: a coming deliverer who would crush the serpent.
That conqueror is Jesus, who defeats sin and opens the way back to God through His death and resurrection. The sermon calls listeners to stop hiding, trust in Christ, and share the good news that the conqueror of sin is greater than sin’s consequences.
 

The sermon from Pastor Eric, Genesis 3:1-7, explains how temptation begins by questioning God’s goodness and shifting attention from His generosity to His restrictions.Adam and Eve’s sin reveals that disobedience is rooted in the heart long before it appears in outward actions.The sermon warns that shame often leads us to hide or cover ourselves, but God calls us to repentance instead.Ultimately, it points to Christ as the better Adam, whose righteousness fully covers our guilt and restores our hope of paradise with God.

The sermon teaches from Genesis 2:18–25 that marriage is a covenantal union designed and defined by God. It emphasizes that marriage is between one man and one woman, joined together by God, and meant to display His glory.
Pastor Josh teaches that marriage is not merely a legal contract or cultural tradition, but a lifelong promise rooted in God’s design. Ultimately, earthly marriage points beyond itself to Christ’s covenant-keeping love for the church, calling believers to embrace both God’s design for marriage and Christ as the ultimate bridegroom.

This sermon focuses on Genesis 2:18–23 and teaches that biblical womanhood is essential to God’s design for humanity. Pastor Eric Josephsen teaches that women are equally valuable image-bearers of God, uniquely created to help fulfill humanity’s purpose alongside men. Pastor Eric emphasizes three main points: humanity needs women, God has a distinct role for women, and God has given women a glorious design. Pastor Eric closes by connecting Adam and Eve to Christ and the church, calling believers to celebrate and defend God’s design for men and women.

The sermon explores Genesis 2 and God’s design for manhood, emphasizing that a real man knows where he belongs: in the presence of God. Pastor Josh teaches that men are called to work, cultivate, and protect what God has entrusted to them for His glory and the good of others. The message also highlights that true manhood depends on trusting God’s Word rather than self-rule. Ultimately, Jesus is presented as the perfect man who succeeded where Adam failed and makes the way back to God possible.

Pastor Josh teaches that God created Sabbath rest as a gift, and humanity’s deep rest is ultimately found in Christ. Because of sin, people live restless lives, but Jesus offers rest now for weary souls and eternal rest in the life to come. The message also encourages believers to practice regular rhythms of worship and rest as a reminder that they belong to God and are still journeying toward their final home.