Sermons by Don Johnson and Brandon Ridley

Beloved Sons: What Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph tell us about Jesus and what it Means to be Children of God - Genesis 12-46

Don examines the parallels between the lives of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Jesus, explaining what they tell us about the nature and mission of Jesus and his Church.

Samaria and the Love of God - John 4:7-26

Don examines the nature of God's love, using the history of Samaria as a case study. He argues that the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well represents Samaria as a whole and that Jesus' interaction with her teaches us a lot about God's heart.

A New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Don focuses on the parallels between some of the major events in biblical history (including the flood and the crossing of the Red Sea) to show that God's overarching purpose in redemption is not just to forgive people, but to create (and re-create) for himself a family.

Love and Sacrifice - Leviticus 16:5-7

Don preaches about the relationship between love and sacrifice, explaining why God sometimes wants us to give up some stuff.

True and False - John 8:31-32

Brandon discusses how to approach the truth claims of Jesus.

The Blind Leading the Blind - Mark 10:35-52

Do we have the attitude of James, John or Blind Bartimaeus?

Cain and Abel - Genesis 4:1-10

Brandon talks about how to avoid some common mistakes churches and individuals make when evangelizing.

The Will of God – Romans 12:1-2

Brandon talks about the various ways in which the Bible uses the term “Will of God” and what it means for us to submit to that will.

Healing in His Wings – Luke 8:42-48

Brandon talks about why the sick woman grabbed on to the corner of Jesus’ cloak.

The Comfort Trap 08 – Matthew 13:1-23

In a revised and expanded version of one of Don’s favorite sermons, he explains why so many believers fall into lives of complacent mediocrity and suggests one thing we can do to avoid it

Why Evangelists Have a Bad Reputation – Evangelism Seminar

Don explains one of the key problems with contemporary evangelism and offers a solution.

Brandon shows how Jesus fulfills the mission of Moses and Elijah and explains how we are called to do the same job.

Don talks about the lesson of three New Testament incidents that take place at noon.

Don talks about an LA times reporter who gave up on God after seeing too much injustice in the world and offers an antidote to this type of discouragement.

Why You Must Forgive - Matthew 18

Brandon walks us through Mathew 18 in describing what forgiveness is and why it is so important that we forgive others.

How to Confront Sin in Other People - 1 Kings 18:16-39

Brandon explains what we can learn from Elijah about confronting sin in other people.

Do We Have To Take This Passage Seriously? - Ephesians 6:10-20

In Ephesians 6, God offers some safety instructions. Just how important are they? Don offers his take on the subject.

How To Deal With Our Most Frustrating Relationships - Ephesians 6:1-9

Parents, Children, Bosses and Employees. These people generally cause us more frustration than any other people in our lives. Don explains why and what to do about it.

God With Us - John 1:14

This sermon was preached near the start of the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. Don explains why he thinks this is probably the time of year when Jesus was actually born and why this date adds a depth of meaning to the event that is missing from December 25th.

The Faith Test - Exodus 15:22-16:20

What is faith, why does God require it rather than something else and how do you know you have it? Don addresses those questions and more in this sermon.

The Reason for the Rules - Matthew 5:21-6:24

Why does God give us all those rules? Don's answer may surprise you.

Ready? Or Not? - Mark 13:32-37

We've heard a lot about how unprepared everyone was for Hurricane Katrina and the 9-11 attacks. There is an even more important event coming that we need to be ready for: The Return of Jesus. Don explains that this event is more like a terrorist attack than a hurricane and we should prepare accordingly. Find out what that means in this talk.

Prophet, Priest and King - Multiple Texts

Brandon explains why Jesus is more than just the reason for the Christmas season.

The Covenant God - Exodus 31:18

Brandon sheds some light on the reasons God gave the Ten Commandments.

Tempting the Son of God - Genesis 3:6

Brandon reveals how Satan always uses the same strategy to try and bring down the children of God.

Shavuot - Leviticus 23:15-22

Brandon explains the relationship between the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), the giving of the law on Mount Sinai and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.

The Meaning of David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 17

The story of David and Goliath is about much more than God defeating the giants in your life. As Brandon explains, it is a theological battle.

The Most Important Verses in the Bible - Matthew 22:36-39

Brandon explains Jesus' answer to the question, "What is the greatest commandment?"

The Good Life Part 1 - Matthew 5:1-4

Everybody's chasing after the good life, right? But what if we are all wrong about what the good life looks like? Don shares Jesus' take on the subject in this message, which is part one of four in a series on the Beatitudes.

Don showed this graph to illustrate the sermon. You may find it helpful as you listen.

The Good Life Part 2 - Matthew 5:5

Our culture considers meekness to be equivalent with weakness. As Don explains, the reality of the situation is exactly the opposite.

The Good Life Part 3 - Matthew 5:6

Does God really care if we live holy lives? Are the beatitudes only for Super-Christians? Find out in this sermon.

The Good Life Part 4 - Matthew 5:7

Jesus says that the only people who will ultimately receive mercy from God are those who are merciful towards others. Can that be right? Is there a loophole somewhere? Don explains just how serious Jesus is.

A Rabbi with Authority - Mark 1:22

Brandon explains what it means for Jesus to be a rabbi with authority.

Heaven - Revelation 21:1-5

Wondering what Heaven will be like? This sermon is a good place to start.

God's Reason for Everything - Ezekiel 36:20-24

Don explains God's ultimate reason for doing everything He does. You can follow along with this outline.

The Return of the King - Revelation 19:11-16

Don analyzes the theology of some Chronicles of Narnia movie reviewers and explains why we should not accept their unbalanced view of Jesus.

Jesus and Johnny Cash - Romans 8:13

Don looks at Johnny Cash's life (and briefly reviews Walk The Line) and talks about why Romans 8:13 was Johnny's favorite verse.

When Jesus was Really Born (And What it Means) - John 1:14

Don gives a Christmas message at Thanksgiving, but there is a good reason for it.

Sin is No Big Deal, Right? - Genesis 3:4

Don starts a series titled "The Top Ten Lies of Satan."

What Righteousness is Not - Matthew 7:21-23

This is sermon 2 in the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

Faith Works - James 2:14-25

This is sermon 3 is the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

How to Develop Radical Faith - 2 Chronicles 20

This is sermon 4 in the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

The Lesson of the Desert - Matthew 4:1-4

Brandon brings sermon 5 in the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

The Politics of Jesus - Matthew 4:8-10

Don presents sermon 6 in the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

What Does it Mean to Submit to the Will of God? - Acts 16:6-10

This is sermon 7 in the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

What Satan Doesn't Want You to Know About Yourself - Romans 3:9-17

This is sermon 9 in the the "Top Ten Lies of Satan" series.

Does What You Believe Matter? - 2 Timothy 3:1-4:5

This is the final sermon in the series "The Top Ten Lies of Satan."

A Picture of Success - Meditations on the Life of Stephen - Acts 6:1 - 7:60

God's Top Priority - Luke 15

The Number One Thing You Should Know about God - Isaiah 6:1-8

How to Call Down Fire from Heaven - 1 Kings 18:16-39

Anybody Wanna Fight? - Matthew 10:34-39

The Gospel According to John - John 20

True Love - John 13:18-38

The Comfort Trap - Matthew 13:1-23

Life, Right In Front of Your Face - John 5:18-24

The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing but The Truth - John 18:33-38

What do you look for in religion? Comfort, practical advice for living, inspiration? Don explains that the one thing you must seek above all else is truth.

Trusting God When Life Sucks - Habakkuk 3:17-18

How is it possible to trust God when He allows bad things to happen? Find out here.

The Big Prize - Matthew 13:44-46

The Peril of False Assurance - Matthew 7:21-23

Over 90% of Americans think they are going to Heaven when they die. Don explains why he thinks many of them are wrong.

Rest for the Weary - Matthew 11:28-30

In the Presence of a Holy God - Isaiah 6:1-8

Are you prepared to meet God? Are you sure?


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