In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into Matthew 28:16-20, examining Jesus' appearance to his disciples on a mountain and the Great Commission. He highlights the disciples' mixed reaction of worship and doubt, drawing a parallel to Peter's experience of walking on water (Matthew 14:28-31). Ihfe emphasizes Jesus' authority over all things and His plan to use the church to spread His kingdom.

The speaker challenges the notion of following Jesus without the church, stressing that Jesus' plan involves His followers working together to make disciples. He encourages graduates and all believers to see their roles in life as opportunities to bring God's kingdom to earth. Ihfe concludes by reminding the congregation of their legacy in the faith and urging them to courageously live out the Great Commission in their daily lives.

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Karl Ihfe delivers an Easter sermon based on the book of Hebrews, exploring four key comparisons that demonstrate Jesus' superiority. First, Jesus is greater than the angels, as He is the Son of God who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3). Second, He is greater than Moses, being both fully human and the Creator. Third, Jesus is superior to every priest, offering a perfect, one-time sacrifice for sins. Finally, His sacrifice is greater than any other, covering the sins of the world for all time.

Ihfe emphasizes that Jesus' death and resurrection have profound implications for believers. It frees us from the fear of death, allows us to "approach the throne of grace with boldness" (Hebrews 4:16), provides complete salvation, and covers all our sins and shame. The sermon encourages Christians to persevere in faith, drawing strength from the great cloud of witnesses and fixing their eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe continues a series on endurance, focusing on Hebrews 11 and 12. He begins by reminding the congregation of the letter's context – written to a weary, persecuted church. Ihfe emphasizes the importance of holding onto faith and not losing confidence, quoting Hebrews 10:35-39 and referencing the prophet Habakkuk's words, "The righteous person will live by faith" (Hab. 2:4).

Ihfe then explores Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," highlighting examples of faithful people who endured despite challenges. He compares the Christian life to a marathon, acknowledging that we all hit walls in our faith journey. However, he encourages believers to persevere, drawing strength from the stories of those who have gone before us. Ihfe concludes by urging the church to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the ultimate example of endurance, and to continue meeting together for mutual encouragement and support.

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In his sermon "Running for Your Life," Dr. Rodney Thomas explores the concept of hope and trust in the face of life's challenges. He shares deeply personal experiences, including the tragic deaths of his father and brother, to illustrate the reality of hardship in a believer's life. Dr. Thomas emphasizes that following Jesus does not shield us from tragedy but provides the strength to persevere.

Rodney draws parallels between Jesus' suffering on the cross and our own struggles, highlighting Christ's unwavering forgiveness and love even in His darkest hour. He references Luke 23:32-38 and Hebrews 4:14-16 to underscore Jesus' role as our great high priest and advocate before God. Dr. Thomas concludes with a powerful call to action, urging listeners to place their trust in Jesus, follow His example of sacrificial love, and make a commitment to Him through confession and baptism.

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In his sermon, Karl Ihfe continues the "Running for Your Life" series, delving into Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. He explores the theme of spiritual journey, comparing the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt to our journey of faith. Ihfe emphasizes the danger of drifting into rebellion, referencing Psalm 95 and the Israelites' disobedience in the wilderness.

The speaker stresses the importance of community and encouragement, noting how the Hebrew preacher alternates between "you" and "we" language to foster a sense of shared responsibility. Ihfe illustrates this point with personal anecdotes and a news story about a losing ultimate Frisbee team, highlighting the value of perseverance and mutual support.

Ihfe concludes by urging the congregation to "stay on the road" of faith, encouraging one another daily, and holding onto hope for the ultimate victory in Christ. He emphasizes that while we may face challenges, our focus should be on progress rather than perfection as we journey towards God's promised rest.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the concept of the "lag" between what we hear in God's word and what we see in the world around us. Using Hebrews 2 and Psalm 8, he illustrates how we were created to rule with God, but sin disrupted this plan. Ihfe points to Jesus as the true human who has fulfilled this calling and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Ihfe acknowledges the tension we experience when we don't see everything subject to Christ yet, despite the promises we've received. He encourages believers to keep their eyes on Jesus, who has gone before us as our pioneer and guide. The sermon addresses the slavery to the fear of death that many experience and how Jesus frees us from this bondage.

Ihfe concludes by urging the church to persevere in faith, to meet together regularly, and to support one another in life's challenges. He reminds us that Jesus, being fully human, has experienced our temptations and struggles, making Him the perfect leader to follow as we navigate this "already but not yet" reality of God's kingdom.

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The Mar.16, 2025 Sunday morning sermon at Broadway Church of Christ oin Lubbock, TX.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the Book of Hebrews, addressing the central question: "Is it worth it to keep following Jesus?" He begins by highlighting how God has spoken throughout history, ultimately speaking through His Son, Jesus Christ. Ihfe warns against two common pitfalls in dealing with our past: amnesia (forgetting) and atavism (glorifying). Instead, he encourages believers to see how our history points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan.

Ihfe emphasizes Jesus' divinity and humanity, quoting Hebrews 1:3, which describes Jesus as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." He reminds the church that Jesus is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all things. The sermon concludes with a warning against drifting away from faith and an encouragement to hold on to Jesus, who intercedes for us before the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16). Ihfe urges believers to live into God's grand story rather than settling for a lesser dream.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe launches a Lenten series focused on the Book of Hebrews. He explains the purpose of Lent as a time of reflection and preparation, rooted in Biblical examples of 40-day periods. Ihfe then delves into the relevance of Hebrews for today's church, highlighting how both ancient and modern Christians struggle with the question, "Is it worth it?" to follow Jesus amidst persecution and challenges. Ihfe draws parallels between the early church's struggles and contemporary issues such as deconstruction of faith, institutional distrust, and political polarization within Christianity. He emphasizes the Hebrew preacher's message of perseverance, quoting Hebrews 10:35-36: "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Using the metaphor from the movie "Finding Nemo" of "just keep swimming," Ihfe encourages the congregation to endure in their faith, keeping their focus on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2). He concludes by challenging the church to read Hebrews and to support one another in the journey of faith.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the power and significance of prayer in the Christian life. Drawing from Luke 18, he emphasizes Jesus' teaching on persistent prayer, encouraging believers not to give up even when circumstances seem dire or God seems distant. Ihfe highlights Paul's prayer for the Philippian church, demonstrating how prayer shapes our hearts and helps us see the world through God's eyes.

The pastor stresses that God is not just a starter but a finisher, who will complete the good work He begins in us. He encourages the congregation to pray together, citing Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs us to pray in every situation. Ihfe explains that communal prayer ushers us into the reality of our need for one another and brings about a peace that defies understanding. He concludes by challenging the church to be people of prayer, partnering with God in His reconciling work in the world.

In this sermon, Chad Hammond delves into the concept of God's mercy as presented in the book of Romans. He begins by highlighting the importance of church attendance as a spiritual discipline that encourages the body of Christ. Hammond then focuses on Romans 12:1, particularly the phrase "in view of God's mercy," which leads him to explore Paul's exposition of God's mercy in the preceding chapters.

Hammond emphasizes that all people, regardless of background or religious observance, deserve God's wrath due to sin. However, through Christ's faithfulness, we receive God's righteousness and mercy. As Romans 8:1 states, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This understanding of God's mercy should transform how we view and treat others, including our enemies. Hammond concludes by urging the congregation to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21), reflecting the extravagant mercy we've received from Jesus.

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Chad Wheeler, CEO of Open Door, shares the organization's journey from a small gathering at Carpenter's Kitchen to a thriving ministry serving hundreds. He emphasizes the importance of building something that lasts, based on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24. Wheeler outlines three key steps to building in the way of the kingdom: listening, seeing Jesus in others, and responding to their needs.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the concept of walking in the way of love as a core tenet of Christianity. He begins by drawing parallels between inheriting traits from our earthly families and inheriting spiritual traits from our heavenly Father. Ihfe then focuses on Jesus' example of love, particularly in John 13 where He washes His disciples' feet.

The sermon delves into the transformation of the apostle John, from an aggressive and ambitious disciple to one who identifies himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." This change, Ihfe argues, came through John's experience of Jesus' love and the resurrection. Karl challenges the congregation to reflect on whether they show a family resemblance to God through their love, emphasizing that this should be the defining characteristic of Christians in a world that may not share their beliefs or values.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the concept of wisdom, distinguishing between earthly and heavenly wisdom as described in the book of James. He highlights how James, once skeptical of Jesus, transformed after witnessing the resurrection, leading him to write about true wisdom from God.

Ihfe explains that heavenly wisdom is characterized by action, humility, and peacemaking. He emphasizes that wisdom is not just knowledge, but the application of that knowledge in our lives. Using examples from Jesus' teachings and personal anecdotes, Ihfe illustrates how earthly wisdom often leads to envy, selfish ambition, and disorder.

Karl encourages his congregation to seek God's wisdom, reminding them of James' words in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." He concludes by urging listeners to apply this wisdom in their daily lives and relationships.

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In this New Year's sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into the question of how we measure a good life or a good year. He begins by referencing Psalm 128, which states, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him" (Psalm 128:1). Ihfe explains that this fear is not terror, but a reverent awe of God that leads to obedience.

Ihfe then turns to Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, to illustrate what a life of obedience looks like. He focuses on Matthew 7, where Jesus provides four images to help understand true discipleship: the narrow gate, the good tree, doing God's will, and building on the rock. These images emphasize the importance of not just knowing about Jesus, but actively living out His teachings.

The sermon concludes with a call to action for the congregation to either reaffirm their commitment to walking in obedience or to make that commitment for the first time. Ihfe encourages listeners to leave old habits behind and embrace new ones that align with God's will, emphasizing the importance of community support in this journey.

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