Gardendale Nazarene Sermons

John Parrish
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Sermons from Gardendale Church of the Nazarene in Gardendale, Alabama.

  1. May 17

    05-17-2026 The Mind of the Master (Philippians 2:1-13)

    The Mind of the Master Philippians 2:1-13 Philippians 2:5-8 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God,did not consider equality with Godas something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himselfby assuming the form of a servant,taking on the likeness of humanity.And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedientto the point of death—even to death on a cross. Philippians 1:27-28 27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.  standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents.  This is a sign of…your salvation– and this is from God.  Philippians 1:29-30 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have. Matthew 5:10-16 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Philippians 2:1-4 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ,  if any consolation of love,  if any fellowship with the Spirit,  if any affection (splanchnon-inner core, 1:8) and mercy (compassion/kindness),  Encouragement & Comfort in Christ (2:1a) Fellowship, tenderness, & compassion in the Spirit (2:1b) Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. “united in spirit” CSB, NASB “one in spirit” NIV “being of one accord” KJV What is life’s core principle for living? Philippians 2:9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, What is life’s core principle for living? Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in Christ’s core principle, intent on one purpose Philippians 2:3-4 Paul is calling the church, not to agree on everything.  Rather for us to be co-souled. The Christian life begins with receiving (encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness & compassion).  Those secure in Christ don’t need to win every argument. Where is one practical act of ‘looking to the interests of others’ for you this week?

  2. May 10

    05-10-2026 A Life Worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-30)

    A Life Worthy of the Gospel Philippians 1:12-30 Philippians 1:12-30 "To live is for Christ" ”To live is like Christ" "To live is about Christ" “To live IS Christ.” Three Dimensions of the Equation Christ is the Source of Life Christ is the Substance of Life Christ is the Fulfillment of Life To live is Christ because Christ is the answer to the deepest question life has ever asked. ”Why I want to go on living." When Christ is your reason for living, every circumstance– including the worst– becomes an opportunity for His glory. Adversity becomes a pulpit. “To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain.” If life = Christ, then death = more Christ.  The equation is unbroken on either side of the grave.

  3. May 3

    05-03-2026 The Affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1-11)

    The Affection of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:1-11 Prayer of Sir Francis Drake Disturb us, Lord, when We are too well pleased with ourselves, When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little, When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when With the abundance of things we possess We have lost our thirst For the waters of life; Having fallen in love with life, We have ceased to dream of eternity And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision Of the new Heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars. We ask You to push back The horizons of our hopes; And to push into the future In strength, courage, hope, and love. AMEN Philippians 1:1-11 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  Philippians 1:4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,  Philippians 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indicative: serving as a sign or indication of something What does Paul mean by “good work”? • Abounding Love • Real Knowledge & Discernment (vs 9) • Ability to Approve What is Excellent (vs 10) • Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness (vs 11) • Pure & Blamelessness (vs 10) • Glory & Praise to God (vs 11) Applying Philippians 1:6-11 • Memorize Philippians 1:6 • Pray Philippians 1:9-11 • Allow God to continue His good works in you

  4. Apr 26

    04-26-2026 Speaking the Word of the Lord (Acts 16:16-34)

    Speaking the Word of the Lord Acts 16:16-34 Acts 13:9 But Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas Acts 6:6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Acts 16:11-15 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:16-18 16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.” 18 She did this for many days. Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away. πυθων- python “…who had a python spirit…” Acts 16:19-34 19 When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household. • These stories show us the assurance found in following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. • When we listen to the Spirit, the Lord’s ‘no’ becomes part of His ultimate ‘yes.’ • Being guided by the Spirit involves risk. • There’s no better place to be than in the center of God’s movement. How do we follow God's 'Yes'? 1. Be ready to be surprised by God. 2. Be flexible and willing to adjust to God’s work. 3. Embrace the Lord’s ‘no.’ 4. Pray expectant prayers and be ready to step out of your comfort zone.

  5. Apr 19

    04-19-2026 Here’s the Way! (Acts 9:1-19)

    Here’s the Way! Acts 9:1-19a Acts 9:1-2 2 Samuel 22:31 God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure.He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. Psalms 27:11 Because of my adversaries, show me your way, Lord, and lead me on a level path. Psalms 25:4 Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Acts 9:3-31 Saul of Tarsus Ananias of Damascus Barnabas How the Way begins How the Way grows How the Way is deepened Acts 8:3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. Acts 9:3-5  How the Way begins How the Way happens to us How the Way grows How the Way is accomplished through us How the Way is deepened How the Way works between us Walking the Way This Week • Identify one area where you are “in the way” instead of “on the Way,” and repent. • Choose one Ananias-action (costly obedience) and one Barnabas-action (costly encouragement) to practice. • Pray daily, “Lord Jesus, lead me in your Way today, and make me part of your Way for someone else.”

  6. Apr 12

    04-12-2026 Bestowing the Spirit (John 20:19-31)

    Bestowing the Spirit John 20:19-31 John 20:19-31 19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. The Mission of God (Mission Dei) 1. God, who is love, is missional and has a mission. 2. Scripture bears witness to God’s mission. 3. The church is called and sent to participate in this mission. “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. “Peace be with you.” John 20:22-23 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission. 2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21). Who is it that you are seeking? • Rabboni! My Teacher! (vs. 16) • “I have seen the Lord.” (vs. 18) • “...the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” (vs. 20) • “We’ve seen the Lord!” (vs. 25) • “My Lord and my God!” (vs. 28) John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission. 2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21). 3. In our “sent-ness,” we are given a task– forgiveness and retaining. To forgive (aphiemi) to release, to dismiss John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Sin is taken away when unbelief is removed, and people are restored to a relationship with God. To retain (krateō) to hold to account John 15:26-27  26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission. 2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21). 3. In our “sent-ness,” we are given a task– forgiveness and retaining. 4. As disciples, we are to voice our convictions in a world where the truth is not obvious.

  7. Apr 5

    04-05-2026 The Empty Tomb (John 20:1-18)

    The Empty Tomb John 20:1-18 John 20:1-18 1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. 11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her. “Who is it that you are seeking?” John 19:17-22 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.” Jesus’ death was not just for insiders; it was for the whole world. The Hebrew longed for family. The Romans longed for order. The Greeks longed for truth. “Who is it that you are seeking?” Same Jesus. Same cross. Same King. Same empty tomb. The cross may speak to you in your language (where you are), but it calls all of us to follow the same King.

  8. Mar 29

    03-29-2026 Remembering, Teaching, Pointing to Truth (John 12:12-27)

    Remembering, Teaching, Pointing to Truth John 12:12-27 John 12:12-16 12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna!Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid,Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming,sitting on a donkey’s colt. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. John 2:18-22 18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made. Cleansing the Temple “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days...” The Triumphal Entry “Hosanna!” “I beg you to save us!” “...Look, your King is coming sitting on a donkey’s colt.” John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. Remind Teach Holy Spirit Remind- maintains the connection with the past, with what Jesus said and did during His ministry. We are pulled into the message we've already received.  1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Teach- opens new insights into the legacy of Jesus “If reminding anchors the life of the community in what it has already received from Jesus, teaching ensures that the message continues to speak to the changing contexts in which Jesus’ disciples live.” –Craig R. Koester 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. The Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus said and did by keeping the tradition alive. • The Holy Spirit teaches us by moving us beyond the repetitive nature of tradition towards a profound understanding of its significance.

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Sermons from Gardendale Church of the Nazarene in Gardendale, Alabama.

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