Sermons on Mike Tyson:

Why Does Jonah Run From God, And Choose Death Over Life? (Jonah 1:1-16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 25, 2022

A reading of Jonah, that lets the book tell the story at its own pace.

Part of being a pastor or teacher in any church, is having this desire deep inside of you to teach through the book of Jonah. You can't help yourself. It preaches too well; it's too good of a story to ignore. Plus, every pastor knows the OT is hard and scary, but they also know they are ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16

Is It A Good Thing, When God Shows Mercy To You? (Jonah 2:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 30, 2022

A reading that continues to let Jonah tell its story on its terms, at its pace. We praise our God, who is the One Who Saves us.

I'm going to begin this morning, simply by rereading Jonah 1. I'm hoping, as we reread it, that you'll realize you understand it better, and differently, than before last week: (1) And the Word of Yahweh came to Yonah the son of Amittai, saying, (2) "Rise! Walk! to Ninevah ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Laws On Servitude (Exodus 21:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 3, 2022

Do what you have to do to pay the bills (vs. 1-6). And the "law of the daughter," which protects vulnerable women from being mistreated

Laws on "servitude" (Exodus 21:1-11) The past five weeks, we've explored five different rabbit trails connected to Exodus, one way or another. We talked about burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings. Then, we talked about three keys, of sorts, that help us understand how to read ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:1-11

When God Changes His Mind (Jonah 3:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 8, 2022

The king of Assyria knows that there's a chance that God will change his mind, and not bring about the promised judgment. God prefers to forgive, and bless. For three chapters in a row, God has shown mercy, not judgment.

The book of Jonah began in a surprising way. Yahweh called Yonah to go to Ninevah, and Yonah disobeyed. This is not what prophets do. Prophets obey. But Yonah ran the wrong direction, to the end of the known world, at Tarshish. When that didn't work, he chose death over Yahweh. He refused ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Numbers 22:18-25, 1 Samuel 15:10-29

How To Respond To Violence, Part 1 (Exodus 21:12-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 24, 2022

How should God's people live toward each other? The OT assumes that we will fight, and badly hurt each other. In the NT, God calls us to live in peace (and gives us his Spirit so we can).

We live in a time, and a place, when violent people do violent things all the time. The world as a whole feels unsafe, and it feels like it's getting worse. Every day, we get updates about some new terrible act of violence, and we go through life just sort of constantly thinking about it. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:12-19, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 14:17-19

Why Yonah Ran (Jonah 4:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 24, 2022

Finally, we learn why Yonah ran from the Word of Yahweh, and first chose death over life. Should God give people a chance to repent? Is it wrong, for God to show mercy? And if God did the right thing, who will be Yonah?

Let's start today by simply rereading Jonah 3. We need to get sucked back into our story, and there's no easier way to do it, than to just read it (NRSV updated): 3 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Laws On Violence, Pt. 2: How Bad A Boss Can You Be (Exodus 21:20-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 1, 2022

The OT answers the question, "How bad a boss can you be, and still keep possession of a slave?" The NT answers the question, "How can you be a great boss, in Christ?"

Today, we continue working through the laws on violence, in Exodus 21. Last week, we read about a few sins that were punishable by death, and a few that weren't. Let's start by simply rereading verses 12-19: (12) A striker of a man-- and he dies-- shall surely be put to death, (13) while ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:20-27, Ephesians 6:5-8

Pick Your Elders Carefully (Titus 1:1-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 20, 2022

Great leaders can strengthen the church; bad leaders can really harm it. So some advice on things to look for, in picking great elders.

Today we start a new series on Titus. I'm going for the record here, in how little I say about the book before we jump in. Verse 1: (1) Paul, a slave of God. Now, an apostle of Jesus Christ, in accordance with the faith(fulness?) of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth-- ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-15

Be A Blessing To The Nations (Exodus 1:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 20, 2021

An overview of the three main themes/promises of Genesis, with a transition to how Exodus shows God planning to fulfill his promise.

This morning we begin a new series on the book of Exodus. And I have to say, I'm excited about this. Just spending one week in Exodus was enough to make me incredibly happy. I think this will be interesting, and helpful spiritually. Now, I'm going to be up front about something. I ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-14

Abortion, Covid, And Dictators (Exodus 1:15-2:11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 25, 2021

A sermon on how dictators make foolish choices, and how God can overcome through faithful people.

Last week, we began our series on the book of Exodus. Let's start today, by rereading verses 1-14: (1) And these are the names of the sons of Israel-- the ones going to Egypt: With Jacob, each with his house went: (2) Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, (3) Issachar, Zebulun, and ...read more

Meet Moses, The Defender (Exodus 2:11-25) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 25, 2021

Moses is a picture of what "justice" is, in a true OT sense.

If I asked most of you to describe your spouse, or your boss, or a friend, you'd probably give me a list of their qualities. They're funny. Smart. Organized. Stubborn. Easy going. That's how we normally think about people-- with adjectives. But a few of you, maybe, would lean ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

When God And Moses Meet (Exodus 3:1-22) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 26, 2021

What God does in the world, He mostly does through you.

Our story today is a special one-- it's of when God, and Moses, meet. But this is not just a meeting. It's also a calling. Now, some of you may know parts of this story. I'd encourage you this morning to pretend you don't. Assume that you are missing something, that there is ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-22

God Is Flexible (Exodus 4:1-18) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 28, 2021

Exodus 4 paints a picture of what a genuine relationship with God should look like. God values us, and our input, and He's flexible in how He carries out his plans.

Today, we continue reading about when God and Moses meet. And, again, this is not simply a meeting. This is a commissioning. A calling. But what we've seen, is that Moses has no interest in being called. He has questions, concerns, and protests. In a perfect world, I would've been ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

4 Unrelated Sermons, On 4 Unrelated Stories (Exodus 4:18-31) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 29, 2021

(1) How to Say Goodbye; (2) God Wants you to Serve Him; (3) God took circumcision seriously; (4) Why we praise God.

There are parts of the Bible that lend themselves more to teaching/preaching than others. Today's passage, Exodus 4:18-31, doesn't lead to a smooth sermon. It's a series of four short stories. Each of these stories has its own little buildup and conclusion. Each of these stories has ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:18-31

How Brave Are You, Really? (Joshua 1:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 29, 2021

Real courage: holding a sword, and obeying/trusting God.

This morning, we start a new series on Joshua. Rather than explain anything, immediately, let's just dive right in. Joshua 1:1: (1) And then, after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua son of Nun, servant of Moses, saying, (2) "Moses my servant has died, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9