Sermons on Tyson:

The Conquest: A House Of Cards? Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 1, 2021

The three "onlys" in Joshua 1 provide the tension that drives the plot of the book. Will Joshua be brave? Will the people obey? And will Yahweh be with Joshua, as He was with Moses?

Let's start this morning, simply by rereading from the beginning of Joshua through verse 9: (1) And then, after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh said to Joshua son of Nun, the one serving Moses, saying, "Moses my servant has died, and so then, Rise!, Cross! over this ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:10-18

God Doesn't Shop Around (Exodus 6:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 6, 2021

In covenanting with us, God self-limits himself. He has committed to us, and here, He reminds Moses about how this works.

Last week, we ended on what was maybe the low point of the book of Exodus. Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron to go, and tell Pharaoh to let his people go. And they did. But when they spoke to Pharaoh, he resisted, hard. He didn't acknowledge Yahweh, and he wouldn't let the people go. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-13

God Upholds His End (Joshua 2:1-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 6, 2021

Here, we see God fulfilling his promise to be with Joshua. Things "work out" for the spies, when they should've died.

Last week, by the end of chapter 1, we had a pretty good feel for the questions we are supposed to bring to the book of Joshua as we read. Yahweh, Joshua, and Israel are going to work together to conquer the land of Canaan. All three-- Yahweh, Joshua, and Israel-- have pledged their commitment ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

We Serve A God Of Wonders (Joshua 3:1-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 7, 2021

God is a living God, and He is still a God of Wonders.

If someone asked you, what are the most amazing wonders God has ever done, how would you answer? Was it when God freed Israel from their slavery to Egypt? When God parted the Red Sea? When God raised Jesus from the dead? If you were an Israelite answering this question, one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Teach Your Kids: Yahweh Is A God Of Wonders (Joshua 4:1-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 11, 2021

Joshua sets up two memorials, in hopes that this will help the people remember, for all generations, God's wonders, and revere him, through all generations.

The easiest way to jump into today's passage is by turning back to Joshua 3:7-13. It begins with Yahweh's words to Joshua, right before He does the wonder He has planned for Israel. Verse 7: (7) And Yahweh said to Joshua, "On this day I shall/will begin to make you great in the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

That All Will Acknowledge Yahweh (Exodus 6:28-7:7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 11, 2021

God's end goal for Egypt, and the world, is that all will acknowledge and revere Him. And our calling, is like Moses' calling. God does this through us. Bonus discussion of Exodus 7:1, a key passage for Mormons and Word of Faith movement.

Let's start this morning by rereading Exodus 6:1-13. This will help us get sucked back into the story, and I'll teach you a cool little thing about how biblical narratives work. (1) and Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, because with a strong hand ...read more

Romans 6:23: "a Badly Misunderstood Verse" Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 15, 2021

Romans 6:23 contrasts the ultimate fate of people who live as slaves to Sin, and those who live as slaves to God. The sermon reads 6:23 in the larger context of chapter 6.

When I was a teenager, my youth group taught me something called the Romans Road, which was designed as a tool to help me tell people the good news about Jesus. Romans 6:23 is part of the Romans Road. Let's start by just reading it, in the ESV: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Stubbornness: A Virtue, And A Vice (Exodus 7:8-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 22, 2021

Being stubborn can be a good or bad thing, depending on: (1) if you're right, and (2) if you are stubborn in the right way, with love, and gentleness.

Let's start today by simply rereading Exodus 7:1-7: (7:1) And Yahweh said to Moses, "Look! I have made you God to Pharaoh, while Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. (2) You shall speak all that I command you, while Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, and he will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:8-24

The Making Of A Faithful People (Joshua 5:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 22, 2021

Joshua isn't simply about the conquest of Canaan. God is shaping his people, into truly becoming "his" people. (They'd been neglecting circumcision, and the Passover.)

Let's start today by simply reading our passage, Joshua 5:1-12: (1) And then, as soon as all the kings of the Amorites heard, who [were] on the other side of the Jordan to the west, with all the kings of the Canaanites who [were] at the sea, that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-12, Genesis 17:1-14, Exodus 12:43-49, Numbers 9:1-14

Take Off One Sandal-- The Place Your (Two) Feet Touch Is Holy (Joshua 5:13-6:27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 23, 2021

Why one sandal? And what does "holy" mean here, and in general?

Last week, AJ (Author of Joshua) began chapter 5 by messing with us. He reminded us that all the kings of the land were terrified by the Israelites, and their hearts had melted. It was then, at that time, that Yahweh commanded Joshua to make swords. We were all excited, thinking, NOW. NOW ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-27, Joshua 5:13-15

When The People Sin, And God Does Nothing (Joshua 7:1-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 26, 2021

When God does nothing, the simplest things become impossible.

Last week, we read about the conquest of Jericho. I tried to raise all sorts of weird, unpleasant questions, because I think the story raises these questions. Why did Yahweh mark off Jericho as dedicated to himself? Why were the Israelites supposed to kherem the city-- devote every single ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-24, 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

Yahweh Vs. The Last Resorter (Exodus 8:1-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 26, 2021

When people hit rock bottom, they will tell God anything-- sincerely. But what happens after God helps them?

Let's start today by rereading a portion of last week's plague, the Nile River turning to blood. Starting in Exodus 7:19: (19) and Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, Take your staff, and stretch out your hand upon the waters of Egypt-- upon their rivers, upon their canals, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-15

God Will Not Be Mocked (Exodus 8:16-32) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 30, 2021

Mocking God: telling him one thing, and then doing another.

Let's start today by reminding ourselves about the frogs, and where things stand with Yahweh, and Moses, and Aaron, and Pharaoh. Exodus 8:1 (I didn't realize how different the Hebrew numbering was until I'd finished last week, and I'm too lazy to change it; my bad; English Bibles ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:16-32, Galatians 6:1-8

Our Encouraging God (Joshua 8:1-29) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

After the setback at Ai, God encourages Joshua, and nudges him back toward Himself, and the job at hand. God is good, and loving, and encouraging.

Many of us can read the exact same words in the Bible, and draw completely different understandings from it. Some of you, when you hear me say this, think I'm talking about how Christians argue over meaning and interpretation. But I'm actually talking about tone. Let's open to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-29

Will Yahweh Be A Big God, For You? (Exodus 9:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

When we were kids, we knew the right answer, and lived the right answer. Now, though? Yahweh is The One Who Decides What Happens Next.

Let me start this morning, by asking two questions. These aren't rhetorical. Feel free to answer: Up to this point in Exodus, what plagues have we seen? (1) The Nile, and every body of water, turn to blood. (2) Frogs, everywhere. (3) Flies. (4) Gnats. And when we focus on Yahweh, what ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 9:1-12, Psalm 95:6-11, Isaiah 55:6-12