
Joseph Parker
- Sermons
- Bio
Back to God
2GEN 1:27GEN 2:24PSA 24:1MRK 10:61CO 15:24Joseph Parker preaches about the importance of getting back to the divine intention 'from the beginning of the creation,' emphasizing the need to understand God's original purpose for humanity and society. He contrasts the temporary laws and arrangements made by Moses with the eternal divine plan, urging listeners to focus on God's intent rather than human inventions. Parker highlights the significance of man's relationship with God, with fellow humans, animals, and nature, pointing towards a restoration of the original divine design for all aspects of life.
Judas Iscariot: A Study in Character
1MAT 12:32MAT 26:14MAT 26:24MAT 27:3JHN 6:70JHN 12:6JHN 17:12JHN 18:8ACT 1:25Joseph Parker preaches about the character of Judas Iscariot, challenging the congregation to reflect on the possibility of harboring monstrous and vile traits within themselves. He delves into the complexity of Judas' nature, emphasizing that even the most intellectual and influential individuals can fall into betrayal. Parker urges self-reflection, warning against the dangers of intellectual sagacity without spiritual grounding, highlighting the importance of humility, prayer, and closeness to God in leadership roles within the church.
God's Terribleness and Gentleness
0PSA 37:35PSA 55:22PRO 3:5ISA 33:14ISA 40:10ISA 41:10ISA 42:16ISA 57:15HEB 12:291JN 4:8Joseph Parker preaches about the contrasting truths of God's power and restraint, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing both aspects. He illustrates how God's power, like fire and water, can bring destruction or devastation when misused, yet can also provide warmth, refreshment, and life when properly regulated. Parker highlights the need for individuals to build their character with foresight and wisdom, just as they would build a house to withstand all seasons. He urges listeners to prepare for the rough seas of life by acknowledging God's judgment and righteousness, and to trust in His guidance and provision, especially in times of weakness and need.
The Effect of Pentecost
0ACT 2:141CO 2:41CO 2:13EPH 1:17COL 3:162TI 2:152TI 3:161PE 3:152PE 1:21Joseph Parker preaches about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit using Peter as a portrait of the effect of the outpouring of the Spirit on the entire church. He highlights Peter's heroic eloquence, profound insight into Scripture, strong grasp of prophecy, and powerful defense of Christian doctrine and truth when inspired by the Spirit. Parker emphasizes the importance of being unanswerably argumentative in faith and using Peter as a standard to measure our spiritual growth and understanding of the Bible.
The Sick of the Palsy
0PSA 139:1MAT 9:1MRK 2:5MRK 2:10ROM 2:4HEB 4:12JAS 2:26Joseph Parker preaches about the importance of understanding the deeper context of Bible verses, emphasizing the need to pay attention to the whole story and not just isolated texts. He highlights how Jesus never leaves a human heart willingly, but is often driven out by rejection or sin. Parker challenges listeners to reflect on how they treat Jesus in their lives and to honestly search their hearts for any hindrances to His presence.
The Unknowable God
0EXO 33:20MAT 6:9JHN 1:18ROM 1:28Joseph Parker preaches about the mystery of God being both unknown and unknowable, emphasizing that the limitations of human understanding cannot fully grasp the essence of God. He challenges the notion of trying to confine God within human logic or theological propositions, highlighting the beauty of God's mystery and the hope found in seeking Him despite His incomprehensibility. Parker encourages a shift in perspective from viewing God as merely Unknowable to embracing Him as Superknowable, Supervisible, and Supercomprehensible, allowing for a deeper and more luminous understanding of the divine.
The Revival of Religion
0PSA 85:6ISA 1:18MAT 5:16MAT 10:32MRK 8:38ROM 1:161CO 1:18PHP 2:152TI 4:21PE 3:15Joseph Parker preaches about the need for revival in the church, emphasizing the importance of a genuine revival rooted in clear doctrinal foundations and a true appreciation of sin and the work of Jesus Christ as the Savior. He highlights the necessity for a steady and penetrating glow of piety, fervor of love, and zealous affection in our Christian lives. Parker stresses the significance of faithful public ministry focused on preaching the Gospel and the need for sound, critical teaching to strengthen believers. He also encourages individual testimony to supplement the regular ministry and calls for influential individuals to boldly testify on behalf of Jesus Christ, rejecting the fear of sensationalism and emphasizing the urgency of living out our faith in all aspects of life.
Waiting Too Long
0PSA 27:14ECC 9:10ECC 9:12MAT 24:46JHN 5:3Joseph Parker preaches about the waiting and groaning of the impotent folk in the porches, likening it to the perpetual crisis of life where we are always on the brink of death. He emphasizes the importance of doing everything with diligence and being found faithful when the Lord returns. Parker highlights the contrast between patient waiting with hope and contentment in God's promises versus fretful impatience and distrust that wear the soul out.
Beyond Our Need
0JHN 2:1JHN 3:161CO 11:24EPH 1:7COL 3:17Joseph Parker preaches about the abundance of Jesus Christ, highlighting how He always gives more than what is needed, whether it's wine at a wedding feast or bread for the hungry crowds. Jesus doesn't just save sinners with a little help; He offers eternal salvation and everlasting redemption, capable of lifting the world to heaven. Every action of Jesus is significant and sacramental, sanctifying even the smallest details and making them profound symbols of His love and grace.
A Battle of Love
0JHN 6:152CO 5:142CO 9:71PE 5:2Joseph Parker emphasizes the importance of the Church ruling by love, following the example of Jesus who did not seek to rule by force. He highlights the need for the Church to be an attraction in itself, not resorting to compulsion or punishment to enforce attendance or biblical learning. Parker stresses that everything done in the Church should be out of a willing mind and motivated by the love of Christ, rather than by force or obligation.
Religion of the Heart
0JHN 7:15ROM 5:11CO 1:25PHP 4:71PE 1:8Joseph Parker emphasizes that true religion is not learned through academic knowledge but is a divine experience in the soul, a communion with God that transcends human understanding. He contrasts the eloquence of heartfelt emotion and genuine connection with God to the superficiality of religious practices based on routine and tradition. Parker encourages embracing the various expressions of faith and learning, highlighting that Christianity is about peace, joy, and a profound relationship with God that surpasses human comprehension.
Jesus' Way
0PSA 32:8MAT 7:7JHN 9:1JHN 14:6REV 3:20Joseph Parker emphasizes how Jesus, in His divine wisdom, intentionally passed by a blind man from birth to demonstrate grace's necessities and love's predestinations. Jesus actively sought opportunities to do good, showing us the importance of looking for ways to help others. Through various means, Jesus subtly but persistently reaches out to those who need Him, guiding them towards redemption, purification, and eventual glory in heaven. Every impulse to pray, every moment of clarity and truth, and every noble influence can be traced back to the touch, glance, and blessing of Christ.
What to Do
0MAT 20:28LUK 22:27JHN 13:15PHP 2:51PE 5:5Joseph Parker preaches about the supreme consciousness of Jesus Christ, highlighting His humility and servanthood as an example for us to follow. He emphasizes the contrast between the desire for greatness in human consciousness and the humility displayed by Jesus in washing His disciples' feet, despite knowing His divine authority and power.
Looking for the Wrong Things
0JHN 4:24ACT 17:281CO 2:15GAL 5:25EPH 5:18Joseph Parker emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual discernment rather than being preoccupied with intellectual arguments or seeking elaborate proofs. He urges believers to focus on purity of heart, love, and a childlike desire for the essence of Christ, rather than getting caught up in understanding miracles and signs. Parker encourages a return to a childlike faith that seeks after God's heart, love, and redemptive purpose, leading to a deeper spiritual insight that can only come from being rooted in God's presence.
Destruction and Construction
0PSA 27:14PRO 24:16ISA 41:10ROM 8:282PE 3:9Joseph Parker delivers a sermon emphasizing the ease of destruction, contrasting it with the patience and saving power of Jesus Christ. He highlights the destructive nature of infidelity and the importance of giving time for salvation to work in individuals. Parker urges believers to be patient and persistent in their faith, trusting in the constructive and preserving work of Christianity, which requires time, long-suffering love, and audacious beneficence.