Serve and Obey: The Black-and-White Truth of 1 John

Servanthood: Losing Your Rights and Finding Joy

In this episode of Sermons of My Father, Landon Shaw revisits a 1989 sermon where his father, Lee Shaw, preached on servanthood at Common Ground Church. Drawing from Philippians 1 and 2 Corinthians 8, this message shows that true servanthood means surrendering rights, choosing unity, and finding joy in trials. Lee Shaw confronts disputes over worship styles, hymnals, and traditions, reminding believers that everything becomes common under Christ. He warns that avoiding accountability, like in the tragic Green family murders in Texas, leads to destruction. Landon reflects on his family’s own struggles with silence, the courage of his sister to speak truth, and the balance of give and take in marriage. He connects his father’s words to Leonard Ravenhill’s revivalist teaching and to psychology, showing why sacrifice sustains relationships and selfishness erodes them.

What Is Confession: Facing Sin, Finding Forgiveness

What does it mean to truly confess? In this episode of Sermons of My Father, Landon Shaw explores a 1986 message from his father, Pastor Lee Shaw, on 1 John 1 and the meaning of confession. Too often, Christianity has been framed as “victorious Christian living,” where sin is ignored, perfection is claimed, or faith is inherited without question. This sermon confronts those ideas head-on. John’s words are blunt: if you say sin doesn’t matter, if you say you are perfect, or if you say you’ve always been a Christian, you are lying to yourself. Through scripture and Greek word study (hamartia — sin, homologeō — confession), Lee Shaw defines confession not as ritual but as honesty. To confess is to speak in agreement with fact and truth. Landon weaves in his own reflections, wrestling with guilt, accountability, and the paradox of forgiveness. Along the way, he brings in Carl Jung’s idea of the shadow, Socrates’ daimon, and the story of Peter’s denial and restoration. In this episode you’ll learn: * What 1 John 1 teaches about sin and truth * Why confession is central to Christian faith and spiritual growth * How the Greek words hamartia and homologeō deepen our understanding * Why guilt, far from being destructive, is often a sign of light breaking in * How philosophy and psychology (Jung’s shadow, Socrates’ daimon) parallel the biblical call to confession * Why accountability matters in faith, family, and life Confession is not groveling. It is truth-telling. It is accountability. And without it, there is no light. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Serve and Obey: The Black-and-White Truth of 1 John

What does it really mean to know God? In this 1986 sermon on 1 John, Lee Shaw draws out the black-and-white clarity of the apostle John: light or darkness, truth or lies, obedience or disobedience. Through personal stories, Greek word studies, and sharp contrasts with Gnostic claims, this message calls believers to move beyond lip service into a life that actually walks like Jesus walked. In this episode, Landon Shaw revisits his father’s preaching with reflections on foundation, faith, and obedience — from milk to meat, from claiming to observing, from words to walk. Along the way, you’ll hear family stories, insights on Nathanael, and a moment where the shortest verse in Scripture, “Jesus wept,” becomes the heart of the call to serve and obey. Key themes include: The black-and-white contrasts of 1 John The four key Greek words: ginosko, tereo, entole, peripateo Spiritual foundations and maturity (milk vs. meat) Observing, abiding, and walking in Christ Integrity over intellectual claims Compassion and obedience: Jesus wept Available on iTunes, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. #Faith #Sermons #1John #Obedience #ServeAndObey #ChristianPodcast

Little Children: Discipline That Hurts, Love That Heals

In 1986, my father preached Little Children, a sermon on 1 John 2:12–14, Hebrews 12:11, and Matthew 18:3. He unpacked the biblical Greek words technia (beloved children) and paideia (discipline that shapes character), showing how Christian discipline is more than punishment — it is love, guidance, and belonging. I revisit that sermon through the lens of my own family. Lucas’s childhood prayers, Rebecca’s quick negotiations, Corey’s fearless fire, and my own whiny, attention-seeking ways all reflect what it means to grow as “little children” in faith and in life. This is a journey through scripture, memory, and the shaping that never ends. Keywords: 1 John sermon, Hebrews 12 sermon, Matthew 18 sermon, biblical Greek, technia meaning, paideia meaning, Christian discipline, spiritual growth, childhood faith, parenting and faith, sermons of my father.

Excuses: Faith, Fear, and the Voice in the Fire

In this episode of Sermons of My Father, Landon Shaw revisits a 1986 sermon by his father, Lee Shaw, preached on the calling of Moses in Exodus. Rooted in Exodus, Matthew 25, and Proverbs 28, this message confronts the excuses we give God—and ourselves. Through raw personal reflection, Landon explores what it means to live with imposter syndrome, hide behind logic, and delay obedience in the name of perfection. Drawing parallels between Moses’s resistance, the parable of the talents, and modern self-protection, this episode challenges listeners to stop trimming the wick and start carrying oil. With references to the Reformation, Christian culture, and the emotional honesty of Oh, Sleeper’s “In the Wake of Pigs,” this episode peels back the layers of spiritual posturing and calls for something real—obedience born of surrender, not shame. Whether you're burned out, rebuilding, or searching for something true, this sermon meets you where you stall. Key topics include: Spiritual excuses and delayed obedience The call of Moses and personal insecurity Matthew 25 and the parable of the talents Imposter syndrome and borrowed faith Emotional honesty and religious culture Theological reflection and psychological insight Sermon storytelling and personal deconstruction Bible passages covered: Exodus 3–4, Matthew 25:14–30, Matthew 5:3, Genesis 3:1, Proverbs 28:13 Featuring: Sermon by Lee Shaw Reflections by Landon Shaw