Puffed up or Faithful

Behold your King

In this Palm Sunday message, we walk through Bartimaeus, the triumphal entry, and Jesus’ quiet arrival at the temple to see a powerful truth: Jesus did not come merely to relieve pressure around us, but to reclaim the center of our lives. The crowd shouted “Hosanna,” but Jesus was moving with full purpose toward the cross, toward cleansing, and toward the deeper work of renewal. This sermon explores the humility of Christ, the meaning of “Hosanna,” the significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, and why His first destination matters so much. He is the promised King, the peaceful King, and the King who lovingly confronts what has been ruling us beneath the surface. If you’ve ever asked Jesus to fix your stress, your fear, your relationships, or your circumstances, this message invites you to go deeper: not just “Jesus, remove this,” but “Jesus, renew me.” Watch, reflect, and respond to the King who is worthy not only of praise, but of surrender. Subscribe for more biblical preaching, gospel-centered teaching, and resources for spiritual growth and church leadership.

Behold the King

Have you ever felt a room change when someone with real weight walks in? That’s how the Gospel of Mark begins—no long introduction, no warm-up. Jesus enters with authority. In Mark 1–2 we see what happens when the King steps forward: disciples drop their nets, unclean spirits obey, fever leaves, and a paralyzed man not only walks—he’s forgiven. But Mark also shows something sobering: it’s possible to be close to Jesus and still resist Him in your heart. Jesus’ invitation is clear: “The time is fulfilled… the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe.” This isn’t about admiration; it’s about allegiance. Repentance is turning from the throne you’ve tried to hold. Faith is putting the full weight of your life on the good news of the King. And at the table, we remember: forgiveness isn’t cheap. Jesus can forgive our sins because He chose to bear them—body broken, blood poured out. As you watch, ask yourself: When Jesus shows up… will you answer?

The Soundtrack of your Soul

What’s the “soundtrack” playing under your life right now? In this Lent message from Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, we open Habakkuk 3 and talk about the anxiety we carry when the future feels unstable. Sometimes the scene of our life has not changed, but the music underneath it has. Fear gets loud. Sleep gets thin. We brace for impact. Habakkuk knew that feeling. He was honest about trembling, yet he chose to remember God’s past faithfulness, wait with trust, and relocate his joy from what life gives to who God is. This is not pretending everything is fine. It’s learning steady hope when life is still shaking. If you feel stuck in “worst-case scenarios,” this message is for you. Scripture: Habakkuk 3 (with echoes of the Exodus story)

Puffed up or Faithful

In this sermon, Pastor Mike Killeen explores the spiritual dangers of relying on self-confidence rather than divine guidance, using the biblical book of Habakkuk to illustrate the fragility of human pride. He compares our tendency to ignore God's "instructions" to building faulty furniture, noting that while ambition and control may appear successful initially, they eventually collapse under the weight of life's pressures. By examining the fall of Babylon and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Killeen highlights the contrast between those who are "puffed up" by their own achievements and the righteous who live by consistent faith. The text emphasizes that true security is found only by surrendering personal control and trusting in the sovereignty of God. Ultimately, the source serves as a call to move away from image-driven lives and toward a deep, settled reliance on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Two Stages, One Divided Nation

If you were anywhere near social media after the Super Bowl, you felt it. The halftime show featuring Bad Bunny lit up one side of the internet. The Turning Point USA Celebration of America honoring Charlie Kirk lit up the other. Kid Rock stepped in, sang “Till You Can’t,” and then gave a clear gospel invitation about Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, a sign behind the halftime performance declared, “The only way to beat hate is with love.”