Berea Baptist Church of Durham NC Podcast

Joy Beyond Legalism

2.22.26 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Matthew 9:1-8 So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town. [2] Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven." [3] At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, "He's blaspheming!" [4] Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? [5] For which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? [6] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-then he told the paralytic, "Get up, take your stretcher, and go home." [7] So he got up and went home. [8] When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew  9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me," and he got up and followed him. [10] While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" [12] Now when he heard this, he said, "It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. [13] Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners."

 

Are You Willing?

2.15.26 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Matthew 8 offers us a broad picture into the depth of the Jesus, and his ability to perform miracles. This sermon examines the diversity of these events and simply asks the listener: Are You Willing?

Matthew 8:1-4: When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. [2] Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." [3] Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, "I am willing; be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. [4] Then Jesus told him, "See that you don't tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Are you Willing?

1. Are you willing to come to Jesus and trust Him with all your brokenness, uncleanness, mess, and junk?
2. Are you willing to go to Jesus on behalf of others with full assurance that He can move mountains for whosoever regardless of the world’s labels?  How do we muster and attain such a faith like that of the centurion?
3. Are you willing to get up and serve?
4. Are you willing get in the boat with Jesus, knowing the possible dangers of the journey?
5. Are you willing to be rejected—run out of town—persecuted because of Jesus?

Flimsy and Foolish Foundations

2.08.26 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [27] The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” [28]When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, [29]because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11: According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.

Please Pass The Salt!

1.18.26 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Matthew 5:13 CSB: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 

Although we must monitor salt intake,

none can ever have too much Jesus!

We are called to be the 'salt of the earth' yet not salty

Teaching, Preaching, and Healing

1.11.26 sermon by Dr. Robert Wortham

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 CSB: Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. [10] For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. [11] Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? [12] And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Matthew 4:23-25 CSB:  Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [24] Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. [25] Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Prepare the Way: a Voice is Calling

1.4.25 sermon by Phillip Mumford

John 1:29-30: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I told you about: 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’” 

John the Baptizer: ’I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of him.' [29] He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom's voice. So this joy of mine is complete. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:28-30

Matthew 3:1-6, 13-17: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea [2] and saying, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!" [3] For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! [4] Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him, [6] and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins…. [13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. [14] But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?" [15] Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John allowed him to be baptized. [16] When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

And There It Was!

12.28.25 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Matthew 2: 9-11 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was-the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Shepherds of the Good Shepherd

12.14.25 sermon by Dr. Robert Wortham

Psalm 23; Luke 2:8-20

Bethlehem Companions

12.7.25 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

Through Isaiah's Eyes: Standing on God's Promise

11/30/25 sermon by Phillip D. Mumford

First Sunday of Advent

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Isaiah is a poetic masterpiece that paints a picture hope in the midst of doom, light in the presence of darkness. The name Isaiah has been referred to as "the prince of prophets" and his name means the LORD is salvation. The book of Isaiah has been consider the "5th gospel" and is referenced over sixty times in the New Testament.

Isaiah introduces us to the term Immanuel: God with us, informing the generations to come that the arrival of the messiah is imminent, that hope is on the way.  

Isaiah 9:2,6-7 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. [6] For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. [7] The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.

(Sorry: the very beginning was accidentally clipped. "An eccentric rich man asks his pastor, his doctor , and his lawyer to place $10,000 in coffin to be buried with him.)