Stonebridge Bible Church Sermons

In this message, we go back to the very beginning to explore God’s original design for work and purpose. Long before the Fall, before brokenness or burnout, God was working—crafting, shaping, and cultivating a good world. And then He made us in His image… to do the same.Through Genesis 1 and 2, this sermon unpacks what it means to be image-bearers of a working God—called not just to survive, but to build, design, innovate, and create beauty in the world around us. From the artistry of nature to the development of glass, architecture, and instruments, we see that cultivating culture is part of our divine assignment.This isn’t just about your job. It’s about seeing all of life—parenting, gardening, city planning, entrepreneurship, and even changing diapers—as meaningful in the eyes of God.God didn’t just make a world to admire. He made a world to build upon. You were created to cultivate.📖 Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:1-9, Psalm 145, Psalm 147

Is work just a necessary evil, or could it be something sacred?In this opening message from our summer series at Stonebridge, we dive deep into a topic rarely preached on but incredibly relevant to all of us: work. From Genesis to Jesus, we discover that the God of the Bible is not just a distant deity—He is a working God. He creates, sustains, and rules—and He calls us to do the same.This sermon explores: 1. How God’s identity as Creator, Sustainer, and Worker shapes our view of work 2. Why work is not a result of the fall but part of God’s original design for humanity 3. The danger of both laziness and workaholism in a culture confused about rest and purpose 4. How Jesus’ life as a carpenter and His mission-driven ministry reflect the sacredness of work 5. What it means to bear God’s image by bringing order, beauty, and fullness into the world through what we doWhether you’re a CEO or a stay-at-home parent, a tradesperson or a student—your work matters. You were made in the image of a God who works. And your work, done in faith and for His glory, is a sacred calling.📖 Genesis 1 | Hebrews 1 | Colossians 1 | 1 Thessalonians 4

What carries us from this life to the next? God’s grace—freely given, endlessly sufficient, and eternally secure.📖 Key Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:10, Titus 3:4–7, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 14:1–2, 1 Peter 1:3–4In this message, we explore five avenues of God’s grace:1. Saving Grace – God's love appeared in Christ, not because of our merit, but entirely by His mercy.2. Sanctifying Grace – God's grace doesn’t stop at salvation—it shapes and strengthens us daily through His Word, prayer, community, and trials.3. Sustaining Grace – When we are weak, He is strong. Paul’s life reveals that endurance in hardship flows from grace, not human effort.4. Serving Grace – Grace empowers believers to serve, not out of obligation, but joyful surrender.5. Sealing Grace – Our hope is secured in Christ, with heaven prepared, our names written, and our joy complete in His presence.This sermon reminds us that grace is not just God's favor—it's His power to save, sustain, and transform. It’s grace that holds us every step of the journey, and it’s grace that will welcome us home.

In this message, we examine one of the most sobering and straightforward teachings of Jesus from Matthew 7:13-14 — the reality that life offers only two paths.📖 Key Scripture: Mathew 7:13-14Jesus presents:1. Two Gates2. Two Ways3. Two Destinations4. Two Groups of PeopleThis passage reminds us that the way of life is narrow, intentional, and found only through Christ. It's a call to examine which gate we have entered, which path we are on, and which destination we are headed toward.Join us for this important teaching that challenges us to walk the path that leads to life — and to invite others to do the same.

In this message from John 12:20-26, we encounter Jesus’ final public words—a call not to ease or comfort, but to a life of surrender. As Jesus approaches the cross, He reveals that true glory comes through sacrifice, and true life through death to self.The crowd anticipated a conquering King, but Jesus came as the suffering Savior—declaring that unless a grain of wheat falls and dies, it remains alone. Likewise, to follow Him means daily self-denial, living not for this world, but for the glory of God and the life to come.Through rich teaching, we’re reminded that the call of Christ is not hidden in fine print: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” This is the path to fruitfulness, joy, and the presence and honor of God.

How do you respond when life gets hard? When trials come, do you shut down—or look up?In this sermon from James 1:1–8, we’re reminded that trouble isn’t random. God uses difficulty to shape, stretch, and strengthen our faith. It’s not about escaping the hard things—it’s about learning to see them with spiritual clarity.James encourages believers to count it all joy—not because the pain disappears, but because God is at work in the midst of it. This message walks through three key shifts in perspective that help us triumph in trouble:Key Points:1. You see It for what it is...the BEST making you BETTER!2. You see YOURSELF for who you are...not FINISHED and not ABLE!3. You see GOD for who He is...GREAT and GOOD! Always GIVING and COMMITTED to your GROWING!When we begin to see our trials through God’s lens, we gain endurance, wisdom, and a deeper dependence on Him.Key Scripture: James 1:1-8

What comes to mind when you think about God?In this powerful sermon, we are invited to elevate our understanding of God’s holiness by encountering the King Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6—a throne not at eye-level, but high and lifted up. This is the same King revealed in John 12: Jesus Christ. The one worshiped by angels in heaven, who arrives in humility on earth.He is not like us—He is set apart, utterly holy, and yet He draws near. Through Scripture, we trace the tension between transcendence and tenderness: a Holy King who humbles Himself to redeem sinful people.Come face-to-face with the glory of God—and leave with a deeper awe of grace.

What makes a life truly memorable in the eyes of God?In John 12, as Jesus approaches the cross, we encounter a remarkable act of worship from Mary of Bethany—an act so precious that Jesus declares it must be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. In this message, we examine Mary’s legacy and learn what God honors in a life fully surrendered to Him.From Mary’s sacrificial gift to her quiet humility and profound spiritual insight, we are reminded that it’s not fame, wealth, or achievement that leaves an eternal impact—but a heart that deeply loves and honors Christ.Passage: John 12:1–11Key Points:1. Mary’s Sacrifice 2. Mary’s Humility 3. Mary’s Insight 4. Mary’s LoveThis message calls us to lay our lives at the feet of Jesus—whether through giving, serving, learning, or loving. In doing so, we find the path to a life that heaven remembers.

As Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, we witness both the undeniable power of God and the tragic persistence of unbelief. This moment—filled with awe, compassion, and divine authority—should have led to universal worship. Instead, it becomes the trigger for the plot to kill Jesus.In this passage, we see Jesus deeply moved at the grave, not only by sorrow and death, but by the unbelief of those around Him. He commands life with His voice, calling Lazarus out of the tomb. Yet rather than bow in faith, many turn to conspire against Him.This sermon explores how hardened hearts can reject even the clearest revelation of God’s glory—and how, even in the midst of rejection, God’s sovereign plan unfolds perfectly.📖 Scripture: John 11:37–57Key Themes:1. Jesus grieves deeply and enters into our sorrow2. Resurrection power reveals the glory of God3. Unbelief persists—even in the face of undeniable miracles4. God’s redemptive plan moves forward through human rejection5. Caiaphas unknowingly prophesies the gospel: one man dies so many may live

Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He paused at the tomb—and wept.In this sermon, Pastor Jonny Ardavanis walks through John 11:28–35 and highlights one of the most profoundly human and divine moments in all of Scripture. Though Jesus knew resurrection was coming, He allowed Himself to fully feel the sorrow of the scene. He wept—not out of hopelessness, but out of love, indignation toward sin, and sympathy for those He loved.This message explores four truths revealed in Jesus' tears:1. He was a real man2. He is sympathetic 3. He hates sin and death4. He is the best of friendsThis is not a detached deity—this is a Savior who enters into our sorrow and stands with us in our grief. If you've ever wondered whether God truly understands what you're going through, let this passage and this message assure you: He does.