Citadel Square Sermons

Habakkuk | Judgment Falls - Habakkuk 2:4-14

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Habakkuk 2:4-14.
God has given Habakkuk the secret of resting in His purposes. Habakkuk's faith is the key to embracing God's plan to discipline his people, but God's not done speaking. God turns to address the Babylonians' corrupt approach to life. Greed fuels their ambition, and God shows Habakkuk that their ambitions and desires will ultimately result in a reversal of all their ambition. Strength will become weakness, and riches poverty. They will be emptied of every victory that they have earned and ultimately exposed.  Habakkuk forces us to examine the guiding forces behind our own motivations, and asks if the glory of God or the glory of man rules our hearts? Are we willing to walk by faith in a God whose purposes are often a mystery, or will we walk by the lure of what we can see?

Habakkuk | Righteous by Faith - Habakkuk 2:2-4

Pastor Steve Lindenmeyer preaches from Habakkuk 2:2-4.
This week, we will see God respond to Habakkuk's second complaint. In His grace and mercy, God chooses to give an answer, and He encourages Habakkuk to write it down to be preserved throughout the ages. The theme and focal point of the entire book is unveiled when God tells the prophet that the righteous shall live by faith. Just like Habakkuk, we must choose between a life of puffed-up pride that questions the sovereignty of God or humble dependence that believes in God's goodness by faith.

Habakkuk | Why Do the Wicked Win? - Habakkuk 1:12-2:1

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Habakkuk 1:12-2:1.
Habakkuk has heard some hard news. The violence and wickedness of his people will be addressed, but in a way that causes Habakkuk even more consternation. Habakkuk continues his quest for understanding, asking how and why God chooses to judge evil, with even worse evil. Isn't God holy? Has he forgotten his promise? How do we still trust God in times when the wicked cause such suffering without any reproof from heaven? Habakkuk shows us that our faith has to go deeper than what we know, into a true encounter with the living God.

Habakkuk | Life in the Gap - Habakkuk 1:5-11

Ben Miller preaches from Habakkuk 1:5-11.
After accusing God of being totally absent, God responds and essentially says, “I’m up to something and if I told you it would blow your mind.” In our passage this week, as God draws back the curtain on exactly what He is up to, our minds are blown indeed. Now, along with Habakkuk, we’re forced to reckon with the fact that God does not operate on our terms. He acts according to the counsel of His will, not ours, which upsets our equilibrium. This is the tension Habakkuk steps into this week, and one that we’re all invited into along with him. 

Habakkuk | Do You See What I See? - Habakkuk 1:1-5

Pastor Steve Heron begins our new series in Habakkuk and preaches from Habakkuk 1:1-5.
What happens when what we see gets the best of us? What happens when our prayers aren't answered? When evil is winning, and God is nowhere to be found? The book of Habakkuk introduces us to a prophet who struggles to understand God. Set during the time of Judah's impending exile, Habakkuk wrestles with finding God in a time where wickedness and injustice are the rule of law. Rather than turning to bitterness and unbelief, Habakkuk processes his experience with God and finds that God is up to more than he could possibly imagine.

Through Him | Hebrews 13:15-16

Britt Stokes preaches from Hebrews 13:15-16.
This letter to the Hebrews is one large exhortation about the sufficiency and excellency of Christ. In the closing chapter of the book, we find various encouragements about how to effectively navigate the kingdom of God, in light of Christ’s person and work. Those who claim the name of Christ are to be principled in their actions. Accordingly, Christians make the earthly pilgrimage, through Christ, in terms of praise, doing good, and sharing what we have.

Philippians | Greet One Another - Philippians 4:21-23

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Philippians 4:21-23.
As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians, his warmth continues to overflow. He greets each Christian in the church at Philippi and reminds us of the progress of the gospel message that has shaped his life. Finally, Paul closes his letter with the strength that is available for every church that strives to live faithfully to the truth they have received: The grace of God.

Philippians | The Learned Secret - Philippians 4:10-20

Pastor AJ Rankin preaches from Philippians 4:10-20.
As we approach the end of the letter, Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians' gospel partnership and financial gift. But in doing so, he reveals something remarkable—he has learned the secret of how to be equally satisfied whether he has everything or nothing. Paul reveals that true contentment isn't found in favorable circumstances but in Christ's strengthening presence. His discovery will help shape how we think about strength, generosity, and God's provision.

Philippians | Peace in Practice - Philippians 4:2-9

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Philippians 4:2-9.
Paul pens the final chapter of his letter, weaving together and applying themes we've seen before. In three brief exhortations, Paul shows us that our personal relationships, our prayer life, and our thought life are key barometers to watch when we consider how "Rejoicing in the Lord" applies to us

Philippians | Follow Me - Philippians 3:17-4:1

Ben Miller preaches on Philippians 3:17-4:1.
As Paul has concluded his inner subjective experience, he now turns his attention back to the Philippians specifically. What does it look like to ‘hold the line’ as we saw Paul exhort them last week? How do we recognize those who are “mature” and are “straining toward the goal?” Better yet, how do we know we can trust what Paul is saying? This passage takes us to the heart of these questions.