Sermons by Steve Kaptain
Secure to Serve: Identity before Activity
Sermon text: Mark 1:1-13; Mark 1:17 Like the Israelites John called to repentance, many believers today remain stuck in a spiritual wilderness—wandering, unsure of their purpose, and disconnected from mission. But the way forward isn’t to escape the wilderness; it’s to anchor our identity in Christ. Just as Jesus heard the Father say, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” we too must receive and rest in the truth that we are deeply loved and fully…
From Failure to Faithfulness
Sermon text: Mark 1, Mark 15Let’s explore the life of John Mark—once a fearful deserter, later a bold gospel writer—as a living testimony of the transforming power of Jesus’ message. Rooted in Mark 1:1, 1:15, and the abrupt ending in Mark 16:8, it challenges us to see that while fear may silence us for a season, the gospel calls us to rise again in faith. Just as Mark moved from failure to faithfulness, we too can be redeemed, restored, and…
Be a True Friend to Jesus, and Bear Fruit
Sermon text: John 15:1-17 The real question isn’t “Is Jesus my friend?”—that’s already been answered. Of course He is. He proved His friendship beyond all doubt by laying down His life for us. The better question is, “Am I a friend of Jesus?” And the path to answering that isn’t found in trying harder or doing more. It’s found in remaining—abiding—in His love. As we stay connected to the One who demonstrated ultimate friendship at the cross, our lives begin…
Come, Follow Me, and Make a Difference
Sermon text: Matthew 4:18-25 After walking with Jesus for over a year, His early followers are invited to take the next bold step: to go from following Him to fishing for people. This deeper call isn’t just about activity—it’s about transformation. As we accept His invitation, our character begins to reflect His, and our priorities realign with His mission. Jesus doesn’t just call us to Himself—He calls us to a purpose that changes lives, starting with our own. Header photo…
Checkmate! The Daniel Game
Sermon text: Daniel 11:2-4; Daniel 11:36-45 The angel Gabriel pulls back the curtain of history to show Daniel—and us—that God is always in control, even when the world feels chaotic. The rise and fall of kings, the clash of empires, and the schemes of the enemy all seem overwhelming. At times, it feels like God’s people are held in checkmate, with no way out. But just when it looks like the enemy has the upper hand, God reveals His hidden…
Daniel Undone
Sermon text: Daniel 10:12-14 The prophet is granted a glimpse beyond the veil, revealing a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil. This unseen spiritual warfare can stir fear and make us hesitant to pursue God’s calling on our lives. But there is hope: the sacrifice of Christ—God’s perfect love in action—breaks fear’s grip and empowers us to stand firm in His purposes. Header image by Gioele Fazzeri on Unsplash.
The Daniel Timeline
Sermon text: Daniel 9:20-27 There are four major ways to interpret Daniel’s prophecy concerning the 70 weeks. It is only through the illumination of the Spirit that we can avoid getting bogged down in the details to understand the point of the prophecy and apply it to our lives.
Daniel: Moving from Blame to Compassion
Sermon text: Daniel 9:1-19 Every Christian can shift from blame to compassion by seeking God’s presence, interceding for the hurting, and imploring Him to act. Intercessory prayer, in particular, deepens our identification with a lost world and compels us to bring them the gospel. Header image by Patrick Fore on Unsplash.
The Daniel Prophecy
Sermon text: Daniel 8:1-4; Daniel 8:15-17; Daniel 8:26-27 Daniel’s vision concerning the empire of Greece under Alexander the Great is so precise that it compels us to consider the case for prophecy. If Daniel’s vision is truly prophecy, then we can trust that God is truly in control and has a plan for the nation of Israel and for my own life. Header image by Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash.
Daniel: Pouring Out Power and Privilege
Sermon text: Daniel 7:19-28 Humans have always longed for a king and a kingdom that would wed their personal values with privilege and power. The way of Jesus is exactly the opposite. Jesus poured out power and privilege, even to the point of death on the cross, to build the kingdom of God. Those who imitate Him belong to that kingdom. Header image by Minu Pradeep on Unsplash.
Daniel and His Beasts
Sermon text: Daniel 7:1-18 There are many lenses through which we can interpret and understand the prophecy of the four beasts. Daniel wants us to understand the main point: God is in control of the kingdoms of men and His kingdom will ultimately prevail. The way in which leaders respond to this truth impacts the entire nation. Header image by Dustin Humes on Unsplash.
The Daniel Deliverance
Sermon text: Daniel 6:2-3; Daniel 6:25-28 Daniel increasingly widens his influence through the practice of integrity and spiritual habits. His enemies, on the other hand, shrink their influence through a lack of integrity and subterfuge by setting Daniel up to be executed in the lion’s den. The lesson for us? Like Daniel we can expand our circle of influence in life by exercising personal integrity and practicing spiritual habits.