Check Your Soil (Luke 8:4-15)

Nov 5

In this sermon we'll be looking at the Parable of the Sower from Luke 8:4-15. This story will challenge us to consider how we respond to God's Word. Does it make a difference in our lives? Do we hear it, hold to it, and bear good fruit?

More sermons in this series:

More sermons from Pastor John Toone:

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November 5, 2026

Check Your Soil (Luke 8:4-15)

November 5, 2026

October 29, 2026

Forgiven Much Or Forgiven Little? (Luke 7:36-8:3)

October 29, 2026

In this sermon we'll talk about Christ's forgiveness from Luke 7:36-8:3. The more that we are aware of the extent of our sin and of how much Christ has forgiven us, the more grateful we will be. We'll look at an example of someone who thought that they only needed a little forgiveness (Simon the Pharisee) and contrast him with women who knew how much Jesus had done for them.

October 29, 2026

October 15, 2026

Not What You Expected (Luke 7:18-35)

October 15, 2026

In this sermon we'll discover that Jesus was not a Messiah like people expected. Luke 7:18-35 will show us that even John the Baptist began to question if Jesus really was who He said He was. Jesus will not always do what we expect. So, the question each of us needs to answer is: will we still trust in Him?

October 15, 2026

October 1, 2026

The Compassionate Prophet (Luke 7:11-17)

October 1, 2026

In this sermon we'll look at the account of Jesus raising a widow's dead son back to life from Luke 7:11-17. We'll focus on Jesus' compassion for the suffering widow and the crowd's reaction to this miracle. They were afraid, they saw Jesus as a great prophet, and they could tell that God was visiting His people.

October 1, 2026

September 24, 2026

Worthy of Authority (Luke 7:1-10)

September 24, 2026

In this sermon we'll look at the story of Jesus healing a centurion's servant from Luke 7:1-10. We'll learn whether we are worthy of or deserve God's grace. We'll also talk about what kind of authority Jesus has and what it means for us today.

September 24, 2026

September 17, 2026

Fruit and Foundations (Luke 6:43-49)

September 17, 2026

In this sermon we will finish Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. Luke 6:43-49 talks about how important it is that our faith be lived out in our actions. If we produce good fruit by obeying Jesus, then we reveal that we have a good heart. We have been changed by God and are secure on a firm foundation. But if our lives do not reflect Jesus, because we do not obey His words, then we are building on a foundation of earth that will lead to destruction.

September 17, 2026

September 10, 2026

Hypocrite or Helper? (Luke 6:37-42)

September 10, 2026

In this sermon we return to Jesus' sermon in Luke 6:37-42. In this passage, Jesus talks about how His people are to avoid prideful judgments, because all people are sinners. Instead, they should practice helpful discernment by looking in the mirror and acting against their own sin first, before examining the fruit in the lives of others.

September 10, 2026

August 27, 2026

Hard Love (Luke 6:27-36)

August 27, 2026

In this sermon we will look at one of the most difficult teachings Jesus ever gave us in Luke 6:27-36. He tells us that we are to love our enemies. That's not easy, but it is based on the way that God first loved us when we were His enemies. As Romans 5:8 says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

August 27, 2026

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July 3, 2025

In Remembrance Of Me (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

July 3, 2025

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 will highlight how the Lord's Supper is meant to be a testimony to our unity as a church, a powerful moment to remember and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and an opportunity to reflect on what Jesus has done for us.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself, "What does it mean to 'examine' myself?"

"Why is the Lord's Supper important?"

July 3, 2025

November 6, 2024

What To Do After The Election (Colossians 4:2-6)

November 6, 2024

The 2024 election is only a few days away. Maybe you think about it with excitement, anxiety, or relief that the political ads will stop. In this sermon, Colossians 4:2-6 will remind us that while elections are important, the daily decisions that we make to live for Christ are more important. Believers should daily decide to pray, share the good news, and walk in wisdom toward non-believers. Why are the daily decisions I make to live for Christ so important? How can I put those decisions in the proper perspective?

November 6, 2024

August 16, 2022

Not "By" Works, But "For" Works (Ephesians 2:8-10)

August 16, 2022

Inspired by this year's VBS theme verse, we'll then look at Ephesians 2:8-10 to talk about the relationship between salvation and good works. We are not saved "by" good works, but "by" God's grace and through faith in Jesus Christ.
Yet, we are saved "for" good works that God has prepared ahead of time for us to do for His glory.

August 16, 2022

April 19, 2022

The Race on Easter Morning (John 20:1-9)

April 19, 2022

We look at John 20:1-9 and the account several people who were running around on the morning of Christ’s resurrection trying to figure out what happened to the tomb and body of the man they loved. The answer would surprise them and change the world!

Why do we come to church on Easter morning?

What difference does (or should) the resurrection of Jesus make in my daily life?

April 19, 2022

January 11, 2022

January 9, 2022 Sermon

January 11, 2022

A sermon from Pastor John Toone.

January 11, 2022

August 17, 2021

Seek and Find (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

August 17, 2021

How we can seek and find God?

Am I seeking God? What truth do we find in the Bible about Jesus Christ?”

August 17, 2021

Recent Series

Featured

Luke: Discovering Jesus

We will start a new sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. This sermon will be an introduction to the book and the first two chapters, focusing on Luke 1:1-4. We can trust what Luke writes about Jesus because he is presenting an orderly account of Jesus' life based on eyewitness testimony. This book should give us certainty about the truth of Jesus Christ.

Amos: The Lord Roars

We begin a new series through the book of Amos, which show us how to respond when the Lord roars with judgment.

Where do we find hope in the Lord’s passion for justice?

2 Peter: Double-check

2 Peter is about making sure (or double-checking) that we know what we believe and that we are growing in the faith.

JOB: Where Is God?

We will begin a new series going through the Old Testament book of Job. We ponder what we should do when God feels distant and things go wrong in our lives. Will we still trust in God's sovereign goodness and loving-kindness?

Titus: Mission Of The Church

Our focus will be on what God says our mission/goal as a church should be. In Titus 1:1-4, we'll talk about our responsibility to know the truth, live it out, and trust in the hope of eternal life.

Exodus | Escape To God’s Presence

Exodus emphasizes what God has done to bring us (His people) into His presence and into a relationship with Him.

Who Is Jesus? | The Gospel Of Mark

Summer Reading With The Word: A Study Of Psalm 119

Jesus Is Better - A Study Of The Book Of Hebrews

This is a powerful book that boldly proclaims the message that Jesus is Better! We’ll look at Hebrews 1:1-3 and talk about how the message ‘Jesus is Better’ can be a great encouragement to us.

We're Back! Now What? - A Study of The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah

Like the Israelites in exile, we have experienced many events that have kept us from serving God the way we were used to. But now, how should we move forward? The books of Ezra and Nehemiah help us answer that question. We’ll start this week in Ezra 1-2 learning about how God keeps His promises.
Will God keep what He has promised? How can I learn to trust Him?

Love In A Broken World - A Study of the Book of Ruth

Rejoice & Grow (Epistle to the Philippians)

“Joy is how believers who know Christ and whose futures are guaranteed by Christ respond in the context of present difficulties.” -Gordon Fee

The Sermon (Matthew 5-7)

What is The Sermon about?

Hope in Hard Times (Lamentations 3)

When it feels like God is against you.

Moving Forward: A Study Through the Book of Joshua

God is faithful and is ready to move forward.

Pastor John TooneJesusLukeSowerGrowth

Pastor John Toone

Pastor John Toone had served as East Shore’s Associate Pastor from June 2014 until his appointment as Senior Pastor in September 2020.

John’s passion is to glorify God and see His Word transform lives into the image of Christ, by the Holy Spirit’s power, in fulfillment of the Great Commission. He enjoys spending time with his family, talking about the Bible and theology, reading, watching movies, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles!