In this sermon, Ridley Barron preached about the enduring comfort and guidance found in Psalm 23, exploring the metaphor of God as our shepherd. Drawing on David’s experiences and the cultural context of shepherding in the ancient Near East, Barron highlighted the deep confidence believers can have in God’s presence and provision, even amid fear, chaos, and uncertainty. He addressed the ways fear is used to manipulate in today’s world, contrasted the promises of God with the empty assurances of society, and explained how true contentment and peace come from trusting the shepherd rather than focusing on our own desires or circumstances. Through practical illustrations and biblical teaching, Barron encouraged listeners to examine their relationship with the shepherd and to rest in the assurance that God is with them, even in their darkest valleys, providing for every need and inviting them to a life of trust, peace, and abundance.

Timestamps:

00:00 Psalm 23: Comfort and Confidence

03:59 "The Shepherd as Provider"

07:38 Align Desires with Divine Will

09:32 Trusting the Shepherd's Provision

13:48 Church Leadership and Community Peace

18:27 Embracing Fear for Closeness

22:12 Divine Peace Amidst Conflict

24:27 "Truly Knowing the Shepherd"

27:48 Guard Your Home's Influence

33:17 "Trust the Shepherd's Guidance"

34:12 "Invitation to Peace with God"

The Lord is My Shepherd - Immersed Series

In this sermon, Ridley Barron preached about the profound difference between what we try to do for God and what God has already done for us. Drawing from 2 Samuel 7 and the story of King David, Barron explores the nature of God’s unconditional promises—specifically the Davidic covenant—and how our salvation is rooted in God’s initiative, not our own efforts or performance. Through practical examples, scriptural insights, and relatable humor, he addresses common struggles with performance-based faith, emphasizing that Christianity is about receiving grace, not earning it. Barron challenges listeners to consider how they use their time, talents, treasures, and testimonies out of gratitude for God’s grace, reminding the church that God’s love and forgiveness are unearned and freely given, and our call is simply to respond and join Him in His work.

Timestamps:

00:00 "How Much Must We Do?"

03:37 God's Message to Nathan

07:59 Prophetic Layering Explained

10:53 "Forgiveness Through Christ's Sacrifice"

14:07 "Embracing God's Grace"

18:25 "Salvation's Beginning and Principles"

22:31 "Sabbath: Embrace Stillness, Hear God"

23:14 Inability to Focus in Modern Society

29:53 "Everyone Has 168 Hours"

30:38 "Strengthening Your Relationship with God"

36:08 Gratefulness, Service, and Humility

38:52 "God: A Cyclone of Purpose"

40:37 Eternal Investments and Reunion

44:40 Invitation to Reflect on Faith

Not What We Do, But What He Does For Us - Immersed Series

In this sermon, Ridley Barron preached about the concept of being ordinary people called to serve an extraordinary God. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the condition of our hearts over outward appearances or achievements, using the biblical story of David as an illustration. Barron encouraged the congregation to recognize their everyday roles and gifts as opportunities for divine purpose, reminding them that true significance and exceptionalism come not from human accolades but from being empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's glory. With inviting humility, he urged listeners to embrace their ordinariness as a platform for God's extraordinary work and to remain open to wherever He calls them, whether in public or private spaces.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Gospel Conversations Define Lasting Impact"

03:05 "Samuel: Last Judge, First Prophet"

06:11 Saul's Disobedience and Samuel's Rebuke

11:13 Samuel's Arrival: Fear and Sacrifice

13:39 "Embrace and Serve Your Faith"

16:24 "Prepare Internally for God's Use"

20:54 "True Humility Over Social Prestige"

26:10 "Parental Delusion in Sports Abilities"

26:54 Ordinary to Extraordinary Through God

31:42 "Divine Purpose in Everyday Tasks"

34:00 "Embracing the Extraordinary"

38:14 "Stop Excuses, Embrace the Call"

41:03 "Purposeful Callings Explored"

The Call of David - Immersed Series

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Pastor Ridley Barron talked about the recent reading in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, while also reviewing the new series House of David on Amazon. They discussed the show's portrayal of biblical events, where it aligned well with scripture, and where it took creative liberties, especially around David's character and Saul's mental decline. The conversation also dived into deeper topics like the significance of Jerusalem, the mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, the origins of synagogues, and David's passionate worship, tying them back to broader lessons for believers today.

Timestamps:

00:01 Introduction and overview of House of David series
01:20 Discussion on Saul's mental illness portrayal
02:47 Timeline of David’s early story and realism of the series
03:50 David’s family background and Hollywood liberties
06:00 Character development of David vs Jonathan in the show
07:26 Depictions of Hebrew culture and battle scenes
10:06 The significance of Jerusalem in scripture
12:30 The Ark of the Covenant and its mysteries
16:36 Theories about the Ark’s disappearance
18:14 Why David wanted to build the temple
20:46 Why Christians today don't build temples
21:51 Origins of synagogues and the word "church"
24:22 David’s dance before the Lord and lessons on undignified worship
28:40 Pride, bitterness, and Michal’s story

The House of David, The Ark, and Temples: Exploring the Sacred and the Cinematic

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Pastor Ridley Barron talked about the rich and complex stories surrounding King David as found in the chronological Bible reading plan. Coming off the celebration of Easter, they dove into the overlapping narratives of 1 & 2 Samuel, Chronicles, and Psalms—focusing on why David’s life receives so much attention in scripture. They explored David’s rise to power, the political tensions between tribes, the mysterious story of Jabez, and the spiritual lessons we can learn from David's victories, failures, and prayers. Along the way, they reflected on themes of national identity, God's sovereignty, and what it means to trust God even in chaotic times.

Timestamps:

01:10 – Why the Bible repeats David's story across multiple books
02:55 – The role of national identity in Israel’s history and today
06:44 – Balancing Christian allegiance with national citizenship
08:02 – The prayer of Jabez and what it teaches (and doesn't teach)
12:27 – Why only Judah initially supported David as king
15:01 – David’s rise, Bathsheba, and the consequences of sin
16:32 – The bizarre 12-on-12 duel: what's going on there?
19:42 – David's reaction to Saul's death and what it says about loving your enemies
22:24 – Lessons from David’s hotheadedness and the wisdom of waiting on God

The Secret Prayer, a 12-on-12 Death Match, and David’s Royal Soap Opera

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Pastor Ridley Barron talked about the deeper and often overlooked parts of David’s story in 1 Samuel. While most people know the famous tale of David and Goliath, this conversation dives into David’s polygamy, the troubling nature of Saul’s mental and spiritual decline, the mysterious account of Saul and the medium, and what it means when the Bible says David "strengthened himself in the Lord." They also reflect on Psalms tied to David's journey and wrap up with an encouraging reminder about remembering God’s faithfulness through journaling and prayer.

Timestamps:

 * 01:17 – David's multiple wives and polygamy in the Old Testament 
 * 03:54 – How polygamy is still present in parts of the world today 
 * 07:04 – Saul’s emotional instability and possible spiritual oppression 
 * 10:46 – Saul, the medium, and the question of Samuel's spirit 
 * 13:15 – Comparing other rare supernatural appearances in scripture 
 * 17:26 – David strengthening himself in the Lord after Ziglag 
 * 19:14 – The emotional intimacy of God shown in the Psalms 
 * 21:29 – The value of extended time in prayer 
 * 23:44 – Why it's important to learn history and remember God's works 
 * 25:10 – Practical ways to remember God’s faithfulness through journaling and scripture

Wives, Witchcraft, and Wilderness Prayers: Offbeat Stories of David and Saul

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Pastor Ridley Barron talked about the book of 1 Samuel, highlighting its rich narratives and deep spiritual insights. They explored some of the lesser-known corners of the book, diving into topics like leadership driven by fear versus faith, the training grounds of pastures in David’s life, and even the strange moments where Saul prophesies—once while naked. They also discussed why God might have chosen Saul despite knowing he’d fail, and how stories in the Bible help us internalize truth through narrative. This episode is packed with thoughtful conversation, honest questions, and humorous reflections on one of the most action-filled books of the Bible.

Timestamps:

00:26 – Why 1 Samuel is such an exciting and universal story
01:40 – Sermon recap: faith-driven vs fear-driven leadership
04:09 – Warning signs of ambitious spiritual leadership
07:39 – Best ways to give feedback to church leaders
10:08 – Balancing time spent on spiritual growth
12:06 – Pastures as training grounds for leadership
15:35 – Wrestling with hard questions in 1 Samuel (God closing Hannah’s womb)
17:06 – Saul’s strange experiences with prophesying
20:30 – Saul prophesies naked – what’s going on?
23:15 – David fakes madness to survive – did God approve?
25:13 – Why did God choose Saul knowing he’d fail?
27:16 – Preview of upcoming sermons on the life of David
28:00 – Why stories stick with us and shape our faith

God’s Strange Training Grounds: What Hannah, David, and Saul Have in Common

In this sermon, Ridley Barron preached about the concept of being ordinary people called to serve an extraordinary God. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the condition of our hearts over outward appearances or achievements, using the biblical story of David as an illustration. Barron encouraged the congregation to recognize their everyday roles and gifts as opportunities for divine purpose, reminding them that true significance and exceptionalism come not from human accolades but from being empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's glory. With inviting humility, he urged listeners to embrace their ordinariness as a platform for God's extraordinary work and to remain open to wherever He calls them, whether in public or private spaces.

Timestamps: 

00:00 "Gospel Conversations Define Lasting Impact"

03:05 "Samuel: Last Judge, First Prophet"

06:11 Saul's Disobedience and Samuel's Rebuke

11:13 Samuel's Arrival: Fear and Sacrifice

13:39 "Embrace and Serve Your Faith"

16:24 "Prepare Internally for God's Use"

20:54 "True Humility Over Social Prestige"

26:10 "Parental Delusion in Sports Abilities"

26:54 Ordinary to Extraordinary Through God

31:42 "Divine Purpose in Everyday Tasks"

34:00 "Embracing the Extraordinary"

38:14 "Stop Excuses, Embrace the Call"

41:03 "Purposeful Callings Explored"

Call of David - Immersed Series

In this sermon, pastor Ridley Barron preached about the need for unwavering commitment to God amidst cultural decay and moral relativism. He highlights the parallels between the ancient Israelites' struggles, as depicted in the book of Judges, and the current societal challenges faced in places like the United States. Ridley emphasizes the consequences of partial obedience and the danger of allowing idolatry to infiltrate our lives, drawing comparisons between past and present temptations. Through a call to live "sent lives," he urges listeners to prioritize their devotion to God and foster an environment where the next generation is conscious of the Lord's presence and works. The message is a compelling reminder to examine personal faith, eradicate compromise, and choose steadfast commitment to God as the true King.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Living Sent Lives"

05:40 "Following God Despite Challenges"

09:09 "Living God's Command: A Call"

11:56 Selective Obedience to God’s Command

13:53 "Trust Over Chariots"

19:04 "Lost Generation's Forgotten Faith"

20:55 "Sowing Biblical Seeds in Children"

26:09 "Breaking Generational Cycles"

30:36 Self-Reflection on True Worship

31:38 True God vs. False Idols

36:42 "Choose: Light Amidst Darkness"

38:13 "From Compromise to Commitment"

No King But Jesus - Immersed Series

In this sermon, Pastor Ridley Barron preached about the strength and courage required for the Church of Jesus Christ to fulfill God's plan and purpose. Drawing from the story of Joshua, Ridley  highlighted the importance of the congregation's steadfastness in faith and obedience to God's word. He emphasized the necessity of meditating on Scripture and allowing it to transform lives, arguing that God's promises remain unchanging and call for active participation in possessing the spiritual blessings granted through Christ. Encouraging believers to step out in faith despite life's challenges, Ridley urged the church to embrace God's abundant promises and avoid living in spiritual defeat and compromise.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Answering God's Call Today"

03:02 Nationwide Spiritual Revival Movements

07:23 "Joshua's Affirmation and Purpose"

10:55 God's Covenant Fulfillment Journey

13:03 "Faith vs. Fear and Doubt"

19:22 Contrasting Mindsets: Eastern vs. Biblical

22:57 Facing Fears with Faith

24:47 Stages of Growth and Promise Fulfillment

27:50 "Divine Judgment and Holiness"

31:10 Contingent Blessings Through Faithful Response

35:45 Immigrant's Ocean Liner Realization

39:28 "God's Next Move"

43:02 "Self-Reliant Spiritual Practice"

45:08 Trusting Faith Amidst Life's Trials

Strength & Courage - Immersed Series

Listen to the sermons, series, and bible studies of Grove Hill Church in Chapel Hill, TN. 