In Jeffrey Johnson's sermon "The Fundamentals," he emphasizes the core, essential truths of the Christian gospel that cannot be compromised. He begins by referencing 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, where Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel message: Christ's death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures. Johnson stresses that Christianity is not just about being a good person or vaguely believing in Jesus, but involves specific, non-negotiable beliefs. These include Christ's incarnation, sinlessness, death, burial, and resurrection.

The sermon addresses the issue the Corinthian church faced, which was influenced by Gnostic thinking that downplayed the physical body, focusing only on the spiritual. This led some Corinthians to deny the resurrection of the dead, which Johnson points out is a fundamental error. He argues that if Christians deny the bodily resurrection, they deny the gospel itself, because Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope.

Johnson further explains that faith in the gospel is not just a one-time event but an ongoing commitment. Believing in the essentials of the gospel—Christ's death and resurrection—saves initially and continues to sustain the believer. He emphasizes that faith is not something we generate ourselves but comes from hearing the Word of God. Johnson highlights the importance of maintaining this faith and warns that failing to do so renders one’s belief vain. True faith in Christ is the only way to salvation, and it is faith in the power of the gospel, not in human wisdom or strength, that gives life and hope.

The sermon concludes by reminding listeners that faith is not about self-confidence or human effort but trusting fully in Christ’s work on the cross and His resurrection. This is how believers are saved and stand in grace—through the power of Christ, not their own.

In Jeffrey Johnson's sermon "The Rules of Engagement," based on 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, he addresses the theme of orderly worship and the importance of corporate church attendance. Johnson begins by humorously recounting a story about a pastor reluctant to attend church, underscoring how even committed Christians can occasionally feel disinclined to gather for worship. However, he stresses that this should not become a habit or excuse to neglect church.

The core message of the sermon revolves around Paul's correction to the Corinthian church's disorderly practices, particularly regarding the misuse of spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy. The Corinthian church had turned their services into chaotic, unstructured events where multiple people spoke at once without interpretation or discernment, which hindered worship and learning. Paul, in chapters 12 through 14, teaches that these gifts must be exercised in order and with a focus on corporate edification, not individual experiences.

Johnson makes a larger application of this passage to modern churchgoers, outlining four reasons Christians should regularly attend church:

1. Attendance is assumed: Paul doesn't explicitly command church attendance because it is taken for granted that Christians will gather for corporate worship.

2. To serve and edify one another: Church is not just for personal benefit but for building up the body of Christ. Each member's gifts and presence contribute to the growth and encouragement of the community.

3. To learn and be encouraged: Church is a place for teaching, learning, and mutual encouragement. Proper order in worship allows for everyone to understand and grow in their faith.

4. To submit to God’s order: The structure of the church is designed by God, and all members, including spiritual leaders and women, are called to submit to the roles and order He has established.

Johnson emphasizes that church attendance is not merely about fulfilling a duty but about corporate worship, learning, serving, and submitting to God’s design. He concludes by stating that the church is essential for spiritual growth and sanctification, and it offers a foretaste of heaven through the love and unity shared among believers.

In his sermon "The Need to Understand," Jeffrey Johnson focuses on 1 Corinthians 14:1-25, addressing the tension between emotional experiences and doctrinal understanding in Christian worship, particularly regarding the use of tongues and prophecy. Johnson emphasizes that while spiritual experiences, including speaking in tongues, were present in the early church, they must be grounded in clear and understandable communication of God’s Word for the edification of the congregation.

He outlines two common types of Christians: those who prioritize academic and theological understanding and those who focus on emotional and devotional experiences. While both are important, Johnson cautions against extremes—pursuing theology without personal devotion or chasing emotionalism without grounding in Scripture.

Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 14, according to Johnson, highlights the importance of prophecy over tongues in the church because prophecy can be understood by all and builds up the body. Tongues, on the other hand, without interpretation, fail to benefit the congregation and may lead to confusion rather than edification.

Johnson explains eight reasons why speaking in tongues, without interpretation, is ineffective in church: it doesn’t make sense to others, doesn’t build up the church, is not beneficial, remains personally unfruitful, disrupts corporate worship, wastes time, does not mature believers, and was not designed for corporate worship. He emphasizes that clear, articulate communication of the Word is what convicts, builds up, and leads to genuine spiritual growth.

The sermon concludes by stressing the power of God's Word to transform lives. Johnson encourages believers to pursue both emotional experiences of God's presence and deep understanding of Scripture, for true spiritual encounters come through the clear proclamation and understanding of God's Word.